Sunday, November 07, 2004

The New Map - If only it were true!

Sunday is a day of rest... but not for me!

Work beckons at 2pm. And there are 5 more days following.

The rain continues, although there is still a lot of green around. Some flowers too. Winter is here, but it really won't get much worse.

The sadness from election night lingers. The world hasn't come screeching to a halt, but there sure is a pall cast over it.

Pres. Goofball will be inaugurated soon. I only hope the scene of 2000 is repeated - but with more eggs and tomatoes.

If nothing else, history will judge Mr. Bush harshly. And one main reason: 9-11 happened on his watch. As many point out - if that happened on anyone else's watch, there would be no way in hell they'd be re-elected. They'd probably been tossed from office.

Not Georgie boy. I still don't get it...

Cheers!

Friday, November 05, 2004

Phew! The $500 car keeps on ticking and rattling and shimmying...

Phew!

It turns out that the engine wasn't blown after all.

I popped the hood early this morning, not knowing what to expect. There, dangling before me, was a spark plug still attached to a spark plug wire.

For some reason, the spark plug had been blown out of the engine.

I attempted to screw the spark plug back in, but was only able to turn it a couple of times by hand. I gave up, replaced the wire, and prepared to drive to Port Moody for a 8am shoot.

The car started and ran OK. And then: BANG! I assume the engine spit out the spark plug again.

Not to be dismayed, I put the bucket of bolts into gear. It made a hell of a racket - but it worked.

And, in no time, I was bombing down the Barnett highway at 150 decibels per minute.

I even arrived on location early!

The shoot went well - and by 3pm we were finished.

After we struck everything, it was back into the car - and off to Canadian Tire for a new spark plug, spark plug wrench, and some hand cleaner!

I installed the new plug - and voila! - everything was as good as new.

The $500 car keeps ticking... this months payment: $14.

Cheers!

Death of the $500 Car?

Oh oh...

Later today (or tomorrow, depending on one's point of view), I have a shoot out in Port Moody.

Thur/9:45pm - At work, my pal Gary (who is shooting Friday - I am doing sound) joked about picking me up along the Barnett Highway should my car die.

Friday / 12:14am - As I crossed the Georgia Viaduct on the way home -- BLAM! -- something serious let go. Not sure what, but it sounds like a blown muffler. Except it now runs rough and a loud chugga-chugga blares from under the hood.

Friday / 12:20am - Make it home, car does not stall. Smoke (exhaust?) appears from under hood. I go to check under hood, but noise is too loud. Fear disturbing neighbours. Kill engine. Try to restart - it starts.

So... either my $500 car has kicked the bucket, or I have blown something in the exhaust system (pipe? manifold?).

Coincidence?

Dilemma: Try and drive to Port Moody tomorrow... or... ?

Must... sleep... now....

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Election Night Disaster

I have never been so happy to call Canada home.

It is not a perfect country, but it is my home and I love it.

I have just returned from 24 hours of a roller coaster adventure in Bellingham, Washington. I wanted to experience the US election first hand. And I wanted to see George Bush and his war mongering isolationist get their asses kicked out of office.

It looked like it would happen. And then it didn't. And then it did. And then... well, you know the rest.

Around noon on election day, my pal Ted Shredd picked me up. He runs a website called Discover Fun and he wanted to do a piece for the site (which has an international audience) on how to have fun during an election.

I had a secondary reason for going south - to do a story on the American Museum of Radio.

12:00 - Ted pulls up in his Honda Accord, emblazoned with Discover Fun logos.

12:05 - We're headed south through heavy traffic to Bellingham, which is only about an hour away.

12:45 - US Customs: We take the truck crossing because the line-ups are usually shorter here than the Peace Arch crossing. I had checked some of the online border cameras before we left, and there didn't seem to be much volume.

There wasn't.

We pulled into the customs plaza which has about 6 lanes open for cars headed south. There is all sorts of weird new security stuff here too... scanners and sniffers and liberal detectors.

But there were no cars. The entire plaza was empty. No traffic what-so-ever. Did the rest of the world know something we didn't?

The woman at customs was friendly - and we joked about the line-ups. Ted says the way to get through customs with a minimum of hassle is to ask a question first... that creates a more conversational environment and reduces the chance of a Texas-style anal probe.

Within seconds we had crossed the 49th and were heading straight into election day hi-jinks in America.

