Gus Digital
my digital realm, my digital voice
Archive for October, 2008
Happy Halloween!
Oct 31st
I just wanted to wish all the ghouls, goblins and witches out there a very Happy Halloween today!
I myself am not sure what I’ll be doing this evening to celebrate. I know I’m far too old to go tricker treating, though I do remember going out with my sister Maria when we were younger. We used to get dressed up, take our pillow case, yes a pillow case, and go around our street collecting goodies. If we were adventurous enough, and sometimes we were, we would go back home and change into another costume and go around the block again hitting all the houses that gave great candies. Sneaky I know! 
What are you doing for Halloween? Being that it falls on a Friday are you going out? Are you staying home to watch scary movies? Or are you just going to treat as if it was another normal day?
At any rate have a safe and enjoyable night!!
I Got Sticky and Sweet with Madonna
Oct 31st
Last night I, and 50,000 plus in attendance, got sticky and sweet with Madonna on her Vancouver stop of her “Sticky and Sweet Tour” at BC Stadium. From what I’m aware of this is Madonna’s first ever stop here in Vancouver. I have been fortunate enough to have seen her perform 2 other times in the past; Girlie Show Tour and her Re-Invention Tour.
There is something about seeing Madonna live on stage. She doesn’t just sit there and not move, no this woman of 50 years, moves around the stage bumping and grinding and making everyone in the packed house stand up and dance along with her. The energy that is given off by everyone in attendance is felt as we all sang along with her and screamed every time Vancouver was mentioned.
Her show is all about the visuals with giant screens moving around the stage, which not only project images, but become apart of stage and share in the emotions they are portraying. Yes a smaller venue would make it feel more intimate, but the shear visuals themselves don’t allow for the impact of this.
This was the first time I have ever seen a concert at floor level. I’ve usually have had stadium seats during these big shows. I have to admit there are some benefits to being on the stadium side, but the overall feeling of being down on the floors and being that much closer to the act is FAR more enjoyable.
You can see some of my photos I took on my Flickr set. Yes I too was surprised at the amount of cameras that were taking video and photos of her performing. Boy gone are the days of having them quickly go after you if a flash went off.
There was of course the usual fans who dressed up as Madonna from different times in her life. Some were well done and others should have been brought to the back and shot for what they did.
At any rate this show rates 10 lollipop licks out of 10!!
Song Sets
Intro/Candy Shop
Beat Goes On
Human Nature
Vogue
Video Interlude – Die Another Day
Into The Groove
Heartbeat
Borderline
She’s Not Me
Music Video Interlude – Rain/Here Comes The Rain Again
Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You
Spanish Lesson
Miles Away
La Isla Bonita/Lela Pala Tute
Doli Doli (Live interlude – Romanian folk song)
You Must Love Me Video Interlude – Get Stupid (About saving the planet)
4 Minutes
Like A Prayer
Ray Of Light
Hung Up
Give It To Me (Finale)
Veuve Clicquot Champagne
Oct 28th
Through my childhood and early teenage years, my version of Champagne that was served at our special family occasions was always sparkling cider and sometimes sparkling wine. It really wasn’t until I moved out here to Vancouver that Russ introduced me to true champagne.
You really don’t know what you are missing until you try a true champagne. The flavour, the colour, and the carbonation all seemed to be enhanced.
On our trip 2 years ago to Paris, we took a tour of Reims France (wiki), the home of Champagne, and got to tour a couple of champagne wineries, Piper Heidseick and Moet and Chandon. We of course didn’t get to visit our favourite champagne house – Veuve Clicquot founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot-Muiron.
There is just something special about drinking Veuve, the flavour is subtle, the carbonation and the colour all add to the enjoyment. Veuve (as with most champange) is made with a blend of 3 grapes – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier.
Yes the cost is expensive compared to sparkling wine made in North America, but I don’t think you match the flavour true champagne from France brings. Since last week I celebrated 7 years of being in Vancouver, Russ and I shared a wonderful bottle of the bubbly. Champagne that is drunk for any occasion and even by itself is good in my books.
A toast to Veuve Clicquot – May you never stop producing heaven in our mouths!
Some fun links I’ve found regarding Veuve Clicquot products:
Parade of Lost Souls – 2008 Review
Oct 26th
Last night Russ and a few of our friends attended the Annual Parade of Lost Souls which is put on by the Public Dream Society.
This event brings people from around the city, most who dress up, walk along Commercial Drive into Granview Park where there are many performers for all to enjoy including fire eater and fire dancers. What also amazed me was seeing the homes around the park that were decorated for Halloween. There was even a home that actually had pictures of relatives for all to pay tribute to during this evening.
Since the Vancouver weather was wonderful, this brought out an extra amount of people to the festivities. A truly fun time was being had by all.
My photos aren’t the greatest as I’m not an expert at taking photos in the evening as some others are (I think I need a professional flash for my Canon camera), but you can view my photos on my Flickr page.
My 5 Things Meme
Oct 26th
Woot!!! Thanks to Jenn Lowther I have my very first meme. I’m so happy and since this is my first one, please bare with me.
