The world according to an Ajaxian

All new postings on this tumblr blog are suspended until further notice

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:36:41 -0400

Due to low viewership figures,

I have decided to suspend any new postings on tumblr. Until a solution is found to address the viewership issues, I will no longer post any new updates here.

The blog down at Wordpress still remains in operation. My blog can be reached at http://electrostar377.wordpress.com

My Warped Tour ticket has finally arrived!

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 22:24:43 -0400

After waiting forever, I’m proud to say that my Warped Tour ticket - has finally arrived! Anyone hitting up the July 15th, 2012 date in Toronto, please reblog this!

The best part of the new venue this year - is the ease of access. However, TTC service on Sundays - does not start until 9:00a.m.! GO trains and buses however (that serve Union Station) start waaaay earlier (depending on where are you coming from within GO Transit’s serving area) than that.

Anyways, I’m looking forward for this year’s tour! Will the new venue be a success for many fans (unlike Arrow Hall in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada last year)? We’ll see.

Warped Tour 2012 in Toronto - July 15th, 2012

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 23:36:00 -0400

In about a few weeks, I’m heading to the Warped Tour at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada!

It was a sure change from being held at Arrow Hall way out in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (the stages were outside), but hey - many fans who live in Toronto might be able to access the venue very easy.

The only problem is that TTC service on Sundays - does not start at 9:00a.m.! However, GO train and buses DO start way earlier than that!

Anyways, for those of you who are heading to the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre by GO train, the actual venue is just a 10 minute walk from the Exhibition GO station. Although there is a ticket office down there (for buying GO train tickets), it only operates when special events are in session (such as the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, aka CNE).

There are some ticket vending machines at the station, but they only take coins, debit and credit cards - just so you know.

Here is some good information on going to the Warped Tour - by public transit:

TTC:

The 511 Bathurst and 509 Harbourfront streetcars stop at the Exhibition Place loop. From there, you can walk south through the Exhibition Place grounds and there is a footbridge that links Exhibition Place with Ontario Place (which has since been closed, although some venues within the site will stay open during the revitalisation).

The 29/29A/29D also serves Exhibition Place, although as far as the Dufferin Gates. The time to walk from the Dufferin Gates to Ontario Place is approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

For more information and/or help with trip planning, please call TTC customer service at +1-416-393-4636 (info). The TTC also offers a trip planner. You can check it out at http://www.ttc.ca

GO Transit:

The Lakeshore West GO train stops at Exhibition GO station. You can simply walk south through the Exhibition Place Grounds and there is a footbridge that links Exhibition Place with Ontario Place (which has since been closed, although some venues within the site will stay open during the revitalisation).

For assisstance on trip planning with GO, please call GO transit customer service at +1-416-869-3200 (within Toronto or outside of Ontario - though long distance charges may apply) or toll-free at 1-888-438-6646 (toll-free within Ontario). You can also check out maps and schedules at http://www.gotransit.com

I hope that you’ll find this information pretty useful. I can also be contacted through my Facebook, if you can’t really understand the information: facebook.com/simon.tonekham

This is such a lovely song. Mandy Moore was very popular back in...

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 09:57:43 -0400

This is such a lovely song. Mandy Moore was very popular back in the days of “A Walk To Remember” (in which - coincidentially, she appears in that particular film).

It really brought me back memories when I was a Grade 10 student. Still wondering about my life thesedays…:(

Photo

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:17:43 -0400

unedited radio transmission between the Gaza Flotilla ship and...

Wed, 30 May 2012 22:13:32 -0400

unedited radio transmission between the Gaza Flotilla ship and the Israeli Defense Forces. C1RCA May 2012.

This second video is definitely NSFW (Not safe for work). It...

Wed, 30 May 2012 22:06:31 -0400

This second video is definitely NSFW (Not safe for work).

It shows when the Isarel Defense Forces get beaten by the crew members of the Gaza Flotilla ship. It’s very scary if you ask me.

WARNING: this video is “not safe for work”. It...

Wed, 30 May 2012 22:03:42 -0400

WARNING: this video is “not safe for work”.

It shows how the Israeli Defense Forces managed to invade the Flotilla ship back in May 2010.

It was trending back then.

Video courtesy of a Youtube user named...

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:11:00 -0400

Video courtesy of a Youtube user named “Grommit”.

Lately, I’ve been kinda fixated on aggressive skating (inline skating or aggressive rollerblading) and I often witnessed the people who often risked their lives on performing these stunts.

