Heather in BC… & Beyond! 'Living the Baby Boomer Life in BC… and Beyond!

Our lives and loved ones have all been touched by breast cancer in some way. Thank goodness for people like Missy Ward who is actually doing something to raise funds for breast cancer research. Missy has done an amazing job of fundraising through her Affiliate Marketers Give Back program.

I want to be involved and to help, but don’t think I could walk 39 miles in two days, (I could be talked into giving it a try though!) in the Chicago Avon Walk. I’d at least like to help fundraise and have come up with a little idea!

Missy Ward and Shawn Collins have invited me to be the Blogger Lounge Mistress in New York at Affiliate Summit East in August. Needless to say, I’m thrilled to go back to New York, work with all my blogger/press friends, renew friendships, learn more about affiliate marketing and to host the lounge once again.

Are you planning to attend ASE10? If so, you can help me support Missy and her team in the 2010 Chicago Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in a very simple way.

Use my affiliate link to BUY your Affiliate Summit, Inc. East 2010 ticket and I will donate 100 percent of each ticket sale commission to the AMGB walkers. It’s that simple! Let me know when you’ve bought your ticket, and I’ll make the donation in your name. AND, be sure to join the AMGB Facebook group.

YOU and I and Affiliate Marketers Give Back can make a difference.

My XShot camera extender went with me to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics for FOUR days. Everywhere I went, people noticed the XShot and asked me how it worked and where they could get one. Of course I had to demonstrate!. The most common comment was, ‘OH, I really could have used that on my holiday to …’

Sean, Crystal and I and two friends had tickets to the Women’s Olympic Hockey, Sweden vs Slovakia last night at Thunderbird arena at UBC. It was so awesome to be part of the crowd, sitting in the 5th row between the blue line and net. The absolute best part of the evening was ‘people watching’ and listening to the crowd. It surprised me how many Slovakia supporters were attending – nice to see them out there supporting their team. This is the first time they’ve taken part in the Olympics and put up a great fight but Sweden totally outplayed them.

It wasn’t easy to get everyone to look at the camera when there were all those HAWT young ladies on the ice, but during a break I managed to catch a great shot of the five of us.

Hugo and I drove in to Vancouver yesterday morning and I met up with Crystal, Dave and Dave’s Mom to take the skytrain downtown. Hugo stayed at Dave’s to keep Mowgley the cat company – and ate all his food – ooops Cat food is NOT good for doggies – it’s too high in protein but Hugo seems to be okay. Mowgley is hungry though!

We drove to the skytrain station, parked my car and headed to Pacific Centre station. Our plan was to go to the Vancouver Art Gallery because they had free admission and the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit was on display. We got caught up in the crowds of people, watching street entertainers, looking at sculptures, art work and wandered the streets for an hour or so and by the time we found the end of the lineup for the VAG, it was a block long. The wait time was supposedly ‘15 or 20 minutes’ but judging by the line and the movement we didn’t quite believe it so we chose to carry on wandering the streets and people watching. It was amazing to be part of the whole atmosphere.

When I realized we were right at the Hudsons Bay Company Official Olympic Store, I said I wanted to go in. It was a 10 to 15 minute wait which turned into a good half an hour. Crystal and I waited there while Dave and his Mom went to White Spot to put their names in for a table. They then watched athletes perform stunts on a trampoline – with skis and snowboards. It sounded impossible as they told us about it later at lunch, but then we realized that must be how the athletes actually learn to do the jumps without hurting themselves.

Lunch was GREAT – I’d highly recommend White Spot as I love their food. We sat for at least an hour and stuffed our faces and rested, then went back on the streets to find more activities.

The Aboriginal House attracted us and the sun was warm so we chose to stand in line. I took a few photos of the signs explaining the 4 First Nations that were our hosts, looked at the unusual totem pole which was a log cut in half and the back was hollowed out. Metal re-inforcements were bracing the back of it – possibly to keep it from warping. It seemed very odd to me as that doesn’t seem to be a traditional way, but perhaps for a commercial use it’s required.

