Out N' About with Uncle Weed

New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim in Vancouver

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:06:01 +0000

Thousands of colourful Vancouver-ites gather at English Bay, in costumes from clowns to bikinis, to start the New Year with a plunge into the frigid Pacific beginning with a a mass start from the snowy beach at 2:30pm on January 1st, 2009.

Dave Spiels Forth at Canada Place outside VANOC Worldwide Press Briefing

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:20:14 +0000

Outside of the VANOC worldwide press briefing, inpendent media maker Dave Olson answers questions about the Olympics, protests, and tension between social concerns and international events. He spiels forth about peace, pacifism, understanding, love of winter sports, copyright, rumoured riots, the importance of dialouge and respect and conversation. Also he briefly recounts his experiences covering Olympic Games from a grassroots point of view. See 2010.dailyvancouver.com for more. Filmed by Manfred Becker.

"We Have Some Concerns" - from Anti-Olympics Press Conference

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:46:07 +0000

native drummers express their concerns with a spiel and drumming and chanting at a press concerence at the Anit-Poverty Committee HQ in Vancouver's downtown eastside.

Checking in from the 2010 Olympic Worldwide Press Briefing at Canada Place

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:46:11 +0000

KK and Uncle Weed check in from Canada Place after being rejected entry to the VANOC worldwide press briefing event. We had hoped use our experience crowd-covering previous Olympic Games to discuss how social media can enhance the accredited media's coverage and also provide deep documentary into the fan experience and lesser-known athlete's stories. Alas, we were asked to leave and watched over by a handful of Vancouver Police Officers. Outside we drink coffee and chat about it.

Bands in New West at the Car Show - part 3

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:40:30 +0000

Bands in New West at the Car Show - part 2

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:03:12 +0000

Bands in New West at the Car Show - part 1

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:21:05 +0000

Beer sampling with KK at Skajit River brew pub in Mt. Vernon

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:12:09 +0000

En route to Gnomedex, KK and DaveO explore a sampler plate of microbrews and offer brief discourse on the varities of tasty libations at a fine brew pub off the I-5 in Washington State.

Dave O and Band of Social Media Renegades at SXSW

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:30:36 +0000

From Studio SX in Austin TX for SXSW Interactive, host Dave O laughs along with fellow festival newbs - mobile technologist Roland Tanglao, Nick Cook from NYC via Japan, and Jordan Behan of Strutta.com about panels, presentations, free beer, parties, booths, Facebook gossiping, video competition, mobile technology, grassroots revolutions, execssive Twittering, copyright conundrums, and Canadian rockers Loverboy.

DaveO and his Band of Social Media Renegades at Studio SX at SXSW

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:16:47 +0000

A Wee Bit of The Chieftains

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:58:41 +0000

From Fusion Fest in Surrey, a wee snippet of The Chieftains from Dublin Ireland along with some young Canadian fiddlers and dancers.

Introducing The Chieftians

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:32:48 +0000

Surrey City Council member introduces The Cheiftains from Dublin, Ireland to the crowd at Fusion Fest in Surrey, BC.

Dancing to the Peruvian Pan Pipes

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:30:03 +0000

A guy enjoys his fusion fest experience by dancing up a storm to the Peruvian pipe music to the delight of young observers.

Rocking out while waiting for Salmon

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:27:20 +0000

A rock band rocks out at Fusion Fest in Surrey while Dave looks around waiting for some baked salmon from the First Nations tent.

Greetings from Fusion Fest

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:24:14 +0000

Dave, in Surrey for Fusion Fest, wanders through the crowd and offers commentary about festivals, tasty food, musical acts and miscellania.

Japan Van Fest at the Tomahawk in North Van

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:40:07 +0000

Whilst going to the famous Tomahawk Resturant in North Van, Dave comes across a club outing of Mitsubishi Delica van owners. These 4x4 vans are all set for off road fun and are imported with right-hand drive and other neat features like fog lights, rally cages and mighty roof racks.

Vancouver Power Outage Gastown Ramble

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:58:08 +0000

Arriving at work to find the office closed due to a power outage in the downtown core, Dave wanders through Gastown in a search for coffee and wi-fi. The outage was caused by an explosion at Richards and Pender on July 14th and resulted in outage for 5+ blocks around.

Gastown Stroll (in three acts)

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:45:28 +0000

DaveO takes a stroll from Hasting and Cambie, into Gastown and along Water St. while musing on the abundance and paradox of change, while passing pubs, furniture stores and kitsch shops - then visits the 5 way intersection with Gassy Jack standing guard and points out Railtown, Cracktown, etc. and then finished across the rails, behind Waterfront Station near the heli-port, Canada Place, Seabus skyway and Crab park.

