Pan Am 2015

One thing to say about major sporting events, they compel cities to do crazy things. In a mad bid for cash, Chicago leased its parking spaces for the average lifespan of its citizens – for just the hope of an Olympics. Athens went through the monumental step of building public transit – on credit – lots of credit. Barcelona now has a park and a rather large public pool documenting the wake of the games.

Toronto is running in the same direction.

Regarded as an ugly, cold, and less salty Mediterranean, history adorned Lake Ontario with industry, railways, and the great Gardener expressway. Like flat shoes to a supermodel, it was seen as merely practical.

While many may have looked at the lake and seen something more than the geeky girl with big glasses and baggy clothing, none had the courage to ask her to the dance. Enter the Pan Am games. It bet its friends that frumpy lakeshore was a hottie in disguise. The transformation began and we are now in act two.

It is 2011, or still months from prom in cityscape time. Trendy but isolated district made from nostalgic booze manufacturing? Check. Sporadic parks blooming along the concrete beach? Check. New condos erupting at a cataclysmic pace? Check. New urban park renewals...

The renovation is exciting and making Toronto a place where you want to live moreover. It is refreshing to see money put to good use creating public and worthwhile goods. One hopes to see the successful Act III of the project and the gorgeous green aftermath.

Casa Loma

It's the 1900's. You have made a killing on some investments and are discovering the amazement of newly discovered wealth. What to do?

Why not build a replica Scottish castle?

Modernity has cursed us with the abandonment of crazy rich people. No longer are such monuments built. Sure, penthouses are purchased, new mansions materialize, and even fantastic films photographed.

But real crazy rich people, they build castles.

Not only was the construction of Casa Loma expensive, it included the need for upkeep from a rather large staff of servants. Unfortunately, the personality to invest in such a monument to wealth is the same that may make similar investments in business. As we seem to be experiencing all too often, these investments do not always pan out. Consequently, the city of Toronto, not paid its property tax, now possesses a replica of a Scottish castle.

Many movies have used this wonderful set. It also hosts weddings and many other special events. Check it out. A gem on a hill in Toronto.

Tommy Thompson Park

Toronto has a wonderful opportunity to self reflect. The islands, which have only found a small amusement park, reflect well on the city. You have the opportunity to see how the city has grown. The peaks and valleys accented by the CN Tower evident the magnificent.

These treasures you will not see in a guidebook. Many pass over the wonder of the city. It is proving a difficult place to visit. There is no Louvre, Taj Mahal, or Buckingham Palace. But the absence of these monuments leaves  the marvel of surprise.

One of the treasures is Tommy Thompson Park. Only open on weekends and holidays, it provides the best views seen thus far. Further, it almost demands you go there by bicycle, the length of the park making a much longer day on foot.

Toronto is making clear it is a wonderful city to live. Treasures take time to unfold. In their absence, you find something made boring if only by how well the city works. The lesson is to do your homework or maintain persistence.

Either way, the city will reward you.

Gorgeous Weather

Only a little has been written recently. Apologies. The moving excuse has far exceeded its legitimacy.
It has just been too nice out.

Definitions of nice may differ. Mostly, this author’s sweet spot is not too hot, not to cold, sunshine optional. Even a bit of rain is acceptable if it does not last too long.

When you live in an area that experiences prolonged cold, the summer means more. No more hiding from winter in climate controlled cubes. The ability to strike out and enjoy is at hand and it demands your compliance. You must enjoy – you cannot resist it compelling you.

And so the weather has compelled. Please excuse the absence. And here, friends, is to hoping the weather by you is as good or better.

On an unrelated note, Happy Canada Day! Big thank you to my new friends for the invitation to partake in their delicious bbq!

Growing Up

More than a few locals will tell you Toronto is a city that simply appeared. Signs of construction are rampant. Cranes and workers assemble the ever climbing landscape. Downtown property sprouts like hyperactive redwoods.

This photo is taken from the west looking towards the financial district. Central, you can see the CN tower, the largest freestanding structure in the world. The new assemblies in the foreground will become high rise condos. What you cannot see is under the bridge this photo was shot from. Still more foundations exist there signalling new heights to come.

Bitten by the housing crash in the US, the fast, abundant growth is concerning. Rents have remained stagnant for two years. Disposable income has not kept pace with housing costs. Canadians have edged out Americans in the dubious game of who can have the greatest household debt.

However, there are large counterbalancing positives, too. Immigration is steady and significant. Lending restrictions are tight. Foreign investment is strong.

So here is to hoping any concern is the unwarranted wavering of a worrywart.

