Author Archives: mathan

The start of the bathroom renos

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Scott and I have started our bathroom renovation today with the tearing down of our shower and bath, removal of the vanity, and floor tiles.  We’re using Attention To Detail Contracting Services.

Tomorrow is plumbing and electrical day.  We’re adding two pot lights and completely changing our shower layout.

We’ve only had one miscommunication on the project so far around who was going to order the actual faucets for the shower and sink.  As a result, we’re a bit nervous about a diverter that we need as we’re installing a shower head and a hand held unit.  We can’t get the diverter unit from Home Depot or Lowes, so the contractor is looking for the diverter we want tomorrow.  If not, it will delay part of the plumbing.

Beyond that, we’re REALLY happy with everything so far.  The teardown crew were VERY professional, they were quick and clean for such a messy job.  Kudos!

Below are the faucet sets we choose – Kohler Cavata, and we’re adding Kohler Flipside shower heads.  The sink faucet was selected to be purposely high so that Scott can wash his hands and arms for his practice more effectively.  I like the modern look.

 

I’m one of them…

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  • You see their bag tags as you’re in line for customs
  • You see them and their exclusive line for check in
  • They get their bags off the carousel first
  • They’re up front while you’re 6ft3 frame is stuck in the back

Okay okay, I’ve been half of one of them for two years and today as Air Canada Top Tier Prestige, and I’ve been able to use the Executive Check In line.

I’m now officially a Star Alliance Gold.  My Air Canada Top Tier Elite membership package showed up in the mail today which gets me:

  • Maple Leaf Lounge access
  • Star Alliance Gold Lounge access
  • Priority baggage
  • Priority security at Pearson and other airports

Just in time for my flight to San Francisco this weekend!


Will this man play a concert in Toronto?

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I was a HUGE Corey Hart fan in the 1980s.  I had “Boy in the Box” and “Fields of Fire” on vinyl, and “First Offence” on tape.  I never invested in another Corey Hart album after that time period…

Fast forward 30 years, yes 30 years, and here is the first Corey Hart single in 10 years.

Corey is expected to announce, on Wednesday, a big concert in Toronto.  Come hell or high water, Scott and I will be at that concert.

One more day, one more night

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This is my second last night in Uruguay for this trip and I am glad to be going home. Three weeks is a long time down here.

Admittedly, I am kind of tired of:

  • Having to take taxis everywhere
  • Having to have the gate of the hotel opened for me to go out for dinner
  • Having to have the gate of the hotel opened for me when I arrive back from work or dinner
  • Winter
  • Dark nights
  • Having to really think about what I want to say
  • Crazy drivers
  • Having to be really vigilant walking across intersections

At the same time I know I am going to miss:

  • The weight loss I’ve had down here, let’s hope I can continue it at home
  • The vibe of my new coworkers down here
  • Asado
  • People walking around with thermoses and Mate
  • Crazy drivers
  • New experiences
  • Lunches at El Refugio
  • The different models of cars down here
  • Jamón y queso para desayuno
  • Medialunas
  • Orange-carrot juice

I just want to see my husband, cats, family, drive my car, a public transit system, a bath tub I fit in, a hot tub for my back, not be locked in to a compound, my bed, familiar things…

Buen viaje en Buenos Aires

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Usually when I travel it’s usually with some degree of confidence.  But with the big bang of the last trip and being a bit more vigilant, not speaking the language fully, and some of the fears people had mentioned to me – pick pockets and the streets not being that safe here in Buenos Aires, I decided to play it safe.

Now that I know the lay of the land, the next trip will be that much better.

This city is spectacular!  It’s a gorgeous city, much like a combination of New York, London, Paris and various cities in Spain, yet it’s own flavor.

La comida-Excellente!

Thanks to Gustavo, Roberto and Luke for showing me around.

Tomorrow – a 3 hour ferry ride to Montevideo.  I will post pictures when I get back to Montevideo.  In the meantime, Buens Aires, I will be back.

