Showing posts with label friendship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friendship. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Looking for some inspiration?
Found this great video online. It's a motivational speech given to MIT graduates.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Vancouver is Triple the Fun
It was a "little person's" birthday today so I ended up at Crash Crawly. Their indoor playground is great for kids. It was lots of fun.
Then travelled across the Burrard Bridge to witness the new bike lane. It was almost 9pm and I was on a bus because I was in a rush to make it to Vancouver Museum's outdoor movie at Vanier Park, Triplets of Belleville. I was glad to see the movie which incorporated a bike theme and French, our other official language.
Then travelled across the Burrard Bridge to witness the new bike lane. It was almost 9pm and I was on a bus because I was in a rush to make it to Vancouver Museum's outdoor movie at Vanier Park, Triplets of Belleville. I was glad to see the movie which incorporated a bike theme and French, our other official language.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
A good cleaning...
As I start my "vacation", I have begun to focus on cleaning around the house. I received a great tip from a friend on how best clean my computer screen. You can see it at the following link: Screen Cleaning.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Vancouver Event Mania
Summer is officially almost here and there is so much to do in Vancouver. Here is a list of things that are coming up:
FESTIVAL D'ETE FRANCOPHONE
(Till June 24 Le Centre culturel francophone de Vancouver)
West Seventh Avenue between Granville and Fir (www.lecentreculturel.com)
What is it: The 20th anniversary of the six-day festival celebrating francophone culture.
Who is it for: French speakers and francophiles who enjoy great music, both indoors and outdoors, and Canadians who are proud that French is one of the country's two official languages. Eh, oui! Years past have seen Quebecois legends like Robert Charlebois grace the outdoor stage. This year, Montreal band Malajube joins Karkwa and rising Quebec star Pierre Lapointe on the Air Canada Stage starting at 5 p.m., June 20. The festival culminates on St. Jean Baptiste Day, or fete nationale as Quebecers call it, with a June 24 fete at Richard's on Richards.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FLAMENCO FESTIVAL
(June 28 to July 5 at various venues)
www.flamencocorosario.org
What is it: Flamenco Rosario's annual event celebrating the traditional dance and music of Spain.
Who is it for: Fans of foot stomping and castanets, customers of tapas restaurants who want to branch out.
CRAB PARK CANADA DAY FESTIVAL
(July 1) Crab Park, Portside, foot of Main Street
www.bandcouver.com
What is it: The city's other Canada Day party. A free, all-ages celebration from 1 to 4 p.m.
Hosted by the Crab Water for Life Society and Bandcouver, the event supports keeping up this green space in the Downtown Eastside. There are events for the kids at this portside park as well as a number of Vancouver bands. At 1 p.m. Maria in the Shower will be playing, followed by Fuzzcat at 2 p.m. and then Blackberry Wood takes the stage at 3 p.m. And you'll still have plenty of time to make the Canada Day parade downtown at 7 p.m.
Who is it for: People who like to feel good about getting down.
BOLLYWOOD WEDDING
(July 23 to 26 at the Italians Gardens at Pacific National Exhibition at Hastings Park)
Admission is free, ph. 604-893-8875 for reservations
What is it: An interactive outdoor dance and theatre production about the engagement and wedding of two young Indians brought together in an arranged marriage.
Who is it for: People who like attending weddings but don't want to shell out for a gift, interactive theatre fans suffering withdrawal now that Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding has come to a merciful end.
2009 WORLD POLICE AND FIRE GAMES
(July 31 to Aug. 9, various venues around the Lower Mainland)
www.2009wpfg.ca
What is it: International sporting event for firefighters and police, customs and corrections officers to let off some steam and show off their athletic prowess competing in over 65 events including rugby, ultimate fighting, karate and, um, darts.
Who is it for: Family and friends of competitors, people who have a thing for authority figures.
VELO-CITY: VANCOUVER AND THE BICYCLE REVOLUTION
(Until Sept. 7 at Museum of Vancouver)
www.museumofvancouver.ca
What is it: Exhibit curated by Propellor Design that delves into Vancouver's bicycle culture and how it's shaping the city we live in.
Who is it for: Bike enthusiasts, guilt-ridden automobile drivers, future ministers of transportation.
I will probably go on a slow day.
CARIBBEAN DAYS FESTIVAL
(July 25 and 26, Waterfront Park, North Vancouver)
www.caribbeandaysfestival.com
What is it: The Trinidad and Tabago Cultural Society of B.C. throw the year's biggest Caribbean party.
