The following was submitted to the Globe following our week long brush with winter here. Read on and comment!
Winter in Vancouver
Judging from the television coverage, you would have thought it was the end of the world. The blanched faces of concerned reporters looking skyward live in horror. Big puffy clumps of snowflakes descending, splatting triumphantly on the upturned noses of these hardened journalists.
And then came the pictures: line-ups in stores to get one of the last shovels or remaining bags of salt. Summer tires spinning in a futile attempt to push 2000 kilos of truck-a-saurus up a two percent grade. Piles of white building up on the ground, at least a centimeter thick.
And then came the reporters again: delivering the worst news ever for the people of this Winter Olympic burg. More snow. And in case we didn’t hear, a big red banner was flashing SNOW WARNING! Gather the children! Load up the wagons! Let’s get outta Dodge!
Welcome to the end of the world. Welcome to winter in Vancouver.
This makes no sense. This is a city where, on a recent morning commute on the bus, I counted more snowboards than briefcases. This is a city where limos sport ski racks. This is the city that is hosting the winter Olympics, for heaven’s sake.
Now, before I get slammed for my thoughts, a little background: I have lived in Vancouver for six years. And before that I have lived through brutal winters in Halifax, Winnipeg and Thunder Bay. I am not new at this winter thing.
But, it appears, much of the lower mainland is.
Not that snow is a stranger to Vancouver. From practically anywhere in the city you can gaze north and see snow for much of the year. But that snow is in the mountains. And while it is handy - only 20 minutes away - it is also non-threatening. Like a polar bear in a zoo, we can gawk at it, but are safe in the knowledge that it won’t come rumbling down the hill to spill our vanilla soy lattes.
I call it “winter on demand.” You want snow? Just drive that way -and before your sushi gets warm you can be chucking snowballs towards the golf courses thousands of feet below.
In fairness, there are several things that make Vancouver a poor candidate for a winter city: no snow tires, no plows, and no 100km gusts across the prairie. In fact, no prairie!
Luckily, it rarely snows here. And it rarely freezes. These are two meteorological factors of which I was completely unaware of when I moved here in 1997.
ME: It’s January, where is the snow?
Vancouverite: Snow? Up there!
ME: No, in the city?
Vancouverite: Bumpkin! Fancy a Chai tea?
But this year was different. Boy, was it different. It began just before New Years. Big blobs of snow begin to fall. And then they began to accumulate.
Then it turned cold.
Then it turned wet.
So in the space of a week, we experienced the full Canadian climate. Before the snow fell it was warm enough to golf. And with only some trees devoid of leaves, it looked fall-like. Then came winter. And now it is turning into a slushy spring. There still is lots of snow on the ground, but I swear on all that is Holy that there are cherry blossoms on a tree across the street.
But back to the television coverage. During the “WEEK OF DOOM” the media was in a lather. And that became a frenzy. Every newscast filled their first segment with team storm coverage. 5 stories or more - and charts, graphs and experts. Every story had a reporter reporting live out in the snow, The awful, terrible, dangerous, hideous, beautiful snow. One station had a reporter actually driving in the snowy rush hour live on camera. I actually thought that was pretty cool and was secretly hoping for a 360.
Every weather presenter was calm and collected, presenting the facts slowly, so as not to throw the entire population into a panic. But despite their relaxed demeanor, you could tell that inside they were screaming, “Oh my God! It’s going to be –4. We’re all going to DIE!!!! “ I think they even shied away from showing the “Double Doppler” images for fear of possible riots and/or to prevent the hoarding of survival essentials like green tea ice cream.
I giggled.
It is so easy to make fun of the terror a bit of snow brings to the population of Vancouver. Especially having satellite delivered television. I can flip from the stories of white death locally to places experiencing real winter like Winnipeg. I stand in awe of a reporter standing out in the bitter Manitoba wind telling the audience that in the current conditions exposed skin will freeze in less than a, ho hum, minute. And the reporter is wearing neither a toque nor mitts. That’s guts.
