More Social Distancing Fun
As people and businesses become more accepting and committed to social distancing, one side effect is some atypical situations that I can’t help but find at least mildly amusing. And really, it’s times like these when everyone can likely use an extra smile or two. For example, at the grocery store there are now markers on the floor, spaced 6′ apart, indicating where people should stand when lining up for the checkout. Where once stood a lineup that might haven taken up MAYBE 15 feet now sees lines extending further. Much further. Of course, it inevitably leads to people unintentionally cutting into the line until they realize the end of the line is actually about 72′ away. The look on their face as they realize the short line they thought they were lucky enough to score was in fact too good to be true. And yes, I’m speaking from personal experience.
My Winter Bike.
Don’t worry, it’s just resting.
Read More …
The Not-Entirely-New Normal
I could be the poster child (or adult)
for Social Distancing.
For six weeks I didn’t work. Ah, the life of a freelance video editor … especially a traveling freelance video editor who leans toward working on a remote basis whenever possible. And since I was spending those six weeks housesitting in a mountain home, overlooking Okanagan Lake in Peachland, BC, I would say I was living up to the “remote” qualifier.
On the upside, the lack of editing work gave me more than a little time for mountain hikes and any other recreational activities I could come up with. And, as seen in my previous post, I even made a few short videos of some of those activities, primarily for my own amusement – but also for the eight or nine people that might still find their way to this blog these days. On the downside, there were times that boredom definitely crept in – not to mention the lack of income which was becoming a bit of a concern. Little did I know those days were prepping me for the weeks to come.
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- I could be the poster child (or adult) for Social Distancing.
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- As usual, this looked much nicer in person. Either way, this was my final morning in Peachland.
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- Almost goodbye Kelowna (and Peachland).
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- Not quite First Class.
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- Goodbye Okanagan Valley.
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- Goodbye Alberta.
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- Hello Ontario. Sigh.
I returned to Ontario on the evening of March 5th – an evening that concluded with an impromptu get-together with a few friends over a Guinness or two at a local pub … there may have been a loaded nacho or two consumed as well. Despite (or maybe because of) my aforementioned unofficial life-long social distancing training, I’ve never been one to take outings like that (or the opportunity for outings like that) for granted. After all, you never know when they might be taken away. As such, a good time was had by all.
Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, returning on the 5th. The next morning I found myself sitting at an edit suite at my client’s place. I would spend the bulk of the next seven days there. And when I wasn’t working on the project there, I was working on it back at the house. 13-15 hours a day. Admittedly, part of those long days were because my ever-aging laptop doesn’t particularly enjoy working with 4K footage. Regardless, the Friday deadline was constantly looming and didn’t really care about such trivial challenges.
Thursday afternoon came and, while a long night of rendering and exporting of the final video awaited, we were on schedule for a timely finish. Then the event was cancelled. Sigh. Welcome to the new normal. Well, maybe not entirely.
Coronavirus seemingly brings out people’s inner baker.
And that pretty much gets us back to where we started several paragraphs ago. Social distancing. Working remotely. And more social distancing. These are certainly interesting times we’re living in.
Oh, one last sad side note: In addition to all of this coronavirus craziness, this week also included what may have been the passing of the least memorable Spring equinox ever. For those that missed it, it was on Thursday. Welcome Spring … you deserved a better start.
Published in Peachland
Not a whole lot new to report since my last post … actually, there’s pretty much nothing new to report since my last post. But when has that ever stopped me from filling up more than a few paragraphs of what many would likely describe as filler. So be it.
Welcome to Peachland, BC.
Other than hiking, the biggest excitement of late here in Peachland was probably the Family Day event at the local riding club. While there were no horses in attendance, there were a couple of skating rinks. And a fire pit – I didn’t think fire and ice would react well together but in this case they did. There was also some free food and beverages, a tug of war, and about 60-70 people (and a couple of dogs) in attendance – all seemed to be enjoying themselves. I didn’t bring any skates with me or have any access to said equipment (which may be for the best as I haven’t skated in, well … a while) so I opted to take the drone up for a quick flight for fun and to document the event. Of course, with all the new regulations surrounding drones, I had to be somewhat selective as to my flight route – not that I thought anyone in attendance would care but it only takes one person (with nothing better to do) to complain. In the end, all went well.
