Picturing: TTC's Finch Station Platform View

Yesterday, late afternoon, I took the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) subway train south from "Finch Station". It had been a while since I last stepped onto that platform.

Going downtown for a Saturday evening!... In my case, going home.

Quote: Tom Holden on the Creative Type

“For some reason in our modern, sterile and sometimes harsh world, creativity is something that is frowned upon. Never be ashamed of this talent―it marks you out as different from huge swatches of the population.”

True.

Repost: Article Sample — Yukon Crews

With my repost yesterday about my flight experiences on the RCAF CC-130 Hercules transport aircraft, I thought I would stay on course by reposting my research piece, and experiences, on the RCAF Canadair CC-106 Yukon transport aircraft. Enjoy the ride! I did!

While I was still a staff member in Toronto's film and television business, I wrote an article about the Canadair CC-106 "Yukon" transport aircraft — a machine I flew on as a child — and its service with the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force). My target publication was Air Force Magazine. The book's editor was very helpful, providing parameters and reviewing my initial submission.

After receiving vital assistance from the Public Relations Officer at DND (Department of National Defence) Headquarters in obtaining initial contacts, I interviewed many people who flew the Yukon, or were aircrew. In pursuit of the story I travelled to CFB Trenton and held a group interview at the RCAF Museum (now the National Air Force Museum of Canada).

It has to be noted that 437 Squadron, main operator of the Yukon, was completely uncooperative. One of my helpful inside contacts eventually had to admit to me, "Simon, forget it". Wonderful.

Unfortunately my piece was "killed" before possible publication by Air Force Magazine after David Adamson, Squadron Commander of 437 Squadron during the majority of the Yukon's tenure, and someone I interviewed via telephone, decided to write an article on the machine himself. I, understandably, was grounded. (Adamson, like everybody I interviewed, without exception, was very pleasant and more than willing in contributing to my research.)

I have no plans to upload my entire "Yukon Crews" piece, but I thought I would post a few paragraphs. Enjoy!

***

The Canadair “North Star” flew with RCAF Air Transport Command for a number of years. This aircraft was essentially an upgraded Douglas DC-4 powered by Rolls Royce “Merlin” engines and it was a workhorse providing movement of people and cargo. Nearing the end of its service life in the late 1950s there were discussions as to what direction to take to replace the aging, and non-pressurized, North Star. The Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 jets were now beginning to enter civilian service, with cargo versions also hitting the market, but there was some pressure to have a Canadian company undertake development of a new transport aircraft. These details are beyond the scope of this article so I’ll cut to the chase: Canadair developed the Yukon by modifying the four-engine Bristol “Britannia” airframe and matching it to a new powerplant, the Rolls Royce "Tyne 2" (which was still under development at that time).

The first flight of a Yukon was made on November 15, 1959. Deliveries to 412 Squadron (VIP) began in mid-summer 1961. Veteran pilot Bill Cars explains the process of training pilots on the Yukon: “All the pilots that were selected to fly on the Yukon were all sent to Cartierville [Quebec] and we took the ground-school. Five of us were checked out by Canadair's test pilots. I was checked out by Scotty McLean, one of Canadair’s test pilots. As soon as we had been checked out then we came back down here [now CFB Trenton] with a couple of airplanes and checked out the rest of the guys . . . one guy ran OTU [Operational Training Unit] and three would work for him. I was going back up to 412 Squadron but we took all the rest of them and converted them on these airplanes." Once the pilots were converted onto the Yukon, then began an involved trial period. Cars elaborates: "We'd go on simulated trips, raising and lowering the landing gear five or six times, flaps five or six times, and so on. This was done to simulate multiple trips. We did a few long range trips here in Trenton. We took a couple of crews and flew over to Pisa, then from Pisa down to Leopoldville, and back up to Pisa and back home again just to see how it worked on long range trips. We took turns sleeping on the airplane and that kind of stuff. It was interesting work. It kept us going that summer."

___

Canadair completed twelve Yukons for the RCAF: Two aircraft went to 412 'VIP' Squadron and the balance to (reactivated) 437 Squadron.

