The animals are sweet. What is it with dogs and getting their picture taken, it's just so...human. Well with the acception of burnadatte's dogs, who are camera whores. The cat doesn't even look embarrassed.

You have a good eye for catching all the best places in town.

I would say that Bloor and Bay is the nicest area to shop. The Yorkville area is also beautiful during this season....now if I could afford anything in those shops... The front street shot is nice! So were you eating at Spring Rolls or Wendy's?

Keep us posted man.

Cheers!

Hey guys... thanks for the comments.

Mantus, I agree about Bay and Bloor on all counts. The main reason for going there is for film or Indigo.

...and my wife was eating at Spring Rolls, I was just meeting her there to take the car off her hands.

A Winner's just opened up where the Chapters used to be (on Bloor, just between Bay & Avenue). Much to the chagrin of the proprietors of the tony shops surrounding it. But Winner's has a reputation for being reasonably priced. (!!!).

I love spending time in the Indigo. Once I cought Diana Krall performing there at lunch time, and once I literally bumped into Sophia Loren at the Chapters (she was signing a cook book or something). Talk about seeing an idol!

During the Toronto Film Festival I end up spending a lot of time in that area of town. It's the best time of the year for weather, seeing films and generally enjoying Toronto.


OK. More photos...

Both are from last night as I got off the Pape bus on the way home. I am really liking the way the twilight sky is coming out on this camera. The wierd blue wasn't exactly there when I took the shot.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098813844221698"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7RS407wI/AAAAAAAAAlU/eUA3l2BDAKk/s800/0264.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098818139189010"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Ri407xI/AAAAAAAAAlc/L6w6QyUMsGg/s800/0265.jpg" /></a>

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/attachm...id=13089&stc=1



my kinda place Charley......... :thumbsup:

It's one of my favourite places in the neighbourhood. mmmm... beeeeer.

I have to say your cat-wearing-a-santa-hat picture is the cutest thing evar! My cats would have spazzed out and disembowled the thing in 2 seconds flat, no chance to take a photo.

He's the best cat ever... extremely laid back when it comes to the kids (heck, to anyone).

But he is a kick ass mouser.

I spend a huge amount of my time around the Bay-Bloor area. I guess that's what you get for going to UofT, neh?

I love the blue of the sky, and the brightness of the streetlights. So good.

we have shadow trained for the mice here.........she is good for either a mouse or a mole a day

So I took the afternoon off yesterday because I had some Christmas shopping to do and I had to get my parking permit (I ordered it but it never came... it's amazing how a ticket on the windscreen can motivate you to go and get the permit in person).

As a result I had a great afternoon strolling Queen Street in the falling snow. It was quite beautiful and these pictures don't do it justice. I am happy to say that I am finished my Christmas shopping.


The first shot is one of the memorials on University looking north from Queen.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098822434156338"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Ry407zI/AAAAAAAAAls/jRQJfD2bL7c/s800/0267.jpg" /></a>

The second is of the fence in front of Osgoode Hall. Apparently this fence was originally installed to keep the neighbourhood cows off the hall's lawn.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098826729123650"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7SC4070I/AAAAAAAAAl0/7mBO8cfnbec/s800/0268.jpg" /></a>


The third shot is of the statue of Winston Churchill in front of City Hall. I've always found it odd that we have a statue of this man in such a prominent square...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098831024090962"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7SS4071I/AAAAAAAAAl8/nIC8Zgf8RvU/s800/0269.jpg" /></a>

The fourth shot is of City Hall... also seen in the Resident Evil movie and as an alien building on Star Trek the next Generation.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098831024090978"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7SS4072I/AAAAAAAAAmE/lBMjVU9lWt4/s800/0270.jpg" /></a>

So my journey along Queen Street continued....

The first shot is of some air vents for the parking garage below City Hall
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098835319058290"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Si4073I/AAAAAAAAAmM/DyImtDaDi7s/s800/0271.jpg" /></a>

The next two shots are of the model of the City of Toronto in the lobby of City Hall.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098839614025602"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Sy4074I/AAAAAAAAAmU/aSKBfpsq8vY/s800/0273.jpg" /></a>

The last shot is of the skating rink in Nathan Phillips Square. The Zamboni was cleaning the surface at the time.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098839614025618"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Sy4075I/AAAAAAAAAmc/9hXCkw_uOHw/s800/0274.jpg" /></a>

The first one is the clock tower on Old City Hall (right next door to City Hall). I still cringe to think that they wanted to tear down this building.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103843250925490"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_2C4077I/AAAAAAAAAmo/I8y3NhFcnWM/s800/0275.jpg" /></a>

