Distractions, reflections

2009/05/04 Waterloo, the Grand River and Elora Gorge

July 1, 2010 daviding

Leaving Tennessee, Jennifer and I were on different flights to Chicago, but met up at the connection for the same final leg to Toronto. Jennifer had crossed the Atlantic from the UK not only to visit with G.A., but also to stop by Waterloo to plan the ISSS 2010 meeting. With Allenna, visited the Wilfred Laurier University campus. It’s a compact site, as viewed from the residence across the street.

Since the university tour only took to midafternoon, I suggested that we do some sightseeing. The Grand River by the Elora Mill Inn is scenic. We drove south over the bridge from the centre of the village to oversee the mill.

We walked a little farther west on the south bank for a better look of the dam.

Looking east, there’s some traditional-looking buildings on the north side, and the Metcalfe Streeet bridge.

Viewing the gorge itself requires driving back north over the bridge, and west to Victoria Park. There’s a long set of stairs down to the level of the water. The stairs curve, so only part of the route is visible from the top. Continue reading “2009/05/04 Waterloo, the Grand River and Elora Gorge“

2010/06 Moments, June 2010

June 30, 2010 daviding

Toronto, Ontario; Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Music from Sam Martin and the Haggard spilling out on Augusta Street from Graffiti’s Bar in Kensington Market (Toronto, Saturday) 20100605 1730 — Music from Sam Martin and the Haggard spilling out on Augusta Street from Graffiti’s Bar in Kensington Market (Toronto, Saturday) 20100605 1730

Project Bookmark Canada reading about the Prince Edward Viaduct, from In The Skin Of The Lion by Michael Ondaatje, east of the Don River where Bloor Street East becomes Danforth Avenue (Toronto, Monday) 20100608 1815 — Project Bookmark Canada reading about the Prince Edward Viaduct, from In The Skin Of The Lion by Michael Ondaatje, east of the Don River where Bloor Street East becomes Danforth Avenue (Toronto, Monday) 20100608 1815

Leuty Lifeguard Station on the Eastern Beaches, with sailboats on Lake Ontario in the distance (Toronto, Thursday) 20100610 1830 — Leuty Lifeguard Station on the Eastern Beaches, with sailboats on Lake Ontario in the distance (Toronto, Thursday) 20100610 1830

Niagara Falls from the Fallsview lookout (Niagara Falls, Tuesday) 20100615 1600 — Niagara Falls from the Fallsview lookout (Niagara Falls, Tuesday) 20100615 1600

Pre-G20 traffic jam includes police on bicycles, as well as automotive vehicles. Walking is fastest, at King Street westbound at University Avenue (Saturday, Toronto) 20100619 1600 — Pre-G20 traffic jam includes police on bicycles, as well as automotive vehicles. Walking is fastest, at King Street westbound at University Avenue (Saturday, Toronto) 20100619 1600

East Lynn Park Farmers Market on Danforth Avenue west of Main Street runs 3 pm to 7 pm on Thursday. Another hidden feature of Toronto, on my bike ride without a destination 20100624 1800 — East Lynn Park Farmers Market on Danforth Avenue west of Main Street runs 3 pm to 7 pm on Thursday. Another hidden feature of Toronto, on my bike ride without a destination (Toronto) 20100624 1800

Smashed windows at American Apparel and pedestrians taking over Yonge Street north of Dundas Street. Presumably G20 protesters working their way east from Queen’s Park (Toronto, Saturday) 20100626 1700 — Smashed windows at American Apparel and pedestrians taking over Yonge Street north of Dundas Street. Presumably G20 protesters working their way east from Queen’s Park (Toronto, Saturday) 20100626 1700

John Hagel @jhagel and Omar El Akkad @omarelakkad on The Power of Pull at the Design Exchange, starting the conversation with The Shift Index (Toronto, Monday) 20100628 1700 — John Hagel @jhagel and Omar El Akkad @omarelakkad on The Power of Pull at the Design Exchange, starting the conversation with The Shift Index (Toronto, Monday) 20100628 1700

Elizabeth Shepherd @eshepherdmusic at the Square in the Shops at Don Mills, as part of the Toronto Jazz Festival. I haven’t been at this mall since the late 1980s, when Don Mills Centre was all inside. Pedalling up to Lawrence Ave. was easier on road bike (Friday, Don Mills) 20100702 1900 — Elizabeth Shepherd @eshepherdmusic at the Square in the Shops at Don Mills, as part of the Toronto Jazz Festival. I haven’t been at this mall since the late 1980s, when Don Mills Centre was all inside. Pedalling up to Lawrence Ave. was easier on road bike (Don Mills, Friday) 20100702 1900

2009/05/02 Farewell to G.A., Cookeville, TN

June 26, 2010 daviding

When G.A. Swanson released the news that he would soon been passing on, a group of us quickly scheduled for a visit. Convening at the Nashville airport, Jennifer flew in from the UK, I flew in from Toronto, and Gary drove down from Kentucky. We rode together to Cookeville. Paulette had been visiting G.A. to help out, and hosted us with a welcome in a show of southern hospitality.

