You can see the rest here. Enjoy!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Stela
So, operation "build portfolio" coming along well - better, unfortunately, than operation "find day job without oil & gas experience". Oh well. These ones are from a shoot last night with Stela, and feel a little different than most of my other work. I kind of like them.
You can see the rest here. Enjoy!
You can see the rest here. Enjoy!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Doctors Without Cameras
So I had an interesting experience on Saturday... I went to shoot a fashion show put on to raise funds for Doctors Without Borders and also to showcase some local designers. It was fun... but I need a little work on my lighting technique for runway stuff. We didn't get to see the floor with the lights off and spots on until the show, and I made some flash choices that were, in retrospect, not the best I could have made. Oh well! It was good to help them out, and to have the chance to shoot something new. Here are some of the shots that did turn out...
You can see the rest here.
You can see the rest here.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Advertising
There are a few that have really stood out to me, lately... one I haven't been able to find in a form that I can share with you here, so I'm going to hold off on telling you about it for now, but a couple of quick ones...
The colon cancer people actually have this as their catchphrase: We're behind your behind. I heard it on the radio and thought it was a joke, but it's the real deal. I think that's brilliant.
And another that was brilliant in a somewhat less intentional way was for a furniture store: "save up to 30% or more!".
Now this has been a pet peeve of mine for a while... seeing a sign in a store saying "Sale - up to 50% off". I might be the only one, but I'm a lot less interested in knowing that, if I go in, I am guaranteed never to be able to save more than 50%... I'd like to know I'm going to get it for at least whatever percent off. If I had my way, all the save "up to" signs would be replaced by save "at least" signs.
But being told that I will save absolutely no more than 30% or I will save more than 30%... well, how can you not trust those guys? I would suggest double-checking when they're ringing things through, though... just in case.
Happy shopping.
The colon cancer people actually have this as their catchphrase: We're behind your behind. I heard it on the radio and thought it was a joke, but it's the real deal. I think that's brilliant.
And another that was brilliant in a somewhat less intentional way was for a furniture store: "save up to 30% or more!".
Now this has been a pet peeve of mine for a while... seeing a sign in a store saying "Sale - up to 50% off". I might be the only one, but I'm a lot less interested in knowing that, if I go in, I am guaranteed never to be able to save more than 50%... I'd like to know I'm going to get it for at least whatever percent off. If I had my way, all the save "up to" signs would be replaced by save "at least" signs.
But being told that I will save absolutely no more than 30% or I will save more than 30%... well, how can you not trust those guys? I would suggest double-checking when they're ringing things through, though... just in case.
Happy shopping.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Stephanie
I had a shoot with Stephanie this evening, and it was the first time I've ever really approached photography with an artistic direction other than taking nice pictures. I mean, I usually hope for something more than "nice", but you know what I mean - I've never tried to make the pictures anything other than what was there.
Stephanie was open to suggestions, though, and so we talked about it and I suggested something in the vein of Dior in a Ralph Lauren setting... a lot of contrast between the clothes, the vibe of the shots, and the setting. She was game, and was willing to go looking for clothes (and did a fantastic job finding the dresses to fit what I described to her), and I found the location and.... this is what we came up with.
The shot above, for me, captures what I wanted more than any of the others.
Yeah, I know fashion is supposed to be about the clothes. But, if you're familiar with my pictures, it's no surprise to you that I had to get at least a couple of her face...
I'm pretty happy with how it went. I hope you enjoy them - if you want, you can see the rest of the set here.
Stephanie was open to suggestions, though, and so we talked about it and I suggested something in the vein of Dior in a Ralph Lauren setting... a lot of contrast between the clothes, the vibe of the shots, and the setting. She was game, and was willing to go looking for clothes (and did a fantastic job finding the dresses to fit what I described to her), and I found the location and.... this is what we came up with.
The shot above, for me, captures what I wanted more than any of the others.
Yeah, I know fashion is supposed to be about the clothes. But, if you're familiar with my pictures, it's no surprise to you that I had to get at least a couple of her face...
I'm pretty happy with how it went. I hope you enjoy them - if you want, you can see the rest of the set here.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
There Are So Many
There are a lot of things that I don't get. And not just math things, either: why people who drive so slowly don't just take the bus, instead. Why stores and restaurants with two doors seem to like to keep one of them locked (they are trying to reduce their business by 50%?). Why people making signs don't bother to check their spelling.
But here's the one that's been getting me, lately: when I buy bagels (one of the things I'm enjoying about being back in Canada), and they say "sliced" on the bag, they only kind of are. I don't know if you've had these, so I'll try to describe it.
Imagine that you're holding an unsliced bagel in your hand, with your thumb on one side and forefinger on the other. Someone challenges you to slice it without moving your hands... and so you cut on one side until the knife comes up against your thumb and finger, then go from the other side, until the same thing happens. You're left with a bagel that's sliced about 80% of the way through (40% on each side) and you hand the knife back, with a look on your face like you tried to do one of those little wooden puzzles where you have to do something that looks impossible until you know how.
