Tragedy Plus Time

I haven't been to Comedy Bar in 6 years though I was a frequent visitor when they first opened. On Monday night, I dropped by for an 8 pm show in the smaller cabaret room. The venue was relatively empty but was packed for the later shows. Mine was a Just For Laughs showcase: ostensibly each comic had 6 minutes for their best material. The prize: possible inclusion in the real festival but I wasn't convinced there were any actual judges in the crowd. The downside: 10 performers in about 80 minutes. The upside: if you don't like some material or if they weren't connecting, another would be on soon.

Almost half the comics were POCs so there were plenty of "we're like this, they're like that" jokes. Most didn't work for me except for the two Black comedians. One riffed on dating the "wrong kind" of white man (Ivan not Evan) but still getting some privilege (living for free in his parent's spare house). The other related the travails of having a philandering Jamaican dad and opening for R'n'B act dvsn. The final comic also got huge laughs for his Chinese-related jokes. Asians will eat anything was a little too close to a stereotype. But his extended riff on Chinese New Year being a "bullshit holiday" because every Zodiac animal had to "work hard" was gold.

The other comedians mined their own shortcomings. One detailed his hair transplant (via Turkey) experience and being a tourist queer (i.e., "gay when high"). Another talked about being vanilla sexually in a world of people with exciting kinks (turns out he wasn't that vanilla). One stand-up quipped that a comedy show was the ideal date because you look good compared to all the losers on stage. Certainly, several performers turned their personal or family trauma into punchlines.

I'm more of a smiler and the Netflix shows I've watched haven't generated much physical reaction from me. So I was concerned when the stagehand gave me a table at the front (the perils of showing up early). But I was surprised that I was in stitches and laughing out loud several times.

Memento Mori

Memorials to someone's passing are found, temporarily or otherwise, throughout my old neighbourhood. Dufferin Grove contains trees planted with dedications to loved one and an entire walking path (for a bicycle accident victim) dotted with reflexology stones. More sadly, a ghost bike also commemorated another bicycle victim who was hit by a truck. The local community also wrote a tribute when Mr. Siddiqi of Vena's Roti died over the Holidays. During my sublet, a long-time Portuguese Bar (Bloor Bar Cafe/Billiard) was closed because the owner passed away at a young 62. His family kept a photo and an obituary in the window.

On Sunday, when I went to the library at Dufferin and Bloor, I was reminded that not all memorials come from the living. Unfortunately, some are the forgotten relics of a quiet life. There have been numerous unhouse folks in the neighbour over the years. Some come and go such as the homeless encampments or visitors to the women's shelter Sistering. Others stay around for years like the old panhandler who wished everyone a happy life.

There was a woman, in her late 50s or early 60s, who hung around that corner. She never asked for change or talked very much. She did accumulate thing over the years until it grew to 2 shopping carts full of stuff. But they were neatly packed and tied down with plastic tarps. After my arrival in early January, when I saw them alone on the sidewalk, I was worried. But I thought (half-heartedly) that, with the snow and ice frozen solid around the carts, she was still nearby and that it was more convenient to leave them there. After all, many people left their parked cars buried in the snow for weeks this winter.

But the snow has finally melted for good for several days. So when I saw that the carts haven't moved, I felt sad. I'm hoping she is somewhere safer, perhaps living in a permanent home, and had already taken personal items with her. But those carts may be the last reminder of someone who left this world unnoticed and unmourned.

No One Is Watching

On Saturday, I headed back to Geary for Gaucho Pies as it has been awhile. One problem was that the store was opened only 3 days a week for retail, the rest of the time they made empanadas to sell wholesale. They now have a store-front so I no longer had to walk down an industrial hallway. I selected spinach/ricotta ($4) and roasted mushroom ($4). There was no place to eat outside because the planters and benches near Knockout Ice Cream were gone and apparently, so has Knockout. It was now Good Behaviour, a custard ice cream and submarine sandwich shop. But it was less than 5 minutes back to my sublet. The empanadas were still warm and packed with flavour. The only downside: they were on the small side which wasn't so bad when they only cost $2.75.

I spent the afternoon watching shows on Amazon Prime. Though I leave the apartment more than back in Ottawa, after the last few days of cloudy skies, you don't want to go anywhere. Since I couldn't get my thali dinner on Friday, I walked to Lansdowne to get some from Dosa Mahal. As I approached the intersection, I noticed a long line across the street. Was it Record Store Day and people were waiting to get in Dead Dog Records? Nope, they were putting their names on a waitlist for either Sugo or its offshoot "Bar Sugo" (once The Emerson and Caribbean Queen's original spot). At a corner, two young women expressed dismay that people from other parts of Toronto were ruining their local spot because of trendiness. I chuckled to myself that gentrifiers were complaining about other gentrifiers, especially over such a mediocre joint. But Sugo has been here for almost 10 years now, in another decade it will be considered an OG.

The vegan thali ($14.99) was essentially Mahal's tiffin box (2 curries + rice) with an additional curry, 2 soups (daal and sambar), a small naan, and a few sides (papadam, pickles, chutney or yogurt). Was it worth the extra $4? Sort of. The soups were the best upgrade: rich and flavourful. The curries here have always been good but not great. The naan was tasty enough but lacked the fragrance and chew of a tandoori-baked one. It was a good, filling meal (with masala chai for $2.50) but a couple of bucks off would be ideal.

After walking for about a block, I decided to take transit ($3.20) back home. It was only 2 subway stops and a quick ride by bus. But I felt that given the longer walking distance and my intestinal sensations, it wasn't a leisurely stroll kind of evening. I was probably right as I felt gassy all night and the next morning's bathroom visit was fuller than usual.

This bloating also prevented my first ever visit to Dovercourt House. With two left feet, I never went inside this venerable building bustling with dance classes and late-night dancing. But there was a special event on Saturday: a showing of Tango Malhar. This new South Asian film a la Shall We Dance? starred a poor rickshaw driver instead of an older Japanese salaryman. Then after a professional demonstration, there would follow several hours of milonga or impromptu partner dances. The film and showcase seemed up my alley and maybe I would even watch the dancing for a bit. But it wasn't just about my questionable innards tonight; I was afraid that I might need nice clothes and dress shoes. And the more I dug into the sponsor of the event, the more it seemed like a vanity show.

