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A Warning to Would-be American Express Cardholders

2009-06-23T13:32:00.009-04:00

In the States, American Express seems to be accepted at many locations with minimal fuss, this is what I discovered on a recent Stateside road trip when I picked my life up and moved to Vancouver from Toronto in order to be part of the 2010 Olympics games. It's when I got back to Canada that the fuss began. I was late paying a bill, despite having updated my address with Amex I received no statement. I was getting calls from them at 5AM in Vancouver telling me I was $15 off paying my minimum balance. I tried to change my address on their records again and again. Finally I got my statement and noticed my interest rate had increased from 15.99% to 19.99%, all for a platinum card with NO PERKS. I was livid; because I had miscalculated a payment by $15 they jacked up my interest 4 percent?

They'd done this once to me years ago, raising interest from a semi-acceptable 12.99% to 15.99%. I called to complain today and was told American Express had "raised all cardholders interest rates in order to remain competitive". So we're in the middle of a global recession and they chose to raise their rates to remain competitive? That's how they reward loyal, long-term cardholders? It's a joke. Many places in Canada do not even take the card, and now I see why. They charge storeowners double the rate other credit card companies do, in order to process payments, and they probably bully them too, raising rates whenever they deem it appropriate. My warning? Steer clear of companies like American Express. They don't care about customer service, they only care to take from the poor to give to the rich. If you want a healthy bottom line do your research and find a credit card company that cares. (I've had a BMO Mastercard for nearly 12 years and my interest is still 10.95%.) Better yet, wean yourself off your cards. If you need a little motivation, check out the film Zeitgeist. You'll be appalled at how much the big banks and players in the US economics industry get away with.

24 Hours of Tremblant

2007-12-18T11:41:00.000-05:00

I'd been daydreaming about a trip to Mont Tremblant and I knew the snow was falling in the Laurentians with a decent base of 120cm already awaiting me. So, when a friend visiting from the UK said he hadn't yet seen Montreal or Quebec we knew it was time to hit the road. Time was limited. We'd have one night and day at Tremblant - 24 hours - before heading to Montreal for a bit of boozing and back to Toronto.

I'd planned a quick stop over in Saint-Adele for a drink before we had to hit the sack, it would be a bit of a treat too, as DJ Champion would be playing in the small French town. The first time I'd seen him was at a surprise party in the village lodge at Blue Mountain and he was incredible. Before that I'd never really seen a DJ conducting things before, but it worked really well for him and his vocalist, as well as his 4-man guitar band. Arriving at the Bourbon Street Bar I was a bit surprised to see the crowd. They were all super cute and having a great time, but all looked like they were ordering drinks for the first time in their lives. We stayed for a couple bottles of red wine - the bar offers pocket-sized bottles instead of the usual glass - and then headed further into the Laurentians to find our lodgings.

I was excited about the place we'd be staying at, the Cap Wyndham Tremblant. It was supposed to be the highest-altitude resort close to Tremblant so we'd have unparalleled views. I'd been given the accomodation tip from a friend at work. For $220 for the night we scored a beautiful 2-bedroom apartment with full kitchen. We may've stayed up later than we should enjoying the comforts of the toasty stone fireplace and spicy red wine.

I awoke to near blizzard conditions the next morning which made me as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning. I made coffee and tried to get my friends up. Slowly they rose and the sun broke to reveal a stunning view of Tremblant awash in gold glow. I'll never forget that view. It couldn't have been better if we were right in Tremblant village.

Things were busy when we reached the mountain. A charity event called 24 hours of Tremblant had taken over part of the hill and the village was bursting with the buzz of racers and organizers alike. For us, it just meant longer line-ups to get our stuff together and longer waits at the cafes.

By about noon we were on the hill and ready to get some runs under our belt. Our top man from the UK showed us that sometimes beginners can surprise you, as he and Craig made their speedy way down a southside green run.

When it was time to warm up we took the gondola to the top for a look around and grabbed more mini-bottles of wine. Form the lodge at the mountain top the view was never-ending, it just made me want to get back out on the runs.

The wind was furious. It was enough sometimes to simply turn my torso toward the wind the get some drag, otherwise Craig and I were flying down every run. We were hoping to get in as many as possible. At about 4 the gates begain to close and there were no more rides for us to catch.

