The waiting is the hardest part....

Sundin unlikely to make decision Thursday





Contrary to published reports, sources close to Mats Sundin say he intends on sticking to his original plan - making a decision on where to resume his career before Christmas.

It's not likely that there will be a decision today, however, and it is possible this saga could stretch through the weekend.

The only thing the Sundin camp is certain of is that a decision will be made pre-Christmas.

Sundin, 37, finished with 32 goals and 46 assists for 78 points in 74 games last season with the Leafs, leading Toronto in scoring for the fourth straight year.

The franchise leader in goals and points, he has played 13 of his 17 NHL campaigns with the Maple Leafs, who acquired him from the Quebec Nordiques in 1994.

Sundin has 555 goals and 1,321 points in 1,305 career NHL games since he was drafted first overall by Quebec in 1989. He re-wrote Toronto's record book over his 13 seasons in blue and white, scoring 420 goals and a franchise-best 987 points.

In 83 playoff games, Sundin has scored 35 goals and 74 points, with all but four of those points coming in a Leafs uniform. The two-time second-team NHL All-Star also won a gold medal with Team Sweden at the Torino Olympics in 2006.

I could not have said this better myself...

Dion must go, former Liberal deputy PM says

Stéphane Dion is facing calls from a senior party stalwart to immediately give up his post, the latest example of waning support for the Liberal leader within his own party.

John Manley, shown in a file photo, held several cabinet positions, including Finance and Foreign Affairs. (CBC)
Former Liberal deputy prime minister John Manley said the Liberal caucus and party executive should move to choose a new leader before Christmas who can get the caucus ready for the resumption of Parliament in January.

"As a Liberal, I believe the first step for my party is to replace Stéphane Dion as leader with someone whose first job is to rebuild the Liberal party, rather than leading a coalition with the NDP," Manley said in an opinion piece in Saturday's Globe and Mail.

His comments come two days after Prime Minister Stephen Harper persuaded the Governor General to suspend Parliament and ward off, at least for the moment, the demise of his minority Conservative government.

That move came after the Liberals and NDP agreed to form a coalition headed by Dion and aimed at ousting Harper's government, which the opposition accuses of failing to propose an adequate plan to deal with the economic crisis.

Manley said the idea that the public would welcome Dion as prime minister after having rejected him during the Oct. 14 federal election "was delusional at best."

"Mr. Dion had seemed to accept responsibility for the defeat (although somewhat reluctantly), and should have left his post immediately" after the vote, wrote Manley, who is now counsel at McCarthy Tétrault LLP.

"Furthermore, in agreeing to the terms of the coalition with the NDP and the Bloc, Mr. Dion bound his successor to a controversial arrangement without even consulting any of the candidates to succeed him in the process, leaving them no option but to endorse it or break with him as party leader."

The Bloc is not an official member of the coalition, but has agreed to support it on matters of confidence.

The Liberal leadership convention is still scheduled for May. Some MPs, however, have said efforts are underway to speed up the process of finding a new chief.

Liberal MP Bob Rae, who is considered one of the frontrunners of the race to replace Dion, admitted Saturday that the current situation is becoming difficult.

"Mr Dion has already said that he's not staying on. If the party wants to move dates around or move things up, we're certainly open to that as long as what emerges is seen as a credible process and one that has a lot of integrity to it."

Rae's leadership rival, Michael Ignatieff, told the Toronto Star that "discussions are ongoing" to replace Dion before the party's leadership convention in May.

"What the party is discussing is whether there are ways in which the leadership race can be accelerated in such a way that we can present a clear alternative to the country," he was quoted as saying.

On Friday, Liberal MP Gerard Kennedy suggested the party might move up the date for changing leaders.

Dion avoided answering questions about his future as head of the party during a pro-coalition rally in Toronto Saturday.

An EKOS poll conducted Thursday night found 60 per cent of Canadians surveyed think Dion should resign as Liberal leader in light of what has happened on Parliament Hill this week.