Happy To See Me Emoji

On Friday my boss threatened that we might have to work on the week-end. Some people had actually put in extra hour on Thursday's night when I was at the Lula Lounge for a show. Ultimatums don't work on me at my age but I did have a quick lunch with leftovers from South Pacific. In the afternoon, my friend dropped by not so much for a visit but to exchange pots. Their partner had installed a new induction stove-top at their house and their cookware didn't work. Luckily, the ones here were magnetic and were compatible. I pointed a few problems I noticed: mold in the washer (I use the laundromat next door) and some minor water issue at the back of the loft. But they already knew of these issues. The succulent by the front door, which had sprouted a long stem, wasn't thriving more than usual due to my careful watering. In fact, it pushed out this flower stalk every spring; my friend usually just lopped it off.

I finally found time in the early evening to re-stock the fridge for my final week at my sublet. Recalling that the excellent Chakna offered thali options for around $15, I dropped by the street-food spot. But these dishes were unavailable because either they weren't offered during busy hours or never as dine-in items (there was some communication issues). So I crossed to the other side for Szechuan Noodle Bowl.

Last time I was here, I grew tired of noodles by the end of my meal as I had eaten them on different visits. Some other diners chose non-noodle dishes but I was reluctant as they were more expensive and clearly meant to be shared family-style. This time I opted for braised eggplant ($14.49), enoki mushroom with chili ($8.99), and rice ($2.50). Both dishes were excellent: the eggplant was flavourful and tender. I'm sure each slice was soaked in oil but they didn't have that overly rich mouth-feel. Note that like dishes for numerous Chinese restaurants, its' seemingly vegetarian-friendly description omitted the ground pork in the sauce. The mushroom, as a cold dish, had a surprisingly toothsome chew. The only misstep was the rice: clumpy and almost too dry. Unlike the semi-regular I had seen from before, I took all the leftovers home.

Smooth Groove

I was in Ottawa for a few days from Saturday onward. With its freezing rain and fresh snow, it was still a winter wonderland. But that came at the cost of the LRT out of commission again so it was a trek getting home via bus. I was happy to stay inside to continue with the fire-fighting at work. Back in Toronto on Thursday, I decided to attend a show at the Wavelength festival. It was going to be noisy at St. Anne's Parish so I selected Lula Lounge, an odd location for the indie organization. The evening turned out to be on the more easy listening end of the scene.

Lula occasionally turns into a proper concert venue, but it was usually a supper club, and that was the case for this show. The good: a big venue with good sound and lighting. The bad: nobody was up near the stage, you were either sitting down at the tables or standing awkwardly at the back. I usually avoid these venues (The Rex, etc.) because you have to pay extra (in the form of food) for a table. But if I had known that for this show you could buy a ticket or just get a table, I would have put the $34.75 toward a meal and gotten a free concert.

P.S. Lucas came from Portugal (Wavelength's attempt this year to go non-local) and his playing was an updated version of a traditional style. But I don't know much Portuguese music other than fado so his shimmering picking reminded me of Spanish guitar like flamenco. He sang in English and Portuguese (though unlikely many in the audience were locals in what was once Little Portugal). The lyrics were poetic and sometimes took inspiration from Portuguese idioms. The song In Between was inspired by entre a espada e a parede (between the sword and the wall). I enjoyed the short set with his skillful guitar playing.

In fact, a nice surprise tonight were both shorter sets and quicker set-ups. I was worried that, with 4 bands on the bill, the evening was going to drag out. Daniel Colussi (Fortunato Durutti Marinetti) played the most appropriate music for the venue. It was catchy but very Copa Cabana. Still, his David Byrne style and interesting songs (Coke vs. Pepsi, The Bulldozer) was Blimp Rock redux and the romantic Hold On To The Dawn had the earnestness of Luka.

Dan English was an Iowan by way of Brooklyn. His set was a less languid Lana del Rey full of yearning. As it was his first show in Canada, Caitlin Woelfle-O'brien hooked him up with 2 local musicians. The trio played a nice set of contemplative art-rock. It was also English's first time in a supper club, but some joined in on his cover of Perfect Day (Lou Reed). Two fans even came up to chit-chat afterwards.

Tara Kannagara was ostensibly the head-liner. But by this time, the venue was mostly empty with the departure of the dinner crowd. Like all the performers tonight, she was mostly showcasing new material. So Kannagara was just happy to play live music with her band. The new songs seemed like a departure from her current output of indie with a splash of "prog jazz". They were Laufey-esque balladry meet R'n'B influenced synth-pop: head-bopping beats, wobbly synth, and pure vocals soaring over it all. There were some outstanding gems in the new stuff.

Wuthering Heights

Having met our deadline, our boss gave the go-ahead to take advantage of our new company's policy and take the 2nd Friday of each month off. Since I was going on a short trip back to Ottawa, I did my laundry in the early morning instead of waiting until Sunday. The forecast called for a final winter blast and it arrived around 11 am. As I returned from Progress Bakery with cod patties for lunch, I ran into my neighbour diligently clearing out the wet snow. A quick conversation revealed that he lived in the Yonge and Finch area. No one was living in his units yet because the building was in bad-shape when he bought it 3 years ago.

In the evening, I went to 241 pizza not for my usual slice but to order a 3-topping panzerotti. The price has increased to $11.99 from about $7 a while back. The panzerotti was a corporate branding because they didn't deep-fry it like the real one; this was closer to a calzone. Nevertheless, I've enjoyed it over the years and tonight's combination of baked dough, gooey cheese, olives, hot pepper, and pineapple still hit the spot.

Looking for an activity to do, I came across a concert at Lee's Palace. I recalled from a few days ago that on non-quite-yet gentrified Geary, the light-poles were plastered with posters; something that has disappeared from Little Italy and Queen St. West. This concert was among those street ads. Online, the $25 price has morphed into $27.50 with a $10 fee. I thought I might avoid the price-gouging by buying at the door. No such luck as they simply fired up their tablet and charged me the same $37.40.

