The sweltering heat and sun didn’t stop the thousands of rockers from descending down on Downsview Park for Edgefest, a yearly outdoor rock festival hosted by Toronto radio station 102.1 the Edge.
Billy Talent headlined the festival, playing songs from all three albums and also their catchy single, Viking Death March, from their new album to be released in September entitled Dead Silence.
Frontman Ben Kowalewicz rocked the stage in his usual stance, hair in his face, hugging the microphone and one leg up on a stage monitor. The band kicked off their set with Devil in a Midnight Mass and ended the show with the contagious Red Flag.
Drummer Aaron Solowoniuk seemed in amazing physical form after having undergone heart surgery in February. The rocker and dad of to daughter, Willow, also has Multiple Sclerosis.
Silversun Pickups also rocked the stage with hit songs like Panic Switch, Lazy Eye and The Royal We and songs from their new album, Neck of the Woods.
Death From Above 1979 hit the stage with only one full-length album under their belt, You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine, which was released in late 2004. The Toronto band, reunited in 2011, played hits Black History Month and Blood On Our Hands. They wowed the crowd with their heavy, electronic-rock vibes.
The festival had a jam-packed line-up with a variety of bands including Yukon Blonde, Young the Giant, Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker, The Sheepdogs, The Dirty Heads, The Pack A.D. and brother-sister band The Balconies.
Edgefest 2012 was a hot, sticky and rocking music festival that has become an annual tradition.
Parents – please be careful when your kids are swimming in the pool.
I’m not just talking about you not being there – that is an absolute MUST.
I’m talking about “being there” – watching your kids while they are playing in the water.
Last summer, we were visiting our relatives who have a swimming pool. My boys were so excited –a diving board, slide, hot tub and the large pool.
There is a deep end though, which is enough to freak me out.
But the kids were also playing with large floaters – you know, the ones that you can lie down on in the pool?
Well, my five year old went down the slide and into the water, underneath the large floater where my seven year old was laying down on. The floater was so big that my little one couldn’t float back to the top and my seven year old wasn’t even aware.
There were people around, yes… they were physically there, paying real close attention? Another story.
I jumped right into the pool to pull out my son from under the floater. He was frightened of course because he couldn’t float up, he said.
The list of tragedies is growing and is begging the question – what can we do? Prevention is key. These tragic deaths are preventable!
Mandatory swimming lessons throughout the school system are already being discussed – and I believe this is a great idea. Everybody should know how to swim.
Pool owners required to install fences seems common sense – already a by-law in various cities.
Kids drown quickly and quietly – a drowning child cannot cry or shout for help. Parents must WATCH their kids in the pool, never take your eyes off your kids. Simply being near your child is not necessarily supervising.
I have come a long way in my walk through motherhood. I started out scared and lost and grasping at every “technique” and “style” that seemed popular.
It’s only since settling into life with three ladies that I have really discovered comfort on my own terms. I’ve got a confidence about my life now that plays out in my appearance. Because when you can look at yourself and know that it was you all along accomplishing the things that make you so proud: it can’t and it shouldn’t be hidden.
I have discovered that my quirks give me enough of an edge to stick out in a crowd and I’m a natural extrovert…a bit of an attention-whore if I’m honest! I am a talker, a constant talker. A friend once told me that I say all the things that everyone is always thinking inside. I see no point in putting a fake sugar coating on a life that is real, so I put it all out there; good, bad and ugly on my blog, Life With Ladies.
It’s a string of love letters to the testament of my life as it is in real time, and a snapshot for my daughters to look back on and know that I was once a real woman too, behind all those rules & peanut butter sandwiches. It doesn’t hurt that I’ve got a tall, dark and handsome man at my side telling me I’m gorgeous and giving me confidence and, yeah probably a bit of swagger in my step too.
Success should first be found within. I think a woman’s greatest ally, and often her biggest competitor, is herself. Any of us can probably pick out 17 things on any given day that we’ve done wrong, dwell on them and call ourselves a failure. It takes courage to admit that you didn’t do everything right, but you had the best intentions and tomorrow will be better. And then make it true.
