Time to Wander and Observe

The time has come for a change - CV is being put to rest and a new chapter begins here: wanderobserve.wordpress.com

Thank you for visiting and taking the time over the past 6 years to read, comment and share. Looking forward to seeing you over at WO.

NF
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Life as your most important work of art

My horoscopes this week are both full of great advice and assurance:
- Put the emphasis on the quality of your adventures more than on what you produce
- Regard your life as your most important work of art
- The sword above your head is not going to fall.

Sounds good! So I'm getting on with it.

creatively speaking
Created by Sheila Heti and hosted by Misha Glouberman,The Trampoline Hall Lecture Series was a welcome addition to Montreal this past month. An evening of three lectures by "amateurs on random topics" was well-executed and thoroughly entertaining. It was set up as part of the book launch for Misha Glouberman's new book (intro and collaboration with Heti) "The Chairs are where the People Go: How to live, work and play in the city". THL is on regularly in Toronto and will hopefully be an ongoing event in Montreal.

inspired by
While I figure out how to make the most of travel and work over the next few months it helps to read that mobile work is increasingly on the rise and of personal experiences related to passion in play and work. Found OttsWorld a blog by "Sherry, a corporate cube dweller turned nomadic traveller".

pages
The Ground Beneath Her Feet - Salman Rushdie . Requires enough time to absorb the often dense, detailed stories embedded in this novel, but does not disappoint. The imagery, humour and socio-commentary make it like all others well worth it. His talent in combining pop culture and myth reminds me why I love fiction.

yum!
Ellefsen - if you're in the mood for blinis or smorebrod, check it out. New to the area, simple decor, looking forward to trying some of their mains. I can't imagine a cod poutine, but if you try it (and vouch for it) maybe I will.

Finally tried teas at Camellia Sinensis, all excellent - lovely tea room next door also.

happening
www.ecocity2011.com - in Montreal this year get your activism on.
NDG Arts Week

Ca m'interesse
Opera Piccola - inaugeral concert at Theatre Outremont this weekend.



Travel
Oct - Dec : Central [most of] and South America [Peru]. Planning is a full-time job - send any suggestions, right now it's all open.

All I know is what I don't

Never really knowing what tomorrow brings - here's some stuff that recently made up part of the picture:

creatively speaking
Kid Koala is at it again with this latest project The Space Cadet Headphone Tour


inspired by
This creative take inspired by "movember" to raise awareness for cervical cancer

pages
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese - another ambitious attempt of a physician writing fiction. A decent read, but the detail is often in the wrong place as this review points out.

The Best Laid Plans finally got around to reading this - often overwritten and old school in its "canadianess" - but I can see why it has general (easy) appeal. Not sure one novel makes a novelist...

scene
Beginners excellent writing and acting, one of my faves this year.

Tree of Life lots of hype about this film - I can't say I loved it, but appreciate its ambitious scope.

Live and Become amazing story, powerful film - highly recommended.

yum!
Trying Fushi hope the reviews are right!

Travel
Chicago up next - looking forward to a week of urban discovery

a wide world of webs

Spent the last two weeks working/living in Toronto - wonderfully exhausting as usual. Thanks to all my hosts who shared space and time. Much to catch up on and note from the journey:

creatively speaking
Rhizome - "dedicated to the creation, presentation, preservation, and critique of emerging artistic practices that engage technology"

66 Ideas Inc. - G&M article about "a think tank that churns out colourful, creative possibilities of transformation.."

inspired by
Edible City

Toronto furniture bank

pages
Bastard of Istanbul - finally got around to reading something by Elik Shafak. The translation is stiff at times but interesting treatment of the discussion of the Armenian slaughter in Turkey (1914-18)and present day identity politics.

Love and Obstacles (video of Hemon reading) - great collection of linked short stories by Aleksandar Hemon of Sarajevo and his new home in the U.S.. look forward to reading more.

scene
Midnight in Paris like Woody Allen's two most recent films, this is easy, fun, charming.

yum!
Via Toronto - had a lovely/local meal at Local Kitchen and Wine bar


Travel
Thumbs up on my first experience with airbnb.com - heard many good things from friends and fellow travellers also over the last week.

Up Next
Montreal Jazz Festival - going to see Rich Aucoin, Misses Satchmo, Galactic, Misteure Valaire, Poirier Sound System and La Excelencia Cubanos.

