The Toronto Life

Gill and I departed Calgary in early January to come out to the big city. I had recently gotten into grad school and Gill had set up to write her MCAT in late January. We took the route through the USA. It was one hell of a drive and really put my new 2002 Jetta 1.8T to the test. We had loaded JJ (the Jetta) to the gills and were not expected as crazy a trip as what was ahead.
Northern Montana is a place mostly occupied by ideling Ford F-150s and guys in camo riding their quads into town. We did however find a place that served coffee by the hour to have lunch. I had never been to a place that had a hourly, daily and weekly rate for an endless cup of coffee. As we continued through the USA we found our way to Fargo North Dakota and a huge snowstorm. the roads had 2m snowdrifts on either side and the road itself about 2" of ice. The roads were so bad we ended up calling the third day short due to the fact the interstate was travelling at 40 mph due to the ice. After a night of drinking cheap American beer we finally were back on the road heading to Toronto. We rolled up around 4pm.
We had arranged to stay with my Uncle Ian's friend from high school Jamie and his wife Andrea. They were the best hosts ever even after our stay was lengthened from a week to three.

Gill and I spent two long weeks looking for a place and finally after many debockles found a place on Church and Isabella st. Our apartment is about 660 square feet, is on the tenth floor and has hardwood floors, a view of the CN Tower and thanks to 6 gallons of mis-tinted paint, a sweet paint job. The apartment is close enough to school that it is only a 15 min walk to get to class.

In my first semmester at U of T in the MEng program I took four classes: stochastic dynamic programming, ergonomics, reliability and advanced mechatronics. This was my first semester of school in eight months and it hit hard. Lots of work and lots of projects met with a class full of uber smart people who pushed me to learn. My favorite part of the semester was my term project for advanced mechatronics in which I designed and machined a working model that could control the inlet force to a pump by controlling the thermal expansion of the attached piping. This project took me way longer than I expected but I got to check out all sorts of interesting machine shops and labs at the school.

During my first semester I also got in touch with my boss from my 3rd co-op term in Calgary who pointed my towards a job opportunity out here near Toronto in Markham. After an interview and test I landed a job working for the summer in Markham at WorleyParsons as a piping engineer. Good times. One of the perks of the job is the hours. I work 9 hours a day 4 days a week then get off at 11am on Fridays!

The last thing that is new with me is that I contacted one of the professors that I took classes with at UVic, David Sinton, who is now coming out to U of T. He asked if I wanted to work with him this fall as a student in his lab. I accepeted and now I am going to be doing a masters of applied science with him come september.

That is my life in a nut shell. I thought that I would update this blog as it has been a while.

June 9-16

June 9, 2010 – Wednesday

-Left camp and ate at a café in town where a nice old man recommended things to do in the Grand Canyon
-Gill and I bought a National Park Pass and went into the Grand Canyon National Park
-We took the free bus to Hermit Camp and hiked to the bottom of the canyon ( a long way)
-We realized that the last bus was about to leave and we ran up out of the canyon to catch it (very tiring)
-We drove to Sedona (a place that we were told was very nice by the old man in the café)
-Could not find a campsite and spent the night in the car (terrible)
June 10, 2010 – Thursday -we got up early (4am) and went to go harvest some internet because neather of us could sleep
-Checked out the crazy sandstone formations and a neat church up high on a hill above town
-Drove from Sedona to Albuquerque
-Checked into the Route 66 Hostel
-Explored the Thursday night action in towntown Albuquerque
June 11, 2010 – Friday -Drove from Albuquerque to Elephant Butte State Park
-Tried to set up a tent in the crazy wind
June 12, 2010 – Saturday -Explored Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
-Tired little town that was really hot and had multiple hot springs
-Drove to Carlsbad from T or C

June 13, 2010 – Sunday

-Went to Carlsbad Caverns National Park all morning (it was mind blowing, but Gill would not admit that it was romantic)
-drove from Carlsbad to Pecheda Falls Campground
-Gill and I saw a scorpian, 2000 spiders, a 4” long stick bug and an off huge winged bug at the bathrooms. Too many bugs to go in
-Bed at 2am

June 14, 2010 – Monday

-Up early to get away from the bugs
-drove to Austin hostel and hung out in the lobby until we could get in to have a nap
-got up and went for dinner at Texas Land & Cattle Company (huge and delicious rib eye steak) we could hardly walk out we were so full
-got back to the hostel and went out sith a bunch of British and Australian guys to Brayton Springs Ranch Bar for $1 Lone Star beers

June 15, 2010 – Tuesday

-We got up late and lazed around the hostel while we did some laundry
-We went to some local sights including:
-The Texas state capital building (14 feet taller than the Capital Building in D.C)
-The Lindon B. Johnson Library/museum (really neat and very American. it reviewed U.S. history during LBJ's term in office)
-went and saw the A-Team in a theater (nice to get out of the sun)
-We were lucky enough to find very nice couchsurfing hosts (Jerry and Frieda) near a small town outside of Austin called Elgin. We stayed in our own air conditioned cabin!
-Jerry and Frieda made us rabbit tacos for dinner

