• Aug 14, 2006

    CBC Blogging Manifesto

    A few days ago, I signed the CBC Blogging Manifesto. Today, Ouimet announced it. Though I don’t post about work here nearly as much as I used to, any CBC-related posts will be guided by this:

    Preamble:

    If you blog about the CBC, it’s assumed that you are doing so out of love and perhaps frustration.

    It’s only natural. The CBC is a wonderful institution with a long, proud history, going through an interesting and difficult time. By blogging about the CBC your colleagues, senior management, and the public will all be enriched by your expert opinion. Your insight, experience, and will will only help the world at large better understand a corporation that at times appears stodgy, arrogant, and faceless.

    For better or for worse, you are representing the CBC when you blog about it. Keep this in mind with every word.

    1. Use common sense and don’t do anything stupid. Blog to make the CBC better, not to kill it.
    There are plenty of others who want to do that for us.   2. Ad hominem attacks should be avoided but disagreeing is expected.   3. Be brave.

    Be honest and tell it straight. Talk about new ideas and revive some old ones. Don’t be afraid to challenge the “experts,” and certainly not the anonymous ones.   4. Use audio, video and images fearlessly, but responsibly.

    Use judgment if asked to take it down.   5. Acknowledge and link to your sources.

    If it is a rumour, say so. If your co-worker says something you’d like blog, ask them first. If it was another website, link to it. Do your research. Be fair. Get it right. And change it if it is wrong.   6. Blog wherever and whenever you want, but don’t let it detract from your job.   7. Eschew advertising.

    Plugging the CBC, yourself, and your work is cool. Banner ads are tacky.   8. During the next strike or lockout, you may feel urged to ignore any or all of these guidelines. Do so at your own risk, knowing that your words can harm yourself, others, and the CBC itself.


  • Aug 9, 2006

    A journey of a thousand miles…

    Parka in closet… begins with a single parka.

    Yes, it’s true. I’ve started moving into my new place. As of September 1, I’ll no longer be living with Phil and Tristan. I got myself a tiny little bachelor apartment at Victoria and Shuter. It’s close to Jenna, close to work, and close to the Queen subway station.

    Even though I won’t move the bulk of my stuff until this weekend, I started today. I stuffed my parka into a plastic shopping bag, dropped it into the milk crate on the back of my bicycle, and drove it down the street. Luckily, I’m not moving far.

    It looks pretty lonely all by itself in my closet, but soon enough, there’ll be more than enough crap crammed in beside it to keep it company.



  • Aug 4, 2006

    Lost and Found

    This summer, I worked on two pieces for the CBC Radio summer show Lost and Found, hosted by Matt Rainnie in Charlottetown. I just put the finishing touches on the second piece today, and the first piece airs this Saturday, on the “Stuff… Lost and Found” episode:

    **Saturday, August 5, 2006, 3:00 p.m.

    05/08/2006</p>

    </strong>Reality show judge and professional inventor Doug Hall has helped create at least 18 products and services you may have in your home. Davey Rothbart is making a living publishing the scraps of paper people lose or leave behind in Found Magazine. And we tell you what the latest trend is in big concert ticket sales. Those mega-line ups may be a thing of the past. We’re talking Stuff….Lost and Found with host Matt Rainnie.</blockquote>

    Mine is the interview with Davy Rothbart, creator of Found Magazine. It was exciting to do, for two reasons. First, Davy’s a bit of a hero of mine. Second, I really enjoyed listening to Lost and Found last summer during its first season, and it was really nice to be asked to contribute this year.

    I’m pretty proud of the piece, so I hope you can listen.



  • Jul 11, 2006

    Interview with Dave Brodbeck

    Dave Brodbeck interviewed me over Skype tonight. We talked about the podcast, the band, and the miracle of Craigslist.

    Dave is one hell of a cool guy. We met at Podcasters Across Borders a couple of weeks back. Since meeting, I’ve been amazed to discover that he does three (!) podcasts: Broca’s Area, Thunderbird Six, plus a feed of his psych lectures at Algoma University.

    The interview was really a lot of fun. I’m flattered to have been asked. Thanks, Dave.



  • Jul 10, 2006

    Come see my band. Please. We need you.

    Last fall, I joined a rock and roll band. We call ourselves The Canaries. And I’m proud to say that we’re playing our very first show. In case it didn’t arrive in your inbox, here’s the email:

    **THE CANARIES

    LIVE AT CLINTON’S

    THURSDAY, JULY 20TH**

    Frank Sinclair, Mike Zikovitz and Dean Pomeroy (formerly of The Plastic Folk) are back with a new band, a new name, new songs and a new member, bassist Dan Misener.

    So come by Clinton’s on July 20th at 9:00 to see The Canaries’ Toronto debut.

    The Canaries

    More details (address, maps) at Upcoming.org.