Category : Reader Friendly

It has been two years ago, already? Time indeed does fly by. It was two short years ago I was fortunate enough to help a friend to start off a project she had wanted to do for a long time. ‘Start an online travel magazine!’ she said, with people from all over the world contributing their experiences through both photography and written articles.’But with a focus in photography.’ It sounded like an amazing idea, just a few pieces of the puzzled needed to be set in place. She got to work.

First, a name, a catchy name was needed. She brainstormed and researched but nothing jumped up at her or like most of us, who have ever bought domain you find that most of the easiest and straightforward names -which online are your literal identity, have long, long ago been taken. As such, sometimes it tends to be quite hard finding just that right name. No one wants to slap two word together simply because they have not used by anyone else. So, like many things in history, the name found her, in this case in the way of her brother who just casually happened upon the idea of using a ‘compass.’ Fair enough, the idea of travelling and the use of compasses is as old as honeys and bees but without the buzzing and stinging. Then we hit some online search engines for a few play on words to see what was available on the interwebs and just like that, The Compass Culture was born. Then she hurried to register the name before some moron bought the domain first and used it to sell porn. Seriously, it happens!

Just like in any project, there is a time for planning and there is a time when you just have get to it –hopefully after the planning sessions are done, prim and proper, or course– and planning she did and with the help of her brother aka: her Art Director, the site was up in no time and ready to carve itself a chunk of the internet! And… then nothing happened.

Content was needed and I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to submit some articles from a recent European trip to Spain and France, which eventually they also found their way back to my blog. Then soon, with a lot of advertising from her part, whether it was online on sites like Craig’s List, Facebook, Kajiji and in the real world like Universities posting boards to let the word out to writers and photographers alike the site, like a flower, began flourishing. Not to mention she was then an editor in her own right! Which is never as easy as people think, but not too shabby for a side project. As I always say, "you want to be somebody? Don’t wait for someone to give you the job! Create it first and then just put yourself in the position." It’s not easy but so she did. She jumped right into it. The picture at the bottom left, was her first cover. Although I do like the contrast of both of them.

And so, fast forward two years and 90 articles later from just about every corner of the world, she unfortunately, due to time constrains decided to close shop. Which is sad to hear, however one cannot deny that a lot must have been learned from the experience which I am sure will help her to land that next job she wants. Shortly the site will be turned into an article repository, which sounds more than fair that at least the project leaves a legacy for all the writers who contributed and as a tool for them to still display and advertise their work. I wish you the best on your next project. Well done!

Stress comes in many forms and sizes. It is part of life and for some out there it happens more often than with others. People handle it differently, depending on the subject in question. I once knew someone who lost their home, separated from their wife and got laid off work, all within the same month, sounds like the start of a feel-good movie, no? They went into a downward spiral which lasted years. A bit of self-destruction and self-pity never helps anyone. Couldn’t blame the man though. Although he finally snapped out of it, I will admit I did no approve of the way he handled it although he is doing better now. However, who am I to judge?

But as inspiration of his tale of woe, I decided to start painting as a way to get out of any gloom or glum that somehow manages to come my way. ‘I change is always good,’ I say; a change of perspective, a new beginning is something we all need from time to time. A start a new chapter of one’s life per se. So I thought of posting some of them in the upcoming posts.

So without any further ado, my first painting ever, ‘The Rabbit Hole.’ An excellent abstract work in which, if you observe, it perfectly juxtaposes man’s ever haunting need for existential relevance and me smearing globs that slimed off the paint lids onto canvas.

Seriously, I seen works like this at the AGO, so you just gotta love art’s crazy subjectivism. All I have to do now, is convince their board that it is worth $1359.99! And that I accept Visa and Mastercard.

It is no secret the TTC is far from perfect and if used extensively, you surely have come to curse it at one point or other; which is a natural response to all Transit Systems, politicians, lawyers, and well, everything actually. However if you are car-less like me, then you know Riding The Rocket is probably the best way to and fro around Toronto’s urban jungle.

For my own motives –mostly common sense– I have always tried living within a token’s throw of a subway station. Having grown in the suburbs and commuting then two hours to York University for school pretty much scarred me for life –but my mental state is another post altogether. In the end, unless you have children, are urban-phobic or your mate demands he/she is chauffeured, then the TTC is your best bet.

