Hosting UFC 58
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
If anyone is interested Andrew and I are probably going to get this Saturday's UFC pay-per-view (Canada vs USA) and put it up on the projector. I think the bars will be busy because the Leafs are playing Ottawa and I need a good seat to see my Georges.
Just let us know!
posted by aforward @ 9:55 AM,
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Vegetarian Cooking 101
Monday, February 27, 2006
Had a fun time on Saturday at my vegetarian cookig class. I have never taken a cooking class before and boy are they fun. Well actually what's fun is the sampling.
Who knew vegetables could taste so good. I now have recipes for Fennel, leeks, kholrabi and other vegetables I would have never dreamed of buying.
I think spaghetti squash is now my new favourite thing ever! Who knew a vegetable could look (and act) like pasta.
I also liked the lecture part of the class. She taught us about which foods can help prevent cancer and how some seasonings or natural additives you can add to food can make them so much better for you without affecting the taste. For example nutritional yeast contains a lot of protein and B complex vitamins which we miss out not eating red meat. You can just sprinkle a little in your soups or a shake.
You can use flax seed oil in cooking or salad dressings to get those Omega 3 fatty acids. (you can't heat flax seed oil at a high temperature or you will break down the Omega 3 molecules)
posted by aforward @ 2:01 PM,
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Best Long Distance Plans?
Friday, February 24, 2006
Our awesome long distance plan (25 cents a call...no matter what the length)just started to suck so we have to find a new one. (starting to charge a $2.95 monthly fee).
We don't make enough calls to justify paying a monthly fee...so bye-bye to that plan.
I hate calling cards...dialing the number and then entering your pin code irritates me.
So I found Speak 10-10-940. 3.9 cents per minute and no pin to enter. 10 10 940 is easy enough to remember.
posted by aforward @ 1:51 PM,
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Canadian Women Have Won The Most Medals
Canadian women have won more medals at these Winter Olympics than any other country's female contingent. What a neat stat!
Canadian Girls Do Kick Ass!
posted by aforward @ 1:37 PM,
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Newfoundland Schools Get The Day Off
The superintendent of the Newfoundland school board has let the kids stay home today to watch Brad Gushue and his rink's quest for Gold in Men's curling today at the Winter Olympics.
posted by aforward @ 9:39 AM,
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Picking out a Suit
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Andrew and I picked me out a suit the other day (I had an interview with Laurentian Financial Services and wanted to look professional.)
First Suit: Tristan had a nice navy suit but it was a little pricey and well navy is kind of an "old lady colour". Didn't even try this one on... off to next store.
Second suit: Mexx had a nice brown suit that looked great on...but had little sargeant pepper thingies on the shoulders...so got the thumbs down from Andrew.
Third Suit: Benetton; Brownie gold patterned Suit. Perfect. On sale and one size left (my size...well almost...lets just say we can't do up the buttons...but whatever.)
While I'm trying on the suit Andrew is looking for blouses to go underneath. He spots one and asks the salesperson for her opinion:
salesperson: "oh no sir see the suit already has a pattern on it so that wouldn't work...but show her anyway." passes me shirt... And I think it is actually perfect.
salesperson now to Andrew: "wow that actually looks really good" (go andrew!)
So we have our suit and a blouse to go with it...
At the tailors the next day...
"Wow what a beautiful colour...did that come with a jacket?". "This is beautiful fabric must have come from my country" (Italy)
My boss to me today:
"I just wanted to compliment you on those pants you had on yesterday...they were really nice."
I guess we did good!
posted by aforward @ 9:56 AM,
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Champions League Match-ups
I should really be paying more attention:
Arsenal 1 vs Real Madrid 0
Chelsea 1 vs Barcelona 2
Bayern Munich 1 vs Milan 1
Second leg is March 7-8...may have to be sick that day.
posted by aforward @ 9:51 AM,
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When it's time to move on...
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
1. When your boss forgets your job title...
2. When your husband is patient and supportive...
3. When you've been getting interviews in the field you want to pursue a career in...
4. When you'd like to try other things for a couple of months...
when sometimes you just know...
posted by aforward @ 10:10 AM,
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Ricky Williams Violates NFL Drug Policy...Again
Monday, February 20, 2006
Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams has violated the NFL's substance-abuse policy for the fourth time in his career, a source said Sunday. The latest violation likely means Williams faces at least a one-year suspension.
full story
posted by aforward @ 11:48 AM,
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PVR R.I.P.
Friday, February 17, 2006
If you have been following, you know Andrew and I have some major tribulations when it comes to electronics in our home breaking down.
Our PVR is the latest electronic gadget to reach the graveyard.
