Joseph Planta
@joeplanta.bsky.social
I’m in my twenty-second year interviewing people at http://www.TheCommentary.ca. I also collect buttons, busts, and books.
I'm interested in putting up one of those free libraries in my neighbourhood. Those of you with experience, how much would one cost to have built?
January 28, 2026 at 3:32 AM
I'm interested in putting up one of those free libraries in my neighbourhood. Those of you with experience, how much would one cost to have built?
I can't be the only Vancouverite who's seen the Butain Insurance logo and think it's called Bunrain.
January 27, 2026 at 5:35 AM
I can't be the only Vancouverite who's seen the Butain Insurance logo and think it's called Bunrain.
Reposted by Joseph Planta
Spring After Spring reveals how a family legacy endures through generational differences and grief. This emotionally charged documentary's theatrical debut is at the VIFF Centre on Feb. 6. @viffest.bsky.social @joeplanta.bsky.social pancouver.ca/spring-after...
Spring After Spring reveals how a family legacy endures through generational differences and grief - Pancouver
Jon Chiang says that his award-winning documentary, Spring After Spring, is really about profound and universal family relationships.
pancouver.ca
January 26, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Spring After Spring reveals how a family legacy endures through generational differences and grief. This emotionally charged documentary's theatrical debut is at the VIFF Centre on Feb. 6. @viffest.bsky.social @joeplanta.bsky.social pancouver.ca/spring-after...
There’s nothing like a friend excitedly texting you of an online ad for a box of hundreds of buttons, only to click on it and see it’s sewing buttons, not the shit you collect.
January 19, 2026 at 4:27 AM
There’s nothing like a friend excitedly texting you of an online ad for a box of hundreds of buttons, only to click on it and see it’s sewing buttons, not the shit you collect.
I'm glad I was never famous enough to have to do that What's in Your Fridge questionnaire in the Georgia Straight.
January 17, 2026 at 12:03 PM
I'm glad I was never famous enough to have to do that What's in Your Fridge questionnaire in the Georgia Straight.
I was thinking of writing the Globe and Mail a letter to the editor. It says on their site that letters should be in fewer than 150 words. I can't clear my throat in under a 150 words.
January 17, 2026 at 5:22 AM
I was thinking of writing the Globe and Mail a letter to the editor. It says on their site that letters should be in fewer than 150 words. I can't clear my throat in under a 150 words.
What's the deal with people using "I appreciate you," as opposed to what we used to say like "I appreciate that," or merely "thank you?"
January 13, 2026 at 5:05 AM
What's the deal with people using "I appreciate you," as opposed to what we used to say like "I appreciate that," or merely "thank you?"
Up far too early for my own good. I’d rather be sleeping in.
January 10, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Up far too early for my own good. I’d rather be sleeping in.
One of the lightbulbs flickering and then burning out at 4.30am in the room that you’ve been reading in is probably a sign you should head off to bed.
January 9, 2026 at 12:41 PM
One of the lightbulbs flickering and then burning out at 4.30am in the room that you’ve been reading in is probably a sign you should head off to bed.
One of the lightbulbs flickering and then burning out at 4.30am in the room that you’ve been reading in is probably a sign you should head off to bed.
January 9, 2026 at 12:39 PM
One of the lightbulbs flickering and then burning out at 4.30am in the room that you’ve been reading in is probably a sign you should head off to bed.
I am sorry to hear that Hal Wake died yesterday. Hal was awfully kind to appear on the podcast during the years he was artistic director of the Vancouver Writers Festival. I once got to host an event because of Hal. Here’s a photo from September 2019; Hal, me, George Garrett, and Marisa Alps.
January 8, 2026 at 9:00 PM
I am sorry to hear that Hal Wake died yesterday. Hal was awfully kind to appear on the podcast during the years he was artistic director of the Vancouver Writers Festival. I once got to host an event because of Hal. Here’s a photo from September 2019; Hal, me, George Garrett, and Marisa Alps.
Some personal news: I’ve started 2026 with a new belt. I’d been thinking of replacing the black belt I’ve had for over ten years. When I went to the store, I saw a brown one and decided to make a change; new year, new belt colour.
