Yellowknife Online

That’s right I am calling all bloggers, all NWT Bloggers. It is time again for the NWT Blog Awards. Blog awards are put on at the end of every year and just like Canadian Blog Awards (Vote for YkOnline) are judged by readers. The NWT Blog Awards is spearheaded by one of are very one bloggers, who is probably a blog celebrity.

Voting has not started yet, I will let you know when it does. Right now it is in nomination round. Bloggers must nominate themselves. This way if you don’t get nominated it is your own fault. So all NWT bloggers bet get on and nominate. Nominations are own open until Tuesday, December 15, 2009. To nominate yourself go to the nominate page and leave a comment with all the categories you wish to be in. Please make sure to link to the appropriate posts and such.

• Best Blog: This is an award for the best blog overall. It includes Flickr streams, podcasting and vodcasting.
• Best New Blog: Best blog that started in 2009. The blogger does not have to be new to the NWT, and it does not have to be the writer’s first blog.
• Best Post: The single best post of 2009.
• Best Series: This can be a number of posts over a long period of time or a time-limited series.
• Best Blog From A New NWT Resident: Best blog from someone who moved here in 2009. The blog must be mainly about moving to the NWT or about what it is like to be a new resident of the NWT. The blog itself can be more than a year old if the author moved here during 2009 and started to publish material that is mainly about life as a new resident.
• Best Youth Blog: Best blog written by an NWT resident who is younger than 20.
• Best Audio/Video Blog Post: Best individual podcast or video.
• Best Northern Story: Best story about the NWT. It can be a single post or a series of posts that tell a single story.
• Best Professional Photography: This category includes all professional photographers. In this category, the only content to be considered is the blog’s original photography. It can be a Flickr stream.
• Best Personal Photography: See above, but for amateur photographers.
• Best Theme Blog: Best blog in which all or almost all posts are about a single topic or use a set format. This includes corporate blogs and blogs about specific places. The theme does not have to have anything to do with the NWT.

Go now and nominate yourself.

This morning was one like no other. I was relaxed and comfortable. The skies were clear and the sun was coming up. It was a beautiful morning here in Yellowknife. I decided to write about it, but on my personal blog. I did this because I didn’t know if it related enough to Yellowknife to make the cut for YkOnline. After writing it and pondering for a while I decided I would share it will my reader of YkOnline. So here you go:

We all knew the warmer weather would come to an end here in Yellowknife, and quite frankly I was looking forward to it. Although I do enjoy it being only -5 outside, but while I’m walking around there are things I do miss. The snow on the roads does not stay packed and makes it a mess to drive in and it seems like it is always cloudy.

I can happily say that streak has broken. This Saturday morning, the first in December, I awoke 2 hours later than normal, due to the fact I didn’t have to work, to an very uncommon amount of light coming through my window. I frantically tried to find my phone, to see if I had succeeded in sleeping in for a decent amount of time, but I was surprised to find it only 7am. As I crawled out of bed, it felt that little bit chillier in my basement bedroom and as I glanced out the window I saw the ever so clear blue sky. And at the exact moment I knew it was colder outside than previous days and I knew winter was here in Yellowknife.

One of the beauties of a Yellowknife winter is its pleasant amount of clear sky days. It is like a super charge of life. For those of you who don’t have the pleasure of living in Yellowknife you may not realize how dark it is and how little day light we actually get in the winter. Currently the sun, when it is not cloudy, will come up about 10am and set about 3pm. You can see how someone who works inside with out any windows might not get to see any of the day light. That is why on days like this, where it is so clear and the sun is so bright, I make it a point to get outside and take in as much as I can. I like to think after living in Yellowknife for 13 years I have adjusted myself to the light and darkness.

After gazing outside at the sunless blue sky I made my way upstairs to find another pleasant holiday surprise. Christmas Baking was underway and the smell of shortbread and ginger lingered in the air. The smell would make anyone instantly want to cozy up by the fire with a huge glass of milk and plate of cookies.

The final thing the just tossed my into the Christmas spirit, again for the four or firth time, was the background music of all of the famous holiday songs. Many would agree with me when I say that music can just set the mood, whatever it is. The one magnificent thing music does for me, is recall memories. Memories are dug up from past Christmas’ with family and friends. Friends gathered on Christmas Eve to celebrate in a house that is only suppose to fit half the people, laughing and cheering, sharing stories and food. Or Christmas morning from when we were kids, running into the front room to find the tree loaded with presents from Santa. Sharing Christmas morning brunch with the family talking and laughing. Many songs also remind me of the hustle and bustle of the season. I have memories of walking through malls and stores during the Christmas season and bumping into old friends, who hadn’t been seen in ages. Catching up coffee, or in my case hot chocolate.

