The Paralympics are tooling up with top secret technology to give Canada the edge. It turns out that while we are spending millions on technology to give us a bigger advantage the psychological edge maybe more important.

According to Top Secret manager Todd Allinger, they have tested the US teams Speedo suits in a wind tunnel, which confirmed our suits are faster giving the athletes greater confidence and that psychological edge mentioned earlier.

The Own the Podium program has invested $8 million into a five year program supporting 150 scienctists and researchers at 17 universities pursing 55 programs to produce the finest equipment for our athletes in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Where were these guys when I was ten, using shin pads with bamboo strips.

The sledge hockey team has new blades, the sit ski program has biomechanical engineering labs improving both speed and control. Does this mean we could set another record for gold metal wins. However, we are not the only ones investing in the newest and most evolutionary high tech equipment as Japan, Germany, the US and everyone else with a program are spending to gain an advantage.

The most important benefit is not the technology, but how we see the men and women driving towards success, while overcoming enormous obstacles. The original games started in the United Kingdom after the second world war created as recreation programs for veterans. Canada and the US soon followed. The first Paralympic games happened in 1960 during the Rome Olympics.

The growth in the games and the concentration of medical expertise in rehabilitation techniques has extended lives and the quality of life dramatically. If the games existed for no other reason than the enhancement of life it would be worth the investment, but I think we will see it for much more.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison   david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

David Hutchison

This morning, as I read yesterday's Vancouver Sun, time was in short supply yesterday, I found a number of very interesting columns.

The first by Micheal Hockney, who spent 4 years  living in Russia, wrote "The media's view of Russia is 20 years out of date." I am embarrassed to say, I am part of that collective with my opinion, which makes me think, I should go to Russia for their Olympics. So often real learning only comes from being there. Thank you Michael.

Next was Dan Gardner, one of my favorites, with the question "Is it worth it, Canada's spending of billions on the Olympics. Olympic spending is like military spending, escalating. On the other hand, Colin Hansen, our finance minister,  was quoted as saying "Health Care and Education are bottomless pits!" They are, however, they are the only two moralities of government responsibility. 

And finally, The Newspaper's View, Flaherty's balanced budget plan is wishful thinking. Currently, we are $622.1 billion offside with our balance sheet. The papers point is, corporate welfare will not enhance competitiveness and raise productivity.

Those three columns, tied together, point out misplaced images of our neighbours. This drives our aggression, causing the media to miss the real point of the Olympic experience, which is, what was happening, on our streets with people from every nation on the planet.

We the people made the experience what is was, not corporations who benefited from government funded investment. Lets keep it going, at least throughout the Paralympics. We should make every effort to continue all the relationships we have made during the Olympics, as real peace lies with us and the relationships we build.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison                        david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

David Hutchison     david@transitionsadvertising.com

As a contributing writer, but focused on the growth of my advertising agency, I find it a challenge to come up with time to develop a new and interesting story each day.

As we have some down time between these Olympic and Paralympic stages, I thought I would put the question to you, about what you would like to read, what are your interests or what would other wise cause your involvement?                                                 

Social media allows for a more intimate discourse between writer and reader creating the chance to advance the media with new ideas or reworked old ideas.

In his time, Charles Dickens was considered a leader in story telling with his serial novels, his first, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, which he wrote monthly for 1836 - 1837 created a ravenous audience for his stories.

As an aspiring novelist, I wonder, can we do that now? Can we do something that both interests and stimulates opinion? Can we stay with a story long enough to have its opinion impact on our social morays, direct media in how advertise in social media, change public perception or advance industry?

What do you want? Could you stay with an evolving storyline? In most media today, we do not stay with subject matter, an example being Haiti. A human tragedy of epic proportion, but already it has moved to the back pages of the media and our minds.

Like any media, social media or not, it still needs content, so again, I ask, what content do you need? I'll be listening.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison

david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

David Hutchison  

Like Victor, the little green elf on Just for Laughs, many of us are crying "Its Over!" We will all miss those weeks of fun and frivolity, but now its back to work.

It is a new day and I hope different stories for each us from the experienced gained through the process of meeting new people, watching feats of excellence and sheer joy of being here.

Now we are back on the job, shoulder to the wheel, nose to the grindstone, which is a tough position to work from, but like those athletes we have to persevere and move forward.

If you should find it a challenge, beginning March 12 through to March 21 you will witness demonstrations of courage beyond belief. The courage to rise above challenges most of us cannot comprehend. These are the athletes of the Paralympics. Go out and support them, cheer them on and let us all grow from their example.

So today as you go forward in your workaday world, remember them. Let them inspire you to greatness, for within them is the example we should see to lighten our load and realize, ours is not that heavy. Make it a great day for yourself and all those around you.

