Photo of one protester: Published in the Toronto Star
Yesterday, Jarvis was filled with bike riders to protest Mayor Rob Ford's cuts to bike lanes after the meeting at Allan Gardens.
It's great that parts of the city do have designated lanes for bike riders, but this photo is quite interesting. Why? "Every vehicle deserves a lane"? Really?
This is for those bike riders who don't seem to understand that if their bikes are vehicles, you need to operate it like one:
Countless times, I see bike riders weaving through lanes without any signals to drivers or just somehow coming out of the bike lanes and making the drivers quite nervous with their impulsive steering. In addition, I've seen more bike riders running stop signs (for some reason they think they don't have to STOP when the sign says STOP), yielding to pedestrians when making turns and at times, the red light is just a yellow light. Sometime they want to be vehicle operators and sometimes they want to be pedestrians on wheels.
Bike lanes are a safe place for bike riders but bike rider's disregard for traffic laws are NOT safe for drivers and pedestrians. If every vehicle deserves its own lane and bike riders believe this, shouldn't they operate the bike AS a vehicle? Why do some of the riders believe that the rules and laws of the road doesn't apply to them? Or that some rules can be modified to their liking?
From June 16th until July 20th, I started keeping tabs. I observed 27 bike riders and 24 of them either ran a stop sign (one caused a cab to brake suddenly), did not yield to pedestrians, used the sidewalk to avoid waiting for a car to parellel park on King Street (I guess because it's an alternate bike lane to them?), squeeze between a woman holding a child and a bench (instead of either waiting, or you know... using the bike lanes and most stopped at a red light, then after looking right and left, crossed the intersection. This was all observed on streets with bike lanes in both residential and major roads. Not to mention, my personal experience while driving. To the stupid woman who scratched my mirror with her bike while I was at a red light: You owe me money.
In Ontario, if you are under 18 years of age, you are required by law to wear a helmet. If bike riders are so concerned of their safety that they would rally to protest against bike lane removal, shouldn't all of them wear bike helmets anyway? Even if they're over 18 years of age? I mean, you may trust your awesome bike riding skills, but the point of having bike lanes is because you are unsure of others' driving skills.
So if the bike is a vehicle, then operate one like it is.
Removal of bike lanes would hardly make a difference for those bike riders who choose to revise the laws to their convenience.
Oh... and don't get me started on parents using the stroller as a weapon...
Silence can be the worst strategy in cases of sexual assault ... Any secrecy can be detrimental" says Rita Kohli, the executive director of Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis of Peel Region.
This isn't the first time I, along with many others, hoped that York University turns Kohli's words into actions. The university is being scrutinized once again for their lack of warning and communications about the sexual assaults that repeated occur on and off-campus to the female students. Most recent case was this past Friday when Faizan Ali, 30, and not a York Student entered a room in the residence and assaulted two women.
York University seems to hide the cases of sexual assault regardless of the risks it poses on the students. Rape and sexual assault is a gender-based crime. Although there are cases of sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape against men by women, a vast majority of these cases involves women as the victims and men as the perpetrators. The silence of York U and the lack of measures taken to ensure security on and off campus at all times perpetuates and maintains the invisibility of gender-based crimes.
The university has apparently increased their security budget within the last year by $500,000. This is obviously either not enough of an increase, or the increase is not being utilized properly. In the past year, even with the increase, there have been 5 cases which we know of, consisting of sexual assaults and murder. York U is also planning on increasing the security budget again within the next year by 40%. Where did the $500,000 go to? On residence, security monitors the main doors from 7pm-1am. Did we forget the clock doesn't stop at an hour past midnight? Maybe the 40% increase in the next year covers monitoring from 1am-7am. Who knows.
What is the point of a budget increase if the students don't know the severity and the frequency of the cases?
It's evident that the University is hoping to save face by not addressing the issue properly in order to maintain their reputation as a great institution, as they have had repeated cases of the crime on and off-campus. The Toronto Star reports that the students said the York University officials told the students NOT to address the media regarding this issue. WHAT?
And of course the University Official have no recollection of such instructions.
If I were a parent, I would not only be nervous of the sexual assaults, but concerned that the University isn't addressing it.
Rape and sexual assault has, historically and to this day, been a punishment for women for being assertive,to bruise their partner's egos and boost the perpetrators' egos, to "remind" women of their "place" and for women for just being women. The power dynamic between the two genders is embedded in this crime.
