Inspiring

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics began off-kilter enough (let's begin with the fact that it's called 'The Tokyo 2020 Olympics' while obviously taking place in 2021...) with the world in a weird dimensional axle.

Now that it has finally begun, another spin occurred with the announcement of withdrawing from the games by Olympic champion and Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles to focus on her mental well-being.

I have to focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and well-being''

Conidering she was given such a huge 'weight of the world' on her shoulders, it's not surprising that this has affected her mentally. It's literally a BURDEN.

'I felt like it would be better to take a back seat.
I didn't want to risk the team a medal because they worked way too hard for my screw-ups'

While in the past this act would never have been a sane possibility, this courageous decision is now seen as 'revolutionary' as it showcases a very powerful and meaningful shift in the way mental health is being publically discussed in the public sphere. Where in the past this may have led to heavy criticism, in the light of the new world she's now receiving much support for sharing what's she's going through and I fully believe in what she's doing.

She's not the first and only one as the phenomenal tennis player Naomi Osaka had withdrawn from the French Open earlier in the year over similar misgivings over her mental health.

Where in the past these acts are seen negatively, I believe this is the better way as it's very important to address this for the betterment to any person's well-being.

It is very encouraging that she has the support from the USA Gymnastics:

Hint of past 'normal'

FINALLY enjoyed Shelley's birthday Starbucks gift card present from nearly two years ago!!!
No matter...it was still very much worth it (in the form of a Strawberry Funnel frappacino)...as a reminder of the taste of the funnel cake treat that I associate with Wonderland, a place I don't frequent ever, lol!!!

Yesterday, hit up the Donut Hive after checking out appliances at Miele as Ames' condo is nearing completion!

Part of this morning's brekkie, YUM!!!

After spending the afternoon browsing around the mall, we enjoyed dinner at JOEY Yorkdale where I finished off a BBQ Salmon Rice Bowl (made up of sweet sesame soy sauce, edamame, mushrooms, daikon). It was such a delish delight!

This arvo, Fayewood dropped by and we meandered over to Cafe Landwer where we ordered juices to go!

Then we enjoyed our beverages over at Willowdale Park.

I particularly enjoyed the park sights of adorable canines (and nice looking owner, *wink wink*) and bike patrol as they rode throught the park!

A little bit of sunshine!

Something I noted with glee as I went out for my walkabout during my lunch break today -
THIS is the first day since the start of the year that I've seen people eating in the food court
(of course still being socially distant ;)) area again!!! woot woot!!!

Mainly due to the covid restrictions being lifted, the restaurants can hopefully bring in some much needed cash flow again!!! Yay!!!

Welcome to indoor dining AGAIN, yaaassss!!!

Thank you for the welcoming embrace, Hot House Cafe!!!

Split a Hot House Quinoa and Chickpea Vegan Burger with mom and also chowed down on plentiful fries!!!

Attended in person 'All You Can Eat SUSHI Buffet (ordering off the menu)' was mind-blowingly phenomenal!

Also enjoyed a hot dog with my favorite condiment (mustard!) after a looooong needed haircut at the Vaughan Mills Mall strip mall barber shop (that I've now taken to going due to the unfortunate situation with Pacific Mall shutting down - previous hair care destination...).

Hair cut before AND after!!!

Watched the documentary 'After Floyd: The Year That Shook the World -- A Soul of a Nation Special', an ABC special that had aired May 26, 2021. Such a tragedy that still stands out due to such horrific circumstances that no one could imagine that could occur in a first world country. This is a reminder that there's still such a long way to go for changes in society STILL...

SUCH TRAGEDY

Today's post is really a rant!

Receiving a ride home from work from my Father, he mentioned that he'd hired a cleaner for the two toilets in our apartment that had been a recommendation from one of the staff at our apartment. He'd also made a comment that this cleaner had brought her adult daughter with her to our apartment and how the daughter exhibited signs of some type of ABI (Acquired Brain Injury) however through small talk found out she was born with it. He also mentioned that he didn't think he'd use her services again as she took FOUR HOURS to clean them...so my expectation on the cleanliness was extremely high.
My point being that as soon as I returned home and checked out my facilities, have concluded that he should NEVER use this service ever again.

