Urban Vancouver

It’s Thanksgiving Day in Canada (October 13th, 2008), and I’m very thankful for:

- My health.
- My family, brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, my Dad and my Mom, my cousins, my uncles and aunts, and extended family.
- My friends, both online and off line.
- The opportunities I’ve received throughout the years for personal and professional growth.
- Living in Canada. I love this country and I think it loves me back.
- Having still a deep connection with Mexico. Because I owe Mexico a lot.
- My successes, and my failures. Because I’ve learned from my mistakes and I’ve relished in my triumphs.
- Having had the opportunity to fall in love. Despite the fact that I have also been heartbroken, I know exactly what love feels like, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.
- Calling Vancouver my home. I absolutely love this city, despite its horrendous weather and sometimes difficult people (not everybody, of course - just a few).

I am thankful because I am alive, and because every day I live to the fullest. I do what I can, with what I have, wherever I am. Happy Thanksgiving!

Credit: JMilles

Yes I know I tweet. A lot. With over 9,000 tweets since April 2008, I have no clue how I have managed to actually maintain my followers. You are too kind! At any rate, while I was in Mexico I started thinking about following some people there but then I unfollowed them as I figured that I wouldn’t be staying for long and thus it was kind of pointless.

Through my tweeting, I’ve discovered that I now have followers not only from Canada, but also from the US, United Kingdom, Mexico, and that’s kind of neat to me. Because I sincerely think that Twitter should trascend domestic frontiers.

I know that I shouldn’t care about my stats but since I was asked to provide some metrics of traffic, I did a quick Alexa search and found out that about 30% of my traffic comes from the US. Nice! To be quite frank, I didn’t even think anybody read my blog in the US (seeing as the vast majority of my writing is fairly hyper-local, e.g. Vancouver). But I’m glad people do, and I’m glad I am able to provide some content that can have wider appeal.

Credit: justj000lie

On a semi-related tangent, I also have to say that I’m glad that Elizabeth May (leader of the Green Party and candidate to Prime Minister of Canada) is interacting with her followers on Twitter (@elizabethmay). I was very impressed with the way she conducted herself during the debates, and I have several very close friends of mine who are friends with her (or at least know her very well).

In the past couple of weeks, I’ve had a chance to talk about this topic with Kerry Anne, Arieanna and Lorraine. I’ve also talked about this at length with many other friends from the blogosphere, but more recently with the previously mentioned friends of mine.

You would think that, being in social media, bloggers would be VERY social. Some of us are (at least, I admit that I am!) but some are not all that much. I am an extrovert by nature, I get a lot of energy from hanging out with people. But not all bloggers/PR/tech people are like me.

For me, hanging out with people from the blogosphere is now kind of second nature. There are a few people online that I haven’t met in person yet, although Twitter and our respective blogs, and email do keep us in touch and thus I feel as though I’ve grown to know them (to cite a few examples — Mel, Barbara, Tania, Paul Hillsdon or Dan).

However, it is indeed rare that I don’t *know* some of the people whom I’ve befriended through my blog (in person, that is). I was going through my blogroll very briefly and noticed that, really, only very few of those people I haven’t met in real life (IRL).

I like to think that social media has given me an outlet to socialize, and while sometimes I do enjoy taking off my “blogger” hat and just hang out, have a beer, or go for a walk, have a coffee, or simply just enjoy birthday parties with my blogosphere friends, I have to recognize that it was through my blog that I met them, and for that, I’m very appreciative and grateful.

This may be a totally inane question so feel free to skip if you’re pressed for time or can’t entertain the thought of asking somewhat strange questions. So, I am all about saving energy and money, don’t get me wrong. But why would people turn the heat completely off at night? Isn’t it kind of counter-intuitive? For example, let’s say it’s 3 oC outside (as it is right now here in Vancouver). Chances are your house/apartment/basement suite is not going to get as incredibly cold, but it may get quite nippy. Wouldn’t you want to sleep in a warmer, more comfortable environment? Thus, wouldn’t you want to *at least* keep some sort of temperature control?

