Hedwig Schipperheijn ~ Travel Writer and Photographer

Internationaal Ambassadeur - > √

2011-03-06T08:47:00.000-08:00

Ja, waarom wil ik nou eigenlijk Internationaal Ambassadeur zijn?

Heel simpel. Als ambassadeur ben je de brug tussen twee werelden. In zekere zin moet je een kameleon zijn, want de ene wereld is drastisch verschillend van het andere, dus je moet snel kunnen omschakelen. Voor mij, om in die werelden te duiken is verrukkelijk en de essentie van puur leven. Daar ga ik van stralen en dat is de geleider van mijn boodschap naar de mensen in Nederland wanneer ik hen vertel hoeveel baat de contributies van de postcode loterij hebben voor de projecten die ze steunen.

Tuurlijk, ik spreek 5 talen, heb ervaring in communicatie door mijn marketing achtergrond en gebruik social media dagelijks, maar dat is niet wat mij de beste Internationale Ambassadeur maakt. Goed, ik ben al in 23 landen geweest en heb er ook in 5 gewoond. Je kunt inderdaad zeggen dat ik al heel wat verschillende culturen heb ervaren, zo ook de uitdagingen die daar bij komen en de lessen die je daarvan weer leert.

En als ik nou toch bezig ben...Het hele idee van om je heen kijken en constructief behulpzaam zijn is me er met de paplepel ingegoten. Mijn vader heeft aan de voet van de ontwikkelings organisatie Solidaridad gestaan. In 1969 werd hij tot secretaris benoemd door de Bisschoppelijke Advies Commissie en is hij met een project genaamd "Solidaridad" begonnen. Solidaridad betekend solidariteit in het Spaans en het project was gericht op steun aan Latijns Amerikaanse landen. De naam is blijven steken en het is uiteindelijk de officiele naam van de organisatie geworden. Mijn vader deed niets anders als projecten ontwikkelen en mensen helpen een beter, zelfstandiger leven te leiden. Uit Solidaridad is o.a. Max Havelaar voortgekomen en deze producten zijn nu beschikbaar in vrijwel alle supermarkten. Solidaridad heeft ook de term "fair trade" populair gemaakt en het is nu een algemeen begrip geworden in de hele westerse wereld. Ik heb dus geleerd hoeveel financiele steun betekend voor ontwikkelings organisaties en hoe enorm veel goede resultaten er worden behaald.

Opvoeding, studie, reis ervaring, talen, werkervaring; het helpt natuurlijk allemaal.
Maar wat mij de beste Internationale Ambassadeur maakt is mijn uitstraling! Ik heb een warme energieke en vertrouwelijke uitstraling, sterke overtuigings kracht en een gezicht dat mensen graag zien. Okay, het voelt wel een beetje gek dit over mezelf de zeggen, maar ik zeg gewoon even wat mensen mij vertellen.

Wat heb ik geleerd?
Door campagne te voeren voor deze baan, heb ik allereerst mijn eigen grenzen flink verlegd. Om ruim een maand lang jezelf aan te prijzen vergt heel wat overtuigings kracht. Hoe spreek je mensen aan? Het is een kwestie van aanvoelen, want iedereen is weer anders. Het belangrijkste is dat mijn verhaal en overtuiging uit mijn hart komt. Mensen zien dat en willen je dan graag helpen. Ik heb zelf de meeste stemmen gekregen door persoonlijk met mensen te spreken. Ten eerste is mijn online netwerk voornamelijk Engels en Spaans talig en de drempel voor hen om mee te doen hoog, en ten tweede ben ik in-persoon erg overtuigend ;-) Dus kan ik dan meer op stemmen rekenenen. Een aantal mensen boden toen ook aan me te helpen door met een lijstje naar hun vrienden en collega's te gaan, en zo is het aantal stemmen steeds groter geworden. Ondertussen heb ik 660 stemmen vergaard en heb ik in feite market research gedaan voor de Postcode Loterij. Zou toch leuk zijn als ik die informatie met jullie kon delen, niet?!

Vertrouwen winnen is essentieel. Moet je nagaan, steun geven kost niets in dit geval, en bovendien kun je een reisje naar Bali winnen! Moet toch genoeg zijn? Absoluut niet! De barrières van perceptie zijn ongelofelijk sterk, daar kwam ik snel genoeg achter.

Hoe heb ik het gedaan?
Deze campagne was gedreven door mijn overtuiging dat deze baan voor mij gemaakt was. Ik zie mezelf daar al helemaal rondlopen! En door creatief te zijn, mijn marketing kennis te gebruiken en door te zetten tot aan het einde toe, ben ik uiteindelijk tot dit punt gekomen. En wat zou een wereld zijn zonder een paar goede vrienden :-) Er is met name een handje vol mensen, die mij voorheen totaal onbekend waren, die me enorm geholpen hebben.

Goed, af-en-toe heb ik flink over mezelf gelachen, en als ik niet zoveel tussendoor gesport had, was ik vast en zeker erg gespannen geworden. Uiteindelijk heb ik daardoor ook met heel veel mensen op de Living Well sportschool gesproken en ben ik zo een communicatie plan begonnen waardoor ik steeds meer waardevolle stemmen heb gekregen.

Dus, met andere woorden, beste Postcode Loterij:

Je hebt een passie voor reizen/You have a passion for travel - √
Je beschikt over uitstekende communicatieve en sociale vaardigheden/You have excellent communication and social skills - √
Je schriftelijke taalvaardigheid is uitstekend/Your writing skills are excellent - √
Je vindt het leuk om op verschillende plekken te werken en kunt het goed aan om gedurende een half jaar niet of nauwelijks in Nederland te zijn/You enjoy working in different places and have no issues being away from Holland for 6 months - √
Je hebt een sterke persoonlijkheid en staat stevig in je schoenen/You have a strong personality and have have self-confidence - √
Je hebt een warm hart voor de goede doelen die de Nationale Postcode Loterij steunt/You have a special place in your heart for the good causes supported by the Postcode Loterij - √

En mijn creativiteit als fotograaf en filmmaker benut zich ook graag :-)

Met vriendelijke groet,
Hedwig Schipperheijn

VREUGDE DEEL JE!

HOW-TO-VOTE IN 30 SECONDS

INT'L AMBASSADEUR EN 1 MILJOEN STERREN

Nieuwschierig over de laatste nieuwtjes? Volg me via:

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Oh, just for fun!

2011-03-03T14:33:00.000-08:00

The race draws to a close...I wish I could show a reel of bloopers...that would be the most hilarious thing! But in lieu of that, I'll share the "how-to-vote" with you this way :-)

I have say, though, I had no idea the Dutch language is like Chinese to people who don't speak it! And I guess Google Translate doesn't really cut it, either. Hahaha, it's really quite hilarious! It's like asking a blind person, who is visiting you for the first time, to run-on up and get you your Gouda cheese from the fridge. "It sitting right next to the Edammer!"

The most obvious thing, just isn't that obvious.

My supporters come from all over the world, which is fabulous indeed! Also more challenging than I anticipated. "What, you mean you have no idea how to fill in the form? Okay, let me make you a how-to-video in 30 seconds!".

You make the video, and eyebrows still are raised.

Hmmm, okay, no problem. That was probably too fast after all. "How about I make you a photo-by-photo how-to-vote explanation. Now you can go through it at your own pace?!"

Still too convoluted? No problemo! Check this out!:
Want to vote and win a trip to Bali?
It takes less than 60 seconds.
Step 1: open this link http://tinyurl.com/6afl59m
Step 2: Fill in your name, then email address 2x and click the red button "stem"
Step 3: Go to your inbox and open email titled "bevestig…"
Step 4: click on the text link titled "bevestig…" and you've DONE IT!

Easy, no?! NO! Then something likes this happens:
"I tried to do this vote but it seems to require I put in more than just my own email address two times. A third box requests another email address. I tried putting your gmail address into it but it doesn't accept it. I clicked the red STEM button but it keeps saying something isn't there - and I don't undersand the language at all so not sure what I did wrong."

Or this:
"What you say? You don't understand English or Dutch?! Okay, lets do it in Spanish. Oh, I have a better idea. How about you send me all the email addresses, I sign them up, and they just have to confirm their vote. Here are the last two images of what you can expect to see!!"
Yes, Chinese indeed!

Bless you all, dear friends, for overcoming this hurdle for me so that I can come one tiny step closer to an adventure I feel has been created for me. I already know it'll fit like a glove. My quest to become International Ambassador of Good Causes sure wasn't lost in translation. And thanks to you, I see my little ticker rising steadily.

Not only that, I have practiced speaking in public, listened & learned, strangers have become friends, taken valuable opinion polls on perception surrounding funding towards good causes, have become an even better video editor, blogged, tweeted, facebooked & forum-ed until the cows came home, did the newspaper and possibly radio, will most likely make a happy fool of myself this coming weekend, and I have an even bigger drive than ever to be part of this dynamic International Ambassador duo!

http://www.internationaalambassadeur.nl/HedwigSchipperheijn

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Inspire | Be Inspired

2011-03-02T13:08:00.000-08:00

The journey the International Ambassador (Ambassadeur) will be taking, will no doubt be inspiring. Diverse in every which way, the ambassador will partake in a journey to the far stretches of the world to experience and participate hands-on with projects supported by the Postcode Loterij.

Below is the journey that is tentatively outlined to start June 1st:

BONAIRE: BESCHERMING BIODIVERSITEIT

BRAZILIE: ZONDER ARMOEDE EN ONRECHTVAARDIGHEID

BULGARIJE: NATUURONTWIKKELINGSPROJECTEN

GHANA: SOS KINDERDORPEN

GHANA: EEN LEEFBARE WERELD WAARAAN IEDEREEN KAN MEEDOEN

ZUID-AFRIKA: PEACE PARKS

ZUID-AFRIKA: DANCE4LIFE

INDIA: SAVE THE CHILDREN

THAILAND: MENSEN HELPEN MENSEN

The thought of being part of this journey gets me excited beyond words!! Yes, dive-in head first and be among people who follow their true passion, whether that be in the form of sharing knowledge and aiding the turtle population or building cooperatives to support fair trade. Does it get any better?! Of course! Actually sharing the experience and inspire you?! What can I say... I am a great advocate of sharing good news :-)

In the last few weeks I have definitely learned where people's concerns lie when it comes to supporting good causes. And I also got some great ideas on how to answer those concerns ;-) Lets lift that veil and shed some light on what happened to those good intentions (money donated), cause I am sure someone on the other side is very thankful.

So, how's about it?! Let me share this journey with you :-)
Thanks for your vote! (ends Sunday March 06)

http://www.internationaalambassadeur.nl/HedwigSchipperheijn

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1 more week to vote and win a trip to Bali

2011-02-28T00:40:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm past 450 votes and have one more week to get a vote-count that guarantees me a spot in the top 10. Of course getting top votes is not the only thing that gets you to the next round...it's "just" a guarantee. So, 1300+ more votes to collect AND continue to show myself in my true light :-)

http://www.internationaalambassadeur.nl/HedwigSchipperheijn

This sure is an interesting job to go after. The job itself is about sharing. Getting the job, well, is just about that, getting something you personally want. And as I am going through this journey of collecting votes using social media and by personally convincing people to support me, I am once again amazed about the support I am receiving from the most unsuspecting corners! (Amazing what a bit of locker-room talk can do!)

