This week in the Blogerati Files, Toronto Mike

Describe your blog in 10 words or less.
Improvisational skills in the forest of whispering speakers.

Why did you start your blog? Blogiversary?
My first proper blog-style entry was on November 30, 2002. My friends and family were sick of receiving blog entries via email so I decided to throw everything in one place for the interested few.

How long have you lived in Toronto?
I was born in Toronto and have had a 416 number my entire life.

What's the funniest/strangest thing that has happened to you in Toronto?, Did you blog about it?
Like many Torontonians my age, I came of age waking up to Humble and Fred on CFNY. Last month I found myself flying above the city in Humble Howard's GSIN plane. Yes, I blogged the crap out of it and took a billion pictures.

What are some of the changes in Toronto that you have seen in your lifetime?
I grew up near Bloor West Village and it was strange to witness the trendification of that strip. When a Body Shop moves in, the trendification is complete.

What era, day or event in Toronto's history would you like to re-live and why?
I want to attend game 5 of the Stanley Cup final between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens back in April, 1951. That night Bashin' Bill Barilko scored the winner in overtime and you know the rest of the story.

Who's your favourite Torontonian?
Easy. Neil Young.

Can we believe everything you post on your blog?
I stand by my record. 5000+ entries and not a single intentional fib.

Fav post from your blog?
My favourite posts are about my kids. The events from that surreal July 2004 day my daughter and nephew were born, the New Year's Eve night I spent sleeping in the hospital's emergency room with my 1 year old son, the trillion times they've blown my mind...

Has blogging changed you or enhanced a personality trait?
I often write about the social aspect of blogging. Blogging enables those of us with an introvert slant to express ourselves extrovert style. There's dynamic interaction, open conglomeration and all principles involved can follow the discourse. Blogging has made me more social.

Ever met a stranger who already knew you through your blog? How was that?
I attended Ricky Williams' first game in an Argos uniform and during the first quarter I was approached by someone who only knew me from my blog. She was really sweet, which made it really cool, but I suppose it could have been pretty creepy.

Have you had your 15 minutes yet?
I'm not looking for 15 minutes. When my blog has two unique visitors and they're my brothers, I'll still be blogging.

Lose any friends or muck something up because of a post?
I have a pretty good filter that determines what's fit for public consumption. I once had a slo-pitch teammate convinced my entry about Kim Jong-il was a thinly veiled attack on his character. Of course, he was right.

Fav bloggers?
Checking my Sage RSS reader I see local bloggers Accordion Guy and Raymi, as well as My Old Kentucky Blog, Boing Boing, you guys and, of course, Humble Howard's new blog.

What's happening in Toronto right now that the rest of us should be watching?
I've been watching the new ROM extension progress daily, and that should be something when it's done. Something oughta be done about the great Jane Station tease. They installed fancy schmancy infotainment screens long ago but never turned them on. What's up with that? Where's the outrage?

You have the opportunity to gather with 5 of your regular readers - who are they, where do you meet and what do you talk about?
This already happens regularly. We hook up at my house for Christmas dinner and talk about the Leafs, The Simpsons and latest SLS-worthy tracks, in that order.

Have you ever had a question you wanted to ask random people throughout the world?
Where have all the good people gone?

If your blog were a food, what food would it be?
It would be a street vendor hot dog. Like street meat, it might not be particularly good for you, but it's comforting and tasty and it's got a Toronto flavour.

If you could gather all of the bloggers of the world together into one room and tell them one thing, what would it be?
Don't sell out!

Anything else you'd like to add?
Gilmour was clearly high sticked by Gretzky. Kerry Fraser blew the call and broke our collective hearts. I'm still lobbying for a rematch.