The Schedule

Again, quoting from our Gracious Hostess...



But first, a general note from the GH.

Please expect to chip in some money for each meal at my house. Either I or someone else will be wandering around collecting it. You're welcome to contribute your own culinary delights (especially desserts!); please let me know if you would like to use my kitchen to prepare something, or if you're willing to help out with barbecuing.

I will be providing lemonade, iced tea, coffee, and maybe some other non-alcoholic beverages if I'm inspired by something at the Farmers' Market (mmm... fresh apple cider...). There will be 80 bottles of beer, brewed by John Yaskowich, available for a voluntary donation. You're responsible for purchasing any other beverages, which can be done during grocery runs. There are beer and liquor stores a short drive from my house and I'm sure there are some near the hotel. The legal drinking age is 19.

Speaking of desserts, Pernicious the Musquodoboit Harbour Farm Cat is holding a vote about what type of LARGE DAMP CAKE COVERED WITH GREEN ICING to send along with his faithful amanuensis and general factotum Barnstead. The choices: a pistachio torte with lime curd filling and rum-butter icing or a chocolate fudge cake with Kentucky Mint Julep icing. Please send your vote to userrusj@is.dal.ca. He will tally them on July 4 (the chocolate is winning so far).

There are a couple of free events going on downtown during the weekend: one is an outdoor art exhibition at Nathan Phillips Square; the other is the Toronto Street Festival, located at five sites along Yonge Street. Because of the latter, the TTC is offering their Family Day Pass for $7 on Saturday and Sunday. This means two adults (and four children) can use the subway/bus all day for the one rate. It usually costs one adult $2 per trip. This might be a good idea instead of driving downtown. You can drive to Warden Station and park there for free rather than trying to fight traffic and find parking downtown.

And now we return you to our regularly scheduled... Uh... Schedule.

Thursday

People start arriving. We'll probably grab some food and hang out at the hotel. Don't forget to bring your bathing suit for the pool and hot tub!


Friday

People arrive throughout the day. Directions to my house will be given out at the hotel or by private email upon request.

Afternoon: Dinner preparations and hanging out at my house or the hotel, or exploring Toronto.

Evening: Dinner and general merriment at my place.

Night: People continue to hang out or go off exploring Toronto's nightlife. Food will be available into the night for those arriving later.


Saturday

People start moving at some point and hang out or venture downtown.

Late morning/early afternoon (pending approval): Interested people wave sharp pointy things at Bill Gawne and/or de Doc in my backyard.

Evening: Meet at the ferry around 6:30 p.m. and head over to Centre Island for a picnic dinner, hanging out, and watching and listening to the Symphony of Fire. The pre-show starts at 10, the fireworks start at 10:30 and end around 11. People will be responsible for their own food, whether they eat onsite or beforehand.

Late night: Head back to the hotel or go dancing or do karaoke or whatever. I called Bloor Cinema about RHPS; they're showing it approximately every other Saturday, and they're pretty sure this will be the wrong weekend. I can double-check closer to the time if there's interest.


Sunday

People leave throughout the day. :( Those who will be staying longer can go off exploring some more and/or hang out at the hotel or my place. There may be more waving of sharp pointy things if the Bills are still around and willing.

Late morning: Brunch for those interested.

Evening: Those remaining can have another BBQ at my house or try to decide on a restaurant. I'm afraid I won't be much help with the latter.


Monday

Others leave.

Isn't it lovely, folks? The very first schedule we've ever even tried to produce. Now we just need to stick to it...