1. If you're ever downtown on a crisp, autumn day, with little to do, there's nothing better than going to the Toronto Islands for a bike ride. And, if you're lucky enough to be with an amiable, obliging chap, you might even rent a tandem bike to explore the beachy trails and leisurely paths that make up Toronto's smallest community.
Hop on the ferry from Queen's Quay Harbourfront, and take a short ride over the water. Aim for Centre Island. Walk straight ahead for 15 minutes and you'll reach an unfortunate-looking Pizza Pizza, a ramshackle and disused candy floss machine, and a beach hut with an assortment of much-loved bicycles to rent by the hour.
We rode past lighthouses, rocky beaches, ducks, geese, and other Minus One couples all the way to the Toronto Island Airport, where planes big and small rumbled across a short runway to safety. Then we turned around and trundled past Hanlon's Point (Toronto's only clothing-optional beach), and across to the other side of the islands where a small community thrives on a country life in the city, with a view to boot.
Magic. Toronto can be a pretty great place.
2. I was also fortunate enough to visit a friend and her very first solo exhibition in Toronto. For those who don't know her, you'll soon hear lots, I'm sure.
Sam Mogelonsky, sculptor, artist, cheery chum, went to Queen's University in Kingston for her BFA before moving to London, England for her masters. She returned to Canada last year and has quickly immersed herself in the Toronto art scene.
Her solo show, Wish you were here, featured a series of utopian, fantasy glitter islands replete with island-bot, a snow globe island momento, and a bronzed typewriter that seemed to melt under the gallery lights.
Check her out! http://www.sammogelonsky.com
Serves as a reminder that I need to spend more time in the studio, and less time in the coffee shop.
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