Kaitlin

I don't know if this is genuine sentiment, cynical marketing, or public art. Snapped this poster at the corner of Granville Street and Robson Street this afternoon, on a rare sunny winter day. The word "Williamsburg" at the bottom of the poster makes me suspect hipster tomfoolery.

Post title from this song by Matthew Pfeifer.

Poisoning Pigeons in the Park

A couple of weeks ago, I was near the corner of Granville & Georgia, and I happened to glance up and see these pigeons perched halfway up the glass wall of the Vancouver City Centre Canada Line station. Glad I had my iPhone handy.

Post title from this lovely song by Tom Lehrer. Mr. Lehrer's absurd melodies were very much a part of my childhood.

Slanted? Oh Yeah!!

Came across this oddity on Granville Street near Georgia Street, just a few steps away from this sculpture. I'm not sure what its purpose is - perhaps an information booth of some sort? I've never seen one that is intended to sit on a slant that way. But the sign says they'll be back at two o'clock, so I guess I can go back and figure out the mystery.

Post title from this song by The Time Lodgers.

Like a Prayer

Ran across this mystery sculpture of giant praying hands on Granville Street near Georgia the other day. No idea why it's there; no sign, plaque or explanation of any kind. It's Sunday, so I thought the image was appropriate for those who believe.

Post title from this song by Madonna.

Clock Tower

The clock tower of the historic Sinclair Centre at the foot of Granville Street downtown. From their website:

"The [Post Office] building is easily identifiable by the 43m (141 ft) clock tower. The historic atrium clock was built in 1909 by John Smith & Sons and is the largest clock movement in Western Canada. The four, 12-foot diameter clocks were restored in 1986."

Post title from this song by AudioBody.

Skateboarding Music

During the Olympics, one of the best things about being downtown was that many of the major streets were closed to vehicle traffic. The celebratory atmosphere was electric; even if you didn't get to go to any official Olympic events, the party was in the street and just wandering around people watching was good fun in and of itself. Because it was such a success, the City of Vancouver has decided to close Granville St and make it pedestrian only during the weekends all summer. Last weekend was the first of these closures, and I wandered down to have a look. Caught this photo of a skateboarding competition that was taking place in front of the Vogue Theatre.

Post title from Anti-Flag.

The Blob

Another Vancouver Biennale piece. Made of stainless steel and located at the corner of Georgia Street and Granville Street, it's called Artificial Rock #143, by Zhan Wang of China. I like the way, in this shot, it looks like an amorphous mass oozing through the city, like The Blob.

By this point you may have guessed that science fiction books and films figured prominently in my growing-up years.

Post title from this song by The Five Blobs.

Passport Radio

The other day I needed to renew my passport, so headed to the Passport Canada office in Sinclair Centre downtown. Walking to the entrance with my new "photo a day" set of eyes, I noticed some detail on the outside of the building I've walked blindly past countless times.


Post title from this song by Broken Social Scene.