Chad Nuttall.com Blog

Petition: Stolen bikes to those in need

2008-08-13T20:59:00.006-04:00

Hey all,

So a number of members of the media/new media responded to my challenge. I haven't had a chance to mine through all the Google Alerts in my inbox. But certainly my hits have gone up considerably - so thank you to all that have written anything on this idea. Special thanks to Raymi for being my top traffic source.

For those of us just joining us - we are trying to keep the 2500 (or so) bicycles that Toronto Police recovered from Igor Kenk off the auction block ... and straight to the folks that need them most. Hopefully to those that can't afford a bike (even at auction) and who would benefit from having a bicycle to ride to work or school.

My friend K. Sawyer Paul of Soundloading came up with a great idea for a Petition when we met briefly Monday and shot the following PSA.

So please take a second to watch the short PSA and sign the Petition. If you could spread the word that would be great.

In an effort to make things as easy as possible I've drafted a quick message that you can cut, paste and e-mail to your friends and cyclist allies.

Dear [friend],

I thought you might be interested in this.
http://chadnuttall.com/2008/08/petition-stolen-bikes-to-those-in-need.html

This dude Chad is trying to get the bikes that Toronto Police recovered from Igor Kenk to those in need. Many people can't afford to buy a bike - but would benefit from owning one to get to work or school. It would be great if you could swing by http://www.chadnuttall.com and view his short video PSA and sign the petition.

Petition link: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/667303138

Thanks!

[your name]

Thanks again for reading - and thanks for the supportive e-mails. Please sign the petition.

[Click here to sign the petition]

C

Get Stolen Bikes to Those Who are in Need

2008-08-08T17:18:00.008-04:00

I sent the following e-mail to Dylan Reid @ Spacing on July 31st re: Igor Kenk's stolen bikes.

Dylan,

I've been trying to work through an idea in my head for a while ...
getting bikes into the hands of those who need them most. After last
weeks announcement of Toronto Police finding all those stolen bikes
... I think I may have thought of a starting point. What if we just
gave the bikes away? Conventional practice is for Police to auction
the bikes as "proceeds of crime" but I think 2000 more bikes on the
road could be good for the city and it citizens.

I'm aware of a British initiative in which a small town in the
midlands gave all residence in their public housing complexes
bicycles. Obviously Toronto has more than 2000 people living in
subsidizing housing - but perhaps an offer to those folks first would
work. I'm wondering what your thoughts are on the idea ... you have a
lot more experience and far more ties to the cycling advocacy
community.

Thanks,

C

Dylan suggested I connect with Yvonne Bambrick, Assistant Coordinator at the Toronto Cyclists Union. Yvonne seemed very positive ... she had actually already started to connect with some folks about just such an idea. She forwarded me e-mail to Rick Conroy, Coordinator of the Toronto Cyclists Union.

I was starting to get excited. Perhaps we really could get these bikes into the hands of some folks that needed them most. Certainly my hope was to keep the bike's downtown.

Unfortunately Rick got the following message from Mark Pugash at the Toronto Police Service.

Date: Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 3:51 PM

Rick

We have also received messages like the one below. Unfortunately our legal
advice says the Police Services Act precludes us from doing that.

Mark Pugash
Director of Public Information
Toronto Police Service
416 808 7088
mark.pugash@torontopolice.on.ca

Mark played the legal trump card. It's always so hard to negotiate with legal advice. After reading the message I thought ... is this it? a dead end?

Matt Blackett also of Spacing thought maybe we could set it up so that only 1 charity showed up at the auction. He suggested the United Way. Who would bid against the United Way?

I'm wondering if this idea can get some traction in the media and the community we may be able to influence what ultimately happens to these bikes. I would love to see these bikes not go to auction, stay downtown and get into the hands of those who could use them to ride to work and school.

So now my challenge is to the media - I've sent e-mail to folks at the Toronto Star, Sun, Globe&Mail and the National Post as well as some Toronto Blogs. I've handed you a story - provided you with key informants ... it would be wonderful if this idea could make it into the media and into public opinion.

A special thanks to the names I mentioned above for already being so helpful!
Thanks for reading!

C
(fingers crossed)

Update: Toronto Mike has responded with "Give the Igor Kenk Bikes Away"
Thanks Mike!

Update August 9: Dylan Reid from Spacing just wrote a new piece on the idea "What should be done with Igor's bikes?"

C

I do mostly hand and voice work

2008-08-06T14:00:00.003-04:00

I appeared in a friends youtube sketch below. The other set of hands is K Sawyer Paul of Soundloading. Enjoy watching this video on your iphone.

Get Smart with Smart Playlists

2008-07-30T17:43:00.003-04:00

Happy National Cheese Cake Day blog readers!

