School of Rap

If L.L. Cool J is the “professor, the teacher, the hip hop dean” then he must standing before a classroom of Midwest college students. According to CNN, McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, Minnesota is the very first to offer a diploma in Hip Hop. That’s right! The classes combine hands on music and textbook history lessons in a three-semester course. Toki Wright and DJ Freddy Fresh are among two of the instructors teaching this years accredited diploma program.

All I can picture is a classroom full of kids reading Ego Trip’s Book of Rap Lists and cramming for a pop quizzle. All jokes aside though, if KRS-One’s Temple of Hip Hop can be officially accepted by the United Nations as a culture, well there’s no reason why we can’t study it like one.

Instructor Toki Wright (left) and hip hop Columnist Davey D. (right) at the program kick-off ceremony in June.

Peter Bagge - for the person who has everything

We've been obsessing over Peter Bagge's Hate comics all summer. So when our good friends Robin Nishio and Olivia Go came back from Japan with presents, and they were Peter Bagge toys I pretty much awarded them the friendship championship belt. Are these toys cooler than the time Robin bought like 5 pizza from Gi Gi and had them delivered in time for post party hangouts? Or are they more sweet then when Olivia made Diego delicious granola bars wrapped and tied with a ribbon for his birthday? Maybe not, but the point is: our friends are solid.

Thanks Robin and Olivia!

Captain John's Seafood

You know Captain John's Seafood, that big ship restaurant down by the harbor front? You've probably seen it a million times and wondered what kind of cheesy tourist would dine there. If you google it's name you'll find a bevy of horrible reviews.

For example, "Avoid Captain John's at all costs. This place is awful - literally the worst food I've ever had", and "Captain John's - quite possibly the worst restaurant in Toronto, with staff who appear to be indentured. An aging floating party boat offering ineptly prepared frozen seafood to tourists who don't know any better."

Despite the criticism we decided to skip the food and do Sunday evening cocktails on the decrepit floating Wes Anderson set.

I recommend the gin martini. Although, the waiter handled a wrinkled up $10 bill before fishing out two olives from a fruit fly infested plastic jar and plopping them in my drink, it was really boozy, and a good value. Besides, I had low expectations for the service and high expectations for the weirdness. I was not disappointed.

Summer.

I know, I know, it's been a minute. 

My excuse? 

The summer sunk her teeth in.

Drained dry, not a drop of juice to blog with.

However, I did take pictures. 

Let's get caught up old friends.

A fist fight fell on my foot.

Home-wrecking girls at NXNE minimalist art parties. 

 I make the capital liquid.

Ferocious forest dweller.

Rod Barahas is the ghetto bird.

Canadiana.

Sir Greek and Sir Sub is now open.

Shout out to cupcakes and Jeff.

This week in food: 011

What's better than chilling outdoors on a spacious apartment patio in Little Italy, tons of good food, solid crew, and a couple of cold brews?... Maybe like, jumping into a waterfall or holding your newborn child. But that's it.

Our friends Rob and Marie hosted the third official barbeque of the summer, here's a taste.

Jon brought marinated steak despite already having put in a full days work of cooking for patrons and pay. He persisted on to bring us a bounty of succulent steak sandwiches. 

What's a picnic without fried chicken? 

This is the only time of the year you get mangos at 3 for $5. Make of the most of it salsa.

A potato salad styled after the beloved Aunties & Uncles breakfast option.

Shredded daikon sprinkled with sesame seeds, accompanied by miso dressing.

With a generous spread of whole grain mustard. Very masculine.

Marie's trifle was much anticipated.

Wanda's Pie In The Sky, apricot.

Suffice to say were were stuffed.

Tree or Bush?

 Bush.

This week in food: 010

Incase you're wondering why I haven't returned your phone calls, I've been bound to 12 hour work days for the past 2 weeks. Meanwhile, the sun is beaming down 27 degrees celsius with a slight breeze...

