LisaBlog

Winter Things

2012-01-12T00:34:00.002-05:00

Happy Winter.

I've never been much for the winter season. I think my years in Winnipeg's climate kind of ruined the fun for me.

It's pretty to look at but that's about it.

I am however totally in love with this years near tropical winter weather, I think it was my second ever green Christmas (the first was in Vancouver a few years back).

I would love for the weather to stay like this for all winters yet to come, but then I wouldn't get shots like the ones above. They're all from last January, I never got around to editing them until now....

mayhaps 2012 will be a more efficient year.

7 falafel jokes

2011-12-23T15:29:00.003-05:00

some photos from the show the other night.

Bellz

2011-12-15T13:03:00.005-05:00

This song is delightful and annoying at the same time....

So here are some of the photos from our poster photo shoot, and in case you were wondering, we got them done at walmart.

little fish

2011-12-08T23:50:00.002-05:00

I've had a weird couple of days. just time to sit around and think.

Something to cheer me up perhaps?

I used to hate this song when it came out. Now I love it.

2011-12-06T23:37:00.002-05:00

I made a new Blog header. Hope you like it.

also,
I've been jamming to this a lot lately.....

ChrimbusDay

2011-12-05T19:48:00.002-05:00

show!

Music. Comedy. Beer. Christmas.

late bloomer

2011-12-04T22:40:00.003-05:00

OCFF has been in Ottawa for the past few years and I haven't been able to make it. I'm glad it was close and affordable this year because I had a great time. I'm looking forward to next year, when it'll be even closer, Mississauga! I finally got around to editing my photos from the conference in Niagara Falls, here are some of them.

Jadea Kelly

J.P. Hoe

Peter Katz

downtime

2011-11-09T23:41:00.005-05:00

I have a show coming up!! It's a bit of a reunion and a bit of a fundraiser. A fundraiser, mostly because I am now poor. So come out, drink beer, listen to tunes and be merry!

I've had a lot of downtime lately.

So much that I almost don't know what to do with myself....

be careful what you wish for and all that I suppose.

yeeaah

2011-10-14T01:26:00.000-04:00

I'm off to the OCFF tomorrow morning!

yeah yeah yeah

2011-09-26T22:43:00.010-04:00

Action Makes played what could be (is/was?...) their last shows this weekend. I went, drank a lot and took some photos. Here's some of them.

oh geeze

2011-09-08T00:17:00.016-04:00

Summer's trying to die,

Here's what I did for some of it....

Summer warmed the open window

2011-08-29T22:49:00.003-04:00

oh you know

2011-08-29T22:41:00.003-04:00

I'm on a "I should keep up on that blogging thing" kick again.

I suppose it makes me feel like I'm being proactive.....

I played a show at Graffiti's

Them's photos where taken by Marcus Walker, who hosted the eve.....

I'm trying to book more shows and as always, trying to save money to record. I'm worried that I'm going to just put it all on a credit card just to get the damned thing done.

Soon he'll make that vicious call

2011-07-02T20:23:00.014-04:00

It's summer all ready.
Here's my winter round up....spring too I suppose.

2011-07-02T19:20:00.003-04:00

Got another show coming up!

Also there's this.

Portfolioz

2011-04-11T21:20:00.005-04:00

It's that time once again, portfolio time.

My fashion photography course is ending and we have to present our best/favorite pics. I unfortunately haven't made it through all my shots yet and still have some to edit, so I have to choose from what I've done so far. And here is the little presentation I've come up with....

UPDATE!!!!!! I've managed to make my portfolio it's very own fancy webpage. CHECKIT. Fashion Photography 2011

noi.se

2011-04-09T20:19:00.004-04:00

I picked up noi.se magazine a little while ago for some inspiration. It's awesome, it's all photography and next to no articles. I love it. My favorite shoot in the current issue is by Natasha Kertes. I've been digging her stuff....

Habitat

2011-03-17T22:36:00.002-04:00

at the El Mocambo Feb 11 2011

March 24

2011-03-17T22:31:00.001-04:00

Week 4

2011-02-27T20:53:00.003-05:00

week 4s theme was.... well I'm not too clear on what week 4s theme was. I believe there were 2 themes, burlesque and something else... either way, here's the shots I got from that week.

Week 3

2011-02-25T22:13:00.002-05:00

week 3s theme was Old Hollywood glamor

week 2

2011-02-12T16:05:00.002-05:00

week 2s theme was faces....

lots of makeup, lots of fun

I'm really glad I decided to take this class, it's keeping me shooting, I'm having fun and I feel like I'm making some good progress.

I've got a few band shots and other 'for me' stuff to get through and edit as well. Hopefully I can post it soon.

2 weeks and 3 days.

2011-02-07T23:54:00.001-05:00

Fashion

2011-01-29T18:34:00.002-05:00

I'm taking the Fashion Photography course at George Brown, Here's a couple shots from my first week of class..

Anastasia

2011-01-27T15:43:00.002-05:00

I took a few shots of my friend Ana a little while back....

Heart of a River

2010-11-18T22:51:00.009-05:00

I have much love for my new hood. And the Three Speed is my favorite bar in Toronto. So when I stumbled across this video I was very excited...

you just laugh, then you call him a man.

2010-11-17T19:42:00.019-05:00

I enjoyed my summer review.

