Worldwide Delivery

WORLDWIDE DELIVERY

With the Toronto International Film Festival for 2011 almost over, Canada is getting ready for the chilly Fall starting October 23. However, before we get there, let us recap the buzz that once again placed Canada on the map. It was amazing to see people from all over the world with passes hanging around their necks while carrying heavy camera equipment to either attend press conferences, red carpet events or meeting potential buyers in the Media Lounge.

Between these professional industry people were the streetwalkers with camcorders, Androids, BlackBerry or iPhones and digital cameras ready to get an action picture or footage as the celebrity in the Cadillac pulls over. Some got lucky, others had to wait for the next time around. This time of the year is a rewarding time to hang around between the theatres and coffee shops in Toronto, regardless of who one might see.

On the train on my way back home I had a good view of all the students getting ready to go back to school.  Whether they are searching their class schedules or adding new friends on Facebook, they have laptops on the trays flashing the strength of Wi-Fi signals and gadgets plugged into their ears.

Next to me sits an older lady on her way to visit her grandchildren in Stratford. She knits, looks through the window, sips on her tea and continues to knit the red sweater.  “It is chilly,” she says. I nod in agreement. “The nice part of a new season is wearing clothes long forgotten; in my home country all seasons are more or less the same and as a child I never had the chance to wear boots or furry coats.”

I look through the vouchers and handouts received during the festival and find the postcard with compliments from Canada Post: For mailing in Canada and Delivery Worldwide (http://www.Canadapost.ca/shopper), I hand it to the lady: “please have it and send my regards...”

The lady next to me looks at the picture of John Candy printed on the front, “he sure is a handsome gentleman,” she says and reaches for a pen in her purse, “thank you kindly.”

“No, thank you.”

Modern day fashion depends on what you carry in your hand, not what you wear and this is most likely not to change. It is nice to have an HD-camcorder, laptop and cell phone to be in touch with the Wi-Fi world out there. It is, however nice to know that a handwritten postcard to a sunny country and a red knitted sweater from grandma still have a place.    

     

UNDER THE SCISSORS

Paying a visit to a hair stylist and showing up at the dentist has a lot in common where to say the least, you will be at the mercy of the cutter or driller. To yield control of vanity and control required.

At the age of eleven, the dentist filled a small cavity on my left front tooth with a huge chunk of gold. What was he thinking? Left teeth chattering cold, with a self-esteem hitting rock bottom and only twenty years later replaced it with advanced technology called porcelain crowning. Today an implant can cost as much as a month’s hard-earned salary unless you want to live on smoothies and learn to pronounce words in a British fashion, keeping the lips hooped.

Recently while enjoying the subway stations and high-rise buildings of Toronto, I spot a “Walk-ins welcome” saloon and while this La Belle Femme Saloon is close to the Eaton Center I do not question their reputation.

“Please don’t take too much off,” I ask, “the tips need a little trimming.”

Am I allowed to ask “Before you take up that scissor are you sure you can deliver?” but being polite I do not.

Once again, I learn that nothing in life is for sure and halfway through the process I want to ask her to make sure the bullet hits my heart. This might seem to be dramatic and I will give you that together with a mirror. Honestly woman, the one side is shorter and now is the other until the uneven cut hair is under my ears.

“A blow-wave?” asks she as she finally realizes she is not getting anywhere.

“No thank you“ and add out of nowhere, ”I’m going for a swim.” In hindsight drowning myself was more on target.

At least this walk-in cut did not cost me an arm and a leg, after many months too short hair can grow back and rest assure I’m on my way to the mall to find some saloon that can share my setback, only this time I want to see the stylist’s certification before she picks up the scissor.