Open Dialogue Streets

Tim Hortons has been a catalyst for bringing Canadians together. Whether it be talk over family matters a cup of coffee, enjoying a couple of Timbits after a long soccer practice, or mainly going to buy for co-workers, Canadians trust Tim Hortons for all this.  Sign I saw in Windsor, Ontario But the real problem is, there are many Canadians turning against Tim Hortons because of the employers they are hiring temporary workers - most of which can't seem to understand the culture of Tim Hortons, or the quality of the food is not good - serving bad coffee bits on the bottom of the cup.  And very recently, the coffee prices are heading up due to inflation.  Well, I'll tell you about my opinion regarding this.  This opinion is solely based on what I feel could be the best direction to get Tim Hortons bring back their reputation to be Canada's Favourite Coffee Shop again.  This is based on the experience that I was in while sitting down with a cup of coffee, their new...

I'm trying something new with my blogs. This is called 'Discussion' where we talk about relationships, life and things that matter to you. Think of this like an advice column. Today's topic is all about Social Media Comparisons - how social media can sometimes feel worse for someone's self-esteem, Hurrying Up Love - people are now pleading for their future spouses, and Love Takes Time - Advice on waiting for a forever love.  When it came down to the rising social media concerning mental health and how we look at ourselves. Its easy to be drawn into comparisons when we look at ourselves.  My current feed on Social Media is from people who are making videos on how to 'live your life' mentality and videos on what you should do. Sometimes it can be the same advice, live healthy, eat properly and exercise. And on certain aspects to it, you look at yourself and start to question on what shall I do in my 20s, 30s, or maybe in your 80s.  However, I belie...

This blog post is a hard one on some people, before you keep reading, I want to share some resources on anyone who are SA survivors, for Canada and US. US: National Sexual Assault Hotline:  1-800 656-4673  For US and Canada: Call 911 if you are or know somebody who has SA.

In Memphis, Tennessee lies a hotel situated with ducks in their pond. You may be wondering how crazy I am to talk about this. But it's true.  In one hotel, they have been doing this since the 1930s. According to the official website, the General Manager at the time, Frank Schutt and Chip Barwick; his friend came back from a trip in Arkansas. They thought it would be funny to have duck decoys (fake plastic ducks that almost looked real) in the fountain. Especially after drinking lots of whiskey back in the day. The crowd loved the ducks in the fountain. It became popular as the crowd gathered around the fountain to see them.  Since then, it became a tradition for them to deliver the ducks to the fountain until he retired in 1991. They call this 'The Duck March', and they kept doing it since then.  Some more information regarding this from CNN Travel on their Youtube page, when they interviewed Kenon Walker (Duckmaster) and he said; 'Edward Pembroke (the general manager a...

There are a few flowers that actually wow people, but also feed aquatic animals, and one of which is the water lilies.  I remember going to a temple some long ago and seeing the pond full of koi fish and water lilies. This was long ago, but I asked my mom what it is. She told me it was water lilies and they were used to "decorate" the pond. The colours of the lilies were pink, fuchsia and white, and the flower opens to this specular view. I always wondered how the Koi Fish can be in the same space as those lilies.  Taken from 'Gardening Know How' website Explained by David Domoney, he said that lilies provide shade to fish who are swimming in the pond. Especially now, since the climate has gone through heat waves with excessive sunshine, its always great to have fish in the shade to prevent overheating. It can also help 'limit algae growth' which produces toxins in turn are not good for the fish.  From the Britannica website, they have more than 60 species nat...

Today's blog post is all about a end-of-summer (any time of day but that's kind of what most people do) is a Bonfire! I remember going to a Meetup and my friends (won't disclose their real names because I want to keep them private) hosted bonfire parties!  So we brought our people, take photos of the lake and feel the weather either blowing wind or blazing in the hot air. We did it during the summer months and into the long winter days.  People would bring snacks; i.e. chips, quick appetizers (Spring Rolls, Samosas, French Fries) or maybe an actual dinner food, we had Indian food because my friend wanted to feed us.  So they got a catering company or I believe it was that they brought it in themselves, but we had Butter Chicken, Biryani (Rice with chicken seasoned with spices such as turmeric, green cardamon--side note: this spice has a rich aroma, use less of it, Star Anise and Cinnamon), Aloo Gobi; which is spiced cauliflower and potatoes, Naan (bread) and for dessert, ...

