11.11

I don't think that life is fair to remind us that life is not permanent. I think that we are sometimes so overwhelmed with what is going on, what is going right, what is going wrong that we forget to cherish what is most important to us. I feel that I wallow sometimes too much that I forget to enjoy what I have around me; in the right here, right now. I feel that I am so lucky to have what I have. I am so lucky that when it disappears, I remember just how amazing it was. I remember how incredible life can be that always longing for the perfect moment can leave you behind, and leave you missing what in fact you had all along. I won't take for granted what I have, I won't. But I will take this moment to be sad and to remember what I have lost. I believe that life has its reasons and complicated ones at that. I know that as much as we want to fight it, all this happens and is meant to happen. Heart ache is devastating but it does heal, maybe just with a slight tear which doesn't match up perfectly. Memories are joyful moments of delight which illuminate our hearts and minds. They make us smile and remember times which are the most precious. We must not be sad but take joy in a happiness which elevates us and reminds us that life has to have two opposites; two polars which are equally important. Without one we would not understand the other. Without either we would not come to know true happiness and fulfilment. LIfe cannot be permanent as we are not put on this earth to live forever. We are all vessels of knowledge, love, light and truth. I am sad but I smile when I remember you.

Surreal moments

It was the most surreal moment last night. I went to the cinema on Granville Street (to see "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" which on a side note is an incredible movie, very superbly shot with a backdrop of stunning and cold Sweden) and on my way out back into the balmy night I felt as if I was in a movie myself. I felt as if I was almost floating out onto the busy street which was so unfamiliar to me. I had lost myself in the passion of the film that it was if I had slept walked out. For an instance I did not know where I was! I turned to walk up the street looking a little bewildered I'm sure to the passers by. In a few moments,as if in slow motion, it all came flooding back to me. By the time I had reached the street corner I remembered that I was in Vancouver, my new home for the time being. It is amazing how, when you take yourself out of familiar surroundings, you can feel so utterly disorientated.

Alice Newton plays at Nita Lake Lodge

Local singer/song writer Alice Newton is playing a weekly Friday and Saturday night gig at the Nita Lake Lodge Hotel in Whistler. It is a great place to have a bite to eat and great wine or just a cocktail. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting with Alice's music lending a sophisticated and upbeat setting. Her beautiful vocals and acoustic guitar sound are not to be missed. Make sure you check her out.

Grete Eliassen gets highest ever female air off a hip

http://cooler.mpora.com/news/world/watch-grete-eliassens-female-world-hip-record.html

31 feet! Awesome :)

Photos from yonder

A few photos I like :)

Animalopolis by Kristian Adam feat. Mandy Tsung Ayden Gallery June 11 -

Animalopolis is the newest show by Kristian Adam feat. Mandy Tsung supporting artists Shwa, Fia Cooper, Emily Beaulieu, Taka Sudo & Megan Majewski.

This is a stunning show with beautiful works by all artists. Kristian Adam's collection of works are truly fantastic. They are such expressive pieces with incredible attention to detail with all of his characters. They are featured alongside words by M. S. T. Company in Crow Toes Quarterly. They are outwardly innocent creatures yet when you look a little closer there is a dark side to each piece which is so cleverly portrayed. I could spend hours studying each piece and each time you go back to look again another feature or layer pops out to you. Kristian's talent is boundless.

Mandy Tsung's portraits have a beauty which she captivates so perfectly. Each face has an innocent yet are also very sexually alluring. They are of the temptress, the lover, the angel and she incorporates many animal features which bring such diversity to what could be a very ordinary portrait. Her use of watercolour on wood brings each piece to life as you feel each and every line and detail of the wood itself. It brings them to life.

All the supporting artists were very well matched and I felt that the exhibition was an amalgamation of styles both complimentary and quite different yet it worked out with a wonderful strength and integrity.

Check out the exhibition in the Ayden Gallery in the Tinseltown mall, Vancouver and you can find all details on www.aydengallery. com

Aaron Nazrul and the Boom Booms

I just discovered the incredibly talented Vancouver band Aaron Nazrul and the Boom Booms. The album "Butterfly Man" gives me goose bumps. It is jam packed with beautiful acoustics and grassroot instrumental sounds. "Delivered" stood out as the song for me and I later discovered that it had won Best Roots Song at the 2009 Just Plain Folks Music Awards in Nashville. Listen for yourselves

http://www.aaronnazrul.com/uncategorized/delivered-wins-best-roots-song-at-just-plain-folks-awards

melk

melk is a collaboration between local Vancouver designers Chrystale Thompson, of ecstatic design & communication and Jeremy Van Nieuwkerk, of Shrapnel Design.

Their designs and creations are incredible. melk was one of the 40 artists, which participated in The State of the ART exhibition at the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival in April, 2010 in Whistler, B.C. Their work is so intricate and detailed and both their Bamboo and Stainless Steel hand crafted pictures and silver bracelets were a knockout.

Two dimensional configurational illustrations of city landscape and nature, highlighting the ongoing social commentary of our natural and manmade environment.

"The designs are illustrated by Chrystale and crafted by Jeremy. The materials consist of recycled bamboo and stainless steel scraps from Shrapnel Design’s hand crafted portfolios. The art work is then burned or etched, making each piece unique.

melk’s subtle illustrated themes from nature brighten the walls they hang on and reminds the viewer to live simply and appreciate the world, both natural and man-made."

Check out the website www.melkmelk.com for more info! You won't be disappointed :)

My photos

I'm really excited to be doing some courses at Langara College in Photography. The professors are awesome and I'm challenging myself creatively again. I try to do this as often as I can! Here are just a few of my photos. Hope that you like them. I will have a website coming soon . . . . .

Temper Trap

Temper Trap at the Commodore, Vancouver, Tuesday June 1st 2010.

WOW! I hadn't heard of Temper Trap but a great friend of mine, Kim, who always knows what's going on with the current music scene had told me that I HAD to come and so trusting her judgement I booked my ticket for a band I had never heard. I am very thankful that I listened to Kim as it was one of the most amazing concerts I have been to.

Temper Trap are an alternative rock band from Melbourne, Australia who are signed to Infectious Records worldwide, Liberation Music in Australia and Glassnote Records in the US.

Their debut album, Conditions, debuted at #9 when it was released in Australia on 19 June 2009 on the Australian ARIA Charts. They now live in London, UK where they are recording, performing at festivals and broadening their fan base.

The Commodore was packed and we headed to the front to get a good viewing position. The vibe was amazing with the energy in the room heating up quickly. Temper Trap came on and I was surprised how different all the members looked. The bass player was in a button up shirt with a very media cool look. Lead guitarist was in a poker dot shirt with red jeans and long hair in a ponytail. Lead vocals was in just jeans and a T-shirt. The started to jam with a high energy instrumental piece. My heart began to beat faster and my feet started to move! It was impossible not to dance. The tempo of the show cresendoed in a high energy, drumming focal point of the lead vocalist where he even poured water on his drum so that with every beat it splashed around and he was lost in his own rhythm. I was lost in my own rhythm too as with eyes closed, body dancing to the music, I felt my way through that last song with heightened endorphins and a smile on my face. I didn't want it to stop!

Go and see Temper Trap if you ever get the chance. They are phenomenal!