Today I'd like to talk about iTunes Smart Playlists. I'm always surprised how few people use Smart Playlists in iTunes.

Before I discovered Smart Playlists I would constantly use the "Shuffle Music" feature ... Constantly disappointed I would be forever skipping to the next track.

One day I discovered the "Recently Added" Playlist that iTunes provides by default. That was cool for like 2 tracks ... Then it started playing episodes of my recently downloaded podcasts.

By Right clicking on the "Recently Added" Playlist I realized that iTunes was generating this playlist based on a set of filters.

So I started making my own. I now have a number of Smart Playlists that are my go-to.

One of my favourites I called my "Hot 10." This smart playlist is the Top 10 tracks I've played the most in the last week.

I also really enjoy my "Yesterday" Smart Playlist. I'm often purchasing new music and normally don't want to hear all my old tracks.

However when I do get in the mood for a blast from the past I have a "High School" Smart Playlist for all songs released while I was in High School.

I also have a "University" Smart Playlist and a "Since University" to divide my musical tastes by easy markers.

My newest Smart Playlist is "Needs Some Love" which is within the music I've added in the last 2 months the tracks that I've played only once or twice.

I have about 30 now including:

Hot 10 (not this week)
Old 10
Played this Week
Not Played Last Week
Top 40

I have a number of tracks in a Playlist called Sleep which (when necessary) help me fall asleep. I have all my Smart Playlists exclude this Playlist ... so I don't end up with white noise on my trip to the gym.

You have any fancy Smart Playlists?

C

(note: I don't even really like cheese cake ... I'm on a mostly-dairy-free diet).

Books White People Like

2008-07-02T12:02:00.007-04:00

One of my favourite blogs is "Stuff White People Like". Christian Lander (a Toronto native I believe) has just released a book version of the famed blog.

I think I'm going to pick it up.

Books to Blogs seems to be new trend. Lifehacker released Upgrade Your Life: The Lifehacker Guide to Working Smarter, Faster, Better in February.

C

Top 5 Ways to Leave Early on Friday

2008-06-23T23:28:00.006-04:00

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During my vacation I read a cool book called The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich. I highly recommend. There are some fairly drastic things in this book. However I have developed a few strategies to ease myself into the 4-Hour Work Week. The author would be opposed to some of my strategies ... but it's baby steps.

Top 5 ways to Leave Early on Friday:

5. Cut out Personal E-mails at Work. With the exception of a few e-mails exchanged with my partner, I have cut personal e-mail in the office. The first step toward this was removing the Gmail widget from my iGoogle homepage. Remove the temptation.

4. Cut out Google Reader at Work. Google Reader is cool. Information is great. However it's a time suck. Before Google reader I would visit news sites periodically throughout the day - this is the same thing. Distractions are a time suck. I'm trying my best to restrict Google Reader use to home and lunch break. Again ... I've removed my Google Reader widget from my iGoogle homepage.

3. Go Home! Many work/life balance writers urge you to make plans in the evening. I totally agree - but this week I set a "Go Home!" reminder in my blackberry whether I had evening plans or not. On Friday at 12:30pm my blackberry said "Go Home!" and I did! It felt amazing.

2. Batch E-mail. I tried this once before after reading Never Check E-Mail In the Morning: And Other Unexpected Strategies for Making Your Work Life Work. But this time it's working. I've scheduled 2 times daily to check e-mail. This requires discipline - don't be sucked in every couple of minutes all day!

1. 1 Hour of AM Task Time. This is another tip from Never Check E-mail in the morning. I've scheduled 1 hour of task time first thing in the morning. During this time I bang out a task I determined the day before. Choosing only one task makes you hyper-prioritize. Earn your salary before 10am!

All I can speak about lately is 4-Hour Work Week. So I'd be very interested in hearing from all of you! Thanks for reading - I'll let you know how it goes.

C

Firefox 3 Downloaded, Installed and Quickly Un-installed.

2008-06-18T00:05:00.008-04:00

Although I consider myself an early adopter, sometimes the old adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" is often true.

Today was the much hyped (and possibly world record setting) launch of Mozilla's Firefox 3. I bought the hype. I pledged that I would download during their download day. After work I downloaded and installed Firefox 3 on my home desktop machine.

I knew that Google Browser Sync was not compatible (discontinued actually) in FF3.0 but decided to try it anyway. What was I thinking!? Google Browser Sync is THE reason I switched from IE to Firefox. More than syncing bookmarks across multiple machines - Google Browser Sync also syncs history, cookies and open windows. I immediately regretted my decision to upgrade.

Missing my favourite add-on overshadowed any new features or improvements. I wanted to un-install Firefox 3 and reinstall Firefox 2. I couldn't find any site featuring an easy download of v2. I was starting to panic. Luckily I'm a pack rat with my "My Downloads" folder and I am posting Firefox 2.0.0.12 below. Everything seems right in the world and I'm back to FF2 with Google Browser Sync.

