tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217553212024-03-07T21:53:02.812-05:00Three Forces of EvilReal Traffic & Real Life Humour & other stuff for Intelligent PeopleJohn Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.comBlogger393125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-81167255668429157572014-08-05T11:16:00.001-04:002014-08-05T11:16:50.596-04:00Job HuntIt has been several years, 17 in fact, since I had to job hunt.
The industry moves from Autocad to Revit and my employer did not.
A clear lack of vision.
Now jobs are harder to find because everybody wants Revit.
I will be taking Revit at Seneca because I cannot afford to be handicapped in skill by my last employer.
From what I've seen Revit is superior, but it is also quite different.
Autocad may still be required for greater details, but Revit in 3D sells clients.
That's what your employer wants, clients buying your service.
It is very logical.
Whoever my next employer is, I hope they understand that.
John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-28923472260189279112013-12-09T12:02:00.000-05:002013-12-09T12:02:43.793-05:00Remembering Nelson MandelaI find too many people dwell on the past.
While fighting against Apartheid, Mandela and the ANC did use violence.
Apartheid used it on them as well.
It was a highly oppressive regime.
When the judge decided Mandela should be jailed, and not hung, he changed history.
27 years he served his sentence.
Brian Mulroney helped instigate his release. He had to convince many people.
F.W. DeKlerk had to do his part to help end Apartheid.
Mandela forgave his captors and brought peace to his nation.
He should be remembered for this.
That should be his legacy.
Not that he was jailed as a terrorist.
That was Apartheid's view of his actions.
Should we accept that regime's view?
I think not.
We are lucky enough to have lived in this time to witness this great leader.
We are sorrowful for the loss of him as a man.
He will continue to inspire leaders in death.John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-3807231072297773152013-12-05T12:04:00.000-05:002013-12-05T12:04:12.197-05:00Rob Ford the Angel in a Devil CostumeIn 2010 Rob Ford won the election to be Mayor of Toronto with over 40% of the vote.
Stop The Gravy Train
That's how he got in.
He was always frugal.
Annual expense claims for council were in several thousands, while he'd spend 48 on stamps.
The last time I lived in Toronto, from 1997-2000, he was my councilor.
I believe at the time, people complained about the Mayor then
And I may have suggested Ford on the radio
On CFRB 1010
This may have been 2000 era.
Ten years later without living in Toronto, seeing him win as Mayor was not a shock.
Obviously since his win
And various court actions to remove him
None of which have succeeded
He has had a growing list of "issues"
Being in a Drunken Stupor (often)
Being in a Drunken Stupor On Crack (reportedly more than once, admitted only once)
Has bought Illegal Drugs (Many have, if Marijuana is still classified as such)
Has consumed copious amounts of Alcohol (again many do)
Has operated a motor vehicle inebriated (not defending this, but again not alone)
Has yelled about killing a guy while inebriated (many have done this, context unknown for him)
Has had several meetings/dealings with drug dealers (many do, but not from position of Mayor)
I am a very safety conscious, non smoking, non illegal drug user.
I am against using a phone in car, while not on blue-tooth. (Ford has admitted this, and been witnessed)
I am against operating a vehicle while inebriated. (Ford has admitted this, and been witnessed)
The fact remains, that he has never been charged.
That fact alone, means his dwindling fan base will continue to support him.
Until much of his late admissions, I may have, had I lived in Toronto, but I don't.
Who else can stop the Gravy Train?
We don't know, but the public wants a guy who can.
The public that insists he is it, will ignore all fact, speculation, and late night talk show banter.
The majority of people that actually care about the man, and not his failings, want him to seek help.
Much of council, which have been thorns in his agenda, are at least sympathetic to his disease.
Alcoholism is a disease, and his drug use may stem from it.
I'm no expert, so you'd have to ask one.
He remains the fiscally responsible Mayor, that failed to fix himself, instead of the City he loves.
Now that most of his executive powers are gone, we must rely on his current Deputy Mayor to see the agenda through.
Subways, subways, subways.
No tax, a small tax, a bigger tax.
State of infrastructure sadly demands cash from somewhere, or subways, will be bike paths, and sewers will turn downtown into a lake.
He hasn't wasted billions of tax dollars like the Ontario Liberals did, but they will be re-elected, and he won't.
Their new leader, unelected as leader at present, still has a higher approval than her competition despite blowing tax money.
Rob had the good intentions of an Angel, so save the City from it's own expenses.
His activities with the criminal element has put the Devil Costume on, and he will not live it down.
Get help Rob. Real help. Diet, Rehab, Fitness, and likely a few Lawyers.
