After a pretty lame Saturday, I decided that I better do something productive with my Sunday. So I did. I ran 10.6km at Burnaby Lake with my good friends Liz and Di, and I went for a walk and did some shopping with my friend Sheralyn downtown, taking photos all along the way. I felt like I had been neglecting my camera lately, so I made a promise to myself take it with me more often when I go places. We saw this tree absolutely covered in ladybugs on the way back from our walk. Good thing I had my camera, eh?

So, I had been debating on whether to go on this evening photowalk or not, and finally decided to stop thinking about it and just do it. I’m very glad that I did.

There was a large turnout for it, more than I expected. We met on Granville Island, and there were 3 models there to shoot, which I also wasn’t totally expecting.

I took some shots of one of the models, Barbara, in front of these lights boxes (after some coaxing from Scott) and this is probably my favourite one of the bunch.

Meanwhile, the guys were all shooting using flash triggers, which I don’t have any experience with, but Jeremy loaned me his remote trigger and Peter helped me get the correct settings to get a good shot. He got me to shoot using manual settings, which I’ve never done; I always just shoot in either shutter priority or aperture priority, but this is what these photowalks are for, learning! Below you will see my beautiful subjects for my first “off-camera flash” experience.

Afterwards, we walked around Granville Island a little more and John let me borrow his tripod for some shots. I really have to thank all of these guys. I was pretty intimidated at the beginning, but they sure made me feel welcome. It ended up being a total learning experience for me, and I look forward to more photowalks like this in the future.

Here’s another one of my favourite photos from last night – John showing the models one of the shots on his camera. To view the rest of my photowalk set, click here.

On October 3rd, I attended my 2nd BarCamp. Last year’s BarCamp – I can’t believe it’s already been a year! – was my first ever “un-conference.”

What the heck is an un-conference? (Am I right?)

Well, it’s basically an event that doesn’t get organized until you show up. Although, it is planned by a small group of people who actually attend BarCamp, my brother being one of them. Anyone who attends has the opportunity to pitch an idea for a session, in under 30 seconds, and then it gets scheduled into the day. There were 5 rooms with 5 sessions happening at once, in the Discovery Parks building on Great Canadian Way, and you just got to choose which ones you would like to go to.

Last year, my brother shot a short video of me as we were leaving BarCamp, to ask what I thought of it. Check it out below.

This year, I think I was a little more into doing my own thing, and not just following Jordan to whatever sessions he wanted to go to. In the morning, I went on the photowalk session with a bunch of photographers whom I know and admire, and after lunch went to the photography-related session that talked about using programs like Aperture and Lightroom to manipulate your photos. Now, of course, I need to out and buy one of them, because you can do all kinds of crazy stuff with your photos, and tag them and organize them in so many different ways. It’s nuts.

There were many other great discussions yesterday, and I learned a lot from some very cool people who are doing amazing things in the tech world.

I will leave you with a few photos I took yesterday during the photowalk.

I was amazed at how few cars were there. Most people chose to carpool, cycle, or take transit.

Thank you everyone, and hope to see you all next year at BarCamp!

The other night I went out with my Dad, brothers, Grandpa, uncles, and male cousins to a BC Lions game. Someone took this photo of my Grandpa Glenn and I, and after seeing it on my camera, he said, “Put it on the internet!” That just cracked me up.

My Grandpa is the king of gadgets. He’s the hardest person to buy gifts for, because when he sees somethings he wants, he just buys it immediately. He’s also the first guy to get anything, whether it’s a satellite dish, digital cable box, handheld GPS, iPod Touch – you name it, he’s got it. Although, the iPod Touch surprised us all. He one day complained that everyone had an iPod and he didn’t, so he went out and bought himself the latest and greatest thing on the market – just days before Christmas. Mind you, he had no idea how to set it up and put music on it, so my brother Jordan had to do it for him. Once he had music and some pictures on there, though, he was showing anyone who would pay attention to him. He’d throw on a Johnny Cash song, and then show you pictures of his fishing trip. It was hilarious.

So, I was going to just put this photo on Facebook and tag my Grandma Dot, who yes, actually is on Facebook, but Jordan suggested putting it on my website so that he’d always know where to find it (at least I hope!). So here’s my Grandpa Glenn, with “Grandpa’s girl,” at the BC Lions game.

