Monday, January 17, 2011
Chef Gaston Acurio LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/features/la-fo-acurio21-2009jan21,0,2894957.story
Named most recognizable food empire in South America, Gaston's La Macha has taken on NYC.
La Mar is to offer the most varied Cebiche Bar in the city and other Peruvian specialties.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Strength Finder
Working for lululemon has its advantages (more than I could possibly list), today I dove into one of my favorite company perks; our library. I should preface this by telling you that library is stocked with the epic life stories of philanthropists, entrepreneurs, self-improvement bibles and every fashion/business reference book that has ever been a top seller, I was looking for something short, you know...the 'thin' book, you know something I could read in a couple of hours to recharge my visionary battery. What I found was a book far from brainless; I picked up called Clifton's Strengthsfinder 2.0. I opened it and saw that someone wrote that this book is used as a stepping stone to allow you to do what you are best at on a day to to basis. Sounded easy enough, no brain work here I thought. I was sooo wrong. The first few pages had me hooked, I was informed that I (and most other people) leave natural talents untapped and are more focussed on improving shortcomings and (perceived) flaws.
The research for this book is rooted in more than 40 years of studies and investigations and has already help millions discover and develop natural uncultivated talents. Written with one purpose: to start a global dialogue regarding what is right with people, and even states that "it appears that the world is ready to have this conversation"
I rushed through the very attractive and luring intro and was quickly guided to a 30-40 minutes survey that was going to lead me to my 'top 5 strengths', once my strengths were unveiled my small red friendly looking book would became the skeleton key to my life. It held the answers, it held focus and the truth about what really makes me tick (insert dramatic pause). I finished the survey and kept reading; for each strength they bestowed upon me...these 5 five magic words that made me stand out from others there are 10 ideas to action and apply them in the real world. And get this; the book builds on these applications by giving you questions to answer to help apply these talents and shows you how to leverage yourself by turning them into achievements. The icing on the cupcake are quotes from very successful people who share the same strengths that you uncover for yourself, since I'm a word fanatic these quotes made this whole experiment more relatable to my (very boisterous and opinionated) inner skeptic. I will admit I studied the survey result carefully...from my most strongest theme to the ones I hide, all five were there staring me back in the face saying now what...I couldn't help but awkwardly smile at my book and wonder what would be born once I processed this 'no brain work' read. Never underestimate the thin book. Beware.
Huancacalle-Santa Teresa
This trip was five years on the making. Right after my Choquequirao trip, I moved to Montreal and always wanting to go back to the place where Robert Lee(American Archeologist) insists the Incas came to regroup during the conquest. Back in 2001, the Choquequirao trip took us through valleys, mountain tops, abandoned mines and ruins. One place stuck in my head and that was the Inca trail Vilcabamba- Machu Picchu. When I read that part of this network was been restored, I gathered information, a new pair of hiking boots and hired a guide, two mules and went for it.
The excursion took us to reach the Salcantay glacier and down the coffee-growing valley of Versailles. Great name for a place with wild thermal-water pools fit for kings. The Inca trail was only restored a part of the way, but remains of it are still being used as life-stock and commerce trading roads. Legend says that when the Incas retreated into the jungle, these networks of trails they had build with chiseled rocks, were turned over so to make for an impossible pursuit. This is referred to as Castigo Inca, the Inca Punishment.
Once we arrived to Santa Teresa, I was surprised to see that the one booming town had again reached it glory past. Here is where the big coffee farmers brought their crops to be shipped by train. The railways that were washed away back in 1997, gave way to a highway and a bridge that communicated the Cities of Cusco and Quillabamba to the Machu-Picchu station. I am sad to report that Santa Teresa is isolated once again, and the bridge was washed away by the mighty Urubamba River.
Inspiration
Tonight I was asked to think about the essence of my blog, One Eyed Queen. Is it clear to me yet? Or is it true, as the Spanish poet Antonio Machado wrote, that there are no roads, that the way becomes manifest upon walking?
