Coastal Temperate Forest Dweller

Of Life and Growth

2012-02-28T09:12:00.001-08:00

All flowers have to slowly
push their way through the ground and leaf litter,
reach for the sky,
learn to stand up,
and then,
burst into colour.

Even you and me.
Another day unlike any other that has
or will ever be.

Let's do it well.

I only had a few moments after work

2012-02-24T10:27:00.000-08:00

I only had a few moments after work

I walked over and looked out to sea to see what was different
Somber grays and no brilliant sunset glow setting the sky aflame
No riotous colours.

But that's ok

The clouds make their own pattern of wonder in the sky
The lower light requests a slightly longer exposure
There is a tugboat waiting as a gravel barge is being loaded
and greatest of all?

a transient piece of driftwood
the rootball of a tree
has made its way to the ocean and this shoreline
a long journey through time and place
to casually drift through the scene

I only had a few moments after work

but this moment will last forever

Koi in Space

2012-02-21T00:38:00.001-08:00

the galaxy is a reflection of the wonder we find all around,
inside and out, outside and in,
may we know and grow a little more each day
as we make our way on,
to be what we will become,
and become what we will be..

Sun and Cloud: The Creative Struggle

2012-02-16T09:53:00.000-08:00

Like Sun and cloud, our creative struggles, challenges, and success, are all the better for the combination.

I live in a rainforest. Unlike many of my fellow temperate coastal forest people I readily acknowledge the fact that the weather patterns will continue to bring rain here off of the ocean as they have for millenia, and that I have a choice of living locations. I could live in a desert arid climate, or the prairies where the fields run off into the distance. I've spent a bit of time in both those climates and, while I can appreciate the differences and beauty to them, I love the giant green forest, plethora of plants and mosses, and deep goodness in the woods along the sea.

So we have sun, and we have rain, and we have many many clouds, often.

I can tell you from personal experience that the sun and blue sky look absolutely brilliant when they peek through the clouds after a few days of being overcast. And the colours!! At sunset and sunrise, or other random moments through the day, you can find all sorts of weird and wonderful light making it's way through those clouds.

As for creative struggles? Well.. they're very similar. The passion and inspiration to germinate an idea, like a flash of brilliant sunlight. The striding forth in that light to start creating, to take pictures, lay words on paper, or pluck strings to make tunes. And then the struggle of choosing how to display that, how to share it, how to arrange it, how to quantify it, how to risk making it real, and tangible, and putting it out there.

There is a challenge and a struggle in that darkness.

And then there is the sun. Rising once more over the waters, over the hills, through the fog. A new day dawns and we stand there with our completed work for all to see. We have succeeded. We celebrate, and then strike out to see what this new day will bring, how it will inspire, how it will make us muse.

So know that you're not alone in that struggle, in that journey, in that quest. Though it is uniquely unique to you, it is also a generally shared experience to many, and we're cheering you on even though you must walk the steps yourself, we're hooting and hollering and waving banners, though you must ache and strive to continue.

Please do, for in watching you struggle and succeed you also cheer me on. So thank you.
Thank you and go well :)

Jordan Oram
The Maplemusketeer

ps You never know how sharing your muse and action will inspire others. To you something may seem small, but the ripples it casts will go on into until at least lunch time, possibly eternity ;)

Thanks to Paulissa Kipp who's comments to me this morning on Google Plus inspired this post, and to Jake Easley for his sharing of awesome and timeliness. ;)

My new book: A long daytrip to Long Beach and back!

2012-02-10T14:03:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to announce the release of my book "A long daytrip to Long Beach and back"!
It's available as an iBook ($3.99), soft cover ($34.95), and hard cover ($49.95) book and it wouldn't have been possible without the support and encouragement of all of you!

