The Rooms - St. John's

Newfoundland and Labrador

Located in the heart of St. John's, The Rooms is one hulk of a building, dwarfing nearly every structure along the upper rim of its sprawling and colourful cityscape. I've heard some of the locals speak of it with disdain, complaining that it doesn't "fit" structurally or stylistically with the rest of the city's historic architecture. Okay, what they actually say is that it "sticks out like a sore tum"! 

Granted, it does command your attention as you drink in the luscious view from atop Signal Hill. And yes, it's a simple, triangular design, devoid of the details and intricacies that embellish so many of the other buildings in this 500+ year old city.

But, I discovered that it has its charms. If its simplicity doesn't echo its neighbouring historic buildings, it does seem to fit right in with the jutted rocks and cliffs that abound in the city. Its placement certainly does afford some of the best views of the mouth of the harbour and Signal Hill. I found it quite magical to stand before those massive windows at night and look out at all the light-studded hills. And when I was granted a free afternoon to make my way up Garrison Hill and meander around the property and slide along its smooth facade, I developed a real appreciation for the architectural cleverness. The mirrored planes are angled in such a way that the reflections are playfully distorted and bold.

I imagine since its doors first opened seven years ago, it's become a prominent structure in St. John's, recognisable to both locals and visitors alike. It still sticks out, but it's more of a thumbs up.

To learn more about this all-encompassing celebration of everything cultural, visit: http://www.therooms.ca/

Along Central Park Drive in Manhattan - October 2012

The sunshine and rising temperatures created a contradiction in seasons this past weekend in the big city. From the rolling, picturesque hillsides of Central Park to the multi-level heights of city living, the fall colours were blazing under the noonday sun. The store windows displayed equally bright oranges as their owners seduced the passersby to wander inside for costumes and decor. It's hard to imagine Halloween bringing out characters even more bizarre than those typically seen along the pathways but one can certainly see the potential!

Today, we have a hospital in Welland that offers quality, personalized health care in an easily accessible location. But this level of care is sadly undermined by uncomfortably long wait times that become worse once symptoms have been determined not to be life-threatening...

Click here for some thoughts on the recommendations hovering over Welland's hospital.

Street Photography

Shot near the corner of 17th and Broadway, New York City 2011

"Oh, Otis showed up at the office today!" Alexis announced.

Marley's eyes widened and she stopped her fork just before it reached her mouth. "Wow! Did you know he was in town?"

"Not exactly, but I knew his and Emily's birthdays were today, so I guess I wasn't really surprised to see him," she said as she shrugged with forced nonchalance.

"Did you talk to him?"

Alexis released a irrepressible smile. "He paused at my desk for a few moments," she explained. "It was actually nice to see him again."

"Of course it was, but that's all that it needs to be," Marley declared. "You just go about your business and never mind him flaunting his new life in your face. You don't need him and you don't need to see him."

Alexis sighed dreamily as she drew zig zags into her ketchup with her French fry, her modest grin unwittingly growing into a Cheshire smile.

"Oh no," Marley grimaced, "you didn't..."

"Well he was going to be meeting clients right across from my block. He would have been right there, and I wasn't going to be good enough to meet him for a drink? Just seems silly, that's all."

Marley shook her head. "Have you forgotten how hard it was to watch him fly away towards his dreams and leave you languishing at the gate?" She paused to allow that feeling to settle around her. "Because I haven't."

Alexis grasped her friend's hand in appreciation. "It's just a drink," she insisted. "We'll just be like old friends catching up." She dropped a twenty onto the table, plucked her bag from the corner of her chair, and kissed Marley's cheek. "I'll call you later."

Marley watched as her friend bounced through the diner and fluttered out the door and onto the street. She pursed her lips and cursed Otis Pretorious for dancing right back into her friend's heart without the slightest concern for the damage he'd already done to it.