I have been unbelievably lazy with blogging lately, and I’d like to blame it on being really busy doing fun stuff. Most of my weekends this summer have been spent out of town, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. It’s so nice to get out of the city once in awhile, and to spend time with friends and family.

Anyway, rather than waste my time explaining what I’ve been doing for the past couple months, I thought what better way to write a quick post about everything summer related, than with a bunch of photos that can speak for themselves? They do say a picture speaks a thousand words.

And without further adieu, here is Summer 2009 in pictures:

JUNE:

Dale & Jerra’s wedding in Las Vegas.
(The rest of this set is here.)

Volleyball Saturday’s on Jay’s rooftop.

My running club.

JULY:

Dale & Jerra’s “Powell River” wedding reception.

Taking a break on the drive up the Sunshine Coast.

What I LOVE about Powell River. Momsie, you da best!

Liz + Chris’ wedding in Powell River.

Our cabin, “Kokanee Cedar,” on Powell Lake, a.k.a. Paradise.

AUGUST:

Trip to the Okanagan.

Catching a Canadians game at Nat Bailey stadium.

Pool party at Uncle Bill and Auntie Joanne’s.

Thursday night Urban Rec soccer champs.

SEPTEMBER:

Wedding shoot in Kelowna with Emily.
(The rest of this set is being updated and is located here.)

Well, that’s it – the highlights, anyway. Here’s hoping that Autumn will bring some more new adventures my way…

Posted in Family, Friends, Fun Stuff, My Life, Weddings ]]> http://janisbehan.com/2009/09/27/summer-2009-in-pictures/feed/ 0 janisbehan IMGP3292 IMGP3303 IMGP3623 IMGP3760 IMGP3785 IMGP3790 IMGP3840 IMGP3849 IMGP3950 IMG_1799 IMG_1819 IMGP4062 IMGP4093 IMGP4292 IMGP4318 IMGP4429 IMG_1922 IMG_1924 IMGP4465 IMGP4495 IMGP4536 IMGP4569 IMGP4587 IMGP5015_2 http://janisbehan.com/2009/06/26/blubird-royale/ http://janisbehan.com/2009/06/26/blubird-royale/#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:56:56 +0000 janisbehan http://janisbehan.com/?p=601 ]]>

On Tuesday, June 30th, I’m going to helping out at a really exciting event called Blubird Royale. It’s a ladies only casino themed party, sponsored by Blubird Clothing and hosted at V Lounge at Earls Yaletown.

My sister-in-law’s good friend and professional female poker player, Lacey Jones, will be in attendance and giving poker lessons to any ladies who are interested. (If you’re looking for me, that’s the table where you will find me!)

Tickets are $30, and can be purchased at Blubird – but rumour has it that the gift bag you will receive, will be worth even more than your ticket! Blubird has a lot of little treats in store for this special ladies night. There will be poker prizes, and even a grand prize draw for a trip for two to Las Vegas, with 3 nights accommodation at Caesar’s Palace. (I’ve been, and Caesar’s is absolutely the best.) Proceeds from the event will go to Big Sisters of BC’s Lower Mainland.

So ladies, put on your hottest heels and your best poker face, and come on out to support Big Sisters! It’s going to be a blast.

Photo credit: Cashman Pro Photography

Just recently, I was fortunate enough to be a bridesmaid in the most amazing wedding I have ever experienced. My best friend, Jerra Pexton, married the love of her life, Dale Lupul, on Sunday, June 7, 2009, in a beautiful ceremony held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Many of the guests were there for a few days arriving on June 5th or 6th, and departing on June 8th or 9th, so they had a chance to experience Las Vegas and all of its glitz and glamour.

Las Vegas experienced a small cold front while we were there – but a cold front in June in Las Vegas still means 25 degrees celsius! The only day where we really felt the heat was Sunday, on the day of the wedding (of course).

The tears were flowing as soon as us girls saw Jerra in her wedding dress. She looked so gorgeous! Then, to see her father walk her down the aisle… he was unbelievably proud of her, and didn’t hesitate to tell anyone who would listen! She walked up an aisle covered in pink rose petals to the sound of a violin, surrounded by palm trees, and her and Dale said their vows in front of a waterfall. Not exactly how you pictured a Vegas wedding, is it?