I started writing down stories at the beginning of this summer as a way to keep myself occupied during my sabbatical. I've always loved stories - hearing them and telling them - and I've also loved writing, though I never fancied myself "a writer." One of my friends, Veronica, suggested that I start writing some of my stories, as a way to kick start my creative exploration. "You're a great writer," she said, though I don't think she's actually read anything I've written. "You need to write." To get me going, she gave me a spiral-bound-at-the-top writing tablet, the kind you'd pick up at a drugstore for $1.99, and told me to write the story I'd recounted to her the night before, my version of the night we met a few years earlier. It's a great story, she said... write it. And so I did. I read it to her after I'd written it, and she loved it... my first commissioned piece.
I wrote a few other "stories" over the next few weeks in that little tablet, just for the fun of it, at the beach, anywhere, about anything that happened to cross my mind. Then, in early August, I decided to bite the bullet and start a blog so that I'd have a more public space to share these stories on. Sort of like creating my own "open mic," a place for me to just put myself out there and see what kind of response I might get.
At the same time, I started reading other people's blogs... since I hadn't followed any others, I thought it might be a useful thing to do. Lo and behold, I found plenty of people writing about subjects that interested me greatly - most of them, incidentally, had to do with inspiring other people to do whatever they loved doing. Writers like Danielle LaPorte and Kate Moller inspire me with their "just do it" attitude, no matter what it is that you or I might "do". Authenticity seems to be the key word.
I thought I might inspire people too... just by showing up and being me. That's the main message I got from one of my longest-standing inspirations, David Whyte, in a four-part YouTube video he made about The Journey of the Artist. Just show up. Just be me. Just write.
And so I do. I write. Not as often as I'd like, not as easily, not as focused... but the words come when I give them the time and space. I can write about anything or nothing. I can write about what's new in the world (how about that sad excuse for a mayor in Toronto killing the plans for a light-rail line?), or about what's new in my world (I had a date this week!). Or I could just write about nothing at all.
Turns out, that's sort of my favourite subject... nothing at all. I write about it every morning, the very first thing I do when I wake up. Three pages in my lined notebook about nothing at all. It's just a way to get my juices flowing and clears out my head so that, if and when the time comes for me to actually write about something (and god forbid get paid to do that!), my brain will be more focused and sharp and ready to produce the next great marketing piece about [your product here].
In the meantime, I aspire to inspire. Inspiration literally means "breathed upon" - so before we go any further, I'm going to go brush my teeth, and then I'll be back on my blog to breathe my next little tidbit of inspiration upon whomever might read it. For now, I'll leave you with this well-worn reminder... showing up, being you, using your VOICE in whatever way pleases you, that is all we're here to do. So let's just do it.
I started writing down stories at the beginning of this summer as a way to keep myself occupied during my sabbatical. I've always loved stories - hearing them and telling them - and I've also loved writing, though I never fancied myself "a writer." One of my friends, Veronica, suggested that I start writing some of my stories, as a way to kick start my creative exploration. "You're a great writer," she said, though I don't think she's actually read anything I've written. "You need to write." To get me going, she gave me a spiral-bound-at-the-top writing tablet, the kind you'd pick up at a drugstore for $1.99, and told me to write the story I'd recounted to her the night before, my version of the night we met a few years earlier. It's a great story, she said... write it. And so I did. I read it to her after I'd written it, and she loved it... my first commissioned piece.
I wrote a few other "stories" over the next few weeks in that little tablet, just for the fun of it, at the beach, anywhere, about anything that happened to cross my mind. Then, in early August, I decided to bite the bullet and start a blog so that I'd have a more public space to share these stories on. Sort of like creating my own "open mic," a place for me to just put myself out there and see what kind of response I might get.
