tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164267742024-02-22T15:18:45.594-05:00recursionadventures from a fractal lifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger276125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-74948980351444673442014-11-12T08:16:00.004-05:002024-01-08T17:55:41.269-05:00Fort York Citizenship Ceremony: a Moving Experience<p>Last week I was invited by the <a href="https://www.icc-icc.ca/en/" target="_blank">Institute for Canadian Citizenship</a> to participate as a Roundtable Discussion Facilitator as part of their twice-yearly Building Citizenship program at Fort York.<br />
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It’s a unique initiative that deserves attention. Just prior to their Citizenship Ceremony, new Canadians are introduced to existing citizens for a welcoming discussion reflecting on what it means to be Canadian.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2_KHhZx5SvIXqnIbCcQLo4PHHD1RcJkFCt62PpIpF0OjAkKkJ_QubcxhBQeVpamBbaLGs4W1Dz_bGUTKSyQKHx3QsrEtLJiNrrqzgxOPJDQecAo3_j08sF9gzg53pWDxxumDDGTHbJ1RsgOWIoNLQtoR-BUoEJfDxbohx5se-ecqzIIXKCGyFQ/s2048/IMG_5990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2_KHhZx5SvIXqnIbCcQLo4PHHD1RcJkFCt62PpIpF0OjAkKkJ_QubcxhBQeVpamBbaLGs4W1Dz_bGUTKSyQKHx3QsrEtLJiNrrqzgxOPJDQecAo3_j08sF9gzg53pWDxxumDDGTHbJ1RsgOWIoNLQtoR-BUoEJfDxbohx5se-ecqzIIXKCGyFQ/w266-h400/IMG_5990.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"What does it mean for you to be here today?"<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />
I found the experience quite rewarding. I was born in Canada, and I take a lot of things about citizenship for granted. In this day and age, it is easy to become jaded or even wary about thoughtless patriotism.<br />
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Listening to the backgrounds and stories of the new Canadians was meaningful—these are people that have, with great deliberation, <i>chosen</i> to make this country their home. They’ve uprooted their lives, spent years going through the process, and have fully committed themselves to becoming Canadian and part of our community.<br />
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Reflecting on their journeys has given me a deeper appreciation for the simple freedoms (and responsibilities) we have in Canada.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6x9jtPqwkWBt9IVczmYujPT61ZYzksbAiia5aiOn_myS7BgelacpL6TP02ziBJsv2UpusTAvGp5OvATfdajoCjJOFnHzYWlzU953RK6DIduHilaQ8sT-7UWWgQI94IiFJ4yuQEyI_pPWW2dKahts76rVXLA8KnBSg3yy6SDddgc3r5mmjKpjJiw/s2048/IMG_6183.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6x9jtPqwkWBt9IVczmYujPT61ZYzksbAiia5aiOn_myS7BgelacpL6TP02ziBJsv2UpusTAvGp5OvATfdajoCjJOFnHzYWlzU953RK6DIduHilaQ8sT-7UWWgQI94IiFJ4yuQEyI_pPWW2dKahts76rVXLA8KnBSg3yy6SDddgc3r5mmjKpjJiw/w400-h266/IMG_6183.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Judge presiding over the Ceremony<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
Every natural-born Canadian should witness at least one Citizenship Ceremony. It’s a solemn but joyous affair.<br />
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Highlights for me included: <br />
<ul>
<li>Affirming the oath of citizenship (yes, it does require you to pledge allegiance to the Queen)</li>
<li>Hearing 40 newly-minted Canadians singing ‘O Canada’ — an emotionally charged moment</li>
<li>Enjoying a thoughtful lecture by Wayne Reeves, Chief Curator of Museums and Heritage Services for the City of Toronto, on the meaning of Remembrance Day in the context of Fort York. </li>
</ul>
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The strength of a nation lies in its people, and I’m proud to say we became 40 stronger last week.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi1W7HwQbfCTJDt7-OLDFcDXSc1o8Wq5JogAa8bmI-SJW7nlTG127ew5lSY7r56LbczC6MXydq4IWSFGiI5JWosRurAUJB65ntt8-GD9BpUsyHyj7MIx_dYUenYBNGOlyg60pFWT_JHZxZZPjher_9pdIZZj3aYwoUFapx5msC_4PQudJM8k2lA/s2048/IMG_6208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi1W7HwQbfCTJDt7-OLDFcDXSc1o8Wq5JogAa8bmI-SJW7nlTG127ew5lSY7r56LbczC6MXydq4IWSFGiI5JWosRurAUJB65ntt8-GD9BpUsyHyj7MIx_dYUenYBNGOlyg60pFWT_JHZxZZPjher_9pdIZZj3aYwoUFapx5msC_4PQudJM8k2lA/w400-h266/IMG_6208.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">40 new Canadians swearing the oath of Citizenship<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvYOEFWPsKJd8vse5luA7lP9hVMEwMoU2hqFeBnRbXb1vpfg5zwXzCXwNS2czQsoLCEC-3Tm5HdsyveleuI10kwbR8V6ffI7mlHVj5fvBtgi5aHbu20yMmAAs-cdePWLrDEo70xJVC-EsC82Kgse11NLV4GppW6UX6cYrRAfhUhluCQSdT66hcA/s2048/IMG_6296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvYOEFWPsKJd8vse5luA7lP9hVMEwMoU2hqFeBnRbXb1vpfg5zwXzCXwNS2czQsoLCEC-3Tm5HdsyveleuI10kwbR8V6ffI7mlHVj5fvBtgi5aHbu20yMmAAs-cdePWLrDEo70xJVC-EsC82Kgse11NLV4GppW6UX6cYrRAfhUhluCQSdT66hcA/w400-h266/IMG_6296.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hearty first meal provided by The Meeting Place / West Neighbourhood House<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>
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The Institute, founded and co-chaired by the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul, also runs the well-regarded Cultural Access Pass program, which provides new citizens with free access to more than 1,000 Canadian places and spaces (museums, parks, etc.) </div>
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All told, it was an excellent learning opportunity and I’m fortunate to have observed this important, intimate moment in the lives of 40 citizens. I was also pleased to see the <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2014/09/the-fort-york-visitor-centre-important.html">new Fort York Visitor Centre</a> in use—exactly the sort of community event for which it was built. My thanks to the ICC for the invitation.</div>
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<i>Photos in this post courtesy of Lambrina Nikolaou.</i></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comFort York National Historic Site, Toronto, ON M5V 3K9, Canada43.6392758 -79.40302930000001418.1172413 -120.71162330000001 69.1613103 -38.094435300000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-21226788218946243302014-10-22T12:57:00.000-04:002014-10-22T12:57:36.254-04:00Heritage Toronto Award: Historical Maps of TorontoI am the delighted recipient of the 2014 Heritage Toronto Award of Merit (Media category) for my site, <a href="http://oldtorontomaps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Historical Maps of Toronto</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibXZr4t0l7a1Y5MNsD5ngjoBtjK5-lntP_iAIsD7dKCuHiQLSChGqOcQABDdHvnmc5mrzw1vmU8WsEg6JBaY0WZ16zqTNbhgaiLLMwZ9_RTupGlnVhbMkKknf5DFfKC4rYEvCwQ/s1600/HeritageTorontoAwardx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibXZr4t0l7a1Y5MNsD5ngjoBtjK5-lntP_iAIsD7dKCuHiQLSChGqOcQABDdHvnmc5mrzw1vmU8WsEg6JBaY0WZ16zqTNbhgaiLLMwZ9_RTupGlnVhbMkKknf5DFfKC4rYEvCwQ/s1600/HeritageTorontoAwardx.jpg" height="400" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gee, I’ve always wanted... Rob Ford’s signature?!</td></tr>
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The Award was presented to me at last evening’s 40th Annual Heritage Toronto Awards at Koerner Hall. It pleases me considerably to see that Torontonians are using the site as a research resource on a regular basis.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4bxWKtgxB01YLzI7UKpNo3yjdj87oOfZb0E20M9VW0aHVMar7_ytwU219ckeqguaHFF4XdIQG9IWodVww1dQsicC8V-ExyYeeK7FoAKnYeYe8HgxuMXF-jKWa7ANqSlWqjIVhg/s1600/IMAG2699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4bxWKtgxB01YLzI7UKpNo3yjdj87oOfZb0E20M9VW0aHVMar7_ytwU219ckeqguaHFF4XdIQG9IWodVww1dQsicC8V-ExyYeeK7FoAKnYeYe8HgxuMXF-jKWa7ANqSlWqjIVhg/s1600/IMAG2699.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Receiving the award from Alexandra Pike, Heritage Toronto Board Chair</td></tr>
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The full list of people I have to thank is extensive, but luckily I’ve already <a href="http://oldtorontomaps.blogspot.ca/p/about-this-project.html" target="_blank">written it up</a> (scroll down to ‘Thanks and Acknowledgments’). Carrie Martin, Elise Paradis, Stephen Otto, and anyone who ‘bought me coffee’: thank you so much for your support.<br />
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Historical maps are like a series of snapshots in time. They illustrate the fascinating story of Toronto’s evolution from a compact town a little over two hundred years ago, into the bustling metropolis we know today. Rich in informative detail, yet often overlooked, they lend us a proper sense of context, and of place. They are powerful artifacts which capture Toronto’s defining tension: the ever-present impetus for change, pushing against the influence of what came before.<br />
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It is my pleasure to share them with the rest of Toronto—because history belongs to all of us.<br />
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If you’re into old maps or the history of early Toronto, I invite you to visit <a href="http://oldtorontomaps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Historical Maps of Toronto</a>, as well as its sister site <a href="http://fortyorkmaps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fort York and Garrison Common Maps</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-30332433037991618262014-09-29T15:53:00.000-04:002014-09-29T15:53:05.328-04:00Minimalist TTC Subway Map“Arriving at Bloor, Bloor Station...”<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoiPoCekp9MbwxB6pdpGSjREobs5hk35Ij7ZdlW2Cg6CeFSdxJWzzFSbnpQo9XD9wqbXN75YdpYEMr6Bt4e3kq6oOX9k8nc-GSRtBfYNDPBIoQWxQ067v_V0Y4Hzz9jZjrp2BbA/s1600/minimalist-ttc-subway-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoiPoCekp9MbwxB6pdpGSjREobs5hk35Ij7ZdlW2Cg6CeFSdxJWzzFSbnpQo9XD9wqbXN75YdpYEMr6Bt4e3kq6oOX9k8nc-GSRtBfYNDPBIoQWxQ067v_V0Y4Hzz9jZjrp2BbA/s1600/minimalist-ttc-subway-map.jpg" height="126" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TTC subway map on Toronto Rocket, with cover removed</td></tr>
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While travelling on the Yonge line, I happened to notice the LED route map on the Toronto Rocket train I was riding was missing its cover (by the way: this is not cool, guys. If you want a genuine subway map, purchase a ‘classic T1’ map <a href="http://shop.ttc.ca/collections/all/products/authentic-subway-map" target="_blank">for just $10</a> via the TTC. Stealing one for your dorm room is lame).<br />
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Scrutinizing the map more closely, we can see that it’s already set to handle the upcoming Spadina line extension stations (diagonal line of dots, upper left), whenever they open. No reconfiguration needed, except changing the cover. As for the proposed Scarborough subway...<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-34198325909417804172014-09-19T00:18:00.000-04:002014-09-20T19:22:31.739-04:00The Fort York Visitor Centre: An Important Step ForwardThe Fort York Visitor Centre is about to open. It is a marvellous accomplishment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8yFOFKbH5mqLN2oTn-Qc9iYQ3_os2s71O78nyvP79vrBjnPSzjTtw2yHU0fhXL6M9fQfoC0IUi0dv51pIaJrX4xNQjMHqJNPvA-prAGj2EDQa08tH_Pz7pdP7T1AvWnV_O3tog/s1600/IMG_6511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8yFOFKbH5mqLN2oTn-Qc9iYQ3_os2s71O78nyvP79vrBjnPSzjTtw2yHU0fhXL6M9fQfoC0IUi0dv51pIaJrX4xNQjMHqJNPvA-prAGj2EDQa08tH_Pz7pdP7T1AvWnV_O3tog/s1600/IMG_6511.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fort York Visitor Centre: in harmony with its surroundings</td></tr>
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Decades (literally!) of patient, persistent work, wrangling, and planning went into making the Visitor Centre a reality. A generation of stakeholders and all levels of government have been involved.<br />
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The Fort has been an oft-forgotten, sometimes neglected gem in the heart of the city, but the Visitor Centre marks an important step forward in the evolution and life of the Fort.<br />
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The Visitor Centre is a clean, elegant, low-slung building that somehow manages the trick of bringing solemnity to the underside of the Gardiner Expressway. It was designed by Patkau Architects Inc. / Kearns Mancini Architects Inc. and has already won awards.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgs7w0nNi20vIchmliiQdh5wNG3COrfWqewT8hfAW6tXUzIxcWq9y44z2KYYp6dOHEoIISyR2qSfpYKiFwfpAJNkHNcsqXIfGcvPNJB6fsHmMFrUhMnOAfJXhP7-aT5ONndDmQBg/s1600/IMG_6476x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgs7w0nNi20vIchmliiQdh5wNG3COrfWqewT8hfAW6tXUzIxcWq9y44z2KYYp6dOHEoIISyR2qSfpYKiFwfpAJNkHNcsqXIfGcvPNJB6fsHmMFrUhMnOAfJXhP7-aT5ONndDmQBg/s1600/IMG_6476x.jpg" height="376" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On duty at the Visitor Centre entrance</td></tr>
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I’m one of those fusty stick-in-the-mud types who are highly resistant to change, and I was anxious that the Visitor Centre might turn out to be an over-expressive architectural carbuncle drawing attention away from the actual historic site.<br />
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Not to worry.<br />
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The Fort now has a world-class facility with which to welcome visitors and provide context for the history of Toronto, as well as host events and exhibits. It’s part of an overall vision that recognizes that the Fort and the accompanying Garrison Common are an integral part of the community and have a participatory role to play.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEeNMXmJbDitzSz5vw0aNSS6g4S9P_0khoI9eps2jJ1Tn38NkWtDmAH4jF8yHA9r2gzEDcsYPltrUWxN6a_U8SxQPs00EQi04CSIFRgnBwaef_byEf7lF058fsDoiu_f3pByquw/s1600/IMG_6480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEeNMXmJbDitzSz5vw0aNSS6g4S9P_0khoI9eps2jJ1Tn38NkWtDmAH4jF8yHA9r2gzEDcsYPltrUWxN6a_U8SxQPs00EQi04CSIFRgnBwaef_byEf7lF058fsDoiu_f3pByquw/s1600/IMG_6480.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, functional gallery space </td></tr>
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Inside, the Visitor Centre seems well-laid out, and I look forward to seeing how the space is used by different exhibits. The Immersive Ramp on the upper level is particularly intriguing; I want to see how it develops.<br />
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On display at the moment (in addition to materials relating to the First World War) is a donation of <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/04/22/na0423-alco-pachter/" target="_blank">11 paintings inspired by the War of 1812</a> by noted artist Charles Pachter (if you’ve been to College subway station, you’ve seen his handiwork).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDHwv7lCNZiMAv5o8mPIZhjYhpcg-RaZdik9EMI9cXVgr9idwPOYkT8g3SgvFNIRAsc02rvi6AUo1rBHWLlC_NkRzz6xCYxIcqdXwJyxnRnr7hIU34ZxsAngUoPmUSNiwhVrVmA/s1600/IMG_6485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDHwv7lCNZiMAv5o8mPIZhjYhpcg-RaZdik9EMI9cXVgr9idwPOYkT8g3SgvFNIRAsc02rvi6AUo1rBHWLlC_NkRzz6xCYxIcqdXwJyxnRnr7hIU34ZxsAngUoPmUSNiwhVrVmA/s1600/IMG_6485.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Thirst for Victory</i>, by Charles Pachter<br />
City of Toronto Museums, A14-33</td></tr>
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The Fort York Visitor Centre is celebrating its opening this weekend with the On Common Ground Festival. Check it out!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqee_8-Ezddg5z6EThSr9qbfN5iTryM4bSo-TpC2aUTeTk_lKcX2raIqd1NYqw4jwrremXX0w0ZAbSAHIlSArFQEIgr5YxpJdt5kriXOyNv1dHhaUumwtGdAnJgd6diK1w0HcyHQ/s1600/OnCommonGround.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqee_8-Ezddg5z6EThSr9qbfN5iTryM4bSo-TpC2aUTeTk_lKcX2raIqd1NYqw4jwrremXX0w0ZAbSAHIlSArFQEIgr5YxpJdt5kriXOyNv1dHhaUumwtGdAnJgd6diK1w0HcyHQ/s1600/OnCommonGround.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get Fortified!</td></tr>
