Fan Expo 2022 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
I invited The Conduit who I had met at the Futurist conference few weeks earlier and he attendance at the Fan Expo provided lots of learning, fun and new names for him!
Get Connected 21st Century Learn, Speak & Socialize leads to Monetize
Saturday, December 24, 2022
The Pro on the Go Season 2 Episode 2 Jim Pagiamtzis interviews Omar Kazi at Collision 2022
June 2022
Collision 2022 was held in Toronto and it was 4 days of learning, sharing and lots of networking.
Author Omar Kazi was my guest for one days and assisted in get some great video and insights of this massive tech conference.
We sat down at the end to share some insight on his new book and who it could help.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022): Movie Review
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Jim's Review
Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is back to solve another murder at an exotic Greek island.
The cast of characters are life long friends with success and a terrible secret they all share.
Sadly this sequel does not delivers and cast simply enjoyed their time in Greece and that is all that needs to be said.
6 out of 10 stars
About film
Tech billionaire Miles Bron invites his friends for a getaway on his private Greek island. When someone turns up dead, Detective Benoit Blanc is put on the case.
Violent Night (2022): Movie Review
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Jim's Review
Santa Claus (David Harbour) is doing is Christmas duty until he comes upon a house that is under siege by a group of mercenaries!
He makes a decision to do something about it and make a scared young lady happy.
He does have a little mean side that come out in all sorts of ways and as time passes it gets more brutal and violent for everyone involved.
Movies plays homage to Home Alone (1990) and Die Hard (1988) with lots of funny gags that are taken to another level which will have you asking is this a Christmas movie?
The climatic end with place a big red bow with Santa Claus faith in humanity and some holiday magic are made to happen
8 out of 10 stars
About film
An elite team of mercenaries breaks into a family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone hostage inside. However, they aren't prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus is on the grounds, and he's about to show why this Nick is no saint.
Noise A Flaw in Human Judgement: Book Review
Jim's Review
This was an amazing book to read from the first page to the climatic last chapters
The word Noise means something very different for me now in context and figuratively.
Decisions are made by judges, doctors and computers (A.I.) are those truly the correct answers being made.
The authors make a strong case that Noise is something that we truly don't understand and underestimate in many ways.
9 out of 10 stars
About book
From the Nobel Prize-winning author of Thinking, Fast and Slow and the coauthor of Nudge, a revolutionary exploration of why people make bad judgments and how to make better ones—"a tour de force” (New York Times).
Imagine that two doctors in the same city give different diagnoses to identical patients—or that two judges in the same courthouse give markedly different sentences to people who have committed the same crime. Suppose that different interviewers at the same firm make different decisions about indistinguishable job applicants—or that when a company is handling customer complaints, the resolution depends on who happens to answer the phone. Now imagine that the same doctor, the same judge, the same interviewer, or the same customer service agent makes different decisions depending on whether it is morning or afternoon, or Monday rather than Wednesday. These are examples of noise: variability in judgments that should be identical.
In Noise, Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony, and Cass R. Sunstein show the detrimental effects of noise in many fields, including medicine, law, economic forecasting, forensic science, bail, child protection, strategy, performance reviews, and personnel selection. Wherever there is judgment, there is noise. Yet, most of the time, individuals and organizations alike are unaware of it. They neglect noise. With a few simple remedies, people can reduce both noise and bias, and so make far better decisions.
Packed with original ideas, and offering the same kinds of research-based insights that made Thinking, Fast and Slow and Nudge groundbreaking New York Times bestsellers, Noise explains how and why humans are so susceptible to noise in judgment—and what we can do about it.learn more and buy book
Imagine that two doctors in the same city give different diagnoses to identical patients—or that two judges in the same courthouse give markedly different sentences to people who have committed the same crime. Suppose that different interviewers at the same firm make different decisions about indistinguishable job applicants—or that when a company is handling customer complaints, the resolution depends on who happens to answer the phone. Now imagine that the same doctor, the same judge, the same interviewer, or the same customer service agent makes different decisions depending on whether it is morning or afternoon, or Monday rather than Wednesday. These are examples of noise: variability in judgments that should be identical.
