Toronto, Ontario.
Riverside neighbourhood: Delivery of new double bed for the new year, ordered online on Boxing Day sale. Had previously tried out store model in person, referred by salesman towards a firm old-style bed like they used to make. Not a fan of the pillow top style that we had brought down from Gravenhurst in 2019, when we were closing out the store. (Riverside neighbourhood, Toronto, Ontario) 20230104Queen Street Dental Centre: New tech in real-time 3-D dental scanning, assembling images captured from moving a wand around the mouth. Cracked molar yesterday, scheduled for new crown this morning. Resetting expectation that original teeth eventually wear down for elders. (Queen Street Dental Centre, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20230111Market Square: Lunar New Year of the Black Water Rabbit party, featuring @MikeHansen on okonomiyaki grill. Venue and inari sushi by @KellyOkamura, leading the toast of a New Moon in the evening, although the official time was late afternoon. Contributions to the buffet by some from #Systems Thinking Ontario regulars who we’ve only seen virtually for many months, and some east side neighbours whose kids attended the same schools of our sons. (Market Square, Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20230121Oma Chiropractic: Updated technology with chiropractic drop table, where a segment is fastened in a raised position, so that when doctor applies thrust, the table releases and patient’s body continues past the point of rest. Also receiving localized impacts from an activator adjusting instrument, rather than manual spinal adjustments. Loosening up lower back muscles from sitting at the computer too much last month. (Oma Chiropractice and Wellness Centre, Munro Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20230123Maha’s: Overdue weekday social lunch taken as opportunity to sample homestyle Egyptian cooking at a family-owned east end restaurant that doesn’t serve in evenings. Conversations about multi-year authoring projects with some pressures to come to a close. Leisurely midday break, but then back to homes for more writing. (Maha’s, Greenwood Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20230124McCleary Playground: South of Queen Street East, on the east side of the GO train tracks, the wall looks bare not only because it’s winter, but because trees were removed, presumably for the installation of future noise barriers. Entrances to the Riverside-Leslieville station on the Ontario line will be on the west side of the tracks, not this side. Beginning of a snowy afternoon rush hour, schoolchildren are walking home, not playing in the yard. (McCleary Playground, McGee Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20230125
Congee Queen Agincourt: Lunar New Year lunch, deferred by one week due to schedules, even with only half of our sons in town. Convened via three cars from scattered locations downtown, because crosstown traffic gets snarled. Early into the Year of the Rabbit, prospects are looking up. (Congee Queen, Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario) 20230128
Toronto, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario
The Second City Toronto: Intermission at early Saturday show in new venue, with bumpers on television screens recalling the history of The Second City performers in previous theatres. Six cast members in extended skits involve longer stories than improv shows we’ve recently seen. Ladies may be uncomfortable in east unisex washroom with toilets and urinals; the west facilities have one room with toilets and urinals alongside another room with toilets only. (The Second City, 1 York Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221203One York Street: On elevated walkway, just west of bridge northbound to Scotiabank Arena, Banksy (2010) Guard with Baloon Dog was installed in 2017 as part of PATH route. After an early show at The Second City, the family took a scenic stroll, unsuccessfully making all of the right turns to stay inside. Our sons are more familiar with the current nightlife spots than the parents. (One York Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221203John M. Kelly Library: Big splash of colour with @GinaRorai (2007) Are You There, painting 72″ x 60″ visible as soon as the door in the third floor stairway is flung open. The work of the Toronto-based artist probably gets scant attention by hundreds of students who pass by every day. The art is part of the Donovan Collection, the benefactor a professor at the university. (John M. Kelly Library, St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto) 20221206Centre for Social Innovation Annex: Arrived @csiTO Holiday Gathering around 7pm, the live art station for community painting had already been in progress for 2 hours. When we left at 9:30pm, unclear whether more contributions had improved aesthetics. Vegan chili, bread bar and non-dairy cheese, speeches, dance performance, conversation in a room with loud music. (Centre for Social Innovation Annex, Bathurst Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20221208
Bliss Chinese Cuisine: Entrance of bride MY and groom JL in traditional Chinese attire, followed by dancing lions and drummers, halfway through banquet. City hall wedding in the morning, gathering with family and friends in the afternoon to share festivities. Event was put on the calendar only 5 weeks prior, lots of support gained by the circle of friends. (Bliss Chinese Cuisine, Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario) 20221210
Bliss Chinese Cuisine: Family weddings are a rare occasion to catch up with extended family, convening from around the province. Stories related about unfortunate scheduling, recent births, and infants sequestered away from crowds. The increased height of children is a reminder that we should visit more frequently. (Bliss Chinese Cuisine, Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario) 20221210Bliss Chinese Cuisine: Honoured to share afternoon with cousin bride, and meet the groom for the first time. Banquet of 10 courses as per tradition, we observed the couple visiting table-by-table, leading toasts and chatting with guests. Lion dance and comedian were unusual, heartfelt thanks to parents closed the festivities. (Bliss Chinese Cuisine, Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario) 20201210Mustard Seed: In downstairs atrium, Christmas Tree to celebrate the season. Short visit with DY on Movie + Pizza program, not really a participant. Afternoon walk around the neighbourhood, near