However, I am not there yet and I have only one more week to go to skyrocket the count. This requires a team effort. Miracles happen all the time, so hey, will you lend me a hand? :-) Is there something in it for you? Of course there is, so lets talk.

http://www.internationaalambassadeur.nl/HedwigSchipperheijn

On another note, it seems that very few have that super high score (around 2000 votes) and the majority falls under 200 votes. So, hey, I am doing great. Lets crank this puppy to the max!

Below is a little pamphlet I made (front and backside).

STEM/VOTE LINK: http://www.internationaalambassadeur.nl/HedwigSchipperheijn

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Up and Up for this aspiring ambassador

2011-02-23T14:23:00.000-08:00

Count is at 340. I have 11 more days to go...That translates into an average required daily vote-count of 125. Yes, to get into the top 10, I must have a total count of around 1700+. Yikes!

It is possible? Of course it is!!! Vote and ask other people to do the same :-) And remember, voting puts you into the draw to win a trip for two to Bali!

And then there are the side effects of canvassing for votes:

Making friends :-)
Meeting interesting people
Getting a market poll on the perception on the Postcode Loterij
Getting the most interesting questions thrown at me!
Getting the most interesting ideas thrown at me!
Getting fit as a fiddle and seeing my six-pack appear. Yes, that's a first! :-)

So, waddaya say? Help me get closer to becoming ambassador of good causes and share some inspiring stories with you?

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Crossed the 200 mark!

2011-02-20T12:41:00.000-08:00

Okay, dear folks! My quest to be International Ambassador (Internationaal Ambassadeur) has lead me to sometimes laugh at myself and wonder what kind of insanity I have started. The perks, though, are that I am constantly challenging myself and re-adjusting my limits.

And now I have crossed the 200 mark! Thanks to some great advise on public speaking, I have found the flow of engaging people. God, what a relief! Don't get me wrong, I still get nervous, but at least I am not choking on my own heartbeat anymore. And seeing the numbers rise, is the sweetest reward ever :-)

I have met such incredible and interesting people. This has already been far more than I was expecting to experience. Not only that, but I sure am getting a good poll of how people are feeling about large organizations collecting money for good causes...Well, useful anyway if you'd be doing market research AND if you're learning what the best angle is to get votes!

Next challenge..radio? What you say? Must get more than 1500 votes!

In the meantime, I am happy to report I got a quarter page coverage in De Krant van Gouda which was published last Friday.

And for those of you interested in winning a trip for two to Bali worth €7500, vote now and share with your friends!

I choose Hedwig Schipperheijn to be International Ambassador of Good Causes

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People are beautiful

2011-02-17T12:15:00.000-08:00

As I talk to people and find them initially apprehensive about my goal to get 1500 more votes, I soon see them light up after my passionate appeal. Yes indeed, they offer to canvas for me! How wonderful is that?! Once again, my motto stands "believing is seeing". The impossible is only as impossible as I let it be.

So far, my quest to become International Ambassador of Good Causes (Internationaal Ambassadeur voor Goede Doelen) has been mostly a solitary and online occupation. But now that I have thrown myself among the people, I find myself gaining in so many ways. People are beautiful! You know why? Because I learn from them :-)

So you think the attention span online is short? Try grabbing the attention of a group. The only thing you have, is a foot in the door...what do you do? Well, thankfully, a foot in the door is enough...Now I am practicing my public speaking and getting my initial spiel down to about 30 to 60 seconds. Hahaha, I wanted to challenge myself, and now I definitely am. And I am loving it!

Count is at about 135 and rising :-)

Wanna add to the total?
I choose Hedwig Schipperheijn to be International Ambassador of Good Causes

And for your entertainment, check out these videos, if you haven't already:
In Joy, you share/Vreugde deel je
Int'l ambassador & 1 million stars/Int'l ambassadeur & 1 miljoen sterren

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Is it possible?

2011-02-15T12:53:00.000-08:00

I have 111 votes so far. It sure is a beautiful number, but I envision myself to be the dark horse and come from behind to surprise everyone! Yes, I reckon another 1500 votes secures my spot in the top ten. It is possible? I believe it is!

Com'n! 1500 people to click a couple of buttons! What does it take?

Well, as I have discovered, motivating friends and strangers to make an action is quite the challenge. They may love you to death, like the story you wrote about why you make such a great International Ambassador of Good Causes (internationaal ambassadeur postcode loterij), believe in you as an individual, but taking the path that is NOT the path of least resistance, yes, that could be a problem.

On the other hand, this has lead me to come up with more creative ideas. That in itself has been tremendously satisfying. However, I SHALL create a path of least resistance and bring the votes to me! The incentive to win a trip to Bali worth 7500 Euros just isn't enough...Who'dathunk!!

Then again, if is is enough for you, here you go: I choose Hedwig Schipperheijn to be International Ambassador of Good Causes

I believe tomorrow the local papers will print my story. Sweet! Publicity is good. It'll also be a sunny day...I think I'll do a bit of filming and get crackin' on a third and last promo video :-)

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Internationaal Ambassadeur en 1 milljoen sterren

2011-02-13T08:14:00.000-08:00

Ik heb Google Earth's laatste snufjes gebruikt om de wereld rond te gaan langs de landen en goede doelen die bezocht zullen worden door de Postcode Loterij Goede Doelen Ambassadeur. Veel kijk plezier :-)

Stem op mij t/m 6 maart en maak gelijk kans een trip voor twee naar Bali te winnen t.w.v. maar liefs €7500. Geweldig toch?!

Dus neem even 15 seconden. Jouw stem brengt mij een stapje dichterbij om deze super speciale reis langs de Goede Doelen met je te delen.

Dank je voor je stem!

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Stem & Win een reis naar Bali!!

2011-01-27T04:12:00.000-08:00

Stem tot 6 maart, 2011 en win een reis naar Bali!! http://www.internationaalambassadeur.nl/HedwigSchipperheijn

Jouw stem brengt mij een stapje dichterbij om dit fantastische project te doen: Verslag doen over wat er nou gebeurd met die andere 50% van de Nationale Postcode Loterij opbrengsten van de loten! En jij maakt kans om een reis voor twee naar Bali te winnen. Schitterend toch?! Klik en binnen 30 seconden ben je klaar :-)

Over mij:
"Af-en-toe kom je eens iets tegen wat je op het lijf geschreven is en waar je qua timing ook helemaal klaar voor bent! Internationaal Ambassadeur zijn voor goede doelen...wow, that's the icing on the cake! Met alle liefde draag ik bij aan verbetering door kennis te delen. Hoe wordt ik beschreven? Uitbundig, mededogend, empathisch, creatief, en talentvol. Ik spreek vloeiend Engels en kan goed uit de voeten met Duits, Frans en Spaans. Ik luister ook nog goed :-) Kijk voor meer achtergrond en foto's op mijn Facebook pagina.

Stem op mij, Hedwig Schipperheijn!
Uiteraard heb ik een absolute passie voor reizen, leren, en culturen. Ik ben dan ook in 23 landen geweest en heb er in 5 gewoond. Na een carrière in marketing en reclame, volg ik nu simpelweg mijn hart. Ik reis, heb contact met bijzondere mensen, fotografeer, maak video's en gebruik social media om mijn ervaringen te delen. Ik heb zelfvertrouwen, ben eerlijk zonder naïef te zijn, ben breed geinteresseerd, en een goede communicator. En ik heb een totale hartstocht voor beter leven. Ça, c'est moi!

Nationale Postcode Loterij
De Nationale Loterij is opgericht om structureel geld voor goede doelen te werven en wil graag laten zien wat er met dat geld gebeurt dat zij aan goede doelen geeft. Van ieder verkocht lot gaat 50% direct naar de 75 goede doelen die de loterij steunt. De loterij wil dit graag laten zien, door twee onafhankelijke personen een half jaar lang de wereld over te laten reizen en deze projecten en goede doelen te laten bezoeken en, heel belangrijk, daar verslag over uit te brengen. Hierdoor kan iedereen direct zien wat er met het geld is gebeurd.

Vote & Win a trip to Bali!

2011-01-27T04:11:00.000-08:00

Vote till March 6th & win a trip to Bali! http://www.internationaalambassadeur.nl/HedwigSchipperheijn

Your vote brings me a step closer to do this amazing project: To report what happens to the other 50% of the collected value of your lottery ticket purchase!

And you have a chance to win a trip for two to Bali when you vote. How fabulous is that?! Click and within 15 seconds you're done :-)

About me:
Once in a while you come across something that seems to be made just for you and for which your timing is bang on! To be International Ambassador for Good Causes...wow, that's the icing on the cake!

With complete dedication I contribute to improvement through sharing knowledge. How do my friends describe me? Enthusiastic, compassionate, empathetic, creative, and full of talent. I am fluent in English, and comfortable conversing in German, French and Spanish, I am used to travelling a lot, and I am a good listener, too :-)

Check for more background info and pictures my Facebook page.

Vote for me, Hedwig Schipperheijn
Obviously I have an absolute passion for travel, learning, and cultures. I have been to 23 countries and lived in 5. After a career in marketing and advertising, I now simply follow my heart. I travel, meet special people, take pictures, make videos, and use social media to share my experiences. I am self-confident and honest without being naive, my interests are broad, and I am a good communicator. And, I have a total passion for living life better through leading by example and collaborating. Ça, c'est moi!

The Nationale Loterij (Lottery) has been established to structurally collect money for good causes and wants to see what happens to the money that is given to good causes. Of every sold lottery ticket 50% goes directly to 75 good causes that the lottery supports. The lottery would like to send two independent persons for 6 months around the world and have them visit and see these good causes, so that these people may report intelligently about what they found. This way, everybody will be able to see directly what happens with the money.  The Nationale Loterij (Lottery) supports the following 75 good causes around the world: http://www.postcodeloterij.nl/GoedeDoelen/AlleGoedeDoelen

How-To-Vote: Int'l Ambassador Good Causes

2011-01-27T04:10:00.000-08:00

Because the Dutch language can be a bit daunting, I have created a quick guide to help you complete the voting process.

30 seconds only.

And you'll have a chance to win a trip to Bali!

Thank you for your vote and spreading the LOVE!

http://www.internationaalambassadeur.nl/HedwigSchipperheijn

Cowhide busking by Ben Jur in the old city of Gouda, NL (Demasiado Corazon)

2010-03-19T04:24:00.000-07:00

First day of 16C and rising! Busker Ben Jur is playing for a small crowd and passers-by his rendition of Willy Deville's "Demasiado Corazon". The spring bubbles are activated :-)

Globe Trotting from Better to Better!

2010-03-13T00:45:00.000-08:00

I am known to love a challenge and out-there things now and again. Well, this little adventure is not so much out-there, but it sure translates into some fantastic explorations.

A little while I came across this contest: Create Your Own Adventure - Powered by Gap Adventures and it resonates with me :-) It's about creating your own adventure trip anywhere in the world. With lots of locations and background information provided by Gap that you can build on, it becomes pretty easy imagining yourself globetrotting through some of the most magnificent places in the world.

I have created three 16-day adventures so far, that I reckon are perfect taking sustainable and life-changing into account:

The point of it all, though, for me is not so much that I HAVE to win it, but that I remembered how great I feel when I am travelling and exploring. To me it's the best feeling you can imagine! So, regardless of whether I win or not, I am inspired and ignited to trot and share with the marvelous human creators I'll be encountering.

