Darkness fills my heart with calmness

Hello.

I have been very bad in blogging. As in: I haven't. For ages.

There really hasn't been a whole lot going on, though. Let me bring you up to speed.

Last time I spoke to you there were a few things in the pipeline. I had lost my metrocard. This was not ideal but it did force me to walk to work for three weeks. This took me about 45 minutes each way and I thought it would result in a fitter, buffer me. It didn't. Never mind. It was interesting to walk the same route over and over again, listening to music, gettting a little lost in my thoughts. By the time I got into the office, though, I was hot and bothered and had sore feet. I was very glad to see November arrive which allowed me to buy a new metropass and suddenly be freed up to go places and get to work quicker!

Also, the Edinburgh art exhibition thing, Hidden Door, took place and I understand that it was pretty successful. I need to speak to the artist who used my work for photos and I shall show you all the results thereof.

I have had another couple of pictures in the paper I shoot for:



This month (as in, for December) I was asked to submit some shots that evoke the theme 'Giving and Receiving' so I went for a military angle, as in giving you life for your country, as well as a charity shop perspective. When I submitted them I was told that they were nice but the theme had changed to 'Holiday Season'. I said 'Oh, Christmas!' and was told: 'No. 'The Holidays'. What the hell is that!? So I have to take photos of decorations and tinsel and bells and lights and trees but NOT in a Christmas way? Great. So we'll see how I get on.

I have bought a nice winter jacket. It's green and made of wool. It is nice. I bought a nice, 4m scarf to go with it. I also got some Spiderman earmuffs and a lovely hat so am well ready for the winter season - bring it on! It snowed today so it should be getting more and more wintry.

Speaking of which, Ceri and I have planned our Christmas break away. Not the chocolate biscuit. We are heading to Montreal for a few days over Christmas and are very excited. It will be sad not to be with loved ones/family but I think we will make the most of it. I am envisioning us sat on the bed in the hotel in robes, eating ice cream out of the tub watching Home Alone. Maybe. And apart from that we are going to go to a few museums, maybe church (why not?), a look around. It will be snowy I hope and I can wrap up with my new wardrobe.

A little announcement is that I am coming home at the end of February. I was intending on returning (originally) in early April but don't want to pay to reschedule my flights, plus I have people waiting for me back home (and I am eager to get back to them). I have achieved quite a bit over here and am satisfied. Ceri and I are planning on travelling in February before we come home so once we've done that all of my boxes will have been ticked. It's exciting to think about coming home; there are so many things that I miss and that I'll be glad to get back to, as well as people. So when we know more about where we are heading I shall inform everyone. We hope to swing by New Orleans and See Jackie (yay).

Right now Ceri and I have had some wine, Ceri's curled her hair, I've watched X Factor and I feel like going to bed despite the fact that's it's not even 10 p.m.

I hope everyone back home is ok and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Russell x

Gorillaz - Doncamatic feat. Daley (HD)

Why You Can't Find Good Eggs in Toronto

Why You Can't Find Good Eggs in Toronto

"Camping: nature's way of promoting the motel industry."

If you go down to the woods today you'll be in for DEATH BY BEAR.

Hello.

Since I last wrote anything Ceri and I have been camping. We went to Algonquin National Park, four hours north of Toronto. We had a slightly interesting trip, beginning with the departure. Ceri booked the tickets and was told the bus left at 1.30pm on a Friday. I had planned to take a half day on Friday and then catch the bus. Late on Thursday evening Ceri came into my room to tell me that after checking the tickets, the bus actually left first thing on Friday morning. So I left my boss a voicemail just before midnight saying 'sorry! I can't come in at all today, oops'. That also meant that we had to get all the shopping for the trip that night instead of the next morning.

So we got to bed late, got up early and got to the bus. After a lovely journey (although I had forgotten my headphones for my iPod) our stop was called out: 'Lake of Two Rivers!'. So we got off and watched the bus leave us amidst pretty autumn colours and canoes. When we checked at the office to find our campsite, however, it turned out that we were still 20km from it. They had called out our stop one early. There was no way we could get there ourselves but eventually a lovely staff lady person offered to drive us there. 20 minutes later we had been dropped off at the plot in a lovely pine woodland.

We immediately got to work setting up camp. We started with the tent. Upon unpacking it all, though, it became apparent that the main body of the tent did not match the cover. We tried it many different ways but in the end had to choose whether or not we wanted the front or the back covered. We weren't best pleased. Then we tied up our tarp over the picnic bench, between a few trees (rain had been forecast). After that we got our food bag and hoisted it up into the trees so that bears and such couldn't get to it. So far, so alright.

That night we made a fire and had some marshmallows and s'mores, then had an early night, shattered. It rained all night long, but somehow our makeshift tent kept the water off us. It was lovely to doze through the pattering rain and it was cold enough to make sleeping in a sleeping bag comfortable.



The next morning we got up and set out for a little hike. The maps were vague and confusing but we followed them anyway. My sense of direction and enthusiasm convinced Ceri to go on instead of turning back at one point. We'd walked for a couple of hours and couldn't tell if we were on a 32km trail or just coming to the end of a shorter one. Luckily we got our bearings and carried on. That's when we saw our first bear.

We were making a lot of noise and singing the whole time (as we'd been advised: bears don't like it and leave sharply instead of hanging around to kill you). I was just taking my turn in auditioning for the X Factor (my piece was 'Dancing on my Own' by Robyn) when Ceri did a 180 and walked back passed me. I turned and she looked shocked and said 'there's a bear'. I looked down the trail and saw, what I thought were, a pair of human legs step up off the path. I told Ceri this but shouted just in case: 'Hello!? If you're a human can you say something?'. There was no answer. Then suddenly what I assumed was a tree moved and I realised that it was a bear. Shit.

I walked back towards Ceri and said 'off we go then, back down the trail'. We walked pretty quickly back to the crossroads we just left. We were a little rattled since we were hours from anywhere and hadn't seen anyone else for almost as long. We decided to wait a bit and then continue as we had intended and hope the bear had moved on. Luckily an older couple just arrived going our way and we went on together, chatting and stomping. Plus they had bear spray.

We eventually got to the cycle trail, only a mile and a bit from the camp site. The old people went a different way and we carried on. Then, right up ahead, a MASSIVE BEAST walked into the path and looked round. It was a bit surprising but luckily it was a moose. A huge moose stag. Then his lady-wife stepped out and joined him. We followed them and took some pictures and a few other people congregated to watch the amazing animals have a munch. They left the path and we walked on, everyone else having cycled off. Ceri and I were alone again.

I heard a watery noise immediately to my left and turned to see a bear literally two metres away from me. He was too close to photograph with my zoom lens. Not that I'd have dared. I walked up beside Ceri and grabbed her forearm and urged her to walk briskly and not look behind and that the bear probably hadn't seen us. We were on edge again but got back to camp soon after and were able to laugh about it.

The next day we packed up and waited for the bus home and were so relieved to get back and be able to relax not having been eaten.

