It is ALIVE!!

So, with the death of Tumblr for some time there, I officially lost all interest in posting on that site. Along with that came the death of my social life as well as anything outside of work, so here I am, 6 months later going to give this blog a fresh start. Thanks for being patient folks!

This Blog isn't QUITE dead yet...

"Actually I'm feeling much better... I think I'll pull through" My want to channel Patsy from Monty Python's Holy Grail aside, this blog is quite dead. I decided that I am truly not up to the task of blogging properly right now and therefore I'd like to announce that this blog has MOVED.

I will be taking up residence at http://kcummings.tumblr.com/ instead, and would like to assure you all that I will likely be returning here in the fall. I feel I will have more time to properly blog at that time.

So until then, summer time blogging is gonna happen at the above address!

See you there!

Small Little Update

So as I am sitting here trying to find a perfect way to introduce my Toronto experiences, time is a ticking and I feel like it has been a long time since I updated here. Thus I have decided to report on two things recently discovered.

One is http://www.stereomood.com. A simplistic little website that pieces together appropriate songs to match a particular mood. I've been taking advantage mostly of the "reading" mood and the "romantic" mood (yea... I've been in the mood for romance - Toronto is my boyfriend's city ; ). Not only is this site fun but it is a great way to listen to new music. Pretty amazing. Check it out.

Second. My new food staple:

A Tres Facile Recipe for Tomato Mozzarella Salad:

So simple it should be a sin! A great way to take advantage of the fresh tomatoes season.

All you need is:

Fresh Tomatoes (I've been using 2 per person, and have been looking for yellow ones, but red will do!)
1/4 of a Lemon - adds a particularly tasty fresh side to the dish
Balsamic Vinegar - yum!
Basil Leaves - about 4 for one person (I do like my basil)
Mozzarella Balls - now living in the Kensington Market area, I take advantage of the cheese shops nearby, but you can get the boccacini containers in your average grocery store.

Chop it all up and mix into a bowl.

3 drops of Balsamic and one squeeze of lemon (make sure there is no pits!) should do. This is a dish I have at least once a day and I usually hate tomatoes, so enjoy! I definitely do :)

Okay, well that's it for now! Update about actual in depth reviews of Toronto places should be forthcoming :)

Cheers!

Kat

Photo taken from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/epsos/3773953521/sizes/m/

Nothing better than a Barenaked Lady

Best band I've ever seen live in concert? That prestige honour :P has to go out to my men: The Barenaked Ladies.

Last night, Kingston Canada was treated to a performance from the band at the K-Rock Centre and WOW, what a show! I have seen a lot of concerts in my short time on this planet and I have to say that this was by far the best experience I've had (trumping Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Backstreet Boys, Gordon Lightfoot...) Not only did they play all my favourite songs - ranging from the lesser popular tunes as "Who Needs Sleep?", "Sound of Your Voice", and "For You", to the more popular "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" and "If I Had a Million Dollars"- but with the exception of a couple mis-sung lyrics (Ed was taking over Steve's parts - we'll give him a break) and perhaps the occasional wonky synth line, I have to say this was truly the most amazing and exceptional concert I have ever been to. And who would think that just a mere 4 or 5 months ago the band lost the talent of Steven Page who decided to go out and pursue more artistic venues.

As a fellow artist who saw both the Barenaked Ladies and Steven Page perform separately, I have to say that the performance of the band was truly more impressive. Steven perhaps has the sexiest voice of all of them (sorry boys), but my GOD what talent within a band. The energy stemming from their talent was purely contagious and I know  I am still feeling the vibes emanating from last night's performance. Did I mention that every member of the band has a beautiful voice, can play the piano, guitar, and bass? Who doesn't wish they could have that talent.

All in all considered, what with the opening act from the fantastic Joel Plakett, a make shift dance party at the front of the house (sorry to the people who invested more bucks for first row tickets), and competition between one side and another of the house for the attention from the band, this experience cannot be outdone. My goodness boys, good show!

PS: The band members truly connect with the audience by not only making eye contact but I counted three winks from bassist Jim Creeggan, and got to shake the hands of three of four of the remaining members.  In short, I will definitely never pass up another opportunity to see this band, I love them just way too much.

Great show boys, great show <3

A Bucket List

Extremely premature (let us hope) but never too early to start thinking! Much more will be added to this list but right now I have:

Road Trip from one end of Canada to the next
Live in London England for a minimum of 2 years
See the Northern Lights

Fantastic: Spring is here at last

Through all of the mixed feelings I have been having considering that this is my last month at Queen's University, I cannot help but to be overjoyed that days of bright sunny blue skies, and lounging around at the local LoneStar on their Margarita patio with a nice cold one and good company are almost upon us. Now all us lonely students need to do is persist through exams and studying in order to gain freedom and happiness. I personally am only one take home exam and one screenplay away from completing my work and gaining access to the liberty that is a 9-5 job and two correspondent summer courses.... yikes.

However, I'd much rather have that then the ever persistent winter fat, living in a basement with very little light, and the constant need to cover up to avoid the frigid Kingston wind.

