Nesting…Country Mouse in the City

Perception is a funny thing. I’ve had people tell me that they could never live in the city or that they have tried living in Toronto, no longer do, and would never be able to go back. They have this perception that the city is so different from their own suburban or rural lifestyle. Granted, it really depends on where in the city you are, but the simple truth is that nature and rural moments exist in the heart of a city. I’ve known people who have moved to the outskirt areas of Toronto hoping to find less chaos, more room, and a smaller community feel. I actually have an opposite view of the outskirts vs. inner city. I believe that there is a closer sense of community, a more natural flow to inner city than a sprawled suburban outskirt. I find too many amenities too far apart, too much uninspired landscape to fill space in the outer skirts to warrant a strong connection, but that’s me.

The siblings and I spent our adolescence growing up in a small rural town near a national park, and plenty of brush and wildlife. Amenities were about a 15-20 minute drive into town, and because we were not a wealthy single parent of four children dwelling, we rarely had money to spend on non-necessity items. We spent a lot of time outdoors, playing and exploring. My appreciation for nature in all elements has carried over into urban dwelling. Eventually, I plan to move away from the city into remote land, but for now I am constantly challenged and pushed to find nature around me.

Currently, I live in the mid-town area, and on my way to the subway for work in the morning (a 5 minute walk to subway), I pass morning glories, a mulberry and apple tree, a partridge that twitters upon my movement, and a ravine filled with hidden wildlife. This is all a short distance from one of the busiest streets in Toronto. The other week, a stroll on Spadina took us past a home with a wild rabbit relaxing in its front yard. Wherever I go, there seems no shortage of bird songs. And as much as raccoons are disdained, they’re merely wildlife adapting to urban sprawl. Buffet anyone?

There are some wonderful parks that settle near some of the busiest downtown areas like Danforth or Queen. The trick is to finding those wonderful places that breach city and country living and to explore the environment in whichever city you may be. Of course if you prefer not to watch the bugs and birds and wildlife, well than that’s possible too, but I say not nearly as rewarding.

Nesting...100 Thing Challenge, Live with Just 100 Items

We are quite intrigued by the 100 Thing Challenge. Being pack-rats and clutter hounds most of our lives, it seems to us daunting, though rewarding, scary none-the-less to narrow our household down to a mere 100 items.

This is what creator of the personal challenge, Dave Bruno of Sand Diego, aspires to do; he has pledged to reduce and maintain an inventory of 100 personal items by his next birthday this coming November. That's right. 100 items and not a shadow of a doubt more -okay so he has his own rules and regulations to lessen the blow. He will attempt to maintain 100 items for one year. Inspiring.

The concept of removing possessiveness and focusing on purpose alone, is not one we tend to adhere to in North America. Let's face it, we over consume and hoard on a daily basis. If it's not shoes, papers or books, clothing, mementos, money, debt, credit, it's food, hygiene products, self-help information, and to-do lists. We have tooooo much. And more things, as most of us have devised, does not mean more joy. We fall prey to managing our inventories instead of enjoying them.

Of course, you might ask why a collective such as UpsideDive - which retails "things" would encourage having less. Well, here's the thing if you didn't know before. UD was not created just to sell or to make profit, it exists as a lifestyle, and works towards sustainable consumer living.  That includes aiming for a healthy business that can sustain itself, and although we enjoy selling, we also enjoy purpose and re-purposing. Perhaps the consumer emphasis should be on choice selection rather than volume. 

So in the jist of it, we will be thinning out the showroom, but the biggest impact will be in our homes. We can't promise that we won't slip over 100, I'm not sure if I'm quite there yet, but I pledge to minimize and to aim for that 100 number. I could do with a little less chaos and more room to stretch both body and mind. I'll post my top 10: best-to-stay-in-the-home items tomorrow.

And as Dave states on his website under Rules: Remember, this is my 100 Thing Challenge. I get to set the rules and decide when a rule can be stretched or outright broken. Basically I'm going by the spirit of the challenge not the letter of the challenge.  www.guynameddave.com/100-thing-challenge.html

Here are some more broadening info, thoughts, and conceptualizations on the topic http://zenhabits.net/2007/09/minimalist-fun-the-100-things-challenge/

http://eclecticgeekology.blogspot.com/2008/03/thoughts-on-100-items-challenge.html

Upside of Culture - Bring on the light.

You most likely haven't heard of Stuart Haygarth, but if heaven forbid you hadn't read this post, in the next year you most definitely would have. Or at least I would hope so. Think Damien Hirst meets Terence Koh minus the egos. Well no I take that back, the only thing I think he shares with the two is a fresh creativity. He started off as a designer but has also grown into an artist. He's the world's neatest scavenger, collecting discarded items, sorting and turning them into brillant pieces.



