Madonna is a music goddess, whether people like her or not. That woman has been able to invent and reinvent herself and create music that is enduring, fun and ground-breaking. This song, Keep It Together, was one of those that stayed in my head for decades. I heard it when I was a child, danced to it in my MBA days and listened to this version, the Instrumental Remix, at a club one time when I went on a first date (I never go to a club on a first date!)
While reading the Wikipedia entry for this song (rather extensive, I might add), I realized that the lyrics do have a very strong focus on family. I am a family guy, so I think that also made me become fixated with this song. I absolutely love it, and here it is, for your listening pleasure, for Music Monday, Keep It Together (Instrumental Remix) by Madonna.
As a child, I was a bookworm. I learned library science because I wanted to learn how to classify books and have my own library. I know how to calculate a Cutter number, I know the Congress classification scheme and I am fluent in Dewey classification too. I actually classified properly my Dad’s 10,000 volume library (he was perhaps not that happy with me, but he enabled me nonetheless). So, visiting the Biblioteca Palafoxiana (Palafoxian Library) in Puebla, Puebla, during my recent media trip with the #WeVisitMexico crew was like a dream come true.
Photo credit: David Cabrera
From its UNESCO page, I gathered that The Palafoxiana Library of Puebla (Biblioteca Palafoxiana) has 41 thousand books and unique manuscripts; part of a selected bibliographical collection extending from 1473 to 1821 (19,172 records).
The Biblioteca Palafoxiana, founded in 1646, is the first public library in America and faithfully conserves its tradition of intellectual and cultural European heritage. The library seeks a true link with the society that saw its establishment and to be integrated in the universe of information that similar institutions offer in other parts of the world by means of the use of the most modern communication techniques like the Internet (www.bpm.gob.mx) and the multimedia technology. The Biblioteca Palafoxiana is an open library for knowledge. The Biblioteca Palafoxiana of Puebla is noted for its authenticity and bibliographical wealth, building and bookcases, with more than 41,000 volumes among those that the library preserves as well as world unique manuscripts, there are 9 incunabula. It has a unique wealth that has yet to be determined by the world scientific community. As it is still located in the same building since 1646 it is the only existing testimony in America.
I was really disappointed that we were not able to take photographs inside (we had to take them from afar, and I didn’t have a DSLR with me, so my own photos were pretty bad). However, we were able to browse throughout the Biblioteca Palafoxiana. As a scholar of political science, geography and international relations, it was great to find an entire section dedicated to these fields (though, obviously because of the fact that Puebla has so many churches, we found LOTS of volumes that were dedicated to the Church’s writings).
Despite not being able to take photographs inside (not surprisingly though because I’m sure they want to ensure they can preserve the collection), the Biblioteca Palafoxiana is totally worth the visit. Even more so if you are a bookworm, like me. Glad we paid it a visit! I’ll have to come back again sometime soon.
Disclosure: My trip to Puebla, sponsored by the Mexico Tourism Board, includes transportation, activities and meals. However, my posts are written in my own words and everything I write is entirely my own opinions. Any out-of-pocket expenses are paid out of my own dime. As always, anything that I post on my site is entirely my responsibility and I retain full editorial control.
When I first moved to Canada I was embarrassed with the interurban transportation system they had in Vancouver and surrounding areas. How could it be that Mexico’s Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales could have MUCH better transportation systems (particularly, the amenities provided on board) than Canada’s Greyhound? Well, it looks like Pacific Commuter Club came right on time, not only to encourage sustainable transportation from the Fraser Valley to Vancouver, but also to provide much needed luxury and comfort commuting.
Pacific Commuter Club from the inside. Photo credit: Elle&R Photography
Pacific Commuter Club from the inside. Photo credit: Elle&R Photography
Pacific Commuter will begin its journey each morning picking up members from locations in both Surrey and Langley, and multiple drop-off locations in downtown Vancouver, including Waterfront Station, Coal Harbour and the Sheraton Wall Centre. Among the amenities on Pacific Commuter’s buses are reclining plush seats, tray tables and bathrooms. Each bus is also equipped with a kitchen for those who struggle to get their breakfasts together in the morning. Perhaps one of the most appealing amenities, the wifi connection allows commuters to start their day that much earlier, if they so chose.
A few points that I liked about the Pacific Commuter Club
• Membership based commuter club
• Goal is to provide productive and/or relaxing commute, while getting single-person commuter vehicles off the road
• Luxury coach with wi-fi, kitchenette, bathroom, reclining seats w/ table tops
• Pick up points dependent on where members live (lots of room for growth)
• Free parking available at pick-up points in Langley & Cloverdale
• Inspired by the commuter buses Google provides to its employees at their California headquarters
• Reserved seating & 30 minute Car2Go membership for annual members
• Flex passes available for $25/day
Darian Kovacs and Chris Geoghegan. Photo credit: Elle&R Photography
The cost of monthly membership for Pacific Commuter is slated to start at $395.00 per month. If you factor in time you waste commuting, plus all the additional amenities, it’s actually a very good option (I have done inter-urban commuting and let me tell you, it’s NOT PRETTY). I don’t live in the suburbs so I can’t say that I have done the math, but the idea of getting more cars off the roads, increasing High-Occupancy-Vehicles and providing commuters with amenities that they require for their comfort is just awesome.
I have a one month (30 days) pass to Pacific Commuter Club to give away to one lucky reader of mine. All you need to do is tell me something you do on a regular basis to be more sustainable in your transportation. Perhaps you telecommute once a week, or perhaps you carpool. Or maybe you take the bus on occasion, or the Skytrain. What do you do to make your transportation more sustainable?
I will draw a winner out of all entries. You can earn an entry via several methods (with a cumulative total of , one for each method):
1) You can drop a comment on this post (first entry) with something you do on a regular basis to be more sustainable in your transportation.
2) You can tweet the following if you have Twitter (second entry)
Told @hummingbird604 a sustainable transportation tip http://is.gd/YxDCRg to enter to win 1 month @PacificCommuter membership
3) You can Pin this blog post (click on the little Pin This button)
6) You can post an Instagram photo of a sustainable-transportation activity (e.g. biking, telecommuting, etc), cross-post it to Twitter, tag me in the tweet as well as include @PacificCommuter on your tweet).
