I knew that would get your attention. Actually, this post involves a much more mundane sort of leather. Though, seeing as how you are online right now, you should be able to find lots of less mundane leather, if that is your bent.
Anyways, I keep looking at the harmonica cases I ordered last year (www. cumberlandcustomcases.com) and thinking that the sort of work that goes into the harmonica cases would also make a really good writing folder - something to hold a notebook and a couple of pens for when I head up to the cottage or go on vacation.
I know there is something mildly ridiculous with putting so much effort into the trappings of writing when I should really be putting pen to paper but sometimes I can't help it. Besides, the harmonica cases are about as sharp as harmonica cases can be (which is surprisingly sharp. . . take my word for it) so I keep thinking of what sort of magic Jeff at CCC could work.
Now I just need to do two things - 1. decide what exactly I want. 2. find out if Jeff would entertain the notion of doing a writing case (as you can see, I've never been afraid of putting the cart before the horse).
In other news, I'm into my second week of actually cooking my work lunches for myself. Working in downtown Toronto, it is just too easy to order in all the time. While I do love the variety of ordering in, my wallet was starting to complain about being overworked (and underpaid, for that matter).
I won't lie. It's still a pain in the ass to cook for one, but it's getting better. I have a pretty good collection of plastic containers (Lock & Lock containers rule, by the way - no leaks) and I am obsessive compulsive enough to put the time in cooking dinner when most people are working their way through a morning coffee.
Speaking of work, it's time for me to get going.
So long for now,
Remi
Books, Music, More Books, Travel, Even More Books. . .
Monday, January 14, 2008
Canadian Book Challenge, Part Three
The best excuse I can give is I got distracted. I was midway through 'The Torontonians' when I picked up Farley Mowat's 'Lost In The Barrens'. I read a little bit, nothing serious, just trying to get a taste of a book I loved years ago. Then I read a little more. Then I started taking it on the bus and proceeded to whip through it.
The verdict? A really good book and still worthy of devotion.
I was sort of nervous about this choice. Lost in the Barrens is one of those books that shaped my childhood. It helped fuel my passion for the north country in particular and travel in general. The idea of two youths living off the land appealed to me even more than the best Hardy Boys mystery. And I was a big Hardy Boys fan. To go back to it over twenty years later was something of a risky proposition. After all, 50's era stories involving natives generally were not known for being very progressive or even handed. Would I still like the book? Would it be just too anachronistic to enjoy?
The answer is yes to the first question and no to the second. What amazes me most going back is how respectful the tale is - respectful of the various cultures and supremely respectful of the natural environment.
Now let's be clear about one thing - this is still a tale that is best enjoyed by the preteen set. The story jumps right to the action and rushes along at a fair clip from episode to episode. While there is a great respect for nature, culture and history, the story never gets weighed down by an abundance of reflection.
That said, the book is fun and smart and should be recommended reading for all Canadian school kids.
Reading this book makes me realize I should probably go back and read other books that I have enjoyed. I usually get caught up in moving from new book to new book, always striving for the new rush and the fresh experience. I almost never go back to reread anything. In fact, there are only about 3 books that I will normally reread - Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, Laurence's The Diviners and Irving's A Widow for One Year. I'm thinking it's time I dusted off some of my other favourites for a change.
Now, I will finish off The Torontonians.
But first, it's time for bed. My day started at the dreadful hour of 4 A.M. and consisted of 16 hours of work bookended by early morning/late evening TTC commutes. I more than a little bit beat.
So long for now.
The verdict? A really good book and still worthy of devotion.
I was sort of nervous about this choice. Lost in the Barrens is one of those books that shaped my childhood. It helped fuel my passion for the north country in particular and travel in general. The idea of two youths living off the land appealed to me even more than the best Hardy Boys mystery. And I was a big Hardy Boys fan. To go back to it over twenty years later was something of a risky proposition. After all, 50's era stories involving natives generally were not known for being very progressive or even handed. Would I still like the book? Would it be just too anachronistic to enjoy?
The answer is yes to the first question and no to the second. What amazes me most going back is how respectful the tale is - respectful of the various cultures and supremely respectful of the natural environment.
Now let's be clear about one thing - this is still a tale that is best enjoyed by the preteen set. The story jumps right to the action and rushes along at a fair clip from episode to episode. While there is a great respect for nature, culture and history, the story never gets weighed down by an abundance of reflection.
That said, the book is fun and smart and should be recommended reading for all Canadian school kids.
Reading this book makes me realize I should probably go back and read other books that I have enjoyed. I usually get caught up in moving from new book to new book, always striving for the new rush and the fresh experience. I almost never go back to reread anything. In fact, there are only about 3 books that I will normally reread - Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, Laurence's The Diviners and Irving's A Widow for One Year. I'm thinking it's time I dusted off some of my other favourites for a change.
Now, I will finish off The Torontonians.
