I'll start off by saying that I'm as far from organized religion as you can get (I'm still spiritual). Almost everyone I know celebrates Christmas and it's pretty hard to avoid the commercialism in general, what with Scotiabank in Winnipeg Square putting it's tree up in September, for example. I truly want to believe that Christmas is a time to come together, to decorate with blinking lights, and Irish coffee season, but today's news out of America regarding Black Friday "Christmas" shopping is just ridiculous. Here's a small overview: someone pepper sprayed 20 other shoppers at Walmart in numerous departments, 2 people have been shot and 3 people have been robbed. This gives "Macy's" a whole new connotation. There's also been reports of crippled websites, with one person commenting on a forum "screw them. I'm not ordering jack if they can't get their system to work properly. Sent off a nasty email which I'm sure they'll ignore." EARTH TO AMERICA: I'm pretty sure you're doing this Christmas thing wrong. I'd be incredibly embarrassed about this international news, just as I was for Canada with the Vancouver riots. I'm well aware Christmas has nothing to do with it's roots anymore—that's not the point of this post. The point is that in an overly-communicated society, this behaviour becomes more common place and sets an example for younger people. Christmas now dominates 3 months of the year and cheap plastic crap will ALWAYS be available on store shelves. At the very least, could we try to be nicer to each other? It really doesn't take much, nowhere near as much as it does to premeditate a pepper-spray attack; it actually feels kind of good. Forgive me for skipping gifts this year. I'll be with my family, in my house-coat enjoying Irish coffee.

The snark, formally referred to as the point d’ironie, deserves serious consideration for a punctuational revival. Originally used in the 16th century, and more recently in 1899 when French poet Alcanter de Brahm suggested its return, the snark signifies what it’s name suggests - sarcasm.

Come to think of it, there are a lot of punctuation needs that have emerged through our increased use of the written word for day-to-day social and professional interaction. It’s not a need to clarify wording, but the need to convey the intended tone.

I would love a visual cue I could use for the follow up email, something that emits the feeling of being desperate to know when you’ll get what you need, understanding of the difficulties the other person faces, but clearly and politely running out of time.

I don’t know what that would look like, but if it’s anything like those ridiculous sideways winky happy faces, forget it. When I was a six year old girl I didn’t dot my i’s with hearts and I’m not about to start now.

So bravo to Henry Hitchings, who, in the Wall Street Journal, suggested revisiting lost and struggling punctuation candidates from the recent and distant past. We need linguists, graphic designers, bored desk jockeys and keyboard manufacturers to suggest and deliver snarks, interrobangs, their cohorts and their offspring to add depth and contrast to the monotone landscape of texting and email.

:) place snark here.

I have to admit, I'd never heard of Steampunk prior to coming across Tom Banwell's apocalyptic creations. I'm not going to get into the whole Steampunk history or origins because a) you can read it for yourself and b) I'm actually not that interested in learning enough about it to sound like I know what I'm talking about. I will say this though, without knowing diddly or squat about this sub-culture, I'd say these guys have a pretty active collective imagination. I guess it must be comforting knowing what you are going to dress up as for every single Halloween. Guaranteed, none of these crackers are deciding between Thor or Iron Man this October. Unless of course it's some kind of messed up Steampunk Thor or Steampunk Iron Man. Sweet dreams.

I'm sure everyone, or most of you have heard about the ridiculously expensive bar tab the Boston Bruins racked up after they won the Stanley Cup this year. But, if you didn't, well, here's a little infographic for you to help you get a better idea of just how $156,000 could be spent on drinks in a single night. All I'm saying is, I wish I was the server that night because, good god that tip would have been amazing. I also can't resist pointing out the very disappointing amount of Bud Lights drank that night. Bud light guys, really? Come on.

I don't know why this bothers me so much, maybe because I'm in the military where we use (inverted) chevron insignia for our ranks, but it does indeed make me crazy. So, I did a little diagram to illustrate the difference between the chevron and the zig zag.

It’s Friday. The end of the week. I’m exhausted. We’ve had a lot of things happening around here lately. Things-are-a-brewing. Needless to say we are looking forward to a long weekend of good times and good friends. To kick it off, we’ve decided to start a new Friday tradition. This tradition revolves around playing songs of a similar theme BUT for 30 seconds only. We’ve wittily titled this event (in all of our creative genius) the 30 Second DJ. So whilst we work away... we may be whistling too. Today we pulled out the power ballads or well basically anything that was a memorable moment from our past. Hits like Paradise City, Every Rose has its Thorn,  I Want You to Want Me, and Sweet Child of Mine all made an appearance along with classic boy band one-offs like Take That’s, I Want You Back. Ahhh... I can almost picture those long weekends of yore. There is nothing like a musical tour of the 80’s and 90’s to set the stage for making many new memories.

The DJ is in the house so if you have requests please send them our way. Keep those tunes turned high and enjoy your long weekend!

It's back! After many long months, Typographic Thursdays makes it's triumphant return. Today's quote brought to you by an Honest employee while ordering from a Spanish menu.

Well, it's official – The White Stripes are no more. 14 years, 6 albums, countless tours and millions of fans vanished up in smoke this past Thursday, leaving many die-hards with a giant, colour co-ordinated hole in their hearts. That's not to say you can't find your fill of Jack White (et al) elsewhere. In fact, I'll be the first to tell you to run out and pick up Consolers of the Lonely, crank up the volume and listen to the sweetness that is Carolina Drama. I will just as willingly tell you to send the neighbours packing for the weekend so you can enjoy Sea of Cowards as loudly as your speakers (and eardrums) will possibly let you. Although these are great records, and there are more that have and will be recorded by Third Man Records, I once again can't help but feeling a part of my past has disappeared. 14 years is a helluva long time. 6 albums, each one great in it's own right, is no small accomplishment either, and has been denied by many a great band. But knowing the Stripes have run out of tricks to tell and songs to sew leaves me pining for more. It's rare for a group to come out with as much passion, respect, longevity and importance as the Stripes, and one wonders how long it will be before the next authentic (insert debate here) thing comes along. Perhaps Neil Young had the right idea. Perhaps it truly is better to burn out then to fade away. I don't know, you tell me.

Minus 40 in Winnipeg this morning. What a relief to step into the office and get the coffee brewing. Lots of respect and recognition is due for all the people who earn their pay outdoors on a day like today.