Toronto, Ontario; Vienna, Austria; Kaunus, Lithuania
Woodbine Beach: Eastmost #WinterStations installation of #NovakDjogo#DanielJoshuaVanderhorst (2023) Conrad, honoring #DeadRaccoonTO on July 9, 2015, when a dead animal rested at the Yonge-Church Street intersection for 11 hours, before being picked up by the city. Strolled westward via the boardwalk, many dogs enjoying the sunny day with their owners. Spontaneous date for us as a couple. (Woodbine Beach, Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto, Ontario) 20230307Leslie Grove Gallery: Acrylic on canvas #EricaChan#ak971022.ec (2023) The Secret Life of Jellyfish @ArtistsNetwork1 exploring ideas of Decomposition for @CentennialEDU . The Turritopsis dohrnii, known as the immortal jellyfish, is one of the few species that can individually revert from an sexually mature state to an immature polyp. Other artists interpreted the theme as decay, political commentary, environmental issues, or loss of identity. (Leslie Grove Gallery, Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20220323Justina M. Barnicke Gallery: Ceremonial garment #HelloEudoro (2021) Manto No 5 represents the body facing God on Judgment Day. A closer look reveals found objects including buttons, coins, necklaces, a boot, and other paraphernalia. Part of The Counter/Self exhibition, where artists create and embody alternate egos,. (Justina M. Barnicke Gallery, University of Toronto) 20220324Austrian Airlines HON Circle Lounge Schengen, Vienna: On loan from @Leopold_Museum to @_austrian , #EgonSchiele (1912) Portrait of Wally Neuzil, his lover and muse (1911-1915). The short biography on the wall doesn’t say that Egon decided to “marry advantageously, not Wally”, so she left him and eventually became a nurse. Leisurely connection time in Vienna, the corridors are a maze. (Austrian Airlines HON Circle Lounge Schengen, Vienna, Austria) 20230328
St Michaels the Archangels Church: Late afternoon stroll by the 19th century church originally Lithuanian Orthodox, wasn’t expecting to find Hare Krishna chanting on the plaza, and then down the Laisvės alėja pedestrian street westward. Many couples and families enjoying the clear weather, but they haven’t put away the winter gear, yet. Most businesses closed on Sunday. (St. Michael’s the Archangel’s Church, Laisvės alėja, Kaunas, Lithuania) 20230326
Old Town, Kaunas: Walking west along the pedestrian mall from New Town, the road turned left onto a cobblestone lowrise medieval neighbourhood. Pedestrians seem to be on a stroll, rather on hanging out in the early spring afternoon. Prior news stories about road construction in the distrct wasn’t apparent. (Laisvės alėja 90, Old Town, Kaunas, Lithuania) 20230326
Kaunas Town Hall Square: Approaching westbound from main street Laisvės alėja, the twin towers of the Maironis Museum of Lithuanian Literature appeared further ahead. To the right, the town square fronted Town Hall, first constructed as a one-storey building in 1542. Today, the building may be most visited for the marriage registration office, and photo opportunities as a wedding hall. (Kaunus Town Hall Square, Rotušės alėja, Kaunas, Lithuania) 20230326
Ramybės Park (Old Cemetery): Monument We Died for the Fatherland first unveiled by the first president of Lithuania in 1930, demolished in 1956-1956 by Soviets, reconstructed by #RobertasAntinis in 1994, after restoration the country’s independence in 1990. Noticed enclosed candles in the front that won’t blow out with the wind. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 led to the Soviets converting the cemetery established in 1847 into a park, after giving families a few months to rebury their relatives. (Ramybės Park (Old Cemetery)), Kaunas, Lithuania) 20230327Chacapuri Akropolis: Georgian cuisine for research team converging in Kaunas from Spain, USA, France, Canada and Switzerland, especially enjoying Khachapuri cheese bread and Khinkali dumpling stuffed with mushrooms and tarragon. Top-of-mind were travel tribulations rerouting around transportation strike in Germany. Experienced contemporary Lithuania on the third floor or a large shopping, a short walk south from St. Michael the Archangel Church. (Chacapuri, Akropolis Shopping Mall, Kaunas, Lithuania) 20230327Kaunas Technological University, School of Economics and