It felt more like a concert than the last few shows: people lining up early for merch, and an actual music sub-culture scene. Early on, whether goth or emo, there were numerous kids in elaborate black clothes with heavily-drawn white make-up. But the bulk turned out to be regular folks (although still mostly wearing black) and a surprisingly number of people over 40. Have these bands been around a long time?

The first opener, and my favourite for the night, was Modele. A four-piece that reminded me of Depeche Mode with their combination of synth, tight drumming, and punctuated by catchy riffs. The singer, who towered over his bandmates, sang dramatic lyrics (You Are My Sin, Pleasure For The Holy) in a deep register while his guitarist harmonized in a higher voice. They got my $55 for a tee and the album. Automelodie has been around for over 20 years under various monikers. I liked that the Euro synthpop was controlled with several samplers and pads instead of just a bunch of tracks on a MacBook. But there were two downsides: the French lyrics were lost on the Toronto crowd, and though he was quite energetic, Xavier Paradis seemed a bit awkward on-stage. During the set, I thought that a performer like Regina Gently could sell this music better.

Traitrs formed around 2015, yet as a testament to the diversity of Toronto's scenes, I have never encountered them until Friday. When the duo stepped on stage and the singer/guitarist lamented in the upper register, I immediately thought of The Cure. Over the course of several songs, they did stayed in that melancholic, thumpy vibe. I left about half-way through the set since I had an early bus to catch but also because they weren't as inventive (musically and in terms of stage-presence) as the openers.

Hen & Teeth

Things were looking better for work on Friday, but I still had to eat lunch at home due to an overly long meeting. In the afternoon, I headed over to see my dentist. Over the years, I have seen assistants but they never seemed to be there for more than a few months. Either he doesn't pay adequately or they were interns or on co-op/training. This one turned out to be a hygienist and after a quick glance at my mouth asked me how many times I brush and floss daily. I haven't gotten a cleaning from one since before the pandemic at my old dentist's office. On the one hand, they actually spent the full 45 minutes for the 3 scaling units instead of billing the same amount for 10 minutes. On the other hand, while they worked, I thought: I wasn't doing a good enough job at home; my dentist was more efficient from experience; or my dentist was less diligent than he should. Probably some combination of all three. Having been asked similar questions before, maybe I should snark that I only brush weekly since (apparently from the state of my teeth) they don't believe that I visit the dentist 4 times a year and brush/floss 4 times a day.

Usually after these visits, I drop by Pam's Roti. So despite the lunch kerfuffle 7 weeks ago, I went there for a chicken roti ($16.95). The roti was still good with an excellent chew and fragrance. There seemed to be less chicken though. The server with vision problems (but better since their operation) wasn't around. I thought of them because during the pub hang on Tuesday, I found out that several old and new co-workers also had issues that require eye surgery.

With more winter in the forecast, and a biting wind during my outings, I spent the evening looking for sublets once again but on craigslist instead of kijiji. I found an ad from the landlord/tenant of my first sublet but it was for the apartment downstair. Either they had changed apartment or the other long-time renters has moved out. But $2150 was more than my limit and with a move-in date of March 8 (or ASAP), it didn't align with my current sublet which lasts until the end of March.

Work/Life

The craziness at work continued on Monday though there was some (obstructed) light at the end of the tunnel. I wasn't happy that the hour I had set aside on Saturday to answer pleas from a coworker went to waste. After my reply, they had dashed off an untested solution full of errors. I heard they relied on AI but whether natural or digital, laziness ruled the day. So we were not ahead for the Tuesday deadline.

In the early evening, I caught a few last rays of sunshine and headed to my friend's restaurant. They were entertaining a guest so I exchanged some pleasantries and sat by myself with a veggie platter ($18). They asked about my family and I related that during my usual weekly talk with my mom, she had forgotten that it was Sunday. Getting a day mixed up was alright but not if it happened twice in an hour; my grandma didn't suffer this until her 90s. On their side, they were postponing their painkiller injection for physical therapy. Six sessions in, perhaps there was some improvement, but I saw that they were still limping when serving customers. On my way out, I replayed our brief chat and puzzled over some statement regarding the photos we took at our sushi lunch. I sure hope they weren't hinting at playing matchmaker, because with one foot already in the grave, I don't need any personal drama.

I was in the office on Tuesday because we had HR visitors from our new American owner. After months of research, they presented us with plans for merging our respective packages: primarily benefits and other perks. We were switching over to "unlimited" PTO, though unlike the U.S., there were minimum amounts required by law. Since this guaranteed less days than my old contract, I'm skeptical I will take even the same number of days as before, let alone see an increase. The health benefits and insurance were better than our plans and included reimbursement for gym memberships and internet services. The biggest add-on was RSP matching up to a combined 9%. Since I already had a financial advisor, I didn't love that I would have to contribute to funds managed by another company. But it is free money on the table.

Breakfast (bagels, croissants) and lunch (salad, deli sandwiches, wraps) were provided though there were lots of leftover. At 4:30, we went to a nearby pub, where we co-workers often had lunch outings before the pandemic. Over beer and bar food, we did a bit of social bonding. Some had visited Quebec for mountain biking and whale watching. Others were in Canada or Toronto for the first time. It was a nice enough get-together though we would likely never see each other again since there were few reasons for HR to visit an office of mostly remote workers.

Light Bearer

On Sunday, I went up to Geary not really to take part in the Art Crawl but just to see what's happening. Sure enough, there were local businesses and one-off vendors selling trinkets, thrifted clothes, art pieces, and street food. Some pedestrians were new visitors, who found that Geary was perhaps still too industrial, and were glad to step into Jen Agg's new it spot called General Public. The rest looked like young folks and families with babies who settled in the neighbourhood in the last 6-7 years. I didn't see too many OGs walking around.

The section of Geary west of Dufferin had a scruffier feel though galleries and bookstores have moved in. The location of Long Winter's concert venue was at Geary Factory Lofts, which were selling office workspaces and not residential units. During the pandemic, it was an empty building with ghost kitchen trailers in the back making Wendy's and other restaurant orders. It will have newer neighbours soon as the empty lot next to The Brick had construction signs.

