Terk MFTV1A Omnidirectional OTA TV antenna. I will use it outdoors on my antenna mast
My existing “Over The Air” broadcast TV antenna, an Antennas Direct DB4e, has a range of about 60º, but my house here in Toronto, Canada is situated with TV stations in the range of 70-80º. However I point my antenna, either I drop stations from the east in Buffalo, or west in Hamilton. Smack in the middle of my range are the overly strong stations of Toronto, which can overpower weaker stations. I am attempting to use a Terk MFTV1A indoor omnidirectional antenna, installed outdoors on my antenna mast, to increase my antenna range to beyond 60º.
Sometimes one sees a well accepted solution that simply does not work. Having the public purchase large paper bags in order to dispose of yard waste is at best a bad idea and at worst simply a waste of money. Yet here in Toronto, Canada, these bags are almost universally used for yard waste.
These are telemarketers who consistently call my house here in Toronto and refuse to cease. Few of these have call display info, so I need to research them on the internet. Still, many have no information. The CRTC should regulate this better, as it is very annoying. The “Do Not Call” law should be upgraded to be more all encompassing.
In the mean time I use my Panasonic phone, which has a ban list, but I still get a single ring. My phone keeps track of all our incoming calls, and I track unknown phone numbers. There is some work involved to keep this list current, but the payoff is that you reduce, to a bare minimum, the number of repeat telemarketers.
Telecommuncations have come a long way in a short period of time. Smart phones are near ubiquitous in society, and as common as a wallet or purse in public. How people have become addicted to carrying and using smart phones, I do not know, but in our quest for permanent and persistent connectivity, we inadvertently agree to give up some of our privacy. Scary it is, but the writing is on the wall and near inevitable unless governments step in to prevent this. Given that people are freely looking for phone connectivity, I do not believe that such tracking by stores or any other agencies is immoral. Shocking, yes, but not immoral. Each person has the ability and means to turn off their phone when walking around. If they do not then this is their personal choice.
Saw it coming, I did, through my incessant weather forecast watching here in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Warned, we were, by the sages of climate. Still we really did not know the gravity of the situation, nor that we were to lose power for 18 hours. As we are always prepared, this matters little, because we know where everything necessary is located and we have done this before. It is worthwhile reflecting on what worked and what needs improvement, so that the next one, an inevitable event, really, will be that much more fulfilling.
In my youth I thought that if I studied earnestly, worked hard and was honest I would charge forth with a great career, family and life. This is what I was told by all and I believed them. The last 10 years here in Toronto has shown me otherwise. I am a racialized Canadian living in Toronto. Raised and educated (multiple degrees in computer science and business) in Toronto, Canada, ready and willing to work, I find it difficult to get a break back into full time employment.
Mobile phone service is unquestionably complex, needing a lot of research about both the phone and your service provider. After an exhaustive search of all the providers in the Toronto area, we found that Wind Mobile had the best cell phone plans to suit our needs. Yet the devil is in the details. Choosing a phone and the specific plan is trickier than we initially thought. There were other issues to consider, including cell phone coverage, unlocking the phone, buying the phone outright, and how Wind does their tab. Specifics of the Wind plan can change at any time, so this post is valid today in August 2013 and will change in the future.
Beto bicycle floor pump V1, early version, bought at MEC in Toronto. The pin in the valve head broke. Photo By Don Tai
Bought from MEC a decade ago for $25CAD, this pump has served me well pumping up kids schrader low pressure tires, as well as the odd presta style. A litle bit of inattention from the Big Weed and she broke the valve head. Specifically the plastic pin that holds down the valve head to the valve. A repair was in order.
Like most large cities, Toronto, Canada has storm drains. These drains help remove excess water from the area after a heavy rainfall. Usually forgotten until needed this unsung system requires very little maintenance. Here is what is done in Toronto.
Storm drains are located on both sides of the street, about 6 houses apart, or 120′ between drains. In the past the storm drain cover was parallel to the road and sidewalk, but this was problematic for cyclists, who would get their tires caught in the drain cover. Now the cover openings are diagonal from the curb to the middle of the street. Storm drain covers are cast of heavy iron and do rust.
Safety is not something that I feel rates as very important in Chinese culture. There are numerous instances where, if the situation were in Canada, regular Canadians would be up in arms. Chinese people are, instead, chill. I really do not understand this mindset, as the results could be disastrous. Having lived and traveled in China, then returning home to Toronto, Canada, I have seen so many examples. In potentially dangerous situations I see nothing to gain and much to lose.
