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#Sunnyside365 April 15, 2016

April 15, 2016 / Ara

“It’s so lovely. You get some young couples in the apartments, some old folks in the houses. Some of the people here are living in the homes that their parents raised them in, and there’s something more…

The warmth, the friendliness, the community. It’s so generous and, well, contagious! People are attracted here because the shops, the walkability, the river, but they don’t see the how nice it is to know your neighbours, become a regular in the shops… That’s the magic of Sunnyside: you want to be a part of that, I don’t know, is ‘neighbourliness’ a word? Ha ha!”

***Note: ‘Neighbourliness’ is indeed a word.***

#Sunnyside365 April 14, 2016

April 14, 2016 / Ara

“We need life! We need youth! We need young families to make this place home! It can’t just be a neighbourhood for the old and crotchety (ha ha, like me) or the young hipsters. Who is going to play in the playgrounds? Who’s going to go trick-or-treating? Who is going to participate in the Community Association events?

You see, that’s the real question we should be asking. How do we make this neighbourhood more viable for young families?”

Exactly one year ago today…

April 14, 2016 / Ara

It’s funny how time flies. Exactly a year ago today the hard drives in my beloved Mac Pro crashed, failed, and delivered their contents to the great beyond. In the coming weeks, I would decide to kick off a one year photo project to rebuild my portfolio and jump back into the game. I had no idea how this project would go, where it would lead me and what kind of experience it would turn out to be, but I’m thankful nevertheless.

I spent a total of $7000 on that machine. It was an 8 core Mac Pro tower, with two 500 gb hard drives and dual Apple Cinema displays. With that machine I:

developed the visual identity of Nectar Desserts,
typeset two issues of a magazine based in Vancouver,
designed the Calgary Modern Urban Guide,
developed my own clothing brand,
designed countless business cards,
brochures and logos for local businesses,
and played a lot of World of Warcraft.

I moved from house to apartment, from apartment to condo, and from condo to the home I would have with Debbie at St. John’s on 10th. Unbeknownst to us, the circuit that my computer was on was also what her blow dryer and straightening iron were connected to. One day while she was getting ready for work, the circuit tripped about 10 times in a row. My computer started and turned off as many times. Eventually the boot-up record was completely garbled, the ball-bearings in the drive blew and the disk itself was totally shot.

In the coming week I would take my drives to a data recovery company, only to discover that it would cost me $2300 for what would be a partial recovery at best. I threw in the towel, sulked, then tried to make sense of how to get over it. Losing the content wasn’t so bad – it was the loss of the curriculum that I was in the process of writing for new class that I would teach at SAIT, as well as the loss of some final papers that I was working on in the last few weeks of University that really stung.

Screenshot from the Facebook ‘Memories’ screen.

It was later on in April of 2015 that I started the idea for #Sunnyside365. I did some reading on one-a-day, year-long projects and they had the same theme: persevere. The blogs I read and the project I saw all had a similar message; if you could just make it one more day, you’ll thank yourself. If you can keep at it, change your routines and take the ‘long game’ approach to a one-a-day, you’ll make it. It’s funny that the advice for completing this project is the same that I’ve told myself as I’ve fought with depression over past few years.

This project has been an incredible experience. As I go into what I’m calling the final stretch of #Sunnyside365, I’m both sad and optimistic. It’s been a remarkable journey so far, and I’m having to learn how to let it go when it’s over. However, I am looking for some inspiration for what I should do after wrap up #Sunnyside365 – my instincts tell me to open up the project to the entire city of Calgary, but that’s a huge undertaking. Still, with just under 70 days to go on the project, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve, and a few announcements to make.

Thanks to everyone who has participated, supported, and talked with me through this journey. I hope that I can honour your kindness and compassion through my work on #Sunnyside365.

Thank you all for your inspiration.

Ara

#Sunnyside365 April 13, 2016

April 13, 2016 / Ara

“Hey here’s a question: what do you think about how all these changes to the neighbourhood affect the topography? Do you think that the way we perceive Sunnyside will change based on how we navigate through the streets and the new buildings? Will people look at Kensington and think that this is a sleepy little hamlet? Or will they start to think that this is a happenin’ place where something new and cool is going on? I think that’s worth a study on its own.”