But there may be hope. There has been snow on the ground for over a week. If I gaze out my window to the park across the street, I can see snowmen, toboggans, dogs in coats and kids having a blast. There are smiles aplenty. And for a moment, Vancouver is just like the rest of Canada in the winter.
Except it’s going to rain tonight and I’m going golfing tomorrow.
-30-
Cheers!
Thursday, January 15, 2004
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
*Rant Alert*
What is the deal with printers? You spend a little, you get crap. You spend a lot, you get crap. All I need is a dependable printer to print text. That's it. Not some disposable junk that I end up tossing out every year.
*Rant over*
The Hockey in Belize item aired last Saturday on CBC in Canada. It is now archived at http://winnipeg.cbc.ca/dnto/. Go there this week, load all the selections, and then drag the 7th item to the playback line. And hit play! Magic!! After a week, you'll have to dive into the archives.
I've been doing some more writing... here is a first draft of a tome on Coffee in my neighbourhood. Please excuse any grammatical errors.
---
Los Angeles is the City of Angels. Vancouver is the City of Beans. Coffee beans. Proof?
Vancouver is the home of the street corner with two Starbucks outlets on opposite
corners. And there are a dozen more within a few city blocks. If you don’t like coffee,
welcome to latte hell!
If the growth of downtown coffee shops keeps growing like it has, there soon will be
entire city blocks of Robson Street with nothing but Starbucks and Seattle’s Best. And
there will be the niche versions too: Starbucks Kids (Bubblegum Latte) and Baby Blenz
(strained carrot cappuccino).
But a short distance from the golden sidewalks of Robson Street sits a street known to
locals. A street with more coffee shops than I have pairs of underwear. An eclectic street
that is the ultimate melting pot of have and have not. Commercial Drive.
When I first moved to Vancouver, I lived in Kitsilano. But not being buff or owning 13
fleece vests, I moved east. Good thing I didn’t buy all that fleece – it seems yoga wear is
the new fleece in Kits.
I now live is a much poorer postal code, though by Vancouver standards this means a
nice house is only worth $500,000. Think I’m kidding? There are homeless people
sleeping in the park across the street while I pay over $1500 a month in rent. My park
neighbours may be on to something.
The Drive, as its known here, features the best and worst of the city. Since moving to
this part of the city a couple of years ago, I have a love-hate relationship with the
neighbourhood. I love the stores that sell food products from around the world. I hate
the faux-hippies and their bongo drums. I love the fact that you can be yourself. I hate
the panhandlers. I love the different languages I hear while walking around. I hate the
street corner drug dealers.
More than anything I am fascinated with the vast selection of coffee shops and their
clientele. On The Drive, the place you choose for your Joe says a lot about who you are.
The coffee retailers on "The Drive" run the gamut. For the past while I have been looking
more closely at the coffee joints in my neighbourhood and the people who frequent them.
Here’s a short guide:
The Original: It may not be the most traditional, but it is the most authentic feeling –
Joe’s. Joe’s sits there on the corner, massive Portuguese flag on the awning, serving up
what is commonly known as the best cappuccino in the city. Fact or urban myth, it’s
hard to tell – but it is good. And it is always served by Joe, because Joe is always there.
In fact, this could be why we call a cup of Joe a cup of Joe.
Sometimes Joe smiles. Sometimes he’s gruff. But the product is tasty and the shop has a
decor that comes straight out of the 50’s. Joe’s is the type of coffee bar that will be here
long after the others have come and gone. Joe’s is a true original.
The Italian: On one block, two Italian heavyweights square off. On the east side, Café
Amici. On the west side, Abruzzo Cappuccino Bar. Abruzzo has Italian football on the
tele. Amici has old Italian men hanging outside talking football. Abruzzo has tables
outside, usually taken by people with dogs. Amici has old Italian men talking about
dogs.
I wonder if there is a division of loyalties regarding what coffee bar to go to. Especially
amongst the old Italian men. Do they sneer at each other across the street? I get the
feeling they do. The coffee in these places is as traditional as it gets.
