Natural One

As a teenager, I would record songs off the radio onto cassette tape. Quality was always shite (especially if I couldn't manage to escape the commercials or the DJ's shrill voiceovers), however, it was more practical than throwing my allowance away on CDs every time an ear worm infested itself in me. The 90s were the era of the Macarena after all - although I'm proud to note that particular parasite never got to me. 

This song in particular was one I always coveted. They would only play it after 10:00 pm during DJ Brian Cook's more "indie"-friendly set on Winnipeg's 92 CITI, a rock station clearly aiming for the record of playing the most Guns-n-Roses tracks in a single day (still). It took quick action to capture it. After I did, it became my teenage soundtrack for awhile. Great beat. Hasn't aged.

I eventually bought the CD: 

Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling

If you are a designer who develops infographics, you need to read this. "Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling" is an extremely informative and inspiring design tome that covers all bases in regards to dissection and display of data. 

If you are a person requesting the design of an infographic, you need to read this. "Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling" includes easily understood terminology and planning/strategy guides that will aid in communication with your designer and decrease the amount of attitude and eye rolls they reciprocate for not fully understanding their process. 

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To purchase "Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling", click here

Building Stories

I started reading "Building Stories" by Chris Ware back in October, but had to stop as it started to hit too close to home. I hesitate to call it a book as it is more of an overall experience, but in either regard it is one of the best I've come across; a completely immersive visual, tangible and emotional journey through the lives of several individuals who at one time lived in the same apartment. At one point, the narrative is even told from the perspective of the building itself. 

The main protagonist is a former art student who struggled with the idiosyncrasies of the field, leaving it (and her talents) behind to lead an unfulfilled life of longing what could have been in regards to career, love and existence. As her life becomes punctuated by loss in numerous forms, the doubt over her choices - and boredom over modern suburban life - create an existential crisis that is palpable beyond the ink of its printed page. The entire 14-piece tome can be read in any order but I feel the path I selected (suggested on the back of the box) was the most powerful. Its been a few days since I finished and it's still resonating with me. 

I was pleasantly surprised at how well Chris Ware wrote from a female perspective. There were times in which I felt he was telepathically peering into my head and translating my thoughts into his work (I was especially aware of this when the protagonist's father is diagnosed, and later succumbs to, cancer). Perhaps I need to read more graphic novels as "Ghost World" also did this acutely well. I predict "Building Stories" will eventually be made into a cult classic film like this. Shame there isn't a character Steve Buscemi could play. 

I cannot recommend this book enough. 

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Stuck in the Middle

I'm originally from Winnipeg. I spent most of my 20s devising a plan to get out of it. I have spent the first few years of my fourth decade on the planet looking forward to returning (only for brief visits though…I haven't changed that much).

I recently ordered this book online after following Bryan Scott's work for years on the WinnipegLoveHate blog. He manages to capture my hometown in a way that is thoughtful, striking and evokes long dormant emotions for a place that I once thought was just a transitory backdrop to my existence, but has turned out to emanate itself from my very being. One never truly leaves. Bryan's work inspired me to document my new home of Saskatoon with the Streetsof#YXE project.

I'm entering a period of my life where I crave the familiar. Where I dream of walking down those snow-covered streets and everything being as it were, frozen in time. I'm old enough now to realize that one can only follow their trajectory through the universe and not control it. I may never return, but this book gives me all the comforts of home that I need. Highly recommended, whether you enjoy photography, architecture or urban issue analysis. 

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To order Stuck In The Middle, click here.

To view more of Bryan Scott's compelling photography, click here.