The Last Word

DONE

2006-07-30T17:26:00.000-04:00

Alright, this is it. Although the new blog isn't done to where I want it (although what IS done is soley thanks to Jes, Curt and Jeanette) I will now post soley on it and leave this one as an archive of my old stuff, not that anyone read it anyway :).

So the new site is now and will always be crazylikeafox.ca. And it WILL one day rule the earth with its literary genius and kick-ass graphics (mad props to Jeanette). So go there. Now. Do it.

I'M MOVING!!

2006-07-18T12:31:00.000-04:00

That's right kids (or you two who read this), I've made the jump to my own webpage......after I actually figure out how to construct my new blog, it will be located at crazylikeafox.ca!

So look for new and exciting things at crazylikeafox.ca

Second Stage - Day 2

2006-07-15T20:46:00.000-04:00

I'm having some difficulties with this damn blog thinggy, and can't seem to access my editing tools or the html functions, so this will be a link-less and unfortunately brief blog.

The Second Stage festivities last night began with a wee bit of a snag in the form of damaged equipment and tenting due to wind and rain. This facilitated a change of location to the Home Of Local Music, otherwise known as Loplops. Rotary Acts took the stage prior to the CD Release party for Big Wheel and the Spokes, and let me tell you, the music was outstanding (not that I personally had any doubts.) Its not like I'm an accredited music critic or anything, but I'se knows whats I'se likes, and I liked this night of music alot.

The Harmony Sisters and Mark Dunn were the first two acts, and these guys were good! I must admit to not having been overly familiar with their work prior to this evening, and I was admittedly impressed with what I heard. The styles on display were right along the lines of the music that I like, which is always a good thing :).

Startle Fish was the next act, and although I've been to many of their shows over the last year or so with Curt (betterthancrabs.com), I was impressed with the new sound I heard last night. Its been awhile since I heard the show, and with the lineup juggle of last night (I appologize for a lack of names here, I DO know that Craig West was on base last night which is a different look) the sound came across as a new and exciting one. I was impressed with new tone and sound, which was a bit of a departure I think but at the same time kept the feel that they developed over the last little while.

Finally, the night was capped by the CD Release party for Big Wheel and the Spokes, a band comprised of Jay Case, Frank Deresti and Cliff Alloy. I don't want to sound like a biased kiss ass, but I'm a big fan of their sound and their songs. Jay managed to continue his excellent vocals and Frank and Cliff were spectacular as usual.....wow, that IS kiss-assy.

The crowd was pretty darn good I thought, and were definately appreciative of all the artisits and their music. It was a nice thing to see local bands being supported by the community and hopefully its a trend that will continue.

Blogelation - It Begins

2006-07-13T17:46:00.000-04:00

So tonight is the night of guerilla journalizm, or blogalizm, or is it blogelism.....definately not botchelism......

Anyway, I believe I will be attenting the festivities at Rotary Fest's Second Stage somtime at or around 9 pm tonight, although tomorrow is a day off for this young manager-type, so I can attend the full event. I look forward to my blog tonight, as I think its time to spread my literary wings and dust off my irresistable writing style....well, at least its a style, although it may or may not actually be irresistable....oh well.

Blogelation - it means I have to be creative

2006-07-12T00:49:00.000-04:00

I've been in this rut for the last coouple of years where my creative side has essentially gone AWOL, leaving me with a few lame attempts at writing the "Great Canadian Novel" and a serious case of blogger's block. So along comes a chance to participate in what is a fantastic concept: join up with local bloggers whom I have never met (and in many cases never talked to) and cover our local Rotary Fest. with no time tables, restrictions or guidelines. This could only be one thing : Blogelation.

Its the brainchild of local bloggers and upstarts Curt O'Neill and Craig West, and has the potential to influence every major decision in the Western Hemisphere from this point to infinity.....or at least for the next 3 days or so locally. Only time will tell on that one....

So in an effort to psyche myself up for the inevitable brain cramp and horrible embarrasment which may befall me, I shall endeavour to cover this event as eloquently and as professionally as possible.....ah screw it, I'll call it as I see it and that'll have to be good enough. God knows I'll take this blogging thing a little more to heart once I commission Curt to build me a new site.....

I read once that "if you build it, they will come...."; great baseball quote, I hope it works for blogging.

Ross

Irony, thy name is Ross

2006-07-01T21:24:00.000-04:00

So for like 2 or 3 years now I've been asked to go camping with Curt and Jes and others during the summers, and this year, lo and behold, I've finally been able to say "yes, I will go!" Woo hoo right?

Welllll let me tell you something, someone out there has a sick sense of humour, because my first camping trip since my OAC year has ended after one night due to RAIN. It HASN'T RAINED IN A MONTH!!!! So OBVIOUSLY the rain should choose today, Canada Day (July 1st for the Yanks out there) to come down and ruin my camping odyssey. Oh well. I suppose there's always next year.....maybe....

How much I suck at Golf

2006-06-21T23:59:00.000-04:00

For a golfer, I guess I make a hell of a foosball player. That's right, I suck. I finally have come to the understanding that golf is a sport made for those with both talent and mental toughness. I have the talent, despite what others may say.......but apparently I am just mental.....the toughness part is somthing beyond my grasp.