There is a Caribbean cruise the Sunday before the festival, a multicultural parade on Saturday at 10 a.m. leading down to Waterfront Park and a children's parade on Sunday, July 26.
But the big event is an outdoor dance fest at the Marketplace Plaza near the SeaBus when the festival shuts down at 7 p.m. on Saturday night. You'll be jammin' to two bands and two DJs playing salsa to reggae until 1 a.m.
Who is it for: Anyone who likes a good party in the sun with spicy food and steel drums.
POWELL STREET FESTIVAL
(Aug. 1 and 2, Woodland Park, 700 Woodland Dr.)
www.powellstreetfestival.com
What is it: The 33rd annual festival celebrating Japanese Canadian heritage and culture in Vancouver.
The festival has moved to a new location this year but will also include a bicycle valet so getting there is easy. Some events will happen at the Britannia Community Centre.
The theme of this year's festival is migration--across Canada, back to one's heritage and into new media.
Past festivals have included demonstrations on martial arts, Kokoro dance, concerts and of course, there's the food. Sushi, anyone?
Who is it for: Those with a yen for karate and tasty Japanese treats.
MUSICFEST VANCOUVER
(Aug. 2 to 16, various venues)
www.musicfestvancouver.ca
What is it: Formerly known as Festival Vancouver, MusicFest "explores the connections between cultures, centuries and people" featuring more than 50 classical, world music and jazz performers from Canada and around the world.
Who is it for: Anyone who knows what a lute is, concertgoers not burned out by the folk and jazz festivals.
SUMMER CINEMA IN THE PARKS
(Mondays at 9 p.m., Aug. 11 to 18 at Grandview, McSpadden and Victoria parks)
www.thedrive.ca/event_cinema.shtm
What is it: A chance to get out of the living room and lounge in Eastside parks, watching old movies.
The event is free but cash and food donations are being collected by the Vancouver Food Bank. It's presented by the Commercial Drive Business Association.
The schedule is:
Aug. 11, Grandview Park, Wizard of Oz
Aug. 18, McSpadden Park, E.T. the Extraterrestrial
Aug. 25, Victoria Park, Shrek
Who is it for: The kids. The babysitter. The overly cute couple with a beach blanket on hand.
UNDER THE VOLCANO
(Aug. 9, Whey-Ah Wichen / Cates Park in Deep Cove, North Vancouver)
www.volcano.resist.ca
What is it: Canada's largest political festival. A grassroots celebration of arts and activism, taking place where Malcolm Lowry wrote his famous novel, Under the Volcano. Which is not about the festival.
In its 19th year UTV still has free shuttles leaving from Broadway SkyTrain Station every half hour, so leave the car at home.
Admission is by donation. The suggested amounts range from $10 to 20.
This year's lineup hasn't been announced yet but Tegan and Sara and Kinnie Starr have played previous festivals.
Who is it for: People who like their music with a dose of social justice.
There are many other Vancouver events. These are just a few that one of my favorite local papers, the Vancouver Courier, posted that I thought were worth mentioning since I am considering going to a few of these. Let`s enjoy this beautiful city.
FESTIVAL D'ETE FRANCOPHONE
(Till June 24 Le Centre culturel francophone de Vancouver)
West Seventh Avenue between Granville and Fir (www.lecentreculturel.com)
What is it: The 20th anniversary of the six-day festival celebrating francophone culture.
Who is it for: French speakers and francophiles who enjoy great music, both indoors and outdoors, and Canadians who are proud that French is one of the country's two official languages. Eh, oui! Years past have seen Quebecois legends like Robert Charlebois grace the outdoor stage. This year, Montreal band Malajube joins Karkwa and rising Quebec star Pierre Lapointe on the Air Canada Stage starting at 5 p.m., June 20. The festival culminates on St. Jean Baptiste Day, or fete nationale as Quebecers call it, with a June 24 fete at Richard's on Richards.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FLAMENCO FESTIVAL
(June 28 to July 5 at various venues)
www.flamencocorosario.org
What is it: Flamenco Rosario's annual event celebrating the traditional dance and music of Spain.
Who is it for: Fans of foot stomping and castanets, customers of tapas restaurants who want to branch out.
CRAB PARK CANADA DAY FESTIVAL
(July 1) Crab Park, Portside, foot of Main Street
www.bandcouver.com
What is it: The city's other Canada Day party. A free, all-ages celebration from 1 to 4 p.m.
