Tag Archives: Toronto

Street Photography

Posted by Andrew Ferguson on

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My alone feels so good, I’ll only have you if you’re sweeter than my solitude.

Status: grotty. awake at 3:30am. couldn’t get back to sleep, so got up around 4:30am. sitting here in a pool of fever induced clammy sweat agonising over photos and accompanying captions. Should I just take the day off so I can rest up and get better? Yes. Am I actually going to do that? Nope. I have stuff to do; actually I have a full day and want to squeeze in some writing and photo editing on top of that. I have zero interest in sitting around feeling ill; I’d rather just prop myself up with some aspirin and then get on with It.

Photography.

I’ve had a few good days; actually I was able to take pictures every day over the weekend – Friday to Sunday. Now spending time on the pictures from the 31st, with the 5th, 6th and 7th to follow. Cognisant that time is growing short and I need to consider timing around disposing of the entry level kit before I leave; prefer not to take it back with me, but will keep that option open as a last resort.

The models that I booked for this week have flaked on me, and I think I’ve lost interest in ticking that box. May work on organising that for next week, but I think I’ll be okay with it if I can’t get it done before I leave. I’ll have another bite at that particular apple at some point in the future, but right now I’m enjoying the street photography, so maybe it’s best to stick with that, especially since the weather is getting better.

Date.

M and I are getting together again tomorrow evening for dinner and festivities (or is it me and M? Remember being taught the former in school, but I’ve been seeing people use the latter?). Looking forward to seeing her, but not interested in the partying that will ensue. Don’t get me wrong, I love a debaucherous evening, but not all the time and I’m at that stage of the week when I’m mostly interested in working on my creative projects. Plus I’m clearly sick, so there’s that…….

Writing.

Not much to say on this front other than the photography has taken over. I don’t even have enough energy at the moment to self-flagellate over the lack of writing, which is not a bad thing. As long as I’m being productive with the photography and am not wasting my free time with YT videos and other such time wasters, I’m okay. Will need to revisit this goal because clearly it’s not holding my attention…….

Ok, let’s get on with it.

Nikon D3400
1/200 sec
f/9
55mm
ISO 100

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Patios – Toronto – March 30, 2019

Posted by Andrew Ferguson on

Jamaican patties, kimchi potstickers & other Asian & Caribbean specialties in festive digs.

Address: 794 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1V1
Website: http://www.patoistoronto.com/

Menu:
1. Jamaican Oxtail – rice and peas, bok choi, crispy shallots
2. Jamaican Patty Double Down – two cocktail patties, bacon, swiss cheese fondue, sriracha
3. Curry Goat Doubles – chick pea masala, shadon beni, fresh pimento pepper, trini style flatbread
4. Dirty Fried Rice – lap cheong, red sausage, cajun trinity, farm egg
5. Cookie Butter French Toast – hong kong style, golden syrup, butter

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/A_G_Ferguson
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Late Start

Posted by Andrew Ferguson on

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You can ask the universe for all the signs you want, but ultimately, we see what we want to see when we’re ready to see it.

Status: overslept this morning. I don’t feel bad, just a little disappointed that I got such a late start. My OCD is obviously poking at me, “this isn’t how it’s meant to be; you didn’t stick to the schedule and therefore the world has been thrown into chaos, so we have no choice but to throw this day in the bin and try again tomorrow when we can do it properly”. Yeah okay, hold on there……….(I need to give this aspect of myself a name….I think I’ll call it Chuck)….Yeah okay, hold on there CHUCK, you’re being a drama queen. Yes, we got a late start. So what? We were still able to tick the box on one To Do and am now sitting in Balzac’s drinking tea and writing, which is something we always wanted to do. I mean the sitting in Balzac’s doing some writing part, not the drinking tea part. We drink tea all the time……

(Pause)

Ummm, okay that’s a little weird (referring to myself in plural), but I’m still going to call my OCD Chuck (while picturing Jocko Willink and then hesitantly throwing a little Holy Water in his direction, “I anoint thee…”).

Career.

My new boss reached out to me via email yesterday looking to see if I can get an early start on the new job. Specifically, meeting a few people and starting the process of getting up to speed. I still have a month and a half before I start. He’s definitely a Type A personality, which is to be expected given the industry. I need to be prepared that he’ll likely be reaching out to me day and night because his work and life are integrated, there’s no separation therefore there is nothing to balance. Will need to manage this carefully as I have no intention of following suit and plan to utilise my spare time outside of work on writing and photography.

Date.

Reached out to The Tardy One yesterday to tell her I’m leaving Toronto. It only seemed fair to let her know up front that this was happening before she invested any more time in this. We talked about looking for an exclusive long term relationship up front, and I’m okay with that, but if that what she wants then better to let her go and find someone that can provide that locally versus over a distance (and on that note, long distance relationships are bullshit). In any case, she’s game, so we’ll give it a go and see what happens.

Alright, let’s stop there and move onto The Next Thing….