However, the Rolls Royce Tyne 2 engines were to be troublesome for some time along with many teething problems with the Yukon itself, which only served to hinder the model from getting up to speed and providing regular service for the air force. Pilot James Lynch, who was to become the Squadron's Chief Safety Officer, remembers: “We had a couple of interesting things with the Yukon during the trial days. We had a case where Wing Commander Roly Lloyd [Commanding Officer of the training and development stage before the Squadron was formed] was coming back from a long-range flight and as they were approaching Montreal they had problems where they couldn't disengaged the 'auto pilot'. They tried to control the airplane and the ailerons wouldn't move at all. So the only way the aircraft could be maneuvered was rudder or powered back and forth. And they had no idea on Earth what had happened. The elevators were fine too. So they were able to jockey getting the airplane down with the reductions in power and rudder and so on." Once the Yukon had landed safely an inspection was undertaken and the culprit revealed. A large water tank located in the belly of the aircraft was used for various purposes, including providing drinking water. The tank's heater, needed for obvious reasons, failed on this flight and the liquid contents froze. Unfortunately some water had bled from its container and ran down and over the Yukon's control system. As Lynch explains, "The torque tubes got coated in ice; they couldn't turn. As it turned out, when they got to the lower altitudes to land, the things freed up and they were able to land the airplane fine".

Jack Maitland, then 437 Squadron Commander and pilot, found the process of getting the Yukon into a regular routine to be very trying: “We had a difficult first eighteen months just keeping them serviceable." Many of the early problems afflicting the Yukon were due to the Rolls Royce Tyne 2 engines. Maitland gives credit to the aircraft mechanics for getting hours out of the Tynes.

Once it was clear that the Yukon had successfully made the transition to full flying status Air Transport Command could do its job. Maitland adds dryly, “we started flying it in the summer of ’61 so by about Christmas of 1962, nearly eighteen months, we were able to more or less able to depart on time. Not always, but…." According to Maitland, the first official flight of a Yukon took place on January 2, 1962 (from Trenton to Marville) so there were many months of “official flying” before a degree of serviceability was obtained.

Pilot Jack Maitland poses with his "Yuke" in Moscow.

___

Operational flying accumulates many hours for the air crews concerned, and most of these hours would be straightforward and uneventful. Naturally, with all these trips over the years there are bound to be stories, funny ones and otherwise. To start, and due to the intrinsic nature of the Yukon which would typically be loaded with heavy cargoes, there are a few stories of the Yukon's nose going up, and not due to any takeoff procedure. Pilot Larry Byrne remembers one such story: “East Pakistan had a typhoon go through so we flew some girders for electrical towers and a bunch of blankets and stuff and that was our load. We picked them up from Trenton. My mom and dad lived in Lachine [Quebec] and I went over to their place for lunch while they were loading the airplane. My dad drove me back to the airport at Dorval; I couldn't see the tail of the airplane over the AMU [Aviation Maintenance Unit] and I said to my dad, 'oh my God, they've left without me!' So we drove around the corner of the thing and there was the Yukon sitting on its tail. They had loaded the stuff in through the side loader and they intended to push it forward. And they put this one set of girders on there and down she went. The thing that saved the airplane was they had a big wooden tie-down box in the back of the airplane and when the girders slid back they hit the box instead of hitting the pressure hull of the airplane and so they put a bridle on the front of the airplane and then slowly offloaded then lowered the thing and reloaded it properly. The only thing that was damaged was the seal on the door; and so we flew it back to Trenton and they changed the seal and the next day we were on our way to East Pakistan, and that was my check-ride. The captain was on that was Bill Cars.“

___

Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau was a frequent flier on 412 Squadron Yukons. He is also credited, by some, with helping reduce of the Canadian Armed Forces' size; the fallout, of course, is felt to this day. Burke opines: “(but) ironically he was probably one of the easiest persons to fly anywhere as a passenger, he really was.  He just did not have any use for a military." (Author’s note: Pardon me while I go and paint some machine guns onto my lawnmower.) Bill Cars remembers flying Trudeau out one night: “He stood up in the cockpit for the takeoff but it was night and there were lights all around… soon as the Yukon went out and because there was this weird climb he just went to the back.”

