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  • Questionable Public Art: A Vancouver Seawall Odyssey (with quite the preamble)

    Questionable Public Art: A Vancouver Seawall Odyssey (with quite the preamble)

    Not here, of course. I’m referring to the other side of the Seawall. Come with me! The unthinkable has happened: against every odd outlined in my last grumble-fest regarding this particular time of year, I have leaned into summer. Yes, indeed. And I have not just accepted where I live (the West End), but I…

  • Update and Epiphany: I hate being on camera, so what was I thinking?

    Update and Epiphany: I hate being on camera, so what was I thinking?

    Even as a tot–and a very cute one–you can see how enthused I was to be dressed up and have my picture taken. Did I actually think I was going to voluntarily put myself on YouTube? I did.  And it was one of the more preposterous ideas I’ve ever had.  And that’s a mouthful coming…

  • Of Final Things: Death and Burial in Mark Brandenburg, 1500 – 1800

    Of Final Things: Death and Burial in Mark Brandenburg, 1500 – 1800

    I‘ve been a bit preoccupied by Life this past week, and I’m really doing my best to churn out some writing, but it’s been a challenge. In the midst of some family matters, some external concerns, and some priorities being shuffled around, I have to say that focusing on output has not been an easy…

  • The Great Grime of Granville Strip [UPDATED ONE DAY LATER…]

    The Great Grime of Granville Strip [UPDATED ONE DAY LATER…]

    I’ve been immersing myself in all sorts of things Vancouver-related, largely because I’m stuck here.  I know, I know: there are worse places to be stuck, and no matter the myriad challenges that life can throw at you (my second cousin, a Saskatchewan boy and therefore one of the most down-to-earth people I know, listened…

  • Okay, that was that. Let’s go, kids!

    Okay, that was that. Let’s go, kids!

    Well, it happens. We fall into states of misery and rumination, and then we read a bunch of spiritual tomes, and we watch some Up With People videos, and we shove some Haribo candy into our mouths, and we stare at our pets for hours, and our loved ones assure us we’re loved, and ka-blam!…

  • Brutalism in Vancouver.

    Brutalism in Vancouver.

    I am not referring to the job market, the cost of living, or the misanthropy of the residents in my particular neighbourhood, although any of those would be perfectly acceptable as material for this topic.  I am talking about an architectural movement that has been an object of mild fascination for me ever since I…