You may never be Mayor again, but you can become a man again. Don't kill him off. John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-62327643608024670202013-06-26T12:07:00.001-04:002013-06-26T12:08:25.749-04:00Improving Gridlock<p>The only way to improve gridlock</p> <p>Is education</p> <p>The only people that cause gridlock</p> <p>Lack brain function</p> <p>Traffic moves in more than one direction</p> <p>Stop using your ego to define</p> <p>Your lack of geometry skill</p> <p>If you cannot cross it</p> <p>Do not block it</p> <p>If you do not fit</p> <p>Don't be a twit</p> <p>Green does not mean go</p> <p>It means proceed IF and WHEN the way is CLEAR</p> <p>If its NOT clear it is NOT when you proceed</p> <p>Politicians don't get this</p> <p>Only logical people get this</p> <p>People that never block an intersection</p> <p>Do not require that education</p> <p>They have it</p> <p>The others need it</p> <p>Go get it</p> <p>This will solve ALL gridlock</p> <p>Widening and adding lanes only increases</p> <p>The idiots who will plug it up</p> <p>Here's a clue</p> <p>Side streets are not parking spaces</p> <p>Off ramps are not parking spaces</p> <p>Major intersections are not parking spaces</p> <p>Crosswalks are not parking spaces.</p> <p>If people would use a brain</p> <p>They would never block an opposing lane.</p> <p><br>Send this to all your politicians promising and end to gridlock</p> <p>I'm sure they wouldn't understand it</p> John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-6791594984134609272013-06-26T12:05:00.000-04:002013-06-26T12:06:17.262-04:00GTHA Transit<p> </p> <p>Below is a letter I sent to all Three Provincial leaders, the Mayors of Hamilton, Vaughan, and Mississauga, Councillor Doug Ford, (as direct email to his brother the Mayor is not available (web form only))and other transit related individuals.</p> <p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qwj470xcrmiqeap/ozUQSXmUZS">https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qwj470xcrmiqeap/ozUQSXmUZS</a></p> <p>Only 2 files, 1 powerpoint, 1 xcel chart. Surely this should be less confusing for you to take the time to ponder.</p> <p>I have incorporated all (I think) of Metrolinx's plans (though they are very poorly described).<br>I have added my own future concepts, mostly for Vaughan as that is where I reside.</p> <p>GT-Trains concept was a recent find, scheduling could be its biggest obstacle, but just like the Go train expansion I suggest, all the tracks are there, it is just platforms/stations required. Since exact budgetary info on train stops is nowhere to be found, I consider all new stops as $20,000,000.</p> <p>For $50 billion or $34 billion or less if budget numbers make any sense, the severe lack of detailed plans and information by Metrolinx is highly disturbing. Most of my information is from Wikipedia and Transit City graphics.</p> <p>Yes, money can be found from efficiencies. Stop saying it can't. The LCBO just handed the government $1.7 billion of a $4.9 billion profit. It was also stated that current gas tax money to province came in at $2 billion. CAA wants it to fix roads, but it all deserves to go to transit, and not expected to be pulled from our pockets.</p> <p>Metrolinx tools: tax,tax,tax,tax,tax,levy,surcharge,tax,userfee,tax, tax. </p> <p>Ontario government budget $127 billion, far more than past government budgets thanks to HST transfer. If $2 billion a year can not be found out of $127 billion a year, they are flat out lying to our face. Over 40,000 employees make over $100,000 a year, to manage people who manage other people who manage more people. WASTE! Fixable waste.</p> <p>I ran for municipal office for $0. I got over 5000 votes.</p> <p>It isn't hard to stop spending, if you have a massive $127 billion budget to work from. Find that $2 billion a year, it can be done. Run a tighter ship.</p> <p><br>The above letter was sent on June 19 2013, to date, no response from anyone.<br>I have applied to work for Metrolinx from an ad posted in the NRU newsletter today. </p> <p> </p> <p>I think $50 billion or more deserves more information.</p> John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-5798204836174290272011-06-30T06:46:00.000-04:002011-06-30T06:46:54.623-04:00New City Mascot??I will call him DVP Donny<br />
<br />
This groundhog lives in this patch of highway grass median c/w hydro towers on Don Valley Parkway south of Eglinton Avenue in Toronto<br />
<br />
Not sure what he lives on besides grass and flowers, but I see him a lot here.<br />
<br />
Traffic is usually slow here, so views are very likely.<br />
<br />
Say Hi to Donny.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58zc6l6AYSNA3VAZxz8zSIstMrY-DRoK9U9DRR8p1sBvaDZNnq8geDkFvm97McDxqV8qMWgAROaGib8Qp2c6DQLp7l57lB3eoG_EJgKUJADQ5t_iYCiS4lHMkiuTD4XtjV5Sy/s1600/dvpdonnystreetview.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="202" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58zc6l6AYSNA3VAZxz8zSIstMrY-DRoK9U9DRR8p1sBvaDZNnq8geDkFvm97McDxqV8qMWgAROaGib8Qp2c6DQLp7l57lB3eoG_EJgKUJADQ5t_iYCiS4lHMkiuTD4XtjV5Sy/s400/dvpdonnystreetview.bmp" /></a></div><br />
Street View<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGhkHee4AlXPPHg5nqFy6-BPfn4dukZmu4mf61SBXm-zmNKjP0ZxhisyeYAsMgT87JixiU1y4QCzsj6mhf0FZahmSHm8xGNQx_DufYWnSaDVB09afPzsshyf5PdreqvXNfvgL/s1600/dvpbeaver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGhkHee4AlXPPHg5nqFy6-BPfn4dukZmu4mf61SBXm-zmNKjP0ZxhisyeYAsMgT87JixiU1y4QCzsj6mhf0FZahmSHm8xGNQx_DufYWnSaDVB09afPzsshyf5PdreqvXNfvgL/s400/dvpbeaver.jpg" /></a></div><br />