Why?
Sadly, other than the sink being cleaned...there's still so much dust on the bathroom appliance & I'd saw a bug running on the floor...

The main calamity was a soap and lotion dispenser present that had been gifted by my bestie over a year ago (since this pandemic started).

My utter devastation cannot even be described.

Outdoor Keg dining Saturday evening

Sunday Dim Sum
brunch dining

Update regarding second vaccine:
Even though I was originally told the vaccine to be Pfizer, I hadn't been surprised (as my father had received the same notification at his appointment: he took it with no issues) nor any problem receiving my second vaccine shot in the form of Moderna. Mainly due to a CBC article on 'Why mixing Pfizer and Moderna vaccines couple help Canada end the pandemic sooner' posted Jun 23, 2021 that gave an indepth explanation on why the mixing of vaccines due to Pfizer's delayed shipment and the avoidance of losing vaccine rollout steam at a critical time.
According to the article, this move was deemed acceptable between the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to be used interchangeable, due to the fact that they both use a smiliar mRNA technology.
However, the article reported a claim that I saw firsthandedly - that there have been increasing reports of Canadians turning down second doses of Moderna at vaccine clinics if they'd already received a shor of Pfizer, over misguided conderns that mixing the two shots may not be as safe or effective (my mother and my manager's wife being prime examples).
As the article pointed out, an emergency Physician states 'it's unfortunate when people cancel their appointments, because if you look at the structure of the vaccines, they're identical in almost every way and if you look at the way they perform...they almost always mirror each other.' A doctor had also stated 'Staff at our vaccination clinic were saying people showed up, they were excited about getting their vaccine and they were told they were going to get Moderna and then ehty said, 'Oh, I think I'll wait until I get Pfizer.' 'Don't refuse Moderna, it's a really good vaccine - it's easity the equivalent of Pfizer.'
Another doctor points out that the familiarity of Pfizer makes people feel more comfortable. Moderna has been plagued with delays and smaller shipments, so it's been more below the radar.

I'm simply pointing out that as a recipient of mixing mRNA formulas, I'd like to believe that I've more of a shield against this unknown invader...c'est toute!

Also caught the Gossip Girl reboot this weekend! Unfortunately, I had jumped onto the original Gossip Girl bandwagon very late in the game of the original series between 2007 & 2012 through Shelley's influence, I hadn't realized just how much of the plot I'd missed while following the first episode of the reboot. Granted, I don't have the time to even try to binge watch even MORE shows so I'm resigned to know that I will follow this KNOWING that I'll be learning always of what I didn't know ...if this makes any sense...

ESPY Awards 2021

Evening's Highlights with Host Anthony Mackie:
- Kane Brown & Chole Kim presents award Best College Athlete Men's Sports to Devonta Smith
Dixie & Charlie D'Amilio presents award Best Record-Breaking Performance to Russell Westbrook
Nina Dobrev presents Best Athlete Women's Sports to Naomi Osaka
The ESPYS encores Alex Smith
Da Babee presents Best Breakthrough Athlete to Lamelo Ball
Tim Tebow presents V Foundation Victory Over Cancer to Chris Nickage for completing an Iron Man Competition Capital One Cup Athletic Excellence Award
Carrie Strud
Desus Nice, Kid Marrow, Tracy Morgan & Julius Randall presents The Best Game to NCAA Men's Final Four: Gonzaga (93) vs. UCLA (90)
Dude Perfect presents Best Play to Deandre Hopkins
Iliza Schlesinger presents Simone Biles' Best Championship Performance
Billie Jean King speaks on presenting the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award at the upcoming Sports Humanitarian Awards on July 24 on ABC.
Chase Young & Makela presents Best College Athlete Women's Sports to Paige Bueckers
ESPY Best Moment Winners, Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair
Taye Diggs present the Pat Tillman Award for Service to Marcus Rashford
Alexandra Daddario and Rob Gronkowski presents Best Athlete Men's Sports to Tom Brady
Laila Ali presents The Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award to Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Kansas City Chiefs Guard
Robin Roberts presents The Arthur Ashe Award for Courage to Maya Moore (who had left the WNBA to work on freeing Jonathan Irons inmate #101145 Win with Justice - released July 1, 2020 & married July 10, 2020)
Zachary Levi & Kurt Warner presents Best Championship Moment to The Los Angeles Dodgers
Joe Namath presents Best Team to The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