By comparison, 37 per cent of respondents said they think Harper should step down.

In total, a random sample of 1,502 Canadians aged 18 and over responded to the telephone survey. A sample of this size provides a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

With files from the Canadian Press

Tired of Big Auto Bailout - read this from cnn.com

Hooray for Rep Gary Ackerman of NY!!!!

This hand in cap bullshit has to stop - these old economy companies can easily start with saving money by looking in house.

Big Three auto CEOs flew private jets to ask for taxpayer money


(CNN) -- Some lawmakers lashed out at the CEOs of the Big Three auto companies Wednesday for flying private jets to Washington to request taxpayer bailout money.

Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli, left, and Ford CEO Alan Mulally testify on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

"There is a delicious irony in seeing private luxury jets flying into Washington, D.C., and people coming off of them with tin cups in their hand, saying that they're going to be trimming down and streamlining their businesses," Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York, told the chief executive officers of Ford, Chrysler and General Motors at a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee.

"It's almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in high hat and tuxedo. It kind of makes you a little bit suspicious."

He added, "couldn't you all have downgraded to first class or jet-pooled or something to get here? It would have at least sent a message that you do get it."

The executives -- Alan Mulally of Ford, Robert Nardelli of Chrysler and Richard Wagoner of GM -- were seeking support for a $25 billion loan package. Later Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid reversed plans to hold a test vote on the measure.
An aide told CNN that Reid decided to cancel the test vote when it became clear the measure would fall well short of the 60 votes needed. Reid did, however, make a procedural move that could allow a vote on a compromise, which several senators from auto-producing states were feverishly trying to craft.
At Wednesday's hearing, Rep. Brad Sherman, D-California, pressed the private-jet issue, asking the three CEOs to "raise their hand if they flew here commercial."

"Let the record show, no hands went up," Sherman said. "Second, I'm going to ask you to raise your hand if you are planning to sell your jet in place now and fly back commercial. Let the record show, no hands went up."

Economic Woes????

I am personally not sure where the hell this current mess is headed but I continue to see signs of even more decay and collapse, especially in the first quarter of 2009. It was bad enough to see some of the world's biggest banks and investment house collapse, but Jesus, now we are talking about GM and Chrysler going under. GM??? Now I have never been a big fan of their union workers, but this one is well beyond that group. We have lousy long range planning, weak marketing and too many brands out there. Geez ... that sounds like a hundred companies out there

But I digress. I can worry myself sick about this or I can continue to strike a great work-life balance, enjoy my wonderful life and family and all of the good things I have going. I admit I have become a fan of "The Secret" and I am focussing on the good and will be dammed if I am going to fixate on bad business news.

Let's be positive, spend and invest wisely and get through this. As I always say "This too shall pass....."

What a joke ..... should be 20 games minimum

The NHL has suspended Montreal Canadiens forward Tom Kostopoulos three games on Monday for a hit on Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Mike Van Ryn on Saturday night.

Kostopoulos knocked Van Ryn into the boards from behind in the first period of the Toronto's 6-3 win. Kostopoulos was given a major penalty for boarding and ejected from the game.

'' First and foremost, I sincerely regret the injuries suffered by

Mike Van Ryn,'' Kostopoulos said in a statement. ''This is an unfortunate turn of events. I was just trying to get in on the forecheck and get the puck. I didn't anticipate him turning and couldn't stop. I was trying to finish my check and obviously it did not end up well. I never intend on injuring another player. I feel bad. I hope he is going to be all right and resume playing as quickly as possible.''

Van Ryn suffered a concussion, a broken nose, a broken bone in his hand and a cut to his forehead. He is expected to miss a month.

The 29-year-old Kostopoulos has only had one previous suspension. He was suspended for one game in November of 2007 for going after Boston Bruins'

Mark Stuart late in a fight-filled contest in Montreal.

Kostopoulos will forfeit almost US$33,000 in salary and will miss games against Ottawa, Boston and Philadelphia.