DVP Donny<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmrcheEUfbo0o3rGOxVj4h938dl_qftF4ua-LuHg2tTfzYfaGCC1ISOGQdA-5E1QC416tLlzlsZ5ZZezgDpaCV69eTDa8WnYZqrKXMHyAtcW6Bzbn1J1qJpG3O7JmpsWierxZ/s1600/dvp-donnie-groundhog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmrcheEUfbo0o3rGOxVj4h938dl_qftF4ua-LuHg2tTfzYfaGCC1ISOGQdA-5E1QC416tLlzlsZ5ZZezgDpaCV69eTDa8WnYZqrKXMHyAtcW6Bzbn1J1qJpG3O7JmpsWierxZ/s400/dvp-donnie-groundhog.jpg" /></a></div><br />
His Home<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhmCv121Y6rfKVplv3Y1Air1PAecjgaKM6GTKn2_gfNyFnCbvsN7pR0kDZyw4i6sV8AqKUH7GdQdLlkzWGWM0EmXOLR2QpnL4dY4ojuGGtM94Xcwhx7BwYbsl-a1j4wNn6NVt/s1600/dvpdonnyghog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhmCv121Y6rfKVplv3Y1Air1PAecjgaKM6GTKn2_gfNyFnCbvsN7pR0kDZyw4i6sV8AqKUH7GdQdLlkzWGWM0EmXOLR2QpnL4dY4ojuGGtM94Xcwhx7BwYbsl-a1j4wNn6NVt/s400/dvpdonnyghog2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Roaming the median<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnuBz4DUfctvgbSH-OFrdQwgO1kuqREGNVxyA14frIHTh1wouPzCIbFWkcp-V17xsm7vM8dg_U7arnfKRGBQSYK0FfNl6UOKztLVZimqnYobgD2A7-2BozpHW9D8oQd3oBydp/s1600/dvpdonnymap.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="226" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnuBz4DUfctvgbSH-OFrdQwgO1kuqREGNVxyA14frIHTh1wouPzCIbFWkcp-V17xsm7vM8dg_U7arnfKRGBQSYK0FfNl6UOKztLVZimqnYobgD2A7-2BozpHW9D8oQd3oBydp/s400/dvpdonnymap.bmp" /></a></div><br />
Overhead satellite mapJohn Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-4311692509088819852011-04-28T14:53:00.000-04:002011-04-28T14:53:53.840-04:00Opinions are never LawThere are many things which create and mold opinions<br />
Religion is one<br />
There are many pro-religion, and seemingly more anti-religion<br />
Government is one<br />
Obviously whoever we elect, or anyone else elects, is always a dissappointment, but get re-elected anyway<br />
On this topic, birth certificate authenticity has been a public opinion matter<br />
Natural disasters seem to invoke opinions about the above two topics<br />
God has brought his wrath upon the heathens, or Government has not provided safety to its people<br />
Let's be serious here<br />
Weather to a great extent is entirely created by the planet itself, perhaps industry alters things a little, sending various chemical compounds in the air for which the atmosphere is likely to react a bit, but I doubt one nuclear plant or coal plant created a pile of tornadoes to wipe out a large portion of a state. God if you believe in one did not say, death to rednecks, tornadoes headed to teach you a lesson. Government did not say, hey we have some high tech weather control methods which can prevent tornadoes but we decided not to use them.<br />
They happened. Period.<br />
Rednecks looking for birth certificates were not the cause either.<br />
Pray if you pray, or hope if you don't, for aid and relief to those who lost families, homes, and friends. Many suffered, you'd want help if it was you.<br />
Donate to Red Cross if you have the ability, or squeeze your wallet if you don't think you can.<br />
Again, I am stating an opinion, surely to be disagreed by someone.<br />
That does not make that someone ignorant, uneducated, or heartless, but in some opinions it could.<br />
There are other topics that create opinions<br />
Tv shows, and humour<br />
Many love specific shows, be it drama, comedy, or reality based, many hate the same shows.<br />
Shows like LOST created real divisions between fans and anti-fans<br />
Humour is very personal<br />
If you write it, it is funny to you, whether others get it or not<br />
Having the opportunity to find others who get you is rewarding <br />
When people of opinions that you are not funny<br />
Would rather spread their hate for you<br />
Than consider it as purely opinion<br />
That's when opinions cross the line<br />
That's when opinions become hate<br />
And not a difference of opinion<br />
We aren't shoving ours down your throat<br />
Why feel the need to shove yours down everyone else's<br />
If you don't like it<br />
Leave it at that<br />
Saying because you don't, means nobody else can<br />
Is a clear indication you have an inferiority complex<br />
You create a need to hate in order to validate your lack of self-esteem<br />
What you need is help<br />
Hate mongering eats you<br />
It may hurt your target more in the beginning<br />
Being a target has not been ideal for me<br />
That hate constitutes bullying<br />
Whether it is face to face or via cyberspace<br />
Bullying is not and never shall be acceptable<br />
Learn to accept other opinions<br />
Learn you cannot enforce yours upon others<br />
Learn that whether you think you are right<br />
Others may find you wrong<br />
I'm sure many find me wrong in this post<br />
That's their opinion<br />
Valid or misinformed<br />
They possess the right to have one<br />
As do I<br />
This is mine<br />
Like it or not<br />
It's an opinion<br />
Not a law<br />
So yours isn't eitherJohn Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-74344611527726158372011-04-21T18:05:00.000-04:002011-04-21T18:05:33.779-04:00Signals, More than just an inconvenienceClearly the majority of motorists I see<br />
Belong to a slect group of people not required<br />
To tell you where they are going or what they are doing<br />
Because a turn signal is SOOOOOOOOO HAAAAAAAARRRDDD to operate<br />
To me, in my logical mind<br />
No signal of a lane means no signal to the brain<br />
And yes most that refuse, or can't be bothered to signal<br />
Refuse to believe there is such a thing as left and right<br />
Only a path their ignorant self is headed <br />
Today in Montreal a vehicle in front of me in the left turn lane<br />
Not signalling with a 2nd left turn lane to our right<br />
Complete with 18 wheeler truck also headed left with a signal<br />
turned left but drifted directly in front of the 18 wheeler<br />
like it didn't exist or wasn't turning<br />
