Ice Ice Christmas

like an ice age. naw.

It was an icy Christmas.  And if that weren't enough.  Let's knock out the power.
The blackout was sporadic around the city.  And was widespread to the whole GTA and outlying regions.
They said 500,000 people were affected.

My sister's house in Caledon was out of power before ours in TO. Their whole village was dark.  Sort of eerie.  Like the Blair Witch Project.  Or most small US cities.

lights out.

So I dropped Kieran off at her place and went home to watch the Leaf game.  I wished that it was blacked out because it was a lousy game.  They played a bit better. Still the gained a point.  I thought we had been spared by the ice gods.

But no World Junior hockey on today.  No power since 3:30am. But there was power at the rink. I was on the icy fence on whether to go play hockey or stay home and chip ice.  I was more concerned about the roads.  But they were fine.  But traffic lights were out. They weren't even blinking.  They were off.

coming home from hockey

Glad I went to play.  It was fun.  The people that come out to skills + pickup are great.  And plus I got to take a hot shower.

Yorkdale was out of power.  But I didn't know until later.  But the parking lot was full.

We didn't realize the extent until later.  But that didn't stop people from trying to shop?  Or be a mall rat.

beautiful destruction

Most of our area still has power lines above ground.  And that's the problem.  Trees all over the city are bent over from being covered with ice.  It looks very pretty, especially when there is a working light shining on it.

But some areas with mature trees, especially in the really nice areas of the city were really hit hard.  Large branches crashing down on power lines, breaking poles. Some house had their power ripped out.

Because of the holidays. restoration of power will be delayed.  I feel bad for the many that are out of power still.  It has gotten very cold.  -17 deg C at night.  And today Christmas, it will continue.  Most stores are closed the next 2 days, so people can't even get food if they need it.

We are very lucky.  We got our power back on after 20hrs.  My sister had to wait another day.   Our friends in Swansea are still without power.  Although every street around them has power.

Many will be out for a while.

Loblaws. Fresh food?

This is our grocery store. Hope they didn't have to throw out much food.
It's amazing how something so pretty can wreak so much havoc.  Not having power for a bit was okay.  But after several days the fun quickly wears thin.

I knew friends that did winter camping.  Not something that I think I could do.  I'm from the tropics you know! 

Still trying to get used to cold weather after all these years.  Feels like I'm always cold.

At Tresa's parents house.  I think their birch tree has seen it's last winter.

End of Birch.

When the power outage happened, large parts of Etobicoke were dark.  From Runnymede all the way to hwy 427, traffic lights were not working.  It was eerie driving along the Gardiner and seeing the condo buildings dark and lightless.  It was like no one lived there.

I wish drivers were more courteous with each other.  There's no rush.  It's not a race.  There's no winner, when people are just rude.  Christmas spirit seems to be lost on people.  It's not marketing or advertising or big sales and discounts.  It's a bit sad that this is what it has become.

However,  I saw FB posts of people who got power sharing their home for anyone that still hadn't had power.  It was an awesome gesture.  It's important that we choose not to forget the meaning of the Christmas season.  And carry it throughout the year.  Not just for 1 day.


"Word to your motha" - Vanilla Ice

Metal Mettle

You know I was hoping for tiles or a vanity.  Something that would be going towards finishing the bathroom project.  I've kind of slowed down.  Mostly because, no one is compelling me to finish it.  And I have have nothing to finish it with.  I did tape and apply thinset to the cement board seams above the tub on Saturday.
And then my sister calls, to say she wants to go back AGAIN to the One-of-a-Kind show.  There's no refusing in our house. An invite to go to this show is like giving a dog a meaty bone.  Except without so much drool.

And then I get a call while Kieran and I are out getting a christmas tree.  We did the half-dead potential fire hazard IKEA ones again, because I needed the coupon to purchase the light that is going into the cabinet in the bathroom.

I was hoping I could have gotten it the same day, but the coupon is good for after January 2nd.  I guess it spreads out their revenue.  If anyone is going to IKEA to buy a tree and not going to use that $20 coupon (if you spend over $75).  I'll gladly take it off their hands.

This is the tree we picked.  It's hard to know what it'll look like, but this was the only one where the bottom didn't look dead.  And I predicted that it would be more fuller around the bottom and we weren't disappointed.  It was the first tree we picked and carried it around comparing it to others.  But we couldn't find anything better.  And it looks like we made the right choice.

So I get another call as Kieran and I were hanging the tree in the garage to let it open up.  One-of-a-Kind related.  My initial response.  If I can't do #1 or #2 in it, forget it.  Tresa had shown me this artist's work before.  But photos are photos.  They don't always do it justice, except a photo saves you money.  I've never really understood art.  Because I can't use it in sports.  It's just there.

But art does something that I can't really explain.  It triggers memories and emotions that can start a conversation.  I guess that's why they are called conversation pieces.  Who knows?

But this is it.  Also those shortbread cookies above.  That's to lessen the blow of the bill.  I didn't care for the chipotle ones.  I had one and my taste buds weren't loving it, even with the coffee.

It's made of metal.  And James, the artist, brought it over.  We even showed him where it'll probably end up going.  And he was thrilled.  It was really nice to meet someone who was/is so genuinely excited about where his creation was going.  That it had a home it would be appreciated in.  It wasn't about moving products, something that he'd made and brought to life.  I get it.

