Author Archives: GusF

Hitting the Books

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I’ve been wanting to do this for sometime.

I knew I needed to get some new courses under my belt and I knew I wanted to improve on some my current skills both in the social media space and in the creative space. So I’ve gone ahead and done it. I’m now a registered student at UBC Robson Square in the Continuing Education program.

What am I taking? Well at first I signed up for their Adobe Photoshop Level 1 course. I knew that I needed to improve my skills at manipulating photographs that I’ve taken and also use them at creating dynamic content for my blog. Yes it all first started off when I was going through my blog and new that I wanted to improve it and make it more visual. I’m also hoping that I’ll be able to complete their Level 2 program sometime in the fall and add it to my resume and skill set.

I noticed that when I was looking for work, many had Photoshop as a “nice have” skill. And I truly believe it is nice to have.

But I didn’t stop there, no I also decided to sign up for their Social Media Strategy and Marketing course. Yeah some of you might say that I already know my stuff and that I don’t need to take it, but I want to have this on my resume as a course and a course from a reputable institution. Now this course is all online, and I’m a little apprehensive of taking it as I normally don’t do well in these types of courses. I do much better in a classroom setting and with others around as we all learn from each other.

Since the summer is just about to start I thought it would be a perfect time to actually go back to school. I’m scared and excited at the same time. So you might not see much of me online, or you might start seeing more as I reach out to you all during this time.

Wish me luck as I begin my new journey and chapter in life starting next week!!!!

 

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

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When I was Young - Mom and me Today is a bitter sweet day for me. Even though my mother is still with us, she still isn’t all with us. After her stroke we lost a bit of my mother and that part of her is never coming back. She was a strong woman and mother! Some would call her supermom! She worked 2 jobs, fed us dinner everyday, and kept our huge home cleaned, and loved us like no other mom could.

Though I wish I could call her or better yet be there to give her a hug and a kiss, I don’t think she would understand that today is her day!

At any rate, I’m going to celebrate her, celebrate the mother I know and remember. I’m proud to be called her son. She has taught me so much and has taught me the meaning of love.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

When I Was Young 16

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A New Work Chapter Begins

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For those that do not know, my position at Marketwire was eliminated in January of this year. Now, after 3 1/2 months of being unemployed, I’m excited to say that I have accepted a position as a Client Account Manager with Stockhouse Publishing Ltd.

Stockhouse is an amazing source for the investor community. Not only does it give investors the ability to manage their portfolio, it allows them to make valuable decisions regarding companies. My role will help companies tell their stories to the vast network of investors as well as help them market themselves online. I’m excited about the amazing opportunity the position offers and excited at where the company is heading. With my help our clients will benefit greatly!

It’s been a process getting to where I am today and I couldn’t have done it without the amazing support of my family, friends, career coach and my amazing social media networks. I am completely blessed to have you all in my life.

The process has taught me many valuable lessons, and I promise to blog about them in the future. I believe that what I’ve learned along the way will help anyone who is currently looking for employment.

So as of Monday, my “funployment” ends – not that it was really “fun” per-say, but I am happy to be getting back to work on Monday.

Heading off to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

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IMG_2510 Ahhh Puerto Vallarta Mexico, a sunny place to get away from the harsh cloudy and rainy days of Vancouver. What used to be a yearly trip for both Russ and I during the month of January, I haven’t been to the lovely bay town since 2008. Russ on the other hand has been there quite frequently, sometimes visiting Puerto Vallarta twice a year.

This time we are heading to Puerto Vallarta a little later than normal for the both of us. With Russ having 3 weeks of holidays and I currently looking for a new career opportunity, it’s a perfect time to head down for a vacation before life gets busy again for both of us.

The kids are all booked up for their own vacations while we are away. Junior will be heading to the Rex Dog Spa as usual and Cyd is set to visit the aviary. It does get hard when one travels and have pets to look after. We don’t like to ask people to look after them as it does take commitment on their part and we don’t want it to be a burden. Sometimes I wish I had family here as they would be the ones to gladly look in on them.

I hoping to explore different areas of Puerto Vallarta this time around. I want to dig deeper into the area and find those hidden gems that most people wouldn’t know existed. Since Russ and I are not big beach people, I think we can accomplish this task easily.

We might take a side trip into Guadalajara for a few days. A 5 hour bus ride away will allow me to see the country side from a different angle as well as visit a city we stayed at last year for a week.

I’m looking forward to seeing those amazing sunsets and seeing what has changed in the 5 years that I haven’t been there. I’m also looking forward to spending my birthday in another city this time around.

Of course I’ll still be on the job hunt while I’m down there. One never knows what opportunities might arise from it.

 

The Secret World of Sharks and Rays Arrives at the Vancouver Aquarium

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Sharks&Rays_WebGraphic
Starting February 7th to April 30th the Vancouver Aquarium will dive into a new feature highlighting The Secret World of the Sharks and Rays. You’ll be introduced to some sharks that live in the BC coast as well as be introduced to some not so famous shark cousins including the Spotted Ratfish.

The feature will share with you what makes sharks such great hunters, why are they so fast, what conservation efforts are in place and introduce you to rays at live in fresh waters.

“Whether you’re curious about their hunting strategies or the human activities that put these creatures at peril, or if you’d simply like to be awed by their magnificence, The Secret World of Sharks and Rays has something for everyone,” says Clint Wright, senior vice-president and general manager of the Vancouver Aquarium.

