crackerNews

Silver lining?

Big Cracker — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:31:42 -0500

Boy, I hope getting killed in Olympic hockey pushes Alexander Ovechkin (and Alexander Semin and Semyon Varlamov) to get my Washington Capitals a Stanley Cup, for once in my 15-year fanshipness. The Caps are leading the league, I just hope they can keep it going!

Oh, and I guess (although the Olympics kind of bug me) congratulations on Canada\'s Olympic hockey win.

Regrets

Big Cracker — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:01:02 -0500

I don\'t know how many of you are aware, but I have a bachelor\'s degree in Chemical Engineering, and have never worked as a Chemical Engineer. No, no, don\'t be sad, I\'m not really concerned.

But I do have regrets, I think. And maybe not regrets, but 'what if?' questions. I mean, I\'m pretty sure I can narrow it down to one specific incident that threw off my schedule and led me to be less interested in chemical engineering.

I, admittedly, did not apply myself in my second year and had to repeat organic chemistry in my third year. Due to the timing of classes, I was unable to take one of the compulsory classes and was forced to take classes for a fifth year. This is pretty much when I started questioning whether I was really interested in becoming a chemical engineer.

So, what if I had applied myself and passed organic chemistry? Or had studied through the summer and taken a supplemental exam to pass the class? Really, what if I had been able to complete my degree in four years? Would I have become an engineer? Would my life be better? I don\'t know. Is it worth thinking about? Probably not.

What if I had not left the hotel business and moved to Toronto? What if I had moved laterally (and slightly downward) to Front Desk Supervisor and continued my career within the hotel industry?

What if I had stayed in Toronto and continued my web publisher work? What if I had looked for similar work at other companies and stayed in Toronto?

What got me thinking about this? Am I unhappy in my job? No. And I don\'t know. I think about this stuff every now and again and I wonder what my life would be like now, given some much earlier decisions. Even little things, like what if I\'d been offered a particular job sooner and been able to take it, rather than having accepted another job?

I try to live in the present, but every now and again the past creeps up and I wonder about things. What makes you wonder?

PPF Neighborhood: Haiti Relief with M�decins Sans Fronti�res

Big Cracker — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:23:52 -0500

Hey Friends, I was up until one o\'clock this morning finishing my part of this project, I hope you check it out and help out a great cause, and some terrific artists!

In an effort to bring aid to those suffering in Haiti, over 2 dozen like-minded friends in the independent arts community, many based in Toronto, and a few from abroad, have banded together to put together the PPF Neighborhood: a downloadable benefit compilation of music, visual art and photographs.

The project is a third party fundraiser for Medecins Sans Frontières (aka Doctors Without Borders) and all proceeds will go to assist MSF’s work with the victims of the earthquake. What we hope is that, even if you’ve given already, you’ll feel compelled to donate $5 (or more if you want) to help us make a difference in a tragic situation. In return you will receive 14 tracks of original music and 13 works of visual art and photography, packaged neatly in a pdf booklet.

Just go to ppfhouse.bandcamp.com where you can purchase the album through paypal or any major credit card.

Featuring a who’s who of award winning artists, the project brings together Juno Award Winners (and losers), U of T Art Professors, Underground Hip Hoppers, Latin Jazzers, Pop and Electronica Darlings, as well as Vanguards of Illustration, Animation and Photography. It’s an eclectic mix of “creative” types who are trying to use what they do best to offer a helping hand.

Thanks for your support and please feel free to let any and all know about the project.
The PPF House Neighborhood will only be available until Feb.11, 2010, the final day before the Canadian Government closes its pledge to match all private donations.

More information on the project and its contributors can be found at www.ppfhouse.com/haiti.

More information about MSF and its work in Haiti and elsewhere can be found at www.msf.ca.

To view MSF’s letter of endorsement for the project, please go to http://ppfhouse.com/msf-letter.php.

The end of an era

Big Cracker — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:14:00 -0500

Some bad news today: effective February 28, 2010, Externalgateway.com is closing its doors. Sad, I know, but true. Our six-year experiment in website hosting, development, and design has come to an end. The margins on hosting are such that we can’t be competitive and still make it worth our while.

In any case, this site may be up and down over the next day or two and my email may be a little temperamental, but I’ll get everything moved over to a new host and let everything settle down.

New year, new ... something

Big Cracker — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:54:23 -0500

(Just to note, I started this a week ago. I don't know what that says about my motivation.)

