Ukrainian Bloor West

It was the Uke fest again in the Bloor West.
Bloor street was closed this weekend to celebrate the Eastern Europeans that settled in this neighbourhood and made it what it is today.
Not quite.
Today there are a few more chains, like Chapters and New Balance, Rogers and Bell Mobility.  There are still a few of the deli's and the Ukrainian banks, and of course the rude old euros, like the one that was sitting beside a young couple at the fair today.
That Euro lady was representing the Ukrainians and setting the bar really low  for her country people.


Not everyone in the Bloor West is like that.  But they are there.  You can't miss them.  They will drive like they are escaping the border patrol in a 40km/h residential zone near a church or elementary school.
On hot and humid days you will definitely know they are around especially in a crowded subway car.





But what can you do.  Being aggressive rewards you with a win-lose situation.  And that's how the world works these days.  The squeaky wheel gets the oil.  But the really loud obnoxious and rude wheel gets what they want and doesn't care about any other wheel even if it means disrespecting the other wheels.



It is sad that this is how it is becoming.  It's up to the young adults and the new parents of the world, to change that. To show the young kids that follow our every step that being successful doesn't mean stepping on your fellow person or treating everyone else is an enemy.  We are quickly becoming a world of mixed races.  The Bloor West is representative of that.  Cultures are now blended.  It's important to not forget your heritage.  It's even more important to respect those heritages and be proud of it and bring honour to them.
If we want our kids to grow up and be better adults than we are, then we as parents, as adults need to be better than who we are today.  Making excuses for ourselves to not be better, only teaches our kids to be cop outs.  When they start using excuses.  You only need to look in the mirror to see who taught them that.

You know we tried both Grandma Uke's potato and onion perogies and Max's Marts potato and onion perogies and I like Babushka's better.
It just seemed to have a nicer texture where as the Max's Mart was al dente.  It just seemed home made where as the Max Mart tasted like it was manufactured by a machine, made to the specs of some chef, not a roly poly Babushka in a kitchen.

Cirque Water?

That's right you can now get Cirque Du Soleil Water.  I think it comes from the tap.  So it's Local Toronto water.  And it's not far from Ashbridges Bay Water Treatment plant, so you know it's fresh!

We saw Amaluna last night down by the Docks area.  It wasn't bad getting in.  Getting out was a circus though.  People are so impatient, they are in a rush to get no where fast!


It's almost always the people with the big expensive cars cutting here and there just to be first out of the gate, beat the other person, win at all costs, if you aren't a winner then you're a loser attitude.  We are quickly behaving like Americans are perceived to be like.  We are Canadians.  The peacekeepers of the world.  There is no need to rush to some place that we do not need to.  We need to remember to respect each other and be orderly.  I just don't get people now a days.  Seems like TV has influenced most people that you have to be a jackass to be respected, otherwise you will get get stomped on.
What goes around will come around....Karma.

Jumping off my soapbox.
Show was great.  Wasn't sure what to expect since we saw Ovo 2 years ago and it was about an egg.  Or egg theme.

Amaluna. Not sure what the theme was.  But there was lady who was performing on a moon shaped structure suspended high above.  That would come down periodically through the show.
There was a crescent moon shaped that a musician and her would sit in, and a full moon (circular) ring that she did her actual act.
The really neat thing was that this lady could sing.  And she sang during her act.

The music was as always brilliant.

Tin Anniversary

Does Tiffany's have any jewelry made of tin?  And is there a printable coupon?
August 24th, 2012 was a big milestone for us. It's the TIN Anniversary. I could make something in a metal shop.

It means we passed the 7 year mark. If you make it past 7 years, there's no turning back.

It's been 10 years of learning about the complexities of wine.
10 years of doing kid friendly activities.
10 years of trekking to NJ for extended cross border Prime Outlet shopping.  And then sweating it out at the border waiting in a line of cars.
10 years of mastering the art of online shopping.
10 years of getting every known pandemic flu virus.


10 years of hitting the Jersey Shore and enjoying the beach, before it became a crappy reality show.
10 years of trying to beat grubs and then realizing you can't.
10 years of learning how-to, and then getting better at it.
10 years of living thru another reno. (Actually I think it's been only 5 years)

10 years of conquering fears together.
10 years of accomplishments, medals, yellow and green ribbons.
10 years of learning about each other, ourselves and growth.
10 years of learning, respecting and enjoying the virtues of other cultures.
10 years of exploring the world outside our front door, beyond our little patch of grass.

10 years of doing it together. Sharing responsibilities and sharing the rewards.

Wow. 10 years went by fast.
It just seems like yesterday, I was sitting on a boat in Thailand with an upset bowel.



It's been 10 years together.  Whether we liked it or not.  And that's the truth. It's been work. But you need to put in the work to make it work.  Take care of your lawn and you will have a nice green lawn, with little to no weeds.  It's not rocket science, it's not chemistry.  It's effort.  No one can do the work for you.  Bit by bit. And over time, things just improve.  Just like good wine.