Washington State leans heavily Democrat, so we didn't expect a lot of pro-Bush signs. And there wasn't a lot of signs anyway. Little pockets of support here and there, but nothing crazy.

1:00 - I-5 Southbound: I call Jonathan Winter at the American Museum of Radio to let him know that we've made it into the country. The plan is to meet with at the museum to do an interview and snap some images for my story on the museum.

1:45 - We arrive at the museum and I proceed to interview the two Johns about the facility. I snap a few dozen pictures - trying to learn how to use the new camera to produce publishable pictures.

3:00 - The interviews done, Ted and I head to the Best Western Lakeside Inn. This is not only our hotel for the night, it is also the site of the local Democratic party.

3:04 - We pass many people waving signs - mostly Democratic. Ted remarks that he doubts signwaving on election day would convince someone to switch their vote.

3:07 - We discover a massive puddle in the parking lot of the hotel. Ted drives through this several times while I snap photos.

3:10 - Check in to hotel, discover that we cannot get FoxNews or Comedy Central. But we do get CTV Vancouver, which will show the Daily Show election special.

3:20 - Head to conference room and make contact with local Dems. Not much dressing in the room, but a few big screens. Organizer promises lots of signs. Appears to be a buffet too.

4:00 - Food! We need food! After goofing around will hotel staff, we head out in search of food.

4:03 - We find a place... it'll be a NAFTA meal: Canadians eating at a Mexican joint in America.

5:00 - Bueno! Good skoff.

5:05 - Roll out of eatery with American-sized bellies, return to the hotel.

5:10 - Pass a group of female Kerry supporters dressed up in tight fitting Stars and Stripes and Union Jack outfits. Stop. Chat. Take pictures. We are told that they plan to join the party at the hotel.

5:15 - Flake out and digest.

7:00 - Daily Show election special starts. Very funny.

7:30 - Head down to the big party room. There is still a lack of flags, banners and signs. But the buffet looks like it has potential. There is just one bar, and a long line of hopeful Democrats has formed behind it.

We start to wander around and meet people. There is Joe, from the local news-talk radio station. He's a one-man band - setting up to do live reports from the party. He talks about the current state of radio and how politics has polarized talk radio. His station has a conservative bent, but he seems reasonable on most issues.

The place is filling up fast - and there are few seats left. Ted and I decide to join a table of young folks. One, Gabriel, is a dead-ringer for an 18-year-old Beck. His politics are definitely left, as are all the others at the table. This should come as no surprise, considering where we are.

We have a level headed chat about America and the world today. It is heartening to meet and talk to Americans, who are proud of their country - but also have a world view and clear thinking. You'd be hard pressed to tell these guys from a table of Canadians.


(MORE TO COME)


Tuesday, November 02, 2004

It's election day in the USA.

And, it is really an election for the entire world.

In reality that last statement may be a little strong. I think when you peel back the layers, there isn't much difference between Kerry or Bush. But on the surface, it seems like the difference between good and evil. In reality it's more like Coke or Pepsi.

Perception.

The world perceives Bush as a war mongering, dumb, isolationist tyrant, puppet whose strings are controlled by the unseen forces of darkness.

And Mr. Kerry is seen as the Vietnam vet (volunteer, no less) who believes in his country, but not blindly in it's politics. A man who speaks up and challenges wrongdoers.

The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

But - as someone who is as American as you can get with out being an actual American - I think that they are lost down there. Scared. Lied to. Wondering why the world hates them.

"What did I do? I'm just a soccer mom who watches E.R."

No wonder they get kookier everyday. US news is nothing but a smorgasbord of fear, disaster and death. There is no BBC. No CBC. It's all polarized. And it's all frightening.

And today, they - including the soccer mom - have a chance to change things. Like I said, the leaders aren't that different. The parties aren't that different. But the perception is.

And the world needs to perceive that America is ready to change its ways. Even if it's a smoke screen.

Things are going to get worse. There will be more bombs, more deaths, more craziness if you know who gets in for another 4 years.

It's too bad there isn't a viable 3rd candidate. Someone like Crusty the Clown or Bender.

But alas, in the cradle of democracy, that is not to be.

America IS a great country. Look at all the music, the books, the films. They gave us The Simpsons! How can you hate a country with that sort of sense of humour? Sure, they also gave us Extreme Makeover, but that's another story.

In just moments I am heading to America to be an unofficial observer. I'm going to a small town in Washington State called Bellingham. It is only an hour from the border... but a world away.

