It’s kind of hard to remember now how I felt about 2024, since it’s become so clearly the year that Western civilization ended. But best I do remember, if I’m being honest, it was kind of meh. Some highlights sprinkled in, of course, including one solid trip… but my standard joke about “running out the clock” does seem to have become my life. Should probably do something about that. But I suppose I did do SOME THINGS about that… and here they are!
January:
On New Year’s Day, Marty got his head into an empty dog food bag and was running around with it. At least the year started cute!
Though it still fills me with a powerful ambivalence, I do some more improv. Beer Beer Comedy with Steve’s Thieves. The team’s half people from basketball, so at least it feels social. And there is a little egotistical part of me that wants these people who came along after I left to know I was at least decent at this. So… yeah.
In a review of The Beekeeper, I manage to slip this in: “I would advise my friend Martin to steer clear of this movie, as he is allergic to bees.” It’s the little things. (Especially given the big things!)
A fake Facebook account pretending to be me is made and targets my friends. A slight pain in the ass… but I feel seen?
I don’t know if this is exceptionally social of me, but according to my schedule, in a week, I joined the THCU crowd for drinks at Prenup, had a zoom with Ryan, and went to Tone Sushi with Evan and Jen. Look at me, the belle of the ball!
I shared these two articles with Larry, pertinent to our interests. If by any chance, they’re pertinent to yours…:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/idioms-that-come-from-chickens-chicken-phrases
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/01/22/dining/restaurant-menu-trends.html
Then, well, at the risk of irreverence, the week of death. First, I attend Pat Rogers’ (nee Greenslade) memorial. I hadn’t seen her since I was a little kid, but I remembered her fondly and was happy to learn more about her. Kate did right by her – and me being me, I’m already feeling bad about my future efforts for my parents.
Then days later, on the 31st, I learned about the passing of both Darryl Pring and Guy MacPherson. Both friends, both supporters, and both gone too soon. Think I’ll just leave it there.
February:
I blame winter, but it looks like I didn’t do anything meaningful between the day Darryl died and the day his Comedy Bar memorial was held. Although technically, Ian and I met up first and had some BEAR Steak Sandwiches… and since that I do have pictures of, here they are:
The memorial was very nice, a good balance of reunion and remembrance. At the risk of offending any omissions, I remember (I think) conversations with Mitch, Deanna, Jim, Naomi, Chris, Cam, Marco, and Amanda, some of whom I hadn’t seen in years and all of whom I don’t see enough.
Transition: The Super Bowl! I believe I won at squares… but the earnings weren’t enough to retire, if I did.
Then, Saulter St. Brewery has a dumplings pop-up, and I get Ian and Nate from work to join me for the festivities. The thought of taking a picture of the people never occurred to me, but look! Dumplings and beer!
And my last highlight of February (other than another Ryan Zoom, which I’m loath to mention, ‘cause it’s thirsty!) is the library returns from its hack. Finally, I can start getting holds again! All is right in the world!
March:
I see Dune 2 with Neil on the 2nd at 9:30 a.m. Which makes it sound like we were really gung-ho, but they were actually some kind of promotional passes he got. Is it ironic that we saw it uptown? (‘cause it’s Dune 2, which is how Groundskeeper Willie says “downtown”, right? Okay, I’m bailing on this!)
Marty turns 10! But how can that be, when he’s just a little puppy dog-slash-angel sent from heaven?! Somehow, it be!
A truly bad day happens: JFL goes under AND the Great Burger Kitchen – the local place that made a good poutine – goes bye-bye. It stays gone, but JFL MAY be returning. Fingers crossed, because JFL42 was a big highlight of many years!
Speaking of comedy, Ian takes me to see Buddy Cole/Scott Thompson. Much needed fun!
Kate and I take her dog for a walk and catch up some more. Though my strong suspicion is that we’re not going to have much IRL time for a while, it’s been nice to reconnect. She’s good people.
