Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
The lighter side of Social Media
This day in #HarperHistory
Greetings, friends & neighbours - your faithful scribe has of late been extending his reach (and that of Stalking the Job) further into the realm of Social Media, shoring up his formerly-minimal presence on FaceBook and forging a brand-new Board on Pinterest. But a funny thing happened late last night, by way of checking my Twitter feed: #HarperHistory.
Now, bearing in mind that this StJ is most decidedly not a political blog by nature, I'm not about to get into any mudslinging or finger-pointing (that's what Parliament is for, after all), but I'll be honest - I was in stitches while reading the spontaneous outpouring of humorous tweets from Canadians across the nation. To understand why this hashtag got started in the first place, you'd have to go back to yesterday's Question Period on Parliament Hill... in an exchange over Canada's current mission in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Stephen Harper accused the NDP of having been insufficiently opposed to Adolf Hitler in 1939 (but unfortunately for Mr. Harper, the NDP did not actually come into being until 1961, some sixteen years after the conclusion of the Second World War).
Soon thereafter, and continuing well into the night and onto the next day, people on Twitter began posting a raft of sarcastic tweets claiming morally & ethically questionable stances on the part of the NDP throughout human history (and in some cases, works of fiction) along with the hashtag #HarperHistory. Before anyone realized it, "#HarperHistory" and "The NDP" had begun trending worldwide. At certain points the tweets were coming in so fast, it was like one of those moments in time where you find yourself unable to stop laughing in order to breathe. There's simply too many to reproduce here, but I've put together a small sample for you:
"Damn you NDP for not standing up to Genghis Khan!!!"
"The NDP made the Tower of Pisa lean (to the left of course)""The NDP didn't support our troops in the Boer War either""the NDP was the second gunman on the grassy knoll""Neil Armstrong quoted on the moon: One small step for man, one giant leap for the NDP"
And in all honesty, faithful readers - I couldn't resist joining in the fun, and added in a few observations of my very own:
"The NDP did nothing to prevent the Holocene extinction."
"The NDP pointed and laughed as the island of Atlantis sank."
"It was the NDP who willfully led Sir John A. MacDonald from the path of sobriety."
For me, the most hilarious part was that I somehow managed to boost my rating on Klout from a 32 to a 36 by making those posts - an unintentional side-effect of just letting my hair down on Twitter for a spell. And perhaps there's a lesson to be learned from that. Social Media is... well, social by nature. Never mind that I'm making use of it to advance my ongoing job search; there must and should be equal amounts of laughter to compliment ones' hard work and dedication to promoting oneself.
Weekend happenings
This weekend will once again see me toiling away to produce the 10th edition of my web-comic, "That QR Code Guy". I've already begun to assemble the raw materials necessary for the story, and it promises to be a good one. However, this Saturday afternoon I will be attending a fund-raiser for Artheart, the Regent Park-based art community center. Concurrent to working on the web-comic, my friend and former colleague Todd Ivey of Wabunganung Films has asked me to provide a bit of spec work for an upcoming project requiring some character style-sheet designs. I finished the first of three illustrations yesterday evening (so as to give me a bit more leeway over the next few days), and Todd seemed fairly happy with the results, but I'll refrain from posting that work here (for now, anyways) as I don't want to overstep anybody's bounds. Rest assured, as soon as I've been given a green-light, I'll get 'em posted.
Have you seen that QR code guy?
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| Taken by Ron McEwen along Front Street, April 13th. |
Well just in case you haven't, don't worry - I have a wealth of photos to share with you, my faithful readers. But if you see me around (and you'd like to have your photo skills featured here on Stalking the Job) don't hesitate to ask... I'm always happy to stop for a snapshot or a scan!
For Stalking the Job - this has been your correspondent, John Currie. And remember folks... I'll be seeing you!
Afterword
A special thank-you to Twitterer Brian Badillo for including my new Pinterest board in his online newspaper, The QR Code Chronicle:
http://paper.li/bbadillo/1303504696
Have a good weekend, all!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
By the numbers: three noteworthy articles
Before I begin, I'd like to thank a few people: first, a tip of the hat to Volker Schäfer, a recent contact made via LinkedIn who asked that we connect via Facebook. I'll admit to having been ambivalent about my presence on FB, as my focus these last few months has been primarily to do with re-entering the workplace, not socializing or catching up with old friends. That being said, I agreed to Volker's request and soon thereafter chose to "flesh out" my profile page. It must have worked in my favour to a certain extent, as the pageviews for yesterday's edition of my webcomic serial ("That QR Code Guy") topped out at a number I've never seen before - though this might also be due to some helpful retweets on Twitter, courtesy of @HiMYSYeD and my friend and fellow traveler @lisahorvat.
Further thanks are given to Paul Moyer of Optix Digital Pictures, who graciously invited me around for coffee and a good long chat yesterday. Having sent Paul some relevant links earlier today, I hope we'll continue our discussion to some mutually-gainful conclusion. And yes - Paul's coffee bar is both aesthetically pleasing and very nicely stocked. Thanks again for having me, Paul! And now, those articles:
10 Things You Need To Do While You're Unemployed
(from the original article by Jacquelyn Smith, at Forbes.com:)
1) Take a temporary or contract assignment.
As the article asserts, "If you do a great job, even if it’s for a temporary job, whoever hired you is more likely to recommend you for a permanent position" - and I'd be hard-pressed to disagree, faithful readers. The key to successfully re-entering the workforce is to keep your visibility high and your skill-sets in proper working order. Good advice!
2) Take a class.
While the following is certainly another piece of good advice - "when you take a class in your field, you are also showing that you are serious about your work and that you take initiative" - it's worth bearing in mind that classes aren't necessarily a panacea with regards to attaining gainful employment, although it certainly can be (as suggested in the article) a "great networking opportunity".
3) Volunteer.
Some have a difficult time understanding the value of giving your free time while in search of new opportunities, but the rewards are palpable - as per the article, "when you volunteer for something, you are telling potential employers something about you as a person". Having volunteered my time with Artheart, in Toronto's Regent Park, I am certainly not one to disagree with this point.
4) Start your own business.
Of all the advice given in this article, this is the one thing I am somewhat ambivalent about, as it smacks of the sort of glib responses friends and family are prone to deliver on hearing of your employment status - and (at least in my own case) though I may be many things, a full-blown, dyed-in-the-wool businessman I am most assuredly not.
5) Start a professional blog.
Well, considering I'm writing about this article on my own blog I suppose this is a bit of a no-brainer, although I would caution those considering this route to make a point of delivering something of value to your readership - and also, to be prepared to work at it. After all, everybody and his monkey seems to have a blog these days, so ask yourself: what differentiates your own from any of a thousand others like it? But (as per the article), "Potential employers will see you as having taken the initiative during your job search to blog about something you truly care about: your career", so take heart - even if you're no pro when it comes to the written word!.
6) Follow stories on hot industries and job functions.
Yes, there is a very real and abiding value to keeping on top of what's hot in your chosen field of endeavour. What's more, it pays to follow the news and associated job opportunities.
7) Use the time to come up with ideas.
"Whether it’s an idea for a marketing campaign, new revenue stream, cost savings, etc., the candidates who show up at an interview with ideas demonstrate that they are passionate, knowledgeable, and excited about the opportunity", quoth the article. Well, if there's one luxury that unemployment can afford, it's time, so I must agree. Having used my own time to constructive ends, I decided upon my own unique strategy to raise my visibility in the Toronto job market - and while my own strategy might not be suitable for others, it is the very definition of this this piece of advice.
8) Make connections.
Networking comes in many different forms. The article advises you to "Let friends, family and professional contacts know that you’re looking for a job, and ask for their help in finding connections to the organizations you’re interested in", but I would add that you should also use any and all aspects of social media to greater effect - as well as attending industry functions and/or discussion groups related, or pertaining to, your area of expertise.
9) Follow up.
According to the article, "It's important to take that extra step to let the employer know you’re interested, and make sure you always send a thank you after an interview. Handwritten notes will set you apart from the pool of candidates, but e-mails are acceptable, too." I must agree; follow-ups lend a human touch to an otherwise dispassionate aspect of professional life.
10) Use key words.
Now this is most interesting: "...most employers use electronic scanning devices to screen and rank candidates. You’ll want to tailor your resumé for each position you apply for, and include specific words from the job posting. Do this and your resumé will come up higher in employer searches." Yes, this is quite true, and you really do owe it to yourself to take the time to familiarize yourself with the type of language or terminology used by job posters. In some cases, you might want to have a (knowledgeable, trustworthy) third party read through your materials prior to dispatching them. But this should be part &parcel of researching your prospective employers - something I cannot recommend highly enough.