The Funky: These are my favourites. They’re not as traditional as the Italian. But they
serve up great brews. They have cool art on the walls (that changes monthly), and a
varied, but constant clientele of repeat customers. I have spent much time within the
walls of Turk’s chatting with people or working. The music is eclectic and they call you
by your first name. The furniture, however, is of abandoned house quality. Maybe it’s to
keep folks from staying too long. Four hours is about all I can manage.
Another similar spot is JJ Bean, a few blocks away. Great selection of coffee and snacks.
Muffins that have been poured haphazardly into pans so that dozen have become one.
All kinds of sweet stuff temps the buyer as well, especially when waiting for that quad-
shot Americano Misto to come up.
And there is Continental Coffee as well. It seems to have the corner on the most travel
worn folks, and the faux-hippies. I’m not sure why, because it seems to be similar to
many other places. But I guess you just fall into a groove. It could be that the hemp store
is only a few blocks away. Another great feature of Continental is that there is a
Starbucks across the street. You can sit and gaze at those evil corporate bastards who
oppress us all by drinking their eggnog lattes. Or, that’s what one of the faux-hippies
suggested one day.
The Corporate: Just one word here: Starbucks. And I am surprised that there are two
outlets on The Drive. And a Blenz has opened up as well, between the two ‘Bucks.
I snicker when I walk by Starbucks and peer in the window. Not because I’m being a
snot (ok, I am), but because I want to grab the people inside as say, "Don’t play it safe!!
Expand your horizons! Try one a real coffee bar!! Live on the wild side!!" But I don’t, I
just feel sorry that they are missing a real organic experience.
The Get-In-On-This-Coffee-Thing: These are the many, many small shops that have
elected to sell coffee in addition to groceries, rolling papers and cigarettes. This coffee is
of the same quality found in any gas station, 100km from the nearest espresso machine.
It is low-grade caffeine for emergency use only. I think some of it must be months old.
Probably useful for stripping floors and warding off evil spirits.
The Newcomers: Not just the chains have noticed the brown sea of The Drive. There are
new independent coffee retailers opening up all the time. They are ok, I guess, but don’t
really have the flavour of The Drive. I think most are owned by people who woke up one
morning as said, "Let’s open a coffee shop."
So, despite all the media accounts that portray the east side of Vancouver as nothing more
than a collection of heroin addicts and prostitutes, there is more to the east side. It’s home
to those addicted to caffeine, like me.
I’ve been thinking, if Hollywood has its maps of star’s homes, perhaps its time to sell a
map of Commercial Drive coffee houses. I might be able to make enough money to keep
me in beans.
-30-
Cheers,
Doug
What is the deal with printers? You spend a little, you get crap. You spend a lot, you get crap. All I need is a dependable printer to print text. That's it. Not some disposable junk that I end up tossing out every year.
*Rant over*
The Hockey in Belize item aired last Saturday on CBC in Canada. It is now archived at http://winnipeg.cbc.ca/dnto/. Go there this week, load all the selections, and then drag the 7th item to the playback line. And hit play! Magic!! After a week, you'll have to dive into the archives.
I've been doing some more writing... here is a first draft of a tome on Coffee in my neighbourhood. Please excuse any grammatical errors.
---
Los Angeles is the City of Angels. Vancouver is the City of Beans. Coffee beans. Proof?
Vancouver is the home of the street corner with two Starbucks outlets on opposite
corners. And there are a dozen more within a few city blocks. If you don’t like coffee,
welcome to latte hell!
If the growth of downtown coffee shops keeps growing like it has, there soon will be
entire city blocks of Robson Street with nothing but Starbucks and Seattle’s Best. And
there will be the niche versions too: Starbucks Kids (Bubblegum Latte) and Baby Blenz
(strained carrot cappuccino).
But a short distance from the golden sidewalks of Robson Street sits a street known to
locals. A street with more coffee shops than I have pairs of underwear. An eclectic street
that is the ultimate melting pot of have and have not. Commercial Drive.
When I first moved to Vancouver, I lived in Kitsilano. But not being buff or owning 13
fleece vests, I moved east. Good thing I didn’t buy all that fleece – it seems yoga wear is
the new fleece in Kits.
