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| Removed a lot more dirt |
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| Took in Leafs v. Penguins Game Crosby Invisible, Leafs Dominated |
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| How They Lifted Boat out of Water |
Sunday, 27 October 2013
The Bond Update
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Senator Duffy
I'm not a fan of PM Harper. I think despite being physically weak, he is a bullying ideologue that favours partisanship over what is good for his country. He silences scientists and promotes dirty oil above all costs. In do not believe he is an honourable man. He is also a poor steward of our economy.
I actually believe Mike Duffy's account of his dealings with the PMO. I believe that they told him to take one for the team and sacrifice his caucus seat for the Conservative brand.
Where Duffy loses me is when he claims personal integrity. He claims that he was told that he broke no Senate rules by claiming that PEI was his primary residence. That it was ok to claim housing expenses to live in Ottawa even though it was his home for decades. That he believes he should not be thrown out of the Senate because he wants to promote the interests of his beloved PEI, an island that does not support his appointment. We all know that Duffy was not appointed to support PEI. He was appointed to the Senate to travel the country and support local Conservative candidates. To use his notoriety as a biased journalist to support the conservative brand. We still have not heard an explanation for paying a friend $65,000 for minimal services rendered. What would his beloved Brain Mulroney think about accepting money without providing a service in return?
While an alleged non-partisan political host Duffy ass kissed the Conservative party under Harper with unbridled enthusiasm at the expense of journalistic integrity, to the point that Harper rewarded him with a Senate appointment in appreciation.
It is such sweet irony that in the end that the appointment of a man lacking in professional and personal integrity would come back to bite Harper in the ass.
I actually believe Mike Duffy's account of his dealings with the PMO. I believe that they told him to take one for the team and sacrifice his caucus seat for the Conservative brand.
Where Duffy loses me is when he claims personal integrity. He claims that he was told that he broke no Senate rules by claiming that PEI was his primary residence. That it was ok to claim housing expenses to live in Ottawa even though it was his home for decades. That he believes he should not be thrown out of the Senate because he wants to promote the interests of his beloved PEI, an island that does not support his appointment. We all know that Duffy was not appointed to support PEI. He was appointed to the Senate to travel the country and support local Conservative candidates. To use his notoriety as a biased journalist to support the conservative brand. We still have not heard an explanation for paying a friend $65,000 for minimal services rendered. What would his beloved Brain Mulroney think about accepting money without providing a service in return?
While an alleged non-partisan political host Duffy ass kissed the Conservative party under Harper with unbridled enthusiasm at the expense of journalistic integrity, to the point that Harper rewarded him with a Senate appointment in appreciation.
It is such sweet irony that in the end that the appointment of a man lacking in professional and personal integrity would come back to bite Harper in the ass.
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Lifetime Developments Customer Service
An update on the Lifetime Development customer service fiasco. I have still heard nothing from them. Their website for the project has not been updated in over two years. The website claims the project is in the pre-construction phase in spite of the fact that construction started over 2-years ago. Compare that to the Minto project my friend invested in. They have regular updated photos of the construction site posted on their website. They provide customers with updates on the progress of construction.
I blame myself for not doing the research before investing in the project. Maybe my blog will help other people. As for people that invested in The Bond, at least they have my website to view regular construction updates.
I blame myself for not doing the research before investing in the project. Maybe my blog will help other people. As for people that invested in The Bond, at least they have my website to view regular construction updates.
Thursday, 17 October 2013
Lake Ontario Googan
If you are a fan of Wicked Tuna you know the term Googan. It is an amateur boater, or weekend boater that doesn't have a clue what they are doing. I freely admit that I'm a Lake Ontario Googan. I just completed my first year as a boater. I captained The Irish Brawler. To say that it was an adventure is an understatement.
We had two incidents of man overboard, one incident of a beer cooler overboard and we lost Bereza's monkey towel to the deep. I hit the cement pillar behind my boat slip at least a dozen times. I banged into the dock on at least as many occasions. My boat was like a bull in China shop, like a pinball in a machine. My biggest error was when I failed to retrieve my anchor before leaving an anchorage. This error damaged the drive in my boat. There is basically a hole in my boat. Luckily the Brawler is now on dry land and that my bilge pump did its job. We had to take the Brawler out of the water a couple of days early before we risked burning out the bilge pump.
I want to thank my new friend Dale who lives at the marina. Dale looked out for my boat all summer. Dale is the youngest boat captain at the marina and we admired the endless stream of ladies that he hosted on his boat.
