Did a Trip Into Toronto Today for The First Time In Almost 3 Years!

               It has been almost 3 years now since I was in Toronto and this week 2 days ago, I got the chance and opportunity to actually go into Toronto. Now Eric and I didn't get to step off the bus whatsoever as time was very limited for the both of us to get back to meet up with the Terry but most definitely next time we will make sure we leave early enough. I will get to that at the end of the post. The route was interesting in the way of route and even catered to the college I went to almost 12 years ago which is scary and of course the university here as well since it serves both as their on the same property and campus together.  Then straight down to one of the big roads and west. On the way made stop at a Go Station on the way I believe it was only one station then across. It weaved in and out was an incredible route. It took us long enough to get there hour and a half but worth it. 

             I am so glad that they have a way to connect to TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) as they didn't really have any connection via our transit and theirs which is totally nice. Next time we would have to leave early enough and spend sometime out there at Scarborough Town Centre area which will be coming later in the spring when it gets warmer and also a trip to downtown with Eric so I can say I've been to Toronto myself but for now I am staying put and next week is another adventure back into Scarborough via the 900 route then down to Guildwood and home. That is my little storytime for this week what I did and where I went this week and this is the start for me returning to Toronto hopefully soon as I wanna eventually go to the Blue Jays/Cubs game at Rogers Centre this summer. 

Chris

Getting Use To Traveling Around Again!

                Now that I am able to travel around and get out of my area now I am getting use to being masked up for hours on end with the occasional time when I am outside I can pull it down briefly to take a breath of fresh. However with the cold we will be doing more FaceTime as it will be tough to go out in the snowy and icy weather but that will come later on. Right now enjoy my time out. I will still go out regardless when I need to go out or just for a bus ride but again that will be coming later on at a later date. I have enjoyed traveling about and I understand that winter is coming up and fast and he's not wanting to go out far and I am all for it but I am still going to go out on my own either way.

               Being able to travel has eased a lot of my feelings since being stuck inside all the time and home doing nothing whatsoever, I am able to get out and about and do something with friends now which is awesome. I do feel a bit free but in the end I have to remember that we are still in this pandemic and it isn't over quite yet and I still have to follow the social distancing rule and I do realize this and I have to deal with this still. I have been everywhere and anywhere in the region in the last few months but now with winter as I said we're not going to go far. However my sanity is a little better then it was when we were in a full fledge lockdown. That is my post for today and I will talk to you all tomorrow.

Chris

I Got To On An Autonomous Bus Ride!

                    Yesterday I got to go on an Autonomous Bus. Now this is only in the Pilot Program. Which means their testing this how well it will be running and how well it handles the open road. We did not go on a major road as in autonomous bus, I mean we crossed a major road but we stayed on the side roads down by the marina area and down by the beach area which was a nice site and we got to take an area I've never seen in all the years I have been in this region over the years so it was a nice little route. Now the route is 30 mins in total which ain't that bad as we had to wait for the bus to go back and there was a lot of conversation between Eric and I afterwards and it was very educational on autonomous vehicles. There was a few things that it didn't like: one was the intersections. Olli did not like it and yeah it was named Olli. The other thing that it didn't like was leaves as it would randomly stop when a leaf went out front of us. I'm sure they will take this as part of the data and go from there.

Now it isn't like a normal vehicle, where it goes fast, I asked how fast they go and 20 KM an hour in Autonomous Mode and 40 KM in Manual mode so it isn't meant but they could take this and actual put it in a vehicle that could go faster or it could even be that smaller vehicle which I entered an image of it on here on the right side. Now remember this is only pilot program and early stages of this so it is exciting they are even thinking about a autonomous bus or vehicle. The question comes will my transit by a couple of these and where will they place em in the region. This may actually be on one of the shorter bus routes and less busy but excited to see what is going to happen and I am going to be taking my dad on this next week so he gets an idea what it is like so it isn't my last time on this as I wanna show him what it is like but hopefully we do not forget to do it but we'll see. That is today's post and I hope you enjoyed this post about the autonomous bus and I highly recommend if you get an opportunity like this to take the chance. You will not regret it but I will talk to you all tomorrow!

Chris

We Went Round and Round on The Bus.... SMH! (EPIC FAIL)

                   Yesterday was a mess once we left the Lake all the good vibes went out the window... We didn't realize we would have to walk a block to the bus to get me home. Anyways we walked there and got to the bus stop. The bus came and we didn't realize it till we got to where my old work, the bookstore which is no longer around as they closed down prior to COVID-19 happening like 2 - 3 years after I left the position I was at due to certain reasons I will not disclose as that is now in the past. So we got off at the McDonald's where the former Bookstore where I worked at and we tried to figure out where the proper bus was. First we ended up on the wrong side of the bridge where there is a tunnel to go under the highway so we had to go back and on the other side as the road was too busy to cross and probably unsafe. 