At the same time, I started reading other people's blogs... since I hadn't followed any others, I thought it might be a useful thing to do. Lo and behold, I found plenty of people writing about subjects that interested me greatly - most of them, incidentally, had to do with inspiring other people to do whatever they loved doing. Writers like Danielle LaPorte and Kate Moller inspire me with their "just do it" attitude, no matter what it is that you or I might "do". Authenticity seems to be the key word.
I thought I might inspire people too... just by showing up and being me. That's the main message I got from one of my longest-standing inspirations, David Whyte, in a four-part YouTube video he made about The Journey of the Artist. Just show up. Just be me. Just write.
And so I do. I write. Not as often as I'd like, not as easily, not as focused... but the words come when I give them the time and space. I can write about anything or nothing. I can write about what's new in the world (how about that sad excuse for a mayor in Toronto killing the plans for a light-rail line?), or about what's new in my world (I had a date this week!). Or I could just write about nothing at all.
Turns out, that's sort of my favourite subject... nothing at all. I write about it every morning, the very first thing I do when I wake up. Three pages in my lined notebook about nothing at all. It's just a way to get my juices flowing and clears out my head so that, if and when the time comes for me to actually write about something (and god forbid get paid to do that!), my brain will be more focused and sharp and ready to produce the next great marketing piece about [your product here].
In the meantime, I aspire to inspire. Inspiration literally means "breathed upon" - so before we go any further, I'm going to go brush my teeth, and then I'll be back on my blog to breathe my next little tidbit of inspiration upon whomever might read it. For now, I'll leave you with this well-worn reminder... showing up, being you, using your VOICE in whatever way pleases you, that is all we're here to do. So let's just do it.
Just Jump In: Starting a Blog
Blogging. Everyone is doing it, except me it seems.
I've spent 25 years in the public relations business, and often when I have a chance to chat with my peers I find I'm the only guy in the room without a blog.
My short-term problem is that I can't find my voice. I'm unemployed right now, and if I were to start a blog, I'd most likely want to find a want to link my personal and professional interests together. My professional interests are up in the air right now.
Left to my own devices, I'd probably start a blog linked to public relations, politics and media. I guess I fancy myself as a bit of a pundit, and I'd like to express political opinions.
But, it's entirely possible that my next employer would restrict my ability to own such a blog. I've worked in the public sector most of my life (and likely will in the future) and always faced restrictions on political involvement or activity.
There's no point in starting a political blog if it can't include opinions.
My second issue is that related to my current employment status. I don't know how much time I can commit to a blog. Sure, at this point, I could post something everyday, but when I return to full-time, nine-to-five work will I have the time or energy to post something weekly, let alone daily? A current affairs blog that isn't current will be a loser.
A solution that I've been toying with is to start a blog on a much narrower subject. Specifically, I've been thinking of setting up a blog/website to push for term-limit legislation in British Columbia (and perhaps at the federal level). Basically, the idea is to prevent someone from being premier of the province (or prime minister of the country) for more than two four-year terms.
I can't imagine that a blog such as that would attract tens of thousands of readers, but at the same time, there wouldn't be the expectation that a site with that scope would have new content every day.
A friend of mine - a very successful PR executive in Vancouver - has been operating a crème brûlée connaisseurs page on Facebook for almost two years. She goes to restaurants fairly frequently, and likes to try crème brûlée when she can. Every time she tries the dessert at a different restaurant, she files a review of the dish, including its score on her four-factor rating system.
It's a brilliant idea. It's fun, and allowed her to practice working with serious tools on a not-so-serious topic.
The closest idea I've had is to start a blog on "What I saw on Commercial Drive Today". It would allow for photos and even video, while still allowing for writing. There would be room for serious writing too -- not everything on The Drive is pretty. Expectations for frequent updates would be low and it would be fun.
Blogging is like swimming in a cold lake; the first step is the hardest. The advice at the lake is to just jump in.
If I want to become a skilled blogger, I'm going to have to find a way to just jump in.