What gets you up in the morning?

From an Adverblog Q&A with Mariano Dorfman, Founder, Executive Creative Director and Partner of Icolic, based in Argentina.

"Q1. What is the one thing about your job that gets you out of bed in the morning?
That every day is different. That every day there are new challenges. That every day I fall in love with new projects. And, of course, that every day the "big idea" may come up."

creatively speaking
Toasting the message

Nike Snowboarding

inspired by
Housing works


Try being a farmer


pages
Super Sad True Love Story (video trailer) - great read, looking forward to Aburdistan

scene
I love you Phillip Morris easy, summer film

Up Next
Working, eating and absorbing life through Toronto, collecting notes

Spring Forward

Amazing collection of stuff piling up over the last couple of months. Spending more time outside with all senses in gear, which (hopefully) means more consistent 'reportage'...here we go:

[Creatively Speaking]
Sauna pants. I honestly don't know what to say about this. it just is.

On another note, saw this in NYC, fun idea for daily scribbling: http://www.simplediary.com

[Geek Chic]
http://inmaps.linkedinlabs.com/ displays your connections visually

Bespoke Bikes - yes please.

[Words]
Read 'The Last Crossing' by Guy Vanderhague, took awhile but realized I saw every detail he wrote once I gave it the right time and attention.

Have 'The Amazing Absorbing Boy'on the go by Rabindranath Maharaj. Story of a Trinidadian teen who moves to Regent Park, Toronto.

'Solo' by Rana Dasgupta is up next, hopefully will be warm enough to read in the hammock.

[Sounds]
The latest from James Blake, Beastie Boys, Lykke Li, Esparanza Spalding and Amos Lee all taking turns.

[I spy]
While window shopping in NYC, spotted the work of Sean Slaney. Can't find much else on him, yet.

[Opinions]
Election Day was a dark one this past month - lest we forget here's a site to keep bookmarked: http://100reasons.ca/

[Yum]
Had a nice meal at Domus in Ottawa last week, all locally-derived ingredients and interesting combinations. The mushroom bisque was a standout.

Looking forward to trying Su Shian Yuang, a vegetarian Vietnamese resto here in mtl.

City Living

Was in Havana and NYC recently, still get overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the buildings in both cities. You need to 'escape' to smaller pockets (and avoid weekends if possible) in order to breath and enjoy what are still amazing cities.

[Pages]
a just review of Isabel's Allende's Island Beneath the Sea.

New Yorkers Jazz - David Lopez Ximeno (in Spanish) - poetry that dives into the writer's relationship with both NYC and Cuba.

Poesia de la Ciudad de La Habana - Angel Augier


[Déja Vu]
Incendie - excellent film based on the play by Wajdi Mouawad.

W - although watching the Bush family for 2hrs is torture, James Brolin does a good job.

Marie and Bruce - surprise find about the breakdown of a marriage based on a play.

[Yum via NYC]
Luckily on a late Monday night, a local gal pointed us to Meme in the West Village

On Tuesday,
Lunch in Harlem at the Society Cafe -excellent meal and good vibe.

For diner decided to re-visit Brown Cafe - which I like because they focus on organic, seasonal menu that changes weekly. And who knew! 1/2 price on all wine tues-thurs (a now more common practise in the city - yay). They also have a great private dinner space next door.

Wednesday - Lucked out again at Bianca in NoHo - a small albeit loud Italian restaurant that has locals buzzing. Incredible value for deliscious regional dishes. Afterward (if you can move) check out Von next door, a wine/beer bar.

Next time - an annual event called "choice eats" curated by Village Voice food critic Robert Sietsma: food from more than trendy 'ethnic' and obscure restaurants. Tix were only $30 incl. drinks and sold out :-)

8 days in Havana

Havana in one word: layers. Socially, politically, the infrastructure, music, art - so many ways to see and consider how things are presented and acted out in a given day. I spent all my time in Havana, will take another trip someday to explore the coasts, there was definitely enough going on to fill the days and nights without rushing it (which is impossible anyway since the pace is much slower :-).

