Vapor trails

Hornet, abstracted

St. Thomas, ON, June 2009

Every once in a while, you luck into a shot that's different than anything you thought you were going to bring home when you first set out that day. This one shouldn't be that shot. It's a heavy crop, shot almost into the sun. The surface details are pretty much lost to pixellation.

Which is why it's burrowed its way into my head since I first started reviewing the days results. It's as close to impressionism as I'm ever going to get with a camera, and I hope you enjoy this one as much as I am.

Your turn: A shot that came out of the blue. Please discuss.

One more thing: If you're wondering what the deal is with all the planes this week, click here. Thematic Photographic shall explain all.

My Mythbuster adventure

Sometimes, choosing the right topic can lead you down an interesting path.

The scene: Early this past Monday morning. I'm up before dawn, mulling over topic choices for my Betanews column (recap: I write the Wide Angle Zoom column that publishes Mondays and Thursdays. Here's the home page.) I come across a story about Mythbusters star Adam Savage's recent trip to Montreal - my hometown - and how he inadvertently racked up an $11,000 roaming bill after surfing the web for a couple of hours.

He ended up using Twitter to garner support for a rapid-fire campaign to get the charges reversed. And it worked, so I thought his innovative use of social media - and the fact that we've all been there with our wireless carriers - might make a fun topic to explore. I also appreciate his show's ability to deliver great science broadcasting in a refreshing and engaging way. He's a huge favorite in our house. So over breakfast, I quickly write and submit my piece, which is soon published here: Myth-busted, or, Would AT&T have forgiven Savage's bill if he wasn't a TV star?

Later that day, my phone rings: a producer for CBC Radio's Home Run program read the piece and thought it might be fun to set up an interview with host Bernard St-Laurent. Neat. Even neater, they've snagged an AT&T rep AND Mr. Savage himself for interviews which they'll run through the afternoon.

Here's my interview:

Your turn: Have you ever gotten a surprisingly large bill from your wireless carrier? Or from any other service provider, for that matter? What did you do? How did things turn out?

One more thing: More aerobatic goodness coming tomorrow. For now, head here for our latest Thematic Photographic theme.

Ugly is the new beautiful

Riveted
St. Thomas, ON, June 2009 [Click all images to enlarge]

About this photo: Thematic Photographic celebrates aviation all week long. If you've got an aviation-themed photo (or two...) to share, please click here to participate. We'd love to see what you've got.

It's long been considered the bastard stepchild of the US. Air Force fleet. It isn't remotely sleek or supersonic. For much of its existence, it's fought against endless internal campaigns to have it permanently grounded in favor of faster, sexier and, yes, more expensive aircraft like the F-16.

Yet the A-10 Thunderbolt II - also affectionately known as the Tankbuster and the Warthog, and less affectionately as the Devil's Cross by its enemies - has survived and thrived as the world's most robust and survivable close air support platform. Built around a frighteningly powerful 30 millimetre gun, this is likely the last thing you want flying overhead if you're not on the U.S.'s side.

As much mayhem as this thing can cause, it's the toughness and simplicity that impress me. Everything's designed to be field serviceable. It can take hits and keep on flying - a capability proven time and again in the Persian Gulf, where A-10s with giant holes blasted through the airframe have brought their pilots home safely.

And those pilots? Probably the most genial and capable aviators you'll ever meet. I believe the world would be a better place if everything in life were designed as thoughtfully as this machine.

Your turn: Why do ugly ducklings fascinate us so?

Thematic Photographic 56 - Aviation

A Snowbird rolls
St. Thomas, ON, June 2009 [Click to enlarge]

They almost didn't make it to the air show. The Snowbirds team had been grounded all week after a routine inspection had discovered a serious fault in the ejection system. Left unchecked, it could have had catastrophic results in the event of an in-flight emergency. Given that eight Canadians have died in accidents since the team was formed, Armed Forces leadership kept them on the ground until the issue was resolved. The team obtained clearance to fly the evening before, and flew out to the show to everyone's relief - and because we're Canadian, appreciation.

