Thursday, 9 August 2012
S.o.t.D. - Hope For Us – Deep Spelle
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Bibliophilia: Just My Type: A Book About Fonts – Simon Garfield
I
admit to being a type geek, but even someone who knows nothing about
the subject will enjoy these bite sized sections about the surprisingly
involved world of typography. Great cover too.
Attic Renovations
As mentioned in my last post, the cedar strip kayaks we intend to build, will be built up in Hank’s attic.
Put up a wall along one side.
Another improvement was to rewire the attic and install better lighting and also to build a work table on casters.
So in two weeks, we went from a dusty, dilapidated attic to a functional work space.
I am stoked!
Go here for part 1 of the build.
It’s 80 feet long and it is in a 150 year old sail loft. Up till this point it has just been a storage space. Quite a bit of work needed to be done before it could be turned into a workshop to build kayaks in.
(And I have to apologize for the mostly abysmal quality of the photos, which are pretty crummy even by my standards. With sunlight glaring through a window at each end, and crappy bulbs hanging from the beams, the results couldn’t be great given the camera I have. But it will give you an idea of what we’ve been doing.)
This is pretty much what the attic looked like from one end to the other. 150 year old planks on the floor, broken and missing in places, with a lattice work of odd sized pieces of plywood to cover them and a lifetime of accumulated stuff. This is the back portion looking towards the front.
After moving stuff from the front to the back, we hauled plywood up.
A good sense of what the floor looked like.
After laying down a new floor, the next task was hoisting all the tools into the attic.
We built a beam out the attic window. This is the way it’s done in our mutual homeland, and just a smarter way to get heavy loads up. The first load caused some creaking so we added more wood to the beam, and that worked fine.
Ratchet strap for tying around stuff.
One of several ridiculously heavy things to be hoisted up. In the process of removing the motor to make it a little more manageable. Damaged leg that will have to be fixed.
Several components removed from the table saw already, both to reduce the weight and also to make it small enough to fit through the window. (The red gas tank was brought down from the attic to give to someone.)
All the stuff that was hauled up. Work bench, table saw, table planer, joiner, scroll saw, grinding wheel, tool chest - that one was a killer.
The hatch leading up and down.
Tool chest.
Work bench put back together.
Table saw put back together.
Strongback being built atop the work bench.
19 foot strongback with a stack of molds underneath it.
So in two weeks, we went from a dusty, dilapidated attic to a functional work space.
I am stoked!
Go here for part 1 of the build.
Building a Cedar Strip Kayak
Little quiet around here because I’ve been a very busy lad.
A friend, Hank, called me up recently. He built a cedar strip canoe about a dozen years ago, and knows of my interest in making one. “My son is the same size as you and I was thinking that I would like to make him a cedar strip kayak. There’s no way I can do it by myself, because the one I’m looking at is 19 feet long. And I intend to do it up in the attic which is going to take some renovation before it can be used. So I could use some help with that. Now, I figure that if I go to the trouble, get the plans, the molds, rip and plane and router all that wood, I may as well build two. One for my son, and one for you. You pay for the materials for a kayak, and we build two of them together.”
“Uhhhmmmm.......okay!”
His son is the same height as me, with about an additional 50 pounds, but with size 15 feet. Kayaks to fit mutants like us are a bit unusual. Custom built is likely the only way to go.
Building a cedar strip canoe or kayak has always been on my list of things I would love to do, but space has always been an issue. If an opportunity presents itself, someone who has the space, tools, some experience, and a desire to do it, I’m going to seize that opportunity. It wasn’t necessarily on the top of the list of projects I planned to tackle, but it is now.
And if you want some fun eye candy to look at, check these out. http://www.redfishkayak.com/customers%20gallery.htm
I would like to incorporate some of those curvilinear designs into the deck of mine. Or something a bit oomphy to jazz it up and make it personal. Also thought of maybe doing some marquetry for in the deck hatches (or maybe just in a deck hatch - let’s not get too ambitious.) Compass rose maybe or a spiral. I’ll see.
I will try to do my best to chronicle the builds as they progress, but it’ll be tricky trying to juggle photographing and building.
I haven’t been this stoked about anything in a long time.
Go here to see the attic we’ll build it in and the renos we did to it to make it usable.