5 Ways to Lose Your Dream Job During the Interview Process
(from the original article by Mona Abdel-Halim, at Mashable.com:)
1) Blow off the phone interviewPhone interviews are "...how employers whittle down their list of applicants to decide who they want to bring in for an in-person interview - so you need to be prepared and take the opportunity seriously". Got that, folks? The original article contains an interesting anecdote or two on this, and - given that phone interviews are becoming increasingly de rigeur - I find I cannot disagree.2) Talk about other job opportunitiesAccording to the article, "...some job seekers feel the need to be overly honest when interacting with potential employers. There’s always the chance that one opportunity might fall through, so don’t jeopardize one position because you think you might get another". Indeed! Try looking at it from the point of view of a prospective employer: would you be inclined to hire someone who seems preoccupied with some other employment opportunity - during the job interview?3) Provide TMI (too much information)I think it's important to always remain as professional as possible - especially during job interviews - and if you know yourself to be of a chatty disposition, try keeping that in check. It could definitely work against you, should you choose to divulge too much information and, as the original article points out, it's "not going to get you the job".4) Talk negatively about former supervisors or positionsThis should be completely self-evident to anyone and everyone. I can't think of a single instance where trash-talking has netted an applicant a position - can you? Learn to let go, it's healthier in the long run!5) Act cocky"Confidence is key on the job search, but cockiness is less than appealing", quoth the article. There can be a fine line between the two, but it's important to be aware of the distinction.
Lastly, I'd like to share this recent post from Boing Boing - truly, this has to be the singlemost appealing workplace ever:
Valve employee manual: the greatest workplace I've ever heard of
(from the original article by Cory Doctorow, at Boing Boing:)
If you’re working here, that means you’re good at your job. People are going to want you to work with them on their projects, and they’ll try hard to get you to do so. But the decision is going to be up to you. (In fact, at times you’re going to wish for the luxury of having just one person telling you what they think you should do, rather than hundreds.)How does Valve decide what to work on? The same way we make other decisions: by waiting for someone to decide that it’s the right thing to do, and then letting them recruit other people to work on it with them. We believe in each other to make these decisions, and this faith has proven to be well-founded over and over again.But rather than simply trusting each other to just be smart, we also constantly test our own decisions. Whenever we move into unknown territory, our findings defy our own predictions far more often than we would like to admit. We’ve found it vitally important to, whenever possible, not operate by using assumptions, unproven theories, or folk wisdom. While people occasionally choose to push themselves to work some extra hours at times when something big is going out the door, for the most part working overtime for extended periods indicates a fundamental failure in plan- ning or communication. If this happens at Valve, it’s a sign that something needs to be reevaluated and corrected. If you’re looking around wondering why people aren’t in “crunch mode,” the answer’s pretty simple. The thing we work hardest at is hiring good people, so we want them to stick around and have a good balance between work and family and the rest of the important stuff in life.
Have you seen that QR code guy?
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| Taken by Agustin Inda on Lakeshore Boulevard, April 17th. |
I recall the day this particular photo was taken, although I'm sure you'll understand if I say I was unaware of being photographed (and to be honest, I'm still somewhat unsure as to which building the photographer, Mr. Inda, was standing atop when he took it). Further complicating matters, Mr. Inda speaks english only as a second language - his native tongue being spanish (a language I am in no way adept with) - but, once we were able to surmount the language barrier, we were eventually able to come to an amicable agreement. Thank you, Agustin!
Once again folks, this has been John Currie for Stalking the Job, signing off... and leaving you to your regularly-scheduled internet.
Remember, I'll be seeing you!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Smart money: Spend money, make money
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| Taken by Jessica Lepik, April 18 |
Of course, as previously mentioned in these pages, Liberty Village is a bit of a hike from my neck of the woods - not so bad on the King streetcar, but quite a ways away by foot - but I nonetheless rose to the challenge and headed out early in the day. I'd hoped to engage people sitting out on patios as the end of the workday approached (but as I found out, the warm sun could not overcome the chill mid-april air, and so those patios were a little less than overwhelmed with patrons). To my surprise, I found it far easier to cover the distance than I had on previous occasions. No doubt this has a lot to do with having improved the strength in my upper and lower legs the last couple of months, as well as my overall endurance. But once there, I shed my ubiquitous QR code harness as it's a tad bit bulky for confined, crowded spaces such as Bar Vespa.
I got the message (and the message is clear)
Last week I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Frank E. D'Angelo, owner of The Messengers International. The Messengers is a Toronto-based express courier company that I know I've certainly seen around town on more than one occasion. At the time of our impromptu chat, Frank was talking about how he has plans to introduce dress uniforms for his employees (so as to shift his workforce up a tier, in terms of how the public-at-large perceives his company). It's important to note that, like so many other businesses in 2012, times have been tough for Frank's operation. But perhaps more importantly, Frank himself recognizes the need - the very real need - for a growing business to tackle tough times head-on.
The ads would feature an ongoing narrative involving a character not unlike a Dashiell Hammet creation - a sort of gumshoe detective figure - which would undoubtedly not only raise the visibility of his brand, but would also hold terrific appeal for listeners. D'Angelo really and truly impressed me with his natural savvy in the approach he's considering for growing his business; he understands full well that, once we've finally moved past the current (and somewhat bleak) outlook for business, The Messengers International could be properly positioned to capture a far greater share of the market. Hats off to you, Frank - you are by far one of the more astute individuals I've met in my journeys, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Further thoughts on money, courtesy of Daily Kos
The other day I ran across an article from Daily Kos, a portion of which I'd like to share with you, as I feel strongly that it addresses some of the concerns prevalent in these times (in particular, the concept of "austerity") - and does so in a way with which I can wholeheartedly agree, especially in light of my recent encounter with the very forward-thinking Frank E. D'Angelo:
That we are even discussing economic austerity is itself proof that the political systems of the developed world are but servants to private industry. We know how the world dug itself out of the Great Depression, and it wasn't economic austerity. It was deficit spending. It was Keynesian economics. It was a widespread series of policies that laid the foundation for true economic growth. From the ground up. The top resting securely on a solid base rather than on the shoulders of an overburdened populace. And as more and more people had the means to participate in the economy the short-term deficits began to resolve themselves. When people have money to spend they also have taxable income. When people have money to spend the businesses that profit off their spending also have taxable income. A reviving economy means greater government revenue because more people and businesses are contributing to it. A reviving economy means fewer government outlays, not as a form of social punishment but because there is less social need. It's not complicated.
As I said earlier, the smart money knows to spend money in order to make money. As Laurence Lewis (the author of the originating Daily Kos article) says, "it's not complicated". In light of that, let's all make a point of raising a toast to better days to come - and hopefully, smarter stewards for the worlds' economy.
A shout-out from the wilds of Front Street East
It's just that, as we've shuffled along our own respective lifetimes, we've evidently both had cause to re-invent ourselves at one time or another; the last time I'd stopped by Optix, I still had hair down to my posterior and a full Fidel Castro-style beard while Paul had his own facial hair thing going on. These days, Paul has opted for the sharper appearance afforded by close-shaving his face and scalp. I think I'll try making a point of paying Paul a visit at Optix in the next little while... as it was darned good running into him, and I'd be quite curious to see what they've been up to in the last few years. In fact, having had the chance now to look over the Optix website I've already got a bit of an idea, but I'd sooner hear about it from the horses' mouth - As, if there's one thing I've learned from this campaign, it's that a few minutes' time spent conversing in person far outweighs any amount of solitary research one could hope to perform on ones' own. Besides, this blog is about Stalking the Job, not Stalking the Internet!Have you seen that QR Code Guy?
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| Taken by Mark Muralla at Queen & Spadina, April 17 |
Twitter is my friend. No, really - it is! Without Twitter, I'd have a much greater task trying to find photos people have taken of me over the course of this campaign. Heck, nowadays it's kinda like a real-time audience participation tool... when I encounter people keen to take a photo (assuming they're being upfront about it and not peeling off a snap or two of me from behind) I ask flat-out whether I can include it on my blog, and as you might expect, the response is usually pretty positive! With that in mind, I'd like to thank Mark Muralla for this one - and yes, I did have to ask his permission after the fact, but I really don't mind. I'm just happy for the added content!
