Hot chocolate covered in whipped cream

Couples’ making gingerbread houses and savouring seasonal drinks is pairs’ having crumpets and tea in Heaven while being dubbed angels. This date allows duos who are too tired or sluggish to venture outdoors, to entertain themselves at home. All it requires is a gingerbread house making kit and egg nog. People who’d like to keep the gingerbread house should be careful, however, not to eat the entire creation. In that case, it may be desirable to purchase multiple gingerbread house making kits, gingerbread cookies and/or other decadent treats.

Such a date is inexpensive. It does not add up to the cost of purchasing movie tickets, popcorn, candy and drinks. It is not near the cost of skiing admission and gas. Moreover, it does not equate to the price of a play, dinner and parking downtown. Ingredients, the only cost of this cozy date, should ring up to about $25.

This activity also takes place in a comfortable setting. One gets to sit by the fire drinking egg nog with one’s sweetheart rather than sitting in a rigid seat in a restaurant, which may be chilly due to doors frequently opening and shutting. In addition, this date involves no waiting outdoors for admission, in the cold. This environment may be suitable for romance, too; there are no servers checking up on the duo constantly, no noise and no distracting media, allowing the two to bond without interruption. On the other hand, if a pair wishes to watch a Christmas movie during their time together, this date allows the twosome to do so.

Furthermore, this date allows participants to please their taste buds. Pairs can add jellybeans, chocolate chips, icing and whatever else they’d desire in the candy department, to their delectable houses. Not everyone has a taste for egg nog, but there are many other scrumptious beverages twosomes can enjoy. These include: coffee topped with froth, milkshakes, mochachinos, hot chocolate, cider, caramel cocktails and chocolate-mint martinis.

The following are recipes for drinks couples may wish to enjoy this holiday season:

• Frothy coffee
• Hot chocolate
• Milkshakes
• Mochachinos
• Apple cider
• Caramel cocktails a.k.a. “Liquid Caramel”
• Chocolate-mint martinis

In the movie An Affair to Remember, Terry McKay says, “Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories.” This is definitely the case. Winter does not have to be drab. Slush, snow and cold are factors that won’t bring down one’s mood if he or she doesn’t let it. Couples’ making gingerbread houses and drinking seasonal beverages is one enjoyable date the weather should not ruin.

The following are examples of ways couples can enjoy themselves while learning new skills:

Pottery Classes – Your learning to spin clay with your sweetheart can make you feel proud – not only of your new ability, but also of the new art piece you have created. In addition, your giving your freshly-made pottery dish to your sweetheart may even earn you brownie parts.
Toronto Potters | Toronto Pottery Classes | Throwing a Fit Pottery Studio

Dance Classes – Your adrenaline will pump as you cha-cha across the room, hand-in-hand with your other half. Your learning how to dance may boost your confidence levels while allowing you to bond with your partner.
Toronto Dance Salsa | Arthur Murray Toronto | Joy of Dance

Writing Classes – If you’re seeking to improve your writing abilities or simply for an outlet for your literary passion, then your taking a writing class with a mate is an enjoyable way to do so. Moreover, you will learn new modes of expressing your creativity.
Creative Writing Help | The Moving Pen | Toronto Improv, Sketch Comedy and Screenwriting Classes

Acting Classes – Acting classes are fun stress-relievers. You may giggle at your mate’s silliness or become completely absorbed by your own monologue lines. Whatever the case, a theatre class will allow you two to let loose and have a positive experience.
Toronto Academy of Acting | Armstrong Acting Studios | Toronto Association of Acting Studios

Art Classes – Painting, photography, drawing, you name it – anything that involves visual art is sure to provide an entertaining time. If you want to do something really creative, I suggest splattering paint across a canvas with your significant other. You could also fill balloons with paint and toss them at a blank painting. If the mood gets too serious, however, you can always throw paint at your partner.
Toronto School of Art | Avenue Road Arts School | Academy of Realist Art

Taekwondo Classes – Taekwondo classes are just one way to learn an age-old skill, as well as get some vigorous exercise with your mate. Not only will taekwondo classes leave you feeling refreshed and energized, but you will also feel a sense of pride at your learning self-defense.
Master Tommy Chang’s Black Belt World | Beaches ITF Taekwondo Schools | Jong Soo Park

Kickboxing Classes– Your taking kickboxing classes is one more way you and your sweetheart can get a thrilling work out together. The blood will flow and your hearts will race as you two learn this exhilarating sport!
Toronto Kickboxing and Muay Thai (TKMT) Academy Inc. | Toronto BJJ | Kickboxing and Fight Club

As you can see, dates don’t always have to involve an upscale restaurant and a romantic comedy. You also don’t constantly have to wear the latest brand name while out with a partner. You can get sweaty, sporting track pants and a tee, and still have a good – or even more exciting time – while out with your sweetie. After all, your new skills may just redeem you for your outfit.

