The Observatory

2008-09-07T10:47:00.011-04:00

On October 14, the moon will be full, so cast your ballot with care...

2006-04-19T22:44:00.000-04:00

True beauty endures

2006-04-18T19:43:00.000-04:00

2006-04-17T20:18:00.000-04:00

2006-04-11T18:07:00.000-04:00

Some feel the need to move quickly, but buildings are beacons of stillness

2006-04-10T19:09:00.000-04:00

Caesar

2006-04-09T22:43:00.000-04:00

Lions, like all cats, know more than they tell us

2006-04-07T14:21:00.000-04:00

Stockholm: city of islands

2006-04-06T14:07:00.000-04:00

Crystal shop, Stockholm

2006-04-05T08:52:00.000-04:00

Sailors know where to find the best spyglasses

2006-04-04T11:43:00.000-04:00

Comfort is important when perched on the sidewalk

2006-04-03T07:13:00.000-04:00

All cows have stories, but some tales are more colourful than others

2006-04-02T18:08:00.000-04:00

Sleeping half a world away

2006-04-01T14:52:00.000-05:00

Resting in Stockholm

2005-11-17T20:31:00.000-05:00

Ah, mysterious rune stones. What can you teach us?

2005-11-16T23:12:00.000-05:00

Each day, in our own way, we all slay dragons.

2005-11-15T20:54:00.000-05:00

The only type of horned helmet found in what we now know as Scandinavia. Apparently a ceremonial offering, this striking headgear discovered in Denmark may have been worn during dramatic presentations.

2005-11-14T21:11:00.000-05:00

The Vikings take me to see some of their ancient relics. Contrary to popular belief, there is no proof they ever wore helmets with pointy horns. Vikings are sensitive about these things.

2005-11-10T14:15:00.000-05:00

I wander to the northwest, arriving in the historic port city of Aarhus. Sometimes things lack clarity. But when the weather matches one's mood this seems to make sense, if only for a time.

2005-11-09T15:29:00.000-05:00

In a quiet field near the city's edge, I glimpse a fleet-footed creature. My Viking friends later tell me of the Water Sprites. In Scandinavian folklore, these spirits of lakes, rivers and waterfalls are said to mysteriously appear in the form of a person or horse.

2005-11-08T22:34:00.000-05:00

Takin' care of business, Scandinavia style.

Near the central train station, Copenhagen

2005-11-07T18:42:00.000-05:00

The Danes love their bicycles. And they rarely lock them. My faith in humanity is (partially) restored.

2005-11-03T23:35:00.000-05:00

Greetings all, from Copenhagen

Following the sinking of the good ship Vendetta, the Independent Observer found himself in most desperate straits. Adrift in the cold night, clinging to a barnacle-encrusted plank, the IO spied a magnificent vessel with the swirl of a dragon's tail atop its proud bow. Kindly Vikings plucked me from the icy seas, served up great bowls of mushroom soup and spun tales of their salty adventures.

I shall rest a while in this northern land, for there is much to experience, learn and observe.

2005-08-07T18:10:00.000-04:00

The Spider and Me

Here's Mr. Monkey visiting the giant spider sculpture at the Tate Modern gallery in London. Imagine my horror when the National Gallery in Ottawa decided it too must display one of these monstrous insects, not inside but smack-dab on the piazza out front, visually assaulting innocent passersby.

My initial reaction? The Spider must go. It is large, hideous and, well, a spider.

Now some of my associates, and one in particular whose views I respect, have defended this $3.2-million behemoth with comments like, "It's the coolest thing in Ottawa" and "The Spider rocks!" The Spider, you see, speaks to them. While I am simply creeped out by its spindly legs, bulbous black body and chilling egg sac, they appreciate this eight-legged interloper on another level. They see power, grace and even beauty. The space underneath the Spider is not a hellish prison, but a vista from which to behold the majesty of the bronze arachnoid.

They have not changed my mind. But I am open to persuasion. I will co-exist with the Spider, and may even learn to like it. I shall embrace my inner spider.