iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Plenty of people turning up in-person tonight. My count is at 46. One person is wearing a "fuck bylaw" t-shirt.

A partial view of the crowd gathered at Victoria City Hall on April 9, 2026.

Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Been hugely enjoying the live coverage put out by the Globe and Mail team for the Jays games this weeked. This update from @grahamisador.bsky.social made me laugh:

My girlfriend is worried for me

Graham Isador
Reporter

No clue what to do with my hands at any point during the fifth. When the benches cleared, I started shadowboxing. My girlfriend noted the rest of the time I’ve been “wringing my hands like a wife waiting for her husband to return from sea.”

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Fascinated by this reddit post on our local subreddit. Some users have accused it of being astroturf-y but I decided to respond anyways. Sometimes reporters just report on what they see and can't be an all-knowing eye in the sky.

Reddit post text: Rob Botterell, sitting MLA for Saanich North and the Islands and the House Leader of the Green Party of BC joined the BCGEU rally today in support of workers: link to his insta reel. Green Party of BC leader Emily Lowan was there as well.

How is this not news worthy? Isn't that the sort of thing that should be mentioned in any news article discussing today's BCGEU rally at the Legislature by default? Am I crazy to think this type of omission could be made on purpose to ease pressure on the NDP and maintain the status quo?

Interestingly the Times Colonist at least made reference to Emily Lowan being there, but they oddly omitted Rob Botterell's presence too.

Links to articles: CBC News BC, CTV News, Global News, City News

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

It doesn't seem like any of the local outlets did much further reporting on the BCGEU strike beyond the official media avails and statements. Here's what I found out locally: /1

Striking members of the B.C. General Employees’ Union walk a picket line in front of the Jack Davis Building on Blanshard Street at Herald Street in Victoria on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. ADRIAN LAM, TIMES COLONIST

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

aaaaaaaaaaaaah finally done with webster submissions. and yes, my last one was two minutes (and 12 seconds) before deadline.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

This business column took an excruciatingly long time to put together, partly because it took so long to confirm the identities of police board members who were appointed by the province. And yes - you read that right. The province accidentally appointed someone to the wrong board (fixed now).

Page B1 of the July 26 edition of the Victoria Times Colonist newspaper

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Spotting several city councillors at @emilylowan.bsky.social's launch party at the United Commons on Balmoral. Jeremy Caradonna, Matt Dell, and of course, Susan Kim, who has endorsed Lowan. Spotting a few former/current Sonia Furstenau supporters in the crowd as well.

Emily Lowan's slogan, as seen on a podium. "Fight The Oligarchs, Fund Our Future."

People gathered in Victoria for the launch party for Emily Lowan

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Just watched some local democracy happen for about 5 hours. Story TK on Wednesday

Full crowd at the Saanich council meeting on July 7.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

A fun little photo that I shot for my story, on the Cowichan Tribes turning a hay field into a native-plant food source and learning opportunity for the next generation.

Hul’q’umi’num’ teacher Genevieve Johnny, left, shares a laugh with traditional foods chef and writer Jared Qwustenuxun Williams, right, who is showing off a Garry oak sapling to children from Lelum’uy’lh Daycare Centre at the Cowichan Tribes nursery fields on Cowichan Bay Road. MICHAEL JOHN LO, TIMES COLONIST

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Enjoyed learning about this scrappy newsroom based near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that was founded in 1999. gijn.org/stories/buil...

Attempts to shut down Malaysiakini’s reporting have ranged from cyberattacks timed around political events and elections to a purported black magic spell and vandalism that saw their walls splashed with red paint, and a box filled with rice grains and a nearly dead duck left at their doorstep. In a defiant response to this intimidation, the duck was adopted, nursed back to health, and Malaysiakini invited readers to suggest a name for it. (The bird, who lived for five more years, was ultimately called “Tessy.”)

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

And clearly there are some fans in the borough!

A River sticker spotted at a local coffeeshop in Sud Ouest

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

The bike valet photo that Refuses to Die

City of Victoria bike valet service. Photo: Michael John Lo / Capital Daily

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

Sometimes a good sunny day is what you need!

Kramer Lowe of Ladysmith-based KTK Transport shows off a Holstein cow named Fudge to a crowd gathered at the Saanich Fair in 2024.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Interesting tidbit from Mike Devlin's latest story on Belfry artistic director Michael Shamata announcing that he's stepping down.

