Aquila Restaruant Sunday Afternoon Jam

We attended an open mic blues jam this past Sunday in the Junction area of Toronto. The restaurant was filled with very talented and pleasant musicians from the Toronto urban scene. As a harp player I was graciously allowed to share the excellent harp mike and amp which added alot to the quality of the sound. Most jams around the city do not have high quality equipment for harps as this jam did so I was very impressed. The microphone used was a Shaker microphone built in the US with that good raspy blues sound. The amp was a tube amp giving it that Delta blues sound. This is an uncommon quality for an open jam which gives this jam a thumbs up in my rating. The members of my band were Alex Shain on guitar and Allen Goslov on piano. We were rocked by surprise musicians named Moishe and Evan both originally from Outremont in Montreal like myself. He sang a great version of B B King's Rock Me Baby and then Johnny B Goode. However, one of the coolest moments was when I looked over while onstage and saw that the musician playing percussion next to me was none other that the restaurant owner and chief chef! When we went outside for a breather he expressed his distaste for preparing low budget foods like chicken wings and burgers as he is a high end chef from the best restaurants in Toronto. I was told by the other patrons that the food in the main part of the restaurant is high end, not like we were receiving in the jam area. Nonetheless it was impressive to see the bar owner delivering and preparing the food, and jamming with the band at the same time. For a great Sunday afternoon jam check out Aquila at 247 Keele Street in the junction. T-Bone The Adventure Guy

Toastmasters Competitions best investment

I recently competed at the Toastmasters International Division G Area contest held March 10th at the MTO Downsview complex. An urban cool experience with competitiors from all nationalities, faiths and experiences, sharing it all for the pleasure of entertainment and challenge. I was impressed with the tales of a Russian immigrant who met a stranger while working as a receptionist that then met with her and furnished her empty apartment, because her parents were once immigrants too. Another competitor took us on her journey to Hong Kong, and we learned that kindness exists in China too. The winner, shared with us the story about life changing moments as we sat with her next to her almost dieing father and gathered strength to bring him back to life.

Our target speaker spoke about imperfect masterpieces, specifically about his handicapped son Lucas, who he has fought to have him keep up with the kids of his own age. I had to evaluate this speech and was out performed by another Toastamaster, as his presentation was more structured and thorough. A challenge for me and a great learning experience.

I recently read the story of a civil servant's financial status report. She earns a decent income yet has no assets, as she is addicted to shopping. The financial planner's advice was to use time more effectively such as amateur theatre to avoid the shopping addiction. Personally, I think that loneliness and dissatisfaction drives people to the malls to shop for goods. If people would invest time in themselves and study the art of public speaking such as in toastmasters, not only will they improve themselves through education, but they will save wasted time and money in the malls etc. Their net worth statements would improve both financially and academically.

Keep reading and exploring.

Earl

The Adventure Guy