1st look at Vancouver.

I arrived late last night I thought it best to take advantage of the east west time change and went straight to bed. I awoke before the sun and got all my gear ready for a long day of exploration. I was out the door and headed to the street corner to see what was where. I looked to my left, nothing. I looked to my right and wouldn’t you know it, mountaintops peeking up over the smaller buildings rooftops. I had my bearing and I began to rush up a long incline of a hill. When I reached the top I was stunned by what I saw. Down Town Vancouver nestled on the edge of the Rocky Mountains, its real. I knew that I found one of the many amazing “Post Card” vantage points that this town offers. I also noticed high above me the office for the very kind people at Sparta Leasing Group, (-plug-www.spartagroupinc.com) and ran up 3 flights of stairs in to their office. This office has a little patio sticking out of the side of the building looking in every direction, but south. Sorry south. I walked right up to the front desk and said, “My name is Craig Bannerman, I am a Photographer from Montreal and I have to shoot from your patio!” To which I was replied with, yeah sure what ever happens all the time? Wicked, see sometimes all you have to do is ask.

This is 15 frames at F14 – 1/100 ISO 100. With the focus locked on Manual. Assembled in Photoshop Old School, 1 at a time. Thanks but no thanks ACR, I'll do it so it gets done right. It's also just a low ress unpolished copy.

My first image on my grand adventure will have to wait until I can give it the attention it deserves. There’s a lot going on.

Hell of a day more to come. I already have lots of stories.

Art Gallery of Ontario

Okay so I've got Toronto to myself today. I was going o go to the ROM but the AGO is 4$ cheaper and I'm a grown up now.  I'm going to take some notes in my phone and I'll post what I find on the way out. 
Be warmed I don't have the help of spell check so this may get ugly. I'm also going to type what I see quickly and in point form. 
The AGO is a fantastic place that houses some wonderful art from around the world some dating back to B.C.  I haven't been here in over 10 years so this should be a completely new place. There are 2 new floors added and I don't even know how many new wings have been added. So let's take a walk. 
Greek and Roman Coins 
   Some things never change. We have the Queen, they have an Emperor.  Cool

David Milne
    From the Bruce. DryPoint ( water colours with very little water applied to give a thick almost chalk look to yhe ink. 3 rooms over 50 peices (to much)

Group of 7.   
    CNDs best know painters. Far to many peices. Over hyped, colours and form are great and yes they do represent CND landscapes but to much representation for thus group.  How many paintins of snow, and the colours of fall do we need? The styles of each are clearly thier own but the content never changes. How about wispy brush strokes of cityscapes or of people. Lines and forms of such style would depict the human form with love and strength. 

60s 
   Warhols a bum. Art for art sake yeah yeah, moving on. 
Oh look a painting that is 10x3 feet and it's purple, just purple. Wonder how much that will set you back? Boring!

African collection is fantastic.  Art dating from the 1300-1800. Head Dress's, firtility gods, wepons. There is a Door Frame from the mid 1800's taken from the Bali Kindom is amazing. It's a story of a man that was caught stealing from the house. The thief is in the work represented by a dead man still hanging from the neck. It's a warning to anyone else who may try something funny. Very Cool, gret craftsmenship.  

Jerry Moore Sculpture Center. 
  cool stuff if your into form and shape. Most work is from bronze cast but also features many works of different stone. Personally I like the works that have not been polished smooth. It takes away any mechanical production and let's the artists hands continue to live. Think of carvings as brush strokes  They are all chicks too. Dig that!

Willie Cole. 
   Sole Reunion/Mother and Child. 
born Somerville NJ, USA 1955
Both works are made of only Black HighHeel shoes. I like it. Good use of waste. 
  
Ohh my love I miss you so much already and it hasn't even been a week. We are coming back here I just found a room full of Big Ships in Little bottles. They are very cool. Such craftmenship and details. How do they get those boats in there?

Anybody like the classic Impressionist. 
Hold on to your hats they are all here. But I cant find a Toulouse-Lautrec. That's a bummer he's the best of them. 

