1. The Maritimes are truly pristine.
2. Train trips make me really horny. I longed the whole trip for my boy toy.
3. The guy with the world's most nasally voice will take the train the same day you do. He will almost certainly sit within two seats of you, go to the food car at the same time you do and generally synchronize all train travel activity with you. He's sweet though. All the love for nasal boy! (Just that it makes leisurely reading a bit challenging).
4. Not to mention the guy who drops the most F bombs, who will also be sitting within earshot. It doesn't matter that the he is also within earshot of families with children. He is from Dal. He is Hot Shit. Who needs to be respectful when you are just such Hot Shit? (Yup, I know, belongs in the Bitch section)
5. Wine makes everything better.
6. Even the most obnoxious people will put their heads down to binge watch shows on their personal devices.
7. A lot of people still smoke. A lot. But not nasal boy. I'm glad he doesn't, even if it meant no respite.
8. The latrines can and do actually run out of water. This is most often realized after liberally taking three pumps of handsoap.
9. Of the women without children on board, I was the most clad in clothing and least made up. I must not have got the memo to wear my shoulderless, low cut minidress and high cut boots. Also I forgot to visit my manicurist, makeup artist and hair stylist before boarding the train. Oh well, I'll hold out for my lovely and most charming boy toy, who seems to think I'm okay too. <3
10. Creativity is best fed traveling through the farthest reaches of the economically stunted tailpipe of North America by train. Especially after a fresh dusting of snow. Shh, don't tell anyone, let them think it's a desolate toilet here.
—Wino Chick

During this Christmas as in the the past seventy years plus I have heard the carol "Oh Holy Night" uncountable times in Cathedrals, Church Halls, School Concerts etc. All of these occasions while enjoyable at the time few are remember individually. However on Dec. 28/15 when I heard you it was if I was hearing it for the first time. Not in a cathedral, concert etc. But out from the depths of S/S Food Court your strong tenor (maybe) rendition of this powerful carol. I waited in anticipation for the "voice" to appear.....appear you did with crutch in hand and a plastic grocery bag in the other as you boldly continued walking through the mall strongly singing without missing a note. I listened to fade into the distance regretting I didn't follow you, To thank you in person. God Bless and thank you. —Coffee Drinker

So much love and appreciation goes out to the gentleman who offered me his taxi the night of the 27th. It was 1:30 am and 3 of us had all been out in the cold for way too long. My phone was dead and I asked to use yours, but after some discussion we all decided to split the fare instead. Unfortunately, the cab driver would only take 2 of us so you graciously offered me the seat that should have been yours. You have no idea how much that means to me. After spending 12+ hours travelling home from Ontario, waiting in the cold for a taxi that may not even come made me cry. Your generosity saved the day and made me even more happy to be home. I hope you arrived at your destination safe and sound and relatively quickly. Thank you so, so much for your warm welcome. —Happy to be home

To the young (14 or 15 years old) slender African-American teenager who got out of his parents Black SUV on Barrington today (Tuesday Dec 22 at approx 11:45am) and walked up to a homeless man and handed him a gift and wished him a Merry Christmas. Not sure what it was....could be food, mitts, whatever but what a sweet gesture! His mom(?) looked on from the passenger side of the SUV....just wanted to say your act of kindness and generosity was not only kind to the homeless man, but also affected the people who saw this nice act. It brought tears to my eyes and gave me pause to reflect on the Christmas spirit. So Thank You!! —Teary-eyed downtown worker

On Saturday, December 12th, my boyfriend and I inadvertently crashed your private holiday party at Bearlys. Not only did you let us sit at your table, you accommodated our tipsiness and let us finish your pizza. If our thinking had been a bit more clear, we would have repaid you with a round. Your generosity was most appreciated and a highlight of the holiday season. Many thanks! —Slightly tipsy and hungry holiday revellers

We met years ago and became friends. I always hoped something more would happen, and I know that you did too. And then it did. And then I screwed it up by not recognizing what I had. I wanted to wake up beside you, but instead I walked the other way. I regret that, lovely one, and I miss your laughter. I haven't spoken to you in months, but every now and then I think of reaching out to you to ask for another chance and to tell you that this time I would love you ferociously. But I need to get my shit together first, because I don't want to hurt you. Just know this; if somehow you are reading this, even if we are only memories to each other, I'll love you forever and treasure that kiss that felt like a song. —Your Old Friend

All the lights and colour make the shadows even darker. The songs just echo in the emptiness. Even if you have somewhere to be, it feels like there’s nowhere you can go. If you’re reading this, know that I love you. We’ll make it through this together, even if we’ve never met. Merry Christmas. —The Next Day Life Went Back To Its Bad Self

I have several crushes on several schoolmates/maybe just ONE prof, too...but with a track record of ONLY ever being rejected when initiating romantic matters, I am struggling at playing it cool but still expressing interest. Oh, well. Since there are so many of you attractive humans (of all genders) in this town, I am okay with wallowing a bit longer. —Art School Cyclist

I want to give a shout out to the folks at a very Noble store on Oxford street. I recently used services at your sister location and had a really bad experience. When I popped into your Oxford location to fix the situation and explained what had happened (not looking to gain anything, rather, just to explain why I was there for what I needed), the employee went way, WAY above and beyond what I could have imagined for customer service. He was funny, helpful, sympathetic and just had a gift for turning a negative situation into a positive one. It’s nice to see the art of good customer service isn’t lost after all. —Not One To “Wine”

Your mom keeps telling me how great of a guy you are and that we would be perfect together. She is sweet and I'm sure you wouldn't want to get involved with a girl that your mom picked out for you. I'll wait for you to make a move! —That guy