In honour of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games coming to Vancouver, I thought I should do a blog post somewhat dedicated to the event. I’m getting pretty amped for the Games to start in February, and I thought this might help some of those people who maybe aren’t that excited about the Olympics (yet).
I have had this version of O Canada by Classified running through my head for the past month – I blame my brother Wes, because he posted the link to it on twitter. I downloaded it too, so I hear it on my iPod every once in awhile while I am commuting to and from work on the bus. Nothing gets me pumped up more than hearing O Canada. I’ve always liked it; it gives you a feeling of pride, or even a bit of a chill when you hear it, especially before a hockey game.
I have another version of O Canada in my iTunes by Big Sugar, an instrumental version. This got me thinking, “I wonder how many versions of O Canada I can find.. just on YouTube?” Well, there are a ton, but these are the ones I narrowed down to being the coolest, and most share-worthy.
First things first, here is the one by Classified. I bet it’s going to be stuck in your head, too.
The instrumental version by Big Sugar (the only one with good sound quality I could find):
O Canada – a rock version by the DuBay Band
Sung ‘a cappella’ by a group of boys called the Hojas:
Sarah McLachlan at a Montreal Expo’s game in 1996:
Deborah Cox at the NBA All-Star game in 2008:
Canadian Idol Eva Avila at the Grey Cup in 2006:
We need at least one French/English version, so the obvious choice is Celine Dion (she screws it up at the end!), but there’s no real video, just a bunch of pictures. Boo. It’s all I could find.
And just for fun – Stompin Tom Connors’ Hockey Song, because I’m in that kind of mood:
There you have it folks. Some pretty awesome versions of our National Anthem! Get ready to sing it, and sing it proud in the next couple of weeks, because I’m guessing you might hear it a few times.
A little while ago I told you about working for my brother Wes, and doing his marketing, well, I’m also working with my brother Jordan at Tell Ten Friends. I know. It’s complicated. But our family makes a really great team. It’s not always a “great minds think alike” situation, but we all bring something valuable to the table and we work well together.
At Tell Ten Friends, we help small businesses with their marketing and social media. There’s a whole list of services that we provide, and can tailor just for you. We also teach you how to do it yourself. Seriously. Check it out. And contact us if you need our help.
Some of you may have already heard that I recently started working part-time for my older brother Wesley, who is a real estate agent for RE/MAX Crest Realty Westside. I am assisting with his marketing efforts, including everything from social networking sites, e-mail newsletters, and design projects like postcards and other direct mail pieces.
My first project as Wes’ new Marketing Manager (I totally just gave myself that title, btw), was to create a simple flyer targeted towards people living in his own building (above).
The next step was to create a Facebook fan page for Wes. Since we’re talking about it, why don’t you go ahead and become a fan of Wesley Behan, RE/MAX Crest Realty (Westside) right now? This is another medium, besides Wes’ blog, where people can re-connect with Wes, or find out what he’s up to. It’s not going to be Wes updating the page himself, tooting his own horn all day long; it’s going to be more about family and friends sharing links, photos, and video that pertain to Wes.
And, while we’re on the topic of social networking, if you’re a fan of twitter, and you’re not already following Wes, head on over to Wes’ twitter page and give him a follow. This is one of the best ways to see what Wes is up to on a daily basis. He updates his followers on new listings, open houses, market trends, when he’s celebrating a deal gone through, or even when he’s catching a Seahawks game. :)
I’m very excited about this new endeavor, and to be working alongside my big bro. I think that our family makes a great team, and things can only get better from here!
After a pretty lame Saturday, I decided that I better do something productive with my Sunday. So I did. I ran 10.6km at Burnaby Lake with my good friends Liz and Di, and I went for a walk and did some shopping with my friend Sheralyn downtown, taking photos all along the way. I felt like I had been neglecting my camera lately, so I made a promise to myself take it with me more often when I go places. We saw this tree absolutely covered in ladybugs on the way back from our walk. Good thing I had my camera, eh?
So, I had been debating on whether to go on this evening photowalk or not, and finally decided to stop thinking about it and just do it. I’m very glad that I did.
There was a large turnout for it, more than I expected. We met on Granville Island, and there were 3 models there to shoot, which I also wasn’t totally expecting.
I took some shots of one of the models, Barbara, in front of these lights boxes (after some coaxing from Scott) and this is probably my favourite one of the bunch.
Meanwhile, the guys were all shooting using flash triggers, which I don’t have any experience with, but Jeremy loaned me his remote trigger and Peter helped me get the correct settings to get a good shot. He got me to shoot using manual settings, which I’ve never done; I always just shoot in either shutter priority or aperture priority, but this is what these photowalks are for, learning! Below you will see my beautiful subjects for my first “off-camera flash” experience.
