Author: James McNally

OS X.1

One of the perks of working at an Apple dealer is early access to new stuff. The long anticipated OS X 10.1 update was going to be available on Saturday at our store, and I was lucky enough to walk out on Friday night with a copy in my backpack. I’ve installed it on both my computers and so far I’m really impressed. A lot peppier, and a few added features.

Today I went downtown to check out the “Word on the Street,” a huge book and magazine fair that’s held every fall in Toronto. I’d been once a long time ago, but it has really grown. Crowds everywhere. The best part is picking up tons of magazines cheap. I must have grabbed about a dozen magazines and spent about $5.

Oh, and one more thing from the mundane details file: we’re finally getting cable television. It’s the first step toward getting cable modem internet access, but it’s already going to cost $50/mth by itself. The internet access will be another $40/mth. We won’t be able to afford to leave the house!

And while we’re on that subject, listen up fellas. A platinum engagement ring is a great idea….if you remember that you’re going to need platinum wedding bands when the time comes. Where most couples are spending a couple hundred bucks on wedding bands, Brooke and I are looking at about $1500. Guh!

Torrez Is Older Today

Sadly, today I was thinking of taking out the link to Andre Torrez’ site. He’s stated that he might not be updating it again. It’s a shame, because Andre is one of the best writers on the web. He’s usually gut-wrenchingly funny, but sometimes, like his last entry, he can be gut-wrenchingly moving, too. He’s also one of the most modest people I’ve ever met. To top it off, today is his birthday. So, in fact, I’m not moving that link anywhere. Just go and read, and keep digging back into the archives. And while you’re at it, wish him a Happy Birthday.

I’m Writing More!

Hey, you know something? I forgot to mention something good that’s happened to me recently. In addition to my writing for CanadaComputes.com, I’ll be writing the monthly book review for a brand new section at Digital Web, an excellent online magazine for web designers. I’m actually a little intimidated. After all, I was just looking for a place to submit my reviews once in a while, and now I’m the voice of the entire, created-just-for-me section. And I’m in the company of some incredibly smart and talented people. Wish me luck!

My New Old Job

I’ve just realized that it had been a week since I blogged anything. A week! Really, I can explain. I’m three weeks into my new job. It’s actually a job that I held before my last job, and so I’m not that happy to be back. I sell computers in a retail store. Mind you, it’s the oldest computer store in the country, and I’ve sold to several celebrities, including Kate Jackson (ex-Charlie’s Angels). Plus I pretty much get to specialize in Apple stuff, which is fine with me. But I’m still itching to get back to a job in new media. I’ve reestablished some contacts in that industry through my job selling to new media companies, but they still might just see me as a “shop clerk.” I’ve purposely only scheduled myself to work four days a week, so that I don’t feel trapped, but I’m being pressured to move into corporate sales, where I’d be really trapped. I guess I’d rather be on my feet 9 or 10 hours a day(!) So, if I don’t have particularly witty and interesting things to say all the time, I hope you’ll understand…