Let the smorgasbord begin! You can Vote, FB share and Twitter until March 31, 2010!! :-)

LOYALTY & SOLOMON ISLANDS

INDIA

CHILE

Photos: Create You Own Adventure - Powered by Gap Adventures

Costa Blanca because of beaches or blossoms?

2010-01-13T11:09:00.000-08:00

Why is the Costa Blanca called the Costa Blanca? I found out that it is not only because of the abundant sunshine and white, sandy beaches that are a staple of this region.

I have been in Spain several times, however, every time I travel, my perspective shifts and I pay attention to other things. This trip I got to experience the incredible diversity Spain embodies in its landscape and culture, and I barely touched the tip of the iceberg.

My curiosity was piqued when I learned that the Costa Blanca is called the Costa Blanca because of the incredible sea of white that covers the area in February during the almond tree blossom season. The little white flowers dominate parts of the landscape in such a thick blanket of bright radiance, enough so that locals say the region has earned its name because of it (never mind what airliners say for marketing purposes to promote the shores of this destination).

When I was roaming through the countryside, I certainly saw many almond orchards, however, the trees were still in the early stages of waking up from their winter slumber. No indication of what is to come…

On the other hand, the many palm trees in this area can be described as the evergreens from the south, lush and green, waving proudly in the wind. During my visit to Elche, I visited Huerta Del Cura, a lush tropical garden even in January. The word "huerta" indicates that this is a small plot of land used for growing vegetables or other vegetation.

Elche is a town steeped in ancient history, the Huerta, however, is only about 160 years old, and a treat to wander through on a wintery day. Practically deserted when I visited, I had the peace and quiet I wanted to admire the gigantic cacti and multiple species of the wavy kind.

Non-the-less, my curiosity has been ignited and my imagination set loose. I can see myself roaming the hilly countryside on horseback with the breeze blowing through my hair, and the perfect perspective from atop my horse to photograph and film the magnificence that is the sea of white blossoms gracing the eye of my lens....

Costa Blanca, Spain

2010-01-08T08:57:00.000-08:00

There is something romantic about Spain. Is it the mild temperature that welcomed me? Is it the sight of the many palm trees waving in the wind? Is it the white houses with the red tiled roofs? Is it the local people and their love for food, food and more food?

From our house, I look out over a lemon orchard with the mountains as the backdrop. Although it is about 12 degrees outside, we have the fire blazing all day long. The coals have piled up high and are red-hot glowing with smiling heat. Once in a while, I am mesmerized by the licking flames. Then, nothing is better then finding myself completely in the Now. In this case, that means for me the feeling of space without any contrast, just the sensation of comfort and peace, like floating underwater in slow-motion like a happy seal.

I've seen the sun go down, I've seen the sun rise from my bedroom window. Peaceful, warm, with juicy lemons waiting for me to pick them right outside my door. The wind has stopped yelling, and with that there is just blue sky and the sun tracing the spheres.

You know that feeling, of when you step off a plane or a train and you get that first whiff of the local air? You can sense from that first whiff in what kind of a climate you have landed. And knowing that it's a lovely warm climate, you immediate feel the holiday butterflies kick in, that sense of freedom and relaxation that somehow you just don't get enough at home. Probably because routine takes over, and your surroundings are so normal…houses, people, weather, and most of all knowing that you have to go to work most of the week.

I am in a little village just outside of Alicante called Daya Nueva in the Costa Blanca region. As it turns out, the thousands of small towns here are connected through a chain-like road system, a never-ending series of roundabouts - aka glorietas - adjoining one road with another . You enter a village before you realize you just left one! Me being of the easily-nauseated-type, I have to focus on the road ahead in order not to get car sick. I honestly didn't know there was such a thing as roundabouts-only intersections. Nevertheless, it certainly has its charm and does dissuade speeding on these country roads.

The landscape is a little hilly and filled with orchards mostly of lemons and oranges. The oranges are bigger than you can imagine, and immensely sweet and juicy. We spot the ocean not too far away when we drive over a hill. It's beautiful and cobalt in colour, glistening in the distance, beckoning me to come closer.

Maastricht, NL

2009-12-08T04:21:00.000-08:00

In the southern tip of the Netherlands is the town of Maastricht, an ancient city founded by the Celts and occupied by the Romans many, many moons ago. It's the second oldest city in the country and located in a part that is unlike the rest…it has a rolling landscape and is filled with forests, streams and rivers! Very idyllic indeed.

I ventured down by train from Den Haag, which is about a 2.5 hour trip. My mom had secured us some first class seats to make it a real comfortable ride :-)

Maastricht has got to be one of the funnest cities to visit. Imagine cobble stoned streets, beautiful churches, narrow streets for pedestrians only, squares with perfect vantage points from heated patios, ambient lighting throughout the inner city in celebration of Christmas, food stands with seasonal treats such as oliebollen, sausages and soups, and of course Gluewein to warm the spirit.

Because Maastricht has so many little streets, it's hard to orient oneself...in other words...one just has to go with the flow and follow their nose :-)

Once on a trip before, my mom and I discovered an old church that was converted to a bookstore (what a concept!) and we wanted to go and find it again. The bookstore has a lovely cafe at the top of the church where people can enjoy their lunch. Seeing that is was rainy and fairly cold, we felt it was the perfect place to recharge ourselves. And so, after some circling around, discovering some new plazas, and getting lured into some lovely boutique stores, we eventually came around the corner to face the church.

This time, I also wanted to look inside the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Basiliek. The wondrous thing that happens sometimes when one walks into a church, is that one can be taken to an other world...and so...I was rewarded.

The city also has hundreds of unique little clothing stores, cozy restaurants and castles to stay the night! Yes, to me, it is a city that celebrates its culture and shares it gladly with the world. Needless to say, the people from Limburg (the province) are known for their kindness and hospitality.

Next time, I want to go back and stay for at least a long weekend at one of those lovely country castles, feast on more of the best food, explore other ancient buildings, and over-indulge on the shopping front. Who's comin'?!

PS. you'd want to bring good walking shoes…covering ground (i.e.. walking a lot) on rounded stones gets really tiring on the feet!

The Low Lands, NL

2009-12-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

And so, after 2 years in Vancouver, many great memories and great learnings later, I find myself back in the land of giants, the Netherlands aka the Low Lands.

As I flew over the North West coastline, I was reminded of how many waterways and pastures there are. Yes, it's true, the western provinces are the most populated ones in the country, to the degree that Holland is among the most densely populated countries in the world. Nevertheless, green pastures abound and the sight of starburst city structures and red shingled roofs.

Surprisingly, going through customs and collecting my luggage took about 10-15 minutes combined at Schiphol airport. Smooth sailing all the way. What a wonderful manifestation :-)

My course was set for the town of Wateringen, a village outside of Den Haag and about 15km from the shores of the North Sea. A sunny day awaited me, which I incidentally spent mostly indoors as I was dozing in and out of my jetlegged state. Utterly relaxed in the cozy home of my mom, her lovely home cooking, and her loving hands brushing through my hair, I'd say that was an experience of absolute bliss after being away for two years.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of church bells ringing. That combined with the tapping of the rain on the window, was a wonderful "welcome home" greeting to me. My mom's house is located in between two churches almost in the centre of town. You walk out the door, and one minute away is the main street made of interlocking bricks. If you stick your nose high enough in the air, you could even get a whiff of the sea…or is that just my imagination talking…it's so lovely to be back in Holland again, see its old character buildings, and enjoy big blocks of cheese, and fresh haring from the market. The jovial attitude by the market vendors is done is such a typical dutch way, I don't even know how to describe it. I love it.

My mom has certain vendors she always shops with. With her 5'2", she has an unquenchable fire and has no qualms telling people what she thinks and engaging in conversation with anybody. Every Wednesday morning, there's an open market near the main intersection of the village. Today we went, and I met her fruit vendor, Jan, who has the drill down. Mom orders her fruit (always lots of it) and he delivers it to the house! I had no idea they still do those things. As I was getting ready to carry the load home, my mom laughs and says "no, no..they bring it home!" Well, how lovely indeed!

And now, the festive times commence. Many marvelous stacks of NOW everyone!!

Vancouver PRIDE Parade 2009

2009-08-02T22:57:00.000-07:00

Vancouver PRIDE is always an exhilirating event to photograph. With thousands and thousands of spectators and hundreds of parade participants excited to show off their best, Sunday's August 02 PRIDE event once again proved to outdo itself.

The Parade started at 12:00 and ran its traditional course from the corner of Robson and Thurlow, heading West down the hill to Denman street, following Denman to Pacific and Beach Avenue, and finishing at the Sunset Beach Festival Site.

This Sunday was hotter than ever, it seemed, and the build-up was intense. Like the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, this party was ready to burst loose.

Even with a media pass, it is a challenge getting the best vantage point, as everyone will do anything to get the best shots of, and with the Divas. This year was like no other year I have encountered. I saw women stop the Parade by throwing themselves at drag queens and sexy boys so that they could get photographed with them.

Colourful as ever and with the best attitude you can imagine, the Parade slowly made its way to Sunset Beach, where a nice ocean breeze and shadow welcomed everyone. Compared to last year, this year's Sunset Beach Festival Site was a total highlight. There were so many people, so many tents with goodies, and a most entertaining line-up of performers, that it has got to be one of the most expressive festivals in Vancouver. Of course, the amazing setting overlooking the Georgia Strait topped with a giant beer garden with live-spinning DJ was the icing on the cake.

Parade winners, as judged by Ryan Clayton, Shawn Ewing and Mark Kowalk were the following teams:

Best Little Float - Fountainhead; Biggest Best Float - Fathers for Justice; Captivating Community Cluster - Queer Film Fest; Brightest Rainbow - Fun in Recovery; Victorious and Vivacious - Sisters in Sync; Fabulous Marching Gaygle - Cirque de So Gay; Quintessential Queer of the Day - Ted North; Sin-sational Crowd Stimulators - Wild West Can Can

This year, the Parade attracted over 600,000 people bringing once again attention to the fact that the Pride Parade can provide inspiration and courage to the LGBT community worldwide. Vancouver Pride started as a brave peaceful protest (“We’re here! We’re queer!”) and has grown into a role model for LGBT communities who continue to fight hard for their human rights.

Vancouver Folk Music Fest 2009

2009-07-19T22:58:00.000-07:00

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival, featuring world, folk and roots music, ran this year from July 17-19. Having gotten my first taste of the Festival last year, I was eager to experience the magic that happens on Jericho Beach Park once again.

One of the things I love the best about the Folk Fest is that it is an outdoor event that starts in the early afternoon and runs until the late evening for three days straight. Listening to tunes on the beach or on the Festival grounds, enjoying the crowds chilling out, taking in the warmth of the summer's day and watching spectacular sun sets lead you into the night, it doesn't get much better than that!

And, there are different ways to get the full experience. You can choose to purchase a single day pass, weekend passes or evening concert passes that give you access to eight outdoor stages, all overlooking the incredible vistas of downtown Vancouver and the North Shore mountains.