 From the official Toronto.ca website:  “The WinterCity Festival wouldn’t be complete without Toronto’s favourite winter gastronomic celebration. Now in its eighth delicious year, Winterlicious again offers two popular programs for you to savour.

Winterlicious Culinary Events
10 mouth-watering culinary events featuring some of Toronto’s diverse cuisine and notable chefs.

General Reservation Date: Thursday, January 14, 2010

Please remember… You MUST cancel your reservation at least 48 hours in advance if you cannot keep it.”

Scene from: Hot Oil Barons in Love

A press release for the upcoming performance of : “Hot Oil Barons In Love” just came my way, thought you might be interested to check it out.  This production is by:  Bad Dog Theatre.

“This improvised soap opera returns to Toronto, and it’s sexier, funnier, and oilier than ever. The same cast that brought you “Hot Doctors In Love” presents a fully improvised show in the vein of “Dallas” and the much less-watched “Wild Roses”. Just like any good soap opera, the stakes are high, the affairs are torrid, and the hair is big.
The talented cast is led by five-time Canadian Comedy Award winner Kerry Griffin in his first show since finishing a successful run on the Second City mainstage. The show also stars Lisa Merchant (Train 48), Aurora Browne (Comedy Inc.), Alastair Forbes (Battleawesome Awesomestar), Tom MacKay (Troubadour), Sean Tabares (Project:project), Lindsay Grant (Troubadour) and Rica Eckersley (Show Stopping Number). Directed by Ralph MacLeod (Twisted Christmas Carol), it will feature appearances by Jan Caruana (Monkey Toast) and other special guests. Each week, this attractive cast of improvisers will bring you the continuing story of the Templeton family, who has a passion for oil and for anyone who looks like they might sleep with them. There will be face-slapping! There will be open-mouth kissing! There will be blood! Okay, maybe not that last part! ”

Fridays in September and October at 8 p.m.
When:  September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
Price:  $10
Reservations:  calling 416.491.3115 or at www.baddogtheatre.com

Music Garden by Mike Miley

The idea of having Bach at sunset is a great idea.  It’s a fabulous idea when it’s going to be at the Music Garden on the Queen’s Key, tomorrow night at 7pm.  Performed by Winona Zelenka, Zelenka’s first debut came at the early age of 13 with the Calgary Philharmonic and began a solo career at 17 at Carnegie Recital Hall.  I’m looking forward to this performance, hope you can make it!

From the Harborfront website:  ” Winona Zelenka continues her journey through Bach’s six suites for solo cello. This summer, she performs the Suite No. 4 in E-flat Major for solo cello; for the last three movements of the piece she is joined by dancer Claudia Moore in the world premiere of a new work by choreographer Carol Anderson. Dance generously commissioned by Ann Southam.”

Please note: This is a 30-minute concert due to early sunset.

Summerworks Festival

This year’s Summerworks festival is about to end.  It’s a medley of many indie performing artists in a Toronto production that’s earned the respect and awareness abroad.  From the Summerworks website: “SummerWorks supports work that has a clear artistic vision and explores a specific theatrical aesthetic. It encourages risk, questions, and creative exploration while insisting on accessibility, integrity and professionalism. SummerWorks is the place where dedicated, professional artists are free to explore new territory and take artistic risks. Rather than getting larger, we strive to get better. We look to introduce professional artists from diverse communities to each other and be inspired by our similarities and differences.”

Check out the Summerworks festival’s last few days, performing now until August 16th.

I recently had the privilege to visit the Art Gallery of Ontario in downtown Toronto for free. As a lover of art, I was thrilled to attend, but unfortunately, the gallery did not live up to my expectations. Don’t get me wrong – there were many awe-striking pieces to be seen. However, I found that the works of art displayed were mostly paintings, and even these paintings seemed to be repetitive. In my opinion the elderly plump aristocrat from the 1600s, as the subject of many portraits, is overdone in this museum.

Although this seems to be my verdict on the place, there were many other works of art that were simply gorgeous. My particular favourites are “Salon Indian”, “Portrait of Dr. Heinrich Stadelman”, and the statue of a human-sized bird sporting a business suit. The latter carries a black bird on his shoulder and shards of glass and hair in one hand. He can be seen pairing lime green socks with penny loafers. What abstract meaning could this work suggest? That is for the viewer to determine.

