Clowning at the car show

This reminded me of old times when having your picture taken at a studio was a big deal. Thanks to Subaru for laying on some fun at the Toronto Autoshow. I also received a gift of a memory stick from the Globe and Mail.
I also shot this picture of an Auto Union toy car with freak results:

P.S. See PunchBuggy Passim.

Beast of West Bromwich

Richard from Shropshire sent pictures of his newly-acquired Jensen Interceptor. "Chassis number: 136/9000. Engine number: 3C11922/136 (Chrysler 7.2 V8 440 c.i.). Torqueflite three speed auto box. Original colour: tangerine with black vinyl roof, now entirely black. Original interior black leather, now dark blue hide. Left factory 9 October 1973. First registered in Jersey by a hotel owner (name unknown). First registered in the UK on 7 August 1978. Seven keepers prior to me. Acquired by me 13 October 2009."

Bluevelo for a White Christmas

The cycling season is over here in Toronto and the Brompton is folded up for the winter. Owen Shaw sent this picture of a bluevelo from Oakville. I wonder how it handles in the snow.

Hogtown City Limits XIX

To Toronto City Centre Airport (CYTZ) on the yellow Brompton bicycle. Stop in to see Sam at Druxy's, the coffee shop in the old control tower. The building is covered in mould, both the exterior and interior are badly in need of repair and refurbishment. I’m told that the roof is leaking. This is no way to treat a National Historic Site – neglected would sum it up. I've written to Lloyd Alter, President of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, to see what can be done.
Meanwhile the boroughmongers are playing trains. We continue on to the Roundhouse, near the Rogers Centre, where the city is constructing a fake railway exhibition. Some interesting old railway engines are left outside to deteriorate when they should be kept under cover - the original purpose of the Roundhouse. A toy train will provide rides while the site has been severed from the national railway network, thereby ensuring that no real trains will ever arrive.
Saturday evening to Nando's Restaurant in Leaside for spicy chicken. See Toronto Ethnic Eats.

Porter takes lefties to the slaughter

An inspiring story in the Globe and Mail of how Porter Airlines took on all comers and triumphed. "Large Imperfect" Mayor Miller, former hack Adam Vaughan, and his rentamob, must be grinding their teeth. You can't keep a good man down. Bring on Air Canada Jazz and Continental Airlines.

Rapping on the Rocket IV

Monday: Great gig with Debby Matthews and Briony Newman from South Street Bonfire Society; Toby Collins on visually-impaired cricket; Andrew & Romy from the Pelham Arms about the pub, with Briana Lynn Hardyman, singer and songwriter, on the phone from Nashville, Tennessee.
Tuesday: Steve Williams talked about Lewes Psychedelic Festival to be held at the All Saints Centre in the summer; Dave Underwood and Steve Reeve of the Koan Brothers played live in the studio; Mich Lorec, Nikki Gunson, John Geering and Paul Slot from Waterloo Bonfire Society played their choice of music and discussed the new arrangements for Bonfire Night.
Wednesday: Commercial Square Bonfire Society at 17:00: Peter Schueler, John and Ben Botting with Sharon Reid; followed by Steve Bland and Lucy Crook of the Cliffe Bonfire Society, golfing aficionados and beer-runners extraordinaire, at 18:00. A surreal experience. Thanks to Ansis for the music.
Thursday: 18:00-00:00 Bonfire 2009 on Rocket FM.
Friday: 09:00-11:00 sat in with Paul Watts as second banana; interviewed Dr Tony Parker re the industrial wind turbine at Glyndebourne. 21:00 Closedown.

Rapping on the Rocket III

My guests on week three of Rocket FM were:
Monday: Vic Elsey, poet; Andrew Embling from the Brighton & Hove Motor Club.
Tuesday: Fru Norris from Lewes Community Theatre, photographer; Nigel Lewis, drummer with Firebird and the Moonshine band.
Wednesday: Matt Street and Keith Austin from Southover Bonfire Society; John Bleach from Sussex Archeological Society.
Thursday: Jack Kellett, guitarist; Mick Hawksworth, drummer.