Tracy’s Olympic Blog – Part 5

My brother, Jeff, said it best when I was trying to describe to him the melancholy feeling here in Vancouver yesterday- the day after the Olympic flame was extinguished.

“Is it that awkward, someone turned on the ugly lights type of vibe?”

Yes, Jeff, that is exactly what the feeling is here. I couldn’t have described it any better.

These past 17 days have left me with such a feeling of national pride. Never have I felt so honoured to be a citizen of this country as I do after participating in what is being labeled as one of the most successful Olympic games in history. Letters of gratitude and thanks from all over the world are being published in both the Vancouver Sun and The Province, and it is virtually impossible to read through them and not well up with tears.

I remember so clearly when the clock struck midnight this past New Year’s Eve and it really began to sink in that I was going to be a part of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. I began to jump up and down and tell everyone who would somewhat listen that I was going to the Olympics. It was like I was attending the games as a potential gold medal winner, but for me, this opportunity was identical to any athlete in training.

One main thing I am going home with is a new appreciation and respect for this insane industry I am studying to enter. Without the army of photojournalists who spent up to 20 hours a day marching the streets of Vancouver and Whistler to showcase the exuberant energy, the rest of the planet would not have been given the open invitation to attend the celebrations via these captured images.

There have been a lot of kudos sent out to various “unsung heroes” of these games. The city workers who did an impeccable job of keeping the streets of Vancouver clean had a tribute written about them in the Sun and Jon Furlong read a beautiful speech at the closing ceremonies to the blue coat volunteers (which made my parents cry and me to throw down an impromptu happy dance). But, nothing is ever mentioned about those who spend countless hours capturing the moments that will last a lifetime.

Because of the photojournalism industry, residents in small town Cape Breton Island are able to watch their heroes bring home gold and hopefully one day, I will be able to graduate from my blue coat to the true unsung hero of the Olympic Games.

Until then, my blue coat will be displayed just a proudly as any gold medal and the memories I have made will last just as long as the images that were captured.

~T

Tracy’s Olympic Blog – Part 4

Richard Lautens

The day before the half pipe event, my supervisor and I hiked up and down that pipe for 2 hours laying down the logistics as to where we were going to situate approximately 300 photographers. Luckily, the majority stationed themselves at the bottom of the course so we didn’t have to keep 222 various cameras from falling into the pipe. I did watch one lens hood take a dive that was a little too close for comfort. Thankfully another volunteer threw his glove over the fence to stop if from taking the plunge and pissing off the IOC (International Olympic Committee).
This particular photographer is Richard Lautens of the Toronto Star. This man does not know it, but he helped to revive my faith in the photojournalism industry. He has been a staff photographer for the Star for 23 years and still lives happily with his wife and children. The glow on his face when he began to describe his love for pictures truly shocked me for a guy who has been battling in the industry for so long. He talked about how he would not hesitate to jump on the chance to cover events such as the Olympic games (these are his second, Beijing being his first) but what excited him most was the chance to head back home and visit his son’s classroom and share his experience with the kids. He has a fun Olympic photo blog posted on the Star website. Take a close look at his images of Shaun White, as I assisted him with choosing which photos to file, but don’t tell VANOC- I’m not supposed to bug the photographers.

Tracy’s Olympic Blog – Part 3

Yup, this is the man of the pipe Shaun White during his final run of the night. All these pics from the half pipe do NOT exist. I had to be super sneaky, but telling a bunch of aspiring photographers that we could not shoot anything during the medal round was like telling my roommate's fat cat that she can't eat. Not going to happen. It was amazing. Best quote to come out of White in his post win press conference: (on how he plans to celebrate his win) "To meet the president of the United States would be cool. Go to the White House. I'm free for dinner." ~Olympic News Services. God love kids like White.

I can't remember who this guy is- it was tough not to get all caught up in 'Shaun White Day'. This pic just helps to visualize how damn close I was during the men's half pipe event. I could easily spit and hit them as they came up for their third hit. I spent nine full hours standing in this one photo position. Don't worry, I was smart enough not to drink anything throughout the day.

