S.o.t.D. - Lovely Morning – Phonique

Lovely Morning – Phonique

Bouncy little number. Has a bit of an 80s techno pop feel to it almost.

César's Bark Canoe

This documentary shows how a canoe is built the old way. 67-years old at the time of filming César Newashish, an Attikamek of the Manawan Reserve north of Montreal, uses only birchbark, cedar splints, spruce roots and gum. Building a canoe solely from the materials that the forest provides may become a lost art, even among the Native peoples whose traditional craft it is. The film is without commentary but text frames appear on the screen in Cree, French and English. 

S.o.t.D. - Marching Through Your Head – Zeus

Marching Through Your Head – Zeus

Worth watching the video for this. Adam Makarenko is a Toronto photographer whose every scene is a miniature.

S.o.t.D. - Back In Black – Hayseed Dixie

Back In Black – Hayseed Dixie

From the terrific “A Hillbilly Tribute to AC/DC”. (Say the bands name fast a few times. ;-))

S.o.t.D. - The World We Knew (Over and Over) – Frank Sinatra

The World We Knew (Over and Over) – Frank Sinatra

This is one of those note perfect pieces of music.

S.o.t.D. - Difficult Words – Martin Mittone

Difficult Words – Martin Mittone

I know there are people out there who can’t or won’t be able to smile and feel joy in their heart when they hear this. I feel sorry for them.

S.o.t.D. - Roundabout – Workbench

Roundabout – Workbench

I feel an affinity for this artist, partly because he resides in my part of the world, but mainly because what he produces is just so good.

S.o.t.D. - Nightrider – Seba

Nightrider – Seba

The sort of D&B I really like, the more mellow stuff.

S.o.t.D. - Delirious – Slytek

Delirious – Slytek

I feel better for having discovered this.

Bibliophilia: Howl: A Graphic Novel by Allen Ginsberg

Howl: A Graphic Novel – Allen Ginsberg

I’m likely too much of an uncultured rube to appreciate this, but when I read this decades ago it left me scratching my head, and after reading this I’m still wondering “WTF”? Just did nothing for me. 

Bibliophilia: Habibi by Craig Thompson

Habibi – Craig Thompson

Still not entirely sure how I should feel about this book. It’s gorgeous and ugly all at once. Love the art - the geometric Islamic stuff is stunning to behold. The story is a bit of a disjointed fairy tale, weaving between the modern world and a 1001 Nights world. But it creeped me the hell out when within the first few pages a 9 year old girl is sold by her father to a much older man, and he has (admittedly implied) sex with her – gotta tell you, I threw up in my mouth a little. And then she has to prostitute herself to survive and then she’s kidnapped and enslaved in a harem, and then she’s impregnated and then her baby disappears, oh and look a bunch of women from the harem are stuck in weighted bags and thrown in a river....it’s all relentlessly grim. I know out in the real world women are far, far too often horribly treated, and it just depresses the hell out of me. I guess there’s a positive ending, but there is a lot of grim shit to wade through first.

I felt like the art outshone the story. On the basis of the art I have to recommend it. But the other aspects I mentioned make me hesitant to give it a whole-hearted endorsement.

S.o.t.D. - We – Watershell

We – Watershell

The first track released by the great Watershell. Some very creamy dub. 

S.o.t.D. - Shell Of Light (Louis La Roche Remix) – Burial

Shell Of Light (Louis La Roche Remix) – Burial

Really digging this remix.

S.o.t.D. - Eyes Wide Open (Demure Remix) – Dynastic Electric

Eyes Wide Open (Demure Remix) – Dynastic Electric

Noish.

S.o.t.D. - Shades Of Grey (SpectraSoul Remix) – Delilah

Shades Of Grey (SpectraSoul Remix) – Delilah

Why isn’t stuff like this what popular radio plays?

S.o.t.D. - Poseidon – Spectrasoul

Poseidon – Spectrasoul

Mmm...mmm..... That beat, kind of shuffling, kind of driving, and then that rumbling bass. Can’t not tap your digits to this.

Cootes @ Dusk

I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m always saddened yet delighted how few people I encounter on my walks. Sat on a little beach and watched the sun set over Cootes Paradise. All by myself. Given how many thousands could easily walk or ride a bike here, and how many hundreds of thousands could drive a car over here, the scarcity of people is always a bit strange. Nice too I’ll admit somewhat selfishly, but it is kind of pitiful how few take advantage of the beauty this part of the world has to offer.

Autumnal Splendour

Two days of walking. Out along the Radial Trail and Scenic Drive. One day I just went wandering for exercise and fun and enjoying the scenery. The second day I went for the afore mentioned and also to wander out to Ancaster to a large retail center partly to a branch of a large chain of home improvement stores to investigate different materials for water resistant seals for kayak hatches.

