Oh man! The Cleveland air show is this weekend! And that Rock and Roll Hall of Fame looks enticing!

Made it to Cleveland! How was the drive? How was the sleep?

Saw Lake Erie and dipped my toes in.

Did a quick tour of Buffalo in the morning. Canalsides, AKG Art Museum, war ships, and Charlie the Butcher Beef on Weck.

And yea, the sleep sucked but good thing I got to the car rental agency at 6.30am cause… they said there are limited walkups.

Donate to the show! PayPal link below!

https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA

***

Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com

Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing

Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com

Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog

Google Stock Tracker Sheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing

Hope you have a great one!!

00:00 Midnight Truck Stop Check-In

02:03 Running on Empty

04:48 Airport Bench Night

07:50 Why Travel Costs So Much

09:51 Renting the Altima

12:38 Car vs Bus Math

14:46 Buffalo Driving Missions

15:46 Cemetery and Canalside History

17:58 Buffalo Food Tour

19:26 Route 5 to Lake Erie

21:37 Airshow Or Bust

22:37 Backroads Reality Check

23:48 Ripping Down I-90

24:42 Cleveland Arrival Regrets

26:25 Locals Talk Airshow

29:54 Truck Stop Reset

30:08 Walmart Card Fail

33:37 Planning Versus Wing It

35:46 Costs And Logistics

37:00 Trip Recap And Reading

39:05 Next Steps And Sleep

39:54 Wrap Up And Links

Wow, America! This is insane! Nowhere cheap to stay!

Did try the Buffalo Wings at Gabriel’s Gate. Park Street Steak sandwich, too… and that’s my food budget for the day.

Right now at Ulrich’s Tavern not far from Kevin’s Guesthouse… they wouldn’t take me because I don’t have anyone at the hospital, “It’s against our charter.” “I’d rather donate to you than a hotel. Can I volunteer?” “There’s the City Mission, they’ll take you.”

Thank you to Thomas the travelling salesman who helped me out last night. Hyatt Regency! What a sleep! Part of his work is to attract sales by going to in-person meetings all over the States to convince people to use their software. Had a few beers at The Brew Room before heading back to the Hyatt Regency. I was skeptical but, again, like yesterday, what’s the difference of that and Couchsurfing? (He was a practitioner of Kundalini yoga… interesting.)

McKenzie the bar tender and I did a video… she’s studying Mandarin Chinese and looking to travel to China next year.

What are my options?

And Steve, do you still love America?

Donate to the show! PayPal link below!

https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA

***

Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com

Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing

Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com

Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog

Google Stock Tracker Sheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing

Hope you have a great one!!

00:00 Buffalo Sticker Shock

00:51 Do I Still Love America

02:59 Politics and Media Extremes

05:20 Karpeles Museum Detour

07:44 Stranger Danger Hotel Offer

11:18 Buffalo History with ChatGPT

15:08 Kundalini and Goggins Challenge

17:11 Gabriel's Gate Wing Review

24:51 Guesthouse Rejection and City Mission

28:55 Next Moves and Travel Options

37:12 McKenzie Learns Mandarin

40:09 Wrap Up and What's Next

My apologies about the delay in posting yesterday’s episode. Many technical delays! iPhone got SOAKED! Couldn’t charge. Couldn’t upload. OOPS!

Hello from Buffalo! What’s it like? It’s raining! Surprise surprise and there’s a tornado warning.

No cheap places to stay. Thinking about staying in the airport… unless I take this guy’s offer up at the bar to stay in his hotel room… Steve, say wha?

I did record an interview with the hostel owner in Niagara… but, it will need to be edited.

And what’s next? How was Niagara Falls?

Donate to the show! PayPal link below!

https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA

***

Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com

Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing

Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com

Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog

Google Stock Tracker Sheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing

Hope you have a great one!!

00:00 Delayed Update in Buffalo

00:31 Mission and Setup

01:42 Getting to Downtown

02:08 No Hostels No Storage

03:52 Couchsurfing and Bar Offer

05:41 Airport Sleep Debate

06:43 Spa Alternatives Abroad

10:37 Renting a Car Math

16:48 Weather Warnings and Wet Gear

18:42 KeyBank Center and Brewpub

19:29 Buffalo Wings Origin Story

22:49 Why Everything Feels Expensive

24:45 Hotel Search Clickbait

25:14 Dynamic Pricing Scam

25:47 Couchsurfing Dilemma

27:11 Buffalo Not Budget

27:54 Car Town Cost Math

29:07 Phone Soaked Fallout

31:02 Weed Offer And Vices

33:35 Hostel Interview Problems

37:44 iPhone Revival Upload

40:32 Spa Hunt Mandarin Chat

41:57 Next Stops Deadline

44:22 Wrap Up Bonus Reflections

Welcome to the America!

