Home Town in Bytown

Time to learn about my own city.

[hometowninbytown]

Sept 23: the Carp fair

There was some crazy weather over the past weekend. A few tornadoes touch down and most of Ottawa lost power either. However, the fair never seems to lose power despite being so close to one of the sites.

The carp fair take place in one of the smaller towns on the out skirts of Ottawa every year for about 4 days. There games, rides and a ton of animal competitions. We went on the Sunday with the hopes it would be less busy. We parked in a field outside the fair grounds and than a shuttles brought us to the fair. You could buy your tickets before you got got on the bus and I believed it was cash only.

We had a great day, we rode some rides, played some games and watch the rodeo. I’ve never seen one and Actally really enjoyed it. We ended the day with some fair food and left full and happy.

[hometowninbytown]

Sept 9th: the big apple.

Anytime you drive from Ottawa to Toronto you’ll see a huge apple beside the highway. It’s basically a tourist trap but I love it. The pie is pretty great too.

They have a whole bunch of outside actives including a lookout on top of the apple, a petting zoo with farm animals, mini put, a little train ride and much more. On the inside they have a view area to warch the pies and other bake goods being made. Recently, they added a brewing for cinders. Before we left we had stopped at their beaver tail booth and I tried the apple cinnamon.

[hometowninbytown]

Sept 8: Jays’ game

So yes, Ottawa has a baseball team... but one in the same league as the jays? Not really... So Saturday morning some friends and I drove down for the 4pm game and I’m so glad we did!

The game was so close and so exciting! The game ended up being 8-7 with the jay’s losing in the bottom of the 9th inner with bases loaded. The last hit was great and look like it could have been a home run if it hadn’t been caught. I’m not even that sad we lost because it was so much fun to watch and I was on the edge of my seat at the end.

[hometowninbytown]

Sept 3rd: Labor Day Updates

My nieces go back to school tomorrow and in a blind of an eye the summer is over. I’ve been doing some reflecting today to determine how well I completed this project and if it did help me archive my goal of filling these months with actives.  Plus, it in some ways it probably did change me a little.

Frist, I did not visit all the places on my Ottawa bucket list and still have some places to go to. I have also started looking into some things to do in the fall as my friends kept posting about apple picking and I kind of want to try it.  I’m sure there is lots of fall things I’ve never tried and I’ll keep adding posts to this blog once I do. However, it may not be too often.

There have been lot of benefits of this project. My family got to spend more time together and I got to try a number of new things. I learned a lot about Ottawa and I think the friends who came along with me also enjoyed those adventures.  I cut my hair and am loving the shortness of it. I also adopting a cat and although he is trouble I love having a little buddy again.

Thank you for everyone who help with my adventures this summer, thank you for those who read this blog and thank you for summer 2018.

[hometowninbytown]

Augest 30: shopping in the bytown market.

My friend Megan and I met my niece in the byward market for lunch at Warehouse and some shopping. We spend some time exploring the market and checking out the venders. There is always lots of art, crafts, food and other things to buy. It’s always a fun shopping outing if you have time.

[hometowninbytown]

August 29: donating hair

So I’ve donated my hair 4 or 5 times now. It was something that was really important to me, especially after my aunt passed away from cancer last year. However, coming this December the place I usally mail in my hair is fazeing out aspecting human hair donations and moving to just making synthetic wigs. I totally support this as this is what the customers wants and I fully belive we can find other ways to donate to this cause.

So I relizeing this could be the last time I donate my hair I decided to change up my hair style and cut it pretty short. I’m loving it so far. Hair is one of those things I’m always okay with trying new things with as it grows back. I don’t think I’ll ever dye it but I am having fun with styling it with gel. Here a look at the new look!

[hometowninbytown]

Augest 25: the locks

I went downtown with a friend for dinner and we spend some time exploring. One of the cool things to watch was the locks system by the bytown. They still open and close it by hand and it’s super cool watching boats go up and down.

