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2011

  1. The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

    December 29, 2011 by Gail

    I guess there's a first time for everything. Sigh.

    I guess there's a first time for everything. Sigh.

    Bullet form ahead to increase sleep time. Let’s start with the bad, shall we?

    The Bad

    • drove through BAD weather (snowfall) to reach a shop in Dundas (between Burlington and Hamilton) to pick up donated wedding dresses for The Brides’ Project
    • had to drive with blinkers on because it was slippery; the ramp off Highway 403 to 6 was a mess and I nearly didn’t make it up the hill!
    • I almost t-boned another car that had spun out and landed perpendicular across lanes
    The Good
    • my car made it through the trip to Dundas without damage
    • there were enough ‘keepers’ in the donated dresses to make the trip worthwhile
    The Ugly
    • while I was bringing in the wedding dress donations, someone smashed the passenger’s side window, grabbed my bag (with wallet), and took off!
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    Posted in Urban Life | Tags: , | 5 Comments

  2. Boxing Day Sunset Over New York City

    December 28, 2011 by Gail

    Two photos from Monday, while I catch some zzzzzs before a day at The Firm, followed by my last wedding of 2011.

    Irish Famine Memorial

    Irish Famine Memorial

    sunset behind Lady Liberty

    sunset behind Lady Liberty

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    Posted in USA | Tags: , | No Comments

  3. Enough Christmas Lights To Land A Boeing 777… Or Santa Claus

    December 25, 2011 by Gail

    imagine the electricity bill

    imagine the electricity bill

    This house is within walking distance to Helma’s house, and it has more lights than the local airport runway. Something tells me the people who live here REALLY want Santa to find their house! I drove by it on the way in, and I just had to photograph it.

    Because I didn’t have my mobile phone with me I didn’t shoot a video — consider yourselves spared from the Christmas music accompanying the light display. I imagine you’ve had enough Christmas music by now.

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    Posted in Local Colour, USA | Tags: , | 1 Comment

  4. Xena Wishes All You Humans A Merry Christmas

    December 24, 2011 by Gail

    Xena's observation tower

    Xena's observation tower

    In case you’re watching for Santa, Xena’s taken it upon herself to monitor the situation from my attic flat.

    Xena's observation tower

    Xena's observation tower

    This is the closest I got to a Xena portrait:

    those bells are annoying me!

    those bells are annoying me!

    Merry Christmas, Silly Humans

    Merry Christmas, Silly Humans

    Time to hit the road! For those with the password, my whereabouts can be found at the Where page.

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    Posted in Critters + Creatures, Xena & Beano | No Comments

  5. My Mechanics Are Also Vintners

    December 24, 2011 by Gail

    Bento's Private Reserve

    Bento's Private Reserve

    I picked up my car from the shop this evening, where the mechanics are Portuguese. To my surprise, the grumpy old guy emerged from the back of the shop with a bottle of wine and wished me a merry Christmas.

    He: “Do you like Portuguese wine?”
    Me: “Um, I don’t know. But I’ll try it and let you know.”
    He: “Now you’re in training… enjoy our wine.”

    I think it’s hilarious that the mechanics also have their own wine label.

    This is my third bottle of gifted wine in a week, and I have no plans to drink any of them, just re-gift them to other people.

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    Posted in cameraphone, Food + Drink, Gail at Large | No Comments

  6. Walking Home: The Christmas Lights Edition

    December 23, 2011 by Gail

    Richmond Street

    Richmond Street

    I’ve said it before — I’m not a fan of Christmas, but I do like Christmas light displays.

    Since I’ve been so overdue for this walk I took my time, starting after a post-work massage. (I’m determined to use at least some of my benefits, unlike last year and the year before.) I also took a new route, and although the temperature dropped to below frigid I managed to get some photos of decorated porches and yards along the way.

    This is the first chance I’ve had to walk home in a couple of weeks due to illness, extremely long working hours, fatigue, meetings, errands, and volunteering. I’ve been feeling rather inhuman lately, but I am now officially finished work until Wednesday. HOORAY!

    Richmond Street

    Richmond Street

    Dufferin Street

    Dufferin Street

    Dufferin Street

    Dufferin Street

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    Posted in cameraphone | Tags: , | 1 Comment

  7. Movember II – The Sequel

    December 23, 2011 by Gail

    Movember – Special Announcement from Jan Keck | Red Gecko Productions on Vimeo.

    Watch the second part of my video here: http://vimeo.com/34105552

    Read more about why I am doing this:

    http://red-gecko-productions.com/redgecko/2011/11/15/its-movember-the-month-of-the-moustache/

    More videos:
    http://www.red-gecko-productions.com

    Music:
    Nothing in the Dark (instrumental version) by Josh Woodward (http://www.joshwoodward.com)

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    Posted in Linkage, Videoclips | No Comments

  8. Helicopter Aerials From Sunday

    December 21, 2011 by Gail

    waving hello to people in the CN Tower observatory

    waving hello to people in the CN Tower observatory

    The sky is my happy place. As soon as I lift off, I leave my work on the ground… I’ve been working a lot lately and all I want to do is go up in a plane!

    These aren’t all the aerials, but what I’ve had time to upload thus far:

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    Posted in Aviation, Flying | Tags: | 1 Comment

  9. The Quest For A Straight Blade Cut

    December 20, 2011 by Gail

    … is over for now. I’ve been living in Toronto for nearly six years and hadn’t found a single stylist who uses this technique which I find works best for my hair, so I gave up asking.

    Recently, a new salon opened up in my neighbourhood and I thought I’d try again. I went in last week to inquire and found only one person uses a straight blade (of course, he would be the most expensive), so I got it done today. It usually takes a week after a cut for my hair to calm down again — until then maybe I’ll wear a hat — and then we’ll see how it behaves.

    straight blade cut

    straight blade cut

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    Posted in cameraphone, Gail at Large | Tags: | 3 Comments

  10. What Happens When You’re In Love: The Sneak Peek

    December 19, 2011 by Gail

    floating on cloud nine

    Astrid + Navarre

    When I saw Navarre do a heel-click spontaneously and effortlessly by the water, I was so impressed I made him do it again! What a great sport, he even indulged my request for some stunts on the ice. Clearly, he’s in love!

    Navarre and Astrid braved some chilly temperatures and frigid wind for their engagement shoot at Harbourfront, but it was worth it. I’ll show you as soon as I can!

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    Posted in Image Legacy | Tags: | 1 Comment

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