See you tomorrow,

David

david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

David Hutchison  

As I write, I am still listening to the closing ceremonies and what a great job. What a great experience for all of us. The streets are still crowded with people from all over the world, but tomorrow it will be back to normal. No, I don't think so, it will be a long time before normal is back, if ever.

The world has seen us and how can they be anything, but amazed. They have seen the beauty of the land, its people and more than ever, they will want to come and live here, to experience us and be one of us.  We are part of the world stage now and we have to expect more visitors than ever.

Yes, there will be a legacy left behind, not just for us, but for the world. They will come again to compete. We will not have it on this scale, but we will have world championship in many disciplines most of us are new too and when they come again, we won't hesitate to buy tickets and celebrate once more.

To all those teal suited volunteers, thank you for all your hard work and patience. You were the face of us that helped those lost, confused, missing and all are grateful for you assistance. Let those warm hearts be your legacy.

But mostly, I just wanted to say thank you, to all of those from our greater Metro Vancouver area who stood patiently waiting, helping, cheering and most of all, for understanding. You were marvelous!

See you soon,

David

david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

David Hutchison    david@transitionsadvertising.com

Health officials in Vancouver have supplied 7000 athletes 100,000 condoms or 14 each. On Wednesday, someone recognized they were running out, so the Canadian Foundation for Aids Research sent over 8,500 more. Maybe it's training or maybe their just taking them home.

I have had the opportunity to meet a few of those athletes and looking at their schedules, seeing them at all the meet and greets, the late nights and early mornings, I think most of them will be going home in suit cases, memories to be used later.

It has taken a great deal of effort and concentration to get to them where they are and they still have "golds" to achieve. As I write, we have 10 golds, go kids go. Do what it takes and be proud, for soon you leave.

Oh yeah, leaving, apparently 39,000 of you are departing YVR on Monday, can you say chaos? That total surpasses the previous record of 26,000 in August 2008 by 13,000 or 50%. I have left that airport several times just days before Christmas and been in Air Canada lineups that ran all the way through the international section to the Fairmont Hotel. Imagine that many people at every airline check in, makes me think, lost luggage and lost condoms never to be found, on second thought, use them now!

For the rest of us staying behind, get out there, this is the last weekend.

See you on the street,

David

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

David Hutchison       david@transitionsadvertising.com

Well, its day 15, the end is near and yesterday is gone, only the memories are with us. And while those memories are fond, we still have time to experience more, to live in the moment.

Leave office, grab friends and family and go to the streets of the city. None of us have seen it all and some outside of the TV set, have missed it completely. This is the once in a life time chance to experience the Olympics in our town.

Yes, there will be crowds and it will demand patience from each of us, but yesterday, as I sat on the ground at Live City watching the ladies win gold in hockey on giant twin screens, with over a thousand or so friends, I was overwhelmed. We talked, we cheered, we held our breath and we loved every minute of it. It was the collective "we" that made it so wonderful for each of us.

Our streets our full of that collective and the more of us there are, the more exquisite the experience. So go, go now, shut down the computer, be there, live in the moment, for it is only one we have. Don't hesitate, just do it!

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

By David Hutchison  email david@transitionsadvertising.com

I just finished watching the flying fins of women's hockey defeat Sweden to win the bronze medal in overtime. I love women's hockey, sorry boys, but the girls can play. They play an exciting, fast paced game.

They can move the puck, they drive to the net, they throw themselves in front of blistering shots and make every sacrifice the men make. There are those who say, yeah but it's not as intense. Yes it is, it just hasn't worked it's way to the top of the pole yet.

If Canada had lost last night, we would all be on our knee's praying for the girls to salvage our dignity. In a couple of hours they will do battle with those ladies from south of the line and you had better believe this is going to be one "hell of game."

They know each other very well, both were expected to be here and have given it all to make those expectations come true. They will lay everything on the line. There will no sacrifice to great, no price to high to pay. When it is over, they will have given everything they have in the most demanding of team sports, hockey.

This will be a golden game, don't miss it.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

With all the hype and excitement of the Vancouver Olympics, do we see the every day miracle, those moments that take your breath away. They are those unexpected beautiful things, that like a stone tossed into a still lake, the ripple travels forever.

Today, my wife, Linda, touched Canada's Holy Grail, the Stanley Cup. How did it happen you ask? Well, its one of those being at the right place, at the right time things, thank you Scotiabank. Of course working downtown in the Scotia Tower does help.

For our family and friends, this will be a moment of conversation for years to come. Everyone asking, what was it like and where was it, plus all the other accompanying questions.  

