Boobies, Fighting, Tigers, Leafs, Raptors, and more...

Greetings,
Been a while.

Watching a lot of Leafs and Raptors.
Halloween was fun. Deya was a tiger.
Been noticing many LinkedIn updates recently. Kinda making a comeback.
Haven't been enjoying TUF Heavyweight Season like I thought I would. The Kimbo thing was good for the first few, but then that went away.
Enjoying a writer I work with named Mike Ulmer. Great writer and good guy.
Working on the BoobyBall 8 was fun. The "I Heart Boobies" campaign was good, but it was the viral video that the committee (spearheaded by a girl named AJ that I don't know too well) seemed to totally take off. Everyone was talking about it. Great stuff.

I heard someone say "All of us is smarter then one of us" the other day and that stuck with me.

Oh, Here's something I've been working on
later,
js

Daddy!!

So Deya turned 2 a couple of weeks ago.

The celebration included a trip to a cottage and visits to Oma and Opa in Ottawa.
Ottawa is a beutiful city, especially the country/valley just outside of Ottawa.
I think back to a job I passed on a few years back in Ottawa. At the time, it was a great offer... good money, good people, all the perks... yadda yadda. I forgot why I didn't end up going for that job, but it would have been really amazing to offer D's grandparents the chance to see her more than they do.

Anyhoo, I just started writing this because I love it when I walk thru the door and Deya yells "Daddy!!" I wish everyone I know could experience that sensation.

On another note... she is going thru a Diego phase. Can't get enough of the lil' animal rescue-er.

lates,
js

The Donger Needs a Drink

I was a big fan of John Hughes films. I think The Breakfast Club had the most influence on me. The dissection of the cliques, the principal, the janitor, detention, and the common bond of having parents who just didn't 'get' it. Who can ever forget the final scene: the Dear Mr Vernon letter & Simple Minds. Powerful stuff.

I also loved Ferris. I wanted to be him, or at least hang out with him. We all knew a 'Cameron'. Maybe you were Cameron? We all still laugh when someone says 'Abe Froman, The Sausage King of Chicago'.

There are many other Hughes flicks that had an impact on me and they probably had an impact on you too. The work lives on... so go and rent something... and enjoy.

cheers for reading.
js

My Writing Career

So I just finished up my first five articles for a career-themed magazine that launches in September. The editor seemed pretty happy about my submissions, which is cool.

The funny thing is - I'm really not much of a writer. I just kinda think of things and start typing. My speling and grammar really suck. It's all stream of consciousness.

I think back to all those email communications I wrote for the radio station I used to work at; and they had pretty much the same feel. Just whatever was on my mind. My dog, the fights, footy, TV, music, movies, whateves. Those emails went out to over 300, 000 people... but I designed them to feel like it was a one on one relationship. (Note: I'm actually surprised that of all the stuff other media copied from the station, this 'style' of audience communication wasn't one of them) It was 'just an email between friends.' It seemed to really work. After all, the database in question was only 14,000 members when I found it) I wonder if readers of this new magazine will get the same vibe. Once those words get officially published, I'll share them with everyone. Would love to hear what you think.

Anyhoo... Not sure if I'll actively search out writing opportunities... Probably not. like I said, I'm not much of a writer.

cheers for reading.
js

Martin Streek

Martin was a colleague and a friend.
We worked together for 6 years.
He was an amazing person.

I'd like to share this little ritual we had...

Sometime during summer, Martin would come into my office at the station. He'd shut the door and pull up a chair. He'd have this look in his eyes, like a little kid at Christmas. His energy was contagious. I knew what was about to happen...

He'd give me 3 hints on what his Halloween costume would be this year and I'd have a chance to guess what it is. His costumes were always so elaborate. Over the six years of trying to guess, I never even came close. (That's Martin above in his "Uncle Sam" costume.)

Fast Forward

I met with Martin a few weeks back to discuss 'what's next' for him. He had some amazing ideas. We were all pretty excited about a future that included working together once again.

