Get Me to the Gallery
I've been offered the opportunity to hang my photos in a gallery for a month and sell my work! I really need this for a variety of reasons. The problem is that with gallery, printing and framing costs, I need about $1000. I'm hoping that some of my friends, family and fans will come to my assistance. I'm offering some great gifts in exchange for donations. if you can help, let me know. me@stephenyoung.ca
More Facebook
So I found this (thanks Dan!) afterwards and I wanted to include it. It's a map of Facebook's convoluted privacy settings and it's really work a look.
Facebook Stats
Some really interesting and revealing statistics about Facebook:
[Source: Online PhD Programs for MashableMashable
.com]
Chris and Tracy’s Wedding
So it's wedding season. We've already been to one Jack and Jill (for Mark and Michelle) and still need to go to one more wedding - Melanie and Naguib's in July. Oh and Kaylan's was back in October. And of course there is still ours next year, which I am trying desperately to save for. (interestingly Chris is in my party and Melanie is in Irena's)
The topic today though is Chris and Tracy. I've known Chris since university - a very long time indeed. Even thought we don't see each other for long stretches (mostly because I don't have a car and he lives in the extremes of Mississauga), he's always been a great and dear friend. We've been through a lot including two incredibly fun political campaigns which resulted in ill-advised drives home half asleep on my part after dropping him off at him.
Tracy I know less, though every time I've met her she's been nothing but warm, relaxed and loving. What stands out most for me is the last time that Irena and I visited their place. It was one of best times I've ever had hanging out with a friend and another couple.
The wedding was incredible, the bride was gorgeous and the setting was tremendous. I can't say enough about how much fun we had and how proud I am of Chris and happy I am for the couple. Truthfully, years ago I never thought this would work out, but seeing them yesterday and the last few years, I'm delighted that they are now one. Congratulations!
Below are a few pics I took last night. Admittedly they aren't that great, but I think there are a few nice ones.
CEN Teacher Conference
Had a major meeting today trying to finalize the details about CEN's annual teacher conference. I thought I would share some of the details we finalized:
Before They Vote: Engaging Young Citizens in School and Beyond
mid-November in the Toronto City Hall Council Chambers
Workshop 1: Teaching the (Fun)damentals of Civics
Workshop 2: Beyond Charity ~ focus is on being critical of raising money as activism
Workshop 3: People Power Participation ~ presentation by Dave Meslin
Lunch will be catered and the current idea is to seed the lunch with people who work at various non-profits around the city.
Instead of a keynote we're doing a panel to end the day on the topic of the conference. Our panelists will hopefully be:
Sarah McCoubrey ~ Executive Director of OJEN
Rudyard Griffith ~ founder of the Dominion Institute
Peter McLeod ~ of MASS LBP
For a moderator we're going to ask Steve Paikin and/or Mike Wise
Cost will be $40 and open to teachers around Toronto.
That's it. Not we just need to finalize it all.
New York Coming Soon
Sorry about the delay on a NYC recap. I had to head to Burlington after coming home from New York to help out Irena's family. I'll be here for the week. Actually I'm writing this on the GO Train on my way back to Burlington. \n\nPlease never let me move out to some 905 suburb ever!
New York City Map
Irena and I are headed by NYC on Sunday night by bus. Yes, by bus. It's dirt cheap $25 per person per direction, but it is a LONG trip - 9.5 hours long. But I'm really looking forward to it. I made a Google Map of the locations we want to visit, so I thought I would share.
View New York Trip in a larger map
New Logo
After much thought and consternation, I've designed a new logo for the Civics Education Network. It's a much cleaner, more modern design. I hope you like it.
My Post-Christmas Resolutions
So this year I'm not making new year's resolutions, I'm making post-Christmas resolutions. Small difference, I know, but I'm going for the symbolism here, after all new year's resolutions never last.
So, in no particular order:
- Eat at home a heck of alot more (cooking is good and cheaper)
- Get to the gym 4-5 days a week (I've already gotten better at this one, but it needs work)
- Blog, Twitter etc
- Say Yes more often, or at least learn to relax more and have fun
- 30 minutes of photography-related work every day (viewing pics, working on pics, taking pics)
- Start playing the piano again
- Plan for work ahead of time, stop procrastinating my classes