TTC Strike lasts a day but contempt sure to last longer

You ever go to pick someone up at the airport, but they got an earlier flight, don't call you, they're at home now, and you're stuck waiting with no idea where they are or how long you should stick around just in case? Multiply that by a couple hundred thousand people and you get the idea of what the city of Toronto felt like this morning when it found itseld held hostage by a wildcat TTC strike.

Subways, buses and streetcars in Toronto were shut down, disrupting hundreds of thousand of people with commitments, appointments, and plans, who on good faith believe their transit commission will be there to do its job. On this smog day, and ironically enough the first day of Bike Week 2006, cars and cabs clogged the roads, adding to the craptacular day Torontonians found in store for them. Many persevered as Toronto Star readers share their stories of kindness (and some venting) and most people made the extra effort to get to work today. Service was restored in the late afternoon/early evening following a "cut the shit" order from the Ontario Labour Board.

Most Torontonians who rely on the TTC to get to work and to get around were blindsided when they found signs like this awaiting them at TTC subways stations.

Photos by dstopping

And that was all the information they got. No telling how many people stood at transit stops waiting for a bus that would never show, in the smoggy 34 degree heat. Hence why the entire city came down with a case of terminal pit stains and smelled... well, like the inside of a bus I suppose.

I know the drivers aren't to blame, as they are caught between a management and union dispute over their safety. And the union gets into a pissing contest with management and they get deadlocked. The only thing riders will remember is being pissed off and inconvenienced in the heat on a Monday morning, and how good the AC in a brand new car would feel right about now. (sarcasm on)It's the union's "people-first" attitude that'll get the TTC out of a ridership slump and cut down on the abuse hurled on TTC drivers. (sarcasm off) It's like the saying foes, TTC stands for "Take The Car".

The Transit Rider suggests that "anyone who is inconvenienced by this - file a claim with the TTC. Seriously. You lost wages beyond your control or missed a doctor's appointment, that's money out of your pocket. Send in a claim and see if they pay it. I missed a Doctor's appointment and will miss a day of work, so you know what that means, there's at the very least a $350 claim going in." Not sure how likely compensation is, but it's a nice idea.

I'm not sure if it was related, but it seemed like alot more cars were cutting off the streetcar on my ride home.

Any tales, good or bad, from your strike day dear readers? And how is transit not an essential service? And how long before this happens again? It could be a long summer at the bus stop.

More coverage:
The Transit Rider: "a blog about the daily travels on the transit systems in and around the greater toronto area."
paved.ca :: your GTA roadmap: Rolling wildcat transit strike weblog mash-up: "Rolling wildcat transit strike weblog mash-up"

Take to the streets in Kensington Market

Another year, another session of Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market. On seven Sundays this year, the streets of Kensington Market are closed to cars and the market becomes a pedestrian piazza, one giant street party. Take some time out and roam Kensington and maybe the car-free idea can eventually be permanent or grow to other areas. Each Sunday has a theme, and this week's is Spring:

Festivities begin with a Maypole celebration at Baldwin and Augusta - 1pm

Afro Brazilian Marching Band - Maracatu Nunca Antes - will be roving the market from 3 - 4pm

Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market - Calendar:

• Richard Underhill's Kensington Horns Community Band
• Free Yoga
• Dance classes/demonstrations & performances, including Tango, Sevillanas, Swing, Capoeira, NIA, Hip Hop and more will be featured on North Augusta.
• Life Drawing classes for all ages
• A dozen musical groups playing samba, world music, rock & roll, jazz, swing, and more can be found throughout the market
• Giant chess & giant scrabble
• Street size walking labyrinth
• Late evening street party on North Augusta to 10pm
• and more..."

Weekend Starts Now Part 2 - Doors Open Toronto

Remember those great kid's books that would show a cut-away diagram of a building and you could see all the in's and out's, like you were let in on a secret or had x-ray vision?

Doors Open Toronto is like a whole weekend of that feeling, with guided tours of buildings you may not normally have access to such as 52 Division Station (and if you find yourself there a lot, consider a lifestyle change).
Doors Open is a great option for this weekend, go early, bring a camera and get a peek at the discrete beauty of Toronto. Highlights include new buildings like the MaRS Centre and the new National Ballet School of Canada building, as well as an opportunity to explore the many religious institutions and churchs we have in Toronto but you can't get into when they are in use.

Doors Open Toronto - Home:
"The City of Toronto Culture Division is proud to present the 7th annual Doors Open Toronto - one weekend, once a year - when over 140 buildings of architectural, historic or cultural significance open their doors to the public for a city-wide celebration.