I think it gets mad when you turn the pvr off with out exiting out of a recorded program.
Anyways the issue has resulted in a technician call and they are coming by on Sunday most likely to swap the box. If they have to swap the box we lose part of Season 5 of 24 (well all of Season 5 so far). So no more Jack Bauer.
It was a little weird on the phone with tech support...she rebooted me from her remote location...neat. It is also weird when you are on the phone with tech support but you have to wait for an event to occur ie: (wait for device to reboot)...let's just say uncomfortable silence.
posted by aforward @ 12:19 PM,
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PrintGator
You know how when you print something from the web or email and one page always comes out with irrelvant information. (waste of ink and paper)
I want to design a little piece of software that installs in your print utility that automatically formats web and email documents to fit to the absolute minimum number of pages.
I would call it PrintGator because it would eat the words rather than printing them.
posted by aforward @ 12:15 PM,
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American Inventor
I saw an ad for this new show last night created by the producers of American Idol. I actually think it is going to be really good and I'm looking forward to it.
Think American Idol for inventors. I can't wait to see the crap people have thought up.
posted by aforward @ 9:43 AM,
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How Do You Eat Your Beavertail?
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Do you buy it for someone?
Do you share it?
Cinnamon or Killaloe?
Maple or Hazelnut?
Garlic and Cheese or Rasberry Jammer?
I'm a maple girl and I ask them to go easy on the topping. I don't like to share : )
I like the Dows Lake stand because its near my house.
posted by aforward @ 11:24 AM,
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Rideau Canal Skateway Ice Conditions
Have been using this website pretty regularly:
Rideau Canal Skateway Ice Conditions
posted by aforward @ 11:22 AM,
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The Way To A Woman's Heart
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
1. Surprise Her...
2. Clean or Cook Without Being Asked...(see above)
3. Hagen Daaz (sp?) Cookie Dough Ice Cream...
4. Candy...
Trust me it's the little things that go the longest way (small gestures that show you care are priceless.)
Andrew's Valentines gift to me this year cost him $1.00 but if measured in caring gestures it would be considered priceless and it was exactly what I wanted. He surprised me (see #1) with how clever it was.
Oh... if in doubt use #1.
posted by aforward @ 1:24 PM,
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My Valentine...
Smart, handsome, sweet, funny (looking).
posted by aforward @ 1:23 PM,
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Where is Everybody?
Monday, February 13, 2006
What a wierd morning...There was hardly anyone on the bus this morning and barely any traffic. I get into to work and nobody is in.
Our mail guy stops by and says he noticed not many people out on the roads either.
I don't think spring break has started?
Winterlude hangover I guess?
Speaking of Winterlude...we had a great weekend, Andrew's cousins were in town so we got to skate the full canal. I can actually skate now... I think. I used to be really bad and would basically just hold onto Andrew and he would wisk me around the canal...but now I can hold my own...At the very least I'm on the better side of the learning curve : )
posted by aforward @ 9:47 AM,
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US Open Here We Come
Andrew and I decided we are going to attend the US Open (Tennis) In New York this Year. I'm so excited because:
a) We are starting to plan now so we can can save for courtside seats.
b) We both have family in New York so we don't have to pay for a hotel
c) We agreed we are only going to the US Open once in our life-time so we are doin' it up doggy style.
I just want one of those giant tennis balls.
posted by aforward @ 9:38 AM,
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Janet Jones is Gamblor
Thursday, February 09, 2006
I find it mildly amusing that Wayne Gretzy's wife is an alleged sports gambling fiend. Maybe an opening for a new sitcom... "Desperate Sportswives".
Congratulations Tony Kornheiser new host of Monday night football..who also happened to give the quote of the week:
"It's like wild girls with golf clubs" (in reference to Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel's continued frustrations with Michelle Wie getting exemptions to golf tournaments).
posted by aforward @ 1:41 PM,
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The Thing I Want...
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
I've decided to start saving for something... Its more than a toy so I won't call it that. It will sound kind of funny but I really want a record player, or turntable or phonograph...whatever they are calling them these days.
I want all kinds of old jazz records. Donald Byrd, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis. Etc Sarah Vaughn is my absolute favourite. Boy I'm going to spendig a lot of time on eBay. This is cool though will be kind of like a new hobby.
Two movie soundtracks come to mind "The Majestic" with Jim Carey some really good big band and more recently "Good Night, and Good Luck" which had some great 50's jazz performed by Dianne Reeves.
Not really sure where to start looking for a record player?
Andrew asked if I wanted some kind of giant thing with a horn. Nope just something compact, with a dash of retro.
