If you ever want to know what the world might think of you, Google your name and see what comes up.
Lots of people will Google your name: a prospective employer, probably a landlord before you move in. It's pretty common, so it's a good idea to see what's out there first. I'm kind of lucky, because I have an uncommon name. There are only two Sherwins in Delta (the other is a distant cousin.) There aren't many in Vancouver either, but I can't tell because there's no phone book any more. The chances of finding me in a Google search are quite good. Just to be current, I set up a Google Alert to tell me when my name shows up with something new.
But I didn't expect this. Apparently, I shouldn't plan a trip to Australia any time soon. Brad Sherwin is Brisbane's version of Bernie Madoff. Every once in a while my phone will go ding! and alert me to the latest news.
Ding! Brad Sherwin, Chairman of a Brisbane commercial property lender, under investigation following collapse of his company. Doesn't sound like business is too good these days.
Ding! Brad Sherwin's assets have been frozen, pending investigation. Sounds like my Australian namesake is in a heap of trouble.
Ding! Brad Sherwin banned from operating in financial services by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Uh, yeah, could see that one coming.
I've always wanted to go to Australia, but it looks like Brad Sherwin is ruining it for me. I can only imagine what it's like for someone with a more common name, like Stephen Harper or George Bush. We share a name, we aren't a clone.
Ding! Brad Sherwin's assets being liquidated, including his wife's stake in a racehorse, Boomalicious. What? Now they're taking away his pets? The closest thing they'd get from me is my dog. I guess that would save me from having to walk her every night, since I can't get my kids to do it.
Ding! Erin Brockovich speaks to investors about class action lawsuit. Wow, he's really hit the big time! That was a great movie, I wouldn't want to get on her bad side.
I kind of know how Keith Baldry feels. Keith is also an Australian, but closely shares a name with Keith Baldrey (with an 'e'), legislative reporter for Global TV, and a prolific Twitter-er. During the recent teachers' labour dispute, Aussie Keith was getting inundated with tweets from people angry with Global Keith's reporting of the dispute. Seems they forgot the 'e' in the name. Aussie Keith finally had to write, "Dear Canada. I am in Australia, you might be after @keithbaldrey. Good luck with your school strike and everything."
An Aussie mistaken for a Canadian. I hope I'm not a Canadian mistaken for an Australian. I'm rather fond of my dog.
*** After 49 columns, I will be taking a break from writing the Community Comment. It has been an honour to have the opportunity to share my opinion in the local press something I never envisioned doing. Thank you to everyone who gave me feedback, positive or negative - at least you read it!
