Gone writin’

CC #134: what to do on a summer break when you don’t fish?

Dylan Thomas’s writing shed, Laugherne, Wales — one can but hope for inspiration—photo courtesy Wikipedia

Since our kids were barely walking (they’re in their 30s now), we have taken time with them each summer to visit Hornby Island, which for those unfamiliar, is a great family place with two world class sandy beaches, many places to walk, hike and bike. Over the years we have rented a wide variety of accommodation—for the last several years a home near Sandpiper we are off to on Friday for a few weeks. Our packing includes at least one banker’s box of nonfiction and fiction books to read. This year my part of the box includes a few seminal works on urban design and planning, how-to books for my camera and post processing software and some trashy crime fiction.

Different from previous years, I hope to use the opportunity of some quiet time to get on with the book I’ve been threatening to write for some time now—working title Embrace, Enhance, Evolve—City Conversations about the places we love. (EEE)

I will admit I have written more than my fair share of complaining, frustrated and angry City Conversations over the past three years. There is much to be negative about with all levels of government, not to mention most of the rest of the world. Sometimes when I read the Sydney Morning Herald or The Guardian, their headlines sound so much like my home that I think for a moment they are talking of Canada. But there is also so much to consider that is positive and uplifting, which shows us ways to embrace our world and community and enhance them in order to evolve rather than destroy all that is good—and there is a lot of good. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

My modest expertise and experience are focused on architecture and urban design, so that’s where EEE’s focus will be. Ironically, even when I just talk of architecture, I am open to professional attack. We were on our last vacation last autumn when I learned that the attack upon me for my thoughts about the Broadway Plan had, after more than a year, been dismissed as baseless.

As for the fishing, my brother and sister in law live full time on Hornby, but are off on their own adventure in Yukon. They are avid fishers so that temptation, along with their boat, is absent.

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City Conversations

Brian Palmquist is a Vancouver-based architect, building envelope and building code consultant and LEED Accredited Professional (the first green building system). He is semi-retired, still teaching, writing and consulting a bit, but not beholden to any client or city hall. These conversations mix real discussion with research and observations based on a 50-year career including the planning, design and construction of almost every type and scale of project. He is the author of the Amazon best seller and AIBC Construction Administration course text, “An Architect’s Guide to Construction.” and hoping to start on his 2024 vacation a book about how we can Embrace, Enhance and Evolve the places we love.