We sat side stage and heard David Usher play before taking in the action in the village. There were some fantastic acrobats showing off their trampoline tricks in the main square.

While I was there, I bumped into an old friend who was taking part in the race. 8 people per team race 24hours long, getting in as many runs as possible. Millions are raised from the event for a childrens charity in Quebec. While I've never done anything quite like it Craig and I agreed it would be a great way to start the season next year.

All photos by 416style and videos by sookiyaki.

Wasaga Strip Suffers Major Fire

2007-11-30T11:29:00.000-05:00

Every summer I spend a couple weekends up at Wasaga Beach near Collingwood. The beaches are fanastic, both warm and shallow owing to the ebb and flow of sandbars that stretch along this freshwater beach, dubbed the longest in the world. The main beach is way too crowded usually so I linger further down to catch some sun and make a stop at the infamous Wasaga strip before I go home. Wandering along these tacky shops that overflow onto the sidewalk had become a tradition for me. I'd pick up a couple bikinis, maybe a pair of sunglasses or a summer dress and a few cheap tank tops too. This summer I had a camera in hand and spent a bit more time exploring the strip and the area around it. It's getting ugly on the main drag, I thought, as construction crews toiled away at gaudy mirrored buildings I knew would become hotspots for muscled men showing off their summer pecs. It seems the kind of place these men with their flashy cars would love. Moving away from all the loud cars assaulting my senses I found the old strip, a beautiful and charming pedestrian area that seemed time had forgotten. There were peeling buildings in bright colours and blow up toys for kids and even a vacant art deco building that may have once been a theatre. This old Wasaga strip no longer attracted the attention of passersby, business along it appeared to be struggling, but to me it was magic. I could see the potential of these historic buildings to bring a different crowd to Wasaga. People who wanted to enjoy a sidewalk cafe or a market while admiring the beauty of the architecture to be found there. I suppose that's what I would want.

News this morning breaks me out of my reverie. A fire's blasted through the strip, destroying 75% of the buildings and homes along the Nottawasaga Bay. It's devastating. I hope that councillors and businesses in the area pay respect to Wasaga's past by re-building and chosing to re-live some of its former charm. My feeling though is that they'll continue to build and approve the unfortunate style of architecture they currently are on the beachside and also continue to appeal to the riffraff that have given this sweet little town a bit of a bad name.

Japan's Winter Wonderland

2007-11-22T16:25:00.000-05:00

As the first fresh snow falls around my treetop house in Toronto I start to think I've gone to heaven. It's beautiful and signifies to me something more than just the onset of the cold season. It's adventure in rolling hills and beautiful valleys. It's time to snowboard!

When I pick up a hot coffee at the local lunchbox I gravitate toward an issue of New York Times' Travel magazine with a stunning cover.

It's Japan in winter, where historic spaces meet Eastern-influenced haute-couture, and it's gorgeous. It's also striking how much the art direction seems to be pulled from my favourite art pieces, Hasui's iconic woodblock prints. While it's no easy task finding the old-world Japanese charm that's reflected here, this layout brought me there, to this fantasy world I'd dreamt of, if only for a moment.

Snowboard Show Starts the Season

2007-10-12T11:32:00.001-04:00

If you're one of those people who, all winter long, talk of nothing but the crappy weather there might be something you can do to turn that frown upside down: snowboarding. All summer long while everyone talks about how beautiful it is I'm secretly wishing snow would fall, and keep falling.

Finally the wait is almost up. This weekend's Toronto Ski, Snowboard and Travel Show marks the unofficial start to the season. From today at 3PM through to Sunday at the Automotive Building, Exhibition Place, you can find all the snowgear you'll ever need and plan any winter getaways too. Gear is usually last year's stock and priced to fly. It's not just boards and bindings, great deals can be found on sporty winter jackets and "underwear" too.

All that's left to consider is where to board when the flakes start falling. Mount St. Louis Moonstone offers great beginner "discovery" packages which include a lesson, rentals and lift all for under $55, but if you're serious about the white stuff Blue Mountain's selling a 5x7 - all nights and weekdays lift pass - for $164 until October 22nd. Last year I waited too long and had to pay double - still worth every penny. This time, I'll pick up my pass at the snowboard show. They'll take my picture and I'll be done with it - no hour long lines when I'm busting to get on the hill.