Step inside hidden gems, modern landmarks, places of worship, halls of learning, boardrooms, bedrooms, mansions, museums, ‘green' roof gardens, theatres, national historic sites, centres of rail and air travel, banking halls, architects' offices and more. Many of these buildings are not normally open to the public. No tickets or pre-registration required - admission is free to all buildings. "

the2scoops recommends:

Dominion Bank (1 King West at Yonge)

Design Exchange (former Toronto Stock Exchange Building)234 Bay Street: note Saturday only

Canada's National Ballet School - NEW 400 Jarvis Street



Gladstone Hotel 1214 Queen Street West: Restoration specialists who have worked on the Gladstone restoration will be on-site on Sunday, May 29

Ontario College of Art and Design


Mountain Equipment Co-op 400 King Street West: Highlights include a 10,000-square-foot green roof, where recycled and reclaimed lumber were used for beams

MaRS Centre - NEW! 101 College Street: Located on the site of the old Toronto General Hospital, the MaRS Centre incorporates a heritage building within two new buildings to create "a physical anchor" for the MaRS vision: a convergence innovation centre that fosters collaboration among science, business and capital sectors.

Toronto Necropolis Chapel and Cemetery 200 Winchester Street: one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Canada.

University of Toronto - Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library 120 St. George St


Palais Royale -1601 Lake Shore Boulevard: Newly-restored boardwalk ballroom at the foot of Roncesvalles

The Distillery District, is a national Historic Site and represents the largest and best preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture in North America.

X-Men 3 Opens, Comic Book Guys to flood internet any minute now...

I'll probably catch X3 weekend, with my opening-weekend sci-fi/comic book movie mainstays Trev&Steph, but here's a heads up from Egotastic! - The Entertainment Blog:

"I'm not going to spoil any plot points for you, but I will say this: Stay till the end. Stay past the end. After the credits there's an extra scene that you don't want to miss. "

I'll be sure to post my rants and raves on the flick later this weekend, and a review of Lost's season finale (head still processing). I'm looking forward to X3, even though with so many mutant chracters jammed into this movie, you sacrifice story for flash/eye-candy, which is understandable given the shift change of directors from Bryan Singer (X-Men 1 & 2, Usual Suspects, Superman Returns) to Brett Ratner (er... Rush Hour and X-Men 3). Expectations are lowered with Ratner, whose storytelling style lacks the heart and emotional resonance of Singer's touch.

How bad can any movie be with both Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart? They sit on a stage and read the phone book, I'd pay to see it (which sounds like a potential minimalist Lars von Trier project). And Halle Berry swears this is the last comic book movie she is doing, so I have to go and show my support for Halle, just like Patrick Stewart does in this photo from the premiere (he has no idea where the hell those hands should go).


See Ben Kingsley, Halle Berry learned her lesson, why haven't you? I mean Bloodrayne ? Really now Sir Ben...

Weekend Starts Now Part 1 - Shuffle Party @ Revival

shuffleparty.com

Just in case you've never been to a Shuffle Party, the night is all about the mixing of musical genres to keep you dancing all night long. From old school, and classic rock to reggae and maybe even the latest club hit, you'll never guess! It's everyone's favourite play lists combined for one night.

By the way, join our group of friends at www.myspace.com/shuffleparty and leave a comment!
Friday May 26th, 2006
Revival - 783 College St. W
Hosted by T-rexXx
Mixed by Team Canada (Grandtheft & D. R. One)

Once more unto the Whedon-verse: Whedon Writes New Buffy Comic

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon is writing a new six-issue Buffy mini-series for Dark Horse Comics. The first volume is due out in October. A Dark Horse spokesperson has confirmed to ICv2 that the new series chronicles events that happened to Buffy and her friends after the conclusion of their televised adventures and will function as a 'Season 8' to the highly popular cult hit TV series that ran for seven seasons "

Grey's Anatomy Shower Scene redux

YouTube - Grey's Anatomy - Shower Scene:

As a placeholder until I get some new posts up, here's a funny video for you Grey's Anatomy fans. The upfront presentation (network heads debut the new shows and schedules) for Grey's Anatomy. After a trailer for the series, the highlight is at the 2:58 mark where we see a "different" take on the infamous shower scene involver Burke, McDreamy and the Chief. This fits in well with : Heather Havrilesky at Slate.com's theory that "Grey's Anatomy" is porn form women:

"Grey's Anatomy" is all about incredibly hunky men who need -- really, really, really need and love and adore -- the women in their lives, either because the hunk in question is struggling or he's dying or he's in a crappy marriage. In other words, "Grey's Anatomy" is the most elaborate, skillfully produced pornography ever created for women.

Wolfman's got nards at the Bloor Cinema

I was just talking about this the other day (the2scoops: "Wolfman's Got Nards!" - The Monster Squad still missing on DVD) and coincidentally, the folk at Rue Morgue are doing a public service and showing the 35mm print on Thursday May 18th at the Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor Street West). Bring your own flask and crossbow.

Internet Virgin fake, only one getting screwed is the public

There's a sucker born every minute, and the latest on is the fact checker at the Toronto Sun. The story ran on the front page of the Sun about Geoff, a 25-year old Toronto man whose 21-year old friend promised to sleep with him if his site could get five million hits in the month of May. Well, the cherry's been popped on this "virgin":

Torontoist: "'Internet Virgin' Comes Clean

'Geoff' our internet virgin has come clean and revealed himself to be Matthew, a no-good internet marketer pulling the wool over the eyes of innocent internet users, blog readers and Toronto Sun readers. Have you no shame Matthew! Think of all those innocent people who you deceived. Now we'll never be able to trust anything we read on the internet ever again.