Yes, this is me and my fellow volunteer buddy attempting to sneak pics out from behind the TV tower. I guess the wire guys got quite upset the next day over the amount of "blue coats" taking snapshots throughout the event. ("Blue coats" = VANOC volunteers, and there are a hell of a lot of us). Oops. Sorry Reuters guys.

My position for nine hours. On top of the largest Olympic half pipe ever to be constructed- 22 feet from lip to centre of pipe. Yes, I suffered from vertigo for the majority of the day, but there was no way in hell I was giving up my spot. Crampons were mandatory to hike the pipe, so this kept a lot of photographers on the ground. Suckers.

A little snap shot of a handful of the photo assistants. The lady front and centre is Kathy Fung and she is one of our photo managers. We have one supervisor (AP Hovasse) who oversees the entire venue (Cypress Mountain itself) and then we have a photo manager for each event (ski/board cross, half pipe and aerials). Kathy's baby is half pipe. Here we are settled into the ground photo position to watch the ladies snowboard cross final. To see Maelle Ricker fly across that finish line to win Canada's second gold medal is a feeling that I will never, ever forget.

This is the main photo position for the medal run at ladies snowboard cross. I don't think anything needs to be said. $$$$.

My view for the snowboard cross final. That is the final jump before the athletes plummet over the finish line. I had a great view, except for the dozens of 300-500 mm nikon and canon lenses I had to peek over. The best part of my gig is that I get to order those lens owners around. If they even try to sneak into a better photo position that is beyond our boundaries, I have to order them back. The photographers get a certain amount of room to roam, but at events such as this one, the television guys get way more space. If we get in their way, NBC and CNN will hunt us down and hang us a the stake. Well, not really, but close.

It is tough for me to put into words as to what I am experiencing out here at the Olympic Games. Sure, the two-hour one way travel time to and from Cypress has become a bit daunting, but in 20 years from now that small headache will be long forgotten. I am so proud to walk through the streets of downtown Vancouver with my blue coat on and have visitors of all languages approach me to ask questions about the venues and the city itself. Even though I hardly have a clue as to what the question is, I try my hardest to help them because I am an ambassador to my country for these 17 days.

Today, I assisted two photographers from Belarus to their positions at the bottom of the aerials venue. Because they knew hardly any English, I wanted to ensure that they would have the best possible spot to capture their hometown athletes perform at an Olympic level. Sure, I may not be shooting the most fantastic features or capturing my own stellar action shots, but out here in Vancouver, I am experiencing what the world can be like when everyone sees each other on an equal scale. These photographers that I assist on a daily basis only have one goal in mind and that is to illustrate to the rest of the world what their countries can exceed in on an athletic level. I am having the time of my life and am being reminded on a daily basis of how equal we all really are. Go World Go!

Tracy’s Olympic Blog – Part 2

I wonder where the skunks go during the day…?

I have never seen so many of these little mystical creatures cross my path as I have since I settled into my flat in the West End of Vancouver. (There is no metaphor here, I truly am talking about those fat, black and white striped, waddling animals). Every evening, I have aimlessly wandered my way back through the residential area near Davie Street and have had to cross intersections in order to give these stinky guys their space. This is no joke; I really am blown away with my random meetings with these skunks. The thought has crossed my mind about where exactly I would sleep if I got a little too close to the back end of one of them. I’m pretty sure my roommate, Sarah would not be pleased if I brought a new aroma back to her one bedroom apartment. And she doesn’t have a balcony, so I’m screwed on that option. Yes, I have put a lot of thought into my great skunk encounters. It is the way of life out here that allows me to ponder useless situations that probably will never happen but are extremely amusing to think up. I have officially fell in love with Vancouver and the mindset it allows me to fall into.

Olympics! Right, the point of this blog and the underlying reason as to why I have found myself currently staring out a Starbucks window, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I really should have sat in a coffee shop that looks out over a brick wall because this is virtually impossible to concentrate on anything but the view, and of course, my skunk adventures.