Admission to the show is $15.

Who Doesn't Love A Little S'Mac?

2007-08-15T19:52:00.000-04:00

I've been eating mac and cheese since I was a key kid and, as Gridskipper's Chris Mohney puts it best, I expect to be gumming it down well into my dotage. The best place for the chewy cheese in Toronto is, hands down, Freshwood Grill on Roncesvalles. Made with four cheeses, fun spiral pasta and a bit of tomoto and basil, I guarantee you'll come crawling back for it on your carb-carving days. At $10 bucks a pop this ain't kid's play though.

Scanning through Gawker today I came across a link to Mr. Mohney's piece on the Best Mac and cheese in the big Cheese - NYC. I was thrilled to learn about S'Mac in Manhattans' East Village. The people who created this divine orange eatery (pictured above) must truly have macaroni madness.

I used to make fun of a co-worker who'd spend his long weekend's visiting the last few St.Hubert's in Ontario, but now I'm geeking out at the thought of taking a trip just to get my hands on a little NYC S'Mac.

Sink, Swim or Float

2007-08-03T20:29:00.001-04:00

Float Homeless Roland
Originally uploaded by Professional Recreationalist

I found this photo on flickr and had to take a closer look. This small capsule floating down a B.C. river is someone's home. Built of PVC with catamaran base his home winds downstream like the water. In a world full of overstimulation the idea of floating downstream seems simply amazing.

Roppongi Nights

2007-08-02T12:36:00.000-04:00

I spent a night with a bunch of friends exploring Tokyo nightlife. We ended up at some little restaurant in Roppongi at 5 in the morning and had to find some way to amuse ourselves - besides karaoke - until they brought the ramen noodles to our table.

Fast & Furious: Collingwood Drift

2007-02-19T15:31:00.000-05:00

When the snow falls in Collingwood there's more to do than just snowboarding and skiing. We took my Nissan Pathfinder for a spin to make this video we call Fast & Furious: Collingwood Drift. Please don't try drifting yourself if you don't know what you're doing, watch the video instead.

Blue Mountain Boarding is Back!

2007-01-10T16:51:00.000-05:00

Just days after the closure of Blue Mountain in Collingwood made the front page of Toronto's major papers, it appears trails have reopened and the snow report is looking up. It's great news for skiers and snowboarders patiently waiting to hit the slopes in Ontario again. Only two trails are open for now, Smart Alec and Tranquility, both which feed into the Village at central base, but snowmaking is happening on several others.

The week before Christmas I got in one day of boarding - on a base of only about 25cm - but it looks like, after the snow last night, there's already a little more powder to play with. This season I rented a chalet with friends and paid full price for a season pass so I've been anxious to see the snow start falling. It might have been delayed but I think it's here to stay.

The Weather in Sydney: Sydney 2000

2006-11-26T11:19:00.000-05:00

It's a windy, greyish day in Sydney, Australia, and there’s nothing even Juan Antonio Samaranch, Nike*TM, McDonald's*TM or Bill Gates could do to make it a sunnier day here, not even take out a contract with someone who can, even though they’re the ones inevitably pulling the strings around here.

This weather may be foreshadowing the events that will take place in the next two weeks, the 2000 Olympic Games. Will the world emerge a better place after these "green" games? Are people beginning to understand what's important here? Judging from the pale, bloated, smug faces I see, sporting their badges of authority, I think not. But it's hard not to be a cynic after coming into this world from the other planet I've been on for the past three months.

Don't get me wrong. Sydney is going off, and I love it. There are tons of things to do, both expensive and for free too. (My email comes to you courtesy of IBM's Surf Shack in Darling Harbour.)

Last night was like New Years', beautiful and exhilarating. Fireworks danced from Sydney's AMP tower across the shining evening sky (courtesy of the full moon) and there were enough lasers to make Hans Solo feel emasculated. Every cool Aussie band, besides "too-good for us" Kylie, was playing in the park. And all you had to do was subject yourself to the efforts of a million sweating copywriters and hungry CEO's shoving their latest buzzwords and advertorials in your face. Nike*TM has covered entire skyscrapers in their effort to get us to notice them. Why not just ditch the sweatshops? I retract that. (Can I be sued for libel?)