And so before I go, let me just re-iterate that if you're amongst those who've taken a photo of That QR Code Guy in the course of his travels around the City of Toronto, Stalking the Job wants to feature your pics. For StJ, this is John Currie - your faithful scribe - wishing you all the very best for the upcoming weekend. Remember folks... I'll be seeing you!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Bursting forth on a bright April day
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| Even the jumping-spiders, my favourites, made an early appearance this year. |
Happy Birthday, Liz
Today is a most special day for our household, as it marks another trip around the Sun for my lovely (and supportive) wife Elizabeth. I began the day by serving her a fresh cup of coffee while serenading her with a deep-voiced, mellifluous rendition of "Happy Birthday" set to the tune of the William Tell Overture. You're the reason I persevere, Liz. You're the reason I want more from Life - more than some might meekly choose to accept. This year will see great changes, and I have a strong sense that they'll be changes for the better. Happy Birthday, my love.Get your network running: Carnival del Sol
Spring is, of course, a time for optimism and renewal, and all the more so this year in light of the ongoing difficulties facing professionals in our industry due to the sluggishness of our economy. This is not the time to cringe in fear for ones' future, faithful readers - Heavens, no. This is instead the time for us to extend our individual reach far beyond our own selves, and expand our influence beyond whatever tightly-drawn circles we might have relegated ourselves to over the leaner months of winter. Yes, the time of professional networking is clearly upon us once again... and what better way to kick it off than to pay another visit to Liberty Village? This evening will see Stalking the Job attending an event at 167 East Liberty Street. Yes, tonight (starting at 5:30) Bar Vespa will be playing host to the Liberty Social Hour: Carnival del Sol, so don't hesitate to stock up on business cards and stop in for a drink and a chat.
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| Bar Vespa, 167 East Liberty Street. |
Shouting out loud
I'd like to give a shout-out to my old friend (and pillar of inspiration) M. Michelle Nadon of Media Intelligence. It had been some time since we'd spoken, but after seeing a number of updates appear on Mich's LinkedIn profile I shot her a quick message just to check in and see how she was doing. She had me give her a phone call the following morning - and I'm positive she gave up a portion of her morning in order to do so (thanks, Mich). Talking with her was probably the best thing I did all day. She helped me to later look myself squarely in the mirror and ask tough questions of myself.
In many respects, I was already doing just that - this being one of the benefits (or drawbacks, depending on your point of view) of my ongoing initiative, having the time for contemplative thought and rumination on the goals I've set for myself. But I did not find myself especially wanting, instead I found myself redoubling my resolve. This is the right time and the right way for me to rise above my current station in Life - and (as always) I must endeavour to be the best person I can be. Do what you love; do it well. Do it to the best of your abilities, and never stop trying to surmount whatever odds the universe conspires to throw your way. Perseverance is king; and good things come - eventually - for those who strive for something better. Smile, or even laugh in the face of adversity. And in all things, be yourself... be authentic, genuine, and above all be honest - not just with others, but with yourself.
Have you seen that QR Code Guy?
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| Taken by Chris Smart near Lansdowne April 13th |
Remember now, if you've taken a photo of That QR Code Guy walking about Toronto, this blog wants to hear from you! While I can't promise you wealth or fame, I can promise to provide attribution for your content, so please don't hesitate to get in touch. For Stalking the Job, this is your scribe John Currie signing off. And if you're in Liberty Village this evening folks, well - I'll be seeing you...!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
The whirlwinds of Wellington
Good afternoon, faithful readers - I'd have preferred to follow up with you sooner, but the better weather has been seeing me out & about for longer periods of time, leaving me feeling somewhat depleted in my off-hours. That being said, I am pleased to report that Stalking the Job has, in recent days, made forays all across the city. All last week I found myself making many connections in-person, both on the street and in the foyers of a number of offices and studios.
A flying start
The week got off to a good start, keeping an appointment with Malcolm Jusamani of The Creative Group. I'd worked for Perennial, Inc. through TCG a number of years back, and Malcolm and I seemed to hit it off quite well. Of course, my goal remains to find myself full-time, gainful employment (as opposed to part-time, short-term or contractual situations), but I'm only too happy to have someone like Malcolm working on my behalf.
Increasingly, it's becoming apparent to me that my (very real) need for a revenue stream threatens to derail my QR code initiative, and there may soon come a day when I will indeed have to forego this strategy in order to take on work that might be far-removed from my own field of expertise. By signing on with TCG, I'm hoping to avoid putting too many eggs in one basket - even if it does mean working part-time, short-term or contractually. Besides, should Malcolm manage to line something up, I would at least stand a chance of impressing upon his clients my indispensability... which could lead them to picking me up for good. Hey, it's a long shot - but it's hardly as though I'm a stranger to long shots, now is it?
I spent a fair amount of time walking up and down Wellington Street just west of Spadina last week, and I'd like to think it was to good effect, even if the high winds occasionally blew my sandwich board up and into my face. More than once I found myself wishing that, rather than canvassing, I could instead be in a park flying a kite - which is something I used to love doing. But as I said, my time was spent to good effect, as I found myself interacting with quite a number of people working in related fields, all of whom wished me every success in my bid to re-enter the workforce. Now, if only I could move past the well-wishing and onto something well-and-truly-wonderful...!
In fact, Sheila Jacklin, whom I encountered outside of Bensimon Byrne, gave quite a boost to my spirits late in the week when she (rather thoughtfully) engaged me in conversation about the working world and life in general. In talking with Sheila, I came to realize that what I value - what gives me satisfaction - is not simply to work, nor to simply earn a paycheque. What I most wholeheartedly want is to be a part of something bigger than myself. To find myself once again in the fast-paced (and dare I say it, "synergistic") environment that only a studio-type environment can afford. To once again be a member of a team, and by hard work and dedication, to prove to the members of that team that I am a valuable resource - that I possess insights, talents and highly-developed skills which frankly need to be tapped.
As previously mentioned in these pages, while I've been mounting this campaign I've also continued to use more traditional means to pursue opportunities - mostly through applying for positions posted online. I tend to think of this as "jumping through the standard hoops", and yes... I jumped through a whole series of hoops last week, applying for seven or eight jobs, mostly via Media Job Search Canada and LinkedIn. One position in particular seemed quite ideal, and a small technical issue with the company's website led me to speak directly with one of the members of their HR department - I'll choose not repeat the name of that company at this time, however (as I'm just superstitious enough to not want to jinx my chances).
In fact, on Wednesday morning - after having dispatched two new applications online - I'd headed out to canvass the area just north of my neighbourhood, only to find that I'd not stocked sufficient numbers of business cards (I'd had cause to hand out more than a dozen in a very short period of time). On returning home to pick up another small stack, I found that another promising opportunity had just been posted on MJSC, so I took some added time to jump that extra hoop!
Inspiration from the unlikeliest of places
Friday was a real stand-out, as far as I'm concerned. Perfect weather saw people out en masse wherever a patio was to be found, and if there's one thing I've learned it's that people love to scan QR codes once they've had a pint or two. Seriously, though - the good weather seems to prompt people's innate curiousity - and what's more curious than a man out walking around with a giant QR code hanging off his shoulders?
But I wanted to say a word or two about inspiration, specifically how I've been inspired by one man I've encountered any number of times in my journeys on the streets of Toronto. He's the man you see on the left of this photo - and he goes by the name of "Irish". Irish is, by his own admission, what some might call a "bad risk"... living his life on the streets, a habitual drinker, he's nowhere near to being anybody's poster-child. But for his faults, he is nonetheless a perfectly honest man (if occasionally brutal in his honesty), particularly where his own life is concerned.
He does not assign blame to anyone or anything for his circumstances; he takes full ownership of - and responsibility for - his life. Mind you, his responsibilities are comparatively few; it's really more a question of him setting the bar fairly low for himself, but nonetheless, he acquits himself quite well given the low standards he chooses to apply. Would that he could confront and wrestle his personal demons to the ground, I've no doubt at all that he could go relatively far in life. Further, he is of a generous disposition. In spite of being on the lowest rung in society, he does not let the people in his orbit go wanting for a bite to eat, a place to sleep or simply someone to talk to.
A towering figure, with eyes cocked so wide as to make it near-impossible to ascertain where exactly he's looking at any given time, many would no doubt find Irish to be an imposing man - just the sort of man that we as a society tend to try not to notice to as great an extent as possible. But, in all truth, it's a very rare thing indeed to meet someone who is as honest and as forthright as the man called Irish. Sláinte!
Another evening-time experiment
Perhaps it's due to all the walking around I've been doing, but I've found recently that my stamina has increased dramatically in the last little while. I was able to walk from Ubisoft's offices (out at Lansdowne & Bloor) down to the Entertainment District without the need for a break, and still had sufficient energy to canvas from University to Portland, between Wellington and Queen several times over. As the sun was still shining quite warmly at dinner time, I decided to extend my walkabout and headed south to the Rogers Centre, where the Blue Jays were due to take to the field at 7 PM that evening.
