Many years ago I did a seminar in Montreal Quebec for about 600 people. It was a truly unique experience. I had about 100 English-only speaking people in the room. About 150 French-only speaking people in the room. About 200 bilingual people in the room. About 50 English-speaking deaf people. And about 75 French-speaking deaf people. I kid you not!
We had a translation booth at the back of the room with an interpreter and headsets for the French-only speakers. I had a French sign language translator on stage with me to my right. And an English sign language translator on stage to my left. Every time I opened my mouth the stage would come alive with hand movements!
It was an amazing day. My French is horrible, but being around so many wonderful French people all day would get me remembering my high school French and I'd break into French spontaneously at the most inopportune moments. French people are so different emotionally than English people. They think nothing of walking up to the stage during a speech to give you feedback! They stand up and cheer, clap, yell, and point whenever they feel like it. They are so free from the sit-on-your-hands disease called "Toocoolitis" that so many English people suffer from. Montreal is truly a wonderfully unique place.
The deaf people were incredible. Did you know that sign language in English is totally different than French sign language? I had no idea. I watched it all day long. I'd walk over and tease the poor translators, making them the brunt of jokes all day. I'd talk faster at times to see if they could keep up. I'd spell stuff. It was amazing to see their love for sharing communication with the deaf people. They have a gift. Imagine how hard it is to listen to me in English, translate it in your head into French, then sign it. Impressive!
English signers use small gestures. French signers use massive movements! They use speed, force, impact, and enthusiasm in their signs to convey the passion inherent in their culture. For example you should see the difference between the signs for the word "sexy"! French signers would use their face to convey humor, anger, sadness and intensity. It was memorable.
I would tell a joke. The English speakers would chuckle, followed a millisecond behind by the bilingual-speakers. Then the French translation would go into the headset of the French-only and they'd chortle. Then the English deaf people would laugh, followed finally by French deaf people who would howl even louder and make gestures with their hands! It would take 2-3 seconds for the laugh wave to finally move through the room.
It was a treat to be able to share that day with that group. The thing I remember most is the feeling of being so relaxed. It was like hanging out with 600 close friends in a giant living room. Even though I was on stage for 5 hours teaching and sharing, it went by in a flash. I remember getting hugs and handshakes for nearly an hour afterwards. It was a day I'll never forget.
Falia and I are hanging out in the lounge at the airport in Fort Lauderdale. US Airways canceled the flight that we had booked 4 months prior direct to Toronto. They didn't want to rebook us, but we managed to *AHEM* 'persuade' them…they have ZERO customer service. Their president makes 14 mil a year…disgraceful.
We are now flying to Las Vegas, and then taking the red eye to Toronto. That's right….15 hours of traveling for a 3.5 hour trip.
US Airways rules. Hope their PR department has a Google Alert.
I miss the cruise ship already….see you guys on Monday. I'll be a better mood by then I'm sure.
It's bright and early here in San Diego. I have to grab a commuter flight back to Los Angeles and then hope my all day flight to Toronto can land tonight. There is a brutal storm lashing back east. Nothing like a quick foot of snow over a weekend to make you miss sunny California!
I have had a fantastic weekend here on the west coast. I've had client meetings and have been at a workshop for the lead generation industry. Amazing stuff. But the best part has been catching up with an old friend, Joel Christopher.
If you have been around internet marketing circles the past few years, you've heard of Joel. He coined the term "Master List Builder". He is one of the funniest guys I have ever met. I was in the hotel atrium having a glass of Cabernet and checking emails when I heard his booming laugh across the lobby on Saturday. We haven't seen each other in over 5 years. But within seconds it was like the old days, and the miles and years were erased.
Joel used to come to every internet seminar on the planet at the early part of the decade. I'd see the guy everywhere, and we became pals. I realized that he was sharp and knew as much about internet marketing as half the guys pitching from the front of the room back then. I encouraged him to create his own products and before you knew it he was on the speaking tours as a presenter. He and I were on the bill at an event in Atlanta a few days after September the 11th happened. Joel has an astonishing mind for remembering dates, like a human calendar. He'd no doubt remember the exact date, but I remember him, me and a young Armand Morin having lunch at the hotel buffet. It's incredible how successful Joel and Armand are 6 years later.
Joel has had a #1 best selling book on Amazon, and created the blueprint to help authors become best sellers. He's been on the stages of true heavyweights in the industry and knows everyone! When guys like Mark Victor Hansen, Ted Nicholas, Jay Conrad Levinson and John Assaraf sing your praises you know you're doing something right. It was a hoot sharing war stories with Joel!
