I first met Michael-James Pennie at a Tazzu networking even a few years back. I know him as a remarkable, upbeat and positive man.

I read for the first time today that his family has been coping with a debilitating disease which has afflicted his father, Jim, over the past several years… in 2003 he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Pennie writes: “Our personal lives have never been the same. I never wanted to burden those close to me with my challenges, although there was a nagging instinct inside of me that refused to go away. I had to do something. I became inspired to share my story. I became inspired to be proactive to help not only my father, but those other families affected. “

MJ felt he needed to do something on a grand scale, and decided to climb the tallest mountain in Africa – Mount Kilimanjaro.

Pennie has until September 1st, 2009 to raise a minimum of $10,000 dollars, of which 100% of all proceeds will go directly to the Alzheimer Society of BC, to provide support for families and funding for drug research.

I challenge all of us at Tazzu to support our fellow Tazzu Buddy in this awesome cause.

If you can… please donate soon! Any dollar amount will help.

For more information and to donate visit Tweet to Remember

~

Technorati Tags: michael-james pennie, tweet to remember, alzheimer, jentekk

This month’s Tazzu Spotlight member is Peter, known as pkthree at Tazzu.

Typically a man of few words in the Tazzu Forums, I was delighted to his colorful responses to the questions I asked him.

Rather than rework the ‘interview’ I’ve simply copy and pasted it so we get the full meal deal – Peter Keung is in the house!!

1) Where were you born and – how did you find your way to Vancouver?

I was born in Mississauga, Ontario but I only think about it as the place where Kleenex tissue paper was or is made. My dad worked in banking, so he took the family along as he got transferred to Burnaby, then to Vancouver Island, then to Quesnel, and finally back to the Lower Mainland, where we settled. I attended the last few years of elementary school here, then also high school and university. So I don’t have many memories from before I moved here. Now that I’m old enough to decide where I want to live, I’ve already been spoiled by Vancouver, which will be hard to top.

2) Tell us briefly about your family (parents? number of siblings?)

My dad was born in Hong Kong and my mom is from Singapore, but interestingly enough, they met in Wales. By now they’ve spent more than half of their lives in Canada. I have an older brother and I used to always want to do everything he was doing. He always beat me in basketball and tennis. I figure I now have the upper edge in hockey, but he doesn’t play hockey…

3) As a child, what did you want to be when you ‘grew up’ — that is assuming you want to grow up!!

I wanted to be a news anchor or a sports journalist when I was younger. But I didn’t particularly try hard to go in either of those directions. Those dreams simply wore off and I developed other interests. In fact, what I was more sure of was the fact that I didn’t want to do anything with computers. I didn’t want to sit around for large parts of the day staring at a screen. Guess what I do now?

I don’t think there’s anything I particularly want to “be” — as long as I’m doing things I’m interested in and I’m in the position to help others in some way, I’m happy. And no, I don’t think I’ll ever grow up, nor do I want to. Although, when I was a kid I once emphasized that I wasn’t a little boy but rather I was a little old man. So maybe I was never a kid either.

4) What do you do for a living right now?

At my “day job” I have two main roles.

I am an editor for Norway-based eZ Systems, the maker of the Open Source Content Management System eZ Publish. I work on books, articles, case studies, press releases, documentation, and marketing material related to the CMS and content management in general. I never thought I’d get so passionate about content management, or about working to bridge the gap between the techies and the non-techies!

Locally, I work with two talented web developers at Mugo Web. I run the day-to-day operations and chip in with development when I can. Some of the websites we’ve worked on include Car and Driver, Life After 50 magazine, and local book publisher Theytus. We’ve also done some wackier things, like a sports statistics system for a South American baseball league, and a Family Feud-like Flash game that was used internally at American Express. We try to be as technically sound as possible while still speaking the same language as the customer.

5) Do you have any hobbies, or activities/causes you are passionate about?