I was involved in a Playing Ability Test in Sudbury Ontario this past weekend, which if passed would allow me to continue along the path to becoming a Canadian Professional Golf Association Teaching Professional. This is something I've been working towards for the better part of 6 years now.....the test part for the last 4 years. Basically I've settled for "summer" jobs at golf courses while friends have gotten "real" jobs, houses, cars, etc etc. This was all done in the quest for the title "Golf Professional". Its a cool job, something I love to do, and apparently beyond the realm of my abilities.

I sound a little pissed/fatalistic/whatever right now, but the reality is I've wasted 6 years chasing a thing that I am simply not wired to get. The skill is there - I'm a very competitive person who is a 3 to 6 handicap golfer, and I teach this game to almost anyone - but for some reason when faced with competition in golf, I fold faster than the Leafs in the Playoffs....(gotta love a random Toronto dig).

So anyways, the theraputic rant has ended, and should anyone require a very personable, customer-oriented business grad who can shoot 73 as a member of their major corporate staff, feel free to let me know.

So until next time, I'm off like a Prom dress.......

Back in business

2006-06-17T19:07:00.000-04:00

Alright, you can all breathe again, I HAVE RETURNED! Or, well, if Curt ever reads this, then hey.....

Anyways, lots of stuff has happened in the last 3 months......

- I moved into an apartment populated by the lovely Ashleigh and her equally lovely (in a not gay way) boyfriend Darryl...

- I've been going full bore with the whole "golf course manager" thing....

- I've obviously gotten internet restored...

- And I got married...

Okay, the last one never happened, but everyone else I know is getting married, so I wanted to fit it, without the whole "committment" thing....

But that's enough for now, I'm heading to Sudbury Ontario tomorrow morning for my Playing Ability Test, which is a requirement for my CPGA certification. Basically, pass the playing test and become a pro golfer.

I'll tell you how it went.

Ross

On Hiatus

2006-04-16T23:10:00.000-04:00

Well, a lot has happened in the two weeks since I last posted.....I've been going full bore at my job Managing a golf course, and I just recently agreed to move into an apartment with an acquaintance of mine. well, she's a friend, but we're not as tight as I guess we'll end up being as roommates. The only negative so far is that we do not have internet access in the apartment, and since I also lack the 'net at work, I won't be on here for a while.....I COULD go online here at my parents house, but seriously, I'm just getting out, I don't plan on returning any time soon.

So I say ciao for now, but I don't think it will be a long break, because I just can't go without the net for too long.

Later Kids.

Ross

Day 1 at Queensgate (well day 2, but whatever)

2006-04-01T21:17:00.000-05:00

Kinda creepy actually....

Ok, so its day 2 actually, but the first day of REAL work I put in. Damn it sucked. I was there for 7 hours, but I had been "working" since 8 am in reality, as I was a Sir James Dunn Highschool helping out with a rummage sale thing. I havn't worked this hard.....ever.

But things are looking good though, and there seems to be plenty to keep me busy, so I have no reason to get bored or anything, that's for sure. I open on Monday (2 days) so I have some stuff to get ready for then, but it shouldn't be too tough I suppose (the actual course and range don't open for a while though....its just the Pro Shop).

But I'm obviously tired as this post is all rambly and poorly worded, so I'll end it here, and let my 1 or 2 readers rest their brains....it must be tiring trying to follow this stuff....

The sweet sounds of promises shattering.....

2006-03-28T00:36:00.000-05:00

Well, it took only 2 months for the Conservative Government to officially shatter a major promise and turn into a suspicious look-alike of the former Chretien Liberals. That's right kids, Harper's as bad as the rest. Yes yes yes, I know I've said that before, but here in black and white (well, depends on the monitor I suppose) is the evidence: the Fat Man In Power (chubby chubby little Harper) has decided to control the media on Parliament Hill. to only let out information he wants to be let out. Niiiiiiiiice.

I believe the original promise was one of restoring accountability and transparency in government, because those dastardly Liberals were all a bunch of crooks and yadda yadda yadda.....Ironically, the Fat Man In Power managed to destroy what little potential he had as a leader in one fell swoop. Its a simple thing really, telling the truth and talking to the press, but for some reason no one who is in politics can do it. Hell, I bet I'd make a better Prime Minister than this guy, because I'd simply tell the truth all the time. Then again, people don't want to hear the truth most the time, so really, I guess I wouldn't last as long as Fatty Harper. Hunh, the irony.

Thanks to Yahoo for unknowingly letting me swipe their article, because I don't want to get sued.

The unemployable has become the employed

2006-03-23T14:45:00.000-05:00

The Course that Ross Built.....well, maybe not built, but whatever...

So here I am, minding my own business, not getting the other jobs I applied for, when out of the blue (or off the greens?) comes the offer from the wonderful people at Crimson Ridge to Manage their Queensgate Greens par 3 executive golf course. I am currently "thinking" about it, but seeing as how the other options have not panned out, I'm going to have to say that this is my new job. And its not like I don't want it either, I mean how many people have managed a golf course that you know?

Besides, I used to work there for 6 years back in the 1990's (old man Ross), so this is another one of those "coming full circle" things. I love that saying....