But I was here for Morning Star, an old-time Portuguese restaurant I spotted during my pandemic morning runs. Stepping inside, this was a step down from Porto Nova. Yes, there was a dining room but everyone congregated in the room containing the TV showing soccer. If locals came to Porto for slightly upscale Portuguese food, here it was entirely (older) men who came for the pre-made takeout (usually pork, rice, and fries) or to drink coffee and watched sports. I've always wondered whether the guys at these spots were bachelors or married men.

I got a bitoque ($25) and some bottled water ($2). The steak and eggs reminded me of the Francesinha from Porto. The meat wasn't as good but it was much tastier and cheaper than Ottawa fare. The fries were pale and could use more time in the deep-fryer. I was surprised that the water came from Portugal; local spring water would have been fine. I actually just wanted tap water but there was a language barrier. Along with the complementary olives and bread, this was a filling lunch. Despite the price increase (the menu had new prices taped over the original values), $27 all in was decent for this type of meal.

Though I came home to relax, I went out again later on because the bright sunshine and mild weather was too nice. I made a 1 hour loop simply to print out some bus tickets at the library. Pedestrians, shoppers, and cruising cars were out in full force. With the snow gone from the backyard, I gingerly ascended some steep stairs up onto the roof of my sublet. My friend had built a simple wooden deck on top of the building. Although clearing out the dust would be a chore, this space would make for some enjoyable yoga practice.

Loop De Loop

The drama at work continued on Friday with the first deadline. But things looked promising as positive results came in over the chat channel. Most meetings became optional and I took the opportunity to duck out at lunch to do some groceries and grab a slice ($5.50) from 241 Pizza. The purchases weren't for myself but to restock some household items left by my friend. At the pizzeria, I found out from the long-time owner that they had to pay out of pocket for upgrade directives from corporate, sometimes at elevated prices like $4K for the new LCD menu displays. A window washer struck up a conversation with me. This was the sort of privileged old men I try to avoid. In his case, he was blocking the side-street with his truck and bragging about his American Pit Bull (a banned breed). When 5 pm rolled around, I left a co-worker on read while I ordered from South Pacific. I wasn't going to work extra hours for someone else's problems.

Saturday promised rain all afternoon so I headed to Dufferin Mall for more re-stocking. I went to Le's Sandwich on College St. but the owner no longer carried the vegetarian version of common Vietnamese dishes. I was reminded again of the passage of time when I was told that her daughter, who had just started university only "a few years ago" in my mind, was now a new mother with a remote job for an Ottawa company. The owner looked relatively spry with coloured hair. I wondered how I came across with my white mop (and lack of good sleep)? I ended up getting a veggie banh mi ($6) and a meat bao ($4). The first was eaten on a wooden bench at College and Dovercourt, site of many previous meals. The latter was re-heated at home once I got back. I finally looked at the chat messages and wrote back some obvious answers.

In 2021, with the ongoing gentrification of Geary, there was now an Art Crawl. This year, they also teamed up with Long Winter to host a concert. But the latter has lost much appeal for me, whether because I was getting old, or they have devolved into irrelevancy. Certainly the scope of their shows have diminished. I stayed home to watch a movie on Netflix instead. Unfortunately, I was bamboozled by an online review because War Machine was no different than any other army-approved Hollywood flick. This U.S. military glorification was not to my taste given the current situation in Iran.

Pizzacato

Thursday had more work craziness. Someone wanted to add last-minute changes to a spec. This might get push back from other teams. But once again, not my monkeys, not my circus. In the evening, I was heading again to Dina's Tavern for a show. It also meant I could get a Fresca pizza slice that I had planned for last Saturday. I don't normally mix dinner-and-a-show but what's life without some risk?

Fresca was the busiest I've seen despite the wet weather. People were waiting for pizzas or slices to-go while others ate inside the packed diner. The demographic spanned age ranges and ethnicities: a true diverse slice of Toronto if you will. There were uncooked pizzas laid out all along the counter-top, and even next to the sink, waiting for their turn because the oven was full. I counted the empty trays that held about 8-12 pizza dough per tray, and realized Fresca had made more than 150 pizzas in the last hour or so. I got a chance to talk to the owners. The wife lamented that despite their busyness, profit wasn't keeping pace. Maybe that was why I saw a sign stating that prices will increase soon. The husband just grunted and kept making pizza, even though his shift was over. The daughter, officially the new proprietor, was there tonight making sandwiches and pasta in the back kitchen. Some of the young workers who were relatives on a tourist visa will head back to Vietnam in April. I waited about 20 minutes for my fresh Margherita slice ($5) but the show wasn't scheduled until 8 pm. The wife side-eyed me when she heard about my plans. So I had to explain that I wasn't going to the notorious Comfort Zone (which has moved to Queen and Lansdowne) but rather the re-built Silver Dollar.

The show didn't actually start until 8:30 with Picastro. They (or the lead singer) have been around for 30 years but this incarnation was a duo. I enjoyed the double bassist with his various techniques: plucking, bowing, and even some looping through pedals. The singer supplemented with guitar, occasional samples, and synth on a few songs. But their singing was, in the words of a wise man, pitchy.

Merival bowed out of a concert a few years back so I haven't heard them since 2018. During their set, they admitted they don't play that often anymore nor have written (complete) songs in a while so there was only 1 "new" number tonight. I have found in the past that their music usually felt disjointed or incomplete because of the odd chords or progression. It was good tonight because Merival's guitar technique has improved tremendously. This added interesting dynamics and layers to the songs. Also, I felt that their strong voice with a nice range was also a new addition.

Most of the crowd, which varied in age if not in complexion, weren't there for either singers. I'm too frugal to hang-out at a bar that has a cover charge. But they were respectful during each set. I chatted briefly with 2 older men who knew the opening act. That's how I learned about Picastro's longevity and line-up changes. One was a sci-fi novelist while the other did abstract art but was getting back to his cartooning roots. They had memories of Silver Dollar and Comfort Zone that predated my arrival in Toronto.

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.

Noiseful, Noiseful, We Abhor Thee

To get a bit of sunshine, I walked down to Bloor for lunch on Thursday. I would normally get some fish at a place like Hana Sushi, but with the amount of meat eaten at Pastorcito the day before, I opted for a strictly vegetarian maki platter ($15.99). It was a full meal with miso, salad, and 16 pieces. The cucumber/avocado was bland but the yam tempura and the inari (fried tofu skin) were acceptable.

