randvisit

Rand and me. Photo by my 7-year-old niece Annie.


Enjoyed hanging out with Rand these past four days. We decided to spend part of the weekend in Buffalo, but most of the time in Toronto. Out of curiosity, I opted for a train to Buffalo instead of bus; though it's somewhat more expensive, I figured that it would be more comfortable, and would take less time.

I was right about the comfort, way wrong about the time...due to a two hour delay at the border because of customs problems with a couple of passengers. :-(



Buffalo taxis are somewhat more intimidating than
Toronto taxis.


I eventually did make it, however, and enjoyed checking out Rand's library again, eating at The Globe (seared tuna, crabcake, ginger and fennel salad, Thai rice salad), watching some old Ookla concert footage, feeding Chunky Rice, checking out Rand's NEW MAC, browsing Rust Belt Books, listening to music, catching up.



Rand's turtle, Chunky Rice.


Highlights of the Toronto part of Rand's visit in Toronto, for me, include:

- My dear friends Rand and Luisa meeting for the first time!

- Sunset walk with Luisa and Rand along the Scarborough bluffs. Hearing them compare Italian upbringing experiences. :-)



Annie, Sara, Ruth and Rand doing cartoons.


- Rand meeting Sara, Annie and Kaarel for the first time. Ok, Rand did meet Sara years ago, but she was too young to remember. Not surprisingly, Annie and Sara liked Rand quite a bit, and vice versa. :-) After Ruth and Rand got back from their coffee, we drew comic strips at the living room table while Rand sketched Annie.

- Oysters and Louisiana Tea (involves Grand Marnier, can't recall the other liqueurs, but it was very good) late one night. Yum.



Rand and Jodi at the Frog & Firkin.


- Dinner with Jodi and Rand on Sunday night at the Frog & Firkin at Yonge/Sheppard. Allison wasn't able to make it because she was out hiking with John. Good to catch up with Jodi; I haven't seen her in a few weeks. Lots of music and media talk which lingered long after our meals were finished, then we sat in Jodi's car to listen to one of her most recent recording projects.

- Going over old issues of The Electric Penguin, a newsletter I edited years ago (and yes, the inspiration for the name of our domain, electricpenguin.com).

- Many thanks to Rand for replacing a string that had broken on my harp. Turning the tuning key is still too tough because of my tendinitis, but he volunteered.



Rand, Jeff and Parki on the way to David Mason Books on Queen St.


- Watching Zoolander, which was far more amusing than I expected.

- Lunch at the Queen Mother Cafe with Jeff, Parki and Rand. We went to David Mason Books afterward, then I took Rand to Nicholas Hoare on Front Street, one of my favourite Toronto bookstores.



Rand at Masquerade in BCE Place.


A wonderful visit which seemed to go by way too quickly...but then again, that's usually the case with good friends. :-)

I have my laser eye surgery tomorrow; wish me luck.

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