My Two Cents

Vancouver New Kids on the Block Concert Review

Oh, NKOTB! It was gorgeous, disgusting, indulgently pure cheese. C.H.E.E.Z.E!

It was, at times, a sad reminder that our 40-year-old boy bands are just not cool anymore. I could almost hear the "two.. three... four!" in their heads as choreographed dance moves happen. But, on the brighter side, it was what late 80's, early 90's dreams are made of. They played every song I know and even some new ones that I could care less about. 

Pictures to come. Forgot my camera, so my girlfriend will send me some soon.

NKOTB Vancouver reviews:

JON: 

This shy, reserved 40 year old was no where to be seen. I sat in the 3rd row to the right of the stage and he didn't make it to the wing even ONCE. Not once! It's ok with me as I don't find him entertaining or good-looking. Plus. he's not really a singer, just a lipper.

DONNY: 

Word to your mother. True to style, he had baggy jeans custom made for the tour. He's still homey gee white boy but to be fair, he holds this band together. Without his audience interaction this concert would have been a total flop. Good for you Donny.

DANNY: 

It's not that he doesn't try. He does. He made frequent 'wing stage' trips and we saw his lip syncing up close many a time. But, at the end of the day, it IS Danny and he'll never be Jordan. No matter how many weights he lifts and muscles that bulge. BUT... I will give him props for his breakdancing. Yes! I did write BREAKDANCING!

JORDAN: 

I feel like corner Jordan Knight in a room and saying to him. "Jordan, you are good looking, you can sing, and you need to come out of your shell! Why are you being so reserved. You probably would of had an even better career solo if you'd just bathed in the spot light a bit more, instead of loathing it. 

JOEY: 

While still sweet and kinda cute in a funny way. He's no Justin Timberlake, though I feel like he wants to be. Good ol' Joey. I can't say too much bad about him because, well, I'm a Joey lover from way back. I love you Joey. XOXOXO

The Vancouver Municipal ElectionsDid you vote today?

You can still vote if you want!

Saturday, November 15, 2008: 8 am – 8 pm

Across the province, local government elections are held every three years on the third Saturday of November.

In local elections, Vancouver voters choose:

• 1 Mayor
• 10 Councillors 
• 7 Park Commissioners
• 9 School Trustees

FREE WiFi at YVR

Turns out good ol' YVR is the first North American airport to offer free wifi at the terminals (south, domestic and international). Thanks to 70 antennas at the airport you can now surf the web without paying an arm and a leg while waiting for your next flight

Top 7 new books to read! (Donations accepted!)

Since this is my most visited blog I decided to make a "Top 7 new books to read!" list and post it. It's for anyone looking for new books to read for book clubs or just their next fiction read. Let it be known that I personally haven't read ANY of these and am currently taking donations?? Anyone? I'd love you forever! (EMAIL ME, haha)

After Reading 'Pillars Of The Earth' I'm eager to try another Ken Follett novel. Plus, it's only $13.20 at Amazon right now!
World Without End by Ken Follett.

So, I have a THING for Oprah's Book club. Sometimes I love their books, other times they were just ho hum or unfinishable. Sometimes I wonder if they pre-read these things or not! But seriously now, there was a time when I read a chunk of her books in a row and I was DIGGING them! So, I often do suggestions from her. So, this is Oprah Book Club #62.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel

I'm a big Web 2.0 geek. Most designers (graphic), art directors, bloggers, programmers.. we're all the same at heart. We love learning from tech geeks like Seth Godin. He's my purple cow.
Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin

I also run my own business and I'm going through hiring my very first assistant right now. It's so scary. I have no idea how to hire and I know the right hire can either help or hinder my direct success. Plus, how can you resist an educational book written by a guy with the last name 'Smart'? ;p
Who: The A Method for Hiringby Geoff Smart

The much anticipated and probably amazingly fantastic....
The Hour I First Believed: A Novel by Wally Lamb

This one I think has been out for a little while but I've heard a few people recommend it recently. I think it must be decent if I've at least heard of it!
The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman

I'm part of a book club (that I'm yet to meet) though we're two months in. Ok, yes, I'm the not doing so great at the attendance part but I'm keeping my end of the reading deal. This is next months:
My Sister's Keeper: A Novelby Jodi Picoult

PS. Yes, I know 7 is a funny number. I was doing 10 but I'm tired and I want to go to sleep. :) Plus, I won't have any reading time if I type on here too late.

