I've had some ups and downs lately, but that's probably the norm for most of us, what's important is to look for the balance in life. Are you a pessimist or an optimist, do you see the glass half full, or half empty, or do you just wonder if there's another cold beer left in the fridge?
Went downtown for Canada Day with a friend, we wanted to grab a beer and people watch in the market, and ended up at Stella Osteria. I was wondering what the heck an osteria was, this site says:
In Italy, restaurants are identified either as a ristorante, trattoria or osteria. Today, the names don’t carry the hierarchal meanings they once did, but back in the day they acted as a classification system. If the restaurant was called a ristorante, for example, you could expect a formal dining experience—a wine list, white table cloths and, of course, a price tag to match. A trattoria was more casual, but it did serve full, hearty meals. And an osteria was the least formal of the three—it was more of a gathering place that served wine and maybe some basic food.
What actually happens is that many places use the osteria label to imply rustic fare, therefore hearty and good, but then charge ristorante prices. Stella has done this, complete with the white table cloths and an extensive wine list. I've snacked there, and it was nice, but never had a full meal. So I won't pan them yet.
I was going to pan the $7/pint prices for a plastic glass of draft, but the cheaper prices at the Heart &Crown just up Clarence meant a long line waiting to get in there. We, on the other hand, got to sit on the patio in front and watch all the peculiar people go by. Almost like Halloween, in that it a chance for people to dress up and act a little on the wild side (after all, this is Ottawa). Tank tops, shorts that show some butt, and outlandish shoes were common - on men and women.
We then walked over to the Quebec side - with a detour to a depanneur for munchies and refreshments - then joined the party at a friends boat at the Hull Marina. It's just across the river from the fireworks launch site, so is an excellent vantage point. All good, no bad to think of. Even got a ride home, thus saving a crowded bus ride.
This week was also Mingleworks a monthly singles mixer to promote various trips that Barry Owens organizes, A gang of us often go, not to find singles or book trips, just to socialize. It's at Humphrys on Bank, at 683 - recently opened. Was a beautiful night to sit outside and enjoy the company, the new owner Jeraud (Humphrys) was very gracious. Crowd gradually dwindled, some of us stayed until almost 12.
This Saturday was our Graffiti Art Day - GART. We'd had to postpone from last week, and got less turnout than hoped, but still went well for those there. Hopefully they'll spread the word for next time we do something. I did manage to get some good pics, before accidentally nudging a camera control. So, I learned to check my settings more often.
Today was pluses and minuses too. Met up Wednesday with some friends at Mingleworks that were planning a bike trip today from the Island Park Bridge to the Aylmer Marina. Less than an hour trip, with good food, chilled drinks, and a sunny beach at the end of it. Unfortunately we missed the initial rendezvous, so I came home and instead went to Petrie Island. Maybe 30 minutes away, along bike trails that follow the river. A pretty trip, and the island is quite lovely. No restaurant there, but lots of sand, as there used to be a sand dredging company there. I had never done the complete trip, it was nice to wander through the woods. As a youngster, I used to hop on my 3-speed and wander the Beaches area of Toronto for hours. Now my bike's a 21 speed, of which I use maybe the upper half of gears. I find after a certain point the gears are so low that you can't keep going fast enough to not fall over. At that point I prefer to get off and walk.
So - that was the good and the bad. Nothing ugly, it just added a nice ring to the title.
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