Thank you so much :D

I'm going to figure out some sort of contest and give away a few copies too ;)

And have already had a fun hangout on Google Plus discussing the various photos and sharing tips and tricks! It's all pretty exiting :D

I hope you all have a great weekend and find some wonder and awesomeness in our world :)

Jordan Oram
The Maplemusketeer

A long daytrip to Long Beach and back by Jordan Oram | Make Your Own Book

Sechelt Sunset

2012-02-02T19:57:00.000-08:00

The sunset seen over Vancouver Island from Sechelt, British Columbia.

Sunsets are one of those things that makes photographers late for dinner. Good light will do that. Sunrise, sunset, sun being filtered through clouds, all set the photographic heart atizzy. Because in one picture is immortality. A connection and link is formed in that moment that will last for us as long as we live. In the focus of that impassioned moment, other commitments disappear and fade away behind the glory of that glowing goodness.

Some will understand. Some won't. It is a link between those who chase their passion and find themselves at the whim of their muse.

So what? What does this mean? Well..
A) Enjoy sunsets. They're awesome. ;)
B) Hopefully we can develop some compassion and understanding for others when they get caught up in their passions, even when they aren't OUR passions. Oh heck. Hopefully we can all relax a bit and realize that people get caught up in things, and if it's something they love and are passionate about, then that's awesome! I want to support people living passionately and powerfully, chasing dreams and discovering wonders. So be it reading, writing, playing an instrument, carving wood, knitting, or whatever, let me know that I may cheer you on!

Because what the world can use, is more people living passionate and purposeful lives of awesome ;)

Lets do it :D

Crossing Howe Sound in the Winter

2012-02-02T14:22:00.001-08:00

Crossing Howe Sound in the Winter, a photo by maplemusketeer on Flickr.

I met a fellow on the ferry crossing who called it the world's cheapest/most scenic cruise. The 45minute sailing from Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal (on the outskirts of Vancouver) to the Langdale Ferry Terminal (on the Sunshine Coast) costs about $13 as a walk on passenger and you only have to pay the fare one way as the return trip back to Vancouver is free.

In the foreground is Gambier Island and in the background is the mainland en route up Howe Sound to Squamish and further still to Whistler. In the distance can be seen the top of Mt.Garabaldi.

I've been riding this route since I was in the womb. I still watch in awe during the voyage. :)

Sword Ferns, Snow, and a Self Portrait

2012-01-19T13:46:00.001-08:00

Sword Ferns, Snow, and a Self Portrait, a photo by maplemusketeer on Flickr.

We have snow! And it's hanging around a bit ;)

This isn't completely unheard of on the coast, however it's not all that common either. We're used to living in a green temperate rainforest. Emphasis on the temperate, which means neither too hot or too cold.

So I'm going to leave a bit early for working at the clinic (I work p/t as a Registered Massage Therapist) and see if any photos are lurking out there in the snow! :D

I hope January is treating you all well!
J

My top "Adventures with Friends" videos from 2011

2012-01-13T15:19:00.000-08:00

Adventures with Friends - Year in Review 2011

It being the end of the year, I've delved into the video archives from my youtube stream and selected my favourites of 2011 and shall present them in 4 categories.

Adventures in "How To" Photography

Adventures in Nifty Places

Adventures in Sillyness

Adventures with Friends

I've saved my favourite videos for last. So with no further ado let me present...

My top "Adventures with Friends" videos from 2011

This first video features my Mom's discovery of why feather pillows and washing machines don't mix well

After one of our Botanical Beach adventures on the West Coast of Vancouver Island we stopped in at a local pub for a pint and a rest. Then we discovered this.

While passing through Hope BC this fall my friend Kim showed me her nature inspired technique for harvesting plums ;)

I met this cat while doing some teaching and speaking at Camp Squeah. It is a very friendly cat, this Augustus.

I got to spend a bit of time with Yoshi (an amazing certified chef who does magic with food! Check out http://yoshifood.wordpress.com/ ) and we performed some wilderness rescue/relocation. With a cameo by Dustin the Pool Boy. ;)

During a trip to Squamish a plan to climb the Stawamus Chief was exchanged for a day spent driving to Abbotsford and back in the service of helping a friend move. Time well spent. In an elevator?

