The Art of Racing in the Rain A Novel by Garth Stein

“The car goes where the eyes go.”

It has been such a long time since a novel like this has made such a wonderful impact on me.  The novel is narrated from the point of view of a dog.  Enzo, a mixed breed tells the story of the travails of his master, Denny Swift, a semi-professional racecar driver as he goes through life in a roller coaster ride.  What endeared me to the story was the way it was told in a very straightforward manner.  It may be formulaic but the narrative was so refreshing, simple, no beating around the bush and the insights were very “human” even if it was culled from a dog.  Like his master, Denny, I felt like Enzi was with me physically as each of those moments unfold with some of those I could relate with and some I newly-discovered that I so much appreciated.  Simply, destiny is what you make it and that is how the story is wonderfully told.  It may not win a Pulitzer Prize but it was such a wonderful read and leaves you a very good feeling of gratitude about what life has to offer.  I cannot wait to get my next dog, seriously.

Björn Borg Boxers

Here is an example of how a progressive clothing company uses social media as a tool to connect and get insights from its target audience.  A few months ago, I responded to a Facebook invitation to sign up for a free trial of the new woven Björn Borg boxers and all they are asking is for a feedback from wearing it.  I got my pair a week ago and I was not disappointed with the product.  First of all, the packaging is simple and direct while the copy reads wittiness.  Secondly, I like the design because I love plaids (yes, even on my undies).  Lastly, the boxer shorts has a front lining inside to keep your family jewels protected and comfortable unlike most shorts which offer no support. 

Copy reads "Don't go nuts keep your balls in place".  Need I say more. 

Plaid is it!

There is even a contest where you can submit a photo of yourself wearing a pair and you can have a chance to become a Swedish Export (why Swedish? - go figure) of the week.  I have to admit, the offer is tempting but I’ll pass – too shy.

www.bjornborg.com

Care for some Poutine?

Eats:  Poutini’s House of Poutine, 1112 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

I’m not talking about the Prime Minister of Russia but something closer to home. 

Poutine:  n, pou•tine [poo teen]; is a dish consisting of French Fries topped with fresh cheese curd, covered with brown gravy and sometimes additional ingredients.

This popular junk food snack originated from Quebec and is now most popular in Eastern Canada.  The first time I tasted poutine was in Montreal and it tasted really good but a friendly warning:  eat it in moderation as this dish contains thousands of artery-clogging ingredients.  A year has past since my first encounter so I felt that I needed another encounter with this deadly dish so my friends and I went to this much-talked about Poutini’s House of Poutine in the Queen Street West district.  The restaurant is perfectly located in the heart of the entertainment district – a perfect place to refill those stomachs after a night of alcohol debauchery.  The menu is pretty simple and straightforward from the classics to the vegan poutine. 

The classic with traditional gravy is a must but the pulled pork poutine is something to reckon with.  Honestly, I forgot to count calories when I tasted this dish.  I never knew that the pairing of pulled pork and the classic poutine is made in heaven! 

Poutine with Traditional Gravy

Pulled Pork Poutine

Scorecard:

    Food – Excellent

    Ambience – Good

    Service – Good

    Price – inexpensive

    Overall Dining Experience – Very good!

STA. ANA’S INNER WORLD

For me, one of the few artists who stood out from the Curator’s Choice Part 2 exhibit by the Chicago Artists’ Coalition held at the Coalition Gallery in Chicago last 23 July was Jun-Jun Sta. Ana.  To find out more about his works, I decided to meet him on another date to see all his collection.  Albeit this Filipino-American digital media artist’s works presented an eclectic collection, each piece resonates different emotions either swinging from both extremes or gradually building up from a single feeling.  An example would be his piece called “Ohio Bulong” where I initially felt a sense of foreboding staring at those “legs” against the Ohio urban landscape.  I then felt a sense of loneliness and abandonment after further absorbing the piece. 

"Ohio Bulong"

Before doing digital media, Jun-Jun Sta. Ana started with window installations using recycled materials and objects from junk yards and thrift stores.  As he works on a piece, he would let it gradually evolve instead of a single-minded them in mind which actually works out for him.  Later on, he fell in love with digital media and has been delightfully prolific in this medium.  Some of his pieces are amusing, whimsical and visually appealing.  Examples are his replication works, including the body of unconventional portraits are fun and naughty as most of his patrons see it as multi-dimensional according to him.  I also found out that he does a lot of unconventional portraits of patrons who want a portrait of themselves.  The wait for a commissioned artwork would range about a week – surprisingly reasonable.  His more “serious” collection carries his autobiography providing a “snapshot” of his state of mind and emotion on every piece.  Ten years down the road, Sta. Ana would like to go back to his first love – installations and eventually into sculptures.  But of course, his passion still lies in digital media where he would continue to cultivate as new materials and technology become available. 

 "Torn Sinturon"

 Self-portrait

Self-portrait

"New Flower Web"

 "Botanical 2 Hydrangea"

 "Tres Marias"

"Turbulence 1 Web"

Some of his unconventional portraits, the details are fascinating!

"Billy Detail"

"Eric Detail"

"CarloThanka6"

"Raymond Santos"

"JaninaFil4aDetail"

The artist with Bella Flores.

http://www.artmajeur.com/junjunsa

http://chicagoartistscoalition.org/junjunstaana/

A quaint and delightful Saturday night experience

Eats:  Langolino, 50 Clinton Street, Toronto, ON

It makes sense to go to a tried and tested resto when entertaining a good friend from out of town and Langolino is a perfect example.  This old and reliable restaurant in the heart of Little Italy never fails to exceed expectations on food and service.  Langolino maybe small in size but the bucolic atmosphere is homey and its patio provides a perfect place to savor the culinary delights it offers.