June 16, 2010 - Wednesday

-Drove Gill to airport at 5am!
-Had prickly pear, hot peppers, eggs and corn tortillas for breakfast
-Went to the Southwest Market in Elgin, TX
-Lunch at the City Café in Elgin
-Went for a run in the crazy heat near Barton Springs along the river
-Went to the meeting of the University of Texas Grotto (caving) and went to a bar with all the cavers afterwords
-Headed back to Elgin and got a blissful nights sleep

JUNE!!

Ma y 22th to 27th. (By Gill)

After a very cold evening in the shady San Francisco hostel, we headed out to the airport and dropped off Marija and Tessa. We then spent the rest of the day driving down the 101 to Santa Barbara and stayed in Los Padres national forest, app. 9 miles outside of the city.

We woke up Sunday morning to a ‘Manhunt” or more specifically a “Teenagerhunt”. Apparently 3 kids escaped from the youth detention centre somewhere in the area, so we woke up to helicopters, cop cars and bloodhounds. After breakfasts excitement, we headed into Santa Barbara proper and checked out the courthouse, and El Presido historic house. We then hit up Starbucks for the free internet and a Kmart for some Tupperware. On the way back up to the campsite we detoured deep into Los Padres forest on a road that literally went through a river 7 times to go see Red Rock; we didn’t actually find it.

Compared to Sunday morning, Monday seemed much quieter and after breakfast, we again headed into Santa Barbara. We went to La Supra Rica for lunch, a Mexican restaurant voted America’s best by the New York Times and was reported to be Julia Child’s favourite Mexican restaurant. We were told to find the resturant by the line-up out the door, as there was no sign. It was everything it was made out to be, and cheap!! Tom and I had lunch with drinks for 20$, after talking with 2 local women over lunch, we hit up Ablitt house, a very weird and cool 4 story house built in the middle of a parking lot. We then went to butterfly beach and watched pelicans diving into the ocean for fish as we tried to tan.

We left the beach and started driving into L.A., thinking that there was a state park in Malibu with camping. When we finally pulled in to the park, there was no camping available and just a bunch of teenagers making out. We then headed back down the windy road and pulled over, grabbed the tent and sleeping bags and headed up a nearby hill to camp for the evening. At 1:40 am we awoke to the sound of a Malibu police officers radio static and saying he was entering the premises. Turns out on the other side of the hill we had chosen to camp on was the future site of some extremely rich persons house. The cop never walked up the hill however (it took about 10 min to get to the top) so we were safe. We then high tailed it out of Malibu and drove into Venice Beach at 4 am in the morning. We waited at Wendy’s doughnuts with a very unusual cast of characters until all the shops opened at 5:30 am.


By Tom:
May 27 Thursday

-Went to In-And-Out Burger with Kevin
-almost died on Freeway; guy slammed on brakes in front of us after falling asleep at wheel. Trusty Jetta saved the day with sweet ABS
-Camped in Julian (desert outside of San Diego)

May 28 Friday

-Went to San Diego Zoo – awesome
-Took the Skyfari and saw whole Zoo by air
- Watched swamp monkeys play
-Saw tiger and jaguar pace around large cage/enclosure
-Stayed at Shirley’s house in Cardiff-by-the-Sea (Joel’s girlfriend)
-Went out for dinner at

May 29 Saturday

-Strawberry pancakes for breakfast!
-Relaxed
-Slept at Cardif-by-the-sea beach
-Ate swordfish for dinner- delicious

May 30 Sunday

-Drove to Joshua Tree National Park
-Found a campsite at Ryan campground
-Burritos for dinner

May 31 Monday

-Went to 29 palms oasis
tons of lizards
red neck family at the oasis kept saying the whole time “this rock is big, this water is cold”
-Climbed Hemmingway crack at Hemmingway Buttress (5.8) 40m and walked off the back of the route. Told about route by guy who liked the Jetta
-Had ginger beer at the local cafe

June 1 Tuesday

-Saw a scorpion (under the tent)
-Marines in next campsite pointed out a rattlesnake in their campsite
-Walked around Hidden Valley
-Walked around Hemmingway and saw burned ginger solo climber
-drove to Vegas on route 66
-Saw salt flats and military ordinates live firing range
-ate at Stieners – pub just off strip
-Walked 12km to the actual strip and went to Luxor
-had a “flight” Jagermeister
-Gill Tripled her money at black jack (30$)
-Checked into the South Point

June 2 Wednesday

-Gill went to the pool
-Went to VW dealership to have the oil changed
-ate dinner at Whole Foods
-Bought dress shoes