Since that weekend I have done not very much yet again. Work is going well and I am really enjoying it. Everyone is lovely and bring me cakes. I got my hair cut by a lesbian and she managed to make me not look like a lesbian. Bonus.

In slightly more exciting news a friend of mine suggested my work as part of an art installation taking place in Edinburgh this month. The artist liked my work and has agreed to use some of my leaf/sky images, so I'm waiting to see how that all works out. Anyone in Edinburgh should go and see Hidden Door!

I had another image published in 'Good News Toronto', a better image this time I think (see below). I have sold one of my Lego badges as well - maybe as Christmas gets nearer there'll be more sales. Maybe not.



This weekend is a long one with Monday being a holiday. It's called Thanksgiving. Ceri and I went to the shops today and bought all the things we'll need for a lovely roast tomorrow. I'm making my own nut roast and Ceri has already decimated her chicken in preparation. Brussels Sprouts! Nommers!

I lost my metrocard yesterday. I'm gutted. There's still most of the month to go but I've decided that instead of buying a new one (what a waste of $121) i will take advantage of being able to walk to work (it should only take around 50 minutes each way). This weekend has been really warm and sunny so I hope that the month continues and I have a relatively pleasant commute on foot. If anything it might help get into better shape (other than round).

That's it, really. Nothing too groundbreaking. Hope all's well back home and that the weather is ok. I'm missing watching X Factor with family or friends as is tradition but at least someone is uploading the acts pretty soon after they have aired. It's the little things, eh?

Thank you, BYE!

Melissa is a Genius.

, originally uploaded by melissa lestari.

How cool is this little guy!?

"Oh, give us the man who sings at his work."

Hello you lot.

Here I am again. I haven't written for a while, as is becoming the norm, but now I have saved up news and such to regale you with. Please be thankful. Others aren't so lucky.

Where was I? I came back from New York, where I had the best time. It's so amazing. Dan left that week and I had to concentrate getting back into the job market. Money. That's what I needed. I managed to arrange an interview for the day after he left and was lucky enough to be offered it on the spot.

I now work at NWMO, which is an organisation that works towards making sure that any governmental nuclear waste is disposed as safely and efficiently as possible, regarding human welfare, the natural world and the economy. I was in dire need of work so couldn't turn it down but have been amazed at how interesting it all is. My position is technically: formatter and proofreader. The company is very public with everything it does but still, of course, needs to submit any proposal in writing to the government and to the public sector so my job is to proofread, edit and re-format these documents before they are released. I am working on a 500 + page one now. It's very interesting and the people are lovely and I am really enjoying it.

Last week Ceri and I started volunteering at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). It's so much fun and we've been able to see a few films for free as well as getting vouchers for each shift we do which we can redeem against screenings. It's been incredibly hectic at times with publicists being total arseholes and really quite vile, but on the whole it's great meeting like-minded people and having a laugh. Ceri took this week off to do it but I am still at work and working there in the evenings. It's a long day but worth it.

So far I have seen three films: The Frankenstein Project, 13 Assassins and Norwegian Wood. All were good in their own way but the second one was amazing.

Other than that I've been too busy/poor to be up to anything else. I put a deposit on a cardigan which I'm excited about. Oh! I've had a photo published in a Toronto newspaper which is nice. They want me to do more as well so that's good. Oh! My photos that were displayed in the Sleeping Giant are now in the Bloordale Pantry (a lovely diner near my house) and hopefully someone will purchase one or more.

Also my badges are now on sale in a shop too. Have I said that already? I've had some wine and I'm unsure as to what I've already mentioned in an earlier post...

I need to be more arty. Any advice?

Right, that's me. I'm off to have a rest and then go to bed, ready for work tomorrow. Hope everyone in Blighty and everywhere else is well. I miss you all and am looking forward to coming back and completing a tour of the UK and seeing all you lovely people again. I love it here but I'm already excited about coming back.

Bye! : )

When I grow up, I want to be a photographer...

Hello!

Have a sneak preview at my new website type thing:

http://www.wix.com/russelldornan/photography

Let me know what you think if you have any comments...

: )

“One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years”

Hello everybody!

I am so sorry that I have not written anything on my blob for a long time but I have been rather busy. After finishing work at MJF I went to Hockey Camp (as you should know from reading this blob) for 5 weeks and after that my other half came over to visit and I spent the subsequent, and therefore previous, 4 weeks relaxing and traveling (i.e. not working).

What have I been up to, you may ask? Well, I'm glad you did. I basically spent most of my time relaxing and seeing parts of Toronto I like and others that I had never seen. I went to a screening at the After Dark Film Festival at Bloor Cinema of Robogeisha, a bizarre SciFi film featuring a geisha who becomes more and more android-ee and kills lots of weird men in very strange ways. I was really weird but very funny.

I was taken to dinner on the 51st (?) floor of a building in Toronto where we could see the skyline as it got dark. The food was nice and the view was incredible.

I went thrift store shopping more than ever and got a few bargains; I'm really stocking up on woollen monstrosities, ready for the harsh winter (he says hoping). The hot weather is driving me mad and I want it to stop. No one should have to wear shorts and flip-flops for 8 weeks straight.

Then a few weeks ago we went to New York. N'ork is the one place that I have wanted to visit for as long as I can remember. Through books and film and television and music it has become synonymous with glamour, intrigue, excitement, opportunity, potential, buzz, avant garde, towering and the ultimate city on earth in many ways. I went there not so much with expectations but rather a vortex of 'feelings', almost knowing what it would be like before I got there. I was pretty much on the money. It is incredible. It is magical. It is one of the best cities I have ever been to. The most amazing part about N'ork is that as soon as you arrive and get amongst it's rising rectangles and stretching streets you feel as though there's nowhere else you'd rather be and there's nowhere else you should be. It's very strange. It's not like one is instantly at home there but there is an overwhelming familiarity that floods the brain when walking through movie scenes and drifting between lyrics of songs. I don't meant to sound overly romantic or rose-tinty about the place but it truly is a spectacle and best of all I didn't find it dirty, rude, intimidating, messy or unfriendly. Just the opposite. It's kinetic and I want to live there. I can't. Damn.

