Recently had some lovely chats with Courtney over at Project Good.  They are up to some amazing things.  Check out their website, and their zPro community.

From their site:

We believe people shouldn’t simply survive, they should thrive.

Behind every one of our products is a person. These skilled global citizens craft their product with pride, from jewelry to apparel, furnishings to coffee.

These are the individuals behind our ‘people positive’ standard: every product positively impacts the producer’s environment, community, and their unique sense of self.

Sounds like the type of company I would like to support!  :)

As many of you know, The Zaadz Team met was flown in for the first time (meaning, all of us in the same room at once) to Boulder last weekend.  Wow, what energy.  I have a nice resume of meeting good friends online (including my wife), so nothing was a surprise, and I loved everyone offline just as much as I love them online.

Many members from Gaiam who will be working with us were there too.  It was said several times, "I feel like our family is getting bigger!", which it is on many levels.  Many people have been attracted in some way shape or form to Brian's initial vision, and all of our visions for how we can change the world.  While the past three years have been fun, personally it is just wonderful to have so many incredible people together, with the know how, the intelligence, and the resources (and the humor), to really inspire and empower the world to be the change the want to see.  Point being, I feel as if we have hit a tipping point-- and the momentum has really been picking up.  With us, the team, talks between me and you guys, talks with me and the team-- the rate that ideas are being presented—the speed at which change will happen from here on out-- this is what I mean by 'many levels".

I was pleasantly surprised to see Gay Hendrix in the meeting room with us.  For me, my true heroes are the spiritual teachers of today.  As I think some of the most leading edge material on earth comes thru them-- and that is the main reason I have so much enthusiasm for Zaadz, for Gaiam, and for supporting spiritual teachers and learners on as many levels as I can.  People are wanting the information they are presenting now more than ever (reading a paper or turning on the TV—and you can see why), and it feels great to be part of such a fast moving stream.  It’s fun, it’s intense, and it’s exciting.  Wouldn't want life any other way.  Anyway, having the experience and know-how in the room that Gay has is a blessing, and a lot of my time in the meeting room was spent observing and learning from the best.  A really wonderful experience. Whether it be Brian's clarity, energy, and focus, Gay's access to what felt like a 1,000 years of experience and knowledge, or Jirka's ability to keep things simple, clear, and logical-- it was great to see this incredible group of people fully tapped in and turned on, focused, and ready to lead change.  Powerful.

And whoa—the vegetarian meals in-between talks were DELICIOUS! :)

While this personally has been a very satisfying experience, the core of my excitement remains focused on you guys.  The heart of Zaadz is staying the same-- it’s just expanding, becoming bigger.  It is becoming more of what we want, is the truth of it.  Did I ever tell you that you are my favorite part of my job?  Drop me a line if you haven't in a while. :)   Let me know what you want to see and what you are hoping for-- please communicate.  I'll even take a concern or two. ;) 

And the Zaadz Team-- Holy cow. 

It was the first time for me to meet many of my colleagues who I work with every day, and I was very eager to show up and be my best self, and was eager to see them in the flesh doing the same.  Well, I think we all delivered- as one of the best parts of working with an inspired group of people is they hold you to that.

But yeah... Holy cow.  Franc, Kelly, Matthew, Jodi, and I had so much fun in downtown boulder- I will really miss them.  Good thing I am moving there soon. ;)  Franc and Jodi were absolutely fascinating.  Two of the most intelligent and charming people I have ever met.  They are from South Africa (for those of you who do not know) and traveled a nice 50-60 hour round trip to be in Boulder!  So glad they did, we had many laughs. :)

I could write a book on these guys and how genius and beautiful they all are.  While there was plenty of business talk, I also enjoyed chats about xbox and playstation with Josh over breakfast, Jake's iphone and his knowledge of all of the new technology, Siona's warm presence and depth, David's humor and compassion, Rommel's genius mind and uber coolness, Terri's smile and laughter, Ryan's enthusiasm and commitment for making Zaadz as cool as it can be, Jessica's inability to not be joyful, Brian's flawless leadership and passion (this guy can really work with energy), or Zaady's cuteness (on Kelly's ankle). ;)

I also have to give shout outs to Chris from Lime.com who will be helping us out (greatly), and Manny from Gaiam-- who is another very 'tapped in tuned on" type guy who understands our mission at a very very deep level.  Show em some love, please.

I could go on forever.  These are just some of the coolest, most passionate, most empowered people I have ever met.  But I will take ROD's advice:

"Alrighty then, Ya'll bring it on.  Back to work!  Stop standing around tellin' each other what great Holons you are…  LOL!"

