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Commentary

And a new era begins…

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Barack ObamaCONGRATULATIONS to Barack Obama and the USA for the inauguration today of a man who represents the opportunity to bring real change, economically, socially, politically, and geo-politically. Hopefully the changes will be positive! He faces quite a challenge.

As a Canadian, I’m worried about Obama’s dislike for the NAFTA accord. It has been good for our country, and their’s too I believe. His stand will certainly stir up the debate again.

I know a lot of people are excited, but I’m worried about his inexperience. I wish him the best! I really think he can make a difference no matter how poorly he fares. He has finally brought the dream of Martin Luther King to fruition. I think it is so fitting that MLK day was so close to Obama’s inauguration.

If you have not seen this video, take a look – the “compiler” is will.i.am, of Black Eyed Peas fame. He’s known for his multi-media involvement, in entertainment and the web. Here is the video – impressive and moving.

It will be interesting to see what Obama can do, especially in the short term. That’s what people want to see – what can he do NOW.

Jobs are falling away and he needs to stop that bleeding first. Certainly he’ll try to pour money into the infrastructure, and that will create a lot of jobs. He will be remembered as the Roosevelt of our times if he is successful. Good luck sir. I hope you do a great job!

All About Max

Foggy days lately

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Max in a bandanaWe’ve been in a fog… and the weather has been crazy too! This year is going to be one for the record books, that’s for sure. First the seemingly endless amounts of snow, and now this crazy fog.

I love the fog, and so does Pam, but we don’t normally get it for such a long time and over such a wide area. I’m going to have to get some shots of the bridges, because you can hardly see them.

Max-Foggy ParkThe one of Max in the fog was taken on Saturday, at Serpentine Off leash park. He’s been a bit restless with all the snow not allowing him to get out and give it a good run, so we’ve been to the offleash a couple times over the last couple of days.

The one of him in his new bandana was taken at the office on Saturday. (I was installing the new server on the weekend – easier to do when no one is around tapping their feet waiting for the databases to get back online.)

He’s doing really well, except for his barking at strangers. I’m convinced it’s because he’s scared, or nervous of them, rather than him trying to be mean. He’s generally pretty good, but still has his moments of barking at strangers.

Here’s a small movie to give you an idea of the thickness of the fog in the park.

All About Max

New Year, New Snow to shovel!

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Pam n Max in the SnowYep, back at the shoveling snow thing again today. Thought we were done with that, but apparently global warming is taking a holiday in the Caribbean!

We looked for a cheap flight to Acapulco, but every time we tried to book them, they suddenly disappeared. But gee, we can offer you this replacement, and it’s a mere 300 more than the other one!
January 3rd, 2009I tell you – if it snows one more time, we’ll have to DRIVE somewhere warm.

Hope you all had a nice safe New Year’s. Especially our Calgary readers. Hope you were able to duck all the bullets flying…

We really need for Canada to purchase a big Caribbean island so we can have a nice warm place to retire, that’s still part of Canada. A great plan… real estate is never a bad investment, right?

All About Max, For Buck

Happy New Year everyone!

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New Year’s Eve day has dawned cold again. The snow is still hanging around in big dirty piles, like so much laundry. The rains have come to take some away, but the drifts are still several feet high on the lawn. We have a small patch of green showing! ha – spring is coming.
Ice-CrystalsHere is a picture I took of some ice crystals. It struck me as interesting when I took it, now not so much… guess with coffee comes cynicism.

2008 was a difficult year for a lot of people. It’s hard to wish people Happy New Year this year, but it seems this year especially it’s more important to do so. Because I truly hope 2009 is a better year for you all.

I hope there is less war and killing and dying. Enough of our soldiers dying in countries we know so little about, for reasons we seem to care less about, as the world economy teeters on the brink of collapse. We pour billions into war – enough of it already. Let’s try half that amount on peace instead.

Buck in the snowI’m glad to see 2008 recede away into the past…. let the pundits begin to peck at it’s carcass. It was a rotten year in a lot of ways.

Good luck to Barack Obama and all the other political leaders this year. It’s gonna be a long hot summer…

Anyway – cynical rant off…

I truly do wish you a great New Year. May you all continue to prosper in these difficult times.

And I still really miss my boy Buck.

Holidays

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Pam in the SnowWe shoveled and shoveled yesterday. And woke this morning to greet Christmas with more shoveling! hah

Looking forward to global warming. They say we can expect another 20 centimeters before the night is over.

Are we not full yet?

Here is a little movie to go with our winter theme; it’s from a couple days ago. There is a lot of snow there, as you can see, but we’ve had at least 8 inches since that movie was taken.

This is of a neighbour’s house, just so you don’t think I’m the only one around who does his lights up!

All About Max

Another great snow-in

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Max In the SnowSeems for the last few years running we’ve talked about the worst snow storm ever.

Like most of North America, we’re digging out from another big dump of snow this year. I hope you’re all safe and warm, and your cars are running without any additional damage!

Digging OutMax likes the snow, that’s for sure. He has no problems plowing into any snowbank. The snow is piled way high.

Took about an hour to dig the driveway out this morning -third time i’ve dug the sidewalk in 36 hrs – I didn’t sign up for this – supposed to be the WET coast! And not a single car came by.

Two trucks came by, but that’s it. Basically the city is crawling. The police were recommending that only those with chains should be driving. It is very deep on the corners, easy to skid out.
Digging OutThe snow has buried about 30% of our display! lol Just keeping the blowups going is a challenge some nights. The snow easily beats them down.

But honestly, really enjoying the snow. Would like to find a place to skate outside!

Last night, Pam and Max and I went for a nice walk, and we cruised up the middle of the street, since there were zippo cars. He’s a very obedient guy, came running to our side every time we called him when a car dared the streets. He’s quite hysterical in the snow, when he gets pumped up.

We met another couple of dogs out in the snow, and they figured it was the off leash park haha.

He was always running back to us with face full of snow just grinning.