I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned. It started when I had to share PayPal’s toll-free number because they used to keep it hidden. I figured somebody else must have wasted $10 waiting on hold on a long-distance call with PayPal. Then when I was first learning PHP, I discovered random tips and tricks. I needed an outlet to share this information and thus started a blog affectionately called “Peter’s Useful Crap“. It makes my day when someone leaves a comment to say that they previously had the same problem I had and that my seemingly innocuous post actually helped them. (Note: I also once told myself that I would never blog.) Somehow I ended up started a few other sites focused on sharing and community, such as one about a cell phone service provider (7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless — check it out if you’re a low volume cell phone user) and one about high interest savings accounts (which is becoming a misnomer!).

I keep active by playing tennis and roller hockey. Unfortunately, the roller hockey season is only 4 months long, so I spend most of the year anticipating the chance to start the roller hockey season again. I’m also learning how to swim — super fun but I’m a bit slow on the uptake.

6) If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I could see myself living in a variety of places, but don’t have a particular place I really want to be. I like to be wherever I am at any given moment. I’d love to travel more, like to Iceland, or the French countryside, or to Hawaii or the Caribbean.

7) Did you make a New Years Resolution this year? If yes… what is it. If no, why not?

No New Year’s Resolution for me. I don’t think I’ve ever made one. Instead, I try to continuously improve as a person, or become better at certain things. Current goals include learning how to swim; being firmer when dealing with clients; and going to bed by 11pm! There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking at the moment.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

As vague as this sounds, I’d like to really be in a position where I can help others in some way. This statement can cover a wide variety of things, which is fine by me.

—

There you have it! Peter, thank you for sharing a bit about your life with us, and for all your valuable contribution in the Tazzu Forums!

Technorati Tags: ez Publish, Mugo Web, Peters Useful Crap, Tazzu, Spotlight

There is a saying that goes like this… “what you see is what you get”.

This is true if you don’t take the time to look closer at what you see. Today, as I begin taking a closer look at our next Tazzu spotlight member: fractal – I realize there is much more to him than meets the eye.

I was curious to see just when exactly fractal had joined Tazzu, so before writing this article I clicked on Tazzu’s membership list link. Did you know that fractal is officially Tazzu’s very first Charter Member? I admit I’m embarrassed because I didn’t really notice this before, I’m also greatly honored. It is with much pleasure that I introduce to you Paul Dwyer – aka fractal.

I would describe Dwyer as a mild mannered, intelligent, kind, unassuming guy, who (in the Tazzu forum) comes and goes like the wind, and who seemingly conforms to no-one, save the artistic patterns of his own life. I see this very clearly now by observing the subtleties and listening to his story.

As a Tazzu member, I’ve always been curious about Paul’s nickname and avatar and today finally did something about it. After a bit of research on Fractals I came across this: a Mandelbrot set. (If you want to be amazed, scroll down to the zoom sequence, its truly fascinating.)

The Mandelbrot set is not only Paul’s avatar in the forums, but also the logo of his web, print and identity design company, aptly named fractal design inc. fractal design inc by the way has no upper caps, and no “dot” after inc – purely intentional, but easy to miss if you don’t take the time to look at what you see. Paul explains “there really is no reason to not have a “.” after inc other than it looks better without it”. So goes the artistic nature of a fractal!

On to the interview…

Paul Dwyer 42 years old, is married 17 years (very cool) has 2 kids, 2 dogs, and 1 cat – now that sounds like fun!! He loves music, family and friends “preferably all 3 concurrently” and describes himself as “a drummer, a dreamer, a soccer coach and a Philomath.” Yeah, I had to look it up.

Among his many achievements (you may read about some of them below), others that continue to bring him great satisfaction are “being a good father, husband, and friend”.

I asked Paul about the name of his company fractal design inc. He explained “The idea for the name fractal design came from my Architectural prof who was enthralled with self-organizing, vernacular villages where people had to build to the challenging constraints of their site (among other factors). He showed how that approach is reflected everywhere in nature and then he broke down the math of self-organizing behavior and non-linear equations.” His prof then showed the images a computer could generate based on that math. Dwyer was dumbfounded by the beauty of it.

