Thursday, January 26, 2006
TTC Recycles?
One thing that has flabbergasted be over the past year with regards to the TTC is their "recycling plan".
Courtesy of papers such as the Metro, Dose, 24 Hours, and the more conventional National Post/Globe And Mail, the TTC is probably home to 10% of all paper use in the city of toronto in the average day. You'd think they would have developed an innovative recycling strategy for dealing with this mammoth influx of paper.
They used to have these big blue metal bins with a small slot at the top for you to feed your newspapers into. They were easy to identify, and well positioned. You could quickly and painlessly dump off your paper, and be confident it would be recycled - because of the unique appearance of the bins, and because of the slot at the top only true dufuses would be depositing garbage into these things.
However, at some point in the past year they've moved to what presumably was supposed to be a "better" plan for recycling. The blue bins were removed and replaced with three side-by-side open top garbage 'cans'. This allows for trash, paper and cans/glass...GREAT! Except, the cans aren't super clearly labelled(people will only spend a fraction of a second on identifying which bin to use), and there's no means of physical differentiation (they all have the same large round open top).
As a result, the paper goes in the garbage. the garbage goes in the paper. the cans go in em all. And at the end of the day you end up with three cans of garbage - there's no way that ttc employees go through the bags to properly seperate things, and there's no way that the recycling company can make due with so much garbage in the recycling.
To make things worse, all three are essentially a round metal hoop with a clear garbage bag attached to the hoop. As the bags fill up, they inevitably fall off the hoop, and garbage is strewn all over the floor.
Who the heck decided these things were a good idea!? Why haven't they bitten the bullet and abandoned them in favour of a better design!?
What do other cities like Montreal do to address the issue of recycling?
Courtesy of papers such as the Metro, Dose, 24 Hours, and the more conventional National Post/Globe And Mail, the TTC is probably home to 10% of all paper use in the city of toronto in the average day. You'd think they would have developed an innovative recycling strategy for dealing with this mammoth influx of paper.
They used to have these big blue metal bins with a small slot at the top for you to feed your newspapers into. They were easy to identify, and well positioned. You could quickly and painlessly dump off your paper, and be confident it would be recycled - because of the unique appearance of the bins, and because of the slot at the top only true dufuses would be depositing garbage into these things.
However, at some point in the past year they've moved to what presumably was supposed to be a "better" plan for recycling. The blue bins were removed and replaced with three side-by-side open top garbage 'cans'. This allows for trash, paper and cans/glass...GREAT! Except, the cans aren't super clearly labelled(people will only spend a fraction of a second on identifying which bin to use), and there's no means of physical differentiation (they all have the same large round open top).
As a result, the paper goes in the garbage. the garbage goes in the paper. the cans go in em all. And at the end of the day you end up with three cans of garbage - there's no way that ttc employees go through the bags to properly seperate things, and there's no way that the recycling company can make due with so much garbage in the recycling.
To make things worse, all three are essentially a round metal hoop with a clear garbage bag attached to the hoop. As the bags fill up, they inevitably fall off the hoop, and garbage is strewn all over the floor.
Who the heck decided these things were a good idea!? Why haven't they bitten the bullet and abandoned them in favour of a better design!?
What do other cities like Montreal do to address the issue of recycling?
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Score!
Things that are good:
i) Senators continuing to WALLOP the Leafs
ii) Summer being just around the corner
iii) Chronicles of Narnia
iv) Rice cakes
v) Squash
vi) Buying a bag of bagels: $1.99. Discount Coupon on the bag of bagels: $2.00. Total cost of bagels? -1 cents...yes, I actually essentially got PAID a penny to buy the bagels. Done deal.
vii) Matt P for hooking a brother up with 'Kiss Me Deadly', a terrific CD.
i) Senators continuing to WALLOP the Leafs
ii) Summer being just around the corner
iii) Chronicles of Narnia
iv) Rice cakes
v) Squash
vi) Buying a bag of bagels: $1.99. Discount Coupon on the bag of bagels: $2.00. Total cost of bagels? -1 cents...yes, I actually essentially got PAID a penny to buy the bagels. Done deal.
vii) Matt P for hooking a brother up with 'Kiss Me Deadly', a terrific CD.
Insight
Sometimes you need to turn to alternative sources for insight. 'Alternative sources' sometimes includes horoscopes. And sometimes you find nuggets like this:
Pisces: "You'll be glad to hear from someone who has a mould or fungus problem."
Is that like...athlete's foot? Or more like, in the fridge?
Pisces: "You'll be glad to hear from someone who has a mould or fungus problem."
Is that like...athlete's foot? Or more like, in the fridge?