Despite the rookie mistakes I still made incremental improvements in my boating skills. I think it will take one more full season before I'm fully confident as a boater. It may take several years before I'm a decent captain. It was a great summer. By my rough calculation I had at least 80 different people on the boat. All the members of my family were able to enjoy a cruise, including my Mom & 80 year-old Dad.
During the season we were able to upgrade the sound system, the anchor, GPS and VHF radio. We learnt endless improvements to enhance the boating experience. Next year will be even better.
One interesting fact is that we were never more than a half mile from shore. Almost all of the boating was in the City of Toronto waters. Next year we will venture further. We will also include some fishing.
We had two incidents of man overboard, one incident of a beer cooler overboard and we lost Bereza's monkey towel to the deep. I hit the cement pillar behind my boat slip at least a dozen times. I banged into the dock on at least as many occasions. My boat was like a bull in China shop, like a pinball in a machine. My biggest error was when I failed to retrieve my anchor before leaving an anchorage. This error damaged the drive in my boat. There is basically a hole in my boat. Luckily the Brawler is now on dry land and that my bilge pump did its job. We had to take the Brawler out of the water a couple of days early before we risked burning out the bilge pump.
I want to thank my new friend Dale who lives at the marina. Dale looked out for my boat all summer. Dale is the youngest boat captain at the marina and we admired the endless stream of ladies that he hosted on his boat.
Despite the rookie mistakes I still made incremental improvements in my boating skills. I think it will take one more full season before I'm fully confident as a boater. It may take several years before I'm a decent captain. It was a great summer. By my rough calculation I had at least 80 different people on the boat. All the members of my family were able to enjoy a cruise, including my Mom & 80 year-old Dad.
During the season we were able to upgrade the sound system, the anchor, GPS and VHF radio. We learnt endless improvements to enhance the boating experience. Next year will be even better.
One interesting fact is that we were never more than a half mile from shore. Almost all of the boating was in the City of Toronto waters. Next year we will venture further. We will also include some fishing.
Harper's Balanced Budget Law
Stephen Harper is dropping in the polls to below 30% and he is closer to 3rd place than first. In response his Throne Speech outlined his plan to gain back the trust of the Canadian public. Harper's faux fiscal conservative credentials were tabled by the government. His latest entry is to bring in legislation outlawing deficits except during exceptional circumstances. I guess exceptional circumstances would include all 8-years of the Harper government where he continues to run record deficits. Harper's first deficit occurred a year before the recession when he squandered massive Liberal surpluses. Apparently it is ok for Harper to run deficits but not future governments.
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Saturday, 12 October 2013
Lifetime Developments
I warned them that I wrote a Blog and that if they continued to fail to respond to my emails that I would write about it.
I gave them over $100k in down payments for a future condo. They cashed my cheques. I had legitimate questions I wanted answered on the construction. I sent them 3 emails spaced over time. I received no reply. I work in the customer service industry and I know what bad service is. This is bad service. It's appallingly bad service.
If you go to their website they brag about their customer service. When you brag about it and fail to deliver, that is even worse. I hope they build condos better than they treat customers.
If you are thinking of purchasing a condo in Toronto and apparently Calgary now, you may want to consider whether customer service is a big deal to you. If it is not then consider Lifetime Developments.
I gave them over $100k in down payments for a future condo. They cashed my cheques. I had legitimate questions I wanted answered on the construction. I sent them 3 emails spaced over time. I received no reply. I work in the customer service industry and I know what bad service is. This is bad service. It's appallingly bad service.
If you go to their website they brag about their customer service. When you brag about it and fail to deliver, that is even worse. I hope they build condos better than they treat customers.
If you are thinking of purchasing a condo in Toronto and apparently Calgary now, you may want to consider whether customer service is a big deal to you. If it is not then consider Lifetime Developments.
Congrats Donut Girl!
Regular readers of this Blog know that I am very close friends with Ana Maria (Donut Girl) and her sister Mariana. I also consider myself somewhat of a mentor to the H girls. They worked for my company and are extremely hard workers and exceptionally smart.
M worked in my department until 3-years ago. Our company recognised her hard work and intelligence. She regularly scored the highest in our rating system, but as is very typical in our industry we did not promote her. In our industry it is very common to move from company to company early in your career in order to get promoted. M resigned and went to work for a rival company. During her two week notice period our company scrambled to put together a package to keep her. Our HR department, not nimble at the best of times, could not move fast enough and she left. M has thrived at her new company and is considered an invaluable employee. I consider it a personal failure that I did not try hard enough to get her promoted.