[hometowninbytown]

Augest 22: warehouse

I think this restaurant has a much longer name but my friends have always refer to it as “warehouse”. I had only ever walked by it before as it has always been packed. It’s worth the tirp but there may be a wait.

The cool thing about ware house is that all the meals cost 6$. You can add on somethings for more and pop refills are 0.75 each. While buying your meal there is an option to buy a meal for the less fortunate for 6$. Each week they put that money aside and at the end of the week donate that money to a food shealther. I though the was really cool of them and of course added a extra meal to my bill.

The food was really good for th priece and I have gotten a lot worse food for a lot more. The staff were friendly and check in on us often even while they were swamped. I like the decor of the restaurant and overall it just had a fun and accepting vib. I’m excited to go try another item off their menu and spend more time checking out the space.

[hometowninbytown]

Augest 22: Supreme Court of Canada

Through the summer the Supreme Court of Canada offers free 30 minutes tours every half hour alternating between French and English. As we went on a weekday it wasn’t that early and we just walk in and were able to wait for the next English one. We had about 20 people join us by the time the tour started.

The building itself is a impress structure built in the 1940s in a French Deco style that favours higher ceilings and Symmetry. Although the building was finish in the 1940s for the Supreme Court it wasn’t until after the war that they were able to move in as it was being use for the war efforts.

I really enjoy the tour and our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. We were brought into a number of different spaces. In each space there was a tv screens the guide use to show us photos that paired well with the information given. I was able to Ask questions and I always felt happy with the answer.

I would recommend this tour as it’s short, free and close to the bank of Canada museum. We were able to fill our morning with these three different stops (changing of the guard, Supreme Court of Canada and bank of Canada museum) all for free. We were than able to grab a cheep lunch in the market. If you are looking for a low or no cost day, why not try out these stops!

[hometowninbytown]

August 22: Changing of the Guard

I finally crossed something else on my Ottawa bucket list. I journey downtown early this morning to meet my friend to watch the changing of the guard on the hill. I got to Rideau around 9:20 and realize if I ran, I could make it to the Disney store before it opened. I made it just in time and since there was no kids around I got to help open it. I got another key and sticker. The sticker was for Mickey’s 90th anniversary so it was a cool day to help open.

After the stop at the Disney store I ran to tims and grabbed a coffee and headed towards the hill. While I was walking towards the hill I started to hear music and see the parade, I quickly walked besides them and just made it in time to watch the start of the ceremony. The music was nice to listen to while we waited for the new guard to march up. I found a great spot to watch them and they walked right at us. I’m pretty sure if we were in the way they would have step on us, actually they almost done.

Once the new guard one the hill, they did a lot of ceremonial perp before they could relive the old guard. The band played most of the time and around 10:15 the bell tower started to chine and it was like the two parties were singing together. There ceremony lasted until about 10:30 and it was really nice. There was lots of people it’s important to get there early to find a good view. The changing of the guard only lasted until the end of August so there is still time to catch it.

[hometowninbytown]

August 18: Wellington Marbles

One of my favorite things about wellington is the status of the fire hydrants spread out all over the area. I always feel like I find a new one to look at. Here what the city says about them.

“Artists: Marcus Kucey Jones and Ryan Lotecki

Eighteen hand-carved marble sculptures are installed at intervals along Wellington Street West. Each sculpture playfully captures the form of a fire hydrant fused with everyday objects such as local foods, artistic tools and musical instruments. By sculpting forms and objects connected to the surrounding neighbourhood, The Wellington Marbles pay tribute to the local history and modern renewal of the community. Kucey-Jones and Lotecki chose the fire hydrant because it is an object found in many communities that connects people in an uncelebrated yet vital manner. The hydrants and their coupled forms present the viewer with a sense of humour, playfulness, and culturally reference the area.

Quarried in Carrara, Italy, the marble used for this installation was selected for its fine quality and for its association with classical art. In the same vein, the artists offer a series of sculptures representing contemporary imagery as a monument to the urban streetscape. The artistic practices of Kucey-Jones and Lotecki span many media and have brought innovative and imaginative artwork to communities across Canada and around the globe. The Wellington Marbles were commissioned by the City of Ottawa as part of the Wellington Street West reconstruction project.”