If you do all 6 of them, of course, you will earn a total of 6 entries. It should also obviously be noted that this giveaway works best if you are a Surrey-Langley commuter or Fraser Valley (e.g. Abbottsford, Chilliwack, etc). Feel free to reshare on Facebook as well (though contest entry should be via one of the modes noted above). I will draw a winner on July 23rd at 2pm so that people can start using the service in August!
My love for France is undying. If there is a city where I have lived before and where I want to live again (hopefully for an academic position and yes, Sciences Po, I’m talking to you!) is Paris. France is one of those countries that doesn’t seem to require tourist promotion. EVERYONE and their mother wants to go to Paris. All of France is charming and they are celebrating their national holiday today (Bastille Day, or La Fête Nationale).
Photo credit: Armen on Flickr
While it’s not customary for French nationals to be wished “Happy Bastille Day”, I figured I should write about it, particularly as I know that it is celebrated in French enclaves across the Pacific Northwest. Via my good friend Sue Frause I found out that Madison Valley in Seattle will be celebrating all things French. I know that at least in Vancouver, Bistro Pastis, Cafe Regalade and Le Marche St. George all will have events celebrating.
If you know of any other businesses in the Lower Mainland or even in Washington or Portland that celebrate Bastille Day, feel free to drop a note on this post.
I have a number of friends on Bowen Island, or with strong ties to Bowen, such as James Glave, Robert Ballantyne and Julie Ovenell-Carter. So, I regret that when Robert told me about Bowen Island Steamship Days 2012 a few weeks ago, I totally forgot to write about it. I love Bowen Island. It’s such an oasis a quick ferry ride from home, and filled with such heart-warming people. One of those jewels from the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains area.
For over 100 years, Bowen Island has been known as ‘Vancouver’s Playground.’ In 1902 Captain Cates sailed here in the luxurious S.S. Britannia and dubbed her, ‘The Happy Isle.’ Thousands of passengers arrived daily in Steamships from Vancouver to frolic on Bowen’s beaches, picnic grounds and dance halls. In 1924 The Lady Alexandra, the flagship of the Union Steamship Fleet, brought up to 1,400 passengers a day eager to kick up their heels to some of the best dance bands of the era. Over 200 summer cottages and a lavish hotel were built to accommodate the throngs of summer seekers. Time to revisit the past. In an age when travel was prohibitive and winters spent indoors without today’s electronics, summer meant getting outside and socializing. Organizations would reward members with ‘day trips’ to celebrate spring. Huge company outings repleat with games, events and music were held in this breathtaking setting. We have come full circle now that busy lifestyles necessitate short ‘day trips’ and technology gives new meaning to ‘socializing.’ Steamship Days is a tribute to our heritage and celebration of summer. Music, games, events and exhibits will bring our past back to life over a 9 days. Bring yer whole family over for a good ol fashion time.
I wish I were in Vancouver for Bowen Island Steamship Days 2012, but since I am not, YOU will have to and check it out. The lovely folks of Bowen Island Steamship Days organized a very handy Travel page for you to check out. Lots of things to do on Bowen Island so, you should check them, as it’s basically only this week. And since Vancouver’s weather seems to finally have become decent, all the more reason to travel there. It’s so close to Vancouver, you’d be missing out if you didn’t attend.
A comment by Michael Kwan on my blog the other day when I mentioned that I had donated many boxes of my books, both in Mexico and in Canada to libraries of my choosing, made me reflect on the need to build neighbourhood communal libraries. Well, it appears someone in Vancouver already did this. My friend Tara Robertson pointed me out to someone who had done exactly that. Check her photo below. Hopefully more people can take this up on (hey Vancouver Foundation, why not fund with your Small Neighbourhood Grants a program to build Community Reading Rooms, perhaps with weatherproof sheds where people can sit down and read throughout a neighbourhood?). I still have hundreds of books in Vancouver I could donate for purposes like this.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, Parks Commissioner Constance Barnes and GLBT Youth Advocate Ryan Clayton
Recently, I wrote on my blog asking why aren’t we hearing more stories about openly queer (gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans) athletes. Denying that having a non-heterosexual orientation (regardless of whether you are an athlete, an actor, a TV anchor, or just a simple human being) still carries a heavy amount of stigma is pure naivete. We are lucky that, for the most part, in Vancouver more specifically, but also in Canada, being gay (or lesbian, or trans) is much less of an issue and thus one can have conversations with people who won’t even blink if we have a girlfriend, a boyfriend, or both, or if we choose to cross-dress, or anything like that. I find Vancouver an extremely queer-friendly city.
This queer-friendliness is not the norm across all of Canada (Canada is very heterogeneous), although in general, any interaction I have had with any Canadian has shown respect for queer rights (I use queer as a synonym for GLBTTS folks). But at least, Canada is not one of more than 70 countries where being gay is considered a crime.
My friends Mark Robins and David Hannigan with me at Pride Vancouver 2012
Reality check: Sexual orientation matters.
The existence of a “pink ceiling” may be denied by many, but much as the reported “glass ceiling” for women’s progress in the corporate ladder, being queer may be perceived as hindering one’s career. Actors fear being typecast, journalists fear being the story rather than the storytellers, and the list goes on. And people (in general, heterosexual people, I believe) seem to think that queer people have no reason to fear for their lives, for their careers, for their welfare. Why? Because we have achieved SO MUCH in GLBT rights.
BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH. It will never be enough, until, as I said, the day when human rights across the board will be uniform. When it doesn’t matter if you are a heterosexual white male or a gay, HIV-positive, black lesbian, you will both have the same rights. The fight continues, and it is naive, and it offends me even, that folks deny how much hatred towards queer people still exists worldwide. See for but one example, Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act.
I urge everyone to remember that not everyone has the same rights you have all been afforded. Also, please let’s not be naive: Sexual orientation still matters, as does race and gender. Canada is an amazing country where one can marry the person one loves regardless of sexual orientation, but this is not the case worldwide. Let’s not forget, and let’s keep the fight going.
