A castle from fairy tale

This is a slide show I made with Proshow 3.0 based on the photos I took on my trip to Germany in 2004. Those two arial views are not mine though.

The other version with much better quality is on this page. When you open it, your browser will ask you to install an add-on called "Proshow Presenter". Please say 'yes'.

Cute little girl

I found these two photos on rolia.net.

Without doubt, the photographer's technique was superb. But what interested me most is the expression and gestures of this little girl: she looks like giving a speech for election campaign!

Actually, I am always fond of small kids (only cute ones, actually). Yesterday, when we were having dinner in a restauant, I spotted another adorable little girl at table next to us. If I were a lady, I would have extended my arm to pat her when she passed our table in her dad's arms. But as a guy, I could not do that, otherwise I would very likely be treated as a pedophile. That is the reality in today's Canada.

What a shame!

My dream house is gone!

OK, it's not exactly a "dream" house, it's just a moderate townhome without any luxuary features like a swimming pool or a 360 degree sunroom. But it's ideal for our life style.

It is called "Lorraine Park", a new townhouse development by Zamani homes.


LOCATION: about 700 meters west of Yonge/Finch, virtually the geographic center of GTA, which means a fair driving distance to our current or future workplaces, wherever they are or will be. It also means it is easy for our friends to visit. Unlike Markham or Richamond Hill, where mainstream straight couples with kids and dogs are living "happily ever after" so that a gay couple like us would feel misplaced and bored, this location is close to the condo "forest" of North York center with tons of hippy residents. The neibourhood is also safe, mature, close to subway, shopping and dining. The unit I was eying is in the south block. With the north block as a noise screen, it should be fairly quiet at night.

SIZE: around 1700 sqft with three bedrooms and two and half washrooms (click on the layout for a bigger picture). I don't like big houses because housekeeping workload is proportinal to the house size. Besides, you have to spend a fortune to fill up all the rooms, otherwise, those rooms without enough funiture or decor only make the house cold and lifeless. Afte all, we are a two-guy household. Even when his or my parents come over for a stay, three-bedroom is still big enough.

FRONT/BACKYARD: It doesn't have a front yard but has a small backyard. Ideal for us, who enjoy some green space but do not have a green thumb.

ORIENTATION: The garage and main entrance facing north, and the living room and backyard facing south. Perfect orientation to get sunshine all year around.

LAYOUT: 90% the townhouses I've seen have a long and narrow layout, but this one is different: it is wider and shorter (i.e. more square-like). It is so rare that it becomes the biggest selling point to me.

STORIES: In high-demanding neighbourhood of Toronto, almost all the new town-houses have 4 stories (including basement), but I don't like the idea of using a walkie talkie when K is at 4th floor and I am at the 1st floor. So when I saw this 3 story house with no daily-used room on the lowest floor, it melted my heart right away.

GARAGE: double garage, good for us because we have two cars.

EXTERIORS: Although the south block is quite plain-looking, the north block is designed with Georgian windows and Juliet balconies, which make this small community very elegant and attractive.

AGE: it is a new development.....so it will be brand new!

The billboard of development had been standing on the site for more than two years, and finally it was released (so-called grand opening) last weekend. When I rushed to the sales center Saturday afternoon, the first thing I knew was that all the units on south block have been sold. But out of curiosity, I insisted to get the price.

"About 610K ...", the lady said with a gentle voice.

$610,000 for a 1700 sqft townhouse?! and already SOLD OUT?!

Where those rich people come from?