A Byproduct of the MBA

As my 52 week intensive MBA is winding down, I've come to realize something.  Due to the amount of reading and analysis done during this MBA, I can no longer read something without really thinking about what I'm reading, and why I'm reading it.

I'm having trouble reading for "fun".....other than Sh*t my dad says, because that's just pure fun :)

I think I've read more in 52 weeks than I have in my life-time.  I guess that's a good thing.

Radio Sucks

I decided to tune into the radio today, and I heard the following songs on repeat

Fireflies - Owl Lights
Dynamite - Taio Cruz
California Gurls - Katie Perry
I Like It - Enrique Iglesias
Cooler Than Me - Mike Posner
What Part of Forever - Cee Lo Green

OMG!  I wanted to stab my ears.  Is it because there isn't enough good music around that everything is just put on repeat?  Martin's response is "It's the Top 40, they're just going to play the Top 40".  Who came up with top 40?  I really thought it was just a label and it didn't mean repeat the top 40 sounds until you want to jab sharp objects in your ears.

And it all sounds the same....ug....i'm not listening to the radio anymore.

Free Concerts Via YouTube

Genius!!!!

What better way for an artist to reach out to their fans than have a concert that is also broadcasted over YouTube.

Tonight:  Arcade Fire Live from Madison Square Garden (http://www.youtube.com/ArcadeFireVEVO) @ 10PM EST

U2 did this and received 10 million streams on a Sunday night.  I was just thinking how YouTube quietly changed how people view the news, music videos, and learn.  This is another one of those "wow that's a cool idea" moments that can change the way things happen, IMO anyways.

I know where I'll be tonight @ 10pm :)

No Shipping to Canada

Well isn't that the story of our live sometimes?  Well, Steph reminded me that Martin and I found this site, http://www.shipito.com/

We haven't used it yet, but it looks pretty simple and cheap.

If you use it, let me know how it is.

We Bought an eReader

So we toyed with the idea of getting an eReader.  Martin was completely unconvinced that an eReader could take the place of his paperbacks.....until he got a hold of my brothers Kindle.

This quickly put us in the market for an eReader.  But which one?  We finally decided on the Nook, because the girl in me like the way it looked :)

It's great.  We love it.  Keep in mind though that the Nook isn't sold in Canada.  This means you have to get the WiFi only version, and you have to register your account with an American billing addresses.  However, you can use your Canadian credit card.  For $189US we are very happy.

BUT!  Amazon has just announced that August 27th it will start shipping it's new lighter Kindle.  I think it's very tempting, but think the Kindle is ugly...just my two cents.

Anyways, I've noticed a trend since we got the Nook.....I'm reading books again!  I have an actual interest in buying new books.  Please stop laughing now....seriously.

I like to read, but I always found a book store overwhelming.  Those who know me, know that I like to read reviews.  Will with eBooks you've got access to reviews and previews of the books right on the Nook....it's awesome!  I can just shop from the comfort of my bed, and not have to go to a bookstore and sift through walls of books.  Be careful though, you can easily drop a lot of coin without realizing it!

Anyways, so far I've purchased two books which I recommend and have read lots and lots and lots of previews.

For the girls:  Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff .  I now have an appreciation for vintage clothing
For everyone:  Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern .  You will laugh so hard ppl will think you're crazy.

Let me know what books your reading, because now I have the urge to use my new toy!

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_51/b4160087988511.htm
http://www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/kindle-vs-nook-an-e-reader-face-off/
http://www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/amazon-debuts-new-kindles-and-one-is-wi-fi-only/

Bixi Toronto

One of the first things Martin and I said when we saw Bixi in Montreal last summer was "OMG, this is so awesome, I hope it comes to Toronto"

Our wish is coming true....sort of.  As with any new endeavour, the City of Toronto is going about this very carefully.  Montreal actually had 2000 Bixi founding members.  Toronto needs 1000 members by November 30.

Are you planning to ride?  I hope so.  Here are the things that we found handy about it:
1.  You're too lazy to walk 20 mins, and feel too silly to pay $5 for a cab.  Take a Bixi!
2.  Transit doesn't quite take you to where you need to go.  Take a Bixi!
3.  You've thought about buying a bike, but your 750 sq-ft condo and small locker can't accomodate it.  Take a Bixi!
4.  You're late for work, the streetcar isn't appearing.......Take a Bixi!

.....  I think you get my point.  There are many awesome ways to use Bixi :)

Yes, the first year will have hiccups, but trust me the system works.  It's worth dealing with the headaches.  The Montreal system is 100X better this year than last, it's amazing what 1 year does.  But it only succeeds if people want it to succeed.

