Original Quality

End.

2008-04-20T05:19:00.003+08:00

Although it's been plainly obvious to those who still actually read this thing, I'm deading this blog as of now. The original reason for writing it (living in Taiwan) is gone, and now that I'm back home I've been principally using it to highlight things I like and as a brainstorming device. Both of those current reasons are lame: friends, you know what I like and journaling in an actual journal is a much more effective creativity-starter. I'll keep it open, mainly so I can selfishly peruse through my-life-in Taiwan and China moments, but there'll be no more new posts.

Thanks for reading everybody!

MIDI Shanghai off

2008-04-08T09:35:00.002+08:00

MIDI Shanghai off

MIDI is a giant, very cool rock music festival that happens in Beijing every year. Looks like there was supposed to be a Shanghai edition in 2008. It's now off, perhaps due to concerns over Bjork's comments and rising worldwide protests. Unfortunately, this is the kind of thing that happens when the CCP gets nervous: any liberalism that was sprouting gets shut down. It's a natural reaction, I suppose, but an unfortunate one all the same.

Rodigan!

2008-04-08T07:22:00.000+08:00

Kurtis Foster

2008-03-25T04:19:00.002+08:00

Kurtis, the only NHL hockey player from Carp, Ontario, broke his leg during a game against the San Jose Sharks, last Friday night. The injury came from him back checking, trying to get the icing, and the opposing player pushed him into the boards. A dangerous, high speed collision, in other words. You can read about it here, in a story that also highlights the class of Kurt: http://www.mercurynews.com/sportsheadlines/ci_8660192

My condolences to Kurt and his family. Come back strong next year.

Better ideas make better music; more hype, Toronto

2008-03-22T02:36:00.003+08:00

NOW Magazine's cover story this week is about Toronto hip hop. And guess what the angle is? The music here is really good ... but... but... no one listens to it for a variety of reasons. Oh, poor, Toronto MCs, you're so hard done by... wah ... wah... wahhhh. Or for the reader, who has heard this for the last, oh, ten years, it is snooze.. snooze.. snooze.

Whether or not local hip hop is truly slept on, this narrative is the Toronto hip hop story. And it is a bad story. Yes, I feel a little bit of guilt and a little bit sympathy for the MC. Yet neither of these emotions make me want to listen to the music. In fact it makes me want to avoid it at all costs. It makes me think of underground, indie rap and in 2008, that is a bad word. Trends moved on a long time ago. So please, MCs and journalists, come up with another story or angle. How about: Toronto's new hip hop artists, blowing up? Rocking shows? Wow! Everyone should go, 'cause already it's the biggest thing in far off bars in Parkdale... or whatever... hype builds hype. Even if the hype isn't true.

Also on a completely different matter, Taiwan's presidential elections are happening right now. If the polls are correct, the Nine Horses will ride again! Taipei Times

Tibet, Tibet, Tibet...

2008-03-19T08:13:00.006+08:00

Mati Si, Gansu province, Western China (aka. pretty close to Tibet)

Perhaps you are following the Tibetan riots with interest? I am. Well, as I've previously posted, a lot of reporting in China is misguided and lazy. There are two most excellent websites that I often like to read:

James Fallows' blog on The Atlantic. Mr. Fallows is an insightful political commentator who actually lives in China. His residency there gives him a lot more access than anyone else. The blog is light and quick. His articles, though, are great. You can read them on the website, too, as previously noted.

Shanghaiist. Dan and his crew run an awesome blog. It puts Torontoist to shame (sorry, city). A lot of the news is geared towards living in Shanghai. The main thing of interest for part time readers, then, is their commentary on Western news about China. Often, they add the Chinese point of view as well, and end up lampooning both sides with their sarcastic, cynical view of the world. They live in China - you'd be cynical, too.

Susan in the National Post!

