I got tired of looking at the blank page and figured that I’d do something about it. :) So I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there, I’ll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel Air.
For those of you that haven’t heard, last week I was diagnosed with type II diabetes. There’s two types: Type I is when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin to control the sugar in your blood; type II is when your body does produce enough, but your tissues have built up a tolerance against it and it’s not as effective as it should be. (This happens when you’re overweight, sedentary and have poor eating habits – sounds like me, huh!) There’s no “cure” for either of them yet. However, with type II, improving your diet, exercising more and making smart life decisions, you can recover the sensitivity you need to not be diabetic anymore. I’m type II, and that’s the mountain that I’m about to climb.
The test they ran to determine “yes” or “no” was a simple yet boring one. I went to the lab to have blood drawn, they gave me a drink with a shocking amount of sugar in it (10oz drink, 75 grams of glucose), make me wait two hours and draw more blood. That’s it – that’s all it took to make me rethink how I’ve been living.
So after a week, I’ve seen several changes already. I started on a drug called Metformin, which assists in controlling blood sugar. I joined the YMCA (surprisingly it IS fun to stay at the YMCA), and whereas I haven’t been as often as I’d like this week I did go to a yoga class the other night. That’s a much bigger workout than I expected, and it left me feeling so relaxed. I’m going to go to that every week. My goal is to work up to going five times a week, but I’m looking at that as a CHOICE rather than an OBLIGATION. I’ve pretty much cut all added sugar out of my diet that isn’t natural, like fruit, and I feel a ton better. The best part is, I don’t even miss it. I’m still eating foods that taste good, that I’m not forcing myself to eat – I actually want to. I’ve started eating fish, which the old me would NEVER have done – it used to give me problems, but I had no adverse effects this week. I think I can really do this.
So, I’d like to invite you all to join me on my journey to becoming fit and becoming the inner sexy beast that I know lives there. ;) From time to time I’ll post pictures (hidden behind the clicky link, for those that don’t want to see pasty white hairy tubby bastard) to document my progress. The mindset that I have for this life change is stolen from President Obama… “Yes, I can.”

I’ve often wondered why people buy meat in packages that doesn’t go bad for three months, but I even moreso wonder why people are specifically still buying Maple Leaf products. Citing “human error” after “product was released out of quarantine” the company has recalled 26,000 packages of Shopsy’s Deli Fresh All Beef Frankfurters and Maple Leaf Hot Dogs due to listeria. I seriously wonder what it takes before people start to care about the “food” they’re putting in their bodies.
Barenaked Ladies fans will want to pay attention: Steven Page has left the band. Fresh off a deal to get drug charges dropped in the States the founding member of the band plans to pursue personal projects including theatrical opportunities whilst the rest of the band head back to the studio to keep on keepin’ on.
Upon graduation from college in 1997 my goal was to enter music industry marketing, and I tried hard to get into any label that might have me to no luck. Fate is fortunate, it would seem, as I’ve spent most of these past 10 years loathing the music industry for how they’ve handled the Internet, and how they’ve whizzed away any opportunity that may have existed to utilize this new distribution method. Wired now writes ‘Why the Music Industry Hates Guitar Hero’, highlighting the pending war between labels and game makers as the ‘Guitar Hero’ and ‘Rock Band’ franchises continue to gain steam. As of today it seems this relatively quiet battle has already seen the makers of ‘Rock Band’ ban all Warner artists from their catalogue. Maybe they can start suing us fans who play the games, yeah?
Meanwhile, while Warner continues to screw the pooch the folks that stole what should have been theirs – Apple – have quietly launched an Indie Music Store. Stick a fork in the record labels, friends, they’re done.
Now Playing
Tribe of Judah – Exit Elvis
Today’s Random Links
Porn movie flow chart.. beware, questionably-safe-for-work dangers lie ahead..
The world’s weirdest restaurants.. the cannibal one is just frightening.
Andy Richter is re-joining Conan O’Brien on ‘The Tonight Show’!
Sorry, you didn’t find Atlantis on Google Earth.