Here's my take with pics and notes below:

Cuba is heavily dependent on tourism which can make for a less 'authentic' view of the country/city. It's hard to sit for 5 minutes without being approached with a song, picture, offer of a dance or club partner, tourist guide etc. Prostitution is increasing, thanks to foreign men who take advantage of the desperate economic situation. Although funds from some tourism channels do actually get funneled back into the Cuban economy, it's not enough to support the people living there. The gov't funds restoration, social and art projects, but it's not clear how the quality of life and environment are being supported. From the current economic climate, the general guess is not well.

Once you know that doctors take second jobs (as taxi drivers etc.), imagine what life is like for the chambermaid of any given hotel next time you think the convertible peso is 'on par' with the cdn dollar. I bought two books of poetry that should have come to about $20 (which is still inexpensive) but as the prices were in pesos (and not convertibles), the price came to the equivalent of a cdn $1. It was a tough moment and raises some interesting and difficult questions around value in general and commodification of art (still working on it :-). Other bookstores charge in convertibles so it seems more reasonable - no idea how/if the writers see any money in either case.

Galleries/Studios
Visual art was a highlight of this trip - the work is incredible and the spaces are very accessible.

Taller Experimental de Grafica - fantastic stuff in this art workshop where engraving is a focus they offer classes which I would go back for.

Wilfredo Lam gallery of contemp art - mostly donated prints non-cuban painters

As part of the Museum of Fine art, the Cuban contemp art collection is one of the best I have ever seen in one setting. There's a reason so many people recommend it, creatively it's a revealing depiction of Cuban life.

A personal surprise was the Ceramic gallery featuring work of Cuba's leading artists. Beyond bowls and mugs, some really cool installation pieces and sculpture.

Artists
Overall artelista.com is a great ref site, these were two indy galleries I came across while walking around:
http://campillo.artelista.com/
http://oliva.artelista.com/

Best use of space
Toured the cathedrals/churches which like everything in Havana are very large in scale, in one string musicians practise/play - was lucky enough to happen upon a session.

The people you meet (travellers)
A former contemporary dancer who is now a massotherapist and studying to be an osteopath. Visiting her boyfriend who is learning Spanish in Havanna to work on humanitarian projects, she gave me some recommendations for projects in Guatemala, Peru and Bolivia (this must have been fate!)

Met a Turkish couple from Izmir. They spend winters travelling and go home to Turkey for the summer to spend time on their boat. They have travelled extensively, were very interesting and kind - hopefully will meet them again someday in Turkey.

A dancer from Germany, she was just off to Santiago for a couple of weeks but we spent a few hours over a good coffee (not easy to find) chatting about Cuba as she's spent a fair amount of time there and also dances. We discussed the easiest places to go dancing and not get overly-hassled :-)

Two teachers - one from Finland, the other Saskatoon - they've been teachers at an "international" school in Cuba for about 5 yrs.

So thank you Cuba - the pics show the sights and will always help tell more stories :-)

Buying time

Recently bought a whole lot of time. It's working out well, things are getting done, seen, heard, built and thought about.

Here are a few things that time recently afforded:

[Pages]
The Birthhouse - Amy Mackay

[Seen]
Very different, but equally good stories:

Kind of a funny story
Happy Tears

[Yum via Toronto]
Attempted to keep it light by eating at Fressen (disappointing) and Rawliscious (try the pad thai and a dessert)

[Last Heard]
Black Keys - Brothers
Ray La Montagne
Pierre Lapointe

[Travels]
Havana and NYC up next, for music, art and relaxation

Own People's Art

Went to the preview night of this year's Art Project Toronto last night, over 200 artists at the exhibition place. Nicely organized with specific sections highlighting emerging artists, the "lemon" competition where all artists could contribute a themed piece (sponsored by a vodka company hence the citrus) and an "installation alley" with sculture, conceptual art and of course, installations.

I finally got to meet Zane Turner who's work I've followed for the last 4 years - a personal pleasure, he's awesome, check it out.

Here are some of the other artists that made me pause:

Laurie Kang

Peter Lee

James Melcher

Anne Renouf

So Yeon Michelle Kim

Kate Tarini

Daniel Bombardier

Matthew Sweig

Ozant Kamaci

Jessica Thalmann

Enjoy!

The sum of all parts

Connecting the dots is a regular theme these days across the fields of work and play. It's worth noting that one size does not fit all when it comes to where we work - we should change people/environments/tools as needed to foster better communication and creativity.