The second is the War Monument in front of Old City Hall. It's the place where we have our Rememberance Day ceremonies.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103847545892802"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_2S4078I/AAAAAAAAAmw/V5OGSrVXETA/s800/0276.jpg" /></a>

The third is of the Christmas tree in the Eaton Centre. It's quite spectacular. The ornaments are all made of glass and they have big spot lights on it... it glows.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103851840860114"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_2i4079I/AAAAAAAAAm4/7ZApXwCVF5M/s800/0277.jpg" /></a>

that tree is very cool... :)

Just before Christmas I made my way from my office up through Chinatown... I was looking for a teapot for my wife for Christmas.

The first is of Jack Skellington and Superman, just through the alley from my office. I actually saw the woman paint Skellington a few days earlier when I went for a coffee.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103856135827426"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_2y407-I/AAAAAAAAAnA/37PF7ML-d7c/s800/0278.jpg" /></a>

The next is of some the Val Kilmer heads that have been popping up around town. I think Cellophanedeity posted a collection of these at another time.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103860430794738"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_3C407_I/AAAAAAAAAnI/18_MIUz5PAE/s800/0279.jpg" /></a>

Finally, this last one is of the famous El Macambo... some of the famous acts that have played here: Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, U2, Lou Reed, The Police (http://www.elmocambo.ca/)
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103864725762050"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_3S408AI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/h4nlM99Kyqw/s800/0280.jpg" /></a>

Here are the last three... various food stuff along Spadina.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103869020729362"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_3i408BI/AAAAAAAAAnY/rWYGIk4TZp8/s800/0281.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103873315696690"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_3y408DI/AAAAAAAAAno/Xobq3On-ezs/s800/0283.jpg" /></a>

Bonus points if you can name the bumpy fruit in the second shot.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103869020729378"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_3i408CI/AAAAAAAAAng/UwBbJ2YJ5xU/s800/0282.jpg" /></a>

Yesterday was the Toronto TFP Christmas meet up and here are some pics of the event.

The first shot is Seige and Lucifer
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103877610664002"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_4C408EI/AAAAAAAAAnw/LHFt9BO8BNk/s800/0284.jpg" /></a>

The second is Kramus and Madly (she a lurker on the TFP but not in person)
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103881905631314"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_4S408FI/AAAAAAAAAn4/-btkStCM338/s800/0285.jpg" /></a>

The third is Fresnelly, Cellophanedeity, Simon and Seige
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103881905631330"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_4S408GI/AAAAAAAAAoA/Wi7mmAT2a-A/s800/0286.jpg" /></a>

The fourth is Kramus and Aberkok
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103890495565938"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_4y408HI/AAAAAAAAAoI/vBq0kNI6UKc/s800/0287.jpg" /></a>


As always it was funny hooking up these folks. The White Elephant was cool. I scored the 2006 Guiness Book of World Records. When I showed it to my son last night he was very happy.

A great way to end the year and a great way to start a new one.

So glad you guys had a good time! :)

*draws herself in next to Kramus :D *

i'm goin' w/ avocados Charley...........good to see more TFPeeps.........

Much bigger than avacados... they are about the size of your head.

They're durians.

I really want to try one. I should march up Spadina and get one in the new year.

it's like eating a cream custard, while standing waist deep in an open sewer! If you travel in Indonesia, if you happen to have one in your possession, they won't let you check in to hotels. Bad smell!

Sounds like a delightful experience, durians.

You all look so warm and cozy. :lol: Never having been all these wonderful places (or truly experienced the snow/cold), it's a blast living vicariously through you, Charlatan.

Durians they are... very stinky but very tasty. They are very popular in Singapore when I am there in December.

That's it! I'm traveling to Toronto sometime soon! I'm soo soo jealous of you guys, holding a meeting of TFP luminaries. And Toronto looks to have such impressive architecture, too.
I'll need a native guide. :P

The body language on lucifer and seige in that shot is fascinating... What were y'all talking about? :D I'll say it again.. you canuckisani boys are way too cute... some south a little... please?? :D

Not sure about lucifer, but I was trying my best to look deep in thought :lol:

Here are some shots of the diner where I usually go on Saturday mornings. It's the sort of place where you know the owners by their first names and they know how you like you coffee. My son and I have been going there for years now.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103894790533250"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_5C408II/AAAAAAAAAoQ/NfKIwmMYh1Q/s800/0288.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103899085500562"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_5S408JI/AAAAAAAAAoY/QB4zx4xbxCk/s800/0289.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103899085500578"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_5S408KI/AAAAAAAAAog/wczFP2yD_b0/s800/0290.jpg" /></a>

