Published!

150th blog post. First online photo credit.

Waterways

Although Toronto lies on the shores of a Great Lake, it doesn't have a very strong maritime feel. In fact, decades of apathy and political infighting have left the waterfront a mess of industrial wasteland or concrete jungle, which may someday require a Big Dig to remedy. One need only go to Chicago to see how it should be done. The one saving grace is Toronto Island.

Chicago Skyline

I find a certain appeal in cities on rivers or the ocean. Perhaps because I never grew up with long ferry rides or driving along bridges and causeways that are miles long. I did live in The Beach neighbourhood, but for most of my childhood, entering the water was at your own risk.

When I was in Tampa, there were jetski rentals at the edge of my hotel parking lot. I could see powerboats go back and forth from my window. Even if I had brought appropriate beachwear, I think I'd still prefer a nice tourist cruise on a river.

Welcome to De Swamp - AAAIIIEEEEEE!!!

There are many creeks and streams in the Toronto area, but no majestic rivers you can sail down. Nothing which cuts through the downtown core, with many grand bridges across it. Unless you include the hidden and often forgotten Taddle Creek.

Three Rivers

Even Pittsburgh, a city crawling out of economic recession, is making a good run at waterfront re-development. But nothing compares to the rivers and canals of Europe.

Copenhagen, Denmark

A great way to quickly see the sights, and highly recommended if you're pressed for time.

View from the Riksbron - Stockholm, Sweden

The old architecture and palaces along the water only add to the mystique. The ABBA soundtrack on the English narration (for the benefit of the tourists) does not.

Stockholm is situated on 14 islands - AAAIIIEEEEEE!!!

My favorite estuarine city though, still has to be London.

Tower Bridge

So much history, and so many bridges across the Thames, including the initially-wobbly Millenium Bridge.

...is falling down

Engineering marvels for their age.

Passing through

Commercial Fun

I've been catching up on the Super Bowl XL commercials this weekend. The advertisers have finally realized that the Internet can give their major investments some additional distribution and staying power. Simulcasting in Canada means we don't normally get to see the originals which air in the US anyways. Not having cable TV or an antenna means I don't even get to see the lamer domestic alternative ads either.

Last year, the German subsidiary of IKEA aired some commercials to promote their Midsommar sale. These played upon the German stereotypes of Swedes in party mode. IKEA HQ in Sweden quickly banned these, and had them pulled from the airwaves, and the IKEA Germany Web site. Most Swedes seem to take it in stride, and think they're hilarious, because they're not entirely untrue. They're still available for viewing on the Internet, at the Swedish Aftonbladet Web site:

Essen (Eating)
Feiern (Celebrating)
Morgen (the morning - after)

And here is the quickly-made replacement ad.
I can verify that the song Små grodorna (little frogs) is really sung at Midsommar, as Swedes dance around the maypole.

Midsommar Celebrations