Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Blog Survey
Trying something new here. If this works , then I will do a survey to see how you enjoyed the survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VJRD6GD
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VJRD6GD
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
John Prine and a Birthday Party
In what seems like a lifetime ago, I use to throw my own birthday parties at the house in Davis Bay.
Beer was chilled in 30 gallon tubs of icewater, Three barbeques to cook salmon, beef and wieners. A band of musician friends or solo performers to entertain. Martini fueled tricycle races on a barricaded street. Life was very, very good.
At the last one at that location, I decided that I was going to sing a song with the band. I chose a John Prine song, because it sounded like something I could do. Now...listen closely, I have never, ever been complimented on my singing voice...do you know why?...well it's 'cause I can't sing a lick...couldn't carry a tune in the proverbial bucket.
My wife at the time was/is an accomplished musician. She volunteered to help me practice. She played a 12 string guitar for dozens, maybe hundreds of attempts. When I wasn't doing that, I was singing along to a cassette tape of John's in my truck. It got to the point where the kids were asking, no pleading for me not to practice at night ...it was giving them nightmares.
On the day of the last Davis Bay birthday party, once the barbeques were lit, the booze was flowing and the band was in full swing...it was time to sing.
I practiced softly out front, with my wife strumming on the 12 string. It sounded pretty good...you know ...good enough.
I made two mistakes. One was gulping down a full martini to ease the stage fright. Whatever fine muscle control I had in my throat, slipped away.
Second, because the band was confident that they could carry me through whatever mess I got myself into, we never practiced together. I had only sung to the strum of a single guitar, and to a cassette tape in a pickup truck.
I did not not have the chops to pull that off...someone with a few years of experience...sure. Me...not so much.
I pretty much blew it within a couple bars out of nerves and not being in sync with the un-tested band. Guitar Johnny tried to whisper encouragements and recover. My wife tried to get me to look at her and follow along. But mine were the eyes of a drowning sailor. It was a bust.
Luckily the drunken tricycle race cheered me up immensely, and we talked the boys into enthusiastic rounds of the Kinks song "Lola" for a group sing a long.
You know, that was ten years ago, and I haven't sang out loud since that evening. I guess it was just embarrassment or some such thing. It seems a waste though now. looking back at it.
Maybe it's time to try again.
Here's a pic of that night..after most of the action. The guy in the cool hat is Guitar John Thompson, he brought his band, Ten Bear to the party. The other fella is Skip Reeves, one of my contractor buddies and a bluegrass man. There was a great video of that afternoon, made by the kids talking turns with the video camera. I haven't got a clue where that tape is, but I would surely love to know.
The other members of the band were, Barry Taylor on drums, and Steve Quattrocchi on guitar and mandolin.
This is the song....I still like it.
Here is another John Prine song that fits right in with some of the research that I have been digging into lately on a particular project.
Beer was chilled in 30 gallon tubs of icewater, Three barbeques to cook salmon, beef and wieners. A band of musician friends or solo performers to entertain. Martini fueled tricycle races on a barricaded street. Life was very, very good.
At the last one at that location, I decided that I was going to sing a song with the band. I chose a John Prine song, because it sounded like something I could do. Now...listen closely, I have never, ever been complimented on my singing voice...do you know why?...well it's 'cause I can't sing a lick...couldn't carry a tune in the proverbial bucket.
My wife at the time was/is an accomplished musician. She volunteered to help me practice. She played a 12 string guitar for dozens, maybe hundreds of attempts. When I wasn't doing that, I was singing along to a cassette tape of John's in my truck. It got to the point where the kids were asking, no pleading for me not to practice at night ...it was giving them nightmares.
On the day of the last Davis Bay birthday party, once the barbeques were lit, the booze was flowing and the band was in full swing...it was time to sing.
I practiced softly out front, with my wife strumming on the 12 string. It sounded pretty good...you know ...good enough.
I made two mistakes. One was gulping down a full martini to ease the stage fright. Whatever fine muscle control I had in my throat, slipped away.
Second, because the band was confident that they could carry me through whatever mess I got myself into, we never practiced together. I had only sung to the strum of a single guitar, and to a cassette tape in a pickup truck.
I did not not have the chops to pull that off...someone with a few years of experience...sure. Me...not so much.
I pretty much blew it within a couple bars out of nerves and not being in sync with the un-tested band. Guitar Johnny tried to whisper encouragements and recover. My wife tried to get me to look at her and follow along. But mine were the eyes of a drowning sailor. It was a bust.