A friend, Hank, called me up recently. He built a cedar strip canoe about a dozen years ago, and knows of my interest in making one. “My son is the same size as you and I was thinking that I would like to make him a cedar strip kayak. There’s no way I can do it by myself, because the one I’m looking at is 19 feet long. And I intend to do it up in the attic which is going to take some renovation before it can be used. So I could use some help with that. Now, I figure that if I go to the trouble, get the plans, the molds, rip and plane and router all that wood, I may as well build two. One for my son, and one for you. You pay for the materials for a kayak, and we build two of them together.”
“Uhhhmmmm.......okay!”
His son is the same height as me, with about an additional 50 pounds, but with size 15 feet. Kayaks to fit mutants like us are a bit unusual. Custom built is likely the only way to go.
Building a cedar strip canoe or kayak has always been on my list of things I would love to do, but space has always been an issue. If an opportunity presents itself, someone who has the space, tools, some experience, and a desire to do it, I’m going to seize that opportunity. It wasn’t necessarily on the top of the list of projects I planned to tackle, but it is now.
Besides
the fact that this is a really cool opportunity for me to learn some
new skills and get a useful and beautiful item out of it at the end, I
also thought of it in terms of taking my nephew up there once in a while and
let him witness portions of the build and learn some stuff.
Oh and the kayak we’ve opted for after a whole lot of looking and comparing is a Bear Mountain True North XPD 19/3.
Oh and the kayak we’ve opted for after a whole lot of looking and comparing is a Bear Mountain True North XPD 19/3.
And if you want some fun eye candy to look at, check these out. http://www.redfishkayak.com/customers%20gallery.htm
I would like to incorporate some of those curvilinear designs into the deck of mine. Or something a bit oomphy to jazz it up and make it personal. Also thought of maybe doing some marquetry for in the deck hatches (or maybe just in a deck hatch - let’s not get too ambitious.) Compass rose maybe or a spiral. I’ll see.
I will try to do my best to chronicle the builds as they progress, but it’ll be tricky trying to juggle photographing and building.
I haven’t been this stoked about anything in a long time.
Go here to see the attic we’ll build it in and the renos we did to it to make it usable.
Ray Mears Builds A Birch Bark Canoe
I have the book that accompanies this series, and while it is cool to see a pictorial depiction of the process, watching the whole episode and the entire process is both incredibly inspirational and dare I say, quite a spiritual thing to witness.
Tuesday, 7 August 2012
S.o.t.D. - Reflection (feat. Karen Gibson Roc) – Lemongrass
Reflection (feat. Karen Gibson Roc) – Lemongrass
The more I hear Lemongrass, the more I love them. Trip-hoppy breakbeats with great vocals over top. Mmmmmm...mmm. This reminds me a little of a track or two off of Two Pages by 4Hero, which, considering it’s one of my favourite albums, is a good thing.
The more I hear Lemongrass, the more I love them. Trip-hoppy breakbeats with great vocals over top. Mmmmmm...mmm. This reminds me a little of a track or two off of Two Pages by 4Hero, which, considering it’s one of my favourite albums, is a good thing.
Monday, 6 August 2012
Sunday, 5 August 2012
S.o.t.D. - Night Song - Crest – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with Michael Brook
Night Song - Crest – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with Michael Brook
N.F.A.K. is one of those artists I should probably take the time to listen to properly at some point. Only familiar with a tiny amount of what he did. This record being it. Got it mostly because I’m a huge Michael Brook fan.
N.F.A.K. is one of those artists I should probably take the time to listen to properly at some point. Only familiar with a tiny amount of what he did. This record being it. Got it mostly because I’m a huge Michael Brook fan.
Saturday, 4 August 2012
Friday, 3 August 2012
Thursday, 2 August 2012
S.o.t.D. - Beatport (Beat Pharmacy Deep House Mix) – 1st Class
Beatport (Beat Pharmacy Deep House Mix) – 1st Class
The picture is kinda cornball, but the song is some good, deep house.
The picture is kinda cornball, but the song is some good, deep house.
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
S.o.t.D. - Breathe – The White Birch
Breathe – The White Birch
A very sparse song, with ethereal vocals. Random discovery that I’m glad I found.
A very sparse song, with ethereal vocals. Random discovery that I’m glad I found.
