Things That Make You Go Hmmm....

Out for a bike ride this morning, I came across this old sign(?) on Waverley Street (next to McGillivray). Hmm... I wonder what it's doing there. It could be the remnants of an old sign but, how do you explain the different apostrophies? IMO, it definitely qualifies as one of those things that make you go hmmm... - cheers!

Recommended Viewing | GDC Manitoba's Spring & Summer 2008 Digital Newsletter...

The GDC Manitoba Chapter's Communications Chair, Jeope Wolfe has done it again! The Spring & Summer 2008 digital newsletter was sent out to the Chapter membership today... I'm sure that it will be available for download (at some point) via the GDC Manitoba Chapter website, visit www.gdc.net for more information. As the current Activities Chair for the GDC Manitoba Chapter, I'd like to take a minute to thank the professional development presenters for 2008 (to date):

Dean Smallwood (Associate, Bounce Design) for his March 25 Lunch Talk presentation Pro Bono Design. Dean reviewed GDC’s pro bono guidelines – what you need to know, whether working for a non-profit or your best friend’s cousin – in an informative presentation covering the issues that need to be considered.

Mike Lesyshen (Prolific Graphics) for his April 29 Lunch Talk presentation, Spekta - Hybrid Screen Printing. Mike elaborated on print technology, from conventional printing, to stochastic to hybrid, what they mean, what to look for, the pros and cons and how to take full advantage of what’s available and to bring out the best in your images and designs.

I’d also like to extend special thanks to Brian Fawkes (MGDC) and the Red River College Creative Arts Department (and faculty) – for their ongoing support of the GDC Manitoba Chapter’s professional development activities.


The great outdoors has arrived in Manitoba – get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather! Look for more professional development events down the road... visit GDC Manitoba on the web at www.gdc.net. Cheers!

WICKED! Ashley Wood's Nom de Plume...

Internationally acclaimed artist, Ashley Wood released Nom de Plume today, the faceless commander of the Dirty Deeds platoon. Limited to only 50, the Nom de Plume 12" figure was to go on sale on June 25th Hong Kong time and was available on Bambalandstore.com - apparently the figure was sold-out in 20 minutes! From Ash Wood's blog:

Re: Nom
Sorry for the folks who missed out, but remember before you get angry at the run size, these are not like books that are printed in mass very quickly, each Nom is hand made, there are no machines making the cloths on auto, the paint is not a quick spray job, it all takes time to make a cool toy. The logistics of Nom dictated 50, hopefully we can up the run's on editions as we move along.

Amazing... keep 'em coming Ash! Cheers!

Super Fast and Easy Facial Retouching via PSDTUTS...

I've been holding onto this tutorial for some time now... partially in fear of a massive onslaught of family requests for photo/portrait retouching. But, I did think that it was worth sharing... learn more about Super Fast and Easy Facial Retouching and more via PSDTUTS here.

Thanks to Raelene Hanna for sending me the link - cheers!

A Close Encounter of the Moth Kind...

This past Saturday, after watching the Netherlands, disappointing loss to Russia (3-1, Euro2008) over at Raelene's (one of my good friends and a fellow GDC Manitoba Board Member; Raelene is the current GDC Manitoba Education Chair), I came outside to find this large moth just hanging out on the wall...


It was just begging to be photographed... ;) Now, this by far, is not the largest moth I've seen before (I've seen some that are the width of my palm, but this has always been out in the woods camping), but it's likely the largest I've seen this year.


I apologize for some of the blurry pics... do you see a face in the pattern on the moth's head (it's upside down)?


Anybody know what kind of moth this is? Anybody? Bueller? ;P


Anyhow, hope everybody had a nice weekend!

Recommended Viewing | Joshua Heineman's Cursive Buildings Website

You really have to go and check out Joshua Heineman's Cursive Buildings website... more specifically it's his Reaching for the Out of Reach project that has caught my attention. Joshua's description on his website: I’m breathing new life into the past using old digitized photographs from the New York public library. I’ve spent hours rekindling these moments. And they will not be the last. P.S. I’m so so deep on these funny little things… it’s like the past has rediscovered a dimension!

Sadly the image above doesn't represent his work accurately (I'm not sure why animated .gifs don't work when I upload them), so go and check out the image above (as well as more examples) on his website at http://lala.cursivebuildings.com/tagged/reaching - enjoy!

Thanks for sending me the link Paul - Cheers!

COOL! White Glove Tracking Project...

My apologies if you've already seen this... I've been meaning to post about it for some time now. Excerpt from the White Glove Tracking website:

On May 4th, 2007, we asked internet users to help isolate Michael Jackson's white glove in all 10,060 frames of his nationally televised landmark performance of Billy Jean. 72 hours later 125,000 gloves had been located. wgt_data_v1.txt (listed below) is the culmination of data collected. It is released here for all to download and use as an input into any digital system. Just as the data was gathered collectively it is our hope that it will be visualized collectively. Please email links to your apps, video, source code, and/or screen shots to evan[at]eyebeam[dot]org. Work will be exhibited in an online gallery and depending on popularity and interest potentially in a forthcoming physical gallery exhibition as well. Huge thanks to everyone that contributed to the data collection.

While I can't say that I fully understand the tech behind the project, I did find it to be rather interesting and the re-edited video(s) fun to watch... although, you can really only listen to Billy Jean so many times in a row before you start going a little nutty! ;) It definitely was one of the better periods for the Moonwalker himself... you can watch the original live performance of Michael Jackson's Billy Jean above or on YouTube here.


