Gus Digital
my digital realm, my digital voice
Archive for May, 2009
My Winter Olympics 2010 Dancing Auditions
May 31st
Well I did it. I auditioned for a dancing role for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
I admit this morning when I woke up, I was very nervous. I was at the point of not even attending the audition since I was starting to feel ill, but Russ gave me a pep talk. He let me know that I have been talking about this for over 8 years. I’ve been wanting to play a part in the opening ceremonies for as long as I can remember. I’ve wanted to experience being apart of history and welcoming the world. This was my one chance to living that dream.
My audition was scheduled to begin at 5:30pm so I arrived early. I quickly began to scan the group to see who my competition would be. As more and more people began to arrive I started to notice that I was probably the oldest person there and I was definitely not the fittest person in the bunch. This didn’t help my nerves in the least.
As we began to enter the audition area and get our “number”, some people in the line began to chat up and noticed that a few of them had come from some form of dance training background. What was I doing?
I entered in the auditorium and was given my number, measured from head to toe, had a face photo taken, and had a full body photo taken. We then sat down and watched some video of opening ceremonies of the past. Once everyone had their measurements taken we were taken into another room where we would begin our audition (though from what people have told me, we were on audition since the moment we arrived).
I didn’t know what kind of dancing we would have to do, but when I found out it was a Hip-Hop routine I began to get nervous again. We were given a dance routine to learn and divided into groups to “perfect” the routine. I have to admit the routine wasn’t too bad and was fun to learn and perform in front of the Opening and Closing organizers. All this was done while we were being filmed for them to review and make notes.
After our routine was completed we were taught a different routine. This routine was more complex than the first one and gave me trouble after beat 8. yeah we had 24 beats to memorize. I got to perform this routine 4 times and had a great time trying to get in all the steps, but I didn’t “nail” it as others were doing it, but I kept on smiling and give them all my energy.
There was some other items that were done during the audition, but I am not liberty to say since I’ve signed a “confidentiality agreement”.
I won’t find out if I made it until sometime in September with the first rehearsals beginning in November.
At any rate I had a great time and I’m glad I was part of something, even if I don’t make it to the opening ceremonies.
Canon Rebel T1i Video Test
May 24th
After testing out some photo options the other day and some today, I thought I’d try out the video functionality of the Canon Rebel T1i. As it shoots in true high definition (1080i), I think the results speak from themselves below. Granted these are uploaded to Flickr and some quality is lost (alas Viddler wouldn’t upload the video in HD, nor do I think there are any true HD hosting sites out there).
Let me know what you think.
First Photos From the Canon Rebel T1i
May 23rd
After a week of having the Canon Rebel T1i, I finally installed the software that came with the camera and downloaded the photos. First impressions is I’m very happy with the photos. I’m looking forward to taking some more, though not looking forward to the image size files. I guess this is the only drawback, but as you can see it’s not bad. These were taken with the lens that came with the camera.
Upcoming Corporate Blog Security Seminar
May 22nd
With corporate blogs becoming more predominate, and used more for corporate communications, we often forget that just like any other site, blogs can be hacked.
On May 28th, the Better Business Bureau will host “Cyber Security and Your Business: How to Protect Your Consumers from Online Threats”. Join Vaclav Vincalek, President and founder of Pacific Coast Information Systems (PCIS) Ltd., and learn how to protect your business and customers.
At this presentation, you will learn:
- How and why cyber criminals target your business
- Consequences of a web security breach
- How effective network security, web security and identity management tools and practices can protect your business assets and your customers’ privacy
This will be taking place on Thursday May 28th at the People’s Law School, 150-900 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC. Registration is between 8 – 8:30am with the session and Q&A lasting until 10:30am.
COST (incl. GST):
BBB Accredited: $25/person
Non BBB Accredited: $45/person
REGISTRATION: To register, please click here for the registration form, email Susanh@mbc.bbb.org or call 604.685.7226.
Hello Canon Rebel Digital T1i
May 18th
From as long as I can remember, we’ve always had Canon cameras in our household. My father always swore by them and I began to enjoy photography, I started using the old Canon SLR’s. My very first purchase of a camera was the Canon Rebel SLR camera. Though I’m not the best photographer, I mainly used the camera to experiment with black and white photography. I remember taking the camera down to New York City in ‘95 and remember taking some great photos (yeah I need to scan some of them one day).
Five years ago I purchased the first Canon Rebel Digital SLR camera. This camera was state of the art for back then and is a 6.1 mega-pixels camera. I bought the DSLR instead of the point and shoot, so I could experiment more and have more control over the photo itself. This camera has been with me over 5 years and has always taken great photos for me. I recently began purchasing extra lenses to get a better range.
