While I will not be liveblogging Mesh West Vancouver 2011 (taking place today, December 5th at the Salt Building), I will have the live tweets captured for the conference. The hashtag is meshwest.
Waking up this morning with a terribly high fever is not my cup of tea! Hope everyone is enjoying themselves @meshwest[via Twitter]
Monday December 5, 2011 9:45 lolaurencelle
9:46
TriciaFallows:
Interesting mini-debate on the entrepreneurial community in Vancouver @meshwest. I agree, it exists – whether born & raised or not #meshcon[via Twitter]
Monday December 5, 2011 9:46 TriciaFallows
10:07
Tamsen_Creative:
RT @Asifa604: Wonder what would have happened if Stewart Butterfield’s online banking idea flew like flickr #meshcon # meshwest [via Twitter]
Monday December 5, 2011 10:07 Tamsen_Creative
10:08
Jane_Victoria:
Made it to @MeshWest in time for the tail end of the keynote yack with Stewart Butterfield. #YVR[via Twitter]
Monday December 5, 2011 10:08 Jane_Victoria
10:46
JordIntegrates:
So late to get to MeshWest… [via Twitter]
Monday December 5, 2011 10:46 JordIntegrates
10:46
Asifa604:
Start up panel at # meshwest. Carl Schmidt says Vancouver has the potential to be Silicon Valley north. [via Twitter]
Monday December 5, 2011 10:46 Asifa604
10:48
Asifa604:
Jason Bailey calls making money the American dream. What’s the Canadian dream then? # meshwest [via Twitter]
Monday December 5, 2011 10:48 Asifa604
11:16
TriciaFallows:
Awesome. @meshwest Jason Bailey’s answer to post secondary schools – can they help start ups? no! Too many bleeps to quote. #meshcon[via Twitter]
Monday December 5, 2011 11:16 TriciaFallows
11:18
Vancity_Now:
Meshwest. Dec 5, 2011, 9:00-4:00 pm. Meshwest is a 1 day event that will explore how the Web is changing the world. http://www.meshwest.ca[via Twitter]
Monday December 5, 2011 11:18 Vancity_Now
1:16
meshcon:
@chrisbreikss We’ll get you in touch today with Alicia to arrange the scarf and blanket sponsorship deal for meshwest ’12! LOL 🙂 [via Twitter]
Monday December 5, 2011 1:16 meshcon
1:22
Social_Agency:
Very interesting. @JaniceDiner explains how Walmart is turning FB likes into targeted local sales. @meshcon@meshwest[via Twitter]
Monday December 5, 2011 1:22 Social_Agency
2:08
Social_Agency:
What a beautiful day for meshwest! Enjoying all the phenomenal speakers and a gorgeous view from inside the Salt Building. [via Twitter]
Monday December 5, 2011 2:08 Social_Agency
7:45
JennLo_:
Great Meshwest conference today. Met some awesome people. #meshwest[via Twitter]
Monday December 5, 2011 7:45 JennLo_
9:37
wikads:
Attended MeshWest Vancouver yesterday. Great event, excellent speakers, but a little cold. Would be happy to attend again next year! [via Twitter]
As an educator (and someone who has been a supporter of the non-profit sector in Vancouver for years), I’m always constantly looking for ways to promote initiatives that improve the livelihoods of young kids. While food and shelter are simply vital, I strongly believe that education is also relevant (particularly because being educated increases our chances of finding or creating our own jobs).
I recently found out through my friends Gillian Shaw and Crystal Kwon about an initiative launched by The Vancouver sun: The Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund. A brief summary of the history of this initiative:
When inner-city school teacher Carrie Gelson put out her heartwrenching notice in September that her students at Admiral Seymour elementary in Vancouver were arriving at school hungry and in need of warm clothing, she touched a nerve with Vancouver Sun readers, who responded by generously donating goods and funds to the school. Her story, which has echoes throughout inner-city schools all over Metro Vancouver, also prompted The Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund to launch a special fundraising project called Adopt-a-School.
One of the questions that I always have when looking at a charitable project is whether said project will have an integrated view (e.g. funding education but also providing some of the basic needs like warm clothing, food, etc. if there is space for that). I am happy that (from the excerpt I read), the Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund has thought about that too:
With Adopt-a-School, our goal is to raise not only money and awareness to address the needs in individual schools as identified by their educators – the fund will match every penny donated by readers – but also to act as a conduit so that Sun readers can immediately donate goods such as coats and shoes and gloves directly to those schools and students who need them most as we head into winter.
And yes, I am actually blogging even though I have announced a hiatus. I maintained it for a very, very long period of time. I spent a solid 3 weeks without writing any blog posts. Out of about 30-35 posts I published in November, I only wrote 3 during the month of November.
What did you do with the rest of November, Raul?
I hung out with friends. Close friends. The kind that I can call at 3:00am and break down and sob uncontrollably. The kind I built even before becoming ‘a social hummingbird’. The kind who call me out when I need to, but MORE IMPORTANTLY, the kind who whenever I say “I need you”, they come to my aid. Not the “friends on paper”, but the ones who will stand for me and be there by my side when I am sick and when I am healthy, in defeat but also in victory.
I said NO. A lot. I gave myself permission to NOT feel responsible for promoting the arts community in Vancouver. I gave myself permission to decline pitches, invites to events, offers for goodies and freebies. I allowed myself to decide which social media outlet (if any) I was going to use to communicate with the world.
I focused on my academic life. I worked on several manuscripts I have kept in the back-burner. I spent the majority of the month of November thinking about my scholarly future. I had the opportunity to see some of my academic pursuits flourish and my research agenda broaden, diversify and build towards a bright future. I had time to THINK. Think hard about the kinds of things I want to further.
I reconnected with some friends and family members I had neglected. I had the time to actually schedule hang outs and phone conversations. I read some of my nieces’ essays. I engaged in conversations that I had wanted to have for a long, long time. I purposefully built time for the people in my life that I hadn’t had time for in the past few weeks. And I ensured to follow through, instead of (as I normally would be), be rushed and give them only a short period of time.
And they appreciated it.
