Some friends gave me hell for not updating as it’s the only way that they know if I’m in town or not (they live out of the city). So here goes.
This Saturday (July 2nd) I fly to Zurich Switzerland for a week. The flight leaves at 8pm and I arrive back in Toronto on Saturday, the 9th, at about 3pm.
Then I’m in town for 2 1/2 days. I leave for Calgary Tuesday July 12th at 5:30pm and come back the next night at midnight.
Ok Sandy?
Dave Barry
>“Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy, overweight Protestants, today it’s open to anybody who owns hideous clothing.”
Dick Cavett
>“If your parents never had children, chances are you won’t, either.”
Yesterday Jan and I took her new car up to Wasaga Beach and then went out to lunch with Maxine. We headed over to the village at Blue Mountain where the Interwest group is pouring buckets of money into development.
I don’t ski but I have played the Montera golf course a couple of times and I always found the area a tad seedy and tired looking. New condos building among old chalets gave the area a schizoprehnic quality. Well, the new money is trying very hard to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. The “village” is filled with trendy stores, bars and resturants with new construction everywhere.
We had a lunch at a new place called Kaytoo and I was very surprised at how reasonable it was. They probably double their prices when the ski season starts but the food is good, the staff is pleasant and the decor is clean and very pleasing to the eye. They’re creating a lake just outside the restaurant and the patio is large and comfortable. Unfortunately, the weather yesterday was a little cool and breezy but I’m sure that they’ll have plenty of business on a warm summer’s day.
We did manage to catch a little sunny break so the top came down and we got to do a little cruising. Convertibles seem to make people smile and the ocassional toot of admiration was heard. Most of the day, however, was cloudy with scattered showers that took a lot of fun out of the excursion.
Today is another blah day so I’m hiding in the basement watching the US Open.
J. R. R. Tolkien
>“It’s a dangerous business going out your front door.”
A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to watch a Blue Jays game from a private box (they lost). We ducked out on a balcony to have a smoke and I took this shot looking towards the Air Canada Centre where the Maples Leaf play - well, used to play and may someday play again.
The tall condos on the right completely block any view of Lake Ontario and it’s a shame to see that Toronto is squandering the beauty of the waterfront by letting this unchecked development continue.
If you look closely at the pole on the left (click picture to enlarge), you’ll see a woodpecker. Of course it’s not real but still I like the touch to remind people that nature is still around somewhere though I doubt that anyone has seen a real pileated woodpecker in the downtown core for many years.
For the last few days, it has been so hot here that no one wants to spend much time outdoors. With the humidity, it feels well over 40C. We’ve managed to keep the house fairly cool with our one air conditioner but for those of us who wear fur coats all the time energy conservation is key to getting through the day. (click picture to enlarge)
Late Friday afternoon sitting in the Air Canada lounge in Montreal airport.
Just over an hour till I get the hell out of here. 3 days of problem solving takes its toll on one’s mind.
In a couple of hours I’ll be sipping a cool one at Jake’s.
Just back from a dinner down on Crescent Street in downtown Montreal. This weekend marks the Montreal Grand Prix and the joint was jumping! A nice meal at Winnie’s and lots of people (and car) watching. Would have stayed longer but I’m getting old.
Of course, I’m kicking myself for not bringing the camera.
Jan’s new car. I don’t want to mention mid-life crisis but this is such a departure for her and I love it!!
Of course, there’s no way she’s going to let me drive it.
Ok, so I said I wasn’t going to Montreal. Well, here I am!
We had an issue come up at work so it was off to the airport early this morning. I’m here until Friday night. Work, work, work.
Why would I review a book that I haven’t finished reading yet? Because this book is changing my life. David Allen is my guru. He’s the reason I’m actually posting today.
Allen’s guide to rearranging and taking control of both your business and personal life is simple to read and even simpler to put into practice. It’s not another artsy fartsy tome on harnessing your inner power or the value of crystals. Instead, it’s page after page of concrete actions that allow you to bring order back to your life. I’ve been more productive at work over the last week than I have in years. I control my day and the feeling is awesome.
Nothing Allen suggests is groundbreaking or unique. He just shows you how to do things that empower you. I can see my desk, my inbox is usually empty and I’ve even found time to plan!
This post is NOT coming from Montreal. I’m at home on a very hot Sunday instead of working my ass off on the project that was scheduled to be taking me away from home for 10 days. The project got cancelled and I can’t say I’m sorry.
I was getting so stressed over this thing that I thought I would burst. The last few posts here have been so negative that I really didn’t feel like getting back online and saying anything for fear that it would be more gloom and everyone would think “What a pathetic little whiner!”. It’s OK folks, no more self endulgant crap.
Summer has arrived in Toronto, and how. Temperature may hit 30C today and it looks like we’re in for a week of hot, humid weather. The golf course is green and the ball rolls true.
Yesterday, a couple of friends and I convoyed up to Wasaga to pick up a bedroom suite from Maxine. A nice drive and a tasty lunch were the rewards for a little bit of hard work. Met up with Bob and Sandy for drinks and then had the boys over for supper last night - thick steaks, mushrooms and potatoes washed downed with nice cold beer. It’s been a full weekend and it’s only half over.
Speaking of Bob and Sandy, thanks for reminding me that I’ve been away from this thing for a while.
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