1. Your coworker has 8 body piercings and none are visible. 2. You make over $250,000 and still can't afford a house. 3. You take a bus and are shocked at 2 people carrying on a conversation in English. 4. You know what these acronyms mean: PNE, VPL, GVRD, YVR. 5. You're shocked when it snows in the winter. 6. You've had California roll for lunch. 7. Know more than 10 ways to order coffee. 8. Know how to pronounce Coquihalla. 9. A really great parking space can move you to tears. 10. Your hairdresser is straight, your plumber is gay, the woman who delivers your mail is into BDSM, and your next door neighbour grows weed. 11. The guy at 8:30 am at Starbucks wearing the baseball cap and sunglasses who looks like George Clooney IS George Clooney. 12. Your car insurance costs as much as your house payment. 13. The gym is packed at 3 PM ....on a work day. 14. Can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food. 15. You watch the weather from a Seattle TV station because it's more accurate (see 18). 16. You pass an elementary school and the children are all busy with their cell phones or pagers while waiting for their personal rides home. 17. You're sure you're the only one on the road with a REAL driver's license. 18. You don't even listen when the forecast announces "chance of showers"; 19. The more expensive the car, the worse the driver. 20. Can taste the difference between Starbucks, Second Cup, and Tim Horton's. 21. Feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash. 22. You're not suprised to see geese throughout the whole year. 23. You cant remember.... is pot still illegal? 24. If there's a day of snowfall, however, you consider not going to school/work. 25. You realize there are far more Rainbow flags in the city than Canadian flags. 26. Can name 10 starbucks locations in less than a minute.
Lotus Landers Unite!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Rotterdam Zoo Blijdorp
Last weekend I went to the Rotterdam Zoo. Now I am not really a fan of zoo's but thought it was a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon and an opportunity to take some photos. 
I know the zoo is trying to be more modern but I really think they should maybe put a coat of paint on the origional gates and perhaps another person on the cash register for the sunday crowds.
I know the zoo is trying to be more modern but I really think they should maybe put a coat of paint on the origional gates and perhaps another person on the cash register for the sunday crowds.Perhaps it was not the fact the zoo felt a little claustrophobic and the huge amount of screaming kids and their families did not help me feel cozy.
Apparently even a few months ago one of the gorillias, a silverback male named Bokito escaped http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/05/18/europe/EU-GEN-Netherlands-Escaped-Gorilla.php and caused injuries to some of the people there because the containment fence was not high enough and he must have just got bored with sitting around all day.
I know I would be.
I wanted most to see the aquarium tunnel they have built, it goes to show what a good photo can do as the tunnel is very short and to be honest not that exciting IMHO.
Oh well I guess it just reassures me how much I am not really a fan of zoos, in prtucular the larger animals that are held, the tigers, lepoards and large birds of prey.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Hospital Music
I know it has been a long long time, but I have been lured to the otherside by the interactive pages, friends popping by and ability to post photos without problems....
Oh but on another note Hospital Music, Matthew Good's lastest is deep, beautiful and heartbreaking and his usual genius. Buy it now!
snippet from the biography:
Prior to recording Hospital Music I spent a great deal of time confronting the past. In doing so I discovered something interesting, that through it all I viewed myself as beholden to the needs of others, even if it meant that I would endure immense anxiety because of it. I spent a great deal of time wading through past relationships and honestly examining their purpose, and in doing so came to the realization that, for years, I had not been all that honest with myself. That, more than anything else, influenced the material on this record, producing, at times, uncomfortable realizations represented in song. Some might, upon examination, call them bitter. Others might disregard them altogether, searching more for the comfortable familiarity of past work. But the truth is that what was ultimately produced was beyond my control in that, given everything that had transpired, it either had to be honest or I would have to walk away from music altogether. In the end, these fifteen songs combine to represent a remembrance, one that, in no small way, both began and ended on the floor of a shower.
Oh but on another note Hospital Music, Matthew Good's lastest is deep, beautiful and heartbreaking and his usual genius. Buy it now!
snippet from the biography:
Prior to recording Hospital Music I spent a great deal of time confronting the past. In doing so I discovered something interesting, that through it all I viewed myself as beholden to the needs of others, even if it meant that I would endure immense anxiety because of it. I spent a great deal of time wading through past relationships and honestly examining their purpose, and in doing so came to the realization that, for years, I had not been all that honest with myself. That, more than anything else, influenced the material on this record, producing, at times, uncomfortable realizations represented in song. Some might, upon examination, call them bitter. Others might disregard them altogether, searching more for the comfortable familiarity of past work. But the truth is that what was ultimately produced was beyond my control in that, given everything that had transpired, it either had to be honest or I would have to walk away from music altogether. In the end, these fifteen songs combine to represent a remembrance, one that, in no small way, both began and ended on the floor of a shower.
High quality of living in Australasian and Canadian cities
Cities in Australia, New Zealand and Canada dominate the rankings of the best cities to live in, according to the 2007 Mercer Human Resource Consulting Quality of Living Survey.
Of the top 25 cities, nine are from these countries, with Vancouver, Auckland and Sydney all in the top ten.The analysis is based on a detailed assessment and evaluation of 39 criteria for each city including political, social, economic and environmental factors, personal safety and health, education, transport and other public services.The rankings are based on data collected on 215 cities between September and November 2006. The data is regularly updated to take account of changing circumstances. Top Australasian cities are Auckland (tied for 5th), Sydney (tied for 9th), Wellington (12th), Melbourne (17th) and Perth (21st).Highly ranked Canadian cities are Vancouver (3rd), Toronto (15th), Ottawa (tied for 18th), Montreal (22nd) and Calgary (24th).Swiss cities Zurich and Geneva are at the top of the rankings this year.In a separate study, Mercer ranked cities on health and sanitation. Canadian city Calgary tops this list.This survey is based on the quality and availability of hospital and medical supplies and levels of air pollution and infectious diseases. The efficiency of waste removal and sewage systems, water potability and the presence of harmful animals and insects are also taken into account.
Of the top 25 cities, nine are from these countries, with Vancouver, Auckland and Sydney all in the top ten.The analysis is based on a detailed assessment and evaluation of 39 criteria for each city including political, social, economic and environmental factors, personal safety and health, education, transport and other public services.The rankings are based on data collected on 215 cities between September and November 2006. The data is regularly updated to take account of changing circumstances. Top Australasian cities are Auckland (tied for 5th), Sydney (tied for 9th), Wellington (12th), Melbourne (17th) and Perth (21st).Highly ranked Canadian cities are Vancouver (3rd), Toronto (15th), Ottawa (tied for 18th), Montreal (22nd) and Calgary (24th).Swiss cities Zurich and Geneva are at the top of the rankings this year.In a separate study, Mercer ranked cities on health and sanitation. Canadian city Calgary tops this list.This survey is based on the quality and availability of hospital and medical supplies and levels of air pollution and infectious diseases. The efficiency of waste removal and sewage systems, water potability and the presence of harmful animals and insects are also taken into account.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
more Good words...
Once again one of my most admired singer/songwriter blogger has said words that are just so right.
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Good love is a few months. Of bliss, of nothing wrongs, of sparkle, of tight gripping hands, of the inability to get close enough.
Bad love is a lifetime.
Bad love is the greatest test known to us. It is our most prized pain - so sought after, so hard to find. Bad love is work, giving-in, compromise, forgiveness, the unflinching support for another even at their most humiliated, their most vulnerable. Bad love is not on television, at the movies, on vacation, or at the bank. Bad love is not in the church, the temple, or under the dome. Bad love is not all around us.
Bad love is what we find when we let go enough to actually be found by someone else.
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Good love is a few months. Of bliss, of nothing wrongs, of sparkle, of tight gripping hands, of the inability to get close enough.
Bad love is a lifetime.
Bad love is the greatest test known to us. It is our most prized pain - so sought after, so hard to find. Bad love is work, giving-in, compromise, forgiveness, the unflinching support for another even at their most humiliated, their most vulnerable. Bad love is not on television, at the movies, on vacation, or at the bank. Bad love is not in the church, the temple, or under the dome. Bad love is not all around us.
Bad love is what we find when we let go enough to actually be found by someone else.
