WOO HOO! We are going to the Stanley Cup Finals!! Go OILERS Go!

You may have noticed that I didn't make a post after the last Oilers game, and, well, call me superstitious, but I didn't want to jinx anything. I am happy that we just have a chance to bring the cup home to where it belongs.

And to Mr. Dwayne Roloson.... You rock, and Edmonton is grateful for you skilled glove.

Stay cool and support the Oilers!

Rainn

Piapot, Saskatchewan

So I know what you're thinking. What or where the hell is Piapot, Saskatchewan? Well, quite frankly, there is not much there worth speaking of. It is in the southwest portion of the province, and really doesn't have a whole lot. I would be willing to bet that a good number of people who live in Saskatchewan have probably never heard of it.

So why was I there, you ask? My very best friend in the whole world, Megan, hails from this idyllic land. It may be hard to believe that Canadians in the 1980s lived without the luxuries of telephones, Nintendo games or even running water. But, where Megan grew up, just outside of Piapot, that was the case.

A few summers ago, Megan took me out to Piapot, to show me her old stomping grounds. It's an oddly beautiful landscape, very green and mostly flat, with the occasional rolling hill. There are plenty of trees on the plot of land that she lived on. Nestled in the trees is a modest house. Small and mostly empty.

Megan toured me through the house, showing me the simple kitchen, dining room and livingroom. Despite being small, it is a surprisingly comfortable abode, and it is easy to imagine the house full of furniture and knick-nacks, and, well, being lived in.

I queried however, about the water situation. Afterall, there was a stream on the property, but it wasn't overly close to the home. Megan led me outside and into a small grove. It's quite hidden, partly from the years of uninterrupted growth of vegetation. In the grove, sits a very large tractor tire with a long tube running into it. Clear water bubbles out of the tube steadilly, and creates a pool of water within the tire. And there, she explains, was their source of water.

I thought that the image itself was quite striking. It seemed so natural. It was very strange, in the sense that although the house and the source of water had not been used for years, you couldn't really tell. It was peaceful, and comfortable, and it was not at all hard to envision that it might still be used today.

Megan did not live in the house for more than a few years. But I do know that even though she was young, it is a place that she will never forget. Nor will I. And I can only hope that since you now know the story of the Water Wheel, that you might also remember it. Even if only for a short time.

Back in Edmonton, Alberta

Unknown Church - Edmonton


Former Paramount Theater - Edmonton


Trestle Bridge - Lethbridge


EDC Building - Edmonton

Well, here I am, back home in Edmonton. Calgary was a lot of fun. My only regret is that I never went camping. But I will plan to do that this summer.

A special thanks to all the people out there that have checked out my blog. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and I am a little surprised at how quickly it seems to be catching on. Thanks for enjoying it!

Big congrats to the Edmonton Oilers hockey team. I had expressed in my last post that I would be looking for a repeat performance of Friday night, and boy did I get it! Even the score was the same, and we got an empty net goal in both games! Way to go Oilers (Especially Roli!). I can't wait till the team comes home tomorrow. Home ice advantage boys! Take the series in 4 games!

So, sadly, as I mentioned previously, the weather in Calgary was not conductive to my photography, so I have decided to post a few more samples from my collection. I hope you enjoy them, and I will post some new stuff on here soon, I promise.

Please keep in mind that anyone who has any inquiries about wanting to purchase any prints, send me an email, and I will respond as quickly as possible.

Stay cool, and Go Oilers!

Rainn

Calgary, Alberta

So here I am in Calgary for the long weekend, and slightly disappointed with the weather. It is warm, and pleasant out, with a slight breeze and the occasional 5 minute rain shower. What's wrong with that you ask? Sadly, it is cloudy and overcast. Flat light is not great for outdoor photography much of the time.

But oh well. I don't control the weather. I will someday, but I can't right now.

However, on a lighter note (no pun intended), the Oilers beat Anaheim last night 3-1. This was a great way to open Duck Hunting season. I will be looking for a repeat performance tomorrow night.

I was also happy to see the support in Calgary for our beloved Edmonton Oilers. Of course the electricity and excitement was missing from the people here, but I have spotted the occasional Oil flag or jersey. Last night, almost every bar was showing the game on TV (even if the volume was on mute), and this afternoon, at Milestones restaurant, the newspaper article describing the Oiler's win last night had been pinned up. Way to go Calgary!

At any rate, I will make another post soon, and hopefully a few more photos along with it.

Stay cool, and support the Oilers.

Rainn

The Alaska Hotel - Dawson Creek


Arches - Toronto


Trestle Bridge - Lethbridge


St. Joseph's Basilica - Edmonton


Grant MacEwan Clock Tower - Edmonton
Samples

Thoughts of Rainn in May

May 15, 2006

So that's it. I have officially caved in to the Blogging Craze. What a sad world we have come to.

But, I am a Canadian man, and it is my duty to look on the brighter side of things.

In this blog, you will see my thoughts on various topics, as well as a showcase of my photography. Should you see any photos that you would like to own, most are for sale, with the exception of some limited availability items.

About me and where I live:

I am a Canadian Boy through and through. I live in the province of Alberta. We are home of the Edmonton Oilers & Calgary Flames hockey teams. We have the worlds largest Rodeo with more than 1 million visitors in 10 days every summer. West Edmonton Mall is the world's largest shopping mall (You're not there yet, Mall of America). Calgary was host to the 1988 Winter Olympics, and more recently, Edmonton has become a stop on the Grand Prix circuit. In Alberta you will find some of the world's best skiing, and some of the finest hotels and resorts ever built. Check out the Jasper Park Lodge, the Banff Springs Hotel, and the Chateau Lake Louise.

Alberta is a very large landmass. More than 3.5 million people live here. (The two largest cities, Calgary and Edmonton, each have about a million people.) We have varied climatic and topographic regions, which include plains, mountains, boreal forest, semi-arid (desert), and badlands. Alberta is contains the world's largest oil source outside of the middle east, and has done much for our economic situation.

I have varied interests, and where I live is definitely a large influencer of those interests. I enjoy most outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, traveling.

Photography

My photography is mainly outdoor art. I have an interest in lines, both in architecture and nature. I find it amazing that nature so naturally rejects straight lines, yet man thrives on them. You will be hard pressed to find a perfect line in nature. But in our man made world, you find them everywhere, from buildings, to roads and math. Also in art, and almost anything made by humans.

I also enjoy how nature has this miraculous way of creating its own monochromes. You never think of it that way, but look at a forest or river valley in summer, and the color green is so overwhelming. Look at a cityscape in a sunset. Suddenly everything can appear pink. Or, in the dead of night, everything can appear navy, or black.

I think photography can show so much more detail when it happens to be monochrome. I think our eyes can miss so much when there are varied colors. It can be far too distracting, and I believe a lot of the time we miss the message of the image.

You will see me post things from time to time on here. Sometimes photography, sometimes rants and raves about current events or politics. Any and all comments are welcome.

Without further adieu, here are some samples from my collection. I have no delusions that they will not be for everyone. Art is, afterall, subjective. If you like it, I will be most pleased. If you have comments or questions about them, feel free to post. If you hate them, that's good too. At least I know I am causing a reaction, which is what any artist's goal is.

Thanks and I'll see you soon.

Rainn Iceberg