I was tired from previous nights but I enjoyed my last outing with Karen Ng and Germaine Liu. So I went to The Tranzac in the evening. After I bought their digital albums, I realized they were more into experimental music. But I had no idea it would be a big no for me tonight. First, Karen's invited guests (10 or so) took time setting up. So the 9:30 start time got pushed back to almost 10:30 pm. Second, it was improvised noise which was better than this old concert but still dissonant. In fact, an elderly couple made a quick exit at around the 4 minute mark.

To start the show, Karen tossed a dice plushie. And throughout the set, other musicians would rethrow the die. But I wasn't sure if the value indicated for a specific person to play (since there were more than six) or the number of collaborators. As I sat through the cacophany, here were some of my thoughts. First, this was a modern phenomenon since I doubted older cultural music traditions had no melody or rhythm. Second, if improv music was analogous to "real-time conversation", then this set was closer to "parallel play". Finally, if there was any human experience that closely resembled this, perhaps it was the final moments of your life when your synapses unravelled.

It was a fundraiser for website Earlobe, a clearing house of experimental music concert listings. But The Hat, a plastic beer pitcher, didn't fill up like past events. It was a big ask from the crowd though I did chip in $10. Liu, who brought homemade cookies and other snacks, didn't play. But would her contribution have added to the noise or brought some structure?

Dina Pretty

Given so many Latin-American restaurants in the Bloorcourt and Bloordale area, it was a shame that my only outing since my sublet was the disappointing San Wich. So on Wednesday, I headed over to Pastorcito to rectify this. Whenever I passed by when I was visiting Toronto, the place was always packed. But it wasn't as busy during the day, which might explain the 2 for 1 special until 5 pm.

No matter, because that deal allowed me to get 4 tacos for $12. As opined in my Pho Linh post, the cheaper price actually encouraged me to order more: a horchata for $4. I didn't love the drink because it was too sweet. But the pastor and chorizo tacos, along with the various sauces, onions, and pineapple slices were wonderful. I didn't quite get meat sweats but I was happy that it was a 20-minute stroll back to my rental. Though a constitutional walk didn't always work out for me.

In the early evening, I went to Dina's Tavern at College and Spadina. They had completely torn down The Silver Dollar to make way for a Fitzrovia luxury rental. Because of its historical status, the developers not only kept the old marquee but rebuilt the inside. So it was odd to walk into the ground-level bar and "saw the Dollar interior" which used to be up a flight of stairs. There was the tiny stage, directly across from the bar top. On either side and up two steps were platforms with tables on stage right and a long banquette on stage left. The duplication wasn't "exact" only because the Silver Dollar never looked this good. Opposite the banquette was a wall decorated with tchotchkes and beer signs from the old days.

The sound system was slightly better, somehow both under-powered and yet too loud just like the old days. Luckily, they didn't keep the laxed set times of Dan Burke nor the grumpy attitude of the former sound guys. This atmosphere was so notorious that Michelle Zauner (Japanese Breakfast) griped about it for years (I was there for that fiasco). But tonight, all 3 bands played on time and early too ($15). So I was home before 11 pm.

The Magnets was a new band, made even "newer" with replacements because some members had relocated to other cities. They had a typical indie sound with the lead singer in his shouty phase. Dolly Sods from Buffalo played shoe-gaze adjacent music. They should lean more into their instrumental breaks because one, the vocals were forgettable; and two, new drummer Monika Lux was a beast behind the kit. Velvet Beach had a wistful air due to the sweet arpeggiated guitar and synth riffs. Meagan Aversa, who was the go-to singer on the newer songs, reminded me of Molly Rankin (Alvvays). Though usually in the mid-tempo pop groove, Velvet Beach was surprisingly muscular on a few numbers like Daylight.

Simmer Down

For dinner on Monday, I ordered an even more iconic Chinese-Canadian combo from South Pacific because this one included Sweet and Sour chicken balls. The old lady has started to recognize me as regular because she waved and then made mysterious hand signals. I don't recall the last time I've had these staples, but my memory hinted that they were tough and mostly batter. But these ones were tender and had plenty of stuffing.

I was at The Horseshoe Tavern for their Uncovered night. 3 new-ish bands from Niagara Falls, Hamilton, and Burlington played for free to a crowd of friends and family. Sunshine Express was a bit all over the place: pop, noise, a touch of dance or funk. Their set-up was also eclectic including pedal guitar and sampler. The vocals sounded auto-tuned but that was likely for effect. Sunshine needed a bit more seasoning though.

Rexford Drive also needed more time to cook though they do have a coherent sound: the sort that involved sing-along and shout-and-response choruses. The lead singer gave a shout-out that they were "honoured to play at the legendary Horseshoe". This was par for the course but given the hundreds of free shows over the years, it wasn't that hard to play here.

I left before Maria Gabriella took the stage. Maybe I should have stayed because with a more mature sound she could become the Canadian Laufey. In general, all these young kids have a tough road. Maybe 1 in a 100 band in Toronto achieved some success. It would be even harder if you were based in a smaller city. But it wasn't impossible to have a career.

Word To Yamas

After doing my laundry early Sunday morning, I called up my mom. We actually talk more when I was in Toronto since we have a whole week to catch up on. She was at my uncle's on Monday since this was the first Tet without my grandma. Unfortunately, she still did not wear a mask when taking transit. So my mom caught something and spent all week convalescing at home.

In other news, the duds my cousin were saddled with turned out to be even more so. One was wrapping up their trial for assaulting another parent at the school drop-off. Then they will be leaving for their childhood home in the Maritimes. Will there be child support? They haven't worked in a few years. Another was of the "if you tell me, I'll do it" ilk. Considering they were in a go-nowhere job at Walmart and now have 2 children, a government job with a pension, and a house all thanks to my cousin, they could be more active in their own life. The third surprised me because they seemed responsible. But they have been siphoning money from the joint account to cover their mom's "financial gap". Since the latter had a house, a condo in development, and investments from her late husband, I don't sympathize. My mom has only about $20K in government aid (CPP, OAS, and GIS) annually if it wasn't for my help. In any case, using money from your spouse without telling them, that was a red flag. Choosing a different path than their parents' less-than-storybook life haven't turn out great for my cousins. I'm almost glad that there have been no one to disappoint me in my life.

