Hummingbird604.com » Blogathon 2009

My passion for loving, and being loved

Raul — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 09:00:04 +0000

I think it’s reasonable to say that by the time we’ve hit the 2:00am (PST) mark, our brains are pretty delirious. I am, however, a creature of the night, and not surprising to many of my friends and followers, a very resilient creature. Against all odds, I have beaten some pretty grim odds, particularly at birth.

You all may not know this, but I was a breech baby and I had the umbilical cord tied around my neck. It was an incredibly rough labour for my mother. The signs of exploded blood vessels in my Mom’s eyes have not disappeared ever since. I have photographs from my mom’s beautiful eyes before she gave birth to me and after, and you can tell the difference. Mom had an extremely difficult delivery but with the help of forceps, a really experienced gyneco-obstetrician and The Powers That Be, I was born on an early morning of September, the 19th.

I have lived a wonderful life, by any measure. Not an easy one, but wonderful nonetheless. I have experienced an amazing number of challenges but I’ve survived them all including heartbreak. Almost six years ago, I met someone with whom I thought I would be spending the rest of my life. At a really critical juncture in my life I found out that the love of my life was no more and that I had been cheated on.

I remember calling my Mom and, without even saying a word, breaking down and sobbing incontrollably for 45 minutes over the phone. Mom knew exactly what had happened and did her very best to help me get back on my feet (as did my brothers and my Dad). I may have not had an easy life but what that demonstrated to me (and what I’ve known all my life) is that I have been incredibly, amazingly and overwhelmingly loved.

I know it is hard for people to deal with me sometimes. And while it’s easy to fall “in like with me”, it’s really hard to fall in love with me. I am intense. I am demanding. I set high standards for myself and for the people that I care for. I give it my all in every single situation. I love to the fullest, but that also means that I demand to be loved to the same extent.

Time has shown me time and again that not everybody thinks the way I do and nobody feels the same way I do. But you know what? I don’t care. I don’t know how to live otherwise. If I lived my life differently, i.e. if I was able to live a ‘level’ life where I wouldn’t have extreme highs and lows, I probably would be in another position. But I don’t really want to be at any other point in my life.

I love to be loved, and I love loving. And I do both equally passionately. And this blog that you read, the blog that has been popularized and grown in readership, is still the blog of the same Raul who started it in April of 2006. I’m still that guy. My passion is to love my neighbour just as much as I love myself (which, admittedly, is quite a lot).

I hope you enjoy reading this blog, because this is the canvas of my life.

This is Entry # 41 of 49

A 90 second interview with @miss604 (Rebecca Bollwitt)

Raul — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 06:00:12 +0000

Mega blogger, ultra-coder, super sweet Rebecca Bollwitt (yes, you can tell we are friends, can’t you?) is someone whom I have admired for a long while. Throughout the natural evolution of our friendship, I’ve written guest blog posts on Rebecca’s site, shared adventures such as the National Digital Media Day ’08, and have learned a heck of a lot about blogging and WordPress from her. Surprisingly, I had NEVER interviewed Rebecca on my site. I have interviewed music bands, researchers, etc. But I had *never* asked any questions to her to be published as an interview on my site. Since we are under a time crunch, I decided to make the interview VERY short and sweet. Here is a 90 second interview with Rebecca Bollwitt, our very own Miss604.

This is Entry # 35 of 49

Guest post: Passionate about literacy by Catherine Novak

Raul — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:30:37 +0000

It’s Blogathon time – here at Raul’s Hummingbird604 blog, you can read 48 different blog posts on a number of passions. Some of them will be Raul’s own, and some will be from guest bloggers. Will they all be different? I hope so… because I plan on spending some Blogathon time practicing one of my favourite passions: reading.

I’m writing this post from my parents’ home in Parksville. In the back yard, nestled among my mom’s perfect shrubbery, is a rather unusual garden ornament. It’s a young girl – well, given that she seems to have a version of dragonfly wings on her back, I guess she’s a young fairy girl. She’s lying down on her front, propped up on her elbows with her bare feet crossed at the ankles. She’s completely absorbed in the task of reading the book in her hands. My mom got this ornament because it reminds her of me.

I don’t remember a time when I couldn’t read. Apparently, I taught myself to read around the age of four, and could read upside-down as well as right-side up (still can). My mom noticed this talent because I would sit across from her as she read the morning paper, and I would read the headlines out loud and ask her what they meant. Since then, the printed word has been a magnet for me.

It’s all too easy for me to get caught up by a good story – or even the potential of a good story – and let the time fly by. Too bad my tastes aren’t particularly discriminating. In fact, these days I’d rather have a few glitzy magazines on hand. A copy of OK, or Shape, or even Maclean’s is easier to put down than a “quality” novel, which means I can actually get something else done. I made the mistake of picking up a novel a couple of weeks ago, and annoyed my spouse by reading it everywhere, even at the race track, where I was supposed to be cheering on the cars like the rest of the crowd. He’s raised one incredulous eyebrow at me when I’ve indiscriminately gathered three or four free magazines at the grocery store, even when I’m only mildly interested in the content. Hey, it’s a free magazine! I’ll read it!

