As I write this blog, I'm sitting in a new tea shop in my neighbourhood, Steeped and Infused. Seems like part of the gentrification process. It's a nice place, not the usual here but very welcome. I walked to work this morning and thought of that, not being the usual but welcome.
I think I have a usual life, nice place to live, good job, friends and such. It may seem humdrum but I better this bland existence with spicy and savoury things and adventures. My 9-5 may be scripted and somewhat controlled, if it is, my after-work life is just the opposite. Spicy and caliente! I long for my after-life to be my everyday but until that time, I enjoy them both the same. Sometimes, I wonder if I don't prefer my life a little bland with some seasonings to taste.
I ask you how you like yours. If you don't like how it tastes, then you should shake things up a bit with a little spice or flavour or better yet and still, try a new recipe.
Last weekend, I got up to some spicy things. I went with my best friend to Leslieville, Queen East, and tried the flavour of "The Comrade" before moving on to "Rasputin". "Comrade was a very nice lounge with comfy couches and a flavour of the Asian communist aesthetic, but cool. Rasputin was as it sounds, Russian with a punchy flavour. Certainly, the dry martinis straight up did nothing to dispel that particular taste. But we liked it and continued enjoying that flavour.
The next night we enjoyed the spicy latin flavours of Havana Cultura on Queen West, west Queen West. The taste of that neighbourhood was decidely different and though it was about Havana and I expected more latin flavour in the men there, it was not as my imaginary recipe envision. But good, nonetheless. I did get a flavour for the culture of Cuba, especially at Julie's Cuban where the mariachi man and the wonderful singer serenaded us and allowed us to join in in song while we munched on avocado mango salad and fried plantains. "Mucho a beso". Even if I didn' t understand the whole song, I got that bit. I highly recommend anyone visiting the Tdot dine at Julie's. It is a quaint and remarkable restaurant on Ossington. We finished up Havana Cultura club hopping. I must admit my age showed by the end as my two young male companions watched me sleep in the middle of the club, at least I was in a comfy chair so had some excuse.
This weekend, I'm celebrating my birthday early with friends, checking out Buskerfest at St. Lawrence Market, the LiveGreen Festival at Dundas Yonge Square and anything else that comes my way. I'll let you know how the recipe for this weekend turns out.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
We are family - 2 family reunions in as many weeks - August 18, 2010
But you know, I haven't had enough of family. Last Saturday, Mom (aka Ma!) hosted a family gathering at her place. It was so well attended I didn't put enough of the seasoned chicken on the bbq and we ran out. It was so well enjoyed that no one noticed when the rum punch ran out. It was so loving that squeezing on the couch for the portraits of all the first cousins (ladies only) and the second cousins (boys and girls and teens) was considered a fun activity for a few minutes at a time.
I love that Mom has a home to host all her family. Everyone came and we overflowed from her beautiful backyard with the pond and the fishes, to the newly painted front porch with manicured lawn, to the living room with the comfy chairs and the hot kitchen filled with food. I only mention the manicured lawn as it was my hands that cured it. Beyond the catching up with cousins I haven't seen in months or years, eating food prepared by many hands and watching the newest additions to the family run around the yard, I was most enamoured of the preparation. That I could and did help my Mom with some of the preparation was more than I can be thankful for. I don't have a big house with a yard, I have and enjoy my small one-bedroom apartment, so it was my pleasure to cut the grass and then get down on hands and knees to trim the rough edges with a giant pair of lawn scissors. I appreciated working in the warm sunshine mostly because it is not my every day grind but also because I did it in anticipation of the quality family time I would enjoy later.
I took a moment while trimming the grass in my quiet solitude to ponder my reality and that of my family. I am thankful that Ma has a home to share with loved friends and family. I am thankful for my Ma and that I have her. I am thankful that whereever I go, whatever I do and whomever I'll eventually be, she and my family will always be there for me. I am thankful that I in turn will be there for them.
Before then, on the Sunday before last Saturday, Chantelle and I attended my Dad's family reunion in New Jersey overlooking the bay and Lady Liberty. Again, I was re-introduced to many cousins that I hardly remember ever meeting, met new-to-me second cousins and reconnected with cousins I knew. We gathered in the park because Grandma was there visiting from Trinidad. Before Chan and I left, there was a massive group picture. I tried real hard to be seen but I'm so damn short, I'm not sure my head is in the family portrait!! Oh well, at least I know and Chan knows I was there for real. It was a great family picnic and I'm often pleasantly surprised at how much family I have that I don't really know. There's probably a story here about how I should get to know my peeps! Sounds like a segment on Stephen Colbert's show that would probably be aptly named, "Better know a second cousin!" (Fashioned after this election themed segment, Better know a district!)