It's a special kind of ignorance required to be this stupid<br />
To be so ignorant to not even see other vehicles using the same road<br />
And think you are entitled to lanes you don't deserve<br />
That I cannot respect<br />
Signals are not an inconvenience<br />
They are the law<br />
The law of Logic<br />
People which confuse right and left do not understand law of Logic<br />
Its too much work to thinkJohn Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-30951580959269389822011-03-20T08:50:00.001-04:002011-03-20T18:37:52.694-04:00The Real Left Lane slowdownContrary to Globe and Mail columnist Road Sage Andrew Clark (@aclarkcomedy)says here:<br />
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/car-life/road-sage/left-lane-hogs-and-middle-lane-morons/article1944288/<br />
<br />
Left lanes are often not slowed by people going slow<br />
Rather Directionally Deficit Disordered Dunces<br />
That do not read road signs<br />
Saying where their exit is<br />
And make sharp right turns across traffic<br />
At last possible moment<br />
Because these jerks drive in the left to pass <br />
You doing the speed limit<br />
They felt a need to balance their speed by<br />
Causing everyone to break for their dumb ass<br />
On DVP south I take the left lane because my exit is in that lane<br />
All other exits are on the right<br />
Sure take the left lane to move, but move over before <br />
The last sign for your exit arrives<br />
Most of our highways have 2-3 reminders before the actual exit<br />
Kindergarten kids can count <br />
You should too<br />
Driving is reading and math<br />
Mostly geometry<br />
Signs are posted nearly every 100m<br />
Not reading them means you miss landmarks<br />
Like your exit is next<br />
And that is where the left lane gets slowed<br />
Because the signs are overhead or on the right<br />
And these people have tunnel vision<br />
Left lane morons are not slow, just illiterate<br />
Andrew is a faculty member of Humber College Comedy Program<br />
I did the 2004 Summer Comedy Workshop at Humber<br />
On http://Favstar.fm, my tweets have more stars than his<br />
Just sayingJohn Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-22296494344290720012011-03-04T06:58:00.000-05:002011-03-04T06:58:01.355-05:00Oddest Recall Reason EverIf you click the link for the story<br />
You will have greater respect<br />
For Arachnids<br />
Dangerous to know<br />
They are attracted to smell<br />
Of Gasoline<br />
How many engine failures have been caused by them?<br />
Are these the same ones <br />
Your propane BBQ lines fall victim to?John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-17237257133267858642011-02-25T05:51:00.000-05:002011-02-25T05:51:00.720-05:00IcantbebehindanyoneitisLast night commuting home<br />
North on the DVP between York Mills and the 401<br />
I'm in the centre lane which can exit either 401 West or 404 North<br />
There is one vehicle in front of me<br />
And about 1/2 km behind me free and clear<br />
A vehicle to my right signals for my lane<br />
There is no space ahead<br />
So I logically expect him to back off and go behind<br />
But he has Icantbebehindanyonitis<br />
It's obvious which area he can go without trouble<br />
But he prefers to make trouble<br />
So he inch slides toward me<br />
I lay in on the horn<br />
He pulls back<br />
I point over my shoulder behind<br />
He is clearly upset that he is not allowed to fit where there's no room<br />
As the vehicle ahead goes up 404 North, and I turn for 401 W<br />
This guy is still on my right<br />
Granted now he has plenty of room ahead to pass me<br />
Does he speed up and signal and move ahead?<br />
No of course not<br />
He has to inch toward me again <br />
until he gets his rear bumper almost touching my front bumper<br />
As the concrete barrier approaches between 401 West and 401 E ramp lanes<br />
So I tap my brakes so he doesn't hit me<br />
He erratically turns left before he hits the barrier<br />
And I lay in on the horn<br />
Stupidity comes in many forms<br />
Icantbebehindanyoneitis is one the most dangerous versions<br />
I can't stress this enough<br />
If you do not fit<br />
Go behind<br />
Forcing your way ahead<br />
Only pisses people off<br />
And if it's stop and go traffic<br />
Your plate will be recorded without doubt<br />
I was not lucky enough this time for that to be the case<br />
This one got away<br />
Your car is only so big<br />
Squeezing between 2 bumpers when a whole 1/2 km is free<br />
Makes no sense to people using brain cells<br />
Icantbebehindanyoneitis can be cured<br />
Stop being stupidJohn Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-22827738856281328262011-02-24T11:35:00.000-05:002011-02-24T11:35:23.333-05:00Snow TodayNot normal snow, it was liked Asbestos fibres, thin sticks of static snow<br />
Like most people that use brain cells<br />
I brushed off my car, and scraped where I needed to<br />
Yes the defroster was on to help the process<br />
But not on to do the job alone<br />
Neither were the wipers<br />
I've yet to understand how anybody with a brain<br />
Can think wipers were meant to clear snow<br />
EVER<br />
They are made for rain, water, droplets, fluid<br />
Not 1 to however many inches of snow fell<br />
Never have been<br />
Despite Canadian Tire, Napa or any other Wiper supply store<br />
Advertisements created by misinformed accountants<br />
You want to tell people to be safe in snow<br />
SELL SNOWBRUSHES!<br />
$5 snowbrushes save a lot more lives than $28 wiper blades<br />
But therein lies the rub<br />
They would rather earn $28 a blade and have you be not safe<br />
Then sell a $5 brush that saves your life<br />
Priorities<br />
Money means more than Safety<br />
That's Corporate attitude<br />
