A Clunky Slice Of Life

When Jon and I made our limited venture into the world of video tape communication across the Atlantic back in the early 80s (as a change of pace from our audio tape communication) this little effort below was my opening statement on my initial VHS tape to him.

I remember how frustrating it was trying to match the visual images I was shooting - with the soundtrack lyrics of the song being played on a cassette deck sitting next to me. If the lyrics called for some 'old folks putting their ears to the ground' - then I'd have to go out and dig up the goods.

The thought of using a computer to digitally edit movie footage in the comfort of our homes never really entered our pea-brains back in the prehistoric year of 1983. We were reasonably happy with the bulkiness of the VHS world and if things hadn't progressed, we'd probably still be using it.

Well no, I take that back. It was never truly satisfying, even from the very beginning. Much too awkward a setup. Gave me a headache. Short shelf life. I much prefer the modern tools of the new millennium. And while I've used modern tools to tweak this original presentation a bit, it remains what it originally was - a clunky slice of my life in Vancouver/mid 80s. As it was intended to be on the day I sent it over to Jonny 26 years ago.

User Friendly Blog Post (For Fran)

Sister Fran has never seen ANY of these goofy old videos that I've been hoisting up onto this NRP blog for the past 24 years. But apparently that's all about to change. The announcement has come down from east Vancouver and a spot in her downstairs spare room has actually been cleared. Sister's first computer will soon become a reality.

To welcome her into this modern world of online home video watching, I've uncovered an old VHS tape recording of a family car ride over to Horseshoe Bay in what appears to be 1983. The footage has now been uploaded into this space. It's something nice and easy that Fran can feel comfortable watching (for the first time ever I might add) when she heads over to this 'No Relevant Point' website on her first 'surfing' experience.

As boring as it may be for the rest of us to witness, there's still two points of interest to be found early on in the proceedings. I draw your attention to a scene looking out the car windshield as we coast down Cambie Street (pre-Canada Line construction). And then the glimpse we have of the newly built BC Place while crossing the old swingspan bridge that would soon be replaced (in 1986) by the modern version that exists today. But, yeah, pretty dull otherwise.

Lazy Days Tossed Away

We're all over the board again with this one but I don't think there's a need to explain any of it. Yes, Don is playing frisbee with Hanklin's hat for some reason and yes, Wanda is having one of her full mental shutdowns in front of my house again. It's all clearly captured on film and available for multiple viewings below.

As for Wanda; Jack had to leave his Saturday afternoon 'All Star Wrestling' program (on CHEK TV Victoria) and walk halfway down the block to rescue his first of two wives. Rather than offer assistance, I hit the dirt and filmed her 'episode' from the safety of a neighbors front lawn across the street. (Until this viewing, I'd never noticed my mom observing the situation from our porch.)

Yes, some of this material might seem recycled, and once again there's precious little of Evert or Alan on screen, but the Hawaii bits are certainly new. Well, 1977 new. And it's always a treat to see 'Surrey Doug' take a long walk off a short pier.

Hawaii might be a yearly destination for my sister these days, but back in '77 this trip was the first ever for both of us and remains as my ONLY visit to the islands as of this date. (I'll head back when I'm retired.)

I can recall the scenes of big Rob and I sitting out on the Gun Lake pier (also on offer here) as if they were shot last summer or the year before, but the film canister has the date of August 1978 scribbled on top of it. If you think for a minute that I'm gonna believe more than 30 years have gone by since we tossed away that lazy day, well you're just plum crazy mister, or p'rit near.

Blazer Ball - The Later Years

Somewhere in my vast collection of VHS tapes, is the original footage of this particular touch football game from the early 1980s (which features three of the Blazer Boys in action) but exactly where that priceless VHS tape can be found is still up for debate. What we've uploaded here today for our viewers is either a second or maybe even a third generation copy of our day of exercise at Hillcrest Park.

At this stage in their careers, the Blazer Boys are far from being in their prime, but even so, the film still manages to capture a few highlight reel moments - including a nifty catch in double coverage by Blazer Don and then a 50-yard pass and run play by Bart and Ed to win the game.

Unfortunately, this was not filmed at Blazer Stadium in the late 60s. And other than Blazer wannabe Randolfo Hezikiya, I can recognize no other faces on either of these two teams hoofing it around the playing field. Rather than fill me with nostalgia, these clips just confuse me. Exactly when did all this happen? Why? Who are all those 'other guys' and where are they today? And most importantly, how did I manage to catch a long-bomb... and film myself doing so at the same time??