Riding with my Vancouver Island photoadventuring friend Karsten in the early morning.. listening to CBC in his old Subaru 'Ruby'

And to balance out the animal appearance here's a video of Roman the dog learning to challenge fears in the rainforest alongside some rapids.

We end this Friend Retrospective from 2011 with three videos from the same trip. My friends Mark and Timos came to the Sunshine Coast and I took them to Egmont where we hiked out to the Skookumchuck Rapids and stayed overnight at the old family land, with guitar and recorder playing, singing and much laughter.

Many adventures and memories with friends occurred over the course of 2011. I look forward to even more to come in 2012 :)

Thank you to my friends for adding immeasurably to my life. You're all a treasure of great worth to me.

Adventures in Sillyness - Year in Review 2011

2011-12-31T17:05:00.001-08:00

Adventures in Sillyness - Year in Review 2011

It being the end of the year, I've delved into the video archives from my youtube stream and selected my favourites of 2011 and shall present them in 4 categories.

Adventures in "How To" Photography

Adventures in Nifty Places

Adventures in Sillyness

Adventures with Friends

Now we're getting to the good stuff ;) For I do enjoy being silly. At some point while wading through the crap of life I realized that we can laugh, we can smile, we can look around and see things in different ways. So I tend to do that. And oftentimes other people will laugh and smile too. So with no further ado, I present my favourite Adventures in Sillyness from 2011.

A Cautionary Tale involving a Mooseskin Jacket and a Woodwind

Storage Units are Creepy

If I ever own a truck and a recliner...

Discovering Mysterious Structures of Unknown Purpose

The Sechelt Wharf... cautiously

A Poor Man's Whale Watching Trip in Horseshoe Bay, British Columbia, Canada

This concludes my 2011 Adventures in Sillyness.

But don't worry as I saved my favourites for the next, and final, Year in Review 2011 video recap when I'll look at a number of Adventures with Friends from last year ;)

May you find the adventures that are waiting all around :)

Adventures in Nifty Places - Year in Review 2011

2011-12-31T16:50:00.000-08:00

Adventures in Nifty Places - Year in Review 2011

It being the end of the year, I've delved into the video archives from my youtube stream and selected my favourites of 2011 and shall present them in 4 categories.

Adventures in "How To" Photography

Adventures in Nifty Places

Adventures in Sillyness

Adventures with Friends

The two videos that comprise the Adventures in Nifty Places category were actually both filmed near Hope, British Columbia. Which is a pretty nifty place indeed! These videos contain something of my curiousity and wonder at the places I find myself, as well as the little things I notice and discover. I know a number of people who really like them, and I enjoy making and sharing them, but for my favourites I lean towards things a titch more silly/involving friends ;) Which is why this is the shortest category in this year's Maplemusketeer Youtube review.

Next year I'll record myself in more nifty places ;)

Canoeing on Texas (Klahatter) Lake in my favourite weather. Adventurous mystery weather!

Kawkawa (Sucker's) Creek nature moment - Hope BC

Adventures in "How To" Photography - 2011 Year in Review

2011-12-31T15:09:00.000-08:00

Adventures in "How To" Photography

It being the end of the year, I've delved into the video archives from my youtube stream and selected my favourites of 2011 and shall present them in 4 categories.

Adventures in "How To" Photography

Adventures in Nifty Places

Adventures in Sillyness

Adventures with Friends

Adventures in "How To" Photography can basically be summed in the following pieces of practical advice which are then backed up through video example. If you follow these 3 pieces of advice you will become a better photographer. ;)

#1. Go

#2. Look around

#3. Have fun

Maplemusketeer How To - The Leg Hook

How to - Reflection Photography

How to - Take photos of awesome sunsets

This has been quite the adventurous and challenging year for me photographically. At the start of the year I took the hesitant nervous steps of sharing my photos to a broader audience beyond family and friends via DeviantArt and starting my own Facebook page. I borrowed gear and went on photoadventures to multiple locations with the intent of seeing, discovering, and trying to capture images that inspire me. I joined several photographer groups for encouragement and advice. And I joined Google Plus and saw things occur greater than I ever could have foretold or imagined. I've met so many wonderful and passionate people through the shared passion of photography and Google Plus that I'm still frequently stunned and amazed. I've gone from being a passionate wanderer with a camera, to a passionate Outdoor Adventure Editor (for WanderingEducators.com) with a camera.

