Reno Hell

..... All i can say is FML. We had some water damage and as a result I have been living in a Saran wrapped house for a week or two... Sigh.




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Dog Park, if only for a day!

This is a little something something I am working on... Feel free to attend!

Chess anyone?

Have i pad.... Will take quick and dirty photo.





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AGA

Despite the gallery fundraising a lot of the money for this renovation through private donors, there was a lot of out cry about public dollars being spent on an "elitest institution that no one would ever visit". I understand why people don't get art.. I just wished they understand that I pay taxes so they can drive to Walmart on public roads that I don't use cause I live car free... so why can't they give a bit and support art... O well!

From Wiki...

The Art Gallery of Alberta (formerly the Edmonton Art Gallery) is a public art gallery located in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Its collection of well over 6,000 works of art includes historical and contemporary paintings, sculptures, installation works and photographs by Canadian and international artists. In addition to its permanent collection, the AGA hosts visiting exhibitions and offers public education programs.

The vision statement of the AGA is: "The Art Gallery of Alberta creates a welcoming and engaging environment where people are motivated to transform their understanding of the world by connecting with the visual arts."

Originally designed in 1968 as a Brutalist building by Don Bittorf, the gallery recently underwent an $88 million renovation designed by Randall Stout Architects. It reopened in January, 2010. The newly renovated 85,000-square-foot (7,900 m²) space includes almost double the exhibition space of the original building; a restaurant, gallery shop, and 150 seat theatre; and dedicated gallery space for the AGA's permanent collection.

Following the renovation annual memberships of AGA increased significantly and there were 30,000 visitors within the first six weeks of reopening.

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Alberta Gallery of Alberta

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Not just for eating

I work part time for a young man who has some mental disabilities. I wanted to open a window which resulted in this photo. This is dedicated to Eddy and all he teaches me. I wish I had my real camera and not just my I pad.






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Location:Eddy's house

I found Nemo

Today Economic Development Edmonton had a free BBQ under the theme of I heart yegdt. This was taken with my I pad. Not the best quality but a fun new way to show you my world. I'm getting used to the framing of the shot... It's rather odd to take a picture from something as wide as a sheet of paper.


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Location:Churchill square

122st Redevelopment...

O my..... Recently I have become involved in some property and development activities in my community. This one is for a highly visible block along Jasper Ave. The developer has a long standing history of being very community sensitive...

I'm excited for this project, sadly the room was full of people who demand they "leave our community alone"

The disconnect between the young and future focused young demographic and the 50+ demographic is rather large.

At one point a lady started lecturing.. at one point she stopped and asked the group if she was exaggerating to which they all replied no.... and after they said no... I yelled YES.

Next time I will ask my question and leave...

Sobeys Downtown Edmonton Sidewalk Chalk Demonstration

Sobeys in Downtown Edmonton WAS my favorite place to shop... Then they covered all their amazing windows with vinyl photos of fruit and veggies. There are a lot of upset people. Enough upset people that Sobeys national marketing team is flying out to meet with a few different people and to reassess their decision. I thought I might help them make up their mind!

Urban Stream

More Paul Kane park... more moving water... and some neat lines

Endangered Species

O the rare and hard to find public fountain....

There is something so utterly fantastic about the way moving water photographs.

In response to one of the comments bellow I want to post a link to another photo. Take a look as it is what we have created as a replacement to lasting infrastructure.

I was talking with a new friend about how I didn't feel that the majority of people "get" me. I'm very right brain. I organize in piles and often create wonderful things out of what other perceive to be chaos. I am almost fully ambidextrous, which made playing sports as a child rather hard. I never understood why we have to catch with one hand and throw with the other... I liked to do it both with the same hand. I write with my right but I hold my pen like a lefty. I play golf left handed and I have no back hand in tennis because I just toss the racket to the other hand. Edmonton was always known as the more artistic city. I am not surprised I was drawn here over other places.

Check this site out... http://www.wherecreativitygoestoschool.com/vancouver/left_right/rb_test.htm

Here are my results..