Another movie night at Robin’s, with Otherside Pizza and a Fast and Furious movie for maximum talkover. Which is pretty remarkable, because I think it’s the first time I’ve seen anything from the franchise and there’s nearly nothing to get! (And I’m just realizing now that it must have been Fast X, because it had Brie Larsen in it. Guess I can add that to my Letterboxd… though whether I SHOULD…)
March Madness returns, though now there’s also a big work pool, and a Jimbo pool… so I get the fun experience of failing thrice!
I walk across the completed Commissioner Street Bridge. This struck me at the time as being a momentous thing, seeing the neighborhood change around me… and now, I’m realizing it may be because ‘bridge where a bridge wasn’t before’ is a major plot point in Back to the Future 3!
Rachel Leigh Cook revives Cam’s old joke in an Instagram story, and my comment goes along for the ride. Two people point it out to me!
For some reason, late in the month, we (the fam) have a roast from Roast. Then, a couple days later, I grab some brunch with Ian at Emma’s Country Kitchen, and then off with Myles for some TFC. (That’s our local soccer team, just to be clear… though I am always in the market for some Tender Fuckin’ Care…)
April:
In my calendar, on the 6th, I wrote “Evan is a shithead.” I can’t remember entirely what this is about, but I stand by it. (Possibly cancelled plans? That feels right.)
The eclipse! Okay, I probably needed to leave town for it to be a thing, particularly given the cloud coverage… but still, it was almost a thing. And we had a trivia banquet that night, so at least there was a congregation of nerds to note the occasion.
Somewhat speaking of which, Tom and Lindsay have Jenny and me over for an Aries-celebrating party. We are well and truly feted!
A social stretch: Jess at Steadfast, a “Sandwich Day” with Ian, making meatballs with Mom, a seder at Shelley’s, and Laura’s latest theatrical triumph, Murder with No Mystery. All that happened within a week… and what was the only picture I took?
May:
The more proper catch-up with Laura (I’m not much for the after-show hang), then off to (nearby) tennis with Larry. It doesn’t feel right that this would be the first tennis of the season, but I suppose it’s possible?
I take the plunge and subscribe to WNBA League Pass. My interest has progressed beyond the point where I can keep relying on free viewings… and even though I worry a bit about being the guy who’s TOO into women’s basketball, it’s kind of my thing now! (Among other things, it’s basketball played under the rim, where most of the players are around my size – what’s not to love?!)
The Northern folks meet up for dinner and give Kings Noodle a try. If memory serves, it was pretty tasty, but it hasn’t become a go-to yet. Maybe worth another try?
Evan, Jen and I get back to the Sunset Gril in the Beaches. That used to be something we did a ton, and really should still be, damnit!
“Tennis with Ian” makes the calendar. Looks like I’m into it now! (Side note: I’ve got at least five Ians in my life, and it would be exhausting to keep saying which one I’m talking about. I know from context, and I hereby offer to clarify upon request.)
I go to Tinga Kim with Ian – yes, a different one than the Ian before – then we head to Robin’s to watch Monkey Man. Not bad! (The movie. Tinga Kim was quite excellent.)
A Food Trucks jam. Getting fewer and far between… but we can’t officially disband until at least one gig, damn it!
Okay, a picture I should probably be embarrassed about – but I officially reach the point where I decide my kitchen needs more tools, so I get some! Adulting! (And though I didn’t take a picture, I later got a potato masher. I KNOW!!)
Evan, Jen and I go to see Mike Birbiglia: Please Stop the Ride. Maybe a smidge less magical than when we saw him in 2022, but he’s still pretty great.
I arrange an excursion for the (old) neighbourhood folk to The Oakwood Hardware… mostly because it’s due to close, and I felt stupid for never having gotten to it, despite hearing so many good things. Well, buzzer beaten!
“Good Son” Week begins with a family trip to Budweiser Stage to see Neil Young with Crazy Horse! (Obviously, not a hardship, but pricey! That said, it is a momentous birthday, and a nice addition to the “greats I’ve seen live” list.)
A brief Lar-Fest interlude to see Furiosa. And remember earlier when I said I was getting more into the WNBA? Well, I dropped some cash and put myself on the WNBA Toronto Season Ticket Waitlist! Ground floor, baby!
