Coming Up For Air
…and taking a deep breath before rolling into the next list of projects. August has certainly been an incredible month – Digital Storm, Mendella here for a two week tour, the Abbotsford Airshow – busy, tiring, but oh so fun.
While the tournament component of Digital Storm wasn’t as well attended as we’d hoped it would be, those who came to play had fun. It’s too bad the weekend was marred by a thief who made off with two 360 Elite hard drives, but I’m sure that in the long run, the thief will be enduring some serious payback. The show put on by the boys in Mendella kicked some serious butt and won themselves some new fans and friends. As always we’re indebted to our crew and sponsors for the assistance in putting on a fun event – and we wish those who are moving on to the World Cyber Games Canadian Nationals the best of luck on their road to Cologne and the Grand Finals.
The day after Digital Storm ended, we had a houseful of friends over for a barbeque. It was great extending some BC hospitality to Dave, Jo, Luke, Jason, Toby, Lewis, Tom and Sam – and serving up some fine Canadian steaks. It’s also nice to be able to offer our friends an atmosphere to relax in where they will always be welcome and find support for their dreams. Maybe we’ll even have the renovations done before they return in 2009 
We spent BC Day at the Tom Lee Music Hall in Vancouver, where the boys had a 3pm performance. I managed to get some great shots in, and now that I’ve gone through and picked the top…70…I might just get around to putting something in the gallery on this site lol. I was going to put them up on Facebook, but decided I’d rather put them here. After the boys’ show, we were treated to dinner at a Thai restaurant in Yaletown by Dave, Jo and Luke. The food was incredible – almost as good as the company we were in. Unfortunately we had to cut the evening a bit short due to the fact that our parking time was going to expire and we didn’t want those parking lot hawks making off with our wheels.
During the week we made preparations for Mendella’s Saturday afternoon performance out here in Aldergrove. We’d hoped to be able to host a small-ish Battle of the Bands for some local groups, but due to logistics and a few other issues, the bands who wanted to participate couldn’t. Friday afternoon we took everyone to the Abbotsford Airshow, introducing Dave and Jo to the President’s Club while the boys, with Mike as their guide, wandered the static displays until early afternoon when they were able to join us in the President’s Club. They definitely made an impact among the crowd, making new friends all around – especially with the USAF Strike Eagle Demo team. The photo shoot we were able to conduct after the show ended for the day was very exciting. I haven’t processed those photos yet, though. Soon, soon. According to reliable reports, the Demo team was still talking about the band and the photo shoot at the Airshow Reception party later that evening. We had hoped to have the band perform at the President’s Club on Sunday, but couldn’t due to scheduling issues with the Airshow. Perhaps another time – I know one Demo team who would love to see them there again – then again, I know a band who would love to meet up with their friends in the Demo team again. 
Saturday’s outdoor performance in Aldergrove was definitely unique. After a week of hot, sunny weather, I bet you don’t have to try very hard to guess what it did on Saturday. Yes – it poured. It was windy. There was lightning and thunder. But we still had a great time, again with a great crew. This was the first time we have had an opportunity to work with Ryan and Curtis from Sonic Voodo Productions, and I think that we all worked extremely well together, and we are definitely considering doing more shows with them in the future. While the weather did put a big dent in the audience size, those who came to watch and listen enjoyed the band’s performance. I must make mention of Dave from Sweet Max. If not for his loan of a guitar amp, the show may not have gone on. The Fender DeVille we’d rented for Lewis didn’t work properly and had an awful squeal in its valve. While it was a cold and windy afternoon, working with great people always makes the worst situations seem more fun. The experience of performing in such conditions was a learning experience for the boys in the band as well – and they seemed to be having a good time too. Packing up in torrential rainstorms isn’t all that much fun, but we got the job done anyway.
We all had some relax time, and then it the was boys’ final Vancouver performance for this year. They rocked The Roxy, and have been invited back anytime they’re in town. This was followed up by dinner at MileStone’s in YaleTown, which was relaxing and great time – even though we all knew that our friends from the UK would be going home the next day.
I met up with everyone the following afternoon to provide the extra vehicle needed to get everyone with instruments and luggage to the airport on time. It was a bitter-sweet parting – knowing that they would be back next year, and that they will soon be off to record their first commercial album. I am thankful for the time I got to spend growing a deeper friendship with everyone, and I especially enjoyed meeting Dave’s wife, Jo. I am definitely looking forward to seeing her again, as we have so much in common and get along quite well.
So…what are we doing now that our events are done for the year? Well – we have sites to design for a certain rock band and their management. We have planning to do for next year’s event, PAX is coming up at the end of August, and of course there’s Greg’s final sentencing date in September. I need to get out and interview some studio people and spend more time writing – but I’d also like to get back outdoors and do some more shooting. Scott and I went up the east side of Harrison Lake on Saturday to shoot, and it was great to just get out there and drive, looking for those amazing shots.
And now that I’ve updated the venerable blog as much as I intend to tonight, I believe I will head off for some sleep while listening to the thunder overhead and the stupid dripping drainpipe outside our room. It definitely needs fixing before winter. It will drive me crazy, which means that I will in turn drive Scott and Mike crazy. 