We also knows that sexual assault and rape (not just at schools but everywhere) are underreported due to stigma, embarrassment, trauma etc., and a school that hides this crime is sure to have more cases underreported. So the cases you have heard of and the ones reported in the paper (and not by York U) are only the cases that have been reported.
The budget increases sounds like a bunch of bullshit. The proper solutions are not be thought through by the University and it seems they are just half-assing the whole thing.
Students are apparently notified via bulletins and emails, but really? That's what we're doing?
"Hey, let me check my YorkU email just in case there was a sexual assault on campus or in the vicinity of my sexual-assault-perpetrator-attracting-school"...
We tell children all sorts of things when teaching them about the workings of the world. One thing we tell them is that if they need help, look for an adult.
Leiby Kletzky (right) brutally murdered by Levi Aron (left)
Eight year-old Leiby Kletzky of New York disappeared after walking to meet his mother. The day before, Kletzky and his mother walked the route but he got lost after missing a turn. He turned to an adult and asked for directions. That man was thirty-five year old Levi Aron.
Aron is seen on surveillance with the boy and lead police to discover Kletzky's severed body parts in Aron's home which he shared with his parents.
Mental illness is suspected but not yet confirmed.
Children are vulnerable beings that need guidance and care. When they seek for help, the risk of ending up in the hands of someone like Aron should not be.
Some of you may respond to this like, "Ya, but the world isn't perfect". No it's not, but since when are we using the imperfect world as an excuse or reason as to why innocent children's bodies are being severed and families being destroyed? The world isn't perfect, but that's no valid premise to use to explain or justify any crime, any discrimination and any inhumane act onto any individual.
If mental illness was a factor in Kletzky's murder, there are a few things to consider.
- For sentencing, Aron belongs in an institution, not prison. Prison will keep him from society, but with a sentencing of anything short than life without parole, he will eventually integrate back into society with no medical treatment for his mental illness. In an institution, this can be avoided depending on what he is diagnosed with, a lot more than the prison system.
- Another thing to consider is, was Aron getting the medical attention he needed if the mental illness was a factor and if the mental illness was known of prior? Is there enough programs and resources for individuals with special needs and their families in New York? Did his parents, whom he resides with, know of his disorder(s)? This is quite important as it may have prevented Aron ever coming in contact with Kletsky.
In what it described as a quite and safe neighbourhood where Kletzky and Aron met, people are expressing that this should not have happened. Umm... this should not have happened anywhere.
Parent's fears should be that their child doesn't eat or come in contact with anything they're allergic to. Parents should be concerned of their children's academic and social experience and that they wear their helmets when riding their bikes.
Parent's fears SHOULD NOT be that their child is the target of a gruesome murder.
Children aren't rasied by children, they are raised by adults. If we're in a world where children cannot depend on adults... What is the world really coming to?
Sad thing is, this isn't the first case of a child being a victim of a crime committed by an adult.
making it artistic. There is a melody that matches that colour on the wall right there [points to wall painting]" -- Aion Clarke
Many of us have experienced ultimatums in our lives that makes us frustrated and creates this intense amount of pressure because the choices presented to us aren't always what we perceive as something that is desirable.
Aion Clarke's upcoming EP, “Now or Never” is that ultimatum, except he takes the pressure and tranforms it to music. I was able to interview this "studio-head" recently and I was pleased to find that he was passionate, knowledgable and prompt in answering all of my questions.
The genre of the music he produces is considered R&B, but to my surprise, what he prefers to listen to is NOT limited to that one genre.
He explains the difference... or maturity rather, of Voyce Alexander to Aion Clarke, and tells us why he's not at the point to demand 3 boxes of white chocolates in his dressing room...yet. He's humble, yet confident. Best of all, he's from Toronto.
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You seem quite excited about your upcoming EP, what can we expect?
The song on “The Leaks” were songs I had written for other artists, but before that could happen, it was leaked onto the internet. So I decided to capitalize on it.
I moved out to ATL/LA in 2007 when I got signed with grammy-award winning producer Bryan Michael Cox. Now Or Never is with Dalton “DeeTenn” Tennant (producer and music director for Drake). It's the first project I am working on with the intention of putting it out.
What is your family background like? Any musical background?
Everybody in my family is musical, but no one pursued music. I have a West Indian background, we grew up in a church and my mom and dad taught me how to sing. I played drums, keys (even though I suck) and I was in every choir. I honed my gifts and talent in church.