Business: Starting a colocated week with @snousala + @garysmetcalf to plan and outline an academic book on the transition from Industry 4.0 to 5.0. Publication for an EU project to be completed by end of 2023, with selected international authors. University building has Baltic decor, in the style familiar to me north of the sea. (Kaunas Technological University, School of Economics and Business, Lithuania) 20230328Kiemo Galerija Courtyard Gallery: Sidestepping northward through the parking lots between apartments, we found the 3-dimensional pink elephant sculpture repurposed from a shopping centre in Vilnius, installed in 2019 by #VytenisJakas. Situated on a warehouse too, the 4 metre high, 6 metre long, 200 kg artwork is much larger than the pink elephant 2-dimensional wall drawing named Deimūras, first installed in 2014. Residents living in the surrounding buildings appeared to be patient with tourists inspecting the variety of drawings and photographs outside their homes. (Kiemo Galerija Courtyard Gallery, Kiemo Galerija Courtyard Gallery, E. Ožeškienės gatvė, Kaunas, Lithuania) 20230328Kaunas Technological University, School of Economics and Business: Convened @ktuin4act researchers for rapid collective authoring of book on Industry 5.0 edited by @snousala + @garysmetcalf. Short deadline for completion within 2023 focuses on the present, without the literature review and distractions of the recent pandemic years. Aiming for a book that is not a series of academic articles, but instead chapters that a technical-managerial audience might want to read. (Kaunas Technological University, School of Economics and Business, Lithuania) 20230329Restaurant Bokstas: Social evening for @ktuin4act faculty, many convened for research evalution exercise, others for Industry 5.0 book project. Relaxed conversation with many members travelling from other EU universities, comparing careers and living across in different cities. Menu listed choice of scorpionfish, known as a most dangeroous meal due to poisonous spines, subsequently changed to a whitefish indigenous to the Baltics. (Restaurant Bokstas, Kęstučio gatvė, Kaunas, Lithuania) 20220329M.K. Ciurlionis Museum of Art: Hanging on the wall in the Lithuania Folk Art collection, the Shaft Bow is a part of a single horse harness that attaches to the shafts of the cart, joining the shafts high above the neck of the horse. To be strong, yet light, the bows were made of willow, elm or bird cherry wood. This design was brought from the Mongols via the Russian Old Believers to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, a state that ended in 1795. (M.K. Ciurlionis Museum of Art, V. Putvinskio gatve, Kaunas, Lithuania) 20230330M.K. Ciurlionis Museum of Art: Hanging on the wall in the Lithuania Folk Art collection, the Shaft Bow is a part of a single horse harness that attaches to the shafts of the cart, joining the shafts high above the neck of the horse. To be strong, yet light, the bows were made of willow, elm or bird cherry wood. This design was brought from the Mongols via the Russian Old Believers to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, a state that ended in 1795. (M.K. Ciurlionis Museum of Art, V. Putvinskio gatve, Kaunas, Lithuania) 20230330Kaunas Picture Gallery: Entered #TatakoSaito (2002) Manomano Theatre Waiting-Room No. X, originally created for her companion #GeorgeMaciunas, a famous #Flexus artist, in the You + Me Theatre exhibition. The room is a closed area, with one part of the wall and ceiling splashed with red, symbolizing occupied, and another part in green, as free. Tiny tables and chairs glued above are complemented by small mirrors on the walls and ceiling, so that visitors might not only study the contents, but also view other participants in the room. (Kaunas Picture Gallery, K. Donelaičio gatve, Kaunas, Lithuania) 20230331
Kaunas Picture Gallery: Iron stand at adult eye level for #ChristianRaduta (2022) Doiphin (Acrobat) made of resin. Part of #SweetDreamsFoundation exhibition, in an call by the #NidaArtGallery to artists showing the current state of uncertainty dealing with the war in Ukraine. (Kaunas Picture Gallery, K. Donelaičio gatve, Kaunas, Lithuania) 20230331
Toronto, Ontario
