Killing Me Softly With Their Wrongs

Tuesday and Wednesday were in full panic from my team due to a slipping work deadline. Not me though because I have done my part. Still, I was pulled into various meetings and have to sit through second guessing and passive-aggressive blame games. It also meant that my personal plans fell through. For both days, I only had time to go out for dinner.

On Tuesday, I was hankering for some cheap eats. I had soured on Pam's Roti since the lunch debacle. But then I remembered that Dosa Mahal also offered reasonable-priced snacks. Also, I haven't visited the Bloor and Lansdowne area since my sublet. The 40-minute loop gave me a chance to clear my head. I ran into an elderly indigent who wished me a happy life, like our previous encounters over the years. But this time, they added "instead of like me because you are smart". I guess a life of precarity eventually kills even a sunny disposition. I gave more than usual as I haven't seen them much since I moved back to Ottawa. Dinner was left-over rice with samosas (5 for $4.99) from Mahal and a beef patty ($4.50) from Caribbean Queen of Patties as appetizers.

It was even later on Wednesday, a whole day of sunshine missed, that I went to La Mexicana (Sabor A Patria) for dinner. This new spot took over from Mazz Sushi but it never seemed as busy as other Hispanic restaurants in the neighbourhood. They had removed the partitions that enclosed the private "tatami room" so the space felt more spacious. On to the good and the bad of La Mexicana. Good stuff included larger selection of tacos including items like tripe and sesos (beef brain) and tonight was 3 for 2 deal (not as good as Pastorcito but that was almost too much). But the bad was that instead having your own sides, you have to bring your tacos to a buffet-style set up for additional ingredients like onions, cilantro, and various chili sauces.

Because of the deal, I ordered 2 Pollo ($6) and 1 Pescado ($7) taco. Again, with the savings I also got a "Jamaica" drink ($5.50). I liked the first two with the soft and tender pieces of chicken. The breaded fish was also good although it could use better seasoning. Its bed of lettuce with a yellow dressing was a miss for me. The hibiscus drink was less sweet than a horchata, but I wouldn't order it again. A long time ago, I had a tropical concoction from a Jamaican Bar (now Boom Breakfast). I have never been able to find it again and a "Jamaica" in a Mexican cantina wasn't it either. Unfortunately, La Mexicana has some stiff competition so unless you were looking for a specific taco, it wouldn't be first choice.

In between those tensed meetings (where it was decided to create "phased" deadlines with the first being Friday), I played around with the numbers on a retirement tool. If I trusted the projections (within reason given our increasingly crazy world), I could pull the trigger as early as next year.

March Slav

I usually do my laundry early enough that no one is there though near the end, some people might come in. This was no different on Sunday as a couple arrived as I was folding my clothes. With his partner on the wooden bench checking her phone, the guy took out a medium format camera and surreptitiously clicked few shots through a washer's round window. The era of the hipster was at least 15 years ago and he'll have to grow better facial hair.

I stuck close to home, with food from Progress Bakery and South Pacific, for few hours of work to meet a work deadline. In the late afternoon, I received news that our new team lead had resigned 2 months in. Their 2 weeks notice was cut short because my boss was already fed up with the lack of leadership. So no point in dragging out the situation. I also reached out to an ex-coworker who had pinged me about a concert last week. But our conversation always covered the same ground: missing out on the real-estate market, being stuck in an old building (made worse because they never reported some flooding they had caused). I was a bit concerned that pining for their youthful days has led them to hang out with teenage children of friends.

Monday was in full fire-fighting mode. I finally looked at some of the other people's progress. The problem was nobody wanted to do grunt-work, only the shiny new stuff. So now all the missing scaffolding was discovered. After I wrapped up my work, I wanted to head out to de-stress. The Indian restaurant from Friday (Chakna/Desi Junction) was hosting a show called Naan Sense Comedy. I didn't mind the cover charge ("free" but you had to order a drink or some food). But it wasn't a big room and sharing a table with strangers didn't appeal. I didn't usually eat at comedy shows so I had a flashback to a dinner-and-a-show at Yuk-Yuk's in Ottawa with my crush. In the bad old days, comedians could make "they're eating the cats, they're eating the dogs" jokes and you had to be a good sport about it.