I first saw his Optical and Spectacle chandeliers a lil' while ago and was very impressed. At first glance I would have never thought it was made up of give or take a thousand unwanted eyewear lenses. From what I've read and seen his other works are just as compelling. I'm excited to see more from his Dungeness Project, where he creates work from washed up shoreline items. Like his Barnacle series, a push into sci-fi sculptural art. I could stare for hours.


Lost goods, given worth once again. Most importantly I think Haygarth forces us to imagine if more people thought differently about waste goods. What amazing things wait to be found? Go now and check out his website : www.stuarthaygarth.com

Upside of Sustainability... composters unite!

Sooo I've decided I'm gonna take matters into my own hands, and damn these hands are gonna get dirty. I bought a bunch of vegetable plants recently and plan to buy more so I think it's about time I stopped sending so much of my compost "waste" to where-ever it is the city sends it and turn it into a new resource. A challenge then, I dare thee to begin composting at home. How hard could it be? So this week we'll start by planning and gathering what we need. Here is a good description of how to make your own compost that I stole from wikianswers:

Making a Compost Bin

You can make a compost bin from almost anything: cinder blocks, lumber, rubber garbage cans,...; to me the question is: "How large or small do you want it to be?". If you live in a area where you get a lot of rain then you should to keep it covered; also, by covering it you will keep out the night-time critters.

As an example: you could make it 2 foot wide by 2 foot long by 3 foot high with 3 or 4 sides. It may be placed under cover out of the weather or fitted with some type of a lid.

The most important things about composting are:

1. put only vegetables, peelings from the kitchen, cut-up newspaper, leaves, grass;coffee grounds, egg shells, no fish or whole eggs keep the contents as wet as a sponge
2. turn it over at least once a week.

You could make a compost bin out of a rubber garbage can. The only problem is turning the material over: the smaller the container the harder it is to turn the compost over - that is the hardest part of composting (besides keeping the material wet as it is breaking down).

Also, you don't even have to make a bin to have good compost. You can just make a pile and get the same results.

So I have myself a big ol' kitty litter bin and I plan to pick up some used gardening tools(for turning the mulch.) Now I'm only going to put good stuff in my personal compost, stuff my plants will enjoy like veggie scraps, light paper, coffee and still leave the kitty litter/meat scraps/bad cheese to the city's compost program. And I know that it can be tough to start a compost if you don't have a backyard or a patio but think small. My suggestion is to simplify by only focusing on composting a few things like veggie peels and/or coffee grinds/used tea. Next week along with a different topic post I'll update you folks on how things are tending at my place. Post below with your own comments.

ciao! mike.

Upside of Fashion...Pretty Gaudy Skirts!

Ugly du jour! A balance of beautiful and outrageous is a skill, if honed can wield great power. Here are 5 lovely skirts with kinda-hideous prints that we just adore dahling.

{Saffy unimpressed with what Edina is wearing}

Edina:...Anyway, people will think "wow, it's a Lacroix!" I just can't find anything to go with it, that's all.

Saffy: Maybe I could throw u

p on something for you.

Edina: {selecting a shirt}

 I'll wear this one.

Saffy: Oh, I see someone already has!

~Absolutely Fabulous-Fashion 1.0

NinjaVintage.com     

 

PlaidponyVintage.com 

StephanieBracciano's Shop

1918vintage.com

trashvintage.com

Upside of Culture - You've got to move it!

Not that I'm trying to turn culture thursdays into dance party listings but there two very awesome nights going on this weekend. 

To start what will no doubt be a long running night called "Murder at The Ossington" held at the new bar The Ossington(61 Ossington.) DJ Bilbao will be 'playing weird sounds, disturdbing oddities, and guilty pleasures' every 2nd thursday of the month starting 

tonight, Thursday July 10. Check out his  murdershepodcasted podcast. It's very good, I promise.

Will Munro is kickin' up dance parties of the past with NO T.O. happening at The Beaver(1192 Queen St. W.) Back in my youngster days I couldn't pass up on this night when it was at Thymeless. It was my sanctuary. Dreams in No Wave/Italian Disco/Post Punk. Gawd my feet never hurts so much.

On a side note check out the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibit at Nathan Phillips Square running Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Though some of it can be pricey and stale, occasionally you'll find an artist with some punch. If you've got any happenings you're hitting up this weekend, be sure to post them below. 

ciao!

mike.

Upside on Sustainability-Friendship For Food...anybody?

