Julie in the City

Julie in Washington, DC - Days 1 & 2

2011-09-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

Don't have much time to write my perceptions of the city but here are some of my fave photos from the past few days.

Walking down the street here. The buildings here are huge and awesome - I had to get some people in this shot to show a proper sense of the magnitude of these buildings.

Outside the Department of Health & Human Services.

Near the National Monument.

At the Roosevelt memorial.

Roosevelt memorial.

So far, life is fun on the Solar Decathlon grounds at West Potomac Park. It's great to see so many projects come to life and meet so many folks from the other universities and colleges, media, government and industry who are so passionate and knowledgeable about sustainable homes. I'm learning so much. More pictures to come...

Truth

2011-08-02T02:02:00.000-07:00

"I don't lie, sometimes the truth changes"

~Caitlin Strong, @Caitlin_Strong

On holding on...

2011-07-29T17:51:00.000-07:00

"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."

~Harriet Beecher Stowe

Leadership

2011-07-27T17:19:00.001-07:00

"Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done beacause he wants to do it"
~Dwight Eisenhower

Giving back

2011-07-25T13:19:00.000-07:00

"I believe that companies will truly increase their philanthropic efforts when they start to see giving as an opportunity rather than an obligation, and when they see community support as an investment rather than an expense."

(Quote from this great article by W. Brett Wilson in Alberta Venture - challenging his colleagues to "think differently about how businesses and non-profit organizations can benefit mutually from collaborative relationships").

It's that time of year...

2011-05-26T23:50:00.000-07:00

Time for pictures of raindrops, tree blossoms & springtime flowers.

More to come :)

Rabbit Boutique

2011-04-08T16:40:00.000-07:00

I recently 'liked' Rabbit Boutique on Facebook and was super stoked when I met these fabulous ladies at Art Central's "First Thursday" last night.

Here's a quick interview with Su telling me us about the inspiration for Rabbit Boutique and what they hope to do with the company.

Check them out online or at Art Central on Fridays & Saturdays from noon to 4 pm.

Photos from the Gallery: Randy's Big Pictures

2011-03-05T23:43:00.000-08:00

Went to the opening for Randy's Big Pictures last week at the Gallery. Funny thing was that in a room full of creative folk, no one brought their camera! I luckily had mine from shooting a couple 30SecondsWith segments earlier in the evening, so was able to get some shots of the crowds & people. Click here to see more photos from the night on the Gallery FB page.

Colour

2011-03-05T19:53:00.000-08:00

Some random acts of colour from 2010.

Thom Childrey's signature on his "Dream Bear" painting Gid and I took home as a gift for Mom. We also adopted his "Dream Buffalo" for our place.

I would like to take a moment to point out the exquisiteness of these flower photos on my colleague Binh's Flickr page.

Stef picked out this great book "Herbarium Amoris: Floral Romance" - filled with beautiful flower photos - for my birthday/Christmas last year and I'm pretty sure they are all secretly photographed by Binh. Check out his images from Europe on there too if you have time!

www.flickr.com/vanbinh

A "food" idea

2011-03-05T18:51:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you guys know this, but Gid is basically a gourmet chef in an engineer's body. I would say that of all the pictures we've taken since we started dating, about half are of delicious food we've either created or consumed (the rest are of flowers from every occasion).

It is for this reason that I propose Gid & I join the trend and start a food-blog: a combined documentation of our experiences eating out in yyc & in various cities, as well as our (his) creativity in the kitchen.

Here's a taste of some of our successes:

Orange & fennel salad.

"Harvest" dish: Apple, pecan, squash

Moosewood corn bread.

Knowledge of deep-fried-things- this is what I bring to the food-blog project. (Deep-fried Oreo @ Calgary Stampede 2010)

One of the first courses @ River Cafe on NYE 2010

Homemade bread! One of Gid's specialities.

Little crispy onion rings go with everything...

Duck, braised leeks & golden beets

Chocolates at Le Pigeon in Portland, OR (Nov.2010).

I like to think that Gid can bring "class" to every-day eating, and that I, by eating it, will make it accessible to our readers.

Thoughts?

Photos from 2010

2011-03-05T18:13:00.000-08:00

I subscribe to the believe that 'late' is better than 'never'... so here are some of my fave shots from my camera-phone from last year & the past few months.

Stanley Park, before the snow got to it...

Cute house, I think out near Strathmore? But can't quite remember...

Sign near Tomas's house in NW.

River in Canmore, August 2010. I love it there!

New Art Gallery of Alberta in Edmonton. Taken while out with Rebecca in December 2010 on our annual holiday meet-up.

Coffee Shop in Kensington.

Wheel in alley behind O Restaurant in Marda Loop.

Parking sign in front of Strathmore Sobeys. It was about a week before Christmas so I figured it was close enough to my birthday to count ;)

A good reminder. On sidewalk near Escoba (which I just found out translates to 'broom' in Spanish!)

Some lovely knit-art on fence in Kensington.

Winter *can* be pretty...

Best. Cupcake. Ever. Thank you Becky!

Weeds Cafe in the NW. One of my fave spots in town.

Cheeto!! (Man, if I'm this proud of my nephew-kitty, imagine how I'll be if Steve actually has kids!!)

Heart-day flowers from Gid.

Flowers from Mom Dad & Steve for "luck" last week (I spoke at a Winter Club luncheon on my Alberta History paper, "Operation "Lifesaver" and the Evacuation in Calgary").

New year!

2011-03-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

It might seem a bit late to be celebrating the "new year", but thanks to Sanja, I just realized that my "blog" was on it's way to becoming a "dlog" (dead-blog). Figured it was time for at least a mini-update.

Started new job in January. Doing lots of great events, writing, learning website, interviewing, tons of video projects. It's exactly where I want to be.
Got Facebook. Updated LinkedIn. Starting to really enjoy Twitter. Started a video project called "30SecondsWith" and it's been going really well. Meeting so many amazing Communications practitioners for the video project and rekindling with so many old favourites from over the years of FB. Plus, click here to check out some of my pics up on the Gallery FB page! I read somewhere that contrary to what some believed before, how a person behaves online is actually a pretty good indication of their life offline so it's been fun learning to use these tools to do some really interesting things. Plus, it's so fun to connect and to realize how small the world really is!!
Still volunteering with the M:ST Festival but taking a little hiatus to get adjusted with the job & focus on finishing some other projects before I can contribute to the committee with gusto.
Other projects include: finishing honours thesis (I know, I know...), revising a paper to see if I can get it published in Critical Contemporary Culture, speaking at the Calgary Winter Club (I did that today at lunch! Topic: my Alberta History paper on Operation "Lifesaver" and the evacuation in Calgary in 1955. Great feedback!), reading books for book club, trying to figure out where to move in May, staying in touch with parents while they gallivant in warmer climates, prepping to co-M.C. a wedding in June... So yes. Lots going on, lots to do & so so much to be excited for.

Here are some photos I took when I was in B.C. last week. Comment below & I'll make sure I update again soon! Stay tuned for: some pics from Oregon, holiday faves, flower pictures (of course!) and maybe a few miscellaneous posts on what I'm thinking/reading. Ciao lovelies!

New Media, New Possibilities

2010-12-02T12:01:00.000-08:00

I just read an article by Rajini Vaidyanathan, a British political reporter, on the topic of journalism's future ('Students, don't get swept up in cynicism about journalism's future', 1 December 2010, PressGazette.co.uk). This piece really spoke to some of the thoughts I have had lately about the news industry and it left me feeling hopeful about our new mediascape.

With so many voices saying that news media is 'dead' and new grads will never find work, it's easy to feel cynical about a career in journalism, but through my degree in Communications and a diploma in TV Broadcast, I have developed not only great technical and writing abilities that are highly transferrable, but a broad understanding of new media possibilities.

Like many people I know, I can write and edit a video news story, post a blog post with accompanying photographs and images, complete a Prezi or PowerPoint presentation with embedded videos, collectively write and edit a Google Wave document and produce all sorts of other interesting digital 'artefacts'.

There are so many opportunities to create and share media content.

I guess that challenge I am still facing is proving the value of strong storytelling across all these mediums (television, web, mobile devices) in industries outside of journalism and showing prospective employers that my diverse communications skill-set applies in many work environments. What's hard about obtaining a broad, general degree like one in Communications is that there is no clear outcome in terms of a career, but to me, it's the openness - indeed, the possibility - that makes this one an exciting journey.

Charlie Winston!

2010-11-29T11:15:00.000-08:00

After hearing Charlie Winston on CBC Radio 2, Gid tried to take me to Montreal in March to see him perform, but I was "too busy with school work" and said we couldn't go (silly Julie!). Thankfully, his tour brought him to the Whiskey in yyc last night. We don't often get all star-struck but last night, we actually got in line & took photos & got an autograph from this incredible performer after his awesome set.

Charlie Winston: "Who should I make this for?"

Gid:"Make it out to Julie."

CW: "Julie. That's what my mother's called."

Julie: "Is her birthday on Christmas day?" (my birthday)

CW: "No it isn't."

Julie: *shrugs* "Must be a different Julie."

CW: "Yeah, I guess you're not my mother"

(not verbatim, but something alone these lines). Ha!

This was the song that got us hooked on him in the first place - and the one we rocked out to the hardest last night. Enjoy!

Can't wait to see him play again!! Such a thrill.

CJSW & CKUA: Funding Drives!

2010-10-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

I am a huge believer in listener-funded radio. Until the end of the month, two local stations are both fundraising to keep this spirit alive. This is an exceptional time to donate to the CKUA Radio Network and/or CJSW at the University of Calgary. **CJSR (88.5FM) out of the University of Alberta in Edmonton is also running their "FunDrive" from October 27-November 6**.

CKUA broadcasts across Alberta. You truly won't hear these musical stylings on any other station in the province and all the great hosts really do a great job of supporting local artists. I also heard that they will have studio space in the new Cantos National Music Centre in Calgary (to be determined...). CJSW provides extremely diverse content, fun music-loving hosts, and you'll never hear an ad for mattresses or car dealerships on either.

This is my first year supporting both stations and I can't emphasize enough how necessary I think it is to support and help fund independent media. As our national and international mediascapes become increasingly conglomerated and centralized, I believe it is important to ensure spaces for alternative views and local perspectives. Open your minds & your wallets, Calgary. If you're not convinced, turn the dial to 90.9FM (CJSW) or 93.7FM (CKUA) and listen.

M:ST5: Last chance!

2010-10-22T00:41:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, I now sit on the Board for the M:ST (Mountain Standard Time) Performative Arts Festival. It's this marvelous festival that runs in Calgary ever 2 years. I just joined the Board this summer and have already enjoyed some of the planning for M:ST5, attending meetings & taking minutes as the Board Secretary, brainstorming communications ideas, and most recently - driving artists around.

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to pick up Thierry Marceau (Montréal) and Donald Abad (Paris) from a random yard in Varsity and drive them to Nose Hill where they finished documenting their journey "Untitled Project About the West".

Here are a couple of photos from Thierry's camera as the guys struggled with the green screen and ultimately turned it into a flag.

Nose Hill, shortly after 5 deers jumped by in unison, Tuesday October 19, 2010, Calgary.

They will be screening their video & displaying their art at 6pm on Friday, October 22 at Emmedia (#203, 351 - 11 Ave. SW). Hope to see you there!

Hidden Gems Film Festival - October 22, 23 & 24

2010-10-20T11:18:00.001-07:00

Red Alert - The War Within Screens Sunday, October 24 @ 4pm @ the Plaza Theatre.

Only in its second incarnation, Hidden Gems has generated media texts in Fast Forward, the Calgary Herald, and on a CBC Radio Podcast (go to 40:50). The festival runs over two consecutive weekends at the Plaza Theatre in Kensington and though it is already half way through this year's festival, I decided to get in touch with Executive Director and Programmer Ms. Niru Bhatia to find out a bit about her goals for the festival.

Hidden Gems premiered in November 2009 to showcase the best of Indian culture and to address the diversity of Indian film. "With increasing popularity of Bollywood in the West," Ms. Bhatia wrote in an email, "it is good to remind even younger generation of Indians, of the values that this 5,000 year old civilization stands for."

Though the films are presented in diverse Indian languages and Ms. Bhatia anticipates a large attendance from the Indian community, she suggested that "anyone who appreciates the best in cinema" should consider attending (also -- all films have English subtitles). I asked, Why should Calgarians attend the festival? "To broaden their horizons, to see how the other half lives," Ms. Bhatia responded. "What it boils down to is, we all value similar standards & it is never too late, nor any amount of efforts to promote the best."

