Edward Brain's Blog

A Walk Through Humber Bay Promenade Park

Posted on April 30, 2022 by Edward Brain

I recently went for a walk through Humber Bay Promenade Park, which hugs the shores of Mimico Harbour in southeast Etobicoke.

Here are some pictures of my walk:

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Posted in General | Tagged 2022, Blooms, Etobicoke Ontario, Humber Bay Promenade Park, Mimico Harbour, Spring, Toronto, walk | Leave a comment

Don Carlos Live in HD

Posted on March 26, 2022 by Edward Brain

On March 26th, 2022 the Metropolitan Opera (The Met) presented Guiseppe Verdi’s Don Carlos as part of its’ Live in HD series.

This was the last performance this season of the opera at The Met, and is the first time it has been presented by The Met in its original French version.

The performance starred Matthew Polenzani (Don Carlos), Sonya Yoncheva (Elisabeth), Eric Owens (King Philippe II), Etienne Dupuis (Rodrigue), Jamie Barton (Princess Eboli) and John Relyea (The Grand Inquisitor.)

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Posted in Reviews | Tagged 2022, Charles Edwards, Don Carlos, Eric Owens, Giuseppe Verdi, Jamie Barton, John Relyea, Live in HD, Matthew Polenzani, Matthew Rose, Meigui Zhang, Metropolitan Opera, Patrick Furrer, Sir David McVicar, Sonya Yoncheva, The Met | 1 Comment

Happy Commonwealth Day, 2022

Posted on March 14, 2022 by Edward Brain

Today (March 8th, 2022) is Commonwealth Day in the countries that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Commonwealth Day, celebrated on the second Monday of March throughout the Commonwealth, as its name suggests celebrates the Commonwealth.

Traditionally, in London, Queen Elizabeth II leads a celebration at Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day along with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, and the Commonwealth High Commissioners. Her Majesty is the Head of the Commonwealth, and normally reads a speech in honour of the occasion.

Commonwealth Day allows member nations to remember the importance of the bind that we all have in being members of the Commonwealth. This bind has, and can continue to be, an important source of trade, security, and friendship.

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Posted in General | Leave a comment

Canada at the Beijing Winter Olympics

Posted on February 20, 2022 by Edward Brain

The 24th Winter Olympics have now concluded. Congratulations to all the athletes who competed.

Let’s look at how Team Canada performed at the Olympics:

In total, Canada won 4 Gold, 8 Silver, and 14 Bronze medals, for a total of 26 medals, good for 11th place overall.

Team Canada won the following medals:

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Posted in Sports | Tagged Abigail Strate, Alexandria Loutitt, Isabelle Weidemann, Kim Boutin, Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, Mark McMorris, Matthew Soukup, Max Parrot, Men's moguls, Mikaël Kingsbury | 1 Comment

Queen Elizabeth II Celebrates Her Platinum Jubilee

Posted on February 6, 2022 by Edward Brain

Today, February 6th, 2022, marks the 70 Anniversary of Her Majesty’s ascension.

On February 6th, 1952, Her Majesty ascended the throne of seven independent countries – the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon. She would also become the Head of the Commonwealth, an association that now comprises of over 50 independent countries.

Over the years, some realms become republics, while others become independent countries with Her Majesty as their Head of State. As such, she is now Queen of 15 countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and The United Kingdom.

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Posted in General | Tagged #platinumjubilee, Head of the Commonwealth, Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada | 1 Comment

9th Anniversary of my Blog

Posted on February 3, 2022 by Edward Brain

Today, my Blog celebrates the ninth anniversary of its’ creation.

I want to thank everyone who has visited this blog, and more importantly decided to follow it. A Big Thank You!

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Posted in General | Tagged 9th Anniversary, Anniversary, Blog, Blog Creation, Ninth Anniversary | Leave a comment

Sidney Poitier has Passed Away

Posted on January 7, 2022 by Edward Brain

Famed Bahamian-American actor Sidney Poitier, KBE has passed away at the age of 94, a month prior to his 95th birthday.

Mr. Poitier was born on February 20th, 1927 in Miami, Florida to Reginald James and Evelyn Poitier who were farmers on Cat Island in The Bahamas.

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Posted in Obituaries | Tagged 94, Academy Award, Bahamian Ambassador to Japan, Bahamian-American, Best Actor, Blackboard Jungle, Death, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, In the Heat of the Night, KBE, Lilies of the Field, No Way Out, Richard Widmark, Shoot to Kill, Sidney Poitier, Sneakers, The Bedford Incident, The Greatest Story Ever Told, To Sir with Love | 3 Comments

2021: Another Annus Horribilis

Posted on January 1, 2022 by Edward Brain

2021 has come to an end, so I would like to present my annual ‘Year in Review’.

2021 has become a second straight ‘Annus Horribilis’ as we have dealt with the COVID pandemic. This included lockdowns and restrictions during the second and third waves of the pandemic and the fourth wave continuing to cause concern. While many have been vaccinated, and booster shots being given out towards the end of the year, the country is still dealing with the effects of the pandemic.

2021 still managed to be a busy year, though.

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