Another Summer Coming to an End

Another Summer Coming to an End

Doug Coombs
Diary, Musings

September is also US Open tennis time, and it's my favorite tennis tournament to watch. I rarely ever sit and watch any type of sports for hours on end, but I have had tennis on the tube most days, much to the chagrin of my significant other who now believes our television has a strong preference for yellow fuzzy balls. I find myself grabbing my phone and checking for scores – who is up, and who is on their way home, probably already planning their revenge for next year. I won’t bore you with images of trips to NYC (mostly because I haven't been recently), but I could sure use a slice of great pizza from one of the many great red sauce joints in the city. A New York slice is basically a hug in carbohydrate form.

The Dog Days of Summer

The Dog Days of Summer

Doug Coombs
Musings, Food & Drink

And finally, the food. While there were a few fleeting moments of pizza perfection, the real highlight was a pilgrimage to Sunny's in Kensington Market. This place is so hot right now that getting a reservation is like trying to win the lottery. My original dining partner, Ms. Sheila, had other plans, so I enlisted my trusty backup, Ms. Sarah. Finding Sunny's is an adventure in itself; the address leads you down a dark alley, and you feel like you're about to stumble into a secret society meeting before finding the restaurant door.

I'm Okay - Are you Okay?

I'm Okay - Are you Okay?

Doug Coombs
Musings, retirement

I’m okay - are you okay?  A look backwards.

After 30+ fun and rewarding (mostly!) years of working retirement hit me like a perfectly aimed…. Well, not a tennis ball anymore (more on that later!), but definitely something unexpected. When I say nudged, it was something that had been brewing for a number of years.  Although we were profitable, it would seem that it was never enough.

 The never-ending "increase your EBIT!" chant – a financial voodoo spell that baffled the masses – was the company's broken record. For ages, the higher-ups were whispering about shake-ups (and I had my ear to the keyhole!). Turns out, sticking around forever, while noble, can also make you feel like a dusty museum piece. My chats with the young guns hinted that my old-school wisdom wasn't exactly the hot new gadget anymore.   

Joined a New Club!

Joined a New Club!

Doug Coombs
Musings, Diary

Ah, yes, the "golden years" they promised! Turns out, "golden" might just refer to the color of my simmering rage. And the leisurely strolls? More like a hobble punctuated by involuntary noises of discomfort. Yelling at squirrels isn't an inexplicable urge; it's a public service announcement to those furry little menaces.

My body's rebellion tour is less Cirque du Soleil and more "Weekend at Bernie's," except Bernie is a collection of protesting joints. Sleep? It's a mythical creature I vaguely recall from a bygone era, replaced by nocturnal negotiations with my bladder and the insistent whispers of "things I should be worrying about." And the world? Don't even get me STARTED on the "newfangled nonsense." My internal monologue sounds like a broken record stuck on "Back in my day..."

A Few Weeks of Life

A Few Weeks of Life

Doug Coombs

Indeed, pizza has been a recurring theme, and we've managed to indulge in a few delightful slices over the past month. From the casual, quick bites at Badali on Dovercourt to the full dining experience at Danny's on College. Our daughter, Sarah, recently graduated university and was visiting for a few days, so we endeavored to fill her schedule with some culinary highlights, including a last-minute reservation at Danny's. Despite its constant popularity, we were fortunate to secure a table. We opted for an early dinner, which suited us perfectly.

The Highs and Lows of Pickleball: When the Game Gets Frustrating

The Highs and Lows of Pickleball: When the Game Gets Frustrating

Doug Coombs
Fitness, Diary, Musings

Let's be honest: pickleball can be incredibly frustrating. I’m putting it out there because I know I’m not alone. Anyone who's tried to learn a new skill, whether it's a sport, cooking, or building something, understands that progress isn’t always linear. Some days, it clicks; other days, you just shake your head in disbelief. And yes, there's also a thing called "pickleball politics," which we'll delve into later.  