I'll be with the Democrats as the results pour in. I hope Kerry wins. But I doubt we'll know tonight. With all the talk about cheating and discounted votes... it may be a while before we know if the election is stolen again.

For great coverage, check drudgereport.com often. There is actual news there that is found no where else.

A full report tomorrow!

Cheers!

Monday, November 01, 2004

One day left

It's been a crazy couple of days... and my blogging has been falling behind. Here's a bit of a summary:

Friday 10.29: Bought the Nikon D70 digital SLR. Pretty amazing. As of today I have taken more than 1000 images. This could be problematic... taking too many images and keeping too many images. I'm going a little nuts, simply because I can - and I am experimenting. I'm pretty sure that in a while, it'll be back to shooting with film in terms of quantity of images -- but I will be shooting more often.

I am trying to figure out a way to post pictures online easily and without filling up my .mac account. It's time to find more resources for this. Like StockPhotosOnline! Ha ha... sigh...

Saturday 10.30: It was time for my 4th annual Parade of Lost Souls party. It was fortunate that I had moved back to the area... as it just wouldn't have worked in Deep Cove.

The Parade of Lost Souls is a large community hallowe'en bash... quite amazing in that it is a great family event (meaning no mullet topped drunks around to spoil things) and that the police stay away and that everyone has a great time. Thousands were out this year... and I have plenty of images to share. Soon.

We started out by meeting at my place, and then 10 or so of us went to take part in the procession of costume clad folks through the streets of East Vancouver. Lots of fire, drumming, and positive vibes. Best event of the year, hands down.

After the parade, we headed to Nick's to pig out on pasta. And then back to my place to wind the evening down. My costume? King of Evil, although I wish I dressed up like this: http://www.thestranger.com/2004-10-28/special.html

As an added bonus, the rain stayed far away...

Sunday 10.31: Officially hallowe'en, I had to get together with my CTV collegues to work on an independent film. We shot at a downtown office building for several hours. It was an amazing day... cool but clear. Even though we're well into fall, many of the trees have yet to turn colour. And, of course, there are still plenty of flowers blooming. It's an odd place.

At 2, I had to get to work... another day of local news. It was nuts -- Halloween typically brings out a million arsonists - so the scanners are a constant stream of fire calls... portapottys, pic nic tables, garages, cars, schools, houses, trees... you name it. But most of the fires are small and are doused quickly -- making it hard to capture video of the mayhem.

I was thankful by the time 11pm hit.

Today: Well, the big news is that it is one day before the US election. The plan is to head down tomorrow morning. I have to do some interviews at the American Museum of Radio... and then my pal Ted Shredd and I will be partying with the democrats... and hopefully celebrating a Kerry win.

Kerry better not be the devil in a blue dress... that's all I can say.

As for the rest of this day, I am off, but taking care of business. It's pouring outside... so I reckon I will remain inside...

If you want the best links to US political news, check out: www.drudgereport.com

Cheers!

Friday, October 29, 2004

Capsule Review:

Xavier Rudd & Spearhead
Commodore Ballroom
Vancouver, BC
Oct 28, 2004

Change of tap means only shitty beer available... very disappointing! Russell Cream Ale becoming very hard to find. Okanagan Spring is crap. Forced to pay exorbitant prices for Sleemans.

Still... the Commodore is the best place on the planet to see a band!

Crowd was made up of short lesbians who can't dance. Actually, the general height of the crowd was surprisingly and noticeably short.

Sounds was ok.

Xavier cooked, thanks to lots of Aussies in the crowd.

Spearhead had the place jumping... especially the bad lesbian dancers.

Not a mallard to be seen.

It's bedtime....

Thursday, October 28, 2004

Thursday:

Well... it's turned wet.

The battle with setting up my room continues. Too much stuff!!

Instead of creating my own costume this year, I decided to buy. Hit the racks at Value Village and $50 later I am the King of Evil.

And no, its not a George Bush mask.

Tonight I finally get to see Xavier Rudd and Spearhead. Free tickets courtesy of CTV. They are playing two sold out concerts at the Commodore. This is the second night.

Xavier is from Oz, and all my Aussie friends rave. I have some of his music, and he's truly original. And they say he's awesome live.

Spearhead will be a gas too: funkified hip hop doesn't come close to defining them.

Tomorrow the gloom continues. On my agenda: GST. Barf.

It's nice to have some time to chill and not even *think* about the news.

Cheers!