So... decided to drive to work this morning. This is unusual for me... usually I take the GO Train and enjoy NOT having to deal with idiot drivers, but today I just couldn't face the prospect of another cold and windy walk along Front Street.
On the way, I needed to stop for gas... no biggie, I drive past a station anyway. Well, some bright spark has decided overnight that it'd be a good idea to send out a street sweeper along the major artery I drive along, complete with water jet to wash the road. Let me tell all you folks who don't live in Southern Ontario why this was an issue. At 6:30 this morning the temperature was -3. Below freezing. Fine spray of water... below freezing temps... let's just say getting into and out of the gas station was a fun ride. Our first idiot of the day award goes to whoever decided they needed to clean the road last night.
Fast forward about 30 minutes (I avoid highways in Toronto like the plague between the hours of 6:00 and 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Monday - Friday... the drive takes LESS time if I do).... driving along Wellington Street through the financial district (almost at work, in fact). Cabbie is driving along in front of me. I suddenly realize that the back of the cab is getting a lot closer. Yes, folks, he has NO brake lights. None. Zero out of three. Now there's a safe prospect. And you know, that's not the sort of thing that happens without someone knowing. That's the sort of thing that happens when someone unplugs something and OOOPS, forgets to plug it back in. Idiot of the day award #2 goes to the cabbie. However, the cab company is spared, because when I called to let them know, they actually put me on hold rather suddenly to get the dispatcher to put the call out to him. Of course, they were probably just covering their own butts on that one... the way people drive in this city, it could well result in the death of a passenger... or at least a hefty ticket and fine.
TGIF. And hopefully the drive home won't be as interesting (although it's supposed to snow, so 97% of the people on the roads home will likely have forgotten how to drive. Blah.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Disgusted with Grey Cup fans
Let me start with an aside note that as soon as I've sent my letter to them, I'll post something about our recent trip to St. Lucia and the Sandals Halcyon Beach resort.
Now... on to the real post.
I live in Toronto. I cherish no illusions that it’s a “super-clean” city. I know we have litter and dirt issues. We’re a city, I’d find it a little spooky if we didn’t.
That said, I have to say I was thoroughly disgusted on my morning commute to walk along Front Street and see the amount of crap left over from last night’s Grey Cup. Normally, Front Street is a pretty clean part of town. What with the CN Tower, Rogers Centre (aka the SkyDome), and the Convention Centre, there’s a fairly high tourist traffic level, so they make an effort to keep it clean and tidy. Generally, the most litter around is cigarette butts. There are large planters that are filled with reasonably attractive plants from March through November (and often beyond if it’s a snow-light winter).
This morning? Papers, flyers, napkins, food detritus (half-eaten burgers, pizza crusts, hot peppers, etc.), plants ripped out of the planters and thrown on the ground, empty booze and beer bottles (drinking on a public street is still illegal, last time I checked), vomit pools and, in at least one spot, crap. Literally. Shit. Fecal Matter. Human solid waste. Who the hell thinks it’s ok to drop drawers on a main thoroughfare and take a dump??!??!?!!?
And while I understand and appreciate that the game didn’t end until 9:00 or so, there’s no reason why the city and/or the Grey Cup committee couldn’t have done something to clean up the after-math overnight.
Blech.
On a happier note… we went to the One of a Kind show yesterday and our favourite photographer was there. He’s got some great new shots in his collection, along with the old favourites. We picked up his new book (which he inscribed for me) and one of his desk calendars… and he remembered us from previous shows. Check him out! http://www.bantlephoto.com/index.html
Now... on to the real post.
I live in Toronto. I cherish no illusions that it’s a “super-clean” city. I know we have litter and dirt issues. We’re a city, I’d find it a little spooky if we didn’t.
That said, I have to say I was thoroughly disgusted on my morning commute to walk along Front Street and see the amount of crap left over from last night’s Grey Cup. Normally, Front Street is a pretty clean part of town. What with the CN Tower, Rogers Centre (aka the SkyDome), and the Convention Centre, there’s a fairly high tourist traffic level, so they make an effort to keep it clean and tidy. Generally, the most litter around is cigarette butts. There are large planters that are filled with reasonably attractive plants from March through November (and often beyond if it’s a snow-light winter).
This morning? Papers, flyers, napkins, food detritus (half-eaten burgers, pizza crusts, hot peppers, etc.), plants ripped out of the planters and thrown on the ground, empty booze and beer bottles (drinking on a public street is still illegal, last time I checked), vomit pools and, in at least one spot, crap. Literally. Shit. Fecal Matter. Human solid waste. Who the hell thinks it’s ok to drop drawers on a main thoroughfare and take a dump??!??!?!!?
And while I understand and appreciate that the game didn’t end until 9:00 or so, there’s no reason why the city and/or the Grey Cup committee couldn’t have done something to clean up the after-math overnight.
Blech.
On a happier note… we went to the One of a Kind show yesterday and our favourite photographer was there. He’s got some great new shots in his collection, along with the old favourites. We picked up his new book (which he inscribed for me) and one of his desk calendars… and he remembered us from previous shows. Check him out! http://www.bantlephoto.com/index.html
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