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Monday, 30 July 2012
Sunday, 29 July 2012
S.o.t.D. - Drifting – Lemongrass
Drifting – Lemongrass
One of those acts that seems capable of tackling a large range of styles and knocking them all out of the park. This combines Nina Simone samples with break beats and a sub woofer workout bass line.
One of those acts that seems capable of tackling a large range of styles and knocking them all out of the park. This combines Nina Simone samples with break beats and a sub woofer workout bass line.
Saturday, 28 July 2012
Friday, 27 July 2012
Bibliophilia: Shi: Ju-nen by William Tucci
rival sects, and the protagonist has to try and avert it. Found it kind of tough to follow, since a story that preceded this (about a decade ago) is referenced fairly often. Bunch of things going on here that weren’t clear to me. Really distracting trying to read this when every page offers a leggy kabuki/samurai/ninja/geisha babe. “Oh I would love to tofu her banzai. Damn where was I again?” And the fourth chapter seems to totally drop off in the art part. Quite polished for the first three, and then the last one seems to have been roughly inked and coloured.
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Sailing
While I’ve spent a fair bit of time in canoes, I’ve never been in a sail boat. Just never had the opportunity.
Keven down at Bay Sails, said that I should come out to the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club on a Tuesday or Thursday evening when they have races, and I could go out on the Bay. Reminded me several times. I finally took him up on the offer. Perfect day. Hot, clear, but windy.
Mark says, “I took Anand and Justin out sailing again last night, and just before we set out Keven came by and I asked him about all the stuff going on over at Hanks. Keven says ‘Oh him and another guy are doing some renos in the attic because they’re going to build two cedar strip kayaks in the attic.’ Anand yells ‘Hey! That’s my uncle!’ ”
Heading out of the marina towards Burlington.
A laker by Pier 6.
Some of the other (many other) boats out on the Bay.
Keven going past in his Shark.
I know in my head that Burlington Bay is a large body of water, but being out in the middle of it really drives the point home.
Steel plants.
Mark at the helm and Tom manning the sails. They’ve been sailing together for decades and operate like a well oiled machine. Watching Tom gamboling around on a pitching and rolling sail boat, was quite impressive. The only apprehension I had about being out on the water was that I would turn out to be a totally useless boob, getting in the way, standing on ropes, etc. But I think I did all right. While I’m essentially a land lubber, I think my saving grace is that I’m pretty common-sensical. I pay attention and cottoned on to what needed to happen pretty quickly.
Steel mills. I’ve said it before, but even with the heavy industry on the waterfront, this has to be one of the most scenic places in Canada to live. I can only imagine how sweet it would be if those steel plants hadn’t ever been put there. But, it had to go somewhere. And Hamilton it was.
Heading towards the Skyway Bridge.
Mark let me take the helm for about 20 minutes while he got the jib sail down. I didn’t cause any accidents or anything. Fun getting to steer a boat. Tom had a cap on when we set out, but it blew off while setting up the spinnaker on one of the three times it was unfurled.
I steered the boat towards the High Level Bridge and when given the direction, turned it to port to head back to the marina.
Uhhhh....super fun! I can definitely see the appeal of sailing. Not that I never had an interest, but just haven’t had the opportunity. There is definitely a sizeable learning curve involved, but talk about opening up a lot of possibilities.
S.o.t.D. - 100 Billion Stars – Lux
100 Billion Stars – Lux
I don’t think I’ve played this one 100 billion times, but at least about 10,000 times.
I don’t think I’ve played this one 100 billion times, but at least about 10,000 times.
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
S.o.t.D. - Breaking Hands – The Gun Club
Breaking Hands – The Gun Club
Not a band I had paid much attention to before, but Robin Guthrie’s production on this album made me sit up and pay attention.
Not a band I had paid much attention to before, but Robin Guthrie’s production on this album made me sit up and pay attention.
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
S.o.t.D. - Underpass – John Foxx
Underpass – John Foxx
Makes a great soundtrack for reading Concrete Island or Crash by J.G. Ballard. From 1980s Metamatic. One of those early electronic albums that had quite an effect on me, and which I still dig 32 years later. The whooshy synth sound that takes the last minute of this track out, I particularly dig.