In Noise, Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony, and Cass R. Sunstein show the detrimental effects of noise in many fields, including medicine, law, economic forecasting, forensic science, bail, child protection, strategy, performance reviews, and personnel selection. Wherever there is judgment, there is noise. Yet, most of the time, individuals and organizations alike are unaware of it. They neglect noise. With a few simple remedies, people can reduce both noise and bias, and so make far better decisions.
Packed with original ideas, and offering the same kinds of research-based insights that made Thinking, Fast and Slow and Nudge groundbreaking New York Times bestsellers, Noise explains how and why humans are so susceptible to noise in judgment—and what we can do about it.learn more and buy book
Tik Tok Boom (2022): Movie Review
Jim's Review
It was an amazing evening to watch amazing documentary about the rise of Tik Tok through the eyes of acclaimed director Shalini Kantaya.
The films explores the growth of Tik Tok and the controversy it created in the North America in the last few years.
Young and inspired influencers took to the platform to create content and new lifestyles while the algorithm was being challenge by politicians and critics from all over the world
In the end it raised more questions then answers as how Tik Tok has not changed social media but humanity as a whole.
10 out of 10 stars
About film
TikTok, Boom. is a 2022 documentary film about the social media app TikTok. The film is directed by Shalini Kantayya and premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. The film was released on the PBS program Independent Lens on October 24, 2022. Wikipedia
Troll (2022):Movie Review
Jim's Review
A troll gets awakened due to an explosion in the Norwegian mountains and its up to a Nora Tidemann (Ine Marie Wilmann) to figure out why and where the troll is headed.
The is more than meets the eye in the this mega movie about a troll and humanity are intertwined in history.
There lots of similarities with Godzilla (1998) as exact scenes throughout the film, not if was done on purpose or with intent to play homage to the original film.
The climatic end will get all the questions answers and bring the troll film to a end with potential for more in the future.
8 out of 10 stars
About film
When an explosion in the Norwegian mountains awakens an ancient troll, officials appoint a fearless palaeontologist to stop it from wreaking deadly havoc. This fantasy-action film stars Ine Marie Wilmann ("War Sailor") and was directed by Roar Uthaug ("Tomb Raider" and “The Wave”).
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Inside Man (2022): Movie Review
Jim Review
Grieff (Stanley Tucci) is on death row and has a unique ability in solving crimes. Harry (David Tennant) falls in weird situation and being a priest it complicates things leading to many misunderstanding with to many people!
7 out of 10 stars
About film
A prisoner on death row in the U.S. and a woman trapped in a cellar under an English vicarage cross paths in an unexpected way.
Look for Jim Season 2 Episode 1 & 2: Feature videos
Looking for Jim is back with Season 2 Episode 1 & 2 as the talent and amazing Jim Pagiamtzis and Jim Carey are back with new adventures in the city of Toronto
Looking for Jim Season 2 Episode 1
Looking for Jim Season 2 Episode 2
Songbird (2020): Movie Review
Jim's Review
Cool film on the power of love set in the middle of worldwide pandemic in 2024
7 out of 10 stars
About film
Set two years in the future during a pandemic lockdown, we follow the budding love story between a motorbike courier named Nico, who has rare immunity, and Sara, a young artist.
Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022): Movie Review
Movie Review
A film that has nobody really famous and that turn out to be a blessing in disguise as this film rocks on every level!
8 out of 10 stars
About film
It's Christmas Eve and Tori just wants to get drunk and party, but when a robotic Santa Claus at a nearby toy store goes haywire and begins a rampant killing spree through her small town, she's forced into a battle for survival.
Black Panther Wakanda Forever (2022): Movie Review
Jim's Review
One of the most exciting movies I was looking forward to watching following the death untimely death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020.
Ryan Coogler and Marvel Studios presented an amazing movie for the beginning credit to the last post credit scene!