You probably heard about this 90s Britpop bands making an resurgence, and its not The Beatles. Manchester four-piece band, Oasis is embarking on a comeback tour since 2005.  To look at the history behind one of the most beloved bands of the 90s, we need to start in the early 90s. Noel Gallagher (born 1967) and Liam Gallagher (born 1972) were both brothers who hated each other. According to the Wikipedia page, Noel was invited after to form the new band. In 1990, they formed the band, originally called 'The Rain'. This consists of Paul McGuigan (bassist), Paul Arthurs (guitarist) and Tony McCarroll.  But alas, they were looking for something like a different name and new ideas, then came the Gallagher Brothers. Noel was already writing several songs out before he came to be. And was invited by Liam to create a brand-new name.  Oasis Leisure Centre, Swindon Liam figured out because of how he saw the 'Oasis Leisure Centre' in Swindon which is located on the western coast o...

I have been following their journey since their duration of their trip. What is happening is this, four men, all from United Kingdom are currently (as from writing this blog post) are travelling 3500 miles (56 Kilometers) from New York, USA to Southampton, UK (which is in the outskirts of London, UK) Currently, they spend 50-ish days rowing across the Atlantic Ocean. They are travelling on the rowboat with treacherous weather, sea animals and 12-hour rowing's with only 3 hours per night.  They set a world record for the most nautical miles ever rowed, with 140 miles in 24 hours.  It's all to support UK Veterans with mental health resources and reduce the amount of suicide rates in Veterans.  As I am writing this blog post, they seen turtles, whales, and sea animals, as well as battled intense weather-making storms; large waves, heavy rain, strong winds.  If you like to learn more, I strongly suggest heading to this website, and don...

  'Jazz' Cup Design (1992) What you are seeing here is the pattern of the 90s called 'Wave' created in 1992 by a Gina Ekiss who worked previously at Sweetheart Cup Company.  'Preference' Cup Design Previously, (the cup to my right) wanted to replace with something cool, fresh and something that will last a lifetime. This design was called: 'Preference', and it featured a two-leaf design lined in red, with a grey line below, and a grey covered landscape.  This was the design selling back in the 70's and 80's.  Gina - One of an estimated 32 artists, working for the design company at the time; with her having computer background experience, she's able to help transition the design completely digital, by her knowledge of using a printing press, rather than her peers - who had no expertise in that department.  This marked out of her peers, that a design could be printed and the company wanted to go completely digital. So a perfect coincidence came...

Normally, this would be an article about something else, but I thought I share some personal things throughout the month of July. I don't know if its going to be a common theme, but there are a few life events (from myself and others) that changed me.  I don't know how to begin with this blog post here but I wanted to share some moments that made my July! 1. I live in Toronto, and for Canada Day was sentimental for me. At that time, I saw that the US President wants to bring Canada down, by giving tariffs for Canadian Products and tarnishing our culture by calling us "the 51st state" to weaponizing words to us.  So in honour of Canada Day, I went to the Toronto's Lakeside. There were fireworks happening there. At that point, my friends decided to check it out and I thought I meet them. At that point, I could not see them, so I decided to wait near the CN Tower. To avoid the crowds and have a nice place to check it out.  It was funny because once I saw the firework...

Have you been to Vienna before or checked out Mozart music pieces? Maybe you heard of it somewhere. Well I'll share some fun facts and interesting pieces for you. I'll even share details of who Wolfgang Mozart is and how he shaped the music forever.  Mozart (actual name: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) has a full name, his name is  Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart. This is his name.  According to the CNY arts page, when he was four, he learned to play to clavier (a keyboard system) in thirty minutes. When he was five years old, he could play the Harpsichord and Violin in expert level. He then created half of his most famous pieces until the age of 19. His father was the only teacher who taught him how to play musical instruments. In fact, he could listen to the music piece once, and figure out their compositions than any other music composer who had a lifespan like his. That's what fascinates me about it. He has the talent to listen to all sorts of ...