Kevin Garnett Loves Toronto and Super Chill Canada

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From a GQ interview. Had to highlight Kevin Garnett’s remarks about Toronto, Canada and the Raptors.

What about Toronto makes it distracting?

What I love about Toronto is that there’s always something new and vibrant going on. A place might close at 2, and tomorrow it will close at 4. It’s a city of a bunch of hole-in-the-walls. There are a bunch of spots that you don’t really know of that’s here and there. I love cities like that, like Madrid is similar, where you can just find spots to eat and lounge. My first time in Toronto was my draft and it was a great experience. I’ve always considered it like home. I spent my own money to come up there to relax. I love Caribana. I always enjoyed that weekend. It’s always been fun. I’ve enjoyed Whistler. I’ve been to Calgary a couple of times. I enjoy Canada. Canada is super chill and I’m a chill guy. I like to chill.

 

The Raptors have the best record in the Eastern Conference right now. Do you believe in them this year?

I don’t know, man. I gotta see, man. DeMar [DeRozan] is having a hell of a year. I saw Kyle [Lowry] recently and pulled him aside to give him some words of advice. I know Dwane [Casey]. It’s all about believing, man. They have to believe in their own work. They’ve put a lot of work into this year, and they have to continue to believe in that work. They’re a different team, they’re playing at a different level and they just have to continue to believe in that. It’s got to start with Kyle and DeMar. Everyone else will follow.

Read the full interview with KG.

Tour De Parkdale – Bike Riders Can Stop, But They Won’t Stop

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You noticed I called them “bike riders”. They are not cyclists in my eyes. To me a cyclist rides for exercise, sport and the love of having a fine tuned machine as their mode of transport. I also bet they follow the rules of the road.

Since the summer began, the amount of “bike riders” in our area has increased dramatically. Duh. It’s nice out. It’s better than being stuck on a streetcar and it’s great to get that breeze in your face. But….

It’s also a time for more annoying and somewhat dangerous experiences when walking.

The cross walk at the end of our street is a 3-way intersection with our street being a one-way. There is a bike lane of the main street we connect with. It’s just houses really.

So what happens is, bike riders like to cruise through the intersection without ever stopping. Honest. I watch and actually make a point of noting when a bike rider stops. It has not happened in many weeks. Hell I will take a slow roll or yield.

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Buying Our First House in Toronto

You have heard all the scary stories, read about all the crazy prices and for many, gave up on the dream of owning a house in Toronto.

It’s all true and with the banks starting to raise the roof so-to-speak on mortgage rates, it’s not going to get any easier.

As we just hit the first anniversary of buying our first Toronto home, I wanted to share a positive story that it can happen in a quick time frame. For us it was being at the right place at the right time. I want to share a story to show it is possible to buy a house in an area that meets your needs as well as staying under budget. Everything lined up for us and we could not be happier a year later.

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But the adventure to get there? It was a roller coaster that I am glad we don’t have to go through again this year.

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