___

One thing that was obvious to me was the fact that the individuals I interviewed all had fond memories about flying on the Yukon — and a lot of fun was apparent in the rapport displayed during the group interview I did as part of my research in CFB Trenton. This really showed when I thought I would ask a seemingly innocent question — one brought on after hearing of some of the trips to a few 'hot-spots'. My question: “Were you guys ever armed?” This elicited an immediate reaction from Navigator Bob Burke: “We had security people. My god, I wouldn't give these guys guns!” Flight Engineer Bernie Hazleton chimes in with, “It's bad enough giving them a screwdriver”.

 ___

Pilot Doug Scott remembers the final days, “the Yukon retired on the second of April, ’71, and I retired on the ninth of April. They threw me out at the same time as the Yukon”. Pilot Paul Aubin transferred to the new Boeing machines when they came into service: “Going to the 707 was an ego trip but the Yukon was a great airplane, to think back… it was a wonderful experience.”

Pilot and 437 Squadron Commander David Adamson negotiated the purchase of the Boeing 707 which came into service with the air force in 1970 and completely replaced the Yukon the following year. Adamson found the Yukon to be “a bit of a challenge to fly”. He admitted to me that he was always happy to get back on the ground but is very proud of the aircraft's safety record. No Yukon was ever involved in any serious accident.

___

James Lynch sums up his feelings on the Yukon: “The aircraft was definitely a well designed aircraft. It was a very, very nice aircraft to fly. It really was a beautiful aircraft."

The Yukon and its implementation was a memorable chapter in Canadian aviation, certainly Canadian military aviation. It was an aircraft developed and flown to fulfill a requirement laid out by our armed forces and it performed admirably — as several people in this article have noted.  Unfortunately, because so few units were produced, coupled with the fact that Canadians seem to have a hard time 'caring' about most of what we do, especially regarding our military and the many successful and historically relevant exploits therein, this aircraft is destined to be all but forgotten by all but the most die hard enthusiasts. 

For those of us who had the pleasure or honour of flying on her as either flight crew or passenger, it was a memorable chapter. To me, the Yukon was a beautiful aircraft.

***

As I stated at the beginning of the piece, I interviewed many people involved with the CC-106 Yukon. They are:

Jack O. Maitland, Pilot and 437 Squadron Commander (Telephone)
David R. Adamson, Pilot and 437 Squadron Commander (Telephone)
Bill Cars, Pilot, Major Ret'd (In person, and Telephone)
James Lynch, Pilot (In Person)
Doug Scott, Pilot, Captain Ret'd (In Person)
Paul Aubin, Pilot, Major Ret'd (In Person)
Larry Byrne, Pilot (Telephone)
Bernie “Shorty” Hazelton, Flight Engineer, Chief WO Ret'd (In Person)
Geoff Brogden, Flight Engineer, Ret'd (In Person)
Bob Burke, Navigator, Captain Ret'd (In Person, and Telephone)
Don Bengert, Navigator, Major Ret'd (In Person)
Phyliss Sproul Gravelle, Flight Attendant, Master Corporal Ret'd (In Person)
Georgina “Andy” Andreanopolis, Flight Attendant, WO Ret'd (In Person)

RCAF Hercules ― A Flip of a Trip!

With the Government of Canada announcing a conditional sale of 10 retired Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation, a British Columbia-based aerial firefighting company, memories returned, again. It would have been an "H" variant that I flew on....

A "flip" on a Canadian Armed Forces CC-130 Hercules built some of my fondest memories. As a military "dependent", or "brat", one gets occasional lifts on transport aircraft. In my case, a trip to England from West Germany, and back again, involved hopping onto a Herc.

Kids, brat kids, don't care about the luxury of a commercial airliner as much as the raw and open power of four Allison turboprops propelling noisily a military transport aircraft. During takeoff, especially, the racket is invigorating. But, my mother hated it. I can still picture her sitting opposite me. She slumped in her seat, obviously hoping the flight would be brief.