Ms. Bhatia would like to screen the festival in other Canadian cities in the future. "It is too exhausting and increasingly expensive to screen these movies only once," she wrote. "I would like to export the festival to Edmonton, Vancouver or even Toronto, if anyone has the infrastructure to get the audiences in those cities."

For more information about the festival, film synopses & trailers, ticket prices and the Hidden Gems schedule, visit www.hiddengemsfilmfestival.com.

Vendome Cafe

2010-10-18T00:40:00.000-07:00

Vendome Cafe. One of my favourite spots in Calgary.

Great Americano.

Great pastries. (I guess they serve brunch every day of the week but I've only had the baked goods).

Great staff & hip patrons. Always busy.

And how can you not love a place that has purple roses on all the tables...

#gothere! Photos taken after Calgary Foundation job interview, Thursday Oct. 7 2010.

Growth

2010-10-18T00:31:00.000-07:00

I love seeing plants growing up out of walls or sidewalks.

It gives me hope.

Here are some bright reminders of growth taken in our living room and around Calgary over the past few weeks.

Isn't this the most random, lovely sunflower in the world? Right in the middle of Calgary's downtown- it's huge!

In the window at a restaurant.

Blackfoot Farmers' Market - Calgary

2010-10-18T00:14:00.000-07:00

We went to my friend Sean's place a couple of weeks ago for a Sunday feast including the purple/blue stuffed peppers below...

... and Sean told us all about the great produce he found at the Blackfoot Outdoor Farmers' Market. Blackfoot Market? After five minutes spent arguing about whether he meant the Kingsland Farmers' Market or the Crossroads Market - we realized we had zero idea what he was talking about, Sean finally pulled it up on his computer and showed us that it is not only extremely close to us, the vendors there have great value & great prices. Gid scoped it out that weekend and came home with loads of great peppers and squashes and a yummy pie. Over Thanksgiving weekend, we went together to buy ingredients for our festive harvest meal. It looks like they've shut down for the year, but I wholeheartedly suggest checking it out next spring when they reopen. Here's a photo journey of the day.

Photos from the Blackfoot Market, October 10, 2010.

Apples!

2010-10-18T00:06:00.001-07:00

We have SO many apples in our apple trees...

... look how low to the ground our branches are!!

Our sweet little pumpkin sits on the kitchen table reminding us that it is the season of harvest... (and it will make a wonderful pie!)

A particular chill in the air. Autumn is officially here.

Photos from October 2010 in Calgary AB.

News Media: My Story

2010-10-13T02:44:00.000-07:00

I figured that if I'm going to be posting some of my thoughts about the news coverage I come across, I should provide a bit of context.

I graduated from NAIT in 2008 with a diploma in TV Broadcast. I enjoyed learning the technical skills required to get a job in the field, I loved the teamwork and I learned a lot about newsworthiness, how to speak on camera and how to write a good story or feature.

I started working at CTV Edmonton as a video editor in 2007 while I finished school. Working at CTV taught me a lot about the pressures, challenges and thrills of daily news production: I experienced the rapid deadlines, worked hard and fast, made great friends, enjoyed the daily 5pm rush and had a chance to really hone my technical skills and learn from others. I enjoyed the deep and ordinary conversations, the long hours working late-night and I found myself getting into a rhythm there.

After only eight months of working in professional news, I had already begun to challenge what I was doing - and I couldn't stop thinking about the "bigger picture" - so when I found out that I could complete a degree at the U of C in Communications & Culture in 2 years, I jumped on it. I have since completed numerous media studies and continue to find myself perplexed and amazed by the power of the media (I am including all forms of media here - from traditional models of television, newspapers and radios as well as newer technologies online and even the power of brands, repetition, billboards, advertising, etc).

This power is why I think it is important to study our media and I believe it is even more important for people (the various publics) to understand and question some of the processes that bring them their news. As much as people want a short, factual story so they can absorb the basics and carry on with their lives, I believe the media possess a certain responsibility to provide context to their viewers/audiences and help them navigate the over-information we are now all sifting through. Furthermore, I believe the role of news media is important in society, but that it should reflect the public's best interests, not that of a private enterprise.

The internet provides so many opportunities and I really feel that new models of news-sharing and engagement will develop (are already developing?) to satisfy our longing to find out about our world and our human desire to connect. I will philosophize about all this further in posts-to-come.

Disappointing

2010-10-13T01:37:00.001-07:00

I just watched this story on CTV Calgary by reporter Reg Hampton. The frame is that voter apathy is a problem that has only gotten worse over the past quarter century. This piece is supposed to reflect how Calgary compares to other similarly sized municipalities in terms of voter turn out.

At the 1:15 minute mark in this news piece, there is a board with some data on it - a still shot featuring text of Calgary's voter turn out in the past federal, provincial and municipal elections. The statistics reveal the following and Reg Hampton's voice over states that these are all statistics from the most recent government elections:

Calgary Voter Turnout

Federal (2008) 53%

Provincial (2004) 41%

Municipal (2006) 33%

I am disappointed: not only did Hampton fail to reference where these percentages were found (government document? Wikipedia?) , he also suggested that the most recent Alberta provincial election was in 2004 (it was in 2008) and that the last municipal election in Calgary was in 2006 (it was in 2007).

This is just a fleeting moment in the space of a fleeting 3 minute news piece, but these flaws are important to point out. It is my understanding that many people turn to the news media to find information about their city and about their world. If CTV is endeavoring to engage the masses with an ambitious "Let's Vote" campaign and hopes to inspire eligible voters to "get informed", I suggest they begin by providing factual information. As voters, I think it is important to take our election-education into our own hands (i.e. attend forums, read blogs and articles, listen to interviews) - but we should also press journalists to provide relevant, timely, factual information to aid us as we make our democratic choice.

My city speaks in art, entertainment, music, politics and clothes!

2010-10-12T22:34:00.000-07:00

12 OCTOBER 2010: DAY IN REVIEW

What a day! We rolled out the new menu at O Restaurant. Bob Hawkesworth announced his plans to step out of the mayoral race. Almost twice as many Calgarians have taken advantage of the 2010 advanced polls than at this time in 2007. The new Cantos Music Foundation received news that the provincial government and the feds will each fund $25 million - that's $50 million! - towards the new National Music Centre. And several of the trapped Chilean miners were rescued.

What a day.

ARTS & POLITICS... IN THE CITY

I've been pretty wrapped up lately (in life and online) with #yycvote (i.e. the Calgary 2010 Municipal election). It seems like everywhere I go - from dinner parties to working at the restaurant to the farmers' market and even at R&J's wedding on the weekend - I end up in lengthy and interesting conversations about this election and the future of our city. This is the first election that I have 1) not asked my parents who they think I should vote for 2) donated to a campaign 3) put a sign on the lawn and 4) actually volunteered for a campaign. And for the first time in my life - I actually feel that I have something to contribute to these dialogues.

During the 2007 municipal elections in Alberta, I was employed at CTVEdmonton, but I was never as engaged in the issues & the players as I am right now. So what changed? Maybe my research on the Calgary Peace Bridge. Maybe my involvements with CivicCamp. Maybe the fact that I have personally met many of the candidates. But more than anything, I have been following this election on Twitter since June. Reading the tweets of candidates, journalists, and Calgarians who are closely following the various campaign trails has opened me up to a new way of thinking about politics. I have read significantly more articles than I believe I otherwise would have, I know way more about the candidates, the dramas, what the polls are saying and what people are saying than ever before and I enjoy the consistency and intimacy in the details I am finding out...

But I'll save that post for another day. For now, I'd like to point out some great arts/entertainment-related events that are coming up that I'm really excited for. If you have any questions about any of them or would like to get involved, please don't hesitate to comment, reach me by email or tweet me @julieish. Enjoy!

PERFORMATIVE ARTS
Last Friday, I went to Koi to check out the M:ST Festival launch. It was great to see everyone from the M:ST Board, enjoy the performances, catch up with Dory (what a beautiful, lovely, truly amazing woman! C'est une petite monde, oui?) and see so many great Calgarians all in one place (Sharon! Mark!). Looking forward to checking out some of the M:ST performances and lectures and of course - helping with the Cabaret Fundraiser on the 21st! ($10! $5 for students! Doors at 8:30, Shows at 9pm @ the Legion downtown. 18+ event).

ANIMATION
Also -- the GIRAF Animation Festival is coming up from November 3-7 at the Plaza Theatre. My friends at Quickdraw Animation Studio sent out an email update so I thought I'd share this sweet video:

Festival description from the email: "With 5 days of Animation, including 10 screenings, 2 Visiting Artists, Workshops, Artist Talks, a Panel Discussion, and Gala party, GIRAF offers animation for families and adult animation fans alike... Visit www.giraffest.ca for our full program of films!"

I have never learned to animate so I am always enamored by what these artists can do.

CINEMA

I think that I blinked and completely missed this year's Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF). I was on the volunteer list and kept thinking I would help out with something but just got overwhelmed by applying for career positions, volunteering with M:ST, writing thesis, working, the election - everything, it seems. Still, that's no excuse for not even taking in one movie. I'm ashamed. In any case, I recently heard from a friend from NUTV who made/produced/wrote/directed/even developed the film for his experimental short film Pick that premiered at CIFF. Feel free to check out his website, take a look at the trailer, read through some of the interviews, or watch it when it airs on Shaw in November.

It's exciting to see what Calgary filmmakers are up to - and the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers (CSIF) is such an incredible resource. I should have an update soon from my coworker David who also worked on a wicked short film called "Silver" this summer. Massive gala for it coming soon at the Arrata Opera Centre...

THEATRE

In the theatre: "The Ballad of Ricky & Ronny - A Pop Opera" by Belgium's Needcompany is opening at Theatre Junction GRAND this week. At first, I thought it would be like a more intimate, rock & roll version of Karen Hines' Hello...hello but then I found this video on YouTube and now I'm not sure what I'm in for... but I'm looking forward to seeing it! (: (:

Also, my coworker David's mom Cathy Ostlere (who recently added me on Twitter! Small world) recently adapted her book "Lost - A Memoir" to the stage for Theatre Calgary. It's running from October 17-November 7th. How does it go with theatre? Should I read the book first? Is it like in the movies where the book is always better? Or is it just something new?

MUSIC

This week, Gid & I are checking out Hannah Georgas at Knox United Church after I go to the Calgary Foundation "Catch the Spirit" event at the BMO Centre.

I love her music. Every day, I am thankful for CBC Radio 1 (for the conversations, stories and insights) and CBC Radio 2 (for the music. Where else can you hear the Weakerthans, Serena Ryder, the Hip, Blue Rodeo, Aloe Blacc, Stars, Charlie Winston, Feist, Neil Young, Arcade Fire and Sarah's Loving you is easy -- all in a row??! It's better than any mix I could even make these days! Plus, I keep hearing all these really great, new bands & Gid & I have checked out so much great Canadian talent because of our friend Rich Terfry).

FASHION

Do you remember the clothing swaps I sometimes hosted in our living room at Crocus Road: 10-15 ladies, bags & bags of previously-loved clothes, a couple hours of trying things on while sipping wine and telling each other how good we look. Now imagine this exact concept in the gorgeous Firewater lounge, from 11-5pm, this Saturday October 16th and imagine that it's significantly better organized than just dumping bags onto the carpet and everybody jumping in willy nilly. Oh - and imagine that every YYCFashionista gets invited. If you are having difficulty envisioning this, please join us Saturday the S.W.A.P "Take Off Your Clothes" event. Just bring any retired fashions (shoes, bags, accessories too!) and trade yourself into fall.

CIRCUS

Gid & I still have to find our way to the Cirque du Soleil show Kooza because every time I take the C-train south of downtown, these tents taunt me!! I'm dying to see what's inside...

SCIENCE

In science entertainment, I am looking forward to the Einstein & Darwin exhibition at the TELUS World of Science (it's on until January 2011). I was really touched/moved by the BODY WORLDS display earlier this year & I'm thankful that the Science Centre is really striving to engage all ages. I am also looking forward to the new facility in 2011...

WORDS

Recently, some friends decided to start a book club. Our first book: Little Bee by Chris Cleave. I picked it up from Pages on Kensington last Thursday, started reading it that afternoon in the doctor's office and once I really got into it on Sunday night, I couldn't put it down until I finished it on Monday. What a gorgeous, majestic, heartbreaking raw poetic story. Really makes me anxious to pick up the zillions of other books on my shelf right now (among them: Hemmingway's The Sun Also Rises, Ondaatje's In the Skin of a Lion, Love in the time of Cholera, ). Also, it's Wordfest this week, which has by far some of the best advertising I've seen for a festival in this city. There are so many great events as part of this. Please try to see just one.