Luckily the drunken tricycle race cheered me up immensely, and we talked the boys into enthusiastic rounds of the Kinks song "Lola" for a group sing a long.
You know, that was ten years ago, and I haven't sang out loud since that evening. I guess it was just embarrassment or some such thing. It seems a waste though now. looking back at it.
Maybe it's time to try again.
Here's a pic of that night..after most of the action. The guy in the cool hat is Guitar John Thompson, he brought his band, Ten Bear to the party. The other fella is Skip Reeves, one of my contractor buddies and a bluegrass man. There was a great video of that afternoon, made by the kids talking turns with the video camera. I haven't got a clue where that tape is, but I would surely love to know.
The other members of the band were, Barry Taylor on drums, and Steve Quattrocchi on guitar and mandolin.
This is the song....I still like it.
Here is another John Prine song that fits right in with some of the research that I have been digging into lately on a particular project.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
I'll Just Let you Ponder This One
Feel free to talk amongst yourselves. I don't have a political bone in my body...this was sent to me by a friend for my consideration.
Please don't comment here, regarding this post...it's not that type of blog
If you are having a really great and wonderful day...you might want to consider watching this some other time.
If you are having a really horrible day...you might want to consider watching this some other time
To feel better after watching this...go back to the Brian Cox post...and listen to the Pale Blue Dot story
Please don't comment here, regarding this post...it's not that type of blog
If you are having a really great and wonderful day...you might want to consider watching this some other time.
If you are having a really horrible day...you might want to consider watching this some other time
To feel better after watching this...go back to the Brian Cox post...and listen to the Pale Blue Dot story
Nuclear Japan
In the news today, it said that 53 of Japan's 54 nuclear power plants are shut down. The last one will go off-line in May.
Which begs several questions.
Where does Japan get it's electricity from... if 54 generating plants are not running?
What happens to all the specialized workers?
Is a dormant nuclear plant more of a security risk than when it's running?
Does the nuclear fuel get removed?
If the fuel is removed, where does it go?
But, seriously...nuclear plants are massively expensive and generate large amounts of electricity.....so...
What generating system is powering the country now ...if the nukes are offline?..
Is this the leading edge of a massive error in judgement?
Which begs several questions.
Where does Japan get it's electricity from... if 54 generating plants are not running?
What happens to all the specialized workers?
Is a dormant nuclear plant more of a security risk than when it's running?
Does the nuclear fuel get removed?
If the fuel is removed, where does it go?
But, seriously...nuclear plants are massively expensive and generate large amounts of electricity.....so...
What generating system is powering the country now ...if the nukes are offline?..
Is this the leading edge of a massive error in judgement?
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Clip From the the Producer/Director of the "Wrecking Crew" Film
The Wrecking Crew film will be screened at the Denman Cinema on April 15/2012 with Denny Tedesco in attendance.
Tickets at http://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com
http://t.co/NtiOIaQT
Tickets at http://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com
http://t.co/NtiOIaQT
Ted Talk ... Brian Cox
As I write this on a sunny March 25th afternoon in 2012, James Cameron is diving to the deepest place on planet earth in a specially designed submersible. I am following the progress in real time with Twitter reports from billionaire Paul Allen.
A miracle of our modern times.
There is no guarantee that James Cameron will survive this trip to the bottom of the Marianas Trench. There is no guarantee that it will change anything in our world.
Humans in their better moments, when they are not killing each other, and extracting resources at suicidal rates ...are capable of magnificent and noble achievements. In the sun's glint in the eye of any child, is the seed of hope.
Here is a very cool Ted Talk by Brian Cox. The Carl Sagan letter at the 14 minute mark, should be taught in schools...and in corporate board rooms.
A miracle of our modern times.
There is no guarantee that James Cameron will survive this trip to the bottom of the Marianas Trench. There is no guarantee that it will change anything in our world.
Humans in their better moments, when they are not killing each other, and extracting resources at suicidal rates ...are capable of magnificent and noble achievements. In the sun's glint in the eye of any child, is the seed of hope.
Here is a very cool Ted Talk by Brian Cox. The Carl Sagan letter at the 14 minute mark, should be taught in schools...and in corporate board rooms.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
A Movie..."Bottle Shock"
Another surprise due to the no risk side of Netflix...as in ...if you don't like it...turn it off...no loss of coin.
