Shawn Micallef
@shawnmicallef.bsky.social
Local tosser
Books author (New: Stroll!)
Toronto Star column writer
Spacing Magazine co-founder
U of T instructor
Trying to do it a bit different here than the last place.
Links to books, etc:
https://linktr.ee/shawnmicallef
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🤘🏼
Books author (New: Stroll!)
Toronto Star column writer
Spacing Magazine co-founder
U of T instructor
Trying to do it a bit different here than the last place.
Links to books, etc:
https://linktr.ee/shawnmicallef
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🤘🏼
Pinned
Stroll, updated edition
THE TORONTO STAR'S "30 BOOKS WE CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS SPRING"The updated edition of a Toronto favourite meanders around some of the city’s unique neighborhoods and considers what makes a city walka...
chbooks.com
Hi new folks. Last year I rewrote my book Stroll: Psychogeographic Walking Tours of Toronto. Added like 30000 more words too. My (Toronto) life's work. A very good present to give! Bookstores or direct from Coach House or...
chbooks.com/Books/S/Stro...
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
The parking lot at Danforth & Playter is even worse than @shawnmicallef.bsky.social depicts. It was made after a gas station was demolished < 20 yrs ago when we knew better. Cld have turned it into a square then & it's so small it only holds a meaningless # of cars but still destroys the streetscape
Parking! In the wknd Toronto Star I write about what to do with our underused parking lots & garages. New data shows lots profound emptiness. There’s more efficient & useful possibilities. City is already building some housing, but NIMBYs are protesting just as the sun rises. Ignore em & go harder.
Shawn Micallef: Let’s fix it: Toronto has more underused parking lots than you’d think. Here’s how to use them better
The subject of parking still seems to drive a lot of what happens in Toronto politics, but the underused lots around the city could be put to better use.
www.thestar.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The parking lot at Danforth & Playter is even worse than @shawnmicallef.bsky.social depicts. It was made after a gas station was demolished < 20 yrs ago when we knew better. Cld have turned it into a square then & it's so small it only holds a meaningless # of cars but still destroys the streetscape
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
they could place canopies of solar cells above parking lots so whether they are used for cars or not they still produce electricity. this would also make it so in winter people might not need to brush off their cars as much for some added convenience.
November 16, 2025 at 9:16 PM
they could place canopies of solar cells above parking lots so whether they are used for cars or not they still produce electricity. this would also make it so in winter people might not need to brush off their cars as much for some added convenience.
I do see a useful application for parked cars.
For those wondering how you get on and off a penny-farthing.
*A guy walking by said to his companion, “That looks incredibly dangerous.” 😅
*A guy walking by said to his companion, “That looks incredibly dangerous.” 😅
November 16, 2025 at 5:48 PM
I do see a useful application for parked cars.
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
Other uses, too:
youtu.be/jXktN444TfM?...
youtu.be/jXktN444TfM?...
November 16, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Other uses, too:
youtu.be/jXktN444TfM?...
youtu.be/jXktN444TfM?...
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
One of our biggest struggles when designing bikeways is parking demand vs removal vs safety.
We collect extensive data prior to design to ensure there is adequate parking based on actual usage.
We do counts on weekends, overnight, holidays.
There almost always is.
Links below to data and studies
We collect extensive data prior to design to ensure there is adequate parking based on actual usage.
We do counts on weekends, overnight, holidays.
There almost always is.
Links below to data and studies
Parking! In the wknd Toronto Star I write about what to do with our underused parking lots & garages. New data shows lots profound emptiness. There’s more efficient & useful possibilities. City is already building some housing, but NIMBYs are protesting just as the sun rises. Ignore em & go harder.
Shawn Micallef: Let’s fix it: Toronto has more underused parking lots than you’d think. Here’s how to use them better
The subject of parking still seems to drive a lot of what happens in Toronto politics, but the underused lots around the city could be put to better use.
www.thestar.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM
One of our biggest struggles when designing bikeways is parking demand vs removal vs safety.
We collect extensive data prior to design to ensure there is adequate parking based on actual usage.
We do counts on weekends, overnight, holidays.
There almost always is.
Links below to data and studies
We collect extensive data prior to design to ensure there is adequate parking based on actual usage.
We do counts on weekends, overnight, holidays.
There almost always is.
