The view from the NG Farrell offices

Sitting in the office this morning waiting for a repair to our Telus internet, (what a disaster), I thought I would write an update.

It’s been busy around here at NG Farrell Marketing. On Friday, we moved to larger offices, this time in Gastown’s historic Petrina block. The building was one of the first resurrected after the Vancouver fire, built in 1888. Looking out my window, I can see the aging space between the brick factory buildings on Hastings, and the early century tops of our W Cordova neighbours.

Amid this history, there are spots and dots of modernity, a lit “Exit” sign here, a telephone cable line there. In one of the windows, of the largest pile of brick I can see from my window, there is a yellow computer desk. The cables running down the back like thick black hairs.

Back inside the office we have arranged our space, with empty pockets asking to be filled.

Sean sits across from me, with is mid-2000 iMac, a green Myrtle tree, next to a beige IKEA chesterfield. He is framed by the exposed red sand brick, and looks like a screen shot from Ally McBeal, or Friends. I don’t think he prefers one or the other.

I am still waiting for Telus. The longer they take the longer this is going to go.

It’s been a busy time for NG Farrell. In a few short days I’ll be Singapore bound, with the rest of Team Canada. En route for the Youth Olympic Games.

Just bought a new Blackberry, to make sure I can tweet, Facebook, blog, live from the Games.

Our Canadian athletes are going to be amazing. I get this feeling that it will be a great success.

Buses. There are a lot of buses on this street, going to have to get used to the urban roar through our windows.

Telus is here. If you are reading this, it means they fixed our internet.

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

Part TWO

Bring on the Olympics! Plenty of anticipation for Friday’s kickoff to the Games as the sporting world turns its attention to Vancouver, (or at least in a few days after the Superbowl hangover wears off). Tonight I have a big dress rehearsal for the Ceremonies, complete with a partial audience. If you’re going, you’re lucky! It’s going to be fun.

Thanks to Davis Wuolle, NG Farrell just finished up a slick page for Georgia, at www.georgiasimmerling.com. She’s training at the moment, but up to Whistler in a few days. You can follow her @gsimmerling

Trying to figure out how to best spend my free time during the Games, so I’m open to suggestions? There’s plenty to do, both in Vancouver and Richmond. If you’re up for the bus ride, I’m sure Whistler has an abundance of activities. I’ll be at the O Zone in Richmond with ActNow BC, to spread the message of healthy living, no doubt this might include a visit to Heineken Holland House which is somewhat counter to that message BUT I’d like to add that a positive dose of fun doesn’t hurt your health at all!

The best part of this week will have to be picking up my mom from the airport tomorrow, and showing her around Olympic Vancouver. She was the catalyst for my love of sport. My aunts always tell me how my mom was never idle from some sort of athletic activity, much like me. We’ll have fun together. My morning runs will be less lonely for a few days!

TEDx Vancouver | Nov 21, 2009

Let me begin by saying this: TED talks are incredible, life-altering, inspiring entities. If you haven’t ever seen one, been a witness recently, or just need a refresher, please visit www.TED.com

Now let me say this:                       Wow

Yesterday, early on a rainy Saturday morning I drove down to the slick offices of Electronic Arts. Inside I experienced one of the most fun, thought-provoking and motivating days of my entire life. I do not say that as token or template, it’s true.

I will not summarize every speaker, some were exceptional, others were simply ok. Instead I want to talk about the themes and more importantly, the connections. For me, it was all about the people I met.

I met a guy who might solve our energy crisis, decades early.

Another who is going to stop dangerous texting and driving, and keep it reasonable.

Two engineers passionate about climate change and control, who know their stuff, and prove it just by opening their mouths.

There was a young lady who thinks just like NG Farrell, and is promoting the interests of not-for-profits because she understands that they mean everything to our future.

I was re-acquainted with the affable and hilarious Brian Wong, certified superhero and registered cool kid.

A savvy business leader with years of taking companies from good to great to amazing, and then, blowing them up and making them even better.

That’s just a snippet folks.

One of the main themes of the day was climate change. The underlying truth is that we are destroying the planet we live on. However, if we start by making small changes quickly and big changes in enough time, apparently we can make a difference. Neill Blomkamp provided an articulate and straightforward video about the path our planet must take to save itself, including details about type I, II and III planets.

I watched Lewis Pugh swim across the North Pole, emerge from the icy water, (-1.7 degree centigrade), shaking but having accomplished something so bold. I was riveted. See my Inspiration of the Week section for the video.

On the fun, lighter side, Henry LaBounta showed us how EA makes the games we all secretly enjoy. The way the players are more lifelike, and can express their emotions, move fluidly, and achieve near independent thought.

I left the event overwhelmed. It will take a few days for me to truly process all the information.

However, it did one thing very well. It validated my existence. Haha, that sounds ridiculous. But it’s true. In the grind of a busy work week, planted inside a month where the days roll over, under the weight of deadlines, pressures and promises I was lost.

TEDx re-affirmed my purpose. To be blunt, the world needs TEDx. It needs the dreamers, self-starters and imagineurs (no that isn’t a word). I am on the right track. I own two companies and I avidly pursue true meaning, sustainability and purpose. True meaning not just hidden inside of commerce but as it’s driving force, IS NOT out of line. It IS NOT far-fetched, but it is lofty, and in fact, that’s part of the reason it is so great.

TEDx Vancouver made me realize that if I ever let the fire reduce to ash, or stop believing in what I’m doing, I’m not really living in the way I am best able to make a difference. And I can’t let that happen. I won’t let that happen.

Thank you to everyone who made TEDx Vancouver a reality, organizers and attendees. You people are special.