Because of my close friendship with John Van, Minna Van and Jay Catalan, cofounders of The Network Hub, and my unique position in the Vancouver startup ecosystem, I have gotten to know many Vancouver entrepreneurs. I love profiling young folks who catch the entrepreneurship bug, and I heard about Weeve.It as a crowdfunding platform, unique in many ways. I interviewed Trevor Loke to let me know a little bit more about their startup, Weeve.It, and here is our conversation.
1. What drove you (all, or you Trevor) to start Weeve?
Each of the founders is passionate about doing good, and we surround ourselves with a culture of giving back and making our community better. I was first introduced to Weeve when I was working as a professional fundraiser and realized the importance of sustained individual giving. The trends in the nonprofit sector aren’t good. When just 23% of Canadians are giving (an all time low) and government’s are cutting grants, something has to change.
2. A startup offering a crowdfunding platform with no overhead costs. Sounds like a dream (or how the heck do you guys plan to finance it? There must be a plan behind this!)
Ultimately for us making money is not the priority right now. Don’t get me wrong, we do want to monetize the site, but it’s not our explicit purpose. In order to be different and start a new movement we had to offer something no one else could, a quality site that provided nonprofits with what they needed, donors with ease and simplicity, while being free. It’s our goal to attract a large user base so that we can help create change in our community, and then look at expanding to other cities to building capacity there. Once you have a strong user-base you can look at ways to build revenue, so long as you do it without a negative impact on the user-experience.
3. Vancouver has A LOT of worthy charities. How do we choose amongst all these worthy projects? Is there a hierarchy of projects that can be crowdfunded through Weeve it?
I agree, there are some amazing charities and projects out there. Our goal is to provide diversity in terms of the size and scope of projects, we want to provide something for everyone. Choosing isn’t easy, but as a donor we want to provide you with an easy way to get information about the projects looking for funding where you live.
4. You sound like you’re growing fast. What advice would you give would-be entrepreneurs on creating a start up?
I feel like as quickly as we’ve moved on this project, it can never be quick enough! In all honesty though, our idea has generated a lot of positive feedback, and it’s really because of the amazing team of people we have who work so hard. If you have an idea, it should not just inspire you, it should inspire a team of people who love the idea too. Any idea you have has to be flexible and adaptable; being a lean and agile startup is an absolute must to being successful.
Some advice from the Weeve team to entrepreneurs: Be audacious, ask for advice, the worst thing that can happen is being told “no”. Be tenacious, you never know what’s around the corner, don’t let others direct where you are headed, you are the captain of your own ship. Be adventurous, try new things, learn, open your mind to ideas; think big, start small, scale fast.
5. You (this question is for you, Trevor) are also in city politics. How do you manage all of this?! (and this comes from someone whose schedule is perpetually busy!)
It’s not always easy, especially since I don’t usually drink coffee (though emergency coffee days do come up!). I have some late nights and early mornings, but I keep going because I do genuinely love being part of making society a better place, and I actually believe I’m having an impact in that. Politics can be quite emotionally draining and exhausting, but I also really enjoy being part of creating solutions and developing policies to make our city better, so it’s a rewarding experience that I really enjoy being part of. In terms of balancing a schedule, I’m still learning how to do that, any tips?!
Dear Trevor – with regards to your question I’m still learning how to balance my life, though I am happy to share my Managing Yourself series 🙂
6. You all are so young! Any words of advice and/or encouragement for youth out there?
Young people have more power than we’re told. We have the ideas, the energy and passion that you need to make real change. Alienation is the result of young people accepting when older generations tell us that our ideas are undeveloped, or our passion is misdirected – it’s complete nonsense. Do whatever it is you want to put your mind to and don’t accept systemic constraints that enforce the alienation of our generation; challenge the status-quo.
7. What do you like best about weeve.it?
Well, I love my coworkers, but the site itself I think is great because it has no barriers for nonprofits or users. By that I mean that nonprofits can easily create projects, share those projects, receive dollars and keep all of the money they raise while donors are able to easily register (or do a guest checkout if they prefer) and donate money to a tangible project that will create meaningful social change.
8. What is next for you guys?
As of today we’re now part of GrowLab’s program called “Farm Team” which will help Weeve grow; we receive funding, office space, mentorship and amazing networking opportunities. We’re looking at expanding into the US and Taiwan markets in the fall and bringing on more nonprofit partners to help grow our platform. Getting started with Weeve is as easy as visiting www.weeve.it
Thanks, Trevor for answering my questions! Weeve.It sounds like an exciting project!
UPDATE – I got an email from Alex Chung, the Founder and CEO of Weeve. Below is some additional info that he shared with me.
I also want to give you the inside scoop on Weeve’s origin. Weeve was started by Vincent and I back in October, 2011. I’ve noticed a pain in the nonprofit sector through my involvement with UBC’s Community Business Project program. Vincent and I spent 5 months designing the platform, incorporating the business, and securing nonprofit partnerships. In March 2012, we brought Trevor on board as a Founder and COO to help us expand our nonprofit outreach. Trevor’s background in nonprofit helped us tremendously in securing some great partnerships. And thus Weeve was born, founded by three young social entrepreneurs who have a passion for social good. Vincent is the man behind the entire platform. As CTO, he designed and coded the entire web platform from grounds up. Vincent has begun to grow his network in the social media space and his twitter handle is @soulinas.
I have never watched Friday The 13th (the gory movie franchise) but I have definitely heard lots of people who are superstitious and shun today (Friday The 13th) as one of those risky/dangerous/to-be-avoided days. I don’t have triskaidecaphobia, but I know that there are people who do. Ironically, I have taken elevators in the city of Vancouver where the 13th floor has been erased. Isn’t that a little bit ridiculous? Seriously.
What about you? Are you afraid of Friday The 13th? Have you watched the movies? Has anything weird happened to you on a Friday The 13th?
I used to listen to Olvidalo (Forget It) by Mexican singer Sasha Sokol when I was a youngster, and I still remember it as one of the few songs that make me forget just about everything and just enjoy music. I’m feeling like everything is happening at the same time right now and wouldn’t mind a break. But unfortunately, whenever I need it the most, it looks like I get way more work. So I think all I can do is to forget it for 4:06 minutes (the length of this song). Quite fitting that the song’s name is “Forget It” (Olvidalo). For your listening pleasure.
