omg...NKOTB!!!!

Okay... so the title was my only throwback to pre-teenage-dom - I promise not to get riled up anymore through the post. Hehehehe.

Anywho - tonight was a pretty awesome night - regardless of what anyone thinks, feels or has an opinion on by way of NKOTB.

My friend Chele, from With One L, bought our tickets months ago, and in fact was going to every show in this run of concerts they are doing in Toronto. She's a huge fan and was a great partner to enjoy the night with.

We started off the night by meeting up with a group of fellow fans that Chele had met online through a few forums and groups for fans. They were an amazingly excited and lively group, and it was fun to meet all the new people. Many had come from all over the United States since this was the very first concert on their tour.

We all had a good meal at the Firkin and many of the girls caught up, met each other for the first time, brought their husbands, and listened to the radio show that was playing that some of them had attended earlier in the week.

After - we then all headed to the concert together - our tickets were all scattered - and some people had amazing seats right in the front row - but all of us faired pretty well with our seating - and it hadn't cost that much at all.


I absolutely adored the boys when I was younger - I had only been about 12 or 13 - and my favourite had been (and still is) Joey Joe. You don't forget your "first loves" and he was definitely one of mine. I never really cared for the rest of the band as much - mine was all about Joe and the music.

And yeah - I can hear some of you readers groaning... but seriously - it may not have been for everyone - but their music back then was the life chorus of an entire generation, or two, of pre-teen and teenage girls.

The concert was an amazing reminiscence of those feelings from that time. Throughout the entire night - I was amazed at how easily I remembered all the lyrics and knew how each song went.

In addition - their new material proved amazing - and just as good as anything else being developed on the pop scene right now. Catchy tunes, simple lyrics dealing with emotions, and well - a bunch of guys that haven't held up too badly for a bunch of 40-year-olds.

The energy in the ACC was absolutely amazing - so powerful - and believe it or not - the place was sold out. I don't think I've ever been to either the ACC or Skydome and actually seen that play out. Not a single empty seat in the house.

The guys played up the fact that we were "all" now adults - and the show proved pretty hilarious at points - I don't think there's been any other gathering of so many 30-40 year old in one place ever.

Natasha Beddingefield opened the night, and we weren't allowed to bring any awesome cameras - so I was left with my shitty, old point and shoot. I really need to get a new one - the shots Chele got with hers were jsut as good as anything I could get with my SLR (if they had allowed me to bring it in). Mine however is a good deal too old and my pictures are akin to a drunken man's view of the concert. Ha!

Anyhow - I've spread some of the shots that I took through the blog - even though they're so awful. I also took a few videos. Pretty short clips but I'm probably not going to post them. Maybe later - who knows. :)

The night was good - and I'm glad I didn't miss out on it. So many memories brought back - and so many new ones to remember as well.

It's all about the light...

Since photography really isn't a main focus right now - spending on the hobby doesn't rate too high on my list though I'm still dreaming of the day that I can get my hands on a proper Canon Mark II.

In the meantime - I'm trying to solve little problems with little solutions to aid the level of photography I need for other ventures.

While I was awesomely impressed with so many of the pictures we took in Europe - I was highly disappointed in the turn out of the pictures I've been taking at these last few weddings I have been to.

I realized then that the reason was very much the difference in ratio of outdoor shots to indoor shots. And on indoor shots - our camera just isn't doing well unless using a tripod on a severely slow shutter speed.

We tried working with the onboard flash - but no matter what setting we had it at - it always created severe flash tunnel, as well as flash out. The harsh light just isn't manageable. Also - taking pictures of Wynnie girl always ended with her fur shining and harsh and reflecting back - making for not so nice photos.

In an attempt to 'diffuse' the issue - I bought a small onboard camera flash diffuser called the Puffer from Gary Fong.

While helping a little bit however - it still didn't do the job.

So what was left? Buying a 'real' and good separate flash. However - cash is simply not in the pot for that right now.

So in the end - it was lady luck who came to the rescue. In combing through our condo and doing a little fall cleaning - we managed to find an old flash that H-Rabbit used to use with her film camera back in highschool. Luck being in a good mood - she even provided batteries and ensured the flash was compatible with our Canon Rebel's shoe.

The result - voila above! One of the best round of pictures I've been able to take of Wynnie where her fur actually looks like it does in real life. No glare, no bounce, rich colour and a very soft picture - and I only diffused with the flash's own diffuser layer.

Can't wait to get the chance to use it more in a few other indoor settings. Too bad I hadn't found it earlier - all my wedding pictures would be ten times better!

Congratulations Michelle & Michael!

This year definitely proved the summer of weddings. This time the event was quite emotional... but the story probably a little too close to my heart and complicated to write about plainly here.

Suffice it to say - I was extremely glad to be able to witness this day and share in Michelle and Michael's celebration of their love for one another. Such a journey that has been traveled to reach this point.

The day posed so many questions for me - and resolved some issues as well - in ways that I did not expect, in places that were the last I believed could bring the answers that they did.

It was also good to share the day with wonderful friends who were also present for the celebration.

It is quite possible that life may not have me seeing much more of their journey ahead of them - but I wish them well, and wish them love, and am open to the world of possibility and whatever God wishes may come in the future.

Overnight shoot... no pictures to show

As with most things tied into my work - there's not much proof I'm allowed to proffer for the work entailed. Last night was more of the same... or should I say this morning?