Okay, back to Larry. The family plus the almost-family elder Mitchells go to Pukka for a dinner – there was some jostling over the bill, but all’s well that ends well.
Then, the REAL present, the one Evan and I spent hours and hours upon: A Study in Shitheads. We came up with a formula and then ranked every TV and movie shithead we could think of that meant something to us as a family.
My part was a NINETY-FIVE-page document/coffee table book, complete with essays, charts, quotes, etc. Evan’s was a clips-and-video extravaganza that, if you were to watch everything included, would take days! All told, it might be the best thing we’ve ever done. So I guess that’s something of a highlight!
Okay, the next day is Doors Open, and I hit up a few spots. The highlight is Dine Safe Records… although maybe it’s a bad thing to know there’s (apparently) an incredible place to work right in the neighborhood when I’m not working there? Still…
And that night, dinner with Larry, Danielle, and Ali at Mezzetas. And then some last-minute travel prep, because Larry’s bacchanalia continues with/in…
New Orleans:
I won’t give this trip its own page like London, because it wasn’t that long, but it DOES deserve its own section! Especially if it turns out to be my last time in the U.S., which as of this writing looks like a possibility. (Particularly if they keep disappearing people to camps.) But even if that stops and my worst predictions don’t come to pass, still, it’ll be a while, and if there was an American city I needed to cross off my list, hard to top the Big Easy!
Also, shout-out to Briana and work Ian, both of whom, when I went looking for advice, sent me over a page of recommendations. And I’m happy to say I got to a lot of them! Let’s begin…
Monday (May 27th):
I don’t remember a ton about the flight there, but I do remember that my glasses fogged up as we stepped out of the airport, and that’s the only time I can recall where that’s happened to me from heat!
We check into the French Market Inn (approved!), and as we’re all reasonably famished, we go to a restaurant around the corner, basically the first one that looked acceptable. This may have been a mistake, in retrospect, but it was all right and l checked a number of things off my list. Including jambalaya and gator! (Which is kind of like chicken mixed with a pork chop?)
For our evening’s entertainment, we went to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Piano Bar and Lounge (on Bourbon Street, natch.) We got there unfashionably early and stuck around so we’d have seats. Thankfully, a literally sketchy guy (he also did sketches) wearing a Wu-Tang shirt came over and did some “spitting” for us. Hustle respected.
Our musician that night was “Lucky Lee” Hendler, a.k.a. “White Lucky.” His “shtick” was that if you tipped him, he’d play basically any song you could think of. Upon hearing there were Canadians there, he pulled out several tunes for us – I was the one who recognized Trooper, and other CanCon included the very appropriate “New Orleans Is Sinking”, Neil Young’s Heart of Gold, and later, upon tipped request, The Weight.
Anyway, good time had by all… but mostly Larry, who gets thoroughly loaded. Still crazy after all these years!
Also, I see a band hauling their equipment down the street on the walk home, which feels quite on brand for the city.
Tuesday (May 28th):
As per usual, our agenda is first and foremost determined by what we want to eat. And darn it all, I wanted a muffuletta! (Also, it was close to the hotel.) In our eagerness, we got there a bit before it opened, so we did a little walk around the neighborhood. The highlight of which was probably the Southern Paws Pet Boutique and Barkery with their Mardi Paws donuts. Didn’t buy any, mind you, but still very cute.
Then, Napoleon House! For Muffulettas and Pimm’s Cups! Capitalization required! Seriously, though, the muffuletta options were whole, half, and quarter, and I got the half, thinking that was the reasonable choice – and it turned out to be obscenely large! Still quite tasty, though – as was the Pimm’s cup, though I’m starting to think they NEVER come in pimps’ cups! (https://www.napoleonhouse.com/menus/ )
It being an exceptionally hot and muggy day, we opted for an indoor activity, and that ended up being the World War II Museum. I’m going off memory, and it’s been about a year, but best I can remember, they did a really nice job with it! Of course, there’s so much to take in, and it was all overwhelming, but for an experience so unlike the rest of what you get in NOLA, not bad at all!