While most of the time I promote Vancouver, British Columbia, and Canadian stuff, I had already mentioned earlier this year that this 2012, my blog will have much more of a travel slant, and thus I will be showcasing stuff around North America, and sometimes, worldwide. I do, after all, have a worldwide audience (for which I am incredibly grateful). And even for Canadians, particularly Vancouverites and those in the Pacific North West (both Canadian and American), I think travelling to Portland, Oregon for the Oregon Berry Festival 2012 would be a nice little summer affair.
Come down to the Ecotrust Building on NW 10th and Johnson in Portland, July 20 & 21 to taste and buy some of the season’s best berries and also sample amazing products made with Oregon’s berry bounty. There will be ice creams, pies, cobblers, jams, strawberry shortcake plus the unexpected taste treat like Marionberry BBQ sauce, Loganberry liqueur, cranberry chocolates, natural blueberry soda and much more. This is a fun family event with a children’s activities, live entertainment, a Portland Restaurant Berry Bramble and a chance to win a bike and eat your fill of Oregon berries.
Admission is free!
12:00pm to 6:00pm, Friday, July 20
11:00am to 4:30pm, Saturday, July 21
If you aren’t familiar with Portland, the Oregon Berry Festival offers guidelines on how to find the site.
I am a big supporter of my students, and even more so when their volunteer work is aimed at supporting non-profits. One of my former students (and currently doing research with me) Emelie Peacock is organizing a fundraiser along with Bokeo Development Fund Society and Yuk Yuk’s Vancouver, to raise funds for sanitation (a topic that, as you know, is my scholarly field and near and dear to my heart). Please read on for information.
Photo credit: Sustainable Sanitation on Flickr
On July 12th, 2012, Bokeo Development Fund will present an evening of pro-amateur stand-up comedy at famed Canadian comedy joint Yuk Yuk’s. The show will feature local stand-up comedians in an uncensored laugh fest. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to Bokeo Development Fund. So while you are Yuk’ing it up with your friends, you are also doing a world of good by supporting the building of toilets in rural villages of Northern Laos.
Location: Yuk Yuk’s Vancouver’s brand new location at 2837 Cambie Street Time: 8pm, doors at 7 Tickets: Suggested donation $10 (at the door or contact Bokeo Development Fund)
About BDF
BDF is a registered Canadian charity, started in 2009 by Paddy Dadson, a Vancouver native. It is exclusively focused on working with the Hmong people of Bokeo Province in northern Laos to provide sanitation facilities, thereby preventing disease and enhancing quality of life for many families. The organization is truly grassroots, community-oriented and sustainable. Paddy Dadson speaks fluent Lao and has developed strong relationships of trust and respect with the local Hmong people, calling them his “Hmong family”. BDF works through traditional village power structures and the Laos government. BDF largely adheres to the “teach a man to fish” proverb; villagers take ownership of projects, performing all manual labour and gaining the knowledge necessary to maintain and expand their sanitary facilities in the future. In this way, BDF works to avoid a culture of dependence on foreign aid. The total cost of a toilet is CAD 200.
About Yuk Yuk’s
Yuk Yuk’s is a national chain of comedy clubs with 17 Canadian locations from coast to coast. Founded by Mark Breslin in 1976, Yuk Yuk’s created the Canadian stand-up comedy scene and was the launching pad for such international stars as Jim Carrey, Howie Mandel and Norm MacDonald.
I think this will be a fantastic event and I hope that many of you will be able to join. Please share widely with your networks as well. What could be best than an inexpensive event where you will get to have fun AND also support sustainable sanitation in developing countries?
I find it amazing when artistic folks are able to seamlessly meld theatre with dance, and it looks as though House of X (presented by the Neanderthal Arts Festival and Wild Excursions Performance) will be one of these unique pieces worth checking out.
A physical theatre piece that explores our addiction to the various genres of storytelling— tragedy, comedy, melodrama, horror, fairy tale— and suggests that we make up stories from what is going on all around us, as well as in our imaginations.
House of X L-R Sebastian Kroon, Crystal Verge and Jane Osborne (Photo credit: Tim Matheson)
Directed and choreographed by Conrad Alexandrowicz. Featuring Sebastian Kroon, Jane Osborne, Linda Quibell and Crystal Verge, at The CULTCH: Historic theatre (1895 Venables), from July 19 to 28, 2012. Seven shows only: July 19 (7 pm), July 21 (6 pm), July 22 (8:30 pm, pay what you can performance), July 25 (8:45 pm), July 26 (7 pm), July 27 (9:30 pm) and July 28 (7 pm). Tickets: only $14 for single tickets: Up In the Air Theatre or Neanderthal Arts Festival.
Up in the Air Theatre proudly presents The Neanderthal Arts Festival, featuring new cutting edge work by emerging and established artists. Are you ready for a challenge? House of X is a physical theatre piece devised, directed and choreographed by Wild Excursions founder Conrad Alexandrowicz, one of Canada’s pioneer dance-theatre crossover artists. At once funny, disturbing and mysterious, it incorporates texts by Erin Mouré, one of the country’s best-known experimental poets, winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award and a finalist for the Griffin Poetry Prize. Through movement, gesture, invented speech and poetry that is like incantation, the piece explores an artist’s drive to tell stories that may or may not be derived from her own experience, and that reveals storytelling as a collective addiction. Autobiography collides with archetypal characters from myth and fairy tale in a work that suggests that theatre is going on all around us, as well as in our imaginations.
This sounds like an interesting and intriguing exploration.
I try really hard to write happy birthday blog posts for my close friends, but sometimes life just gets a little bit too overwhelming. But the reality is, I had my dear friend and colleague Dr. Janni Aragon’s birthday blog post prepared since a long time ago. The reason being, that I owe Janni a lot, not only as a friend, but as a scholar. Janni’s encouragement, support, and motivation always keeps me going. And we share a unique friendship. I know that if I need her to guest lecture in my class, even if I am not physically there, she will do it (and she will come all the way from Victoria!). I know I can always can count on her to help me out, provide feedback, and just share a martini or two.