DANCE

I can't leave out our friends at Springboard who are hosting the 2010 Fluid Festival from October 15-24 and collaborating with M:ST. Always raw, always challenging and edge-pushing, Fluid Festival brings in some

FIN (FOR NOW)

I know this was a long update but I'm feeling caught up now and I think this blog is really starting to take a shape, now that I know what I want to do with it. I want to use http://julieish.blogspot.com to critically engage with media topics, update Calgarians on great arts and culture events, and continue to post my pictures and thoughts.

On wanting a career with meaning

2010-10-02T00:35:00.000-07:00

I should really be posting a lot more frequently these days - it's such an exciting time of year and an exciting time of my life. I'm 25 years old. I'm graduating from university. I've had a chance to explore numerous communications-related topics in great depth over the past several years. I've interviewed countless professionals for campus media. I've participated in many community festivals and events. I continue to meet great, inspired people on a daily basis and I am happy most days to wake up and figure out what I have to do to make the day rock.

Tonight, I had the big realization that I have been too busy in my life so far. I have chewed off way more than I could bite on numerous occasions and I have missed a lot of great opportunities to experience commitment and growth because of this constant, unchallenged busy-ness. I have struggled, at times, to find meaning in the things I have done because, quite honestly, there have been many circumstances where I can truly say that I haven't 'given it my all' - I've just done what I had to do to get by. **I'm not going to say which of my life experiences I have felt this way about, but all I know is that I can isolate the moments where I definitely did not feel this way. I am learning that live for that elusive sense of depth and completeness: I know what it feels like to intrinsically 'know' when a project is done - that I've done my best with it and that it matters. Now I just need to gain the confidence to expect this from myself at all times - for everything I touch.**

This recognition, I believe, will be pivotal for my future growth. I now realize that the reason I have always applied myself to so many varied projects simultaneously (school, student council, campus press, video-production, events-work, volunteering) was not for the scholarships or resume references, but so that I could experience as much as I could - find out what I like and don't like - in an effort to figure out what my strengths were and if any of them would catch my interest enough to turn into a lifelong passion. I tried fashion, photography, working on film sets and in mainstream news, art galleries and film festivals, poetry, acting, events, urban studies & advocacy, new/social media, politics, public spaces, tourism and more - but nothing captivated me enough to stay. After all those diverse explorations, all I realized was how much more I wanted to learn about the world and my place in it; the confusion never lifted.

Finally, I feel a sense of purpose through this whole path-so-far. I am thankful for all of the incredible people I have met and the many opportunities I've had in so many creative, communicative fields. I realize my passion for people, for conversations, for helping to facilitate learning and for opening peoples eyes to new ways of thinking. I believe significantly in the power of "connection" - of face-to-face encounters, idea-sharing online, and promoting and organizing conceptual spaces where we can ask critical questions and understand our world better. I am not motivated purely by money nor do I consider myself to be very materialistic. I also don't really understand what the wider public wants in terms of entertainment or consumer goods (this is why I believe I would never survive in advertising or marketing). I do, however, value a sense of "greater purpose" in what I do. I feel confident that I can find a career that enables me to connect with a wide range of people on complex and interesting topics while working towards something bigger than myself - I just don't know what that means yet (working for the government? the city? the science centre? a foundation? a post-secondary institute? documentary filmmaking?).

In a way it's hard because the field I chose to study does not lead to a set career such as psychiatry or medicine or engineering or law. I understand communications and furthermore - I understand how much I don't know about communications: how many fields are out there (interpersonal, organizational, intrapersonal, online, semiotics, symbols, shapes, visual, oral), how many different approaches to studying it, how many theories we all have about it - nothing seems concrete! In a way, though, it's exciting because it means that I get to apply myself how I see fit and I don't feel forced into a certain direction or career path based on what I studied. I hope I find myself in a suitable professional environment soon. Nothing against waitressing (I've been meeting the most fabulous people at the restaurant! Receiving great book suggestions, learning about different careers and finding out about events & organizations in our city, etc. Plus, restaurants represent a fabulous "conceptual space" to share ideas and it's been a great forum to consider "performance" as well as Goffman's theory of "Dramaturgy")-- I am just excited to start building towards something.

Tonight, I wrote extensively about what motivates me, where I see myself going and I want my life to look like as early as next year. In my mind's eye, I created an idyllic picture - stable, routine employment in an organized, supportive environment - the opportunity to be creative and think critically at my job and sufficient opportunities to do good in the community and learn from smart people who punctually complete high quality work. I want Sundays off to explore the city with my love - evenings to play cards with friends and cook fresh meals - time to myself to work on my writing, play music and make art. I want to strengthen my body and open my mind and heart. I don't want to overdo it, but I'm craving a chance to volunteer for initiatives I care about while achieving an all-around sense of balance great enough that I can comfortably care for others. I visualize a year of pragmatic steps towards something meaningful - not just the splattering of skills and knowledges I have grown used to. I want what I do to mean something, to make sense. I want to build something and find the right people to grow with who will encourage me while challenging my beliefs and strengths.

Nothing is ever wasted, but now that I have a formula for my belief-system that I can check in with whenever I have to make a choice, I believe that I will be able to make decisions with a greater sense of what I stand for and what I want my life to stand for. It might be a bit of a hard transition, but more so, this is a very exciting time.

Banff Art, 2010

2010-09-17T02:30:00.000-07:00

Some photos from our trip to the mountains earlier this summer. I love it there.

Don't listen to the critics

2010-09-17T02:17:00.000-07:00

Marda Loop, September 2010.

Smile! Think of all you have!

2010-09-17T02:16:00.000-07:00

Marda Loop, September 2010.

It's not yours to hold onto

2010-09-17T02:14:00.000-07:00

Marda Loop, September 2010.

Of all that is yours, how much really is?

2010-09-17T02:13:00.000-07:00

Marda Loop, September 2010.

Whatever you can dream, you can be it

2010-09-17T02:12:00.001-07:00

Marda Loop, September 2010.

Good reminder

2010-09-17T02:10:00.000-07:00

Quote on the bulletin board at Bell's Bookstore & Cafe, 1515 34 Ave SW Calgary. (Oh - and the coffee is quite good there too).

CivicCampConnect!

2010-09-16T01:21:00.000-07:00

Calling all Calgarians! Join your fellow engaged citizens at a fun, non-agenda event on September 25th at BikeBike on 17th Avenue. Find out more about CivicCamp - but most importantly, get offline & enjoy some quality face-time, make new contacts, re-connect with the familiar, enjoy some great conversations and keep the spirit in out great city going.

(poster by Jessa Kay)

If you would like to attend, please find us on Facebook or contact me (RSVP encouraged but not required). We are still looking for a food sponsor for the event - or some people to help make food prior to the event - so feel free to contact me for more info or if you want to help!

Would you like to donate your space, warehouse, studio, office building, theatre, foyer, board room, gallery, restaurant, or do you know a great location for a future edition of CivicCampConnect? We are always looking for innovative urban spaces to share ideas and get together face-to-face. Please comment below if you would like to help us collaborate for our next CCC event!

It's almost time for...

2010-09-15T23:54:00.000-07:00

... Living statues at Chinook Mall! If you would like to be one - or if you would like to read my communications theory paper on living statues/malls and postmodernism - comment below or contact me.

Julie as "Snow Queen", holiday season 2009.

We can make the world more beautiful

2010-09-10T20:02:00.001-07:00

Earlier this year, I put up some posters on lamp poles so that Gid would see them on the way to work. We had just watched Jim Carrey in the 2003 classic Bruce Almighty where he repeatedly spells out the "B-E-A-UTIFUL" - so I made this poster and stuck it at the intersection by Gid's old house.

When we were driving by one night after an awesome David Myles concert in Bragg Creek, Iain's hawk-like eyes observed that someone had added something to the poster. It was stapled on there and everything.

Someone went out there with a purposeful intention of contributing to my positive message. A few days later, the poster was gone, but it served to remind me that I am not the only one who wants to make the world a more beautiful place. The poster was up for about 2 or 3 weeks before it's mysterious disappearance - but it was long enough for countless Calgarians to be reminded that someone cared about the quality of their day.

Never forget the power of one small gesture. We can all do little things to make other peoples' lives happier. If everyone lived their lives life this - I have no doubt that we could collectively make the world a whole lot nicer. To the anonymous artist - thank you for reminding me that I am not the only one...

How does YOUR city speak?

2010-09-02T01:07:00.001-07:00

I am interested in collecting some stories & points of view. When you think of the following sentences, what comes to mind?:

My city speaks by...

If I listen really closely, I can hear my city say...

If my city had a slogan, it would be...

If I want to know what my city has to say, I look...

Inspiration Update: Arts & Politica

2010-09-01T23:18:00.000-07:00

I don't really know where to start today other 1) the past few weeks have been completely amazing for inspiration, connections & new discoveries and 2) because of that, I should definitely be posting more often!

To start with, I've been dreaming & scheming with Gid's friend (well, now my friend too I guess) Thom about a fundraiser he wants to rock next year. Music, art, people, sponsors, media, a fantastically good cause - and all the pieces seem to be falling together. Once we get a few more key-pieces in place, I will start blogging this journey, but for now, all I can say is - Wow.

Another big excitement has been working with Claudina and the Board of the Mountain Standard Time (M:ST) Performative Arts F estival (Oct.8-22). I am learning so much about the arts in Calgary, running a festival, grants and design as well as expressing my communications values, working with incredible people and finding out about many artistic opportunities. For instance: Tomas from Emmedia informed me that there are many local arts writers that are looking to foster a writing community here!

WordFest is coming up in October too (October 12-17. I love their ads with the tattoos! Pick up a festival guide if you come across one) and so is Fluid Festival (October 15-24). Anyone who says Calgary is culturally dead obviously doesn't know where to look for inspiration!

Other up & coming Calgary arts & culture events & festival:

The Calgary International Film Festival (September 24 - October 3)
Alberta Fashion Week (September 26-October 2) at Eau Claire Market this time!)
S.W.A.P. is happening again - this time at the new joint downtown Firewater (222 7th Street SW) on Saturday Oct.16th all day
FUSE young culture festival is happening this weekend (September 4th) from 1-6pm at Shaw Millennium Park)
Artcity Festival (September 12-19) in Calgary is cool too

There is so much to look into and get involved with. If you are a Calgary arts supporter or looking for a way to contribute to the vibrant arts community in Calgary, many of these initiatives LOVE volunteers and would love to hear from you. If you're interested but don't know where to start - not sure how to get involved or who to talk to - just comment below and I will do my best to get you in touch with the right person. (Volunteer Calgary is a great resource too!)

On a sort of related side-note, if you're interested in watching some very entertaining videos/vlogs from a local gal who's partnering with Volunteer Calgary to deliver volunteer ideas via web video - please drop in on Sarah at http://www.ispeakcanadian.com/. I watched her Duct Tape Dummy video the other night and laughed through the whole thing.

Also - if you're not following my tweets, here is a very touching mini-film my friend Stacey forwarded that is making me want to make Happy Little Films a reality: http://bit.ly/yoursecret.

A bunch of my videos are up on youtube for Hoven Farms. Tim & I collaborated to refine his key messages and came up with a series of informative and promotional videos for his organic beef products. We're discussing another initiative at the Kingsland Farmers' Market later this week - more details to come.

Another point of inspiration has been my involvement in a civic campaign for the upcoming municipal election. Again - learning to work as part of a team and actually having a chance to do things! Canvassing, co-coordinating volunteers, reviewing communications materials, attending meetings, consulting for social media uses & brainstorming. Meeting lots of engaged Calgarians (door-to-door in Ward 4 and on the committee) & loving the opportunity to contribute ideas to a real, happening campaign.

There are many great campaigns to get involved in but if you'd rather just campaign for voting/democracy in general or support something issues-based rather than a specific candidate, look into Calgary Democracy & their video project, Artsvote Calgary or CivicCamp to find something that speaks to you.

As well, I've been in touch with some CivicCampers about an upcoming non-agenda social. Our brainstorm meeting last Saturday at Art Central was a complete success and we're looking forward to getting together with everyone on September 25th from around 5:30-8pm at Bike Bike on 17th Avenue. More info to come.

