TORONTO GIRL CHRONICLES

16 hours of driving + 5 cups of coffee + a 100 miles (probably more) later = great adventures in Chicago!


Chicago is a fantastic city with an older-and-wiser feel than Toronto. It is the home of 9.6 million habitants   that are lucky to enjoy a fantastic waterfront and one of the best art museums that I have been to.  I had a great time partying, eating, going to sporting events and even walking a million miles. I can't wait to share it all with you!

For now, I will just tease you with a couple of pics that sum up the perfect road trip.

Here are some highlights:

I had been dying to get away this summer, but all of a sudden work got crazy busy and then there was the move, minor renovations, endless Ikea trips...and I've you have been to Ikea you know that's enough to drive you crazy!




So my best friend and I made a deal. We would take a couple of days off this week and conquer the open road. We are going to a very special place with incredible architecture,deep dish pizza and the worlds biggest baseball stadium. Am I giving away too much? I hope not because I want to keep you intrigued...
Hey, if you guess what city I'm going to I'll bring you a souvenir! Write your guess in the comment section. You have until Wednesday, September 22, 2010 (midnight).




NOTE - MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY OR CLOSE FRIENDS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO WIN (SINCE YOU ALREADY KNOW WHERE I AM GOING). YOU MUST RESIDE IN THE GTA TO WIN.

This is a very insightful piece written by my friend J.Lewis, who never ceases to amaze me with her quirky, yet accurate, views of love and life. 



In a conversation not too long ago, a friend and I were once again participating in the female ritual of criticizing men. We ourselves have been sharing everything from the good and the bad, to the sexy and ugly for a number of years. We have had countless conversations over which men we should keep (for the meantime), which to throw to the curb, and which to love till death do us part. But no matter the man, be he the love our life or the jerk that never called us back, we have never been short of things to criticize.

During the most recent confab, I suggested our male counterparts were going through a third-life crisis, which was later revoked for the more accurate 30's-life crisis. Our loveable men, now in their early 30's, have decided it is okay to be a little moody or a little unpredictable (or both). They are taking on new extravagances and indulging themselves in what we consider more youthful hobbies.

Given some time to let the idea percolate, I have come the the decision that there is no such thing as a 30's-life crises. Or quarter- or mid-life crises. Much like our childhood invisible friends, or our daydreams of hot makeout sessions with McDreamy, these so called life crises are figments of our imagination.  In the most frustrating moments of our relationships we are forever looking for something to pin our partner's shortcomings on--because obviously WE would never choose to live with a man that did 'this' or 'that'. But this is the genius of humans, we are all allowed to be individuals who can decide what we do, and change our minds at any time. I'm certainly not saying this is always a good thing, but it's not always bad either, and as long as the thing we're complaining about is how our man has taken up paling video games for a couple hours a week, or watches sports 24/7 during the playoffs, I think we can all agree that it could be much worse.

Considering the vast majority of women are often more moody, unpredictable and indulgent than their men, I think that when the boys branch out, we should be a little more understanding. So does this mean that we shouldn't acknowledge our men when they change? Hell no. I will likely continue to call up my girlfriends and whine over a glass (or bottle) of wine, not only because it feels good, but because it is an important part of female bonding. The only difference may be that the next time I go to gossip about his latest quirks, I might be a little less sarcastic with my girls, and a little more understanding when I talk to Mr. Not-so-perfect-but-still-Mr. Right.

The party, of course, was pumpin', all the hipsters were there and the bar was serving Vitamin Water with Vodka. It was the place to be on a thirsty Friday afternoon.

Happy First day of TIFF :)

I will always be a good girl.

I am currently unpacking, making a stint at my old dance job and working away on some exciting projects for my full time... I know it is no excuse so I will leave you with this song by Fiona Apple, an oldie but a goodie circa 1997.

"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway." -- Mother Teresa

"...by declaring what I don't and what I do...I'm creating what I will have." -- Unknown

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square hole. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." -- Apple Computer Inc.

I will join the club and dramatically announce that I am surprised that it's September already. For some reason, I always feel like the year really starts out in September.  Must be all those years of formal education.
Alas, it is September, and although we are closer to the W* season,  it's still a great month! Along with the crisp air and high heeled boots come low travel prices and fun indoor activities.

So this is the Bucket List for SEPTEMBER:

• 
  
  Check Out the Toronto Film Festival - (Sept 9-19) -  I've been told that it's "like Caribana for yuppies," I wonder what they meant by that... Anyways, it really is 11 days and 300 films - Toronto Life has a good guide on what to see and what to skip . For ticket and schedule click here. 
• 
  
  Get it Right, Get it Tight - After a summer of  running around the city and eating ice cream  I've decided that it's time to reform my lifestyle. I have enlisted the help of Body Harmonics Pilates Studio to turn me into a lean, mean, sexy machine.
• 
  
  Re- Decorate - As you have heard here,  I moved into a new place. Now it's time to unpack and decorate. The saga continues...
• 
  
  Try Vegetarianism - I will share what I've learned and some yummy recipes. I promise. Coincidentally, the Vegetarian Food Fair (at the Harbourfront Centre) takes place from Sept 10 -12.
• 
  
  Go on a Road Trip -  with the kids going back to school and everyone in work mode the prices for hotels seem to be cheaper, so why not take a road trip?  I have already picked the perfect destination. I guess you'll just have tune in to find out ;)

What's on your list for September? Leave a comment below :)



* I can't bring myself to type it, sorry!