Asleep and dreaming of totem poles

Greetings all.
A good week this week. Last Wednesday, I believe it was (not much for day names recently), I got to make my Toronto DJing debut. A friend had got a night at The White Orchid on Dundas Street (I'm glad people are making Wikis about individual roads) and asked me to join her. We had muchos fun and are planning to return there during June.
I've been working on a proposal for a paper that I hope to present at a conference in Glasgow at the beginning of September, based upon some of my MScR research thus far- it's looking good, if I do say so myself. Yes, I do say.
E is currently beautifying our walls with watercolours, and she's finished her epic documentary on The Veils as they recorded their last album in LA. She's been filming for her next one all about our very own friendly neighbour Victor, and his side walk art.
The city hall bells are chiming for dinner.

A week of getting thoroughly soaked in May showers, work, and a haircut.
Thursday we went to see our friend Sarah-Jane's art opening. Great to see her and lots of other people I haven't seen since I've been back.
This weekend is a long weekend to celebrate Victoria Day, to celebrate the monarchy's birthday. This is a weekend when a lot of people travel to lake-side cottages and party.
Saturday we went swimming then for a BBQ at Victor's mum's again, then on to Jess'. Yesterday we went to see Shrek the Third, only to be turned away due to Ericka's recording device in her bag...as though we were planning to sell it in China town on DVD. We ended up renting films instead, with the popcorn we'd already got. Last night was spent seeing a couple of bands. Again we ran in to some friends who we haven't made contact with for some time.
Victor has planted us some sunflower seeds in a container. They're coming along a treat.
Can you believe the Eurovision song contest results?
I assumed the UK would come in around last after yet another year of bad bad euro disco. My favourite song came from Sweden.

How did this not win?

Nice to see you, to see you, nice

Actually it was nice to speak to the folks today on the telephone. Chris, the jet-setter, is in Norway on an EU-funded project for African policy. He missed out big time not speaking to me. Next time CP.
Here's some 'photos (click on them to enlarge) taken since I've been here for your visual pleasure...



Tree-hugging near Webster's Falls



Webster's Falls



Entrance to the building we're staying in



Looking toward Toronto centre from Victor's mum's place



Sushi



View from our window



Milkshakes at Hewitt's Dairy Bar, Caledonia



Cloud Forest gardens

Evening folks.
The past weekend was fun-filled. Ericka's friend Tim from New Zealand - who I've got to know too as he lived in Edinburgh as well - was in town with a couple of his friends from Edinburgh on a holiday. We had a wonderful time with them for a couple of days - they've now travelled up to Montreal before they go down to New York.
Saturday E and I went swimming which was rather glorious. We've found a few public pools nearby that do free recreational swims, so we didn't have to swim in straight lines.
I find those swims tiring, in the real physical sense.
In the evening the five of us went to a friend's birthday party. We got there as it was winding down but we still had a great and very late time.
Sunday we all went to the park after a little breakfast. We gently sunned ourselves while the local crazies wandered over and spoke to us (we met the future Canadian prime minister who also happens to be the real Santa).
Monday was work work work until late afternoon when E and I had a very strange time at an MTV live tv show. We hadn't managed to get tickets for Daniel Johnston's live show on Sunday but Monday he had an hour show dedicated to him on MTV. Our friend Kelly-Sue told us about it so we went along. Before we knew it we were ushered on to the tv set and told to stand, clap, laugh, and cheer in a very disconceting manner.
He played two songs and was interviewed- the rest of the time was filler.
Tuesday is now in full-swing.
Hamilton tomorrow.

Abridged week

A
Here's a brief re-cap of the highlights of last week for those that missed it...
Last Tuesday E and I went off to see Webster's Falls - one of the grandest of the Hamilton-area waterfalls (there's about 80 of them)- and the surrounding area. Webster's is about 20 metres high which is especially impressive from the bottom valley looking up.
We returned to Toronto on Wednesday evening...
Thursday I went and checked out Toronto University library (the central one which is one of about 50 at the university), and got a library card. It's got a good collection for what I need- I think better than Edinburgh's University library.
Friday evening we drove out with Victor to the west of the city to have a BBQ with his mum. She's a very kind lady. She lives in a flat with incredible views looking over the city.
Saturday we helped Elyse move out of her flat. I met her mum for the first time and one of her cousins. I think we're going to be meeting her baby nephew in the next few days which is very exciting. I was in the mood for moving boxes so I gladly obliged, while Ericka kept the escalator clear and the door open.
B
Sunday Ericka and I headed to Kensington Market...I picked up some very extreme flared trousers (thanks to mother and father for the birthday money for these). One of Ericka's uni friends was in town so she went and had lunch with her. I met up with Elyse and we went to Nathan Phillips Square for a Sikh Harvest festival celebrating Khalsa Day. Lots of free food and lively spirits, and thousands of colourful orange and yellow robes and turbans.
Monday evening we took a stroll up to Bloor Street, which is my favourite part of Toronto- great food and second-hand bookshops and record shops that all stay open pretty late.
These last few days I've been getting back to working properly on University work. I'm currently transcribing the interviews I did in Oxfordshire. Slightly labourious but there we go.
Life is good where we are now. It's odd living in the heart of the financial district, surrounded by sky-scrapers. Did I tell you we went on the roof of the building where we're staying on the evening of my birthday? And that Victor let off fireworks up toward the surrounding sky-scrapers? Well he did and it was pretty magical.
E and I realised today that the building round the corner is a cloud forest conservatory that is open for free in the mornings. It's a rainforest in the middle of the financial district.
More soon.