Dippity Doo Dah

Enough said!! It's been done! And yes, I went fully in, up to my neck anyway.

Thanks to my lovely helpers, you've already made my year ;) And Cyn, you're simply amazing! I'll see you guys next year!

Bas n' Blades

It`s amazing to live in such a vibrant, available city and yet - I find that I don`t always appreciate or take advantage of the simple things it offers. As a small example, I`ve considered Toronto my home for over a decade, but have never bothered to do one of the most Canadian, Torontonian activities of all…ice skate at Nathan Phillips Square. Until this week.

For the past 3 years I`ve helped support a young gentleman with Autism. Much of that time, he spent each Monday & Tuesday overnight at my place becoming a significant fixture in my world. While we no longer have a formal arrangement, I still get together with him and his family and adore his company as much as ever. So, when we made a plan to hang out the other week, this fine man and I agreed to do a little skating.

Keeping in mind that this guy is 6`5``, 200 (and something) pds, I was immediately concerned that he might just collapse on the cold ice and that would be it. As always though, his spirit and ability humbles me. Alongside the show-off teens and random wanna-bee Olympic ice dancers, Mr. W was a smashing success on blades! Me however…well, thank gawd I held the camera!

A first, but not a last. Thanks Bas-a-roo!

Sexy Beast

The Supremes said “You Can’t Hurry Love”, but c’mon that was 1966! While the fabric will never change, the rules, the playground and especially the timelines of dating have certainly put on a newer, more dynamic dress. Online, blind, double and of course, the remedy for the impatient and/or thrifty seeker; SPEED dating. A few weeks ago, I went speed dating for the first time.

I recently heard a radio segment claiming that an adult break-up typically costs between $500 - $1500. Sometimes there`s a moving truck, the new gym membership, the mani/pedi, a haircut, some new outfits, new perfume/cologne and of course the expense of dating itself. Unlike 1966, ladies are paying their share of the bill. It sure adds up.

I tried to keep persepctive as I cursed the ticket price for the FastLife Speed dating event my friend and I signed up for. 16 dates for $55, ok ok…not that bad. I wish the cliché had occurred to me sooner though; you get what you pay for.

Teamed as the “Sarah’s”, we scurried up to the Office Pub downtown already late. Remembering that chomping gum can come off a bit crass, we quickly and carelessly spat our wads onto the street and plowed through the front door full force.

I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting, but the scene was far from my overactive imagination. There were some random guys and gals mingling about, but for the most part everyone was seated awkwardly in their respective spots; waiting.

Soon enough, the gong bonged and the succession of 6 minute meetings began. There was Harry from Holland who could barely stop giggling long enough to finish a sentence. Prashant, Rommel, Hamil, Rohan and Murat were all consultants from Dubai. Jonnathan`s first question was ``what are your secret passions and what really turns you on``. Gulp. Don had on a shirt 3 times too small and a hair cut like Jim Carry in Dumb and Dummer . Leroy had Cuban drug lord written all over his jeweled fingers and fancy clothes and I can`t really remember the rest to be honest. In the end, I put an X in the NO box next to each fine fella - reminding myself that the intent was never anything more.

The night definitely brought out some good laughs and interesting people, but it's certainly not the avenue for me. The best part of the entire experience is that now, according to FastLife, I`m a certified ``Sexy Beast``! Ha! And, the host turned out to be pretty cute. That story...to be continued.