Beyond Robson: City Feed

Tourists

Sean — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:37:06 -0800

Every year they come. Armed with fanny packs and maps, traveler's checks and handi-cams, they descend upon our Potemkin village by the sea. They flock to the most banal and trivial of spaces, stock up on maple syrup and cigars, and then waddle off to Alaska to gawk at the glaciers before they're gone. Martin Parr would have a field day at the Steam Clock, as the 30 year-old contraption hoots happily to the naive gawkers behind their digital SLRs. They pad the pockets of buskers and waiters, and they keep the crackheads high. They are the lifeforce, and at the same time they are pure evil.

Photography and Security in Vancouver

Sean — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:05:19 -0800

Ever been hassled by the man while taking a photo? I have. A lot. Its usually by shopkeepers when I'm standing outside their store taking a shot of the reflection in their windows, but they're easy to laugh off. The rent-a-cops are a bit more persistent. Most of the time they just don't understand why you'd want to be down in around some abandoned factories; Junkie? Graffiti? And its always the way they ask. "Can I help you?". No thanks, I'm fine. "Can I ask what you are doing?" Yes, go ahead. Or, I think you just did. They spend all day bored out of their minds waiting for something to happen; the exercise of authority, authority for authority's sake. Not necessarily for show, but because a lack of understanding, or a willing refusal to ask themselves why we find our leisure in the rusted frigate's of some war which was never fought. It is more of an insult to their leisure preferences; sports, sports cars, shopping, home reno, and plasma TV.

Perhaps this is just the reality of life in a post 9/11 world, as ironic as it seems when you imagine what must be coming in through the port. So that now one can no longer stroll the docks marveling at the brined, barnacle encrusted crates as salt water, sea food, and creosote coalesce in the air. So that now, Douglas Coupland's essay in City of Glass on prowling the port seems so far fetched. They've blocked off all entry points, including one of the best secrets in the city, the North Nanaimo foot bridge. Even the celebrated Cannery Restaurant has to pack up and move (because terrorists eat sea food).

Vancouver History: Stanley Park 1912

jz — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:51:27 -0800

One of the benefits of being UBC Alumni is their seemingly random "Grad Gazette" email that trickles into my inbox every now and then. It usually contains lots of fluff pieces trying to make you miss UBC (nice try), but occasionally it has an article or two that spark my interest.

Apparently, UBC has just come into ownership of a series of photos of Stanley Park almost 100 years ago. Taken by a longtime employee of the UBC Library, Lionel Haweis founded Rosetti Photographic Studios which was thought to be in business during the 1910s.

I believe in the night

Sean — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:21:48 -0800

Yeah so I'm back or whatever and man, I don't know. Is there any point? My unintentional computer sabbatical has left me wondering, do the kids over at The Only have it right? Is that how they stay so positive and free from the traps of sarcasm and cynicism? Because right now it seems like "news" only happens in the winter. I've spent the last few weeks breaking onto roofs and wandering around aimlessly.

I'm a traveler again. Alone in my city for the first time. I will have my coffee to stay. Take my time. Smear the dirt and the smells of back alleys on my clean clothes, get lost in the mire of moss cracked industry. In Belfast, after the troubles, I was there, and I was lost, and I grew strong and bold, booking beds in hostels, buying books of bus tickets. Or, when the walls opened, and the siege was lifted, and the Apprentice Boys stood aside, I walked the old city of Londonderry, confident and proud among the paint-splattered outposts and martyred walls. Now I drift. I wander to live. I let the city's doors open, I listen to the whispers in the cobblestones, I follow the underground streams to their source, like a sockeye, I've been here before. Only this time, I've grown even bigger, in a spiral outwards, drawing in the detritus of seasons. Count the rings, you'll see, its all circular, Fibonacci was telling the truth. Even in smoke and mirrors there are smoke and mirrors. Mother, please believe me, like you believed in me once before, I will smash them again, these mirrors.

