torp3918

123ink.ca is offering 20% off on ink and toner super economical combo.


Haha! My Tn-760 is among the toners on sale.

*The sale will end on Sept. 4, 2018.
**Don't forget cashback via GCR site.

Statistics: Posted by wxw2015 — Aug 28th, 2018 10:55 am

---

The Betsiboka River estuary in northwestern Madagascar is one of the fastest-changing coastlines in the world. Decades worth of extensive logging in Madagascar’s rainforests and coastal mangroves has lead to widespread erosion, causing bright red soil to wash into the river and out to sea. In some areas, soil losses have approached 112 tons per acre, the largest amount recorded anywhere in the world. /// Source imagery: @nasa

In French photographer Pierre-Louis Ferrer’s vibrant photographs, Dordogne, France is transformed into an enchanted land bathed in canary yellow. Ferrer’s colorful photographs illustrate the country’s idyllic topography, where the leaves upon the trees, fresh grass, and sculpted shrubbery are captured in the same vivid color.

While photographing, Ferrer takes time to observe his environment and decide on the best photographic technique to use. For his Dordogne photographs, Ferrer used an infrared photography technique which allowed him to capture the landscape in brilliant yellows. “My artistic approach is based on the invisible and imperceptible,” Ferrer tells Colossal. “I work with invisible parts of light (infrared and ultraviolet) and with techniques like long exposure to offer alternative views of our world.”

This yellow effect in Ferrer’s Dordogne photographs is due to a mix of visible and infrared light, and each plant species appears different depending on how it reacts to the light. “I use a selective filter that let’s pass a large part of infrared light and a small part of visible light,” Ferrer explains. “The main subjects of this technique are trees and foliage because they react a lot under infrared light.”

Although yellow is prevalent in nature; found in bananas, autumnal leaves, egg yolks, and the irises of some animal’s eyes, in Ferrer’s photographs he standardizes all natural elements, highlighting the color’s prevalence in natural forms.

As human eyes are not used to infrared light (due to its longer wavelengths), Ferrer’s photographs invite viewers to see Dordogne as through they are in a different dimension. The extravagant Jardins Suspendus at Marqueyssac and its ivy-covered châteaux are transformed into an ethereal world that might otherwise only appear in paintings.

Although fantastical, Ferrer’s photographs encourage mindfulness and allow us to reflect upon the importance of nature. “My goals are to invite contemplation, to realize the place of nature in urban places, to make aware of the impact of our environment on us, and our impact on the environment.”

To view more about his work visit his website and Instagram.

Following the announcement that private retailers will be able to sell cannabis starting this year (next year for Ontario), the entrepreneurial-minded are jumping on the opportunity. 

The newest, and perhaps most interesting player in the game is Second Cup, which just (officially) threw its hat into the ring. 

The Canadian-owned coffee shop is exploring converting some of its locations across the country into cannabis retail stores, including many in Ontario and Toronto. 

Due to the nature of Ontario's newly-announced delay for brick-and-mortar stores, Second Cup is focusing on Western Canada for now, where it will be able to convert locations soon.

However, with Ontario's stores set to begin opening in April, the cafe brand is reviewing which locations in the province will work best already. 

Second Cup has 130 locations across Ontario, totalling almost half of all locations in Canada. 

Dogs—what don't they do? A local pup, Marley, took a ride by himself on the GO over this past weekend and made it to downtown Toronto.

Marley (aka Marbles), a six-year-old Border Collie-Shepherd mix and very good boy from Scarborough, had arrived home on Sunday after a walk and was soundly in the house—or so his owners thought.

It turns out that Marley escaped and made his way to the nearby Rouge Hill GO station, before hopping on a westbound train headed for Union.

More on Marleys adventure on a GO train:@GOtransit Staff tell me customers were eager to dog sit offering first a tie as a leash & later a belt so Marley could get belly rubs from as many as possible. Lost & Found Staff say he was their first. pic.twitter.com/PTBl56J6fg

— Anne Marie Aikins (@femwriter) August 6, 2018

Not long after, his owners got a call from a GO train operator who informed them that Marley was safe but headed toward Union station, presumably to catch the tail-end of some Caribana celebrations.