Brought along a hiking helper and sauntered in the direction of the golf course. Temps were idyllic. Sweater weather. Despite that, and despite it being a few hours before dusk, there was no one out playing.

The post war era clubhouse. Looking a little down at the heels now. Actually went into it for the first time today. It’s usually closed, and I other wise have little to no cause to go in. Filled a water bottle from the fountain.

Spencer Gorge in the distance.

 Another glimpse across the valley.

Funny how you can live in a place for years, and there are still spots you’ve never explored. For some reason, when I take this trail, I usually always take it back. Rarely go along the road, and usually only at night, that skirts the top of the Escarpment. (The old rail trail being only about halfway up it.) Of course the views are a little better. Duh. Went along the edge and found some tracks that led to a nice look out.

A look out across the area I refer to as the old rifle range. To me this is one of the reasons I like living here. Not far from home are little spots like this. A bit out of the way, with a nice view.

In the center, about a quarter of the way from the left, you can make out the rock shelf that the previous two pictures were taken from.

Sit, enjoy the fall colours, admire the view, saunter home again.

Former railway line.

Former railway line, the next day.

McMaster Hospital in the center of the photo.

Same spot I was in yesterday, just on an overcast day.

Cliffview Gorge.

Delighted to see a young fox dart out in front of me, grab a walnut in its mouth, and run off into the woods clinging to the Escarpment.

Upper Sanatorium Falls...I think.

S.o.t.D. - Take Me Into Your Skin – Trentemøller

Take Me Into Your Skin – Trentemøller

Exquisite, but the more I hear from him, the more that seems par for the course.

ADX - Community Workshop in Oregon

If I ever win the lottery this is what I would do with the money. Build a communal/comunity build space. Not being able to do that, I wish there was a place like this where I am.

http://www.adxportland.com/

S.o.t.D. - Vorka – Hidden Orchestra

Vorka – Hidden Orchestra

Hidden Orchestra needs to come out of hiding. Fine piece of music.

Malala Yousafzai

About the only thing that induces red hot boiling rage in me is these feral fucks.

Someone says something disparaging about your imaginary friend? Riot in the streets!

Murder (or attempt to) girls who want an education to transcend your hate filled, backwards nonsense? Not a peep!

Fuck you, you shit eating fundamentalist scum!

To me the idea is completely ingrained that as men, it’s our sacred duty to protect women. They’re our mothers, our sisters, our wives, our daughters. Since time immemorial, it’s been our duty to protect and nurture them. Any culture/religion that represses and murders girls that have barely reached puberty is utterly vile and reprehensible.

S.ot.D. - My Own World – Synkro

My Own World – Synkro

Really like where this fella is taking things.

S.o.t.D. - Project Two – Alaska & Nucleus

Project Two – Alaska & Nucleus

Holy smokes. Hang on to your seats. Brings back fond memories of hearing these tracks out years ago.

Pretty Big Dig

I read about this some where, and have been lucky enough to catch it once or twice on Bravo. It popped into my head and I decided to look it up.

Choreographed excavators. 

Hugely entertaining.

S.o.t.D. - Root – Loefah

Root – Loefah

In case you felt your sub-woofer wasn’t getting the workout it needs.

S.o.t.D. - Sweet Dreams – Jhelisa

Sweet Dreams – Jhelisa  

Serene, smooth, soulful.

S.o.t.D. - Kalte Sterne – Einstürzende Neubauten

Kalte Sterne – Einstürzende Neubauten

Can’t believe this is the first time I’ve posted Blixa and the boys. Was fortunate enough to see these guys several times, including once in 84.

S.o.t.D. - Daddy Needs A Throne – Camberwell Now

Daddy Needs A Throne – Camberwell Now

I got virtually all the Touch tapes back in the 80s, and this is one of the tracks I dug on them. Mainly the drum part in the first 2 minutes.

S.o.t.D. - Safety In Solitude – Plaid

Safety In Solitude – Plaid

I’ve featured Brothers Chase on here before, but had to include this. When a soundtrack is so good it compels you to want to see the movie.

Kite Making - Kieron Jansch

I can’t say I’ve ever given a whole lot of thought to kites. But these videos blew me away. And by kites, I mean para-foils, for kite boarding, kite surfing, that sort of thing. The work that Kieron Jansch puts into these kites is phenomenal. An obsessive level of attention to detail that I can totally appreciate. Really worth watching these. Besides creating amazingly intricate designs into very large, complicated kites, he also does a top notch job of editing the videos.

If you want to watch just one, the production value on number 3 is the best.

