It has been far too long since I wrote anything on this site and I need to remedy that. Until 48 hours ago I was a work a day drone in the downtown core. I finally had enough and quit my job. So, now I have a couple weeks of free time until I start my new job. Kinda nice to have the break.

Now, one of the things that I found maddening about working downtown was the inability of people to see or be aware of anything in their immediate proximity. When riding on the TTC there was more than a few times where I found myself watching in disbelief as a pregnant lady was left standing. Some guy reading his paper blissfully ignored her. I’m not beating on him as I’m sure he didn’t intend that but, c’mon people. Have some awareness of your surroundings.

It’s rare that I find the need to hit a retail store in the Toronto area these days for anything other than coffee and food.

Today was one of those days.

I was wandering through a Costco when I was, at first, accosted by a display of snowblowers. Then, the Christmas display.

Um, not what I need to be seeing on the first +30C day in the summer. Yipes. Retail…calm down.

Sometimes I find my giggles in plain sight. Today I picked up my subway pass for the month. The Toronto Transit Commission has added some “features” to make the cards more secure.

I find the sticker amusing as hell.

The TTC had this to say on their website on June 17…

From TTC.ca:

The Toronto Transit Commission is introducing new security features to its Metropass, Weekly Pass and GTA Weekly Pass in an effort to thwart an increase in counterfeiting, starting in July.

One of the added features is an activation sticker that must be removed before it can be used as valid fare on the TTC.

When the sticker is removed, a thin film is left behind on the pass where the sticker was located. Customers who have already received their July pass have noticed this film and have inquired about its presence and whether or not it should be removed. The film should NOT be removed. Doing so leaves a glue residue that gathers dirt and other particles which will then partially obscure the hologram that has been added to passes to prevent counterfeiting.

A hologram that is meant to prevent counterfeiting? They should really do their homework (note: The Wired story is from 2007).

As for the “activation” sticker; the card works just fine without it. Just saying.

Article Link

(originally posted at Liquidmatrix Security Digest)

Today a group of Ryerson University (Toronto) students got a nasty surprise. Their personal info was being exposed on the web.

From the Toronto Star:

Almost 600 Ryerson University students may have had their personal information, including Social Insurance Numbers, revealed due to a software glitch in the system that registers students for courses.

The error in the Student Administration System was first flagged on Dec. 27 when a student stumbled upon it and emailed the administration, said Ryerson’s information and privacy co-ordinator Heather Driscoll.

The error allowed him to view the personal information of up to 588 students, including their name, gender, date of birth, student number, mailing address, and Social Insurance Number.

Hmm. That’s not cool. But, what is a little more disturbing is that,

Two more students also notified the school about the error. On the third occasion, on Jan. 9, the university pinpointed the glitch and designed a patch they say fixed the error.

So, let’s play the adding game. First reported exposure was Dec. 27. The third was on January 9th. That’s just shy of two weeks where student information was exposed.

Um, huh?

Officials say they don’t believe there has been any misuse of the information that was exposed, and Sheldon Levy, president of the institution, has commended the students who initially noticed the error.

Based on what exactly? Divining tea leaves? Commending the students is fine but, oh I don’t know, how about acting on the information? And how do we know that the exposure was limited to roughly 600 students?

I have a shiny loonie that says I can answer that one.

Read on.

Article Link

(originally posted at Liquidmatrix Security Digest)

Mayor Miller, who I regrettably voted for, has bitched and moaned about other levels of government rather than trying to stem the mismanagement in city hall. I will be sure to update after the move. In the meantime, you can catch me over on my main site Liquidmatrix Security Digest.

Tags: Toronto, Moving From Toronto

I wish them luck with their struggle but, do that again and they will lose a LOT of sympathetic supporters.

Tags: Canada Day Weekend, Aboriginal Day of Action

Oh yeah, and the ambulance was also blocked in by her.

Tags: TTC, Ignorant People, Toronto Traffic, Toronto Beaches

I crossed the street and I was stopped my a large armoured vehicle. I soldier asked to see my identification. At this point I realized I was long overdue for my move back to Toronto the good.

Well, I moved back and I do love this town. But, one of the things that I have learned after my time in DC was that life in precious and that common courtesies are one of the things that helps make life a better thing. And one of those simple things that I enjoy is COMMON COURTESY.

I would like to know what has become of Toronto the good. When I moved from Canada in ’99 it wasn’t bad. When I returned a few years later the bottom seemed to have dropped out. People would not hold doors for others and similar basic things. The one that I truly miss is the courtesy wave. My wife rolls her eyes when I get annoyed because someone that I let in ahead of me on the Lakeshore didn’t acknowledge with a wave. It is a simple courtesy that I most certainly do not expect but, I do get annoyed if it is not forthcoming. Give a wave next time someone lets you move over a lane in heavy traffic. It’s a small thing that will help (in part) to rebuild the image of Toronto as “the good” rather than “those assholes from the ‘Teranna‘”.

Tags: Toronto the Good, Courtesy Wave, Common Courtesy

Auctioneers Benaco Sales Ltd. says the one-day sale will include more than 100 autographed posters, framed gold and platinum records and CDs, and a slab of the store’s wall _ featuring autographs by artists including Tina Turner, Steven Tyler, Ray Charles, Burton Cummings, Gordon Lightfoot, Blue Rodeo and David Bowie.

Some of the more unique items for sale include a five-seat shoeshine station, a five-metre oak soda pop bar, a Wurlitzer record jukebox, three pinball machines and chandeliers.

The record sign on the outside of the store will be preserved by the city.

Ah well. Another bites the dust. Hey hey.

Link

Tags: Sam The Record Man, Toronto Landmark

Over the past week, the CN Tower has been testing its new $2.5 million lighting system after dusk. Ribbons of colour have spilled down the 553-metre-tall structure, ebbing and flowing like water.

Or, in some cases, like sequins.

Because the computer-controlled system is so flexible, virtually any look is possible. So, depending on when one happens to glance up, the tower can appear as refined as a clean sculpture – or as garish as a midway.

“We want to remind people that it’s our intention to really elegantly light the structure,” said a spokesperson.

“So what they’re seeing over the past few days is not what they’ll be seeing in the future.”

Come Thursday, the public will get an official glimpse of that future, when the new installation is launched with a light show demonstrating its capabilities. There will be also be a special blitz on Canada Day, with nightly shows continuing all year long.

This will give a welcome splash of colour to the city skyline for the summer and beyond.

Link

Tags: CN Tower, CN Tower Lighting, CN Tower Makeover