After making plenty of friends and getting lots of scratches and pats from fellow commuters, Marley was reunited with his family.

This is awesome!! I love this story almost as much as I love dogs. Glad he got home safely and enoyed his GO train ride .

— Susan Taylor (@susanmarytaylor) August 6, 2018

11/10 for being an adventurous, independent pup. 

Back to "work" 😜

Quick mid day nappy poo! A full house makes for a full heart . ❤️

A towering red oak tree that pre-dates Canada itself by more than 100 years will continue to live out its days in peace, thanks to Toronto City Council.

All that's left to do is buy the estimated $750,000 property it sits on.

Councillors finally voted on Monday to move forward with a plan to acquire 76 Coral Gable Drive in North York. The decision comes after years of discussion and research into the property, which holds a tree that experts believe to be between 250 and 350 years old.

Toronto Council recently voted without debate to enter negotiations with a west-end homeowner to buy their house in an effort to save a 350-year-old oak tree on the property. https://t.co/V0rASLRshN pic.twitter.com/C9z6Mk2CbL

— Tamara Shephard (@TamaraShephard) July 31, 2018

"Due to its size, age and cultural significance, the red oak tree at 76 Coral Gable Drive is recognized as a heritage tree under Forests Ontario's Heritage Tree Program," reads a report that went before the city's government management committee last month.

"The City is now in contact with the homeowner and has undertaken its due diligence regarding the structural and botanical condition of the red oak tree," it continues, noting that an independent arborist's analysis revealed that, "despite its age, the tree is in fair to good condition, based upon its structure and health."

The property once belonged to a man who fought on the loyalist side during the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837 and it's home to a 350 year old oak tree #Toronto #RealEstate https://t.co/4dyJj6aSrd

— Royal LePage Meadowtowne (@rlp_Meadowtowne) July 30, 2018

The issue first came to light in 2015, when the property was sold to a private citizen who, in turn, put it back up for sale a few years later.

Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti put forth a motion at the time for the city to "initiate acquisition of the property," and source a report on "providing increased levels of protection for significant trees."

The report back recommended that, because the city has no authority over privately-owned trees, Toronto purchase the Emery Village home from its owner. A third party organization would raise funds to maintain the tree (as well as 26 other historically significant trees in the city, if the owners of properties they sit on decide to sell.)

Fans of the tree (yes, the tree has fans) have been fighting for the city to move forward with plans to save it ever since and, as of this week, they can officially rest easy.

TORONTO'S 350 YR OLD RED OAK TREE https://t.co/hRjUXWXulb

— LEAF (@leaf) April 9, 2018

Council has granted staffers authority to negotiate the acquisition of 76 Coral Gable Drive, with "at least 50 percent of the determined market value being funded from private donations."

Terms and conditions for the sale are outlined in a confidential attachment, so it is not yet publicly known how much money has been raised by private donors, or how much will be spent on buying the property.

Still, this is good news for the historic red oak tree and those who want to see it stick around. Oaks can live for up to 1,000 years, after all, if humans don't cut them down first.

Minnesota-based wildlife photographer Brent Cizek was headed back to shore before a summer storm when he spotted the common merganser he would later nickname “Momma Merganser.” At first the mother duck was being followed by a brood of more than 50 fluffy ducklings, however when spotted the group again, the total had grown to 76.

“I happened to find this group of mergansers purely by luck, but I was absolutely amazed by what I saw,” Cizek tells Colossal. “At the time I didn’t know anything about the species, so I wasn’t sure if what I witnessed was a common occurrence or something out of the ordinary. All I knew was that I had never seen anything like that before.”