PodCamp Toronto was an interesting enough day on Saturday, showcasing the new social media society present in Toronto as Saturday saw almost 600 people in attendance. I arrived relatively early with enough time to secure some wall space and listen to Jay Moonah offer up the introductions and best practices before shuffling us off to our rooms. Sadly, I think I largely picked the wrong sessions as I ended up spending more of the day on Twitter than paying attention to the sessions. Utilizing the Unconference format the event allowed anyone to get up and speak, lead a session, or just contribute. Apparently one of the sessions was run by a 16-year-old. I even contributed during the ‘Monetizing Blogs and Communities’ session that ended up being about affiliate marketing, something I have more than a little experience in.
My contributions there brought the speakers – Nicky Senyard and CT Moore – to me during the after party to discuss things. Turns out we share a little history from a previous industry, and they were surprised to find out that had been the first time I’d spoken up and contributed at any conference. Being that the last 12 months have been geared towards doing things I always said I’d do I’m fairly confident I’ll be leading a session at PodCamp 2010, but time will tell. Interest parties can take look at some Flickr photos of the day. Eagle-eyes will certainly find a few of yours truly.
The other story of the day was food and drink. Two gents took me up on my open offer of lunch at Volo where Andrew and I had the opportunity to get to know them over a very nice Italian lunch. Lucky for me one of my “must try” beers that had evaded me for so long – Black Oak Double Chocolate Cherry Stout – was available on cask. The after party was sponsored by my friends over at Molson Canada and would feature sampling of a number of brands: Rickard’s White, Rickard’s Red, MGD, Corona, Corona Light, Canadian, and Negra Modelo. I spent about an hour chatting with the brewmaster of Rickard’s along with Andrew and my new Volo friends, getting our fill of information from the inside, some of the secrets (yes, THE secret of Rickard’s White) of the beer. All around a good time!
Now Listening
Chris Isaak – Mr. Lucky
Today’s Random Links
Arizona’s Heart Attack Grill is freaking disgusting.

Yesterday brought the much discussed arrival of US President Barack Obama to Canada, his first international foray since taking power. The discussion leading up to the moment was what would be discussed, how would Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper hit it off, and what requests would Obama make of Canada pertaining to the mission in Afghanistan. Turns out no request on Afghanistan, although the two leaders did come away with an agreement to reduce greenhouse gases and combat climate change, while also pledging to dually strengthen the international financial system with “mutually beneficial stimulus measures”. It seems, against general belief, the two hit it off after a planned 10-minute closed-door discussion saw them shoo away their aides two times, extending their meeting over 30 minutes. “It was a great conversation”, Harper remarked to the CBC. “He’s an easy guy to like and an easy guy to get to know.” A meeting with Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff at the airport also went twice as long as planned, and general discussion seemed pretty favourable, and thus pretty promising going forward. It wasn’t all business: Obama’s motorcade stopped at the Byward Market where he sought out and enjoyed a famous Beavertail snack.
I would like to drop a couple notes to our American media friends who may find their way here:

1. They’re called Mounties, not “troops”
   
2. Mounties aren’t always on horses
   
3. It’s ok if you call her “Michelle” Jean, we do that to

Speaking of politics after some local Zonkers expected the Federal Conservatives to somehow keep above water during a recession can I expect similar venom directed towards the Provincial Liberals who just announced an expected $10 billion shortfall?
Don’t forget – this weekend is PodCamp Toronto, lunch is at Volo, tickets are on sale for the Blue Jays, and the Lotto 649 is up to $48,000,000.
Now Playing
Jackson Browne – The Very Best of Jackson Browne
Today’s Random Links
75% of Americans pray regularly, denounce “religion” – in your face, House!
I adore the commitment surrounding this Kool Aid Man.. haha!
Five heroes who did nothing and saved the day.
INXS singer JD Fortune sacked, living in car.

It appears I’ll have a lot more time on my hands in the coming weeks now that my favourite cockfighting ring was busted up yesterday. Every article makes reference to it being a bloodsport, making me long for a fourth sequel to the exciting 1988 Van Damme movie. The article is great for the reference to people beginning to wonder what was up as the decrepit old farm would entertain bursts of cars on a fairly regular basis. Oh well, I guess I’ve still got the ECHL to occupy my now free time.
The always informative and trustworthy New York Post is in some trouble after doing the unthinkable – questioning Barack Obama. Apparently “rife with … racial undertones” the graphic compares Obama’s stimulus bill as being authored by the same angry, rabid chimp that was gunned down by cops earlier this week. I question which side of the argument is racist, to be honest. Perhaps some are searching for something that doesn’t exist, and showcasing a little of their own thought process behind their disgust.
Any hockey card fans in OA land? This Saturday is National Hockey Card Day, and Upper Deck is giving away a free pack of cards to all interested parties. Click here for the details and promise to trade with me after.
Now Playing
Uncle Tupelo – Anodyne
Today’s Random Links
Four PETA members dress as cows and invade an Outback. (Thanks, Rob)
Rolcats: English translations of Eastern Bloc lolcats (For Rob and Sionne)
GM kills the Saturn brand, phasing out Pontiac.
Dude writes a 224-word palindrome. Insane.