Bottle Shock has gorgeous camera work that gathers up the colours and textures of Napa Valley.
Totally watchable even if you don't give a flying flip about wine ...or wine making.
After viewing it, I wanted to go and buy an old rusty 60's pick-up truck with three on the tree, mediocre brakes and a good stereo....a good bottle of red, two straws and go find a dusty country road.
Bottle Shock has gorgeous camera work that gathers up the colours and textures of Napa Valley.
Totally watchable even if you don't give a flying flip about wine ...or wine making.
After viewing it, I wanted to go and buy an old rusty 60's pick-up truck with three on the tree, mediocre brakes and a good stereo....a good bottle of red, two straws and go find a dusty country road.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Wrecking Crew Film Coming to Denman Cinema
April 15th 2 shows at the Denman Cinema in Vancouver's West End
more info at
http://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com
Tell your friends!...Denny Tedesco, the director will be there to take questions and tell stories
Apparently Denny is going to improve the ticket buying experience in the next few days!! better / easier website
http://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com
____________________________________________________________
Thompson Communications
580 Haddon Avenue; Collingswood, NJ 08108
856-942-4434
steve@cinemanewswire.com
more info at
http://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com
Tell your friends!...Denny Tedesco, the director will be there to take questions and tell stories
Apparently Denny is going to improve the ticket buying experience in the next few days!! better / easier website
http://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com
inema News Wi
The Wrecking Crew
From Denny Tedesco
"The Wrecking Crew"
Screens in
Vancouver, British Columbia
April 15, 2012
The Wrecking Crew were a group of studio musicians in Los Angeles in the 60s who played on hits for The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Sonny and Cher, Jan & Dean, The Monkees, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Mamas and Papas, Tijuana Brass, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Rivers and were Phil Spector's Wall of Sound.
The amount of work that they were involved in was tremendous.
Screens in
Vancouver, British Columbia
April 15, 2012
The Wrecking Crew were a group of studio musicians in Los Angeles in the 60s who played on hits for The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Sonny and Cher, Jan & Dean, The Monkees, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Mamas and Papas, Tijuana Brass, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Rivers and were Phil Spector's Wall of Sound.
The amount of work that they were involved in was tremendous.
From "Be My Baby" to "California Girls" "Strangers in the Night" to "Mrs. Robinson;" "You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin'" to "Up, Up and Away;" and from "Viva Las Vegas" to "Mr. Tambourine Man," the group dubbed The Wrecking Crew played on them all. Six years in a row in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Grammy for "Record of the Year" went to Wrecking Crew member recordings.
"The Wrecking Crew," a documentary film produced and directed by Denny Tedesco, son of legendary late Wrecking Crew guitarist Tommy Tedesco, has played around the world in the festival circuit with over a dozen awards and rave reviews and other accolades. The film was released into the Festival Circuit in 2008 and garnered a dozen awards in over fifty festivals around the world but never found a distributor.
The film returns to Vancouver for the first time since it's debut at the 2008 Vancouver International Film Festival. It had such great success that the festival added an additional two screenings at the time.
Denny Tedesco will be on hand to introduce his film and host a post-screening Q&A.
The film includes wonderful interviews with Brian Wilson, Cher, Nancy Sinatra, Herb Alpert, Glen Campbell, Roger McGuinn, Gary Lewis, as well as many of the Crew members themselves.
Why the film hasn't reached a wider audience, even though it is championed by all who see it, is becoming a bit of lore itself. A labor of love by director Tedesco, the film is also ultimately a love letter to the legacy of his late father and musician friends in the Crew. Documenting the work of musicians on such iconic songs, however, can be cost -- and distribution -- prohibitive. According to the American Federation of Musicians, the film may one of the largest soundtracks of any film in history, with 131 music cues. With songs by Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, The Monkees, The Byrds, Mamas and Papas, Sonny and Cher, The Beach Boys and dozens of others, the cost of licensing the music for the film is estimated at more than $300,000.
Location: The Denman Cinemas -
1779 Comox Street, Vancouver BC,
Corner of Denman & Comox
Tickets are selling out quickly.
Buy early to guarantee admission.
You Can Become a Part of Rock and Roll History,
Help Denny Tedesco bring The Wrecking Crew
to the big screen!
Co-Sponsorship Programs Available:
$200 Donation
• 2 VIP tickets with names on chairs
• donor name on screen before the film plays.
