TTC Troubadours Entertain the Public in Toronto -- 2

Here are more photos of TTC troubadours 

for you to enjoy:

Photos (in TTC Stations in Toronto: 2009 - 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

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[To go to the beginning of this write-up, please click here]

TTC Troubadours Entertain the Public in Toronto -- 1

The Toronto Transit Commission, popularly known as the TTC, is presently at its lowest end of reputation. This public company, that runs subway (underground) trains, street cars (trams) and buses in Toronto, is mired by public bashing for ever increasing price of tickets, sex and financial scandals, nepotism and irresponsible and immature behaviour of some of its staff. When the air is afoul with verbal and written punches from the public and counter-punches from certain TTC workers, I like to circulate a breath of fresh air with a good news.

This good news is about the musicians, whom I want to call "The TTC Troubadours." These men and women, coming from different ethnic groups, entertain transit passengers every day at various subway stations. Carrying permits from the TTC, these minstrels take their positions in designated areas of subway stations and sing and play on their instruments. Some instruments are commonly known, others are quite foreign to many.

Some passengers stand and keenly observe the musicians at their work, others do some jig in tune with the music. Some onlookers, in appreciation of the music, throw in money in the form of coins and bills inside the covers of instruments laid on the ground.

These troubadours are like refreshing raindrops in the arid and hectic life of the daily passengers.

Photos (in TTC Stations in Toronto: 2009 - 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

(More)

The Signs of the Times

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A message written on a bench at the
bus stop of the Scarborough Town Centre, Toronto

Photo (July 26, 2009) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (March 7 - 13, 2010)

A wintry moonlit night in Toronto

Photo (February 26, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

"Missed Connections": A New Social Trend in Toronto

Graphics (Toronto: November, 2009) © Joachim Romeo D'Costa

It was always there, but, previously, there were no appropriate means or media to communicate it to the intended person. People meet people -- in streets, buses, trains, planes, shopping malls, and the like. Some people, in the course of this chance meeting, like or have fascination for certain people but do not have the instant chance or courage to let them know of their feelings about them. They are also too shy to let them know immediately that they would like to meet again. This happens in every country, in every culture.

With the growth of the digital media (the Internet, cellphones, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites), people are participating in them in droves from the security of their homes and offices. Previously, what was their inner secret is now being hawked publicly. People, especially in the West, are no longer that much reticent or shy to express their inner thoughts and feelings.

The Craiglist.ca and kijiji.ca are two websites that publish such thoughts and feelings under Missed Connections. This is a new social trend that's gaining wider currency. 24-Hours, a free daily newspaper from Toronto, for about a year republished some of these website postings on its pages. As a part the new social trend and a record of social history, I am quoting below some of these postings.