The blogging world is a curious thing, I will tell you. It’s brought me a lot of fun, and it also has brought a lot of pain. On balance, the fun has outweighed the pain. The I’m incredibly busy you always hear me say is now a very, very good busy. I pick and choose what I do regardless of what is happening around me. I chat on Twitter for the fun of it, and I keep thinking that if my traffic goes down, I will not care at all.
But it hasn’t.
My traffic (yes, I do check my stats – anybody who tells you they don’t is lying to you) has not gone anywhere. I totally thought that, the less I blogged, the less people would read whatever blog posts I had pre-written. And they keep reading. YOU keep reading. You keep engaged with me on Twitter, on my blog, and on my other social platforms. My community is still here, alive and kicking, strong and robust.
THAT is the reason why I keep coming back.
Because for all the challenges I face, I have exactly what I need and what I want: I have a job that is incredibly rewarding, I have a family that loves and adores me, I have friends who have my back AT ALL TIMES, not only when the things are going well, but also when the going gets tough. And I have a wonderful, robust and thriving online community.
I have EVERYTHING I need. I am happy.
As I said online, I could get used to this blogging hiatus thingie. But the truth is, come January, I have a new plan for what Hummingbird604.com is going to look like, what kind of projects I will be tackling and the way in which I am going to keep my personal blog alive while allowing my academic life to continue thriving.
The hardest thing about writing a blog that has extensively covered the food industry in Vancouver, the lower mainland and all across Canada is that I often have a huge challenge in finding new restaurants that are close by to wherever I need to be. Luckily someone recommended The Sandbar and I took JT there before we went to the theatre.
You may know that The Sandbar is recognized for its seafood, and thus I was actually looking forward to trying some of the dishes that were made with seafood. I never, unfortunately, come out for dinner hungry enough to eat 2 or 3, let alone 5 courses’ meals. Which is good because The Sandbar had just enough food.
JT and I were going to check out a play on Granville Island and I had to find another restaurant I hadn’t written about, and despite the fact that I’ve eaten at other Sequoia Group of Restaurants locations, I hadn’t ever written about The Sandbar (and yes, I had eaten here before!). He ordered a Sweet & Sour Wok Chicken wonton crisps ($11) which he loved (arguably, he loves Chinese food and this variation made by The Sandbar is pretty tasty).
I ordered a salmon burger (salmon burger with homemade tartar sauce, choice of mixed greens or fries, at $15 pretty much around the same price point as other local restaurants). In my case I did a 50/50 of fries and greens (I love the fries at The Sandbar). The salmon was perfectly cooked, the tartar sauce was exquisite and it was really filling. I probably shouldn’t have had the fries because I was full by the time I was done with my burger. Overall, great seafood as usual (I remember previous visits to The Sandbar being also really good).
Disclosure: I paid for both of our dinners on my own dime.
I love poutine even if that means I have to eat my poutine WITHOUT cheese curds (I know, the purists among you will say that poutine REQUIRES cheese curds). Anyhow, poutine, Montreal smoked meat sandwiches, all of those dishes are pure comfort food. JT wanted some comfort food and he does love poutine, so I told him about Dunn’s Famous (I had been invited to the opening but I decided not to write about it until I stopped by and paid on my own dime).
An iconic Montreal smoked meat restaurant and delicatessen has opened its first western Canadian location in Vancouver. “Dunn’s Famous” is a truly loved Quebec institution founded in 1927 by Myer Dunn. It uses traditional recipes that include unique brine, proprietary light rye sourdough bread and always hand sliced, prepared to order, your-choice-of lean to fat, double A beef brisket smoked for 17 hours then steamed for 3 hours immediately before serving.
The first west coast location offers all the Montreal favourites; Montreal smoked meat sandwiches, reuben’s, poutine, a gravy covered hot chicken sandwich reminiscent of a 1960’s diner, and their famous baked cheesecake as well as new, locally inspired recipes with a Montreal twist. The menu includes matzoh ball soup, a spaghetti slathered in rich tomato meat sauce and chopped smoked meat (a top three favourite on the Montreal menu), all day breakfast items and a children’s menu – Co-General Managers Stuart Heaven and Francis Lo think the six varieties of poutine will be popular with the late night crowd as well and with the kitchen open until 1 am on weekends and midnight on weekdays, it marks a return to late night dining in downtown Vancouver.
On to the food and service. The food was, as predicted, comfort food (and I’m surprised that JT loved it, as he’s got a palate that is hard to please). He ordered a Super Montréal Smoked Meat ($10.99, 6 oz hand sliced smoked beef brisket on light sourdough rye). And in my case, I ordered Hot Chicken ($11.99, two rivers free run chicken breast on sliced white bread covered in gravy,topped with “mushy” peas).
I will fully disclose that while we tried really hard to finish all AND a strawberry cheesecake, we just couldn’t finish the cheesecake. We were SO. FULL. I definitely will come back again and again to Dunn’s Famous. I may not miss Montreal as much as Anabelle does, but by heck, I totally love comfort food that is affordable and tasty.
Disclosure: I paid for both of our dinners on my own dime. As always, I retain editorial control over everything I post on my site. I was invited to the opening night of Dunn’s Famous but I did not write about it as I wanted to ensure to come and eat and pay by myself and write just one review.
One of the friends I have grown close thanks to blogging is my good friend Arieanna Schweber. You may also know that this year, we co-authored an e-book on building robust and resilient online communities (see “Communities that Rock: Creating Kick-Ass Online Communities” – you can buy our e-book through that link). Arieanna and I also had a chance to speak at Northern Voice (we wrote the e-book as a way to engage ourselves in a reflective process that led to our talk). We are now working on the extended (print version) of our book.
I’ve learned so much from you, Arieanna – as a blogger, as a friend, and as a human being. You’ve reminded me frequently how important it is to have balance in your life, and to not overwork myself (as you know, when I visit your family is the only time I really force myself to shut down and just relax). You’ve taught me the value of loyalty and friendship and I am honored and grateful that whenever I have needed you you have been there for me. I have enormous respect for you and I cherish our friendship very, very much.