Here's a fall one for you, along with some musical accompaniment.

faces

2010-11-17T00:04:00.002-05:00

fun with faces.

for my self directed project in my photography by design class I decided to do some Photoshop manipulation. I adjusted my lovely victim to meet the RF mask as well as to match Barbies facial proportions. I don't normally do a lot of Photoshoping, but it was fun> I've been doing a bit more, experimenting a bit, but I haven't gotten to heavily into the manipulation...

I'm starting to think I'm weirder than I had previously thought.

2010-10-20T01:05:00.002-04:00

I got a new mask all y'all!

I haven't seen this movie but this video makes me want to.

I do this thing now too

2010-10-20T00:30:00.001-04:00

for all your randomness needs please go here. lmkz.tumblr.com/ We'll see how long it lasts.

jamesin

2010-10-08T19:34:00.003-04:00

James @ the Queen Elizabeth Theater Toronto Sept 30 2010

dancin on stage

tix

musical stylings

2010-10-08T19:14:00.002-04:00

Action Makes

slightly old photos from an Action Makes gig at the Garrison.

school

2010-10-07T11:33:00.002-04:00

Back in school

for now... I have class until the end of Oct then I'm done the program.

Our teachers been giving us plenty of studio time to just play around, which of course is awesome.

I like playing around with the studio lights. I'm thinking of taking the fashion course in the new year just to get more experience with the lights.

The course I'm taking is called Photography By Design. It's basically about how to create your preconceived concepts through lighting and design. I've been enjoying it, it's fun and it's challenging. I have a couple projects due for the course, one's a photo montage and the other is a self directed study of anything I choose. I'm having a bit of a hard time deciding what I want to do, too many options I suppose. I started working on the montage, but didn't like the results, so I'm going to start all over again. The fun part of the montage is that is has to be printed out, not done digitally. CUTTING AND PASTING!!! I'm looking forward to both of them...

oldies

2010-09-08T00:02:00.003-04:00

Back in the day I went to art school, drawing, painting all that stuff...

I've been doing a bit more painting lately and serendipitously an opportunity arose to hang a couple of my paintings at a friends art show/party. It's this Sat, Sept 11 at the The Aurelian.

Paintings not really my 'thing', but it's nice to be doing something, to be taking part in something out of the norm, my norm anyway. It has me feeling somewhat motivated...

hmmmmmm...

ma feet.

2010-09-07T00:41:00.003-04:00

I have a strange habit of taking photos of my feet and or my sandals in various places...

I suppose it's just one of my charms. I'm just gonna keep going with it...

Spitfist

2010-08-29T20:19:00.002-04:00

My friends band Spitfist played at Sneaky Dee's the other night...

It was a good show. I got pretty drunk and lost my handheld camera.... if you find it, it's mine.

designables

2010-08-27T01:16:00.014-04:00

I moved into a new place a few months back and have been thinking design thoughts for a while now. I've been creeping design blogs and reading Design Lines for ideas. I thought I'd share some of the more inspiring photos...

I don't remember exactly which photo came from which site, but they're all taken from either Apartment Therapy or Emmas Design Blog, both of which I found on hungryhammerdhome.com.

I'll post photos of my place some time. No before photos though, as I totally spaced on that one.

Buckle Me In On The Highway of Sin

2010-08-26T23:58:00.019-04:00

I've been listening to the Watchmen all day today...
So here they are, accompanying a blurry drunken tribute to my summer.

gettin your kicks!

2010-08-11T16:40:00.000-04:00

I love these...

Jason Collett- Bitch City (Wood & Wires Video Series) from Adrian Vieni on Vimeo.

Jason Collett | No Redemption Song | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Close your eyes now kid

2010-08-10T16:12:00.006-04:00

He sings 'em for you special. He knows you're afraid of the dark.

Don't let this fading summer pass you by.

Thunderin and lightnin gets you rain.

You find a diamond in the bottom of the drain.

Summer Fun

2010-08-05T23:56:00.002-04:00

Summer's been happening, though it hasn't really felt like it.

Since moving to Toronto I haven't really made much time for normal summer activities, or what used to be normal summer activities to me. It's been all smog, city smells and beers on patios with very little sunrises, cottages and lakes.

I've been trying to do my best to get more summer and less city this year.

It's hard though, it's so easy to get lost in all the city activities and before you know it you've missed out on the summer stuff you'd been waiting for all winter.

And now here we are, summer's almost over and once again I'm trying to squeeze in as much summer fun as possible.

Home Alone

2010-08-04T23:41:00.002-04:00

I moved recently.

I used to live RIGHT DOWNTOWN. It was all kinds of awful... yet good at the same time. Very convenient, lots of walking places and I never had to worry about how I was going to get home at whatever god awful hour I decided to go home. However being right by the Eaton Center can get kind of crazy and smelly.

So I decided to venture west. I now live in the Junction and though it may not seem important to some, it is very important to me. I HAVE WINDOWS. Do you know what this means???? It means I have natural light! Natural light to play with and enjoy recreationally.

so far the only thing I've done is take pictures of my face.

There will be more photos of both my face and various other things I assure you.

Saturday morning sunrise

2010-08-01T11:39:00.002-04:00

After all my NXNE duties were done I headed over to the Silver Dollar to see a friends band play then waited an hour or so for the street car to finally show up. I was in a bad mood 'caused by stupid people and stupid street cars. When the College St. car dropped me off at Bloor I started to walk home and started to feel a bit better. By the time I got to the Junction I was in a much improved mood. I decided to go for a walk and watch the sunrise....

