Friday's Feed

This past weeks discoveries around the net.

Mobius Strip: I discovered this while trying to think of a potential name for a business if I ever start one. For people who do not know what this is, you can make one yourself by taking a strip of paper and twisting it once, then bringing the two ends together and taping, or gluing them. What has happened is you have created an endless loop. No matter where you start, you will always end back at your starting point. I have attempted to create this using AutoCAD, but it is rather difficult without knowing the 3D aspect of the software.

M.C. Escher drawing of a Mobius Strip

Klein Bottle: After reading extensively about the Mobius Strip, I was lead to discovering the Klein Bottle. This is taking a Mobius Strip and cutting along its length and folding it together.

Klein Bottle

 Julian Beever Pavement Drawings: I am sure many people have seen these before as they have been reported on many times. He is an artist that creates incredible drawings on sidewalks around the world depicting all sorts of products and thoughts in his imagination. There have been times that he has had trouble with the law and not allowed to complete them.

Joshua Hoffine Horror Photography: This man has an incredible imagination, not unlike Julian Beever, but uses photography as his median. Not only does he come up with some scary ideas, but his crew and friends that help him bring his thoughts to life are amazing.

 

Craig

Wednesdays Works

I have not had much inspiration or ideas the past week, so I will only be posting one sketch that was done on the 22nd. It is of what I picture the front/main entrance to my custom built house would look like if ever I have the opportunity to build it. The idea for it has come from my time living in England and wandering in older neighbourhoods, as well as Plexus Doors(located in British Columbia), I love the custom work and detail that is put into the reclaimed lumber doors. If I ever start carpentry this is another project I would like to build myself, even if it only gets used as a door between rooms, or to a work shop. There are a few detailed features that I would add, like a viewing window, and custom manufactured door knocker made from steel. I've still not decided if I want the door to be arched, or have it rectangular with an arched window above(like the sketch).

Front/Main Door

Craig

Waterloo Renting

I am in the process of searching for a place so that Emma and I can live somewhere together that is not my parents house, and has amenities close at hand. About a year ago I was on a mission to find a place and failed to move anywhere. I felt that the places available were not to my standards, or the landlord was discriminatory towards me. Well I am coming across the same problems again. Why is it a hassle to find a place to rent in Waterloo, am I looking at the wrong places or are my standards too high. I have found one place that is an an ideal location, and the property is well maintained. The problem is the management require that both parties interested in renting the unit view it, and also have an interview with the management company before entering into a lease. Am I the only one that finds this ridiculous, especially if I can provide enough evidence that I am capable of paying the rental fees myself, and a courteous tenant that will maintain the rental unit, or does it make sense for it to be a process similar to hiring someone in a management position? I have heard from friends that are currently renting, that they found it a very simple process and have found places in a very short period, any advice as to what I am doing wrong?

Each week that goes by without me finding a place, is causing me to have doubts in the cities I was born and raised. Perhaps my traveling has spoiled me or it has opened my eyes to the reality that the city I once loved is now showing its true colours.

End of rant,

Craig

Wednesdays Works

As I have stated in previous posts about writing and sketching my thoughts, I am going to make a weekly post of anything I have worked on in the previous week.

The first image is of a stone archway that could be incorporated into a house that might be between the kitchen and dining/living room. I feel this is a good place for it as the kitchen will have a natural material for the counter-top and will give you the feeling of being in nature as you cook meals. The other place you may find the stone archway would be at the side of the house providing access from the front yard to the back, with a decorative wrought iron gate.

Stone Archway

The next image is an idea I have of what my future house could look like, if I ever have the opportunity to custom build it. The round turret would house a spiral staircase that leads to a library, and within the library there would be two comfortable reading chairs and a small side table. The spiral staircase would be the only access that visitors know of until I show them the hidden doorway through one of the bookshelves that leads to the hallway between bedrooms. I am inspired by Medieval and Gothic Architecture and therefore want to use many of those elements in my design.

Medieval/Gothic house with spiral staircase

I have a few more ideas floating in my head and each will I will post what I have sketched in the previous week.

Craig

Waterloo Region

I have been following the plans in Waterloo Region to improve the public transit and am encouraged and discouraged by its residents.

I am in support of the plans to include Light Rail Transit in the region, although I feel that their initial idea of running it from Conestoga Mall to Fairview Mall is not the ideal choice. If I were on the transit council my plan would be for the Light Rail to run from St.Jacobs(or the Farmers Market, with buses to St.Jacobs) to the Ainslie St terminal in Cambridge. This is one of the plans the the region has, but it comes with the highest cost for local taxpayers. I understand the frustration from Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig at not being included with the current semi-approved Light Rail plan, as rapid buses are to be in place from Fairview Mall to the Ainslie St terminal, with plans in the future to expand the rail line.

I am opposed to increasing transit only using buses as this comes with higher costs by having to increase the amount of roads we have. I feel the biggest issue is vehicles with one occupant, and in this situation that requires households to own more than one vehicle. If it is possible for residents to remove one vehicle it could save them thousands of dollars over the year through maintenance, fuel, and insurance. With this extra income they have the option to treat themselves to anything they want, holidays, house renovations, and have the monetary funds available when an emergency occurs.

The first step that needs to be taken in the Region is a central hub that connects buses, Light Rail, VIA Rail and GO Transit, which is currently in the works in Kitchener. Once this hub is built we will have the option to take VIA Rail to several cities on Southwestern Ontario and as far East as Montreal, which can then connect to other cities. By having this option we can hop on a bus at a stop, hopefully only a short distance from our doorstep, to the central hub, and if anyone works in the GTA they can transfer to the GO Train. From this hub I would also like to see the GO Train or VIA Rail have a link to Pearson International Airport, Waterloo Regional International Airport and London Airport. Currently the only transportation options residents of Waterloo have to airports are from a family member, friend and Airways Transit/Taxi. When a friend or family drives you it is convenient but it can become tiresome after a while if you fly frequently, and the cost from Airways Transit/Taxis is too high in my personal opinion, so I would like to have a cost effective option with convenience.