You are someone I trust and love and I am thrilled that your family (Ianiv, Aiden, you and your own extended family) have welcomed me part of your own. As you know, I see Aiden as my own nephew and I will have the same love for the new baby that is coming.
Have a wonderful birthday and I look forward to celebrating soon!
The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) hosted the Aborigina lAIDS Awareness Week Launch Event on December 1, 2011 in Ottawa, ON where Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary on Health gave an address. The official launch of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week will now be followed by workshops across the country to continue discussions on Aboriginal HIV and AIDS issues in Canada Dec2-5, 2011.
Photo credit: Ben Haley on Flickr.
There is a number of events scheduled:
WHEN: Friday,December 2, 2011 9:30am – 1:00pm EST
WHERE: Holiday Inn Select Chinatown (corner of Viger and St. Urbain) MONTREAL
WHAT: Celebrating Aboriginal Women, Culture, andCommunity CAAN and Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal (NWSM) present abilingual event. Activities will include local, regional and national speakers on Aboriginal women’s issues; feature traditional ceremonies and performances. As a special presentation the local organizers have invited the Visioning Health Arts and Positive Aboriginal Women exhibit.
WHEN: All Day ~ Saturday, Dec 3, 2011
WHERE: Online– www.facebook.com/AFN.APN FACEBOOK
WHAT: Tune into the Assembly of FirstNations Facebook Page to see video messages created by youth to raise awarenessand decrease stigma surrounding sexual health and HIV and AIDS…also a video from Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
WHEN: Sunday December 4, 2011 12:30pm – 6:00pm – Opening ceremony 1:00pm
WHERE: Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre – 430 Langside Street, WINNIPEG
WHAT: Cultural Gathering and Awareness Sharing Ka Ni Kanichihk and CAAN host atraditional gathering including a pipe ceremony, talking circle, and dancersand drumming. We will learn and talk about HIV and AIDS in our community, howwe can work to respond and address these challenges and embrace opportunitiesto do this vital work in our own community. A feast will follow the gatheringto honour our time together on this powerful day. Cultural gathering andawareness-sharing event open to public.
WHEN: Monday,December 5, 2011 10:00am – 3:00pm MST
WHERE: Edmonton Room, Edmonton Public Library Downtown, EDMONTON
WHAT: Global Lessons – Local Practices: Indigenous and Aboriginal People and HIV/AIDS. Kimamow Atoskanow Foundation hostspresentations and discussions about international Indigenous HIV and AIDSissues and how these relate to provincial, regional, and local realities. Local practitioners will share their insights in relation to the international context, as well as highlight First Nation, Metis, and other community perspectives. Session is open to public. Light refreshments served.
Vancouver is, despite the repeated attempts on shutting down any support for the arts, a thriving arts community in many ways. I reviewed last year The Nutcracker by the Goh Ballet, and ever since, I have had a really close relationship with this wonderful ballet ensemble. And this year we have a bit of an embarrassment of riches as there are at the very least two productions of The Nutcracker this year by wonderful ballet performers.
I am lucky enough to be able to give away a pair of tickets to the opening night of the Goh Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker which opens December 15th, 2011 at the Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts. My tickets are for opening night (this Goh Ballet production goes until Dec 18th, so it’s a really short run and you should make the maximum effort to try and catch the production). The Goh Ballet’s technical prowess is outstanding (I say this as a former competitive dancer).
Experience Clara’s dream come to life as she embarks on a magical journey through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets where she is greeted by the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy. An unforgettable adventure awaits as her gallant Nutcracker battles the evil Mouse King and his army of mischievous mice. This heart-warming production is sure to delight audiences of all ages with more than 200 glittering costumes, dramatic sets and valuable lessons – all danced to Tchaikovsky’s memorable score performed live by members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.
With choreography by Anna-Marie Holmes and music from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Leslie Dala as Conductor, and members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, this promises to be one of the most memorable winters for ballet in Vancouver. You can buy tickets online here.
For a chance to enter this giveaway, just drop a comment on my blog telling me about a holiday/Christmas tradition of yours. I know that one of mine has been (during the holiday season) to actually watch The Nutcracker on Christmas Day (still in pajamas). What does your family do during the holiday season? For an additional entry you can share the following on Twitter (maximum 2 entries, one by comment, one by Twitter).
Told @hummingbird604 about my holiday tradition to enter to win tickets to @gohballet The Nutcracker http://is.gd/68VFrV
I will draw a winner on December 12th at 2pm. Good luck everyone! If you are the lucky winner, you will get to meet me on opening night as I will be there.
Despite the fact that I am always saying “I’m a rampant consumerist”, I am actually quite frugal when it comes to buying stuff, particularly over the Christmas holidays (I was raised Catholic, so I do celebrate Christmas, as does most of my family). VISA Canada sent me a few tips (which I’m reproducing below) on how to shop smart, savvy and budget-conscious (and I’ll say also, without stress).
But I’m curious to hear YOUR own budget-savvy (and stress-free) holiday shopping tips. Many people use online shopping to avoid the stress of shopping at the mall (and often benefit from online coupon systems like the Visa Perks program).
VISA Canada’s suggestions are:
1. Limit holiday spending to 1.5 percent of your annual income.
2. Set a budget for each gift recipient on your list.
3. Consider home-made gifts or a gift-exchange.
4. Avoid last-minute shopping.
5. Use a pre-paid card.
Since my brothers started having kids (and my budget began shrinking because everyone had to get a Christmas gift), we agreed that we only would give presents to the children in the family. We used to buy gifts for everyone and the expenditure was simply insane. This year I’m spending Christmas with my brother, his wife and their two children and thus my spending will be quite limited, happily, to just two gifts.
VISA Canada has given me a $50 pre-paid card for a lucky reader, through the Visa Perks website (which gives you access to lots, lots, LOTS of coupons). So, to enter to win this prepaid card, drop a comment on my site telling me what your budget-savvy shopping tip is (and/or your stress-free shopping tip). To earn an additional entry for a total of 2 you can post the following on Twitter.
