Algonquin

Another reason I love Toronto: You can drive 3 hours north and be here, in Algonquin Park.

First installment of Companies I Wish I’d Thought of Starting

Every once in a while a company will launch and I’ll get a sinking feeling in my stomach. Followed by a feeling of jealousy because I didn’t think of the idea, and then happiness because I’ll get to use their products or services.

WeatherBill is a company like that.

WeatherBill launched last week with a nice little web site and an all star list of financial backers. The site lets people take out insurance on weather events that effect you or your business. So, for example I’m going to take out a policy for my next holiday to San Francisco. If it rains more than 3 of the 7 days I’m away I want to be paid out $200 per day. On WeatherBill this policy will cost me $74.82.

WeatherBill makes sense for any kind of business that is impacted by weather – from a golf course to a farmer to a baseball team. Gamblers will love using it too ;).

Communist’s Daughter

Every Saturday from 4 ’til 7 the Communist’s Daughter has a live band. It’s a chilled out vibe and the singer/trumpet player also fixes you your drinks. Worth a look if you’re in the neighborhood.

Schadenfreude

There is something about watching people play pool in a small jammed up space that makes me laugh and laugh and laugh. I think it’s the schadenfreude in me.

A way to sync Google Calendars and iCal

This will be a very cool little app for people using Google Calendars and iCal (me!) if it does what they claim. Apparently it’s only a few weeks away from public beta.

I love the idea that there are thousands of people infinitely smarter than me figuring out ways to use the tools I love better and writing great little extensions for them. Thank you!

Canadian squash classic

I’m not really sure how I ended up in a theater watching the Canadian Squash Classic tonight but the crowd is going crazy and it’s actually quite fun. Weird, the places you sometimes find yourself.

You wear it well – part 2

…and if you’re thinking you need some facial hair inspiration – relax, you can stop thinking.

You wear it well

If you’re in the market for a new hair style and you’re looking for a “I want it just like this” photo to give to your hairdresser, then this is probably what you’re after.

The A-bike

If I didn’t live in a city where it snowed so much I think I’d have one of these already. Mmmm – lovely.

Introductions

I think I’d better introduce myself.

I’m Pema Hegan.

This is what I look like:

Born in New Zealand. Live in Toronto. Spent 4 years in London. Married, no kids. Ride an old Peugeot. Drive a new Mini. Live in a condo. Holiday in Europe. Love concrete achitecture. Would rather be surfing. Typing this on a Mac. Was previously a newspaper editor, advertising and marketing guy and founder of a media company. Eat jerk chicken. Drink esspresso. Spend to much time online. Miss the ocean. Don’t miss the cold. Wish I could play better guitar, take better photos and write better blog posts.