Photographically 2011 has been quite a year of awakening and discovery. I can't even begin to hazard a guess at what 2012 will have in store for me. I shall greet it with my camera and my perspective, and delight in sharing it with you all, as you share with me your discoveries and journeys as well!

To all of you with a camera I say Go, Look Around, Have Fun.

Sincerely,
Jordan Oram

The Maplemusketeer

Sechelt Wharf Photography Experimentation on an overcast sky day

2011-12-28T16:46:00.000-08:00

Life is a giant playground of experimentation, and photography offers a lot of whimsyroom. You don't have to share any of your creations. You're allowed to take the various levels of contrast and colour, midtone and tint, and spread them as far or near as you'd like. Desaturate! Oversaturate! Play around and have fun.

Today I went on a little photowander around Sechelt. I went to the store and picked up a new memory card and some new rechargeable batteries for my wee Canon point and shoot (the only camera I own and what I take the majority of my photos with) with the little bit of Christmas money I was given (Thanks Grandpa! :D ) Then I wandered, as is usual for me, towards the sea.

I took a number of photos but we're going to look at what I did with this one. Firstly I'd rather shoot the image a bit darker so that I have more to work with in editing. If I exposed the sky as too white then I'd not have any data to work with there... just a bunch of white. Heck.. I'll occasionally do that on purpose for funking around in other ways, but it's not what I was looking for with this shot ;)

Then I got creative and moved a bunch of levels, and drank more tea, and put on my wool slippers.

I got the balance to where I like it. Now it's time to investigate some more cropping options. Try changing things around and see what you like, see what you don't like, learn about your preferences and what appeals to you. This is the adult photographer equivalent of finger painting. ;)

I'm ok with the fact that I use a wee point and shoot, and that the quality gets a bit suspect. Would I love to have a better camera and lens options? Heck yes I would! But I don't have those. SO this is what I can, and do, do.

Oh and lets check out those seagulls a bit more.. ;)

Cue the Wayne's World "Extreme Close-up"

So there you go. Sure it may not be the sharpest image (Ok it definitely isn't!) but it is an exploring with composition and creativity, learning to look through the image more, and will help develop your eye for trying different things in the field.

When all is said and done, my personal favourite of the set is the first edited one without any cropping. But the others are interesting experiments too!

I hope you enjoyed playing around with me and coming along for a little walk and wonder, now may you funk around with your photos and create some wonderous whimsy of your own!

Until next time,

Keep wandering and wondering,

The Maplemusketeer

As the garden grows - A perspective on pain

2011-12-16T19:48:00.000-08:00

As the garden grows - A perspective on pain

Not wanting to encounter pain, we have developed a vast array of medications, addictions, and survival strategies. We view discomfort and struggle as bad things, to be avoided, and lives are arranged and judged by how well this is accomplished.

For pain and suffering are not comfortable or easy. And I don't intend to suggest we should celebrate or run off in search of pain. I have at times been broken physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Hurt doesn't even begin to describe the experience. Words are insufficient. But I don't need words because I know that you have felt hurt too. Life brings it. Pain is a common language of humanity. Be it a relationship ending, the shedding of assumptions and religion on our journey of understanding, or cracking your shin on a table in the night. We all know pain. It is a foundation of our experience. And I'd like to suggest that there is a better way to view pain then as an adversary to be avoided at all costs.

What if we view pain as a guide, a teacher? The path of knowledge?

What if it is the fertile soil of the garden of humanity in which we grow?

Soil and earth are not the garden full. They are the ground of potential.