SATURDAY.

2010-07-30T16:35:00.003-04:00

fotos.

JEFF the Brotherhood

Quintron and Miss Pussycat

Friday?

2010-07-29T22:32:00.002-04:00

I've been debating deleting this blog as I hardly ever update. I decided to give it another go though... or maybe I'll just blog once a month and some how come to terms with my irregular blogging abilities...

back to the task at hand. NXNE photos. Here's some from the Friday night... I uploaded them as JPEGs for some reason. NEVER AGAIN.

NXNE

2010-06-20T18:52:00.003-04:00

So, it's that time of year again, NXNE time. I last minute volunteered as a photographer for the festival and am having an amazing time.

Thursday

I wasn't scheduled to take photos at any shows on Thursday so I headed out to check out a couple shows on my own.

I caught Zeus's show at the Rivoli which as usual was amazing. I am however slightly biased towards this bands awesomeness, I must admit... I went the lazy route and didn't take any photos, I just enjoyed the tunage. After Zeus, I got to work and started taking photos.

Another Blue Door

Jody Glenham

Karyn Ellis

Drunk Woman

2010-03-24T22:49:00.002-04:00

I took some photos of my friends band Drunk Woman at the beginning of the month and I finally got around to editing them.

Here's a link to their myspace. There's no music up yet, but hopefully there will be soon...

until then you can pass your time with this;

Your rails could always outrun mine

2010-03-03T15:30:00.005-05:00

I wish I'd heard this album earlier, I would have included it in my list of best albums of the '00's...

but I hadn't, so I didn't... but I'm making an addendum to that list now. This album is awesome and I'm glad I finally heard it, if you haven't heard it definitely check it out.

When I was in high school I looked up to fine ladies such as Ani Difranco, Holly McNarland, Bif Naked, Fiona Apple, Esthero, and as any girl who went through adolescence in the 90's Courtney Love.

Then for the longest time nothing, I listened mostly to guy based tunage. I started listening to Janis Joplin, Patsy Cline and other woman artists of the past, but nothing contemporary really grabbed me. Now, over the past few years I've started listening to a bunch of awesome ladies; Martha Wainwright, Basia Bulat, Amy Millan, Feist, and of course Neko Case. I still love all my guy idols just as much, I'm just glad I have contemporary woman musicians that I can relate too, respect and be inspired by. Basically what I'm saying is;

I am inspired and I am grateful.

Speaking of inspiration, I recently had the luck to be present for a live performance of Rodrigo y Gabriela. It made me want to run home and pick up my guitar immediately.

And fear not, I've still been working on my photography. I should have another photo update for you soon!

Prison Girls

2010-02-23T22:29:00.002-05:00

the soundtrack to your viewing of the following photos;

I love your long shadows and your gunpowder eyes...

ok, let's go

Brookfield Place Toronto....

the Great Lake Swimmers

2010-02-13T18:48:00.002-05:00

So I have this problem, I never seem to know when a band I like is playing until it's too late. I'm working on fixing it, but it keeps popping up. It happened again with the Great Lake Swimmers at the Trinity Church here in Toronto, I heard about the gig after it had all ready sold out. Needless to say I was pretty happy when I found out about an in store session they were doing at Sonic Boom the day before their sold out show. I made a point of getting there early enough to get a reasonable 'seat', and here are the results;

You can see some more Swimmers pics here

sorting through the photo backlog...

2010-01-21T01:31:00.005-05:00

Well the holiday season treated me just fine. Plenty of relaxing, photo taking and music making, all of which I look forward to continuing through out the new year! ;)

Some good news, I've booked a couple gigs! So far I have one if Feb and one in March... perhaps more to come, perhaps some with Aimee, we shall see!

I've begun the epic battle of sorting through my photo backlog, I have photos to go through all the way back to Oct.... bah. I've also started another photo class, the power of light. I missed the first class as I was in Winnipeg, the first class I was able to make it to was a field trip to Allan Gardens in Toronto. I spent most of the time hunting for what I thought would make good black & white shots, though I couldn't pass up a couple cool colour opportunities. Here's what Ive got edited so far, click to see large versions and enjoy!!

I like em! I'm proud to say that I am happy with my picture taking progress... :D

Happy New Year.

2010-01-01T18:53:00.004-05:00

Ah the end of the year, that special time when everybody makes lists... so, here's another one for you. I don't usually do the list making thing, but everybody seems to like it so much I thought I'd give it a go, see what all the fuss is about.

ok, here goes.

my top 10 favorite albums of the decade, in order of personal preference.

Gomez In Our Gun
2002

Jason Collett Here's to Being Here
2008

Ani Difranco Knuckle Down
2005

the Good the Bad and the Queen
the Good the Bad and the Queen
2007

Depeche Mode Playing the Angel
2005

James Hey Ma
2008

Matthew Good Hospital Music
2007

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
2007

Feist Let It Die
2004

Amy Millan Honey from the Tombs
2006

and of course, the honorable mentions, ones I had a hard time cutting from the list but still grooved to a lot over the years;

Flight of the Conchords Folk the World 2002
the Golden Dogs Everything In Three Parts 2003
Gomez A New Tide 2009
the Great Lake Swimmers Lost Channels 2009
Greg MacPherson Good Times Coming Back Again 2002
Interpol Turn on the Bright Lights 2002
Jason Collett Idols of Exile 2005
Joel Plaskett Down at the Khyber 2001
M Ward Transistor Radio 2005
the Mark Inside Static/Crash 2005
Peter Elkas Party of One 2004
Radiohead In Rainbows 2007
Run With the Kittens Run With the Kittens 2005
thenewno2 EP001 2006

yay!