The storyline is full of drama and action as Wakanda is under siege on many front from political to new enemies who uncover some of their vibranium deep in the ocean.
New enemies are revealed and this will cause new heroes to join the Wakanda to save the day
9 out of 10 stars
Movie plot
Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M'Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T'Challa's death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with Nakia and Everett Ross to forge a new path for their beloved kingdom.
Red Carpet Event for Miss Face of Humanity: Feature article
March 26,2022
Red Carpet event at Metro Convention Centre for Miss Face of Humanity 2022
Chris Wylie was at Dell Conference in Toronto: Feature article
October 13,2022
It was going to be long day working at the Dell Technologies Forum in Toronto at the Metro Convention Centre.
I was directing attendees to the registration desk when a man came down the escalators and said to me " I require a personal escort to the speaking stage" My response was " everyone needs to get registered sir!"
He just stood there and waited!
Needless to say, I was little irritated and bothered he wouldn't go to registration.
Few moments later a coworker came and took him downstairs.
For the next 30 minutes I was trying to figure out who he was?
Then all of us sudden it hit me
That was Chris Wylie the controversial speaker who worked for Cambridge Analytica and was part of many documentaries I had watched in recent years!
It was quite an experience because none of my coworkers had no idea who he was
It was like seeing a major movie star that you never planned on every seeing!
The next question I had was Why would Dell have him speaking at this event?
I check all the marketing material and he was nowhere to be found! Even my business partner checked he counldn't find anything!
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| Chris Wylie |
Chris Wylie Wikipedia page below
Guillermo del Toro Cabinet of Curiosities: My Notebooks, Collections, and Other Obsessions: Book Review
Jim's Review
An amazing illustration of Guillermo Del Toro's movies.
10 out of 10 stars
About book
Over the last two decades, writer-director Guillermo del Toro has mapped out a territory in the popular imagination that is uniquely his own, astonishing audiences with Cronos, Hellboy, Pan's Labyrinth, and a host of other films and creative endeavors. Now, for the first time, del Toro reveals the inspirations behind his signature artistic motifs, sharing the contents of his personal notebooks, collections, and other obsessions. The result is a startling, intimate glimpse into the life and mind of one of the world's most creative visionaries. Complete with running commentary, interview text, and annotations that contextualize the ample visual material, this deluxe compendium is every bit as inspired as del Toro is himself.
Contains a foreword by James Cameron, an afterword by Tom Cruise, and contributions from other luminaries, including Neil Gaiman and John Landis, among others.read more and buy book
Jim Pagiamtzis interview with Terence Kings on Make it Count Season 1 Episode 1
Being part of Make it Count Season 1 Episode 1 was amazing experience!
Cabinet of Curiosities (2022): Series Review (Netflix)
Jim's Review
8 Amazing episodes of cool and some terrifying stories
10 out of 10 stars
Guillermo Del Toro Cabinet of Curiosities Creaks open this October read more
Jim Pagiamtzis sharing at Autoshow 2020: Feature article
It was February 2020 I had the amazing opportunity to do a cool tour of the Auto Show at the Metro Convention Centre
Jim Pagiamtzis interviews Nadia Tjoa winner of Miss Face of Humanity 2022
It was magical time to participate in Miss Face of Humanity in April 2023
Enjoy the interview below
Stopping the Next Pandemic: Book Review
Jim's Review
Every chapter contains insightful information how the pandemic began and insights how globally we didn't work together as well as we thought we should have.
9 out of 10 stars
About book
An urgent case for how we could have stopped the Covid-19 pandemic—and how to make sure it never happens again
"MacKenzie's fascinating book gives us the scope and scale to be able to put this pandemic in perspective and, it begs the question, will we learn from this in time to prevent to next one?"—Molly Caldwell Crosby, bestselling author of The American Plague.
*Named one of the Best Science Books of the Year by the Financial Times*
The Covid-19 pandemic has left a trail of loss, misery, and economic ruin in its wake. With such destruction, can there be any silver lining? As veteran science journalist Debora MacKenzie illuminates in this captivating, acclaimed book, there is one: with the lessons learned from this disaster, we can stop it from happening again.