Winners at Cambie & 8th Ave in East Vancouver!

I just found out there is a new Winners in East Vancouver. It's actually a HomeSense / Winners (both). I was downtown returning something at HomeSense that I'd bought at another Winners. When I was there the girl at the till mentioned that this wasn't the only Winners downtown Vancouver anymore!

I am happy to report she was right, the newest one is in East Vancouver (right at the boarder to West Vancouver) at Cambie & 8th Ave!

Winners - Vancouver "The Rise"
491 8th Avenue West
Vancouver , BC V5Y 3Z5
Phone: 604-879-3701

Mon-Sat: 9:30am-9pm
Sun: 11am-6pm

Holiday's on Ice Book Review (David Sedaris)

This is a great Christmas book to read. If you have a book club and need an easy, humorous and fun read for the Christmas season this is your book! Honestly, the satirical humour will have you laughing your way through the mall on your way to see Santa with two kids in tow. It'll make you think twice before saying "Oh Santa, I can't possibly get on your lap and tell you what I want for Christmas. Honestly! I'm TOO heavy, I'd break your lap!".

I just finished reading this short story book and would give it an 8.5/10
Dark, sharp and witty humor from this (NYC?) author! Plus, it's super cheap!

BUY IT: Holidays on Ice: Stories

Google will keep on growing,don't listen to what they say.

Don't believe the hype. The reason Google is having to advertise is that their company is diversifying it's income strategies which will be beneficial in the long term. Look for them to play a 'windows' like web interface in the future. They specialize in the delivery of real-time relevant information!

Read the article below and decide for yourself!

Need to sync your Google Business Calendar with Mac iCal? I'll show you the way!

Now I've got my iphone syncing with iCal. Now I just need iCal to sync with Google Calendar.

Yes, I've found 'the way' to sync google calendar with your mac iCal. It's easy, it works and it's fairly cheap (besides, just bill it to your business!). The best news is that it allows you to choose which calendars you sync. So for example I have a business, personal, birthdays and Canadian Holidays. So, I sync all of my business calendar events so my team can see what I'm doing when and prevent conflicts in my schedule.

It's just 25 bucks for a year. It has a free trial AND you can get 5$ off by using this spanning sync referral code when you buy it: 8T9ATQ

Enjoy!

Do you remember Pandora radio? Welcome to the future of internet radio! Last.fm

I'm super excited to share with you this fabulous website & ipod phone allication where you can stream free music of any variety you choose again! Check out Last.fm!!!

So good.

Just typed in that I like 'Coldplay' and they made a station for me that plays people like:
Keane, Travis, Snow Patrol, Oasis and more.

No more licensing issues. It's not as GOOD as Pandora but it's an acceptable substitute for us Canadians in the interim. I wish they'd hurry up and figure out those rights so we can have pandora back.

Anyhow, the Last.FM application for iphone is FREE!

Ted Rogers and his new book 'Relentless'

Yesterday I had the privilege of seeing Ted Rogers speak at the Sutton Place Hotel in downtown Vancouver with fellow Accelerator, EO and YPO'ers

Tod Rogers would probably agree that I ruined the talk for myself! By being a 'prepared' person, I read this weeks article in Mcleans magazine as a pre-briefing. Luckily I have a lot more reading to do as we were given a copy of the book which I'll start reading tonight.

I particularly liked what he said about hiring. He looks for integrity, intelligence and ambition in the candidates. And, it's no mistake that integrity tops the list. I can't help but agree with him. Integrity can't be taught, it's something you either have or have not and if someone works for me they better have that quality.

Ted Rogers is one of Canada's finest and most sucessful entrepreneurs, I think it's a must read: Ted Rogers: Relentless


PS. Sutton place hotel food for the luncheon was pretty good too. They had yummy chai creme brule for dessert that could have been a bit crispier but was delish nonetheless.