2008-03-17T07:06:00.002+08:00

Yes, we need some Mr. Vegas to celebrate the good news: Susan will be in the National Post tomorrow, March 17th. BlogTO and the National Post have a deal where some of the blog's restaurant reviews are later published in the newspaper. Susan's review of Pachira restaurant was chosen. You can read the review on BlogTO here (also, when you stop by, make sure to read the news of the Comfort Zone being busted. Dayum) . But even if you read the electronic copy, get yourself a piece of this historic moment and buy yourself a newspaper.

Internet on a snowy, snowy day

2008-03-09T06:14:00.007+08:00

Stay away from the Internet on the weekend, folks. You have too much time on your hands with no plans. With no plans, you just surf there, learn a little bit here, and before you know it, two hours is gone. You could've spent those two hours learning another language, or how to ride a bike. Not read Stuff White People Like (no matter how awesome it is, learning French would still be better). Look at me, I've just spent half an hour trying to learn how to get my ratio up. What good will that do me?

Ack, but on a day like today, the real world is too depressing. March 8th and there's a huge snowstorm outside. For all my Canadian expats, see below for why you left Canada:

The above pictures were taken this morning. The snow hasn't stopped all afternoon. It is now much, much worse.

Nonetheless, it is March and I'm starting to feel good about the coming Spring. Surely it can only be right around the corner. Plus, the spring is when the awesomeness of Chatelaine's newly redesigned and bigger than ever May issue is revealed upon the world. The Editors and designers are probably working on it right now. On April 10th, make sure to go out and get a copy for yourself.

Cuizinier

2008-03-06T07:44:00.002+08:00

Wassup, Snitches? Just doing a little warm up for some posts I hope to contribute elsewhere. But this post - not any others - will be so much better. I promise.

From March 5th - 8th Canadian Music Week is in Toronto, and as a result there are a lot of good shows. RZA, The New Pornographers, Skratch Bastid, The Hives, Jason Collett, etc. etc. All very well and good, but on my intern salary, often these shows are too expensive. $15 - $20 is what I spend on my electricity bill all month.

There is one show, however, that meets the required cheap and talent scales: Cuizinier & DJ Orgasmic at the Drake Underground, March 6th. $5. Jeah! One part of oddball rap troupe TTC, Cuizinier is the energetic, tall perverted one. His Pour Les Fils vol. 1 had the Internet going nuts a few years ago -you remember that Lenny Kravitz beat don't you? - and I can only assume he's kept up the quality since. The Regulate tune on his MySpace is emblematic. Che-che-check it out tomorrow night.

In other hipster news, Decadence, with DJ AM and MSTRKRT is on the Thursday, March 20th (the day before Good Friday) at the Guvernment. Celebrate the resurrection of the Lord by raving until 6AM! Whee!

Madness Riddim

2008-03-04T08:05:00.003+08:00

Dancehall riddims embracing trance? Finally! Haha. Apparently the mix of trance and dancehall has been happening for awhile, with some crossover dancehall artist making a similar tune sometime last year. But sadly, Googling trance and dancehall provides little in the way of content. Creative types, make a genre. Trancehall. Trancedance. Figure out a name and get back to me.

On a somewhat related note, I feel bad about making fun of hipster producers last week. They can't help the codes of their preferred genre. Making fun of them for chopping up cheesey singles is liking making fun of Louie Vega for using ploddy beats and warm piano keys. Or the Clipse for rapping about coke. Tree huggin' bitch, you gotta give the people what they want.

How to Chop Peppers the Wiley way

2008-02-27T09:29:00.006+08:00

Besides from learning how to make stacks of money, one of the other things I like to do is to chop vegetables. A lot. I eat two salads a day, usually with a cup of vegetables in each. Bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, radishes, are just some of the veggies I use. Unfortunately, all these veggies mean a lot chopping has to be done. Boo urns. I thought I'd go to the Internet and try to learn a faster way of cutting the vegs so I could spend more time plotting world domination. But according to this video from Expert Village, I was already doing an okay job. All I have to do is switch to a chef's knife. Hrm. Mixed emotions. I realize that I am pretty good at a skill, and therefore proud of my accomplishment, yet I cannot improve upon this skill and enjoy the intended benefits.

