Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Spiderweb streetcar

The poisonous streetcar comes out of it's lair, looking for prey. It feels a tug on it's extensive web system as a helpless fly lies trapped in a glass cube on the side of a road, struggles to get out and on it's way.
Exact change says the spider, exact change or a token. The hairy fangs are sticking out front, be cautious my friends.

Zombie Nurse - get me a suture, stat!

Annual #Toronto Zombie Walk
Will your brains be ready for this year's walk?

Monday, January 30, 2012

Design Exchange Awards Winners Exhibition

Jan 30, 2012 is the start of the #Toronto event to celebrate Canadian Design Excellence and ending Feb 26 at the former Toronto Stock Exchange building and now home to the Design Exchange DX. The curb lane was coned off for valet parking and a long line of valets waited for the cars to come.
"The top 50 projects were selected from across the nation, in the fields of architecture, interior design, industrial design, landscape architecture, urban design, visual communications, fashion and CEO of the year. The exhibition will show off the 2011 winning entries, as well as a look into the creative process behind each piece."

Mistakes were made

(But not by me) says the graffiti which is located in the Bay Street alley beside the new Trump International Hotel and Tower. Part of the quote is covered over in orange survey paint.
Today was the first day I saw the front entrance to the hotel as a crowd of workers were placing a carpet at the door.

Minnie Mouse in the T Dot

Mickey Mouse's girlfriend, the delightful and beautiful rodent, Minnie Mouse was downtown #Toronto today. She is not very shy because I caught a glimpse of her silky bloomers. I think that Disney is looking at a takeover of our fair city and she is scouting out the property, starting at the Eaton Centre. I can't wait to see the exciting rides that they will put up in the streets.
Hopefully Toronto Disney will be better than Euro Disney.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

First star I see tonite

I can make you a star baby! The rusted metal star holds a few stars in it's grip - it is a little constellation. Do you know where it is from? See the location after the jump.

Super Grover flies again

Superhero Grover, so recently removed from Dundas and Sorauren, flies again just off Spadina Avenue. Blessed by Gregory Alan Elliott with a happy heart who says "Love is the movement."

New Years in #Toronto Chinatown

Lions danced in the streets for Chinese New Year in the heart of Toronto's Chinatown on Spadina Avenue. The two lions moved their way down the street, dancing in front of stores, preceded by large banners and followed by a drums and large crowds.
In the malls and stores there were some people in traditional dress and many lanterns hanging in walls of vibrant red colour. On shelves golden cats waved their paw in the air, back and forth.


A golden dragon

See more information after the jump.

#Toronto Ultimate Travel Show

Wanting to discover and explore the world I made my way down to the south hall of the MTCC to see if this was really the Ultimate Travel Show. The event was almost half the cost of IDS12 and I guess for right  now, in the middle of a toronto winter, it was kind of ultimate. It could have used some cosplay to spice things up a bit!
Hand rolling cigars

The large room was full of colourful posters of far away exotic lands - like Hamilton International Airport and Montreal. I was all giddy with excitement.
Of course I am joking, almost all the sandy, warm beaches were represented in the show. I wanted to catch a flight right away but I forgot my swimsuit.
Steel drums set up at the travel show musical stage

Saturday, January 28, 2012

IDS12 Interior Design Show 2012

The north hall of the Metro #Toronto Convention Centre was the place to be for the interior designer set during IDS12. The cost of $22 was pretty steep to see a lot of fancy bathrooms and fireplaces that companies are trying to sell to you! A chair design competition produced some interesting creations in the photo above.

I did like the ice sculptures out on the Front Street entrance; there were chairs and even a winter parka embedded in ice.

Inside, the hanging tapestry installation was interesting, especially when used as a projection screen. Then there were the silver balloons hanging from the ceilings. Now that's my kind of interior design.

A beautiful model relaxes at Andrew Richard Designs

 See more ID photos after the jump.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Happy happy fun time

Some fun toys smile and say hi. Winter is taking it easy on us in the Toronto area. I think there is a travel show and a wedding show on tomorrow so go out an have fun. Grab some toys and play with something.
Lego men
toy motorcycles

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Ladder and bike

In many countries the bicycle becomes a staple of personal and commercial transportation. Pictures abound with bikes loaded down with immense piles of stuff. In Toronto you get used to seeing them alone, maybe with a child carrier, or carrying small packages with the weaving bicycle couriers. I recently saw one biker carrying a large ladder, riding up Church Street. It was pretty impressive.

