Sparkplug

I have been writing regular blog entries such as this one for eight months now. When you look at the sidebar to the right you see that this has numbered over 80 different postings on many of my favourite subjects including - politics, the movies, good books, communications practices, new technology and, of course, The Big Circus.

Most of the time I try to do this with some measure of good humour and fun. And, hopefully, nothing that I write comes back to haunt me (I have an ongoing nightmare about suddenly popping up on the “no fly” list because of my comments about Bush/Cheney). (more…)

Along with many great cultural attractions such as our new opera house and renovated museum, Toronto also features some really wonderful examples of the right hand not knowing what the left is doing.  A case in point is along Lawrence Avenue west of Bathurst, where there is a left turn lane at one of the lights that leads to a private driveway.

The Toronto Star also points out another example - a left turn lane in an intersection where no left turns are allowed, ever.  Of course the symbolism of these two traffic ironies is not lost - it is forbidden to turn to the left and if you do you’ll end up nowhere.  (more…)

Now what is Bush going to do without his brain you might ask? 

Presidential Advisor Karl Rove AKA “Turd Blossom”, also AKA “Bush’s Brain”, has left the West Wing along with his squadron of flying monkeys.  Rove’s exit was not just a case of getting out while the getting out is good it is a whole new era in Washington - perhaps the “compassionate conservatism” Bush used as a sound bite during his first run at the Presidency. (more…)

It’s hard to believe that summer is half over.  But the shadows creep across the back lawn earlier and earlier these nights and the movies become less and less spectacular at the omniplex. 

But before the leaves start falling again, let me offer up my official summer box office half time report.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At the World’s End  - way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way too long.  Hopefully this franchise will go back to being a ride in Disney parks. (more…)

Could you describe yourself or your uniqueness in 30 seconds or less.  This is the essence of the “elevator pitch”.

The elevator pitch, for those of you who are not familiar with the concept, is a quick explanation, in say 30 seconds, of an idea, or a product.  Ideally this should be achieved in 100 to 150 words or less. 

Cut to the chase! 

Get to the point! 

You now have the blessing of my attention for 30 seconds, so pitch me.

For a lot of us, this is difficult, nay impossible, we just have too much to say about ourselves and need to make long-winded explanations of who we are and what we do.  (more…)

It’s been a monumental task but I have fixed all of the past postings after the unfortunate software glitch of last month.  While the editing was a big job it did get me a chance to review past postings and remind me of some unfinished business including the cover letter which I did finally perfect and The Big Circus which I have woefully ignored for a couple of months. (more…)

I’ve been working on the proverbial BIG PROJECT for the past several months and have finished a first draft which is grander than I intended.  This is my excuse for not posting as regularly as normal, but now that the draft is finished I plan to start catching up on things here at Sparkplug. (more…)