Alternatively, you may also enjoy the entire event for free by simply staying outside of the gates. This means hanging out on Jericho Beach mostly...Yes, what can I say, it has got to be one of the best festival settings around! So, between making new friends on the beach, taking a dip into English Bay, greeting local seals, bargain shopping at the designated vendor section, and listening to sweet tunes drift through the air, you get the best of all worlds, indeed.

Into year 32 now, the Folk Fest attracted musicians and music-lovers from around the province. The Festival had a line-up of more than 60 artists from 14 countries around the world. Expanding and improving each year, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival also took the top spot in the Georgia Straight reader’s poll for “Best Local Music Festival"and was named one of the ten best outdoor concerts in North America by USA Today.

Regardless of all of that, to me it's all about the vibe. Super chill, colourful, and happy, that's the Vancouver Folk Music Festival.

Danarai - Singer & Songwriter

2009-05-12T13:38:00.000-07:00

As I am embracing our wonderful weather here in Vancouver and feasting my eyes on the colourful tapestry spring flowers are creating, I received a call from a friend. Her daughter, Danarai, who was in town for a few weeks recording her first album, wanted to get some creative photography done for her album cover. "Interested?" Well, of course!

Without much hoopla, a sunny day, and a location in mind, we delved into the world of steel and grittyness...the perfect contrast for a beautiful young woman who has probably seen more than most girls her age.

Her satiny voice and melodic tunes found a story at the train yard at the end of Terminal....

The Ancient Celebration of Beltane

2009-05-02T17:41:00.000-07:00

Windblown hair, frolicking bodies, dancing friends, and singing celebrators of the festival of Beltane welcomed in the first day of May while the sun was setting on a lovely beach in the far West.

Although many may have forgotten its history, most people are still familiar with the May Pole and jumping over the fire.

Originating in Ireland, great bonfires would mark a time of purification and transition, heralding in the season in the hope of a good harvest later in the year. It was accompanied with ritual acts to protect the people from any harm by otherwordly spirits.

The time of Beltane, like its opposite point on the Celtic Calendar, the celebration Samhain, is a time when the veil between the material and spiritual worlds is said to be at its thinnest, particularly at dawn and at dusk. The ancients would spend time in beautiful natural settings such as woodlands, and by sacred wells and springs, in the hope of glimpsing beyond the threshold into other, subtler realms.

The Celtic fire festival of Beltane, is a celebration of rugged and fertile mother nature.

But last night, on the shores overlooking the Georgia Straight in British Columbia, friendships were re-sealed, stories were shared and the dance around the May Pole connected like-minded spirits once again.

Sweet petals

2009-04-22T21:32:00.000-07:00

A sea of red petals sparkled in the sunshine today at English Bay Park in Vancouver. Yes, the red and orange tulips are out! Vibrantly brimming in the waves of the breeze, they stand proudly.

I loved walking the Beach St. at Davie St. area, seeing the colours emerge, and crowds settling down to catch the rays of the sun. The setting is gorgeous, with the Bay and Coast Mountains filling in the rest of this West Coast tableau.

Red represents aliveness, beauty, romance, sensitivity, sexuality, passion, and blood...even through these simple flowers, this can be felt. The power of colour shines through and penetrates our lives, whether one realizes it or not, and spring reminds us of that. It says "Hey! It's time to come out of hibernation and smell the roses. It's time to feel life!"

How does colour impact your life?

Spring Time

2009-04-19T15:41:00.001-07:00

Amazing what a bit of sunshine can do combined with spring blossoms, the sweet scent of flowers, thousands of blooming cherry blossom trees, and a Vancouver backdrop of hilly roads, beaches, sea and majestic mountains....yes, to me that's called Bliss, my friends!

I wander the streets, beaches and parks only to be greeted by full love of mama-nature :-)

So, a couple of days ago I visited Queen Elisabeth Park again, just so lovely when it's in bloom, and roamed around to find a sea of colours greeting me. However...lets check out the purples today. What a brilliant, powerful colour!

Purple has many symbolic meanings including:

Purple is the color of good judgment.
It is the color of people seeking spiritual fulfillment. It is said if you surround yourself with purple you will have peace of mind. Purple is a good color to use in meditation.
Purple has been used to symbolize magic and mystery, as well as royalty. Being the combination of red and blue, the warmest and coolest colors, purple is believed to be the ideal colour.
Most children love the color purple.
Purple is the color most favored by artists.
Thursday's color is purple.
In Western culture, purple is often associated with Royalty, wealth and opulence.
It conveys wealth and extravagance.
Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic.
Light purple evokes romantic and nostalgic feelings.
Dark purple evokes gloom and sad feelings. It can cause frustration.

I get drawn to colours like I get drawn to gems or food...it all depends on my mood what I feel most attracted to at that moment, and it changes every day. I guess that makes for a colourful, flavourful, and rich life :-)

What do you feel when you see these colours?

Kiting on Locarno Beach

2009-04-13T19:47:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I ventured out to satisfy my photographic eye...but, with the sun and spring beckoning me, I decided to wander down to Locarno Beach. Overlooking the North Shore Mountains, Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver, you can't really go wrong.

Although it's still a bit "fresh" out there, the beach is such a great place to chill and watch the world go by. I plunked myself down on the warm sand, listened to Philip Glass and shot these kiters on the beach :-)

Flying kites has quite a history. Traced back 2,800 years, kites were first popularized in China. Although it is said that the first invention was made 5,000 BCE by the Chinese philosophers Mozi and Lu Ban. But kite flying is part of many countries' cultures now and enjoyed by children and adults alike.

When I was growing up in Holland, we were actually taught in school how to make our own kites...does that still happen? If not, it should! What a wonderful experience it was.

The Best Job In The World

2009-02-27T22:05:00.000-08:00

So, with barely a couple more days to go before I know for sure whether I am short selected or not for The Best Job in The World, I continue to belief in miracles :-) It ain't over till the fat lady sings!

Best job in the world

2009-02-23T16:48:00.001-08:00

Should I be going for the Best Job in the World?
I reckon it's a no-brainer!

Wrapped in a blanket of fuzzy fog

2009-01-17T15:21:00.000-08:00

Last night I was drawn out of the comfort of my home by the mystery of the foggy night. I drove to Stanley Park to see what the forest had to tell me, just around the Lyons Gate Bridge overpass.
It was getting dark much faster than I anticipated and before I knew it, I had become invisible in the mist. I was wrapped in its blanket, like Frodo Baggins climbing Weathertop wearing his ring, seeing but not being seen. Quite the experience.

Shreds of foggy air flew past me as I looked down onto the moving traffic. The big, luminous street lamps made it all the more dramatic. I felt like I was in a Hitchcock film, especially after a black figure came emerging out of the night taking my place on the bridge to do the exact same thing as I just was doing, while I was making my way to the other side of the overpass. Did they even know I was just there a second ago?

Life certainly becomes seriously affected when we can only see 2 feet in front of us...One longs to see just a little bit further, but the only thing one can do is trust that what's ahead, is not malicious. And that, in itself, is worth the experience. In fact, it's refreshing to feel the unknown and just let things play out as they may...

And so, I thank the forest for reminding me that limitations are not necessarily bad, but in fact limitations are an opportunity for new doors to be opened.

Creating of a new shortfilm

2009-01-08T16:55:00.000-08:00

I am excited to say, a new idea has been born and is ready to start living!
This time Chad and I will be co-directing the piece, which Chad is writing as we speak. At this point I can't indulge too much, except that it will be short (4 minutes), sweet and thought-provoking in a McCluhanist style. Needless to say, "the medium is the message"!

Currently, we are in the very early stages of development. We are intending to carefully unfold this flower and possibly submit it to some film festivals.

So, as this project comes to light, I'll be filling you in with more details. For now, stay tuned ;-)

Entering the Stillness of Falling Snowflakes

2009-01-03T16:27:00.000-08:00

Today I entered into the Stillness of Falling Snowflakes :-)

The UBC Endowment Lands are a perfect place to find peace and tranquility, especially on a day like today...overcast with fine snow falling throughout the day, thickening our white carpet of ice and snow ever more.

I ventured into the forest, which is big enough to get lost in for hours and hours and was welcomed by majestic trees and barely another soul in sight.

The flakes were like a blanket of silent noise. Especially when you are covered from head to toe, somehow the world feels different when you wander through it. The snow adds to the "feeling snug" feeling and one feels more like an observer of the outside world than a participant.

And so, I flowed through the forest effortlessly. There is no time here. Got lost, found my way out of the forest, but had to make my way back in because the roads were too treacherous for pedestrians and ended up following a coyote who led me back to civilization. He must have been used to the sight of humans, or maybe he was intending to lead me back out, because he showed no inclination of disappearing into the bushes.

Getting into the forest, was like stepping into a different world...one can interpret the thunderous and ongoing roars of planes flying over easily for something else...just use your imagination :-)

English Bay Polar Bear Swim 2009

2009-01-01T17:13:00.000-08:00

Many crazies and braves went out today to take a dip, sometimes even prolonged swimming, in English Bay to welcome in the New Year.
I got there myself fashionably late to watch people perform their ritual. With temperatures being around zero Celsius including the windshield, it still amazes me to see only smiling faces from the people taking the plunge. Well, it's smiling alternated with complete facial distortion. After all, it is freakin' cold!

It was, however, a spectacular January 1st for the dip. With radiant sun cheering on the participants, and the North Shore Mountains covered in mounts of brilliant snow as the backdrop, who could really complain?
This was the first time I went to watch a Polar Bear dip. In Vancouver it was the 89th Annual celebration, so quite the ritual, but I'd say due to the cold weather, this year must have produced a thin turn-out of participants. I definitely can't see myself taking a dive into English Bay on a freezing cold day like this...or could I??
We'll see, but for now, here's to a fantastic 2009! That we all may recognize the goodness inside of us, and share that with the world around us every day.

Climbing Grouse Mountain

2009-01-01T17:03:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday (December 30th) my girlfriend Jackie invited me to join her on a snowshoe adventure. We've had so much snow lately in Vancouver (at least 40cm) that the North Shore Mountains were guaranteed to give us an amazing experience.

We opted for Cypress, for no particular reason, btw, other than that it's supposed to have some good snowshoeing trails.

I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure how I would do. Last time I did a long hike was at the beginning of last year when I went on a snowshoe trip on Mount Seymour.

Well, as the designated driver, I started off by throwing the whole schedule out of whack. I had such a hard time getting out of my parking spot, that I arrived very late at our meeting spot. In fact, if it wasn't for two helpful neighbours willing to eat the filthy snow flying off my spinning tires, I wouldn't have gotten anywhere!

So, with our timetable screwed up, a plan B was required. Thankfully, Ahmad, who also joined us last minute, and who is a true man of the mountains, helped us solve our dilemma (of not being able to catch the Cypress shuttle bus anymore) by suggesting Grouse.

We were able to park at the bottom of the Mountain and from there, our adventure began. I had no idea what I was in for, thank the lord, because I would have been tempted to give up before we started. From a very small entrance, we commenced our hike. It was very steep and continued to be so until we reached the top of the Grouse pretty much. Good God!! How I did it, I have no idea, but I can now definitely call it an amazing experience.

The slushy and slippery snow made way for beautiful fluffy, and powdery crystals. It truly was majestic being surrounded by giant trees, mountains of brilliant snow and absolute tranquility except for my own heavy panting. It took us about 3 hours from the bottom to the top and being passed several times by veteran hikers, including a man wearing shorts. Not only that, but as he passed us and we started talking to him, we realized he must have been around 70 years old. Don't you just love it?!!

