Check out my sweet cameo in Jessie Farrell’s first music video (right at the verrrry end).

Vancouver and Victoria are relatively close in the terms of the distance between them, but in the terms of travel time/required effort to get from one to the other, they are very very very far apart. It takes about 4-5 hours to get from Vancouver to Victoria including, the trip to bus to the other bus that takes you to the ferry, the long trip out to Tsawwassen, the wait at the ferry terminal, the loading onto the ferry, the ferry ride, the loading off the ferry, the drive from Sidney into Victoria. (add 2-6 hours if you drive during peak season and there are 2+ sailing waits).

As you know, I have some “issues” with BC Ferries.

So when I finally had an official Redpilot business trip to Victoria and had the opportunity to jump on board the zippy little Harbour Air Seaplanes (travel time approx. 30 minutes from ) back to Vancity, I was overjoyed. Overjoyed.

I arrived 5 minutes before take-off and was greeted by happy, smiley, nice people. Everyone was awesome. Three cheers for Harbour Air! We taxied out into the Inner Harbour and took off near the Cruise ship dock (what’s it called?? you know by Ogden Point.) I felt like a kid on a ride at Disneyland as we flew over Dallas Road, Gonzo Beach, McNeil Beach, Oak Bay Golf Course, Willows, Uplands, Caddy Bay… So cool to see this memory filled view of South Oak Bay.

Here are is my Harbour Air Seaplane adventures (Part 1: Victoria)

Seaplane in the Inner Harbour, Victoria.

My mum taking a photo as we taxi out. You can see the good ol’ Empress Hotel in the background.

Cruisin’ over.

Inside the Seaplane.

The Pilot.

Ogden Point and downtown Victoria.

Gonzo Beach & McNeil Bay… South Oak Bay where I grew up.

Islands.

Stay tuned for Seaplane Adventures Part 2: Over the Water and Vancouver.

Jessie Farrell’s first music video for “Let’s Talk About Love” was released today on CMT. She looks simply stunning in it. And there is lots of footage of my favourite Jessie boy, Ryland. Check it out!

Here’s a shot I took behind the scenes. More to come soon!

PS. I make a small cameo in the last stage shot of the video…

The Place: East of Main. Vancity. Note the presence of the motorhome. We are not in Kits anymore. It’s a good thing I brought my lulu “peace and tranquility” yoga mat… cuz being even four blocks from Capers makes me edgy. Without my ginseng infused wheatgrass shots, I’m unable to focus my eyes.

Loading in at sunset on May 10th.

The Venue: La Casa del Artista = Mexican kitsch meets band portable. Strange, but oddly festive. Watch out for that cactus. It’s a mean one. Ouch.

The Main Man: Samuel Davidson. Clarinet. He’s that kinda good that is almost so ridiculously good in its awesomeness that you’re like “whoa, are you serious?” But he is serious. A seriously skilled player. And, I’m pretty sure that his likeness to John Mayer hits a serious sweet spot with the ladies.

Parker on Keys.

My Jazzy Guy, Ryland on Bass.

Brendan (somewhat engulfed by a gigantic Mexican flag) on drums.

Now let’s hear some original jazz…

A hot hot night of fiery fantabulous jazz! And to top it off the Samuel Davidson Quartet received a rave review on kezine.com by Matt O. you should check out.

Here’s a short excerpt from Matt O.’s review

Show stealing moments were in abundance, with three of note. Following Sam’s heartfelt dedication of the fourth number to his friend, Will, he began with a minute-long clarinet solo of wrenching beauty. It wasn’t clear whether any one took a breath the whole time, it was that good. A pin drop could be heard.

The second show stealer belonged to Ryland for his bass soloing during the first song of the second set, “Two Ways Out”. The element of surprise was involved as Ryland had been relatively unassuming with his playing up to that point. He let loose though, playing a dizzying array of string and note patterns resulting in raucous applause from the audience.

The third moment worthy of mention goes to Brendan for his superior roles and break downs on drums during “Cambie Bridge”. Working off of Parker’s held notes on the keyboard, Brendan built a precise storm of climbing and crashing fury, carefully setting up pauses throughout that drew anticipation from the listener without being predictable. Again, the audience, as they were all set, was hugely appreciative of Brendan’s skill.

I’m sold! When is their next gig? Saturday June 2nd at Rime (1130 Commercial Drive). Should be a great show! I am looking forward to hearing some more raucous applause from the audience.

There are many albums, artists, genres, voices and styles of music that inspire and influence my songwriting. I’m continually writing and playing my lovely acoustic Larrivee daily. And as my songs start to grow and change, I find myself discovering new and inspiring artists.

