A couple of weeks ago, I asked you to tell me your favourite venues that are no longer here. Many many people chimed in with an amazing list! I learned so much about Vancouver’s history. Then I asked what other spaces are still around, that are important to you – which ones you’d fight to save. The response was significantly lower. I think there are many reasons for this, not the least of which is the triage situation we’re in….
I guess it’s been 5 minutes since I shared a philosophical meandering, so here’s one. The upcoming event for Coworking BC that I’ve been harassing you all to come to and invite people to has a suggested donation of $10. For all events I help to plan, I strive to make them accessible for everyone, and that has usually meant they’re free or ultra low cost. I’ve been rethinking offering free access to Subculture at Creative Coworkers for a while now, recommending that hosts…
I had an experience today that I feel compelled to share, even though the thoughts are a bit disjointed. That’s how I’m feeling – more than a bit disjointed. As some of you know, I coordinate a cannabis based opiate substitution program near Main and Hastings. Today, someone in the hotel next door fell to his death. I went over to make sure the staff were ok. His body lay on the sidewalk under a yellow tarp for more than…
Our operational cost on our lease at the studio has gone up by more than $3000 per month (more than 400%) in the less than three years we’ve been here, largely because of property value and tax adjustment. Over the course of our now three operational cost increases, prices for everything have gone up up up, while maintenance has steeply declined. We’re so focused on the housing crisis (which I understand) that the unfairnesses of commercial leasing are passing by…
I’ve been thinking a lot about a simple phrase – “these people”. It comes up often in discussion about the DTES. Often it’s pejorative, othering – but it’s also frequently said in solidarity. My personal north star in how I understand the complexity of the DTES, Gabor Mate, often mentions “these people” – “these people need compassion. These people are suffering”. And I wonder how differently we would feel about the DTES and other communities that present us with social…
This may be my most lengthy post ever. But a lot has happened since I had something to really talk about. And this is it. Sometime in early fall, a combination of living and working in the DTES, participating in Sleep Out, the privilege of attending SVI Hollyhock and I’m not sure what other factors brought me to a moment of asking myself “what can I do?” What can I do about the socio-geographical place in which I find myself?…
Just had a potential event venue renter ask me if we have more than one bathroom because they need gender separated bathrooms “for safety and security.” Both of our bathrooms are single stall/occupant and locking. I guess there are some people who want to feel the safety of only one variety of genitals that they also possess preceding/succeeding them in the bathroom they’re using? What? I couldn’t resist saying “I guess you could, but this being 2017 and all I…
Alright, I need to reframe this experience. What should you do if you walk past someone who is rolling around half dressed in a gutter, crying, at 11 at night in a rough-ish neighbourhood? Does it make a difference if they’re visibly a member of multiple vulnerable populations? What is the set of criteria for intervention? Can you help? Should you? How? I’m asking because I honestly don’t know, and I feel like I should know, that I need to…
One of the exciting projects I’ve been working on in the last while is a collective for BC’s coworking industry. Excited to announce that our website went live today! Check it out at www.coworkingbc.ca We’re launching a Coworking Passport that gets you a day free at all of the participating spaces. We also have a Coworking BC Facebook page, I would be grateful if you roll over there and liked it. Next week is #coworkingweek across Canada, there are a bunch of fun events going…
I’ve been refraining from comment, putting off what I know I need to say. Because it makes me vulnerable. First it was because of a possible job. Then it was because of the potential impact to my business. But this has to be said. Maybe I’m the most intimidated by the thought that my opinion will mean little, and cost me lots. But there is an opportunity right now, to protect a special kind of culture, that I believe is…