Wicked Winter

Though I have been a little pessimistic about the snow this year - in the Kootneys and here in Vancouver, I usually am quite happy when the white stuff falls because we see it so rarely here. (See here &  here). This year is just one of those years when I am done with winter sooner than usual. I don't know why.
So, to be fair, here are a few more pictures from my trip into the Rockies this week that would have been a whole lot less interesting if it weren't for the snow. All photos taken with my Pentax K1000

West Coast Wimp

I am a self-proclaimed, adapted, West Coast Wimp. When I first moved to the coast I would "wow" my friends with tales of 6 foot-high snow banks, downhill skiing in -35 degree celsius weather, walking to school (uphill both ways, of course) while my eyelashes frosted together and a frozen snot mustache grew on my upper lip.
Well now - how the mighty have fallen! I went back to my Rocky Mountain hometown for a visit last weekend and I am appalled that there is still several feet of snow on the ground in some places, and that it was actually snowing on the first day of spring!
"Why the heck is it still winter here??"
Of course, my friends and family who live there simply laughed at me and replied "You have been away too long... this IS spring!"
*Le sigh* and a grand realization - I am officially a West Coast Wimp.
You guys be the judge... is this not ludicrous for mid-March?
All photos taken with my Pentax K1000

As a comparison, here is a photo I took yesterday (just 1 day after my trip to the Kootneys) with my Digital Canon EOS Rebel XS here on the mild West Coast.
Je t'adore Vancouver.

H2O-Oh-oh-oh

Life has been pretty crazy lately... mostly work-crazy more than personal-crazy, but it still leaves me feeling exhausted and frazzled at times. The other week when I was home sick, I was thinking about the healing power of water. I am not sure why, but water just seems to nourish the soul. Whether it is taking a hot bath, or floating in a calm lake, or listening to the babble of a stream... the presence of water seems calming to me. This may be one of the reasons why I have so many pictures of water (also because it tends to be so visually interesting).
These are a few photos from our photo adventure way back in January (I haven't been able to actually finish another roll since then!). They are taken with my Pentax K1000.

Jeffrey actually made a comment this day "You really like taking pictures of fountains, don't you?"
I know... I am so predictable.

What the...?

Every time I see this, I wonder what the story is. It also reminds me of the scene in the movie Big Fish (which I love). Apparently I am not the only to wonder, and even all-knowing Wiki has no one clear answer. I think I'll choose to believe in the less sinister and more whimsical theories.

Taken with my Pentax K1000 - January 2011

Man vs Nature

Why do I love film cameras? Other than the 11 reasons listed here in this post? Because I get shots like these. And I have no justifiable reason as to why these photos turned out the way they did (with that eerie shadow and almost saturated colour look) because I did nothing different than any other photo that I have taken. The only rational explanation is quite simply... film is cool.

I stopped to photograph this wall because I love how it didn't stop the tree from growing the way that it wanted to... the tree simply found a way around the barrier. This wall is the exterior of the Dr. Sun Sat Yen Chinese Garden, and it is almost as if the garden is saying "Screw you people! You can't fence me in!"
All photos taken with my Pentax K1000

Vancouver Public Library

I don't know anyone who has ever visited the Vancouver Public Library and not left in awe. The architecture is unique and impressive, yet not overly "in your face". When you stand in the atrium you can't help but look up and around. The design draws you in and makes you feel so small and yet so safe at the same time. I can't walk through there with a camera in my hand and not take at least one picture.
If you you haven't been... go, it is worth the trip.
All photos taken with my Pentax K1000, but on various photo adventures.

Pink Shirt Day

Today is Pink Shirt Day... a day to support anti-bullying campaigns, to spread the word that we want a world free of hatred and discrimination. In honour of Pink Shirt day and my devout belief that we will see the disappearance of homophobia within our lifetime, here is my pink.

Love is louder

"Tag me on Facebook!"

I am still super self conscious about taking photos of strangers. Sometimes I am brave enough if it is a large enough crowd of people, or if I can somehow shoot their reflection in something else so that they don't see me pointing my camera directly at them. I think once I get faster at focusing I may be more brave, cause then I can be all stealthy-like without them noticing. But, on this sunny Sunday afternoon, the way the late afternoon light was hitting this guy on the fire escape was just too much to pass up! Unfortunately I wasn't able to capture the warm glow of the light (note to self - learn more about light composition), but I still do like the imagery.
And of course this guy did notice both me an my fiancée taking photos of him, so he called down to us "Just be sure to tag me on Facebook!" Well cool, arty-looking guy... if I knew who you were and if I actually put these photos on Facebook, then I would definitely tag you. My apologies, but thank you for being so chill about us photographing you (though he does look like the type of guy that is pretty chill about anything).
All photos taken with my Pentax K1000.

Olympic Nostalgia

It has been one year since the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, and the city is celebrating this weekend. And although I probably won't get out to partake in those festivities, I am happy that I got a chance to witness them a year ago. And although it was a time rapt with political agendas and opinions, I don't think anybody can argue that Vancouver has never before seen (or will ever see again) that kind of spirit, camaraderie, and celebration. It was a unique a time. Here are a few of the photos I snapped to capture the moment.
All photos taken with my Pentax K1000

A sea of red patriotism - Robson Square

Buskers and smiling kids galore

Lines of buses bringing people into the city

False Creek is a buzz with boats, pedestrians, cyclists

It's funny how I look back at these pictures and just see how they could have been better. I think I have come a long way in a year (I guess I'm kinda proud of that). :)

I heart Vancouver

This is my city. At the end of January. And I love it!

All photos taken with my Pentax K1000

It ain't easy being green

Last Sunday, the sun came out at full force in Vancouver and it was glorious! I shot two rolls of film in one afternoon, I think just because I was so happy to see the light again. When I looked through the photos from those rolls I noticed a lot of green... like my eye was drawn to that particular colour on that day.
Vancouver, unlike some other places in Canada, doesn't lack for natural greens during the winter months. In fact, flowers have been in bloom here since January. But, at times, the grey skies can make it hard to appreciate that fact. Clearly my mind on this particular day was drawn to the colours of sunny spring days.

Gong Hei Fat Choi

Happy Year of the Rabbit to you all! Vancouver was already decked out in it's Chinese New Years finest this past weekend and I just couldn't resist the colours! Not sure I'll make it down to the parade this year, but I am looking forward to some tasty treats care of some very generous students tomorrow in celebration.
All photos taken with my Pentax K1000 and expired Polaroid High Definition Plus ASA 200 film.