I now live is a much poorer postal code, though by Vancouver standards this means a
nice house is only worth $500,000. Think I’m kidding? There are homeless people
sleeping in the park across the street while I pay over $1500 a month in rent. My park
neighbours may be on to something.
The Drive, as its known here, features the best and worst of the city. Since moving to
this part of the city a couple of years ago, I have a love-hate relationship with the
neighbourhood. I love the stores that sell food products from around the world. I hate
the faux-hippies and their bongo drums. I love the fact that you can be yourself. I hate
the panhandlers. I love the different languages I hear while walking around. I hate the
street corner drug dealers.
More than anything I am fascinated with the vast selection of coffee shops and their
clientele. On The Drive, the place you choose for your Joe says a lot about who you are.
The coffee retailers on "The Drive" run the gamut. For the past while I have been looking
more closely at the coffee joints in my neighbourhood and the people who frequent them.
Here’s a short guide:
The Original: It may not be the most traditional, but it is the most authentic feeling –
Joe’s. Joe’s sits there on the corner, massive Portuguese flag on the awning, serving up
what is commonly known as the best cappuccino in the city. Fact or urban myth, it’s
hard to tell – but it is good. And it is always served by Joe, because Joe is always there.
In fact, this could be why we call a cup of Joe a cup of Joe.
Sometimes Joe smiles. Sometimes he’s gruff. But the product is tasty and the shop has a
decor that comes straight out of the 50’s. Joe’s is the type of coffee bar that will be here
long after the others have come and gone. Joe’s is a true original.
The Italian: On one block, two Italian heavyweights square off. On the east side, Café
Amici. On the west side, Abruzzo Cappuccino Bar. Abruzzo has Italian football on the
tele. Amici has old Italian men hanging outside talking football. Abruzzo has tables
outside, usually taken by people with dogs. Amici has old Italian men talking about
dogs.
I wonder if there is a division of loyalties regarding what coffee bar to go to. Especially
amongst the old Italian men. Do they sneer at each other across the street? I get the
feeling they do. The coffee in these places is as traditional as it gets.
The Funky: These are my favourites. They’re not as traditional as the Italian. But they
serve up great brews. They have cool art on the walls (that changes monthly), and a
varied, but constant clientele of repeat customers. I have spent much time within the
walls of Turk’s chatting with people or working. The music is eclectic and they call you
by your first name. The furniture, however, is of abandoned house quality. Maybe it’s to
keep folks from staying too long. Four hours is about all I can manage.
Another similar spot is JJ Bean, a few blocks away. Great selection of coffee and snacks.
Muffins that have been poured haphazardly into pans so that dozen have become one.
All kinds of sweet stuff temps the buyer as well, especially when waiting for that quad-
shot Americano Misto to come up.
And there is Continental Coffee as well. It seems to have the corner on the most travel
worn folks, and the faux-hippies. I’m not sure why, because it seems to be similar to
many other places. But I guess you just fall into a groove. It could be that the hemp store
is only a few blocks away. Another great feature of Continental is that there is a
Starbucks across the street. You can sit and gaze at those evil corporate bastards who
oppress us all by drinking their eggnog lattes. Or, that’s what one of the faux-hippies
suggested one day.
The Corporate: Just one word here: Starbucks. And I am surprised that there are two
outlets on The Drive. And a Blenz has opened up as well, between the two ‘Bucks.
I snicker when I walk by Starbucks and peer in the window. Not because I’m being a
snot (ok, I am), but because I want to grab the people inside as say, "Don’t play it safe!!
Expand your horizons! Try one a real coffee bar!! Live on the wild side!!" But I don’t, I
just feel sorry that they are missing a real organic experience.
The Get-In-On-This-Coffee-Thing: These are the many, many small shops that have
elected to sell coffee in addition to groceries, rolling papers and cigarettes. This coffee is
of the same quality found in any gas station, 100km from the nearest espresso machine.
It is low-grade caffeine for emergency use only. I think some of it must be months old.