St. Michaels Hospital: Emergency room visit checked ultrasound and xray as normal, but soft tissue brusing ln wrist and hip could take a few days to unstiffen. On Dundas Street eastbound just before Bond Street, a car struck my bicycle, and I fell on top on my left side. Traffic continued, no pedestrians stopped. Ambulance drove me one block, police came and noted the event, but it was a hit-and-run with no witnesses. (St. Michael’s Hospital, Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario) 20230207
The Theatre Centre: Dinner-theatre @CahootsTheatre production of #BetweenAWokAndAHotpot with #mandamlin later plays name-that-actor, not scripting @jean_yoon in audience stage left. Instructing audience members not only on ingredients and protocol for communal dining, but also the history of Taiwan, immigration, and Asian-Canadian identity. (The Theatre Centre, Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario) 20230209
Hirut: Reinterpreting Black Disciples from The Triodes band, called by @robocchipinti (bass) with @michaelocchipintimusic (guitar), @hug_the_mod (violin), #DavideDiRenzo (drums). Paul Neufeld was listening in the audience, and then left to play another gig. World class musicians in a neighbourhood east end venue, casual and low stress, (Hirut Cafe and Restaurant, Danforth Avenue, Toronto) 20230211
Hirut: Without sequencer, #AreYouGoingWithMe called by @robocchipintii (bass) with @michaelocchipintimusic (guitar), @hug_the_mod (violin), #DavideDiRenzo (drums). One of two #PatMetheny tunes played in the early set. More improvised than rehearsed, key features of the composition were preserved. (Hirut Cafe and Restaurant, Danforth Avenue, Toronto) 20230211
Heartland: Halftime show is highlight for non-fans of professional sports, with an ex-varsity football player providing commentary this year. Resumption of annual Superbowl party tradition a reason to celebrate, after some years of pandemic shutdowns. Representation from our family members was low due to travel schedules, we invited a few friends to round up the numbers. (Heartland, Mississauaga, Ontario) 20220212St Michaels Hospital: Struck by car 2 weeks ago, right hand x-rays last week, finger splint today installed in hand clinic to be worn for 6 weeks, 24 hours per day. Fourth distal interphalangeal joint noted to be in hyperflexion on all views consistent with a mallet deformity, implying extensor tendon insertion avulsion. No associated fracture detected. discomfort is on left side rather than right, just problems typing the letter O. (St. Michael’s Hospital, ‘Queen :Street East, Toronto, Ontario) 20220222Centre for Social Innovation Spadina: Special community lunch @csiTO prepared by @NewcomerKitchen, drawing attention to conditions following recent earthquakes in Syria and Turkiye. First speaker direct from Syria a few days ago, spoke about difficulties with cold weather even before the earthquakes. Supporting groups locally in Toronto packing supplies to be airlifted to the region, and doctors reaching out across the ocean. (Centre for Social Innovation, Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20220222
Fortune Seafood Restaurant: Cake topped with fresh fruit to celebrate grandfather’s birthday (on the Western calendar) slightly early, and Noah’s birthday slightly late. Courses of Vancouver crab, Peking duck, white cut chicken, pork chop, beef with greens, grouper tofu in pot, all finished off by our sons. Restaurant is operated by a new owner since the many years we’ve been here, the quality will see us return. (Fortune Seafood Restaurant, Midland Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario) 20230225
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
Beyond city-building as urban planning is the idea of a Music City. This sees development of cultural life across a wide variety of arts, alongside economic benefits brought to the region. At the 119th meeting of Systems Thinking Ontario in March 2024, socio-cultural designer Adam Hogan and musician-designer Ziyan Hossain joined moderator Zaid Khan in conversation. […]
Having reached year 6 of an espoused 10-year journey, the Systems Changes Learning Circle is (again) convening monthly Dialogues on Social Innovation at the Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto. Starting up in 2019, the Circle was convening regularly in the Climate Ventures space at 192 Spadina Avenue. The pandemic interrupted in-person meetings, and the […]
