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<channel><title><![CDATA[Free Spirit Blog - Free Spirit Blog]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog]]></link><description><![CDATA[Free Spirit Blog]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:00:15 -0700</pubDate><generator>Weebly</generator><item><title><![CDATA[The Thirst for power]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/the-thirst-for-power]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/the-thirst-for-power#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 18:00:15 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[investing]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/the-thirst-for-power</guid><description><![CDATA[       &#8203;If I had to map out the next several years, I'd think about it in terms of where the bottlenecks are likely to move.Today (still strong):AI chips (NVIDIA, AMD)Networking (Broadcom, Arista)Memory (Micron)Semiconductor manufacturing (TSMC)These companies are still benefiting from enormous AI spending, but expectations are also extremely high.The next likely beneficiaries (my view):Power and utilitiesThis is the area I think has one of the strongest structural tailwinds.Every new AI d [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.freespiritblog.net/uploads/1/9/2/4/1924078/power_orig.jpeg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">&#8203;If I had to map out the next several years, I'd think about it in terms of where the bottlenecks are likely to move.<br /><span></span><strong>Today (still strong):</strong><br /><span></span><ul><li>AI chips (NVIDIA, AMD)</li><li>Networking (Broadcom, Arista)</li><li>Memory (Micron)</li><li>Semiconductor manufacturing (TSMC)</li></ul>These companies are still benefiting from enormous AI spending, but expectations are also extremely high.<br /><span></span><strong>The next likely beneficiaries (my view):</strong><br /><span></span><ol><li><strong>Power and utilities</strong><br />This is the area I think has one of the strongest structural tailwinds.<br /><span></span>Every new AI data center needs a reliable supply of electricity, and in many regions the grid is already constrained. That benefits:<br /><span></span><ul><li>Electric utilities</li><li>Independent power producers</li><li>Renewable energy developers</li><li>Nuclear operators</li><li>Natural gas generation</li><li>Battery storage companies</li></ul></li><li><strong>Electrical equipment</strong><br />A data center isn't useful if it can't connect to the grid.<br /><span></span>Companies making:<br /><span></span><ul><li>Transformers</li><li>Switchgear</li><li>Circuit breakers</li><li>Power management equipment</li><li>Cooling systems</li></ul>could continue to see strong demand. Firms like Eaton, Schneider Electric, ABB, GE Vernova, and Siemens Energy are often mentioned in this context.<br /><span></span></li><li><strong>Grid infrastructure</strong><br />Building generation is only part of the story. Electricity has to be transmitted.<br /><span></span>That means investment in:<br /><span></span><ul><li>High-voltage transmission</li><li>Distribution networks</li><li>Grid automation</li><li>Battery storage</li></ul>This fits with your earlier point about Brookfield and Canada's grid modernization.<br /><span></span></li><li><strong>Software</strong><br />This is where the biggest long-term profits may ultimately end up.<br /><span></span>History shows that the companies providing the infrastructure don't always earn the highest long-term returns. During the internet boom, companies selling networking equipment did very well, but some of the biggest winners over time were businesses that built dominant software and platform ecosystems.<br /><span></span>If AI truly transforms productivity, companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and others could generate much higher earnings from AI services over time&mdash;provided they can monetize those investments.<br /><span></span></li></ol>One wildcard: roboticsIf AI becomes capable enough to automate physical work, then industrial automation and robotics could become the next major investment theme after software. That could benefit manufacturers of industrial robots, warehouse automation, logistics technology, and related hardware.<br /><span></span>My biggest watch itemThe one thing I'd pay the closest attention to over the next five years isn't actually AI models&mdash;it's <strong>electricity</strong>.<br /><span></span>The question isn't just, "Who has the best AI?" It's, <strong>"Who can supply enough power to run it?"</strong><br /><span></span>If AI demand keeps growing as many expect, electricity may become one of the most valuable enabling resources. That doesn't mean every utility stock will outperform, but it does suggest power generation, transmission, and grid modernization could remain important investment themes for years rather than quarters.<br /><span></span>That said, it's also worth remembering that markets anticipate trends. If a company is already priced for years of exceptional growth, even good news may not lead to exceptional returns. Looking for areas where the market may be <strong>underestimating</strong> future demand&mdash;rather than simply identifying a good business&mdash;is often what separates a strong investment thesis from a popular one.