Posts Tagged ‘ life ’

15-50

Posted on March 26th, 2024 Be the first to comment

You might not know it by the dearth of posts in the last few months but Toronto City Life officially passed it’s 15th year this January. I also turned 50 round about this time. Perhaps I was supposed to make a big hullabaloo about it, maybe produce some fireworks effect for the front page, throw together some cheesy and self-congratulatory retrospective, but that all seemed like a waste of time.

I was too busy living to reminisce for more than the few seconds it took to re-post some old photos and pithy one-liners on Twitter (or “X”, or whatever). Most of the pictures and paragraphs that I’ve produced lately are being put into a printed publication. The aim is to produce something that I’d want to hang on my walls — and that takes time.

I’ve also been putting a bunch of effort into /sectionb. While I hope that the story comes across as a fast and effortless narrative, producing it is often none of those things. I can safely say that I’ve put at least a few years’ worth of research and practice into the endeavour. The arcs are purposeful, the details are planned with care, and there’s substantive background material holding it all together. Even the tense and style needed some time to be worked out. I have to feel that I’ve done my due diligence.

There was also the added complication of moving beyond the keyboard in order to “write what you know”. It’s the foundational ethos of TCL and I’m hoping that the modest yet convincing success of this philosophy will translate into this project.

Granted, although I’ve had an affinity for Cabo Verde (did you know that their unofficial national instrument is the electronic synth?) I’ve never actually been there. That’s a big part of the reason why Rebekah and Brock spend so little time there — but I try to keep such second-hand writing to a minimum.

I’m still making music and there are a number of /sectionb themes on the go, possibly for use in the next video. In previous episodes the music tracks were well synchronized but subtitle timing was a bit wonky so I had rethink my approach. Then I had to code it. Now I have to produce the actual episode.

On the same note, I still write software but these days it’s mostly for personal / agency use. As with the crypto stuff, I dabble deeply enough to (hopefully) add some authenticity to the Section’s modus operandi, especially as regards Dmitri’s home-made tech.

And, of course, the research and digging for the project never really stop; they just lead deeper underground.

The tl;dr to all of this is: I’m rarely bored, sometimes in up to my neck

Speaking from the safety of hindsight I can say that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the ride so far and if there’s another decade and a half of this sort of thing lined up then I’m game. I’m sure it’ll get my blood pressure up at some points but if I can just remember that it’s all a part of the experience then I should be okay.

Filed under: B Sides, Patrick Bay

/sectionb: DEUXIÈME SÛRETÉ

Posted on December 15th, 2023 Be the first to comment

… in which a couple of the newest members of Section B reveal some things about themselves while the transpacific voyage of the Merle continues.

Filed under: /sectionb, Dispatches, Patrick Bay

Parade of delinquency and terror redux

Posted on November 27th, 2023 Be the first to comment

It’s been well over a decade since I bore witness to the unspeakable. I’d thought that it was behind us, forgotten and buried, gone and dealt with.

I was wrong.

This time around Sarah was there to experience the carnage with me.

As in the past, this year’s Santa Claus Parade had a heavy police presence and everyone looking over their shoulders.

A dour paramilitary presence added somber tones to the distressing gathering.

And, as before, there were crass displays of wanton debauchery and depravity.

It seems few people heeded my warnings. Although I doubt many more will do so next year, it’s my sincere hope that this message will reach at least a few and that the annuals horrors imposed on the city by this event can be alleviated, even if only slightly.

Filed under: Dispatches, Patrick Bay, Pictures

/sectionb: BEZOPASNOST

Posted on October 15th, 2023 Be the first to comment

… in which Section B enjoy some much-needed rest, relaxation, and extended introductions.

Filed under: /sectionb, Dispatches, Patrick Bay

chunk by chunk

Posted on October 11th, 2023 Be the first to comment

Pieces of the Gardiner Expressway have been falling off for quite some time now but the deterioration of 65-year-old elevated road running along downtown Toronto’s southern edge is now unnervingly visible.

Filed under: Dispatches, Patrick Bay, Pictures

the secret academy

Posted on September 13th, 2023 Be the first to comment

Services advertised on Bathurst near Dundas.

Filed under: Dispatches, Patrick Bay, Pictures

you’re being watched

Posted on August 22nd, 2023 Be the first to comment

Filed under: Dispatches, Patrick Bay, Pictures

Pequeños luchadores

Posted on August 19th, 2023 Be the first to comment

Sarah and me managed to once again successfully infiltrate the CNE. Our reward: a unique lucha libre exhibition.

There was one more image in this series but it was just too gruesome so you’ll have to use your imagination. (hint: wee balls were involved)

Filed under: Dispatches, Patrick Bay, Pictures

Reminder

Posted on August 18th, 2023 Be the first to comment

This poignantly apropos image was snapped somewhere in the subterranean bowels of St. Michael’s Hospital some time in late July 2021. Priorities sure were different in those days!

Filed under: Dispatches, Patrick Bay, Pictures

The CNE done straight ripped me off

Posted on August 17th, 2023 Be the first to comment

Just happened to be wandering the vicinity when … look at what I spotted. Seem familiar?!

Yeah … hoisted dinghies in an urban jungle. Nice. I’ll be expecting my royalty cheque some time in September.

Filed under: Dispatches, Patrick Bay, Pictures