I Know I said I Like Film

BTW Mine's silver
Well, I know somewhere in this blog mess I praised the merits of film.
Today I acquired a digital camera (a Canon Powershot A430)
Ya know what it just may spark me into taking more pics. Tomorrow if the weather is nice I may take my “new friend” for a walk.
Now it’s not the best on the market (only 4 megs) but hey I hardly paid for it. I treated myself to a 512 card, some lithium batteries and a case.
I’ve been through the quick start guide and I almost understand it.
The great thing I’ve found so far is that I can shoot aimlessly and just punch the dump buttom
I’ll keep you posted to my adventures.

I Love Groaning

Paints were very precious in the good old days, and British merchants could make a small fortune supplying paints to the colonies. One company sent a clipper ship full of red paint across the ocean. It had the very bad luck to collide with another ship full of blue paint. As a result of this disaster, both crews were marooned

What a Cool Job

This guy is a quasi hero of mine,a wanna be source if you will
You’ve heard him I guarantee it. Not a cartoon voice,or a sports announcer and if I gave you his name ( Don Lafontaine) you might not know him either. If ya wanna know try googling or leave me a note.

.......or My trip to a 1,000 Islands

'Four expectant fathers were in the hospital waiting room while their wives were in labor. The nurse arrived and announced to the first man, "Congratulations, you're the father of twins." "Wow!" the man said. "I work for the Minnesota Twins baseball team." A little while later, the nurse returned and told the second man, "You sir, are the father of triplets." "Amazing! That's really a coincidence," he said. "I work for the 3M Corporation." An hour later, the nurse came back and announced to the third man that his wife had given birth to quadruplets. Stunned, he could barely speak. "I don't believe it. I work for the Four Seasons Hotel." The fourth guy, who had looked more and more unhappy with each development, fainted. When finally revived, he shook his head and was heard to whisper.... "I should have never taken that job at 7-Eleven..."

From Stacey's Blog

http://cgfc.blogspot.com/2006/03/jeff-foxworthy-on-quebec-i-think.html

Where's Johnny Bower, When you need Him ?

Finding a 10$ bill, waking up on a Saturday and remembering its a day off or perhaps wining a free ticket on the Mini Lotto can all make me happy. BUT having the Montreal Canadians beat the Toronto Maple Leafs two times in a row in the same weeks makes me positively giddy. It happened this week and wins by big margins too. Toronto ... the center of the Universe and the murder capital of Canada must be in mourning. There are also rumors that the mayor may even call out the army!!!
Toronto has it all, Bay Street, hot dog wagons on the street and Pearson Airport (notice they waited till Lester died before using his name) Toronto home city of the CBC, that “highly respected” bastion of Canadian broadcasting The CBC that managed to show the celebrations, of Ty Domi’s 1000th game but not the sweater raising in the Bell Centre of Boom Boom Geoffrion. Well Toronto another year will pass and a good majority of your sports fans weren’t even born when your Leafs (and I thought the plural of leaf was leaves…but) your boys in blue last won the Stanley Cup. I realize that Montreal won’t win it either …. But we are in front of you…AGAIN

hang fire .... be cool

There is a Chance for World Peace

It seems that science has reached its boundries and the planets have perfctly alined according to http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/ProductsPromotions/J-L/KDMakeitintheMicrowave.htm
sent to me by Stacey, regular KD can be cooked in the micro wave
With this technology established, the lion may well lay down with the lamb. The polar icecaps may refreeze, and no late fees from Blockbusters may no longer be a dream !!!

6/49

There is a colloquialism I believe that maybe peculiar to Quebec. In Quebec when you buy a 6/49, with extra and the Quebec 49, it is referred to as a 6/49 all dressed. That’s 2$ for the 6/49, 1$ for the extra and .50 for the Quebec 49. Now I’m positive in other parts of our great nation that the same options are available, but are they all dressed ?( or as its heard here. “al dress”

Farewell to Les Jardins

Today, a little part of me died.
I found out that the first Astral Photo Store that i worked at in Dorval was to close. I understand economics and all that but I opened that store, developed the client base and trained a gaggle of staff. Some of the customers followed me to where I am now in Pointe Claire, but 772 in a few weeks will be no more. The signs will be taken down the remaining merchandise transferred to other stores, and Les Jardins Dorval will probably have a new shoe store.I made a lot of friends there. Saw fourteen Christmases and fourteen Boxing Days, amongst other jammed packed occasions
Thank-you Dorval, I’ll miss you.

