Well, TEDx are kinda wannabe-TED-events, independently organized throughout the world. One of them was hosted in Riga today.

Presented as a viewing party, the TEDxBergaBazars held at the coworking space ¼ Satori a.k.a. Birojnīca, focused mainly on Rework and rethinking the ways we live and work.

The event kicked right off into viewing talks by Jason Fried, Alain de Botton, David Logan and Simon Sinek, followed by discussion in groups and elaborating on each of the TED Talks.

And despite the lack of moderation (done on purpose?) I had a great time and even scribbled some inspirational notes which will be proudly tagged motivation in Evernote. Yes, there’s probably never too much of motivation I guess.

Next time around, I am even keener to join the TEDx in Riga, as Natalie, one of the organizers, informed there’s gonna be a live talk they’re officially licenced to stream from the States.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

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52 of us active young entrepreneurs from 18 European countries have met in the heart of the European Quarter, with the goal of pulling together the knowledge, experience and our views on small and medium business environment throughout European Union.

The European Economic and Social Committee is actually a consultative body of the European Union, so it’s a unique opportunity for each one of us to influence the framing of EU policies and decisions.

I am happy to contribute – even a small water droplet – to achieve the great things.

Mr. Henri Malosse, the President of the Employers’ Group of EESC, had put it best:

“We want to develop a new vision of the entrepreneurial spirit, allowing Europeans to create wealth and build on a European identity. I truly believe in the power of water droplets accumulating to achieve great things.”

To sum it up in short, we exchanged recommendations with EESC on having a common Statute for a European private company, and having a unified Europe at all, with a real European government.

We also touched a great deal on education – on how it’s important to educate young people about what is really going on “out there in the field”, plus to facilitate vocational exchange for students, in addition to school and university exchange schemes.

One of the priorities is definitely European financing facilities, especially microcredit, and a European network of business incubators to help boost new initiatives and startups.

Celebrating success – would also be a way of promoting entrepreneurship in Europe – so we agreed that holding a ”Young Entrepreneurs’ Day” is an excellent idea.

During the event, The Global Entrepreneur Envoy, a new online portal to help young entrepreneurs start and grow their own business, was launched. It is rather raw yet and I suppose might undergo significant changes before rolling out to success. But I salute the initiative of organizers whom I had a personal conversation with, and I am ready to assist in promotion of entrepreneurship in Europe. Have a surf yourself, join and share your thoughts on what shall be improved.

Last but not least, it was fantastic networking during the seminar! Business owners from all over EU representing various industries were in the building, running out of their business cards.

Events like this are essential to keep the head up, too. They motivate, inspire, and open up the new mindset and new opportunities!

Bout to go get ‘em!! (and a pack of new business cards, lol)

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The Basketball Nation created a tremendous atmosphere in the Arena Riga – singing, chanting – all together, helping their team propel to the title.

I literally had cold chills down my back every time I was present at one of the Baltic neighbors’ matchups, let alone the title game.

It was a full house, with loud and proud Lithuanians – the most fantastic fans in the world – and this Championship truly belongs to them.

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And guess who buried the hopes of a small Baltic nation? The refs.

Coach Jansons, who got T’d for nothing during the matchup said it best after the game:

Welcome to Latvia

“For the 1st half of the game, our team should be ashamed. For the 2nd half though, officials should be ashamed”, he added.

The Three-Starred Jerseys got into real foul trouble after some ridiculous calls down the stretch and ended up with 3 key players fouling out. Janis Timma, Arturs Bremers and Davis Bertans all were warming the bench when team needed them on the floor most.

Hands down, the squad battled even without them, but apparently could not execute in the clutch.

I asked recent NBA Draftee Davis Bertans at the presser, what did they say to each other in the post-game greeting with his Nike Hoop Summit 2011 teammate and Poland’s leading scorer with 26 points Mateusz Ponitka.

Davis replied that they exchanged congrats and some friendly quotes aand..

and of course some things about referees that I’m not gonna repeat

You figure.

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The host team has shown poor performance in all three of these categories in the preliminary round.

Latvia is next to last in assists – just 10.3 dimes per game – which is equal with Tunisia and only Chinese Taipei is worse with 8 APG.

Steals were also not the strongest side for the hosts: next to last all-tournament in this category too with 5 steals per contest.

It all could be alright but if we look at turnovers, Latvia is 2nd place all-tournament with 17.7 TOPG and only China is worse with 18.7.

This is NOT a good look.

Both Assist/Turnover and Steal/Turnover ratios are just ridiculous for Team Latvia are amongst the worst in the Championship.

Coach Jansons gotta pay attention and urge his young’ns to take care of the basketball and work hard on D.

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Liepaja catering hasn’t been all good for the US team though..

Anthony Brown tweeted a couple times complaining about the quality of food and drinks they’d been served. Jahii Carson and James Bell agreed by retweeting.

Bells tried to think positive and came up with some kind of a diet plan lol:

Seriously though, having to drink just orange juice for breakfast, lunch and dinner has got to suck. I can only add my own SMH on this one.

But later on, Jahii Carson discovered European French Fries – and things started to seem not so bad anymore.

And things got even better when A Brown got his hands on some cookies.

Patric Young thought it was James Bell who ate them (but all we’ll ever know is that cookies were gone by morning)..

Just like the cookies, the preliminary round was finished too. It was time to move to Riga for the main games of the event.

