My Weekly Addiction: The Pilot Tavern

This week my addiction is an awesome little tavern/bar/grill that me and my friends like to go to some weekends. It is called the Pilot, or the Pilot Tavern, and the place has quite the history.

This weeks addiction: The Pilot Tavern

The restaurant has been around the city streets of Toronto since it opened in 1944 at its original location on Yonge Street. It's catchy, clever name The Pilot, was a tribute to the heroic pilots that fought in World War II. After the war, it became a favourite hang-out for local artists, and the bar remain popular through Yorkville's transition to a hippie community. It was in 1972 that the Pilot moved to its present location at 22 Cumberland Street, in the heart of Yorkville. According to legend, some of the Pilot's regular customers carried the original bar to the new location.

In 1987, the current owners took possession of the popular spot, and have kept it true to its original charm. They introduced the the "Flight Deck", which is one of the largest rooftop patios that Toronto has to offer. They have also introduced the "Stealth Lounge", which is tailored as a more sophisticated party space, that can be rented out for parties ranging in size from 30 to 130 people. The Stealth Lounge offers is own bar, complete with comfy lounge seating.

The Flight Deck, Rooftop Patio!

Nice rooftop Bar!

The food selection is average, but the food itself is quite good. I have never personally had any problems with food or service. And for being in one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in Toronto, it is very unpretentious, with a relaxed "jazzy" feeling. It is decked out in Stainless Steel (and looks more like the inside of ship than a plane -- but is still awesome!)

Highlights

- best jazz music in town

- The delicious Pilot Burger*

- large selection of Beer and Wine

- full Bar

- fast service (for a sit-down pub)

- has both bar seating and tables to enjoy food

- newly renovated bathrooms.. **clean!

The crowd tends to be of the "older" variety, however, as a ripe 19-year-old, I still enjoy myself. Its a great place to go out with friends or colleagues. I definitely recommend it! Which is why it is my Weekly Addiction!

22 Cumberland Street, Yorkville (Toronto)

Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2 am

Sat 12:30 pm - 2 am

Sun 2 pm - 2 am

thepilot.ca
Phone: (416) 923-5716
(Full Menu is posted online, as well as a list of upcoming events and MORE pictures!)

Till next time, xx*courtney.

*Trust me, I am the Burger queen. I have sampled burgers from all over the world, and this one is gooooodddd!

"Dare to hug a Bear?"

It is no surprise that the media plays a huge role in the education of children.

Every day we see TV shows that introduce youth to crime, propaganda, and violence. These are all bad, But arguably, the worst blunder that television has made in my life growing up - the biggest lie that I was told by writers that I trusted...was about Bears.

As children, we grow up watching lovable shows like Winnie the Pooh, the Berenstain Bears and Care Bears. And these shows taught us that bears are nice, friendly animals. They like to sing, and ride bikes, and eat honey. They come in a multitude of different colours. Some wear clothing and others have magical tummy tattoos.

They're kind and gentle (and are always surrounded by rainbows and happy things). And given what we were taught, it would make perfect sense to run up to a bear in the wild and hug it. Because honestly, who wouldn't want to hug a cute, yellow bear who has his hand in a honey pot (who is conceivably a civilized creature).

But in reality, even the innocentest physical interaction with a bear...would get you killed.

Bears are very dangerous animals. And the writers of these TV programs essentially skewed our perception of "wild" bears and have left us disappointed. From watching these cute bears on TV, we all grew up thinking that bears could sing and talk and dance. When in reality they can't do any of these things.

These writers have not only created a potentially dangerous situation for youth who live near forests, but they have also tainted our expectation of wildlife. Instead of seeing cute, lovable bears prancing around, we have ferocious beasts roaming our woodland areas. And I bet you will never see a purple bear or even a bear wearing the simplest of clothing.

Nevertheless, these writers have, through the use of incredibly cute bears, taught me some of the most valuable life lessons that I have ever learned. From sharing and helping others, to even how to stop biting my nails, these writers have inspired children for years.

The true message that we learned through these Bears should be remembered forever. And we should forget any hard feelings we may have towards them, (and the pain of getting an oversized replica of Tenderheart's tummy tattoo removed).
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Regrettably, Janice Berestain, the co-creator of the beloved Berenstein Bears book has passed away at the age of 88. Along with her late husband Stan, the real-life Berestain's have written and illustrated over 300 books dedicated to teaching children and their families life lessons. I know that I was a huge fan growing up, and I am saddened by this news. My respects go out to her friends and family. Thank you for all your dedicated years.

xx*courtney.

