No wait, I’ve got proof.
Yesterday, all was fine in the dandy neighbourhood of Regent Park. The sun was shining. People were trancing out to the drum group perched conspicuously beneath a Smitherman banner.
Connection established. We know who’s funding this thing.
But is it really “a thing“?
…that’s this guy — thoughtful enough to use thumbtacks. :)
And if the city continues along its current course, he said it’s not unimaginable that Toronto could end up in serious trouble, like Detroit.
“Toronto in decline: panel”, Toronto Sun, September 22, 2010
Oh God no! Not like Detroit!
The fish ‘n chips I was masticating weren’t satisfying.
I figured, hey, the menu says “our specialty”, so I ordered it. I’ve had good food at pubs before, it’s not unheard of (the Roast Beef Stuffed Yorkshire at your local Elephant & Castle, for example). Yeah, but not here. It’s on Queen Street. I want to spare them the shame so that’s all I’ll say. Maybe also that the pub has a black bull as a mascot.
Anyhow, really poor fish ‘n chips. And that bitter story, delivered to my table via the magic of the mobile age, along with mediocre tartar sauce.
Toronto is bouncing back from the recession.
The Conference Board of Canada is predicting the city will see a 4.7% increase in real GDP this year as housing starts rebound, the manufacturing sector perks up, people start shopping and major construction projects get underway.
“Toronto’s economy on the rebound”, Toronto Sun, September 22, 2010
This story appeared shortly below.
I flipped my plate to try the pedestrian-looking fries. As I did that, I looked at the times on the stories. I’d read them backwards – Toronto’s on the rebound and then Toronto in decline. And the fries sucked too — straight out of a freezer bag.
Oh no! Is this … Detroit?!
Do you ever wonder if you’d make a good spy?
I had that thought today as I stood on a client’s fire escape today, taking recon photos of the street below.
There I was outside the Second Cup today, praying for the city to show me the light. Something so I wouldn’t have to work hard. Right at that moment, I swear the city fucking winked right at me.
Believe it or not, despite taking inexorably long I actually had a point to make with this entire series. It has to do with the kinds of people that attend the C.N.E. (or even just the grounds), and I’m going to call these people Conservationist Urbanists.
As I’m sure I’ve already mentioned, the terminus of the CNE marks the official end of summer here in Toronto. Yes, the Grand Old Lady once again shutters her carnie abodes, winterizes her hot dog stands, and abandons the Exhibition grounds to make way for more indoor, agriculturally-based pursuits.
And a Grand Old Lady she is, probably because of all the foods that abound within the burgeoning fair. It’s the main reason I went this year! :)
... with pictures
... with sounds
... with videos
... with opinions
... that's shorter
... that's longer