October 8th will mark my eighth week of unemployment, save for the fact I’ve accepted a job and will launch a new career on that day with 58Ninety, a digital ad agency in downtown Toronto. My role will be as a Client Engagement Manager, which I’ve been attempting to describe as a cross between an account and a project manager, working on the CTVglobemedia account. Those close to me know I’ve longed to work in an agency as long as I’ve been into marketing, and seeing as they focus on the internet it truly does appear to be a great role for me. I actually had the good fortune to receive two offers this week from two great companies, and I was forced to make a purely selfish decision on where I wanted to go. I believe I’ve picked right as 58Ninety has an incredible reputation and I’ve heard nothing but good things. Incidentally, as many have asked, it was seven weeks from sent home to offer sent and almost everything was done via networking. I’m beginning to notice that the more networked you become the smaller this world gets.
As noted here I have begun to perform guitar on stage, and the decision process for the new guitar is very close to conclusion. Paul met me at Long & McQuade in Cambridge yesterday afternoon to sample some Telecasters and it helped narrow the decision down to two. Hopefully, if my world turns as expected, I will shortly own one of a Fender Telecaster Highway One or Fender Stratocaster XII. Priced identically, but significant differences in sound.
Oh, the picture? Today is BlogACatMas, aka Post a Picture of a Cat to Your Blog Day. Thanks to Kate for the heads-up. I seem to recall Cliff using that phrase here once so it seemed appropriate.
Today’s Random Links
eBay seller wiggles out of an auction by claiming a killer bee attack!
Woman wins eBay auction on a new house for $1.75.
Levi’s wants you to Unbutton Your Beast. Sexy.
Today’s Returning Shows Not on CBC
Everybody Hates Chris (Citytv, 10:30 p.m.)
Ghost Whisperer (CTV, 8 p.m.)
Life (Global, 8 p.m.)
Numb3rs (Global, 10 p.m.)
Supernanny (CTV, 9 p.m.)
The Game (CW, 8:30 p.m.)
Wife Swap (ABC, 8 p.m.)
Now Playing
Old 97’s – Blame it on Gravity

Usually before I pick sports I do a lot of research. That said, at the beginning of the MLB season my pick to win it all this year were the Cubs. The Bosox broke their curse a few years back, time for the last of the truly, inexcusably long curses to end. I’ll stick with them because I have no reason not to.
On the topic of sports picks I’ve gone ahead and created some leagues for us again this year pertaining to NHL regular season pools. As usual, there is one single “official” pool, and it is the only one that offers true bragging rights for victory:
 

Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pick’em
League: overanything
Password: moocow 

 

These others are for decorative use only:

Sportsnet.ca Saturday Survivor
League: overanything
Password: moocow
CBC Hockey Night in Canada Fantasy Pool
League: overanything
Password: moocow
In other news AC/DC have pretty much guaranteed their next album will be the most downloaded in Internet history. I’m a big music fan, and a big supporter of musicians, but not when the greed becomes so obvious it slaps you upside the head. Mind you, since AC/DC stopped being relevant in the mid-90’s, I don’t really plan to download this one either. I’ll just skip it.
Today’s Random Links
Josh Groban belts out the TV Theme classics at the Emmy Awards.
Google Project 10¹⁰⁰ wants you to change the world.
Posterous = The place to post anything.
Today’s Returning Shows
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC, 10 p.m.)
Private Practice (ABC, 9 p.m.)
Pushing Daisies (ABC, 8 p.m.)
Now Playing
Ray LaMontagne – Till the Sun Turns Black

SHABAZ! Today marks the day the Do Not Call list finally arrives in the frozen tundra of Canada, after some time successfully in use by our American brethren. My history with telemarketers is long and storied, and involves many levels of hilarity and douchebaggery, depending how I felt at the time. I’ve been outright ornery when the time wasn’t right, but more amusing were the times I treated them to stories as to why I couldn’t engage in their services. Whether it was building a bomb in my basement or recovering from the sex change I’ve frequently had a perfectly acceptable reason why I couldn’t buy their fine product. I once cried on the phone to the cops who wanted me to buy circus tickets because a clown had killed my father and gotten away with it. Shortly thereafter I was tipped that telemarketers weren’t allowed to hang up on you.. big mistake. Now I would attempt to keep them on the phone as long as possible. I once told one of them that Survivor was on and they really should be watching it, then said I’d put the phone to the TV and we’d talk when it was over. I checked back in 15 minutes and they were gone. Foiled!
Then, I turned 30. And somewhere around age 30 I was no longer amused by random phone calls from people looking for Mr. or Mrs. Jaysoup. In fact, I wasn’t amused by the phone at all and stopped answering it. If I don’t recognize the name or number, it goes to the machine. If I check messages you have mere seconds to gain my attention or you get the 3-3-7. So you can imagine that today comes with internal fanfare as I prepare to enjoy life on the other side of a do not call list.
Here’s the official Government link: www.dncl.gc.ca. At press time here it’s already unavailable, evidence that I’m far from the only Canadian who doesn’t want to be called. If you’re one of those rare birds that doesn’t trust the Government there’s Michael Geist’s www.ioptout.ca, promising a wider-ranging blanket, and some key advice, to get around a few of the exemptions.
Ah, yes.. exemptions. Our Government saw fit to offer a few of them, meaning that after you register on the Government’s website you will still receive calls from: registered charities, businesses with prior business relationships, political parties, survey companies, and newspapers. The good news? Each company is still required to have an internal Do Not Call list, one which they must add you to on request and provide a confirmation code. If they continue to call you afterwards, you can complain and they’re subject to stiff fines or the removal of their telephone lines. So should you receive a call from a company simply state you wish to be added to their Do Not Call list, and demand a confirmation code. The Toronto Star is the only company I’ve spoken with that refused to do this, and I threatened a phone call to the CRTC if I received another call from them. I haven’t received one.
So, while not perfect, it’s a new dawn for the privacy-enjoying Canadian. Assuming, that is, these sites go back up. Enjoy!
Today’s Random Links
Trafalgar Brewery is once again allowing you to “Vote With Your Throat”.
Kuku Klock, the free Swiss-made online alarm clock!
Franken Berry flavoured Fruit By the Foot!
Today’s Returning Shows
Rick Mercer Report (CBC, 8 p.m.)
Now Playing
FAN590 Live Stream

