Emma Brooks | Digital Media Enthusiast

If you’re behind the game, here’s a link explaining The Great Write Off of 2009. You can find links and discussion to all posts by checking out the Twitter trending topic, #WriteOff09.

For Day 12, Dan wrote about his experiences with CityChase, an Amazing Race-type of event with various challenges around the city of Toronto. Contestants are allowed to run, walk, or take public transit, but no wheels or private transit are allowed.

Dan writes about his experiences:

It strongly exceeded anything I had ever thought of the event, and we bettered what our personal goal was, it being our first CityChase and all. I think it also helped us bond a little more; perhaps for better or worse. Figured I’d share what our personal experience was and how the day unfolded.

It sounds like a really great event to take part in. Dan goes on to expalin the ten challenges he had to participate with his teammate Jason. Thanks for explaining what you had to do – not sure I’d really chug a glass of water with 4 crickets in it but then again, my sense of competition is pretty strong so who knows. Maybe I’ll sign up for the next event – I’d definitely be up for the challenge just to see how I do.

Great way to spend a Saturday! Thanks for sharing, Dan.

If you’re behind the game, here’s a link explaining The Great Write Off of 2009. You can find links and discussion to all posts by checking out the Twitter trending topic, #WriteOff09.

Heck yes, cheap video cop-out!

That’s right, I did a Friday Five type of video where I tell you 5 things you may or may not know about me. Seriously, at any point you just want to go ahead and contact me to tell me just how stunningly original and brilliant I am, I am sitting here and waiting to hear from you!

This weekend I’ll be in Montreal visiting a good friend, oui oui oui! I may be posting from there on Sunday. Have a great weekend everyone and stay “cool and hip” like “The Hut”.

If you’re behind the game, here’s a link explaining The Great Write Off of 2009. You can find links and discussion to all posts by checking out the Twitter trending topic, #WriteOff09.

For Day 10 of the Great Write Off of 2009, Dan of DanHocking.com writes about how social media aggregated uninformed opinions really well. He says:

Creating this strong movement of uninformed opinions and groupthink really leads to some interesting interactions. It also acts to turn me off of social media. I’m not really interested to listen to the same message over and over again; let alone the same incorrect message.

OK. Sure, I suppose that social media does push these kinds of uninformed opinions on you, whether you want it or not thanks to Twitter or your Facebook news feed. Before the push of social media to you, one could avoid this kind of ignorance by simply avoiding certain spaces online. However, I wouldn’t say that social media is really to blame for pushing this in your face. Wander down to the nearest watering hole, and if you get enough (sorry, stereotyping) guys, in their 20s or 30s, who have been drinking for a while, soon enough you can find the exact same thing being yelled at the top of these guy’s lungs. Stupidity and a feeling of having a right to any opinion – right or wrong – is hard to avoid, sadly.

However, I like the points brought up by Dan and think that it is true – social media has this really great (and awful) way of repeating incorrect information at lightning speed. Think of all the rumours that fly around when any kind of accident or tragedy occurs. The social media-sphere is more concerned with getting the information right now but not the right information now.

I remember a case study on the Toronto Propane Explosion that happened last year. It concluded that while Twitter, Facebook and blogs had information on the incident over two hours before any reliable news site had a mention of it, at the end of the day, the news sites were by far more accurate in the information they reported. This is one of social media’s great failings.

Great blog post, Dan and some great discussion happening in the comments! Everyone should head on over and check it out.

If you’re behind the game, here’s a link explaining The Great Write Off of 2009. You can find links and discussion to all posts by checking out the Twitter trending topic, #WriteOff09.

For Day 9 of our Blog Off, Dan writes about the art of a casual drink for his new weekly How-To Series. He says:

As we progress from our irresponsible late-teens and early-twenties, the role that drinking plays in our lives undergoes a significant change. This is partially out of necessity, as our bodies can’t handle the debauchery as much as they used to, especially in combination with the stressors of a full-time job. [...] As I’ve watched friends and peers struggle with making the move back to drinking casually, and subsequently show up to work bleary-eyed and hungover, I figured that I’d share a few tips that have helped me really get past the “drinking to get drunk” phase of my life.

He goes on to explain the various ways one can ensure to keep a “casual drink” a “casual drink”, by using various tactics. These tactics can include trying out a new drink to try, gauging the situation properly, picking the appropriate venue, ensuring you have a time limit and many more tips.

This is a great post. It’s well-written, nicely thought out and definitely applicable to my friends and I. In fact, it reminds me of last Friday, where I asked a friend of mine if he wanted to meet up for a drink. ONE drink, I specified, as we both had places to be and people to meet. He agreed, on the condition that we were only going to each have ONE drink.

I think we left the pub about 3 hours after we met up, having definitely consumed more than one. Sometimes it just slips away from you, especially on those balmy Friday nights on a patio!

I think next time I’ll try to remember these tips and ensure that that “one drink” stays as “one drink”. Thanks Dan!

The Great Write Off of 2009 information can be found here. Twitter trending topic is #writeoff09.

This morning, I thought this was one of the more clever ideas I’ve ever had. This was, of course, at 8am, after a long week and bad sleep last night. Dan’s comments yesterday about how water calms him got me thinking to the best song ever made, namely I’m On a Boat – The Lonely Island. I would say it’s definitely become the theme song here at the apartment.

So without further ado, I present to you: Dan Hocking on a boat.

Oh I know how great it is. No need to thank me for being alive. I’m just trying to do the best I can, just like everyone else. Really, I’m No Big Deal. Just a regular girl who happens to be a million times more hilarious than everyone else. An Oscar? For a picture? Why, you shouldn’t have!

…I think it’s time a took a nap, don’t you? (Thought so.) And just to clarify, this picture took me hells of a lot longer than any blog post. Me and my photoshop skillz, we’re totally BFF now.