Oops

Sorry... some have written to me to say that they could not view the video below... I have changed the settings and it should work now (I think). Someone watch it and then comment to tell me that it works. Thanks! :)

It seemed like a good idea at the time

When Paul Quilliams says, "Come here... I have and idea" it may be time to run. Just saying.... my neck still hurts and this was a week ago (mind you, I did try it two more times... it was fun) :)

Making money the easy way

Forget the stock market. Forget mutual funds. I have found a way to make a 50% profit on your money in one night. Here is what you do....

First, go to the Estevan Bruins' hockey game with your daughter Katelyn (if you do not have a daughter Katelyn, you may be able to use any other daughter... or son I suppose... though I have not tried that so there are no guarantees. Optionally, I can rent you my daughter Katelyn - that way I make even more money)

Second, wait until she gets cold and wants something warm to drink (this may happen within the first three minutes, but it is best to wait until about the 2nd intermission)

Third, stand in line at the concession with said daughter until she orders. Take out a twenty dollar bill, hand it to her and say, "I'll be over here" and then move to the side.

Fourth, when the little girl comes back with your daughter's change and places it in front of her, reach over and take it. Place the $10 bill in your wallet and put the loonie in your pocket.

Fifth, stand a greater distance away from the concession until said daughter comes, hands you your coffee and says, "Here is your change" while dumping $17 in the pocket of your coat.

Review:
Initial investment: $20
Change received: $11 (the change I took from the counter) and $17 (the money Katelyn came back with) for a total of $28

That is a profit of almost a 50% in four minutes and thirty-five seconds!!!! (and you have a hot chocolate, a coffee and a very yummy Caramilk bar)

Now - the rest of the procedure is recommended only if your conscience is a problem for you (but be warned... it is going to hurt your profit margin greatly)

Six, look back at the concession and identify the rather large man with the very disgusted/annoyed/confused look on his face... hint: he is likely the one arguing with the concession girl who is saying, "But I gave you your change already"

Seven, go up to the man, tap him on the shoulder and ask him if he is missing his change. When he says "Yes" - as if to say "What business is it of yours" - confess what happened and EMPHASIZE (this part is important... it may determine whether further legal action is required or, possibly, whether or not you get punched in the face) the MISTAKE part of your explanation.

Eight, offer to give the money back. Ask the man how much it was while pulling the $10 bill out of your wallet. When he says, "Close enough" insist on giving back the full amount (the entire $11). This will be important later in the night when you discover that this man is a cousin of a couple who have been coming to church lately and to whom he tells this story.... and how honest you were in the end.

Either you make $11 or you make a reputation as a good good guy... And "all's well that ends well". Either way, you are ahead in the end. :)

An Apology to Can Trash

I, like most Canadians, make fun of Canadian Tire. We call it "Can Trash" or "Canadian Junk" or other names not suitable to be recorded on a family blog.

Now, I will admit that one of my favorite events of the week is looking through the new Canadian Tire flyer, but even that has not stopped me from making fun of the place... until now.

You see, I made a mistake (Hard to believe, I know, but go with me on this one for a minute). My truck needed a new radiator and Canadian Tire happened to have them on sale this week (20% off), so I thought, "I will get one Friday morning". The "mistake" part = the sale ended Thursday night.

I was mad! That was going to cost me an extra $60! Sixty bucks because I did not get there before Thursday night??? Seriously???? Surely someone with a half a brain could figure out that I should not be penalized just because I did not happen to show up for my "sale item" while it was actually "on sale".... I mean - come on!!! (Yes I do realize too that someone with half a brain could have read the flyer properly and got there when the sale was on... but that is not the point of this story).

Fortunately, the nice man at the parts counter looked it up the rad I needed, brought it out and said, "I think we can give it to you for the sale price".

Therefore, I will not call it "Can Tra.." again (at least for a week anyway). :)


PS. The rad is in, the truck has been test driven and it looks like it is good to go. Yaaaayyyy!!!

PPS. Here is a video that I saw the other day... it has nothing to do with anything that I have been saying, it is just worth seeing.