The scene is extraordinary indeed. Although the aquatic birds are known to lay their eggs in the nests of other ducks, a female duck can only incubate 20 at any given time explains Kenn Kaufman, field editor for Audubon. It is most likely that several dozen of the ducklings lost their mothers and were adopted into Momma Merganser’s own brood.

Cizek plans to continue following the extra large family, and posts his findings to on Instagram. To learn more about merganser habits, read the National Audubon Society’s piece on the surprising spectacle. (via The Laughing Squid)

Artist Dennis Wojtkiewicz paints enormous portraits of sliced fruit, often scaling four feet across or more. Each oil on canvas painting focuses exclusively on the edible subject, with dramatic backlit lighting seeming to light up the melons, citrus, apples, and kiwis. While Wojtkiewicz focuses on tiny details like individual segments of juice, striations, and the fuzzy skins, the realism is tempered by a slightly hazy, impressionistic finish. The artist is represented by Robert Kidd Gallery. You can see more of his paintings on his website. (via My Modern Met)

Warsaw-based company Woo Design engraves aerial views of major international cities like New York, Paris, London, and Munich into wooden coffee tables left raw or filled with resin. The designs are built with three layers to give a complete view of each city, with specific segments that reveal its streets, building tops, and waterways. In several of the company’s designs the resin embedded in the table glows a bright blue or green, adding a luminous element to the table’s surface. Woo Design’s tables are currently available through their website and Etsy. You can follow along for more updated cities and designs on their Instagram. (via Colossal Submissions)

  

Less than an hour from Toronto is a trail that literally has everything to create the perfect summer day – waterfalls, hiking trails, cycling paths, cliff views and a pretty cool suspension bridge.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by bethany edey (@bethanyyedeyy)

The Chedoke Radial Trail in Hamilton is a 2.7 km section of the greater Bruce Trailthat lines the stunning Niagara Escarpment. This trail is built on the former trackway of the Brantford and Hamilton Electric Railway, and today, has been repurposed for both hikers and cyclists to enjoy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jennifer Ross (@jenannross)

The main pathway hits a number of notable attractions along the way, all while allowing visitors to take in the magnificent views of the west end of Hamilton and the Dundas Valley below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Steph 🤘🏻 (@stephkelly121)

One of the first stops along the trail is the highly visited Chedoke Stairsthat has become a huge draw for fitness fanatics. This 289-step spacious staircase has two lanes which makes it an ideal spot to tackle with a group of friends.

There are parking lots at the top and bottom of the stairs and it can be accessed via the Chedoke Civic Golf Course.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Motive (@motiveent)

Once you’re done getting a sweaty workout in, be sure to cool off by the stunning Westcliffe Falls which can be seen from the very top of the stairs. This 60 ft ribbon cascade falls has water flowing year round is one of Hamilton’s hidden gems.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by erin rebecca ☘ (@salty_naulty)

If you’re still on the hunt for more waterfalls after, luckily you’re in the right place – after all, Hamilton is known as the City of Waterfalls, with over 100 in the area. Chedoke Fallsand Denlow Fallsare two of the closest nearby.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 📍Explore Ontario (@explore.ontario)

The Chedoke Radial Trail has a ton of access points with the Corktown Park being the easiest connection to find. The trail is open all year and is considered an easy pathway for all levels.

New York City’s historic Fireboat John J. Harvey has been transformed into a dazzling display of red and white marbling in a new piece by artist Tauba Auerbach (previously). Flow Separation is a co-commission by the Public Art Fund and 14-18 NOW, a UK arts program created for the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. For the new piece Auerbach used the visual language of early 20th-century dazzle camouflage, a technique invented by British painter Norman Wilkinson during WWI to distort a ship’s form and confuse enemies who might be tracking its direction or speed.

Auerbach was also inspired by the pattern created by a wake when an object moves through water, which is referenced in the work’s title. The ship flies a flag that diagrams “flow separation,” a phenomenon that occurs when areas of fluid in a wake move backwards and create eddies. To imitate this form for the design of the boat she floated inks on a fluid bath and transferred this process to paper.