Vancouver History: Vancouver Whitecaps/86ers

jz — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:31:20 -0800

If you know me, you know that I love football (fine...soccer). In Vancouver our options have usually been few and far between, but one semi-consistant source of footy-fun over the years has been the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Vancouver History: Burrard Bridge

jz — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:20:00 -0800

As I stated in my post about Lion's Gate Bridge , bridges are simply a way of life to us in Vancouver. Either getting in or out of the city, you usually have to cross over at least one - and that's if you're lucky. Burrard bridge poses a few unique and interesting challenges that will greatly shape it's future in the city of Vancouver, and certainly affect our usage, but for now... the history!

Tomorrow is Access Awareness Day

Anna — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:12:23 -0800

On June 7th, pause and think about accessibility, and what it means for those of us with disabilities. Access Awareness Day is put on by the Social Planning and Research Council (SPARC BC), which is one of this province's key actors producing research around accessibility, income security, and development. The campaign is aimed primarily at encouraging businesses to make their workplace more inclusive for consumers and workers with visible and invisible disabilities. This encompasses accessibility through design and through the way we approach and talk about inclusion.

If you'd like to see how you can extend this to your own workplace, download SPARC's Access Is Everyone's Business Booklet from their website for information and ideas.

Image courtesy of sp_clarke in the BR Flickr Pool.

Morning Brew: June 6th

Duran — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:01 -0800

So I'm sad to report that Jon and Sean have both been simultaneously obliterated by asteroids. Shame. Most of you may be sad (some I'm certain are celebratory), but Morning Brew must continue! So I guess this will be my inaugural Brew, booyah. Some big shoes to fill. Seeing as how I now have the supreme power of the interconnected network of tubes in my shiny new Kits digs, it's time to get crackin' son.

Speaking of my new pad, it's amazing that I was able to find a place to rent among the throngs of other renters on the market, without encountering any notorious Craiglist scammers. Now, all I need to worry about are these folks. (Thanks to Darryl for that last link. Let's just hope your 360 overheats on them at least. Plus, last laugh's on them when those HD-DVDs depreciate like a rock!)

Meetups in Vancouver: Yes, No, Maybe So?

Anna — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 06:42:07 -0800

Vancouver looks great on paper. It will always be at the top of "most livable city" lists courtesy of magazines like the Economist and consulting companies like Mercer. But.... the city doesn't have those intangible qualities that make it an exciting and stimulating place to be. Not for me, anyways. But, say my friends, you're just not looking hard enough. So after I came back from China, I began searching. And although I still haven't found that je ne sais quoi, Meetups have definitely made me a little less bitter and a little more hopeful.

Meetups are organized in cities all over the world by people who share the same interests. They range from the banal to the random, and they cater to both broad and niche groups. Can't find what you want? Start your own. The concept of a website that brings together locals with common interests is simple and effective, and has arguably helped bring a little closeness to societies increasingly steeped in individualism.

My own experience with meetups after the jump...

Wheat Prices in Vancouver

Sean — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:25:49 -0800

Seriously. This is what I need to to talk about right now. It might not be as popular as Bed Bugs in Vancouver, but hey, its ruining my life. I work at a deli. A very, very popular deli called So.cial at Le Magasin. We recently adjusted our prices to the ridiculous inflation of wheat prices not once but twice. I will say this once people, there are people fucking rioting in the streets to get a bag of grain. $14 for a humongous sandwich and a bag of chips isn't a bad deal. Suck it up you self-important schmucks, this is the realization that an economy structured entirely around the myth of an endless bountiful of energy, a system that is unable to subtract, unable to reflect the true price of things. This is the world of Peak Food. Jesus, even the National Post have figured it out by now.

I get paid 10 bucks an hour to feed what feels like the entire population of Gastown, and all I hear are people complain. Yes, it actually costs us a dollar to wrap your sandwich into two separate packages. That's because you're douche-bag friends on Howe Street are raking it in on Wheat Futures. Can you believe there is such a thing as Wheat Futures in the first place? What's next, water futures? Or is that totally already happening? Fuck it, all I know is that your sammich is 14 dollars and either pay or don't. Sorry if I come across rude, I just don't really want to hear about it from you becuase I'm super busy, mmm kay? Next...

Morning Brew: May 28th

Sean — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:50:51 -0800

B.C. opening door to foreign security guards at Olympics. Hey cool, they can all wear the colours of their country. Just be wary if there's a particularly large contingent from Saudi Arabia. Especially since its the winter Olympics. But other than that, super fun times ahead!

