My episode of The Lab with Leo was one of the last ones produced before the show ceased to be but I was very lucky and proud to be a small part of it all.
I admit, I was probably the most nervous I have been in a really long time when we recorded this segment. I’ve done podcasting, blogging, radio, and TV interviews before but it was something about this show and at this time that made me as shakey as a monkey in the middle of January (you know, cause it would be cold n’ stuff).
It did help though to be in the green room with Derek Miller, who had been on the show many times.
Five minutes goes by REALLY fast when you’re trying to sound smart with HDTV cameras in your face and I hope I sound somewhat intelligent.
As a side note, I was also interviewed by Fundfindr at the VIDFEST opening gala party at the Vancouver Art Gallery. You can view the clip which is entitled, “Bloggin from the Noggin” (which is something I’m proud to be doing) on their website.
Tonight I’m at Ceili’s Irish Pub (or SkyBar for those of you who remember this venue from a past life) attending and liveblogging two meetups that have been combined with one special guest speaker – Scott Humphrey, Peak Performance Strategist. The Vancouver Real Estate Tech Meetup Group (you wouldn’t believe how many real estate professionals are blogging and using the power of social media) as well as the Vancouver Young Professionals Meetup Group, which I suppose I could be a part of as well.
Raul is here networking and being his usual hummingbird self and I’ve just met Steve Jagger of Ubertor who asked me to come out tonight and has already supplied me with a beer (the man knows how I work). Larry just joined us at the table in the corner as well. More to come with the liveblog as the evening progresses.
Update: During the mingling session before the formal portion of this evening’s event there’s some talk about Vimeo penalizing and removing real estate content saying that it’s commercial, which is not allowed. This is similar to the issue I had with Blip.tv a while back when they deleted my company’s account due to some product screencasts saying it was too commercial. Thank goodness for Viddler is all I have to say right now.
Update: Tim Ayres, realtor and blogger from Sooke, BC the said over Twitter (with regards to the Vimeo issue) “All is resolved. I was told to avoid video walkthroughs/tours of properties for sale, but vlogging is OK.”
Update: Scott takes the stage and thanks everyone for being here and by being here we’re all stepping up and taking actions in our business (so we get a round of applause). He does over 500 workshops a year and does a quick “hands up” survey about effort, health, passion, drive, results and pay off in our professional lives. “Everyone here wants to make more money… everyone in North America wants to be healthy.” We need to be committed to results and achievements – “how many here are 100% committed to making more money this year? …and how many here want to take their health and energy to the next level?”
The key word tonight is “participation” – “how many of you here won’t raise your hands no matter what I ask tonight?” [Editor’s note: my hand went up – too busy typing]
Scott’s first pillar for creating extraordinary quality of life: Clarity. Where am I going, how am I going to get there and WHY? The second pillar is that you have to get the best tools and strategies. The third pillar is integration and action. Don’t have customers – have fans. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
In this age of reducing, re-using and recycling it still isn’t easy to find someone to cart off your old couch, computer or dry wall after a home reno. Sure, there are companies out there that will haul away anything you can toss at them out the window but how do you know your semi-mint condition couch won’t end up clogging up landfills?
That’s where Vancouver’s own Fresh Start Recycling comes in. I had a chance to meet with their community relations/customer service guru Kara to discuss what exactly it is that they do, and why.
Founded in 2004 by Vancouver native Thomas Goodall, Fresh Start Recycling & Disposal Ltd. is committed to reducing clutter in your life while minimizing our impact on the environment by reducing the amount of material that goes straight to the landfill. [About – Fresh Start]
Fresh Start rents out bins for big home projects but can also take away your TV, computer, garden waste or furniture for safe and eco-friendly disposal – even flooring tiles get recycled. They also donate all re-usable items to non-profits like the Salvation Army with a main goal of having as little as possible going to the dump. The company also practices what it preaches, with all of its vehicles powered by natural gas.
