Weekly Photo Challenge: Layers

Last week for my entry in the Challenge on the topic “Habit,” I wrote briefly about Toronto Mayor, Rob Ford. I thought things couldn’t get any worse for the mayor and that he hit “rock” bottom (pardon the pun), but in true Rob Ford fashion, he made things even worse with even more ridiculous statements and confessions leading to more protests and satire.

Yesterday I was at an awareness protest for climate change  but the wake of the anti-Rob Ford mob left an interesting chalk mural behind that really grabbed my attention. Some of it funny, some of it very cruel but all interesting nonetheless.  I don’t condone the mayors actions nor condone how he’s been dehumanized by the city and the media but as a photographer I was very happy I was able to get these few snapshots on society.

Left outside of  Toronto’s city hall was a box of chalk for citizens to layer the wall with their contempt for the mayor. Here’s what I saw.

Patio Wars 3: Return of the Patio Jedi

When you really piss off your property manager for putting a patio in your parking space, you may need a “little” security. Meet my security; 7 foot tall Troy just moved into the building and he loves our patio too. Wat up now Ken?!:)

Not entirely sure why Ken is so upset about our cute little set up. I hope he gets over it soon, it’s gonna be an awkward year if my landlord continues to be mad and ignore me.

He said when he first mentioned his distaste for our setup, “I’ve been here 27 years and nobody has ever done that!” That’s probably because nobody else has the time to pull out 27 years of weeds!:) I only thought that though, I’ve been keeping my mouth shut and keeping my “smartass” on low. He’s been doing a good job on his own making himself look ridiculous in the building.

The Neighbors find it thrilling watching us stand our ground. We’re finding out many of them have been oppressed by Ken in one form or another. One tenant put up a bird house only to find it in the dumpster.

You can almost now see steam come out of his ears when he walks past our patio. I don’t think it’s even about our table anymore that’s so unsettling for him, It’s the underground movement it’s inspiring in others that could make him so angry.

He sure is pissed though, I think he’s one more trinket away from “chicken shitting” our patio. I hope he does, I would love some media coverage!:)

Everything taste better on our solidarity table!:)

Patio Wars: Tension is rising in parking space 12.

Yesterday I wrote about how we were in a foolish dispute with our property manager over the petty placement of our patio furniture. We replaced a weedy, prickly section in our parking lot with a nicely shaded sitting area for people on the edge of our parking space that we don’t use but pay for.

Everybody in our building loves it so far, except for him. It outrages him probably for the reason that in the short time that I’ve been here, I’ve done more work making this place look nicer than he has all summer. He may feel threatened of an apartment coup and trying to demonstrate his power.

People talk to us all the time now and comment how it looks great and wish more people would do it. That’s exactly what we hoped would happen, to inspire and create a sense of community.

Here’s a funny update from my girlfriend on the story that I had to share. I find it reads best if you have the Star Wars intro theme music playing in your head!:)

“PATIO WAR WATCH 2013!!

The Rebels have obtained mulch ammunition and have blanketed the patio battle area in darkness – this ammunition contrast beautifully with the white war table giving the rebels a boost in moral -. They have gained favour with the locals who are now joining this guerrilla cause in hoards. This will allow the rebels to extend further into enemy territory and begin to free these people from the lazy warlord by the name of Ken. Today was a day of victory but lest we forget our fallen comrades. We remember the brutal battle and disappearance of Joseph’s, from across the hall, birdhouse. It has yet to be proven, but is assumed, that the birdhouse army was captured after a bloody battle with Ken one hot late summer night. We will not forget you fallen comrades! We stand proud. We will prevail! For your honour. For you beauty. We stand.

FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO PATIO!!!!!

VIVA BEAUTY! VIVA OUTDOORS! VIVA PARKING LOT PATIO!”