Mmmm Glosetts

A guy goes to visit his grandmother and he brings his friend with him.


While he's talking to his grandmother, his friend starts eating the peanuts on the coffee table, and finished them off.

As they're leaving, his friend says to his grandmother, "Thanks for the peanuts."

She says, "Yeah, since I lost my dentures I can only suck the chocolate off them."

Sherlock Holmes

Many years ago ….when I was cool I smoked a pipe. Yellow Sail tobacco was my favorite, but if I had some $ Cherry Blend was in there too.
I looked so “with it” twenty years old and the coolist. Sure, my teeth were going crooked & yellow but hey…it was 1970. I haven’t seen a pipe smoker in years, have you ? or ewwwwww a tobacco chewer, now that blows, ‘cept if you’re making big $’s as a ball player.

Home James !

Cool found the way Dave & I might get around WHEN we meet our senior years, I'll wear the dress this week

To Go With the Blog Below

The couple living next door to Little Johnny had a new baby and the poor little thing was born with no ears. For weeks Little Johnny begged his Mom to take him to see the baby with no ears. She always told him no because she was afraid of what he might say. Still Little Johnny begged and begged. So his Mom finally told him she would take him if he PROMISED not to say anything mean about the baby not having any ears. So Little Johnny promised and they went to see the baby.


Johnny walked up to the basinet, looked down at the baby, then looked at the baby's Mom and said, "Look at those big hands, he has really big hands, and look at those big feet, and long legs, and look at those chubby little cheeks, WOW look at those big blue eyes. He has GOOD EYES doesn't he?" Johnny asked.

"Yes he does." Said the baby's Mom.

Then Johnny said, "Well it's a darn good thing, cause he'll never be able to wear glasses."

Mirrors, Mirrors, EveryWhere, but I can't see a thing

Why in the name of everything that is holy, hasn’t someone done this.
O.K. I go to the glasses place and I need new glasses.
I try several frames that look fine BUT I have no idea how they look on me because my prescription isn’t in them.
Here’s the brain surgery, why do these optometrist joints not have digital cameras where after I put on my “seeing” glasses I can SEE what I would look like in the new frames I chose.Can't be a cost factor, new goggles can cost upwards towards 400$ or more. Oh I could bring a friend,(yes many want to kill time with me at xxxcrafters) but guys step up to the plate !! it's 2006.
I’m a marketing type fella and this to me seems like a gem of an idea, then again that’s me

Hang fire …. be cool

Meet the Parents

Need a look at the perfect parents, no need to wait there they are.I remeber this day well, Mom and dad put on their Sunday best so that I could experiment my photographic skills. They never said a word, just did as I asked. I miss them both dearly, happily I still have Dave to lean on.

A Note from a Little Brother

Today, St. Patrick’s Day March 17th is my brother Dave’s birthday. To those of you who are not his brother then boo hoo for you. Dave is #1 and he’s my brother. Thanks Dave you’re the best.

O'Danny Boy

Some twenty seven hours fromnow will be St Patrick’s Day. A day for some corn beef & cabbage, and a pint of green beer. Now not to send the world as we know it into a whirl wind of worry but this year St. Paddy’s falls on a Friday. Not any Friday but a Friday during Lent, when good Catholics ( many of them Irish) should not eat meat. What to do, what to do? Some diocese in the U.S. of A are issuing special dispensations to cover the conundrum.
As George ( I can’t spell his last name) of News World’s The Hour has suggested, perhaps even Jesus would have enjoyed a good corn beef dinner with a stein of stout or was he more of a wine guy.
All that being said I offer to you an Irish blessing. “May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows your dead.”

hang fire .... be cool

One From Brother Dave

An exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief, finally asked him "How do you expect to get into Heaven?" The boy thought it over and said, "Well, I'll run in and out and in and out and keep slamming the door until St. Peter says, 'For Heaven's sake, Keith, come in or stay out!'"