Here, in this fully revised and updated edition, she lays out the full story in accessible, gripping detail: the previous viruses that should have prepared us, the shocking public health failures that led to this catastrophe, the wrong decisions made at every turn. And employing what we have learned about viruses, vaccines, inequality, global cooperation, and more, she charts a bold, optimistic path forward for protecting humanity from threats to come. There is no question that more viruses are on the way, and we are still unprepared. But if we learn from our mistakes and heed the vision MacKenzie lays out in this book, we might avoid going through a nightmare like this – or worse – ever again.read more and buy book
A.I Ten Visions for the Future 2041: Book Review
Jim Review
Spectacular from the beginning all the way to end as impact A.I has had currently and will in the future
8 out of 10 stars
About book
How will artificial intelligence change our world within twenty years?
A WALL STREET JOURNAL, WASHINGTON POST, AND FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • “This inspired collaboration between a pioneering technologist and a visionary writer of science fiction offers bold and urgent insights.”—Yann LeCun, winner of the Turing Award; chief AI scientist, Facebook
“Amazingly entertaining . . . Lee and Chen take us on an immersive trip through the future. . . . Eye-opening.”—Mark Cuban
AI will be the defining development of the twenty-first century. Within two decades, aspects of daily human life will be unrecognizable. AI will generate unprecedented wealth, revolutionize medicine and education through human-machine symbiosis, and create brand-new forms of communication and entertainment. In liberating us from routine work, however, AI will also challenge the organizing principles of our economic and social order. Meanwhile, AI will bring new risks in the form of autonomous weapons and smart technology that inherits human bias. AI is at a tipping point, and people need to wake up—both to AI’s radiant pathways and its existential perils for life as we know it.
In this provocative, utterly original work, Kai-Fu Lee, the former president of Google China and bestselling author of AI Superpowers, teams up with celebrated novelist Chen Qiufan to imagine our world in 2041 and how it will be shaped by AI. In ten gripping short stories, they introduce readers to an array of eye-opening 2041 settings, such as:
• In San Francisco, the “job reallocation” industry emerges as deep learning AI causes widespread job displacement
• In Tokyo, a music fan is swept up in an immersive form of celebrity worship based on virtual reality and mixed reality
• In Mumbai, a teenage girl rebels when AI’s crunching of big data gets in the way of romance
• In Seoul, virtual companions with perfected natural language processing (NLP) skills offer orphaned twins new ways to connect
• In Munich, a rogue scientist draws on quantum computing, computer vision and other AI technologies in a revenge plot that imperils the world
By gazing toward a not-so-distant horizon, AI 2041 offers urgent insights into our collective future—while reminding readers that, ultimately, humankind remains the author of its destiny.read more and buy book
Red Zone: Book Review
Jim Review
A spectacular read detailing how Laurent Duvernay- Tardif played professional football and completed medical school.
10 out of 10 stars
About book
In July 2020, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif sent shockwaves through the sports world by becoming the first NFL player to opt out of the upcoming season during the global pandemic
As plans for the 2020 NFL season ramped up and daily cases of Covid-19 continued to skyrocket, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, a fixture on the offensive line of the Kansas City Chiefs, stepped away from the game he loved. Not only an active player but also a medical school graduate, Laurent withdrew when he realized that continuing to play—and potentially spreading the virus—was antithetical to everything he believed in. For the first time in his remarkable career, Laurent couldn’t reconcile his twin passions of football and medicine, and with his team’s Super Bowl win only months behind him, found himself on the front lines of the pandemic, working in a long-term care facility in Quebec.
But that was just the beginning of the story. As Laurent settled into his new reality, he quickly came up against a severe Covid outbreak in his hospital unit. Meanwhile, his team, the Kansas City Chiefs, entered the playoffs as the favorites to repeat as champions in a season that saw countless games postponed due to league-wide outbreaks, including one on his own offensive line.