Reading can also take up a good chunk of my working day if I’m not careful, so it’s a good thing when I can turn my appetite for words into something that pays. I think that my style of concentrated intervals of reading Twitter streams helps satisfy my compulsion to read, and the information I’ve been pointed toward has made me a better social media consultant: I’ve read all the latest trends!

Every passion should find its purpose in serving others, though, and I’m learning to turn this compulsive passion for reading into a force for good. One of the ways I am doing this is by passing along my love of reading to my children. Unlike most boys of our era, they have a great love of reading, and will actually curl up with a book just for entertainment. Or they’ll sit still and listen while I read to them (note: they could read on their own, being 9, 12, and 14, but we like the time together sharing a story).

I hope to spread this passion farther, by supporting literacy causes such as the Victoria READ society. It’s a shame that in one of the most educated countries on earth, a full third of Canadian adults still do not have a functional level of literacy. The printed word is not their friend, even when it comes in the form of a Facebook invitation. I’d like to change that – the written word was created for connecting people and ideas, another great passion of mine.

So expect to see me with a magazine in my purse, a blog on my computer screen and a gleam in my eye. With my money and my time, I want to make the world a more literate place.

Catherine Novak writes at WordSpring, manages the social media strategy of Idea Zone and is a good friend who lives in Victoria and has a way with words that few people I know have.

This is Entry # 34 of 49

Mojave Band live at #yvr #blogathon headquarters (WorkSpace)

Raul — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:00:51 +0000

We are blessed by the friends we have, and our friends from Mojave are here keeping us company and providing us with an amazing display of beautiful music, vocals and lyrics. I interviewed Mojave a few months ago (remember my 7 Questions with Mojave?) and I have kept in touch with them all the time. I love their music, I love their energy, I love the kind of environmentally-focused stuff they do. And boy, are they ever amazing!

Credit: Duane Storey

Mojave played Crow’s Funeral at my request and I am absolutely privileged. Thanks so much for joining us in our Blogathon 2009 adventure! Check their music on Blip.fm

This is Entry # 33 of 49

Guest post: A passion for Twilight, by Marina Antunes

Raul — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 03:30:36 +0000

What is your passion.

That was the question Raul posed to start the ball rolling on this post, my contribution to the Blog-a-Thon. I have many: books, film, writing, music, but there’s something which has, over the last two years, seeped into my life like a rash that won’t go away which I’d like to take a moment to share with you.

You’ve probably heard the whispers; women in hushed tones discussing the latest image, news tidbit or video clip. I’m talking about “Twilight”. It’s a phenomenon that has entered pop culture at nearly every level. The big question everyone seems to be asking is why. Why has a mediocre series of books and equally mediocre film managed to cement itself so deeply into pop culture in such a short amount of time? Sadly, I don’t have all of the answers but between hundreds of weekly posts from various fansites, an inside out knowledge of the material and a weekly podcast dedicated to deciphering this very question, I have come to a conclusion: there is no single answer. That said, I have two theories:

Romance: who doesn’t love a good romance? And what could be better than an epically tragic, fatalistic one that ends with a happily ever after?

The characters: Stephenie Meyer may not be the best writer but she weaves a great yarn which features some wonderful characters. And then Catherine Hardwicke comes along and gives them physicality. I’m openly on Team Edward and I’ll admit it, it’s as much to do with the character as it is with the actor. I simply can’t turn away from the hair

There is more than just fun when it comes to “Twilight” as there are a few issues which may be cause for concern (the stalker-ish boyfriend, something else about teen pregnancy and, oh yes, the supposedly anti-feminist action of our heroine Bella, a girl who has become a sort of icon to millions of teen girls) but I don’t see these as problems. Instead, I’m thrilled that something which seems so innocent and purely entertaining has managed to escape into the real world, encouraging mothers and daughters to talk, to discuss important issues and to bond.

It’s a great feeling when something so apparently inconsequential has such a huge effect on so many individuals. I am quite happy to call myself a Twilighter.

Marina Antunes is not only a good friend of mine but also one of the forces behind Row Three, one of the best podcasts for movie reviews out there. She is also incredibly witty, funny and we both share a love for all things KR. She blogs on The Marina

Marina

http://rowthree.com
http://beforethedawn.ca

Chat Skype: themarina1 Google Talk: themarina1

Contact Me

This is Entry # 30 of 49

My passion for teaching

Raul — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 02:01:58 +0000

I suffered a devastating breakup halfway through my doctoral degree. In fact, I suffered two blows: one, changing the topic of my dissertation and the composition of my doctoral committee altogether, and having my heart broken by someone who cheated on me. I took time away from my PhD for a while twice. However, one good day I decided that I was too passionate to let heartbreak and changing tides defeat me.

