Rock Paper Scissors World Championships in Toronto this Saturday

At great risk of being self-serving I would like to announce that the crown jewel of the professional Rock Paper Scissors circuit is only three days away - the Rock Paper Scissors International World Championships.

The event is close to selling out (only about 70 competition spots left at last check) and has people coming from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Norway, UK, Ireland, Cayman Islands, the four corners of the US (yes including Hawaii) and most of Canada to compete for $10,000 and the title of World Champion. This will definitely be the most internationally represented RPS competition in history. The event is being held at the Steam Whistle brewery in Toronto.

The thing about this event is the sociability factor. Having lived in Toronto for a long time, I know that striking up a conversation with a stranger in a bar is about as difficult as climbing everest without oxygen - it can be done, but not without great pain. However, for one night a year it is easy. The sheer grandiose absurdity of 750 adults getting serious over Rock Paper Scissors is enough to get even the most arrogant socialite turning to their neighbor and saying "Can you believe this?".

Anyway for anyone who is looking for something very different to do on a Saturday night in Toronto you can register here.

For anyone looking to hear the behind the scenes explanation of how Word of Mouth turned an obsure web site into a global phenomenon generating millions of impressions, a book deal, and a feature documentary register for the Word Up Conference on Nov. 14th.

Swim?! Are you kidding? The fall'll probably kill you!

I found an interesting story in the news this week and it spoke of the aspirations of Dr. Allan Stewart of Australia. Turns out he had a goal and a plan to get there.

Who is Allan Stewart? - well he managed to have a very distinguished career in Dentistry for most of his life. Success to Dr. Stewart would not be something he would boast about, rather he describes himself as an "average middle-of-the-road Australian". But nonetheless, he embarked nearly five years ago on a new career, after completing all he could in a career in Dentistry.

This past week, he successfully, completed his new goal receiving his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of New England. You see, Dr. Steward completed the six-year Bachelor degree in four-and-a-half years and received a standing ovation as he received his testamur from the University's Chancellor. Pretty remarkable. The truly remarkable aspect, is that Dr. Stewart was born in 1915 (March 7) - and is 91.

Inspiring? - well its up to you. He set a goal for himself- and got there.

So what's holding you back from your next goal? Go on, take the leap.

Some jerk has to win

The 2006 Toronto Municipal elections are set to happen rain or shine on November 13, 2006. With 38 candidates in the running for the position of Mayor, I thought I'd share some of my research to help y'all sort the terrifying from the horrifying. Vote for who you will, so long as it's not any of these folks:

Scott "Grade 3 ... no 8" Yee

This 23 year old's got pluck I'll give him that. What he lacks in experience and wisdom he make up for in crappy grammar and passion.com ads.

Favourite quote: "Also the media are full of shit! 90% of them! I do like some members of the media, or at least respect them. I'm not looking for anyone to kiss my ass, nor should the media be that way, they should ask the tough questions to those who run for public office. But when the media is bias, how can you over come it? I feel the media in general is fair with their coverage, ie, a news story on cats, or something like that."

Bob "Sieg Hiel" Smith

This goose-stepping bunk mate of NPC leader Don Andrews offers up all the sugar-coated White Nationalist nonsense you can choke down.

Favourite quote: "For further information regarding Bob, biographical facts and his campaign platform, contact him at bobsmith@natparty.com". Everything else his site has to say makes my skin crawl.

Gerald "Where's my tank top" Derome

Gerald, dude, put down the pipe and concentrate. 92% of the media know that 36% of people will believe 25% of statistics that claim 50% accuracy 49% of the time. You think about that for a bit.

Favourite quote: "I understand all of my environments that we swim in. I believe in the truths that i write and have faith in my ideas and plans to make this a better planet to live on."