June 3 Thursday

-Ate breakfast buffet in South point; Gill ate too much
-Left car at dealership (new tires) and picked up a rental
-Climbed Fold-Out (5.8)
-Left because we only had one rope
-bought new rope
-Went to Timbers for dinner while brakes were being done
-We were going to go out for dinner but ended up just going to bed at 10pm lame

June 4 Friday

-We checked out of the South Point
-I got Gill dinner and a show
-Went for dinner at the Tropicana Steakhouse
-Saw Chris Angel “Believe”, best line of the show “ I call this Enigma!”
-Saw the Bellagio water show
-Gill played blackjack at the Bellagio and won until I sat down then lost all her money ($20) came out even after a win at the Luxor
-Walked back to Mandelay Bay and talked to drunk people
-Drove to Lovell Road to Camp (free, 3am, at a gun range)

June 5 Saturday

-Woke up 6:30 by gunfire.
-Went back to sleep
-Climbed Chips and Salsa (5.3) at Red Rocks
-Gill’s first Mock Lead climb
-Got burritos and Gill got a hat at Desert Rock sports – went to that store 3 times because of most useful salesman who told us about the free camp site.
-Went back to campsite

June 6 Sunday

-Walked around aimlessly in Red Rocks all day
-Went to “The World Famous Blue Diamond Saloon” for $2 beers
-Met a bunch of ‘mountain people’ at bar and played impromptu game of volleyball
-Gill tripled her money at VLT poker
-Camped at Spring Mountain again

June 7 Monday

-Woke up sticky and smelly and sweaty
-Climbed Tunnel Vision (5.7 800’) complete with a 100’ cave and 7pitches
-began hike off mountain at sunset after park closed
-Reached car 2 hours later at 10:30 after seeing two Arizona bark Scorpions (the only poisonous scorpions in the area)
-Went for cheap happy hour dinner at Chicago brew pub ($20 for 2 beers and three appetizers)
-Spent the night at the Sahara Casino and Resort for 36$

June 8 Tuesday

-Left The Sahara at noon
-Breakfast at a Henderson coffee
-Drove to Tusayan, just outside the Grand Canyon
-Saw Hoover Dam on way (45°C)
-Dinner at Rosie’s Den, small diner which deep fried everything on menu (including Gill’s French toast)- Terrible

May 22th to 27th. (By Gill)

After a very cold evening in the shady San Francisco hostel, we headed out to the airport and dropped off Marija and Tessa. We then spent the rest of the day driving down the 101 to Santa Barbara and stayed in Los Padres national forest, app. 9 miles outside of the city.

We woke up Sunday morning to a ‘Manhunt” or more specifically a “Teenagerhunt”. Apparently 3 kids escaped from the youth detention centre somewhere in the area, so we woke up to helicopters, cop cars and bloodhounds. After breakfasts excitement, we headed into Santa Barbara proper and checked out the courthouse, and El Presido historic house. We then hit up Starbucks for the free internet and a Kmart for some Tupperware. On the way back up to the campsite we detoured deep into Los Padres forest on a road that literally went through a river 7 times to go see Red Rock; we didn’t actually find it.

Compared to Sunday morning, Monday seemed much quieter and after breakfast, we again headed into Santa Barbara. We went to La Supra Rica for lunch, a Mexican restaurant voted America’s best by the New York Times and was reported to be Julia Child’s favourite Mexican restaurant. We were told to find the resturant by the line-up out the door, as there was no sign. It was everything it was made out to be, and cheap!! Tom and I had lunch with drinks for 20$, after talking with 2 local women over lunch, we hit up Ablitt house, a very weird and cool 4 story house built in the middle of a parking lot. We then went to butterfly beach and watched pelicans diving into the ocean for fish as we tried to tan.

We left the beach and started driving into L.A., thinking that there was a state park in Malibu with camping.

A Teaser, What is to come on the blog

Lake Tahoe Photos

Lake Tahoe

Arriving night – went to La Cantina, recommended to us by the South Lake Tahoe Climbing Guide was actually pretty decent. Very fast service and stiff drinks.

Day 1:

Rest Day – we were determined to do the bare minimum, which consisted of eating, sleeping, watching TV, napping, snacking and visiting the hotel pool/sauna.


Day 2:

Climbing at Eagle Falls gorgeous sunny day, approximately 20 degrees Celsius in the alpine, so there was still snow all around us. Gill, Marija, and Tessa’s first crack climb. The girls all found crack climbing to be quite difficult and not like anything they had experienced in Victoria. After I led all the routes the girls followed on top rope.