Credit: Leo Reynolds

I came back. And I came back because I am passionate about teaching. I am a tough instructor, and a tough student supervisor. But you know what? I am a very caring individual. I care about creating the conditions for my students to grow, mature and learn. I’m an excellent teacher, I know that.

And the reason why I am so good at teaching is because I am passionate about it.

This is Entry # 29 of 49

Guest post: Passionate about connections, by Jennifer Priest

Raul — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:30:19 +0000

I am passionate about connection. Defined as a noun connection is a relationship or association, a link or bond.

Connection is why I am a personal coach and connection is why I am an advocate for and an enthusiast of Social Media.

It is through our connections the spark of growth appears. We have a great conversation with a friend, we read an empowering article on the web, we connect with a part of ourselves we didn’t know existed or we may not have seen for a while.

As a coach it is part of the process to connect with clients. In this context it means to “be with” or “share the experience” of a client.

Connection allows for empathy, understanding, insight and self development . It truly makes the whole process to flow. Connection is an openness that facilitates communication and learning.

Social Media is another form of connection. However, it creates a conversation or an opportunity to touch another, to have an impact or to reach out. It allows so many of us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. Social media informs, challenges, and entertains.

Think about the number of times you connect every day. What kind of an impact does this have on you? What ideas do others inspire? What feelings do they evoke? By allowing ourselves to be connected we take a risk, but one that is a necessity of being fully human.

Jennifer Priest is a personal growth coach and blogs at Dancing in the Moment. Jen and I have grown to become friends and we are both very interested in the field of coaching (although I’m not a coach myself yet). She has given me some really great advice and I’m grateful for her friendship. She blogs at Dancing in the Moment

This is Entry # 26 of 49

Guest post: Taking Prevention into Your Own Hands, by Emme Rogers

Raul — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:30:39 +0000

I think it’s great that the ever so sexy Raul is blogging for the BC Cancer Foundation. I know cancer has impacted my life a little more than I’d like. Oh Hell, any cancer is more than any of us should ever have to deal with. This is why its important to be preventitive, which means ladies, that unless you want to put yourself in Cam’s hands, learn how to properly give yourself a breast exam.

Alternatively gentlemen (& lesbian ladies), Cam’s not got such a bad idea here. Might not be a bad way to get to second base with your current lover. I mean your just looking out for her health after all. Very sweet of you really.

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

Emme Rogers writes about her life as a single, sexy, thirty-something gal in Vancouver at Being Emme. She is lovely and a great friend. And I’m definitely charmed by her capacity to love.

This is Entry # 24 of 49

Salt Spring Air #saltspringvisit

Raul — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:01:26 +0000

I had the pleasure of being a guest of Salt Spring Air within the same visit I did to Sidney. They flew me from downtown Vancouver (outside the Westin Grand in Coal Harbour) to Ganges (Salt Spring Island) and finally they took me to Sidney. I also flew from Ganges back to downtown Vancouver (a fantastic flight that you should take sometime soon). I have to say that I was thoroughly spoiled by Salt Spring Air because not only did they take me to Sidney and to Ganges and back, but I was also shown around the Saturday market (another post forthcoming).

Obviously, the first question I asked (given the relevance of air travel to my research) was “do you offset your carbon footprint?” to which Philip Reece (one of the co-owners and my kind guide in a visit to Ganges and the rest of Vancouver Island) answered that they indeed offset their emissions, with a local company in Salt Spring Island that invests in local projects. That’s actually a pretty neat idea if you think about it, because we often focus so much in offsetting in remote locations that sometimes it’s important to make sure that the local community benefits from the same type of projects.

For a roundup of Salt Spring Air’s schedules you can click here. Their rates are extremely reasonable if you consider the time that it takes to get from Coal Harbour to Ganges using traditional methods (imagine a bus trip, then a ferry trip, then a drive into Ganges). Actually, on my flight back from Salt Spring Island, a young woman was sitting right besides me and she said “you know, it’s cheaper for me to do this than to take the ferry, and SO much more convenient”. What better endorsement than an actual client that is satisfied?

Salt Spring Air is also embracing social media and you can follow them on Twitter as @saltspringair. They have been offering excellent Twitter-only deals for potential customers so you probably would do yourself good by following them!

I will be updating this post with a composite video of my actual trip, but during Blogathon it’ll be really hard to do video editing so I’ll re-tweet once I have updated it. For now you should check the video I have on my Flickr.

This is Entry # 23 of 49

Guest post: Making the Most of Twitter – in Real Life, by Cathy Browne

Raul — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:30:01 +0000

I love Twitter. For me, it is far and away the best and most effective social media platform out there. I’ve forged great friendships, I’ve showcased my PR expertise, I’ve learned (and continue to learn) from the best and brightest in social media, and I have been privileged to be part of community-based activities like Blogathon ’09. And I’m grateful to be recognized on a small scale as someone who ‘gets’ Twitter and understands its potential.