Transformational Change

Every one in a while a transformational leader appears on the scene.

Obama is the right man for America and the world right now. This is not a matter of policy or experience per se, but rather, the ability to inspire and create a movement - the very fundamentals of superb leadership. Obama has my support as a Canadian and a citizien of the world. I hope tomorrow the US wakes up and realizes on the world stage how tarnished their reputation is.

My fingers are crossed....

Not scientific but......

I saw this unofficial poll at ctv.ca and methinks the world agrees we do not need a 65 year old first time prime minister, but some new charisma a la....

Justin Trudeau!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who should the Liberals select as leader now that Stephane Dion has announced he will step down?

Michael Ignatieff 14%
Gerard Kennedy 8%
Bob Rae 12%
Justin Trudeau 31%
None of the above 35%

42084 responses, not scientifically valid,

Another win over U of T.....

Gotta love those Ravens!

Kickin' Varsity Blues Asses: 15-9 Ravens

We laid a bitch slapping on them!

Carleton 15 @ Toronto 9

Date: October 05, 2008 @ 4:00 pmLocation: U of T - Back Campus
1st Quarter Summary
TIME
TEAM
SCORING DETAIL
19:45
Toronto
16 Mikael ChullenAssisted by: 9 Fleming
17:59
Carleton
29 Shane DavidsonAssisted by: 15 Ford
14:12
Carleton
5 Nathan ChatreauAssisted by: 10 Bell
9:02
Carleton
5 Nathan ChatreauAssisted by: 29 Davidson
5:15
Toronto
8 James ForbesAssisted by: 16 Chullen

Jo Ann Cooke Foundation Event - thanks all who supported us

I am real proud of my wife and her friends who organized the 2nd annual Jo Ann Cooke gala in support of raising research funds to aid in the fight against ovarian cancer. "Joey" (pictured here with her amazing family) left us way to early and this terrible disease affected everyone of us.

In two years we have raised around $50,000 and mobilized many others in support of this cause.

This is just the beginning. Joey was an inspiration to all of us - we can't let her down, so let's continue the fight and get the message out!

Thanks

This is just sickening.....

This is unbelievable!!!

Bailout bill fails; Dow plunges

The House of Representatives today rejected a $700 billion plan to bail out the U.S. financial system. The Dow closed down more than 600 points after the voting ended. House Minority Leader John Boehner says the chamber will not vote again today, and President Bush vowed to address the situation "head on." developing storys man is a disgrace to the Office.... at this point I will be working forever!

I sure as hell hope so......

See below - nice try attempting to duck this one McCain. You and your republican buddies have pushed America to the absolute brink of economic destruction asshole....

BREAKING NEWS

McCain to attend debate

John McCain will debate Barack Obama as planned tonight, his campaign announced. McCain said earlier this week he would bow out of the first presidential debate if a deal had not been reached on a $700 billion bailout plan for U.S. financial institutions. By midday, McCain's campaign said he believed enough progress had been made for him to participate.

No way - no Plant - no Led Zepplin

Ringo and Paul do not constitute a Beatles reunion -- this is bullshit.

A New Singer for Led Zeppelin???(WTF???)

The members of Led Zeppelin are searching for a replacement for singer Robert Plant.
Since their historic reunion on stage last year, rumours of a world tour are circulating for Led Zeppelin.
Singer Robert Plant has said that he won't tour with Led Zeppelin, and that he is already touring with Alison Krauss, but rumours of a Led Zeppelin tour continue.
The band's other members have confirmed that a search is on for someone to take Plant's place on the microphone. One source told Britain's The Sun that the musicians have already met with several candidates in London, and have chosen an American for their new singer.
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CTV.ca | Farley Flex named a National Ambassador for UNICEF Canada

It is nice to see something like this happen, too arguably a good guy and overall role model - well done Mr. Flex 

CTV.ca | Farley Flex named a National Ambassador for UNICEF Canada

Shameless Self Promotion

I will just say this about Hayley and Jarome - these are two of the coolest people on the planet and I am glad to be working with them

www.samsung.com/gettogetherforthegame

So Long Lehman Brothers.......

