Toronto - A windy but awesome time.

So I went to see my friends band Columbia play in downtown T.O. yesterday.. hopped on a bus, 3 hours later I was in the windy city of Toronto. I got a bit mixed up walking to the venue, but I got there using a different route, I don't believe it was any longer. One thing about the city - to those unfamiliar with it, like me, we end up spending way more than we have to on basic things, including using the washroom. That being said, I entered a 2nd cup because I knew they would have the facilities, and thought I'd just buy a medium hot chocolate and lounge around (the 2nd cup was across the street from the venue). However, I did not anticipate paying 3.20 for a medium hot chocolate.. in Dominican Republic I could have purchased a house! The band showed up, it was good to see my friend that I hadn't seen in years, and then I helped unload their gear to the venue, and setup. We lounged around for a while, and then they decided to eat around 9ish. I hadn't eaten since 1, so I was ready to start gnawing off the bar stools like a beaver. My friend and I searched for a while, passing edible, but not really satisfying looking restaurants, then landed a Mr. Sub. I wolfed down a 12" sub, then a band member decided to also eat at Subway, so they joined us... he got a sub..so I thought 'I need another one... '. I devoured that one also, and my hunger was satisfied. We headed back to the venue, waited some more, listened to the ending of the 1st band.. (Loud, wall of noise, inaudible lyrics, 500db too loud). The 2nd band came on, and they were more relaxed and did not do permanent damage to the eardrums. They were good, their music and lyrics were enjoyable. Then Columbia hit the stage, and was a hug success. You could tell they had been on the music scene for quite some time - the preparation, the blending of music & vocals, and the overall feel of the band set them apart from the rest. Furthermore, they did not pound my ears to a pulp. Everyone in the venue really took a liking to them, and it was a good show. We listened to the next band, the first couple songs were bearable, then they became another wall of noise.. I'm sorry but my definition of MUSIC does not include 5 people going 120% on their instruments with a vocalist screaming at the top of his lungs in every song... We decided to pack up during their set, and headed back to Bracebridge. And for those wondering if I gave money for gas - I did. I also bought a box of assorted donuts for everyone, and offered a round of coffee. They did an incredible job playing, and were very pleasant people to be around. Even the Sound Manager at the venue said they were really nice to talk to when he spoke with them, and said it was refreshing to have a polite band inside the venue that sounds professional and organized. There were 2 things weird about the venue though - 1) The venue had no posters up, no signs, nothing that was indicating there was 5 bands playing a show from Canadian Music Week... there was literally a piece of paper scribbled with black marker indicating there was a show, taped to the door. An eviction notice would have had more style. 2) According to Mapquest, the address is 349a college st.. however, should you go to 349.. you hit a clinic. Then beside it, there's a black door with stickers, nothing indicating it is the 'Neutral Lounge', in ANY way, it looks like the back door to an abandoned building that one could find an assortment of pizza boxers, hookers, and illegal arms. So I entered this mystery door, which led me down a flight of stairs to a poorly lit room, which turned out to be the venue... To get to the ACTUAL door, you have to go around to the end of the street, turn right, walk a block, then turn right again.. THERE you will find a small sign that says NEUTRAL. So strange... even if they put up a sign on their back door that said 'NEUTRAL LOUNGE ENTRANCE IS NOT HERE, OTHER SIDE OF BUILDING' it would have been a start. Kind of a weird place, judging by the posters on the walls, and decorations... it serves as a weekly goth hangout. It would explain the low lighting, overly-pale bartender, and black paint everywhere haha. On the way back, shorly after the Tim Hortons stop, we hit up a McDonalds, (certainly not by my choosing), and I was thirsty so I bit the proverbial bullet and decided a soft drink was the way to go.. As it turns out the cashier said the drink was on her.. and so I didn't pay for anything. It was really strange.. maybe a sign tempting me to go back to McDonalds from my years of not eating there? So with my free beverage, I headed back to Bracebridge, and got in just after 4pm.