Date: Mon, 16 May 2011 16:37:28 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Photo 27

Photo
by:  dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)

Before I get started on this chapter I have just a small editorial.  The
name Chinamen's Peak arose in the early 1900's with the completion of the
railroad.  Many of the Chinese workers on the western section moved
eastward along the tracks to the many new towns.  Canmore was no exception.
A gentlemen named Ha Ling was the first person to clime this peak and it
became known as Chinamen's Peak.  In the 1990's I think some people took
umbrage to the name and began lobbying for it to be changed.  Now I have no
problem with call that peak by the name of the man who climbed it first
neither did most others.  That is a naming convention that is old and
venerable.  It honours achievement and that to is just and proper.  I do
have a problem when the reasons given were the old name was offensive and
politically incorrect.  That is simply not good enough.  What these people
seem to forget is, at that time in Canadian history, this was paying honour
to Mr. Ha Ling and his accomplishment.  From the fiction and poetic point
of view Chinaman's Peak will simply have to do.


27: Jason & Eva's Wedding.

We lifted off from the heliport in Canmore to the top of Chinamen's Peak.
Brad and I formed the official photo team.  I don't do weddings or birthday
parties, except for special friends.  This line of work can pay well but it
is for the most part a hassle I can live without.  Most brides have only a
vague idea of what they want.  All to often they lack the budget needed to
support a truly creative effort.  Jason and Eva are special friends and
they can afford to support my creativity.  Eva is so sure of me and my team
that she has left the entire thing up to me.  I would be on hand anyway,
since our kids are part of the ceremony, cameras in hand.  It makes sense
and if nothing else this couple is sensible.

Chinamen's Peak is a front range mountain just behind, south of Canmore,
Alberta.  Canmore is a old coal mining town turned tourist place, just east
of the Banff Park gates.  We had all assembled at the Flying H over the
past several days.  Being scheduled for outside in early October on a
mountain top alternate plans had been made but they were not needed.  We
boarded a large cross country buss at 8 am and headed west.  I managed to
get lots of shots in the buss and both getting on and off.  In Canmore
heliport meeting the choppers.

It took two loads to get us up, these were big choppers for sure.
Everything went as planned, we were back in Canmore with time to spare.
Brad and I split up to get landings and takeoffs, we would take video's and
stills, both digital and film which everyone would see as soon as we got
back to the ranch.  By the time we got back to the ranch a large tent was
put up and guests, mostly family were beginning to arrive.  Helga was
holding court in the kitchen until Klass came and dragged her into the
great living room, I just never stopped shooting.  Bob and Linda assisted
with processing the digital shots and video for everyone to look at.

All the family assembled including the Johnson's, Heits, and a hand full of
his European cousins as well as a few Henderson's from B.C.  I didn't make
any connection to how they fit in except Klass's surname is Henderson.  A
story I will get some time.  Same for Drew's grandmother and aunt.  I was
getting confused as who was who but was able to get Trevor to assist with
people identification.

The ceremony itself was quite simple and straight forward.  I was able to
get everyone organized and positioned for the best light and backgrounds.
Jonas and Shelley stood with Jason and Eva facing the JP their backs to the
mountains that lay west and south of our location.  The deep blue sky was
dotted with puffy white clouds, I could not have asked for better
conditions.  I still used a polarizing filter to enhance the sky contrast.
The air was cool but not to cold, with a gentle breeze from the south.
Jason's and Eva's brothers, Sandra, several of Eva's female friends, her
sister in law, Klass, and a few others, made up the party.  Everyone else
was back at the ranch.  We had wireless lapel mikes to improve the sound
for the video.  I took lots of stills mostly with my Nikon and Hasselblad
digitalis, with just enough Leica film stills for later creative
inspirations.  Jonas and Shelley signed all the words from the bride, groom
and JP.  When Jason kissed the bride Jonas kissed Shelley.

This was not a kid kiss or a peck on the cheek either, it was one
passionate laying on of the lips.  It was almost as if the kids exchanged
vows between themselves.  In fact they signed each others names not Jason
and Eva.  I don't know about this.  I know they are serious friends and I
guess, okay I know, a couple has got to be friends as well as lovers to
make a marriage last and successful.  At their tender ages I'm not
completely sure they understand this on the other hand they seem to
understand better than I do about a lot of things.

At the right time Jonas handed Jason, Eva's ring and Shelley handed Eva,
Jason's.  Wedding bands are simple things compared to the engagement ring
but Jason's designers had made Eva's spectacular nevertheless.  His ring
was wide made of three colors of gold and platinum scooped in the middle
with diamond chips set around it.  Hers was the same but more delicate and
smaller, appropriate for the size of her hands.  Before we left I had them
hold their left hands up displaying the rings using the Rocky Mountains as
a background.  Yes, another creative masterpiece.