Wishing to remain firmly on the right side of the law, I made a point of approaching a security guard and an on-duty member of Toronto Police Services standing adjacent to Gate 1, just a short distance from the suspension bridge linking the Rogers Centre to Front Street West. I wanted to know the specifics as to where I could reasonably go about my business without rankling anybody unduly - but I was somewhat put-off by the frankly hostile reception I received from the TPS officer, who clearly did not take any of what I was saying at face-value. Indeed, he seemed to want to ticket me (for panhandling, of all things faithful readers). I was sternly advised to restrict my movements to the suspension bridge - some thirty feet away from Gate 1 - and ironically, this is where ticket-scalpers loudly, openly hawk their (illegal) wares... within earshot of the police. Props to the security guard however, who wasn't behaving at all like the TPS officer, and who did wish me the best in my endeavours.
As for the crowd? Well... now, after experiencing them first hand, I think I can report truthfully that for the most part, they're not the droids I'm looking for. After all, it's not necessarily the quantity of hits that I'm concerned with so much as it's the quality of the hits that I am getting. No, the people I was hoping to intersect with weren't turning out in great numbers for the ball game - which did surprise me somewhat, as many guys who I've worked with in the Entertainment District over the years have been fairly rabid sports nuts! But as tough as I might've had it, the well-dressed men trying to flog photocopied "Black History Month" pamphlets were the ones fighting the steepest uphill battle that evening. I had to admire their thick skins, as some of the Blue Jays fans were behaving in a downright belligerent manner towards them. Still - all in all, a worthwhile experiment... and one that I may choose to repeat should I find events somewhat better-suited for my campaign to target.
Have you seen that QR Code Guy?
I mentioned that Friday was an exceptional day, and I wasn't lying...! Indeed, Friday saw quite a few people taking photos - which I will endeavour to feature here on the blog in the days and weeks to come. The photo above is slightly back-dated, however: On a chance encounter on Berkeley Street, near to where I live in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood, Nadia Beja of Zoom Media was kind enough to ask if she could take a picture to upload via Instagram. Not missing a beat, I asked Nadia for her permission to reproduce her photo here - and so here it is, folks. And remember, if you've taken a photo of That QR Code Guy in his journeys around Toronto, I want to hear from you.
Once again, this is John Currie for Stalking the Job, signing off. It's been a wonderful weekend, folks - and don't forget to keep your eyes peeled, because I'll be seeing you...
A flying start
The week got off to a good start, keeping an appointment with Malcolm Jusamani of The Creative Group. I'd worked for Perennial, Inc. through TCG a number of years back, and Malcolm and I seemed to hit it off quite well. Of course, my goal remains to find myself full-time, gainful employment (as opposed to part-time, short-term or contractual situations), but I'm only too happy to have someone like Malcolm working on my behalf.
Increasingly, it's becoming apparent to me that my (very real) need for a revenue stream threatens to derail my QR code initiative, and there may soon come a day when I will indeed have to forego this strategy in order to take on work that might be far-removed from my own field of expertise. By signing on with TCG, I'm hoping to avoid putting too many eggs in one basket - even if it does mean working part-time, short-term or contractually. Besides, should Malcolm manage to line something up, I would at least stand a chance of impressing upon his clients my indispensability... which could lead them to picking me up for good. Hey, it's a long shot - but it's hardly as though I'm a stranger to long shots, now is it?Whirling winds on Wellington Street
I spent a fair amount of time walking up and down Wellington Street just west of Spadina last week, and I'd like to think it was to good effect, even if the high winds occasionally blew my sandwich board up and into my face. More than once I found myself wishing that, rather than canvassing, I could instead be in a park flying a kite - which is something I used to love doing. But as I said, my time was spent to good effect, as I found myself interacting with quite a number of people working in related fields, all of whom wished me every success in my bid to re-enter the workforce. Now, if only I could move past the well-wishing and onto something well-and-truly-wonderful...!
In fact, Sheila Jacklin, whom I encountered outside of Bensimon Byrne, gave quite a boost to my spirits late in the week when she (rather thoughtfully) engaged me in conversation about the working world and life in general. In talking with Sheila, I came to realize that what I value - what gives me satisfaction - is not simply to work, nor to simply earn a paycheque. What I most wholeheartedly want is to be a part of something bigger than myself. To find myself once again in the fast-paced (and dare I say it, "synergistic") environment that only a studio-type environment can afford. To once again be a member of a team, and by hard work and dedication, to prove to the members of that team that I am a valuable resource - that I possess insights, talents and highly-developed skills which frankly need to be tapped.
More hoops
As previously mentioned in these pages, while I've been mounting this campaign I've also continued to use more traditional means to pursue opportunities - mostly through applying for positions posted online. I tend to think of this as "jumping through the standard hoops", and yes... I jumped through a whole series of hoops last week, applying for seven or eight jobs, mostly via Media Job Search Canada and LinkedIn. One position in particular seemed quite ideal, and a small technical issue with the company's website led me to speak directly with one of the members of their HR department - I'll choose not repeat the name of that company at this time, however (as I'm just superstitious enough to not want to jinx my chances).
In fact, on Wednesday morning - after having dispatched two new applications online - I'd headed out to canvass the area just north of my neighbourhood, only to find that I'd not stocked sufficient numbers of business cards (I'd had cause to hand out more than a dozen in a very short period of time). On returning home to pick up another small stack, I found that another promising opportunity had just been posted on MJSC, so I took some added time to jump that extra hoop!
Inspiration from the unlikeliest of places
Friday was a real stand-out, as far as I'm concerned. Perfect weather saw people out en masse wherever a patio was to be found, and if there's one thing I've learned it's that people love to scan QR codes once they've had a pint or two. Seriously, though - the good weather seems to prompt people's innate curiousity - and what's more curious than a man out walking around with a giant QR code hanging off his shoulders?
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| Taken by Gene Sasso on Queen St. West, April 5th |
He does not assign blame to anyone or anything for his circumstances; he takes full ownership of - and responsibility for - his life. Mind you, his responsibilities are comparatively few; it's really more a question of him setting the bar fairly low for himself, but nonetheless, he acquits himself quite well given the low standards he chooses to apply. Would that he could confront and wrestle his personal demons to the ground, I've no doubt at all that he could go relatively far in life. Further, he is of a generous disposition. In spite of being on the lowest rung in society, he does not let the people in his orbit go wanting for a bite to eat, a place to sleep or simply someone to talk to.
A towering figure, with eyes cocked so wide as to make it near-impossible to ascertain where exactly he's looking at any given time, many would no doubt find Irish to be an imposing man - just the sort of man that we as a society tend to try not to notice to as great an extent as possible. But, in all truth, it's a very rare thing indeed to meet someone who is as honest and as forthright as the man called Irish. Sláinte!
Another evening-time experiment
Perhaps it's due to all the walking around I've been doing, but I've found recently that my stamina has increased dramatically in the last little while. I was able to walk from Ubisoft's offices (out at Lansdowne & Bloor) down to the Entertainment District without the need for a break, and still had sufficient energy to canvas from University to Portland, between Wellington and Queen several times over. As the sun was still shining quite warmly at dinner time, I decided to extend my walkabout and headed south to the Rogers Centre, where the Blue Jays were due to take to the field at 7 PM that evening. |
| Not the droids I was looking for. |
Have you seen that QR Code Guy?
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| Taken by Nadia Beja (of Zoom Media) on Berkeley Street April 5th |
Once again, this is John Currie for Stalking the Job, signing off. It's been a wonderful weekend, folks - and don't forget to keep your eyes peeled, because I'll be seeing you...
Friday, April 6, 2012
The Good Friday roundup
Salutations to you all on this very good Good Friday, faithful readers. Today I'll try catching up on some of the places I've been, the people I've connected with, the mentions made online and the real-world opportunities I'm pursuing here in the Big Smoke. Just as in the natural world, the month of April is proving to be a time of change and growth... and as such, I feel it's incumbent upon Stalking the Job to make the most of it.
