KyleWith's Blog

I done better at Aurora

By KyleWith on January 28, 2012 in PhotoBlog

But I still ain’t that good.

This was my second attempt here in Yellowknife, third attempt over all at photographing the Aurora. Ironically, I still this my first attempt was the best. Nonetheless I keep trying.

The lights were not very bright while I was out this evening (about 11:30pm). I’ve been told there normally at their best from 1am – 3am, but I just don’t have the dedication yet to stay awake or get up again to go out and shoot.

This is however one of the “better:” ones I got this evening:

I like the element of the houseboat in the photo, but I must admit to some Photoshop trickery.

There is no way I could have lit up the foreground while keeping the Northern Lights so bright, so what I did, is brighten the foreground myself. I used the quick-select tool, got all the foreground and then upped the exposure. Seemed to work, although you can tell it was processed by the amount of noise you can see.

Next time I go Aurora hunt I should try two things:

Wait until there are real good lights. Be patient. Go far out-of-town, away from light pollution.
Be a man. Do the right fing. Err, I forgot what the second thing was.

Well until next time, send me all your tips. I need all the help I can get.

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Kyle’s Internet Usage

By KyleWith on January 23, 2012 in Journal

Shaw Internet Usage

I don’t have Cable, but I do have Internet. For the last 9 months I have only lived with Internet and watch all the TV Shows I follow, online.

When I think back I would say on average I stream 2 hours of video a day and upwards of 6 hours on a weekend. That is a lot of streaming. I use all the Canadian Network Websites, other streaming sites and Apple TV (Movie rentals and Netflix)

On top of the streaming I do upload photos, podcast etc. on a regular basis.

It surprised me when I looked at my Shaw usage for the first time today. In the last 8 months I have only gone over 60GB in a month once. I’m not even sure why I went over, it seems my usage various by 10GB, odd.

This excites me because one of my concerns moving back to the NWT was the *higher* cost of Internet than I’m use to with Shaw. I have a bandwidth cap of 60GB in Yellowknife (apposed to the 125GB I had with Shaw), but after seeing my usage down here, I’m not so concerned any more.

What is your bandwidth cap?

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KyleWith: Podcast Update

By KyleWith on January 23, 2012 in Podcast

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Click here to download or listen on an iOS Device

This is just an update on the state of the KyleWith Podcast update. Don’t worry, it is not going anywhere.

Sponsoring

First and for most I’m looking for a new sponsor. All audio files are hosted with a special Podcast Host for maximum quality, but there is also a monthly cost. There is also a percentage of my website hosting that can be attributed to this podcast as it is one of the biggest referrals to my site. On top of that I spend just over two hours an episode, recording, processing and posting. I love doing these types of projects and would try to do it without help, but at the same time I would like to break even on my costs.

If you or your company is interested in sponsoring the KyleWith Podcast please contact me. I’m offering a 60 second slot within each episode going forward, talking about you or your business. I am also offering an ad spot or link mention within the Podcast episode post on KyleWith.com.

Subscription or Donate

If you don’t want to sponsor an entire show, but still believe in what I am doing, there are a couple of ways you can help. The first option is a monthly subscription and the second is a one time donation. I would be extremely thankful for either option. Both options are through Paypal’s Secure Payment system, and there is also an option to pay without a Paypal account.

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Arctic Air: Episode 2 Recap

By KyleWith on January 19, 2012 in Reviews, Videos

I’m just not sure about Arctic Air on CBC yet! I really think my uncertainty comes from the fact I want the show to show the real Yellowknife, the real north. They wont do that though, that just wouldn’t make for good TV.

My video is rather harsh in the sense I pick apart most of this episode, but there is one part I was really not sure about. You will be able to guess when you watch it.

I did get a reality check after making this video when a friend pointed out the CBC show Republic of Doyle. I have never seen a full episode of that show, but it is based in St. John’s over on the east coast and apparently is also unrealistic. Which makes sense, this is TV after all.

I do hope next weeks episode is better and I have a better approach to watching it. What are you thoughts on the second episode?

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Starting the Moving Process

By KyleWith on January 14, 2012 in Journal

It is a daunting word, process. Processes are scary, but they have to be done and followed.

By now I’m assuming everyone knows that I have accepted a new job with the communications company Kellett Communications and that the job is based in Yellowknife. If you

didn’t know, then you should watch the video found here.

I’m excited I’m heading back to Yellowknife, but not so much that I will be living with my parents for a while. Sure, at 21 years old that is not a big deal, but it is to me. I’mindependent and I like my own living space. Heck I can barely handle roommate, unless I know them. I’m extremely thankful for my parents though and their house.

As I wont have my own place for a little while, the moving process has to be thought out a bit more. Do I take all my furniture or get rid of all of it? If I do take it, where will I store it? These are all questions I’ve had to ask.

I decided to get rid of my two couches, my kitchen table, desk and bed thing my mattress is on. I’m going to keep my lounge chair, because it is awesome, and my brand new bed I bought in August.

Then of course there is all the junk I have collected in the last year and a half. SO MUCH JUNK! I’m glad this apartment has a dumpster outside, because it will be used.

I find moving misleading. The packing of the vehicle or trailer is the easy part, but that is part we often see. What we don’t see if people pulling their hair trying to fit all their belongings in boxes.

I’m glancing around looking at all that needs to be packed and I see: electronics, kitchen ware, food, pictures, cookbooks, clothes and bikes. It sure doesn’t seem like much, but it adds up.

9 Days before the trek north. 9 days to get this small apartment packed and cleaned. 9 days.

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Arctic Air: Episode 1 Recap

By KyleWith on January 13, 2012 in Reviews, Videos

Last year I made recap videos for the CBC reality show Village on a Diet, so this year I thought I’d try my hand at Arctic Air. Just short 5 minute video of me sharing my thoughts on the past episode.

I don’t have cable tv at the moment, so I am unable to watch the show when it airs. I was able to watch it the morning after though through CBC’s website.

In the video I discuss my full thoughts on the show. Although re-watching it I feel I was a little harsh. I did like the episode a lot and felt it portrayed Yellowknife correctly, the little it showed. I think the show will be great for “northern promotion” although I think Ice Pilots does something similar already.

NWT Tourism is also hoping it strikes the right cords with viewers and prompts them to considering visiting the NWT. So much so that they partnered up with the show, and aired its new commercial during the premier. They have also launched a Facebook Page to feature us northerners, so no matter where I am or what I am doing, I think you should check it out so see what the NWT has going on.

Also like I mention in the video head over to Sophisticated Pulp and read the great write-up on the show there, from another northern perspective.

I’ll be back next week, but tell me what you though of Episode 1!

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