Remember when Hanibal Lecter is playing his classical music in his cell with all that blood all over his face. It'll be kind of like that...except without all the blood, guts and fava beans. Maybe he just had a ghetto blaster or something...I can't remember.
I'm excited...
posted by aforward @ 11:35 AM,
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Super Bowl 40 (i don't know roman numerals)
Monday, February 06, 2006
1. What was with the Seattle Punter? They could have pinned the Steelers inside the five like 6 times. Each time he punted it into or out of the endzone for touchbacks. It didn't even seem like he was trying...none were even close to being downed inside the five. Dimwit...
2. Most valuable player? For a good portion of the second half I was wondering who would be named MVP. I thought Hasselback (sp?) had a great game...but I guess you can't win MVP if your team loses. His team let him down big time with the dropped passes and (see above). I like Hines but Andrew said it best..."I think the award was actually given for most valuable "play" not most valuable player."
3. Is it still awesome to win a Superbowl even if you had a bad game? No one from either team can say they had a particularly sterling performance. (Yes I'm talking to you Ben). Nevermind I'm sure it's still awesome.
4. Tom Brady flipping the coin...that was dumb...ok token poster boy of the NFL. What was with the goofy look on his face like "I'm really not in a boy band... I'm a real live quaterback...just didn't make it this year". Dolt...
Nice flip though...good rotation. Maybe next year you'll be in uniform and not a velour blazer.
5. I've always liked the Steelers and I was cheering for them to win so I guess I should stop complaining.
What I'll miss most on Sundays...
1. Pre-game announcers living vicariously through on set mini-games where they re-inact plays in their suits. You be defensive line, you run an out and I'll be QB.
2. Peyton Manning flailing his arms around at the line of scrimmage.
3. Chris Berman "Daylight come and me wanna Delhomme" and "He...could...go...all... the...way" .
4. Did I mention number 1 yet...oh yes I did...
5. The Burger King commercials...that King mascot makes me pee my pants.
posted by aforward @ 8:11 PM,
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Paying Yourself First...A Second and Third Look
A second look...
Most if not all financial planning books will advise you to "pay yourself first". Take 10% of whatever you earn and put in in savings.
This is all fine and dandy but it can mean so much more when you use the concept of leverage (ie: good debt) to "pay yourself first".
Our two biggest monthly bill payments in 2005 came from:
1. Mortgage
2. RSP Loans
These two "bills" accounted for about 35-45% of our monthly expenses.
One of these "expenses" is building equity in our home and the other is building our retirement fund.
And while a portion of that money does go to the bank, the interest in both these occurences is offset by:
1) the accumulation of equity in our home
2) the tax refund obtained by investing in an RSP
I think the even more dominant factor of using leverage to "pay yourself first" is the psychology of this type of forced savings plan. Knowing the dangers of consumer debt we are more likely to pay a bill or loan than we would be to pay ourselves first into a savings account.
A Third Look...
I also think the concept of paying yourself first should be used with the concept of "time" as well as money. How often do we just take time out of our day just to have to ourself. Time where we aren't studying, trying to conquer the world or worrying about whether or not our partner is happy. Time to just relax and reflect.
Incidently 10% of a day is 2.4 hours. Kind of puts things in perspective.
This post was written after I read the following post on delicious:
7 Simple Steps To Grow Your Fortune
or was inspired more-so by the comments made by people afterwards, particularly;
So to summarize this long post, we get:
a) dont buy shit.
b) save money.
woaha, thats some revolutionary conclucions right there. now tell me, is it fifth or sixth-graders you write these posts for?
The Response:
Apparently this isn't written for 5th and 6th graders. Consumer debt is a multi-billion dollar industry. Yes, it is simple, but obviously people don't do it.
On that note does anyone know of a mutual fund that invests soley in consumer debt?
posted by aforward @ 3:37 PM,
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Now What...?
Now what am I going to do on Sundays?
posted by aforward @ 10:02 AM,
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Andrew's Dad is the Coolest
Thursday, February 02, 2006
I love it when older people do cool things.
Andrew's dad just picked up his new toy...a 2005 Mustang in mint green metallic . Very sweet...very Steve McQueen.
What to do when your parents have a cooler car than you?
posted by aforward @ 1:03 PM,
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Funny TV Moment
Star Jones vs Football
posted by aforward @ 9:08 AM,
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Andrew Looks Like...?
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Apparently people seem to think my husband resembles the following people...
Nick Lachey
Matt Damon
David Beckham
Rick Astley???
I guess the good news is that all of these guys are good looking.
He's just Andrew to me...and I'll be his posh spice any day.
posted by aforward @ 11:15 AM,
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