During your visit you will discover the following sharks and rays:

  • Blacktip reef sharks
  • Whitespotted bambooshark
  • Southern Stingray
  • Whiprays
  • Zebra shark
  • Ocellated freshwater stingrays
  • Tiger stingrays
  • Xingu River rays
  • Blue-spotted fantail rays
  • Epaulette sharks
  • Tasseled wobbegong (strange lace faced beard)
  • Pacific spiny dogfish
  • Spotted ratfish

If you are lucky enough, make sure you watch the feeding of the Black Tip Reef, Zebra sharks and Whiprays in the Tropical Zone. The speed of these amazing creatures as they fed was amazing to watch. Their aquarium came to life!

The more I visit the Vancouver Aquarium, the more I’m amazed at the creatures who call our oceans their home. From jelly fishes, star fishes, whales, dolphins and coral the aquarium highlights them wonderfully.

Thank you to the Vancouver Aquarium for inviting us on a tour and Alex for being an amazing tour guide who shared his amazing knowledge of these fascinating creatures that are on display.

Day of L’Amore Approaching

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Photo by @evg_pilagova | #love #sweet Yikes, when did Valentine’s Day sneak up on me?

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is the big day devoted to l’amore. Yeah I know that Valentine’s Day goodies have been out since Christmas ended, but I guess I haven’t been paying much attention to it since I’ve been out of work for the past month.

At any rate, I currently don’t have anything planned and I need to think of something fast. Normally we don’t do too much on Valentine’s Day except we make a point of celebrating at home and enjoying our company together. I’m not one for the big romantic dinner out, though I do enjoy our date nights throughout the year and this day, to most, is just another day.

Luckily I still have a full day to think about what I’m gonna do. I might pull off a surprise, or it might just be another day of just snuggling on the couch as we watch some good tv programming. Yeah I know, what a life :) .

How are you going to be spending the day? Do you have a special someone? Or are you like some people and just consider it a normal day?

Depeche Mode – Heaven

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The electronic pop band Depeche Mode is back with their newly released song “Heaven” from their new album Delta Machine which will be released in March 26, 2013.

A break from their traditional electronic sound, Heaven has a hypnotic sound to it with mixes of 50′s blues rock thrown in. Dave Gahan’s vocals is in top form as always. The video itself has some great images that resemble a lost dream.

Depeche Mode is scheduled to be touring with their fist stop in Tel Aviv on May 7, 2013. Their 34 shows will take them to Europe and North America, but as of yet no tour dates have been released.

Let’s hope they have a stop in Vancouver as I would love to see them live. I’ve seen them in concert before back in the 80′s for their Black Celebration tour and they were amazing.

 

The Paperman – A Disney Short

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The Paperman, an Oscar nominated short by none other than Disney has hit it big on the web this week. Directed by John Kahrs, the short blends computer animation with traditional hand-drawn animation.

A typical boy-meets-girl story, this short is wonderfully done with a Mad Men-esk style shot entirely in black and white. If this doesn’t give you an “ahhhhh” feeling by the end, you might need to return your human card.

Enjoy the short, I know I did and brings a smile to my face every time I watch it.

New Year, New Changes

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Photo Walk 11 When I began the new year, I had a different plan in mind for making it a year of change and growth. With the elimination of my position at work, which I was very proud of doing and had so many great things in mind to make it awesome, I’m now stuck wondering what I’m gonna be doing for the rest of the year.

Well now that things have started to settle and I’m coming to terms with it, I’m starting right here with a refresh, of sorts, of my blog.

I’ve began with changing the theme and changing the cover images you see when you come onto the blog. I’ve also started to add a menu system where you can find specific posts easier and where I can highlight posts I’m proud of.

This is still the early stages of the refresh, but I hope you are enjoying what I’ve done so far and keep coming back as I make small tweaks here and there. I’m not going to have a big launch party like my friend Marc Smith is having for 30 Day Adventures next week, but seeing him refresh his site has given me some ideas of my own.

So 2013 is looking great so far. I’m happy right now and will continue to be happier as the days continue. In the interim, if you know of anyone that is looking for a social media savvy guy that can help with digital strategies, let me know! I’d love to work with you and with your clients to make them the best they can be!

Is Twitter Engagement Lagging?

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twitterThere used to be a time on Twitter a few years back when I could ask a question and instantly get feedback and responses. Lately, at least for me, my Twitter engagement has been lagging and harder to get responses from my followers.

I don’t know what has changed. I’m not sure if it’s the timing of my tweet on Twitter, or if it’s the fact that there are currently over 500 million users on Twitter and they are just being over inundated with so much information coming through that the tweet itself gets lost in the mass of data or if they are just not there when my tweet goes out.

I know for one that it’s hard to manage who I follow on Twitter and because of this I do miss some great opportunities to engages with them. I usually rely on a core group of people to keep me up-to-date with what is currently happening and trending.

Now over on Facebook, I’m starting to find that engagement is increasing. If I ask the same question over on Facebook I’m instantly engaged and responded to. Granted it could just be that it’s a smaller ratio of following happening on Facebook, but it’s interesting as I always thought I had more engagement on Twitter.

I’d be interested to hear how you are finding Twitter engagement lately? Do you feel brands themselves are also suffering from this information overload? I’d love to hear your thoughts.