Blogs
A reflective Canada Day
On June 21,2021, Canada’s oath of citizenship changed. As suggested by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the oath now reflects the land into which we all immigrated.
June 30, 2021
Where glaciers ended — Kayaking around Jurmo, Finland
The Finnish Archipelago numbers over 30,000 unique islands. A kayak a tent and some thirst for adventure is all you….
August 1, 2019
The Illusory Seduction of Efficiency
On seeking absolutism to solve the problems of today
June 16, 2019
Book Review: Napalm Hearts
The first crime novel by talented author Seamus Heffernan.
January 13, 2019
The three stages of enlightened migration
How the path to the summit of Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka helped me understand my relationship between two cultures.
January 6, 2019
A Canada Day in Helsinki
Introducing Canada to the many people I have had the honour of working with or hanging out with in this past year in Helsinki!
July 1, 2018
Midsummer in Finland’s Archipelago
Between May and June, Finland undergoes a cultural metamorphosis with eternal sunlight and joyous laughter.
June 25, 2018
From Palm Trees to Ancient Cities
Some of my favourite photos from Sri Lanka and the stories behind them.
May 1, 2018
Where are you from, Jacques?
That my name is not “stereotypically” Canadian is not at all surprising, but I suspect for many of my Canadian friends the fact that the first stereotypical Canadian name...
January 14, 2018
July 1989, A pilgrimage to Kataragama
Let me take you on a long ago trip through the sites and sights of 1980s Sri Lanka; a trip I associate so strongly with my complex father and the gifts he has left within my very personality.
December 11, 2017
Happy Birthday Finland, Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää!
Tomorrow, on December 6, Finland celebrates 100 years as a country.
December 5, 2017
Supermetrics raises Super-round
Supermetrics raises €3.5M to further cement position as leading marketing analytics solution globally
November 23, 2017
But he won’t travel long alone
I have tried to explain to Brits, Americans and now Finns about the Tragically Hip and I have failed each time.
November 19, 2017
It’s Time
Time. We do everything in our power to stretch it out but like an elastic band it snaps back into place at the most inopportune moment.
November 11, 2017
A sparkling 25 year celebration of SIS
In 1992, an eventful and historical year similar to every other year, a group of Hong Kong teenagers bid farewell to each other and scattered to the four winds.
October 30, 2017
Beware! The Dark Is Rising!
It is September in Helsinki and the Dark is definitely Rising.
September 17, 2017
You saw me in Suomi!
I could have sworn I said sometime in 2016 that I would like 2017 to be a quieter, gentler, less-crazy year.
August 14, 2017
Startup @ Sydenham and the Solar Spin
This past year, I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a pilot project here in Kingston, Ontario called Startup @ Sydenham
June 6, 2017
The Breakout Project -- “Kickstarter” Live
This past year, I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a pilot project here in Kingston, Ontario called Startup @ Sydenham
June 6, 2017
Only stupid people start companies; or what I learned from trekking mountains
When I was younger, I started trekking mountains. A small essay on what trekking mountains has taught me about entrepreneurship
November 20, 2015
Pixel the Cat
I promised Pixel seventeen years ago that he would have an amazing life and I think he did. And I told him the night before we went to the vet I would make sure the world would know him.
November 9, 2015
Empire Avenue becomes Empire.Kred
On the sixth anniversary of our forming the company that brought forth Empire Avenue, you might note that as of this past week, EmpireAvenue.com now transfers to Empire.Kred
September 10, 2015
O Canada, Where Art Thou?
We are a country of mostly new immigrants, still trying to figure out how to live sustainably with this great land.
June 30, 2015