Arctic Air: Episode 1 Recap

By 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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BIlly Crystal is back!

By on January 11, 2012 in Random

Personally I like the past generations funny guys. Guys like Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Bill Murray and Steve Martin. Some of the guys today I find just stupid. Like Jack Black or Will Ferrell. They annoy me.

That is why I’m stoked that good all Billy Crystal will be hosting the 84th Academy Awards®. He is a lengend and has hosted them so many times before. I will say though I did enjoy when Hugh Jackman hosted, he done good too.

Are you a fan of these old comedians, or do you think they should just retire?

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I have a big announcement, please watch.

By on January 10, 2012 in Journal

I have been so blessed to have had the opportunity to come down to Fort St. John and do what I love for a year and a half. I have learned so much about myself, the industry and how it works. With life, comes change though. I have announcement to make, please watch the video. The entire video.

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Planes and Airports of the Holidays

By on January 10, 2012 in PhotoBlog

Traveling is a fun experience. We go to different places, see different thing. It takes us out of our norm. People may dread those long layovers, but I like those people watching times.

All those different people all doing the same thing, traveling. All with there on style and mannerisms.

Airports present a very interesting arena for the wannabe photog. I love the HDR shots I was able to get, capturing what happens so many times a day.

Blue Sky Westjet

People Fueling

Sadly I don’t think I will be at an Airport for a while now. When the time comes though, I have some ideas.

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What I just ate: Butterflied Steak and Potatoes

By on January 9, 2012 in Food

I’ll make this quick because I’m tired and I want to write this while it is fresh in my mind. This is what I cooked for supper tonight. It is in fact I teased everyone with on Facebook. I cooked it for myself and friend and former co-worker Megan.

Steak and Potatoes

The Meat from top to bottom:

  • A Portobello Mushroom, swiped clean and grilled will the grill was heating up on high. Put aside was charred on both sides.
  • Butterflied an average steak, rubbed in chopped fresh rosemary, salt and pepper. Added a bit of Olive Oil. Grilled for 4 mins on the grill, flipping every minute for medium.
  • French loaf cut on an angle and then in half. Place on grilled to heat up and flatten.

I really enjoyed this, it was amazing. It had taste and flavour. It wasn’t not dried out. What I did find was that the french loaf was a little too charred and that taste overwhelmed the steak. The mushroom as got cold quickly, too quickly for my eating speed. I would probably reheat before serving.

The Potatoes and all that jazz:

  • Boil baby potatoes for 15 mins or until soft.
  • Mix together cottage cheese and lemon juice for dressing. Put in bowl will still warm potatoes and mix around.
  • Add in BACON bits and chives to add even more amazing flavour.

These potatoes blew my mind, they were great and not just because of the bacon. I recipe called for yogurt, but I used cottage cheese instead and I think it was for the best. Will definitely do again.

Both recipes are from Jamie’s Food Revolution. I would do again with minor adjustments. Thoughts?

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My attempts at Aurora Photography so far

By on January 9, 2012 in PhotoBlog

To date I have attempted to shoot the Aurora Borealis twice. The first time was in September in the Peace Region, just north of Fort St. John, and the second was just recently over the holidays in Yellowknife, on the Dettah Ice Road.

Both times I tried different things and got very different results. Ironically, I think my first attempt was better than my second. Lets take a look and compare.

Aurora Funnel

ISO400, 11mm, f/8, 30 seconds

Northern Lights Attempt

ISO200, 16mm, f/13, 70 seconds

The biggest thing you will notice is the shutter speed. The first time I left it open to the longest preset of 30 seconds, the second time I used the BULB setting and timed it to about 70 second.

I’m not sure why I tried 70 seconds on the second attempt. Partly I think it was because when I had first gone out the lights were not out as strong, but they did end up coming out. As I scoured Flickr afterwards I think the most common shutter speeds are 15 and 30 seconds. It makes sense as you can see above in my first attempt. The ISO is also a mystery to me. I’m afraid to go any higher that ISO640 in fear my photos will look graining. What I have noticed on Flickr, is that if you want the foreground to show use a higher ISO. If you want it to appear more of a silhouette use a lower ISO. I read that my Nikon D90 works best at ISO200 so I had it there for my second attempt.

What I am struggling with on some level is my cameras capabilities. I’m read over and over that it is not the gear you use, it is how you use it. I tend to disagree with this when it comes to the Aurora. Obviously camera that are better suited for low-lighting will shine through in quality. For the time being though I have the D90 and I’ll stick with it.

These are some of my lessons learned in the first two attempts with Aurora. Do you have any advise and do something that works for you?  

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