And Uneducated people buy into it.<br />
A snow arc just multiplied your blind spots 10 fold<br />
The defrost lines take a lot longer than 30 seconds to clear a window<br />
Take a good look at the photo banner of this Blog<br />
THAT IS WRONG!<br />
Every snowstorm the minions come out<br />
The Three Forces Of Evil this blog is named for<br />
Let's keep it simple<br />
LIGHTS ON<br />
SNOW OFF<br />
If you cannot manage to do both of those things<br />
Stay off the roads<br />
You have no business endangering our lives<br />
Just because you are too lazy to brush a few flakes<br />
By using ELBOW GREASE<br />
I rant on this a lot<br />
BECAUSE IT BOTHERS ME<br />
Please use common sense and logic<br />
And do not drive anything that resembles the landscape<br />
And that goes double for GREY toned cars<br />
NOBODY can see them<br />
NONE of them use headlights, or tail lights<br />
It's a disease<br />
You have to be stupid to get it<br />
Smart people can never be that brainless<br />
End rant.John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-1381516467427467202011-02-20T09:58:00.000-05:002011-02-20T09:58:16.653-05:00Foreign ExchangeLast summer our son welcomed a boy from Switzerland into our home for 2 months<br />
August until October<br />
We took him camping, and saw some national museums in Ottawa<br />
Because my son was in French Immersion<br />
And he was a French student here to learn English<br />
They did not attend school together<br />
But 1 other exchange student of my son's friend<br />
Went to the school with him, so that was good.<br />
Now its my son's turn<br />
He is in Switzerland<br />
Yes he's a bit homesick, we've Skyped a couple times now<br />
Today they head for the ski chalet for a week<br />
No internet<br />
My son has been nabbing open networks off his iPod<br />
He'll be skiing in the Alps<br />
A far cry from Horseshoe Valley <br />
But the parents are sports pros<br />
He'll be fine<br />
They walk a lot in Switzerland<br />
So his exercise is already improved<br />
He attends same school as the boy we took in<br />
But he's in a different grade level<br />
Despite the school being way bigger than his here<br />
He hasn't been lost finding class yet<br />
He's also opted out of German and Latin<br />
I suspect French is enough for him<br />
There are a few trips the family has planned<br />
So he'll be busy over next 7 weeks<br />
You cannot equal this experience<br />
Unless you do it again<br />
In three years we may know.<br />
We miss and love him.John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-66940908822051023142011-02-16T11:57:00.001-05:002011-02-16T11:58:24.005-05:00ThingsI haven't been on here much<br />
Mostly do to other online activity<br />
I joined Myouterspace.com<br />
Which had potential to hire you for film and tv scifi projects<br />
I'm really not sure where that is going<br />
Despite Shatner's overseeing the site<br />
I ran for public office in my city<br />
Despite no funds and an online campaign<br />
I defeated 3 opponents<br />
I needed to defeat 10 to win a seat though<br />
Overall, I consider that a success<br />
I created a new comedy Twitter<br />
Sometimes a bit more adult themed<br />
But not always<br />
Still plenty of traffic complaints<br />
A service which tracks favouriting and retweets<br />
Called Favstar<br />
It tracks, clebs, comedians, and tech/marketing gurus<br />
My brother in law has been there for ages<br />
And was even in the top 105 leaderboard for a while<br />
I'm not there yet<br />
But I have 2 100+ star tweets so far among comedy peers<br />
Yes, not average citizens that like humour<br />
Comedy people that appreciate other people's humour<br />
Sure the odd regular person finds your material<br />
And when they like it too, it's better still<br />
Remember that if anyone tries to put you down<br />
Its because they are already beneath you<br />
I've used my middle name<br />
And what I do comedicallyJohn Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-37276160913489060812011-01-31T08:46:00.000-05:002011-01-31T08:46:30.177-05:00Early CommuteThe beauty of kids having a PA day<br />
I get to leave by 7:00am instead of almost 8:00am<br />
Traffic is far less congested<br />
As less cars exist at that hour.<br />
I got to work by 8:00am<br />
This rarely happens.<br />
Sure it's 40km distance and it took an hour, on 3 highways of a 100km/h limit, 2 streets of 60km/h, my neighbourhood of 40km/h, and a back alley of about 10km/h<br />
If absolutely nobody was on the road with me, it would be 30 minutes.<br />
That may happen at 5am on a Sunday<br />
But 7am on a Monday is way better than 8am any other day<br />
Despite being a MondayJohn Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-90999602238885768772010-12-11T23:08:00.002-05:002010-12-11T23:08:11.203-05:00'Twas Night Before Christmas (Updated)(I cannot take credit but hope you enjoy as much as I did)<br />
<br />
'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house<br />
<br />
I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse.<br />
<br />
Instructions were studied and we were inspired,<br />
<br />
In hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required"<br />
<br />
The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds,<br />
<br />
While Dad and I faced the evening with dread:<br />
<br />
A kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's townhouse to boot!<br />
<br />
And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a Toot!<br />
<br />
We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat...<br />
<br />
Let no parts be missing or parts incomplete!<br />
<br />
Too late for last-minute returns or replacement;<br />
<br />
If we can't get it right it goes in the basement!<br />