Saturday Evening Post

Early Saturday morning, I went for a run around the neighbourhood. With deep freezes or crazy snowstorms, it hasn't been good jogging weather. I still needed my toque but a light jacket was sufficient. Though I have been practicing yoga daily I haven't done much cardio so I limited my circuit to only about half my usual distance. At Dupont and Dufferin, a new condo made me wonder: wasn't it already 90% done 2 years ago? I only realized a few blocks later that this was yet another condo. The other one was already occupied with Tim Hortons, BMO, F45 Fitness, and Adventure Alley. More development was in the works.

I wanted to go to Chinatown to do some groceries and grab a pizza slice from Fresca. But when I got to Bloor St., the temporary subway disruption last night has become a planned week-end shutdown. Despite the presence of replacement buses on the road, and their relative emptiness, they seemed like a hassle. So I made my purchases closer to home: the tiny No Frills at the Carvalo Condo on College (the selection really was limited compared to a full chain store) and croissants ($8.50) at Barbershop. I walked back along Shaw all the way to Hallam. I haven't taken this route in 5 years and there were several changes. The city has blocked off the intersection at the Essex jog, you either go North or South by car. But pedestrians and cyclists can freely move through that zone. The foundation for 12 rental town-homes was being laid at Leeds, replacing a decrepit walk-up that burned down (opportunistic developer or slumlord, take your pick).

After a pesto sandwich made with a fresh bun from Progress Bakery, I continued working on my giant crossword. I nodded off multiple times due to a tiredness from staying out for several shows this week. Given my lack of energy, I called it an early night even though seeing Lia Pappas-Kemps at The Burdock would be a full circle moment, or perhaps some young punks (Kingdom of Birds, Last Waltzon, Rosie Wyse) at St. Anne's Parish Hall in an all-ages show could be exciting. I reflected that there were only a few weeks left at my sublet: 3 months wasn't that long. Yet the daily cadence of a busy urban environment made it enjoyable. I had passed numerous people during my walk. The 20s-something might be from elsewhere, but the young kids and especially folks my age or older have probably been here most of their lives. How many of the latter were now struggling with housing costs and other expenses? They'd probably thought they'd live in Toronto all their lives.

Check It Out

I was planning to eat out for lunch for Friday when a team meeting ran over. There were still several outstanding major issues despite the Monday deadline. My boss pushed it back to Wednesday amid some frustration, though he was too diplomatic to vent. Not my place to point out that my colleagues tended to off on tangents, failed to prioritize, and didn't have good working habits. Also, the new team lead was a dud in the sense that they were hired for managing and technical skills yet neither sets have been in evidence.

After a quick meal at home and working at top speed through the afternoon, I wrapped things up for the evening. Bloor St was alive with people. When I have gone out, it was in the late afternoon for a meal or later for a show. So I have missed the dinner rush. Also, the subway was suspended, so the replacement buses were packed and those who didn't care for that added to the pedestrian traffic. The Paradise had a Candlelight show highlighting legendary Jazz singers. I normally avoid this sort of pablum but I saw that Joanna Majoko was the vocalist. But $50-80 was too pricey for me.

Despite my fondness for Banjara, it has declined in quality. Mumbaikar didn't pass as a replacement though they were more about street food. I have wandered by Chakna, an Indian and Hakka Bar, numerous times. Previous incarnations at this location (Nashville hot chicken, bistro food) were forgettable. It also seemed to be always empty though the space did have a large room in the back.

Stepping inside, the front room had a few banquettes (with playing cards on the table) and an artificial cherry blossom tree in bloom. Though Chakna also offered an extensive list of street food, on the recommendation of the waitstaff, I opted for a Baingan Bharta ($14.99) and 2 rotis ($3.99). The curry had a smoky flavour from the roasted eggplant. It was an excellent dish that went well with the ghee-soaked chapati. There was so much food that I had to order 2 more rotis. Since I already paid, the extra rotis' price of $3.99 on the 2nd bill was exempted from sales tax because it was under $5. 

This was a tasty meal and I want to eat here again. The $30 total was high for a regular haunt but they have thali for about $14-15. I was going to stroll along Bloor St. for more of the evening vibe but I had a gut feeling (ha!) that with a meal this rich I should be heading straight back home. Looking online, Chakna also hosted occasional comedy night courtesy of the stage left behind by the short-lived Royal Comedy Theatre.