So in general, I am overwhelmed by a feeling of "emerging". Great artistic conversations, deep thoughts about communications/city/tourism/public spaces/architecture theories (Foucault, Habermas, Said, Florida (and his critics), Lynch, Kowinski, Nick Couldry, Livingstone...). All the greats - and some more recent media thinkers - are finding their ways into my paper about the Peace Bridge and I hope to connect with Pecha Kucha, Alberta Views - maybe CPRS or CivicCamp or even the city of Calgary to talk about what I'm finding after I defend.

I'm filled with ideas about the true nature of social media (who uses it, what it is used for, everyone is talking but is there really connection/2-way exchange?) and working out some of my personal approaches communications. I am excited by all of these recent possibilities and had a very promising full-time-career-interview this afternoon that could turn out to be a very good thing. I will hear back Monday.

So that's the whole range-of-news. Here are three photos for good measure: some graffiti on the 13th Ave S Park from this afternoon, a plant sign in the community garden they have there and - of course - some beautiful raindrop covered flowers from the walk home. Thanks to Gid for meeting me in the park and bringing flats so I didn't have to do the rest of treck in heels!! (PS: here's a link to some of the photos I've been putting up on Twitter: http://twitpic.com/photos/julieish).

Until next time,
~Julie

Photos from the walk home, September 1, 2010.

Kingsland Farmers' Market - Calgary

2010-08-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

Rarely do I get home from getting groceries and feel inspired to take pictures of the food, but there's something about bringing home a bag full of fresh, local goods from an outdoor urban market that really gets the creative juices flowing.

After warm summery Saturday afternoon, sun shining over the tents at the outdoor Kingsland Farmers' Market (7711 Macleod Trail S), I snapped these photos in our kitchen as Gid told me (in detail!) about all the great recipes he can't wait to try.

Beets, leeks, yellow tomatos, sweet peppers, amazing baby cucumbers, alfajores (mmm...) - and I've already eaten about a dozen fresh BC blackberries. The sweet onion was picked yesterday (!!!). Hoven Farms top sirloin steaks on the grill tonight. In case your eyes are hungry, here's something to feast them on.

Kingsland Farmers' Market: Fresh, local food all summer long.

Random Acts of Knitting! Kensington Talks

2010-07-27T00:18:00.000-07:00

I was very excited to see this "guerrilla knitting" in Kensington today (term snagged from the pleasant fellow who was sitting on the bench below *updated March 31 2011 - I have been enlightened to the term "Yarn Bomb" (check out Facebook group for International Yarn Bombing Day June 11 2011) and this amazing project in New York where NY artist Olek knit a sweater around the Wall Street Bull sculpture).

The benches in front of the Roasterie were also dressed in cozy "legwarmers" and I'm sure there are other random pieces of street furniture wearing sweaters. Let me know if you spot any.

Guerrilla knitting!

Friendly stranger at bus stop sitting on a knit bench.

The knitting looked quite fresh & new. I hope many people get to enjoy it before it gets worn out by the rain (which we seem to be getting our share of!). It would have been so interesting to see the elusive knitters constructing these. I'm a fanatic for the artist "process" (see below) more than just the art itself. I like to see it happening.

Here is a mural artist I saw in Kensington today( right between the violinist and bongo-playing buskers). I like any area where this kind of artistry is encouraged/permitted.

More Kensington street art. I did my fourth grade animal "research" project on tigers and they have been my favourite animal ever since. Edmonton's zoo had an amazing tiger when I was young and I remember taking almost an entire roll of it on my very first film camera (most likely from very far away, blurry, behind wire or dirty glass, etc). Man, I loved those pictures. I used to have them all over my room. When I find them, I'll post some. (Knowing me, they are carefully tucked away in one of the remaining boxes I'm still storing in my parents' basement, so you might want to give me a year or 2 to follow through with this one). :) :)

Not far from the knit-bench, this tree was decorated with all these great, positive messages. It might have been left there from Sunday's "Sun & Salsa" festival but I like to think that these random-acts-of-beauty can exist without the stimulus of a massive, 100,000 person event.

One of the messages on the positivi-tree

This afternoon, I enjoyed a great conversation with my dad's colleague & friend G. and was thrilled to run into a friend who I haven't seen in over 10 years (!!!). I'm excited to be helping both G. and K.H. with upcoming communications projects & strategies (more details on these are more details develop). As always, it was great to chat with John at New Age Crystals & Books. He's always got the most creative people visiting when I stop in to see him. Last summer, John not only allowed us to film a scene from my short film in his store, but even acted in it!! I will be forever grateful, so I always like to make a point of stopping by when I'm in that neck of the woods. Plus, it's nice to occasionally have my "chakras" cleared. Saw a saxophonist-busker on my bike ride home on 4th Street in Mission. I love the way buskers can totally affect the "feel" of an area.

On my ride home (made it home riiight before the massive thunder storm!), I came up with an idea to interview street performers/buskers this summer using my voice-recorder and post the 2-3 minute audio-interviews on my blog. Like a mini-podcast. Ask about 4 or 5 questions, record a bit of music, try to capture what's going on around me using sound & try to get a sense of why these people do what they do. I've never really done that before, so I guess you'll see in coming weeks if I follow through with it. I just know that audio can be so powerful and really transport people to a moment the way photographs and words just can't. Plus, I'm primarily an audio-learner so it might be fun to experiment with a new medium, especially now that my blog is so much about the "stories" and "conversations" in/of our/the city.

Looks like Gid & I totally missed all the happenings in Calgary over the weekend (Sun & Salsa, Calgary Folk Fest, Fiestaval!!), but the city sure feels "alive" and no matter what we do, we have fun.

Right now, I'm looking forward to:
-finishing my thesis this week (!!!)
-hearing back from the CPL job!
-listening to a bunch of new music (Yo La Tengo and catching up with Joni Mitchell & Neil Young so I can feel like a decent Canadian. Might pick up the new Sarah Harmer album)
-watching movies: A League of Their Own (Madonna! Thanks to Gid for getting me into baseball movies. Susan Sarandon in Bull Durham, "Oh my!"), the Burning Plain (thanks Catherine), the Brother's Bloom (thanks Maeve)
-meeting (all of) Gid's aunts this weekend
-exploring the new "craft-box" with Lois
-posting tiny-little-thinky messages all around Calgary (eyes open!)
-and of course, all the random communications projects I've got on the go right now. Never dull. It's never dull here.

Sunday's flower. Taken on a walk with the Gidster.

Farmers Markets, (new) Friends and a Festival

2010-07-24T11:35:00.001-07:00

It's been such a compelling week, I don't know where to start! On Tuesday, I officially joined the Board of Directors for the Mountain Standard Time Performative Arts Festival (M:ST). I've been crazy about this biennial festival (it happens every 2 years) since I interviewed M:ST artist Stephan Schulz in 2008. I'll be helping with communications for the festival and I'm also the new board secretary. (Note: I like to think I was voted onto the board because of my passion for the arts in Calgary & my qualifications, but it might have had something to do with the martini-shaped sugar cookies I distributed before my speech... *smile*). This year's festival (M:ST5) is running from October 8-22 and so far, I've been working out our communications plan, thinking about the best ways to use social media & dreaming up video concepts.

After my interview at the CPL on Thursday, I met up with Claudina & Asya at the M:ST office in the Old Y Centre downtown. Located on 12th Avenue next to the Central Memorial Park, the old YWCA is a fantastic building with a rich cultural history. Click here for its story. After the M:ST brainstorm, I got into a great conversation with Sonia, the Administrative Services Manager at the Old Y Centre. We talked about the history of the building, how many successful non-profits in Calgary got their start there and how they plan to celebrate its Centennial. I'm looking forward to meeting with Sonia & Sinela (she does Public Relations for the Old Y) next week & discussing how they can use video to explore the site's history.

On my way out of the Old Y, I ran into Civic Camper Natalia & her partner Mike who were there picking up Calgary Folk Fest tickets with Calgary Dollars from the Arusha Centre (main floor of the Old Y). Mike used to be roommates with my old classmate Curtis & Natalia has great ideas and her hand thoroughly on the pulse of our city. I also enjoyed meeting Melissa, part of Arusha's Calgary Dollars project, at the bike racks. We had a great time discussing Calgary's political climate & the upcoming civic election (Oct. 18), the Calgary Peace Bridge (my thesis topic), and living "urban" (vs. suburban) in Calgary. These are the conversations I love. These are the conversations of our city.

Unfortunately, I missed McQ Design's SMB#8 (Social Media Breakfast) on Friday morning (next one is on Friday August 20, 8:30am at Jayman Homes Theatre). SMB is a great event for learning about social media uses from Calgary pros and most importantly - it's great for networking. I did head over to the Calgary Farmers Market to film some promo spots for Hoven Farms. On my way back, I opted for a "petite pause" at Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters in Marda Loop - and really got thinking about what makes a brand great. I enjoyed a coffee - with no cream or sugar! - and soaked up the ambiance, watched the staff interact, eavesdropped on other people (it was research!) and ended up in a wonderful conversation with Diane, who told me where to find the best corn bread in Calgary (Kaffa Coffee & Salsa House!) and went into detail about why she loves living in Kensington. I picked up the gear from Tim at the new Kingsland Farmers' Market and headed home for an amazing meal, amazing company, amazing evening.

Things are definitely picking up!! Thanks to Diane for having coffee with me on a whim in Marda Loop, to Tim Hoven for giving me a chance to discover all of these exciting pieces of my skill set that make me so happy. Thanks to Melissa for convincing me that there are people who are interested in my thesis topic and thank you to Claudina for helping me workshop my first idea as an artist. To Da & Br for the great card-night, laughs & conversations (wine! garlic bread! beer with clove overtones! Bernard Callabaut, mmm...). To Gid for the preparing such a killer meal (bison! leeks! salsa!) , for figuring out how to capture all the fruit flies! (trick is to put out a glass of 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar & 2 teaspoons dish soap - thanks google!), for listening - in detail - at 3 in the morning while I waxed on and on about my new art project and in general for being such a great man. To Maeve & Alena who are the best *idea* pen-pals I could hope for. To Stef for the best Jones Soda date ever, to Judy for the article suggestions, to Ariana for reading all my posts & thinking they're important, to Dad for connecting me, to Steve for sending me this Michael Bernanrd Fitzgerald song, and to Mom for taking time to talk (& listen!!) at every point of this process. This all means so much.

Pink gophers at Olympic Plaza! Photo taken after my CPL interview on Thursday.

Surprisingly, I couldn't find very many good photos of the Central Memorial Park online (at least not easily on Google Images). There's this website about historic sites in Calgary's Victoria area, which includes both the Central Memorial and the Old YWCA, but the photos are small & difficult to see. I took a few on my phone on my way home last week but I'll have to go back to capture the "essence" of it.

On the sidewalk going into the Central Memorial Park.

Fountain at Central Memorial Park.

Huge tree by the Calgary Farmers' Market.

Parking blockade at the Kingsland Farmers' Market.

Kingsland Farmers' Market sign, MacLeod Trail & 77th Ave S.

An awesome coffee at Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters in Marda Loop. I almost didn't have to drink it, it was so good.

Someone's cute floral sculpture on their lawn in Marda Loop near Globefish Sushi. I love the clothesline in the background.

A check mark on the street corner in Marda Loop. Everything's on track!

Berry Lemonade Jones Soda at Weeds with Stef on Wednesday. Such a fun, interactive bottle!! One of the steps was "Take a photo with your Jones Soda bottle and text it to a friend". Great marketing!

Blue star on the ground outside of the Alexander Calhoun library. (Did you know: Alexander Calhoun was Calgary's first librarian?)

Next time, I'll go into more detail about why I think Phil & Sebastian does well, review Inception and provide some of my thoughts on Mark Jay Mirsky's review of Thomas de Zengotita's book Mediated.

Downtown

2010-07-18T22:43:00.000-07:00

Some photos from a recent downtown walk in Calgary, AB.

While it was great finally having a few days of sun last week- sunshine alone doesn't make perfect rainbows...

Calgary Stampede!