FINALLY watched…like a foreshadowing of the reopening of society (let’s go with that…)

One Night Only: The Best of Broadway
Hosted by Tina Fey Dec 10, 2020

Tony Winner for Best Musical - Jersey Boys Cast of 'A Chorus Line', 'ain't too proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations', 'Chicago: The Musical', 'Diana: A New Musical', 'J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Cursed Child', 'jagged little pill', 'Jersey Boys', 'Mean Girls' & 'Rent'.
Performances by: Antonio Bandaras, Kelly Clarkson, Brett Eldredge, Patti Labelle' & Barbra Streisand
Appearances by: Annaleigh Ashford, Lance Bass, Kristen Bell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sutton Foster, Peter Gallagher, Josh Groban, Jake Gyllenhaal, Sean Hayes, Ron Cephas Jones, Nathan Lane, Brittney Mack, Camryn Manheim, Alanis Morissette, Rob McClure, Leslie Odom Jr., Jerry O'Connell, Mary-Louise Parker, Billy Porter, John Stamos, Blair Underwood, Aaron Tveit, Susan Kelechi Watson & Vanessa Williams

#moderna #covid-19vaccine #mRNA

Double vaxxed!!! ✌️...#vaccinessaveslives

Mary Simon named Canada's 1st Indigenous Governor General

As she's becoming Canada's 30th governor general since Confederation,
CONGRATULATIONS to Inuk leader, Mary Simon
in this historic and inspirational moment for Canada!
ps. Thanks to George Stroumboulopoulos' instagram post notification!

When Nature Calls With Helen Mirren

A WONDERFUL new Thursday program showcasing the world's formidable species of wildlife with amusing commentary and outtakes between Helen Mirren's narrative comments.

HAPPY CANADA DAY! 🇨🇦

DISCLAIMER: OBVIO a belated post from Sunday...

Celebrated Father's Day with a patio meal on this gorgeous day!
#HappyFathersDay #HotHouseCafe

Cappricio appetizer

Dad's 8 oz Canadian Prime Striploin
with corn, mushrooms and fries!

Margarita & a slice of cappricio
Reuben & mint mule

My rueben and fries!

YUM!!!!!

Saw a distinct example of a first-world dog during the week

I joined Winnie's Eglinton-Yonge Toastmasters virtual International Night Thursday evening to hear her and two other participants give speeches in their own international tongue.

Winnie was the first speaker, presenting in her Kenyan dialect

The second speaker, AJ, presented in French. I was happy that I could actually pick up and understand some of the language, yay!

Ruth, the third speaker presented in Spanish. I especially enjoyed her painting! What a lovely artist! And with such speed! It reminded me of watching Bob Ross's tv painting shows
when I was younger!

Tdot step 1 patio reopening weekend!

Now that the city is opened to Stage 1,
enjoyed an outdoors dim sum meal with the rents yesterday at Chef88!

This evening we dined at East Side Marios just after missing a tiny raincloud!

Jumbo Shrimp Alfredo

An Ultimate Canadian Calzone &
a Mario's Spaghettini and Meatballs

A slice of an Ultimate Canadian Calzone

Afterwards, enjoyed a dessert of a phone catchup with bestie, S over the grey's season finale!

The only minor discomfort over our chat was the fact that I was dropped off at reception during our conversation so that I wouldn't lose reception in the underground parking lot. BECAUSE I was sitting outside, I
became the unfortunate real estate to the mozzies outside...sustaining two bites! :/ Luckily, they didn't hit the moneymaker (face ;))!

June 5-6 wknd-ish bingefest

Disclaimer: The world hears of this news (details that I learned from Ellen's post) AFTER the fact a little bit later, which is probably the best gift to the Duke and Duchess!

Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, the second child of Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, was born June 4.