Gave @hummingbird604 a stress-free holiday shopping tip http://is.gd/l4uaLA to enter to win a $50 #VisaPerks card
A little bit more information on the VISA Canada Visa Perks:
For those preferring to shop (and save) from the comfort of home, Visaperks (www.visaperks.ca) offers Visa cardholders exclusive merchant discounts and offers on everything from fashion, beauty and accessories to electronics, travel and much, much more. These discounts, available to all Visa cardholders, feature both online and in-store offers such as 35 per cent off select ThinkPad, ThinkCentre or Think Accessory products at lenovo online, 20 per cent off regular-priced Parasuco merchandise online, 20 per cent off umbra.com regular-priced online merchandise, and 15 per cent off purchases of $100 or more from Birks.com.
I’m not always an online shopper, but given some of the cool Visa Perks (and the fact that I do, in fact, have a Visa credit card) I might be more enticed to buy more stuff online instead of at the mall. I’m always curious to know if people shop more online or in person. What is your personal preference?
I will draw a winner of the giveaway on December 10th at 2pm. This will give the lucky winner enough time to spend their winnings shopping online (and probably using Visa Perks!).
I have several friends who work for the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, and as you may know, World AIDS day is this Thursday, Dec. 1st. I remember the first time I heard about AIDS and HIV, and how concerned people were with the possibilities of transmission (it’s no longer a ‘gay male disease’, as people mistakenly seem to think – HIV can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation).
One of the biggest obstacles the HIV community is still facing today is the stigma associated with the illness. And it is no secret that one of the causes I am most passionate about is HIV/AIDS.
This World AIDS Day, the BC Centre for launching a campaign with the goal of spreading awareness about HIV and to have British Columbians join their pledge and commit to be tested (Treatment as Prevention). They will be launching a brand new website and social media strategy for this campaign. The video below explains the advancements in the treatment of HIV, largely thanks to research conducted right here in Vancouver (and I will be the first one to say that I love the work that Dr. Julio Montaner has done in this field).
To keep the momentum going after World AIDS Day, the BC Centre of Excellence in HIV/AIDS will be launching some interesting and cool online activities. You can find out more on the Treatment As Prevention site, their Facebook page, follow them on Twitter (the hashtag is #TasP and for World AIDS Day #WAD).
· Richard Hardy, British Columbia – Environment & Natural Resources
· Richard Wagamese, British Columbia – Media & Communications
· Grand Chief Edward John, British Columbia – Politics
· Richard Peter, British Columbia – Sports
· Senator Gerry St. Germain, British Columbia – Lifetime Achievement Award
Photo: Richard Hardy and Richard Peter with Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of the Foundation. Used with permission of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.
From the information I received:
The founder of the first and largest Aboriginal financial institution in Canada, the first self-identified Métis person to serve in the federal cabinet, a young Métis woman who ran across Canada to raise money for poverty and medical research, the first Inuit woman to become a lawyer – these extraordinary Indigenous peoples are among the 15 to receive a 19th Annual National Aboriginal Achievement Award.
On behalf of all Canadians, Members of Parliament will be recognizing this year’s Awards recipients in the House of Commons today. After Question Period, Speaker of the House of Commons, Andrew Scheer will host a reception in their honour.
Following the official announcement in Ottawa, the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation will be honouring these remarkable individuals at special gala event on Friday, February 24 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, B.C. The Awards celebrate excellence in the Indigenous community and the limitless potential that Indigenous people represent. They recognize the highest level of achievement and provide terrific role models for Indigenous youth to achieve their potential.
2012 National Aboriginal Achievement Award Recipients:
· Candace Sutherland, Manitoba – Youth Award
· Earl Cook, Manitoba – Youth Award (posthumous)
· Adam Beach, Manitoba – Arts
· Chief Victor Buffalo, Alberta – Business & Commerce
· Elder Dave Courchene Jr., Manitoba – Culture, Heritage & Spirituality
· Dr. Leona Makokis, Alberta – Education
· Richard Hardy, British Columbia – Environment & Natural Resources
· Dr. Janet Smylie, Ontario – Health
· Violet Ford, Newfoundland and Labrador – Law & Justice
· Richard Wagamese, Ontario – Media & Communications
· The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Nunavut – Politics
· Grand Chief Edward John, British Columbia – Politics
· Minnie Grey, Quebec – Public Service
· Richard Peter, British Columbia – Sports
· Senator Gerry St. Germain, Manitoba – Lifetime Achievement Award
NAAA Supporters for 2011/2012 include Presenting Corporate Sponsor: CIBC, Lead Partner: Government of Canada, with Major Sponsors: Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), Air Canada, Fort McKay Group of Companies, Shaw Media, Suncor Energy Inc., Syncrude Canada Ltd., Vale. Participating Sponsors: Finning (Canada) a division of Finning International Inc., National Post, Nexen Inc., Rio Tinto, Society of Energy Professionals, TELUS, Tuccaro Inc. Group of Companies, Vancouver Sun; Supporting Sponsors: BHP Billiton, Government of Nunavut, Government of the Northwest Territories, New Gold Inc., Willbros Canada and the Official Hotel: The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver
About the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
The Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to deliver programs that provide the tools necessary for Indigenous peoples, especially youth, to achieve their potential. To date the Foundation through its Education Program has awarded more than $42.7-million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 11,500 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students nationwide. In addition to the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, the Foundation’s key initiatives include: Taking Pulse, a curriculum that joins the Foundation with industry to present career options in specific growth sectors through a series of short documentaries and supporting curriculum materials to Indigenous youth; and Blueprint for the Future, a series of one-day career fairs that motivate and inspire First Nations, Inuit and Métis high school students with valuable resources and information on career opportunities. To date over 34,500 students have attended these exciting youth oriented events nationwide.
Kudos to all recipients and congratulations for a much deserved award!
Lois Paterson was the lucky winner of one set of my tickets to For Our Daughters: From Ghana to Granville Street and I asked her if she would be willing to write a post on her experiences at the event. This is her write up. You can follow Lois on her Twitter @loisrp
A few years ago, I saw a African journalist ask why all of the positive things happening in Africa are never portrayed in the news, and the focus is always on Africa’s problems.
