Re-Employed
Monday, October 30, 2006
Started my new job today! Can't complain, its pretty much everything I was looking for. I'm glad I was patient and waited for the right match. I will be doing RRSP's, Mutual Funds and some insurance (car, home, life).
It also puts me one step closer to getting my CFP and I'm ecstatic about that.
I think the best part of it is that I indirectly got the job because I posted my resume on my blog...who would have thought that actually works?
Now if I could just figure out the 86 bus, I waited a total of 1 hour for it today and both times (going and coming) I gave up on it and took other buses instead.
posted by aforward @ 7:00 PM,
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24 Season 6 Trailer
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
I had to sit through 2 innings of baseball so I wouldn't miss it. Extended trailer is here:
http://24trailer.com/
posted by aforward @ 11:10 PM,
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The Jar of Salsa I Can't Open
Andrew and I can't open this jar of salsa, so my first thought was to give it away to the food bank as a canned good? Why does my mind work that way?
posted by aforward @ 2:40 PM,
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The Miami Goldfish
Sunday, October 22, 2006
What the @#$%!!!!
Why do we suck again this year? Our schedule hasn't even been that tough, we lost to Houston and now Green Bay. 1-6 nice start Fishies.
That "save the dolphins commercial" just doesn't work with the season they are having...it makes me laugh.
Let's pick it up or I'll threaten to adopt a new team.
posted by aforward @ 10:25 PM,
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Visit to Kink In My Hair Set
Friday, October 20, 2006
(just for reference this post is done in a really giddy schoolgirl kind of voice)
Well now that my brother is an Executive Producer (fancy schmancy), I got my first visit to a real TV set.
While the show appeals to everyone, "Kink in my Hair" will be the first afro-centric cable sitcom "ever" in Canada...so he's pretty much making history.
Well all I can say is that TV sets are cool. I think I was most surprised by how many working parts are involved in prodcing a TV show. I figured the director and the actors would be the key people but they really are secondary. Everyone has a role and there are people everywhere; make up, costume, writing, casting, lighting, sound, set design etc. My favourites were the two assitant directors, they just run around yelling at everyone (in a good way like..."lets move it people.")
The best was when I just arrived at the set and I was sitting in these director's chairs and just watching on a small screen. I didn't know anyone who was around me and all of the sudden the guy two seats down yells "Action!". He was the director and I was sitting right beside him and I didn't know it! My second favourite part was when they would yell cut (everything is really quiet and then all of a sudden all these people (see above) start coming out of nowhere mulling about.)
I felt bad for the boom guy. I mean he literally spends 12 hours lifting and holding up this huge mic, and he inevitably ruins scenes because the broom drops into the frame (no love for a very thankless job).
Learning about actors unions was also very cool. And I can't complain about the yummy, yummy catering which happened to be my third all you can eat buffet in 5 days...but who's counting...and that's a whole 'nother post.
I loved it... very cool, very fun.
posted by aforward @ 4:28 PM,
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Grey's Impresses Again
Friday, October 13, 2006
That show, I just can't explain why its so good. Once you sift through some of the cheesy drama, there's that one line that is so totally above brilliant that it makes up for all the bad plots and characters.
I think the Meredith/McSteamy morphine scene was some of the best TV I've seen in years. I'm still giggling. Just subtly, smart writing.
posted by aforward @ 9:20 AM,
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UFC Hitting Mainstream
-More popular than boxing in Vegas
-More people tuned in to Tuesday's Ortiz vs Shamrock 3 Final Chapter on Spike than the Baseball playoffs.
I think what people are beginning to see is that these guys are true athletes in every sense of the word, not crazy no-holds barred street fighters. Tae Kwon Do, boxing, wrestling and judo are all Olympic sports, MMA just combines them all into one super sport.
posted by aforward @ 9:14 AM,
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How To Eat More Vegetables
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
If you are not getting between 5-10 servings of vegetables per day, here are some tips.
1. Take a different persepctive. I look at intake on a weekly basis instead of daily. I just find it easier to overdose on veggies somedays and then I'm not too worried if I only get 2-3 servings on other days. Once you get used to enjoying vegetables more, the transition to 5-10 daily servinges will be much easier.
2. Get your servings from juice. The key here is convenience. Juice is easy to access and easy to enjoy. I am talking about real juice, not the fake stuff. My personal favourites are PC Cranberry Cocktail and any brand of real orange juice. Ceres brand juices are pure as well. I usually mix my orange juice with the cranberry and it's a treat and a real easy way to get 2 servings a day.
3. Develop A Berry Strategy. When you get home from grocery shopping, wash all of your berries and and and cut and hull the strawberries. Berries are laced with antioxidants and are some of the best fruits you can eat. Once you have them in an accessbile bowl in your fridge you will be surprised at how quickly you can go through them. Toss them on cereal or snack on them throughout the day.