“Annex’s New Tex-Mex Gem”

“Annex’s New Tex-Mex Gem”

Doug Coombs
Diary, Food, Food & Drink

Okay, maybe that’s a bold claim, but hear me out. We recently discovered a new spot on Bloor Street West, just a few blocks from Spadina, and it might just be a contender.

According to BlogTO, this place is part of a chain from out west, and this is their first Toronto location. The photos from the article looked inviting, the reviews were positive, so we decided to check it out on a chilly Friday night—also known as date night :)

The Life of a Amateur Pickleball Player

The Life of a Amateur Pickleball Player

Doug Coombs
Fitness, Musings

One and done and its in the books.  I have now officially played my first “outside” pickleball tournament and it was an interesting experience.  Lot of great observations from playing it.  So…where to begin.  When I say first outside event, I mean that its the first event not played at the club where I am a member.  One that would involve playing people you have never played again

A Year In Review - Part 1

A Year In Review - Part 1

Doug Coombs
Fitness, Food & Drink, Musings

Yes, I can well imagine that probably no one cares about anyone’s recap.  As 2024 came to a close the media, especially old style print would provide all kinds of the “best of” in various categories.  The best movies, TV show, theatre, books etc…etc.  I wouldn’t look at all of them but when I did I usually would realize that I had actually not seen or read many of the best of the best.  The Toronto Star listed the following movies as the best of 2024.

And Just Like That - "The Best Lasagna in Toronto?"

And Just Like That - "The Best Lasagna in Toronto?"

Doug Coombs
Food & Drink, Musings

If you type in a search bar the best lasagna in Toronto you get a list of places and on this list and taking the number 1 spot is Porzia's

So, as you would surmise the bar is now raised pretty high. I wasn’t completely sure where it was? I had been riding my bike to play pickleball this fall and I would often take a detour and ride on Oakwood to look for it and for the life of me, I simply couldn’t find it. Eventually, I did locate it. Its a very, small drive by and miss it type of place.

Summer Is Officially Over

Summer Is Officially Over

Doug Coombs
Fitness, Musings

My list of places included Mayfair, Glendon College,Fairgrounds and a new place called the Jar. I have to be more selective because I don’t have a car for the winter so getting to places that are far away is simply not an option. I thought Mayfair would be a good choice because they have made physical changes to their clubs by replacing tennis courts with new pickleball courts.

Getting Pickled

Getting Pickled

Doug Coombs

If you read my previous blog post (which was way too long ago), you would know that I’ve taken up the game of pickleball. Like many things I do, I have probably gone a little bit overboard as I find myself trying to find ways to get exercise post shoulder surgery. I may have said this previously but its a bit of the wild west out there in terms of finding actual places to play.

The Tennis/Pickleball Battle - Good vs Evil (Kidding)

The Tennis/Pickleball Battle - Good vs Evil (Kidding)

Doug Coombs

Yep….I’m now a pickler. I know…I know. Don’t hate me. If you recall and it’s okay if you don’t, I’ve been sitting on the sidelines for a long, long time. I underwent major shoulder surgery last fall and have not hit a tennis ball since then. It’s been a long, painful recovery and I’m still suffering.

In With The New and Out With the Old

In With The New and Out With the Old

Doug Coombs

If you are a FACEBOOK user you may be aware of a ‘feature” that is available called memories. If you have posted something previously on that day from another year it be available as a “memory” of that time and you can re-share if you like. The picture above was from 4 years ago and it has been that long since I left my previous career. Time flies….

And Just Like That - A December Week in Review

And Just Like That - A December Week in Review

Doug Coombs

Seriously, who doesn’t like chocolate? This cake is pretty impressive isn’t it?

And no, I didn’t eat the whole thing.

We recently ended up at one of our now go-to joints called J Steak Frites.

I’ve written about it in the past. It has a prix fixe menu with only one thing on the list. All you have to do is select how you want your steak cooked. Not that complicated. Medium rare for me.

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