Late Wednesday evening, after publishing the last post appearing on these pages, I decided to try combing Google for recent photos people may have taken, using various search strings. This is something I'll do from time to time in order to shore up content to include in the recurring StJ feature, "Have you seen That QR Code Guy?". To date, it's netted me quite the burgeoning collection of photos (thought they've mostly been taken from behind - darn our Canadian tendency to be as unobtrusive as humanly possible!). Anyway, on the second or third search attempt, I came across the following photo:
For the most part, when I find photos they're usually included in online photo-galleries with a minimum of tags to identify them. What set this particular image apart from others I've included as part of the "Have you seen That QR Code Guy?" feature on Stalking the Job is that the photographer (Jason Last, strategic planner at john st.) had included the photo as part of a post on his ongoing blog, "wat?". I must say it felt somewhat rather odd to learn that I'd made enough of an impression on a stranger that they'd felt moved to write about it - especially insofar as we didn't actually interact!
I contacted him that same evening to provide some context for the scene he ran across (the young painter to my left, a fellow by the name of Adam, had unfortunately just learned of a death in his family), and found him to be a most engaging personality. And to my delight, I learned that Jason is on the periphery of my own social and/or professional circles - proving yet again how much smaller a world it is than we might otherwise believe it to be.
Having discussed the matter (and having received Jason's blessing - thank you, Jason), I will now reproduce his thoughts and ruminations on that day's near-encounter on Queen Street West here for your edification, faithful readers. Oh, and I should add that after establishing contact between us Jason saw fit to provide his readers with an update to his original entry. So without further ado, here's the "Interesting People" article re-posted from Jason's own blog:
Hoops and shout-outs
Never let it be said that I am passive in my pursuits - in fact, passivity is anathema to the goals I've set for this jobsearch initiative. While I do try to spend a fairly considerable amount of time out in the public eye, I still make every effort to seek out and apply for positions online (or as I tend to think of it, "to jump through the usual hoops"). This week saw me sending a number of cover letters and CVs to prospective employers who'd posted available positions through Media Job Search Canada and LinkedIn.
I've been a fan of LinkedIn for several years, now - I've always seen value in their network, and my profile there has been complete for quite some time - so I found it terribly kind for social media strategist & consultant Anita Windisman to have taken the time from her busy schedule Thursday morning to both evaluate and to suggest improvements I could make to my existing LI profile.Thank you once again, Anita. I've effected all the changes you'd recommended. First order of business: using a photo where I'm not wearing sunglasses!
Finally, I'd like to mention a few of the folks I have had the pleasure of meeting in recent days:
• Vergel Evans, Certified Usabilty Analyst and Information Architect
• Chris Spavins, Senior Marketing Representative at Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishing Group
• Nadia Beja, Intern at Zoom Media
• Paul Bennett of 3M Canada
Happy chocolate rabbit day
Before I go, let me wish a Happy Easter to all my Christian friends, with apologies to Mr. Christ: while I might not be a member of your many fan-clubs, I can't help but recognize that you were a really very thoughtful and kind fellow who wanted a better world for all... and for that, sir you have my appreciation.
Also (as mentioned to me a few minutes ago by my Sister-in-Law, Joanne) a very happy Passover to my Jewish friends. So, whether you're enjoying chocolate rabbits or attending a Seder with friends and family, have a great weekend - whatever your personal belief system may proscribe! For Stalking the Job, this is John Currie signing off. And as ever folks, I'll be seeing you...!
Say "wat?"
Late Wednesday evening, after publishing the last post appearing on these pages, I decided to try combing Google for recent photos people may have taken, using various search strings. This is something I'll do from time to time in order to shore up content to include in the recurring StJ feature, "Have you seen That QR Code Guy?". To date, it's netted me quite the burgeoning collection of photos (thought they've mostly been taken from behind - darn our Canadian tendency to be as unobtrusive as humanly possible!). Anyway, on the second or third search attempt, I came across the following photo:
 |
| Taken by Jason Last, March 29. |
For the most part, when I find photos they're usually included in online photo-galleries with a minimum of tags to identify them. What set this particular image apart from others I've included as part of the "Have you seen That QR Code Guy?" feature on Stalking the Job is that the photographer (Jason Last, strategic planner at john st.) had included the photo as part of a post on his ongoing blog, "wat?". I must say it felt somewhat rather odd to learn that I'd made enough of an impression on a stranger that they'd felt moved to write about it - especially insofar as we didn't actually interact!
I contacted him that same evening to provide some context for the scene he ran across (the young painter to my left, a fellow by the name of Adam, had unfortunately just learned of a death in his family), and found him to be a most engaging personality. And to my delight, I learned that Jason is on the periphery of my own social and/or professional circles - proving yet again how much smaller a world it is than we might otherwise believe it to be.
Having discussed the matter (and having received Jason's blessing - thank you, Jason), I will now reproduce his thoughts and ruminations on that day's near-encounter on Queen Street West here for your edification, faithful readers. Oh, and I should add that after establishing contact between us Jason saw fit to provide his readers with an update to his original entry. So without further ado, here's the "Interesting People" article re-posted from Jason's own blog:
I was taking a little stroll around the block the other day when I came across the guy pictured below…
…and for one of the first times in my life I became interested in scanning a QR code.
What was it about this otherwise non-descript man that made me interested in taking the effort to scan him? Why did I want to learn more about whatever it was that he was hoping to communicate rather than all the other messages that were (and are) constantly competing for my attention?
It was a combination of two things, I think.
1) People are inherently more interesting than brands. Advertisers have known this for a long time, which is why hiring the right spokesperson to represent a brand has traditionally been one of the best ways to change or improve its perception. We care about other human beings – even ones we don’t know. We want to know their stories. We wonder what they’re thinking, feeling, doing. People provide us with ideas and perspectives that are important assets in a world where social interactions are fundamental to survival and success.
With the sheer amount of brands in the marketplace today, it can be very difficult for us to differentiate one from another – if for no other reason than we simply don’t care enough to make such categorizations. Gareth Kay spoke to this fact during his presentation on “Radicalism” in Toronto last week, noting recent studies that suggest brands in 4 out of 5 categories are seen as “increasingly homogenous” and that regular folk think that less than 1 in 10 ads today are different from one another (to see Gareth’s full presentation, go here…it is excellent). But it’s very easy for us to differentiate people from one another, to notice when a person does something unique or out of the ordinary. And it’s all the more powerful when we can experience that uniqueness rather than simply watching, reading, or hearing about it. This is a nice little feather in the cap of experiential marketing that puts people, and not just things, at its core.
2) He didn’t care whether I scanned him or not. He wasn’t pushy. In fact, he acted like nothing was out of the ordinary, as if he weren’t walking around wearing a big QR code on his front and back, asking everyone to scan it.
It’s natural for us to be more interested in things that aren’t overtly interested in us. This is why “hard-to-get” is a game we often play with one another during courtship, and why we become almost immediately turned off by someone who seems too interested. Surely, we think, anyone who is that interested must be desperate; it must not be worth it to spend time on them.
Yet, most marketers ignore this basic human truth. So often we lay it on thick with people in a desperate attempt to get their attention and to try to make them care about us, when the truth is that this strategy is, more of than not, entirely counter-productive. If we want to create relationships between brands and people, we’d all do well to acknowledge the manner in which people create relationships with one another.
Pinterest is a good recent example of a brand tapping into our psychology of attraction. By making us wait days to receive an invitation to join their social networking site, they appear confident, in demand, and powerful. It says, “we don’t need you, so just wait a couple of days and we’ll see if it’s worth it for us to let you in on our world.” And because of the laws of attraction, we wait and feel excited when we’re accepted.
Two good questions come to mind, then, in evaluating a new communication idea:
1) Can we make this idea stronger by using people as a vehicle through which to deliver the brand’s message?
2) Are we behaving discreetly enough to actually attract people? Could we make this idea more interesting by leveraging the laws of attraction?
Hoops and shout-outs
Never let it be said that I am passive in my pursuits - in fact, passivity is anathema to the goals I've set for this jobsearch initiative. While I do try to spend a fairly considerable amount of time out in the public eye, I still make every effort to seek out and apply for positions online (or as I tend to think of it, "to jump through the usual hoops"). This week saw me sending a number of cover letters and CVs to prospective employers who'd posted available positions through Media Job Search Canada and LinkedIn.
I've been a fan of LinkedIn for several years, now - I've always seen value in their network, and my profile there has been complete for quite some time - so I found it terribly kind for social media strategist & consultant Anita Windisman to have taken the time from her busy schedule Thursday morning to both evaluate and to suggest improvements I could make to my existing LI profile.Thank you once again, Anita. I've effected all the changes you'd recommended. First order of business: using a photo where I'm not wearing sunglasses!