<br />
When what to my worrying eyes should appear,<br />
<br />
But 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear,<br />
<br />
With each part numbered and every slot named,<br />
<br />
So if we failed, only we could be blamed.<br />
<br />
More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out,<br />
<br />
All over the carpet they were scattered about.<br />
<br />
"Now Bolt it! Now Twist it! Attach it right there!<br />
<br />
Slide on the seats, and staple the stair!<br />
<br />
Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand."<br />
<br />
"Honey," said hubby, "you've just glued my hand."<br />
<br />
And then in a twinkling I knew for a fact<br />
<br />
That all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact<br />
<br />
To keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night<br />
<br />
With "assembly required" till morning's first light<br />
<br />
We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work,<br />
<br />
Till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt.<br />
<br />
The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin<br />
<br />
Before we attached the last rod and last pin.<br />
<br />
Then laying the tools away in the chest,<br />
<br />
We fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.<br />
<br />
But In said to my husband just before I passed out,<br />
<br />
"This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring,<br />
<br />
And not have to run to the store for a thing!<br />
<br />
We did it! We did it! The toys are all set<br />
<br />
For the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!"<br />
<br />
Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went,<br />
<br />
Though I suppose there's something to say for those self-deluded...<br />
<br />
I'd forgotten that batteries are never included.John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-19286722358813624502010-09-09T13:35:00.000-04:002010-09-09T13:35:55.042-04:00Company Drivers Not MotoristsToday I followed a Toronto Hydro vehicle<br />
North up Carlaw past Lakeshore to an alley we use<br />
To travel west to our office<br />
It's a one lane alley for the most part<br />
My work colleague in a Big White Cube Van was<br />
In that alley headed East to Carlaw<br />
The Hydro truck was ahead of me turning for the alley<br />
With a Taxi ahead of him<br />
The Taxi saw the cube van but turned and did find space to let it by<br />
As little as there was<br />
The Hydro truck was completely oblivious to the alley<br />
He only cared if cars were headed south on Carlaw<br />
So he turned directly into path of Cube van <br />
As the van was getting by the Taxi<br />
Narrowly missed a head-on collision by inches<br />
He then proceeded to not look back while he entered live traffic to<br />
Allow the Cube van by<br />
At least three cars were barely missed as he backed up<br />
I am forced to watch as I also want to turn down the alley<br />
In the same direction<br />
Observing the Motorist at the wheel<br />
He had a flipped open cellphone type device<br />
He could have been talking or texting<br />
But he sure as hell wasn't looking forward or backward<br />
I had seen the Cube van from behind him<br />
He had no excuse had he been alert and skilled<br />
But he wasn't alert, he was distracted<br />
He narrowly escaped a serious collision<br />
From little more than dumb luck<br />
Once the Cube van exited the alley<br />
The Hydro truck took to the alley<br />
Ordinarily I would have let the Taxi back<br />
But I needed to record the plate with my mind's eye<br />
By following the Hydro truck (minivan)<br />
Which took two turns, first left, then right<br />
Without signalling<br />
To me and most people with intelligence<br />
That is not driving<br />
That is a motorist of limited skill, distracted by a phone<br />
I recorded the plate with a pen once I was parked at work<br />
<br />
When you have a Company Name and Phone number on your vehicle<br />
Never Drive as though you have no idea how<br />
Your bad habits translate to your company's reputation<br />
And it has a negative effect on them<br />
So they pass it on to you<br />
Reprimands, Terminations, Training, whatever course they feel you deserve<br />
This includes being distracted by your phone so you have an<br />
Inability to see a Giant White Cube Van<br />
And Tossing Cigarette Ashes out the window<br />
Why would anyone use your services, or hire your company<br />
When you set a poor example?<br />
They wont!<br />
Smarten Up<br />
Company Vehicles are NOT your vehicle<br />
They represent YOUR employer and THEIR business<br />
If you are inattentive, careless, and/or littering<br />
It relects on THEM<br />
And they deal with YOUJohn Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-38980224782528280322010-08-10T11:40:00.000-04:002010-08-10T11:40:53.846-04:00Alternate UniverseIt seems to me at least<br />
That all motorists around me<br />
Must be from an Alternate Universe<br />
Where Left and Right are Interchangeable<br />
And counting starts from #2<br />
It's certainly not people of this Earth<br />
That could possibly not understand<br />
Why Left turns do not mean right lanes<br />
And Right turns do not mean left lanes<br />
That counting one lane at a time is<br />
A number they are unfamiliar with<br />
The same Alternate Universe Motorists<br />
Think fire lanes are parking spaces<br />
I've never confused a Honda Civic for a Fire Truck<br />
Or a Minivan for an Ambulance<br />
I'm not from an Alternate Universe<br />
They also confuse intersections with parking<br />
By not understanding that a 20' car<br />
Will not fit on a 4" line of white paint<br />
And more than one, still don't fit<br />