freezing temperature clear of snow. (Fontbonne Ministries, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20221220On The Rocks: Reunion of the #SystemsThinking TO meetup founded by @DerailleurAgile, that I joined 2018-2020. The group went on hiatus, just before pandemic shutdowns, and meetings in person have since become the exception. The planned place for tonight was the after-meeting drinks venue Betty’s on King, but its impending shutdown has attracted swarms, leading a staff member to suggest walking south and west. (On The Rocks, Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20221220Riverside neighbourhood: Holiday plans disrupted by flight delays from Vancouver. Drove to Pearson for pickups, 1:00 a.m. arrival came home at 5:00 a.m. after waiting for luggage was fruitless; 3:00 a.m. arrival is still at airport at 1:00 p.m. to file claim for lost luggage. Chinese beef stew for Dec. 23 dinner has become Dec. 24 lunch, if we can coordinate time zone shifts. (Riverside neighbourhood, Toronto, Ontario) 20221224Gautama: The lights are still bright in Little India on December 24 evening, so Indian buffet was a nice change of pace for a family meal. None of us refilled our plates as much as we used to, and the appreciation of vegetables is higher. Easy access in the local neighbourhood was appreciated, with temperatures still below seasonal norms. (Gautama, Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20221224Riverside neighbourhood: Daughter-in-law and sister on first visit to Toronto, holiday season meant all of our sons are in town. Still recovering from delayed flights from Vancouver, plus jet lag. House decorated for Christmas holidays, more family events ahead. (Riverside neighbourhood, Toronto, Ontario) 2022122Riverside neighbourhood: Opening Christmas stockings on December 24, as Christmas Day gets busy with in-law commitments scheduling. New experience for Vietnamese nationals on diasporic Canadian protocols around holidays. Lineup on the stairs has been an ritual for our sons since they were young. (Riverside neighbourhood, Toronto, Ontario) 20221224Dragon Pearl York Mills: Reservations for 11, lunch choices included turkey, although Asian specialties seemed more popular. Opportunity for grandfather to meet up with family now mostly scattered across Toronto, extended through grandsons marriages. Many trips out to the serving queues, with notable repeat visits to stations for sashimi and for duck. (Dragon Pearl Buffet, York Mills Road, Toronto, Ontario) 20221225Woodbine Beach: Brightly coloured lounge chairs facing Lake Ontario, but cold winter winds discouraged a long stay. Educating a newcomer to Canada on dressing tips in a 35-degree switch drop from Vietnam last week, includes the use of a hood when a toque isn’t desirable. Winter fences have led to an off-leash area where dogs are overjoyed to be playing together, while their masters are calling for them. (Woodbine Beach, Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto, Ontario) 20221225
Riverdale Farm: The sheep in the paddocks on Residence Road don’t recognize Christmas Day, so the City of Toronto Parks employees treat this as a regular day. With the sun setting, the sheep’s started bleating together, and moving towards the west fence. Attentions may have be drawn to movements over in the horses being moved indoors for the evenings, with an expectation by the sheep for equal privileges. (Riverdale Farm, Winchester Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221225
Scotiabank Arena: Family arrived into 9 seats, just in time to rise for the singing of O Canada. Boxing Day afternoon game between Toronto Marlies and Belleville Senators. Many more sports fans came with children, later waving to the roaming cameras to get their faces on the big screen. (Scotiabank Arena, Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221226
Scotiabank Arena: Mid-game faceoff in third period of Toronto Marlies (tied for first rank in the leauge) versus Belleville Senators (last in rank) on Boxing Day. Control of the puck was with the Marlies winning 3 to 2, with 36 shots on net compared to 20 for the Senators. Special occasion with visitors new to Canada, one son commented that we’ve never gone to a professional sporting event as a family. (Scotiabank Arena, Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221226Scotiabank Arena: Family from overseas joining for the full Canadian experience, watching the Toronto Marlies defeat the Belleville Senators in a Boxing Day match, 3-2. First taste of poutine from the concession stands. Subgroup continued on to Eaton Centre to see the crowds, more than shopping. (Scotiabank Arena, Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221226Tim Hortons Airport Road: One 10-pack of Timbits, please! Waiting near the airport, as one of our holiday visitors is seeking the luggage that wasn’t unloaded off the plane 3 days ago, deadheading back westward. I’m not a frequent customer of this Canadian institution, as I don’t drink coffee, and would buy donuts for others to enjoy. (Tim Hortons, Airport Road, Toronto, Ontario) 20221227Gristmill Lane: Spiky illuminated art installation named The Snow Family resembling the uniqueness of snowflakes on Gristmill Lane. Winter Village market on December 27 was busy with visitors on the Boxing Day observance, when most other venues were still closed for holidays. Tourist-oriented kiosks welcomed customers, regular businesses and galleries had locked doors. (Gristmill Lane, Distillery District, Toronto, Ontario) 20221227Service Canada Gerrard Square: The good news is that Service Canada treats every individual the same; the bad news is that on the first working day after Christmas, the line can be long. Assisted newcomer with S-1 (not an SW-1) visa obtain a Social Insurance Number, as Government of Canada has improved privileges for students, allowing off-campus work while still enrolled in school. Waited 4 hours standing in line to be assigned a chair in the queue, then 30 minutes to see an official; next time, there’s an online booking system for a timed appointment. (Service Canada, Gerrard Square, Toronto, Ontario) 20221228Art Gallery of Ontario: In the #EdPien (2022) Present: Past/Future exhibition, furniture installation has signs encouraging visitors to sit and become immersed. Secondhand items were sourced from individuals in Toronto, reminiscent of the repurposing of found objects from 13 elderly members of San Agustin suburb of Havana, Cuba who were recorded and interviewed. Showing newcomer from Vietnam