But first, it's time for bed. My day started at the dreadful hour of 4 A.M. and consisted of 16 hours of work bookended by early morning/late evening TTC commutes. I more than a little bit beat.
So long for now.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Slash's Book
Overall, I liked it. I won't bother reviewing it or anything. Whether you like or don't like the book has more to do with what you think of Slash than it does with how the book is. The book is really just not strong enough to stand up on its own.
If you like Slash, though, the book is fun.
What I will say is that I wish they would have spent a little more money on proofreaders. Seriously, even when the prose was tight (which wasn't that often), the actual text was as sloppy as they come. It's like someone used spellcheck but decided to save time and not bother with grammar check. All the loose ends were just left in. So, while the words were mostly spelled right, they would often be out of place. Sentences would start and then restart missing key words. While there were no total deal breakers, it just seemed like such a shame that so much effort was focused on the package while so little was focused on the contents. It is ironic, considering how much time Slash spends distancing himself from the style over substance 80's hair metal bands, that his book winds up looking much better than it is.
As a guilty pleasure, though, it was not half bad.
Now it is time to get back to more interesting fare. I'm also planning on starting a pen and paper journal. Hopefully, that will force me to get back into writing more regularly. Right now, though, I have to cook some lunch and get ready for work.
So long for now,
Remi
ps. If you haven't invested yet in Tom Waits' 3 disc set Orphans, do so. It is incredible.
If you like Slash, though, the book is fun.
What I will say is that I wish they would have spent a little more money on proofreaders. Seriously, even when the prose was tight (which wasn't that often), the actual text was as sloppy as they come. It's like someone used spellcheck but decided to save time and not bother with grammar check. All the loose ends were just left in. So, while the words were mostly spelled right, they would often be out of place. Sentences would start and then restart missing key words. While there were no total deal breakers, it just seemed like such a shame that so much effort was focused on the package while so little was focused on the contents. It is ironic, considering how much time Slash spends distancing himself from the style over substance 80's hair metal bands, that his book winds up looking much better than it is.
As a guilty pleasure, though, it was not half bad.
Now it is time to get back to more interesting fare. I'm also planning on starting a pen and paper journal. Hopefully, that will force me to get back into writing more regularly. Right now, though, I have to cook some lunch and get ready for work.
So long for now,
Remi
ps. If you haven't invested yet in Tom Waits' 3 disc set Orphans, do so. It is incredible.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Canadian Book Challenge, Round Two
I finally got around to finishing my second selection for the Canadian Book Challenge. Tomson Highway's Dry Lips Oughta Move To Kapuskasing is a play I've been meaning to read for a long time, ever since reading The Rez Sisters back in university.
All I can really say right now is wow. Or maybe ouch is a better word. This is a play that pulls no punches. While it has some wonderful wordplay and humour - and dialogue that dances between English, Ojibway and Cree - there is a darkness to this play that is almost painful. When the play turned tragic, I almost felt sucker punched. But it works well and I'm sure I will be thinking about this play for a long time to come.
The Ojibway and Cree passages were quite interesting. I found myself trying to sound out the words phonetically to get a feel for the language (translations are provided). While I was probably much less than successful, it intrigued me enough that I think I will seek out some books on those languages.
The only problem now is that I really want to see this play performed.
Where I go now in the Book Challenge is still up in the air. I'm working my way through The Torontonians. After that, I think I may tackle Kathleen Winter's story collection Boys and Leonard Cohen's first book of poetry (Let Us Compare Mythologies). That way, I've at least covered a wide spectrum of book forms. Then, I may get back into the Montreal books I had mentioned earlier. As you can tell, my list changes almost as often as the wind.
Well, it's way too late/early for me to be up flinging words around, so I think I will wander back over to my bedroom (with a good book in hand, of course).
All I can really say right now is wow. Or maybe ouch is a better word. This is a play that pulls no punches. While it has some wonderful wordplay and humour - and dialogue that dances between English, Ojibway and Cree - there is a darkness to this play that is almost painful. When the play turned tragic, I almost felt sucker punched. But it works well and I'm sure I will be thinking about this play for a long time to come.
The Ojibway and Cree passages were quite interesting. I found myself trying to sound out the words phonetically to get a feel for the language (translations are provided). While I was probably much less than successful, it intrigued me enough that I think I will seek out some books on those languages.
The only problem now is that I really want to see this play performed.
Where I go now in the Book Challenge is still up in the air. I'm working my way through The Torontonians. After that, I think I may tackle Kathleen Winter's story collection Boys and Leonard Cohen's first book of poetry (Let Us Compare Mythologies). That way, I've at least covered a wide spectrum of book forms. Then, I may get back into the Montreal books I had mentioned earlier. As you can tell, my list changes almost as often as the wind.
Well, it's way too late/early for me to be up flinging words around, so I think I will wander back over to my bedroom (with a good book in hand, of course).
Friday, January 04, 2008
Gladiators ready. . .