Wow a Rodin!!!  His Adam is here and the model for 'the Thinker'. I just found his 'Eve' completely differnt style. One is clearly male with it's sharp square lines and the female, my goodness she is beautiful. Stunning.  
If you don't know Auguste Rodin you should Google this guy right now. Do yourself a favour. I'll wait.

Here's another Google for you. Be warned it is graphic and scary. Here in real life I can almost smell the fear in this painting. 
The Massacre of Innocents. By, Peter Paul Rubens. 1577-1640

So you like Art Deco. Your down with early 20s art. In a word Lozowick. 
Born 1892 in Ukraine, died 1973 NJ.

The best for last. In my opinion. The new, and growing Photography wing. 
When you first step foot into this magical place you are welcomed by a glass plate neg from Charles Negre dating back to 1860. This is Photography. The mix of chemistry, science, and light all together on a thin sheet of glass that you prepaired yourself. With chemicals that you mixed and applied. There is no SD cards being used. The Mac vs PC war has not even been dreamed of. This is Art. This is where the mind and the body must work together to portray what the soul sees. 
I have to drop some names here for all you geeks out there that are just like me. Today the AGO is showing works by. 
Etienne-Jules Marey
Harold Edgerton
Eadward Muybridge
August Sander
Greg Girard. (CND)
Irving Penn. (what tones my God)
Peter MacCallum
Michael Mitchell

I'm not going to say anymore about the photo section. Impresive but small. I did however I talk with the curator and I asked her to try and get her hands on some more contemporary works. Maybe some Avidons, Adams, or Hockins something just yo bring it up to date. 

So that's 3 hours in the AGO. Theres alot more to see and do here you should swing by next time you are in Toronto. It's less than 20$ and you will enjoy yourself. Even if you think you don't like art there will be something in here that grabs you and yells "Hey stop for a second and jus enjoy!"
Thanks for walking around with me.  Let's go get a salad or something. I'm hungry. 
I would also like to thank my Iphone for being Awesome and taking all these notes for me.

Tomorrow Vancouver BC.  

The Big Smoke

Toronto is the most populous city in Canada and the provincial capital of Ontario. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. With over 2.5 million residents, it is the fifth most populous municipality in North America. Toronto is at the heart of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and is part of a densely populated region in Southern Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe, which is home to 8.1 million residents and has approximately 25% of Canada's population.

As Canada's economic capital, Toronto is considered a global city and is one of the top financial centers in the world. Toronto's leading economic sectors include finance, business services, telecommunications, aerospace, transportation, media, arts, film, television production, publishing, software production, and medical research, education, tourism and sports industries. The Toronto Stock Exchange, the world's seventh largest, is headquartered in the city, along with most of Canada's corporations.

Toronto's population is cosmopolitan and international, reflecting its role as an important destination for immigrants to Canada. Toronto is one of the world's most diverse cities by percentage of non-native-born residents, as about 49% of the population was born outside of Canada. Because of the city's low crime rates, clean environment, high standard of living, and friendly attitude to diversity, Toronto is consistently rated as one of the world's most livable cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit and the Mercer Quality of Living Survey. In addition, Toronto was ranked as the most expensive Canadian city in which to live in 2006[update]. Residents of Toronto are called Torontonians, or Dough-Heads.

Thanks Wikipedia

What this does not tell you is that this town has all sorts of good ideas that affect your day to day living. For instance did you know that for only 3000:00$ a month you can have yourself a lovely 2 1/2, unfurnished and no bills in. Not bad. The city's infrastructure was set up in classic grid system to assist the silly Buss, Street Cars and Metro (sorry Subway, don't call it a Metro our you will be looked at funny and charged 4$ to get on). On the flip side if a Street Car hits you it’s your Fault. The Giant Cock and Balls better known as the CN Tower and Rogers/Sky Dome can be seen from many miles away. Its there to remind the world that there's a bunch of Cock and Balls in here. There are BBQ stands on every 3rd block selling German sausages for only 3$ 24/7. That is a good idea. I managed to pass 13 of these things the first day I arrived, but alas I caved and had to have one. That may be why I’m all backed up today. TMI? The Go Train system, Great idea for commuters coming and going from far and wide. But don't try to make any friends on one of these, those people are sad angry and don't want to be there for any longer than they have to. Plus the thing only moves at 30 Km/h, I got out and walked from Oakville. Then there is the best idea, but with the poorest execution, the Hockey Hall of Fame is on the corner of Front and Yonge. My God ummm, that game was invented in Montreal at McGill. True story look it up.

