Book ~ "The Guncle Abroad" (2024) Steven Rowley

From Goodreads ~ Patrick O’Hara is back. It’s been five years since his summer as his niece Maisie and nephew Grant’s caretaker after their mother’s passing. The kids are back in Connecticut with their dad and Patrick has relocated to New York to remain close by and relaunch his dormant acting career. After the run of his second successful sit-com comes to a close, Patrick feels on top of the world ... professionally. But some things have had to take a back seat. Looking down both barrels at fifty, Patrick is single again after breaking things off with Emory. But at least he has a family to lean on. Until that family needs to again lean on him.

When Patrick's brother, Greg, announces he’s getting remarried in Italy, Maisie and Grant are not thrilled. Patrick feels drawn to take the two back under his wing. As they travel through Europe on their way to the wedding, Patrick tries his best to help them understand love, much as he once helped them comprehend grief. But when they arrive in Italy, Patrick is overextended managing a groom with cold feet; his sister, Clara, flirting with guests left and right; a growing rivalry with the kids’ charming soon-to-be-launt (lesbian aunt) and two moody young teens trying to adjust to a new normal, all culminating in a disastrous rehearsal dinner.

Can Patrick save the day? Will teaching the kids about love help him repair his own love life? Can the change of scenery help Patrick come to terms with finally growing up?

Patrick and Sara were best friends in university and she ended up marrying his brother, Greg, and they had two children, Maisie and Grant. When she died, Patrick had Maisie and Grant stay with him in Palm Springs for a few months to help them grieve. 

It's five years later and Patrick has moved to New York to be closer to them and revives his acting career. He is nearing 50 and conscious of getting old so recently broke up with his younger boyfriend, Emory, because he didn't think Emory would want to be with such an old man.

Greg is getting married to Livia, a rich Italian. Maisie and Grant (especially Maisie) are having a hard time with this and Patrick offers to take them on a mini vacation across Europe teaching them lessons on their way to the wedding in Italy. Once they arrive, Maisie really puts the pressure on Patrick to break up Greg and Livia but Patrick isn't sure this is the right thing to do.

This is the sequel to The Guncle (Guncle = gay uncle),which I read last year and it was cute. I liked Patrick's manner and his interactions with the Maisie and Grant. It is written in third person perspective with the focus Patrick. As a head's up, there is swearing.

"Fighting for Decency" book launch, The Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON

Gord had a book launch this evening at the Theatre Centre for his latest book, Fighting for Decency. Congrats, Gord!

Suzanne Craig-Whytock of DarkWinter Press,
Gord’s publisher, Gord and Ken, Suzanne's husband

Catherine Gava entertained

Friends and neighbours attended.

TIFF, Toronto, ON

I recently volunteered for TIFF ... it's my second year. I spent Thursday and Friday at Scotiabank Theatre and Monday and Tuesday at the TIFF Lightbox.

I picked up my volunteer teeshirt the week before my shifts started. That evening previous TIFF volunteers were invited to a complimentary screening of The Fire Inside at the TIFF Lightbox, which was in the festival and was very good. 

Knitted Twisted Hat

I knitted another twisted hat. It’s a fun and easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove. I used Caron Anniversary Cake and the colour is Rainbow Prismatic.

I found the pattern here.

I converted the pattern because the yarn is thicker than the pattern. I used 6.5 needles and 6 ply yarn. 

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles or circular needles.

Cast on 84 stitches. Place marker for beginning of round. 

Ribbing Round: 

[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round for 8 rounds..

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around.
Repeat round 2 for 30 rounds.

Shape Crown

• Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
• Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 2: [K1, yo, k2tog k2tog] repeat
• Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] repeat
• Decrease round 5: [K2tog] repeat

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit

k2tog = knit 2 sts together

p = purl

St st = Stockinette stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

yo = yarn over

Pancho Y Emiliano, Toronto, ON

I had supper this evening on the patio at Pancho Y Emiliano (on Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market) with my friends, Trish and Yvette. We've been friends for 20 years and met in boxing class where Yvette was our instructor

Here we are ...

Trish and Yvette shared an order of Guacamole Vegan (Mashed avocado seasoned and topped with pico de gallo, served with fresh corn chips). 

Trish had Enchiladas Vegan (Three corn tortillas filled with sautéed sweet peppers, onion and mushrooms. Topped with a zesty green tomatillo sauce and garnished with sour cream, fresh cheese, and onion. Refried beans and rice on the side.).

Yvette had Camarones en Verde (Sauteed shrimp served with our light and fresh-tasting mole verde sauce, made with a delicious combination of seeds, tomatillo, chiles, and aromatic green herbs. Rice and salad on the side.).

Diagonal garter stitch scarf

I finished knitting a scarf ... the pattern is diagonal garter stitch. It was surprisingly an easy pattern, which I found here. I used a skein of Loops & Threads Sweet Snuggles Lite super bulky (#6) and the colour is dusty mint. It’s about 7 feet long and warm and snuggly.

