there are so many choices… and even more mistakes…
actions will always speak louder than words… this is long overdue…

Yesterday, Carly and I wanted to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and go on a little adventure. So I grabbed my camera and we headed north to Stouffville to visit Horton Tree Farms for their annual Maple Syrup Festival. Having grown up in the country, Carly was no stranger to the wonders of freshly tapped sweet sap. But I had never been to a sugar bush before and it was quite amazing. The grounds were breathtakingly beautiful, the staff was extremely friendly and knowledgable, and the pancakes were absolutely delicious (smothered in maple syrup, of course!). It was an afternoon filled with log cabins, wagon rides, trees, sunshine, and fresh air. What a lovely way to spend a lovely day. I made this video to capture the experience. Also, the music featured here is a demo track I’m currently playing around with. I hope you enjoy them both!

Horton Tree Farms – Sugar Bush from KidKulit on Vimeo.

On Friday, February 17, I joined John and Paulo (of RubioFilms) to check out the Sony PS Vita launch at 99 Sudbury. I was eager to get my hands on the gorgeous new handheld early (release date is February 22) and it did not disappoint. The huge LED screen is pure luxury and I found it extremely easy to lose myself in gameplay. The entire unit feels light, but it plays very big. This video (shot and edited by John) features some of my first impressions of the device as well as gameplay footage from titles like Escape Plan and Little Deviants.

Playstation Vita Event Coverage from John Lacsina on Vimeo.

On Saturday, I went to a garage sale in one of the Artscape Triangle Lofts in Parkdale. The items that lined the tiny condo first appeared in the usual order — old clothes, used books + records, miscellaneous housewares, and a few random pieces for good measure. The owners were very friendly, offering warm drinks and sweet treats while we perused through their unwanted things. I politely declined and waited patiently as CB rifled through mystery boxes. While looking around the apartment aimlessly (and somewhat disinterestedly), I spotted something silver on the end of a small table — it was a Canon GL2 digital video camcorder! I could hardly believe my eyes. I remember wanting that exact model years ago. And now, there it was… a $2000+ piece of pro equipment sitting quietly in a garage sale. I picked it up and casually inspected it. It seemed to be in good condition. It seemed too good to be true. I paced around nervously and finally asked one of the owners how much. She replied that there was a slight issue with the tape deck mechanism that she had never bothered to repair and had since replaced the camera with a new one. Since she was selling the device potentially broken, she offered it to me for $10. TEN DOLLARS. My head nearly exploded, but I tried my best to disguise my delight. Noting my interest, she began to gather some extra accessories for the unit — a power adapter, a charger, and a battery pack — as if in attempt to sweeten the already amazing deal. A mere tenner later, and I am now the proud owner of this awesome camera. Obviously, I took it on a test run (see footage below) to check the functionality. So far, so good! Best. Score. Ever.

Canon GL2 Test from KidKulit on Vimeo.

Somehow, it seemed appropriate that this chalk rainbow on the sidewalk of my street was the first piece of “graffiti” I saw. I felt like it set the tone for the rest of the day. On July 10, 2011, CB and I went on a walking tour led by Graeme Parry of Toronto Laneways. Starting at Graffiti Alley and ending near Dundas and Ossington, we ventured through three main areas downtown — Queen West, Trinity-Bellwoods, and Little Portugal.

I was awestruck for most of the tour. When I wasn’t shooting photos (or running to catch up with the group), I spent a lot of time standing and staring and smiling. It’s likely the kind of thing I’d like to do again when I’d have more time to move at my own pace. Still, I managed to get some really great shots. Here are some of my favourites.

All those hidden alleys and laneways held so much visual treasure. Quaint little homes and even small businesses resided alongside all the free street art. It’s certainly a side of the city most people haven’t seen, though I highly recommend it. Feel free to check out the rest of my set from that day here.

Photo Credit: Joan Antonio

One of my besties runs a fashion blog – KlickClash. Sometimes, she writes about her own personal tips and tricks or maybe she’ll share her experience at some swanky event. But mostly, she posts everyday outfits from her own closet with a focus on simple and classic looks that anyone can emulate on any budget. To keep things fresh and inspiring, she always works with different photographers and friends. So I was pleased as punch when she asked me to take a few photos of her for her site. There’s a small sample of shots here, but be sure to check out the whole set too. As always, she’s rocking some sweet steeze!

Zelda: Skyward Sword Launch Video from Rubio Films on Vimeo.

On Sunday, November 20, the highly anticipated video game, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was released for Nintendo Wii. My talented friend, Paulo (documentary-style videographer, Rubio Films) along with Paul Hunter (Gaming Editor, Future Shop Tech Blog) attended the launch event at Sears Court in Toronto’s Eaton Centre. The video features gameplay footage, interviews and fan reactions, some wicked cosplay and my music! The song used here is called Chronicle and I think the title and the sound is a great fit for the piece. The Legend of Zelda has always been a series about an epic journey, full of mystery and adventure. The coverage really captures the excitement behind this long awaited title from the Big N. I hope my song reflects the same. Feel free to check out the full track below.

There is a new Goodwill about a 10-15 minute drive away from my place and I finally had a chance to browse through the store on my lazy Sunday. I found this eye catching purple / magenta / cerulean striped necktie (which I just learned how to tie myself) and this grey sweater that is part blazer, part cardigan, and totally awesome. You see, I’ve been looking for some sharper clothes lately… something I can wear to my new job! For the past 10 years, I have worked in the broadcast industry. Today, I leave that all behind and start fresh with a new position in digital media / publishing. It’s been a long and interesting journey with television, one that I am grateful for. But after a decade of the same, I’m ready and excited for something new. I think I can get used to this.

Marshall McLuhan, “Oracle of the Electric Age”. He was a man ahead of his time. It seems many of his concepts still remain relevant today and I attempted to illustrate this here. This video is my entry for the CBC’s Demystifying McLuhan Mashup Challenge contest. All the video clips were provided by the CBC and the music, of course, is one of my own compositions. Whether you agree or disagree with the professor, there is no denying his impact on the way we think about media.

All Electric Information Is Simultaneous from KidKulit on Vimeo.

After months of researching and pining, I finally picked up a portable midi controller – the Akai MPK Mini. It has a surprising amount of features given the size (i.e. MPC-style pads, rotary knobs, built-in arpeggiator, sustain button) and there is a good weight and sturdy feel to the unit overall. Also, I have an odd affinity for mini-keys.

So in my usual impromptu fashion, I decided to put it through a test run last night. And 4 hours later, I finally finished a track I had first started 4 years ago. I’m really good at getting lost in space. In time, I find my way back. At any rate, I’m happy to be able to share it now. Sit back, relax… it’s that kind of tune.

Call and Answer by KidKulit