At the end of the ceremony.  After the "I do's" and the kiss the JP read
the words to a song that Shelley and Jonas had picked which they signed for
them.  This was their contribution to the event.  I know it took them weeks
to find just the right poem.  Shelley had tried to write her own words but
they would not come.

Friends Forever

 "Just when i thought i had to make it alone
 You were right there by my side
 Making a stand holding my hand, the way you do
 Then to remind me of a "me and you"

 When i'm with you all my fear disappears
 Like if i reach i'll touch the sky
 You've got my back, pick up my slack when i can't see
 But nothing keeps me up like knowing we'll be

 Friends forever
 Face whatever
 Friends forever
 We're never gonna be apart

 You and me we are so oddly the same
 The way we think, the way we play
 Right from the start, so off the chart, about this thing
 But we didn't know at first that we were making

 Friends forever
 Bond together
 Friends forever
 We'll always be there

 Oh yes there also can be times that get rough
 And all that can be said is "sorry"
 That we were wrong and said some meaningless stuff
 And we'll go on together through any nasty weather

 Friends forever
 Bond together"

(This is a slightly edited version of the song lyrics, Friends Forever, by
Puffy Mni Yumi from the movie Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed)

I have no idea what the music sounds like and they sure don't know, that
goes with these lyrics, never heard it or seen the sheets, as a poem it
worked for me.  It worked for Eva, I think she approved it.  It sure worked
for our Friends Forever, said in any language, even ASL.  The sincerity on
their faces as they signed the words to Jason and Eva was priceless.  You
could tell they felt the same way about each other too.

The official video would have the taking off and landing edited in, getting
organized and so on.  The quick version was just the ceremony and was
followed by a group of my stills.  This would be shown later at the party
along with the video's from the Bern party.  It was my turn for a prank.
So far I was holding back, since this prank would be in the spirit of the
occasion, timing was critical.

The ladies went to change after another round of photographs.  This time
using mostly film and Trevor joining me on the team.  I did the usual
formal stuff, mostly outside on the patio with the mountains as our
background.

I wanted to take advantage of the brake in action for a little TLC but
Veronica was in no mood for that.  "Apollo, you naughty boy,"
giggle-giggle, "now is not the time for that."  She was saying while
pushing my probing hands from her body.  I left to find my boy.  He was in
the music room with the other children.  I was promptly told to use my
talents to record things, I did.

Ziggy was calling over the intercom different people to different rooms or
places.  Brad, Trevor and I were positioned at different locations to
properly record every detail.

Ziggy called Jason to join Eva by the front door.  That's when he saw them.
Apollo's handy work now adorned every public room in the place.  They were
pictures of Jason and Eva as they were growing up and also taken over the
last few years.  Most of the adult aged shots were not pornographic but as
close as my mother would allow.  Many had little sayings or big kissing
lips in some place or another.  I was able to get Dane van Witt's oil
company to print them out on their large photo quality HP plotters, the
ones they use for big geological cross sections and maps.

The couple was told to enter the big tent when the music started.  We were
stationed inside, preset for the grand entrance.  I sure as hell hope
Veronica doesn't get to many ideas from this for our wedding.  The drums
started followed by the brass with a series of notes in a "bump-tee,
bump-tee .....  for about two bars and by the time they got the door open
and entered the huge tent the first notes of Freddie Mercury's We Are the
Champions played by the trumpet and trombone came up, followed by the base,
keyboard and all.  We had lost Trevor at this point, he plays the base.
Fortunately no one was singing, they sure didn't sound like Cream either
but that's fine.  The arrangement was something between the Canadian Brass
and the Ventures, at least not schmultz like James Last.  Both Conrad and
Eric were on drum sets, Richard and Eddy on brass, Peter and Stan on
strings, Zig and Drew on guitar along with, no it couldn't be, but is was,
Brian Adams also on guitar and Michael Kasehammer on my piano.  Geoff and
David on keyboards, Trevor on base.  Wilson, Alex and Sam were on the
stage.  Everyone was standing and giving them a big round.  Jonas and
Shelley met them at the door and escorted the couple down the center of the
hall, across the dance floor and to the stage.  Brad still working the
video and I had two still cameras going.

Sam and Alex were obviously being masters of ceremony and off to the side
were Alexandria, Judy, Linda and Veronica as additional singers.  They
reached the stage and were seated on one side in two of the throne like
chairs.  Shelley and Jonas joined the singers.  Klass and Eva's father
boomed a toast to the bride and her groom.  Everyone immediately produced a
glass of Champagne.  Glasses were then produced for them and they toasted
their friends.  I got some great shots of that toast.  Both Eva and Jason
always seemed to be in the right position for me to get good shots.