At the top, we were rewarded by clear views, and a warm place to rest for a moment. The main lodge is also where the Gondola station is, which we gratefully took advantage of on the way back. But first, it was time to strap on the snowshoes. It was, after all, the purpose of our trip.

Once we had rested and fueled up, we ventured out again toward Dam Mountain. The trail provided spectacular views towards Cypress Mountain and Point Grey across the Burrard Inlet. What an incredible backyard we have! I thought Whistler was amazing, but really, it's all around us here in B.C.

At this point of the trip (I don't know the number of hours we'd been hiking for) I started to fade. On the other hand, Jackie was totally energized by the fact that we finally got to explore the mountain by showshoe. Never mind Ahmad, he hadn't even broken a sweat!

So, we didn't totally reach the peak of Dam Mountain, but a new road of adventures is waiting to be explored.

At the end of it, though, I had a tremendous experience navigating my backyard with great friends. And how nice is it to be able to drive home in about 30 minutes and jump in a nice warm bath with a cup of tea :-)

My Street

2008-12-21T21:36:00.000-08:00

And so, Vancouver is experiencing snow...lots and lots of snow. Last weekend we got the first taste of it. If it wasn't for the fact that I knew I was going to drink, I would have driven, but thank the lord I didn't.

As we were enjoying our first Christmas dinner party of the season at a friend's house not too far from Point Grey Village, where we live, the snow was starting to come down. Oh, how wonderful, no?! Yes, it certainly was as we were drinking a few cocktails and filling our bellies with delicious foods and decadent desserts. After a while you forget it had started snowing. You just enjoy the warmth of your hosts' hospitality and the refills on your wine.

But then comes the moment of leaving, putting on your shoes, and facing the elements. But in our case, we were grateful not to have driven, because boy, in those few hours we were inside, there were enough inches of snow that all-season tires had become completely useless.

Out we went to catch the bus, and as luck would have it, a #99 bus stopped for us in the middle of the street not even near its designated bus stop. Thank you! Yes, the bus driver knew the roads were hell and that we would otherwise simply be stranded at that late hour. As he opened the doors, the bus was sliding and the driver urged me to jump in fast...Wow, I was stunned that the buses were even driving...

And so, our adventure started. The bus driver must have driven at about 5km per our and requested all passengers to stick to the middle of the (accordion) bus so that we would put most of the weight over the tires there.

We moved on, and were all wondering how this journey would end. Along the way, we passed cars that were stuck or had gone off the road...we moved on slowly towards Alma and 10th.

Anyone who knows the Point Grey/UBC endowment lands area knows it's quite hilly. And to get to Point Grey Village on 10th, means coming up a steep hill starting at Alma and 10th. As the bus collected its new load waiting at the base of 10th, the bus was starting to get into trouble. Another bus was already waiting there, and our bus driver chose the middle of the road to pass in order to be able to make a wide enough turn to get onto 10th. With the extra weight of the additional passengers, this should work....

Well, the additional passengers actually caused the bus to slide even more, and the result was a giant bus folding like scissors instead moving forward. Needless to say, we all got off the bus then and walked up the hill. Not one person complaint, but in fact, I'd say most people were excited about the adventure and being able to help other vehicles get up the hill along the way.

We are now one week later and graced with more wonderful snow. This time I went out (by foot) and took some pictures :-)

Hidden Little Skateboard Gem

2008-12-11T21:37:00.000-08:00

My friend Jake phoned me again to see what I was up to this afternoon...Yesterday he phoned to see if I'd come out and photograph him at the Downtown Skateboard Park, but as I was working (that's a yay...and...mmm... a not so yay) I had to decline and miss out on the sunshine and action.

But today, in between getting my hair cut and doing my full moon meditation, I met up with him at the Park, but moved from there to a skateboard shop on Main and Broadway that has an indoor half-pipe. For a 2 dollar donation, the pipe is free game for as long as you want. What a sweet deal! Of course there's a downside to this story...well, the story of Vancouver, but I will skip over that and move straight into the fun part.

The half pipe takes up the entire space which has one wall covered with Plexiglas and the other with a little entrance to the pipe. The pipe-room...hehehe, is right at the back of this Skateboard shop, behind displays of clothing and other items. How ingenious and fantastic!

From a photography point of view, the space is challenging to work with, but non the less, much better than braving the outside elements. Check it out:

Kiva-Loans that change lives

2008-12-08T22:40:00.000-08:00

Being an entrepreneur and new independent business woman, I know how challenging getting started is. In fact, I am still in the struggling phase. Nevertheless, I thought it would be wonderful to help others out in the developing world who are trying to do the same thing as I in their own right, which is: making a living.

I strongly believe that helping elevate others while elevating to a better space yourself, benefits us all tremendously in the end. Sharing and caring is acknowledging that we are all connected, whether we know each other or not.

So, as I am trying to ride the cusp of my wave and drive myself to a successful future by trying to be in the moment as much as possible, I donate 5% of all my net success to a deserving loan seeker on Kiva.org. I think the fact that I have been struggling for a while now, probably means that I must still not have my feet totally on the ground, but I am adamant that sharing success can only lead to more success.

Kiva, for those of you who are not familiar with this organization, is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world. It is their mission to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.

Sadly, I have managed to come dangerously close to this worldly phenomenon myself while in pursuit of my passion, but because of family and friends, I have managed to keep my head above water. It has made me appreciate the power of even a little support to make one's dreams come true, all the more.

As a result, by supporting me (in my business), supporting you (in your business), supporting entrepreneurs in the developing world (in their business), we all come out winners. It really is as simple as that!

Kiva entrepreneurs have about a 97% pay-back record, which is extremely high, especially considering the conditions some have to deal with. (Do you pay off your credit card every month?)

All money that is repaid, I will reinvest into new entrepreneurs, and all supporters who are interested, will be kept up-to-date on the progress and success stories as they evolve.

In our world today we suffer from abundance blindness. It's time we see that, share the wealth and ensure we don't drown in all that we throw on top of the pile.

For more information on Kiva, visit www.kiva.org
To learn more about my photography services, visit www.hedwig.ca

Parade of The Lost Souls

2008-10-29T22:38:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday night I got to experience one of the most exciting and eccentric events Vancouver has to offer: Parade of the Lost Souls. This is an annual event that takes place just before Halloween in the East part of town in the Commercial Driv e area.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but after seeing some pictures one of my photography teachers shared in class with us last year, I knew I had to get a taste of what it was all about.

And boy...was it an experience :-) The roads were blocked off from 6:30pm till 10:00pm and during that time, the streets were filled with more ghostly characters, musicians and street dancers than I could possibly convey.

From a photographic point of view, this was a real challenge...as it helps to have some distance between the subject and ones camera, but it also made it more intense...like being thrown into the deep end..surrounded by sharks...ahhhh!!

It was a beautiful fall night, crisp and getting cooler and damper as the night progressed. I ended up standing around the corner of Commercial Drive and Charles St next to Grandview Park. I figured...after a while, that instead of trying to find my subjects, my subjects would find me since it was an ever moving mob.

And I have to say, it worked out great :-) Amazingly, I bumped into many friends as well...just by practically not moving....hahahaha!

I met Captain Jack Sparrow. Incidentally, he was also my favourite character of the night. He was sooo into character, that he was a true magnet for the crowd who was awestruck by how 'real' he was....yes, he was incredible!

The Crow the Dead Bride & Groom were just a few of the other ghostlies I captured, with the Nudist on Strike being the least expected.

The fire dancing and drumming in the Park near the end of the night was spectacular too..wow, I reckon about 20 fire dancers and probably 10 drummers...it was pretty wild.

And according to true Vancouver fashion, even though there were thousands and thousands of people, this event was as peaceful as you would expect from a bunch of ghosts congregating together. At the very beginning of the night, I saw a couple of cops on their beat, but during the event...there was just fun, laughter, howling, screaming, dancing, and lots and lots of posing. Once again... amazed! :-)

All in all a fantastic experience and for anyone remotely into dressing-up or Halloween...and ABSOLUTE must!!

Click here for more pictures.

In Search of Berlin moved up in the awards

2008-10-12T17:26:00.001-07:00

A quick little update for all you folks who care...

My short film "In Search of Berlin" featuring my friend Jake Berlin, a Vancouver skateboarder, was moved up in the awards for the 2008 Vancouver Film Race.

32 teams, 24 hours, and one "Greed" theme later, our short film of 2:55 minutes filmed in the dark of night landed:
- Best Film 1st Runner up
- Best Cinematography
- Best Original Music Score

The 24hr Film Race is an annual Diesel Film Racing event that hits all the major cities in North America at different times. 2008 was the first year it hit Vancouver, and I am grateful it did. It allowed me to get a taste of adrenaline insanity and put complete faith in my crew to help bring my vision into reality.

So, what's up next?....Wait and see, cause it's comin'!

OK, I am back...I know you all missed me :-)

2008-10-12T17:18:00.001-07:00

Alright, it's been more than a long time, but great works are in the making. One month in Chile has infused me with new creative energy and many pictures to sort through.

Not only that, but a story is sitting at the tips of my fingers, begging to be set free!

As I switch back from spring to fall(...yeah, that feels slightly odd as a first-time experience), I embrace my Vancouver backyard...Ocean and waterways, forests, and so many new places to discover in the city. I am feeling happy and ready to share my sunshine with the world:-)

Vancouver Pride's Picnic in the Park - July 26, 2008

2008-07-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, July 26th, I set out to capture some of the festivities at Brockton Oval for Vancouver Pride.

Wow, I didn't realize how many things were going all at once at Stanley Park on the weekend's! A multitude of picnic events, line-ups to the Vancouver Aquarium, outdoor art exhibits, horsedrawn carriage rides, the list goes on...and where was the venue I was looking for? Fortunately I wasn't the only one a bit late :-)

Vancouver Pride had picked a great location for their Picnic in the Park events, which included a beer and food tent, stage, of course a huge picnic area and nice patch-o-green for the high-heel kick-off and drag race contests.

Not only that, I got to meet the creator of the Gay Pride Flag (aka the Rainbow Flag), Gilber Baker and Sahran Abeysundara representing the LGBTIQ community of Sri Lanka seeking human and political rights, the two Grand Marshalls of the day.

This was my first Vancouver Pride event, and I liked how chill it was. It was hilarious watching the races and how much people were into it. It really was a blast!

More pics to come on my Flickr galleries.

"In Search of Berlin" Best Film 2nd Runner Up & Best Musical Score!

2008-07-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! Last night our film "in Search of Berlin" was awarded for Best Original Music Score and Best Film 2nd Runner Up of the Vancouver Film Race 2008.

What a great feeling to be recognized not only by the Vancouver judges, but also by the New York judges for our short film.

As a first-time dabbler in the making of films, I felt pretty thrilled about being recognized among grad film students and people with far more film making experience. Jumping into the deep end and just going for it, definitely paid off!

"Ignorance is bliss", I can vouch, is a true thing. I had no idea what to expect! This also charged the stress thermometer to interesting high levels at times, but because I looked after the key ingredient: a capable and dedicated crew, I put my trust in them and let the pieces come together as they may.

