TV: Flying by the seat of its pants.

This afternoon I received an email from someone I didn’t know. Or at least didn’t remember. His name was Jason and he claimed we’d met at a party some weeks ago. I had only the foggiest recollection of this (sorry, Jason!)
Turns out he’s a producer with CBC news. They were doing a piece on the [...]

Urban Raccoons, Pets of the City

This morning I was brushing my teeth and when I looked out the window I saw had a guest. He ambled up to the window and — as the photograph clearly attests — apparently tried to give me a high-5.
I figure either my tooth-brushing is innately fascinating to procyonids or he’s addicted to sunscreen. One [...]

Odd Pic of the Day

Windowdressing is easy.  Here’re are a few simple rules:
1. Mannequins are so 1987. Instead, include hairy, puke-coloured, vaguely benign but deeply creepy aliens.
2. Humanize your models by depicting them in the midst of their hobby. Collecting babies.
3. Frighten as many children as possible. And also my friend, Linda. Don’t worry. Niether group has much in [...]

Happy Canada Day!

I’m not sure why, but the Canadian Tourism Commission appears to have commissioned (what else?) a poster featuring Ogino Chihiro from Spirited Away.
That beaver looks decidedly nonplussed at having been displaced, poor guy. Oh, well. Here’s Chihiro (and a confused semi-aquatic rodent) to wish you a good one!

Apology Service

My friend Julio is the founder and currator of the Apology Service, which is exactly what it sounds like — a quasi-blog that allows posters to make open or anonymous apologies to anyone they choose.
(I wonder if I ought to apologize to everyone for writing a rhyming novel. Nah.)
The apologies on the site range from [...]

Zorgamazoo vs. Castration Celebration

Travis, the librarian behind a blog called “100 Scope Notes,” regularly posts Cover Controversy Reports whenever he picks out a trend in children’s and YA cover design.
Recently, he noticed a bias toward CAP IT TAL IZ ING titles and breaking up the syllables. He jokingly blames hip-hop crew Jabbawokeez for the trend.
My favourite part of [...]

Stephen Fry on Politicians’ Expense Accounts

In light of the recent disclosure of financial impropriety among Members of Parliament, much is being made of the ragged state of British politics.
Yesterday, in a candid clip from the BBC, Stephen Fry argued that in the grand scheme of things expense account records are small potatoes.
I tend to agree with him.

Dust Films (or who’s in for a pipe wrench fight?)

If you haven’t seen them already, filmmaker and muscian Dustin Maclean’s Literal Music Videos are hilarious (or at least they crack me up).
Check them out if you have some free time. The Chilli Peppers’ Under the Bridge is priceless.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss

March 2nd is a special day. Today in 1904, Dr. Suess was born.
One reviewer called my book “Dr. Seuss for grown-ups” — which is perhaps debatable — but I certainly can’t deny the influence of Theodor Seuss Geisel on my childhood. (Who can, really?). I remember finishing If I Ran the Circus and thinking to myself: I [...]

The Best Job in the World

$1o0,000 (USD) per annum. Multi-million dollar beach front property provided. All the sun and sand you can handle. All you have to do is blog about how wonderful it is.
If that sounds like your cup of tea (and it does sound like a dream-come-true writer’s retreat), you might want to apply to “The Best Job [...]