15th Anniversary

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As Scott wrote on Facebook:

So… on this day (June 27th), in the early afternoon, exactly 15 years ago, I met my bear (Iain Bennett). We had chatted a bit on-line and he thought I was a bit of a creep (gasp!), but I guess he took his anti-creep pills that day, and the rest is history. Thank you Mr.Bear for 15 wonderful, love-filled, fun (and sometimes not so much), and challenging years. Thank you for being the one that was alway quietly humming and LIVING out the words of “I am by Your Side” to me, even when it was hard for me to hear….and always pointing me towards “Never Surrender”. May we continue to love and grow and share together for many years to come. Happy “official” Anniversary. 🙂

and then further…

We consider our “anniversary” as the date we met. We officially started dating sometime in August…. but in the distance of time neither of us could remember what the date was…. so we use this one instead. The actual date was June 27th, the “event” that it occurred in conjunction with is the Dyke March during Pride. Not married yet.

Well, the video below is my response. *GRIN*

Here is a direct link to the video (M4V format). This page uses HTML5.

YouTube:

 

By the way, I highly recommend 1Love featuring Corey Hart – The Truth Will Set U Free

The Long Commute – Part 2

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So the last trip ended with a… bang.  HAHAHA!  Alright, I had to get that funny out of the way.  Meanwhile, at home, Scott broke his pinky finger and was put into a cast.  Fingers crossed that he is out of the cast this Friday in time for Toronto Pride.

On Tuesday, I made my way back down to Uruguay for three weeks this time staying in the sleepy resort town of Carrasco.  I achieved Air Canada Top Tier Prestige status about 200km out of Toronto.  When I get back from Montevideo, I will have achieved AC Top Tier Elite.  YEAH!  My first time doing so – Lounge Access, Preboarding and the ability to use my upgrade miles on trips like going to Uruguay. Mmm… lie flat beds.

I am walking a lot – 15 minutes to get dinner and 15 minutes back every day, and I plan to walk to work on Monday and Tuesday as the one office is only about 4km away.  The other requires at taxi ride or a drive.

The trip is going well – it has been quite sunny and it’s a beautiful sunny day today.  About 18C, feeling 16C.  The first trip to establish yourself in a foreign country is always tough.  This time I feel much more at home.

The hotel is the Regency Rambla which is a modern hotel, really nice, opened in 2011.  It is much closer to the two offices, traffic is not as bad and you can see around corners.  US$100 to US$149 per night.  I don’t have a view of the Rio Plata, but my view is not bad – and nicer than the Sheraton at US$229 a night.

Needless to say, I am choosing not to drive – also given how expensive it is, it is cheaper to cab.  Let’s see… 2 days a week at Zonamerica is US$50 per day in taxis.  US$100 per week, $300 total.

The two car rentals I had – one was about US$400 for the week, the other around US$500.  So it’s cost effective.

Carrasco is a resort town from the 1930s.  People from Montevideo would live in Carrasco during the summer.  It was somewhat left in the 1950s and it undergoing a resurgence.  There is a BEAUTIFUL hotel that is being renovated by Sofitel – it should be spectacular.

The architecture here is amazing, and looks like it’s from the 1960s, and really well maintained.  I’ve already picked out a few that I would love to own.  LOL

I am going to spend Pride and Canada Day weekend in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Something I am looking forward to.  The Hotel Axel was recommended to me – it’s a ‘Heterofriendly’ hotel.  A nice twist on being gay friendly.

Pride weekend is my 15th anniversary with Scott.  Since we won’t be together, I took him to Rodeo which is a Brazilian restaurant in Toronto at Danforth and Broadview. The food was amazing, and I can’t say I’ve had better meat on swords.

When I get back – Uruguayos food!

This will also be the first Pride in 16 years I completely miss and the third time I will have not marched (1995, 2010 and 2012).

I will be back in July.  In the meantime, I’m going to do my best to enjoy things.