Thanks to 'Fais' Chinese Take-Out' for this one:
"Good ideas will spring forth naturally from your mind in the coming week"
Fantastic ;)
I'm hoping this happens before my arteries clog from the gingerbeef and deep-fried chicken-balls. Heh heh heh.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Gadget wish list, please
Top gadget? Right now I've got my eye on a 'HeadPlay' (www.headplay.com). My plan is to again become James Bond on my PS/2 that sits idle for a large part of any given month ;) Late last year I finially finished off 'NightFire' after two years of on and off tuxedo clad coolness.
After that, I'm after a Garmin GPS so that myself and my wife can get into GeoCaching. There are tons here in Calgary as well as outlying communities so that'll get us out and about before winter shows up again. Last weekend we tried it but there was 18" of snow on the ground and that made things somewhat tricky.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Government Sanctioned Spam
So, I'm sat here, Sunday evening thinking about activities for next year and I've got banging around in my head that I'm going to do a spot of mail-merging.
Oh, but wait - isn't that the same as spamming? Uhh, no - that's advertising. Surely?
Let's compare. I'm sending out unsolicited information to people I don't know advertising my services. Can't tell whether I'm talking about sending a letter or an email, can you?
So how is it, I could get locked up for sending out a half-million unsolicited emails, but no-one thinks twice about prosecuting the thousands of spammers who dump unsolicited flyers into my postal mailbox year in, year out?
The difference? Well, obviously it comes down to money.
You pay to send mail. You pay 51cents here in Canada for a regular letter, and Canada Post must just be loving it that companies use it's door-to-door service to carry their spam. Millions of either addressed letters from banks you don't want to save with, or the even more irritating 'unaddressed' letter-mail where they'll merrily stuff any old companies crap directly to your door? How is that not spamming? And where is the 'unsubscribe me' information?
Seems to me that people who spam via email are doing nothing different, the difference being that the postal services of the world don't see a dime, and neither do the governments, and that must just drive them nuts. How dare they communicate with potential clients for free. How dare they make a profit on return rates that would get heads of traditional marketing departments fired!
How is it everyone cries out for spam-houses to be closed on the internet, but the very governments that are trying to kill email spam don't go after their recently and very profitably privatized mail services?
In this eco-conscious world, shouldn't we be prosecuting the Citi-Banks of the world who regularly send me applications for credit-cards I don't want and contain no less than 40g of fine paper that's been coated with lovely environment dissolving solvent inks? Oh no, wait - we can't do that, since that creates 'employment' and email spam doesn't.
Seems like a bit of a double-standard to me. Either it is fine to send someone stuff they don't want, or it isn't. It can't be acceptable to spam provided you pay through the nose for it - either via mail or fax, but that it's not groovy if it's for fractions of a cent as an email.
So postulte this. If each of those irritating emails you get advertising prescription meds was individually typed by someone, and they were being paid a fair wage with respect to their local economy - would we still be screaming out to have it stamped (ha ha - punn there!) out? No - probably not. We'd whine and complain, but probably not do anything because we know some effort went into it. When we know it's a machine mass emailing, then we get all hot and bothered.
Seems we've got it round the wrong way...
Love me,
Oh, but wait - isn't that the same as spamming? Uhh, no - that's advertising. Surely?
Let's compare. I'm sending out unsolicited information to people I don't know advertising my services. Can't tell whether I'm talking about sending a letter or an email, can you?
So how is it, I could get locked up for sending out a half-million unsolicited emails, but no-one thinks twice about prosecuting the thousands of spammers who dump unsolicited flyers into my postal mailbox year in, year out?
The difference? Well, obviously it comes down to money.
You pay to send mail. You pay 51cents here in Canada for a regular letter, and Canada Post must just be loving it that companies use it's door-to-door service to carry their spam. Millions of either addressed letters from banks you don't want to save with, or the even more irritating 'unaddressed' letter-mail where they'll merrily stuff any old companies crap directly to your door? How is that not spamming? And where is the 'unsubscribe me' information?
Seems to me that people who spam via email are doing nothing different, the difference being that the postal services of the world don't see a dime, and neither do the governments, and that must just drive them nuts. How dare they communicate with potential clients for free. How dare they make a profit on return rates that would get heads of traditional marketing departments fired!
How is it everyone cries out for spam-houses to be closed on the internet, but the very governments that are trying to kill email spam don't go after their recently and very profitably privatized mail services?
In this eco-conscious world, shouldn't we be prosecuting the Citi-Banks of the world who regularly send me applications for credit-cards I don't want and contain no less than 40g of fine paper that's been coated with lovely environment dissolving solvent inks? Oh no, wait - we can't do that, since that creates 'employment' and email spam doesn't.