The Olympics have made it happen for my wife and thousands of others at this moment in time, time we all treasure for the rest of our lives.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison

david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

As I looked out of my office window this afternoon, I saw rain and wondered how our guests would deal with the colder climate after all the warmth and sunshine. The standing in line can be chilling and child management harder. What to do, where to go, anywhere on Public Transportation.

We have an excellent system, easily accessible, fast and inexpensive. Our Skytrain system ranks right up there with the best in the world, There are three systems, Skytrain which goes from Waterfront station to King George station in Surrey, Millenium line which also goes from Waterfront station, but does a loop as far out as New Westminster, the oldest city and our first provincial capital, the train continues to loop back towards Vancouver through Burnaby. At Broadway Station you catch Skytrain back to Waterfront or any of the other core stations.

The biggest advantage of these trains is that they are elevated and you can get a sense of the city, the mountains and surrounding oceans. You can go to Metrotown Shopping Centre, our largest with 450 stores, travel through 5 of the 21 cities and villages that make up the GVRD.

The B99 at Broadway station will take you to UBC in 45 minutes from Broadway station. As we well you can take the Canada Line to Richmond or out to YVR, however I imagine those that flew here have been there already.

Children love the train as there is a lot to see. The peak periods are busy during the time, but Trans Link has doubled the number of cars per train and the number of trains in total so the waits are just minutes.

You are here, don't miss the city in the forest, it is unique in all the world and that's what we really have to offer.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison

david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

Well after a great day in the forest yesterday, I came home to find out that it wasn't the victory celebration we all thought it was going to be. My only bonus for the writer in me was a new word my wife introduced me to, Swag.

Being unfamiliar with the term and at her direction I googled it. Turns out it is a bit over used, so I can expect to be chastised somewhat for its use. For those of us uninitiated, it is a term implying "Free Stuff or Olympic Swag," of which, there is a lot of it going around. This applies to all the country houses, provincial houses, most of which are free, at least until the evening, particularly where alcohol is sold. Imagine that, paying to get in to buy a drink, so after six, not so much.

During the day however, almost everywhere you go, there is free stuff. Sometimes you have to be alert or it can just walk by, but there are bags of stuff being given away free everyday, so be aware or be passed by.

On the sketchy, a word my nephew likes to use for all things unsavory and there are those unsavory elements flirting around the periphery, so be alert. If the deal sounds to good to be true, it usually is. Forewarned, is forearmed.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison

david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. He is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

The Olympics are great, but there is more to Vancouver than the streets of the cites. Outside and near by are some of the most amazing places and I went to one this morning, its called Buntzen Lake.

It is a pristine area surrounded by Diaz Vistas on one side and Eagle Ridge on the other. It was created by BC Hydro more than a 100 years ago to generate power for the area and it still does today.

If you go to www.bchydro.com/community/recreation_areas/bunzen_lake you can get a complete history of the project. The lake is fed by the Coquitlam reservoir on the other side of Eagle Ridge by a 3.6 km long tunnel drilled through solid rock. As you can see the tunnel sends a continuous flow of water to maintain the level of the lake and power the project.

As you walk along the trail and down to the beach you can hear the roar of the water pounding its way down the tunnel that has a 25 meter drop from one reservoir to the other.

But what I really wanted to tell you about are the trails through the forest. Trails that wind through giant Douglas fir, Cedar, Stika Pine and Poplar. Trails that cross dozens of flowing creeks and two over suspension bridges. Of forests that reveal enormous cliffs,  huge boulders hanging precariously above you

For every imaginative scene in Harry Potter, this forest is far more mysterious than they have ever shown. Even though it has been harvested several times, it is still ancient and full of spirits. It is as old as time itself.

When you are quiet and listen it speaks to you. If you look closely it reveals marvels that only the experience of being there will allow you to see.

The air is rich with oxygen, which is why many of the trees throughout the area are covered in moss. 

The floor of the forest is thick with ferns and berry bushes. In the summer, on top of Eagle Ridge, 1300 meters higher up you will find the best blueberries you have ever tasted and this is from a blueberry junkie.   

If you are only here for a short time and no time to make it out, go to our Aboriginal House and ask our first nations people about our forests. They speak about our forest with reverence and love as it is their first home and where they came from.

Whatever you do or wherever you go, try to find some time to walk in our forests, even if it is to nearby Stanley Park, there is mystery there too.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison

david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. He is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

david@transitionsadvertising.com  

As I stood in my yard this morning, drinking my coffee, letting the sun beat down on me, our Rhododendron covered in huge pink flowers, the hibiscus are out, the tulips just behind, I thought of all the guests here for the games and then I hoped they won't miss the "Flower Olympics!"