Thus, in this writeup, I want to make sure I focus on the hugely positive changes that can and are happening in Ghana, and I want to emphasize how much of an inspiration the four young women were. Fayuda, Gladys, Beatrice and Faiza came from Ghana to Granville Street to talk to us about girls’ education in Ghana. Their pride and triumph at having overcome a variety of life tragedies and hurdles in order to graduate from secondary school shone through. The fact that they so clearly love learning, and so value the opportunities that education provides, was incredibly touching. One girl mentioned how her mother had lost 4 of 9 children, and she was planning to become a nurse so as to help prevent such tragedies.
Girls in Ghana face several significant obstacles to obtaining education.
* Educating girls is widely considered a waste of time and effort, as women are expected to remain in the home after marriage, which typically occurs around ages 16-17. Girls leave the family home upon marriage, so any money spent on their education is seen as simply wasted, as it will not benefit their birth families.
* For the vast majority of Ghanaians, wages are so low, and education fees are so high, relatively speaking, that obtaining the amounts required can be impossible. At least two of the girls described begging an assortment of extended relatives to give them money for their school fees. If the full year’s fees are required in advance, that is simply impossible for many families. At least two of the girls had single mothers.
* In a typical Ghanaian village without easy access to clean water and fuel, girls’ labour is seen as essential. A girl may have to walk 2 hours each way to bring back one bucket of water.
* If girls can scrape together their school fees, they face an incredibly sexist educational environment. Based on the girls’ experiences, perhaps 10-15% of secondary students are girls. One girl, with her fellow female students, was told she could not attend class one afternoon, because they would have to do laundry for the male students. This, despite having paid their fees like everyone else. This girl refused, and was punished. Another girl was accused of cheating when she received an excellent mark in chemistry, because women are seen as unable to understand science.
Create Change Now is a Vancouver organization which takes a multi-pronged approach to providing education for girls and women in Ghana. Shannen O’Brian, the founder of Create Change Now, has a background in international development. She is passionate about girls’ education and improving the lives of people in the developing world. Simply paying school fees is not sufficient. If the village is provided with a source of clean water, the perceived need to keep girls out of school to get water is alleviated. Girls also need decent clothes and shoes. One girl spoke of how she had to hobble around with broken shoes until Create Change Now assisted her.
How can this important work be funded? Shannen was naturally frustrated by how Vancouverites can so casually spend money on small luxuries like lattes and dog spas. But with her formation of Karma Exchange, she has found a way to leverage consumer buying power to fund the work that Create Change Now does. Businesses sign up to donate set amounts based on various purchases. Thus, your indulgent massage or one-month yoga pass can directly fund a clean water project or a month of school fees.
The evening also included enjoyable musical entertainment by The Reckoners, an indie folk duo, and The Boom Booms, a “Latin-soul-funk-rock-reggae band”.
Note: Special thanks to my friend James Leong, who did not attend this evening, but has given me some background about Ghana based on his work there in respect to Ghana’s recently instituted law to protect women from domestic violence. To learn more about the legal work being done in Ghana to promote equality, check out www.wildaf.org – Women in Law and Development in Africa.
From February 8 – 12, 2012 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Broadway Across Canada brings yet another hit, Beauty and the Beast, to Vancouver.
Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to Vancouver! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre!
Tickets are already on presale, and the presale dates are from November 30 to December 4, 2011 and you can acquire your tickets through my exclusive presale link. My password or secret code is POTTS. Let me know if you used it and how much you liked Beauty and the Beast!
My good friend Kate Trgovac is an interactive marketer, a writer, a blogger and an all around wonderful gal. She and her wife Rosemary Rowe are two of my close friends from the online world and a lovely duo who have always made me feel at home (we are also East Vancouver neighbours). A few months ago, Kate told me she had a laptop bag for me as my previous laptop bag was unusable and thus she offered one from her laptop bag review stash (Kate writes the wonderful blog FunChiCo).
Frankly, I don’t really recall the last time I had a portfolio-shaped laptop bag, much less the last time that I loved it as much as I love the Jett Laptop Bag by Spire (read Kate’s review here). For the most part, I had always used a backpack-style laptop bag (for at least the past 10 years, considering that I was a PhD student, but then I also ended up staying with the backpack laptop style for long).
I’ve reviewed laptop bags before (you can read my review of the Kensington Contour, which I owned until it was stolen from me at a theatre function – I know, it sucks), but this is perhaps the first time I own a laptop bag (courtesy of Kate’s review stash) where I feel professional in the academic and consulting context. Let me explain. I didn’t realize how unprofessional I felt using a backpack laptop bag until I arrived earlier this year (a couple of months ago) to a meeting of experts at the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation in Montreal, dressed in beautiful suit (Zara, if you need to know) … trucking along my 17″ laptop ... in a backpack laptop bag. OUCH.
I really did feel horribly unprofessional. And while I know that as a consultant (and heck, even when I was a student), the backpack-style laptop bag is perfectly acceptable, I really needed a portfolio (also known as messenger) laptop bag. Because of my academic and consulting (and even my travel blogging) activities, I need an air transportation-friendly laptop bag, which will allow me to get the laptop out of the bag really quickly.That’s where the Jett Laptop Bag by Spire comes in. I have used it already to travel and definitely feel way more professional. While I could say that for the summer, I miss having a backpack-style laptop bag.
I do feel more confident when travelling to the university or at a high-level client meeting where I need to be dressy and show up with a more professional-looking bag. On to the specifications. The laptop bag can hold up to a 17 inches’ laptop, but since I got a new laptop (Acer again), I ended up using only 15″ of the 17″ alloted. And as an academic geek, I love the ample space that I have to carry books (I have been trucking along 2 review copies of books for my upcoming fall teaching term, along with lots of other handy stuff, including an HP TouchPad, notepads, Canon digital cameras and pens, Logitech wireless mouse, and the list goes on. This Jett Laptop Bag by Spire seems not to ever get fully filled. And that’s A GOOD THING, trust me.
Ergonomically, because the shoulder strap adjusts with full mobility, I feel that I can walk considerable distances without feeling exhausted. And did I mention ALL THE SPACE and many pockets this laptop bag has? Seriously. Unbelievable. And I think it looks good on me. Thanks Kate for the laptop bag!
