Monday, February 29, 2016

Stuck in a puddle

For a moment on Monday morning, while in gear and the engine reeving, our car, parked in front of our house, didn't move. Suddenly it learched ahead and drove normally. Returning home later, I noticed the water which had been running freely the day before was now frozen very solid from the rapid new shift in temperature, resulting in the car being lodged into ice which had shaped around the tire. 

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Home sick from Academy Awards

In truth, I don't really like having to watch the academy awards in real time, so Academy Award parties are not really my thing. Added to that, I have come down with a hell of a cold and my nose is running constantly, so I wouldn't really be welcome. William and I watched some Hitchcock and occasionally went to the Awards and fast forwarded through things. Margaret went to the party and came back with cash from "good guessing". 

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Grimm Tales by Do It With Class

On Friday night we attended the "Grimm Tales" performance by the Do It With Class group. It was fairly well done and kept us entertained, although it wasn't as ambitious as their version of "Threepenny Opera" they did in the fall. Ran into Mike Weber in the lobby. He has some photos which will be on display in Moose Jaw soon so I hope to drive out there and take a look.
Saturday evening Jana and Allan came for supper. We tried out Allan's new game "Something to Hide" which was entertaining (and proved that William has suddenly become a better role player than I am). 

Friday, February 26, 2016

Interesting development

I'd heard rumors that the old Weston's bakery might be renovated to include art spaces of some sort. We were driving past and I noticed the construction of it as well as the building next to it. I didn't think about it much until we stood in front of them. They seem like interesting and inspiring places to be and to work. I hope something comes of this. 

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Ken dolls

My first official expenditure of my new grant is unexpected, even by my standards. I placed an order for 10 Ken dolls through the Walmart web site (the cheapest place to find them). I also picked up a second land line phone from an antique store on my way to pick up Geremy for lunch. I told him that I just bought a new phone. He was pleased that I was finally joining the 21st century until I clunked my new monstrosity onto his lap (the phone, not the cat)

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Good news comes in big packages

When I got home today (I had coffee with Grant Campbell to catch up on stuff), I found three packages at the door. One was the new Brian May stereography book (big and heavy). The second was my film back from 8Fest (small, but mighty big images). The third was a nice thick letter from the Canada Council!!!! As you may know from my "Thin Letter" film, rejection letters do not require much envelope space. One acceptance letters include extra paperwork. This will help me create work for my summer exhibition at the AGR. Very pumped. 

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Combat Improv

Good night at Combat Improv. Disappointed that John the pianist wasn't there. No explanation; this is the first time we've been when he hasn't played (although we missed last month). High point for me was a surprisingly melancholic ending to a Biggie (Cam) and Smalls (Andrew) sketch where magician "Smalls" as dad gets his son (Biggie) to close his eyes for the disappearing trick and then leaves him sitting on the stage all alone. Savage. 

Monday, February 22, 2016

Walking bridge construction

The walking bridge over the creek near Sheldon William's Collegiate appears to be under construction. I'm surprised about how many things that I am personally interested in are being built right now (not that I'm interested in occupying or going into all of them, but they are curiosities in one way or another). These include the stadium, the Crown Point building replacing the Plains, the Golden Mile mall which is now cut in half, Connaught School, and this bridge. Perhaps I should add the renovations to the legislative building to the list. 

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Super-8 re-shoot

Today I took William to the cemetery to shoot a new version of a film I've not had in distribution for many years. I followed many of the original motifs and rhythms so that it would match Jeff's music he recorded for the original, but with some different choices for light and composition. I'm not sure if it is better or not, but we had a bit of an adventure. I shot the first roll with my Eumig but it started failing. I don't think it is the batteries; perhaps a connection somewhere. I've had that camera for about 40 years so I suppose I could put it on the shelf now.  I finished the shoot with the Sankyo I bought a while back; wonderful lens but no single frame capability. 