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p.s. while you’re in the neighbourhood, be sure to drop in to the recently opened 99th branch of the Toronto Public Library, the Fort York branch on Bathurst.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYVSrATx0a8KUVmkfHQeWcV0eLZsuImLz-AAx4BDvj5cCIj_kxrEBwA84JDHlwDGiBlo8021iMBfQBYtvpgllSDhP_dXEjgOn5pQxqJUBbVy3i82jWd_J8-ftLAf8W7wCfEFjoA/s1600/IMG_6532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYVSrATx0a8KUVmkfHQeWcV0eLZsuImLz-AAx4BDvj5cCIj_kxrEBwA84JDHlwDGiBlo8021iMBfQBYtvpgllSDhP_dXEjgOn5pQxqJUBbVy3i82jWd_J8-ftLAf8W7wCfEFjoA/s1600/IMG_6532.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort York branch of the TPL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Further reading:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.fortyorkfoundation.ca/the-visitor-centre/" target="_blank">About the Visitor Centre Design</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/fort-york-adds-new-enhancements-to-boost-attraction/article20711687/" target="_blank">Fort York opens a new door to Toronto’s history</a> (Globe and Mail, Alex Bozikovic)</li>
<li>Christopher Moore: <a href="http://christophermoorehistory.blogspot.ca/2014/09/fort-york-visitor-centre-one-for-good.html" target="_blank">One for the Good Guys</a></li>
<li><a href="http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2014/09/fort-york-visitor-centre-officially-opens-weekend-festival" target="_blank">Fort York Visitor Centre officially opens</a> (Urban Toronto, Stephanie Calvet)</li>
</ul>
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<br />
Full disclosure: the Friends of Fort York and I collaborate together on the website, <a href="http://fortyorkmaps.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Fort York and Garrison Common Maps</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-29329714870229369472014-07-29T06:02:00.000-04:002015-02-15T00:03:15.919-05:005 Years Down, About 20 To Go: My Quest For A Peace Tower Canadian FlagDid you know that Canadian citizens can <a href="http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/biens-property/questions-eng.html#a6" target="_blank">submit a written request</a> for flags that have flown atop Parliament Hill?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmirvSOmrevwPMuHmenNM2sOhk0VV_v9Nx6_uelzK9NkdSm3pDxFpp-u_z5cmoMi0y7JrEWYbQRW6tkF21rTUbs1nfjLth25Lxb-u3ROp_qNhrrQXfOvY1BNHUDLGKK8VEwgk2g/s1600/Peace+Tower+Canadian+Flag+-+Parliament+Hill+Ottawa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Photo: Canadian Flag flying on Parliament Hill, Ottawa" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmirvSOmrevwPMuHmenNM2sOhk0VV_v9Nx6_uelzK9NkdSm3pDxFpp-u_z5cmoMi0y7JrEWYbQRW6tkF21rTUbs1nfjLth25Lxb-u3ROp_qNhrrQXfOvY1BNHUDLGKK8VEwgk2g/s1600/Peace+Tower+Canadian+Flag+-+Parliament+Hill+Ottawa.jpg" height="290" title="Would you like to have a Canadian Flag that has flown over Parliament Hill?" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would you like to own a Parliament Hill Canadian flag? Just ask!<br />
<i>Photo courtesy: PWGS</i></td></tr>
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<br />
It’s a popular wait-list — the approximate waiting period is currently 42 years for a Peace Tower flag, and 31 years for East and West Block flags. The Peace Tower flag is changed daily, and never serves another official purpose after its flight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-370BHdhoV36XaTKLXaM-v2-ncyEigSa-oHdQ4vrrDkw7uXByYuYoO4zmzTuMJr4lWXt7VGAfWXmYrLxAVtBkQfAvtmKJe_zVJowfIgl5k9HzKo3kN2ZwA6e4gVfeDn47ZQHWg/s1600/flag-letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-370BHdhoV36XaTKLXaM-v2-ncyEigSa-oHdQ4vrrDkw7uXByYuYoO4zmzTuMJr4lWXt7VGAfWXmYrLxAVtBkQfAvtmKJe_zVJowfIgl5k9HzKo3kN2ZwA6e4gVfeDn47ZQHWg/s1600/flag-letter.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I sent in my request about five years ago, when the Peace Tower list was shorter. A little over five thousand Canadians are in the queue ahead of me.<br />
<br />
The Ministry of Public Works and Government Services administers the program, which started in the mid-1990s.<br />
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Only a couple more decades to go!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-60807651007756992572014-07-24T10:00:00.000-04:002014-07-30T23:40:00.201-04:00Celebrating My Candy Crush DominionI have a confession to make. It’s a little embarrassing.<br />
<br />
But sometimes it’s more entertaining to just blurt things out, even if it gets awkward.<br />
<br />
I’ll express it in pictorial form:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn07ldblWHYKt3QB1UFAtQBrWnQ01tea4QRP2S6Ro7DDPilg6ra6xqDafG_Z_JnY1Rgv3LjluvisAFAR-R14RB4_C4kDko18K43e5cnzk0zJJXn2C0EMbIZQvDB9CtmiVuKk8fpQ/s1600/Candy-crush-confession-xf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn07ldblWHYKt3QB1UFAtQBrWnQ01tea4QRP2S6Ro7DDPilg6ra6xqDafG_Z_JnY1Rgv3LjluvisAFAR-R14RB4_C4kDko18K43e5cnzk0zJJXn2C0EMbIZQvDB9CtmiVuKk8fpQ/s1600/Candy-crush-confession-xf.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
<br />
Yup. In case you don’t recognize that middle graphic, it’s an in-game relative standing progress chart: I am the top <a href="http://www.candycrushsaga.com/" target="_blank">Candy Crush</a> player of all my friends.<br />
<br />
It has taken me 9 months of desultory play to achieve this dubious distinction, woven from the interstitial pauses of transit commutes, laundry loads, and grocery lines.<br />
<br />
I have survived the horror of level 578. Emerged resilient and unbowed from the frustration of level 461. Endured and somehow vanquished level 350. <b><span style="color: #f1c232;">I am a Candy Crush King!</span></b><br />
<br />
My sincerest apologies to any Facebook connections I spammed along the way, inadvertently or otherwise. Your forbearance is admirable.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbPdLmlKXBs_X8UrGB9P9GywYUTHeiwkUYY38DXvS0DSiiYpnd_xNqQPi6WSRKkPfG0PnGW6y2n0p0dH-M1Y9sLsyquoEj-XIJLW8AozFsA6HRDmxDRcpBUtH3uJcod7xdnIT_g/s1600/Candy+Crush+Level+461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbPdLmlKXBs_X8UrGB9P9GywYUTHeiwkUYY38DXvS0DSiiYpnd_xNqQPi6WSRKkPfG0PnGW6y2n0p0dH-M1Y9sLsyquoEj-XIJLW8AozFsA6HRDmxDRcpBUtH3uJcod7xdnIT_g/s1600/Candy+Crush+Level+461.jpg" height="345" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candy Crush Saga Level 461: Indelibly frustrating</td></tr>
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<br />
I’m fascinated by the mechanics that make Candy Crush so popular.<br />
<br />
And it definitely is popular. Boasting over 46 million average monthly players on Facebook, Candy Crush Saga has also been installed over 500 million times across iOS and Android devices. It’s played by men, women and children of all ages, exhibiting a uniquely broad appeal that most video games lack.<br />
<br />
As with anything that becomes so widespread that it seeps into the culture, many people outwardly profess an attitude of scorn and derision towards the game. Certainly it is a time-waster. But vast rewards have accrued for its British maker, King.com Ltd. According to ThinkGaming, the game’s daily revenues are currently <a href="http://thinkgaming.com/app-sales-data/2/candy-crush-saga/" target="_blank">just shy of $1 million</a> — for the US section of the iOS App Store alone.<br />
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I’ve been tempted many times to join that throng of paying rubes.The gameplay is transparently designed to provoke and beguile players into purchasing extra moves and game boosters. But as King notes in their <a href="http://www.candycrushsaga.com/candy-crush-saga-faqs/en" target="_blank">FAQ</a>, the entire game can also be completed without any purchases. My miserly nature (and yes, my ornery stubbornness) has enabled me to resist—thus far.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy6YqLSk9BA6rfeTkDJ1wI3wuZSiSQqFbrv3oKcasUUrmeOKH1xtoUkOI-OTLpmz5ESjH-g2B3m1C1TfXDfq_t2lUzQnm_QVli5sVuNZHisv2_juJqEWj63AkofO6Wu0oB18Qbg/s1600/Tiffi-candy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy6YqLSk9BA6rfeTkDJ1wI3wuZSiSQqFbrv3oKcasUUrmeOKH1xtoUkOI-OTLpmz5ESjH-g2B3m1C1TfXDfq_t2lUzQnm_QVli5sVuNZHisv2_juJqEWj63AkofO6Wu0oB18Qbg/s1600/Tiffi-candy.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Toffee (left) and the main protagonist, Tiffi (short for Toffette)</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">How I First Got My Sugar Crush</span></b><br />
Kat, this is all your fault.<br />
<br />
My friend Kat introduced me to this saccharine diversion. We were riding the subway home after a climbing session, and she started playing with her cellphone.<br />
<br />
“What’s that?” I asked her.<br />
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“Just a silly game. It’s called Candy Crush.”<br />
<br />
That night, I googled the name and came across this <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/07/candy_crush_saga_the_most_addictive_game_since_angry_birds.html" target="_blank">Slate article describing the game’s addictive qualities</a>. Like other match-three puzzle games before it (<a href="http://bejeweled.popcap.com/" target="_blank">Bejewelled</a> comes to mind), Candy Crush features straightforward play that begins simply, and progressively gets harder as you complete more levels.<br />
<br />
The social integration is devilish, and though I am loathe to admit it, the system hooked me almost instantly: In addition to fielding periodic exhortations to share and like the game, <i>users can observe where they stand in relation to their peers</i>.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgA22i3a0rJgLak5rpkMlNngHich7BUdWi2VCpBNyo65TqpvRuT7_8VaLNwU1jSqcmtDiuZpXxAqYXEEQxG9Dg-QXjRW4fYLoFeDRfd_IrPReQbHonqJojRdDq3kIrsW2jUUb5Q/s1600/color-bomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgA22i3a0rJgLak5rpkMlNngHich7BUdWi2VCpBNyo65TqpvRuT7_8VaLNwU1jSqcmtDiuZpXxAqYXEEQxG9Dg-QXjRW4fYLoFeDRfd_IrPReQbHonqJojRdDq3kIrsW2jUUb5Q/s1600/color-bomb.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colour bomb! Delicious.</td></tr>
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This was my first exposure to such cunning psychological manipulation (I don’t normally play video games), and my competitive instinct was led astray far too easily.<br />
<br />
While I was initially taken aback by the number of my Facebook connections who indulge — I had expected close to zero — soon I was right there among them, vying feverishly to complete “just one more sweet level.”<br />
<br />
It turns out there is a disproportionate thrill to be had from catching up to, and then passing people you know. Nevermind the game’s lack of sophistication or its gaudy, childish presentation — it’s fun.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Final Thoughts</span></b><br />
I’m going to savour this absurd moment, however fleeting it may be, where I am demonstrably the... best? at this endeavour.<br />
<br />
Yes, it’s a stupid game, a leisure-time opiate of distraction. But I’ve enjoyed playing it. It relaxes me. At time of writing, I’ve only got about 30 levels left; King periodically releases new levels. Then I’ll be done, and I can start reading Shakespeare again in my spare time. [Note: see update below]<br />
<br />
Yeah, right.<br />
<br />
I cannot recommend that you try it for yourself. It’s far too much of a time-waster. But should you decide after all to challenge me for the Kingship of Candy Crush — I’ll see you in nine months.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Update</span></b><br />
It’s official. I’ve completed all of the regular Candy Crush levels that have been created. I can now relax!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwKpg-Y5xDWEBv1PE-bEAv52L2vKZudTdDJhw7ixonQkKsufd-c7Tsa70SmytoN-xHydVDrRQZdSpZYcb2ikzToAE_GDHCXYHuoLFAKxsvnWMZcR_hr0SwhPlWw7dv3YAnADmVQ/s1600/candy-completion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwKpg-Y5xDWEBv1PE-bEAv52L2vKZudTdDJhw7ixonQkKsufd-c7Tsa70SmytoN-xHydVDrRQZdSpZYcb2ikzToAE_GDHCXYHuoLFAKxsvnWMZcR_hr0SwhPlWw7dv3YAnADmVQ/s1600/candy-completion.jpg" height="275" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I’m done!! Until they make more levels, that is.</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-77561006910958896692014-07-07T15:33:00.004-04:002014-07-10T12:53:19.519-04:00Setting Easy for Summer Sweatfest Wasn't So Easy!I recently had the diverting experience of assisting the setting crew for the initial competition in this year’s <a href="http://www.summersweatfest.com/" target="_blank">Summer Sweat Fest</a> bouldering series. The opener was held at <a href="http://rockoasis.com/" target="_blank">The Rock Oasis</a>, my home gym.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTOMxVdItjcxh8uuNSQlp09xkZsXPO6_zldJZedRErWTwavxtcy65UpEQ6wGDZIzTox2kjqbtLMpSiqzIdP6ykwd9rNqApA80UHW6Gy7daydMHAbMAxaray-BR-6pjYIdbXJmUQ/s1600/ssf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTOMxVdItjcxh8uuNSQlp09xkZsXPO6_zldJZedRErWTwavxtcy65UpEQ6wGDZIzTox2kjqbtLMpSiqzIdP6ykwd9rNqApA80UHW6Gy7daydMHAbMAxaray-BR-6pjYIdbXJmUQ/s1600/ssf.png" height="262" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first time setting problems for a bouldering comp!</td></tr>
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I learned that setting for a competition—even a casual one like Sweat Fest—is a lot of work, and harder than I imagined. Comp routesetters: you have my newfound respect!<br />
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Often when you read (or watch videos) about cool boulder problems that people have made, the focus is on hard movement through advanced sequences—so I thought I’d write a somewhat unstructured piece regarding the other end of things, and relate my first-time personal experience of trying to set easier and moderate problems, in the context of a comp.<br />
<br />
The head-setters were Adam Tataryn and Adrian Das (both professional setters), and we were joined by Dave Machado (another ‘recreational’ setter like myself). The way it shook out, I wound up authoring a modest chunk of the beginner and intermediate grade problems, which freed the other fellows to focus primarily on the Open category and advanced scramble-format problems.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">An Emphasis on Fun</span></b><br />
It’s important to note that with Sweat Fest the emphasis is on a <i>friendly</i> bouldering series, with beginners and youth encouraged to participate. Other themes would be low cost, informality, and the general aim of fun.<br />
<br />
There were 26 scramble-format problems, numbered in roughly ascending difficulty (e.g. 1 was the easiest, 2 a little harder, etc.) (There were also 5 Open problems each for Men and Women).<br />
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The challenge was, <b style="color: #f1c232;">how do you set problems which beginners find stimulating, but without being frustrating or too difficult? </b>And at the same time you can’t just let the intermediate climbers cakewalk through your problems either.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
It was a learning experience for me—it was my first time ever setting for a comp. The most apparent lesson is that I’m still figuring out how to properly set at a given grade.<br />
<br />
My problems tend to favour movements that I personally find entertaining, or that I’m trying to improve on. I had to continually remind myself (and occasionally be reminded) that I was setting for newer, moderately skilled climbers, and youth.<br />
<br />