As far as content goes, the fact that the Jett Laptop Bag by Spire offers two side pockets for a water bottle is extremely positive (particularly because I hate forgetting my water bottle!). You could of course put your cell phone there, but if it’s an expensive one you might want not to do that. The fact that I am almost always cold means that I could definitely pack a change of clothes or a sweater on one of the pockets without interfering with my books
NOTE: Usually I try to provide a price point for comparison for the laptop bag. Unfortunately, it looks like this particular model of the Spire Jett Laptop Bag may actually not be in production anymore. I searched the United Kingdom site for Spire and found a similar one which you can compare by clicking on this hyperlink. I think it’s safe to say that this laptop bag might be in the $100 Canadian dollars price tag and I’d be comfortable paying that much.
Disclosure: Raul’s bag was a gift from Kate’s review stash. Raul is neither obligated nor expected to write a review, but he loved the Jett Laptop Bag by Spire that he had to write this review. A copy of this review will appear on Raul’s personal blog Hummingbird604.com in a couple of weeks or so, in case you see it duplicated (e.g. the text wasn’t stolen from Kate’s FunChiCo site.
You may remember that I have done a few media trips to Vancouver Island. In one of them, I had the opportunity to spend some time at the Milner Gardens in Qualicum Beach with my adored mother (last year). I absolutely adored the Milner Gardens, and had a fantastic experience there. I was just sent some information on the upcoming Milner Christmas Magic at the Milner Gardens in Qualicum Beach. Worth making the trip.
Experience Old Fashioned Splendour at Milner Christmas Magic
Tis the season to experience holiday cheer and one of the regions brightest family favourite events – Milner Christmas Magic. Milner Gardens & Woodland celebrates their twelve day festival beginning Friday, December Dec. 2 – 4, 9 – 11, 16 -21, 2011 at their stunning 70 acre estate in Qualicum Beach. The gardens will light up the sky with over 50,000 lights as they adorn the gardens and pathways this holiday season. The popular holiday tradition of lights, music and magic in the Gardens first started in 2003 and each year the event continues to grow thanks to the incredible network of community volunteers and Milner staff.
You may be surprised to know that work begins back in September including a group who test all 50,000 lights. Once the lights are checked, other teams (including a contingent from Coastal Community Credit Union this year!) get busy preparing displays in order to be ready for the December 2nd light up. It’s definitely no small feat testing and stringing 50,000 lights – hanging your own Christmas lights probably doesn’t seem so bad now!
The twelve day festival of lights, music and magic is about more than just light displays, volunteers from the Vancouver Island Regional Library will delight children and grown ups alike with their festive storytelling and of course Santa will be on site every day of the festival so that the kiddies can get their list in time for Christmas. The Teddy Bear Cottage is also a hit for both generations with the antique collectibles as well as soft and cuddly critters on display. Children are invited to guess the number of bears in the gardener’s cottage and someone will win a furry surprize. The gift shops will be open for browsing and stocking up on those special presents for under the tree and don’t miss out on Milner’s specialty homemade jams and jellies.
The festival wouldn’t be complete without the fabulous musicians gracing the gardens with choral and instrumental music. This year’s entertainment begins with Every Voices (sing along carolling on Dec. 2nd) followed by a great list of performers including: Hearts Ease; Cantando Chamber Singers; B2Glee; Startlight Reverie; McShane Sisters; Patt Scrivener; Trio Chocolat plus more. Check www.milnergardens.org for a complete list of dates and performances.
The Tearoom will be open serving up their scrumptious scones with Devonshire cream and other freshly baked goodies as well as other refreshments and light snacks will be on hand to soothe your holiday cravings.
Shuttles will be available for those with mobility concerns and it’s a great idea to bring along a flashlight for extra light along pathways. Gates open at 5pm – 8:30pm Dec. 2-4, 9-11, 16-21. Admission is by donation with all proceeds going to support the gardens – Preserve, Enhance, Educate & Inspire!
Vancouver Island University’s Milner Gardens and Woodland is located at 2179 West Island Hwy, Qualicum Beach. FMI: 250-752-6153
Who didn’t love Wham? I certainly did, even before George Michael came out of the closet. He was definitely WAY older than me but who cares. His music was amazing, continues to be fantastic and is one of the most talented singers this generation has. For your listening pleasure one of the songs I am listening to on repeat.
While I’m on a blogging break, I had already been invited (and committed to attend) The American Cheesesteak opening a few weeks ago). Chef Anthony Sedlak, let me tip my hat to you: you know how to introduce a concept to Vancouver foodies that is iconic from Philadelphia (hence the Philadelphia cheesesteak) and reminiscent in some ways of the Mexican torta (although the bread’s form is not the same, it sort of has that same feel of inexpensive, filling, honest-to-goodness sandwich).
Located on Davie between Howe and Granville, I was pretty impressed with the way the event was run. Chef Anthony Sedlak was on hand to talk to each and every one of the media and VIP guests, and while I had no room in my stomach to eat ANYTHING, I did try a few of the cheesesteaks. And more importantly, I got a chance to talk to friends of mine, like Mary Sheridan (Mary in Vancity, who already wrote about the event), Sean and Leila.
Photo credit: Mary Sheridan
Now, you’ll probably wonder how I eat a cheesesteak without actually eating cheese? Well, I’ll be honest – I had no problem at The American Cheesesteak, as there are a few variations that can be made without cheese. I will definitely come back, because really, it’s an inexpensive, really filling and tasty approach to eating comfort (and kind-of-gourmet-fast) food.
Disclosure: I was invited to attend the media event so this post does not constitute in itself a review. I will return for a visit on my own so I can form my own opinions (but from what I ate, it was REALLY good). As always, I retain editorial control on anything I write on my site).