I found refuge at the gym. Nice to see the suits detoxing themselves from a day's work. As if there weren't enough buff bods in Sydney already, now there are the athletes and wanna-be athletes, juicin’ up on Gatorade*TM and strutting their stuff.

But, that's what I love about Sydney, she's never been self-conscious. Though, it did seem that way when I arrived a couple days ago. I felt sorry for her. She was like a star that had made up her Cover-Girl*TM face and put her best Nine West*TM foot forward, yet, there was no crowd to appreciate her talent. Well, the crowd was just a little late. They're here now, and she's dancing and spinning at a dizzying pace. I just hope she doesn't fall flat on her face. We've seen it all before, and it's just a sad (albeit funny) thing to see, and where does it get us in the end? What did Atlanta in ’96 do to make the world a better place? Do we remember the shining stars or were their faces hidden in Coca Cola's*TM red glare?

Like all the athletes, I'm here following a dream too. This morning I came to the harbor. Past all the massive cruise ships, housing their network stars and casting their shadow over the struggling Rainbow Warrior, I walked, to the Sydney Media Center (SMC) in the hopes of displaying my talent. I didn't do any pirouettes, I just told them, flat out, what I wanted and now I'm hoping for my chance to shine. The SMC is set up as a collaborative effort to disseminate information to all journalists, accredited and non-accredited, and it’s free. At the end of the day I think that's what it's all about: freedom, freedom of information and freedom of choice.
Mind you, it's about respect and responsibility too.

So if Australia's Green and Gold can get both things right, I know the clouds will disappear, so both you, and I, will be filled with some more positive energy, courtesy of The Sun (no registered Trade-Mark).

;) Sus*TM

Canada's Huge!

2006-10-20T11:24:00.000-04:00

capital
Originally uploaded by 416style.

When I'm travelling I'm always surprised how little people know aboout the geography of Canada. I mean, look at a world map you can't miss it. It's huge! In fact it's the second largest country in the world by area at nearly 10 million square kilometres. WIkipedia breaks it down for comparison. In the top three are Russia, Canada and then China.

Harvest Festival

2006-09-23T21:39:00.000-04:00

Last weekend, an hour and a half east of Toronto, Harvest Festival went going down. If you're not an electronic music freak you may wanna move on, but if you are there's nowhere else you should've been last Saturday night. The event has been growing every year - over 1000 people attend each year - somehow though, when festival founder Justin Martin (alienINFLUX) lights his proud 30-foot bonfire, everyone is brought together - hippy love all around. Then things get a bit crazy. Take a look a one of the short Harvest films on theigloo, my fav is 2001.
Throughout the night you can take your pick of one of three unique "stages": a glowing yellow pyramid, a barn with sparkling stars or a giant tent space, all set up on a glorious piece of rural Ontario farmland called Wholearth. If you're in the right spot at the right time you may even see some of the animals roaming about.
Though I'm an electro or tech-house girl I usually find little of it at Harvest Festival; Ali Black may be the only DJ to satisfy that craving. Thankfully, there are other options I can get into too - full-on techno to keep me moving all night and downtempo, dub and broken beats to carry me through to the morning. I've seen some brilliant acts at Harvest. A couple years ago the DJ duo the Dukes played an amazing set dressed up as Kiss and in the chill out room there was a great pairing of flute and digeridoo.
In the morning it's amazing to wake up with hundreds of others to on a beautiful and sunny autumn day., then join the crowd at nearby Healey Falls - the perfect place to get refreshed before heading back to civilization.

Miami: A Day In the Life of a Hustler

2006-08-27T16:13:00.000-04:00

goldie
Originally uploaded by jeffhurlow.

In South Beach, Miami, everyone's a hustler. I did my fair share at the WMC - Winter Music Conference - and scored VIP tix to Paul Van Dyke and Carl Cox at Space and at the Raleigh Poolside party, free CD's, VIP seating and champagne at a few of the clubs. I ended up at Carl Cox's promoter's hotel room (nothing funky). I got a jet-ski ride from someone tryin to hustle me. I was serenaded and given roses, and last night I cruised Miami harbour in a speedboat until the sun came up, but that just kinda happened.