It's literally breaking my heart.

Couple some comic books with fresh eats outdoors. This is what my week would have looked if I was a trust-fund kid, a lotto winner, a lucky duck, or a genie...

Two ripe mangos. Home grown basil. Spinach and butternut squash soup with whole grain toast. Fresh sweet apricots.

Hope you're making the most of this fine fine sunshine Toronto.

Love is in the air.

On my way to work yesterday morning I passed Central Technical School at Bathurst and Harbord. The big, sturdy, medievalesque high school has got to be among my favorite downtown landmarks. For one, it was the primary setting for the movie Class of 1984, which incase you haven't seen it, is a perfect 1980's punk gang flick. It features a live performance by Hamilton's Teenage Head and plenty of ridiculous melodramatic violence. Two, the building is rumored to have derelict underground tunnels, cool right? According to alumni one was used as an artillery range in World War 1. Lastly, my third and final fancy for Central Tech is the students that dominate my neighborhood. The constant exposure to teen shenanigans right outside my window during lunch, before and after class. The kids are pretty hilarious and in a small way, it kind of keeps me young. Incidentally, as I walked by the school yesterday and watched as two young lovers no more than 16, gaze into each others eyes, totally engrossed and hopeless, I was overwhelmed by memories of spring flings past. Especially in Canada, after a long winter, spring is a special time of year. Truly, love is in the air Toronto, and some of you may have already caught the bug. 

So for those of you looking to get romantic this season, we recommend Hernando's Hideaway. A quaint little tex-mex basement restaurant just south of Wellesley and Yonge. We had the california salad, the chicken chimichangas and a couple of margaritas. The bill was reasonable, the food amazing and the atmosphere casual with a touch of gimmicky fun. Furthermore (and this is a big one) the lighting is perfect for date dining. Here's a look at what we ordered.

The entrance sign boasts "The Best Margaritas In Town"... I might even agree with them.

Although we didn't have a chance to test them, we're guessing the fajitas for two would be an appropriate order.

Pharrell, I ain't trying to kill your mood but I can do the Star Trek sign.

I am by no means a trekkie, although a child of the 90's could hardly escape the prime time takeover of The Next Generation. Because of it's sheer frequency, I came to somwhat begrudge the show. Whereas it's predecessor, with that charmingly outdated 60's sci-fi vibe was always a real treat as a kid, and still holds true today. Throughout childhood my dad was commonly the king of the remote around the house, and was much more amused by cartoons and sports then science fiction. Consequently, I was spared the agony of the repetitive adventures of Enterprise-D. But not Jillian, that's right, my fellow ghosty was brought up in a full fledged nerd lair... I'm exaggerating totally, her pop is not one of those guys that dress up as a Klingon for conventions, but I'm pretty sure he never missed an episode. Maybe we can even accredit some of Jillian's Vulcan-esque intelligence to her dad's valuable influence (a little Star Trek fanaticism never hurt anyone). With all that said, and Jillian out gallivanting around Montreal this weekend, I felt it my duty to watch and report on the new Star Trek movie in theaters today on behalf of Miss Elizabeth's Ghost. The verdict? Nailed it! A total credit to the Star Trek franchise, special effects, adventure, comedy and cast, the movie had it all. Furthermore, I was delighted to see Leonard Nimoy back in full glory. Typically, I would rate the whole experience a 10, if it weren't for the fact that Jillian was absent in sharing my Junior Mints and Diet Coke...

Maybe if you're lucky you'll get a full review from the spawn of trekky herself, after she's had a chance to see it on the big screen... Live long and prosper and beam me up Scotty. I'm out.

Dutch Dreams

Miss Elizabeth's Ghost would like to give a big boisterous shout out to Dutch Dreams. Now that the weather is fine and we're getting loads of exercise on our bikes we can justifying the ice cream indulgence... Yessir, we mean exactly that, indulgence...