Perhaps Hipster Producers could show me the way. They're pretty awesome at remixing cheesey songs, chopping up the sample, and adding a big beat to the original. Not so great at anything else, which is why I'm listening more and more to other forms of music thesedays. The recent LA Riots mix sucks. You want more Justice? Switch remix? Beeper remix? You got it! Christ, it's enough to make me go listen to speed garage. Or better yet, new Wiley.

Investopedia

2008-02-25T06:28:00.003+08:00

I'm trying to be more responsible, motherfucker!

Yes, it's true, as time goes on I'm embracing my square roots (when I asked Susan recently if she thought I was becoming a square, she replied: "You've always been a square, dear." Too true!) and trying to become more responsible and business savvy. Enough of these attempts to be arty and cool, time to pay the bills. As such, I'm learning how to make more money. I'll endeavor to read things like the Economist, SmartMoney, the WSJ, and their Canadian equivalents. The world of blogging about investing can't be far off. It'll be tough work because, coming from a liberal arts background, I know shit about the terminology. Oh, Investopedia, save me. Eventually, my dreams of splendor and suits will come true.

February 13th - Winter Once a Week!

2008-02-14T11:23:00.003+08:00

Winter. Winter. Wiiiinnntteeerrrr! Man, how I missed the snow and freezing cold. Nothing clears the head like a fifteen minute walk outside in slushy, windy-freezing weather. I have to do my daily stroll in my big, shiny snow boots, too. I stuff my work pants into 'em and it looks so cool, an ultra modern mix of utility with tailored perfection. It feels so revolutionary.

But aside from my fashion choices, I'm afraid there's nothing Marxist going on in my hood. The daily grind of 9 to 5pm is more like it. And man, I bitched a lot about riding my bike to work, but most days, the TTC sucks way more than my two wheeler. I know it's cliche to complain about the 'C and I try to limit my whining, but man, when the subway is too packed to let anyone in and you-have-to-wait fifteen minutes for the next one, the heat of the moment notches up. Maybe if we all went to work in a staggered system, like high school, it'd be better.

In the interim, I'll just try and go back to high school instead. Registration for continuing ed classes starts February 19th, with classes beginning March 25th. See the wide variety of classes available for only $100 for 8 weeks, and remember why living in a social democracy can be a good thing: French, sewing, nutrition classes, which one to choose?? And since I'll be going back to school soon, there will be lots of the type of my music that sound tracked my later high school years: rave!!!

Feb 17 Theory presents FABIO (Radio One, Creative Source, Swerve, UK) @ Footwork

Feb 22 7th Heaven & Bad Passion pres. MORGAN GEIST & JEREMY GREENSPAN (Junior Boys)

Feb 23 - Make It Funky presents Mat the Alien, et al.

Feb. 29th - Return of the Titans, with Bryan Gee, Kenny Ken, MC Fearless + more

Oh and apparently Rabbit in the Moon kicked ass last Saturday, deading all night jams at the Docks with a bang.

February 5th - Xi Nien Quai Le 2008!

2008-02-07T09:24:00.000+08:00

Currently, it is cold and snowy in Toronto

Yaaay! It's the eve of Chinese New Year. Aren't you EXCITED? Can't you wait to get your hong bao, set off some firecrackers, drink some mao tai, and fight your uncle? Or if you're me, sweep the floor - cleaning is bad luck during the new year, but before it's good. You sweep away all the bad luck, then buy new stuff with your hong bao, and since it's the new year, that shit is super fresh and clean with no germs on it whatsoever. Yeah.

The Chinese new year celebrations actually won't start until this weekend, when Susan and I go out to Markham... but, but, but we have a totally non-occidental reason to celebrate. Susan's food writing career just took another step forward today: her first post for BlogTO was published.
Very exciting. BlogTO is probably Toronto's leading blog and thousands of people read it daily. A major stepping stone in the right direction. A heartfelt 'big up' goes out to my girlfriend.