This is a real shock. Martin will be missed by so many.
Prayers to his friends, family and fans.
js

below photo: flickr.com/photos/mbake

My Attempt at the World's Shortest Blog Entry

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Big Thinker Gets Some Press!

Twitter can be a powerful tool for a brand.
We just partnered with Pizza Nova and had some great success.
Story is below.
js

http://www.mediaincanada.com/articles/mic/20090617/pizzanova.html

Site re-design & Dancing Deya

So I always thought "who cares what my website looks like?" Clients will hire me, based on our relationship. I was wrong... and a little bit right. Yes, it's all based on relationships, but I need a better looking website!!!! So I'm working on it....

In the meantime, check out this video of my lil' girl dancing. Camera work by mommy/Jessica. Cameo by pointer/Gracie. Music by MGMT. Oh, and that's not a garbage can she's digging in at the 20-something mark, that's where we keep the dog food. I'm just saying.
cheers,
js

5 reasons Twitter is awesome... or Twaesome!

I love Twitter. I spend all day on it. It's a huge part of my business. Twitter is the perfect social media forum... Here's why:

1)Short attention spans unite! Keeping things under 140 characters allows just enough text to get your message out there, post a link, and/or show some creativity. At the same time 140 characters is not enough space to ramble.

2)It's not exclusive. I don't need permission to be a part of a world. If I choose to follow, then I follow. If someone chooses to follow me, then they can. Be my guest.

3) Less me, More us. I will do you a favour and not show you the 72 pictures from my weekend at the cottage and you will do me a favour and not ask me to join many groups or play many games like f'n Knighthood.

4) Instant info. If you see something in the Trending Topics, then it's news happening right now. You do not need to sign up to someones breaking news alerts, to receive breaking news. It's always breaking on Twitter.

5) Experimental. You can say whatever you want. Tweet & ReTweet away! (Just remember that whatever you say is forever and your name usually appears right next to your tweet)

@BigThinkerJon

js

True Story: Runaway Baby

There I was, walking down a busy street, when I see this 2 or 3 year old just kinda standing there. She was about 3 steps away from getting hit by a car. There was no parent in sight. She was carrying a red ball with yellow dots. It looked like a ball that would bounce if you gave it the chance. About 20 feet away was a mother with her 2 children watching and leaning towards, like she was about to take action. She yelled out "is that your child?", I shook my head in the manner that one would shake their head to say "no". I stood in the way of the little girl. She just smiled and turned another way.

There was a door to a nearby building that was propped open. Maybe the child came thru that door? I popped my head in and screamed "HELLO!"... no answer. Just then I see an elderly lady scoop the toddler up and run into a nearby drugstore. I run to the window and look in. The lady puts the little girl into a stroller. Her stroller. The lady continued to sample something at the make-up counter.

I'm assuming Grandma had baby on this day and that in a split second baby just sort-of shuffled out of sight.

She was only 3 steps away.

js

Love Thy Weekend - Short Blog

Aren't weekends great?

js

Sorry Blog. You're still the best, around.

Dear Big Thinker Blog,

I'm currently swamped with a client project, and have been neglecting you. I'm so sorry.

It's not you, it's me.

In the next few weeks, please allow me to prove to you that I can become a better blogger.

We can make beautiful blogs together once again!

I still think you're the best blog around.

thx
js

Social Media Experts - Wha?

Social Marketing is big business. Sometimes it's my business.
Sometimes people even pay me to create and execute campaigns thru social media. So needless to say, I spend a lot of time online; Twitter, facebook, etc.

But I am no expert. I repeat. NOT AN EXPERT. Not even close.

Although... I have noticed that there sure are a lot of experts out there.
I like that I'm surrounded by so many experts.
It's like if you went swimming. Wouldn't it be so much better to go swimming with dozens/hundreds of lifeguards?