For our evening activity, we attempted to get some local flavor. Off a Kenny Sr. recommendation, we found ourselves at Maple Leaf Bar (8316 Oak Street) to see TBC (To Be Continued) Brass Band. https://www.mapleleafbar.com/ It was a pretty small crowd, but a fun enough one with one quite good/enthusiastic dancer. And though it was not in fact a Canadian ex-pat bar, the bartender did remind us all of Seth Rogen, so that’s something.
Wednesday (May 29th):
Some early morning fun while Larry was still sleeping, and an important checkmark: a trip to Café Du Monde for beignet and decaf café au lait! Also, we saw Frenchman Street – though not such a big deal during the day, it was good to know where it was.
After, as part of our first official excursion, we walked to St. Charles to take the streetcar. (There was a slight incident when I suggested a stop at Meyer the Hatter. I won’t get into it, but it’s Evan’s fault I don’t have a cool hat: https://meyerthehatter.com/ ) (And let’s blame the death spiral of brick-and-mortar retail for why I don’t have a seersucker suit: https://www.haspel.com/ )
Anyhow, we ride the green streetcar to the Garden District and did the walking tour from Frommer’s. So many balconies I wanted to sit on with a mint julep saying “I do declare!” And actually, that might have helped, because Larry pooped out (figuratively) and Ubered back to the hotel. We carried on… and actually stumbled upon Molly’s Rise and Shine (https://mollysriseandshine.com/ ), which had been on Jen’s list. I had the biscuits and gravy, as one does.
Next on their agenda (with me in tow): City Park. Lots of nice pictures to be taken, and the (presumably former) Marine who drove us there told some good tales.
That night, again acting on a Kenny Sr. tip, we go to Sweet Lorraine’s (https://sweetlorrainesjazzclub.com/home ) to see Hannah PK. (https://www.hannapk.com/bio.html ) Now, I stand by the choice… but we were literally the only people there. She played just for us, which made me feel guilty (even knowing we’d tip well) and the kitchen was out of commission, which we found out after we ordered (the chef came out to apologize)! So, an interesting experience… but still a good show, and she played Big Yellow Taxi as a shoutout to the Canadians!
Then we made our first sojourn to Frenchmen Street. We didn’t go whole hog, as it was already late… but we were excited to return. (Spoiler alert!)
Thursday (May 30th):
Another morning stroll to allow Larry to sleep in. We checked out St. Louis Cathedral, then Louis Armstrong Park. (Nothing was really happening at Congo Square while we were there, but, well, we saw it. And an easy park to imagine hopping!)
Evan and Jen then went on a shopping walk, and I returned to the hotel to gather Larry. And that’s when we got the first of the major thunderstorms to land on us. Thankfully, there was a stop/landmark we could make it to almost entirely covered! Didn’t even need to cross a street! I’m talking about Johnny’s Po-Boys! ( (https://www.instagram.com/johnnyspoboys/?hl=en )
We got a roast beef and a voodoo shrimp, and went halfsies. In accordance with a recurring theme of the trip, it was far too much food.
Our afternoon excursion: St. Louis Cemetery #1. The current resting place of Homer Plessy and the future resting place of Nicolas Cage. Guess we might have to come back some day?! Let’s hear it for natural cremation!
With a little time to fill before our evening plans, we headed to Bacchanal Wine. Alas, the timing was a little odd: the music had barely started when he had to leave, and it was still too light out for the full effect. But still, huzzah for hipsterdom, and a nice respite: https://www.bacchanalwine.com/#about-marquee
Then, Nate Bargatze! Evan and Jen’s favorite comic, and I like him fine. Kind of crazy in this day and age to have five white guys on one bill, but a pretty good show. Plus, Smoothie King Center, which is unfortunately named but still!