Here's what I did there:

1. Tuesday: Arrival in the evening after a 10 hour bus journey. Dan and I stayed with some friends of his family just off Central Park.
2. Wednesday: We walked to Central Park and had a mooch around (it is massive). From there we wandered to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim, walked down 5th and Madison Avenues to Times Square. It is good. Like a higher, bigger version of Leicester Square. On the way my favourite building was playing hide 'n' seek with me, the cheeky scamp! The Chrysler kept peeking round corners at me. We visited ToysRus (there's a T Rex in there and loads of Lego!). We walked back up to the apartment we were staying in, dropping by the American Museum of Natural History on the way and saw some animals and dinosaurs. Nice.
3. Thursday: We went to Staten Island using the free ferry and saw the Statue of Liberty and the skyline on the way. We got off the ferry and immediately back on and went back. From the Southern-most tip of Manhattan we walked up to Ground Zero (basically a huge construction site) and had a pizza nearby. Then we walked to/through China Town and Little Italy. The former was a bit shabby and oppressive but the latter was lovely and I wanted to eat there but we were cooked dinner that evening. Cheese, wine, pasta, wine, cocktails, corn on the cob, wine, salad, wine and soup. And wine. Nom, nom, nom.
4. Friday: Rockerfeller! We went to the newly opened Lego shop where I bought some Lego (obviously). Then it was up 60 floors to the top of the building for incredible 360 degree views across the city. We debated this and it was our single most lavish expense ($20) but it was awesome. The Empire State Building truly has to be seen. It comes in at number 2 Then we went to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and had an ace time looking at arty fings and that. I am well cultured. I think I had a bagel for dinner that night. It was quite late.
5. Saturday: Flea Market. Wow. Lots of lovely things. Probably the only time I regretted not having loads of cash to splash (there was a really nice tea towel for example...) but I did buy a German copy of The Little Prince from the '60s and Dan bought some old printing blocks wiv fancy geezers on 'em. I then visited my third favourite building in the city, the Flatiron building. It. Is. Narrow. Then we had a look around the Village and saw Grace's office (Will & Grace). We were taken out for dinner (a lovely Indian) which was dericious and nommers.
6. Sunday: What a day. We went to Brooklyn (I desperately want to live there) and attended a free gig by the water looking over at the Manhattan skyline. All week we'd had hot muggy days and sunshine and blue skies. Not Sunday. Of course not Sunday: we were at an open air gig! We queued for 2 hours in torrential rain (which held up the gig even more) and although we both had brollies we got soaked. It was the worst weather I have ever experienced in North America to date, fact-fans. Once we got in we reveled in the views of Manhattan and watched all the warm-up acts: Telephone, Suzann and Kid Sister. Then the headliners (who we were there to see), Chromeo, came on and were amazing. The rain pretty much stayed 'threatening' as opposed to 'pissing' so it was perfectly fine. After this and 8 hours of dampness and feet pressure we grabbed a bagel in Brooklyn and then went back to the apartment, shattered.
7. Monday: Home. Sadface.

So that was N'ork. It was ace. Toronto felt so small afterwards. And calm. And provincial. But also homey in a way. Once back there was more relaxing and then job hunting to be done. I saw Scott Pilgrim (which I thoroughly enjoyed). Dan left a few days ago which was sad but it was a lovely time had by all. I managed to get a job unsettlingly quickly (for a Nuclear Waste Organisation, weirdly) and start that on Tuesday.

In other news I have plopped my Lego and button badges into a little retro/vintage store near where I live and I have just found out that a funky (and very tasty) diner near the aforementioned store would like to display my photographic images (previously seen in the Sleeping Giant Gallery).

Oh! Ceri and I have been approved and now trained to volunteer for TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival). Ceri will be doing general things at the World Cinema screen and I shall be doing the same thing at the Press & Industry screens. We're very excited and there are some groovy films playing this year that we should get into.

I think that's it, everyone. This has been a well long post so you should be happy! Don't moan at me again, pleasethanks.

Is everyone ok? I'd like to hear what you're all up to. It's hard to ask you all individually so if you ever fancy dropping me a message I would likely well up with honour and then cry for hours about it. Honest.

I have added all my N'ork pictures (not really all, but possibly the only ones you lot will be bothered about) onto Flickr. Have a look, yeah? They are HERE! (click on the word 'here')

: )

I hope I see this, Black Swan, at the Toronto Film Festival...

The Big Pomme

Hello,

I am SO sorry I haven't written an entry in here for AGES but I have been busy and that.

I am off to New York City early tomorrow morning and will undoubtedly have loads to blob about then. I shall try to blob as I go but we'll see.

Hope you're all well and I look forward to writing at you again over the next few days.

: )

DOWNLOAD: Matthew Dear - Soil To Seed

DOWNLOAD: Matthew Dear - Soil To Seed

Hazy Clouds in Aurora (and children)

Herro,

I have survived the first two weeks of Hockey Camp everyone! Whee! It has been a rollercoaster. A very long and slow chug, chug, chug up and up and up and then whooooooooosh! last minute mega madness!

I am having a lovely time but it is quite stressful. The children are fun and make me feel welcome. I am awesome and cool and have the best accent. This is what the 6-10 year olds thought, polls show. I am inclined to agree. I got chants on the bus about it. Everyone knows that makes it a fact.

My first slide show fell on deaf eyes: there was disorganisation (not on my part) and hardware crashes etc but I got the DVD made and over to the place in time but the projector etc was such that widescreen didn't work! So the slide show was a major let down. For me, at least. So for the last week, I have been living on St Andrew's Campus and was lucky enough to get my own room. It's hot and humid but it's mine. I get up in the morning and edit photos while the children are on the ice and then I photograph them playing other sports and team building exercises back here on campus in the evenings.

The food started off shaky. Not like jelly (or Jell-o). I asked for the veggie option on the first night last Sunday and got given fish. I smiled and repeated myself. They then repeated themselves. "Fish may be the veggie option, but it's not a veggie option." I said. Mmm, dry pasta...

It got better as the week went on (save for some beef-riddled vegetarian samosas) and I have enjoyed veggie quesadillas, stuffed vegetables including peppers and courgettes, pizza (twice)...

The slideshow on Friday went down a storm and I had kiddies afterwards telling me that I got some sweet, sick and nice pictures of them. Sick in Canada = good. I'm told. People speak funny here.

So the third week of camp has started again and I have already taken the shots of children crying and saying goodbye to mum, dad, big sis and the hairy dog. Sometimes it's hard to tell the latter two apart. And now I am waiting to head out to the field to take photos of the same children as last week (mostly) meeting each other for the first (well, second) time. I assume the team building evolves each week otherwise: yawn.

I don't really have any other news apart form the fact that Amy is still here, but annexed to the rink so I hardly see her, and getting to know the other staff is making things more enjoyable in that way. In other news Ab Fab kept me company last week as did Brittas Empire and this week it will be Keeping Up Appearances. That's exciting. Any other good British sitcoms to recommend?

More updates as events warrant!

House (Hausu) Trailer

"Ice hockey is a form of disorderly conduct in which the score is kept."

Greetings from 'camp'.

Yesterday was my first day at Roger Neilson's Hockey Camp and was a very busy and tiring one. I arrived on Sunday afternoon and was collected from the bus and taken to the ice rink. There I met Amy (first aid extraordinaire) who was helping register the kids who were starting camp on Monday. This first week is different to all the others; it is called day camp and the children, although joining us all week, are not spending the night. Later in the evening I experienced my first adult camp. Every evening from 8-10pm a group of adult novices are taught general ice hockey skills.

This was my first chance to get some photos of action on the rink. First thoughts: the lighting is horrendous.