January 29th - TTC Drivers Wear Clip Ons

2008-01-30T10:09:00.000+08:00

Just sayin'.

I've discovered a few new good tips about Toronto and stuff to do in the city and thought I'd share them with you. So nice, I know.

TSO Soundcheck. If you are from the ages of 15 to 29, you can get tickets to select symphonies for $15. Susan and I are going to see Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique tomorrow night.

Keep Toronto Reading /One Book. Toronto Public Library, my favorite organization in the city, is putting on this 'fest' during February. It'll feature readings and dinners with esteemed authors like Michael Redhill, author of Consolation - the book I happen to be reading now. It is a very good book. I encourage all Torontonians to hear him speak at 7pm, Feb. 4th, at the Toronto Public Reference Library.

Don't forget the free Devin the Dude concert this Friday!

Erotic Arts and Crafts Fair at the Gladstone

Design Exchange celebrates Contemporary Chinese Design, Feb. 8th on

January 23rd - Consumerist

2008-01-24T09:17:00.000+08:00

Distillery District

Hope you're doing okay out there, what with the US economy melting, Lil Weezy getting arrested AGAIN, and Heath Ledger killing himself. Also, John Ferguson, GM of the Toronto Maple Leas, got fired. Too bad the Leafs still suck, and likely will for the rest of time. Read Damien Cox's excellent analysis of the sacking of Ferguson/hiring of Cliff Fletcher, at The Star. A GM can't make a difference if there's a board above him more concerned with making money than winning games. Keep dreaming 'Leafs nation', keep dreaming.

Those who don't care about sports, would be interested to know about Consumerist. They point out good ways to save money, and point out free stuff. Today, they announced that the Atlantic's web content will be available to all, plus Last.fm new ability to stream whole songs and albums. Excellent site. I discovered it through my daily reading of Idolator, which if you don't know already, is the spot to get your dose of music related cynicism and sarcasm. And while you're sucking from the Gawker media teet, you can also view Tom Cruise expounding his rambling Scientologist believes in an odd video via Defamer.

Returning from the Internet (my usual space of habitation), Friday marks the beginning of WinterCity in Toronto. Citizens will celebrate the festival with special dining menus, free entertainment at Nathan P. Square, and discounts at local museums. Check it Out. I know I will

January 19th - More Sunday blawgin'

2008-01-21T02:44:00.002+08:00

Here I am again, posting on a day when no one will likely read my stuff. You're too busy reading the newspaper. Certainly you aren't going outside if you live in the Toronto area. It is -20C outside with the windchill. The only natural sunlight I expect to see will be coming through my insulated windows, thank you.

At home means spending a lot of time with magazines. My current obsession (whenever I pick up a magazine, I tend to have to read all of it - the features, front page shorts, servicey bits, etc.) is the GQ 50th anniversary edition, October 2007. Found via the Toronto public library, it is pretty amazing. There are interviews with a smattering of influential and important males, Michael Jordan, Dr. Dre, Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld, etc. Plus they give their idea of the 50 most fashionable men, ever, touched with their usual mix of fashion advice and buying guide. Excellent reading that makes you want to go out, buy some clothes, and take over the world in a slim fitting suit.

As I read further and broader - no longer limiting myself to music journals and classic literature - I am finding that no matter the subject, I am more and more interested in the story. Vietnam vets in GQ, the wild times of iron ore merchants in Fortune, a profile of Measha Brueggergosman in Chatelaine. The story should be more than it's subject, and create a fantastic, mildly glamorous take on it. Or perhaps a grittier, darker reality than what is actually present. Real life is usually pretty boring and storywriting - creative nonfiction, I guess- should take us out of the mundane and put us somewhere want to dream about. That's why I think I love music history more than I like music. Going to raves in the late 80s and 90s probably wasn't that much more fun than going to them in the late 90s - but writers like Simon Reynolds sure made it sound like the most amazing experience ever. I'm finding that hype translates to all fields - fitness, business, fashion, general interest. Obvious, perhaps, but I find it refreshing and invigorating. I want to go out and create some hype of my own.