And I wished I had remembered to take a photo with him.  Because how often do you buy a piece of art and the artist brings it over.  Usually never. He may or may not be there next year. And reps from the Peter Munk foundation approached him to do a piece.  And well it's kind of nice to know someone before they potentially become a big name artist. Dang it.  But I was a bit in awe of the piece.  Never owned a piece of art before.  Except my Litespeed bike.  You know what it takes to weld titanium?  Well, it's an exotic metal.

Also, hearing him talk about his background in finance and marketing and how art was something inside him that just needed to come out.  I can sort of relate.  But mostly admire, his boldness and gumption.  It's a risky and exciting adventure.

Some people love what they do.  Others do what they were born to do, and others dream and can't figure out what they want to do.  Creating art is a form of expression.  It's vague (to me) and can be anything.  But sometimes things can talk to you.  It may not be in words.  It could be though.  Like when something is just butt ugly.  But that could just be a feeling of disgust.  Somethings I just don't get.  In any case. This thing is steel.  It's pretty raw. How he talked about finding the right piece of steel with these discolourations.  It was an exploration, an adventure.

I could smell the faint hint of oil.  Reminded me of being in the machine shop back in University in 3rd year.   In any case, appreciation is one aspect of it.  And it only matters to you.  Someone else's opinion of it, means little.  Because it's yours.
It is ultra cool.  It was talking to me and I couldn't help admire it.  Touching it with the back of your hand is ok, because the oil in your finger tips will change it.  The discolouration is only on the surface, and it can be buffed away.  And it's character will be lost.  Also there is a thin layer of oil on it.

I had recommended to Kieran that he should get his letter to Santa done so it can go out Monday morning in the mail.  It didn't dawn on me his request to get me $100 because somehow he felt I'd need it.  It wasn't until I saw the VISA bill this morning. Ha.

Mikeklaus came thru this year

Mikeklaus this year came through.  We didn't know the procedure for this celebration.  It's different from the Oshawa one.  That one they provide the gifts, but this one, the parents that come provide the gifts for Mikeklaus to give to the kids.  Which I think is better.

This year we were prepared.
Kieran finally joined the choir at Slovenian school.  We knew he'd like it.  But he was hesitant.  Milan had been asking me every time I saw him.  But every time I asked Kieran he said no.

I think he just didn't know what to expect.  Other than pizza and juice and the ratio of girls to boys is 5 to 1.  Which I thought, what boy wouldn't want that ratio?  He's got some of his classmates in the choir.  But of course, they are girls.


The teens do a bit of a skit and the choir sings, and Mikeklaus does a small sermon to let kids know that Christmas isn't about getting lots of toys, gifts, ipads, candy and other stuff.  But about giving back to those that take care of you.  Being thankful that they are their day in and day out.  And returning that love and care.

Not sure how many were listening, but I hope at least 1 was.  But who knows.

This boy was the first to get called up.  Surprisingly, he was not afraid.  Just stoic.  Like he had blinders on, like a cow heading to Canada Packers.


Others weren't so brave.  Needing their parents to come with them. Carrying them safely past the evil doers.
Others were just curious.  Maybe a sign for how they will be as teens.
The devils kind of took it easy on this first kid.  I think because he looked like he was in a daze and didn't want him falling on the stairs.
But, bit by bit, the little devils began to be more brave.  Poking and prodding them with their pitch forks.
Taking kids' boots and tossing them to the side.
Delaying them from seeing Mikeklaus.


This little party lasts for a little more than an hour. Last year we just felt bad for him. This year, Kieran's name was called and it didn't matter what it was, all that matter was he wasn't forgotten, and he was happy.

We were glad that Mikeklaus could read the label.
Cause as he was reading the names, he was getting his angels to read for him, because Mikeklaus is old and so are his eyes.
Next year we'll put his name in larger font.

Here Fishy

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

We hitched a ride with our neighbour Joe and took the subway down.  Saved us 20 bucks in parking minus the fare.

It's worth it to go right when it opens at 09:00.
It was nice and quiet and relaxing and you can actually see the exhibits.

Because at about 10:30 the first set of students from a school came.
At 11:00, the grandparents with their grandkids or parents that couldn't get their kids out early, started to show up, with their strollers.

The play area in the center of the aquarium was wide open at around 10:00. But by noon, it was a packed with kids and you couldn't even see the thing.

At 12:00 it was becoming so crowded and rowdy, especially at the center where the interactive water and play place was.  Kids were turning it into a splash pad. Kids were pushing and taking boats from each other, behaving like they were asians hoarding giveways at Centre Island during the dragonboat festival.  WTF.  But parents were there to keep their kids in line.  When everyone wants to play with the same toy.  This is what happens to the young ones.  Overload.

We had already gone through the entire aquarium by 11:00.  I was able to pet a small shark. And saw a blue lobster.  See through a hammer heads eyes and a sharks eyes. And there was a gigantic grouper. Oh about 800lbs.  That would have made a great meal. Yum.


We then we had a bit to eat and Kieran ran into a classmate - Darien - a first year.  And he was with his mom and younger sister.  So we stayed another 2 hours.

It was great.  The two played and enjoyed each other's company.  And when we visited that petting area again.  Kieran wasn't so shy to do it.  I think it made him step up and show his younger classmate what he was made of.  BTW it felt like sandpaper.  Maybe 200 grit.

We were glad to spend part of our time at the aquarium with Darien and his sister and mom.
Glad Kieran saw him and went up to him to say hi.

By 13:00 it was getting so crowded it was difficult to move with out bumping into someone.  So we called it a day.  We enjoyed the aquarium.  And was I ever glad we got there early.

Ripley's Aquarium photos