I have to admit that I have held off writing since I left BC Place after the Opening Ceremonies on Friday. Having to figure out how to put into words what I felt and experienced as a spectator sitting in that stadium might possibly be the most difficult writing feat I have been faced with so far. I don’t think ol’ Webster came up with a word to describe the feeling that I was drowning in throughout that show. Patriotism. Pride. Excitement- none of these can even come close. My face hurt from smiling so widely, my voice was hoarse from cheering so loud, and my eyes were burning from the amount of tears that fell. From team Georgia entering the stadium, to Rick Hansen bringing the flame in on its final leg of the relay, my emotions could not keep up with what my eyes were observing. I really don’t know what else I can say about them. Honestly, I don’t know if that experience has even settled completely. It definitely was a night that will stay permanently locked in my memory forever.

Over the past week, I have busied myself with getting settled into my new living arrangements and the city itself. I may possibly have the best location to rest my head at night in the entire city. It is a perfect stumbling distance off of the main party strips in the downtown core, and it is literally two blocks from the water. I couldn’t be happier. Saturday was insane downtown; the intersection of Robson and Granville was packed until the wee hours of the morning. I walked down to the site of the outdoor torch at around 1:00 a.m. and there were still over 100 people there. One person would start singing Canada’s national anthem and seven blocks worth of voices would simultaneously join in. It was just exhilarating. This city will not sleep until after that flame is extinguished on February 28.

I have only been up to Cypress for a few hours for a quick training session on Wednesday. My first official shift starts tomorrow at the brilliant time of 7:30 a.m. And with a must-see concert tonight being held down on Granville Island, my ‘0-dark-hundred’ wake-up call is going to be awesome. I can’t wait to get up to that hill, though! The first thing I plan on accomplishing is to tell Shaun White to cut his hair. Just kidding, but I have heard rumours that there is a good chance of meeting the king of the half pipe himself. So stoked!

Anyway, this city is calling my name once again. I’m off to track down a big screen on the side of The Bay building to watch the Snowboard Cross medal round. Until next time folks- Go Canada Go!!

~T

snowboarding, and mountain biking and sailing oh my! I love this town for oh so many reasons. This is taken on the west side of Stanley Park on the infamous Seawall.

A view of downtown from Stanley Park. If you look closely near the centre of the frame, the Olympic torch burns proudly next to the International Broadcast Centre.

This is my other roommate, Mezo. She's fat and adorable and extremely comfortable in front of the camera.

Yup, this cat loves life.

A tourist shot of me at BC Place before the Opening Ceremonies. I had the pleasure of experiencing the show with my Dad. It was such an amazing experience.

Canada entering the stadium during the Athlete's parade. A moment I will never, ever forget!

In a 24 hour Subway on Granville Street- this guy had Canada shaved in to the other side of his head. I love it!

A shot of the outside flame at 1:00 a.m. It kind of reminds me of the Fortress from Smallville. Such a fantastic site!

Jon and Roy “Another Noon”

So here we have a cute little record, just trying to find its place in the world. By that I mean there is a little bit of every genre on this album. Kind of like when parents catch their children dressing up in their clothes.

It’s cute, and you may even want to take a picture.  In Jon and Roy’s case; they recorded a record and called it Another Noon.

Another Noon is a minimalistic approach to expressing what seem to be pretty much all of Jon and Roy’s influences on just one record. With only acoustic guitars, drums, percussion, and raspy vocals, Jon and Roy make a very big splash with very small stones.

The first half of this record comes off as modern folk music with beautiful finger picked guitar lines, and well crafted vocal lines. The second half; however, is all over the place.

Some songs feel like Sublime, some have a Jack Johnson vibe. Some even visit a hip-hop groove with dope drum beats and back to back vocals portraying copious amounts of drinking and profane monikers for the female gender.

On the song ‘Stress,’ Jon sings “I felt like riotin all night, and I felt like gettin into a fist fight, and I felt like hittin the first motherf**k who acted anything like a jerk.” But don’t judge until you’ve heard the whole song. The track is actually about not succumbing to the demons in the brain that make us act out irrationally.

