Events in Toronto this week hope to make you pause and consider the thought and hard work that went into your bean bag chair with Come Up to My Room, IDS Toronto and DesignTO all happening this week. Elsewhere, art, film and music are all on, alongside lots of free stuff.
Events you might want to check out:TechTO (January 14 @ RBC WaterPark Place)
Toronto's tech crowd is coming out for the first TechTO of the year and night of drinks, eats, and networking, plus speakers and special presentations.
Martha Wainwright (January 15 @ The Great Hall)
Folk singer-songerwriter Martha Wainwright's musical family roots shine through as she arrives to play some of her most hauntingly beautiful songs.
How to Breathe Forever (January 16 @ Onsite Gallery)
A group of local artists take on the challenge of explaining the interconnectedness of all life on earth, and how we humans play a vital role in our world.
Daughters of the Dust (January 16-19 @ Art Gallery of Ontario)
The difficulty and importance of maintaining cultural heritage takes on the focus in a series of spherical screenings of Julie Dash's 1991 film.
Come Up to My Room (January 17-20 @ Gladstone Hotel)
The Gladstone is about to be transformed into a multi-storey, interactive art and design playground with 20 projects spread around the space.
IDS Toronto (January 17-20 @ Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
One of the biggest interior design shows of the year arrives for four-days of exhibitions, panels, presentations and special guests.
I Hate Models (January 18-19 @ 500 Keele St)
There's still a handful of tickets left for this late-night event featuring warehouse techno DJ I Hate Models on deck alongside Liu Chang.
Saddle Up! (January 18 @ Owl's Club)
Saddle Up! returns for a night of hootin' and hollerin' with all the classic country hits and a special celebration of Dolly Parton for her birthday.
The Greatest Showman (January 18-20 @ Cinesphere)
A movie, a musical, a Huge Jackman world-wide tour: The Greatest Showman tells the story of show business and the imaginative world of P.T. Barnum.
DesignTO (January 18-27 @ Multiple Venues)
All around the city, all things design are happening as part of this big design festival that includes installations, exhibits, talks and more.
Ossington Record Sale (January 19 @ 45 Ossington Ave)
Everyone is welcome to drop by and buy, sell, trade and talk vinyl. Feel free to bring your own because there's no dealers or shop owners, just music.
Small Ball Mini Cask Fest (January 19 @ Left Field Brewery)
Back again is this all-day mini cask festival to warm you up with ten casks, food by Dover Boys Fish and Chips and special glassware. Admission is free!
Something Strange Sideshow Festival (January 19 @ Mod Club)
The strange and unusual takes centre stage at this annual showcase of human marvels and freaks with bizarre acts coming in from all over the world.
Blue Jays Winter Fest (January 19-20 @ Rogers Centre)
The Toronto Blue Jays are ready to welcome fans with weekend of festivities for everyone, including player appearances, activities, entertainnment and more.
Gladstone Hotel Marketplace (January 20 @ Gladstone Hotel)
Get your New Years resolutions off to a good start with local markers coming out to feature the newest in décor, giftware, jewellery, fashion and lots more.
As you can see above, the complexity of base fares and transfers can make this comparison difficult but the TTC is clearly still one of the more expensive fares. The TTC’s historic advantage of including transfers is no longer very distinctive, although several cities have surpassed TTC base fares since the 
If the Canadian dollar is factored in, the TTC is around the middle of the pack, but adding that discount is controversial since most TTC passengers are not U.S. tourists but earn Canadian dollars that are not inflated to match currency fluctuations. As U.S. minimum wages rise (
In the above chart, the results are quite clear. Toronto is one of the most expensive cities for day passes, much more costly than the U.S./Canada average of about $7. 
Once again, the TTC is by all measures atrociously expensive, the $146.25 pass being 70 per cent more costly than the average pass cost of $87. This is the cost on Presto's system, with a 
Adding insult to injury, the TTC continues to make monthly passes unappealing by charging the equivalent of an astounding 49 trips/transfers per pass (trip index).
Probably the most stunning room in the house is the foyer which leads right into the grand inner foyer, with the grand piano smack in the middle of it. The entire thing looks like it’s staged for a film and I’m here for it.
The other principal rooms in the house are exactly how you’d imagine any European-style mansion, filled with antique furniture with a large chandelier and more.
The kitchen is huge and has all the prerequisite top-of-the-line appliances for, I’m assuming, a personal chef to cook in.
The study is cozy with rich built-in wood bookshelves and a fireplace.
The home has five bedrooms, all of which are kind of uninspiring as far as mansion bedrooms go. There’s nothing spectacular about them and they almost seem too big for furniture to fill.
But bedroom disappointment aside, there’s tons of luxury perks to this house including an indoor swimming pool and your very own private tennis court. 