I guess this Monica person is having a busy day....

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Monique Wise
1-646-333-9056



AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED, LEHMAN BROTHERS HOLDINGS INC. FILED CHAPTER 11; NO OTHER U.S. SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE, INCLUDING ITS BROKER-DEALER AND INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SUBSIDIARIES, WAS INCLUDED IN THE FILING
NEW

NEW YORK, September 15, 2008 – Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. ("LBHI") stated that it has filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. None of the broker-dealer subsidiaries or other subsidiaries of LBHI was included in the Chapter 11 filing and all of the U.S. registered broker-dealers will continue to operate.

9-11 seven years ago.....

Seven years ago this terrible tragedy happened and like many I always reflect on the emotions of that day. By around 10 am the carnage was public and the entire staff of the agency I worked at just stood or sat in the boardroom crying and sobbing. We were all sickened by the collapse of the tower, but baffled more by questions like who could do this?, Why?, etc.

Just 5 weeks later I had to travel to NYC and the WTC was still smoldering and it had become a mecca for everyone just needing to see the carnage first hand. I remember the posters, the tears, the grim faces and the dust that was still eveyhwere and clearly this changed the soul of NYC.

I never considered myself a deeply religous man or one who had to pray for understanding but there was a number of "street ministers" on site and I went up to one and told him/her that I just felt this incredible need to pray for all the victims and the pain and the suffering and frankly the incredible confusion and sickness I had within myself as I tried to understand this whole thing. It felt good and each year I go back and walk around that area I feel better, especially as I see the trees and the yard around the cathedral that is just around the corner.

This is probably the event in my lifetime that has left me with the most awful feelings about what humans can do to each other and why someone would do something like this.

I just always feel very sad on September 11th and I think about and pray for the victims and their famillies and I hope something like this never happens again.

Howard

Kris Abel's Tech Life :: Cool Links - School Uniforms With iPod Controls

The ultimate convergence of school uniforms with modern technology ....from of all places, Marks & Spencer (?). I remember them as the first store I could buy cookies and underwear in at same time. They also had great men's shirts. Someone ran them into the ground in Canada...pity 

Kris Abel's Tech Life :: Cool Links - School Uniforms With iPod Controls

Proud of my neighbour: Heather Kidd

Lacrosse players stick it to cancer


Score one more for breast cancer research. The inaugural Lax for a Cure charity lacrosse tournament on the weekend was the latest of many fundraisers organized to aid research with the hope of making breast cancer history.

The lighthearted event was held Saturday at Twin Lakes Secondary School and drew about 100 people and 13 teams to the field. The event raised $5,129 through registration fees, donations and draws. "It's more than we expected," said co-organizer Amy Fincham. "We just wanted a successful tournament." The idea for the tournament came to Fincham and her fellow organizers, Brit Boynton and Jayme Beard, after they all won lacrosse shafts at a banquet and thought about raffling them off for charity. Choosing the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation as a beneficiary was a no-brainer, said Fincham. "We've all been affected by breast cancer in one way or another," she said. Heather Kidd of Toronto was playing for her mom, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2006. "She's doing really well now, but these fundraisers are a good reminder that it's an ongoing battle," said Kidd, a member of the top fundraising team, cleverly named "Saving Second Base." Another teammate, Sherry Fernandes of Whitby, was playing for her mother-in-law, who was diagnosed just last month. She is to start radiation therapy this week, Fernandes said, and the charity tournament "really meant a lot to her."
"She gave me a hundred bucks," Fernandes said.

Her team -- made up of Toronto lacrosse players -- raised more than $400. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation estimates one in nine Canadian women will be diagnosed with the disease in her lifetime. The striking reality of the broad reach of breast cancer seems to be getting through to younger women, said Kidd. "A lot of them have grown up with the statistics," she said. "That message has really gotten out." The success of Saturday's tournament has organizers looking forward to it becoming an annual event. Fincham thanked the volunteers and business owners -- mostly local -- who threw their support behind the fundraiser. "We hope there's even more support next year," she said.

