Here’s mine! My brother-in-law David is so talented. He can sing, play guitar, he’s currently starring in a play in Nanaimo, B.C., but his main focus is on graphic art. So it was a no-brainer to hire him to create my ebook cover. …
I Hope You Can Judge a Book by Its Cover Read More »
When my brother and I were kids we used to joke that we were on a first-name basis with the animals at Marineland. Â Living just a short drive from Niagara Falls, out of province or out of country relatives would expect to spend a day at the theme park when they visited. Â Most kids were over the moon to go to Marineland. Â We liked it well enough but it got to be kind of routine for us. Â …
Everyone Doesn’t Love Marineland Read More »
Some days I really wonder if my industry has a future. Â Some radio newscasters are taking ownership of stories they haven’t checked out for themselves. Â Rampant laziness (apathy?) is running through journalism today and it’s almost acceptable in some circles. Â …
The Evolution of Journalism Read More »
The spammers have been incredibly busy lately. Â On recent Saturday morning I woke up to 120 spam messages disguised as comments on this website. This is why there’s an approval system for comments. Â Â …
Spam of the Summer Read More »
Here in London, one of the most competitive radio markets in the country, you can tell that fall ratings are almost upon us. Â In Toronto radio stations are now rated by People Meters but here we still go by the old spring/fall ratings periods and this fall is going to have more changes than any season in years. Â …
The Chess Game: Radio Read More »
Helen Gurley Brown died yesterday after a brief illness.  She was 90.  As editor of Cosmopolitan Magazine for 32 years, Brown helped guide and shape young women’s views on sex and relationships.  I know. I was one of them. …
The Ultimate Cosmo Girl Read More »
On my mammoth grocery shopping trip Saturday morning a woman waved me over in the cheese aisle and asked me to look at her recipe card. …
Encounter Near the Old Cheddar Read More »
Since I made a big hairy deal of the dresser I was refinishing I suppose I should show you the finished product.  I’m not over the moon about it.  It’s only been a few days that I’ve been able to walk past it without grimacing.  Having said that, it is funky and quirky and really livens up our guest bedroom. …
The Dresser, Such as it Is Read More »
Ikea means different things to different people. For some, it’s a place to stock up on inexpensive essentials for offspring leaving the nest. For others, it’s the home of organizational inspiration for a closet or a room. And still others see it as the preferred option for in-home kitchen design and installation. Its name conjures up an image as individual as the shopper who straps on a big blue bag and strolls through its Marketplace but there’s one irrefutable fact: Ikea has always first and foremost been about innovative product designs. It can’t be a coincidence that Ikea rhymes with idea. …
Old Is New Again – House Proud, Sun Media Read More »
A fair bit of anxiety has gone into planning to release my little ebook, The Naked Truth. Yesterday I posted the first chapter here and on Facebook and Twitter, just as a preview. One never really knows what will come of such a thing. It isn’t just my writing, it’s a piece of my life I’m putting out there. …
Putting it Out There Read More »
I hope you’re prepared to sit a spell and enjoy a longer than usual blog post today! As promised, here’s a chapter from my forthcoming ebook, The Naked Truth, out September 1st. I flip-flopped on what I should post and finally decided to start at the beginning. This is chapter 1. …
Preview: The Naked Truth Read More »
Lots of people have them. Â In radio they’re particularly irritating. Â There’s a news anchor (and there have been others) who starts every story with a “well”. Â But it comes out: wool. It gets so you brace yourself for it. Â And it never fails to arrive. …