Baldo Minaudo’s Blog

My second cousins Lori Lumia and Patricia Lumia were born twins.  They also share something else, diabetes.

A few years ago Lori lost her eyesight to diabetes.  Her life was forever changed in her prime.  She was barely an adult and she found herself unprepared for this horrible development.

Well Lori is a fighter and determined to gain back that which the disease has taken from her.  She wants her eyesight back and has made it known to her family and friends.  Over the last few months a fundraiser was in the works that was kicked off with a business trip to Fallsview Casino.  Last night was the main event a dinner dance with over 500 guests complete with auction and prizes.  How does a trip to Hawaii hit you?  I wonder who won that.

Though I flew in early from Vancouver in order to make the event I was hit by a combination of jet lag and some bug which that found me leaving early ion the evening.  I knew it would be a new event when the Frank Sinatra impersonator started singing.  But, those around me knew I wasn’t well and others started seeing it.  So, rather than take the focus off the event I decided to leave.

Lori’s goal is to raise enough money to pay for a stem cell procedure in India.  The procedure is not accepted in Canada because it is not ‘proven’.  And the doctor claims to have recovered the eye sight of a man from Australia using this procedure.  To me it sounds all very, well unproven and unverifyable.  But, the decision is up to Lori since it is her life.

From what I could figure of the fundraiser I’d say she achieved or has come close to her fundraising goals.

My prayers are with Lori.  Who knows why things happen to us and our loved ones but with her strength of determination I’m hopeful that things will work out for her.  She’s a great kid and deserves divine intervention.

This conference is reputed to be the largest gathering of geologist in the world.  Arriving at the social event sponsored by one of the provinces I now believe it is the largest gathering of its kind.  There must have been 3000 geologists at this one event alone, packed in so tight that if you had an itch to scratch you had to make sure you were scratching your own and not someone else’s.

The trade show was filled with all kinds of exhibitors representing everything from the latest exploration technology to mining safety to provincial Ministries to mining and exploration companies.  But, by far the greatest part was chatting with the interesting characters we call ‘geologists’ or ‘geos’.  In high school I took the top academic award for Geography and I guess that love has stuck with me because I was just fascinated by my discussions at this conference - next time I’ll carry a dictionary with me.

One story I didn’t need a dictionary for was about how this prospector fought off a bear attack.  And then there is the one about how the 22 year old going for a jog started being chased by a bear…it turned into an unexpected run, including hurdles and climbing.

Before the conference is over I find another great opportunity that could enable one part of my corporate plans.  This in particular I did not expect, which makes it that more special.  Yippee!

Now I have to head back to the office and follow up on these and other projects, not to mention get ready for the world-famous PDAC Conference, otherwise known as the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conference.

Vancouver is one of my favourite cities to do business in.  Even if you’re in town on business and you only have a couple of hours you can actually have an enjoying leisurely experience.  There is so much to do here from skiing to fishing.

The focus of my trip is indeed business and after flying across Canada I’m determined to get as much as I can from the trip.  As soon as I arrive I check in, unpack and head over to the conference centre to get the latest information and plan out my approach for the conferenc.  I’ve come stacked with business cards and company materials as I know what to expect.  I’ve never been to a conference where I don’t get all kinds of requests for company information and in many cases these have led to some serious discussions for joint ventures and other forms of partnerships.

The CEO of the company joins me the next day.  By the time he arrives I’ve already lined up a number of meetings and two media interviews.  The conference has already paid off and two of the meetings have been targetted for serious potential.

It feels to me like investor and industry expectations have already improved since the fall liquidy crisis.  Most resource shares have already begun to bounce back with many doubling in price since early December.

I’m feeling good about the results and now I have to prepare for the next conference scheduled for tomorrow.