B.C. Supreme Court rules closing safe injection site unconstitutional. Next up to be made unconstitutional: cutting welfare, raising tuition, and those Axe commercials.

Hey, did you know that John Reynolds is the lobbyist for Sam Sullivan's drug-substitution project? who is also the lobbyist for lobbyist Ken Dobell, who is Sullivan's lobbyist as well as Gordon Campbell's. John Reynolds lobbies Ken Dobell on behalf of the feds, while Sullivan just hangs out in lobbies waiting for the elevator.

Meanwhile Oppal retreats halfway on Bill 42. Like everything you do Fischer; big show, no results.

Canadian Government Wants to Search Your Laptop. Just in case you decided to hide tiny vials of hotel shampoo in there. But seriously, no fucking fluids people! Nothing. Not even lemons. Or steak.

our alternative transportation is...

Vancouver History: Streetcars

jz — Mon, 26 May 2008 08:54:59 -0800

Transportation is always a big issue in Vancouver. With our mish-mash system of bridges, tunnels, skytrains, and buses (and the occasional ferry), new developments are usually welcomed - until we subsequently use them and then proclaim that they're horrible and lots of taxpayer dollars were wasted. Such is life in Lotusland, I suppose. Regardless, it seems that while we're currently trying to come up with new ways to get around Vancouver, we used to have a very effective means: Streetcars!

Saddle Up! Bike to Work Week Starts Monday

dave — Thu, 22 May 2008 12:06:55 -0800

Ask any cyclist who commutes to work and they'll tell you the ride is often the best part of their day. Think about it. A great wakeup in the morning, fresh air, exercise, you can even have a coffee while you ride (the seawall that is). Coming home from work, you get that great buffer that takes you from work mode back to real life. Ah, the sweet life on two wheels. I've been doing it for eight years now and even on those damp morns, everything is still alright a few minutes into the ride.

The Lower Mainland's second annual Bike to Work Week begins this Monday, May 26. Organized by the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC), the point is to get more bums onto bike seats, and they have the goods to get you sorted. From "rush hour" commuter stations (check this handy map) to afternoon BBQs, bike-a-day giveaways and themed rides about town, both new and experienced cyclists will find more fun and support than imagined.

It's a simple step with complex repercussions. Do it for any number of reasons: eliminating carbon emissions, combating high gas prices, fine tuning your health and fitness, relieving stress, or, my fave, the sheer fun of cycling our city's greenways and bike routes.

Vancouver History: Letters to the Editor, Kitsilano

jz — Mon, 19 May 2008 10:49:02 -0800

When I picked up that book about Stanley Park history that made up the last two weeks posts, I also managed to grab a great book called The Way We Were: BC's Amazing Journey to the Millennium by the staff of the Province newspaper. It's filled with great photos and articles from BC's past starting at just before 1900 and it does a great job of capturing how fresh and new BC is in terms of our history. Seeing photos of horse drawn wagons cutting through a path above the Thompson River in 1867 really gives you an interesting glimpse into what the landscape was like and how treacherous it must have been to settle in the Lower Mainland.

A Tale of Two Shitties: Part 2

Sean — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:52:42 -0800

Spacial relationships are entirely different in Toronto than in Vancouver. Most of the Lower Mainland's rapid transit is based on the suburbs, so there is a north-south dynamic that entirely leaves out the downtown core/Broadway-UBC corridor. Its as though the Go Train was our only mass transit. We have no subway, so to walk for half an hour is not considered far. The conversion of brownstones into duplexes have allowed the city develop in a more dense, organic, community oriented manner; there are no front lawns and everything looks like it has been slowly added to, giving it a strange look. The resulting network of neighbourhoods makes up the city as a whole. On our first day it seemed every single neighbour was out of their house discussing their new gigantic recycling bins. Speaking of recycling, not only are TO's bins the size of Tie Domi, but they also have composting. And they have these monstrous public garbage/paper/cans bins everywhere. Toronto also appears to be a pretty good town to ride bikes in, but that's mostly because its flat.