However, the vast majority of people I’ve talked to say that they turn off the heat at night. I can understand that yeah, we use blankets and all, but not *all* the body is covered (the face isn’t, at least in my case!). And if you snore or breathe with your mouth at some point (as we all sometimes doo), you’re going to get VERY cold air inside. Which may or may not be good, but …

And, on top of everything… what if you have to go to the bathroom or something, in the middle of the night (thus abandoning the comfort of your warm bed)? Shouldn’t the temperature be, at least, somewhat high-ish? E.g. shouldn’t we lower the dial of our heaters during the day (when the temperature outside is higher) and increase it at night (when it’s lower?) - provided, of course, that the insulation is not so good, because well, if it is good, then you don’t actually need to heat your house/apartment/basement suite so much (as it loses less heat).

Just wondering…

I am well known for having a really hard time asking for help. I’m usually the one who helps everyone, the one that will always be there for his friends, family, loved ones. However, very seldom do I ever ask for help. In the past few days, I’ve been offered (and asked for) help, and I just want to say thanks. I am really appreciative of you all. You know who you are.

Ultra-quickie post as I’m on a strict deadline. Once upon a time, I moved to Canada and discover that the national sport here is hockey. Admittedly, I’m not a die-hard fan of the sport, but I have grown to appreciate it. I had a chance to capture very few short glimpses of the most recent game, the Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames (Canucks won 6-0).

Luc Bourdon was honoured, the tribute was very heartwarming and I enjoyed the very little that I could catch. I often listen to The Crazy Canucks podcast and as I have told Rebecca, it’s been very educational.

I really think that in my Canadianization, I’m going to start having to go crazy about hockey. Lucky for me, I’ve got lots of friends both on the blogging/PR/tech community and my offline friends who love hockey, so I’ve got myself covered. Congrats to the Canucks on a well-deserved win!

My friends Ash Sanieyan and Rastin Mehr have new offices! Their brand spanking new digs are located in Yaletown. I have a deep appreciation for both Rastin and Ash both as software developers, social media gurus and friends, as they’ve shared with me numerous events (including my liveblog of Vancouver Joomla! Day).

Photo credit: RMD Studio

Rastin also helped me with some Facebook organization of SteakCamp, and we all had a chance to hang out when they organized the first WordCamp Vancouver.

Rastin Mehr Design Studio Inc. & Associates is an Internet Software (Web Application) Development company in the beautiful Yaletown district of Vancouver, BC, Canada specialized in developing Custom Content Management and Social Media Solutions using Joomla , WordPress, Drupal , and Ruby on Rails frameworks [RMD Studio About Page].

All the best and I’ll have to drop by for some coffee sometime soon! Their new offices are located at 109-1108 Homer Street (in the heart of Yaletown). Which means, there is a possibility for doing sushi or Mexican food for lunch/dinner sometime!

I know that I had promised to do less events and stuff, but I really want to attend this one, and I’m hoping that by then, one of my biggest projects will be over and thus I’ll have time to participate. Rebecca (Sixty4Media) provided me with some background on what Ideas on Tap is, and quite honestly, I don’t think I should miss it, since I am now part of Vancouver’s tech community (or so I’ve heard!)

ideasONTAP became a mecca for startups and on the third Thursday of each month hundreds of tech entrepreneurs gathered to network and compete in the elevator pitch contest - 60 seconds standing on a milk crate trying to convince the crowd that theirs was the best company concept. Those were the days. With the dot-bust, ideasONTAP went in to hibernation. But no good idea ever dies.[Ideas on Tap]

This should be a very fun event, and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve already registered, and should let you know that registration is free

I seem to have heard this concept in passing (Web 3.0) but I am not exactly sure where I did. Most of my non-geeky friends who now identify me with the Vancouver tech community (something I’m proud of, but most definitely not worthy of the title of geek yet!) have asked me what I understand by Web 2.0 and whether there is such thing as Web 3.0. I’ve answered that I’m not 100% sure, but that I’d ask my friends.

I’ve heard several elements that are supposed to be part of Web 3.0. Unfortunately, I’d lie if I said I do remember exactly who said it but some people have mentioned that perhaps the future of Web 2.0 lies with video (vlogging). Some others have implied that we should look at mobile web 2.0 (e.g. everyone jump on their iPhones or equivalent now). If Web 2.0 was all about dynamic interaction between user and content generator, then maybe Web 3.0 adds a third dimension (mobility).

Obviously, we all go at some point to the Wikipedia page, so the entry for Web 3.0 does mention stuff about mobile web, etc. The question I have now is — what do YOU think or understand by the idea of Web 3.0?

I am aware that some of my close friends are having an early Canadian Thanksgiving. Last year I spent it with HZ and CS, as well as a few other friends.