Joel is doing incredible things overseas in his home country of Philippines. Not only is he building a large marketing company and providing jobs to his home town, he is helping kids. He has a scholarship program putting a lot of disadvantaged kids through school, and he's helping build a library as well. His vision and philanthropy is astounding. A lot of internet marketers could learn a lot about the big picture from Joel Christopher!
If you don't know the Master List Builder yet, I would encourage you to do so. Joel has great training and can help you a lot. Check his blog out!
I'm in sunny California until Monday for lead generation client meetings. I'll squeeze in a few video blogs from my hotel. it's minus 5 with wind chill in Toronto, plus 20 C in San Diego…hmmm.
I packed light:
1. Apple Macbook Pro
2. Video Ipod
3. My 2008 E-myth Planning Sheets
4. 2 pair of jeans, 1 pair of shorts, swim suit, 4 t-shirts, 4 undies, 1 shave kit
2008 is shaping up to be a VERY interesting year. I'm planning to hire 3-4 of my interns for paid part-time positions. If you're interested in working for 2-3 hours per week then:
1. Complete the first 15 intern program tasks, specifically the ebook portion
2. You must have your own blog, Digg account, Reddit account, Stumbleupon account and know how to use them
3. Be willing to work 2-3 hours per week
4. You must have a Skype account with mic (video optional)
5. You need to speak, read and write English at a grade 9 level or above
If you think you might qualify, and be interested in working with me on cool new web projects, send me an email. Describe why you might like to work for me, what your interests online are, your blog web address, your Digg/Reddit/Stumble profile page urls, and anything I might need to know in order to pick you. My assistant's email is davidprivate (atsign) universalprofit.com
Do you ever wonder sometimes if parents today are too protective of their children? Do you think it's important for kids to have their own adventures, experience life a little and to grow from it?
It was the summer of '83. I had just graduated Grade 9. My friends Paul and Kevin and I planned a magnificent adventure. We were going to ride our bikes across the prairie along the Trans-Canada highway in the heat of summer nearly 100 miles and camp for 3 days. Next to the campground was the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Don McLean was headlining. The three of us couldn't wait!
We loaded our ten speed bikes with as much crap as we could duct tape to our handle bars and headed west. It was a life-changing weekend. I saw Don McLean sing "American Pie" with 14,000 people sitting under the stars singing along. We cooked our Kraft dinner and hotdogs on the Coleman stove in a campground filled with aging hippies, all a decade too late. I saw my first set of real woman boobies…unfortunately they were at waist-level on some 40-something biker chick.
I saw folk musicians from all over the world sharing their art. One of the coolest was a break-out session on percussion instruments. More than a dozen musicians crammed a tent, seeking shade from the merciless prairie sun. One of the presenters was a young man who played the spoons. His name was Artis. And he was gifted.
He played spoons, pie lifters, spatulas and an assortment of pieces of metal. He banged them on his hands, legs, arms, head and any visible surface. He was like a whirling dervish. No one had ever seen anything like it before. Not only were the listeners awe struck but a lot of the musicians as well.
At the end of the break-out session I hung around the tent like any 15 year old might. As the crowd thinned I looked up and there was a smiling face with long dreadlocks and beard. It was Artis!
He said to me, "Dude, you have a time piece! What is the hour?"
I blinked. Partly star struck. Partly confused. The spoon genius pointed at my wrist.
"Oh!" I mumbled. "It's 3:30."
"Thanks. Peace." He hefted his backpack with a jingle and took off across the pavilion.
It's twenty-five years later and I still remember that weekend….
NOTE TO PARENTS: one of the greatest gifts you can ever give your child is the gift of independence. Empower them to live their own lives, stand on their two feet, and become strong.
The other night my wife and I were sitting on the couch, chilling out after a fine day of blogging, working out, and playing World of Warcraft. I was nibbling on some almonds and enjoying a glass of wine when she dropped the bombshell.
"Honey, where do you want to go for your 40th birthday next June? Let's go on an adventure!"
My eyes rolled back in my head and I let out a long, low moaning primal scream…inside my head. On the outside I smiled weakly and shrugged…you know, one of those husband-type shrugs.
I love to travel. I hate to be a tourist.
I started tossing out ideas. Most met with the "are-you-completely-crazy?" looks from my lovely wife.
Antarctica - are you nuts?