2010-07-18T22:23:00.001-07:00

Ten days a year, Calgary turns into a complete Cowtown - the precise stereotype we spend the rest of the year denying. It's hard not to notice the Calgary Stampede: everywhere you look, advertising shifts to include the - very profitable (or at least very popular) - "Yahoo!". Staff at every restaurant and night club and even oil executives dress the part. On all accounts, Stampede is a fascinating cultural performance complete with costume, every kind of spectacle (Ice Skating! Gun Shows! Superdogs! Rodeo! Whips!) and even the basics of a traditional community festival. (For a very interesting look at the power dynamics of the Stampede, try to get your hands on "Barren bulls and charging cows: Cowboy celebrations in Copal and Calgary" by Herman Konrad, 1990). In any case, it is a fun time of year to get out, dress up, shake some hands, dance, laugh & cheer and eat waaaaaayyyyyy too much deep fried food. Even though Stampede surrounded just about my every-waking-moment for its entire ten days, here's a look at my one day of actual Stampede festivities (I'll argue that you haven't really experienced Stampede until you go to the grounds).

Julie's Stampede Friday
After C-training over to Kensington in the morning to catch up with a professor from last term and decide the fate for one of my papers (on the topic of how to the Globe & Mail constructed "Newness" regarding the construction of "television" in the 1920s and "Internet" in the 1990s), I picked up my free t-shirt from the House Coffee Sanctuary (follow them on Twitter for your chance at free swag!) and sauntered over the 10th street bridge to meet Sarah & Carm at the Hyatt. Raspberry iced tea & a breakfast sandwich at deVille at Art Central, then to the MFRC Liquid Courage event at the 7th Ave Legion (where I will get sworn in next month! J-Philli the Legionairre!).

After enjoying a fun afternoon with toute la famille (Mom & Dad, Deb, Aunt Deb & her friends, the Bacons, Margie, Auntie Marg & Auntie Lee), I walked over to the Stamp grounds and met some of the lovely performers from the "Guns of the Golden West Association". Upon connecting with Gid, (my old Roomie) G & SMJ, I promptly devoured:
-one deep fried oreo
-a saltwater toffee
-two deep fried pickles
-half of a jumbo lemonade
-some mini doughnuts
-and pulled pork sandwich from Big T's on the grounds (the only thing better than Big T's on the grounds? Big T's across from McMahon Stadium!)

Gid & I then found our way down the midway & into our seats in the silvers for the 'Chucks & the Grandstand Show. Fireworks, acrobatics, dancing, cheering. It doesn't get much better. What a night.

Thanks for the fun year, Calgary!! I won't miss the hooligans in our alleyway, but I will miss the nightly fireworks & everyone at Safeway (& everywhere else!) wearing cowboy clothes.

My Stampede Friday in pictures...
An example of the Stampede-inspired advertising.

Picture out the C-train window on my way to Kensington. Tried to get a photo of some people posing as cowgirls & cowboys but ended up with this pic of regular people on 7th Avenue. Good reminder that life still goes on, even during Stampede (though I heard that something insane like only 30% of Calgarians who work downtown actually work on Fridays during Stampede. I could have made that up...).

Someone parked this truck in Kensington. Seriously - Stampede Fever!! Not bad for a nearly 100 year old festival, hey? (Technically, the "Frontier Days and Cowboy Championship Contest" started in 1912 (later became the Calgary Stampede) and the Stampede united with the Calgary Exhibition to become the "Calgary Exhibition & Stampede" in 1923, but I'm pretty sure the Calgary Stampede will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2012. Click for the Calgary Stampede Chronology).

Stencil art on the 10th St. bridge.

deVille Luxury Coffee & Pastries ! Art Central - one of Calgary's best gems.

At the legion downtown for the Liquid Courage event. An interesting way to celebrate Stampede Friday - honouring the troops. Nice to feel introspective and rock out to bag pipes. Plus there was a cool silent auction and I got to meet Missy!

Smile time! Not very good graffiti, but hard not to smile.

Two performers from the Guns of the Golden West Association. They do parties!

Sign on the Stamp grounds.

Photo of the grounds after the Grandstand show wrapped.

For an interesting exploration of the Art of the Calgary Stampede, don't forget to check Dr. Brian Rusted's great exhibition at the Nickle Arts Museum at the U of C. On until August 6th.

Dinner in the Garden: Conversations in the City

2010-07-18T22:01:00.001-07:00

Nothing prompts an evening of magnificent conversation quite like great food and a heavenly atmosphere. Last Thursday, Gid & I enjoyed a marvelous evening of laughter, great company, and stimulating conversation on the patio of SS's parents' gorgeous English-style garden in the NW. I went crazy with the camera-phone after the decadent meal (pics below). I just love when people create things of great beauty that we can all enjoy.

Reminds me of this emerson quote:

"To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one's self;to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived -this is to have succeeded."

A sincere thank you to SS for planning such a fabulous feast (including perfectly paired wine, ice wine & port!) and SS's parents for planting such a beautiful garden!

A wild patch of daisies to set the tone.

This is the meal that prompted a night of recalling childhood memories, gen pop debates & deep talks about leaderships styles, higher education and global (and regional!) travel. Plus, I learned what steaks taste like when cooked on a charcoal grill *drool*. Delicious summer potato salad, grilled peppers, strawberry spinach salad, a light coleslaw (with arugula!) and a glass of Chilean Santa Rita Merlot.

Not sure what this flower is called but I'm pretty sure it dances when nobody's looking.

I love her regal expression.

British countryside with a western touch. Throughout the garden, touches of Alberta shine through, like this big piece of driftwood, animal skulls, and rusty farm implements.

A row of flowers lines the path.

For some reason, this photo and the others I took around this time turned out blurry. It could have been a camera-setting that I set without realizing it, but I like to think it was a precise moment of twilight that is difficult to capture on any sort of film.

Stanley Park

2010-07-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

As the City of Calgary celebrates "Parks 100", I thought post some of my favourite photos of Calgary's lovely (version of) Stanley Park.

Some great advertising!

Some nice stencil art along the walk.

A lovely little park on the Elbow Drive side of the Stanley Park "Loop"

**Added on a very cold September 14th 2010: How quickly summer passes...

I love Inglewood: how neighbourhoods "speak"

2010-07-18T21:58:00.000-07:00

As a North American poster-child of suburban sprawl, Calgary is known for its large geographical area and long commutes, but one of the most interesting things about Calgary is how it is already divided into very distinct neighbourhoods. When I first moved here from Edmonton, one of the greatest differences I noted was that in if you ask an Edmontonian where they will live, they will give you a landmark ("near Londonderry Mall") then give you an approximate street address. Calgarians just state their neighbourhood (i.e.: "Silver Springs", "Mount Royal", "Forest Heights"). In my mind, this predisposition creates a great opportunity to develop what Gian Carlo-Carra and the Civic Campers call "Vibrant Urban Villages". Areas like Kensington, Inglewood, Marda Loop and Mission already possess their own unique vibe & personality. I believe that all Calgarians can enjoy this kind of vibrancy in their communities, but creating spaces where people can eat, shop, sit, get coffee, enjoy art, live and do business requires more than just clever municipal zoning. People have to start conversations about what they want out of where they live.

Today I'll explain what I love about Inglewood.

Calgary's Inglewood is truly a neigbourhood with character. It is one of the only areas in town where you can find art on the sides of the buildings and where people take extra care & thought preparing signs (examples below). Plus, my new favourite store Espy is there and so is the best dessert in Calgary. Just south, Ramsay is home to Caffe Rosso, Valta Bison and a really cool upside-down church. Inglewood is also home to Calgary's finest restaurant, Rouge. I was really excited to discover DaDe Art & Design Lab - a great art gallery and swank furniture store that I'm sure hosts stellar parties. Reminded me of a western version of something you'd find in Montréal (the current exhibition includes life-sized driftwood horses). Definitely worth checking out.

Bicycle drawing outside of a music store on 9th Ave.

Sign in the Ninth Avenue Auto parking lot.

Sign inside the new Ironwood (1229 - 9th Avenue S.E). Go into the new venue & say hi! Open mic Wednesday nights, Science Café on the 4th Tuesday of the month and free blues on Saturday afternoons! I saw a poster there seeking accommodations for Fringe performers in August. If you or anyone you know wants to Host an Artist, click here!

Sign in a window (can't remember what store!). What does "happy" look like to you?

Nectar chai latte & fresh blackberry tart *drool*

Sarah posing by some flowers next to a building. No matter what she does, Sarah looks like she's dancing.

...and one photo of a street-flower for good measure. *smile*

As a student at the U of C, I lived in Brentwood and really enjoyed the close proximity to public transit and how easy it was to walk and cycle to amenities. I always saw people out enjoying our community and it was nice to live near both Nosehill Park and Confederation Park. Now I live mores centrally and close to the Elbow River and a C-train station. To me, it is really important to live near beautiful places, to know my neighbours and to have the option not to drive. There have been many urban experiments in Calgary in recent years (i.e.: Garrison Woods, McKenzie Town) and Brentwood is slated for redevelopment. I believe all citizens deserve access to beautiful public spaces, public transit and that in a city the size of ours (the same land-area as NYC and approximately 1/8th the population!), we should have livable options outside of our motor vehicles.

I just wonder the difference between the steady, natural growth of an area and the swift construction of an urban developer's 'dream' in terms of neighbourhood appeal and sustainability.

I am interested to see how our downtown develops over the next 10 years as Cantos revamps the old King Eddie hotel, a new walking bridge connects pedestrians on both sides of the river to St. Patrick's Island and the possibility of an Alberta-wide high speed train sets up a station in (Calgary's) East Village.

Horsedog in the Gauntlet

2010-07-18T21:55:00.001-07:00

As many of you know, I sometimes draw a little comic strip I like to call "horsedog" (I think if it was up to horsedog, however, it would be called "big beautiful stallion" but that's not the point...). I haven't yet decided what I want to do with horsedog yet as a brand or as a multinational corporation or whatever. For now, he just hangs out in my imagination (and probably in Vegas too, that lucky sob) - but I'm really thinking about starting a website for him with a 'comic a day' (or however often inspiration strikes me) or a t-shirt line or something.

At this point, there are only a few hd shirts floating around (many of them at the Gauntlet office) as well as a mini-book I made my friend Erin who helped spawn horsedog as a life-long-obsession for me in around 2005. (To this day, whenever I visualize my gravestone, all I see is just a little etching of horsedog above my birth and death dates with a tiny quote: "she lived a good life").

This article is still one of my favourite things. Thank you Ryan Pike for the satire and for making me feel like a million bucks (and a bit of a recluse).

Horsedog in the Gauntlet, 2009.

If you have any ideas on where horsedog should live online, please comment below. horsedog already has a posse but now he needs a home!

3 events, 4 great mentors, and a movie list

2010-06-28T01:30:00.000-07:00

Emerging
It's been a quiet couple of months, a contrast from my usual breakneck speed and mastery of the art of "stretching oneself too thin". After completing the last semester of classes for my degree at the end of April, I have used the past two months to finish my honours thesis on the media framing of the Calgary Peace Bridge (I will convocate with a BA Honours in November), set new goals and get everything transferred, settled and wired in the new place. No volunteering, very few special events and limited social engagements. I have embraced the time and freedom to refresh, unwind and figure out my priorities, but I am finally ready to get out there and embark on the next steps - fully and with gusto.

To start with, I have attended three key events in recent weeks that have helped pull me out of my post-degree hibernation.

#1: They said, "Join a professional organization". So I did.
First was the CPRS (Canada Public Relations Society) AGM at Vue Cafe - a great little venue on 11th Ave SW. Great food (yum, the flatbread!), great art on all the walls and most importantly - an environment conducive to great conversations. It was here that I received blog-changing advice from John Francis. I found out recently that I qualified for the inaugural CPRS Mentorship program, which connects new graduates with PR professionals to help ease the transition between post-secondary and the working world. I'm really looking forward to a year of conversations with my bright & inspiring mentor, as well as helping to shape the program with the other "mentees".

#2: Social Media (f0r) Breakfast
Last week, I attended SMBYYC#7 - a free networking event at the sparkly Jayman Homes Theatre hosted by McQ Design Strategies that features local speakers on various topics relating to social media (examples of social media are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs, among others. SMB stands for Social Media Breakfast and YYC is Twitter-speak for Calgary). The presenters - Christian MacLean of as.so.ci.a.tion, Tish Bell of BixBOXTV.com and Jet Set Citizen John Bardos - all showcased different uses of social media to boost business, create connections, cultivate relationships and forge growth and new opportunities. Christian opened my eyes to the challenges and rewards of creating and promoting a new app (see cardinal), Tish discussed the value of using quality video production to tell the stories of your business/organization/cause, and John's creative presentation on the internet's incredible ability to connect like minds across the globe spoke not only to my sense of wonder (he and his wife have been travelling the world for 13 years - they have no permanent address!) but also inspired me to "add value" to my own online communications including email, Twitter & this very blog! Add some yummy fresh fruit, a great muffin & bagel spread and a chance to connect with a wide range of Calgarians (thank you Alex Poda of McQ Design for encouraging us all to introduce ourselves!) and you've got a very enjoyable Friday morning. Next SMBYYC is set for sometime in July. Bob McInnis of Brown Bagging It is speaking. I'll keep you posted.