how Canadians share time together indoors despite the season, when inclement conditions make outdoor cafes impractical. (Art Gallery of Ontario, Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20221228Art Gallery of Ontario: In career retrospective, #DenyseThomasos (1999) Virtual Incarceration is acrylic on canvas 11 feet high by 20 feet wide. After her figurative paintings in the 1990s, the artist moved towards abstraction referencing the grid as a pervasive modernist device. The monochrome of this work led into other pieces with more splashes of colour. (Art Gallery of Ontario, Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20221228Upper Cornell: Invited for holiday season hotpot with my father’s friend’s family. One pot cooking meat, with the other pot vegan, as I wasn’t the only plant-based diner at the table. Convening family from Montreal, they reported travel past vehicles still in the ditch on the 401, from recent inclement weather. (Upper Cornell, Markham, Ontaro) 20221229
36 Lisgar Street: Moderating the White Elephant Holiday Potluck, with attendees contributing gifts to the pool. Each then drew a sequence to choose an unwrapped gift, or steal the gift of a prior selector. Good opportunities for catching up with friends, starting at 4pm and running through 11pm. (36 Lisgar Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221230
Toronto, Ontario
Ren Clinic: Chinese herbs for 7 days, each basket used to sort little sachets to be dissolved with a half cup of hot water for consuming at lunchtime. A modern customization prescribed for my father, the usual format I see is either as vials of tablets to be counted out, or a litle bag of leaves and twigs to be brewed as a decoction. Double explanations by the Chinese doctor, once in English, and then again in Cantonese. (Ren Clinic, Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario) 20221102Imperial Pub: In the west room, family came to watch @adriank_yee in Musicians Anonymous jam hosted by @thepom.co . Groove feels like the San Francisco in the 1960s, better than the more univeral 12-bar blues. First in a series expected to repeat on Wednesday evenings, had some slight pauses to run an extension cord across the room, the electronics were drawing too much power off one circuit. (Imperial Pub, Dundas Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20221102Ivan Forrest Gardens: Two red chairs bolted to the ground, with a view of yellow deciduous leaves falling to the ground. Fencing from streetscape improvements in place since the spring have been removed, now clear walkway north into the Glen Stewart Ravine. Scheduled bicycling early, shift out of Daylight Savings Time means sunset around 5pm. (Ivan Forrest Gardens, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20221106Udupi Palace: Catching up on some missed years, since old friends only remember our sons as teenagers. Unexpected spiciness in the assorted appetizers with the chili pakoras. Appreciated guidance through the dosa filled with potatoes and onions, and the rice-based bisi bele bath. (Udupi Palace, Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20221109Onsite Gallery: Moose skulls @Artist_JBennett (2022) Netukulit on wall made from gift, (2022) Embrace on floor from three antlers harvested in community. Color patterns inspired by quill boxes and sear covers in Mi’kmaq community. Gallery is dedicated to solo exhibition titled Souvenir. (Onsite Gallery, Richmond Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 2022110
Onsite Gallery: #JordanBennett (2022) Aosamia’jij: Behind glass on south wall, 18th and 19th century Mi’kmaq boxes, baskets and fan handle, many borrowed from #RoyalOntarioMuseum, paired on north wall with soundtrack played on hybrid basket-speakers, trimmed with sweet grass. Multiple tracks separated, so the sound moved across the five sources. Technology for Aosamia’jij 2022 by @jordanbennettart last appeared in Smithsonian in 2017. (Onsite Gallery, Richmond Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20221110
Corkin Gallery: Montreal-based #PeterCampbell (2021) Shrouded Guardians oil on canvas. Recorded interview by artist described paint applied in layers, drying slowly, leading to slow production. Outside in the Distillery District, workers were in the process of installing Christmas decorations while temperatures dropped. (Corkin Gallery, Tank House Lane, Distillery District, Toronto, Ontario) 20221112Nathan Phillips Square: Multicultural holiday season approaching, city worker in crane basket adding ornaments to the Christmas tree to be lit in Calvacade of Lights opening in 3 days on November 26. Lighting the first candle on the menorah will coincide with Hannakah on December 18. Plaza was clear of snow, with a mound pushed in the corner from last week’s precipitation. (Nathan Phillips Square, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20221123Brookfield Place: In #AllenLambertGalleria, #StudioFMinus (2022) Snowfall:Frost is a 20-foot tall blue interactive sculpture inspired by the Y shape of the corridors, repeated in fractal patterns as might be seen in a frosted-over window plane. Rows of smaller ceiling fixtures in white carry the theme into the alcoves. Out bicycling downtown on a warmer than usual day, but sunset persists in late afternoon. (Brookfield Place, Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221126Elmsley Place: Red bow, green fringes, white and blue lights on the laneway leading up to Brennan Hall. Originally a residential neighbourhood of Victorian houses in the 1890s, St. Michael’s College purchased title to the street in the 1920s. Residences for students are steps away from the commercial hubbub of Yorkville. (Elmsley Place, St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto) 20221129Centre for Social Innovation Spadina: At @ForesightCAC Demo Day, Xavier from @PicketaSystems describing the real-time plant tissue analysis system for farms. Successful pilots with eastern Canadian potato farmers, announced first customer in Alberta. Presentation was one of four promising ventures in cleantech. (Centre for Social Innovation, Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20221130
Madrid, Spain; Barcelona, Spain; Mora La Nova, Spain; Mora d’Ebre, Spain; Valleta de Piro; Toronto, Ontario
Puerta Del Príncipe: Changing of the guard at the Royal Palace of Madrid on Saturday 1pm is for show, as only state ceremonies have been done in the building since the official residence moved in 1975. On the hour, the two guards and the horses are changed. Arriving late for the previous half hour, we strolled the greenery of the Jardines de Sabatini to the north, where stables were formerly located. (Puerta Del Príncipe, Calle de Bailén, Madrid , Spain) 20221001