Seems like a bit of a double-standard to me. Either it is fine to send someone stuff they don't want, or it isn't. It can't be acceptable to spam provided you pay through the nose for it - either via mail or fax, but that it's not groovy if it's for fractions of a cent as an email.
So postulte this. If each of those irritating emails you get advertising prescription meds was individually typed by someone, and they were being paid a fair wage with respect to their local economy - would we still be screaming out to have it stamped (ha ha - punn there!) out? No - probably not. We'd whine and complain, but probably not do anything because we know some effort went into it. When we know it's a machine mass emailing, then we get all hot and bothered.
Seems we've got it round the wrong way...
Love me,
Sunday, November 23, 2008
My Big New Task List
Hurrah! Christmas is almost here and I have crap loads on my mind - or at least, did.
Thank god for my bathroom mirror. Yup, you read that right. I've got two dry-erase pens on top of my bathroom cabinet and in true 'A Beautiful Mind' form I'm writing my notes and tasks on that.
It seems to work pretty well. It's the first thing I see in the morning, and just before I crawl into bed I can pour out all the thoughts that I've got banging around so I don't forget them.
Awesome. :)
Thank god for my bathroom mirror. Yup, you read that right. I've got two dry-erase pens on top of my bathroom cabinet and in true 'A Beautiful Mind' form I'm writing my notes and tasks on that.
It seems to work pretty well. It's the first thing I see in the morning, and just before I crawl into bed I can pour out all the thoughts that I've got banging around so I don't forget them.
Awesome. :)
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Congrats to Brent @ Good Under Pressure!
Congratulations to Brent Trevors of 'Good Under Pressure' (Pressure Washing and Graffiti Removal)!! He appeared on the front page (above the fold, no less!) of one of the Calgary Heralds supplements this week with regard to his involvement in Calgarys graffiti cleanup.
The connection here is that I've decalled three of Brents vehicles, of which I've managed to remember to take photos of zero.
Anyway - nicely done, Brent, and all the best :)
The connection here is that I've decalled three of Brents vehicles, of which I've managed to remember to take photos of zero.
Anyway - nicely done, Brent, and all the best :)
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
FPDI #1 On Google!
Thanks to a friend for spotting this, but if you run 'tension sheet' through Google, I come out top! How awesome is that!!!!
I also think I come out third or fourth for 'free decals' as well as 'unspeakably low' for just about everything else. But I'm not focusing on that.
Excellent...
I also think I come out third or fourth for 'free decals' as well as 'unspeakably low' for just about everything else. But I'm not focusing on that.
Excellent...
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Oooh, Cool!
FPDI is now ranked third for the search 'free decals'. Awesome!
Watch this space 'Fail' and 'Epic Fail' decals coming soon...
Watch this space 'Fail' and 'Epic Fail' decals coming soon...
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Easy Install Vehicle Projects Now Available
I've just added a page to the site that deals with a frequent request - that of custom lettering for vehicles. Lots of clients I've met would like some basic, no frills text for their car, van or pickup but don't know where to start.
So I've put together the idea of a 'vehicle kit' where you can one-stop-shop for lettering and get it shipped right to your door. Swing by the site for more of a looksie...
So I've put together the idea of a 'vehicle kit' where you can one-stop-shop for lettering and get it shipped right to your door. Swing by the site for more of a looksie...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
FPDI Summer of Banners
Summer has rolled into Calgary, bringing all manner of outdoor activities. If you're planning an outdoor event, my 'Summer of Banners' promotion will help you attract attention. Order any banner before the end of July and I'll take 10% off the total. Includes as always free shipping!
All banners are grommeted for attaching to poles or fences, weatherproof and always in glorious full colour. Get in touch...
All banners are grommeted for attaching to poles or fences, weatherproof and always in glorious full colour. Get in touch...
Friday, June 06, 2008
Just Got Illustrator CS3
Well, I say 'just' - I've had it now for about a week.
I've finally crumbled and bowed to the mainstream graphic arts world and put an Adobe product on my machine. Whoopee ;) Not that I intend to use it for design work, mind you. The only reason I've got it is so that I can take .ai files from clients and then convert them into something that Corel Draw X3 can handle.
Big shout out to 'The Fog Guy' (http://www.thefogguy.com/) who I'm working with again for the third time - helloooooooooooo Tyson - go forth and check out his Blog.
S'bout it, really - take care people...
I've finally crumbled and bowed to the mainstream graphic arts world and put an Adobe product on my machine. Whoopee ;) Not that I intend to use it for design work, mind you. The only reason I've got it is so that I can take .ai files from clients and then convert them into something that Corel Draw X3 can handle.
Big shout out to 'The Fog Guy' (http://www.thefogguy.com/) who I'm working with again for the third time - helloooooooooooo Tyson - go forth and check out his Blog.