After lunch, I headed down to College and Dovercourt. I was curious to see how Society Clubhouse made use of the old yoga studio space. It just so happened that The AMBiENT PiNG was showcasing some ambient music producers in the afternoon. But seeing all the parents with small children, it might be more for kids. So I left for some croissants ($4.25) from Barbershop and to check out the No Frills at the Carvalo Condos. This was the smallest chain supermarket location I've been to. It would have made better sense if the original tenant Pusateri had moved in. This grocery store needed "curation" instead of stocking per corporate policy. For example, all the De Cecco pasta were gone, but the (limited) shelves were still full of Italpasta and other brands.

San Diss

I haven't gone to Gus Taco since it moved onto Bloor St., though I was a frequent visitor during the pandemic to their Gladstone and Shanly location. From hidden gem to a main thoroughfare, they have expanded their customer base. But with the white-tile counter, narrow bar-top, and high metal stools, it didn't feel inviting. Passing by their old spot, I noticed that it was still selling Mexican food (tortas and breakfast burritos) as San Wich.

They have expanded the counter space with red brick layout that gave a sun-baked vibe. That didn't leave much room except for two park benches to wait for your order. To be fair, this has always been a take-out, except for a few tables on the small patio in the summer. Since I had skipped breakfast on Saturday to clean my kitchen and bathroom, I ordered a larger lunch. At first, I debated if I should get the Milanesa (to compare with Masa's). I settled on an adobo pork torta ($13) and some fries ($7). It was a disappointing lunch.

First, the fries were your average thick-cut pub fries. They were crispier than some places, but overall I would rather have masala fries. When I unwrapped the sandwich, it was already messy. There's a laziness in that kind of attitude (after we wrap it, we don't care if you struggle to eat it), but it did explain the pile of paper napkins in my to-go bag. The messiness reminded of California Sandwiches but was it worth the hassle? No because despite the avocado, the onions, adobo sauce, it was a rather bland affair. Mostly it was the lack of flavour from the pork slices. I was expecting juicy and soft (like pulled pork or filipino adobo chicken) but it was dry. With $26 (tax and tip), I should have gone with my first choice: a full thali platter ($17.99) from Banjara. It's crazy that San Wich was also owned by the Gus Tacos folks because of the quality difference.

Lily of the Valley

It was warm enough Friday night that I could walk to The Baby G, a distance of about 2.5 km from my sublet. The stretch on College between Dovercourt and Havelock were lively with diners at Gonzo Izakaya (Levetto, Hadley's), Giuletta (Bestellen), Lardo (Prairie Boy Bread) but also event spaces like Society Clubhouse where Octopus Garden yoga studio and vegan spot Urban Herbivore used to share space.

Unlike The Monarch show on Thursday, bands took their time to get going not just with their set but also their songs. Catholic Wilt (Jesse James Laderoute) was a duo tonight, trading songs that were slow and atmospheric. I liked Laderoute in his upper register but I was zoning out for the most part. I haven't seen Isla Craig since 2019 (though she was often in the crowd at shows). Her new material since The Becoming still carried that meditative pulse, enlivened by little guitar riffs. She admitted that she has only been playing acoustic guitar as of late, but the crowd was appreciative of her deft playing on her electric.

Anna (Beams, Ace of Wands), through a chance meeting with U.S. producer Kevin S. McMahon, started a collaboration on some of her songs that weren't a fit for the her current bands. Another impetus was her pregnancy. McMahon then brought in a friend, film-maker and musician Daniel Liss and The Cross Sea was formed. The studio recordings were intricate enough that for their album release, they recruited several others to play live. From New York came McMahon, Liss, and Chris Robertson (Elk City). Local musicians were Lee Rose (Ace of Wands' lead singer), Anna's brother Mike, and Heather Mazhar (Beams).

Their set woke me up. As a (currently) one-off, it ranged from sweet folk with banjo, to some multi-vocal pop, to a heavy number like Alien. Some of the lyrics were a bit banal and on the nose but the arrangements were layered and interesting. Given the logistics, I doubt if this "band" would ever tour so it was special to see it live ($20) in Anna's hometown of Toronto.

Stack Overflow

Another snowstorm came through Toronto on Wednesday. But instead of fluffy flakes, it started overnight as freezing rain, then became wet packed snow throughout the day. I did not see my diligent neighbour shovelling the front walks so I decided it was my turn. But my friend's shovel stored in the backyard was frozen to the downspout and encased in ice. Later in the evening, he came around to clear out the snow.

By Thursday morning, the snow had turned to slush. So it was a trek to get groceries at Dufferin Mall from dodging puddles to squishing through drifts. I didn't want to fight through that muddy mess later on so instead took transit to The Monarch Tavern that night. The 3 bands on the bill played all new music for the show ($20).

I had skipped out on Emily Steinwall at her concert on Geary Ave. Later I listened to her debut album and realized she was the real deal. But if those songs were somewhere between world music and jazz ballads, her new numbers channeled 70s psychedelic rock and Guns N' Roses circa Use Your Illusion with less bombast. To be fair, it has been 2 years since that concert and 5 years since she released Welcome To The Garden. The new songs were twice as long as most pop tunes. But I found them musically interesting and dynamic. The topics were a bit heavy-going with titles like No One Ever Win The War or We Are The Same, an intense piece about unresolved anger for someone who treated you badly but has died. Steinwall had a big voice that she used judiciously. I would love to see her more often than every couple of years.

The second band also didn't do any songs from their album except for I Don't Wanna Get Over You. This was a slight disappointment since Deanna Petcoff's release contained several gems that were either punchy or sweet. But her new material was also quite good ending with a banger tentatively titled I Buy A Fake Houseplant To Keep Me Company. This was my first concert with Petcoff though we have crossed paths briefly through the years.

Stacks only had new music since this band was still working toward their 1st release. I didn't want to stay out late but did hear 2.5 songs from their set. With non-pop scales and ululating tones from Carolina Lopez, they were musically closer to Steinwall. It sounded fresh compared to other new bands that I've heard recently. Overall, though there was a good-sized crowd, this was a great show that deserved a larger audience.

