New Zealand

Auckalnd City Skyline

Skytower

The Viaduct

Rangitoto Island

So New Zealand was great. The weather was wonderful for most of the time I was there. Sunny and about 20 C. Not bad for winter. We in Canada should be so lucky.

The people were nice, once they realized I was Canadian and not American. I advise any Canadian tourists to sew Canadian patches on there clothes, or wear clothing with the Canadian logo.

*Note: Beware American tourists planning to pose as Canadian: The Kiwi's DO seem to know a lot about Canada, including Canadian news and politics. Make sure you KNOW something about Canada, or they will smell you out.

There is a myriad of cultures living in Auckland. There are a LOT of immigrants. Most of which seem to be Asian or European. Many of the pubs have an English or Irish influence.

Coffee is different there, which really threw me for a loop. Brewed coffee seems to be a novelty there, only available at Starbucks. Otherwise they have 2 types of coffee... Long Black and Flat White.

The long black LOOKS like brewed coffee but definitely seems to taste a lot more like espresso. The flat white is not bad. It tastes like a mild cappuccino and comes with frothed milk on the top. Be aware... It IS expensive. It goes for $3 for an 8oz cup. Which is about $2.30 Canadian.

Also, tipping is a definite no. Most menu prices seem to reflect included gratuities, and most places do not have table service. You have to go up to the bar or counter to order, including booze and food.

If you should go to New Zealand, and I highly recommend it, there are a number of attractions I recommend seeing.

In Auckland:

The Skytower. This tower has its observation deck more than 1000 feet in the air. Those of you who live in Toronto will probably seem less than impressed because you have the CN tower, which IS quite a bit larger. However, the Sky Tower is unique because you can SEE things from the observation deck. Smog does not seem to be an issue in Auckland. Also, there is extensive shopping, dining and gambling below the tower.

The Viaduct. This trendy area that surrounds the waterfront and some of the wharfs off Quay St. The Viaduct is one of the hot spots in Auckland for nightlife. The area is filled with pubs and bars, and there are always dozens of people walking about. I suspect the area is even more lively in the summer. Be prepared to spend a lot of money in this area though if you are spending a whole day here.

K-Road. K-Road seems to be the ultimate part strip. Not quite as clean or trendy as the Viaduct, but it streaches on for several blocks, and there are always tons of people in the streets at night. The strip is kind of run down in areas. The gay and straight bars are mixed together here. But, despite how they look on the outside, there are some really nice pubs and bars on this strip.

Rangitoto Island. This island is an active volcano, which has been silent for quite some time. You can only get there by boat, but the views are spectacular, and the landscape is quite unique, made up mostly of vegetation and hardened lava. A WARNING: If you are a senior, or have limited mobility... You do not want to WALK up to the summit. Take the motorized truck up to the top. Proper footwear is imperative.

Stay tuned for a guided pictorial guide to some of Auckland's pubs!

Peace.

Rainn

Congrats to the Oil

So yes, It has been quite a while since I made a post. There were a myriad of reasons for this. The main one being that I was gearing up for a bit of a holiday to New Zealand. And yes, I was aware that it was winter down there. But hey, when a seat sale is good, I'm not one to pass it up.

So my precious Edmonton Oilers lost the Stanley Cup in Game 7 to Carolina. I know. It's shameful. Especially since North Carolina doesn't even get ice naturally. However, I say Kudos to the Oilers made it to the playoffs by default. We got in, because the Vancouver Canucks lost their last game. Had they won the game, they would have edged Edmonton out of the playoffs by one point. And yet, Edmonton made it farther than any other team in the NHL except Carolina. They played their hearts out, and we are proud of them.

Go Oilers Go.

A Sad Day

So by now, I am sure all of you hockey fans have heard the news that the Oiler's star goalie, Dwayne Roloson has been injured not be able to play the rest of the series.

This is tragic news indeed. Roli the Goalie was a very critical part of the Oiler's success during the playoff season. It will be interesting to see how well the backup goalie performs in the upcoming games against Carolina. (Next game: Tonight 6PM Mountain time)

I have faith that the rest of the team will be able to pull up their socks and pitch in a little more to help out the backup goalie (which ever one they choose to put in net).

In other news, CSIS (the Canadian equivalent to the CIA, but much better at keeping things quiet) have arrested 15 individuals for conspiring to commit a terrorist act. A horrible thing, indeed. However, upon CSIS revealing further details, we have learned that the terrorist were planning to storm the Canadian Parliament building, and take all of the politicians within the building hostage.

Hmmm. Less politicians? I have to ask myself... should we be arresting these people, or giving them a medal?

Just kidding. I do not condone terrorism in any fashion, and I sincerely hope that, if they are found guilty, that they be charged to the fullest extent of the law.

I will keep you posted on these events. Keep watching.

Stay Cool and Support the Oilers.

Rainn

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