I remember a flight back to West Germany out of Gatwick Airport. The aircraft was packed: service people and their families, and individuals, occupying all available seating ― there is no designated seating on a Herc, by the way; no seat 12A. As a matter of fact, the seats would be better described as "webbing". As I sat against the forward starboard bulkhead, the flight suddenly, and without any warning, became a joy ride. We shot straight up from our seats and seconds later we were dropped with great force back down. Mere inches from my right foot a blur and a great sound: "Clack-cla-ClackClack!" The tethered cargo retaining shackles that were normally affixed to the bulkhead immediately beside me had also risen during the aircraft drop, but instead of falling back into position, they fell to the floor, missing me... barely. I asked my dad years later about that incident. He remembered it, too:

"If those hadda hit you there would've been hell to pay."

"What happened?"

"The loadmaster wasn't doing his job."


My sister served in our Forces for a few years in the 1980's. She was stationed for some time at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. "Maple Flag", a training exercise, is hosted at the base every summer. A participant in these games is the Hercules. One day a compatriot asked Karen if she wanted to jump on board. She said yes.

During Maple Flag, Hercs will execute a series of evasive maneuvers. This process involves the pilot (a "Herc Driver") putting his or her machine into various attitudes: skids; power back; power full; turns; and so on. The idea is you are being attacked and such changes in the aircraft's flight attitude increases your chances of survival. During the twists and turns, flares are dropped in order to help 'confuse' any intercepting missiles.

It was hot. The Herc flew its special maneuvers over prairie fields. Karen started to feel unwell. It was too much for her system; too much to take. It was bound to happen.

As she held the special receiving bag in front of her mouth, she unloaded. A steady stream of stomach contents. A crewmember rubbed her back.

The aircraft landed back at the base. Karen: "The most humiliating part was I had to carry my bag of vomit off the plane."

I asked her recently who the crewmember was. "It might have been the flight engineer." I doubt it. He would have been in the cockpit, with the pilots. It was probably the loadmaster.

It's International Cat Day — Representative Willie

How could I (almost) forget such a special day?... A day dedicated to my favourite pet.

Athot for the Day: On Onomy

A prime example of "Metonymy"....

"Pierre Poilievre", the failed politician.

Picturing: Great Lakes Freighter Stern View

 

Further to my "Picturing" post from yesterday, the above picture, which I originally posted on May 26th, has now gotten the Lightroom treatment.

What a difference Adobe photo-editing software makes. 

The Case of the Expanding Smartphone Battery

Yep. Last Wednesday while my phone was supposedly recharging, it happened. More correctly, it happened after I disconnected the USB connector to inspect why my phone 'felt' inert. I dug my fingernail in to pop open the phone body. As I fumbled about for a few seconds I noticed the glass was lifting off ever so slightly from the body. To the other side: same thing.

Sometimes I'm a few beats behind getting the story, but this one I immediately knew to be trouble. I quarantined the phone on a concrete surface, as suggested by an answer I received from a quick and essential online search.

Simon Sans Phone.

Thankfully not this....

Picturing: Freighter Saguenay Through Lightroom

On May 24th I posted a piece on my first film slide/negative scanner. I posted my first scan straight to this site without any manipulation. Minutes ago I ran the photo through Lightroom. Much better.

What took so long?

Sunday Fun: Oh, That's Why

Saturday mornings, while working, the BBC Radio 2 show Rylan on Saturday makes for a pleasant distraction for me. On it the congenial and charming host ("Hi, Gorgeous!") hosts a segment, or segments, titled "Couch Potatoes". Trivia is something I like very much. My high school buddy Donald and I drew great pleasure from playing NTN Trivia. We often would win a round or two each Saturday night. On one particular pub beer-fueled evening my buddy and I came in ninth in all of North America after one of these rounds. It was always fun seeing "Davros" placed on the video screen after a match's points total.

Let me get to the real story....

One Saturday morning, after a few months of playing along with Couch Potatoes, I blurted out, to no one, "What's with all the bleedin' film and television questions?! That's all there ever is." Another month or two passed: "Oh. That's right. It's called 'couch potatoes'. How could I have missed that?"

Don't answer that, please.

Quote: "Mr Spock" on that Horrible Human Trait

“I'm frequently appalled by the low regard you Earthmen have for life."

Yep, I'm reminded of that every time I "open up a newspaper".