Oh, and the actual Aboriginal House was igloo shaped. I couldn’t figure that out… Wouldn’t a teepee shaped building have been more authentic, appropriate and attractive? Or a Long House??? The igloo is made of rubber and looks like Zodiac boat material.

We stood in line for an hour and a half, with people stopping continually to ask what we were waiting for. After a while I started telling them, ‘the bathroom’. That got quite a few laughs and eased the discomfort of waiting time. We were welcomed to the ‘Signature’ performance and told the ‘live’ performances would not re-start until 9 pm. It was 4:30, but we stood in long for such a long time there was no way we were leaving until we saw the ’show’. There were short introductions and the 9 minute show started. We sat on the floor and Crystal and I leaned back to back to relieve some of the backache. I was actually considering lying down so I could video the show on the ceiling as it was difficult to crane my neck to look up.

There were pictures of very frightening totem poles projected on the ceiling of the dome and one dad had to take his screaming child outside. I’m not really sure what the message of the 9 minute show was, other than a child saying over and over, ‘We are Here’. I think everyone was relieved when the lights went on and we could escape outdoors. People around me were mumbling about what a waste of time it was standing in line as long as we did, for a 9 minute video. Taught me a lesson – ASK more questions before standing in line!

After sitting on the floor, in the dark, our body temperatures had dropped and Crystal was shivering when we got outside. Dave and his Mom had had enough ‘Olympics’ and headed for the skytrain. Crystal and I walked to the Canada Pavillion and stood in line outside ‘Live City’. It was only a ‘20 minute’ line – haha – but with the sun gone there was no way we could wait. I suggested we walk to warm up and we headed to Yaletown where we could see masses of people in the streets.

It looked like a fun area so we went into a store and bought warm ‘Cowichan’ knock off hats (made in Nepal). Crystal had a coffee and we were ready to head back out, ready for the chilly Vancouver night. Sean and Kaia were coming downtown to join us and Sean said the Men’s Mogul competition was starting at 5:30.

We found a Beer Garden with big screens and managed to get the best table in the house! Sean and Kaia joined us just before the competition ended and to our delight the Canadian took the GOLD! Everyone in the beer garden tents burst into a spontaneous rendition of ‘O Canada’. It was amazing to be part of such patriotic spirit!

Next up was Live City – the lineup wasn’t as long so we were quickly through the metal detectors and purse search. Canada House didn’t have a lineup and I didn’t go in, but we stood in line for Quebec House (I think) to hear a band play. It was so nice to sit down in a chair and put my feet up on another chair. The room was packed with people standing and dancing but Crystal and I were able to see the big screen from where we sat. Sean stood up and put Kaia on his shoulders. She was amazing to watch as she waved her Canadian flags to the music, clapped and entertained the crowd. The band noticed her and commented, and their ‘young fan’ and her ‘hot’ Dad!

Here’s a hint if you plan to go to the Olympics: dress warmly, wear layers, take a hat, gloves/mittens and really comfortable shoes! No doubt you will have so much fun you won’t want to go home early – and it does get chilly at night.

My friend Laurie Pooh suggested I check out Hotels Combined as they are great supporters of charitable projects. Laurie is doing the 60 mile Susan G Komen walk and Hotels Combined is supporting her!

Please become a fan of Hotels Combined for Charity. Leave a simple message like I did on the FB site: ‘Susan G. Komen for Laurie Brosius’ to be sure she get a $5.00 credit toward her walk.

Hotels Combined will donate $20 for each blog post in support of Laurie -that’s what this post is all about They will also donate $10 if you Tweet this:

Check out HotelsCombined.com. I’m spreading the word & supporting Susan G Komen & @Laurie_Pooh @ the same time http://tinyurl.com/ao2rgj

How simple is this to help Laurie raise money for Breast Cancer? Thanks to Hotels Combined for this generous offer and their support of Laurie.

What is the one T-shirt that always stands out at conventions? The affiliate.com “Kings and Queens T-shirt” of course! Did you get yours from the affiliate.com booth at Affiliate Summit in Las Vegas? No, me either… but I have one now, and I’m going to tell you my super secrect inside track so you can get your own! This is a T-Shirt that people actually wear after the conventions – it seems to me not many companies understand the value in that.