That’s where confidence is built. And that’s where my “hotness” comes from. Throw on a thrifted bird shirt, some of your grandma’s fake pearls, squeeze yourself into those skinny jeans and heels- and work it. I just show the world what I already know- I am a hot mom!
Thanks for the nod, it’s an incredible group to be a part of!
What makes me a hot mum? My children are my inspiration for all that I do, but what do I do for myself? I lose myself in my hobbies – I love to paint, take photographs, sew and bake. I disappear into my ‘workshop’ in the evenings with a nice glass of wine and create wonderful things. I read books that aren’t about a brown bear or a hungry caterpillar. I plan date nights with my husband and get dressed up and get butterflies as though it’s our first date, every single time.
The key to happiness is being happy with yourself. It’s not about how much money you make, how many friends you or your bra size. It’s not the number on your jeans, or the names on the labels.
I love the ones who surround me – from my husband and my children, to my friends and our families. I try to keep my life drama-free, so I slimmed down my friends quite a bit- well, they helped me slim that list down when I had some real life drama when my third baby was born and faced with many medical challenges. It’s times such as these that show you who your real friends are. My real friends were shining bright, and the others were sucking my energy out while I was living a real life heart-wrenching drama of my own.
How do I juggle it all? I sneak little bits of time when I can. My house is constantly busy, as you can imagine, so I take 5 minutes here and there to do something for myself. I use nap time to my advantage – I get my cleaning done usually while they’re sleeping so when the husband comes home in the eve I can either snuggle up with him on the couch or go down and work in my workshop. I also hired a mother’s helper who comes over from time to time to spend time with the kids while I do things for myself at home.
My children amaze me with the things they learn and do- and I take pride in knowing that I am a big part of that. That alone is extremely fulfilling for me, but when I finish a book from start to finish I get a little warm fuzzy inside. When I drink a coffee and it remains hot until the last sip, I feel the same amount of pride. It’s all in how you make it.
A woman is successful when she can look at her life and say, “hey…I made that. I did that. I am proud of myself.” I don’t need validation for the things that I do, or the things I have achieved. While validation and cheering squads are lovely, I don’t need them to know that I am successful and happy.
How do I take care of me? I wear clean clothes with no holes in them, even though I stay home. I put makeup on. I get my hair done. I eat well and exercise when time allows (even if it means walking with the quad stroller -yes, four seats and the vizsla to the park a few blocks away instead of the one down the street). I meet my friends for coffee after the kids are in bed once in a while. I daydream, and I set goals….and I smile. I smile every single day.
First of all, I just wanted to say a big thank you for everybody’s votes.
I am a mother of two amazing kids, my daughter is eight years old and my son is three. They truly keep me busy. I am going to be honest with you and I am sure you all agree, there are days when I am ready to pull my hair out…. It is important that we take some time off for ourselves, to relax and refresh our minds and bodies. I like to hang out with my friends, enjoy pilates and walks and I also keep a vegetable garden at my mother in laws farm I find it very relaxing even though it is hard work to keep a garden. I when we can love to go out and spend time with my hubby – dates nights are important especially since we have such busy lives.
To keep a happy family we as mother need to be happy and content with ourselves and with who we are. Do not be afraid to express your real emotions to your spouse and to your friends, ask for help when you feel overwhelmed.
I stay home with my kids but I also run my own photography business. Juggling everything is tough: family, kids, business, life… but with the help of great family and friends it is possible do to everything. I love capturing moments that people can cherish forever. Success can be measured with my kinds of measuring cups. 🙂 To me a succesful woman is who is happy with who she is and what she has. I love my kids and my husband, to me that is life’s biggest success.
I’ve come to realize I don’t know what ‘Hot’ actually is.
I really don’t.
For a long time I thought it was about needing to be a certain way. There was a beautiful, crafted, woman in my brain who seemed to at once point out what I could be and what I would never be.
She was hot. I was lacking.
She knew all the right things to do and say. Me? Not so much.
I was the bass guitarist to her lead singer.
I was my own foolhardy sidekick.
