A Sunday in Calgary: Museum of the Regiments

This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to visit Western Canada's largest military museum in Calgary. With the kids in tow, I felt it would be a great way to show them Canada's military role in history. They were excited and anxious to see the many detailed dioramas and displays in the various wings of this huge place, as was I. This was my first time at the Museum of the Regiments and I was truly surprised at it's size.

The tank display at the Museum of the Regiments

The museum is located in Calgary, accessible from Crowchild Trail across from the old Currie Barracks. It is clearly visible from the road as you can see the outdoor displays of tanks, artillery and the CF-5 fighter jet. Walking around outside on the grounds, you can check out the tanks up close and personal, but no climbing please.

The inside is even more interesting, as the museum is divided into the various Canadian Regiments of the military. Each section follows history from each Regiment's origin to the present. The displays are detailed and sometimes gritty, depicting the grim reality of the battlefield, so be warned if you have small children. The Museum of the Regiments is run by volunteers who are always on hand to help or give you any information on the various aspects of this important part of Canada's history.

If you visit on a Saturday or Sunday, it's a great way to spend an afternoon. If you are hungry afterwards, head across Crowchild Trail to Calgary Farmer's Market for a bite to eat or a cup of that Clover brewer coffee. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Enjoy the video!

Until next time...

A Busy Week.

Since my little trip to Kensington last week, I have made 2 more videos, reconnected with famiy in the Philippines, planned a trip to the mountains and bought new a camera. Yes, I broke down and replaced my old Sony DSC W30 with a brand new Canon Powershot SX200 IS and its so much better. No more finicky selection wheel that switches modes by itself. I have been taking lots of photos, but I'm really waiting for a good opportunity to use it at night.

Cooking up some chicken adobo for a cooking video

The Youtube channel is doing well. I am still getting most of my viewers from Facebook, though I have been making good use of my YT friend list to promote from within the site to get more subscribers. Speaking of subscribers, I have 2 new ones: JoyMac13 and HANAFUBUKI. Thank you for your support! JoyMac13 is like my twin sister. Check out our channels and you'll see what I mean. HANAFUBUKI does some amazing videos of her walks with poetry and reading. Check her out for sure.

Portrait of Jumpei, Sushi Bar Zipang

The cool thing about the new camera is the wide angle lens that I'm not used to. Its great and I only wish that my camcorder did the same. Yes, I can take HD video with the Canon, but its MOV and I can't edit them in Pinnacle. I could convert, but its an extra step and just a pain.

Pho from Bolsa Restaurant, Calgary

Lunch with Sue and Cher

Tried out the Bolsa Restaurant in Calgary on Macleod Trail South for some food and conversation. Mostly talked about dating after divorce and how much of a crap shoot it can be. All I can say is that I'm tired of games at this age and I wish things were more straight forward. I guess at the same time though that I choose how its all gonna go down...right? Think I'll just take some time off and enjoy life with my family and friends.

Lunch at Fatburger with Telf

So, that brings me to this weekend. I am getting ready to do a little grocery shopping for my weekend with the kids and picking up ingredients for the cooking video: Okonomiyaki. I am also gonna start painting again, since I have the space and a big empty canvas. As for any road trips...we'll figure it out when we get there.

JoyMac13's youtube channel

HANAFUBUKI's youtube channel

Why I Do This.

Some of my friends ask me why I like to take my camera around all the time and take pictures of everything. Well, why not? To be honest with you though, I have only recently started doing it. The only time I really took pictures or shot video was when I travelled, like the typical tourist. But it was an old friend of mine, Steve Warburton, that challenged me to look at my everyday life from new eyes.

It started a month ago on Facebook. Steve made an open invitation for anyone interested to take a photo once a day for the month of August. I figured that it sounded like fun, and since I had all this new free time on my hands I said, okay. I've had a Flickr account for quite some time now and I love to take pictures, but like I said, I seldom took pictures from my "everyday" life.

Imagine my surprise when I started to go out and look for things to take pictures of. Imagine waking up each day and deciding to go for a random drive to someplace I never been to before in the hopes that I will run across something interesting. Imagine everyday life...but interesting.

Thanks, Steve.