Athot for the Day: Really

The media loves "slams". Perhaps they should try "thinks". It wouldn't hurt them. Really.

Quote: Ecclesiastes on a Certain Repetition

"There is nothing new under the sun."

I'm old enough to have witnessed this.

Picturing: Look, Folks! No Jets!

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, also known as Toronto Island Airport, should not have jet aircraft.

Philosophy Street: isms

Dualism: the idea that mind and body are distinct. (Descartes)

Monism: the idea that mind and body are one. (Spinoza)

Whatism: the idea that mind and body aren't even aware of each other. (St. Laurent)

Quote: John Cassavetes on Certain Treatments

"I’m very worried about the depiction of women on the screen. It’s gotten worse than ever and it’s related to their being either high- or low-class concubines, and the only question is when or where they will go to bed, with whom, and how many. There’s nothing to do with the dreams of women, or of woman as the dream, nothing to do with the quirky part of her, the wonder of her.”

Well said, by a director who genuinely cared about the depiction of women on the big screen.

Quote: John Cassavetes on His Films

"People have said that my films are very difficult to watch, that they're experiences you are put through rather than ones you enjoy, and it's true."

A Woman Under the Influence was brilliant, but I'll never watch it again. On the other hand, I've seen the equally great The Killing of a Chinese Bookie a couple of times, and I'll readily rewatch it. Cassavetes' films run the gamut of 'involvement'.

Blog Post: Filmmaker Stanley Kubrick (1928 - 1999)

The great film director Stanley Kubrick would have been 98 years of age today. I remember getting the news when he died. A friend paged me while I was enjoying a pub-drawn beer with friends.

The movie memories flew!

They all started with what I think is perhaps the greatest film ever made....

2001: A Space Odyssey

I first saw that one a few years after it was released. My family was visiting London (UK) in the summer of 1970, and the flick was still playing in 70mm at the MGM. My dad was planning to take me to see it but something came up and it never happened. I would have to wait a year: the presentation, while in 35mm, was excellent. CFB Borden's "Terra" theatre was a good house, one featuring a full wide screen; not one squeezed to an almost perfect square by an encroaching proscenium. 2001 remains my most profound movie-going experience. It stayed with me for weeks.

My favourite Kubrick films:

A Clockwork Orange

Paths of Glory

Dr. Strangelove

Full Metal Jacket

Barry Lyndon

The Shining

,,, they're hardly listed in order. How can I list an exact order? It's Stanley Kubrick I'm talking about.

Postscript: While I am working on a project here at home today, I will make time for Stanley Kubrick and his consistently-stellar flicks. By the way, director Christopher Nolan has great taste.

Sunday Fun: To Answer a Movie-Going Question

On Wednesday, March 25th, I asked a question, one I promised to eventually answer... even late... four months late. Here's the original text of Question: What Movie Did I See? (The answer will be posted in the 'comments' section later today.)

After taking in a movie matinee at Toronto's "Bloor Cinema" (now the "Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema") one beautifully sunny day in April of 2000, I called my brother:

"I just saw the best f*cking movie ever made!"

"What did you see?"

Yes, what did I see?

A clue, although it would function more as trivia since it wouldn't mean a lot to the reader: I first saw it when I was a kid living in (West) Germany. The screening took place at CFB Baden-Soellingen's "Astra" theatre, a few years after the flick in question was first released. My Grade-3 schoolmates and I enjoyed our day at the movies. (From a seat behind me: "He won't shoot him.") Little did I know my rating would fly sky-high years later, and involve a modicum of essential profanity.

Quote: Stanley Kubrick on the Just Do It

"Perhaps it sounds ridiculous, but the best thing that young filmmakers should do is to get hold of a camera and some film and make a movie of any kind at all."

He said that in the 1960s. Given today's imagining technology and its accessibility, don't waste your time going to film school. Take that potential debt and roll it into making films.

Quote: Albert Einstein on Opposing Force

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."

... this is being exemplified today.

Quote: Stanley Kubrick on That Dynamic

"The great nations have always acted like gangsters, and the small nations like prostitutes."

But times are changing....

