Aberdeen is referred to as the “Silver City” on a good day, when the sun is shining and the granite stones glitter hopefully in the setting sun. But on a grim day, when the cold wind is blowing in from the North Sea, the grey buildings take on an oppressive feel. These are not the… Read More
The barista spies me from the corner of her eye as she serves a pair of customers standing along the pastry case. She is apologizing to them for confusing an order. The words pass with the familiarity of people who see each other every few days, but there is still a sense of obedience in… Read More
More 21st century planning tips
Library? Anybody seen the library?
Reblogged from my postawesome.tumblr.com account. I wrote this piece because, over the years, I have come to resent how little thought the Stanley A. Milner Library renovations gave to the engagement between the street, the transit stop in front of the building, and the addition that erased the former plaza that led up to the… Read More
Storytime: an arena tale
I’ve been trying to put my finger on it – what is it about the arena debate that bothers me so much? This isn’t your run-of-the-mill irritation at illogical arguments or exasperation at sloppy financial reports. This is deep down, under my skin. It is something that tickles my heart, like a painful cough after working… Read More
21st century planning tips
I compiled some tongue-in-cheek planning tips for eager young planners hoping to leave an indelible mark on their city. I’m hoping to publish it through Scholastic publishers in 2012. Just kidding. I’ll probably just photocopy it as a zine and distribute it at the next vegan lentil loaf recipe exchange.
An Intervention
The last time my Dad was in town, he told my sisters and I stories about saving up quarters to go watch films at the Gem Theatre. His stories from the 50s and 60s paint the area now labouring under the ‘The Quarters’ tag as a vibrant place, one busy with people and movement. So… Read More
