tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76441510269738946632024-02-19T00:05:21.120-05:00the account of my life and timesJoshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-64980514915285535232010-04-05T21:41:00.004-04:002010-04-05T22:06:56.713-04:00Learning from OthersI've been doing a ton of research on social media lately (work related), and I've come across some pretty wild stuff... nothing compares, however to first hand experience with a company that's doing something right - case in point: zamzar.com<div><br /></div><div>zamzar.com is a file conversion website that I use all the time. However, for some reason, as I attempted (again and again and again) to convert a .flv file to .mov, zamzar dropped the ball. again and again and again. Finally - feeling very frustrated - i tweeted:</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>JHenryGord</i></b><b><i>on (3:45 pm)</i></b><i>: anyone know a good .flv file converter? zamzar has been failing me all day.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>what happened 15 minutes later really surprised me.</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b><i>Zamzar (4:00 pm):</i></b><i> @JHenryGordon What's wrong? Email us at support@zamzar.</i>com</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't even know zamzar was on Twitter! They must have twitter-alerted themselves, the sneaky guys... Talk about brand management.</div><div><br /></div><div>In honour of zamzar's on-the-ball-ness, I have compiled a Top 10 list (from <a href="http://smallbiztrends.com/2010/01/how-to-use-twitter-as-a-smb-owner.html">this article</a>)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Top 10 Uses for Twitter for Small Business Owners</b></div><div><br /></div><div><ol><li>Ask people for their opinions - and listen to them.</li><li>Show a human face</li><li>Talk about why you do what you do</li><li>Find guest bloggers for your blog</li><li>Get our of your marketing shell and be yourself</li><li>Tweet about products just arriving or hot food just out of the oven</li><li>Livetweet events</li><li>Pass on interesting links or posts</li><li>Tweet when you do something cool</li><li>Be excited about your week</li></ol><div><br /></div><div>Well, there you have it!</div></div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-9105942020003844842010-03-26T14:59:00.002-04:002010-03-26T15:02:06.416-04:00Rules for a Great PresentationSo, I've been spending a lot of time lately building presentations - typically for my boss. Now, I'm being called upon more and more lately to deliver those presentations to a wider audience... (I know, I know, 3 or 4 people isn't exactly a 'wide' audience - but it's a lot bigger than 1).<div><br /></div><div>Nonetheless, this is great stuff:<br /><br /><div style="width:425px" id="__ss_2437956"><strong style="display:block;margin:12px 0 4px"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/jcasimir/be-amazing-5-rules-for-great-presentations-2437956" title="Be Amazing: 5 Rules for Great Presentations">Be Amazing: 5 Rules for Great Presentations</a></strong><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=beamazing-5stepstoagreattechtalk-091106071530-phpapp01&stripped_title=be-amazing-5-rules-for-great-presentations-2437956"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=beamazing-5stepstoagreattechtalk-091106071530-phpapp01&stripped_title=be-amazing-5-rules-for-great-presentations-2437956" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="padding:5px 0 12px">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/jcasimir">jcasimir</a>.</div></div></div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-87380235199967094692010-03-22T20:01:00.003-04:002010-03-22T20:05:26.126-04:00Excuses, by The Morning Benders<object width="853" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7jgmgE-QDzA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7jgmgE-QDzA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="853" height="505"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />I stumbled across this gem via <a href="http://forme-foryou.com/">Kate Miss</a>. She's got scads of brilliant finds on her blog. I strongly recommend a peek over there.Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-9142747629931869672010-03-17T19:34:00.001-04:002010-03-17T19:34:53.603-04:00<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#999999"><br/><a style="font: Verdana" href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=103288974">Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon</a><br/><object width="425px" height="360px" ><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="movie" value="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=103288974,t=1,mt=video"/><embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=103288974,t=1,mt=video" width="425" height="360" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></object><br/><a style="font: Verdana" href="http://www.myspace.com/PeterGabriel">Peter Gabriel</a> | <a style="font: Verdana" href="http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=videos">MySpace Music Videos</a></font>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-8668422442379449172010-03-14T19:15:00.003-04:002010-03-14T19:18:40.936-04:00Fridge Magnet Poetryshe is my vision<div>like mists over a lake, shining in the sun</div><div>like the still moment when music stops playing</div><div>or delicate rose petals on bare skin</div><div><br /></div><div>her love is like the spring wind, driving a storm at sea</div><div>The spray blows and rain pounds the rocks.