One of my all time favorite things to do before the big day, is the got to the malls and just walk through and see people. Some you know, most you don’t. Watch people flying through stores as they have left things to the last minute. Seeing people getting ready for family who will be flying in or the big meal they are putting on.

All these things make me all warm and fuzzy inside. I plan on going around in the evenings over the next couple weeks taking photos of all the Christmas Lights throughout Yellowknife

So tell me readers, what makes Christmas season special to you? What does it mean? What does it mean while in Yellowknife?

Do you have a story about Yellowknife? Want to share it with other? Send it in to kyle(at)ykonline(dot)ca

Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of dropping by Dave Brosha’s Studio Open House. I have been a big fan of Dave’s photography for sometime, and was excited to hear a couple of months ago he was planning on opening a studio/gallery. Well that time has come, he is now working out of the studio.

Unfortunately because I myself am no photographer, I was not able to capture any photos of his new studio. Although I can safely say it is an awesome one. As I also did not take any video like I had originally intended, I shall reenact my experience via words.

To the untrained eye you may not notice the sign to Dave Brosha’s studio, so that is why I want to explain it to you. If you know where the Taste of Saigon and Fuego’s restaurants are, then you are more than likely going to be able to find the studio. The door leading up to the studio is situated right in between the two. Upon entering the door you immediately go up a flight of stairs and find yourself in a magnificent hallway. This hallway like the rest of the studio has just been renovated, with hardwood flooring and wall mounted light fixtures. One of the first things you will notice while going down this hallway, which I assume doubles as part of the gallery, is all the photographs that have been framed and are just waiting for someone to take home. There are several doorways off this hallway that lead to the rest of the flat. One door to another gallery area, another to an office and even a waiting room for clients. There is a large open area at the end of the hallway where the magic must happen. If you are ever in the area you should definitely check it out.

It was a pleasure seeing Dave and his studio again. Dave is a magnificent photographer and if you are at all interested in getting some photographs done I would encourage you to give him a call. Everyone that I have spoken to that has ever work with him has nothing but good things to say. You should also check out his website, he has one of the most active photo blogs of the north.

All photos associated with this post from DaveBrosha.com

Over the last 10 months the bloggers of Yellowknife, yes we do exist in real life, have gotten together to share our blogging stories and chat about Yellowknife, among other things. This month is no different and although this month it will be over a holiday weekend and some may not be able to attend, we are still be having one.

These get together are very casual and laid back. We often have them over a meal and this time we will be having breakfast. There is a wide age range of bloggers and these get togethers are open to anyone who blogs. Some of the bloggers in our small group blog about life, Yellowknife, journalism, music and just about anything, so do not feel your blog might not meet our standards because to be honest there are no standards. When it comes to blogging, it is about expressing yourself and what you are passionate about.

Yellowknife’s blogging and social media community is growing and we’d love to meet anyone who is interested in it. If you want to come by and meet some of us, here is what you need to know.

• Where: Trader Grill, Explorer Hotel.
• When: Saturday October 10, 10 am.
• Who: Anyone is welcome.

I hope to see a lot of old faces as well as some new ones. See you there.

On Sunday CBC North reporter Loren McGinnis will be heading to MacKay Lake Lodge with a bunch of high school students, teachers and guides to go fish, track caribou and take part in Dene cultural activities.

Because we no longer live in the stone age, McGinnis will be updating the CBC Caribou Blog while at the lodge as well as taking photos and recording audio. He says he hopes to show everyone the barren land and caribou through the eyes of the students.

To find out all the information about his trip and to follow the blog head over the the CBC Caribou Blog

UPDATE: Shortly after this post was officially published the site was taken down. For the better I suppose.

I was recently sent a link to a blog that I am assuming is written by a local student. I’m not sure how to take the site.

Photo Credit: cchiao

This person calls them self the Gossip Girl of YK. I’m sure not all of you are familiar with the TV show Gossip Girl so I will try to explain it the best I can.

In the upper east side of New York there is a school of high class kids with rich parents who seem to get everything they want. The show is full of sex, partying and scandals and it is all based around this Gossip Girl who is anonymous. She runs a website, a blog if you will, about the gossip around these students lives and every time she makes a post about some dirt she has uncovered they all instantly get the update to their mobiles.

Now I would say that this site here in Yellowknife is a long way off from being anything like that and one must remember that the real Gossip Girl is a fictional character in a TV show. That being said seeing this site slightly worries me because if you read through it, it really is making some big accusations about people and making those people mad. Knowing enough about how the internet works I can also guess that the “Gossip Girl” will be found out soon enough through a simple IP check and call to a internet provider.

Then there is the part of me that is intrigued by it and would keep reading but at the same time I feel bad for those being written about.

