CK's TOP 10 of 2009

Maybe a shocker to even make this list for some, but to me, it really was a great experience! After driving 3 hours in the evening on icy roads and blowing snow, and then sleeping in my car in a parking lot...I made it in time to be present for the moment "Wiarton Willie" (the Canadian cousin to Punxsutawney Phil) had seen his shadow. A tradition that put the little town of Wiarton, Ontario on the map, for at least once a year - the Groundhog Festival makes the town all abuzz: enough to declare Groundhog Day a public school holiday and have international press covering the event. I actually was lucky enough to meet the famed groundhog, as well as the Mayor of Wiarton!

In October, I was lucky enough to visit Montreal on two occassions. Both times were awesome autumn drives and very memorable. The first visit was with the Tazemaster, as we explored the Mont Royal mountain together and visited my relatives. The second visit I was with Treeesh and was lucky enough to grab a bite at the world famous Schwartz's, getting an official Montreal smoked meat sandwich! I was also in town to attend my friend, Anna McIntyre's art exhibit opening (The Circus & the Pimp?s Jalopy) which combined performance art with multimedia installations. Ahh... la belle province! Not to mention the best poutine anywhere!

Partying with over 1.3 million people in the Toronto summer at the largest street festival in North America. It was my Caribana rebirth -- the best Caribana experience I had in years. The Tazemaster and I put on luchadore masks and walked around enjoying the masquerade. People from all walks of life stopped me asking for me to pose in pictures with them, or hold their babies and then they'd take a pic. It was unreal, but lots of fun. I totally enjoyed that day and Caribana was once again, great!

Yes, well the title pretty much says it all. However, the majority of them are little women. Babies, toddlers and mommies. Besides being the lone dude, the cottage experience up on Georgian Bay was definitely a major moment of relaxation and a defining summer moment. The beautiful sunsets, the crystal clear beaches, starry nights and campfires were epic. I loved every minute of it -- even if I was the only male in a total female dominated environment.

My friends, Kristina and Ilka came to visit Canada on a 2 week adventure. Staying with me in Toronto where I took them through a whirlwind of activities such as: The AGO, CN Tower, Niagara Falls, Harbourfront, bar hopping and the Canadian National Exhibition. Needless to say, we had a blast -- especially at the CNE where The Big Black Machine came along and made it very memorable winning prizes for each of them. It was totally a highlight of my 2009.

One of the major highlights of my summer was meeting the amazing, Jaclyn Dang. (aka Jacs) An accomplished martial artist and professional fitness instructor, Jacs was the ying to my yang before she left Toronto and moved out west. She introduced me to my first shisha experience, came to my AGO opening and we had a picnic on a picturesque summer day in a Yorkville park. Jacs was responsible for a major amount of my smiles in 2009.

Driving from Toronto to tour the big college Spring Break Florida cities was a totally amazing experience. I've lived in Florida for a while, but never had the opportunity to do the typical spring break festivities that you see on MTV. Partying through Panama City, Tampa, Daytona Beach, Orlando and Miami was unlike anything I've ever done. I met a lot of great people whom are tomorrow's professional lawyers, doctors, helicopter mechanics -- pretty much the next generation of America! After meeting them, I'm quite confident that America's future is in good hands. The road trip itself had amazing scenery however I also was able to hop aboard a cruise ship and get all the way down to Key West, and then hit Cozumel, Mexico! Wow... if that's not a great Spring Break adventure, then what is? This was totally a highlight of 2009.

It was my 4th visit to Paris, and the best one yet. I finally got to see the Louvre and the Paris Catacombs. I met random people in Paris and ate a lot of crepes. The magical city definitely has some draw to it. Something about it is very romantic and mysterious. I loved every second I was there. Visiting London was also a blast, as I got to spend time with my friend Helen and her family seeing all the touristy things that the city has to offer. I also was able to attend my cousin Sharon's wedding. This adventure easily makes the list as it was an experience of 2009 that I can always look back to and appreciate.

It was a moment that marked history. People will always remember where they were when Obama was elected as President of the United States. My roadtrip and journey to be there was a moment itself. 3 days of no sleep and 18 hours of driving in the most frigid cold January I can remember. Arriving to the Washington Mall at 5am only to be put in a line and stand there freezing for another 5 hours only to find out that it was the wrong line to begin with! It was bittersweet for my group, as the hypeness and excitement of the moment was the only thing that kept us going. In the end, we got to meet jazz legend, Frank Owens and celebrate at a private party in his home. This indeed was not only a major moment for my 2009, but a major moment in my life as well as world history.

A life-long dream that came true. The day that I got to hold my head high and celebrate my very own art exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario. The culmination of over half a year's work was celebrated and opened to the public with press and fanfare that rivals when the Beatles came to America. (okay, well not as much as that! However, the crowd was huge) There are few moments that define a person, and this was my moment to shine. Everyone that was near and dear to me came from far and wide to enjoy this milestone in my life. There is no question that this was my Number One moment of 2009.

Other 2009 Highlights:

2009 was full of adventures and memories that quite possibly make it the best ever. For years, I always regarded the year 2000 as a pivotal time in my life, and maybe the dawning of a new decade has something to do with it! I really look forward to what 2010 brings and hope its a very prosperous year for everyone!