Hosted by the Crab Water for Life Society and Bandcouver, the event supports keeping up this green space in the Downtown Eastside. There are events for the kids at this portside park as well as a number of Vancouver bands. At 1 p.m. Maria in the Shower will be playing, followed by Fuzzcat at 2 p.m. and then Blackberry Wood takes the stage at 3 p.m. And you'll still have plenty of time to make the Canada Day parade downtown at 7 p.m.
Who is it for: People who like to feel good about getting down.
BOLLYWOOD WEDDING
(July 23 to 26 at the Italians Gardens at Pacific National Exhibition at Hastings Park)
Admission is free, ph. 604-893-8875 for reservations
What is it: An interactive outdoor dance and theatre production about the engagement and wedding of two young Indians brought together in an arranged marriage.
Who is it for: People who like attending weddings but don't want to shell out for a gift, interactive theatre fans suffering withdrawal now that Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding has come to a merciful end.
2009 WORLD POLICE AND FIRE GAMES
(July 31 to Aug. 9, various venues around the Lower Mainland)
www.2009wpfg.ca
What is it: International sporting event for firefighters and police, customs and corrections officers to let off some steam and show off their athletic prowess competing in over 65 events including rugby, ultimate fighting, karate and, um, darts.
Who is it for: Family and friends of competitors, people who have a thing for authority figures.
VELO-CITY: VANCOUVER AND THE BICYCLE REVOLUTION
(Until Sept. 7 at Museum of Vancouver)
www.museumofvancouver.ca
What is it: Exhibit curated by Propellor Design that delves into Vancouver's bicycle culture and how it's shaping the city we live in.
Who is it for: Bike enthusiasts, guilt-ridden automobile drivers, future ministers of transportation.
I will probably go on a slow day.
CARIBBEAN DAYS FESTIVAL
(July 25 and 26, Waterfront Park, North Vancouver)
www.caribbeandaysfestival.com
What is it: The Trinidad and Tabago Cultural Society of B.C. throw the year's biggest Caribbean party.
There is a Caribbean cruise the Sunday before the festival, a multicultural parade on Saturday at 10 a.m. leading down to Waterfront Park and a children's parade on Sunday, July 26.
But the big event is an outdoor dance fest at the Marketplace Plaza near the SeaBus when the festival shuts down at 7 p.m. on Saturday night. You'll be jammin' to two bands and two DJs playing salsa to reggae until 1 a.m.
Who is it for: Anyone who likes a good party in the sun with spicy food and steel drums.
POWELL STREET FESTIVAL
(Aug. 1 and 2, Woodland Park, 700 Woodland Dr.)
www.powellstreetfestival.com
What is it: The 33rd annual festival celebrating Japanese Canadian heritage and culture in Vancouver.
The festival has moved to a new location this year but will also include a bicycle valet so getting there is easy. Some events will happen at the Britannia Community Centre.
The theme of this year's festival is migration--across Canada, back to one's heritage and into new media.
Past festivals have included demonstrations on martial arts, Kokoro dance, concerts and of course, there's the food. Sushi, anyone?
Who is it for: Those with a yen for karate and tasty Japanese treats.
MUSICFEST VANCOUVER
(Aug. 2 to 16, various venues)
www.musicfestvancouver.ca
What is it: Formerly known as Festival Vancouver, MusicFest "explores the connections between cultures, centuries and people" featuring more than 50 classical, world music and jazz performers from Canada and around the world.
Who is it for: Anyone who knows what a lute is, concertgoers not burned out by the folk and jazz festivals.
SUMMER CINEMA IN THE PARKS
(Mondays at 9 p.m., Aug. 11 to 18 at Grandview, McSpadden and Victoria parks)
www.thedrive.ca/event_cinema.shtm
What is it: A chance to get out of the living room and lounge in Eastside parks, watching old movies.
The event is free but cash and food donations are being collected by the Vancouver Food Bank. It's presented by the Commercial Drive Business Association.
The schedule is:
Aug. 11, Grandview Park, Wizard of Oz
Aug. 18, McSpadden Park, E.T. the Extraterrestrial
Aug. 25, Victoria Park, Shrek
Who is it for: The kids. The babysitter. The overly cute couple with a beach blanket on hand.
UNDER THE VOLCANO
(Aug. 9, Whey-Ah Wichen / Cates Park in Deep Cove, North Vancouver)
www.volcano.resist.ca
What is it: Canada's largest political festival. A grassroots celebration of arts and activism, taking place where Malcolm Lowry wrote his famous novel, Under the Volcano. Which is not about the festival.