Probably useful for stripping floors and warding off evil spirits.
The Newcomers: Not just the chains have noticed the brown sea of The Drive. There are
new independent coffee retailers opening up all the time. They are ok, I guess, but don’t
really have the flavour of The Drive. I think most are owned by people who woke up one
morning as said, "Let’s open a coffee shop."
So, despite all the media accounts that portray the east side of Vancouver as nothing more
than a collection of heroin addicts and prostitutes, there is more to the east side. It’s home
to those addicted to caffeine, like me.
I’ve been thinking, if Hollywood has its maps of star’s homes, perhaps its time to sell a
map of Commercial Drive coffee houses. I might be able to make enough money to keep
me in beans.
-30-
Cheers,
Doug
Saturday, January 10, 2004
Point form today!
- The work scene looks good. I've finished up my spell at CTV, though there will be more hours in the future, no doubt. I confirmed training days (3) at CBC Vancouver (News) and then I am on the list there. It's good coin, so between the two, I should have a pretty good income.
- Another CBC Radio piece airs on Radio 1 today (Jan 10). If you are near a radio, listen shortly after 4pm. This piece is on Hockey Night in Belize. It is also available on the CBC website -- streamed. And archived (www.cbc.ca/dnto).
- I love renting foreign films, because often you have no idea what you're going to get. Last night I rented a Czech film called Babí léto (Autumn Spring). What a masterpiece! It's all about age and marriage and life and death. GO RENT IT! It is one of the most heartwarming films I have ever seen. I even cried. Several times. And laughed a lot as well. SEE IT!
- My photos are up at Caffe Barney in Vancouver and today at 4 (Sat Jan 10), I am having a little get together of friends. It was my favourite Cheryl's idea...
- I locked another photo show as well... Turks on Commercial Drive in April and May.
Things are rolling....
Cheers!
- The work scene looks good. I've finished up my spell at CTV, though there will be more hours in the future, no doubt. I confirmed training days (3) at CBC Vancouver (News) and then I am on the list there. It's good coin, so between the two, I should have a pretty good income.
- Another CBC Radio piece airs on Radio 1 today (Jan 10). If you are near a radio, listen shortly after 4pm. This piece is on Hockey Night in Belize. It is also available on the CBC website -- streamed. And archived (www.cbc.ca/dnto).
- I love renting foreign films, because often you have no idea what you're going to get. Last night I rented a Czech film called Babí léto (Autumn Spring). What a masterpiece! It's all about age and marriage and life and death. GO RENT IT! It is one of the most heartwarming films I have ever seen. I even cried. Several times. And laughed a lot as well. SEE IT!
- My photos are up at Caffe Barney in Vancouver and today at 4 (Sat Jan 10), I am having a little get together of friends. It was my favourite Cheryl's idea...
- I locked another photo show as well... Turks on Commercial Drive in April and May.
Things are rolling....
Cheers!
Thursday, January 08, 2004
So George Bush is finally realizing there is a problem with 8-10 million undocumented foreign workers in the USA? All those migrants who have risked life and limb to pick lettuce for peanuts. And Geo finally gets it?
I find it funny how there is little concern about how this huge mass of undocumented people could be a threat to the Fatherland... er, Motherland... er, Homeland. Let's see, if I was a nasty terrorist, how would I enter the states? Driving across the Ambassador Bridge or sneaking across with a few dozen Guatemalans.
It is truly a unique experience to be living next to a country that is scared shitless of something under the bed -- yet does little to stop it, except for curtailing civil rights. Don't get me started on the finger printing of foreigners.
But kudos to Brazil for doing a tit-for-tat to American "foreigners" entering Brazil.
Cheers....
PS: Can't tell Hugo from Oliver? CLICK HERE.
I find it funny how there is little concern about how this huge mass of undocumented people could be a threat to the Fatherland... er, Motherland... er, Homeland. Let's see, if I was a nasty terrorist, how would I enter the states? Driving across the Ambassador Bridge or sneaking across with a few dozen Guatemalans.