January 4, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Some personal news: I’ve started 2026 with a new belt. I’d been thinking of replacing the black belt I’ve had for over ten years. When I went to the store, I saw a brown one and decided to make a change; new year, new belt colour.
I interviewed Ravi once, and in the research found out he was a member of the Jain faith. I said, it reminded of the Curb Your Enthusiasm episode where Larry says that'd be like if his name was Larry Jew.
January 1, 2026 at 9:14 AM
I interviewed Ravi once, and in the research found out he was a member of the Jain faith. I said, it reminded of the Curb Your Enthusiasm episode where Larry says that'd be like if his name was Larry Jew.
I'm delighted that Nardwuar has been appointed to the Order of Canada. He represents the best of our country. Unfortunately, as I've posted biannually for the last few years now when appointments are announced, there are still no Filipino Canadians in the Order.
Andre De Grasse, Nardwuar, former Supreme Court justices among 80 new #OrderOfCanada appointees. www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art... www.gg.ca/en/appointme... via @theglobeandmail.com
Former Supreme Court justices, Andre De Grasse, Nardwuar among 80 new Order of Canada appointees
Newly announced appointments include Rosalie Abella, Michael Moldaver and Terri Clark
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:48 AM
I'm delighted that Nardwuar has been appointed to the Order of Canada. He represents the best of our country. Unfortunately, as I've posted biannually for the last few years now when appointments are announced, there are still no Filipino Canadians in the Order.
I can’t seem to find Ben Grauer New Year’s Eve show…
January 1, 2026 at 4:59 AM
I can’t seem to find Ben Grauer New Year’s Eve show…
If one more person says “see you next year” to me, I’m going to throw up.
January 1, 2026 at 1:06 AM
If one more person says “see you next year” to me, I’m going to throw up.
Does Jay Kelly die at the end of the movie?
December 27, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Does Jay Kelly die at the end of the movie?
What in the hell day of the week is it!?!
December 27, 2025 at 12:05 AM
What in the hell day of the week is it!?!
I have three dozen things to do today, but find myself sitting down listening to Mattea Roach’s Bookends which is repeating Eleanor Wachtel’s 2001 interview with Carol Shields on her biography of Jane Austen. It’s like going to school listening to how precise Wachtel is in the questioning.
December 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
I have three dozen things to do today, but find myself sitting down listening to Mattea Roach’s Bookends which is repeating Eleanor Wachtel’s 2001 interview with Carol Shields on her biography of Jane Austen. It’s like going to school listening to how precise Wachtel is in the questioning.
The old Starbucks near my house is now a dental clinic. I haven’t been to a dentist in ages so I might as well give it a shot even though there are two dentists closer.
December 23, 2025 at 6:56 PM
The old Starbucks near my house is now a dental clinic. I haven’t been to a dentist in ages so I might as well give it a shot even though there are two dentists closer.
Reposted by Joseph Planta
The mayor of Langley township made a highly publicized promise to use profits from his multi-million-dollar B.C. real estate holdings to support charity. Turns out over 5 years, Eric Woodward’s non-profit donated just over $8,000. Bethany Lindsay has the details.
zurl.co/sqJzt
zurl.co/sqJzt
December 22, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The mayor of Langley township made a highly publicized promise to use profits from his multi-million-dollar B.C. real estate holdings to support charity. Turns out over 5 years, Eric Woodward’s non-profit donated just over $8,000. Bethany Lindsay has the details.
zurl.co/sqJzt
zurl.co/sqJzt
I went to a dinner party tonight and on the ride to Burnaby at around 4pm, I thought what a shitty grey rainy day. I wanted to go back home. Then I thought, just wait until it gets dark and all the Christmas lights will be on.
December 22, 2025 at 5:33 AM
I went to a dinner party tonight and on the ride to Burnaby at around 4pm, I thought what a shitty grey rainy day. I wanted to go back home. Then I thought, just wait until it gets dark and all the Christmas lights will be on.
I've read more books this year than I've watched movies. It's like the first time this has happened in at least twenty-five years.
December 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I've read more books this year than I've watched movies. It's like the first time this has happened in at least twenty-five years.
Are Patrick Kane and Evander Kane related?
December 9, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Are Patrick Kane and Evander Kane related?