I lived in my own shadow for years.
And then I became a mom, and everything changed.
I’m going to be honest. Hot is still not the first word that comes to mind when I think of myself. I’m intense, relentless, and an idealist with a temper.
I have bed head that rivals a Fraggles’ and fingernails in a perpetual state of chipping colour.
I am 34 and I still get zits. That I squeeze. There. I’ve confessed it.
I am notorious for running out the door with only one armpit or leg shaved.
I have cellulite and I wear booty shorts anyways.
My legs are always full of colourful bruises; the result of various toddler driven vehicles.
No matter how put together I feel I look, I feel the best accessorized with some diapers and a soother in my purse.
I offer baby wipes to my clients at high power meetings.
My detox diet tends to favour red meat and red wine.
My favourite look involves a hat and oversize sunglasses, pyjama bottoms, and an oversize shirt.
If I only have dried bits of food and coffee stains on my clothes, it’s a good day.
I guess I’ve finally come into my own.
I’m real. Maybe a little too real. But I’m ok with that. I know that I don’t know everything. I’m an imperfect free spirit. Most importantly I see the universe in the eyes of my child even when she’s puking on me.
And you know what?
Even then I still feel like a rock star.
That’s pretty damn hot.
Best of luck to all the stunning mamas in this competition.
Keeping kids busy this summer is a challenge!Here are 15 free activities for kids this summer.
15 Free Activities for Kids this Summer
1. Create a scavenger hunt. Write up clues and have your kids look for them one by one in the backyard, or in the neighbourhood.
2. If you’re not afraid of a little mess, create a treasure hunt for the kids in the backyard. Hide some ‘treasure’ in the garden, grass or even bury them in the soil. Kids will have fun digging them up – and cleaning up afterwards. You could also do this at the beach.
3. Have a sand castle contest at the local beach. The most creative sand art wins.
4. Create a fun obstacle course in the backyard.
5. Get the kids to make play dough (mix 2 cups of plain flour, 4 tablespoons of cream of tartar, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 cup of salt, 2 cups of boiling water) or goop (corn starch, water and food coloring).
6. Go for a nature walk and collect leaves and flowers. At home, use the leaves and flowers to create art or insert into a shadow box.
7. Go through old magazines, newspapers or wrapping paper and let the kids create a collage or decorate a clay pot.
8. Volunteer in the local community. Teach the kids to give back and help others.
9. Get the kids to wash your car. Kids will have fun playing with the water, washing the car and they finish a chore!
10. Find some old socks and have the kids create sock puppets. Find craft items to make eyes, noses and mouths and other fun ‘accessories’. Have them create a stage using cardboard boxes and decorate. When they’re all done, have them put on a puppet show.
11. Have a sidewalk chalk contest.
12. Gather some dried pasta, beads, string and let the kids create some fun jewellery.
13. Buy a bag of popsicle sticks from the dollar store and get the kids to glue together a birdhouse. Once dry, they can paint and decorate them.
14. Pitch a tent your living room or backyard, or build a fort as a hideout.
15. Have a pamper/spa day. Paint each other’s nails, braid each other’s hair, buy some temporary tattoos and even dress up and take pictures.
What an emotional ride for Emily Maynard as she was down to the final three on Monday’s Bachelorette.
The mom of one jetted off to the tropical Curacao where she could spend some one-on-one time with each of the three men, Arie Luyendyk Jr., Jef Holm and Sean Lowe.
Emily didn’t really know at the beginning of her final date with him how he felt about Sean… and he finally responded by declaring his love for her during their dinner. He also wrote a letter to Emily’s daughter, Ricki, in which he stated that he wouldn’t try to replace her real father. But it seemed too late.
Jef, a cute skateboarder type, has been open about his feelings for Emily. You could tell that the two are smitten with one another. When Emily handed the invitation to Jef to the Fantasy Suite, Jef turned her down out of respect for their families. Emily was impressed but hoped that she could’ve been the one to turn him down!