Yes, checked in late to the hostel, much to the chagrin of the owner, Jeff! Found him at the bar down the street! Sounded gruff on the phone but was very nice in person, very knowledgeable. 

China visa video doing okay, 500+ views so far. Keep the stories a coming, Stevie!

How was the crossover into the US? Not bad, though nerve-racking, border guard was curious how long I was going to be in the country, asked me what I do for work, and how I was going to get around. She looked a little skeptical about my idea to take the bus and train around. Why am I coming here? Because NO ONE is saying anything nice about the country, I gotta see it for myself!

And, I’m soaked!

Donate to the show! PayPal link below!

https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA

***

Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com

Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing

Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com

Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog

Google Stock Tracker Sheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing

Hope you have a great one!!  

00:00 Raw Niagara Intro

00:37 Soaked at Cave of the Winds

02:45 Park Side Prices and Thirst

03:46 What to Do on US Side

05:12 Hostel Check In Debacle Setup

08:00 Border Politics and City Reality

09:38 Food Portions and Daily Costs

11:14 China Visa Video Backlash

14:03 Crossing the Rainbow Bridge

14:57 US Transit Shock and Itinerary

19:19 Maps Confusion and Locked Hostel

21:39 Phone Plan Fails

22:29 Seeking Help Nearby

23:31 Gas Station Lifeline

26:37 Tracking Down Jeff

29:56 Bar Encounter Check In

31:30 Hostel Life And Fees

35:35 Next Stop Buffalo

38:10 Niagara History Lesson

46:31 Wrap Up And Links

Hello from Niagara Falls, Canada!

What a weekend! Yes still in Canada. Where did we leave off?

The economics of backpacking AND… video making? Combine to see me stay one more day in Toronto. Made a video for the Nomad Pod Hotel and they let me stay the night for free.

Off to Niagara and WOW there’s a lot more to do here than I thought, and that I would be willing to do. Boat ride: $54 (couldn’t take my luggage so I stowed it behind a bunch of trees); Hotel $70; Power Station $37; Journey Behind the Falls $37 (worth it because of the singing that later went on). Things are expensive, and there are no water fountains. Did find an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for $12.99…coffee was extra at $3.99!

Wish me luck on my voyage to America!

And yes, my China visa debacle video is now live.

Donate to the show! PayPal link below!

https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA

***

Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com

Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing

Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com

Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog

Google Stock Tracker Sheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing

Hope you have a great start of week!!

00:00 Niagara Arrival Update

00:51 Rainbow Bridge Nerves

03:09 Toronto Extra Day Recap

04:40 Food and City Diversity

06:34 China Return Pressure

09:01 Hostel Promo Video Hustle

13:20 Video Backlog Reality Check

15:25 Train to Niagara Plans Change

17:18 Budget Hotel on Canadian Side

20:31 Niagara Attractions and Costs

22:08 Luggage Problem at the Boat

23:35 Luggage and boat ride

26:01 Meeting fans and touring

26:44 Power station review

28:21 Niagara costs and packages

32:14 Behind the Falls letdown

35:00 Food water and city vibe

38:17 Travel timing and bridge

41:23 Hostel check-in fee panic

42:49 Wrap up and next episode

Owie my tummy hurts! Stupid California Reaper! Stupid YouTube video making!

Back to my normal set up! Broadcasting LIVE from the Nomad Hostel in downtown Toronto! A new pod capsule hotel here in Toronto. CHEAP! ($60!). Friendly staff! (They’re new?) How long will this last?? They will even let me use the washer dryer for free!

Got the Queens Street video done but… it’s not what I thought it would be.

-DID see some passed out junkies outside the hostel last night, but when I went out later to shoot the video, it just seemed odd to be recording them

-Walked from the hostel to the end of the Western side of the street

-Met a dispensary worker and he was more than happy to talk shop! Not sure how this is going to work when I go back to China!