It’s amazing how destiny works. I remember when I saw Janni’s Twitter profile and I thought “oh, that’s awesome! a Latina professor of political science living in Victoria! I *must* contact her, if for nothing else, to discuss the similarities of being Latino professors in Canadian environments!”. What followed has been a few years long friendship that has spanned both the personal side of life, and the professional side. We both teach in political science departments, we both love Mexican food, good cocktails, and we are both incredibly interested in helping each other grow as friends, colleagues and professors.
Janni, I am SO grateful to destiny for putting you in my life, and I cherish our friendship SO MUCH. Enjoy your day! I am so sorry I will be missing the opportunity to do something as crazy as I did last year when my Mom and I took the Helijet to come visit you and have cocktails with you for your birthday! Much love, as always. You’re in my heart and in my thoughts. You’re a good friend, a great scholar and a role model.
While my photos of dinner at La Noria do no justice at all to the exquisite stuff we ate, I have to admit that this was, by far, one of my favorite dinners during the #WeVisitMexico Puebla Tweetup. We were offered a broad variety of dishes to choose from and my choices reflected my own style of preferred Mexican cuisine.
First off, it took me a while and several attempts to try and grab every single one of my fellow travel writers on the same shot, which I may or may not have accomplished.
Secondly, I should let you know a little bit about what La Noria means, particularly because the website is in Spanish (gorgeous website, I might add), and why I loved it so much. We arrived later at night, so we had to shoot in the dark and sometimes using flash, so I’m not sure we captured the beauty of La Noria Restaurant Bar. I translated below a couple of paragraphs describing the history of La Noria.
We started building the restaurant on land that at one point belonged to the Ex-Hacienda San Miguel La Noria (circa S. XVI). Construction begun in 1989, by restoring barns, stables and patios. In and around the barns we built the reception area. Barns and patios became the restaurant. Our idea is to maintain our environment and blend ourselves into the site, so as to preserve its atmosphere. La Noria thus becomes a space where time is cyclical and circular, much like the noria (water lift), our namesake, which enables us to enjoy endless joy.
You could not describe La Noria as a small and quaint restaurant. Much like most Ex-Haciendas, La Noria is located on a fairly extensive piece of land. It’s an elegant, top-of-the-line restaurant with excellent service and bilingual staff. We were greeted by the restaurant’s owner who apologized profusely for not being there with us for dinner, as he had to host a charity event at one of the side rooms. I was very impressed!
As a scholar of water issues, it was a delight and a wonderful coincidence that this restaurant was aptly called “La Noria”. This is what a noria looks like.
Photo credit: Julio Codesal
On to the dinner itself.
I ordered a Filete Tres Hongos (beef steak with 3 varieties of mushrooms Shiitake, Portobello and a third type of mushroom, called champinones). At $170 (about $15 CDN) it’s really not expensive, and affordable within Mexican standards. And my photo does not do it justice. I will confess that I ordered my steak well cooked (which probably will earn me someone requesting that I hand in my food writer card).
I’m pretty sure that beforehand we had a soup or a light appetizer, but I can’t fully recall, to be quite perfectly honest. It was late and I was tired. I can tell you what I had for drink, and that’s because I loved it: An amazing Margarita.
For dessert, I did order Crepas de Cajeta con Nueces (cajeta and nuts crepes), which may not sound very Mexican, but I can tell you – their texture and flavour rivals those of Paris. And I have eaten plenty of crepes in Paris. Cajeta isn’t for everyone, though. Most people will find it exaggerated in its sweetness.
Overall, I really, really loved dinner at La Noria. At no point did I feel forced to try anything, nor did I feel that I was shortchanged in my dinner. Food portions were extremely generous and I was not able to finish everything, but it left me with the hankering to come back another time. That is, in my view, the mark of a good restaurant: When I want to come back, regardless of how often I have already visited. This will not be my last visit to La Noria Restaurant in Puebla.
Disclosure: My trip to Puebla, sponsored by the Mexico Tourism Board, includes transportation, activities and meals. However, my posts are written in my own words and everything I write is entirely my own opinions. Any out-of-pocket expenses are paid out of my own dime. As always, anything that I post on my site is entirely my responsibility and I retain full editorial control.
I am, as most people know, a sucker for charities and non-profits. So when I got wind of Winners Circle 2012: A Day at the Races Charity Event, I figured I had to write about it. Even if I’m not one to go to the races, my friend Lorraine Murphy loves going to the Hastings Racecourse and I know it’s becoming sort of a not-to-be-missed summer activity.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Marquee Tent at Hastings Racecourse
Gates Open at 1:30 | First Race at 1:50
The first annual Winners Circlee – Day at the Race chartiy event will include a cocktail-style appetizer buffet, complimentary cocktail upon arrival, race program, musical entertainment and a silent auction while enjoying the ponies and weiner dog races. Tickets are $55 per person. Dress is derby attire.
I was really touched to learn that Winners Circle 2012: A Day at the Races Charity Event is a fundraiser for New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society. My good friend Liv Hung loves horse riding and thus I am sure she’ll also find this charity relevant.
New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society is an incorporated charitable foundation that was founded in November 2002 at Hastings Park Racecourse, British Columbia. New Stride’s goals are to ensure that each and every noncompetitive and injured Thoroughbred racehorse gets a second chance and is placed into a caring adoptive home. They involve and educate volunteers in the care, maintenance, handling and retraining of the horses. New Stride provides an alternative to auction for owners who find they can no longer care for their horses. Visit us online at New Stride for more information.
As a long-time and die-hard fan of the arts, particularly the performing arts, I always love when young, up-and-coming stars create interesting works of theatre and live arts.
Darren Boquist in Armed – Photo by Jesse Caswell
Xua Xua Productions rings in the summer with a simple question: what makes a man? Is it a job, a relationship, or maybe a couple of small but significant bits of anatomy? What happens when it gets taken away? Playing July 18-21 at Pacific Theatre at 8pm. Pay-what-you-can preview performance Tuesday, July 17 at 8pm. Tickets $10 in advance, $12 at the door, available through their website.