Now or Never is just me exposing everything. It's more raw, more sexual, more aggressive. The most realest to me, where I am at right now, and what I have been through.
Tell me the difference between Aion Clarke and Voyce Alexander.
Voyce was young, back then I wanted to be FAMOUS and to capitalize on the industry. Voyce was me trying to be someone I wasn't instead of realizing I've been doing music my whole life and I don't have to pretend. I realize I don't have time for experimenting.
I've seen a lot in the industry, I learned a lot. There are a lot of talented artists in the industry. People need to understand if you want to be successful, start your own company. I didn't want to just have nice clothes and no money in my account. Do you want fame and do you want success?
My success would be to for my music to reach to the masses. Not that I don't want to be famous but it's just not my focus. The person that realized all this is Aion Clarke. Me.
That's my birth name. That's me.
We love that you're from Toronto, it's always great to have positive and talented representation of the city. What do you love about Toronto...? What is your favourite event in Toronto?
I love everything about toronto, it will always be my home. Toronto is the best city in the world. I love the people. I don't find too many haters... I mean haters is a part of life. You have nothing to prove to anybody.
My favourite event in Toronto? I enjoy going out. I like the Day and Night event on Sundays. It's the right clientele. Nice ladies to stare at [laughs], good music. I'm a studio head, I don't really go out too much. I'm really focused on my music and my family. That's about it. I think there are other things to do than partying when you're serious about your career. There are times for that, but not right now.
As you know, my blog along with myself of course, are very big on charities and awareness for mental and physical health issues for both children and youth, women's rights and LGBTQ issues etc. Back in December of 2010 you performed at a charity event hosted by Drake? Is there a charity that you personally support or an issue that you advocate for?
Any issue. I'm a very empathetic person, anything I can do to help. I've done a lot of charities.
The December 2010 charity was for my boy Lincoln, he has CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Ployneuropathy).
He used to be able to do backflips and he was into martial arts. He did all the martial arts for Lil X's videos. X asked me to come out for the event.
Now he [Lincoln] can't walk. The money went to the research for that.
We saw you perform at the 2011 NBA All Star Game singing the National Anthem. Describe that experience.
I wasn't nervous. I was nervous about the bronchitis. I'm still dealing with it now. That was very scary. It was the biggest event of my life and I had bronchitis. 2 weeks before that I couldn't even sing at all. I had to relax and get prepared. I was happy to be there and enjoy the moment.
Aion Clarke sang Canada's Nationa Anthem at the
2011 NBA All Star Games
The first time I had seen you perform was at Club One 11 in Yorkville back in March of 2010. You seemed very comfortable and in your element. Do you do anything prior to a performance that calms you down?
I'm used to the performance. I'm not at that level where I'm like, “I need 3 boxes of white chocolates in my dressing room” [laughs] and be demanding. Vocally, I warm up. I like to just stay calm and watch TV and relax.
I love your mixtapes but my all time favourite from you HAS to be your cover of Seal's Kiss From A Rose. Is there a cover you are dying to do and haven't done so yet?
A lot. Songs from the Beatles, “Imagine” and “Jealous Guy”. I love Bob Marley and Bob Dylan. There are so many. There has been so many amazing songs that no one can top. I want to do something groundbreaking. I want to make something that is just REAL.
Where does your inspiration come from whether it's songwriting, singing etc?
Real life experiences that I have seen and I have felt. Things that I appreciate like beauty in certain things. I'm always looking out to things and making it artistic. There is a melody that matches that colour on the wall right there [points to wall painting].
When I'm working on a song and its getting good. I stop. I burned the song on a CD and get in my car, listen to it, get an idea and record it on my phone. Next day I turn it into something special.
Aion Clarke and I
Should we expect to see you in any movies or TV shows? Reality TV?
Hopefully. I would love to act. People always said I could be an actor because I'm so silly and sarcastic. I don't take things too seriously. I'm a character.
I watch Man Vs. Food and the discovery channel [laughs]. You know what shows the best? The Deadliest Catch. These guys are risking their lives so we can eat crab and lobster [laughs]. The First 48 is amazing too.
Look out for Now or Never, to be released in a few weeks.
Aion Clarke says that for him, it's now... or never. How would you take this ultimatum?
On June 7th, I posted a little something about Walk Now For Autism Speaks. With a team of 6 people in a sea of 7,000, our team walked for Autism Speaks.
See the photos below!