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Perth, WA
It seems so long ago now but back at the end of November 2006 I was given a great gift of a trip to Perth Australia by G who was going there for work and invited me along. I was very busy the last half year with my work and could really use the break. After a very long flight and a stopover in Kuala Lumpur I arrived in sunny Australia. Perth being the most remote city in the world you would not know it as we drove into the centre. Immediately it reminded me of a mixture of Vancouver and Victoria, with the tall glass skyscrapers and smaller turn of the century buildings. 
I arrived at the hotel where we were staying in the CBD and freshened up before going out for dinner.
Having had very little sleep on the way over I was already in a bit of a jet lagged state so sitting down to eat was a relief until I looked out the window and saw that the cement wall enclosing the gardens across the sidewalk was moving. I asked the server if they were large beetles or something more nefarious. He laughed and replied, yet those are WA’s finest cockroaches, but they aren’t half as bad as the flying ones. Yuck and oh joy! There is one insect that I cannot stand and that is a cockroach.
Anyway I had a full two weeks to get to know all the creatures and critters in the town.
I think the first full day after I arrived I just walked around and got to know the place and acclimatize to the weather, that evening we went out to the Swan valley to a wine tasting tour and dinner. The Swan Valley is actually the oldest wine region in WA. There was some good wine to be had and I even bought a couple of bottles from Lancaster Vineyard (Chenin Blanc) and Windy Creek (Old vine Shiraz). Day two was much the same, wandering to the beach and exploring the city but in the evening I went for a traditional BBQ at Neil’s place; he being British and his girlfriend Canadian. But I was introduced to Dukka a dry dip made of almost anything but usually spices, nuts and held in place on the bread with extra virgin olive oil, which I make at every opportunity since I have been back.
The following weeks went something like wake up when G was heading off for breakfast I would join him and his colleague then usually get ready and head out. I rented a bike for a very good deal and spent most days riding around and outwardly from the city.
I visited the Museum of WA, very interesting to see stuffed animals from my home town. My favourite part being the butterfly hall. It was amazing! Some bigger than my hand spread wide, and I have quite large hands for a woman.
I rode out to City Beach, Cottesloe, Freo, Hilary’s Boat Harbour where the Western Aquarium is.
The one thing I have to say is after living in Holland for so long is that it was hard work getting used to hills. I ride my bike everywhere, but there are no hills just small slopes here. So riding some of the big hills I found around Perth was good hard work.
The following weekend we were invited by Neil to go and see some small village outside Perth called York. It was quaint and apparently a favourite for weekend getaways. Personally I did not really get it but hey I guess out there in such remoteness you take what you can. And there is a couple of good pubs and restaurants there. Neil even put an offer down on a house, which I guess is something you can do when you earn expat salaries and the AUD is so low.
Every night we ate out and tried as much of what Perth’s finest had to offer. I can promise you there were some amazing meals to be had, and of course some not so wonderful. Frasers at the top of King’s park where we had kangaroo steak and two amazing bottles of wine, Voyager Estate Shiraz and another that I can’t remember the name of. Another might we went to Kings no. 44 and also had very good meals, with a recommendation from the sommelier to not go for the 65AUD bottle but a 33 AUD bottle from Shield Estate. It was an excellent choice I must admit. Not to forget the lovely Subiaco where I spent several afternoons and even dinner one night while we listened to the Robbie Williams concert from the Oval near by.
While G and his colleagues had to work most days I was free to get out and about on my bike and explore as much as possible. I must have ridden over 250 Km in total the entire time I was there.
The following weekend we were invited by Neil to go and see some small village outside Perth called York. It was quaint and apparently a favourite for weekend getaways. Personally I did not really get it but hey I guess out there in such remoteness you take what you can. And there is a couple of good pubs and restaurants there. Neil even put an offer down on a house, which I guess is something you can do when you earn expat salaries and the AUD is so low.
Every night we ate out and tried as much of what Perth’s finest had to offer. I can promise you there were some amazing meals to be had, and of course some not so wonderful. Frasers at the top of King’s park where we had kangaroo steak and two amazing bottles of wine, Voyager Estate Shiraz and another that I can’t remember the name of. Another might we went to Kings no. 44 and also had very good meals, with a recommendation from the sommelier to not go for the 65AUD bottle but a 33 AUD bottle from Shield Estate. It was an excellent choice I must admit. Not to forget the lovely Subiaco where I spent several afternoons and even dinner one night while we listened to the Robbie Williams concert from the Oval near by.
While G and his colleagues had to work most days I was free to get out and about on my bike and explore as much as possible. I must have ridden over 250 Km in total the entire time I was there.
Another day the boys took free and we decided to do what not many people in their lives do, swim with wild dolphins, but not after getting up at the crack of dawn to meet the bus. It was kind of silly as it was so commercial but really cool to hear there little squeaks and clicks cause they just swam away if they were not interested in your being around. And I think the team that makes up Rockingham Dolphins knows they have pretty special jobs. After this we went to Penguin Island nearby to see some little fairy penguins and other odd creatures, and another opportunity for me to swim in the sea. Then we headed back to Freo for a drink and some food. We ended up at Little Creatures Brewery for some great beers then on to an Indian Restaurant Maya for food which was also very good. Then we headed home.
On our last weekend we decided to rent bikes for G and Bjorn and take them on the train out to the Swan Valley for another wine tasting tour and a visit to the Animal/ Safari park where we got to pet Kangaroos, wallabies and koalas. As well as see another host of very unusual creatures. by bike. Unfortunately we were either to late for some places or they just were not open for visitors. But we did try some more wines and ended up at a really good pub for some food and wine before making our way back to the hotel after the long day.
My last few days seemed to fly by, but not without one last trip to Freo and Little Creatures Brewery for that delicious Pale Ale.
So before I knew it I was was packing and heading back to NL. It was really a wonderful trip with some much to do. I was sad that I did not have more time to explore more north and south of the city and Western Aus.
On our last weekend we decided to rent bikes for G and Bjorn and take them on the train out to the Swan Valley for another wine tasting tour and a visit to the Animal/ Safari park where we got to pet Kangaroos, wallabies and koalas. As well as see another host of very unusual creatures. by bike. Unfortunately we were either to late for some places or they just were not open for visitors. But we did try some more wines and ended up at a really good pub for some food and wine before making our way back to the hotel after the long day.
My last few days seemed to fly by, but not without one last trip to Freo and Little Creatures Brewery for that delicious Pale Ale.
So before I knew it I was was packing and heading back to NL. It was really a wonderful trip with some much to do. I was sad that I did not have more time to explore more north and south of the city and Western Aus.
Friday, February 02, 2007
International Film Festival Rotterdam 2007
As always for the last many years I made my way to the film festival in Rotterdam for 5 days and 16 movies.
Thursday January 25th
My first was The Journals of Knud Rassmusen, by Canadian Director Zacharias Kunuk, Norman Cohn of The Fast Runner. It was a story of Inuit’s at the turn of the century facing change in their lives from the first Europeans making contact and bringing change to their lives in the form of Christianity as well as changes in their own families.
I liked the movie for the anthropology aspect as well as the wonderful costumes and language.
The second that night was céu de suely: Suely in the Sky which was a Brazilian movie about a young woman and her small child who move back to her small town to try and get her life together while she waits for her husband to join her from San Paulo. When this does not materialize she looks for ways to make money to leave any way she can. The cast was great and the slow shot scenes gave you the idea about how bored she was waiting for things to change.
Friday January 26th
Anche libero va bene: Along the Ridge was the story about a family who’s mother left without saying goodbye leaving the father to deal with the children and his own misery. The main character was a young boy who while trying to please his father by swimming dreams of playing football like the other boys his age and hangs out on the roof to escape his fathers moods and his own life. His sister and father and sister seem to have a close relationship and he seems the outsider. Meanwhile the mother returns promising to have changed and the family takes a vote to take her back or not. The acting was great especially from the boy and his father and I found it to be a wonderful and simple story told in a great way.
The second was Friss levegö: Fresh Air a Hungarian movie about a mother and daughter who are not on speaking terms and who only communicate through notes. The daughter dreams of becoming a fashion designer, and the mother is stuck working in the public toilets in the train station in Budapest. The movie made me laugh out loud but was too long in my opinion; however as a debut director I thought she did a wonderful job.