AFTER JERUSALEM: A Different Kind of Christmas Story
November 30 to December 11 at Performance Works, Granville Island
Opening Night Thursday, December 1, 8pm
Tickets on VancouverTix
Among the local theatre plays I had committed to write about and promote is After Jerusalem by Solo Collective. It’s a pleasure to write about this play in particular as my friend Lois Dawson is the Stage Manager for Solo Collective’s After Jerusalem. I’m excited about it and I am hoping to check it out, depending on my schedule (it’s almost finals season at UBC).
A middle-aged woman travels to Israel during the Christmas season to find love and adventure, only to get tangled up with an ambitious Israeli soldier with big dreams. From the playwright who penned the dark comedies “My Chernobyl” and “The Project”, this poignant comedy plays homage to old movies and new flames.
I am hoping you will be able to take in some of the amazing theatre that Vancouver’s arts community has put out for you for this holidays season.
HIV and its progression to AIDS is a lethal disease that has ravaged humanity for a couple of decades now, and whether I like it or not, the male gay community remains one of the highest at-risk populations (due to, amongst other things, the particular HIV transmission mechanisms and routes of insertion into the blood stream). Youth (be it straight or queer) is also at high risk.
Of the over 1 billion youth (ages 15-24) worldwide, some 10 million are living with HIV: Every day, an estimated 6,000 youth are infected with the virus. Research from around the world shows an alarming degree of misinformation and lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS among young people, especially young women. The majority lack access to effective prevention programmes, while many cannot access condoms. Of the 15-24 year old young people living with HIV, 63 per cent live in sub-Saharan Africa and 21 per cent live in Asia-Pacific. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, more than 80 per cent of those living with HIV are under the age of 30.
This project sounds really cool as it asks people to provide input on what they think a global youth AIDS strategy should look like. You can learn more from the website here:
Every day, 3,000 young people become infected with HIV and many of the 5 million young people living with HIV are without access to treatment. To change this, UNAIDS needs a new approach to HIV and young people. How to do this? CrowdOutAIDS is a collaborative online project to develop a new way for UNAIDS to work with young people. It uses online tools to help young people come together to crowdsource a UNAIDS youth strategy on HIV.
CrowdOutAIDS will:
Connect young people who want to help out through tools like Facebook, blogs, Orkut and Google docs.
Engage in conversations about the key issues young people face.
Put decision-making in the hands of young people.
Collectively agree on actions—and get young people to draft the strategy!
You can connect with CrowdOutAIDS and participate in the project in their various social platforms.
Given my crazy schedule and the fact that I have much less time now than I ever have had, I have been attending many more previews than actual opening nights. This has two effects: first, I understand that the production may change and evolve throughout the first few preview days, and second, I am given the opportunity to see more “raw” theatre”. Some people may only like to see productions after opening night, but personally I’m enjoying the previews.
I had an opportunity to see preview #2 of The Temperamentals, put together by Fighting Chance Productions (part of their 2011/2012 season). As I had indicated when I announced my hiatus, I always honor my previous commitments, and I had already committed to attending (and reviewing) The Temperamentals (I have a similar commitment to other 2 or 3 productions). And I’m glad I did, as it is a funny, poignant and revealing production.
A lesson in gay rights history, The Temperamentals tells the story of the Mattachine Society, a group of 5 gay men who, as you can imagine, in late 1940s United States, live “on the down and low” (secret code for being gay and married or in a heterosexual relationship). As the byline created by FCP says, it’s like MAD MEN MEETS MILK.
On stage from November 22 – December 3, 2011, at the PAL Studio Theatre The Temperamentals by Jon Marans with permission by Dramatists Play Service Inc. is directed by Ryan Mooney with Stage Management by Rachel Duffy, Starring Brian Hinson and Devin Pihlainen, featuring Rob Monk, David Nicks and Robert Sidley, is a work of art (and I say this even having seen the preview, so I know there’ll be things they’ll polish for the actual opening night and future shows).
“Temperamental” was code for “homosexual” in the early 1950′s, part of a created language of secret words that gay men used to communicate. The Temperamentals tells the story of two men – the communisty Harry Hay and the Viennese refugee and designer Rudi Gernreich – as they fall in love while building the first gay rights organization in the pre-Stonewall United States.
Hinson and Pihlainen throw all the steaks to the grill with an exquisite performance as Harry and Rudi. I will fully praise Rachel Duffy for using 4 mini-stages and a smart distribution of the audience throughout the floor layout as storytelling devices that offer counterpoints and 4 simultaneous scenes that altogether painted a story of interwoven dreams, closets and friendship amongst queer men.
As the supporting cast, Gil, Nicks and Monk’s rotating and volving characters manage to trasverse throughout numerous characters that have quite an impact on the storyline. It’s not the first time that FCP dares to dive into touchy, thorny topics with gusto and humour. FCP does specialize in musicals, but dramedy is definitely not far away nor out of range from their technical capabilities.
The first act offered the story of Rudi and Harry and how their secret illicit and torrid affair evolved from a tale of star-crossed lovers to building a secret society, the Mattachine Society. Pushing the boundaries of traditional theatrical storytelling, Mooney walks his actors through a complex maze of multi-layered interrelationships where Rudi and Harry’s relationship remains at centre stage. Each collateral storyline helps flesh out the rich and intense interactions of Harry and Rudi.
While not less important or relevant, the interactoins between Rowland, Hull and Jennings also teach us a lesson in acceptance and the complexity of love (whether it be heterosexual or homosexual). The sad part is that the backdrop of The Temperamentals is a situation that remains unfortunately alive and well in our society: rampant homophobia. This is early 1950s and homosexuality is considered a disease.
I found it interesting that the inner discussions of the Matacchine Society did not want “sexual minority” to be integrated in the narrative of the society. Not surprisingly, this is pre-Stonewall riots and pre-Harvey Milk. In some ways I wonder if we need to have some sort of catalyzing event that galvanizes people into more acceptance. I would give away a lot of the plot if I told you more, but I think The Temperamentals is an extremely solid treatise on acceptance, love, and queer history that any young (and old) self-respecting queer should see. And of course, for the general public, it also is a beautiful story of love, friendship and evolution. Well done, Fighting Chance Productions. You’ve successfully demonstrated, again, that you rock well beyond the wonderful musicals.