Cast on 3 stitches. 

First Section - increases:

• Row 1: KFB, knit to end, KFB.
• Row 2: Knit all stitches.
• Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 23 stitches on the needle.

You can adjust the width of the scarf by knitting more or fewer stitches. The finished edges of your beginning triangle (the two edges that do not have live stitches) give a close indication of how wide your scarf will be when complete.

Middle Section - main length of the scarf:

• Row 1: KFB, knit to end, k2tog.
• Row 2: Knit all stitches.
• Repeat these two rows until you are nearly out of yarn.

Final Section - decreases:

• Row 1: Ssk, knit to end, k2tog.
• Row 2: Knit all stitches.
• Repeat these two rows until there are 3 stitches left on the needle. Bind off.

One Eyed Jack, Toronto, ON

I had supper this evening on the patio of One Eyed Jack on Richmond Street W. They opened in February and I just noticed them recently. 

Tuesdays are wing night … 95¢ each. So that’s what I ordered with medium sauce. I assumed they’d be small so ordered 15. It turns out they were huge and yummy and quite a meal!

General Assembly Pizza, Toronto, ON

I met Mayank two years ago when we both volunteered at Doors Open. He is the manager at General Assembly on Adelaide Street W and I stopped in this evening after volunteering at TIFF for supper and to say “hello”. 

I ordered a Loving Cup pizza (grass fed mozzarella, ezzo natural pepperoni, grana padano, wild oregano) and it was sooooo good!

Thanks, Mayank!

“The Charm Offensive with Jim Jefferies and Jimmy Carr”, Scotiabank Area, Toronto, ON

Gord and I attended The Charm Offensive with Jim Jefferies and Jimmy Carr at the Scotiabank Area. The attendance was apparently about 12,000. 

Amos Gill opened ... he was funny and I'd see him again. They were strict about taking pictures so I just took a picture of Amos to show the set-up. 

We’ve seen Jim Jefferies a few times and would see him again. He’s funny and offensive at times but not overly so. 

Jimmy Carr was very offensive and crossed the line too many times and I wouldn’t see him again. I know he’s a comic but there’s nothing funny about domestic violence, gang rape, pedophilia, etc. 

Book ~ "Never Alone: A Solo Arctic Survival Journey" (2023) Woniya Dawn Thibeault

From Goodreads ~ Woniya Thibeault wasn't looking for an adventure of such magnitude but when the opportunity to participate in "Alone" Season 6 fell into her lap, she couldn't say no. "Never Alone" is the story of that journey.

Dropped into the Arctic wilderness - solo - as winter descended, Woniya intended not only to survive but to thrive. With only a few tools and meager resources, she would need her survival skills, quick wits and whole heart to make it through.

In her debut memoir, "Never A Solo Arctic Survival Journey", Woniya shares how months of starving by herself in the Arctic wilderness brought more healing than suffering and led to a deep sense of belonging and peace. Her story affirms the incredible strength of the human spirit and shows us that strength comes in many surprising forms. "Never Alone"'s message is one of inspiration and learning to trust in ourselves and the land around us; embracing the wild and being wholly and beautifully human, flaws and all.

"Never Alone" will take you on an Arctic journey through challenges and triumphs, joys and heartbreaks, and leave you inspired and wanting more.

Season 11 of Alone just ended a couple weeks ago (congrats to the winner!) and then I came across this book. I watched the season Woniya was on so I thought it would be an interesting read to get a firsthand account of what it was like and what she experienced.

Woniya came in second place that season, lasting 72 days ... she "tapped out" on her 43rd birthday. This book tells of her survival over those 72 days and the things she had to do. She also gives us some background about herself and her beliefs and what took her to go on such an adventure. Throughout her 72 days, she always expressed gratitude to the wildlife, trees, plants, etc. that gave their lives so she could be there and respected the land and those who had been there before her. The last couple chapters were especially interesting as she talked about what it was like making the final decision to "tap out" and her recovery back to reality. She went on to return and win Alone: Frozen (whoever lasted 50 days won $500,000US).

Though the prize money is $500,000US, you'll never see me doing it but it's interesting to see what drives others to.

"The Cut", Toronto International Film Festival, Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto, ON

I attended tonight’s TIFF premiere of The Cut with Orlando Bloom and John Turturro. Since it was a premiere, Orlando Bloom along with Katy Perry, John Turturro and others were there. 

There was a big crowd outside the theatre waiting for Orlando and Perry to arrive and they signed autographs. 

Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry's limo arrived. They greeted the crowd, walked around and gave autographs.

Hooters, Toronto, ON

I had supper this evening at Hooters at Adelaide Street W/John Street after I volunteered at the TIFF Festival.

I ordered what I usually get when I go there ... wings with a medium sauce and curly fries. Yum!

Float Toronto, Toronto, ON

Gord and I went for hour floats today at Float Toronto (on Queen Street W at Gladstone). We find floats very relaxing.

They are celebrating their 10th anniversary!