Donut Girl works for my company but in a completely different department. I have no control over her career. I can only give her advice from a distance. I'm very proud to say that Donut Girl was promoted this week. We finally got it right!
I know the H family very well. They have exceptional parents and are an immigrant success story. They remind me of my own family where our parents immigrated to Canada and all of the children became successful in their careers.
In the end I have very little to do with the success of the H girls. They are the product of their own family and old fashioned hard work. I'm very proud of the H girls and it is great to see their careers flourish.
M worked in my department until 3-years ago. Our company recognised her hard work and intelligence. She regularly scored the highest in our rating system, but as is very typical in our industry we did not promote her. In our industry it is very common to move from company to company early in your career in order to get promoted. M resigned and went to work for a rival company. During her two week notice period our company scrambled to put together a package to keep her. Our HR department, not nimble at the best of times, could not move fast enough and she left. M has thrived at her new company and is considered an invaluable employee. I consider it a personal failure that I did not try hard enough to get her promoted.
Donut Girl works for my company but in a completely different department. I have no control over her career. I can only give her advice from a distance. I'm very proud to say that Donut Girl was promoted this week. We finally got it right!
I know the H family very well. They have exceptional parents and are an immigrant success story. They remind me of my own family where our parents immigrated to Canada and all of the children became successful in their careers.
In the end I have very little to do with the success of the H girls. They are the product of their own family and old fashioned hard work. I'm very proud of the H girls and it is great to see their careers flourish.
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Mike Duffy
The latest allegations against Harper's media bag carrier turned distinguished Senator, Mike Duffy, is that he paid a friend $65,000 for no apparent legitimate services. His friend described the work as looking up things on the Internet. Maybe he checked out my Blog?
The real question is why Senator Duffy has not resigned his seat? I called this one the day he was appointed. He was appointed a senator to raise money for Harper and the conservatives. He was the most partisan Tory ball washer in the Canadian media. His reward was a senate seat and he took full advantage of his entitlements and then some.
We learnt today that he tried to backdate contracts for his buddy but the senate bureaucrats refused to do so to their credit. This is the same man that tried to apply for a PEI health card through back channels to prove his primary residence was on the island. The local Liberal government refused to play along.
This is a man that longed for a senate appointment and the Order of Canada for years. There will be no Order of Canada medal and his legacy will be in tatters. He may be the man to bring down the institution of the Senate.
The real question is why Senator Duffy has not resigned his seat? I called this one the day he was appointed. He was appointed a senator to raise money for Harper and the conservatives. He was the most partisan Tory ball washer in the Canadian media. His reward was a senate seat and he took full advantage of his entitlements and then some.
We learnt today that he tried to backdate contracts for his buddy but the senate bureaucrats refused to do so to their credit. This is the same man that tried to apply for a PEI health card through back channels to prove his primary residence was on the island. The local Liberal government refused to play along.
This is a man that longed for a senate appointment and the Order of Canada for years. There will be no Order of Canada medal and his legacy will be in tatters. He may be the man to bring down the institution of the Senate.
It is Time For McGuinty to Serve Time in Prison
There is no other way, no other solution to the $1.12B gas plant scandal than to have former Premier Dalton McGuinty serve time in prison. To save 2-3 seats for one election cycle McGuinty cost the taxpayers of this province over $1Billion dollars. We learnt today that they could have broken the contract for a mere pittance but chose to pay the contractor the full price for a plant that was never built.
Kathleen Wynne should call an election as she has no mandate or moral authority to govern. The NDP has no right to prop up this government. It is time to go to the polls in Ontario.
Dalton McGuinty you are a man without honour or decency! They could have built kilometres of subway tracks, or hospitals for the cost of cancelling this project. You should hang your head in shame. This will be your legacy. One of the most indecent and cynical acts of political folly in our nation's history.
I supported the Liberal party in the past 4 provincial elections. Just as I refused to vote Liberal in the past 3 federal elections when they ran a local crooked politician in my riding, then cynically his wife just before charges were revealed, I will vote for another party.
There is no party worthy of my support in Ontario. Unless federal leader Justin Trudeau takes back Trinity, Spadina from the Ianno family they too will go another election without the support of clear thinking fiscal conservative-social liberals that make up the majority of the riding.
People think I'm kidding when I call for prison time for McGuinty. How can you make a politically motivated decision and cost the taxpayers over $1Billion and not serve time in jail? What legitimate democracy allows that to happen? McGuinty has to be prosecuted by the state. Charges have to be brought and a trial must commence to judge his actions.
Kathleen Wynne should call an election as she has no mandate or moral authority to govern. The NDP has no right to prop up this government. It is time to go to the polls in Ontario.