For the last four years, 14-18 NOW has commissioned four artists to create Dazzle Ships in the UK, including Carlos Cruz-Diez, Tobias Rehberger, Ciara Phillips, and Sir Peter Blake. Auerbach’s vessel will be the last work in the series, and the first boat to appear in the U.S. The ship will be available for free trips through September 23, 2018, and on view through May 12, 2019. You can visit the boat at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6 until August 12, 2018, at Hudson River Park’s Pier 25 from August 13 to September 23, 2018, and at Hudson River Park’s Pier 66a from September 24, 2018 to May 12, 2019. You can find more information about tickets and locations on the Public Art Fund’s website.

The Crown is appealing the not guilty verdict for Peter Khill in the killing of Jon Styres, saying the trial judge failed to properly instruct the jury about self-defence and let an unqualified witness give opinion evidence on military training.

Chilean freelance photographer Francisco Negroni captures nature at its most rambunctious, with a particular focus on volcanic eruptions and lightning storms. In his work, bright orange and red streaks of lava burst from mountains, enormous plumes of smoke overtake the horizon, and dramatic lightning strikes connect the earth and sky. The photographer originally studied advertising photography and tourism, but once he witnessed his first volcano, he knew that it would be his focus going forward.

Colossal spoke with Negroni about his strategies for braving the elements and capturing just the right moments:

When I go outside to take photographs, I try to leave with the images in my mind: I imagine what I am going or want to achieve that day in that place… Although many times I don’t get what I imagined or thought would be a good photograph, and I get others that I couldn’t have imagined and they are much better, it’s strange. But almost always I work in a direct documentation, with an idea in base, but trying to always obtain an understanding of something more difficult for the spectator.

Due to the expenses and difficulties of traveling in the Chilean backcountry, Negroni carefully tracks  upcoming eruptions and risk factors to maximize the potential of each trip. He travels light, only with a backpack containing a laptop, camera, tripod, and three lenses, and he camps in his car for longer excursions.  Presently, Negroni shoots for reporters and journalists, and has published his work with National Geographic, the Associated Press, and Terra. You can see more of his weather and landscape photographs, which are also available as prints, on his website. For the adventurous, Negroni also leads personalized tours and workshops.

Raku Inoue (previously) recently look an extended road trip to several destinations in the American Southwest. During his journey he created a scorpion-shaped arrangement from seeds, sticks, and a pepper found at Antelope Canyon in Arizona, and utilized a fallen cactus segment near Horseshoe Bend as the abdomen in a prickly tarantula. Other works created with found natural elements during Inoue’s trip include a turtle bug, red ant, and centipede.

Recently Inoue created a monochrome stag beetle and Monarch butterfly for a short film in collaboration with CBC Arts. The artist has also begun to explore three-dimensional versions of his found flora creations, building armatures for a gorilla, water buffalo, and tiger. More foraged creations can be found on his Instagram.

Simon Brown sources worn-out household tools like brushes and thimbles and turns them into miniature scenes for his felted wildlife. A short, stiff brush becomes a tree branch for a perching owl, and a dense hair brush with swirling bristles forms a meadow for two rabbits. Brown, who is based in Northumbria, United Kingdom, uses needle felting to create his realistic forest creatures. You can see more of his finished and in-progress work on Instagram. (via Bored Panda)

City officials are advising motorists today that they can no longer drive through one of East Toronto's busiest intersections until at least the end of July.

The area surrounding Dundas Street and Broadview Avenue will be shut down completely beginning today, according to the city, so that TTC crews can rehabilitate "aging" streetcar tracks.

Phase 1 of the project is slated to take place between now and July 23. After that, crews will move just down the road to Broadview and Gerrard Street, where they will remain until September 8.