I would so buy this in a nano second....

A New Led Zeppelin Album....YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you see Page play at Olympics? He has not lost a step!

BE interactive Led Zeppelin may record a new album.
Members from the group Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page, Paul Jones and Jason Bonham, are currently working on new material in the studio, according to a report from NME.com.
At the moment, singer Robert Plant is not involved in the studio jam sessions.
Drummer Jason Bonham told the Detroit radio station 94.7 WCSX that he and his two band members are working on new songs and are having a great time jamming together.
They don't know where this will lead them, however, there is a possibility of making a new album. Rumours of a new disc had been looming in the air, following their London concert in December.

Dumb and dumber....LPGA

This is as stupid a rule as they come, bad marketing precedent and frankly racist I believe.

What gives LPGA?

Lorie Kane believes members of the LPGA Tour already have a universal language _ golf.
But the LPGA thinks differently. It will require golfers to speak English starting in 2009, with players who have been members for two years facing suspension if they can't pass an oral evaluation of English skills.
"I am of a strong belief that, yes, we need to learn to communicate," Kane, a 12-year tour veteran, told The Canadian Press on Tuesday. "But whether or not you can communicate shouldn't determine whether or not you have a card on the LPGA Tour."
The tour held a mandatory meeting with South Koreans at the Safeway Classic last Wednesday to inform them of the new policy, which will be finalized with a detailed criteria by season's end.
There are 121 international players from 26 countries on the LPGA Tour, including 45 players from South Korea. With such diversity, the tour sees the policy as a necessary step for its players.
"Why now? Athletes now have more responsibilities and we want to help their professional development," deputy commissioner Libba Galloway told The Associated Press. "There are more fans, more media and more sponsors. We want to help our athletes as best we can succeed off the golf course as well as on it."
The international players have had no shortage of success on the course.
Sixteen of the top-20 current money earners were born outside of the United States. Eight of those women are South Korean followed by two Swedes, two Australians, a Mexican, a Norwegian, a Brazilian and a Taiwanese.
There are plenty of different flags showing up on LPGA leaderboards these days.
"We are an international tour," said Kane. "The players that are playing the best are international players. And their play alone should help raise the level of the tour, which it is."
Instead of instituting a rule forcing golfers to pass an English test, Kane would prefer to see the tour do a better job of stressing the importance of communication to its foreign players. She believes that many of the South Koreans, in particular, know more English than they currently feel comfortable speaking in public and could be convinced to try harder.
It's an opinion she shares with good friend Se Ri Pak. Those two women had a conversation last week and agreed that some of the other South Korean players need to come out of their shell a bit more.
"There's a group of younger players who all they want to do is play golf," said Kane. "To show emotion and be engaging, they think it may affect their psyche. We know that that's just not the case.
"It can't be that way to continue to sell our product."
Selling the product _ even if it's a player simply promoting herself _ seems to be at the heart of this matter.
An example of a situation the LPGA hopes to avoid in the future occurred at the Canadian Women's Open in 2005. South Korea's Meena Lee won the event near Halifax and was unable to give media interviews or deliver an acceptance speech without the aid of a translator at that time.
"I think there was probably a bit of a lost opportunity for her as our champion to interact with the sponsors and fans," said tournament director Sean Van Kesteren. "You lose a little bit of the human element when you're using a translator."
Even still, he hasn't found language barriers to be much of a problem overall.
Van Kesteren has been in charge of the Canadian LPGA event since 2004 and has yet to field a complaint from a sponsor who was angry about drawing a pro-am partner that didn't speak English.
"We haven't had any real issues," he said. "There is a communication barrier with some players during the pro-am.
"But you also get some Korean players, for example, who do a great job even with the limited English that they may have. They're still entertaining, they still show everybody a good time."
Above all, he is fortunate to be in charge of one of the tour's top events.
The LPGA is struggling elsewhere. It announced earlier this month that the Ginn Tribute hosted by Annika Sorenstam would be dropped from the schedule starting next season because of sponsorship issues.
Players take notice of those kind of announcements.
"I'm concerned," said Kane. "The tournament owners are struggling to find new sponsors. We're struggling to find new tournaments."
Galloway denied that the move to force players to speak English was based on sponsors and said interest in the tour has never been stronger.
The mandatory English story was first reported by Golfweek magazine and drew an immediate and divided response from internet bloggers and posters.
Some accused the LPGA of outright racism while others saw it as a necessary move.
"You need to have players who can speak English and understand that this is entertainment _ otherwise the corporate revenue stream will evaporate," wrote one poster on the Globe and Mail's website. "The LPGA is just getting ready."
Countered another: "I don't understand why you'd want a tour that doesn't have all the best golfers regardless of the language they speak."
Kane and Pak first became friends before they could even have a proper conversation.
The Canadian has seen the LPGA change and evolve a fair bit since first playing events in 1996. The tour's schedule this year includes three tournaments in Mexico along with one each in Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Canada, France and England.
That lineup alone makes Kane wonder why English has been made mandatory.
"Right now we have an awful lot of tournaments internationally and a lot of them are in Asia," she said. "I don't speak any Asian languages. If we continue to play over there, are they going to require me to speak Korean?