Finally, Emily spends the day with Arie, the race-car driver (ironic). The sparks she feels with Arie continued as usual… they kissed and kissed some more. Emily even admitted that she wondered if her relationship with Arie could have more than just chemistry.
Remember that these two were making out on their first date – once the sparks are gone, will they last?
Emily didn’t even extend an invitation to the Fantasy Suite because she said she didn’t trust herself being alone with him. Whoa!
Final ceremony time, Emily had to choose… Sean was sent home. His final words to Emily and to the camera were so genuine and heartbreaking! Such a great guy – will he be the next Bachelor?!? He sure should be!
Now it’s between Jeff and Arie… who will Emily choose?
My guess is Emily should choose Jeff… he’s adorable, sweet, down-to-earth and ready to be a father, even though he seems young. Arie would be traveling a lot and he doesn’t seem ready to give up his single lifestyle. I’m thinking that their chemistry would likely fizzle.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have settled their divorce – in record-breaking time perhaps?
Katie’s lawyer Jonathan Wolfe said:
“This case has been settled and the agreement has been signed. We are thrilled for Katie and her family and are excited to watch as she embarks on the next chapter of her life.”
Tom and Katie called a temporary truce while their lawyers worked quickly to reach a settlement.
“We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri’s best interests,” a statement for the couple revealed.
We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other’s commitment to each of our respective beliefs and support each other’s roles as parents.
Lawyers for both sides were negotiating marathon-style, according to TMZ.
I’m sure both Tom and Katie wanted to resolve things quickly, for their daughter Suri’s sake.
As for the settlement, Katie will have what amounts to primary physical custody, however Tom will have significant custodial time with Suri. There are restrictions on what Tom and Katie can discuss with Suri on the subject of religion, including Scientology. As Suri gets old, those restrictions will be eased, according to TMZ.
Tom and Katie worked together to avoid a long drawn-out divorce war, which was the right thing to do considering their six-year-old daughter.
Since you’re reading this, I’ll assume you have a fair understanding of life online. You’re obviously aware of this great online magazine, and probably have a Facebook account, perhaps a Twitter handle, and you may even blog. So we’re already a few steps ahead of many of my “real-life” friends who can’t understand why many of my friends live somewhere in cyberspace.
Are online friends are not real friends?
When I talk to some of my “real-life friends”, they snicker about the friendships I’ve made online. They don’t really get it. My “real-life” friends can’t understand how it’s possible to cultivate friendships with people I don’t spend physical time with. (Let’s refer to them as IRL friends going forward. That stands for “in real life”.)
Many of my IRL friends have never blogged, have exactly no idea what Twitter is all about, and use Facebook to maintain connections with their elementary school besties. Me? I’ve grown businesses through online communities, connected with likeminded bloggers and made friendships with people all over the world.
About ten years ago, I started a blog on a site called Xanga and had a rather large following. People sent me gifts, they snapped paparazzi-style pics of Ryan and I while we were vacationing in Boston, I even had a couple death threats (lucky me!). But most of the people who were “fans” weren’t really friends. They were strange unreal people to me, commenting without attachment, and that’s a big part of why I walked away from that online incarnation of myself.
Do online friends count as real friends?
Even though most of those people weren’t true friends, I did in fact make some long-lasting ones who I still maintain relationships with to this day. Some I’ve met IRL, while others are long-distance but no less important. We’ve watched each other get engaged, married, pregnant, have kids, and watched those kids grow. We’ve supported one another through getting jobs, losing jobs, losing babies, losing hope, finding new directions and passions. I’ve confided in them, found support and camaraderie, but still, my IRL friends dismiss these relationships as “less-than” the ones I have in person. Why is this?
I live a rich life online, and I’d venture that most of my online friends know far more about me than the people I spend time with IRL. They have taken time to read blog posts about my kids, they know about my son’s allergies and my daughter’s adventures in school. They know my daily thoughts, my moods, and quite possibly, they know what I’ve eaten for my last three meals.
As an introvert, I don’t seek many IRL interactions. I’m happy to sit behind this screen and cultivate what I feel are very rich relationships with people I truly connect with, not just those with whom I’ve been thrown together because our kids share a hobby. I do seek to expand the relationships I enjoy most, of course.
