Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Many secrets of art and nature are thought by the unlearned to be magical."
— Sir Francis Bacon

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
— Pablo Picasso

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

More important than learning how to recall things is finding ways to forget things that are cluttering the mind."
— Attributed to both James Waddell Alexander, II and Eric Butterworth on various web sites.

I can't ascertain who actually said this but it rings true nonetheless. We could all use to forget hate, jealousy, envy and negativity in general.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
— Mark Twain

Apple Picking in Canada

Written by Choleena DiTullio of Demand Studios for publication on eHow.com. The published article at eHow.com.

Canada is “ripe” with apple-picking opportunities! Depending on the variety of apple, weather and location, apples are ready between August and October. U-pick or Pick-Your-Own (PYO) apple orchards can be found in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Picking Tips
The color of the ripe fruit depends on the variety, so ask staff for picking tips on the varieties that they grow. It’s usually best to pick apples that are firm and free of bruising. If it's early in the season, pick from the outlying branches, since they ripen first. As the season progresses, pick from inner branches. Try not to sharply pull the apples from the tree, because this could cause other apples on the same branch to fall. Instead, lift the apple upward and give a sharp twist. Place them gently in your basket so that they don’t bruise. Although many U-picks supply ladders in the orchard, if you're taking children on your outing, consider selecting a U-pick that has dwarf trees with easily-reached branches. Bring sunscreen and hats if it’s sunny.

Storage Tips
These tips will help the apples keep fresh longer. Don’t wash the apples until you’re ready to use them. Keep them in a cool but not freezing location such as your basement or cellar. A slightly humid atmosphere will help keep them from shriveling or drying out. According to Outdoors.ca and PickYourOwn.org, apples should not be stored directly beside potatoes. Potatoes release a gas that speeds up apple spoilage.

Apple Dishes
Apples are versatile in cooking. They are a main ingredient in many types of food across many cultures. Common apple foods and beverages: cider; juice; fritters; cake; vinegar; candied; dried; wine; schnapps; butter; pie; flan; jelly; sauce; cheesecake, crisp; strudel; dumpling; and crumble. Apple is a minor ingredient in many dishes such as creamy coleslaw, pancakes, muffins and stuffing. According to Scientific American, apples quickly oxidize (react to oxygen in the air) and turn brown when bruised or cut. Prepare apples last or toss them with a small amount of lemon or pineapple juice to counteract the oxidation process.

U-pick Farms
U-picks are not restricted to apples. Many farms have opened their fields to the public so that customers have access to many kinds of fruit and vegetables. If you’re specifically looking for apples, make sure that’s what the U-pick is offering. PickYourOwn.org is run by a U-pick lover who has put together a fairly extensive listing of U-picks in Canada.

Other Activities at U-Picks
U-pick farms and orchards often offer related foods, services and activities to provide a complete package or day adventure to locals and tourists. Some features might be horse and wagon rides, mazes and themed meals. Pre-picked fruit and vegetables are often available, and a retail shop may offer foods made with produce from the farm. Some farms even maintain a winery and offer liquor sales and tastings. An example of an orchard that offers extensive products and experiences is Belliveau Orchard in Memramcook, New Brunswick, Canada.

References
PickYourOwn.org: Apple Picking Tips
Outdoors.ca: Apple Picking in Canada
ScientificAmerican.com: Why do apple slices turn brown after being cut?
PickYourOwn.org: U-pick farms in Canada
AllAboutApples.com: Orchard Listing

Resources
CanadianLiving.org: Apple Recipes
Belliveau Orchard: Welcome

My kind of art — it's all recycled!

"40 terrific works of art made from common trash" compiled at noupe.com

The Difference Between a Loft and a Studio Apartment

Written by Choleena DiTullio of Demand Studios for publication on eHow.com. The published article at eHow.com.

The differences between a loft apartment and a studio apartment are size and type of living space. Loft apartments are large living spaces either situated in a loft area (the space just below the roof) of a building or the apartment contains a room that overlooks the main living space. A studio apartment is small with just one or two rooms often containing a combined living/sleeping area. It contains no raised or second-story (loft) room.

Similarities
Both have a self-contained living setup including kitchen, bathroom, living and sleeping space even though some spaces may be combined. They are open-concept with few dividing walls. As apartments, both are rented.

Origin
Loft apartments were most often converted upper-story levels of commercial buildings; a way to reclaim abandoned manufacturing and industrial buildings. Because of their popularity and generally higher rental income potential, today's architects design loft-like apartments into new buildings.

Architectural Features
Because of the origin of loft apartments, they often are large, open spaces with large windows and high ceilings. Since the ceilings are very high, a raised sleeping area (or loft) can be built into the same space, gaining extra floor space. This room overlooks the rest of the living area and can often be reached by steep stairs or a ladder.