And what awaits us in the year ahead??

All the shows happening for the Olympics sound pretty damn awesome, too bad I won't be anywhere near 'em.
paying $60 for wristbands to Canadian Music Fest (Week)
New Jason Collett album on March 9th (free download of one of the tracks here)
Zeus' first album on Feb 23
Gomez will be back in North America for a mini tour and releasing new material on the If I Ask You Nicely and Little Pieces singles. Maybe a new record in the not to distant future.
apparently Thrush Hermit will be playing 2 nights at Lee's but I have yet to see any tickets on sale or confirmation....
a new Greg MacPherson album sometime within the year.
the Golden Dogs are apparently recording a new album, which should most likely be out with in the year (hopefully)
new James album in the spring.

and much more I'm sure.... looks like it's shaping up to be a good year musically. and it turns out this list making thing is kinda fun.

But for now, I must continue to nurse my hangover....

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-30T23:13:00.001-05:00

hope everyone had a happy holiday season! I know it's not over yet... but ya know.

I still have no idea what to do for New Years?... what will the future hold?

all most done!!

2009-12-19T17:56:00.002-05:00

Aura

One class left! My business class ended today (not nearly long enough, it felt more like an intro to business course) and my last people class is on Monday! I have one batch left to edit and then it's Christmas cheer all the way!!!

I also finally got around to editing a couple more of my photos from my trip to the folks cabin this summer. I sent them out to a couple family members in Christmas cards...

oh and also, I set up a personal CBCRadio3 account, as I've been listening so much lately. I have some play lists and stuff up, check it out here.

music notes

2009-12-13T23:00:00.002-05:00

I've updated my CBC Radio 3 profile. Well, I've added some songs, the rest is pretty much the same. They're not new songs, but if you're a Radio 3er you can now playlist my songs to your hearts content. Enjoy.

portfolios

2009-12-12T20:02:00.002-05:00

one of our assignments for the business of photography course is to assemble a portfolio. It's an on going thing and we'll be critiquing them in class next week. This is what I have so far, it will probably keep changing so feel free to come back and check it out a couple times over the next few weeks.

Music

People

I prefer flickrSLiDR as opposed to the actual flickr app I used the other day... much more visually pleasing if you ask me. I must say, I'm satisfied with the people collection but I feel the music one is lacking.

For the most part, it's a bit harder to get great images in low light concert situations especially when you're working with a D40 like I have been. So that can be a bit of a set back sometimes and I'm defiantly looking forward to upgrading sometime soon. However, the most recent shot in the music collection is from the summer where as most of the people ones have been shot within that time span. I've been learning so much and haven't made a point of going out and practicing it on the stuff I'm hoping to focus on. Silly me. Classes are winding down and I'm only enrolled in one course next semester, so I'll be making more time to get out there and shoot more. yay!

time for movies and wine. tah for now

familyfun

2009-12-12T19:43:00.003-05:00

Daniel, Elana & Mateo

working with people who have worked as professional models certainly is a treat...

...things seem to go a bit smoother and there's a bit less pressure on the photographer, or maybe it just feels that way. Either way, there's a higher ratio of pictures that turn out awesome :)

music favorites

2009-12-11T19:51:00.003-05:00

oh hi

I've been messing around with some of flickr's app's...

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

kyle...

2009-12-10T01:04:00.002-05:00

some photos for you;

Kyle

It seems like every time I get close to being caught up with school work they dish out more. go figure.

the big topic at my work today;

I want my money! get off my lawn.

2009-12-09T01:31:00.002-05:00

Danika

as always, click on the images for larger sizes.

How cute is she!! I am jealous of her basically perfect skin, seriously. She also happens to be a fellow musician, but unfortunately this time I wasn't able to get any contact info so I can not share her music with you. Maybe one day we'll see her out there fighting the good fight...I hope I spelled her name right Mrs. Roon spelled it Danica, but whatever, she's not to be trusted. ;)

I also took a few pics of Rob a little while back...

what a dream boat! ;)

So I've got that old familiar itch!! ... the music itch of course. I haven't been playing much since Aimee and I played our last show and I'm ready to pick up the guitar again. Of course I have school and Christmas to deal with, but I really want to get some tunes recorded and start booking gigs in the new year. Also of course, the main thing that's slowing me down (or so I believe) is my day job. Cursed waste of my time/thing that pays my rent. oh the eternal struggle.

speaking of recording, here's a little bit of insight into the magic of the recording studio and some of the sacrifices artists have to make when labels get involved. enjoy.

I keep getting lady gaga songs stuck in my head

2009-12-07T23:13:00.002-05:00

that being said...