Only, it seems, no one knows how.
Now I would guess that, with the extensive popularity that bagels have enjoyed over the last however-many decades, there is some pretty significant technology that's been developed for them. There is for everything, right? And like in most industries, I suspect that the big companies have access to the best of that technology... I mean, those bagel guys must have the equivalent of nuclear-powered nano computers for bagels, whatever that might be.
But they can't figure out how to slice them all the way through.
I can understand not slicing the bagels - for people who really like their bagels whole. I've never met any of those people, but I'm not saying they're not out there, and I support them completely. I can also understand slicing the bagels, for people (like me) who like to have their bagels in two pieces. What I don't understand is partially slicing the bagels except for a strip down the middle that stays attached so that, to get them apart, you still need to slice them yourself.
There might be something to this that I'm just not getting... maybe they've had focus groups, and the feedback has come in that some people want to put things in the sides, kind of like Subway used to do, without having them touch in the middle. Or that they're going hiking or something with their bagels, and taking all the sandwich fixings with them; they don't want the bagel to separate during the hike, but like to have a little help to know where to slice when they find the appropriate blade on the old Swiss army knife.
Or maybe they need to have a baked-goods summit of some kind. I think that the hamburger bun people have done rather well... they leave a little bit so the buns aren't flying all over the bag, but they do it at the side so the buns don't just rip into pieces when you try to separate them. Can any of you UN-type people set up something like that?
In any case, this is making me hungry.
I'm going to go have a hamburger.
But here's the one that's been getting me, lately: when I buy bagels (one of the things I'm enjoying about being back in Canada), and they say "sliced" on the bag, they only kind of are. I don't know if you've had these, so I'll try to describe it.
Imagine that you're holding an unsliced bagel in your hand, with your thumb on one side and forefinger on the other. Someone challenges you to slice it without moving your hands... and so you cut on one side until the knife comes up against your thumb and finger, then go from the other side, until the same thing happens. You're left with a bagel that's sliced about 80% of the way through (40% on each side) and you hand the knife back, with a look on your face like you tried to do one of those little wooden puzzles where you have to do something that looks impossible until you know how.
Only, it seems, no one knows how.
Now I would guess that, with the extensive popularity that bagels have enjoyed over the last however-many decades, there is some pretty significant technology that's been developed for them. There is for everything, right? And like in most industries, I suspect that the big companies have access to the best of that technology... I mean, those bagel guys must have the equivalent of nuclear-powered nano computers for bagels, whatever that might be.
But they can't figure out how to slice them all the way through.
I can understand not slicing the bagels - for people who really like their bagels whole. I've never met any of those people, but I'm not saying they're not out there, and I support them completely. I can also understand slicing the bagels, for people (like me) who like to have their bagels in two pieces. What I don't understand is partially slicing the bagels except for a strip down the middle that stays attached so that, to get them apart, you still need to slice them yourself.
There might be something to this that I'm just not getting... maybe they've had focus groups, and the feedback has come in that some people want to put things in the sides, kind of like Subway used to do, without having them touch in the middle. Or that they're going hiking or something with their bagels, and taking all the sandwich fixings with them; they don't want the bagel to separate during the hike, but like to have a little help to know where to slice when they find the appropriate blade on the old Swiss army knife.
Or maybe they need to have a baked-goods summit of some kind. I think that the hamburger bun people have done rather well... they leave a little bit so the buns aren't flying all over the bag, but they do it at the side so the buns don't just rip into pieces when you try to separate them. Can any of you UN-type people set up something like that?
In any case, this is making me hungry.
I'm going to go have a hamburger.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Medicine Hat
Yes, that's actually the name of a place. A real place. And the best part?
The people who live there are called "Hatters". Isn't that fantastic?
Anyways, I went out there yesterday to spend the day with a friend, and had a great time. I associate The Hat with, well, pick-ups, chewing tobacco, and cowboy boots. And we did encounter a bit of that - minus the chew, thankfully - but we also managed to locate a couple of really interesting restaurants, and to find the COOLEST tree to take some pictures of.
The tree was kind of by accident. You see, Medicine Hat is the home of the world's tallest teepee. With, coincidentally, the world's worst paintings on it. In any case, it really is worth a visit, and so we decided, since neither of us had spent much time there before, to visit it. Captivating as it is, the thrill only lasts so long, so we decided to wander down into the ravine/gully/valley thing behind it and take a look.
Definitely worth the look. Hope you like the pictures... there are a couple more here.
The people who live there are called "Hatters". Isn't that fantastic?
Anyways, I went out there yesterday to spend the day with a friend, and had a great time. I associate The Hat with, well, pick-ups, chewing tobacco, and cowboy boots. And we did encounter a bit of that - minus the chew, thankfully - but we also managed to locate a couple of really interesting restaurants, and to find the COOLEST tree to take some pictures of.