Alrighty, new year, new years' resolutions ... Or not. I read a ton of self-improvement, DIY and productivity blogs and all of them have had some post (or several) about making and keeping new years' resolutons. I've had a bunch of resolutions in the past and stuck to pretty much none of them. But I've also had a number of habits I've wanted to create (or break), new year or not, and I've been mildly successful.

So, based on all my reading and my own personal success, if there's a goal you want to achieve, determine an activity that will help you acheive the goal and do it. The more regularly you perform the activity, the easier it will be to continue doing it, and the easier it will be to get back to if you have to stop for any length of time.

For example, if you want to lose weight (and I'm pretty sure we've all thought about it), that's a pretty big goal, and involves a lot of work. But trying to walk a little more and eat potato chips less doesn't involve a lot of work, and will probably save you a little money (often another goal). And even if you don't walk everywhere you could or you eat a bag of potato chips every now and again, it's not a big deal, just get back on track. Eventually (hopefully sooner than later), you won't have to think much about it, you'll just do it. In the end, I advise baby steps and consistency and you'll make it happen. Happy new year!

And by the way, I think I like twenty-ten better than two thousand and ten. I don't know why, I'm sure it doesn't really matter, but I'm going to try to go with twenty-ten. (Another habit to form.)

Almost Xmas time

Big Cracker — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:40:29 -0500

We're well into December now and I haven't written you guys a real note in over three months. I have been a little busy, but not really, and noteworthy things have happened, but not really.

On my birthday, I let you guys know that Cracker's Marbles came in second at Trivia Night at the Yard. Well, two weeks ago, Mike, Jess, and I (Mike & Ike & Crackers) finally won! The categories were pretty varied, with general trivia, Oscar winners, and gemstones as major ones. It was a little funy at the end, because they announced the second place winner first, with 46 points. Jess was slightly indignant, “But we had 49 points!” And, the winner is ....

In slightly bigger news, my sister has acquired a dog. The Baron is an American Eskimo-Pomeranian cross (with probably another breed or two thrown in for good measure). In the picture, he's chillin' under my sister's desk while she works. We all need to get familiar with the dog's bodily cycles (yes, you know what I mean!), but I think it'll be good. Even if I'm crazy allergic!

And in even bigger news, I'm now gainfully employed! As opposed to being painfully self-employed. I'm a programmer in the institutional research office of the local University. The work is pretty much what the wikipedia link says; naturally, I work on the website (which is not actually in production, yet), ensuring that the information is usable and accurate. I'll also be working on a lot of product and project documentation as we get things ramped up. Apparently, the current incarnation of the office has a much-expanded scope from the last office, which was less than effective at providin useful information in a useful format. We're out to shift the paradigm!

Anyway, with Xmas coming up, I've got some gifts to wrap and decorations to put up, so I'll drop you a note sometime later. (Probably to let you know about all my awesome Xmas loot!)

That's weird

Big Cracker — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:44:26 -0500

Apparently, Zoo York has a Big Cracker hoodie (or, as we in Saskatchewan say, bunnyhug). No, I don't think I need one. (Lime green? Yuck!)

Mahna mahna

Big Cracker — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:27:55 -0500

Awesome! A blast from the past. (Or maybe not.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXrU1GFqYEU

Happy birthday to me

Big Cracker — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:09:47 -0400

Okay, so it's early the next morning, but it's the first time I've had a chance to post anything. First of all, thanks everybody for the great birthday wishes! Especially, but not exclusively, all my old friends from Banff. It's been over 10 years, but I think we could all drop into Tommy's for a rye-ginger and not notice the time'd passed.

A big round of applause to Cracker's Marbles (A birthday tribute; Bryce, Jess, Jana, Mike and Jennifer) and a solid second-place showing at trivia night tonight. How can you beat pint glasses and a free pitcher? That's close enough to a $50 bar tab for me!

Q: Before Sir Richard Burton discovered the source of the Nile [River], what was the longest river in the world?
A: The Nile. (Regardless of when and who discovered it, the Nile has always been the longest river in the world.)

Thanks to J, Red and the kids for the birthday balloon and letting all the Starbucks types know it was my birthday. Not that I didn't want them to know,but, man, how easy is it to tell 18-20 year olds that you're 35? I have enough trouble admitting it to myself!

And thanks to my family for [perhaps] letting me win at Clue. I'm not completely sure how I deduced it, but it was definitely Mr. Green in the kitchen with the rope. Because I was playing Mr. Green, maybe I was reluctant to admit that it was me. And really, if it was me, why would I admit it? What a weird game.

Anyhoo, thanks everybody for a great day. I really appreciate it!