Here are some things that are part of the daily inspiration:

[Geek Chic]
Attention Surplus - new podcast that "explores the intersection of technology, culture and purpose" - episode #2 is up and about some online options to give back.

[Creatively Speaking]
Excited about the upcoming Artist Project - Toronto, showcasing the talents of Canadian independent artists

[Let's get Digital]
A Facebook integration where your find out your milky future...

[Pages]
A night at the Red Lobster is a short story that was fully satisfying in a novel way.

[Seen]
As a pre-Oscar warm up decided to revisit a few oldies The Godfather (III stinks), Dead Poet's Society and Possible Worlds (Robert Lepage - interesting/odd of course).

[Yum]
Had a great meal of Japanese 'bar food' last week at Godzilla/Ima Dake on St. Catherine W. Excellent choices of fish and a great seafood pancake. They also serve ramen.

[Heard]
New releases from Ron Sexsmith [love the title 'long player, late bloomer'], Hey Rosetta, and Adele's video are all on rotation right now...

[Travels]
Toronto and NYC on the radar, looking forward to a little bump and hustle in both!

And so it begins....

The year of doing things differently.  Work, play, sport, eating - everything is going to be up for grabs and as macro-planned as possible.  The interesting part will be discipline (which I generally lack), so I will need to set up some kind of framework in order to get things done.  The nice part is, I'll be on my own clock. 

otherwise, here's some other things made me tick:

[Geek Chic]
Pre-fab(ulous) housing: Mini Homes by Sustain Design Studio

[Creatively Speaking]
By hand, in small batches, soap by Amarais Artisan

[Let's get Digital]
This could change the way we see things: Google art project

[Screened]
Blue Valentine - well done, not a date movie :-)

[Pages]
Reading Palo Alto by James Franco - short stories of teen angst - uneven but interesting.

[La vie locale]
Talon Courier someone finally delivers!

[Trippin']
Skied Sutton this week - each day was a completelly different experience, from powder to spring skiing and back to -20, magical glades make it all worthwile.

A few of my favourite things...

.... reading in my deep clawfoot bathtub * staying in bed reading the newspaper * spending the day flitting from one thing to another with no pressing agenda * watching snow fall outside from the inside * laughing until I'm exhausted * short burst of intensive anything...

and the other things that kept or caught my attention this week:


[Geek Chic]
I want to go to there...Alex Bogusky's Fearless Cottage

[Creatively Speaking]
Kid Koala's Music to Draw to is back on for the next three Mondays, 7pm, Theatre St. Catherine (264 St. Catherine).

[Let's get Digital]
The State of Wikipedia

[Yum!]
Le Fabrique - enjoyed a good (albeit slightly too rich) meal with lovely bubbles, a nice option in this stretch of St. Denis. Will definitely tr brunch next.

[Screened]
HOWL - Interesting mix media rendition of Ginsberg's experience and the poem.

[Pages]
Reading Freedom by Jonathan Franzen, has the same underlying tone as the Corrections, curious to see where it goes.

[Ca m'interesse]
Jim Bryson and the Weakerthans in Montreal, Feb 10

[Trippin']
Skied in Maine (Sugarloaf) - great terrain and views, old school vibe including slow chairs :-)

Stepping out

First two days of the new year are off to a good start, long mornings, daily discoveries and another friend turns 40. Spent a nice long week in Toronto, here's some of what I came across:

[Geek Chic]
Innovative Diaries

[Creatively speaking]
social product development - ideas to the test

[Pages]
Through Black Spruce - Joseph Boyden

The Monocle - briefings on global affairs, business, culture and design

[Scene]
Well, two out of three isn't bad - the film about JP is a waste, but the other two were a pleasure...
- Black Swan
- True Grit
- I'm Still Here

Saw the Julian Schnabel show at the AGO - massive works tied to film. Also stumbled upon their current exhibit on Coach House Press and related art scene.

[Yum!]
Spent a lot of time walking the city supported by the many coffee shops and none disappointed - special mentions to The Tempered Press, Ideal and Ezra's Pound. A good initiative is the Indie Coffee Passport to promote said shops around the city.

Had nice meals at Frank, The Grilled Cheese,Banu,Salt and Paese. All recommended, will be interested to see if Salt will be consistent.