In fact, I’m rooming with a long-time friend whom I’ve never actually met in person at BlogHer. And just yesterday I met up with some friends I met through Twitter for a playdate at the Toronto Zoo. How can these relationships not be real?
What do you think of online friendships? Are they as valid as those in “real” life? Are are online friendships real? What do you say when you hear online friends are not real friends?
AlexDurrell digs her humour like she likes her wine…dry. With a bite. She knows the lyrics to pretty much every song ever written, has a weakness for plaid and for all her complaining, she always finds the silver lining. Her two kids and one husband (for now…she’s evaluating the benefits of Brother Husbands) are the things that make her happiest and most frustrated in life, and there’s not a thing she’d change about that. Despite the name, she blogs here and here but is usually found in her pajamas on Twitter.
Welcome to July and some of the fun things to do in Montreal July 2012!
July in Montreal is hot, humid and lots of fun! There are so many things to do and see. I’ve picked a few of my favorites to share with you in my Montreal Guide July.
Montreal Jazz Festival
One of the best things to do in July here is attend the Montreal Jazz Festival. It’s in full swing now and so many amazing shows to see. There are paid shows but the best part of the festival is that there are tons of free shows.
I can’t tell you how many years after work downtown, I would just walk over with a blanket and a few friends and find a place to sit, and listen to jazz under the stars — there is nothing quite like it.
Of course if you want to get closer to the stages you won’t be sitting. So you have a choice of programs; the indoor program, the outdoor program and the free program.
This weekend the festival is wrapping up and ends on July 8th so if you are headed this way get here soon to squeeze in some great jazz. There are too many artists to mention, and as jazz is so diverse I won’t even attempt to tell you who you should see. With all this talent you just can’t go wrong!
The Carifiesta Montreal
If you’re in town this weekend, you are in for a real treat. The Carifiesta Montreal or as I have always known it to be called “Carifete” has been a tradition here every July in Montreal since 1975. Colorful, musical, stunning costumes and of course music of the Carribean and Latin America coursing through the streets as this parade begins from Rene Levesque and Guy, and ends at Phillips Square on July 7.
Our Montreal community takes its style of Carifete from the Trinidad and Tobago carnivals. If you do go for two hours you will feel like your somewhere else as you take in the sights of shows, performances, dancing and the sounds of calypso, zouk, reggae, racine, and steel drums music.
You will find it very hard to sit still! It’s beautiful and fun for all ages. For more detailed information and where you can download the official Montreal Carifiesta mix tape by Jeff Jamm to get in the mood visit Carifiesta.com.
If you’re looking for a giggle or two you’ll want to check out our Just for Laughs Comedy Festival running from July 10th to July 29th. The festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year in its hometown of Montreal!
Who doesn’t want to laugh? Who also doesn’t want to be picked on? I’ve been near the front row and stressed about whether or not a comedian would pick on someone at our table or worse, me! It’s all in good fun though and an experience sure to be enjoyed by everyone.
There is a line-up of acts everyone will want to see. My favorite would have to be the gang who had a comedy show of their own many moons ago. It all started with a little frog in a swamp. Yes Kermit and Miss Piggy will be making an appearance along with some of their friends. How cool is that? It’s time to play the music, its time to light the lights…
So whatever you choose to do I am sure you will have a blast. Montreal in July is divine. Oh and if you see me be sure to say hello!
I love a simple hummus… I could probably eat the entire bowl with a bunch of warm pita bread.
Here is my recipe – this one is creamier than the average easy hummus recipe as I’ve added Greek yogurt – yum!
Creamy Hummus
1 16oz can of chickpeas (or soak dried chickpeas overnight)
2 tablespoons tahini
2 tablespoons olive oil
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
The juice of ½ a lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
Drain chickpeas and rinse under cold water. Using your hands, remove the skin off the chickpeas – I find it easier to blend without the skins. In a large bowl, crush the chickpeas with a hand blender or food processor. Add the remaining ingredients. Blend until thoroughly mixed and smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