Dalton McGuinty you are a man without honour or decency! They could have built kilometres of subway tracks, or hospitals for the cost of cancelling this project. You should hang your head in shame. This will be your legacy. One of the most indecent and cynical acts of political folly in our nation's history.
I supported the Liberal party in the past 4 provincial elections. Just as I refused to vote Liberal in the past 3 federal elections when they ran a local crooked politician in my riding, then cynically his wife just before charges were revealed, I will vote for another party.
There is no party worthy of my support in Ontario. Unless federal leader Justin Trudeau takes back Trinity, Spadina from the Ianno family they too will go another election without the support of clear thinking fiscal conservative-social liberals that make up the majority of the riding.
People think I'm kidding when I call for prison time for McGuinty. How can you make a politically motivated decision and cost the taxpayers over $1Billion and not serve time in jail? What legitimate democracy allows that to happen? McGuinty has to be prosecuted by the state. Charges have to be brought and a trial must commence to judge his actions.
Monday, 7 October 2013
Lunch for Losers
I had a great lunch today by returning to the sushi outlet in the Eaton Centre. Followed it with a post work salad and exercise tonight. I think the only difference this time is that I have to mix it up a bit. The same salmon sushi each lunch hour wont cut it. I may try soup and some of the other sushi offerings on different days. I really need to cut back.
I note that Stephen Harper is boycotting the Commonwealth summit. This coming a week after he boycotted the UN. I wonder if the rest of the world will notice or care? Given that Harper worships the Queen of England as his Supreme Leader the Commonwealth boycott is a bit odd. It may have to do with appealing to Tamil voters in the 905 region.
In one month I will have hundreds of new coworkers. I got off on the wrong foot at our first meet and greet. What we really need is a pub night. I've been through many mergers and acquisitions. I'm pretty laid back about it but it is stressful for some.
There is a very short lady in my office that I have almost run over on numerous occasions. She is well under 5-feet tall and for some reason often exits her cubicle at the same time I walk by. She has no chance in a collision. It would be like a transport truck hitting a mini-cooper. Other people can hear when I'm approaching. I have flat feet and make a ruckus as I walk by. I find this stressful as I have been with the company 12-years and I don't want to alter my walking pace. What if the new people have the same lack of cubicle exiting etiquette? Would it be odd if I sent an email with cubicle exiting best practises?
I'm going to have to walk on eggshells to avoid a collision with the new people. I'll be afraid to go to the bathroom for fear that I will knock some new guy over. I'm not sure what is going on as I had no issues my first 25-years in the business.
I note that Stephen Harper is boycotting the Commonwealth summit. This coming a week after he boycotted the UN. I wonder if the rest of the world will notice or care? Given that Harper worships the Queen of England as his Supreme Leader the Commonwealth boycott is a bit odd. It may have to do with appealing to Tamil voters in the 905 region.
In one month I will have hundreds of new coworkers. I got off on the wrong foot at our first meet and greet. What we really need is a pub night. I've been through many mergers and acquisitions. I'm pretty laid back about it but it is stressful for some.
There is a very short lady in my office that I have almost run over on numerous occasions. She is well under 5-feet tall and for some reason often exits her cubicle at the same time I walk by. She has no chance in a collision. It would be like a transport truck hitting a mini-cooper. Other people can hear when I'm approaching. I have flat feet and make a ruckus as I walk by. I find this stressful as I have been with the company 12-years and I don't want to alter my walking pace. What if the new people have the same lack of cubicle exiting etiquette? Would it be odd if I sent an email with cubicle exiting best practises?
I'm going to have to walk on eggshells to avoid a collision with the new people. I'll be afraid to go to the bathroom for fear that I will knock some new guy over. I'm not sure what is going on as I had no issues my first 25-years in the business.
Sunday, 6 October 2013
Donut Girl Condomania
I have become Donut-Girl's condo search side-kick. She has made the decision to buy at least 5-units before changing her mind. She has changed her mind more times than I change socks...ok bad example as I can stretch a pair of socks for weeks. Donut-Girl knows what she wants but anything from the ping of an elevator door to exposed concrete on a ceiling are deal breakers.
Ana did retain a real estate agent that could double for Ricky Gervais. He has the same mannerisms of Gervais down to adding ..yeah! at the end of every sentence. "let's go look at that condo, yeah!" Forget about selling condos to picky Colombian girls and head straight to Yuk Yuks. Plus I have to provide translations for both of them. I'm the official unpaid translator. "John, what did he say I can't understand him?" or "Ana, meant to say....."