• donor name on DVD when released
• permanent inclusion on Wrecking Crew web site
$300 Donation
• 5 VIP tickets with names on chairs
• donor name on screen before the film plays.
• donor name on DVD when released
• permanent inclusion on Wrecking Crew web site
$500 Donation
• 10 VIP tickets with names on chairs
• donor name on screen before the film plays.
• donor name on DVD when released
• permanent inclusion on Wrecking Crew web site
$1000 Donation
• 12 VIP tickets with names on chairs
• 12 Wrecking Crew Baseball caps
• Donor name on screen before the film plays.
• Permanent inclusion on Wrecking Crew web site
• Opportunity to dedicate one of the Wrecking Crew recorded songs
on the DVD (Check for availability,
some have been dedicated
and are no longer available)
Download Press Release
on Vancouver Screening
For More Information Visit:
www.wreckingcrewfilm.com
1779 Comox Street, Vancouver BC,
Corner of Denman & Comox
Tickets are selling out quickly.
Buy early to guarantee admission.
You Can Become a Part of Rock and Roll History,
Help Denny Tedesco bring The Wrecking Crew
to the big screen!
Co-Sponsorship Programs Available:
$200 Donation
• 2 VIP tickets with names on chairs
• donor name on screen before the film plays.
• donor name on DVD when released
• permanent inclusion on Wrecking Crew web site
$300 Donation
• 5 VIP tickets with names on chairs
• donor name on screen before the film plays.
• donor name on DVD when released
• permanent inclusion on Wrecking Crew web site
$500 Donation
• 10 VIP tickets with names on chairs
• donor name on screen before the film plays.
• donor name on DVD when released
• permanent inclusion on Wrecking Crew web site
$1000 Donation
• 12 VIP tickets with names on chairs
• 12 Wrecking Crew Baseball caps
• Donor name on screen before the film plays.
• Permanent inclusion on Wrecking Crew web site
• Opportunity to dedicate one of the Wrecking Crew recorded songs
on the DVD (Check for availability,
some have been dedicated
and are no longer available)
Download Press Release
on Vancouver Screening
For More Information Visit:
www.wreckingcrewfilm.com
____________________________________________________________
Thompson Communications
580 Haddon Avenue; Collingswood, NJ 08108
856-942-4434
steve@cinemanewswire.com
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Drill Bits and Dynamite....Part Twenty Three....Ropes and Harnesses
The Sea to Sky project required that workers on the rock crews ( scalers and blasters ) had to work from ropes... and rappel into work positions from time to time. Sometimes the height wasn't all that much....other times it was a very long ways off the ground.
This is a photo essay with descriptions of the action
This is a video not related to the Sea to Sky job...it shows how noisy the pneumatic rock drills are...and how hard to handle. These guys are not what I would call pro...but you get the picture
This is a photo essay with descriptions of the action
 |
| Rock scalers Arlen and Tim helping to load blast holes on Cut10 |
 |
| Scalers working on cleaning up a safety trim shot to remove dangerous loose rocks |
 |
| loading a shot...hanging from a rope....below the Upper Levels Highway and above West Vancouver houses |
 |
| Blaster Paul Cooper loading a shot at Cut 10 with help from Arlen and Tim |
 |
| Arlen hanging out and loading explosives into blast holes |
 |
| Tim's happy to be there |
 |
| Great view from Cut 10 bench...Mike T at the bottom helping out |
 |
| A cluster of scalers on Cut 4...a cold and crappy day |
 |
| Scaling crew hand drilling a blast round on Cut 14 |
 |
| Arlen and Sam on Cut 9...removing rock that might come loose and hit workers below on the next shift |
 |
| Hand drilling on Cut 14....it's a hard job on flat ground...it just gets worse when you are hanging in a harness...on a cold snowy day |
 |
| Setting up to rappel down the face at Cut 14 |
 |
| The long view of the same guy on Cut 14 |
 |
| Setting up to drill and blast a dangerous overhang |
 |
| Cut 14 |
 |
| Scalers helping out the survey crew on Cut 10 |
 |
| If you look close at the top edge...you can see two rock scalers working away |
 |
| Rock scaler hanging out...helping the drill operator to correctly place the bit |
 |
| Scaling crew working with the drillers to install rock bolts |
 |
| Hand drilling on a steep slope |
 | ||
| Hand drilling in the days before the big drill arrived |
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