Saturday January 27th
Jacco and I hooked up to see a few movies on the weekend as usual.
Our first was Izobrajaya zhertvu: Playing the Victim a Russian movie about a guy who makes his living acting out crime scenes for the police, however strange things start happening to him and we are not sure if he is going mad or was already there. I liked the acting from the main character Valja but did not quite understand the main dectective or some of the other charachters. I imagine the main actor will be very successful in Russia in the coming years.
A fost sau n-a fost?: 12:08 East of Bucharest won the golden camera in cannes for best debut. A movie about the revolution 16 years ago and a talk show host trying to find people willing to talk about it. It was quite funny and you end up watching a television show with some pretty strange charachters trying to either escape or relive their past.
Die Unerzogenen: Unpolished. A German movie about a teenage girl who has to live with her hippy parent’s lifestyle which she does not like one bit. After uprooting her from her life in Portugal back to Germany to her granfathers house which has been left in his will to her mother she tries to make the best of her new lifestyle. Several hangers-on also appear from their old life as well as her father who has just got out of jail after many years. She is not happy but thinks there is a way she can have a normal life, if only she can keep her parents secret from the new group of kids she has befriended. Of course things start to go wrong and she is finding that she has choices to make about her life. A good movie and beautifully shot. Another debut film maker on the rise.
Immer nie am Meer: Forever Never Anywhere. Another great German film about 3 men who get in a car after an accident and cannot get out of the car. Each have their own problems and are faced with their own pathetic lives in the process of trying to find a way out. Meanwhile, along comes a very troubled young man who is supposed to be their saviour but things are not always what they seem. A really really great movie, 5/5 on my vote.
Sunday January 28th
The day began very early with a Tunisian film Ors el dhib: Tender is the Wolf about a loser of a man who in his 30’s lives in his parents garage. He has no job or prospects and hangs around with a few low life losers. One night his friends rape a girl and during the event he tries to stop them with no luck. The rest of the film he is paying for his friends and his own mistakes. Somewhere along the film I lost the plot. He was quite stiff and not really convincing with his anger and pain. The lead actress was quite good,and the albino charachter did his part perfectly. Not really a wonderful movie but it did have some elements worth watching.
Shaere Zobale-Ha: Scream of the Ants. An Iranian couple go to India on their honeymoon to find spirituality in their own way. Personally I thought the woman was on the right path and her husband was a real arse and did not deserve her. But interesting that the husband felt so lost to God and the wife was so connected to god. I liked the harsh images of India and the delicate images of the wife.
D.O.A.P.- Death of an American President. A mocumentary about the killing of President Bush. Quite interesting how they protrayed the apparent staff of Bush to speak of him in a way that made him seem like the smartest guy in the world but you know it is done in a way that was taking the piss. I quite liked the movie but am always a little disturbed about the just how paranoid and gullable some Americans seem to be.
Awesome I Fucking Shot That. This was a great Rockumentary about a Beastie Boys concert in 2004 where they gave out 80 digital 8’s to some avid fans to shot the concert. I only stayed for half the movie but it was good fun and I liked the idea. Unfortunatly having done some of my own filming in my days, I could not take the blurry and often very unstable images, sadly the best shots were from the camera on the stage on the runner. I can see though how the B-boys have such a solid fan base.
Thursday Febuary 1st
Drama/Mex a story about people who have to make choices in their lives. The way it was shot was remiicent of Memento but without making sense in the end. It was a unnecessary thing. I liked the different story lines but not how they cross paths. I gave it a 3/5.
Z odzysku: Retrieval a Polish movie about a young guy trying to do the right thing by everyone in his life and still get ahead. After landing what seems the perfect job his concience does not allow him to continue if he wants to keep the other important things in his life. Beautifully acted by the lead Antoni Pawlicki.
Last Winter an American film about a team of oil company exploration and environmentalists sent to the Arctic to map out the site for a major drilling project that should sustain the US for many years to come. However when strange things start to happen to the staff the question is asked is the earth fed up with humans raping her natural resources? The movie had promise to tell a good story about why we should be careful with what is taken and not put back; however the movie fell apart when they tried to make it a thriller. It would have been much more interesting to leave out the animations at the end which ruined it for me, but knowing test audiences they probably did originally and nobody got it so a “bad guy” had to be introduced. A story worth thinking about; a movie worth renting on DVD.
Eagle vs Shark: New Zealand’s answer to Napoleon Dynamite, a story about to outcasts, once if which is obsessed with the other. When fate has brought them together they both learn a little more about life, love and acceptance. A cute movie with some very funny and butt clenching scenarios and a cute sound track not at all bad for debut director/writer Taika Waititi, all in all a very nice way to end my IFFR 2007.
Thursday January 25th
My first was The Journals of Knud Rassmusen, by Canadian Director Zacharias Kunuk, Norman Cohn of The Fast Runner. It was a story of Inuit’s at the turn of the century facing change in their lives from the first Europeans making contact and bringing change to their lives in the form of Christianity as well as changes in their own families.
I liked the movie for the anthropology aspect as well as the wonderful costumes and language.
The second that night was céu de suely: Suely in the Sky which was a Brazilian movie about a young woman and her small child who move back to her small town to try and get her life together while she waits for her husband to join her from San Paulo. When this does not materialize she looks for ways to make money to leave any way she can. The cast was great and the slow shot scenes gave you the idea about how bored she was waiting for things to change.
Friday January 26th
Anche libero va bene: Along the Ridge was the story about a family who’s mother left without saying goodbye leaving the father to deal with the children and his own misery. The main character was a young boy who while trying to please his father by swimming dreams of playing football like the other boys his age and hangs out on the roof to escape his fathers moods and his own life. His sister and father and sister seem to have a close relationship and he seems the outsider. Meanwhile the mother returns promising to have changed and the family takes a vote to take her back or not. The acting was great especially from the boy and his father and I found it to be a wonderful and simple story told in a great way.
The second was Friss levegö: Fresh Air a Hungarian movie about a mother and daughter who are not on speaking terms and who only communicate through notes. The daughter dreams of becoming a fashion designer, and the mother is stuck working in the public toilets in the train station in Budapest. The movie made me laugh out loud but was too long in my opinion; however as a debut director I thought she did a wonderful job.
Saturday January 27th
Jacco and I hooked up to see a few movies on the weekend as usual.
Our first was Izobrajaya zhertvu: Playing the Victim a Russian movie about a guy who makes his living acting out crime scenes for the police, however strange things start happening to him and we are not sure if he is going mad or was already there. I liked the acting from the main character Valja but did not quite understand the main dectective or some of the other charachters. I imagine the main actor will be very successful in Russia in the coming years.
A fost sau n-a fost?: 12:08 East of Bucharest won the golden camera in cannes for best debut. A movie about the revolution 16 years ago and a talk show host trying to find people willing to talk about it. It was quite funny and you end up watching a television show with some pretty strange charachters trying to either escape or relive their past.
Die Unerzogenen: Unpolished. A German movie about a teenage girl who has to live with her hippy parent’s lifestyle which she does not like one bit. After uprooting her from her life in Portugal back to Germany to her granfathers house which has been left in his will to her mother she tries to make the best of her new lifestyle. Several hangers-on also appear from their old life as well as her father who has just got out of jail after many years. She is not happy but thinks there is a way she can have a normal life, if only she can keep her parents secret from the new group of kids she has befriended. Of course things start to go wrong and she is finding that she has choices to make about her life. A good movie and beautifully shot. Another debut film maker on the rise.
Immer nie am Meer: Forever Never Anywhere. Another great German film about 3 men who get in a car after an accident and cannot get out of the car. Each have their own problems and are faced with their own pathetic lives in the process of trying to find a way out. Meanwhile, along comes a very troubled young man who is supposed to be their saviour but things are not always what they seem. A really really great movie, 5/5 on my vote.
