So...

...we didn't get the condo. 4 offers came in and ours wasn't the one they chose. The hunt continues!

If anyone knows the location of a totally awesome condo that no one else in Toronto knows about, let me know!

Home Sweet Home

Ever since we arrived in Toronto, Eli and I have toyed with the idea of buying a condo. A number of months ago we did, in fact, purchase a property but after giving it serious thought during the ten day "cooling off period", we decided to not go through with it. The property was nice but construction hadn't started yet and wouldn't be completed until 2009 (at the earliest) and we both realized that we had no idea where our lives would be in 2009 so committing to a future property just didn't sit right with us. In addition, we realized that moving into an area under development would mean construction around us for the next 8-10 years and neither of us was excited about that.

After calling off that deal we both agreed to take a break from looking and decided that we would just rent until we had a better idea of what exactly we wanted.

The current place that we rent is big and lovely and we both like living with our roommate, Caitlin, but neither of us likes how far we are away from our workplaces. In the last month or so, the commute has really started to wear on me and I fantasize more often than is probably healthy about how nice a week would be without 10+ hours of sitting in my car. We started looking at places to rent but I quickly realized that we could pay virtually the same amount and own a place so the real estate hunt began again.

The ideal place of our dreams was:
- a house (hahahaha - to think we could afford such a thing in Toronto!)
- with a yard (for the puppy that we dream about having one day!)
- close to both of our workplaces (we work about 50km away from each other so not sure how this would even be possible!)
- close to shops/grocery stores/banks
- funky and unique (i.e. not a cookie-cutter drone home)
- NOT in the suburbs

Place of our dreams, yes, but there is nothing in reality that meets all of those criteria in this city. We then lowered our expectations...a LOT. We wanted something unique and cozy. A love nest built for two (and a cat). We were willing to compromise on size but weren't willing to compromise on location or price. We looked at lots of funky lofts and warehouse conversions but every time we saw one we liked we were told that the property was sold before we even had a chance to put in an offer. This is one of the universal truths to living in a big city: anything remotely good attracts LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of people.

Then, last week, I met with our realtor and saw a cute one-bedroom place that I fell in love with at first sight. It was small but well-designed and used the space very efficiently. It had luxurious finishes that reminded me of a boutique hotel and I could easily imagine us living there. It was one streetcar ride for Eli to get to his work and was very close to the train station so that I could get to my workplace without driving. I came home and excitedly called Eli who was in Edmonton and swooned about the place. We learned that offers would be accepted on Tuesday (today!) which was perfect because Eli would be back in Toronto and could come take a look at it. Last night we went to see the place and he, too, fell in love with it. After a long conversation our minds were made up -- we decided to try to make it ours.

A few moments ago our offer was faxed in and now the waiting game begins! We know that there are at least two other offers going in on the property tonight so we definitely aren't guaranteed to get it but we're hoping! I am anticipating my stomach flip-flopping all night until our realtor calls to let us know.

Will we have a new home?!?!

Stay tuned...update to come!

Sticking to the Story

When Eli and I first met we talked, as people getting to know each other often do, about music. In one of those conversations he asked me to pick one band or artist who was my absolute favourite and explain why. I pondered that difficult question, weighed various genres of music, thought about whose music *really* made me swoon inside and settled on Luna. Why? The lyrics, the chords, the fact that it was the perfect music for making out to or road tripping or dancing or pretty much anything. Yes, Luna was my favourite band but sadly they broke up in February 2005 so (sob, sob) I'd never get to see them live.

Fast forward to 2006 when I delighfully learned that two of the main contributors to Luna (Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips) had started a new project called Dean and Britta! Now, imagine my even greater delight at learning that they would be playing in Toronto on March 12th! Eeeeeeeeeeee! Excitedly, we bought tickets and I counted the days until the show.

Finally, the night arrived and after a delicious meal of sushi and white wine we headed to Mod Club for the show. We entered the room just as the opening band was finishing. The room was sparsely filled but I was happy about that because it allowed us to get up really close to the stage and enjoy the show without being suffocated by swarms of people. Britta came out first in a Nancy Sinantra-esque black dress. She wore high boots and looked as gorgeous in real life as in all her press photos. She is a stunning, stunning woman and everyone (guy and girl alike) noticed.

The set began and I was captivated from the very first notes to the very end ones. Dean and Britta have a warm sound that is soulful and sweet at the same time. Britta's sultry voice blends together perfectly with Dean's while lush chords fill all the empty spaces. The music is dreamy and ethereal but I wouldn't classify it as simple pop music. There are subtle complexities to the music that provide substance. I swayed and danced and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. After the show I lurked around the stage for a bit and when Dean and Britta came out to gather up their guitars I nervously asked them to sign my cd. They were both gracious and friendly and it capped off a wonderful evening.

The Mod Club has spectacular, clear sound and it has easily become my favourite Toronto venue to see shows. Tomorrow night we'll be heading back there to see Booka Shade! It still astounds me how many amazing artists come to Toronto ALL the time. Eli and I find ourselves having to be choosy about which shows we go to because it is impossible to attend everything we want to. On many weekend evenings we have to negotiate what we'll attend and usually have several options on the table. I just wish that we had more friends to take along with us.

Making friends in a large city is difficult. On many occasions we've been out to shows and have spotted people who 'look' like people we'd want to be friends with. Of course, you can only gather so much information based on people's appearances but some people exude certain vibes/energies that appear to mesh with ours. We are never sure what to do in those situations and often do nothing at all. It's awkward to just strike up conversations with strangers and people here definitely seem less receptive to that. It's *somewhat* easier to chat with people at electronic music venues because there seems to be more of a widely accepted friendliness for the most part in that scene but I am often shy even in that situation because I don't want people to assume I'm high on some drug.

I've never had problems making friends before but Toronto has been a challenge. I know that I just have to get myself involved in communities/classes/groups that are filled with the kind of people that I'd like to be friends with. I think the spring/summer will be a much better time for this when people come out of hibernation. I have to start perusing the local papers for events that resonate with me and go be sociable. The solution is easy yet it's also so hard! I'd love to hear from other people who have gone through relocation. How did you find a community to connect with? How did you make that connection?

Remember remember
I'm sticking to my story
Remember remember
It's all that I have left
- Luna

Anticipation

Birds are chirping this morning and the sun is shining in a vibrant blue sky. We are almost through the winter and I'm excited to see what Toronto is like in warmer weather. The gloominess hanging over last week has almost completely dissolved and I have been feeling sparks of anticipation for the future.

One thing I'm very excited about is that I've decided to enroll in a writing course through the University of Toronto. It starts in April and continues through June. It's part of a larger creative writing certificate though I haven't decided if I'll do the whole program or just a course here and there. The idea of writing, being critiqued, and pushing myself is very appealing right now. I've felt incredibly inspired lately and need something to channel that energy into.

Little darlin' it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darlin' it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun
- Harrison

Undercurrents

After some good cries, long talks, and deep breaths I'm feeling much better.

I don't have much to say tonight but I wanted something happier to be at the top of this page.

Under every trial life puts you through
Is an undercurrent of change
- Ron Sexsmith