As to how architectural studies led to graphic and website design, Paul explains “I was studying Architectural Design in 1990 after being an almost-successful drummer in an almost-successful band through the 80′s.” - !! STOP the horses !! - I must interrupt here for a moment… yes, that was all he said about this topic – modest fella! If you want to know which 80′s band Dwyer is eluding to, you may have to PM him to find out. Also, I know he won’t blow his own horn, but rumor has it he may be booking a Spring ’08 gig at the Railway Club. Uh huh!

Let’s continue…

Paul goes on “There was no drafting/design work in the early 90′s in Vancouver due to the recession so we moved up north where we could afford to live. I got a contract drafting forestry maps by hand and later convinced the mill to computerize the process. Once I saw what a computer was capable of – or rather, that I could consolidate so many of my interests and passions into one little box (and this was Windows 3.0) – I knew I wanted to use it in a creative way.”

That was it. The computer had cast its spell on Paul. “I taught myself DOS and Windows and then MicroStation. I also had to learn to troubleshoot hardware and software as the nearest service call was 500km away. Over the years I built the mapping business up and converted two of BC’s largest Timber Supply Areas from manual drafting to CAD. I integrated the Sawmills’ Planning, Harvest and Silviculture with the Ministry of Forests’ own mapping data and was just about to invest in a full-blown GIS system when the mill went suddenly bankrupt. My meal ticket gone, I had to decide whether to try and pick up other forestry contracts, or just move on.” Incidentally, it was during this time that Dwyer had been teaching himself PhotoShop and Illustrator for fun. Not surprisingly, he chose to move on and admits “my heart wasn’t really into the whole mapping thing. I naively decided to become a Graphic Designer!”

The journey…

Paul describes the first couple years of that new journey as really tough. “We were isolated and there was not much work to speak of”. Paul and his family then moved back down south in 2000 to try and make a go of it, basically starting over again but closer to a larger center. “We couldn’t bring ourselves to move right into Vancouver, so we settled on the Sunshine Coast.” It was another tough first couple years for the Dwyer family. Paul adds “its amazing my wife has stayed with me”. Kudos to Mrs. Fractal for hanging in there! Fortunately, Paul managed to get enough good contract work to pull them out. “Things are rocking along now. I’m so busy I haven’t made the effort to update my own site (fractal.ca) for over 2 years!” Dwyer adds “I have been doing a lot of identity and branding work that will be up on my soon-to-be revised website”.

Sweet! I don’t know about you, but I always enjoy happy endings.

In conclusion , I was curious about how Paul overcame the obvious obstacles in his life. He shares “perseverance (some would call it bull-headed stubbornness), playing music and playing with my kids is what got me through”.

Paul comments on life further… “I think it’s important to try and be creative in everything we do. I’ve written a bunch of HTML and CSS “poetry” trying to bridge my inner geek to the real world.” Paul calls them “Hackoos” and depending on the tag names chosen, he believes they can trump Haikus as the shortest literary form… this is his favourite:

Paul’s dreams for retirement reflect his ‘make-life-count’ attitude. He sees himself hopping back and forth from Smithers to the Coast depending on the season. “I’d love to do more fishing, writing, recording, snowboarding, and music with my family and friends.”

Such is the artistic pattern of a fractal. At first, glance, a unique and interesting shape. Upon closer examination… complex artistic patterns of life circling and swirling infinitely by its own simple design.

Congratulations Paul on the success of fractal design inc! All the best in 2008 to you and your family, and with your home’s new studio and suite!

Thank you for sharing the best of times and the worst of times. It is an honor to have you with us at Tazzu.

Technorati Tags: fractal design inc, paul dwyer, fractal, mandelbrot set, architecture, haikus, hackoos, poetry, tazzu, networking forum

If you’ve known Steve Bougerolle (SteveB in the Tazzu Forums) for any length of time you’ll know this of him: that he has a wealth of knowledge on many topics. Discussions with him are most often rich, and full of insight.

Frequently, you’ll find Bougerolle helping members with questions, shedding light in debates, or giving assistance with Moderating and important Administrative decisions for the Forum. As a Moderator and Charter member of Tazzu, his contributions have been invaluable.