While the Region works on improving the public transit they need to improve the other methods of moving about the city, by this I mean better maintained sidewalks and increased bicycle lanes. Obviously with these improvements safety comes into question, and I feel confident that Waterloo will do a good job. Having read a few statements from people concerned about taking the small town charm from the cities that make up Waterloo Region I understand their concern when it comes to improving transit by installing Light Rail, but we also need to look at the major employers currently operating here. Of the three highest employers two are involved with investing and insurance, while the third is in the Information Technology business and is known around the world for its innovation, and with these three companies operating here I feel that the small town charm has gone, so why not move forward and embrace what the Region can offer its future residents without harming the current ones. I am looking forward to what the Region implements, but it is up the its residents, and if you disappoint the residents they will move from the Region and advise others to do the same or convince people to not move here.

This will be my first full year living in Waterloo Region with my partner, and I am looking forward to it even if it comes across in some of my posts and potentially not enjoying it. I shall participate in the events hosted by each city throughout the year and am looking forward to new events coming to the area. If you would like anymore info here are a few websites to better inform you:

Pro LRT - Tri-Cities Transport Action Group

Opposed to LRT - Taxpayers for Sensible Transit

Region of Waterloo - Rapid Transit Info

What are your thoughts on the future plans the Region has in store, and what is something you would like to see come to the Region or for councilors to change or implement?

Craig

Fire: Mesmerising to Fierce

You are sitting on a stump shortly after sunset watching the smoke float majestically towards the sky as the flames tips lick the air. You find your body slowly relaxing as you are mesmerised by the flames dancing with each other, and feel the warmth emanate and envelope you making your comfort with nature more enjoyable. After a few moments you are disturbed by the thought that you need to satisfy your hunger, so you move from your comfortable position to find food to grill over the open flames. As you are cooking your vegetable and meat over the heat and flames, while enjoying the intoxicating aromas, you marvel at your ancestors for discovering fire entirely by accident when a piece of flint was hit against another piece, yet you also thank them for this discovery as it adds new elements and flavours to your daily sustenance. After enjoying your meal the night would not be complete with having a smore over the coals of the ever decreasing fire before you go off to sleep.

While on your drive home you see smoke rising in the distance, and as you move closer to it you are aware that a forest fire is happening. This fire is destroying everything in its path and is difficult to control due to strong winds, and is increasingly moving towards houses and a nature reserve. As you proceed past it you hope that the wind changes as you don`t want any people or animal harmed and are aware after the fire burns out, the earth will rejuvenate itself to be more brilliant than it ever was, and look forward to seeing this.

Craig

Next installment - Water: Tranquil to Rabid

Thoughts & Sketches

Having started this new blog I have found new inspiration in my surroundings and am putting effort towards writing my thoughts, and drawing sketches of any creative ideas I have. In order to do this I have purchased a sketch book that I have by my bed as most of these thoughts appear to me just as I am in the process of falling asleep.

I lack the skills to sketch properly, but as I will continue doing it I should gain a better understanding as I progress and practice. As with the sketch book I have a book to teach me how to draw simple objects and give me different perspectives on scenery and people.

So far I have sketched what I would like my bed, audio/video stand, and coffee table to look like, and hope to make these myself someday. I am in the process of changing the header of my blog as well with photos that I have taken myself, and a few other features, but I don't want to give all of it away just yet, you will have to come back in the future to see what has been done.

Craig

Nottingham, England

Well I have arrived back in Ontario after a two week holiday visiting Emma and friends in Nottingham, England. I had a wonderful time and am sad that I needed to come back as I enjoy living in that city. Over the two weeks I have been out for dinner more times than the last year, and in a pub to have a drink, all but one day. Even though we speak the same language(sort of) it is a different culture, but probably not something that most people will notice spending only a few weeks there on holiday.

As I lived in England for 15 months I am familiar with the citizens and their daily lives and how they differ from that of Canadians. For me the biggest difference is the city life, everything revolves around living in cities. In North America people work in the city centre(if you can call it that), then drive back to their homes in the suburbs and don't interact with others around them, whereas in England people work in the city centres(live in the centre as well as suburbs) and remain there for hours to go shopping, meet with friends for drinks, go to the cinema or theatre and congregate in the open market square for any events happening. While observing this you get a real sense of community and discover attributes from your own nation that irritate you, especially when the world around believes Canadians to be some of the friendliest people. Yet having travelled to many places over the past years I am not being a witness to this belief.

My second largest observational difference in how the citizens moves about the city, public transit v personal transport. Throughout Europe public transit is the biggest means of transportation for moving from house to work and social venues. In North America the car has been the dominant means of transportation for the past five decades and possibly longer. With the idea of public transit I feel it adds to the sense of community you get with the citizens of cities and outlying areas.

After reading this you probably think that I am only interested in city life, that's not the case. I do enjoy living in the countryside but you can't deny the convenience of living in a city and when you want to experience the country life you have the option to go for a drive, camping or hiking(all if you own a car). Another point I would like to make is that European cities have been established for a much longer period of time than all of North America and therefor have the upper-hand when it comes to city planning and catering to the residents.

Over the next few weeks I shall be adding new posts that are in line with this one, feel free to add your two cents on the topics at hand

Craig