#3: Did the internet kill the video star?
Finally, the Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society (AMAAS) hosted a symposium on the topic of film festivals at the very chic Hotel Alma on Saturday all day. The event was a great chance to, again, connect with some interesting people and to hear four inspiring panels discuss topics ranging from the use of festivals to engage communities to festival funding to the impact of new media on traditional festival forms. It was all very insightful, but most importantly, I learned that building community takes time (thanks Heather Zwicker) and to engage people, messages must be clear (thanks Trevor Doerksen). I took a lot of notes throughout the day, so I'm sure many thoughts from the AMAAS event (part of Sled Island Film) will find their way to this blog in coming weeks.

Mentors (does anyone remember this TV show?)
In addition to these three events, I owe part of my newfound sociality to a few key individuals in my network who have made time for me in their busy lives and (continue to) help me find my footing as an emerging professional (does that term exist?). I greatly enjoyed meeting my formal CPRS mentor last week and appreciate my incredible mentors from Corkscrew Media, Grit Communications (love Caffe Rosso!) and a special contact/friend at the U of C (Bistro Alma lunch today=awesome. And not too Anne of Green Gables). I have also connected with professionals in corporate communications, arts administration, PR agencies, media arts, tourism and local organic producers, and I have been happy to reconnect with Civic Camp. Thank you to everyone who has allowed me to ask questions over the past 2 months and taken time to provide thoughtful advice.

Where is Calgary going? How is it getting there?
I have been biking and enjoying both of our city's gorgeous rivers and realized that - I love this city. I love what it stands for. I love the people who want to and participate in making the city better in everything from funding projects (IE: the Calgary Arts Development and the Calgary Foundation) to improving the happenings at city hall to investing in sustainable transportation & food production to developing amazing local festivals (most excited for K'Naan at Afrikadey, the Grandstand show at the Calgary Stampede, Mountain Standard Time Performative Arts Festival and Sled Island - a great music fest that's on right now!). It might not be perfect yet, but our city is in transition and there are lots of people here who care to move our city in a positive, progressive, inclusive direction. It takes vision, a strategy and a real desire to get things done right. I want to be part of this conversation.

Good food, good flicks, good people
In the personal realm, Gid & I have been enjoying many special evenings having friends over, making summery meals (think: mango, cilantro, tomato, salmon. Yum!) and watching films from my "been-meaning-to-watch" list (most recently: Slumdog Millionaire (2008), Blues Brothers (can't believe I hadn't seen it! 1980), WALL·E (2008), Elegy (2008), Matchpoint (2005), Sleeper (1973) (yes, a bit of a Woody Allen theme...), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Blade Runner (finally! 1982), Air Force One (1997) (bit of a Harrison Ford theme too), Tell No One (2006), Seven Pounds (2008). These are the flicks I enjoyed; let me know if you can recommend any others based on what I've listed here.

(insert your comment here)
So that should pretty much catch you up on what's up in my world & my head right now. Any comments, thoughts, or rebuttals are warmly welcomed below.

New blog direction: Julie "goes for the jugular"

2010-06-28T00:40:00.000-07:00

John Francis (brilliant speaker, CPRS member for 50+ years) gave me some priceless advice at the CPRS AGM a couple weeks ago: he asked what I post about on my blog and I told him it was mostly just pretty pictures of flowers. "Why do you post pictures of flowers? What do flowers have to do with anything?" he asked. I informed him that my audience consists of my great aunt and my mom's best friend, both of whom enjoy looking at flowers and he stopped me. "What do you want to do?" "Work in PR or communications," I replied. "What do pictures of flowers have to do with PR or communications?" Mr. Francis inquired. I was silent. "Go for the jugular, Julie," Mr. Francis remarked. "If you want to write, show the world that you can write. If there's something you can't do (in my case, graphic design), hire talented people, but you have to go for the jugular!" If you're going to bother with a blog, let it be a place to showcase what you know, what you're interested in, and make it really clear what the blog is for (isn't that rule #1 for any communications project? To have a clear goal and a strategy of how to get there?).

Needless to say, I have reflected on this advice and I have decided to embrace Mr. Francis's suggestions: in addition to pretty-flowery-pictures, expect many posts on the question of - "How does a city speak?" - including topics relating to new and traditional media, public engagement, cultural performances, tourism, public spaces, the arts, and how these all interact to form our local and global conversations.

Thoughts? Feedback? Comment below or email julie.joline@gmail.com

Julie Phillips will soon be a Communications graduate from the University of Calgary faculty of Communications and Culture. She has had one academic paper published in Alberta History on the topic of Operation Lifesaver - a planned mass evacuation in Calgary in 1955 designed to help the National Defense prepare for atomic attacks. She is currently researching the media framing surrounding the Calgary Peace Bridge - a controversial new structure in Calgary designed by Santiago Calatrava. She enjoys sharing stories and questioning the "newness" of new media. Her latest challenge involves discovering innovative and effective ways to engage various publics.

Someone else's garden

2010-06-25T17:19:00.000-07:00

To a random Parkhill resident,

Thank you for planting such a beautiful garden.

Sincerely,
Julie

Photos from the bike ride home, June 25, 2010 (my half-birthday!)

Photos from the Garden

2010-05-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

Gid & Tom & I spent some time in Edmonton a couple of weeks ago for AMPIA's Alberta Film & TV Awards. It was the perfect weekend to tour around my parents' backyard & enjoy the early days of summer.

My old treehouse!!

Mom's & Julie's toes by the chives.

Tooolip.

Crab apple tree.

Can't you almost just smell the blossoms!!?

Looking forward to many more days like this (Lilac festival = next week!! & we've got a lilac tree in our new backyard. More photos of flowers & images from a recent 'urban adventure' to come!)

Calgary Tourism

2010-05-26T13:55:00.001-07:00

It can be pretty fun to play 'tourist' in your own city. Here are some shots from downtown a few weeks ago.

Unmediated Era

2010-05-18T18:53:00.000-07:00

"In this unmediated era, when decent manners, a touch of modesty, childhood, subject-verb agreement, and the slow search for truth are dying on the vine, it is difficult to discern anything of substance inside the walls of self-referential noise" -- Ken Alexander, Editor of the Walrus, July/August 2007

Sameness.

2010-04-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

"Indeed for many contemporary Americans, community seems more an optional pleasure than a civic obligation. Privacy is prized in new developments. Windows that face onto the neighbor's house are avoided. So are side entrances that might lead to chance encounters. And the obsession with privacy is matched by the concern for safety. Security is paramount, and much effort is devoted to alarms, fences, and protective lighting and landscaping. No wonder gated communities are one of the fastest growing sectors of residential construction. Their roads, sidewalks, plantings, and driveways are superbly controlled means to private ends...."

"...The urge for control and privacy begets sameness. In planned communities across the United States, consistency of image is the most important contributor to the sense of shared public space. The arbitrary-sounding names - Oak Glen, Oak Grove, Oak Gully - are astute rhetorical devices that associate one's particular community with other successfully packaged communities. Residential construction has entered the age of niche specialization, in which signage, landscaping, and building design all reinforce an image marketed to a particular group"
- "The Spectacle of Building Ordinary", Mitchell Schwarzer (p.79 of "Sprawl and Suburbia", 2005)

Spring.

2010-04-11T19:47:00.000-07:00

I love this

Blue time of day.

The warm weather.

People smiling.

The chirping birds are nice too.

Saw 8 robins the other day.

All year long - I long for spring.

Photos taken out my window, 8:50pm, April 11, 2010.

2010-03-28T23:22:00.001-07:00

“If the weather report paid as much attention to sunny,

mild days as to hurricanes, floors, heat waves, and cold spells,

it might be more accurate but it would no longer be news”

(Michael Schudson, The Sociology of News, p. 37)

“Western journalism is a social warning system,

exposing the exception rather than the rule,

the deviant rather than the norm,

disorder rather than order,

dissonance rather than harmony”
(Tamar Liebes, Israeli media scholar)

On Pedestrian Zones...

2010-03-14T00:31:00.000-08:00

Being a pedestrian is hard in Calgary. I encounter so many burnt out street lights, icy walks, shady sections. It's really a driving city but there are some interesting vibrant areas.

I've been thinking a lot about East Village, Mission, Inglewood, Kensington, Marda Loop (etc.) and wondering about this quote:

"Asked if pedestrian zones are the future of urban life, Wolfe said “I think reinventing streets is the future of urban life, [but] that’s a complex matrix. A lot of people have thought about and written about the whole notion of complete streets … you have to have a vital street life and include the elements that will allow for that." (more: http://www.myurbanist.com/?p=1478).

Thoughts??

Listening to: Weakerthans Left & Leaving

San Francisco 2010! Part 5

2010-03-01T13:33:00.000-08:00

Final batch of photos! (^ Stef posing at the Yerba Buena Center. Good bye San Francisco!).

On the Thursday night, Stef & I went to see a great show at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Here's a photo from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, part of the Yerba Buena Gardens.

Friday morning was a lovely stroll by the ocean & a whirlwind tour of the Exploratorium.

Located at the very beautiful Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium is an awesome model for a Science Centre (TELUS W.O.S.- Take note!)

Neat perception-art in the Exploratorium.

Delicious-looking veggie stand while we waited for the bus back to the Wharf where we scored speedy-In&Out Burger & headed to the airport!

What a fab trip. Can't wait to hit the west coast again.

Once this crazy 'school-work-&-applying-for-jobs' spree is done and I have time to walk around and take artsy pictures again, I will! Looking forward to some downtime, games & Earth hour this weekend.

Hugs, Jul

San Francisco 2010! Part 4

2010-03-01T13:31:00.001-08:00

Some colourful pictures from our stroll along Haight Street.

San Francisco 2010! Part 3

2010-03-01T13:27:00.001-08:00

Some more pics from a bright & colourful California day!

Cute.

Ike's Place! The finest sandwiches in the Castro!...

...with the coolest names. (Ike's menu. If you go there, get it dirty!)

I live for these kinds of blooms...

Pretty shot of Corona Heights Park...

... where Stef & I walked up to eat our respective sandwiches (Barry Z for me, Ménage à trois for Stef). What a view!

Shades on lawn furniture. Awesome.

Watched a bit of Uncle Buck on TV tonight, sort of remember watching it when I was a kid. Didn't realize it was so raunchy! Seriously - proposing in the shower? Anyway, more San Fran pics soon! xo J

San Francisco 2010! Part 2

2010-03-01T13:20:00.001-08:00

These are some shots from the foggy day we went to Alcatraz & Pier 39, and a misty walk along the shore. Stef & I were told to book our Alcatraz tickets waaaay in advance in case it sold out. We didn't, so imagine our surprise when we showed up at Pier 33 on Thursday morning at 10:45am and the ticket agent said "do you want the 11:00am boat?". We hopped right on. The whole trip felt sort of like this. Meant to be.

Stef taking a photo as we approach Alcatraz on the "Alcatraz Cruises" boat.

The sign.

Walking up the hill to the prison on Alcatraz.

I love natural-framing in photos.

Neglected building at Alcatraz.

Yellow stairs for live-historical-narratives by Alcatraz staff.

One of the re-created prison cells at Alcatraz. Creepy. 2 empty cells were open for us to enter - I walked in one and got total chills, right to my core. A feeling I won't forget. For some reason, entering the "solitary confinement" cells didn't give me the same feeling, even with the audio-recorded accompanying sounds of the doors slamming, even with my eyes closed.

We didn't expect it, but this historical narrator ended up being one of the best parts of the visit to the "Rock". She told a 40 minute vivid detailed account of the "Battle of Alcatraz" - a 1946 escape attempt. Stef & I stood for the entire 40 minutes, totally wrapped up in her story. The Alcatraz visit used the right mix of video, watching, listening and exploring: Discovery Channel documentary to start with to get the history of the island, personal wandering, live storytelling, watching (& hearing!) all the cell doors slam shut, followed by the bizarre "audio tour" (everyone just wandering around, bumping into each other, wrapped up in their own internal audio worlds. There is power in audio-storytelling- it puts people in the centre of their oral world and, in my opinion, it's way more personal than watching...).