Mercado de San Fernando: Saturday 3:30pm the market was noisy, with restaurants and bars full of customers. Aside from the light in the central atrium, the warren of corridors was full of occupied stools, that visitors would have to weave around to locate a very few real retail stores where food could be brought for meals at home. Earlier, we opted for a quieter lunch up in Los Mostenses, when the renmants of an old Chinatown were evident. (Mercado de San Fernando, Calle de Embajadores, Madrid, Spain, 20221001
La Casa Encendida: Courtyard exhibits for “Ecologías para otras arquitecturas” [Ecologies for Other Architectures] two-day show. Foreground TAKK [Mireia Luzárraga + Alejandro Muiño] 2022 (No)humanos: Refugios para cotorras [(Non-)human: shelters for monk parakeets] wooden slats and metal mesh catenaries covered with mud, branches and grass hope to attract descendants of the Argentine parrots who have become invasive and are under extermination. Background Pareid Architecture (2022) Desmantelamiento gamificado: Variaciones de una cabaña primitiva [Gamed dismantling: variations of a primitive cabin] made of reclaimed wood held together by clamps, is the minimum needs for a shelter for a physical computer gamer’s hut. (La Casa Encendida, Plaza de San Martin, Madrid, Spain) 20221001Chocolateria San Gines: Two orders of hot dark chocolate fondue with 6 churros each, to end off a full day of touring Madrid. At 9pm, the outdoor tables had a queue waiting, but we were seated within minutes at an indoor table of the cafe founded in 1894. DY calculates the calories higher in the churros than in the chocolate, possibly forgiveable with the 26,000 steps taken this day. (Chocolatería San Ginés, Pasadizo de San Ginés, Madrid, Spain) 20221001
Museo de Historia de Madrid: A litter to transport sick patients by the Hermandad del Refugio de Madrid [Madrid Brotherhood of Rufuge], founded 1615, for the needy and homeless on city streets. Learned that Madrid as primarily a centre for royals and finance, with few craftsmen or manufacturers before the 20th century. In addition, the disconnection between Spanish royalty and the common people led to the fall of the nation to Napoleon in the early 1800s, and issues with leadership for many centuries. (Museo de Historia de Madrid, Calle de Fuencarral, Madrid, Spain) 20221002
Teleferico de Madrid: Cablecar return from Estación de Casa de Campo in Parque Casa de Campo, eastbound to Estación Rosales in Parque del Oeste. Each journey is 11 minutes, crossing over Rio Manzanares, train tracks northwest from Príncipe Pío station, and the Autopista de Circunvalación M-30 motorway. Overivew of sparse trees in the arid climate, with a few picnics and solo thinkers under the shade. (Teleferico de Madrid, Estación Rosales, Madrid, Spain) 20221002
Estacion Madrid – Puerta de Atocha: Boarded Renfe Alta Velocidad Española [Spanish High Speed Train] to travel from Madrid to Barcelona. Up to peak 300 kph, the journey took 2.5 hours. Countryside terrain arid to almost desert, first travelling northeast to Zaragoza, and then eastbound with more civilization approaching the sea. (Estación Madrid – Puerta de Atocha, Plaza del Emperador Carlos V, Madrid) 20221003Platja de la Barceloneta: View from Barceloneta Beach down the coast south slightly after dusk might not have been improved 10 minutes earlier, because the set doesn’t set when facing east. The seaside neighbourhood is a peninsula, with restaurants and hotels ringing the waterfront. Coming from a hotel on the west side, the bus route took us by two large cruise ships at port. (Platja de la Barceloneta, Barcelona, Spain) 20221003La Sagrada Familia: On the Nativity Facade, rode to elevator up to 65 metres of the 98 metre height, and started the 504-step descent on the spiral staircase. A few minutes down, through the chain links covering an open window, the pinnacles on the apse pediment feature sculptures of the spring fruit of the Virgin Mary. e.g. rose hips, oleaster, dates, olives and grapes. Other visitors were patient with our careful stepping on shaded steps, our thighs were wobbly near the end. (La Sagrada Familia, Calle de Mallorca, Barcelona, Spain) 20221004Museu d’Història de Barcelona: In 1995, a clock found in disuse at Boqueria market was handed over to the museum. It was traced back to 1907, by the watchmaker of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Barcelona, Josep Besses. This was part of the temporary exhibition “Alimentar Barcelona. Ciutat, proveïment i salut” [Feed Barcelona. City, supply and health] on food security within the municipality and region. We preceded that show with a walk underground through the ruins of the old city governed by Rome from 10 BCE until the fall of the empire. (Museu d’Història de Barcelona, Plaça del Rei, Barcelona, Spain) 20221014Pavimento Miro: The mosaic, 8-metres in diameter, was 6000 terrazzo tiles designed in 1976 by Joan Miró, intended to be unprotected, with pedestrians walking over it every day. With the surface deteriorating and colours fading, the Barcelona City Council restored the artwork in 2006 to mark its 30th anniversary. The pathway is busy, so inattentive travellers are likely interrupt any unrehearsed photograph. (Plaza de la Boquería, La Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain) 20221004Museu d’Historia de Catalunya: Diorama of farming when the region was called Al-Andulus, as dry farming of wheat was transitioned in the 11th century to more varied produce through introduction of the technology of irrigation, by the Moors (Muslim rulers). Museum traced Catalonia back to ancient Roman rule, up to the 20th century leadership by and after Francisco Franco. Educational short history of socioeconomics, coincided with two teachers giving lectures to classes of school-aged children. (Museu d’Història de Catalunya, Placa de Pau Vila, Barcelona, Spain)Mora la Nova train station: Arriving by train, this small town shows its size by the narrow pedestrian walk that crosses over tracks that are active only a few times per day. Terminus was less chaotic than departure at Barcelona-Sants, where the electronic signs were slow catching up the reality of late trains forcing a shift of platforms, back up the escalators and then down the other side. Attending research symposium across the river in Mora d’Ebre for 3 days, at a base set up by the CSRP Institute. (Mora la Nova, Tarragona, Spain) 20221005Cafe Noisette: Break for lunch at the CSRP Institute Symposium on one of the small plazas in town, just down the street from the 200-year old Catalan townhouse. Gained advantage of meeting in person, for continuing discussion and adding ideas. Hidden behind the trees is a statue of Julio Antonio, Spanish sculptor 1889-1990). (Cafè Noisette, Plaça de Dalt, Móra d’Ebre, Tarragona, Spain) 20221006