So if her slurs and stumbles.....

...it will be just like listening to George Bush (Senator Ted slated to speak at Democratic Convention tonight).

And the good news is he is not driving anyone home.

LAMAZE (who?) CAPTURES GOLD IN EQUESTRIAN SHOW JUMPING (What is that?)

I mean what the hell is going on here? Folks, we are a nation of beer drinking hocky and lacross players (yes, canoe "drivers" too), so what gives with all these horse riding medals?

I think this is great, but I am willing to bet 99% of the nation had never heard of this poor bugger before day. I wonder how many little Canadian boys and girls will now be asking for an equestrian horse for their birthday instead of skates? Anyways good on you Eric, but I still think we have a long, long way to go before show jumping is a mainstream Canadian activity.

From tsn.ca: Canada's Eric Lamaze wins gold in equestrian individual jumping
Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, Ont., captured the show jumping title Thursday at the Beijing Games, giving Canada its first-ever individual equestrian gold. Full Story.

MAPLE LEAFS' MCCABE THINKS ABOUT ACCEPTING A TRADE

Oh god, I hope so!

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Bryan McCabe is considering altering his position on his no-movement clause.
"Bryan is starting to think about possibly getting his career started somewhere else," Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher told the Toronto Star.
"We'll leave him alone. He's going to get back to us in a couple of weeks. There's not going to be any issues. I'm really confident it's going to be resolved amicably before training camp," Fletcher told the newspaper.
Ian Pulver, McCabe's agent confirmed to the Star that their camp has been talking with the Maple Leafs.
Last season, McCabe had 5 goals with 18 assists and minus-2 rating.
There has been friction between the blueliner and the club since he refused to waive his no-movement clause at the NHL's trade deadline.
The Maple Leafs have already parted ways with Darcy Tucker and Andrew Raycroft this off-season after buying out their contracts.

The waiting is the hardest part....

These lyrics from one of my favourite Tom Petty songs ring truer than ever now.

OK Matts, you have $20 million on the table from Vancouver and a lock to play for Tre Kronar at the Vancouver Olympics. Detroit will guarantee you a Cup, and if they don't then you can probably win it with the Habs.

Or you can stay a Leaf and play with the likes of Antropov, McCabe, and a 40 year old back up goalie who last played in the Adult Safe Hockey League.

You got options, but for Christ sake, make up your mind!

Good Move Here (Maybe Join Leafs in 09/10?)

Great thinking by your agent - huge bucks next year!