  

Spaghetti Arrabiatta

Veal Parmigiana 

Fettuccine Pasta Olio

Jerk Chicken Breast

I was fortunate that my friends decided to order the menu for the day as I have tried most of the regulars and was eagerly anticipating what it has to offer.  The Veal Parmigiana was very tender and served over grilled eggplant and that alone was almost perfect.  The accompanying tomato-based pasta, however, could use more flavor.  The Fettuccine Pasta Olio was my favorite bursting with flavors of spinach, chicken, fresh tomatoes and bocconcini wonderfully blended with walnut and fresh mint pesto.  The Jerk Chicken Breast provided a healthy option served on a bed of organic greens and baby arugula with olive oil and lime dressing.  But what really made the difference was Langolino’s very warm and friendly service especially from Marissa who was very patient and accommodating to our every request.  She was very sincere and made sure that we walked away smiling which we did. 

Scorecard:

    Food – Excellent

    Ambience – Outstanding

    Service – Outstanding

    Price – worth every cent

    Overall Dining Experience – Wonderful!

www.langolino.ca

 

Simplicity makes great surprises!

Eats:  Sidecar Bar & Grill, 577 College Street, Toronto, ON

Simple facade, big on taste.

Sidecar's patio 

Hearts of Romaine (double smoked bacon, caesar dressing, ricota crostini)

Crispy Oven Roasted Chicken (roasted garlic mashed potato, asparagus, red onion vinaigrette)

Atlantic Salmon (swiss chard, honey mustard glaze, butter sauce)

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Conveniently located at the heart of Toronto’s Little Italy, Sidecar restaurant offers a simple menu but big on taste and quality.  We all opted for the prix fixe dinner with mine starting off with Hearts of Romaine salad of smoked bacon, red wine dressing which they graciously acquiesced instead of the Caesar dressing and the ricotta crostini which was neither overpowering nor bland in flavor but just right.  Before we started with our salad, we were enslaved by the complementary multitude slices of soft and warm ciabatta which we learned was made par-baked all the way from Montreal and complemented by a soft butter prepared in-house.  The bread was so good that we must have asked for 3 servings and we were wondering if there would still be room for the main course.  Apparently, the ciabattas were an indication of greater things to come.  For my main course, I had the Atlantic Salmon cooked perfectly well-done and soft and moist in the inside on a bed of swiss chard.  This is the first time that I tasted salmon with honey mustard glaze and the result was amazing!  The crispy oven roasted chicken ordered by my sister was very succulent and juicy.  Forget about the calories for a minute but the skin was so excruciatingly crispy and flavorful!  Dessert was flourless dark chocolate cake with raspberry coulis and cream just lightly enough to conclude a wonderful and pleasant dining experience.  Service was just as excellent as the food.  Our server, Oliver was very gracious and knowledgeable about our queries about the food and how it was prepared.  For a $25 prixe fixe, you get an unparalleled dining experience. 

Scorecard:

    Food – Outstanding

    Ambience – Very Good

    Service – Outstanding

    Price – Unbelievably Reasonable

    Overall Dining Experience – Heaven

www.sidecarrestaurant.ca

“Pilates Here To Stay”

Detchie on the Reformer with Jump Board

Detchie in action on the Cadillac Pilates equipment. 

I have always had this misconception that Pilates is strictly for women until my good friend, Bernadette Recto, a STOTT certified Pilates instructor in all equipment and ISP (Injuries and Special Populations), busted that myth by patiently explaining to me that it is not gender-biased and besides, its creator, Joseph Pilates, is a man himself.  I guess the media has a lot to do with this perception because of some female celebrities endorsing Pilates and maybe because of its adaptability to different body types and fitness made it popular among women.  This is already changing and, in fact, Detchie gets a lot of male clients for both private or group sessions who want a variety of physical challenges and some for rehabilitation.  Hockey and football players are just some of the athletes who are into Pilates to enhance their performance and build core strength.   However, Pilates aims to improve one’s strength, stability, flexibility and agility resulting into a leaner body and flat abs.  Given that, how can Pilates be female-oriented when having a leaner body is a common goal among men and women?

To further bolster the truth about Pilates, Bernadette volunteered to give me a sample of the technique so I could experience it first hand.  We went to this very inviting and modern Pilates studio in Whitby, ON aptly called “Pure Pilates” and introduced me to the different equipment like the Reformer and the Cadillac that I eagerly tried with Bernadette’s supervision.  Did you know that the technique does not only involved equipment but mat floor exercises as well?  She also taught me some basic principles like controlled movement and the proper breathing like inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your pursed lips.  I also found Pilates fun when I tried the Reformer with the jump board and you jump horizontally with the help of the rails protecting your knees and kneecaps.  How cool is that?
What makes the total experience most endearing and makes you feel good about yourself was the fact that the instructor patiently explains the whats, whys and hows plus the fact that when you see the passion naturally coming out of her, you eventually catch it too.  Never mind that Bernadette is my friend but this is the first time that I saw her at work and she is truly passionate about Pilates.  She emphasized that it is important to have an instructor for a private session if you are a beginner so you could do the exercises safely and effectively.  So if you have a lower back problem like I do and want to have flat abs, Pilates is the answer!

pilatesbybernadette@gmail.com  (M) 416.779.0235

www.purepilatesca.ca