Links below to data and studies
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
It's mostly been bad news for journalists this year/decade/century, but here's some good news: Newzapalooza, the live-band karaoke charity party for journalists and media folks, is back on Nov 22 at The Duke (Queen St E, Toronto). Party for a good cause.
www.tixtree.com/e/newzapaloo...
www.tixtree.com/e/newzapaloo...
November 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
It's mostly been bad news for journalists this year/decade/century, but here's some good news: Newzapalooza, the live-band karaoke charity party for journalists and media folks, is back on Nov 22 at The Duke (Queen St E, Toronto). Party for a good cause.
www.tixtree.com/e/newzapaloo...
www.tixtree.com/e/newzapaloo...
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
Here in Winnipeg:
Winnipeg curling club stops affordable housing complex because they’ll lose half their parking spots.
I bike past this block every day and it’s the *perfect* spot for more housing. I hope this can be resolved.
I bike past this block every day and it’s the *perfect* spot for more housing. I hope this can be resolved.
Granite Curling Club holds the hammer in dispute over new apartment complex: parking www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #wpgpoli
November 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Here in Winnipeg:
Parking! In the wknd Toronto Star I write about what to do with our underused parking lots & garages. New data shows lots profound emptiness. There’s more efficient & useful possibilities. City is already building some housing, but NIMBYs are protesting just as the sun rises. Ignore em & go harder.
Shawn Micallef: Let’s fix it: Toronto has more underused parking lots than you’d think. Here’s how to use them better
The subject of parking still seems to drive a lot of what happens in Toronto politics, but the underused lots around the city could be put to better use.
www.thestar.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Parking! In the wknd Toronto Star I write about what to do with our underused parking lots & garages. New data shows lots profound emptiness. There’s more efficient & useful possibilities. City is already building some housing, but NIMBYs are protesting just as the sun rises. Ignore em & go harder.
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
Feeling ya. 😔
bsky.app/profile/cjha...
bsky.app/profile/cjha...
Accidentally ended up on Instagram today. (I'm not on IG. Must have been a Bluesky link that sent me.) Have spent the entire effing day in tears. ISTG, this is going to kill me. 😭 I have avoided everything Blue Jays/baseball - to the point of listening to "On Tyranny and On Ukraine" to distract.
I think I am finally ready to read blogs about the Blue Jays' World Series run. Please send yours if you had written one!
November 16, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Feeling ya. 😔
bsky.app/profile/cjha...
bsky.app/profile/cjha...
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
Yes, a Calrec Soundfield mic!
November 15, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Yes, a Calrec Soundfield mic!
Recorded in Church of the Holy Trinity next to Eaton Centre w, irrc, one mic?
On this day in 1988, Cowboy Junkies released their second studio album “The Trinity Session”
The album includes a mixture of original material by the band and covers of classic folk, rock, and country songs...most notably, a cover of The Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane"
The album includes a mixture of original material by the band and covers of classic folk, rock, and country songs...most notably, a cover of The Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane"
November 15, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Recorded in Church of the Holy Trinity next to Eaton Centre w, irrc, one mic?
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
Related sidebar, if he decides to sell half of Wasaga Beach, the feds should walk in and make it a national park. 🏞️
November 15, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Related sidebar, if he decides to sell half of Wasaga Beach, the feds should walk in and make it a national park. 🏞️
Two weeks ago tonight. Still too soon to think about.
November 15, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Two weeks ago tonight. Still too soon to think about.
Just passed thru Exhibition Place & it’s rammed. They’re parking people on the grass (🤦🏽). Royal winter fair. Soccer game at BMO. The notion that the Ex is used two weeks a year is false.
November 15, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Just passed thru Exhibition Place & it’s rammed. They’re parking people on the grass (🤦🏽). Royal winter fair. Soccer game at BMO. The notion that the Ex is used two weeks a year is false.
Watching vids of people riding the new Montreal REM transit line that opened today is Toronto-painful.
November 15, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Watching vids of people riding the new Montreal REM transit line that opened today is Toronto-painful.
Read @johnlorinc.bsky.social on why the store thing is bound to fail because it’s watered down to a Potemkin change in how Toronto operates.
November 15, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Read @johnlorinc.bsky.social on why the store thing is bound to fail because it’s watered down to a Potemkin change in how Toronto operates.
Ford has been on a conservation authority hunt for six years. It’s wonky enough that Ontario won’t care (because they seem to care about … not much when it comes to this govt) but profound negative impact. On and on.