Steve is a farm boy from Alberta originally, and grew up in Pincher Creek and Lethbridge. When asked about his interests in life Bougerolle responds “My big interest in life, by far, is travel. I did some of that for work back when I was in Physics, lived in Geneva for a couple years. Then I landed in Hong Kong while travelling around Asia in 1992, and stayed based there till 2004, visiting quite a few other places in that time as well.” Steve is also a pretty big movie buff, and likes to get outdoors hiking and biking at times.

SEB Global Infotech

While being a software developer through his company SEB Global Infotech Inc. (primarily C, C++ and Perl on Linux and other Unix-like systems) Steve also has an appreciation for the creative, as seen by his graphic work and beautiful, and unique photos – many taken during his travels.

I asked Steve how he became a software developer, to which he simply answered “The short version is… it’s just what I do. I got started programming back in junior high around 1979, got my first paying programming job that summer, then kept on doing it right up through university. I’ve done different jobs since then – physics, teaching, but was still doing lots of computer work at most of them and eventually came back around to full-time programming.”

Imperial Realms

Steve is also President and Lead Developer of Imperial Realms Media, a startup – developing an online game. There are a few favourite computer games he’s enjoyed playing over the years – multiplayer online games like Everquest and strategy games like the Civilization series. “I’d win the strategy games and find myself frustrated that I couldn’t keep going with them, then from there started thinking how one could make a multiplayer online strategy game.”

That was back around 2002 or 2003, and the idea developed from there till Bougerolle started the first coding experiments for it in 2004. Imperial Realms will be a subscription-based game, which Steve plan to run himself. “The plus side of working with a small private group is that we can be very efficient… I don’t see any need to involve other companies.”

To date, Steve has had about 8 people working on the project, several of whom are also active Tazzu Members. Vivien Anayian (vguniverse) was the first, doing the layout for the web site a couple years back. Then Bruce Byfield (nanday) took over a lot of the writing and communications jobs, and Ken Henderson (verithin) has been doing web illustrations until now, and may do some other game artwork later, as it comes up.

So far, Steve has been funding the project out of his own contracting earnings. Steve adds “The only problem with that arrangement is that it makes the work go slower and because of that there’s no fixed schedule. Right now it’s on milestone 3 of 7.” As for a launch date… ” ‘sometime next year’ is probably a fair guess for the launch date, given the amount of work remaining, who’s involved now, and that it gets steadily easier to recruit more help as work progresses.” Keep us in the loop Steve!

The Other Stuff

Most of us have had an obstacle or two in our life. I was curious to know if Steve has had any to overcome: “Well, I’m an only child from a single parent family, and when I was young we were pretty poor. So I learned early on to be self-reliant, and that most things that look like obstacles are just in our heads. We can all learn to do pretty much anything we want if we’re willing to spend the effort and don’t sabotage ourselves thinking up excuses why we can’t.”

When asked if there was a motto he lived by, Steve pretty much summed up what I see is true of him: “No motto, I just try to see what’s real and what isn’t.”

In closing, I asked this question of Steve: I know its way to soon to talk about retirement but in a perfect world, what will that ‘stage’ of your life look like? Where do you hope to be living, doing, or not doing?

Steve: “Retirement is some sort of strange alien concept to me! I’ve never been interested in working a steady career like most people; instead I just move from one interest and project to the next, a few years at a time. I don’t see any need to change that way or stop working, so if you look at it one way I’ll never retire. If you look at it another way I’ve already retired, if only from the ‘rat race’.”

Much like Rastin and Leah, Steve has been a large part of my personal “online networking” life. I’ve known him since 2004 – where we first met at a Techvibes Networking Event – and can testify to the fact that Steve is consistently ‘Steve’. Knowledgeable, factual, honest, helpful and sincere.

Steve, for all the insight and support you bring to the Tazzu Admin/Mod Team, and Members – we extend a great big thanks! We look forward to celebrating the completion of Imperial Realms with you. All the best!!