I've spent 25 years in the public relations business, and often when I have a chance to chat with my peers I find I'm the only guy in the room without a blog.
My short-term problem is that I can't find my voice. I'm unemployed right now, and if I were to start a blog, I'd most likely want to find a want to link my personal and professional interests together. My professional interests are up in the air right now.
Left to my own devices, I'd probably start a blog linked to public relations, politics and media. I guess I fancy myself as a bit of a pundit, and I'd like to express political opinions.
But, it's entirely possible that my next employer would restrict my ability to own such a blog. I've worked in the public sector most of my life (and likely will in the future) and always faced restrictions on political involvement or activity.
There's no point in starting a political blog if it can't include opinions.
My second issue is that related to my current employment status. I don't know how much time I can commit to a blog. Sure, at this point, I could post something everyday, but when I return to full-time, nine-to-five work will I have the time or energy to post something weekly, let alone daily? A current affairs blog that isn't current will be a loser.
A solution that I've been toying with is to start a blog on a much narrower subject. Specifically, I've been thinking of setting up a blog/website to push for term-limit legislation in British Columbia (and perhaps at the federal level). Basically, the idea is to prevent someone from being premier of the province (or prime minister of the country) for more than two four-year terms.
I can't imagine that a blog such as that would attract tens of thousands of readers, but at the same time, there wouldn't be the expectation that a site with that scope would have new content every day.
A friend of mine - a very successful PR executive in Vancouver - has been operating a crème brûlée connaisseurs page on Facebook for almost two years. She goes to restaurants fairly frequently, and likes to try crème brûlée when she can. Every time she tries the dessert at a different restaurant, she files a review of the dish, including its score on her four-factor rating system.
It's a brilliant idea. It's fun, and allowed her to practice working with serious tools on a not-so-serious topic.
The closest idea I've had is to start a blog on "What I saw on Commercial Drive Today". It would allow for photos and even video, while still allowing for writing. There would be room for serious writing too -- not everything on The Drive is pretty. Expectations for frequent updates would be low and it would be fun.
Blogging is like swimming in a cold lake; the first step is the hardest. The advice at the lake is to just jump in.
If I want to become a skilled blogger, I'm going to have to find a way to just jump in.
This too shall pass
"What is wrong with you today? you don't seem like your usual rambunctious self today!" my boss peered at me with a questioning look and I just laughed, and avoided the question altogether.
My week so far has been full of ups and downs, worries and good news and bad news. At times I feel like I'm sitting right in the middle of a hurricane and I'm just hanging on for dear life, trying to keep my head above water.
But I don't talk about any of that at work. There I am the one always joking around with my co-workers, always adding a smart remark to a conversation if possible. Buzzing around, going about my day, seemingly without a care in the world.
My life has gone through so many changes these past years and it seems like it's constantly changing, moving, renewing itself. It's a thrill ride, but I'm wondering every day where it will end up.
I know one thing for sure - I'm searching for my purpose in life and I've been doing that for a long time. I lost myself somewhere along the way and I'm trying to figure out who I really am.
This journey of searching started in my early 30's. I realized I wasn't happy with so many things in my life, and I was the only one who could change things. So I quit my job, went back to school for a year and learned some new skills.
I ended up at Emily Carr. It's an incredible place to work. It's completely inspiring, and the people who work here all have some artistic talent. The atmosphere is friendly and encouraging, so totally different to any other place I have ever worked. Most of the time, it is a joy going to work. But a few things are changing in my office right now, and I'm a bit hesitant to those changes.
My personal life has just been one giant mess these past few years, and I won't even go into that. That's a whole book in itself. But I got some news last night that I really didn't expect, not yet anyway. It made me reflect a bit, and it definitely made me a bit more quiet today at work. But I'll bounce back. Life will move on and change, and as my favourite saying goes...."this too shall pass".
