Landscape Photography is Hard

What a challenge.  Getting up first thing in the morning to pack your gear and head out somewhere to get a shot of a sunrise.  All week I've been unlucky.  Even this morning - I was up early to go shoot a sunrise and what again was supposed to be 'expressive' was instead cloudy and moody.  Moody is good too, don't get me wrong.  I'm just bummed out that I've been trying all week to get a sunrise pic and figure out some ISO settings that have been plaguing me.

I made a video regardless after making the effort to go shoot something.  I bought some new video and photo editing software and my mission was two fold - sunrise and b roll footage.  I got a little from column B.  Tell me what you think below!

First Hike

I had every intention of going to Kakabeka Falls to hike the "Little Falls" trail.  But the weather wasn't co-operating and I was running out of time.

I opted to Urban Hike.  There's a bike path near my home that borders the river.  I took every opportunity to walk off the path and in the brush to make make it more hike like.

It was chilly but spring was definitely in the air.  The sounds of Robins - almost of dozen of them off to the side of the path were trying to stay warm.  In the same wooded area I spied some sparrows and a single Wood Pecker.

Later on two I spotted 2 Loons making their way up river.  I imagined the fowls second guessing their arrivals back to this area.  There was still some snow and some ice along the water way.

I spent roughly 2 hours plodding up the river than back down taking in the sights and sounds.  Traffic was minimal and didn't influence my state of mind terribly.  I took as many moments as I could to stop and really take in the nature around me.  Staring into the rushing river I hoped to see some Steelhead as rumor had it they were starting to run.   The sound of the water, and the brightness of the sun's reflection slowed time.

Kenora is Trying Temporary Outdoor Patios

From CBC Megan Thomas

Guess I'm not the only one who thinks this a good way to test pilot seasonal patios.  Kenora is giving it a go by the looks of it.  As you may recall i did a rant about this a few years ago for Thunder Bay when it was proposed to permanently expand the sidewalk area on Red River Road.

CBC's article mentions the patio's importance to tourism industry.

Of interest also is the fees the city would charge the restaurants based on the size and seating capacity.



The article from cbc is here: Kenora-looks-to-expand-outdoor-patio-spaces-for-restaurants-1.3137693

My original rant for Thunder Bay to do this is here:  seasonal-patios

 Comment below if you have any thoughts on this - good or bad.   Summer here is half spent but this is still something to consider next year.

Sailing The Seas of Superior on Wednesday Race Night

#tbay #tbyc

A video posted by @at0mpub on Jun 17, 2015 at 5:49pm PDT

#tbay #sailing

A video posted by @at0mpub on Jun 17, 2015 at 3:13pm PDT

Cosmic Seam Is Tracked

Our first song is completed and no more is to be recorded for it.  It is ready for editing and mixing.  We spent the last session adding a few sprinkles of guitar notes here and there.

Of possible interest to the audio geeks - we borrowed a technique from Mutt Lang and Brian May.  You see some of us have been on a Def Leppard Hysteria kick for the last month and we've been watching a lot of the behind the scenes action of how that classic album was recorded.

One little nugget we came across was recording little guitar noodles. Mutt Lang made them track each  note  separately. The result of this time consuming process was that no note would be cut off or muted if it was on the same string.  Each note would have the same sustain.

I had a little 3 note run we wanted to record with this technique.  To make it official - Mike dug out an original Rockman X100 guitar amp simulator - the same one they used for the recording of the guitars in Hysteria.

To take a it a step further - we did it twice.We ping ponged the notes so each note is either left channeled or right channeled (ala Brian May).

Once that was completed - there was one 'space note' we needed to end the track with.  Ken was up to pluck harmonics on both low and high 'E' strings.  One set of notes.  Pretty easy right?  Unless you were up against a practical joke that would make it near impossible to get it right.

You see - we had a separate track up in the mix that made some guitar noise shortly after the spot where Ken had to hit his mark.  Every take - he thought he screwed up.  I figure this went on for about 8 tries before he caught on.

Let's just call it studio initiating.

Oh yeah - I snuck into the studio early in the week to lay down the bass tracks.  It didn't take Ken long to figure this out upon playback.  He was crushed - but as always - a good sport about it.   I think he's earned his lumps and is now fully and completely a studio musician.

Prep work for the next tune has already begun and Mike hopes to have the drums tracked for next week's session.

#Tbay lunch walkies

A co-worker and I have made a habit of walking to the Bay St. Area at lunch once a week.  We find it really helps the creative process to disconnect from all the technology we work with every day - we are Systems Administrators. 

We try to vary the walk and get perspectives on the neighborhoods and see what new developments are occurring.  Thunder Bay is in a state of transition - its turning over a new leaf - but only by walking can you really see the subtle changes.  

Eventually it will explode and will be very apparent.

Today's walk took us down Red River by the new Law School.  It is possibly one of the most stunning buildings in the city.  There's a mock up of the interior court house simulation on a billboard.  I'm sure it could double as film set when not in use.

Down Algoma and over to Bay Street we went, eyeing up all the residents that have been spruced up, and sadly many that have not tried.  If only I had some extra money to throw around and develop some of these run down buildings. But that's a rant for another day.