Afterwards, we walked around Granville Island a little more and John let me borrow his tripod for some shots. I really have to thank all of these guys. I was pretty intimidated at the beginning, but they sure made me feel welcome. It ended up being a total learning experience for me, and I look forward to more photowalks like this in the future.
Here’s another one of my favourite photos from last night – John showing the models one of the shots on his camera. To view the rest of my photowalk set, click here.
On October 3rd, I attended my 2nd BarCamp. Last year’s BarCamp – I can’t believe it’s already been a year! – was my first ever “un-conference.”
What the heck is an un-conference? (Am I right?)
Well, it’s basically an event that doesn’t get organized until you show up. Although, it is planned by a small group of people who actually attend BarCamp, my brother being one of them. Anyone who attends has the opportunity to pitch an idea for a session, in under 30 seconds, and then it gets scheduled into the day. There were 5 rooms with 5 sessions happening at once, in the Discovery Parks building on Great Canadian Way, and you just got to choose which ones you would like to go to.
This year, I think I was a little more into doing my own thing, and not just following Jordan to whatever sessions he wanted to go to. In the morning, I went on the photowalk session with a bunch of photographers whom I know and admire, and after lunch went to the photography-related session that talked about using programs like Aperture and Lightroom to manipulate your photos. Now, of course, I need to out and buy one of them, because you can do all kinds of crazy stuff with your photos, and tag them and organize them in so many different ways. It’s nuts.
There were many other great discussions yesterday, and I learned a lot from some very cool people who are doing amazing things in the tech world.
I will leave you with a few photos I took yesterday during the photowalk.
I was amazed at how few cars were there. Most people chose to carpool, cycle, or take transit.
Thank you everyone, and hope to see you all next year at BarCamp!
The other night I went out with my Dad, brothers, Grandpa, uncles, and male cousins to a BC Lions game. Someone took this photo of my Grandpa Glenn and I, and after seeing it on my camera, he said, “Put it on the internet!” That just cracked me up.
My Grandpa is the king of gadgets. He’s the hardest person to buy gifts for, because when he sees somethings he wants, he just buys it immediately. He’s also the first guy to get anything, whether it’s a satellite dish, digital cable box, handheld GPS, iPod Touch – you name it, he’s got it. Although, the iPod Touch surprised us all. He one day complained that everyone had an iPod and he didn’t, so he went out and bought himself the latest and greatest thing on the market – just days before Christmas. Mind you, he had no idea how to set it up and put music on it, so my brother Jordan had to do it for him. Once he had music and some pictures on there, though, he was showing anyone who would pay attention to him. He’d throw on a Johnny Cash song, and then show you pictures of his fishing trip. It was hilarious.
So, I was going to just put this photo on Facebook and tag my Grandma Dot, who yes, actually is on Facebook, but Jordan suggested putting it on my website so that he’d always know where to find it (at least I hope!). So here’s my Grandpa Glenn, with “Grandpa’s girl,” at the BC Lions game.
I have been unbelievably lazy with blogging lately, and I’d like to blame it on being really busy doing fun stuff. Most of my weekends this summer have been spent out of town, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. It’s so nice to get out of the city once in awhile, and to spend time with friends and family.
Anyway, rather than waste my time explaining what I’ve been doing for the past couple months, I thought what better way to write a quick post about everything summer related, than with a bunch of photos that can speak for themselves? They do say a picture speaks a thousand words.
And without further adieu, here is Summer 2009 in pictures:
JUNE:
Dale & Jerra’s wedding in Las Vegas.
(The rest of this set is here.)
Volleyball Saturday’s on Jay’s rooftop.
My running club.
JULY:
Dale & Jerra’s “Powell River” wedding reception.
Taking a break on the drive up the Sunshine Coast.
What I LOVE about Powell River. Momsie, you da best!
Liz + Chris’ wedding in Powell River.
Our cabin, “Kokanee Cedar,” on Powell Lake, a.k.a. Paradise.
AUGUST:
Trip to the Okanagan.
Catching a Canadians game at Nat Bailey stadium.
Pool party at Uncle Bill and Auntie Joanne’s.
Thursday night Urban Rec soccer champs.
SEPTEMBER:
Wedding shoot in Kelowna with Emily.
(The rest of this set is being updated and is located here.)
Well, that’s it – the highlights, anyway. Here’s hoping that Autumn will bring some more new adventures my way…
On Tuesday, June 30th, I’m going to helping out at a really exciting event called Blubird Royale. It’s a ladies only casino themed party, sponsored by Blubird Clothing and hosted at V Lounge at Earls Yaletown.