Traffic does move in opposite directions to your ego<br />
Alternate Universe Motorists think the road is only in their direction<br />
Have we been invaded?<br />
Signs are conclusive<br />
They certainly are not being read.John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-50976038654529508502010-07-19T10:44:00.000-04:002010-07-19T10:44:44.270-04:00Lanes Are Not The AnswerPoliticians and Transport regulators<br />
All seem to think that<br />
More lanes creates less traffic.<br />
I disagree.<br />
Case in point<br />
Travel Highway 401 east from Toronto to Montreal<br />
At every junction that lanes increase and decrease<br />
It is a traffic jam<br />
On the majority of the highway <br />
All the way to Quebec<br />
It is a two lane affair, with little or no traffic<br />
It's very simple if you need to exit, you use the right lane<br />
If you're a slow truck on a hill, you use the right lane<br />
if you are not exiting and have to pass a slow truck, use the left lane<br />
The more lanes you add, the greater the stupidity multiplies<br />
The reason is very simple<br />
Motorists are Illiterate and Geometrically Challenged<br />
The concept that their rectangular vehicle does not fit in a triangle<br />
Is rocket science to them<br />
A picture diagram on a diamond shaped road sign is ignored or misunderstood<br />
You don't have to have an architecture degree or diploma<br />
To contemplate a difference in shapes<br />
A five year old could do it<br />
Yet the majority of motorists on highways and city streets <br />
Where lanes merge higher or lower, cannot comprehend what to do<br />
This is evident on Rutherford Road between Highway 400 and Jane street<br />
From Yonge to just before Jane it is a two lane affair<br />
Very few jams, relatively smooth flow<br />
At Jane it is three lanes each way plus turning lanes to left and right<br />
At intersections there can be between eight and ten lanes<br />
And this is the area that barely moves at all.<br />
It is also the area that pedestrians are most likely to be struck<br />
As seeing around all vehicles in ten lanes of traffic is dangerous<br />
The pedestrian signals have been timed at 32 seconds.<br />
3.2 s per lane for a healthy teenager may be fine<br />
Its far too quick for a senior or a family pushing a baby stroller<br />
The Master Traffic Plan wants to add a Bus Lane<br />
I'd prefer the Bus Lane take over the 3rd lane on each side<br />
That doesn't solve the issues<br />
Most motorists are oblivious to signage and will travel in that lane anyway<br />
I've observed this on Don Mills Road North of Eglinton<br />
A three person commuter lane for buses and carpools is on right side<br />
99% of people in it are single occupant motorists<br />
This is fine if they need the lane to turn at an intersection<br />
But the majority of them are not using it that way<br />
It is a shortcut<br />
Same principal with HOV lanes on Highway 404 and 403<br />
Give people a dedicated lane for commuters of more than two occupants<br />
And many single occupant motorists will abuse it<br />
I'll bet the best city for traffic does not have multiple lanes<br />
Toronto and GTA has been classified as worst commute worldwide<br />
It easily has more lanes to travel than any other city<br />
More lanes does not help alleviate traffic<br />
It causes it.<br />
How can you prevent traffic jams?<br />
Read a road sign and don't push your luck.<br />
Triangles will never fit rectangles<br />
No matter how many diamond shaped road signs you ignore<br />
People who do not merge courteously deserve to get stuck<br />
Signal intent, and don't wait for the end.<br />
This is true on all GTA highways including Don Valley Parkway<br />
Where most merging motorists refuse to accept space provided <br />
By knowledgable drivers to merge<br />
And push their luck until the lane is no more<br />
It's a bad attitude<br />
Driving is a courtesy not a pleasure<br />
Give us the pleasure of some courteous respect<br />
If you do, traffic will improve.John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-83760031022225942332010-07-07T14:49:00.000-04:002010-07-07T14:49:10.447-04:00Moronic MotorcyclistsI have no problem with motorbikes<br />
If they respect road rules like everyone else<br />
Organized Bikers like Brotherhood of Ontario<br />
And others of a similar nature<br />
Do respect road rules at least in my presence<br />
Always signalling lane changes and being civil<br />
By obeying speed limits and riding in a lane <br />
In single file for the most part<br />
And wearing appropriate leather protection.<br />
It's the young kids on superbikes<br />
Bikes with ridiculous speeds<br />
That seem to have no respect for anyone.<br />
Today one such motorbike motorist<br />
Wearing a t-shirt and shorts no less<br />
Drove south on DVP past last exit in right hand lane<br />
In order to exit left for Lakeshore Blvd.<br />
Passing several cars including me to be<br />
Exactly in front of me at the traffic lights for Lakeshore.<br />
As the light turned he went to the right lane<br />
No signal, sped to pass cars in front of me<br />
Then signalled left in intersection cutting off many<br />
Which caused a backlog as the light turned amber<br />
He made it through to the left, the vehicle in front of me<br />
Barely got through and I<br />
Was left in no man's land, across rail tracks<br />
And blocking a bike path<br />
When I had entered that space the light was green and<br />
I was proceeded with the vehicles in front of me<br />
But the Motorcycle's dart to the left from the right<br />
Caused a chain of heavy braking<br />
Which left me as the victim<br />
Across a Rail Track which I do not do in traffic<br />
Blocking a Bike Path which I also do not do<br />
