Vespa in Little Italy

Dancing in the Street

Taken over a year ago near St. Lawrence Market in Toronto, this one's been a favorite of mine, although I can't say why.

Rosie in the Sun

My daughter's cat Rosie, catching some sun last winter

An Old Man, A Framed Print and a Bike

A recent favorite originally shown on Il Mondo del Ciclismo.

Have a great long weekend!

Real Men Like Ferries (Hanlan's Point Ferry, Toronto)

Artist on the Steps

Taken last October in front of Toronto's Minsker Synagogue in Kensington market.

Given that Yom Kippur, the "gravest" (if that's an appropriate word) of Jewish days starts this evening, I thought this might be somewhat appropriate, not for the subject-matter of the photo as much as the location.

Witchcraft

A favourite photo from earlier in the year, taken at Reposados Tequila Lounge in Toronto

She Talks and Talks and Talks...

Still with the computer problems so I'm showing favourites from my other photoblogs, this one having recently been shown on Under Ground, a transit photoblog.

Hope you enjoy this, and I hope you enjoy the upcoming autumn weekend as well!

Italian Weapons

I'm still dealing with computer issues, so here's an old favourite from my daily bicycle photoblog, Il Mondo del Ciclismo. I don't know why I like it so much, maybe it's the lighting. Or maybe it's because my Fondriest is on the right. Or maybe it's just because I like trackbikes.

Hopefully you'll enjoy, and feel free to head on over to check out Il Mondo...

The Standoff

My computer is down for a few days, so while I have lots and lots of new photos to show you, I have no way of processing them (I post from my work computer which doesn't have Photoshop).

So, I thought I'd post a recent one from my transit photoblog, Under Ground, thus plugging that little endeavor.

Hopefully we'll have all-new pix in a few days. Thanks for your understanding

Drumshop

I know I've shown you a photo of this African Drum shop before, but it's the coolest place ever, so I thought I'd share another one.

If you're ever near Kensington Market, stop in: Dundas just east of Dennison. The vibe is amazing!

Forest Hill Manor

One of my favourite art deco apartment buildings in Toronto, this beauty at Eglinton and Bathurst is currently owned by the City and used as public housing.

Another Interesting Sign?

I don't know how well martial arts and dentistry mix, but I'm hoping that Drs. Belman and Belman know what they're doing...

Specific Prohibition

It was clear that the injunction only applied to canines; neighbourhood cats wondered if by implication felines were allowed. Surely the rule of contra proferentem applied.

Johnnie Jet Fuel Does His Thing

Sunday morning at the Jet Fuel Cafe

Cappuccino with the Papers

The Jet Fuel still makes the best espresso in Hogtown!

Nadya and Mookie

Mookie's a rescue from Ohio - seems someone lost their home to the mortgage debacle down there and just abandonned everything, including pets.

I can't imagine how anyone could do that.

Thank goodness for kind-hearted people like Nadya and her partner for giving animals like Mookie a chance for a happy life!

One meets the nicest people in Kensington...

'Boarding in the Market

The weather forecast is for a brilliant late-summer weekend, so I hope you all get out there and enjoy - we certainly will!!

Ecstacy

Dancer at the Green Culture Festival, Kensington Market, Toronto.

When Fast Food Isn't So Fast

Breakin'

These kids call themselves "Explosive" (I don't know if that's the right spelling), and they're amazing. They did the Green Culture Festival on the weekend. This was well after their performance was over. They were just fooling around and having a good time.

Obviously for them, breakdancing is more than just something they do on stage, it's a lifestyle, and it's great to see them having fun with it!

The Facepainter

Kensington Market hosted the Green Culture Festival yesterday. My partner and I were "official photographers" of the event, where we came across this lovely young lady, preparing for her day of facepainting at the fair.

[shameless plug to follow]

The whole thing was organized by Christine the Hempress, and things went off without a hitch: everyone (including yours truly) had a great time - even the weather co-operated, the rains holding off until about 6pm!

This is the first edition of what will become an annual event, so look for it this time next year.

A Cheval of a Different Colour

I hadn't actually intended a car theme to emerge this week, but sometimes things happen.

The French make cars like no one else - or at least they used to. This is a Citroen 2CV - the 2CV standing for deux cheval, so named because the original version had a two horsepower engine. That's right, two (2) horsepower! They're still slow, but I think they've managed to squeeze a bit more power out of that little motor.

Something of a counterpoint to the Lambo and the 'Vette shown in previous days, given my druthers I think I'd take the Citroen as my daily transportation. It certainly is a funky little fellow, no?

Have a great weekend!

The True American Sports Car

Another one seen in Yorkville during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Curvy Italian

Lambo, recently spotted in Toronto's Yorkville district.

Walk and Talk in Yorkville

Wolfpaw and Roger on the Job

What About Me?

