The editorial is not done yet, and definitely not ready to show. However, I am so excited about the work we’ve done so far, I had to show a preview. I can’t wait to show this website off as a package – it’s gonna be a beauty!

When starting your own business, there is always work to be done. No weekends, no nights off – pure work. You may even find yourself at that ultimate crossroad when you start considering spending your “shopping money” on office supplies.  A total attitude readjustment, challenging all of your pre-established priorities. Most importantly, there is so much to be done, you might start forgetting.
I was a big fan of GTD – especially while I was in grad school. Writing things down as “tasks” really helps – it clears the mind and keeps you focused. So, I am rediscovering the method that kept me stress-free for years. Cause, really – why start stressing now?!

Here is Igor, writing on our lovely large windows that cover the entire wall of our live/work space (we are currently working on a fully integrated e-commerce website for a fashion designer, that might explain the sketches ). This way, it’s easy to spot what needs to be done next.. and in case I feel like looking “through” my to-do list, there’s always the beautiful Canadian Rockies reminding me of what really matters in life.

A little different from Adam Smith’s theory of the  laissez-faire I was taught, but really thought-provoking & absolutely brilliant. I really encourage you to spend the 10 minutes it takes to watch this beautifully illustrated talk that introduces so many concepts but promotes the one ultimate idea: love your fellow man.

What a fun video.. and the words will definitely get stuck in your head! Nein mann..

We played around with the camera today, and Igor finally got me to install Canon’s EOS Utility. It’s very different, taking photos and being able to see them on a big screen in front of you (instant feedback), but it’s proved itself to be extremely useful. Finally, as we are in the process of “refurbishing” our website, we’ve been taking some photos for our “About” section. Although I’m not 100% a fan of this one (we both look so sleepy!), I figured it was worth a post. The rest are some of our test shots.

End of August is near, and for most of us Canadians that presents a rude form of awakening – summer is almost over, and rain & snow shall follow.
Check out this image – it was good to begin with, but after a few basic “touch-ups”, it looks a-mazing! I love it, it screams “summer”.

Here’s an incredible little short animated feature about a clever man who woke up and smelled the roses.

It’s a new era – like a recycled Reneissance, where we once again begin to emphasize the arts and are concentrating on people who create the goods and services we consume, not those who manage and resell. There is an entirely new “class” of people, the creative class (if interested, read Rise of the Creative Class: And How It’s Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life).

For those not familiar with the term, the Creative Class is a socioeconomic class that has been identified as a key driving force for economic development of post-industrial cities in the United States. Creative Class is comprising 40 million workers—30 percent of the U.S. workforce—and breaks the class into two broad sections, derived from Standard Occupational Classification System codes:

• Super-Creative Core: This group comprises about 12 percent of all U.S. jobs. It includes a wide range of occupations (e.g. science, engineering, education, computer programming, research), with arts, design, and media workers forming a small subset. Florida considers those belonging to this group to “fully engage in the creative process”. The Super-Creative Core is considered innovative, creating commercial products and consumer goods. The primary job function of its members is to be creative and innovative.
• Creative Professionals: These professionals are the classic knowledge-based workers and include those working in healthcare, business and finance, the legal sector, and education.

In addition to these two main groups of creative people, the usually much smaller group of Bohemians (I love that term!) is also included in the Creative Class.

Creative Class will be the leading force of growth in the economy, and is expected to grow by over 10 million jobs in the next decade.

The diverse and individualistic lifestyles enjoyed by the Creative Class involve active participation and experiential activities that are multidimensional. Street Level Culture may include a “teeming blend of cafes, sidewalk musicians, and small galleries and bistros, where it is hard to draw the line between participant and observer, or between creativity and its creators”. Members of the Creative Class enjoy unique experiences like traveling and antique shopping, and outdoor activities like bike riding and running, and would rather be participants than spectators.

I’ve decided to start a new, regular section of the site. In Creative By Nature, I want to interview creative people around me and find out:

• their background,
• their occupation,
• what inspires them,
• how they stay creative &
• what they like to do for fun.

Everyone has a story that deserves to be told. More importantly, I’m looking for stories of “becoming” – I ended up here accidentally, and am looking to see how others got here. I am most curious to find out how people manage to do what they love, and make money while doing it, as this is becoming of crucial importance in my own life. Perhaps, on this journey, I discover where it is I am meant to go from here.

I have a few incredible people in mind; however, if you know someone who you feel is inspiring, and you think I should write about them, let me know.

We love Vancouver.. & we love cycling. So, it seemed like a natural progression to create a website for Vancouver bike shops, as we’ve been renting bicycles frequently (still waiting on ours to get shipped over). Vancouver Bike Shop strives to provide useful information to anyone interested in bicycle shops in Vancouver. Stay tuned, more coming soon!

Check out my latest 8tracks mix. Just move your feet people.