Tuesday 8 December 2009

Working in Ottawa today --Don Cherry

Good morning folks,
I will be working in Ottawa today.  This is in anticipation that travel may be un-fun on Wednesday due to weather.
In 1981 while living in Lethbridge I stopped by a General Tire store to have my vehicle tires replaced.
As I entered the counter area of the store a lone individual sitting on a stool at one end of the customer side of the counter looked up.  He looked somewhat familiar to me, and I proceeded to give him the standard nod of the head --a simple greeting without investing too much effort.
As I waited at the counter for a service advisor (word-speak for salesman), from the end of the counter came the words "would you like an autographed photo of me".
It is difficult to adequately express my simultaneous confusing and bewilderment.  But I do remember thinking, "hey I'm a swell guy too, but I don't hand out autographed photos".
I looked back at this fellow, with my face no doubt demonstrating the aforementioned state of mind, and nothing --had no idea who this guy was.  I uttered something to the effect of, "pardon me?".
It was at this moment when I saw that indeed he had a small stack of photos on the counter.  I leaned forward to examine the photos and immediately recognized the white bull terrier in the photo.  At once the fog of confusion lifted from my mind.  
"Oh --you're that guy with that dog -'Blue'!"
I have no idea where that autographed photo of Don Cherry is today, I'm not sure if it ever made it out of my glovebox.
Have a good day.
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Wednesday 2 December 2009

Working in Montréal today --Tax Planning

Good morning folks,
I will be working in Montreal today in a tax planning meeting.
While many would consider an entire day of such discussions to be as exciting as watching water evaporate, I am looking forward to in-depth examinations of the effect of depreciation on capital assets and write-downs of goodwill, to the chilling and roller-coaster frenzy of transfer of carry forward tax losses to parent or affiliate companies.
I can only hope that I will have the opportunity to engage in the near future a similar discussion on insurance requirements and debate the accuracy of industry specific actuarial tables of risk!
Have an exciting day.
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Wednesday 25 November 2009

Working in Ottawa today --Tazered Deer

Good morning folks,
I will be working in Ottawa today.
I read two news stories on the plane.  A deer wandering around downtown Toronto was Tazered after attempts to tranquilize failed.  I figure the cop had real guts and perhaps very poor judgement to get that close to an agitated deer.
The other story just irritated me and I'm not even bothering to share it  --well maybe.  Check out the Caledonia resident that is suing the province for failing to provide equal protection under the law.  Without researching the story more, my impression is that the province has abdicated its responsibility by trying to keep the peace with the local native population that has annexed the area by self decree, but seems to be ignoring the legal title that the resident has to his dwelling and his right to quiet enjoyment therein.
Have a good day.
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Wednesday 18 November 2009

Working in Ottawa today --Red Blood on Harp Seal Skin

I will be working in Ottawa today.
The restaurant at Parliament Hill will begin serving harp seal meat as early as spring.
This will no doubt spark additional protests over Canada's seal hunting.  I am curious though, what is it about hunting seals that many find morally reprehensible?
Before sending me hate mail or starting a flame war, let me clarify.  I am not for or against the seal hunt, just interested in what the issue is.
Is seal hunting fundamentally different than fishing or crabbing?  Granted a seal, especially a young seal, is cuter than a cod, but that is just because of the alignment of its nose, eyes and whiskers.  I do hope that it is not the attractiveness that is at the root of the opposition.
Perhaps the issue is more basic, should be killing other animals for our own needs?  Is the issue that for many adding seals to the list of animals that we tend to kill regularly is adding to their existing moral outrage?
I've heard or read that the manner of seal killing is offensive --clubbing I believe.  Having briefly spent time on an Alberta kill floor let me assure you, no manner of killing another animal is pleasant.  Whether running an animal on a conveyor into boiling water or firing steel rod into an animal's skull, or just gutting the animal while it is still alive, it is all brutal and unpleasant.
Hmm.  I may be leaning to one side, I may have to think about this too.
Have a good day.
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Wednesday 11 November 2009

Working in Ottawa today --Billy Bishop Airport

Good morning everyone,
I will be working in Ottawa today.
I noticed that the Toronto Island airport has been renamed after one of Canada's ww1 flying aces, Billy Bishop airport.  Hopefully this will not cause any confusion with Owen Sound's airport.. Billy Bishop airport.  I suppose it is no more confusing that the dozen or so Pierre Laporte grade schools.
Have a good day.
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Wednesday 4 November 2009

Working in Montréal today --José Márti’s Mustache

Good morning folks, I will be working in Montreal today and Ottawa on Thursday -just landed.
I was speaking with one of my brothers late last night and among other topics, Jóse Márti was one briefly.  So was Hungarian independence and private ownership of soviet era apartments, but that is another email.
Does anyone else think that all photos on the internet of José Martí have been altered to make his mustache larger? John dismissed my conspiracy theory and suggested that such mustaches were in vogué during the musket age -right, so was wearing an onion on your belt.

