Blue Jays!

So this blogpost may be a few days late, but hey, I've been busy. So I finally I got to see a Blue Jays game for the first time this past Saturday. This has been totally overdue and I'm not even really sure why it took so long, especially since I have been getting more into baseball.

We go to the game a little after it started and the Royals were already up so I was kind of worried it would be a whiteout and the Jays would just give in. Fortunately, in the 7th inning, the Jays came back and Kawasaki came on the field. The crowds response to this guy was amazing and it really got everyone hipped up.

NOSEBLEEDS!!!

I have to say the atmosphere of the game was completely different to watching any sport back in the UK. All I can say is that it is very North American with the chants, horn noises, and music. I feel like it's more about having fun at the game with your friends and family than actually the game itself, but maybe that's just my opinion. I certainly would have still had a good time even if the Jays lost, but getting behind the Jays to make a comeback to win 4-2 definitely only added to the good times.

Jays win!

I am very much looking forward to seeing the Jays play again, especially if they play Prince - Let's Go Crazy!

Civic holiday weekend

I finally managed to get some time off over the Civic holiday weekend to enjoy this beautiful country that I live in. A friend I use to work with back home came up from the States where he's now working for the long weekend. We managed to hit up two provincial parks, and I knocked off a couple of firsts. We went to Pres'quile Provincial Park near Brighton which I have never been to before. It was lovely and even though it was a little windy I finally went swimming in Lake Ontario. First tick off of the weekend. The next day we went to the Algonquin. I have been there several times before but every time I go I'm still blown away by the absolute nature and stunning scenery. This visit was topped off by my first experience of seeing a moose in the wild. I feel more Canadian! 

Our day was not without its eventful happens. Before going on one of our many walks we accidentally locked the keys in the car. School boy error! After some friendly passer buyers and a quick phone call later, we managed to get a company to come out and unlock the car. Needless to say, I kept the keys extra close to me for the rest of the weekend.
After a great day of exploring the Algonquin trails, we wound up at our accommodation for the night; an authentic teepee. I'm not sure the guy we rented it off was very confident of two Brits' chances staying in a teepee but we got a fire going and slept like logs.

Overall it was a great weekend with great people. Thank you Canada.

My top 7 of Canada

Happy Canada Day to all the crazy canucks out there!

This surprisingly is my 7th Canada Day so I thought what better way to help celebrate this national day than to do my own top 7 things I love about Canada. So here goes in descending order:

7. Four seasons
So some people may complain about the weather here but trust me when I say that you are a lucky country to actually experience four unique seasons. Ok maybe there wasn't much Spring this year but usually you have all four seasons and all the lovely traits of each one.

6. Poutine
Fries, gravy and cheese curds. This dish is delicious, especially after a night out...enough said!

5. The Tragically Hip
Now there are other artists and bands that I prefer but the thing about the Hip is that they represent and relate to so much of Canadian living. They are the the backdrop to a lot of memories I have here. For me they are the Canadian Oasis.

4. Tim Hortons
Ok so you can't come to Canada without going to a Tim Hortons, it's impossible! Trust me I've tried. From your daily coffee, a quick snack, to a respite on a road trip, Timmies is wholesomely Canadian.

3. Maples
Whether it be the tree, its leaves or the syrup, maples are a quintessential Canadian symbol. You even put a leave on your flag! Personally, I love maple trees. They are one of my favourite things to photograph here.

2. Landscape and Space
When people ask me why I love Canada so much I always reply with "I like the space". That may seem weird but it's true. You have A LOT of space here and the numerous beautiful landscapes you have are breathtaking. Canada is truly amazing.

1. The people
So this may come across a bit sappy but I'm saying it anyway. Canadians are some of the best people I've ever met in the world. With your lovable ehs, fantastic hospitality, caring nature and fun living, you're AWESOME! Times with Canadians are good times. Plus you even like to take a dig at Americans.

I feel blessed to be in Canada and hope that I can continue to celebrate your national day in this wonderful country.

The Spirit Level

I just finished the book; The Spirit Level - Why Equality is Better for Everyone, and I wanted to share this remarkable piece of work with you.

