Sam At Large

So I returned from Edmonton after visiting my brand new niece, Julie.  I’m not biased, but she is the cutest baby of all time.  You just take a look at this photo and tell me I’m wrong.  And if you DO say that I’m wrong (ie. you have girls of your own and feel you are obliged to disagree), I’ll probably just ignore you until you change your mind and say the right thing.

But, seriously, Julie is fantastic and I’m very much going to enjoy being Uncle Sam.

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In the course of an average day, I probably read about a million emails and blog posts and twitter feeds all with information about the interweb, mobile phones, dwarfs and marketing.  Ok, that number isn’t quite right — probably closer to two million.  Anyway, today I’m looking at one of my usual mobile marketing sites and they have one of those annoying banner ads.  You know the ones: “His IQ is 145!  Can you beat that? Take the quiz.” and they have a picture of Bill Gates or Stephen Hawking or Bono.

The one I saw today was especially disquieting because it confirmed what I’ve been wondering for a while: those celebrity IQ numbers are total bullshit.  “Her IQ is 120. Can you beat that?” coupled with a picture of Paris Hilton.  ‘Nuff said.

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We got this really crazy email at the Broadburst office today.  I can’t say who it was from.  I can’t even speak to the substance of the email.  But let’s just say that my grid was blown off its axis and I think our business will never be the same again.  At least, I hope so.  I know that’s cryptic, but that’s just going to be the way it is.

It’s on.  Jen’s going to the hospital to be induced.  So, it could be today, maybe hours and hours later and into tomorrow.  Who knows?  But, suffice it to say that we’ll have a new family member shortly.

Thumbs up, is right!  Word from my sis is that she’ll be induced on Wednesday (2 days hence).  But, this evening, she was feeling cramps in her belly and felt heavier in the front.  So it could happen sooner.  Jen suspects that her obstetrician did ‘something’ during today’s weekly appointment.  Ever since seeing the doctor she’s been having the said cramps and heaviness.

Whatever.

It’s finally happening.  It’s been a long time for me and now she’s finally going to have the baby.  And don’t tell me that it’s been harder on her.  Excuses, excuses.  Get the kid out now!

I told Jen that from now on I would no longer be taking phone calls from her.  I will only speak to the baby.  People, don’t trouble me with your ‘facts,’ such as “But the baby won’t be able to speak for at least a year” or “He/She won’t know what a telephone is” or “You can’t speak ‘Infant’ anymore.”  Rules are the rules and I stand by my commitments.

I’ll be flying out to Edmonton this weekend.  My car’s a piece of crap so don’t get any ideas about stealing it.  Seriously.  It has rust.

I’ll update as events warrant.

New Years is always an interesting time for me.  It’s my birthday at the same time so I always get a chance to reflect.  2008 was an absolute blur in terms of life and work.

I moved in the latter part of the year to a house with some good friends.  It meant leaving The Muse, which was pretty nifty.  It was a live/work loft in the middle of suburban Langley.  High ceilings, open plan… yeah, I really liked it.  But, it was time for a change to less austere surroundings.  Now I have some great roommates who are teaching me a lot about who I am, what I should be focusing on in life and how to shovel snow.

I’m just going to say that Vancouver has had as much snow as we should ever get for the next lifetime or so.

I started a brand new company in 2008 called Broadburst.  We’re a mobile media broadcasting company.  Essentially, we’re creating a new way to distribute rich, multimedia content — be it information, sponsored content and advertising — to mobile phones in the places that it is most relevant.  We think it’s pretty cool and so, we also think, will mobile phone users.

My family almost saw the passing of an era.  My grandmother was on the brink of death in November but miraculously recovered.  Seriously, we saw her go from being delirious and barely breathing to getting out of her bed and leaving the hospital in the matter of a few days.  It was crazy!  She’s old (97) and it will only be a matter of time, but we’re glad she’s around for a while longer.  She’s my last remaining grandparent so it’ll be the end of a generation when she passes on.

But, that’s not the end.  My sister is about to have the first niece/nephew in my family so we’re seeing the start of a brand new era.  While one generation passes on, another is just beginning.  It’s pretty cool.  Circle of Life and all that stuff.  Woot!

I’m making a recommitment to blogging this year.  I think it’s important to talk about life as well as what I find interesting and to share that.  Look out!

I’m packing for a trip to San Francisco.  It’s for a few days and really looking forward to it.  I’m going to CTIA Wireless IT & Entertainment 2008.  Basically, I get to see new technology, meet new people and see some friends.  I’m thinking there will be a few beers to be had by Bill, Will and myself with the folks we’re meeting with.

I haven’t been to San Fran in more than 16 years.  I loved it so I’m really stoked to be going back.  That particular stop in the city was brief on my way to camping up the northern California coast.  Now that is probably the most scenic and amazing drive I’ve ever gone on.  I won’t get to do that this time.  This time I get to stay at a swank hotel in the midst of the city.

*****

I’ve had the experience of trying to sublet my apartment.  I think I have a deal closed but I don’t want to count my chickens until they hatch.  But if I was a betting man, I would lay odds that it’s going to happen.  I don’t really want to leave my place.  I really like it.  But there are other circumstances that don’t have to do with me that require I sublet the place.  I think the new tenant will be great and it means there are more changes in store for me as I move to a new place and do something I’ve never done… LIVE WITH ROOMATES!  I’m not sure if I’m nuts or not.  I guess I’ll soon find out.