Pho Better Or Pho Horse

Several members of my family were born in the Year of the Horse. But none were close by to celebrate this Lunar New Year. I have attended a few Tet celebrations downtown, but most took place in event centres out by the airport. There was one at Artscape on Monday, but I wasn't sure about it because I had never heard of the promoter. It wasn't the usual set-up by the community newspaper with local sponsors.

So I decided to go to Pho Linh for a bowl of pho instead. Prices have increased since back in the day and my order of a large was $16. Overall, the portion was good, broth was fragrant, and there was plenty of beef and sides like basil and bean sprouts. My only nitpick was that the noodles were a tad too soft. But compared to cheaper options like a Szechuan noodle bowl, it was pricey at $20 (tax + tip). Linh should put back on the menu a small at a good value like, say, $12. They wouldn't necessarily lose money either since folks like myself might get a $4 spring roll or fresh roll (which used to be 2 for $3) as appetizer. Because I wasn't going to get one and push my lunch over $25.

I have been going to this OG restaurant at College and Dufferin for decades. With these (formerly) regular haunts, you have been there enough to remember the staff, but not so often that the passage of time was smoothed over. In other words, I was shocked to see some people passing into "respected elder" (or at least uncle and auntie) status. It was similar to seeing myself in a full-length mirror and asking: when did I get old?

Could Have Been

I was up early on Sunday as I did not go out for St. Valentine's. There was a post-punk dance party with Doghouse Rose, Gaijin Smash, and Mad Ones at The Bovine Sex Club, a venue that I have been to only once in all my time in Toronto. But doors weren't even until 9 pm; I wouldn't last through such late hours.

I took my clothes to the laundromat. True to their sign, they were opened at 6 am. A little bit later, a lady lugged in several bags of laundry, enough for the enormous Dexter washer. I found out she drove in from Oakville which seemed a tad far for a shabby business. But the clothes actually came from her parents who lived nearby on Westmoreland. Her mom was in the hospital for the past 3 weeks due to a stroke. She also suffered from dementia since 2024. This could complicate recovery since they might not be able to follow rehab instructions. I wished her better news for the rest of the year.

Though I had no Cupid-inspired plans, I did experienced a dream of romantic bliss. This seemed like a portent to go to a particular East-end yoga class for the last time. Why? Because I held a pseudo-limerence for the instructor. Pseudo since I was really pining for an alternate timeline where, in my younger days, I had found someone who was also kind and gentle. Limerence because I actually knew nothing about them: most yoga instructors project equanimity and patience in class. The session was full of deep twists and stretches; my thighs were shaking at some points. I only wished we attempted some arm balances as these deeper poses are a good preparation for them.

Back in the West-end, I was so famished from class that I ate almost all of the vegetarian plate ($14.99) from Laziza. I also spent the afternoon in a restful half-doze. But Sundays were made for idle laziness. I was still too full of lunch to attempt more than a handful of nut mix with some leftover rice for dinner.

Gallivanting

On Saturday, I walked to get my slice of Toronto-style pizza. The complete circuit was a little over 7 km but more enjoyable than a similar stroll in Ottawa. On the way, I stopped off at Barbershop Patisserie. When Jill Barber started this business during the pandemic, it was only opened for 3 days. So I was glad to see that they were now a 7-day shop. However, the new Three Dots Coffee Lab (once a medical clinic) a few doors down could be cutting into their coffee sales. Dots looked quite busy but their "experimental coffee" might only appeal to a niche audience. I glimpsed Ms. Barber rolling out pastries in the back but she didn't man the counter any more. Prices have increased with the apple chausson now going for $5.35 and the brownie was $4.25. But the wonderful flavour and quality remained. Still, I wondered what was the "too much" limit was for the average consumer? One of the pricier croissant variety was over $7.

I also dropped by the library at Shaw. But when I noticed this edition of the Globe and Mail had a giant crossword, usually only found in their Christmas paper, I bought my own copy. The number of businesses on College changing hands continued, though most were restaurants. The Royal cinema venue was hosting a touring burlesque show called The Empire Strips Back. I know Toronto have several fan-cons a year, but this didn't seem mainstream enough to have a month-long run.

Despite being past lunch-time, Fresca had lines of people waiting for their slices while I was there. So much so that an entire Margherita pizza was divvied up right out of the oven and I needed to wait for the next one. I used the time to talk to both owners. Officially, they had given the store over to their daughter. But they still came in to help. The young men I saw during previous visits were not the "next generation" as I had hoped; they were nephews from Vietnam on tourist visas. After making extra money for six months, they would head back home. What about "Toronto pizza" in Vietnam? That wasn't possible because importing ingredients like cheese were too expensive and the customer base could only exist in large cities like Saigon. It also turned out the old owner of Cici's used to drop by for a chat and a slice.

On the way back along Bloor, a number of men passed by carrying large bouquet of flowers. February 14th on a Saturday: all venues in Toronto (bars, clubs, restaurants) should be hopping tonight. Perhaps even the 2nd location of Taqueria Vegena at Bloor and Dovercourt. I passed by there twice during my loop and the place was packed. Given that their tacos were normally around $25, snagging an opening day $10 deal was too good for people to pass up.

Senior Moments

It wasn't every second Friday off at my new company but rather the second Fridays of each month that was paid time off. My boss was pushing for us to work because of deadlines. But I guess there were no takers while I was travelling because when I arrived home on Thursday, Friday's meeting was canceled. Nevertheless, I did some follow-up emails in the morning.

At lunch, I headed to Boku, a Japanese eatery with some pan-Asian dishes, at Yonge and Wellesley. I usually meet my ex-coworkers at North York Centre because one of them comes from Markham. But this time, they were willing to head downtown on the subway. Their gait was improved from last time though they still suffered from back pain and sciatica. I haven't seen the other one in over 2 years. In that time, their mother's dementia has progressed to the point where they needed to be in a facility with a "memory floor". This for-profit private care was over $8,000 a month which luckily was covered by her late husband's pension and investments. I opined that I would prefer that even "tiered services" should be government run, even if that ran counter to the idea of "equal access to social services". Because the alternative was the current situation where a life-time of savings was being funneled to corporations.

