Back to the Future

 

One of the reasons why I chose the City: Intersection of Text and Place as my English class this semester is that have always had a liking for cities and the dynamism that comes through them. I decided to share with all of you a poem that I wrote in grade 8 about my dream of living in the city of New York, which is still accurate to this day:

Capturing a Memory: New York

From miles away the glittering lights                                                                                                      

The aroma of steamed hotdogs

A girl squeals when seeing her busband

Exiting Tiffany & Co.,

Holding the trademark blue bag

So small surrounded by tall buildings,

Stretching to the sky

The hopes and dreams of millions,

Driven to succeed

This will be home some day.

Poem and text by Stephanie Giannuzzo

Photo by Merrianne Couture

STM Société de transport de Montréal

Every city has its own symbols and signs that its residents recognize. The Metro system has 68 stations in total that are spread through out the four lines. Each one of us relate to at least one station; it could be a memory of summer job, home, school, college, university, hospital et cetera, just imagine if you see this map anywhere in the world it will appeal to you, you will definitely consider "hey that's where I belong" The STM metro system is a brilliant way to represent the city of Montreal. Every one of us is familiar with this metro map; we have travelled from one end to the other, station by station. It means more than a method of transportation, it is the time we have given away tunneling in and out. The images that have been built in our minds are what gathers us on this one.

Statistics show that the metro system serves over 1 000 000 daily passengers on an average weekday. Each station was designed with different themes and features by different architects and the trains themselves run on rubber tires to reduce the loudness as much as possible.

The second picture is of Lionel Groulx, it's a metro station that relates to me the most as my daily routine starts at this station; I have travelled all across the four lines and the stations that I have been on the most are Angrignon, Verdun, Lionel Groulx, Snowdon, Namur, Cote-Vertu, Acadie and Place des Arts.

Freedom

It's true that most of us live in cities and it seems that we are so used to it that we have forgotten what our nature is. Personally, I enjoy living in a big city, I enjoy my social life and all the benefits and facilities the urban environment offers us but I cannot imagine myself never going out of the city and being into the wild. Even if it is just for a day, being out of any society in the nature is essential for the well being of human beings. The nature recharges you with positivism and good emotions. You feel as you are a part of something much more sizable. The quietness and the fresh air makes you think about all the disadvantages of the big city. All the noise and air pollution that provoke a big part of the so common nowadays stress. Being out there makes you forget all the city problems and emotions. Artificial problems that the human race has created itself, problems that didn't exist in our lives before. I think that everyone should experience that feeling of freedom from time to time and do not forget that after all, we are humans. Humans that are not made to spent their entire life in a box of concrete.

Text and Photo: Misho

Parkur

The Parkour is a sport that nowadays gains more and more popularity all around the world. It's main idea is to move around obstacles with speed, efficiency and precision. What is good about it is that it can be practiced in any urban environment. That is, I think, the main reason why it's getting popularity so fast. Young people could train their minds and bodies, practicing parkour, at any corner of the city they live in. No special playground or equipment is needed, only a pair of comfortable shoes, some good will and patience. Even though, its roots come from back in the days, when people had to run fast and overcome all kinds of obstacles to survive in the jungle or forest, the parkour is one of the purest "urban" sports.

Text and Photo: Misho

Parkour: Martin

Apple In NYC

Soho Apple store New York City:



Sticky notes Memorials in honour of Steve Jobs also appeared at the flagship 5th Avenue shop and the upper west side and world wide, I imagine.

Photo: Merrianne Couture

An Apple A Day

One man, exceptional innovative skills, millions of dollars and a new way of life… Who could this be? Yes, the renown Steve Jobs. Earlier today, I took a walk to the Apple store on Saint-Catherine and absorbed what has become from a mere thought in Jobs’ mind so many years ago.

I snapped a picture of my view of his tribute and although the picture was taken at 10:15am, I realized other people had also taken time to pay tribute to Steve Jobs. Messages that read: “You revolutionized my world and life” and “You are my source of inspiration”, apples, flowers, candles and images of Jobs were posted outside the windows of the store to commemorate his life.

Much to our dismay, we do not realize the impact his company has had over our lives. It can almost be recognized as a staple of the 21^st century, one of the greatest and innovative companies to have succeeded so quickly. Our culture has evolved to depend on these devices to survive and has influenced the creation of cities and new culture.

As the sun brightens on one of the most renowned stores of the 21^st century, I commemorate one of the world’s most innovative and inspiring people of our time. May you rest in peace, Steve Jobs.

For further reading, check out the article written by The Gazette's TechnoCité: Apple's Steve Jobs mourned in Montreal. An inspiring and realistic piece with photos of the Apple store throughout the day and multiple interviews.

Thanks, Amanda M.

Urban Labyrinth

Vancouver Labyrinth on Spanish Banks -- Summer 2011 -- photo by Merrianne Couture

Walking a labyrinth is its own pleasure but has ancient origins. A contemplative state may be reached while following the maze on the path. The urban background in this instance mixes the old with the new. Change is inevitable and turbulent.The city highlights this complexity in its daily traffic of ideas and vehicles.