From the incredible highs of winning the Super Bowl to the burnout of working as an orderly, Red Zone takes readers inside Laurent’s life as he grapples with his roles of medical professional and NFL football player during a global pandemic. But this captivating memoir also reveals Laurent’s remarkable personal story, detailing how his insatiable curiosity and solid work ethic led him from his family’s bakery in Montreal to his role as one of the most fascinating and accomplished people in professional sports. Read and buy book
Monday, December 12, 2022
Everthing Everywhere all at once (2022):Movie Review
Jim's Review
Evelyn Quan Wang (Michelle Yeoh) has lots going on in her life, business issue, family drama and interdimensional travel! Hence the brillian title Everything Everywhere all at once take you on a 2 hr thrill ride of journey that will have you excited with all the twist and turns she will take
Deidre Beaudeirdre(Jamie Lee Curtis) is an accountant with some flare who will blow you away when she gets involved! Waymond Wang (Ke Huy Qaun) the brother and Gong Gong ( James Hong) are the brilliant support who are along for the journey of crazy fun
Evelyn Wang is not on board with all this nonsensical travel (neither was I) then in very short time it all begins to make sense to her, and she begins to take on the challenge despite the occurring action that at times get so hilarious, funny that you will get lost in the movie (on purpose).
There are some very cool action sequences that will have you so excited (and wanting more)
The middle act the story begins to take shape as Joy Wang/Jobu Topaki (Stephanie Hsu) Evelyn daughter joins the action and drama with her own story
The climatic end will have tie all together in a climatic end with lots of joy, happiness and little heartache
10 out of 10 stars
About film
When an interdimensional rupture unravels reality, an unlikely hero must channel her newfound powers to fight bizarre and bewildering dangers from the multiverse as the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Nano The Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) Small: Book Review
Jim's Review
Awesome book with powerful and cool explanations of Nano.
10 out of 10 stars
About book
The cutting-edge world of nanoscience leaps to life on boldly patterned pages in this STEM-ready gem.
An acclaimed physicist and debut picture-book author introduces readers to the tiny building blocks that make up the world around us. Elegant, friendly text and stylish illustrations explain atoms, the elements, and other essential science concepts and reveal how very (very) small materials are manipulated to create self-washing windows; stronger, lighter airplanes; and other wonders of nanotechnology. Further explanation in the back matter gives more detail about various scientists’ roles and the tools they use. Splashed with bright primary colors, this tribute to the tiny will inspire curious minds of every stripe.Learn more and buy book
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
The Quake (2018): Movie Review
Jim's Review
Kristian Eikjord (Kristopher Joner) is living alone and trying to connect with his daughter and estranged wife.
He is living a quiet life when a fellow friend dies in a mountain accident his concerned because he had received a package from him and didn't open it!
He eventually does and begins to piece together the data and Idun Karlsen (Ane Dahl Top) believe in him joins him to try and warn every one of the imminent dangers that will happen soon.
The cinematic camera work and CG is spectacularly done in this film with a few very cool Hitchcock esque moments to really drive up the action.
8 out of 10 stars
About film
A geologist races against time to save his estranged wife and two children when a devastating earthquake strikes Oslo, Norway.
Monday, October 31, 2022
Pen and Paper: Feature article
The Art of taking notes
In recent months I have attended some personal development events and decided to go "old school' and use paper and pen to take notes.
It was all going well until I started getting questions like:
- Any good points to share
- Are you taking minutes of the meeting? will be you be sharing then soon...
- What were the main talking points
Wasn't sure how to react should to these comments? happy, complimentary, irritable, insulted
What do you think?
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Sunday, October 30, 2022
I am Groot (2022): Series Review
Jim's Review
I am Groot is totally hilarious!!!
10 out of 10 stars
About series
I Am Groot is an American series of animated shorts created by Kirsten Lepore for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics featuring the character Groot
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Costco weekend adventure yielded many lessons (big surprise): Feature article
October 2022
In the last two years I have done various types of special projects at Costco all over the GTA region.