So I guess ol' unemployable me has found something he can do.....and hopefull do well, although I see no problems there. I mean, I've been in the golf industry in some capacity for 8 years, and my business degree was meant for this sort of thing.

So here's to me, my new job, my new cell phone, and hopefully within a month or so, my new appartment....all I need now is that mail-order bride and I'm set!

Sweeeeeeeet.

Results for the Contest

2006-03-23T14:37:00.000-05:00

Ok, here unofficially are the results from the "how many replies will I get to my resume's" contest. It was tough, considering I had 3 people vote (excellent turn out, sadly), but the final answer was I heard from 3 places......although the third place was technically a new contender and wasn't the Casino, but what can you do. So congrats to......wait, that's right, no one thought I'd hear from more that one! You bastards! Hahaha........

Speaking of things coming full circle....

2006-03-21T01:14:00.000-05:00

I guess that this whole "life is a giant circle" theory isn't limited to politics and political promises. Apparently it applies to golf too. Yeah, golf....go figure. Here I am, I've given up the dream of being a golf pro (ok, a teaching pro because I suck) only to find myself going for a meeting in the morning about the potential of running the first golf course I ever worked at. Some real freaking irony. Hunh. I mean, I'm waiting to hear from two other positions I interviewed for, and I think I have a good shot at both, and kinda out of the blue a third option is presented to me.
So after all my talk about this not being a money situation, it may actually boil down to the coin. I think I'd jump at the chance to stay in golf and make some real money, as long as the pay would be comparable to the other two jobs I'm up for (average about $25k - ish). Then again, there's nothing wrong with cutting that cord and trying something not quite as familiar or safe; I think I could use a few more chances in life.

Oh well, we'll see if I even get offered the position tomorrow......

New Digs for the Dogs

2006-03-19T13:33:00.000-05:00

"Last Night" for the ol' barn tonight

So tonight is the "last" night for the old Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, and I managed to snag a couple tickets to it. Well, technically the Gardens aren't being demolished until after the last playoff game, but this is the going-away celebration. I've been meaning to go to more games that I did this year (okay, so this is my first game of the year, what can you do though when you're unemployed and have no money) and next season I plan on going as much as possible; ideally I'd like to get seasons tickets, but we'll see the cash flow situation as the time comes.

I've got a lot of fond memories of the barn myself, everything from the first time I played a game there as a kid to the Mike Oliverio Years of the Hounds, to the last game I played there in Highschool. But I think I'll end this post with a rendition of my favorite memory of the Gardens as a player there myself.....

In my grade 11 year at Sir James Dunn (1996) I somehow managed to make it onto the school's hockey team as a defenceman. I was all of 5'6" tall and weighed in at a bone jarring 140 lbs - sheer muscle - and I guess it was the dogged determination I had that got me on that team, because I figured the only way to stick would be to hit everything on the ice and to keep the puck out of my net on my shifts. Oh, and I could skate, and really well too I might add. the league itself at that time was condsidered a "bush" league or a goon league, and quite frankly I was more than nervous about my first game, as I'd heard some stories about the levels of violence and fighting that took place. So there you have it, the scene is set....

My first season for SJD began as every Highschool hockey seasons in Sault Ste. Marie does, with the vaunted East/West Game. This pits the East schools (SJD, White Pines, St. Mary's) against the West (Bawating, Korah, St. Basils)....I believe Central Algoma Secondary School is in there now too...where each team plays 90 minutes or so and all the students from the various schools pack the arena and the place is generally pandemonium. I had played hockey for many many years before this game, but I had never played to an OHL-caliber arena filled to capacity before. I was about to know what the Greyhounds must feel like every time they step on the ice.

Thankfully I was paired with the Captain of the team as my defensive partner, who was 6' tall and must have tipped the scales at 200 lbs or so. Kevin Bradley was his name. He said he'd watch my back for me, but to keep my head up and stay away from the stupid stuff. No problem. I can't really put into words the emotions you get walking up the hallway hearing the noise from the crowd over your head, then emerging from the depths of the arena and stepping onto the ice as the fans from both teams try to drown each other out in their efforts to cheer on their boys. It was almost overwhelming, and I was shaking like a leaf. Not only did I get to experience that first deafening period, I was also starting the game, which meant lining up on the blueline as your name was called over the P.A. and getting cheered and then removing the helmet while 'O Canada' was played. That of itself was awesome. the game was and still is a blur in my memory, although I remember getting an assist and taking a penalty for tripping, both of which got me minor fame for one day at school. That was cool too :).

All told, I playe two more of those games in grades 12 and OAC, and I started those two as well. I'll never forget the experience of 2000 people cheering and playing a game in front of such awesome fans.

Go Hounds Go.

2006-03-17T17:57:00.000-05:00

Here I am in all my Glory (I finally figured out the pictures thing on this blog deally). The Man, The Myth, The Legend Himself - look at that beer-holding, "gun" flexing pose......that can only be me.....Ross

....and why I sometimes hate the philosophies I like

2006-03-17T17:26:00.000-05:00

I enjoy a good debate on politics as much as the next person, even more if its with one of those looney NDP do-gooders with their "free healthcare and school for everyone" hippy mumbo jumbo. And alright, I admit it, just because I type something doesn't make it gospel (the religion debate is a whole other kettle of fish, but feel free bring it onnnnnnnnn bitches).