Toronto is a cool city lets be serious. Like anywhere else in the world "its not where you are, but who you are with". I have had the good fortune of being with some of the Best this town can offer.

Well it’s getting late and I'm off to the R.O.M. They have sand boxes where you can dig up Dinosaur Bones. Radical

HDC

Ron MacLean Broadcasting live from the center of the Avon River.






The Orangeville Flyers.
crazy group of kids. lots of fun

















Two of the Best.

Happy Hockey Day in Canada, Canada!!!

It's the annual Hockey Day in Canada and this years host is the lovely town of Stratford Ont. Stratford is about an hour north east of my beloved St. Thomas. Just a quick shot up the 401. CBC will be hosting today's events and brodcasting live cost to coat to cost. If the CBC team is there for the day this could be my only shot to slap Don Cherry in the mouth and tell him to stop shitty in the Habs. I mean come on already how many years has it been since the Canadiens spanked you in the playoffs. Get over it.
Back to the day. The NHL has scheduled all CND teams to go head to head starting with Habs vs Sens at 2:00. Good luck boys. Sens are on a 9 game winning streak and have not allowed a PP goal in thier last 26 PKs. Damn.
Tonights game has the Cunucks in Toronto at 7:00. Who cares. Final score Van 13 T.O. 1.
Tonights late game is the Battle of Alberta with the Flames vs the Oilers. Blah.
Stratfords events today has over 100 teams of different ages from all over the country coming together to play on the frozen Avon River.
Can't get more Canadian than today.
Pictures will be posted later on tonight.
Have a great day.

Oh yeah, duhhh. You'll need this. It is Canada's Game after all!
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/

PreGame News and Notes

Lets start with the obvious links shall we?

http://www.vancouver2010.com/
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/team-canada/index.html
http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/





Finally Canada shakes the age-old stereotype that Canadians are "So Nice"!!!
Check out this link about how the Canadians are keeping access closed for Training on Olympic Sites for everyone but the Canadians.
I think its fine, but hey I want Gold for every event. GO CANADA GO.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/sports/21olympics.html?_r=1

Chef Eric this one’s for you Buddy. Like I said “I go hang posters around VanCity and let the Gay Community know that you are on your way, and they are all in ‘Big Trouble’!”
Pride House.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/sports/20pride.html



A link for anyone who is going to be in Vancouver, and is on a tight budget like myself.
There is going to be so many events located in and around Vancouver that it will be easy to find something to do for free. In my opinion, I’m looking forward to hang with the normal people from around the world, and not the Fat Kats that can drop 750.00$ on a seat for a hockey game. Really that’s what the last seat on the highest row in GM Place where the Mens/Womens Hockey tournaments is being played will cost you. 750.00$ and that’s only if you had a chance to buy them 1 year ago when they were released to the public. God knows how much a ticket may cost from a scalper or the Internet. I need to make some volunteer friends working security. Big time.

http://www.citycaucus.com/2010free


Okay coffee is done; I’m going to go see what’s new and exciting on Hab’s Inside/Out.
Catch you later.

Ill be sure to post more news and information as the days go on.

Home Sweet Home

St. Thomas Ontario, the Capital city of my beloved Elgin County.
Its day one and I thought I would post some information about my hometown. I’ve got some time to kill and only two cafes in this town have WiFi.

In the late 19th century and early 20th century several railways were constructed through the city, and St. Thomas became an important railway junction. A total of 26 railways have passed through the city since the first railway was completed in 1856. It has earned the title of the "Railway Capital of Canada."

