chapter 01 30 entries
To Observe and Report
The blog that talks about nothing and serves nothing.
Worth something, however, are my nonsensical insights on everything trivial, under-appreciated and misunderstood. But enough talking about myself…
The Wall
Those of us who lived through the seventies or watched reruns of The Brady Bunch would likely recall wood paneling as the choice of interior wall covering. An alternate option to…
Small Town Hospitality
A nerve-wracking episode on our last day in Europe. Ten days of traveling and we missed our transfer from Brugge which should have taken us back to Luxembourg. Sleep deprived and road weary,…
Fox on the Beach
It is now our fourth summer living at the Beach, a neighbourhood twenty minutes east of the city core. The Beach, or more popularly known to the traditionalists as 'The Beaches' is well…
Detox Diet - An Exercise in Restraint
It started on a Sunday. The biggest challenge to the intestinal system since having fasted for a full month some years back during Ramadhan season. This time; a week-long diet that consists…
My Guitar Gently Weeps
"Where it began… I can't begin to know it… but then I know it's growing strong…"…
The Long Goodbye
In the final hour of the last day of November in the year 2012, we lost a dear friend to cancer. In a corner ICU room, six heart-broken friends witnessed a life dissipate, as the oxygen mask…
Great White
When I was eight and growing up in the land "down-under", my holiday seasons were hot and dry. Along with the sweltering heat came the spectacle of cricket (five-day marathon events they…
The Forbidden Fruit
Eve couldn't resist taking the bite. Pierced with an arrow perched atop a poor kid's head. It's seeds spread across the New World by Johnny. A method of averting the good doctor. And as a…
Life Cycle
It has been a long winter. The world is not such a beautiful place after heartache, frustration, and self-doubt creeps in. Losing a job to those considered smarter, tougher and better…
Game is No Walk in the Park
The clouds parted after a steady downpour of rain blanketed the city throughout morning and noon. It was a warm welcome to our arrival at the grounds. I asked myself; 'why in the world am I…
Sat'day Nite Lites
Rugby. Just one of the many great team sports invented by the Brits. Not enough exposure is given to this world-class spectator sport in North America.. a similar fate to the likes of…
Fun Dining in The Big Apple
Who says you cannot savour quality food unless it's fine dining? Fun, not Fine, is where it was at while spending a few days in New York City.
Street Music
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Beaches International Jazz Festival. A week-long summer music event that spans across roughly 2 kilometres in Toronto's east-end. I call it a…
An Introspection on Introversion
This short essay I type is not a book review. I will not try to analyze writing styles nor comment on research methods. I will not express praise nor make critique. I would, however, like to…
Exhibit: Starman
I would be dating myself if I told you I’ve been familiar to David Bowie long before he started crooning to “China Girl”, encouraging the masses to put on red shoes to “Let’s Dance”, and…
Mend My Broken Heart
A defining moment in life happened last weekend. Saturday morning workout at the gym. Aerobics with weights and stability-balls. I had attended these classes before so I didn't think much of…
Comic-Conned
Before the age of 10, I was already very much into reading comic-books. I don’t quite recall how it started. Possibly my first illustrated magazine was a Disney-monthly. I can still remember…
Cross-Country Chillin'
The recent Winter-Olympic Games in Sochi inspired Dee and I to accept a friend’s invitation to join in on a cross-country skiing adventure. So the long-weekend in Ontario found us at the…
Creatures of Habit
You may have guessed from previous postings that I am very much into human behaviour. I read non-fiction to understand who people are, why I am, and how we become. Hence the reason why I…
Bamboo Music
During a visit to our motherland last month, my wife Dee, father in-law Anzar, and Yours Truly spent a couple of days traveling Bandung, West Java. Population, 2.6M. Distance from the…
Gone Fishing
Let's see.. how does that saying go..? "Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day... Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." Sure, that could be true.. but at the rate I was…
Of Golden Bridges, Longing Hearts, and Flowers in Thy Hair
San Francisco is steep. It has been well documented that the city has hilly terrain. The contours of the land tests the weakening knees and the thinning brake pads. The zigzagging descent…
Frozen in Time
Our Refrigerator. This once shiny stainless steel cool case is now an oxidized silver box, with finger smudges and an array of magnets showcasing past destinations conquered. A few stick-it…
South of South of the Border
Admittedly, I was hesitant to leave for vacation. Work commitments.. a newly listed property.. not to mention travel advisory warnings on the internet. But after getting approval from my…
Artificial Worlds and Natural Wonders
The Las Vegas strip on a Sunday morning was beautiful. I had not felt happy or good about myself in a long while. The high-rollers had emptied their coffers. The revelers were hung-over in…
Morocco. Moments.
Morocco. A nation in North Africa with a population of over 33 million. We decided to join our best buddies Ben and Mary on an 8-day adventure trip across various destinations in the…
Unfinished Business
Tapas. I just didn’t get it. Why would Spain want to identify its food culture with appetizers.. salad samples.. glorified finger-food. We savoured lunch on La Rambla, a tree-lined…
Finding Fado
Behind the wheel of my blue jalopy, I insert a cd and crank up the volume. What comes through my speakers is not the raspy vocals by AC/DC, nor Adele warbling "hellooo". The melodies that…
Focus on Havana
Ninety hours in Havana. Outfitted with my new E-M5 Mark II coupled with a pro-grade 12-40mm f2.8 lens, I tagged behind my partner Dee and nephew Kris, who would rather tackle the streets of…
Desert Life
It was time to head home. The remaining members of our tour group had left. Our wallets were depleted of dinars, and I had ran out of clean undies. Our week-long travels in Jordan had tested…