Nexus

Corrie

I'm a huge fan of Coronation Street - the English soap opera. I've watched it for years. In Canada, we have two options for watching our fav show on CBC - 4 times a week for a half hour each, or, Sunday morning CBC shows the 2 hours in one go. The Sunday morning show is my choice and the VCR is always set to catch it on tape. I usually watch it on Sunday evening - after a day of cycling or skiing depending on the season.

In Canada, we are 7 months behind the UK. I sometime succomb to temptation and read the show spoilers on the <a href="http://www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=91">website</a>.

I can't quite explain its appeal to me - but - somehow I find it quite comforting to watch. Perhaps because the characters become almost like friends - I've watched many of them grow up. It is certainly not glamorous like the American soaps - that really what I like about it.

Jim Carrey's Passport Photo -?

This seems to be causing more interest than almost anything else Ottawa has been doing lately - the new guidelines for passport photos of course! Thou shalt not smile.

Check out the spoof in the <a href="http://www.nyt.com/2003/08/31/weekinreview/31MCCA.html">NYT</a> today.

Madame Sata

The Toronto Film Festival will soon be opening, we were reminiscing about some of the films we saw last year ..... my favourite from last year was called <a href="http://www.africana.com/reviews/moviestv/mtv20030822sata.asp">'Madame Sata'</a>. It was a very powerful film based on a true story. So far (and this is a year later) it did not make it out to the theatres - not even those specializing in small release films. It was excellent though and the review attached to this link was one of the most informative of any reviews I read.

Scenes along the path

One of the reasons I run outside is that there is always something to look at - it makes the run pass very quickly. Initially this morning, it seemed like it was just me and the squirrels, but, eventually the dogs and their owners started appearing. It was a very sleepy Sunday morning. The path winds through residential areas most of it suburban middle class. One section of the trail is usually littered in broken glass and garbage - this section passes high rise apartment buildings - some of them government subsidized housing. I'm not sure I would want to pass there after dark - during the day the most hazard you might face is the kids playing cricket with what looks like a hard ball. But this area was pretty quiet this morning. I often see the same people out jogging and walking thier dogs. Most people speak or wave hello.

Back home for coffee and the rest of the New York Sunday Times. (Just started my 8 week super discounted rate and got the first paper today!)

Weekly Satire

One of the highlights of my beloved Saturday papers is the <a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/review/">Post Mortem </a> column in the Review Section of The National Post. Its a very witty satire based on the weeks events - both political and pop culture - and usually has me chuckling away.

Niagara Fruit

We spent the day cycling along the path from Niagara on the Lake to Niagara Falls. It was excellent - we picked a perfect day - not too hot, but, sunny and clear. We stopped at many lookouts and took the day easy. It was crowded - with our proximity to the US border, many cars had New York plates - very economical for the Yanks - their dollar is worth so much more here. Good to see tourists too after the problems we have had this year - SARS, West Nile, Mad Cow etc. Not to mention that we are a lawless bunch - what with legalizing same sex marraiges and allowing possession of small quantities of 'pot' to be outside the criminal code!

We came home laden with great quantities of fruit - that region is our region's fruit belt - I have been consuming fresh apricots like there is no tomorrow.

Niagara On The Lake also has a fabulous Irish store and I was awfully tempted by the woven and knitted goods - wonderfully creative and unique clothing - expensive though.

It was a great day and we plan to go back again in a couple of weeks time.

Niagara Cycling Path

It look like a beautiful day today - perfect for cycling on the path between Niagara on the Lake and Niagara Falls. The path would be approximately 20 km each way I guess - it twists and turns and follows the water all along. There are some spectacular lookouts along the way. People stop for picnics in the parks. The trails passes many vineyards as this is winery country. Many fruit and veg stands at this time of year. Last year we got corn on the cob straight out of the water at one such place. It is a perfect weekend - last long weekend of the summer - to do this trip.

Blogs Canada Site

Why was I thinking Canada was missing out on this trend? This site was sent to me by someone correcting my misconception. <a href="http://blogscanada.ca/default.aspx">Canada does Blog!</a>

"White Flag" by Dido

White Flag

I know you think that I shouldn't still love you
I'll tell you that
But if I didn't say it
Well, I'd still have felt it
Where's the sense in that?

I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder
Or return to where we were

Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I know I left too much mess
And destruction to come back again
And I caused but nothing but trouble
I understand if you can't talk to me again
And if you live by the rules of 'It's over'
Then I'm sure that that makes sense

Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

And when we meet
As I'm sure we will
All that was then
Will be there still
I'll let it pass
And hold my tongue
And you will think
That I've moved on

Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

Neighbours

Luckily, I have the most fantastic neighbours - on both sides. One of my neighbours is a wonderful cook - she makes excellent home-made vegetarian Indian food - which just happens to be one of my favourite meals. Its truly to die for. When she found out I am vegetarian (well - close to it) and love Indian food, I starting receiving full meals - delivered to my door, about once a week. It a nice thing to arrive home from the gym wondering what to cook for dinner and then find Dina at my door - home cooked meal in hand.