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.

Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra

Crowne Plaza Fallsview Hotel ~ Niagara Falls, ON

He rather enjoyed the stillness of the restaurant in between the stages of an evening. It was as if the space were taking a deep breath, allowing each member of the staff a chance to regroup before the next wave of personalities poured into the room.

During this downtime, he would become lost in the art of table setting, taking special care to arrange the polished silverware in perfect form on each table as if each one were the only one he had to do. He artfully folded every napkin and repositioned each chair. He carefully set each wine and water glass so as to avoid any evidence of his touch prior to it being cradled by the dinner guest at that seating.

It was a peaceful time, set to the muted soundtrack of plates being clattered against one another in the kitchen and the quiet murmurs of the head waiter reviewing special instructions with the executive chef. He deftly went about his business becoming one with the pesto and ginger infused air, just like water swirls undetected around the pearls of an opened oyster. Every now and again, he would glance at the familiar landscape outside the expanse of windows. With that awareness, he appreciated how much more divine this setting was compared to the busy street scene that vibrated loudly outside the windows of his last place of employment. There, he felt common and invisible and frenzied. Here, he felt smart and important and effective.

He was also acutely aware of the rich peacefulness that flowed softly around the curved room. Soon, dinner guests would arrive, injecting the air with character and energy, bringing it to effervescent life, buzzing with activity and discussion. He breathed deeply knowing that as each cluster of people spread out around the restaurant's distinctive iron framework, his focus would adapt accordingly. He would derive energy from this pulse, preparing him to provide service with clarity and professionalism, adding his own unique flair to the exquisite flavours he would soon be delivering.

Shot during the Tiger-Cat - Eskimo game, September 15, 2012

Okay, here we go, nice and easy here, just hold the bottle up and wait for someone to notice it.

That's right people, I'm the sustenance guy, attentive and nimble. I am the king of replenishment, the wizard of wet, the master of the liquid and all things refreshing...

Look no further you monstrous, shrinkwrapped animals, and never mind about the coach - I'm the guy you need. Me. I'm the one cradling the large plastic vessel of Gatorade perfection over here. Or wait, is it water? I hope they aren't too particular because I don't feel like being the cheese in an Eskimo sandwich today...

Wow those guys are tall! S'okay... no big deal... I'm supposed to be here. I just keep walking around slowly and never mind about the hundreds of people watching me. Besides, they aren't watching me, they are watching impatiently as they wait for the game to resume. Maybe they are thinking if I hurry up and give them a drink, it will resume sooner.

Hey there big guy, you want a little sip of this? Poured especially for you, nice and refreshing. It will help you play better. Not that you need help, man, you're doing great, I'm just sayin. Hey, you do your job and I'll do mine okay??

At Solla Sollew, or rather St. John's Conservation Area on September 8, 2012.

I was sitting on my favourite bench with a notebook just listening to the breeze as it curled around the branches and tickled all the leaves. The air was so comfortable it was without temperature and I was so relaxed I was without concern. I didn't even wonder if there was anything crawling up my back or hovering over my head or preparing to bite at the skin on my ankles.

As I watched my boys scope out the banks of the beautiful River Wahoo.. er, St. John's Pond, I revelled in the joy of watching them become blissfully immersed in their endeavour: to capture a bullfrog. My oldest was stealthily carrying a brand new net - not a meagre dollar store attempt, but a serious metal handled net from Canadian Tire. He meant business. But the frogs weren't at all impressed - they didn't even show up in greeting.

After four methodical, focused treks around the pond combing through every foliage overhang in every nook, he hadn't seen one frog. It must be the time of year, I consoled, as he reluctantly placed the jilted net beside me. Still not ready to return to reality, his attention turned to creatures of the flying variety, which are always faithfully available in nature's lush playground.