Matt's 'Pick of the Month'

Matt insisted that we tell everyone about this movie. Its extremely funny, the actors are fantastic and the ending is priceless.

If you are up to viewing something a bit different and don't mind humouring the American cliches...'Little Miss Sunshine' is well worth watching.

The White Stuff

Yep, thats snow on our backyard. After we smugly declared that global-warming was turning Toronto into a tropical retreat it has been steadily dumping on us ever since. Guess thats what you get for provoking the weather gods!

Oh well, it won't be long before summer is here and we can go back to gasping for air in 42 degree smog. Ain't Canadian weather fun?!

The Island

Who Knew?!
Right here in Toronto, only ten minutes by ferry, there are some little islands that have all the rustic charm of tiny villages and hold views Trump Tower would envy. In fact, if it weren't for Alana's school mansion project we still wouldn't know they existed!

This particular school assignment involves designing a mansion on an imaginary plot positioned on Toronto Island (which is actually an airport) and so because there are no residential properties at this location students are required to visit neighbouring islands, Wards and Algonquin. The purpose of the trip is to give students a more personal feeling for what life on these islands might be like, and from what we experienced it would be positively divine!

As soon as we stepped off the boat it was like the city no longer existed, although all you needed to do was turn-around and you were instantly reacquainted. The birds didn't chirp on Ward Island, they warbled, almost like they knew they were living on the best kept real estate secret in Toronto. The houses, mostly small bungalows, weren't owned, only leased (a Toronto legal nightmare we won't go into) and most were run-down and neglected. The residents of course were your expected tortured artists.

Amazingly none of this altered the islands charm. After experiencing this zen-like place, an over-sized mansion (which Alana is now thinking of boycotting) seems very out of place. These tiny bungalows fit the environment perfectly and for the both of us, two very jaded city people, it was inspirational. In fact, the most memorable moment was when we realized there was a complete lack of traffic. On these islands there are no cars, trucks or vans and all you see is the occasional emergency vehicle. The residents, using bikes and carts, make their way to the ferry, load up with supplies in the city and then push and roll their way back home. Amazing!

Anyway, it was a nice surprise for us to find that Toronto can still make us smile. It can be smoggy, busy, rude and down-right annoying living here, but on days like this we are reminded that it's not all that bad. So here are some pics of our short visit to Wards and Algonquin Islands.

View from Wards Island

Very Napier-esque (for Alana anyway)

A typical Wards Island street - no traffic!

Wards Island boardwalk

Wards Island beach



Algonquin Island - can you believe downtown Toronto is just 10 minutes away?!



Algonquin Island canal - some of the residents still live on house boats



A renovated bungalow - one of the lucky ones!

A rare larger house - traditional style

The Ward Island wow-factor home (this is as modern as it gets) - it is situated on the corner and has 270 degree views.



Aaaahh.....peaceful

Global Yawning

The weather here in Toronto has been eerily warm. Two years ago we were up to our knees in snow with below 20 wind whipping at our ears. Now we're waking up each morning to a balmy 11 degrees and we're still wearing our autumn gear. In fact its so strange the raccoons have forgotten to hibernate and the birds haven't flown south yet. Trust us, these are not good things!

All of this is a result of, you guessed it, global warming. Here in Toronto global warming is everywhere. Its on the news, in magazines, on the internet and the television. You can't even escape it on the toilet. The recycled bog-roll will cheerfully remind you that we are all going to drown. In fact, its getting to be a right royal bore!

That said, we do believe global warming is an enormous problem and so we try our best wherever possible to live responsibly. Alana is currently learning sustainable design at school and is very interested in specializing in this area. Still, this doesn't make it any less depressing.

So, if like us you are feeling a little bit down about it all, especially if the weather where you live has become positively schizophrenic, then rent out the DVD shown above and you can educate yourself further about the facts. For, as the saying goes, 'knowledge is power' and we could all use a little more of that! Besides, its actually quite an interesting DVD. Happy viewing everyone. :)