Halloween Beckons

It's that time of year when we get the Halloween decorations out of storage and do up the old homestead. (Actually, I'd like to thank JoAnne Tatone for this picture taken in North Rustico, P.E.I. this summer).

(from this)

(to this)

(or to this)

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Landscaping 101

Here I've done a little carpentry and some landscaping to show what can be done prior to purchasing and planting trees and shrubs. Nice to see what it might look like. I've also done a few special effects to give it a more surreal appearance. You can see them better by clicking on the images.

From this

To this

Advertising

Since I started messing with images, I have always wanted to create ads for products. Not sure why. I think it comes from studying all those liquor ads in magazines. The warmth of the fire or the reflections in the ice cubes. Anyway, this is my foray into product ads. The highly renowned poet, Samiyam, models for this one.

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Avast! It's Talk Like A Pirate Day (9/19)

Just a few examples of pirate pix I've done for people and one of yours truly.

Danny & The Toronto Film Festival

My buddy, Dan Murphy has been enjoying his job during the Toronto Film Festival. Here is a little excerpt from his letter to me yesterday.

I'm workin' the film festival and Jennifer Lopez walked right passed me tonight, I could've reached out and touched her! She was beautiful in a white dress. Emma Thompson looked great, tanned and dressed to the nines. Other stars whom I've seen at our theatre, Michael Moore , Dustin Hoffman, Will Ferrel, Ron Perelman (TV series Beauty and The Beast) Forrest Whitaker, Tim Robbins, Rachel Weisz.

So to honor his meeeting with Emma, I present...

I Am The Walrus

Autumn Is In The Air

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A picture I whipped up for my buddy Dan in Toronto.

The big birds are flying over the house every evening now. Fall is just around the corner.

Amazing Grace

And now for something completely different. Got an idea for something somewhat pious and this was the result.

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Pot-N-Candy

So we go to fair last night and the kids have a great time save for the slight mishap of losing Jon's friend, Abdu. Suffice it to say it was a tense half hour but being the bright kid that he is, he found a cop who took him to the Boy Scouts tent. Anywho, we all know the sights and smells of the fair but lately, meaning the last couple of years, I've noticed an increase in the amout of pot that is being smoked. This scent, combined with the sweet scent of cotton candy, is now a very interesting and pronounced addition to the the olfactory sense. I've created this pick in its' honor.

Textures and Lighting Effects

A sample of some special effects done solely for the purpose of experimentation. My apologies for not being able to credit the original photographer and model.

The Real 70s Show

Saw Dazed and Confused again the other day and it brought back a lot a fond memories of the 70s. We all had a real good time getting up to no good and I'm pleased to say that we never lost a soul in the process. This room saw plenty in the ten years or so it was active. My only regret is that more pictures weren't taken. I now encourage my kids to keep a camera with them wherever they go so as to not miss any of life's priceless moments.

Salute To Ottawa Heart Institutes's Dr. Edward O'Brien

First off just let me say that you cannot find better medical care then that from staff of The Ottawa Heart Institute. The appreciation the Reid family has for Dr. Ed O'Brien cannot be expressed enough. Dr. O'Brien saw me right away upon hearing about my latest heart episode. Usually an appointment would be made and you'd be lucky to see a cardiologist within 2 or three weeks (short of just going to emerg). Not only did he see me right away, but because he knew Pam was starting vacation the next day, he said to me " it must be Christmas...what are you doing 3:00 tomorrow afternoon?". He was not even scheduled for the O.R. but came in just to do yours truly. I checked in at 10:30 a.m. yesterday and was home again by 11p.m.. When I had my last stent put in back in 2004, I made him a cd as he loves to have the tunes on while doing procedures. The O.R. staff said they are still playing that disc every day. When I found out that I was going to be "fixed" the next day, I stayed up half the night doing up a new disc and knowing his sense of humour, I put together a cd that I thought he might get a kick out of. He did, as did the rest of the O.R. and Day Unit staff. So there it is. Five years and three angioplasties with stents. Life is good but oh so fragile. My quiet little daughter was very relieved to see Dad walk in the door last night. Big hug and not a word spoken (spoke volumes). Jon on the other hand was curious with a thousand questions.."is your heart as good as mine, Dad?".