A word of caution to the writer. You may want to rethink what you are doing. You have already received many threats if you are found out. Be Careful whose toes you step on!

Yellowknife, what are your thoughts on a site like this? I know most of my readers are adults but how would you respond if you read something about yourself you didn’t want anybody to know. What action do you think should be taken?

This coming Friday night the Yellowknife Bloggers are getting together for another meet-up. This time they are hitting the town with a twist. They are heading to the new second level of Fuegos restaurant named Twist, that is. The meet-ups are generally casual with lots of laughs and good conversation. They will be meeting at 7pm, but it would probably be a good idea to show up a little earlier as you are not able to get reservations during the summer. If you are a blogger why not stop by and meet some amazing people. See you there.

We’re starting something new here called the Sunday Morning Link Fest. On Sunday mornings every once and a while a new post will be published of different sites around Yellowknife. If you know of a good sites that you want featured like your own or one you may have just found go to the Contact page and send it in.

This week:

1. Yellowknife Ravens is Yellowknife’s official Broom Ball team. Check them out at  http://www.yellowkniferavens.com
2. NWTers is a neat new site the brings NWT Twitter tweets together on one site. Tags such as #yzf, yellowknife, x1a, inuvik and the GNWT, as well as some of the News accounts from around the north. It definitely deserves a bookmark if you don’t use a twitter desktop client.
3. Netvibes is an excellent cite for bringing together content from all over the web. In this case we going to look at Liz’s Yellowknife tab. You can find the page here and there you will find loads of Yellowknifey Goodness. Everything from Twitter updates about Yellowknife to Flickr Photos and Youtube videos tagged with Yellowknife. With news from GNWT and the City as well as updates from UpHere Magazine and YkOnline. If you haven’t already checked it out, do so for a nice refreshing ray of Yellowknife.
4. I thought I would add in the Folk on the Rocks site in light of the fact next weekend is the festival. You can find their site at  http://www.folkontherocks.com

There you have it folks 4 sites from and about Yellowknife. Remember if you know of a good local site you want to plug send it in through the Contact page.

As if you need another reminder about this event, but I thought I would mention it nonetheless.

The 4th Annual northWords Writers Festival is this weekend. June 11 – 14, 2009. There will be many things going on to celebrate the festival including Readings, Open Mikes, Workshops, Mentorships, Storytelling, Panel Discussions, Book Signs and more! This years authors are some of the best, including Joseph Boyden, Jay Ingram, Anita Daher, Jim Green, Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, and many more.

Each day of the festival is jammed packed full of events and workshops. To find out more about the festival pick up a Yellowknifer, which has a schedule. Or go to the website http://www.northwordsfestival.ca/

Check out the blog of one of our own Book Enthusiasts, John for updates on the festival.

She’s some lady in Yellowknife, NT. Who has opinions and things. Her blog won first place in the Best New Blog category and second place in the Best Post category in the Best NWT Blogs 2008 competition. And yes I did just steal this introduction from her blog. Although she is leaving Yellowknife here is her blogger profile:

Who are you? Your average person would probably call me a nerd, but I’m not actually smart enough to fit in with the real nerds. I’m more of a turd.

Where do you blog? On the Internet, mostly.

Visit me! http://theferrytales.blogspot.com

Why do you blog?

I had a hard time getting famous with rock and roll.

What is the best part of blogging? …Or worst?

The best part so far is being part of the Northern blogosphere. It’s amazing how bloggers spread out from Whitehorse to Arctic Bay have formed this online community. And it goes beyond nerdy gatherings in Yellowknife – this winter, when I organized a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, several of the items that sold in the silent auction came from bloggers I had never even met in real life.

The worst part is when you make a typo and can’t get back and change it. I did that in my most recent poll.

Who do you write for? Yourself? Your Readers? Google? For a living?

I keep my readers in mind when choosing topics, and occasionally I go on a self-indulgent photography spree or rant.

I think it’s fun to write about things that will attract random Googlers, so I must admit I write for Google as well.

Do you or would you ever censor yourself?

**** yes. My blog attracts a lot of readers, and I don’t want to air any of my dirty laundry to creepy randoms. Sometimes I think writing about something of a personal nature can be helpful to others, such as when I write about OCD or coping with death. But people don’t need to read about intimate relationships, my work or my bowel movements.

…they don’t, do they?

PC or Mac?

PC

Blogs you read or would recommend?

My favourite blog is Slap Upside the Head. Mark posts about LGBT issues and completes each post with hilarious illustrations.

Visit him! http://www.slapupsidethehead.com/

What made you decide to move to Yellowknife?

I came here for work in 2007, but found other reasons to love it.

You recently announced you would be leaving the north, do you think you will ever return?

I love the North. I want to return for visits, but I’m pretty sure my happily ever after is going to be in Newfoundland.