Category Archives: Waddayoutink?

The Montr̩al Tramways Building and Terminal Рor РWhy Trams Work in the 5-1-4

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Taylor C. Noakes

I hate to say it but I end up having to prove that trams can indeed operate effectively in Montréal. I can’t prove that it works technologically – I don’t need to – I can prove it historically. And historically … Continue reading →

Posted in A modest proposal, History and Culture, Montréal Architecture, Montréal Landmarks, Perspectives on the City, Political commentary, Scenes from the City, Urban Redevelopment, Waddayoutink?, What were they thinking?, Worth reconsidering | Leave a comment

Like Fiery-Sunrise Slashing through the Dim-Blue Dawn…

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Taylor C. Noakes

Separatism is dead. Sovereignty is dying. I’m concerned about the latter; the former is still pointless. These terms have unfortunately come to be somewhat interchangeable in Canadian political discourse, particularly when it comes to the perennial ‘Québec Question’, though in … Continue reading →

Posted in A modest proposal, History and Culture, Political commentary, Québec sovereignty, Waddayoutink? | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Priorities…

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Taylor C. Noakes

When I first came across this photograph I thought instinctively that was from a very early period, 1890s or thereabouts. Closer inspection revealed the Jacques-Cartier Bridge in the background… and then I realized the date included with the rest of … Continue reading →

Posted in History and Culture, Montréal Noire, Waddayoutink?, What were they thinking?, Worth reconsidering | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Commemorating the Blue Bird Café Fire

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Taylor C. Noakes

The Blue Bird Café and Wagon Wheel country bar were once located on Union Street, south of Ste-Cat’s on the west side, in what is now a parking lot. On Friday September 1st 1972 three young men, O’Brien among them, … Continue reading →

Posted in A modest proposal, History and Culture, Montréal Landmarks, Montréal Noire, Montréal Stories, Scenes from the City, Waddayoutink? | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Gang & Mafia Violence in Montr̩al РA Query

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Taylor C. Noakes

Montréal has a bizarre problem with crime. It’s hard to describe it without getting bogged down in seemingly contradictory nuance and jargon relating to crime statistics throughout the city. For most of the last century, Montréal, owing to its combination … Continue reading →

Posted in History and Culture, Montréal Noire, Political commentary, Scenes from the City, Waddayoutink? | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Big Empty Walls

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Taylor C. Noakes

I remember seeing pictures from Tehran when I was a kid – it may have been on CNN and may have been related to the Iran-Contra scandal, or the USS Vincennes accidental shoot-down of an air-liner, or the Tanker War … Continue reading →

Posted in A modest proposal, Arts & the City, Montréal Architecture, Public art proposal, Urban Redevelopment, Waddayoutink? | Tagged , , | Leave a comment