I actually think that change is good–deliberate change with mindfulness and intent. Ask me about that some day.

#Sunnyside365 April 12, 2016

April 12, 2016 / Ara

“Oh wow, I just need to get outside. I’m so happy that the sun is shining and everything is turning green. All we need now is just some good Spring showers, you know, for the trees and the farmers.”

#Sunnyside365 April 11, 2016

April 11, 2016 / Ara

“This is my office away from the office. It gives me a chance to get away from the crowds and just g et some work done. Also, it’s a good opportunity to get re-caffeinated, haha!

I’ve been a bike mechanic since 1987, but off and on over the years. Joe’s Garage was opened in 2007. I’m usually set up on the Bow River Pathway on the south side of the bank between 10th street and the Peace bridge (right close to 3rd avenue SW).

When I moved from Toronto, this felt like the neighbourhood that I used to go to. I’ve lived in this neighbourhood since about 2006. It’s got a lot of the kinds of things that I like in a community.” Joe Nunn, Proprietor of Joe’s Garage.

#Sunnyside365 April 10, 2016

April 10, 2016 / Ara

“Oh man, I’m so ready for some blue skies and patios. Well, it’s not like we haven’t had the best winter ever. It’s just, you know, nicer to be outside!” The marquee at Container Bar on Kensington Road informs its patrons where to go.

#Sunnyside365 April 9, 2016

April 9, 2016 / Ara

“His name is Riggs. He’s a Boglen Terrier. Yeah, he’s an awesome dog: he listens, he sits, great with people, great with other dogs, kids love him.”

#Sunnyside365 April 8, 2016

April 8, 2016 / Ara

“You know, I wish more people in the suburbs would dress up their front lawns like people do over in Hillhurst and Sunnyside. All you get is block after block of lawns. Wouldn’t it be easier to just have a patch of wild flowers and some garden gnomes? Probably better for the bees anyways.”

#Sunnyside365 April 7, 2016

April 7, 2016 / Ara

“I’ve been a fire fighter for just a few months over five years. The story is partly connected to the military. Back in 2009 I was in Australia and coming to the end of my doctorate. I had put my application into the military to be in the air crew. When it started looking like nothing was going to happen with the airforce, I thought maybe it’s time to think about public service. The structure and camaraderie in the Fire Department appealed to me. It took eighteen months from there, haha! I started on February 7, 2011.

In early 2012 they installed these TV information boards in the fire halls. They had this call to wear the Sparky mascot and I thought ‘That has me written all over it.’ I’ve always been into the cosplay thing–I’ve got a Storm Trooper suit from Star Wars. I practically ran to the computer to apply.

This costume is no ordinary costume. It’s designed by Street Characters. That’s the company started by Glenn Street, the guy who created and wore the original Harvey the Hound for the Calgary Flames. For the 125th anniversary for the Calgary Fire Department, we got permission from the National Fire Protection Association to create our own likeness of Sparky. This is no generic Sparky, this is the Calgary Fire Department Sparky, and coming from Street Characters, this is something special. It’s a privilege to wear this work of art that you can walk around in. You are a walking emblem of the organization you serve, and it’s a part of public service that really makes me happy.

The motto on the back of the fire trucks used to say “Yours for life.” That’s something that’s really meaningful to me.

Kensington has always had a ‘feel’ to it, even back when I was a youngster. As a kid I was aware of it. This neighbourhood may seem like an exclusive place to live or for the wealthy, but it’s inclusive and comfortable. Moving back to Calgary, my focus was on community and people, so this is where I wanted to be. It’s a small town feel. We just knew we wanted to be here. We thought if we could live here, we’d just go for it. When St. John’s on Tenth opened up, we knew it’s where we wanted to live.

Yesterday I went to grab a coffee and saw kids out having a water fight – in April! It’s the essence of what I love about this community. When you have to be on time, you have to avoid certain streets because you have so many friends to greet on the way.” Kyle Rebryna, Firefighter, Calgary Fire Department

Ara Shimoon