Spring, welcome, we kindly await the glow of your warmth and your exciting ability to bring people together in a relatively relaxed state.

A toast to freedom!

Not Fabulous: Being Alone on a Dreary Evening in a Large City.

Now, I have no reason to complain fully since I will be joined shortly (about 3.5 hrs from now). Usually I enjoy having a brisk day to yourself in a big city where one can just be free to explore, but as I drove my car into the inner city of Toronto, I couldn't help but be a little weary of the horrendous cloud that seemed to envelope the city. It is funny since I so desperately want to live here, but I just felt so frustrated when I set foot into my hotel. All I seem to hear is the sound of sirens, and the beautiful scenery of an office building greeted me when pulling back the curtains of my fabulous pink coloured room :P.

Eh, I guess it can't all be bad. Dreariness and bad architecture aside, it is nice to finally be here looking for an apartment - as if that isn't bad enough. Now is the perfect time to hop across the street and grab a nice salad accompanied with a nice fillet of salmon. Hopefully the hostess won't think me too crazy to be alone in this great big city without a book to read. Hmmmmffff...

How Miserable.

Why does Queen's University have a Cameo for Coke?

Check out my latest article in Transmedia Tv:

http://transmediatv.blogspot.com/2010/02/video-curation-coke-commercial-lends.html

Fabulous in London Ontario? Rob Taylor answers with Braise Restaurant

When on my way home to London Ontario, my father suggested that we go out instead of staying in to celebrate my birthday. I could not help but to be a bit hesitant. London Ontario has very little that one can call a truly enjoyable dining experience. For one who is more inclined towards the familiar meat and potato fare you can certainly get your way with such chains as The Keg never disappointing, but what of a fancier/chic affair? The answer to that has finally arrived. Yes, my dear readers, London Ontario finally has a restaurant worthy of pomp and circumstance.

"Braise" restaurant is the ultimate definition of fabulous. Between an amazing selection of wines (accompanied by a revolutionary oxidizing system keeping the wine always fresh), amazing servers who are extremely friendly and outgoing, and a menu that blows away any competition, it is by far worth the experience, and dare I say it - a heavy bill at the end of it.

Definitely not an everyday experience, but if you are looking to impress, there are several high points one may consider. Like I noted above - the wine selection is to die for. Napa Valley grape or Opus One anyone? Apart from the food and the service, the restaurant itself offers up an intimate, comfortable, yet bright and awakening experience. Mixing tones of dark maple wood and bright orange, along with fabulous chandeliers made out of glass spirals in a three tier shape, the atmosphere is to die for. One could easily assume that they are in Toronto, Montreal, or New York for that matter.

And now, due to a request from a friend, a comment on the menu (why didn't I think of it before?)
I have to say one thing first before we move on here - I was very well supplied by Napa Valley wine, and we ate a bit off the menu, so by the end of the night I was very happy and my mind was a bit blurred with all the fancy dishes we had, but here is what I remember:

Appetizer:
Oysters with an Apple and Onion dip on the side - not only could you taste the salty ocean water in the oysters but the apple and onion were a fantastic take on an old favourite

Salad:
Simple mixed greens with a sweet vinagrette dressing. Served beside sweet pickled walnuts - yum yum! The biggest surprise that night. Delicious.

Amuse Bouche:
Apple Horseradish Sorbet on top of a bed of shredded green apple - mmmm mmmm

Pre-dinner snack? (what's the fancy term?)
Pork Cheek with Wheatgrass in a gravy sauce - the meat was perfect, but I have to say, not being much of a beef fan, I think the gravy was beef based and it was a tad too heavy for me. If you are into heavy meals you would like it.

Dinner:
Soy Bean Curd with toasted quinoa, shaved crudite, carrots in a late harvest vinagrette and truffle oil. Very good, with the curd having the same consistency of Tofu - delicious!

And Now, Desert:

The BEST part! May I say, they knew it was my birthday - Rob is a friend - and we were presented with a trio of desserts ranging from their peanut butter bomb covered in dark chocolate with a peanut butter sorbet, beside three of their doughnuts made in house (never had better doughnuts), and french toast briol covered in caramel. AMAZING! And, to top it all off the plate had "Happy Birthday" written in Caramel on the side. Simply Beautiful.

You are VERY WELL treated at Braise, and I would highly recommend the experience.

Final word on "Braise" Restaurant? Looks like we're not in London Ontario any more Toto...

You can see the Restaurant's website along with their menu and location at: http://braise.ca/

For more information on the naissance of "Braise" please check out this review.

Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/yyelsel_ann/

A first post

Well, if this is to truly be a blog where I review all things that are important to me, I must start by analyzing the blog layout - truly an "ew" moment. (actually, I don't mind it now) I am working on it and this blog is far from going public, but it is perhaps a little more complicated than one would think. I decided to go full steam into this project when I noticed that a lot of things I truly loved and hated were not being reviewed as well as I had hoped. Maybe I will change this by starting up a reviewing blog of things I find truly interesting and important in live in Ontario.

Coming up - a review of "Braise" restaurant in London Ontario Canada.

Photo by:
B℮n