And the American squad took advantage of what Latvian capital has to offer – they stopped by for the annual Independence Day Family Picnic held by the U.S. Embassy.

Read: hamburgers, hot dogs, cokes, McDonald’s apple pies and a variety of deserts.

Not exactly an athlete’s meal but it’s Independence Day Picnic after all..

Happy celebration and hope y’all gonna enjoy your next course – Team Canada on 4th of July.

pic screened off the USA Basketball vid

UPDATE: Jeremy Lamb wants to EAT!! lol

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Just got home from Valmiera where I spent a basketball-filled afternoon yesterday.

And media reception at the event is perfect, I tell ya. Everything is in tact, organizers working like a swiss clock.

Nice and smooth registration (check out my media pass, what!), personal locker, laptops free to use, wi-fi for media, printers (box score sheets freshly printed at the half), some insider info (full rosters, players report, practice times), FIBA branded folders, notepads, pens. Not to mention free snacks, tea/coffee – and spring water – which seemed the most valuable thing in the 28°C heat..

Yes, the venue in Valmiera is not air-conditioned, so you can imagine how sultry it is inside.

The games were cool though. Russia knocked out Brasil w/ a 3-point buzzer beater in a tough one. Australia beat Argentine (yo the few Australian fans were crazy!! we need to be louder than them today). And of course the home team Latvia showed Chinese Taipei how to hoop in the tournament opening game.

I am excited and looking forward to next week, when games shift to Arena Riga.

But until then – Latvia vs Australia tonight, let’s get it!!

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The email from FIBA has arrived confirming that I have been accredited as a blogger for the 2011 FIBA U19 Basketball World Championship that’s taking place here in Latvia June 30 to July 10.

Yup, I’m gonna cover the event here on Riga Talk, it’s official!!

I have mentioned on Twitter back in Winter that it’s gonna be hot this July in Riga, now imagine how excited I am to be part of that!

Especially while I can’t play hoops myself (the ankle is good tho, I’m rehabbing)..

So stay tuned and expect some exclusive insider scoop!!

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Actually, I’d been thinking to run a marathon for a while now. I kinda postponed it all of the years before, but this year Team Bite offered an opportunity and I couldn’t resist.

Even though I chose the 5k, I’m still happy to be a part of the crowd that’s running through the city, happy to wear the official number and receive the medal at Finish.

Oh yeah, and did I mention Team Bite invited me and my Boo over for a river-cruise-slash-picnic? Way worth it.

Pondering for a longer run next year.

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Twitter users that happen to be in town are gonna gather up for an informal meetup at the one and only Pulkveža Brieža KID spot.

The Friday night was chosen after a pretty hot discussion on Arturs’ blog, who has taken the role of an organizer from the jump.

Word on the street is that some people from over the pond are gonna attend as well. Arturs reported that Valdis Krebs (Cleveland, OH) is supposedly to make an appearance. And Marissa Plume (San Francisco, CA) replied to my tweet stating she’d like to join. Other non-local tweeps calling Riga their location next week are warmly welcome of course, too.

See y’all there!! Tweet!

Pirmais Rīgas Twitter tusiņš, jeb Tweetup, tuvojas

Rīgas un Latvijas Twitterieši, gatavojieties!! Tieši ap nākošo piektdienu, 2009.g. 19. jūniju, kad pulkstenis sitīs 6 vakarā – pasākums uzsāksies.

Twitter lietotāji, kas pagadās pilsētā, sanāks kopā uz neformālu tikšanos vienīgajā un neatkārtojamajā Pulkveža Brieža ielas KIDā.

Piektdienas vakars tika izvēlēts pēc visai karstas diskusijas Artura blogā, kurš ir uzņēmies organizatora lomu jau no paša sākuma.

Vārds uz ielas ir, ka pasākumu apmeklēs arī daži cilvēki no otrās dīķa puses. Arturs ir paziņojis, ka ieradīšoties Valdis Krebs (Klīvlenda, Ohaio). Savukārt Marissa Plume (Sanfrancisko, Kalifornija) atbildēja uz manu tvītu, ļaujot saprast, ka viņa arī gribētu pievienoties. Citi nevietējie čivinātāji, kas sauks Rīgu par savu atrašanās vietu nākamnedēļ, ir laipni lūgti, protams.

Uz tikšanos tur!! Čiv!

Первая Рижская Твиттер-встреча или “Твитап” приближается

Рижские и Латвийские Твиттеряне, готовьтесь!! Аккурат в районе следующей пятницы, 19 июня 2009 года, когда часы пробьют 6 вечера – мероприятие развернётся.

Пользователи Твиттера, оказавшиеся в городе, соберутся на неформальную встречу (тусовку, если хотите) в единственном и неповторимом КИДе на Пулквежа Бриежа.

Пятничный вечер был выбран после довольно горячей дискуссии в блоге Артура, который со старта взял на себя роль организатора.

Слово на улице, что мероприятие посетит также кое-кто с другой стороны пруда. Артур сообщил, что вроде как подтянется Валдис Кребс (Кливленд, Огайо). А Марисса Плуме (Сан-Франциско, Калифорния) ответила на мой твит, дав понять, что и она с удовольствием присоединится. Другие неместные твиплы, которые будут называть Ригу своим местонахождением на следующей неделе, также тепло приглашаются.

Там и увидимся!! Тви!

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