I ended up taking some additional amateur (i.e., unpaid) footage from the ground and put together a one-minute highlight reel of Family Day in Peachland. I’d say it wasn’t really my intention to do that but since I had taken my camera with me clearly I thought it was a possibility. Have to keep busy after all.
I also submitted one of the drone photos to the local weekly newspaper, The Peachland View, and they ended up using it on the front page. I’m famous!! Or, my photo is anyway. Actually, this is third consecutive year one of my drone photos has ended up in the paper – the previous two were of the annual Polar Bear Swim on New Year’s Day. Despite the multiple publishings, fame and fortune has not followed.
I’m famous! Well, my photo is anyway.
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- Welcome to Peachland, BC.
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- Jack DOES share his toy … but he can be a bit possessive at times. Don’t be fooled though – it’s all just an act.
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- Jack the dog (2018).
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- This is the closest I can get Jake to replicating Jack’s trick. (2020)
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- I can still taste the treat! (2020)
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- I’m famous! Well, my photo is anyway.
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- The byline.
Oh, and while I’m posting videos … as I mentioned before, I haven’t had much to do in the way of work-related video editing lately – this video would be a good example of how to NOT make the most of some spare time.
Back Where I Belong
Admittedly, today’s headline leaves a fair bit of room for interpretation. I mean, where do I REALLY belong? If I was currently somewhere with a temperature that never (or at least rarely) went below 25°C (77°F), well … that would certainly put me back where I belong. The same could be said for being back on my loaded bike, cruising down a hill (gentle or steep) with a friendly tailwind (and probable dehydration) as my companion. However, that’s not the case either. It would seem there are a few places I belong.
As morning views go, I like this one.
As it stands, I currently find myself belonging at “home” … in someone else’s house. For the third consecutive year – and after an absence of a little over ten months – I now find myself house (and dog) sitting in BC. Peachland, BC to be precise. And yes, it’s as beautiful as always – with a name like Peachland, how could it not be? Side note: While Winter is certainly scenic here, I really need to look into coming back here in the warmer months – specifically early August. As I discovered as I pedalled through the area back in 2015, the peaches here are … well, perfect. And peaches have always been my favourite.
One notable adjustment I needed to face upon my arrival was getting used to shorter days again. Just as Ontario was starting to enjoy sunset times beyond 5:00 PM, I found myself once again facing sunsets of 4:30 PM. Well, 4:37 PM to be exact. On the upside, after being here a week, sunsets are approaching the 5:00 PM threshold. Oh, and there are mountains. And a lake view. So yes, things are pretty good out here.
Personally, I prefer nature’s cloud over the online version.
As for those mountains, on one of my first mountain hikes last week, I found myself walking in a cloud. Literally. And while I spend my fair share of working-time making use of the internet’s version of a cloud, I find nature’s version of clouds far more impressive. That said, nature’s version doesn’t allow me to work remotely – ANYWHERE. For that, I need the online version and a decent internet connection. Fortunately, I have a great internet connection here in Peachland … now all I need to do is find a project in need of a video editor!
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- Good morning Okanagan Lake.
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- Personally, I prefer nature’s cloud over the online version.
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- Pre-hike breakfast. Mmmmm.
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- On the way up.
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- We were on a trail on the way up.
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- Trail – Proof undeniable!
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- Once at the top, “my” trail became less obvious.
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- Knee deep.
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- Dog deep.
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- I don’t think Jake was too thrilled with my routing skills.
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- Nice view from the top – we walked that lane between the vineyards on the way here.
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- Hey Jake, want to do that descent again?
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- Dogs and hydrants – stereotypes exist for a reason.
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- Post-hike grilled cheese on sourdough bread. Mmmmmm.
Either way, the question still remains … Where do I REALLY belong?
154 Days Until Summer
Once again, as Fall has moved into Winter, updates to this site have been more than a little lacking. Actually, they’ve been non-existent. I know, I know … not the best way to gain (or even keep) followers. Summer really can’t come soon enough! On the upside, the winter solstice is behind us and each day is once again giving us SLIGHTLY more daylight hours (or minutes) to enjoy. The downside being that warm weather remains a distant memory. And hope. This was particularly true as I took to the roads on my winter (aka. beater) bike. However, despite the cold, wind, and snow, it was a generally successful ride … the ice hiding under the snow only got the best of me once – with no damage being done to either bike or body. But it does make we wonder if this is why skis were invented … then again, where’s the challenge in that?