Tag: culture

Anywhere but here

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In the last couple of months I can’t help but wish that I were

anywhere-but-here

Its probably a combination of the winter grey, being in the city for the last few months and the fact that I really haven’t travelled in a while that is getting me down.  I have this feeling of wanting to go anywhere as long as its not along the northern part of the I-5 corridor.  Then again I wouldn’t mind going to Canada for a long weekend…

Admittedly I just got back from a quick jaunt to Mexico for a wedding, but I think that only made things worse… I want to go somewhere completely different that puts me out of my element.  That, unfortunately, is not going to happen any time soon, so instead of I’ve been watching videos that help me feel like I’m somewhere else.  Even if its only a couple of minutes.  Stay tuned for a few that I’ve loved!

Against the Grain :: CHOA

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Nils Clauss

I expect that there are a lot of people that could identify with this film- playing for a team that we never imagined we could play with.  When I rowed, I was always frustrated that the boys were so much faster than myself.  I knew I had to be realistic, they were always going to be stronger and faster than me, but it still annoyed me none-the-less.  This video just proves it all wrong.  Perhaps a person won’t be able to match the speed or strength of others, but they can always compete in their own way.

Against the Grain :: Seven Days in 1968

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Animal

I’m just going to dive right into the artistic aspects of this video.  I love it!  There aren’t many times when you find yourself entertained by old black and white stills- usually they seem flat and boring.  Not in this film!  The 3-dimentional effects and the layover of other images, such as the timeline, really make a difference.  The graphics really help too and are another aspect that I really like.

It’s a bit longer than most videos that I post but I don’t feel like its any longer than most.  It’s not an easy topic to address, especially when some could argue that we haven’t come all that far since 1968, but it was done beautifully.

Against the Grain :: Oregano

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The Perennial Plate

This video doesn’t have any outstanding creative qualities about it even if it is nice to look at.  There is nothing about the presentation that really stands out to me.  The story however is one that makes me smile.  These farmers have found a way to stay in their homeland and it is refreshing to hear about people achieving what may seem impossible for a nation that has had so many leave for a better life north of the border.

Winter Olympics 2014 :: The Mountainside

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I couldn’t end my Winter Olympics theme without talking about skiing and snowboarding.  I know I’ve already talked about them in the past and I promise after today I will try to keep it to a minimum… at least until next winter.  I can’t guarantee anything though.

So here you are, my mountain sports tribute- and I’ve made sure to keep the videos short this time.  Nothing too long.

SNOWBOARDING

vaz web TV

 

I LOVE the use of the clouds and natural colors of the sun reflecting off of the different surfaces as well as the the few moving shots of the rider moving down the mountain.  Considering all of the snow sports videos that I’ve seen in the past, this one is one of my favorites and actually makes me want to get on a board again.  I’m not sure if my tailbone agrees with me though.

 

SKIING

faction skis

 

So I’m not much a stunt person myself as I’m not a huge fan of the dropping feeling my my stomach as I free fall but I love the movement in this video.  I feel completely mesmerized when I watch this and I’m intrigued by the song choice.  In so many videos and even when on the slopes, the music blaring from the snow park speakers has a much heavier beat.  This song gives it a completely different feel compared to the usual stunt videos.  Combine the music with the slow motion effect at certain points in the film and it gives it a calming effect.  Get me to the mountain!

7 more days…

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Can you guess where this is?

an_ef

Ok, so I admit that I know nothing about the 2014 Winter Olympics location.  Other than knowing that it’s in Russia, it’s a complete mystery to me.  However, after seeing this video I was very pleasantly surprised at how lush and green it looks.  I know that it looks very different at the moment and in only a week, millions will be descending on the place to watch, compete in and celebrate the winter games.  I am SO excited!

The Vancouver winter games were pretty spectacular, or so I hear.  I was in Peru on a trek through the Andes during the last winter Olympics and although I was having my own experience of a lifetime, I was still very upset that I couldn’t be with my friends in Vancouver for the games.  I guess I made up for it by being in London for the summer Olympics in 2012.

Anyway, this year I plan to make up for all that I missed in 2010.  I just really hope that we get to see most of the events – so far I’m a little skeptical of how much will make it out as there seem to be some pretty tough restrictions on how many members of the media can make it in etc, but I have high hopes for whatever makes it across the ocean.  I don’t agree with the Russian anti-gay law but I hope that we can celebrate the lifes’ work of all the athletes during this time.  Lets not take this away from them as they deserve this time in the spot light and I wish them all the best.

So tighten those bindings and strap on those goggles, because this is going to a great month of winter sports!

Reincarnation :: The Barbican

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Persistent Peril

While I was in grad school, I spend a lot of time around the Barbican.  There is this great market that has food from all areas of the world and it was a great place to grab a quick bite or gather picnic food.  I spend many hours with friends on grassy knolls along the Thames with a view of the Barbican and this video makes me appreciate it all the more.

London has a very interesting array of architecture thanks to its many wars, especially the Blitz, and therefore a video like this is special.  It may not be the most beautiful that I’ve posted, but I think it encapsulates the history of a place extremely well- and in a short amount of time.  Impressive, considering it goes back to 200 A.D.  How well could you tell 1800 years of history in only 3.5 minutes?

Reincarnation :: Surfs Up!

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As I have just spent the last several weeks at the beach I can’t help but post this as my first video on the reincarnation of materials.

Shwood eyewear

 

I haven’t been on a surfboard in several years, and when I am on one it’s only because I’m floating on a board waiting for a wave.  I usually fall off if I actually catch a wave.  It’s a work in progress for me.  Maybe someday I’ll actually get to ride a wave all the way in before ending up upside down in the water.  You never know- it could happen…

Maybe if I ever get good enough I could buy a board like this.  I’ve been on a wood board once, and its a completely different feeling from the manmade material boards that I’ve been on.  Maybe its just because its made of renewable resources, but I like the idea of using driftwood.  What else can you do with all the wood that washes up on beaches?

As it’s freezing out I’ll stick to dry land for now, but maybe when the weather warms up and I’m at a beach with surfable waves, maybe I’ll try again.  Until then I’m sticking to hot tea and thinking about water sports.