Thank you for taking the Creativity Test. The results show your brain dominance as being:

Left Brain	Right Brain
38%	62%

You are more right-brained than left-brained. The right side of your brain controls the left side of your body. In addition to being known as right-brained, you are also known as a creative thinker who uses feeling and intuition to gather information. You retain this information through the use of images and patterns. You are able to visualize the "whole" picture first, and then work backwards to put the pieces together to create the "whole" picture. Your thought process can appear quite illogical and meandering. The problem-solving techniques that you use involve free association, which is often very innovative and creative. The routes taken to arrive at your conclusions are completely opposite to what a left-brained person would be accustomed. You probably find it easy to express yourself using art, dance, or music. Some occupations usually held by a right-brained person are forest ranger, athlete, beautician, actor/actress, craftsman, and artist.

Your complete evaluation follows below:

Your left brain/right brain percentage was calculated by combining the individual scores of each half's sub-categories. They are as follows: Your Left Brain Percentages 60% Verbal (Your most dominant characteristic) 34% Reality-based 18% Sequential 16% Linear 9% Logical 0% Symbolic (Your least dominant characteristic) Your Right Brain Percentages 52% Fantasy-oriented (Your most dominant characteristic) 46% Concrete 42% Holistic 29% Intuitive 23% Random 7% Nonverbal (Your least dominant characteristic)

