toronto

“Hi, my name’s Neil!” says the guy, loudly, as he turns the corner right in front of me and moves into my way. I’m walking home from work, it’s just after 5 p.m. and starting to get dark. The temperature is 4°, unseasonably warm for January—a nice night to walk home. I have to stop…

Read More Neil

Adam is sitting in the steel and leather barber’s chair, his back to the small table displaying the tools of his trade and the large mirror on the wall, as he talks to an older guy seated across from him. The mirror competes for wall space with a number of vintage Playboy pin-up posters, the edges of…

Read More Corrado’s barbershop

Last night on New Year’s Eve, sitting at the bar in our local pub with Graham the bartender serving champers… Graham: “Get a good grip. That’s it.” Me: “Like this?” “Yeah, now move it gently. Gently! That’s it, keep going. Pull it slowly.” “I hope I’m doing this right.” “Mm, you got it. Nice. I can see it…

Read More The Bubbly Virgin

Walking by the TIFF Bell Lightbox building on King West on the way to work this morning, a guy in front of us strolls along with a hint of a drunken swagger. Dressed in ripped and soiled jeans, a dirty jacket that’s too big for his slight frame and carrying a green plastic bottle crate, he weaves and snakes…

Read More A morning walk to work

For the record, I am not a good skater. I’m actually pretty crap at it, but I will give it a try every now and then. Today Franco and I went down to the Harbourfront Centre Natrel Rink for a practice session. He’s taking hockey lessons right now and needed to practice so I tagged along for the ride,…

Read More Skating at the Harbourfront