An example of the swag in the gift shop when leaving the Alcatraz prison. Is it just me or is it really rude when museums force people to leave via gift shop? And also - what's with glamourizing the 'escape'? There was an ex-prisoner in the gift shop the day we were there signing books. Do you think he picked up a t-shirt for the grandkids? Weird.

Neat shot of a building & water.

The harbour, view from Pier 39.

Pretty tulip at Pier 39.

View of Alcatraz from the mainland, and some flowers.

More natural framing.

Stef by the water on the walk from the Wharf to the Exploratorium.

Can't you just hear the waves crashing against these rocks?

Shore & white house.

More photos from a sunny day here soon!

San Francisco 2010! Part 1

2010-03-01T12:44:00.000-08:00

Travel Specifics: We got a good deal on Travelocity.ca and stayed at the very awesome Argonaut Hotel at the Fisherman's Wharf (it's better than in the pictures). Cable Cars out the window (*ding!*) and a view of that big, pretty bridge. Joe's Crab Shack the first night (with dancing, a great server & of course, crab! Mm..), toured through Chinatown, the Castro, and Haight Ashbury the second day, Alcatraz on the third day, met a cool artist, went to a stellar modern dance show at the Yerba Buena Centre for the Arts and topped off the night with American candy from Walgreens and a fun Ladies Night at Mueze (?) with real San Franciscans! Quick "In-N-Out Burger" (but not quick enough!!) following a whirlwind Exploratorium tour - and we were on our way back to - well, Salt Lake City, then back to the YYC where our chariot awaited =)

So after scanning over the near 1,000 photos from the "SMJ & JJP go to San Francisco" trip, I've divided it up into 5 parts... Here's a quick glance of some of the shots that I believe really defined our experience! Enjoy!

Vital Tea in Chinatown. If you go to San Francisco, do not miss this wonderful tea-tasting experience - and say hi to Uncle Gee from us!!

The bridge. You know. Golden. Gated.

Another angle of the iconic structure (shockingly, this is as close as we got! Next time I go, we're renting bikes and cruising across!)

Gorgeous boat on the walk to the Exploratorium.

The word "Love" in the sidewalk (that's all I can make out!) - and Stef & my feet =)

This is how I pictured San Fran before going. We sang the Full House theme song a lot. (Man, how many times have I heard this in my life!)

Cute Graffiti near Chinatown.

A few shots from Chinatown (we were there right after Chinese New Year and we got a great, very loud "firecracker" show outside of Vital Tea. Tigers everywhere!).

Worn down sticker on the counter of Walgreens.

I'll post Part 2 next week! =) Comment with any questions.

Hearts & San Francisco

2010-02-21T23:10:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of Valentine's Day-inspired photos & a sneak-peak of what's to come once I get a chance to blog about San Francisco (!!!).

Valentine's day Pancakes!!

Gid's Valentine's Day Cookies!!

Mmm...

San Fran's got hearts EVERYWHERE. This one is from a fundraising initiative that started in 2004 as (quote from website) " a unique hybrid of fund-raising, compassionate community involvement, and a positive nurturing of artistic expression at a time when it is sorely needed." Sort of like Calgary's "Udderly Art" campaign in 2000. Just with hearts, not cows.

Outside of a restaurant.

Touching the ocean.

For now, it's back to the books but expect an update on the weekend. Love!!

When the Internet was "new"

2010-01-29T13:38:00.000-08:00

"It's the most fundamental shift since Gutenberg."
- astrophysicist Larry Smarr on the Internet scientific networks.

(Quote published in the Globe & Mail, June 16, 1993)

Love this!

2010-01-22T04:33:00.000-08:00

(click to enlarge)

A small article from the Globe & Mail,
published January 14, 1928.

I found it while doing some other research
but thought it was cute & had to share!

2010! An update.

2010-01-17T17:01:00.000-08:00

Hey blog-watchers,

So... it's been a while since I last posted (over 2 months!). In that time, I...
-completed a semester
-went home to visit family & friends (card-playing, delicious meals, watching old home videos, drinks that were red and wine... complete!)
-volunteered at the Christmas Bureau
-celebrated my 25th! birthday!...
-...with champagne (: (25 on the 25th!)
-saw Avatar
-met my new baby cousin
-started my last semester (!)
-threw a party to welcome my new Ontarian roommate
-made a bunch of resolutions (see below horsedog comic)
-went bowling. Twice.
-saw Vivre Sa Vie at the Plaza (this is my favourite scene)

Here are some photos.

Red & Wine.

Smoochin' angels. I love Christmas decorations.

My mini-tree! From my 11th(ish) birthday that Gid covered with mini-lights! Aww.

Delicious salmon salad - dinner at Carm's on Boxing Day

New Year's Eve! Hoooot!

Another close-up from the New Year's Eve party. Pink Champagne!

Glasses at BP's on 17th, waiting to watch Kaillie win gold!

The Christmas Dinner table, 2009.

Ever just get struck by how beautiful the world really is? This was one of those moments...

So was this...

That is one bright birthday cake! And honey, the fact that I couldn't blow out all the candles and left six blazing says nothing about my boyfriend status (:

Julie blowing out (25!) candles, Dec.25, 2009.

Goals for 2010:
-more regular julieish postings...
-... and therefore more regular photo-taking
-San Francisco in February! (email me if you have suggestions on where we should visit/what we should do/etc!)
-Increase blog-readership
-Build a site for horsedog
-Finish classes in April!
-Convocation in June!
-Job?

(click to enlarge)

"If You Always Do What You Have Always Done...Then You Will Always Get What You Always Got"

Here's to trying something new. *Cheers* To building great memories & making every day count. Believing in each other. Standing up for what we believe. Et cetera. Happy 2010.

T-dot!

2009-11-15T22:54:00.000-08:00

Went by way too fast but a fun, packed trip.

Nature at Gid's Cousin's parents' place, Thurs. afternoon.

Coin Laundry on College St. Friday night.

We just! don't! get! these kinda leaves here...

Gid & I picking up croissant, meatball sub & a tiny bottle of Sprite (which later became a vase for orange tulips!) at Caflouti (right across from Trinity Bellwoods on Queen). They were all out, but try the chocolate croissants *mm..melt*

Jackpot. Playing pinball at Carte Blanche on Queen St. (so fun).

Kensington! Balloons & Gid picking up veal. *(it was fun going back to the ol' stompin' ground... a "welcome back" at lovely Moonbean. Courage my Love. Some of the same faces. What time can do. What time won't change...).

Chinook arch & jet, today (already back) in Calgary.

Was great to visit. To see everyone. Pizzeria Libretto (as fantastic as Naples!) with K10, Lunar-J, Cousin & Gid. Time with the family. Even cookies at Gid's Grandma's fantastic brick house (wish I had remembered to charge my camera batteries that day!!). Roast dinner with J&J and their genius 2-year-old. Staying up late with D&S (after Cousin & Gid crashed!). Sushi on Bloor (stab-free!) with D&L (hearts!). Breakkie Java-house-style with Cousin, Gid & Will (my ol' Jonqu pal!) followed by spectacular shopping, Kensington with Cyb and a home-cooked meal.

Nice to get our minds off things, but now it's back to the bridge and a hectic next 3 weeks...

Many thanks to the Cousin (and the Cousin's cousin) for the tremendous hospitality!! See you soon for cupcakes, tea, and folk music, ok? Or we'll just rendez-vous in Van!(destination vacation!).

Toronto!!

2009-11-10T16:26:00.000-08:00

"Cities have been described as the
greatest of all human creations"
- page. 8 "Cities: the Groundwork
Guide" by John Lorinc.
[Quote cited from Joel Kotkin, The City: A Global History]

I'm looking forward to investigating this one - and seeing it again with new eyes.

Pics to come!!

Social Networks & Thriving Communities

2009-11-10T00:55:00.000-08:00

I've been reading a lot lately on the link between life satisfaction & social-connectedness- and I'm thrilled to be interviewing John Helliwell - an prof from UBC - about it next week. The topic? "Subjective Well-Being and the Importance of Social Networks for Thriving Communities." This article on the Vancouver Board of Trade website argues that successful companies know how the value of connecting financial and human capital: "For success to be sustainable, strong social groups are required within our companies and between our companies and the societies in which we live." The key is engagement. (*more on this later!)

Note to self: read this. (Bowling Alone: the Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert Putnam)

This Mess We're In

2009-11-01T23:08:00.001-08:00

Lately, I've been reading a lot about cities and all their problems. Sprawl. Low-density suburbs and myths of high-density development. Poverty. Local governments making "subtle distinctions between residents, and deciding which groups are more or less entitled to the city's support" (pg. 14 Cities: a Groundwork Guide by John Lorinc). "Separation of uses" or "single-use" development vs. mixed-use development. Specifically, I am realizing that our city needs a lot of work and I am beginning to have faith that individual neighbourhoods will be the building blocks to creating a more vibrant, future-friendly city.

This song just came on & it seems so perfect tonight:

This Mess We're In: PJ Harvey Feat. Thom Yorke

"the city sun sets over me"

Soon, I'll get to the part about smart growth, new urbanism, sustainable architecture and transit oriented developments (TODs), but for tonight- sing it PJ.

"Suburbia fails us in large part because it is so abstract. It is the idea of a place rather than a place." -James Howard Kunstler
"[S]mart growth isn't just about rebalancing the way cities develop. It's also about restoring the notion that our urban spaces should have a "sense of place"." (p. 48, John Lorinc. Cities: a Groundwork Guide")

The Tragedy of the Commons

2009-11-01T14:17:00.000-08:00

If you can get the H1N1 vaccine [it looks like there are shortages in Alberta (check out this CBC article for more info)], you should.

Read this Globe & Mail piece by U of C staff. Private fears vs. public gain. Everywhere I go, it seems people are "distrustful" of this new vaccine and I don't understand why. It may be that people just don't know much about it, but here. Think about it: Just like any medicine, vaccines require testing and must pass many regulations to be available for public use. As mentioned in this article: health care officials have the public good in mind. I believe people must understand the rigorous processes a vaccine must pass through to be widely available, and if you are anti-inoculation, hopefully the Globe & Mail article gives you some perspective on this important & timely issue.

The Gala

2009-10-31T19:42:00.000-07:00

Still speechless from this night.

Imagine: 6 decadent courses with accompanying wine. Everything served in a "Partnership" theme. Introductions & thanking every person in the room. Screening my first ever short film ("The Partnership") and a satisfying 7th course surprise. Live Q&A. My living room transformed into a posh lounge. Majestic. Decadent. Brilliant conversation, great friends. Warmth. Music. Candlelight.

1st course theme "Partner" ingredient: mushroom (2 dishes served with this ingredient & white wine)
2nd: green apple
3rd: onion
4th: pepper
5th: citrus
6th: ginger & ice cream
surprise 7th: dark chocolate, raspberry coulis & port

My mouth still waters. Mr. Stone. Gid. Everyone who was there. Thank you.

Gala "champagne" (ie: Jamaican Ginger Beer topped with vanilla ice cream), Saturday October 24, 2009. A night to remember.

Looking back/looking forward (can you feel it!)

2009-10-29T00:05:00.000-07:00

Spent some tonight looking through old photos. Pics I haven't looked at since I took them over a year ago. I was seeking a couple particular photographs from a particular August afternoon at a particular BC lake with a particular best friend and her father. En route to those pics, I discovered days and days I had nearly forgotten about. Markets, mornings, my random adventures. I've been talking a lot lately about the use of social networking sites and many people find it surprising that besides blogging, I do not subscribe to Facebook or Twitter. I'm pretty sure that Twitter is only really useful if you have a cause or an event or a company or an opinion that you want the news media to tap into. Or if you're Ashton Kutcher (over 3 million followers. sick). Besides that, it's generally a lot of people yapping and not a lot of people listening. I believe Facebook can be useful in organizing contacts and reaching a large number of people rather easily, and I'm not completely opposed to the idea of keeping track of people by using SNSs, but I haven't found one that I a) like the format & b)I trust. In general, I don't find keeping-in-touch to be so overly time consuming that I require a system to organize it for me, and I definitely feel that the use of these sites has become time-consuming and impersonal, so I am predicting a swing back towards personal-touches. Hand written notes. Personal phone calls. I guess I do subscribe to this blog-site as a method of broadcasting myself & creating/maintaining a personal brand, but I'm assuming my audience is small and full of people I know personally (am I right?) and blogs feel more like a sharing-tool, a journal (photo or otherwise), an exploration. As you can tell, my perspective here is not fully developed yet, but I'm sure I'll discover more on this topic as the semester wears on.

