My 5-year-old daughter believes that her “Elf on a Shelf” reports back to Santa Claus every night and that if she touches the elf, then the elf will lose her magic powers.
I’m not sure whether to feel warm and fuzzy at the adorability, or whether to be disappointed that my daughter hasn’t called us out on the ridiculous con…
I’d like to thank all the regular readers/commenters for their support and contributions in the comments section throughout 2021: Appraiser, Condodweller, Chris, Kyle, Libertarian, Ed, Marty, Izzy Bedibida, RPG, Francesca, GinaTo, Jenn, Sigruper, Graham, Pragma, Jennifer, Geoff, Joel, Island Home Owner, Derek, David, Katie, London Agent, David (Not the David who runs this website), Kramer, Bal, Daniel, daniel b, hoob, Verbal Kint, jeff316, Jamie, Misha, R, Cyber, Writer, Tamir, Mike Stevenson, John, JG, Karolina, Murasaki, Mxyzptlk, J, ChT, Kevin, Moonbeam!, Tony, Laurie, Jimbo, Professional Shanker, Christoff, Frances, Bryan, Julia, Keith, Average Joe, AK, Adam, Egghead, East Yorker, Edwin, A Grant, JL, jeanmarc, Steve, Nikki, Caris, F Cook, Caprice, Jonathan C, Dan, Elle O’Lelle, JF007, and Potato, who I believe has made only one comment per year for the last two years, but it’s nice to see a decade-or-more reader back on TRB!
I also believe there was a Chroscklh sighting back in July. I think we’re all curious to know if his emotional support bear is looking forward to a non-denominational holiday this month.
I love this time of year, which is really odd, considering I’m not good at “relaxing.”
On the first weekend of December, we went and cut down a Christmas tree, then decorated it.
Last weekend, we went to Casa Loma, then came home and set up a massive inflatable reindeer on the front lawn, along with Olaf, and a gingerbread man, not to mention a litany of glowing lights.
This weekend, it’s decorating gingerbread houses, baking Christmas cookies, and I guess at some point, I’ll have to wrap all those gifts.
I’m a little sad to get to this point in the year, but I know it’s for the best.
Two weeks without Toronto Realty Blog is going to be hard, but January will be here before we know it.
I’ve already got a few blog ideas up my sleeve, but I should really just keep that for another day and relax. Calm down. Breathe. Look at the rose quartz and reduce stress. Feel the amethyst emitting a gentle force of self-love. Put on the diffuser…
…wait, what smells like lemon Pledge in here now?
I hope you all have something stimulating, exciting, yet safe planned for the holidays.
If all I do is sit inside and spend time with my wife and kids, I’ll be happy. Crazy, but happy.
To my running friends, a question: how the hell do you run in the snow? Do you have spikes on your shoes? You’re not carrying water, are you? And you’re cutting down on distance, right? I’m not yet “a runner” but I did run a lot this year. I just passed 600 KM, which I know isn’t on par with the 1,000 KM that Key Living’s own Mark McLean has hit every year for a decade, but you’ve gotta start somewhere!
Thank you to everybody for reading, watching, and commenting here on Toronto Realty Blog in 2021 and for your continued interest in all things real estate, desire for spirited debate, and incredible contributions.
David.
Elf on David's Shelf
at 7:15 am
Happy Holiday-s David
Francesca
at 7:58 am
Happy Holidays David to you are your family. Thanks for another great year of interesting stories. Enjoy your well deserved time off. Looking forward to reading your blogs in the new year!
Jenn
at 8:48 am
Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah, David! Have a wonderful holiday with your family!!
Marty
at 9:33 am
And Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family, David.
See ya in 2022!
Ed
at 9:42 am
Merry Christmas everyone.
JK007
at 9:48 am
Happy Holidays David
Condodweller
at 10:50 am
Merry Christmas everyone and stay safe!
Graham
at 11:19 am
Merry Christmas, y’all!
