I was sent this and couldn’t stop laughing at the acting (in a good way). Quirks and tear jerks. This video short is by Katie Uhlmann and Claire Stollery to feature Christmas social commentary. Whatcha think about that? A moving chair? Yes. Want to see more? Visit their channel on YouTube at RealProfessionalDuo. Happy Holidays!

Shannon Boodram is hilarious. I Q&A’ed with her over a year ago about her book LAID. She’s a spirited and talented young women with a comedic flare. Shannon’s other half Andrea Lewis (formerly of Degrassi) make up Those Girls Are Wild (TGAW). Check out their YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/thosegirlsarewild and their website at www.thosegirlsarewild.com. Holla!

Twas a mild day, that poutine mange-ing day. I went to a World Poutine Eating Championship – and when I had initially received the email invitation I was already riveted. You pretty much had me at the title.

The third annual Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship was held just outside of Gate 11 at the Rogers Centre. A mix of media, consumer, and eating enthusiasts came together to surround a surreal looking elevated stage, complete with fully outfitted amateur and professional eaters. A truck was conveniently parked outside, handing out free poutine to a snaking line of salted fry-fiends. Some fun facts:

• Last year’s record was 13lbs of poutine consumed
• Amateurs had 6 minutes to complete the challenge, Professionals had 10 minutes
• This year’s winner was the defending champion, who consumed approximately 9.5 lbs
• Over $1,000 was raised for the Daily Bread Food Bank, through donations / pay what you can for the poutine
• This really makes you want to consume your poutine carefully

I had a blast and a half attending the event (a definite must for next year). I’m headed to Montreal this weekend…watch out poutine, you’re mine.

Some other links:

Toronto Star Photo Gallery – http://photogallery.thestar.com/1059324
BlogTO – http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2011/09/world_poutine_eating_champ_defends_crown_in_toronto/
The Grid – http://www.thegridto.com/life/food-drink/this-man-ate-9-75-boxes-of-poutine-in-10-minutes/

Make Your Face Maynards. No, really. Get your sweet face onto a sweet already. If you head onto the Maynards Candy Facebook Fan Page, you’ll have an opportunity to candify your face into a Fuzzy Peach, Swedish Berry, Sour Patch Kid, or Cherry Blaster candy.

Sweetness, right? Not only are these suckers available online, but there’s ad-pods everywhere in malls where you can stop by and create your own version to email yourself. SMILE! You’re about to get a whole lot sweeter, sweetness.

> Words by Lisa Marie Chen

There are some things in Toronto you can always count on: a piping bowl of after-club pho at the Train (Pho Xelua), traffic due to road construction in the summer, and the return of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE/The EX) before Labour Day.

The EX has a special place in my heart. Memories of enjoying cups of plain spaghetti for 50 cents (although I think it’s 99 cents now), watching real life product demonstrations of my favourite infomercials, and the relentless pursuit of an electronic scooter.

More than 20-something years later you might think that I’d be bored, but the EX always has something new every year that keeps me coming back.

This year my heart and gastronomic sensibilities are looking forward to the deep-fried everything (specifically – cola, pb&j and oreo cookies), that Krispy Kreme cheeseburger, and dining on award winning racks at the rib fest. In between meals, I’ll check out the ethnic finds at the International Pavilion, try to teach Coco new tricks from the PC SuperDogs Show and spook myself out learning about the Haunted CNE.

Whatever your interests, I’m almost certain you’ll enjoy your trip to the EX. And if you’re any good at throwing a ball into a basket, meet me at the Midway.

The CNE runs through September 5, 2011. For more info, visit http://www.theEX.com

Be sure to follow @urbanebloc and me (@sciontistLC) as we put our tummies to the test at @letsgototheEX.