VHS is a fantastic format, insofar that a crap load of movies have been released on VHS. Even better, they are becoming increasingly cheap as even DVD’s are running out of favour, being replaced high-definition formats. However, the matter of space is an issue with VHS, and unfortunately my massive collection could no longer be discretely tucked away in my new apartment. Upon reducing my collection, I learned a few valuable lessons, which I’ll share with you now.
Cassette 4-tracking was a considerable micro-culture during the 80s and early 90s. While a cassette doesn’t have the sonic range seen in digital equipment or in high-end tape machines, it does have a certain quality that’s hard to replicate. The pinnacle of cassette multi-tracking was the Tascam Midistudio 688. No slouch, this workhorse has produced hit songs and is well-regarded by those who can harness its power.
The power of the Tascam 688 was also its curse.
Walking down the snowy sidewalks of 15th Avenue, I happened upon a cold can of beer. This was no mere discarding, but was in fact an unopened can. A gift from some some stranger, perhaps. I picked the can up, and inspected it for physical imperfections, but there were none; this was the perfect can of beer.
Like an advertisement come to life, a picture-perfect can of beer had been plucked from the snow, ready for the drinking.
The Grey Cup (Canada’s equivalent of the Super Bowl) is being held in Calgary this Sunday. If you are the witty, bookish and urbane type, you might not be paying much attention to it. However, there’s some fun happenings going on at Stephen’s Avenue and the Olympic Plaza, which you should definitely check out.
Enmax has set up some neat little lighting displays to light up the buildings. Fortunately, goatse images are being kept to a minimum.
Calgary is a great place to hang out, but you have to dig a little to unearth the gems. Fortunately, there’s a growing scene online dedicated to getting the cool spots the credit they deserve. I’ve made a list of sites that will help you take advantage of all the things this fine city has to offer.
CalgaryIsAwesome.com has a group of contributors from all over the city, and has its thumb on the pulse of what’s happening.
[Update: sadly, the Lido Cafe is no more, but the memories remain]
In Calgary a restaurant can be here today and gone tomorrow, and when I saw that the Lido Cafe was closed I was really bummed out. Fortunately, it turned out they were just spiffying the place up, and have kept the diner feel that keeps the locals coming back.
I went with my friend Kevin at about 6PM, and a charming waitress got our orders.
Good fried chicken is easy to come by these days - it certainly soundslike everyone has their own deep-fat fryer. Top-tier fried chicken, then, is worth mentioning. Chicken on the Way has been serving up hot and delicious chicken since 1958, and is a Calgary landmark. With a quirky 60’s decor (and one big-ass chicken statue), it’s definitely a hard restaurant to miss.
If you’re looking for a filling meal, I’d suggest the Snack Pack.
When one makes a list of the top theatre companies in Calgary, there’s no doubt that the Green Fools is on the list. Having seen their latest performance called “Isis: A Shadow Opera,” I can say they’ve only further cemented their position. With top-notch musicianship, a great story, and prime local talent, this is a puppet show you’ll want to see.
One would imagine that three people doing full-motion puppetry on a solitary overhead projector would be insanely difficult.
When people think of the Calgary downtown waterfront, they probably think of Eau Claire and Prince’s Island Park. However, just east of Princes Island is a cultural haven of early Chinese influence in Calgary known as Sien Lok Park. Established in 1982 by the Sien Lok Society, the park is a response to the increasing urban development that is threatening Chinatown. Not only that, it’s a pleasant park to spend a day in.