Okay, the full Frenchmen Street experience. It gets off to a rough start, but it kind of works out. We stop at Willie’s Chicken, which we were planning to be at for two minutes, just to get enough food in us to not have growling stomachs… but for some reason, Larry buys a daiquiri, which he then can’t take into a bar and doesn’t want to throw out. So I end up outside with it, but that works out, because I’m just as happy to people-watch… and I get to take in the big brass band busking rather than being in the tightly-packed blues band they end up in. Blessing in disguise, methinks. And that was our day/night!
Friday (May 31st):
Road trip day!
Okay, I don’t know if this first stop was a misstep, but our debate about whether or not to plantation landed us at the Whitney Plantation, known for being the most ethical of those experiences. So we got a bit of history, but I still didn’t feel great about it.
Also, being on the road and needing sustenance, we stopped at a roadside buffet for some truly terrible Chinese food. But, hey, that’s tradition… and it has been pointed out I did go back for seconds!
Then our big destination: Baton Rouge, for the Kenny Neal experience! In retrospect, I should’ve maybe planned a little LSU time, but c’est la vie. But I’m not complaining, ‘cause it was a great day. And the food we got from Tony’s Seafood Market & Deli was truly exceptional and worth the trip! (We also got a little tour.) Our menu included crawfish (which I managed okay), and for my plate, the Catfish Tony (Crawfish Etouffee over Fried Catfish Filet) with Dirty Rice, Mac & Cheese, and cornbread. I couldn’t quite finish… but I sure wanted to!
https://tonyseafood.com/menus_regular.php
https://tonyseafood.com/reviews_menu.php?action=submit&id=16
And we ate at the studio, which is like a really cool museum! (The bass I’m seen playing here was once owned by Junior Wells, and Kenny ended up keeping it after someone painted his picture on it.) Then off to two juke joints… and though we were surprisingly responsible and left before they really got hopping, quite a lot of flavor! Certainly an experience!
Saturday (June 1st):
The travel day, but we got in a little fun before we left. The others, if memory serves, just did a walk along Bourbon Street (they may have gone to the Voodoo Museum?), but I was a little more productive (if still touristy): I took the course at the New Orleans School of Cooking. We learned (from observation) how to make gumbo, jambalaya, white chocolate bread pudding, and pralines, and also got a culinary history lesson along the way. I have yet to make anything I learned, but some day… some day…
Then we go the Pharmacy Museum. Unfortunately, Larry doesn’t think he’s got it in him to go up the stairs, but he does get misty thinking about his dad and does buy a t-shirt, so I guess he enjoyed it enough. On the second floor, I make Evan laugh reading the signage that explained one owner died of “acute diarrhea”, and before leaving, pointed out a typo in the handout – “empress upon” rather than “impress upon”. Just because I’m on vacation…
And from there, one last crazy rainstorm, then gone! (With the return trip including a transfer in Atlanta without enough time to get a proper meal! Oy!) So, a handful of regrets, including no Commander’s Palace or Gris-Gris (though I did eventually read the cookbook: https://grisgrisnola.com/modern-creole )… but if that was my last visit to America, not a bad one to end on. We now take you back to the year, already in progress. (Well, first, some pictures, but then…)
June:
A pretty busy month, it seems! Starting with (well, on the 8th) going to see the Pixies with the band possibly someday to be known as Food Trucks! A good show with no banter (it’s a choice)… and it was cold enough that I splurged on a hoodie!
Then the next night, I go to see I Used To Be Funny with Ian. In addition to having a title that is basically my mantra at this point, nice to see Toronto represented on screen! More, please!
Various tennis happens, and dim sum is ordered. But since I didn’t take pictures of all that, allow me to share a memorable day (the 21st) of New York Times Games, in the order I usually do them:
Queen Bee:
I start with a slightly inside joke for the Hershfield family that I will now make outside – we call Kelly “the galoot”, because she got BIG, far bigger than our ‘trievers ever got! Then I went and got me the Queen Bee!
Connections:
Admittedly, not sure I actually figured it out… but there’s a category about butt wordplay!
Crossword:
A personal best for Friday time!
