c9 | A Sunny Day In Kitchener (Reply)

Today I woke up cranky after a weird dream, so I resolved to do something about it. I took our camera with us all day, and took various pictures of things, theorizing that after all our complaints about Kitchener, I ought to show you some nicer things too. I actually didn't take as many pretty shots as I had hoped, but hopefully you'll enjoy some.

		I started in the condo, taking pictures of broken things. This ceramic sun, which came from a store I can't remember the name of but is similar to Ten Thousand Villages, had been sitting in a precarious position in the bathroom since we moved in. I almost broke it six times in the past six months. Vinny only took one attempt to break it -- I've always said he's more efficient than I am. I intend to crazy-glue it back together, because I think it's really pretty.
Next, my desktop PC. We have a desktop and a laptop, and the laptop is so convenient for sitting on the couch or in the bedroom or whatever that the desktop is getting a little neglected. I'm actually sitting at it now since leapfish is working on his homework on the laptop. Anyway, broken items theme: It was misbehaving this morning, such that I thought the video card was quickly dying. I'm not sure what the deal is though, since it's working fine now. Which is good, since I can't afford a new video card right now. Note my extreme poseurness: the Linux sticker on the front, even though the machine is currently rockin' out to Windows XP. There's also a cut-to-fit rainbow sticker where the manufacturer usually sticks their logo (I built the machine, so I guess that must be my logo). On the top and sides are many other stickers, the big yellow one being all about Bear Safety In Alaska.
		What's broken? The previous owner of our condo decided that the full-length vertical blinds offended her, so she (variously, depending on the room) removed the little chains that tie the bottoms together (sounds kinky), removed the little metal plates that weigh the blinds down so they don't blow around in the wind, and in the kitchen/sunroom she actually took scissors to them and removed the bottom half of each one, approximately. These are being replaced right now (I'm actually on break from doing just that), but since it's dark I can't take a nice picture of the new bamboo roll-ups. Oops, sorry: they're IKEA, so I should call them by the correct name: BAMBU.
Finally, we ventured outside. Yay for it's getting to be a little Spring-like outside type weather! Most of you have seen the picture of our condo from the other side, but I'm sure you've been wondering what's on the other side... well here you go. A parking lot / mechanic, with recording studio attached (I actually only realized that part last week). The grey section of our building is not especially dreary rooms in condos, but rather the emergency stairs behind the elevators. Our condo is on the opposite corner of the building from this one, sixth floor. Our view is a park, not a mechanic. Thank god.
		As we walked toward the Farmer's Market, I took this shot of the section of our neighbourhood I like to call the Sci-Fi/Fantasy District. In order, from left to right: nail salon, hip-hop clothing shop, gaming store, tattoo parlour, small independent movie rental shop, oldest comic book store in the world (or so they claim), hearing aid store, gaming and comic shop. I also use that nickname since many of the locals look a little mutated.
Looking back along the main drag (King Street), we see shops (mostly depressing ones) on the left, and a mall on the right. The mall is very shiny, but filled with low-end and going-out-of-business shops. Comparison: Ottawa's Billing's Bridge, Fredericton's Brookside, Halifax's West End Mall. The former Sears or Eaton's or Bay, also the former farmer's market before they built the new one, has become the new home for The Record, the newspaper in town. Reminds me of the Gleaner on bad days, the Herald on good days. I'm told the Record used to live downtown, got essentially bribed to head for the 'burbs, and now is returning since its suburban real estate is incredibly valuable (it's in Big Box Store land).
		We've arrived at what is called, in every single mention of it, Your New Kitchener Market. Really a farmer's market, but they call it different things since there's a more-farmer-focused market north of Waterloo that's a big tourist draw. Nobody wants to step on any toes. Like anything new, the locals hate it, but still go en masse every Saturday morning. A large section of it is actually shops that are open all week long, making it our closest grocery store. They're actually putting in apartments immediately to the left of Vinny, there's a three-storey section (actually on both ends of the market) with lots of windows and a great view of Hong Kong Market (a small multi-level plaza) across the street.
A small section of the market. Also the busiest section. We actually avoid it most weeks, but today I wanted my bacon, so I forced Vinny into the throng. At this point we already had our milk, veggies, and meat from upstairs. The Fredericton market has a couple butchers, one cheese maker, etc. This market has usually 3-4 of everything to choose from. Neat, but a little overwhelming too.
Not sure why it exists. I walk past this historic plaque every morning. It does in fact say "Berlin/Kitchener's First Button Maker." Kitchener was known as Berlin until the First World War made all things German rather unfashionable. Like all change, there are still older locals very cranky about this. Incidentally, typing "All Things German" reminded me of Mike Myers' "All Things Scottish" sketch on SNL. I can't think of a suitable punch line for a German version though. At least, not without offending the Germans. And they're everywhere around here.
My husband scowling at me. He did not want his picture taken, and he now does not want it on THE INTERNET. Luckily our wedding vows allow me to ignore his wishes.
		The sign that welcomes people into Waterloo from Kitchener. Kitchener and Waterloo used to be separate cities, but they grew into each other, so now this is the only indication that you're changing cities. Unlike Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax, who were forced to merge with their suburban neighbours into mega-cities, Waterloo has too much debt for the other cities to accept it. I can't imagine much of a fuss though, people are rather quiet around here.
This is a (bad) picture of Victoria Park, which we can see out our living room windows. Our building is at far left; Queen Victoria herself, at far right. Community rink in the middle. Behind the rink, the Victoria School Community Centre and Seniors Centre, where we've been taking sculpting classes. I made a cool candle-holder.