Now will someone please replicate Google Browser Sync's features in a Firefox 3.0 compatible extension. Thanks.

Quick Downloads for this post:
- Download Firefox 2.0.0.12
- Download Google Browser Sync
- Mozilla's Firefox Release Archive

Naming Rights: Downtown, Urban and For Sale?

2008-05-10T21:08:00.004-04:00

Ryerson University announced the much rumoured purchase of Sam the record Man property (picturee above) on Yonge Street in downtown Toronto. The old Sam's location will be the new Student Learning Centre (artist concept right).

I'm writing in speculation. How long before rumours of corporate naming rights on the auction block? I just felt you shudder ... you are thinking about Wal-Mart U already. There are examples of U.S. institutions selling naming rights to corporations - particularly stadiums at institutions that no-doubt pack their stadiums. I heard rumours that there is legislation restricting corporate naming of public buildings in Ontario. I have been unable to verify this.

A downtown, urban university like Ryerson has no stadium (yet). However it is positioned at the centre of Toronto. Ryerson's Business school is on Bay Street (see Wall St), the campus is a block from Yonge & Dundas Square (see Times Square) and around the corner to one of the largest malls in Canada the Eaton Centre. Should naming rights be worth more in a neighbourhood like this?

Ryerson University has fairly recent experience with high profile naming rights with the Rogers Communications Centre (pictured bottom) and the Ted Rogers School of Management (picture above). Both were named after Rogers' family members rather than the coroporate trademark - apprently to skirt the legislation.

So the new Learning Centre? The Thomson Learning Centre? The Weston Learning Centre? The Eaton Learning Centre? Oooo ... the Trump Learning Centre? We will see.

Related Blog Posts:
For Sale: Lindenwood U Naming Rights
Everton Searches for Sponsor to Acquire Naming Rights to New Stadium
Gift to School Forces Debate Over Naming Rights Sales
Metro Naming Rights in Dubai

It's Job Posting Season

2008-05-03T21:55:00.005-04:00

In Housing ... more specifically Residence Life there is a particular season when most institutions advertise job postings. You can count on it ... actually I did. I was a December '04 graduate and worked a food service job and played lots of gigs in my old band until "the first round" of Residence Life postings in April.

For someone new attempting to enter the field there are few things you should know about finding a Housing / Residence Life job in Ontario.

1) the community is quite small, everyone knows everyone. Fail to use your contacts - fail to get a job.
2) Many of the April postings will be snapped up by candidates already in professional positions at other Universities
3) Once they settle at a new University - their old position will be posted. The "second round" usually happens a little later in the summer
4) It's not a rule - but generally competition is more intense for positions closer to Toronto. (For the brave and adventurous check out the St FX posting below.)
5) I am using absolutely no statistics in this Top 5. Simply the anecdotal observations of my colleagues and I.

April seems to be very heavy month for postings. Below I have captured a fair number of live postings. These links will likely only be valid for a short time. Some institutions have already posted while others will likely post closer to the OACUHO Spring Conference.

In order by distance from Toronto (Yonge & Dundas Square):

McMaster University
Distance to Toronto: 69.6 km - about 52 mins
Manager, Training and Development, Residence Life

University of Guelph
Distance to Toronto: 91.6 km - about 1 hour 9 mins

Residence Life Manager

Residence Programme Coordinator

Wilfrid Laurier University
Distance to Toronto: 114 km - about 1 hour 21 mins

Residence Life Area Coordinator

Waterloo University
Distance to Toronto: 115 km - about 1 hour 23 mins

Residence Life Coordinator

Marketing Assistant - Housing and Residences

Brock University
Distance to Toronto: 117 km - about 1 hour 23 mins

Residence Life Coordinator

University of Western Ontario
Distance to Toronto: 196 km - about 2 hours 18 mins

recently closed.

Queen's University
Distance to Toronto: 265 km - about 2 hours 53 mins

Residence Life Coordinator

Saint Francis Xavier University
Distance to Toronto: 1,809 km - about 18 hours 13 mins

Residence Life Coordinator

Please add your comments! For those searching for jobs - good luck!

Top 10 Summer Songs

2008-04-27T19:50:00.017-04:00

It is almost summer. How do I know? I know because for the last week people have been "studying in quad" in bikinis, the lobby is full of carts and people are moving out.

So what does this mean? Means we need to compile a Top 10 list of summer songs. Below I (with the help of my friends) have compiled a big old list of summer songs.

I was planning on using a voting/survey tool to narrow it down to 10. However most of the prepackaged voting tools max out before 25 entries - and even fewer allow multiple voting.

