Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Humor

Yonge & Wellington Night Riders And Night Talkers

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 03:57:48 +0000

Night life at the Yonge & Wellington intersection in Aurora seems different compared to daytime. In addition when compared to the mood and activity that is going on there definitely downtown Aurora is not like downtown Newmarket.

At Night, Yonge Street & Wellington Street, Town of Aurora

I was at the intersection of Yonge and Wellington last night snapping pictures of zooming cars. I don’t usually venture for night photography alone but I did last night. Some drivers whistled at me, some slowed down and some just looked. A very normal behavior. Happens during the day as well.

I spotted few groups of teenagers or just individuals waiting at the bus station and taking public transit home or going who knows where. Some riding bikes at night going somewhere. Some were taking taxis – perhaps going home after work. I wasn’t there to observe the night life but I found quite intriguing so while I was snapping I observed.

At Night, Yonge Street & Wellington Street, Town of Aurora

A spontaneous decision to be there was solely to take night shots of the zooming cars. I wasn’t there to talk and I didn’t expect to talk to anyone. Perhaps I was wrong. I ended up having short conversations with few. I am assuming that I was interesting person to them as it is kind of unusual or rare to see a photographer at night.

At Night, Yonge Street & Wellington Street, Town of Aurora

A taxi driver pulls over.

“Are you professional photographer” – he asked.
“No this is just my hobby” – I replied.
“Do you put your pictures on the Internet” – he asked and blew big smoke cloud my way.
“Yes I do”- I replied.
“Did I park my car on your spot sir” – I asked.
“No no” – he replied.

While I was snapping he kept looking over my shoulder on the camera screen. I wanted to go home so I didn’t talk that much. He eventually went over his car to finish his cigarette.

Obviously he was waiting for a passenger. I lady crossed sidewalk in front of me and kept walking towards the taxi.

“Are you trying to take a picture of the moon” – she asked.
“No, just the zooming cars or passing traffic” – I replied.
“Go over there; there is a better view if you go behind the bank” – she said. Obviously she didn’t hear me.
“No I am fine here. I don’t have the right lens to take photo of the moon” – I replied.
“Go over there you will see that it is a better spot. I didn’t bring my camera, too heavy to carry” – she said.
“Oh okay” – I replied and I smiled at her.

She stepped into taxi and the night talking taxi driver and her drove away.

At Night, Yonge Street & Wellington Street, Town of Aurora

Soon as I was back to snapping mode I heard a female voice behind me.

“Are you trying to take a picture of the mural. You have to get closer to the intersection so you don’t get the cars.” – she said.

I turned around and I saw young female taxi driver.

“No I already have many pictures of the mural with cars and no cars” – I said.
“I am trying to take photos of the traffic” – I added.
“Oh I thought you were taking photos of the mural, sorry” – she said.
“No problem” – I replied.

Eventually she finished her cigarette and drove away with a passenger.

Eventually I packed my camera and drove away too. Definitely few interesting encounters, great suggestions and few good pictures resulted from my outing.

At Night, Yonge Street & Wellington Street, Town of Aurora

Christmas 2012, A Poem by Elizabeth Milner

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 01:18:41 +0000

Every year since the time I met Elizabeth Milner via email and then personally at the Hillary House, she sends me her Christmas poem which once again I would like to share with you. She writes her Christmas poem every year – a very nice tradition of hers.

I never used to be a big fan of poems, however, I have a feeling she got me hooked. All I can say to this poem is ‘exactly’. This is how I have been feeling for many many years and I am glad to know that I am not the only one.

Poinsettia, Tim Hortons

Christmas 2012

Christmas came upon me so I made this appeal.
I had to let dear Santa know how I’ve come to feel.

Dear Santa:

Please don’t send me anything this Christmas.
I’ve got a pile of stuff that I don’t need.
Put me on your 25th ride, “To Miss List.”
I’ve even got enough books I can read.

It isn’t that I’ve lost the Christmas spirit,
I do agree with family, friends and joy,
But now when Christmas comes again I fear it.
I’ll never use more gloves, and big kid toys.

So send me some good wishes in my stocking
And add a piece of something sweet to eat,
Some lovely music played and good times talking
Plus a kiss and hug will be my cherished treat.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth

Elizabeth Milner is the author of the Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change, a book I use a lot as a reference especially when I go on my photo adventures around the town.

Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change

Gold-y Fish Activity At The Cop-Land Park

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:57:30 +0000

One questionable activity at the Copland Park wasn’t enough to write about, but two – I definitely have to mention it. We have been regularly visiting this playground at the Copland Park because of the Wonderland-like slide – the double turn slide. Not to mention the trail between Aurora Heights Drive and Orchard Heights.