Just for a Laugh

I saw Steve Martin on "Just for Laughs" a few months ago and he was playing a banjo (quite well I may add). He actually is putting out a bluegrass record with a group called "Steep Canyon Rangers" (seriously).

On the show, he and the SCR did this song.... I just ran across it again and thought I had to post it. Enjoy and have a laugh (it is good for you).

PS. If you don't appreciate the song at least appreciate the harmonies.... these guys are amazing!

A good "first day back"

I know that I went back to the office one Wednesday, but in some ways today was my first real day back from holidays.

Yes - I have heard all the "Preachers only work one day per week - and only 1/2 of that" jokes.... but in some ways there is some truth to the fact that Sunday is "the big day". Much of what I do all week long focuses on the things that will happen on Sunday - lessons, classes, etc. So - while weekdays are busy.... nothing matches the adrenaline rush (or lack thereof if I am tired and worn out) of Sunday.

And guess what.... I enjoyed it!

I was nice to be back. It was nice to see everyone (it seemed that many felt the same way as we had lunch at the building and at 2 pm there was still a approximately 40 people hanging around and visiting). Class was fun to teach and the discussion was very good. The sermon went well. A service and visiting at one of the nursing homes was nice.... topped off by a hockey game with a buddy.... it was a nice day.

Many times it is hard to come back after being away.... it is easy to be selfish on holidays and think only about yourself and it is tempting to stay like that.... but today was a good reminder that I like being here.... I like the people here.... I like what I do..... it was a good first day back.

Penny.... Penny..... Penny

I think my eyes are turning the most majestic shade of red from watching too much TV. In fact, I have watched more "non-sports related" TV in the last 5 days than I have in the last 8768457687685 years.

But it has been worth it..... we are on a "The Big Bang Theory" marathon..... I was given the three season DVD set for Christmas (Thanks Jen and Justin) and now we are officially addicted... and Sara calls me "Sheldon" most of the time now. I am not sure if I should be insulted or proud. I am not good at reading these things (To quote Sheldon) :)

Oh well - it is time well wasted.

Well - that was interesting

I PVRed the World Junior game last night (spoiler alert: For anyone who has been living under a rock and has not heard the score or the details yet, but still wants to be surprised - stop reading now!)...... and I am glad that I did.

In fact, I am glad that I did not shut it off after two periods like I thought I should (It was in control - and sort of a snoozer at that point).

I can't believe all the people whining on Facebook (Yes I was lurking or "creeping" on Sari's page again) about how terrible it was for Canada to lose...... boo hoo!

Come on! The Russians just completed the BIGGEST COMEBACK in tournament history!!! That was amazing!!!! I don't care if it was against Canada. I don't get a gold medal either way - I don't even get the silver one - so what do I really care??? It doesn't affect me one way or another - with the one exception of whether it was entertaining to watch or not..... and it certainly ended up being entertaining (if you really like hockey and are not just a "homer" - the Russians played an incredible period).

Good for you Russia! Great game! You fought back hard and took it to the Canadians and deserved to win! Way to go!!!! You will hear no complaining from me.

Happy New Year

Hey everyone.... just a short note to recap the last week or so and to say "Happy 2011".

We have been away from home for the last 10 days or so (got home last night). In that time we went to Dauphin, built a big snow fort (the kids liked that), went on a horse drawn sleigh ride, went skating and a bunch of other fun things.... then we went to Moose Jaw and hung out for a few days, went bowling, skating at the outdoor skating oval, shopping.... then we went to Regina and hung out with the Mooney clan, went to a wedding, watched a couple of movies, went to a Pats game, played with the kids...... and now we are home.

I all honesty, I am not really ready to go back to the office tomorrow, but it will be good (right? Please say "right"!!!!!)

I was nice to be away..... nice to spend so much time with Sari and the kids.... nice to be with people that we love..... but (honestly) it was nice to arrive in Estevan last night (seriously - I know it is Estevan but it is still home).

I know that it will be ok once I get back into the routine..... but I have one more day to enjoy doing nothing - so I am.

So - "thanks" to everyone who made our time away nice. And - by the way - please keep coming back to the blog. I may not write every day, but I will try. And write back if you like - I like the conversation.

Happy 2011 from us! :)