The tree was kind of by accident. You see, Medicine Hat is the home of the world's tallest teepee. With, coincidentally, the world's worst paintings on it. In any case, it really is worth a visit, and so we decided, since neither of us had spent much time there before, to visit it. Captivating as it is, the thrill only lasts so long, so we decided to wander down into the ravine/gully/valley thing behind it and take a look.
Definitely worth the look. Hope you like the pictures... there are a couple more here.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Jordan
I went out today to make some pictures with Jordan, and it was great just to be out in the sunshine and NOT WEARING A COAT! Finally! And, as usual, it was wonderful to be shooting. Here's what we came up with...
Considering it was both his and my first attempt at anything fashion-ish, I'm pretty happy with the result.
There are a couple more shots here. And by "a couple", I mean two. Don't say I didn't warn you...
Considering it was both his and my first attempt at anything fashion-ish, I'm pretty happy with the result.
There are a couple more shots here. And by "a couple", I mean two. Don't say I didn't warn you...
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Fast, Furious, and Setting
So, the third Fast & The Furious movie is now out. Can someone tell me how this happened? I remember seeing the first one on the plane, at a time - as far as I can recall - when Air Canada was still just showing everyone the same movie at the same time. I'm pretty sure that's right, because I'm pretty sure that there is no way I would have watched it on purpose.
I remember being struck by a number of things: how pointless it was, how bad the acting was, how long it actually took me to realize that it wasn't a spoof. But it must have made money, because they made a sequal. And now a third one. I suppose that it wouldn't be that tough to develop the subsequent screenplays - they probably spent more time choosing the rims for the main cars. But really... a third one? really?
So, as my own personal antidote to Vin Diesel driving fast (probably to get away from the awful dialogue with that other guy whose name I don't remember and who may be the only actor in the world, besides the beloved Keanu Reeves, who can make Vin look so good), here are some sunset shots I got tonight on my way home from a little road trip to Edmonton.
Oh, and it was just a sunset, so I didn't bother to post a bazillion pictures... the others look pretty similar to these. But if you want to see these ones bigger, you can do that here...
I remember being struck by a number of things: how pointless it was, how bad the acting was, how long it actually took me to realize that it wasn't a spoof. But it must have made money, because they made a sequal. And now a third one. I suppose that it wouldn't be that tough to develop the subsequent screenplays - they probably spent more time choosing the rims for the main cars. But really... a third one? really?
So, as my own personal antidote to Vin Diesel driving fast (probably to get away from the awful dialogue with that other guy whose name I don't remember and who may be the only actor in the world, besides the beloved Keanu Reeves, who can make Vin look so good), here are some sunset shots I got tonight on my way home from a little road trip to Edmonton.
Oh, and it was just a sunset, so I didn't bother to post a bazillion pictures... the others look pretty similar to these. But if you want to see these ones bigger, you can do that here...
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Furry
When the little chick and I were on our way home from a weekend in the mountains, we saw some things off to the side of the road. Well, I did... she was engrossed in a Franklin book in the back (for those of you keeping track, no, she's not reading yet, but she wants to be), and decided to stop for a look. I pulled off to the side, grabbed my camera, and tossed her up on my shoulders. We went out and had a look, and they turned out to be big-horned sheep, as far as I can tell. In any case, I think I ended up being more impressed than she was. Oh well. At least she has Franklin, and I managed to get a few shots off.
Here are my favorites:
There aren't that many, but you can see the rest here.
Here are my favorites:
There aren't that many, but you can see the rest here.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
I Admit It
I have tried to pretend it's not true, or not really completely true, but I'm tired of lying to myself. It's time to come clean.
I like TV.
And I like reality shows.
I don't know what it is... maybe the lack of drama (and no, that's not a complaint) in my own relationships. Maybe I choose too many civil people to be friends with. But there is something about looking in on the really bizarre lives of some of these people who choose to put themselves into the public eye that I just can't get away from. I like Survivor and the Amazing Race... watching relationships develop and change or sometimes fall apart. I like American Idol (though mostly only the first few episodes of each season, where there is guaranteed to be at least one person shaking a finger around, saying "you don't know me! you can't judge me! you think I can't sing, but I can sing, and if you can't see that, then you can just..." and it goes on from there.
But I have a new favorite. It's called Blush - The Search for America's Next Top Makeup Artist.
Now some of you at this point (not naming names, British Nathan) probably think I'm making this up. But I'm not. I like what they do - some of them do some really great work - and I like watching the photography side of it. But what I really love is how completely removed it is from anything I've ever experienced before.
There was one straight man on it, but he's gone, and so now it is so incredibly camp, over the top, and terribly, terribly dramatic that I just can't stop watching. I have a feeling that more than a few minutes with any of the remaining hopefuls would be too much for me, but on TV, where I can mute them if it's too much, or go hunting for a hockey game, it's just about perfect.
Very, very fun.
I like TV.
And I like reality shows.