Torontoist is going to drown his sorrows by writing to that Nigerian widow whose husband's money is sadly lost in a Swiss bank account. If you can't trust a Nigerian widow who can you trust?"

Posted by Ron Nurwisah, Boy Reporter

Veronica Mars set to return, Chad Michael Murray gets another season to find new bride

The new channel that came out of the UPN/WB merger, The CW (hating that name), is due to release it's line-up this week. Veronica Mars is coming back, and suprisingly so are 7th Heaven and One Tree Hill. So long to Everwood. Making the cut:

• Veronica Mars has been renewed for a third season. The show got a 22-episode order that, depending on ratings, can be reduced to 13.
• One Tree Hill will be back.
• UPN comedies 'Girlfriends,' 'Everybody Hates Chris' and 'All of Us'.
• WB dramas 'Smallville,' 'Supernatural' and 'Gilmore Girls'.
• veteran '7th Heaven' expected to join the group pending the completion of new deals with the cast.
• Everwood is dead.
  
• so is that Aquaman pilot - still no respect for the king of the sea, he's been scuttled.
  

TV Guide Ausiello Report: "It's Official: Veronica Mars Renewed, Everwood Dead"
New CW schedules two rookies, "Everwood" axed - Yahoo! News

Why I spend so much time at The Office

A selection of clips from one of my favourite top 5 current shows, The Office (Thursdays on NBC).

The Office is set in, well, an office. The framework of the comedy is a documentary crew is filming every facet of a typical American office, in this case, the Scranton PA branch of Dunder-Mifflin paper products. There's Michael Scott (Steve Carrell), a mis-informed know-it-all of a boss; Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), his sycophantic underling and volunteer sheriff's deputy; the sweet and terminally engaged secretary, Pam Beesley (Jenna Fischer) and every-man salesman Jim Halpert, who torments Dwight just to liven up his "every day is the same thing" job.

Like many, I soured on an Americanization of a British TV-hit - something always gets lost in translation (wasn't there a US Fawlty Towers with Bea Arthur?). And initially, I thought I was right to avoid it after watching the first episode of the NBC version, which was a re-enactment of the British first episode. And then, over time, The Office(US) became it's own creature, with the same look, setting and main characters as the UK version, but with it's own American take on cubicle farms. Kera Bolonik at Slate.com has a terrific article Defending NBC's The Office - A British import the network didn't mangle which sums up the appeal of the US show.

Somewhere along the way, The Office(US) has grown into a hit, bolstered by iTune downloads (US only), the persistence of cubicle culture, and maybe a hunger for some well acted, well scripted comedy. Fleshing out some of the background characters has really been a part of the show's success and they've managed to maintain the believability of the office relationships that can develop in such confided quarters, seeing the same people day in and day out.

Phyllis: Stanley and I are close, too.
Stanley: We sit close.

To begin your conversion (continue it by watching the show - torrents of the episodes are out and the show airs Thursday nights), here are a few clips. The opening to last week's The Office season finale, "Casino Night" encapsulates everything I love about the show, and I just love the silent shot that cuts to Pam (Jenna Fischer). Note the lack of a laugh track and deliberate silent moments, which aren't typical of most American (or Canadian - we still have those, right?) sitcom.



And it's educational. Jim's war of practical jokes on the uptight Dwight provides great ideas for office pranks (see below for some more ideas):



And then there's the fans who love the show. This great video was made by a fan, cutting the best of the Office romances with the song "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness. I can't imagine someone doing that for "According to Jim".

Works very well, but I want a version with the dialogue: I die everytime I hear Ryan's horrified voice: "I hooked up with Kelly the day before Valentine's Day!?"

Dwight: I never smile if I can help it. Showing ones teeth is a submission signal in primates. When someone smiles at me, all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life.

These are Jim's pranks on Dwight listed in "Conflict Resolution":

* Replaced all of Dwight's pens and pencils with crayons.

* Paid everyone in the office $5 to call Dwight "Dwayne" all day.

* Placed a bloody glove in Dwight's desk drawer and tried to convince him that he committed murder. (Dwight suspected that Jim was the real murderer.)

* Told Dwight that there was an abandoned child in the women's bathroom. When Dwight went in to save the child he saw Meredith "on the can".

* Slowly placed a bunch of nickels in Dwight's phone headset over a period of time so that Dwight would get used to increased weight. Today he took them all out so when Dwight lifted the receiver using more force the required, expecting it to be heavier, he hit himself in the head with it. (that was goddam brilliant)

* Placed a computer macro on Dwight's computer to type "diapers" instead whenever Dwight tried to type his name.

* Moved Dwight's desk an inch every time he went to the bathroom, so that at the end of the day it was two feet closer to the door.


The Office - TV.com