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A little snack gone awry

A little snack gone awry

I went in for 2, paid for 4 and left with 6.

I'm still a little befuddled, but I think I ran a scam on the Tim's at the corner.

I went in for 2, paid for 4. Okay, anybody who buys doughnuts knows that part is easy. "hmmm, well maybe we'll want a snack tonight... I'd better get 2 each." and so I did.

...paid for 4 and left with 6.
Less easy. I paid for the doughnuts, 80cents each = $3.42 (w/tax), then realized that I could buy 6 for $3.75 = $4.01 (w/tax). So I asked what the price difference would be, she played with the register which displayed the price of both options. So I asked for 2 more and if it'd be okay I'd just pay her the difference. She gave me the extras and walked away.

I stood there, waiting, cash in hand for a couple of minutes until she returned... assuming of course that she was trying to figure out how to do the transaction.

Nope. When she came back she seemed confused that I was still there and wanted to pay. "It's only 3 cents, it's fine"

So out I walked with 6 doughnuts having paid for 4, and only really wanting 2.

Shooting The In Laws

Jump On Board --- Photo courtesy of LexnGer.

It's One of a Kind Time again, which means the In Laws are in town selling wooden toys at the CNE.

Last year I went down to visit them (aka Thorpe Toys) and ended up doing an impromptu photo shoot of their toys for their online store ThorpeToys.com.

However, even with an exhibitor badge around my neck, I had 3 people tell me that to protect the crafters only the press were allowed to take photos.

Yup, you aren't supposed to take photos of your own products at the One of a Kind... weird eh? Especially when the lighting in the rest areas makes it PERFECT to do a little impromptu photo shoot. (and a little too bright to "rest")

So on Sunday I'm packing up my camera, and all my memory cards, to go shoot the in laws.

Weekend Couch Occupant

Pointers --- Photo courtesy of LexnGer.

Would you believe that we had another visitor?  Who knew we were so popular?  But what is it about March that causes everyone to travel?  Left over compulsions from March Break?

It's been great seeing everyone and I know that you're all avoiding coming during book production (which is probably very smart), but it's not like I won't make you all help pick and pack orders, tag along for interviews, or help us do deliveries no matter when you come. Ah the "joys" of visiting the self-employed.

So, consider this a reminder that there are 11 other possible visiting months. Yes, every year! And even though March is over, you can still come visit. 

In fact, now our latest visitor has headed back to Ottawa, we've finally had the time and opportunity to clean up from the book launch (yes, almost a month ago.)

Oh, and for those of you who are in Toronto... it looks like we're about to have a week without a house guest.  So we might actually get to see you.

Cool Things My Friends Are Doing.

So, inspired by Vicki I setup a sidebar area (over there ->) for all the cool things my friends are doing.

Now of course, this requires you to TELL me about all the cool things you are doing.

Not just when I ask and for heaven's sake don't let that humility thing get in the way... I want to know about your projects (Adam, James, Carol), your schemes (Tara), your performances (creampuff, deadrobot, venusvan, Ken are you reading this?), your exhibits (miss.carol, ryan)... and if you have family who are doing something cool, that counts too. (yes I'm talk to you deadrobot... isn't your brother up to something?)

Call it shameless friends-promotion.  Cause lord knows I make you listen to all my schemes, projects and adventures... hey I even rope you in to work on them.

So, if you are reading this and you have something cool going on, please please please tell me about it.  Then I can brag and share about all the cool things you are doing too!

MESH - Toronto's Web 2.0 Conference

MESH - Toronto's Web 2.0 Conference
Photo courtesy of miss_rogue.

Staring our very own Tara Hunt!!!!

Tara will be speaking about the evolution of marketing and after watching her flickr stream and reading her latest blog entries it should be a fascinating talk filled with Pinko overtones and Cluetrain tendencies.

Can't wait!

The League of Shadow Bunnies

The League of the Shadow Bunnies .

We have discussed them and photographed their elusive leader but never before have they flaunted their growing numbers with such flagrant disregard. Beware the League of the Shadow Bunnies.

Sure, they mask their intent by pretending to be innocent easter candy... but who knows the evil that lurks in the hearts of the League of the Shadow Bunnies.

There, just one shelf below. These soft, cuddly and slightly dorky creatures. They look to be the antithesis of the League of the Shadow Bunnies... and yet, seem to appear in the same season. Coincidence? I think not.

