National Post Telemarketer

I was at home on Friday and a telelmarketer called. First off, he was rude and annoying. He asked to speak to Mrs. Bennett. I said that she was not home, but what did he want, I might be able to help. He said "oh, is this her son?" (really, my voice did change when I was 13). Anyway, once we got that all sorted he said he was calling from the National Post newspaper. I immediately said I was not interested in a subscription to the newspaper. He replied that he was not selling "prescriptions", but he would like just a few minutes of my time. I thought that would be fine so I prepared to listen. He started out by saying that they had "improved" the newspaper by cutting down on the financial section and making the newspaper more entertaining. Now, I am sure I don't speak for everybody but as a reader of the old Financial Post tabloid, this news had me pretty dismayed and I said so. This stupid kid totally did not catch on. Then came the sales pitch, "we have a new offer..." I stopped him mid sentence and reiterated my position that I was not interested in a subscription to the newspaper. He just went on and on and on. I finally interjected and said, " You are not listening! I do not want the National Post, especially in its new format." Finally he gave up and thanked me for listening.

Some free advice for the National Post...

1. If you must telemarket, stop employing annoying idiots. Nobody would buy anything from this numskull.
   
2. Don't change the format of the paper. I will read the Globe instead.

Some free advice for the Canadian Government...

1. Set up a national "Do Not Call" registry like the US.
2. If you do set up a registry, don't spend $2B on it like the gun registry (maybe we can just license from the US gov).
   

New Dyson

We needed a new vacuum cleanre since the old one pretty much packed it in. I immediately suggested getting a Dyson. I don't really know anything about vacuums (or vacuuming for that matter), but I remember reading the Dyson story a few years ago and found it so compelling. Anyway, we did some reading on the Internet and found that most people liked their Dysons a lot. We went to consumer reports Canada but the vacuum was not reviewed as it was just released in Canada. Seems to me that if I am Consumer Reports and the hot new kid in the vacuum world is coming I might just review it anyway. To be fair, there is probably lots of governance around what can be reviewed and what cannot - things my simple little brain just doesn't comprehend.

ANyway, we went to Sears to get a vacuum on the Consumer Reports list and it turned out that they had the Dyson, well after some comparisons we decided upon the Dyson Animal. The only problem they were already cleared out and they would not get a new one for 10 days - oh well, vacuuming would have to wait, darn!

Anyway, 10 days (or so) passed and we got the call from Sears. We went and picked up the Dyson. It is nicely packaged in a sleek black box. We waited for the kids to go to bed before cracking the Dyson package open. Yes, when you are a parent, a new vacuum cleaner is an exciting moment to be cherished. I am pretty sure if we had just ended up with some other (regular) vacuum I would not have been the slightest bit interested.

When I opened the Dyson packaging I was really impressed with how easily it all went together. It comes mostly assembled, but there are a few parts that need to be attached to make it look like it looked in the store. There is a quick start guide like there is with so much software these days, that allows someone like m who hates instructions to be successful.

We immmediately tested the new dyson out on the little dirty carpet by the back door. The sucking power was incredible. I guess it should be since it is a new vacuum. My wife, Jackie, did a lot more vacuuming the next day and was very impressed with the Dyson. We shall see how it holds up - stay tuned...

Hornby Eagles

I had a friend send be a link to the live eagle cam on Hornby Island. I immediately went ot the link because I think eagles are cool and I have a penchant for Hornby Island. Unfortunately after all of the adds, the web cam went black. My first thought was oh know here is another crap web cam; it took a few minutes to sink in that it was still dark on the wet coast so I got and poured myself a cup of coffee and waited for the sun to rise. As the sun came up on the west coast the eagle cam into view - amazing! It dawned on me that it was a little strange to be watching the eagle live over the Internet, but then I thought what a priveledge. As it got lighter the eagle and his/her nest became more and more vivid. My kids are up now and they like the eagle too, although I am not really sure they know it is real.

Hornby is a wonderful place. I had the good fortune to visit a few times in my late teens and early twenties with my friend Mike (and others). Mike's parents have a place there and we used to go up and go fishing. My fondest memory was spending a night under the stars in Helliwell Provincial Park.

King Ralph Retiring

Ralph Klein is stepping aside sooner than planned in the light of weak part support. I for one am a little disappointed with the way this has unfolded. It is not that I think Klein is the best leader, human or decision maker; this is simply a matter of respect for a job well done.

I can't say that I would be living in this province if it weren't for "King Ralph". I moved to Calgary, temporarily, 11 years ago from Vancouver. When I moved it was for a contract job and I had every intention of moving back. I was in debt at the time and so was Alberta. Ralph sold me a bill of goods back then that included elimination of provincial debt, lower taxes and overall prosperity. I bought it hook, line and sinker and am I ever glad that I did. Things started rough back then with all of the budget cuts but at least there was a timeline for eliminating the provincial debt. Energy prices decided to turn around and upped the timeline considerably, but even if that had not occurred and oil was still $12/BOE there woudl be a plan to get out of debt. This may be simple thinking but it is what has made the run of the last few years so strong. So, quit your whining (Lyle et al.) and show the man a little respect, he is going to be gone soon.

Presentation Day

It is seahorse presentation day at school today. Should be interesting to see how it goes today. I still can't believe that kindergarten students are doing presentations. If we had done that when I was a kid then I might have had a hope at public speaking, could have changed my whole life.

We did a little practicing yesterday at home in front of all of the stuffed animals. Even the 3.5 year old did a presentation so she could be like her big sister. I am amazed by how early this life preparation starts. Who knows maybe we did the same when we were kids, but I can't remember anything from before I was 8 so I will just continue to be amazed.