The Doug Ford government is setting its sites on conservation authorities for the fifth time, merging the watershed protection agencies. Staff tell @fatimabsyed.bsky.social it may ‘slow approvals, create confusion’ — not to mention it's leaving them with ‘whiplash.’ thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Inside Ontario’s plan to merge 36 conservation authorities to 7 | The Narwhal
Doug Ford’s government is seeking public feedback on its plan to overhaul Ontario’s conservation authorities, reducing local agencies from 36 to 7
thenarwhal.ca
November 15, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Ford has been on a conservation authority hunt for six years. It’s wonky enough that Ontario won’t care (because they seem to care about … not much when it comes to this govt) but profound negative impact. On and on.
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
This nice "little tradition" is more an enduring symbol of the support that sprang up from this massive tragedy and the call that was answered by our friends and neighbours. A nice little tradition doesn't last over a hundred yrs....Something bigger does.
November 15, 2025 at 5:30 PM
This nice "little tradition" is more an enduring symbol of the support that sprang up from this massive tragedy and the call that was answered by our friends and neighbours. A nice little tradition doesn't last over a hundred yrs....Something bigger does.
Milwaukee has been on my (now paused) list of US cities to explore. Been to Madison & La Crosse in WI but not Milwaukee. Isaac’s feed of photos is a regular reminder that one day it will be nice to travel to the US again, maybe.
November 15, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Milwaukee has been on my (now paused) list of US cities to explore. Been to Madison & La Crosse in WI but not Milwaukee. Isaac’s feed of photos is a regular reminder that one day it will be nice to travel to the US again, maybe.
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
Some inspiring words on cinema in the streaming era from the Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
November 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Some inspiring words on cinema in the streaming era from the Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
@shawnmicallef.bsky.social Thanks for this essay. You make several sensible observations. And in general thanks for the efforts you make on our collective behalfs.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... Let’s fix it: Put Toronto’s parking lots to better use
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... Let’s fix it: Put Toronto’s parking lots to better use
Shawn Micallef: Let’s fix it: Toronto has more underused parking lots than you’d think. Here’s how to use them better
The subject of parking still seems to drive a lot of what happens in Toronto politics, but the underused lots around the city could be put to better use.
www.thestar.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
@shawnmicallef.bsky.social Thanks for this essay. You make several sensible observations. And in general thanks for the efforts you make on our collective behalfs.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... Let’s fix it: Put Toronto’s parking lots to better use
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... Let’s fix it: Put Toronto’s parking lots to better use
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
Have you ever thought about a career in motivational speaking, Micallef?
November 15, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Have you ever thought about a career in motivational speaking, Micallef?
It’s great she went to NS. Mayors are the resistance in america but also maintaining the historic ties & friendship being destroyed by trump & co.
Is there a tariff on the tree?
Is there a tariff on the tree?
boston sent vital assistance following the 1917 halifax harbor explosion (so awful it killed 1700 people), and as thanks, nova scotia has sent us a christmas tree every year. it’s a nice little tradition. this is the first time the boston mayor visited to retrieve it in person
In Canada, Wu helps chop down Boston's Christmas tree
Mayor Michelle Wu spent three days in Nova Scotia, saying she wanted to affirm Boston's relationship with Canada amid antagonism from the Trump administration.
www.boston.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:58 PM
It’s great she went to NS. Mayors are the resistance in america but also maintaining the historic ties & friendship being destroyed by trump & co.
Is there a tariff on the tree?
Is there a tariff on the tree?
Now & then sleep deficit catches up. Slept in til 1130 today. Standard practice as a teen, university days, when whole life was ahead.
As much as the extra sleep was great, I feel like I’ve just wasted a substantial chunk of the rest of my life & now much closer to death.
I am filled w despair.
As much as the extra sleep was great, I feel like I’ve just wasted a substantial chunk of the rest of my life & now much closer to death.
I am filled w despair.
November 15, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Now & then sleep deficit catches up. Slept in til 1130 today. Standard practice as a teen, university days, when whole life was ahead.
As much as the extra sleep was great, I feel like I’ve just wasted a substantial chunk of the rest of my life & now much closer to death.
I am filled w despair.
As much as the extra sleep was great, I feel like I’ve just wasted a substantial chunk of the rest of my life & now much closer to death.
I am filled w despair.