This meant: You can’t make moves too hard. You can’t make moves too long or out of reach. You have to take into account a lack of technique. You have to make it extra safe.<br />
<br />
Following are a few of the problems I set (bear in mind this is only a small subset of the comp). I’ll briefly discuss my intent versus how it turned out.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PRMrnQ8y8gr3LB91bRGGS7zyim4R9EHMrRMFukiGuZZMUiq2sj0-XzMT5OY2yfBKxw9V15qS-zyTfOAFUV9wsUIoKY1zgmtOZ1nNBmYeimuvSSsvzxG53z7dOJWrjiCfwvv-5g/s1600/summer-sweatfest-IMG_9303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PRMrnQ8y8gr3LB91bRGGS7zyim4R9EHMrRMFukiGuZZMUiq2sj0-XzMT5OY2yfBKxw9V15qS-zyTfOAFUV9wsUIoKY1zgmtOZ1nNBmYeimuvSSsvzxG53z7dOJWrjiCfwvv-5g/s1600/summer-sweatfest-IMG_9303.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#8 - Yellow (click images to view larger)</td></tr>
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This short V1 requires calm, deliberate movement. Despite the brevity, the volumes give the route a curiously exposed feeling; the hand holds are tolerable, but not overly good, pinches that you have to negotiate with.<br />
<br />
We turned the start and middle holds so they were easier to use. I wanted to create a longer problem with more moves, but at that skill level I didn’t want the finish to be over either of the two volumes, in case of a fall. So it wound up being quite brief. Perhaps I could have put a couple of easy traverse moves leftwards at the top.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYL8KMox-tLLarY5ETzfsyXco1xTfC0zPS5NOjEUjOCEjfTrBCGybBkr-te_g-3Ob4IkEChluyCXx8ERjIFXuCx3UHK8Sbpiv2XIZysBMeEsBMPur7RSjVs6LkGNnIE0fY0iAng/s1600/summer-sweatfest-IMG_9306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYL8KMox-tLLarY5ETzfsyXco1xTfC0zPS5NOjEUjOCEjfTrBCGybBkr-te_g-3Ob4IkEChluyCXx8ERjIFXuCx3UHK8Sbpiv2XIZysBMeEsBMPur7RSjVs6LkGNnIE0fY0iAng/s1600/summer-sweatfest-IMG_9306.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#10 - Purple</td></tr>
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I was happiest with #10. It has two distinct playful movements. The first involves stepping up onto the red volume and balancing on it with no hands. The second move is leaning left from that balanced position until you 'fall' onto the next hold. Both involve the climber doing something coordinated, a bit out of the regular.<br />
<br />
The start hold (on the green volume) was added to prevent the climber from skipping the above sequence and grabbing the left hold immediately. Instead, most people will step up on the red volume from the right side, leading into the balance position. I was delighted to watch people get on, reach out left, then realize they had to leave the safety of the start hold and balance on the red volume, exactly the way I had imagined it.<br />
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I added two left side footholds for the 2nd half. Originally I wanted to make the climber smear up but it proved too challenging for the grade range we wanted to use it in.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4V4b8wXTr3Wk0CDD4gBOgFb8zC6QHYXyO_hF_kBG7LW0bGAdbahAIK7g3_AVohjLrpsmzPFuZsqdMns5fx7yER6PhJ04EQe3aG_QNaoB1cXgiWLZnbB7nAYpdFnaghUlo8abRBQ/s1600/summer-sweatfest-IMG_9308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4V4b8wXTr3Wk0CDD4gBOgFb8zC6QHYXyO_hF_kBG7LW0bGAdbahAIK7g3_AVohjLrpsmzPFuZsqdMns5fx7yER6PhJ04EQe3aG_QNaoB1cXgiWLZnbB7nAYpdFnaghUlo8abRBQ/s1600/summer-sweatfest-IMG_9308.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#5 - Green</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This simple problem caused me headaches, believe it or not. I wanted to set an easy (V0) overhanging problem. The challenge is that most beginners are not strong enough to do much on an overhang.<br />
<br />
I put up the biggest, juggiest holds I could find — and it was <i>still</i> too hard. Then we substituted in the big hold in the middle, adjusted a few angles to be smoother, and that solved it; the problem became doable for novices.<br />
<br />
I also couldn’t make the problem too lengthy, again because most beginners haven’t the endurance to deal with an extended overhang. So the problem peters out after not going anywhere exciting. If it were twice as long, it would make for a nice warmup.<br />
<br />
During the comp I watched this problem specifically, and was gratified to see climbers on it, sometimes falling off, but ultimately mostly completing it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ9JbUbFFrNwOicV0DdmUS7aFtxt6Sn9mzrqL_9y9a6HDJeWmHtBGInlFa9ZmzWu2avVIiEies_caLepI84RPUpTFlsFzvxOf8DwBLmW-W-_D8wJaK8CwX7l71PHJJiW5hyphenhyphen8Ngg/s1600/summer-sweatfest-IMG_9307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ9JbUbFFrNwOicV0DdmUS7aFtxt6Sn9mzrqL_9y9a6HDJeWmHtBGInlFa9ZmzWu2avVIiEies_caLepI84RPUpTFlsFzvxOf8DwBLmW-W-_D8wJaK8CwX7l71PHJJiW5hyphenhyphen8Ngg/s1600/summer-sweatfest-IMG_9307.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#19 - Yellow (green tape)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The blue volume is the highlight of this V3. (Though if you’re short like me you have to fight with the opposing vertical holds, also some good work. I should have moved the start hold further right to force this for everyone)<br />
<br />
You have to wrestle with the volume to get to the end. Adrian and Adam removed a foothold I originally placed under the volume. It was an excellent tweak, and really forces the climber to deal with the volume. Thematically the end is like the reverse direction of the Women’s Open problem (pink holds) shown in the same photo.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIY6-V2zbyUoZNQfSIDjVdy1vLHQOTyT3i5F6ft6-47Z4tL7XGTLnaFDWyP_Cqv-XLWP9MwwbUJmDMFTOR-hP0QaBn9xR0P9t39KHV-WPphkKYeuickkDVxcQ6wlH-9ykNFtFuw/s1600/summer-sweatfest-IMG_9313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIY6-V2zbyUoZNQfSIDjVdy1vLHQOTyT3i5F6ft6-47Z4tL7XGTLnaFDWyP_Cqv-XLWP9MwwbUJmDMFTOR-hP0QaBn9xR0P9t39KHV-WPphkKYeuickkDVxcQ6wlH-9ykNFtFuw/s1600/summer-sweatfest-IMG_9313.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tail end of #16 - Grey/Black (beginning not shown)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
#16 (about a V3) has a pleasurable sequence at the end where you have to use the (left) triangle volume in a couple of different ways. Approaching from the left, you pull on the spine of the volume as if it was a big hold, moving your feet from the small knob below it (in the yellow paint) to the next foothold out and up to the right. Then you move forcefully upwards into a double gaston, which you must maintain as you shift your body right in order to high-step the left foot onto the side of the volume. After establishing both feet on the side, launch for the finish.<br />
<br />
I had originally made the top of the wall the end, but then we moved it down and used a nice soft finishing hold.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8bIvgVs7rb7N7IddjDUboPdyIdxHBDBYkRvCGqR8Mf6NvY00qlpHvvyx0k1KmNNVrYPM_1WV_Gk3Zf73oA0mFj8z_Mhp_iEZOVxukaTLcEEnbeZoVY2_rgiwWDEt30o4F20NvA/s1600/summer-sweatfest-IMG_9314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8bIvgVs7rb7N7IddjDUboPdyIdxHBDBYkRvCGqR8Mf6NvY00qlpHvvyx0k1KmNNVrYPM_1WV_Gk3Zf73oA0mFj8z_Mhp_iEZOVxukaTLcEEnbeZoVY2_rgiwWDEt30o4F20NvA/s1600/summer-sweatfest-IMG_9314.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#20 - Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This one qualitatively turned out very different from what I intended! I wanted to set an elegant, somewhat beta-intensive problem where the climber has to thoughtfully push and pull the corner, in order to get around it.<br />
<br />
Instead it climbs very messy and a tad sketchy. The lower hold on the corner is slick and slippery, a real pain to deal with first as a handhold going left around the corner, and then a couple moves later as a foothold when you come back right for the finish.<br />
<br />
An ugly problem, but it served its purpose.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Final Thoughts</span></b><br />
In general, I had a tough time relaxing and ‘setting loose’. I felt overly self-conscious about balancing the tension of keeping the grading consistent, versus spicing things up. I had to tone down several of the problems because I would lose sight of the audience who would be climbing them. And the pressure of setting in quantity within a given timeframe unnerved me. Although I’m happy with the overall end results, I felt that a couple of my problems (not shown) perhaps leaned towards the mundane, and in that sense I was not entirely satisfied with the expression of my creativity. I was glad that the other setters were there to worry about ‘the big picture’ of where problems fit into the context of the overall competition.<br />
<br />
The comp turned out great—there was a solid turnout, and people enjoyed themselves. Crucially (to me, at least), people got on my problems! And within the more-modestly-skilled set of competitors, the problems didn’t all get sent on the first try, nor did they frustrate and bedevil everyone. I saw smiles!<br />
<br />
So it was a decent mix.<br />
<br />
I want climbers to get something out of the problems, to feel like they’ve accomplished something at the end, that they’ve had to apply their mind and bodies to solve the puzzle.<br />
<br />
Big thanks to The Rock Oasis and Karen McGilvray for the unexpected invitation to participate—I had a fantastic time. Thanks to Adam and Adrian for their thoughtful advice and direction, their trust and patience with my setting and questions, and to Don Williams and Dave for forerunning with me. I enjoyed myself.<br />
<br />
The problems from the comp are all still up at Oasis, so by all means go and check them out! They’re a lot of fun.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Other Climbing Posts I’ve Written (recent or otherwise)</span></b><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2014/06/hub-climbing-in-markham-great.html" target="">Hub Climbing in Markham: a great bouldering experience</a><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2014/06/what-is-it-like-to-judge-ifsc.html">What is it like to Judge an IFSC Bouldering World Cup?</a><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2013/05/why-is-tree-climbing-illegal-in-toronto.html">Why is Tree Climbing Illegal in Toronto?</a><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2012/11/interview-with-iyma-lamarche-rock-climber.html">The Secret Life of Iyma Lamarche, Rock Climber</a><br />
<a href="http://hurrah%20for%20the%20ontario%20access%20coalition/">Hurrah For The Ontario Access Coalition</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-70564783788570298232014-07-02T17:07:00.000-04:002014-07-05T02:27:13.204-04:00Goodbye to The Grid (and Eye Weekly)I’m sad to learn that The Grid is ceasing operations.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/TheGridTO/status/484352888635129856" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JpM7ZUhnPt-_QFIyop64oDXXWd345QOtv00Aw0TFQ0gThQhjS2nZ_rK4HLhCRzAwxcSGBpCJm_m9-WAYCQEtZ5A345egv34lrG-k-s3XA0Qi-gCZtV4g5psqUQcgHD6egTofgQ/s1600/gridgoodbye.jpg" height="228" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A free alt-weekly competitor to <i>NOW </i>magazine here in Toronto, The Grid was published by Torstar Corp. (Star Media Group) and was the reincarnation of <i>Eye Weekly</i>. Launched three years ago with a complete rebrand and redesign, The Grid won numerous awards for journalism and design.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsJMXF3RORMegSATtwWyT5LbfShcyq6GvszUyOXhyphenhyphenbE-eBljGYdZLouFWh8d3TSztGSSEx5g9VavAoVPEz-YrsW03uT4o6Mcuqr5qum4eOKe1Mxj8hQN9EQ5780DWekb6GnBibQ/s1600/grid+box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsJMXF3RORMegSATtwWyT5LbfShcyq6GvszUyOXhyphenhyphenbE-eBljGYdZLouFWh8d3TSztGSSEx5g9VavAoVPEz-YrsW03uT4o6Mcuqr5qum4eOKe1Mxj8hQN9EQ5780DWekb6GnBibQ/s1600/grid+box.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grid is no more. I’ll miss it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By nature I am curmudgeonly; I generally dislike change and am stubbornly resistant to publication revamps.<br />
<br />
But The Grid won me over with quality. It was a smart, brisk—and generally positive—take on what was happening in the city. I enjoyed reading every issue, and it’s unfortunate in this age of new media and declining ad revenues that their business model no longer supported continued publication.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRGeJQXjsYZ2PHRUdcWsOFGlj2-uh7witZ0lQ97dsW-17_f91wuvD-5Hr42OMnGL1xhG1pXdgnYMGzO4gHaHOp2zcUM7bllpbkd66fEJziC8Kh_mlkqrUbW47KYi3fpOXJRLS3Q/s1600/Grid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRGeJQXjsYZ2PHRUdcWsOFGlj2-uh7witZ0lQ97dsW-17_f91wuvD-5Hr42OMnGL1xhG1pXdgnYMGzO4gHaHOp2zcUM7bllpbkd66fEJziC8Kh_mlkqrUbW47KYi3fpOXJRLS3Q/s1600/Grid.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lively local journalism.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Best of luck to all the staff who have lost their jobs with this announcement. I wonder what happens to the online archives of past issues?<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Further reading</span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/weekly-toronto-magazine-the-grid-to-fold/article19413913/" target="_blank">Torstar's weekly magazine The Grid to cease publication</a> - G&M<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/business/2014/07/02/the_grid_weekly_magazine_is_closing.html" target="_blank">The Grid weekly magazine is closing</a> - Toronto Star<br />
<a href="http://torontoist.com/2014/07/eye-weeklythe-grid-1991-2014/" target="_blank">Eye Weekly/The Grid, 1991–2014</a> - Torontoist<br />
<a href="http://radiofreecanuckistan.blogspot.ca/2014/07/the-grid-rip.html" target="_blank">The Grid R.I.P.</a> - Michael BarclayUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-48324000543717979042014-06-22T18:41:00.001-04:002014-06-22T18:47:58.421-04:00Hub Climbing in Markham: a great bouldering experience<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVig6oTvXSVKrgbnsebagu1wD5roCb_cqlt0sY9IUZOUdyfsycZsD2OPoJpNDdGCLRjx3Nu7fggsJ7rL7kCZIW8QhGi-3g3t1jUL4RlFHfW__NimYHt5MJsOgFOJwvD5LIJ5yVg/s1600/IMG_9047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVig6oTvXSVKrgbnsebagu1wD5roCb_cqlt0sY9IUZOUdyfsycZsD2OPoJpNDdGCLRjx3Nu7fggsJ7rL7kCZIW8QhGi-3g3t1jUL4RlFHfW__NimYHt5MJsOgFOJwvD5LIJ5yVg/s1600/IMG_9047.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yours truly on the Dragon, an<br />
overhanging feature above a foam pit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I’m feeling thrashed today.<br />
<br />
Yesterday I had the pleasure — and I use that word deliberately — of attending the opening of <a href="http://hubclimbing.com/" target="_blank">Hub Climbing</a>, purportedly offering the largest amount of indoor bouldering terrain in Canada.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
My friend Yumi and I had a blast. There’s simply a <i>lot</i> of bouldering available, at all difficulty levels — so whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced climber you’ll find plenty to engage you.<br />
<br />
I was singularly impressed by the facility. Maybe it was the brand new holds, the shiny Walltopia surface, the reassuring thick double padding, or the bright lighting, but I think the Hub is a fantastic new addition for the local climbing community in the GTA area.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7exGd-fo0qpocpQpkGPx_TbZae0EgI6-tFhUHl_4X1m5Akr1PAZ9vGRG3zH5yjH0a4tw595ESNAGmVepxmw4vRjHuMgmJLOwkYpekjfWUMRNGJaZ_8oO_84J6ppfADmSJL-6GFQ/s1600/IMG_9028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7exGd-fo0qpocpQpkGPx_TbZae0EgI6-tFhUHl_4X1m5Akr1PAZ9vGRG3zH5yjH0a4tw595ESNAGmVepxmw4vRjHuMgmJLOwkYpekjfWUMRNGJaZ_8oO_84J6ppfADmSJL-6GFQ/s1600/IMG_9028.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One wall was reserved for 'World Cup'-style comp problems.<br />