It's one of the tastiest hamburgers in town.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103903380467890"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_5i408LI/AAAAAAAAAoo/2yq7IN2Br18/s800/0291.jpg" /></a>

This is what I look at in the stall in the bathroom at work...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103903380467906"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_5i408MI/AAAAAAAAAow/67MHiqj0bNo/s800/0292.jpg" /></a>

Kagami biraki
 

This weekend my Kendo dojo celebrated Kagami biraki, which is to mark the opening of the dojo for the new year.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103907675435218"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_5y408NI/AAAAAAAAAo4/2bKmULu3i2s/s800/0293.jpg" /></a>

Part of the celebration involves making and eating Mochi. OUr sensei is a trained chef (he owns a couple of restaurants). He makes mochi in the traditional way, by pounding the sweet rice into a sort of dough.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103911970402530"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_6C408OI/AAAAAAAAApE/qXXqtkTPTtU/s800/0294.jpg" /></a>

The ones I ate were filled with a sweet bean mixture...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103916265369842"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_6S408PI/AAAAAAAAApM/VxS2xfD3Z6k/s800/0295.jpg" /></a>

Traditionally this sort of thing would be eaten before going into battle... because the rice is compressed you can fit a lot more rice into a very small package... when combined with a filling, they can give you a good dose of carbs and protien... sort of like a power bar.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103920560337154"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_6i408QI/AAAAAAAAApU/IPLLsHrmlx4/s800/0296.jpg" /></a>

Is that an example of your artwork?

*envy*



you're such a lucky bastard Charley.........i thought i had it good but,damn man........you see all the good stuff.

WAIT!!!!!! you get fresh squeezed oj in Canukistan but I cant get it in friggin Florida??????? thats so not fair.

it's one of the qwerks eh..........


and the beer.............it's to die for.




:thumbsup:

Lucifer: nope, not my work. I just see it everyday.

Flyman: Cheers! Come to Toronto and the beer is on me...

Shalafi: we grow the oranges in our back yards... didn't you know that? :lol:

Hey ya! Oranges grown in our back yards, or get them flown in from the Baffin Island Citrus Growers Association... nice and juicy!

the Baffin Island oranges are great, but wait till you taste the Nunavut watermelons!

Vegas...
 

So I was in Las Vegas for 24 hours yesterday... I managed to take a few pictures.

The first shot is the view from my hotel room on the 17th floor of the Tropicana.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103920560337170"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_6i408RI/AAAAAAAAApc/v1FXBfmStL8/s800/0297.jpg" /></a>

The next three were taken on my walk from my hotel to the Mandalay Bay... The Mandalay Bay is supposed to be in a southeast Asian theme. I found it ironic that I was going there to meet someone from Singapore.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103924855304482"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_6y408SI/AAAAAAAAApk/26QYRX4uqXU/s800/0298.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103929150271794"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_7C408TI/AAAAAAAAAps/NQw6VFvkKP0/s800/0299.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103929150271810"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_7C408UI/AAAAAAAAAp0/EXLmVe4qVT0/s800/0300.jpg" /></a>

Vegas
 

The next shot is of the arch near the entrance to the Mandalay Bay (am I the only one who thinks Michael Bay when he hears Mandalay Bay? Most likely.)
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103933445239122"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_7S408VI/AAAAAAAAAp8/mHH4emWLNDQ/s800/0301.jpg" /></a>

While I was on a break in my interview, I was sitting going over my notes and reading my book, when suddenly, there was Geraldo Rivera... the camera makes him look far away but he was actually only about 25 feet from me.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103933445239138"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_7S408WI/AAAAAAAAAqE/kiEr2M-ybQ0/s800/0302.jpg" /></a>

Vegas
 

It's the oddest thing...the MGM Grand has it's own lion on display. Something about this is just so wrong.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103937740206450"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_7i408XI/AAAAAAAAAqM/zNppARVz-f8/s800/0303.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103942035173762"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_7y408YI/AAAAAAAAAqU/9TaMI2HBIl4/s800/0304.jpg" /></a>

The last couple of shots are from the strip at night. Camera limitations lend to the poor quality of the shots... nonetheless, I like how they look.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103942035173778"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_7y408ZI/AAAAAAAAAqc/8bK6Bb6BgG4/s800/0305.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115103946330141090"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx_8C408aI/AAAAAAAAAqk/-jtQnCTKTkQ/s800/0306.jpg" /></a>