My sister-in-law’s good friend and professional female poker player, Lacey Jones, will be in attendance and giving poker lessons to any ladies who are interested. (If you’re looking for me, that’s the table where you will find me!)
Tickets are $30, and can be purchased at Blubird – but rumour has it that the gift bag you will receive, will be worth even more than your ticket! Blubird has a lot of little treats in store for this special ladies night. There will be poker prizes, and even a grand prize draw for a trip for two to Las Vegas, with 3 nights accommodation at Caesar’s Palace. (I’ve been, and Caesar’s is absolutely the best.) Proceeds from the event will go to Big Sisters of BC’s Lower Mainland.
So ladies, put on your hottest heels and your best poker face, and come on out to support Big Sisters! It’s going to be a blast.
Just recently, I was fortunate enough to be a bridesmaid in the most amazing wedding I have ever experienced. My best friend, Jerra Pexton, married the love of her life, Dale Lupul, on Sunday, June 7, 2009, in a beautiful ceremony held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Many of the guests were there for a few days arriving on June 5th or 6th, and departing on June 8th or 9th, so they had a chance to experience Las Vegas and all of its glitz and glamour.
Las Vegas experienced a small cold front while we were there – but a cold front in June in Las Vegas still means 25 degrees celsius! The only day where we really felt the heat was Sunday, on the day of the wedding (of course).
The tears were flowing as soon as us girls saw Jerra in her wedding dress. She looked so gorgeous! Then, to see her father walk her down the aisle… he was unbelievably proud of her, and didn’t hesitate to tell anyone who would listen! She walked up an aisle covered in pink rose petals to the sound of a violin, surrounded by palm trees, and her and Dale said their vows in front of a waterfall. Not exactly how you pictured a Vegas wedding, is it?
After the ceremony, the newly wed couple and the wedding party posed for pictures, and then took a limo trip to take photos in front of the Las Vegas sign. The reception afterward was a poolside cocktail party at Treasure Island. It was a very nontraditional wedding, filled with so many amazing moments, great new friends, and a reaffirmation in my belief that true love actually exists.
Photo credit: Cashman Pro Photography
Jerra and Dale, I truly wish you a “happily ever after” together, with a marriage full of love, and many offspring!! Thank you so much for letting me share your beautiful wedding day with you!
xo
**UPDATE: One thing I forgot to mention in this post – do you see that gorgeous dress? It was made by her VERY talented mother, Cathy Spreeuw. Also, a full set of photos are available to view here.**
Here is the video I made for Jerra and Dale, that includes the speeches from the Maid of Honour and Best Man at the reception. Please note: It is very long, but I made it for them, not for you. Enjoy!
It’s crazy, but it’s true. My Mom applied to carry the Olympic torch in 2010 – she entered contests, she wrote essays, and finally her hard has work paid off. She got an e-mail confirming that she would indeed be carrying the Olympic torch next year on February 4, 2010 for 400 metres through our hometown of Powell River where she lives, in honour of the Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver. All she has to do is fill out some documents and mail them in, and it’s final!
She e-mailed my brothers, my sister-in-law, and myself, on June 12, 2009 with the subject line “Olympic torch bearer!” You could actually feel her excitement through the e-mail… “I’m jumping up and down!”
Stay tuned for more updates regarding my Mom and the Olympic torch relay. Us kids have already vowed to make the trip to Powell River in February to watch her carry it proudly, and video her in process, obviously, so we can share it with all of you!
Dale & Jerra’s wedding in Las Vegas.
Volleyball Saturday’s on Jay’s rooftop.
My running club.
Dale & Jerra’s “Powell River” wedding reception.
Taking a break on the drive up the Sunshine Coast.
What I LOVE about Powell River. Momsie, you da best!
Liz + Chris’ wedding in Powell River.
Our cabin, “Kokanee Cedar,” on Powell Lake, a.k.a. Paradise.
Trip to the Okanagan.
Catching a Canadians game at Nat Bailey stadium.
Pool party at Uncle Bill and Auntie Joanne’s.
Thursday night Urban Rec soccer champs.
Wedding shoot in Kelowna with 
The tears were flowing as soon as us girls saw Jerra in her wedding dress. She looked so gorgeous! Then, to see her father walk her down the aisle… he was unbelievably proud of her, and didn’t hesitate to tell anyone who would listen! She walked up an aisle covered in pink rose petals to the sound of a violin, surrounded by palm trees, and her and Dale said their vows in front of a waterfall. Not exactly how you pictured a Vegas wedding, is it?