After that was all done and we had cleared up and sorted ourselves out, Marshall (camp director), Amy and I went back to Marshall's. This is where Amy and I are staying for our first week because the residences on campus aren't ready yet. We were to be up at 6am the next day ready for a full day (7am-10pm) on Monday.

I slept OK and although the sofa was comfortable, I wasn't. I don't like living out of a bag anymore. I'm to old for that, ha! Bleary-eyed, Amy and I were driven to the rink to start our first day. Amy was here last year so she was telling me how things work and what everyone's like. When we got there I got my schedule. There are 8 teams (I won't bore you with the names) and they are put into pairs. Throughout the day the pairs of teams enjoy various activities (hockey practice, hockey games, swimming, team building, recreation, etc), each pair doing each thing at a different time. This is the same schedule they have for the week.

My job was then to witness and photographically capture/document these activities. I spent the whole day chasing the groups around the complex and took in excess of 1000 photos. For lunch we had lasagne (there was a veggie one, phew!) and garlic bread. It was nom nom nom.

The children at camp range from 6 to about 12 (the overnighters include older kids too). The wee ones are so cute. There's one in particular, Max, who is adorable. He's a goalie and waddles out on the ice head to toe in padding and kit; he's barely 4' tall and looks a little bit like R2D2. Bless.

I'm not sure how many of you have watched an ice hockey game, but I'm positive you know how rough and violent it can be. Watching children learn and play is amazing, they are all so talented on the ice. The aggression mounts as the children age as well. The six year olds are all enthusiasm and laughter; the 12 year olds all scowls and yells. They are all agile and very quick. When the games get underway it's really fun to watch. I just have to remember to take photos!

The day dragged a little as I followed the groups and activities around. The heat is unbearable this week as well, in the high 30s but with added humidity it feels like mid 40s. Unfortunately a lot of the team building is outdoors and I can't stand it. Tomorrow I hope it will be cooler so that I can get a few decent shots without my camera melting through my hands. Here's a random shot, don't tell anyone - it's not for here, really...


Once the kids all get picked up at 5pm some stay on for power skating until 6. Then we have a two hour break (Amy and I went to get food and have a seat) before coming back to the rink for the adult skaters again. It was a loooong day. It wasn't until the end of the day that Marshall told me that I don't need to be there for the whole day. Basically as long as I get the shots I need to, he's happy.

So this morning I got up at 8am, edited some of Monday's shots (I'd already spent most of the previous evening doing it) and walked over to the rink at 11am. I lost about 20kg in sweat on the way there, humphing my camera case in 43 degree sun heat death rays of doom. Once I got there I checked my schedule, in terms of the shots I still needed and sought out the relevant teams. Then I had lunch; not so good today. Hot dogs. In my case: vegetarian sausages. They were sick. 'Luckily' veggie hot dogs taste just like regular ones (for obvious reasons). So that was rank. But it filled a hole.

I took a few more photos and then left the rink at 2pm to walk back to Marshall's place to finish the editing and sort out the new batch. Every step sucked out moisture from my soon-to-be-crispy skin. It was nice to have a much more relaxed day. I was then able to sit in the AC and edit the many, many photos while planning what was still needed.

Now I am relaxing on the sofa chatting to Amy about her day (she still needs to stay until after 10om). I feel bad because we shared the long first day but now I set my own hours in a way. Ah well, she's a trooper and will be fine.

In addition to the group leaders (called counsellors) there are staff called 'Rink Rats' who help the children get their skates on (ha) and provide the water and any other assistance. They are all pretty young (15+) but they are lovely. I got to know them all a little bit today.

So far so good. I have two full days now with more photos to take and more editing to do and then the slide show to compile for the Friday night awards ceremony. It's rather fun. I am looking forward to getting into the residence and having my own room (although there's talk of sharing, hmm).

This is enough computer work for tonight. I hope everyone's well and taking care of each other in my absence. I nearly wrote abscess, weird!

Good night : )

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Trailer

"The virtue of the camera is not the power it has to transform the photographer into an artist, but the impulse it gives him to keep on looking"

Hello!

I have got a job, like. A new one, innit? I am now due to start my first full-time photography job on the 5th July, for five weeks.

I am going to be working on St Andrews Boy's College which hosts a five week sports camp. My job is:

• to capture images throughout each camp day (of all people and groups and activities)
• electronically file my work
• prepare a slide show/DVD for each Friday night Awards Ceremony

I have five weeks of pure photography. In addition to this they also want a complete photo record of the campus. it's beautiful. Here's a picture:

I could hardly find any others because even the college site doesn't have many of the campus itself. I shall change that, of course. There are some wee ones here.

I will be living on the campus for the five weeks and have all my food paid for, which is exciting me. No commute, no shopping, no cooking, no dirt. No Ceri, but that's not quite as fun, although I'm sure she'll cope without me. I hope I don't get bored.


I shall keep everyone up to date with how it's going. I hope this finds you lot all well too.


Russell : )

All My Friends (literally)

Hello,

A lovely lass at work, Neha, has moaned that I have not mentioned her or Summer, another friend/colleague, in this here blob. Now. I'm not sure why this is. Neither of them are particularly weird (well...) and they have made an effort. They drive me places, buy me lunch and attend all my gallery openings (ha), so I really should mention them.

Instead of a cursory name-drop, though, here is a special post dedicated to the dastardly duo.

Say 'hello', from left to right (excluding us of course), to Neha and Summer (otherwise known as Heha and Bummer):

They are an utter boon! They are also the youngest people at MJF (where I work) other than meself and I am lucky enough to be sat near them and honoured to work with them.

Here's to you both, Heha and Bummer! Rejoice in your budding propaganderous Internet careers! Huzzah!

Sleeping Giant? Sleeping is right!

Hello!

I did not realise how long it has been since I last wrote anything. I guess this is a normal thing to happen: keep up the writing for so long and then suddenly it's been weeks since the last entry...

Anyway! What haz we all bin up to, eh? Well last Friday (11th) the exhibition featuring some of my work opened. Ceri and I and some friends attended the launch, although it was more of a late-night viewing. There were no medals or guest speakers waxing lyrical about me and my AMAZING pictorials. Ah well. It was nice to see my work up there, though. Here I am at the event with my pictures looking like a weirdo:



Some friends popped by to see some work this week and found it to be closed for no reason. The owner wasn't that bothered. I've decided that it was my first one and that it is all a learning curve and will make sure, next time, that the gallery I choose isn't owned by a tot-rash. They may as well be asleep...

On the Saturday (12th) Ceri and I went vintage clothes shopping in the most amazing charity shops ever. Amazing not because they were of great quality or class but volume. There was so much that we managed to find a few gems. Miranda would have the best time ever - it's like TK Maxx but everything is $2 and vintage. I bought a pair of Rollerblades. It's an exciting time to be me.