Makes a great soundtrack for reading Concrete Island or Crash by J.G. Ballard. From 1980s Metamatic. One of those early electronic albums that had quite an effect on me, and which I still dig 32 years later. The whooshy synth sound that takes the last minute of this track out, I particularly dig.
Go buy a map?
Any one that knows me will probably point out that I am ridiculously prepared. But if I am just popping over to the groceteria for a few things, the chance that I will be all that prepared is far less likely. I’m not bringing all my maps of the area with me if I’m strolling to the park with my nephew to kick a ball around for an hour. If you ask me where a street is and it’s a block or two away, I can direct you. Ask me about a street on the other side of town, a part of town I’m just not familiar with, you’re out of luck. I always help people when I can, but I can’t possibly recall every name of every street and the precise turn by turn directions of how to get there in a city the size of the one I live in.
I
had a guy stop me the other day and ask me where Whitefish Crescent
was. No idea. A crescent is a suburb thing. There are no suburban areas
anywhere near here. “I really don’t think it’s in a 5 km, 10 km radius of here. I
don’t know...go buy a map maybe?”
Went
home and looked it up. It was more than 20 km away, so far out, it was
practically in a whole other city. So dude had no idea where he was, no
idea where he needed to be was, no idea how to get from here to there.
I worked in Mississauga for a few years, in a sprawling warren of an industrial complex. I got to where I needed to be, walked to a place nearby to get lunch once in a while, went home at the end of the day. I didn’t become familiar with every street and road in the area. Returning from dropping some mail in the box a woman stops me and asks me where a particular street was.
“Sorry, no idea. Go to the variety store over there and buy a map maybe?”
I know, she probably thought Dennis Leary wrote a song about me. But really. If you need to get somewhere, and you don’t bother to figure it out ahead of time, expecting that a random stranger on the street can accurately direct you is wishful at best. A map can direct you perfectly.
A few years ago I wandered over to my barber for a haircut, when two women in a car asked me where a street was. Didn’t sound familiar, so I told them I couldn’t help them. “Go buy a map maybe?”
When I got home my curiosity made me look it up. It was a short street somewhere up on the Mountain, diagonally on the other side of the city. Never had cause to be there, totally unfamiliar with the area. So here these dips were, aimlessly driving around, not sure where they were, no idea how to get to where they were supposed to be, hoping that random strangers far from their intended location could direct them perfectly to it.
Maybe I’m strange, but if I am going to an area I don’t know, I research it ahead of time. There is this incredible invention called the internet. It provides you with maps, directions, now even photos of the exact place you have to be. Even when it didn’t exist there was a thing called a library, chock a block full of great info. Or I just ask of the place I am going to if they can give me some clues. If not, many places sell cheap gold mines of information called maps. If the place I am in currently doesn’t have those maps, I will get one the instant I hit the ground in an unfamiliar location.
This all seems amazingly logical to me. But I am probably strange.
Monday, 23 July 2012
S.o.t.D. - Underdub – Omnimotion
Underdub – Omnimotion
Hearing this track brings back really nice memories of the first few days I spent where I’m living now. A friend had lent me a CD, Infinessence, a compilation from Interchill. Lots of great tracks on it, but this was one of my favourites. I walked about 20 kilometers, on a cold but sunny day, this being part of the soundtrack of that exploring my surroundings walk.
Hearing this track brings back really nice memories of the first few days I spent where I’m living now. A friend had lent me a CD, Infinessence, a compilation from Interchill. Lots of great tracks on it, but this was one of my favourites. I walked about 20 kilometers, on a cold but sunny day, this being part of the soundtrack of that exploring my surroundings walk.
Sunday, 22 July 2012
S.o.t.D. - Drum Test – Meat Beat Manifesto
Drum Test – Meat Beat Manifesto
Holy funk! If there is any one who knows how to lay down tight, snappy, insanely funky beats, it’s Jack Dangers. Oh and there is a cute kitten at the end too!
Holy funk! If there is any one who knows how to lay down tight, snappy, insanely funky beats, it’s Jack Dangers. Oh and there is a cute kitten at the end too!
Carroll’s Point & the Bay
I was thinking the other day that I have photographed this spot a bunch of times over the years. Whenever I cross the McQuesten High Level Bridge, I have to stop to admire the view, and invariably snap a few shots. Looking back at some of them, it struck me how different they all look. Different times of year and times of day. Some different angles as well.
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