The Junos 50th Anniversary aired Sunday evening with the following lineup:
* Buffy St. Marie
* Justin Bieber - 'Somebody'
* Angeline Tettah-Wayoe - Host of the Block on CBC Music
* R&B Soul singers Liberty Silver (best R&B Soul Recording of the Year) and Jully Black (Solo black female vocalist in Juno's Single of the Year) presents Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year - SOLID, Savannah Re
* JP Saxe ft. Julia Michaels - 'Like That' 'If the World Was Ending'
* Shania Twain presents Artist of The Year - The Weeknd
* Alan Doyle
From Rebel Nightclub in Toronto * Michie Mee and Kardinal Offishall
* DJ starting from Scratch - DJ FreshWest ft Jully Black
* Nav - 'Turks'
* Haviah Mighty
Juno Fan Choice
Susan Aglukark presents MusiCounts Teacher of the year award presented by the Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation to Dr. Mary Piercey-Lewis. This year, Mary will receive $15,000 from MusiCounts in support of music education at her school
* Honourable Steven Guilbeault - Minister of Canadian Heritage presents Kaytranada (2017) for Juno Breakthrough Artist of the Year to JP Saxe
* Win Butler - Arcade Fire
* Jim Cuddy and Ed Robertson present Anne Murray who inducts Jann Arden
- who has won 8 Juno Awards and is a recipient of the The Order of Canada - Michael Buble
* Paul Brandt presents Jann to sing 'Good Mother'
* Max Kerman and Andrew Phung presents Pop Album of the Year Award - Justin Bieber
* Ali Gatie & Tate McRae - 'What if I told you that I Loved You' 'Lie to Me'
* Robbie Robertson - 1989 Juno Winner
* Rap Recording of the Year - Elements Vol. 1, TOBi
* Dance Recording of the Year - Bubba, Kaytranada
* Vocal Jazz Album of the Year - With You, Sammy Jackson
* Jazz Album of the Year: SOLO - Elegant Traveler, Joceyln Gould
* Jazz Album of the Year: GROUP - The Remission, Andy Milne and Unison
* Instrumental Album of the Year - Movements III, Blitz//Berlin
* Album Francophone De L'Annee - Quand La Nuit Tombe, Louis-Jean Cormier
* Children's Album of the Year - Heart Parade, Splash'n Boots
* Reggae Recording of the Year - I pray, Tome X Sean Kingston
* Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year - North Star Calling, Leela Gilday
* Country Album of the Year - The Lemonade Stand, Tenille Townes
Michael Buble from Vancouver - Commodore Ballroom 1930 presents Album of the Year, After Hours to The Weeknd
Buffy St. Marie helps honor Juno's 50th year presenting William Prince ft Serena Ryder - 'The Spark'
Celine Dion honors Juno's 50th
* Adult Contemporary Album of the Year - Such Pretty Forks in the Road, Alanis Morissette
* Music Video of the Year - No One's In The Room, Emma Higgins & Jessie Reyez
* Electronic Album of the Year - Suddenly, Caribou
* Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year - Abyss, Unleash The Archers
* Jack Richardson Producer of The Year - Wondagurl
* Recording Engineer of The Year - Serban Ghenea
* Comedy Album of The Year - Horse Power, Jacob Samuel
* Contemporary R&B Recording of The Year - After Hours, The Weeknd
* Songwriter of The Year - The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye), Belly (Ahmad Balshe), Jason 'Daheala' Queeneville
Sarah McLachlan presents Jessie Reyez - 'Do You Love Her' ' Before Love Came to Kill Us'
Will Arnett & Basement Gang presents Juno Fan Choice to Shawn Mendes
Alex Lifeson & Geddy Lee presents the Humanitarian Award to The Tragically Hip - Gord Sinclair, Rob Baker, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois and Patrick Downie (with popups from Feist, Samanth Nutt - War child Canada Founder, Mark Mattson - Swim Drink Fish Co-Founder, Bryan Paterson - Mayor of Kingston, Perry Bellegarde - National Chief, Assembly of First Nations and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada)

The next 100 years are going to be painful as we come to know Chanie Wenjack and thousands like him - but only when we do can we truly call ourselves 'Canada'. - Gord Downie www.215pledge.ca