Sunday January 28th
The day began very early with a Tunisian film Ors el dhib: Tender is the Wolf about a loser of a man who in his 30’s lives in his parents garage. He has no job or prospects and hangs around with a few low life losers. One night his friends rape a girl and during the event he tries to stop them with no luck. The rest of the film he is paying for his friends and his own mistakes. Somewhere along the film I lost the plot. He was quite stiff and not really convincing with his anger and pain. The lead actress was quite good,and the albino charachter did his part perfectly. Not really a wonderful movie but it did have some elements worth watching.
Shaere Zobale-Ha: Scream of the Ants. An Iranian couple go to India on their honeymoon to find spirituality in their own way. Personally I thought the woman was on the right path and her husband was a real arse and did not deserve her. But interesting that the husband felt so lost to God and the wife was so connected to god. I liked the harsh images of India and the delicate images of the wife.
D.O.A.P.- Death of an American President. A mocumentary about the killing of President Bush. Quite interesting how they protrayed the apparent staff of Bush to speak of him in a way that made him seem like the smartest guy in the world but you know it is done in a way that was taking the piss. I quite liked the movie but am always a little disturbed about the just how paranoid and gullable some Americans seem to be.
Awesome I Fucking Shot That. This was a great Rockumentary about a Beastie Boys concert in 2004 where they gave out 80 digital 8’s to some avid fans to shot the concert. I only stayed for half the movie but it was good fun and I liked the idea. Unfortunatly having done some of my own filming in my days, I could not take the blurry and often very unstable images, sadly the best shots were from the camera on the stage on the runner. I can see though how the B-boys have such a solid fan base.
Thursday Febuary 1st
Drama/Mex a story about people who have to make choices in their lives. The way it was shot was remiicent of Memento but without making sense in the end. It was a unnecessary thing. I liked the different story lines but not how they cross paths. I gave it a 3/5.
Z odzysku: Retrieval a Polish movie about a young guy trying to do the right thing by everyone in his life and still get ahead. After landing what seems the perfect job his concience does not allow him to continue if he wants to keep the other important things in his life. Beautifully acted by the lead Antoni Pawlicki.
Last Winter an American film about a team of oil company exploration and environmentalists sent to the Arctic to map out the site for a major drilling project that should sustain the US for many years to come. However when strange things start to happen to the staff the question is asked is the earth fed up with humans raping her natural resources? The movie had promise to tell a good story about why we should be careful with what is taken and not put back; however the movie fell apart when they tried to make it a thriller. It would have been much more interesting to leave out the animations at the end which ruined it for me, but knowing test audiences they probably did originally and nobody got it so a “bad guy” had to be introduced. A story worth thinking about; a movie worth renting on DVD.
Eagle vs Shark: New Zealand’s answer to Napoleon Dynamite, a story about to outcasts, once if which is obsessed with the other. When fate has brought them together they both learn a little more about life, love and acceptance. A cute movie with some very funny and butt clenching scenarios and a cute sound track not at all bad for debut director/writer Taika Waititi, all in all a very nice way to end my IFFR 2007.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Girls weekend in Berlin
Back in September myself and a couple of me dear friends’ decided to finally plan and go on a girls weekend together. Nadzyra and I were the ones who originally has been talking about this for years now and then we asked if Helen would like to come along and then it turns out that my dear friend Mary was able to come all the way from Montreal and visit me around the same time. So it was set. Of course we got to stay at the best place in Berlin because of my dear friend Andreas. We arrived semi late on Friday night and made our way to his place to settle in, only to end up sitting and chatting till about 3 am with Christiane. 
Sat we started with a early morning hike for Helen and I up to the top of Victoria park which is actually quite a large hill from which you can see Berlin in all directions.
We then went to meet the other girls for Breakfast on the Bergmanstrasse and then set off into town walking from former west into the east, past checkpoint charley and down Unter den Linden past the museums, and Dom up to Alexanderplatz (checking out bike rentals for the next day) and back towards Kreuzberg for some dinner and to meet friends of Nadzyra's before heading out to a party that Jens and Susanne told us about.
Dinner ended quite late and we got to the end of the train stop to realize there were no more buses or trains in that end of town. So we walked, stopping for beers and such along the way. It was a pretty interesting walk, and we only got lost once. Finally arriving at the Ehemaliges Rundfunkgelaende, which translates to the former Eastern German radio and television buildings . And it was a cool spot as well. The part was held partly inside and partly out with the former bar and marble grand floors and stairs. Pretty neat. We stayed a few hours and then headed back to Andreas's for some sleep.
Sunday we rented bikes from Alex Bike Rentals and took the tour. down the Unter den Linden, under the Brandenburg Gate, past the Reichstag and then through the Tiergarten to the Victory Colum and climbed to the top.. to a even better view.
Back through the tiergarten stopping at the new Jewish Monument before stopping for another coffee at Starbucks and back to drop off two of the bikes.
We stopped at the Dom and Contemporary Art exhibit and climbed over the E=MC2 before taking a daring move and doubling Nadz on my handlebars and Mary on the back of Helen's. It was also quite a cool adventure. We went back for some great food at a fantastic vegetarian place on Meringdam.
Helen and Nadzy had to leave early in the morning but Mary and I had another couple of days to hang out. So after breakfast the next day we took the bikes along the Spree into the east again as I had never been through that part of the city. It was really neat. Then we ended up back near Prenzlauerberg and finally dropping the bikes off at Alexanderplatz again. After which we walked back towards Andreas's and met Jens and Susanne for dinner at the same vegetarian place as the night before; the food is that good!
On the Tuesday we just hung about walking even more through the city and taking in the sights.
It was a great weekend and so nice to know I have some really fantastic friends who are just so lovely. Thanks girls.
Sat we started with a early morning hike for Helen and I up to the top of Victoria park which is actually quite a large hill from which you can see Berlin in all directions.
We then went to meet the other girls for Breakfast on the Bergmanstrasse and then set off into town walking from former west into the east, past checkpoint charley and down Unter den Linden past the museums, and Dom up to Alexanderplatz (checking out bike rentals for the next day) and back towards Kreuzberg for some dinner and to meet friends of Nadzyra's before heading out to a party that Jens and Susanne told us about.
Dinner ended quite late and we got to the end of the train stop to realize there were no more buses or trains in that end of town. So we walked, stopping for beers and such along the way. It was a pretty interesting walk, and we only got lost once. Finally arriving at the Ehemaliges Rundfunkgelaende, which translates to the former Eastern German radio and television buildings . And it was a cool spot as well. The part was held partly inside and partly out with the former bar and marble grand floors and stairs. Pretty neat. We stayed a few hours and then headed back to Andreas's for some sleep.
Sunday we rented bikes from Alex Bike Rentals and took the tour. down the Unter den Linden, under the Brandenburg Gate, past the Reichstag and then through the Tiergarten to the Victory Colum and climbed to the top.. to a even better view.
Back through the tiergarten stopping at the new Jewish Monument before stopping for another coffee at Starbucks and back to drop off two of the bikes.
We stopped at the Dom and Contemporary Art exhibit and climbed over the E=MC2 before taking a daring move and doubling Nadz on my handlebars and Mary on the back of Helen's. It was also quite a cool adventure. We went back for some great food at a fantastic vegetarian place on Meringdam.
Helen and Nadzy had to leave early in the morning but Mary and I had another couple of days to hang out. So after breakfast the next day we took the bikes along the Spree into the east again as I had never been through that part of the city. It was really neat. Then we ended up back near Prenzlauerberg and finally dropping the bikes off at Alexanderplatz again. After which we walked back towards Andreas's and met Jens and Susanne for dinner at the same vegetarian place as the night before; the food is that good!
On the Tuesday we just hung about walking even more through the city and taking in the sights.
It was a great weekend and so nice to know I have some really fantastic friends who are just so lovely. Thanks girls.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Sea U Site 2006
Over the last many years I have attended the Sea U Site festival.. in the past few years we have had continuous attention from the local authorities in the form of police (normal and riot) as well as dogs and helicopters.This year was different once again... Thankfully closer than the last year's it was almost smack in the middle of what the Germans like to call The Bathtub of Berlin, Kuehlungsborn. Funnily enough the first 2-3 Sea U Site parties I remember were also held nearby.
We left Holland on Friday afternoon and as per usual drove for about 5 hours just to cross the border (What is wrong with this country) which should only be 200 klm across.