This is one of my favourite video clips - as depicted above. It features Keith Brierley (along with his “twin”, Adam Brierley) doing some interesting “stunts”. Didn’t I mention to you folks that Keith and Adam both look alike to each other? Now you know.

The “Strange Creatures” crew are currently filming their next film, “The Strange Creatures Voodoo Show”. It’ll be out later this year. For those of you folks who wanted to experience the full experience of the “First” Strange Creatures film, the people down there has released a full video - for your online pleasure. It can be founded here.

Video source: www.sparksproductions.com, directed by Peter...

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:03:14 -0400

Video source: www.sparksproductions.com, directed by Peter Gilbert

“I’m in a band called “Lillix” and I was hating my contacts.” - Tasha-Ray Evin

This particular advert is pretty interesting. It shows somewhat of a testimonial by one of the members of Lillix. I could imagine if this advert received some airplay on the airwaves back in 2003-2004 (the time that Lillix was gaining popularity in the music scene).

Really symbolises on how good I was to myself back then (although that line was taken out of context….)…

Ontario Photo Card service expanding to all ServiceOntario locations

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:17:24 -0400

This post was originally published from my wordpress blog, located here.

For almost a year, I’ve been ranting (and lobbying) for the Ontario government to offer a photo ID card for people who don’t drive. Since the card’s inception back in July 2011, more than 40,000 people applied for this particular card.

The numbers do add up. When the photo card service was introduced, 20 ServiceOntario locations initially offered the service. Now, the service is increasingly expanding to all ServiceOntario locations - starting with 23 locations mainly located in the Toronto area, and 62 other locations. By the end of 2012, all 300 ServiceOntario locations will offer the service.

I’ve used the card for many times – it was never refused. The problem is, many places out there may not know the existence of it – especially bars and beer tents.

Sure, they DO have the right to refuse people on serving alcohol and stuff (even though they thought that the photo card is fake to them – despite it’s government-issued status), but they DO NOT have the right to refuse this particular card in any shape, form or – you get the idea.

The Ontario Photo Card costs $35CDN and it is valid for 5 years. With that particular card, you can use it to – open a bank account, claim a parcel at a post office, board a domestic flight – among other stuff. If you are 16 years or age or over – you can get this particular card.

If you currently have a drivers licence (G1, G2, G, M1, M2, etc.) and wanted to get this particular photo card, you have to surrender your current drivers licence by the time you apply for that card – as you CANNOT hold a photo card and a drivers licence at the same time. The same manner is true – if you decide to drive at some point later on, then you have to surrender your photo card by the time you get your drivers licence.

I’ve been bashed, criticised and picked at about my opinions about the photo card. To all of you haters out there, go ahead and bash me the heck you want – I will not stop my efforts on getting equitable access for equitable people.

Now you ask, why introduce a photo card for non-drivers, when there is the photo health card (the green ones)? Well, to make the long story short, the particular photo health card CANNOT be used as ID – other than obtaining healthcare services in the province of Ontario.

However – many scenarios DO exist (i.e. boarding a domestic flight within Canada). In addition, the photo health card DO NOT have an address on them. As the old saying goes, “use it at your own risk”.

To learn more about the Ontario Photo Card and how to get one, click here.

With the summer tourism season already just around the corner, Ontario’s liquor laws have been revamped since June 2011. The only problem is - does all bars and beer tents get the message about the new Ontario Photo Card? It’s your right to test it out for yourself. As the old saying goes, “Be strong.”

thefrogman: Maurice Sendak (1928-2012) I am Batman. When the...

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:07:07 -0400

thefrogman:

Maurice Sendak (1928-2012)

I am Batman.

When the anxieties of life enter my mind and refuse to leave, I dive into my imagination. I close my eyes and create a world where I am Batman. There are intricate plots and detailed characters. Explosions and fight scenes. And for a while I escape my worries and live in a world that resides entirely inside my squishy little brain.

I think the most important thing I learned from Maurice Sendak is that you do not turn in your imagination at the age of 18. You do not say, “I’m adult now, time to think of serious things.” Maurice didn’t create his books just for children. He poured out his imagination for all to see. So many books and movies are specifically tuned to a demographic.

“Boys like trucks and monkeys. Let’s make a book about a truck-driving monkey.”

That is not imagination. That is pandering.