Some more information on this play:
When Joe loses everything that made him a Real Man, there’s only one thing left to do: compensate. Thus begins his epic quest to find something that will give him undeniable strength and power. Something that will never wither, grow flaccid, or die. Something that can never be taken away. The time-honoured tradition of a luxury car won’t cut it, so what will? The army? An epic tattoo? Or maybe a cannon arm. Yeah, that sounds about right. Looks like Joe’s getting a cannon arm.
This thoroughly over-the-top exploration of manhood is brought to you through the lens of two women. Just because this is a story about the loss of manhood, however, that doesn’t mean it’s anti-man. Pair this erosion of manhood with our constant need to modify our bodies, and you’ve got a guy with nothing left to do but tattoo his face and then chop off his own arm. All to make up for something he’s lost.
I have a pair of tickets to give away for opening night, July 18th, and all you need to do is to drop a quotation on this post about manhood, since that’s the theme of ARMED. My favorite quote about manhood is the following one:
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
— Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963
What’s your favorite quotation about manhood? Drop a comment on this post for a chance to enter to win this pair of tickets. I’ll draw winners on July 15th, 2012 at 2pm.
If you have ever read my scholarly blog, or this one in detail, you will know that I did my undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at the Universidad de Guanajuato, in the capital city of the central-Mexico state of Guanajuato, the namesake Guanajuato. My parents live near by, and we three (my parents and I) went to the same undergraduate university. Guanajuato is a very international and multicultural city, and because of its beauty, it tends to attract lots of foreign visitors, tourists and international students to study English, to check out the gorgeous architecture. Or to visit and take in some of the amazing cultural events that the city of Guanajuato has to offer, like theGuanajuato International Film Festival 2012(Festival Internacional de Cine Guanajuato 2012)
Photo credit: Carlos Adampol Galindo on Flickr
Since 1998 the Guanajuato International Film Festival (GIFF) has been held during the final week of July in the cities of San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato Capital, Mexico. As a non-profit cultural event that does not charge admission to its viewing audience, GIFF is made possible each year through the generous participation of institutions and partners, who each lend their support to our festival; whose main objective is the strengthening of cinema through the mutual exchange of knowledge, experience and ideas.
We are a festival that prides itself in celebrating, supporting and awarding the next generation of filmmakers. Acting as a platform for launching new careers, GIFF’s national and international competition pits newcomers alongside the industry’s most seasoned veterans, in an atmosphere full of camaraderie and respect, where new and aspiring filmmakers mix with industry professionals in a very open, accessible and competitive environment.
During the past fifteen years GIFF has established itself as the most important platform for young filmmakers in Latin America, each year bringing upcoming talents together with world-renowned experts of the moving image. In 2011 GIFF received 2,738 films from 108 countries in competition, while hosting over 90,000 total audience members who over 10 days enjoyed more than 400 films from 9am until 4am in 20 venues; including such unusual spaces as the subterranean streets and tunnels beneath Guanajuato Capital city as well as in both cities’ graveyards.
GIFF, which is produced by the non-profit Expresión en Corto Foundation A.C., is made possible each year in large part thanks to: the State Government of Guanajuato, the Guanajuato State Secretary of Tourism, the National Council on Culture and the Arts (CONACULTA) the Mexican Institute of Cinematography (IMCINE), the cities of San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato Capital, sponsorship from the private sector, various tax-deductible donations from the public, many partnering institutions and hundreds of volunteers. This combined support allows GIFF to annually offer a variety of screenings, workshops, conferences, tributes and activities at no cost to the visiting public.
Photo credit: Magnus von Koeller
I really love the eclectic model that the GIFF follows for its screening.
Over the course of 10 days, more than 400 films are screened from 10am until 4am in 21 venues, which include such unusual locations as: the Jardín Principal (main square) of San Miguel de Allende; the classical open-air staircase of the University of Guanajuato; the subterranean streets and tunnels beneath Guanajuato Capital (where gay, lesbian, erotic and underground films are projected); as well as horror films that are screened in both municipal graveyards (panteónes). There are also screenings in more conventional spaces such as Cines Aldama (SMA), Teatro Angela Peralta (SMA), Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramirez – El Nigromante (SMA), the Teatro Santa Ana (SMA), Galería Kunsthaus Santa Fe (SMA), the Auditorio del Estado (GTO) and the Teatro Principal (GTO).
I also found out that during the 61st edition of the Cannes Film Festival (2008), GIFF announced a partnership with the Cinéfondation Résidence, created by the Cannes Film Festival, to launch a program called the MexiCannes Summer Residence Program.
Serving as an extension to the Cinéfondation Residence, which yearly selects a dozen of the very best young filmmakers in the world (in addition to 2 of the top Mexican filmmakers on special scholarship from GIFF) and offers them a platform designed to propel their careers. The program includes private master’s classes, workshops and meetings with producers, distributors and film financiers during the International Pitching Market, helping them secure financing for their film projects. Since the second session of the yearly Résidence runs until mid-July, just before GIFF begins, this is the first opportunity for many producers to learn about these projects and meet the filmmakers themselves.
If I were a young film-maker, I would totally apply for the MexiCannes Summer Residence Program. You can check the GIFF schedule here. Given the geographical proximity of Guanajuato to where my parents live and where I am staying right now, I might have to go up and check out some films for you, my dear readers.
I learned to cook from my Mom, and for obvious reasons, my first recipe was enchiladas. Cooking school is one of those things that I wish I had tried more, simply because of how accessible it is to attend a cooking class in Vancouver (have you heard of The Dirty Apron, for example?). At one point I thought of doing a cooking class when I was younger simply because my chemical engineering undergraduate minor is in Food Science and Technology. Lucky for Vancouver parents, there is now The Hungry Oven, which offers cooking classes for children.
Photo credit: USDA.gov
Have your kids been bitten by the boredom bug? The summer holidays are here, and The Hungry Oven® has your solution. The child-focused and kid-friendly culinary school in North Vancouver is offering summer camps for kids aged 4 to 16 years old. Day or weeklong sessions are focused not only on cooking, but teaching kitchen safety and healthy eating habits in a fun and fully-supervised environment. The state-of-the-art facility is purpose-built with a home-style kitchen for the youngest students and two commercially equipped kitchens for older students.