So to, our world of pain and suffering in which we plant our lives, our choices, our relationships, our actions.

Fact: Shit makes us grow. And sometimes it really gets heaped on.

Everybody we look at is also a plot of earth growing based on the experiences and lessons they've encountered so far. Just like us they know pain. How can they not? We share this journey. And we can choose to help each others garden grow. A sweet community garden! With all sorts of different and wonderful plants; with hybrids and variants unimagined! How awesome is that?! Some gardens are pruned, some ordered, some chaotic, some with exotics, some with native species. All mixed and unique. Though some lay fallow and overgrown, all are beautiful with potential.

And as we tend our gardens with nurture and support we start to produce abundantly.

Some produce flowers gorgeous, or scents strong.

Some fruit or veggies.

Some create sturdy trees to dwell under, to ponder by, or to build tree forts in.

Some become grasses to weave, to watch dance in the breeze, lawns to lay on in the summer sun.

Such a diversity and wonder!

And all gardens have seasons. Times of planting and growing; harvest and rest.

We all share so much in common yet express it so differently. What a challenge. What an opportunity. What a strength.

We are gardens growing in the soil of possibility and potential.

What are each of us planting and growing?

What are we harvesting?

What season are we in at the moment?

Together we grow as we learn and live.

As our gardens grow may we find solace in the shade, fruit on our vines, and sprouts in our shit.

The Quest for my Phone left in Squamish

2011-11-25T16:20:00.000-08:00

Maplemusketeer on writing

2011-11-18T22:07:00.001-08:00

Today I was asked about what it takes to be a writer for a magazine. Ostensibly it's because I've been published in a magazine. So I guess when you're at a place where people are asking you for writing advice it must mean that you've got something to say. And some know a lot more than me. And some have said a whole lot more than me.

I never intended to write this post. It just happened. As a response to a question.

And for me.. that's a lot how writing can be. Just like a good photo. Waiting to be unearthed, waiting to be born and brought forth, waiting to be noticed and delivered.

yeah.. got a little deep there. It happens. ;)

So I was asked how one becomes a writer for a magazine. Lets now join my answer, already in progress.....
(the only thing I changed was a few parts the reference the town my friend and his daughter are in)

... Crazy! LOL All through connections I made sharing my photos on Google Plus, backed up by my body of work, through my blog, etc.

Which brings me to advice for your daughter who wants to write for a magazine. How often does she write? The more the better. Stephen King's book "On Writing" was one of the best writing books I've ever read. I think that makes sense. LOL Basically he shares the story of his journey.. and how it all lead him to be the writer that he is. It's worth reading. He doesn't get all freaky, but he speaks deeply. So write! Write write write. Read online stuff about it.. delve into it. But write. A huge part of the battle is grappling with the fears. What if I'm not good? What if people don't like it? What do I need to do to be a writer? If you write, you're a writer. And the more you do it, the better you get. Yeah yeah the question was about writing FOR a magazine. lol I haven't forgotten ;) In this day and age I'm going to go with... write write write. There are so many different ways that people are discovered. I think a blog is a great idea. And honestly I partly got the original magazine writing offer because she'd seen my blog a number of times. Of course she'd also met me, we almost went on a date, and I'm a good fit for the magazine they were developing. So.. I guess that boils down to who you know and being in the right place at the right time. Which may seem like luck... but really it's more statistics ;) It's odds. The more you write, the more you share, the more you meet and engage with people, the closer you get to that position you're looking for.