Check out the affiliate.com Blog for the coolest $1000.00 contest. Send Tom Wozniak an email requesting a shirt (unless you already have one), then write a blog post including a picture of you wearing your awesome new shirt. Be sure to let Tom know the url of your post by emailing him at tom@affiliate.com. The winner of the affiliate.com Blogger Contest will receive $1000.00 cash and affiliate.com will donate $1000.00 to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund in your name.

A panel of 4 judges, Co-Founder of Affiliate Summit Missy Ward (whom I totally LOVE for inviting me to be the Blogger Lounge Mistress at Affiliate Summit East 2010 in New York), Super Affiliate Zac Johnson, whom I looking forward to meeting, Murray Newlands, my Affiliate Marketing BEST FRIEND, and Famous Blogger John Chow, will choose one entry to WIN! How will they judge the entries? Only they know, but creativity will definitely be a big factor! So there’s the scoop!

My affiliate.com T-shirt and I went to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics last night! How many other affiliate.com shirts can boast of that? I’d bet my last dollar my shirt was the only one I took lots of cool photos to prove it too! My beautiful ‘head turning’ daughter, Crystal and I went to Holland Heinekin House last night to watch the Opening Ceremony on the big screen – actually there were big screens all round the room and hundreds of people. It was an amazing event and so cool to be part of the hype and excitement. We couldn’t believe the number of ‘Canada’ shirts, jackets, hats, and even flags being worn as dresses and capes. Canadians, patriotic? Yes, it was astounding! AND friendly: Vancouverites are known for their unfriendliness and coldness toward others, but HEY – when we Invite the World, we’re very hospitable!

I was wearing my Queen of Hearts shirt again today (because I didn’t get home last night – LOL) – and it was a lucky Saturday for me! Every Saturday John Chow hosts Dot Com Pho, and today’s lunch was the Olympic/Valentine’s Day/Chinese New Year Dot Com Pho. Crystal and I joined John, Olympic Blogger Ed Lau, Stephen Fung and two others at ‘Happy Pho’ on Main Street in Vancouver.

John had his brand new iPad on the table today to show us, as his gadget of the week. No batteries required and no worries about carrying it, dropping it, bending it or losing it. Watch Vancouver Blogger Stephen Fung review John’s version of the iPad in the video – of course there was much bantering about the next release of the maxiPad, the wingedPad and the lightdaysPad.

We had a very happy Olympic/Valentine’s Day/Chinese New Year Dot Com Pho with John Chow and gang. BUT now, I’m kicking myself for not taking John an expensive, lavish gift, a box of chocolates, Lucky Money, or at least buying him lunch. I’ve learned a lot from him about winning contests, and it’s the small details that get your foot in the door, or the prize in your hands. John might have been my Ace in the Hole for winning $1000.00 CASH for myself and $1000.00 for the Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund, but sadly I missed my chance trying my hand at bribery and corruption.

John noticed my affiliate.com T-shirt and said he had the same one. We discussed how it’s a nice enough shirt to WEAR in real life. John then told the story of Scott Richter of Media Breakaway taking Shoemoney out to paint the town red in New York City. They went to a nightclub where Scott is well known but there were people sitting at ‘his’ regular table. The maitre d’ rushed to move the group so Scott and his could be accomodated. Turns out the people who were shuffled to another booth were NBA Players!

Now, what I really liked about this story was that John Chow, one of the biggest earning, most famous bloggers in the world was talking with respect and acknowledgement about someone with even more clout, while making it a funny story. That is the type of guy John Chow is. He is not humble by any means, but he enjoys the success of others.

The contest runs until February 22 so I still have time to get one more lunch in with John Chow before he, Missy, Murray and Zac pick the winner. Anyone know how I can get my hands on a ‘real iPad’ to take to him next Saturday?

Now this is a version of our National Anthem, ‘Oh, Canada’ I really like! What perfect timing for the Olympics.