<br /><span></span></div>  <div class="paragraph"></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ai Build out]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/ai-build-out]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/ai-build-out#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:54:52 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[investing]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/ai-build-out</guid><description><![CDATA[ Build phase (where we largely are today)Chip designers (NVIDIA, AMD, Broadcom)Semiconductor manufacturers (TSMC)Networking equipment (Arista, Cisco)Optical components and fiberCooling systems, power equipment, transformers, switchgearData center construction and engineeringThis is where the bulk of the capital spending is happening.Infrastructure utilization phaseOnce the data centers are built, companies still need to fill them with GPUs, replace aging hardware, and expand capacity. Demand for [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:left;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:left;max-width:100%;;clear:left;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="https://www.freespiritblog.net/uploads/1/9/2/4/1924078/ai-pictures-2024-05-06t085457-000z_orig.png" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="display:block;"><ol><li><strong>Build phase (where we largely are today)</strong><br /><span></span><ul><li>Chip designers (NVIDIA, AMD, Broadcom)</li><li>Semiconductor manufacturers (TSMC)</li><li>Networking equipment (Arista, Cisco)</li><li>Optical components and fiber</li><li>Cooling systems, power equipment, transformers, switchgear</li><li>Data center construction and engineering</li></ul>This is where the bulk of the capital spending is happening.<br /><span></span></li><li><strong>Infrastructure utilization phase</strong><br />Once the data centers are built, companies still need to fill them with GPUs, replace aging hardware, and expand capacity. Demand for chips probably won't disappear&mdash;it may just grow more slowly. GPUs also become obsolete fairly quickly (every 2&ndash;4 years for cutting-edge AI), creating an upgrade cycle.</li><li><strong>Power phase</strong><br />This is the area many investors think is still underappreciated.<br /><span></span>AI data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity. That benefits:<br /><span></span><ul><li>Electric utilities</li><li>Renewable power producers</li><li>Natural gas generation</li><li>Nuclear power</li><li>Battery storage</li><li>Grid modernization companies</li><li>Transformer and electrical equipment manufacturers</li></ul>This is one reason companies like Brookfield Renewable, Vistra, Constellation Energy, GE Vernova, Eaton, and Siemens Energy have attracted so much investor attention.<br /><span></span></li><li><strong>Application phase</strong><br />Eventually, the companies spending tens of billions today want a return on that investment.<br /><span></span>The biggest winners could be software companies that successfully monetize AI through:<br /><span></span><ul><li>Higher subscription prices</li><li>Productivity gains</li><li>New AI products</li><li>Lower operating costs</li></ul>Think Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Salesforce, Adobe, and many enterprise software companies.<br /><span></span></li></ol>One thing I'd add is that these phases <strong>overlap</strong> rather than occur one after another. For example, Microsoft is still building data centers while simultaneously selling AI services. Utilities are expanding capacity while chip companies continue shipping record numbers of GPUs.<br /><span></span>One caution is that markets are forward-looking. By the time everyone realizes that power demand is exploding, utility and power stocks may have already priced in much of that expectation. Investors are always trying to anticipate the <em>next</em> bottleneck.<br /><span></span>"Who benefits next?"&nbsp;<br /><span></span></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Carney, Brookfield and Power]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/carney-brookfield-and-power]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/carney-brookfield-and-power#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:52:28 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[investing]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/carney-brookfield-and-power</guid><description><![CDATA[ Brookfield Asset Management is acquiring Aypa Power, North America's largest standalone battery energy storage developer, in a US$7 billion deal that significantly expands its role in powering the next generation of AI infrastructure.The acquisition strengthens Brookfield's US$100 billion AI Infrastructure Program by solving one of the industry's biggest challenges: delivering reliable 24/7 clean electricity to energy-intensive AI data centres. Aypa's 6.5 GW contracted battery storage portfolio [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:left;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:left;max-width:100%;;clear:left;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="https://www.freespiritblog.net/uploads/1/9/2/4/1924078/images-1_orig.jpeg" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="display:block;"><br />Brookfield Asset Management is acquiring Aypa Power, North America's largest standalone battery energy storage developer, in a US$7 billion deal that significantly expands its role in powering the next generation of AI infrastructure.<br />The acquisition strengthens Brookfield's US$100 billion AI Infrastructure Program by solving one of the industry's biggest challenges: delivering reliable 24/7 clean electricity to energy-intensive AI data centres. Aypa's 6.5 GW contracted battery storage portfolio and more than 20 GW development pipeline will allow Brookfield to store renewable energy and dispatch it when demand peaks, helping overcome grid constraints and renewable intermittency.