Alma College was a former girls private school in St. Thomas, Ontario in Canada. Built in 1878, the school was in operation between 1881 and 1988. The college closed in 1988 in part due to a teacher's strike. Primary and music classes were still taught on campus until 1994. Following its closure the school building was used as a set for several movie productions: Silent Hill (interior shots), its image is included in the 2009 film Orphan and the made for TV movie, Mr. Headmistress (1997). The building itself was destroyed by a fire on May 28, 2008. This atrocity has been placed in the list of Canada’s top 5 Historical Loses. Broke my heart the day she burned down. This place is where I would retreat to on every trip home, to think, Photograph and remember my youth.

Notable residents
Rachel McAdams, actress (The Hot Chick, Mean Girls, The Notebook, Wedding Crashers, Red Eye, The Family Stone, Married Life)

Joe Thornton, professional ice hockey player (San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, St. Thomas Stars).
Joe will be going for Gold in this years Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey in Vancouver.
Got to find his email and get some backdoor tickets to the games. Go Canada Go.

Both Graduated as Titans form C.E.C.I, my old high school. I remember them both. Good kids that worked way to hard at there craft. So look at them now. Well done.

Economy
The local economy has been dominated by automotive manufacturing, with two plants operated by Magna, the Ford St. Thomas Assembly in nearby Talbotville, and the Sterling Trucks plant. However, the recent global recession that impacted the auto sector ultimately trickled down to the city; the Sterling plant closed in March 2009, and the Ford plant is set to close in 2011. This has a domino effect on the other part manufacturers in town, such as Lear Seating.
So any of you kids out there that might be reading this, Get an Education, Follow your dreams, if you want out LEAVE. Or you can stay and put the same bolt on the same nut for 8 hours a day. But then again if that’s what will make you happy in life and you can grow and enjoy life, then dig in. Who am I to say otherwise? Someone has to keep this town alive. It wont be the Wal-Mart that’s for damn sure.

Demographics
St. Thomas had a population of 36,110 people in 2006, which was an increase of 8.4% from the 2001 census count. The median household income in 2005 for St. Thomas was $54,876, which is below the Ontario provincial average of $60,455.
According to the 2006 census, 95.5% of the population is Caucasian, 1.2% Aboriginal, and 3.3% Visible minorities.
Religious affiliation is 52.1% Protestant, 21% Catholic, 22.1% No affiliation, and 4.8% Other.
This little fact is the driving force behind my love for my home in Montreal. The first time I arrived in Montreal I got on the Metro, I looked around and I was the only white guy in the train. I closed my eyes and listened to five different languages. Clearly, I didn’t have any of that growing up.


St. Thomas was a great place to grow up in. I had 20 km of bean and cornfields behind my house. I had two ponds and a river to play in. Wild life of all sorts. Turtles, snakes, frogs, mice, deer, muskrats, Thousands of birds, coyotes, you name it. I had great fiends that could I could ride my bike through the mud with. Safe community where everyone knew everyone and there was always some new adventure to get into.
But like most good things I grew up and had to leave. I am grateful to have grown up in this little part of the world. It may be hard to find on a map, but Ill always know my way home.

I’ve got 3 ½ more days left…

Ummm

Testing testing, is this thing on. This is just a little test for myself.
I'm sitting in the first row on the 2nd floor, from what I can tell the most unsafe corner of the vehical. My sweet ride is Canada's own, MegaBus!!! 40$ MTL-TOR with 3 Timmys Breaks along the way. That's 1 MM 2x2x, 2 chocolate milks (from straws), 38 Tim Bits. Maybe even a 12 grain, no butter. That shit will make you fat.
This Glass elevator of mine does post one hell of a view and WiFi. so Word Up.  

Well No Shit Iphone, Really! I'm going to have to figure out a way to attach pics from my phone to my Blog. Fucking Blogger won't look into my Iphone and dig up any info. So let's just try...
This?

Yasmin