Now I'm back in Toronto in a Trance. Why can't life be like that everyday? I digress.

Miami is the scene for those who like to watch and be watched.
Inside the clubs women cover bare minimum. Some in hot pants, or with boobs hanging out, push it to the front of the floor to get the crowd heated. Everybody's workin’ it.

Space was the only real dark club, but then when we were done dancing at about 8 in the morning and you come out to their patio, full sunshine sprays your face with light. Everyone who can handle it under this magnifying glass after a night of hard partying is out on the dance floor trying to inspire the rest of the masses to get up and groove. Those just mashing on the sidelines usually can't handle it too long. But we stayed, until about 10am, dancing under a sky of butterflies and sunflowers until my legs just couldn't bear it. Out into the Miami heat in my pleather pants, I found my buddy Leo who hooked me up with a lift on his sportbike to South Beach about
20 minutes away.

Crobar was a feast of dancers with Ricky Martin hips and performance artists in Oriental theme. Erick Morillo and Armand Van Helden played the main room. Darren Emerson rocked the VIP room and gave me a sly smile when he caught me shakin’ my booty too.

A couple nights before, Digweed played a massive set while some friends from Uni were on stage trying to push the crowd harder. This is the place to be watched. Each sparkle of the eye or shake of the hip becomes part of the sensual energy building up the crowd. No longer content to be candy kids we got decked out in grown-up gear and let ourselves be devoured by salacious eyes.

Nothing here but people who wanna party. On Saturday, we forked out our $70 US to get into Ultra, a day rave beside the harbor. John Kelly, Timo Mass, Tall Paul and Richie Hawtin played danceable sets, but of the hundred or so DJ's spinning on one of seven stages, it was Pete Tong who made my day. After the heat got the better of us we made it over to the Twillo tent where things were so sticky and sweet there were jets of frost cooling off our bodies. The space went white for 5 minutes, enough to cool us down and get us refreshed for the next set.

Went to Nikki Beach four times last week (remember the old Penrod's?) Nikki's is my favorite club in the world. It's dreamy. Arrived at 3 in the avo for a seafood lunch, had to work a waiter friend for the last table. We sucked back some tropical bevvys and watched the people. This was a crowd that wanted to have fun, sucking back drinks as the sun was setting over South Beach. We grooved on the sand while Fat Boy Slim offered up some phat tunes. Wow! Fair and I were groovin’ in barefeet and grass hats made by our new found Cuban and Brazilian friends. Just in time for the Basement Jaxx duo came an ocean breeze to cool us down before things heated up again. The press was everywhere, becoming an audience for those wanting to be watched tearing up the sand with their breakdance beats or slinky threads gyrating to please the crowd.

It doesn't matter here whether you're a stripper, a DJ, a clubber, or a club owner. No one here gets special treatment unless you hustle your stuff, then of course you could just kick back and watch.

Bienvenito a Miami.

bumpmedia meets blogger

2006-06-02T00:32:00.000-04:00

blogger logo
Originally uploaded by Arry Konzhoen.

Eleven months into my blogging hobby I now have 5 blogs, I’ve created 114 posts and -here’s the BIG NEWS- today I reached 10,000 hits. Thank you all for stopping by, leaving comments (that’s what blogging’s all about) and showing your support for my writing habit.

Feel like going for a spin? FourONEsixSTYLE will take you for a ride around Toronto. Need to know what’s hot in technology and media? Freshtracks will give you the latest news, reviews and breakthroughs. Don’t want to travel the bumpy road anymore? Travel in style when you visit bumpmedia’s travel blog.

Burgeoning blogs include one for my Theta friends from University to stay in touch, and another blog building up to the 2010 Whistler Olympics (I can’t wait).

Highlights of my blog career include getting posted on CBC’s The Hour homepage (thanks for noticing) and getting one of my flickr photos published on a book cover.

Now that I’m feeling like an old time blog pro I’ve also started contributing to an addictive urban blog called blogTO. You’ll catch me posting there at least 3 times a week.

“Where do you find the time?” my friends ask. I know though that if I wasn’t writing I’d go mad. So please, drop by and read my blogs now and then and help contribute to my sanity.

The Red Tide

2006-06-01T13:25:00.000-04:00

digitalaska143.JPG
Originally uploaded by flybutter.