"Welcome to the celebration," Sam said.  Much noise, shouting and clapping.

"As you all know the ceremony was held on top of Chinaman's Peak in
Canmore," Alex said.

"That's that little town just outside Banff for those of you who didn't
know.  Canmore is a famous place Sam," Alex added.

"Oh, and why is that Alex," Sam asked? (Canmore was the venue for the cross
country ski events during the 88 Winter Olympics and is the site of the
Nordic Center. )

"It has received much Royal attention over the years," Alex replied.

"Has the Queen visited often," Sam asked?

(That would be the British Queen. who is also the Queen of Canada.)

"Hi, I'm Mike from Canmore," Alex said.  He did a creditable impression of
Roger Abbot, a well known Canadian comedian.

"Oh, the Royal Canadian Air Farce, Farce du Canada," Sam sang out.

Hum, I wonder if this will turn into a farce?

"In all seriousness we should get this program on the road, so to speak.
Since Jason and Eva forbad all friends and family from giving them any
gifts," Alex said

"Not unlike you," pointing to the audience, "The brothers decided they
should honour that request, well kind of honour it anyway, just the way
Jason and Eva would honour a similar request of them," Sam explained,

I could see Jason trying to shrink into his chair again.  I think he had
some idea what his brothers had been up to.

"This program tonight is their and our gift to you Mr. and Mrs. Adonis.
You may think you are a couple that already has everything and needs
nothing.  It took Ziggy and Drew all of a week's worth of brain pain to
realize there was one thing you could only have after, never in advance,"
Alex sang.

"That would be the memories of our little show.  To that end, we," pointing
at the assembly on the stage, "with the help of two big name personalities,
Mr. Michael Kasehammer, who had performed for the with the family before
and Mr. Brian Adams, who is Jason's favourite rock and roll singer."  They
each stood and were recognized by much shouting and applause.  "We have
planned an afternoon and evening of entertainment and good fun," Sam
announced.

"Sam you and Alex have said enough, now introduce the real entertainment
and get off our stage," Wilson interrupted to much laughter.  This kid is
one hell of a showman.

"Somebody should remind that kid who his guardians are," Sam quipped,
soliciting much laughter.

Kasehammer struck up Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, the singers joined mostly the
ladies and sopranos.  Shelley and Jonas were signing right along with them,
I was amazed at how fast their hands could move.  It went from there.
After a set of about 5 songs.  They showed the video of the ceremony and
played another set.  Sam and Alex had some back and forth routine between
each song.  These boys, young men, were very good at this, I wondered where
they had learned it.  Brain performed a number of his songs and Michael
several extended piano pieces.

One of the highlights was the brother's rendition of Billi Jole's It's
Still Rock N' Roll to Me.  Everyone sang back up as Ziggy and Brian did a
duet, the drummers did a little jazz style work in the middle and
Kasehammer did a great job on the piano, it probably took eight or more
minutes to run through this four minute song.  I was able to get a goodly
number of pictures of all the performers, performing well.

No, I'm not going to describe the whole thing in any kind of detail.  The
evening was as advertised, memorable and between Brad and I, extremely well
documented, if I say so my self and I do.  It was obvious the two
professionals had a good time performing with the amateurs.  You could see
from their faces they were enjoying themselves performing, as much as I was
enjoying myself taking pictures.  When Jonas and Eddy were not singing they
were drawing in their sketch pads and of course Jonas and Shelley were
filling up memory sticks faster then we had time to empty them on to a hard
drive.

Over dinner we had a chance to chat with Adams.  He told us at first he
wanted to reject the invitation but when he saw the tape of Bern party and
how well the boys performed his music he was almost convinced but when he
saw the little performance of Jonas and Jason he was convinced.  He and
Michael were also more then pleased with how they did "Depend On Me" which
Jonas and Jason did with Eva and Shelley while Brian and Michael provided
the music.  He told Jonas that he was glad he didn't sing in voice
otherwise Jonas' version of his love songs would out sell him.  Jonas was
so proud the kid beamed like a beacon.  I think Brian meant it too.  I
would make sure he and Mike got complete sets of our performance photos.

The Abitsfords and Samples were blown away by Shelley and Jonas'
performances.  They were justifiably proud of their children, hell we are
all proud of them, the sincerity on their faces when singing to each other
was overwhelming.  Wilson and Eddy were their usual devastating selves.
Wilson is a showman from the word go.  I have never seen anyone who liked
the spotlight more then he does, although Jonas runs a close second.

By Sunday afternoon we were heading home back to Vancouver, Wa.  The kids
had classes to attend I had two or three mountains of work ahead of me.

That ends Photo.  I hope you enjoyed the journey.  I know it was not
straight and sometimes bumpy.  Life is like that too.