Let me go back to the Victoria Day weekend. We came to the park day after the Victoria Day. It was striking to see how bad the park looked with all the accumulated fireworks garbage. Town of Aurora parks and recreation worker was on the site cleaning up. As always we had fun despite the mess.

As we were leaving, strangely enough a man in a van pulled over and came to the park. He was looking for something around the garbage area. Nothing was found. The man left empty handed.

Copland Park, Aurora

Last weekend we or rather our Matthew decided on the Copland Park again. He just loves the double turn slide. When we arrived, already playing on the playground was a father and grandfather with a little boy and a girl. I mentioned to my husband, I guess on the playgrounds in general, weekends are father days and weekdays are mother days.

However, when we arrived there was someone else – a man walking around with the metal detector. He was looking for something – not hard to guess that he was looking for metal based products. He too left empty handed unless he found something before our arrival.

Copland Park, Aurora

So how wacky is that? Someone please tell me that we have a gold mine at the Copland Park in Aurora.

And now if you want to see something funny, here is priceless photo taken by Peter from Aurora – yes for real, the squirrel is really eating a cheese sandwich.

Small Size Iced Cappuccino With White Milk, Or Brown Milk?

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 04:13:07 +0000

My Wacky Aurora Hub post publishing has been dormant for a while so after yesterday’s experience at the coffee shop I thought I bring this category back to life. Besides, laughter is always the best medicine.

Yesterday was my day with Matthew at the library and after I promised him Tim Hortons donut. I visited with Matthew Tim Hortons on Wellington and believe or not that visit brought some funny memories back of which I will be talking later including this one.

Here I am waiting patiently my turn to buy a ‘chocolate covered chocolate donuts‘ for Matthew, in other words double chocolate donuts.

For myself I decided – a small Iced Cappacino for $2. Kind of expensive if you find out that 1/3 of the cup is ice, but then this is why they call it the Iced Cappuccino.

Fresh Pot of 'Coffee' Of Course

I must admit that I am not a vivid shopper. Most of my shopping is for groceries. So when finally I get to go out and do some shopping or just for some fast snacks everyone tends to speak in the code.

‘White or chocolate?‘ – the lady behind the counter asked. ‘White or Chocolate what?’ – I replied. ‘It tells me here white or chocolate‘ – she replied impatiently. ‘Okay give me the white‘ – whatever it is I thought. ‘Well then white milk for your Iced Cappuccino‘ – she confirmed.

Oh I didn’t know that milk comes in different colors other than white. Oh and I didn’t know that chocolate is consider a color. And now I know and only at Tim Hortons.

When we arrived at the Tim Hortons Matthew asked if he can go to the washroom. I told him yes and that I have to bring him to the Ladies washroom again. Yes again because let me tell you what happened last time.

It was the same scenario few weeks ago when I had to take Matthew to the washroom. I told him that he has to go to the ladies room with me. ‘Not ladies room, the woman washroom‘ – he strongly stated. I agreed and took him in. When inside he scanned the room, squatted looking for the feet and ‘where are all the women?‘ – he asked surprised. Luckily there were none.

More code stories.

Couple of months ago it was ladies night at the Mark’s Work Wearhouse. What the heck, sales are always good so I went shopping for clothes. At the register young lady worked really fast because there was a long line up of shoppers, or let say mostly ladies.

When she finished scanning all my clothes she looked at me and asked me ‘What size underwear?‘

‘Excuse me‘ – I replied surprised.

‘They are free‘ – I passing man behind the counter said, probably the store manager.

Oh, this must be the free gift the are giving away. I paused. I had to think – and at this point my face had the third degree burn.

‘Medium please‘ – you cannot go wrong with the medium, either it is too big or too small. At least I have an option to shrink it in the dryer if it is too big.

Well, well speaking of options at least I know that I have options in every shopping scenario and I don’t have to be wrong just be stack with the wrong thing.

Sunday Break, Back End Of The Dandy-antlion In A Dandelion

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 04:36:06 +0000

Sunday photo showcase. All posts titled Sunday Break are photo(s) only and a quote. Posted photos may not be necessary the most current one and as always it is all about the Town of Aurora. Enjoy!

Dandelion Season In Aurora

‘But a weed is simply a plant that wants to grow where people want something else. In blaming nature, people mistake the culprit. Weeds are people’s idea, not nature’s.’ ~ Author Unknown

What Rough Collie Dog, Never Say Never & Basement Have In Common? A Trip To Library

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 03:34:57 +0000

I don’t know if I should call this the-exciting, the-entertaining or the-adventurous day. Early morning today we arrived at the library parking lot. We came today because we had serious business to do – we had to pay fine for overdue Aurora library books and DVDs.