-And I tried Dave’s Hot Chicken CAROLINA REAPER! All for the Tube… and yes, my stomach hurt after.

And what happened to Niagara? Well, the economics of staying one more night and… Trump signs executive order to rename Lake Ontario to… Lake America? I gotta see this!

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/tariffs/2026/08/28/pm-carney-challenges-trumps-order-to-rename-lake-ontario-to-lake-america

Donate to the show! PayPal link below!

https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA

***

Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com

Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing

Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com

Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog

Google Stock Tracker Sheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing

Hope you have a great weekend!

00:00 Reaper Regrets

00:27 New Hostel Economics

01:53 Minimalist Packing Mishap

02:47 The Case of the Missing Shorts

06:13 Why Niagara Falls Waits

06:36 Podcast Editing Apology

10:21 Hostel Chats and Work Visas

13:18 Queen Street West Reality

16:48 Show Dont Tell Filmmaking

20:57 Dispensary Interview Detour

24:22 Finding an Ending

25:31 Daves Hot Chicken Temptation

26:57 Reaper Regrets Begin

29:15 Honey Milkshake Survival

30:38 Why Eat This

33:26 Delayed Stomach Fallout

34:50 Editing And Channel Updates

37:05 Pod Hotel Explained

40:19 Niagara Falls Game Plan

41:36 US Cities Road Trip Debate

45:02 Sign Off And Laundry Math

It wasn’t the upgrade, Steve. Did you check the connection? Yeesh!

Off to the Hockey Hall of Fame! It’s not a museum, but an honorary area for hockey. Didn’t know there were two Stanley Cups! Yes, I bought a picture for $10 despite having a cell phone. Lots of history and old stuff, might be worth it if you’re into sports or want to learn about one of Canada’s premier attractions. It was a good trip down memory lane, but I almost missed some of the museum because it was tucked away to the opposite direction of the cinema space.

DID make a video, but may only publish to Facebook.

Yes, I did get my visa. What next?

And I got a new follower! That makes 12 on Spotify and 7 on Apple!

Donate to the show! PayPal link below!

https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA

***

Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com

Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing

Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com

Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog

Google Stock Tracker Sheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing

Hope you have a great one!!

00:00 Rolling Setup Checks

01:15 DJI Mic Connection Fail

04:56 Toronto Food Sticker Shock

10:39 Notes on a Napkin

13:16 Visa Secured and Hostel Chats

16:16 Should I Go Niagara

21:59 Sponsor Pitch and Trip Plan

23:49 Border Crossing Story Arc

26:58 Making Better Travel Stories

28:51 Buffalo Detroit Reality Check

31:45 ChatGPT Workflow Hacks

32:44 Travel Plans To Beijing

33:32 Podcast Stats And Followers

35:26 Daily Podcast And Video Setup

37:21 Toronto Bike Share Review

41:42 Hockey Hall Of Fame Tour

51:05 Goalie Masks And Global Hockey

54:42 Summit Series And Rivalries

01:01:19 Stanley Cup And Verdict

01:04:40 Wrap Up And Support Links

Out and about today! One more day until I can go away!

My apologies for yesterday’s accusation of smoke in the room. No no, it’s just that they’re bathed in it! Both from Quebec, hitch hiked here, the younger guy (19 yr) hitch hiked across Europe, Morocco and then travelled Turkey. No blog! No vlog! No ego!

Disappointment with the Canadian work-travel experience! Italian guy in the room… been here since January and nary a job to be found. Granted, he was around Lake Heuron for a while and I’m not sure how much there is to do there for an architect. Going back to Italy for hiring season, but has two years to use the work visa here in Canada. I apologized for my country’s lack of opportunities. A bit of pressure on this guy, or he’s putting it on himself, since by 36 companies won’t hire him, if he buys a house the govt contributes some money if you’re under the age of 36, among a host of other things.

And broadcasting live from outside the TMX in Toronto! Want to know what money sounds like? Don’t bother going to trading floor! You can’t get in!

Off to downtown! Share bikes! CN Tower! And the most disappointing thing ever: the Financial District! Stopped off at the Everyside pub for a pint and wings, pints were only $5! Asked the hostess if she saw any correlation between happy people, sad people and market movements. No. She just usually works on all day happy hour days. Might skew the numbers!

Donate to the show! PayPal link below!

https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA

***

Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com

Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing

Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com

Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog

Google Stock Tracker Sheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing

Hope you have a great one!!