In previous years, my PhD supervisor invited us all for Canadian Thanksgiving. This year, I think I’m going to probably have to attend at least one dinner, and I’ve noticed that it’s not as relevant to Canadians as American Thanksgiving is to Americans. So my question to you is… what are YOU doing for Canadian Thanksgiving?

I had the great fortune of watching the Welsh band People in Planes live in May of 2008 at The Biltmore Cabaret (right around a very stressful time for me) and I kept trying to find the video or the MP3. Luckily for me, someone uploaded this song on to YouTube so now you can enjoy it (and yes I love People in Planes, as I do Death Cab by Cutie, The Darkness, The Smiths, and a few other bands that aren’t as “fluffy” or pop as the majority of the music I listen to!)

While I have gotten to a point where more and more I only eat brunch at my trusty Nice Cafe or Rhizome or Crave on Main, once in a while I have to get out of my comfort zone.

This past weekend was one of those times, as C, B and L asked me to meet them at The Kings Head. I have had brunch here before, and one time I must have come here for drinks. It’s inexpensive, although I have to admit that even though I got a “Beggar’s Breakfast” (I think that’s the spelling), I didn’t feel as full and satisfied as I usually do at The Nice Cafe.

The place’s decor is quite eclectic, with lots of wood and each booth is marked (some booth’s names are “Mexico”, “Nova Scotia”, “England”). Very cute place, good service (prompt), the eggs, sausage and toast were about the same as you would get anywhere else (although I have to say that still my favorites are Nice Cafe and Crave on Main, with Rhizome a very, very close second).

It was nice to venture out of my own comfort zone and head down to Kitsilano for a change, but with so much work, I had to come home really early (bear in mind that the weather has been horrible so, really, who wants to stay out? I certainly don’t).

John Chow does know very well that I don’t blog for money, but that I’m always up for joining forces when it comes to social media for charity and social change. Thus, I was very happy when I saw that John was engaging in raising funds for the Union Gospel Mission ’s upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner on October 13th, 2008 (which by the way is a kick-off for Homelessness Action Week). John is going to match every donation made to the UGM dollar per dollar up to $ 1,000.

As you may all recall, Rebecca and Duane Blogathoned for the UGM, and their campaign received a big boost at the end of the campaign thanks to Matt Good. Their collective all helped raise thousands of dollars for the UGM during Blogathon 2008. The UGM is a really worthy cause and it’s great that all these awesome bloggers have raised funds for them, so I’d encourage you to do the same.

And while we are at it, please also consider contributing to Rebecca’s Third Tuesday Food Drive. She is doing this for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society , and I’d like to encourage my readers to donate non-perishable items (you can bring them to Third Tuesday).

I’ve been thinking of what can I contribute (in addition to highlighting the events and contributing with as little or as much money/non-perishable goods as I can) and I thought of throwing in a little something.

I haven’t yet thought of what else I can contribute, but I am guessing I could throw in a free, beginners, 2-hr salsa lesson for the largest contributor to both fundraising efforts — how’s that? Would people be interested in learning how to salsa dance? (I’ve taught this stuff already, so trust me, you’re in good hands). Or I could enter all participants who contribute to any of the two causes in a draw for the lesson?

At any rate, I would encourage you to contribute, remember, every bit helps.

Just a quick reminder that the comedy night that Tanya is organizing to raise funds for Team Diabetes takes place on Wednesday! Please remember to register directly through EventBrite! It’s on Wednesday October 8th, at 8pm at The Jupiter Cafe. It’s for a good cause, raising funds for a cure for diabetes!!! More details on her blog, including a $500 cash giveaway!

Photo credit: Ianiv and Arieanna on Flickr

Recently, Arieanna wrote a post about implementing more ecologically-friendly measures in coffee shops. I actually was very happy that she touched on this topic, as I used to consume a lot of coffee (not anymore).

Although I had thought about some measures (e.g. using my refillable coffee mug, not accepting paper cups, not using those little bags of sugar), I hadn’t really paid all that much attention. But Arieanna’s post reminded me that it’s important to reflect on these issues. And one of the commenters on her blog pointed her out to Agro Cafe on Granville Island.

I haven’t had a chance to visit, but I might just drop by sometime soon, if for no other reason, because the commenter (Jeff) mentioned that Agro Cafe had already implemented lots of sustainability measures. I’m curious to see them, and I’ll write about them soon.

