Strictly Ballroom The Musical

Tonight Teena and I were at the Princess of Wales Theater to see Strictly Ballroom The Musical.

Strictly Ballroom the Musical started as a short play. From there, it became a movie in 1992. I loved the movie and saw it a few times, although I have not seen it for a very long time. When I saw the play was coming to Toronto, I suggested to Teena that we go. Apparently, there has also been a book written based on the play. I don't know where it fits in on the timeline, though. This is the North American premiere and looks to be the same cast that performed in the UK.

The show follows the fortunes of Scott Hastings, a talented young dancer in 1980s Australia, who wants to make up his own moves – thereby losing his partner and putting him in conflict with the ballroom dance police.

The play is wacky, funny and lots of fun. It is so well-written and performed. The dancers were fabulous (Fernando Mira was terrific to watch doing the Paso Doble) as were the great sequinned outfits that fill the world of competitive ballroom. Yes, I used to watch the championships many years ago!

Strictly Ballroom is definitely worth seeing while it's in Toronto. Oh, and when you're there, get an oatmeal cookie with raisins. They're fabulous!

Watching the Golden Gloves Boxing Championships

Tonight Teena and I, along with our friend, Trish, were at the Oasis Convention Centre for the Golden Glove Championships put on by former Toronto pro boxer Everton McEwan of World Boxing Wars.

Our friend, personal trainer and boxing fitness instructor, Yvette Raposo of Boxing Fit, was the ring announcer and M.C. for the night.

There were eleven bouts in different weight categories and all were action packed.

Former Canadian Boxing heavy weight great, George Chuvalo, once ranked number two in world with a record of 73-18-2 with 64 knockouts, watched on with interest.

He fought Mohammed Ali at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto for the Championship of the world in 1966. He went the distance, never was knocked down but lost. Ali spent that night in the hospital while he went dancing with his wife. More on him later.

More action.

Here are Trish, Yvette and me.

Trish, Yvette and Teena

Teena with George Chuvalo.

Here I am with George.

I couldn't resist getting an autographed picture from him. All donations for pictures go to his charity, the George Chuvalo Research Group which helps to teach kids about the dangers of drug abuse and helps to build half way homes for drug addicts.

More action.

This is what happens when you don't block a shot to the nose.

We all had a great time and I'm looking forward to the next boxing event that I get to see.

Book Review - Unflinching: The Making of a Canadian Sniper

I just finished reading Unflinching: The Making of a Canadian Sniper by Jody Mitic, who was a sniper with the Canadian Armed Forces 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment.

Unflinching is an uplifting memoir on military issues, endurance, and overcoming adversity. 

Afghanistan, 2007. While on patrol with the 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment deep within enemy territory, sniper Jody Mitic stepped on a land mine and lost both legs below the knee. Though Jody was a dedicated serviceman who had dreamed of a military life since he was a child, it seemed that his fighting days were done. 

Ever a soldier at heart, Jody was determined to still be of service to his country, and he refused to let his injury hold him back. After only a few short months of rehab, Jody was up and walking again on two prosthetic legs, and only a year later, he was running his first road race. 

But despite his success in physically recovering from his injury, Jody still struggled to mentally adapt to his new reality. As he experienced first-hand the controversial treatment of Canadian veterans, Jody turned his efforts towards developing programs for wounded veterans and publicly advocating on their behalf. With a renewed purpose to guide him, Jody came to find a new lease on life.

I found this book to be a very uplifting read. It is the story of Jody's life, who as a teen lived a life without purpose until he decided to join the army and received some direction in his life. After joining, though, he had some issues and he tells of some of the personal battles he fought just to stay in the force. Jody really emphasizes the  respect and camaraderie of soldiers, not only those in the Canadian force, but also between Canadian and their US army counterparts.

The book also highlights what I have always had a problem with when it comes to our politicians and the armed forces. We send them off to fight for Canada but cut back on the dollars to equip them properly. This theme comes through over and over, whether it is regards to clothing, weapons or vehicles. If we are asking them to lay down their life for our country, we should do our very best to ensure that everything they receive is top notch.

Jody also highlights the lack of support, physically, mentally and financially for wounded soldiers who return home with massive wounds.

This book is very well written and one that should be required reading for every member of Canadian Parliament.

Book Review - Vij: A One-Way Ticket to Canada with India in My Suitcase and Lessons I Learned in Life

I've had some time to catch up on my reading lately and just finished Vij: A One-Way Ticket to Canada with India in My Suitcase and Lessons I Learned in Life. 

Vikram Vij, one of Canada’s great chefs, shares his story of the trials and triumphs in building a world-renowned food empire.

Fragrant with the smells of cumin, turmeric, fennel, and cloves, Vij reveals the story of Vikram Vij, one of Canada’s most celebrated chefs and entrepreneurs. Co-owner of the world-famous Vij’s Restaurant in Vancouver, his story is a true rags-to-riches tale of a college dropout from northern India who made it to Europe’s temples of high cuisine, then with a one-way ticket bound for Canada, found fame serving some of the world’s most transcendent Indian cuisine. Vij’s Restaurant, originally a fourteen-seat establishment known for its extraordinary flavours and spice blends, along with a firm no-reservation policy, received accolades from restaurant critics and patrons alike.

A culinary journey that began in India as a boy enjoying the praise of visitors for his chai and biscuits, Vikram’s passion for Indian cooking and his lifelong mission to bring awareness to the culture he left behind have fueled his tireless drive in building a world-renowned food empire. Driven to succeed, Vikram realized his dream to launch five major initiatives under the Vij’s brand by age fifty, but with challenges and sacrifices along the way.

For the first time, Vikram opens up about his struggles with prejudice, his mentors’ lasting lessons, and the painful demise of his marriage—both the successes and the failures that have shaped and sharpened one of Canada’s most unique and revered culinary talents.

I really enjoyed this book. Although he was little known to me until he came onto the Dragons' Den, it turns out he really has made his mark on the Canadian restaurant scene.

Vikram gives so much credit of the success of his food to his ex-wife, Meeru, who worked with the kitchen staff and created many of the recipes for his earlier places, while he worked the front of the house and handled the publicity. That is not to say that Vij did not take part in the cooking as he is quite the chef himself as his new establishments attest.

He isn't shy to explain the money he has spent on all his ventures and the amount of debt that he is in. Most restaurateurs lease properties where he is only keen to buy. The same went for when he decide to expand his operation to include packaged foods for the supermarket. Again he never leased a plant but decided to buy the land and build it from the ground up. Seems it was just recently that it started to turn a profit.

As tough as one has to be to be an entrepreneur, Vij has quite the soft side to him, especially when it comes to family and friends. In many autobiographies, the authors will show themselves as totally driven 100% to their business but where Vikram does talk about this, he also talks about missing family and the joy he feels when with them.

Although I never have wanted to work in the restaurant industry, I find it fascinating and this is an excellent look at that inside world.