Consider yourself warned.

The Trouble With Global Warming - 50 Paces Project

50 Paces Project - Lex Shots So Far

Did I tell you about my scheme to build a floating photo installation for my dad for Xmas?

The scheme involves people from across the world submitting photos taken every 50 paces from their door to 2000 paces away, any and all directions.  Then hanging photos along the ice path from the island to the shore on the trees marking the path every 50 paces.

Using Flickr.com a group of people from Toronto to Germany have submitted photos of their neighbourhoods 50 paces at a time in preparation for this year's installation.

However, this year the ice sucked! In fact, no path was ever established because the river was uncrossable for most of the time from November to March. And while dad was able to cross, restock and join in on a couple of jam-nights, what ice there was is now on it's way out.

So, we have an extra 9 months to build the photo set from around the world exploring what's 50-2100 paces from your door, for the 50 Paces Project - a floating photo installation on a frozen river path. BTW - 50 paces is about 100m, so I find local.google.ca useful for figuring out if a photo fits in.

Hey, I hope you'll consider joining More Info and Join Here

Diva For A Day (& a half)

So one of the journalists asked for a photo of me... So there I am needing a high res picture of which I have very few. We all know I'm the one pointing the camera not hamming it up in front of it...

Until now. 

First Ryan (aka Metrix Feet) kindly offered to point his camera at me at the Art Square Cafe on Tuesday evening. Then Jo Ann from Metro News pointed her camera at me for a couple of quick shots after an interview at Kowloon. And finally, Photojunikie dropped on by for Lemon Drop, and now I have an official Photojunkie portrait. (I've been jonesing for a photojunkie portrait for at least 2 years now, and now I have one.. well, actually, 4..)

So thanks to my friends Ryan and Rannie I have a whack of shots from which I can draw. Woo Hoo!  Thanks guys!

p.s. gotta love those cheapeats earrings.

Current Living Room Resident

Tharn Mommy
Photo courtesy of LexnGer.

Yup, the Shedd's have shipped out and mom has moved in.

Yesterday after realizing we had no breakfast food in the fridge, and only sour cream for her coffee, she suggested we go for breakfast and then wander over to see the oddity that is the Yorkville Winners Store.

As it turns out this was a ploy.  After watching us spend all of Sunday evening picking and packing books to fulfill Indigo orders, PayPal orders and finally getting the winner and celebrity books sent out, she decided she needed a sneaky way to get me out of the office without bringing work with me.

So we spend the day together wandering around Yorkville looking at clothes, books and food stores (aka shopping.)  Results include a lovely raincoat for mom from Linda Lundstrom, a black cropped jacket for me, a bottle of Myer's Lemon Drop mix from Williams Sonoma (for Tuesday night when Ger is at temple), and an invitation to the Ports 1961 "intimate Cocktail Reception" to celebrate their Spring Collection.   

In the midst of yesterday's shopping day, the sky opened up and the rain came down in bucket loads, so we stopped for a quick cup of "out of the rain tea."  I hauled out my camera and started snapping.  Now normally mom looks quite sophisticated and not so tharn - caught in the headlights. But I am a touch intrusive with my camera.

What was that? I thought I heard a chorus of voices saying "A touch??!?!?!"

Guess Who's Visiting.

Tourist Shot of Allan Gardens --- Photo courtesy of LexnGer.

It all starts with a little email asking if I know of any B&Bs in town that are less than $165/night.

"Don't be silly", I reply. And that's how the March of Visitors begins.

Ted & Sue will be staying with us until Saturday for Canada Blooms and a Co-housing conference up in Bolton.

With barely enough time for the guest couch to get cold, the March of friends continues. Mom arrives Sunday for her annual March Break trip to Toronto.

We're planning to swing by Rannie's Portraits in the Park show, Ger & mom will hit the Frank Gehry exhibit at the AGO, likely we'll eat out a little, and probably have some very very long talks about nothing in particular and everything in general. I can't wait.

Just a little over a week after mom heads home, our friend Ron will be visiting from Ottawa. That generally means more good food and more silliness is in the offing.

Then mere moments after that another Ottawa friend is in town, this time staying elsewhere. So we're really only expected for dinner.

It's as if the flood gates of friends have burst open. It's great!