This panoramic shot of Toronto has been described as "epic." I think that's an overstatement; in my eyes, it merely confirms I'm good at everything I do

The other day I put together a pretty incredible panoramic photo of the sun rising over Toronto’s skyline. It’s comprised of 30 shots taken from my balcony, and it weighs in at a hefty 31 megapixels; if you click the thumbnail in this post you can see a cropped 8×10 version of it.

After I posted the photo on the Facebook, the comments started pouring in; one friend who’s since left Toronto even wanted to print it up and frame it, to remind him of his time spent here. They liked it, they really liked it — and that was just the tiny little Facebook version!

Then I found out that Gregg Tilston, a friend and fellow FreshBooks alum, is now writing a brand new travel blog for Flight Centre. Yes, that Flight Centre — best known for those creepy pilot statues responsible for so many childhood traumas — is now diving head-first into the Web, and doing an excellent job so far.

(In fact, I’ve heard those Flight Centre statues are really the bodies of those who have dared to cross Gregg in the past, encased in plaster and painted to look like pilots. But I’m sure that’s just a nasty rumour that nobody would ever ask @greggtilston about on Twitter. You know… because he’d kill you. And turn you into a statue.)

Anyway, Gregg was so impressed with the photo, he actually used it as the basis for a post yesterday on his favourite places in the world for sunrises and sunsets! Which gave me a serious case of the warm fuzzies; I don’t think I’ve ever been “published” before.

All of this commotion over one photo got me to thinking: I’m a decent photographer. So why don’t I collect, say, 24 of my favourite photos I’ve taken, and put them in one place for everyone to enjoy? I could even call it my photography portfolio.

So that’s exactly what I’ve gone ahead and done. Let me know what you think; comments are enabled on my portfolio pages, so please go ahead and put that functionality to good use.

I’d share the stories behind a few of the photos, but I’ve gotta go — Gregg just surprised me at my door! I guess he’s here to congratulate me… ooh, and it looks like he got me a gift, too! Aw, Gregg, you shouldn’t have! I’ve always wanted a samurai sword…

View my photography portfolio »

Reason to hire me #34: as an infant, I established high-profile contacts in the moustache industry

It turns out a massive recession was exactly the wrong time to run off to a winter resort and take a seasonal serving job. Six weeks after snowboard season came to an end, I find myself unemployed, frustrated, and on the verge of pawning stuff to make rent.

So I figured it was high time I started putting together a portfolio — how else are these employers finally going to realize that I’m awesome?

Tonight’s efforts have produced the first four entries: the Web presences of three men and a hastily made video, baby! If you’ve never seen my work before, please be sure to check out these samples.

There’s plenty more where those came from, too; over the next few days I’ll be doing my best to add some of my photography, a couple of marketing initiatives from my FreshBooks days, and other relevant things that come to mind.

I’ve also taken the step of establishing a LinkedIn profile; it turns out I need a tool like this to maintain contacts and keep in touch, because I’m terrible at doing so otherwise. If you’ve worked with me in the past and didn’t think I was a total douchebag, your recommendation would be truly appreciated!

The last six weeks have been a humbling experience, one that I sincerely hope will be coming to a close soon. Cross your fingers for me, and let me know if you hear of any opportunities! I’m dying here.

Here goes nothin'...

Alright, I admit it.

My so-called blog has laid fallow for months, a blank tablet awaiting its first inscription, for a pathetically cliché reason: I’ve been struggling with what the hell to write.

I’m not really the self-important type, so anything about me is automatically out. I’m only ever funny by accident; any intentional attempt at humour usually results in a blank stare or a restraining order. And since I’m not exactly the smartest guy on the planet — I figure fourth or fifth, tops — I don’t expect I’ll be dropping a life-changing manifesto or weaving my way to a Pulitzer Prize just yet.

No, my reasons for finally popping my blogging cherry are sadly pedestrian: I can’t get this stupid geeky WordPress plug-in to work without having something posted first. So, here I sit.

I realize that five years from today, when I’m a troubled Hollywood heartthrob or the FBI is finally closing in on my whereabouts, the good folks putting together my draft obituary for CNN will be wondering where things went so terribly wrong. What happened to this man whose future once shone so brightly? What led him so far afield? What power of evil corrupted his soul?

Well, Messrs. Cooper & Blitzer, I humbly submit a theory on my premature demise.

You see, there’s a moment, there’s always a moment. “I can do this, I can give into this, or I can resist it.” This is my moment, and I choose to give in: it’s time to join the ranks of the blogosphere.

So, whatever I did, please remember that it wasn’t my fault — really! The Internet made me do it.