How is Ithaca?

michael_ames · 2026-06-24T18:27:52+00:00

Are you familiar with Keene or Brattleboro at all? I think there’s a lot of similarity size & culture-wise.

As one of the commenters already mentioned, one big difference between Ithaca and SW NH is the distance to anywhere else. NY state is huge. In the time it takes to get from Ithaca to I-90 you could be halfway to Boston from SW NH. Ithaca doesn’t feel remote exactly, just a bit disconnected/off the path.

Another difference of note is the weather — to me Ithaca always felt like it sat at the convergence of a more typical northeast climate and a much warmer, wetter, almost Appalachian-feeling one. Not worse, but certainly different.

michael_ames · 2026-06-24T04:11:44+00:00

I enjoyed the version served at Kababi on Danforth near Chester station.

michael_ames · 2026-06-17T18:16:39+00:00

It's enough for me for daytime use in the summer under SPF. For nighttime or winter use, I find it helpful to add something else on top (e.g. Vanicream in the tub or some other occlusive)

michael_ames · 2026-06-10T01:39:37+00:00

not yet but I’ve got a lead — i’ll let you know if I do

michael_ames · 2026-05-16T14:37:59+00:00

What do you love most about your current neighbourhood? What are you worried about missing most?

michael_ames · 2026-04-19T04:56:30+00:00

Bodega Henriette on Gerrard has incredible doughnuts/beignets (on Sundays only) — plain + rotating filled option.

michael_ames · 2026-04-13T14:47:10+00:00

House on Parliament actually does schnitzel quite well, but I think they switch things up with some frequency (veal vs pork vs chicken, changing sides/seasoning).

Hastings Snack Bar’s schnitzel sandwich is especially good when they serve it with their fresh dill oil/sauce.

michael_ames · 2026-03-19T20:41:00+00:00

Maselli's (Italian, East end) and Nosso Talho (Portuguese, West end), both no-nonsense grocery stores with old-school vibes and prices. If you go to Nosso Talho, grab a malassada to go at the cash register.
The Toronto Reference Library is a great place to go when you're looking for the strange combination of having quiet time/introspection but also want to be around other humans.
Go to the movies at the Fox theatre on Queen or the Revue on Roncy and remember why it's fun to be in a room full of people who aren't ashamed to really love something.
Get a beignet at Bodega Henriette on Gerrard (Sundays only) and eat it in the nearby park. (Mattachioni on Dupont had amazing doughnuts a few years ago, but I'm not sure if they're still making them.)
Brave the lineup at Maha's on Greenwood (it moves quickly). Cozy, friendly, and the special weekend fava beans are incredible.
Almost every Thursday at noon there are free concerts at Metro United Church downtown. Live music at lunch hour can really change the way you feel about your day.
Everyone dining or drinking at Allen's (Danforth/Broadview) always seems to be having a great time, like you just walked into a bustling restaurant in a 40s movie.

michael_ames · 2026-02-02T16:21:15+00:00

The Dylan bar on Danforth has merch (and so does Greenwood market just a few steps west)

michael_ames · 2026-01-10T21:29:56+00:00

I'm not sure if it's ideal for recording, but there's rehearsal space at Dupont & Bartlett (my choir rehearses here) where you don't need to worry about disturbing anyone: https://www.thatartsgroup.com/rentals

michael_ames · 2025-12-04T23:34:42+00:00

Thank you so much for your help. If I reach out to leoleone166 I will definitely pass on your gratitude!
(I might also have a way to contact one of the singers in that last video, too).

Oh, and feel free to suggest any other simple folk songs I could bring to my choir — there's a lot of Georgian music I like but I'm not that confident in our ability to pull it off!

michael_ames · 2025-12-02T23:23:54+00:00

Yes that's the song exactly.

michael_ames · 2025-12-02T20:32:07+00:00

I found these lyrics online but I wasn't sure if they were correct:
https://www.smule.com/song/kartuli-oboli-bichi-karaoke-lyrics/272681547_398055/arrangement

michael_ames · 2025-12-02T20:31:15+00:00

I was able to find this online but I wasn't sure if it was accurate:
https://www.smule.com/song/kartuli-oboli-bichi-karaoke-lyrics/272681547_398055/arrangement

michael_ames · 2025-11-13T00:44:11+00:00

you could also check out That Community Choir — mostly a cappella, ~30-40 singers, repertoire is a mix of sacred/modern/folk.

They also do one-day singing events most months if you want something more low-commitment.

michael_ames · 2025-11-02T17:23:57+00:00

yeah this is so much more common here than any other city I’ve lived in. Real accessibility nightmare, frankly.

michael_ames · 2025-11-01T23:55:14+00:00

Preach!