What Do These Percentages Mean? Low percentages are common in the Brain Type Test and are not indicative of intelligence. Instead, medium to high scores (30 - 50%) are desireable, as they show an ability to utilize a processing method without an abnormal reliance on it. Special focus should be paid to highly dominant (50% or above) or highly recessive (0 - 30%) methods, as they tend to limit your approach when learning, memorizing, or solving problems. If you have Highly Dominant characteristics, your normal thinking patterns will naturally utilize these methods. Conscious effort is required to recognize the benefits of other techniques. Using multiple forms of information processing is the best way to fully understand complex issues and become a balanced thinker. If you have Highly Recessive characteristics, your normal thinking patterns naturally ignore these methods. You may only consider these under-utilized techniques when "all else fails," or possibly not at all. It is important to recognize the benefits of all of your brain's capabilities in order to become a balanced thinker. Left Brain Categories Verbal Processing Verbal processing is a method used by the left hemisphere to process our thoughts and ideas with words. For example, through verbal processing, a left-brained person giving directions may say, "From this point continue east for two miles and turn north onto Bellevue Road. Continue north on Bellevue Road for seven miles and turn west on Main Street". With verbal processing, exact, logical directions are given in a very sequential manner compared to a right-brained person who, in giving the same directions, would use more visual landmarks. Your Verbal Analysis You are a highly verbal person. Using this method you process your thoughts and ideas with words. You use exact, technical logic for the descriptions of your thoughts and seldom use illustrations. If giving directions, you would say, "Continue two miles east on Court Street and turn north onto Jefferson Street" because, to you, this is the clearest way to get the information across. Reality-based Processing Reality-based processing is used by the left hemisphere as a method for processing information with a basis on reality. This processing tool focuses on rules and regulations. An example of this would be how a left-brained person would completely understand the repercussions of turning in a late assignment or failing a test. A left-brained person also usually easily adjusts to changes in their environment. Your Reality-based Analysis You process information with a basis in reality, but are not limited to it. You may recognize the repercussions of you actions, but proceed to do something anyway, in the heat of the moment. You can complete projects to whice you are emotionally attached as well as random tasks. Sequential Processing Sequential processing is a method used by the left hemisphere for processing information. The information that is received is processed in order from first to last. Information is processed in a systematic, logical manner. Through sequential processing, you can interpret and produce symbolic information such as language, mathematics, abstraction, and reasoning. This process is used to store memory in a language format. Activities that require sequential processing include spelling, making a "to-do" list, and many aspects of organization. Your Sequential Analysis You tend process information you receive without any priority as to which is processed first, last, or any place in between. It is difficult for you to learn or perform tasks involving sequence. For example, spelling is a task that involves sequence and you may experience problems remembering exact spelling or any type of rote memorization, for that matter. Creating daily lists and plans are probably not activities you enjoy. If you are having problems with tasks involving sequence, there are methods you can use to improve your skills. One method involves using colors to learn sequence. You assign a color to each task. For example, you may want to make the first step green, the second step blue, and the last step red. This helps because the right side of the brain, your dominant side in this case, is sensitive to colors. The important thing to remember is that consistently using the same sequence will help you both improve and recognize that this strategy can be used in many different circumstances involving sequence. Linear Processing Linear processing is a method by the left hemisphere to process information. In this process, the left brain takes pieces of information, lines them up, and proceeds to arrange them into an order from which it may draw a conclusion. The information is processed from parts to a whole in a straight, forward, and logical progression. Your Linear Analysis You tend to have difficulty in processing data in a linear manner. When processing information you tend see the whole picture first and work your way backwards, filling in the pieces as you go. The information you process is not done in a straight, progressive manner, but may take different paths as you start with an assumption and take different paths to discover the threads that lead you to that assumption. Seeing the big picture at the beginning of the process is a necessity for you if you are to understand additional information. When given a task, instead of naturally following directions in a linear fashion, you tend to feel the need to know "why" you are doing something or else you may have difficulty with it. Logical Processing Logical processing is a method that is used by the left hemisphere to take information piece by piece and put it all together to form a logical answer. When information is received through reading or listening, the left hemisphere will look for different bits of information that will allow it to produce a logical conclusion. This aspect of the left hemisphere is what aids you in solving math problems and science experiments. Your Logical Analysis Logical processing is not one of your strengths, so you may tend to rely on a "gut" feeling to help you make your decisions from the information you have received. For example, you will often choose an answer on a test because it "feels" right, and you may be correct. This is due to the fact of your tendency to look for the whole picture but not the details that create it. You can often start with the answer and work your way back to allow yourself to see the process and parts that create the whole. You may find math problems and science experiments difficult because of this. Symbolic Processing Symbolic processing is a method associated with the left hemisphere that is used for processing the information of pictures and symbols. The majority of functions associated with academics involve symbols such as letters, words, and mathematical notations. This process is what aids you to excel in tasks such as linguistics, mathematics, and memorizing vocabulary words and mathematical formulas. Your Symbolic