War on Trash: Day 2


 Posted on June 23rd, 2009
 by Patrick 3 great comments. Room for one more!

Today was an eerily quiet day in the city. Signs of battle were quietly hidden in dumpsters and alleys. You might never know that a war was going on; unless you went to the western front.

Here, the boys are being pressed back into service:

western front

They’re doing their best given the circumstances, and sometimes even getting a helping hand from the locals. There was a big pile of yellow garbage bags where this cage used to be:

western front

Trust me, the little Chinese lady camouflaged inside the ramshackle shop is one of us. And enjoys sitting on trash.

In all possible ways, people all over the city are getting involved in the resistance. At some of the transfer stations (more like detention camps), the waste is piling up very high, very quickly.

That’s where the 416/79 platoon is stationed. I don’t know what their strategy is, but marching around in front of summer-heated garbage seems ill-planned. Or maybe the plan is so deviously Machiavellian that I couldn’t even begin to comprehend it.

Despite their best planning, strategy, and all sorts of fancy antique maps with blustery men exhaling trade winds, the stark reality is that it’s far too late for some:

western front

I’m sorry folks, but that’s the real face of war; it was never meant to be pretty.  The horror and revulsion you feel is normal; tell the world what you saw here!

Now, as the sun descends again, it seems as if everyone in the city is taking a long deep breath; preparing for an onslaught of heat and misery. I also wait with bated breath, Oliver crouched on the floor beside me, both of us ready for the darkness.

And tomorrow, hell. Also, maybe no booze!

3 Comments on “ War on Trash: Day 2 ”

  • Miss Cinnamon
    June 24th, 2009 2:16 am

    Love the big size b/w photos on your blog. They truly provide your visitors with the big picture trashy look of the city. – A war zone alright.


  • Patrick
    June 24th, 2009 9:26 am

    Yes, terrible beyond words (in hindsight, a bad topic for a blog).

    Thanks, Miss Cinnamon!


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    July 6th, 2009 9:25 pm

    […] Toronto City Life » War on Trash: Day 2 […]


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