Traffic alert: Today until July 9, the Broadview and Dundas St E intersection is fully closed to replace TTC tracks. Signs are posted to ensure safe travel and there is local two-way traffic on Broadview between Gerrard and Allen Ave. https://t.co/CbJsdxWzXV pic.twitter.com/Ypfm30yUqk

— City of Toronto (@TorontoComms) June 25, 2018

"Signs will be posted ahead of the construction zone to direct vehicle and cycling traffic around the site," writes the city on its website, noting that pedestrians will be able to detour around the work area.

Cars and bikes are a no-go, though.

"To accommodate this work, the intersection will be completely closed to vehicle and cycling traffic for three weeks," writes the city.

Ugh.

A moldboard plow tills a paddock on a farm near Arrino, Western Australia. This type of plow turns the soil upside down, bringing the red-yellow subsoil to the surface while burying the grey topsoil below. This process helps to bury resilient weeds and expose fertile soil, allowing a wheat crop to be planted behind the plow. /// Drone photo courtesy of @fransxten

Lots of styles and sizes available. Free shipping on all orders of C$ 64.99 or more.

Statistics: Posted by ttjiaa — Jun 21st, 2018 8:41 pm

---

Hector ❤️❤️

Over the past few years, Twitter user @Ben_On_The_Moon has photographed his chain link fence due to a mysterious weathering pattern that has caused groups of concentric rings to appear on the upper side of the fence’s segments. His macro photographs emphasize the intriguing apparitions, which appear like miniature crop circles on the metal bars. Despite his research, he has not discovered the specific cause of the pattern. You can see more of @Ben_On_The_Moon’s documentation of the curious phenomena on Twitter. (via Kottke)

A beautiful family of wild coyotes have made their home in Toronto, delighting local wildlife lovers and freaking out everybody else a little bit. 

The coyotes – two adults and three young pups – were most recently captured on camera near the train tracks south of Sudbury Street, between West Queen West and Liberty Village.

Toronto resident Samantha Pegg says she was out walking her dog on Wednesday morning when she saw (and heard) the rambunctious crew. You'll want the audio on for this one. The little guys are pretty cute when they attempt to howl with mom and dad.

A post shared by blogTO (@blogto) on May 30, 2018 at 10:05am PDT

Earlier this month, photos surfaced of these same pups (or others who look exactly like them) napping and playing in the nearby Fort York Community Garden.

Area gardeners told CBC Toronto at the time that their parents had arrived last spring, and that they'd been cordial neighbours ever since. As it turns out, coyotes are great for keeping rodents and rabbits away from crops.

A post shared by Colin Sedgwick-Pinn (@colin1815) on May 9, 2018 at 3:54pm PDT

Coyotes have also been spotted in and around Liberty Village recently, concerning at least one resident enough to post signs around the neighbourhood warning of their presence.

The City of Toronto advises that, while coyotes generally aren't a threat to humans, they "may approach pets that are not supervised, especially cats and small dogs."

"It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your pet while they are outside," reads the city's urban coyote information website. "It is very unlikely that a coyote will be attracted to a child; however, close supervision of children is also important."

Might’ve made a new furry friend yesterday 😮 #coyote #toronto #the6ix #ontario #canada #latergram #nofilter

A post shared by Suresh Singaratnam (@sureshtrumpet) on May 14, 2018 at 3:42pm PDT

Coyotes are a natural part of Toronto's urban landscape, according to the city, but reports of them are higher this year than usual according to Etobicoke counsellor Stephen Holyday. 

Adult coyotes have also been seen in Regent Park, at the Humber Valley Golf Course and near the Etobicoke Creek this month — though again, this isn't all that unusual, or dangerous.

Attacks on people are very rare, according to The Humane Society, with more people being killed each year by golf balls and champagne corks each year than are even bitten by coyotes.

Outdoor art fairs in Toronto for 2018 bring to light emerging talent from the vibrant arts community, in pockets all over the city. Spend the day strolling through a maze of artwork and you just might find that special piece you've been looking for.

