article: welcome to the jetset...
Sunday - December 30, 2012 (6:13 pm)
Man, did we see some great concerts this year!So I got a little carried away this year but in my defence I had no option. The Who was performing Quadrophenia in Toronto, Roger Waters playing The Wall in Vancouver and sir Paul McCarntey (first time touring Canada in a long time) was in Edmonton… what would you do?
My son, Connor, and I were very fortunate to jetset across the country and check out the Who & Roger Waters and my oldest, Stefan, my wife and I ventured north in a winter’s storm to see Sir Macca!
The Who... my favourite band. Quadrophenia... my all-time favourite album, by any artist, period.
This was the concert to see this year! Tickets went on sale when I was on holidays in Newfoundland early in the summer. My amazingly understanding wife patiently waited to head to the airport while I logged in to buy some great seats through my Who fan club membership!
Fast-forward a number of months – Connor and I fly out to YYZ for a quick weekend with the Who!
The show was completely amazing – one I thought I might never have the chance to see. Too young for the original in 1973, out of work and strapped financially for the 1996 tour. This one made up for it! Watching them roar through the complete album was a lifetime memory for me... a life-goal now checked off.
Their encore was equally brilliant: Who Are You, Behind Blue Eyes, Pinball Wizard, Baba O’Riley, Won’t Get Fooled Again, and Tea & Theatre (from their latest studio album - 2006’s Endless Wire).
We stayed at the Hôtel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square directly connected to the Air Canada Centre but foolishly hung out backstage in the freezing cold for over an hour with hopes we would see the band. No luck there but I did meet a fellow fan who knew the guitar tech and gave me one of Pete’s guitar picks! Such a highlight!
Roger Water’s the Wall probably deserves a whole article to itself. It was a truly amazing theatrical event and I was so happy to experience it with my son.
Sir Paul was also an entertaining show and another highlight of the year – having the opportunity to see him perform Wonderful Christmas Time was such a treat! In 1979 we were living in England and were out driving around in the back country and came across his castle. We could hear them recording the song – the festive music drifting over the fields – magical.
So, I am older now, more established and completely aware of how fortunate I am to be able to see such incredible talent across such a large country... welcome to the jetset.
article: a passion for vinyl...
Sunday - March 20, 2012 (10:48 pm)
I’ve been collecting records since I was a kid.I slowed down for a while about 15 years ago but found myself missing the tactile element of the medium and returned about 5 years ago. This reborn passion has lead to a new interest in my life… DJ-ing.
My loving wife, who usually knows me better than myself, saw this emerging and hooked me up with turntables and a mixing system for a kick-ass gift. So I became the house DJ – spinning vinyl whenever I had the chance and whenever anyone came over! This became my training ground.
Well, me being me, I wanted to push it further and try something new. I figured out how to broadcast the vinyl records over the internet and started a live Friday night radio show! So each Friday the Nite Club fires up at 9 PM and offers Northern Soul, Soul, MOD, Brit Pop, Garage, Ska, 2 Tone, Rock Steady, Motown & Reggae.
The radio show is gaining support and has quite a few members listening in! I try to organize a produced show with cool tunes and some insightful information about the music, the bands, and the different eras.
Again, one thing always leads to another. Last week I was in a local record shop and was asked if I wanted to DJ a live event. The Radio Show broadcasts to invisible digital people whereas this would be playing to a room full of real human bodies! Still, regardless of the concern, I had to say yes!
Two days later I found myself in front of a filled venue with over 30 people from the crowd dancing to the Soul sounds I was spinnin’!
The event ran from 11:30PM till 5:00AM the next day! I DJ-ed around the two bands that played and was fortunate to spend some time with the headline act “The Ballantynes” who had an amazing show! A number of the members are associated with the East Van Soul Club where they hold awesome Soul nights each month! They really appreciated what I was playing... all-in-all it was a brilliant night!
So, where to now?
The Radio Show continues next Friday.
After that?
Well, with my first Northern Soul “all-nighter” under my belt the sky’s the limit!
Keep the Faith!
> article: iRoBoT365...
Saturday - December 31, 2011 (3:32 pm)
iRoBoT365 - a drawing a day...
What a long, strange trip it's been...
On January 1st 2011 I set off to draw a comic strip each day based on an interesting little robot character I created.
Previously in 2010 I had drawn a skull a day for a year but this project was quite different. It was more of a story, a tale of what this poor little lost soul encountered on his abrupt visit to our world.
Some days were exciting with much to say – others were boring and hard to create something new. I found that many times the daily entry was more like a journal of my life than a witty look at the world.