S.o.t.D. - Blinkende Stjerne – Kontext

Blinkende Stjerne – Kontext

Minimal, slightly eerie, tech house with some nice dub elements. I think that about sums it up.

Mosquito Restoration

Love this plane, and glad to see there is at least one flying somewhere in the world. Particularly impressed by the molds. And then there is that sound.

S.o.t.D. - Concentric Circles – Tripswitch

Concentric Circles – Tripswitch

Can’t believe I’ve only had Tripswitch on here once before. Stunning track.

S.o.t.D. - Lightning Between Worlds – Mon0

Lightning Between Worlds – Mon0

Worth watching the video, which the track accompanies perfectly.

Pause for Rest

S.o.t.D. - Self Like Ocean – Depth

Self Like Ocean – Depth

Chilled out...garage? Dubstep? I don’t know where the distinctions fall any more.

S.o.t.D. - Numero Uno – Lisa Lashes

Numero Uno – Lisa Lashes

Stonker of a choon as they say in England.

Bibliophilia: Glock: The Rise of America’s Gun by Paul Barrett

Glock: The Rise of America’s Gun – Paul Barrett

I found this a totally engrossing read. Fascinating how Gaston Glock developed a brilliant pistol and built it into an empire. He had no real knowledge of firearms, but enlisted the help of some smart people along the way, and developed a very successful weapon. What started out as a small workshop blossomed into a major player in the firearms world. All sorts of drama along the way, including assassination attempts, gun industry politics, embezzling executives, messy divorces, marriages to women young enough to be his grand-daughter, etc. And the author does a fairly even handed job of exploring Americas gun culture. Not per se pro, not per se con. Mainly I came away with the idea that Gaston Glock is a piece of work. Don’t think I like him at all, but I have to concede he is a shrewd business man.

Sharpie markers suck.

I have to say it.

I thought it might be a fluke, I got a bad one, but after a whole bunch of experiences, I’m forced to come to the conclusion that the quality of Sharpie markers has gone right in the shitter. 

I got a stainless steel Sharpie marker- dead in no time. I got about a meter worth of line out of it. We got a pack of fine tip Sharpie markers for doing the myriad of marking required on the boat. I swear, each one gave a maybe an inch worth of marking before they shit the bed. Grabbed ones from the sail loft bought at a different time, different batch. No good. Used ones at the tattoo shop. New packet, and dry in a jiffy. Seriously unimpressed.

Jogged down to Mixed Media this morning while I waited for some epoxy to cure, and grabbed two Sakura markers – an IDentipen dual tip and a Microperm 05. Wow, a line that is actually permanent. No wiping off when three minutes later  you inadvertently smudge your arm against it. I like!

Screw you Sharpie, and your shitty markers.

S.o.t.D. - Jericho Dub – Twilight Circus Dub Sound System

Jericho Dub – Twilight Circus Dub Sound System

For my money, the best dub producer going. The sounds he produces are absolutely incredible. Saw this video of Ryan and Kevin working on something in the Subconscious Studio. Synthgasmic.

Kayak Build 9

Flipping her over.

After getting the hull done and fiberglassed and epoxied it was time to flip the kayak over so we could commence the deck. Not quite as simple as it sounds. The molds that were inside the hull had to stay in place, and there was a chance of their being jostled and knocked loose.

The bunjee system we put to such good use in constructing the hull we wrapped around the whole package. Placed on the floor so we could prepare the strongback.

The strongback like we haven’t seen it in a while.

The bow mold.

The hull molds attached to the strong back.

The hull back up on the strongback. Most of the plywood pieces attached to the strongback and attached to the molds so that the whole thing would be raised with enough clearance still attached.

And removed.

Removing rough edges off the hull to ensure that the deck will mate perfectly.

And some more views of the hull. From stern to bow.

And from bow to stern.

Tomorrow we start the deck.

Go here for part 10 of the build.

S.o.t.D. - Melodica – Stimming

Melodica – Stimming

The bit around 1:50 makes me weak in the knees.

Beaver in the Bay

I don’t know for certain, but I think it has been a while since a beaver has been seen in Burlington Bay. Certainly I can’t recall seeing one in the time I’ve lived here.

While walking along the waterfront a few evenings ago I saw something swimming through the water. Hey it’s Canada’s national symbol!

Looks like it might be a lake quite a ways north of here, but in reality, it’s in a major city.

 (Note the merganser sitting on the branch.)

Wander Down To Cootes

Went for a stroll a while ago down to Cootes Paradise. No real purpose, just out for a wander.

Just a gull.

Looking out across the Bay.

Just another gull.

 Cootes Paradise.

 Goose.

Gooses.

Princess Point. This area has had many archeological digs done over the years, as there is evidence here of the oldest known agricultural activity in Ontario.

 Sassafras Point.