<br />The deal also reinforces Brookfield's partnerships with hyperscalers, including its 10.5 GW renewable energy agreement with Microsoft and 3 GW agreement with Google. Combined with its expanded partnership with Bloom Energy for onsite fuel cells and the launch of Radiant, an NVIDIA Cloud Partner, Brookfield is building a vertically integrated AI platform spanning power generation, battery storage, and compute infrastructure.<br />The timing could also prove significant for Canada. As a Toronto-headquartered infrastructure giant with longstanding relationships across Canadian governments, pension funds, and public institutions, Brookfield is well positioned as Ottawa prepares to invest billions of dollars to modernize Canada's electrical grid and accelerate the clean energy transition. Large-scale battery energy storage will be essential to integrating renewable power and improving grid reliability, creating substantial opportunities for companies with Brookfield's expertise.<br />While any future projects would be awarded through competitive procurement processes, Brookfield's acquisition of Aypa strengthens its position to compete for the next wave of grid modernization and AI-driven energy infrastructure investments on both sides of the border.<br /><br />Ticker is BEP.TO&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[​Why Does the Market Keep Going Up]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/why-does-the-market-keep-going-up]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/why-does-the-market-keep-going-up#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 20:20:39 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[investing]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/why-does-the-market-keep-going-up</guid><description><![CDATA[ &#8203;Why Does the Market Keep Going Up?Someone asked me recently: &ldquo;How can the stock market just keep going up and up?&rdquo;One reason is that modern governments and financial systems are creating permanent investment flows into the market.A good example is the new U.S. "Kids&nbsp; Accounts&rdquo; program. Under the program, newborn children receive $1,000 investment accounts seeded by the U.S. government and tied to stock market investments.Think about the scale of that.Roughly 10,000 [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:left;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:left;max-width:100%;;clear:left;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="https://www.freespiritblog.net/uploads/1/9/2/4/1924078/gettyimages-499170981-20e252a7742340ab9b03118f93e8d58c_orig.jpg" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="display:block;">&#8203;Why Does the Market Keep Going Up?Someone asked me recently: <em>&ldquo;How can the stock market just keep going up and up?&rdquo;</em><br />One reason is that modern governments and financial systems are creating permanent investment flows into the market.<br />A good example is the new U.S. "Kids&nbsp; Accounts&rdquo; program. Under the program, newborn children receive $1,000 investment accounts seeded by the U.S. government and tied to stock market investments.<br />Think about the scale of that.<br />Roughly 10,000 babies are born every day in the United States. Multiply that by $1,000 per child, and you suddenly have millions of dollars flowing into the market every single day before parents even contribute additional money.<br />That is a constant stream of new liquidity entering equities.<br />Now, in the grand scheme of the U.S. market, a few billion dollars annually is not enough on its own to drive the entire market higher. But this program represents something much bigger happening globally:<ul><li>Automatic investing</li><li>Passive index fund buying</li><li>Pension fund contributions</li><li>Retirement accounts</li><li>Corporate buybacks</li><li>Government-supported investment programs</li></ul> These systems create what is essentially &ldquo;always-on&rdquo; buying pressure.<br />Decades ago, investors had to actively choose to buy stocks. Today, money flows automatically into markets through retirement systems, ETFs, index funds, sovereign wealth funds, and government-linked investment programs.<br />At the same time, governments increasingly want citizens financially tied to markets because rising markets support:<ul><li>consumer confidence</li><li>retirement security</li><li>tax revenues</li><li>economic stability</li></ul> This creates an environment where maintaining asset growth becomes politically and economically important.<br />Add in major global trends like:<ul><li>AI infrastructure expansion</li><li>electrical grid modernization</li><li>electrification</li><li>defense spending</li><li>energy transitions</li></ul> &hellip;and you have enormous capital demand supporting industrial growth for years to come.<br />The result is a market structure very different from previous generations.<br />Corrections will still happen. Volatility will still exist. But structurally, modern financial systems are increasingly designed around continuous capital inflows into equities.<br />That may be one of the biggest reasons markets continue climbing over the long term.