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My Edmonton

Since moving to my new neighbourhood, I've been taking pictures of things that have struck my fancy or caught my attention. This week I missed a shot, though. Walking to work I saw what I thought was a discarded child's toy in a parking lot. When I got closer though, I saw that someone had placed (or driven) a remote control truck dead centre into a parking spot at the end of a long line of parked vehicles. I laughed for half a block. It was so completely something I would do with the hope that someone would notice, but all the while figuring that I'd be alone in my amusement. It felt good to know someone else out there is on my same wavelength. Sadly, today when I finally remembered to take my camera to work, it was already moved.

So here are some shots I didn't forget to get:

My first morning in my new apartment, I woke up at 6 a.m. It was a cool, clear morning, and I went for a little walk to see my new neighbourhood in the early light. The way the first bright rays of the sun illuminated the colourful downtown buildings cast them in this ethereal light that seemed more magical when put in the background of this dingy bridge and melting trail down to the river valley:

Then there is a house on the corner of a block that has a huge lot that its owners just do not take care of. In the corner of the lot is what I think is a crab-apple tree with this lonely little swing, perhaps the joy of some child long ago but now just swaying amongst the overgrown grasses and random litter caught in the blades. (I also had to get a pic of it when it had snow on it -- more poignant that way!)

Speaking of snow, when I turned to leave this lot I saw this neato VW that was literally shimmering. It was a dark shade of purple, but the wet snow gave it a kaleidoscope effect that I was happy to see was captured to some degree by my camera:

Within days this week, this tree outside my office burst with green buds and new leaves. But what I wanted to show you is the tree behind it. It's difficult to see, but I think the poor thing is literally dead to the world. While the fore tree has exploded with new life, the background tree's white scraggly branches have remained stark and brittle.

Worse still, however, is that its energy-challenged state is mocked by the plastic grocery bags that have wound themselves around its twigs as a testament to its lifeless state, blowing in the gale winds we've had here lately as if calling attention to the tree's pathetic state to all who pass.

Finally ... I want this house:

Too bad I'm likely moving from the city. And I have no money to buy a house.

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