We parked and I am about to get out the car. Well what do I see, a Rough Collie dog off the leash cruising around the parking lot. Even better he stood in front of our parked car and kept looking at us. After few seconds of staring, which felt like minutes to us, the dog decided to leave us.

I thought that the owner must be in the near proximity. But he wasn’t, because when I got out and got on the back of the car to take Matthew out of the car seat – oh what now? The dog was back again standing in front of our car and looking at us. Lucky us he got a nature call, wandered to the next available bush, took off right after, and we were able to safely arrive at the library.

Aurora Public Library, Children Section Books

So they say never say never. Couple of weeks ago I was standing in line at the library checkout behind a lady who was paying for overdue books. The amount was substantial. I thought, I will never pay any fees. Never mind, I will never pay anything. I always keep on top of everything. Well not this time, I slipped.

My fine for DVDs on the adult card was 75 cents (25 per DVD per day) and Matthew had to pay 80 cents for books that were overdue 8 days (5 cents per book per day). Good thing that I was informed in the past that it is cheaper to put children books on the child’s card, I will pay less fine in the future. Who ever told me this, predicted that one way or the other I will pay a library fine.

Aurora Public Library Inside

So we are paying our fine at the drop off desk. We were chatting a bit and as usual Matthew showed off his Iron Man shoes. Then suddenly he asked ‘Hey Lady what’s in library basement?‘. Oh my ‘hey Lady‘ didn’t sound too polite, but the lady was nice enough to explain that it was just area filled with books, just like a storage. She said that they don’t go there very often.

We told her that one day we were going down the elevator from second to first floor, but the elevator did not stop just went to the basement. We both got scared and laughed when we realized that someone was waiting for the elevator in the basement to go up. Since then we been curious to find out what was there.

Mystery solved – just old books, archives, space for Pottery club and probably all the electrical and heating services.

Computer Work Stations, Aurora Public Library

Today the purpose was to drop off overdue items but Matthew headed for the second floor anyway. We got to the elevator and what happens to us? We started to go down to the basement again – what are the chances especially after we talked about it and how rare it is. I looked at Matthew, he looked at me and I said ‘What did you press?‘. ‘I pressed nothing just number two‘ – he replied surprised. We laughed again when a service man entered the elevator. He explained to us that it was secured area and no visitors are allowed in the basement.

My Favorite Library Art

I know I know the post is getting too long … but may be I tell you what happened at the Matthew’s hearing test.

When we arrived at the doctor office later today, the specialist asked what was the issue. My mistake was telling him this ‘I could yell and scream and he does not respond. Family doctor suggested we do hearing test‘. This doctor had a very good sense of humor and made Matthew very comfortable that we had no issues taking the test.

Matthew’s test result was perfect, and this is a semi-exact message left by the specialist at my family doctor’s voice mail, ‘This message is for patient Matthew so and so. The results of his hearing test are perfect. Matthew not responding to his mother shows his character, and I think his mother is scary‘. Looks like I was diagnosed with ‘too much yelling‘ syndrome.

After the appointment we asked if Matthew can hear us now, he responded that ‘I am better now and I can hear you‘. As a reward for being a good patient we took Matthew for a treat to Tim Horton’s on Wellington Street for chocolate covered donut. Never enough – he asked for more Tim-bits. After little training he arrived at the counter and asked ‘Excuse me can I have one chocolate Tim-bit please?

I know I should not let my son indulge but I needed an opportunity for him to learn how to ask properly for something instead of ‘hey Lady‘. Speaking of indulging, Matthew paid twenty five cents, got back five cents and two chocolate Tim-bits.

What To Do If There Is A Coyote In The Neighbourhood In Richmond Hill?

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:09:33 +0000

This blog has the Google Analytics code installed. That means that in my Google Analytics reports I can see for which keywords my site displayed in the Google search engine.

Sometimes I really have to laugh what things people search for and sometimes I am not sure if they can find what they are looking for, but my site sometimes appears for those funny keywords.

For example, one day someone typed ‘i hate aurora‘. Funny, may be that person was looking for everyone who hates Aurora, but we don’t really know what Aurora they were implying too, as we know that in United States there are many. Aurora can also be a person’s name.

I checked what keywords came up in my reports today and I found this one, which was actually a question. I may as well provide the answer and if you wish you can always write yours in comments.

Exact words, ‘What To Do If There Is A Coyote In The Neighborhood In Richmond Hill?‘.

Well, well you can always send this coyote to the Town of Aurora neighborhood.

Wacky Weather TALK, I Am Leaving Its Too Cold Here

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:18:38 +0000

We have decided to take a small trip to the Nokiidaa Trail boardwalk on the St. John’s sideroad today. We couldn’t believe how cold and windy it was. When we sat on one of the benches, I think I felt the boardwalk moving. Our fingers almost froze, and we both wore gloves.