The video above is an example of what someone has done with the data... they're calling it Giant White Glove. I found it to be rather amusing... the giant glove makes me think of Mickey or some other cartoon character. Anyhow, check out the White Glove Tracking website at http://whiteglovetracking.com/ to learn more, White Glove Tracking is an open source project initiated by Evan Roth and Ben Engebreth with support from the Rhizome Commissions Program and the Eyebeam OpenLab. Be sure to check out the online gallery - enjoy!

Via Daniel Koh at Kaliber1000 - The Designer's Lunchbox. Cheers!

Winnipeg's Golden Boy...

One of the most iconic figures/locations in Winnipeg has to be the Manitoba Legislative Building. The above image of Winnipeg's Golden Boy, was taken while sitting in the car during my daily, post-work 'rush hour' traffic jam... ugh.

Learn more about the Golden Boy and the Manitoba Legislative Building here - cheers!

Ashley Wood's Desert Rat Bertie... DEPLOYED!

Well, the poll for whether or not I should open Bertie officially closed last night... the results were 100% in favour of opening him so, here's the official un-boxing in all it's glory!


After tearing open the clear plastic wrapping I removed the sleeve (which featured some wicked Ashley Wood artwork), inside this sleeve was a 'clamshell' package (again with more cool Ash Wood artwork and WWR branding), which held the two blister packs containing Bertie and all his accessories...




I have to say that the attention to detail, paint quality, build and articulation of this toy is second to none and has far surpassed my expectations, for those of you who thought I was crazy for making the purchase, this is what my Desert Rat Bertie has to say...




worth every penny in my opinion!


Desert Rat Bertie...


DEPLOYED!, view the rest of the un-boxing on my Flickr here - enjoy!

In Light of Going to the Dentist Today...

In light of the fact that I had to go visit the Dentist today... here's a clip on YouTube of Steve Martin performing the Dentist song from Little Shop of Horrors.

What is with the weather?...

What is with the weather these past few weeks? It sure doesn't seem to be very typical of a Manitoba Spring... anyhow, it's always nice to see a clear blue sky after a few days of gloomy skies... I sure hope that the weekend is beautiful and rain free.

On another note: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Recommended Viewing | Zeitgeist - The Movie

I highly recommend you watch this if you haven't already yet... never heard of it, you say? Well, go check it out anyways... learn more at http://zeitgeistmovie.com/ - enjoy!

Thanks to Rob for sharing this.

Visiting The Neon Factory...

Visited the Neon Factory on Main Street (in Winnipeg) today, as part of a project we're currently working on at Circle. I've always been fascinated with neon and was able to learn a lot more about it, and the fabrication during the visit. Looking forward to seeing the project come to light! ;) Shouldn't be long now...

Image: inside the Neon Factory... you can see Rob (or at least his back) on the right.

Ashley Wood's WWR Bertie...

Well, after receiving some rather terrible news this past weekend at the Dentist, I was rather pleased to arrive home this evening to be greeted by this package... guess who arrived in the mail? Bertie!!!


I was rather impressed by the size of the box (I thought both my Berties were inside, turns out that it's just Desert Rat Bertie!)...


I was pleased to find some cool Ashley Wood art on the side of the box...


...and as I began to open the box, I came across what must be the limited edition giclee print...


...it is! Number 27/50,


and underneath it was the beautiful box (within the box ;P ) holding Desert Rat Bertie! Now, anyone who's seen my room will know that I tend to keep my toys in the box... but, I'm tempted to break that tradition for this one... before I go tearing into the package, I thought I'd take a quick poll to see what others think? Do you want to see the rest of the un-boxing or should I leave Bertie, mint-in-the-box? Vote soon, poll closes Friday the 13th!

A Walk in the Park...

Apologies for the lack of posts in the past little while, I've been busy! ;P Anyhow, after a horrible night of toothache and waking up none the better, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather (a great joy to see after a day of record rainfall) and go to Assiniboine Park for a walk, one of Winnipeg's many parks and green spaces.


Anyone who has visited the park will likely recall the Park Pavilion... it's a vivid childhood memory for me.


I visited the Park Conservatory,


the English Gardens and


the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden,


where I was able to capture some of the flowers that were in bloom,


as well as this little spider. I would have gone to the Zoo as well but, by that time my toothache was driving me bonkers... oh well, I'll just have to go another day. ;) I've started another Flickr set - Winnipeg... where I'll be collecting my random shots taken in (or related to) Winnipeg... check out the rest of the pictures I took during my walk here - enjoy!

Luckily (or maybe not?), I've managed to book an appointment with a Dentist later this afternoon... :| Hope you're enjoying the weekend! Cheers!

NEW! Flickr Photoset - FOOD!!!

I've created another new set on my Flickr... FOOD!!!. I plan to collect all my FOOD!!! related shots here - I've just started this set, but it will continue to grow (along with my waistline) as time progresses, check often for updates - enjoy!

Images from one of many dinners at Miyabi Japanese Restaurant, located in Winnipeg's Osborne Village: Top - A special treat from the Chef, Miyabi Snails... an item which is not found on the regular menu (very tasty). Bottom - Chef's Choice, nine piece Nigiri sushi platter.

NEW! Flickr Photoset - Flora & Fauna...

I've just created a new set on my Flickr... Flora & Fauna. I plan to collect all my nature shots here - I've just started this set, but watch for it to grow ;) as the year progresses - enjoy!

Images (from top down): Some fungi growing in my front yard, a shot of cherry blossoms from my back yard and some flowers on a tree in my neighbor's front yard.

LOOK! Up in the Sky! It's a Bird...

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird... Remember when you were young, and had nothing to worry about, and you could spend the entire afternoon just laying in the grass staring up at the clouds dreaming? Sigh...

The image above, was shot on the 3rd hole at Windsor Park, one of Winnipeg's many public golf courses.