Analysis You have difficulty processing the information of symbols, and would rather see the real object in order to understand. You probably hated algebra. For example, if solving a math problem, you need to "draw out" the problem to understand and solve it. You rely on the visualization of real objects instead of their symbols. Tasks such as memorizing vocabulary words or mathematical formulas are more difficult for you. Right Brain Categories Fantasy-oriented Processing Fantasy-oriented processing is used by the right hemisphere as a method for processing information with creativity. It focuses much less on rules and regulations than the processing method of a left-brained person. Due to the fantasy-oriented processing mechanism of a right-brained person, they do not adjust well to change. Instead of adapting to the change in the environment, a right-brained person attempts to change it back to the way they liked it. But fantasy-oriented processing also provides the advantage of creativity to right-brained individuals, and since emotion is integral of the right side of the brain, anything a fantasy-oriented person becomes involved in emotionally will aid their ability to learn. Your Fantasy-oriented Analysis You are highly able to process information you receive with creativity. Your focus does not get caught up in rules and regulations. However, you usually do not adjust well to change. Instead of adapting to it, you often try to keep things as they were. Creativity is your big advantage as well as your tendency to become emotionally involved in your work. Concrete Processing Concrete processing is a method associated with the right hemisphere that is used for processing things that can be seen or touched. It processes much of the information you receive from real objects. For example, a right-brained person is not just satisfied that a mathematical formula may work, but will want to know why it works. A strongly concrete person often finds it easier to solve a mathematical problem by "drawing it out" because it allows them to visualize it. The more a concrete person can visualize something the easier it is for them to understand it. Your Concrete Analysis At times, you feel the need to see a real object in order to understand it. At other times, you are able to understand a problem on a symbolic level. For example, you may find that in solving math problems, it occasionally helps you to "draw out" the problem in order to understand and solve it. Holistic Processing Holistic processing is a method used by the right hemisphere to process information. The information is processed from whole to parts. A right-brained person, through holistic processing, is able to see the big picture first, but not the details that accompany it. A strongly holistic person may often find that prior to listening to a lecture given by an instructor, they must first read the chapter so that they better understand what the lecture is about. This function is also what provides to you your visual spatial skills. It also aids in tasks such as dancing and gymnastics. Through holistic processing, memory is stored in auditory, visual, and spatial modalities. Your Holistic Analysis You show some ability to process data holistically, starting with the whole and working backwards to find the parts, which inform the whole, to form your conclusion. When you process information in a linear manner you are able to start with the parts and work up to form the whole. It is important to be comfortable with both methods, as both are equally necessary in the learning process. Intuitive Processing Intuitive processing is a method that is used by the right hemisphere to process information based on if it "feels" right or not. For example, a right-brained person may choose an answer on a test because they had a "gut" feeling and often they will be correct. Another example of this is how a right-brained person will know the correct answer to a math problem but will not understand the procedure of how they arrived at the correct answer. A right-brained person will usually have to start with the answer and work their way backwards in order to be able to see and understand the parts and process that create the whole. Your Intuitive Analysis When processing information, at times you are able to go with your "gut" instincts. At other times you may doubt your instincts, or prefer to put information together piece by piece to form your conclusion. You should be careful not to ignore your intuition, but at the same time do not solely rely on it. Random Processing Random processing is a method used by the right hemisphere for processing information. The information that is received is processed without priority. A right-brained person will usually jump from one task to another due to the random processing by their dominant right hemisphere. Random processing is, of course, the opposite of sequential processing therefore making it difficult for right-brained individuals to choose to learn in sequence. In order to overcome this, a right-brained person may want to attempt to learn sequence by using colors since the right hemisphere is sensitive to color. For example, you may want to associate the first step with green, the second step with blue, and the last step with red. Consistently using the same sequence will allow you to see that this strategy can be applied to many tasks involving sequence. Your Random Analysis You tend to not process data randomly, preferring instead to follow a systematic, logical order from first to last. You have difficulty making "leaps of logic" which prevents you from making unique discoveries, or adapt to change during your thinking process. Nonverbal Processing Nonverbal processing is a method used by the right hemisphere to process our thoughts with illustrations. Reliance on this method is why it is occasionally difficult for right-brained people to "find the right words" in certain situations. A right-brained person cannot just read or hear information and process it, but first must make a mental video to better understand the information they have received. For example, through nonverbal processing, a person giving directions may say, "Continue going straight until you see a big, red-brick courthouse. At the courthouse turn right, and go down that street for a couple of miles until you se a gray stone church which will be on your right. Straight across from the church is the road to the left you need to take." With nonverbal processing, the directions that are given are extremely visual compared to the exact, sequential directions that would be given by a left-brained person. Your Nonverbal Analysis You have little ability in nonverbal processing. When you process your thoughts and ideas you mainly use words instead of illustrations. For example, if you were giving directions you may say, "Continue traveling west for 3 miles and turn north at the intersection." You would give exact, logical directions in a very sequential manner.