But seriously, turning a little comment space with reference to one young man's observations on Hypocrite Harper, into a blog entry in and of itself, well that's just ridiculous. If anyone wants to write a 10,000 word entry on why Stephen Harper and the Conservatives are huge crooks and the Liberals were unfairly punished and use all the political jargon there is, feel free, but just make it on your own site, not as a comment on mine.

Like I said, my comment spots are for people to poke fun at my receding hairline (alleged), my lack of a girlfriend, or to agree or disagree with any and all stances I take in a manner which will stimulate debate or which are exceedingly funny and/or immature to the point of hilarity.

I'm the only idiot that gets to do that ranting/blogging stuff on my site dammit.

What's old is new again....

2006-03-15T23:17:00.000-05:00

I thought it was about time to bring another political-minded rant to my little corner of the internet, and this time I turn 100% cynical. That's right, I've quit being optimistic or naive - all politicians are the same, regardless of party affiliation. Wow, that felt odd to say.

You see, the Conservative Party of Canada basically brought down the minority Liberal government over the Gomery report, which indicated less-than-honest financial dealings during the Chretien/Sovereinty period. The Liberals had no real hope of winning after the Conservatives painted Canadians the picture of a Liberal party too obsessed with power and greed to continue as the leaders of the nation. So ironically, what was the first thing the Harper governent did when taking power? He decided to bribe a Liberal to cross the floor and take a cabinet position....which immediately garnered the attention of the ethics czar of federal politics.

So kids, what is the lesson here? Is it the classic "do as I say, not as I do", or perhaps a more appropriate "screw you I'm in power now muahahahahaha!!!"

I can tell you this....election time again in 6-8 months.

The more things change, the more they yadda yadda yadda. Yeah, I yadda'd the best part. Sue me.

Update on Resume contest

2006-03-10T15:01:00.000-05:00

Uh oh kids, looks like there's already a strike against those (ok, you tim) who voted or planned to vote (riiiiight) for no replies to my resumes. I've gottenthe first official interview for next Wednesday at 10 am.....so my corporate career could be taking off......or not, we'll find out in yet another week or 5.

Hilarious

2006-03-07T15:24:00.000-05:00

Ok, this was hilarious, so I thought I'd share. Check it out if you're a true Simpsons fan.

The Simpsons.

Sorry......cudos to Curt and his Better Than Crabs conglomerate.

Work Applications - The Game of Chance

2006-03-07T03:27:00.000-05:00

Ok, I want to see how many, if any, people read this thing besides Curt the odd time hehe, so here's an interactive post. I've got 3 resumes out at this very moment for various jobs that range from Office Manager for an Engineering firm to Human Resource Assistant at the Casino to Director of Operations at RYTAC (Rotary YMCA Tennis and Aquatic Club).

My simple question to everyone is this.....how many will I hear back from with an interview offer? This is not as easy a question as you may think to answer, as I've failed to hear back in the past from places where I was more than qualified for the jobs. So let me know what your guess is (none, 1, 2, 3) and I'll let everyone know the final tally after I hear (or don't hear) from the last place. For the sake of argument, the closing date of the last job, the Casino, is not until this Friday, so I'll give it until next Friday to here from them. I know they tend to take longer than that sometimes, but for our purposes that's good enough.

Something about a wagon

2006-03-05T15:41:00.000-05:00

Jerry Seinfeld said it best when he asked "If you resume drinking as an alcoholic, have you fallen off the wagon? Or did you get on the wagon?" I don't know the answer, but I've resumed my drinking career after a relatively easy reversal of my no-drinking policy. Turns out all that was required was to be asked if I wanted a drink. The answer was yes and the drinking career resumed.

Now don't get me wrong, I have no alcoholic compulsions regarding alcohol.....I mean, I've never had the overwhelming urge to consume massive quantities of spirits. The original decision to quit was more a lack of income combined with me being tired of hangovers at my age and a relatives alcohol-related illness. My decision to resume the odd drinking night was more basic.....I felt like it. Anyways, for all the party people out there, I'm back in the game....but in reality, the heavy partying days are long gone......

.....and for the record I think its falling off the wagon, although I'm personally a long way from needing anything horse-drawn to carry me.

Oh god I'm old...

2006-03-02T22:56:00.000-05:00

I have finally decided to accept the inevitable, and declare myself old. That's right Curt, I accept and embrace the reality. It was made obvious to me tonight at the outdoor rink that what used to be a pleasurable past-time and a way to hone my amazing skills has become the ultimate in exhaustive torture. I think my wind and legs both gave out as I skated from the shack where I put my skates on to centre ice where the sticks were shuffled to select teams. After that it was just pure Viet Cong prisoner camp torture.
I DID manage to sneak in about 6 goals I believe, but it was 3 on 3, and those 6 goals were mainly intercepted passes with no one between me and the opposition net. To be fair, I showed the odd sign of my former brilliance, manifested in the form of a fast break here and there. But all in all I thought my lungs would explode after 5 minutes.
I apologize to everyone I ever told that golf was a sport, because if it were a sport, I'd still be in shape. And by god the only shape I'm in now is one of pure misery and exhausted pain. Crap I'm old.