Some other sightings included a protest in front of a fairly prominent food place, a cheery fellow in Leafs attire busking outside the Hoito, a residential apartment undergoing some serious renovations and the backside of Hill Crest park.

Have you ever put the Cart before the Horse when it comes to music?

When was the last time you've seen a musical act without knowing the material they were to preform?  Rarely do I have this experience, but when I do there's something magical about it.

Let me explain.

I'm a big fan of Diana Krall. - have been since her 1999 album "When I look Into Your Eyes".  A concert of hers has always been at the top of my 'bucket list' .  By the time her "Look of Love" album came out she became world renown.

I always thought it near impossible to see her perform. 

But then one night - really late one night, I was scrolling through my Twitter timeline and was gobsmacked to see a concert announcement for Krall at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.  I'm rarely an impulse buyer, but there I was at almost 4am throwing my credit card info at the computer as quickly as possible to get two seats.

Months later, there I was - in the thick of it.  The TBCA was jam packed.  The vibe of the house was buzzing in anticipation to the point of being electric.  Was Diana Krall really in Thunder Bay?

So now a confession I must make at this moment - I didn't know Krall had a new album out.

I had two months before the concert and I was torn with a dilemma  Do I simply purchase the new album, listen , evaluate and get excited to hear it played live? Or do I go in blind? Intentionally?

Intentionally was the decision. And here is why:

When I was tween, my favorite hangout was Crocks n Rolls. It was the 'alternative music club' back in the 90's.  Almost any night there was a band playing.  Many a night it was someone I had never heard of.  Many a night I would purchase a CD.  The magic being that when I listened to that CD, the live performance was automatically the visual in my head.  Almost the reverse of how a soundtrack works.

If I hear a song from one of those bands from way back when, the magic is  - I'm transported back to Crocks n Rolls.  Flashes of memories flood back with the music and I can see the band preforming. I can remember if they had a crazy lights show, or weird stage props, or if there was a mosh pit.

It is for that reason I went in blind to see Diana Krall back in February.

As I write this, I'm listening to that album.  The vivid imagery is flooding parts of my brain.

I can remember the snow falling in the parking lot. I can remember the stage lit and decorated in all its vaudeville glory.  Steve Buschemi on the film screen doing the introduction.  Diana Krall taking a break in the performance to take 3 audience requests. The third was mine (East of the Sun).  She heard me and played East of the Sun. For me.

It was a truly special concert performance me.  A bucket list item checked off the list.

Now every time I listen to this album, these are the memories that are triggered.

That is the power and magic of music. It is a sense. And when you engage your senses to the fullest and are present in the moment, those memories are married to the music.

After that - all it takes is a sound clip to retrieve it.  Even many many years later.

It will be comforting when I'm old and grey to be able to recall my entire life with the simplicity of playing a bit of music from my past. 

I know I won't forget that special performance that one snowy night in Thunder Bay.

Ever.

Poor Young Things Return

LU Outpost saw the return of Thunder Bay’s prodigal sons – The Poor Young Things.  Perhaps a rougher and  grittier Poor Young Things.  PYT you see moved to Toronto a while back. They immersed themselves in the Toronto music scene and their latest collection of songs due out in the very near future capture the essence of their surroundings.

Take your pick - the lyrical commentary of big city life, the comforting guitar melodies a mongst a soundscape of raw distorted chordings, or the harmony laden anthem like choruses – PYT showed they've evolved and matured in their musicianship and song writing. Their songs have a bit more drive, edge and power to them - no doubt attributed to their big city influences.

Poor Young Things dedication to their music showed as they put in an inspired performance to the allegiance of fans that filed into the Outpost.  Their new found energy was quite evident in their enthusiasm as the guys left no part of the stage untouched.  Putting it all out there – every song rode a wave of honesty and authenticity.  What was a vacant dance floor moments before PYT hit the stage – was turned into a frenzied surf of fans, friends and family. 

Poor Young Things have been working with acclaimed producer Jon Drew (The Arkells, Alexisonfire, Tokyo Police Club, Stars,).   Their new album release date is to be announced in the very near future. They have also just released their latest video - Let It Sleep.



PYT will be cris-crossing the country again on another  tour.  They'll be back in Thunder Bay in December.  

Love Living In Thunder Bay, Love Eating In Thunder Bay

Its by no means breaking news, but Thunder Bay has some damn fine dining establishments.  The Bay and Algoma district especially.  (Say it again - Bay and Algoma District).  There are more great places to eat in this block than any where else in the city.  (this bodes well for my previous suggestion of closing off bay street to create a piazza -  Bay St Piazza)

When i find something I like, the norm for me is to be addicted.  Chipolte unrwrap with Tofu with a side of WheatGrass.  The mix of roasted red peppers, bean sprouts, tofu and the vinaigrette is amazing.   And satiating. I am full when i eat this dish.  And with mostly greens, that's hard to accomplish.

Growing Season is very popular.  So if you're in a rush - avoid the lunch crowd.  If you've been before, you know it can get a bit crowded very quickly.  Regardless - its worth the wait.

I haven't had a 'juice' yet but noticed a lot or patrons with colourful beverage  in hand.  Can anyone make me a recommendation for my next visit?