The family gathering on the Sunday before the Saturday family gathering was also an opportunity to say goodbye to my Dad (aka Pops!) as he's moving back to T&T. At least, he'll be closer to my brother who lives there. I just need to acknowledge that Pops is following his dreams to retire in the sun because the concept will be raised in a later blog.
The rest of the weekend that followed since the whirlwind of family gatherings is a similar blur but I do remember going to party with the ladies and a couple of gents at Home niteclub in the downtown Toronto club district. I recently heard on the radio that the club district has dwindled in the last few years. Used to be 300 clubs in the district, now its under 30. I shrug my shoulders. At least there are still some places for me to party. Sunday morning was hard but I woke up and walked to Harbourfront Centre for the Hot and Spicy festival. Note to self: I don't do spicy; but it was nice to join Joanne (more family) for the walkabout and sampling of spicy foods. It sure was hot cause there were some cute guys there too! (aka Hotties!). Even the flash rainstorm did nothing to cool the heat of that food fest. My tongue still feels like it is partially burned from sampling some of the finest pepper jellies, sauces and spices this side of the Serengeti.
I feel as if I continue living amazing experiences, or said differently, experiencing amazing living and I am blessed. The song that played in the club that Saturday night sums up my feelings for the past two weeks and that's why I feel the need to share.
"I am blessed, I am blessed, everyday of my life I am blessed.
When I wake up in the morning and I lay my head to rest,
Everyday of my life I am blessed." - Mr. Vegas, 2009
So I say to you, you are blessed. Be thankful, be grateful, be everpresent in your life. One day may come when you can really appreciate all that you are and all that you have but if you're not there just yet, simply be gracious for life and the chance to live. Today, be grateful for the friends and family you have around you. I am. Amen.
I love that Mom has a home to host all her family. Everyone came and we overflowed from her beautiful backyard with the pond and the fishes, to the newly painted front porch with manicured lawn, to the living room with the comfy chairs and the hot kitchen filled with food. I only mention the manicured lawn as it was my hands that cured it. Beyond the catching up with cousins I haven't seen in months or years, eating food prepared by many hands and watching the newest additions to the family run around the yard, I was most enamoured of the preparation. That I could and did help my Mom with some of the preparation was more than I can be thankful for. I don't have a big house with a yard, I have and enjoy my small one-bedroom apartment, so it was my pleasure to cut the grass and then get down on hands and knees to trim the rough edges with a giant pair of lawn scissors. I appreciated working in the warm sunshine mostly because it is not my every day grind but also because I did it in anticipation of the quality family time I would enjoy later.
I took a moment while trimming the grass in my quiet solitude to ponder my reality and that of my family. I am thankful that Ma has a home to share with loved friends and family. I am thankful for my Ma and that I have her. I am thankful that whereever I go, whatever I do and whomever I'll eventually be, she and my family will always be there for me. I am thankful that I in turn will be there for them.
Before then, on the Sunday before last Saturday, Chantelle and I attended my Dad's family reunion in New Jersey overlooking the bay and Lady Liberty. Again, I was re-introduced to many cousins that I hardly remember ever meeting, met new-to-me second cousins and reconnected with cousins I knew. We gathered in the park because Grandma was there visiting from Trinidad. Before Chan and I left, there was a massive group picture. I tried real hard to be seen but I'm so damn short, I'm not sure my head is in the family portrait!! Oh well, at least I know and Chan knows I was there for real. It was a great family picnic and I'm often pleasantly surprised at how much family I have that I don't really know. There's probably a story here about how I should get to know my peeps! Sounds like a segment on Stephen Colbert's show that would probably be aptly named, "Better know a second cousin!" (Fashioned after this election themed segment, Better know a district!)
The family gathering on the Sunday before the Saturday family gathering was also an opportunity to say goodbye to my Dad (aka Pops!) as he's moving back to T&T. At least, he'll be closer to my brother who lives there. I just need to acknowledge that Pops is following his dreams to retire in the sun because the concept will be raised in a later blog.
