I'll be the first to admit, I'm not much of an outdoors-woman...but if I were, I'd probably steer clear of these guys - then again, they seem like a complete riot so perhaps I should be paying attention to their camping quips.

Bass Akwardz by local Toronto Creator/Producer Kris King, is a comedic look at wilderness survival through the eyes of a nutty crew called The Bass Akwardz Society. Together they have come up with a kind of "Camping for Dummies" series that explores the Canadian Wilderness while an animated and very French Canadian bass heckles their every move.

I had only come across two small samples of her paintings and I was immediately intrigued. Upon finding out that she was having a show in the neighbourhood, I was excited to see the rest of her work--especially because I am already a proud owner of one of her pieces...well, three really...but they're all matchy-matchy like.

Jen Faria's show called "Fair & Square" that is now showing at the newest location of Tequila Bookworm is a compilation of her latest work consisting of art painted on oddly enough...SQUARE canvases.

When I heard Studio 54's version of "If You Could Read My Mind, Love" I wandered out into my livingroom breaking away from my ritual make-up regime to see the most bizarre and creative puppets dancing and singing for Kevin and Dina on Breakfast Television.

After watching in awe, as soon as the info was given I wrote it down as quickly as possible and then jumped on the internet to link to the Diesel Playhouse where I quickly found everything I needed to know about Cabaret U-Mano.

A few months back during a laundry session, I decided to take a walk. Venturing east on Dundas Street West, across from Trinity Bellwoods Park I came across probably THEE best named hair salon in Toronto, Grateful Head. As I walked past the salon, I peered in to see the sitch...exposed brick, crazy paintings on the wall but alas I was a late launderer and had come upon the place after hours. Regardless of that fact, I had immediately decided that this place was to become my new hair salon, solely based on their name. I mean, how could I not? Grateful Head? So. Many. Jokes. Brain. Exploding!

A couple weeks later, I made the call. Cut and dye with Lisa.

Upon my arrival, I went into Grateful Head with some serious Rock N' Roll expectations. Needless to say, what I wanted is what I got.

After chit chatting with my stylist, I realized that Lisa is the owner of Grateful Head and obviously very much a Deadhead. Dressed in rocker tees and admitting that she'll only hire stylists that play an instrument, she is indeed dedicated to the lifestyle. Lisa herself is involved with a band, as are many of the staff there. There is even a jam space below that is used after hours. Even more than that, they have "Rock and Roll Mondays" in which Lisa and one of her coworkers crank the rock and roll and cut hair at student-y prices (inquire within).

Because my new 'do was quite the process, it required two phases.

Phase One: A sweet "rockery" cut and then part of the dye (extreme blonde & black action).
(put hair on a break for a couple of weeks)
Phase Two: Complete rest of blonde and add in MORE black for that extra RAWK.

The cool thing about the two phases, is that Lisa didn't charge me for the 2nd phase. I realize that a lot of hair salons offer this if they want to "finish" your look on the 2nd visit, but most accept a little bit of money/tip--but she wouldn't take a thing. That is my idea of professionalism and having passion for your work.

So if you're in the Dundas/Trinity Bellwoods area, and need a new 'do, I suggest getting a little Grateful Head. Great staff, great chats and seeing as I went in for just the name and came out with a fabulous look...nobody's head is more grateful than mine.

Grateful Head Collective Salon
1006 Dundas St. West - Toronto
416.915.HEAD (4323)

Thank Gawd for the review in the Globe and Mail. For a second there I thought I was only one to be completely thrown off by the writing of "Descent" by Tom Walmsley( it's a shame the G&M link is a subscriber read). I would never claim myself to be a theatre maven by any stretch of the word, but last week I wasn't expecting what was "thrown up" at me.

Playing at The Passe Muraille Theatre, Descent really wasn't worth the 25 dollars I paid to sit in the small, fairly empty theatre. I had high hopes for the play, and finding out that it was about sex, booze and infidelity I was totally digging the idea of a good night of laughs. Pssshhhhh...ummm, riiiight.

Susan (played by Deborah Hay) starts the show with a rather cheeky song about wanting to get married and have the stereotypical Leave it to Beaver squeaky clean family but as we soon find out, her upcoming life is anything but. Having the scene start with a song would lead you to believe that this was going to be a musical of sorts. But guess what folks? Nada. Not one more song. Not a bar, nor a beat, not even a stanza.

I'm not even kidding you, the timing on this one is perfect. Just a little over a week ago, one of my good friends dressed up as a Super Hero for Halloween. Not just any Super Hero, but a Super Hero based on one of her crazy alter egos. Later on in the night, I met another one of her Super Hero friends-he too was quite the character. This got me to thinking...I'm SO having a Super Hero party.

I recently passed by a bus shelter only to see that The Ontario Science Centre is showing a Marvel Super Heroes Science Exhibition. Curious, I decided to check it out on the web. Seriously, I think I'm going to go! Being one to enhance my stories with verbal sound effects, I'm totally stoked to check out the comic book soundtrack section where you can learn all about how comic book artists make sound effects jump off the page. For those that want to to BE a Super Hero, there is that option as well. Take your photo, play around on a drawing table, and before you know it, you'll be on the cover of your own comic.