This time it was going to be Kenneth Cole shoes.
I did my online training in late September and was looking forward to the experience!
As the weeks passed the date got closer and I was getting little nervous (normal for me).
Two weeks prior to the event I was working another special project at the Metro Convention Centre in downtown Toronto where I met an old colleague that I worked with 22 years ago name Joe B.
We had only a very quick conversation at the end I said " by the way where Andy Dean these days?" He responds " he is working at Costco Colossus on Hightway 7"
I said, " funny you say that I will be at that store in two weeks!" Joe responds, " that should be an interesting conversation!"
I said, "Oh it will be!"
Two weeks ago, by and the day has arrived to go to Costco Colossus.
They plan was to cycle to Dupont Station take my bike on the subway and go to Vaughan Metropolitan Station and then cycle the rest of the way to the final destination Costco Colossus.
( see pictures below and rest of story is at the end of the pictures)
.jpg "Cycling on Bloor Street West")
Cycling on Bloor Street West (bike lanes east)
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| Jim Pagiamtzis outside Vaughan Metropolitan Centre |
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| Cycling across Bike lane on Highway 7 Bridge |
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| Enter Bike lane bridge Highway 7 |
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| Executive bike parking |
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| Cosco Colossus |
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| Kenneth Cole Shoes |
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| Jim Pagiamtzis selling Kenneth Cole shoes |
I reached the store and got some administrative work complete and was ready to sell some shoes!
I had received some training on the Kenneth Cole shoes including the cool story on he got started!
(Highly recommend reading about it)
It was day one of two, so I had time to get used to the surroundings and get used to all the different types of shoes.
Costco customers are there to shop for all sorts of items, shoes, pants, food and anything else that catches their eye!
Keep point in the top sentence "catches their eye!"
It didn't take long to get lots of interest in the wide assorted of men's and women's shoes that were available.
My goal was very simple was to answer questions and sell as many shoes as I could in the six hours I was there.
In the morning the employees at Costco had made the store look perfect! but in less than 2hr it was a disaster!!!
It was like a bunch of velociraptors had gone through the store
Unfortunately, that wasn't the case as one Costco employee said to me "they spend $60 for a membership, and they can do anything they want to the store"
I was little dismayed by here comment because I also avid shopper at Costco and make every effort not to make a mess.
It became very apparent that their different types of customers some who cared many who didn't and a few that were very malicious with their actions!
We did provide some samples of shoes to try, and many did do so. Yet at one point I saw some awful things that people with no socks trying the shoes!
I had to quickly remove and put them aside to be cleaned at a later time
Then finally some cool things to share!
There was great instance of social made sharing with people taking pictures and sending them to friends and family (wives) for approval, some did live Facetime calls and others just picked them up and walked away.
We had lots of shoes in stock, and I didn't as much as I thought I would
The perfect storm was coming the next day
Saturday was an entirely different day. I was going to be there for the entire shift and was more prepared to deal with questions from clients
It was more of the same as the day before, but the store was way busier and more hectic with customer. I can tell from their full shopping carts
Costco employees are the magicians of the store
If you have never been to Costco store you definitely should visit one soon! The store is truly a big place with lots of moving parts and different sections.
The amount of stock and inventory is truly amazing to see, and the work involved to keep it flowing is a true team effort.
A key fact about Costco is they have a high retention of employees who have been there 10,20 and 25 years. Thye have a wall posted a all the stores with the name tags and year they started.
It is something you don't see in many organizations these days and delight to see loyalty still is appreciated.
You remember earlier in the article I mentioned my old manager is now managing this Costco store (glad you made it this far!) Well, we finally met at he looked little surprise but genuinely happy to see me. I shared my brief journey with him and my current role in public health for the 2 years.
He was pleasantly surprised that I remember his wife's and daughter's names. I did tell him I had become a great networking and had still a good memory.
Two of fun and many lessons
In the end I had massive sales on Saturday and had some cool conversations with clients, customers that yield life and success strategies for business and life.
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