m onday

yes - m onday • 'cause it appears as disjointed as it likely will be.

the 'm' not quite connected to the rest of this day. Makes sense, some kind of sense, to me.

I don't know about all of you out there, but, the start of a week is like an elevator arriving at an unexpected floor stop. Doors open, I peer out, look left, look right - nothing looks familiar.

Then again, should it?

Whether I exit and move this way or that, it matters little as I have, no frame of reference. And like all opportunities, the various doorways I move past, tell me little of what may lie beyond.

So, plucking up my courage I open the third door on my right.

And what do I find?

This - this scratched, etched on an ancient blackboard.

A variety of different coloured chalks are used.

The essence of the 'presentation is:

What is it?

It’s a train. It runs not to a schedule but to a course.

It’s stops are random – decided by the train captain.

And yes, it has sleeper cars.

And a dining car…..yup!

As in days gone by, the offerings are not on any printed menu.

Why is that you might ask?

Because, whims – whims are the waypoints of our journeys.

Thus today – today’s lunch menu might well be toasted bean sprouts lightly bathed in one of Knorr’s new exotic sauces, this one an Indian derivative.

And it will be accompanied by a garlic naan bread – not fresh from the local bakery, but nicely scorched as it falls to the cast iron pan from the freezer bag.

Yes!

And apple sauce with bacon strips woven through will accompany the serving.

Plus don’t forget the mint!

But this train has other features to offer.

There is, a viewing car • what used to be called a Skyliner or Dome car.

‘Cept our viewing car, with cushy, cosy comfy seats scattered about the compartment,

has TV screens rather than windows.

And a patron/visitor can sit and choose from a number of selected, highlighted features about general design – be it architecture, furniture, computer systems –graphic design, industrial design.

Some screens have specific names: ‘WhaddaYaThink?’ is one of the more popular ones.

Why is that?

It’s because, some of us – the renegades amongst us – have tracked down what are some generally accepted relevant, topical and even maybe, important, websites that feature design – design of interiors, graphics, etCeterA.

And, in some cases, tongue in cheek, we take issue with what is presented as being ‘terrific’, pointing out by using Photoshop editing tools, ‘What is Wrong With This Picture?’

Usually it’s mistakes of omission by the stylist, the designer, the architect.

But rather than simply telling you what we find fault with, we show you – and we show you how we might suggest fixing it – or at least improving the situation.

See, collectively, our design staff intensely dislikes design work that either purposefully, or due to inability, that does not acknowledge human comfort and/or convenience.

Most frequently we see it in beautiful spartan shells of spaces – a living room, a bedroom – with a chair, all by its lonesome stuck off in a corner, unanchored to any other part of the room.

Too distant for its occupant to be involved in a normal conversation, it has neither a side table nor the simple convenient utility of a table lamp, a floorlamp.

Why does no one ever comment on these omissions? Is it perhaps, because they simply do not think about such things?

Versatility, utility – double and/or even triple duty are the bywords of design today, particularly in condos and apartments so reduced in footprint and scale.

And so, it’s a part of the mission of our train, as it heads down its track, to identify – to call out such inadequacies with the idea that we might assist in raising a level of consciousness – as to what should be correct and proper.

Are there any other parts of our train? We have the regular – standard seating, diner, sleeper,

Skyliner and – oh yes, a lounge/bar car.

That is where you can order your cocktails or wine, sit back and choose to read from a selection of classic or contemporary books. Occasionally we will schedule authors, writers to join us and perhaps read from a book, or provide a lecture of some insight. We will fully comment and link to all such material.

As to schedule and destinations, no two are ever the same. That is by design.

One journey may invite you to accompany us across the Russian steppes in high winter, where, in the lounge car and the dining car, large brass antique samovars hiss with tendrils of steam, at the ready to dispense a variety of teas.

And such a trip might then revolve around a focus of Russian literature or technology – or architecture. Exciting stuff.

Or yet another offering might be the train that sets out from Morocco winding its way south and east to arrive in South Africa days hence. Stops along the way may be in Dakkar, Sierra Leone – a siding in Kenya that would allow travelers a day trip to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

And of course, we mustn’t forget the bullet trains of Japan.

Ahhh, so much – so much richness we have to bring you, but more importantly, take you through.

Come! Join us. Pay attention to the ‘All aboard’ call as we set out on this, this

Train of Thought

Welcome aboard!

Hmmm! I say, to myself.

What an enticing idea!

I am, most definitely interested. Where can I learn more?

Stay tuned. . . . . . .