The Hungry Oven® is one-of-a-kind in Canada, and specializes in teaching children and young adults to cook and bake. Their goal is to instill a lifelong passion for cooking healthy and delicious meals from scratch with fresh local ingredients. Each summer camp class is taught by a professionally trained The Hungry Oven® Chef instructor, and begins with a safety review and discussion and demonstration of the day’s recipes. After a hands-on class, every participant gets to plate their freshly made creation, and eat it with their fellow classmates in the eat-in Junior Kitchen or separate dining room. There is even a viewing area for parents where they can see their kids in action on ‘live’ TV screens.
The Hungry Oven® summer camp classes are all about fun in the kitchen, friendship, and learning new skills under the direction of fully trained and safety-minded chefs. It’s not just about learning the ins and outs of the kitchen, but helping to enhance social skills, teamwork and develop a sense of self-confidence. The Hungry Oven® truly believes that…. one bite can rock your world!
For more information or to book your space at a Hungry Oven® summer camp, call 604-924-CHEF (2433) or visit The Hungry Oven website. I have 1 space at a week-long summer camp available to give away on my site to one lucky reader (value is $575, but non-redeemable of course for cash!). While I suggest the week of July 23-27th, you can use it for any of the weeks that the camp goes for (check schedule here). You can enter my contest in any of the following four ways (and if you do all four, you have a total of 4 entries):
1) Drop a comment on this blog with a description of your favorite recipe (you don’t need to type it in its entirety, but you can share a little bit of a teaser).
2) Post a tweet with the following content:
Shared my favorite recipe with @hummingbird604 http://bit.ly/RDGkgh to enter to win a space at @thehungryoven summer camp
Andrew Garfield, I think I love you. No, actually, scratch that. I *do* love you. You owned Peter Parker/Spiderman like a champ. I have suddenly become your fan, and I didn’t even know much about you before I saw The Amazing Spiderman. You’ll see… I am a die-hard comics fan and a long-standing admirer of Spiderman, the superhero. I know the history between Spiderman/Peter Parker, the Lizard/Curt Connors and Gwen Stacy, and I can guarantee you that this reboot of the Spiderman saga is definitely pretty true to the original story.
There are a number of elements that make this version of The Amazing Spiderman different from the original one, and more than different, pretty great. For one, Andrew Garfield is perfect as the brooding, dark Peter Parker who becomes Spiderman out of anger for his inability to save his uncle Ben. Garfield made me shed tears about four or five times throughout the movie. And yes, I’m sensitive, but I don’t think it’s because I love sappy movies. The Amazing Spiderman is not really a sappy movie. Chock-full with action, this reboot of Spiderman has a much more sensitive, human storyline.
As a reviewer said before, this is a superhero movie for women. Not because Garfield is excessively attractive (he’s handsome, but not like the kind of handsome that would make you faint – Chris Zylka as Flash Thompson is MUCH hotter). It’s because Garfield’s nuanced and brooding performance pulls your heart’s strings. Peter Parker is a young, troubled science geek who is endowed with superpowers and slowly learns to make good use of them. In this version, Gwen Stacy takes a much stronger role (which is very much better than the first or second movies when Kirsten Dunst was the Mary-Jane-Damsel-In-Distress).
There were, of course, points where we find some society changing their mind towards Spiderman, from seeing him as an enemy to being now a friend and savior of the city (a few scenes made me shed tears towards the end of the movie). Overall, I definitely would recommend it as one of the best movies this summer. The plot is excellent, acting is pretty good (loved Martin Sheen as Uncle Ben and Sally Field as Aunt May), and there’s enough action to satisfy even the most demanding superhero movie geek.
One of the most challenging moments in my day is when I feel that I have a huge load of stuff to do and I just can’t seem to jump-start myself. This can be for a variety of reasons: I don’t feel like writing (or analyzing data, or running contests, or blogging); I am exhausted from bad sleep; I have many tasks to do that seem endless (like, you know, de-cluttering my room!). So I thought to myself “what do I do usually when this happens to me?“. And my answer was “build a To-Do list but with ONLY manageable tasks“.
It is easy to get into the trap of To-Do lists where we write “finish the journal article I was supposed to send to Journal of Civil Society“. That’s an ENDLESS task. So instead, I write a list of tasks that are actually do-able. For example, my list for things to do today from 11:30am Mexico time (9:30am Vancouver time) reads as follows:
– Make my bed
– Finish disconnecting old computer
– Put all components of old computer in one place or box
– Pack 2 shelves of old books to donate to university library
– Read Hummingbird604.com’s emails
– Upload photos to Flickr from those emails
– Write up 2 giveaway blog posts for each contest I still have to prepare
– Update working plan for July to include finishing 2 journal articles
– Take a break and go for a walk
– Read 3 journal articles about sanitation
– Answer 10 emails to colleagues about special issue on river basins
– Spend 1 hour with my nephews
– Have a nap
– Write CV in the format required for grant proposal
All of these are manageable tasks, and that’s how I usually plan my days. I make sure that, when I feel overwhelmed, my To-Do list includes only manageable tasks. Break down your projects in smaller tasks so that you can actually accomplish them!
The first time I saw Buddy (The Buddy Holly Story), the fantastic musical that will rock the stages of the Stanley Industrial Alliance Theatre this summer, I took my friend Trevor Boudreau along with me. It was a beautiful, warm and sunny night and we had a great time. Looking at the weather forecast in Vancouver for this weekend inspired me to partner with The Arts Club and West Restaurant to offer a lucky reader of mine a fantastic chance to take someone out for a perfect summer night out: dinner for two (Chef’s Tasting Menu, valid Sunday – Thursday, exclusive of beverages and gratuity) at West Restaurant, and tickets to opening night of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at the Stanley Industrial Alliance. To me, that sounds like a pretty damn good summer night out!
Photo credit: Tim Matheson
The world’s most successful rock ’n’ roll musical returns!“Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Oh Boy”—the list of hit songs penned by Buddy Holly goes on and on.By his untimely death, the legend had already changed popular music forever. Vibrant and celebratory, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story tells the story of how a country boy became a rock ’n’ roll legend.