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Hitchcock/Truffaut



We went to the "Hitchcock/Truffaut" film at the RPL. Other than it containing a few potential spoilers for the Hitchcock films (William has only seen about 6 Hitchcock films versus the nine Truffaut films we've watched together), it was very interesting, entertaining, and inspiring. It was interesting that the original interview sessions were photographed by the very interesting Phillipe Halsman whom I discussed in class a couple of years ago. 

Friday, February 19, 2016

This is That, live at the Artesian

We were really lucky to have tickets to the sold out "This Is That" comedy performance tonight at the Artesian. William also gave three tickets to his friend Emma who came with her mom Barb and her younger brother. I was quite surprised by how well these two guys, Pat Kelly and Peter Oldring, shifted between voices to carry on conversations with each other and even with themselves. In the Q and A afterwards, William found out that Peter Oldring's favorite colour is blue. 

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Tour of German Club

Caligari Project is moving forward quickly and well. Meetings are starting to become less frequent. We met with the German Club and talked about possibilities regarding collaborations and connections. A good talk.
Margaret worked all day so William, Paul and I went to the Korean BBQ. 

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Connaught construction update



Back from our trip, I just couldn't focus on getting any new work started. William and I took a walk around the Connaught grounds and it looks like they are doing a number of things including fencing, drilling holes, leveling ground, and generally moving dirt. 

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Winnipeg vacation day 4, the drive home

Packed and drove home today. Teagan had to be back in school, although Brianna and William both have the rest of the week off. We stopped for lunch in Brandon but did not buy a monocle (spell check tells me this is the correct spelling, so is the window an error or an alternative?). 

Monday, February 15, 2016

Winnipeg vacation day 3

Holiday Monday in Winnipeg and we began with brunch at Linda and Sean's. They have a great house with lots of rooms and amazing art on every wall. Later we hit the WAG where we particularly enjoyed the Inuit sculptures (only a small display, a portion of their collection which is the largest in the world) and the Greek and Roman gods. Afterwards we went to the park where hundreds of ice sculptures were displayed. Coming from more-or-less socialist Saskatchewan where art is free, the $25 per person entry fee to see ice carved into bears and birds was a bit much, especially considering that an hour in the cold, even with the good weather, was less than desirable. Regardless, the displays were nice and the kids went down the super-fast ice slide once. Probably wouldn't repeat this in the future though.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Winnipeg vacation day 2

Today I drove around Winnipeg and surrounding area 150 km, chatting and getting lost with my friend Chris whom I've not seen in over 30 years. We ended up in Ikea for a while so that he could meet Margaret and William, but most of the time was in the car. It is impossible to catch up on everything, but I got a glimpse into where he's at now. 

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Winnipeg vacation day 1

Drove to Winnipeg for a short vacation and to help Leslea celebrate her (significant numbered) birthday. Linda and Sean were there of course, along with many people (mostly film types) whom I'd not met before. We also got to meet their beautiful new white, seven fingered kitten, Jack. Their kitchen renovation, which took longer than they'd expected, looks great. A wonderful and exhausting day with a bit too much wine.


Sullivan's Travels at LLC

Friday afternoon I did a short talk to a group at the Lifelong Learning Centre on the old campus and showed Preston Sturges' "Sullivan's Travels". I got very positive feedback. They get about 25 people out each week and somebody brings coffee and cookies. 

Friday, February 12, 2016

Frank Warren of Post Secret in Regina

Even though I'd not noticed any promotion for it, the public talk by Frank Warren who has been running his "Post Secret" relational art/culture/confession project over the past ten years spoke to a capacity crowd of about 200 at the university this evening. It was pretty cool. I've never looked at the Post Secret stuff before so his personal introduction to it all was exciting and engaging. He is well practiced at responding to the crowd's questions and statements, many of whom are there because they needed a forum for honesty and confession.

Next door house sold

I don't know who the new neighbour will be, but the house next door is finally sold. It is a great house but it went on the market at the wrong time so has been vacant for quite a while. I don't like the idea of there being no one there for extended periods of time so am very happy to come home to see this sign. 