Top Summer Songs:
4 Seasons: Summer by Vivaldi
California by Wave
California by Phantom Planet
Cruel Summer by Ace of Base
Cruel Summer by Bananarama
Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding
California Girl by Tristan Prettyman
Here for a Good Time by Trooper
Heat of the Moment by Asia
Holiday by Madonna
In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry
Kokomo by Beach Boys
Mexico by James Taylor
School is out for Summer by Alice Cooper
Steal my Sunshine by LEN
Summer Day by Cocunut Records
Summer Girls by LFO
Summer Nights by Grease Soundtrack
Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams
Summertime by Will Smith
Summertime Summertime by The Jamies
Sun is Shining by Bob Marley vs Funkstar de Luxe
Surfin' USA by Beach Boys
Itsy bitsy teeny weenie polka dot bikini by Brain Hyland

Is your fav summer song in the list? If not add it to a comment.

Other Top 10 Songs Lists:
Top 10 entrepreneur song list
Top 10 Songs That Should Have Been In "Guitar Hero Rocks the 80s"
Are these the top 10 songs in movies?

UPDATE: Tue April 29th 11:19pm

Three new song suggestions from Higher Ed Marketing's Andrew Careaga (twitter). I can't believe I missed the first two - especially Summertime Blues. Such a great tune. Thanks Andrew!

Summer in the City by Lovin Spoonful
Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran
Holidays in the Sun by Sex Pistols

Re-Post: Welcome to the 2008-2009 Board of Directors

2008-04-23T00:07:00.005-04:00

I'm excited to post the following message that Sarah sent out to the OACUHO membership earlier tonight. Looks like I will be Communications Director for the OACUHO BOD next year!

Welcome to the 2008-2009 Board of Directors

Hello OACUHO Members!

It is my great pleasure to announce the Board of Directors for 2008-2009!

But before I do - there is one position left to be filled, that of
President Elect. Nominations will remain open for this position until
Thursday, May 8. Please consider this opportunity to get involved with
OACUHO, and serve your colleagues! It is a 2 year position, first as
President elect, then as President, supported by a dynamic group of
individuals! If you don't think it's for you, but you may know someone who
would be great at this position, please encourage them to throw their hat
in the ring! Remember, nominations close for this opportunity on May 8.

The following positions have been acclaimed for the 2008-2009 Board of
Directors: (A second email will be coming out shortly to fully introduce
the new Board of Directors to you! Stay tuned!)

Members at Large
- Lynn Charron, Nipissing University
- Adam Doyle, University of Toronto at Scarborough
- Tanya McCormick, University of Toronto

Professional Development Director
Kate Kinsella, Trent University

Finance Director
Jacqueline Mellish, Mohawk College

Corporate Membership Director
Jason MacIntyre, University of Toronto

Communications Director
Chad Nuttall, Ryerson University

The new position of Sage will be announced within the upcoming weeks.

Remember! Nominations for President Elect are due May 8.

See you all at "Service Excellence, OACUHO 2008" May 25-28 at the
University of Guelph!

Sarah Burley, BA Hon
Coordinator, Residence Life

===================
President-Elect, 2007-2008 President, 2008-2009
Ontario Association of College and University Housing Officers
www.oacuho.com

Annual Window Clean

2008-04-22T11:54:00.007-04:00

One of Ryerson residence cemented traditions is floor window painting. With 2 high rise residence buildings a painted exterior window is a great symbol of pride and also a manifestation of floor theme.

However the window paint is also a source of friction. Windows are painted in August by the Residence Advisors (RAs) which makes is very difficult to get off in April. This combined with exiting behaviour associated with a term position means we will no doubt have some un-cleaned windows after move-out.

The cleaning staff - charged with cleaning 3 entire buildings in about 5 days don't really have time to do extra tasks like scrape tempra paint off the window. As a Residence Life team we set tomorrow as our window cleaning deadline.

Before sending a reminder e-mail I did a quick google search and found 2 articles (below) that provide information for cleaning paint off windows. Scrape, scrape, scrape.

Links:
WikiHow: How to Clean Paint on Glass Windows
eHow: How to Remove Paint from Windows

My New Site - Launched!

2008-04-20T19:58:00.007-04:00

Spent a chunk of today putting together a new website. Messing around with the blogger integration, twitter updates and my shared Google Reader items.

Last week I put in my nomination for the Ontario Association of College and University Housing Offers (OACUHO) board of directors. I have some exciting ideas for the position of Communications Director.

Since I'm really hoping to concentrate on the OACUHO web site I didn't think it was right that I've had a "thanks for visiting" place holder on this site for 5+ years.

More content to come. Thanks for reading.

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2008-04-20T11:25:00.001-04:00

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2008-03-04T23:24:00.001-05:00