</div><div>I want to swim.</div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-58130253437944915192010-03-01T15:20:00.002-05:002010-03-01T15:21:38.148-05:00More pictures of the babe.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwqA1Z_tvodNh-PbidqdGTqxnP4Fe6HuhFP5sb7IftJdu0gHG_rAmqjEGgNM9HPjfAF23KaohdAzQYPCjsQSXIi1xSyzLWymsMjvl9yYYdgphQaEtL3DaUrb-3qyMtbNotbJEOT4KCug/s1600-h/P1030728.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwqA1Z_tvodNh-PbidqdGTqxnP4Fe6HuhFP5sb7IftJdu0gHG_rAmqjEGgNM9HPjfAF23KaohdAzQYPCjsQSXIi1xSyzLWymsMjvl9yYYdgphQaEtL3DaUrb-3qyMtbNotbJEOT4KCug/s320/P1030728.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443763116615756818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQt0aRYtNHIsQOp7P3UyYsQZ5Nt4q4I9mJ5F5qrj1f9S8IyvO4Ku9R_q3TSURJZV_XIkivKsHuLZMrhSkeKuKWeXc7fKjSgZh8GBvqZhrx-VZF1UOCh79tQJv5IF6py_DediMOjOVwRg/s1600-h/P1030725.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQt0aRYtNHIsQOp7P3UyYsQZ5Nt4q4I9mJ5F5qrj1f9S8IyvO4Ku9R_q3TSURJZV_XIkivKsHuLZMrhSkeKuKWeXc7fKjSgZh8GBvqZhrx-VZF1UOCh79tQJv5IF6py_DediMOjOVwRg/s320/P1030725.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443763114326994994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5FinjiJx567bdWn7nOdIiKPzwLeeZwskGPNoenP-f5jfmacoFyoIpiRTqJIB60DjkwpmxfapO0DXox6q1cANl3B2C7TNAMI86-79QH9ioPUVNJ-Wy7MqbgU0J5HGqFsy5B8nnTKL6wo/s1600-h/P1030734.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5FinjiJx567bdWn7nOdIiKPzwLeeZwskGPNoenP-f5jfmacoFyoIpiRTqJIB60DjkwpmxfapO0DXox6q1cANl3B2C7TNAMI86-79QH9ioPUVNJ-Wy7MqbgU0J5HGqFsy5B8nnTKL6wo/s320/P1030734.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443763102849832162" /></a>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-13207985787822086882010-03-01T15:12:00.001-05:002010-03-01T15:13:39.659-05:00Piper's first snowman...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzkmZkqNQd-9XuSdQTWhQb0dQQ3q4VmCGH3ysTWdKTJXxwAK70t3PTMkB2qdvT00SJcM1vToxR6-MweQURZ1bX0OdQVoA9QrUaFVLx4J-wQOS-u210hzz4m01Dy0bRZ3DMWpPrEjkNbQ/s1600-h/P1030782.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzkmZkqNQd-9XuSdQTWhQb0dQQ3q4VmCGH3ysTWdKTJXxwAK70t3PTMkB2qdvT00SJcM1vToxR6-MweQURZ1bX0OdQVoA9QrUaFVLx4J-wQOS-u210hzz4m01Dy0bRZ3DMWpPrEjkNbQ/s320/P1030782.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443761061057311234" /></a>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-64743691540444921042010-01-07T13:00:00.004-05:002010-01-07T13:08:21.832-05:00Birthing the Create NetworkI just got an email from someone who'd heard about the small group I'm facilitating (<a href="http://thelifeandtimesofjoshua.blogspot.com/search/label/Create">Create</a>). Essentially, they want to run a similar group in their church, and are hoping I can help out with that. <div><br /></div><div>This makes me so excited because firstly, I'm passionate about creativity - and playing a role in others learning to become more creative sparks something incredible inside me. Secondly, I'm a natural visionary, and I've always had a sweet vision of Create turning into an awesome network of small groups with a podcast and sweet website and conferences and art galas and workshops - somebody stop me, I'm starting to sweat!!</div><div><br /></div><div>So yah. I'm pretty thrilled right now.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-26802742058312774282010-01-04T19:42:00.004-05:002010-01-07T13:21:58.829-05:00Update TimeWell, everyone, the drought is over. Like honest to goodness big drops of splashing rain. No, no, no, Josh hasn't started blogging regularly again.<div><br /></div><div>:(</div><div><br /></div><div>I wish.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nope, it's far far better than that. Josh has a job! A for realsy I'm actually using some of what I studied and am very excited about it kind of job! Haha!! I want to dance around the apartment, and I think I shall.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am now employed as a Research and Program Analyst. Pretty much it goes like this, </div><div><b>C.O.O</b>.: <i>"Hey Josh, I want to know about starting up a new program for (insert program x here)."</i></div><div><b>Josh</b>: <i>Sure boss</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Josh opens his MACBOOK PRO THAT WORK GOT ME!!! and begins to research. He then draws up a proposal and delivers a freaking awesome presentation. