Third Annual EBC Youth Talent Show

Last Friday evening I photographed the Ebenezer Baptist Church Youth Talent Show. I missed last year's due to weather and/or being between cameras. I forget which was the main reason.

The first year had a much larger number of male performers including multiple bands. This year the young men's performances included a walk-on humorous summary performance of Romeo and Juliette and a water chugging contest. Both were good for a laugh.

EBC Youth Talent Show 2012 - 1 by Jay Scott

Danielle sat down at the piano and played Für Elise as beautifully and easily as can be.

EBC Youth Talent Show 2012 - 2 by Jay Scott

EBC Youth Talent Show 2012 - 3 by Jay Scott

The one dance number of the evening was so elegant and graceful. Her hair certainly added to the twirls and movements.

EBC Youth Talent Show 2012 - 4 by Jay Scott

The final performance was a one-time band of guys that, though intended to be humourous, was really well done and I could easily see them taking things beyond a single performance.

My only regret of the night was missing the shot of a guy crowd surfing in the very mini mosh pit.

I look forward to next year's talent show.

Kiwi and Her New Pillow

As Angie prepares to move her business home we have bought a nice big pillow for Kiwi to spend time on in my office. She is a sweet dog and loves anyone once she gets to know them.

Unfortunately, she has two phases. The "I don't know you, yet" barking phase and the, "Hey, I know you!" barking, squirmy, must greet you, phase. Both will require patience and understanding from myself,  Angie and her clients. Thankfully, being out of sight and near me keeps Kiwi much, much calmer. This pillow will give her a very comfy out of sight alternative to the couch.

Kiwi and Her New Pillow by Jay Scott

Help-Portrait Saskatoon 2011 Video is Up

I am very happy to share with you the video of our efforts on December 10, 2011 at the White Buffalo Youth Lodge.

I have said it before, but I will say it again, it was a great day and felt good to do what we did.  This video really helped those of us who were busy doing something get a glimpse of what else was going on around us while we were working.  I should have taken more of my break time during the day to make a round and observe the other people as they gave.

Help Portrait Saskatoon 2011 from Crimson Filmworks on Vimeo.

The support given to us by Potash Corp, CUPE, Beagle Productions, Whitespace, Hard Pressed Printing, and all of the other sponsors was greatly appreciated.  It made a lot of things possible this year that were not possible last year.

But, as much as the money helped, it came down to people committing their time, effort, equipment and hearts to the event.  I still feel in my mind that that is greatest in value.  Krystian Olszanski and his wife Aleksandra made it possible with their organizing and communication, meeting planning and all of those often thankless jobs.  Even now, over a month later there are still some loose ends to be cleared up and we appreciate their hard work.

I'm looking forward to next year's event and hoping that it is even more successful than this year.  We have learned much from successes and mistakes and have nowhere to go but better from here.

I love watching the video and seeing the familiar faces, both participants and clients, from the first year.  What a community building way to become familiar with someone.  The next step, perhaps, would be to ask to get to know them more than just recognize their face.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I decided to make a time lapse of us putting together supper last evening. It was a great soup, as always. Nice and spicy and so hearty.

Happy New Year!

I know this may look like the obligatory well wishing post for the year that has arrived. And it is. But I won't carry on to excess about what to expect here on Jay Scott Photography.

The photos will come, though less frequently than in the past. Far fewer visits to the zoo this past year means there will be no Saskatoon Forestry Farm and Zoo series as there was the past two years in the previous home of this site.

Behind the scenes opportunities are being worked on at a comfortable pace, though somewhat slowed by unexpected food poisoning in our household to start the year. Some minor medical maintenance at the end of January has me in a preparation mode to work on what can be worked on and get done what needs to be normally done during what will be, I hope, a brief recovery period. Opportunities will be accepted and scheduled as they come to ensure the results produced are best for everyone.

With this gentle start to winter, spring will be here in no time. all should be back to normal by then, with administrative maintenance taken care of, and that is when I'll emerge from my well heated den to enjoy the best Saskatchewan has to offer.

All the best in 2012 and don't be strangers in the comments or email!

Jay

I'm Dreaming of a Brown Christmas

 I like the beauty of snow when I am able to hunker down and watch it. What I enjoy more is the freedom of independent movement at the end of December! From the ease of getting to doctor appointments to shopping to checking out the sunrise on the shortest day of the year, this dry start to winter has made my life so much easier.

Solstace Sunrise ar the University of Saskatchewan - 3 by Jay Scott

I used to be so excited about a cold, dry start to winter which brought the possibility of ice fishing on Boxing Day. Due to too much snow on the ice for a lowered floor minivan in the past few years, ice fishing was not going to happen. Now with a shiny new van I do not care to risk damage to it. You may not believe my concern about it as dirty as it is, but with the melt and road spray it seems pointless to wash it. We will see what January brings and how the snow accumulation is on the ice at that time and maybe there will be a few fish caught by us this year.

Solstace Sunrise ar the University of Saskatchewan - 1 by Jay Scott

I was pleased to have the freedom to venture out in a comfortable -12, with camera and tripod on my lap, and get to where I wanted in relative ease. It surprised me how cold it felt for the first few minutes until my brain and autonomic responses managed to signal my body to send forth some blood to my extremities. Once I passed that point and began shooting I was fine, much like when the fish are biting the cold is irrelevant. However, due to limited lower extremity coverings I was cautious to be aware of the temperature of my legs.

Solstace Sunrise ar the University of Saskatchewan - 2 by Jay Scott

I was surprised how slow the sunrise was compared to the opposite time of year. I feared I may miss the optimum light as I travelled to the university but once set up I realized the slower changing of light. Unfortunately, some signals from my body indicating pain made me shut down sooner than I wanted. Turns out I didn't need to warm up, but find a washroom. Much better than frostbite, but I did miss the best light. I went out on Wednesday without expectation aside from the appreciation of the beauty of God's creation and thankfulness of the conditions that I could enjoy it outside of a warm building or vehicle.

A hot coffee with a close friend, right after shooting, warmed up more than my body.

Merry Christmas, everyone. Be safe and enjoy the holidays.

Jay

Christmas Favourite

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a bad sweet tooth. A few days without something like a cookie, granola bar or similar treat and I notice myself getting a bit cranky. An addiction to be sure. Certainly I do enjoy good fruit, and like to start my day with a banana, but except for the absolute best it is not a replacement for a sweet treat. The exception to this is the one thing at Christmas I like better than any other. Nuts and bolts.

I've had many recipes with many different ingredients and variety of seasonings, most made by family or friends of family which serves to make me even fonder of the snack. This year I think we got it just right except for the lack of Chex cereal in Canada. That was easily forgotten as Bugles were back in Canadian stores for this season, hopefully for good.

Nuts and Bolts by Jay Scott

We used pretzels, Bugles, mixed nuts, Cheerios, and Shreddies. The seasoning included margarine, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire and chipotle powder. There may be more that I'm missing. The main objective was to reduce sodium where we could. The flavour is there, but your tongue doesn't burn from sodium for two hours after eating them. Have any recipe suggestions? Leave a comment.

This week will be full for us as it likely will be for you so let me take this opportunity to wish you a merry Christmas. I hope it is safe, filled with excitement, love, peace and time to reflect, appreciate the birth of Jesus and the hope it brings for mankind. I'm looking forward to giving gifts to those I love, but feel a few steps further away from the commercialization of Christmas than usual. It is a nice weight to not have on my shoulders.

Have a wonderful holiday, whatever you celebrate!

Jay