hyfen's posterous - For stuff that doesn't make it to hyfen.net

Aug 23 / 5:29pm

I think my bike seat got shred to pieces by a bear last night. (Or a raccoon, maybe.)

No idea why a wild creature would choose to hurt an innocent bicycle.

(But maybe it's its "own fault at the end of the day.")

Posted from Toronto, Canada

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Aug 18 / 8:44pm

Camping in Gatineau + the thunderstorm from hell

Last weekend, I went camping in Gatineau Park, Quebec, just outside of Ottawa. Instead of repeating everything Melina already said about the trip, here are some photos:

Click here to download:

camping-in-gatineau-+-the-thunderstorm-from-hell-GtJFodifzoJmJeahAzHj.zip (2735 KB)

And then it poured! The thunder started at about 3am and continued until the afternoon. Because our site was only accessible by canoe (and only fools canoe during lightning), we were afraid we might be stuck for an extra night. Worse, our tents were leaking and we didn't really have proper clothes. Scary.

Click here to download:

camping-in-gatineau-+-the-thunderstorm-from-hell-GBldJzmymHDEvhtzwkuh.zip (1313 KB)

Luckily, we caught a break in the thunderstorm (but not the rain) and made a getaway across the lake.

Click here to download:

camping-in-gatineau-+-the-thunderstorm-from-hell-swoqhgsymJhngjHFerdw.zip (366 KB)

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Aug 18 / 3:40pm

The former home of Albert Britnell Book Shop / current home of Starbucks at Yonge+Bloor is getting renovated:

Click here to download:

The_heritage_site_and_former_h.zip (3997 KB)

Up until recently, this building housed the family-owned Britnell Book Shop and Toronto's oldest book store until it closed. Albert Britnell constructed this building in 1928 but he opened his business in 1893. Canadian Literary Landmarks says it was "considered by many book buyers to be the finest all-round bookstore in the country."

The store closed a few years ago and Starbucks took over but the building is still a heritage site.

From the Building Permits that were posted, it doesn't look like too much is going on inside and Starbucks is going to re-open within a few weeks. But as I stood reading, a regular stream of caffeine-addicts would come up to the door, see the sign, and let out a sigh.

Posted from Toronto, Canada

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Aug 18 / 10:52am

"Tip us if you like: freckles, French accents, puppies, sunshine, ..." —the tip jar at @AromaEspresso

They've previously used the iPhone vs Blackberry war to solicit tips.

Posted from Toronto, Canada

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Aug 9 / 9:53am

Shoes: the perfect neck rest for cats.

Click here to download:

Shoes_the_perfect_neck_rest_fo.zip (3973 KB)

Posted from Toronto, Canada

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Aug 2 / 10:55pm

Some finds from the Pickering Flea Market: the 3 wolf tshirt on a poster, an ecumenical shrine, a Playboy stash, and more:

Click here to download:

pickering-flea-market-uFhGhzvkuhjjHdAzqzxc.zip (19539 KB)

Even though I grew up minutes from this place, I only went for the first time this weekend. It's like Pacific Mall, but for people of all ethnic backgrounds.

Posted from Pickering, Canada

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Jul 27 / 1:42pm

"Flying's a lot of fun"

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Jul 24 / 3:49pm

Biking up and down Portland with @Stumm. Drivers seem so calm here. Some pics:

Click here to download:

Biking_up_and_down_Portland_wi.zip (3476 KB)

Posted from Portland and Wilsonville, OR

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Jul 24 / 1:32pm

"Betcha forgot about Canada!" says Powell's Book Store in Portland. Suggested reading: "Ruffles on my Longjohns" and books about Vancouver.

(These photos are from the Hawthorne location. I was at the main downtown store a few days ago.)

It's a must-visit for anyone who comes to Portland—an independent book store that's a block wide and three stories high filled with a curated selection of books.