Twitter has its down side. Lately, there are too many people out there doing nothing else but hawking snake oil, churning out thousands of automated tweets on how to get hundreds of followers in one click, and pushing get-rich-quick schemes. And then there are the hate-mongers (but that’s for another post altogether!).
Meh. Where’s the engagement, the conversation? Where’s the fun? Where’s the VALUE?? Can anybody honestly tell me what anyone actually gets from these one-sided broadcasts? To me, not a hell of a lot.

I’ve been thinking about how we can all make Twitter better and more valuable for everyone. My conclusion: focus on how to use Twitter in Real Life. I actually wrote my first blog post about one real-life use for Twitter – job hunting – some time ago. You can read it here.

I know there are so many more. Like supporting our neighborhood businesses, for example.
Just think of all of the terrific little places we all know and love. The local grocer, the butcher, the hardware store, the dry cleaner, the greasy spoon with the all-day breakfast on weekends. Mom and Pop places that are struggling in this economy.

We can certainly help them by tweeting about the terrific meal we had, or the exceptional customer service we got. We could blog a restaurant review, or profile a business that needs our support.

But what if we took the next step? How many of them could benefit from using Twitter themselves?

What if we each identified a neighborhood gem and used our knowledge to bring them up to speed on Twitter? Got them set up with their own page? Gave them some ideas on what to tweet? Reviewed their website so they’re ready to have people could link to it? Set up a simple blog for them?

During the month of August, I’m going to chose one business in my neighborhood in Ottawa as part of my personal Twitter in Real Life campaign. Who wants to join me? We could blog our progress together

And I’m also going to keep talking about real-life applications for Twitter. If you have ideas you want to share, contact me on Twitter @CathyBrowne, or by email at cb(at)cathybrowne(dot)com.

This is Entry # 22 of 49

Guest post: A passion for Harry Potter, by Monique Trottier

Raul — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:30:03 +0000

Having just returned from Azkatraz, the 2009 Harry Potter Symposium, I have the passion of Harry Potter on my mind.
Harry Potter fans are more than passionate about a series of books or movies. They are passionate about the wisdom of the books and the foundation of conversation that the series provides. Harry Potter is a shared experience: you stand in line together to buy the books, you speculate online and at cocktail parties about the outcomes, you gather in public places to watch the movies and you congregate at meetups and symposiums to find those who share your enthusiasm. Snapecast, anyone?

Credit: BibiCall

The reason I am passionate about Harry Potter is that it is a collective experience of our lifetime and it is a collective experience across generations.

If you were born in the 60s, you remember Brady Bunch, Dick Van Dyke, when the Beatles were on the Ed Sullivan Show, Gilligan’s Island, and watching the first moon launch in July 1969. Those born in the 70s remember rotary phones, Pop-Wheels, cassette tapes, and breakdancing, and you understand the meaning of ‘wax on, wax off.’ I’m older than the 80s babies, but I’d imagine you’d recognize images of Michael Jackson when he was black, you owned a million beenie babies, and you remember Full House. The 90s kids (are you still kids?) don’t have to reach too far back to remember virtual pets, Goosebumps, Windows 95, Òtalk to the handÓ, and playing at Playplace in McDonalds.

Regardless of those cultural touch points for each generation, what we all share is Harry Potter. Even those who’ve never read the books or seen one of the movies, you know its a story about a boy wizard and there’s some bad guys. This alone means that Harry Potter can be used as a gateway to a greater conversation about right and wrong, politics, film, literature, life and death, choices, family, love, pain, suffering and friendship. And you can have those conversations because you understand the quest journey, morality tales, romance novels, prejudice and racism, allegories, media frenzies, and satire, all the makings of this series.

The academic level of conversations at Harry Potter conferences confirm for me that Harry Potter acted as a way to enrich the collective reading experience of those who became super fans. Through multiple readings, the books not only informed their understanding of the above but served as the door opener to a world beyond Harry.

Elizabeth Bland of the National Library of Medicine presented a Q&A at Azkatraz about the Library’s exhibit, ‘Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine, and how the books are leading kids to learn about the Renaissance history, science and medicine that informed JK Rowling’s magical creatures, ghosts, and philosophers. (Did you know Dumbledore’s friend Nicholas Flammel was a real guy?)

And this is the passion that fuels my fire. The passion of reading. It astounds me to ask an audience in any classroom how many have read the Harry Potter series. And beyond that to ask how many people have read it multiple times. WeÕre talking about a shared text. In fact, a text that is over 3,000 pages long. What JK Rowling has given us is more than just a book, it’s a work that gives profound satisfaction to those who move well beyond the surface story of boy wizard confronted by evil and towards an allegorical and anagogical reading of the series. Like our high school teachers said, ‘there are several layers to any story.’ Sadly most of those teachers didn’t move beyond plot and characters, but Harry Potter fans, in reading the series over and over again, have transcended. They are now seekers of knowledge.