Monday, January 23, 2006
Huh
Just an interesting stat I read on the Green Party Foreign Policy Platform page:
Since 1996, worldwide military expenditures have exploded 27 per cent reaching $932 billion annually. Most of this budget was spent by countries that represent only 16 per cent of the world population. In contrast, these same countries spent just $68 billion on international aid. This gross misallocation of funds underlines the widely held belief by governments that their nation will be secure through force rather through cooperation.
Since 1996, worldwide military expenditures have exploded 27 per cent reaching $932 billion annually. Most of this budget was spent by countries that represent only 16 per cent of the world population. In contrast, these same countries spent just $68 billion on international aid. This gross misallocation of funds underlines the widely held belief by governments that their nation will be secure through force rather through cooperation.
Big Day
Election day! Get out there and vote folks. Make your voice heard.
I've had some requests for my take on my starring appearance in the Blue Man Group. I'll tell you one thing, being a Blue Man Groupie isn't an easy thing.
As some of you have surely read from Simon's Blog, the whole fiasco started when a stage hand came up and sat down next to simon and i and introduced herself. She asked our names, looked at simon's strange vestige and knew immediately that I was the one they wanted.
She took me out into the hall and gave me a brief explanation of what was going to happen. She took my shoes and gave me a pair of black doc martins.
As the show progressed I got more and more excited waiting for my big moment. There were a few other "crowd participants", including a really cool gramma who played her part perfectly. The pressure was on...could I live up to the hype? Could I make simon proud?
With the show almost at an end, I was expecting my appearance to begin any minute. Nonethless, I was somewhat surprised when suddenly the spotlight was pointing at me, my face was up on the tv screen above the stage, and a Blue Man was tapping me on the shoulder.
He grabbed me by the hand, and before I knew it, I was being pulled hastily down the stairs, up the aisle, and onto stage in front of the bright lights. Simon's hoots from the balcony were barely audible over the din of the crowd.
I was helped into a white space suit, and a black motorcycle helmet was placed over my head. I was taken by the hands and shoulders and helped off stage.
At this point, the reality diverges from the illusion. The crowd is shown a video of a guy in a white space suit and black helmet being covered from head to toe in blue paint, and slammed into this white canvas, leaving a big "body print".
The reality is, as soon as I'm behind stage two girls rip my shoes and coveralls off. Within seconds, I'm changed into a blue jumpsuit, and put into blue shoes. I'm then rushed over to this "magician's assistant" box...essentially a small black box with a hole in the top.
A shower cap is thrown over my head, and I slowly work my head up into the hole - pushing into a giant bowl of jello! My whole head is immersed in the bright pink, jiggly goo, right up to my top lip. The Blue Men are beating a frantic rhythm on their drums; the crowd is being worked into a frenzy. The jello is shaking to every thump, every beat. The box is spun and pushed out onto stage. A silence falls over the crowd. They see a black box with a silver platter. What's underneath??
The cover is removed to show me, smiling, inside a giant bowl of jello. The crowd erupts in a cacophony of laughter. The jello is broken apart, and I let out a triumphant laugh. The blue men free me from my confinement, and to thunderous applause, help me off stage.
As I exit the auditorium, I am greeted by another pair of stage hands who help me out of the blue jump suit, and shoes and back into my own. My exploits have come to an end. Almost.
As the show comes to an end, and we're heading for the doors, I'm stopped by a handful of admiring fans "Was that REALLY you!?". Others just look on, and smile.
All in a hard day's work.
I've had some requests for my take on my starring appearance in the Blue Man Group. I'll tell you one thing, being a Blue Man Groupie isn't an easy thing.
As some of you have surely read from Simon's Blog, the whole fiasco started when a stage hand came up and sat down next to simon and i and introduced herself. She asked our names, looked at simon's strange vestige and knew immediately that I was the one they wanted.
She took me out into the hall and gave me a brief explanation of what was going to happen. She took my shoes and gave me a pair of black doc martins.
As the show progressed I got more and more excited waiting for my big moment. There were a few other "crowd participants", including a really cool gramma who played her part perfectly. The pressure was on...could I live up to the hype? Could I make simon proud?
With the show almost at an end, I was expecting my appearance to begin any minute. Nonethless, I was somewhat surprised when suddenly the spotlight was pointing at me, my face was up on the tv screen above the stage, and a Blue Man was tapping me on the shoulder.
He grabbed me by the hand, and before I knew it, I was being pulled hastily down the stairs, up the aisle, and onto stage in front of the bright lights. Simon's hoots from the balcony were barely audible over the din of the crowd.
I was helped into a white space suit, and a black motorcycle helmet was placed over my head. I was taken by the hands and shoulders and helped off stage.
At this point, the reality diverges from the illusion. The crowd is shown a video of a guy in a white space suit and black helmet being covered from head to toe in blue paint, and slammed into this white canvas, leaving a big "body print".