The rest of the weekend that followed since the whirlwind of family gatherings is a similar blur but I do remember going to party with the ladies and a couple of gents at Home niteclub in the downtown Toronto club district. I recently heard on the radio that the club district has dwindled in the last few years. Used to be 300 clubs in the district, now its under 30. I shrug my shoulders. At least there are still some places for me to party. Sunday morning was hard but I woke up and walked to Harbourfront Centre for the Hot and Spicy festival. Note to self: I don't do spicy; but it was nice to join Joanne (more family) for the walkabout and sampling of spicy foods. It sure was hot cause there were some cute guys there too! (aka Hotties!). Even the flash rainstorm did nothing to cool the heat of that food fest. My tongue still feels like it is partially burned from sampling some of the finest pepper jellies, sauces and spices this side of the Serengeti.
I feel as if I continue living amazing experiences, or said differently, experiencing amazing living and I am blessed. The song that played in the club that Saturday night sums up my feelings for the past two weeks and that's why I feel the need to share.
"I am blessed, I am blessed, everyday of my life I am blessed.
When I wake up in the morning and I lay my head to rest,
Everyday of my life I am blessed." - Mr. Vegas, 2009
So I say to you, you are blessed. Be thankful, be grateful, be everpresent in your life. One day may come when you can really appreciate all that you are and all that you have but if you're not there just yet, simply be gracious for life and the chance to live. Today, be grateful for the friends and family you have around you. I am. Amen.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
I finally have a crew! Loving the life lived with friends - Caribana - Aug 7, 2010
Yes, indeed, I finally have a "crew". Let it be said that 'you reap what you sow' or 'you plant a seed of knowldge and watch it blossom into a tree' or 'watch what you say or wish for because you might get it'. Two years ago, I wished for a crew and I said to the crew I hang out with for Brooklyn's Carnival, that I would have a crew and that their crew could hang out with my crew one day.
Then it happened. I got all my girlfriends together to celebrate Toronto's Caribana at "Glow" and before I noticed, there were eight of us women going out together to have a good time. Eight! A real crew! Wow, it was awesome. We had so much fun at the pre-party, the club, there was no need for an after-party! It's not that I don't have friends to hang out with but at a certain age you end up hanging out with one friend at a time, thereby giving each friend 'quality' time. Some of your friends serve different purposes in your life: confidante, helper, foodie, movie-goer, counsellor, listener, talker, etc.
Dis crew was for the party and strictly for enjoying life. We, well, I for sure did, put away the everyday, regular things in life and let loose to have fun. We were not those bankers, communicators, writers, teachers, professionals by day because it was night and we were women, girls, ladies out to have a great time with each other. Fabulous! We had fun at the club, it was great, they played non-stop soca music and we saw Machel Montano (http://www.machelmontanohd.com/) perform live!! We did more, we hung out at the Caribana Parade, I hung out with family, we partied some more. We rested. It was good.
Back in 1997, my crew was three of us, a small, tight crew of a sister and a friend. Back then, we saw Machel as Xstatic! at the Westin Harbourfront Hotel and it was still awesome! A verifiably magnificant experience. Now, the sister has a husband and babies, my friend and I are out of touch, yet things haven't changed for me. They have and they haven't. (Dat's another story!)
One thing I've noticed, even among my new crew, is that life experiences may try to change us, morph us and derail us but at our core we are who we are. If you are a fun-loving, attention-seeking, adventure-thriving kind of person like myslf, no job situation, relationship breakup, loss or grief is going to drown you. You will probably tumble a bit amid the waves of change but you will eventually find your feet and stand firmly in your own understanding of self. So whoever you are contemporary, renaissance man or woman, thrill-seeker, lover of life, a person of calmness and serenity or a person of calamity and chaos, you are who you are. I won't try to change you and I don't think anyone else should. You are who you are and you will be the best you can be when you learn to accept and understand that.
I've realized I am now more me than I have ever been. I could probably be more myself in a future life, but for now, right now, I am exactly myself with all my perfections and imperfections, motivations and aspirations, abmitions and conditions. I'm not even trying, I am just being. I've learned that I am not my situation, as my Dad would say, "it is what it is". Exactly right, "it is what it is", but I am who I am.
Then it happened. I got all my girlfriends together to celebrate Toronto's Caribana at "Glow" and before I noticed, there were eight of us women going out together to have a good time. Eight! A real crew! Wow, it was awesome. We had so much fun at the pre-party, the club, there was no need for an after-party! It's not that I don't have friends to hang out with but at a certain age you end up hanging out with one friend at a time, thereby giving each friend 'quality' time. Some of your friends serve different purposes in your life: confidante, helper, foodie, movie-goer, counsellor, listener, talker, etc.