My Next X ???

I think except for the last federal election (where I multi voted) I voted Liberal every time. but this week end when P.M. Harper visited Canadian troops in Afganistan, he gainned my personal award of honor. Mr. Harper, thank-you for having the testicular equipment provided you for that move of bravery and guts.
Kudos to you Stephen

"Bearly" relief

Too Long between Ha Ha's

A man walks into a bar. He sees two pieces of meat hanging from the ceiling and asks the barman, "Why are those two pieces of meat hanging from the ceiling?"


The barman replies, "It's a competition which we run every night. If you can jump up and touch the meat, you get free drinks for the whole night."

"Great!" says the man, "but what if I can't reach them?"

"Then you have to buy all the drinks for everyone all night," the bartender answers. "Do you want to try?"

"No, but thanks anyway."

"Why not?" asks the bartender.

"The steaks are too high."

........And the First Star

Today one of the greatest hockey players to have ever laced up skates, passed away Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion.
Mr.Bernard Geoffrion past away in Atlanta after a battle with stomach cancer. He was seventy-five
He was the self proclaimed inventor of the slapshot, and from all accounts a gentleman’s gentleman. He wore number five and tonight his jersey was retired at a touching ceremony at The Bell Centre. What made it especially touching is that had plans to attend the ceremony tonight with his two sons.
Believing as I do I think “he was there”, enjoying as he should the honors due to him.

A Double, Double

Ok, I don’t get it. Wars in over half the world, global warming, and one of the biggest news stories this week is about a donut shop. Tim Horton who annually has a “Roll Up The Rim To Win” promotion is in the midst of a true conundrum. It seems that one of their winning cups was found in the garbage by a little girl. Unable to ‘roll up the rim” herself she sought the aid of her friend. You guessed it the cup was a winner; the prize was an SUV. The families of the two girls are now involved in a major dispute. The family of the girl who picked the cup out of the garbage say the prize belongs to her, the family of the girl who did the rolling says the prize belongs to her. NOW a lawyer wants to perform DNA testing on the cup and find the person who trashed the cup. Tim Hortons is washing their hands on the deal saying they will award the prize to the person who brings the cup to them.
Now I think it would be a hoot if the contest deadline came and went during this whole kafuffle.

Wow !

Amazing …
Tonight after watching “Walk the Line” ( rent if you haven’t seen it) ( Dave burned copy available) I went through just about all of my blog entries since I started in September while I was visiting Edmonton with Dave and his best friend Kathy ( a great choice I should add, and an amazing cook & host Kathy that is not Dave Ok Dave can host but cooking ?? see previous blogs) and I realized how therapeutic it was.
I can say what I want, when I want, and no one judges( even with the ammoniums comments) It's magic, like a diary, for all to see and not give a flying &^%%$.
Thanks for the space & the time …
P.S. Brownie Points Welcome

He Shots .....He Saves $

Ok…ok… take a deep breath.
I love hockey always have, hell !! I can remember when there were six teams, and I could tell you who was on whose team, yup even remember watching Saturday nights on channel 6, with Danny Galvan, even before Cherry could tie a knot in his tie, & thinking wow I wanna be the Zamboni driver. I think I even remember hockey being sponsored by Molson (which, ewww my mom drank warm ) After the game it was "Our pet, Julliet" but I digress.
Now players play for the money, not the sport. Not that long ago players had to hold “real” jobs to pay the bills.
Believe me if someone offered me 3.5 M$/year to sell Powershots, Id be there.
All that being said, Jose don’t let door hit your multi million dollar padded ass on the way out of
The Phone Booth errrrr I mean The Bell Centre
Oh ya, Happy Thursday

Now, Here's a Goal !