I first met G.A. at the 1998 ISSS meeting in Atlanta, which I’ve cited to many as the single best educational experience of my life. G.A. had encouraged me, as well as Jennifer and Gary, to become more and more involved in the systems community over the years.

We spent the evening catching up on news, and reminiscing. In his home, the photographs and souvenirs of world travels suggested not only a man who was known internationally, but who might also have been a Southern rebel in his youth. The next morning, we moved a few things around to take G.A.’s car to the university.

While I first met G.A. in his role as ISSS president in 1998, he had long been a professor of accounting at Tennessee Tech since 1982. His office was in the College of Business at Johnson Hall.

We helped G.A. finish cleaning out his office. He had sent in his last paper for publication, and said that he wouldn’t be needing any more references. In the inner room were years of books not only on systems research, but also on accounting.

G.A. had a complete archive of systems research. Jennifer packed up some of the old artifacts that are hard to find. Continue reading “2009/05/02 Farewell to G.A., Cookeville, TN“

2009/03/01 Design Festa Gallery, Cat Street, Omotesanda Street, Harajuku Bridge

June 24, 2010 daviding

Having reoriented myself from Takeshita dori, we crossed Meiji Street to a landmark I remember — the Birkenstock Store. It’s in a flat iron shape, with the street forking off.

The fork on the east side is Harajuku Street. I remember walking down this stretch and thinking that the buildings didn’t seem very interesting.

One or two intersections up, looking to the right, is a strange building at the end of the street.

Design Festa Gallery always amuses me, with the nearly-random pipes on the front facade of the building.

Since I’ve been to the gallery before, I decided to start on the upper floors for a change. The murals on the stairwell walls are entertaining.

We were greeted by two Japanese girls, who asked us to rate our favourite student paintings of the day. Continue reading “2009/03/01 Design Festa Gallery, Cat Street, Omotesanda Street, Harajuku Bridge“

2009/03/01 Jingumae flea market, Takeshita dori, Tokyo

June 9, 2010 daviding

On the Sunday morning before catching the train to Narita Airport, Marianne and I returned to the Harajuku district. I thought that I knew the way to Design Festa Gallery, but my memory was faulty. From the train station, we walked north past Takeshita Dori, and then east. When we started up a slight incline, I figured that we were in the wrong place, and should turn south. This led us through a residential area in Jingumae. The lane we had picked might permit the occasional car, but seemed mostly for pedestrians.

On this street was a large temple or church. Christian?

As we continued, we found a small torii, marking the entry to a common space or park.

Sunday morning seems to have been flea market day in this neighbourhood.

On the temporary tables, there was an assortment of pots. Continue reading “2009/03/01 Jingumae flea market, Takeshita dori, Tokyo“

2009/02/28 Meiji Jingu, Shinto Shrine, Tokyo

June 8, 2010 daviding

I’ve been to the Harajuku district on every trip to Tokyo, and somehow managed to arrive at the Meiji Jingu at times when the gates are closed. This time, Marianne and I found the gates to the garden open.

I guess that Saturday afternoon is a good bet for families to visit the gardens.

As we entered the gardens walking north, I enjoyed the view of the brook to the side.

The park honours the Emperor Meji who passed away in 1912, and is interred in Kyoto. The view of the long, tree-covered walk is impressive.

Sake barrels are displayed as decorations, emptied from prior festivals after having been donated by local brewers.

The Meiji period was seen as enlightened one, when the emperor enjoyed western food and took wine with it. Wineries in Bourgogne, France, consecrated these barrels in the emperor’s honour. Continue reading “2009/02/28 Meiji Jingu, Shinto Shrine, Tokyo“

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David Ing, at large … Sometimes, my mind wanders

2009/05/04 Waterloo, the Grand River and Elora Gorge

2010/06 Moments, June 2010

2009/05/02 Farewell to G.A., Cookeville, TN

2009/03/01 Design Festa Gallery, Cat Street, Omotesanda Street, Harajuku Bridge

2009/03/01 Jingumae flea market, Takeshita dori, Tokyo

2009/02/28 Meiji Jingu, Shinto Shrine, Tokyo

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