Technorati Tags: steve bougerolle, SEB Global Infotech, C, C++, Perl, Linux, software developer, photography, imperial realm, online game, gaming, Everquest, Civilization, jen duguay, rastin mehr, leah oliver, tazzu networking, online forum

I’ve known Liesa Billings (Liesa in the Tazzu Forums) for many years… since the 1900′s – when Karaoke was THE thing to do and line-dancing was becoming the latest craze… not that we ever got caught up in one or the other.

It was at that time that Liesa was making a name for herself as the ‘local chef to keep an eye on’. She started this journey by working in several trendy restaurants in and around Lonsdale, North Vancouver. At the age of 20 she landed a job at the award-winning restaurant “Beachside Café” as a line cook (pre-apprentice) where her passion in cooking grew.

After two years at the Beachside Café, Billings took a job at a Casa Sleigh – a Spanish Restaurant in Steveston. Having challenged the chef exams, Liesa superseded Sleigh’s current chef to become head chef. “This was all the inspiration I needed to take charge of my career and develop my skills with Regional Spanish Cuisine.”

In 1999 an opportunity arose for Liesa to work in a New Wild Game Restaurant in Vancouver. “We had great reviews, and I was tagged as the ‘up and coming authority in wild game cooking’. Unfortunately we had to close due to a violent crime directed at the owner.”

Not long after this tragic incident, Liesa got wind that the owners of Casa Sleigh were retiring. “I tipped off a friend of mine, and the rest is history. The now ‘Tapenade Bistro’ is the proudest moment in my career. In our first year of operation, we were recognized by ‘Vancouver Magazine’ who placed us in the number 2 position for the ‘best of the burbs’. In addition, an article was posted in the Where Magazine which featured some of my Southern Mediterranean inspired Tapas. This was a great achievement for me. â€?

After her successes at Tapenade Bistro, and for health reasons, Liesa hung up her chef hat. Saying good-bye was bitter/sweet, but her career move into the Multimedia Industry brought ample opportunity for creativity and an outlet for her love of the culinary arts.

I asked Liesa how she got hooked on Multimedia. She explains, “In high school I studied mostly photography and graphic/commercial design and had always been involved in visual and performing arts in one way or another. When I had to retire as a chef, taking Langara’s Multimedia Design Program seemed like a natural transition for me. As a chef with a creative eye, I’d always had a role in the design, layout and photography for ads, menus and other promotional materials.â€?

Liesa describes how things use to be back in the good old days. “When I went to school, we made super 8 film movies, each hand spliced in the editing room and watched on a projector. We made our own rolls of film with bulk loaders, and used drafting equipment to draw a straight line for commercial design. Syncing a slide presentation to music (before the days of PowerPoint) was very tricky.â€?

Liesa knew the old school styles but had to learn today’s methods. “This was actually great for me, because I love hand rendering then crossing over to digital. I feel it makes for dynamic work.�

Today, Liesa is busy developing and designing a website for her company Culinary Copik Multimedia. When asked how she came up with this name she explains “I had to think about who I was, where I came from, and where I was going. Culinary Copik Multimedia summed up all those factors for me.�

“Culinary” because Billings wanted to focus on the industry she knows inside and out.

“Copikâ€? because it’s her way of showing love to her mother who she lost at age 20. It was her mom’s maiden name.

“Multimedia” because Liesa is planning to ultimately create a culinary multimedia design studio in Vancouver, comprised of a kitchen for food styling or recipe book development, and a photo studio for chefs to build up their culinary portfolios. “My goal is to create an inspirational environment that will supply all the tools required to take each project from concept to visual representation.â€?

The Culinary Copik Multimedia website is still under construction. “Copik will be a clean design, featuring a combination of photography, print selections from my work as both professional and hobbyist.� Liesa is taking her time. “I am not just launching a website, I’m also launching my business. The first impression has to be right.�

Liesa has recently completed her first website design project Page365 ~ the website owners objective was to communicate their commitment to excellence in all aspects of organic living, nutritional science, and intensity based exercise routines. Well-done Liesa!

I asked Liesa if she’s had any major hurdles in her life. “My biggest obstacle is being diabetic and having physical limitations due to arthritis in my legs and knees. Walking is very difficult and painful at times but I deal with it and keep smiling. This is why it’s key for me to get my business going so I can stop working a full-time job and focus on one job: Culinary Copik Multimedia.â€?

