It’s day two at the CAAMP Mortgage Forum and the day stated with music and a presentation on the creative process with recording artist David Usher. Hell of a way to start the day. I challenged the creative part of my brain by asking him to come up with lyrics that incorporate the words bps, OSFI, B20 and trailer fees. We might have to wait a while to hear that hit.

I have to get back to the conference.

Until next time,

Cheers.

Minus the tents, sleeping on the ground, rummaging for food and not bathing for a few days.  There will be no roughing it at the CAAMP Mortgage Forum 2012.  Every aspect of the conference is high end.  From its location, speaker line-up and entertainment.  The mortgage industry is entitled to an event which is celebratory in nature.  Our industry has been in the cross-hairs for some time now, and this conference gives us an opportunity to say to all those who viewed our industry in a negative light, We’re still here…We’re still standing…We’re still relevant.

As the Conference Chair, my wish is that all attendees enjoy the experience.  There’s nothing wrong with having fun while you learn and network.  Personally, what I’m looking forward to is talking to people.  Old school, one-on-one conversations. Less texts, and more handshakes and smiles.  Here’s to a great Mortgage Forum 2012, and I look forward to seeing you in Vancouver.

 Until next time,

 Cheers.

I think we’re all guilty of making things out to be a lot worse than they really are. It’s easy to become overwhelmed just thinking about all the responsibilities we all have in our personal and professional lives. A good dose of perspective can always shake you back to reality and remind you of what’s truly a problem and what’s nothing more than melodrama. I received a good dose perspective over the last 10 days.

It was 10 days ago when I started not to feel very well, I started experiencing chest pains. I didn’t think it was heart attack, why would a 52 year old, slightly overweight man with high cholesterol think that? To be on the safe side I went to the doctor and he put me through a battery of tests. I was right, no heart attack. The doctor wanted me to be thorough so they sent me off to get x-rays done on my chest. The next day the doctor called me and said, “Your x-ray indicated that you have a small nebular density on your lung. We believe it’s benign but we cannot rule out cancer. We’re going to arrange a CT scan on chest to get a better look, and from there we can determine what the next steps will be.”

Funny how everything changed from the moment I heard those words. (more…)

In a little over a week I get to play the part of an expected father, the birth of a massive baby;  Mortgage Forum 2012 officially opens on Sunday, November 25th, in the beautiful city of Vancouver. This is year two of the conference transformation or rebirth if you will.  The teeth gnashing and nail biting was far more intense last year.  I guess that’s because you’re never 100 per cent sure if and how the change will be embraced.  I received many compliments during the Forum last year but I had this nagging doubt that people were just being polite.  Therefore, attendees true feelings and thoughts would be captured by way of survey results.  I waited with baited breath to get the results, and what a satisfying exhale it was when the results came in.  The results were off the charts, and it was there in black and white, the changes were embraced.  Many the of the survey respondents commented, “How are you going to top it next year?”  All modesty aside, we’re going to do it. (more…)

 For many Olympic athletes it’s not about the money, it’s about chasing the dream, representing a country and standing on the podium.

Maybe it’s just me but I really could care less when the NHL lockout comes to an end.  I think both sides make a good case why their position is the right one but if the NHL was to cancel the entire season it would have zero impact on my life.  I used to be a sports junkie, and I do enjoy sporting events. But the love of  the game for it’s purity has long since passed for me.  The naivete that the owners and players should do what’s best for the game is best left for those who refuse to believe that professional sport is business, big business.

I can’t think of a bigger business than the business of the Olympics. Multiple billion of dollars in revenues, along with envelopes full cash being passed under tables.  That just screams sporting innocence doesn’t it? In spite of the Olympic machine you can’t help but marvel at the athletes who participate, setting aside NHL and NBA pros.  For many Olympic athletes it’s not about the money, it’s about chasing the dream, representing a country and standing on the podium.  Thanks to an industry colleague, Brian Nason, I was reminded that within the business of sports there can be purity for the love of the sport.  I would like to introduce you to Larisa Yurkiw.  Frankly, I never heard of Larisa until Brian reached out to me to assist in his efforts to support Larisa.  According to Brian,  Larisa is good people, who comes from a good family.  I don’t know Larisa, I’ve never met her but I can say this, she’s got guts and she has the heart of a champion. All she wants is another shot at the Olympics, and a chance to represent Canada.  You have an opportunity to give her a hand up to the podium.  Please have a look at the video,  if for no other reason than to remind yourself that the purity of sports still exists.

Until next time,

Cheers.