Here is a list of my current musical inspirations:

1. Imogen Heap — “Speak for Yourself”
2. Regina Spektor — “Begin to Hope”
3. Feist — “The Reminder”
4. Inara George — “All Rise”
5. John Mayer — “Continuum”
6. JT — “Futuresex/Lovesounds”

Hopefully, I will find a couple of weeks this summer to spend time in our little studio recording some of my music this summer. Can’t wait.

Jessie’s single is number 9! Hot stuff. The band is heading off to Creston tonight at 2am… should be a fun ride. All 12 hours of it. Yikes. Safe travels.

Jessie Farrell will be opening for Aaron Pritchett tomorrow night, May 19th. Also, be sure to secure your ticket for the Langley show on May 26th where Jessie will be opening for George Canyon at the Cascades Casino.

I took this photo of Jessie suckin’ on a cherry red lollipop at her Music Video shoot for “Let’s Talk About Love” due out this week on CMT. (For fellow photo nerds: I used my trusty Canon Rebel Xti with my 50mm prime lens wide open — f1.4)

Say love, say love, or love’s gonna get you down…

Your predictions were dead on. The. Day. Before. Umm.. yeah.. it’s not really a “helpful” prediction if you tell people the DAY before the release. Even a week would’ve help me.

The Happenings of Today:

This morning… well afternoon (I don’t really do mornings), Ry fired up his Safari home page: Apple.com. This is what he said to me:

“You’re not going to like this.”
“What? Don’t tell me…”
“New Macbook.”
“NEW MACBOOK?!?!? What’s the difference?”
“Bigger HD and faster processor (2.16GHz)”
*silence*

(This is when I crumpled onto the hardwood floors of my dark bedroom and started to cry)

Why now??? I’ve read all those nerdy insider apple sites and no one predicted a new Macbook. I have waited this long for a new computer… giving myself an ulcer over which one to pick… laptop… desktop…. macbook.. macbook pro… and choosing so wisely and then bam… new product! Oh Steve, you’re so tricksy!

Then my patient and understanding boyfriend talked to Apple (for an hour… mostly on hold) and they said they would refund the (older) macbook. Just attach this sticker and put it in the mail. Easy Peasy!

All was saved… I wiped the tears from my eyes and rebooted. Until I found out that Apple charges $150 to restock the old computer. Not impressed. But, luckily I have a very generous dad who agreed to pay for a new Macbook of my dreams. So I’m restocked…restored… with minimal battery loss and only somewhat dehydrated.

OK, lucky girl, enough sulking! Stop feeling sorry for yourself (and quite peeved at Mr. Jobs) and get back on track! Redpilot needs you! These videos won’t edit themselves.

I dedicate this post to my dad who has saved me on many computer freak-outs before this one, but especially for this one because it means so much to me and my fledgling multimedia company to have a really fast computer to edit and render and create all the things I plan on creating. Thank you!

I’m beside myself. What? My entire nerd soul has just lifted out of my body and is standing next to me looking completely dumbfounded. That makes no sense. Well, you can’t please everyone.

Meet my new Macbook that arrived just in the nick of time… just as RedPilot is approaching two video project deadlines… yikes! Thanks Dad! (This was the best birthday/xmas/easter/valentine’s/children’s day present ever!)

My poor G4 iBook was simply devastated when my new laptop arrived on Friday, boasting loudly about his 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Dual layer DVD burner, and sweet wide screen display. I must say… My new Macbook is quite aggressive. He just booted my old iBook off my desk and set up shop as my primary go-to computer.

Don’t you worry iBook. You have served me well and I know you will continue to serve and protect for many moons to come. I now dub you the “Keeper of iTunes”. You will forever be the protector of my large, eclectic iTunes library that I have nurtured for over 5 years. You will keep these tunes and stream them along the wireless super highway to my media centre and out through my speakers creating sweet sweet music for all to enjoy.

PS. Please don’t tell anyone about all the Ricky Martin songs I have. I just added them as a joke. Whatever.

What’s that you say, Macbook?

Do I already own a Mac?

Not really.

Ummm… Lisa? Yeah. What’s that in the lower right corner?

Nothing special. Just RedPilot’s new Tower of Power, the MAC PRO!!!!!!!!!!! OMG LOL ROFL SWEET!!!!

BOOYAKASHA!

I know. Serious. We’ve entered the big leagues with this one. This Tower of Power will eat HD video footage for breakfast! Ha Final Cut Pro… you have met your match! Indeed.

It’s been an INTENSE weekend of nerding.

I’m spent.

PPS. I apologize for the white balance. it was day… it was night… it was tungsten… it was fluorescent… Can’t compute… My circuits are too busy to make corrections… beep beep zzzzz.