Castell de Mora, Ebro river: The castle of Mora is documented back to 1060, when the a Catalan nobleman Mir Geribert, the self-declared Prince of Olèrdola, attempted to to conquer the Muslim fortress, and died during the attack. In the 15th century, the castle was fortified for the First Carline War, and then again in the Spanish Civil War of 1936 as a command and supply centre. By the end of that war, the ruin was total. The river Ebre (in Catalan, or Ebro in Spanish) was the dividing line after the First Punic War (264-241 BC) between the Romans to the north (where Mora la Nova is today) and the Carthaginans to the south (where Mora d’Ebre has been). (Castell de Mora, Raval de Jesús, Móra d’Ebre, Tarragona, Spain) 20221006
Església del Sagrat Cor + Convent de les Mínimes: Arrived too late for doors to be open for the 6:30pm service, at the Church of the Sacred Heart, inaugurated in 1894. Alongside the Convent of the Minimes, the female branch of the congregation founded by San Francisco de Paula in the 1500s was chartered by Sister Filomena Ferrer Galzeran in her home town of Mora d’Ebre. While the tomb of Sister Filomena was destroyed in 1936, her cause for beatification was introduced on 1891, leading to Pope Leo XIII declaring her venerable in 1897, and Pope John Paul II approving her decree as a saint in 1989. (Església del Sagrat Cor + Convent de les Mínimes, Plaça de la Venerable Sor Filomena Ferrer, Móra d’Ebre, Tarragona, Spain) 20221007Valleta de Piro: Outer structure of a two-bedroom house unoccupied for some years, renovations are in the plans for the new owners. The land below is terraced, but the vegetation has reverted to the wild, and needs to be managed. On the ridge in the distance, windmills were turning and generating electricity. (Valleta de Piro, La Torre de l’Espanyol, Tarragona, Spain) 20221009Valleta de Piro: Picking ripe olives off the tree, they weren’t ready a few weeks ago. The nuts from the almond trees are finished for the year. Lots of rosemary and other herbs on the land, research required to identify other species. Shallow cave is a rock shelter, function to be determined. (Valleta de Piro, La Torre de l’Espanyol, Tarragona, Spain) 20221009Universitat de Barcelona Business School: Lectured on “Knowing Better Via Systems Thinking” for @ryanarmstrongHQ @ubbusinessbcn International Operations Management third-year class. Joined by colleagues from Creative Systemic Research Platform Institute towards building academic relationships witin Spain. Gave students a bigger perspective on learning, beyond the test scheduled for Thursday. (Universitat de Barcelona Business School, Avinguda Diagonal, Barcelona, Spain) 20221010Universitat de Barcelona Business School: Explored common research interests @ubbusinessbcn with @ryanarmstrongHQ and Creative Systemic Research Platform Institute members coming in on day trip from Mora d’Ebre, Tarragona. Call for papers for special issue on disruption and change is well suited for our current systems thinking agenda. Discussed initiating students in a broader mindset, not encouraged by multiple-choice tests. (Universitat de Barcelona Business School, Avinguda Diagonal, Barcelona, Spain) 20221010Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport: Sometimes hard to tell the difference between an airport terminal and a shopping mall. Relatively quick check in process, airport lounge is on pier D, AC flight is at end of pier E, a 10 minute walk. Focused time to get Systems Thinking Ontario announcement done before boarding plane. (Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, Barcelona, Spain) 20221011Matty Eckler Community Recreation Centre: Casted vote in last hour of advance polls for Toronto municipal election. No line up, showed voter card and ID, received ballot, filled in 3 bubbles. My preference is to judge the candidates from a bigger picture, rather than focusing on last minute promises and pleas. (Matty Eckler Community Recreation Centre, Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20221014The Bentway: Road noise from Gardiner Expressway overhead mixed with musical field by @annebourne, #StripedCanary (2022) Confluence installation of stacked reshaped picnic tables evokes underground rivers of Toronto. Made online reservation for viewing timeslot, welcomed by friendly check-in staff. Walked west up ramps, crossing over marsh south of the railway tracks. (The Bentway, Fort York Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario) 20221016
The St. Regis: Toronto alumni of @KelloggSchool met with Dean #FrancescaCornelli , in town for Kellogg-Schulich graduation next day. I was the earliest graduate at the event by over 15 years. Side discussion with director on challenges of pandemic in-person student classes on Evanston campus. (The St. Regis, Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221020Comedy Bar: Friday date night to @BadDogTheatre #Theatresports show, some laughs going into the weekend. Forty years of performances, two teams of three actors, improv games in three rounds. Moderator requests themes from the audience, scoring both by a judge and the levels of applause. (Comedy Bar, Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20221021The Rex: Started with daylight on Queen Street West, early evening set @andrewmarzotto guitar, @jonchapmanmusic bass, @austinonthedrums . Last of 4 week residency, covering familiar mainstream compositions. Glad to have options to listen to local music, aside from the few weeks of jazz festivals in the summer. (The Rex, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20221027
Ace Hotel: Rooftop view with patio heaters, reception mostly inside celebrating @TimOkamuraArt hosted by @PRGallery in town for @ArtToronto. We arrived early at Evangeline on 14th floor, later hearing of others queued up downstairs due to capacity constraints. Walking back to our car, passed many clubgoers dressed for Halloween, not our typical evenings these days. (Ace Hotel, Camden Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20221028
New York, NY; Toronto, Ontario; Madrid, Spain.