Of the 6, I was able to top these three. I could only do the ‘intermediate’<br />
versions of 2 of the remaining 3. Need to get stronger! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The sheer amount of wall surface available for bouldering is lovely. A friend of mine pointed out that for shorter walls & bouldering, instead of spending money building <i>up</i><i>, </i>you’re spending the money on building <i>out</i>. It allows the gym to set problems by colour (instead of the more common taping), which gives a very clean and aesthetic presentation.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciRvtSt-D1BrznmOOvYxn2tV8T1nvbOtph37dc8a5ZZR4-T6-EAjB2ammE4YJjLi9KyGMFeqhzhcIIqSjIMhaJYo340qZp7DAagKbIaGEgzNd2rhqSA4vLpAD119GBnT5Lox3fw/s1600/arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciRvtSt-D1BrznmOOvYxn2tV8T1nvbOtph37dc8a5ZZR4-T6-EAjB2ammE4YJjLi9KyGMFeqhzhcIIqSjIMhaJYo340qZp7DAagKbIaGEgzNd2rhqSA4vLpAD119GBnT5Lox3fw/s1600/arch.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting by colour: clean presentation. There’s more than 1 arch at the Hub!<br />
Photo via The Hub Facebook page.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have ambivalent feelings about this; taping gives you the widest universe of holds to choose from, and allows for density, but invariably looks messy; whereas setting by colour looks great, but then your problems tend to be thematically driven by the sets of holds that are acquired, i.e. a sloper set, a pinch set, etc.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJz4AeizK1SnP0xa0ijSZ8r4FRvoCBAz2a4FWo7vLqdNT3K1p-XTIjYEpQitDsWLbL5PdZo7nVJdVmxB4S937Bed7fwMTlR6guN7HhOG1OTeoJuJsng092Dy93_Whq6fnfhCO9EQ/s1600/IMG_9031x.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJz4AeizK1SnP0xa0ijSZ8r4FRvoCBAz2a4FWo7vLqdNT3K1p-XTIjYEpQitDsWLbL5PdZo7nVJdVmxB4S937Bed7fwMTlR6guN7HhOG1OTeoJuJsng092Dy93_Whq6fnfhCO9EQ/s1600/IMG_9031x.JPG" height="134" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variety for everyone. These photos don’t really capture the scope of the place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I enjoyed the topping out. A couple of the finishes felt a touch committing, but it was always on an advanced problem, so if you got to that point you undoubtedly had the skills to properly assess the situation. One of the top out areas has a slide for you to get back to ground level. It was an amusing touch, though I’d still prefer a downclimb option.<br />
<br />
The grading was... inconsistent. But it’s completely unfair to make judgments on opening day; an assessment six months from now, once they’ve established a flow, will give a better idea of the grading. More importantly, the setting was <i>fun</i>, independent of the ratings.<br />
<br />
As a boulderer, I don’t think I’d bother bringing a harness to do routes at the Hub, if only because of the wealth of bouldering available. The route section seems more set up for beginners and to cycle through birthday parties, schoolgroups, and corporate events—which is nice because then you kind of have a subtle distinction in areas and don’t have to worry as much about keeping watch for complete beginners in your fall zone. Additional areas for yoga and weight training are planned but haven’t been built out yet.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQrzpK1WrRQaA86IvVlU1ya42vKcdU6ayGr2_wMb_4z3iWsODvEkd72SI_TxKWj7yIxJu6qm4ywzFGRV3hVLzqh3Xf1YiepCGPTPmZUTSsBvPbY-QV8sTwdD6UjLUz6WNJyNlVw/s1600/earlybirds-at-the-hub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQrzpK1WrRQaA86IvVlU1ya42vKcdU6ayGr2_wMb_4z3iWsODvEkd72SI_TxKWj7yIxJu6qm4ywzFGRV3hVLzqh3Xf1YiepCGPTPmZUTSsBvPbY-QV8sTwdD6UjLUz6WNJyNlVw/s320/earlybirds-at-the-hub.jpg" height="200" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early birds lining up for the opening. Yes that’s <br />
me being an enthusiastic goof at the back.<br />
Photo via The Hub Instagram account.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I had a chance to briefly speak to each of the three owners, Yoav, Rob and Steven. I also met Max Summerlee the gym GM & head routesetter. Getting the gym built was a lengthy process of location selection, design planning, engineering, permit wrangling, and logistics, and you could tell from their faces it has been a rewarding if tiring journey to get to this juncture. They should be commended on their accomplishment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibrcXsH55qt4uJPEGNB29aMzsUe2w2Pr7yoXAJGu7SvtnwPH39Dkt0lFI1znrUvWAsSJKdMdL1MeUt6uev7mOaC3KI68CjXyzTe8EqUxwZWGgsppwnztqpkySCBtF7jMYpMQe6g/s1600/IMG_9021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibrcXsH55qt4uJPEGNB29aMzsUe2w2Pr7yoXAJGu7SvtnwPH39Dkt0lFI1znrUvWAsSJKdMdL1MeUt6uev7mOaC3KI68CjXyzTe8EqUxwZWGgsppwnztqpkySCBtF7jMYpMQe6g/s1600/IMG_9021.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
If you live in downtown Toronto and you don’t have a car, it’s a serious trek to get there. You’ll want to budget a couple of hours.<br />
<br />
We took the subway to Victoria Park station, the 24 Victoria Park bus up to Victoria Park and Steeles, and then leisurely cycled north up Woodbine for about twenty five minutes until we arrived at the gym, just past Highway 7. At some point I’ll try going to Finch station and using the 53 Steeles East bus instead.<br />
<br />
Lastly, for those of you who care about this sort of thing, the washrooms and changerooms were compact but clean.<br />
<br />
Congratulations to the Hub for their amazing, well-organized launch — for a day one opening, the attention to detail was superb. Even though it’s too far for me to attend regularly, I’m excited about the opening of what promises to be an excellent bouldering facility. I strongly recommend checking it out; it’s absolutely worth a visit.<br />
<br />
Hub Climbing is located at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/165+McIntosh+Dr/@43.8570407,-79.3579009,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89d4d4dd7d49894b:0x2db772577046c737">165 Macintosh Drive</a> in Markham.<br />
<br />
ps. Thanks to Max for getting us into an unused slot on the popular Dragon feature! That brought a huge smile to our faces.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-38584538234279046302014-06-12T11:39:00.000-04:002014-06-12T11:39:30.796-04:00MaRS: Draw your own conclusionsI’ve been following the recent media coverage of the MaRS debacle with interest. As a heritage enthusiast I applauded the melding of the old Toronto General Hospital structure with the new facility, but I was always puzzled by the space’s emptiness.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxkJ1iSmm9Ubk-CLzwIdYgRJxY8UEcbMzWpm3F5Kmqv57G0-xKn7gqMzZZgWlGwtKOmtF8SFZLuZUW9g2NlC766DAYI6gw7uLrVIrf3MM0HkzRZsPMc3ZyPcj52tZlI901-bpXw/s1600/MaRSfromCollege.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxkJ1iSmm9Ubk-CLzwIdYgRJxY8UEcbMzWpm3F5Kmqv57G0-xKn7gqMzZZgWlGwtKOmtF8SFZLuZUW9g2NlC766DAYI6gw7uLrVIrf3MM0HkzRZsPMc3ZyPcj52tZlI901-bpXw/s1600/MaRSfromCollege.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>MaRS from College</i>. Photo: Christie Spicoluk. <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 3.0</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you’ve ever wandered inside to take a look around, it has never seemed like a particularly vibrant community existed there, and I wondered why a technology startup would find it welcoming.<br />
<br />
Here are a number of articles to bring you up to speed:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/05/29/pcs_allege_liberal_bailout_of_mars.html" target="_blank">MaRS bailout could cost up to $477 million</a></li>
<li><a href="http://startupnorth.ca/2014/06/09/former-mars-cfo-saw-problems-in-2010/" target="_blank">Former MaRS CFO saw problems in 2010</a> | <a href="http://startupnorth.ca/2014/06/07/searching-for-life-on-mars/" target="_blank">Searching for life on MaRS</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.wellingtonfund.com/blog/2014/06/03/is-mars-really-almost-as-bright-as-the-sun" target="_blank">Is MaRS really almost as bright as the Sun?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.betakit.com/mars-dd-fiasco-more-costly-surprises-surface-bill-now-stands-at-over-550-million" target="_blank">MaRS DD fiasco: More Costly Surprises Surface, bill now stands at over $550 million</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.marsdd.com/media-centre/statement-mars-board-directors/" target="_blank">A Statement by the MaRS Board of Directors</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have you had any experience with MaRS?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-31469033734411465472014-06-03T05:57:00.000-04:002014-07-10T12:48:25.076-04:00What is it like to Judge an IFSC Bouldering World Cup?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElVDvpqc2fZA8j6Uj1W2F2LDhyhHlDp_YL9rj4D9G7i9Z1bfn_yF7r1tSnt9Vp9kGUtXPzBKAJAo7EsWAf76yGoqoPObCsabz5kqvtCchqJuHKfZNLG-6XAMH9U4UlbDzJgL82g/s1600/ifscwc-judge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElVDvpqc2fZA8j6Uj1W2F2LDhyhHlDp_YL9rj4D9G7i9Z1bfn_yF7r1tSnt9Vp9kGUtXPzBKAJAo7EsWAf76yGoqoPObCsabz5kqvtCchqJuHKfZNLG-6XAMH9U4UlbDzJgL82g/s1600/ifscwc-judge.jpg" height="167" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to judge at the 2014 <br />
Toronto IFSC Bouldering<br />
World Cup. Boy do I need a haircut!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This weekend I had the privilege of serving on the judging team for the 2014 Toronto IFSC Bouldering World Cup, held at <a href="http://www.gravityclimbinggym.com/" target="_blank">Gravity Climbing Gym</a> in Hamilton. You can occasionally <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb2QZQUqbgE&feature=share&t=28m55s" target="_blank">glimpse me in the footage</a>!<br />
<br />
I’ve judged at a number of local Tour de Bloc, Summer Sweatfest, and OCF Youth bouldering competitions, so I’ve got reasonable confidence in my judging ability—but nevertheless leading up to the event I felt nervous.<br />
<br />
What if I made a mistake and embarrassed my community? Literally some of the best competition climbers in the world were in attendance. Ideally, you avoid making any obviously wrong calls—yet it can happen that you make the right call, and it <i>still</i> <a href="http://climbingnarc.com/2014/05/coxsey-fischhuber-win-2014-bouldering-world-cup-in-innsbruck/" target="_blank">generates a controversy</a>.<br />
<br />
The night before, the judging team met with IFSC Jury President Johannes Altner, Head Judge Paul Leday and IFSC Technical Rep Graeme Alderson. We reviewed the rules and format for the event, and the expectations for our performance. Every bouldering problem had 2 judges, so there was always a second pair of eyes watching each competitor in case the first person missed something.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC10CnZo3SMLbcNfh_F6EdTf9YYeoU2fTlNAyfK5fhyphenhyphenEkTglIA1MkeJzjoy-H3_IBy5HV9Ce3l-vipUXVdhA7tgTbYr0u7fKo0LKZzLqLRIYZLsca7RasIRIqu1bt-__nVwgimkg/s1600/judge+badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC10CnZo3SMLbcNfh_F6EdTf9YYeoU2fTlNAyfK5fhyphenhyphenEkTglIA1MkeJzjoy-H3_IBy5HV9Ce3l-vipUXVdhA7tgTbYr0u7fKo0LKZzLqLRIYZLsca7RasIRIqu1bt-__nVwgimkg/s1600/judge+badge.jpg" height="189" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My official Judge’s badge: I’m legit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was assigned to judge Men’s 2 during the qualifiers and Men’s 1 for the semi-finals. It was thrilling to be able to witness some of the world’s elite climbers working on a problem right in front of me.<br />
<br />
Technically as officials we’re not supposed to cheer for the athletes, but it was kind of difficult not to feel the enthusiasm of the raucous crowd watching behind me.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Rustam Gelmanov shows his mettle: an anecdote</span></b><br />
Part of the reward for serving as a judge is that you get an up close view of the athletes. Allow me to digress briefly:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5AmTEePb-RtS9CI6ewc0uUJpS2DAkHyERnIQQ3UlEWZ-qhyphenhyphenmiyLYW81nHaFv_YpgnLXu9OVDzwMiAvMnc8j0nl_Krwe9KwY4saU07PPs9EQ0bE9YXyofgE6rPdrIHMV0AnHE-Q/s1600/Rustam+Gelmanov+perplexed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5AmTEePb-RtS9CI6ewc0uUJpS2DAkHyERnIQQ3UlEWZ-qhyphenhyphenmiyLYW81nHaFv_YpgnLXu9OVDzwMiAvMnc8j0nl_Krwe9KwY4saU07PPs9EQ0bE9YXyofgE6rPdrIHMV0AnHE-Q/s1600/Rustam+Gelmanov+perplexed.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rustam Gelmanov eyes <br />
Semi Finals Problem 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got a peek into the mental resilience of <a href="http://gelmanov.com/" target="_blank">Rustam Gelmanov</a> from Russia, during the semi-finals round. I’ve always been astonished by his ability; his climbing often features totally different movements that are enabled by his incredible strength.<br />
<br />
However, for whatever reason he was shut down by the first problem, which I was judging. Every other semi-finalist was able to make at least the bonus hold, so I could hardly believe my eyes when Gelmanov kept trying and failing to make the first move on it.<br />
<br />
I could tell he was frustrated. A lot of people would be thrown off by this initial defeat, and would have a disastrous performance after. Not being able to complete the first problem put huge pressure on him.<br />
<br />
And yet — what did he do next? He reeled off tops on the three remaining semi-final problems, and proceeded to Finals. Truly impressive, and perhaps something to learn from for my own climbing.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">No serious incidents; one appeal</span></b><br />
As it turned out, my problems were easy to officiate — clear starts, straightforward bonus holds, and we didn’t experience any time-completion issues.<br />
<br />
On Semi-Finals Women’s 4, my fellow arbiter Rolly Magno made a call that was appealed—the outcome of which would have affected who made it into Finals.<br />
<br />
Rolly ruled that <a href="http://www.anna-stoehr.at/" target="_blank">Anna Stöhr</a>—last year’s defending World Cup bouldering champion—had not achieved the bonus on the problem. The Austrian team appealed that decision, and upon video review, lost. The appeal is mentioned <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb2QZQUqbgE&feature=share&t=2h25m13s" target="_blank">right at the end</a> of the semi-finals commentary.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nk7BvDXVQA77_0te03qDfJjyMpyqU8GA1IpOFnvWtVJhoder_0DUnNkE4mSk9rVo8SSntueFRfhbiCsARB2-daqYJKJHpbmkV6PLHEm7otvNV8Xusy3NHNOpQBIqjik7RBorlA/s1600/anna+stohr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nk7BvDXVQA77_0te03qDfJjyMpyqU8GA1IpOFnvWtVJhoder_0DUnNkE4mSk9rVo8SSntueFRfhbiCsARB2-daqYJKJHpbmkV6PLHEm7otvNV8Xusy3NHNOpQBIqjik7RBorlA/s1600/anna+stohr.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Defending Champion Anna Stöhr prepares to climb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb2QZQUqbgE&feature=share&t=1h52m35s" target="_blank">Watch Stöhr’s attempt</a> and assess it for yourself. She touches the bonus, but does not <i>control</i> it. Per the IFSC rules,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #f1c232;">The Bonus Hold shall be considered as “controlled” where a competitor has made use of the hold to achieve a stable or controlled position.</span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
If Stöhr had achieved the bonus, she would have made it into Finals. As it turned out she didn’t, and so 16 year-old Julija Kruder from Slovenia got to compete in her first ever World Cup Final. And Rolly was fairly pleased with himself.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">A memorable show</span></b><br />