They reach out across Metro Vancouver and yes, will even pickup your unwanted items downtown, which I have found can be an issue sometimes with disposal companies not wanting to bring their trucks into the core.
They’re currently in the process of rejuvenating their blog (hence reaching out to yours truly) but you can also find Fresh Start listed on happyfrog, “BC’s green directory and sustainability community” and through their Facebook page.
Ten years ago I first saw Hamlet at The Stanley Theatre and I have been meaning to go back ever since. I’m not sure why it takes us years and years to explore some of the greatest (and non-touristy) portions of our region but taking in a show at this historical venue is a must for any and all.
Built in 1931 the theatre was “ultra-modern in every respect… …equipped with the latest for talking pictures and also a pipe organ.†[VancouverHistory] It was a landmark movie house until 1991 when it showed Fantasia for the last time. Closed for seven years and masterfully renovated to update its art deco style, it reopened as a 650-seat playhouse in 1998. “The restoration of the venue [received] a 1999 City of Vancouver Heritage Award.” [VancouverHistory]
In 1998 it became a venue for the Arts Club Theatre Company and took on the name, The Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage with the addition of new sponsors. Now in its 44th season, the Arts Club is as much a staple in the city as The Stanley and thanks to them, John and I were able to take in The Producers yesterday afternoon.
It was a treat to finally make it back to The Stanley and the show almost had the matinee crowd rolling in the aisles with its witty tunes, gags, and the amazing voices of the cast. It gave me the kickstart I needed to begin enjoying more of the arts in this town and with the Arts Club presenting Les Miserablesnext season, it certainly won’t be another ten years before I return to the theatre.
This afternoon six of us were guests of Playland; free to roam the rides, wolf down mini donuts and go crazy on the Corkscrew.
Even though the morning skies were grey, we all agreed that at least the lines would be short on a day when the probability of precipitation was high. This also meant that heat stroke was out of the question and our truly durable Gortex-like West coaster exteriors would be able to brush off any showers that might befall us.
I must admit, I was feeling adventurous and I went on the type of rides where people in the line up told tales of cars falling off tracks and gory dismemberment due to mechanic failures. I took on the Hellevator (which was included in our blogger special ride passes), the Wild Mouse (that left Biehler and I with battle scars) and the 50 year-old Coaster (where staying seated as instructed throughout the ride is an impossibility).
We played some games and while Keira did not win her giant jumbo stuffed animal she did get to fire off some rounds at the shooting gallery. We all walked away with something in the end or at least with some change in our pockets from not going completely nuts with balloon darts.
The food service was at the concession was slow but since we were in no hurry we didn’t mind terribly. The girls all found the best bang for our buck was the Kids Pak (for $7.50) which came with a corndog or hotdog, fries, a cookie, and a pop served in a plastic teddy bear. Word of caution on the bear cup though, the heads simply pop on and off and if you’re not careful you may accidentally decapitate your bear, spilling Sprite all over your own shoes.
Highlights of the day included the bumper cars, which left us all with permanent smiles on our faces – especially after exiting and re-entering the ride on succession due to the lack of other patrons lined up out front.
I was pretty happy that John had a good time since he really didn’t want to make the trek out there today. His laughter (that sounded like an excited Peter Griffin) could be heard with every twist and turn of the Scrambler. The Crazy Beach Party (the second time around) was the ride that finally did us all in after five hours of rushes and giggles.
A big thanks to Playland for having Keira, Amy, John Biehler, Jennifer, John and me out for a fun-filled afternoon. If you plan on going to Playland and it looks like the weather may not agree, I encourage you to go anyway as it’s still a great way to spend an afternoon with friends.
I am certain there will be many more photos coming through from everyone that was out today, including some wicked video by Biehler on the Hellevator and other rides. I’ll link all those posts n’ goodies up when they’re available.
My episode of The Lab with Leo was one of the last ones produced before the show ceased to be but I was very lucky and proud to be a small part of it all.
