Flying wtih Fools at the Calgary Stampede
For us Calgarians, it is that time of year again when we get to watch all sorts of people dress up like Cow-people, hoot and holler and pretty much have a blast for a week. It is called the Calgary Stampede and is branded as The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth, (I somehow doubt that the person who came up with that ever saw the Northern Lights or saw a Sunrise in the middle of summer while camping, but I digress) with a million people passing through the gates to take part in the fun and festivities.
This year I felt the need to go down to catch some video of Luke Ross from Dive Calgary and The Rocky Mountain Dive Club in a new venue called the Bell Circus with his friends called the Flying Fools.
I met Luke while I was at physio and watched him and the other fantastic divers show off magnificent feats of arial acrobatics combining power with finesse creating perfect dives in split seconds. I eventually asked Luke if he would wear a GoPro camera for a couple of dives, which he agreed to with no hesitation (expect to see some of that video in the next short weeks to come).
I later found out that Luke is one of the top 25 divers in all of Canada and his skill levels in diving are only matched by his ability to coach the young generation of divers. Luke is a dedicated elite athlete who has put in many hours to master his sport but still takes the time to pass on his love of diving to others. (No, he is not paying me to say all of this.)
When I found out that he was going to be performing at the Calgary Stampede, I knew I had to go and not only watch but capture on video the performance. This is what I saw. ( I am sorry for some of the video, I am still on crutches and on a scooter. I have hopes that the quality will improve as I get more time in shooting)
Thanks again to the Flying Fools for the great show!
Butterfly Filming and Metallica for the Long Weekend!
Marla and I went off to the Calgary Zoo over the Canada Day long weekend and managed to get a little bit of video using the GoPro camera while we were there. We have posted up some of the stills we pulled from the video in the Around Town forum, and I should have some video up shortly.
This is actually an Atlas Moth, not a butterfly. This moth is almost the size of a dinner plate and in my opinion is one of the coolest looking insects ever. I just love the snake heads on the wing tips. It makes me wonder just how evolution managed to create that look to scare off predation.
I have to tell you that filming the butterfly while listening and singing Metallica songs may not work for everyone, it did work for me. Relax, I am not going to add in Metallica music to go with the butterfly video.
We hope that you had a safe and awesome Canada Day and for those American folks out there, a safe and awesome Independence Day!
Is it Spring yet?
It seems like Winter has no desire to give up its grasp on us but Spring is popping in here and there. Last week we saw our first Robins and yesterday we saw a butterfly. I have to assume now that Spring is on the way, so I am going to go out on a limb and state it boldly.
WELCOME TO SPRING!!
Keeping up with the feeling of spring, I have started up a new BBQ thread over the last while (I got a new BBQ and have been going ape with it) where new recipes have been posted. Please feel free to add in your favourites.
On the personal side, I am still in and out of Physio, so things are still in the air at the moment for production, but hang in there, I am as always trying to find a means to make things happen.
Merry Christmas!
We wish to extend to you our hopes for a safe and happy Christmas filled with family and love.
Merry Christmas from Phat Ass Production Studios Inc.
Happy Hanukkah
Tonight starts the first night of Hanukkah.
The Jewish holiday Hanukkah celebrates the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century B.C. Hanukkah, which means "dedication" in Hebrew, begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and usually falls in November or December. The celebration lasts for eight nights to commemorate a miracle that Jews believe occurred in the temple: When the Jews first returned to the Holy Temple after defeating Hellenist Syrians who had made it illegal for Jews to worship, they found only enough oil to light the temple's menorah for one day. Miraculously, flame remained lit for eight days and nights, giving them enough time to find more oil to sustain the fire. Often called the "Festival of Lights," Hanukkah festivities include games, gifts, eating traditional foods and lighting a new candle on the menorah each night.
To all those of the Jewish Faith, Happy Hanukkah from Phat Ass Production Studios!