Pride!

On Sunday, Skip and I ventured into The Big City for the 33rd annual Pride Parade. We've never attended before and it was my first large urban parade. I had no expectations and was very pleasantly surprised at what a joyous event it was. Wow! Does Toronto know how to put on a parade!

We emerged from the subway at the corner of Bloor and Yonge Sts. right at the first turn of the parade route. We were several people back from the frontmost viewing spots but gradually as people shifted or left, (due to a woman who screamed frequently as floats went by)  we worked our way to within one or two people from the front. We had an excellent vantage point from there. Skip was a few feet over from where I was standing.
 
 I kept my left index finger in my ear and warded off deafness from the screamer to my left. Lesson learned: take earplugs!

The parade lasted almost two hours! Many groups were represented, some businesses, public transit (TTC), the City of Toronto, GO Transit, teacher groups - including Catholic (!), various church groups, PFLAG, and others supporting LGBT kids and the usual groups one would expect in a Pride Parade.

I loved the sign the Totally Naked Toronto men carried. It left me kind of nostalgic for Captain Underpants - LOL!

Of course, there had to be a Trojan Man. I didn't get the greatest shot of him in the truck, though, but you get the idea.

 A Pride Parade wouldn't be complete without the Viagra balloon.

This was one of the first of many teacher and school board groups supporting LGBT (I'm not sure why the Q is necessary) Pride. (TDSB = Toronto District School Board)

 The mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, is not only known for his consorting with alleged crack smokers but for not supporting Pride in his city. This event brought hundreds of thousands of people into the city on a beautiful, summer weekend - people who left money here at hotels, restaurants, using public transit and at stores.

This woman (I'm pretty sure it was a woman) with her Toronto City Hall-shaped hat was dressed as "Rob Ford's Pink Skip". Clever.

 One of the coolest moments was when our provincial premier, Liberal Kathleen Wynne (in red) marched with her wife Jane Rounthwaite (in black)  and Canadian Liberal leader, Justin Trudeau (son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau). It is the first time a sitting premier has marched in the Pride Parade.

 I was so proud to be able to participate with the other 1.2 million people who attended in support of LGBT people and the people who love them. I cannot even imagine what it must feel like for gay folks to be able to march proudly in their parade - out in the open - freely being able to publicly be who they are with the love and support of all in attendance.

I got a lump in my throat when I saw the sign, "I love my gay son", as I know more than one person whose parents were not receptive to their 'coming out' and one who after 25 years still doesn't accept that her son is gay nor has met his partner of 25 years.

 My favourite sign was "I love my straight parents ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥".

On a silly note, I noticed that lots of folks were sporting the Toronto Pride logo:

I spent most of the parade thinking the parade was sponsored by Walmart. But on further reflection, I'm guess that wasn't the case - LOL! I doubt all people are created equal in Bentonville, Arkansas. Sad, but true.

 

 The energy was great! Everyone was in such a good mood! What a joyous event! Afterwards, we strolled down Church street which was a big promenade lined with bars, restaurants and booths. There were more happy people, booming music, a misting tent, and lots of people-watching opportunities. And we got lots of exercise! Next year Toronto is hosting World Pride 2014. What a party that will be!!

Back at home, I continue to work on Spike. I got Seasons 2 and 3 of "West Wing" from the library so have had several evening of marathon watching and stitching sessions.

In the rotation is also Rib and Braid Socks by my BFF, Maureen Foulds.It can be found in her ebook "Twisted Socks: The Cable Collection" and her Ravelry store.

I do my cables without a cable needle and find doing a left (or front) cable easier than a right cable. Since the pattern has more right cables than left, I just switched them all for my convenience. So far that is the only modification I've made.

I normally cast on around 68 stitches for a sock for me with this size needle (2.5mm) and thought with all the ribbing and cables a 72 stitch sock would work but it was WAY too big. I then tried the next size down at 63 sts and it was still to loose. So I began again with the 57 stitch version with an 8" circumference which should work OK.

I have a couple of little stitching projects on deck and am about to assemble the fabric and floss and get started.

And something exciting may be on my knitterly and travel horizon. I'll keep you posted.