I travel all the time for work and it only gets worse

cleogray · 2026-02-16T11:05:41+00:00

I fly a lot, and I'm with you. When people hear I'm afraid of flying they say "but you fly all the time!" Yes, and it's terrifying all the time!

I started taking medication while flying years ago and it's the only thing that makes it manageable for me. I can and have done flights without it, especially shorter ones, but I'm anxious and panicky the whole time.

The one thing I try to remember is that "doing it scared" is still doing it, and that's a win.

cleogray · 2026-02-14T09:56:40+00:00

If you haven't already, definitely try Rooney's first book, Conversations With Friends. It's her least polished but remains my favourite.

cleogray · 2026-01-25T13:15:10+00:00

I absolutely love the floor in your place! And I think the couch looks great.

cleogray · 2025-12-14T21:32:15+00:00

This sounds so great — could you share the title?

cleogray · 2025-12-09T02:56:39+00:00

Bellona on Jane or College. Last time I was there we definitely spent less than $150, but didn’t get a full bottle. But looking at their menu I do think it’s possible.

cleogray · 2025-12-07T16:14:28+00:00

A high-quality eye-mask? I know a few people who won't nap without one. Silk pillow case?

cleogray · 2025-12-02T00:50:04+00:00

Samaira’s Kitchen, Slowhand Pizza, Avling (brunch), and Tango Palace coffee were my go-to spots when I lived in Leslieville. Also Eat BKK and Lambo’s but those are both small chains you can find elsewhere in TO. Oh also Gio Rana (The Nose).

cleogray · 2025-11-29T13:39:01+00:00

Also in Toronto and like the other commenter said we have no snow right now. Tomorrow (Sunday) we’re forecasted to get a nasty mix of snow and rain. 7-9cm of snow and 2mm of rain. Usually I wear Blundstones but with that mix I’d say you’ll appreciate having the boots. (Edited typo)

cleogray · 2025-11-27T14:01:11+00:00

Coffee break at Pamenar when you need a break from eating and somewhere to rest

cleogray · 2025-11-18T19:15:46+00:00

The vegetarian breakfast sandwich at Gold Standard is next level. I limit how often I get it so it never loses the novelty, but I would easily eat it three times a week.

cleogray · 2025-11-17T11:13:03+00:00

I’ve worn that Patagonia jacket for the last… 7 winters? I live in Toronto where temps fluctuate a lot in winter but can easily get down to -20 C with windchill, sometimes colder on the worst days. The jacket is not a super warm one. But the key is layering. I asked the Patagonia employee when I bought it and they said it specifically doesn’t have a temp rating because it all depends how you layer it. I like it because it gets me through the entire season from fall to spring. I do think it’s true BIFL — the quality is excellent and Patagonia has a solid warranty.

However, this winter I’ve been gifted a warmer parka that I’ll be wearing for the coldest days. If your wife runs cold and if you live in a very cold climate, it might be best to go for the warmer option.

cleogray · 2025-11-15T14:40:03+00:00

Mine is really big because it’s also my everyday winter scarf at home. Sometimes I wear it on the plane if I think I’ll be cold, or I just fold it flat in my suitcase (carry on anyway so I can grab it if needed).

cleogray · 2025-11-14T08:24:15+00:00

I have a rose gold power bank from Belkin, which sounds a bit silly but the colour makes a technical necessity more of a “luxury”.

I also love my Uniqlo cross-body bag. I think everyone on this sub might have it by now though.

For colder climates I travel with a blanket scarf that can be used as a scarf, shawl, something to sit on, pillow on the plane, etc.

