R2-D2 Papercraft

The R2-D2 papercraft has been one of the most intimidating papercrafts that I have done to date. Although the template only takes up three pages, what seems difficult is all the cutting and gluing that is required to finish it. But if you take your time like I did, eventually it all comes out pretty smoothly. For this project I decided to use special tools that I borrowed from a manicure set. In this case I used small scissors to cut little tiny details (the zig-zag areas), a nail file to press down on areas that needed to be bent in a straight line, a nail cuticle tool to paint on the glue, and some eyebrow tweezers to glue small pieces together.

I also used a pen filter which I wrapped masking tape around so that I could glue paper parts that were circular. This project took me about a week on and off, and the cutting was what was most time consuming. Advice that I would give anyone that wants to do this papercraft is to print out two copies of the template so you can have one as a guide line along the way because this is a pretty confusing project. My only complaint about this template is that it doesn’t come with English instructions, but the pictures more than make up for it along the way. I think this is one of the best papercrafts you can find online and it being part of Star Wars makes it a 10 out of 10 in my opinion.

Link to the template:

http://chomikuj.pl/Dareczek86/Papercraft+(.pdo+.pdf+.jpg)/Star+Wars+-+R2D2+(.pdf)+(3)

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smrhiPsq55A

The Next Great Novelist

“Hmmm…. what do I want to write about?” Yup, if you’ve said that before you can relate to what I’m talking about. There comes a point when we’ve thought we could write a book, only to end up thinking maybe next year will be better. You rationalize (procrastinate) that you need more life experience before you get a clear idea of what you want to write. So that great novel that you know will turn the literary world upside down gets pushed back or maybe never gets published. The truth is that just like any contest, you can’t win if you don’t enter; so it’s important that you at least get your ideas on paper. But despite having the tenacity to write your novel, there are also other impediments that can prevent you from actualizing your book. With so many publishing houses going bankrupt, it’s getting harder and harder to publish a book.

Yet despite this fact, any jerk off the street will tell you that if you really want people to read your work then you might as well get a blog. But of course that’s not the same as having a piece of your creation in your hands or in the hands of others. Luckily there are places that can help you with this problem. Lulu.com is a great website that will not only publish your ideas, but will also make them available for other people to purchase on Amazon.com. The best part is that it’s all free for you, since only people that want your book will have to pay. Translation; you, yourself, your mom, dad, sister, best friend growing up, spouse; heck all your kin and kith. On the website you get to pick what type of cover, text, pictures, and price you want for your book. There are also great forums with friendly people that can help you along the way. So if you’ve always wanted to publish a book of your writing, then this website is for you. As for my book, uhm… well I’m planning to start it next year as soon as I get more life experience.

Lulu:

http://www.lulu.com

Taste of the Danforth

This weekend Toronto celebrated its annual Taste of the Danforth, a Greek themed festival that is on the Danforth (a street that is mostly populated by the Greek community).  This year the Taste of the Danforth was sponsored by Pilaros and ran from August 6^th to 8th 2010.  Every year this festival attracts thousands of people to come and enjoy Greek culture by listening to live music and enjoying delicious food.  With every year this festival has grown and has become more diverse by including other cultures as well such Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Americana (hamburgers), Italian, and others.

My favorite part of the Taste of the Danforth with no surprise is the food.  My mouth always waters when I think of the day I will finally be able to eat a chicken souvlaki on a pita with tomatoes, onions, and extra tzatziki (you lika da juice?).  Other delicious foods to try out as well are the gyros, calamari, Spanish paella, fresh oysters, and ribs (the list can go on and on).  For desert you must try the baklava, Galactoboureko, Karidopitta, and then wash it all down with freshly made lemonade.

As for the price of most foods, they’re pretty average not too expensive but also not a great deal.  Almost all souvlaki pitas were around $5, meat on a stick was $3, pop cans a $1, and corn on the cob $3.  A couple of hours roaming around the Danforth and eating can really burn a hole in your wallet.  Still the chance to enjoy a beautiful summer’s day in Toronto while eating amazing food and enjoying such a peaceful and friendly atmosphere is worth every penny.  This is the reason why I keep coming back every year.

The Taste of the Danforth:
http://www.tasteofthedanforth.com/tasteofthedanforth.php

Island Way Sorbet

It’s the middle of summer here in Canada and what better way to enjoy the days than with some great ice cream.  This year I am smitten with Island Way Sorbet, an ice cream or rather a sorbet that is made with fruit flavours and comes in a fruit shell.  The box I bought was purchased at CostCo and comes with 4 different flavours.  You can also buy the sorbet individually at certain malls that carry their carts, but they are a little more expensive.

The flavors included in my box are 3 Mango Orange (in an orange skin shell), 3 Lemon (lemon skin shell), 2 Pineapple (pineapple shell), and 2 Piña Colada (coconut shell).  Other flavours that Island Way sorbet comes in are Passion-Orange, Heavenly Coconut, Green Apple, and Delicious Red Apple.  Although the sorbet isn’t diet food, it is still lighter (more than half) than most fatty ice cream you can find at a supermarket.

So it’s pretty much guilt-free ice cream.  My favorite flavour out of the 4 would have to be the pineapple because it is so creamy and yet hits you with this sweet pineapple taste.  I also love how when you’re done eating it, you’re left with this empty pineapple shell and not some Styrofoam cup that you can’t recycle.  This is a wonderful treat if you’re looking to cool down this summer (or at anytime), and I recommend you try it out when you see it.

Island Way Sorbet:

http://www.islandwaysorbet.com

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2agcqM3Sszg