In its 19th year UTV still has free shuttles leaving from Broadway SkyTrain Station every half hour, so leave the car at home.
Admission is by donation. The suggested amounts range from $10 to 20.
This year's lineup hasn't been announced yet but Tegan and Sara and Kinnie Starr have played previous festivals.
Who is it for: People who like their music with a dose of social justice.
There are many other Vancouver events. These are just a few that one of my favorite local papers, the Vancouver Courier, posted that I thought were worth mentioning since I am considering going to a few of these. Let`s enjoy this beautiful city.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
To tweet or not to tweet...
I have been hesitant to use Twitter for several reasons however I took the plunge today and started to tweet. Below are the three main reasons why I did not open a Twitter account.
1. Is twitter a fad?
Technology is always evolving and was not sure if Twitter was a fad or something that would be around into the future. I read about how most people open an account and tweet a handful of times and never tweet again but I have also heard of some people tweet all the time. After I joined twitter I was surprised at how much information was available.
2. What can you really say in 140 characters?:
I initially thought "not much" since most people write without limit on blogs and can write on facebook too. However, my view changed this week when I saw how it was used after the protested elections in Iran. In 140 characters, people were getting the message out concerning the Iran elections. My main concern is that messages can be anonymous and therefore can lead to abuse of a medium.
3.Most of my friends don't use Twitter, do I really need a Twitter account?
I thought since most of the people I deal from day to day don't use twitter, most of my friends were not on Twitter. However, when I joined, there were a few friends who I had not spoken to in a while that actually use it. It was good to see what they were up to.
I have tweeted and can now be found at @dimitrymorales on Twitter.
1. Is twitter a fad?
Technology is always evolving and was not sure if Twitter was a fad or something that would be around into the future. I read about how most people open an account and tweet a handful of times and never tweet again but I have also heard of some people tweet all the time. After I joined twitter I was surprised at how much information was available.
2. What can you really say in 140 characters?:
I initially thought "not much" since most people write without limit on blogs and can write on facebook too. However, my view changed this week when I saw how it was used after the protested elections in Iran. In 140 characters, people were getting the message out concerning the Iran elections. My main concern is that messages can be anonymous and therefore can lead to abuse of a medium.
3.Most of my friends don't use Twitter, do I really need a Twitter account?
I thought since most of the people I deal from day to day don't use twitter, most of my friends were not on Twitter. However, when I joined, there were a few friends who I had not spoken to in a while that actually use it. It was good to see what they were up to.
I have tweeted and can now be found at @dimitrymorales on Twitter.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
2009 Car Free Vancouver Day
Car Free Vancouver Day put on street parties at four areas in the city. I attended the Main Street event near my home and volunteered at the Commercial Drive event with barricades. Both of these events were well attended and it seemed that everyone was having a good time.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Scoring Big
I am really excited that the city officials are exploring how Vancouver can implement a bike sharing program. My family and I went to the seawall near Science World where Bixi has demonstration bicycles this weekend. Each bike station includes a pay station, bike docks, and bikes, and is equipped with solar panels that power the station. I tried one of the bikes and it was easy to ride. It was also very comfortable and the seat could be adjusted with breeze. Although the ride was smooth, the bike only has 3 speeds so I think its limited in range. Otherwise it was a pleasant experience. I also found out that these bikes are made in Quebec and if the city goes ahead with a bike sharing program they will be creating some Canadian manufacturing jobs. The demonstration ends tomorrow.
We also attended The Official Canadian Street Hockey Tournament, Play On! Vancouver, which took place nearby on Abbot Street near GM Place. It was lots of fun to watch. I even caught a glimpse of CBC news anchor Ian Hanomansing reporting his results at the tournament.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Happy Clean Air Day! Now Just Chill!
Hot, dry weather prompts air quality warning in Metro Vancouver
Today was an excellent day to promote clean air and good health across Vancouver. It was really hot day and residents are being asked "to cut back on activities that might increase air pollution, such as driving."
Instead of driving, take the commuter challenge or go for a walk with a friend and treat him or her to a Blizzard at Dairy Queen. Currently, if you join DQs Blizzard Fan Club you will get a coupon for a free blizzard when you purchase one.
Today was an excellent day to promote clean air and good health across Vancouver. It was really hot day and residents are being asked "to cut back on activities that might increase air pollution, such as driving."
Instead of driving, take the commuter challenge or go for a walk with a friend and treat him or her to a Blizzard at Dairy Queen. Currently, if you join DQs Blizzard Fan Club you will get a coupon for a free blizzard when you purchase one.
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