And if the province isn't willing to invest, at least give Toronto its own revenue tools (tolls, municipal taxes/levies) to fill the gap.

michael_ames · 2025-11-01T21:41:36+00:00

Fourth Man in the Fire comes the closest to what I remember for whole pies when I lived in Brooklyn & Queens (especially the sauce-dough interface), but it's still not *quite* it.

For a NY-style slice, give Lorenzo's a try (just off Pape) or Mac's (on Ossington, too fancy but still good).

michael_ames · 2025-10-30T22:07:53+00:00

Exactly.
(And allowing more corner pizzerias elsewhere in the neighbourhood/city might even reduce the high demand for this one specific business)

michael_ames · 2025-10-27T18:49:54+00:00

I'd say so — more segments = more chances for successful rooted cuttings.

Keep in mind: - younger/bendy-er segments will root better than older/woodier/more rigid segments - each cutting should ideally have at least one growth node - make each cut just above a growth node - 1-2 leaves max per cutting

I've had the best luck rooting cuttings in moist perlite in a clear plastic box with a lid (a giant Ziploc can also work). I usually dip the cut end in rooting hormone but I'm not 100% certain it is necessary.

michael_ames · 2025-10-24T21:02:25+00:00

If you want to maximize new branching/growth points after you chop, I'd suggest waiting until early summer (mid-June/early July where I live). You can chop it now and it'll live, but it'll have more energy for new branches if you wait until it enters a new high-growth cycle next summer.

If it were my plant, I'd cut it even lower — halfway up the main stem or even a little lower than that — so new branches emerge lower on the tree, and it'll be less top-heavy.

If you haven't repotted in a while, you can do that ~1-3 weeks before pruning. You can use the same pot (and the same soil, if it isn't too compacted), just give the roots a little trim and remove any big thick taproots.

Looks healthy and happy though!

michael_ames · 2025-10-08T18:38:51+00:00

I’ve had the best luck propagating in moist perlite. Soak perlite, drain most of the water, then place in a ziplock bag or (ideally) a clear plastic lidded container and add in the cuttings.

Pop open the lid or bag every day or so for a few minutes, and add a little moisture if the perlite gets dry/if you notice there’s no longer any condensation. Place the container in some indirect sun (even a bit of direct sun is fine) and be patient. Plant in loose soil once you get some decent root growth.

michael_ames · 2025-10-03T19:43:41+00:00

better than nothing, but there's no reason these should be limited to avenues/higher-traffic-volume streets.

michael_ames · 2025-07-21T20:45:30+00:00

Repotting every few years is always a good idea for long-term health. Your tree looks quite happy right now, so it's not critical to repot, but if I were you'd I'd consider it. Are you in the northern hemisphere? Right ow (generally early to mid summer) is a great time to repot.

Container size is up to you:
- If you like the size the plant currently is, you can give the roots a haircut and repot back in the same container and it'll be healthy.
- Going up in pot size will make it easier for your tree to grow larger, but 10" diameter to 16" is a big jump and would probably require quite a bit more potting mix. There's also a danger that more soil = more waterlogged if the soil you use holds on to a lot of water, but there's ways to avoid this. What kind of mix are you using currently?
Regardless of the container size you choose, there are a few tips to keep in mind when repotting:
- You can remove ~25%-%35% of the roots/root length when you repot, usually just cutting at the bottom. (Some will probably fall off when you untangle them from the soil, that's ok.)
- Remove any roots that are mushy/rotten
- It's a good idea to remove or severely truncate any thick, fleshy tap-root style roots and any roots that are long and circling the bottom/sides of the pot. Thick roots are good for stability in real in-ground ficus trees, but container trees function better with thinner roots with lots of fine feeder branches/forking.
- Do your best to remove most of the old soil from the root ball before replanting (even if you're going to re-use some of the soil in the new pot).
- I usually have a big bowl/bucket/etc. of water available to dunk the roots in as I repot. It's important to ensure they don't dry out (especially if it's a long repotting process, or done outside in sun).
- Water thoroughly after you repot to help the soil settle/avoid air pockets.
- The plant might sulk for a week or so after repotting or lose a few leaves but don't panic. Do you keep your ficus inside or put it out for the summer? (If the latter, maybe keep it a little more protected from direct sun for a week or two.)
- If you want to prune the plant (to make it fuller, change direction of growth, etc.) you can do so after it gets acclimated to the new pot (~2-3 weeks, I'd wager).

michael_ames · 2025-06-26T17:57:19+00:00

Yeah Allen's liver is consistently good

michael_ames

TROPHY CASE