5 Awesome Ways To Enjoy Toronto’s Wonderful Weather!

The weather has finally turned in Toronto and the people of our city have embraced the change with tremendous excitement.

The question becomes, what can you do to maximize your time in this awesome sunshine while taking in the best that Toronto has to offer? It’s a great city that we live in, full of cool places and people and options…

Here are some of my favs.

Toronto Blue Jays Baseball at Rogers Centre.
I know that some of you are deadset on calling it the SkyDome until the day you die and that’s fine… the important thing is that you get yourself down there and enjoy the show. The Blue Jays may not be performing the way that we all hoped they would to this point in the season, but they still need our support and the ballpark is still a great place to spend a weeknight or weekend afternoon. Especially now that we’ve ventured into roof open status. Check out the Blue Jays 2013 schedule and pick a game or 2 to check out!

Explore a Neighbourhood.
Toronto is full of unique, quirky, awesome neighbourhoods that have their own personality and attractions. Whether you pick Roncesvalles, Leslieville, Kensington or the St. Lawrence Market you will surely find places to wander into, food to taste and a bunch of interesting people who are also checking things out. Set aside an afternoon and take a walk, explore your city, enjoy what you’ve got right here in your own backyard.

Perch in a Park.
Toronto has some great green spaces available to hang out in. If you haven’t spent a day on the grass at Trinity Bellwoods, you should. And if you have never taken a trip to High Park to see the zoo or walk the trail or see the Cherry Blossoms (now, go now) then you are missing a pretty great experience. You can also check out places like Kew Gardens and the Toronto Botanical Garden if you want to stop and smell the flowers. All of the options are yours! 

Relax on the Beach.
We may not think of Toronto as a beach town since we’re in the great white north and we don’t have an ocean at the edge of the city. But there are some great beach options available to you if you want to stick your toes in the sand and tan. You’ve got Cherry Beach, Sunnyside, Centre Island, Woodbine and more to lay down your blanket and soak up the sun. Bring a book, bring friends, bring sunscreen. Do whatever the heck you like while you imagine that you are in the tropics without leaving the GTA.

Sit on a Patio.
There are 1,000,000 or so patios in Toronto. All offering various drinks and shade and sun and views and excitement. Get some friends together and settle in for a day to enjoy a beverage or 4 while you people watch or debate Phil Collins vs Peter Gabriel. Remember that the company you keep is more important than anything else… but great location, service and prices doesn’t hurt! I have no doubt that you can all find a patio space that fills your needs and gives you hours of fun in the sun.

There you have it. 5 options for spending time in Toronto during our season of wonderful weather.

They may be things that you already do, they may be so obvious that you never think of them. Either way, they can all give you something to do when your agenda is otherwise blank.

Get out there and enjoy Toronto!

Because It’s The Cup – Welcome To The Playoffs!

As you may have heard, the NHL Playoffs have begun and there are a lot of excited people in Canada and around the world because of it.

Yes, I know, the playoffs started Tuesday night – but about an hour ago the puck dropped in Montreal to kick off the 1st round series between les Canadiens and the Senators and so my Journey To The Cup has officially begun!

Because I love the Habs and I am encouraged by the (shortened) regular season that they had and I am a fan – I am picking them to win this series against Ottawa. Now, it may not be the sweep that I would really love to see. In fact, I think that this thing goes at least 6 games. But I do think that the speed, points from the D, fore checking and goaltending are good enough to get the job done.

Elsewhere (Toronto), there is a ton of excitement as the Maple Leafs have played their first playoff game in 9 years. It didn’t go as planned for the blue & white faithful (a 4-1 loss in Boston) and there is now a search for answers and options to turn things around for game 2 vs. the Bruins. I’m taking Boston in this one. They’re bigger, stronger, more experienced and frankly, the better team. Look for 5 games here.

Out west the Canucks did not look exceptional in their game 1 match-up with the San Jose Sharks. But I do think that they have a roster that can turn things around and win this series. The Sharks won’t go quietly into that good night though and this thing will take 6 or 7 games with Roberto Loungo holding on to the goalie job as long as he can.

In the non-Canadian team series I’ve got picks too…

Kings vs. Blues: Kings in 6
I know they lost game 1 in OT, but I think that the reigning champs can get it done. Also, I want more tweets from their team.

Red Wings vs. Ducks: Ducks in 5
The Wings are in the playoffs for the 200th season in a row – but the times they are a changing and the Ducks are the deeper and better team.