5 Things I was doing 10 Years Ago (I have a hard time thinking what I did 1 week ago let alone 10 years ago)
- Working for a Digital Imaging company wanting desperately to leave the afternoon shift
- Sister and her family were living with me at our parent’s home (2 young kids who always woke me up early…I was the nasty uncle, but they LOVE me )
- Looking at apartments and trying to figure out how I can make the move from living in my parents home to living on my own (Never happened until 7 years ago)
- Getting hooked on all things “Internet”
- Still enjoying my Nissan 200SX that I had purchased the year before
5 Things on my To-Do List Today
- Write this Meme Blog
- Go on a photo walk along the sea wall
- Clean my bathroom (yeah I know exciting)
- Do some laundry
- Write a blog post on The Parade of Lost Souls
5 Snacks I like
- Lightly salted Layer potato chips
- Assortment of cupcakes from Cupcakes
- Pretzels
- Chocolate covered almonds
- Bananas and peaches
5 Things I would do if I was a Millionaire
- Pay off my mortgage
- Buy a condo in Puerto Vallarta
- Go on an African Safari (dream vacation)
- Buy my sisters a home
- Donate some of the money (too many charities to choose from)
5 Places I’ve Lived
- Buenos Aires Argentina (my birth place and home for the first 5 years of my life)
- Mississauga, Ontario (my first home in Canada)
- Woodbridge, Ontario (or as some might refer it to – Wopbridge)
- Vancouver, British Columbia (West End, west of Deman and 1 block from English Bay)
- Vancouver, British Columbia (Yaletown, current condo)
5 People I’ve Tagged (This is hard since most of the people I know have been tagged already)
LOST – Season 5 Trailer
Oct 23rd
Thanks to @acafourek, over on Twitter, who let me know that the trailer for LOST Season 5 is out on YouTube. Who knows how long it will stay there, but here it is for those that are interested.
Parade of Lost Souls
Oct 22nd
This Saturday night between 6:30pm and 10:30pm on Commercial Drive at Grandview Park the Public Art Society will be hosting their annual Parade of Lost Souls.
Parade of the Lost souls is a lively commemoration of the cycle of existence and deceased, and of facing fears in order to live life to its fullest. The performers are the audience, willing spirits who have come together to pay tribute to the departed and to celebrate the brilliance of life. Skeletal Brides, blessed witches, ghastly ghouls, and prancing pixies mingle side by side with everyday people. By the light of the radiant moon, processions of costumed stilt walkers, jugglers, dancers, and musicians lead spectators on an entrancing passageway through the neighborhood. The evening features shrines, fire performance, supernatural beings, and dancing in the street.
I have attended this before and will probably attend it again this year (weather permitting)
Since this is almost a week before Halloween, it’s perfect to test out your ghoulish costumes and be one with the ghouls of the evening!
Hello Vancouver – 7 Years Later
Oct 22nd
Seven years ago today, I packed up my computer and all my clothes, got on a flight and landed in Vancouver where I was going to give it a try for 3 months. I have not looked back since.
The decision wasn’t an easy one as I would be leaving my family and friends behind in Toronto. I recall my mother saying that I would be back in 3 months, yet here I am. I’m not saying I don’t miss my family, as I do, but I think it was a time in my life when I needed a change. I don’t know if it had anything to do with September 11th or not, but I was determine to make this work.
I recall moving into my new place, a place that Russ had already be living in for a few months already. I went from a 2,500 sq ft home to a 400 sq ft apartment. You can just picture the two of us living in such a small space. Our place was so small that we didn’t even have a formal dining room and my computer desk was in the closet. We did of course live only 1 block away from English Bay and I always enjoyed walking home from work.
Two years One year later we left the apartment and bought ourselves a larger 584 sq ft. condo.
I have had some great times in Vancouver and I’m amazed at all the friends I have been able to get to know. It hasn’t been easy mind you as I find that it is harder to make friends here than anywhere else I have been.
I have created a home here in Vancouver and it feels great to be able to walk out and see the mountains (when it’s not raining), walk on the beach (when it’s warm), see the ocean, be able have a sushi at any corner, enjoy free wifi at all coffee shops, and the ability to wear shorts year round.
Ahh Vancouver, thanks for a wondeful 7 years!!!
A special thanks to Russ for making my move and stay in Vancouver for 7 years the best 7 years running!
Please Forgive Me
Oct 21st
Please forgive me for the lack of blog posts this past week.
Things have been fairly busy at work and we are gearing up for another busy month as we head into our earnings cycle. Add to this a few work related events I have been attending, I’m just too tired to write about stuff (though there are a whole lot of stuff happening around).
Tonight will be Third Tuesday Vancouver and I’m actually looking forward to it.
Hope to see my favourite peeps out there tonight!
It’s Time to Vote
Oct 14th
Today is the day Canada. Today is the day we elect our new government. Today is the day we find out if Mr. Harper continues to govern or not. Today we have a voice. It is up to everyone of you to excerise your right and get out there and vote.
I know there are few people who are going to vote “strategically” instead of the party they wish to vote for. There was a recent article in the Georgia Straight which talked about how to stop Stephen Harper from becoming Prime Minister again. Agree with it or not, as Canadians we should be out there and voting.
Granted I believe by the time we turn on our TV’s in the evening the election would be decided from back east, I still believe we have a voice in Ottawa. I don’t necessarily agree with the media black out from what is going on back east as I feel most voters have made up their minds before they arrive at the voting booth.
My predictions for this election, I believe we will have pretty much the same government as we have now. I believe the Conservatives will have another minority, but this time I don’t think the government will last as long. I have a feeling that the Liberals and NDP will join forces to form the government. I, like everyone else, don’t necessarily want to go through another election in the next year again, but I feel we might be repeating this all over again before the summer arrives.
So if you want to make sure this doesn’t happen again soon, get out there and VOTE! This is your time to speak out Canada. Let’s make it mean something!
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