The Florida Panthers avoided arbitration by agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with restricted free-agent defenseman Jay Bouwmeester on Monday. The 24-year-old played in all of Florida's 82 games last year, ranking first among NHL defencemen in ice time. Full Story.(

New Oilers Captain

This is just a cool little thing they did at the Walter Gretzky CNIB tournament, but I can tell you putting on that sweater feels magical....

Thought for the Day (via Capital C)

Simplicity

Intro by Bennett Klein, Partner

Mark Twain once wrote:
"I'd have written a shorter letter, but I ran out of time."
The challenge facing us in the Information Age is too much information, too little focus.
It's hard to simplify, we have to define priorities and constantly make tradeoffs. We have to edit and refine. But doing this fluently leads to a simplification of communication that is becoming a critical competency, and the key to organizational and personal effectiveness.
Einstein challenged "Make it as simple as possible, but no simpler."
As we simplify, it's important to strike the balance between elegant simplicity and vacuous simplicity. This is a fine line and a critical distinction, but one that needs to be understood. Onwards...

This guy is a smart dude at Capital C - love working with him.

iPhone Hysteria - Get A Life People

People there is no need to line up in the pouring rain. You Trekkie types should know better. They have plenty of stock, and will have so next week and the week after.

This is a cool gadget I admit, but nothing that important is worth lining up for at 6 am.

What the Leafs should have done!!!!

Free agent centre Brendan Morrison is off the free agent list, as the B.C. native is set to join the Anaheim Ducks. Morrison and the Ducks have agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.75 million.
Morrison is still rehabbing after undergoing knee surgery on April 7 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. It is Morrison's fourth surgery in the past two years. Over the past week, Morrison has turned down offers from nine teams including the Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings.
Last week, Morrison turned down a one-year, $1.9 million offer from the Vancouver Canucks, the team he has spent the past eight seasons with. It appeared that the Canucks were hoping Morrison would be their 'fall-back' position if they are unable to sign Mats Sundin. He wasn't prepared to wait.
The move will reunite Morrison with the former Canucks general managers Brian Burke and Dave Nonis, who both work in Anaheim's front office.
Morrison, 32, scored nine goals and 25 points in 39 games with the Canucks last season and spent most of the campaign on the shelf with wrist and knee injuries. In 674 career games with Vancouver and the New Jersey Devils, he has 159 goals and 474 points. If he can stay healthy, Morrison could be Anaheim's second line centre behind Ryan Getzlaf.

Non Smoking Continues

So the half year point has come and past and I am damn proud of myself, but I cannot believe how the urge for a smoke still comes on from time to time. Interestingly, it is not always when I have a drink in my hand (so that is a good thing!) Lately it comes in middle of day, or after lunch but so far so good. It really is not that bad, and while I have added a few pounds, I can honestly say I am feeling great and enjoying my non smoking status.

Last night I was at dinner and sat beside a heavy smoking female friend I had not seen in a while - she went outside during dinner a few times and every time she came back I was aghast at her breathe, and it was all over her clothes. Not to judge, because at least twice yesterday or over the weekend I thought about it.

I keep thinking about getting a full year under my belt and that is my goal. I honestly wish I had never smoked in the first place....

Sundin Not Ready to Make A Decision on Future

I suggest this is not the happy ending we had all hoped for? WTF Matts, $20 million to play 2 more years in Vancouver - are your crazy?