José Martí was a Cuban hero, poet, philosopher, journalist.. 1853-1895.  Active in Cuba's move to independence from Spain in 18?? -late but don't know when.  Also active in the fight against U.S. ownership and effective annexation of Cuba.
This of course led me to think of the song -Guantanamera.  Although not generally credited with the lyrics -that goes to Jóse Diaz in 1910 or so? The song does contain at least the first verses of one of his poems.
Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crece la palma
Y antes de morirme quiero
Echar mis versos del alma
I am an honest man
From where the palm tree grows
And before dying I want
To share the verses of my soul.


Many artists have recorded the song, but only a few of the 20 or so come to mind.  Pete Seger -my favorite version. Joan Biaz, Jimmy Buffet, and I think Carlos Santana
Have a good day.
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Wednesday 14 October 2009

Working in Ottawa today --War on Drugs & The Ruskies

Good morning folks,
I will be working in Ottawa today.
I had originally thought about Reagan's 'war on drugs' that started this day in 1982, but then thought about the outstanding timing of his 'Tear down these walls' speech.
That was in 1987 and the speech was given in West Berlin and included rhetoric like "Who will tear down these walls?" and then something about a despot that built them, and then something like "Mr Gorbachav, tear down these walls"
It was great luck for Ronald, he was spending huge sums on the 'Star Wars' missile defence grid, Nancy was chewing up a lot of cash telling kids to just say no, and...
The soviets called it quits.
They let the aging wall get torn down in '89 and suffered economic collapse in '91.
Was interesting, the fail had very little to do with anything that Reagan did or said, but common perception was that Ronald 'Ray Guns' Reagan beat the Ruskies.
Timing is everything :)
Have a good day.
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Wednesday 7 October 2009

Working in Montréal today --Word of the day?

Good morning folks,
I will be working in Montreal today.
Not much time to write any missives, cell phones off in 2 so I'll just mention that the word of the day is
Iconoclast: it's a noun, a person, although I suppose an organization too, that challenges traditional beliefs or institutions.  
And today in 1978 The Rolling Stones were on SNL but I don't remember what they played. --probably something from the same album as 'Emotional Rescue' (maybe that was '79 or '80) odd song, annoyed me when it came out, but sounds okay in my head now ..  nope, the spoken part still annoys me.
Have a good day and stop humming that tune in your head :)
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Wednesday 30 September 2009

Working in Ottawa today --Why 911 and not 999

Good morning folks,
I will be working in Ottawa today.
The weather today --Looking out the plane's window, it looks overcast.
Question of the week: Why 911
A good question, why not 111, 211, 311, 222, 999 whatever?
The answer of course is no particular reason.
According to the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), in 1967 (Canada's Centennial year -an interesting point but unrelated to this missive) the U.S.. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) met with AT&T to discuss and establish a national emergency number.
It needed to be easy to remember.
It should not start with a 1 since that was the designated toll prefix.
AT&T's preference was that it be an N11 service since they already supported 411 and 611 as special service dial codes.
The digit 9 corresponds to XYZ which combined with the letterless digit 1 spells just about nothing at all, combined with the 'high-pull' nature of the 9 was not readily in use by business minded folks for any premium service and no telco voiced any real objection to the AT&T suggestion other then concerns on who would pay for the implementation and operation.
Have a safe day.
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Wednesday 23 September 2009