• Sunglasses in winter? So there you were, just came and sat down in front of me on the subway [underground train] at Kennedy [Station] and our eyes locked for, like, 2 seconds and many times after that. Good thing those sunglasses (in winter?) were on top of your head rather than on your eyes because your eyes just attracted me a lot. Me: Male with a full-hawk hairstyle doing my sudoku puzzle.
• Dundas Street car...1,2,3: You got off at Ossington station and we shared, not one, but three backward glances. I sat beside you, but couldn't get up the guts to talk to you. You're cute blonde with very blue eyes. I have brown hair and was wearing a black jacket and a blue striped scarf. I stayed on the street car, but maybe I shouldn't have.
• You in Captain Crunk Shirt: At around 12:15 a.m. you walked into the subway going eastbound that I was in with four of my loud friends. You were the guy with the nice eyes and wearing this Captain Crunk shirt my friends and I thought was so funny. I was the girl with curly brown hair in the black shirt and skirt, having a Tim Hortons tea. I had to get off at Main Station. You gave me the nicest smile and really made my night.
• In the beige coat: To the girl in the beige coat: I saw you just West of Jarvis [Street] on King [Street], near the Rainbow cinema. You were standing (smoking) under the overhand, out of the rain. It was about 3 p.m. on Tuesday. I was gingerly stepping through the muck and you smiled at me like no one ever has...you walked on, as did I, but I'm wishing I didn't...Tell me what I looked like and dinner's on me.
• Too shy to say hi: I've had a crush on you for ages, and I totally geek out whenever I see you at lunchtime. If you are attached then that is fine, but geez, I am way too shy to say hi. It's just silly now, but I think you are awesome and I have often wondered your name. You wear plaid shirts and engineer boots. Location: Queen West [Street], John [Street] and Richmond [Street].
• Music lover: Dear cool headphone girl, I see you like to sit in the back corner as well. Hope to see you again. Location: 25 [Number] bus north, Wednesday.
• At the Wal-Mart in Aurora: First you passed me in one of the DVD aisles. You smiled and kinda grabbed yourself. You are super hot and bearish. We continued to flirt around the store, making eye contact several times. We finally chatted and explained that I was shopping with my sister. I gave you my number. I hope you use it.
• Looking for Nurse at Brampton: I was standing in line at hospital Timmie's [Tim Horton's Coffee Shop]. You were in front of me with co-worker and you were discussing time off at holidays. You turned around and gave me beautiful smile -- a few more times. You caught me checking you out and you smiled at me. That uniform does you no justice as you are a beautiful woman. You were wearing dark uniform with a white sweater. I detected an accent too. You are about 5'5" with blue eyes, strawberry shoulder length hair. Can we meet for coffee?
• Nice Eyelashes: I sat next to you on the train to Kennedy Stn [Station]. You had lovely black eyelashes. I asked you if they were real. Your name begins with N. I wanted to ask you out for coffee but we reached Kennedy station just then.
• Cute guy doing his homework: You were sitting on a log doing homework(?) My do came over to say hi. You asked what kind of dog she was and we chatted about where you've been in Canada. I thought you were cute as hell! If you're interested in a coffee/drink sometime get back to me. Tell me what kind of do she is and where you're from. Would like to hang out sometime.
• Woman at Tony Stacey Centre: Saw you at Tony Stacey Centre. You are tall and good looking. I was wearing tan pants and a blue coat. You were outside having lunch with I assume your grandfather. would like to talk with you, let me know what you were wearing and hopefully we can meet for coffee.
• Cutest bus driver: I think you are the cutest bus driver ever...I looked forward to seeing you in the morning on my way home. I finally got the guts to start up a conversation...I asked if you were Spanish, to which you replied no. You mentioned your Portuguese background...I would love to find out more about you...I hope you read this and reply...Location: northbound on Caledonia.
• Beverly Street -- You smiled as I sat on the steps: I was enjoying the sudden downpour of snow when you walked by and flashed a gorgeous little smile my way. You were putting on some makeup (or adjusting?). It was completely unexpected and I was mesmerized by the snow, your cuteness...Fancy a coffee? We could admire the snow together!
• The tall, dark and handsome gentleman: You were the tall, dark and handsome gentleman ordering lunch yesterday at Sprout [restaurant]. I was the short woman with curly reddish hair, a white top and checked pants. I noticed you as soon as you walked in and I gave a glance on my way out. I think you may have noticed me noticing you. Location: Yonge [Street] & St. Clair [Avenue].

Canadian Aboriginal Influence on 2010 Olympic Winter Games

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An inukshuk on the Whistler Summit, British Columbia, Canada
Daniel Walsh photo @ courtesy of http://www.trekearth.com/

The Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C., had some remarkable influence of Canadian aboriginals. These influences were quite visible to the world.

Some of The Aboriginal Influences on the Olympics

Planning and Hosting of the Games: Out of 198 First Nations (indigenous people groups) in the province of British Columbia, the Chiefs and other members of the Four Host First Nations (of Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh) directly participated in the planning and hosting of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games with the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee.

Olympic Emblem (Logo): The Vancouver Olympic Games emblem depicts an inukshuk, a symbol used by Inuit (Eskimo) people of Canada's Arctic regions. This inukshuk represents an "eternal expression of the hospitality of a nation that warmly welcomes the people of the world with open arms every day."

Non-Inuit aboriginal groups criticized the acceptance of this Olympic emblem because they feel that the symbol did not reflect the native art and culture of the Vancouver region or the rest of the British Columbia where the actual Olympic games were being held.