And what could be more wonderful?

Monique Trottier is an internet marketing specialist and the co-founder of BoxCar Marketing, a book marketing expert and more than anything, a wonderful human being who also happens to be a good friend of mine. I love Monique’s sense of humour and the fact that she is as much of a bookworm as I am. She blogs at SoMisguided.

This is Entry # 20 of 49

Guest post: On coming home, by Jules Morgan

Raul — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:30:47 +0000

Over the course of the last 12 years, I have moved continents, countries and cities, changed my address so many times even I can’t remember them all, never staying long enough to feel at home before packing up and finding somewhere new. Last June, as I was packing up my apartment in the West End, dividing my belongings into piles to be sold or given away, boxes of books and kitchen stuff to go into storage for who knew how long, and the remainder to take with me as I settled into my best friend’s flat for a few months, I wrote about this transience space and the struggle to find a space that was my own.

Fast forward a year, and here I am transient once more. Moving this month from my last safe space, to a small basement suite and then with friends as the days spill over and get closer and closer to the end of the month. More of my belongings are in storage and the rest is stuffed into various bags that are being lugged from here to there. Until, once the month ends, ‘there’ will be my new home.

This morning I signed the last of the papers, my curling signature black against various legal indemnities, a dull symbol of everything that it means to me to finally be going someplace of my very own. I have cancelled the lease on my storage unit, bought a sofa and collected paint swatches. I have arranged movers and internet connection, acquired an old dresser and chairs. The table that was shipped from London will finally have a space so my friends can sit around it.

This year was that pinnacle where it all started to fall into place, where everything was stripped bare and I spent weeks walking around feeling as if I was dust, and there were so any twists and turns that I found myself headed in different directions from one day to the next, until one day, on a whim, I found a space that just seemed to just feel ‘right’. 4 hours later, the first of many forms were signed, my offer was accepted and the waiting began.

I know how deep this transience, in the past, has kept me at arms’ length from so many things, of feeling grounded and safe. Over the last few months, I have also been working on this, trying to find that safe space inside of me, of feeling whole and grounded and not wanting to pack up and run away. Today, as I signed those papers, it wasn’t just a property I was buying. I felt something loose in me finally find its niche. I think I have answered my question from last year, I have found that comfort in my heart. The rest is just as simple as going home. Next week, I’ll do just that.

Jules Morgan is a wonderful human being who I am honored to call a friend. She is as much a citizen of the world as I am, and she is also a great foodie and wine connoisseur. She blogs now on WordPress.com, which rocks!

This is Entry # 18 of 49

Guest post: Making stories, showing off, by Derek K. Miller

Raul — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:30:10 +0000

Here’s a story. Two years ago this week, I weighed 145 pounds, about 70 pounds less than I do now. I looked like I’d been in a PoW camp, pale and skeletal. I’d just left St. Paul’s Hospital, where I’d been for close to a month after major cancer surgery and an intestinal blockage.

By October I’d gained back 30 of those pounds. Within a year I’d taken a bunch more chemotherapy, lost my hair and grown it back, and had terrible chemo-induced acne. A year after that, the cancer is still here, but I’m fighting it, and I feel pretty good. End of story, for now.

We all grow up making stories—when we’re kids, we call it playing, whether it’s using an infant mobile or a video camera. And our stories are best when we make them for others, or with them. Unfortunately, many of us become unused to playing, thinking it childish. We grow up terrified of giving speeches, or we write our thoughts only in diaries instead of for reading. We become shy.

For whatever reason, that didn’t happen to me. I’ve been passionate about many things in my 40 years—computers, photography, public speaking, music, making websites, writing and language, science and space, commuting by bicycle, building a life with my wife and family—but when I took at them all, each one is really about making stories for others. Or, as my wife succinctly pointed out, about showing off. I’ll admit to that.

Some examples, in no real order:

Helping put together a school newspaper in sixth grade (or high school, or university).
Donning a smoking jacket and hand prosthetic to play Captain Hook on the elementary school stage.
Setting my daughters up with blogs and email addresses before they each turned ten.
Posting photographs to MacDesktops in the late ’90s and photo.net a few years later.
Playing in a band in crappy bars or luxury New York hotels.
Editing my high school yearbook (with others) and the UBC student handbook (by myself).
Teaching courses about Microsoft Word.
Talking about my cancer on the radio.
Talking about geeky stuff on TV.
Recording songs and giving them away for free.
Helping my wife Air put together her podcast.
Uploading thousands of pictures and videos to Flickr.
Crafting obscure technical documents to make them understandable.
And of course blogging and blogging and blogging for close to nine years.

I’ve done many of these things for no money (and some for lots of money), but for almost all of them, I wanted other people to know.

Okay, yes, I wanted to show off. Is that healthy?