Nepal: Home of the Tallest... and the Shortest

Sometimes the world throws a paradox our way, and this is no different.

The scenic country of Nepal, famous for being home to the tallest Mountain in the world, is now famous for another height related accomplishment, but this time, not so tall.

In addition to being the home of Mount Everest, (it is now recognized) that Nepal is home to the shortest man alive. Yesterday, the Guinness World Records team awarded the title to Chandra Bahadur Dangi, a 72-year-old native of the country. He measured in at 54.60 centimetres, (only about twice the height of the average coffee maker!).

And at age 72, he is also the oldest man to have received this title, earning him another record.

Originating from a small village, his diminutive size could be attributed to the lack of health care. But all we know is that this little man (arguably the last to know when it is raining) has big dreams, stating in an interview yesterday: "I want to travel the world and spread the name of my country".

Congratulations Chandra!
xx*courtney.

The worlds Shortest Man holding his two awards!

"Tips for being a Top-notch Reporter"

Today, it is easier than ever to be a top-notch Investigative News Reporter.
Here are some simple tips to follow that will help you be the best that you can be!**

Step One:
To begin, you have got to do some investigating. With the invention of the Internet, this task has become much easier. Simply sit down at a computer connected to the Internet (you typically want a fast connection) and type the following into your navigation bar: www.google.com. After navigating via the Internet to the town of Google, it is time to put on your game face and find yourself a story. You are very lucky because Google is a very interesting place, and it is full of potential topics for you to write about. I personally like to begin by typing in something along the lines of "Today's Top News", "Today's Headlines", or "Top Stories". This will lead you to a wealth of different headlines for you to choose from. Read through some, and pick your story. Once you have picked a topic that you feel comfortable with, we can move on to step two.

Step Two:
After have chosen a topic it is time to research it. Thank god we are still at the computer or this task could take you a long time. At this point you are going to want to find your way back to Google. Once there, type in your topic and push search. I normally like to stick to the top three search results because they are  normally the most accurate, and because I am lazy. It is important that you spend time researching your topic. You want to have a good understanding, so I would say that you should typically spend about five minutes reading over the material. Once you feel slightly more knowledgeable, it is time for step three.

Step Three:
Now it is time to report your findings. To begin, think of a clever title. Something short and catchy works well because it will draw in readers. For example: "Cat's are cool!". That title will bring in lots of interest because: (a) it is short and straight to the point, and (b) it is truthful. A good Investigative Reporter will only report the truth (and because Cats are the coolest of the animals, this title indicates that you are a great reporter!). After coming up with the title, you need to write the article. Think about everything you just read on the topic and type it up. You don't need to pay much attention to spelling or grammar because you have already got the support of your reader from your catchy, truthful title. It is also important that you use ridiculously long words in your article to make sure that it is obviously apparent that you did not plagiarize, because that is a serious writing offense.

And you're done. This three step method is proven to help you write a great article. And when you are done you can sit back with a martini and think about all the hard investigating and researching you did today. You deserve that martini, and a pat on the back. You really are a great reporter. And you did all that work without leaving your nice air conditioned apartment. Think about all the losers who spent their day outside in the fresh air. Not you. You are too smart for them, ha!

xx*courtney.

**WARNING: This method is proven to help you be the best you can be, not simply be the best. If you intend to follow any of the above instructions I can not promise you fame and fortune, but rather a martini at the end of the night, pale skin (cause you never leave your apartment) and an overgrown ego.

"Swimming in the Heat of Death"

I mean, who wouldn't want their children swimming in the heat given off by a crematorium?

In British news this afternoon, it was announced that Sir George Young, leader of the House of Commons, has decided to back the plan to heat a local pool in Worcestershire, England with the heat from a nearby crematorium.

The plan says that it will help cut back on energy costs.

The Minister even stated that "he would die a happier man" if this plan comes to life. Well, that's good news. At least you will be happy when the heat from your cremated body is heating the local pool.

Honestly, the entire idea freaks me out. Could you imagine swimming and thinking "ooh, this pool is nice and warm, I wonder who died today?"

Hey Minister, I have another idea to cut back on energy costs. Just pay a kid 5 bucks to pee in the pool. Problem solved.

xx*courtney.

Grey's Anatomy explodes my "Barista" dream...literally.

