Tag: family activity
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Videogame Battle For The Donkey Kong Crown
It may be hard for you to believe, but a very passionate group of game players are still contesting video game records, new and old, and vying to become champion in their particular game of skill in order to be immortalized in the on-line video game record bible “Twin Galaxies”. Go check it out. Maybe…
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Jeff’s Gran Torino Sport and A Classic Car ‘Rescue’ Podcast
If you’ve spent time in rural Southern Ontario you know that there are many unique cultural identifiers. You may have noticed that things move a little slower…except for certain classic cars that continue to amaze with horsepower and style. I sure have, and it is a joy to cross paths with all of the “sweet…
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Ancient Energy- Art Of Tai Chi Is Growing Fitness Trend
What will the next fitness trend be? Has it already arrived? According to Bruce Frantzis, it is Tai Chi. Frantzis, called one of the Westʼs greatest living masters, holds authentic lineages in Taoist energy arts. He calls Tai Chi an über-exercise because you can do it for health, healing, martial arts and meditation. In…
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The Most Common Keyboard Joke In Existence
As we get older we get wiser. It’s just part of the deal. We have all heard the expression that knowledge is power, but power can also be corrupting. Sometimes, it’s good to get a reminder that as smart or as knowledgeable as we think we might be there is always something new to learn.…
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How To Find Meaning Of Christmas In Our Politically Correct World
It seems that every where you turn these days, it is becoming incorrect to celebrate the Christmas holidays in “the manner in which you have become accustomed”- at least in the matter in which I have become accustomed. To truly celebrate the Christmas season, and that’s what it is, no matter what anyone says, I…
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What Is The Mystery Phenomenon Of Shoe Tossing?
Shoe tossing and shoe posting are seen in most Canadian cities and rural motorways. Its history and its symbolism are remarkably complex. Shoe tossing is when shoelaces are tied and tossed over telephone or power lines so that the shoes hang loosely above the ground. Yet shoe tossing does not accurately describe shoes that are…
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The Protected Origin And Definition Of Spanish Cheese
One of my newest cheese loves is not a new cheese at all, but, actually, the traditional cheese of Spain. Manchego is a smaller wheel of Spanish sheep’s milk cheese that just makes the mouth water. It is regulated by Spain under the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), which was granted through the European Union.…
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Visit Our Friends to the South in Buffalo & Take In July 4 Celebrations
If you’re looking for a spur-of-the-moment day trip from Niagara, Canada side, I have the answer for you. A visit to downtown Buffalo can be your answer. It’s about an hour away nestled on the American side of the Peace Bridge and it’s a place still oozing with charm. The older downtown area offers a…
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Defoy At Heart Of Official Quebec Antique Dealer Route
By the winter of 1982, we had been going to the Harbourfront Antique market every Sunday for about a year, and were making a pretty good living selling things we had bought at local auctions and garage sales. Then one day, I read in the excellent and entertaining “bible” of Antique dealing “The Furniture Doctor”…
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The 1% Lifestyle That 99% Of Us Can Afford
Maybe you’ve seen the ad, or one like it? For example-an Ontario Lottery Gaming commercial that depicts an attractive woman climbing out of bed, enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee before climbing into the cockpit of a sailboat, the implication being that if one wins a multi-million dollar jackpot, one can have the “yachty” lifestyle.…
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Toronto Streetcars: Historic And Relevant?