On Saturday afternoon we went to Ajax, to see Bill and Kath, for the first time since we moved into the city. It was lovely to see them again and they were so sweet and excited to see us. We went for dinner and managed to pay (ha!) for their food too. The next morning (we stayed over) they drove us to Niagara Falls. It was really immense. I always imagined that they would be mahoosive and engulf the world in front of me but, rather, they were just really big. Not unimpressive, just nowhere near as big as they were in my head all these years. I took quite a few photos (obviously) but surprisingly not that many of the actual falls themselves:



You can see all my Niagara Falls pictures if you click on the right of this - see the thumbnails? We had a wander around the area and B&K drove us to a clock made of flowers (!) and then we went for dinner at Niagara on the Lake, which was a lovely place but the food was not so good. We were then driven home, shattered.

Over the last week I have been at work, doing nothing very special at all. And guess what? So has Ceri! Yes, folks, Ceri got a job - it sounds very nice - any of you who know her probably already know about it. She's working for a gold mining company and is enjoying it so far. So once her money (or ingots) start rolling in we can really start to enjoy the city.

Yesterday we went to see Toy Story 3. I can't stress enough how much you all need to see this film. It was amazing. Toy Story 2 managed to improve on an almost perfect original movie and the third installment is no different. It's grown up and sad and achingly poignant. But it is still a children's film and very funny. Please go and see it.

Today I had an interview. It's for something that might be quite amazing. I don't want to say too much in case I don't get it but it was for a full-time photography job for a summer camp lasting 5 weeks. The job is basically to compile a complete photo-record of the camp experience as attended by 6-16 year old children as well as the campus itself and the teachers and educators. I got shown around the campus (it's held on the site of St Andrew's Private School, North of Toronto) and it's stunning. I wanted to start right then. It would be an amazing chance. I'll keep you posted.

By the way, the rollerblading is going down a storm. Ceri helped me and I got on OK although I cracked my kneed off when I fell. The next night i went out alone with newly bought protective gear and really went for it. I was so good! I can stop now, and do a little spin thing. I did fall over and managed to land on the one square inch of my body not protected but plastic and am now sporting a pretty graze/bruise/swelling on my elbow. Soon, I can Rollerblade to the park and dodge grannies (unless they're mean-looking) and maybe even convince Ceri to get in on the act.

I think that's all folks. I hope there are still people willing to read this, despite the hiatus. There will be more to come as events warrant.

Love to all,

R : )

Drop Cap

ussell Dornan has discovered Drop Cap.com.

The largest hot-air balloon gathering in the world, Chambley, France.

The largest hot-air balloon gathering in the world, Chambley, France. So far today, more then 150.000 views and 5.700 Faves!, originally uploaded by gbatistini.

Wow, what a picture...

RO(o)M

Hello!

It has been a little while, hasn't it? I hope you're all still alive and hungry for news...

Since I am a little bit behind I am going to go day-by-day. Last weekend to start with:

Friday: I got my first (and hopefully only) Canadian cell phone. Ceri and I went to the Eaton Centre downtown which is a massive mall with loads of nice shops. Every phone provider we went to seemed a bit rubbish and it turned out that without a Canadian credit card we had to got pay-as-you-go. We then stumbled upon one called 'Koodo' where the lady was far more helpful and using my Social Insurance Number and (hideous) provisional was able to get a month to month contract. Let me know if any of you can text internationally for free, because I can! We got some dinner and then went home and watched a moovee.

Saturday: I went to get my hair cut at a place called Glam. Daina cut it really well and I was happy to get the best cut for a long time. She was lovely too, telling me about things in Toronto to do, what to watch out for (good and bad) as well just being a bit daft. Afterwards I met Ceri and we went back to the Eaton Centre (Ceri didn't have any ID with her on Friday) and Ceri went for the same deal as I did. We were insulted by the guy in the store while we did (first he slagged off the Welsh and then 'admitted' they weren't as bad as the Scots - he says he was joking but I think he was flirting with Ceri, in a way). After that we went shopping and had some lunch before heading back home to chill out.

Sunday: Bill & Kath (cast your feeble minds back to a few weeks ago - they are the couple we stayed with upon our arrival) have a lovely next door neighbour (everybody needs 'em) who had offered to take us out of a Sunday. So that's what occurred. Her name is Christie (although B&K think it's Krista...) and we met her outside the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum - pictured). She was lovely and managed to get us in for free (normally it's $22 EACH!) and we had a leisurely look around. It was nice but a little odd to see dinosaurs (amazing - T. Rex, Barosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Stegosaurus and a full-sized, not-a-dinosaur-but-still-amazing, suspended-from-the-ceiling Quetzalcoatlus!) and tapestries and cultural artifacts under one roof. (What a clunky sentence, sorry!). The gift shop was rubbash! They had four postcards! Weird. After the museum Christie drove us to the Danforth, the famous Greek area in Toronto where had an amazing (and far-too-filling) meal (I had veggie moussaka, nom). After this we then went to the cinema and had our first Canadian movie experience; we saw Iron Man 2, which, despite the negative reviews, we still enjoyed. What a day!

Monday: Queen Victoria's birthday. This is relevant because for some reason this means everything in Canada (or at least Ontario) shuts down. So we had a long weekend! Ceri and I got up late and walked to the park. I should add at this point that the weekend had been sweltering with Monday clocking in at over 26 degrees and 70% humidity. We sat in the aprk for a bit but it was so hot that I had to leave. Walking back (about a mile) to the house left bits of me dribbled on the sidewalk. It was too hot. And it was going to get worse.

Since then I have done nothing exciting at all. Oh! The airconditioning was on when I got in on Tuesday evening - that was a lovely surprise. It's been on since because it keeps getting hotter - yesterday was over 28 degrees. I have to change before I leave the office (shorts and T-shirt) lest I don't make it to the bus-stop.

I cant believe it's Friday tomorrow already, but that's great news because I want to sleep. Getting up just before 6am every day is losing its (already very limited) appeal and I am constantly looking for work more central. Ceri is still looking too, and is setting up as many interviews as she can.

This weekend I think will involve going to the beach with people from work and relaxing and sunbathing (I have SPF60!).

I hope everyone back home is well and is also getting up to some exciting stuff - I hear the weather is nice back there - am I correct in this assumption?

DOWNLOAD: Sebastian Blanck - Thunder (feat. Caroline Polachek)

DOWNLOAD: Sebastian Blanck - Thunder (feat. Caroline Polachek)

A Little Marvel

This is a nice little Marvel image. Can anyone name them all?

"Art is dead! There's nothing left to say."

And now a word from 'Calvin & Hobbes':

Calvin: Dad, how come old photographs are always black and white? Didn't they have color film back then?
Dad: Sure they did. In fact, those old photographs are in color. It's just the world was black and white then.
Calvin: Really?
Dad: Yep. The world didn't turn color until sometime in the 1930s, and it was pretty grainy color for a while, too.
Calvin: That's really weird.
Dad: Well, truth is stranger than fiction.
Calvin: But then why are old paintings in color?! If their world was black and white, wouldn't artists have painted it that way?
Dad: Not necessarily. A lot of great artists were insane.
Calvin: But... but how could they have painted in color anyway? Wouldn't their paints have been shades of gray back then?
Dad: Of course, but they turned colors like everything else did in the '30s.
Calvin: So why didn't old black and white photos turn color too?
Dad: Because they were color pictures of black and white, remember?