Article on Michael Shamata's decision to continue with two controversial productions in 2024.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Mike, Richard, Rudy and Denise. Thank you Drew for sharing their stories.

The Street Scene: Maybe it’s time for a “Talk” by Drew Snider

* This article was published in the print edition of the Times Colonist on Saturday, May 10th 2025

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

A fun little letter in the TC today, poking back at the clover point picnic table haters:

The Clover Point Picnic Club had a little chuckle together about the outraged claim that we can’t possibly meet there year-round. You got us: in the 33 months since we started meeting back in September 2022 we have, in fact, cancelled one monthly picnic due to wildfire smoke, and relocated five to Beacon Hill Park because of wind.

Still, the vast majority of Victoria days — even in the dead of winter — are perfectly fine for enjoying the outdoors at Clover Point. As folks who have spent time there in every month of the year, we Picnickers can tell you this: there are always other people on foot, on bikes or on mobility devices enjoying the car-free side, whether it’s windy or still, sunny or rainy.

It’s a beautiful, vibrant shared community space that’s well-connected to busy pedestrian recreation areas. For those who want to drive, there are about 30 spaces on the point, not to mention hundreds more overlooking the ocean all along Dallas Road.

Sharing can be hard, especially if you’re not used to having to do it. But there’s room for all kinds of users at Clover Point.

Sarah Starkweather

Oak Bay

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

The B.C. legislature lawn were filled with a sea of red and white today as people attended an Elbow's Up rally organized by Pippa Turney and Marlaina Blanche, two retired teachers in their 70s living in James Bay. Story to come in the @timescolonist.bsky.social

From left, Kimberley Lowrie, Penny Tennenhouse and Annette Robinson dance to music at a Elbows Up rally at the BC legislature in Victoria, B.C.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

enjoy this photo of a micro mini highland calf that landed in my inbox today.

"Our little “Strawberry” is the only Micro Mini Highland Calf that people can meet in person at Vancouver Island’s Only Tulip Fest located at Coastal Black Winery this Spring."

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

I did say it was a 2,300 word piece. And if you subscribe to the TC, you'll see that it's also beautifully laid out in print.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

aaand this is hitting newsstands (i believe they still exist) tomorrow!

This is not your grandparents' cheerleading: behind the scenes at the first Victoria Classic cheer competition, where Island kids are flying high.

Photo caption: Members of Trasure, Usland Elite Cheerleading's under-12 competitive team, use the stunt station to warm up for the inaugural Victoria Classic cheer competition that saw 874 atheltes travel from all over B.C. and Alberta to compete in front of about 2,000 spectators at the Victoria Conference Centre. Michael John Lo takes you back stage > Go to Islander.

Photo by Darren Stone, Times Colonist

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Seems like some things never change.

It's the water, not the oil - column by Jim Hume in the Times Colonist on Sunday May 4, 2003.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

found in the pages of the Prince George Citizen in 1981 - a story complaining about media monopoly in Canada. pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repos...

A screen capture of an old PG Citizen story: Irving Newspaper Monopoly Subject of Talks

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

A little dive into a small lane in downtown Victoria: Nikki Nickels of Union Tattoo said there is always something happening in Millie’s Lane. “We’ve had a lady run through here with an open taser chasing people,” she said. “Every day is totally different.”

Millie’s Lane between Yates Street and Johnson Street. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Steve Wallis in his latest camping video, referencing a story that I wrote for the @timescolonist.bsky.social. (this gif took longer than I'd admit to put together)

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Good ole Dirk Meissner is retiring from CP. A big loss for the wire, but also for BC journalism.

BC Premier Dave Eby speaks in a recorded video message to Dirk Meissner, outgoing CP reporter. It was his retirement party in Friday.

Dirk Meissner listens in on Les Leyne's speech on Friday.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

I still have a soft spot for post-secondary reporting. Today's TC A3 page largely consists of my reporting on Camosun and UVic - with some assistance from Jeff Bell. It's probably my student journalist DNA showing.

Looking for new revenue, UVic eyes doctorates for working professionals

Agreement smooths transfers for Camosun engineering students, article in the TC on Jan 12., 2024.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

like LOOK AT THESE KITTENS THAT ARE ALL NAMED AFTER CHEESES

Scott Fee and Tess van Straaten wrangle cats on the newsdesk on tonight's CHEK broadcast

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

A lovely write-up of @thetyee.ca's anthology in the Vancouver Sun. Always a bit of a shock when you see your own name in the paper.