Free agent forward Mats Sundin has thanked teams which have shown interest in him, but says he's not ready to make a decision on his playing future right now.
The 37-year old released the following statement on Wednesday:
"I would like to thank all the teams who have expressed such sincere interest in my services.
"The numerous options provided to me were impressive and I have no doubt that each one presented a unique opportunity for me to finish my career in a terrific hockey environment.
"I spent a great deal of time yesterday reflecting upon the teams who stepped forward and the opportunities that each provided.
"Unfortunately, I am simply not close to being ready to make a decision about resuming my career at this time.
"I wish all the teams the very best and thank them for their interest."
Sundin is reportedly being chased by as many a four different teams. The Vancouver Cancucks made the biggest splash, by offering a 2-year, $20 million contract for the Big Swede.
The nine-time All-Star is the leading scorer in Maple Leafs franchise history. Over his 13 seasons in blue and white, Sundin scored 420 goals and 987 points and spent 10 years as team captain.
Sundin had another stellar season for the Maple Leafs, recording a team-best 32 goals and 78 points this past season. Sundin, a two-time second-team NHL All-Star, won a gold medal with Team Sweden at the Torino Olympics in 2006.
In 83 playoff games, Sundin has scored 35 goals and 74 points, with all but four of those points coming in a Leafs uniform.

Mounties stay alive in Midland/Pool B Champs

Mimico Mounites rallied together for another great team effort this weekend knocking off Sault Ste Marie to win the "B" pool championships in Midland, Ontario this past week. Strong goaltending and great defence played a huge role as the Mounites struggled offensively in the first two games.

The Mounites are back in action in Newmarket this week - Thursday night at 9 pm

Mounties Late Rally Earns Tie With Newmarket

Alex Thomas scored with :22 seconds remaining to earn Mimico Mountaineers Intermediates a 5-5 tie in last night's action at Mimico Arena.

Off to an early 2-0 lead, it appeared that the expectation would be another blow out, following the previous 15-1 thrashing the Mounties laid on the Redmen. However, some sloppy play, turnovers and an overall lacklustre effort lead to the Redmen going up 5-2 by late in the third period.

The Mounties play turned to desperation following a late goaltender change and they worked themselves back in the game on two quick goals. With just under a minute, Brooks Bernier made a strong defensive play and turned this into a quick transition, spotting Thomas streaking down the left side.

The game continued to be another physical rivalry between the two clubs, this time featuring Keelan Neal in a full out "buckets off" tilt with an equally spirited Redmen player. That brawl earned both players applause, and trips to their respective dressing rooms.

The Mounties next adventure is against Brampton on Thursday the 19th before a weekend road trip to Owen Sound.

Proud To Be Canadian

An Australian Definition of a Canadian -
Written by an Australian Dentist:

You probably missed it in the local news, but there was a report
that someone in Pakistan had advertised in a newspaper an offer of a
reward to anyone who killed a Canadian - any Canadian.
An Australian dentist wrote the following editorial to help define
what a Canadian is, so they would know one when they found one.
A Canadian can be English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German,
Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. A Canadian can be Mexican,
African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian,
Asian, Arab, Pakistani or Afghan.

A Canadian may also be a Cree, Metis, Mohawk, Blackfoot, Sioux, or
one of the many other tribes known as native Canadians. A Canadian's religious beliefs range from Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim,
Hindu or none. In fact, there are more Muslims in Canada than in
Afghanistan. The key difference is that in Canada they are free to
worship as each of them chooses. Whether they have a religion or no
religion, each Canadian ultimately answers only to God, not to the
government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government
and for God.

A Canadian lives in one of the most prosperous lands in the history
of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms which recognize the right of each
person to the pursuit of happiness.
A Canadian is generous and Canadians have helped out just about
every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking
a thing in return. Canadians welcome the best of everything, the
best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the
best services and the best minds. But they also welcome the least -
the oppressed, the outcast and the rejected.

These are the people who built Canada. You can try to kill a
Canadian if you must as other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world
have tried but in doing so you could just be killing a relative or a
neighbor. This is because Canadians are not a particular people from
a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of
freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, can be a Canadian.

Please keep this going! Pass this around the World. Then pass it
around again. It says it all, for all of us And always remember:
'Keep your stick on the ice'

Best book I have ever read in my entire life...

a long way gone by ishmael beah

I urge anyone who has any sense of justice in this world to read this fascinating book by Ishmael Beah. I devoured this over two days and could not stop thinking about what this poor young man has endured. I am going to organize some ways for us to support efforts to stop this nonsense. Standby