Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
10-1-20
It's like a still life. It's so contrived yet so natural. Such protection of an object combined with such vulnerability. and futility.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
10-1-13
When I had the bike shops there would be times when I would take off momentarily to fetch lunch or beer or whatever and these little "back in 5" signs would get made from time to time, sketched on the back of work orders, envelope scraps, whatever. Sometimes I would return to find someone waiting, sometimes I'm sure people would see the sign and say, "yeah, right" and just move on. It's been over a year since I've written one of those little signs but they look exactly like this one does. It's spooky how similar they look, how normal it was to write this one. But that's where I'm at.
I like taking photographs every day, the taking of the photographs is often the much needed "back in 5" of my day but for the last couple of weeks it's felt forced, I'm distracting by other things, or the lack of other things, and I need a bit of time to run out, grab a bite to eat, collect my thoughts, rescale, but I'll be back in 5. Days? Weeks? Months? Not sure yet. At the moment I'm thinking days but we'll see how I feel after four. Thank you.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
10-1-8
Those who know me will think I complain about Vancouver a lot. It's partially true, I do really dislike this city for a number of reasons, most of which are socio-economically based, i.e. it's expensive to live here, wages are very low, there's a lot of crime as a result, good businesses and people are regularly "reno-victed" by greedy landlords, and generally speaking a lot of people in this city seem really absorbed in a lifestyle, more concerned about the brand of outdoor clothing being worn and less concerned about getting into the mountains to stress that clothing. But I've been paying attention to this lately, where the bitterness comes from, and don't get me wrong, I hate this city on a lot of levels, but I also like it too. I've done my best to bury my disdain and focus on the good things (it's January and I haven't had any concerns about studded bicycle tires and I've finally found a shop in town that sells excellent coffee beans, even if that coffee is imported from Chicago and that shop is half way across town which I don't mind riding to because, like I said, no studded tires) and oddly enough the bitterness towards Vancouver comes up again and again amongst those around me.
I had dinner with some really great people tonight and one of the good friends jokingly said I wasn't allowed to come if I was going to complain about Vancouver and I jokingly said, "what's to complain about?" but I made a point to myself that I was going to focus on the positive and just enjoy being among friends but still, the conversations about Vancouver being a less than ideal place to live came up, the bitterness about the gentrification going on in the downtown east side, an anger regarding how many millions were being spent on a glorified play day for adults (the Olympics), it all came up through normal conversation. I'm okay with that, the only way you can facilitate change is through discourse and if nothing was being said then I'd be sadder because I would feel I was the only one noticing and that would suggest I was wrong. I realize I'm wrong about a lot of things and I'm okay with that. I really do accept that the majority of people on this planet want something I don't like. Christ, I watched an episode of The Jersey Shore on the internet the other night and if there was ever proof that I am on the wrong planet that was it.
But I digress.
And I usually have an idea of what I'm going to write before I start and today I don't so I'm not sure where I'm going with this so bare with me.
I will always dislike this city because it genuinely is a mediocre city with lots of issues and flaws and that won't change any time soon. But I've managed to find some really great people to be with here. Some (too many) are, sadly, moving away, some aren't quite here yet but they get here soon. On this night I got to eat, drink, and be merry with a few of them and I'm glad I got a photograph of it.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
10-1-3
I see them on side streets and in alleyways. Sometimes downtown in the heart of it all. There's three or four of them, almost like a miniature subdivision, all lined up on a short dead end street in the industrial park between my house and where I work. It's romantic in some ways, the idea of knowing you live somewhere and everywhere at the same time. Perhaps I should start shopping for a school bus.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
09-12-28
No excuses, but I haven't had much time these days. That shouldn't have stopped me from taking a photograph today but, for some reason, it did.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
09-12-27
I was told by a security guard that I wasn't allowed to take photographs of the port so this photo is contraband. I hope it doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
09-12-26
This park, John Hendry Park, whoever John Hendry might be, is beautifully contrived. (John Hendry was a co-owner of one of the first saw mills in Vancouver that was located at Trout Lake. I don't think I particularly like the idea of a park being named after a man who's livelihood involved polluting the lake which was a water source for his mill, and also a man who was directly responsible for the rapid and unsustainable deforestation of much of Western Canada's environment.) I might take up painting if this fascination with its landscapes keeps up. The architect of it has undoubtedly not received the attention he or she deserves for the vignettes the park sets up every time you adventure into it are nothing short of stunning. Frederick Law Olmstead, eat your heart out.
09-12-25
She got paints for Christmas amongst a myriad of things that 3 year old girls get at this time of year. It makes me happy that she spends so much time with her paints.
09-12-22
The small sign protests "This property is not for sale and it has not been sold. Thanks you. -the owner" It's a hand painted sign, by a sign painter. It's well crafted and the message succinct. I would like to buy him a coffee one day.
Monday, December 21, 2009
09-12-17
A picture of a picture of a picture. Or something like that. Something similar was done in Calgary, a billboard was rented in the shadow of the city and posted on the billboard was a photograph of the skyline of the city. The absurdity of this is obvious when realizing the scale of the actual skyline in the background was larger than the representation of it in the foreground. Or that scene in Ocean's Eleven (or Twelve?) (assuming everyone has my penchant for Hollywood blockbusters themed on robberies and pilferings) when Don Cheadle's character is seen watching the demolition of a casino on the television as the actual casino can be seen falling through the window behind him. There's something to these distortions of time and space that I find intriguing. I don't quite understand it, though I suppose if I understood it then it wouldn't be as intriguing.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
09-12-13
This is the closest to an Ontario winter sky I've seen since being here. Grey and heavy, threatening snow. The rain was absent in Vancouver today, and I was both happy to not have to find plastic baggies for my phone and iPod and other various accessories that one carries with them and more homesick than I've been in a long time which is hard, I'm homesick most days.
09-12-12
If one were to get technical, this is from a Christmas party that started on the 11th, but I was still there when the 12th crept around and this picture was taken after midnight.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
09-12-3
Toasted ricotta and banana sandwiches for her. Roasted portabella mushroom with caramelized onions and a latte for me.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
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