Exploring Japanese Independent Study

It's official, our Japanese language school is changing classes to Thursday nights next year. Several of my classmates are in the same boat as me: Thursdays just don't work. We could check out the continuing ed Japanese classes at MRU or the University of Calgary, but the timing may not work for all of us as a group.

To that end, we have been talking about getting together on a regular basis next year to keep up with our studies. One thing we'll have to really practice is conversing in Japanese.

We also discussed the need to get supplemental Japanese study materials.

This is another area that is worth exploring - online independent courses. Here are some courses that I've found:

Japanese 199 - Independent Study at UC Berkley

JAPAN 041: First-Year Japanese, Part 1 at BYU

DeWitt HS Japanese Independent Study

Taking Your Dog to Crowded Places

Maestro gets fidgety after sitting for too long. He needs stretch his legs before listening to the next band. Photo by R-M Arca.

Spring has finally arrived in Calgary. The sun has been shining brightly. People have been sporting shorts and capris. Even the family dogs are eager to sit in the backyard and catch some rays.

Outdoor festivals will be starting soon too. Lots of people will be out and about, not to mention loud music and all sorts of sounds.

Can you take your dog with you? Well yes, sometimes. However, to make it a pleasant experience for the entire family, you have to train together.

I've been taking Maestro out to festivals since he was approximately three years-old. Some festivals don't allow regular dogs on-site, but events like the Calgary Folk Festival take place in one area of a park. Maestro and I join the other families with their dogs and chill on the "free side of the fence".

I think the first time, I drove downtown and parked really close to Prince's Island Park. I picked one of the quieter times to head to the park and it wasn't too hot. Maestro and I brought snacks, water and poopy bags along with a blanket and his Doggles. We didn't stay too long - probably just a couple of hours.

With each passing event, Maestro came on longer festival "adventures". A few years back, he got his own backpack to carry his gear. It makes him feel special.

A few things I've learned along the way are:

• Know Your Dog: Do you know the signs your dog gives out when stressed? Angry? Hungry? Frightened? Needs to relieve him or herself? Tired? Overheated? You need to keep a vigilant eye on your pet and react quickly.

• Know the Area: When you arrive, scout out the area. You need to know where are the quiet areas that you can take your dog for a timeout. Also, you have to find a shady spot for your furry friend so he or she doesn't overheat.

• Keep an Eye Out for Irritants: If your dog has a fear of big truck engines or displays with loud generators, pick a different route. If you see a bunch of noisy kids or dogs up ahead, a little distance will do you good.

• Keep Together: You can't help your dog if you're 20 feet away and he or she is in distress. The bigger the crowd, the more important it is that you have your dog on a tight leash. It's as much for your dog's protection as everyone else's.

• Train your dog: If your dog doesn't know the equivalent of "heel", "come", "leave it", "stay", "stop", then your dog isn't ready yet.

Here are some informative articles I've come across on dogs and crowds:

Dogs and Crowds from Cats and Dogs Naturally

Dogs and Crowds from Paddington Pups

Dogs and Crowd Control from Cesar's Way

Cesar's article especially is worth a read.

Richard Taylor on the Passion of Making Things

Last month, I volunteered at the Calgary Expo. There were many exciting panels offered, which sadly, I was unable to attend since I was volunteering in another building.

However, thanks to Flipon.TV and the Calgary Expo, most, if not all discussion panels were filmed and archived. They are available with a Calgary Expo Archive Pass for only $14.95 CAD.

I recently watched the Middle Earth panel that included LOTR/Hobbit actors Craig Parker and Mark Ferguson, along with Sir Richard Taylor and Dave Tremont from WETA Workshop. Not only was it informative but a lot of what WETA co-founder Richard Taylor said really ties nicely with any of the creative arts, including music.

One patron asked what advice they could give to those aspiring to break into the industry. Taylor listed WETA's hiring criteria in order of importance:

1. Passion

2. Enthusiasm

3. Tenacity

4. Talent

He said that you can't expect to ride on talent alone. Your passion to create fuels your enthusiasm, which helps propel you into action. Tenacity is what  helps keeps you going when the going gets tough.

Any creative endeavor, to be good at it and to be recognized for it, takes hard work. The going gets tough. A lot.  Your favourite actors, writers and musicians will tell you the exact same thing.

If you invert that list, Richard Taylor said that you'll just be creating "hollow opportunities". A cheap plastic creation.

"You're weaving a tapestry," he said. "No matter how pale or how thin the thread that you're given in your needle to weave into that tapestry — if you don't weave it with care and thoughtfulness, creativity and passion — in some way, the tapestry will be threadbare."