Inspired by Elliot Erwitt who had a penchant for dogs at their level, especially (it seems) small dogs

This little fellow with the quizzical face was spotted at an outdoor cafe about a block from our apartment near Yonge and Eglinton, Toronto.

I know I said earlier in the week that I'd have Kensington Market photos for several days, but unfortunately I forgot my CF card at home which was loaded with what was intended to be today's photos. Maybe next week...

Speaking of which, have a great weekend. The Vegetarian Food Fair is at Harbourfront in Toronto - check it out if you're in the area!

Singing Love Ballads?

Nasty Kensington Market punk band - the complete opposite of the incredible vibe in yesterday's post.

Drums in the Market

We had a great time at Car-Free Sunday in Toronto's Kensington Market, so in upcoming days you'll be seeing quite a few photos taken at that event.

On Dundas between Augusta and Denison one finds the African Drum Shop. We popped in to do some business and encountered some amazing sights and sounds, including an impromptu drum session that, shortly after this photo was taken, grew to be a small drumming circle. It's hard to describe the feeling of community and healing when the vibe gets going!

Hector

Sunday was the last car-free day in Kensington Market until next summer, so it seemed a great day for us to go down there.

The Mexican Store (I don't know if that's it's real name, that's what we call it) is a compulsory stop, not just because they have the best prices on bulk foods in town, but because they have the most amazing churros. Hector, the storekeeper, offers one in this photo.

Always ready with smile and a good word, it's a pleasure to enter his shop.

Dusk Patrol, Ward's Island

This fellow seemed intent on making sure his territory was secure.

The residential area of Toronto's Islands currently occupies a tiny corner of Ward's Island. At one time there were many homes (along with a resort and an amusement park) on Hanlan's Point but decades ago the city razed them to put in the parkland that's there today. All of Toronto's harbour islands are owned by the city; residents rent the land, although they own the houses and improvements to the property.

They've tried to expropriate the hundred or so remaining Ward's Island houses and cottages on more than one occasion over the years, but the Islanders have now learned to band together and yell real loud. Several years ago they signed a ninety-nine year lease, so they're safe - for now.

No cars are allowed, hence sidewalks with no streets. Many houses have several bikes of various descriptions in their "driveways". The community is eclectic, artistic, non-conformist and very cool - a place I'd love to live in, were it not for the lack of amenities (not even a grocery store!) and isolation from the mainland. All access is by public ferry or private shuttle service.

The parkland (which comprises the vast majority of The Islands) is very popular with Torontonians so it should be teeming this coming long weekend, especially since the weather forecast is spectacular.

Here's hoping you have a great Labour Day Weekend!

Food Court Courting

Does he want her or what's in her cup? The lady on the left may know, but she's not saying...

Rescue Boat

Lifeguards' boat, Ward's Island Beach, Toronto

To the Beach!

The Hanlan's Point Ferry brings mainlanders to several of the beaches at Toronto's Islands. Most are in an ebullient mood, but this fellow seemed to have other things on his mind

Better Than a Limo

Anyone can rent a limo for their wedding, but how many can say they took the ferry from the reception?

We were at Toronto's Islands on Saturday, and on the way home we came across this delightful couple and several dozen friends heading back to the mainland after their wedding and reception. To say that they "stuck out" from the other ferry passengers (most of whom were going home from the beach or picnics or other similar activities) would be an understatement, but I'm guessing their's was a wedding that won't soon be forgotten!

0-1-START

It's from a commercial Italian espresso grinder, and I think it looks kind of cool. I love simple, undecorated design.

Have a great weekend!!

How Cute Is This?

It's a Fiat 500, and yes, it really is as small is it looks in this photo.

Maybe smaller. Makes the original Mini look positively maxi...

Only a Cat...

...can make sleeping an artform!

Passing Stranger, Eglinton near Marlee

Something Here's Not Right!

Taken on the Boardwalk, Toronto's Kew Beach

Cup, Pencil and Plate

China House at Night

Cramming on Caffeine?

I don't know if he was studying for a course or just doing some personal research, but he was very intent on his travails!

Elektra Espresso

Do you suppose she loves her father and wants her mother dead?

Summertime Treat

Nothing helps beat the summer heat like an ice cream cone!

Better Watch Where You're Going!

Rapid Refrigeration

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want slow refrigeration...

But seriously, I love chrome, and I love metal badges. They say "we're proud of what we make and we want you to know who we are." This one was found on what looks like an old (vintage 50's?) refrigerated counter in an Italian grocery store near Yonge and Eglinton here in Toronto. The badge looks much newer than the fridge, but they do look good together.

Angelic Apprehension

I don't blame him: Those "living statues" kind of freak me out a bit, too...

Just a Little Bit Scary

I couldn't make this one up, folks...

Long weekend coming up here in Ontario, Canada, so have a good one!