This past March, Canon announced the Canon Digital Rebel T1i (50D) into the marketplace. Not only does it take photos in 15.1 mega-pixels, but, this is the first of the Rebel line of cameras to include HD video recording.
I’ve been wanting to upgrade my camera for over year now, wanting higher mega-pixels as well possible video. The only way to do this was to get a point and shoot camera, which I wasn’t willing to downgrade to this. This was the camera I was going to purchase and finally after a couple of months I am now the new proud owner of one.
I’m still experimenting with the camera, and I still have to install the software the camera came with onto my computer. From what I have seen so far of the camera, the picture quality is outstanding (even in low light) and the video capabilities are great (though it doesn’t include auto focus when recording).
I’ll try to play with it more in the coming weeks and write something else then.
Winter Olympic Journey Continues
May 15th
Last November I wrote about my experience at being interviewed to volunteer during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. As I didn’t hear back from them in sometime, last month I decided to put my hat into appearing in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Today I received a call saying I have an audition at the end of this month. Based on this CBC footage I just found, it looks like it will involve some dance routine numbers I’ll have to memorize and lots of enthusiasm.
I’ve always wanted to participate in the Opening Ceremonies and I have always joked around with fellow friends and family that I wanted to be a black dot forming the Olympic Rings. I’m not sure how good I’ll look in lycra, but I’m eager to give it a go just to have a camera run up and down the field and highlight my smiling face!
Wish me luck!
Hello @IvyBean104
May 15th
You are never too young or too old to get onto Twitter and begin to interact with the global community as a whole. Ask Ivy Bean this. She is 104 years old and has begun to use Twitter, the micro blogging website, to post items on her daily life. With tweets like -
Looking forward to Deal or No Deal later on today.
to
Hello had a nod just having a cuppa and biscuit im excited to be on twitter
I think most of us who have used Twitter for sometime and have forgotten what it was created for, and Ivy Bean is showing us that it truly is a fun tool to use.
Hats off to you Ivy! I’ll be listening to your wonderful tweets.
Happy Birthday Amanda
May 14th
Today is my eldest niece’s 29th birthday, yes one more year to the bigh 3-0! 
As usual, I’m across the country and I can’t be there to help her celebrate, though she is always in my heart!
I guess this would be the time when I say some embarassing things about her youth, but I think I’ll refrain from talking about the day she pooped on me as a baby or the day she got into posion ivy and her face got extremely swollen that she looked like a troll – oops I guess I just did
What I will say is that she has turned out to be an amazing person who has lots of love to share with her family and friends.
Happy Birthday Amanda!
Happy Mother’s Day
May 10th
Today is a special day we all hold dear to our hearts. Today is Mother’s Day, the day we celebrate mothers.
Even though I’m miles away from my mother, I wanted to send out a special message to her. She has been there when I’ve scrapped my knee, cut my finger, had a bump on my head, had an upset stomach, nursed my colds, cooked me lunch and dinner, bought me clothes, kissed my head, and spanked my behind. My mother has always been there loving me every step of the way. I know I wasn’t always the most ideal son, but I’ve learned so much from you. You’ve taught me right from wrong, taught me to be responsible, taught me respect.
On this day mom, I wish you all the love!!
To my two sisters, what can one say on Mother’s Day. You have both become great moms. You have shown sacrifice and in the face of it all always made time for your children. They are all truly blessed to call you mom.
For those who’s mothers are no longer around, your mothers will always be apart of you, they are who made you the person you are now. We will never forget them and I thank them for touching our lives!
The Febreze Experience
May 9th
I live in a household that includes a bird, a dog and two grown men. Just like any other household, we like to try to maintain our home clean and always smelling nice. Though the usual cleaning products help with this, sometimes you just want that extra boost of freshness and for us the Febreze line of products help us.
Recently Febreze launched their new Destination Collection – scents inspired by Morocco, Brazil and Hawaii. We had the pleasure of receiving these scents to try out around our home. I have to say that my favourite of the three is the Morocco scent. The scent is fairly spicy and not too over whelming. I find the Hawaii to be too floral for my tastes and the Brazilian scent almost as floral. Overall Febreze is helping to keep our household smelling fresh through their Fabric Refreshers, Air Noticables, Candles and Air Effects.
To help with their new Destination Collection, Febreze is having a contest “From Staycation to Vacation” where you can enter to win a trip for 4 to one of their inspired scent’s countries. Contest is now open until July 5, 2009. Go ahead and enter!
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