A Trip Down Memory Lane

This past weekend, I went to Carleton Place, the place where I first fell in love with the idea of daytripping after I had spent the day there with a good friend of mine, shopping for her wedding dress. So I decided to go back for a visit, and take a trip down memory lane, so-to-speak.

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Feature: Inn-Side The Wakefield Mill Inn

Nestled in the Gatineau Hills just north of Ottawa, lies the village of Wakefield, which is my destination today. I’m on a mission to find a popular, local inn, but to my chagrin, I’ve learned that I have the added stress of trying to beat the forecasted snowstorm just announced on the car radio: a whopping 20-25 centimetres beginning any minute. I try not to panic and keep my eyes peeled on the traffic signs, as I lament that I’m probably the only person alive without the modern driving convenience of a GPS.

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Check Out Chelsea for a Daytripping Stop

Dear readers, My daytripping went a lot better for me this past weekend and I'm pleased to announce that my anger-management coping skills have kicked in, Thank God!Remember the last blog post on Almonte? We can't have a hot-head blogging, Lord knows what I might pound out on the keyboard next!

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First Date Blunders, Pick-Up Faux Pas and Cautionary Tales From the Dating World

I’m sure we can all agree that venturing into the dating world can sometimes feel like entering the Twilight Zone. We’ve all tried to navigate it at one time or another, and everyone undoubtedly has a horror story to share; some even have physical and emotional battle scars. These experiences can leave many frustrated, discouraged and leery of ever dating again. But don’t worry, you are not alone. Let me recount a few harrowing stories of my own which will surely make your own trials pale by comparison.

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Underwhelmed in Almonte Ontario

During the student break, I visited Almonte, a small town located twenty minutes west of Kanata; however, I must admit, I was somewhat disappointed by it. What initially sparked my interest was the fact that there was a Mexican connection. The town was named after Juan Almonte, a Mexican General who was noted for his bravery in the 1830’s during border wars with the U.S. I happen to have an affinity towards Mexico as I had lived there for two years, so I thought I’d give it a try. I also learned that the true, original Spanish pronunciation of Almonte would have been Almonté, as in OLÉ! OLÉ!

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Merrickville Merits a Visit

A very enthusiastic TWO THUMBS UP for Merrickville, a cozy little village located forty minutes southwest of Ottawa, and a place where I had the chance to spend last Sunday afternoon. As I had read that it boasts the title of Canada’s Prettiest Village, I decided to give it a try, making it the first stop of my OFFICIAL winter daytripping tour and indeed, it lived up to its title.

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Let's Hit the Road!

It can do wonders for your winter blahs (for a few days, anyway) and the change of scenery will make it feel like a mini-getaway. This can undoubtedly rejuvenate your senses, and re-spark your joie de vivre, which, if you’re like me, has probably gone dormant after the Christmas holidays (or after the Christmas bills arrived in the mail, in my case).

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Review: Absolute Comedy is Absolute Hilarity

A guaranteed fun-filled evening-including dinner and live entertainment can be found at Ottawa’s Absolute Comedy Club, which showcases both local and national comedic talent on a nightly basis. It’s a different, yet entertaining diversion for those who are weary of the usual "movie-night-followed-by-a-dinner" routine as this change of venue guarantees you some degree of comic relief (if one comedian doesn’t strike you as particularly funny, the next one undoubtedly will).

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