00:00 Botched First Recording

02:03 DJI Mic Meets iOS Beta

03:51 Outside the TMX

05:04 Stock Exchanges Are Digital

08:19 Wolf of Wall Street Takeaway

09:27 Pub and Art Oddities

11:41 Clearing the YouTube Backlog

13:47 Queen Street West Reality

15:27 CN Tower Bike Challenge

18:08 Next Stops Hockey and Niagara

20:55 Crossing Into the US

22:18 Border Trouble Stories

22:37 Buffalo Detroit Travel Plan

23:36 Vlog Ideas and Long Form Push

25:26 Hostel Weed Mystery Solved

27:47 Quebec Roommates and Hitchhiking

29:21 To Monetize or Not

33:50 Italian Architect Work Visa Woes

38:29 Deadlines Mortgages and Reality

41:08 Classics Degree and Sign Off

Crack bags, skunks and cops, what do they have in common? They’re all found where I am now! Location shoot! This time… from a parkette! Right now in Masaryk Park right beside Dunn Avenue Parkette.

What a sleep! Terrible! Cars! Noise! And the guy in the bed next having night terrors! READ A DIFFERENT BOOK! (He’s reading about how the US accepted Nazis after World War 2).

Up and out for a run at 7.30, along Queens Street and then through some park along the river. All told, 9km in 1 hour 8 minutes 43 seconds. Thought about running to the CN Tower but I had already gone a lot further than I wanted. Worse still, shops along Queens Street West where I’m staying don’t open till 9am!

Spent the day organizing photos and videos, something I should probably do more of, rather than waiting until the end of my travels.

Debating whether to go out today, into the city or just around the block. How is the block you’re living on?

And met a working traveller from Britain now here in Canada working at a kids camp. Was teaching climbing to kids at camp. She was a dancer before getting into climbing and mountaineering. No, sorry, no interview, sadly.

Donate to the show! PayPal link below!

https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA

***

Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com

Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing

Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com

Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog

Google Stock Tracker Sheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing

Hope you have a great one!!

00:00 Crack Bags Skunks Cops

01:00 Hostel Frustrations

02:20 Queen Street West Vibes

04:53 Parkette Bench Setup

06:44 Editing Visa Video Plans

09:10 Job Timeline Visa Pressure

10:34 Winnipeg Video Ideas

12:05 Travel Life and Girlfriend

14:42 Next Stops and Transport

16:20 Hostel Room Characters

20:01 Night Terrors and No Sleep

23:32 Panda Eyes Pivot

25:02 Story Driven Vlogs

25:50 Editing Reality Check

26:17 Film Books Festivals

28:10 YouTube Movies Skepticism

30:03 Visa Week Plans

31:36 Morning Run Queen

35:11 GoPro Movement Channel

36:38 Tomato Juice Quest

37:55 Hostel Mountaineer Chat

43:40 Audio Podcast Philosophy

45:12 Wrap Up Links

Location shoot and hello from Toronto!

How was the flight and the trip over here? Ended up taking a taxi at 3 o’clock in the morning, mainly because I figured it was cheaper than a hostel in Toronto… but still would’ve been better to get that later flight.

Visa application done and did! And now to wait! Thursday is pick up day. Should I stay? Or should I go? (They were waiting for me!) I also took my envelope back soooo… guess I’m staying.

How’s the hostel?! Where are you staying?

And yes, I spent some time this weekend doing some recording. How did it go?

Donate to the show! PayPal link below!

https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA

***

Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com

Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing

Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com

Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog

Google Stock Tracker Sheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing

Hope you have a great start of week!

00:00 Hello From Toronto

00:36 Sketchy Queen Street Setup

02:21 Early Taxi To Airport

03:45 Winnipeg Airport Surprise

04:24 Full Flight And Carry On

06:27 Landing And Visa Mission

07:13 Pearson Transit Options

09:11 Subway Ride To University

13:47 Visa Center Fingerprints

16:41 Overstay Story And Costs

18:30 Should I Stay Or Fly

19:52 Last Minute Flight Prices

22:00 Staying in Toronto Plans

22:47 Niagara Falls Idea

24:00 Detroit Detour Debate

26:46 Content and Canada Costs

28:55 China Return Timeline

32:26 Recording Cymbals Project

37:36 Minimalism and Stuff Value

40:07 Wrap Up and Cymbal Track