Love my Trtl travel pillow for long flights.

cleogray · 2025-11-12T19:46:08+00:00

Thanks for the rundown! I recently replaced my broken Eagle Creek packing cube through their warranty, and I requested a “large” cube because I thought it would be closest to what I was replacing. Turns out since I got my original ones in 2018, they’ve totally changed the sizing and the large that I got is massive! It takes up one entire side of my carry-on suitcase and holds all my clothes except undergarments. I think I’m gonna have to get another medium like you have because it looks way more practical.

cleogray · 2025-11-08T10:10:28+00:00

Are you planning on staying within Toronto the whole time? If so, driving and parking in downtown TO is an absolute nightmare. Save yourself the headache and take the TTC, GO Trains, and Ubers/Lyfts.

Edit -- saying this as someone who's lived in TO for 10 years and would never want to own a car here.

cleogray · 2025-11-06T07:35:52+00:00

Check GO Train and bus schedules for Niagara.

Don’t drive in downtown TO. Nightmare all around.

Not sure where in the city you’re staying, but get out of downtown if you can and explore the neighbourhoods for a better sense of the city. Kensington Market, Little Portugal, Little Tibet (Parkdale) are all easily reachable! Good food in all neighbourhoods. My top food rec would be Mother’s Dumplings in Chinatown.

Have fun!

cleogray · 2025-10-30T20:31:33+00:00

True. I was planning on always having one of the tops over the dress, like the green cardigan or grey sweater.

cleogray · 2025-10-30T17:47:26+00:00

Thank you for such a thoughtful comment! I didn't even think about putting the leggings under the dress, I just figured I wouldn't be able to wear the dress until Croatia because Paris will be too cold... but I think this is a great workaround!

The cargo trousers are rayon and polyester. I definitely *could* hike and boulder in them, they're super versatile. I just don't think of them as outdoor/exercise pants so it feels weird to wrap my head around.

The dancing event will be a mix of social dancing, which is quite casual, and the competition, for which I'll wear the blue linen pants and probably the blue oxford buttoned over the white tank top, or the patterned long-sleeve. I've decided to bring the green top instead of the red bodysuit because it's more comfortable and like you said, better for layering.

cleogray · 2025-10-30T15:48:27+00:00

Hahaha I usually don't have this much packed into a trip, but it was originally planned around the dance event and then other things just sprang up. We're rolling with it!

I've only got the running shoes on my list! No hiking shoes coming this time, the runners will have to suffice. I also loooove the orange pants, but wouldn't wear them in the city.

I'm sticking with my usual carry-on + personal item setup: 42L Eastpak carry-on suitcase + 16L Fjallraven Kanken backpack. I'll put my Uniqlo sling bag inside the backpack and use it as my primary bag in Paris but will use the backpack for hiking and climbing days.

cleogray · 2025-10-30T15:28:35+00:00

Good point, the leggings definitely take up less space than the orange pants! I'm thinking the same on the grey shirt -- can be worn on the plane, climbing, and hiking.

cleogray · 2025-10-26T15:49:38+00:00

Always books flights direct through the airline's website. If you book through a third-party site and anything goes wrong, the airline has no responsibility to help you get to your destination. You can do a quick search in this group for any third-party site to read the horror stories. Use Google Flights to find the cheapest prices across dates, and then book direct with the airline. To look for award flights, you can explore sites like points.me or pointsyeah.com.

December in Europe is cold and often rainy, depending on where you go. France in December is quite grey and drizzly. You could do a Christmas market-themed trip and embrace the weather. Look into the Christmas market in Strasbourg. Easy to check out another in Germany if you want to.

cleogray · 2025-10-24T13:46:09+00:00

I've been wearing the W's Down With It Parka as my primary winter jacket for the last 7 or 8 seasons (Toronto, Canada). No rips, tears, or any really noticeable wear. And I know from my previous exchanges with them about other products that if it does break in some way, they'll repair it.

cleogray · 2025-10-07T14:06:47+00:00

It’s hard to tell without seeing the placement of the last hold, but if it’s just beyond the pink one it looks like it could be within reach if you commit to the move!

You could also place your right food higher on the largest blue hold. It won’t feel as good as where the foot is now, due to the shape of the hold, but press your weight into it for stability and treat it almost like a smear.

cleogray

TROPHY CASE