Foster The People - be still my heartbeat!

And here it is, the most extremely belated post there ever was! I saw Foster The People way back in June at the Lachine Canal with Kimbra as one of the opening acts. As I had mentioned in the Kimbra concert recap, I essentially went to see her, knowing that I liked a couple of FTP songs but their performance blew me AWAY. It was so vibrant and energetic and catchy and fun and had me singing and jumping like no one's business. I'm not even exaggerating, they left me elated and I cannot WAIT for the day that I might see them in concert again. I almost regret not buying one of their t-shirts (almost - concert tees are always ridiculously overpriced!).

I leave you now with my wonderful photos (so proud) and a short but sweet video compilation of their performance as so much of my space went to Kimbra's performance, though I'm happy how well it represents the experience. Enjoy!

KIMBRA!!

On June 12th I was at an INCREDIBLE show by the Lachine Canal featuring Foster The People as the main act and Kimbra as one of the two opening acts. It was the day of our big move and my independence (sort of - *sings* I get by with a little help from my friends ;). I had initially heard of FTP coming to my city but wasn't completely sold considering the somewhat pricey ticket (not really but I'm used to paying a bit less). As a separate thought, I decided to look up and see if Kimbra had any shows coming up. Low and behold I find she has one in my city!! And it's with FTP! That sealed the deal and I bought my ticket soon thereafter because I am so blessed to be working.

She played a fantastic set, what a lovely girl! She spoke amazing French and did some live-looping. She also made eye contact with me and smiled when I sung along! Gosh I loved her and was really surprised to find that she's only 21! I was sure she was in her late 20s. She has that old soul aura about her. She held her own so well and had such an awesome band that I have to dedicate a whole post to her. Here are some of my favourite shots and a video montage of the clips I filmed during her performance. 

On a last note, lucky me, she's coming back in the fall! YAY!

A belated sketchbook post!

What a wild ride these recent months have been. Yet, even when the waters of my life are calm, I'm still not very organized when it comes to blog posting.. This is something I need to work at, since I find great satisfaction in photographing my work and sharing it to whoever may stumble upon here.

Today's belated post is of a pair of sketchbooks I had made back in late April/early May, for a student who was about to go on a month-long intense drawing course in Italy. The very same I had been to 3 years ago! (why does time fly?? I want to go back!). It's a really great feeling to hand over completely handmade sketchbooks to someone who is about to venture off into an adventure. I've been lucky to be such an accomplice quite a few times since officially starting to sell my sketchbooks.

I still feel I have much to do and learn in regards to bookmaking (and life in general) but I am most definitely driven, and that's what counts the most.

To the Carnival!

A little while back, I took myself out on a small date to the carnival that had just stopped in town. It had been a number of years since I last went and thought it would be fun to dress up, play a few games and ride the ferris wheel. Going to the fair was my most favourite thing to do as a child. I have special memories of my father coming home from work and telling me that he found a fair we could go to! All the colours, the lights and the adrenaline rush of the rides was so exciting and totally thrilling.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to re-kindle these childhood memories that night, as the fair doesn't quite have its full effect when you go alone. Despite, I still won a prize! A stuffed piggy at the water gun game, which I NEVER ever won at when I was little. So that was nice :) Hopefully the fair will be back soon and I'll win one of the those penguins or dinosaurs, they were so cute!!

Swell

It's actually been over a month since I last posted?? Time has been moving a bit too quickly for my taste. We're already May and spring has yet to be quite fully felt despite summer having made a surprise pop-up appearance mid-end March. I can't say I'm entirely looking forward to the heat waves and blaring sun that are to come in the next 2-3 months, but I am ready to leave this cold and uncomfortable weather behind.

And in light of the weather transitioning, the visual landscape has been temporarily graced with pink blossoms. Every year I miss the chance at shooting these lovely flower bushes because of their awkward placing in the middle of a boulevard in between bus stops from where I am to where I'm going near where I live. And so I would often forget and then be reminded as the bus drives pass them and then inevitably forget again until I'm reminded yet again, it's a terrible cycle. This year however I made a point to get off the bus a couple stops early and risked looking silly to drivers going to and fro. It was so worth it, despite the cold wind that froze my trigger-happy fingers!

Precious moments

Taking the time to appreciate the collective of small things that make me happy. Whether it be a lone cannoli, some spicy pickled eggplant, a new hair elastic, my favourite quick lunch or an adorable sticker stationery set. I am alive and deserving and so are you!

Carpe Diem people!

~ ♥ ~