Calvin: The world is a complicated place, Hobbes.
Hobbes: Whenever it seems that way, I take a nap in a tree and wait for dinner.

I have confirmed my place at the Sleeping Giant gallery in Toronto. I am one of the 9 'artists' being included in their Black & White (hence the wee aside, above) exhibition which launches on the 2nd of June. I don't have that many details yet but will supply them when I can. If you are on Facebook you can look at the group 'Sleeping Giant Gallery' and see some photos etc. You can even say you 'like' it. Or something.

I am in the middle of figuring out where to get my pictures (or, rather, pieces) printed, mounted, framed etc. It's going to cost quite a lot all in but it should be worth it for the end result. I am excited but also a little sad that you guys in Blighty won't be able to see it. If anyone fancies popping over for it (and maybe purchasing one) then you can totally stay with me!

As I say, more updates as events warrant, but until then I do not really have much more to tell you. Apart from that Ceri and I went to a party on Saturday night with people from my work - they had hired out a hotel room right under the CN Tower (the view was pretty cool) and we had a lovely time meeting and mingling and having some alcohol with people our own age in a social capacity. It had been a while... Other than that it's Ceri's birthday tomorrow but since it's Ceri's birthday in the UK now: HAPPY BIRTHDAY CERI!

Sleeping Giant, Toronto

Hello all,

There has been an exciting development. I am meeting with a gallery tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon to discuss them including a small selection of my pictures in an upcoming exhibition. I submitted a few and they told me which one they liked (the very bottom one, below) and asked me to build a small series around it. I did this and was told that it would suit what they were planning to do.

The gallery is called Sleeping Giant in downtown Toronto. It looks cool from the pictures and sounds like a nice space. The theme of the exhibition is very open (Black & White) and the series I am submitting is along the lines of: 'Reflections in Water' (see below).

I will let you know more details if they get used for definite and when I know more (presumably tomorrow). Not that you'll be able to attend, of course. Sadface. It's quite exciting, no?

Oh and I recorded some dialogue for an iPhone application this afternoon after work. They wanted a British male voice for a cooking app so I supplied my dulcet tones and earned a little cash as well as insider information as to where to go in Newfoundland. Win, win!

Anyway, click on any of the below to have a closer look. They might (fingers crossed) be featured in a funky gallery soon!

We're in!

Hi everyone. Just a little one for now. We have just moved in to our new place and unpacked and settled a bit. About to head out to check out the area and get food etc. We are very happy and excited. HA! : ) (photos to follow)

Vicki's Canadian Mastermind!

What follows are a few questions that Vicki Tough, friend of Roo since 1995, asked me. As you can see they are vital and probing and will provide an as yet hitherto unseen personal insight into my travels thus far!

• Q. What is your favourite Canadian chocolate?
• A. Wunderbar I think. It's like a peanut Boost!
  
• Q. What is your favourite Canadian food?
• A. Homefries are a cross between roast and sauteed tatties and you get them with breakfast; they are delicious.
  
• Q. What is your favourite Canadian word?
• A. So far it would have to be the classic 'Eh' after literally every sentence. It's so funny.
  
• Q. What is your favourite Canadian animal?
• A. I really like raccoons but although I can claim to have seen two, they weren't much more than skidmarks on the highway : (
  
• Q. Where are you right now?
• A. I was in my office at work when I read it but right now I am in Bill and Kath's dining room typing away, with Ceri sat beside me doing sudoku and intermittently looking at the AMAZING LIGHTNING out the window.
  
• Q. Have you seen the new Clash of the Titans movie?
• A. No, as yet we haven't been to the pictures but they are everywhere and really expensive. I trust I shall find a bargain somewhere, though.
  
• Q. What is your new address ?
• A. I shall send this privately to anyone who wants it. You never know who's listening - Mum's the word!

If anyone else has any questions then please do let me know. It's fun. It's like a game. We can play it together. Nice.

(I really fancy some Robinson's no added sugar Orange Squash...)

Today was my last 'Commute of Evil'. The last couple of days certain buses refused to turn up which meant I got home around 8 pm. This is not good since I was waiting for these buses from around 5pm. Ceri and I are spending our last night in Ajax tonight, however, and moving into the city proper tomorrow afternoon so this should be much better. My commute should be shorter and will be cheaper, Ceri will be able to hit the streets for work (not in that way, tsk - although I have already suggested it) on a daily basis and we will have our own space. Not to mention the fact that we can start to get to know the city and feel like we're actually independent (and snazzy).

To supplement my income I have been accepted as the voice of an iPhone cooking app which needed a British male to lend his dulcet tones for 20 lines of dialogue (in turn for $20 and lunch). This should be happening next week so I shall let you know how that goes. I think I'll be a natural. This weekend I'm going to try and earn $150 taking photos of three supermarkets for a retail research company in Massachusetts (it's random but worth 2 hours of my time). I am dragging Ceri into so we can split the money. I am well kind.

(I'm craving bourbons. Please help.)

My next blob will likely be from my new desk in my new room in my new house in downtown Ronters. I shall take photos and I'll show you; I'll show the lot o' ya!

Look after yourselves, and each other.

Peace out.

"What wouldn't I give now for a never-changing map of the ever-constant ineffable? To possess, as it were, an atlas of clouds."

I have just finished one of the greatest novels I have ever read. I am, as always, somewhat at a loss now as to what to do now.

Does anyone else feel that finishing a fantastic book feels like losing something? I figure that instead of being melodramatic and silly, I'd rather recommend the book to everyone!

I'm sure some of you will have read it already but if not, I urge you to pick up Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. I can't really describe it; praising it would be too lengthy. Here's an excerpt; please get a copy and enjoy it.

"A true suicide is a paced, disciplined certainty.People pontificate, "Suicide is selfishness." Career churchmen like Pater go a step further and call in a cowardly assault on the living. Oafs argue this specious line for varying reason: to evade fingers of blame, to impress one's audience with one's mental fiber, to vent anger, or just because one lacks the necessary suffering to sympathize. Cowardice is nothing to do with it - suicide takes considerable courage. Japanese have the right idea. No, what's selfish is to demand another to endure an intolerable existence, just to spare families,
friends, and enemies a bit of soul-searching. The only selfishness lies in ruining strangers' days by forcing 'em to witness a grotesqueness."

Toilet roll is included in the rent...

Ceri and I have a place to live in Ronters! If you followed the confusion of the last post then it's the one we saw yesterday and liked but had to make a snap decision. He's lowered the rent and we move in next Saturday. It's awfully nice.

And guess what? Washing up liquid, toilet and kitchen roll and sponges (?) are included in the rent (so is the tinters and all utilities). It is a good one.