I have a co worker who is bound and determined to become a helicopter pilot, not a doctor, lawyer or a merchant chief, a helicopter pilot. Now believe it or not flying lessons are about
50,000$. Pop quiz now guess how many banks are willing to give a loan of that amount to a 17 year old……… right, none.
His idea now is to get 5,000 people to give him 10$, far fetched???, maybe or maybe not, he has my 10$ now only 4, 999 to go
He doesn’t smoke drink or do drugs, he works at a heliport to learn and honestly, a great guy. Here’s his story.

PLEASE HELP ME FLY!

Hello Reader,

My name is Robert Ferlisi, I am 17 years old. The reason I am writing this is because I need your help.

If you are reading this and you don’t know me, you might wonder where I am going with this. I would like to thank you very much if you picked this up and started to read.

Ever since I can remember I wanted to fly. It has been a passion of mine for some time now. Just recently I had applied for a student loan, with my parents as a co-signer for 50,000 dollars. The loan was to be used towards my flight training for my commercial helicopter license. I didn’t get that loan, and this dream of mine still remains a dream… I had applied again at another bank, and got denied as well.

I would like to ask you for your help. If you can, donate 10 dollars to me. It will be saved up and put towards my flight training. The course for a commercial helicopter license is 50,000 dollars minimum. I can’t join the military because I don’t have 20/20 vision, and I have no other way to get that kind of money. I am saving money every way I can, working two jobs, and not spending any money unless absolutely necessary.

I am working two jobs now:

1- I am a lineman at Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport. I work for an FBO (fixed base operator). My job consists of refueling the aircraft, and doing work out on the ramp. I just love being around the aircraft/airport all day. It is experience for me in the industry when I become a helicopter pilot.

2- I work at Astral Photo. I am a camera salesman.

I volunteer once a day at St. Hubert Airport. At Helicraft 2000 Inc, a helicopter flight school. I volunteer as an apprentice mechanic. Just getting experience in the industry.

I am attending John Abbott College, and I am studying aircraft maintenance, it is my first year.

What I am asking you to help me out with is totally voluntarily! It is something I would like you to do out of the kindness of your heart.
10 dollars isn’t much money if you think about it. Instead of buying a pack of cigarettes, a two-four of beer, please help me out and donate it to help me fly.

Thank you very, very much for taking the time to read this, even if you choose not to help. Like I said… it’s voluntarily. If you do choose to help me, THANK YOU!!!

For more info, you can contact me at HeliPilotRob@hotmail.com.

Sign the Damn Card

Many use the old adage “if only one person, blah, blah, blah “
Well tonight I am asking you to sign your organ donation card, however it’s done where you are. Perhaps it’s signing a government health card or perhaps a license renewal. However it’s done do it !
you wont need any thing from your body after you’ve gone.
They ( the medical world ) might not use it all but imagine being responsible for extending a life (maybe lives)AFTER you have passed on. No needles, no pain, simply a stroke of the pen. There are no rewards, no recognition, just an act of kindness, an ultimate act of love for mankind.
I assure you that you can by this signature help more then one person, and that’s no blah blah blah.

hang fire .... be cool

So.......You, Like the Simpsons :) ??

http://www.transbuddha.com/mediaHolder.php?id=1547

( thanks for the link Stacey )

Try This at Future Shop :) or Best Buy

A customer was in my store yesterday (Sunday) and her story was that she had purchased a Kodak printer dock prior to Christmas.
For what ever reason (heavy work schedule sited) her husband only opened the box opened this week. To their dismay the box contained only software, instructions and cabling,
but no printer. (%$##$# !!!)
When she came in she said she had no expectations for help. just wanted to let me know.
Imagine her surprise after I had checked into a few things like inventory balances, and the fact that indeed I had a printer and no box, told her the printer was for her.(like I said before, she bought this over two months ago) She was surprised beyond belief when I called her. When she came into the store today to get her merchandise, she shook my hand and assured me that Astral ( because of my efforts) had her business for life and that she would spread the word.
Now that’s !!! why I like retail. I should add that she was a calm, collected, and gentlelady, which is why I went the extra mile to help ( she even had her receipt ) ( perhaps not the extra mile maybe just good customer service)