For me, on balance, I think so. Whether for my jobs or my hobbies, being a ham and wanting others to see and appreciate what I do prods me to make those stories good, and useful. Humans are natural tellers of stories, and we enjoy anything presented in a story-like way. So I’ve tried to make all of those things in the form of a story. Whether a discussion of evolutionary biology, a fun rockabilly instrumental, a bunch of rants about PowerPoint, or a pretty photograph (or yes, even the instruction manual to install a wireless cellular modem in a police car), I want it to generate a story in your mind.

Stories don’t always have an obvious structure. They don’t necessarily go in predictable directions, or have a moral or meaning. I certainly didn’t see it coming when all this cancer stuff from the past two and a half years happened. But I’ve been able to make it a story that other people can read, understand, and maybe find helpful. So too with my other passions.

So whatever you’re trying to do, whatever hobby or job or habit you have, if you want to share it with others, try to craft it like a story—short or long, visual or auditory, but something that flows. Show it off. That, it seems, is what I like to do.

Derek K. Miller is a writer, editor, web guy, drummer, photographer, and dad. Not in that order. He’s been blogging at penmachine.com since 2000, and has been on medical leave from his position as Communications Manager at Navarik Corp. since 2007. His wife and two daughters have put up with his show-offishness way longer than that.

This is Entry # 14 of 49

I did a PhD out of passion for learning

Raul — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:00:11 +0000

The first question that prospective students of mine (or for that matter, anybody who knows I have a doctorate in Resource Management and Environmental Studies) ask me is – should I do a PhD? Is it worth doing a PhD? I have written about this topic on my blog before, but I think the thing that I have recently realized is that a passion and relentless drive for learning led me to undertake the grueling and not always redeeming task of completing a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

I am the fourth in the line of four PhDs in my family. Yes, my family is really over-educated. Every single one of us has at least an undergraduate degree AND a Masters. Two of my brothers and Mom have PhDs (as do I). So, teaching, researching and learning is part of the family business. But more than anything, we share the same passion and drive to learn. And that’s the real reason why I did a PhD: because I am passionate about understanding the world around me, and all sorts of phenomena. You can look at my research overview for a peek into what I have researched for the past decade or so.

This is Entry # 13 of 49

Guest post: What’s so great about bloggers? by Simon Ogden

Raul — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:30:18 +0000

Hello everyone, my name is Simon, and I’m a blog nerd. At least, I get the impression that’s the label a lot of my old friends have stamped me with. You see, I wasn’t always this way. A scant three years ago I also thought the word ‘blog’ was a weird and slightly gross thing to say. My internet diet consisted pretty much of my Hotmail account (I know, right?) and checking the movie listings. I sent photos to friends in their original file sizes. I thought HTML was an abbreviation for my email program. I was about 25 years old. Now, I’m a capital-B Blogger, and I can say it in any given room without even having had much to drink. It’s something I’m proud of, and I’m proud of the many friends I’ve made through my immersion into blogging, one of which is most certainly Raul Pacheco, whom I’m delighted to be helping out today in his most worthy effort to raise funds and money for the BC Cancer Foundation.

The reason I’m such a loud and proud proponent for the craft of blogging, both the writing and the steady RSS absorption thereof, can be explained in one simple little word.

Passion.

The blogosphere to me is like some vast garden of discourse that is cultivated by the sheer force of the passion of an ever-growing society of diverse humans who, despite whatever else is going on in our lives, are simply compelled to gush forth all of the thoughts, ideas, questions, fears and wonderment about their particular thing to whomever would listen. Bloggers literally are so passionate about the important things in their lives that they must connect with other humans over it. That’s a rare trait, and that’s a community I want to be a part of.

I’m actually in utter disbelief that comparatively few of us blog, in any niche. I’m a theatre blogger that started my site when I formed my current company, because I was so excited that I couldn’t shut up about it. You can find blogs right now by passionate people writing on pretty much any subject you can think of and a million you can’t, from environmental issues (right, Raul?) to goofy kitty cats. But aside from my wife (who has a much more universally interesting blog than me), no one from my pre-blogging circle of friends have blogs of their own. They all facebook, sure, some are on twitter, but long-form, issue-anatomizing, open discussion blogs? Nada. In the hotel that I work at I am literally the only blogger out of the entire staff, and I am thus the ‘bloggy dude that works the bar’. It’s remains a fringe preoccupation, it would seem.

From this I can draw only one conclusion: the blogoshphere has become an easily-searchable repository of the ideas of some of the most passionate people on the planet. People that are so passionate about whatever it is that gets them out of bed in the morning that they need to share that with anyone who will give them the time of day (a notably expensive commodity in a society trying to keep up with a shaky economy and light-speed advancements in technology). And most of us do it for free. Sure, there are some that have figured out a way to make some money at it, and why shouldn’t they get paid for something that they’re that they’re passionate about? We should all be so lucky. Or smart, I guess. But most of us do it because, well, we can, and feel that we should, and from that one compulsion I get an unceasing river of inspiration. And that’s enough to get me out of bed in the morning.