</div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fatty liver, Gout and Gallbladder]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/fatty-liver-gout-and-gallbladder]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/fatty-liver-gout-and-gallbladder#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 19:10:54 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/fatty-liver-gout-and-gallbladder</guid><description><![CDATA[       &#8203;As our family gets older, more health issues start showing up&mdash;sometimes in people you&rsquo;d never expect. Lately it&rsquo;s been things like gout, gallbladder trouble, and fatty liver. So I decided to dig into how food can be used as medicine to help manage or even reverse some of these conditions.The tricky part is that food-based healing isn&rsquo;t a quick fix. You have to consistently eat the right foods every day, sometimes for a long time, and pay attention to how you [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.freespiritblog.net/uploads/1/9/2/4/1924078/fruote_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">&#8203;As our family gets older, more health issues start showing up&mdash;sometimes in people you&rsquo;d never expect. Lately it&rsquo;s been things like gout, gallbladder trouble, and fatty liver. So I decided to dig into how food can be used as medicine to help manage or even reverse some of these conditions.<br />The tricky part is that food-based healing isn&rsquo;t a quick fix. You have to consistently eat the right foods every day, sometimes for a long time, and pay attention to how your own body responds. Still, it feels like a worthwhile path to explore.<br /><br /><strong>1. Why these foods help&nbsp;</strong><br /><strong>Beetroot</strong> &ndash; improves bile flow and supports detox enzymes.<br /><strong>Legumes</strong> &ndash; stabilize blood sugar, reduce fat buildup in the liver.<br /><strong>Garlic</strong> &ndash; contains allicin, which helps lower liver fat and inflammation.<br /><strong>Leafy greens (spinach, kale)</strong> &ndash; high antioxidants, reduce liver fat.<br /><strong>Cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)</strong> &ndash; support glutathione, one of the liver&rsquo;s key detox tools.<br /><strong>Fruits (berries, citrus, apples, grapes, bananas, avocados)</strong> &ndash; fiber, antioxidants, and compounds that reduce liver fat.<br />The challenge isn&rsquo;t knowing <em>what</em> to eat&mdash;it's building it into daily life without it feeling like a chore.<br /><br /><strong>2. Why juicing + smoothies works</strong>:<ul><li><strong>Juicing</strong> gives you concentrated vitamins/minerals from vegetables that people rarely eat enough of.</li><li><strong>Smoothies</strong> keep the fiber (which the liver needs to bind and move fat out).</li></ul> Combining them gives you the best of both worlds.<br /><br /><strong>3. The Practical Strategy: A Daily &ldquo;Liver Reset&rdquo; Smoothie Routine</strong>This is where it becomes doable.<br /><strong>Step 1 &mdash; Prep a Vegetable Juice Base (3&ndash;4 days at a time)</strong>Make 1&ndash;1.5 litres total and store in airtight glass jars.<br />Suggested mix:<ul><li>2&ndash;3 beets</li><li>4&ndash;6 carrots (optional but helps taste)</li><li>1 lemon (peeled)</li><li>1 cucumber</li><li>2&ndash;3 stalks celery</li><li>A handful of spinach or kale</li><li>A chunk of ginger</li><li>Optional: a small amount of broccoli stems or cabbage</li></ul> Use &frac12; &ndash; 1 cup of this as your smoothie base.<br /><strong>Step 2 &mdash; Build the Daily Smoothie<br />&#8203;</strong>Add to a blender:<ul><li><strong>1 cup vegetable your juice</strong></li><li><strong>1 cup frozen berries</strong> (blueberries especially)</li><li><strong>&frac12; banana OR &frac12; avocado</strong> (thickens and adds healthy fats)</li><li><strong>1 apple or &frac12; grapefruit</strong> (or juice from half a lemon)</li><li><strong>1 tbsp ground flaxseed or chia (for fiber)</strong></li><li><strong>1 scoop of protein powder</strong> (optional, but helps blood sugar control)</li></ul> Blend and drink.<br />This gives you:<br />&#10004; Fiber<br />&#10004; Antioxidants<br />&#10004; Detox-supporting compounds<br />&#10004; Steady blood sugar<br />&#10004; A huge portion of your daily veggies before 10 AM<br /><br /><strong>4. What this does over time<br />&#8203;</strong>If you keep this up daily, most people notice within 4&ndash;8 weeks:<ul><li>Better liver bloodwork</li><li>Less abdominal bloating</li><li>More stable digestion</li><li>Lower inflammation</li><li>More consistent energy</li></ul> It&rsquo;s not magic&mdash;it's consistency. Your liver regenerates constantly; you&rsquo;re just giving it the building blocks to do the job properly.<br /><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Soberfest 2025]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/soberfest-2025]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/soberfest-2025#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2025 19:37:09 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/soberfest-2025</guid><description><![CDATA[       &#8203;A Weekend of Contrast&mdash;and a Call to ActionLast weekend, I was in Vancouver for a baseball tournament. We stayed in a beautiful spot in Surrey, BC. One morning, I went out to grab some juice&mdash;and that&rsquo;s when I saw him.A man lay on the ground, spread-eagle. Nobody stopped. Nobody even looked. I didn&rsquo;t either. I assumed he was alive and kept walking.When I came back, he was gone.That night, I saw what looked like a lifeless body being loaded into an ambulance. T [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="wsite-youtube" style="margin-bottom:10px;margin-top:10px;"><div class="wsite-youtube-wrapper wsite-youtube-size-auto wsite-youtube-align-center"> <div class="wsite-youtube-container">  <iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_vExznhNEqQ?