Twilight Sweeps MTV Movie Awards - Surprise!

Big shock, Twilight took most of the major awards at the 2009 MTV awards. But really I loved it! Especially when Kristen dropped her award .... her awkwardness is to die for - you just want to eat her up (all puns intended).

BIAC - Oyster Extravaganza

Oyster
Extravaganza

The Brain Injury Association of Canada’s fifth annual Hawaiian Oyster Odyssey brought a little warmth to the beginning of February.
The BIAC works towards raising awareness, educating, and supporting those with acquired brain injuries - and what better way to raise awareness (and money) than by hosting a party with great food and funky leis? Obviously I had to go.

The fundraising event was held at Chega, a restaurant so hip it doesn’t need a sign. Eek! My worst nightmare has come true, wondering the streets of Toronto with a self-drawn map looking for the restaurant where all the “cool” people go.
When I found the restaurant I was initially mistaken for one of the serving staff (twice) and told to go to the back; admittedly I was a bit early, but once I got my name tag I was ready to shuck some oysters!
The event was a hit. The oyster bar, stocked by Rodney’s Oyster House, had a constant line up and the restaurant was packed with sponsors, politicians, survivors and guests.
The highlight of the night was definitely the record breaking $150,000 donation (Howard Brown,a member of the BIAC board of directors, is pictured right). Of course, the inspirational speakers who shared their success stories reminded us all why we were truly there - in the words of Pinky, one of the charismatic guest speakers, and a survivor of a brain injury caused by a car accident, “We’re all here to celebrate a little thing called life.”

Please visit the BIAC’s website to learn more.

Dog's Bollocks: drinks on a budget.

The Dog’s Bollocks 817 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON.


Karaoke is something that should be confined to house parties, dive bars at Yonge Street and Finch Avenue and the Gladstone. It should not be found at pubs called The Dog’s Bollocks. But really who cares when the drinks are so cheap?

The Dog’s Bollocks takes over the space formerly occupied by the utterly forgettable Legend, and before that the Gypsy Co-op. So with this slight moniker of failed restaurants before it, The Dog’s seems to be doing well in, not only this cursed space, but it is doing well in an economic downturn.

At 11:30 p.m. on a Thursday night it is filled, if not to the brim, with people who look happy, drunk and ready to sing their hearts out. The karaoke goes as karaoke always does, drunk people trying to sing, but failing miserably to the crowd’s delight.

Unfortunately all the booths are taken - they look comfy - so a table in the middle of the bar will have to do. The two servers, at least I think they are servers, seem to be friends with most of the people in the bar except me. They are bouncing from seats, chattering with customers and ducking out for smokes and small talk. After trying to get their attention for far too long, I move to the bar.

What a difference a meter makes. Initially, this pub doesn't much look like a pub, the walls are white, and pictures of various musicians look too small and lonely on the bare walls. The back is far more welcoming.

The bar is beautiful. It is a long inviting dark brown fitting for an establishment that is supposed to be a pub. There is a large selection of draught including Guinness, KLB Raspberry Wheat Ale, Sapporo, Strongbow and a few others. Pitchers of Amsterdam are $10, and mini pitchers of three ounce mixed drinks are also $10 (crazy!).
I feel sorry for the bartender, working alone he seems to take the brunt of the rush as customers at tables come to the bar to get drinks and waitress’ put in drink orders (so they are doing some work it seems). He is more than happy to serve, and is obviously used to working hard.

There is a fireplace in the back with antique couches perfect for couples, too bad the flat screen TV casts its overpowering blue light across the light of the fireplace; hey, at least its football (not the American kind) on the screen.
The menu is what anyone would expect from a pub: garlic bread, wings, ribs, curries and more are available until 2 a.m.

This place is nice; the only thing that is slightly off is the obnoxious DJ at the front of the house who injects farting noises into the songs people are singing. Maybe farts would be funny if I was a drunk; suddenly those mini pitchers aren’t looking so crazy.

The City: Friend or Foe

Is being called "Whitney" a bad thing?
The other night while out with my friends a young man who, I suppose, was trying to woo one of us turned to me and said, "Hey, Whitney!"
I just looked at him confused. "You know? From The City," he laughed.
"I know," I replied.
I had to wonder if that was an insult. It felt like an insult. He sure did smirk when he said it, and the deliverance was not with out some smugness - as if he was in on the joke and I wasn't.
Even though this guy seemed to want to insult me, should I take insult at being called by the name of a seemingly successful young woman?
All reality vs scripted debate aside, the character of Whitney doesn't seem all that bad. She has climbed the fashion/corporate ladder from intern to PR rep in New York. She has her own apartment and seems relatively level headed when it comes to her personal relationships.
So I shouldn't take insult, rather, I should take it as a compliment. My only issue with this encounter is the fact that this guy thought calling me by the name of a successful woman was insulting.
Can someone tell me what is up with that?

Mommy Dearest

Okay so what if your mom F'd you up when you were eight because she wouldn't let you eat that tenth piece of pizza or, you know, your high school boyfriend was only your boyfriend 'cause your mom let him drink Scotch - and okay, maybe she pulled the older sophisticated woman thing. But whatever, get over it, moms are great! They cook you food you'll never master in this world of instant gratification. And when your sorry 27 year-old-ass is still living at home (you not me) she might actually be happy about it.
So cheers to moms even though it's not Mothers Day yet.

Holiday Shopping - Cheap.

Well, the holiday season has descended upon us right smack in the middle of an economic downturn - fun! So not only are most people, myself included, rolling pennies (seriously when my jar is full I know I have $5) to buy morning coffee but buying gifts are taking precedence over parties, the must see teen/romantic/vampire movies and my phone bill.
After assessing the financial cost of my social life I have become a certified couch potato - luckily I still have cable. AMC is one of the best stations; non-stop movies, all the Rockies are on and various other movies you might never watch. The other amazing thing about AMC is the constant stream of products offered only on TV. My gift giving budget is saved! I have just found a way to stay at home, save money, remain entertained and buy gifts cheap without ever leaving the comfort of my couch!
First we have the Snuggie, http://www.snuggie.ca. Hold on to your socks because the Snuggie is amazing. It is a huge blanket with sleeves! You’ll never have the annoyance of wriggling your arms out from under a blanket when someone dares to phone you in the middle of your shows!
Despite not having a hood, this product is delectable, and the price is right baby - $29.95! That’s right, and if you buy now you get a second one free and a reading light. That’s, like, three presents right there for way cheap.
My other favorite available-only-on-TV product are the minted-limited edition coins. Sure, they’re American but what grandpa doesn't have a random collection of coins or stamps. These coins are always different because they’re so limited! All the more reason to buy today! Have the coins shipped right to your door - I love TV and my Visa (which I promise to pay off right after Christmas).
And for my own special present, from me to me, I think I’ll pick up a Tony Little Gazelle performance 300. It’s like an elliptical machine but without the electronics, and I can do it in front of my TV - perfect.

Happy holiday shopping!

Food and Wine

The Food and Wine Show isn't until November, but I found myself at a little preview. The theme this year is French, Parisian French. Wine, Vodka and Champagne were offered up with the most decadent little treats: Fois Gras, quiche and more. I can't wait for the actual show!