Roberta’s Bushwick: Checking quality of pizza fresh out of the oven, experiening the Bushwick neighbourhood. Will just have a weekend in the New York with 2 of our sons, before moving on. The urban vibe is energetic, but it’s getting harder for the elders to hear, over the music. (Roberta’s Bushwick, Moore Street, Brooklyn, NY) 20220902Roberta’s Bushwick: Dinner after a long day with family plans shifting, and then adjustments made en route. NYC weekend and then cruise to Bermuda was planned months ago, but I’ll be returning home on Monday before everyone else ships out. New York looks a little different since my last visit 7 years ago, but the energy persists. (Roberta’s Bushwick, Moore Street, Brooklyn, New York) 20220902Graham Ave, Avenue of Puerto Rico: Morning walk in neighbourhood to pick up bagels with lox cream cheese and tofu vegetable spread, and fruit. Apartment is full of light, home touches of our Chinese-American host. Slow start to a Saturday scheduled for art museums. (Graham Avenue (Avenue of Puerto Rico, East Williamsburg, New York, NY) 20220903
Williamsburg Bridge walk: Ambling eastbound from Williamsburg to the Lower East Side, on a warm September Sunday. Popular with joggers, bicyclists, and a few families with shopping bags. High outside fences unfortunately obstruct a scenic crossing. (Williamsburg Bridge, New York, NY) 20220904
Museum of Modern Art: Feeling small beside Gaetano Pesce (1970-1971) Moloch Floor Lamp, (1969) Up 5 Lounge Chair with Up 6 Ottoman, both made in Italy. Museum feels much larger than last visit years ago, I’ve lost my family walking around. Visitors to the galleries fully international. (Museum of Modern Art, 53rd Street, New York, NY) 20220903MacDougal Street: Salon conversation via @KositsMarianne with #PeterSkinner and @deadlinepundit on history in world affairs. Caucasus mountains blocking invasions of Georgia from the east; People’s Republic of China before opening to the west in the early 1970s. Tenement apartment in the heart of Greenwich Village since 1967, partygoers frequently sitting on the steep front steps up. (MacDougal Street, Greenwich Village, New York, NY) 20220903Whitney Museum of American Art: Fifth floor deck #DavidSmith (1961) Lectern Sentinel sculpture made of stainless steel, background southeast into Meatpacking District. Family plus friend walked through Lower East Side, Mott Street and Little Italy, and then discovered Columbus Park with Sun Yat Sen memorial. Called car service as we realized our time visiting museum would be limited by 6pm close. (Whitney Museum of American Art, Gansevoort Street, New York, NY) 20220904
Times Square: North view from 7th Avenue at 46th Street West, panning from northwest past George M. Cohan statue to look southeast. Labour Day weekend crowds were exceptionally packed and noisy. The bright lights were to wrap up a few family days in the bit city, followed by destination wayfinding to a strongly renowned pizza restaurant. (Times Square, 7th Avenue at 46th Street West, New York, NY) 20220904
Scarborough Health Network, Centenary Hospital: Fifth floor view northeast, gable skylights over the second floor below, and trees in the park around the Rouge River towards the eastern suburban edge of Metropolitan Toronto. Modernist facility constructed in 1967, with multiple expansions in decades following. Early admission for procedure with father scheduled tomorrow, medical professionals prefer control over food and drink for a day. (Scarborough Health Network, Centenary Hospital, Ellesmere Road, Scarborough, Ontario) 20220906Scarborough Health Network, Centenary Hospital: Behind the secure door, there’s a small children’s play area before the operating room corridor where only hospital scrubs are permitted. After the patient and family are briefed on the procedure, adults are normally asked to go to the waiting room outside the secure door. Normal scheduling aims for surgeries to finish off around 4:30pm, but urgent cases may see the doctors still onsite at 11pm. (Scarborough Health Network, Centenary Hospital, Ellesmere Road East, Scarborough, Ontario) 20220907Scarborough Health Network, Centenary Hospital: The first day recovering from surgery for my father, vital signs all look fine. We expect to visiting this semi-private room daily until he’s well enough to return home. Easing back onto solid food, a period of disorientation after general anaesthesia seems normal. (Scarborough Health Network, Centenary Hospital, Ellesmere Road East, Scarborough, Ontario) 20220908Scarborough Health Network, Centenary Hospital: After 11 days of wearing a hospital gown, got dressed in street clothes and walked out of the hospital. Now back at semiors apartment, where there’s no walker assistance, just handrails in the hallways. Only started on solid food again yesterday, so more rest and recuperation is ahead at home. (Scarborough Health Network, Centenary Hospital, Ellesmere Road, Scarborough, Ontario) 20220916Polson Street: The yellow of the Cherry Street Bridge South is distinct from the red of the Cherry Street Bridge North. The naturalization of the Polson Slip is still in progress, as the former rectilinear Ship Channel gains curves constructed in the River Valley to slow down fast-flowing water during anticipated major storms. Looking northward over the Lafarge cement operations, industrial production will continue long after the district transformation is complete in 2024. (Polson Street, Port Lands, Toronto, Ontario) 20220920Centre for Social Innovation Spadina: Festive spirit @csiTO Welcome Back Wine & Cheese party (with mocktails and vegan spreads) as first indoor event since the pandemic precautions started 2 years ago. Game cards with questions encourage meeting new people, exchangeable for drinks at the Social Capital Cocktail Bar after connection validated with writing on the back. Encourage to join the dancing, but that’s not my style. (Centre for Social innovation, Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20220922Thorncliffe Park Community Hub: Midafternoon break for bivalent booster vaccination, fifth in the series. Drove to the mall wtih a bike packed in the back to ride home, so that DY could continue shopping in the area. Feeling some stiffness, presuming recovery over the weekend. (Thorncliffe Park Community Hub, Overlea Boulevard, East York, Ontario) 20220923The Oud & the Fuzz: Entertaining in the urban Toronto style, on a rainy Kensington Market Pedestrian Sunday, with family visiting from Vancouver on business. Under the backyard pergola shelter, the band played bossa nova while we sampled Armenian small dishes. Walked to the local brewery for a 6-pack variety of flavours, enjoyed back in the apartment a little further south in Spadina Chinatown. (The Oud & the Fuzz, Kensington Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20220925