Hmmmm maybe she was a mystery shopper,...... kidding

It Only Takes a Moment

On March 03, 2005, five members of the RCMP killed in cold blood in Mayerthorpe Alberta were killed in the line of duty. These men were:
Const. Anthony Gordon ,Peter Schiemann, Leo Johnston, and
Brock Myrol.
We can not bring them back, but we can help remember them by signing the Guest Book of Remembrance located at:
http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?Id=GB16828343X
It only takes a moment and I am sure that the family will be moved
Thank-you


The story ( in part ) is located at:
http://www.legacy.com/can-windsor/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=16828343

A Fresh Groaner

Just as a surgeon was finishing up an operation and was about to close, the patient awakes, sits up, and demands to know what is going on.
"I'm about to close," the surgeon says.

The patient grabs the surgeon's hand and says, "I'm not going to let you do that! I'll close my own incision!"

The doctor hands him the needle and thread and says,

...................."Suture self."

....And Terry Jacks sang "Seasons in the Sun"

Thirty-two years ago today I joined Black Photo Corp, well sorrta.
At the time I was hired by a company known as Astral Bellvue Pathe. I worked for a division of that company known as Angreen Photo
(named after the mother of the Greenberg brothers, owners of A.B. P. mother Ann) That division operated the camera departments in a chain of stores known as Miracle Mart (later to become the now defunct chain known as M Stores) The man who hired me and I still see him today was Luciano Bastasi. I worked in, I believe as manager in at lest five of the concessions
In 1985 at the closing of one of the Miracle stores, I was asked by one of the Harvey Greenberg’s wife Beverly if I would like to move on and work for the other retail arm of the Company known as Astral Photo, and so I did. I became a manager of the store in Dorval which I opened in September of 1985 (#772) and stayed there till 1999, when I moved on as Senior Sales Associate in the Quebec flag ship store in Fairview Pointe Claire,(#708) under the retail supervision of a true gentleman Alex Franzidis. In 1998( I think it was 1998) Black Photo Corpotation acquired the division and that is where I am today. In the thirty two years that have passed two of the Greenberg brothers and one of their lovely sisters Rita have passed as well as one of my other regional manager Eddy Desantis. Much water has passed under the bridge. I am not at all certain how many people I have worked with but I am sure it numbers in the hundreds. I see some of them today and they have moved on to great things, but remind me that I was the first “boss” they had and what a good “boss” I was…..”blush”
I hasten to say here that Black Photo has treated me well, I didn’t lose a moment of seniority and enjoy six weeks of vacation yearly as well as an annual dinner with the Quarter Century Club, where the cost side of the menu and the wine list is a non issue.
Regrets I have a few, but then again.... too few to mention

Hey !!! Jude

Paul, I mean Sir Paul…. What’s the deal with you & the seals, you & Wendy posing with the pups, we don’t club them anymore. Are you looking for a Canadian cause? Look into our fishery problems and the lack of fish for our Canadian fish industry. Many of these fish have been eaten by the same seals you are trying to protect. I also understand that you are a vegetarian, and maybe you don’t know but the killing of sheep in your country often involves some questionable execution manners.
And cruel ??? do you remember a black & white ditty called A Hard Days Night ( or in you case now.... Knight)

I Didn't Know

Here's a fun site.
See what's been invented, & when, like what was invented the year you were born
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa121599a.htm

A March Smile

A guy goes into a restaurant/lounge wearing a shirt open at the collar and is met by a bouncer who tells him he must wear a necktie to gain admission.


So the guy goes out to his car and he looks around for a necktie and discovers that he just doesn't have one. He sees a set of jumper cables in his trunk. In desperation he ties these around his neck, manages to fashion a fairly acceptable looking knot and lets the ends dangle free.

He goes back to the restaurant and the bouncer carefully looks him over for a few minutes and then says, "Well, OK, I guess you can come in - just don't start anything."