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">&#8203;<strong>A Weekend of Contrast&mdash;and a Call to Action</strong><br /><span></span>Last weekend, I was in Vancouver for a baseball tournament. We stayed in a beautiful spot in Surrey, BC. One morning, I went out to grab some juice&mdash;and that&rsquo;s when I saw him.<br /><span></span>A man lay on the ground, spread-eagle. Nobody stopped. Nobody even looked. I didn&rsquo;t either. I assumed he was alive and kept walking.<br /><span></span>When I came back, he was gone.<br /><span></span>That night, I saw what looked like a lifeless body being loaded into an ambulance. The next morning, another ambulance, another body on the ground&mdash;motionless, possibly there all night.<br /><span></span>It was hard to reconcile. On one hand, I was surrounded by amazing families, cheering on kids playing baseball. On the other, I saw the brutal, unfiltered reality of addiction and what it&rsquo;s doing to our communities. We are in a sad state.<br /><span></span>Last year, I met a guy named Mike Manhas. He asked me to help with an event called <strong>SoberFest Victoria</strong>. When he explained how the event raises funds to expand access to addiction treatment, I said yes. Doing nothing wasn&rsquo;t an option anymore.<br /><span></span>Mike has spent the past year relentlessly pushing this cause forward. Thanks to his work, more people now have access to treatment&mdash;people who otherwise wouldn&rsquo;t get help.<br /><span></span>So here&rsquo;s your chance to be part of something real.<br /><span></span><strong>SoberFest is on August 2nd.</strong> There&rsquo;ll be live music, food trucks, and giant bouncy castles. It&rsquo;s a celebration&mdash;but it&rsquo;s also a movement. Every ticket helps fund treatment and spread awareness.<br /><span></span>Even if you can&rsquo;t attend, just buying a ticket makes a difference.<br /><span></span>Mike&rsquo;s been through addiction himself. That&rsquo;s why this means everything to him. And to me.<br /><span></span>Let&rsquo;s stop walking past the problem. Let&rsquo;s start being part of the solution.<br /><span></span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Dam has burst]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/the-dam-has-burst]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/the-dam-has-burst#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2022 15:46:38 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[victoria events yyj]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/the-dam-has-burst</guid><description><![CDATA[       &#8203;Since my last post, I got off my butt and put my nose out the door. I saw the world starting to open. Fear is still in the air, but people are less afraid every day.After watching my savings dwindle over the past year, it is clear that it is time to take the 20 years of experience in events and put it to good use. It's time to reflect on how things were done and pivot to how they are being done today. Times have changed over the last 2 years.For me, it is about looking and listenin [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.freespiritblog.net/uploads/1/9/2/4/1924078/logo2_orig.png" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph"><br />&#8203;Since my last post, I got off my butt and put my nose out the door. I saw the world starting to open. Fear is still in the air, but people are less afraid every day.<br /><br />After watching my savings dwindle over the past year, it is clear that it is time to take the 20 years of experience in events and put it to good use. It's time to reflect on how things were done and pivot to how they are being done today. Times have changed over the last 2 years.<br /><br />For me, it is about looking and listening to everyone I see and hear, including what people are posting on social media. Are the events of old as popular as they used to be? I don't know. I have been busy learning about the stock market.&nbsp;<br /><br />In the past two years, I have been investing, trading, and playing in the stock market, getting up at 5 am each working day and researching, testing, risking, winning, and losing money. This educational period is priceless. How did I do?<br /><br />In 2020, I rocked the market, almost doubling my portfolio. In 2021, it was flat as I dove into different trading styles: day trading, swing trading, and my current favorite, position trading. 2021 was the year I tried to learn more about the market. March 1, 2021, is when I look at it as a job. In 2022, the market went into a bear market, and I took heavy losses, but still held most of my gains from 2020. Unlike 2020, I kept invested through the bear market. Another learning lesson is in play.<br /><br />On February 25th, 2015, I started Nomad Market Events, a company dedicated to giving micro-businesses and artists a platform to sell their creations. This is not an online platform; it is real and tactile, meeting people, and selling directly to them old school, in person. It started with Fashion Splash in 2014, and now it is time to pour new energy into it.<a href="https://www.nomadmarketevents.com/" target="_blank"> Nomad Market Events</a><br /><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Creative thinking]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/january-16th-2022]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/january-16th-2022#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 17 Jan 2022 07:25:26 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[well being]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/january-16th-2022</guid><description><![CDATA[         Make no mistake, creating a business of any size is an art form.