Disclosure: I attended The Temperamentals’ preview on media tickets. Neither a review is expected, nor a favorable one required. I love the work that Fighting Chance Productions is doing, that’s all. As always, I retain full editorial control on anything I publish on my site.
In the US, Thanksgiving is a really big deal, perhaps even more relevant than Christmas for some Christians/Catholics. It’s a day when families gather around and have dinner together (although secular right now, the original meaning of thanksgiving was actually religious, as it was a day to give thanks to God for having arrived safely to the New World). It is, indeed, a beautiful celebration. This year, American Thanksgiving fell on Thursday November 24th, and coincided with Thursday, a day that I’ve taken as an opportunity to mention people who I am very grateful for (I keep the hashtag #ThankfulThurs in the tweet).
The reality is, I have a lot to be thankful for. I have just about everything I need (maybe not everything I want, but definitely everything I need). I’m alive, complete, fulfilled, and given the circumstances of my birth, I have so much to be thankful for to my parents, especially my Mom. There is a back story to this, as my parents tell me.
When my Mom came to complete her full term, my Grandma tried to help her deliver at home (my Grandma was a registered ob-gyn nurse, and a labor doula, so she had plenty training to help my Mom with my birth – she helped with my previous brothers). At the time, after hours and hours of painful labor, my Grandma realized I was not able to come out and that there were probably other medical reasons why, so my Dad and Grandma took my Mom to the hospital, where luckily, they bumped into my Mom’s best friend (an ob-gyn doctor who quickly assessed the situation and got me out using forceps).
A few years ago, my Dad and I were at a social gathering with a few of his friends, and his friends noted that my personality was vivacious and I looked very fulfilled. My Dad said to them the same thing he told me a couple of years later: he was so close to not actually being born that he probably lives intensely to make the most of life, because he is thankful to be alive. In 2006, Mom, Dad and I had a more in-depth conversation about this topic, and I was really touched. My parents believed in me and the medical capacity of the people who helped deliver me into this world. And that’s one of the reasons I am incredibly thankful. I almost wasn’t born, and I’m still here, alive and thriving. I have suffered heartbreak, and survived it even though I completely thought I would die of the pain.
I’m thankful to be alive, to do the things I love to do, and get paid for it, to have the friends and family I have and to have succeeded in the realms I have ever decided to venture, academia first and foremost, but blogging included. That is, indeed, why I would have no problem quitting at all. If I were ever to quit blogging or doing anything I do, I still would be happy just simply because I was given an opportunity to do what I do. I live to the fullest because I am every day, every minute of my life saying to my parents “thanks, thanks for helping me get here and making of me who I am right now”.
When I injured my knee a few years ago, at an international volleyball event, I knew my volleyball career was over. I was retiring, but not because it was my choice. I was retiring from the sport I have loved the most because something else had terminated my career: an injury.
Photo credit: Jana Hanova
Contrary to my (rather illustrious) career in volleyball, retiring from blogging is a choice I could easily make. Not a decision that would be prompted because something more forceful would take me out. In the case of volleyball, I HAD to quit. There would be no way I would be EVER able to play competitively to the provincial and national levels. Not with that injury.
But in blogging, it’s different. I didn’t start out blogging to make a name for myself. I didn’t start with the goal to be the biggest, best, more relevant blogger in Vancouver. I started because I wanted to have a voice and to be heard. I still do. I still blog because I love it, not because I need it. I attend events and write about them, because I find something interesting to say about them. I don’t NEED to be invited. I can, and I often am, but I decline hundreds of invites. HUNDREDS.
I know there’s a number of bloggers in Vancouver out to make a name for themselves. They feel competitive, they feel the need to have a place in the social media space. I don’t. I understand where you, all those social media types, are coming from. You can go and chase invites, try to make your mark. Go ahead. Ask, demand if you feel compelled. I am not competing with you. I’m not competing with anyone. Not even with myself.
I have been meditating on the possibility of retiring Hummingbird604.com. And whenever that possibility comes to my mind, I think about all I have accomplished. I have given the Vancouver (and Canadian) arts community (dance, theatre, fine arts) a voice. I have promoted innumerable non-profits. I have fundraised using the power of my blog and I have made a mark on many, many people’s lives. I could retire any time now and I would be retiring at the top of my game.
It’s American Thanksgiving and there are many reasons why I am giving thanks. I am thankful for the friends who are honest with me (and am thankful to those who are dishonest too, because you know, I know that you are lying and talking behind my back even when you think I can’t even tell — you really don’t know me at all). I am thankful to the people who stand by my side and have my back whenever everybody else doesn’t. I am thankful for the amazing online community I have built. I am thankful that I have established a presence and done the things I love for as long as I have.
If I *ever* retire Hummingbird604.com, if I ever stop blogging, I know I have done it with the utmost integrity, with the best interest of my community at heart, and despite the numerous attacks (anonymous and not-so-anonymous) I have received. I have, indeed, done my best, where I’ve been, with whatever I can.
For many reasons, The Sound of Music is one of the world’s most popular and probably also most favorite musical theatre productions. Based on the story of Maria Von Trapp, The Sound of Music is fun, uplifting and humorous. Gateway Theatre (one of my favorite theatre companies) has had a pretty amazing 2011/2012 season, and their upcoming show (The Sound of Music) is opening on December 8th, promising to be amazing.
AND I have not one, but two pairs of tickets for 2 lucky readers. All you need to do to enter my giveaway is tell me your favorite song from this wonderful musical.I will draw a winner on December 6th at 2pm. I’ll have to say that while I have listened to the soundtrack all the time, My Favorite Things is my favorite song (coincidentally). For a second entry, you can post the following on Twitter:
Shared my fave song from The Sound of Music w/ @hummingbird604 to enter to win tix to the @Gateway_Theatre production http://is.gd/eSPcoL
The Sound of Music is on from December 8th through 31st. You can buy tickets here. A synopsis from the Gateway Theatre’s site follows.
The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain’s immediate service in their navy. The family’s narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre. The motion picture version remains the most popular movie musical of all time.
This liveblogging window should be able to capture all tweets associated with the hashtag #MeshWest