After the ceremony, the newly wed couple and the wedding party posed for pictures, and then took a limo trip to take photos in front of the Las Vegas sign. The reception afterward was a poolside cocktail party at Treasure Island. It was a very nontraditional wedding, filled with so many amazing moments, great new friends, and a reaffirmation in my belief that true love actually exists.

Photo credit: Cashman Pro Photography

Jerra and Dale, I truly wish you a “happily ever after” together, with a marriage full of love, and many offspring!! Thank you so much for letting me share your beautiful wedding day with you!

xo

**UPDATE: One thing I forgot to mention in this post – do you see that gorgeous dress? It was made by her VERY talented mother, Cathy Spreeuw. Also, a full set of photos are available to view here.**

Here is the video I made for Jerra and Dale, that includes the speeches from the Maid of Honour and Best Man at the reception. Please note: It is very long, but I made it for them, not for you. Enjoy!

It’s crazy, but it’s true. My Mom applied to carry the Olympic torch in 2010 – she entered contests, she wrote essays, and finally her hard has work paid off. She got an e-mail confirming that she would indeed be carrying the Olympic torch next year on February 4, 2010 for 400 metres through our hometown of Powell River where she lives, in honour of the Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver. All she has to do is fill out some documents and mail them in, and it’s final!

She e-mailed my brothers, my sister-in-law, and myself, on June 12, 2009 with the subject line “Olympic torch bearer!” You could actually feel her excitement through the e-mail… “I’m jumping up and down!”

We, of course, all responded to her immediately to congratulate her, and then we let the internet know. Jordan thinks that the greatest thing that will come from this, is that my Mom will actually start using Twitter. And she has! A little bit, anyway.

Stay tuned for more updates regarding my Mom and the Olympic torch relay. Us kids have already vowed to make the trip to Powell River in February to watch her carry it proudly, and video her in process, obviously, so we can share it with all of you!

May long weekend, I went on what was by far, the best bachelorette party ever. It will not be topped in this lifetime, I guarantee it.

My good friend Liz is getting married on July 11, 2009, in our hometown of Powell River, BC. Her sister Deanna, and her mother Nancy (whom I’ve known forever), had been planning her bachelorette weekend for months, and I felt honoured just to be involved. They wanted to take her on a trip somewhere, because when Deanna got married, Liz and her Mom whisked her off to Las Vegas for the weekend, and also didn’t tell her where she was going! Well, we followed the same theme here.

On Wednesday night, after a run with Liz, and a rained out beach volleyball game (and also an impromptu beer with our volleyball team that I couldn’t get out of!), I ran home to shower and change to get ready for Liz’ mom to come pick me up. She arrived from Powell River at around 8:00pm, before I even got out of the shower! I quickly grabbed my suitcase and we were on the road out to White Rock to surprise Liz. We had filled in her fiance, Chris, only a few days prior – because we didn’t think he could keep that big of a secret for so long! We called Chris when we arrived, and he let us into their apartment. Nancy walked in first, then me with a camera in my hand shooting video, and then there was Chris bringing up the rear. Liz had no idea what hit her. “What are YOU doing here?” she asked her Mom. “And what are you doing here all showered up?” she says to me. (I had only left her at the pub less than an hour ago.) Nancy just said casually, “I need someone to drive me to Seattle.”

“Yeah right,” she scoffed. We were serious. Nancy came down in her car and was going to make Liz drive. We told her to pull out her suitcase and passport, and start packing. We tell her that shorts, tank tops and bikinis should suffice. “Hmmm… it’s not that warm in Seattle!” Liz shouts, rather excitedly.

“Well, we might be catching a plane from Seattle tomorrow morning,” I tell her. She’s suspicious, but she’s happier than can be, because we told her to pack her bathing suit. There were some lame excuses about working the next day, but nope, Nancy had that covered weeks ago. It was a “bulletproof plan,” as Chris called it.

Before we knew it, we were in the car and cruising past the U.S. border. Even the border official obliged to our little game. He asked where we were going, and we said Seattle…. “Seattle is just the beginning”, Nancy told him. He didn’t seem to mind. He jokingly asked if we had any toys or strange things in the suitcases. Nope, and we were on our way!

