Morning Brew: August 15, 2008

The number of major B.C. construction projects keeps growing. Spending some decent time on the streets of downtown Vancouver today, It almost looks like we're in the process of digging the entire city up in preparation for some kind of secret relocation to Mars. Yeah, I lingered too long on the library steps staring at a ripped-up Robson Square while inhaling secondhand pot smoke, sue me.

Vancouver's street people won't be hidden for the 2010 Olympics. Are we just gonna pull a Beijing-style replacement; some sober, cleanshaven lookalikes who sweep the streets and shine our shoes? I hear we've got a lot of under-employed actors kicking around... And are the Vancouver games bound to be overshadowed by the spectacle of Beijing, Mr. Campbell? "No. I think it's... uh... we're going to have spectacular mountains for sure, I guarantee it." Yeah, the view here works wonders for the peace of mind.

Slot machines are a go in Hastings Park. Gov just loves to keep those addictions flowin', so long as they help pad the bureaucratic beer bellies. Um, longterm social costs? These things are a cancer.

Holy Fuck, ya damn conservatives! Never judge a record by its cover.

Wanna see a real life tasering? Friday night might be your best chance: SkyTrain Pub Crawl! P.S. don't wear sandals.

Read about the "time poverty" activism of Bliss Army, bringing spontaneous relaxation to victims of the downtown 'productivity' machine. Ladner's new solution for homelessness and depression amongst the real victims of "Lotusland": free hammocks?

VIA unearth an interview with local skating mogul Kevin Harris, which includes some footage of skaters down in Robson Square, before they chopped down all the trees and took the drills to the breakdancing pad. Meanwhile, Sarah Blyth the skateboard advocate is seeking a Vision nomination.

Zombiewalk 2008 gets underway on Saturday, 12:00pn at the VAG, with the official Zombie-A-Go-Go Afterparty at Sanctuary. Not sure how that differs from any other club night, but there ya go. It does give me an excuse to link to this song by Bill Baird and the criminally underrated {{{Sunset}}} - 'Zombies'. If you like that, check 'Just a Phase' and keep on going... experimental pop-rock bliss.

My pick for Saturday night : My!Gay!Husband! present Ladyhawk, Hard Drugs, and DJs at the Sweatshop, 10pm. (My!Gay!Husband! gives you Hard Drugs at the Sweatshop... this scene rules.)

This weekend is also AfrikaDey 2008 at the Croatian Cultural Center in Burnaby.

The Box in the Closet, the first in a series about a husband's decision to become a woman. Great stuff from the Vancouver Observer.

I imagine this will be the one you'll see on all the Friday front pages. I'm not one to add to the sensationalization train, but I will say this: if you're gonna rape a 13-year old boy, take pictures, and throw 'em online... have a better alibi than effect>swirl.

Long but important read: Errol Morris on photography as a weapon. Rock, schmock.

Need to find a copy of this book: Oral Sadism and the Vegetarian Personality.

An interview about the Pitt Meadows community garden. Here's a list of resources on community gardening in Vancouver, and here's a depressingly predictable photo of my local community garden. I keep saying we needed another condo complex down here anyway... the one behind me is almost finished and I just can't stay asleep in the morning without the monotonous drone of a jackhammer to drown out those damn seagulls.

Local Idiot To Post Comment on Internet. Bring it on.