Spring Sunset in the Big Smoke

The sun dropped slowly behind the buildings. It always seems to accelerate during that last hour of descent. And within seconds, the slight evening chill blows in with the increasing dusk. That mid-April night was no exception. The rest of the patio patrons starting pulling on sweaters and jackets. Some people lit cigarettes, while others settled their bills to venture forth into the evening. Some made plans to hit other bars, others shuffled back to the subway and on home. It was a Thursday night.

My companion and I gave each other the obligatory head-nod, shook hands, and threw money on the table. It was time to go. The comforting numb of alcohol had already taken hold, but was starting to fade. So I decided to take a little walk. One last stroll along this eclectic and vibrant street; a chance to feel what I knew I was going to miss, but what I had also disregarded for so long.

It was home, and I had to say bye. An overwhelming barrage of emotions took hold, but it was mostly love. This is where I was born, so I could never deny the gravity of this place. A place where you could do anything; accomplish whatever you wanted; be the person you desired to be. For the better part of eight years, this is the place I called home. I didn't grow up here, and I hold no real affection to this city otherwise, but it defined what I am today. It's funny getting sentimental about concrete, asphalt, and glass, but I hold them in the same regard as I do birchbark, cedar, and deep forests of pine.

The world in a village. I once spent a year in a foreign country, but I've never been exposed to so much of this planet other than living in this town. I have gone places I never imagined, and met the richest souls that have ever walked this earth. Because of that, I am in the greatest debt to these streets.

I looked up, and the orange urban glow of twilight had taken hold. I smiled, remembering the first time that particular light had guided me home. Back on the rez, all I had to depend on was the sharp white luminance of Nokomis, our grandmother the moon. But she always made sure I was safe. Here, these pillars did the same. You can't see stars in the city, so these streetlights will do just fine.

I remember lighting a cigarette, and trying to savour the moment. Such a monumental corner of the globe. I've always said the UN headquarters should be on University - because you'll never find a greater cross-section of the beautiful people this world has created other than here. Across the street, there was a group of young people obviously enjoying the novelty of being fresh in the city. Doing the tour, seeing the people, and feeling urbanity. I was there too, once. Maybe someday they'll look at this place the same way I do. They'll get there.

So I turned around, taking one last look at Queen Street West. Standing there, I knew I didn't have to relish this moment in my mind. This is who I am, and who I will be.

Thank you, Toronto.

Three Cities in Three Days

Now I know what a real rock star feels like.

Well no, not really. But it was a quite a whirlwind tour throughout central Canada. I was out in the 'Peg from Tuesday-Thursday of last week on the good ol' apartment hunt (once again) and visiting my new place of employment. It was a pretty hectic but fruitful tour. I ended up finding a sweet pad in a pretty decent part of town, just a 25-minute walk from work! When I wasn't pounding the pavement checking out apartments, I was at the CBC Studio on Portage meeting my new colleagues and learning their editorial process. It was a pretty killer experience; everyone there was awesome and I'm really excited to get started.

Oh yeah, I guess I should mention what I'll be doing out there. Haven't really had a chance to explain that in this space yet. I'll be general assignment reporting - relaying info to public on local news, events and happenings, and helping everyone make sense of it. A lot like what I was doing with The Weather Network, just not weather-specific. So there is a much larger storytelling scope. There'll also be opportunities to work on longer features and even documentaries. Basically, it's a chance to hone further my journalistic expertise. Very cool.

Anyway, I got back to Toronto Thursday afternoon. I continued tying up more loose ends before my exodus to the Prairies, and prepared for my next jaunt to Ottawa. It's always been one of my favourite cities in the world, and I had to visit it and some family before blasting off to Manitoba. It was a pretty low-key weekend for the most part, but I had a blast as always. Thanks for the good times!

I'll be back, O-town, to save you from the wrath of the enormous killer spiders!