Have you listened to someone perform a song who hates the song? Or doesn't know it well? Now compare that with someone who performs a piece they know extremely well and are giving it their all. There's a huge difference.

As a musician, you are weaving a tapestry with sound. The notes, rhythm, dynamics and phrasing are just some of your threads. Whether you are in the practice room or on stage, at a school talent show or a music exam, weave your sound pictures with care.

Weave with not just your fingers and your feet. Create with your ears and your brain. Listen!

LEGO Masterpieces at the Calgary Expo and Beyond

One of the popular displays at the 2013 Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo was the Star Wars Endor display in Halls D & E, complete with Storm Troopers on speeder bikes, zipping along. This is the video I shot of the display:

Props to the Southern Alberta LEGO Users' Group for creating such a masterpiece.

There is definitely no shortage of LEGO geeks and masterpieces around the world. Check these out:

Who knew you could become a certified LEGO professional? There are even books about being an adult LEGO builder: The Cult of LEGO and The Unofficial LEGO Builders' Guide.

This pop up LEGO display by a Japanese man really takes the cake:

すごい です ね？

Red & White Club Comic & Toy Expo 2011 Review

Fans of comic books, figurines, collectibles and geeky toys gathered at this year's Red & White Club Comic & Toy Expo in Calgary, AB on October 16, 2011.

Comic fans of all ages flocked to the Red & White Club in Calgary for the 17th annual Comic & Toy Expo, held Sunday, October 16, 2011 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. This year's event boasted more vendors, more special guests and more costumes than last year.

Comic Artists and TV Celebrities Among Special Guests

Cary Nord (Star Trek: The Next Generation and Conan the Barbarian) and Riley Rossmo (Cowboy Ninja Vikings) made a return appearance as special guests. One fresh face on the scene was Scott Kowalchuck, a Calgary-based artist who co-created the series The Intrepids (Image Comics).

Also making an appearance at this year's comic con was the Quickdraw Animation Society. Quickdraw is a production and education facility in Calgary, Alberta. Quickdraw showcased some of their colourful 8-bit animations.

TV hosts Sheldon Smithers and Scott Cozens also met with fans. The duo love vintage items. Their show, “Canadian Pickers” (History Channel) follows them on their cross-country hunt in search of folk art, vintage collectibles and other gems.

Costume Contest Attracts a Huge Crowd

Various eras in comic history were represented at this year's costume contest. Supergirl, Batgirl and Shazam were among the classic comic superheroes. X-Men, Iron Man and Halo were among some of the more contemporary entries. People also saw triple with at least three Dr. Who's wandering the hall. With 28 entries, cosplay is a huge draw at the Comic & Toy Expo.

Third place went to a team featuring “Harlequin” and a young “Batgirl”. “Mystique” took second place. Her unique costume featured a likeness to several X-Men characters. First place went to “Iron Man Mark 1”. It took Jeremy Nordstom three months to make his winning costume. He used plastic, metal and wood for his suit, which weighed a hefty 75 pounds.

Tables and Tables of Old Comics, Vintage Toys, Face-painting and More

The vendors tables sold out well before the event. There were some familiar tables, including Olivier Antiques & Collectibles, Treasure Cove and Out of Chaos. “Isn't the atmosphere here today great?” asked Sid Olivier with a smile. One Star Wars fan was ecstatic when he checked out Treasure Cove's table: “I'm your dream for the vintage Star Wars and you're mine,” he told owner John Quong.

Attendees were introduced to some “fresh faces”. Jiggly Pig Comics from Victoria, BC, brought an extensive selection of comics. Amazing Stories Comics from Saskatoon, SK showcased printed t shirts, hoodies, “Goomba” toques and “+15 Frost Resistance” hats.

Some artists were on double duty. Cartoonist, film director, costume designer Rik Van Dyke sketched the faces of young fans onto their own comic book covers – when he wasn't selling geeky t shirts. He also was generating buzz for his upcoming movie “Bloodbeast”.

For those who didn't come to this comicon in costume, there was a fresh option. Amandamazing Art & Face Painting's table was busy with girls young and young at heart lining up to be painted.

This year's comic convention was more energetic than last year's event. The Red and White Club Comic & Toy Expo 2011 drew 727 attendees and close to 100 tables, featuring vendors, artists and clubs. Organizers are calling the 17th event, held October 16, 2011 at the Red & White Club beside McMahon Stadium, a huge success.

Originally published on Suite101.com on October 19, 2011. Updated May 3, 2013. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.