Trump Tower in Toronto just days away

The countdown is winding down to the opening of the Trump International Hotel and Tower #Toronto. Construction workers still are working at getting the building ready. As January 31st, or the big night in this case, approaches I keep a sharp lookout for blowing hair and the sounds of people being fired - but no where do I find Mr Donald Trump. I think his new building is nice and I am very happy that it is not grey concrete and I think that might be a comb-over on top, although they say it is a spire. Instead it is lovely shade of money, I mean green, which the skyline can most certainly use. This is the view of the top of the tower from Queen Street West.
Here is their press release.

Crowned by an articulated spire 900-feet above the Toronto’s financial and entertainment districts, luxurious accommodations, exclusive amenities and the signature services of Trump Attaché™ unite along the city’s unmistakable skyline. Located at the corner of Bay and Adelaide, Trump Toronto places guests in the heart of Canada’s most cosmopolitan city. At 65 stories, Trump Toronto will hold the title of Canada’s tallest residential building and second tallest structure overall. Its stone, steel and glass façade will serve as a beacon on the Toronto skyline and will deliver a superior level of modern convenience including two floors of spectacular meeting and event facilities. Read more after the jump.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Fun things to do in #Toronto March & April 2012

Cripes, winter might end soon and spring tends to bring April showers, so stop being depressed and get out and fun in Toronto. The sun will be out tomorrow, tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar (does Toronto have it's casino yet?). Yosemite Sam fills the air with hot lead on a mural in the Queen Street West Graffiti Alley in the photo at top.
Cosplay

Megaspeed Custom Car and Truck Show Fri to Sun, Mar 9-11.
Toronto ComicCON and Toronto AnimeCON Sat to Sun, Mar 10-11. Come for the costumes, read a few comics.
Spring Fling March Break Fri to Fri, Mar 12-16.
LG Fashion Week Mon to Sat, Mar 12-17.
St Patricks Day Parade Sun Mar 11.
Canada Blooms Tue to Sun, Mar 16-25. 
Toronto Wine and Cheese Show Fri to Sun, Mar 16-18.
International Spring Motorcycle Show Sat to Sun, Mar 17-18.
Canadian Music Fest Wed to Sun, Mar 21-25.
Monster Energy AMA Supercross Sat Mar 24.
National Motorcycle Show Sat to Sun, Mar 31-Apr 1.
Toronto Roller Derby League: Quad City Chaos Sat to Sun, Mar 31- April 1.
Earth Hour Sat Mar 31 at 8:30pm.

Bazaar of the Bizarre: Spring Marketplace Sunday Apr 1.
Toronto Pillow Fight 2012: Saturday Apr 7, 8pm to midnight.
Toronto Blue Jays: Home Opener Mon Apr 9.
Toronto Roller Derby League Sun Apr 1 (Quad City Chaos) and Sat Apr 14.
Wizard World Toronto ComicCon Sat to Sun, Apr 14-15.

Get your bikes to the second 2012 Friday the 13th Port Dover Motorcycle Rally Fri April 13.

If we are lucky it will be an early spring and the Cherry Blossoms with fill the trees and the air with their scent at places like High Park, above. Check out the blossom updates here.

Don't Worry

No, don't be happy. Large orange posters at #Toronto @HarbourfrontTO Power Plant which say "Don't Worry What Happens Mostly Happens Without You." Okay, you can be happy. 

Rearview Mirror
 Have I mentioned that Queens Quay is one of my favourite parts of Toronto? Well it is. The Power Plant is a contemporary art gallery along the shores of Lake Ontario.

Deadboy at Old City Hall

Deadboy's stuff is everywhere, I think he might be part of CityNews. I found a sticker with the Deadboy skull on a light pole in front of #Toronto Old City Hall at Queen St West and Bay Street. It was very early and I was finishing my commute to work, walking north on Bay Street when I caught sight of the scary skull and I was afraid.

Doors Open

Scarborough Bluffs

Pride

Redball

Beaches

Graffiti

Lake Ontario

Nathan Phillips Square

Transportation