Women's Hockey - Good, but not THAT good

2006-02-23T11:07:00.000-05:00

This title will be a little misleading I imagine, mainly because I was rather avid in watching all the Women's Olympic hockey games. I thought that the Women's team was rather dominant, as I am sure everyone else with eyes and a little hockey sense must have thought as well. The thing is though that I disagree with comments from one of the Canadian commentators after the Women's gold medal game.....I can't remember her name, but the lady actually said that she thought that this years Women's Olympic Gold Medal winners were "the best Canadian Team EVER, Men's or Women's."

Now like I said, I liked the women's hockey, but come on......the best Canadian hockey team EVER? That's covering a lot of teams, just in my lifetime....and I'm sure there were many teams from the early era's that were spectacular in their time as well. But to compare non-contact hockey, men's or women's, with the traditional game is to me a waste of time and a simply silly premise. This is not a sport you can compare men and women in. Look at it, this team was goooooooood, but were they better than the 2005 World Junior team that went undefeated and outscored their opponents by a rediculous margin? Or the 1987 Canada Cup team that saw Wayne Gretzky lead the tournament with 21 points? Or how about the 2005 World Cup of Hockey team that cruised to the title with all the best Canadian talent in the world?

Let's face facts:

1. Women's hockey has no contact involved, so it is basically a big game of shinny.....if you let Jerome Iginla or Dany Heatley or others like that play wihout hitting them at all, they'll score a million goals.

2. Canada and the USA are miles ahead of ever other nation in Women's hockey. Sweden is apparently coming closer, but still is not in the same class. There are 7 or 8 dominant nations in Men's hockey, as was proven this year at the Olympics.

3. The game today is a lot different even than it was during the Summit Series of 1972, so to say this ladies team is the "best ever" is comparing very different styles of games together.

4. If this ladies team played the 2005 World Junior Team they would be beaten badly and never win a game against them.

Basically, I'll wrap this rant up by saying that was not a very accurate comment, although I would have little problem agreeing with the lady commentator describing that team as "one of the best" ever perhaps.....it certainly was a dominant performance angainst outclassed teams. And it WAS entertaining hockey.

Tenaris and the Sounds of Silence

2006-02-15T21:22:00.000-05:00

I must be the type of person that kinda blends into the background and is easily forgotten, as its been almost 3 weeks since Tenaris said they'd let me know in 1 week if I was successful or not in my bid for employment there. So doing the math that makes them 2 weeks overdue in calling. I'll take that as a no. But that's ok, I never liked seemless pipe anyway. So the job search continues within the Sault Ste. Marie business realm, although Calgary is seeming like a good option more and more....maybe a road trip in the spring to check out the scene....hmm....

Well, as a wise man once said "Don't sweat the small stuff." Well, I'm sure someone must have said that anyway.

Why we should let the Wayne Gretzky thing go

2006-02-15T01:12:00.000-05:00

Has anyone else heard about this whole Wayne Gretzky gambling thing? Personally I've heard waaaaay too much about it. The guy is a hockey legend with an impeccable reputation for honesty and integrity. He's never done anything to sully that in the 27 years since he entered the NHL. So why all of a sudden when this whole "Operation Slap Shot" thing with Rick Tocchet happens does the media, especially the Canadian media, jump on the guy like sharks on a seal when his name comes up in the investigation? Especially when he was said to have basically had no knowledge of the thing prior to police informing him of it!?

My whole take on this is simple: the man is basically a legend who has been free from any sort of controversy unlike many in his position, so when he says he had no knowledge or involvement in this, I take him at his word and move on. So why can't the media?? I know their job is to find these juicy stories and help tear down heroes and icons, but come on, its Olympics time, and to ask the same couple of questions about this gambling thing that he's not a part of while ignoring the other Olympic participants, that's seems a little, well, retarded for lack of a politically-correct term.

So to all media.....pull your National Inquirer heads out of your collective asses and go the job we all expect you to do......cover SPORTS and the exploits of the athletes. If it comes out the Wayne WAS involved, then by all means go nuts, but until then FOCUS!

"Swingers" - a Guy's blueprint for dealing with Women

2006-02-09T09:14:00.000-05:00

So is it just me or is the movie Swingers simply the best tool ever for young men to use when searching for that special someone? I mean really, Vince Vaughn is simply the Dhali Llama of coolness in this masterpiece, and many of the lessons taught during the course of this film should be closely followed to ensure pick-up success.

Ok, so in reality its a good movie, but seriously, if anyone actually followed a majority of the advice these friends give the Mikey character (John Favreau), they'd more than likely get slapped or worse by your typical woman. But one piece of advice strikes me as being potentially viable, namely the "wait three days to call a girl" advice.

Now I have never claimed to know much, if anything, about women (I don't think this revelation would surprise anyone I know, and in fact may explain some things to many people). But what I do know is that its very important that upon the receipt of a woman's phone number, a guy should call within a decent amount of time. I mean, even I know that calling a girl in this situation after 3 weeks have passed would not be a good thing. But what is the optimal amount of time to wait? I mean the movie has a point....calling the next day seems like your a desperate stalker, while a week is a little too cool. I dunno what the answer is, but I sure would like to know if the movie's "3 day" rule is right!

