Sometimes when I've had nothing to do, I would lounge around on a couch (back when I had one), for an undetermined amount of time, and just... not care. Everyone loves that once in a while.

But imagine that you HAD to sit on the couch... with three of your friends, for a reeeeally loooong time...

Welcome to Couchathon, a webcast charity event being put on by local sketch troupe The Imponderables via Rocket Ace Moving Pictures on Thursday morning. And it's right on your computer, so you don't have to go out in the cold!

Last Wednesday evening around 7pm, passengers on the 165 Weston Rd North bus didn't think much about the driver stopping at Finch Ave near Tim Hortons. Drivers do this often - stepping out for a coffee break if they're ahead of schedule isn't a big deal. But it is when the driver doesn't return.

Out of the hundreds of things that happen every year around Halloween in Toronto, my favourite attractions have been, and always will be, haunted houses. No two are ever the same, and they never fail to entertain. Even though I absolutely hate it when people jump out at me, the anticipation is always the worst and I end up laughing at myself. Or swearing under my breath. It varies.

After working at a haunted house last year, I've become slightly infatuated with the whole idea, and think they're far too underrated. This year there's quite a few major haunts I plan to check out over the next month.

Out of the hundreds of things that happen every year around Halloween, my favourite attractions have been, and always will be, haunted houses in the Toronto area. No two are ever the same, and they never fail to entertain. Even though I absolutely HATE it when people jump out at me (but then I love it later), the anticipation is always the worst and I end up laughing at myself. Or swearing under my breath. It varies.

After working at a haunted house last year, I've become slightly infatuated with the whole idea, and think they're far too underrated. This year there are quite a few major haunts that you should definitely check out during the next month if you have the nerve.

Bands throw together side projects every other day. Sometimes they have staying power...sometimes they don't. Stephan Lacasse and Eric Boucher (lead vocalists for Latefallen and Jar repectively) recently formed the acoustic spinoff "The Clearing"... somewhere in between touring, writing, recording, and shooting videos.

Both residing in Roncesvalles Village, and pretty much across the street from eachother, neither Stephan nor Eric are new to the music business. With several years of experience under their belts, both bands have played regularly in Toronto and all over Canada with no signs of stopping. Coming together in this new project to croon about love, loss, and everything in between, their sound is solid, smooth, and romantic. You'd never guess that weeks prior they were screaming and thrashing around on stage in front of hundreds of excited rock fans.

I grabbed Stephan and Eric for a quick chat about their joint project.

I don't mean to brag, but I live in a pretty sweet neighbourhood. I'm right between Yorkville and the Annex, just off Bloor St. West. The generations-old homes are beautiful, the park down the street is clean and bright (and there's a water fountain, +50 points), the community consists of mainly college students and families, and I'm just a short walk from dozens of shops, restaurants, and - wait a minute.

What happened to that cute little pita place on the corner? Why can't I go and buy incence or some other meaningless crap I don't necessarily need but still very much enjoy? What are these giant barriers? They say, "ONE BEDFORD AT BLOOR", and there's a picture of...

Oh, no...no, it can't be.