This is my third summer in Toronto.
My first summer in Toronto was amazing. On a scale of 1 to 10, it was a hands-down 14.3.
My second summer in Toronto was a good experience and a lot of fun, but it wasn’t amazing. On a scale of 1 to 10, it was a 7.
The difference between my first summer and second summer had nothing to do with the city itself. On the contrary, it had everything to do with me. Like everything in life (including life itself), the summer is what you make of it.
I spent my first summer pushing my limits, exploring neighborhoods that I’d never experienced, eating food that I had never eaten and discovering cultures of which I knew very little. This first summer in Toronto was so much fun that I spent most of my second summer trying to recreate it by visiting the same neighborhoods, consuming the same food and participating in the same cultural festivals.
And, because I was just reliving past memories, instead of creating new ones, the sense of adventure was lacking. I wasn’t pushing myself to grow or evolve as a person.
Needless to say, I’ve learned my lesson. This summer, I’ve made a concerted effort to expand my boundaries, and thereby, have another 14.3 summer. And so far it’s working.
May 30, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Davey. Where is the second picture taken?
May 30, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Those pictures are gorgeous! And that’s the whole idea of a great summer is to make the best of it.
May 30, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Doesn’t it help to have a partner to share it with.
May 30, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I love the view of the skyline.
May 30, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Toronto is kind of boring.
May 30, 2009 at 11:20 pm
I can’t think of a time I’ve been to Toronto and been bored.
May 31, 2009 at 2:05 pm
That comment says very little about the city of Toronto and alot about you as an individual.
May 30, 2009 at 4:56 pm
That garden, just beautiful. A Japanese style one
May 30, 2009 at 5:46 pm
I did two master’s degrees at the University of Toronto and lived right in the middle of the city (Younge and Bloor) for four years. It’s a wonderful city with lots to do and see. Enjoy your summer there. Summer is one of the best times to live in Toronto, too!
May 30, 2009 at 11:21 pm
That would be *Yonge* and Bloor
May 31, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Thanks- I’m getting old, and the spelling is the first to go!!!
May 30, 2009 at 6:33 pm
David,
Yes, a new summer in Toronto but always in touch with your blogbuddies. How lucky you are!… Enjoy this free time with Scotty D.
bye,
ps : Here is a tongue-twister with the P – I find it difficult to read and repeat :
“Chez les Papous, il y a des Papous papas et des Papous pas papas. Il y a aussi des Papous papas à poux et des Papous papas pas à poux. Il y a encore des Papous papas à poux papas et des Papous pas papas à poux pas papas.”
May 30, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Great tounge twister.
May 31, 2009 at 2:18 pm
erm….that would be “tongue”.
May 30, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Hell yah, make it a 15.0 summer!!!
Ciao!
May 31, 2009 at 1:25 am
Here is some advice —
expand your experience beyond Toronto —
while TO maybe a big and fast paced city, it isn’t all of Canada. There is so much to experience so close by that will expose you to a broader world (that is so different from America)
#1 Experience OTTAWA. It may be smaller than most cities you are used to, but it is the capital of Canada. And it is is so pretty. Canada has one of the most beautiful Parliament Buildings in the world. If you can, go to Ottawa on Canada Day and experience the rush of it all!
#2 Forget Niagra Falls, Visit Niagra on the Lake. Charming.
#3 Visit Stratford. Just an hour and a half from TO you will experience of the best Shakespeare Theatres (and Villages) outside of England.
#4 Go Whitewater rafting. While visiting Ottawa visit the Ottawa Valley and go Rafting on the Ottawa River! Some of the best rafting in North America! Something you will alway remember and never regret.
Davey,, move beyond the Yonge and Bloor life. Experience all the world-class things are right around you.
May 31, 2009 at 5:40 am
I second that, toronto might be good but expand your horizons, go up to wasaga beach and relax for a weekend, head out to algonquin and get in touch with nature. go to kingston, ottawa, and montreal for some delightful partying and don’t forget that toronto doesn’t stop at steeles. the GTA is quite beautiful too.
May 31, 2009 at 8:36 am
If you haven’t been to Niagara Falls then go but I agree that Niagara-On-The-Lake is a must see. And there is lots of theatre there also (Shaw Festival). It’s a wonderful place to stay in a bed-n-breakfast for the weekend.
May 31, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Bring the dog, sleep on my floor! Or couch! Pretty basic, but right price.
J
May 31, 2009 at 5:38 am
Wise babes
May 31, 2009 at 5:43 am
b..b..but what matters most are the boundaries within..
May 31, 2009 at 6:29 am
This is way off topic but today, or yesterday rather (Sat.) when my new boyfriend and I were supposed to have our first “face to face” he missed our last one saying he had to work unexpectedly, but swore that nothing would get in the way of this one. I was ready and waiting for his call, that never came. I waited all day till 5:00PM. He was supposed to arrive early. I was crushed no call, no email, nothing.my telephone is out i can receive calls but not call out.Everyone warned me to be careful about meeting someone from the internet. I am heartbroken we shared so many emails. I knew he loved me. They say there’s no fool like an old fool. The Bible says “Pride goes before a fall” My summer is not shaping up too well so far. I started my divorce for him. Now I have no place to go. I am glad I am getting my divorce though.
May 31, 2009 at 6:39 am
hey mate… this sounds awful. really sorry for you. You are obviously a little bit naive (let’s call it optimistic) about people in general and people online.
I know it hurts, but it will heal. I promise.
And in future – they are not your new boyfriend until you meet them face to face. More than once.
PS. whatever happened to payphones/friends phones etc??
May 31, 2009 at 8:46 am
I’ve never met him!
My New Boyfriend!
