Toronto has grand and historical hotels (the Royal York and The King Edward are particular stand out beauties). We also have many funky art-centred spots – ranging from the sublime gallery filled Gladstone (still feels weird to say that about a place
Streetcar platform (top photo) Aside from a brief stint above highway 401 in most-curious Lastman-land (North York, pre-amalgamation – growing hyper fast), I have always lived in downtown Toronto. I’m a walking guy – no use for a private vehicle – hands-off,
Hey folks – thanks for stopping by again – here’s part two of my getting over my shyness project, entitled “Three Books” in which the publisher discusses his various splendid offerings. Not exactly industrial light and magic (four bucks worth of green
Toronto Dragon Festival – Nathan Philips Square (As always – click the top photo, to see them all in more pleasing/screen-filling scale) Every weekend that we go exploring, we find interesting things going on in the city. This weekend was no exception,
Che fa (What’s happening?) William MacElcheran (top photo) Kinsman Robinson gallery, 108 Cumberland, still offering his work Born in Hamilton in 1927, William Hodd MacElcheran was accepted directly into second year at the Ontario College of Art (OCA) at the age of
Laboratory for Rebellion – Gibson House I wrote recently about the founding of York, Upper Canada – present day Toronto, Ontario – and especially the principles of John Graves Simcoe, who insisted slavery be excluded – right from the foundation of Canada.
And years to get this far – junior officers quarters – Fort York (Top photo) This long weekend in early August is one of the sweetest miniature vacations of the summer – and we have had absolutely lovely weather for it. To
Timing is everything – the yoyoiste – (top photo) I love it when I get a chance to make several points at once, in a way which gives them extra richness in combination. It’s even more fun when I can use materials
Remembering where we came from (click top-photo for high-res pictures) I had an unexpected encounter the other day which boosted my spirits and optimism greatly, and reminded me of an important truth we too often forget – even my curious chums active
Mason’s craft (top photo) (As always – click the top photo, to see the whole series at more eye-friendly scale) ;o) Not long ago I walked Yonge St – from Davisville down to the lake, so I could take the pulse of
Woodhead – truly playing (top photo) I first met David Woodhead almost a quarter of a century ago, under the most banal and yet revealing of circumstances. Writers of crime dramas like to say that danger reveals our true character – but
Gooseberry puddin’ – Samantha Hazard (as always, click on the top photo, to scroll the whole gallery at a much more eye-satisfying scale) I have been working as a costume model at OCAD for more than a dozen years now, but much
As my chums know, I am fascinated by pretty much all kinds of art, both as a regularly wonderstruck lifelong student, and as an active participant in many forms, (with widely varying degrees of success, but fun in all cases). In fact,
As the pace of change increases, places with old and continuing resonance take on extra meaning. Sometimes they point to sad changes in the way we live and work, sometimes they feel like a comforting point of continuity, and sometimes they give
The extent to which large modern cities have grown to look more and more like one another over the last few decades, is pretty much horrifying – but there are other forces besides money at work in every town – and far
Finlay and Kath (top photo) Ever since I was a kid, I’ve taken great pleasure in all kinds of creative forms – some obviously so (writing, drawing, music) and some which aren’t so widely recognized, but fit the mode, all the same
My first full time job (at 16) was working as glorified soda-jerk, just up from Yonge and Dundas, way back in 1981. We had fruity drinks and burgers, hot dogs and sausages, plus, we sold so much coffee that you’d always get
I really do adore digging into things – so many curious gems turn up! Today’s unexpected wackiness? – the word “Mies” in German, means ‘lousy’ – and an early part of this tradesman’s son from Aachen turning himself into a fashionable young
The city is especially magical at night – entertainment is more exciting, food feels more decadent, drink more intoxicating, it’s time to enjoy reward for hard work – which of course means that for a great many – evening time is time
I write a lot about Yonge St, the place where absolutely every subculture in Toronto has managed to find some sort of a toe-hold, and yet also quite regularly feels alienated. ;o) Lite Bite – by any other name (top photo) But
The Junction neighbourhood in Toronto, like the far more recently designated Junction Triangle area, just to it’s South and East, is named after the junction of several major railway lines, including the very first ever built in Ontario (by the CPR, back
While strolling along Queen E a few weeks ago, Nada and I caught sight of a unique and very cool car. I actually got into the middle of the road to get a low angle shot of it, and Nada took some