My boyfriend has a band called The Mystery Body for which I do the photography. And through that, over the last short year, I got to know some amazing people, some of whom helped me make this film. It's quite a thrill to be surrounded by artists and seeing creative work come to life all the time.

So, with Jake Berlin (our skateboarder, musician, and improv performer), The Mystery Body (my boyfriend Chad Nantais, Trevor Sather, and as guest Jake and myself), the two camera men from BCIT (Erek Tymchak whom I met through a Mystery Body project and his friend Alex Arantes) and Glen Irvine, the editor and writer of the narrative (my former Whistler choir director and fellow photographer), we were able to make "In Search of Berlin" within 24hrs!

Not only that, but because we have reached the top in Vancouver, we are automatically entered in the North American pool (which includes cities like N.Y, L.A., San Fransisco, Boston etc). Not too shabby, eh?!

At the awards last night (Celluloid Social Club hosted the evening at the Anza Club), we received some great feedback and compliments. Always nice to hear :-) Chad mentioned to me, after the first screening at the Ridge Theatre earlier this month, that he felt that one of my great strengths was creating a style and a mood that was consistent throughout the film. I am glad to say that that was mentioned a few more times last night!

A big catalyst why I actually decided to participate in the race (I am a marketing professional by trade turned photographer), was because I have been unable to find work as a stills photographer on a set and was utterly frustrated by that. Yeah, can't give my services away for free even!!!!

So, what better way to get your finger in the pie, then by making your own film and proving that I CAN and that I AM!!

And on that note, I am so very thankful to the crew and The Mystery Body giving their all for this race and helping us achieve Best Original Music Score and Best Film 2nd Runner up of the Vancouver Film Race 2008.

A big THANK YOU too to Diesel Film Racing for bringing the Race to Vancouver for the first time this year, to the Celluloid Social Club and Paul Armstrong for hosting the event and to the Vancouver and New York JUDGES for recognition the work we have done.

Thank you!

Hedwig

Vancouver Folk Festival 2008

2008-07-21T21:26:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, the annual Vancouver Folk Festival was held at Jericho Beach again, on the shores of English Bay, Vancouver.

This has got to be one of the most amazing locations to have an outdoor music event! With the sun blazing relentlessly, the trees providing shade for those who wanted it, an eternal breeze coming from the ocean, vendors offering only the finest, often handcrafted goods, and music from 10am till 11pm, who couldn't be happier?

Well, actually, the crowds that show up to this festival really make it what it is...so peaceful! Yes, even though there are thousands of people, somehow the energy is so laid back, relaxed, chill and happy, I think it's probably quite unique.

Maybe because no booze is being promoted or sold, and the ganga goes around once in a while, that this event has no feeling of frustration or hostility.

I had no idea what it would be like, but had some preconceived notions because of the name of the festival and pictures I had seen...and, I have to say, there wasn't a hell-of-a-lot of folk music...that was a bit weird (although, I am sure I missed a lot ...there were many, many musicians performing), and the pictures I'd seen were mostly from within the gates and didn't look very appealing (the festival website isn't really great for that).

As it turned out, I loved roaming along the hundreds of stands with all kinds of clothing, locally designed or straight from Asia, seeing artists in action doing henna art, listening to the drumbeats straight from Africa, etc, etc ..and all in such abundance!

The Vancouver Folk Festival is a 4-day event and I was there for a couple of them. The last day, we had left to eat some dinner and refresh ourselves, I decided I didn't need to bring my camera anymore. I was tired of carrying it. My shoulders were burned, and it just didn't feel comfortable when you just want to chill....I knew I'd regret it...I learn this lesson over and over again...camera MUST remain attached to the hips at all times!

And so it was. The sun had set, and made way for cooler air. And the cooler the air became, the hotter the energy. We had picked an elevated spot at the edge of the gates, overlooking English Bay on one side, and the Festival grounds on the other. It started off with drums and other percussion instruments beating jungle rhythms. A group of men and women were dancing modestly to the beat, accompanied by some very cute 4-year old girls.

This was still a family affair...but before too long, it became dark and torches were being lit...now the magic of the night took over. The little kids were no longer to be seen. Belly dancers with their sensual moves and tinkling silver hip shawls took the stage. More and more people joined to watch and participate.

Many were mesmerized by one belly dancer in particular. And she loved it! She moved with so much energy that many a-jaw dropped. Yeah, she had no inhibitions. A sheik would have been proud of her, no doubt! There were two young guys sitting next to us, and one of the fellows was trying to tell his buddy a story. I could tell "buddy" was transfixed on the young voxy dancer, straight out of Scheherazade, and did not hear a word his friend was telling him. Somehow he managed a response, making his buddy be quiet again, got up and followed the dancer, never letting his gaze go...

Drums and fire are hypnotizing, especially with the moon out in all it's splendor and in an environment with no prejudice...

So, if you haven't experienced a Vancouver Folk Festival yet, pencil it in for next year. Lots of bargains to be had, and really, you don't need to buy tickets to hear the music and enjoy the festivities. Jericho Beach is open the pubic, all the vendors (except food vendors) are outside of the gates, the beach is right there, and English Bay is waiting for you to dip into!

Click here to view the complete Vancouver Folk Festival 2008 gallery on Flickr.

Me & National Geographic

2008-07-14T20:42:00.000-07:00

And so..I have expanded my portfolio to be displayed on National Geographic as well these days :-)

Check out My Shot for my gallery images. I'll be adding the occasional image, just because it looks great! And don't be shy...vote for my images any day!

24hr Vancouver Film Race 2008

2008-07-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

Made within 24hrs on June 20th 2008, In Search of Berlin is a documentary-style short film of just under 3 minutes made for the 24hr Vancouver Film Race.

This biographical documentary is the story of Jake Berlin, a Vancouver-based skate boarder. I wanted the main focus to be on him, and so, thankfully, the theme "greed" that we were given at the beginning of the race, fit easily into his life. Not the way you think....

This is a story about choices and values and how this skateboarder, Jake, juxtaposes material possessions against the thrill of "the ride" and following his true passions.

This was my first dabble as a director...it's raw, but can you feel it....?!!!

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She's Out!

2008-06-26T09:09:00.000-07:00

What a great experience to see our film on the Big Screen! It was nerv-wracking building up to that point....just wondering what it was going to look like!...But it was fabulous :-) No glitches, smooth gliding, just the way I would have liked it!

All the films were shows one after the other without interruptions. There were many to go through (about 30 short films). Not all of those were actually delivered on time (10pm), but were shown regardless, seeing the time and effort that was put into them. Wouldn't it suck to deliver 5 minutes late?!!

Anyway, ours was unique in that is was a bio and had a live score. The score was composed and performed by The Mystery Body and had Jake...and myself participating in the creation. That was a sweet experience. The power of music can not be underestimated!

The talented lead I mentioned above, the one I've been talking about, is Jake Berlin, hence the title "In search of Berlin". It's the story of a skateboarder who chooses his passion of the ride over luxuries, toys and the need of forever wanting more. It's about living in the present and living to the chore.

The film is a black and white film all shot at night by Erek Tymchak and Alex Arantes, who are currently students at BCIT. We used a wheelchair follow Jake on his skateboard...lots of fun I gather, as Erek didn't want to get out of the chair anymore!

Jake was actually nursing injuries, so the pressure was on even more to get the shots and not waste any time. Tick-tock tick-tock....

All-in-all, the whole experience was epic for me. It's a catalyst to do more!
I am pleased with the result of the film. They show the best of what we had in the bag, and that's all that matters. I lavished in the enjoyment of 'making', of 'being in the moment'. Boy, does it make you feel alive and energized! And anything else is icing on the cake:-)

My mom said to me last night before the premiere: "oh, I see you have come full circle". I had to think for a moment what she meant...and then I realized she was referring to a long, long time ago when I was about 11 years old and I was determined to become a filmmaker. If you asked anyone in my school, "what do you see Hedwig do when she's grown-up?", they'd say for sure "she'll be a filmmaker!".

Hey...you never know ;-) For now, I am stickin' to the shorts.

My thanks go out to the crew: Jake, Chad, Trevor, Alex, Erek and Glen. I am grateful for your passion and contribution and sharing your own experience (cause yeah...I didn't have a clue about the practical things...just a vision) to help make this film come to full fruition within 24 hours!!!

Premiere "In search of Berlin" tonight

2008-06-25T17:16:00.000-07:00

So, after an insane weekend of no sleep, we produced a short film titled: "In search of Berlin". Tonight it will be screened at The Ridge Theatre in Vancouver starting at 9pm.

There are 28 entries, from what I can see, and I am trying hard not to wonder what everyone else's films are like...in the end, that's really not the point.

We gathered around 7pm at my house on Friday evening, ramping up to 10pm and the announcement of the theme and surprise element...They were Greed and Turning a Faucet...Yeah, then all of a sudden the adrenaline starts rushing...."Oh my god...what am I going to do with that!!" It's quite hilarious looking back at it now. Slight hysteria and the imminent ticking of the clock! "5 minutes have already passed."

Well, once we took a breath and ideas were bouncing off the wall, we decided to go out into the night in search of our location (you'll have to wait just a wee bit longer to find out what they were :-)

Because participating in the race was last minute, I figured keeping a small crew would be best for the sake of simplicity. And I am glad I made that decision looking back.

With one lead, whom I met once before and who had left quite an impression on me, I knew we could go any direction we needed to go. Two camera men (Erek Tymchak and Alex Arantes) would help capture multiple angles, a band (and not just any! The Mystery Body which was started by my partner Chad Nantais) who would create a true sound from the heart, and an editor extraordinair (Glen Irvine) who made the magic happen with the little footage we had.

Making the soundtrack was a blast! Chad Nantais, Trevor Sather and Graham Ellsworth who comprise of the chore musicians of The Mystery Body, performed and recorded the music in their rehearsal studio. Our lead excercized his many talents and played as a guest on drums, electric guitar and bass. I myself got to play, too, on glockenspiel, tambourine, and guitar hammer...improf percussion-type deal. I was caught up in the moment. It truly was amazing to be part of the creation process....it's so addictive to be in the moment!

And then dawn breaks and the grueling task starts....logging and capturing (a term I only learned the day before including the fact that it takes FOREVER...hahaha) and editing. Boy, that eats up all your time. And is it ever tedious! I am glad I had a master working on it...yes, he won't agree with me on that, but I do know that without him we'd still be editing.

If you'd ask me: "would you do this again?" I'd say: "making a short, most definitely YES!, but doing it in 24hrs...I don't think so. It'll be nice to first create something that can get a little bit more love and time from me :-)."

I'll post the film in the next couple of days, so make sure to check out the link!

Here's to the power of short films!

Ramping up to Race day!

2008-06-18T10:32:00.000-07:00

One morning I woke up knowing I had to participate in the 24hr Vancouver Film Race this year. I had never heard of it before, but a few weeks back, when I went to a gathering of the Celluloid Social Club, a Vancouver network club for up-and-comers in the film industry, in a fruitless attempt to score a gig as a stills photographer, it was mentioned during one of the announcements.

Yeah, it amazes me, even offering to work for free is not a guarantee you'll get any work.

So, at any rate, you know how one can brew over things they want to do, but somehow manage to never do it...??