After that is was more or less smooth sailing to Berlin where we bunked down at Andreas's for the night.
Saturday was a lazy start and then we left Berlin for the north, 200 km north to Kuehlungsborn where we drove around lost for just a little while. We found the Bremer folks pretty quickly and set about setting up camp.
The weather was not the best and I am continuously thankful that I have a all season tent that always manages to keep me dry. Sat night was held inside one of the empty buildings with a bit of music and other catch ups. But I was really happy to go to bed fairly early and wait for morning.... which came with lots and lots of rain... in fact it rained so hard most of the morning we just stayed in our tents and waited for it to end.
Finally it stopped we headed out to see what was happening in the world of the Sea U Site 2006.
It had far more building than the previous years if you don't count the gigantic building complex near Pora on the Island Rugen.The usual gang from Bremen and Berlin and Hamburg were there, and it took some time to get into the mood but we eventually as the clouds and rain moved on.
It all seemed to move quickly but the day moved nice and slow.
danced a little, explored a little and watched a great sunset.. all in time to hang out a bit longer that evening and then head to bed just as the sun was about to make another appearance.
Monday was beautiful and I took my chances to jump in the water and swim in the Baltic sea, something that I try and do at least once a year.
The drive home was not that exciting and after stopping for some food and rest in Bremen was headed across the boarder to Holland.
The best part was, there was no police this year to bother us, kind of an anti climax though.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Fusion Festival 2006
The same as the last 8 or is it 9 years running I have been attending the Fusion Festival in Germany between the former East German holiday locations of Mirow and Wipperow around the Flugplatz Lärz. I love this place and besides the ever increasing numbers that attend this is still a very special festival and unlike any other I have ever attended.
More than less happy people running amock and having fun.I realizeee that now that I have left this way to long to log any really long important blog entry so you will get bullettt points:
it was really hot/ hotter than I remember ever in the past 9 years in June.
Sat was much the same only spent longer at the tower stage until long after dark
Sun was the lake stage as usual under the trees with all my friends having fun, the one strange note would be that Guddi and I went for a walk and saw that over in the parking lot was something on fire. many people did not notice but many more crowed to the top of the hanger near the tower stage to get a better look, thrubber necker'sss. And oddly enough it turned out to be someone I knew from Bremen who's camper/ home was on fire due to faultywiringg. Months later I found out that he lost almost everything he owned and was relying on the kindness of strangers to get him feed, clothed and fed for the months to come including my lovely German "parents" who have helped him in many ways. And to dissuade her from climbing the hanger we headed off in the direction of the Goa floor. Which was strange to say the least. In the past the only reason to go there was because they had the bestfalafell stand at the party.
At some point on Sunday night we secured a bottle of Malibu from Sabine and spent even more time wandering out Bar 25 and Datcha hanger
Arriving in Berlin on Wed evening and after a good nights sleep and a better breakfast headed for the train station to make our way there... a longish and hot journey via taxis and trains we arrived at the location.. same as every year.
Thankfully Gudrun, Sascha and Crew had already set up not only the camping place but also my potato beetle attracting tent. What does that mean exactly, well potatoe beetles happen to love the colours, orange, yellow and light green... my tent is two of the three.
We had a few drinks, and went for a wander around the land to see what was happening and what was new this year.
A somewhat early night Thursday because there was still 3 more days to go.
Friday we woke to another really really hot morning and went to test out the warm showers passing already a whole bunch of freaky people on the way and a very large pile of orange rinds. On the way back we ran into Frau Fox who I have not seen since the last Sea U Site.
Back for breakfast and catching up with old friends and of course the all important coffee to get my day going.
Did I yet mention it was HOT that whole weekend? Well it was kind of unbearable hot but thankfully there were showers and the nice Canal that you could swim in just down the road.
We did not do much on Thursday other than a few drinks and wandered around before going to sleep.
Sat morning started out really hot as well. after a nice glass of OJ (check out the piles of oranges) and then after a long wait for a refreshing shower we went to go and see what was happening
Sat seemed to fly by walking around and checking out the sights and sounds.
It seems so long ago now that I just can't remember all the details.
Needless to say it is a wonderful party with great people, almost zero agro and many many many things to say and do.
My favourite new thing? the new hobbit forrest habitat they built under the trees.
Sunday was just as hot, they sent in as usual the fire brigade to cool us down and it was just nice to hang out and spend time with my friends. On Monday it was hard to believe that we had to go and after getting dropped off at the train station only to realize that the trains only came every 3 hours or so, and it was a tiny little thing that could barely squish everyone on board. And then back to Berlin and the comfort of Andreas and Christiane's flats and hospitality.
Next year? I am taking a car!
More than less happy people running amock and having fun.I realizeee that now that I have left this way to long to log any really long important blog entry so you will get bullettt points:
it was really hot/ hotter than I remember ever in the past 9 years in June.- for the first time I a. took a warm shower b. swam in the canal c. visited the Goa dance floor.
- only climbed 3 hangers
- arrived by plane and train/ taxi.
Sat was much the same only spent longer at the tower stage until long after dark
Sun was the lake stage as usual under the trees with all my friends having fun, the one strange note would be that Guddi and I went for a walk and saw that over in the parking lot was something on fire. many people did not notice but many more crowed to the top of the hanger near the tower stage to get a better look, thrubber necker'sss. And oddly enough it turned out to be someone I knew from Bremen who's camper/ home was on fire due to faultywiringg. Months later I found out that he lost almost everything he owned and was relying on the kindness of strangers to get him feed, clothed and fed for the months to come including my lovely German "parents" who have helped him in many ways. And to dissuade her from climbing the hanger we headed off in the direction of the Goa floor. Which was strange to say the least. In the past the only reason to go there was because they had the bestfalafell stand at the party.
At some point on Sunday night we secured a bottle of Malibu from Sabine and spent even more time wandering out Bar 25 and Datcha hanger
Arriving in Berlin on Wed evening and after a good nights sleep and a better breakfast headed for the train station to make our way there... a longish and hot journey via taxis and trains we arrived at the location.. same as every year.
Thankfully Gudrun, Sascha and Crew had already set up not only the camping place but also my potato beetle attracting tent. What does that mean exactly, well potatoe beetles happen to love the colours, orange, yellow and light green... my tent is two of the three.
We had a few drinks, and went for a wander around the land to see what was happening and what was new this year.
A somewhat early night Thursday because there was still 3 more days to go.
Friday we woke to another really really hot morning and went to test out the warm showers passing already a whole bunch of freaky people on the way and a very large pile of orange rinds. On the way back we ran into Frau Fox who I have not seen since the last Sea U Site.
Back for breakfast and catching up with old friends and of course the all important coffee to get my day going.
Did I yet mention it was HOT that whole weekend? Well it was kind of unbearable hot but thankfully there were showers and the nice Canal that you could swim in just down the road.
We did not do much on Thursday other than a few drinks and wandered around before going to sleep.
Sat morning started out really hot as well. after a nice glass of OJ (check out the piles of oranges) and then after a long wait for a refreshing shower we went to go and see what was happening
Sat seemed to fly by walking around and checking out the sights and sounds.
It seems so long ago now that I just can't remember all the details.
Needless to say it is a wonderful party with great people, almost zero agro and many many many things to say and do.
My favourite new thing? the new hobbit forrest habitat they built under the trees.
Sunday was just as hot, they sent in as usual the fire brigade to cool us down and it was just nice to hang out and spend time with my friends. On Monday it was hard to believe that we had to go and after getting dropped off at the train station only to realize that the trains only came every 3 hours or so, and it was a tiny little thing that could barely squish everyone on board. And then back to Berlin and the comfort of Andreas and Christiane's flats and hospitality.
Next year? I am taking a car!
Uit Festival Den Haag
Last Sunday I did a 2 hour workshop at the YogaShala studio which was wonderful, one hour of Ashtaga Yoga and one hour of Yin Yoga. My arms still are sore but it was well worth it as I was inspired to try new things and learnt new things as well. The owners of the studio were both talented and very good at what they did. All in all a really nice experience that I might be tempted to try more of.