The American Gladiators are back. There's a part of me - some deep down shred of 9'th grade me - that is actually looking forward to this.
Just don't tell anyone.
Just don't tell anyone.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Random hockey thought. . .
Am I the only person who thinks we can find a better way of celebrating a multimillionaire scoring three goals in a game than by throwing him our hats?
The hat trick goes back to the days when hockey players were not all that well paid and a new hat meant something. Why we feel the need to toss our not always new hats onto the ice after a third goal eludes me.
Yes, I'm feeling curmudgeonly, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong.
The hat trick goes back to the days when hockey players were not all that well paid and a new hat meant something. Why we feel the need to toss our not always new hats onto the ice after a third goal eludes me.
Yes, I'm feeling curmudgeonly, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong.
A new year and a new way
Hello all,
How're things? Good.
Yesterday, I made a biggish change in my travel arrangements. After much deliberation, I made the switch from TTC tokens to the metropass.
This was not done without reservations. The main stumbling block is that the metropass is way too expensive. Currently, the metro pass costs $109. Basically, that's a dollar less than taking the TTC at full price to work and back for four weeks (5 days a week X 2 X $2.75).
Fair (fare?) enough.
If one were to use tokens, however, the 4 week cost drops to just $90 dollars. One has to take at about 10 more rides to equal what they would pay for a metropass. I'm a pretty dedicated transit rider and I'm not totally sure if it will work out in my favour most months. I'm testing the waters this month, but I may go back to tokens for next month.
There is a convenience factor to the metropass that is undeniable. Especially for me because I start most of my TTC journeys with a bus trip to the subway. If I forget to pick up tokens on the way home, I'm stuck paying full fare to get back downtown. There is also the tax break that comes with using the metropass.
This is not really enough, in my opinion. Take a look at New York's system and you will see what we should be aspiring to. Smart fare cards instead of tokens, an insurance system to protect against lost or stolen cards, discounts for city attractions for metrocard owners and a price that is much more reasonable than our own ($76 US for 30 days). Chicago's pass is $75 US. L.A.'s is $62 US.
I know it is hard to compare US transit systems to our own. Fine. Forget that last paragraph but think about this: Montreal's monthly pass is only $66.25 a month. That is in spite of the fact that their cash fare is the same as the TTC's ($2.75).
I do not mind paying my fair share. I just think that the inflated rates we currently face are unrealistic and counter productive. A monthly pass is supposed to make it cheaper to ride. Toronto's does so only in the most meagre way. It also prices itself out of the hands of a lot of people. If the passes were substantially cheaper, I believe you would have more riders.
Of course, then the system would have to accomodate the extra riders. Right now, the TTC seems more intent on digging a tunnel to the super walmart at jane and 7 then it is about actually increasing/improving service.
But that's just my opinion. As it's time to go to work, I'll leave that topic for another day.
How're things? Good.
Yesterday, I made a biggish change in my travel arrangements. After much deliberation, I made the switch from TTC tokens to the metropass.
This was not done without reservations. The main stumbling block is that the metropass is way too expensive. Currently, the metro pass costs $109. Basically, that's a dollar less than taking the TTC at full price to work and back for four weeks (5 days a week X 2 X $2.75).
Fair (fare?) enough.
If one were to use tokens, however, the 4 week cost drops to just $90 dollars. One has to take at about 10 more rides to equal what they would pay for a metropass. I'm a pretty dedicated transit rider and I'm not totally sure if it will work out in my favour most months. I'm testing the waters this month, but I may go back to tokens for next month.
There is a convenience factor to the metropass that is undeniable. Especially for me because I start most of my TTC journeys with a bus trip to the subway. If I forget to pick up tokens on the way home, I'm stuck paying full fare to get back downtown. There is also the tax break that comes with using the metropass.
This is not really enough, in my opinion. Take a look at New York's system and you will see what we should be aspiring to. Smart fare cards instead of tokens, an insurance system to protect against lost or stolen cards, discounts for city attractions for metrocard owners and a price that is much more reasonable than our own ($76 US for 30 days). Chicago's pass is $75 US. L.A.'s is $62 US.
I know it is hard to compare US transit systems to our own. Fine. Forget that last paragraph but think about this: Montreal's monthly pass is only $66.25 a month. That is in spite of the fact that their cash fare is the same as the TTC's ($2.75).
I do not mind paying my fair share. I just think that the inflated rates we currently face are unrealistic and counter productive. A monthly pass is supposed to make it cheaper to ride. Toronto's does so only in the most meagre way. It also prices itself out of the hands of a lot of people. If the passes were substantially cheaper, I believe you would have more riders.
Of course, then the system would have to accomodate the extra riders. Right now, the TTC seems more intent on digging a tunnel to the super walmart at jane and 7 then it is about actually increasing/improving service.
But that's just my opinion. As it's time to go to work, I'll leave that topic for another day.
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