                     At this point I was getting into one of my moods where I was kicked a light pole in anger blaming myself for this. Anyways we went on under the bridge and across a major road and across a bridge to get to the bus which it didn't really take that long as I used the app to ensure we know which stop to get on at. We got to the stop and the bus ran late as usual and by the time I got back to the stop I was already out of my moods and sometimes it is easy to come out of my moods and sometimes its the entire day or hours I am in a bad mood which depends on a day to day basis. What matters is I made it home despite an hour later after spending 30 - 45 mins diddly daddling around trying to get home.  The lesson from this is to pay attention to the bus signs which I didn't do so I will be sure to do that next time around. Anyways hope you guys enjoyed this post and I will speak to you all tomorrow!

Chris

Plans For Traveling This Summer?

             So this has been coming in my mind a lot lately and the question I am going to answer for you guys is am I going to go away on holidays this year? Well I hope so! I do not think we will be traveling to the U.S. this year, Minnesota especially but you know I would love to go back to visit cousins down there but again it's a money thing especially to fly down. However I do have 3 places in the back of my mind actually and I am going to mention them in this post:

1) The one place is going back to Pelee Island with my mom and dad as we would love to bring her there but could also be just my dad and I that is undetermined right now. However either way I would love to go back on more time.

2) Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, New York- Been there so many years ago, I was fairly young at the time but I just do not know if I would ever go back anytime soon it is hard to tell. Also I do not think it would be this year as I do not want to go back to back years going to the U.S. so more then likely be a trip somewhere in Ontario but again you never really know. 

3) Third and finally is Tobermory once again. There is 3 more things on my bucket list I want to do before I finish everything off with what I want to see and do. One is take the Great Blue Heron for a 2 hour cruise around the islands which we have never ever done during the daytime. Still do our trip to the Grotto and Singing Sands Beach as well if we have the time to do that. Finally spend an day on Manitoulin Island and explore the island a bit and yes see the good old Norisle that is sitting there at the shore slowly sinking. Just hope they can restore it eventually it would be nice to actually go on there and see what it is like. 


               There is my list and more then likely this year, my dad and I will be doing Tobermory and just do not the full extent of the plan but the 2 Hour Great Blue Heron Cruise and exploring Manitoulin Island but not sure if we will be able to squeeze in the Grotto and Singing Sands but we can do a full 5 days Monday to Friday with the Friday to come back home after the trip. So I think that is the plan but there is one other thing but it would be quite a travel as we have to go to the U.S. for this but see the Museum where the Edmund Fitzgerald's Bell is which they pulled up after she sank in the water. I'm not sure if I'd ever do it but it is definitely a dream to do and something I'd love to see in person. 



Chris

Fried Perogies At Toronto Christmas Market Food Review!

              As I promised you guys I would do a food review for you guys from the Toronto Christmas Market back on Wednesday and yes I did a double blog post for you guys today. As I mentioned in my post back at noon I had the Perogies with onions and also bacon and not small pieces of bacon either big chunks of it too. They even gave me a ton of sour cream which made it so good. Now the Perogie isn't your typical boiled as it was actually fried European Style which was really, really good even tho it was tough to actually cut but I someway, somehow seemed to manage it with no problem. In the perogie there was potato and cheese the kind we have sometimes every 2nd week or so when we cannot figure out what we want to eat for dinner. The dough was tougher then usual but manageable but it was really good even with the bacon, onions and sour cream.  It wasn't my favorite but don't forget this is the first time I have had this and it is honestly hard to cut that was pretty much my main issue.


              However I am overlooking that part of the meal the bacon, onions all well cooked and had a ton of flavor so that was good and the cheese and potato were super good too so out of it all it would be a 4 out of 5 and yes I am being generous with the entire meal. Now would I do it again? Hmmm maybe, I really unsure but again I could be feeling different from this review come this time next year when it is time to go to the Christmas Market 2020 as I am sure my dad and I will be back there again at the end of next year. However I want to try something different there instead and kind of switch things up each year and I am sure I will be back to the same thing eventually but who knows. Either way I ate it and enjoyed it and that is what entirely matters to me and really I didn't complain about it but it was in the back of my mind on the one issue but really I didn't worry about it at all. I am all about the experience at the Toronto Christmas Market every year that I go with my dad and we made time despite the busy schedule around this studio reno project. Finally I hope you enjoyed this bonus post and I will see you in tomorrow's regular post at the usual time. 