Book review: Tyee editors gather collection of exemplary essays in exploration of B.C.

https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/book-review-tyee-editors-exemplary-essays-explore-bc

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

I don't think it'll be published before tomorrow, but for now, here's a sneak peek at a section of the TC's A4 page where I report on a cyclist that had to go to the hospital after being hit by a SUV in a protected bike lane.

TC Article: Cyclist taken to hospital after being hit
by SUV while in protected bike lane

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

I followed up with police almost immediately about whether there was a firearm or not discovered in the incident - they were unwilling to say. In this case, police said that there was no risk to the public. If there was further information about the story we would follow up.

copy of email between myself and VicPD about the incident

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

Just fyi - the article is paywalled for the high roller sum of $1. Anyways. Support journalism if you can. DM me if you really can't afford the $1 and I'll send you a pdf

Toronto Star is charging $1 for 6 months of access to its articles online

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

We don't run a paper on Monday. But a sneak peak of tomorrow's paper shows that I managed to sneak in another story on the lower fold, this time with a double byline with my coworker across the desk, Jeff.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

Sunday's paper was fronted with a lovely photo from Adrian Lam, with my accompanying text. Fun fact: my A3 story was originally slated for front page.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

I wasn't expecting the story that I wrote on Friday to end up on Saturday's front page, but I suppose the GST was a Big Deal to folks. It was a cute little package with a buncha items (my story, a note from the publisher/EiC, and a CP wire story in the biz section) spread out over three pages.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

This week I worked a Thurs-Mon shift as weekend reporter. Came back on the job and was told to throw together something for a conference that was called by Mowachaht/Muchalaht FN (so I did).

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

It was actually quite nice to slip this into Sunday's paper on deadline. Everything worked out fine and I managed to file this while at a birthday celebration

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Very, very glad that I was able to publish this pair of stories in today's edition of the Times Colonist on the local Syrian community's reaction to the end of the 50+ year Assad regime.

A1 article: A run on the sweets aisle as Syrians of Victoria celebrate end of Assad regime

A3 article in the TC: Victoria mother who lost four children, husband under Assad regime dreams of return to Syria

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Twas a nice little story I wrote yesterday.

Page A4 of the Times Colonist newspaper on Dec. 8

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Accidentally got on the bus to Christmas land?? #yvr

A TransLink bus in Vancouver decked out in Christmas lights and decorations, filled with commuters.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

But of course, readers are more interested in hearing about how they might possibly be getting stiffed instead of how retailers have to deal with the situation: top story by far today has been 'GST holiday: How B.C. residents get the short end of the stick with Trudeau's tax break'

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

bsky milestone achieved: my first story featuring someone who I made initial contact with on this social media platform: Thanks @stasherbc.bsky.social for chatting about North Cowichan. Story will go out on web tomorrow, but you can read it in today's @timescolonist.bsky.social Sunday paper.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

I liked the full quote of this, too: slate.com/culture/2024...

I think if you’re a fan of something, you want to be excited, you want to be involved, you want to feel like you’re part of that culture. If you look at the Taylor Swift fans who are following her around on tour, they’re steeped in the lore of her bullshit life or whatever’s going on with that, they’re having a great time. It’s fun to be a fan of something and to feel like you can be excited again.

Not to sound like a curmudgeon, but when I was a teenager, I took the train to go to the record store to find rare stuff. Spotify is way more convenient, but that wasn’t the point. The point was to get out and to feel like you’re hunting, to feel like you’re living your life. I’m going to the movies, I’m going to this show. What streaming has done—it’s very convenient, but it’s taken the feeling of going hunting and turned it into we’re all just being fed. We’re all farm animals that are just being fed, and we’re being fed content. You can just stay home. Just stay home. We’ll just feed it to you. No wonder everyone’s depressed.

I feel like culture is when we’re all on the same page. For better or worse, when everyone’s watching the same thing, we all get something to talk about. That brings people together. Deep down, we want to be a Taylor Swift fan.

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

I've been told that the overdose-prevention site outside Royal Jubilee is continuing today at the intersection of Bay St. and Richmond Road. The site welcomed its first user at 9:30 a.m. yesterday, though I'm not sure how many users followed after that. TC will have a folo story for tomorrow. /1

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Michael John Lo @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

funnily enough, the most up-to-date version of the story is the one in print. Quadratic used to be on Discovery St. before 2022.. sharp eyed readers may be able to catch the logical discrepancy on the web version. (Operating at 655 Queens since 2022, but jams/live music events started Nov 2021)

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