So let me know what you think, and the concensus response will be what I will use to help other men learn what to do when they get a woman's phone number (plus I get to see if anyone really reads this thing hehe). Its all about education people.

(Here's the actual quote from the movie....)

Mike: So how long do I wait to call?
Trent: A day.
Mike: Tomorrow.
Sue: Tomorrow, then a day.
Trent: Yeah.
Mike: So two days?
Trent: Yeah, I guess you could call it that, two days.
Sue: Definitely, two days is like industry standard.
Trent: You know I used to wait two days to call anybody, but now it's like everyone in town waits two days. So I think three days is kind of money. What do you think?
Sue: Yeah, but two's enough not to look anxious.
Trent: But I think three days is kind of money. You know because you...
Mike: Yeah, but you know what, mabey I'll wait 3 weeks. How's that? And tell her I was cleaning out my wallet and I just happened to run into her number.
Charles: Then ask her where you met her.
Mike: Yeah, I'll ask her where I met her. I don't remember. What does she look like? And then I'll asked if we fucked. Is that... would that be... T, would that be the money?
Trent: You know what. Ha ha ha Mike, laugh all you want but if you call too soon you might scare off a nice baby who's ready to party.
Mike: Well how long are you guys gonna wait to call your babies?
Trent, Sue: Six days.

That's so money......

Guy

Gotta love the Sault

2006-02-06T11:23:00.000-05:00

Well once again our beloved City Council has decided to be their usual petty selves and ruin people's fun. There's apparently three Sault College students who decided to try and get in on the Bon Soo Winter Carnival spirit and build a snow fort (full story here). Beautiful. I remember being a kid and playing in snow forts. Most of us probably did it at one time. Plus its good to see hooligans from Sault College doing something productive with themselves.

So anyway, what did City Council think of this "in the spirit of the event" endeavor? Well they came along and basically kicked the snow fort down. Take that you damn kids. Something about it being a "permanent structure" and having to conform to a maximum height restriction. Hmmm......when's the last time you heard of a snow fort outside of maybe the Arctic being a permanent structure? Has City Council decided to start the next Ice Age and not tell anyone?? Come on people, there's more important and pressing issues out there than making some NON trouble-making kids to tear down their snow fort. For god's sake, they were actually interested in participating in a local event.....so the obvious reaction should be to exclude them at all costs. Nice.

Arsenic and Old Stupid Drivers

2006-02-04T17:05:00.000-05:00

Ok, so there was a copy of Agatha Christies 'Arsenic and Old Lace sitting on the bookshelf at about eye level when I was searching for a title, and I'm not really that against old people as much as I am against Sault drivers period. I just liked the title....

Anyway, back to my ranting....I'm sure most of you who love in either the Sault or a Northern community with snow accumulation has become acutely aware of the phenomenon that makes 2 lane roads shrink due to snowbanking. This ultimately leads to these same roads having 1 1/2 lanes, the 1/2 lane being shared with snowbanks. So what do these rocket scientist drivers decide to do with these 1/2 lanes? Why use them like normal of course!

You see, when two cars travel side by side, they requre a certain amount of space as represented by the designation of lanes. When one of these lanes becomes unuseable due to snow coverage, then that would normally mean that only one lane is now in use. What I have discovered is that drivers here are either too set in their way or too stupid to realize this and determin that if they drive in the outside lane as per usual then the drivers on the inside will simply make room. Newsflash morons, THERE'S PLACE TO GO!! Despite the idiotic ideas, YOU CAN'T SQUEEZE TWO CARS INTO ONE LANE. Its a matter of physics I think....or simple common sense.

Now I understand the idea of turning right, and the need to be in the right-hand lane to do that, but those aren't the people I'm talking about. I'm, talking about the simpleton's who deem it necessary to pass traffic on the outside going 80 km/h in their old crappy trucks or old crapy cars, simply because they HAVE to get to the beer store or buy their cigarettes or whatever other crappy excuse they have.

Ok, that felt good to get out there. So remember, if you don't have an imminent right-hand turn coming up, STAY THE HELL OUT of the curb lane, unless absolutely necessary (see Car Accident Avoidance).

An eventful weekend

2006-01-31T01:20:00.000-05:00

Ok, just out of curiosity, how many people have been to Bay Mills or Brimley, Michigan? Now for those who say "I have", think carefully now and ask yourself if on your way, did you drive through Hessel to get there? The sane and correct answer is no, definitely not. Well....let me tell you a story....

So its Saturday at about 1 pm and I get a phone call from Mike Paquin saying he, George, Sully and Andrew are going to Bay Mills to play this simulator golf game. I asked "is it the same as the one in town here, in Canada?" They assured me it was waaaay better. Sweet. So I said I was in for the road trip. At about 3 pm the boys showed up outside my house in Sully's RV, and we were off.

Now the original plan was that we'd play our simulator golf and end up at the Savoy in Sault Michigan as the after-party and the RV as our overnight accommodations. This meant that I, the rather new non-drinker, was going to get to drive the RV at some point. Sweet. We'd end up back at home Sunday at some time. So that was the original plan.

