July 20 - Two gone ... now what?!?

We got up on Wednesday morning in a very unusual situation.  A whole day ahead of us in a new city with only Natalie’s preferences to satisfy.  Additionally, we had made a solemn vow to Jacqui and Char that they would not miss anything fun.  That is a tall order! 

We opted for Canada’s largest museum of natural history and world cultures -  The Royal Ontario Museum.  The ROM met all criteria and had the added benefit of being but a block away from the coffee shop of the moment – a shop that is proudly, some might say boastfully Canadian – a shop called …  wait for it … Sorry.  So much about this place makes me happy, I don’t even know where to start!  So we caffeinated, we shopped a little in the attached Kit and Ace clothing store, then headed to the ROM for some dinosaurs and other ‘boring’ stuff. 

My favorite was the tattoo exhibition.  The revival of tattoos in the 90’s and the preponderance of regrettable ‘tramp stamps’ and Sanskrit mantras on otherwise attractive and well-raised millennials has distracted me from the rich history and cultural significance of tattoos over the ages.  From proud tribal markings to the indelible proof of a tragic history; from the exotic souvenirs of sailors to the chronology of a gang member’s life, this art form is constantly being co-opted and reimagined by those who demand permanent proof of their individualism.  Through the exhibit I couldn’t help but notice that, although many were artistically stunning and emotionally charged, none featured an image I could commit to forever.  I choose conformity.  It’s less risky and it won’t sag.  Let’s hope our girls make that same choice … 

Once interest in the museum petered out, we walked over to the Church of the Redeemer and then to the Windsor Arms to retrace the steps of our wedding day.  Very little has changed; except for everything.

We dashed home to meet Kayla (our back-up yet very capable babysitter) and enjoy a well-earned date night.  We walked to Bent on Dundas to meet Penny and Chris for a delicious meal and few unencumbered hours of reminiscing.  Bent is but a short walk from one of our favorite post-collegiate haunts; Sneaky Dees.  We decided that we needed to make a stop between the hip modernity of Bent and the funky decrepitude of Sneaky Dees.  If not was to risk whiplash!  We quaffed a quick cocktail at the Hoof  then, as the last rays of sunlight were fading, we arrived at Sneaky’s.  We were careful to heed the age-old adage: 'Don't see Sneaky's in the daylight'.  We ordered the old stand-by, a round of beers and nachos with extra cheese, and then let the stories roll.  So many good times!  In the age of Google when any missing fact can be called up instantly with a few taps, nothing beats sitting around a grimy table with old friends and casting your mind back into the collective hippocampus to recall and collate shared memories.  We recounted as many of our Sneaky nights as we could remember until we got the text from the sitter.  Sigh.  Oh, how times have changed!  

Thank you Penny and Chris for a fabulous evening!