S'bout it, really - take care people...
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Thanks To Tim @ CasioRepairs.com
Couple of months ago I was on holiday in Mexico and naturally my camera (Casio EX-Z750) decides to crap out mere hours before reaching the highlight of the week - Chichen Itza, merrily displaying the dreaded 'Lens Error' problem. Grrr!
'Repair Master Tim' at www.casiorepairs.com has worked his magic on it, and now it's all lovely and working again.
So, thanks to Tim for his efforts. Great turn-around time and saved me a whack of cash having to buy a lovely hermetically sealed Olympus unit ;) Thanks Tim!
'Repair Master Tim' at www.casiorepairs.com has worked his magic on it, and now it's all lovely and working again.
So, thanks to Tim for his efforts. Great turn-around time and saved me a whack of cash having to buy a lovely hermetically sealed Olympus unit ;) Thanks Tim!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Oodles of New Goodies Available
$12 decal sheets now available in the store. Right now I've just got some auto-manufacturer logos (Ford, Chevy, Dodge, GMC, Honda, Toyota, Acura etc) in there along with some miscellaneous stuff such as the 'Apple' logo, for sale decal, student driver decal, CND logo, some smileys etc.
At $12 per sheet which includes global shipping you really can't go wrong. Not that I'm biased or anything. :)
At $12 per sheet which includes global shipping you really can't go wrong. Not that I'm biased or anything. :)
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Open Call For Artist/Cartoonist
Hey,
I'm looking for someone to draw some cartoon-ish illustrations for me that I can use for decals.
Get in contact if you feel up to it...
I'm looking for someone to draw some cartoon-ish illustrations for me that I can use for decals.
Get in contact if you feel up to it...
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
WarGames is 25 Today!
Wohoo! WarGames celebrates 25 today (well, 3rd June actually) and American Classic Movies is showing it uninterrupted. Tonight, there will be popcorn - oh yes ;)
...and in other news non-bill paying client got in touch with me so that's all good. Yay.
...and in other news non-bill paying client got in touch with me so that's all good. Yay.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Keep It Simple, Stupid
Well, the 'Pricing Wizard' set of web-pages was a pretty good idea, but I think it was a bit clunky. So, in light of this, I've reworked it into something a lot more simple. As always it consists of my usual blend of bad layout and even worse HTML, but hey - I never claimed to have liked web design >:)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Let's Get Personal, People
Ahhh, gotta love 'Search and Replace'. Just went through and updated all the info@ and mydesign@ email references throughout the site and changed them all over to leighton@.
Yes, I know - a truly thrilling event here at FPDI. I'm sure that this will result in nothing but an absolute deluge of spam but you know what - I'd rather have that and put a unified 'personal' front on FPDI than hide behind lame, faceless aliases.
Yes, I know - a truly thrilling event here at FPDI. I'm sure that this will result in nothing but an absolute deluge of spam but you know what - I'd rather have that and put a unified 'personal' front on FPDI than hide behind lame, faceless aliases.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Sad Day At FPDI
Sad day here folks. Today - for the first time in four years of running FPDI I've had to unleash a 'nasty demand letter' to a client for non-payment.
Kinda sucks. I'd hoped that I'd never have to do this and in typical (global!) business owner style I let it ride on in the hope that after a few phone calls and emails and faxes that the matter would sort itself out.
Alas it has not, and now I find myself sitting in front of Word making forceful demands to a regular client who I hope - has simply 'forgotten', gone temporarily blind (in that he can't see the faxes, emails) as well as temporarily deaf (in that he hasn't heard any of my voicemails over the last two months).
Basically, I don't want to have to admit to myself that this guy is trying to stiff me.
It's hard not to build up relationships with regular clients and this guy is one of my oldest and now I have to do that hard thing which is extricate myself from the situation and unleash the hounds as it were.
On the upside at least I have something meaningful to put on this blog instead of the usual drivel I put out, so watch this space...
Kinda sucks. I'd hoped that I'd never have to do this and in typical (global!) business owner style I let it ride on in the hope that after a few phone calls and emails and faxes that the matter would sort itself out.
Alas it has not, and now I find myself sitting in front of Word making forceful demands to a regular client who I hope - has simply 'forgotten', gone temporarily blind (in that he can't see the faxes, emails) as well as temporarily deaf (in that he hasn't heard any of my voicemails over the last two months).
Basically, I don't want to have to admit to myself that this guy is trying to stiff me.
It's hard not to build up relationships with regular clients and this guy is one of my oldest and now I have to do that hard thing which is extricate myself from the situation and unleash the hounds as it were.
On the upside at least I have something meaningful to put on this blog instead of the usual drivel I put out, so watch this space...
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