The Oud & the Fuzz: Bossa nova sax, guitar, bass and drums, in the backyard dining area under sheltering pergola, not further east on the stage exposed to the rain. Armenian entrees on the Kensington Market Pedestrian Sunday menu, with usual crowds diminished by the damp weather. Vancouver-side family gathering coinciding with business travel extending over weekend. (The Oud & the Fuzz, Kensington Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20220925
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, International: Arrived 3h45 minutes before flight to Madrid, after driving in local traffic in rush hour from Scarborough 1h40m. Long queue in priority check-in, followed by diversion from E gate entrance to D gate queues, then crossing back across airport to international gates. Travel for academic meeting has a last minute extension for university lectures, we’re happy to be in person rather than online. (Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, International, Pearson Airport, Toronto, Ontario) 20220929Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía: On the 3rd floor terrace, Miralda (1981) Tri-Uni-Corn sculpture of fibreglass and corn husks of ox, pig and lamb on a table, ready for traditoinal slaugher in the Kansas way. Large museum with wings added to a quadrangle, particularly rich early 20th century works by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro on the second floor. Arrived ready to view art after 4pm, after airplane landed at 11am, checking out hotel, having lunch, and figuring out the bus system (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Calle Santa Isabel, Madrid, Spain) 20220930Antón Martín Market: Hardly the first, but maybe one of the brighter and attractive displays of jamon iberico hanging from racks to attract customers. I’m unlikely to make a meal of pork, since I’m a vegan, but I enjoy the vibe of thriving public markets. Located in a less-touristy local, this public market seemed to offer a lot of Japanese food options. (Antón Martín Market, Calle de Santa Isabel, Madrid, Spain) 20220930
Huertas: Started wandering this neighbourhood before dusk, found a welcoming restaurant after considering tapas bars that serve similar limited menus. Seated at a high table with view on the intersection, observing groups of friends convening and wayfinding. Madrid is active at 10pm, lots of pedestrians providing eyes on the street. (Calle del Leon, Huertas, Madrid, Spain) 20220930
Toronto, Ontario; Orillia, Ontario
Ontario Place Cinesphere: Exited IMAX theatre at dusk, after enjoying Top Gun Maverick in a sold-out show. This cinema was the first permanent 70mm projector in 1971 when I saw “North of Superior”, compared to seeing my first commercial film here, tonight. We left home early to drive to the venue, not anticipating the crowd at the east gate going to see Young Money and Drake, as we crossed over to the west gate. (Ontario Place Cinesphere, Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto, Ontario) 20220806Chef 88 Oriental Cuisine: Full table of 10, with family dinner coordinated with arrivals from the south. Previous day travel from Woodstock NY by sister and husband via automobile, and son #4 via airplane. Catching up on news, maybe another opportunity later in the week. (Chef 88 Oriental Cuisine, Kennedy Road, Scarborough, Ontario) 20220807Dim Sum King: Summer Systems Conferences Debriefings planned outdoors for Grange Park were driven inside due to rain. Round table was a good configuration for comments and questions, but food arriving and active acoustics were distracting. Inclined to return to online meeting for next month. (Dim Sum King, Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20220808Port of Orillia: Tourism stop #LawrenceBoyer (2016) Weirs Story Pole depicts indigenous fisherman above, with fish getting tangled up in the threads below. Sister who actually lived in this city, early in her career, remarked how much the waterfront had changed. We gather in Toronto every few years, so trips north have a frequency approaching decades (Port of Orillia, Centennial Drive, Orillia, Ontario) 20220810Pizzeria Via Mercanti: Wood-fired Napoletana pizzas in a relaxed Kensington Market vibe a nice change from a week of Cantonese cuisine. Downtown evening with sister and brother-in-law, who moved away from downtown Toronto (and uptown Richmond Hill), and haven’t seen how much the city has changed. After-dark stroll across College Street and down Spadina Avenue, alongside viewing new condo apartments of sons now residing on the west side of town. (Pizzeria Via Mercanti, Augusta Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20220810Centre for Social Innovation Spadina: Laneway BBQ of burgers south of @csiTO coworking space, combined with Salad Club providing greens while invitees contribute toppings and dressings. Brief pause for speeches to recognize the sponsors, who were also manning the grills. A mix of members from the Spadina building + Bathurst Annex + virtual members with online privileges, enjoying mocktails and cocktails under perfect weather conditions. (Centre for Social Innovation, Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20220811Bentway Studio: Street furniture #MichaelLeePoy (2022) Moko Jumbie design has a mandoria of two intersecting congruent circles, representing eyeballs. Practice of balancing on stilts for the West African masquerade (mas) tradition in Afro-Caribbean communities calls for stepped tiers that afford seating, mounting and training. Further west are apartment towers of the CityPlace planned neighbourhood, filling over over the past 10 years. (Bentway Studio, Fort York Boulevard, CityPlace, Toronto, Ontario) 20220813Canoe Landing Park: Four times normal life size @DougCoupland (2009) Tom Thomson’s Canoe is at southwest corner of park, elevated above the height of the elevated Gardiner Expressway to the south. The bright red sculpture outer structure rests on concrete, made of steel and resin sufficiently durable for children to climb on top. A wall of condominium towers partitions the city from Toronto Harbour beyond. (Canoe Landing Park, Gardiner Expressway, CityPlace, Toronto, Ontario) 20220813Union Station: Outdoor stage @kazdouramusic Sunday evening @smallworldnotes series. Modern western electric guitar, keyboard synth and drum kit, yet vocals in Arabic understood by only a fraction of the audience. Lady at the next table was animated in recognition of songs, eventually sufficiently moved to stand up with belly dancing thrusts. (Union Station, Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20220814Centre for Social Innovation Annex: Panel discussion after @csiTO Cinema #FoodForTheRestOfUs @CarolineCoxFilm presented by @FoodSecureCAN @TYFPC . Documentary about leaders in 4 marginalized communities returning