What a change from last week’s temperatures? Not spring but hot summer like temperatures. My almost four year old Matthew had a blast, but for love of me I couldn’t make him wear shorts. He told me: ‘Mommy they are too short and other children will laugh at me‘.

So today on the boardwalk during this cold windy day he was happy to wear his winter jacket, a scarf and the gloves, and sitting on the bench we overheard the Canada Goose talking.

‘I told you it was too early too come to Aurora‘ – one goose yelling on the other one.

‘How I am supposed to know that, beside stop yelling at me my head is frozen‘ – the partner goose replied.

‘And what are you looking at. You are not helping shooting at us‘ – the yelling goose looked in our direction.

‘I think you are darn funny yelling‘ – I replied.

‘Oh I had it enough. I am leaving. Coming back to Florida with me my darling?‘ – yelling goose took off.

‘Yes, yes, but we have to be back in Aurora next year. There is always a lot going on here and we shouldn’t be missing it.‘ – the partner goose replied.

I Always Wanted To Be St. Nick, I Am Santa Mommy Now, Future In Jeopardy

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:59:19 +0000

Remembering Christmas … I always wanted to be St. Nick. When I was 12 years old I said what the heck, no body will know that I am a girl under the red suit. So I did. In 1983 St. Nick arrived for the first time at our home for my sister (7 years old) and my brother (2 years old).

Many years passed by and in 2006 I was back again knocking at the doors. I spent two weeks before Christmas hand sawing my Santa suit and I putted into a good use that year and the following year. In 2008 and 2009 I took maternity leave; however, I was back on the job Christmas 2010 and 2011.

Santa I, 2006

In 2010 Matthew was about 2.5 years old. He understood the concept of Christmas and knew that Santa will bring presents to him. He was ready for Santa to show up at our door.

Santa ‘I’ arrived on the Christmas Eve. I knocked at the door. I came in and delivered his presents. He stood there and studied me, and of course was holding on to Daddy. I said something to him and instead answering to me Matthew started to look around, Mommy? – he asked. He was looking for me. Oops he recognized my voice. I guess next year I will have to be a silent Santa.

Christmas 2011. This year we were celebrating Christmas Eve at my parents in Mississauga. Since Matthew wrote letter to Santa for the black Nintendo DS I thought it would be fun to bring this letter with me and show him that I got it. At 3, Matthew somehow thought himself to draw faces and been drawing them everywhere. Sometimes he adds extra hair and if you lucky you will get a brain.

Letter To Santa From Matthew, 2011

So I arrived once again at the door. Matthew was happy to see Santa, surprised to see the letter and would not take eyes of me. He studied me once again from head to toe. I only released few ho-ho-hoes, but remained silent for the rest of the time.

Another mission accomplished, so I thought.

I left the room and as quickly as possible I changed back to Mommy. I came back and looks like everyone was busy laughing at me not even knowing I arrived.

I stood at the entrance. My eyes met Matthew’s eyes from across the room, and to my surprise I heard him say ‘Oh, it was Mommy‘. Oops he noticed the Santa eye-glasses I forgot to swap. When I came back up again he was busy opening his present and forgot all about.

I guess next year I will have to make Santa suit for Daddy.

WONDER® Bread-y Power Of Public Opinion, Makeover

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:57:53 +0000

Last night we were driving on Bayview Street in Aurora when a new radio commercial about the WONDER® bread makeover started to play. So, the WONDER® bread got complete makeover according to the commercial – simplified ingredients list, no artificial preservatives, no chemical additives as artificial flavors or artificial colors.

Aha, are they kidding me?

I don’t have to write here about the health benefit of not having all those removed in the ingredient list.

It was a public opinion that got the company to do the makeover. According to their press release through PR Newswire:

‘… consumers are paying more attention to food labels and are seeking products that are free of artificial ingredients. The research revealed that nearly eight in ten (79%) of all women feel buying foods that are free of artificial preservatives, artificial colours and artificial flavours is important — and 77% of all women say buying foods free of these artificial ingredients is more important now than it was one year ago.’

I don’t think it was the research that initiated the make over, probably their sales were down and then they had to do the survey to figure out what is going on.

Okay, okay I will get to the point.

Do you really think that the WONDER® cares about consumers?

My opinion – no.

Less ingredients – reduced cost, increased profits.

No preservatives is interesting one. Now they are telling us – eat faster because it will not last that long. Consumer will have to buy this bread more frequently because of its reduced shelf life.

Oh and because of the health benefits they have grounds for increased price – I just hope not.

See what the power of public opinion can do, bring the better product to the market and profitability for the company.

What are they trying to do whack my head. No I will not allow because I am sticking with my whole grain bread.

Nokiidaa Trail Link, Do Not Feed Ducks With Bread