Greg’s 2009 TIFF Report: The Final Days
I have to say that this year’s edition of TIFF and the city of Toronto as a whole made me much less angry than it usually does. Good work, city of Toronto.
However, I did get hit by a car. News at 11.
Friday afternoon brought me back to the Ryerson theatre for a screening of the new Drew Barrymore film Whip It. Although, the roller derby scenes were fantastic, the rest of the film left something to be desired. Read the ol’ review here.Â
I had planned a visit to a couple of specific restaurants in the city while I was here and although the elusive Poutiney’s House of Poutine proved rather…well…elusive, I did manage to make it to Craft Burger. Holy Hell. Now, you can probably imagine that I have had an order of a burger and fries once or twice in my lifetime, but I have to say that this particular combo of a cheeseburger and french fries was the best I’ve ever had. Hands down. I know that’s a bold statement, but good God. Awesome. Oh, and I didn’t get any on my shirt either.
I grab a GO train and head back to Hamilton for a marquee match up of my Hamilton Tiger-Cats taking on the Calgary Stampeders. What a game! Big fourth quarter comeback, the girl next to me was wearing high socks and there were drunks on the football field.  Okay, the drunks. Early in the fourth I spot this dude running from the back of the field to the upright posts in the Calgary endzone. He makes it to the post and shimmies up to the crossbar. A second fan jumps on to the field and rolls his ankle and to his credit makes it to the goalpost too. No security yet! Finally, security gets out there to tackle two other fans and the guy with the rolled ankle satisified with his valiant effort gives up to the police. However, the guy on the crossbar in a death defying moment shimmies up the actual upright which could very well be 50 or 60 feet in the air and tries to rip off the flag on top. Unsuccessful, he slides down the pole fireman style and walks the crossbar like a balance beam while the police just stand below helplessly. He uses the second upright like a stripper pole and swings around it into a perfect upside down dismount on to the shoulders of the cops. Amazing.  Hero of the Day.
I should tell you that on my way to that game was where the hit-by-a-car incident took place. I’m reading a text message from my friend Paige and she tells me to hurry up because she has to urinate. I have the tickets and she can’t get into Ivor Wynne stadium without one.  I’m walking the main street on the sidewalk and I cross a side street. There’s no light, but cars have a stop sign. An old man comes up looking to turn left, so he’s looking right and plows right into my knee and thigh. I hop forward and turn around just as this douche makes the turn and speeds down the street.  Bastard.
14 movies, 2 wrestling events, a concert, a football game, 2 maple syrup stained t-shirts and I escaped without seeing my nemesis once. TIFF was fairly kind to me this year. Usually, she uses me like a $2 whore, but it turned out I was more of a classy escort this year. Thanks for respecting me TIFF. Just leave the money on the nightstand.
Comments (14)
Many thanks for the very entertaining updates from you trip. Good job.
Posted by Paul Andrews on September 20th, 2009No nemesis!
((
Posted by Henrik on September 20th, 2009Great reports! I wish I had that kind of free time.
Posted by Tommy on September 20th, 2009ok, some of this report sounds made up….whatever! good show
Posted by rus in chicago on September 20th, 2009I can show you the youtube video of the guy on the goalpost or I can send you a picture of the bruise on my leg. I’ve got better things to do than make up some crap for no reason.
Posted by Greg on September 20th, 2009^ haha we believe you Greg. Chillax! XD
Good stuff dude. Really enjoyed all the TIFF reports. Hope to hear more about the trip on the next podcast
Posted by modesilver on September 20th, 2009I thought Greg made up the part about not getting any condiments on his shirt from the cheeseburger.
Thx for your reviews and reports from TIFF, Greg.
BTW, if anyone is wondering, I wasn’t the old man driving the car.
Posted by Reed Farrington on September 20th, 2009Love Craft Burger!
Posted by Ashley on September 20th, 2009sounds like you had a pretty awesome week greg, just out of curiousity who is your “nemesis”?
Posted by Connor G on September 20th, 2009I will concur about the glory of Craft Burger. Their fries though… UGH, shitty fries, nothing but salt.
Posted by Goon on September 20th, 2009@Goon: The fries were perfectly seasoned.
@Connor: He’s a 6′5″ tall, uglier, fatter, Chad Kroeger.
@Ashley: I will return to Craft Burger anytime you want. Ha!
Posted by Greg on September 20th, 2009How can you complain about Craft Burger fries? They got some of the best out there. I used to live around the corner from the king location and I think I had a burget at least once a week.
You should try Reggie’s as well Greg, its right next door and they make great sandwiches.. just a bit pricey.
Posted by Niklas on September 21st, 2009I’ve had their fries three times and they just taste like salt despite looking awesome. I was working on Spadina/King at the time and I remember after strike three all the other employees just laughed at me as though it was common knowledge that you should never have Craft Burger fries.
They certainly don’t hold a candle to the fries on the big yellow chip truck that camps out on Front St by the Convention Centre. Absolute best street vendor in the whole city, loves his customers, big fucking restaurant size burgers and a shitload of fries for 5 bucks. You order a small fries and most of the time he’ll give you a large, just because.
Posted by Goon on September 21st, 2009I live in Australia, and even we got pictures of the guy climbing the posts in our papers. Was bending quite a bit and looked like he was in for a nasty fall. I remember it because it mentioned Hamilton, and being the dedicated listener I am I immediately thought of FilmJunk.
Posted by Ben on September 26th, 2009Leave a Reply