I don't know what it is... maybe the lack of drama (and no, that's not a complaint) in my own relationships. Maybe I choose too many civil people to be friends with. But there is something about looking in on the really bizarre lives of some of these people who choose to put themselves into the public eye that I just can't get away from. I like Survivor and the Amazing Race... watching relationships develop and change or sometimes fall apart. I like American Idol (though mostly only the first few episodes of each season, where there is guaranteed to be at least one person shaking a finger around, saying "you don't know me! you can't judge me! you think I can't sing, but I can sing, and if you can't see that, then you can just..." and it goes on from there.
But I have a new favorite. It's called Blush - The Search for America's Next Top Makeup Artist.
Now some of you at this point (not naming names, British Nathan) probably think I'm making this up. But I'm not. I like what they do - some of them do some really great work - and I like watching the photography side of it. But what I really love is how completely removed it is from anything I've ever experienced before.
There was one straight man on it, but he's gone, and so now it is so incredibly camp, over the top, and terribly, terribly dramatic that I just can't stop watching. I have a feeling that more than a few minutes with any of the remaining hopefuls would be too much for me, but on TV, where I can mute them if it's too much, or go hunting for a hockey game, it's just about perfect.
Very, very fun.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Photo Shoot
The little chick and I were hanging out in the car for a bit today, and to kill the time, we decided to take some pictures.
It snowed here... again. Which kind of sucks, because I'm ready for some more warm weather. But it's kind of good because I got some good winter-ish pictures that I hadn't had a chance to make before. I'll get them up soon...
But for now, here are some of my favorites from today. Enjoy!
Grumpy face
The one that always follows grumpy face
She wasn't bored. She just likes to look out the window sometimes.
While I was trying to explain why she probably couldn't hold my 8-pound camera...
My little girl, the way I usually see her.
You can see the others here.
It snowed here... again. Which kind of sucks, because I'm ready for some more warm weather. But it's kind of good because I got some good winter-ish pictures that I hadn't had a chance to make before. I'll get them up soon...
But for now, here are some of my favorites from today. Enjoy!
Grumpy face
The one that always follows grumpy face
She wasn't bored. She just likes to look out the window sometimes.
While I was trying to explain why she probably couldn't hold my 8-pound camera...
My little girl, the way I usually see her.
You can see the others here.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Boat
I saw a guy on TV wearing a sport jacket. Most of my clothes are still on the boat.
I miss them.
I miss them.
I'm Over Here
The little chick and I have been playing a lot of hide and seek lately. It's been an interesting experience for me... I don't remember playing a lot of hide and seek, but I'm pretty sure I don't remember ever playing it like this.
She is pretty good at the counting, but not great at closing her eyes... not a surprise for a three year-old. She has a habit of hiding in the exact place that she just found me. But I think that part of it is that she doesn't care much about the surprise aspect of it, because pretty frequently when it's my turn to hide she likes to tell me where I should be hiding.
Of course, I don't worry too much about that. And she always finds me, eventually.
She does get bored sometimes, and can kind of forget that I'm hiding somewhere as she finds a book or a toy that takes a little higher priority. That's pretty par for the course, too, with a little chick.
The best part, though, is the goal of the game for her. For most people, it's to find whoever is hiding, or to stay hiding. For her, it's all about the hugs at the end.
So she's not very discreet when she's hidden, but I play the game: I walk around the house, asking where she is, looking into drawers or under cushions, while she "hides". She'll start in the closet, and poke her head out to see if I've spotted her. When I walk by, she'll jump back in, then put her head out again and yell "Daddy, I'm over here!!!". Then she'll be back in the closet for a minute, then out again completely, as I routinely fail completely to find her, even with her hint. Finally, she'll be unable to hold it in any longer, and will jump out, hop around, and call me until I manage to find my way back to her to give her a giant hug.
So the hiding part is a bit sketchy. The seeking is not much better.
But the hugs are pretty great.
She is pretty good at the counting, but not great at closing her eyes... not a surprise for a three year-old. She has a habit of hiding in the exact place that she just found me. But I think that part of it is that she doesn't care much about the surprise aspect of it, because pretty frequently when it's my turn to hide she likes to tell me where I should be hiding.
Of course, I don't worry too much about that. And she always finds me, eventually.
She does get bored sometimes, and can kind of forget that I'm hiding somewhere as she finds a book or a toy that takes a little higher priority. That's pretty par for the course, too, with a little chick.
The best part, though, is the goal of the game for her. For most people, it's to find whoever is hiding, or to stay hiding. For her, it's all about the hugs at the end.
So she's not very discreet when she's hidden, but I play the game: I walk around the house, asking where she is, looking into drawers or under cushions, while she "hides". She'll start in the closet, and poke her head out to see if I've spotted her. When I walk by, she'll jump back in, then put her head out again and yell "Daddy, I'm over here!!!". Then she'll be back in the closet for a minute, then out again completely, as I routinely fail completely to find her, even with her hint. Finally, she'll be unable to hold it in any longer, and will jump out, hop around, and call me until I manage to find my way back to her to give her a giant hug.