Gordon Lightfoot presents 'The Tragically Hip' ft. Feist

The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration - Nov 27, 2020
Hosted by Derek & Julianne Hough/Trevor Jackson #DisneyHolidayCelebration
* Ciara - ‘Here Comes Santa’ - Magic Kingdom Park 2017
* Tinkerbell lighting up Cinderella Castle @ Walt Disney World, Florida
* Dancing w/ the Stars: CarrieAnnInaba/TyraBanks/BrunoTonioli drop in
* BeckyG - ‘Santa Baby’ - Magic Kingdom Park 2018
* Ciara drop in ‘I Got You’
* Supermarket Sweep: Leslie Jones drop in
* Soul: Jamie Foxx drop in
* Jason Derulo - ‘Silent Night’ - Magic Kingdom Park 2017
* Lighting up Hong Kong Disneyland 2017
* Good Morning America: Michael Strahan/George Stephanopoulos/Robin Roberts drop in
* Brett Eldridge & Meghan Trainor ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ - Magic Kingdom Park 2018
* Shaggy ‘Drummer Boy’ - Magic Kingdom Park 2019
* ESPN: Stephan A. Smith/Hannah Storm drop in
* One Republic ‘What A Wonderful World’ - Disney Hollywood Studios 2016
* What We Do In The Shadows: Harvey Guillen/ FXX - It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia: Danny Devito
* Aloe Black ‘I Got Your Christmas’ - Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park 2017
* Lighting up Disneyland Paris 2017
* Freeform Grown-ish: Francia Raisa & Mixed-ish: Mark-Paul Gosselaar drop in
* Boyz 2 Men & JoJo ‘Let It Snow’ - Magic Kingdom Park 2016
* Neil Patrick Harris drop in
* 2019 American Idol winner: Laine Hardy drop in
* Kelly Clarkson ‘Underneath the Tree’ - Epcot 2016
* Lighting up Shanghai Enchanted Storybook Castle Disneyland 2017
* Perform - The Bold Type: Melora Hardin & Motherland: Fort Salem - Demetria McKinney drop in
* Andrea Bocelli ‘White Christmas’ - Magic Kingdom Park 2018
* Disney + Godmothered: Jillian Bell + Isla Fisher drop in
* Pentatonix ‘Deck The Halls’ - Disney’s Hollywood Studios 2019
* Lighting up California Sleeping Beauty Castle Disneyland Resort 2017
* Kristen Bell & Idina Menzel ‘When We’re Together’ - Disneyland Resort 2017

Caught the Barack Obama on Fatherhood, Leadership and Legacy: AC360 Special that aired last night featuring a conversation between former President Barack Obama and Andersonn Cooper who were speaking with a lucky panel of listeners.

Friends: The Reunion

The Friends reunion aired last Thursday on HBO. Even though I've seen episodes and know the basic characters and their plotlines, I never followed this show like how I follow shows like Grey's, One Tree Hill, The O.C., and Gilmore Girls (most likely due to the generation gap as I think I was too young at the time...).

Due to my busy life (whoever believed that this pandemic would have slowed my life down....ALL A BLATANT LIE!), I taped the show and it was on my binge-watch recordings list this weekend!

The reunion was moderated by my fav late night talk show host, James Corden.
And it was a sweet deja-vu that included guest appearances by James Michael Tyler (Gunther), Tom Selleck (Richard Burke), Reese Witherspoon (Jill Greene) Maggie Wheeler (Janice), David Beckham, Justin Bieber, BTS, Cara Delevingne, Lady Gaga, Kit Harington and Mindy Kaling which were ALL a delight!

Reminisent shots of the 'Central Perk' sign, Stage 24 and a 'Friend' coffee sign!

A group shot of the Friends cast with James Corden looking over at the surprise guest drop-in actors who played Rachel's parents!

Lisa Kudrow, 'Pheobe' playing
Smelly Cats with Lady Gaga!

HBD bestie!!!

Back from Thursday and due to the world STILL on lockdown-ish,
these are photo memories from over a year ago! 😱

Long weekend treats!

The Kindness of Strangers, 2019

with Jay Baruchel and Zoe Kazan in this movie.

The Day Sports Stood Still

reminising through documentation of the sports shutdown on March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

American Idol, 2021

Congratulations to Chayce Beckham, the winner!
Luke Bryan was his coach, beating out Katy Perry and Blake Shelton's picks. ;)

#pfizer #covid-19vaccine #mRNA

Step one on the vaccine road...#vaccinessaveslives #mtcc