Oh, also be sure to check out Rommel's blog, as he has a lot of awesome pictures from the event.  If you check them out, just keep in mind-- no ninjas were harmed in the making of those photos!

In Joy,

Dave

PS-  Do you live in the New York City area?  Just got off the phone a bit ago with Scott Schwenk who is very excited to be doing a workshop in your area this weekend, along with private sessions.   He is a long time zaadzster who has done much to help the community.  If you can make it, I have yet to hear of an unsatisfied customer. Here is some more info and the details of his event, as well as how to reach him for private sessions:



Sessions are available by appointment in the morning, afternoon, or evening in Chelsea...

Sessions are 1 hour and are $125 per session

48 hour cancellation policy.

Call (310) 922-4890 to schedule



Cost:    $50

Bring:       Yoga Mat or blanket and cushion  (we’ll be on the floor seated for the
first section and laying down for the breathwork), and come early to
avoid being late...

RSVP:   Reserve your spot (310) 922-4890 or soulmatrix@earthlink.net
Location:  Moving Body Resources
27th and 6th in Chelsea

This is one of the funniest eps I've seen in a while-- the entire ep was exceptional, but new rules had me tearing.  NOT FOR THE EASILY OFFENDED.  You have been warned.  :)

I am at a loss for words at how beautiful this video is.  This is what its all about.  Check out Navyo's blog for more pictures and much more info on the Marin Zaangha.

Thank you so much, to everyone who contributed, organized, and made this the best zaangha day yet!  Can't wait till next year!

Greetings, fellow lovers of the environment! :)

Just wanted to drop a note to let any of you who live near Washington DC that Zaadz will have a booth at the Green Festival, once again.  Should be a very good time!  Jessica and I will be there spreading the love, and if you would like to join us-- we'd love to have you!  We will need help passing out cards, and just telling everyone how amazing the crowd is here. :)  If Zaadz has played a role in enriching your life-- this is a great oppertunity to pass it on.

Please, shoot me a message if you are interested!  We would really appreciate the help.



Here is some more info from the Green Festival website:

Show Hours
Saturday 10AM - 8PM
Sunday 11AM - 6PM

Venue Name and Address
Washington D.C. Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place, NW
Washington, DC 20001

At Green Festival we’re celebrating what’s working in our communities—across the District, Maryland and Virginia—for people, for business and for the environment.

You’ll enjoy more than 125 visionary speakers and 350 green businesses (start your holiday shopping now!), great how-to workshops, green films, a fair trade pavilion, yoga and movement classes, organic beer, delicious organic cuisine and live music.

This is wild.  The advertising industry is growing by leaps and bounds-- and cell phones are on the front line.  If this works out, we may not have to pay for cell phones in the future.  Good thing, bad thing?  What do you think?  Check out this article:

LOS ANGELES - The social networking Web site MySpace is launching a free, advertising-supported cell phone version Monday as part of a wider bid by parent News Corp. to attract advertising for mobile Web sites.

Fox Interactive Media, which oversees News Corp.'s Internet properties, said it also plans to roll out versions of FoxSports.com, the gaming site IGN, AskMen and its local TVaffiliates in the coming months that will work on cell phones that can access the Internet.

The company said it also plans to offer a mobile version of its Photobucket picture sharing site in coming months.

The company already offers premium, subscription-based versions of MySpace through AT&T Inc. and Helio wireless services. Those versions include special features integrated into specific handsets, such as uploading cell phone photos directly to a user's profile page.

The new version set to launch Monday will work on all U.S.carriers and will allow users to send and receive messages and friend requests, comment on pictures, post bulletins, update blogs,and find and search for friends.

The company said advertisers have become more interested as the quality of the mobile Web experience has improved.

"Accessing the Internet from your mobile phone will soon be ascommon as text messaging and voice calling," said John Smelzer,s enior vice president of mobile at Fox Interactive.

Initially, advertising will taker the form of sponsorships and banner ads that can be clicked on.

Eventually, Fox Interactive will seek to sell more targeted advertising, using registration data from cell phone carriers. The company also hopes to send local ads based on a user's location using GPS data sent by the phones.

"Over time, the most targeted ads will be on mobile," Smelzer said.

MySpace recently announced plans to sell targeted ads using personal information culled from each user's profile and blogs.

The new mobile sites will be tailored to the small screen on most handsets, Smelzer said.

FoxSports, for instance, will allow users to check scores and perform other core tasks, but will not have the video and photoofferings of the subscription version.

Smart phones with larger screens can already access full versions of Fox's Web sites.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20944941/