Maurice created fantasy worlds that were scary and unique. Bad things happened in his stories. Sometimes his heroes were arrogant and obnoxious. He challenged everyone to dive into their imaginations and live in these worlds. Even as an adult you cannot help but get sucked into his stories. That is why I still have my boyhood copy of Where the Wild Things Are. I remember the drawings vividly. I remember the story. That world has a permanent residence in my head. All of my books about truck-driving monkeys are probably at the bottom of a garage sale bin with a 15 cent sticker on them.

Mr. Sendak used his imagination until the day he died. So I thought it would be fitting to immortalize not the man, but his imagination as a Jedi spirit.

Rest in peace, Maurice.

the MuchMusic Video Awards are in a month or so.......

Sun, 06 May 2012 21:41:50 -0400

The MuchMusic Video Awards is coming in a month or so, but it is guaranteed to be one of the hottest events in the network’s history.

In fact, having the MMVAs held at the MuchMusic HQ in Toronto, Ontario, Canada brings a lot of tourism into the city. Hotels are often booked for the event, while others (like myself) decide to watch the events from the comfort of their own homes - either on the telly or online.

Speaking of Online, that is what I often do each year - along with watching the festivities on the telly. I’m not sure if there is going to be an online feed for the MMVAs this year, but many people often find ways on how to get access to the online MMVA feed - especially if they live outside of Canada!

In addition, i’ve checked out the city’s municipal Wi-Fi network service website (operated by Cogeco Data Services) and ironically, the MuchMusic HQ is in range of the city’s municipal wireless network - however a fee must be paid in order to access the network and if you folks live within the service’s coverage area.

If you people happen to use Mobilicity or WIND for their mobile internet services, make sure that the plans offered by both of these services covers “unlimited data”! However, even though the providers imposes what’s called a “fair use policy” (the speed may be throttled to ensure other users can access the network), you can stream as long as you like - as long as you don’t break the policy!

To learn more about the MMVA awards for this year, click here.

About five years ago to this day, I survived my first year in...

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 23:00:41 -0400

About five years ago to this day, I survived my first year in college. I’ve attended Durham College in their Computer Systems Technician programme (in which I later upgraded to Computer Systems Technologist).

2007 was a very good time for me. I was very happy man, trying to fulfill my dreams.

The song featured in this posting, “I will give you everything” by the Skydiggers - reminded about my mum and dad - getting all the support I need in my studies. Since my graduation back in June 2010, I felt very depressed and still need on securing employment (in which I’m still finding one and it’s currently ongoing).

“Williamsburg” by Armor for Sleep. Part of a...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:05:45 -0400

“Williamsburg” by Armor for Sleep. Part of a complete emo’s “breakfast”.

Do you think I have enough obsession with Armor For Sleep, folks?

One of my favourite songs by a British band called the...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:30:57 -0400

One of my favourite songs by a British band called the “Fine Young Cannibals”.

Roland Gift has a very great voice. I wish I should have an “inner” him (pun intended).

By the way, if you people have exams coming up (if you are in college or university), good luck!

Apart from some of the favourite times by an American band...

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 21:36:11 -0400

Apart from some of the favourite times by an American band called “Armor For Sleep”, we head back to Canada and there’s one particular artist that I really like a lot - LIGHTS. Although her real name is “Valerie Poxleitner”, she performs as “LIGHTS”.

“Second Go” is one of my favourite tunes and this video is cool and features LIGHTS playing around with paints (in fact, one of her shoes that was messed with paint was featured at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada - as part of the “Juno Sole” exhibit - to coincide with the 2011 Juno Awards in Toronto. The exhibit is no longer there).

When this particular music video was released, I was recovering from a stressful life in college (until my eventual graduation one month later in June 2010). I really wish that I want to go back in time, to see if no one ever bothers me.

This song made me feel more depressing now than when I first...

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 21:25:53 -0400

This song made me feel more depressing now than when I first stumbled upon listening to Armor For Sleep - back when I entered my first year of college (way back in 2006).

*sighs*

If I had a time machine with me, then I would travel back in time when I entered my first year of college.

Now playing.....

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 21:03:23 -0400

“The Truth About Heaven” - Armor For Sleep

This has got to be one of my favourite songs by the band...

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 09:34:00 -0400

This has got to be one of my favourite songs by the band “Armor For Sleep”. The song, “The Truth About Heaven” reminds me about the time that I listened to their music during my first year in college.

While the band no longer exists today (except that there are planning a one-time reunion down at the Bamboozle festival this year), this song has really helped me motivate my entire life from the day I finish high school to the point where I had graduated from college.

Time does fly, eh?