Loft Apartment versus Loft (or Loft Area)
As opposed to a loft apartment, a loft area is a space created above a living space that has very high ceilings. It is reached by a staircase or ladder, and is used for sleeping or storage purposes. It does not have to be in the top floor of a building or have the architectural features such as large windows of a traditional loft apartment. Any living space—apartment, house or condo—can have a loft in it.

Etymology
Loft: Middle English, from Old English, air, sky, from Old Norse lopt; akin to Old High German luft air. Date: 13th century. An upper room or floor; a gallery in a church or hall; one of the upper floors of a warehouse or business building especially when not partitioned.

References
Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Loft
Vertex Realty: Building and Apartment Definitions
Metro Apartments: FAQ

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Feel good. Feel terrific. And chase that feeling for the rest of your life. You can recapture it every time you do the right thing."
— Peter Mansbridge, Host of CBC's The National and 8th Chancellor of Mount Allison University

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

I'd rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are; because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star. I'd rather be a has-been than a might-have-been, by far; for a might have-been has never been, but a has was once an are."
— Milton Berle

Pac-Man is 30 years old

That means that *I'm* getting old, too.

Globe & Mail's Google doodle celebrates Pac-Man anniversary

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts."
— William Shakespeare

Difference Between Pelagic & Demersal Fishing

Written by Choleena DiTullio of Demand Studios for publication on eHow.com. The published article at eHow.com.

Pelagic fishing is the collection of fish or seafood at or near the surface of the ocean. Demersal fishing is the collection of fish or seafood on or near the seabed in open ocean. While the biggest difference is the location within the ocean, the fishing practices and seafood types vary as well.

Oceanological Zones
The pelagic zone of the ocean measures from the surface to 36,000 feet (11,000 meters) in depth. The demersal zone is simply on or near the seabed of the ocean. The depth differs depending on the depth of the ocean.

Catches
Some of the most common pelagic fish catches are mackerel, herring, sprats. Some of the most common demersal fish catches are cod, haddock, whiting and flatfish. Shellfish species include, shrimp, scallop, lobster and crab.

Demersal Trawling
Bottom trawling is the practice of dragging a large funnel-shaped net across the seabed. Weights in the net ensure contact with the sea bottom. As the net is all-encompassing, it captures all aquatic life, not just food species. A single trawler may rake more than 6.25 square miles (10 square kilometers) of seabed daily.

Pelagic Trawling
Large-scale commercial and industrial pelagic trawling, such as purse seining, captures schooling fish. The dense concentration of fish is surrounded by a deep curtain of netting supported by floats at the surface. The curtain is then pursed or gathered together at the bottom to fully enclose the school. The seins measure 100 to 200 feet (30 to 60 meters) in length.

Effects
Large-scale demersal fishing, such as bottom trawling, has been responsible for the destruction of some seabeds. The habitat is overturned and sediment billows, causing water quality to significantly decrease for species that rely on that habitat for living or as a food source.

Large-scale pelagic trawling has been implicated in the overfishing and significant depletion of some stocks, such as codfish. For example, in 1992 the Canadian government declared a moratorium on cod fishing as a result of overfishing. Reduced stock not only means fewer fish for human consumption but also fewer fish to feed the food chain, thereby possibly affecting other stock.

References
Encyclopedia Brittanica: Pelagic Zone
ProFortis International Limited: Sea Bed Fishing (Demersal)
Fisheries Research Services: Description of Commercial Gears
Canadian Geographic: Atlantic Cod

Artist Success Story

I'm pleased to announce that my good friend and talented artist, Dar Teahen, has earned the attention of the McCain Art Gallery. Please join her for the solo exhibit of "Rejuvenation".

Opening reception:
The Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery
8 McCain Street, Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick
7 pm, Thursday, May 27th

Exhibition run:
May 27 to June 25th

Darlene Teahen’s large-scale oil paintings celebrate the minute details of growth and life. In Rejuvenation, tiny organic subjects like seeds are painted as grand, natural wonders.

Google buys Toronto touch-screen company

Google buys Toronto touch-screen company - thestar.com

Anand Agarawala does an amusing demo of BumpTop at the 2007 TED Talks in under 5 minutes.

Marketing Monday

Necessity the Mother of Invention
The late inventor of the ATM, John Shepherd-Barron, was locked out of his bank one day and couldn't withdraw money from his account. It struck him that there ought to be a way to get money from your account at any time and decided that a chocolate bar vending machine was the perfect model for a money dispenser. The first Automatic Teller Machine was installed in a small bank branch in a little north London suburb on June 27, 1967. 40 years later, they're found in almost every convenience store or restaurant the world over.