Sorry, we can't fly in the rain

Big Cracker — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:14:49 -0400

Of course, I had to tweet (and now blog) the CBC story about the space shuttle launch being scrubbed. Umm, seriously, 'rain and lightning near the launch site'? Are you kidding me? This is a vehicle that travels at ridiculous speeds through the atmosphere and into outer space, but not in the rain? The folks over at NASA are the experts at flying in outer space. How is it not possible for them to have built a vehicle that can also fly in the rain? At the same time, this is the 21^st century, why am I not out there flying my own personal space ship in outer space, to visit my friends on the moon, or for a short vacation on Mars? What is happening to the dream of the 1940s?

Changes to CBC's The National?

Big Cracker — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:57:16 -0400

I would like to alert you to a disturbing situation concerning CBC's The National. It was recently uncovered that a small circle of senior managers at the CBC has quietly developed a plan to move the public broadcaster's flagship news program The National from 10 pm to 11 pm on weeknights. See this news story: http://www.friends.ca/news-item/8554.

While CBC management has denied the existence of the plan, recent experiences on key matters such as placing ads on CBC Radio and changes to Radio 2 have seen senior CBC officials regularly contradicting themselves.

There is a meeting of the CBC Board of Directors coming up soon. Can you please take a few seconds to sign a petition asking the Board to reject any proposed changes to The National? Here is the link:

http://act.friends.ca/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=33&ea.campaign.id=4080

Thanks!

A month of silence

Big Cracker — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:58:14 -0400

So I'm pushing a month with no updates here, my apologies. I was on vacation for a week at my mommy's in The Pas (MB). I was busy working on a couple of websites (paid jobs, yay!). And busy looking for work (so far generally unsuccessful).

I also had a good update for you about the vacuum cleaner salesman who visited me. His product really sucked! This is not a joke, I actually had a vacuum cleaner salesman come to my home and demonstrate his machine. It did a super job, but it was also $3000. While I'm sure it was totally worth the price, I have a bit of an issue with a $3000 vacuum cleaner!

The big project on the go now is to manage more effectively my Twitter, Facebook and other status updates. Facebook gets a little cluttered with all my Twitter updates, so I keep my Twitter updates to roughly one per hour, but I'd like to tweet more. I also have some Facebook updates that I'd like to have go to my 'professional' page, but they just go to my regular page. So I realize I need my regular Twitter feed, a smaller Facebook feed, another 'professional' Facebook feed, plus a feed to and from my other website. This sounds like a bucketload of programming feeds, but we'll see what happens.

How's everybody doing out there?

I live in the country's second-best run city

Big Cracker — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:56:54 -0400

Apparently, Saskatoon is Canada's second-best run city. Thanks Maclean's, but you suck.

With their highly overrated University rankings and their Most dangerous cities rankings, I can't take their rankings seriously. And even so, when I lived in Toronto, there was almost nowhere I couldn't go via public transit; in Saskatoon, there are very few places I can go. In Toronto, I could put out all my recycling, all my composting and all my garbage for the city to collect; in Saskatoon, I compost my own organics and pay to have a private company pick up my recycling. So, what services am I getting here that rate #2, but only rate Toronto #10?

Again, thanks but no thanks, Maclean's. You suck.

Fingers crossed ... the job is mine

Big Cracker — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:02:26 -0400

Woo hoo! What a super-fantastic job interview yesterday! In fact, what a super-fantastic day yesterday! So far, this week has been pretty good to me.

I had an interview for Project Manager at Zu.com yesterday, and while I was not really pumped for the interview going in, I feel pretty good about it coming out. I was feeling that I didn't really have the necessary skills and experience for project management. But hearing from the interviewers, the Zu CEO and one of their project managers, I'm pretty confident that I have what it will take to be a successful project manager for them. They were interviewing four people out of more than 20 decent applications (having rejected out-of-hand several more applications), and I was one of them. At the same time, I've worked on a bunch of web projects, following solid project management principles and encountering standard challenges from clients and technology. So, I'm in good shape; I know what's going on.

By the way, as I've said before, if any of you know anyone at Zu, put in a good word for me, 'cause you all know how awesome I am.

At the same time, I got things working for the Direct Selling Exhibition Monday evening. And I got things fixed up for the Western Cities HR Conference yesterday. Plus, a handful of blog posts done (thetechwriterblog.com, thewebdevelopersblog.com). All in all a good couple of days work.