4. Invest in Proper Tools: Buy a veggie steamer, a good blender for smoothies and a good quality chopping knife. There are also some fun fruit slicers and peelers on the market. Creating different shapes like Julienne sliced cucumber or curly carrots. makes them more fun to enjoy.
5. Improve the delivery method: Don't be afraid of having some fat accompany the vegetables you eat. Eating fat when you intake fruits and vegtables (good fat) ie: nuts, dressings and cheeses helps the body absorb the nutrients in fruits and vegetables. It can also add fun and flavour to the icky taste of some vegetables. Avoid non-fat dressing it is actually counter productive.
6. Test Your plate. Its actually not hard to get two servings of vegetables with every meal:
Breakfast: Juice + blueberies on cereal
Lunch: Side Salad
Dinner: Steamed broccolli, tomato slices, roasted sweet potatos, stir fry.
Focus on the really good for you vegetables. Brocolli, sweet potatoes and tomotoes are at the top of many healthy food lists. You can't go wrong with deep greens and deep oranges.
7. Try different recipes and combos. Your real veggie tipping point will arrive when you find you'd rather have a vegetable/fruit dish than a sugary dessert or salty snack.
8. Supplements: Greens+ brand supplements are a good place to start.
9. Try Dried Fruits: Dried fruits are high in fibre and a tasty alternative. Prunes are actually pretty tasty.
10. Tempt Your Palate: Try some international Vegetarian cuisine next time you are out for Indian, Thai or Vietnamese. Try something new...you might be surprised.
Add to: | del.cio.us | digg
posted by aforward @ 1:20 PM,
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Online Fundraising Site
Monday, October 09, 2006
One of my subsites: www.InstepFundraising.com is back up an running. It was one of the projects I've been working on with Andrew.
The site is based on an fundraiser I worked on while at Field Hockey Canada where I learned about the benefits of online fundraising.
1. Increased Reach
Email makes it possible to contact supporters, family and friends from different geographic locations as opposed to those only within close proximity. Fundraising campaigns can now reach potential supporters from coast to coast and not just those at arms length.
2. Increased Safety
Since there is no door-to-door selling involved in an online fundraising campaign, there is no need to approach strangers when asking for money. The added safety of using the internet to fundraise brings a sense of relief to parents as well as team members.
3. Reduced Risk
A burden faced with many traditional fundraisers is the potential cost associated with left-over inventory. A referral or affiliate program is an example of an online fundraiser where there is no need to purchase or carry inventory. Your group is paid for referring products regardless of the quantity you sell. There is no longer a need to purchase large quantities of inventory that you may never be able to sell.
4. Add Variety, Customization & Creativity
Unique web based services give teams the opportunity to create customized goods from T-shirts, to team posters and calendars. Traditional fundraising products are outdated and carry little benefit or value to your supporters. The internet brings with it so much more choice in terms of items you can sell in order to fundraise. You can now fundraise with books, travel, magazines, sheet music, board games, movie passes and much, much more.
5. Reduced Costs
Running an online fundraising campaign can be very inexpensive. Email accounts are free and many companies offer free website hosting packages. With referral programs the merchant is responsible of carrying the inventory, shipping the products and any costs associated with the online transaction including credit card processing.
6. Speed of Success
Most web based fundraising programs provide you with instantaneous real-time tracking of sales and lead conversions. Additionally, it is so quick and easy to email a promotion your supporters.
7. Ease of Coordination of Effort
A traditional fundraiser usually involves purchasing inventory, handing out inventory, counting and managing stock, delivering goods sold, organizing volunteers, and booking rental space. An online fundraiser can all be done in front of a computer using email and your website as a communications tool.
8. Results
Because most online programs are free to set up and join having only one sale will usually result in a profit, or will more than likely cover all of the costs associated with your campaign. With some online fundraising campaigns there is no break-even point to worry about and normally no minimum number of sales is required to insure a profit.
9. Fun
Surfing and shopping online is not only fun for your group but your supporters as well. They will take pride in supporting your group and have the opportunity to conveniently purchase items they can actually use and benefit from.
The key areas are highlighted below.
-There are 5 Free Online Fundraising Project Plans
-A section on How To Market Your Fundraising Program
-Some Good Fundraising Ideas
-Online Fundraising Site
posted by aforward @ 1:51 PM,
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A MacThreesome?
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Grey's Anatomy opened with a scene that had Meredith fantasizing about waking up next to her two boy toys in bed.
Usually the "threesome" is a guy's fantasy of being with two women, so it was refreshing to see a chick get her freak on too.
posted by aforward @ 1:05 PM,
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Yankees Batting Line-Up
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
I think the Tiger's Coach said it best "The guy who's competing for the AL batting title is batting 9th"
posted by aforward @ 11:12 AM,
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