Gus Digital
my digital realm, my digital voice
vancouver
Fighting Chance Productions – Matt & Ben
Mar 5th
Matt & Ben
Last night I attended the premier of Fighting Chance Productions – Matt & Ben by invitation from the Artistic Director, Ryan Mooney with my good friend Theresa.
Written by Mindy Kaling (The Office) and Brenda Withers, Matt & Ben tells the story of Matt Damon & Ben Affleck journey into writing their Oscar award winning script “Good Will Hunting“. Granted this story is not an actual telling of the story since the script falls from the sky while they are attempting to write an adaptation of “Catcher in the Rye“. The laughs come from their struggle of this mysterious script and whether it’s a gift from God or a dreaded curse.
The play works great, showcasing the friendship between two unlikely men from different backgrounds.
Starring Kat Gauthier (Matt Damen) & Rebecca Strom (Ben Affleck) and directed by Laura McLean the 75 minute production will leave you laughing. Playing from March 4 – 13 at the Havana Theatre on Commercial Drive, I suggest you see it. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students.
Below is a brief video about the production.
The Unsung Heroes of Vancouver 2010 Olympics
Feb 25th
Photo by Tyler Ingram
With the hundreds of thousands people coming into the downtown core each and everyday one would expect to see trash everywhere in this city, but you’d be surprised how clean Vancouver looks. Not only are the people in town doing their job and placing garbage where they should, but we have dedicated people walking around our city making sure that all trash that is left behind is picked up.
We also have some great trash areas through-out the city that are being filled up nicely and helping to keep our city clean.
To all the city employees that are cleaning our streets, you truly deserve a gold medal for your performance. This city has never looked so good. Thank you all for making sure Vancouver shines like never before during the Winter Games.
Vectorial Elevation – Vancouver 2010
Feb 7th
From February 4 – 28 between dusk to dawn, 20 robotic spotlight will create a canopy of lights over English Bay known as Vectorial Elevation. The art work was created by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer from Montreal for the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad.
Vectorial Elevation is an interactive artwork that allows participants to transform the sky over Vancouver, Canada. Using a three-dimensional interface, this web site lets you design huge light sculptures by directing 20 robotic searchlights located around English Bay. A web page is made for each participant with photos of their design from four cameras located around the city.
The other day I got to test this out and created my own design which was quickly displayed for all to see.
The designs change every 12 seconds and if you can’t make it to Vancouver, you can see live streaming video of the designs from 4 cameras positioned around the area.
If you’d like to see more photos, please check out my Flickr set on some of the designs I captured the other day.
Vancouver City – Video
Jan 26th
Today while reading some news sites, I came across this wonderful video featuring our lovely city Vancouver as it gets ready to host the world for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. What is fasinating about the video is it is shot in timelapse HD. The pictures are truly amazing and it captures the mystery and beauty of our city.
“Vancouver City” video is a collaboration between Innerlife Project and TimeLapseHD. Vocals are by Linda Ganzini. For more information and music downloads go to www.innerlifeproject.com.
Great Job guys, very cool and awesome video!
VanDusen Botanical Gardens – Festival of Lights
Dec 28th
In my 8 years that I’ve lived in Vancouver I had yet to visit VanDusen Botanical Gardens. I had always wanted to get my camera and walk around the 55 acres and just go crazy, but never just got off my butt and just went. It’s interesting to note that the lands was the Shaughnessy Golf Club from 1911 until 1960 until it moved to its current location. The VanDusen Botanical Gardens didn’t open until August 30, 1975. This coming year, 2010, will mark the parks 35th year!
This past Boxing Day a friend of ours suggested we venture to the gardens to check out their Festival of Lights which this year takes place from December 11, 2009 to January 3, 2010 between the hours of 4:30 to 9pm daily except Christmas Day. Admission is only $11.45 for adults, $8.30 for Seniors and young adults, $6.25 for children and a family pass for $26 which includes 2 adults and and their children.
This year some of the highlights include:
- Santa’s Living Room: Dec. 11 – 24 with Santa appearances 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 p.m.
- Svend and Jens, our Scandinavian Christmas Elves appear nightly in the Centre Court
- Starchild and Company’s puppet show featuring The Sugar Plum Fairy’s Garden: Dec. 26 – Jan. 3, in Santa’s Living Room at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 p.m.
- Dancing Lights on Livingstone Lake: starting at 4:30 p.m. Two different shows – one show on the half hour and a different one at the top of the hour. Two different shows repeating in sequence throughout the evening.
- Gingerbread Wood
- Golden Chain Walk
- Community Choir Concerts on the Deck at 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm, dates and choirs TBA
- Make-a-Wish Candle Shrine
- Candy Cane Lane
- Sparkling Spruce in the Centre Court
- Candy Cane Express model train
We arrived just before 6:30pm on a foggy night, which quickly left as we entered the grounds. Alas I was hoping for some fog to start off the evening, I was glad there wasn’t any during our Dancing Light show. The following are some of the shots I took.
The fog did later roll in and I managed to take some extra shots.
It was great fun. My only suggestion is to make sure you are dressed warmly and bring your own hot chocolate. The kids will love the puppet show and singing elves that will walk around the gardens. Enjoy yourself!!
You can view all the photos on my Flickr set including a video of the light show.
My 8th Year in Vancouver
Oct 23rd
How could I have forgotten, that 8 years ago yesterday, I stepped out of a plane in Vancouver with just my luggage and computer and set up roots here. I blame the fact that I have been fighting a flu/cold for a week.
At any rate time has flown by so quickly over the past 8 years. I really can’t believe it has been that long that I’ve called Vancouver my “home”. During those 8 years I’ve grown at work, purchased a condo (before the big boom luckily), created some great friendships, adopted Junior, grew professionally, and have began to really make a name for myself in the marketplace. The one constant I’ve had is Russ. Without him I don’t think any of this would have been possible. Russ has truly been my greatest supporter and still challenges me every step of the way.