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, the story goes that Josh randomly emailed the Chief Operating Officer and asked to meet with him. In the email, Josh regaled said COO with tales of his own comparative awesomeness. Said COO, after a second interview (and a very compelling 10 minute powerpoint presentation by Josh), decides to create a job for him. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's right, readers. It's custom made, for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dancing, Dancing, Dancing!</div><div><br /></div><div>- Josh</div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-25760847506940454342009-12-17T11:55:00.004-05:002009-12-17T16:14:05.124-05:00Create GuelphLast night was the second Create Guelph meeting. In all honesty, I've been very nervous about how the group would go. I wondered how the nine different members would gel - especially considering the wide age range (10 yrs - 26 yrs). After the first two meetings, though, I'm getting more and more excited. People are really buying into this!<div><br /></div><div>It's incredibly stimulating; I'd recommend being a part of a group like this to anyone.</div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-38477952010031053902009-12-15T18:01:00.003-05:002017-05-27T06:56:28.413-04:00And then the rains came...'kay, so remember the story in the Old testament when God said it wasn't going to rain, and all of the land was plunged into the driest of famines? And then the prophet of God prayed, and it rained? That's what it feels like right now for me.<div><br /></div><div>When Sarah and I moved from Calgary, AB to Guelph, ON, we both believed that God was leading us.</div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-44194490008771630642009-12-09T18:49:00.000-05:002009-12-10T13:12:30.607-05:00Madonna and Child<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzgxBD-pmqkdOS_DJSBDCm2HmZNWcE45Nd5ltIDa_91vexqPt0bENV_zJEameg-rkmRy8FjmAuutBjCajhvpg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>That's my family. I love 'em.</div><div><br /></div><div>- Josh</div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-10506457455518029582009-12-09T16:05:00.000-05:002009-12-09T16:17:06.720-05:00Genesis: In the beginning<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">So, recently, I've taken the volunteer position of Director of the Creative Department at Elora Road Christian Fellowship. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Which is great. As are sentence fragments</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">However, the Creative Department did not exist until just a few weeks ago. I've been crazy busy starting to build a creative framework here at ERCF. It's very exhausting but incredibly exciting. I love it. I really really love it (that's for you, Larry). These are some of my thoughts:</span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(70, 69, 71); line-height: 16px; "><div class="blogtitle" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">In the beginning...</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> In the beginning... what a great way to start a story - our Story. In the beginning...</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. In the beginning, God unfolded an epic storyline of betrayal and restitution, sorrow and love, sacrifice and forgiveness. In the beginning, God initiated a compelling dance with humanity, an intimate and beautiful movement, a sweeping thrill of restoration. In the beginning, God made for Himself a Bride, perfect and without blemish, and held nothing back in His relentless pursuit of her. In the beginning.</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">That 'beginning' so long ago is central to our expression of faith. In it, we recognize our role in the unfolding Story; like our Father, we hold nothing back, using every resource at our disposal in order to fulfill our Commission. </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Genesis </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">is the name of the Creative Department of ERCF. It is about creativity and innovation. It's about regular people creating the extra-ordinary. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is devoted to the telling of the Story. </span></span></span></i></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Want to join it?</span></span></p></span></div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-1525523008772107102009-11-20T09:44:00.000-05:002017-05-27T06:56:28.390-04:00Shooting Yourself in the FootJoshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-90901658430184336002009-11-10T16:18:00.001-05:002009-11-11T20:53:11.351-05:00Creative Experiment #1: I Love Lamp<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIB6GflPgphQhH2znPP2WA9YOU2Mon0mHJipECYaFboTPWnpn6ps1hT04StWoupPyWso1D98cNUKsuJ370ta0Xnr69sedq1tPjGz6po_Du7XvtYyY-04qomOk45bT8phNK6ZRizk34e4/s1600-h/lamp+1.jpg"></a>I consider myself a creative person, but in my creative circles I'm mostly known as the guy with lots of ideas or the guys who likes to write.. Historically, I typically left other areas of artistic expression to others (like <a href="http://www.frake-paintings.blogspot.com">Freek</a>, <a href="http://www.shawnbaran.blogspot.com">Shawn</a>, <a href="http://www.melody2piano.livejournal.com">Liz</a>, <a href="http://www.vdbfineart.com">Jesse</a>, Sara, etc...).