It's December and we all know what that means, it's time for another installment of Jason Collett’s Basement Revue @ the Dakota Tavern!!! I for some unknown (to me) reason, have not attended one of these events (every Tuesday all December!) but this year I intend to! I'm excited. It's pretty much the highlight of my December....... yeah, yeah, there's also Christmas. Bah. At this point I've got so much school work and holiday and birthday related soirees to worry about that Christmas has become more of a looming dreaded deadline than anything else.

there I go, getting carried away with that holiday spirit again!

so on a happier note, here's some more pictures of Borris!

I need more RAM

2009-12-01T23:40:00.002-05:00

I'm unable to listen to itunes and edit photos at the same time, my computer just can't handle it.

Stephanie

more Donna

I wish I had more info to give you on who these people are and what they do. I know some of them are actors, models, singers and playwrights, they probably have websites and the like. Unfortunately I can't tell you where to learn more about them as I don't know much myself......

Looks like homework night was a success, I was able to edit quite a few photos, however I did fail miserably on the doing laundry side of things. Oh well, maybe I'll get that taken care of tomorrow night when homework night continues...

brain melting.......

2009-11-26T00:12:00.002-05:00

I can't get this damn technocracy to do my bidding! I just need to do some graphic design work and nothing wants to work for me. blargh. I even downloaded an adorable kitten desktop wallpaper so as to calm me in times of things not working out....

Since the graphic stuff didn't feel like working I did some photos instead.

Donna

I have to admit, normally I just post a couple of my favorite photos, but I'm having a hard time choosing which one's I'd like to share with you here...

Donna modeled for my class a few times, she came to our island field trip, one week just as a spectator & got suckered into being a model as well as last week. She's a sweet girl and you can always tell she's having a good time, which is a good thing as it makes for a good photo. I might have a few more to post of her in the not too distant future....

OK!

2009-11-25T00:09:00.011-05:00

So I think it's high time we discussed some of my other nerdy interests! Let us start with the most important, personality shaping one of them all!!!

Jurassic Park!!!!

yeah you read that right.

Well to be honest, by discuss I meant casually mention...

I also thought I'd use it as an excuse to post some of my drawings;

that sketch is based on something I saw in an Scientific American once and the pastels are from a homework assignment.... posting those just made me want to draw more. Too bad I can't just work on all my various hobbies all day long... stupid need to food, clothe and provide shelter for myself. *grumble*

So yeah, to sum up. I dig dinosaurs, I saw Jurassic Park 8 times in the theatre and have an extensive collection of awesome collectibles (trading cards anyone??)

and sometimes I even photoshop them in exotic locations!

for my photoshop class ;)

I also took paleontology in university, until I remembered that I'm lazy & that there was no way I was going to go through w/ 8 years of school...

that's how my bread works.

2009-11-24T01:14:00.004-05:00

Today, pre-coffee I said "That's how my bread works." and pointed at my head/brain. Very Monday. SAMETHINGASEVERYOTHERMONDAY. work, school home. slight variation today however in that when I got home after school Aimee & her cousin were watching vampire films. I caught the last 6 minutes or so of Interview With a Vampire which was followed shortly by Shadow of the Vampire.

We had a mild discussion of the weirdness of the existence of a Jacula movie, of which I have never seen and am scared to... and the sad state of affairs that is the Van Helsing movie (I'm a total dork it's ok, I know). All this bru-ha-ha about vampires and I still haven't read Dracula. It sits on my bookshelf alone and unread..... one day, if I ever finish this here epic novel about the history of South Africa (the Covenant)

That is a truly amazing piece of art work right there. the rest of them all look like this. You're welcome.

hmm.... what else of interest can I offer you?..... How about a little bit of the HaHa? enjoy My back hurts!

bed now.

Oh Lydia!

2009-11-22T22:27:00.002-05:00

I'm having a hard time deciding what to call my photography business.... I'm amassing a list of ideas but have yet to like one enough to go with it. I'm 3 weeks into my business of photography class, I should have started on a business card and letterhead, yet I have no name and photoshop won't recognize any fonts I download. I don't want to have to learn new software for business cards and letterhead, if I wasn't in that class I'm just get a graphic designer to do it, but nooOoOoo, I had to go sign up for a class...

Aimee, looking dapper as usual...

shortly after I took this photo that guys cell phone started ringing...

and for something completely different, Rob played a private function, the opening of a Venezuelan eatery Arepa. more pics later.

I made a point

2009-11-21T20:28:00.002-05:00

of doing something totally different after my last post, I made sure to take my camera with me when ever I went out. You will be seeing some of those photos soon!! but for now, here's a couple from a fund raiser for Gallery1313 (put on in partnership with IN MY BED magazine) I went to last week. The event was called Is Your Love Supernatural and was an entire evening dedicated to celebrating & exploring sex and the supernatural. Something totally different for me and I had a great time...

the latest holiday trends!!!!!

2009-11-19T00:23:00.002-05:00

hi

meet Daisy

cuteness alert...

speaking of cute, check out Borris & his chair...

♥

It's been a busy week so far and it looks like it's gonna stay that way, it's driving me a little batty. I'm not gonna lie, I'm looking forward to taking pictures that aren't of people I don't know in a studio... not that I'm not enjoying it, it just seems never ending at this point.

I've got a bunch of personal pics I need to sort through too, but my hand tends to cramp up after an hour or 2 of editing... so, whatchyagonnado?

movember

2009-11-11T00:40:00.000-05:00

Devon

Maria

so that's that. I'm officially up to date with school photos, though I am behind with personal photos... but don't tell anyone.

