Wednesday, May 26, 2010
je t'aime fa fa
Midway on a two week blitz of work travel, I traveled to/from Montreal. My task was to meet with the Eastern Canadian arm of our department to collaborate on a massive project undertaking. Having never been to that office location previously, and only speaking with the department via email, I was given an introductory tour. It was perfunctory while rofessional as we prepared the ground for a day of cooperation and important work. After five routine introductions, I was presented to GG. Audibly, I knew her name immediately. And to see GG, my heart flipped rapidly over and over. I said, "Yes, I know you are GG. I've known you from a long time ago." She was quickly taking in our 20 second moment and then it registered, and she uttered, "O my Got!"
It was then that we blushed fiercly.
I completed the round of introductions and immediately darted back towards her. She and I just chattered away and iunveiled important pieces of catch-up. GG and I go back to the summer of 1993. Meeting GG changed my life and hers. It was a summer of discovery and wonder - when I met GG on her turf in Saint Laurent, Quebec we became fast friends for one week solid. The summer was earmarked by exploring self-awareness which included making lifetime decisions about values and identity within spiritual beliefs. After that week of wonder and emotion, GG and I never saw one another again... until now.
Throughout the day we spoke and laughed, enjoying one another's company, sharing more niblets of information as we realized it would be something undiscovered by the other. We marvelled at the fact that after 17 years of distance, we met again working for the same employer in the same department, even.
Meeting GG left me speculating about that formative time of my life, which was when we met. Did what I held true then find itself realized to date? These ideals and beliefs that we discovered and shared at that time - was I somehow accountable to her to answer for the apparent discrepancies or changes in my life since that time? And, what was her thought of me as a result?
This meeting has stirred up a great deal of emotion in me from a long time ago - while crystallized in my memories and emotional connection, a far cry from my life as it now plays out.
As I locomote through my inner reflections of this reunion, one thing rings true... GG, je t'aime fa fa.
It was then that we blushed fiercly.
I completed the round of introductions and immediately darted back towards her. She and I just chattered away and iunveiled important pieces of catch-up. GG and I go back to the summer of 1993. Meeting GG changed my life and hers. It was a summer of discovery and wonder - when I met GG on her turf in Saint Laurent, Quebec we became fast friends for one week solid. The summer was earmarked by exploring self-awareness which included making lifetime decisions about values and identity within spiritual beliefs. After that week of wonder and emotion, GG and I never saw one another again... until now.
Throughout the day we spoke and laughed, enjoying one another's company, sharing more niblets of information as we realized it would be something undiscovered by the other. We marvelled at the fact that after 17 years of distance, we met again working for the same employer in the same department, even.
Meeting GG left me speculating about that formative time of my life, which was when we met. Did what I held true then find itself realized to date? These ideals and beliefs that we discovered and shared at that time - was I somehow accountable to her to answer for the apparent discrepancies or changes in my life since that time? And, what was her thought of me as a result?
This meeting has stirred up a great deal of emotion in me from a long time ago - while crystallized in my memories and emotional connection, a far cry from my life as it now plays out.
As I locomote through my inner reflections of this reunion, one thing rings true... GG, je t'aime fa fa.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
collaboration
Ok, I've got to be doing something right if my favourite coffee and my favourite shoe designer collaborate. In order to celebrate John Fluevog's 40th year in business, he partnered with JJ Bean to create a new blend - Tenango. *Of course, it involves this lovely shoe feature. Both take a very seriously fun and crafty look at how to do produce a great experience, if not develop character. Both take pride in who they are and that they're not much like everyone else. Both, take their time to make something really good - tossing the dregs to be a lesson learned and an effort worth exerting. Both, delightfully based in Vancouver - even stretching it to be specific to East Van. Both, when in your space are fully aware that they are stealing the show - the most reliable sidekicks - forcing your audience to give pause and consider the reason you stand out. Cheers!