Associated Press via The Toronto Star

Marketing Monday is a column devoted to innovation in the world of commerce. It celebrates companies, products, packaging and campaigns that swim against the current or find creative ways to stand out. Got a suggestion for the column? Send me a comment.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Brand is about experiences, not a list of facts and figures. Trigger emotion and we guarantee the facts and figures will be found."
— Image Design

Example of a Chief Marketing Officer Job Description

Written by Choleena DiTullio of Demand Studios for publication on eHow.com. The published article at eHow.com.

The chief marketing officer has responsibility for all areas of marketing, including sales, customer experience, public policy, media relations, promotion, web and electronic services and the corporate programs of a company or foundation.

Overview
The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is the senior executive of a company’s marketing department. He leads the teams that recommend and execute the company’s marketing activities to achieve the financial and strategic objectives of the marketing plan. She manages marketing budgets, sets up business processes and tracks return on investment; reporting on all marketing activities to the suite of chief officers. The CMO is both a thought leader and a tactical implementer.

Key Responsibilities
Reporting directly to the Vice President of Business Operations; the Chief Marketing Officer leads marketing operations, sales operations, product management, partnership marketing, customer service and customer retention. As part of the marketing operations, he takes care of the company's media and industry relations, advertising, interactive programs, communications as well as market and customer research. Advertising responsibilities include overseeing trade show exhibiting, printed promotions and electronic promotions such as web sites and social media. He must ensure that the company's branding comes across in all media.

Experience
The CMO should have 10 or more years of senior leadership experience in marketing and sales management with a thorough knowledge of marketing principles, product or service management, sales and business development, along with a demonstrated track record of success and performance. This senior leadership position requires the ability to understand changing market dynamics, translating them into actionable strategy and implementing the strategy to achieve pre-set objectives as determined by the marketing plan. She should have experience in managing budgets effectively across multiple departments, financial reporting, setting up effective metrics and business processes. Knowledge and experience in the company's industry may be required or preferred.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities
The chief marketing officer drives day-to-day execution and improvement of the company's marketing plan; oversees market research and analysis of the competition; oversees the management and research teams on product development; oversees and directs customer service and customer service monitoring processes to ensure client retention and to ensure that customer feedback informs the development process of the product (or service); and researches and creates product ideas and areas for business growth. This position also manages the development of a web site that serves customer, staff and partner needs; handles public relations and corporate communications designed to deliver a brand-consistent message; develops new and enhances existing business relationships and heightens awareness of the company; and provides leadership in the design and production of all aspects of visual marketing needs.

Intangible Personal Qualities
The chief marketing officer is expected to build and maintain a high performance culture through standardized or personalized, effective performance management methods; is an excellent project manager; has impeccable communication and presentation skills; can balance product/service strategy and execution of a marketing plan to deliver both well and has a solid understanding of the value of industry experts and how to work with them to the company's benefit. A CMO is an excellent change agent, using a style of management that mentors/coaches staff to inspire their best performance. She also builds a personal rapport with all stakeholders, including the team of chief officers, personnel and suppliers; has superior strategic planning and organizational skills with a hands-on execution style; and is able to align and integrate the department's goals with the other chief officers' goals so that partnership drives growth.

References
ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership: Job Descriptions, Marketing
Metropolitan Regional Information Systems: Chief Marketing Officer
jobfox: Go Grid CMO

Resources
Bloomsberg Businessweek: The Short Life of a CMO
CMO Council
Forbes.com: CMO Turnover Dilemma

The meaning of 42

Consider the significance of the number 42:

4+2 = 6
Your 6th decade is usually when you retire. You can finally sleep, shower and eat at any hour, pick up a hobby, or walk around naked 24-7 because you don't have to leave your house if you don't want to. And, if you do leave your house naked, people take your age into consideration and easily forgive the error.

4x2 = 8
In your 8th decade you realize that walking around naked isn't a good idea but you can't remember why.

But what IS 42?
Well, it's nowhere near your 6th or 8th decade so celebrate! Happy Birthday, you! You've still got lots of time to find the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything. So, go have a glass of wine, relax and watch The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe.

Don't panic. Just know where your towel is. Share and enjoy your day.

(sorry, couldn't help myself)

;-))

Incredible Quote From the Kids

The other day, the kids were upstairs getting ready for KungFu class when I hear my niece's voice yell down "Mommy, where is my super suit?!" I was nearly on the floor laughing. I replied, "whyyy do you need to know?" We went through that whole scene of The Incredibles. Love it!

Super(man) song!

"Who Said (I can't be Superman)" by Hannah Montana.
While Hannah Montana is more for the younger generation, I think this song is super, man! It's empowering for any generation.