For Father’s Day I bought dad a mug that looks exactly like Canon’s 24-105mm lens. I placed my order on eBay but noticed that it was shipped from xcsource.com, so you should check them out if you want your own.
The details of the replica are pretty astounding. The AF and IS buttons actually move. For an extra buck or two you can actually have it say “Canon” where it is supposed to, I just didn’t realize it when I ordered.
We don’t actually have the 24-105 lens, so above is a photo next to the 24-70mm. Close enough eh? Hope dad doesn’t accidentally pour coffee in his real lenses!
Jerk Pulled Pork @ Barton Snacks
I didn’t really post anything last week because I was at NXNE. It was pretty hectic and even meals proved cumbersome unless they were quick and on the go. I was in the Queen West area on Thursday and wasn’t feeling Poutini’s so opted for something different. I ended up in Barton Snacks!
Inside they had desserts like ice cream as well as savoury foods in the forms of sandwiches, tacos and hot dogs. I asked the people what they would recommend for a hungry person with no limitations and they suggested the jerk pulled pork sandwich.
I have never had jerk anything besides chicken before and I found this an interesting twist. It was very flavourful and a spicey! I also enjoyed the coco bread it was served in. It was not heavy, but enough to keep all the ingredients from falling apart.
In writing this post, I discovered there is another Barton Snacks in the Annex. Since I’m always in that area, it definitely warrants a visit.
Jack Darling Memorial Park
On Sunday I took Teddy to Jack Darling Memorial Park. The huge park by the lake also had a huge off-leash dog park. Teddy was pretty overwhelmed by all the other dogs but he did manage to make a friend.
A Concert For Dogs
The same day as Woofstock, IAMS SOGOOD hosted a concert for dogs. 45 piece Toronto Concert Orchestra played dog themed songs like “Who Let The Dogs Out” and “How Much is That Doggie in the Window”. They also performed a selection of popular classics including themes from Phantom of the Opera and Westside Story.
Surprisingly, most of the dogs were well behaved and nobody was howling at live music. I expected Teddy to be a fuss because he usually howls at the piano.
There was free goodies and a photobooth adding to a lovely afternoon by the beach.
Woofstock 2013
Yesterday I took Teddy to Woofstock for the second time. His birthday (which also happened to be yesterday) always falls close to the festival so it doubles as a celebration, complete with all the goodies!
There’s a dog version of everything you can imagine out there somewhere, including ice cream. Me and my sister actually tried some dog ice-cream ourselves (not pictured). Don’t worry, it was just a sugar-free vanilla, so perfectly human edible. Honestly, it was one of the best vanilla ice-creams I have ever had.
Dog cookies never cease to look delicious.
It’s Batman and Robin!
These pups are all blinged out.
More random photos from the festival:
DIY Puzzles
Last year, instead of buying a card for Nash’s birthday I made him this puzzle message for him to build. I drew cartoon US and some characters from Adventure Time.
The puzzles themselves came inexpensively from an Asian boutique. I was browsing through Etsy today and found these unique ones.
This Puzzle Guestbook from Heartstruck designs is an interesting way to keep track of your guests at a wedding. It also comes in a variety of colours!
This 8 Piece Heart shaped puzzle is made from chipboard. Perfect for heavier art mediums like paint!
And if you want to keep it simple this Blank DIY Puzzle is perfect for you.
Happy Puzzling!
Burger Day @ Wychwood Barns
Burger Week was last week and 64 restaurants around town put a special $5 on their menu. Yesterday, all these places gathered together at Artscape Wychwood Barns for Burger Day. Slider versions of the participating restaurants’ $5 burger were served all-you-can eat style.
The event started at 11am, but we didn’t arrive until 1:30. A few of the vendors had already given out all their burgers. If Soup Stock last year taught me anything, long lines don’t necessarily mean the best product. This pushed us to try some less buzzed places with shorter lines.
We pounced on Emma’s Country Kitchen’s line because it was short. This was a vegan burger but it was a nice light start. The crispy corn and chickpea fritter was actually very good! I could eat 10 of these.
Hey Meatball‘s slider was like a mini version of their sandwich with their signature tomato jam.