Events you might want to check out:

Artfest Toronto (May 19-21 @ The Distillery Historic District)
The Distillery District serves as a backdrop for this huge art festival that features paintings, photography, sculpture, live music and craft shows.
Christie Pits Art Crawl (May 27 @ Christie Pits)
Encompassing most of the south end of the park, this art fair includes a huge selection of art vendors, food, music and pop-ups.
Kensington Market Art Fair (May 27 - October 28 @ Kensington Market)
Part of Pedestrian Sundays, this art fair includes ceramics, fiber art, glass, jewelry, metal arts, painting, drawing, sculpture and photography.
Riverdale ArtWalk (June 2-3 @ Jimmie Simpson Park and Community Centre)
Back again is this huge and free public fine art exhibition showcasing over 165 established and emerging artists, and lots of food vendors.
Liberty Village Art Crawl (June 9 @ Liberty Village Park)
Liberty Village gets overtaken by local artists during this big art party featuring live music, interactive demos, food and family-friendly activities.
Beaches Arts and Crafts Show (June 9-10 @ Kew Gardens)
Expect over 150 artists and designers to take up shop in Kew Gardens over two days to showcase handmade goods, original fashion pieces, fine art and more.
Nuit Rose (June 16 @ Multiple Venues)
LGBTQ+ creators come together to take over two Toronto neighbourhoods in a festival that includes an art crawl and special programming all day long.
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (July 6-8 @ Nathan Phillips Square)
Nathan Phillips Square transforms into a huge marketplace with artists selling original works, plus a beer garden courtesy of Henderson Brewing Co.
Bloorcourt Festival (August 25 @ Bloor Street West)
Bloor Street West gets shut down for a full day this summer for this massive street festival featuring art, music and food from neighbouring establishments.
Cabbagetown Arts and Crafts Fair (September 7-9 @ Riverdale Park West)
A community celebration of the arts, this fair boasts almost 200 featured artists and crafters from Toronto and beyond.
Danforth East Arts Fair (September 15-16 @ East Lynn Park)
Dozens of exhibitors, vendors and activities for kids and adults are going down in the park with one-of-a-kind works from local artists.
Queen West Art Crawl (September 22-23 @ Trinity Bellwoods Park)
The eclectic West Queen West neighbourhood shows its colours with a three day festival of selected artists, food and performances.

Ready thy hatchbacks, midtown Toronto: the city's newest Costco is coming up fast.

The American membership-only warehouse club has confirmed that its long-rumoured Thorncliffe Park location, built on the site of Coca-Cola Canada's former headquarters, will be launching in June.

While originally meant to open in February of this year, the project was delayed by what appeared to be weather-related construction woes.

I mean, the place is still in the process of being completed as of mid-May.

the Costco on Overlea in #Thorncliffe is nearing completion...
it's the former Coca-Cola head office, across from the Pigeon Parking Lot pic.twitter.com/PbbpYMDKD3

— Rudy Limeback (@rudydotca) May 3, 2018

Still, locals can sign up as members ahead of the big box retailer's launch by visiting a white trailer in the parking lot of 42 Overlea Boulevard.

The South Bayview Bulldog reports that signs went up just yesterday inviting the public to "avoid the rush" by registering early. While they can't go inside the store itself just yet, employees on site are said to be happily signing up anyone who comes through.

If you’ve ever wandered around Tokyo on foot you’ll know that it can sometimes be like a spider web of side streets and back alleys. It’s one of the things that makes Tokyo so unique and therein lies the allure of exploring the massive city. Now, one designer has brought that magic to bookshelves by designing back alley bookends.

The clever idea is the brainchild of a Japanese designer who goes by the name monde. Based in Tokyo, monde creates objects inspired by the city but also animals and insects. The back alley bookends come in a pair and can be used together to replicate a small back alley, or they can be used individually, exposing the intricate stepping stones, A/C units, piping, plants and other details that have been carefully recreated by hand.