Afterwards Helen and I headed over to the Uit Festival here in Den Haag. We went mostly because Circle percussion was playing and she had done a workshop with them in Spain just a few weeks ago.
It is a troup of player of Japanese Kyoto and African Drums.
It was fun and very energetic and well worth a watch. We were going to go stick around and watch the poets sitting in the trees but we decided it was more important to eat.
A good weekend busy with meeting people and also sleeping long nights.
Afterwards Helen and I headed over to the Uit Festival here in Den Haag. We went mostly because Circle percussion was playing and she had done a workshop with them in Spain just a few weeks ago.
It is a troup of player of Japanese Kyoto and African Drums.It was fun and very energetic and well worth a watch. We were going to go stick around and watch the poets sitting in the trees but we decided it was more important to eat.
A good weekend busy with meeting people and also sleeping long nights.
Guilty Pleasures
I have ot admit it, I really love watching Extreme Home Makeover it is just such a nice thing to watch families get what they deserve, it almost always chokes me up.... simple and sweet.
and apparently I am not alone http://youcantmakeitup.blogspot.com/2004/11/extreme-home-makeover-with-cry.html
and apparently I am not alone http://youcantmakeitup.blogspot.com/2004/11/extreme-home-makeover-with-cry.html
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
more (Marillion) Lyrics
I just started adding new playlists to my iPod, it makes me wonder why I have not done this already ages ago.
My latest kick it listening to my Marillion folder, I have a whole Caselogic binder of Marillion CD's but the main albums I love I have put on my iPod, and am having such a good time revisiting the anthology... what a bunch of talented guys.. and so often I find myself thinking, 'Oh I haven't heard that one for AGES!'
More importantly than that I can revisit my life for the last 17 years quite often depending on which album I was listening to, but almost none had the affect of Brave on me....
one of my favorites from the CD:
.......
It makes you hungry and it makes you high
It makes you suffer and it makes you cry
It makes you panic and it makes you vain
It makes you primitive and sick inside
It makes you angry and it makes you blind
It makes you guilty and it makes you lie
Tied up and beaten
Spat out and eaten
Suicidal
Nothing's ever been as hard
Well I hear that were lookin' out to change my faith
You can bash me with your book of words, hammer me down
But you know that love can be as hard as six inch nails
Baby nothing else has ever been as hard as love
Hard as love
Visit Marillion.com for a better way of Life.. or at least to see some great photos (some of which are by me!). Under the band link and then photos you get a rotating bunch which is really nice to look at.
My latest kick it listening to my Marillion folder, I have a whole Caselogic binder of Marillion CD's but the main albums I love I have put on my iPod, and am having such a good time revisiting the anthology... what a bunch of talented guys.. and so often I find myself thinking, 'Oh I haven't heard that one for AGES!'
More importantly than that I can revisit my life for the last 17 years quite often depending on which album I was listening to, but almost none had the affect of Brave on me....
one of my favorites from the CD:
.......
It makes you hungry and it makes you high
It makes you suffer and it makes you cry
It makes you panic and it makes you vain
It makes you primitive and sick inside
It makes you angry and it makes you blind
It makes you guilty and it makes you lie
Tied up and beaten
Spat out and eaten
Suicidal
Nothing's ever been as hard
Well I hear that were lookin' out to change my faith
You can bash me with your book of words, hammer me down
But you know that love can be as hard as six inch nails
Baby nothing else has ever been as hard as love
Hard as love
Visit Marillion.com for a better way of Life.. or at least to see some great photos (some of which are by me!). Under the band link and then photos you get a rotating bunch which is really nice to look at.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Gutters full of rain
I was riding my bike to work this morning (in the rain) and as usual had my iPod on shuffle. This song came on and I thought it was really beautiful as is so many of David Gray's songs:
From the album Sell Sell Sell.
GUTTERS FULL OF RAIN
A gutter full of rain
An empty picture frame
A house out at the edges of the city
Never noticing the war
'Til it's right there at your door
And suddenly your hands are bloody
I was seeking to possess
Now another girl's caress
Is on your flesh
The bitterness is tasted
There's nobody in your chair
No hand to touch my hair
The sun even the air seems wasted
Let it go now
Let it all slip away
And we'll start it all over again
Me like a million
Others before
Trying to make sense of the rain
In spite of all the shame
Sometimes I hear your name
I think of us when we were younger
Then I'm shutting out the noise
And I'm trying to hear the voice
That used to tell me love was stronger
Light another cigarette
But the one I got's still lit
I can't seem to keep my fingers steady
Never noticing the war
Til it's right there at your door
And suddenly your hands are bloody
From the album Sell Sell Sell.
GUTTERS FULL OF RAIN
A gutter full of rain
An empty picture frame
A house out at the edges of the city
Never noticing the war
'Til it's right there at your door
And suddenly your hands are bloody
I was seeking to possess
Now another girl's caress
Is on your flesh
The bitterness is tasted
There's nobody in your chair
No hand to touch my hair
The sun even the air seems wasted
Let it go now
Let it all slip away
And we'll start it all over again
Me like a million
Others before
Trying to make sense of the rain
In spite of all the shame
Sometimes I hear your name
I think of us when we were younger
Then I'm shutting out the noise
And I'm trying to hear the voice
That used to tell me love was stronger
Light another cigarette
But the one I got's still lit
I can't seem to keep my fingers steady
Never noticing the war
Til it's right there at your door
And suddenly your hands are bloody
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Back home again
In mid June I went home again for the 3rd time in under 12 months. This time for my friends wedding, as they had asked me to take photographs for them already last year when I was home in Aug.
I met Jen at the company we work for several years ago in The Netherlands because someone who knew us both recognized our accents and suggested we met. The rest as they say is history.
I took my dear friend Jacco with me as he was also invited to the wedding and needed a vacation so it all worked out perfectly. We arrived to a wonderful warm and typical June afternoon, made our way to my brother's house near (funky) Main street, picked up his keys from the designated place and went there to chill out for a while, after getting freshed up we went out to find some food and promptly ran into my cousin Brownwen, which was nice cause I hardly ever get to see her.
After some good food at the Foundation (thanks for the tip Cuz), we went to get some supplies and ran into Eric (the brother) on the way back to his apartment, had some wine chatted and then slept as long as we could.
Friday in Vancouver was spent walking around on Main Street, downtown and Denman Street checking stuff out, shopping and showing Jacco around, English Bay, the downtown vibe and stopped for ceasers and beers at the Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant on Robson Street. And headed back to grab some food and more drinks. I think after some very frustrating trials we ended up eating at Habit (I think that is what it was called) it was actually very good and nice to really catch up with my brother.
What's a Caesar you ask, not not a Roman emperor or a small Scottie Dog on the side of pet food, this is a wonderful and typically Canadian drink. Clamato Juice is the main ingredient and then comes vodka, Worcestershire and tabasco sauce the rim is slat lined and garnished with anything form celery to green beans. Sometimes it is also made with a horseradish juice as well, but I prefer the regular extra spicy version.
I met Jen at the company we work for several years ago in The Netherlands because someone who knew us both recognized our accents and suggested we met. The rest as they say is history.
I took my dear friend Jacco with me as he was also invited to the wedding and needed a vacation so it all worked out perfectly. We arrived to a wonderful warm and typical June afternoon, made our way to my brother's house near (funky) Main street, picked up his keys from the designated place and went there to chill out for a while, after getting freshed up we went out to find some food and promptly ran into my cousin Brownwen, which was nice cause I hardly ever get to see her.
After some good food at the Foundation (thanks for the tip Cuz), we went to get some supplies and ran into Eric (the brother) on the way back to his apartment, had some wine chatted and then slept as long as we could.
Friday in Vancouver was spent walking around on Main Street, downtown and Denman Street checking stuff out, shopping and showing Jacco around, English Bay, the downtown vibe and stopped for ceasers and beers at the Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant on Robson Street. And headed back to grab some food and more drinks. I think after some very frustrating trials we ended up eating at Habit (I think that is what it was called) it was actually very good and nice to really catch up with my brother.