Canada's National Magazine Awards
America's National Magazine Awards

January 13th - Sunday blawgin'

2008-01-14T02:07:00.000+08:00

Yes I know that no one is supposed to be on the Internet on a Sunday. You're supposed to be out, doing 'real people' things, like seeing friends, doing errands and the like. But there's something about getting up early: you can afford to waste a little time and get everything done, too. My immediate plans either have a skating rink or cafe.

So far, the weekend has gone well, it being uncharacteristically productive. We went skating on Friday evening at the Natrel rink, Harbourfront Centre. Every Friday evening through the winter a different DJ crew hosts the evening, spinning 'choons while families skate clockwise. Promise were the ones manning the decks this time around, and they played a collection of rnb, disco, and disco-tinged house, with it getting especially housey near the end. The music was secondary, however, to the experience of being on skates for the first time in years. It felt great to get out and dabble in the art again. The only disapointment was that the rink was too crowded, with all different levels of skating ability, for one to really cut lose. I'd like to go to the Greenwood rink this afternoon to do just that.

Saturday saw Susan and I visit the Distillery District, a refurbished manufacturing plant that is now full of yuppie cafes, shops, and restaurants. It's cool and all, but the idea is not very original: Shanghai (Ximending) and Hangzhou both had one of their own. What's more, the experience ends up feeling hollow, high end tourist, but touristy all the same. Very pretty, however, and we whiled away the afternoon writing over sub-rate coffee at Cafe Uno.

Before we went there, though, I happened upon a CBC show called 'Make Some Nosie', which documented young Canadians who are 'making a difference'. I usually yawn at a premise like that - what the fuck is making a difference? - but I was impressed by its quality. Young people obviously make it, as the editing was quick, like a music video, and a soundtrack of hip hop pervaded the scenes. As the show documented the subjects, I found it hard not to get into it, and think 'Yeah, you can realize your dreams in Canada. There is more to living here than eating at good restaurants, going to the gym, and finding GQ clothes'. Nothing has done that in quite awhile.

Check it out at www.cbc.ca/makesomenoise

In other news, there are some very good shows coming up.

De La Soul, Jan. 18th
Mix Master Mike, Jan. 23rd
TSO performs Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, Jan.30, 31st, Feb.1st
Devon the Dude, Feb.1st (Free!)
Destiny Rave with Rabbit in the Moon, Feb.9th

January 8th - I want to write

2008-01-09T09:17:00.000+08:00

Because I haven't written anything it what feels like a very long time. I've been digesting a lot of content, issues of Walrus, GQ, Harpers, a few movies, and as usual, I'm a downloading freak. I suggest you find Sinden and Herve's recent Essential Mix. Thirty minutes in, it's quality stuff. I can only hope it will get better. Also for DJ sets, join DJ Fase's facebook group and you'll get hit with tons of his mixes, which feature rare funk, soul, hip hop and reggae. He's a quality selector who knows his shit and it shows in his mixes. His latest is a set of mash ups he did for a special Toronto night, Remix This! He claims to be the best mash up DJ in Canada, having done them way before they were fashionable. Watch this space to see whether his I find his claims truthful or unjust.

I've been listening to Fase, Circle Research, and other soul (Sam Cooke), blues (BB King), and punk because I find it's a good break from club music. The hipster sound is good at times, as it is an immediate and exciting medium, perfect for clubs. But lately my patience for it has been weening - it seems that there aren't many new tunes, and if they are, they aren't very good, and the huge hits are getting tired. A Trak was boring a few weeks ago - he seemed to sleep walk through his set. That and drunk people are annoying. I thought for awhile I could go out to the clubs, not drink and have a good time and ignore all the wasted drunk men and women, and ignore their sad, depressing behaviour. It's hard and if I don't like inebriated people, why am I going to a bar anyway? I'm on their territory, an invader. It's rude of me to expect otherwise. House parties, restaurants, and movies for me.

