Deja Vu-like, the Morning Commute has not Improved

January 1st, 2012 by dontai


Going back to the commute routine has been eye opening, which caught me by surprise. It’s not like this is new to me, but getting used to the TTC and the quickness of pace has been eye opening.

The TTC seems to have stayed the same. I expected advancements, but this is not so. They struggle to keep from falling backward on themselves. While most bus drivers are courteous, I have met those who are not. Once there was a detour because of a crime and police had closed the road. This driver did not even announce why he was detouring, so many people asked. He got so mad.

Clo-vents Chronological: I learn so much

January 1st, 2012 by dontai


Regret is how I feel about not posting these earlier. Still, life goes on and so I go. All these events have been memorable, and at each one I learn more as I continue on my way, either through technique, talking to people, or myself. Overall, it is 3 x win.

C-vents:

Weary, Oh to Transform into a Rock

December 5th, 2011 by dontai


Weary, I am, though I do not tell anyone else. Why, you may ask, but to not burden others. For to trudge on, with a smile, is the right thing to do.

No one notices, and really, no one need notice. To those who have thrown up hands in frustration, I see your point. To those that have done something radical as a result, I also see your point, though we tell ourselves we will get through it.

At times it seems unbearable, but we trudge on. Oh, to Transform myself into a rock.

Spontaneous Display of Clown: Britain

December 2nd, 2011 by dontai


Clown police and two businesspeople in the UK. What is their message and why do they dress as clowns?

What is their message and why did they choose to dress as clowns? Kids would easily identify them as clowns.

My WordPress Blog hijacked: The Pharma Hack

December 1st, 2011 by dontai


Rest assured, I have not started a pharmacy and am not promoting illegal drugs on my personal blog. Oh no, as I am a “No Drugs” type of person. I was the victim of the Pharma Hack. This virus changes your indexing on Google Search so when people search for your site instead of your blog entry title they get ads for pharmaceutical drugs. I was not happy about this. After many extensive changes in beefing up WordPress security, so far Google search has started to index me correctly. This might take a couple of months, so bear with me.

Changing your main water shutoff valve: Toronto

November 22nd, 2011 by dontai


The human body is composed of roughly 80% water. To say that fresh water is vital to our existence is quite true. Living in Toronto, Canada, we get our drinking water from our municipal water purification plant and water supply piping system. While those in condominiums and large apartments rely on property management companies to worry about these minute details, the rest of us that live in houses must fend for ourselves. Municipal water arrives from a pipe deep underground, protected from the frost. There is a water shutoff on your front lawn, as well as main water shutoff inside your house. If your main water shutoff has seized shut or open and you cannot turn it in either direction, you will need to replace it. Without a way to shut off the water in your house you risk flooding your house if a water pipe bursts, for whatever reason. Here is how to change your main water shutoff in Toronto, Canada.

How’s Your Mandarin? Editorial Cartoon

November 22nd, 2011 by dontai


This editorial cartoon is a play on the US popular rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline being proposed to run from Canada, through the US, down to Texas. The proposal is facing stiff opposition, with some Canadians editorializing that we should just redirect the pipeline to China.

And because he asked, my Mandarin is quite good. I love this editorial cartoon.

The more the US has access to cheap oil, the more they will waste it. Overall I think the US and therefore the World would benefit by more expensive oil prices. This also applies to us Canadians. While we all talk conservation and environmental protection, I see way too many SUVs and other large vehicles transporting one driver, and a lack of motivation to fund and build mass transit. I hope that gas prices will double and therefore match that of Europe.

How"s your Mandarin editorial by Aislin, Nov 16 2011

Disposal of Construction Garbage in Toronto

November 17th, 2011 by dontai


Inside a Solid Waste drop-in Depot, Toronto, Canada. Garbage everywhere.

Inside a Solid Waste drop-in Depot, Toronto, Canada. Garbage everywhere.

Not all garbage is disposed of in the same matter. Here in Toronto, Canada we have fairly strict rules of garbage disposal. There are organics, recyclables and yard waste, all with their special pickup schedules. And then there the pickup for “the rest”, that that is destined for land fill, tilled down and buried into some hill, whereabouts unknown. Old shingles from my recent shingling task needed to be disposed of, so off to the Toronto Solid Waste Drop-off Depot I went.

Little Weed gets back his Bedroom

November 10th, 2011 by dontai


After three weeks of sleeping in the basement living room, somewhat stateless with no place to store his clothes, Little Weed was finally able to return to his bedroom. It was a monumental event for him and a good step back to normalcy in our house. A stable home is so important for kids.

DIY Roofing With Asphalt Shingles: Advice

November 8th, 2011 by dontai


Let me state the obvious that it is easier to blog than to roof. Roofing is hard work and dangerous. My south exposure roof was looking tattered, with shingles curling and losing a lot of small particulate. As I have not found a steady full-time job and could not afford the +$6,000 CAD fee for a professional roofer, and fearing a roof leak, I decided to DIY a large section of my roof. The roof job is progressing very well, though I have not gotten used to the hard physical labour.