As I've done every time I've seen them fly, I took a bunch of pictures of them in formation. They're lovely, I suppose, and I couldn't return home without these now-standard views of our beloved national icons. But it's the moments before they take flight that always cause chills down to the base of my spine and, I'll admit, a tear or two.

As these aircraft, all older than I am, slowly make their way across the tarmac and past the surrounding farmer's fields, I feel an intense mixture of fear for these brave souls, awe at their unbelievable level of skill and pride in a pretty neat country. There's something about the slow taxi, the roiled air trailing out behind and washing across the otherwise bucolic landscape, that reinforces why these machines that can leave earth, and the folks who fly them, are truly special.

Your turn: Thematic Photographic takes to the sky for the next week. If it has anything - however remotely - to do with aviation, I hope you'll share it in a photo. Here's how TP works:

• Every Wednesday evening, at precisely 7 o'clock Eastern, I post a new Thematic Photographic entry.
• Each entry has a unique theme. This week's is...aviation!
• You post a similarly themed image over on your blog.
• You paste a link to your entry in a comment here.
• If you've already posted something that fits (on a blog, Facebook, MySpace, wherever) simply post the link to the existing entry. Old or new, all photos are welcome.
• You may post as many photos or links as you wish. For the next week, I'll be supporting this theme with a related picture/posting each day. I encourage you to do the same. This is all about sharing, so feel free to share to your heart's content!
• Please share this link with friends, too, and encourage them to join in. The more, the merrier.
• And please accept my thanks for your enthusiasm. Your participation has made TP a true highlight for me each and every week.

Painted sky

Oh so pretty
London, ON, August 2008 [Click to enlarge]

This just in: My appearance on CTV News Channel, originally scheduled for tonight, has been scrubbed (see here for original entry.) So many things have to come together in television that sometimes, things just don't work out. No worries: there will always be more interviews, as I've always got something to say. Thanks to you all for your great suggestions, and if you're north of the border, have a wonderful rest-of-Canada Day.

Over the past week, we've been sharing cloud-themed visions as part of our never-ending Thematic Photographic insanity (see launch image here, other photos here, here, here, here and here.) I chose this theme last week because I've been sticking my lens into the sky ever since I can remember, and every time I think I'm covering old territory, I manage to capture a scene completely unlike anything I've ever seen.

I know there's a lesson in there for all of us. Namely, there's no such thing as exhausted territory when it comes to photography (or anything else in life, for that matter.) Just because you may have taken a picture of Subject X at some point in the past doesn't mean you can't shoot the same subject and come home with a uniquely different shot. In fact, coaxing the new out of something familiar is a skill in and of itself.

To close out this week's theme, I wanted to share this photo as an example. Like so many other cloudy photos, I took it from my back yard. I had never seen this kind of light before that evening, and haven't seen it since. It makes me think this all has very little to do with photography.

Your turn: I hope this series has motivated you to pick the camera up more and doubt the integrity of the subject less. When in doubt, shoot it. What, then, will you be shooting next?

My country's birthday

Looking good for 142
London, ON, October 2008 [Click to embiggen]

A Canada Day Challenge for my readers: I'm chatting about Canada on national television tonight. I need your help mulling over talking points. Details in the "Your Turn" below.

July 1st is always a happy day around here as we celebrate Canada Day. In our typically Canadian fashion, we don't go over the top in marking the day. We don't want to draw too much attention to ourselves, and instead would rather enjoy the day surrounded by the folks who matter most. Why? Because our country isn't the super hot, uber popular homecoming queen type who all the jocks want to date. It's more like the reserved, subtly pretty nerdish girl who most everyone ignores until the teacher assigns a pop quiz for the next day and they need her notes.