“Salon Indian” by Kent Monkman is a gigantic teepee made out of beautiful crimson cloth with gold embellishments. Gallery-goers can enter the teepee to view a video installation projected onto the floor. One quote by the artist, which is flashed before the viewers’ eyes while watching the video, is “The European male will own forever in my pictures as the remembrance of a noble race.” This masterwork caught my eye as soon as I stepped inside AGO.

Finally, the “Portrait of Dr. Heinrich Stadelman” by Otto Dix bedazzled me, because of its deviant subject – an aged man with receding hair parted in the centre and green skin to emphasize his emerald green eyes and forest-green pupils. The whites of his eyes are red, and to his left appears a plant, the significance of which must be determined. It was refreshing to see an abstract piece among all the still-life portraits, and what an extraordinary one at that!

If you have an appreciation for art, check out AGO with your sweetheart or someone you’ve been crushing on. Your opinion may very well differ from mine. Besides, the price of admission at AGO is fabulous – the Art Gallery is free to visit on Wednesdays, and $18 for adults on regular days. Another perk is its location downtown, surrounded by nightlife and eateries. What other date could make you feel more cultured than observing works of art in the city with a mate?

Twelve years ago, Anton had a humble dream of bringing something new to the area – authentic European and Russian cakes and pastries. With the impressive experience of nineteen years in the industry – in USSR as well as Israel – Anton was set to make his dream come true. Now, twelve years later, Antosha is known not only locally, but all over Toronto.

Antosha offers eighteen elaborate cakes. Any cake can either be purchased as a whole, or as individual slices. Besides those, there are plenty of Danishes, pies, cookies and cream pastries. The cakes’ recipes originate in Germany, Italy, France, and Russia – all slightly altered by the immensely experienced and talented chef and owner. “What makes my bakery unique among most other,” says Anton, “is the quality and variety of ingredients used. I use four natural creams – French, whipping, butter, and sour creams – as well as many kinds of dough. Nothing is made from powder or concentrate; everything is fresh and top quality – that is what makes my baked goods so delicious.” Anyone with a sweet tooth would be silly to argue with that.

Anton is strongly passionate for his baked goods just as much as creating a pleasant atmosphere and delivering the best customer service.  The cleverly decorated space and a flat screen TV make for a relaxing visit, while the slightly more intimate booths and the dimmed lights in the evenings make for a great romantic setting. As for the customer service – Anton is a strong believer in making sure every customer leaves satisfied. Should anyone feel discontented, he is always available to come to the front to speak to the customer in person. Although, personally, I always found the staff very accommodating, even when they are most busy.

And quite notably, the prices are miniscule compared to the quality of the produce. Cakes are around $25 each, and the individual cake pieces are only $2.80. A couple can enjoy a sweet date for only $10-12 for both. So come down to Antosha to drink some good espresso, watch some Russian video clips, enjoy the quiet atmosphere, and – most importantly – indulge in some of the tastiest European and Russian baked goods.

also caters to special events and offers custom designed cakes

The store is located at 5986 Bathurst St, the Bathurst-Cedarcroft Plaza and is open 9am – 10pm every day.

Rejection

The silent rejection – We’ve all experienced it. You go out on a first date with a person you’re into, think things are going great, and then s/he ceases to call ever again. You can’t explain it and you are astounded by it. You sit by your phone, anxiously waiting for a call from that special person, but it never arrives. Then, the problem lies in coping with the fact that one has been rejected; we start making up excuses for it, lying to ourselves in order to feel better. Maybe, the solution lies in taking a hint from the movie: He’s Just Not That Into You.

He’s Just Not That Into You should be a guide to dating for both men and women. Although we can’t expect everyone who dates to follow the same standard basis of behaviour, the movie makes this clear, too. There are few exceptions to the rule, but most people are often “the rule”, meaning if your date doesn’t call you again, s/he’s not interested; if someone cheats on you, don’t count on that person to be faithful a second time.

I’d give He’s Just Not That Into You 10 stars out of 10. Although it contains a slight pessimistic vibe, because of the protagonist’s constant rejection and desperate behaviour, the movie does look up – in most aspects – in the end. It is also very humorous, and certain romantic elements can be appreciated by the audience. Most importantly, who can forget the morale? It is helpful for those new or naïve to dating, and once one knows what to expect, s/he is better able to play the game.

He’s Just Not That Into You is a great movie to see on a date. Long-time couples can delight that their relationships have not taken a wrong turn, unlike some shown in the film. Meanwhile those on first dates can enjoy the humour of the motion picture, the irony of the plot, and embrace the message it brings without resentment. So what if s/he never calls again? It happens to everyone. Maybe you two just don’t have that much in common. The right person will come along one day.