I only had a few days in LA and there were some things I had to do while I was there. One of them was to get out surfing. I love the ocean - who doesn't - and I couldn't wait to dip my feet in and get a taste the salt water. My girl Samantha was cool about taking a drive to Santa Monica to pick up a longboard from my buddy Oliver before he left town. After picking it up, we drove around with this 8 footer on her car, hoping it wouldn't fly off while on the highway, then dropped it off at her place before heading out for some Friday night fun. Crazy night. Ended up at some slick place in the hills with a beautiful pool til 5 in tha morn, then called it quits. Only 4 hours later Sam decided it was time to do yoga. What? Are you kidding? I thought initially, but my attitude changed. When in Los Angeles...

If she could wake up and do some downward dogs after a night like that, well, dammit so could I. I was feeling hard core. Two hours of showing off and a nice latte later it was time to hit the beach. I hadn't surfed since Australia and was super psyched. Sam and I, and another couple girls piled into her car and drove for an hour to Topanga canyon. It was gorgeous. Think this is where most of the first season of 24 was shot.

The beach wasn't too bad, even though it was beside a highway. The waves were a decent height. There were some locals there that didn't love us, but I was riding with an LA girl who was used to competing in the IronMan/Woman, so I wasn't worried.

I stole a couple waves which is really bad style and realized I couldn't get my ass off the board. After giving my all at yoga all I felt like doing when I caught a wave has lying down on my board to catch some zzzz's. The paddle out was hard enough. Guess I can't do it all. That was it for day one. One more shot tomorrow.
Back to Santa Monica. Got my board ready to go but...it was flat. You really gotta prep for this stuff. Know where and when to go and wait for it. Be ready. Kinda like being out there and waiting for the wave itself.

We had a nice breakfast instead and watched the weirdos of Venice beach do their thing. Not too far away, beyond the sounds of skateboards clacking, we heard a drumming circle; so we found a spot on the beach nearby to chill, listen and watch the sunset.
Still a bit upset with myself from the day before since there'll be no more surfing for this Toronto girl for awhile, I could at least get another taste of the water. Anyone else game? Nope. No one. But I was insistent. Spiled LA kids, they get beach time whenever they want, probably too cold for them now that they're used to LA life. I went in, on my own, and it felt gross. Not like Miami where you could linger in the salty stuff all day.

Flying home early the next morning I saw why the beach isn't so impressive to some in LA. It's called the Red Tide. You could see it from the plane. Streaks of algae for miles. And I got kinda sick when I got home. They did warn me it was kinda dirty and polluted, but folks had said that about the pristine beaches of Oz too.

So while I realized I shoulda followed the whole "when in Los Angeles" philosophy...I relaized if one does it would mean no swimming at the beach, lots of driving, power yoga, lattes and organic food. It's a strange place with some seriouly contradicting values. Really you just have to be prepared. There's a ton you can do and if you've only got a little time you've really got to figure out what's worth it. Maybe you wanna go with the flow, but maybe it's worth it to stick to your goals. LA is a sprawling metropolis, it's no beach town.

--- Susanne Jespersen in Los Angeles

Lost in Transit

2006-04-15T13:34:00.000-04:00

shibuya gridlock
Originally uploaded by 416style.

Lost in Transit. --- Susanne Jespersen in Toyko, Japan (02-Nov-04).

Tokyo can be immensely overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time. Everything is always in motion, people have little time to spare and are often running to make the last train, last bus or, in the case of some well-dressed but drunk business men, the alternative is to pass out on the spot wherever that may be. Forget the ride home on the vomit comet. Especially after all you can drink Karaoke at 6 in the morn.

I was lucky to have several Japanese friends from Toronto along to take me to the right spots for people watching: Roppongi (though I wasn't impressed with all the tourists), Shibuya (good times), Ginza and the Tokyo fish market (best sushi ever!!!) I kept up with the best of them, drinking Soju all night and meandering through lounge after bar after restaurant. The sheer volume of people and places is what one imagines before coming to Tokyo, and one would be right. There is always noise and motion. What left me unimpressed was the city skyline. For some riduculous reason I pictured a city littered with manhattan-like skyscrapers in a futuristic Bladerunner sense, and many people I spoke to had shared the same idea. But it was quickly apparent this was not the case. Tokyo is earthquake central. I missed one Tsunami the day I landed and three major earthquakes the month after I had left.