Testing the Nokia N78 in Hammock

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:51:05 +0000

Canada Day Greetings from Pe Ell Washington part 3

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:23:15 +0000

made with Nokia N78

Canada Day Greetings from Pe Ell Washington part 2

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:23:04 +0000

Canada Day Greetings from Pe Ell Washington

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:12:52 +0000

Dead band at Fremont Solstice Parade party

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:45:44 +0000

Critical Mass Ride in Seattle

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:39:40 +0000

Checking in from Seattle

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:37:19 +0000

Whilst at Drupal Camp Seattle, i stayed at a lovely cooperatively run house compliments of Matt Freedman. Just charming. Here's me saying something like that.

Podcasting for Social Change - Net Tuesday4 with DaveO and All-Star Panel

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:33:57 +0000

What: Net Tuesday4 - Podcasting for Social Change When: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 5:30 PM!Where: WorkSpace400, 21 Water St.Vancouver BC V6B 1A1Topic: Ways Non-profits/Social Change orgs can use podcasts to spread their messageThree ways:1) publishing conferences and repurposing stuff you are already making2) event and campaign crowd coverage (including micro podcasting i.e. utterz)3) special reports interviews etc.To make it easy, we'll cover:1) planning2) producing tips (with toys to demo)3) publishing/promotingpanel: dave olson - moderater/podcasterjohn bollwitt - podcaster and audio engineerrob cottingham - social change technologistroland tanglao - mobile pundit and tech-evangelist

Cheaper Show in Gastown with Jazz Festival Funtimes

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 05:51:23 +0000

Getting Down at Commercial Drive Car Free Fest

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:31:25 +0000

A old timey hot jazz trumpet/guitar/vox duo rips through a spritely number (we'll call "we're only here for a moment") while some impromtu dancers cut up some concrete on a Sunday afternoon in Vancouver.

Portuguese Club Sells Bar-B-Que Chicken and Grilled Sardines

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:56:36 +0000

On Commercial Drive during Car Free Fest and Euro Cup, the closed offs road was swarming with tasty food but none more frangrant than the Portuguese Club with a mighty bar-b-q roasting half-chickens and a smokey grill loaded with huge salty sardines - sure to evoke the ever-present smell for visitor to Portugal.

Hula-Hooping to the Grateful Dead's Beat it on Down the Line

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:45:11 +0000

At Commercial Drive Care Free Fest, the kids of all ages spin the hoops in free-form manner while a Grarteful Dead cover band plays "Beat it on Down the Line" on a Sunday afternoon in Vancouver.

Vancovuer-ites Dance to the Dead at Car Free Fest

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:15:13 +0000

The assembled crowd of Vancouver-ites watch a Grateful Dead cover band play Good Lovin' while some hula-hoop, some chill on the lawn and some boogie down and some just glance back at the camera.

Skytrain from Burrard Station to Waterfront Station

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:59:29 +0000

Riding Vancouver's Skytrain from Burrard Station to Waterfront (terminus) Station on Car Free Fest day.

Skytrain from Granville to Burrard Station

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:07:32 +0000

Riding Vancouver's Skytrain from Granville Station to Burrard Station on Car Free Fest day.

Skytrain from Stadium to Granville Station

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:16:27 +0000

Riding Vancouver's Skytrain from Stadium Station to Granville Station on Car Free Fest day.

Skytrain from Main St. Station to Stadium Station

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:10:20 +0000

Riding Vancouver's Skytrain from Main St. Station to Stadium Station on Car Free Fest day.

Oh Canada! Whalley Style

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:06:38 +0000

As such at the 2006 Canadian Little League Championships in Whalley, Surrey, BC

Seeking Orcas from the Fery en route to Pender Island

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:05:08 +0000

Sugar Bolt Tunnel in Mt. Seymour Conservation District

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:34:13 +0000

Mars Martian Flying Boat Flies o'er Burrard Inlet Vancouver

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:25:41 +0000

Floatplane Passes over Sechelt Inlet, Sunshine Coast

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:25:32 +0000

Burrard Inlet Transportation Orgy with Ferries, Flying Boat and Seabus

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 03:43:54 +0000

Along with SillyGwallio, Uncle Weed watches the giant new BC Ferry choogle into the cruise ship dock on Canada Place. Along the way, passing the Mars Martian flying boat (with the ability to load up water to carry and dump elsewhere) while the Seabus goes about its business passing the heliport and the West Coast Express waits patiently in Gastown railyards.

Exploring the Vancouver Polar Bear Swin at English Bay

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:11:06 +0000

Each year, folks plunge into the frigid salty brine at English Bay, some lingering for seconds while others hunker down in a quest to outlast eveyone. Follow along as Dave walks towards the spectacle and meanders through the crowd and observes a nut-shrinking showdown between a drunken Romanian viking with a horn and a couple of other goofballs.

Evacuating the Seabus Station due to Smoking Vessel

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:07:44 +0000

The Seabus (not sure if it was the Otter or the Beaver) began smoking heavily upon docking at Waterfront Station. After passengers dismebarked and crew investigated the problem, the station was evacuated and firetrucks responded. The counterpart vessel waited in Burrard Inlet and didn’t immediately dock.

