Beyond Passing Time

Pitching to Bloggers?

2012-02-06T10:35:00.000-05:00

I get email pitches from companies who want me to promote their businesses on my blog. Some of them are downright terrible. And some of them are great. Here's what you need to know before you pitch to me:

Toilet Paper Fashion Campaign Soft on Recycling

2012-02-01T19:26:00.001-05:00

Cashmere fashion campaigns show that the bathroom tissue is soft and nice enough to wear.

Kruger Products, the company that manufactures Cashmere bathroom tissue, also has a sustainability initiative. Doesn't that make using excessive amounts of toilet paper to create one-use dresses a little
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Balance Problems

2012-01-30T02:27:00.001-05:00

I lose my balance hundreds of times per day while I stand.

First, my toes rise, then the balls of my feet as I start falling backward. Then I curl my toes and drive them into the floor while pulling my body forward using my back muscles to right myself. Yes, when I'm standing, this entire process happens probably about ten times per minute. It's exhausting. It overworks my body and gives me pain. It distracts me from everything. It's unnerving to constantly feel myself falling.

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Wikipedia and Online PR

2012-01-18T19:57:00.000-05:00

In protest of the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA), US bills proposing to repress foreign websites that infringe on copyright (thus, Wikipedia and others believe, "infringes free expression"), Wikipedia has shut down for the day. Clicking a Wikipedia entry or searching for something on the home page will bring you to this message:

"Learn More"

The purpose of this "blackout" is to inform the public about SOPA and PIPA and to galvanize the public to let the representatives of the bills know what they think.

If you click "Learn More," you will read about the huge discourse and awareness about the bills shared to the representatives, on social media, etc., (See: #SOPA on Twitter) and the impact the bills may have, if passed.

This inconveniences web users who in turn, learn about SOPA and PIPA and then, it seems, speak out against it, which is kind of cool. It's also a wise move for Wikipedia, I think, because they are proving that they understand the impact disabling information sharing can have. It's also a good PR move for the online encyclopedia because it is showing the public that it strongly values the freedom and openness of the internet.

Do you think the Wikipedia blackout and online pressure from the public will influence the United States House of Representatives and the Senate's decision on the bill?

Betty White's 90th Birthday

2012-01-16T22:16:00.000-05:00

Betty White's 90th Birthday tonight on NBC celebrated her 60 years making people laugh on television. But did you know she is also a great dramatic actress?

In this scene, one of my favourites from Golden Girls, Betty White's character Rose speaks to her deceased husband Charlie on her first birthday without him. It's a very moving monologue.

What's your favourite Betty White scene?

My 200th Post!

2012-01-15T13:32:00.000-05:00

I planned to write this a bunch of times, then each time realized that I had drafts Blogger was counting as posts. But this is the real deal. 200! I could cry, but I think I'll just write a retrospective post on my favourite posts so far. Why are these my favourites? I am particularly proud of my writing in these and enjoyed the rich discussion in comments.

So here they are, in chronological order from earliest to latest:
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A Barbie with Cancer?

2012-01-04T17:34:00.002-05:00

If I told you there was a mass-produced Barbie with cancer, what would you imagine it looks like?

There are campaigns online to encourage Barbie manufacturer Mattel to make this happen. I'm picturing a regular Barbie wearing a pink gown, not a bald Barbie with one breast. I'm picturing a Barbie "not letting cancer defeat me" by wearing lots of make up and high heels.

The Bachelor Cast and Producers -- My Messages for You

2012-01-02T22:09:00.000-05:00

The new season of The Bachelor started tonight. I reluctantly watched part of with some people. Oh dear.

To all current, past and future Bachelors/Bachelorettes:

How difficult for you that you need this screening process to figure out which of these girls/guys you want to spend the rest of your life with. How convenient for you that she/he happens to be one of the contestants of your show.

Why Give Blood?

2011-12-27T17:47:00.001-05:00

My former Presentation Skills professor and television personality Liz West knows first hand the importance of donating blood, as she explains in this video

Through telling her very personal story, she is using the presentation skills she taught me and her public figure status to motivate people to save a life. Blood donations are down at this time of year.

Donating bone marrow is also very important, as I learned through my year as a Child Life volunteer in the Bone Marrow Transplant of The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

It doesn't take much time and it costs no money. Learn more about how you can give the gift of life by checking out the Canadian Blood Services or your local blood donation organization.

Liz West
Photo Credit: Michael Peake/QMI Agency

So Long, Broken Social Scene!

2011-12-19T20:24:00.000-05:00

After over a year of rumours, groundbreaking Toronto experimental-pop band Broken Social Scene is officially breaking up -- but maybe not permanently.

Being a huge fan of this band's free spirited, atmospheric style, I decided to write a tribute/thank you post for all the great songs they've brought to my life.

Mr. Bean is Sexy

2011-12-13T21:46:00.000-05:00

When people ask me what kind of guy is my type, I usually say I don't have one. But actually... I do. It's Mr. Bean.

Here is why:
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Online Support Forums: Do They Help or Hinder?

