100-Mile Challenge

So, here I am sitting in my computer room, blanket on, hood up...cold. I wish the weather was as nice as the reflection through the windows make it seem. I tried. I took my fluffy slippers and my book and sat on my front balcony...for 3 minutes. No sun was warming me through the chill. There was no hope for me, cold-thin-blooded old me.

My days have been pretty empty lately. I keep myself busy (not with work, mind you...) but empty in the sense of purposeless, obviously. Filled instead with baking and cleaning and reading (I'm currently lost in The Forgotten Garden...check it out) and playing my recently re-purchased Nintendo 64. (Don't lie, you know its the best system ever) I feel like I have all the desire in the world to start building my future, but when push comes to shove, my laziness wins and I'm stuck in front of my newest flea market film purchase, a new episode of one of my many reality-show addictions, or with my book in my hand and my mind in another world.

So as a tool of self-motivation, I have given myself a goal. Unlike most of my recent un-attempted goals, this one I am declaring out loud, in print, so I have no excuse to not fulfill it (since my pride would suffer too much of a blow). I've decided, as a loyal and life-time citizen of Vaughan, I have failed to give it the credit it truly deserves. My knowledge of our wonderful little community falls short when it comes to being in tune to local events, home-town talent, or even where to find the city's greatest slice of pizza. Vaughan is definitely a city in the GTA to be rivaled. Yet, even with so much at our fingertips we always reach further. Nights out locally are hardly given any credit, real celebrations are always saved for downtown venues. Why? Trust me, I am no one to talk. My daily visits to Toronto.com have made me quite a budding expert at the downtown scene...I am definitely one to book everyone of my birthdays somewhere south east of our border. But I think a lot of our lack of appreciation stems only from a lack of knowledge. There is much to love about our town. Much to do and much to be proud of. If there is one place that can disprove that big city lights are the only ones that could possibly shine on success, it is Vaughan. We should proudly claim our citizenship. We should be able to argue to the contrary when people diss suburbia. So, my goal is to help us citizen's of Vaughan do just that. I intend, in my blogs, to profile local hot stops, tasty restaurants, new and old hang outs, young talent, accomplished members of our city and bring them to the forefront, give them a little credit where credit is due.

So I am accepting any and all suggestions. What makes you proud to call this city your home? What do you miss most when you're away? What place gives you comfort when it is needed the most? Where do you go for a great night out, when you need mental relief but don't need a traffic jam or a lengthy subway ride? Where do you get your best morning espresso, buy you freshest and favorite loaf of bread, have your best workout? What contributes most to your routine, the one that is a part of your every-day, not just your week-ends, that makes it just a little less monotonous, a little more enjoyable?

Post your suggestions! Now is the time more than ever. Seriously, suburban lifestyle is hot. A sixth successful season of Desperate Housewives is testament to that. So is are all the Real Housewives. The Hills and The City wouldn't even exist if there was no Orange County and you'd be lying if you said you didn't find Jersey Shore even a little bit entertaining. Let's put Vaughan on the map. (or at least make googling local resto-reviews a bit easier and informative) Maybe you can even be the next Snookie...or Brody Jenner...