What's a Caesar you ask, not not a Roman emperor or a small Scottie Dog on the side of pet food, this is a wonderful and typically Canadian drink. Clamato Juice is the main ingredient and then comes vodka, Worcestershire and tabasco sauce the rim is slat lined and garnished with anything form celery to green beans. Sometimes it is also made with a horseradish juice as well, but I prefer the regular extra spicy version.
On Saturday after my now traditional soya latte at Soma's I took the bus up to Whistler for the Hen night while Jacco stayed behind and had a few drinks with Merlyn and friends before heading off on his own and exploring the exciting Davie Street night life.
Arriving in Whistler I picked up some drinks and headed for the cabin that the girls were staying at.
I already had met Anita before on a visit to Holland a few years ago but it was nice to meet the other contstants in Jen's life. Sushi for dinner and went to meet Merlyn's sisters who had just arrived in Canada and were due to arrive on the next bus from Vancouver.
Back to the cabin to get ready for the night out at Buffalo Bills.
I had not been there in many years, in fact since the first band I ever worked with played there over 14 years before, where we had certain Tommy Lee visit us in the back stage area but that is a story for another time.
The night was fun but surreal, a little like being in Temple Bar in Dublin with all the other stags and hen nights happening there. But good 80-90's music and a good laugh, a few of us left around 2 and went back for more lounging and drinks.
In the morning we went for breakfast just down the road and I headed back to get ready to head back to Vancouver where I was to meet Jacco at the Ferry Terminal at Horseshoe Bay. Whistler is a typical ski resort but very beautiful and teaming with people all year round. I can only imagine what might happen in 2010 when the winter Olympics are there.
After some minor delays we met at the Ferry and headed across the straight to Vancouver Island where I was born and raised but more importantly where my folks call home.
It was of course so great to see my folks again, being the very coolest people in the whole wide world.
Monday we went to Victoria because I had a bit of ca.gov administration to do, and also decided to do some whale watching so I called the Orca Spirit Adventure company and asked if they had seen any whales and they said that the day before Jpod had been spotted in the area. I knew it was a sign, being the title of the new Douglas Coupland book.
We headed out of the harbor towards the San Juan islands where it has been known they would most likely be. I believe it was the same pod I saw last year on the ferry just after I said good by to Sylvia for the last time. There are normally about 20 whales in the pod on that day only around 10. But spectacular non the less, they were beautiful and seemed quite undisturbed that we were there, one in fact decided to impress us by swimming under the boat and later breaching out of the water, I think soaking the 2 kayakers that were very near to him.
That night we headed back and had dinner and a good soak in the hot tub under the stars. On Tuesday I had made an appointment with the best hairdresser in the world, Paul and my very good friend as I wanted to look pretty before the wedding, so my parents took Jacco on a hike along a ridge that looked down the Goldstream estuary in one direction and the Gulf Islands in the other, while I got to be pampered and catch up with Paul. Later we would meet at Ferris's Oyster Bar and Grill for some yummy grub before heading home for the evening.
Wedensday was our last full day there, so we went on a wine tasting tour of the Cowichan valley with my parents and lunch at Vigneti Zanatta vineyards. Of course buying and tasting good wines along the way. We started at Glenterra where he had some interesting whites on offer, his new batch would not yet be ready until the end of the summer, so we said good bye and headed towards Blue Grouse where we tasted some nice reds and one very good Black Muscat which I bought. Then we headed to Vigneti Zanatta for some lunch, and in the end ended up tasting many of the wines with our lunch so we did not end up doing the tasting, I took home with me a couple of bottles of Ortego and a bottle of bubbly that sounded too good to leave behind. Last but not least we headed to Cherry Point where I was due to pick up some more Black Berry port which they do very well. That evening we had some family friends over for dinner so that I could catch up with them and sadly my last day at home was far to quickly past. 
In the morning Dad made me pancakes at my request (he makes the best in the world) and they drove us back to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal to head back to Vancouver. We had been invited to Jennifer's parents house for a BBQ that night and I thought it was a good idea to meet the whole family before showing up at the wedding and not knowing who anybody was.
Several hours later via car, ferry, coach, sky train, sea bus and transit bus we made it over to North Vancouver and headed up to her parents house where we got to meet her family his family and all the lovelies who had come from near and far to celebrate with their friends on their happy day.
It was of course very relaxed and very west coast style along side all the different accents from Australia, South Africa, England, Ireland and Holland. Several hours later Rob (the godsend) gave us a ride back to Vancouver to pick up our bags and dropped us off at Eric's place.
On Friday morning I met with Merlyn for a quick coffee up the road at JJ Beans to discuss some photography business then Jacco, Eric and and I decided it was time to go back downtown and see some culture before more shopping in Kitsilano. We headed to the Vancouver Art Gallery where there was two special exhibits, one called Raven Travelling and the other a retrospective on one of Vancouver's most famous architects Arthur Erickson. It also just so happened that there was a pow wow out front of the gallery to celebrate National Native Heritage week, tepees and a large stage for performances were scattered across the lawn. The best part was that I finally found a Raven ring to go with my wonderful collection of First Nations art. I found both the exhibits really great, I love Native West Coast Art and some of the items I had seen before only not in such a nice collection, and the history was also quite interesting because the Haida were one of the first to recognize that commercializing their art would bring more money from the sailors and other traders from Europe, sadly what they did not know that these same people were coming along and cutting down their totempoles and stealing their history once the Dominion had passed the Indian Act and forbidden the natives to celebrate their potlatches and other important dances. Thankfully these things are slowly changing and in particular the Haida are gaining back their traditions and pride along the way. The exhibit about Arthur Erickson was also very nice, he has built some of the most recognizable buildings in Vancouver but also apparently around the world. It was quite nice because as I was leaving the art gallery I actually saw him on his way in to give a private tour of his collection. Jacco and I both decided to buy prints in the gallery gift shop and were more than happy to contribute to the fine artistic talents of the First Nations peoples.
I then needed to get my Lululemon fix and pick up a new (grapejuice) Scuba Hoodie for H. We of course needed to eat some more great Sushi down the street on W4th Ave after also checking out another shop with more things for Jacco to buy after all this hard work we headed across the street to visit Eric at his job at Hell's Kitchen for a couple of drinks. Apparently we both managed about 8 pints of beer each and a few shots (not that we ordered any shots mind you) and feeling more than a bit buzzed by the time we left. Both of us with nice big bags of shopping tucked under our arms.
On Sat of course was the day of the wedding and since all of us were more than a bit tired from the day before it was a lazy beginning to the day. The wedding was not going to start until 5pm but we still had to make ourselves presentable and get back over to Deep Cove in North Vancouver.
We went for breakie/coffee and a nice walk up Main street checking out all the 2nd hand shops and other nice things. I headed back ahead of the boys, knowing it would take me a little more time to get ready than them. Then we headed over towards the North Shore again. I went to the hotel to see Jen and take a few photos and the boys headed to Deep Cove. Then I headed there as well with a separate taxi to make sure I could suss out the place.
The Deep Cove yacht club is a cute little place, which was perfect for the amount of guests and for both the ceremony and reception/ dinner after wards. It was a wonderful party, and beautiful ceremony and a great bunch of people to celebrate it with. It was also really great that Eric could use the D100 to take photos at the wedding, while I used the D1x. It was awesome that it worked out the way it did.
Sunday was a little melancholy because we knew that we were almost about to leave, Eric had to work early but Jacco and I decided to head into town again and rent bikes to cycle around Stanley Park, it is a beautiful and very large park that has ancient forests, beautiful beaches and wildlife like crazy. Of course Sunday is not the best day to do this kind of thing in Vancouver, as it is always busiest day of the week in the park. But it was still very nice, relaxed and nice to get some exercise. Later we met with Eric down in Yaletown for a few beers at the brew pub and then headed over to False Creek to catch the Aquabus across to Science World where we could just walk up to Main Street. We had planned on getting back to Granville Island to see a show related to the Jazz Festival but somehow ended up running late and missing it entirely. But we did manage to get some food at Bin 942 on Granville Street, which is always good for a unique taste of BC's best small plates. Eric was determined to make sure our last night was a good one, but somehow we made a few bad choices on where it was hip to go. First down to Gastown, was dead as a doornail, then over towards Granville by passing the Railway club where we stopped for a beer and then up to Granville, it is so strange because there used to only be one club on Granville for the longest time, and now there was many. BC also has a few very archaic liquor laws, one being that if you have a food license then you cannot stand up and have a drink even it it is called a pub. We went to one place had a couple of beers, and a couple of shooters (again Eric's idea) Jagermeister and Gold Schlager. But quickly decided it was time to get the hell out of there when they announced that they could not serve more than 2 drinks per person if we did not order food, but she could give us our bill and we could then order 2 more drinks per person and so on and so on.. IMHO a totally stupid and idiotic the way that province is doing things, I have said it more than once, Canada and the States could learn a thing or 10 from the European countries. We end up with some mix and sat again at Eric's place having some drinks and talking about how great it has all been and yet so quick it was hard to imagine that we did not just arrive.
