Gravy is a problem, but pork is quite alright. There is an important and critical distinction between paying lip service to participatory democracy and actually listening to constituents. If you hear without listening, and do what you were planning to do anyway, then what’s the point of town hall meetings? Luckily, the mayor is just…
Ten Things I've Learned
Guestpost #69: Martha Keagan – Ten things I've learned from renting
Note: Martha came to me out of the blue, and has a helpful post here about renting. Thanks Martha! About the author: Martha Keagan is a freelance writer, full time mother and local part-time real estate and apartment rentals broker. If you are looking for a new apartment, remember the guidelines listed below. This will…
Monday HuffPost Edition – Ten things I've learned from 9/11
1. I remember waking up and going to work on Sept. 11, 2001. At the time I was working at a call centre for a growing company with franchises throughout the U.S. The lines were almost dead, and we were glued to our computers. Once in a while a call would come in from somebody…
Guestpost #68: Josef Addleman – Ten things I've learned from teaching English as a foreign language
Bio: For the past five years, Josef Addleman has been a Toronto-based improviser, musician, and teacher. Before that, he spent two years living in rural Japan. As a day job, he teaches an accent-reduction course to classes of mostly Japanese and Korean students. He improvises with Impatient Theatre Company and Opening Night Theatre, and performs…
Guestpost #67: Chloe Trogden – Ten things I’ve learned from backpacking
Note: it’s always neat to get guest posts from people who I don’t personally know, but who stumbled on my blog. It’s cool. I’ve had posts from (among other places) China, Japan, Vancouver, and now, North Carolina! Bio: Chloe Trogden specializes in research involving all forms of college grants. She has compiled thousands of resources…
Friday HuffPost Edition – Ten things I've learned from the Canadian Men's Soccer Team
1. I’m not a huge fan of overt patriotism most of the time (although I did well up with pride when I was in Ottawa for Canada Day last year and a local band was playing “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet“). It’s OK in the spirit of friendly competition, though. It’s great when it involves a…
Guestpost #66: Kenway Yu – Ten things I've learned from wearing a costume at a comic book convention
Bio: Kenway is an improviser, writer and convention attendee. Note: One of the more infamous costumes at Fan Expo 2011 was Dominic Cobb, AKA Leonardo DiCaprio from Inception (2010). He recaps his experiences from the Fan Expo weekend. Costumes are hot. Wearing a suit and tie in 30 degree weather left me sweating buckets. I…
Guestpost #65: Bill Thanis – Ten things I've learned from visiting the galaxy
Bio: Bill Thanis is a Toronto improviser, technology wiz, and overall nice guy with a big moustache. Note: In one of my more fanciful discussions with friends, I pointed out that it was impossible to ‘do’ the galaxy. If you could magically snap your fingers and teleport to a star system in no time, snapping…
Ten things I've learned from being childlike
I’m silly, curious, and open-minded. I feel like these are positive traits, but they’ve gotten me in trouble at workplaces on a number of occasions. I’ve been told before that if I act like a child, I’ll be treated like a child. Yet, I never received ice cream for my awesome drawings at work, and…
Guestpost #64: Liz Jukovsky – Ten things I've learned from accepting my body
Bio: Liz is a repeat poster. Yay! Liz Jukovsky is an improviser, comedian, writer, and actor from Boston, Massachusetts. She studied Anthropology at the University of Toronto and has lived in Toronto for five years. You can find her profile and upcoming improv shows at http://www.impatient.ca/people/liz-jukovsky/ or check out her twitter @Eljukjuk. Acceptance doesn’t mean complacency. I…
Guestpost #63: Emily Schooley – Ten things I’ve learned from terrible breakups
Emily Schooley is an actor/improviser/photographer/life-hacker/Girl Friday with far too many interests and a depressing need to sleep at least four hours a night. You can stalk her website at http://emilyschooley.com, or find her on Twitter @EmilySchooley. Sometimes the best thing you can do is leave. People don’t generally go into relationships – or stay…
Guestpost #62: Jim Van Meggelen – Ten things I've learned that make my life easier
Bio:Jim is a telecommunications expert, author, blogger, and comedian to boot. My body changes as it ages, but my mental and emotional state have a huge impact on how old I feel. When I do youthful things with my mind, heart and body, I feel younger. There is no future. It does not exist, and…
Guestpost #61: thenakedlistener – Ten things I've learned from property agents
Note: Hong Kong blogger thenakedlistener has written for me before, and has generously offered to write for me again. The following is an exclusive guestpost from The Naked Listener for those who are so moved as to want to own their own homes. I’m not sure if it works like this in Canada, but I’d…
Guestpost #60: Erin Rodgers – Ten things I’ve learned from having social anxiety disorder
Bio: Erin Rodgers is a writer, comedian and improviser. She is a former member of the Cage Match winning improv team “Bea Arthur” who travelled to New York City to perform in the 13th Annual Del Close marathon in August, 2011. She also formerly wrote for the sketch troupe “Radio Vault” and her short films…
Tuesday HuffPost Edition – Ten things I've learned from Usain Bolt
1. If your last name is “Bolt”, you are either going to be a sprinter, or you are going to control the power of lightning! I believe Usain Bolt does both. 2. Sports stars are as much entertainers as they are athletes. The stars we love or hate have strong personalities. We think about Usain…
Ten things I've learned from Kevin Sorbo
Note: last night, I watched an improv set featuring that paragon of herculean manliness, Kevin Sorbo. If you grew up watching Hercules like me, or if you are a fan of Andromeda, you can imagine how sweet and weird and amazing something like that could be. He is doing a couple more sets at the…