Shawn Smith’s web ninja life

The Online News Association conference starts today! But I already got into some good discussions with like-minded web ninjas during a sushi dinner in Toronto.

If I remember the name, I will get it in here. Regardless, the food was fantastic, and I scored the last two Toro sushi.

It was exciting to learn about the frustrations that other people in online journalism face, including content management systems, the divide between online and print editors and production issues. Nice to hear I’m not alone in some of my gripes.

I talked with web heads until nearly 2 a.m. and then went and snatched up another veggie hotdog - tastes even better after the witching hour!

So now I’m awake and ready for a day of Online News panel discussions - Booyah! Follow my thoughts at my online journalism blog.

Surprise Americans, the Canadian Loonie is now worth as much as, if not more than, the U.S. dollar. Bill and I stopped in Sarnia, Ontario (on our way to the Online News Association conference in Toronto) to exchange our money. For every $1 U.S., we received $1.02 Canuck. Holy Crap. I’m poor here.

The taxes are high too. On my way here I spent $20 on a regular McDonald’s extra value meal, a pack of tums and a bottled water. Insane to the membrane!!!!!

Regardless, I’m in Toronto, and I need new shoes.So I got to shopping, and after about two hours in the Toronto mall, I came across these nice brown Nike kicks. What do you think? Only $109.99 ZOMg!11!!oneone!

And that’s not all that’s sticker-shocking. Remember a few years back when the U.S. exchange rate could get you one of those delicious veggie hotdogs for less than a buck? Now, I read $2.50 and weep. But don’t fret, folks. I have a veggie hotdog truck directly outside my room and I will be mowing through them in no time, regardless the price.

Speaking of the room, I’m staying in the Sheratin on Queen St. The hotel is nice, but no free internet. I’m hoping at the conference tomorrow they give us logins so everyone can enjoy free wireless. Otherwise, I will be paying $16 per day for access. Luckily they have a nice small computer area that allows me to at least write.

Check out the view! Nice, huh? It’s nice to be back in Toronto after a year. I should really visit here more often, once my money is worth something again.

I’ll be in Toronto for the next few days attending the Online News Association Conference. I’ve already started blogging about it over at my online journalism blog.

I plan to blog from the event, post photos and video interviews and keep you up to date on the partying over here.

Holla atchya boyeeeezzz and girrrlllzzzzzz