Regardless I was steadfast in my resolve & diligent in my delivery.
My poor creation found love, compassion, ignorance, rejection and many of the emotions we all face on our daily struggles. He tried to understand our life but in honesty, I don’t think we get it half the time!
I am so very happy for developing this project! I had incredible support from my family – stealing time away from them each day to draw and publish each comic strip. I am extremely thankful to them for allowing me that space.
I also had amazing support from online-friends who were always encouraging with their comments. Thanks - [rich], Noah Scalin, fillzees, Zook, ashwinishetty94, farmerkern, BumbleB2na, Albinal, Dr. Strangebot, Talbotics, Tinkerbots, qismet_99, Gusztáv-történetek, litus1980.
So now onto 2012 – I am taking this next year off with regards to a drawing-a-day project. I have many creative ideas in mind and am looking forward to developing as many as I can!
Thanks for your support!
Cheers!
Sean
article: 2010 personal annual report...
Monday - December 6, 2010 (10:32 pm)
ZenX13 2010 Annual Report
Well it’s not January…
It was my goal to have this Annual Report for 2010 launched in January of this year – guess I missed the deadline a little. Well, that certainly seems to sum up this year – I know I have felt way too busy and many others I have spoken to feel the same way.
Regardless, I have tried to eke out some time here and there and am now finally finished!
This year’s version was quite a departure from last year’s – A new design, and for the geeks out there, not an image but complete HTML/CSS.
I probably spend way too much time on these (over 100 hours this year) but I do enjoy creating them and look forward to viewing them many years from now!
So here you go – if you have a minute please take a look and feel free to leave a comment.
Cheers!
Sean
Special thanks to Nicholas Felton for his inspiration.
> article: my christmas miracle...
Sunday - December 26, 2010 (8:39 pm)
Your father is in the hospital...
Not the words you want to hear across the phone.
My dad started
getting extremely bad chest pains about 2 weeks ago. My mother rushed him to
their small town's hospital upon which they sent him to our city via ambulance.
He was really sick...
The next week was a wash of questions & emotions... how bad is he, how much
should we be worried, I'm afraid, is he going to be ok, I'm so tired, when will
the results be back, when can he eat... endless.
I haven't had to deal with a sick family member in the hospital before - that
was indeed an experience. On top of all this, my brother arrived from overseas
for a long awaited visit - all on the day this happened. It was so painful for
me to greet him at the airport, break the news to him - and then drive straight
to the hospital.
It was one of the longest weeks of my life...
Well, I am happy to say this sad story does have a happy ending... Dad was
released from the hospital four days before Christmas with a clean bill of
health! Our Christmas plans may have been interrupted with worry and a lot of
hospital waiting but in the
end it didn't really matter if we missed time to shop for that right gift or
stock up on food... dad was ok, he was home, my brother was back for Christmas
and the family was all together!
Half way through this ordeal our oldest son tried to put a positive spin on the
events. He said if you look at what 's going on (father is sick, son arrives
form afar etc.) we are making a Christmas movie and that he would have to be out
for Christmas!
So now I ask of each of you... stop for a minute... think about your loved ones.
Give them a hug, or a phone call. Remember how lucky we are to have them in our
lives for they really are our Christmas miracles!
“May the spirit of Christmas bring you
peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.”
~Author Unknown
As a point of note, the Cardio staff at the Peter Lougheed Hospital in Calgary all deserve a medal for their amazing compassion and care. Many people complain about our Health Care System... after this last few weeks I really find it hard to see that opinion. I also need to thank my kind boss and amazing co-workers who allowed me to miss so much time at work to be with my father... I am in your debt.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
article: christmas tradition...
Monday - December 6, 2010 (10:32 pm)
One of my favourite Christmas traditions has always been following the British Pop Charts to see what the number 1 song is at Christmas.This is a pretty big deal in Britain and dates back to the 1950’s. The 2003 film “Love Actually” excellently depicted this tradition with Bill Nighy’s character, Billy Mack, gunning for the coveted #1 slot.
British Pop Charts have always been a mishmash of musical styles and genres making it a completely diverse blend of music. Christmas is no exception.
Many years have seen Christmas styled songs make it while others have seen
non-Christmas or gimmick songs work their way to the top:
- 1957 - Harry Belafonte: “Mary's Boy Child”
- 1963 - The Beatles: “I Want to Hold Your Hand”
- 1973 - Slade: “Merry Xmas Everybody”
- 1979 - Pink Floyd: “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)”
- 1984 - Band Aid: “Do They Know It's Christmas?”
- 2000 - Bob The Builder: “Can We Fix It?”