We rolled off the bridge at about 3:30pm and began our odyssey to Bay Mills. For those of you not familiar with this mythical place, it's a small town about 20-25 minutes south-west of Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper peninsula of Michigan. The usual route to get there involves a 4 minute Interstate 75 ride to 3 Mile Road, a turn off, then a couple more turns and you're there. The key here is that its a 4 MINUTE RIDE on the I-75. I did offer that information, but no one seemed to hear me.....and after the first 30 minutes on the interstate, I thought it was just funny how far away we were from the goal; it was funny, that is, until the RV started having its gas gauge bounce off the "E", indicating, well, trouble. So a turn off the interstate found us, after roughly 20 miles back East on a side road, in Hessel Michigan.....the polar opposite direction we needed to go. Ironically, Hessel apparently doesn't have a gas station in operation for the winter, a nice little tid-bit of info for you kids traveling thataway in the winter months. So this lady at the (only!) bar in town directed us 3 miles further down the road to get some gas in Cedarville. Nice.

So we ended up at the casino in Bay Mills at 6:30 pm.....150 km after starting on the 50 Km journey. Needless to say, we were happy to finally find the damn place. So we golfed for 2 hours...and barely managed 9 holes. It was a little slow out there on the course....I blame the foursome in front of us. So after copious amounts of beer (excluding me) and some dancing (not me again) with an older, yet attractive woman and her equally unattractive friends, we decided to head it back in to the Sault and continue with the original plan.

The bar itself was rather uneventful, the usual stuff except that I got a phone number of a nice young lady (don't worry, the world apparently DIDN'T end) and Sully picked up. Now this last event is important to remember, because of course, the RV is his, and now he's left with his young lady. What did we do? Of course we decided to go home instead of freeze overnight in a parkinglot in Michigan. The caveat though was that Mike brought a couple of 40 something women with him when he came back after the bar. Nice. "Couger's" would be a stretch, but they got a free ride, and who am I to leave someone over in Michigan.......again....(sorry Cristello).

So we lost the old women at the West Side and made our way home.....the rest of the weekend was rather uneventful, but really, did anything else have to happen tomake it a busy weekend?

In the end, the simulator was the EXACT SAME as here in Sault Canada (maybe a year older version), but all in all, it was still cheaper to travel 50 km into Michigan than it was to stay here and play it. Go figure. And people wonder why the Sault is slowly dying.

Tenaris Interview - Take 2

2006-01-27T21:23:00.000-05:00

Well, I was called yesterday morning for a second interview at Tenaris Algoma Tubes this morning, although the girl never mentioned which manager I would be interviewing with and silly me never asked. Turns out it was the Controller and the gist of the interview dealt with Accounting-based questions....things I haven't dealt with in the better part of two years and never thought to brush up on. Suffice it to say, I wasn't overly impressed with myself after the interview, but it wasn't all that bad.
I guess I'll get hired if I get hired, and if I don't, well, there's nothing much I can do about that. Besides, there's always something else out there. I hear Calgary is a nice place this time of year...

How to ship a mail-order bride

2006-01-26T12:27:00.000-05:00

Ok, so the basic extra cost for anything bought on eBay or other internet sites is more often than not shipping. No matter where you buy something online, there's going to be shipping costs (of course I am ignoring local stores, why shop on the internet if its a local store you lazy ass). Now what I want to know is what happens when getting a mail-order bride? I mean, think of the shipping costs there!
Now, if shipping is determined by weight, then obviously you'll want a bride who is more petite, although not everyone's tastes run to that size. Otherwise, you have to be willing to "eat" the cost, so to speak. Obviously shipping by air is the best option as well, because lets face it, if its an over-seas shipment then a container ship ride is not the best way to make your new bride feel welcome. So air is definitely the best option, but that doesn't mean you have to fly her in first class either; coach or business class is a perfectly reasonable alternative. And although I haven't heard of any "no frills" overseas flights, you may want to look into them too.
Finally, there is one more aspect to the shipping question that sometimes gets overlooked that should be carefully considered: duty. There aren't any countries I know of that have a free trade agreement that includes mail-order brides. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that you'll have to pay a tariff or duty on any mail-order brides brought into your country. Now, you may be lucky and confuse the customs agents with your bride, because lets face it, they don't see this too often I'm sure, and I've never seen where its been recorded what the duty is on a mail-order bride. But just be aware of this cost and factor it into all decisions.
In closing, don't let the shipping aspect deter you from entering into the sacred mail-order bride arrangement. In fact, with certain opportunities, there is the chance for a dowry which could offset these costs dramatically. So research research research, as you never know what money-saving methods are out there.

Go get 'em tiger.

Anything to be famous

2006-01-25T14:54:00.000-05:00

Alright 2 posts in one day, not the typical fare from me, but this I just saw. It seems people will do about anything to get their face in the media....like my buddy George. That glory hound. Haha. But its better he's there for eating pizza at work then for something else......like this guy....Nice shirt George.

Greatest Blond Joke Ever

2006-01-25T02:53:00.000-05:00

My type of humour tends to be more of a Monty Python-esque variety, but this blond joke takes the cake for me. I was killing myself laughing.

