What is your name?
My name is Vincent Jones.
Where do you work?
I have a few jobs. I am the Head Writer/Account Manager at Sold on Hold, which is the sister company of Media Button whom I also do some work for.
In addition, I write a music column for WelcometoKelowna.com. I write for RockStar Weekly Magazine and I host a weekly indie ‘Artist Spotlight’ segment on the Music City Podcast.
Where can people find you or your business online?
Well I don’t have a business per se, but you are more than welcome to read my music column. You can find that here: http://www.welcometokelowna.com/columns/hear_in_kelowna/
How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
You can connect with me on LinkedIn here: http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/vincent-jones/47/395/18
What is your Twitter account?
My Twitter handle is: @VPJ7
What do you always find yourself saying?
I find myself asking the question “why not?” I tend to consider myself an optimistic realist, so when an opportunity or an event pops up, I often look at it and think “yeah, why not? Let’s do it.”
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
This is a challenging question to answer. It’s very thought provoking. There are so many people I could select. The world is full of talented, thoughtful and interesting people. I think I’d have to pick English musician, Morrissey, though. His work means a great deal to me. I have found a considerable amount of value in his art and I would dearly love the opportunity to spend the day with him.
With that said, I might just pick Karl Pilkington for a right bloody laugh.
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
I’ll go with a Nobel Peace Prize. It is obviously a very prestigious award. I’d like to be less cliché with my answer, but if I am being honest, I am not overly familiar with public awards.
If I were to win any award created to celebrate those who champion the arts, social justice or human rights, I’d be absolutely thrilled.
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose?
This is another extremely thought provoking question. I am going to say Oscar Wilde. A day discussing art, culture and other such finery with Wilde is very appealing. I’d take great delight in telling him just how far his stock has risen since his death too.
(Honourable mentions to: Sir Winston Churchill, Charles Darwin, Frank Sinatra, James Dean, Emmeline Pankhurst, Pablo Picasso, Tony Wilson, Primo Levi, Martin Luther and Leonardo da Vinci.)
Who inspires you?
Many, many people do. With that said, I’d like to mention Primo Levi for life and the ability to overcome and survive and Tony Wilson for music.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
There are a great number of things I intend to achieve or experience, but here are three off the top of my head:
1. Visit Alaska/Yukon (I am not entirely sure why. Both are places that really appeal to me.)
2. Bathe in the Ganges River in India.
3. Have a distinct period of time in my life where I choose to have absolutely no possessions apart from those that fit inside a small suitcase or backpack. I would like to use that freedom to travel and truly experience other cultures.
If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
The Alice May.
If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
I’d select the first day I visit a ‘non-industrialized’ impoverished nation.
I feel the experience will give me greater resolve and increased gratitude. The greater resolve will come in my feelings toward social and economic justice. My feeling of increased gratitude will be for the fortunate life I have lived. Growing up in England and living in Western Canada, I’ve never had to dodge a land mine or walk five miles for water. While I am already grateful for that, I think a greater appreciation of just how fortunate I am will come from experiencing the wretched conditions that exist elsewhere in the world.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about so much. My life is driven by a burning passion. Let’s see…
The arts in general, music, social justice, equality and workers’ rights are all things I am very passionate about.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
I have had so many amazing days in my life so far. I am not sure I can pick one. It almost seems unfair to the many special people I have shared this journey with up to this point.
I have some lovely memories from being a child. I have gone on ridiculous adventures with a loved one. I have seen two younger brothers born. I have achieved things for myself in the face of doubt or difficulty.
I am going to sit on the fence with this answer. With that said, in the words of Frank Sinatra, I believe “the best is yet to come…”
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I try to not dwell on things already achieved. As soon as I have reached a goal, I start working toward the next one. So this is a difficult question for me to answer. Not only that, things like money, popularity or notoriety don’t really motivate me, so it’s hard to feel proud of things that fall into those categories and I include career successes in there also.
I suppose I am most proud of the times I have stood up for others or voiced my opinion in the face of confrontation, adversity or difficulty. I am proud when I am there for those that need me.
I also can’t help but feel a surge of pride whenever I remember that my nine year old brother has me down in his address book as “Greatest Bro Ever…”
It’s things like that that make me feel proud.
If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
The field would have to be music. Someone like Simon Cowell would be a perfect example of the sort of investor or ‘expert’ I am thinking of. I would like to discuss the lamentable state of the music industry in that it doesn’t seem to be interested in true musical talent anymore.
Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna?
There are many fine eating establishments in Kelowna and I love to eat! I can think of about five that could easily bestow this accolade upon. I am going to say Fernando’s Pub though. They host lots of live music; have a great patio, Guinness on tap and the nachos are delicious!
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Kelowna has so many possible activities that I truly enjoy. I have to say, I really enjoy living by the lake and being able to walk to the beach so easily. I take great pleasure in a simple walk downtown or a trip to Kasugai Gardens.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
There’s so much that makes Kelowna great. It is a beautiful city that is predominantly safe. Personally, the weather is a huge draw for me, as is the wonderful scenery that surrounds us and the fact that we can do so much from wine tasting, to music festivals, to boating and skiing right in our own backyard. We’re very lucky to be able to live in such a lovely place.
If I could change 1 thing about Kelowna, it would be:
I would create more job opportunities for young professionals. I would also create more affordable housing. Dang, that’s two things…
My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Valaura Vedan (Welcome to Kelowna.com), Pete Jeffery (Milkcrate Records) or Kevin Craig.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read this. I’d like to thank Welcome to Kelowna.com for striving to promote our community in a positive way and asking me to do this. And finally, I’d like to thank everyone who tries to make our city a better place for all who live here.
Thank-you very much.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at WelcometoKelowna.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do. We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination using the links to the forms located on the left navigation, near the top of the page. Thank you, Kelowna!
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