I've been doing this for as long as I've had a camera.
Every December, I head downtown and capture the lights on Parliament Hill, Sparks Street, and the War Memorial. No matter how many times I do it, how I always freeze my finger tips, there are some photo opportunities that I can't resist.
My favourite spot is the War Memorial. Not only does it have the great colours of blue and purple, but you have the harsh spotlights on the ice-cold granite and drab bronze. I love how the lights cast shadows, making the mass of weathered soldiers grow and seemingly come to life.
Happy Friday!
When I was in my teens, I used to tell people, "I'm the best friend money can buy."
(I still say that.)
But now, I'm also essential. According to OttawaStart, that is.
The Ottawa information and events blog named it's top 40 picks for Ottawa blogs in its Essential Ottawa Blogs list, and The Brown Knowser made the list.
I'm honoured.
I remember reading the list when it last came out, in 2011, when my blog was fairly new (I ended Brownfoot Journal that same year). I saw the blogs that were listed and I thought to myself, I hope I get as good as these blogs, I hope I get a lot of readers, and I hope they like what I do.
I'm not worthy.
I see the blogs that are on this list and I've read many of them. I'm in very good company. Many of the blogs in this list were also in the 2011 list. And they're still great, if not better.
I have to pull up my socks.
Thank you to Glen Gower for adding me to this list. Thank you for recognizing me for what I do (though my blog is more than photos and beer).
And thank you to my readers who continue to visit my site. You keep me going.
Which reminds me: this month's Where In Ottawa saw a readership, which continued even after the location of the photo was solved, that returned to regular numbers. Apparently, you still like the post.
And because you made me see that it is an essential part of my blog, I'm keeping it going.
Check out the list of essential Ottawa blogs, and follow these folks if you aren't already doing so.
When Steve Jobs died, in 2011, Apple, understandably, displayed a photo of the man on their corporate Web site, showing the man that co-founded the company and the years that represented his lifespan.
One would expect no less with the passing of their iconic figure, who seemed as large as the products he created.
This weekend, when my wife and I wanted to do some online shopping at the Apple Store, we saw this when we went to the store's Web site.
And I was sad.
Sad, not just for the passing of a man who eclipsed not only Jobs, but every other world leader that comes to mind, but I was sad for the fact that Apple would display this man on an online store's site.
Like he was a spokesperson for Apple.
It was, to me, as though Apple was saying, "We're all sad about the passing of Nelson Mandela. And, while you're shopping online, remember that Apple proudly produces the iPod Touch in black and white. In harmony: just like Nelson wanted."
I decided not to shop at the Apple Store. Not this weekend. Not this holiday.
I was first introduced to the Canadian Indie-rock band, Metric, by a friend who only knew me as Roland Axam. Naomi and I were discussing music when she told me her favourite band had just released a new album, Fantasies. She e-mailed me MP3 files of some of their earlier songs, Poster of a Girl, Wet Blanket, Monster Hospital, The Police and the Private, and my favourite, Too Little Too Late.
A week later, I had a copy of Fantasies and had my family loving the band.
When Metric came to Ottawa for the 2010 Bluesfest, the Brownfoots were there, in the crush, as close as we could get. Emily Haines was electric on stage: she moved non-stop, bouncing from her keyboards to guitar, dancing end-to-end across stage, and literally bending over backwards to please the crowd (I have the photos to prove it).
And, of course, she's smokin' hot.
When the band announced the release of Synthetica, I ordered it immediately. (It's the last CD I purchased—everything's been downloaded from iTunes ever since.) Before I had the album in my possession, CBC Radio played a track, The Wanderlust, which features the accompanying vocals of the late, great, Lou Reed, who only passed away in October.
You can read Emily's thoughts on Lou Reed here.
So, here's Metric's The Wanderlust to carry us on a Monday.