Amazon associates

Big Cracker — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:01:55 -0400

I have recently signed up as an Amazon Associate, which means that I have Amazon widgets on all my websites (bigcracker.ca, craigmcnaughton.ca, thetechwriterblog.com and thewebdevelopersblog.com). When you use the search widget or click the items in the display widgets, you'll be taken to the Amazon.ca website. If you complete a purchase while still on the site (having come from one of my sites), I get a small commission.

If you shop at Amazon regularly, and want to help a good friend make a couple of extra bucks a month, use the widgets, or bookmark this link (http://www.amazon.ca/?&tag=thetecwriblo-20&camp=212529&creative=392021&linkCode=wsw).

Thanks, everybody!

Another blast from the past

Big Cracker — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:58:37 -0400

I really have to remember that my phone takes pictures, then I could show you what I'm talking about. But, alas, no picture, so you'll just have to trust me.

Almost 20 years ago, I saved up my money and bought myself a $400 mountain bike. I had done some solid research and I bought myself a great bike. (As with everything, it was outdated by the next year.) And obviously a great bike, because when leaving work the other day, I saw it locked up outside the mall.

The Sekine mountain bike lasted me from about 1990 or 1991 until 1997 when I moved to Banff. I had a new [better] mountain bike by then (on which I had spent well over $1000), so I donated the Sekine to Bike Doctor. That last winter of 1996-1997, I rode that bike almost everyday, as it was the most convenient mode of transportation to school. That meant a lot of riding in snow and -30°C weather and a lot of falls on ice.

But the bike I saw the other day was in pretty much the same shape as when I dropped it off 12 years ago. Good job, little Sekine!

The rest of my month � update #3

Big Cracker — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:59:03 -0400

Well, here we are now in July. My 'month' was June, so I guess it's over now. No real money made, so back to looking for 'real' work.

I applied for a part-time position (0.5 FTE) as a reporting programmer for the University (creating and updating reports for different internal groups) last week. I was thinking I'd take that half-time work and see if I could get a promotion to shift supervisor at the Starbuck's, bringing me up to full-time hours. I guess I'll wait and see.

There are a few prospects I'm still investigating, but the freelance angle is a solid pain in the ass. The places I've gone to find freelance work have had thousands of postings, all of them paying next to nothing for what would amount to several hours of work, and for which the bid closing date is weeks away. I don't really have time to filter through thousands of postings in several locations to find the few jobs I might bid on.

I'm trying to learn about making money blogging, which seems plausible, but challenging. I'm thinking about reviving The Web Developer's Blog and pushing harder on The Tech Writer Blog.

In other, more personal news, I've made some headway on my novel. You can check out what I have so far in a dedicated section of my other website.

As always, this blog gets republished as notes on Facebook. And I've been tweeting about Violent Kin and PPF House gigs and 'green' tips (e.g., Eat take-out regularly? Keep some spare utensils with you.), which show up as status updates on Facebook.

In case you're wondering, Beatrice and I have still not managed to get together. Thanks for all your support.

Blast from the past

Big Cracker — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:46:16 -0400

My Google Alert for bigcracker.ca fired me an email today letting me know about a reference to bigcracker.ca somewhere in the depths of the interwebs. Apparently, the little web searching gnomes take their sweet time, because the reference in question is from 2006!

The reference within the post is to a super old post about the mocking I got on a flight from T-Dot to S'toon (check out this definition!). I'm a little impressed that this youngster remembered enough about my website to check it out, and then comment on it. Although, I sort of wish I'd seen her post earlier.

Anyway, kind of funny what the internet turns up sometimes. Here's some other stuff:

Would you like to buy a monkey? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbCc2jeEQdY)
Fancy Lad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X8istCTeQE; related to the above)
Letterman as Ellsworth on Mork & Mindy (Mork Goes Erk; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny6p9_zlOJc)
C for Cat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3tgrEvpPck)
Capital I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=losBZCpzbi8)

Relationship woes

Big Cracker — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:34:50 -0400

I rarely talk about this stuff, because it has (unfortunately) a low priority for me, but I'm having some challenges understanding my current failure establishing a relationship with a young woman and I'm asking for a little help.

I'll start at the beginning, and a few of you may recognize the young woman in question from my story. I met this young woman (let's call her Beatrice) at a Christmas party, but only briefly and at the end of the evening. However, when introduced, she was accompanied by a young man, so I didn't consider pursuing anything.

Beatrice came into the Starbucks a few months later and, terribly unfortunately, I didn't recognize her at all. I remembered a story I'd been told about her, so we discussed that. However, the entire time I was trying to figure out why I didn't recognize and identify a memorable feature by which to recognize her later. To be honest, she could've come into the store a million times after that and I probably wouldn't have recognized her!