<div><br /></div><div>Well, I've decided to start branching out, just to try stuff. So, here's my first ever painting... it's called I Love Lamp.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIB6GflPgphQhH2znPP2WA9YOU2Mon0mHJipECYaFboTPWnpn6ps1hT04StWoupPyWso1D98cNUKsuJ370ta0Xnr69sedq1tPjGz6po_Du7XvtYyY-04qomOk45bT8phNK6ZRizk34e4/s320/lamp+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402589141586868274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I immediately apologize to other better painters (Freek). I didn't mean to step on your toes just now, but I'm trying to get the red paint out from under my fingernails and I didn't see where I was walking...</div><div><br /></div><div>- Josh</div><div><br /></div></div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-10187426108929489362009-11-07T09:10:00.000-05:002009-11-11T20:53:39.856-05:00This one's for you, Shawn!While trolling the internet one morning, Josh came across a new band called Pomplamoose. Intrigued by their DIY/'embrace the amateur' approach to music, he investigated further, and was hooked.<div><br /></div><div>This one's for you, <a href="http://www.shawnbaran.blogspot.com">Shawn</a>:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzmTJ-FHVa42VfXGeYHRP7QuiFNgoJq4PC1AeDplEQ9QZo2Vtogz2YVH8BJ--53lEYmaLOoC7_m6CBUwTFcOg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-86745360257881700232009-11-07T00:04:00.000-05:002009-11-07T00:16:42.953-05:00The streetlamp, the coliseum, and me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgln3hcJc0alJnnT9QaXNUvemlpKxYvkSirfRFBom6SW1J1uXU7lLgijyGENtHpXFFAP5grQ0uoCxLEkmxEZtYRdnAo_vYfX7k9b53qkL-mYP5ZyPX5l0KTn8y0TLjM7rCGTr51KbX5AH0/s1600-h/P1030217.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgln3hcJc0alJnnT9QaXNUvemlpKxYvkSirfRFBom6SW1J1uXU7lLgijyGENtHpXFFAP5grQ0uoCxLEkmxEZtYRdnAo_vYfX7k9b53qkL-mYP5ZyPX5l0KTn8y0TLjM7rCGTr51KbX5AH0/s320/P1030217.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401225414383253218" /></a>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-71168168546836304882009-11-06T20:40:00.000-05:002017-05-27T06:56:28.451-04:00My Next Creative Project...My next Creative Project is going to be a painting. I've built the frame and stretched the canvas already (inspired by good friend Freek and good friend Jesse of <a href="http://www.vdbfineart.com">VDBFineart.com</a>), and I plan on painting upon the canvas some derivitave of the following images from my notebook:<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-2055356397847434912009-11-01T16:03:00.001-05:002009-12-15T10:04:52.621-05:00My List of New Things1. <b>New Pad</b> - Sarah and I moved into a 3 bdrm basement apartment. We helped the landlord install laminate flooring, and are looking forward to painting and being totally unpacked!!<div>2.<b>New Church</b> - well, this isn't totally true. We've been attending <a href="http://www.ercf.ca/">ERCF </a>for a while, but especially now that we've moved closer, it is quickly becoming a place where we feel very welcomed and are excited to take the things we've learned at <a href="http://www.oakpark.ca/">Oakpark </a>and apply them!</div><div>3. <b>New Job</b> - I've been working at Starbucks for the last two months, and hugely enjoyed it. I absolutely thrived on interacting with so many different faces in a day - and , incidentally, discovered that I'm really good at selling overpriced pastries to people! On the whole, I did very well, and was up for a promotion. However, it's impossible to provide for your family on a Starbucks income. I've been rehired by a former employer - Duimering Concrete Forming, based in Guelph. I used to build foundations with DCF back in the day. I didn't really like it very much then, and I don't really love it now either. Or even like it. However, the pay boost has allowed us to move into our New Pad (see #1) which, for the meantime is worth it! I'm still rabidly searching for a replacement job.</div><div>4. <b>New Hobby</b> - At ERCF, I' ve been 'commissioned' to start a creative planning team. The pastor (my dad) has asked me to brainstorm ideas and implement an organizational structure that is sustainable. It's a fascinating challenge, and I love spending time setting up this framework!</div><div>5. <b>TO BE CONTINUED...</b></div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-66181750944169135212009-10-29T15:59:00.000-04:002009-10-29T16:18:41.360-04:00ReachThis is a project I did for an artists' discussion group that I facilitate. The weekly theme was 'Reach'. This little stop motion pic is what I came up with...