Recently I invested some time in the big smoke of Toronto, visiting Clients and Agencies. An annual ‘trek’ so to speak. To understate the current Traffic picture would be to say that it is ‘different’ than 11 years ago prior to moving to Muskoka. I’m used to driving into the city, visiting our delightful children and wonderful G kids, staying a night or two and then getting outta dodge. Typically we pick the times to travel and aside from the potential disasters on 400 south and 401 east, we’ve been ok with it. This road trip however scheduled me downtown three times in the early and mid-weekday hours, and several drives in afternoon rush hour. I know, you could say “Buck up Johnny, it’s life in TO”, so im good with that. Frustrating, but what can you do? Listen to Radio.
What DID occur on one visit down to the foot of Bay Street, was a request by a double sided bank of elevators – five deep on each side. The elevator asked me: “What Floor?” I entered my number obediently, then it directed me to go to: “Elevator F”. Wow! Again, obediently, I stood in front of Elevator F, awaiting the doors to ‘open saaz me’. Miraculously, they did, and as I walked in with other obedient souls, I noticed on the inner key pad that my floor had already been selected! Technology. Never embarrassed to ask a stupid question, I quizzed the assembled group “Is this new?” I was informed that this was not a totally ridiculous question, that indeed, it WAS quite new. Relived, I made a mental note to blog about new technology.
Two hours later, I stood in front of one of the last (it seems) remaining above ground downtown parking lots, facing the devise pictured above here. There were two devices of course, and after 15 minutes fiddling around (with a crowd gathered, offering advice and encouragement), it was determined that my one machine did not work. Here you must enter your license plate FIRST, then your cash or credit card, then how much time you want, at $5 per ½ hour. Hmmm what will they think of next? I then retreated back to my vehicle to place my well earned ticket in my windshield. Obedience is a must if you want to succeed in downtown Toronto.