Has she approached the LOCAL NEWSPAPER? What other magazines are based out of YOUR TOWN? TOWN NEARBY? Etc? Some people write articles they're passionate about, or think are interesting etc, and then shop them around. They'll keep them on file and send them out to places they think would be interested. That's probably a way to get in the door. As well as asking magazine editors etc if you can interview them for a project ;) Is she still in High School? Cause if so I think that'd be a pretty smart plan ;) hehe. She might not directly get a job but she'll get more networking, advice, etc. And if she has a twitter account etc she can make those connections, interact, etc. These are all just suggestions. Date an editor? Some suggestions are better than others ;)

I'd like to say "here are 5 steps to writing for a Magazine" but really life only shows you the steps when you look backwards. Looking ahead it's basically picking what looks like the best way through the woods and striking forwards. Hopefully with wise counsel, and some more honed skills. Of course the great thing about being a writer? All of those mistakes are more material ;) Like my awesome story about being ill for 2 weeks in Guatemala culminating in my realization that it can always get worse as I'm squatting in the bushes behind the houses we're constructing and fire ants are biting my legs as I hop across the path trying to find a safe spot to be ill. Yes. Fun times? Not so much. But an awesome story!!! :D And a valuable lesson! It can always get worse, no one caught it on camera and it didn't therefore go viral on Youtube. ;)

So another example of being a writer? Write! This started out as an FB response to your question but now it's something more. Something that I'm going to cut, and paste, and share as a post. I so didn't see that coming.

The internet is so much more smarter than me ;) It's like a giant jungle of teachings and zany and collections of mistakes and learnings. And I'm willing to point out a few options/directions, just like others did a bit for me.

If she really wants it. She'll keep chasing it, and writing, and dreaming, and learning, and grinding it out, and all of a sudden she'll find herself standing in a place with a cheque in her hand and she'll say.. I'm where I thought I wanted to be. There'll be a moment of 'OH HECK YES" followed by the feeling that.. one mountain has been surmounted and found to be a hill, and there's a bigger mountain next on the path. It's an awesome goodness that many have felt and I look forward to her getting there. I did a bit ago.. and it was awesome. And then I raised my gaze and saw a bigger mountain. Also awesome. ;)

Tell you what.. I'm going to go post this part that pertains to her on my blog right now. And then I'll drop the link here for you to share with her. And she's free to contact me, ask questions, comment, follow me on twitter, or whatever. :D Follow dreams and pursue passion. You will change the world. And that goes for you too buddy ;) I hope you're exercising your dreams when you can ;)

Love you broski! I'll hopefully see you when I'm next up that way in what looks to be January.

J

PS You're an awesome Dad! ;)

China Beach's Exploration

2011-10-12T01:59:00.000-07:00

Life is better when you head for where the rainforest meets the sea. At least that's always been my experience. One February morning in 2009 a classmate and I left our school work behind us in Victoria BC and, heading west, made for the solace of nature.

Until 1996 China Beach was a Provincial Park. The Juan de Fuca Provincial Park was established to collect and connect the various Provincial Parks (China Beach Park, Loss Creek Park, Parkinson Creek Park, and Botanical Beach Park) along the Juan de Fuca trail as a contiguous park of temperate coastal rainforesty awesomeness.

So we'll start in the parking lot ;)

Coastal Temperate Forest Dweller

Of Life and Growth

I only had a few moments after work

Koi in Space

Sun and Cloud: The Creative Struggle

My new book: A long daytrip to Long Beach and back!

Sechelt Sunset

Crossing Howe Sound in the Winter

Sword Ferns, Snow, and a Self Portrait

My top "Adventures with Friends" videos from 2011

Adventures in Sillyness - Year in Review 2011

Adventures in Nifty Places - Year in Review 2011

Canoeing on Texas (Klahatter) Lake in my favourite weather. Adventurous mystery weather!

Kawkawa (Sucker's) Creek nature moment - Hope BC

Adventures in "How To" Photography - 2011 Year in Review

Sechelt Wharf Photography Experimentation on an overcast sky day

As the garden grows - A perspective on pain

The Quest for my Phone left in Squamish

Maplemusketeer on writing

China Beach's Exploration

Of True Value

Mid-Month Hope Ramble Update

While just beyond Hope... rescue a frog! ;)

September 2011 Adventure to Hope and beyond!

Taking to the road!

Pipers Lagoon, Nanaimo BC - Part 1

Moving On to Pipers Lagoon, Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Down from the Mountain and discovering Somenos Lake