Saturday marked CivicCamp 2.0 and I was lucky to participate as a volunteer with this exciting organization. It felt awesome to "join the conversation" on how to make Calgary better and our workshop on the topic of "Vibrant Urban Villages" really helped me to make sense of what I love in a city (Kensington Market in Toronto, Kitsilano in Van, the Plateau in Montreal)- but also enabled me to see my city's true potential. Meeting so many action-oriented individuals was my ticket to unveiling my own vision for Calgary's growth. We have so many incredible minds in this city with so much skill, talent and passion & I'm excited to see where these CivicCamp projects go.

Kensington market herbs. May 2008. Toronto Ontario.

Blurry couple waiting for the TTC. Toronto. May 2008.

Through a Toronto shop window. May 2008.

Somewhere in Montreal. June 2008.

A Calgary bridge. August 2008.

Foodbank Findings

2009-10-24T00:23:00.000-07:00

Went to see the Dalai Lama speak here a few weeks ago (so cool) and got the chance to participate in "actNOW" - a day for community action. The team I was placed on went to the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank for our community engagement & we had a chance to write a reflection before & after our experience there. At the end we were asked to make a pledge (Ashton Kutcher-style). I vowed to find something to put my heart into. I feel like there are so many causes, so much to change, to make better, but I feel that by ceasing to choose one-thing to be deeply & passionately involved in, I'm spreading my efforts too widely & even though "any effort helps," I want something to believe in: you know? More on this, well, when I find it...

What an inspiring week. If you ever want to donate food, they're always looking for:

peanut butter
pasta
pasta sauce
juice

Or just give money. They can always use money, but it's the food that keeps the Food Bank in business. Oct.23 marked the "Starbucks Grande Food Drive"- a joint-initiative with Vibe 98.5 (local radio station) and city-wide Starbucks stores. I'll have to check tomorrow to see how the campaign did. I didn't see much advertising for this event, and I can't imagine many people going into get their Starbucks with a couple cans of beans in their purse/pockets, but it's the right idea: make donating food more convenient and more people will do it. (The Stampeders did a big food drive on the Labour Day Classic game called "Be a Fan, Bring a Can.") I love stuff like this.

Photos from an inspiring day at Calgary's Food Bank.

Some of the fun old food boxes in a special "Vintage" display at the Food Bank:
Celery Jell-O. For Salads. Awesome.

Seal meat. Canned seal meat.

Electric or Gas Refrigerator.

When things used to cost cents.

Fresh new taste!

I've been talking with some friends about the upcoming holiday season and many of us have decided that instead of giving gifts, we will get together for an afternoon and volunteer either at Santas Anonymous or the Food Bank- a gift to each other (spending time together during the hectic X-mas season) and a gift to our community. Consider it! And furthermore, why do we get sentimental and giving once a year (at the holidays, or during a special event like "actNOW")? May we all embrace community action at several points throughout the year. There are many ways to give back: if you're into sports, nature, arts-education, festivals, issues like homelessness, poverty, protesting, hunger, youth programs- the list goes on!

These are things I've been thinking about since the beginning of the month, and with all this "thanks-giving" and seeing some of my dearest friends unexpectedly on Tuesday night- I've been thinking a lot about what it means to live a good life and how to truly be there for others. I think it's easy to get involved with things and to volunteer avidly as a student (in fact, it seems I rarely get paid for anything these days!), but I hope that I always find a way to give back even when I'm out in the working world. Thankfully, a lot of companies encourage community engagement among employees, so I'll hopefully find a job with a company that's community-minded.

"May your troubles be less, your blessings be more. And nothing but happiness come through your door".

Yeah yeah yeah...

2009-10-24T00:03:00.000-07:00

Been taking some heat lately for my lack-o-blog updates. Could be in part due to the "laptop crash of 2009" (good bye dell, hello toshiba), or maybe that I'm taking a course right now that's taking all the 'whimsical speculation' out of me & plopping it into weekly blog posts(private class blog, sorry). Also, I really haven't been taking many photos. But don't fear! It's all about to change. I'm in my autumn-camera-surge mode. The batteries are charged (not a metaphor), I'm putting on my party dress (again, not a metaphor), and prepping for tomorrow night's "Gala Premiere" of my first ever short film "The Partnership". *this is me, eagerly anticipating some 6-courses prepared by Gid & Mr. Stone, the delectable company of all our nearest & dearest, an array of dishes (& accompanying wine!) served in a Partnership theme, film screening & live Q&A and...* I should take a moment here to emphasize how completely and thrillingly lucky I am. Orange tiger lilies on the kitchen table *melt*...

... an a first-ever BOOL party (I'll explain the "BOOL" another day, but it's going to catch on! I swear.)

For now, just get out & enjoy whatever's left of our Prairie Autumn (sounds like an indie band name or a teenage girl's Myspace persona) and you'll see - more & more posts in coming weeks. *pinky swear*

Love & Vulnerability.

2009-09-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

It's worth it to love.

Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others)

2009-09-03T07:12:00.001-07:00

OK - I don't usually do this, but I recently watched this film and it is Fantastic (capital "F" Fantastic). A few weeks ago, Gid suggested I pick up a public library card, and it's amazing how getting a public library card can really make you feel like you live somewhere. It's a whole new world! I'm discovering great Indian Electro music, foreign films, and all these great books about cities. Last week, I picked up "The Lives of Others" from the foreign film section. A sticker on the front boasted "Winner: Academy Award Best Foreign Language Film 2006". Thought I'd check it out. The camera work is amazing- so many tiny, beautiful moments. Dialogue (from what I could tell from the English subtitling - my German comprehension is nil), precise & thoughtful. A beautifully constructed story. If you're interested in watching a compelling, beautifully acted film with loads of depth and historical significance, watch this film. It's so human. Touching. I loved it.

Side note: I <3 CBC radio 2 morning. Jacksoul singing 1979, Great Lake Swimmers, Neko Case, Paul Simon "beautiful," this amazing singer-songwriter from Nova Scotia Amelia Curran- this is just in the past half hour! Listen.

Victoria, July 18-20

2009-08-21T06:37:00.000-07:00

(**sorry it's taken me so long to update!!**)

Some pics from the Island! Gid & I went out for S&R's gorgeous Sikh wedding.

I remember being in Victoria for a 10th grade band trip, laughing with Heather, walking by a place called "Julia's", getting a picture with a chef. Mel & I got matching "betty & veronica" t-shirts, and I think we went whale watching. Our band played on the lawn in front of the parliament building.

The next time I visited, I was 18 and I remember spending my days in bookstore & cafes. I got my hair cut by a biker named "Bev" and I was supposed to say I wanted it "electroclash" (ended up with a black pixie cut with hot pink highlights). Went to Saltspring Island. Tried Yerba Matte. Went to see an Indie band at Logan's but we all got kicked out because there were too many people there. That was cool.

Went back a couple years later. I think I saw Hudson this trip. Went to Pender Island. Day trip to Vancouver. Saw a band. Had breakfast at the Elbow Room. Still tell this crazy story about random hostel girl. Ah, life's curveballs...

This trip, it was the Empress. Pagliacci's (go there!). The Blue Fox Cafe. Hanging out by the waterfront. Beacon Hill. The Fisherman's Wharf. Shopping. Bean around the world. Barb's Fish & Chips. Taking pictures of flowers & walking around. And, of course, the reason for the trip: celebrating the communion of 2 souls meant to be together. A marvelous weekend.

Through the window near the elevators at the Empress.

Droplet in the rose garden.

Daisies by a fence.

Gnome.

Love this entrance!

Russels Bookstore!

Pink in the sunlight.

Montreal St. No Exit. (how symbolic)

Lily!

Northern Junk & Co.

Yellow flower in dry field.

Uniform looking buildings.

Hearts!! Street performer in Victoria.

Hiking, July 12, 2009

2009-07-22T08:12:00.000-07:00

Some pics from hiking Paradise Valley (near Lake Louise) w/ Gidley. Or rather, my attempt at capturing some of the beauty of the Rockies... Enjoy!

Gid looking at some mountains.

Iaminvincible!

Northface Ad =)

Photo doesn't do it justice!! Look at that water!! Oh wow.

Lake Louise. Beautiful.

Heart-shaped.

Drivin' home.

Topped off w/ sweet potato fries & burgers at Bruno's (Banff). A gorgeous day.

Random Saturday

2009-07-10T13:33:00.001-07:00

Beautiful Carmen, posing, & a random sign.

Today's Inspiration

2009-07-01T23:22:00.000-07:00

A marvelous Canada Day! Woke up on the bright side (with Bernard Callebaut!!), slept in, delish tea-latte & gluten-free loaf at Weeds, Greek food for dinner, Stamps game, fireworks. Everything delicious. Then stumbled across this gem...

"I am only one, but I am still one;

I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;

and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."

{Edward Everett Hale -- Ten Times One is Ten}

Saturday on Seventeenth.

2009-06-17T07:26:00.000-07:00

Gid & I strolled 17th. Fab day of sunshine, checking out the motorcycle show (& the people there!), mango bernard callebaut, new tunes, nellie's, patio & real iced tea.

Dino @ Nellie's (mmm. BLT & fruit salad).

Nellie's chairs.

Love where the sign is reflected.

Above the Buy Rite.

Outside Buy Rite.

Downtown Sunday.

2009-06-17T07:23:00.000-07:00

Playing around with lines & buildings. Sunday, Downtown Calgary. Early morning.

2009-06-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

Flower. Sunday @ Gid's.

Sundays Downtown!

2009-06-07T23:12:00.000-07:00

Even our Plus 15 signs have a guy wearing a cowboy hat (+15 - the pedways that connect Calgary's downtown. The "most extensive pedestrian skywalk system" in the world, according to Wikipedia. Neat!).

Some pretty flowers by Olympic Plaza.

Buildings downtown.

Everything blooms!

Over-Julie's-shoulder shot by Gidley, Princess Island Park this afternoon.

Ah, blossoms!

2009-06-04T16:13:00.000-07:00

how long must we wait
for finally
it blooms!!

Keep Going!!

2009-05-28T16:55:00.001-07:00

"A door opens to me. I go in and am faced with a hundred closed doors. "
~Antonio Porchia, Voces, 1943, translated from Spanish by W.S. Merwin

A fabulous Saturday

2009-05-25T00:48:00.000-07:00

Stef took me on a nice walk Sat. morning after an impromptu-brunch. Impromptu-brunches call for incredibly cute black wedge sandals - not 'Saturday afternoon walk' shoes. Alors...

Reflections.

Hushed water.

Stream next to a waterfall by the river.

Try climbing this in heels!

Learned this one the hard way: always keep a pair of sensible shoes in your trunk!

Dinosaur Museum!

2009-05-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

What's the best thing to do on a rainy Thursday afternoon?

Head to the badlands!!

And the Dinosaur Museum.

Guess I (surprisingly) didn't take a lot of token-T-rex-bones photos, but Drumheller is seriously cool. Going to go back on a non-rainy day to take some pics of old hotels and random dinosaur statues on people's lawns. And for ice cream. Nothing better than small town ice cream. Will also check out the flapjacks place. and maybe see if there's a thrift store. I have a feeling this summer will be a lot of small town breakfasts, gorgeous photos from mountain tops, sunny mornings with friends working the 'circuit' (more on this later!), front-lawn-yoga, patios, ult. frisbee, all the good things.

Man, I live for summer.

Playin' around in the garden.

2009-05-06T01:13:00.000-07:00

Some artsy shots from the garden. Tuesday, May 5, my yard.

Sweet sweet daffodils!

2009-05-05T21:42:00.000-07:00

Daffodils in the garden, May 5, 2009. Finally springtime.

"I wander'd lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils."
By William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

Kitchen Inspiration.

2009-04-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

Sooo Fresh.

This afternoon, Tomato in sunlight, Kitchen.

Sunday Walk

2009-04-26T22:49:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful afternoon... and then it snowed.

Photos from today's walk. Under a bridge.

So Calgary. Western. Rustic.

Storm clouds a-blowin' in.

Cute sign. Misleading, but cute. (guys' washroom was actually to the left).

Painting on the side of a building.

Classic Julie shot.

2009-04-24T18:30:00.000-07:00

Photo by Kevin Thome, taken on real film (!!!), BSD, April 17, 2009.