Quiet on the Eastern Front

It was nippy early on Saturday but donning a light jacket was sufficient for my early morning jog. Several things made outdoor runs more enjoyable in Toronto: less cars even on a thoroughfare like Gerrard and they travelled at lower speed; variety of visual changes from small buildings and storefronts on main streets and eclectic homes on side ones; woodpecker hammering away at an electrical pole (don't insects infest only living trees?) along a trail that ran alongside the train tracks; McDonald's delivery sitting untouched in front of Left Field Brewery on Wagstaff Dr (a gentrified alleyway) - order time of 1:47 am meant that this was either the wrong address or someone didn't wait.

For lunch, I ventured to Huy Ky for a bao ($3.50) and a banh mi ($6.00). Again, deviating from my usual vegetarian order resulted in a slightly disappointing meal. Two things this time: the cha ca (a Vietnamese fish-cake) lacked dill that usually gives it a strong, distinctive flavour. Second, since the patty was stored in the fridge and had to be microwaved, that made it too stringy. Fresh from a deep-fryer would have been ideal.

I had several plans for the evening. I would go to Fresca for the best pizza slice in the city. Then it was around the corner to Dina's Tavern for 2 acts. Headliner Paste channeled 90s alt-rock and was releasing a 4-song EP. To be honest, that seemed underwhelming to have only 1 recording in the 4 years since they graduated "Class of 2022". Megan Aversa (Velvet Beach) was also part this band but she wasn't the lead singer. Math-rock quintet High Tea sounded more interesting. Lately, microtonal duo Angine de Poitrine went viral on Youtube and was now selling out shows. So an evening listening to some cerebral wankery might yield some gems.

But I ended up staying in. The distance from the East End to more happening downtown or West End areas discourage travel. Also, somehow the quieter vibe (the streets were mostly empty all day) sink into your psyche and you turn into a homebody. I will have to resist this urge while I am at this sublet.