2020 - Michael Kalus.ca

2020

2020 - A (media) review

Well, thank god this is over, even though it’s merely symbolic. Most of the things that dogged us this year will be with us in 2021 as well, at least for a good chunk of it. So without further ado, here is a selection of media recommendation and warnings

technology

The Robots are dancing

I am impressed on how natural the movements are. This is a great mechanical engineering achievement. Not sure though how this is going to work / show up in the real world.

music

Nils Frahm: XMAS Mix 2020

Just before Christmas, Nils Frahm gives us another nice mix. Let 2020 end a bit more quiet than it was for most of the year: hohoho, again and again and again. if you might have thought that we are running out of cheesy, crackly, and lovely down tempo tunes from

music

Chillhop Winter Essentials 2020

One month to go until 2020 ends, and lots of people will be happy to see the back of it. So the timing is good for Chillhop to release their winter selection. Enjoy! Chillhop Essentials Winter 2020 by Various Artists

2020

Smoggy Vancouver

For a bit over a week Vancouver got choked out by smoke from the wildfires in the US. Friday evening it finally started clearing up and it is nice to be able to have the windows open again. Below are some photos from that time and a video showing the

timelapse

West End Timelapse: 28.06.2020

A bit over 24 hours in the Westend. Looking north towards the mountains. Music courtesy of Chillhop Records. Check them out on your favourite music streaming service or buy their stuff on Bandcamp.

timelapse

Second Narrows Timelapse

A short, 10 minute time lapse looking at second narrows and the ship, train and car traffic passing under / over / nearby it. Music is from Chillhop Summer Essentials 2019 Chillhop Essentials Summer 2019 by Chillhop Music

cycling

Bike Rides of Vancouver: New Brighton Beach to First Beach

From one end of town to the other. Starting at New Brighton Beach in the cities east side, a ride along to the cities First (English Bay) Beach in the city's Westend. Music is from Chillhop's Summer Essentials 2019. Chillhop Essentials Summer 2019 by Chillhop Music

time lapse

Summer Solistice Timelapse 2020

A bit more than 24 hours at English Bay in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Music is from Chillhop's Summer Essenetials 2020. Find them on your favourite streaming service, or buy a copy on Bandcamp: https://chillhop.bandcamp.com/album/c...

music

Chillhop Essentials Summer 2020

Well, what an interesting year it has been so far. Time to try and chill a bit in the summer with Chillops new quarterly release. Chillhop Essentials Summer 2020 by Chillhop Music

2020

Chill with Will

Will Smith has put together a lo-fi chill mix for you to relax while socially distancing yourself. Enjoy!

fitness

Fitness in the time of physical distancing

With Gyms closed the question is how to stay fit and strong. Firstly it should be said, at the time of this writing, most of us aren’t locked into our homes. So things like running, biking and definitely going for a walk is a good idea. Just don’t

music

Chillhop Spring Essentials

Chillhop Essentials Spring 2020 by Chillhop Music

2020

February 2020 Culture and Media Review

BooksGeostorm series (Book 1 - 3) by Bobby AkartBack in December I read Akart’s “Pandemic” series and though it was okay for the first 1 1/2 books before it became boring and in general was rather cookie cutter. Unfortunately with Geostorm there aren’t really any redeeming qualities.

movies

January 2020 Culture and Media Review

BooksSynCorp Saga - Book 1 - The Lazarus Protocol by David Bruns & Chris PorteauIt is an interesting start to (another) “the world ends, but rich people and scientists can save us” narrative. I am cautiously optimistic that it does not become too formulaic but time will tell. The first

meditation

Thoughts on Meditation

Meditation StreakAt the end of 2018 I decided to make a daily 20 minute meditation my “practice” and, as of today, I have managed to meditate for 380 days straight. It is funny to look back on it now and how hard it was. I have meditated on and off

iphone

Bodega at Twilight

Right time, right light, right place. iPhone XS Max, applied a Kodachrome 64 pre-set afterwards.

subaru

2020 Outback Limited XT - First Impressions

IntroductionThe new 2020 Outback is my third Outback and I have to say the best. I ended up with the Outback back in 2012 after deciding to get a car again and found to my dismay that pretty much nobody in Canada is selling Wagons anymore. European manufacturers were the