I used to live in Whistler for quite a few years, and got to enjoy the best festival around many a time...the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival. It combines sports action performed by the best athletes in the world, with daily live outdoor concerts, photographer's showdown and film maker's showdown. Their Film Maker's Showdown is similar to the 24hr Vancouver Film Race in that anyone can participate and it's on a strict (short) time line. Year after year I'd say....yeah, I am going to do it next year....one year just faded into the other.

So, again, when I heard of something similar being done here a few weeks ago in Vancouver, I thought...oh, that sounds interesting....and time elapsed.

But then I woke up one morning KNOWING I was going to do it. Yes, it was crystal clear. If had such a strong feeling that something needed to be born!

Well, I have never done anything like this before, but I know that with the right crew anything is possible...even in 24hrs. All things have fallen into place...Firstly my lead...crazy guy who I met only in the last month or so with sooo much talent (wait and see:-) who was thankfully willing and able to help create the magic we're about to start, the finest editor I could think of (a Whistler-friend who used do be my fabulous choir director, and who is also an amazing musician, photographer and videographer), two camera man (one of which I got to know through the Mystery Body video project - my life partner's band - and who was graceful enough to recommend a highly competent fellow camera man), and my much admired musicians who will be creating an original film score on the fly!

In a sense I love that there is so much unknowing...it makes the butterflies in my stomach go crazy, my excitement reach stratospheric levels, and leaves a great sense of pride making my debut at a film maker, producer, director and yes....stills photographer.

This Friday, June 20th, at 10pm the race starts.

May the magic of creation fill us all with bliss!

For those of you curious to find out who the crew is, stay tuned, this will all be revealed shortly ;-)

Sweetness

2008-05-27T16:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening my models and I got lost in a time warp and shot the Sweetness theme I had been talking about for weeks and weeks. It was an adventure that I can't wait to do again!! "Sweetness" was a lifestyle shoot and aims to convey sexyness, cheekyness, fun and spring colours through two beautiful Asian girls (Mimi Li and Hikaru Hashimoto).

I'll be doing post production over the next few days, but this is a taste of what's to come.

The location I chose was in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery downtown Vancouver. Initially I wanted to capture the fast paste city nightlife as a backdrop as well, but I ended up using a different technique where the foreground is more clearly separated from the background to help emphasize the models and subject matter.

Being downtown is also fun because of the curious on-lookers who are wondering what the hell the models are doing...yeah, it got a bit promiscuous at times ;-)

Make sure to check out my Flickr gallery for more samples later this week.

Practical Location Lighting Workshop with Marc Koegel

2008-05-25T23:20:00.000-07:00

Today I did a Vancouver Photo Workshop session with Mark Koegel on Practical Location Lighting. This was a full-day workshop from 10am till 5pm and it was pretty much a 50/50 split between theory and practice.

In the past, I mostly used natural light conditions to capture the ambiance of my surroundings and subjects, whether indoor or outdoor, but because I am also shooting bands these days, I have been relying more and more on my Canon 580 EXII flash unit to capture live performances. It's been extremely challenging as the lighting usually has been quite poor, the stage small and performers weren't standing still!

So, this pretty much has been a combination of trial and error, flash manual, incorporating my knowledge of shutter speed and aperture settings etc, but todays workshop really put the icing on the cake!

The combination of theory immediately followed by practice, in and outdoor, was excellent. Mark's enthusiasm and thorough explanation also cleared up a few "mysteries". If anything, I would've preferred the class only had 6 students (we had about 11 or 12 today), to get more one-on-one time (there were two instructors for the practical portion). But non-the-less, I highly recommend anyone with a drive to take their photography to the next level, to take this workshop.

The model, Denise, was also excellent. She was intuitive and patient with the students, who were primarily focussed on experimenting with lighting more so than giving direction, and just stroke one hot pose after the other. It truly is wonderful to work with a pro like her.

I am rearing to apply what I learned today....any models who are interested in expanding their portfolio....contact me :-)

http://www.hedwig.ca

On a beautiful day....

2008-05-23T22:43:00.000-07:00

This past Monday my girlfriend Synthia got married to Ian after being engaged...lets say...for a while...And this great day, which finally came - May 19th - was also Ian's birthday, which made it all the more special.

In the picture you see myself and Syn....yes, she is gorgeous, even on 3 hours of sleep! Her son happened to suffer from a kick-ass fever that was still lasting on the wedding day, but nothing seemingly faced this incredible woman. I can't even describe how amazing she is...a pillar of strength and beauty :-)

I photographed this day for Ian and Syn...more photos to come, guys!

On a rainy and quiet day...

2008-05-09T17:40:00.001-07:00

On a rainy and quiet day...
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

Even though rainy days can render moments like these, I am happy spring weather is starting to catch up with the blooming flowers. Vancouver has been pestered by a cold front that doesn't seem to want to turn around and find the arctic for a change....but, like I said, finally we are having slightly more consistency in gaining warmer temperatures.

And when the sun's beaming and the warm breeze ruffles my hair...ah, I am in heaven! It takes away all the noise and tension and just leaves me in bliss. Yes, I am ready for summer, vibrancy and the colours of the world :-)

When it's summer time...

2008-05-04T21:31:00.001-07:00

When it's summer time...
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

Last year I never ended up having a BBQ on the beach, even though it's just down the hill from where I live, but this year there will be a night of food and fire!

You are looking at Locarno Beach overlooking the Burrard Inlet which leads into the Straight of Georgia.

We get some of the most amazing sunsets here. The most spectacular ones can be viewed from Wreck Beach...which requires you to experience this spectacle sans clothes....yes, it's a nudist beach...or clothing optional ;-). Makes it all the better because foot traffic stays at a minimum. It's quiet, tranquil and totally peaceful!

Leading into the night...

2008-04-18T09:38:00.001-07:00

Leading into the night...
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

Vancouver can be overcast and dreary at times...and this is the perfect time to visit Chinatown. Walk into any store, and you'll be greeted with the brightest colours!

I love these lights....they really let the imagination run wild...or maybe I am just too much of a romantic :-)

Blast

2008-04-16T08:11:00.001-07:00

Blast
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

This makes it official...Vancouver does have colour!

When it's overcast and raining a lot and everything seems dreary, you just have to take the time to see what's really out there...I have been surprised many a time.

This is part of a restaurant building called "Banana Leaf" on West Broadway.

Gamelan Extravaganza 2008

2008-04-14T23:35:00.001-07:00

Gamelan Extravaganza 2008
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

Belinese Gamelan performed by Gamelan Gita Asmara at the annual Gamelan Extravaganza in Vancouver.

Dancer: Kadek Suriana

A full afternoon of incredible Gamelan music performed by Vancouver students and veterans. I had never paid attention to all the different forms of Gamelan. Every region has their own sound...kinda like a dialect that changes when you move across the country.

The dancer (Kadek Suriana) is performing a warrior dance, but I am not sure what kind of war he's preparing for. To me, the costume and movements reminded me of a bird and it seemed like he was dancing to fight another bird...possibly to win over a female... It was beautiful and intense till the end!

Travel Portfolio Gallery

2008-04-09T22:43:00.001-07:00

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2008-04-09T22:42:00.001-07:00

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2008-04-09T22:40:00.000-07:00

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2008-04-09T22:39:00.001-07:00

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Spring?

2008-04-01T10:35:00.001-07:00

Today the sun is shining....but after what we received a couple of days ago, I can only hope it will last. As the flowers are unfolding and the warm breeze was drifting in, we received a pounding slap in the form of cold, wet winter rains infused with hail and sleet. Yes, it seemed to have come out of nowhere. The skies dropped to a menacing low level in its dark furry, and we folk, were laughed at by the gods of weather.

All the spring flowers got a shock and truly seemed to have shrunk back into the ground, upon closer inspection. Poor little things. The only thing they could shrink back into was their tender little skin...

However, knowing that it couldn't possibly last forever, I enjoyed making my way through the streets of downtown Vancouver, splashing through the puddles and feeling my cheeks freeze into a permanent weird grin. I don't think my friends were enjoying it as much as I was, though.

I was armed with my camera, but unfortunately was missing my umbrella...it would have been perfect to capture all the shocked faces on the street! After all, we were headed into April! But, March can do what it wants. It always has. In Holland we even have a saying for it: "maart roert zijn staart", which basically translates to: "march wags its tail". You figure out what means :-)

But, as expected, after stormy weather, the clouds must make way for sun and warmth, and so it did.

Naked

2008-03-26T09:31:00.001-07:00

Naked
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

The Keukenhof is an enormous tourist and flower-lover attraction in the Netherlands, and although its primary focus is to feature the most beautiful flowers imaginable, it also incorporates art throughout the park.

This bronze statue is part of an exhibit of bronze figures. Very attractive indeed!

I wish I could go this year....but it looks like I'll have to pass...

Spring Flowers

2008-03-15T10:43:00.001-07:00

Spring Flowers
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

I love flowers! And as it is spring now (well, it feels like it :-), I bought a few bunches of tulips to infuse my apartment with good energy.

Vancouver's weather changes all the time, and on this morning, the sun was in abundance. So, I placed the tulips right in the line of fire...light...and got some nice shots.

Glass Water

2008-03-01T13:20:00.001-08:00

Glass Water
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

Falls Creek, Vancouver, at Night.

Vancouver is surrounded by water and has many marinas to accommodate people from all over the world and their boats/yachts.

During the day, there is much activity on the water, from Sea Buses to cargo ships, and at night, the waterways transform into absolute stillness.

It's quite remarkable to see the water turn into a glass mirror. It's like it stopped breathing and fell into a deep, deep sleep. Just the twinkling lights from the city create an amazing dynamic energy that doesn't make a sound....

Saskatchewan Planes

2008-02-22T15:13:00.001-08:00

Saskatchewan Planes
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

Driving from Ontario to British Columbia in summer, one cannot escape the seas of yellow canola that is everywhere!

Yes, early July 2006 I made my way back to BC from Ontario. A 7-day drive and 4790 kms later...still in the same country! I loved every minute of it....to me, travelling is like magic...The weight of the world off your shoulders so that you can see all the beauty around you...Not a bad thing.

Canada is a rugged country, so the flat spaces were the first ones to get cultivated.

At this point, Canola is a very hot commodity in the prairies and it is being grown in abundance. The bright yellow flowers create a beautiful contrast against the blue sky and the ever moving wispy clouds.

Nothing like driving through it on an empty highway...crank the tunes, boys and girls!

Lunar Eclipse Feb 20, 2008

2008-02-21T14:47:00.001-08:00

Lunar Eclipse Feb 20, 2008
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

Caught the tale end of the lunar eclipse last night. The clouds were moving in fast and furious, but there it is. Somehow it feels the energy in the air is different....good reverberations....
There's not much to see, but it sure is pretty cool!

Next one is three years from now. A Lunar Eclipse takes place at a Full Moon when the Moon moves into the shadow of the Earth cast by the Sun. This takes place at the same instant for all observers around the world!

Did you see it, too?

Cell Phone Blindness

2008-02-20T19:05:00.001-08:00

Cell Phone Blindness
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

These days most people have a cell phone...that's nothing new, but what does surprise me is that so many people are talking on the phone at the same time.

Did you ever do a count to see how many people in passing are talking on their cell phone? Whether driving or walking, it seems 60% to 70% of the people are engaged in some sort of communication on their cell phone.

It really blows me away! In Holland driving and talking on the phone now declared illegal due to the number of accidents it has caused. Not so in Canada. Maybe driving is easier over here??