My week so far has been full of ups and downs, worries and good news and bad news. At times I feel like I'm sitting right in the middle of a hurricane and I'm just hanging on for dear life, trying to keep my head above water.
But I don't talk about any of that at work. There I am the one always joking around with my co-workers, always adding a smart remark to a conversation if possible. Buzzing around, going about my day, seemingly without a care in the world.
My life has gone through so many changes these past years and it seems like it's constantly changing, moving, renewing itself. It's a thrill ride, but I'm wondering every day where it will end up.
I know one thing for sure - I'm searching for my purpose in life and I've been doing that for a long time. I lost myself somewhere along the way and I'm trying to figure out who I really am.
This journey of searching started in my early 30's. I realized I wasn't happy with so many things in my life, and I was the only one who could change things. So I quit my job, went back to school for a year and learned some new skills.
I ended up at Emily Carr. It's an incredible place to work. It's completely inspiring, and the people who work here all have some artistic talent. The atmosphere is friendly and encouraging, so totally different to any other place I have ever worked. Most of the time, it is a joy going to work. But a few things are changing in my office right now, and I'm a bit hesitant to those changes.
My personal life has just been one giant mess these past few years, and I won't even go into that. That's a whole book in itself. But I got some news last night that I really didn't expect, not yet anyway. It made me reflect a bit, and it definitely made me a bit more quiet today at work. But I'll bounce back. Life will move on and change, and as my favourite saying goes...."this too shall pass".
The Listener. The Shoulder. My Very Best Friend. For Nan.
Often in life there are people that seem to have this gift of shifting perspective and adding pieces to my endless life-puzzle. This week I want to mention someone specifically; Yvonne Taylor, who is not only my best friend but is also my grandmother. I met Yvonne (Nanny) 27 years ago when I joined the family. I am her first grandchild (of 6) and people say that has soon as I popped out of mum I popped into her and poppa’s arms…and to be quite honest I don’t think I’ve left yet. Nan stands a staggering 5 foot and change with strawberry hair and a smile that seems to light up your heart and make anything that hurt’s go away. She does so many amazing things in so many people’s lives I feel as though I would rather write a book about her to give justice to mark she continues to leave on this earth and everyone around her. When speaking to her about our relationship this week she mentioned something I will never forget
"I have made many many mistakes in my life and never had any one to vent my frustrations, hurts or disappointments. So I just want to be there for you for the times you can't share with anyone else because you may be too close and just need a different prospective. I hope I can be that for you. Our skype date's and test messages make me feel 10 feet tall. These moments are special"
People wonder how I can call my grandmother my best friend because of the generation ocean that separates us. To be honest the thought has crossed my mind a couple times, when I decided to pursue the art of writing versus that pesky Engineering degree I spent 5 years stressing over..or when I came home 9 years ago with dreadlocks and saw the look on her face…there are too many moments to count. The only think I can say is that she never judged. She’s often said to me “I never think about dying because I plan on living a very long time through the conversations we’ve had”. It’s true. I have saved every e-mail, letter, article and text message she has ever sent. I remember every skype, phone call and face-to-face conversation and continue to reference them like a picture book in my mind.
Nanny has been there. She has been there for my biggest hurts, successes and challenges. She seems to always have the right advice (whether you want to hear it or not), she is one of very few people who can see past my stubbornness and actually get through to me. She has ability to somehow move the clouds in BC when I can’t see the light (which is impressive since she still lives in Ontario). She is a powerful businesswoman and balances that with a heart that bigger than life. She is often the only voice of reason and often show’s up in my subconscious telling me to think about what I’m doing. I wish there were words that could describe the love and respect I feel for this woman. All I know is that what she is and has been for me shows up in all the things I feel most passionate about in life.
She is by very best friend; I often say if I become half the woman she is I will live a very big and satisfying life. I love you Nanny for the person you are and the person you’ve helped me become, you are a shining star and I pray that everyone who reads this will share the love with whoever is this person for you
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