Tag: vancouver

Around the World in 8 Sundays – The Americas

Posted on by in Geeky Sunday, High Castle

Its our third trip here at Seriously Geeky Sundays! Today’s trip takes us to my world, the Americas!

Around the World in 8 Sundays – North America

Week three of our Around the World in 8 Sundays (a multi-week theme taking us around the world) takes us to North America as the United States celebrates Thanksgiving this week.

Who is your favourite Northern American character?

You know who I’m going to say. I’ll give you one guess….

What is your favourite film set in North America?

This is a tough one. There are so many I love and enjoy. It is hard to pick just one. I even looked at our collection of DvDs to try to make up my mind which one I like best! I’ll name a few favorites: Apollo 13, Our Tarantino collection, Thor, and The Avengers.

North American history features frequently in pop culture, which part do you feel is overdone and which do you wish was covered more?

I have a similar answer to @winstolf’s. And can I just say thank you, Winstolf, for the well thought out answer mixed with kindness? Thank you!

As much as I love reading and watching anything involving WWII, I am tired of how they portray soldiers as picture perfect cutouts with demi-god levels of aptitude and skill. And then there are the pointless love stories which always seem to be between two flawless people. They hardly ever have a strand of hair out of place, even in war zones, and are about as interesting as watching paint dry.

As for what I’d like to see more of, WWI. We need more WWI movies. I feel like it is often skipped over in favor of what will sell (WWII). I’d also like to see more alternate histories/realities like The Man in the High Castle and Handmaid’s Tale. I am a sucker for those! 

North America tends to be seen as mainly just the US and Canada, which other countries do you recognize in fandoms?

There are a ton of great movies filmed in Mexico. My favorite would have to be Kill Bill: volumes 1 & 2. I am a huge Tarantino fan. His movies are fantastic! When I heard that he’d be directing the next Star Trek, I was elated. He knows how to make a good film. However, I don’t know if they’ll ever actually make the movie now because that was several years ago. 

Although Hollywood is at the center of the entertainment industry, the Canadian entertainment industry is blooming. What is your favourite Canadian production?

Does The Man in the High Castle count? It was mostly filmed in Vancouver/Canada. 

In 2019, I was in Vancouver for work and had the opportunity to walk to Smith’s headquarters. I still have the hand written directions and map I drew (I was not taking chances, ha ha!).

Broadway musicals are a national treasure in the US; do you like musicals?

I have never been a fan of musicals. Broadway is a national treasure to those who can afford it, and please don’t hate me for saying so! I mean no offense 😉 It’s just how I feel.

The only musical I have any interest in watching is Hamilton, and it would have to be live (I cannot sit still for a musical at home. The second someone starts belting out a tune, I’m done, ha ha!).  With that being said, I enjoy certain songs from musicals as songs.

Vancouver: Part 2

Posted on by in High Castle

A Man in the High Castle story

Technically this isn’t Vancouver, and I was going to save these photos for last because it was the final part of my journey, but I was inspired to write a #HighCastle mini story, so here we are! I took the photos at Snoqualmie Falls in Washington State.

The Bird in the Woods

Takes place during Season 1: Episode 10

The morning chill stung his nose, but his heart was racing so fast that he did not feel it. A breeze rustled through the giant pine trees, creating an eerie whir. As he walked beside the man who had orchestrated the assassination attempt on his life, John thought about Helen and the children. If anything should happen to them…

Helen was a strong woman, a good woman. She knew what to do.

He was tempted to suck in a sharp breath, but that would reveal the fear threatening to consume him. Don’t let your emotions get in the way of what is right. 

As their boots padded along the silent trail, a steady roar began to permeate through the morning mist. A bird chirped overhead, and John slowed his pace. His nemeses shot him a sideways glance.

“Have you seen the waterfall?” he asked.

“I have no desire to,” Heydrich replied. “It’s best to stay on the trail. We have much to discuss. It’s time to end the silence between us.”

“Indeed,” John replied. The trail wrapped around a tree, and John knew that, like it or not, Heydrich would get a view of the falls. The roar grew louder, and the moisture in the air began to stick to his face.

The trail wove them around an ancient tree as wide as a vehicle. The waterfall burst through the foliage, and John shot his nemeses a look.

“You get your wish, Smith,” Heydrich said, his tone even. Another bird chirped overhead, its cries muffled by the power of the water. It chirped three times before John began walking again. Heydrich issued a wry laugh.

“For a second there, Smith…”

John did not answer. He did not need to. His man was in place. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, prickling the hairs on the back of his neck.

Whatever happens, Helen, I love you. 

… Fin …


Vancouver Part 1

Posted on by in High Castle

There is no way that this isn’t going to be a post about The Man in the High Castle 😉 I mean, they filmed in Vancouver! My work trips are busy, so I take every last free second I get. From waking up at the crack of dawn every morning to using the few precious free-hours the first day, I explore what I can.

Sunrise in Vancouver

I sat on my balcony that first morning and watched the sun rise over the harbor. It was such a wonderful moment of pure peace! The cool morning breeze was quiet as I looked across the water. I felt an air of introspection and absolute happiness. I can’t help but wonder if the cast & crew had ever watched the sunrise and if they felt the same way.

Before I left for this trip, I looked up High Castle filming locations and mapped out the one closest to where I was going to be, and thankfully, there was one was within walking distance.

It was awesome to see something in the show up close. I am so thankful for those precious few hours that first day!

Sunrise — Season 1: Episode 2
Smith’s headquarters building.

Screencaps of the scene where Smith and Klemm walk inside. 
As always, please read my disclaimer below. 

Please read!