What do these people all have to talk about? We'll never know....or maybe someone will/does...

At any rate, the Cambie Bridge is the easternmost of False Creek's fixed crossings and was build in the early 1900s. It offers some incredible views and is one of the view bridges (that I know of) that has a playground build underneath it....what a great use of space!

Ol' Yaletown

2008-02-16T14:22:00.001-08:00

Ol' Yaletown
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

A wide angle lens, a chance vintage car in vision....and there it is :-) Ol' Yaletown in downtown Vancouver....almost makes you think of a cowboy village...how ironic...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaletown

The Iluminating Dome of Science

2008-02-15T11:42:00.001-08:00

The Iluminating Dome of Science
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

One of the reasons I have my camera attached to the hip at all times, is because in Vancouver, the weather changes so fast...you never know what kind of surprise will pop out of the sky.

This is one of those moments where threatening clouds made way for the sun at the end of the day. My massage treatment in Yaletown was completed and as I walked out into the street, I knew it was going to be nice. I made my way to the harbour overlooking Falls Creek quickly...et voila! The city draped in a veil of gold!

Navy Pier

2008-02-09T18:33:00.001-08:00

Navy Pier
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

Going through my archives, I found some pics of my trip to Chicago in 2006.

This is a view from the ferris wheel (and it truly is a giant one!) looking down onto the Pier. It was midweek, fairly quiet and the weather was shifting from windy to cloudy to the sun breaking through. This definitely was a good moment.

Chicago surprised me completely! I had no idea there is so much history there. Some fantastic architecture, interesting musea, beautiful statues and walkways along the lakeside. Definitely worth visiting again.

Step Bikes in Delft

2008-02-08T20:07:00.001-08:00

Step Bikes in Den Haag
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

Yes, this is when you really feel like a foreigner in your own country...

When I visited Holland last time, we came across these contraptions. Initially I was so surprised to see these grown-ups "stepping" away that I forgot I had a camera in hand! My mom quickly said, though "what are you waiting for?!"

Pretty cool! Not sure what the story is behind these bikes, but I think they are rented to (business) groups for fun outings (different than your regular bike ride around town).

How unique and dutch :-)

Salted fish

2008-02-04T21:58:00.001-08:00

Salted fish
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

Vancouver's Chinatown has an abundance of outdoor market stalls with an even greater abundance of dried and fresh goods.

Most signs are in Chinese only, so as a westerner, one can only wonder what most of the thing are...it's time for a guide, I think!

More Vancouver Chinatown here.

mmmm

2008-02-01T11:28:00.001-08:00

mmmm
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

This is Ana, a Mexican beauty who was modelling for us this past week. We never know who we'll get from week to week, but she certainly was a lovely surprise.

This is part of a One Light shoot using a 2x3 softbox. In this case, I used a wide angle lens (17-35) which ended up giving me the best results, I feel.

To view the rest of the serie with Ana, click here.

Bald Eagles in Point Grey

2008-01-29T22:20:00.001-08:00

Bold Eagles in Point Grey
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

And so....it was an incredibly snowy day in Vancouver today...armed with my tripod and camera in hand, I looked anywhere but straight up the trees.

But thank god their cries gave them away! ...this couple lives in the top of this tree overlooking Locarno Beach and English Bay in Point Grey, Vancouver. Not too shabby.

And because these creatures are so huge (wingspan probably reaches 2m) you can see them because they are at the highest point of the tree. This is, for sure, my best eagle shot to-date :-)

Wandering the streets..of China Town

2008-01-28T20:49:00.001-08:00

Wandering the streets..of China Town
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

Oh, it was cold today! With temperatures hovering around the freezing point...only the animated voices and smells of Peking Duck kept me going...

Cold Afternoon

2008-01-24T19:11:00.001-08:00

Cold Afternoon
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

On a crisp, winter afternoon, with amazing clear skies and views till the end of the mountains....

Delicate

2008-01-23T10:35:00.001-08:00

Delicate
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

One Light studio shoot with Robyn.

This was the first time I played around with a 2x3 softbox and just one light! So much fun and the results can be so dramatic. Check out the rest of my photoshoot samples with Robyn here.

Smiling Paula

2008-01-23T10:29:00.001-08:00

Smiling Paula, originally uploaded by Maternity Portraits.

Paula and I had a spontaneous adventure, starting at her house, and from there we just followed our noses and the sun! It was late in the day and so we had to deal with long shadows or heavily shaded areas around us.

After the garden, and the dyke along the Squamish river, we ended up on a golf course..missing the flying balls, we captured some fantastic results!

Photography for Mothers - Official Site

January Storm

2008-01-18T10:15:00.001-08:00

January Storm
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

On January 14th, English Bay received a hit of cold, stormy winds, threatening clouds, rain, and a sweet reward...a short break-through of sun.

It's very challenging shooting in these conditions....since your fingers go numb, water is everywhere, and nothing stands still!

I am not sure what the wind force was, but my legs were being pushed from underneath me as I was walking...no such thing as steady camera legs...

Synthia expecting...

2008-01-16T13:29:00.001-08:00

Synthia expecting..., originally uploaded by Maternity Portraits.

The photoshoot with Synthia was wonderful and challenging. We embraced all the elements, from beaming sun, to wind to forested/treed areas, finally ending up in her home.

The shoot was a great success, and it reinforces the importance of taking the time to take the photos. It’s amazing what can be captured when you’re in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere!

Photography for Mothers - Official Site

There's something about...

2008-01-14T11:13:00.001-08:00

There's something about..., originally uploaded by Maternity Portraits.

Only days before she gave birth to a baby girl this past summer, Dana and I went out to capture some special moments. The weather was wonderful and the backdrop spectacular. Needless to say, we had fun walking along the Squamish river and ended up with some great shots!

Everybody experiences pregnancy in their own way, but Dana is one of those ladies who carries gracefully, and unlike the doctors thought, was able to give birth naturally this time. Yes, my kudos go to her!!

Photography for Mothers - Official Site

Opening Night "Vancouver" exhibition

2008-01-11T08:57:00.000-08:00

Yes!! Tonight "Vancouver, a photographic exploration" is opening at Exposure Gallery (754 East Broadway, Vancouver) and will be showcasing the works of about 40 artists until January 27th.

Two of my images will be showcased there and I invite everyone to come and see "Albums", "Alleging" and the other works for themselves.

Mt Seymour-Wanderung Jan 06,2008

2008-01-10T21:24:00.001-08:00

MtSeymour-WanderungJan06,2008-07, originally uploaded by Fun & Games.

Last weekend I went on an attempt to go on a snowshoe hike to the peak of Mt Seymour....but, weather conditions stopped me and my Wanderung compatriots to get beyond the base of the mountain!!

So, what to do but dive directly into the magical forest. It was absolutely idyllic. What a fantastic alternative :-) And oh....yeah, I like my backyard...it's not so shabby ;-)

Exploring the light

2008-01-08T19:12:00.000-08:00

This new year is very special....not only is it the year of the Rat - my year, so it can ONLY be good :-) - but it is also the year that I dedicate to me and fully establishing myself as a photographer. This can mean many things, but in my case it just means perseverance and absolute satisfaction in what I am doing. I am going to make it really that simple :-)

I continue to surround myself with other photographers, new on the circuit and veterans, who are the best inspirations I could wish for.

And because sharing just feels so much better and I know there is a universe full of abundance and unlimited happiness, I am sharing the wealth with you! Make sure to stay in touch to get your dose...or share yours!!

You up for it??!!

Happy New Year Everybody!

Online book and audio store

2008-01-05T15:06:00.000-08:00

What a great way to share my interests and learnings with you! Check it out: Online Book & Audio Store

I had mentioned audio books earlier, and if you are interested in getting them from my online store (ie. library does not carry the book), you can do it from right here!

In addition to the audio books, I have added a book section (no audio) for Maternity & Parenting and Health Care as well.

If there are any books or topics you feel I should be adding, please let me know. I am sure everyone will appreciate it :-)

Looking at the New Year

2007-12-27T16:11:00.000-08:00

I am staring 2008 in the face and I can't wait to make a great year of it! How can I not, with all the good energy and well-wishes that are being sent my way :-) Let is shine, baby. Bring it on!

Music to my ears

2007-12-18T20:05:00.001-08:00

Chad Nantais - Composer
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

I totally got hooked on audio tapes (well cd's these days).

By the time I get to a book, before I go to sleep usually, I am only able to read about two pages before my eyes start getting heavy and I have to give in to the drunkenness of sleep. It feels great, mind you, that stage where the eyes go cross eyed and I know resistance is futile, but by the time I finish a book....it's a year later.

So, I discovered audio books and just can't absorb enough material :-) The library is full of them (here in Vancouver anyway), and tapes circulate between all the branches so there's lots of "new" work poppin' up all the time.

Check here to find my list of favorites.

List of My Audio Book Favorites

2007-12-18T17:48:00.000-08:00

Insights

Living Beyond Miracles - Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer
Self Esteem - Carolyn Myss
Mindfulness Meditation - Jonn Kabat-Zinn, Phd
Fire in the Heart - Deepak Chopra (most recent add)

Biographies

Jim Morrison: Life, Death, Legend - Stephen Davis (read by)

Literature

Zorro - Isabelle Allende

NB: I'll be adding to this regularly

Alleging & Albums

2007-12-17T15:41:00.001-08:00

Alleging
Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

Stella is one of my portrait studies that will be displayed at Exposure Gallery starting January 06 for a month.

This will be my first exhibition and I admit...I am darn proud :-)

I spotted Stella as I was driving on Broadway towards downtown Vancouver. She definitely stood out and I just had to check her out from up-close. I had a hard time finding parking and ended up parking on a side street. As I made my way back to Broadway....I could no longer see her....I thought: was this a vision? Did I see something that wasn't really there? Have I gone cookoo?

Well, before I wanted to admit to that, I wandered the street back and forth a few times...and voila, there she was! Yes, it was only a simple case of being disoriented on my part, thank god!

So, Stella stood there, looked colourful with bright pink nails and lips and a good cake of powder on her face. I was trying to figure out how old she was, but I gave up and just imagined she was a remnant from the 20s.

She held the Ukulele and didn't really play or sing...more mumbling and string picking at a barely audible volume. I asked her if I could take a picture, and although flattered, she laughed and thought I was crazy. Especially after taking several shots and wanting to take even more...I hadn't set the lighting correctly, and so, I had to continue until I got it right!! But, she kept on playing her songs until I was done.

As I left, she laughed with a raspy dark voice again, kinda saying..."well, good luck with that...."

Stella is actually in this area a lot, but this was the first time I saw her.

Stella is also part of my Water + the Street essay.

The second piece, titled "albums" has also been selected for this exhibition (called: Vancouver).

Albums

Originally uploaded by Light is my muse

Comn' in!

2007-12-11T15:47:00.001-08:00

Yes, I am talking to you :-) You are about to enter into a snippet of my world.

I am using this medium (blog) to express myself, share my interests, and maybe get to know some other interesting cats while I am at it.

I am a photographer of musicians, maternity portraits, festival & events, street scenes, travel, nature and abstract forms. So, lots of variety and diversity is something that fuels me.

This is one of my doorways to me...to you...As McLuhan said "the Medium is in the Message"

You may check out some of my work here: Hedwig's Flickr Pics

Enjoy!