Finally, I'd like to mention a few of the folks I have had the pleasure of meeting in recent days:
• Vergel Evans, Certified Usabilty Analyst and Information Architect
• Chris Spavins, Senior Marketing Representative at Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishing Group
• Nadia Beja, Intern at Zoom Media
• Paul Bennett of 3M Canada
Happy chocolate rabbit day
Before I go, let me wish a Happy Easter to all my Christian friends, with apologies to Mr. Christ: while I might not be a member of your many fan-clubs, I can't help but recognize that you were a really very thoughtful and kind fellow who wanted a better world for all... and for that, sir you have my appreciation.Also (as mentioned to me a few minutes ago by my Sister-in-Law, Joanne) a very happy Passover to my Jewish friends. So, whether you're enjoying chocolate rabbits or attending a Seder with friends and family, have a great weekend - whatever your personal belief system may proscribe! For Stalking the Job, this is John Currie signing off. And as ever folks, I'll be seeing you...!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Sticking out like a sore thumb at the National Job Fair
A very happy Wednesday evening to you, my faithful readers. Today saw Stalking the Job attending the National Job Fair at Toronto's Metro Convention Centre, where it seemed I made quite an impression, what with the sandwich board and all. Truth be told I kinda stuck out like a proverbial sore thumb, but - after all, one of the pillars of my QR code campaign is visibility. In real terms, the employment pickings there were somewhat rather slim... although I can honestly report that there are some terrific opportunities for engineers, chemists and skilled tradespeople of all sorts out in Saskatchewan at the moment! That being said, in the days to come I do plan on following up with the people & organizations that I did interact with.
Of particular interest (to me, anyway) was the booth being run by McKenzie College - as they're currently on the lookout for people with expertise in the field of digital media. My interest stems from the positive experiences I've had mentoring and/or tutoring others in motion-graphic design (and yes, I fully recognize that I have a great many insights to offer to up-and-coming graphic artists). Having made the rounds more than once at the Convention Centre, I decided to take some lunch across the street at Ooh-La-La inside the CBC building... but before I made my way across Front Street, I had a wonderful encounter with Bob Chandler of the Labour Education Centre here in Toronto. It seems they're in a bit of a bind at the moment with regards to their current logo, so having heard what Bob had to say I handed him a business card with a very reasonable quote written on the back. I hope to hear back from the LEC in the very near future!
I feel a little silly for having failed to mention this before now, but last Saturday night saw me cutting the rug at my old friend Martin Amdur's springtime Dance Party! Not only was it a chance to meet some new people, I was able to catch up & re-connect with friends I haven't seen in several months. I think part of the reason it had slipped my mind was that after Martin had approached me to design an "event"-style poster for the party, I'd made a point of not posting it anywhere online (lest it somehow wind its' way elsewhere, with the end result being a house mobbed with a thousand uninvited revellers). Here's a web-friendly version of the poster:
As Martin is a former Deadhead and a dedicated vinyl enthusiast, the content was a bit of a no-brainer. I must admit, I was a little perplexed when I first arrived (at or about 9 PM), as the house was completely dark - with no music playing. It seems I'd forgotten all about Earth Hour... mostly because on any given night at our house we practically live solely by the light of our monitors, but - to his credit, Martin was dutifully observing the occasion by delaying the start of his shindig. But once the music started up, a great time was had by all... and according to Tim Svirklys of Artheart, I was quite possibly the "most limber person" out on the dance floor that evening! I credit my energy (not to mention the strength in my legs) to the rigours of my ongoing marketing campaign.
Another ghost along King
Tuesday evening found me canvassing King Street West - and I should mention that, up 'til this point I've kept my initiative mostly relegated to the daylight hours (if only because my feet are usually killing me by 5 o'clock or so) - but a shocking discovery prompted me to text my good friend Todd Ivey, of Wabunganung Films. One of Todd's favourite lunchtime eateries, the Swiss Chalet across from Roy Thomson Hall, has shuttered its' windows and removed all signage. No longer will he be able to enjoy a quarter-chicken dinner with fries and extra gravy (or whatever that hot gloopy stuff is that they serve on the side)... I couldn't see any signs of what sort of establishment will be moving into the empty site, but Todd is of the (somewhat cynical) opinion that it will most likely be some overpriced cavern-like environment that's long on cocktails and short on the menu. Time will tell... but truly, it's an ignominious end to one of Todd's long-standing gastronomic relationships.
Have you seen that QR Code Guy?
Thanks again to my friend Vince Vaitekunas for this lovely shot taken along Queen Street West a while back. Now I know there's a few more people out there who've snapped a photo or two, so: if you've taken a photo of That QR Code Guy in his journeys around Toronto, Stalking the Job wants to hear from you.
This is John Currie for Stalking the Job, signing off - have a wonderful Wednesday evening, folks - and remember, I'll be seeing you...!
Of particular interest (to me, anyway) was the booth being run by McKenzie College - as they're currently on the lookout for people with expertise in the field of digital media. My interest stems from the positive experiences I've had mentoring and/or tutoring others in motion-graphic design (and yes, I fully recognize that I have a great many insights to offer to up-and-coming graphic artists). Having made the rounds more than once at the Convention Centre, I decided to take some lunch across the street at Ooh-La-La inside the CBC building... but before I made my way across Front Street, I had a wonderful encounter with Bob Chandler of the Labour Education Centre here in Toronto. It seems they're in a bit of a bind at the moment with regards to their current logo, so having heard what Bob had to say I handed him a business card with a very reasonable quote written on the back. I hope to hear back from the LEC in the very near future!
 |
| The National Job Fair & Training Expo Runs April 4th to 5th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. |
Dance This Mess Around
I feel a little silly for having failed to mention this before now, but last Saturday night saw me cutting the rug at my old friend Martin Amdur's springtime Dance Party! Not only was it a chance to meet some new people, I was able to catch up & re-connect with friends I haven't seen in several months. I think part of the reason it had slipped my mind was that after Martin had approached me to design an "event"-style poster for the party, I'd made a point of not posting it anywhere online (lest it somehow wind its' way elsewhere, with the end result being a house mobbed with a thousand uninvited revellers). Here's a web-friendly version of the poster:
As Martin is a former Deadhead and a dedicated vinyl enthusiast, the content was a bit of a no-brainer. I must admit, I was a little perplexed when I first arrived (at or about 9 PM), as the house was completely dark - with no music playing. It seems I'd forgotten all about Earth Hour... mostly because on any given night at our house we practically live solely by the light of our monitors, but - to his credit, Martin was dutifully observing the occasion by delaying the start of his shindig. But once the music started up, a great time was had by all... and according to Tim Svirklys of Artheart, I was quite possibly the "most limber person" out on the dance floor that evening! I credit my energy (not to mention the strength in my legs) to the rigours of my ongoing marketing campaign.
Another ghost along King
Tuesday evening found me canvassing King Street West - and I should mention that, up 'til this point I've kept my initiative mostly relegated to the daylight hours (if only because my feet are usually killing me by 5 o'clock or so) - but a shocking discovery prompted me to text my good friend Todd Ivey, of Wabunganung Films. One of Todd's favourite lunchtime eateries, the Swiss Chalet across from Roy Thomson Hall, has shuttered its' windows and removed all signage. No longer will he be able to enjoy a quarter-chicken dinner with fries and extra gravy (or whatever that hot gloopy stuff is that they serve on the side)... I couldn't see any signs of what sort of establishment will be moving into the empty site, but Todd is of the (somewhat cynical) opinion that it will most likely be some overpriced cavern-like environment that's long on cocktails and short on the menu. Time will tell... but truly, it's an ignominious end to one of Todd's long-standing gastronomic relationships.
Have you seen that QR Code Guy?
 | ||
| Taken by Vince Vaitekunas, February 2012. |
This is John Currie for Stalking the Job, signing off - have a wonderful Wednesday evening, folks - and remember, I'll be seeing you...!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Springtime: fresh-cut flowers and fresh perspectives
Good afternoon faithful readers, and welcome back to Stalking the Job. Now that April is upon us, and with the landscape newly bursting with burgeoning greenery, the time has come for me to begin stepping up my campaign. Tomorrow morning will see the publication of the 8th installment of my webcomic, "The Adventures of That QR Code Guy" (and I know that at least a few of you out there have been looking forward to that, so fear not). Today, however I have something completely different in store for you all. As we've now moved past the client approval stage, here's a copy of the video I recently completed on behalf of Shouldice Media:
Having made hundreds of these sorts of presentations, I can say with sincerity that I rather like this video. It's simple, concise and doesn't sidestep into needlessly complex territory. Were I an aviator, I might just be interested in this app - because it's true, where learning is concerned we're not able to retain an excess of information. Personally, the only surefire way I've found to really take in and retain valuable information is to make use of what I've learned, thereby reinforcing it until it becomes second nature.This is precisely the same way that I've been able to make the most of my preferred forms of graphics software.