2011-12-04T19:31:00.001-05:00

Online support forums such as message boards and Facebook groups are created to provide a community for people who are all seeking support for a problem they all share.

This seems like a safe, warm situation, right?
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Why I Hate Movember

2011-11-18T18:51:00.001-05:00

Does growing a moustache raise awareness about prostate cancer?

No. Movember, the term for the month-long November campaign to get men to grow moustaches to support prostate cancer, is a type of slactivism. It's just about the silliness and the fun. It's not about prostate cancer. It's an excuse to grow a freaking moustache and also feel like you're doing something important.

Anyway, what does awareness mean in this case, exactly? Does your moustache share information about the importance of screening, or where to get screened? Does it tell you how you can prevent prostate cancer (if you even can)? Does it tell you the symptoms? Does it tell you who's affected?
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Don't Blame it on the School Balls: My Fond Memories of Responsibility Evasion

2011-11-17T17:37:00.001-05:00

A Toronto school recently banned hard balls after a parent was hit by a soccer ball and suffered a concussion.

Is this an overreaction?
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A Comfortable Bra?

2011-11-09T20:30:00.000-05:00

Today I found an amazing new feature of a product I use almost every day...

Cushioned underwire in bras! I couldn't try one on unfortunately because neither La Senza location in the mall had my size, but when I ran my finger along cushioning, I gasped.

Imagine, Ashley! No more digging!

But I know what you're going to say:

Songs From Amazing Feist Concert Now on Youtube

2011-11-06T17:33:00.000-05:00

Last month I told you about an intimate Feist concert I had won tickets to see. Well, now you can get a taste of what made it so great!

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) recently posted three songs from the show, which it held to celebrate its 75th birthday and support Feist's new album "Metals," on Youtube. I can't stop watching these. Feist is fantastic live. Enjoy!
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Where to Find Size 5 Shoes!

2011-11-03T00:47:00.001-04:00

Shopping for shoes can be a real challenge, especially for women whose shoe size is 5. (That's me!)

During two days of browsing stores and bugging sales people, I found some stores that carry 5. I'd hug these stores if I could, because the lowest size most carry is 6. Discrimination, I tell you!
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What Your Automated Direct Message on Twitter Tells Me

2011-10-31T15:30:00.001-04:00

Almost every day, I get Direct Messages on Twitter from people/businesses I've recently followed, asking (or telling me) to check out their site. I can tell that these messages are almost ALWAYS automated because of how generic they are. It would only make sense to send these generic messages manually if you were going to put my name in there. But of course that would be too much work.

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Happy "Sexy" Halloween

2011-10-28T21:57:00.001-04:00

A Google image search of "Women's Halloween costumes" will show these results:

Click image to enlarge it

Gender-Neutral Washrooms: Will They Reduce Stigma?

2011-10-24T22:55:00.000-04:00

Some students are trying to get gender-neutral washrooms on their university campuses to de-stigmatize transgendered people who face bullying and have to "out" themselves by choosing the "Women" or "Men" washroom.

I disagree that unisex washrooms will de-stigmatize because they won't address the ignorance and hate that is at the root of the mistreatment.

What do you think?

How Has Your Site Become a Star on Social Bookmarking Sites?

2011-10-22T15:16:00.005-04:00

So, you've started a blog. You sign up for social bookmarking sites Digg, StumbleUpon, Delicious, Reddit and maybe even more and start linking your posts to these, commenting on others' posts and adding friends to your networks. But whenever you log in to these sites to see how many "views" you are getting or "Diggs" or whatever, you keep seeing that you have either zero or only one. And when you look at your site's traffic analytics, you see you are getting virtually none from social bookmarking sites. What are you doing wrong?

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Please Decode My Dream Featuring Britney Spears

2011-10-21T05:34:00.000-04:00

Tonight I dreamed that I was walking with my friends wearing a fleece pyjama/sweat suit type outfit and Britney Spears pulled up in her convertible beside me, told me I looked cute and asked me if I wanted to go for a ride with her. So I ditched my friends and Britney and I became BFFs for a short while.

I have no idea what this dream means...

Text Messages: What's the point?

2011-10-15T00:46:00.000-04:00

A recent study found that cell phone users between 18 and 24 years of age exchanged 109.5 text messages per day!

I wonder how many "OMG"s and "LOL"s are texted.

I wonder how many repetitive strain injuries have developed.

I just text occasionally if I'm looking for someone, or contacting someone whose cell number is long distance. But 109.5/day? Yeesh.

Okay, frequent texters, please tell me: what the heck are you saying in these texts and why you send so many of them?

Surprise! A Feist Concert.

2011-10-09T00:52:00.001-04:00

I bought Feist's new album Metals on Wednesday night. I opened the packaging on the subway on my way home and found a ticket to a Feist concert inside:

Feist Presents Metals at CBC

What?

Celebrating Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T00:23:00.000-04:00

Tonight, I think of Steve Jobs as I use my Apple computer. I'll think of him when I use my iPod. And I'll think of him the next time I watch Toy Story, one of my favourite movies.

His innovations have touched so many lives and his loss will be felt deeply as he leaves his legacy to Apple.

Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

Courtesy of Matthew Yohe