Thank you for your passion.

Editor’s note: Simon Ogden is the force behind The Next Stage Magazine, one of Vancouver’s finest blogs about all things theatre. He also happens to create the most amazing Sazerac in the whole Vancouver. And he is a good friend of mine too You can follow Simon on Twitter here.

This is Entry # 10 of 49

Guest post: To boldly go, by Andy Peatling

Raul — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:30:45 +0000

Since I was very small I’ve always been fascinated by space. There is so much out there to explore, so much we don’t know about, and most importantly, so much potential.

Humans first stepped on the moon almost exactly 40 years ago to the day. It can’t be underestimated how much of an amazing feat that was. In the span of eight years the US went from barely being able to get a satellite orbiting the Earth, to putting a man on the moon and bringing them safely back home.

It’s quite amazing what people can accomplish when they really want to get something done. More so, it’s quite amazing what people can accomplish when they get competitive. Would the US have put a man on the moon in such a short amount of time if the Russians weren’t potentially going to beat them to it? Probably not.

Competition. It’s what’s been missing for the last 40 years, and in my opinion probably one of the main reasons why we’ve been stuck in manned low Earth orbit missions since.

It’s my belief we should be pushing for a manned mission to Mars. I think we can learn a lot about mankind by visiting and digging on that planet. We’ve found water (albeit salty) and no more than 20 years ago this was unthinkable. Where there is water, there is usually life. Even if we find nothing, we will have broadened our horizons past the Earth-Moon system.

We have the technology to send people to Mars today. The Mars Direct program proves this. We don’t need to establish a base on the Moon first.

What’s the hold up? Nothing. We just need another Space Race.

Andy Peatling is a Social Engineer for Automattic, the creators of WordPress. He created BuddyPress, a platform to transform WordPress into a social network. Andy is also a good friend of mine, an avid soccer player and knows way more about beer than I do (which is good).

This is Entry # 8 of 49

My very first passion: Dancing

Raul — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:00:26 +0000

My parents always wanted their five boys to be well-rounded and able to engage in a variety of activities. Since we were little, we took piano lessons. Me, always the black sheep and the rebel, decided that I was going to fulfill my parents’ desires to be artistic (we had four areas: humanitarian and volunteer activities, art, science and sports) by undertaking theatre and dancing.

I have to say that while I thought I was much more passionate about being a stage actor, soon after I found out that I have always had a passion for dancing. I have taught dance (salsa primarily, although I do a bit of tango) and since I went to graduate school (which left me without much time to strut my stuff) I have regretted leaving competitive dancing. I plan to come back eventually, just not sure when.

How about you? Are you passionate about dancing or any other artistic pursuit?

This is Entry # 7 of 49

The theme of my Blogathon 2009 is passion – what are YOU passionate about?

Raul — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:00:52 +0000

I had talked about Blogathon with several of my friends who have asked me whether I’m 100% insane for wanting to write 49 blog posts in 24 hours. The first year I did Blogathon, I was on Blogger (yes, you can laugh at me now). I wrote about what made me think, about my family and friends, I wrote on topics related to the environment. Through these conversations I came to realize one of the most important qualities I have: I am very passionate.

I love completely, utterly, entirely, unabashedly and passionately. I am one of those people who doesn’t know how to do things lackadaisically. I am not very much a man of spectra. I remember that my brother S once told me “sometimes, I envy you, Raul. You are capable of feeling SO intensely.” And that’s very, very true. I love profoundly, and when I have been heartbroken, I have hated intensely. But I’m not all emotions, lest you think that. I am an intellectual as well. My Dad once said Raul, your capacity to think is only surpassed by your capacity to love”. That’s high praise coming from Dad.

I am passionate about living life to the fullest, about my friends and family, about dancing, I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with the world, I absolutely love creating communities and being part of one. So now, on to you. What are YOU passionate about?

This is Entry # 3 of 49

Guest post: Lust for life, by Terra Atrill (aka ZoeyJane)

Raul — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:30:49 +0000

Terra (aka Zoeyjane)
of Mommy is Moody, Ecards for Everyone & Journey in Parenting

You can also find me at

The latest from Mommy is Moody On remorse

You want to know what I’m passionate about? Raul asked, so you get to find out, too. It’s not a thing that I can buy in a store, or a hobby, or a dream of fame. It’s a little more abstract and a lot less tangible.

I spent the majority of my life catering to others. A constant people-pleaser, I would do whatever was necessary to make the other person my universe was focused on happy. This meant that I was often, nearly always, really, unhappy. I was constant pursuing the goal of being better: a better girlfriend, daughter, student, employee. I woke up every morning with a feeling in the pit of my stomach that I wasn’t good enough and that I had to work harder to try to be even better than good enough.