It was fantastic to see so many top-level boulderers in person. Shauna Coxsey! Sean McColl! Juliane Wurm! Alex Puccio! Jan Hojer! Rustam Gelmanov! Kilian Fischhuber! etc.<br />
<br />
Congratulations to Akiyo Noguchi and <a href="http://guillaumeglaironmondet.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Guillaume Glairon Mondet</a> on their hard-earned victories (and to <a href="http://seanmccoll.com/" target="_blank">Sean McColl</a> for his bronze medal finish).<br />
<br />
I hope that they enjoyed their time here and will return to compete again.<br />
<br />
It was also so exciting and filled us with pride to witness the Canadian team climbing with everything they had. You guys are amazing! <a href="http://lucasclimbing.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Lucas Uchida</a>, we’re watching you...<br />
<br />
Thanks very much to Lorraine Winger, the Volunteer Coordinator; Luigi Montilla, the Bouldering Canada Director; and Julia Bonnell. I sincerely appreciated this opportunity to participate. Organizing and executing a complex event at this level and scope requires enormous effort and skill; everyone involved should be pleased with the outcome.<br />
<br />
Thanks to Gravity, my fellow volunteers, and the event <a href="http://boulderingcanada.com/#/sponsor/" target="_blank">sponsors</a>. And thanks to all the climbers for putting on such a memorable show!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Results & Video</span></b><br />
Full results: <a href="http://www.ifsc-climbing.org/index.php/world-competition#!comp=1517&cat=5&route=-1" target="_blank">Women</a> | <a href="http://www.ifsc-climbing.org/index.php/world-competition#!comp=1517&cat=6&route=-1" target="_blank">Men</a>. Gripped <a href="http://gripped.com/news/ifswc-world-cup-bouldering-toronto-sean-mccoll-takes-bronze/" target="_blank">recap</a>.<br />
<br />
Semi-Finals: (climbing starts about 9 minutes in)<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lb2QZQUqbgE" width="480"></iframe>
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb2QZQUqbgE&feature=share" target="_blank">Link</a><br />
<br />
Finals (climbing starts about 30 minutes in):<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gpaX6_XHcqk" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpaX6_XHcqk" target="_blank">Link</a><br />
<br />
Bonus: Chief Routesetter Chris Danielson discusses the Finals problems<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/871iz1rEcNo" width="480"></iframe>
<a href="http://youtu.be/871iz1rEcNo" target="_blank">Link</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Other Climbing Posts I’ve written</span></b><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2013/06/ifsc-bouldering-world-cup-in-hamilton.html" target="_blank">IFSC Bouldering World Cup in Hamilton a success</a> (recap from last year)<br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2013/05/why-is-tree-climbing-illegal-in-toronto.html">Why is Tree Climbing Illegal in Toronto?</a><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2012/11/interview-with-iyma-lamarche-rock-climber.html">The Secret Life of Iyma Lamarche, Rock Climber</a><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2013/01/hurrah-for-ontario-access-coalition.html">Hurrah For The Ontario Access Coalition</a><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2011/06/interview-with-rock-oasis-founder-and.html">Interview with Rock Oasis' Founder and President</a><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-17849620272845943302014-05-03T00:26:00.000-04:002014-05-03T00:27:41.446-04:00Disappointment as Bill 166 is deadAlas, the <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/05/02/ontario_heading_for_election_next_month_as_ndp_rejects_budget.html" target="_blank">upcoming provincial election</a> has killed <a href="http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2948&detailPage=bills_detail_status" target="_blank">Bill 166</a>, the Toronto Ranked Ballot Elections Act. All outstanding pieces of legislation go back to the drawing board; Bill 166 made it through two readings and public hearings had been scheduled, but that’s not enough unfortunately.<br />
<br />
It’s a setback. However, patience has been a hallmark of the Ranked Ballot Initiative of Toronto, and I’m confident that the push for ranked ballots will continue afresh after the provincial election.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">See previously</span></b><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2014/03/another-step-closer-to-making-ranked.html" target="">Another step closer to making Ranked Ballots a reality in Toronto</a><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2013/04/why-i-support-ranked-ballot-initiative.html" target="_blank">Why I Support the Ranked Ballot Initiative of Toronto (And Why You Should, Too!)</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-45830079518609297352014-03-07T00:32:00.000-05:002014-03-10T12:34:16.330-04:00Another step closer to making Ranked Ballots a reality in TorontoDemocracy in Toronto took another important step forward yesterday, as MPP Mitzie Hunter’s private member’s <a href="http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2948&detailPage=bills_detail_status" target="_blank">bill</a> empowering Toronto to set up a ranked ballot system for municipal elections passed through second reading, and was sent to the Ontario legislature’s Standing Committee on Social Policy for further study.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tf7gUcoo0SE" width="420"></iframe>
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/tf7gUcoo0SE" target="_blank">LINK</a>: Mitzie Hunter Statement re RaBIT (Ranked Ballot Initiative)
<br />
<br />
The bill still has a long way to go (see <a href="http://www.ontla.on.ca/lao/en/media/laointernet/pdf/bills-and-lawmaking-background-documents/how-bills-become-law-en.pdf" target="_blank">How an Ontario Bill becomes Law</a>; and even then Toronto City Council will still have to vote to adopt such a system), but the volunteers behind the <a href="http://www.rabit.ca/" target="_blank">Ranked Ballot Initiative of Toronto</a> should take a day or two to celebrate this key milestone.<br />
<br />
Pushing through any electoral reform is a daunting prospect filled with hurdles. I’m truly impressed by the progress that has been made so far by RaBIT to get it to this stage.<br />
<br />
It requires a real persistence, focus, and sense of civic dedication to patiently manoeuvre a change like this through the different layers of government and community, over the course of <a href="http://www.123toronto.ca/timeline.htm" target="_blank">several years</a>. I would compare the process to walking a tightrope in slow motion. Each delicate step is vital, and at any point the whole thing could be derailed.<br />
<br />
Keep at it, RaBIT! Follow the progress of Bill 166 <a href="http://www.123toronto.ca/bill_166.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">See previously:</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2013/06/congratulations-to-rabit-big-step.html" target="_blank">Congratulations to RaBIT! A Big Step Forward</a></li>
<li><a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2013/04/why-i-support-ranked-ballot-initiative.html" target="_blank">Why I Support the Ranked Ballot Initiative of Toronto (And Why You Should, Too!)</a></li>
</ul>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-74726642178927013692014-02-21T04:25:00.002-05:002014-02-21T04:43:19.678-05:00Come to my PodCamp talk on Maps and Digital History!This Sunday afternoon <a href="http://sessions.podcamptoronto.com/sessions/digital-history-my-quest-to-put-old-toronto-on-the-map" target="_blank">I’m giving a talk</a> at PodCamp Toronto, a community-driven technology ‘unconference’.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5gfzNbkjkCauCkFJTo4t_58uu-6Cbb6KKaMOYdQQpJk9JPT_WjubfYQJYZg957zvbIMhqCLpddFhHXh2vgxodc1pvHK3KQKOFZvOJi0VBXX4ZrVes7JT2fz1NgmlSWvzXWhgYg/s1600/PCTO14_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5gfzNbkjkCauCkFJTo4t_58uu-6Cbb6KKaMOYdQQpJk9JPT_WjubfYQJYZg957zvbIMhqCLpddFhHXh2vgxodc1pvHK3KQKOFZvOJi0VBXX4ZrVes7JT2fz1NgmlSWvzXWhgYg/s1600/PCTO14_logo.jpg" height="100" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Come to my talk at PodCamp Toronto! It’s free!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I’ll be discussing my <i>Historical Maps of Toronto</i> project as an informal case study. We’ll cover maps in general, digital history, and challenges overcome in the course of the project.<br />
<br />
You’re cordially invited to come! My talk is this Sunday, February 23 at 2pm, in the Rogers Communications Centre - 80 Gould St.<br />
<br />
The event is <span style="color: #f1c232;">free to attend</span> and is taking place at Ryerson University over the course of this weekend. Be sure to check out <a href="http://sessions.podcamptoronto.com/schedule" target="_blank">the full schedule</a> of speakers and sessions—it promises to be a fun time. More about PodCamp Toronto <a href="http://2014.podcamptoronto.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
See you there!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-20316224774111578222014-02-17T15:54:00.002-05:002023-06-20T23:21:01.941-04:00You’ll Love Exploring Toronto From 1818 To 2012 With This Amazing Interactive Map. Check Out 1947!UPDATE: (March 2020) - The project discussed in this post seems to have gone defunct, unfortunately, so the original link won't work. Luckily an alternate version appears to have cropped up <a href="https://arcgis-content.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=d38469bfb363441d98b21f239adfd0a3" target="_blank">here</a>, [<a href="https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=d38469bfb363441d98b21f239adfd0a3" target="_blank">more info</a>] but it has less years.<br />
<br />UPDATE: (June 2023) Here are two bonus sites with historical aerial maps. The city of Toronto one has the Goads Maps as well! I'm including them here because you probably stumbled onto this page looking for Toronto map related resources, so even though they're not the subject of the original post, you'll still likely enjoy using them!<br />- <a href="https://schoolofcities.github.io/historical-aerial-imagery-toronto/" target="_blank">Historical Aerial Imagery</a> - <a href="http://jamaps.github.io/">Jeff Allen</a> at the School of Cities<br />- <a href="https://map.toronto.ca/torontomaps/" target="_blank">City of Toronto: Toronto Maps</a> [has a wide range of different information, including aerials, Goads Atlas maps, and other civic info like public art, boundaries, etc.]<br /><br />
Apologies for the Buzzfeed-style headline, but this is a project I want to share widely. You’ll enjoy it, I promise.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUjx2h_2Dc-MTqiZHzVKuNeDt5kfl3vrotyQ7sRabVSWmpCvxHXQOVd-3GGrpQTDMkJp4BRyKn1IUbzqBgUmIq9UCNwA0poqu9tNiya3nNnFUPmIjXkmYlMV6OMaovEsWE9hAFQ/s1600/Toronto-Historic-Maps.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUjx2h_2Dc-MTqiZHzVKuNeDt5kfl3vrotyQ7sRabVSWmpCvxHXQOVd-3GGrpQTDMkJp4BRyKn1IUbzqBgUmIq9UCNwA0poqu9tNiya3nNnFUPmIjXkmYlMV6OMaovEsWE9hAFQ/s1600/Toronto-Historic-Maps.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toronto Historic Map viewer—an interactive online map</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://peoplemaps.esri.com/toronto/" target="_blank">LINK NO LONGER WORKS - Click to launch the Toronto Historic Maps viewer by Chris Olsen.</a><br />
<br />
Easily pan around (Google-maps style), zoom in and out, and best of all—switch between years to watch how the city evolves over time. For optimal results, use a decent computer with a modern browser and a fast internet connection. Requires Flash (sorry), and may take a few seconds to initially load.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Background context</span></b></div>
<div>
Over the last couple of years, I put together several online projects relating to <a href="http://oldtorontomaps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">historical maps of Toronto</a>. A key motivation was to aggregate maps from different institutional sources, as previously they were difficult to discover, navigate and browse. My hope was to provide a simple, easy-to-use entry point for researchers, students, and other Toronto history enthusiasts to access these important documents from our past. </div>
<br />
To my delight, another aficionado with a passion for maps recently leveraged that work to create something new and marvellous. This is what happens with shared historical information and open data—everyone benefits.<br />
<br />
In my blog post about <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2012/04/goads-atlas-of-toronto-online.html" target="_blank"><i>Goad’s Atlas of the City of Toronto—Online!</i></a>, I challenged readers to <span style="color: #f1c232;">“imagine a jazzed-up, interactive version, or a gigantic ‘all in one file’ image carefully stitched together”</span>.<br />
<br />
That line apparently resonated with <a href="https://twitter.com/shellrock" target="_blank">Chris Olsen</a>, an analyst at ESRI (the premier Geographical Information System technology vendor), and he nimbly took up my challenge.<br />
<br />
Olsen had previously created well-received historical map viewers for <a href="http://peoplemaps.esri.com/cleveland/" target="_blank">Cleveland</a> and <a href="http://peoplemaps.esri.com/pittsburgh/" target="_blank">Pittsburgh</a>. He learned of my <i>Goad</i> and <i>Historical Maps of Toronto</i> projects, and decided to implement a map viewer instance for Toronto, seeing as the source images had conveniently been assembled in one spot by yours truly.<br />
<br />
The amount of work he invested is prodigious. To create the site, Olsen georeferenced and then melded together map plates from the Goad fire insurance plans (1880, 1889, 1913 and 1924). He also incorporated maps from 1818, 1842, and aerial photographs from 1947. At my urging he added the 1858 Boulton Atlas of the City of Toronto (a predecessor map to the Goad plans). I’ve contacted the City of Toronto Archives to find out if we can obtain the source imagery for some of their post-1947 aerial photography series so they can be added to the project (No response yet, but we’ll see what happens).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73Yd0qS7Np10-H9Di99XFTz8qNxMLb8nTgyP7sAWLoSwgyTb0Kyj17C7e1tXVV4fm_Z3Tllp79HY4wquOEpGBOB_M9a_Ppel7tgRccxoI4EnXu39SNs7dbM22Kz5aF5AZRBgyAA/s1600/Old-Fort-York-1947-aerial.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="photo: Old Fort York as seen by plane in 1947" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73Yd0qS7Np10-H9Di99XFTz8qNxMLb8nTgyP7sAWLoSwgyTb0Kyj17C7e1tXVV4fm_Z3Tllp79HY4wquOEpGBOB_M9a_Ppel7tgRccxoI4EnXu39SNs7dbM22Kz5aF5AZRBgyAA/s1600/Old-Fort-York-1947-aerial.jpg" title="Old Fort York in 1947" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recognize this famous Toronto landmark?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>[Note to techies: Yes, Olsen’s georeferenced files are public and free to use. Depending on the application, users can access them in ArcMap by connecting <a href="http://peoplemaps.esri.com/arcgis/services/" target="_blank">here</a>, or if within a web application, <a href="http://peoplemaps.esri.com/arcgis/rest/services" target="_blank">here</a>.]</i><br />
<br />
I have often envisioned doing something like this, but was stymied by the technical and resource requirements to get it together. I’m incredibly happy that someone else felt the same way—and actually did something about it.<br />
<br />
The value in this project is the ability to scrutinize how Toronto buildings, neighbourhoods and streetscapes change between years. Even in the gap between 1947 and 2012, the differences—as well as the things that stay the same—can be astonishing.<br />