EQ Lab runs Dialogic Drinks, “the kind of philosophical discussion you have in a coffee shop or bar”, twice per week. Wtih this group interested loosely in questions on leadership, I was invited to host an online session on March 12 (evening in Hong Kong and Singapore, really early in Toronto) and on March 14-15 […]
At the 118th meeting of Systems Thinking Ontario in February 2024, behavioral scientist Cameron D. Norman and design strategist Tara Campbell were invitied for a conversation guided by Zaid Khan. The panelists are both alumni of the Strategic Foresight and Innovation program at OCADU. Some time ago, they had conducted a research project on evaluation […]
An article on “sciencing and philosophizing”, coauthored by Gary S. Metcalf and myself, has been published in the Journal of the International Society for the Systems Sciences, following the ISSS 2023 Kruger Park conference in South Africa, last July. There’s a version cacned on the Coevolving Commons. This article started in a series of conversations […]
For the January 2024 Systems Thinking Ontario session, educational game designer Scott DeJong and innovation designer Geoff Evamy Hill joined a conversation moderated by Zaid Khan. Mutual interests in the new field of educational design and games were at the core of the discussion. This was an opportunity for systems thinkers to expand their knowledge on […]
David L. Hawk (American management theorist, architect, and systems scientist) has been hosting a weekly television show broadcast on Bold Brave Tv from the New York area on Wednesdays 6pm ET, remotely from his home in Iowa. Live, callers can join…Read more ›
Following the first day lecture on Philosophy of Chinese Medicine 1 for the Global University for Sustainability, Keekok Lee continued on a second day on some topics: * Anatomy as structure; physiology as function (and process); * Process ontology, and thing ontology; * Qi ju as qi-in-concentrating mode, and qi san as qi-in-dissipsating mode; and […]
The philosophy of science underlying Classical Chinese Medicine, in this lecture by Keekok Lee, provides insights into ways in which systems change may be approached, in a process ontology in contrast to the thing ontology underlying Western BioMedicine. Read more ›
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 ›
Finding proper words to express system(s) change(s) can be a challenge. One alternative could be diachrony. The Oxford English dictionary provides two definitions for diachronic, the first one most generally related to time. (The second is linguistic method) diachronic ADJECTIVE Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “diachronic (adj.), sense 1,” July 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/3691792233. For completeness, prochronic relates “to […]
The selection of readings in the “Introduction” to Systems Thinking: Selected Readings, volume 2, Penguin (1981), edited by Fred E. Emery, reflects a turn from 1969 when a general systems theory was more fully entertained, towards an urgency towards changes in the world that were present in 1981. Systems thinking was again emphasized in contrast […]
In reviewing the original introduction for Systems Thinking: Selected Readings in the 1969 Penguin paperback, there’s a few threads that I only recognize, many years later. The tables of contents (disambiguating various editions) were previously listed as 1969, 1981 Emery, System Thinking: Selected Readings. — begin paste — Introduction In the selection of papers for this […]
In a recording of the debate between Michael Quinn Patton and Michael C. Jackson on “Systems Concepts in Evaluation”, Patton referenced four concepts published in the “Principles for effective use of systems thinking in evaluation” (2018) by the Systems in Evaluation Topical Interest Group (SETIG) of the American Evaluation Society. The four concepts are: (i) […]
How might the quality of an action research initiative be evaluated? — begin paste — We have linked our five validity criteria (outcome, process, democratic, catalytic, and dialogic) to the goals of action research. Most traditions of action research agree on the following goals: (a) the generation of new knowledge, (b) the achievement of action-oriented […]
