Wow, what a weekend! Since the minute I woke up on Friday, its been go-go-go. And its been great :) The kids were off to the trailer for the weekend so Jason & I packed up and went to Toronto to spend the weekend with my brother. Lets see how much I can remember of it and put into words for you...
It all started with a trip to Milton. Kim & Curtis dropped us off at the Milton Go Station (thanks guys!) and we got on the bus... about 1 1/2 hrs later, Kevin called & made us think we were on the wrong bus! Thankfully we werent, and were in Toronto's Union Station 20 minutes later! Within the first 10 minutes of being there, I was already doing stupid things - I was so busy looking in store windows that I walked directly, and full force, into one of those stupid little bike chain-up thingys. If the mannequin hadn't been posed so silly, then maybe I wouldn't have walked into it!
Then it was off to Kev's work and the 47th floor for a nighttime view of Toronto... wow! Kinda scary, my ears were popping on the way up on the elevator, but what can I say? It really was pretty. And to work in a building like that every single day - I can only wish!
From there it was down to the subway and headed to Kev's apartment. It amazed me that the trains run every few minutes. I don't think we ever waited more than 3-4 minutes for a train to come by. The only thing I didn't like was standing on the train. I'm no good at surfing :)
The reason we went to Toronto was for Buskerfest. The guys thought it was a great opportunity to get out and take more pictures for their photoblogs. On the way there, Kev got a call, I got hungry, it started to rain... needless to say, we got a little diverted. But good things came from it! My feet started to hurt, so I had to get new shoes (no, really, I had too!) So it was off to the Eaton Centre (yipee!) and into Sears. Sears seems to be one of the few places where I can find shoes that fit. I have such little feet that if I get them anywhere else, they always have Barbie, Dora or Bratz on them! Leaving Sears and the Eaton Centre, we saw that something was happening across the street at Dundas Square. Off we went exploring, and found that it was a fashion show! Almost all day, there were fashion shows going on - 15-20 minutes each, different designers and stores at each show. At first I thought, ok, whatever, let the guys get their pictures and we'll go. But I LOVED it!!! I hate to admit it, but I may now have to watch Canada's Next Top Model :)
So what's up with the models, I wondered??? The girls just looked miserable. They looked as if they had just gotten into trouble with their boss but they had to work anyways... it was either that or someone took their Hero Burger away then made them walk the runway before they could get it back! But they guys, ahhhh, the guys.... they smiled, they twirled their hats, they lowered their sunglasses.... and were oh so good looking :) Jason even took pictures of them for me!
The one thing that I noticed was that the models came out onto the runway, strutted their stuff all the way to the end, posed, turned around and walked back halfway down the runway then posed to the people on the opposite side of the runway from us. Then, they would turn around, strike a pose facing us, then walk back to their little burger heaven backstage. As they were facing us, quite a few of the models would look directly at Jason. No idea why, maybe it was his big.... camera, lens, equipment?! But it made his day that he got such great shots with them staring directly at him, playing up to his camera... working it just for him. Whatever, I'll let him think it was all about him if it makes him happy!
Anyways, after watching a few fashion shows, it was back to Kevs place to rest our feet and get ready for the rest of the day and the evening's big show - the lingerie fashion show at 10pm! The boys were thrilled (and thanking their lucky stars!) to be able to take pictures of half nekkid girls without being slapped, called pervert, or attaching their camera to binoculars (hehehe, they don't really do that, but its funny to imagine that anyways!). There were some guys around though that I just wanted to slap. These girls are there to earn a living, not to hear a stupid moron tell them how hot they are... but I won't go on about it. Anyways, after the fashion show it was off to get food, get back to Kev's apartment and get some rest for our next adventure!
Today, we spent some time with an old friend of mine, Kellie, who also lives in Toronto. We don't get to see each other often, but when we do its exactly as it always has been! We pick up exactly where we left off, and the harrassment never ends :) It was great to see her, and we really are going to be back more often, Kellie, so I may have to take you up on your offer to go out to the bar!
I also discovered a new restaurant. Hero Burger, or Hero, whatever its called. But it has GREAT fries, gravy and their steak sandwich is soooo good. Mmmm, my mouth is watering thinking about it. Kev, go get one and mail it to me - send it express post and I'll get it tomorrow :) I so wish there was one of them around here!
I didn't get to see too many of the weirdo's that I always thought lived in Toronto. Only a few street people, couple of weirdly dressed people, but only the Wendy's lady truly stands out in my mind. Here's what happened...
We got off the subway and I had to go in to the drugstore to get bandaids for my blisters. The guys decided to go outside and wait for me, so off they went, camera's and all. There was a woman standing outside the Wendy's that was right at the subway exit who I guess didn't like the cameras! The guys weren't even looking at her and were talking to each other, when she came up and started pointed and telling them not to take her picture, that they can't do that, and they can't have a "likeness" of her! Kevin tried to be nice and find out what her problem was, but she ended up going into Wendys. When I came out of the drugstore, I saw the boys hailing a cab and the woman standing in the Wendy's doorway, having no idea what had just happened. As we were driving away, I thought how nice it was for this little lady to be waving at us, a nice slow wave, until she made a face and gave us the finger! The guys quickly explained what happened, and I have to admit, it really was funny! One subway token - $2.75, pack of bandaids for the blisters $6.99, one funky little lady scrunching up her face and giving us the finger - PRICELESS!
I have to admit that I was kind of nervous going to Toronto for the weekend. Its not often that I get out, so to be going to downtown Toronto was a little bit intimidating. I always thought of it as a very commercial/industrial area, where there is lots of crime, street people, weirdos and freaks. This weekend has really changed my view of it. The area that Kevin lives in is beautiful, and his balcony overlooks a mile of trees and we could even see the lake! It wasn't loud and obnoxious, it was actually really relaxing at his place. Walking down Yonge Street was no problem, didn't have people begging for money or smokes, harrassing us or anything. I was sitting beside complete strangers at the fashion show but they talked to me as if they knew me. It really was nice. There is a lot to do there as a family. I never imagined that. One weekend we're going to take Joey down and explore, go to the ROM, and just have fun with him! That's what amazed me the most - there were so many families everywhere, hanging out together and looking like they were enjoying each others company. Even though it was late, parents were out with their kids, enjoying every second of it. They were making the most of the time they have with their kids, and it was nice to see that.
I can't believe I've rambled on so much! I know that there's a million other things that I can write about, but I'm getting tired and have to get up in the morning! For now, you can check Kevin's photoblog (Silicon Vision link at the side, can't hyperlink on here!) for some fashion show pictures, and Jason's photoblog will have some soon too! He's charging the battery because it completely died after taking 500 pictures... yep, 500! Those boys are crazy :)
So Kev, thanks sooooo much for letting us crash at your place and putting up with us this weekend. It was a lot of fun, and I really hope we can do it again. Kellie, thanks for hooking up with us, ummm, meeting with us today, and shopping with me!!! Next time you're in Lamebridge, call me, we'll do nothing together lol! But we will definetly be back in Toronto sometime soon.
Ok, that's it. I really have to go to bed to get ready for work tomorrow. What a miserable end to the weekend - why can't we just skip this week and go right to Friday?! ;)
Here's Bry at work, and notice that I'm not tied, duct taped or strapped to the chair! I sat voluntarily during the whole thing! 
Here's the finished product, fresh off the chair! This was taken just as it was finished, so its still a bit gooey... but looks soooooooo good! I LOVE IT!!!