‘Sunday Market,’ has a bit of a Disney feel to it though. I can just picture some animated character making his way across a beach, stuck in a montage, while Jon and Roy’s choppy guitars and quick vocals play in the background…in a good way.

In fact, the whole record is an intensely soulful testimony which states who Jon and Roy are as people and musicians. Their lyrics are honest, their music is calming, and damn it, I like it! I only wish this record had come out in the summer.

Olympic Blog – Part 1

Today, as my plane began its descent into Olympic Land, I immediately felt excited, nervous and absolutely terrified all wrapped up into one mutant, fluttering butterfly in the pit of my stomach.
As the plane found the runway, it was like being tossed into a snow-globe, minus the snow. For the next month, the entire world will be anxiously watching Vancouver to see if it can pull off a winter sporting spectacle while enduring one of the mildest winters in over 70 years.
There are so many people betting on this year’s Olympics to be a complete bust because of the major lack of white stuff. But if Italy can do it, my bet is definitely with Canada.
Perhaps B.C. has spiked the water with some sort of ‘Olympic Pride Kool-Aid’ and that’s why I am so optimistic.
But I can’t wait to adorn my official volunteer uniform and assist the world’s best photographers in capturing images that will be viewed around the globe.
I am determined to help make these games an event all Canadians can be proud of, even if it means drinking the Kool-Aid and living in a snow(less)-globe.

Stewart is the Weal’s photo editor, a SAIT photojournalism student and a volunteer at the Olympics. Visit theweal.com throughout the Olympics to read her blog straight from the sidelines.

Tracy Stewart - Weal Photo Editor

Remembering Emma Ransom

Thoughts on Emma Ransom

By Anita Olson

Emma was my clinic partner at SAIT. I was so happy she was my partner, cause she laughed just as much as me and we always tried to make things fun. Like when we thought we would be badass and put topical on our tongues so they would go numb.

We had to do lots of peer evaluations together and trust each other as we worked in the same operatory. We worked so well together; well, that’s what Michele said. We definitely tried to be the first ones done so we could relax. The mannequin contest was hilarious with our “grills”. We were so fly.

Emma and I were both nervous about needles so when we had to take turns assembling them we would start kind of shaking. She always was joking around with me and teasing me. She always encouraged me when I was having kind of a down day. She truly cared.

Emma always told me I did the funniest/craziest things and she would giggle at me all class. I will miss her bubbly laugh and personality. Emma, you definitely touched my life in a very positive way and I thank you for that. Cornelius misses you too! Cornelius was what we named our mannequin head.

When I stepped into that clinic today I just saw that you weren’t there. I broke down. I don’t want any partner but you hun. I will continue to listen to lil wayne’s songs and remember you.

You were like me, how we both can’t stop laughing at times. I loved how you teased me about my English and how I said 3 truths by accident. I would go get Starbucks with her, Rayel, Haley, and sometimes Chelsie. We went to the Gateway to just hangout before she went to work with some of the DA’s and then we went to visit her in her room. She was really welcoming. I loved her style. She made it her own. She would come and tell me stories about certain people in her life and she always made them funny.

The last time I saw her was in the clinic and I was working on her mouth placing red disclosing agent where I would put topical anesthetic. We were laughing because I accidentally spilled the little cup first of all, then I smeared it on too much of a surface.

She was a smart girl and very practical. She kept me in line. We were supposed to do a hip hop class or yoga together. I won’t laugh nearly as hard without you! I miss you Emma! No other partner will do!!!

November 21st, 2009 will always be remembered because of how you touched my life.

 

Editor’s note:

Would you like to say a few words in memory of Emma Ransom?  Send your thoughts to theweal@gmail.com – we’ll post your memories of Emma on our blog.

The Almost “Monster Monster”

You’ve got to hand it to Tooth and Nail Records. If there’s one thing they’re good at, it’s pumping out flawless pop albums like emo kids pump out text messages to their crushes. “Monster Monster,” by The Almost is no exception.

                Hook after bloody hook, this record sounds like it was made by robots… which, isn’t that far from the truth since front-man Aaron Gillespie is pretty much an android.

