Scarborough Town Centre Beef Patty

I grew up in Scarborough, the east district of Toronto. The biggest mall in Scarborough is Scarborough Town Centre a place where a person or family could shop, watch a movie, meet up with friends and also take public transportation. One of the best things about taking public transportation at STC, was that it was a bus and subway terminal for getting around the city. Unfortunately, once you paid to get inside the terminal you weren’t allowed to enter the mall to buy food if you were hunger. Fortunately in the 90’s they added a small little stand on the corner so that transit users could buy a snack, a newspaper, lotto, cigarattes and coffee (I’m sure a lot of people bought them all at once, lol). My favourite was the beef patty at STC because it was delicious, cheap and a quick meal when you were in a hurry trying to race from one bus to another bus or train. Anyways I recently had the chance to go back to STC and thankfully the same little stand was still there with the mustache owner. Beef patties are now $2.50 and as always are handed to you nice and warm in a white paper bag. Despite the subway now being gone, I’m glad that I can still get my beef patty at STC.

Scarborough Town Centre: https://scarboroughtowncentre.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/61taH9awYOQ

Nike SB Dunk Low Black Gum

Well, I have to confess something. I haven’t bought a new pair of Nike SB dunks in a long time. It’s not because I don’t like them anymore, or that I quit collecting. Rather it’s because I hated the maze you had to go through in order to buy a pair. I’m in Canada, so people from outside of the United States will understand our struggle. Where certain sneakers don’t release in our region and so we end up having to buy them from an American online website (reseller sneaker price, shipping, import fees, US dollar exchange rate = a lot more than I’m willing to pay). And even the shoes that do release in Canada often sellout within minutes in limited quantities. So after taking a significant amount of L’s, I decided to just stop following the new releases and wear the sneakers that I already had. However I ran into a problem with that as well, where most of my SB collection had risen in value and so I just couldn’t bear wearing anything worth over $300 and above.

So fast forward to this year (2023) and I suddenly wanted to start wearing dunks again, after collecting Adidas sneakers that past few years. While most issues hadn’t changed as far as SB dunks selling out quickly, thankfully Nike was releasing a couple of dunks that were meant to stay constantly available at retail; the Black Gums and White Gums. There is some history towards these sneakers which I don’t care to explain, but I will say that I bought the black gums this summer. As soon as I bought them I was immediately reminded about why I fell in love with SB’s; the quality, the comfort and the style. My only complaints about this release is that the nubuck will get dirty when water touches it, and that they fit a little snug (so I recommend you go up half a size in these). Other than that, these are the perfect sneakers for anyone that wants to wear SB’s and can buy them at retail without any stress.

Nike SB: www.nikesb.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_AdUSaREog

McDonald's Fries and Gravy

McDonald's gravy is something I have slept on for many years (maybe even decades). I knew McDonald's in Canada had sold poutine for years, but I totally never thought of just getting gravy with my fries. I’m in Toronto and fries with gravy, aka fries and gravy is a staple in Toronto food. I can remember as far back as the late 80’s eating it at my local food joint. It was definitely around before the big poutine craze hit Canada in the mid 90’s. But anyways, this summer I was thinking about fries and gravy when I wondered if I could also get them at McDonald's (who has the best fries). So I went to my local  McDonald's and causally asked for some gravy and to my surprise they not only had it, but had been selling it for years.  The gravy cost $0.79, and it tastes really good.  Now that I’ve had McDonald's fries and gravy, I don’t think I can go back to just regular fries.

McDonald's: www.mcdonalds.ca

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_46TlsD_II

Starbucks Red Cup Day 2023

Here’s the official Starbucks Red Cup Day 2023.  You get this plastic reusable holiday cup for free when you buy a Starbuck’s holiday drink.

Starbucks: www.starbucks.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOoK_CGiLek

Nike SB Dunk Reese Forbes Hunter

These Nike SB Hunters were one of my first SB dunks I owned.  I remember my friend from work had taken the day off from work and then he suddenly showed up to say hello at the end of the day.  He was going to some event and had shown up casually wearing these shoes.  My mind exploded when I saw these shoes on him because I had never seen something so beautiful as these.  I asked him where he bought them, and then I went to the same store to buy them.  What a great time period to be into sneakers, as a hot release could literally stay on the shelves for weeks before selling out and retail was under $120!

My only regret now is that they feel very tight and I should have gone up a half size when I bought them.  Or maybe I’m just getting older and fatter and my feet just swell up, lol.  Honestly though these shoes are amazing because of the mix of materials such as canvas and burlap.  And although they do seem fragile, the quality is very good because I have seen people skate in them and they held up pretty well, though they are old now (released in 2004) so I don’t recommend skating in them now, lol.

Nike SB: https://www.nikesb.com/the-vault/pink-box/hunter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-NiQlyKd-Y

Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Glow in the Dark Keychain My Nintendo Rewards

To celebrate the release of the Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, the My Nintendo rewards store offered this beautiful glow in the dark keychain for 550 points.  It’s soft and made out of rubber or vinyl and it has a lot of details on it.  I really love stuff like this, and I always try to collect everything Zelda on the store.  If only shipping was free, lol.

My Nintendo Rewards: https://my.nintendo.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuAR5A7vv3U

Levi’s Denim Trucker Jacket, Jean Jacket

I bought this Levi’s jean jacket because I had to finally retire my well worn Roots jean jacket that had served me for years.  I was excited to buy a Levi’s jacket because it was so iconic.  Unfortunately the sizing on this jacket is pretty terrible.  I literally had to try on 20 different jackets (same style), until I found one that I felt comfortable in.  My biggest problem was how they’re cut, mostly around the shoulders and biceps they felt really tight.  I like my jackets to fit loose because I wear a lot of sweater hoodies in the winter.

Thankfully I finally found this jacket, though it is a little loose on the waist (I’m sure after the first wash it will shrink a bit).  Besides the fit, there’s really nothing else wrong with this jacket.  I bought it in a darker blue jean colour, so it really looks nice when I wear it with a pair of khaki pants and a black or white t shirt.  I especially love how the simple but iconic red tag pops as well.  For now, I am loving this jacket and I hope that it lasts me just as long as my former Roots jean jacket had lasted.

Levi’s: www.levi.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ha_RFWefnI

The Perfect Blue Jays Fitted

 

Sometime around 2021 (I think), right after the lockdown I bought this Blue Jays fitted hat.  I remember thinking it was so perfect because it had almost everything I want in a New Era fitted hat: Blue Jays logo, grey under visor, wool material, regular MLB batterman logo, and a great hat shape.  Of course if I were picky I could also say it should have been made in USA, nevertheless it’s still a great hat for contemporary times.  Unfortunately I was only able to find two hats; despite searching the style code online and in other stores.  To this day though my favorite hat has been the New Era “Heritage Series Fitted Hat”, which I own only 1 hat of, so owning two of this version isn’t bad.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaYQDLDyEik