Donald Simmons
@donaldfsimmons.bsky.social
Resident of Toronto. Engineer, cyclist, helps to run Anime North. Loves history and science. Big lefty.
At Zine Dump, a new zine show at the Cecil Community Center
November 9, 2025 at 8:28 PM
At Zine Dump, a new zine show at the Cecil Community Center
Excellent turnout at Bakka-Phoenix books today for the launch of YEARS BEST Canadian FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION, VOL 3.
November 8, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Excellent turnout at Bakka-Phoenix books today for the launch of YEARS BEST Canadian FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION, VOL 3.
Historian Serhii Plokhy at the Festival of Authors talking about his new book on the proliferation of nuclear weapons during the Cold War, which unfortunately seems topical again. His books on the Cuban Missile Crisis and Chernobyl are amazing.
November 1, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Historian Serhii Plokhy at the Festival of Authors talking about his new book on the proliferation of nuclear weapons during the Cold War, which unfortunately seems topical again. His books on the Cuban Missile Crisis and Chernobyl are amazing.
Attended the Christie Cross Cyclocross races at Christie Pits this afternoon. Perfect (if cool) weather. Besides the men's and woman's races there were amateur and fixie races, and even one on the city commuter bikes. Wish we had more races in Ontario but there's no sponsorship or gov support.
October 26, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Attended the Christie Cross Cyclocross races at Christie Pits this afternoon. Perfect (if cool) weather. Besides the men's and woman's races there were amateur and fixie races, and even one on the city commuter bikes. Wish we had more races in Ontario but there's no sponsorship or gov support.
Great day for a bike ride. It's the time of year when every long weekend ride might be my last until spring, as the weather might turn cold at any time.
October 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Great day for a bike ride. It's the time of year when every long weekend ride might be my last until spring, as the weather might turn cold at any time.
Saw Bryan Adams Friday night (please excuse the crappy picture). He was in fine form, it was a great show.
"Hi, I'm Bryan. I'm going to perform as many songs as I can remember."
"Hi, I'm Bryan. I'm going to perform as many songs as I can remember."
October 5, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Saw Bryan Adams Friday night (please excuse the crappy picture). He was in fine form, it was a great show.
"Hi, I'm Bryan. I'm going to perform as many songs as I can remember."
"Hi, I'm Bryan. I'm going to perform as many songs as I can remember."
Tis the season of the University of Toronto college book sales, at the Victoria College sale.
September 21, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Tis the season of the University of Toronto college book sales, at the Victoria College sale.
In Quebec City for the Grand Prix Cycle Race, 18 laps through the old city and the Plains of Abraham. Lots of big names here.
September 12, 2025 at 4:21 PM
In Quebec City for the Grand Prix Cycle Race, 18 laps through the old city and the Plains of Abraham. Lots of big names here.
It would be nice if all those articles on Charlie Kirk would mention he was a racist and white supremacist instead of just saying he was a "free speech advocate".
September 11, 2025 at 5:23 PM
It would be nice if all those articles on Charlie Kirk would mention he was a racist and white supremacist instead of just saying he was a "free speech advocate".
Been a long time since my university orientation days.
September 3, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Been a long time since my university orientation days.
At the Fox to see Chow Yun Fat's CITY ON FIRE (1987) which I have not seen in a *long* time. I just wish the Fox wasn't such a slog from my place.
September 2, 2025 at 12:56 AM
At the Fox to see Chow Yun Fat's CITY ON FIRE (1987) which I have not seen in a *long* time. I just wish the Fox wasn't such a slog from my place.
Took a vacation day (they've told me I have to use some up or else) and took the GO to Hamilton and rode the Chippewa Trail to Caledonia and back. Nice gravel trail, rough in spots with a lot of shade and a few dodgy road crossings. Going up the escarpment is no fun but coming down it is.
August 22, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Took a vacation day (they've told me I have to use some up or else) and took the GO to Hamilton and rode the Chippewa Trail to Caledonia and back. Nice gravel trail, rough in spots with a lot of shade and a few dodgy road crossings. Going up the escarpment is no fun but coming down it is.
This guy was just perched on the fence at the bus stop I was waiting at last night. He stared at me for about a minute before moving off, which is odd behavior for a raccoon.
August 18, 2025 at 4:35 PM
This guy was just perched on the fence at the bus stop I was waiting at last night. He stared at me for about a minute before moving off, which is odd behavior for a raccoon.
REALLY enjoyed FANTASTIC FOUR, it was everything I wanted in a superhero movie.
And this isn't the theatre I saw it in, but it is fitting.
And this isn't the theatre I saw it in, but it is fitting.
July 26, 2025 at 12:51 AM
REALLY enjoyed FANTASTIC FOUR, it was everything I wanted in a superhero movie.
And this isn't the theatre I saw it in, but it is fitting.
And this isn't the theatre I saw it in, but it is fitting.
Anyone have a less-picky dog?
July 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Anyone have a less-picky dog?
My first long ride of the year, great weather for it.
May 10, 2025 at 10:21 PM
My first long ride of the year, great weather for it.
Lex Luthor on Canada - US relations (courtesy of SOLID JJ).
May 4, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Lex Luthor on Canada - US relations (courtesy of SOLID JJ).
Always like seeing plants and herbs on sale this time of the year. Reminds me of how as kids my brother and I would raise petunias for sale.
May 3, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Always like seeing plants and herbs on sale this time of the year. Reminds me of how as kids my brother and I would raise petunias for sale.
My current read, found ion the remainder table at Book City, about the British government's attempts to deal with Hitler in the run up to WWII. Really great, learning a lot. And it's the debut book from a young(ish) historian, Tim Bouverie is going on my watch list.
April 20, 2025 at 5:02 PM
My current read, found ion the remainder table at Book City, about the British government's attempts to deal with Hitler in the run up to WWII. Really great, learning a lot. And it's the debut book from a young(ish) historian, Tim Bouverie is going on my watch list.
Baseball in Christie Pits.
April 19, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Baseball in Christie Pits.
Voted! Poll was quiet, didn't need to like up, they said yesterday was very busy. Always glad to see the Marxist-Leninists running someone.
April 19, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Voted! Poll was quiet, didn't need to like up, they said yesterday was very busy. Always glad to see the Marxist-Leninists running someone.
Spring isn't quite here yet but it's warm enough this afternoon to put out some chairs in the back patio and read a bit.
April 18, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Spring isn't quite here yet but it's warm enough this afternoon to put out some chairs in the back patio and read a bit.
Elections Canada has a polling station set up at the Beltway under the Gardiner today. Looks like a good turnout.
April 18, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Elections Canada has a polling station set up at the Beltway under the Gardiner today. Looks like a good turnout.
Participated in another Don't Mess with the Don garbage pick up today, my group (one of four) started at the Brickworks and went south along Bayview, around 100 bags collected total. My friends Arthur and Christine were also there, had a nice lunch at the Brickworks after.
April 13, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Participated in another Don't Mess with the Don garbage pick up today, my group (one of four) started at the Brickworks and went south along Bayview, around 100 bags collected total. My friends Arthur and Christine were also there, had a nice lunch at the Brickworks after.
Seen today on the Danforth.
April 12, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Seen today on the Danforth.