Get your splash on!

During my 42 weeks of pregnancy, I dreaded every doctor’s appointment, blood test, and ultrasound. My shoulders and hands would tense up before hearing or seeing every result, “Please don’t let there be anything wrong with my baby” was the phrase repeating in my head.

Fortunately, we delivered a healthy, strong baby boy. At almost 11 months old, he is still a happy, healthy little guy. We feel grateful every day for his health and ability, especially because we know not every parent is as fortunate.

We don’t know what will happen in the future, but we appreciate that there are dedicated and inspiring groups in Canada providing amazing opportunities and experiences which enhance the quality of life, self-esteem, and self-determination of Canadians with disabilities.

One of every seven Canadians report having a disability. Easter Seals is Canada’s largest local provider of programs, services, issues-leadership and development for the disability community, and they are dedicated to helping more than 100,000 Canadians with disabilities participate fully in society.

Azara Effect Productions is so honored to be a part of their Splash of Colour event on Sunday, August 25, and we can’t wait to film all of the excited and colourful participants! If you haven’t signed up for this year’s event, it’s never too late to donate, or to start thinking about participating in 2014!

http://www.splashofcolor.ca/

What came first: the chicken or the egg salad?

Most days, I have delicious leftovers for lunch at work. Some days, though, we eat too much the night before, and I’m left to my own devices for a midday meal. I usually end up at the same café that’s about a five minute walk from my office because of their clean, bright atmosphere, friendly staff, and healthy food choices, offered at a reasonable price. It’s usually a win-win type of lunch situation.

I went yesterday to have a little bite of something and read the local music rag while having a little sit in the sunshine. Feeling like having a salad, I looked at the options: Greek, Curried Chicken Orzo, and Thai noodle. Although I would normally have the Thai, I felt like doing something different and chose the curried chicken.

I grabbed the paper, found a table outside, and prepared to enjoy my curried chicken orzo salad. I was surprised, however, to find that the salad should have been labelled: Curry Egg Orzo salad (with Too Much Mayo and Red Onion, but that’s a different story). As best as I could, I picked out the egg (and red onion) and ate the salad, because I was hungry and because I suppose egg is chicken? The other main element, orzo, was there, and the salad did have a bit of a curry taste, so I received about 60% of what I thought I was going to when I chose and purchased the salad.

But, still, I was left with a bit of a bad taste in my mouth (so many red onions). I will probably still go back, but I’ll never order that salad again. I will probably still recommend the café to my co-workers, but I’ll likely tell them the story.

The lesson for business? Make sure you and your client both share the same clear vision of what the end product or result will be. You might think chicken and egg are the same thing, but the client might not, and that might affect their decision to use or refer your business in the future.

And, take it easy on the red onion.

Melissa