                Pulling off double duty with full time metal-head/popsters “Underoath,” (Gillespie’s first claim to fame) as well as The Almost, it’s hard to imagine that this guy has any time for a social life.

                As far as the music goes on this record “Monster Monster” picks up where former label-mates “The Juliana Theory” (R.I.P.) left off in 2006. The similarities are not surprising given that most Christian scenesters growing up in the late 90’s wet their musical appetites to the swagger of former TJT vocalist Brett Detar.

                This album is, however, far more mature than The Almost’s previous ventures. On older material, the riffs and vocals simply sounded like the poppy parts of any given Underoath song. It’s nice to see that Gillespie is finally stepping out of Underoath’s shadow as a songwriter.

                Track seven, “Hand Grenade,” is by far the biggest departure from Gillespie’s other gig. The lyrics are a bit tacky, with lines like, “If you’re an ocean then, I want to jump right in. If you’re a hand grenade then I’ll pull the pin.” But I’ll forgive him, since I’m a sucker for Leonard Cohen-esque bass-lines and slide guitar.

“Monster Monster” isn’t exactly avant garde, but that’s not going to stop 14-year-old mall punks from pogo-ing ‘til they puke at Warped Tour this summer.

Nirvana “Live At Reading CD/DVD”

The Geffen powers that be have reached in Nirvana’s cookie jar yet another time. Let us reap the benefits with a captivating live performance recorded across the sea at the 1992 Reading festival in jolly old England.

            The grunge movement of the early ‘90s is long gone. 16 long years have passed since Kurt Cobain tragically took his own life in 1994. Sadly, Live at Reading is the closest most Nirvana fans will ever come to seeing or hearing the Seattle rockers live.

For the first time, a true Nirvana concert, from start to finish, is performed without pauses or editing.  Nirvana performs 25 raw songs including most of their singles from the time as well as a few cover songs.

            The mood of the show is set with Cobain being pushed onstage in a wheelchair by rock journalist Everett True. Dressed in a hospital gown, and a ragged blond wig, Cobain grabs the mic and mournfully sings a line from Bette Midler’s hit, “Some Say Love, it is a River.” He then collapses in a bit of, rarely seen, rock star drama.

            Around the time that “Reading” was originally performed and taped, Nirvana, (Cobain especially) had been thrown into a tabloid frenzy that by today’s standards could be comparable to the likes of Brittany Spears or even Paris Hilton. Throughout the concert, Cobain addresses rumours about “band breakups,” and his wife Courtney Love.

             Cobain dedicates “All Apologies” to his 12 day old daughter (Frances Bean Cobain) and wife Courtney. “She (Love) thinks everybody hates her now.” Cobain says. Then he affectionately leads the crowd in a “Courtney we love you,” chant.

Web Picks – Nov 12 ‘09

I don’t know about you, but I am behind on life.   Seriously, is it possible to sustain a state of panic for this long and not lose your mind? Stay tuned next week to find out.   For now, enjoy five randomly awesome selections I found scribbled in the margins of my notebook.

http://failblog.org

A soothing parade of bad decisions, poorly-laid plans and flat-out stupidity. This is what procrastination is all about.

http://cakewrecks.com

Whenever I go to the grocery store, I secretly hope I’ll find something I can send to the fine ladies of Cake Wrecks.   Go here to be amazed by misguided creativity. And to learn the meaning of the term “carrot jockey.”

http://homestarrunner.com

Home Star Runner is the kind of hilarious comedy genius that might not have made it off the ground without the Internet. If you haven’t seen “Strongbad burninate the villagers,” you’ve missed out on a web classic.

http://myparentswereawesome.tumblr.com

This is a beautiful, poignant and sometimes funny collection of pictures of people’s parents. It’s a simple concept but these photographs say a lot. A fascinating site.

http://cuteoverload.com

Do not even tell me you are too cool for Cute Overload. Nobody can resist this level of adorable. Nobody. Stop fighting it. Click the link and witness the cuteness.

Want to share your favourite website? Send it to me at theweal@gmail.com.