- It was winter. In Canada. My metabolism slowed down to the point of semi-consciousness, like a jellyfish (note to self: check that jellyfish actually do this). For six months and more, I could only afford to expend energy on the most vital tasks, like shovelling snow, making snow angels and staring poignantly at ominous grey skies.
- Acclimbatisation. When I first arrived in Toronto, there were lots of new and exciting things to write about. I went curling; I went five-pin bowling; I saw a hotrod. I'm now entirely used to such spectacular sights, sounds and pastimes -- hence fewer blog entries.
- Distractions. I bought an Ouya and set up XBMC. I got a promotion (sort of). I read a lot of non-fiction books. I finished Uncharted 3 -- only took me two years -- and I've just ordered Rocksmith 2014.
But the real reason behind my radio silence is the fact that Tony and I have been preparing for our summer wedding. From designing cushty invites and an action-packed itinerary to tasting food, wine and beer, it's been pretty much full steam ahead. Pretty much. We're giddy as schoolgirls to have friends and family flying in from Blighty, and we're quietly hopeful that more may yet confirm. For those who have RSVP'd -- and for those as-yet undecided -- here are some reasons to be excited for August:
- Several days in the spectacular environs of Niagara-on-the-Lake, where the ghosts of 19th Century British regulars doff their hats to passing tourists. Fact.
- Free food, beer and wine... FOOD, BEER AND WINE, ALL FOR NOWT!
- A hedonistic night out in Niagara Falls. May or may not include: boat trip, freak show, tequila, haunted house, bowling, tequila, karaoke, mini golf, casino, sambuca, nightclub.
- A chance to see the fabled Toronto Blue Jays in action. Remember when they won back-to-back World Series in 1992/93? No, me neither, but it's nice to watch baseball on a sunny day -- and beer is only $12 a can!
- CN Tower Edge Walk
- Tony and I have been saving up our best patter for more than two years, so our craic will be absolutely top drawer. Mine will be, anyway.
- Beavers, moose, geese, raccoons, bears, maple syrup, Mounties. All that jazz.
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| No thanks. |
We may have twelvety more things to arrange for the big day itself, but as the sun starts to shine and the temperature starts to rise, we're geared up for what should be a special summer. I'll endeavour to document any and all developments that are suitable for publication. Like that time we ordered the white wine, and tried to make sense of the tasting notes we'd made at the winery; notes that described the order in which we tasted samples -- not the most useful reference two months on -- and soon descended into semi-coherent nonsense. After half-an-hour of "heated discussion", we're fairly sure we picked the right wines. In fact, we're 80% certain that 100% of our guests will like or love the white wine we chose. Ask anybody: those are good odds.