Monde exhibited the back alley bookends, along with other works, last weekend at Design Festa, a Tokyo-based arts & crafts event where artists, both amateur and professional, come together to exhibit their artwork. The event has since ended but the next dates (August 2-4 and then November 10-11, 2018) have already been announced. If you’re interested, you can also try reaching out to the artist directly. (Syndicated from Spoon & Tamago)

Wrapping up this work weeks walks with Hector 💞

In this meta animation, animator and director Ainslie Henderson (previously) seamlessly transforms a demonstration of his stop motion practice into a film where his miniature puppets take over. The rag tag group of figures break off from Henderson’s narrative to form a slapdash electronic band, utilizing scraps from his workbench to construct instruments from the same electric detritus used to form their own hands, faces, and feet.

“Puppet making often begins by just gathering stuff, like materials that I find attractive like wood, sticks, wire, leaves, flowers, petals, and bits of broken electronics,” says Henderson in the film. “[I use] things that have already had a life are lovely to have as puppets. And then from there you just start improvising. It’s like making music, you just see where it leads you.”

During the process of animating Henderson’s voiceover gradually fades and the viewer realizes his voice is simply a tape recording on screen, and has suddenly been repurposed as an instrument by his animated creations.

Stems has picked up numerous awards since 2016 including a BAFTA in Scotland. You can watch more of Henderson’s work on his Vimeo Channel.

Rebellious accordion players, fights with live crabs, conductors who make flawless LEGO replicas of the subway trains they drive...

Say what you will about Toronto's public transit system, but the TTC is on fire lately — and only sometimes in the literal sense!

Subway passengers at Dundas West station were perplexed on Wednesday night to stumble upon an elevator intercom that had phrases coming out of it like "He checked Langdon's heart monitor as the young doctor spoke to him in rapid, fluent Italian."

A TTC customer named Michelle captured the scene with her phone.

hi your dundas west elevator is reading a novel or something. @TTChelps #ttc #weirdtoronto #wtf pic.twitter.com/xajN2j8i8H

— michelle (@seaofcakes) May 9, 2018

The caption of a video she later posted to YouTube, and then Reddit, was titled "TTC elevator reading Dan Brown's Inferno."

"OK I'm definitely going to need some backstory here," commented one Redditor in the thread.

"There isn't one," Michelle replied. "I was just sitting there and heard a man talking on a speaker so I got up to look and it was THIS."

Huh.

Hurry! Get out of the elevator! It's an elevator to hell! Aaaggghhh

— architectonik (@architectonik) May 11, 2018

Fortunately for our curiosity (and immortal souls), the TTC's official customer service account reached out to Michelle on Twitter.

Not only did the transit agency confirm that the book was, in fact, Dan Brown's Inferno, it took on the case of figuring out whether or not Dundas West had been possessed.

As it turns out, an employee was taking a break near the intercom speaker and "left a switch flipped" while listening to the book ... or so says the TTC.

Ok, I got in touch with a lead demon in the area, and it appears a ghost was taking a break near an intercom speaker and left a switch flipped - no actual possession involved. The situation should be resolved 🙃 ^RA🚀

— TTC Customer Service (@TTChelps) May 9, 2018

I mean, who listens to audio books without headphones? Or loudly enough that they get picked up perfectly, without the trace of an echo, by an intercom mic?

Then again, stranger things have happened. Did I already mention that live crabs were spotted riding the Red Rocket earlier this week? Yeah? Well, it can't be mentioned enough.

Crabs are to subway seats what Dan Brown's Inferno is to an elevator intercom: An unexpected, but delightfully weird surprise after a long day of work. A gift to the people of Toronto from the TTC. 

Every time we see Monument Valley go free on the Play Store, we have to stop whatever we're doing for a second and let you know about it. The game is quite "old" at this point, but it still feels timeless. From the clean designs, engaging music, to the smart geometric puzzles and perspective-shifting environment, it is a delight. And if you've never played it before, now you can.

Monument Valley has dropped its price to zero, seemingly around the world.

Read More

[Freebie Alert] The beautiful Monument Valley is free for the next 7 days was written by the awesome team at Android Police.