The sunshine and summer heat have finally arrived in Vancouver. It seems like every year, we Vancouverites bemoan the lack of summer, and applaud gently when it finally lands, with comments like, “that took a long time” or “well…finally”. I am pretty sure that it’s like this every year to be honest, and I am not sure from what memory we make the assumption that it should be 25+ in early June. Anyway, it is here, and that’s all that matters.

It is July 7^th, and that means I am just over a month away from travel to Singapore for the Youth Olympic Games. The team is nearly at full capacity, and I have had the chance to Facebook meet most of the athletes. It definitely reminds me of being an athlete in that age group, (mind you, ten years ago we weren’t Facebook heroes yet.) Ohhhhh! Just dated myself. (I’ve always wanted to write that, haha)

I remember being really dedicated to my sport. It was interesting because that dedication framed how I related to my world, whether that meant friends, family or other things. When it came to friends, it was tough to explain why I always went to be before 10 PM, or brought in bagged lunches that weighed 15 lbs. To my buddies that were non-athletes, it never resonated.

In seeing these Youth Olympians, those who are already connected with some of their Youth Olympic teammates on Facebook, it reminds me of the common ground I found with other athletes.

They just understood. It didn’t matter where they were from, what team, city, or province. When I eventually began competing internationally, I made friends just as quickly, because country was irrelevant, all that mattered was the sport.

Anyways, it’s been a cool flashback to meet and connect with our Canadian Youth Olympians thus far. They are inspiring people. I am sure I’ll be reminded of a lot more in the coming weeks, and no doubt learn a lot too.

With June well underway it’s time for an update.

Last weekend was pretty cool. On Saturday I played in the Burnaby Play On! street hockey Celebrity Media game, on behalf of Act Now BC. Great event. I was out there with the likes of Ian Hanomansing, our mayor Gregor Robertson, and my fellow Act Now BC ambassador Sian Bagshawe. Our team was particularly strong on this day, I attribute that to Gregor’s fine work on the point. We had a lot of fun.

This week I have been busy with both NG Farrell, Green Grads and my role as Young Ambassador.

There are some special things happening at NG Farrell. Next month, one of our favourite clients Josh Beamish will be showing off his contemporary dance rock concert “Sold Doubt” at the Vancouver Playhouse, July 9^th and 10^th. Pretty cool concept. All the classics from No Doubt paired with dance.

With the Green Grads site up and running, it has been a busy week getting everything in order and letting our clients know about the change. I like the site, but it will need some improvements over the summer to get to where I want it to be. I like to ensure that the vision is apparent in everything I do. Good exterior cleaning service, in an eco-friendly way, by responsible and honest students.

Finally, the first fifteen athletes were named yesterday to Canada’s Youth Olympic Games Team! Pretty amazing to actually meet those athletes for the first time online, introduce myself, and get them engaged on Facebook. It’s cool to see the names, and sports, and be a part of the beginning of their journey in international sports.

If you want, follow the athletes on Twitter @CDNYOGTeam

Wow, it’s been a busy few weeks. Two growing businesses, not to mention all the cool things connected with the Youth Olympic Games, continuing to work on my French, and trying to have a social life. I’d like to put it out there that if anyone figures out how to slow down time, flip me an e-mail. Actually, text, might not have time to read an e-mail.

Ha, that being said, right now is a really exciting time. Along with the COC, we are ramping up for the big Youth Olympic Games this August, (14^th to 26^th), getting the plans implemented, and finding new ways to get the athletes stoked! (Ya, I wrote stoked, it’s nearly midnight, my vocab is waning)

I have to say, spending a minute at The Cube, which is the official Olympic portal for the YOG is enough to get you “stoked”. In the coming weeks I’ll be rolling out all the social media for the Canadian Youth Olympians, and everyone else that’s interested!

Follow my feed to get the real-time updates…it’s the easiest way for me to keep people in the loop. I can’t wait for summer to really hit, and to meet all the athletes. Plus, they will get the chance to experience humanity is a really unique way. I just hope I can make it easy for them to learn and grow at the same time.

I really think that our lives will add up to something great, if we believe it.

Just some thoughts for a Tuesday morning…

Life is kind of awesome right now.

I know for a fact that most of don’t say that often enough. Well, we should. In the venerable words of Louis CK, “Everything is awesome and nobody is happy.” On the point of, “happy”, I have a reminder programmed into my crackberry that plays a chord at noon, (I think it’s a D sharp), saying simply, “Happy?” Sometimes I yell back at the screen, “NO!” At which point I almost always laugh because, hell, that’s ridiculous. Life is always kind of awesome. And we should be thankful.

(I write this in earnest given the current situation in Haiti, for ways to help check out: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Canadians+help+quake+victims/2436887/story.html)

Ok moving on.

ONE

I am getting the opportunity to go to Singapore this summer, with Canada’s athletes, who will compete and experience the first ever Youth Olympic Games! I am called the COC’s YOG Ambassador and well, needless to say, I am totally stoked. Yes, stoked. Apparently, while most college males are stoked, so are most post-college males.

Report: Most College Males Admit To Regularly Getting Stoked

TWO

Damn, my better judgment prohibits me from giving any information related to what I previously determined as a very blog-worthy topic. (I decided not to write about this about 20 seconds ago, sorry) All I can say is that it is AWESOME, and Olympic related. Once it is said and done you’ll hear all about it. Trust me.

THREE

With the Olympics approaching, sport coverage will be everywhere. (Sidenote: the NG Farrell offices are a block from BC Place, and Canada Hockey Place, Olympic celebrations are welcome to find their way here!)

In my role as a BC Athlete Voice Board member, it’s my duty to pump an amazing cause associated with amateur sport. BC sport funding will be cut in half next year, which would be a shame after what will be Canada’s Olympics in every way. Can you help me out? Go to www.thumbsupforfundingsport.ca and help the cause.

Adam Kreek, Thumbs Up for BC's Athletes!

That’s it for now! My three reasons why life is kind of awesome. What are yours?

TEDx Vancouver

Tomorrow I am headed to TEDx Vancouver. This is the first time a TEDx event has been organized in Vancouver, and though I don’t know exactly what to expect, I know it’s going to be good. TED talks have always been inspirational, led me to hunger for a new dream, made me laugh, at times made me wonder, or become more imaginative and have usually motivated me.

Saturday, November 21^st is a day I have been waiting on for some time, I’m ready for new friends, challenges and the electricity that comes from a room full of interesting people. I hope I have something to bring to the table, check out my twitter feed all day for updates!

-C