Toronto, Ontario
Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building: Assisting in 3-hour Soft Systems Methodology exercise with students sketching at whiteboards in Designing for Future Systems course at York University. Followed an hour lecturing on the traditions in systems thinking, and the research our team has been doing since 2019. Long transit connection from Riverside neighbourhood to University Heights, remembering that third son commuted for four years before the subway was completed. (Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building, The Pond Road, York University, Toronto, Ontario) 20250304
The Goldfarb Gallery: Airbrush on crepe de chine suspended from ceiling, #MaryamTaghavi (2023) Horizon Series, Michigan 2, 3, 4, 5 hang, still so motion is introduced by observers. Artist draws from traditions in Islamic calligraphy and Persian architecture. Gallery takes advantage of large space available on suburban campus between two buildings housing the School of the Arts, Media, Performance, and Design), a luxury compared to universities downtown. (The Goldfarb Gallery, Accolade East Building, York University, Toronto, Ontario) 20250304
Full House Chinese Cuisine: Mango cream cake after dim sum to celebrate birthday that officially appears on immigration papers. Actual age on lunar calendar may place father a year older. Followed lunch with four rounds of mahjong, back at the retirement home. (Full House Chinese Cuisine, Finch Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario) 20250309
Mahjong Bar: Couples night out to catch first DJ set. Not our usual scene. We each tried one of the recommended mocktails. (Mahjong Bar, Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20250313
Mahjong Bar: Premiere DJ set by @TheloniusPoon. Musically trained, now twisting knobs. Busy Thursday night, crowd celebrating friend’s birthday. (Mahjong Bar, Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20250313 #TheloniusPoon
OCADU Graduate Programs: Guest lecture by @zaid___khan relating continuing learning of #SystemsThinking since graduating @OCADU_SFI , in class led by @xformbydesign . Single-minded takeway is TIME FIRST, SPACE SECOND. Slide deck titled Thinking with Time: A Brief Introduction to #SystemsChangesLearning (OCADU Graduate Programs, Richmond Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20250319Pape Village: Family dinner including god-uncles who have seen our sons grow up from infancy. Cross-cultural experience, comparing journeys in travels to Asia. Invitation was extended twice, due to inconvenient minor illnesses conflicting with plans. (Pape Village, Broadview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20250320Nathan Phillips Square: Address by @MayorOliviaChow at #ElbowsUp Canada rally celebrating Canada’s strength, unity, and resilience, in response to U.S. president commenting on a 51st state. The term Elbows Up came from the hockey tactic of Gordie Howe protecting himself. Thousands of attendees with children and pets came out as the temperature dropped to near-freezing. (Nathan Phillips Square, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20250322
Woodbine Beach: Cloudy, windy day to view Solair (2025) installation designed by Toronto Metropolitan University Department of Architectural Science @dastorontomet . Laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC @tmudaslabs . Arrived towards dusk, but no bright sunlight to get a reflection effect. (Woodbine Beach, Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto, Ontario) 20250325
Woodbine Beach: Geometric #WinterStations#JesseBeus (2025) Parade, celebrates self-acceptance of distinctiveness. Named Boxy (red), Slippy (orange), Sunny (yellow), Jadey) green, Shady (blue), and Big Purp (purpole). Extra support of the last shape may have resulted from shifting sands? (Woodbine Beach, Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto, Ontario) 20250325Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre: Parallel workshop on Why Not Wait? What is the Pace of Your Change? by #DanEng + #EvgenyaNee at Toronto #ChangeDays. Exercised first half of #SystemsChanges framework in 90 minutes. Small group discussions were rich, some participants will complete the approach in subsequent meetings. (Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Sakura Way, Toronto, Ontario) 20250329
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre: At Toronto #ChangeDays, small clusters were formed after a gallery walk viewing a variety of figures drawn on flip charts, self-selecting an affinity group. Incomplete petal form attracted #EvgenyaNee, #FrankRossDiMatteo, #AeenAlavi + #DavidIng, and we sketched additional shapes and lines reflecting our thoughts. On second day, all participants reviewed the progress, and left post-notes with their impressions. (Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Sakura Way, Toronto, Ontario) 20250330