All because a Motorbike wants to use his speed<br />
To cut the lines<br />
I'm not impressed<br />
Similar Motorcycle Motorists in Heavy Traffic<br />
Confuse Lines with Lanes<br />
To Illustrate an "i" is SKINNY and an "a" is FAT<br />
Obviously the "a" is a safer location<br />
Lines do not equal lanes<br />
I don't care how fast and skinny you think you are<br />
Running down a line in traffic on a motorbike<br />
is an invitation to getting hit<br />
It is not your ticket to freedom<br />
They will not expect you there<br />
Because you're not supposed to be there<br />
This is also true for unpowered bicycles<br />
Pedalled by humans, that refuse to wait<br />
Patiently like all law abiding citizens do<br />
In vehicles in real lanes<br />
I could use stronger language but my point's been madeJohn Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-32762457573093521122010-05-27T12:57:00.002-04:002010-05-27T13:08:34.483-04:00Everything I need to learn to Drive I learned in Elementary SchoolColours, Shapes, and Counting. Simple Math. Not Rocket Science.<br /><br /><br />What colour are traffic lights?<br />Red, Yellow, Green (you really think an elemenary school kid says Amber?)<br /><br />What shape is a car?<br />Rectangle<br />What shape is an escape lane?<br />Triangle<br />What shape was the sign you didn't read?<br />Diamond, ok a tipped square<br /><br />What is the most important 4 letter word when driving?<br />STOP<br /><br />How many lanes do you get when turning once?<br />1<br />What's the difference between 1 and 2?<br />2 is a loser, 1 is a winner<br />What is the difference between Left and Right?<br />Frankly most GTA motorists cannot figure this out<br />They get it wrong frequently, related to questions above<br /><br />What's the difference between a parking lot and an intersection?<br />Motorists park in intersections, drivers park in parking lots<br />What's the difference between a fire lane and a parking spot?<br />Fire lanes are for EMERGENCY vehicles ONLY!<br />Your Nissan getting groceries is NOT an EMERGENCY!<br /><br />Does a rectangular car fit into a triangular lane?<br />NO, start reading the diamond shaped road sign.John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-21716474056148773412010-05-20T06:02:00.002-04:002010-05-20T06:05:16.301-04:00Cheap DNA TestTake the kid in question<br />Ask them to do a #2 in the toilet<br />Once they've succeeded<br />Do not flush<br />Leave it coating the bowl walls<br />Then<br />Ask the suspected father <br />To do a #1 against the bowl<br />If his #1 removes their #2<br />They're related<br />I just saved you $1000's of dollars<br />On a DNA testJohn Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-2641330022697041982010-05-13T12:51:00.002-04:002010-05-13T13:01:33.642-04:00Against The NormI am a descendant of Scottish Presbyterians<br />My wife is descendant of Irish Catholics<br />In Ireland, North Ireland specifically<br />That means WAR.<br />In Chinese Zodiac I am a Fire Horse<br />My wife according to this a Water Rabbit<br />Fire and Water obviously do not get along<br />And Rabbits and Horses are supposed to be bad pairings<br />In September our pairing will be 15 years of marriage.<br />As I am also born in June<br />Geminis are supposed to be Extroverted Gossips<br />I am an Introverted Listener<br />My wife is a Libra or a Scorpio depending whose chart picks the end date.<br />Since I am a double edged sword as a Gemini<br />Her balanced attitude as a Libra takes precedence.<br /><br />What's also against the Norm in my commute?<br />I can actually drive!John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-57434807652142778602010-05-10T13:33:00.002-04:002010-05-10T13:42:14.656-04:00Twitter has a case of the ZerosFor some reason some hacker chose<br />May 10 2010 to have people automatically follow them<br />Which caused twitter to temporarily<br />Make all users show 0 following and 0 followers<br />So for once we have as many as<br />@aplusk (Ashton Kutcher)<br />@ryanseacrest (like you don't know)<br />@theellenshow (again as if)<br />@thedalailama (because you can)<br />@aaronpritchett (because he said so about the dalailama)<br />@biz (he's the twitter guy that speaks/tweets)<br />@beerhaze thought he may have to switch from beer to heroin<br />But I don't recommend that<br />At some point we get our following and followers back<br />Or we don't keep count<br />I'm good with that<br />Maybe then @oprah will have read my book I sent her<br />And @shortyawards will make a road safety category for next time<br />But I doubt it<br />One day likely to be forgotten when the numbers return<br />Where's HURLEY from L O S T when you need him?John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21755321.post-59274476563848050492010-05-03T15:27:00.002-04:002010-05-03T15:40:17.653-04:00GlassesMost people around my age,<br />Already have them for a few years.<br />Some never did.<br />Others like me, never checked<br />Because my eyes see fine.<br />Well that's 50% correct.<br />My left eye is perfect. <br />Sees everything properly.<br />My right eye has a stigmatism.<br />Or is it astigmatism?<br />I need reading glasses.<br />I'm exact opposite to my son<br />Who also thought his eyes were fine.<br />We are mirror images, but he uses his for computer.<br />I won't be.<br />My daughter needs fulltime glasses.<br />My wife has had them for longer than I knew her.<br />My side of the family all have them.<br />I suppose I was doomed.<br />I almost got 44 years though.<br />First the hair, then the eyes.<br />I don't want to know what's next.<br />Oh yeah, Drive-Clean!<br />That's worse.John Ross Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388152562914203952noreply@blogger.com0