&nbsp; Since March 1 2020 I have been stopped from creating events or any new ventures. When I say stopped I mean I ran into roadblocks that prevented me from launching ideas. Creative juices never stop flowing even when they run into a dam. Creativity makes human existence possible. [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.freespiritblog.net/uploads/1/9/2/4/1924078/shutterstock-671483350_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <h2 class="wsite-content-title"></h2>  <div class="paragraph"><span><font color="#d5d5d5">Make no mistake, creating a business of any size is an art form.&nbsp; Since March 1 2020 I have been stopped from creating events or any new ventures. When I say stopped I mean I ran into roadblocks that prevented me from launching ideas. Creative juices never stop flowing even when they run into a dam. Creativity makes human existence possible.</font></span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[creativity]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/creativity]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/creativity#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 28 Dec 2021 01:34:42 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[well being]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/creativity</guid><description><![CDATA[       definition of creativity?Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and othersWhat is the best definition of creativity?Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others. is defined as  [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.freespiritblog.net/uploads/1/9/2/4/1924078/maxresdefault_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(213, 213, 213); letter-spacing: 0px;">definition of creativity?</span><br /><span></span><span><font color="#d5d5d5">Creativity is defined as the <span style="font-weight: 700;">tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives</span>, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others</font></span><span><span style="color:rgb(32, 33, 36)">What is the best definition of creativity?</span></span><br /><span></span><span><span style="color:rgb(32, 33, 36)">Creativity is defined as the </span><span style="color:rgb(32, 33, 36); font-weight:700">tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives</span><span style="color:rgb(32, 33, 36)">, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others. is defined as the </span><span style="color:rgb(32, 33, 36); font-weight:700">tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives</span><span style="color:rgb(32, 33, 36)">, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.</span></span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[01.20.2021 a good day]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/january-20th-2021]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/january-20th-2021#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 21 Jan 2021 07:33:08 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.freespiritblog.net/free-spirit-blog/january-20th-2021</guid><description><![CDATA[       &#8203;Today, I found a hat hanging on a tree as I walked around a lake. It was pink. It was a fitting way to signify the end of one president and the beginning of another. Today will mark the four year anniversary of the Pink hat movement and the woman's march on the U.S.'s capital as the most polarizing president in the History of the U.S. took office.&nbsp;Most people might think I am a bit crazy. There is a part of me that will miss his god-given talent, the ability to piss people off [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.freespiritblog.net/uploads/1/9/2/4/1924078/img-20210120-1414350_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">&#8203;Today, I found a hat hanging on a tree as I walked around a lake. It was pink. It was a fitting way to signify the end of one president and the beginning of another. Today will mark the four year anniversary of the Pink hat movement and the woman's march on the U.S.'s capital as the most polarizing president in the History of the U.S. took office.&nbsp;<br /><br />Most people might think I am a bit crazy. There is a part of me that will miss his god-given talent, the ability to piss people off. He changed the face of North American politics as we know it. Through his rude and Buligerant not stop attacks on virtually everything and every person that did not follow him, he changed our world for the better by making visible what was hidden.&nbsp;<br /><br />Donald Rump enraged millions of women and activated a movement to stand up to abuse and abusers in a way that will last for years to come. Women entered into politics in record numbers, changing the face of congress. By The end of his term, the lower chamber and upper chamber had more women than ever before.&nbsp;<br />Canada is moving in the same direction.<br /><br />&nbsp;Mr. Rump may be responsible for this, but he doesn't deserve any credit. The credit goes to the women and men that stood up and marched. The glory goes to the courageous who testified. Kudos to the people that stood beside the people that have been abused and supported them to achieve their goals. The real credit goes to every man and woman that posted their stories online and shared how they fought through the emotional strain.&nbsp;</div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>