Double Down

The internet is a buzz lately with the talk of KFC’s Double Down sandwich finally arriving in Canada. Not surprisingly most of the comments are coming from people who have not tried it. Fine. I get it. We have the nutritional facts on this thing and obviously its not the most healthy thing I am going to eat this year. On the other hand, has someone checked the nutritional information on a McDonald’s Southwest Chicken “Salad” lately? Salad sounds healthy no? Think again. Almost on par with the “love to hate it” KFC Double Down.

Interestingly this has turned into debate about healthy eating and the part of corporations such as KFC is playing, on our bad health, and this bothers me a little. I read a column by some Mark Morford, parts of which are being quoted on blogs and facebook posts everywhere. He makes good use of adjectives to describe the Double Down while ripping into a fictional KFC executive. I guess he doesn’t have the resources to interview a fry cook, much less a senior manager at the corporate level. All that and many other blogs do is blame big bad KFC for coming up with another unhealthy food item, and “tricking” the stupid masses with clowns and other gimmicks into eating it. I am a little offended to say the least.

Mi-Way or the Highway

photo credit: Matthew Dudman - AdThoughtz.com

If for some reason a subway (or any TTC vehicle) did not stop at a designated station/stop failing to pick up the one or two passengers waiting simply because they were staring down or away, the entire city would be up in arms. Radio stations would be having heated debates, newspapers writing, TV reporters chasing municipal administrators for comment.

It seems to me that leaving passengers stranded is becoming regular practice on Mississauga Transit. Drivers seem to think they have the authority to decide if a person at a designated waiting area (transit pole) is paying enough attention to warrant their stopping the vehicle and picking up the waiting passenger.

This has happened to me almost twice this week. The first time the bus I was waiting for was driving behind another, one of those super long doubles. Route 35 behind it was in the middle of the intersection across Clissold Road (just outside Islington subway station). Rather than waiting for the first bus to board, the driver of route 35 just drove around the bus in front, into the middle lane and kept going, leaving myself and another passenger. Neither of us realized we were supposed to run into the middle of the intersection to board the bus at the driver’s convenience.

The Buck Starts Here

It is hump day on the second week since starting my new job. It’s not quite new to me. Planning for a trucking/transportation company has been my ‘plan b’ since my early twenties.

Accepting the position was a little bittersweet. I am relieved some of the financial woes of the past few months will soon be a distant memory. On the other hand, I really would have loved to turn the radio thing into a manageable income. A part of me knows that if not for the depression and emotional nuances that resulted from “the break-up” I probably would have been more aware of the opportunities in front of me. I am, admittedly, a much stronger person with a partner in my life, and if I may be so bold to suggest, she knew what she was doing to me when she left.

A Walk Down Yonge

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It was a gorgeous morning as I left work, and rather than the usual subway from St. Clair, I decided to walk south down Yonge Street and would board the trains at Bloor for the eventual westbound trip.  I need the exercise anyway.

I always find something new on this trips. I know most of Toronto well, but I am still surprised by the little treasures that have slipped past my memory over the many years.  Today was the overpass at Rowanwood Avenue, which overlooks the TTC Subway tracks between Summerhill and Rosedale stations.  I stopped to take a few photos with my blackberry. Another lesson learned today. ALWAYS carry my SLR with me.  Not bad for a phone cam though.

I’ve arrived home, and it is almost sad that I need to get some sleep. I will try to make it a short nap so that I can enjoy the rest of this gorgeous day.  After all I did not get a weekend, much less a long one. Enjoy the photos.

TTC Bay Lower Subway Station (slideshow)

The adventure began this morning as I headed home from work.  I had almost forgotten about the reports on the radio or the video at the Toronto Sun website about construction on the TTC tracks closing Bay station.  The detour however, will give passengers an opportunity to briefly tour the closed old Bay Lower subway station, otherwise known as Toronto’s Ghost Station

As I boarded what was supposed to be the westbound train on the Bloor line at Yonge, I heard the announcement. “This train is being diverted to Museum station and then going out of service… We apologize for the inconvenience”.

It took some time but the train did make the southbound switch (turn) and proceeded through the lower Bay Station. We stayed in the station for a long time, but no matter how much I begged, the doors would not open. The blurry photos I managed to take with my Blackberry, unfortunately were snapped through dirty windows.

Technically Producing Content

Photo Credit: Matt Hamm

It was just supposed to attract a few old-timers, ignorant to the ways of the internet. I wanted to offer a service in which I could teach those who were nervous of social media, or unaware it even exists, how to use it and safely. This is something I had done free for many of my friends before. My phone rings off the hook every time twitter servers are at capacity, or facebook updates privacy settings (and new groups sprout up perpetuating the fear that Zuckerberg is selling your soul).

Several people told me “you’re good at this. You can make money. You have no idea how many people need your help”.

I’m Hungry

Dude on the next floor smokes a lot of weed on the weekends. I notice when I open my windows to air the apartment out but instead I get second hand love from above. At first I get upset because I don’t smoke/toke… Then for some unknown reason I just say to heck with it.  I guess it is the price you pay for living in a high-rise.   I really don’t want to become “THAT” neighbour – you know the one that comes knocking because the they can hear you peeing and it disturbs them.  Heck, I would just go up and tell him to share, but I don’t want to turn into a burn-out, regardless of how attractive they are to some people.  Instead I’m just going to go get some pizza… I’ve got the munchies.