Okay, so according to Wiki, amongst other things 2006 was the Chinese Year of the Dog, broke records for having some of the hottest days on record in the UK, and Sydney, AUS (take that, global-warming opponents!), and will go down in infamy as the year a sitting American Vice-Prez shot his good friend in the face during a February hunting trip gone awry. Sigh, Dick Cheney, what are we going to do with you.
On our side of the border, things weren't much better. Bad news for our public broadcaster, bad news for our newly elected Prime Minister (a cabinet shuffle, eh?), and bad news for skiiers and snowboarders....to sum up, a very bizarr-o, weird year, all in all.
But some of my favourite new discoveries were found stomping around my own particular backyard, and they include (in no particular order, rhyme or reason):
1. Caldense Bakery - for some of the best European-style custard tarts and breads in Little Portugal! Seriously!! give them a try...
[Caldense Bakery & Pasteries. 1209 Dundas St W Toronto ON, M6J 1X3 Phone: 416-534-3847]
2. Regina Spektor, Joanna Newsom, Imogen Heap, Corinne Bailey Rae, and the rise of the female singer-songwriter who can actually sing (gasp!), write their own music (no!), and (gulp) play their own instruments....
3. Blogs I actually read - Pink is the New Blog / the Torontoist / Frugal Fashionista / I AM FASHION / Pitchfork Media / Chart Attack / Azerbic, Toronto Star Media Columnist Antonia Zerbisias / the Tea Makers
4. Sneaky Dees' aka Sneeky Disease - for creating food that matches the best late-night nachos craving! Also for their support of Wavelength new music nights and the best cheap (not so good) beer around! [Sneaky Dee's, 431 College Street, Toronto ON, M5T1T1, Phone: 416-603-3090]
5. The Slippery Boot aka 'the Boot'- for giving my brother a job! And having an excellent buy a pitcher, get a free beer stein policy! [Slippery Boot Tavern, 1552 Avenue Road North York, ON M5M 3X5. 416-782-5198]
6. Best new (Canadian) bands -- Malajube, les Trois Accords, Swan Lake, the Decemberists (oh wait, they're from Portland OR). Best international music this year: Sufjan Stevens, Mates of State, Hot Chip, Bloc Party, Super Furry Animals, etc etc
7. Best new local restaurant -- Torito in Kensington Market, followed by Dos Amigos at Bathurst and Dupont and a distant third would be... hmm. I haven't eaten out enough at any hot new night-spots per se. But I'd like to try the Swallow on Queen West, Saving Grace on Dundas West, and Leslie Jones in Leslieville.
8. Best new revamped website - I wanted to say the Toronto Star, but I think I will go with New York Magazine. It reads better than Time Out New York, and has better reviews then the New Yorker.
9. My dream vacation for 2007 -- a trip to Caucassone/pays de l'Aude, in south-central France, to sample wines, eat grapes off the vine, and a visit to both the North and South Islands of New Zealand with my honey-bunny...
10. Best idea for a non-snowy Toronto day -- A day-trip to some of the amazing film showcases we have (the Green Reel Environmental Film Festival in Jan-Feb, Hot Docs in March, the Toronto Intl Film Festival aka TIFF in Sept) or the ROM once it opens its new exhibit halls in April, or the AGO once it finishes its huge Reno job. So much to do, so little time!
Some of my plans for 2007:
- get more $$ (cha-ching) so I can afford a better apartment, a new laptop, maybe a vacation or three.....
- write more. and write often. And figure out a damned direction for this, and my travel writing blog!!
That's all for now. Peace out, homes
Thursday, January 04, 2007
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