Dis crew was for the party and strictly for enjoying life. We, well, I for sure did, put away the everyday, regular things in life and let loose to have fun. We were not those bankers, communicators, writers, teachers, professionals by day because it was night and we were women, girls, ladies out to have a great time with each other. Fabulous! We had fun at the club, it was great, they played non-stop soca music and we saw Machel Montano (http://www.machelmontanohd.com/) perform live!! We did more, we hung out at the Caribana Parade, I hung out with family, we partied some more. We rested. It was good.
Back in 1997, my crew was three of us, a small, tight crew of a sister and a friend. Back then, we saw Machel as Xstatic! at the Westin Harbourfront Hotel and it was still awesome! A verifiably magnificant experience. Now, the sister has a husband and babies, my friend and I are out of touch, yet things haven't changed for me. They have and they haven't. (Dat's another story!)
One thing I've noticed, even among my new crew, is that life experiences may try to change us, morph us and derail us but at our core we are who we are. If you are a fun-loving, attention-seeking, adventure-thriving kind of person like myslf, no job situation, relationship breakup, loss or grief is going to drown you. You will probably tumble a bit amid the waves of change but you will eventually find your feet and stand firmly in your own understanding of self. So whoever you are contemporary, renaissance man or woman, thrill-seeker, lover of life, a person of calmness and serenity or a person of calamity and chaos, you are who you are. I won't try to change you and I don't think anyone else should. You are who you are and you will be the best you can be when you learn to accept and understand that.
I've realized I am now more me than I have ever been. I could probably be more myself in a future life, but for now, right now, I am exactly myself with all my perfections and imperfections, motivations and aspirations, abmitions and conditions. I'm not even trying, I am just being. I've learned that I am not my situation, as my Dad would say, "it is what it is". Exactly right, "it is what it is", but I am who I am.
Friday, July 23, 2010
On savouring life - one morsel, one sip at a time - July 23, 2010
Honestly, how much time do I think I can cram into a 24-hour day? I've been living life full-speed with the throttle at max for several years now. I'm also a doer, so I've been getting a hell of a lot done with those hours between sleep and wake. But when it is all said and done, how do I measure my life in hours?
I am now thinking about how I'm living when I talk about my life goals and dreams with friends. Just last night, I was talking with my friend Barb over a few glasses of red wine about my insatiable appetite to do 'things'. Things which may be described as career aspirations, travel, lifestyle, tasks, challenges and much, much more. We discussed those insipid lists and those 'to-dos' that make us feel like 'to-don'ts' sometimes.
I've come to realize that life, my life, is not measured by how much I do, but by how I do it, the quality of my things, rather than the quantity. As an example, while Barb took bites of a small cupcake for dessert--those fluffy, white-cake cupcakes with sprinkles and the sweetest, lightest icing ever--I, as a demonstration of my skill, popped the whole thing into my mouth. I could, so I did, but I had to stop myself from swallowing it whole to taste it!
Last weekend, a similar concept but markedly different subject. We move from cupcakes to car-races. With free tickets courtesy of my brother-in-law, Ma and friends and I spent time at the Honda Indy and watched some races; took in Salsa on St. Clair and then drinks at a patio overlooking Dundas Square at night. Wow! All that in one day. That was Saturday. On Sunday, Ma, Adam (@atorboy85 on twitter), I and friends, returned to the Honda Indy, took in Brazilfest at Harbourfront and finished with an Indian meal at the India Festival on Gerrard Street East. Whew!
There were moments when I stopped to think about what I was doing. In between cars racing around the track, I stopped to notice that I was spending time with the people I most loved in the world. Precious. And in between events, and on the streetcar, I took a moment to appreciate the company I was in. When the view caught me breath, I appreciated the beautiful city I live in and how I take in all it has to offer. I was able to say to myself if no one else, "Ah, this is my life and I'm living it." I feel I appreciate life when I enjoy exactly where I am, what I'm doing and who I'm with.
Despite the lists I still make to ensure my time is occupied, I find moments within moments to take a mental and emotional assessment of my life, just to make sure I'm not doing for the sake of doing but I'm enjoying what I'm doing and taking pleasure in the big and the small things.
Live on! and fit as many or as few quality things as you'd like to into your hours.
