Good Friday #FollowFriday…

Hi –

Because it is a Holiday today, I, of course, woke up waaaay stupid early.

I thought that, rather than doing the Twitter #FF or #FollowFriday list, the traditional way, I would document my suggestions this week, in an expanded form… more than 140 Characters that Twitter usually allows.

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@OwenGreaves – Owen Greaves is a smart, cutting edge fellow who talks about Business and Technology.  Forward thinker.  (Abbotsford)

@gmarkham – Mark Hamilton is a journalism prof at Kwantlen, and usually in the middle of smart debates.  (Vancouver)

@AnthonyFloyd – Anthony Floyd is a whip smart Tweep that is usually one of the first on top of information and stories. (Vancouver)

@RealReporter – Salim Jiwa goes not for fluff, but for the harder stories… and has brought them to us, on many platforms, for years.  (Vancouver)

@LisaSawyer317 – Lisa Sawyer knows a lot of good people, and adds a lot of great energy and inspiration on Twitter.  (Maine)

@AureliaCotta Plugged into Eastern Canadian Politics & issues.  (Toronto)

@JimBobbySez – Expressing loudly, the federal Liberal viewpoint.  (Nanticoke)

@StevestonSocial Kana is a great-hearted photographer, animal-lover and networker.  (Richmond)

@PeteQuily – Pete Quily delves into social media, politics and technology.  (Vancouver)

@TerryMcBride – Terry McBride is the Nettwerk Music Boss, and music industry maverick.  He is changing the business model of the Music Industry.  (Vancouver)

@RickHansenFdn – The Rick Hansen Foundation continues, 25 years on, to work on awareness of accessibility issues and Spinal Cord Injuries. (Vancouver)

@RickRake – Rick Rake is a retired print journalist from Abbotsford, who is busier than ever.  (Abbotsford)

@lacouvee – Janis Lacouvee is a scotch-drinking, arts-loving maven, who will shave her head to help people.  (Victoria)

@BuzzBishop – Broadcaster, dad and social media guy, formerly from Vancouver.  (Calgary)

@mashable – Pete Cashmore is a  Social Media and Trend guru.  (Scotland)

@Miss604 – Rebecca Bollwitt is plugged into what goes on, in Vancouver and the region.  (Vancouver)

@GlendaWH – Glenda Watson Hyatt lives with Cerebral Palsy, and reminds us about making the web and everyday life accessible.  (New Westminster)

@FredShadian – Fred Shadian is a guy taking on a different goal every year, and inspiring people every step of the way.  (North Vancouver)

@Kim23Supernova – Kim Woods is a lady trying to get her goals in life done early, so she can enjoy the ride !  (Toronto & Sarasota)

@SRobinsmith – Stacey Robinsmith – One of his many business cards says Political Junkie.  Also a fighter for the underdogs.  (Vancouver)

@CarolBrowne – Carol Brown is a wackycrafter, zany photographer, cat mom and pin collector.  (Vancouver)

@RoyAtkinson – Roy Atkinson is a renaissance man who throws out one LOL groaner, every day.  (Maine)

@BillyHost – Affordable and great-quality webhost and tech support in the Fraser Valley.  (Abbotsford)

@kk – Kris Krug is a self-described… “techartist, quasi-sage, cyberpunk anti-hero from the future”.  (Vancouver)

@DanGoodchild – Daniel Goodchild is another political junkie and techno guy.  (Niagara Falls)

@StacieBee – Heart on sleeve wearer.  (Vancouver)

@BarackObama – Inspiring change and making it happen, despite the doubters & the economy.  (Washington, DC)

@DavidSuzuki – David Suzuki’s bot, feeding nuggets from his various ventures and observations.  (Vancouver)

@craigkielburger – Craig Kielburger helped found Free the Children.  (Global)

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These folks are not necessarily the Tweeps that I Tweet with the most, and I have not included any family or “friends.”

I have met a few of these Tweeps, I would like to meet them all, and have a Tea or a Scotch.

By including them, and NOT others, I mean no slight… it is just what I could come up with at 4:30 in the morning.

Follow them, go ye forth, and conquer the world.

Belated And Somewhat Wordless Wednesday…

Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - BobBlahBlah.com
I’m relatively new to Blogging.

On other Blogs, I have seen Posts, where people take pictures, and let them do the talking for themselves.

I am unable to simply post pictures without adding commentary, so here we go:

For those of you who have been here before, you have probably discovered that I am JUUUUST a little excited about the Olympics, and all that the Lower Mainland has to offer.

Yesterday, I went into Downtown Vancouver again, this time on the West Coast Express, intent on exploring and trying to relay some of the opportunities for joy and fun that friends and I, encountered.

I was getting myself sorted out, in a spare office at the company where my wife works, when a Tweet came in from Stacey Robinsmith, of StaceyRobinsmith.com, saying he was at the W2 Opening, and did I want to come down ?

On my way to the temporary offices of W2, I encountered a stereotype of the Downtown East Side… A pawn shop and closed grill gate beside it.

I got to W2, just in time to hear Irwin Oostindie talk about the goals of W2, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson speak, and hear a vocal group perform.

When I left there, I headed to Canada’s Northern House, and had fun with their video presentation

On the way by, I assisted a delivery man into The Royal Canadian Mint House, and followed him — “oblivious” to the “We open on the 12th” sign. I wasn’t allowed to take pictures, but it will be worth a visit, THAT I can tell you!

Had lunch with my wife, and some friends, and then went to the Bay’s Olympic Super Store, where we had to line up outside for a few minutes, before the very friendly and most conciliatory security team let us in. It was just that busy — and the Olympics haven’t even started yet!

After poking around there, my friends wanted to go to the Roots store, so we headed over there. Employees from every corner of the country have been brought in to help out. I spoke with employees from Edmonton, Ottawa & Montreal, who were here to help out the Vancouver crew. Along the way, there were a number of people we helped with taking photos, and some passersby and store clerks took pictures of US!

In lineups, we met, amongst others, folks from New York, Ottawa, Russia and a poor soul who had travelled ALL the way from Richmond!!! The man from Ottawa is most excited to be here to see his friend, who will be competing in the Luge competition.

Again, I am struck by the amazing variety of Flags, Banners and Store Windows that (even if they are not an Olympic Sponsor) pay homage and reflect the joy and spirit of the Games.

This brought to a conclusion Day 2 of Downtown exploration.

I am SO looking forward to the starting of the Games and continuing to explore next week.

Stay tuned!