Congratulations and a big thanks to the top fundraisers, all of the volunteers, the walkers and those who sponsored my team and I for the walk.
Some of you might be surprised that there are other things I'm not pleased with other than the Toronto Police Department in this city that I love so much. Yes, I love Toronto and I love everything about it. But it's evident that things need to change for the better.
In this case, it's the TTC. Oh, our beloved buses, trains and streetcars do get us to our destinations.
But there are times, and more than the "occasional" times, that they are late, the drivers are rude to passengers and the bus drivers think they pretty much own the road.
My collectivist culture of East Asia can have be point the finger at the institution and blame the upper-management. But it seems that the drivers are blaming passengers. Passengers who PAY the ridiculous fare. My individualist culture tells me to blame the driver. How about we just blame both?...
I've seen my share of nice TTC drivers. For example, on the subway, a transit operator that announces each stop decided to put a little twist on to things and added little puns and some singing to each announcement like, "It's tiiiiiiiime for COLLEGE!" and "Next stop, Queen. Wave to the Queen!".
It put a smile on people's faces and some laughs, which I can tell you, went a long way.
Then there is that grumpy old guy that drives the Neilson route in Scarborough. He was SO impatient with an old man who took maybe 5 seconds to put his fare in the box rather than the usual 2.4 seconds. The driver was shaking his head, huffing and puffing and the old man had no words to say because he had to make sure he grabbed on to something or else he would've fallen when the driver accelerated suddenly.
Or how about that drive on Brimley who cut across 3 lanes almost hitting my car BECAUSE I WAS RIGHT BESIDE AND NOT BEHIND. You're lucky you didn't hit me, cuz I would've sued.
So here goes my $3 in bus fare to get on a dirty bus with a rude driver who seems really irritated that I asked if this bus route stops at a certain street, because, from what I see on the route map on the TTC website, it's friggin confusing. So excuse me for making sure that I don't miss my stop. Hm?
Royson James of the Toronto Star wrote a little entertaining article on a woman who questioned a TTC driver for being 30-40 minutes late. She was thrown off of the bus.
Not surprisingly, the supervisor that was called backed up the driver and the passengers backed up the woman.
Am I wrong to think that transit operators are providing a service? So if the service was SHIT, shouldn't the driver be more apologetic? Or at least provide an explanation.
Instead, she was thrown off of the bus (she refused to get off of the bus actually) and caused a scene.
So if that woman gets to work late and her boss questions why she's 30-40 minutes late, does she have the right to throw her boss out of the office?
I don't doubt that there are dedicated employees and upper management at the TTC, but where did those bad apples come from?
Events in Toronto this past weekend had people wandering around the city enjoying ridunkulous events. I had the opportunity to attend the Toronto Ribfest at Centennial Park and drinks and delicious food at Spice Route on King St.:
Every Sunday from 5pm-10pm at Spice Route, for $24 you get what seems like an endless amount of all-you-can-eat items off of their set menu. Lemon chicken, Bok Choy, Yam Fries among many of the entrees plus Fried Banana and Raspberry brownie for dessert. They have an amazing patio... and you gotta see the openness of their bathroom. ...
This past Sunday was also the Pride Parade. From what I hear, it was CRAZY. Despite Mayor Ford's absence (his loss), the parade went on to unite and celebrate, generating tons of moula to the economy.
A friend of my brother's, Abra S., baked this fabulous cake for Pride. I saw it and drooled.
Mmm... Cake...
Centennial Park was completely full of people in line waiting for some delicious ribs, a chance at winning a life sized stuffed animal and stomach hurling rides. FYI, I don't recommend that you go on any of the rides after eating a full rack of ribs. Just saying...
Past awards won by Jack on the Bone
The ribs I got to try were from "Jack On the Bone", sprayed (literally with a spray bottle) with Jack Daniels. The cornbread and baked beans were amazing. How do I know? Cuz I got sleepy after eating it.
My friends HEART BEATS TO were there selling their tees straight for 11 hours a day from Thursday until Sunday. From what I hear, the bright, hot and sunny weather may have caused one to get a "farmer's tan"... ;)
I think I got the last Tank in medium :P...Score...!
Samia and Madiha: HeartBeatsTO
Despite the season, Toronto has amazing events that go on. I remember years ago always saying that there is nothing to do. But you have to look!
These are popular events that you hear about without searching through the event listings.
All you have to do is log on to toronto.ca/events and click on the ones you may be interested in attending.