After climbing we decided to head to a club that was recommended by the hotel concierge, Vex. Vex apparently is the closest thing to a Vegas club in South Lake Tahoe. We walked from our hotel on the California side of the Nevada California state line to the Nevada side and made it to the club. Marija and Tessa were pumped to get out clubbing but I was not quite as pumped on the idea. Everyone brought two pieces of ID and I brought my passport (the only ID I had at the time). We got to the bouncers and Marija decided to jump in line with a bachalorette party that was in the VIP line. Gill and I waited in the casino to see if she got in or not. Unsurprisingly Marija did not get in. She was in tears. It turns out that you need a passport to get in to the club if you are not from the USA. I was the only one with a passport. Gill and I were just as happy to head back to the hotel. Marija went to the other club and tried to get in as well but was turned away for the same reason. We went to bed after an impromptu hotel dance party.

Day 3:

Today we went to Reno, “The Biggest Little City in the World”. Reno is depressing. It seems to be where old gamblers go to die. We read that the best burger in Reno was the “Awful Awful Burger” from the Golden Nugget Casino. We decided to give it a try. The Awful Awful comes with a ½ lb. patty and a full pound of ulta-salty fries. The burger was good, not the best that I had ever had, but good. The diner it was served in was dimly lit and about as depressing looking as you can imagine. In Reno we also went to an antique store and tried on costumes for a while. We also toured the city on the free bus. The University of Nevada, Reno was a very nice looking school despite the depressing surroundings. On the way back we stopped at Starbucks and Gill was told to “head back to Canada, Reno sucks.”

Day 4:

Today I decided, with Gill’s approval, to take her out multi-pitch rock climbing. Multi-pitch rock climbing is a climb where the climb is longer than the length of the rope and you have to belay each other from points along the route, generally on small rock ledges. The route we chose was Knapsack Crack (5.5). Knapsack Crack was a highly rated easy climb in the climbing area known as “Lover’s Leap.” The climb went extremely well despite some light rain. Good quality granite made Gill’s first multi-pitch climb very fun, which was important if I wanted to convince her to do more multi-pitch climbs on this trip. After getting picked up by the girl’s at 6, we headed back into town and had 50% off appies and 3$ Margarita’s at Chevy’s, a Tex Mex restaurant. We then made lasagna for dinner.

Day 5:

Tandem Biking looks good on paper. I will let Gill describe her side of the story here as well because they are a bit different.

Tom:

I had a great time. Tandem bikes are quick and you get to try to get two people to do the stunts that normally only you will do. We borrowed two bikes from Anderson’s bike rental and had a glorious hour and a half bike around Lake Tahoe’s paved bike trails. We explored a local beach and saw some “historical buildings.”

Gill:

Tandem biking was invented by the criminally insane. 2 people and1 bike leads requires serious knowledge of biking etiquette and communication. I was placed on the back of the bike first, and was completely at Tom’s mercy in terms of steering and braking. We then switched so I was driving, but this didn’t work out either because Tom could change the direction of the bike any way he liked by simply shifting his weight due to the large weight difference between us. After my brief turn at the drivers seat, I hopped back onto the back and held on for dear life for the next hour (Jumping off the bike for sweet, sweet ground every time Tom thought we should ride through something that I was sure would make us crash), all the while Tom was shouting “Weee” at the top of his lungs.



Day 6:

3rd Day of climbing (by Gill): today we went to Phantom Spires, everyone’s first spire climb!!! It was very sunny and everyone forgot sunscreen. Tom thought by bringing 3 girls along, sunscreen would automatically be brought to and boy was he wrong. I was the only one not burnt a deep lobster red because I was in the wind, belaying Tom up every spire and therefore completely covered for the day. Tom did the hardest trad climb he had ever done (10.c) called candy land – it was very cool looking with these huge knobs just sticking out of the face of the spire. I finally figured out how to crack climb, mostly because I was doing a route with a huge overhang and really wanted to avoid it. Marija and Tessa suntanned in the nude and received the most damage from the sun.


We then went to Opal, a club in the Blue Moon Casino. Marija and Tessa went earlier than Tom and myself because we were stuck doing laundry, so by the time we arrived at the club (12) they had a serious head start. It was fairly easy to catch up however, because the drinks were only $1!!! After a dance-off with a hippie, we called it a night.

Day 7:

We left for San Francisco at 10:30am. After Gill’s impressive dodge of an approximately human shaped item wrapped in a moving blanket in the center of the Freeway we made it into the city. Driving in San Francisco is the devil. All the streets are one way and every stop sign has a 45-degree hill start to cope with. I finally managed to park the car in valet parking overnight and we headed off for a tour of Alcatraz.

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was open from 1933-1963 and housed all the prisoners too bad for the regular prison system. The tour was very informative and Gill and I walked around the island whistling the theme song to “The Rock” starring Nicholas Cage and Sean Connery. Many pictures were taken (as always), thanks Marija!

At night Tessa and Marija hit up a club called Slide, where you take a slide to get into the club. I was not allowed in because I w