Maybe Amazing ?!

July 15th/16th, 2005 - The word "interesting" wouldn't even describe how this night has been. Though at the moment, I can't think of another word, perhaps it's because it's close to 3 am ?

So after months of playing dumb, I finally told my best friend Freeman of what has really been going on in my life. He wasn't surprised at all - primarily because he has known about it all along - but has just been waiting for me to tell him in person. He listened and asked a lot of questions as I try to explain how I went from dating girls to dating boys. He was also very interested in the whole Eddie thing - which by the way, he wasn't surprised either, as he says that I have a history of "attracting" drama (umm, sure...). So now at least he knows (almost) everything - and I feel much better knowing that he knows...

Part of the reason why I told him was because I wanted someone to go with me to Jason's show (how weird would it be for me to go there by myself ?). Given that I'm an easy target for teasing, it shouldn't surprised anyone that I was teased non-stop throughout Jason's gig (FYI: "Maybe Amazing" is NOT about me !). But that's the way Freeman is (ever since junior high, almost 11 years ago), and it's good to know that despite everything, things haven't changed between us. Though, of course, I wish he would talk to me about his stuff too...

Jason's show was amazing. Since they played last though, there weren't as many people around as I thought there would be. I have to admit that I felt like a proud parent showing off his kid tonight. It was great for my friends to meet him. It was a bit weird, particularly since Eddie and Paul were there (that's definitely for another blog) but overall, it was a fun night.

So now at least a few of my friends know...I guess it should get easier right ?

HARRY POTTER CAME OUT TONIGHT !

Terror in London

July 7, 2005 - New York, Bali, Madrid, and now, London.

The terrorist attacks in London struck a particular nerve. My guess is because for some reason, I feel particularly close to the city - even more so than NYC. There are a couple of reasons for this, one being I was in London only last year and I travelled extensively on the Tube. In fact, I've passed through all 3 of the tube stations that were bombed. Paddington, the station where I travelled to and from every day for over a week, is only one station away from Edgware Road. So when I heard they bombed the Circle Line, I couldn't help but feel numb.

Secondly, the fact that they targeted the public transit system made the attacks seem more personal. Mainly because like millions (if not billions) of people around the world, I use public transit everyday. To target innocent transit riders, many of them regular people who are just trying to make a living by getting to and from work, is very crowardly. Not to mention, it brings the attacks closer to home - what if it had happened here ? what would I do if a bomb goes off one day at College station ? would I be able to remain calm and evacuate the train ?

My frineds would think I'm being paranoid - sure they would never attack Toronto - they probably don't even know where Toronto is. But then again, why do I always feel like Canada is a sitting duck, waiting for something to happen ? If you look at our transit system, it's such an easy target for terrorists, psychos, and anyone else who wants to cause mayhem. Are we, the transit riders, asking too much to have officers patrol our trains ? or better yet, have TTC employees who actually care about the well-being of their passengers ?

Anyway kudos to London for getting back onto its feet so quickly. That city has guts and courage. Too bad I don't know if I can say the same if something similar does indeed happen in Toronto...

Work rants and Commuters

July 4th, 2005 - So it has been a week since I've started work. So far, I've only done one thing - but I guess it's a start. I'm not complaining, but I'm just restless sitting there half the time doing nothing. Today, I started to take notes on the major housing initiatives in our province - it was a great way to waste time (and also quite educational).

My impression of the branch remains: chaotic. I know it's in transition but I wish they would pay a little bit more attention on the people they hired. I don't understand how they had time to give each summer student a project but never took the time to get me something to do (especially since I'll be there for the next year !). They even had a branch orientation session for their summer students...so how come I've been neglected ?

Anyway, rants aside, since I've started my job, I have also become a rush hour "commuter". I commute to and from work during rush hour; I read the Metro in the morning; I even bought a Metropass ! So after a week of obeservations, here are some of my findings of the typical TTC subway commuter:

1) Never ever talk to someone on the subway in the morning. You might get dirty looks from people who are trying to take in that extra half hour of sleep.

2) Fight for a seat - when the doors open at Finch, run to the closest seat and pretend to fall alseep right away. That way, you won't have to give up your seat to anyone.

3) Getting a copy of the Metro is a must. People will also fight over that. It will also give you something to read at work.