This time of year, is quite simply, the most beautiful time of the year. So to all of you visiting, walking the streets of our fair city, walk west through the West End of Vancouver.

The streets are just beginning to flower. The cherry blossoms, the crocuses, the tulips, flowers on the ground and in the trees. The pink of cherry blossoms, in so many shades, it is wondrous and very romantic for those of you given to holding hands.

Walk west to the Sylvia Hotel, a historic land mark at the entrance to Stanley Park. Go into the park by the tennis courts, the herons are on their way back to nest. It is the largest colony of nesting herons on the west coast.

For those of you looking for more dramatic view, catch the sea bus across to North Van terminal, then a bus to Grouse and see The Eye of the Wind on top of Grouse Mountain. 

The Eye of the Wind is not a revolution in theory, but in practice; which means that you must experience this incredible energy turbine for yourself. Grouse Mountain offers Eye of the Wind sustainability tours in which an informed and experienced guide leads small, interactive groups on a mountaintop excursion culminating in a breathtaking visit to the view POD itself. The ultimate aim of the Eye of the Wind sustainability tour is to leave guests with a positive perspective on how they can make a real and meaningful difference on the well being of the planet by adopting a few small, tangible changes in their own lives.

For more information on Eye of the Wind sustainability tours, advance bookings, and ticket details, please contact Grouse Mountain Guest Services at 604.980.9311

Whatever you do, don't miss the day, this is when nature puts on her best face.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. He is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

I know, it's the grandfather in me, but he is just so cute! Who is he, this Quatchi? He is none other than the notorious Julian King, all sixteen months of him. I think his picture has been in every newspaper in the world. I saw him at Robson Square and he just made everything work.

As he walked around between the south end of the rink and steps leading out, where 100's sat watching the band, Quatchi and the dozen or little ones up with him, ran wild, the music was playing, the sun shining and the skaters were skating, it was beautiful. Thank you Quatchi.

On the seemer side of things, globally, the media is sniping at us. So to the Times, we live in a rain forest, what did expect? The Dallas News, yes, like any other city in the world, we have those in our community who are homeless and drug addictied, but maybe, if your government would recognize that the war on drugs is over, we lost and change your laws to reflect the public opinion, remembering, for the people, by the people, a lot street conditions, in cites around world, including Dallas, might be a lot different.

To all of you, the young man who died, is lost to his family, to his country and to the people of the world, he not tripe to be cast about in slur. As I walked to the train last night, seeing and hearing the celebration of all the people on the street, I could not help, but think, how wondrous.

Earlier in the day, I saw a man standing between London Drugs and Sears at corner of Granville & Georgia, speaking out about Jesus Christ. What was most interesting about that moment was now respectful people were as they walked by and around him and seemed to take more time with the art, that surrounded them all.

I think it was the spirit of the moment that allowed it all to take place and for that, I thank you Vancouver, visitors and locals alike, you are making this such a great Olympic experience.

And to all the media and world, come and see us, you will be happy you did!

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s leading creative voice of seniors advertising. He is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

Day 7 and I'm off to the Blenz on 6th & 6th in New West. As always Amy and Evie were there to get my Belgian Hot Chocolate and I settled in to search for my daily story. I pickup today's Metro News and right there on page 6 my search ended.

The headline "Tories slammed over Khadr" captured my attention. Now I won't go into the politics of it or even the human rights violations of the issue, however Omar Khadr is a Canadian and we have a responsibility to address his imprisonment.

As part of Vancouver's commitment to hold the Olympics, they also signed on to represent and champion the Olympic Truce in which all nations that participate in the Olympics agree to set in abeyance all wars and conflicts until after their completion, in this case, until after the Paralympics. For more on the Olympic Truce and child soldiering go to www.wartoystopeaceart.com  

As we are all well aware Canada and most of the nations attending have not set aside any hostilities, however in the case of Mr. Khadr who has been held without trail for 8 years it goes against everything our Charter of Rights and Freedoms stand for. This is particularly true in this case as he was just fifteen years old when captured.

His imprisonment is even more galling, as at worst, he was a child soldier, who most likely was there against his will. And as of this date, there is no actual proof of his involvement other than he was in a village under attack, which must be particularly terrifying for any child.

Mr. Harper, who likes to tell us he has to make the tough decisions, well this is a tough decision, so stand up and be a man, help this boy and stop manufacturing people who neither trust us or believe in us.

We are Canadians Mr. Harper and there was a time when we were known around the world as peace makers and keepers, I think its time to get back to it! Its our real job.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s leading creative voice of seniors advertising. He is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

david@transitionsadvertising.com