Back from Toronto, and let me tell you a time was had by all. Well, at least a time was had by me, I suppose I can't speak for everyone else. The conference was wonderful; I feel really good about my paper presentation. More importantly, of value, I receieved lots of really constructive feedback and research suggestions that should only help as I start to turn this mofo into a dissertation. I even was able to include a picture of the movie poster for "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" in my powerpoint slides. Success, I say...

Some random thoughts on Canada:

• It has been a few years since I have been visiting our friends in the north; I had forgotten how verboten walking against the light was. Seriously, I did not see a single person in Toronto over 5 days jaywalk. And I received dirty looks when doing so. Well..Canadian dirty looks. Which really are actually just lest vociferous smiles.




• There is good vegetarian living in Toronto. Including veggie dogs at all street vendors.




• Next time you find yourself in Toronto, be sure to visit the Bata Shoe Museum. Yes, that's right the shoe museum. In addition to David Bowie's sneakers and Ella Fitzgerald's heels, you will find:

Yes, that's right...a roller clog. Seriously though, the museum is actually a well-conceived and designed institution, bringing cultural and material history to the masses. I give it two curled, Turkish-style shoes pointed way up.

• When in doubt, I am an idiot...thus explainith my confusion when I saw a bottle of "raisin" juice...and only realized five minutes later that it was actually the french side of the bottle facing out.


• Being away, even for a few days, is really difficult when you are so used to being around someone...


• I had to have something specifically translated to me during my panel from Canadian to English. Turns out he was talking about the food pyramid in his presentation, or as Canadians like to call it, "The Food Guide." Apparently Americans need shapes?
  
• When I fall on my ass after slipping on ice, it is really funny...even to Canadian cab drivers.