realia

lights on the city

I don't take a lot of pride in working on Bay Street. I dig the historical address, but I don't work for, or associate myself with the suits that surround me on the sidewalks every day. I despise the big banks that own the area and who happen to be among the richest companies in Canada who hold the citizens of this country under a great big ugly warty thumb.

But like that kid I mentioned yesterday who squints her eyes to create watercolours on the night, I'm a sucker for the big mother Christmas decorations trying to out ostentatious each other in and around the towers. I love the big shiny Christmas down here.

 

 

Is that wrong?

 

cavalcade of lights

In which we get up close and personal with thousands to watch the lighting of the tree and subsequent fireworks at Nathan Phillips Square (Toronto City Hall).

autumn night walking: city hall

Toronto City Hall

Fountains at Nathan Phillips Square

 

As we're about to roll over into late autumn and the revert back to standard time, it occurs to me that many of my shots will be taken under a night sky.

 

foggy

Oh how I love a misty morning.  I walk the long way down Wellington just to see those towers languishing behind the low hanging clouds.

nuit blanche 2012

People observing. David Pecaut Square

Skylum - in the CBC Broadcast Centre Atrium

Toronto's Nuit Blance, 2012.  In which we go out at bedtime and find art in the city.  And lots and lots of people.

fountains on a hot day

Today I am really busy at work until mid afternoon, when I finally get out of the office for a bit to go for a walk.  I'm chilled from sitting at a desk in the air conditioning all day, but I find out, pretty quick, how hot it is outside.  In the circumstances, it's pleasant to encounter these fountains.  The sun is so blinding, I can't see the screen of my phone to determine if these photos are working.  I don't suppose professional photgraphers point and shoot at a subject and just hope for the best.  But I never claimed to be professional; only wanting to capture moments.

piano number 18

After work I meet up with Cathy and Elaine who are back in town for a mom/daughter date to see Coldplay at the ACC.  We have dinner at Against the Grain and after we come across one of the 41 Pianos at Sugar Beach.  Elaine tickles the ivories.  She shouldn't quit her day job.

stopped for a bit

First day of vacation today.  Most of it devoted to being ready for the rest of the vacation.  

In the afternoon I ride downtown to do a couple of quick things at the office, go to the gym, and shop for a few items.  When six o'clock rolls around I'm famished, and stop at Fran's for that big salad.  I can't get a seat on the patio, but that's okay.  All those shmucks that did get seats on the patio won't get to be sitting on the deck of the cottage on the Manitoulin Island next week.

Before getting on my bike to head home, I find this sculpture of a little family in Berczy Park.  I think it's an appropriate shot in celebration of my upcoming holiday with my family.

arches evoking

The Allen Lambert Galleria.  Or, the "Crystal Cathedral of Commerce."  It is quite dramatic and very beautiful; meant, I read, to evoke a forest canopy or a tree lined avenue.  I think it evokes the hundreds of green glass towers that are constantly redefining our skyline.  Reminding me, again, of that lurching Emerald City.  Bay Street, Toronto.

pleasantly tired

Hydrangeas blooming at York Quay. Magical splashes of blue, purple and pink on a Sunday morning.

Ship and Ferry. Waiting for Cathy and Stan at York Quay.

Bike ride out to Humber River. Funny what you find when you stop for a drink of water in Toronto.

Sugar Beach. Apres bike ride.

Jazz Fest at the Distillery District. Kept noticing this girl in the second storey window near where we had planted ourselves to listen to music for awhile.

Found this museum-ish display near the public loo at the Distillery District. How beautiful are those colours?

Distillery District, Toronto

Distillery District, Toronto

 

Coffee in bed.  Meeting up with Cathy and Stan for brunch.  Rain not happening.  Bike ride.  Jazz fest.  

Coming home this evening, I see a girl who looks strikingly like I did 35 years ago.  It's like seeing a ghost.

Pleasantly tired is how Ceri describes himself at the end of today.  I concur.