Chris Hadfield at the HRPA

I don't normally talk about the offsites I do with the store here, but as this one ended with Chris Hadfield's keynote address - which I got to see part of - I'm making an exception.  The World's Biggest Bookstore runs the bookstore booth for the HRPA (Human Resource Professionals Association)'s trade show. (Of course, next year another store will be taking over.)

Anyway, after setting up to sell books outside the hall were Chris Hadfield was speaking, I was able to stand at the back and take some photos and video clips of his talk.  As you would expect, the hall was packed.  I was surprised - and happy - to see that on either side of the large screens set up for the talk, were smaller screens where someone typed up the presentation for the hard of hearing to read.

The first clip is Mr. Hadfield describing what it feels like to launch into space.

Chris Hadfield: What it feels like to launch into space. from Jessica Strider on Vimeo.

In the second clip he describes what it's like to do a space walk.

Christ Hadfield talking about doing a space walk from Jessica Strider on Vimeo.

And for those of you who aren't Canadian, here's the Canadarm2, pictured on the Canadian $5 bill that he mentions in the video.

Because it was an event for HR professionals, Mr. Hadfield applied what he's learned to business and life principles.  For this clip he explains his life long dream - starting at the age of 9 - of going into space, and how achieving goals isn't the best way of determining success.

Chris Hadfield on measuring personal success from Jessica Strider on Vimeo.

And here's Mr. Hadfield signing one of a long, LONG, line of books for people.

Chris Hadfield is such an inspiration.  It's nice to see Canada involved in the space program and helping to inspire future astronauts.