Probably a good thing as I'm trying to build up a wardrobe. And that costs money. I spent last Monday and Wednesday going through the Eaton Centre trying to find something that fits my medium tall frame. No good. I've enlisted Mr. Russell Smith to help. We'll see if that works, but I don't think he can help me so much. I think only a custom shirt from, you know, somewhere in Asia could help.

January 1st - 2008 is going to be a good year

2008-01-02T02:21:00.000+08:00

I can feel it. Things are going to fall into place and I'll get that steady pay cheque I desire. Maybe I'll even get to do some traveling.

Anyway, hope everyone had a good holiday. I certainly did: went out to see the family in Ottawa from the 22nd to 27th. There wasn't too much relaxing, as I had to finish up my shopping, wrap those gifts, and other Christmas duties, but there was some quality time with my nephew and brothers, plus some delicious meals. Santa was good to me, too. I got all that I asked for and more: books (Details Men's Style Manual), DVDs (Just for Kicks), and healthy weigh-training supplements. Mr. Hu gave me a 30GB Philips mp3 player, something I am very stoked about. It feels great to finally join the 21st century of music-listening.

And it felt similarly great to welcome 2008 with last night's NYE celebrations. We went to three different houses, ending up at a friend's condo on Queen's Quay. Beautiful view, good eats (mmm, Sri Lankan doughnuts), music, and people. I wake up this afternoon feeling very good about the new year.

As most of you know, I start at Chatelaine magazine tomorrow afternoon. I'm very, very happy about the new internship. It means a diverse range of fact checking in fields I'm interested in like health, fitness, fashion, etc. And the office is located at Bloor-Jarvis, so I'll get to explore another part of the city. Currently, my Toronto runs along Queen St. It'll be good to get out and explore new things.

On that point, I'd like to list my following goals for 2008:

1. Keep working out, eating well, and generally, be as physically fit as possible.
2. Write more. In December I thought I'd have a turn at freelance writing. I didn't pitch anything to anyone and probably didn't write over 1000 words in the entire month. That needs to change.
3. Learn more. I definitely learned a lot in 2007, from living in China to fact checking at Toronto Life. I've processed a lot of info. I want that to continue in 2008, particularly in regards to my computer skills. I'm also kind of interested in tailoring.
4. Explore more of Toronto. I've lived here for six months now and have yet to see a good deal of this giant metropolis. Nor have I gone to many of the city's museums (ROM, Bata), tourist destinations (CN Tower, Casa Loma, etc.), or art galleries (AGO, etc.). Time to get out.

December 21st - Kardi' is celebratin' this Christmas

2007-12-22T08:22:00.000+08:00

Just thought I'd rep for Canadian hip hop. Kardinal Offishall received spot #2 on New York magzine's top 10 mix tapes of the year. Congratulations are due. While I haven't listened to anything of KO's for awhile, the Canadian MC who has been on the edge of a big stateside breakthrough for a long, long time, and he'll no doubt get some satisfaction out of this honour. Keep grindin'.

Download the mix from Clinton Sparks' website here:
Clinton Sparks and Kardinal Offishall - Do the Right Thing

December 18th - This blog will now be interrupted by the restos of Toronto

2007-12-19T11:01:00.000+08:00

No post for almost a week -not much of a surprise around here, but, hey, I'm busy with work. My life has become a mess of candles, restaurants, Christmas, more restaurants, and then some chefs thrown in for fun. I can now dissect James Chatto's writing style with a fine comb: a lot of foods "bathe in", 'steal the show', and are 'intense', and 'sit atop' other dishes. Seriously, though, he's an awesome food writer. His piece on Chinese food in the suburbs of Toronto (The Burbs or Bust) made me want to work for Toronto Life in the first place. And now I'm neck deep in his stuff, talking to top restranuteurs like Mark Macewan and Greg Couillard, until the New Year. Til then, Happy Holidays!