Dancing with the Devil

2006-01-24T09:26:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite lines from a movie is in the first Batman with Michael Keaton, where the Joker asks "Have you ever danced with the Devil in the pale moolight?" I can now say that yes, yes I have, and that Devil wears blue and calls itself a Conservative.

So another Federal Election has come and gone on Canada yesterday.....I'm sure you were all snug at home, a fire roaring in the fireplace, curled up with a loved one watching the retuns roll in......alright, me neither, but I DID vote, for all the good it did. You see, despite my single vote, the Devil won in Canada.....only this one is blue, and unfortunately NOT from Durham NC or coached by Mike Krzyzewski...

For many years this country has prided itself in its "non-agressive" stance on military matters, preferring to create and perfect the idea of the Peacekeeper. Then, on one fine January day in 2006, we decided "screw it", and elected a "hawkish" Conservative government who would have rather had us in Iraq with the Yanks than "Peacekeeping" in Afghanistan.

We also pride ourselves on our "free" medicare (free? maybe at one time in the past), second only to Sweden in its coverage. So, instead of electing a party that wants to preserve it (i.e. the Liberals OR the New Democratic Party), we elect the party that would like to change the system to a more Americanized version with two-tier healthcare that revolves around private clinics and user fees.

Also, under our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, it says everyone who is a citizen of the country has equal rights under the law. So apparently that means that we agreed enough with a Right Wing party that thinks this definition of "everyone" means everyone who isn't gay or a lesbian. That's right kids, apparently if you're of the homosexual persuasion don't bother coming to Canada to get married in the future, because the new Conservative Government doesn't think same-sex couples should be allowed to get married in the traditional sense of the term. Wow. I mean, I'm as heterosexual as the next good looking guy, but even I figure that if two people who are of the same sex want to ruin their lives like the rest of us and get married, then why not let then? To think, they actually want to get married so that when half of them ultimately get divorced they can split their stuff down the middle. Just a thought, I'm betting they just didn't want to make up a new word for spousal support payments when the spouses are the same sex.....I mean, it can hardly be alimony or palimony....Anyways, they say this whole same-sex thing is "unChristian" or its "immoral".....I ask you, is it any less Christian or any more immoral than traditional couples who cheat on each other?

Finally, the Conservative Devil loooooves tax breaks. They promise tax breaks to all the major corporations AND reducing our national Goods and Services tax by 2%.....effectively removing hundreds of millions of dollars from the budget that otherwise would go to pay for healthcare, education and the military. On top of this, they promised instead of bolstering the national day-care systems revolves around giving parents money to decide what to do for daycare.....hmm, coming from a Northern town of 75,000 that includes 2 of the top 5 selling beer stores in Ontario, I'll have to say that I don't think much of that daycare money will end up anywhere positive.....

So I, after the election of this dog and pony show, have finally come to the personal belief that Canadians are a little bi-polar.....we want all the things we used to have as far as free medicare and other social services, but we also reeeeealy want to not pay taxes to pay for it all....So we elect the jackasses that promise both. Nice.

So enough about them.....who were the other contenders you ask?? Well.....

The NDP - now here's a group of people with some rather left wing views on a lot of things who are the champions of healthcare and essentially embraced by Unions. Good ideas here, its just too bad there are also a lot of hairbrianed ones too. I liken them to a buddy who you're talking to after a 3 day bender.....some good ideas like wanting McDonalds at 4 am, and some not so good ones, like peeing on a Cop car while they are in it.

The Liberals - wow, what can I say about these guys. I'm not going to lie, I was a bonna fide, card-carrying Liberal for a while....then they got all corrupt-ish. Its not important who stole money from who or where, what's more important is why didn't I see any of it? If they had taken this money and given it to the people, like say Robin Hood, than they'd still be in power. They remind me of a deadbeat dad or someone's ex-husband/wife.....they lie, streal and cheat, yet when caught ask "what did I do?" and "I didn't mean it....I can change!"

So that's the gist of the travesty that has occurred. What does it all mean though? Well, with another minority government, we'll just get to do this alllll again next year. Just keep in mind the immortal words of Sir Winston Churchill.......

"However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. "

'Nuff said.

Settling In

2006-01-24T01:08:00.000-05:00

Hmm, so here I now sit in cyberspace, alone yet not alone amongst millions of people....its an odd feeling, knowing that I could be writing this for only me to read and laugh at (someone has to) or I could be typing away, minding my own business, while millions await my next posting. I'm rather thinking the former rather than the latter.

So anyways, how's this dog and pony show going to operate you may ask...you may not ask either, but regardless, I'll answer.

Basically, I'm just transferring my usual verbal diahorrea into written form, listing things that piss me off or make me laugh or are rather exciting, etc... Your standard blog really. Its just that I wanted to be out on a grander stage than I had been....you know, ego.

So anyway, that's enough here, but trust me, I'll have some choice words on the farce that was the Canadian General Election tomorrow, and by god I'll add them to my brand spanking new blog.

Guy

When I was crossing the border into Canada, they asked if I had any firearms with me. I said, "Well, what do youneed?" -- Steven Wright