<br />
Mr. Olsen is to be thanked for gifting us with this engrossing and novel way of exploring old Toronto. It pleases me to have contributed (even if merely peripherally) to his endeavour. This sort of initiative is exactly why organizing the maps together was so important to me in the first place—it enables people to find, use, and build on the resources in new and exciting ways. History belongs to all of us!<br />
<br />
Readers, let me know in the comments if you discover anything neat. I know you will.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">See Also</span></b><br />
<a href="http://oldtorontomaps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Historical Maps of Toronto</a><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2012/04/goads-atlas-of-toronto-online.html" target="_blank">Goad’s Atlas of the City of Toronto—Online!</a><br />
<a href="http://fortyorkmaps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fort York and Garrison Common Maps</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-39689429449679143692014-01-08T04:08:00.000-05:002014-01-09T01:11:35.233-05:00Forcing Unicyclists Onto the Road is a Bad Idea<h2>
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><u>Open Letter</u></span></h2>
Attention: <i>Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong (Chair), </i><i>Councillor Michelle Berardinetti,</i><i> Councillor Janet Davis, </i><i>Councillor Mark Grimes, </i><i>Councillor Mike Layton, & </i><i>Councillor John Parker</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
To the esteemed members of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_eElNhiWB_c0-Oye0c9mDV3TmZYsdsROGf2_WOp2n2Lk4CsmNYWxxTxNr1uF_g-l4uaqzcqBxRKDZB3Jb7RPElN86eAPcnBYQU06fCSB_N9kOIM-2PYFOX3XQwJ8ol2vQS6vfQ/s1600/Nathan+on+a+unicycle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_eElNhiWB_c0-Oye0c9mDV3TmZYsdsROGf2_WOp2n2Lk4CsmNYWxxTxNr1uF_g-l4uaqzcqBxRKDZB3Jb7RPElN86eAPcnBYQU06fCSB_N9kOIM-2PYFOX3XQwJ8ol2vQS6vfQ/s1600/Nathan+on+a+unicycle.JPG" height="200" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don’t force me <br />
to ride on the road!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I am writing with respect to City of Toronto PWIC agenda item <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2014.PW28.2#" target="_blank">PW28.2, <i>Electric Bikes - Proposed Policies and By-laws</i></a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The proposal before the Committee revises the municipal definition of “bicycle” to include unicycles. An unintentional side effect of this change will be to force unicyclists to ride on the road with other vehicles. This is problematic. I strongly recommend that the Public Works Committee remove unicycles from the updated bicycle definition.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><u>Forcing unicycles onto the road is a bad idea</u></span></h3>
<div>
There are two major issues with the proposed revision: </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ol>
<li>Unicycles have just <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicycle" target="_blank">one wheel</a>. Bicycles, by any reasonable etymological examination of the term, have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle" target="_blank">two</a>. <br /><br />Imprecision and terminological inexactitude are key factors affecting bylaw enforcement, which led to the e-bike policy review in the first place. A self-contradictory definition impedes the goal of bylaw clarity.</li>
<br />
<li>More seriously, the relative speed differential between unicycles and regular bicycles is significant—forcing unicycles to operate under the same conventions as bicycles is inconsistent with the policy’s stated aim of promoting safety. <br /><br />The average speed of a standard 20 inch unicycle is approximately <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicycle#Speed" target="_blank">7-8km/h</a> (if the rider is in shape) — not much faster than brisk walking speed. By contrast, nearly 90% of bicycle commuters have an average speed of 18-25km/h or greater (per the cyclist speed profile provided in this agenda item’s <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/pw/bgrd/backgroundfile-65205.pdf" target="_blank">background file</a>). This represents a <b>material gap in average speeds</b> between the two vehicle types. The speed gap between unicycles and motor vehicles is even larger. <br /><br />Speed differentials between e-bikes and regular bicycles were cited as a key factor in shaping the proposed policy changes—why create another instance of the very problem we are trying to solve?</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjVkUAauN-1C9VR1ixSie1XaGXX_F6n3x9YQOpRi9uVTSu2xLnARtZ2uDKuE60OhWWJX5ExNa6ydQsnVFzQyXslubfMBdnPWAfmHQKb6CIKOqhZKvAB8XD53eMudU6UBSBm5Beg/s1600/149px-Torker_Unicycle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjVkUAauN-1C9VR1ixSie1XaGXX_F6n3x9YQOpRi9uVTSu2xLnARtZ2uDKuE60OhWWJX5ExNa6ydQsnVFzQyXslubfMBdnPWAfmHQKb6CIKOqhZKvAB8XD53eMudU6UBSBm5Beg/s1600/149px-Torker_Unicycle.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One wheel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgbvSQ5egphgxzJ0qdVA__23L1ZGeun6C266iUr_dfNy4oEGqz3LHTfAwcmgM09M1zKzMlesveZiQsnRiLr4EwwGO_sdta7Xc4CsYCpUqokYeFIKxIJXL2gEanRim2DCKBG5oqg/s1600/800px-Bicycle_diagram-en.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgbvSQ5egphgxzJ0qdVA__23L1ZGeun6C266iUr_dfNy4oEGqz3LHTfAwcmgM09M1zKzMlesveZiQsnRiLr4EwwGO_sdta7Xc4CsYCpUqokYeFIKxIJXL2gEanRim2DCKBG5oqg/s1600/800px-Bicycle_diagram-en.png" height="235" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two wheels. See the difference?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><u>Context and background information</u></span></h3>
<div>
Up to this point, unicycles have mostly existed in an ambiguous discretionary area not particularly subject to strict statutory regulation—with respect to roadways and sidewalks in the City of Toronto. However, the proposed policy revision before the Committee arbitrarily includes unicycles as part of a harmonized definition of “bicycle”:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">The General Manager, Transportation Services recommends that: </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">City Council amend the City of Toronto </span><i style="color: #6aa84f;">Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks; Municipal Code Chapter 886, Footpaths, Pedestrian Ways, Bicycle Paths, Bicycle Lanes and Cycle Tracks; </i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">and</span><i style="color: #6aa84f;"> Municipal Code Chapter 950, Traffic and Parking</i><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> to delete the existing definitions of bicycles, as described in Appendix A attached to this report, and replace them with the following harmonized definition of bicycle:</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">BICYCLE – Includes a bicycle, tricycle, </span><span style="color: red;"><b>unicycle</b></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">, and a power-assisted bicycle which weighs less than 40 kg and requires pedalling for propulsion (“pedelec”), or other similar vehicle, but does not include any vehicle or bicycle capable of being propelled or driven solely by any power other than muscular power.</span></blockquote>
<div>
(Recommendation #1, from <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2014.PW28.2#" target="_blank">PW28.2</a>)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The inclusion of unicycles may <i>seem</i> innocuous, but it would have a damaging spillover impact in the context of <i>Municipal Code § 950-201: Regulations for bicycles and mopeds, subsection C(2)</i>, where the recommended textual change is that:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">No person age 14 and older shall ride a bicycle on a sidewalk of any highway, except for those locations designated in § 886-6, of <i>Municipal Code Chapter 886, Footpaths, Pedestrian Ways, Bicycle Paths, Bicycle Lanes and Cycle Tracks</i>. </span></blockquote>
<div>
(Recommendation #5 & Appendix C, from <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2014.PW28.2#" target="_blank">PW28.2</a>)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In other words, according to the proposed changes, persons (age 14 and older) would be prohibited from legally riding unicycles on the sidewalk—if unicycles are included in the definition of bicycle.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rather than force unicyclists onto the roadways or bike lanes, where potentially dangerous speed differentials and vehicular behavioural expectations are at play, I recommend that unicyclists should continue to be given the leeway to exercise responsible judgment as to where they should ride most safely and appropriately with respect to others, whether that be on the road or the sidewalk.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Importantly, note that unicyclists riding on the sidewalk are already subject to <i>Ch.950, Article III, Subsection 950-300</i>, which states:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">No person shall ride upon or operate a bicycle </span><i style="color: #6aa84f;">[with a tire size less than or equal to 61.0 centimetres (24 inches)—</i>this provision to be deleted per PW28.2 Rec. #5, Appendix C<i style="color: #6aa84f;">]</i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">, skateboard, in-line skates or roller-skates, coaster, scooter, toy vehicle, toboggan, sleigh, </span><span style="color: red;">or any similar device</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> on a sidewalk recklessly or negligently or at a speed or in a manner dangerous to the public, having regard to circumstances.</span></blockquote>
<div>
</div>
<div>
To reiterate, unicyclists will continue to be subject to municipal bylaw enforcement if they are riding recklessly or negligently. Further regulation is not required at this time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><u>Conclusions</u></span></h3>
<div>
<ol>
<li>The harmonized municipal definition of ‘bicycle’ should not include unicycles.</li>
<li>Forcing unicyclists to ride on the road is likely to create the very speed differential issues which the proposed revisions are in principle trying to solve.</li>
<li>Unicyclists on the sidewalk are already subject to bylaw enforcement prohibiting reckless or negligent riding, and do not require further regulation.</li>
<li>Number of GTA unicycle-related traffic accidents and infractions in 2013: Zero. Let’s keep it that way.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
The unicycle community in Toronto—while diverse and eclectic—is generally well behaved with respect to observance of bylaws and traffic conventions. It would be quite unfortunate for this policy change to unwittingly create scofflaws out of this playful and carefree group of environmentally-friendly citizens. It would be even more unfortunate if the safety of this group and others were to be compromised by careless inclusion in the bylaw.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. I look forward to your considered response,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Nathan Ng</div>
<div>
<i>Toronto One-Wheel Exhibition League</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;">File images of unicycle and bicycle courtesy of Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license [<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en" target="_blank">link</a>]</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-small;">.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-92181818512519540232013-12-03T15:50:00.000-05:002013-12-04T12:59:12.253-05:00Pretending I’m Walter White from Breaking BadI took my pants off on Bloor St. today. It was pretty chilly.<br />
<br />
Here’s my ridiculous, rushed attempt at recreating some iconic <i>Breaking Bad</i> imagery. How’d I do?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK6f_aL5h53WQuu3-Vo61bZ9VU5ZBcEWadETBNCFpHOLnBSb_6z8nwxIqjX3jFtSZVIR9OOrn0tp6zPJ-xnWrFQNGEVrEyfeuwNVrXMGqpVin7CjUUilzytfjqvQ7Qf5JksIWGg/s1600/breakingbad-low-rentversion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK6f_aL5h53WQuu3-Vo61bZ9VU5ZBcEWadETBNCFpHOLnBSb_6z8nwxIqjX3jFtSZVIR9OOrn0tp6zPJ-xnWrFQNGEVrEyfeuwNVrXMGqpVin7CjUUilzytfjqvQ7Qf5JksIWGg/s1600/breakingbad-low-rentversion.JPG" height="218" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“Let’s cook!” <br />
—outside the <i>Breaking Bad</i> RV </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpqt8rH7dT0qTDda6gNo-s2osRrh-XbrXYq_0939iEDX631foQ1kxgRzma-S34SVZ18wKs3h4FiE4VwlYJsJ6c4uEj6zb45HSyHBLM6nFY8aQ3EWo00NDSQX5eE4DHi7Hirxolw/s1600/breaking-bad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpqt8rH7dT0qTDda6gNo-s2osRrh-XbrXYq_0939iEDX631foQ1kxgRzma-S34SVZ18wKs3h4FiE4VwlYJsJ6c4uEj6zb45HSyHBLM6nFY8aQ3EWo00NDSQX5eE4DHi7Hirxolw/s1600/breaking-bad.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The classic image from the first episode of the series: <br />
Walter White in his tighty-whiteys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I didn’t have a lot of time to get it done, but—sometimes you just do things for a laugh.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Walt and Jesse’s first lab rolls through town</span></b><br />
The highly-recognizable camper from the hit AMC television series <i>Breaking Bad</i> was appearing in various places around the city, as a promotional marketing push accompanying the release on DVD/Blu-Ray.<br />
<br />
The tour is being touted on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BreakingBadRV" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BreakingBadRV" target="_blank">Twitter</a> as:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Your chance to interact with the vehicle used as Walt and Jesse’s first lab and where the story began.”</blockquote>
I saw a whole series of photographs of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.165588323650169.1073741838.159693030906365&type=1" target="_blank">people posing around and inside the camper</a> wearing yellow Haz-Mat suits. My immediate reaction as a fan of the show was, <i><span style="color: #f1c232;">those shots aren’t authentic!</span></i><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRnHzlkSS-IFBUQrDNEwKEDPwsobe3ROySP38zfbLRxjuPuhy0jUAFg6Kt1w0CsdUDmbu235pQc2V9eNmOMspNGjXPTO_JoEJ9Vncf2u3zvXkS4EoxT0MmlloMWlfpqgklPOvcw/s1600/breakingbad-lol.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRnHzlkSS-IFBUQrDNEwKEDPwsobe3ROySP38zfbLRxjuPuhy0jUAFg6Kt1w0CsdUDmbu235pQc2V9eNmOMspNGjXPTO_JoEJ9Vncf2u3zvXkS4EoxT0MmlloMWlfpqgklPOvcw/s1600/breakingbad-lol.JPG" height="320" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh dear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The yellow suits are from later seasons of <i>Breaking Bad</i>.<br />
<br />
When Walt and Jesse cook in the camper during the first season, they’re basically only wearing green aprons and gas masks. Having the yellow suits around violates the continuity—which is important if you’re a true geek like yours truly. It’s just wrong.*<br />
<br />
So I thought I’d do my own guerilla shoot, after discovering where the camper was appearing today. The result is as above.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgCkvaF87Kk2mJUDEqW5GpKDC1iuJ43UnpoI3RVPW9YneGMYGnDEruAp-9QAXVwvop1qKovnO65sF_je49PQ0fKZngY9S5-Shwjv4fZaN0yWedy0Q2dynpNb7A2oor5GLz9g-Gw/s1600/Breaking-Bad-Walters-tighty-whities-jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgCkvaF87Kk2mJUDEqW5GpKDC1iuJ43UnpoI3RVPW9YneGMYGnDEruAp-9QAXVwvop1qKovnO65sF_je49PQ0fKZngY9S5-Shwjv4fZaN0yWedy0Q2dynpNb7A2oor5GLz9g-Gw/s1600/Breaking-Bad-Walters-tighty-whities-jpg.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“I just want you to know, no matter how it may look, I only had you in my heart.”</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Green shirt: <span style="color: #f1c232;">check</span>. Facial hair & glasses: <span style="color: #f1c232;">check</span>. [Dollar store] Gun: <span style="color: #f1c232;">check</span>. Tighty-whiteys and argyle socks: <span style="color: #f1c232;">check</span>!<br />