Chocolate and peanut butter ice cream covered with fruit and whipped cream in a homemade dutch waffle cone. Frankly, its the only reason we'd ever go north of Bloor. Wear your stretchy pants and bring a sweet tooth.

This week in food: 009

Today is Mother's Day and appropriately I would like to dedicate this week in food to my mother, or rather my mother's raspberry pie. A calorie midget when in company of other desserts, with a light flakey crust, and about a million fresh, tart berries.


Up next, is a seasonal delicacy that always reminds me of my family. Every spring my little sister, mom and I would spend Easter at our cottage. A rundown cabin without running water or electricity situated in the middle of a 100 acre forest. The fresh water stream that ran through the property nourished an abundance of wild fiddlehead ferns. Throughout our visits to the cabin in spring we'd eat plenty of them, boiled on the wood stove and served around a picnic table. I purchased these fiddleheads from a wicker bike basket in Kensington Market.


Miss Elizabeth's Ghost would like to wish our mother's a wonderful day.

TCAF '09

Today we hit up the much anticipated Toronto's Comic Arts Festival. The capacious Yonge Street Reference Library was literally brimming with anxious nerds in pursuit of the latest and greatest in comic book art. Some subjected themselves to lengthy line-ups for a Yoshihiro Tatsumi or Adrian Tomine signature, while others mingled amongst the crowd. I on the other hand, happened upon a sweet little five part series by Jim Rugg titled, Street Angel. Afterward, I had the chance to meet Rick Spears, talk about the Pirates of Coney Island delay, his upcoming new project with James Callahan, and even got him to sign my newly purchased Teenagers From Mars book.



TCAF is still on for one more day, don't sleep.

Punk Rock & Trailer Parks

Typical small town backdrop, alienated by top 40 radio, narrow minds and white trash with only punk rock to turn to... Gee, sounds awfully familiar.

Punk Rock & Trailer Parks is a coming of age story that parallels my own, but with a little less gloom and self-pity. A lighthearted look into the first wave punk scene in Akron Ohio, home of protopunks Rubber City Rebels and legendary rock venue The Bank. Derf presents a charming, band geek protagonist self titled "The Baron", an overgrown wimp equipped with a weird but genial brand of wit. The Baron takes us on a ride in his beat up black Mercury Cougar through uncle Elmo's trailer park, to the church basement bowling alley where Lester Bangs and Joe Strummer are putting back beers and bowling pins. Along the way we meet Wendy O Williams, The Ramones, Klaus Nomi and others with amusing and believable outcomes. Derf's upbeat tone and accurate references to the setting and soundtrack of this incredibly intoxicating period of punk rock history make this book a must-have.

Check out Derf's other works here.

e-basil

A couple of weeks ago I planted some tiny Sweet Basil seeds into a big white pot. I put the pot outside on my deck during the day, and brought it into the warmth of my apartment at night. The basil has just begun to sprout and the smell has already got me fiending fresh Caprese Salad. 

Stay tuned for herb garden growth updates.

Steamboat EP

You could ask anyone who knows us and they'd agree; Jillian and I have seen our fair share of live music. With that said, you'll understand that we treat our favorite bands like an ambush of Siberian white tigers: rare, beautiful and dangerous. In fact, you can think of us as the Siegfried and Roy of killer local talent, adept und German.

Now, one of our favorite Toronto bands has just released their first EP and frankly, it's the cats meow. You can hit up the Steamboat myspace page to hear 3 of the 6 recordings included on the CD. Additionally, I'd like to inform you of the very official record release party, which is set to take place May 16th at Sneaky Dee's... You absolutely cannot miss this one.

I can't stand the rain.

This just in: It's sunny again...

And it gets even better, Saturday is going to have a high of 24 degrees celsius!

Bike ride? Harbor front? Dutch Dreams? Ronnie's Patio? Trinity Bellwoods? What are you going to do with your glorious day Toronto?