I have to admit it has taken me a while to read this, as it is like reading a text book at times, but it is well worth the time put into it. It is definitely one of those books that leaves a long lasting impression on yourself, and your ideology.

As the blurb states; This groundbreaking book, based on years of research, provides hard evidence to show:

• How almost everything - from life expectancy to mental illness, violence to illiteracy - is affected not by how wealthy a society is, but how equal it is
• That societies with a bigger gap between rich and poor are bad for everyone in them - including the well-off
• How we can find positive solutions and move towards a happier, fairer future

Now this may seem a bit preachy or airy fairy to some of you, but trust me when I say that some of the research and results really are thought provoking, and profound. It really makes you look at the bigger picture, and questions the current Western society standpoint. I personally enjoyed every quote, graph and statistic the book offered. Even the cartoon images are hilarious but provocative.

I encourage anyone to read this, even if just for the facts, as in the end of the day you can't argue with those. I thank my brother, Oliver, for sending the book my way, and if anyone wants to borrow the copy I have, I would gladly loan it out.

Rob Ford v Boris Johnson

Rob Ford, Mayor of Toronto, and Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, have both had run-ins with the media in their respective countries. As I was scrolling through pages online, I thought it would be fun to do a comparison of some similarities and differences between these two political figures.

So here goes:

Ford

Versus


Johnson


1. They both like the ladies;
Ford was accused by political rival Sarah Thomson of grabbing her ass during a photo and telling her she "should have been in Florida with him last week because his wife wasn’t there."



Boris with the infamous Cheeky Girls


2. They both take part in sporting activities in the wrong attire;

Ford can't even say on his feet!

Boris is focused.


3. Immigration viewpoint;

Ford: "Those Oriental people work like dogs ... they sleep beside their machines,'' he said. "The Oriental people, they're slowly taking over ... they're hard, hard workers."

Johnson accused Britons of being lazy and having themselves to blame for losing out on jobs to more hard-working foreigners.

4. Drinking;



Ford is said to have a drinking problem



No British man can resist a room temperature pint of beer

5. Opinion on cycling and bike lanes;

As per his appearance you can guess that Ford isn't a keen cyclist. Here he compares bike lanes to 'swimming with the sharks'??

Johnson, on the other hand is trying to get more people on bicycles and make the London less intimidating to new cyclists, as well as promising new bike lanes.





Conclusion:
Now Ford's in a smoking crack video scandal, whereas Johnson has announced he is going to write a book about Winston Churchill. Even though both these gentlemen have colourful personalities and I wouldn't vote for either, I'd take Boris over Rob any day! How about you?



Monster Truck...

Monster Truck (@Monster_Truck_) tweeted at 11:14am - 27 May 13:

Furiosity is out now in the UK! Grab it via @iTunesMusic: bit.ly/Zov4fJ (https://twitter.com/Monster_Truck_/status/339036820702629888)

Don't know what I'm talking about, well you should. Ontario rockers Monster Truck have just released their album FURIOSITY to raving reviews. If you don't believe me check it out; http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/exclusive-were-streaming-the-new-monster-truck-album/

I have had the privilege to see these guys rock out 3 times now, and ever time they blow the place down. They are truly a great live band. With blaring riffs, smokey vocals and good depth to their sound, Monster Truck are one of my favourite Canadian acts. Let them become one of yours too.

More political unrest in Europe

Sunday saw Bulgaria vote for a new Parliament. Bulgaria has been led by a caretaker government since February after Boiko Borisov resigned as PM amid protests against poverty, high utility bills and corruption.

The results from the election body today show that the 42nd Bulgarian General Assembly will be divided equally between the Socialists and ethnic Turks on one side, and the centrist GERB and the nationalist Ataka on the other. Again, another European country's electorate are split in terms of ideology and what is the best avenue for their country.

This election hasn't been smooth with allegations of more corruption and even vote-rigging. Protesters have been rallying during the whole electoral process. There seems to be little hope for the people of Bulgaria. The Balkan state of 7.3 million remains the EU's poorest member, and 1 in 5 Bulgarians live under the poverty line.

It is still unsure whether a coalition government can be formed, but without a stable government the country looks like it will still be turmoil.