<br />
Note to Sony overlords: the onsite staff explicitly told me that they “could not condone” the shot and they refused to assist me in any way (though they didn’t interfere, either). You <i>could </i>tell them they should’ve embraced the fan spirit and helped out!<br />
<br />
It’s amusing that the subject material of the show is so incredibly graphic, yet when it comes to marketing, any hint of edginess is verboten. For heaven’s sake, you are <i>pretending to cook meth</i> <i>inside the camper</i>, as part of this promo campaign! A guy standing outside in his underwear isn’t going to get you fired. It’s a funny set of standards to uphold, don’t you think?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3wc7JD9OSbNuPJgwDus-z92W83l9a6f6jHkrjZxVsRuDE3ca2zJYhvQCk5YGqEb4IfD61YI74oPTtLGa78bHI-qUN2BIi7qB62RFwdDIsEnsCn4KB85FNs1__54jVWYa2e9Rrg/s1600/makes-no-sense2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3wc7JD9OSbNuPJgwDus-z92W83l9a6f6jHkrjZxVsRuDE3ca2zJYhvQCk5YGqEb4IfD61YI74oPTtLGa78bHI-qUN2BIi7qB62RFwdDIsEnsCn4KB85FNs1__54jVWYa2e9Rrg/s1600/makes-no-sense2.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yellow suits are fun, but...<br />
And nevermind the barrels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thanks to random-passerby ‘Alex’ for taking the photos. Several people I asked were not comfortable—as soon as I mentioned I was going to remove my pants, they declined, duh—which I found unsurprising but still interesting from a cultural perspective. It’s just underwear, folks. But the schoolyard taboo remains strong.<br />
<br />
If any photoshoppers out there want to help me make this a little more ludicrous with effects or messing around with the hues/saturation, please be my guest. It’s rather incongruous to have ‘Holt Renfrew’ in the background instead of the desert...<br />
<br />
* In season 2 episodes 5 and 9 Walt and Jesse do wear pale grey zip up 'clean suits'. But the bright yellow suits are from season 3 episode 6 onward...<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-67008595761438050722013-10-31T16:05:00.002-04:002013-10-31T22:28:43.148-04:00Time to resign, Mayor FordMayor Ford, you have besmirched the reputation of this fair city with your behaviour. It is time for you to do the right thing and resign.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaotpL3OJC4h6kVT0MY0Bm32aKBnv9-y0ZlsjcWz6HBhqKmk-pEgk-v2eiGzoGzpi3XxRd4w8c3PKxAJH1Hys9ProP476u45ERGuWDKuJCjeGXq2j1ZSj86tpZMUtYxKaEyK-yg/s1600/Ford+with+Lisi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaotpL3OJC4h6kVT0MY0Bm32aKBnv9-y0ZlsjcWz6HBhqKmk-pEgk-v2eiGzoGzpi3XxRd4w8c3PKxAJH1Hys9ProP476u45ERGuWDKuJCjeGXq2j1ZSj86tpZMUtYxKaEyK-yg/s400/Ford+with+Lisi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob Ford meeting with drug dealer Sandro Lisi, from Toronto Police surveillance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As a citizen, I am profoundly disappointed, and embarrassed. Toronto deserves better from its elected Chief Magistrate.<br />
<br />
Resign, Mayor Ford. And get help. Your ‘leadership’ of this city is a sad, shambling joke, and you have lost whatever trust was ever placed in you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://imgur.com/h0s0F" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/h0s0F.gif" title="Hosted by imgur.com" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
See:<br />
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/10/31/rob_ford_crack_cocaine_scandal_police_photographed_mayor_in_multiple_meetings_with_alleged_drug_dealer.html" target="_blank">Toronto Police have the video showing the Mayor smoking crack</a><br />
<br />
Editorial positions of the major Toronto papers:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2013/10/31/for_the_sake_of_toronto_mayor_rob_ford_should_resign_editorial.html" target="_blank">For the sake of Toronto, Mayor Rob Ford should resign</a> (Toronto Star)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/editorials/answer-the-question-mr-mayor/article15198432/" target="_blank">Toronto deserves better than Ford</a> (Globe & Mail)</li>
<li><a href="http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/10/31/national-post-editorial-board-for-the-good-of-toronto-rob-ford-must-step-aside/" target="_blank">For the good of Toronto, Rob Ford must step down</a> (National Post)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2013/10/31/ford-must-step-down" target="_blank">Rob Ford needs to stand down</a> (Toronto Sun)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
(And I’m sure even the most rudimentary googling will bring up a host of other related stories)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-43286013014675809632013-10-16T15:01:00.000-04:002013-10-16T15:04:08.072-04:00A Pair of Wistful FarewellsGoodbye Iringa, Toka and Thika. It looks like the three surviving elephants of the Toronto Zoo are <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/10/14/public_bids_adieu_to_the_toronto_zoo_elephants.html" target="_blank">finally going to be leaving us</a>. A challenging journey to California awaits them, sometime before the end of this month.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6rosr5cYYEmhPepi2ENnlHsOlyQlg6QMGt-DePT75WbAwOFYAy3sxNX2b_3amx0TOirUQkpoKh5MjWoRmuUFv4YWBtLNdJPwfVRlqKnSq9MgJ74qbhUAcP9IL_kPW-pAAZZNYw/s1600/elephants.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6rosr5cYYEmhPepi2ENnlHsOlyQlg6QMGt-DePT75WbAwOFYAy3sxNX2b_3amx0TOirUQkpoKh5MjWoRmuUFv4YWBtLNdJPwfVRlqKnSq9MgJ74qbhUAcP9IL_kPW-pAAZZNYw/s400/elephants.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye elephants! You’ll be missed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The move follows a protracted and often farcical tussle that has lasted years. I hope that the elephants don’t suffer during the trip. Regardless of how you felt about their captivity here, they were amazing and majestic to witness in person, and I thank them for their service.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Goodbye OLF</span></b><br />
The other farewell I want to make is to the Ontario Longboarding Forum, a.k.a. OLF, which shut down about a month and a half ago.<br />
<br />
OLF was an online bulletin board forum for skateboarders. It was a key hub for the community and an important gathering place for skaters of all ages and backgrounds. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGrQk52v-KDBO_lMpncspr882umAWVwDMs3hZabdLWCMieh-5ILGSLONZ9AZm6ViYNIs644WVaBWIfGbJKx0h74JYHHrUhaX9dII-c_nf-VkUkpQNIfTGdRgVTt4Xrz1hzH13cA/s1600/OLForigbanner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGrQk52v-KDBO_lMpncspr882umAWVwDMs3hZabdLWCMieh-5ILGSLONZ9AZm6ViYNIs644WVaBWIfGbJKx0h74JYHHrUhaX9dII-c_nf-VkUkpQNIfTGdRgVTt4Xrz1hzH13cA/s400/OLForigbanner2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The classic OLF banner with its square-jawed Aryan skaters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My half-hearted description fails to do it justice, unfortunately. At a different time I might have written a lengthy panegyric, but I haven’t the energy. With the rise of Facebook and other social networks, as well as my own declining skating, I have to admit I drifted away over the past couple of years.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsK_zJ_85V5aBoylZfEUmlLsvb04CnYx_qBsly0rlA0Qk8u-MB-waJvjq4ntMVqJ5jfdUiLKx281aTEjHCaWr3kqiHqfxxjvTSt9GBGakM_Z769DqyJbg_8ZWdIZ_F2w4a0wswOg/s1600/olf+farewell+Chris+Barrett+-+To+all+my+frons,+I_m+afraid+I+have+some+rather+sad....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsK_zJ_85V5aBoylZfEUmlLsvb04CnYx_qBsly0rlA0Qk8u-MB-waJvjq4ntMVqJ5jfdUiLKx281aTEjHCaWr3kqiHqfxxjvTSt9GBGakM_Z769DqyJbg_8ZWdIZ_F2w4a0wswOg/s400/olf+farewell+Chris+Barrett+-+To+all+my+frons,+I_m+afraid+I+have+some+rather+sad....jpg" width="371" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Founder Chris Barrett’s notice about the Ontario Longboarding Forum’s demise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Nevertheless OLF was an influential piece of the Toronto skate scene for almost a decade, and I’m happy that I got to participate however peripherally as the site waxed — and waned — in popularity.<br />
<br />
I made a lot of friends on OLF. I’m grateful to Chris Barrett and his conspirators for running and administering the site over all these years. Thanks Chris, Adam, Bill, and the other mods. You guys were great, and I salute your efforts and passion. Be proud of your contribution.<br />
<br />
There’s a brief history of the origins of OLF in Michael Brooke’s examination of the Toronto longboarding scene, <a href="http://issuu.com/concretewave/docs/vol10no3/100" target="_blank">Half the Hills All the Skills</a>; the entire article is well worth reading.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile the scene has moved on. More and more people are skating, and OLF’s time came and went. Like the sand patterns in a Zen garden, perhaps OLF’s existence was meant to be ephemeral—no trace of it remains except in our shared memories.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">See previously</span></b><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2011/05/no-more-elephants-at-toronto-zoo.html" target="_blank">No more elephants at the Toronto Zoo</a><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2011/10/city-council-votes-to-send-elephants.html" target="_blank">City Council Votes to Send Elephants Away</a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Past Skate Articles From Me</span></b><br />
• <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2013/02/the-return-of-longboard-haven-skate-shop.html" target="_blank">The Return of Longboard Haven Skate Shop</a><br />
• <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.com/2012/03/profile-justin-readings-downhill.html" target="_blank">Profile: Justin Readings, Downhill Skateboarder</a><br />
• <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2011/04/is-skateboarding-illegal-in-toronto.html" target="_blank">Is skateboarding illegal in Toronto?</a><br />
• <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2012/09/short-history-of-toronto-board-meeting.html" target="_blank">The Toronto Board Meeting: A Short History</a><br />
• <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.com/2011/08/rise-of-patrick-switzer-downhill.html" target="_blank">The rise of Patrick Switzer, Downhill Skateboarder</a><br />
• <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.com/2012/02/letter-to-councillor-mary-margaret.html" target="_blank">Letter to Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon: Why Jeopardize the Ashbridges Bay Skate Park?</a><br />
• <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2012/03/concrete-waves-lame-pin-up-cover.html" target="_blank">Concrete Wave’s Lame ‘Pin-Up’ Cover</a><br />
• <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2012/08/the-banana-board-split-four-years-later.html" target="_blank">The Banana Split -- Four Years Later</a><br />
• <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.com/2011/10/grappling-with-another-longboarding.html" target="_blank">Grappling with another longboarding death</a><br />
• <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.com/2010/10/our-first-tragedy-rest-in-peace-hilton.html" target="_blank">Our first longboarding tragedy</a><br />
• <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2011/11/speed-thrills-women-fubu-skate-race.html" target="_blank">Speed! Thrills! Women! FUBU Skate Race Recap</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-25245501975966965652013-10-04T23:44:00.003-04:002013-10-05T07:57:24.475-04:00I went to jail today...This afternoon I went to jail. It was a fascinating trip — but one I’d obviously rather not repeat.<br />
<br />
The occasion was the public opening of the massive, newly constructed Toronto South Detention Centre.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDE0KGtILXPj5Lr6lWd8urVcQnsRNIOSTeHUBji5LF3yy_Jnpark1Otpn4SWY1gOfnI1Q6NTB0WtEh0nPa4waUKGUmFqw-rK5_I6OreYJD2Yr6yHUfwXW2eiS-GiQXRC39F4Wew/s1600/TorontoSouthDetentionCentre-MainEntrance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDE0KGtILXPj5Lr6lWd8urVcQnsRNIOSTeHUBji5LF3yy_Jnpark1Otpn4SWY1gOfnI1Q6NTB0WtEh0nPa4waUKGUmFqw-rK5_I6OreYJD2Yr6yHUfwXW2eiS-GiQXRC39F4Wew/s400/TorontoSouthDetentionCentre-MainEntrance.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toronto South Detention Centre main entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Slated to begin accepting inmates later this fall, the $594m facility can house 1,650 offenders, plus another 320 in the connected Toronto Intermittent Centre (by comparison, the Don Jail’s capacity was 562, though counts often exceeded that).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAMnIGCpX5YFpu9LzIF0ek_F-stxksGBhyevPwWznt-RKrpyO3rEvi5t9M15HMNmW4ifAAF_MFGNXL6LKbQxvGGXkdbICWmjmzXnq4GPmy_AxZilvpZ5_4uKg6plxh_0CcHWBbQ/s1600/tsdc-aerial.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAMnIGCpX5YFpu9LzIF0ek_F-stxksGBhyevPwWznt-RKrpyO3rEvi5t9M15HMNmW4ifAAF_MFGNXL6LKbQxvGGXkdbICWmjmzXnq4GPmy_AxZilvpZ5_4uKg6plxh_0CcHWBbQ/s400/tsdc-aerial.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A model aerial view shows the sheer scope of the complex. <br />
Image courtesy EllisDon </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The maximum-security jail features state-of-the-art construction, even boasting a LEEDS Silver certification. Its modern design (by Zeidler Partnership Architects) has been specifically implemented to control and minimize the day-to-day movement of offenders within different areas of the building.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79pPxlJnPK7wtDaN67VnT67eWD7ZHqBI9LDH4NZtWlftumpbNo3lQ-xnS-xaFqo2_YNEO4gQEvQrh5ZqBbovbedQuwgdTJSA5sXKTBfMIZ7d3nZqcDgXzRYtbBB8I9Ic6d4UZfQ/s1600/warning-correctional-facility.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79pPxlJnPK7wtDaN67VnT67eWD7ZHqBI9LDH4NZtWlftumpbNo3lQ-xnS-xaFqo2_YNEO4gQEvQrh5ZqBbovbedQuwgdTJSA5sXKTBfMIZ7d3nZqcDgXzRYtbBB8I9Ic6d4UZfQ/s200/warning-correctional-facility.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warning sign at the TDSC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As a (mostly) law abiding citizen who values his liberty and personal privacy, let me tell you that I would not want to involuntarily spend any time in this building. Touring the jail firsthand will make you reflect on how we treat prisoners, as well as contemplate the tension between rehabilitation and punishment — regardless of how you feel about the efficacy of the system.<br />
<br />
The site of the jail was formerly occupied by the Mimico Correctional Centre; it has a correctional history dating back at least 100 years.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEd8HslE_Jauaukim24DHRhLEfQxxWyebIH-rOxplvKUqPJFRydWJNl6Iior1n-SiKVaYw9s4wFxzJJQ9USN_XMuC29-5E2K3-Z4LaOHJ55tLkZVyUUL1P4UUINu1N5Z257-RsQ/s1600/toronto-jail-open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEd8HslE_Jauaukim24DHRhLEfQxxWyebIH-rOxplvKUqPJFRydWJNl6Iior1n-SiKVaYw9s4wFxzJJQ9USN_XMuC29-5E2K3-Z4LaOHJ55tLkZVyUUL1P4UUINu1N5Z257-RsQ/s320/toronto-jail-open.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagine spending two whole years confined to this block. <br />