A stretch, I know, but it illustrates an interesting point: everyone seems to love this country. Every time I'm in the U.S. or speaking with Americans, I often find myself on the receiving end of unprompted gushings of admiration for our nation and the unassuming folks who live here. They love our friendliness, our beer, our music (less Britney, more Jann Arden) and our overall vibe.

So do we. And although we don't always take the time to celebrate our Canadian roots, today's as good a day as any to give it a shot. Wherever you're from, I hope you take a moment today to reflect on what makes your own life such a blessing.

Your turn: I need your help. I'm appearing on a rather fun-filled segment on CTV News Channel tonight (Updated time: 8:15 p.m. EDT, then repeated overnight every half hour - if you're in hoserland, that is) with author and financial planner Theo Caldwell and SportsBusinessNews.com publisher Howard Bloom. We'll be discussing what Canada means to us, how we feel about our country, what we love about it, what we'd change, etc. If you're Canadian - heck, even if you're not! - what comes to mind when you think about this great, maple leaf-wrapped nation? I'd love to hear your thoughts...

Wordless Wednesday - G-d staring down

Rays of the sun
London, ON, May 2007 [Click to enlarge]

About this photo: We're winding down this week's exploration of clouds. Thematic Photographic returns tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:00 p.m. EDT with a new theme. Scroll down for details on that - and feel free to click here if you've got any additional cloudiness to share.

Sometimes when I look at cloudscapes like this, I wonder what I ever did to be so lucky to witness such unmitigated beauty.

Your turn: Look around you. What's beautiful?

Next up: Thematic Photographic returns tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:00 p.m. with a new theme:

Aviation

If I were a betting person, I'd wager there may be another cloud-themed entry here before then...

Not clouds at all

Reach for the sky
Shanghai, China, May 2007 [Click all images to enlarge]

When I was in China a couple of years back for a conference, I made it a habit every morning to wander to the top floor of my hotel and shoot the early morning skyline. This place was so far removed from my reality that I felt compelled to cut into my sleep to suck in as much as I possibly could.

I felt like a sniper, sitting quietly in my deserted perch while the city came alive below and across from me. I knew the sun had already risen because the sky had brightened considerably. But the sun itself was hidden behind a choking blanket of smog that rose at least 10 degrees above the horizon. So rather than time my arrival to the official sunrise time (I think it was around 4:30 local time), I simply sat myself down just after 5 and waited until the sun found a break in the smoggy clouds.

As scary as this level of pollution was, I was almost ashamed to admit that it made for some stunningly beautiful early morning scenery. For all the sadness I felt as I watched a city live beneath this choking blanket, it remains a time and a place I'll never forget.

Your turn: Pollution as beauty. Please discuss.

Caption This 127

Please caption this image
[Click here for more info on how Caption This works]
London, ON, February 2009

Clouds don't always have to occur naturally. The launch image of this week's Thematic Photographic theme, in fact, includes a couple of contrails that over time could have easily blanketed the sky. So when I began thinking about a cloud-themed photo for Caption This, I knew I wanted to include something caused by those big, bad polluting humans.

I thought immediately of the series I shot on a bitterly cold day just a few months back. The goal that day was to shoot a slightly irreverent headshot for a magazine article on cloud computing. Since my extensive entourage was otherwise occupied, I shot the sequence alone in a near-deserted parking lot on the university campus near my house, using the GorillaPod to set up low-angled perspectives from the snow-covered parking lot.

By the time I was finished with the head shots, my fingers were numb and my nose had started to turn white. But that didn't stop me from shooting the chimneys before I retreated to the warmth of the car and headed home.

Your turn: Please come up with a creative caption for this photo and share it in a comment below. Enter as often as you wish - we'll be taking captions all week before announcing the victor next Sunday. For more background on how Caption This works, click here.

About last week's recycling box photo: I admit I enjoy the whole recycling thing. It forces me to tangibly review everything we're throwing out. It also forces me to think twice about the things we purchase or otherwise consume. Much better than the old toss-and-forget philosophy that dominated earlier generations. The following folks deserve honorable menschens for the following gems:

• Pesach: "Where have you bin all of my life ..."
• Dana: "Bin wastin'..."
• Morah Mommy: "Bin today, gone tomorrow."
• Mojo: "Blue is the New Green."
• Robin: "Because it ISN'T easy bein' green!"