It is truly a unique experience to be living next to a country that is scared shitless of something under the bed -- yet does little to stop it, except for curtailing civil rights. Don't get me started on the finger printing of foreigners.
But kudos to Brazil for doing a tit-for-tat to American "foreigners" entering Brazil.
Cheers....
PS: Can't tell Hugo from Oliver? CLICK HERE.
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
I love television.
Today I was reminded why I got into this field in the first place: the cool technology. Sure, the creative aspect is what I am into now -- but I have always had a soft spot for the gear.
The snow and cold continued in Vancouver today, and this morning I got called into work. It was the standard writing shift. But as the day unfolded, it was decided that we were going to go all out with our live coverage.
We have a number of live trucks (4), plus a satellite truck. In order to use a live truck, you have to be able to transmit the signal from the truck to a receive point. In Vancouver we transmit to one of the north shore mountains. This has to be line-of-sight -- and, that means that the truck raises a tall mast and cannot move. The same goes for the satellite truck, though you've got to be line-of-sight to the satellite.
There is a technology called COFDM that is used to transmit live signals. It uses an omni-directional sort of antenna that allows movement. So, a COFDM transmitter can broadcast live signals from helicopter or a news truck.
CTV Vancouver doesn't have a COFDM equipped truck. But the multi-lingual station Channel M, has such a truck. CTV and Channel M have some sort of news sharing agreement -- and this extends to us being able to use their live truck.
Today we had 4 live signals off the top of the show -- and we used a quad-box to show them all at once. The viewer could see the storm from 4 different sources at once. Live.
But -- this is the cool thing -- one of the shots, which we then took full screen -- was a live shot of driving in rush hour traffic. The reporter was able (the camera panned to her, then back out the windshield) to report on the traffic as the truck driver was driving through it.
Sure, the news value of such a live "hit" is somewhat limited, but the coolness factor was off the scale. And we looked a billion times better (and covered the story better) than Global.
Anyway... it was a cool day to play TV.
Cheers!
Today I was reminded why I got into this field in the first place: the cool technology. Sure, the creative aspect is what I am into now -- but I have always had a soft spot for the gear.
The snow and cold continued in Vancouver today, and this morning I got called into work. It was the standard writing shift. But as the day unfolded, it was decided that we were going to go all out with our live coverage.
We have a number of live trucks (4), plus a satellite truck. In order to use a live truck, you have to be able to transmit the signal from the truck to a receive point. In Vancouver we transmit to one of the north shore mountains. This has to be line-of-sight -- and, that means that the truck raises a tall mast and cannot move. The same goes for the satellite truck, though you've got to be line-of-sight to the satellite.
There is a technology called COFDM that is used to transmit live signals. It uses an omni-directional sort of antenna that allows movement. So, a COFDM transmitter can broadcast live signals from helicopter or a news truck.
CTV Vancouver doesn't have a COFDM equipped truck. But the multi-lingual station Channel M, has such a truck. CTV and Channel M have some sort of news sharing agreement -- and this extends to us being able to use their live truck.
Today we had 4 live signals off the top of the show -- and we used a quad-box to show them all at once. The viewer could see the storm from 4 different sources at once. Live.
But -- this is the cool thing -- one of the shots, which we then took full screen -- was a live shot of driving in rush hour traffic. The reporter was able (the camera panned to her, then back out the windshield) to report on the traffic as the truck driver was driving through it.
Sure, the news value of such a live "hit" is somewhat limited, but the coolness factor was off the scale. And we looked a billion times better (and covered the story better) than Global.
Anyway... it was a cool day to play TV.
Cheers!
Monday, January 05, 2004
Ok, everything is back and working.
If you want to hear the audio blog, click on the red icon in the previous posting.
I discovered an interesting site yesterday: a shortwave radio station that sells airtime at US$40 an hour -- including a repeat.
I, along with some friends, are conspiring to do something... we're not sure what. But it would be fun do do a monthly show that broadcasts to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa... wouldn't it.
Ideas so far: Scotch Radio, Border Radio, A Bunch of Guys Babbling About Current Events Radio...