4) Always carry a book - I was surprised by how much reading I could get done.

5) Squeeze into the train even if it's packed - if you don't get in now, you'll never get in.

6) The subway is a GREAT place to check out guys. This is primairly true in the afternoon rush hour...but then again this isn't a new observation - I've known that since I was in school...

OK so it's another work day tomorrow. Next blog will probably be about the office move and my new cubicle situation (which I found out today that I won't be sitting anywhere near the people I work with now), unless something dramatic happens this week..or not...

Leslie Street Split

July 2nd, 2005 - Parks Canada recently confirmed that it is considering building a major exhibition "discovery centre" to showcase the nation's national parks and historic sites at the base of the Leslie Street Split, also known as Tommy Thompson Park. While on paper this sounds like a great tourism boost, park advocates (and I will include myself in that group) aruge that the proposed development will destroy the natural wildlife corridor that has developed over the past 50 years. Yet another case of "development vs. nature" on Toronto's waterfront.


Background

The Leslie Street Split was created from material excavated to build Toronto's new office towers in the 1950s. The Split was originally planned to be the outer harbour for Toronto, but the increased in shipping never happened. Since then, the Split has been largely untouched and eventually became known as Tommy Thompson Park (after a hard-fought fight between the city and a citizen group called "Friends of the Split").

An Accidental Wildnerness

Meadows, forests, wetlands and mud flats have since been developed on the Split land. The Split is home to hundreds of different species of birds, butterflies, and mammals. It is also a designated Important Bird Area by Birdlife International. Rabbits, groundhogs, raccoons, and insects of all kinds also make the Split their home, despite being separated from the rest of the City's natural heritage system (due to the contaminated brownfield lands that make up much of the Portlands).

The entire Split could be said to be an accidental wilderness - while the land was man-made (as in done by landfilling), the wildlife that developed on the land was purely accidental. As a result, Tommy Thompson Park has more an "organic or wildnerness look", as compared to a typical neigbhourhood park.

Parks Canada Discovery Centre

The Discovery Centre will no doubt disrupt the "accidental wildlife" that has moved into the Split. The proposed building will include a large parking facility, access roads, water and other services that will pave over meadows, forest, and wetlands. The goal of the Discovery Centre is not only to showcase Canada's natural heritage, but according to Parks Canada, also provide "educational opportunities for visitors to learn about migrating birds and wetland habitat restoration work."

The Pros and Cons

Pros

- the project will bring about change to one of the most neglected areas of Toronto. The Portlands-Waterfront Area needs much development and the Discovery Centre could act as one of the projects that could bring about change. With our failed Olympic bid(s), the incentive for the federal and provincial government to pour money into the area has almost completely disappeared. The project will be part of the new Waterfront Park being planned by the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corp.

- the Discovery Centre will bring in $ to the Toronto economy.

- the Centre will serve an educational purpose - what a great place to learn about ecological succession eh ?

Cons

- parks are not just manicured lawn; TT Park represents one type of park (a natural or "organic" park) and it deserves the same recognition as the more famous man-made parks (i.e. High Park, Sunnybrook, etc).

- "we need to be in fairly close proximity to wildlife to learn about them" - sure you do, but by placing a big building, with a sea of parking, and a network of roads that would connect the Centre to the City, you will no doubt be paving over and intruding the very same wildlife that you have came to the Split to study. It is like the woman who complained about seeing deer when she decided to buy a house near a forest so she could be close to nature (that's another story).

- Nature vs. development - why can't we just keep what little urban wilderness we have left in peace ? The new Centre will cut off the Split, disrupt wildlife corridors, and generate pollution (water/trash/noise/light). By developing the Split, Parks Canada (who should know better than anyone !) will actually be destroying the very same unique natural habitat that attracted the Centre at the first place.

Can the Split be saved ?

There is no doubt that pressure for development on the Split will continue to rise. What's important for councillors is to remember that NOT every park looks like a playground. Natural ecological parks, such as the Split, are just as important to the aesthetics and natural functions of the city. Look at High Park - the City has been trying to restore the ecological functions of the park, after years of paving and building. While the Discovery Centre is a great idea, it does not necessairly have to be on the Split - why not build it on the Portlands (on a brownfield site perhaps - a great way to learn about remediation) ? The Split definitely deserves saving - but will the City and Parks Canada listen ?