Oh, this is it:

It is on Bristol Avenue near Dufferin & Dupont, near Little Italy and a short bus journey to the lake/beach. Everyone is invited to help move us in. We have a bag each. Please do pop by...

Ceri adds: It has a veggie patch for growing, well, veggies, and there is a lovely rustic old bureau on one of the rooms that was going to be replaced but we said NO, so we need to fight over that still...

“I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.”

Y'ello!

I have now been working for a week. It is a good one. Now that I know people better and they know me I am enjoying having a laugh with some of them. Some of them don't laugh. Or if they do it's more like nervous laughter. The company I work for is one which buys loads of movies (and books) from the US and ships them to Canada where they get repackaged and then sent back across to the US or around Canada to be sold in big supermarkets.

My main task at the moment is sorting out a customs debacle; I am going over hundreds of custom forms and making sure all are reconciled with purchase orders that went out. Sounds dull but is a bit of a detective game. The other two days a week I spend with the merchandising manager doing replenishment and marketing. This is much more up my alley and I hope that once the customs stuff is done they will keep me on in the merchandising role but I am not holding my breath (because I'd probably suffocate first).

The final work-related point is that I am involved in the office pot luck. Since I am new they have given me the salad to provide. I'm thinking about making a rice/spinach/pine nuts/peppers etc salad. See what they think of that!

last weekend Ceri and I went to Unionville, a lovely little town North of Ronters where Bill and Kath meet their friends now and again. We met three other old-aged couples and had lunch which was lovely. There was a lot of food and a lot of banter. Most of them were Scottish which was a bit strange for Ceri; I don't think she's ever been surrounded by so many at once.

Yesterday, Saturday, Ceri and I went into the city to view some places to move into. It was absolutely exhausting and we walked most of it to the detriment of our feet which were worn down to nubs.

The first place we saw was in China town and absolutely ghastly. I got scared just looking around, imagining anyone having to live there. It was dingy and dirty and smokey and creepy and really, really depressing/sad. Someone was already living there! If you imagine the sort of place that may qualify as a cheap whore's final resting place after a run in with her drug-addled pimp, then you'll be close. Ceri walked around uttering such asides as 'Oh the kitchen's bigger than I thought' (it was basically a burnt out husk of an oven) and 'Oh, the furniture is included, nice' (it was anything but nice) and finally 'oh if it gets hot in the summer we can ask for the windows to be opened? That's handy'. I think I'd take a running jump out of the window if I lived there, whether it opened or not. Needless to say we won't be shortlisting that property.

The second one we saw was lovely. A huge house with a lovely garden and kitchen and living room, really lovely, idiosyncratic rooms completely furnished and in a fabulous location near the subway and downtown. The rent was higher than we were happy with but it was lovely.

The next one we never got to because the idiot landlord gave us mind-boggling directions and we felt like we were in a weird, surreal nightmare, jumping from bus to bus and streetcar to streetcar but never getting there. Eventually I phoned him and told him to stuff it. Prawn.

The last place we saw was out of town a bit, but it wasn't too hard to get to. It was very 'nice' and 'adequate' and 'clean' and 'bright' and well priced but that's the best one can say. We liked it but didn't feel that the price or the whole nice-ness really justified its out of town location. The kitchen didn't even have an oven, save for a little red toaster oven.

We still have a place to see on Tuesday which promises to be nice where we'd be living in a big house with a nice Irish guy who recently bought it and did it up and wants to share it with like-minded people. We are due to meet him on Tuesday but the house we liked yesterday is available now and he wants an answer NOW. He literally just emailed me as I'm writing this and said that he will reduce the rent if we can move in TODAY, or at least pay for it today. It was meant to be taken on May 1st but he let us see it because there were two of us and he'd prefer that over one person, but now he needs a decision. HELP! It's hard because I haven't been paid from work yet (Friday...) so it would totally wipe me out etc. We are debating now and have asked him for a compromise so watch this space.

Other than all of that, nothing much has happened, really. Work takes up my whole day from Monday to Friday but I am enjoying it, and yesterday was entirely spent on our feet walking from house to apartment to whores' den etc and today I am just relaxing.

How is everyone else? Send me an email to let me know how you are all doing, I would love to hear from you. Otherwise I am going to have to write to you personally and that just sounds tedious ; )

I shall keep you all posted regarding the house situation, I know it'll be the talk of GB. Remember: you heard it here first!

Lovely tune! Jónsi - Go Do

"Nothing will work unless you do"

Hello Dear Readers (ha),

It has been a while since my last entry and for that I apologise. I have no idea what you have been doing in the meantime, while waiting for this piece of news and enlightenment. Perhaps some sudoku? Or a cross-stitch pattern? Either way, your peace is shattered.

I've got a job! Yay! I am now a Data Administrator (again) for a media company in North Toronto. The commute's a bit guff but the money is OK. It is only temporary (who knows how, though: first it was 8 weeks, then 4-6, then 4 - I started today so it's probably much less now that they actually know me), but it will do while I look for something more permanent. I think I was lucky to be in the right place with the right skills at the right time. Ceri's not far off getting something, I'm sure.

Now that I am working, Ceri and I are looking seriously at moving out of the sticks and getting into the city proper. Job opportunities will abound if we're there to sic 'em. Maybe this weekend we can arrange some viewings and move in next weekend (p'r'aps a bit optimistic).

Other than looking for work and walking some little, woolly dogs we really haven't done much. Without a car we've been walking a lot but at every meal we've been eating an obscene amount of food (free refills!). And cheese. Neither of us even like cheese that much.

Here are some things I've noticed about Canada that tickled me:

1. The toilets are low, deep and full of water (and they flush like a dream).
2. Recruitment agencies seem to do their best for you (we'll see).
3. You have to pay to receive as well make calls (!).
4. Mobile phone contracts are at least two to three years in duration.
5. Like the US tax has to be added to the price of nearly everything.
6. The roads don't seem to have any clear markings or rules.
7. Bylaws: people love to hate them and love getting others in trouble using them.
8. Cats are purely indoor creatures. It is wrong to let them out, ever.
9. Alcohol: you can't buy it anywhere but a designated shop. Sometimes you can only get beer in a beer store and liquor in a liquor store.
10. The minimum fee for a public call box is 50c BUT as long as it's local you can talk all day on that 50c! I think this is incredible (if a little pointless).
11. People aren't as attractive as I thought they'd be.
12. Public toilets are more attractive than I thought they'd be.

There were more but I've been at work today (yay) and am shattered (boo). I've taken some new pics as well, check them out to the left of this thread (ish).

I hope everyone's well, feel free to say hi and let me know what you've been getting up to since I last saw you, otherwise this is well one-sided and that.

Ceri looking out on Lake Ontario

Ceri looking out on Lake Ontario, originally uploaded by RussellDornan.

Ceri and I went for a wee walk this evening before dinner. It was gorgeous but chilly.

Lake Ontario is so huge it looks like a sea; you can't see the far side of it. We wrapped up and it was lovely. Next time: the beach!