Think of the fun!!!
Doug
If you want to hear the audio blog, click on the red icon in the previous posting.
I discovered an interesting site yesterday: a shortwave radio station that sells airtime at US$40 an hour -- including a repeat.
I, along with some friends, are conspiring to do something... we're not sure what. But it would be fun do do a monthly show that broadcasts to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa... wouldn't it.
Ideas so far: Scotch Radio, Border Radio, A Bunch of Guys Babbling About Current Events Radio...
Think of the fun!!!
Doug
I don't know if Roadspill has become roadkill, but for some reason, I can't access it on the web. The behind the scenes stuff (archives) are all still accessible -- but nothing on the web. Odd.
Today, Monday, is the first real day off in a while. CTV work has come to an end, sadly. But it will allow me to turn my attention to other things. I have lots to do. But today is a no-work day. That said, I am meeting with a guy I'm interviewing for CBC Kids and I applied for a 3 month gig with a CTV show as a researcher -- thing is... it probably pays squat. It might be below the threshold of being worth it, believe it or not.
My photos are now up at Caffe Barney (2675 Granville Street, Vancouver). I am doing a show with another photographer and we each have about 15 images up. They'll be there for a month... and, with luck, they will sell. I decided to put up more than the original 8 that I had framed. So I ended up spending another $500 or so on another 9 -- that's cheaper framing, printing, and custom mattes. My prices are a bit on the high side (average $225), but I think that its smart not to undercut one's self. And as they're up for a month, if there are no buyers, I can adjust the prices. Worst case scenario is that I have lots of stuff framed for the Night of Artists show this summer.
Winter continues here. Or, as the locals while, "bitter cold." Bah! -4 is bitter cold? Try the prairies, baby. It is a lot of fun watching people try to drive on the extremely icy side streets -- especially the hilly ones.
I've noticed that there is a free test of using blogger's audio posting service. I thing I'll give it a try.
Cheers!
Today, Monday, is the first real day off in a while. CTV work has come to an end, sadly. But it will allow me to turn my attention to other things. I have lots to do. But today is a no-work day. That said, I am meeting with a guy I'm interviewing for CBC Kids and I applied for a 3 month gig with a CTV show as a researcher -- thing is... it probably pays squat. It might be below the threshold of being worth it, believe it or not.
My photos are now up at Caffe Barney (2675 Granville Street, Vancouver). I am doing a show with another photographer and we each have about 15 images up. They'll be there for a month... and, with luck, they will sell. I decided to put up more than the original 8 that I had framed. So I ended up spending another $500 or so on another 9 -- that's cheaper framing, printing, and custom mattes. My prices are a bit on the high side (average $225), but I think that its smart not to undercut one's self. And as they're up for a month, if there are no buyers, I can adjust the prices. Worst case scenario is that I have lots of stuff framed for the Night of Artists show this summer.
Winter continues here. Or, as the locals while, "bitter cold." Bah! -4 is bitter cold? Try the prairies, baby. It is a lot of fun watching people try to drive on the extremely icy side streets -- especially the hilly ones.
I've noticed that there is a free test of using blogger's audio posting service. I thing I'll give it a try.
Cheers!
Friday, January 02, 2004
2004. Here it is. So far so good.
After being comfortably perched on my couch New Years Eve, I felt like staying put. However my friends Steve and Heidi had invited me to their place in Burnaby. So, around 11pm, I dragged by butt off the couch and drove the icy roads to their place. And had a great time. We rung in the new year with champagne and sushi. I left around 1am... mostly because I was sober and had to work in the morning.
Nothing like a small house party for NYE.
New Years Day was spent writing news at CTV. And then the next day, today was also spent writing news. Lots of American fear and Canadian celebration. What a huge difference between our two countries. We welcome the new year, they fear obliteration at any moment. Mellow, people, mellow.