I attended the Leaf home opener last night. The Leafs are undefeated 3-0. Toronto had another festival for the artsy crowd Nuit Blanche. I have no idea what it is about but there were throngs of people up at all hours last night wandering the streets.
I had my first plantain last night (see photos below). It tastes exactly like a banana. A plantain is really just a baby banana.
They opened a French bakery next door to my building and you would think they opened a Beer Store with all the crowds. The hipsters are in there day and night. Ricky Gervais told me that they sell baby sized sandwiches for the price of adult ones.
Ana did retain a real estate agent that could double for Ricky Gervais. He has the same mannerisms of Gervais down to adding ..yeah! at the end of every sentence. "let's go look at that condo, yeah!" Forget about selling condos to picky Colombian girls and head straight to Yuk Yuks. Plus I have to provide translations for both of them. I'm the official unpaid translator. "John, what did he say I can't understand him?" or "Ana, meant to say....."
I attended the Leaf home opener last night. The Leafs are undefeated 3-0. Toronto had another festival for the artsy crowd Nuit Blanche. I have no idea what it is about but there were throngs of people up at all hours last night wandering the streets.
I had my first plantain last night (see photos below). It tastes exactly like a banana. A plantain is really just a baby banana.
They opened a French bakery next door to my building and you would think they opened a Beer Store with all the crowds. The hipsters are in there day and night. Ricky Gervais told me that they sell baby sized sandwiches for the price of adult ones.
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Wicked Tuna
I don't know why but I love that show Wicked Tuna on National Geographic Channel but I do. Even before I got my own boat I could watch that show all day. My favourite character is Paul. I think personality wise I may resemble Captain Dave, while Bereza is Paul the sometimes reliable other times erratic crew member.
There are some strange an unlikable characters like Ralph and Captain Bill. There is no doubt that I am a Googan, a weekend boater that has no clue what he is doing. I do try and stay clear of the pros.
Early next year before the weather warms we will try a little fishing on the Brawler.
There are some strange an unlikable characters like Ralph and Captain Bill. There is no doubt that I am a Googan, a weekend boater that has no clue what he is doing. I do try and stay clear of the pros.
Early next year before the weather warms we will try a little fishing on the Brawler.
Busy Weekend
I made arrangements for my boat to be stored and serviced for the winter. Still have a couple weeks left. I also had my canvass top replaced, it looks great. Took the H-girls condo shopping. Donut-Girl changed her mind more times than a normal girl changes shoes. She fell in and out of love with units all weekend. One unit was hard pressed against the Gardiner Expressway. I did learn that the new condo amenity seems to be basketball courts. We checked out numerous suites. I did learn that I will have a spectacular view from my new condo when it is finally built around 2020. Donut Girl may have made up her mind on her own condo by then. Took in a post condo sushi meal with M at 168 Sushi in Mississauga. I love that place. Had to rush back to Etobicoke to pay for my new bimini top.
I attended Matt H. surprise 40th on Saturday night, followed by an early wake-up call Sunday to attend Buffalo Bills game with my Calgary friends. We followed that event with a stop at the original Anchor Bar in Buffalo for wings.
I don't normally push myself that hard on weekends. I looked forward to Monday night when I could finally rest.
I really enjoy condo shopping even if it is for other people. It was great fun.
My parents returned from a cruise last week and my Dad had welcome news on his improving health. Great weekend indeed!
I attended Matt H. surprise 40th on Saturday night, followed by an early wake-up call Sunday to attend Buffalo Bills game with my Calgary friends. We followed that event with a stop at the original Anchor Bar in Buffalo for wings.
I don't normally push myself that hard on weekends. I looked forward to Monday night when I could finally rest.
I really enjoy condo shopping even if it is for other people. It was great fun.
My parents returned from a cruise last week and my Dad had welcome news on his improving health. Great weekend indeed!
Buffalo Ralph Wilson Stadium
I attended the Buffalo Bills game on Sunday against Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens. The Bills are playing much better this year and won the game. I had a great time except for the stadium experience at The Ralph. It was announced that there was a watermain break. I know the difference between a watermain break and sewer back-up. This was a sewer back-up. Half the stadium was soaking in foul water. They cut off half the bathrooms and the concessions. If you have ever been to Ralph Wilson Stadium you know that the facility is the worst in the NFL.
There is no more excuses, Ralph Wilson Stadium is unfit for the NFL. Either build a new stadium, renovate or move the team.
There is no more excuses, Ralph Wilson Stadium is unfit for the NFL. Either build a new stadium, renovate or move the team.
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