December 11th - Conrad Black and the National Post

2007-12-11T22:33:00.001+08:00

We've been getting the National Post for the past week, as we signed up for a free month subscription. I always thought it'd be a crappy paper, filled with conservative bile. It certainly is that, but at least it's outspoken. Sometimes it's good to hear angry, self righteous attacks from the other side. I've been enjoying it.

No more so than when reading Robert Fulford's comment on Conrad Black's sentencing, "Enemies Need Charming, too." It's a quick summation of the point Peter C. Newman made in his unwieldy and overlong article in October's Toronto Life: Black fucked himself over by being more of a dick than a criminal because whether or not he actually did anything legally wrong, he is guilty of arrogance in the eyes of the Canadian public. An about face and public request for an apology would've helped him enormously, but he didn't do that, which is why you get ass posts like Torontoist's "The Most Wonderful Day of the Year", where Christopher Bird is overjoyed at the thought of CB behind bars (one commenter, Beth Maher, goes so far as to say that he should serve the time just for being a dick. Something tells me if that was a legal precedent, ol' Beth would be serving some time herself.) When I came home to find his trial all over the news I wasn't very excited. Mr. Black doesn't mean that much to me and he still doesn't. What is fascinating, however, is how the Canadian people and media are dealing with his trial. It has become a polarizing issue on a massive scale with people holding very different opinions on the same issue. Just goes to show that Canada is indeed a nation of different thoughts. Keep reading the circus on Toronto Life's the Trial of Conrad Black blog.

It's a big week in Canadian news in general, with the verdict of Robert Pickton and Bryan Mulroney infront of a public inquiry.

On a lighter note, Peer Pressure and Neon have come up with the best 2007 NYE lineup so far. Jokers of the Scene, Crystal Castles, and more at the SAT. $55. Link.

December 19th - Fun tings 'gwan this weekend

2007-12-11T11:04:00.000+08:00

Torontoist and BlogTO are already providing good ideas for the weekend.

First on Torontoist is the suggestion that I head out to Harbourfront to skate to Exclaim! spinning the finest indie rock, dance, and the like. You bet Mr. Torontoist. Link.

And there seems to be a fun little holiday shopping event this weekend at a place called Tranzac Club. There I can hopefully buy some hipster stuff for all my hipster friends. Link.

December 7th - Being healthy is expensive

2007-12-08T10:12:00.001+08:00

A High Price for Healthy Food

by Tara Parker Pope from the NY Times Blog

As a man who is spending a ton of money on eating these days, I believe the above article and the research it highlights: per calorie, it is cheaper to eat shit than eating healthy foods. It's a reality that you and I experience everyday. Each time you stroll by the McDonalds or No Name caramel popcorn for $0.99 you wonder how in the hell did they make it so cheap? Someone, somewhere told me its economics, which is short hand for saying 'People like this, so we can order high quantities of it, thus manufacturing it for super cheap, then still sell it back at a low, but still inflated, price to the welcoming masses". Since, say Mr. Christie, is still in business, I'm inclined to believe the economists. But it's still fucked up that they, the 'wisdom of the market', and people's tastes have led us to this point. Money triumphs our better sense and well-being. Jeeze, where have we heard that before??

Yet no matter how expensive the cost is, I still think there is no greater investment than in eating healthy. After a month of eating almost exclusively peanuts, yogurt, fruits, vegetables, fibre, cheese, and lean meat, I feel awesome. Combined with my workout and protein supplements, I've gained 7 pounds of muscle. And it hasn't been too, too expensive. Vegetables and fruits are still much cheaper than a lot of the packaged goods filled with sodium and other hydroganated crap. Besides, what else are you going to spend your money on? Booze? Cars? Music? Boooring.