The snow continues to fall too. And its cold. -5 tonight. Sure, its not like -30 that Calgary will get tonight, but for a place where 0 is cold -- its brutal. And who has moon-boots in Vancouver? I'm lucky to have a pair of gloves (that I bought for the cold weather when last I was in Toronto). I don't think I've ever seen it snow for so many days. There's been at least another inch since I got home from work.
Tonight I am relaxing, watching the snow & Apollo 13.
The weekend will be filled with errands all morning and work 2-11pm. I have to get my photos into Caffe Barney Sunday night (Lorne is doing this for me, as I will be at work earning time and a half). But I have to pick up some prints and get them framed tomorrow. And write a bio, And make a list of the photos. And make price cards. And so on and so forth. And then on Monday -- nothing.
Well, not really, I am meeting with a guy I am doing a CBC kids piece on... he makes extreme sports videos. I'll be shooting that in the next week or so. And then I have another interview to do for my piece on shortwave. And then write two more travel articles.
Go go go!
If I get all that done, I might hop a cheap flight to Calgary for a few days rest. But we'll see about that.
Nothing yet from CBC Television regarding writing for Canada Now. I was tentatively supposed to go in for training next week, but we've not yet set the rate or times... so it might be the following week. And even though CTV dries up as of Sunday, I know that there will be many call ins.
One of the reporters at CTV said I should be reporting myself. I agree, but because the station is big on doing live hits, it would mean that I would have to do those too. Crafting a story is no problem. But doing live? Yikes. However, it would probably be a good thing for me to do... so might raise the idea with the news director. It would certainly mean more work... and who knows where it might lead.
Odd to think that as much as I want to produce a series, it looks more and more like I am destined to be a journalist. National radio, local print -- and perhaps -- reporting for CTV in Vancouver. Strange days...
Until the next post...
After being comfortably perched on my couch New Years Eve, I felt like staying put. However my friends Steve and Heidi had invited me to their place in Burnaby. So, around 11pm, I dragged by butt off the couch and drove the icy roads to their place. And had a great time. We rung in the new year with champagne and sushi. I left around 1am... mostly because I was sober and had to work in the morning.
Nothing like a small house party for NYE.
New Years Day was spent writing news at CTV. And then the next day, today was also spent writing news. Lots of American fear and Canadian celebration. What a huge difference between our two countries. We welcome the new year, they fear obliteration at any moment. Mellow, people, mellow.
The snow continues to fall too. And its cold. -5 tonight. Sure, its not like -30 that Calgary will get tonight, but for a place where 0 is cold -- its brutal. And who has moon-boots in Vancouver? I'm lucky to have a pair of gloves (that I bought for the cold weather when last I was in Toronto). I don't think I've ever seen it snow for so many days. There's been at least another inch since I got home from work.
Tonight I am relaxing, watching the snow & Apollo 13.
The weekend will be filled with errands all morning and work 2-11pm. I have to get my photos into Caffe Barney Sunday night (Lorne is doing this for me, as I will be at work earning time and a half). But I have to pick up some prints and get them framed tomorrow. And write a bio, And make a list of the photos. And make price cards. And so on and so forth. And then on Monday -- nothing.
Well, not really, I am meeting with a guy I am doing a CBC kids piece on... he makes extreme sports videos. I'll be shooting that in the next week or so. And then I have another interview to do for my piece on shortwave. And then write two more travel articles.
Go go go!
If I get all that done, I might hop a cheap flight to Calgary for a few days rest. But we'll see about that.
Nothing yet from CBC Television regarding writing for Canada Now. I was tentatively supposed to go in for training next week, but we've not yet set the rate or times... so it might be the following week. And even though CTV dries up as of Sunday, I know that there will be many call ins.
One of the reporters at CTV said I should be reporting myself. I agree, but because the station is big on doing live hits, it would mean that I would have to do those too. Crafting a story is no problem. But doing live? Yikes. However, it would probably be a good thing for me to do... so might raise the idea with the news director. It would certainly mean more work... and who knows where it might lead.
Odd to think that as much as I want to produce a series, it looks more and more like I am destined to be a journalist. National radio, local print -- and perhaps -- reporting for CTV in Vancouver. Strange days...
Until the next post...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)