Toronto News: Billy Bishop to Stick With Props

From the Toronto Star — Friday, July 24, 2026

With the news breaking yesterday that the federal government has ruled against the latest effort to expand Billy Bishop Airport, and especially its airstrip, so that jets airliners can ply their trade, I remembered a piece I wrote in August of 2013. At that time there was a big push in some quarters to jet-up Billy Bishop Airport.

Yes, the Toronto Sun... I know. Enjoy!

Toronto Sun columnist Simon Kent is against those who are against expansion of Billy Bishop Airport. He conveniently forgets to mention (he probably doesn't even know) that an airport, by its very nature, has a huge 'footprint'.

Aircraft noise and smell (fuel) are issues, but there are others...

Kent states, "Opponents are warming up and already expressing doubts over the modest proposal by Porter Airlines to add 168 metres to either end of the tarmac."

No. First of all, that measurement, for those who have a hard time with metric distances, is an over 500 foot increase in the airstrip's length. Anyway, the lengthening invites larger aircraft — jets — which will up the overall capacity for the airport (which, of course, is the whole idea; hello, Porter Airlines). I'm not against this on the surface but the major problem is that Billy Bishop Airport lacks multiple access points; roads which are essential for the amount of traffic that a larger facility demands. Anyone who lives in Toronto and is familiar with the current mainland-island connection knows that the intersection of Bathurst and Front Streets is "impossible", never mind what will happen, not might happen, with airport expansion. Believe me, it wouldn't beeping stop: Service and transport vehicles, fuel tanker trucks, personal cars; the commotion, constant commotion, would be immense.

"That airport near Canary Wharf was officially opened on Nov. 5, 1987, after heated debate and handled just four airlines going to just Brussels, Paris and Plymouth. Today it is a spectacular success and home to 10 airlines, serving 43 destinations and carrying as many as 10 million passengers annually."

Again, he loses. London City Airport has efficient road access and is more than a little distance away from the city-centre, so his comparison is inauthentic.

Either Simon Kent does not know what he's talking about, or it's the usual Toronto Sun propaganda; and you're an "idiot" if you are against airport expansion. Didn't you know? Well, I'm safe because I would like to hear the various assessments and, based on my already-in-place great interest in civil aviation, I will make my own decision. But, for now, it does not look good.

"If Toronto is to keep growing and keep connected to the wider world, a second airport is essential."

Oh, really? I did not know that. And it's somewhat surprising that Simon Kent knows....

Turbulence lies ahead in Billy Bishop Airport debate

... I find it comical that the Toronto Sun's photo editor chose a picture which obviously was taken on a smog day. That gets a grand "lol".

*  *  *

Postscript: "If Toronto is to keep growing and keep connected to the wider world, a second airport is essential."  As it turns out, Toronto has been growing just fine... in spite of that idiotic comment.

Quote: Jules Verne on Cats

"I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through."

Then slide down sunshine.

Obituary: Jerry Goldsmith — The Toronto Sun, 7/23/04

Early this morning I was reminded that the late great film composer Jerry Goldsmith died twenty-two years ago today. It seems like ten years ago.

The news of his passing had been given to me through a telephone call from my brother one sunny morning: "Hey, man. Goldsmith died."

This fan since high school was saddened by the news. He was an artist who I greatly admired, and consider him to be the greatest craftsman to have practiced the art of film scoring.

What impresses some of us most about the stellar scorer is his body of work. Take a step back and look at the variety of scoring. From horse operas to space operas, with small and intimate films in between: Wild Rovers to Star Trek - The Motion Picture, with A Patch of Blue, a Papillon, some Gremlins, and The Mummy. From television: signature themes for Dr. Kildare, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Room 222, Barnaby Jones, Police Story, and The Waltons.

My brother and I met Goldsmith at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall in November of 1990. He had three concert dates where he played a sampling of his movie and television material. While I chatted with some people in the lobby after the concert I overheard an older gentleman telling another regular concertgoer — they were dressed like season ticket-holders — his feelings:

"I was very impressed . . . it must take an incredible mind . . . that's a lot of music."

"Mister Goldsmith, I finally get to meet you. I've been a fan for twelve years." I remember the slight smile on his face. Oh yes, another nutty fan. (I was one of many nutters in that lineup.)