Photo by Tyler Anderson / National Post. View original <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/10/03/toronto-south-detention-centre/" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Public tours are continuing Saturday and Sunday this weekend; I recommend it if you’re at all interested in Ontario’s correctional infrastructure and approach. It was particularly edifying, from the perspective that every aspect of the building reflected a practical ‘designed’ purpose.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">“How do you build and scale a safe living space where you can control and supervise every waking moment of 1,650 men?”</span><br />
<br />
Observationally I found that people’s inclinations about jail were reinforced by the tour (i.e. if you think humane treatment and a focus on rehabilitation is important, you still thought that at the end; if you think prisons are where criminals should rot away suffering for their misdeeds, ditto).<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">More reading & photos</span></b><br />
Although the general public isn’t allowed to take in any cameras, the media was permitted to photograph the interior of parts of the building. You can see more of the jail at these links:
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://torontoist.com/2013/10/a-tour-of-the-new-toronto-south-detention-centre/" target="_blank">A Tour of the New Toronto South Detention Centre</a> (Torontoist)</li>
<li><a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/10/03/toronto-south-detention-centre/" target="_blank">Toronto’s new $594-million ultra-modern jail features ‘fresh air’ rooms, flat-screen TVs</a> (National Post)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/news-video/video-inside-torontos-new-maximum-security-detention-centre/article14698079/" target="_blank">Video: Inside Toronto's new maximum security detention centre</a> (Globe and Mail)</li>
</ul>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-75033346541583898442013-09-22T18:59:00.002-04:002013-09-22T18:59:44.922-04:00A pleasant surprise...Yesterday I was idly leafing through the summer issue of <a href="http://spacing.ca/" target="_blank">Spacing</a> magazine, only to discover I’m in it! It’s kind of funny to find myself on the opposite page of <a href="http://stevemunro.ca/" target="_blank">Steve Munro</a>, the city’s wise luminary on transit.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKG31js_euRDhE2AUwxpPBAilf2scyEqiGQN-vP85pseih2nuqnfJFODFa4PAeqmChBWhYzKCpxBRxdeu8cbPDQ2ZA2UykSmNPqjebpDylw4t8E2QODrXLcC6AFwz9d6KOGe-yA/s1600/spacing-ttc-pass-design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKG31js_euRDhE2AUwxpPBAilf2scyEqiGQN-vP85pseih2nuqnfJFODFa4PAeqmChBWhYzKCpxBRxdeu8cbPDQ2ZA2UykSmNPqjebpDylw4t8E2QODrXLcC6AFwz9d6KOGe-yA/s400/spacing-ttc-pass-design.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The referenced blog post was one I wrote last year, <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2012/12/a-decade-of-ttc-metropass-designs.html" target="_blank">What Does A Decade of TTC Metropass Designs Look Like?</a> Check it out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-88063434951928894322013-09-13T11:20:00.004-04:002013-09-14T07:10:39.450-04:00Want to go to a Toronto Historic Museum for Free?Here’s a good deal for you! How would you like a free family admission to any City of Toronto Historic Museum? Toronto Historic Sites is giving away passes for a limited time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflf3yQqE8jqUbROXO3Z6aU9C3x3pYxDFS-BRcmge16tztSh-Uw6exZq5WIyPU3hXWn2w5fPfxGi1jGR31kyo-H8M71vHkOWRSHrQrNiWLeht-RQdDUNIkd44F7CAosqnQQ4OuyA/s1600/TorontoHistoricSites.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflf3yQqE8jqUbROXO3Z6aU9C3x3pYxDFS-BRcmge16tztSh-Uw6exZq5WIyPU3hXWn2w5fPfxGi1jGR31kyo-H8M71vHkOWRSHrQrNiWLeht-RQdDUNIkd44F7CAosqnQQ4OuyA/s400/TorontoHistoricSites.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hurry while supplies last...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The passes are valid for a single family visit before October 31, 2013, to one of the <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/locations.htm" target="_blank">ten museums</a>, which include Fort York, Colborne Lodge, and Mackenzie House. It’s a great way to see the city’s rich history firsthand, and to learn about its past.<br />
<br />
Follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/historictoronto/posts/629526247091546" target="_blank">this link</a> to catch the offer while it’s on.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-39768864597752044572013-09-02T21:46:00.000-04:002013-09-02T21:48:02.871-04:00How to climb for 40 days and 40 nightsFor whatever reason, this dusty two-year-old video of yours truly has recently gone (weakly) viral; about 80,000 people have now seen me climbing on the treadwall at Boulderz.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/EML5affutVI" width="480"></iframe>
<br />
[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EML5affutVI" target="_blank">LINK</a>]<br />
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According to YouTube’s analytics, this has resulted in over 60 thousand estimated viewing minutes—roughly 40 days’ worth of climbing. No wonder I feel tired.<br />
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The traffic seems to have mostly originated from <a href="http://cheezburger.com/53553921" target="_blank">this post</a> on the Cheezburger network:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1gzmoYQ51jz_LeAxkEVGYL09vIvWNJzszYxBhgxOyPyBszutzToUifhgx8UUEOCMOT9tbHRL-5y200dmXiVyq7nQ_21DxdqKPGZZiFZBJS3a4zKWB0W4ri2iBf77Ek6UiOh_cw/s1600/cheez+-+The+Treadwall+is+Infinite+Climbing+Indoors+-+Cheezburger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1gzmoYQ51jz_LeAxkEVGYL09vIvWNJzszYxBhgxOyPyBszutzToUifhgx8UUEOCMOT9tbHRL-5y200dmXiVyq7nQ_21DxdqKPGZZiFZBJS3a4zKWB0W4ri2iBf77Ek6UiOh_cw/s320/cheez+-+The+Treadwall+is+Infinite+Climbing+Indoors+-+Cheezburger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
as well as the videos page on MSN (where another 10,000 views have accumulated:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAB7IsI91YpgIE5pF7zoDq4D3ScohhsDkpnylJ_eC2eiMCQpo43rdeFr1BtHmpPbqM0QRhchjYF-Gx_Ywzl5zKUlCD4_VhxNOFW6IlIl1tMSULOHdqxCBXKhymW0dYdO8AHnSww/s1600/Treadwall+-+MSN+Video-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAB7IsI91YpgIE5pF7zoDq4D3ScohhsDkpnylJ_eC2eiMCQpo43rdeFr1BtHmpPbqM0QRhchjYF-Gx_Ywzl5zKUlCD4_VhxNOFW6IlIl1tMSULOHdqxCBXKhymW0dYdO8AHnSww/s320/Treadwall+-+MSN+Video-1.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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Sadly, I’m not a regular at Boulderz—a great gym incidentally—so my endurance hasn’t gotten any better. Ha. At least it’s not an embarrassing moment.<br />
<br />
Here’s my original post about this video: <a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2011/05/humiliation-machine-at-boulderz.html">Humiliation Machine at Boulderz</a><br />
<div>
<br />
While we’re on the topic I might as well link to two other moments of unintentional 'fame' (yes I suffer from self-absorption):</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2012/02/wait-second-thats-me_21.html">Wait a second, that’s ME!!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2009/09/fwd-fwd-fwd-hey-thats-me.html">Fwd: Fwd: Fwd: Hey that's me!</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Other Climbing Posts of Interest</span></b><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2013/05/why-is-tree-climbing-illegal-in-toronto.html">Why is Tree Climbing Illegal in Toronto?</a><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2012/11/interview-with-iyma-lamarche-rock-climber.html">The Secret Life of Iyma Lamarche, Rock Climber</a><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2013/01/hurrah-for-ontario-access-coalition.html">Hurrah For The Ontario Access Coalition</a><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2012/08/bring-bouldering-world-cup-to-toronto.html">Bring a Bouldering World Cup to Toronto</a><br />
<a href="http://skritch.blogspot.ca/2011/06/interview-with-rock-oasis-founder-and.html">Interview with Rock Oasis' Founder and President</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-19764526597470181212013-08-28T18:56:00.001-04:002014-07-08T15:39:34.361-04:00Martin Luther King’s 'I Have a Dream' Speech Should Belong to Everyone, not SONY<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdp5pzfwmNGAd7Y0CT8NlJJcmkNwl8Aqxe6F1ffZNxj5Zr3Zmw_3HGOQaaImneV17AmyIZtoEVeFzmVVlF-mibpl5gN9t1lsyp76AWX2F6tVobkPFaKijmUY6oAPfOjRJMvmR-Q/s1600/Martin_Luther_King_-_March_on_Washington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdp5pzfwmNGAd7Y0CT8NlJJcmkNwl8Aqxe6F1ffZNxj5Zr3Zmw_3HGOQaaImneV17AmyIZtoEVeFzmVVlF-mibpl5gN9t1lsyp76AWX2F6tVobkPFaKijmUY6oAPfOjRJMvmR-Q/s200/Martin_Luther_King_-_March_on_Washington.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MLK orating Aug. 28, 1963</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
People around the world have been marking the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s <i>I Have a Dream</i> speech.<br />
<br />
What I find absurd is that the King speech — one of the most important civil rights speeches in history — is <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-you-wont-see-or-hear-the-i-have-a-dream-speech/2013/08/27/09d2a07a-0e66-11e3-bdf6-e4fc677d94a1_story.html" target="_blank">under copyright in the U.S. and will be so until the year 2038</a>.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/smEqnnklfYs" width="480"></iframe>
<br />
[LINK: <a href="http://youtu.be/smEqnnklfYs" target="_blank">MLK I Have a Dream speech</a>]<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Free at last, free at last?</i> Nope. Pay a licensing fee to use it in its entirety. Want to listen to the whole 17 minutes, legally? Shell out <a href="https://www.thekingcentergifts.com/default.aspx?p=viewitem&item=MLKAUD0001&subno=&showpage=2&subcat" target="_blank">$20 for the DVD</a>. Pay out enough money, and you can <a href="http://ca.adforum.com/creative-work/ad/player/15539" target="_blank">use the speech in an advertisement</a> like Alcatel did in 2001...<br />
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<br />
<iframe class="player" width="480" height="349" src="http://play.cbnews.webtv.flumotion.com/play/player?player=7&pod=990&widgetId=cbnews_social" frameborder=0 seamless allowfullscreen ></iframe>
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[LINK: <a href="http://www.culturepub.fr/videos/alcatel-i-have-a-dream" target="_blank">Alcatel I Have a Dream ad</a>]<br />
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The speech should be in the public domain. It belongs to all of us. Yes, I understand the desire to keep anyone from misappropriating the text. But I think a larger social good comes from people being able to access, share, and interpret the text in their own way. The content transcends.<br />
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P.S. SONY is the current copyright enforcer. SONY! [I believe the King family retains ownership of the copyright itself]<br />
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">More reading</span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/why-mlk-s-dream-is-so-hard-to-find-online-20130819" target="_blank"><span id="goog_390630090"></span>Why MLK’s 'Dream' Is So Hard to Find Online<span id="goog_390630091"></span></a> [National Journal]<br />
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/08/27/i-have-a-dream-speech-still-private-property/" target="_blank">‘I Have a Dream’ speech still private property</a> [Washington Post]<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16426774.post-42235084028095422832013-08-10T00:16:00.000-04:002013-08-25T01:27:08.971-04:00Liona Boyd — The Toronto Song! Cheese or Magic?There’s been some harsh criticism levelled at <a href="https://twitter.com/lionaboyd" target="_blank">Liona Boyd</a>’s newly released tune celebrating our city, <a href="http://youtu.be/2WFKxCyCp0Q" target="_blank">The Toronto Song!</a>, premiering at the start of this year’s <i>Taste of the Danforth </i>festival.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2WFKxCyCp0Q" width="480"></iframe>
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Torontoist calls the treacly melody “<a href="http://torontoist.com/2013/08/extra-extra-flying-cakes-weird-toronto-anthems-and-koilos-in-muskoka/?utm_source=feedly" target="_blank">bizarre</a>.” Spacing magazine describes it as “<a href="https://twitter.com/Spacing/status/365919932975816704" target="_blank">maybe the most soul-less piece of schlock ever produced.</a>” Other online commenters use the adjectives <a href="https://twitter.com/WScott_Steele/status/366046120406822914" target="_blank">surreal</a>, <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/toronto/comments/1k0t54/dont_like_the_toronto_song_thats_opening_taste_of/cbk9xzz" target="_blank">embarrassing</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/itsdgc/status/365878643894919168" target="_blank">lame</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/ParadiseRvGP/status/365931110347194369" target="_blank">awful</a>.<br />
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I say, stuff it, haters.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissNriSNa62Ljyj0ZoCa39VF0i0k6eZbAOFdeX34lSklRD9YSiE0tTcIF2xkj16inYo9TI-VaK2KPVLyMn6__KkyMUwXg9kmE1SEZLPp-ak-BD2wxuRvL3Xu0d8Pryzqd7TavyGQ/s1600/LionaBoyd.2006_Guitar_Player_Magazine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissNriSNa62Ljyj0ZoCa39VF0i0k6eZbAOFdeX34lSklRD9YSiE0tTcIF2xkj16inYo9TI-VaK2KPVLyMn6__KkyMUwXg9kmE1SEZLPp-ak-BD2wxuRvL3Xu0d8Pryzqd7TavyGQ/s200/LionaBoyd.2006_Guitar_Player_Magazine.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liona Boyd: so in love with Toronto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Boyd’s work here is so earnest I can’t bring myself to dislike it; my usual jaded cynicism is defeated by the video’s wholesome sincerity. Yes, the song is hokey and saccharine. But that’s how these songs are <i>supposed </i>to be.<br />
<br />
It’s meant for families and tourists. It’s meant to welcome strangers and embrace us all.<br />
<br />
Compare past songs with similar intents, and you’ll find they share a penchant for wide-eyed boosterism:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://youtu.be/5kZuw5UEKIE?t=40s" target="_blank">Theme for Ontario Place</a> / <a href="http://youtu.be/v3hDqKoHUqU" target="_blank">A place to stand</a></li>
<li>The <i>original</i> <a href="http://youtu.be/nyQNYV-3tNg" target="_blank">Blue Jays theme</a> (not ok blue jays)</li>
</ul>
Even <a href="http://youtu.be/bgs7j4GGeww" target="_blank">Let’s Go to the Ex</a>, which has that catchy jingle, is super corny.<br />
<br />
Just like these other 'anthems', Boyd’s song reflects a certain time and place, and conveys a relentlessly enthusiastic perspective about Toronto. And perhaps one day we’ll look back and laugh together.<br />
<br />
Listen to: <a href="http://pmd.680news.com/podcasts/globiz/Liona-Boyd_glo-biz-report_2013-08-08.mp3" target="_blank">Liona Boyd being interviewed about the song on 680 News</a> (To download: right-click --> save as; MP3)<br />
<br />
See also: Ed Keenan’s <a href="http://www.thegridto.com/blog-post/liona-boyds-toronto-anthem-is-magic/" target="_blank">reaction</a>.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Bonus links</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://youtu.be/4-LzM9fMS-0" target="_blank">The Toronto Song</a> - Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie</li>
<li><a href="http://youtu.be/9W6Jl3beOlY" target="_blank">The Anthem</a> - Kardinal Offishall</li>
<li><a href="http://youtu.be/I-Ky7dQLuNg" target="_blank">I Get On (The TTC) - I Put on (for my city)</a> - Randal Paul and Syruslife</li>
<li><a href="http://youtu.be/KZnLjRi_g9o" target="_blank">Spadina Bus</a> - Shuffle Demons</li>
</ul>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com