Consumption

Consumption, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

It's sad to see an abandoned shopping cart on the steps of the Palace of Purification however I thought it made for an unlikely and interesting composition. I don't have to mention that the waves were absolutely crazy that day. Dudley had no interest in getting any closer to the surf than I made him. Dogs are smart that way. Humans, not so much.

A Free All-Night Contemporary Art Thing

The Night the Earth Stood Still, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

I attended this year’s Nuit Blanche along with fellow flickrites, Jude, Scott, Ron, Rick and Jeff. While I had been to this dusk-to-dawn event a couple times in the past, I had always gone solo and it was a welcome change to see it in a group. We met up around 7:00 pm at a downtown coffee shop before we took off into the night. We covered a lot of ground, a number of installations and ended the evening at some funky chicken shawarma joint near Richmond and Spadina.

Soon afterwards, we parted ways on Queen Street where I attempted to catch a streetcar home. You'd think the streetcars would be fairly quiet around 1:30 am but that wasn't the case with most cars filled beyond capacity and few and far between. I eventually ducked down to King and caught a short-turned streetcar over to Parliament where I was then able to walk up to Queen and catch another streetcar. Needless to say, I slept well and didn’t get to look at my shots until the following evening. I may post a few more over the next few days. Thanks Jude for organizing a great event and I look forward to next year’s Nuit Blanche.

The Palace of Purification

Best Friends, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

Those of you who know me, know that I like to visit and photograph the Waterworks at the end of the Beach - a lot. More formally known as the R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, this facility supplies Toronto with over 45% of its drinking water and has done so since it opened its beautiful Art Deco doors in 1941.

More importantly, it is possibly the best place in Toronto to walk your dog with lots of beach, steep hills and a view to die for. If you haven't been, treat yourself and your furry pal, and make the trip. Check out my Waterworks Collection for a sample of what you'll see. You'll find this treasure where Queen Street East meets Victoria Park and trust me, you won't be disappointed.