Every time we'd gather with friends the same question arose-why can't we just go back to the good ole days, the days of barter? Yeah, it would be just dandy to trade a meal for a drawing or a skill for a skill?  Well we recently befriended someone* who told us about this righteous site "The Freeconomy Community". I thought yes, finally an answer! So I clicked join community. Like every login page it asks for your name, email, place of origin, and all that jazz. Then it asks select skills you have. I felt fruitless. The only thing I could offer was cooking or sewing, baby/pet sitting or clothing swapping, maybe storytelling? I would not last five minutes in a world of barter. "Excuse me sir! For that (took you blood, sweat, tears and a whole year to produce) delicious homemade bread, I'll jaggedly re-construct your oversized  jacket* for you? heh heh..?!" What a jackass I'd be. I can't join this community. Also predominately living in an urban money based society does not help me, I'd feel embarrassed and ashamed.  My identity demands dexterity. I mean I strongly believe in a just for the love of it mentality and hope more people join and try to create a less money grueling way of life...oh okay, alright, I'll keep my profile. Who knows, someone might just want a friend to help them with odd jobs or needs a last minute crappy seamstress, or a  pretty awesome stylist, or a makeshift hairdresser or a crazy awesome babysitter or a...

lovelove

.tash.

*thanks Jason

*sorry Damien...gnyah gnyah (collar pull)

Dahling Dora: K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

I'm new to this city, what are the good make-out spots in Toronto?

signed, 

Lip Action Places in Toronto

Dearest, Lapit:

A lady never kisses and tells but in this case. I'll let you in on my top five favourite make-out spots in Toronto.

1. Right smack in  Trinity Bellwoods there is this hill looking down upon a baseball field surrounded by trees and on a secluded bench, I once kissed a boy there while the sun was setting. Just Magic! 

2. Anywhere really in the Don Valley Brick Works. It's architecture would make anyone randy. I once made-out near Mud Creek beside a purdy little pond.

3. Top level in Chinatown's Dragon Centre there is this restaurant, you must walk through the restaurant on the left to a balcony, best view of the skyline and perfect for locking lips!

4. Listening to crashing waves while sitting on rocks near woodbine beach or on any beach. 

5.  And last but definitely not the least, smooching on Centre Island in Centreville's  Far Enough Farm (the islands petting zoo). When it's feeding time for the birds and you're stuck in the middle of them, eating your chocolate icecream. Thats the best time for kissing. Oh and make sure to canoodle in the hedge maze too!

hope that helps. 

wink.

DD

Upside of...Culture is Fashion

This Friday night "Ladytron" is playing at harbour- front centre in Toronto- FOR FREE!

http://ladytron.nettwerk.com/tour

What to wear, hmmm, what to wear....
dress up like... a robotic witch
dress up like... a firework display
dress up like... 2001
dress up like...a casio watch

Upside of...Culture -See Friday

Upside on ...Sustainability, Pest Control 1

Environmentally-Friendly Pest Control

Let's face it, summer means bugs -or as some would call them, pests. You could run out and buy chemical containing repellents, and bug killers, but why should you, when there are natural and effective ways of minimizing these "visitors". Over the next few weeks, We'll share some tips to incorporate bug patrol into your lifestyle that not only cuts out the chemical middle-man, but is cheap, re-uses material, and allows for a breath of fresh air.

This week we review the ever popular fruit fly.
Many of us have experienced the annoyance of fruit flies that fester in swarms around ripened fruit. Once you have them, you can expect more if left to their own devises. 

There are a few things worth trying. If you are leaving fruit and veggies out to ripen, wash them first, and wash peels/scraps before you place into the compost; this will wash some of the eggs laid and reduce amounts hatched. Add paper on top of food scraps in your compost to keep snoopy flies at bay. For catching matured flies, you can build your own trap with a few resourceful tools (we found these instructions/pics on nyccompost.org)

TRAPPING fruit flies
Here are two kinds of fruit fly traps you can make yourself:

1. Funnel fly trap. Pour some apple cider or beer into a glass jar and add a drop of natural dish or laundry detergent. Cut the corner off a plastic sandwich bag and place it into the jar; secure the plastic-bag "funnel" with a rubber band around the rim of the jar.

2. Bottle fly trap. Cut a small plastic water or soda bottle in half. Fill the bottom half with some apple cider or beer and a drop of natural dish or laundry detergent. Turn the top half upside down and place it into the bottom half so that the neck forms a funnel. Secure the two halves with tape.

You could also try a drop of lavender, tea tree, or oregano oil instead of the detergent. Happy fly catching!

Dahling Dora is on Vacation

Dora is enjoying a quiet week sipping her americano's, reading through letters, and catching up on talk o' the town gossip. She will return next week fresh faced and bright eyed to answer your questions. 

Send questions to: dahlingdora@gmail.com, Visit her at Dark Horse Espresso Bar @ 682 Queen St East Toronto for a tete-a-tete.