Macabre Map

This happened two days ago about two miles from my place:

Saturday 2:12 p.m.: A blue car going from Steeles Ave. to Hwy. 410 hit a silver Mazda, causing the Mazda to cross into oncoming traffic and strike a tractor trailer. The blue car fled, leaving the driver of the Mazda to die in hospital and her passenger critically injured.

About two hours earlier, I had used that very stretch of highway.

Last year, when I was driving that same highway, I passed an accident scene that had a car that was almost vertical, nose down between two cars.

When I first saw the story of the more recent tragedy, there was a small map of this on the same page. How nice that people can click on accident sites and read the details of the horrible deaths of their neighbours, friends and family members.


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They didn't have robots like this when I was a kid

Here's a story right out of my own backyard. Trung Le of Brampton, Ontario, Canada has been building robots, he says, since he was four years old. He has sunk many thousands of dollars into his hobby and his latest invention is quite an amazing thing--a life-size female android. "Aiko" is a very talented girl with some interesting features such as smooth, life-like skin, breasts and even er, um, naughty bits. Trung is looking for funding that would enable him to "teach" Aiko enough skills to be a viable "employee" for home and or office.


You can read the story for yourself here:

You can watch Aiko in action here:

My government working for and with me

Today, I received a flyer describing options for developing public transit along a major route linking my community, which is part of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) with another part adjacent to mine. The combined population is well over one million residents. It is a well-designed, three-page, glossy, full-colour pamphlet detailing options, pros and cons of options and outlines a plan of major milestones. One section is a chart indicating where and when community workshops are being held to allow input from and discussion between the public and project planners. I was very impressed with the entire content of this communication from my elected officials, especially the fact that they decided to include me in the process of shaping my community. There's only one little glitch in the whole thing: THE MEETING FOR MY AREA HAPPENED TWO DAYS AGO! In fact, two of the five scheduled meetings for different areas have already taken place! And unless I was the last one to receive my invitation, the third meeting will have taken place before some people are notified.

If the same kind of planning and execution goes into the rest of the project, it should be an overwhelming success. NOT!

I just sent a modified version of the above to my rep for Brampton. I, of course, am not holding my breath waiting for a response.

My Town

Having lived in Brampton for about 25 years, I must be spoiled. It just never seemed that picturesque to me. However, I came across this news item that I'm pretty sure wasn't made up even if it was published by my hometown newspaper.

The Brampton Guardian

Tuesday September 23 2008 By Pam Douglas

BRAMPTON - Brampton is not just Canada’s Flower City, it is now the World’s Flower City. It was the second year Brampton has competed internationally, after winning the national title in 2006.

The awards recognize civic pride, environmental responsibility and community beautification. Judges use eight criteria to evaluate the competitors: tidiness, environmental awareness, community involvement, heritage conservation, urban forest management, landscaped areas, floral displays and turf and groundcovers.

Well, let's see if I can find a few photos to share with you of my lovely town...
It's proving a bit tedious due to the fact that my town was named after a city in England, it being far more important than my city and I just learned that there is a place in Australia with the same name. Nonetheless, I will soldier on for you, gentle reader...

Here's a shot of a typical, lovely Brampton location. Unfortunately, all the trees in the foreground obscure most of the beauty of the magnificent skyline comprised primarily of 30-story condos.


Just look at how clean that road is! That beautiful white sheen is from many months of dumping tons of salt on it through the winter. And look--there's another breath-taking view of an apartment building.


Ok, now this better represents what my town is all about.



Oh, wait. That was Brampton, Australia.

Below, is one of Brampton's many parks, this one featuring an area where young skateboarders will soon be able to practise breaking their bones--I mean hone their skills. I'm sure those workmen will have the facility ready in no time. It's a good thing they brought plenty of refreshments to quench the thirst they are no doubt working up with all the hard work in the brutal Canadian heat.


I guess I've kidded Brampton enough. It really is a great place to live. Here's a photo of a house you'd never guess was from one of the more rundown neighbourhoods in the city.


I want to leave you with two things.

1. As if Flower City of the World isn't enough of an honour, last year (2007) Brampton was named one of the safest cities in the world by the WHO (World Health Organization).

2. If you or someone you know is considering moving to another city, I recommend Brampton. Here is the city's web site: Brampton