I am now thinking about how I'm living when I talk about my life goals and dreams with friends. Just last night, I was talking with my friend Barb over a few glasses of red wine about my insatiable appetite to do 'things'. Things which may be described as career aspirations, travel, lifestyle, tasks, challenges and much, much more. We discussed those insipid lists and those 'to-dos' that make us feel like 'to-don'ts' sometimes.
I've come to realize that life, my life, is not measured by how much I do, but by how I do it, the quality of my things, rather than the quantity. As an example, while Barb took bites of a small cupcake for dessert--those fluffy, white-cake cupcakes with sprinkles and the sweetest, lightest icing ever--I, as a demonstration of my skill, popped the whole thing into my mouth. I could, so I did, but I had to stop myself from swallowing it whole to taste it!
Last weekend, a similar concept but markedly different subject. We move from cupcakes to car-races. With free tickets courtesy of my brother-in-law, Ma and friends and I spent time at the Honda Indy and watched some races; took in Salsa on St. Clair and then drinks at a patio overlooking Dundas Square at night. Wow! All that in one day. That was Saturday. On Sunday, Ma, Adam (@atorboy85 on twitter), I and friends, returned to the Honda Indy, took in Brazilfest at Harbourfront and finished with an Indian meal at the India Festival on Gerrard Street East. Whew!
There were moments when I stopped to think about what I was doing. In between cars racing around the track, I stopped to notice that I was spending time with the people I most loved in the world. Precious. And in between events, and on the streetcar, I took a moment to appreciate the company I was in. When the view caught me breath, I appreciated the beautiful city I live in and how I take in all it has to offer. I was able to say to myself if no one else, "Ah, this is my life and I'm living it." I feel I appreciate life when I enjoy exactly where I am, what I'm doing and who I'm with.
Despite the lists I still make to ensure my time is occupied, I find moments within moments to take a mental and emotional assessment of my life, just to make sure I'm not doing for the sake of doing but I'm enjoying what I'm doing and taking pleasure in the big and the small things.
Live on! and fit as many or as few quality things as you'd like to into your hours.
Friday, July 9, 2010
On why its called an Occassional blog - July 9, 2010
I've been meaning to post this blog, this particular blog for 2 weeks now. It's not that I'm procrastinating, I'm actually getting a lot done. It's that this is the nature of my life right now and the nature of this blog.
I like blogging and mass emailing you, my people, and sending mass texts and tweeting. I like filling you in on what's going on in my life, but most of the time, I'm busy living this life and sometimes I don't find time to write/blog/post/text/tweet about it! Let that be a lesson to you. Go out and start living!
I'm sure you miss my blogs but that alone is not reason enough for me to stop living. I pause for a moment and tweet cause its easy. I'll eventually figure out blogging on mobile. So until then, I'm learning to write short and sweet and keep it free and easy. Who knows when next you'll hear from me, so I blog as it comes naturally. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week. You can expect I'll blog occassionally.
What's next? My quartet, Sweet Rhapsody (www.myspace.com/sweetrhapsody) is performing the US and Canadian national anthems at the Roger's Centre before the Blue Jays vs Red Sox game at 1pm, July 10, 2010. I'm so excited I had to tell you about it in a short blog. Next time I'll fill you in on all the exciting happenings in my life.
This week was recording studio and laying down some tracks.
Week before was Canada Day, Toronto Jazz Festival and Pride Toronto.
Week before that was Barbados trip and recovering from an amazing vacation.
There's more but I'll post about it.
I like blogging and mass emailing you, my people, and sending mass texts and tweeting. I like filling you in on what's going on in my life, but most of the time, I'm busy living this life and sometimes I don't find time to write/blog/post/text/tweet about it! Let that be a lesson to you. Go out and start living!
I'm sure you miss my blogs but that alone is not reason enough for me to stop living. I pause for a moment and tweet cause its easy. I'll eventually figure out blogging on mobile. So until then, I'm learning to write short and sweet and keep it free and easy. Who knows when next you'll hear from me, so I blog as it comes naturally. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week. You can expect I'll blog occassionally.
What's next? My quartet, Sweet Rhapsody (www.myspace.com/sweetrhapsody) is performing the US and Canadian national anthems at the Roger's Centre before the Blue Jays vs Red Sox game at 1pm, July 10, 2010. I'm so excited I had to tell you about it in a short blog. Next time I'll fill you in on all the exciting happenings in my life.
This week was recording studio and laying down some tracks.
Week before was Canada Day, Toronto Jazz Festival and Pride Toronto.
Week before that was Barbados trip and recovering from an amazing vacation.
There's more but I'll post about it.
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