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Tanya Dahms, future mom

I was at the university today to shoot some test shots with Tanya's microscope, zooming in on super-8 frames. This worked out okay but will need some adjustments before I have the final incarnation of this aspect of my summer project. The big surprise of the day is that Tanya is having a baby in about a month! Wow! I was completely stunned and overjoyed. She looks great and is going to be such a great mom. 

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

New machines at Connaught

I don't know if this is the real beginning of Connaught School construction or just more preliminary stuff, but there is a digging happening on the school ground today. The other day, after the fence was put up almost all the way around the grounds and a trailer was placed on the south end, the north side was plowed flat of snow and loose gravel. I don't find any news on the city or school board websites or on the news, so I guess it is a wait and see sort of thing.

update: Carla Beck writes: The build has been tendered and approved by the Ministry. It is still on track to be open Fall 2017, so there should be lots of action in the days and weeks to come.

Monday, February 8, 2016

software frustration

I know I shouldn't complain since I got this for free over ten years ago, but the Screenwriter software that I used to use won't load on Windows 10. I have a screenplay that I began years ago that I just found all of my had written notes for. I know that I began typing all of these notes into Screenwriter but don't know how far I got. Now I can't open it to continue. I think I'll be able to open it on the old laptop that is in my office and from there I'll translate it to something else (perhaps Celtx if I can) and continue writing. 

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Advertising awards

Went to the Cannes advertising awards at the RPL. These used to be major, sold out events in Regina. There was not even a half house on Sunday night. Good program though. George met us there. 

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Gallery exhibition planning continues

Morning meeting with Christine, Elizabeth, and Steve Reilly regarding options for vitrines for the summer exhibition. 

Friday, February 5, 2016

Margaret and Gerald, 25 years

Twenty five years ago we had supper together at your mom's. I think  you can laugh now at the antics that went on at that event; I thought they were charming but the evening didn't start like you'd wanted it. The weather had gotten suddenly warm so we had huge barbecued steaks and then went on that long walk as the snow melted around us into huge puddles. You took my hand so you wouldn't slip and we held hands the rest of the evening. I took this photo when we got back to my apartment and carried it for years until it became worn and frayed and I must of slipped it into a book somewhere. I'm sure we'll find it some day. I always remember this as the day you stole my police hat (William will remember you in the "art police" video shot a few days later) but now I notice that you are wearing the cloak that I just had on for the Caligari shoot two weeks ago. I remember every detail except the ones I forget, but wow, the ones I remember are great. 

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Nosferatu

If you missed it, Christina was on fire once she started talking about Transylvania following the screening of Nosferatu. She only stopped because we needed to run the second film. There are more vampire films coming in future Caligari Project/"German Expressionism and its Cinematic Legacy" screenings.
Fences were put up around the Connaught school ground today. I don't think there is any casual way in any more. Probably a good sign that they are going to start something.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Writing day

At long last I committed (most of) my day to writing. I started off with a short Caligari meeting (double espresso) but then home to write some Lint revisions for a while then I got to a point of conclusion with my Frankenstich piece, and then I wrote an all new, very twisted Expressionist piece that I hope to make with William in the lead role next month.
Writing creates no images, but this evening I got my table legs and rails all cut to their final sizes, square and smooth. I didn't think I'd ever make a project with this level of precision.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Brett Bell retrospective

RPL/Independent Visions screening of the films of Brett Bell was wonderful and very well attended. The "Home Town" film had a follow up short, done with humour and insight on par with the original.

Monday, February 1, 2016

"Studio" visit

Hosted a studio visit to my office today. Even after an hour of cleaning, there was still only room for three people to look at two square feet of desk space I'd cleared. Since there were five of us, we rolled chairs into the hallway and met there. Worked out well and as a a byproduct, I've managed to clean up my office.
It seemed that nothing worked on the first try today, from the 1956 tv to the mp3 player patched into the phone to the new dvd of Canister footage I burned. I eventually got everything working, but glitches ruled the day. Thanks to Roland for problem solving the tv.