Nikon D3400
1/500 sec
f/14
18mm
ISO 100

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Between Thoughts

Posted by Andrew Ferguson on

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Who are you in the silence between your thoughts?

Status: given it’s monday morning, I’m pretty good, actually. Lowered expectations for today, however have been able to complete all of my admin tasks and also unload the images from the weekend photography sessions. I am struggling a little to get moving, but all things being equal I’m not overly lethargic.

Photography.

Great weekend for photography. Had a late evening and night session in Chinatown on Friday. The following day I brought the camera along for my date on Saturday night and had a few opportunities to take photos despite the rain. Then on Sunday I set aside the usual and went to a yoga conference (heh) at the Metro Convention Centre to take photos and browse around. I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to get on Sunday, but given the weather was so bad, it was a good option because I could travel underground the whole way there and I didn’t have to spend a lot of time outside. Told myself that I was just going to give it an hour and if I wasn’t enjoying myself then I’d bail and do something else. But, it was better than expected.

Date.

So, the Saturday night dinner date with The Tardy One was good. Actually, better than good. I really enjoyed her company. Spent almost two hours at Patios, a Chinese-Jamaican restaurant, where we ate more than I thought humanly possible, and then followed that up with a few video games at Tilt, which was close by. Quickly discovered that she had spent a good portion of her youth playing these games and was beyond good, so spent the evening getting my ass handed to me. First in Mortal Kombat where I won one game out of ten, which is not surprising given I’m not very good at the game (or any game for that matter; they’ve never been able to hold my attention for very long), and then at a racing car game which, it turns out, is her forte. Surprisingly, I was able to hold my own for most of the race and then lost the plot at the end. She was impressed enough at my performance that I got two high fives for being just competitive enough to give her run for her money. So, now that I think about it I’ll call it a win.

I think I have a bit more to say about the weekend, but will pick this up tomorrow when I am a bit more ‘With It’.

Nikon D3400
1/500 sec
f/10
18mm
ISO 100

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Jacobs & Co Steakhouse – Toronto – March 23, 2019

Posted by Andrew Ferguson on

Jacobs & Co Steakhouse blends the timeless steakhouse experience with the sleek modernity of a new generation. The elegant piano bar is a nod to the past, while streamlined yet comfortable décor ensures the experience of every guest is warm and modern. Executive Chef Danny McCallum sources select cuts from the best ranches throughout North America, Australia and Japan, adapting the menu each evening to ensure each guest’s culinary experience reflects the standards that Jacobs is renowned for. A key feature of the dining room is the Dry Aging Room, where each cut is finished to its most perfect state. Guests delve into the fascinating world of steak, selecting their cut by region, age and ranch. Meals are complete with classic choices such as Caesar salads prepared tableside, a raw bar of oysters and chilled seafood, and unpretentious and knowledgeable hospitality. It is no wonder the restaurant is one of Zagat’s top rated in Toronto. Dining at Jacobs & Co never goes out of style.

Address: 12 Brant Street Toronto, ON M5V 2M1
Website: https://jacobssteakhouse.com/

Menu:
1. Parusso 2014, DOCG Barolo
2. Canadian Prime Angus-P.E.I. – 8oz Tenderloin
3. Mushrooms – sauteed mixed varieties
4. Duck Fat French Fried Potatoes –  tarragon

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Toronto Comicon 2019 – Legendary Comics Writer and Editor Denny O’Neil

Posted by Andrew Ferguson on

Toronto Comicon as presented by FAN EXPO Canada has now grown to become a spectacular 3 day event!

Located in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the show will be boasting unique exhibitors, presentations, workshops, and many celebrity guests.

Toronto Comicon is owned by FAN EXPO HQ, one of the largest entertainment convention groups in North America. Collectively it hosts over 500,000 fans annually at FAN EXPO Canada, FAN EXPO Dallas, Calgary Expo, FAN EXPO Regina, MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Boston, Edmonton Expo, MEGACON Tampa Bay, Dallas Fan Days, Toronto Comicon, and FAN EXPO Vancouver.

Comic fans you don’t want to miss this! Denny O’Neil is stepping into the spotlight. This comic book writer and editor worked principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics from the 1960s through the 1990s, and was Group Editor for the Batman family of titles until his retirement. His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles.

Toronto Comicon: https://www.comicontoronto.com/

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The Chase – Toronto – March 9, 2019

Posted by Andrew Ferguson on

Beach house-inspired eatery offers a seafood-heavy menu with raw bar & small plates.

Address: 10 Temperance St Fl 1, Toronto, ON M5H 1Y4
Website: https://www.thechasetoronto.com/

1. VENISON – pan roast denver hind, served with venison morcilla, caramelized parsley root, glazed chestnuts, swiss chard, chestnut sponge, red wine & dark chocolate jus
2. FRENCH FRIES – tossed in fresh thyme, toasted in black pepper served with lemon truffle aioli
3. CHOCOLATE – layers of chocolate cake, creamy ganache, peanut butter anglaise & vanilla ice cream & candied peanuts

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/A_G_Ferguson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrew_g_fe…
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/franklag19101967

 

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