Take care of yourselves one and all and never hesitate to see your doctor if things don't feel right. Poor Pammy has been though a lot with me but without her I'd be sitting in an urn in Newfoundland now (ahhhh!!!). Thanks for all your kind words and prayers (Mick).

--
Later,
Dave

School's Out !

It's Monday of the last week of school for the kids. Each year Jon and I design CDs and covers for his teachers. Here are the final designs for 2006.

West, Bruce & Laing

Found this on the web tonight. A real blast from my past. Good album but I loved and still love the album art. I have the album to this day complete with various stains of my youth.

Billy Preston Passes

Sad day...

Ouch!

Feel my pain. Try cutting out a bike and giving it a new background. Carpal Tunnel is the result. Oh, and Hutch, you owe me more than a beer for this one.

(as always, click image to enlarge)

Stonehenge

Time for the boys to get back to work. Here's a promo.

The Drach of Night

Fellow RPer gets another treatment.

Want To Irritate Your Mother-In-Law?

Want your in-law on your case? Just spend the weekend shooting her from every angle and in various stages of dress. We have been very fortunate to be the recipient of her ability to bake the best loaf of bread in the world so to have a little fun, I did up this ad for Robin Hood Flour. To her chagrin it's on our desk top as well. Sorry Nan.

Nanny Cam

Nanna is in town this week and took this shot at Jon's T Ball game. The skies open up shortly after this pic was taken.

Glynmill Inn

I do miss Friday nights in my home town. After a few pops at the house it was off to the place where I could settle in for the evening. We could smoke in lounges then and I was a pack a day man. I remember making my way up the six or seven steps to the front door and entering the lobby of the Tudor style inn. To the left was the front desk and the smiles of the busy but friendly staff and due left of that was the large double doors to King Henry's Tudor Lounge. In the winter months, my specs would fog up as I entered causing me to remove them and enter the smoky bar blind. Despite my lack of eye site I could recognize the usual suspects in their usual places. My place was at the end of the bar near the juke box or if I was lucky, the table beside it. It was a good vantage point as you could see all late comers as they arrived. Within a matter of minutes the beer was flowing and the conversations were growing lively. I would treasure a good argument or a funny story and being as we were Newfoundlanders, there was no worries about not being fulfilled. My poison was always Dominion Ale unless it was payday when Bass Ale was my suds du jour. Flo and Bess made absolutely sure that your glass was never empty. They were the best. They were bar keeps that you never forgot to tip or to thank. I hope they're well. The Tudor Lounge holds a very special place in my heart for another reason. It was there in 1988 that I ran into a dear friend who only two years later would become my wife. Pam and I still pop in when we go home but alas all has changed. Flo and Bess are no longer there and the hotel made the grim error of moving the lounge to the lower level where there is no atmosphere what so ever. Such a shame. Anyhow, I aged this photo because it represents a time long past. The place looks as good as it ever did but to me it is now only a memory.

Noah, I Want You To Build An Ark................Right!

Remember the Bill Cosby bit? Found this picture of an "ark" on the web and decided to dress it up a wee bit.

Battle In The Skies

An RP lad posted this amazing picture of a bird in flight and it gave me an idea.

Neil Young - Living With War

http://www.livingwithwar.blogspot.com

Songs Of Summer

Every year my son and I compile a list of summer songs and burn them to a disc for teacher's presents in June and each year we have to come up with a new cover. This is the first draft for this year's CD.

Just Spice It Up

Sometimes you just need to dress up a photo. Why have someone standing in front of a wall when you can get them out doors where they really want to be?

The Pig Lives!

After a far too long hiatus, the best damn radio station on the internet is back cranking out the tunes you wanna hear. This and Radio Austin is all you're ever going to need. Cheers y'all!

Day To Night

Here's a couple of examples of changing day shots to night. Trick is not to overdo it and to watch where the moon cast shines.

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Good Friday

Never Trust A Cow

Hallowed Grounds

The best sporting event.

http://www.masters.org/en_US/index.html