When asked about life lessons, Liesa speaks of empathy and understanding. “Life is not about what others think of you, it’s about how you love and how you are loved. As I’ve grown older, and with the unconditional love of my husband James and the support of my best friend, I’ve become comfortable about who I am. I’ve learned that I have to embrace others personalities and not criticize them. I’ve learned forgiveness. Most of all I’ve learned that time does not stand still if you live life with caution.”

Liesa has a many passions, talents, and interests in her life. The obvious is design and computers. The others include playing guitar, singing (and this gal has an amazing voice), and drawing. Liesa adds “I also have an interest in pre-cognitive dreams and dream analysis.”

Liesa, we hope that all your dreams paint a picture of great success with Culinary Copik Multimedia, and true happiness for you and James – the love of your life!

Technorati Tags: Liesa Billings, Chef, Tampenade Bistro, Beachside Cafe, Casa Sleigh, Vancouver Magazine, Page 365, Multimedia, Culinary Copik Multimedia, Tazzu, Networking

At the age of 25, Steven Stark – known as sstark in the Tazzu Forums – is as ambitious as they get!

Stark’s interest in computers and the internet started when he was just a kid. As Steve puts it “I was navigating MS DOS before I could read, using sticky notes my mom made for me.�

When asked how he got hooked on Web Development and Internet Programming Steve explained that while he was working in Kamloops as a Jr. web designer for a small web development company, his boss took a 6 month leave of absence and left Steve in charge.

“During this time the local YMCA had a large list of website updates for me. I worked closely with their staff. They liked me and my work so much, that they considered themselves ‘my’ client as opposed to the company’s client, and insisted that if I were to ever leave, they would go with me.” Steve never did take them up on the offer, but remembers how great it was to feel appreciated. “From then on I have loved this job, and for a whole new reason.”

Today, Stark owns 3 and 1/2 completed websites – as he puts it!

StevenStark.com – Stark’s technical blog and portfolio website, where he talks about theories and practices of the industry, along with a few tutorials.

Smart-Love.ca – An online Dating and Networking website similar to what one might get if you were to mix Facebook with Plenty of Fish. Steve uses this website to showcase examples of Joomla’s community capabilities.

VanListings.com – Steve refers to this as 1/2 website. “It has been left half built for some time, but not forgotten.” This is a Listing website for Vancouver goods, services, rentals and estates.

VancouverOnlineMedia.com – This is Stark’s most recent project. VOM is a resource website for Vancouver and West Coast media developers. Members can showcase their work, easily apply for jobs and manage their hours all for free.

I’ve just signed up on Steve’s new website VOM, and have asked him to tell us a bit more about his recent project.

“At VOM members can create an extensive profile that includes their cover letter, skills matrix and important information. You can add your portfolio items through the Portfolio Manager, and your resume, through the Resume Manager, which is linked to your profile.

Members can also apply for jobs through VOM’s Job Manager. “All your information will be input for you, making job applications simple. Once you get the job, you can then keep track of your hours and create invoicing reports through the Time Calendar.” Steve made this website to be a center point for media developers and clients to connect with each other, and adds “it is very important to me to keep all my websites free of charge, it feels good to give something back.”

VOM has been online now for just a couple of week, and Steve has had amazing results. “We have 15 registered developers and students, 72 listed portfolio items, 40 job postings and 12 forum messages… I encourage everyone to join!”

Didn’t I tell you Steve was one ambitious pup!? Oh to be young again!

With so much ambition, I just had to ask Steve what the driving force was behind all this activity. Steve very graciously shared with me that at the age of 14 he was diagnosed with a genetic syndrome called Charcot Marie Tooth, which – over time – deteriorates the muscle furthest away from the spinal cord. “Currently I have a third the normal reaction speed in my ankles and wrists, and carry the muscle mass of a 5 year old. When I am older there is a high chance that I will be in a wheel chair and might even be unable to hold my own fork. I keep myself busy, I use my hands constantly without over-using them and walk a lot as to keep what little muscle I have healthy.” Steve has made a choice to advance his career as fast as possible. With the slow but steady advancement of his muscle deterioration Stark may be forced to retire at 30 – sad but a true possibility. Of course you’ll never catch Steve wading around in self-pity, he’s got no time for that!