Olympic Mascots: Each Olympic Game chooses its mascot (a person, animal or object that is supposed to bring good luck) according to some local legend or culture. The Vancouver Olympic Games chose Quatchi (the sasquatch -- also called the bigfoot -- is a large, hairy, apelike creature that roams the forests of North-West USA and Canada), Miga (the sea bear), Sumi (animal spirit) and Mukmuk (happy marmot -- a burrowing rodent), drawn from the First Nations legends and mythology. The Vancouver Olympic Games mascots were drawn by aboriginal artist Meomi.

Arenas, Cultural Centres and Pavilions: Some of the Sports arenas, cultural centres and pavilions were built following aboriginal architecture and arts.

Olympic Medals: Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals have aboriginal design of an orca whale.

Opening Ceremony: In this ceremony four aboriginal totem pole like large statues were displayed. Totem pole figures represent ancestors or supernatural beings. In addition, the chiefs of Four Host First Nations were present in both opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games with other VIPs. Members of many aboriginal groups also participated in the welcoming ceremony with their traditional costumes and head-gears by singing and dancing.

Olympic Games Telecast in Eight Aboriginal Languages: Canada has the Aboriginal People's Television Network (APTN) that is owned and run by indigenous people. It was launched in 1999. The eight languages, used in the telecast of Olympic news and events, were: Attikamek, Mohawk, Mi'kmaq, Ojibwe, Cree, Ogi-Cree, Micips and Inuktitut. This is the first time in the history of Olympic Games that sports broadcast or telecast was in any aboriginal language.

Anti-Olympic Sentiments and Demonstrations

Even if a good number of aboriginal groups gave their full cooperation in the planning and hosting of the Olympic Games, some aboriginals and their non-aboriginal supporters, from before the Olympic games, were against the winter games in Vancouver, B.C. They were vocal in expressing their sentiments against holding of the games. They felt that Olympic Games were capitalist machinations for making more profits at the cost of the common and poor people. They said that the games were being held on aboriginal lands with no real benefits to them.

There were some protest demonstrations with violence, followed by arrests of some of the protest activists.

To know about some of these anti-Olympic activities and protests, you may visit the following sites:

• All Out Against the 2010 Winter Olympic Games!
  
• Anti-Olympic Protesters Use Internet to Get Message Out
• DN! Vancouver Activists Prepare Anti-Olympic Protests
  
• Olympic Protests
  
• No 2010 Olympics on Stolen Native Land
• Olympic Resistance Network
• Vancouver Media Co-op
  

2010 Olympic Winter Games Comes to an End with Canada's Pride

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The closing ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, B.C.
Photo courtesy: http://www.vancouversun.com/

With Canada's 14th gold medal win in the ice hockey, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games at Vancouver, B.C., came to an end yesterday, February 28. Canada defeated the US hockey team 3 to 2. Mirthful Canadians all over the country have been in Cloud 9 dancing, shouting, partying and enjoying the prideful win in their own way.

The official end of the Olympics came with the impressive and colourful closing ceremony in Vancouver. Canada was the first host country ever to win maximum number of gold medals in the Olympic history. The top ten medal winning countries are as follows:

Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
United States	9	15	13	37
Germany	10	13	7	30
Canada	14	7	5	26
Norway	9	8	6	23
Austria	4	6	6	16
Russian Federation	3	5	7	15
Korea	6	6	2	14
China	5	2	4	11
Sweden	5	2	4	11
France	2	3	6	11

One Sad Episode: Death of a Georgian Luger

Nodar Kumaritashvili, a 21-year-old luge slide player from Georgia, died in a deadly high-speed crash on February 12 in a pre-Olympic practice run at Whistler, B.C., just a few hours before the opening ceremony. The Olympic officials sadly remembered the departed Olympian and publicly paid a tribute to him.

Modern Olympic Games Have a Roman Catholic Connection

According to weekly The Catholic Register of Toronto, the modern Olympics have a Catholic connection. Baron Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937), was a French Catholic educationist and historian. He was the founder of modern Olympics. He strongly believed that an international sporting event could promote peace through fostering of brotherhood across cultures, races and religions. He studied under the Jesuit priests. He chose as the Olympic motto "Faster, Higher, Stronger" from a phrase coined by a Dominican priest. He founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894, and, in 1896 modern Olympic Games were established in Athens, Greece. Pope Pius X (1835-1914) was an early supporter of Pierre de Coubertin's Olympic idealism. For more than 100 years, Baron Coubertin's ideals are in practice throughout the world.