In recent years Simon Cowell’s UK talent show, X Factor, has ruled the chart with
Number 1 placements in 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008. But last year we saw a Facebook
petition site manage to place Rage Against the Machine's “Killing in the Name”
at the top spot, dethroning the X Factor royalty!
So far this year there are a number of interesting entries and the charts
have started to gain momentum!
I wanted to share one of my favourite Christmas traditions with you - I’ll first list some of my favourites and then a fuller list of other possibilities after. As the race develops I’ll update this page with the new information – Merry Christmas all!
zenX13 Favourites
Xander Rawlins - “1000 Miles Apart”
A Captain in the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, Xander has this moving song
for his Christmas offering:
The Pogues & Kirsty McColl - “Fairytale Of New York”
A Christmas favourite! Already in the charts and here's hoping it will finally
make it to number 1! Nollaig Shona Duit:
George Michael - “December Song”
George released this song on Christmas day last year as a gift - it is now
poised to take on #1! It is a really sentimental song with an amazing animated
video.
-
Click here to
listen/view
Little Red Ambulance - “Maybe This Christmas!”
Originally recorded in camp Bastian by two of the band members on active duty.
They have re-recorded it or this Christmas.
-
Click here to
listen/view
Other Possibilities
- Coldplay - “Christmas Lights” - listen/view
- Mariah Carey - “All I Want For Christmas Is You” - listen/view
- Mariah Carey - “Oh Santa!” - listen/view
- Michael Jackson - “Hold My Hand” - listen/view
- Ellie Goulding - “Your Song” - listen/view
- Harry Hill - “I Want a Baby” - listen/view
- Shane MacGowan and The Priests - “The Little Drummer Boy” - listen/view
- Bryn Terfel and Bing Crosby - “White Christmas” - listen/view
- A Taste Of Quo - “I Can't Wait For Christmas Day” - listen/view
- Train - “Shake Up Christmas” - listen/view
Due to last year's Facebook success there are a large number of Facebook fan sites promoting everything from 4 minutes of silence to a “Rick-rolled” Rick Astley Christmas!
> article: be water, my friend...
Sunday - November 21, 2010 (7:42 pm)
Winter comes. Snow arrives. I complain...
This is my usual ritual after the autumn. Well this year we had a poor summer
(worst on record in a long while) but... our fall was amazing, and long!
So when October ended and there was no snow I was happy. Then when it was 2
weeks into November and no snow yet I found myself thinking...
“This has been a great fall - and yes the snow arrives tomorrow and I can't
change that. So I can accept it and move on or not accept it and start
complaining.”
Well for once I got it right! I accepted that the snow & cold was arriving
soon and I've found this first very cold and snowy week easy to live with. My mind was
in the right space to go with what I couldn't change.
“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control
your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will
be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.”
-
Brian Tracy
So, I am feeling pretty good about this. It makes me remember why I enjoyed
Taoist beliefs and wonder why I don't try to follow them more. Go with it, don't
let it get to you - change what you can.
As many of you know I am a contributor to the social media site:
Momentile -
it's a photo-a-day site where you express your life's events by uploading a
photograph from each of your days. Well, I have consecutively uploaded a photo
for almost 600 days and last Friday the site's service provider turned off the
website due to a misunderstanding. I was unable to upload my daily photo... the
first time in over a year and a half.
Those of you who know me know I am a creature of habit and a little OCD, so this
type of event would normally render me paralytic! Well with my new “go-with-the-flow”
attitude I was able to deal with this event I could not change and
work
around it.
I am learning to change what I can, to accept what I can't and
to change my thinking to work around the unchangeable... am I growing?
“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now
you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into
a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it
becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be
water, my friend.”
- Bruce Lee
Be water, my friend...
article: what really matters...
Wednesday - October 13, 2010 (9:31 pm)
The last trapped Chilean miner was brought up to safety about an hour ago. He was trapped half a mile under the ground for over 60 days and he was finally lifted to safety.
His first act - a big hug to his son.
I get to (and do) hug my boys every day but I must admit I have taken it for
granted.
I can't imagine a world where I wouldn't get that hug - it's certainly a world I
wouldn't want to be part of.
Chile has been thrust into the world's limelight and we have all watched them
cry, work, pray and succeed in rescuing their lost. They have come through at
the critical time and have given us something to be a small part of.
This has
been a time of anticipation and in the end happiness & exhilaration.
As I write this the last rescue worker is on his way to the surface.
I feel emotional from these events. I think this is one of those
times when you feel a re-calibration occur within and you look at
things a little differently.
Don't take life for granted... love those around you...