So sign up.  What's the worst that happens?  If Bixi doesn't roll out, you get your $107 back.  If it does roll out, you've got an elite swanky black key...oh yeah...black is sexy.

http://bikeunion.to/bixi-toronto
toronto.bixi.com
Facebook group:  I will Bixi Toronto!
Facebook group:  Bixi Toronto
Twitter: bixitoronto

For vacation loving friends

This company is following in the foot steps of all those online sites that are selling designer wear cheap(er), but you require a special log (www.beyondtherack.com).

Except this site is for ppl who like to travel.  jetsetter.com is a great site to get some good hotel/vacation/cruise deals.  It should only take about a week to get an account.

helps if I put the link!

www.jetsetter.com

Things that I miss

Okay, so turns out I do have a soft spot for Toronto after all.

Top 10 things that I miss about Toronto:

10.  The Ossington strip
Nothing beats a flight of tequilla from Reposado, or the random back dance room at Levac Bloc.  Also, who can pass up cookies at Delux?


9.  Shopping along West Queen West
Oh how I miss the trendy, emo hipsters that are part of the West Queen West world.  


8.  The Lakeshore Boardwalk
Torontonians forget that we actually do have a nice boardwalk to walk, bike and blade along.  I miss driving along the curvy windy lakeshore road, seeing the city appear slowly.  Next time skip the Gardiner and take the lakeshore.


7.  Riding on the street car
I didn't think i'd develop an appreciate for our streetcars.  Their dirty, noisy, and always late....but they're oh so unique to Toronto!  Now...if only dedicated street car lanes could be installed along Queen and King....


6.  Crazy ethnic food
Yeah, you know the crazy ethnic food is awesome.  Toronto's got all the ethnicities pretty well covered.  However, I admit, MTL does Thai food better.


5.  Court Volleyball clinics
I miss having Chris yell at me, and make me spike when I can barely lift my arm......oh how I miss being fit.


4.  Knowing all the fun places to eat and drink
I miss the fact that I can roll off a list of places to eat and drink on any given night.  I'm bringing a bi-weekly 5 a 7 to Toronto when I return!!!

3.  English (or Engrish depending on where you are)
I appreciate French, I really do.  But, I miss being able to hear, read, and speak English everywhere.  I even miss Engrish!  I was so excited seeing bad Engrish on a menu last time I was in Toronto....oh the little things.


2.  Our Condo
Martin says "Home is where your stuff is".  I miss our condo.  I miss ground floor access.  I miss being able to play Rock Band without noise complaints ... home is NOT where your stuff is!


1.  Yeah yeah yeah, you guessed it Family and Friends.
Y'all are not replaceable, and you understand my cynical, moody behaviour :)


I don't regret the move to MTL, in fact I think the move to MTL was awesome so I could get a different perspective of Toronto and everything else.  Everyone needs to live somewhere else once in their lives.  You don't need to be a world traveler, but stepping away every now and then is a good thing.

Apple OS4 information

Here we go with the new OS for the Apple iPhone.....and yes there's multitasking!  Follow Engadgets live blog for more details.

I will still not give up my android phone for an iPhone.  Speaking of Android, I've been using my new Milestone for about a month now, and my love affair for Motorola has started over again.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still an HTC fan-girl, and trust me I was struggling at the thought of leaving my beloved Hero, but I'm really impressed with the thought that went into the Milestone.  So my Hero has found a good new home with Martin, who is now officially a convert and on the Android bandwagon.

BTW - I can still get deals with phones, so if you need a new phone let me know, and I will hook you up with a TELUS discount.

Random thought for today

Given the number of social media outlets that are now available to everyone, how long will it be until we can just think "update: I want to eat a burrito" and it will be automatically updated in everyone's mailbox, twitter, facebook, buzz and everything else that's out there "feed" ?

Am I the only one that's cool about having electronic devices embedded in me in order to geotag and update everything that I'm doing?

Come to think of it....does anyone really care?  Bueller.....

Apple sues HTC over 20 patent infringments

So, I know I don't post much, but I decided this was news enough for me to resurrect the blog.

As you all know, I am an avid Google promoter and a phone geek. When Google and HTC combined forces, I fell in love.

I find it interesting that Apple would decide to sue at this time, and why they're only going after HTC. Perhaps Google's OS does have them shaking in their boots now, especially because HTC's take on the Google OS is mesmerizing.

Anyhoo, I just felt like throwing my arms up in the air to throw a big hug around HTC and Google. I will continue to support HTC and Google, even if this lawsuit takes years to settle and even if this changes the landscape of Smart Phone OS'

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/02/apple-sues-htc-for-infringing-20-iphone-patents/