I have always had a dream of being a barista. I know it probably sounds ridiculous, but there is something so wondrous about the entire Barista-identity.

They have this ability to make magic in a cup. And no matter what you may think, their work is an art form. I spend an unhealthy amount of time at a Starbucks near my university: reading, studying, blogging...and of course, drinking marvelous coffee creations.

Upon entering the location one cloudy afternoon, I noticed a Help-Wanted sign posted on the counter. I considered it, even tweaked my resume to make it more Barista applicable. But, fearful of the outrageous morning hours (I am anything but a morning person) I never got around to submitting my resume.

And thank god.

After watching this weeks Grey's Anatomy, I have realized that the job entails a lot more than it appears to on the surface. In addition to the talent one requires and the happy-go-lucky-over-energetic personality that they must also possess, the job poses a severe DANGER!

Besides the normal medical banter, and the ever consuming relationship drama, this week's Grey's invovles the explosion of an expresso machine, landing the Barista and one devoted customer in the ER. Scary if you think about how long you sometimes wait at the counter, situated right beside expresso machines...

It seems that these Barista who we often over look each morning are (dare I say) a form of hero. Not only do they risk their lives serving coffee to tired, often irritable customers who could attack at any moment, they stand very close to what can only be explained as "deathly" machines that have the ability to either make expresso...or explode.

xx*courtney.

Fabulous Friday.

Today is Friday, and as a promise, I am going to post every Friday about the Fabulous things that happened to me this past week.

To start, I should inform you all that it was Reading Week. While most people packed their bags, got on planes, and travelled to warm destinations across the globe...I sat at home in my pj's.

Don't get me wrong, having a week off where I didn't have to get dressed once (which I didn't), brush my hair (which I didn't), or even shower (which I did have to do because I smelled) was wonderful. BUT, had any of my fantastic plans worked out, this week would have been much more...interesting. So, instead of telling you about what I actually did this week, I am going tell you guys about what I shoulda, coulda, woulda been doing:

Option (a): Paris, France.
Recently I have had this obsession with Paris. There is something so romantic about the idea of roaming the cobblestone streets, enjoying a cup of café at a local bistro, shopping at little boutiques and touristing the local attractions. I thought that a nice trip such as this for Reading Week would be a well deserved vacation from the real world, while broadening my culture, and the clothing selection in my closet. I could see myself now, strolling the Champs-Élysées from one end to the Arc de Triomphe, climbing the Tour de Eiffel, and eating baguettes at the corner bistro. Of course, I would have to visit the Notre Dame de Paris after learning so much about it in my French Culture class. My last stop would be the Louvre, where I would enjoying viewing the priceless paintings and artworks. A trip to remember.

Option (b): New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
I was thinking a lovely week laying on a beach with some friends. I love New Smyrna, and it is the only place in Florida that I will go willingly. There is something about its Beachy-charm and its relaxed atmosphere that I have always liked. Its quaint, relaxing and calming. I can picture myself laying pool-side with my Aristotle book in hand prepping for my upcoming exam. I would return to university refreshed and rejuvenated, and tanned. A trip to relive.

Option (c): Montreal, Canada.
A quick trip to Montreal. Clubs, bars, shopping. A girls night out, x 7days. A girls week out? Nights we can't remember, friendships we can't forget. Our days filled with shopping. Our nights filled with clubbing. Losing our voices, but gaining blisters on our feet. A trip to reminisce about.

So instead of one of those options, I sat at my computer, in the glow of cloudy skies, in my pajamas, writing this post. I hope you enjoyed your Reading Week! Leave me a comment about what you guys did so I can drool over your week.

xx*courtney.

University of Toronto TA Strike: the Doom Looms...

If the University of Toronto does not come to an agreement with over 4,000 of the univiersity's Teaching Assistants by midnight tonight, what lies ahead for students like me?

Thats the question that is clouding my thoughts and studies. Members of CUPE Local 3902 have been trying reach an agreement with U of T officials since early April of 2011, but still have not come to an agreement.

The negotiations have stalled over 3 key issues:
- Class Size
- Research Funding
- Upper-Year Students

Although these negotiations are going on between the two main parties involves, namely the University and the CUPE Local 3902 group, I feel as though one party (perhaps the one that will be most affected) is being left out...US, the students.

Having spoken to friends that TA for a variety of Professors in a vareity of Departments, I have to admit that the end game for us students, if a strike does happen to result, does not look good.

