"Housesitting for Canada's Literati since 2006"

That's what my friend Ellen said I should put on my business card. I seem to be spending less and less time at home in my minimal apartment and more and more time at my friends' well outfitted condos while they're away in exotic destinations.

Works out well. This week I'm at Lil's in Cabbagetown. Lovely 3 bedroom condo, brand new kitchen. Then in August I'm at Margaret's, also in Toronto ... swimming pool, piano, big house and a car to use while I'm there (which is a huge bonus since I haven't owned a car since I smashed mine up in 2006 (the only accident I've ever had .. nobody was hurt except my car, yet my insurance company decided that my insurance needed to go up to $5000 a year. I think they were surprised when I laughed at them. Really hard. And for a long time)

Je digress ...

So I'm enjoying going to readings, art openings and also working on my own stuff. So much easier when there are no distractions. I do all my best work away from home.

And I've had some really good discoveries ... the Surutha takeout, just around the corner on Parliament Street. Sri Lankan food .. really inexpensive. I just had a mouth searing, flaky, delicious Masala Dosa, which is like a crepe filled with hot curry. Yum. Having been to Sri Lanka, I'm really happy to have found this place.

Now here's a question: When did Toronto panhandlers started suggesting a minimum contribution? This guy came up to me in Kensington Market this morning. Started talking to me, asked me if I could spare anything for lunch. I always keep a pocket of change for this kind of request. And then he asked me "do you have a five? I'd rather have a five". Whoa, man, that's nerve. He was friendly and good natured when I told him with a large note of exasperation in my voice that no, he couldn't have five. Some people's kids, eh? ...

Speaking of nervy, the two cats that live in Lil's house are harassing me for lunch. Nothing more to report of any interest right now anyway. Just a fun time with lots of space for new ideas. And I'm finally getting the self-discipline together to realize some of these big ideas. Feels so good.