Alaska - too many bugs
Costa Rica - see Alaska
Hawaii - too many drunk LA teens on grad trip
Ireland - ok, put it on the short list
Finland - see Antarctica
Croatia - where? ok, put it on the short list
Italy - they have great shopping, put it on the short list
Quebec City - seriously? why?
Newfoundland - are you trying to upset me?
Spain - yes, now you're trying again - short list it
New Zealand - sweetie, its winter there
Have you ever played this game before?
Anyhow, we have a short list including Ireland, Croatia, Spain and Italy. I said 3 weeks minimum. 1 week holidays are gross. You arrive exhausted from the flight, try to pack too much into 5 days and then fly again.
I need your help. According to my Facebook profile, I've been to over 100 global destinations in the past 15 years. Where should I go for the month of June in 2008? Why?
I desperately want to hear your suggestions. Leave me a travel comment or make a post in the Money, Travel & Lifestyle Forum.
Remember, I hate crowds. I love beaches, ancient architecture, and cool people. I like exploring on foot. I abhore being herded like cattle. I need location ideas, accommodation tips, and activities. Fresh ideas are the lifeblood of traveling!
Tuesday…three more sleeps before we head off to Las Vegas.
So much to do before we leave. You know what it's like. You seem to move at a faster, more deliberate pace right before a trip, right?
Falia and I are attending an internet conference this coming weekend. It's part of that secret society of bloggers I mentioned in a previous post. The cool thing is I'm NOT speaking…I get to be "Just Dave" this weekend. There are some heavy players rolling in for this one…$100,000+ a week earners. I plan to take a lot of notes!
The guy I'm looking forward to learning from is a dude named Howie Schwartz…I've seen keywords in Google where he'll have 15 out of the top 20 listings! Let that sink in for a second. Imagine searching for the phrase "make money online" or "work from home" and the entire first 2 pages of Google listings are yours…would that be any good? He is going to show us how to get 80 or more links in the Top 100 for search phrases this weekend. I want to control "Matt Gill Tongue Scraper".
For those of you in my Internet Marketing Intern Program, I'll have lots of cool new updates in a week or so that we can play around with to drive huge gobs of fresh traffic!
After the conference we're kicking back for a week. Friends of ours from Australia are flying in, so we're going to show them around. We've been wintering in Vegas for a few years now, so it's like our home away from home. I don't know how much poker I'll have time to play, but I'll squeeze in some no-limit cash games at Bellagio, and maybe one evening a tournament at Orleans. We're going to hike the west edge of the Grand Canyon and check out the new observatory. If they have wireless access, I'll broadcast some Dave TV as well!
The west edge of the Grand Canyon has a new glass floor observatory with a half mile drop below your feet. I found this clip on YouTube showing some of the incredible vistas.
I was watching a few minutes of Kat Von D's new show, LA Ink the other night on Tivo. It's a show about a trendy Los Angeles tattoo shop. One of the guys who worked in the shop was asked by a lady what he did last night after work. He responded, "Hey it's LA. I sat on the freeway driving home for 2 hours."
When I first started DidYouSmellThat.com I had the phrase "Make Money Online" in my title bar. That really wasn't the purpose of this blog, but I stuck it in there. Now the title bar reads "Discover The Blueprint To Be Rich, Get In Shape, and Become More Interesting. Work From Home, Travel The World, And Live An Adventure!". Notice it doesn't say "Spend All Day and All Night In Your Car".
Having a really good quality of life doesn't happen by accident. To have a lot of fun, good health, relationships, free time, adequate cash flow, and low stress requires a game plan. I am going to blog more and more about increasing the qualify of life. Please note that it does not involve working longer hours, driving more, or increasing your stress level!
Here's a short video blog I shot recently when trapped in traffic. Enjoy!
This morning - two amazing growth opportunities for niche marketing.
1. Wind Farm Power aka The Green Energy Movement
2. Organic Farming or anything to do with growing organic food
When it comes to niche marketing, there are some simple questions to ask yourself before you jump in.
1. Are the people interesting in that niche PASSIONATE?
2. Are they not only willing to spend money, but pay a PREMIUM for it?
3. Do they congregate in communities and have internal and external DIALOGUE?
Here is a short YouTube video clip I shot this weekend. I went for a drive in the country, and drove past our new Ontario wind farm. The provincial government is testing a large bank of about 60 power-generating windmills about an hour north of Toronto. You can actually pay a premium and subscribe to get your home electricity bill from that green power. And it just happens to be in the heart of organic beef farming country…