Unless you're a top executive, being catered to while on an all expenses paid trip, Tokyo is better left for the hardcore traveller. English is not common, the food is strange (and I eat Japanese at home in Toronto all the time), and it's not the easiest to navigate. But if you've a sense of adventure, take your chances and get yourself lost in transit.

Lucky To Eat

2006-04-11T01:11:00.000-04:00

red eye
Originally uploaded by 416style.

I was coming back on Air Canada's red eye from Sao Paulo, Brazil and let them know when I boarded that I was the "veg dinner" if they were looking for me. It turned into a big deal, they didn't have it but borrowed one from J/exec class and then told me over and over how thankful I should be that I got to eat, and I'm thinking 'what be thankful that they didn't screw it up, or at least were able to fix their own mistake'? I couldn't believe their attitude. It was shocking.

Brazilian Beach Culture

2006-04-10T21:56:00.000-04:00

beacon
Originally uploaded by 416style.

Visitors to Sao Paulo could easily immerse themselves in Japanese culture in the Liberdade district, which has the largest population of Japanese in a city centre outside the Asian island. But, Brazil has a serious Japanese influence, even outside the main cities of Rio, Sao Paulo or Brasilia.

Couldn't believe that even in the middle of the rainforest I could find a slice of sashimi paradise.
A little raw fish, a tasty sakirinha (caipirinha) and this little spot up a sand path from the beach equals one perfect day in my book.

It's Not About the Destination...

2006-01-28T00:47:00.000-05:00

create your own visited countries map Where I've been.

I used to play a fair bit on trekshare until I found flickr. I liked how trekshare really focuses on travel related photography, though I've found flickr's interface much more sophisticated and easy to use to organize and uploading photos. It's a big pain when frineds send their travel photos and slideshows from a website that requires signing in, confirmation emails and then tons of spam down the road. Ophoto is like this, as are many others.

I'm pissed!

2006-01-10T14:51:00.000-05:00

ahora como manzana
Originally uploaded by elultimoheroe.

Just before Christmas I realized I had some expenses to build up so I wouldn't be nailed for a huge tax bill. The one thing I wanted more than anything was a 15" mac G4 powerbook. I weighed other options like the ibook but I'm gearing up to be a tv producer who should know editing and graphics as well so I went for the super power, the one with greatest connectivity and the one I knew would last.

Well it'll last I suppose, but less than 2 weeks after my major purchase ($2400 + warranty, RAM upgrade and taxes) at Carbon Computing I don't even have something top of the line anymore. I would've loved to have just some of the features now available on the just released macbook pro - front row, built-in isight and a dual processor, never mind it's 4x faster and cost $100 less!!!!! I'm pissed!

Maybe the new intel chips will suck or need tweaking for the first year or so. What crap. Apple never has christmas or boxing day sales and now they'll likley drop the price $800. Jerks!

I knew there would be new releases with the new chip but no one I talked to suspected it would be the laptops that they revamped. Well, rumours were out on my RSS feed from CNet yesterday and I was hoping it wasn't true. For those of you who haven't picked up your Apple laptop yet, congratulations! You have something to look forward to. Though I'll still be proud to tell you that I use a powerbook, if only because it sounds so much better than the new moniker: macbook pro.

Sushi, Sake and the Bullet Train

2005-06-30T18:20:00.000-04:00

osaka neon
Originally uploaded by 416style.

My trip through Japan brought me to Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. While I didn't find the same charm - inherent in 18th century Japanese art - that had inspired and had led me there, I found beauty in other ways: Osaka's neon streets, the bullet train and the grace of Japanese customs.

I cut my first video you can see below, the first of a series of glimpses into Japanese culture. It begins with our departure on the bullet train and will take you by Mount Fuji, engage you in discussion about the usefulness of chopsticks and complete the journey at a restaurant in the Tokyo Fish market, where one learns the proper and not so proper ways to enjoy sushi.

Can you really pull off a two-biter? Keep it all together? Maintain your dignity with the host, dinner guests, and sushi chefs? Take a peek at "Sushi, Sake and the Bullet Train" to see how well we pull it off.