<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxoi526vvaNMlmKPr-a4hpM36kvEW04IJQbd5ooo2QGnkt17hZX3WnLy6eFSGwgT-spmaLBhF8x3TFkEwAzeQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, the photo work could be better, but this was a quick job - and the point of the exercise was to be creative, not to be perfect!</div><div><br /></div><div>I kind of like it...</div><div><br /></div><div>- Josh</div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-86648980422830561652009-10-29T10:25:00.000-04:002009-10-29T10:36:40.002-04:00Exceptional BloggingWell, the, um 6 weeks since my last post have been unbelievably busy. The only reason I'm able to post now is because I'm confined to my house. I'm unable to work or anything because I'm slogging through an attack of flu-like symptoms including fever, nausea, congestion. Can anyone say H1N1? The only reason I haven't gotten to the doctor is because apparently everyone else here in Guelph is suffering through exactly the same thing as me. How 'bout than, eh? I'm participating in a pandemic!! It's always cool to be part of something bigger than yourself, right?<div><br /></div><div>Anyways, on to today's business: Another installment of Exceptional Blogging! It's short and sweet but for some reason, I really enjoy it. Coming straight from "<a href="http://soundoflaughter.blogspot.com/2009/10/morning-report.html">Can You Hear the Sound of Laughter...</a>" courtesy of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/2016272">~M</a>.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Times; font-size: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">"i woke my parents up in the middle of the night to let them know that my lsat results had arrived, three days early.<br /><br />and the news is so very, very good. like, hyperbolicly good.<br /><br />i suspect they've forgiven me for the rude awakening."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Times;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Times;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">Thanks, ~M!</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Till next time!</div><div><br /></div><div>- Josh</div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-22955455044088724872009-09-08T15:36:00.000-04:002009-09-08T16:05:36.809-04:00TAMLAT Soundtrack Contest<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzIyYvdczZNdktaQQyUSLjnG41NBdfkFXfvNNZ0vLJjU7myTQBCdbVXEzORm3l33F7xUSS1fPVDnfYMYR1egg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>you like that, TAMLAT? The Account of My Life and Times? </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I recorded a quick video of myself journaling at <i>(insert coffee shop name here)</i>. I can't think of a song that would go well with it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Any suggestions?</div><div><br /></div><div>- Josh</div>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-10192354145031078662009-08-07T10:30:00.000-04:002009-08-07T10:40:51.290-04:00Exceptional BloggingIt seems that lately I'm all about starting up blog series. I'm doing another one. It's all about Exceptional Blogging. I often come across a blog post that I really resonate with/wish <b>I</b> wrote/just plain dig. Here is the first installment of EB, straight from <a href="http://shawnbaran.blogspot.com/">Shawn</a>:<br /><br /><i><a href="http://shawnbaran.blogspot.com/2009/05/open-letter-to-scrubs.html">An open letter to scrubs...</a><br />Dear Young Person sitting in the passenger seat of a moderately customized Honda Civic,<br /><br />What's the matter with you? I'm just walking down the street after 14 hours at work on a Saturday allowing the anthemic melodrama of Angels and Airwaves to give me the little bit of energy I need to make it home. Why do you feel the need to stick your head out your window and yellat me? What makes you think that I care about your misguided musings upon my sexual preference? Where are you getting your information from anyways? It's not like I got all tarted up for the walk home. Plus, I'm wearing headphones, I can't actually hear you. You just sound like yelling. Let me cut to the chase here. I'm not that much older than you. I still know how to have fun, and I still appreciate some good ol' fashioned juvenile mischief. But what you are doing is not fun or good ol' fashioned juvenile mischief. It's annoying. Stop it.Please, in the future, keep your head in the car and your thoughts to yourself.<br /><br />Nobody actually likes being startled and nobody cares what you think.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Shawn </i><br /><br />One of my favourite things about this post is its tone. Shawn's laidback candor is the perfect vehicle for expressing frustration that I can definitely identify with. One of my favourite types of humour is intelligent and witty and subtle. Shawn's got it nailed down here.<br /><br />Great post, Shawn! You win a prize. <a href="http://www.mirthfully.blogspot.com/">Kate </a> has it for you.