Working in Calgary today --Jim Thorpe

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 6:30 AM
[Working in Calgary this week]
Hi folks,
I will be working in the Calgary 3Web office for the balance of the week.
So.. Instead of the weather, definition of the week.
Octothorpe #
One of the first words I learned at Distributel back in 1990.  It is the name of the number sign on the touch tone keypad introduced by Bell Labs in the '60s.
Bell Labs engineer Don MacPherson coined the word from 'octo' for the eight points and 'Thorpe' for Jim Thorpe.
Jim Torpe, had his Olympic medals --Stockholm 1912 Decathlon Gold, Pentathlon Gold-- stripped when it was revealed that he had played some semi-pro baseball.  After the Olympics Thorpe went on to play pro baseball, football and basketball.
Don MacPherso was active in a campaign to have Thorpe's medals returned, and the campaign was successful in 1982, 30 years after Thorpe's death.
So when you dial a '#' think of Jim Thorpe and Don MacPherson.
Have a good day.
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Wednesday, September 16, 2009 8:01 AM
[Working in Ottawa today]
Good morning folks,
I will be working in the Ottawa office today.
Should has light winds, clear skies, around 11 degrees in Ottawa.
Now that Distributel has offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Thunder Bay, Calgary and Edmonton I must refrain from providing weather for all cities.  My offer of molecule of the week still stands.
Have a good day and share your toys.
Sent from my BlackBerry handheld
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 7:50 AM
[Working in Montréal today]
Hi Folks,
I will be working in the Montreal office today where I believe that it will be a rather pleasant day.  Clear skies, a bit of haze, with a temp floating around 23.
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Tuesday, September 8, 2009 7:55 AM
[Working in Ottawa today]
Good morning everyone,  hope everyone had a nice weekend.
I will be working in Ottawa today.
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Thursday, September 3, 2009 6:57 AM
[Working in Ottawa today]
Good morning folks,
I will be in Ottawa today where I expect it to be comfortably cool with clear skies. Should have the same in Montreal and Toronto.  
Calgary may be a write-off, you'll need a lightening rod and will probably be rained on.  Thunder Bay will be somewhat warmer that Ottawa and may experience the pleasures of rain.
Have a good day.
Sent from my BlackBerry handheld
Wednesday, September 2, 2009 6:47 AM
[Working in the Montréal office today]
Good morning all,
I will be working in Montreal today.
I think Autumn is here.  I'll let you know later.
Have a good day.
Sent from my BlackBerry handheld
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 6:59 AM
[Working in the Ottawa office]
Good morning everyone,
I will be working in Ottawa today on the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors.
I didn't get much favourable feedback on dropping the weather in favour of molecule of the day.  Really to bad, thought we could all enjoy the transition from Tryptophan (an amino acid linked to falling asleep on the sofa after Thanksgiving) through the 3 intermediary molecules to Skatole (way stinky white crystal).
So.. In Ottawa scattered clouds about 14 Celsius.
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Friday, August 21, 2009 8:16 AM
[Working in the Ottawa offices today]
Good morning everyone,
Contrary to earlier predictions, I will be working in Ottawa today.
I'm thinking of replacing the weather with a new feature, element or molecule of the week, let me know what you think :)
Have a good day and a better weekend.
Ottawa and Montreal should have rain, thunder and lightning --all included for one low price!
Toronto will still have wind left over from yesterday's' thunderstorms and suspected tornados --I think the crime beat reporters were doing the weather last night.
Calgary should be a bit cool, dry, cloudless.
Thunder Bay should be a bit cool, wet, cloudy.
Sent from my BlackBerry handheld