Billions!!

Billions and Trillions of dollars.... Can you even fathon what a trillion dollars is? I can't, but yet we throw the words around..

The newly elected Canadian conservative government is a bit of a concern for me. Under them government spending has ballooned to it's highest levels. The public service has grown to be the largest it's ever been and they have cut progressive consumption taxes and replaced it with questionable tax credits. These tax credits allow families to claim for children's sports fees. Sadly giving a credit on your yearly tax return does nothing for those who couldn't pay the fees in the first place. In other words the socially disadvantaged cannot access these services and this tax program doesn't help it either. In fact it may even inflate the cost.

Harper finds himself in an interesting position. He did not get in by winning the popular vote. About 60% of Canadians voted for left or liberal leaning parties while only 40% voted for right leaning. When the 40% of Conservative canadians are polled they don't actually agree with a lot of Harpers more conservative campaign ideas.

We could open this up to a global perspective and talk about honduras and our recent free trade agreement, but this is a blog about Edmonton. So..... Canadian cities are horribly underfunded and rely on a taxation system that makes no allowance for peoples actual income, just the value of their homes. To top this all off Alberta is a Conservative strong hold. The political party can take Alberta for granted because no matter what they do or don't do Alberta votes blue.

This poster is plastered to one of the "decorative" polls on 124st. I like how it's decrepit state plays off the "billions" in corporate giveaways. I look at the riots in London and wonder.... is it time for a revolution?

Signs

Ok.... I am not going to promise anything to anyone ever again! The U of A didn't happen but a stroll down 124 street did. Although the street itself is very beautiful and full of interesting little stores, the thing that jumped out at me were signs. As someone who feels that they owe the greater global community a duty to lessen his footprint on the world, I grow ever concerned with our throw away consumer society. Mix that in with a rough couple of years, a lot of personal growth and hint of battling depression and you get this photo.

It's nice to feel well again ;-)

Stalling...

Oops.. missed a day! Because the inspiration to restart this little venture came out of no where, I have no prep of stock photos to fall back on. I also don't didn't have a theme... Until today.

Today I will head to the University of Alberta.. It has three Campuses ranging from Downtown with a very mod urban feel to Heritage buildings located on it's main campus..

Given the time of year and back to school looming... we might get some good shots! Scratch might insert will.

This is Farrah. She is an 80lbs monster who everyone thinks is a boy due to her size. I'm her third home believe it or not. The last year has been a very hard one for me personally and she has held me accountable and demands structure. I needed her just as bad as she needs me. Now if only I could get her to stop eating shoes and play nice with other dogs.

I know the lighting in this is all wrong.. she needed to be more forward and it would have been nice if she looked into the light a bit more.... but have you ever tried to get a dog to pose? It's not easy. LOL

Sky Drops

I heart the way the early morning sky is reflected in the water...... Maybe I'm not as rusty as I thought. Little do you know it took me 40 some shots to get 3 useful ones! HA

Edmonton is a unique environment. Just on the edge of where parkland meets the northern forests. The north east corner of the city is the best place in Alberta to grow vegetables and the city is extremely green in the summer. I will steal from wiki;

-Edmonton's river valley constitutes the longest stretch of connected urban parkland in North America, and Edmonton has the highest per capita area of parkland of any Canadian city; the river valley is 22 times larger than New York City's Central Park.

-This main "Ribbon of Green" is supplemented by numerous neighbourhood parks located throughout the city, to give a total of 111 km² (27,400 acres) of parkland.

-Edmonton's streets and parklands are also home to one of the largest remaining concentrations of healthy american elm trees in the world.

Be Patient I am SUPER rusty at shooting.. and I will be busy the next couple days so I will do a few future posts. SPOILERS if you will.

The Old Brewery

Built in 1913, the brewery was in operation until 2007. When, after the workers went on strike, it was closed. The modern structures have all been demolished leaving only the protected heritage buildings. Sorry about the chain link fence... I tried to break in but I couldn't. Shhhhh you didn't hear that from me!

Boy in a Bubble

It's time to revive an old friend... After not touching my camera for a long time a muse ran smack dab into my life. Thanks muse.

The Academy

Here is the Girls side of the school that sits between my back yard and the peace park...

From Wiki.. The schools namesake;

John Bosco (Italian: Giovanni Melchiorre Bosco, IPA: [ɡjovani melkiõrre ʙoskoː]; 16 August 1815^[1] – 31 January 1888), was an Italian Catholic priest, educator and writer of the 19th century, who put into practice the convictions of his religion, dedicating his life to the betterment and education of poor youngsters, and employing teaching methods based on love rather thanpunishment, a method that is known as the preventive system.^[2] As he was a follower of thespirituality and philosophy of Francis de Sales, Bosco dedicated his works to him when he founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales (more commonly known as the Salesian Society or the Salesians of Don Bosco). Together with Maria Domenica Mazzarello he founded the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, a religious congregation of nuns dedicated to the care and education of poor girls, and popularly known as Salesian Sisters. In 1876 Bosco founded a movement of laity, the Salesian Cooperators, with the same educational mission to the poor.^[3] In1875 he published 'Bibliofilo Cattolico - Bollettino Salesiano Mensuale (The Catholic Book Lover - Salesian Monthly Bulletin.)^[4][5] The Bulletin has remained in continuous publication, and is currently published in 50 different editions and 30 languages.^[4]

Bosco succeeded in establishing a network of organizations and centres to carry on his work. In recognition of his work with disadvantaged youth, he was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934.