Rangers vs. Capitals: Capitals in 5
They’re explosive, talented and playing really good hockey right now. Look for the power play to get the job done and King Henrik to be beat when it’s not always his fault.

Blackhawks vs. Wild: Blackhawks in 4
They were the best team in hockey this season and they are deeper up front and have had solid goaltending almost every night. Look for more close games, but game 4 could be a blow out on the road.

Penguins vs. Islanders: Penguins in 5
The Pens are a ton better than the Isles and this could be a sweep – but I think NYI will solve Fleury in 1 game and make everyone question him just like last year before Pittsburgh moves on to round 2.

I’ve got the Penguins in the final for the east vs. the Ducks from the west when it’s time to hand out the Stanley Cup.

And in that series I’ll take the Pittsburgh Penguins, with Sidney Crosby on the ice, the win the 2013 Stanley Cup.

Good luck to all hockey fans, I could be wrong on all of these predictions so keep cheering!

Stay awesome!

Go Habs Go!

The Top 5 Must Visit Casinos Of Las Vegas

Anyone planning to visit Las Vegas in order to play their favourite casino games at some of the many great venues there will find themselves spoiled for choice. Vegas has too many stunning casinos to possibly name them all in one post, but there are a handful that particularly stand out, and that any casino games fan has to visit while they are in town.

When it comes to themed casinos, the Venetian and the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino are two that you must visit, although they may appeal to different demographics. The theme for the former is Venice, complete with a painstaking replication of this beautiful and unique city, and the option of taking a ride on a gondola, before hitting the tables. This could make it an appealing option for couples, while the Rio is themed after the carnival held in that city – and is one of the most exciting and colourful casinos; ideal for younger visitors.

On the other hand, for those who want their Vegas casino experience to offer the kind of once-in-a-lifetime-glamour and luxury that many associate the resort with, then either the Bellagio or the MGM Grand should meet all of those requirements. It is difficult to choose between these hotel/casinos when it comes to opulence and extravagance – with the Bellagio offering a casino so big that there is a whole floor just dedicated to slots games – while the MGM Grand has thirty floors, five swimming pools and a variety of waterfalls and rivers. Alternately you can also have access to a global selection of slots games via your mobile device on sites like www.iphonecasino.co.nz. Land casinos are places for living out your Hollywood dreams during your stay, and you may find it hard to leave them at all during the visit. However if you are visiting Vegas alone and just want the very best in casino gambling, then the Wynn Las Vegas could be just the ticket. This building is hardly unspectacular – the glass outer façade makes it sparkle like a diamond in the sun – but its reputation has primarily been built on the quality of casino gaming it offers.

Movember 2012 Recap And 2013 Countdown!

Movember 2012 ended almost 5 months ago… and yet I still remember it like it was yesterday.

It was my most successful year in a fundraising capacity. It was the most successful year I’ve had as part of a Movember team. It was an amazingly successful year for all Canadian MoBros and MoSistas.

This morning an email came out from the Movember team with an infographic (seen left) showing us all just how huge our reach was in 2012 and it has me thinking already about what I need to do to help that reach grow again in 2013.

$140.6 million was raised in 2012 by 3,877,580 individual donations. That’s a lot of money raised by a lot of people. It’s a great number that can be even bigger.

I’ve already begun brainstorming ideas that will give new reach to the fundraising goals of our team. Think UNICEF as an inspiration mixed with swear jars and office bets and all good things that raise monies for good causes.

And then there’s the annual Movember Challenge Karaoke night. It will be our 4th and we all hope that it will be our most successful yet. Whether you are a singer or not, it’s the place to be. And I would invite you all to save the date: Thursday, November 28th to come and celebrate and play and raise money with us.

Movember has done a lot of good in Canada and around the world. That isn’t going to stop. In fact, it is going to continue and grow and expand and lead to new discoveries and cures and early detection and longer lives for men all over the world.

Movember 2013 is over 6 months away, and it can’t come soon enough. I know that there are lots of ladies and gentlemen that aren’t attracted to the faces of those of us who sport a ‘stache for 30 days every year. But please know that we appreciate your acceptance and even support during the month that keeps our upper lip furry and our cheeks and chins bare.

And to all of you out there, the MoBros and MoSistas, who have participated in the past and plan to participate in the future, I thank you too. You’re doing a good thing by donating your face, time, voice and encouragement to Movember.

Keep up the awesome work…

Winter is coming.