The reality is, as soon as I'm behind stage two girls rip my shoes and coveralls off. Within seconds, I'm changed into a blue jumpsuit, and put into blue shoes. I'm then rushed over to this "magician's assistant" box...essentially a small black box with a hole in the top.
A shower cap is thrown over my head, and I slowly work my head up into the hole - pushing into a giant bowl of jello! My whole head is immersed in the bright pink, jiggly goo, right up to my top lip. The Blue Men are beating a frantic rhythm on their drums; the crowd is being worked into a frenzy. The jello is shaking to every thump, every beat. The box is spun and pushed out onto stage. A silence falls over the crowd. They see a black box with a silver platter. What's underneath??
The cover is removed to show me, smiling, inside a giant bowl of jello. The crowd erupts in a cacophony of laughter. The jello is broken apart, and I let out a triumphant laugh. The blue men free me from my confinement, and to thunderous applause, help me off stage.
As I exit the auditorium, I am greeted by another pair of stage hands who help me out of the blue jump suit, and shoes and back into my own. My exploits have come to an end. Almost.
As the show comes to an end, and we're heading for the doors, I'm stopped by a handful of admiring fans "Was that REALLY you!?". Others just look on, and smile.
All in a hard day's work.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Almost over
Elections in generally get me all riled up if you couldn't tell. The nonsense "attack" ads on tv, all the media hooplah, and the neverending parade of promises/lies. I'm never going to forget the last provincial election, watching Dalton McGuinty every day say "my platform has been fully costed by a third party, and i will NOT raise taxes", then two months later introducing two new taxes, one of which costs me close to $400 per year.
This year the conservatives are running on a platform that just doesn't add up as far as I'm concerned. The math just doesn't seem to be there for me. They're both cutting taxes and wildly icreasing spending. But, rest easy, their platform has been fully costs by a third party accountant.
Funny thing is though, I read an article/clip in the citizen this week - tha accounting that did the costing is now trying to distance himself from it...apparently the platform he was provided to by the party to cost didn't include several major factors such as provincial equalization payments (to fix the so called fiscal imbalance) and it didn't include the costs associated with providing a health care guarantee in terms of waiting times. It'll be interesting to see how their numbers add up, and if they'll be pulling a Dalton on us.
This year the conservatives are running on a platform that just doesn't add up as far as I'm concerned. The math just doesn't seem to be there for me. They're both cutting taxes and wildly icreasing spending. But, rest easy, their platform has been fully costs by a third party accountant.
Funny thing is though, I read an article/clip in the citizen this week - tha accounting that did the costing is now trying to distance himself from it...apparently the platform he was provided to by the party to cost didn't include several major factors such as provincial equalization payments (to fix the so called fiscal imbalance) and it didn't include the costs associated with providing a health care guarantee in terms of waiting times. It'll be interesting to see how their numbers add up, and if they'll be pulling a Dalton on us.
Friday, January 13, 2006
"Free vote"
I love the Conservative spin-machine this election. Last time the Conservatives learned that if they actually came out and said what they meant, that Canadians would take off screaming, running for the hills.
This time, rather than saying "we support/oppose X" they put things in a different light by saying "We'd hold a free vote on X".
- they'd hold a free vote on overturning the right for gay marriage.
- they'd hold a free vote on taking a step backwards and actually supporting the US 'star wars' ballistic defense/weapons program.
I'm sure there's a slew of other ones they'd do too - legalization of marijuana, you know...all the stuff that we're actually happy that the liberals managed to make happen.
They also announced today that they would reneg on Kyoto, although I woulda sworn earlier they were supporting it...or atleast giving the impression they were. The conservative candidate at the all candidates meeting i was at last night certain claimed they would support it.
Here's the thing about "free votes". I'm no political expert, so Matt P. feel free to correct me...but, if the Conservatives actually are in a position to make any of this stuff happen, it's 1 of 2 scenarios - a minority government, or a majority government.
In a majority government, a "free vote" is a bit of a joke. It means that anyone within the conservatives would be entitled to vote with their own personal preference rather than with the party line. However, people running for the conservatives generally will have the same beliefs as the party and will vote with the party...meaning, that since they have the majority, whatever the party wants will become law - removing the right to gay marriage, putting weapons in space, etc etc.
In a minority government, a "free vote" is a nice thing as it cannot be construed as a vote of confidence, so if they lose, it doesn't cost them anything... and presumably, they WOULD lose since previous polls have shown canadians have supported the Liberal/NDP position on these issues.
So, as far as I can tell, "free vote" is just a nice way of saying "we have a strong opinion/preference that we know most people won't like...soo.....we'll just gloss that over by saying we'll have a free vote, but we'll do whatever we can to make sure it'll happen". Scary.
