Winter Fun Food and Adventure Victoria - Am I Canadian · Wednesday February 24, 2010 by colin newell
The Canadian Winter Olympics are in full swing. All eyes on the ice nation above the 49th parallel.
And although lots of people are making fun of the Canadian experience – as if they know the difference between a Canadian and a… well… someone else.
What exactly is it to be a Canadian?
Beyond the eh jokes… and the I’m so sorry jabs.
Beyond the Stephen Colbert schtick.
Beyond The Simpsons or Family Guy lampooning a Canadian courtesy of a Canadian writer living in L.A.‘s impression of the Canadian experience.
Beyond The Guess Who belting out American Woman.
Beyond William Shatner.
Beyond Tom Brokaw trying to explain Canada to an unwilling nation south of the 49th parallel.
Beyond Bryan Adams and Nelly Furtado miming and syncing into switched off microphones at the 2010 Olympiad open ceremonies…
What distinct thing defines the Canadian being? A few ideas…
Stopping to talk to an elderly gentleman wandering the sidewalk – who seems lost and returning 12 minutes later to find that he has been in a no-injuries car accident and making sure he is OK.
Waiting for the police car.
Running into a lovely Olympian from a few years gone by and flirtatiously asking her how often she is recognized…
“As often as I smile…” she quips.
Canadian.
Slowing down the car to yield to a full size deer that seems to be having difficulty crossing a slippery urban street.
Running into the governor of California and after simply raising an eyebrow and smiling getting a Austrian accented “Thanks for not making a big deal…”
Canadian.
Being beneath the radar is Canadian. Being above the radar is Canadian.
Being in a room full of people taking a collective sigh that legend Gordon Lightfoot is alive and well is, well, ever so Canadian.
That we don’t actually have a Canadian Idol is really Canadian. Figure it out.
Not really being able to explain the Canadian essence…
Canadian
Winter Fun Food and Adventure Victoria - Pecha Kucha Night · Monday February 22, 2010 by colin newell
Got invited to speak at Victoria’s first Pecha Kucha night in Victoria.
A pass for now – but going on Thursday night to check it out.
I hope you will too.
Want to know what Pecha Kucha is? Click here
Want a great tutorial?: How about here
Or a funny and engaging example? – go here
Anyone with any artistic bent can do this. I can do this… once I screw in the courage module that is… Next time. Maybe in May. Come see me.
Click on above photo for the zoomie-zoom view
Tropical Colors Warm Winds Tour 2009 · Tuesday November 10, 2009 by colin newell
Hello from Kona, Hawaii. Breaking my silence now.
Have spent a few days on light duty observation of Kona Coffee Fest – and what a wonderful, rural event it is indeed.
Sat with Joachim Oster of Blue Horse Kona (and my dear Wife Andrea) over coffee at the Keahou Outrigger waterside bar and talking about life, death, coffee, birth, the farmers life, the science of coffee and everything in between.
Photo above: I am loading 80 pound bags of Kona cherry into the pulper at Blue Horse Kona
This is why I am here. To get some of those pressing questions answered.
To hang the soul out to dry and to heal.
To let the rays of the tropical Sun trickle charge largely discharged batteries.
To move forward by sitting perfectly still.
This will become a regular home for upwards of a month a year.
I would suggest this kind of down time for anyone. It is amazing. And subtle. And gentle.
It is Hawaii.
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Leave your heart in the hands of Tony Bennett · Wednesday October 7, 2009 by colin newell
After 4 or 5 standing ovations, I would have to say that the Tony Bennett show (at the Royal Theater in Victoria) was the greatest show I have ever seen.
Tony and his band took us on a sentimental journey through the great American song-book – and we went willingly and often with rapturous results.
To say that Tony Bennett is a skilled time traveler would be entirely fair – or better, a musical history tour guide of some of the sweetest love songs of the last 60+ years.
A largely gray crowd were held spellbound with classics like “Someone to Love,” “Steppin’ Out with My Baby” from a whisper to, yet another, explosive finale, and brought the lovers in the crowd closer with “Maybe This Time,” and emoted “Speak Low” with his signature texture and rasp.
At 83, Tony has more to offer than the clear majority of pop stars half his age, his vocals offering an return ticket into life’s simple magic – and his undying quest for perfect love.
“I dedicate this song to Britney Spears,” he cracked during “Kiss the Good Life Goodbye,” the Royal audience embracing his sentiment as he snapped a sly smile.
“That’s the way to live, if you mope and groan, something’s got to give,” he sang in Duke Ellington’s “In a Mellow Tone,” the band trading blazing solos as they did throughout the night, incinerating “I Got Rhythm,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got that Swing)” with an unquenchable fire.
Other greats included: “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “Fly Me to the Moon.” “Sing You Sinners” and “For Once In My Life.”
At one point Tony put the microphone down and sang into the crowd with only the guitarist by his side. As he did throughout the night, Tony and his band took us higher and higher – leaving us breathless.
And like my wife and I, I am sure the other couples in the audience felt that Tony was singing directly to them, reaffirming their love and reminding us that tomorrow is another day – filled with joy and hope – and the little annoyances don’t mean a thing – not a thing.
Tony Bennett: Thank you!
