Friday Two Cents: In My Own Backyard

 

This week I was fortunate to get re-acquainted with an old friend I have not seen in 10 years.  It was great to see her again and we had a wonderful afternoon talking about old times and what each of us have been doing all this time.  Yet as enjoyable as the get together was, it was enhanced with our stroll through a local park. 

If you are familiar with Toronto, you will be acquainted with a city park called High Park.  It is 161 hectares of urban forest near the core of the city.  I have been going to this park since I was a child and I even played little league baseball there.  However, in resent years I have not really walked through it or enjoyed what the park has to offer. 

My friend and I met at a Starbucks near the park where we talked for some time but then we continued our conversation with a walk or hike through High Park.  I had done this many times before, but I had forgotten how wonderful it is to have a piece of natural beauty in the city.  The plants, trees, swans and even the gardens and the zoo all were a wonderful sight to behold.  Many Inspired me to take pictures. 

High Park’s Natural Beauty

Grenadier Pond with a Family of Swans

Grenadier Pond with a Family of Swans

Grenadier Pond with Family of Swans

High Park Zoo

High Park Zoo

 

Even the people and the children playing in the large playground were enjoyable.  My friend and I would walk and talk and just take in the environment around us.  We even stoped and shared a Poutine near the little league diamonds.  

After traversing the park we ended back at the front entrance were we said our goodbyes, reassuring one another that we will meet again for another adventure in the not so distant future.  Yet this excursion was one I will not forget, meeting and getting to know two old friends in one day.   My friend and colleague I haven’t seen in quit some time and High Park.  A part of my past I had almost forgotten about. 

Friday Two Cents: When The Lights Might Go Out

 

This past week a large storm passed through Toronto and knocked out the power to large portions of the city and Mississauga.  I too was without power for a couple of days and I can tell you I realized how much of our lives is dependent on electricity.  Well at least my life.

It wasn’t the first time when we didn’t have power.  I remember back in 2003 when large parts of the east coast was without power.  We had to do without for a couple of days then too, but this time it was different and this instance also gave me something too. 

Just like the black out of 2003, I was prepared with my camping equipment and other essentials.  I knew this wasn’t going to last too long so I made the most of it.  I cleaned, read and got things done.  However, this time I was a bit more distracted about the loss of power. 

Currently I am studying at the university and trying to finish an upgrade to my degree and go to teacher’s college.  The majority of the courses are online and I need my computer to post discussions, do research and write papers.  With two days without power I had been putting off things for the courses.  I started getting jittery about getting online and doing the work. 

Imagine, ten – twenty years ago, courses where in class and you had to do research the old-fashioned way, go to the library.  Now you can do the same thing at home.  I had to go to the local Tim Horton’s and Starbucks to use their Wi-Fi and power outlets.  Sign of the times I guess. 

But the time did make me reflect about doing without power once in a while.  I do enjoy camping but I haven’t done it in some time.  Also I enjoyed reading a real book instead of one on an electronic device.  It seemed more real that way. 

I guess the modern world is a glow with electricity and we all want and enjoy our modern comforts.  But it is nice to put those things aside and just do without.  To get back to the basics as it were.

I said the power outage gave me something, Perspective.  Depending on what you are comfortable with, you can adapt more easily.  I was use to the power being there because I needed it for school.  It was a little unnerving without it.  Perhaps we and I need to be more thankful for what we/I have, to be more adaptable, because you never know when the lights might go out.

 

Related articles

• Toronto power supply vulnerable, 2007 report warned (globalnews.ca)
• Toronto braces for more rain with severe thunderstorms in forecast (toronto.ctvnews.ca)
• Heavy rains pound Toronto; cars abandoned, commuter train stranded in floods (with photos and video) (vancouversun.com)