Working with Craig Shouldice is and always has been a pleasure. He has a solid grasp of what can reasonably be expected for a presentation on a budget, provides the needed materials in a timely manner, and provides ample time for any and all necessary revisions. Best of all, I can't think of a single occasion where I've had to chase after him for payment...!
Daffodiligence
While out walking around town on Friday afternoon, a very lovely thing happened. I was making my way west along King Street when a girl (well, a young woman I should say) clutching an armful of fresh-cut daffodils walked right up to me, smiled, and without saying a word inserted one behind the printed panel of my sandwich board. There it remained until I returned home Friday evening, whereupon I diligently put it in a vase with some water - and to my surprise, it kept firm for the rest of the weekend... many thank-yous, mystery flower woman! I think later on this spring I'll have to make a point of wearing a flower on my board. Not only does it add a dash of colour, it livens things up a wee bit - and I think it gave a slightly greater impetus for some people to try scanning the QR code.
Now that I've been at the campaign for awhile (and have amassed sufficient data for Google analytics to make sense of it all), I've made a somewhat shocking discovery: Only 15% of those people who watch my show reel from mobile devices are women! Why that should be the case is a bit of an open question for me, although I certainly have noticed that, on the whole, women seem much less likely than their male counterparts to give it a try. Oddly enough, a bare majority of the women I encounter on the streets of Toronto are actively using their mobile devices for one thing or another (texting, mostly - and to a lesser extent, chatting on the phone or taking photos of their friends)... so perhaps I could find some means whereby I could have greater appeal to the female demographic. If you're reading this and think you have an answer to this quandry, then by all means send it in! Fresh perspectives lead to new strategies, and new strategies are always welcome where this initiative is concerned.
Have you seen that QR Code Guy?
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| taken by Vince Vaitekunas, February 2012. |
Is this not the face of a trustworthy guy? An interesting guy? A guy with a giant QR code hanging off his shoulders? Well, sure it is. But I'm so much more than that. Just ask sometime and see!
Remember folks - if you've taken a photo of That QR Code Guy in his journeys around Toronto (even if it's a shot from behind), Stalking the Job wants to hear from you!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Journey through the past
Hello once again, all...! It seems this afternoon I have a little time to myself, so - having thought things through while on my morning walkabout, I've decided to shift gear somewhat and take you on a journey through the past:
Tah-dah! Yes, it's my old demo reel from the far-flung year 2000! It's funny now, seeing this old demo from so long ago: there are several sequences included here (the high-contrast, black-and-white clips) that were actually part of a project where viewers would use a pair of special glasses that would break up the white signal into the full spectrum of colour... and also extend the image into people's peripheral vision to further the sense of motion. Some of these clips were later recycled into the opening title sequence for the North American version of the TV series, "Queer As Folk" (which can be seen here).
For a bit of added fun, I edited in some audio clips from the films "Withnail & I" and "It Came From Hollywood". Oh, and apologies to anyone trying to view this from Germany - apparently the audio track ("Scream in Blue", by Midnight Oil) ran afoul of the German authorities at some point or other a few years back - but just so you don't feel left out, I'll include a short stop-motion PSA I worked on last summer with the kids at Artheart in Toronto:
It was a simple enough premise - using vintage Micronaut toys (from my very own collection), a pile of Lego bricks, a rickety old camera (and some even more rickety old lights and tripods), we put together a Public Service Announcement illustrating the perils of street racing. The kids worked hard, we all had fun, and in the end they were quite happy seeing the fruits of their labour. It might be a little "rough-around-the-edges" as videos go, but from my point of view it was a triumph... especially insofar as this marked the first time any of those children had tried their hands at animation!
Can You Spot That QR Code Guy?
Well, I know I'm always asking people to send in any photos they may have snapped of me while walking about town, but today I thought I'd post one taken by Peter Jones during Lisa Horvath's SMWTO presentation last month. If there'd been any more people in the frame I might've been tempted to turn it into a "Where's Waldo?"-style contest!
Thanks once again to all my faithful readers for helping make this blog an ongoing success. It's always a treat to see that people are indeed reading the posts (and on occasion, following through to my Twitter feed). I've met one or two very interesting people in the last 24 hours, both on the streets of Toronto and online, so I'm feeling fairly optimistic about where this campaign of mine is heading... and I hope to have more to report on those encounters in the near future.
For Stalking the Job, this John Currie - That QR Code Guy - signing off. And remember folks... I'll see you around!
Tah-dah! Yes, it's my old demo reel from the far-flung year 2000! It's funny now, seeing this old demo from so long ago: there are several sequences included here (the high-contrast, black-and-white clips) that were actually part of a project where viewers would use a pair of special glasses that would break up the white signal into the full spectrum of colour... and also extend the image into people's peripheral vision to further the sense of motion. Some of these clips were later recycled into the opening title sequence for the North American version of the TV series, "Queer As Folk" (which can be seen here).
For a bit of added fun, I edited in some audio clips from the films "Withnail & I" and "It Came From Hollywood". Oh, and apologies to anyone trying to view this from Germany - apparently the audio track ("Scream in Blue", by Midnight Oil) ran afoul of the German authorities at some point or other a few years back - but just so you don't feel left out, I'll include a short stop-motion PSA I worked on last summer with the kids at Artheart in Toronto:
It was a simple enough premise - using vintage Micronaut toys (from my very own collection), a pile of Lego bricks, a rickety old camera (and some even more rickety old lights and tripods), we put together a Public Service Announcement illustrating the perils of street racing. The kids worked hard, we all had fun, and in the end they were quite happy seeing the fruits of their labour. It might be a little "rough-around-the-edges" as videos go, but from my point of view it was a triumph... especially insofar as this marked the first time any of those children had tried their hands at animation!
Can You Spot That QR Code Guy?
 |
| Taken by Peter Jones, February 2012. |
Thanks once again to all my faithful readers for helping make this blog an ongoing success. It's always a treat to see that people are indeed reading the posts (and on occasion, following through to my Twitter feed). I've met one or two very interesting people in the last 24 hours, both on the streets of Toronto and online, so I'm feeling fairly optimistic about where this campaign of mine is heading... and I hope to have more to report on those encounters in the near future.
For Stalking the Job, this John Currie - That QR Code Guy - signing off. And remember folks... I'll see you around!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
As (soon to be) seen on TV
Greetings faithful readers - it's been a busy past couple of days, but as my machine is currently otherwise preoccupied this evening cranking out final renders for Craig Shouldice (of Shouldice Media), now is as good a time as any to update you on my one-man guerrilla marketing campaign:
Monday saw Stalking the Job once again hitting the streets, having finally shrugged off the worst of last weeks' late-winter cold. It was a real doozy, I should add; not only did it sideline me for the better part of a week, I also managed to transmit it to my wife Elizabeth (who seemed to get it even worse than I - sorry about that, Liz). But what really fuelled my fire Monday morning was receiving a phone call from a reporter from Radio-Canada, a fellow by the name of Stéphane who I'd met a few weeks back while canvassing the area around the CBC building downtown. He wanted to know whether I could be available for an interview for Le Téléjournal, the french-language six o'clock news broadcast.
What's that? Did I want to be interviewed on television? Well, sure... of course, the only slight hitch was that over the course of living in Toronto for the last thirty years, my spoken french had atrophied a fair amount, but I nonetheless set out for our meetup outside the Mothercorp (albeit with some hand-written crib notes that I committed to memory along the way). But really, it wasn't altogether necessary; Stéphane could sense when I was grasping for a noun or verb and he very helpfully supplied the needed verbiage. We took an extra few minutes filming some interactions with passersby up along King West, just across from the Bell Lightbox. All in all, I think I acquitted myself quite well.
Before we parted ways, Stéphane mentioned that the interview would be shown on Tuesday's edition of Le Téléjournal, and I spent the next few minutes excitedly calling around to various friends and family members to tell them the good news. It was, therefore a little disappointing the next evening to discover that my interview had actually been bumped by the big news item of the day (budget day in Ontario), but according to Stéphane it will air sometime soon - and he'll send me an email letting me know when to expect to see it.
Merci encore Stéphane - Je serai heureux de le voir!
Tuesday saw a definite uptick in the weather, although it was still chilled to freezing through the overnight periods. I was a little concerned for my lilies - I'm an avid gardener, and I've been a little awestruck at just how well they've been coming back so far this spring (which is why the overnight freezes had slightly set my teeth on edge). In another week or so I'll remove the plastic mesh I've been using the thwart the local squirrels, as they seem not to enjoy chewing on the lily-bulbs once they're fully in mid-sprout.