Chris

Toronto Distillery Christmas Market 2019

              Wednesday afternoon, I got to go with my dad and honestly I really didn't want to go but I went and I had a ton of fun once I got there. Yea I was tired and I once again didn't sleep or didn't sleep at all and by the time you see this post I am already on the road to meet up with 2 of my former staff. Anyways we took the Go Train and yes I had to refill my Presto as I may have ran right out by the time I got home but that is besides the point. The train trip takes me about 45 minutes from here to there and that is OK honestly. We got there we had to take a subway and a streetcar there but least its not as long as last year as we got stuck at a station due to a damn signal ahead so this year we were a little worries. We got there we had dinner first which was Perogies which I will be posting up a second post up for you guys this afternoon at 3 pm EST. 


                There was a socks booth, chocolate booth, Melted Swiss Cheese, Poutine which again I will explain that part in my Food Review later on when I post up the blog post later on.  they also have a smores booth which is very yummy, Wishing Well, drinks both normal and alcoholic which I just had a hot chocolate due to my meds which next year I am taking before I leave for the event this way I can join my dad. Of course they had a tree and it was blue and white with the big shiny balls and I can imagine the comments to this post from you guys... smh.  However some of the lights were off and I thought they would of checked the lights or they just burnt out so they will probably have to replace em. We had a good time one way or another and the time we were there went very fast and just enjoyed ourselves as we always do. This does conclude events locally and also in Toronto for 2019 and 2020 is close to coming I am already excited for the events in 2020 which pretty much are the same the events as this year but with some adjustments that I need to make in 2020. I will talk to you in the next post later on today for the Food Review.


Chris

Chris B On The Web Future Plans....

                Originally I had something else planned for today's blog post, however, I had to do this post to let you guys what the plan is moving forward since I am now not looking for work anymore as I kind of wanna do the online thing and like I said before I do not think work is meant for me honestly. So yes I took yesterday off from CBOTW and just did not do anything and I ended up sleeping till 2 pm EST as my sleep was thrown off and 1 day ago my other screen blew on me night before so I actually ordered another one so I have 2 screens so yes I've gotten 2 new screens in the last 4 - 5 days since both so I should be good for a while. Anyways not the point of this blog, the point I wanna make is what is the plan? Well here is what I am thinking right now and what my thought process on things at this point:

1) Everything About Reality TV- Closing in on Big Brother US Season 21 and Amazing Race Canada Season 7 on top of the current season of Amazing Race 31. Like I said in the announcement post for the podcast I will be working around my holiday schedule too so do not worry. The podcast isn't going anywhere as it is renewed for Season 11 and 12 currently as the recent news of Big Brother Canada Season 8 is confirmed so were nowhere near done with this podcast yet!

2) Blog Posts- With me now doing online stuff since the job search didn't work out, I am planning to do more events and I think I am suppose to do the food truck but we will see how things go honestly, this year it could be a different scenario this year so the next event probably be in September in the fall but I am planning on the Polish and Ukrainian Festival. Followed by Apple Festival, Royal Winter Fair and more on the list for the remainder of the year but it is all on the post I did earlier this year.

3) Power Rangers Podcast- As I mentioned on Twitter late last night or during the night since I was most of the night, I want to push this podcast harder as both Larry and I have fun recording these and I think there will be time between January and February to actual record another one of these so we could be looking at every 4 - 5 months depending on my schedule with Everything About Reality TV which is a priority still no matter what. However, Larry knows this for the longest time, like 6 months now he knows I'd like to do more of these sooner then waiting but then it all comes down to the prep. What do I mean? Watching the series, taking notes then typing em up and then printing them off. Finally scheduling the recording session which is always a last minute thing as it comes down to am I ready for the Power Rangers Podcast? I am going to be adding in more interaction with Larry asking him some questions more as I have been adding in more as we progress into these.

4) Traveling- I will be out in the City of Toronto With Larry and able to promote CBOTW and chat with some of you that pull me aside to chat. I will be chatting about in the next couple of days on a separate blog post.

5) Network-  I have had a interesting proposal and it is not completely clear when it will happen but when it does, CBOTW will be becoming not just my website but a network with more then 1 podcast running so it will definitely be exciting to see when it does happen down the road.