This time, rather than saying "we support/oppose X" they put things in a different light by saying "We'd hold a free vote on X".
- they'd hold a free vote on overturning the right for gay marriage.
- they'd hold a free vote on taking a step backwards and actually supporting the US 'star wars' ballistic defense/weapons program.
I'm sure there's a slew of other ones they'd do too - legalization of marijuana, you know...all the stuff that we're actually happy that the liberals managed to make happen.
They also announced today that they would reneg on Kyoto, although I woulda sworn earlier they were supporting it...or atleast giving the impression they were. The conservative candidate at the all candidates meeting i was at last night certain claimed they would support it.
Here's the thing about "free votes". I'm no political expert, so Matt P. feel free to correct me...but, if the Conservatives actually are in a position to make any of this stuff happen, it's 1 of 2 scenarios - a minority government, or a majority government.
In a majority government, a "free vote" is a bit of a joke. It means that anyone within the conservatives would be entitled to vote with their own personal preference rather than with the party line. However, people running for the conservatives generally will have the same beliefs as the party and will vote with the party...meaning, that since they have the majority, whatever the party wants will become law - removing the right to gay marriage, putting weapons in space, etc etc.
In a minority government, a "free vote" is a nice thing as it cannot be construed as a vote of confidence, so if they lose, it doesn't cost them anything... and presumably, they WOULD lose since previous polls have shown canadians have supported the Liberal/NDP position on these issues.
So, as far as I can tell, "free vote" is just a nice way of saying "we have a strong opinion/preference that we know most people won't like...soo.....we'll just gloss that over by saying we'll have a free vote, but we'll do whatever we can to make sure it'll happen". Scary.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
How many!?
I was going to write a post about how impressed I was after hearing of an Australian man who was able to repeat, without error, the value of pi to 4400 digits. It took him more than 2 hours to recite....how INSANE is that!? I can't even remember my own phone number most of the time! Apparently he "learned" the numbers in less than a week....I'd love to know what his technique was!
But then...
I found THIS article...apparently 4400 is nowhere even remotely close to the record. A japanese person recited pi to....83,431 digits. Now that is TRULY mind boggling.
But then...
I found THIS article...apparently 4400 is nowhere even remotely close to the record. A japanese person recited pi to....83,431 digits. Now that is TRULY mind boggling.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Talk about a grift
Seriously...talk about a frikkin grift. Shoppers has changed their Optimum points program...at JUST the wrong time for me.
They had a big 20x the points thing just before new years...I stocked up, and *FINALLY* got enough points (34,000) to get the 100% off up to $75. Sweeeeet.
Well, I was in shoppers today, and the lady in front of me tried to cash in her points, and made a big stink when the girl told her she didn't have enough. I thought it was sorta weird, so when I got to the front I asked the cashier what the deal was. She said that as of Jan 1st, they'd changed their point scheme...
Well now, to get the 100% off up to $75 you need 40,000...SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS more worth of shoppers purchases. Grift.
They had a big 20x the points thing just before new years...I stocked up, and *FINALLY* got enough points (34,000) to get the 100% off up to $75. Sweeeeet.
Well, I was in shoppers today, and the lady in front of me tried to cash in her points, and made a big stink when the girl told her she didn't have enough. I thought it was sorta weird, so when I got to the front I asked the cashier what the deal was. She said that as of Jan 1st, they'd changed their point scheme...
Well now, to get the 100% off up to $75 you need 40,000...SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS more worth of shoppers purchases. Grift.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Gun Violence? Try grenade violence
It's not that teenage 'gangstas' have hand guns that surprises me...it's stuff like this that does:
- mom turns her 17 year old son into police after finding an AK-47 assault rifle under his pillow.
- police raid apartment, find GRENADE LAUNCHER and several submachine guns.
While I'm sure there some "shock" or "intimidation" factor associated with the my gun is bigger than yours thing...do you really think you need a grenade launcher!?
- mom turns her 17 year old son into police after finding an AK-47 assault rifle under his pillow.
- police raid apartment, find GRENADE LAUNCHER and several submachine guns.
While I'm sure there some "shock" or "intimidation" factor associated with the my gun is bigger than yours thing...do you really think you need a grenade launcher!?
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
FREE PHOTOS!
This cracked me up to the nines. Please click here to view a funny video. People are remarkably trusting/naiive of technology, and or will do some pretty funny stuff for a free picture.
Watched March of the Penguins with LT...while I really enjoyed it, I'm a little surprised that it was as commercially successful as it was...I wouldn't think it would appeal to "the average joe".
Watched March of the Penguins with LT...while I really enjoyed it, I'm a little surprised that it was as commercially successful as it was...I wouldn't think it would appeal to "the average joe".
