It's the end of 2011, and I've decided to make some changes. For anyone following my blog at blogger, you can now find it here on WordPress. I made the move because I like the dashboard options better there, and because my other (professional website) is there. This will be my final post here on blogger.
In the new year I'm planning on trying to review books once a week. So hopefully you'll find more to read. First up in 2012 will be Sabrina Furminger's book, The Healer. I'd also like to write more about life in Toronto, and my experiences there.
So, if you're reading, or you get RSS feeds or emails, please update them to this new link: http://myquirkycity.wordpress.com. And if you notice anything amiss in the new site, please let me know!
All, Since I haven't done any reviews lately for My Quirky Reading Room, I've decided to merge it with My Quirky City. I hope any of you reading it don't mind, this is the first in a few blog moves. I will be posting a review of Sabrina Furminger's book the Healer here soon, so stay tuned! And if you're interested in health care design, please check out my website: http://hcfitzpatrick.com.
Tuesday, my husband, brother and I took in a game at BMO stadium at the CNE grounds in Toronto. Canada played against St. Kitts and Nevis, and had a distinctly home ice advantage. I should say home field advantage, but with dropping temperatures and increasing moisture both teams slid all over the place. It was an awesome game. We had decent ($40) seats south of centre-field, four rows back.
I love soccer fans. Next to us the St. Kitts crowd yelled to cheer on their team, but more often than not, they were drowned out by the Canadians at the end. I wanted to be part of that exuberant section.
In the end, the game was decent, though there were some hot tempers between both sides, despite the cool temperatures. I really love sportsmanship in games, and despite some of the hot tempers, I appreciate it when a team kicks a ball out for an injured player (the St Kitts goalie), and when the ball comes back into play, they throw it back to them (Canadian defense throw in.)
St. Kitts fans in the crowd.
St. Kitts fans next to us
Canadian fans!
GOALLLLLLL!
Scorerboard
In the end, Canada won 4-0, and they'll be in Cuba for their next game, June 8, 2012. Their next home game will be on Canadian grass against Honduras, though they won't have the Canadian winter to their advantage for their June 12, 2012 game.
Go Canada Go! We hope to see you play in Brazil, World Cup 2014!
Also, in the future there will be changes to this blog, starting with amalgamating it and Quirky Reading Room. Eventually, this blog will move to Wordpress, likely in the new year.
Finally, does anyone want a review of the vendors from our wedding?
Last Wednesday (the 24th of August) I made it out of Toronto and to Guelph just before the Tornado watches arrived to see my friend Jo read her work along with 2 other ladies for The Sound of Writing: Readings at the eBar. I've never been to a reading of people's works before, only a CBC radio interview with Margaret Atwood (that was amazing) so I wasn't sure what to expect. Each of the ladies read from their published works. The genres ranged quite a bit, but all three impressed me with their ability to share their works to our (somewhat) small audience.
Jo, editor at The Glass Coin, read from her story, "The Glass Slipper", a reinterpretation of the Cinderella story from a maiden's perspective, published in The Mystic Signals 4 Anthology, as a series of short fantasy stories. To my knowledge it was her first reading, and she did a great job. I may be a touch biased though, she did originally write the story to make me laugh, however I feel justified in my bias since it made the rest of the audience chuckle as well. I loved the subtle societal commentary running throughout her story, which could also apply to our TMZ obsessed time. She also had stylish shoes; very important in a story about a glass slipper.
Next up was Gemma Files. She read excerpts from volumes 1 & 2 of her Hexslinger Series, published by ChiZine Publications. While I'm not particularly into the Gay Paranormal Romance genre, Gemma had an excellent written style, and a very practiced voice. Her characters were well researched and I enjoyed her reading very much specifically because of her style.
Last but not least, was Sephera Giron. I must apologize for the lack of photograph, but in my frequent attempts to check the Tornado warnings I used up my phone's battery by the time she took the stage. A romance novelist with a lenghty publishing history, Sephera read most of her horror story "Release" from Asylum 1: The Psycho Ward, also published by ChiZine. Her voice was strong and clear, and played on the mental acuity of the protagonist as she suffered through the voices in her head. The story was so strong, and the character so vivid, I felt relieved when she stopped before the end, as I could see it coming. The cascades of lightening behind her made the story much more ominous.
Over all I enjoyed the readings. They are a regular occurrence for The Sound of Writing, so if you're interested in more, follow their Facebook page for future events. Congratulations ladies, you did a fantastic job!
On Saturday a couple of girlfriends and I went to the Elmwood Spa for some pampering. My friend had a mani/pedi combo the last time she was there for her wedding and said it was the best one she'd ever had! I got my very first pedicure, (the Elmline Essential Pedicure) and my pedicurist Lynd was very professional and friendly (and said my feet were in good condition). I was a bit ticklish when my feet were being pumiced.
Next time I would wear better sandals though. I was going out and walking around for a while after the pedicure, so I wanted to wear something comfortable while showing off my toes. They tried putting them on before the polish, but my Birkenstock strap just overlapped the nail. While it was a bit expensive for my current budget, I may go back there for a treat every now and then. Maybe next time I'll try one of their many other services, like a hot stone massage or the waters. Thanks for the afternoon treat Ladies!
Next up was 
