Toronto, January 27

[vaneramos]

Delaware Avenue




Ossington Station




From Wellesley Station, disappearing city




Church Street, centre of the Gay Village

Comments

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

Wow. These are all fabulous but the Ossington Station photograph is head and shoulders above the rest for drama and tone.

I caught my breath looking at these, then couldn't help feeling how dismayed Bill and Daniel must feel looking at these scenes of what they're returning to after their fabulous sojourn in the Southwestern Desert.

I'm very pleased that you've decided to relent and allow Love into your heart. I'm surprised to see that you think of yourself as "irascible." It reminds me of Virginia Woolf's question to her lover Vita as she was rebirthing her on the printed page in the novel Orlando--how well can one ever truly know another human being? For my part, in you I see great sweetness of nature, high ideals, integrity, and with that, a certain seriousness. The societies we inhabit are so degraded that I think a certain cranky irritation is more than forgiveable. But are you irascible by nature? From what little I know of you, my answer would--No.

Take care and keep well,

hugs, Shimmer

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

The Ossington photo is my favourite, too. I felt a little guilty toward Bill and Daniel when I posted these, but my artist's sense compelled me to reveal the truth.

You haven't seen my prickly side, Shimmer. It probably had a lot to do with living so much of my life according to other people's expectations rather than what I wanted. If someone pushed me too far or took me for granted I might lose my temper. A few years of living alone and learning to care for myself have mellowed me considerably, but certain things still get my back up.

My relationship with Danny started from a basis of minimal expectations. This has been ideal. I have found my own inner motivation to care for another person without any demands from him.

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

Oooh, can I rub up against your prick... ly side next time we're all up in the Grove at the Farm?

winking and giggling incorrigibly,

Shimmer

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

You're such a naughty faerie. You better make sure I'm adequately restrained before you get on my nerves.

Hugs,
Van

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

Ooh, and what will you do if I reeeally get on your nerves? Spank my ripe bum till I squeeeeal? hahahahaha! (diabolical laughter)

I forgot to ask whether you spotted the "Queer as folk" crew at work during your visit to Church St. It's hard to imagine them getting any film shot in the conditions you captured here. I love Gale Harold, as an actor and, well, would be hard not to gush if I just ran into him somewhere.

xo That Dang Shimmer

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Once I stepped out of Woody's into a QAF set, lights in the street and everything, but I didn't see anyone I recognized. Come to think of it I hadn't seen any of the show at that point, so I wouldn't have known anyone if I had seen them. That must have been ages and ages ago, because I don't go to Woody's anymore.

[dakoopst.livejournal.com]

*sighing jealously*

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Want some snow?

[dakoopst.livejournal.com]

Yes, please....lots of cold and no snow here...

[susandennis]

I am at work so I sure didn't miss these wonderful shots! I love seeing the snow and these photos are really excellent! Thank you.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I knew you would like these. I'm so glad you got to see them!

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

Shame about that international border thingie ... we could set ourselves up a communal living situation here much cheaper than Toronto. And although it does get cold here, it rarely freezes, and even then there is the fantastic light - higher altitude, further south, SAD is a rare visitor. People mostly just don't have it.

Looking forward to seeing you in a few days. Hope all is well back in Guelph & with your daughters.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks Bill. I'm looking forward to it too. I hope your time in the light did its therapeutic thingie. I fantasize about Arizona during the dark months, especially during the fall, which gives me the hardest time.

I was delighted with my vacation.

[chrisglass.livejournal.com]

the silhouettes at Ossington Station are divine. simply wonderful stuff.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Chris. I could hardly see anything. The light was so wonky. I had snow in my eyes and beard. I just pointed and pressed the shutter. Sometimes magic happens.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's snowstorm grey in the middle of the day. The first three photos were taken around noon, the fourth one at about 2:30. The sky seems to get heavier and heavier. The buildings disappear. Danny on the 14th floor said he lost sight of office buildings across the street. It is dreadful and awesome. Mind you, this was probably the heaviest snowstorm since 1999, but when they come, they seem to swallow everything.

Actually, I don't mind this weather as much as the terrible cold which accompanied the bright weather we had last week. We have had several days below -20°C this winter. The storm has broght temperatures closer to the freezing point. But I am dependant on daylight—and walking—to fend off symptoms of SAD. I have learned to appreciate the bright days, no matter how cold they are. I survive more by grace than by toughness.

A number of my friends are returning this week from vacations in Arizona, Peurto Vallarta and Costa Rica. I admit I am envious.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Ugh! I agree. It's the thing I like least about living in Ontario.

[zombietruckstop.livejournal.com]

What beautiful photos! And I miss Toronto more than ever now!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

It's strange to hear people's different responses to this. Danny likes winter; I accept it. I admit there is an awesome aspect to the atmosphere of a winter storm, but I would spend it somewhere sunny and mild if I had the chance.

If you were here, I'm sure you would warm things up.

[ranger1.livejournal.com]

Ah, Toronto. How I miss it.

(And I'm not just saying that because it's -25°C here in Minnesota.)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

It's close to freezing here, but if Minnesota is that cold, we're bound to get it next. Why don't you come here and we can thaw out together? We have many things to do when the weather becomes inhospitable. I have played quite a few games of Scrabble over the past two weeks.

Re:

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I wonder what ever possessed people to settle in this climate.

Thanks for joining us on Sunday. Hopefully we'll have another chance to visit before long.

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

These photos say more about winter in the city than any I've seen lately.

Re:

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks. The conditions were uncomfortable for slogging around with a camera, but I think these images were worth the trouble.