Emergency Response to Smoking Seabus

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:14:29 +0000

Now Public: Seabus Station Evacuated due to Smoking VesselThe Seabus (not sure if it was the Otter or the Beaver) began smoking heavily upon docking at Waterfront Station. After passengers dismebarked and crew investigated the problem, the station was evacuated and firetrucks responded. The counterpart vessel waited in Burrard Inlet and didn’t immediately dock.

Working the Snowy Festivus Tree Lot

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 03:14:44 +0000

While a snowstorm dumps on Vancouver, Dave checks in while doing volunteer work at a holiday tree lot at Ikea in Coquitlam. He explains aesthetic and practicial tree tips and reviews safety hints to do with highlighters, scissors and orange vests.

HempenRoad Archival Preview Clip

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 02:50:04 +0000

A brief montage of scenes of the 1997 documentary The HempenRoad. This 83 minute multimedia production chronicles commercial hemp pioneers around the Pacific coast and explores the conumdrums and uses and industrial hemp. Produced, narrated and written by Dave Olson - see Uncleweed.net and/or Hempenroad.com.

Coal Harbour Seaplane and Houseboat Stroll

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0000

Another morning stroll en route from Coal Harbour on the Burrard Inlet (north) side of the downtown ithmus towards Gastown for work. Topics include: KK and Scales in ShanghaiSxSW (looking forward to Bruce Sterling and many bands i've enjoyed on KEXP's podcast)Props to Cory Doctorow's Craphound podcastCommercial Drive's Parade of Lost Soulsmarijuana seeds impressario Marc Emery's extradition hearing progress and possibly relaxed personal vendettas by John Mackay and Karen Tandy Cosmo's new recorderplus houseboats, seaplanes, a fisherman, dog walkers ...

North Vancouver to Gastown Commute, annotated

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0000

A bus ride and stroll from a North Vancouver bus stop in front of a pet shop to downtown Vancouver's rather seedy Main and Hastings and then into tourist-laden Gastown to 1 Alexander with comments on urban transition and the Nokia N95 phone.

North Vancouver to Gastown Commute, annotated - Duplicate test post

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0000

The Dirty Birds Rock McCoy's

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 08:55:29 +0000

Olympia Washington's legendary bar band The Dirty Birds rock the house at McCoy's Taven on 4th Ave. on Arts Walk evening, Oct. 5th, 2007. Feautures Jimmy on sax and vox, Scott on guitar, Mike on drums and Tim on bass.

Mosquito Creek, North Vancouver

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 08:50:10 +0000

Heading out towards downtown Vancouver starting from Mosquito Creek along the Trans Canada trail bound for the 240 busstop.

Japanese Garden Respite in North Van

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 08:43:13 +0000

In between gigs visit to a hidden and somewhat serene Japanese garden in North Van loaded with maples and the occasional transient seeking shelter.

Stoney Creek Rest Area Tour

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 08:42:41 +0000

A brief update and tour of a rest area north of Everett, Washington featuring a giant cedar stump and a State Patrol Office en route to Vancouver, BC.

An In-Car Briefing about Lynden, Washington

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 06:44:36 +0000

While in-car on a roadtrip in Washington State, Dave shares some miscelleaneous factoids of little consequence about this conservative small town in Whatcom County known for traditonal Dutch influence, NW Washington Fair, tasty dairies, an rock n' roll manorhouse and the odour of cow poop.

Vancouver Railyards and Harbour

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:17:56 +0000

On the roof of 1 Alexander, Dave points out passenger trains, freight haulers, cruise ship docks, helicopters, the noble Seabus plying the waters of Burrard Inlet and points out the potential for seaplanes and the patina’ed copper top of the Sun building.

Cannabis Cup and Nederlander Strolls

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 20:26:18 +0000

Scenes of life at the 2002 Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam plus trips to Deventer, Madurodam, Haarlem and just strolling the streets en route to coffeeshops. Featuring Uncle Weed, Cosmo G. Spacely and Gazoo.

NYC Taxi Ride

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 20:21:27 +0000

Sticking my head out of the window like a puppy dog, looking up at all the skyscrapers and *everythang* - street signs, shops, sights and everpresent racket - watching the Manhattanites and passer-thrus roll on by en route to JFK airport.

Catholic Parade for John Paul 2 in Santiago de Compostella, Spain

dave@uncleweed.net (Dave Thorvald Olson) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:33:59 +0000

The morning after the Catholic Pope John Paul 2 died, we came across this parade in the streets of Santiago de Compostella, the third holiest site in Catholicism (after Jerusalem and Rome/The Vatican). After this, we followed the parade route backwards ending up at the Santiago Catherdral which houses the remains of Jesus Christo's brother/cousin/amigo St. James (Ignacio). After mass, we lined up to rub his shiny golden box and say hello to the nice priest guys who also have us a wafer during mass.