Egghead
at 12:00 pm
Happy Holidays All! Stay Healthy and Happy.
Peter
at 3:52 pm
David: congratulations on another successful year of real estate storytelling.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Peter.
Katie
at 4:36 pm
Cheers to a 2022 that’s better than 2020 & 2021! ????
marmota
at 6:39 pm
Thank you David. Happy holidays!
Looking forward to your new ideas in 2022
Keith
at 10:30 pm
I run in the Vancouver snow. No biggie…
Sirgruper
at 6:38 pm
Happy Holidays David. Thanks for all the information, insight and entertainment. I really do enjoy it!
As for running, stay on cleared roads and sidewalks and it’s no big deal. There are winter running shoes with better grip but they mainly keep you warmer and drier.
Appraiser
at 10:18 am
Congratulations on another successful year here at TRB!
All the best for the holidays and as always looking forward to next year.
Cheers!
R
at 11:34 am
Congrats on 600km running. I’m almost at 4000km for the year. You are 100% right that you gotta start somewhere and only measure yourself against yourself and your own goals, not others. There’s always someone faster, going further, etc.
Yes you can run in the snow. If snowy, I recommend a good pair of trail shoes, with Gore-Tex if it’s extra slushy. Normally, the sidewalks are pretty clear and you can make do with a regular pair of running shoes.
Carry water if you feel you want to. There’s no rules, but keep in mind that you probably don’t *need* it unless running for more than 2 hours, though winter running can actually make you as sweaty as summer running depending on how you layer. Just keep in mind not to overdress. Dress as if it’s actually 10C warmer than the actual temp and you should be Ok. You should be cold the first 15min or so until you warm up.
You can run more or less in the winter. Some love running in the cold, snow, etc. Some hate it and hop on a treadmill. Some take a break before starting spring race training in January, some start training in the winter to build a base. Up to you.
If you run, you are a “runner”.
Happy Holidays.
R
Alex
at 1:02 pm
David, I wanted to add my two cents here as well. The best piece of advice I can give you is to stop carrying your timer during winter runs. You seem to be a very organized, statistical, obsessive individual. I would bet that you have all of you are times in a log somewhere. Within any sport or with any professional athlete they have in season and off-season. Winter running in Toronto is about staying in shape for spring, summer, and fall. But it’s also an opportunity to just get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors. i’m guessing that you run through neighbourhoods so take a look at all of the houses and enjoy the scenery! Should be right up your alley! Also try to run in the morning before work or afternoon during a break. Running at night in the dark during the cold risks injury from the elements. At best it’s a sore tush or sprained wrist from a fall. At worst it’s a pulled groin or ripped knee. Ask any winter runner and they’ll tell you a slip and fall story. Also I’m not sure if this is your style but try looking into a running group. There’s fun in numbers if you give it a try.
Andrew
at 3:06 pm
Merry Christmas to David, his team, all the TRB readers! Be safe out there everyone!
Kyle
at 5:01 pm
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone! Take care and stay safe out there.
Olya
at 2:48 pm
I got a set of ICETRAX V3 rubber grips with these small spikes that I use for running in Toronto conditions. They go over my regular running shoes. I run downtown near the waterfront and it’s spotty on clear / iced / salted sidewalks.
Seconding the opinion that timing winter runs is not helpful. I never carry water so can’t comment on that front.
Merry Christmas!
Moonbeam!
at 8:20 am
Happy Holidays,! David – to you, your family, and your Team – – and to all your blog readers and commenters!
From your #1 fan!
Libertarian
at 12:11 pm
All the best to everyone at this time of year, whatever you celebrate.
Bal
at 3:23 pm
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas…Stay safe and healthy.
London Agent
at 10:53 am
Merry Christmas David, enjoy your holiday. Look forward to catching up in January!
TT
at 8:15 am
Happy new year! Looking forward to some new stories in January!