So the hiding part is a bit sketchy. The seeking is not much better.
But the hugs are pretty great.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Best Stuff
Caro, please don't tell.
I was in the grocery store yesterday and there was a Dido song playing, and I was thinking to myself, "this is certainly not one of the best songs ever written". A couple days before that, Boys of Summer had been playing as I was being electrocuted in the physiotherapist's office, and I had the exact opposite thought.
So, I think it's time to talk about some of the best stuff. Feel free to pitch in.
Best Songs (at the moment....)
Boys of Summer (Don Henley)
I Hope You Dance (Lee Ann Womack with a great backing band)
most of the Pornografitti album (Extreme)
With or Without You, Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking for, Where the Streets Have No Name (U2)
Anything that doesn't have Sean Paul in it
Best Band Names
Chixdigit
Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch (thanks to Erin for the reminder)
Monday Night Band
Best Delivery of the Word "Tea?" (as an invitation)
British Nathan
Best Foods
Steak
Nat's trifle
Anything deep-fried
Best Sound
The little chick's laugh
Best Articles of Clothing
Depends heavily on the situation, but, in general, a great pair of jeans
Big Red Coat
Best Tire
Front driver's side
Best Picture
The next one...
More to come. Hope you're all well!
I was in the grocery store yesterday and there was a Dido song playing, and I was thinking to myself, "this is certainly not one of the best songs ever written". A couple days before that, Boys of Summer had been playing as I was being electrocuted in the physiotherapist's office, and I had the exact opposite thought.
So, I think it's time to talk about some of the best stuff. Feel free to pitch in.
Best Songs (at the moment....)
Boys of Summer (Don Henley)
I Hope You Dance (Lee Ann Womack with a great backing band)
most of the Pornografitti album (Extreme)
With or Without You, Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking for, Where the Streets Have No Name (U2)
Anything that doesn't have Sean Paul in it
Best Band Names
Chixdigit
Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch (thanks to Erin for the reminder)
Monday Night Band
Best Delivery of the Word "Tea?" (as an invitation)
British Nathan
Best Foods
Steak
Nat's trifle
Anything deep-fried
Best Sound
The little chick's laugh
Best Articles of Clothing
Depends heavily on the situation, but, in general, a great pair of jeans
Big Red Coat
Best Tire
Front driver's side
Best Picture
The next one...
More to come. Hope you're all well!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ouch
So, I don't get it. Why is it so hard to find a flipper guy that doesn't have slots cut in it? I don't know about you, but I don't recall the last time I wanted to turn something over but found myself saying, "wow, I wish there was some way for bits of this to fall through while I'm doing this". And the cleaning... partially cooked egg + holes in a plastic flipper <> good combination.
In other news, I discovered yesterday that that stuff that makes chilis hot does not go well with eyes. I had broken up some dried chilly peppers with my dinner last night, and at the end of the meal, forgot that I had done it. I rubbed my eye and realized pretty quick that that stuff sticks around for a while.
Whoops.
The little chick was quite concerned, and asked "are your eyes feeling better now?" more or less every two minutes or so until they were. She's pretty sweet.
I suppose I knew it could be like that, and if I would have had Science Nathan around, he probably would have reminded me. In any case, I've learned my lesson now. Next time, I'm getting someone else to rub my eyes for me.
In other news, I discovered yesterday that that stuff that makes chilis hot does not go well with eyes. I had broken up some dried chilly peppers with my dinner last night, and at the end of the meal, forgot that I had done it. I rubbed my eye and realized pretty quick that that stuff sticks around for a while.
Whoops.
The little chick was quite concerned, and asked "are your eyes feeling better now?" more or less every two minutes or so until they were. She's pretty sweet.
I suppose I knew it could be like that, and if I would have had Science Nathan around, he probably would have reminded me. In any case, I've learned my lesson now. Next time, I'm getting someone else to rub my eyes for me.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Really, Really Good-Looking
The keyboard guy at church this morning was wearing a piano-key necktie. I don't know if it really was invented by the guy from Frankie Goes To Hollywood, but it was pretty great, I thought. My only regret was that he was playing a traditional keyboard, rather than a keytar.
And if these references (or the title) confuse you, ask someone who's seen Zoolander.
The other interesting thing this morning was that the pastor was talking about how rare it is to find a friend who really cares for you, who is faithful and honest and open and caring and interested in your real well-being, how you are doing spiritually. He was talking about people who are really there for you when things go wrong, people who care enough to stick with you, who really, really love you. People you can depend on, people you can trust, people you can live your life with, no matter what comes.
At first I was a bit confused, because I don't think those people are rare at all... I have a lot of those kinds of friends. And then I realized... I am just very blessed. So for those of you who fit that description in my life: thank you.
And if these references (or the title) confuse you, ask someone who's seen Zoolander.
The other interesting thing this morning was that the pastor was talking about how rare it is to find a friend who really cares for you, who is faithful and honest and open and caring and interested in your real well-being, how you are doing spiritually. He was talking about people who are really there for you when things go wrong, people who care enough to stick with you, who really, really love you. People you can depend on, people you can trust, people you can live your life with, no matter what comes.