Ok, so the picture – drawn years ago in MS Paint – is slightly outdated. It was probably oddly appropriate that while my minister was preaching the third sermon in his How to Live Like You’re Dying series that I finally, after 18 years of playing guitar, got up on a stage in front of a couple hundred people and played some music yesterday morning. I was first in the band to show up for practice, fingers raw from a week of frequent practice, and was given a place to stand and get my gear ready. All four songs I would be playing were new to me at the start of the week, and one in particular was driving me into fits trying to get through as the chords were rather elaborate. The team were great, quickly making me feel welcome and answering questions as they came. For the most part, however, I was thrown into it without a parachute and just tried not to mess it all up. After practice, and while waiting for our time on stage, I found a surprising calm washed over me and I was just ready to go. The word came and we bounded up on stage, grabbed our instruments, and were soon tearing through the first song. 30 minutes seemed like 10 and when it was done I couldn’t wait to be doing it again. I guess this means I’ve got the bug now, and October 12th is my next opportunity to get up and play. I’ll try to remember to pre-announce that in the days leading up so any of you that want to catch it would be welcome to attend.
‘Survivor’ is getting some publicity for their gratuitous blurring on last Thursday’s premiere episode, including this YouTube video that’s actually quite amusing. That said, there’s more publicity for what they failed to blur, namely one male contestant’s unfortunate wardrobe malfunction. I’m totally not linking to it directly, but head over here for starters if that’s your thing.
This YouTube video showcases Ortega’s new taco ad with famous US Olympians. Send it to your friends now so you can be in the early stages of the next viral phenomenon, as you only have to watch it once to know that their idea of having Shawn Johnson talk about how Ortega makes her taco pop is so highly inappropriate that people can’t help but tell all their friends about it.
Today’s Random Links
The anthrax letter suspect was apparently plotting to kill ‘The Mole’.
AC Slater interviews Zach Morris for ‘Extra’; popculturelicious!
Robert Plant is sticking a knife in Zeppelin reunion rumours.
Today’s Returning Shows
Chuck (Citytv, 8 p.m.)
Now Playing
Gin Blossoms – New Miserable Experience

I miss working and I miss the gym. I am not getting used to being home, and I don’t wish to be here anymore. I’m reminded why I didn’t want to work from home again as I roam to this little office at the end of the hall. I am enjoying putting some action to my thoughts, though. I’ve got a social media project underway with one of our semi-regulars, and I’m having a second meeting with a gentleman tonight who will be assisting me in filming a pilot for one of my TV show ideas some weekend next month. I’m not getting any younger, of course, and there’ll always be a tomorrow to put things off for. Again, I note, youth is wasted on the young.
Tonight marks a return for an OA favourite – Survivor: Gabon – Earth’s Last Eden – and although we don’t spoil the show around these parts anymore I’m thinking a few of us will be tuning in. CBS is taking the show HD this time around, prompting some concern by Jeff Probst that his flaws will be on display for all to see. The National Post scored an interview with Probst discussing, among other things, the good vs. evil plotline we can look forward to, and the animal factor. Tying in a note from yesterday, contestant Charlie Herschel announced he’s been Clay Aiken’s confidante the past couple years, prior to the former ‘Idol’ runner-up coming out of the closet. Holding perhaps slightly more impressive claims to fame this time around are Olympic Gold medalist Crystal Cox, professional video gamer Ken Hoang, and actress Jessica Kiper.
Today’s Random Links
Wilco are offering a free “I Shall Be Released” cover if you promise to vote.
Prairie Morning Bread – baked with love.. and other things!
How best to use 280,951 Post-It Notes.. \o/ \o/
Today’s Returning Shows
ER (CTV, 8 p.m.)
Grey’s Anatomy (CTV, 9 p.m.)
My Name is Earl (E!, 8 p.m.)
Survivor: Gabon (Global, 8 p.m.)
The Office (Global, 10 p.m.)
Ugly Betty (Citytv, 8 p.m.)
Now Playing
Old 97’s – Blame It On Gravity