I'm now taking two photography classes, photography of people and the business of photography. My business photography homework is to start a template for my business' letterhead/logo. I have no idea where to start, I don't even have a name. I've just been noodling around with colour themes and am going to start a mock up tomorrow night... I hope.

I'm also thinking of booking more gigs for the new year and maybe one before Christmas (42 shopping days left).

'tis all for now I suppose....

movember

2009-11-11T00:24:00.002-05:00

playin catch up!

2009-11-06T22:16:00.002-05:00

Jonathan & Timoor

Jonathan

Murray

More soon, drinking my wine and just about ready to head out the door...

Halloween Halloween

2009-11-02T22:30:00.002-05:00

Jem and Cleopatra!

Well, Halloween is over, our gig is over and my first people photography assignment is handed in, time for some rest!! I bought a new season of Buffy (5th), am for some reason going to check out the vampire diaries and have a date with comedy. So, it's off to the TV!

all right

2009-11-02T16:28:00.003-05:00

So I'm all caught up with my photo class, now I just have to get caught up with the blog...

first, show pics!!

Good times! Mitzi's Sister is always a great place to play or just hang out, it was great to see Joy playing music again, and it was nice to meet Mr. Evan Symons. Time to book another one now... hmm....

Thanks to the lovely Sandra for taking most of the above photos :)

my heart is always on the line

2009-10-29T20:55:00.002-04:00

Andrew & Natalie

I had a lot of fun doing this shoot (once we got inside the studio, I have a bit of a harder time with the location shots since the whole class is trying to shoot at the same time). Plenty of over the top rock n' roll ridiculousness. :)

I'm on a deadline here, our first project is due on Monday, so you'll be seeing more stuff soon!!

Lung Yadie

2009-10-22T21:33:00.001-04:00

Two Ladies, One Lady, and a Guitar Pickin' Man.

Halloween approaches

2009-10-20T00:37:00.002-04:00

do you have your costume all picked out? I most certainly do, it's not totally ready yet, but I'm working on it. I can't tell you what it is yet, but I can tell you I'm excited for Halloween!!

haha.

I also have a gig coming up! friendly reminder, next tuesday Oct 27th at Mitzi's Sister. Aimee and I will be banging out some tunes along with Joy Thompson and Mr. Evan Symons. More details to come as we decide on them.

but for now, how about some more photos!?

Sarah

I've got so many photos to sort though, I'm going to spend as much time as I can with the gig and Halloween coming up as I can trying to get caught up... did that sentence make sense? whatever.

I'm also working on another little project, taking photos of my friend Sara's shoe collection (It's harder than it sounds, she has about 100). It's actually a pretty sweet deal, I take photos, she makes me supper. The starving artist is happy.

currently that photo of shoes is the most popular in my flickr photostream, even more popular than the pictures of pretty ladies!! who woulda thunk it?

but for now I must retire, as I am still a slave to the wage. G'night for now folks.

I'm not gonna lie

2009-10-13T22:22:00.004-04:00

part of the reason I haven't been around much lately is because I've been kind of obsessed with True Blood.... only a couple episodes left until I'm done!! Then what am I supposed to do with myself? and when is the next season starting? so many questions.

So, laziness has struck me once again, aka the start of fall makes me want to not leave the house.... and here I sit in front of the computer when I should be at Honky Night in Canada at the Silver Dollar... bad for my social life, good for you as you finally get a blog update. Good? Bad? who cares.

I finally finished some photos from the shoot my class did at the Toronto Island, but as usual I've got plenty more to sort through....

Noelle

favorite shot of Noelle;

check them all out up close for your self here.

Also!!! Noelle is also a singer songwriter, you can give her tunes a listen here; Noelle Morris

hmm, I should record another video or something, spice things up around here...

gragh!!

2009-10-06T16:51:00.004-04:00

bah! all this school stuff has me slacking on my blogging and I was doing so good for a while there... well, here's some new stuff for you!

James

my personal fav from the shoot;

and there's more to come! of course... ;)

oh! and in case I haven't mentioned it, my lovely, talented and domestic classmate Sara has a photography blog as well!! You can find it here; Roon-Boopin' Photography, check it out!

Again, I've been keeping busy, I saw David Cross on Friday (AMAZING!!!). Saturday my cousin came down for the day, we explored the city and checked out a bunch of Nuit Blanche stuff at night time. Sunday my photography class headed over to the Toronto Island for a location shoot. Monday was class and Tuesday was the first night of Honky Night in Canada at the Silver Dollar! I will be frequenting this new weekly event and I suggest you do the same, maybe I'll see you there.

ok. time to practice the guitbox and try to catch up on some photos!

Long Day!!

2009-09-28T23:16:00.002-04:00

Mondays are going to be the death of me. work then school. 9-5 then 6-10. barf.

Tamara and Andrew
but it's worth it ;)

my favorite from last week would have to be this one of Andrew

It's a nice shot and it definitely goes with the whole Gap theme....