He stood me up on our first date!
I know he loves me!
I started my divorce for him!
I know he loves me!
I’ve never met him!
May 31, 2009 at 9:06 am
Duh. He’s married or closeted and was online for fun.
May 31, 2009 at 9:34 am
He’s in his mid 50′s and clueless.
May 31, 2009 at 10:53 am
you’re both so kind. Thanks Mikey I never learned to be a pesamist. I live in Mexico you don’t borrow phones and I don’t have any friends. there are no pay phones only if you have a calling card and I am disabled I can’t leave the house. If he wants to call me he knows my number. I am clueless. I live in a third world country I counsel people who don’t have food to eat. You guys are so sophisticated. your lives are so difficult. what have you done to help someone in this world? Have you ever left your little lives and done something for someone else? He isn’t married or closeted he is considering going to Russia to join a monastary. he can’t decide if that is more important than his own happiness. You cretins. You think you’re so superior. i have spent my days and nights talking to people who have no electricity we eat under gas lights they give me food that they killed a few hours before. I gave up a civilized life to serve a great and dignified people. you aren’t worthy to visit their dogs.
May 31, 2009 at 7:49 am
Davey,
Enjoy your time in Toronto with Scotty D. I so enjoy your blogging. How sweet.
May 31, 2009 at 10:50 am
I wonder if Davey is growing tired of Scotty.
I wonder why he twitters: @scottydynamo put some meat on your bones.??
I wonder if Davey is gettin Bitchy or gettin dumped.
Might explain the baggy eyes and why people are saying he looks tired.
May 31, 2009 at 9:21 am
well summer is approaching-warm weather heeds the call to explore-theres much to do in Toronto-area-but you should explore beyond the general area.as previously mentioned-Ottawa-Capital Region-into Quebec-Walled City on a Hill-Quebec City-of course Montreal-The Laurentians-Mount Tremblant.in Ontario-heres a great destination DW should pursue,but maybe not for everyone-Grand Bend-Pinery Provincial Park-theres a nude beach-go when its warm-maybe 3 hrs from Toronto-1 hr from London.This is south of Goderich.
May 31, 2009 at 9:31 am
oh-i forgot two other places-Peterborough-Kingston-Cornwall-plus Georgian Bay-Parry Sound-Collingwood-Owen Sound.way too much to do.boring?not at all.did i say two places?more like six-i get carried away.
May 31, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Doesn’t someone on here have a place in the Kawarthas or Georgian Bay, lake Nipissing, or Algonquin that they can take Davey to? That is one very big part of Ontario in the summer. Going to the “cottage” or “the bay” if you grew up in Rosedale, is such a great thing to do. They are hardly cottages any more. Very unlike the British idea of a cottage, and nothing at all to do with cottage-ing.
When I was a kid our place had no electricity, no phone, we got lake water that we pumped into a tank with a converted lawn mower engine for a pump, had a propane fridge and stove, karosene lamps after dark and it was on an island. Mostly Canadian Shield type of terrain — rocks and trees growing precariouly out of crevaces with wind swept branches a la Tom Thompson’s “Jack Pine”.
We would escape the heat of the Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara area and repair to this cool clear bright rocky northern lake. Of course on the map it wasn’t all that far north. Still considered southern Ontario, but the difference in feel, landscape and weather was and is remarkable.
Please someone with a cottage take Davey along for a long weekend. He thinks he is getting to know Canada well, but he can’t know Canadians well without a touch of cottage country…..in my opinion.
J
May 31, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I’m from the UK and I had the best time at Scarborough Bluffs, which I believe falls part of the Toronto Greater Area.
Got the metro from Bloor to Kennedy, caught the 11 bus and asked driver to take me to Brimley Road, then had to walk the 15-20 mins down to Bluffers Park. Fantastic, romantic setting, very peaceful and I couldn’t believe I was still in Toronto.
I found Church and Wellesley a bit rundown and shabby, I’m giving that area a miss next time
May 31, 2009 at 6:05 pm
OMG! what the hell are you feeding that pooch? You’re ex-lovers? LOL That’s the biggest Chihuahua I’ve ever seen!
May 31, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Yeah, Totoville IS very nice, eh? Wait til ya get to know Montreal, ou là là!
Be well,
May 31, 2009 at 8:50 pm
This Shts! Beautiful!!!!
June 1, 2009 at 10:40 am
Davey enjoy your summer by doing what feels right to you, enjoy each moment for what it brings you and what you make of it. I enjoy reading your blog and viewing your talkies, and thank you for sending your valuable time sharing a bit with us all.
June 1, 2009 at 8:25 pm
I just arrived in Toronto for my first summer. I’ll be here for the next 3 weeks. Does anyone know of any good bars to meet people/gay people? I’m hoping to make friends. I live on around Bloor & St George. I know about Church St and I’m reading about Queen St West (never been there, though.) I’m gonna go to clubs on the weekend, but I can’t seem to meet gay guys on the weekdays. Any tips would be great!
June 2, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I completely understand this.
I am originally from Dublin and moved to Manchester in 2007. That summer was absolutely amazing and spent the next summer trying to not re-create it but to top it. I tried to hard and it turned out to be one of the worse summers of my life! I pushed the boundaries a little too far!
June 3, 2009 at 5:31 pm
This is like trying to be ecstatically happy all of the time – it’s impossible. You can’t have awesome times all the time, it just doesn’t work that way. Life sucks sometimes, sometimes it’s boring, sometimes a surprise comes along and makes it all worthwhile. It’s when you start expecting things to be 100% excellent that you set yourself up for disappointment.
August 1, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Those pictures are amazing! I hope your having a good summer Davey!