Oliver Peace Park and Community Garden

The History: Prior to 1914, 103 ave was known as peace avenue. The Garden was purchased from the Catholic School Board in 2008.

I sat in the initial meetings where we discussed what kind of green space the community wanted.

The park has a series of raised beds that allow the seniors in the surrounding assisted living complexes to garden as well. The large rock was to be a water feature... I'm not sure what is happening with that.

Fire Men!

The Fire Boys were in the river valley practicing repelling and using other rescue equipment.

;-)

Dog Days of... Fall!

This is not my dog... ;-)

All the pictures I took of Farrah turned out badly!

My Fav doggy Trail

Sorry about the complete lack of dogs.. I went in the middle of the day and it was a tad slow.

THe Dog Park Foot Bridge

THis bridge turns what would be a 30 min drive into a 10 min one. It connects the south and north sides of the river. In the winter half of the bridge is left unplowed for the cross country skiers.

The Dog Park

It's fall and I have rediscovered my love for the dog park. My prior dog was lost in a separation so for a while I wondered around the park trying to decide if I wanted to be a single parent. In the end I decided to take the leap. Pictures of Farrah will come later.

Sadie

HI... it's been a while since I have done this.... SORRY

I have been through a divorce, Major Depression, Gained 40 lbs, Lost 20, a new BF and now a career change.

Sadie has been with me through most of it ;-)

Food! Glorious food!

Ok, I LOVE the cupcake shot.. esp because the cupcake is reflected in the glass nob of the cake dome.

The Jam Lay is where I get all my mustards from... mmmm fancy mustard!

Icon II

Because I haven't been posting on a regular basis... I feel like putting up two pics today!

The second tower to the Icon development is well on its way to completion. When finished the second tower will be the tallest condo tower in the city.

Market Day

The First day of the DT City Center Market brings another year of fresh veggies and unique goods. The 104st downtown market was voted one of Canada's best.

I like this photo bacase it's actualy the back of the sign. The City Market portion reads correctly but the other portion of the sign is bakwards and reveresed. It should read Market Day.

Is it Christmas?

Despite the economic slow down Building continues in Edmonton. Planning and rezoning has not stopped. Edmonton metro is estimated to almost double it's population in 30-40 years. This has created a huge push for developement.

This building is wrapped in a tarp because any cement work done during times of lower temps must be kept at a min temp in rder to set right. I eagerly await to see whats under there!

The Wheels on the bus...

OK this is the end of my little transit series. Due to the economic condition of the World, and because the gov't is trowing around money like mad trying to "keep things going" another extension of the LRT has now been funded. You would think that our city would be excited, but like most political issues their are many unhappy people.

LRT Service Vehicle

This little guy was used to shuffle cargo around an industrial yard somewhere. It sat unused for years with hardly any hours put on it.

Edmonton Transit Purchased it, rebuilt it and now it's the lines service vehicle.

ETS

Ok I am running out of photos, he he, so I am going to strech it a bit.

Edmonton Rapid LRT

Edmonton City has a population of 750,000 but another 250,000 plus live just outside the city limits. To add to that Edmonton is expected to grow by 400,000 people over the next 30 odd years. LRT is becoming a major issue. Edmonton was the first city in Canada with a LRT line. It was started for the Commonwealth Games. Due to recesion in the 80's and then lack of prov gov't intrest funding for expansion in Edmonton stopped. That all changed a few years ago, these pictures are from the opening of the new South Extension. An anouncement was also just made that has provided funding for a North East expansion. our North West Leg is past the planning stage and now just needs Finacial commitment.