Anne's suggestion "What will I be next time?" was particularly resonant. I often wonder the same thing as I stare at the overflowing bin by the curb. The more transparent this process becomes, the more likely we are to incorporate sustainable principles into our everyday lives. In this regard, I hope our kids ask questions like this more routinely than we or our parents ever did. Her blog, Anne's House, is an ever eye-opening window into the world of someone with seemingly limitless energy and creativity.

RIP Billy Mays

They say things tend to happen in clusters, that when one famous person passes on, a number of other famous people will soon follow. And so it has been this week, first with Ed McMahon, then Farrah Fawcett and finally Michael Jackson.

Only it wasn't so final, as infomercial pitchman - and star of the Discovery series "Pitchmen" - Billy Mays passed away suddenly this morning at his Tampa, Florida home. Like the erstwhile Michael Jackson, he was 50.

I'll admit to not liking Mr. Mays's style. His perpetually amped up voice grated on my nerves, and it didn't take me long to resent his near-ubiquitous presence on the air. I don't watch a whole lot of television, but for some reason he kept popping up on the news channels that I often keep on during late night writing sessions. The comforting voices of anchors and reporters have long provided a normalizing backdrop to the emptiness of post-midnight writing jags - a backdrop that seemed to help me write more effectively when I was up all alone.

Until Mr. Mays came on, that is. His voice would instantly invade my brain and prompt a mad scramble for the remote. I understood his need to have a gimmick, a certain degree of shtick that set him apart from other informercial pitchpeople. I get that The Voice was why he was so successful in his chosen career.

Which is why I'm saddened by his all-too-young passing. Like all of us, he was simply doing what he needed to do to provide for his family. As annoying as some found him, he found his niche. And who among us wouldn't have wanted to enjoy similar success?

It's never fair when someone's cut down in the prime of life. It's never fair for a spouse and children to be left behind. Life is at once precious and unfair, and at times like this I find myself wishing it could be a little bit less of the latter.

Somehow, I suspect the much maligned late night infomercial just won't be the same anymore.

Your turn: Appreciating those we may not necessarily appreciate at first blush. Please discuss.

Golden clouds

Day's end
London, ON, March 2009

About this photo: Thematic Photographic explores cloudiness this week. TP is a weekly feature that gives us all a chance to explore life through our lenses, then share the results. To get involved, just click here.

The scene: I had just finished an interview at the studio, and was walking out to my car in the parking lot. It was the end of a long day, and as I often do when I've just finished a live hit, I found myself critiquing the experience. As ever, I was being super-critical, zeroing in on the points I felt I could have made more effectively.

As I continued to flail myself with a virtual wet noodle, I noticed this reverent sky and stopped in my tracks. The critique could wait. This was a moment that deserved a photo.

Your turn: Why do moments like this seem to inspire us so?

After the storm

Reddish
London, ON, May 2009

About this photo: It's cloud week all week long here at Written Inc. If you'd like to share your own cloudy vision, click here for the latest Thematic Photographic.

We've been having some serious weather fun here in the Great White North. Yesterday, two confirmed tornadoes touched down on either side of our burg. Near Aylmer, a woman washing her hair at the time miraculously avoided injury as her house was reduced to matchsticks. Near Leamington, an old barn was similarly destroyed.

No major damage in in London, but it made me wonder about an amazing phenomenon: when late evening storms leave the area, the clouds in their wake are rendered in colors and textures that almost defy description. I can't explain it, but I do enjoy the show. I hope you enjoy this one.

Your turn: Why do we feel small when nature puts on this kind of show for us?

Michael Jackson dead

Ooh, it's turning into a really bad week for celebrities - if the report from gutter-grabbing celeb "news" site TMZ.com is true.