So what that Vancouver gets a lot of rainy days in the winter (A LOT!!), who cares that Vancouver has been labelled a “no fun city”, I have grown to love Vancouver. I love being close to the water and enjoy the many places yet to be explored.
So what I am going to do to celebrate my 8 years? I’m not sure, but most likely just enjoy a great dinner out and then relax and nurse this flu/cold.
Thanks to all my friends over the past 8 years. You all have truly welcomed me and I look forward to many more years.
I’m a BarCamp Virgin No More
Oct 5th
This past weekend I attend my very first BarCamp in Vancouver at the wonderful Discovery Parks (formerly QLT Inc. building).
I’ve always heard great things about BarCamp and they are always sold out very quickly. This year I jumped at the chance to be apart of it, mainly due to my tech friends who have attended in the past. I’m also glad I did quickly as an estimated 300 people were in attendance.
What is BarCamp you might be asking, BarCamp is a “un-conference” where attendees dictate the conference topics and workshops by preparing a short minute or two pitch and then they are placed in a time slot for the day. These can be from programming base languages to something more general as photography or help with a social study to having a round table discussion and help collaborate on an issue.
I myself attended a few sessions from the photo walk and “photo work flow” session later on in the day, as well as a great round table discussion presented by Raul based on his “The economics of free or why I won’t do things for free anymore” post of last week, and a discussion on Fresh Media (an event that will be happening October 24th and I will be participating as part of a panel).
Even though this happened on Saturday, I’m still digesting all the information I received. There are some very talented, smart and knowledgeable people in Vancouver. The organizers truly out did themselves and presented a very professional and enjoyable user generated conference. One of the very best I’ve attended in so long.
It was great to see some of my friends and get to meet some new ones along the way. I can’t wait for the next BarCamp!
You can view more photos on my Flickr Set – BarCamp Vanouver 2009.
Keeping Your Dog Cool
Jul 29th
With Vancouver breaking their record for the hottest day today and no end in sight for this “heat wave”, we all try to keep ourselves cool in many ways, but let’s not forget about our 4 legged friends.
Now smaller dogs have a easier time at cooling themselves off than bigger dogs do, as well as lighter haired dogs have it easier than darker dogs.
Junior himself has been suffering these past few days and here are a few tricks you can use to keep your best friend cool and refreshed (hell these are some great tips even for us).
1. Kiddie pools, swimming pools, or if you’re lucky, a lake: It doesn’t take much convincing to motivate a Newfoundland or Labrador to cool off with a refreshing swim. Other dogs may require more coaxing. Some dogs don’t know how to doggie paddle, so don’t force a dog to dive into deep water. Remember, for a toy dog, one-foot of water is getting deep. Also, be sure the pooch understands how to leave a pool; even Newfoundlands and Labradors can’t swim forever. There are instances of dogs drowning because they can’t figure out how to exit.
2. Sprinkler or Hose: Some dogs bark with joy as the kids chase them with a hose. Other dogs bark as a desperate plea to stay dry. Even for dogs who protest, there’s no denying a hose down is an instant cool off.
3. Cold water bag (filled with ice water) or ice pack. Gently rub on Fido’s tummy. This can be used indoors out outdoors.
4. If your dog must be out in the yard for any period of time, be sure there’s shade and plenty of water (remember some water will evaporate, leave several bowls).
5. Popsicles: Purchase the sugarless kind. If you’re serving indoors, make sure Fido doesn’t walk off to enjoy a blueberry treat on your white plush carpet. (Do not offer your dog chocolate Popsicles; chocolate is bad for dogs.)
6. Cluck-sicles: Make chicken boullion, and freeze in an ice cube tray. When the pooch is warm, offer a cluck-sicle.
7. If there’s no air conditioning, use a floor fan. Make sure curious puppy paws can’t squeeze through the grating.
8. Exercise your dog in the early mornings or when the sun goes down.
9. Fill a plant mister with ice water and give your dog a shower to keep them cooled down.
10. There are now crate pads that actually keep cool on their own, available through catalogs and at pet stores.
I am glad that George Wainborn park has a fountain where a lot of Junior’s friends head to on this hot day to cool off.
Freaky Vancouver Day
Jul 28th
This has been making the rounds on the internet, but on July 25th, Vancouver experienced a crazy weather day, especially during the end of the day when a freak thunder storm hit the city and not only was that strange, but check out the freaky colour of the sky as the sun sets.
Not only did mother nature give everyone a show, but the HSBC Celebration of Lights also took place that evening.
You will have to excuse the “Christmas Music”.
Alas I missed it as I was in Whistler for “Chill on the Hill”.
HSBC Celebration of Lights 2009
Jul 21st
Tomorrow begins a 4 day event spanning 2 weeks of a fantastic display of pyro-musical fireworks by HSBC dubbed Celebration of Lights.
100 thousands of people will flock to English Bay and Kitsilano beach areas to get the best views of the fantastic display of pyrotechnics which almost didn’t happen this year due to lack of sponsors. Luckily sponsors stepped up to the plate including London Drugs, The Keg, Shore 104FM, and Concord Pacific. Thanks to the wonderful sponsors the following are the dates and countries represented in this years competition.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 – Canada Night
Saturday, July 25, 2009 – S. Africa Night
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 – UK Night
Saturday, August 1, 2009 – China Night
As usual I’m sure the police will be out in full force as they make sure sure the public is well behaved and the crazy yahoo’s are kept in line (yeah I know I can dream can’t I?).
I’m hoping to make it to at least one of the events and hope to take some photos with my new Canon T1i.
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