There came a time during the height of the pandemic that I wanted to do more. Not more work, just something for my soul. So, I pointed my browser to Charity Village and scrolled through the Volunteer Positions. I landed on an organization I’d never heard of: Student Links.
…Volunteering Made Easy Read More »
People often ask me why I’m no longer on the radio and whether I miss it. Radio and I had a long love affair. I loved it and it mostly loved me back. After a long career for which I’m eternally grateful, I grew frustrated with corporate owners who didn’t care about radio. When these giant companies swallowed up smaller players, the CRTC forced them to take radio stations even though all they wanted was TV. TV – specifically flagship TV stations in Toronto – is the favourite child. Radio is an afterthought. No, I don’t miss it. I miss the people, not the culture or the work.
…The Pain/Pleasure Principle Read More »
It was Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. You may have had the day off. If you freelance like me, you kept your eye on the ball. Most of my clients didn’t have a long weekend.
…On The Other Side of Business Read More »
I do love a good meme. Starting the day with a positive bit of prose or a good laugh goes well with coffee. Universal truths somehow seem to resonate when they’re put into fancy script with a pretty background. But every once in a while, the meme maker gets it horribly wrong.
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The beginning of a new school year always makes me think of warm clothes like long sweaters and stiff cords. I remember an ugly belted sweater I wore until it practically disintegrated. And the sound of corduroys brushing against themselves as I walked quickly down the hallway at South Lincoln High School. You wanted to move fast because the Hare brothers, Craig Nelson and Jerald Collens were standing at the end of the hall. With folded arms they silently judged the girls rounding the corner to history class or the gym. You had to pass by, there was no way around it.
…A Lifetime of Learning Read More »
All through the voice-over trade, worries are bubbling like simmering soup that artificial intelligence will replace human voices. Some in the voice-over game full-time are wringing their hands that work will dry up, AI will take over and the voice will become obsolete. I’m in the VO game full-time and I’m not worried. With a caveat.
…My (Unlikely) Replacement Read More »
After Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad star Bob Odenkirk collapsed on set and was rushed to a hospital, the silence was deafening. As a small-j journalist, my spidey senses tingled and I anticipated bad news. Family gathered around his bedside. Maybe an aneurysm or so-called Widow Maker – a massive heart attack. It pleased me to be wrong.
…London is the largest city in Ontario without a green bin program. “It’s coming later this year”, they say. Forgive my uncharacteristic cynicism but I’ll believe it when I see it!
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It’s tonight – Make the Media Want You – a live-streamed panel discussion leading up to the Forest City London Music Awards. This session is part of a series, hosted by yours truly via Zoom. It’s free, it’s Wednesday from 7-8 pm and it’s going to be fun and informative, or your money cheerfully refunded!
…Media Panel on Zoom – Tonight! Read More »
I’m going to be part of something cool on Zoom in June and I’m getting excited about it!
…Making Music in the Forest City Read More »
I scroll Twitter and see the millionth tweet from someone who drove past somewhere and saw that people weren’t masked. My blood pressure rises. How can some people STILL not get that this virus is killing people indiscriminately? It’s insane. I shake my head. That moment of GAH! on social media can be the one thing that keeps a person’s head from exploding. But for me, it might be the final thing that makes my head pop off its mooring.
…DIY Under my Belt Read More »
Social media has affected journalism in countless ways. And when I say journalism, I’m including all types of stories – frivolous entertainment, serious politics, privacy, tech, you name it. Whatever gets mixed into the stew of news and information counts as small-j, journalism.
…My Triangle Theory of Outrage Journalism Read More »
I don’t know what it’s like in other professions, but I know that it used to bother me when I was told I sound EXACTLY like someone else.
…Who doesn’t stop and marvel at a beautiful deer when it happens by? Or wonder how birds of prey find food in winter?
…I thought I was a better actor! I tried to scam a scammer and I may have poured it on a little too thick. On a positive note, that means I’d probably fail as a scammer. It’s a good thing I have no plans to try it.
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If you tried to visit my website in recent days, you were disappointed. I’m sorry about that. A hacker took my site down.
…The Hacking (As I Understand It) Read More »
Wondered, whatever became of me! You probably recognize those phrases as the opening lyrics to the WKRP theme song. This post is about living on the air. Specifically, the AM air.
…Baby, If You’ve Ever Wondered Read More »