This just in: major conventional news outlets, including AP, Reuters and the Los Angeles Times, are now confirming his passing. One can easily surmise that the debate over conventional/new/yellow media will rage for weeks now. End digression.

Say what you want about MJ - and I'm sure plenty of ink will be spilled in the days and months to come - but it's a sad, sad day when someone who so completely redefined the entertainment landscape is lost so young.

Sigh...

Your turn: Please share a happy in a comment below. The world needs a smile.

Farrah Fawcett dies. A little girl does, too.

Lots of sadness from all corners of the world these days. Folks with a simple desire to have their voices heard continue to die in Iran. Everyday folks on their way home from work were suddenly taken from us in a violent commuter train accident. And from the world of entertainment, we lost two giants as well:

• Ed McMahon. He died earlier this week after suffering from multiple ailments. His passing marks the end of an era where most of us shared similar pop culture experiences. In today's world,
• Farrah Fawcett. Her iconic poster in the late 70s virtually defined the ideals of American beauty. She passed away at 62 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

And for all the headlines these garner, there's another loss that I just can't seem to shake: that of a 4-year-old girl found floating face down yesterday in a backyard pool just east of here. She was airlifted to a London hospital and clung to life before passing away early this morning.

There is no way to attach tangible value to a life, to score the experience or otherwise rate the journey of one against the journey of another. We all define success in different terms, and a brief life well lived is often seen through a different lens than a miserable one that stretched on for an apparent eternity.

Yet as saddened as I am at the passing of well known entertainers who contributed in a high profile way to the cultural mosaic of their respective eras, it is the loss of a child that gnaws at me. She never had the chance to do so many of the things these legends were privileged to experience. She fell victim to a summertime activity that takes the lives of hundreds of Canadians every year - because after years of warnings we still don't seem to internalize the fundamentals of water safety.

In that respect:
Water safety = drinking and driving = safe sex = ...

Whoever you are, little one, I hope your loss spurs at least one other person, caregiver, parent, to fill in the gaps in supervision and safety that tragically allowed you to slip away. Then, perhaps, your life won't forever be viewed through a veil of tears.

Your turn: Why life is precious. Please discuss.

Thematic Photographic 55 - Cloudy

Midair
London, ON, April 2009 [Click to embiggen]

I've chosen "cloudy" as this week's Thematic Photographic theme for a couple of reasons:

• It's easy. There's always something going on up there. We simply need an excuse to take a moment to look up.
• It's inspirational. After seeing a sky painted with almost indescribable color and texture, it's difficult to not feel moved in some way. Whenever I need to break free from the mundane minutae of everyday life, a bit of head-in-the-clouds time usually clears my head.

Your turn: For the next week, I'd like you to point your camera into the clouds, then share what you get by posting it to your blog and leaving the link in a comment here. I'm looking forward to seeing the diversity of cloudy visions in your work. Have fun with it!

For more info on how Thematic Photographic works, read on:

• Every Wednesday evening, at precisely 7 o'clock Eastern, I post a new Thematic Photographic entry.
  
• Each entry has a unique theme. This week's is...cloudy!
  
• You post a similarly themed image over on your blog.
  
• You paste a link to your entry in a comment here.
  
• If you've already posted something that fits (on a blog, Facebook, MySpace, wherever) simply post the link to the existing entry. Old or new, all photos are welcome.
  
• You may post as many photos or links as you wish. For the next week, I'll be supporting this theme with a related picture/posting each day. I encourage you to do the same. This is all about sharing, so feel free to share to your heart's content!
  
• Please share this link with friends, too, and encourage them to join in. The more, the merrier.
• And please accept my thanks for your enthusiasm. Your participation has made TP a true highlight for me each and every week.

Vignette - the coolest green

Gelato dream
London, ON, February 2009 [Click all images to embiggen]

About this photo: We're still feeling a bit green. Thematic Photographic turns cloudy at 7:00 EDT tonight, but I thought I'd sneak in another green moment. You can, too, by heading here.