to the land, hands-on. Post-movie commentary relating programs in the region that provide opportunities and education for youth otherwise disadvantaged. (Centre for Social Innovation Annex, Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20220816Ontario Place West Channel: Bike riding westbound at dusk, the daylight is getting shorter past mid-summer. The Toronto Windshare turbine was turning slowly, generating electricity. To the south, I could the Toronto Summer Live Muisc Festival playing in Trillium Park, while bright lights of the Canadian National Exhibition were to the north. (Ontario Place West Channel, Martin Goodman Trail, Toronto, Ontario) 20220819Spadina Avenue at Dundas Street: Slow martial arts performance bearing staffs, on north stage of Chinatown Festival, while singing on south stage. Audience maybe half non-Asian, the other half Asian but not exclusively Chinese. Southbound Spadina Avenue closed to traffic for two blocks, while northbound traffic seems notably unimpeded. (Dundas Street at Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20220821Roncesvallles Avenue: Thankful to an honest anonymous Torontonian who turned in my lost wallet at a bank branch, cross town. I only noticed the missing item on Sunday night, after biking back from Spadina Chinatown, home. Teller phoned me after tracing a credit card. I have already requested replacements, and gotten temporary ID issued. (RBC Royal Bank, Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20220824Edward Gardens: Annual tradition of revisiting the fountain and renewing our vows, with a rare occasion to have all four sons in town at the same time, with grandfather. Reversed order to have dinner earlier, and then stroll around the gardens before dusk. Noted that we will lose our photographer from the past few years, as an official marriage means she should be included in future years. (Edward Gardens, Lawrence Avenue East, Don Mills, Ontario) 20220824
Centenary Hospital: Half dome mirror shows waiting in corridor outside CT Scan room in Diagnostic Imaging departrment. Urgent case prioritized appointment early in morning, waiting room filled up, and gurneys were staged in the hallway. Time in machine is only 5 minutes, but total includes drinking liquid, changing into gown, and inserting IV, for about 2 hours. (Scarborough Health Network, Centenary Hospital, Ellesmere Road, Scarborough, Ontario) 20220830
Researching the philosophical foundations of systems theory to understand the meanings of “causal texture, contextualism, contextural” from the Tavistock legacy led to philosopher Stephen C. Pepper. The philosophical lineage and contributions of Pepper were the focus for the January online meeting of Systems Thinking Ontario. A deep reading of Pepper’s work (over a month!) was […]
The first Systems Thinking Ontario session for 2023 is scheduled for January 9, on “Root Metaphors and World Hypotheses”. This is philosophical content, for which a guided tour and discussion will be better than attempting a solo reading of the World Hypotheses wiki on the Open Learning Commons. Upon announcing the session on social media, […]
The October online meeting of Systems Thinking Ontario presented an opportunity for an update on progress made by the Systems Changes Learning Circle by 2022. A slide deck had been prepared an in-person seminar at the Universitat de Barcelona Graduate Programmes in Business, organized by Ryan C. Armstrong, one week earlier. Our regular monthly meeting, […]
Just before starting a trip to Spain, I received an invitation from Ryan C. Armstrong at the Universitat de Barcelona Business School to give some lectures. The students in the bachelor’s programme in international business had a short mention of systems thinking in the first lecture of the operationa management class. With that brief entry, […]
While the adaptive cycle and panarchical connections reflect the possiblity of movement from one stable state to another, it’s possible to get “stuck” in a disfavoured trap. Social ecological systems involve both natural systems and human systems. After widespread recognition of the 2002 Panarchy book, reflections in 2010 revealed further development of the theory and […]
In order to appreciate the influence of resilience science and panarchy on ongoing research into systems changes, revisiting foundational works sometimes resurfaces insights. In the 2002 Panarchy book, Chapter 15 provides a summary of findings. In the course of the project hat led to this volume, we identified twelve conclusions (Table 15-1) in our search for […]
In conversation, @zeynep with @ezraklein reveal authentic #SystemsThinking in (i) appreciating that “science” is constructed by human collectives, (ii) the west orients towards individual outcomes rather than population levels; and (iii) there’s an over-emphasis on problems of the moment, and…Read more ›
In the question-answer period after the lecture, #TimIngold proposes art as a discipline of inquiry, rather than ethnography. This refers to his thinking On Human Correspondence. — begin paste — [75m26s question] I am curious to know what art, or…Read more ›
How might our society show value for the long term, over the short term? Could we think about taxation over time, asks @carlotaprzperez in an interview: 92% for 1 day; 80% within 1 month; 50%-60% tax for 1 year; zero tax for 10 years.Read more ›
For the @ArchFoundation, #TimIngold distinguishes outcome-oriented making from process-oriented growing, revisiting #MartinHeidegger “Building Dwelling Thinking”. Organisms are made; artefacts grow. The distinction seems obvious, until you stop to ask what assumptions it contains, about the inside and outside of things…Read more ›
In web conference, #HermanDaly says #EcologicalEconomics used to get attacked from the right, now it's from the left. Panel @revkin @jon_d_erickson @ktkish @sophiesanniti #TimCrowshaw #KatieHorner livestreamed #sustainwhat .Read more ›
Complementing the idea of a @longnow , @nfergus provokes the challenge of a #shortthen as the online social media platforms distract the larger perspectives on history.Read more ›
An online version of a special issue of Paunch (1980) on "Root Metaphor: The Live Thought of Stephen C. Pepper" has been preserved on the internet Archive
Attributed to Hippocrates is the use of the term kairos in observational methodology, and the presentation of significant findings. Just to be scholarly, Hippocrates is generally reported as a institution, rather than a person. Although Hippocrates is generally accepted as the father of medicine, few have recognized, or even realized, the extent to which he […]
Autopoiesis, as coined by Humberto Maturana, is in the contextualist root metaphor of Stephen C. Pepper, rather than the organismic root metaphor, say #HowardMancing and #JenniferMarstonWilliam .