Some professors have already stated that the classes will be cancelled, and that students will need to retake the course next year. If this was to happen, consider not only the money that we have put in, but also the time and effort. In my case, if even a few of my classes were cancelled, I would face the need to take an additional year of school in order to complete my Honours' Bachelors.

What a lot of people overlook is that the Teaching Assistant IS a very important part of the class. And without them, many classes would simply not be able to go on. The TA's are responsible for marking tests and papers, organizing the midterms and final exams, and of course teaching and instructing tutorials. As a student doing a Double Major in Philosophy and Political Science, I am quite worried about my fate.

My professors simply would not be able to run the class of such a size without their TA's, and with multiple papers and tests coming up...what should students do? I sit at my computer trying to study for a test that I am not even sure will happen...

So yes, please come to an agreement tonight in order to avoid a strike. Not for the sake of the TA's. Not for the sake of the University. But for the sake of us students, who are about to fall victim to something we simply had and have no say or part in.

Leave comments please,
xx*courtney.

GLEE: Season 3, Episode 14

On my way.

More like Oh my god. I wouldn't normally decide to devote an entire post to one episode, of one tv show, but wow, this one deserves it. This post contains spoilers, so read on if you dare to.

This episode was bound to be a good one, but I have to admit that I am quite impressed with the multitude of major issues facing teenagers today included flawlessly throughout the episode. (Although it has been remarked accross the world-wide-web as somewhat of a Public Service Announcement).

The major (almost background) event that the New Direction's faced this week was Regionals. Normally, that alone would make a good episode, especially because we know that they are to face the adorable, and talented, Warblers. I can't help wish that my highschool had been somehow affililated with a school of good-looking, super-talent young men that always dressed in striking uniforms, but hey: you win some, you lose some.

The competition itself was interesting. Great performances by both schools (I say 'both' because the third school sung for like 3 seconds and then we forgot they performed). Of course, the New Directions take first place, because without a win...how would the season continue?!?!

But it was really the deeper, more serious topics that really spiked my attention. The episode covered Teen-Suicide, Cyber-bullying, and the very "now" texting-while-driving debate. It also "name-dropped" Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation and The Trevor Project.

Lots going on. And maybe too much? Each topic alone would be enough to gauge the interest of viewers, but a lot of people are remarking on the overload of serious information that we faced.

Karofsky, best known as the former bully of Kurt, was the star of this episode. And Max Adler, the actor who plays him, did a marvelous job. Those of us who have gone through a hate-sympathetic-like relation with Karofsky were really taken full circle this episode. The former gay-bullier, who is gay himself, ends up being cyber builled by his classmates at his new highschool for being, wait for it: gay. At the begining, it almost was played off as revengeful, like he is getting a taste of his own medience.

But! It is not before long that any taste of medience is washed away as Karofsky attempts suicide. Thats two major topics down in the first half of the show! That is a lot to take in. The writers (and actors) do a really good job showing how cyber-bullying (and all forms of bullying) can have serious consequences, and I would recommend watching the episode instead of having me butcher it in this rushed-review.

Will Schuester also shares a personal story with the New Directions about almost committing suicide as a teenager.

The last major topic occurs in the last minute of the episode. Quinn is texting while driving (a big no-no!) and gets into what looks like a serious accident. But we will have to wait until the return of the show April 10th (MY 20th BIRTHDAY btw) to find out the details.

The episode was also crammed full of other note-worthy moments: Sebastian apologizes to Blaine, Quinn is reinstated as a Cherrio (maybe, depending on her condition we can assume), Rachel in a wedding dress, and Sue is pregnant?!

Well, although it may have covered too many serious topics in one episode, the writers did so flawlessly and have my full appreciation. It is nice to see a show which so many teenagers watch take on such serious issues. Heres to hoping that some of them sink in.

Leave your opinions and comments.

xx*courtney.

How many times can you re-start up your blog and fail?

...I think I am at about 4 times, but really who's counting...!

I am back! Again, and I know that you may have found me to be untrustworthy and what-not, but this time, I think I am actually back. For good. And hoping to take a new spin on things, again.

(Wow, I sure am inconsistent eh?) I have gone through a lot this last year and am feeling better. But I feel I need an outlet for my thoughts, criticisms, and obsessions. Which I have a lot of, by the way. I need somewhere to write down my crazy ideas, share my criticisms with people, and just ramble on about things that are on my mind and things that I am dealing with.

So why not take one more stab at it, right?

Here we go....
*courtney.