At first I was a bit confused, because I don't think those people are rare at all... I have a lot of those kinds of friends. And then I realized... I am just very blessed. So for those of you who fit that description in my life: thank you.
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Problem With Calgary
I'm getting used to the weather... other than the first couple of weeks, it actually hasn't been too cold. I am feeling pretty okay about the accent - still seems a little odd sometimes, but it will be alright. I am even dealing reasonably well with the addition of 5% sales tax to everything. So far, at least.
What I'm not liking are the drivers.
It's not so much that people are reckless... it's just that they are often really, really, really slow. When a light turns green, it's like the guy at the front goes, "well, I'll be! that thing just changed colour completely! Mabel, what do you make of that?". And then he takes off his hat, and he scratches his head, and then mumbles something else to Mabel about time to get a move on. He digs around in his pocket for his keys, starts up his engine, wonders why it won't go anywhere, remembers that his car (among other things) is in neutral, puts it into gear and moves off very, very slowly.
Imagine someone driving with a full fish tank in the back seat, not wanting it to spill. That's the kind of slowly that I'm talking about.
And then the lady behind him notices that he's moved, and that now there's a giant space in front of her. She finishes applying her makeup, looks for her keys, checks the fish, and moves out, keeping a safe distance of several hundred feet between her and the guy in front of her. After all, you can't be too safe when driving 15 km/hr.
And so on, and so on.
As a result, three people get through the average green light. Everyone else waits, and complains about how bad the traffic is. When, if they would just put their foot down when the light turns green, I would wager that the traffic situation in the city would be immeasurably better.
I am not a very fast driver, and I am not driving a very fast car... a 4-cylinder Honda, to be exact. But it's not uncommon for me to look back in my mirror after coming away from a light and have a full block between me and the next guy just a couple blocks down the road. That's a whole block full of people who are still sitting at that light instead of on their way home.
The funny bit, though, is that 5-10 minutes later, those same guys who were in the back seat digging for dropped crackers when the light changed are roaring along past me at 20 km/hr over the speed limit. Except the ones who are on their phones, who are going 20 under. And, at the risk of being labeled (unjustly, I believe) as a sexist pig, there are always a couple women driving 20 under the limit in the fast lane. They must be using hands-free, because I can't ever see them talking, but they are going awfully slow in the wrong lane.
I did go out for chicken wings and a hockey game on TV last night, though, and that was about enough to make up for a whole lot of slow drivers. So maybe this will work out, after all.
What I'm not liking are the drivers.
It's not so much that people are reckless... it's just that they are often really, really, really slow. When a light turns green, it's like the guy at the front goes, "well, I'll be! that thing just changed colour completely! Mabel, what do you make of that?". And then he takes off his hat, and he scratches his head, and then mumbles something else to Mabel about time to get a move on. He digs around in his pocket for his keys, starts up his engine, wonders why it won't go anywhere, remembers that his car (among other things) is in neutral, puts it into gear and moves off very, very slowly.
Imagine someone driving with a full fish tank in the back seat, not wanting it to spill. That's the kind of slowly that I'm talking about.
And then the lady behind him notices that he's moved, and that now there's a giant space in front of her. She finishes applying her makeup, looks for her keys, checks the fish, and moves out, keeping a safe distance of several hundred feet between her and the guy in front of her. After all, you can't be too safe when driving 15 km/hr.
And so on, and so on.
As a result, three people get through the average green light. Everyone else waits, and complains about how bad the traffic is. When, if they would just put their foot down when the light turns green, I would wager that the traffic situation in the city would be immeasurably better.
I am not a very fast driver, and I am not driving a very fast car... a 4-cylinder Honda, to be exact. But it's not uncommon for me to look back in my mirror after coming away from a light and have a full block between me and the next guy just a couple blocks down the road. That's a whole block full of people who are still sitting at that light instead of on their way home.
The funny bit, though, is that 5-10 minutes later, those same guys who were in the back seat digging for dropped crackers when the light changed are roaring along past me at 20 km/hr over the speed limit. Except the ones who are on their phones, who are going 20 under. And, at the risk of being labeled (unjustly, I believe) as a sexist pig, there are always a couple women driving 20 under the limit in the fast lane. They must be using hands-free, because I can't ever see them talking, but they are going awfully slow in the wrong lane.
I did go out for chicken wings and a hockey game on TV last night, though, and that was about enough to make up for a whole lot of slow drivers. So maybe this will work out, after all.
Friday, February 6, 2009
He's Not Heavy, He's My Cousin
Well, my cousin got married and he let me take a few pictures... my first try with my new camera, and while there were a couple of surprises, I'm pretty happy with how things turned out. Here are a few of my favorites.
You can see the rest here. And it's time to start writing again... more to come...
You can see the rest here. And it's time to start writing again... more to come...