Last month, we met again at a Great Western beer night and (in my opinion) we hit it off. I didn't ask for her phone number then, but I got it from a mutual friend and called her a few days later. I ended up leaving a message, and just said I'd be interested in a drink or cofee sometime and for her to call me back. No call. I called again a few days later and left roughly the same message. Again, nothing. I wrote it off as me misreading whatever signals and figuratively walked away.

About two weeks after the second call, she showed up in the Starbucks again. (Rather fortuitous, because it was a different Starbucks location and I'd been reassigned just the day before.) She apologized for not calling, said she was still interested and told me to text her, because she wasn't much for the phone or voice-mail.

I texted her the next morning, suggesting coffee or drinks that weekend or later in the week. No response. I texted her again the other day suggesting coffee the following day or today, and still no response.

So, is she in fact still interested as she said and should I be patient? Or is there nothing there and I should just let it pass?

Research dollars at work

Big Cracker — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:39:00 -0400

I love scientific research, don't get me wrong, but do we really need new elements on the periodic table? Is this where scientific research funding should really be going? I mean, how useful can an element be if it only exists for a split second?

In my humble opinion, I don't believe we know enough about what's going on here on Earth right now, without creating new things about whose effects we know nothing. It irks me a little to imagine how much time, money and effort goes into this kind of research, when we still barely understand the current climate change issues, can barely manage our own economies and cannot substantially help emerging economies and nations.

For the extroverts out there

Big Cracker — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:49:08 -0400

This is also for the introverts; to know that at least one other person understands our plight. A few years ago, Jonathan Rauch over at The Atlantic wrote a great article about Caring for Your Introvert. I got the link from the Your Writing Dept blog on Twitter.

Basically, if we look like we want to be left alone, don't try to 'cheer us up,' just leave us alone. We'll be back before you know it.

The rest of my month � update #2

Big Cracker — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:24:10 -0400

What's been going on for the last week, you ask? Good question. I've got a to-do list for today that's a page and a half in my notebook, with a bunch of stuff left over from last week; that's something. I got a haircut at Haarley's Salon; that's something. I had beers with my good buddy Kev; that's something else. And I've worked a few shifts at the SB; something else again.

Work? Oh yeah, that's what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm still at it. I've done some work on the Western Cities Conference website and my own site, as well as blogging on The Tech Writer Blog website. I've also been following a bunch of people on Twitter. The Twitter thing is to get more info and more ideas for stuff to do.

The novel is coming along slowly. I still haven't decided where to put up info for you guys to see, but I'll get there. I'm going to post some character descriptions that are partly ready. I also want to find somewhere that will buy (even for a small price) some short stories about some of my minor characters. I'm going to try to pump those out as practice.

Again, if you have any ideas for stuff I should look into or try out, let me know.

The Up house might really fly

Big Cracker — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:14:18 -0400

According to this Wired article from a few days ago, the house in Pixar's new movie Up might really be able to fly. Apparently, with enough balloons (upwards of 100,000; which the Up house seems to have), you could plausibly generate enough lift to raise the house. I think that's kinda cool.

The rest of my month � update #1

Big Cracker — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:52:26 -0400

Not much to tell you, I'm still trying to track down freelance work. Using Twitter, I've found RentACoder and oDesk, and somehow I found eLance. I can't claim any success with them yet, but I'll let you know.

I'm already behind on a blog post on TheTechWriterBlog.com, but it's in the works and should be up later today. I'll probably back-date it to Friday and try to get another post done today.

Right now, I'm taking a look at affiliate marketing programs. I'm going through the details of Amazon's Associates Program right now. (I've signed up, but they still have to approve me.) Basically, I get paid a percentage of whatever people buy from Amazon, if they access it through the link on my page. I've also looked at ClickBank, but I'm not completely sure I understand it.

So that's where my self-employment stands. If you have any ideas for anything more I might do, technical writing blog topics or Amazon products to blog about, let me know.

Mobile blogs (part 2)

Big Cracker — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:47:54 -0400

Referring to a previous post, I'm able to email blog posts. I haven't actually done it, but I can. I've now expanded on that and updated this site for mobile devices. I've stripped down pretty much everything on the site except for the main content and response function. For those of you enjoying me on your mobile devices, this should be a little simpler. http://m.bigcracker.ca/

Update (2009-05-31 11:00): I've just updated things a little more to redirect mobile browsers automatically to the mobile site.