               That is the plan I got moving forward and majority of the things I said you already knew but I did make a couple of tweaks to some of the upcoming things but it cannot be helped as I just cannot do everything things are tight with vacation time coming up fast but I am trying to get through with it but hope you guys like this plan and excited to be more involved, not wait I mean I am excited to be more active and ready to go with plans. 



Chris

Will Be Back On The Road Late June!

              It is no secret that both Larry and I are planning a trip to Etobicoke and we will be at the Sherway Garden then on the best over to Kipling and across. I do not know the route from there honestly, either Streetcar across China Town down past the harbor front then to Union then Go Train home that is the question I am starting to wonder about but that is to be discussed but I will more then likely wearing my Chris B On The Web shirt and of course both of us will have our tags on as this is an official tour for CBOTW, the Founder/Owner and a member of what is left of the Alumni... I will have flyers for us to hand out if you need information and yes I will love to chat with you guys as well. I am looking forward to going out and actually being able to promote the website a bit in the public eye finally as I have been very, very quiet publicly as I have been hidden but with the nicer weather I can wear my shirt finally and able to show off everything we have worked hard for on CBOTW. Larry and I have really discussed and discussed this idea of going out and about and maybe this is something him and I need to do every year is going out promote Chris B On The Web especially in the City of Toronto I think this could be an idea to do every year. Or I could always have flyers with me when I do hit Toronto every year. 


              Anyways I am looking forward to the next Toronto trip with Larry this time around and able to be out of my smaller city here and away from all the drama I have had to deal with so it will be an nice break for me and it is always an excuse to go out to Toronto and it hasn't been the first trip I have been on lately as you know I was in Toronto 1 week ago Monday and I am ready to do this all over again from the start but this time going a longer distance but it will be an adventure of a life time honestly! I am looking forward to this and ready for another trip. I am sure I will be doing a few other trips from time to time to Toronto and plenty more blogs and yes I will be blogging this trip not next week but the week after I will have my pad of paper with me as usual and I know I will be out more as there will indeed more trips and events this summer as I will be one busy person. 




Chris

Places I Would Like To Visit Around Canada and The USA!

             There are tons of places I would like to visit around Canada and the US, which is kind of the reason why I decided to write this blog this afternoon and share places, states or locations that I would like to visit here in Canada and down in the States.

Canada:

- I would like to visit Prince Edward Island and tour the entire island if possible and see the sights and the views that the island has to offer. I would also once again would get PEI Potatoes as they were awesome the last time we brought em home back in 2007 which was the last time I visited Prince Edward Island. 

- Calgary/Alberta again- I would visit Calgary, obviously because I do got family out there and I would want to return to Banff Mountain and also I would like to see the Edmonton Mall which is huge and never know I may run into Talla from Big Brother Canada! Ha ha! It would be funny if I actually saw her in person. Definitely get a selfie done with her if she does't mind! Also maybe run into some other houseguests from Big Brother Canada too!

- Also visit my aunt and uncle in British Columbia, also see Vancouver and Vancouver Island as well, I have never been to the west coast before in my entire lifetime but have been to Alberta before just not right to the coast in my lifetime which will be changing soon when I am out there. 

USA:

- First place I would like to visit in the US would be to return to Chicago and do more tourism, see the Museum of Natural History, also make my way back to Minnesota to see the family. On my way home I would like to stop at the Memorial for the Edmund Fitzgerald. 

- The next place to visit in the states Florida, I have never been down south before and would love to see the south and the southern hospitality. On the way down I would like to visit South Carolina on my way down, as I really would like to see what South Carolina looks like.

- Next on my endless list in this blog is California. Several reasons why I would like to visit, Hollywood, San Diego Zoo, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and of course see LA.

- Arizona, I would love to visit my Aunt Dini and Uncle Rob down there and plus it is warmer there then up here in Ontario... LOL. Never seen what a desert looks like. 

- New York City, would like to see Trump Tower, also visit the 9/11 Memorial and the new buildings around where the towers use to be. Also of course the Statue of Liberty which I always wanted to see.

- Finally I want to and I know my parents are planning this to take a trip out of Boston and I of course added in that I wanted to see the state of Maine even though Cabet Cove was fictional in Murder She Wrote  still would love to see the beautiful state regardless and back through New Brunswick, through Quebec and home. 

          Well that is my list, so sorry it is a bit long and I know I wont get to see all those states but hopefully some in my lifetime and I know Boston and west Coast Canada will be a thing for me to see, as for the Florida, Arizona and Cali that is a bit far fetched for me to see and more the likely will not happen, but never say never!


Have a great night!


Chris