Sunday, December 14, 2008
I Spent It All
So, I'm in Calgary now. It's really cold, and there's a bunch of snow on the ground, but yesterday I had Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers, and today I got to drive my own car. I have said good-bye to some amazing friends in the last week, but tomorrow I fly down to get Erin. I'm a lot further from anyplace that serves good fondue, but so far I've understood almost all the people who have tried to talk to me since I arrived.
Yeah, kind of strange.
As I was leaving Geneva, something happened that made me think of Derek - perhaps the only man I know who has more appreciation for a well-crafted analogy than I do. This is what it was.
I had 8.20 CHF left... all the rest I had deposited in my bank, or traded for USD, or gotten rid of some other way (like a roasted chestnut binge - I figured it may be a while before I get those again). I figured I'd get a sandwich and a drink or something at the airport. Well, I get past security, went to the sandwich guy, and looked, and most of his sandwiches were more than I had, just on their own. But he did have croissants, for 1-60 each.
I did the math... 3 croissants at 1.60 would be 4.80, which would leave me 3.50 for a coffee to go with them. So that's what I ordered. He gave me the croissants, gave me the coffee, and then told me the total: 8.50.
Oh.
I counted again to make sure and then just said, "uh, let's make that two croissants". He looked confused so I explained that I was 30 cents short. He just looked at me, kind of shrugged, and said "that's okay - no problem. " He took my partial payment, gave me the food, and I thanked him for being so kind and left.
And I realized that's a bit how I feel about leaving Geneva now... like I spent every last cent. I didn't run out while I was there - I had everything I needed, both to have, and to give, but I didn't have any left in reserve by the time I got on that plane. As hard as it is to say good-bye to the wonderful friends I have there, I've reached the end, and I'm ready for what's next.
It's going to be a pretty interesting few months.
Yeah, kind of strange.
As I was leaving Geneva, something happened that made me think of Derek - perhaps the only man I know who has more appreciation for a well-crafted analogy than I do. This is what it was.
I had 8.20 CHF left... all the rest I had deposited in my bank, or traded for USD, or gotten rid of some other way (like a roasted chestnut binge - I figured it may be a while before I get those again). I figured I'd get a sandwich and a drink or something at the airport. Well, I get past security, went to the sandwich guy, and looked, and most of his sandwiches were more than I had, just on their own. But he did have croissants, for 1-60 each.
I did the math... 3 croissants at 1.60 would be 4.80, which would leave me 3.50 for a coffee to go with them. So that's what I ordered. He gave me the croissants, gave me the coffee, and then told me the total: 8.50.
Oh.
I counted again to make sure and then just said, "uh, let's make that two croissants". He looked confused so I explained that I was 30 cents short. He just looked at me, kind of shrugged, and said "that's okay - no problem. " He took my partial payment, gave me the food, and I thanked him for being so kind and left.
And I realized that's a bit how I feel about leaving Geneva now... like I spent every last cent. I didn't run out while I was there - I had everything I needed, both to have, and to give, but I didn't have any left in reserve by the time I got on that plane. As hard as it is to say good-bye to the wonderful friends I have there, I've reached the end, and I'm ready for what's next.
It's going to be a pretty interesting few months.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Uncoordinated
The movers came today.
I have pasta in the cupboard that I was going to have for dinner, but my pots are on the boat.
No problem.
I have some ravioli that I can heat in the microwave. Or could, if I had my can opener.
I pulled a towel aside to keep it before they packed my bathroom stuff, but they saw it and packed it anyways. Thankfully, I had one in the laundry that managed to evade them.
I like my blanket - it's nice and fuzzy and warm, and I don't need a sheet with it. But it won't fit in my suitcase, so I had to either send it on the boat or leave it behind. It's on the boat. Hopefully, aforementioned towel will be dry by evening, because it's going to be doing double duty.
I kind of feel like having one of the special Belgian beers I had been saving for a special occasion.
Guess what's keeping the can opener company.
And it's only been 6 hours.
Oh well.
I have pasta in the cupboard that I was going to have for dinner, but my pots are on the boat.
No problem.
I have some ravioli that I can heat in the microwave. Or could, if I had my can opener.
I pulled a towel aside to keep it before they packed my bathroom stuff, but they saw it and packed it anyways. Thankfully, I had one in the laundry that managed to evade them.
I like my blanket - it's nice and fuzzy and warm, and I don't need a sheet with it. But it won't fit in my suitcase, so I had to either send it on the boat or leave it behind. It's on the boat. Hopefully, aforementioned towel will be dry by evening, because it's going to be doing double duty.
I kind of feel like having one of the special Belgian beers I had been saving for a special occasion.
Guess what's keeping the can opener company.
And it's only been 6 hours.
Oh well.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Christmas Came Early
I've been going through my apartment trying to get ready to move... figuring out what to sell, what to keep, what to give away. It's been interesting seeing how much stuff I have or have inherited and really, really don't need. A LOT of clothes, mostly.