I am sure that many of you will agree that the streetcars that rumbled through Toronto from 1800s until… let’s say 1990’s helped shape many neighborhood. They were the most effective way to connect Toronto’s core with its suburbs and greatly encouraged development of the communities as new grocery stores, restaurants, galleries, shops and banks…
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Some Monitors Are Actually Designed For Specific Video Games
IRVINE, Calif. – Waaaay back in Summer 2011, BenQ America Corp. announced that as the official gaming monitor sponsor of Major League Gaming (MLG), the world’s largest competitive video game league, it would be supplying monitors for the then upcoming 2012 MLG Pro Circuit Summer Championship that were held in Raleigh, North Carolina. At the…
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Mission Possible: Find Classic Unrestored Cars In Tennessee Fields
Once again I find myself Down in the Southern U.S checking out beautiful un-restored classic cars in their usual (usual here) worn out aged condition. With very little rust. It never ceases to amaze me the sheer quantity of classics down here. I look at such a wide array of any make or model. (people…
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Collecting Videogames Is All About The Hunt
Most of us have hobbies. When I was growing up stamp collecting seemed like it was on the verge of dying out but I started a collection anyway. I had a lot of fun with it and although I no longer have that collection (I really wish I did) it provided many hours of entertainment…
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An Evolution Of Canadian Shopping Consumers Distributing Style
As a technology writer for the Silo, I am always focusing and thinking about the evolution of technology. I write about how computers and video games have changed over the years, but of course, many other things change around us and the one I have been thinking about a lot lately is shopping. ( Consumers…
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CED Selectavision Videodiscs Are Movies On Vinyl Records
In 1981 RCA introduced Selectavision even though they knew they had little chance of getting these things into most people’s homes. Laserdiscs had been on the market for several years and video cassette recorders were starting to become more affordable and popular. But RCA had invested millions of dollars and spent 17 years engineering a…
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Make A Prairie Say No To Land Without Life
So make a prairie… It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a decade since I did some work recording for Statistics Canada. The job required door-to-door visits to all the homes in a designated area, interesting because I had a chance to see what people do in their yards. One residence in particular left a…
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River Water Levels Are Favorite Discussion Among Ontario Paddlers
SUP- Stand up paddling is a popular sport along the Grand River system. image: grandriverrafting.ca Is the water level in the river going to be okay for canoeing or kayaking on any given weekend? This is a common question that people call the GRCA to ask. It is also an important question. Usually what they…
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No Wonder Thor Is Smiling In Vintage Comics
This time around in comic news we are looking back at the Journey into Mystery comic auction from Heritage Auctions. What made this auction particularly interesting is the fact that pricing was reasonable and grading conditions were meticulous. Not always the case on other online auction sites (E-something, Kiji-something), Heritage Auctions or “HA” take great…
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Attachment Parenting Philosophy Says Sleeping With Your Children Is Normal
Attachment parenting (AP) is a philosophy that basically means: the closer you keep your children to you, you provide a security, a centre. When children grow up, they are very compassionate, loving human beings. Parts of this style include extended breastfeeding, a safe sleep environment (close to parents) and baby-wearing and balance (martyrdom is not…
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Groundhog Day
Maybe Groundhog Day can become a National or Provincial Stat Holiday because February 2nd isn’t officially known as Groundhog Day. Technically it isn’t a National Holiday. It isn’t a Provincial Holiday. [Is Quebec the only province with a Provincial Holiday? CP] But maybe it should be. Groundhog Day isn’t an exclusive celebration that targets a specific demographic such as Family Day.…
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When Planting Native Ontario Trees Use This Tree Atlas
There are many reasons to plant a tree – to shade your home, help the environment, or just for the pleasure and beauty it brings. There are many questions when it comes to choosing the right tree. What kind of tree will thrive in my community, and on my property? How fast will it grow?…
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How Apple Parallels My Life
When I think back to the 1980’s I have mostly fond memories. It was time of great fun and discovery for me personally. I had both Commodore and Apple computers and a hairstyle that is happy to remain in my past. I listened to cool groups like “Twisted Sister” and wouldn’t publicly admit that I…
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Get Dirty And Grow Organic
We’re too fat. That’s what the media tell us. We’re too lazy. They say that too. And North Americans in general are pretty unhealthy. I’m saying that. Yet at the same time there are daily press releases about eating healthier, supporting local agriculture, the 100-mile diet, and buying organic produce. Of course, that requires some…
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Model Building Led To Canadian Titanic Society Founding
Norm Lewis was just twelve years old in 1958, a student at the old South Public School, when he saw the film A Night To Remember, a straight forward rendering of the Titanic disaster based on the book by Walter Lord. The film was a pivotal experience for Norm, and the beginning of a life-long…
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The Many Cultural Charms Of Buenos Aires Argentina
Feel Cooler Than You Really Are. If you want to learn to dance the tango the place to be is Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is a city that expresses its passion and national pride through their music, soccer, dancing, horses, and writing earning it the title of “City of Cool”. Buenos Aires, (English meaning Fair…
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What Keeps The Mona Lisa Smiling?
Every year 8.5 million visitors see the renowned work of art that is the Mona Lisa. It is a vision that graces t-shirts, calendars, coffee mugs, and art history books worldwide. Still, among those millions, I would wager that few are those that have left Paris remarking on the wall on which Mona is placed.…
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Worthy Road Trips Part 2 New York State
In my last Silo travel column, I featured five of my favorite travel destinations in Ontario within 250 kilometres of Niagara. Here’s another five, but this time “on the other side of the ditch”. First, I’d suggest if you travel into the United States frequently like I do apply for a NEXUS pass (www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus). This…