Wordle:
So just when I was likely feeling good, the WordleBot proves to be a puritanical prude! Still mad about this!
Thankfully, a few hours later, I had Duolingo teach me a crucial phrase that salvaged the day!
…seriously, this is probably more reflective of my life than this highlight reel of a blog… but carrying on…
A week of being social!
The 22nd: Northern Folks gather at Sam’s!
The 23rd: Blood Brothers brunch with Jess!
The 24th: A dark day for Canada, as despite my vote in a by-election, the riding of St. Paul’s goes Tory for the first time in my voting life… and the Oilers lose to the Panthers (of FLORIDA!) in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. Still, I saw people!
The 25th: Drinks (long overdue) with Trevor at Rorshach…then home for the Commissioners Cup, where my Lynx win! Slight return to justice!
The 26th: An NBA draft party at Matt and Margaret’s. Good times had by all… though I did feel some pressure to be funny. I think my saying – after a bunch of ambulances drove past with sirens blaring – “Zach Edey just overdosed” got some chuckles?
The 27th: Danny’s Pizza with Claire and Mitch, then InkDrinks! Reunionapalooza!
The 28th: I pickup a lasagna from Porzia’s, as well as some DAM Sandwiches! Okay, not that social, but human interaction, so I’m counting it!
July:
Perhaps a titch macabre, but for Canada Day, I wanted to do a Mount Pleasant cemetery walk. After all, I love cemeteries in other cities, so why ignore the doozy at home? And thankfully, Tom and Lindsay were nice enough to come with me and help me orienteer to the spots on my marked-up map!
We eat that lasagna I got for Mom’s birthday. It was…fine. For some reason, my calendar says “Cheesecake, Trevor email”, so maybe that? Then a few days later, up to the cottage with Karl. Don’t remember much, but presumably, good times had by all!
I go to a show at Comedy Bar Danforth. For free, which makes me feel like I’m still in the biz… when really, it’s just that I’m on the mailing list.
Embarrassing accomplishment alert: I win my FIRST After Midnight Hashtag War. Am I the first one to win for both At Midnight and After Midnight?! Don’t know, and don’t REALLY care, but neat to think it might be the case and that I might have “something.” Though ironically, not too proud of this one – but hey, a win’s a win!
And that’s why I can quasi-ethically use ““Dan Hershfield, so good! – Taylor Tomlinson” as a pull-quote!
I get a sour cherry pie from Mabel’s for the family. I says to Mabel, I says, etc.
A fairly big genealogy breakthrough, courtesy of the UK and Ireland outbound passenger lists. Have I said too much? It involves multiple ships. How about now?
Another long overdue meetup, this one with Gordo. At Radical Road, with a Cal’s Zone pop-up. Very Ben from Parks and Rec!
I have a physio appointment, which I believe is a first for me. Oh, guess I skipped the part where I got injured at basketball – but this is where I figured out what happened was my knee briefly bent the wrong way!
Ian and I check out The Well and hit up the Blue Claw for a Barrington Spicy Roll Combo. Local tourism! Anyway, then we meet up with Pete for Deadpool and Wolverine, which is a lot of fun, so long as you don’t overthink it or even regular-think it.
The Paris Olympics! So much basketball to watch! Almost certainly too much!
More genealogy. Well, a NARA order! Again, too much?!
Myles takes me to see the Argos versus the Bombers. I wear my Tkachuk jersey, which is a big hit with many in attendance… and we see an OT rouge! CFL, baby!
Then the month wrapped up with tennis with Isaac, Alaine, and Jen, and some Dine Alone Records purchases. Living the hip life, folks!
August:
I have a Bolet’s Burrito. Kinda sad that I have to note this, because it used to happen at least weekly!
Though I’m still somewhat on the mend anyway, so maybe a blessing in disguise, the basketball run canceled for a few weeks because of this. (So relieved when it turned out not to be a hate crime!)
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/arson-charges-leo-baeck-day-school-fire-toronto-1.7283507
Also a somewhat sad thing to note, because even though it wouldn’t make sense to have it happen ALL the time, it should happen more: I see Chris Gibbs for the first time in forever. (At Left Field Brewery, for those keeping track.)