I took a spin up into Chinatown, heading southward from there via Spadina, across Queen to Portland, and finally down to Wellington. Upon arrival there, many happy faces appeared in the windows of TAXI, waving and blowing kisses - and you know, there's nothing quite like a warm welcome to brighten the day. I lingered for a while in the hopes that the sunny skies would prompt some patio action, but it was still just a little too chilly (even for we hearty Torontonians). I did however come upon a pair of videographers who were filming a puff piece on spring cleaning, and I happily answered a few questions for them on-camera.
Maybe it was the good weather, maybe it was just that I was feeling better, but the world seemed a happier place - and in spite of some derogatory remarks I overheard (hello? I'm right here folks... I might be unemployed, but I'm not deaf!) I was able to laugh along. Why not? After all, there is an almost absurd quality to this campaign... I'll be the first to admit that. If (as some would have us believe) we're all living our lives as though we're the subject of our own personal reality shows, we frankly owe it to ourselves to recognize that life - and how we cope with it - is more often comedy than anything else. It's healthy to see the humour in ones' own life, even if it does occasionally veer into slapstick. The trouble with taking oneself too seriously is that there's nothing to fall back on should life suddenly start throwing you curveballs.
How we cope with life (and all its' ups and downs) goes a long way to defining our character, both professionally and personally. Ultimately, it's those who've lead a self-examined life who are perhaps better-suited to rolling with the punches. I've known people who, when confronted with unpleasant circumstance, choose to shut themselves down or otherwise opt-out - playing ostrich in the hopes that things will change for the better. And of course, sometimes things do change for the better - but usually not before first playing havoc with their hearts and souls.
And if you've allowed yourself the luxury of becoming complacent in your successes, that same cleverness can eventually prove your downfall. A certain measured amount of guile can take you far, a penchant for flair or showmanship can work to your advantage - but neither of those can surmount integrity.
When you own the consequences of your actions (for good or bad), when you take responsibility not just for your triumphs but for your failures as well, you show your integrity. I'm not suggesting nailing yourself to a cross should things suddenly go pear-shaped; but it never goes well trying to wriggle oneself out from a bad situation. Worse, you run the risk of losing the respect of clients, co-workers or even your employers should you try that approach. Like the old saying goes, honesty really is the best policy... and not just in the working world, but in your personal life as well.
Well, I seem to have side-tracked myself a little in writing this post, but I'm happy enough to let it slide. No doubt there'll be more adventures to come in the days and weeks ahead, and I'm glad to have you all along for the ride! Truth be told, I've been somewhat stunned by the reception to date for my webcomic, The Adventures of That QR Code Guy - all I'd really set out to do was to continue telling my story, albeit humorously - but I've been tickled pink by the response (and yes, there will indeed be another installment forthcoming). Oh, and before I go, I'd like to thank Vince Vaitekunas for delivering some terrific photos and videos he took last month! I've been thinking of using them as part of a musical video montage... we'll just have to see what I can come up with, I suppose...
As ever folks, this is John Currie for Stalking the Job, and I'll be seeing you - !
If you have any photos of That QR Code Guy that you'd like to share, I'd like hearing from you. I'll make every effort to provide attribution (unless you'd prefer to remain anonymous), so don't be shy!
Monday saw Stalking the Job once again hitting the streets, having finally shrugged off the worst of last weeks' late-winter cold. It was a real doozy, I should add; not only did it sideline me for the better part of a week, I also managed to transmit it to my wife Elizabeth (who seemed to get it even worse than I - sorry about that, Liz). But what really fuelled my fire Monday morning was receiving a phone call from a reporter from Radio-Canada, a fellow by the name of Stéphane who I'd met a few weeks back while canvassing the area around the CBC building downtown. He wanted to know whether I could be available for an interview for Le Téléjournal, the french-language six o'clock news broadcast.
What's that? Did I want to be interviewed on television? Well, sure... of course, the only slight hitch was that over the course of living in Toronto for the last thirty years, my spoken french had atrophied a fair amount, but I nonetheless set out for our meetup outside the Mothercorp (albeit with some hand-written crib notes that I committed to memory along the way). But really, it wasn't altogether necessary; Stéphane could sense when I was grasping for a noun or verb and he very helpfully supplied the needed verbiage. We took an extra few minutes filming some interactions with passersby up along King West, just across from the Bell Lightbox. All in all, I think I acquitted myself quite well.
Before we parted ways, Stéphane mentioned that the interview would be shown on Tuesday's edition of Le Téléjournal, and I spent the next few minutes excitedly calling around to various friends and family members to tell them the good news. It was, therefore a little disappointing the next evening to discover that my interview had actually been bumped by the big news item of the day (budget day in Ontario), but according to Stéphane it will air sometime soon - and he'll send me an email letting me know when to expect to see it.
Merci encore Stéphane - Je serai heureux de le voir!
I'm Not Down
Tuesday saw a definite uptick in the weather, although it was still chilled to freezing through the overnight periods. I was a little concerned for my lilies - I'm an avid gardener, and I've been a little awestruck at just how well they've been coming back so far this spring (which is why the overnight freezes had slightly set my teeth on edge). In another week or so I'll remove the plastic mesh I've been using the thwart the local squirrels, as they seem not to enjoy chewing on the lily-bulbs once they're fully in mid-sprout.
I took a spin up into Chinatown, heading southward from there via Spadina, across Queen to Portland, and finally down to Wellington. Upon arrival there, many happy faces appeared in the windows of TAXI, waving and blowing kisses - and you know, there's nothing quite like a warm welcome to brighten the day. I lingered for a while in the hopes that the sunny skies would prompt some patio action, but it was still just a little too chilly (even for we hearty Torontonians). I did however come upon a pair of videographers who were filming a puff piece on spring cleaning, and I happily answered a few questions for them on-camera.
Maybe it was the good weather, maybe it was just that I was feeling better, but the world seemed a happier place - and in spite of some derogatory remarks I overheard (hello? I'm right here folks... I might be unemployed, but I'm not deaf!) I was able to laugh along. Why not? After all, there is an almost absurd quality to this campaign... I'll be the first to admit that. If (as some would have us believe) we're all living our lives as though we're the subject of our own personal reality shows, we frankly owe it to ourselves to recognize that life - and how we cope with it - is more often comedy than anything else. It's healthy to see the humour in ones' own life, even if it does occasionally veer into slapstick. The trouble with taking oneself too seriously is that there's nothing to fall back on should life suddenly start throwing you curveballs.
Insurmountable integrity
How we cope with life (and all its' ups and downs) goes a long way to defining our character, both professionally and personally. Ultimately, it's those who've lead a self-examined life who are perhaps better-suited to rolling with the punches. I've known people who, when confronted with unpleasant circumstance, choose to shut themselves down or otherwise opt-out - playing ostrich in the hopes that things will change for the better. And of course, sometimes things do change for the better - but usually not before first playing havoc with their hearts and souls.
And if you've allowed yourself the luxury of becoming complacent in your successes, that same cleverness can eventually prove your downfall. A certain measured amount of guile can take you far, a penchant for flair or showmanship can work to your advantage - but neither of those can surmount integrity.
When you own the consequences of your actions (for good or bad), when you take responsibility not just for your triumphs but for your failures as well, you show your integrity. I'm not suggesting nailing yourself to a cross should things suddenly go pear-shaped; but it never goes well trying to wriggle oneself out from a bad situation. Worse, you run the risk of losing the respect of clients, co-workers or even your employers should you try that approach. Like the old saying goes, honesty really is the best policy... and not just in the working world, but in your personal life as well.Well, I seem to have side-tracked myself a little in writing this post, but I'm happy enough to let it slide. No doubt there'll be more adventures to come in the days and weeks ahead, and I'm glad to have you all along for the ride! Truth be told, I've been somewhat stunned by the reception to date for my webcomic, The Adventures of That QR Code Guy - all I'd really set out to do was to continue telling my story, albeit humorously - but I've been tickled pink by the response (and yes, there will indeed be another installment forthcoming). Oh, and before I go, I'd like to thank Vince Vaitekunas for delivering some terrific photos and videos he took last month! I've been thinking of using them as part of a musical video montage... we'll just have to see what I can come up with, I suppose...
As ever folks, this is John Currie for Stalking the Job, and I'll be seeing you - !
Have you seen That QR Code Guy?
 |
| taken by Vince Vaitekunas, February 2012. |
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