I am looking forward to giving my boys a hug tonight!
> article: skull3sixfive project...
Saturday - June 5, 2010 (6:31 pm)
>>View the skull3sixfive project on flickr
In the fall 2009 I decided to pick up my very dusty watercolours and create a
paintings for my wife and two sons as Christmas presents.
They turned out really well and I was very inspired to return to some tactile
artistic endeavours. My profession as a Creative Director allows me to develop
many digital projects but it was very rewarding to create something more
tangible and real!
This planted a seed in my brain... around the same time I
stumbled upon a website:
skull-a-day where Noah Scalin created an artistic skull each day
of the year. This became my inspiration to create a small
art-piece each day with the focus on skulls.
When I was younger I often drew skulls and have always had a fascination with them and the human form/condition. By removing the "what should I draw" element it became much simpler to just create something new each day.
So on January 1st, 2010 I embarked on my skull-a-day voyage! I am
nearing the half-way point and have successfully stayed true to the theme!
Is it challenging?
Yes... some days it feels a bit like a chore and the quality is reflected in the
product. I have also found my distal interphalangeal joint in my index finger
(last joint nearest the finger nail) has become very sore. Stands to reason - I
have never drawn a picture every day for over 150 days straight! I have been
trying to compensate by holding the pen/pencil etc. differently.
Other days it is exhilarating and extremely rewarding!
I have been posting the drawings to a
flickr account
since its inception - usually placing new ones up on the weekend. Through this
process I have connected with others around the world with similar projects. One
individual in England started the same day as I for the same reasons as I - he
was also inspired by the skull-a-day site! We had never spoken before - just met
traveling down the same digital highway!
Well the project goes on - I look forward to the completed book, 365 different
drawings, sketches, paintings - all of skulls... one years worth... a day at a
time.
article: 2009 personal annual report...
Sunday - January 3, 2010 (7:01 pm)
ZenX13 2009 Annual Report
About 6 months ago I stumbled upon the Datum website and started
to use the statistical site. As I looked into it more I found Nicholas Felton's amazing annual
reports.
I was very inspired by his work and decided to create my own Personal Annual Report!
This started with design work and the decision to display it in a web format whereas Nicholas' version has been published as a book!
Next was the gathering of data - an arduous task! Of course, going into it, I didn't recognize the scope of it!
Slowly, over time, the site came together and really has become a great medium for
a overview of 2009 from my perspective. I estimate about 60 hours of work went
into the development of this report/project.
It will be a great tool for my reminiscing but I hope you also find it
interesting!
> article: youtego self-visualization...
Monday - December 28, 2009 (4:24 pm)
Testing out a new Social Media site called Youtego - it is an interesting graphical format info-display site.
In their words: Youtego is a new visual tool for self-visualization in the net. We believe in the concept of “recognize yourself to recognize the world around you”.
I am finding it interesting and obviously am drawn to the graphical interface!
article: eternally thankful...
Saturday - November 14, 2009 (12:31 pm)
The modern day World Wide Web (WWW) that we know was created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 while working at CERN. He is an MIT professor, the director of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3S), a knight of the British empire, listed as Time Magazine's 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century, also listed as one of the Telegraph's 100 greatest geniuses... the list goes on. [ more on wikipedia ]About three weeks ago this very busy man took a couple of
minutes out of his day to send me an email.
October 21 - another hectic day at the office - I was completing our October
Newsletter and checking some facts. This mission lead me to a
site about Mr. Berners-Lee, a person who I have always been familiar
with and had the utmost respect for.
Now, it has always been a philosophy of mine that you should show your appreciation to people for what they have done, especially if it has touched you directly, profoundly. But in a pleasant manner so as not to bother them! With this sentiment I foolishly sent a thank you letter to a very busy man... I never expected him to receive it or read it - here is what I said:
Mr. Berners-Lee,
I am sorry to bother you as I know you are a very busy man. I
just wanted to say I am eternally thankful for your work and
vision in creating what we know as the World Wide Web.
I am a creative director for an Internet Design Firm (a position
I have had for over 13 years). I started creating websites in
1994 - migrating from a basic graphics background. I have an
established and rewarding career and it is you who I owe my
success to.
Once again - thank you!
Cheers!
Sean Smith, LGDC
So, I went about my business with a good feeling that I took time out to say thanks... well the next day this arrived in my inbox:
I was frozen. I looked at the sender's name over and over... I couldn't believe an important man, a busy man, a man with no connection to me, took time out of his day to reply to my message! In my book this is a mark of a true man.
I will remember this small act for the rest of my life.