I was just looking at a video that Jay Grandin, Leah Nelson and the rest of the Giant Ant Media folks created for the Ronald McDonald House, one of their clients. Quite impressive, and really sweet. It made me remember a recent post by Rebecca where she pondered on the reason why we blog and why we like to use social media to effect change.

I’ll admit that I’m the first one to brag about the power of my blog to effect social change. When I first started blogging, I did it just for kicks. Now, I feel confident that with the combined power of my blog, and those of my friends in the blogosphere I can help people. For example, recently I’ve been highlighting fundraisers that my friends Tanya and Kulpreet have been organizing. I also raised a few hundred dollars through Blogathon, in 2007 for A Loving Spoonful and in 2008 for the BC Cancer Foundation.

I will definitely have to look into ways to integrate more video into my portfolio, and maybe use it to galvanize people into contributing to several of the causes I’m passionate about. For example, Blog Action Day is coming up and the theme is poverty. Homeless Action Week 2008 is also coming up (Oct 12-19th) and I might be auctioning some stuff (hoping people will bid on it!)

To all of you who are in the new media realm who are working hard to help those less advantaged than us, I salute you.

EDIT - Duane has a link to the actual video embedded on his site so you can check it out here.

I just wanted to add one bit of my personal life to this post. A few years back, I spent 24 hours straight (yes, as in no sleep at all) creating three 3-min videos of chemical processes that we were highlighting for an Annual General Meeting. It was really hard work (I used Adobe Premiere for that one) and I sincerely can tell you that creating such compelling, well-designed and created video as the one you’re going to see is REALLY HARD WORK. I speak from experience.

I have a deadline for a project I need to get done pretty much ASAP, and therefore I will most likely be unable to blog (and/or do Twitter). I do have some content that should be queued (thank you WordPress for time-stamping posts!) but in general, I’m pretty much not going to be able to blog (at all, or at least as frequently as I usually do). But I’m always accepting guest posts (since I’ve been a frequent guest-poster on other blogs, and also recently with Blogathon 2008 I had a LOT of great guest-posters who wrote amazing content). Feel free to contact me (best way is probably leaving a comment on here or sending me an email). In the mean time, don’t forget about me y’all out there!

I am no one to speak when it comes to overextending and over-committing myself. I work really long hours and try very hard to complete all my projects and meet my deadlines. But I do know that sometimes I commit to way too many social engagements and in spite of being an extrovert and gaining energy from interacting in social situations, I also get physically exhausted.

I was just talking on the phone with one of my brothers and he sounded incredibly exhausted. All my brothers work really, really hard (it runs in the family I guess), but we all promise that we will try to find balance. I think that this has been the toughest point for me. What do you say NO to and what do you say YES to? I live to the fullest, and I sometimes suffer to the same extent. But I always try to find that elusive point where there is balance in my life. I have proclaimed before my intent to shift my lifestyle, and for a while there, I’ve been somewhat successful.

The past couple of weeks have been crazy (and the upcoming weekend seems like it too), and in some ways, I think it was a mistake for me to take on so many events and agree upon so many activities on the first week that I arrived back in Vancouver. However, it’s Friday and I feel well, as I have not over committed myself.

Every so often I post one of this “yeah I’m going to stop overextending myself” and sometimes I can’t help but do it still, but I’m working on it. At least I didn’t do anything this week.

I have nothing to complain about. I am just annoyed at the fact that things aren’t going my way right now. I am very blessed for the great friends and life I have, I am just complaining a little bit because of the nasty weather (and my upstairs neighbours). But as I joked on Twitter, desperate times require desperate measures - I’ve opened the box of lovely German chocolates that my good friend HZ and his fiancee CS brought me. And some rooibos tea. I hope this brings my mood up. If only my upstairs neighbours stopped being such jerks and make so much noise.

A few months ago, Jordan Behan and Ryan Ashton told me about the upcoming launch of Boston Pizza’s new re-designed website. Unfortunately, with my travel to Mexico I couldn’t really participate in any of the pre-testing of the website, but I’m glad that Jordan brought the new site to my attention. Strutta was involved in the redesign of the pizza carousel that you can see on Boston Pizza’s webpage (by the way - you could win one year’s worth of pizza if you enter!).

I like the new website, the carousel looks very nice. One thing that I noticed was that once you focus on one particular type of pizza, the rest dim and you learn the name of the pizza. Very user-friendly (if I say so myself, I’m not a user-interface specialist but I do like it!). Check the website and enter the contest - you might win one year’s worth of pizza!