Source: https://ottawa.ca/en/residents/arts-heritage-and-culture/public-art/wellington-marbles

[hometowninbytown]

Augest 19: SuzyQ donuts

After visiting the feline cafe with a friend we stopped over at SuzyQ for some donuts. The cool thing about their prices is that tax is included and we got 4 donuts for 10$. The donuts are pretty fancy and worth the price. We each pick two and shared them. We found a place outside to eat since it was sunny. It was a nice mid day snack before dinner.

[hometowninbytown]

Augest 17-18: hammock time

A month later I finally made it to my sister cottage and enjoyed some much needed hammock time along the Ottawa river.

It was great to spend some time with the family and the sunset was unreal. When ever I think of Ottawa’s sunset I always picture them over the Ottawa river.

[hometowninbytown]

Augest 15: giving blood

I’ve been looking for more ways to give back to the community, however as my dad would say as an underfed artist I don’t have a lot of money. So giving blood seem perfect. I’ve never donated before but had always wanted too.

I downloaded the app and took the quiz to see if I could donate. My frist time around I failed due to taking daily anxiety meds but after a quick call to blood services I was given the go ahead. I was able to book my appointment over the phone and everyone I talk to was so nice and friendly.

The day of I drank lots of water and had a lot to eat. I arrive early to I could check in and find where I had to go. Due to all the volunteers they are processing (it’s a great promble to have) if you miss your appointment you may not be able to be seen that day. The check in part was super quick and I was soon brought into a room for some questions and testing. Next I was brought to the donator area and taken to a special chair. They talked me through everything that was going to happen and we soon got started. Taking the blood only took about 6 minutes and there was a tv in the corner to watch. I could have probably listen to my audio book during it but I forgot it on my bag.

After they were done I got to go to a refreshment area and snack on cookies and juice. The volunteer handing things out was super nice and gave me my frist time Donor pin. You can stay as long as you need to and eat and drink as much as you can until you recover. Since it was my first time donating I had a tougher experience but look forward to trying again.

I know not everyone is able to give blood for a number of different reason out of their control. Some that seem unfair and excruciating towards some members of our community. However, I feel thankful and lucky I am able to give and support those who are currently not able too but wanting too.

[hometowninbytown]

Augest 13: pros and joes

I havn’t been to too many comdey shows but this is a summer for new things so a friend and I decided to go check out the pros and joes show at live on Elgin. It was a lot of fun. The show had a 10$ cover at the door and although it was cash cover they had an atm in the corner. We got there for 8pm and had lots of time to grab a beer and find a table. They had the blue berry beer I really liked from broadhead that I tried on the brewery tour a couple weeks back.

The show is set up in a cool way. They have two headliners and about six acts before hand. A MC was also there adding some jokes between acts. Out of the 6 acts, three are pros and the other three are joes. Usally it’s the joes frist time performing stand up and the show acts as a safe space for them to try it out for the frist time. My friend knew someone performing as a joe and he did a really great job. I think he easily held his own with the pros. The pros do stand up either as a living or second job and all of them were very funny.

I had a great time at the show and would for sure go back. I think it’s awesome that the show exist and allows new people a safe and supportive event to try their stuff.

[hometowninbytown]

Augest 12: patios

Patio season is super short in Ottawa. There nothing like a good patio with good friends are a summer day. You got to make the most of them while you can.

[hometowninbytown]

Augest 11: sounds of lights at the Bytown

Over the next little while there is a small but amazing firework show taking place at bytown museum. Originally, the show took place at a Casino on the Quebec side but in recent years have moved to the water front outside the museum. I belive the shows are part of a contest that takes place for different countries. Megan and I went on the German night and it was probally one of the best fireworks displays I’ve ever seen. The shows are set to music which Makes it extra fun.

The places with the best views are blocked off and you can pay to enter them. However, there are plenty of spots you can find to watch the show for free. We found a great spot along the Cannal at the base of Nepean point.