Pyjamas joined me for this one - which had us leaving work early - grabbing some zzzzs - waking up around 2am and then heading for our destination for 3am.

Let me say now - the night was planned over and over with tons of detail - and as per usual Murphy's Law - nothing went to plan.

Our location wasn't expecting us - the schedules events didn't occur - and our guide showed up late. Did I mention our audio failed to deliver and I didn't have anywhere near the type of lighting I needed to take decent shots.

Regardless... I shot off a couple hundred pics to try and get a good basis for the project ahead of us.

Overnight shoots - are never worth it. Not unless booze, grass, friends and a week to recuperate are involved.

08!08!08! Congratulations Robyn & Brian!

On this most luckiest of days of the entire century - 080808 - one of my good friends from my highschool days and her bestest friend in the world got married in a blaze of love, craziness and excitement.

It was really beautiful to see Robyn and the amazing life she has created for herself amongst the tough history that has so far followed her in her journey. Brian is not only her best friend, but a strong partner who has devoted his life not only to her, but to her son as well.

The day was a whirlwind of events, that even included crazy TV antics as Brian works for CityTV - AND - their wedding was being featured on the show Wedding SOS.

LanaByng and I came together, and met up with our "usual suspects" of "fr-amily" - including lots of faces from school years past.

LanaByng was also one of the reception's MCs - so she had to deal directly with the crazy SOS woman. Being part of the television show also added extremely high drama to the event. One of Robyn's "wishes" that she was granted by the wedding "fairy godmother" was to have an extremely spectacular entrance to her reception - and spectacular it was, with smoke, lights, music and a grand staircase. Remind me to keep that in mind for future parties!

All in all - it was a wonderful day, night and eventually wee morning hours as we all danced our hearts out and spent the time basked in love and friendship.

A walk in pictures: August 3, 2008

We've tried this gambit a few times before - and it never seems to really take off - but Michele and I decided today was a great day for one of our random picture walking days where we randomly pick a subway station that we have never (or rarely) gotten off at (Today: Landsdowne) to get off at and then just walk, walk, walk - taking pictures all along the way.

It's actually a fairly neat way to experience Toronto - and catch a glimpse of things you may otherwise ignore.

Obviously - I took way too many pictures to post them all - but here's my top 6 for a little look around the city today.

Off the races in Dufferin Park

So close to the sunshine... maybe a bit too close

The beauty of ebb and flow

A bench of many colours

National pride of a gigantic size

And the Gnome stands alone

PS - The city isn't as big as you think, seeing as we managed to walk all the way from Landsdowne to the water's edge near Harbourfront in one afternoon... crazy!

Congratulations Meghan & Jeff!

Just two days after we returned from Europe our good friends Meghan and Jeff got married on a wonderfully hot, humid, wet and yet also sunshine-y day. In fact - their wedding was a major factor in determining the days and length of our trip. H-Rabbit was a bridesmaid and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Both bride and groom were beautiful together and the ceremony was basically the best wedding I have ever been to: outdoors, simple, short and filled with fun and love. The gardens it took place in were part of the Parkwood Estate in Oshawa - funny enough - just a hop, kip and a jump from my Aunt's home near the town line.

Later - the reception was held nearby at the Holiday Inn and was a really relaxed affair - even the bride changed into her Birkenstocks for fun on the dance floor.
It was wonderful to see such an awesome couple start their new journey in life - and the group of girls from York had a wonderful time cheering them on.

Europe Day 21: Goodbye Europe...

Well – there’s not much to say about today. There’s very little of it that we’ve spent doing anything but being in the processes of leaving.

Our hotel provided a wake-up call on time and we managed to eat some breakfast. They also arranged for our car to the airport. It’s actually about a 30 minute ride from the city so we had to leave early in order to arrive on time for our flight.

Once there, we met up with the Toronto crew from our tour – we all had tickets on the same flight out heading directly to Toronto.

Checking in took quite awhile – there were a lot of people on our flight. However having a group of friends to hang out with during the waiting really made things better than usual.

H-Rabbit is a hijacker!
Well – not really – but one of the security guards thought so. She forgot that the Swiss Army knife she had bought her brother as a souvenir was packed in her purse instead of the suitcases – and when we were going through the security check – they stopped her dead cold.

They wouldn’t let her through and were going to confiscate it – but it cost a fair amount so she couldn’t part with it. Instead – she had to run all the way back to the check-in and check her purse. We emptied all her stuff into my carry on – and then she ran for her life – because if she didn’t catch the check-in before the line was over – she’d miss the packing of our plane and it would all have been for nothing. It sucked large that check-in and security were so far apart.


The Toronto Crew waiting patiently
The rest of us hung out and waited patiently hoping she’d make it back in time – and she did – I think she almost died doing it – but she did. After she passed through security a second time – the group of us then wandered over to the gate to hang until boarding.

Finally off and on our way home
We’re on the flight now and it’s smooth sailing. Definitely a long flight ahead – ten hours is a bit of a trek – but dreams of my own bed make it worth it.

Home Again
Well – this one’s a short one. H-Rabbit’s parents met us at the Airport and drove us home. We’re so glad to be back but the days ahead are going to be crazy. Our hectic schedule only continues here at home – but this Europe trip has been an amazing experience. We’ll remember it always and we can’t wait to figure out what we’re going to do with all of our pictures and souvenirs.

Thank you Europe for an amazing life experience – I can’t wait to see you again.