weekend away

Several months ago, when Hubs and I celebrated our twelfth (!) anniversary we decided that we needed to go away for the weekend, just us, sans enfant. We planned a trip to Buffalo. Not your usual romantic getaway destination, but its just across the border, has some nice galleries (Albright Knox) and we'd never been there before. However, during the week that we were preparing to leave, the Little Dude came down with Croup. So we cancelled. Maybe next month, we thought. Then out passports expired. Maybe at the end of the summer, we thought. Then the summer was very busy. And here is is fall, and I still have not applied for new passports and the cold weather will soon be upon us.... so we decided to go to Toronto for the weekend. 

I know, not exactly exotic (though neither was Buffalo, right) but it has the advantage of being close, cheap, and familiar yet interesting. We can visit old haunts, see new stuff, and not waste a day driving. Also, this would be the Little Dude's first sleep over away from home, staying at Gran-Gran and Grandpapa's house. So since we'd be only an hour away, we could come home if there were any problems (like him not sleeping or missing us unconsolably) Of course, neither of those things happened. Apparently, he had such a good time (ATV, pond, visiting Auntie, diggers etc) that he did not even notice we were gone. It was like he was on vacation too. Which worked out really well for everyone. 

Anyhow, about our weekend. It was so nice. My generous cousin let us stay at her apartment (she's not there right now) which has the most fabulous view. We looked down over Queens Park and the ROM - a lovely view any time of day.
(See all those white tents on the street there in front of the ROM. It was the "Word on the Street" book fair, which was a nice side bonus to visit. Steph, I totally thought of you. Books for miles, you'd have loved it.) 

I particularly like being able to look down on the top of buildings. So neat to see this little church from above - reminds me of everything I learned about church architecture in Art History 101. 

It was so lovely to go away and just be... unaccountable. No laundry, no urgent e-mails, no meals to make, no taking anyone to the potty. It was good, and very relaxing. We went out for fancy dinners and cheap lunches.  

And we saw some great stuff. Went to the Sharry Boyle exhibit at the AGO. Saw a movie (Never Let Me Go. Sad, and a little creepy, but definitely worth it. Stellar acting. Now I want to read the book). Browsed in stores, bought some books. Saw some friends, and just generally relaxed and had good times. Did a little shopping, but not much. I found most things outside of my budget. (curse you Anthropologie, with your exquisite presentation and insanely overpriced goods) 

I found this cute sweater there, but for the nearly three hundred bucks they wanted for it, I think I'll make it myself (and use better colours). But I like the concept. 

So I got home and downloaded my camera, and really, I take the oddest vacation pictures. I think its because I know Toronto so well, so I didn't take the type of touristy pictures of sights and scenery, instead, well they are pictures of things I find interesting and funny. Par example: 

 When we are out walking around, I like to take little detours down side streets and back alleys. So these are a couple of little back alley garages, and I just love the splotchy colour patches on them where somebody painted over graffiti. This is called 'buffing', and they usually use a 'neutral' paint colour that ends up standing out from the background rather than blending in. Looks so great I think, like accidental abstract art.

In the same vein, here's a very cute graffiti sun. 

And for all you Harry Potter fans, some rather cryptic street writing. Bonus: can you name Dumbledore's other hobby? I think I know what it is, but I'd love to hear your guesses.   

Visiting Toronto always makes me miss living in cities. Or at least reminds me of what I like about the city. Stores like these are awesome:

Can't you just smell the mildew-y old paper-y goodness? Although, it was here that we spotted what may be the most disturbingly titled pulp fiction ever:

 *Shudder*. Ew.

And this is one of the things I love most about cities. This is the window of the storage space adjacent to a laundromat/dry cleaners. Where someone has chosen to display their ceramic animal collection. This kind of thing always make me stop and smile. Like, it has nothing to do with the business, and they don't sell these things, its just display for the sake of display. Awesome.   

And coming up out of the subway I found this:
ooooh, look closer.

A grocery list! I love finding grocery lists. I like how neat and specific this one is, with all its numbers and brackets. Nice. A little souvenir to add to my grocery-list collection. 

 

Comments

[brooklyn codger]

What is that bookstore?!

[Marcia Van Drunen]

love this
and the pics
and the
'yep' development!

[finger thumb]

Its actually a comic store, called DragonLady Comics,
http://www.dragonladyshop.com/
Its at 609 College now, but I remember when it used to be just off of Queen Street.