I'm not judging. After all, my company is called Big Thinker. I guess I'm making a claim right there. Truth be told, someone else came up with the name for me. I'm not really a 'naming' expert either. lol.

What qualifications do u need to be a Social Media Expert?

I'm curious to know what u think.

js

Making Lists & Eating Lunch & Left Over Cake in the Kitchen/Boardroom

the two things i kinda miss about working in a more traditional office environment are:

1) making lists
I found that i was in a constant state of making lists. a 'to-do' list for this, a 'work-back schedule' for that. I always tried to teach the people around me that you gotta write everything down. I do not write everything down now, but I do miss 'lists' a little bit. (maybe that's why I'm writing this entry?)

2) eating lunch
It's so much easier to go eat around lunchtime when someone says 'hey let's go eat lunch'. I do not have that person in my world anymore. I do miss that person.

Other than those 2 things, it's all just pretty much the vid below...
self employment & O'doyle rules.
js

I called 911 yesterday.

Quick story... So I'm at the dogpark yesterday and I see this lady fall to the ground. I run over and she says her hip and legs hurt. She can't get up and can't walk. Long story short, me and Christian pick her up (actually mostly Christian did the lifting) and sat her on a bench. She (who's name turns out to be Joan) did not want us to call the paramedics. She said "they have more important things to do." So I told her my friend was a paramedic and he lived up the street. She agreed. I called 911. She then said "I can't feel my legs." A little bit scary.

Turns out she was only doing a neighbour a favour by walking his dog. The dog was a pug named Sampson - who was clearly not trained or accustomed to dog parks.

So we walked Joan - who at this point was in a stretcher - to the ambulance and said our goodbyes. Joan was so sweet and I really hope it was nothing too serious.
I wonder if I'll ever know?

js

To the Park with Deya and The Grace

Yesterday I stayed home with my little girl. Well, I stay home everyday, cuz I work from home - but I usually don't have my daughter. So between runny noses and uncomfortable crys, we had a blast. We went to High Park and walked our dog.
Deya (who is only 1.5) was actually throwing the tennis ball for Gracie. It was pretty cute.
I think the fresh air did us both a world of good. She seems not quite as sick as b4.

On a related note, daddy (that's me) played hockey last night and is super sore.
Two conference calls and one proposal for today.
The TFC game tonite should be fun.
Not much to say about earth day.
MLS fans... Chivas means goat, btw.
js

nice weather in the city

nothing like getting outside without a parka!
the nice weather means so much more now... with my daughter to enjoy it.
we might only go a few sidewalk blocks, but it's the greatest few sidewalk blocks ever.
watching her walk and talk is pure magic.
just wanted to share that thought.
js

Never Judge a Book by its Cover

Just heard about this clip from Britain's Got Talent.
Love the crowd reaction. Thought I'd share.

http://tiny.cc/3Q0cS


js

iPhone & Tim Horton's & Apps

i love my iPhone.
I have no idea what i did before this.
I just saw a facebook post by a friend named Duncan whos iPhone got roughed up... and it mad me a little nervous. http://tiny.cc/I0FCD

I've only ventured into the Free App world, but am thinking about purchasing one or two soon.
I'd buy an App that could tell me what other Apps I would like. Like my own lil' helper. Does that exist?

Gotta get back to powerpoint and keep writing.
Maybe a quick trip to Tim Horton's for a breakfast sandwich. Hey, maybe Tim's should create a morning coffee App - just a steaming cup of coffee on your screen helping get your day started.

js

For you - The Big Thinker 4 Step Blog Guarantee

I, Jonathan Sinden, promise to...

1) always blog in bited-sized chunks. never too long.
2) always try and have something for you to take away from a post. (like the message at the end of GI Joe cartoons)
3) always try to evoke some sort of emotion from you.
4) never speak of this Blog Guarantee again.

Now, let's get this thing going. Onward.

electronically signed on April 8th, 2009
witnessed by Gracie, my German Shorthaired Pointer.