I was uncharacteristically a little nervous. Big name, small name, I don't care. But. I'm thinking: "This is the guy who wrote Ave Satani !"

Freakin' genius!

Quote: Maya Angelou on Those Tales from the Crypt

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

... which is why I never shut the f**k up!

Quote: Roseanne on John Waters

"There's such a genius lurking in there amongst all those bushes of madness."

I agree! The lady's a poet!

Quote: Me on Saturdays

"Saturday is the only true weekend day."

Picturing: Royal Bank Plaza from the Scotiabank Arena

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Memories: Special Apollo & Soyuz Launches of 1975

This morning I saw an 'on this date' post noting it was fifty-one years ago today that a certain event took place: a forward-thinking upward motion of cold war détente. Too many years ago I was there in front of the Zenith colour television tube as the anticipation was building, and had been building for some time, for a special orbital rendezvous: the "Apollo-Soyuz Test Project" would fire into being with two rocket launches, one of each from the USA and the USSR.

Perhaps the single most exciting "blast off" for me on July 15, 1975, was that of Soyuz 19, the Soviet side of the project. The Soyuz launch vehicle and spacecraft were somewhat mysterious entities to those of us in the west — civilians in the west. Photographs had been released by the Soviets, some officially and others unofficially, so we knew what the machine looked like at launch — it looked super cool, that's what it looked — but there were no motion picture images and nothing substantial in the way of data and specifications.

(Like the Vostok and Voskhod rockets the Soyuz was an outgrowth of the brilliant R-7A Semyorka, itself an upgrade of the earlier R-7 Semyorka.)

This then space cadet looked forward to seeing the Saturn 1B rocket lift the Apollo space vehicle, but, again, the big draw for me, and many others, no doubt, was getting to witness the launch of the Soviet machine. As I sat all giddy, the Zenith danced its chromatic scales. There was an anticipatory tension, an almost drum roll, as we waited for the scheduled launch time. When the final countdown rolled, we scrutinized every piece of visual data — there was no audio of the launch. That great Soyuz Roar would not be heard by me for many more years.

The rocket lifted; it was beautiful....

The video clip above is very 'archival'. No doubt it's been dubbed-down a few times over the years. The original 2-inch 'Quad' tape it is not. That flicker/roll you see at the shot-cuts looks to be a 'time base correction' issue: it may be due to uncorrected duplication, one lacking a TBC (Time Base Corrector), or it may have been in the original live transmission, which is my guess as I've seen other sources displaying the same malady — it was a satellite feed, to boot.

Postscript: the mission's astronauts were Thomas P. Stafford, Vance D. Brand, and Deke Slayton; the cosmonauts, Alexei Leonov and Valery Kubasov.

Picturing: Gifts from a Lovely Brazilian Lady

Ana, who hails from "The Big City" in Brazil, gifted me with two appreciated items a couple of years ago. They've been sitting front, center, and proper, on my computer desk since then. I never asked them to pose before twenty minutes ago.

The name Ana used for that bird of origami, I cannot remember, but she said it's the same thing... origami. The memento on the right is a Lembrança de Brasília (Brasília Souvenir).

Ana's a sweet and kind lady.

Picturing: from Toronto's Beautiful "Annex" Streets

On Madison Avenue, looking north from Bernard Avenue, here in Toronto's beautiful "Annex" neighbourhood. On my way to the Gleam & Sip to get a late morning coffee....

Quote: "Archie Bunker" Just Like a Conservative

"No bum that can't speak poifect English oughta stay in this country—oughta be de-exported the hell oughta here!"

The internet has revealed just how many "Archie Bunkers" are out there.

Picturing: On a Music Video Shoot Near Lake Erie

Producer/Director Barry Silverthorn and me.

Barry looks through the Arriflex ST while I hold a light meter.

Me lining up a shot, Jorge Parra with reflector, and crewmember.

* * *

Special thanks to Barry Silverthorn for contacting me and for supplying the above photos, which were taken during a music video shoot near Lake Erie. Beautiful countryside!