Following a sold-out 2010 run at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage and a successful 2011 provincial tour, Buddy returns to the Stanley stage with Zachary Stevenson as the titular star. Stevenson’s spot-on performance, touted as one of the greatest seen on a Vancouver stage in recent years, will have audiences on their feet and dancing out of the theatre.
In 1989, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story premiered in London’s West End and ran for 13 years. It has been seen by over 20 million people in over 20,000 performances worldwide. Alan Janes was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Musical and internationally Buddy has received 13 nominations and awards.
You can purchase tickets to Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story from $29 online or by phone. Arts Club Theatre Company’s Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (2750 Granville St., at 12th Ave.) from July 12 to August 26, 2012. Opening night July 18.Tuesday at 7:30 pm, Wednesday–Saturday at 8 pm, and Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 2 pm.Tickets are $29 to $70, inclusive of taxes and fees. Call the Arts Club Box Office at 604.687.1644 or visit their website.
Production notes about Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. By Alan Janes. Starring: Zachary Stevenson with Michael Antonakas, Mat Baker, Jeff Bryant, Mark Burgess, Scott Carmichael, Marlene Ginader, Jeremy Holmes,Elena Juatco, Kieran Martin Murphy, Tom Pickett, Sibel Thrasher, Alec Willows, Seana-Lee Wood. Director: Bill Millerd. Musical Director Sasha Niechoda. Choreographer Valerie Easton. MusiciansHenry Christian, Tom Colclough, Neil Nicholson. Set DesignerTed Roberts. Costume DesignerRebekka Sorensen.Lighting Designer Marsha Sibthorpe. Sound Designer Chris Daniels. Stage Manager Caryn Fehr. Assistant Stage Manager Ronaye Haynes
Dinner at West followed by Buddy at The Arts Club sounds amazing. I’ve always loved West Restaurant.
Restaurant Nightly from 5.30 – 11.00pm
Bar Nightly from 5.30 – midnight
Brunch 11.00am – 2.30pm, Sunday
Lunch 11.30am – 2.30pm, Monday – Sunday
Recognized as the ‘jewel in Vancouver’s culinary crown’, West’s outstanding contemporary regional cuisine and seamless service has earned much critical acclaim. Pristine seasonal ingredients are sourced to deliver superbly conceived dishes offering modern interpretations of classics.
For those keen to observe ‘behind the scenes’ action and experience West from a unique perspective, the two ‘chef’s tables’ can be found directly adjacent to the presentation kitchen. One of the highlights of the dining room is a temperature-controlled wall of wine, and under it, the long cherry wood bar that gracefully anchors the conversation—where martinis and cocktails are composed of fresh herbs, juices and creative infusions.
Photo credit: Christine McAvoy
To enter my giveaway, you can the following any of 4 modes of entering:
1) Drop a comment on this post describing what a perfect summer night in Vancouver would look to you.
Additional entries (up to a maximum of 4) can be earned by
2) Tweeting the following:
Told @hummingbird604 about perfect summer nights http://is.gd/QipEaw 2 enter 2 win dinner @westrestaurant & Buddy Holly @TheArtsClub tix
If you do all four, of course, you earn 4 entries! If you do up to 3, you earn 3 and so on. But to gain entry, you MUST drop a comment on this post, describing what a perfect summer night looks like to you. I will draw a random winner from all entries (Twitter, blog and Pinterest) on July 15th, 2012 at 2pm.
As an academic who studies public policy, I always have found it funny that there is an academic journal (Slayage) dedicated to study Joss Whedon’s work. There MUST be something relevant to be studied if there is a full journal that studies Buffy The Vampire Slayer, for sure (Buffy was always my first image of a young, pretty empowered female who killed vampires, very well portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar). This year, the bi-annual conference takes place at my alma mater and the university where I have been teaching for the past 6 years (UBC), from July 12th through 15th.
My friend Kimberley Bowie introduced me a few years ago to 65 Red Roses (the movie, inspired by the late Eva Markvoort, who was a very popular blogger from New Westminster and who passed away after a lung transplant did not work out). Eva battled cystic fibrosis and she was a champion of the cause. Kim throws a summer lawn bowling tournament every summer in honour of Eva Markvoort and CF fundraising in general. The tournament isn’t really open to the general public but for some nightly spectator tickets, linked to here. While they can only sell 20-25 per night
it is VERY worth attending!
Photo credit: Bret Arnett on Flickr
The most hotly anticipated summer event in Vancouver (besides sunshine) is upon us only this time we’re sharing it with Toronto. For the past three summers, the Vancouver Leisure Society has thrown a lawn bowling tournament every Thursday in July, raising money for cystic fibrosis research in honour of Eva Markvoort, star of the award-winning documentary “65_RedRoses” and cystic fibrosis-sufferer. Eva lost her battle with CF in 2010 but her legacy lives on in many ways, including in this event. This year, we’ll be tandem bowling, coast to coast, as the newly launched “Lawn Summer Nights”, in both Vancouver and Toronto. Lawn Summer Nights came to be as other cities clamored to get the bowls rolling in their own towns and partnering with Toronto is a perfect fit and starter expansion of the event.
Lawn Summer Nights kicks off in Vancouver at 7pm, Thursday, July 5th at the Granville Park Lawn Bowling Club and media is welcome. All funds raised go towards finding a cure for cystic fibrosis, the number one fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians and to date the tournament has raised over $105,000. For more information about Lawn Summer Nights, please visit their website.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. It is a multi-system disease that mainly affects the lungs and the digestive system. Most deaths related to cystic fibrosis are due to lung disease. Severe respiratory problems result from a build-up of thick mucus in the lungs of CF patients, where the effects are most devastating. Mucus and protein also build up in the digestive tract, making it difficult to digest and absorb nutrients from food. There are 4,000 Canadians living with cystic fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Cystic Fibrosis Canada is one of the world’s top three charitable organizations committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and the only non-government organization in Canada investing in vital CF research and care. In 2012/2013, we will invest more than $7.5 million in innovative research and clinical care, including funding 51 research projects, six targeted programs and partnerships, and 47 fellows and students.
