Toronto Centre Island (Olympic Island)

The Island of Dr. Morefun

I've come around from the days when I was convinced Toronto was just a big urban jungle with skycrapers, Bay Street businesspeople and parking lots. These things account for more than enough in this great city, but on the bright side there are hundreds of spots with mucho greenery. Olympic Island is a mere $7 and 5 minute ride away from Bay and Lakeshore; it's a terrific place to toss a frisbee, walk on the beach, grab some treats, embrace serenity. And when you make your first million, buy a yacht and live it up on one of the private islands.

Smoked Gouda

You know when you listen to a great band for the first time and you wonder, why did it take so long for me to check them out? Growing up I was what you would call a non-adventurer when it came to food. I was surprisingly satisfied with all those plain foods that lacked flavours and spices, the two fundamentals I’ve come to salivate over in the last decade.  I loved pasta salad, cereal and other boring foods. When it came to cheese I ate cheddar and mozzarella. Why did it take so long for me check out smoked gouda?

Smoked goodness right here

Breaking Bad

From Hal to Hell

Why did it take so long for me to get into Breaking Bad? Even my parents beat me to the punch! This is a roller coaster of a show, a stellar piece of writing and a tour de force from the actor who Jerry once accused of converting to Judaism for the jokes. This show has everything, and then some. Beneath the domestic family struggles and ruthless drug world, this is a character study of two men undergoing major life transformations. Watch how shocking and entertaining their actions affect themselves and everyone around them. Chemistry has never been so hardcore. 

David Sedaris

The writer is in

When I complete this blog, I will have likely written about my three favourite authors, the only three authors I read. What Klosterman, Quarrington and Sedaris have in common is that they’re deeply insightful and outright hilarious, but they’re funny in very different ways. Klosterman is funny in an angry, satirical fashion, Quarrington highlights the subtle humour of humanity and David Sedaris is funny in a snobby-but-right kind of way, drawing from his bizarre and quirky encounters with family and society.  Pick up When You Are Engulfed in Flames among others to discover how funny and enriching memoirs can be.

Inception

Whoa man this is trippy!

The release of Inception confirmed to me the excess of cynicism when it comes to contemporary film, if not contemporary art in general. Imagine that when The Ten Commandments was released most filmgoers and critics ignored it for being over-the-top, ambitious and stupid. Of course those adjectives could be put to that movie, but this is where we must suspend our disbelief and remember we’re at the freakin’ cinema and not all feature presentations will be realistic indie flicks. Inception is contradictory and ridiculous; it’s one of the most entertaining and bold films I’ve seen in years.

Real Estate

There are too many musical artists working their buns off around the globe. Real Estate is one that you should pay attention to. These American gents are one of my new favourite bands. Their 2011 album Days is a solid work of art with lush guitars, simple and catchy melodies, great lyrics and some hazy guitar jams that perfectly accompany a summer stroll. Imagine a contemporary Byrds trading folk country for sensible indie pop. “Green Aisles” and “It’s Real” are highly rated on Pitchfork but first listen to guitar-ridden “Out of Tune” and “Wonder Years”, where ‘60s meets ‘90s. 

Bassist looks like all the members of Sloan put together

PC©

I give PC the Most Improved Brand Award. It feels like overnight we have all fallen surrender to the various items at Loblaw’s that bear that familiar logo. PC is like the Yamaha and Bic of the food industry but more versatile. Where Yamaha prides itself on the motorcycles and pianos while Bic promotes its pens and lighters, PC can boast the greatest kettle popcorn AND frozen meat lasagna. Smartfood, your reign is through. Check out the excellent ice cream, cream sauces, blood orange soda and let's give it up to Decadent cookies for continuing to be a great snack (after all these years)

DO IT