As it turns out, the lovely Scarlet has a photography Blog, You can check it out here; Red Letter Days

and here's a couple little pics, just for fun.

but for now, sleepy time.

oh you got blue eyes

2009-09-23T16:53:00.002-04:00

Scarlet

I've started my photography of people class! So far it's pretty fun, learning to set up lights and all that stuff. I still have some more photos to edit from this weeks class that I'll post soon. The theme was supposed to be Gap ads, I don't really feel that came through with the head shots I took of Scarlet, but I think there's some Gapish shots in the next batch.

Aimee and I have plans to make some music tonight! yay! we've booked a show for the end of Oct and we're going to start getting things together :)

It was supposed to rain today, but it's sunny and here I am with my big stupid umbrella... *sigh*

welcome into the new wave

2009-09-21T16:33:00.002-04:00

YO! I downloaded photoscape and have been playing with the filters. Filter fun.

Katie

more to come I'm sure.

I didn't do much of anything this weekend, just lazed about did laundry and the like. I'm still taking it easy trying to shake the last of this stupid cold. For all the taking it easy I've been doing, you'd think I was well rested, but alas I am not. Once again I laid awake in bed until about 3, woke up at 5, then again around 8. It hurts to keep my eyes open.

Battery In Your Leg

2009-09-17T16:45:00.002-04:00

My friend David Solomon @ the Cameron House. Toronto Acoustic Songwriter Collective eve, Aug 28 /09.

I am SO TIRED today. still sick and yucky. I even stayed home and rested instead of going to the Nick Cave Autograph session, 'cause I've been so tired and blah. Hopefully things will start to look up once the weekend rolls around.

I watched my first episode of True Blood last night, so far so good. Seems like a good show, I just don't like when people say it's new and original, cause really, it's not.

blah. too tired to think about anything.

sick

2009-09-16T19:03:00.002-04:00

check it out, a Canadian indie rock map

I finished the rest of my Junction Arts Festival photos

Jason Collett again (always?) and the Beauties.

I also unearthed a bunch of old film photos

As it is I have no money at all, what so ever for the rest of the week (which is basically tonight and tomorrow, but painful none the less). So it looks like I'll be stuck inside with nothing to do, not such a bad thing. I'm gonna work on some music and photos as usual, and check out an episode of True Blood. All I need is a bottle of wine and it could be a great evening...

the perennial fatigue

2009-09-14T16:14:00.002-04:00

Jason Collett @ the Junction Arts Festival Sept 12 /09

The Junction Arts Festival was awesome, my only regret is that I didn't check out more of it. Well, that and I missed Justin Rutledge's set ( I was hungry!)... I've got a bunch of photos of the Beauties and Jason Collett to sort through. I hope to get 'em done this week and considering that I'm sitting around sick there's really no reason that shouldn't happen. Sat was the first time I ventured down to the Junction, I like that area I have resolved to explore it more.

I'm gonna go be sick some more...

no new news

2009-09-12T18:23:00.002-04:00

Movie night was a relative success, other than me missing my stop, going way to far and having to walk back. Drank sangria and watched Role Models, not too shabby. Oh, by the way, I'd like to make a revision to my last statement about Blade, I don't not like Blade, I just don't like the movie. Seriously?? sunblock???

anyway.

here's something for you to look at;

self portrait, 'cause I'm an ego maniac.

I actually wanted something new to post on the ol' myspace.

off to the Junction Arts Festival like now, tah.

out under the Disraeli

2009-09-10T16:41:00.006-04:00

Project McIntosh, Cameron House Aug 27, Toronto Acoustic Songwriters Collective.

I've developed a new bad habit... more of a hobby really. Boys play video games, I go to Looket. I'm a nerd like that.

shopping for poor people (i.e., me)...

I even set up a user account; lisamarie

movie night tonight! last time we watched Blade, I'd seen it before but it had been a while. Seriously though, SUNBLOCK? really?? bah. I'll take my Vampires with a side of Buffy please.

dark glasses and a reason not to go back home

2009-09-09T16:12:00.002-04:00

Amy Millan, MTV Live Sept 8.

The MTV Live thing was fun and most importantly free. My friend Sara won $100 gift certificate to Aveda or something, lucky lady ;)

Didn't do much of anything last night, drank red wine and watched Buffy & Angel. It may not have been much of anything, but it was an awesome not much of anything.

So, I don't know if anyone else noticed this, but it looks like it's going to be an awesome weekend here in Toronto. Vegetarian food fair, Junction Arts Festival and that film fest thing. I'm mostly excited for Jason Collett at the JAF. yay! hurrah for free entertainment ;)

... and for flowers...

Low Sail

2009-09-08T16:03:00.003-04:00

Chang-A-Lang at Sneaky Dee's Sept 6th.

So long summer. So Long long weekend.

Amy Millan's new album came out today, I'm listening to it right now! I'm going to see her taping that MTVLive thing this evening. It's an awesome day is basically what I'm trying to say. Time to drink more coffee & head down to MTV...

slowly....

2009-09-05T15:24:00.002-04:00

I finished a few more photos from Sam's set at the Cameron House the other day. Click on the image to see more.

I had a great time at the Free Times show on Thursday (photo by Aimee). Many thanks to Brett and J. for organizing everything and to all the lovely people who came out. Here's a little review of the show/me from the Lonely Vagabond for your enjoyment.

I've been inside all morning (afternoon), now it's time for me to escape to the outside world!

Concrete Heart

2009-09-03T16:31:00.003-04:00

Samantha Martin and the Haggard at the Cameron House Aug 25th. This is Sam, she is a lovely lady with a lovely voice. I have some more photos from this show to go through, I'll post them later in the week.

show tonight! must create set list and prepare myself....