Since they had "retired early", one from a recent lay-off in September and the other after quitting in 2021, our talk revolved around the golden years. The latter didn't join us last December because they had surgery for a detached retina. There were actually several other treatments before the operation. This was a final resort since there were unavoidable consequences from the procedure. In fact, they will need cataract surgery within a year. But right now, they were healthy and planning a car trip around Iceland, a safari in Botswana, and a tour of the Central Asian "5 stans" for some Silk Road history and Soviet vibes.

The other was warming up to the idea of spending every 6 months in China. Living expenses were cheaper there and there were plentiful locations to visit in that vast country including the ice city of Harbin. I revealed that I was also pondering early retirement in a few years. The problem was that my nest-egg was sufficient for myself but not if my mom develop major health issues down the road. In such a scenario, early retirement means that I would be too long out of the job market to return to work.

We shared Edamame ($6.99), Takoyaki ($9), a plate of Calamari and Coconut Shrimp ($18), and a bowl of Gyu Don ($18). The first two were average but the latter were tasty with large portions. Their ramen looked good though on the expensive side because of ingredients like duck. Hard to say when we will meet again but I might join the travel aficionado for a yoga class in the East End before my sublet expire.

Walk A Mile In My Shoes

I returned to Ottawa for six days to visit my mom. The downside was paying $70/day for an unused sublet. The upside was not spending money so in that sense, I will have a higher daily budget since rent was a fixed cost. Last Saturday was blisteringly cold in Toronto and even more so in Ottawa. The walk to the subway was short and reasonably pleasant. The final 1.6 km segment in Ottawa was less so for several reasons: the connecting bus was too long to wait so I also walked and the sidewalk was haphazardly plowed. You'd be out of luck if you had any mobility issues in Ottawa.

Perhaps because of that, I did not venture out during the week to see friends. All my meals were home-cooked but my favourite were the sticky rice breakfasts. My mom bought some tropical fruits but were a bust: too green or sour because they were out of season. Without daily activities (and blogging about it), I spent more time scrolling social media posts.

Since my trip to Ottawa was sparse (a callback to the early days with Rider Express), I was surprised that the Thursday return to Toronto was full. The driver also forgot to turn on the wifi and onboard electrical outlet so I only got a few hours of work in. Fat Bastard, my usual take-out store at the Kingston rest stop, overcharged my $9.99 burrito by $2. The good news was a traffic-free ride that came into The Big Smoke half an hour early. My walk through Union Station to the subway passes by a kiosk that usually offered small samples from some brand: coffee, granola bars, etc. People always line up for the free stuff but this time, the line snaked 200-people long through the concourse. What could be the giveaway this time? It was free bread. A literal breadline in Toronto.

After dropping off my stuff, I went to Dufferin Mall to stock up on about $45 of groceries. But dinner was once again the chicken combination box ($10) from South Pacific. Peeking through the kitchen window, I saw the elderly lady from a few weeks ago. So perhaps she wasn't the OG owner from the 70s but she seemed to know her stuff. The fried rice had a deeper, smokier wok hei flavour and the lemon chicken sauce was less mouth-puckering than last time.

The Office

On Thursday, I was busy with work most of the day. My team had ambitious goals for the quarter, but as usual we were strapped for time. But it wasn't my call to make regarding our roadmap. In theory, my position at the new company did give me that leeway but I felt it was a case of "job inflation". I wasn't unqualified but I didn't really have the corporate track record to exert any authority. In the evening, to get out of the house for a bit, I went to Szechuan Noodle Bowl for their 3rd-most popular dish: braised beef noodle. For the first time, I wasn't served by the foreign student graduate. It was a tasty bowl for dinner but it was confirmation for me that their spice level was not excessive. The only negative: only a few morsels of the advertised bamboo shoot.

Snow came again overnight but I was heading into the office on Friday. Our old CEO had missed the Christmas lunch and wanted a re-do. People actually came for work this time and the floor was busy and buzzing. But even discounting the various chats I had with folks I haven't seen in years, I didn't get as much done as at home. All that face-time didn't translate to productivity so I'm skeptical of the back-to-work mandates given by the various branches of government and the large companies.

For lunch, we went to an Italian restaurant called Remezzo at Sheppard and Warden. I knew of it from my previous visits to that plaza for noodles (Eight Noodles) and sushi (Mika Sushi). Similar to Mangal Kebab House, Remezzo tried to evoke Old World charm in a suburban milieu with its murals and wooden furniture. Since it has been around for decades, it was a bit dated and ersatz.

I found out in the new year that HR was strict with the holiday reimbursement. It wasn't 3 days of travel but only before and after the Holiday meal. My trip was early by 1 day so I had to pay out of pocket for that night's stay. There were also no compensation for some of my meals since they were cash-only and had no receipts. To "get some of my money back", I ordered a minestrone soup ($7.95) and rainbow trout on pilaf rice ($24.99). The former was mostly tomato broth and not very tasty veggies or pasta. The latter was better with a firm fish and rice.

There were more office gossip. Maybe I had forgotten the announcement, but the CEO had moved to our Swiss office 3 years back. The other founder, who came to meet his ex co-workers, took the buyout package and had retired. Both were in their 70s and were happy with their choices. However, given his many meetings including a recent trip to Davos, it seemed a matter of keeping a "power broker" lifestyle rather than money that motivated my old boss. His son, who was the nepo-baby at work, had a major career shift: he was now a pilot for Porter Air. He achieved this in just 1 year from pilot school to employment. How did he get the required 1500 hours of flight-time experience? He bought a Cessna plane. When it comes to the "nepo-baby" discourse in popular culture, it was never about talent or drive. On a grimmer note, the CEO and my current boss had a falling out around the time of the acquisition. Details were not forthcoming, but this boded ill since they were still heavily invested in our product.

I was heading back to Ottawa to visit my mom on Saturday so I called it an early night. I spent some time looking for sublets or permanent rentals with my budget in mind. I knew I was looking at smaller bachelor or studio apartments, but it was depressing that a $1700 cap yielded only basement units. Or I could pay around $1300 to share with 2-4 roommates. This prospect did not appeal now that I have re-discovered the joy of single living.