Gameday served up a classic tasting burger. I think mine was missing teh chimichurri.
New food start-up Bold Creations was the best finding of the day. Their burger was made with Boerewors a South-African sausage. Oh and there was also brie, and goat cheese. And a sauce with a kick. Definitely the flavour punch of the day.
Greasy spoon The Lakeview‘s slider had some crunchy onions.
I love The Works but I thought their (more half burger) slider was lacking the excitement that is usually found in the restaurant’s menu of 72 burgers.
Slider Revolution provided an Asian twist on our bunned friend and the other had a semi-sweet bacon jam.
We accidentally stood in Beer Bistro‘s line for fries that came in a generous portion (for free).
Utopia Cafe had a lovely Italian sausage and beef patty. It was juicy and had a spicey ketchup.
Stockyards had by far the longest line yesterday. Coincidentally we actually went to the actual restaurant on Friday to grab the full burger. It was so packed we had to sneak our burger to the McDonalds across the street to eat it. It was definitely worth the trip for their delicious chicken-fried-steak burger.
Next year I’m definitely going to try to get there close to opening hour!
Henry’s Exposure Show
On Saturday, I attended Henry’s Exposure Photo & Video Imaging Show. It was camera gear galore but there were also mini stations to practise different types of photography. I was carrying the heavy 70-200mm which I’m not quite used to yet but I was happy with the results.
Parrots in the bird station.
An alternative burlesqueish model.
There was this random couple (or so I think) posing for fake wedding photos. I edited these shots to make them softer and wedding-like.
Random girl on a motorcycle
There was this awesomely lit chair where you could sit and take your own photographs and my parents wanted some photos.
And some more random photos:
It was fun shooting in different styles and I think I didn’t do too badly!
In Response To The Toronto Star.. My Best Friend Is Worth The Price
Today I saw this editorial, Dog’s Surgery Not Worth The Money”, on the Toronto Star and it enraged me. Basically in a nutshell, Ken Gallinger gives a reader an answer on whether he should put his dog down because he swallowed a ball or shell up $6000 for surgery. Oh yeah, and the dog is only four years old. The answer also goes on to say that even if you were made of money, there would be better things to use your money on like charities and starving people. As a dog owner this really bothered me. I wasn’t so much enraged with the question (maybe the dude didn’t have or know the proper means to help the dog), as I was with the answer.
Teddy injured his leg one time and we took him to the vet. Before the x-rays, they told us that there was potential he might need surgery (which was around $2000). We didn’t hesitate for a second. Thankfully the X-rays came back and it was heal-able on its own. Am I a sadist for not donating this money to charity instead? No, I just wanted to help my best friend.
Pets are as unpredictable as people at times. We both get sick and hurt but that doesn’t mean that we can value one over the other. The choice should not be between money and death. There were other alternatives to the situation such as seeking help from the Humane Society or similar organizations. Maybe even crowdfunding the 6k. I truly hope the owner of this dog makes the right decision for his young dog and ignores Gallinger.
Gallinger mentions having a cat, but I bet he’s never had a dog. He’s never had a dog welcome him every time he came back, even if it’s been five minutes. He’s never had a dog’s smile instantly lift his mood. He’s never had a dog defend him in an argument. He’s never had a dog hug him to sleep after he cried or made him feel like everything’s going to be okay. He’s never had a dog love him unconditionally.
Anomia, Topple, Carmen Sandiego, Labyrinth Board Games
Another day at Snakes and Lattes led to more board game adventures. This time there was four of us, which opened up more possibilities and challenges.
In The aMAZEing Labyrinth players pushed the maze in different directions until they could reach all their treasures. The funny part about this game was that the treasure cards and the ones on the board sometimes looked nothing alike.
Topple is pretty self-explanatory and none of us ended up toppling it over. So do we all win?
My favourite discovery of the day was Anomia
, the card game. Players took turn flipping over cards from the deck. If we had symbols that matched we had to yell a thing related to what the card said. For example if it said “Seafood” the opposing player with the same symbol had to name a seafood. The player who collected the most cards won. It was hilarious when players pointed to the matching card but couldn’t get the right word out!
Tiana Feng 