Oh, June, 1990. We were so young. I had recently returned from a few weeks in England, and upon my return, found out that my name had been offered to Barry after he asked Jorge: "Do you know anyone who can shoot film and make it look good?" I was flattered. Jorge and I had attended film school together. By the way, two months later we all worked together on another music video: that one was for the Toronto-based ska band, "One". I should mention that Barry is a super-nice and easygoing guy, and he was very easy to work with.

Picturing: Criterion Blu-ray of Desperate Living

A couple of days ago I remembered that Criterion's release of John Waters' 1977 flick Desperate Living has hit the shelves. A quick trip today to Toronto's great Bay Street Video was not exactly an errand of desperation, but one of... satiation. I love John Waters' early films. The man is an original. With each of his pictures, while there are similarities in theme and character-types, one never knows what's on one's plate. Desperate Living is one of my favourite "Waters".

Soon!

Picturing: Church of the Redeemer Sculpture

On my walk back home from an errand today here in the great city of Toronto, I noticed a beautiful bronze sculpture outside the Church of the Redeemer. I did some research minutes ago: it's titled When I Was Sick, by acclaimed Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz.

I'm an atheist, and a former art student, don't get me going about "Early Christian Art", but I absolutely love bronze sculptures and appreciate those of a beautiful place of worship.

Apparently it was unveiled in September of 2023. I must have the habit of walking on the south side of Bloor Street when crossing the Avenue Road / University Avenue intersection.

How could I have not noticed When I Was Sick till an hour ago?

Postscript: years ago I was a fairly regular concertgoer at that lovely church. I would bump into an old college teacher there. It was at the Church of the Redeemer that I attended a performance of a pretty magnificent piece for solo violin composed by Srul Glick, superbly performed by a young woman who was a York University student. I've since forgotten the name of the piece and the violinist, unfortunately. Glick was in attendance. The year would have been 1987 or 1988. I was young. There's nothing stopping me from again being a 'regular'.

Blog Post: Toronto Welcomes More-Bearable Temps

A couple of hours ago I popped out to grab a coffee. Ahh, my skin could breathe again....

That extreme heat and humidity made for an uncomfortable week.

In Toronto right now it's 22 Celsius (72 Fahrenheit), with a projected high today of 24 (75).

Much better.

Athot for the Day: What's Almost in a Name

I just realized that the Toho monster Mothra, in name, is but one vowel change from "Mithra". The original Japanese name is "Mosura". It would seem to me that someone was a crafty translator!

 

Picturing: An Extra Fine Corona Extra on Deck

It's 33 Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) here in Toronto right now... with friend.

Toronto Weather Watch: Already?!

It's only 9:30am and already it's 30 Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) here in Toronto. For some reason I have the urge to pull out those 8mm movie films my dad shot of me frolicking in the cool crisp waters of the Bay of Fundy.

Ah, yes, the beautiful Bay of Fundy....

Happy Canada Day! The Greatest Place on Earth

Weather Watch: the Extreme Temperatures of Toronto

From CP24:

"According to the orange warning issued by the national weather agency for Toronto, temperatures could reach as high as 37 C [99 F] from Tuesday through Friday, possibly stretching into the weekend as well. Humidex values will make it feel like 43 [109] on Tuesday and 44 [111] on Wednesday."

Look, if I want to live on the surface of Venus, I'll watch Der Schweigende Stern.

Athot for the Day: To Affect an Effect

Once one accepts that life is a lost cause, one cannot gain even a modicum of happiness.

Or, as the great modern-day philosopher Allan Konigsberg once said: "Life is divided into the horrible and the miserable."

Sunday Fun: Morning Fun at Paupers Pub, Toronto

The Hand of Orlach

It's becoming a bi-monthly ritual, the third Sunday morning visit since early March. I'm hardly a big beer drinker, but for some strange reason I don't mind having the odd Sunday morning beer.

The breaky was awesome! After nibbling for a couple of minutes I figured I should pop out the Canon and snap a Facebook-style picture.

A visit to Paupers Pub, here in Toronto, I would highly recommend to visitors and denizens alike.

May I suggest?

Picturing: A Shirt for Canada Day (and Year-round)

The T-shirt is ready to go for Canada Day!