Around my mid-twenties, I had an epiphany that came along with a breakdown. This light bulb moment spoke to me, expressing what I had always wanted but never really had: to be know what it was that I wanted and to wake up every morning, wanting to make myself happy.

I dropped the acts. I quit hiding behind common courtesies and the need to please. I was no longer interested in forming myself into some shape of what I thought people wanted me to be to them. I simply started listening to my own thoughts, wishes and dreams. I started planning my rebirth. I started to get to know who the person deep inside of me was – the one I’d never really let out before.

I’m still being born, half a decade later.

Because I’m no longer hell-bent on making others think I’m good enough, because I’m using my own measurement instead of others’ body language, praise or dismissal, I have become a new person. I’m no longer able to contain rage at injustice and I’m always speaking – often out of turn. I don’t have the self-censorship that I grew up with any longer, and so I’ve become known as someone who will at any time, and often too bluntly, tell it like it is.

I’m now honest, to the death, with everyone and myself. I’m free to wear pajamas in the middle of the day because it’s what I want to do, and you can often find me walking down the street with my daughter, singing out loud.

I grew up expecting to spend my life being the person that others thought I should, but now I’ve found a new passion: being me, whoever that may be today, regardless of who isn’t happy about it.

Want a bio? Here’s the standard one:
When she’s not rocking a one-woman, one-toddler mosh pit in her Vancouver living room, Terra blogs her angst out as Zoeyjane at Mommy is Moody, works from home as a freelance blogger and virtual assistant, and Tweets like it’s going out of style.

This is Entry # 2 of 49

Blogathon 2009: Raul’s fundraising efforts for the BC Cancer Foundation

Raul — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:04:22 +0000

Last year, the only surviving sister of my Mom, my auntie M, passed away from cancer. In 1999, my auntie L (who was like my second mother) succumbed to advanced lung cancer. In 1997, I lost my grandma M (my Dad’s Mom) to pancreatic cancer. I have fought many battles with cancer and this year I am doing it again by writing 49 blog posts in 24 hours. I dedicate this Blogathon to my beloved family members who have died the disease and to my good friend Derek K. Miller who is bravely fighting (and doing well!) against colorectal cancer. Please consider donating to the BC Cancer Foundation. Every little bit helps!

This is Entry # 1 of 49

Blogathon 2009 for BC Cancer Foundation (registration open)

Raul — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:49:41 +0000

As you may know, I’m doing Blogathon for the BC Cancer Foundation and dedicating it to my good friend Derek K. Miller (who has been battling cancer for 2.5 years already, and recently celebrated his 40th birthday!). Registration for Blogathon 2009 is open already, and I just found out that the BC Cancer Foundation has a blog and a Twitter account! I’m excited about that. I’m working with the staff at BCCF and setting up my donation page so you’ll be able to donate soon. I’ve also contacted a number of great bloggers who will provide me with guest posts so that I can in turn, help other bloggers as well (I type really fast, and I will stay awake throughout the Blogathon anyways). If you feel like staying up and writing 49 blog posts for charity, sign up here.

My Blogathon 2009 will be for BC Cancer Foundation again

Raul — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:50:14 +0000

Credit: Miss604

My dear friend Rebecca Bollwitt just announced to save the date for Blogathon 2009. Both Rebecca and I have Blogathoned for the past two years in a row (and she organized Blogathon Vancouver 2008), and in many ways, Blogathon marked both the beginning of my friendship with Rebecca and the blossoming of my blog and my social media presence in Vancouver. I would think our shared story with Blogathon has done a lot to strengthen our friendship. In fact, it was Rebecca who first encouraged me to participate and who helped me, step by step, to add a badge on my side bar (ah, the memories! I used to have a Blogspot blog then!). In previous years, I Blogathoned for A Loving Spoonful (2007) and for the BC Cancer Foundation (2008). This year, I had thought of doing a split between something mental health related and something associated to cancer. But upon further reflection, I already co-organized Mental Health Camp and I think that should be my volunteer effort in the field of mental health for 2009. Besides, my dear aunt MVL passed away with cancer last year. Therefore, in memory of my aunt and dedicated to a very good friend of mine from the blogging community who is also battling cancer, I am Blogathoning again for the BC Cancer Foundation. More info on the BC Cancer Foundation:

In 2008, many of my friends Blogathoned and I had a series of fantastic guest-bloggers. It was a really fun event. Towards the end of the home stretch, Rebecca, Duane, John and myself hung out at Duane’s place and did our blogging from there. It was a lot of fun. I will be setting up a page for donations with BC Cancer Foundation in the next few days, but in the mean time, I just would like to encourage all of my Twitter friends, followers, blog readers to consider donating to my (or any of the other very worthy) causes. We will also appreciate encouragement in the form of in-kind donations for prizes for the Blogathoners, and possibly snacks/coffee sponsors. Remember, it’s 24 hours straight of blogging. For a good cause.