Category Archives: Lifestyle

Canada Post Mailing it In on Customer Strike Response

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By Jason Menard

One of the dangers of social media is that everyone suddenly becomes a spokesperson for your brand. This danger is intensified when something is increasing the social temperature of an organization – like the inflammatory nature of a strike.

Look no further than the build-up to a potential strike by Canada Post. This is an organization that already takes a fair beating on its social media networks, including Facebook, from disgruntled customers. And now, with the drums beats hearkening a potential strike on the 25th of this month, customers are looking for a place to vent their frustrations. Continue reading →

Fatherhood – The Unbirth of Cool

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By Jason Menard

All it took was one look at my daughter’s face Friday night to hammer home the final nail in the coffin that housed the last vestiges of one belief I held dear – that I was a cool dad.

Well, it was the look combined with the words, “Oh, please no dad. Please no!” Continue reading →

Immature Sports World Will Keep Closet Closed, Miss Out on Opportunity to Do Good

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By Jason Menard

Yesterday’s New York Times ran a story about Phoenix Suns’ president and chief executive Rick Welts, who recently decided to come out to the sporting world. What should be a “so what?” moment, unfortunately, won’t be. And, despite Welts’ bravery, true change won’t come about until an active player walks proudly out of the closet. Continue reading →

Apostrophe Argument Makes a Point About Importance of Punctuation

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By Jason Menard

Oh, the poor apostrophe. Such a simple sign; so misunderstood. So why is this seemingly insignificant punctuation speck so capable of causing such consternation?

Recently, The New York Times posted an article which used the title “H.M.O.’s Would Treat Medicaid Patients.” See anything wrong with that? Some do, some don’t – and that’s part of the issue. Their style guide dictates an apostrophe for pluralizing initialisms. Personally, I would not use the apostrophe, but there’s no hard-and-fast rule for it.

Day of Silence Reminds Us of Need to Speak Up

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By Jason Menard

As powerful as today’s National Day of Silence has the potential to be, to affect real change we need to use the other 364 day to speak up against name-calling, bullying, and harassment not just in schools, but everywhere.

The National Day of Silence is an event led by the U.S.-based Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network. It’s intent is to get students to take a vow of silence to bring attention to anti-lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered name-calling, bullying, and harassment. Continue reading →