Wednesday 12 August 2009

A Few Months of Weather & Two Cracked Ribs

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 6:50 AM
[Working in the Ottawa offices today and Thursday]
Good morning everyone,
I will be found in the Distributel and 3Web offices in Ottawa for the next two days.
Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal will be warm on both days with a steady chance of rain today followed through to the weekend by an erie haze not unlike something from a Stephen King flick.
In a near reverse, Thunder Bay should be hazy today followed through to the weekend with buckets of rain.  Same thing in Edmonton and Calgary, but sans haze.  Try to stay dry.
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009 6:57 AM
[Working in the Ottawa offices today]
Good morning everyone,
I will be working in Ottawa today.  I will be found in both the Distributel and the 3Web office today.  Who knows, I may see you.
Ottawa should be a nice fall day with a bit of rain for those that would feel incomplete without it.
I woke up at 6:05 AM feeling bright and ready for a 7:00 AM flight, so barely had time to get dressed let alone establish some form of consciousness with weather patterns in other parts of the country, so you're on your own today.  Play it safe, dress for all forms of weather :)
Yes, I made the flight, but did a sub-standard job of shaving.
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Thursday, July 22, 2009 9:25 AM
And then I sensed the plane was not on it’s way to Calgary....
I knew something was up when the sun was on the right side of the aircraft.  It was another 10 minutes before the flight deck provided some news --the navigation computer was having difficulty.
We have returned to Toronto.  I do not know when I will be able to resume my trek to Calgary.  I will speak with the gate agent upon our return to the gate
I will let you know as I learn more.
Sent from my BlackBerry handheld
Thursday, July 22, 2009 6:56 AM
[Working in the Ottawa 3Web office today]
Good morning everyone,
I will be working in the Ottawa 3Web office today and the Calgary 3Web office Wednesday and Thursday where I will be joined by Jacqui and Shannon.
Calgary today should be cool with thundershowers, drying and warning towards Thursday.
Thunder Bay will hover around room temp with clouds, rain into the foreseeable future.
Montreal and Ottawa should range from Kind of warm today to just warm with an excellent chance of rain on Wednesday and less chance today or Thursday.
Toronto should be some nice Autumn weather with some wind to blow the leaves away and some rain tomorrow.
Any more Distributel cities and my Blackberry keypad will wear out :)
(Edmonton is next)
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009 6:50 AM
[Working in the Ottawa Distributel office today]
Hi folks,
I will be working in Ottawa today.
Rainy and humid in Ottawa, I have no stated opinion for anywhere else.
Have a good day.
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Monday, July 20, 2009 8:07 AM
[Working in the Ottawa 3Web office today]
Good morning everyone,
I will be working in the 3Web office in Ottawa today, making a very brief showing in the Distributel office for a short meeting late morning.
John ___ is off on holidays this week from the Calgary office.
Dominique ___ is off on holidays for the next two weeks from the Montreal office.
Tom ___ is back from holidays in the Toronto office.
We have a new member in the accounting dept in the 3Web Ottawa office.  Marie ___ has replaced Tatyana ___ who has left to pursue other interests.
Should be a very comfortable low 20s in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal a little cloudy, a god chance of some scattered showers in Ottawa, less in Montreal and Toronto.  Calgary and Thunder Bay, cool, clear skies and dry.
Have a good day.
Sent from my BlackBerry handheld
Monday, July 13, 2009 7:32 AM
[Working in the Ottawa 3Web office today]
Good morning everyone,
I will be working in Ottawa today at the 3Web office where the weather is likely to be rainy and a bit cool.
Have a good day.
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Wednesday, July 8, 2009 8:06 AM
Addendum: The hospital called me later that morning, turned out it was two cracked ribs.
[RE: Working in the Ottawa 3Web office today and Thursday]
Tx Bud, went to the hosp last night, I lifted a slice of ham and went into a massive chest crushing spasm.  Thought maybe I cracked a rib-- nope not rib is musculature, have some drugs.  Have a good day.
  
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-----Original Message-----
From: Tom
To: Daniel Puckett
Sent: Wed Jul 08 08:03:44 2009
Subject: RE: Working in the Ottawa 3Web office today and Thursday
Make sure you rest that back....buddy..... No lifting ....no extraneous exercise. And have a safe trip
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 7:56 AM
[Working in the Ottawa 3Web office today and Thursday]
Good morning everyone,
I will be working in the 3Web Ottawa office for the next two days.
Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary all should expect cool temps with thunder showers-- leave your kites at home should be some lightning too. Thunder Bay should be cool cloudy and dry.
Have a good day.
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Thursday, July 2, 2009 8:48 AM
[Working in the Ottawa 3Web office today]
Good morning everyone,
I will be working in Ottawa today at our 3Web office.
Should be there about 10:30.
Ottawa should be cool with a good chance of rain, Montreal same with an even chance of thunder showers, and Toronto has a better than average chance of thunder showers.
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Tuesday, June 23, 2009 7:51 AM
[Working in Montréal today, Ottawa tomorrow]
I will be out of the office today and tomorrow.  Today I will be working in Montreal and will not see any of you, but tomorrow I will be working in Ottawa and will see Kelly, Tatyana and Leona.
Have a good day.
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Tuesday, June 23, 2009 7:45 AM
[Working in Montréal today]
I will be working in Montreal today and in Ottawa tomorrow.
I expect both days in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal to bring clear skies, not a chance of rain and just scraping 30 degrees.
We should go swimming :)
Sent from my BlackBerry handheld -please excuse possible typos
Thursday, June 18, 2009 7:19 AM
[Working in Montréal today]
I bet it will be raining.
Everywhere.
Have a good day, stay dry.
Sent from my BlackBerry handheld -please excuse possible typos
Wednesday, June 3, 2009 9:21 AM
Good morning everyone,
I will be working in Toronto today, I needed to cancel my planned montreal visit to work on Cybersurf issues.
I understand it is a beautiful day in Montreal, I hope it is pleasant in Ottawa.
Sent from my BlackBerry handheld -please excuse possible typos
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 &:42 AM
And then in Ottawa tomorrow.
Should be a nice day in all three cities although Montreal will get some showers.
Have a good day.