Sad

The G20 Summit was held in Toronto this weekend and leading up to this has been one major question - Why Toronto? One of the busiest cities in the world hosting an event such as this....????

Google G20 Toronto protests and many returns appear. Yesterday in Toronto was tense and unfortunately those 1,000s of peaceful protesters had their message overshadowed and lost by several splinter groups (Black Bloc) bent on vandalism and hooliganism, all in the name of anarchy. The very huge police and security force in Toronto responded, in many cases to a frightening degree. By the end of today approximately 600 people have been arrested and/or detained. After following the news today and several news sites, many of these arrests appear to be unwarranted and unnecessary.

Overreaction by the police/security forces? Definitely some questions will have to be answered and in the meantime I'm filled with a sense of sadness.

This is not the Canada and Toronto that I know and love. The video below, taken during a peaceful protest today made me want to cry. The protesters, completely hemmed in by police (some in riot gear) are singing "O Canada"..........and are charged by the police.

♥

Pride

Sunday, June 28, 2009 marked the culmination of a week of Pride festivities in Toronto with the 29th Annual Gay Pride Parade

Over 1 million people attended - some lining the 29 blocks of the city and others watching from other vantage points

Once the rain stopped there was still the chance of getting wet

An incredible variety of costumes was to be seen - on the floats, and on people on foot (and on several occasions, stilts)

Sometimes it was the lack of costume that caught the eye

A multitute of service and community groups participated, including several churches, and fire and police units

(photos - David Chan for National Post and CP24)

The Toronto Pride Parade is the largest in North America and it is definitely worth attending. The intense feeling of diversity, love, tolerance and community can not be beat. What a shame that this could not last throughout the year.

A Valentine View

On Thursday Feb 12, my daughter and her boyfriend went out for dinner. This was in celebration of Toronto's Winterlicious festival and also a prelude to Valentine's Day. They chose the restaurant on top of the CN Tower. This pic was taken of their relection in the window of the restaurant, as they were seated at their table... with the lights of Toronto literally at their feet. I thought it was perfect for my Valentine's Day post.

Valentine's Day, recognized today as a day to celebrate and embrace that special someone in your life has an interesting history. It was originally a pagan festival, renamed after two
early Christian martyrs. The tradition of celebrating romantic love became common in the Middle Ages and it has continued
from there. A detailed history of Valentine and St. Valentine's
Day can be found here.

Regardless if we have a romantic 'someone' in our lives, we all have special people that we can embrace. May today be special for you!