Before You Leave

2009-09-01T16:54:00.003-04:00

I've been keeping busy as usual, taking some photos and music making...

Fiction at Nocturne Aug 22.

I'm going to try and post more photos, I've just felt kind of weird posting some of them with out a watermark. So, I guess that means I have to start watermarking 'em!

the Great Lake Swimmers at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, whom I have been listening to a lot lately. I think I'm in love with them. I always seem to enjoy bands that strongly identify with where they're from, like the Great Lake Swimmers and the Weakerthans...

on that note, look it's Borris!

another cover song! this time it's Matt Good's So Long Mrs. Smith

now I must practice for my gig tomorrow... at the Free Times Cafe.

cause and effect

2009-08-13T16:41:00.004-04:00

back to school show

how grand that summer's almost done and it's just getting warm out there...

enjoy it while you can I suppose.

Kahawa

2009-06-28T19:49:00.002-04:00

I played at the Kahawa coffee house On Thursday, with Signe Miranda and Dan McLean Jr.

It was fun, hot and sweaty little set. It's nice playing in a coffee house environment, no PA needed, laid back, intimate... all that fun stuff. I used to hang out at a little coffee house when I was in high school and couldn't get into the bars to see bands. It was probably my favorite place to hang out... I can't for the life of me remember what it was called right now... it was on St. Mary's just north of the junction. That place introduced me to good coffee and local music, it helped shape me and now it's a bike shop or something.

I'm in love with love and lousy poetry

2009-06-24T15:17:00.004-04:00

I'm playing another show at the Cameron House soon! On Canada Day none the less....

I had a fun NXNE weekend, the Sadies, Jason Collett, Melissa Auf Der'Maur, the Mark Inside, Pterodactyl, Wooden Sky and Green Go. After the festival I saw Greg MacPherson at the Boat, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

He's one of my favorites, brought back many a thought about Winnipeg. That place I will always think of as home... it's weird, no matter how long I spend here it seems like it's not real, like a terminal vacation.

I have a gig with Aimee in the suburbs this weekend, at the McNally Robinson in the shops of Don Mills. It's also the Toronto City Roots Festival, that downtown free folk festival thing....

Had lunch at Greenavi today, veggie wrap with no peppers and hummus, yum yum!

all that being said, check out my new friend;

he's not my pet but he's cute as hell and I wanted to share that with you...

end o' May

2009-06-10T22:48:00.002-04:00

Well the show at the Cameron House went well! It was felt great to be doing music stuff again. I've been getting more and more back into it, and looking forward to doing more. I have a handful of shows this month and a few more lined up, I'm excited :)

Dave and Conrad played a set as well...

Finished the month off nicely with a concert by my favorite band Gomez...

It was a great show, but then again I think every show by them is great... got to chat with a few of them afterward and drink their wine. I had and amazing time.

Now NXNE is coming up, I'll be at a few shows for sure. It's pretty expensive this year and I have gigs on both Friday and Saturday, but I'll be done around 10... I am however far more excited for Greg MacPherson at the Boat on Sunday than I am for any NXNE shows. I defiantly recommend that show.

This Thursday

2009-05-26T01:52:00.002-04:00

I'm playing a show at the Cameron House this Thursday May 28th, 9:00ish cover's $8.

look, I did something!

twitter

2009-03-29T22:40:00.002-04:00

I joined twitter, it ain't too bad! http://twitter.com/LisaMKruchak add me if you want.

Aimoo's folks and dog are over, I can hear his little shuffly foot steps in the hall, it makes me smile.

Mediocre weekend. up and down. Jason Collett in London was great, some of my plans fell through (for photo sessions, for jamming and movie watching) which was/is sucky. I'm currently waiting for my photos to upload (25%), will link to 'em for you... then I think it's time for wine & movie.

in Desperate need of new equipment...

2009-03-28T16:54:00.004-04:00

I'm currently taking all my photos with a Nikon D40. I bought it about 2 years ago, I didn't want to spend too much money on a new camera as I wasn't sure how serious I would get with the photography thing. I'm still trucking away and hoping to upgrade to perhaps a D700 sometime next year.

However in the meantime I've entered a contest to win a D2H here. Cameron Laid is the kind sir who is handing out this free camera to some lucky person. He's a news, editorial & commercial photographer based in Townsville, northern Australia. You can check out his web site here; www.cameronlaird.com. and or his blog here;
http://blog.cameronlaird.com/. Except for the porkgasm post, I generally approve of his bloging, haha.

anyway keep your fingers crossed for me!!!!!

oh! Aimoo and I trekked down to London last night to see Jason Collett at Call the Office. I'm working on the photos now & hope to have em done soon...

time for an update!

2009-03-28T16:34:00.002-04:00

I made myself a softbox!

It works pretty good! though I'm having a couple problems with the velcro staying on though. I got the idea from this website. If you dare to try and make it for yourself I would definitely recommend having a sewing machine handy. haha, I sewed it by hand and of course it seemed to take forever!

I took this photo using my softbox.

I like it!

2009-03-05T15:31:00.002-05:00

this piece of brilliance is courtesy of specter art. Wish I'd seen it before it was taken down, it would've given me a good chuckle.