The scene: Angelo's, an eatery/grocery/bakery that's been a fixture in our city for decades. It's a bitterly cold evening, and I've taken the two younger ones out on a neighborhood adventure. It's the weekend, and they've got cabin fever, so we've set off to their favorite place for an experience they couldn't get anywhere else. Oh yes, and we'll bring home some bread.

As they munch their pizza slices - homemade and delicious - I spot the gelato beneath the nearby freezer-display case. I take the camera out of its bag and meander over there. I ask the server if he'd mind. He smiles and tells me to have fun.

As I'm shooting, I'm approached by two women, one of whom says I need to have permission to take pictures. I politely tell her I did and point out the helpful young man who granted me said permission. As she playfully wags her finger at him, I explain why I shoot the things I do - including the usual words like "obsession" and "addiction". She smiles broadly, introduces herself as Caroline, the owner, and we chat about what an amazing place her store is.

Midway through our conversation, Noah wanders over and says he's thirsty in the sad little voice of a deprived eight-year-old. Caroline immediately asks him what he wants - a slushie - and she heads off to make up two for him and his sister. She refuses to charge for them, and continues to banter with the three of us as if she's known us forever. We talk about kids, life in London and the joys of working in a city that offers up moments like this.

I can see other patrons smiling as they watch the exchange, and watch our thankfully well-behaved kids enjoy their surprise treat. If we weren't already fans of Angelo's, this moment would have turned us around. Kindness takes many forms, and we were privileged that night to cross paths with someone who clearly exemplifies it in everything she does.

I see many similar visits in our future.

Your turn: A local business that made/makes a difference. Please discuss.

Wordless Wednesday - Garbage strike blues

Recycle me
London, ON, February 2009 [Click to embiggen]

Shout out to Toronto, 200-ish kms to the east, as it settles in to a strike by 30,000 public service workers that has shut down rec centres, daycare, sports fields, pools and, sadly, garbage collection.

London endured a lengthy garbage strike a few years back, and our kids still remember having to drive the garbage in the back of our minivan to a nearby park, where friendly city managers helped us remove it from the vehicle before it began to leak. Good times.

As if this isn't enough, workers at Ontario's booze stores, known as the LCBO, are on the verge of striking as well. It's a double whammy of badness:

• Canada's largest city festering in hot, humid weather with fetid garbage stinking up the already-choked urban atmosphere.
• A complete lack of alcoholic escape from the misery.

I'm gonna guess Toronto's about to become a not very happy place to be. Y'all Torontonians have my empathy.

Your turn: This photo supports this week's Thematic Photographic theme, green. I invite you to share your own green vision by clicking here. New theme goes up tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:00 p.m. EDT. What will it be? Cloudy.

(But if I were a betting person, I'd say there may be an extra green entry before then. Just because...)

Jon & Kate + 8 + Divorce = Enough

It's been a full day. I've written and submitted a bunch of stuff, set the stage for more writing tomorrow, and reviewed my talking points for a panel discussion on the imminent destruction of Nortel, a once-storied Canadian telecommunications darling, and now a pariah of everything a business can do wrong. (Canadian Press, Reuters.)

And as I quietly wrap up my note-taking and prepare to head to the studio, I see this in my Twitter stream: Jon and Kate Gosselin, the illustrious and thoroughly overexposed couple in that horrid "reality" television show, Jon & Kate Plus 8, are divorcing. (Also covered in that great bastion of journalistic quality, People.)

I won't give this thing any more ink than it deserves. In fact I've probably already given it too much. I just wish this thing would reach its logical conclusion so we could consign these folks to the dustbin of 15-minute-fame history. Maybe now that'll actually happen. Sooner rather than later. Thanks, TLC.

Of course, there's always another spotlight-seeking person/family/whatever waiting in the wings, confident he/she/they won't fall victim to the pressures of sudden fame. Yeah, right.

Back to life. Back to reality.