So I challenge all of us to remember this story, and to find time in our own busy lives to give to others, whether it be small or large. You never know what that time may mean to someone else.
> article: barn find? pit find? - '59 vespa vba...
Tuesday - October 06, 2009 (11:45 pm)
In the scooter world you often hear of a really awesome bike found in a deserted barn and purchased for mere pennies - this has been coined the "barn find". This entry is my barn find tale now known as the "pit find".I was returning from a client meeting yesterday and stopped on the hill by the Elks golf course to take a pic of my scooter with my portfolio attached… I thought it looked interesting and might be a good momentile photo!
This old gent (Frank) pulls up in a car and starts to talk to me – he was knowledgeable on Vespas and very excited about my bike. Turns out he owned an Allstate 125 in the early/mid 50’s then bought a ’59 VBA in the early 60’s (he was the second owner). He rode it for awhile then had some engine work to be done – he had the cylinder re-bored then needed to have the new piston honed. The piston work never happened and the bike sat for 40+ years next to his house then in the “pit” of his garage.
So now, years later, he has realized that he has too many projects and is getting too old (he is in his 70’s) and will not get around to it. He almost took it off to the dump last weekend as he couldn’t find anyone to take it. I immediately showed my interest and we arranged for me to head over and pick up the engine today as the rest was buried too deep to get out!
Well Stef (my oldest son - thanks for the help buddy!) joined me and
we headed to Frank's - we quickly found he had been
working hard and the bike was uncovered and visible in the pit!
That's when we started to realize she would be coming home with us! We also received
a large wooden crate with the engine(s?) and spare parts within
- the wooden chest requires an inventory.
Frank is going to dig out the speedo, new piston & rings and give me
a call to pick up soon.
We rode off with our new found treasures and didn’t even exchange any
$’s – he just wanted someone who understands the true essence of the
scooter to take over and give her a good home!
So now I have a 1959 VBA in my possession waiting to be restored!
Stay tuned!
article: social networks... social slaves or social masters?
Saturday - September 19, 2009 (10:45 am)
Lately I find myself defending / extolling the benefits of "social network" websites.My common mantra is "make them your slave... don't become their slave". Like anything in life you must receive some sort of benefit for your actions and not feel the effort is only a task.
Over the last year I have been immersing myself in many of the social networks - do I think they will all remain in my circle of influence? No. Right now I am experimenting with many to find the ones I feel fit into my world and psyche.
I truly believe the future will have us all much more connected than ever imagined - these infant sites are the start of this and I feel it is better to help them grow up than meet them when they are adults.
So, what benefits have I perceived? Well...
Twitter has given me a broadcast mechanism to easily send out thoughts / feelings / announcements to a specified group very quickly. It has also enabled me to see some a deeper background into others' lives.
Momentile (one of my current favourites) has allowed me to actually glimpse into the daily lives of others through the photographic medium. I too can share my life with others - 1 photo at a time. I am currently viewing many local friends but also people in the US (Denver, Portland, New York etc.) as well as New Zealand, Australia, Germany, and Turkey. It helps broaden our understanding of how we all interact in this broad world of ours.
Facebook has allowed me to locate and connect with old friends and even the cliché: long lost relative - hi Victoria! It keeps me in touch with friends and events but again, moderate it and don't become a slave to it.
I feel that these tools allow us to document ourselves, preserving us in a digital mechanism. It is the modern scrapbook or photo album. It is interactive and growing, similar to our real lives... but it is never meant as a replacement - only an enhancement.
> article: 5,4,3,2,1 - ignition...... we have lift off...
Monday - September 7, 2009 (2:14 am)
Well, here she is! zenX13 is now live and on the interweb!An identity of old, used many times as my userID, has become a site of its own!
It was another night around 1:00 am only a couple of days ago when I realized this site was something I had to do. I got out of bed and registered the domain - panicking with fear that it was already taken... but alas, it was meant to be!
My original plan was to re-build Lab 13 with a new focus - one that I feel is closer to the new direction of the net: a connecting site, used as a hub to all the available social network sites we use. It becomes your virtual identity. I had a moment of clarity when I realized my beloved Lab 13 should remain the think tank and zenX13 was to be my virtual identity - simple, but most good ideas are.
Ok - I'm an old dog... I have been constructing sites for over 15 years and like and old dog I don't learn new tricks well! So it is with a feeling of accomplishment that I have constructed this site with full CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) layout and not the traditional HTML tables route. The web is changing and finally I am too.
So come along my friends on a new ride... there are exciting changes afoot... let us explore these new developing worlds and like explorers of old we will make our mark on the new frontiers.