On Monday we got up went for breakfast at a really cool breakfast joint near Main and Broadway (before my last coffee at Soma's) and then headed back to Granville Island to actually see some touristic things. Sadly it was all over to quickly and we had to head back to get our stuff and head to the airport. Said good buy to my brother and jumped in a cab home. It was strange because it felt in some ways that I was gone for over 3 weeks and other ways like I had never been gone. but I knew I already had my next adventure lined up for the next day after I arrived back which was the Fusion festival in Germany. (more photos to follow)
Monday, May 29, 2006
Edinburgh
Last weekend I visited Edinburgh for the first time... and already it has made it onto my top 5 cities in the world. More updates on this entry to come shortly but I need to get some work done first.
and back again, I just typed all the info one would want to know about a weekend in this great city and I lost it all... What a bummer.
The city is fab for so many reasons, culture, beauty, walkable, and just stock full of Rebus references.
We started by arriving on Friday to a really nice a bright day, found our hotel and headed into town for a look around. Already you could tell like the rest of Britain it was being invaded by students of the ESL persuasion. But no matter it was impressive from the get-go.
Each morning we would leave our hotel and walk up the street to the large multinational coffee shop for our fix, and wandered on from there.
Staying in New Town was a great central location and quite easily the best place to access all that Edinburgh has to offer.
We walked around New Town, Old Town, up near the castle, the citadel and even up Authurs Seat to nearly be blown off the top. But what a view! Leith down one side and the castle and city jutting out on the other. On the way down the hill we went past the new Scottish parliament building, apparently a very sore subject due to the cost of the project.
We tried to go for seafood in Leith but found it was some bank holiday (a concept almost unknown to the Dutch government) and could not find a place to go, so headed back into town to eat at the hotel, which actually turned out to be a really fantastic meal, 4**** at least!
We found some great curry and even some mediocre pub food (you win some you loose some)
Took the whisky experience for what it was and explored under the city in Mary's Kings Close. What a crazy thing to have whole city streets buried beneath your feet. On a note for those whisky tasters out there, I recommend going to a good pub and asking for some recommendations, the tour was really hokey and touristic. We also visited the Scottish museum which was fantastic as well, only it was too big to take in all at once and we barely got past the Neolithic and Roman times before it was decided outside and the current history was beckoning.
One of the highlights was coming across the final parade of the Scots guard. This prestigious company was being decommisioned and this was their final march down Princes's Street after a 350 year old history.. It was emotional and fantastic to watch.
On the Sunday we wandered along Leith walk to the modern art museum, I found the walk to be much more exciting but hey it was so beautiful outside it was well worth the trudge. And before you knew it we were on our way back to the lowlands. A fantastic weekend break, a walkable city, so you don't need a car and more than a zillion pubs and eating establishments to choose from.
I really hope to explore more of Scotland in the future, it is a wonderful country full of history and
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
The New Pornographers
Over a week ago I went to the Tivoli de Helling in Utrecht to see one of my favorite Vancouver bands, The New Pornographers. I was really excited to have the chance to see them as I really love their happy sound and play their CD's on a pretty heavy rotation on my iPod.
I liked the fact they were all so relaxed looking, and found it funny to watch the drummer Kurt Dahle do his magic when remembering the last time I saw him was many many moons ago when he played with Age of Electric on the Vancouver/ Canadian scene.
I liked the fact they were all so relaxed looking, and found it funny to watch the drummer Kurt Dahle do his magic when remembering the last time I saw him was many many moons ago when he played with Age of Electric on the Vancouver/ Canadian scene.
And A.C. (Carl) Newman the lead singer/ guitarist I have not really heard since my brother sent me a Destroyer album ages ago.. but very cool anyway. They played a great set, full of energy and had a whole lot of people dancing and jumping to the music. I was very sorry that I missed them the next day when I was in London, but at least I got to see such a nice dynamic show for a Sunday evening.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Ministry of Sound
This last weekend I flew to London to attend a birthday party of someone I have never met, but who's reputation had well proceeded him from his time spent in The Netherlands.
Arriving Friday night it was enough to find the hotel, grab some grub and hit the sack.
Sat was a beautiful day and window shopping was in order, walking around Oxford street buying some sketchers and generally enjoying the time and company. I even got a temporary tattoo and was told that it would last up to 7 days, it looked pretty real but sadly I am not sure if lasted 7 hours, so if you are ever tempted by a temporary tattoo on Oxford street give it a pass or make sure it is not one of the bigger ones.
The plan for the evening was to go and meet everyone at a tapas restaurant Salvador and Amada
have some food and drink and then move onto the Ministry of Sound, where Ryan had arranged for a VIP room for the group. The tapas bar/ restaurants was full of party goers but fun non the less. And we were signaled it was time to leave when one of the friends got on the table and gave us a dance...
I have never been to a large club like that before, but have to say if you are going to do it, do it right. VIP room, hostesses and the ability to get away from the very loud speakers on the dance floors. The DJ of the night was alright, apparently a old favorite from the beginning of techno/ house scene but I can't say I was all that impressed.
But the evening went on until it was time for us to go and beat the sun as it was rising, a few hours sleep before having to check out and spend a few more hours wandering around the city. At least the sun was out. We walked a huge loop from Holburn, around Covent garden, up Neal Street, found some breakfast, down Shafsbury Ave, up Tottingham(sp?) Court Rd, some more shopping for Eugene and then popped into the British museum for a peek. Ended up at the aboriginal Peoples wing with lots of Northwest Coast Indian artifacts which was really nice to see, a little taste of home. Afterwards we went to find food and ended up at The Ultimate Burger, which was good when we ate but somehow was still with me hours later. Oh well, all in all a really nice weekend, very relaxed atmosphere and great company.
Arriving Friday night it was enough to find the hotel, grab some grub and hit the sack.
Sat was a beautiful day and window shopping was in order, walking around Oxford street buying some sketchers and generally enjoying the time and company. I even got a temporary tattoo and was told that it would last up to 7 days, it looked pretty real but sadly I am not sure if lasted 7 hours, so if you are ever tempted by a temporary tattoo on Oxford street give it a pass or make sure it is not one of the bigger ones.
The plan for the evening was to go and meet everyone at a tapas restaurant Salvador and Amada
have some food and drink and then move onto the Ministry of Sound, where Ryan had arranged for a VIP room for the group. The tapas bar/ restaurants was full of party goers but fun non the less. And we were signaled it was time to leave when one of the friends got on the table and gave us a dance...
I have never been to a large club like that before, but have to say if you are going to do it, do it right. VIP room, hostesses and the ability to get away from the very loud speakers on the dance floors. The DJ of the night was alright, apparently a old favorite from the beginning of techno/ house scene but I can't say I was all that impressed.
But the evening went on until it was time for us to go and beat the sun as it was rising, a few hours sleep before having to check out and spend a few more hours wandering around the city. At least the sun was out. We walked a huge loop from Holburn, around Covent garden, up Neal Street, found some breakfast, down Shafsbury Ave, up Tottingham(sp?) Court Rd, some more shopping for Eugene and then popped into the British museum for a peek. Ended up at the aboriginal Peoples wing with lots of Northwest Coast Indian artifacts which was really nice to see, a little taste of home. Afterwards we went to find food and ended up at The Ultimate Burger, which was good when we ate but somehow was still with me hours later. Oh well, all in all a really nice weekend, very relaxed atmosphere and great company.
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