But, it does not feel to bad to be renting at the moment, either.

Are They Kosher?

The time dedicated to exploring the city thus far has been small. A new job takes up more time than one in which you are familiar with the routine. IKEA trips have not hurt the company’s first quarter earnings. And sometimes you are just in the mood to enjoy your new apartment.

This, however, does not mean the exploring has not been completed neglected.

A new belief is brewing that to know a transit system is to know a city. The philosophy of how people get around is important. Through events most likely to be discussed in the future, the opportunity is presenting itself. Certainly, Toronto is automobile-centric, but the transportation system is worthy if you live in the right spots. Mostly, since the majority of people movers are above ground, you get to see more of the city as you tram or bus it.

Finally, you have walking. This proves to be the most enjoyable. You are at a slower pace giving you time to learn the city as you observe it. You can see, hear, and feel the city.

You can also smell it.

Hot dog vendors exist as if spontaneous materializing ballgames are commonplace. The smell of franks permeates. There is no escape.

Then your friend context appears. There are worse smells to permeate a city.

Much worse.

Anyone have some mustard?

Arrival

Quick note. Having arrived in Canada and out of completed backlog, have not had much time to blog proper. In lieu of prose, please enjoy this picture of Toronto.

What is this all About?

From the genesis of this adventure, the intention of the odyssey was mostly about working abroad. The main focus was to learn how to work in a different culture, discover new ways of working, and learn new skills.

While this has happened, it pales in comparison to the personal journey.

Sure, plenty has been discovered about French colleagues and how they like to work. Working in a different area of the accounting field expands your skill set. Meeting new people within your company expands your network.

But the personal side is much greater. Living in a new country presents new challenges. Language, bureaucracy, separation – all obstacles faced. The more you are exposed, the more you can learn and grow.

The persistence of the trial brings the result. You are forced to live within the constraints. You must learn to adapt within them. The experience reorganizes and sharpens your values and desires. You can focus on what you want and to focus inspires passion.

The growth is not instant. It takes many serial days of wondering:

“What the hell did I do?”

There are no regrets. You get something that most do not – either from lack of opportunity or an ample supply of sanity – you get an experience.

And while it may not always feel like the right path, you do get rewarded for taking it.

And so this is remembered as the new chapter unfolds.

Expectations

A large lesson of Parisian life is limiting your expectations. Think something should work? Do not turn your oven and washing machine on at the same time. Think blue skies means all clear air travel? Expect a strike. Morning commute? Bring a book.

As a friend says, “it’s France, expect nothing and you will never be disappointed.”

But contained within these little disappointments is a life lesson. Sometimes things do not happen as we want.

This summer I wanted to take a walk on the Viaduc des Arts. This may or may not have had other designs outside of the beautiful garden, a nice walk, and a bottle of wine. As foreshadowing whispers the future, it did not happen. However, fate be damned, I eventually went anyways.

While the winter months do small justices to the promenade, the walk remains relaxing. You march, above traffic on a majestic walkway in Paris. Interesting architecture decorates your way. You have perfect views of how an apparently disorienting city plan actually makes sense.

And so maybe the original intent never materialized? But in its place was a new moment and just as valuable of an experience. The scene was peaceful. Spring was beginning its first assault on winter. Few others were out in the 2 degrees Celsius stroll.

It may be all your current plans wash to the sea. You can still make new ones.

Restaurant and Wine Bar Map

Here is my map of restaurants and wine bars in Paris. Some are delicious while others merely utilitarian or adequate. While not a fan of works in progress, timing is more urgent in this matter than completed prose. Thus, comments still pending edits.

If you have any questions, post a comment or send an email.

Bon appetit.

This is a 27€ burger. Yes, you can find a place that will charge you 27€ for a burger.

Running Part 2

Last in the three part series.  If you want the full sequence, you can go here.

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Lasts

When you know you are leaving you are shrouded in lasts.

Last crepe.

Last time at the office.

Last time out with your friends.

Difficulty is distracting the portion of consciousness that insists upon, at minimum, a small awareness of this fact. Further, the commotion of seeing people and doing things before you go hinders the process of diversion.

The days rapidly expire when you are constantly trying to do something just one more (last) time. The more occupied, the less you realize seconds, minutes, and hours counting down. Out of nowhere the clock strikes midnight.

Time up.  Pencils down.  Turn in your exam.

But better to enjoy the moment than notice the mere fact it is passing. Simply put, the last few weeks were spectacular. Words of gratitude are not enough for those that made them this way.


I will miss you all my friends, and I miss you because the times were good.

Running Part 1