<br /><br />- JoshJoshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-65956689267903582082009-08-06T13:06:00.000-04:002009-08-07T10:42:21.409-04:00You watched THAT movie?! and LIKED it?!I am inspired in this moment by a recent facebook post by my good friend Shawn. Hence, I begin a series of posts about movies I've seen and enjoyed, despite their possession of all the earmarks of lameness. Buckle thine seatbelts, gang.<br /><br /><strong>The Movie: </strong><br /><br /><a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809233138/info">Pathfinder</a> - 2007, starring Karl Urban (of Star Trek and Lord of the Rings fame )<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Here's what the critics had to say:</strong><br /><br />"Bombastic action rescues monotonous Pathfinder."<br />- Boston Globe<br /><br /><em>Both 'monotonous' and 'bombastic' in the same sentence! That's reason enought to watch, right?</em><br /><br />"...a bizarre, bloody adventure movie..."<br />- Chicago Tribune<br /><br /><em>Who doesn't love bizarre and/or bloody andventure movies?</em><br /><br />"...ridiculous..."<br />- New York Post<br /><br /><em>Yep. It was.</em><br /><br />"All grunting, all goring, the witless action flick Pathfinder has little to recommend it..."<br />-New York Times<br /><br /><em>This one's my fave. 'grunting and goring' - brilliant. 'witless action flick'. Mmm, the words go down so smoothly!</em><br /><em></em><br /><br />That one's in the books. Please don't think less of me!<br /><br />- Josh<br /><em></em><br /><em></em><br /><em></em>Joshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644151026973894663.post-38957619555993553602009-07-22T11:49:00.000-04:002009-07-22T11:53:24.840-04:00Dear BurlingtonGreen...Dear <a href="http://www.burlingtongreen.org/">BurlingtonGreen</a>,<br /><br />My name is Josh and I have a confession to make. I think I'm a fraud. I'm not completely sure, but I probably shouldn't be allowed to volunteer for an environmental community group such as yourself. I'm pretty sure I don't have what it takes, and when I get down to really thinking about it, I'm not even sure I want to.<br /><br />Granted, when I first contemplated the whole “sustainability/environmentalism” movement a few years ago, I was fascinated – couldn't take my mind off it. Suddenly, everywhere I looked, I saw friends buying locally grown organic food, or boycotting certain clothing companies. Some <a href="http://cricketandgoat.blogspot.com/">people </a>even went vegetarian. I watched from a distance with rapt attention. In the face of what were certainly sweeping life changes, I was horrified and inexplicably intrigued rolled together into one mess of confusing emotion. I couldn't look away; my captivation was eerily similar to the feeling you get at the 'bats' exhibit at your local museum or while watching PlanetEarth footage of a killer whale hunting seals.<br /><br />The more I thought about it, though, the more impressed I became. My friends' devotion to 'living green' was both inspiring and contagious. I decided to give it a shot. My wife and I started buying from a local organic market, began to aggressively recycle, evangelize our other 'unbelieving' friends, and in a moment of heady fervour, I somehow concluded that I should try vegetarianism. That's where the downhill slide began.<br /><br />I'm just going to be blunt about what happened next. I took on way too much way too soon. I hated not eating meat, and contemplating the onset of the summer barbecue season with the knowledge I could not participate ferociously eroded my resolve. Next, I started to hate not being allowed to buy coffee from Starbucks. I resented not being allowed to buy clothes that I liked because of where they came from. I hated having to pay almost double the price for locally grown food. I hated being 'green' because to me, being green meant depriving myself of stuff I liked – or paying hand over fist for its 'green' equivalent.<br /><br />I'm acknowledge that this isn't exactly something you brag about, but today now that the smoke's cleared, I've only got a fraction of the motivation that I once had. That's my confession. I've lost my edge.<br /><br />I wish I didn't struggle like this, I wish I the fortitude to stick with the 'sustainable' lifestyle. I wish I was doing my part. Instead, here I am, back at what feels like square one.<br /><br />I'm sorry, BurlingtonGreen, but I can only take on one small lifechange at a time. Past experience dictates that I re-learn what it means to live an environmentally responsible life. I'm back in the proverbial saddle, it's true, but it's one baby step at a time for me. I'll probably never become an 'environmental warrior-machine' but please know I truly want to do my part to leave a better world for my kids. Just be patient with me.<br /><br />Oh, and thanks. Thanks for walking me through this.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Josh GordonJoshua Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12682712482565565465noreply@blogger.com5