Today while looking at negatives of Joani Taylor (I found
some) for this blog I noticed these two photographs. They are of the small art
room at Vancouver Magazine when it was located on Hornby Street & Nelson.
In the picture standing ( with a beard) on the left is art director Richard
Staehling. In the back, standing is editorial assistant Kerry McPhedran. Sitting
in front of her is Editor Malcolm Parry. The idiot standing and lighting his
pipe is yours truly.
There is a wonder in me when I locate a moment in time
(taken perhaps at 1/30 of a second) of an event I have no memory of but the
photograph reveals that it did happen. In circa 1981 when this photograph was
taken photography was a trusted medium. It was so.
It is amazing to note that the quaint office with the living
room type of lamp and rattan furniture could have been one in which the best
magazine this city ever had was put together. I can see on the bottom right my
open and very heavy photo bag. Because it was so heavy and I carried it on my
right shoulder I am suffering the consequences now of a having a bad right
knee.
Those were the days of dreaming. You might have an idea in
the middle of the night. You might then have gone to Vancouver Magazine and
passed Mac’s open door with a, “I have an idea…” and then perhaps a month later
the idea made it on the cover.
I wish I could dream again. But I can at least certify that
all the people of the photograph (I have no memory who might have taken it) are
alive and well.