A startup that does a good pivot isn't just taking a random new approach; typically the market has told it what its true strength is and it's responding accordingly. For instance, Game Neverending contained a photo-sharing feature that turned out to be more popular than the game itself, and it became Flickr while the game was shelved. And for a startup, a "ten to twenty year strategic direction" is not an available alternative.

Bill, best of luck and I hope to bring you some business!

I don't see how you arrive at "passion is all about commitment to personal improvement". You consider the True Believer to be passionate, but s/he is not committed to personal improvement; the commitment is to a goal (personal improvement may occur, but only as a side effect). That resembles what you're classifying instead as an "obsession".

Also on the buyer side: I just checked out the Jawbone.com website (out of curiosity, as I live in Canada and it was already clear from the blog post that the products are not yet available here). I had difficulty understanding what product was what. Across the top were pictured various models of Icon, Prime, and Earcandy, but the Earcandy looked just like a Prime and when I hovered over a model it said it was a Prime. To help clear things up I clicked on Products, which did seem to confirm (but not for 100% certain) that an Earcandy is just a Prime in a bright colour, because two types of product were listed, Icon and Prime/Earcandy. OK, so then I wanted to know the difference between the two types of product. But the page said NOTHING. I suppose I could have figured it out for myself by comparing the Tech Specs, but I wasn't going to. I clicked Shop Now to see whether there was a price difference, and indeed there was: the Icon costs $99.99 while the Prime costs $129.99. (There is no Earcandy here, just colourful Primes. This appears to largely confirm that an Earcandy is the same as a Prime except for colour.) I still have no idea, however, what I'd get if I paid the extra $30. This is not the kind of situation in which I'd buy anything. Given your excellent experience as a user, perhaps the marketing people could use some help from their colleagues.

Congratulations! But I suppose now you'll always be walking around with a huge lens, barking orders at your assistant.

I can't wait to read your artist's statement. You will post it on this blog, right?

I presume that the items in the photo (DVDs, pizza, wine, etc.) are associated with watching "our movies". Would they also be included in the Best Day of Your Life? If you could plan it, I mean.

Yes, I read from Toronto. I actually read via Google Reader, but sometimes I click through to the copy of the post on the site.

But then the headline-writers might write: Photo project gone to the dogs.

Lex, having to get around on a dogsled may have its problems — but thank you for letting me feel more Canadian. Small consolation I know.

I'm here too.

Kate, thanks for the mention!

Happy birthday, Lex! (As I write this it's still your birthday in the Mountain time zone and points west.) What is six times nine?

I tried to join Second Life so that I could attend Case Camp, but I was informed that my computer lacked the ability to run the software (apparently a 3-year-old IBM laptop is ancient). This suggests the following strategy: reconfigure Kate's computer so that it can no longer run Second Life. Some tools for reconfiguration can be found at your local hardware store.

Awww, that’s so sweet (about knowing you anywhere). Now I have “a severe over-production of insulin”.

May I quote from a certain person’s recent blog post: And if the photos are of the view instead of the apartment, I yell "That doesn't COUNT!" I know there’s no furniture, but porn is supposed to involve nakedness, yes?

I very highly recommend Allison Crowe’s Christmas album, Tidings. Reviews here, including this quote from Dr. Christmas&rsquo Radio Show on WRST-FM: “Of over 100 new Christmas CDs played on my show, Allison’s drew the most listener interest”, and the factoid that Hum for the Holidays: CD Reviews in the Toronto Sun, Dec. 19, 2004, gave four stars to only two albums: this one, and The Christmas Collection from Frank Sinatra. Lex, a copy will be winging its way to you shortly: check your mailbox in a few days for a CD-sized package from Rubenesque Records, Salt Spring Island, BC. Also, the one-hour TV special Allison Crowe: Tidings, will be broadcast on A-Channel stations across Canada during the week or so through Christmas Day. The Barrie (available on cable in Toronto) and Ottawa stations will be showing it on Wed. Dec. 20 at 8pm, likely repeated later (their online listings currently go only to the 21st). (Disclaimer: I am a huge fan of hers, and sometimes serve as roadie when she performs in Southern Ontario.)

As soon as I saw the name of the restaurant, a certain Ozzy Osbourne song started going through my head. Adapted lyrics: I'm goin' off the rails on a Sushi Train

Everything I ate on Friday Sept. 1: BREAKFAST (3pm): ice cream waffle. LUNCH (3:15-4pm): pulled pork sandwich; cob of corn; ice cream waffle for dessert. DINNER (5pm): Corn dog. SUPPER (6pm): "World's coldest" ice cream; chocolate-dipped banana for dessert.

YouTube says "This video is no longer available." What was it?

My guess is that this is a standalone ad, not part of an alien-themed campaign. I generally don't see multiple ads in a campaign other than from the really big spenders. Which is too bad, because I am getting SO SICK of seeing the very same ad what seems like a billion times. Please, ad agencies, shift some of your spot-buying budget to producing variations on the ads. Yes, I know it's expensive, but if a viewer sees the same ad too many times you risk turning the viewer against your product.

Yvonne and I have seen this ad a couple of times and both of us thought it was great. It's not surprising that there's not much on the Web about this, because Bick's is Canadian (though now US-owned) and appears to sell only in Canada.

The Drake is not usually a cheapeat, but they now have an item on the menu they use in their lounge and outdoor-patio areas: MDB, Mini Drake Burgers. Three mini burgers. I've had them twice, both times excellent, and once the best burger(s) I've ever had. OK, so you pay $9.95 or something like that for something appetizer-sized, but having a light lunch is good for you.