Escalating fares aside; $109 for a Metropass… Really? SERIOUSLY? Well, rant aside, I guess, I am happy to see they are trying to modernize the system. The newer subway cars will hit the tracks rolling sometime in 2009 and look at ‘hem, they might be a nice pimpin’ ride. Although that remains to be seen, there is no mention as of when in 2009 the deployment will start and if it does, it will be only on the wealthy line that is Yonge-University… plebbed Bloor-line be dammed! There are other changes like the Transit City project which is basically making lots of Spadina’s and St. Clair’s right of way streetcar lanes, but that won’t be finish until 2021. So, let’s just wait on that one for now.

For the time being, one of the best new services provided free of charge are their TTC-eAlerts. Which in our always-on-line generation can be seen as a blessing in disguise. Having been launched on January 14, it has been tested by me and has given its users another perspective of the TTC. The only catch is that at best –with about 10 minutes advance warning– you might find out of an outage until you are about to head to a station, so “knowing” is not half the battle, as you might not be able to circumvent the issue due to it still being too short notice. Thus you will be hindered, except you are now armed with the knowledge that you will be stuck and left wrestling for shuttle busses or cabs with hundreds of other passengers ahead of time. 

So yes, subway lines go out of service a lot, the most I have seen is four in one day! So if you want to have a daily shot of paranoia as to whether your train breaks down in the middle of a tunnel while someone in your car may or may not be coughing up a lung due to swine flu, this is your ticket!

In the end, it might not save you a headache or that much time or money if you decide to cab it but it will provide you with undeniable written proof you can show to your boss as to why you are late and in my opinion, that’s a start. TTC, I salute you.

If you would like to subscribe to the TTC alerts, click here.

Flash back to circa 2005 — Who knew? A quick search to find like minds with whom I could practice my fleeing Spanish, would lead to such a great adventure? Indeed, 4 years ago, my Google search led me to a fruitless dead end. There were no Spanish Speaking networks in Toronto! At least not ones wanting to be found easily. Where did Spanish speakers convey then? Shady backrooms accessible only through back way alleys? Where you had to knock 7 times to the rhythm of La Curacha and dance a riff from the Macarena before a doorman suavely said ‘Si’ and allowed you entry? Seriously, I was at a loss.

Ah, such dichotomy in between the world wide web and the Spanish speaking community in Toronto.
Then the one thing I have learned is, if you can’t find something that you need, then well, create it. As such I started a group on Meetup.com. Back then the site had already been at it for a few years and it seemed like the perfect venue. For those not in the know, Meetup allows people to become an organizers and pretty much become an event planner. If people like your group then they join and off you go.

It went well at the beginning and with time I decided to branch out into other areas. Mostly social, since it is my belief that there are never enough ways to meet new people and enlarge one’s circle of friends. As such, the Toronto 23-35 and the Toronto 25-40 Social groups came to life about a year later. It seemed easy at first, pick a random pub, send an email to the then 10 members or so and see what would turn out. ‘Keep it simple’ I used to say.

Well, 334 events later, we are crossing quite the milestones! What started as smalls flower requiring plenty of attention and care have become a weed and is spreading like wildfire! On May 1st, we will having a party to celebrate the 3 group’s combined 3130 members! Incredible!

It has been quite the journey, meeting so many interesting people including some very quirky ones. If anything, it was a constant reminder of just how different and alike we all are. Regardless of religion, ethnicity or age, we all found something in common. The underlying desire not to be alone and to share experiences with one another. Some pragmatists would also include dancing and booze but digress it has been well worth it.

Aside the countless friendships, many have found significant others within the hundreds and a few –5 couples, that I know of– have gone off and even gotten married! You know, its corny but being able to make a positive difference in people’s lives is really quite the upper, not to mention Dharma-friendly. Take that, Law Of Attraction!

What will the future hold? Who can tell at this point… but I consider myself, not only I have learned some valuable skills but made some friends who I cherish and count myself as being very lucky to have meet. I am sure, eventually a point will come in which I may not have time to keep them up, but slowly a new generation of people are coming in, helping out as the groups keep on expanding but until then, let the Pachangas go on!