Shawarma Expert

If only I was a qualified in shawarma!

"I know it might make you laugh, what I am looking for a professional Middle Eastern Shawarma chef (working in his own or for someone else to show me how to get the chicken on the cone (how to build it on) and I will be glad to pay.

I am not looking for recipes you do not have to worry about that.

Thanks"

"The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up"

"Hello, how are you today?" (funky Canadian accent)

We're here. Hello. From Ronters.

This is officially the first entry of my blob from Canada. I am sat in Canada. The really big country beside America. It's weird.

It's not weird because we're here. It's weird because it's hot. And sunny. And lovely. And a strange mix of the UK and the US. And other reasons that's I can't articulate yet.

Ceri and I left Malvern on Tuesday afternoon, but it was rather rushed and neither of us felt like we got to say goodbye properly, so the whole journey to London was a bit surreal. Once there we headed straight to Miranda's place near Muswell Hill where we were met by her and Marina. It was lovely to catch up and have some pizza (nom).

The next morning Ceri and I faced the trek to Heathrow with some trepidation. The journey was very smooth, however, and we were quickly passing through all the underground stations we had so often frequented over the past three years. Once in Heathrow we checked in, problem-free, went through security, hassle-free, and then boarded the plane, issue-free (no duty-free, though).

The plane was quite big and we were pleased to see a little pillow and blanket on each of our seats (easily please, clearly). The eight hours passed pretty quickly for me (less so for Ceri) and I indulged in a few films. I watched (in order): Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince (I'd seen it but Ceri was ill-at-ease and wanted something familiar - it was long and slow but not bad), Brothers (a war drama but Natalie Portman was in it and it was quite affecting) and then most of Princess and the Frog because we didn't have much time left. We got some lovely food too. In fact, they fed so well I felt the plane sink because of how fat we got (this makes no sense...). I got a spicy bean and rice meal and a carrot and hummous sandwich and a spicy tomato and chickpea pastry, as well as several beers and waters. Ceri knocked over my last Heineken and soaked her thigh as well as filling my boot.

We got off the plane after I smuggled the blanket into my hand luggage (it was a tight fit but there was no way I was leaving that behind!). We arrived in Toronto at 6pm local time (11pm UK) and headed to immigration. That went smoothly (apart from the man calling me Russ - my passport clearly says Russell) and we got our visas and stamps etc. Next we had to collect our bags and then meet the couple we are staying with.

Bill and Kath are lovely and very funny and drove us to their place just outside Toronto. They showed us their bar in the basement (several dozen bottles of scotch and beer) and offered us some (which we gracefully accepted). We chatted and caught up (basically laughing at Bill - he's well funny, even at 73) and at about 10pm we were getting tired (about 3am UK time, fact-fans) and retired.

We slept really well and woke up today in Canada for the first time. We got ready and were taken to breakfast. It was amazing. I had three poached eggs, sunny-side-up, homefries and toast. Homefries = roughly-chopped, chunky sauteed potatoes. Nom! In fact, breakfast was so good that we missed the train into the city to go to our Bunac orientation. We went on the next (double-decker) train and stepped into the warm Toronto streets, drowning in sunshine. We walked to the Bunac office and got our Social Security sorted and then went to the bank and opened an account. Everyone there was lovely. I now have money in a Canadian bank and an ATM card. That's a bit strange. The card is green and has a leaf on it. It's well spesh!

After this we went for lunch (Black Bean Soup) and a wander around. It felt like we walked around most of the city but when I looked on the map later it was barely the size of a postage stamp. Feet = tenderoni. We had a look around Queen Street West, which was a little like Camden and Soho put together.

By the way, Toronto, on first impressions is:

• Big
• Shiny
• Tall
• Busy
• Open
• Friendly (even the tramps - they also have good cardboard signs)
• Clean
• Funky

We got back 'home' to Bill and Kath's and are ready now to relax tomorrow and look for jobs. There seem to be a few around; let's hope we can convince (read: trick) someone into hiring us.

I thought there would be more to write here, in terms of details, but after doing so much over the past few days, it's only the vague strokes that are left in my brainsac. Although I need to point out that people in the UK should try to be as friendly (and sincerely so) as Canadians, or at least Torontonians. People came up to us in the street whenever we looked at a map to offer help, they couldn't do enough in restaurants and banks, even the tramps were ace. One had a sign that read: 'too ugly to prostitute myself' and another's said: 'will take verbal abuse for change'. Both laughed along when with us. British hobos need to get a sense of humour and stop being so miserable. (I didn't give either of them change; I didn't have any yet.)

Right, I am off to bed - my eye is well tired (the right one always drops off first). Take care all and I hope this wasn't too dull. Goodnight!

"Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine."

It's all getting very close and very real.

Yesterday was my last day at Merlin Datawise, the temp job I had to save some money. I was kindly taken out to a country pub for some lunch and a pint (or, in Alan's case, three - he's a codger). Luckily it was possibly the hottest day we've had this year so far and we sat outside; we nearly didn't go back.

I went to the Post Office this afternoon to changed all my worldly 'wealth' today into CAD (Canadian Dollars) Traveller's Cheques. It was well busy and I had a whinge. I took my turn holding up the queue while the teller counted it all out and then handed me a pile of cheques to sign. The exchange rate wasn't great but I have exceeded the minimum amount to be let into the country (not sure how long I will last once there, however).

I have photocopied all my documents and squirreled them away in case of loss etc. I have made a variety of lists detailing what is yet to be done and what is yet to be packed (not much of the former, nearly all of the latter).

I am now eagerly awaiting the arrival of Miranda, who is coming to visit for the weekend. This will be a good one. There are car boot sales to attend, meals to go to, people to see. Maybe she'll be useful in terms of packing advice, too (how many shoes, which ones, what about T-Shirts - how many is too many? etc).

This time next week I shall be in Toronto (from here on in to be referred to as 'Ronters'). How weird is that!?

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

Hello,

I think this is the first post that I have written knowing that there are people who will be alerted to its creation and therefore might actually read it. I hope so anyway.

Firstly, thanks to all who have subscribed so far. Now I know I'm not wasting my time writing this guff.

Secondly, this time next week Ceri and I will be at Heathrow having said our goodbyes, possibly having a root around duty free unable to buy anything. Either that or we'll have arm-fulls of inflatable pillows, perfume, whiskey, travel toothbrushes, little padlocks and over-sized snack food, our spending money spent.

There is still a lot to sort out before we go. I am working today and tomorrow and am trying to squeeze in a few last minute goodbyes if I can manage it. Then there's packing; making sure I have everything I'll need for the year as well the flight and arrival.

(I forgot to put my yoghurt in the fridge today and have just eaten it warm. Don't do it.)

I haven't received any copious amounts of money from you guys yet; I assume it's on its way. It must be delayed due to the Bank Holiday. I'm sure you all got me dollars, though, so I won't worry about needing time to visit the bureau de change.

Not long now...