Olympics Redux/Continued, plus Michael Chabon fun!
Also a somewhat sad thing to note, because even though it wouldn’t make sense to have it happen ALL the time, it should happen more: I see Chris Gibbs for the first time in forever. (At Left Field Brewery, for those keeping track.)
Olympics Redux/Continued, plus Michael Chabon fun!
But that’s not necessarily reflective of anything. Because that tennis game with Alaine was in the morning, and then that afternoon, I took off to the cottage for a week… and I also have no pictures of that! And Marty was there!! So, assume I had fun and just am not someone who takes out their phone at the cottage.
This probably shouldn’t merit mentioning, but I had a day where I accomplished many tasks in the neighborhood in one walk: the library (picked up Cue the Sun); Wendy’s (got lunch); Canadian Tire (tennis racket overgrip); Loblaws (margarine); Sidekick (going out of business sale, picked up a shirt (which turned out to be a tanktop), a hat, and Squirrel Girl 11); and Betty’s East (party booking). All in an extended lunch time – it was like a productive person fantasy camp!
And to wrap up the month, more tennis with Ivimey!
September:
On the 1st, I go to see Tig Notaro at Comedy Bar Danforth with Ian and Jen… and there’s an interaction. Which I don’t like doing generally (at shows, that is, though maybe also with people?) But she did an audience digression, then asked where she was in her set beforehand, and I bellowed out her last punchline. So she tried to banter with me, but I think my discomfort was apparent, so not much came of it. Still, it happened, and she was great to see live, so yeah, mostly a fine memory. Also, met up for drinks with these folks after, and since there’s photographic evidence…
I’m supposed to see a screening of Fanatical at TIFF… but my back is in such excruciating pain, I can’t even leave the house. Thankfully, this level of “old man” has not been repeated, but it’s scary!
I go to the opening for Leslie Lookup Park. That’s a level of “old man” I can live with… even knowing that someday, I may be saying how I was there when it opened, and it will have been open for decades!
We have what some might call a Naked News anniversary party. It was really more of a gathering, but it was in honor of the twenty-fifth anniversary and the incredible shows the editors put together to celebrate it. And I met Vic for the first time, and Laura was there, so really, guess it should be called a party! (And because I nominally organized it, a few days later, Marina and Kevin took me out for dinner. So a big ‘after hours’ stretch workwise.)
October:
Not necessarily to be repeated, but knowing Ian was too busy to do his usual October ritual, and thinking it might be fun (and good research), I did a #HershoweenMarathon. Which is to say, thirty-one horror movies (that I hadn’t seen before) in thirty-one days! I’ll list ‘em now, with a little bold for my highest recommendations: It (2017); The Menu; M3GAN; The Purge; Fright Night (2011); The Mist; Let the Right One In; The Black Phone; The Babysitter; X; The Amityville Horror (1979); Ravenous; Prey; Hell House LLC; The Thing; The VVitch; The Void; Smile; The Last Voyage of the Demeter; Pet Sematary (2019); The Substance; Bird Box; Nope; Event Horizon; The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974); A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night; A Quiet Place; Talk To Me; In the Mouth of Madness; Audition; Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale.
And while that was a fairly consuming adventure, other things happened that month too. Including…
Tennis with Luke. That’s right. It did happen.
Rosh Hashanah at Lori’s. There’s a Moroccan theme, so Mom and I make a Moroccan Couscous with Roasted Vegetables, Chickpeas, and Almonds. Pretty tasty, if I do say so myself!
A big month for our genealogy (which now that I’m thinking about it we should get back to) – death notices AND an American Manifest of Alien Passengers! History comes to life!!
I swing by the Taboo show, mostly to support people from work, but also to satisfy some curiosity. Not my scene, but hey, now I know.
For the SECOND time this year, I’m a Hashtag War winner. And this one’s a far better joke. Plus, Taylor Tomlinson said my name TWICE, so I’m sure it must be a SMIDGE familiar now, right?