Steve has had to overcome many troubles as a youth, and will openly share that he had spent a long time in the party scene, and has only in the last few years emerged out of that phase. Steve says of his loving family “they are still there for me, even after coming through some very hard times.” He goes on to admit “I enjoy having my family over as often as I can. Last Christmas, for example, I had my dad and sister here, and two of my roommates also had their family over. It turned out to be a large house full of strangers who all got along amazingly so. We all had one of the best Christmas’ of our lives.”

With the interview coming to a close I asked Steve if there was one thing he wished he could change about himself, and if so, what it would be.

Steve replies, “I am always changing! I crave on change, and ask myself that very question quite often. Currently, I am trying to stay calmer when dealing with highly frustrating situations and learn how to save a little money.”

There you have it folks! For Steve – a brave and ambitious young man, there has never been any looking back. From programming Q-Basic games in early elementary school, and his first website project Anime-n-stuff to his most recent project Vancouver Online Media, Stark is determined to prove himself positive and persistent in life, and a serious contender in business.

Steve we really wish you much success in all you do. It is a pleasure and an honor to have you in the Tazzu Forums.

Technorati Tags: Steven Stark, Vancouver Online Media, Smart-Love, VanListings, web development, web design, MS DOS, Q-Basic, Flash, Joomla, LAMP, FaceBook, Plenty of Fish, Charcott Marie Tooth

This week I had the privilege of joining Vivien Anayian – known as VG Universe in the Tazzu Forums – for coffee.

Right from the moment we met, I felt like I’d known Vivien forever. She had this ease about her that comes only from knowing one’s self. Our conversation was as rich and full-bodied as the java I was enjoying!

Vivien, born in Georgia (at that time part of the Soviet Union) came to Canada on her own in 2000. Now, married to the love of her life and best friend Garry (a local musician), the two of them with their lovely 2 1/4 year old daughter Veronica call the beautiful North Shore home.

A woman of many talents, Vivien works full time as a System Developer for eZ.no which is headquartered in Norway. eZ offers a popular Open Source Content Management System called eZ Publish. The Vancouver office that Vivien works out of is the first branch in North America, with eZ’s other branches located in France, Germany, Denmark, and the Ukraine.

On top of her full-time job at eZ, Vivien also freelances through her very successful company VG Universe as a Website and Graphic Designer. Her services include Print, Web Design and Programming. Vivien’s motto for website design: “A good website, like a Baby, is a product of love and hard work.”? Visit her website and you’ll see how she has skilfully blended her passions – Freelancing with Family.

Vivien is also an avid and loyal blogger. Where does she get the time?! A few tidbits that I found out about her via her blog Inspiration Bit and a relatively recent post ‘8 Bits You Now Know About Me’ is that she is a classical musician, was (like her daughter Veronica) an early reader, and that turquoise, rather than diamonds, is this girl’s best friend! This latter fact I noted while chatting with her. The turquoise pieces she was wearing were exquisite.

Being a wife and mother come very naturally to Vivien. While talking about Veronica, her gifted daughter, Vivien’s eyes lit up. Ask to see some pictures and she’ll show you a mini-album of the cutest little darling you’ve ever seen. Supportive of her husband’s music career, Vivien shares her home office with Garry, and his recording studio equipment.

With so much going on, one wonders how she manages to keep up. When posed this question Vivien chuckled commenting that sleep just might be taking a back seat to her passions for now. You’d never know this by meeting Vivien. She is vibrant, full of energy and bright eyed! I have to admit she looks radiant for a woman who is unapologetically taking on the world and creating her own VG Universe!

I could have chatted with Vivien all day. As I drove her to the bus stop, it should come to no surprise to you – if you know Vivien – that we were already planning our next get together!

Vivien, we are honoured that you’ve joined Tazzu. You light up the forums with your kindness and insightful contributions. We wish you success in all that you do!

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