After a very close flight connection and sprinting through the Phoenix airport, we endured our flights and arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida late in the evening. We are greeted by two screaming girls in a minivan – Liz’ sister Deanna who lives in Winnipeg, and her friend Christie who she played hockey with in College, and now lives in Sacramento, California. We arrived at the house, and Seanna, another friend and former teammate from College, arrived shortly after. She had already been in Lauderdale for a few days. She also used to live with Liz back when she was doing her teaching practicum in Fort Lauderdale, and back when I was working on boats and crashing at their place on the weekends I was in town. The next day, we picked up Jenny from the airport, another Powell Riverite, who was arriving from Toronto, and our crew was finally complete.

The weather wasn’t the best on Friday, there were rain showers on and off all day, so we spent most of it shopping. Later, it cleared up beautifully, and we cooked an amazing dinner at our pimpin’ house that we rented right on the intercoastal. If you’ve never been to South Florida before, they have these intercoastal waterways that weave throughout most of the area almost like streets. Residents who live on the waterway can dock their boat in their backyard. It’s a pretty sweet set-up. You can also catch water taxis on them that take you downtown and to other popular areas.

Saturday was the best day ever. We drove 2 hours south of Fort Lauderdale to Islamorada, in the Florida Keys, and we rented a boat. We were a little worried, as it started raining on our way down there, but the sun gods pulled through for a gorgeous sunny day in the Keys. We anchored our boat, along with about 50 others, on a sand bar in the middle of the ocean, where the water was only about waist deep. We drank beers, played frisbee, made some new friends, and had a football game in the water. It was pure awesomeness. The only minor setback – sunburns for everyone – but still the greatest day ever.

That night we dressed Liz up (nobody knows us, right?), went out for dinner, and then out on the town on Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Lauderdale. Vancouver really needs to follow Fort Lauderdale’s lead and just have all the bars open, with no cover, and no line up. Only at the really big clubs down there do you have to wait in line and pay cover. And even then, the club is at least worth the cover charge. There will be about 4 different rooms, with 4 different DJ’s playing all different kinds of music. We stuck to the main strip though, and just bar hopped, which was much more fun.

Sunday Funday was just a lazy day, lounging at the house in the morning, and sitting on the beach in the afternoon. A quick downpour late in the afternoon cleared the beach, so we ended up hitting a beach bar, and then headed back to the house for another delicious home-cooked meal.

Monday, sadly, it was time to leave. It was an unbelievable trip, and I want to thank all the girls that made it such a blast, especially you sneaky Betteridge girls. And Liz, thank you for being the awesome person that you are. We wouldn’t have been there if it weren’t for you. ‘Til next time, ladies! Well, July 11th in Powell River, for the wedding at least. xoxo

To finish things off, I’ll leave you with a little video I cooked up in honour of the weekend.

I took on a little personal project awhile ago, and I am glad to say I have finally finished it! I started out thinking I was going to make just one video, but it turned into two. The first one is an interview with myself on “Who is Janis Behan?” The second one is a selection of testimonials from some of my best friends with the same theme. I would like to thank these lovely girls for agreeing to participate in my geeky little project. It was a lot of fun, but I am very happy to have completed it. Editing video takes a lot out of you!

Well, without further adieu, here is “Who is Janis Behan? Part I”:

“Who is Janis Behan? Part II”: featuring Jerra Pexton, Emily Ingram, Carly Martin, Diana Caldarone, and Elizabeth Betteridge is below. I cannot thank you girls enough!

My friend Cheech is a personal trainer, and he wants to start putting together a portfolio, and he asked me to take a few pictures of him to get started. I was very happy to do it for him, because I am really starting to love my camera and I feel like I am learning something new every time I use it.

So we spent Saturday afternoon taking a few shots on his beautiful rooftop patio in Kits, and then we wandered down to a quiet spot on Kits beach for a few more. It was an awesome day for it; absolutely gorgeous weather. Looking back now, though, I wished I had a shield for the sun, because there are a lot of shadows in the photos.  Oh well, maybe next time.

I really had a ton of fun doing these photos, and I hope Cheech did, too. It wasn’t exactly hard to take a good photo of this guy. Anyway, here a few of my favourites below.

You can view the rest of the set and the full size photos here.