The Maple Leaf Lounge

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Hello boys……I’m BAAAAAAAAAAACK!
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Tomorrow is the first day of the advance poll for the Alberta provincial election. I plan to go and get it over with. The election itself isn't until the 29th.

So damn tired of looking at Danielle Smith's doughy, smirking face and unwashed hair...

 

It was basically a hole in the wall. Not exactly well advertised. But since I liked it, they closed it. Figures.

Kinda.

There are some parts of the museum where you have to walk down really long corridors to reach. But all in all it's a fine place.

Sucks that the Eglinton line won't be done by the time I get there (in a couple of weeks) because that is where I would use it.

Edit: When I was in Montréal...Carlos and Pepe's wasn't there anymore.

 

The pandemic did a number on many businesses, so it's not entirely surprising that many popular places are no longer around, unfortunately. But sometimes they rise up like a phoenix, having weathered the problems and end up with a rebirth.

We have a restauraunt locally that not only did not close due to the pandemic, but if anything became more popular as a tourist destination due to it being filmed as part of the Letterkenny spinoff, and because it's owned by two of the stars from it.

 

Are the paninis good?

 

Yeah, actually they're quite good. I wasn't quite sure what to expect out of them, but they've got some unique offerings plus some standards. I'm hoping to return again this summer. They've actually just gone through a name change.

 

I hope Fran's Restaurant is still there in Toronto. I used to eat breakfast there every day when I was visiting.

 

I used to eat at an Italian place called Ugi's in Sudbury when I'd pass through Haven't been that way in ages though.

 

I'm heading to Toronto next month for a weekend. Jays tickets already bought. Sunset on the tall ship cruise. Not sure what else to do though. Everything is so expensive and while I have disposable income my partner is on a tight budget (I bought her ticket to the Jay's). Arrive noon on the Friday and leave at 5 pm on the Sunday so lots of time to fill. Taking the train so sticking to downtown. Staying at the university residence, which still charges the equivalent of a hotel in Ottawa.

 

I always stay at the skydome's Marriott when I go to Toronto. It really helps, not having to deal with subway crowds after games.

And I'm not a Jays fan, but I always like going to games there. I never get a room overlooking the field though. If there's a game going on, I want to be out in the stands with everyone else; if there is NOT a game going on, I don't care to look at an empty field.

I always like taking a boat cruise up and down the waterfront. Like yay:



And exploring the PATH system.





My oldest nephew is a HUGE Raptors fan so I always get gear for him. I wish I could see a game myself.

 

It's $1429/night before taxes and fees there so, yeah, not in the budget. As it is the uni res is charging like $280/night. The cheapest actual hotel was about $600/night plus additional fees.

As a comparison, I stayed at the Delta downtown Ottawa a couple weeks ago. $250/night.

There's a busker thing in the distellery district we will probably go see. Maybe also Ripley's.

 

^ Yeah, I always do the distillery district too. I hope I remember how to get there.

 

I don't think they've been around for quite a few years now, as I don't think I've heard that name in ages. Many businesses have come and gone over the years even before Covid. It just seems local restaraunts have a tough time, and there's always a lot of turnovers and rebrandings. And yeah, looking around, I can see it's permanently closed. It's now the building for an inspection outlet.

 

Thanks.

The situation here has been increasingly ugly, but now there's some yahoos threatening civil war and physical violence if the NDP win (as in they'll get in their trucks and "hunt" the NDP voters down). People on the Reboot Alberta site (an anti-UCP FB group) have noted that Danielle Smith has done zip-all NOTHING to rein in this sort of social media post. Kinda like back in 2015 when Brian Jean (political rival/buddy of Danielle Smith, depending on whether there's an election on or not) stood there and grinned when his people started threatening Rachel Notley (NDP leader) and shouting "Lock her up!". He thought it was hilarious, and did a rather pathetic job of trying to backpedal when he realized he'd been caught on camera.

Trumpism has been infesting this province to the extent that it's hard to recognize anymore. Honestly, if I had the funds and means to move, I'd pack my cat, my books, and my penguins, and go to BC.

 

It's never been that expensive when I stay there. Usually around 300.

The rooms with a field view might be that expensive, though. Another reason I avoid them.

Yep.

I didn't see Carlos & Pepe's there, though. Is it in the transborder area?

 

Maybe if you go in winter during the week. The cheapest day in July, according to Marriott's website, is the first Tuesday night of July for $500. Nowhere downtown Toronto in summer, ona weekend, is $300/night. That's why I'm staying at the residence, which is $280. Go on Expedia, most are in the $600 and up range before taxes/fees, and a couple in the $500. The $1429 is the first night I'm in the city.

 

I forgot there's also an issue with currency conversion.

 

Yup, that will make a difference!