I could be wrong about this… but I think this is the month when our team moved its home base to a better bar. Huzzah!
Jer has a house party. I go, and mostly talk to people I know, but a few I don’t, and that’s what parties are, yeah?
And I get flu and COVID shots on Halloween, which I mention mostly because there’s probably an anti-vax horror movie premise in there somewhere!
November:
On the 1st, I have a dental appointment… but more importantly, a bunch of Northern folk go to see the Raptors versus the Lakers with Pete for his birthday. In other words, we saw the GOAT… and also a little bit of Bronny! (Sadly, I had to miss Aparna Nancherla, but Evan and Jen went in my stead, so a good time had by all!)
We watch the election. And learn Western civilization will be over soon. But hey, we had a good run, and fingers crossed things move slowly enough that my parents don’t have to die in a camp! (Pretty sure I’m fucked, but what are you going to do?)
Tory comes to town. Catching up and commiseration beers!
Pho and Heretic with Ian. More commiserating, but also some fun.
And about a week after that, a reminder that there’ll still be things to celebrate on the way to the end. Like dim sum with Ian, and Diana’s book launch. Literary!
I watch the Grey Cup with Larry, and Twisters with Robin and Ian. Entertaining!
Okay, to make it clear I was in a funk, I’ll share this: I canceled plans to see KITH. Dave wasn’t going to be there, so they gave people a refund option – and even though I’m sure it would’ve been fun AND it was a benefit, I took it. So yeah, there was that.
Guess this nostalgia had to suffice…
And more fun with a library card: I get to go the Bata Shoe Museum FOR FREE! Oh, and Dave was there. Did I bury the lede?
Also, I’m more often on Bluesky. If that’s a development that interests you.
December:
Last month of what might be the last year? Let’s do this thing!
On the 1st, we take Marty for a walk along the Humber River. He has to stay on the leash, but he’s still a little fortz!
With Dave still in town, the Northern folk gather up for a trip to Sunny’s Chinese. It’s truly excellent, and the fact it’s a bit hidden does make you feel cool, like you’re going to a food speakeasy!
The 5th is a big basketball day: coffee with Josh Bowman (who I now think of as a “basketball guy”); the Raptors game with Isaac; and the Toronto Tempo name is leaked/announced. But to get back to that middle one for a second, the Raps were playing OKC, meaning we saw SGA in what is (as of now) possibly/probably an MVP season. Between that and LeBron, what a year!
Uncleany and Shawn are in town, and there’s a dinner. It’s not at all like Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
Still on my kick of realizing I can go places for free thanks to my library card, I go the AGO for the first time in forever. Highlights include Moments in Modernism; The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century (which I don’t think I was supposed to have access to, but someone was cool when seeing my confused face); and Pacita Abad. (And if I’m being honest with myself, Roti Mahal afterwards was also a bit of a highlight. It can’t ALL be high culture!)
Surprise! One more basketball game! With late tickets from Pete, I take Amanda to see Raptors vs. Bulls. In Pete’s other seats, Megan Cassidy and her son, who was quite literally the star of the game. Like, they put him on the Jumbotron, and he got such a response, they brought him down to the court to put him on the Jumbotron again! They even make the video, if you know to look for them! (Oh, and also there: Chuck Swirsky, so get out your salami and cheese!)
At some point, Marty is especially cute, laying his head on my leg. This isn’t anything new, but since there is a picture…
The Rypl party. Somewhere, the SFW pictures exist, but the only one I have is decidedly not, so best not to post it. Oh, this life!
My last Christmassy engagement that I can recall is dim sum with Ian at Rol San on the 22nd. The rest of that week is a bit lost, so I assume it was pretty chill. Though it is when I started making scheduled regular donations to Wikimedia, basically because the world’s stupidest, richest Nazi told me not to. Oh, and I think we made some paschetti and had some Blondies Pizza in there too!
Anyway, that feels like a sad way to end things, so here are some of my favorite December Bluesky posts. See you again next year, hypothetical reader… hopefully!