But I did find something that was quite nice - some jeans that I had bought five years ago or so... they were my favorite ones at the time, from Roots, and it was tough to find them, so I bought 3 pairs, figuring that when mine wore out, I'd have replacements. Well, mine wore out, but I forgot about these ones, and so it was pretty exciting for me to discover them there. I still dig the cut and the color of the wash is good.... merry Christmas!
In other news, it's snowing outside. That's not really supposed to happen here, and does make me think that if it's going to snow anyways, I may as well be in a place that has chicken wings.
Oh, and so far, no movement on the yellow couch. It looks like it will be making the trip with me!
But I did find something that was quite nice - some jeans that I had bought five years ago or so... they were my favorite ones at the time, from Roots, and it was tough to find them, so I bought 3 pairs, figuring that when mine wore out, I'd have replacements. Well, mine wore out, but I forgot about these ones, and so it was pretty exciting for me to discover them there. I still dig the cut and the color of the wash is good.... merry Christmas!
In other news, it's snowing outside. That's not really supposed to happen here, and does make me think that if it's going to snow anyways, I may as well be in a place that has chicken wings.
Oh, and so far, no movement on the yellow couch. It looks like it will be making the trip with me!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
I'm For Sale
The yellow couch is for sale.
Not the idea, nor the blog, nor the domain name (I've checked), but the actual couch is, unfortunately, on the chopping block. First 500 CHF takes it. It is a wonderful couch, but when I started to look at the cost of actually moving it... well, it's going to be a bit pricey.
So if you're interested, let me know.
It's been a long time since I've written... I've been pretty busy trying to get all of my moving stuff figured out. Turns out that it takes a lot of energy, and I am SO looking forward to getting it done. In any case, the little chick and I are well; I hope you are, too.
Not the idea, nor the blog, nor the domain name (I've checked), but the actual couch is, unfortunately, on the chopping block. First 500 CHF takes it. It is a wonderful couch, but when I started to look at the cost of actually moving it... well, it's going to be a bit pricey.
So if you're interested, let me know.
It's been a long time since I've written... I've been pretty busy trying to get all of my moving stuff figured out. Turns out that it takes a lot of energy, and I am SO looking forward to getting it done. In any case, the little chick and I are well; I hope you are, too.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Glenmore Audi Wants to Rip You Off
So, I've been looking at cars online in preparation for my move back, and I found this one:
Whoopsie.
He asked if I was still interested, so I said I was, and asked for some more information. It turns out, though, that the car in question was not only $6K more than advertised - it also had double the mileage and an automatic transmission. As far as I can determine, the body color was the same, but that seems to be about it.
I could maybe accept this as a little error, except it's the second car I've been interested in at Glenmore Audi in Calgary this week, and, coincidentally, the second one they've had a little misunderstanding with. The other one had a small "error" in the price it was advertised at, as well.
An A6 with difference of about $10K.
I don't usually name names on TYC: it's meant to be a venue for love and peace and happiness, but I did a search on "glenmore audi scam" and it didn't return anything. But people should know, and these guys should not be able to lie without being called on it.
So if you've found this by doing a search on "glenmore audi scam" or "cheats" or "rip-off" or "lying lies and the lying lyers who tell them", then I'd suggest you do what I'm doing, and keep shopping somewhere else.
And if anybody knows where the A4 with 45,000 km on it actually is (the pictures had to come from somewhere, right?), I'm interested.
Description : PREMIUM Package, Sport Package, Xenon Headlights. FOR MORE INFO CALL: LOCAL 536-3765 OR TOLL FREE 1(866)769-6851It was selling for $13,900, and had pictures of the car, complete with manual transmission. So I called the dealership and spoke to Scott, who assured me that it was a great car, but, unfortunately he had heard there was a little issue with the price it had been advertised at: in fact, it was $6,000 more.
Year: 2003
Make: AUDI
Model: A4
Stock Number: U0647AA Mileage: 45,600
Warranty : Available Body : Sedan
Type : Sedan
Whoopsie.
He asked if I was still interested, so I said I was, and asked for some more information. It turns out, though, that the car in question was not only $6K more than advertised - it also had double the mileage and an automatic transmission. As far as I can determine, the body color was the same, but that seems to be about it.
I could maybe accept this as a little error, except it's the second car I've been interested in at Glenmore Audi in Calgary this week, and, coincidentally, the second one they've had a little misunderstanding with. The other one had a small "error" in the price it was advertised at, as well.
An A6 with difference of about $10K.
I don't usually name names on TYC: it's meant to be a venue for love and peace and happiness, but I did a search on "glenmore audi scam" and it didn't return anything. But people should know, and these guys should not be able to lie without being called on it.
So if you've found this by doing a search on "glenmore audi scam" or "cheats" or "rip-off" or "lying lies and the lying lyers who tell them", then I'd suggest you do what I'm doing, and keep shopping somewhere else.
And if anybody knows where the A4 with 45,000 km on it actually is (the pictures had to come from somewhere, right?), I'm interested.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
