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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Tuesday's Vehicle - 1962 Austin Healy


Stephen Harper does not believe in the family unit…..


Canada is a Nation of families. As such we should look out for and protect one another. Unfortunately Stephen Harper does not believe in the family unit.

As children our parents looked out for us, protected us and made sure we had food on the table…. They took responsibility for us. In turn we were told it was our responsibility to look out for our brothers and sisters....


As we grew older and married it became our responsibility to look out for our parents.

That is what families do….

There is a cost to loyalty and honour of the family unit that Stephen Harper and his sock puppets do not understand. We, as a Nation, must take care of our own. There is and always will be a cost to doing so. That cost comes in the form of taxation whether it be corporate or personal. It is cheaper to tax a nation in support of its people than to tax a region to provide the same benefit. It is simple economics to tax 35 million people so that you can benefit 10 million than it is to tax 1 million to benefit 300,000.

Stephen Harper fails to see the benefit or the logic to improving and enhancing the lifestyle of working Canadians. He can see nothing but corporate profits which contribute nothing to the economy.

When a government abdicates its duty to the family unit it loses all respect.


**********************************************************************************************


Growing up I was like all my peers, I wanted to be liked. Now that I am a senior I don’t give a damn… I have lived my life my way… I believe in giving, fostering and supporting others… you don’t like me, you don’t agree with me…. Who cares

I believe that as a country we need medicare, CPP and EI, there must be an economic umbrella that protects Canadians at all levels of their lives. It is incomprehensible to expect or anticipate that the worker will consider the possibility of not being employed or to set millions aside in the event that he or she may contract a terminal illness.

Ask yourself this… Am I prepared to watch my best friend wilt away because I refused to pay taxes that would support them in times of need….. if your answer is YES you are a conservative.

Stephen Harper - Bribery,Fraud and Breach of Trust!


if we all were dogs...


If a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
*When loved ones come home, always run to greet them;
*Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride;
*Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy;
*Take naps;
*Stretch before rising;
*Run, romp, and play daily;
*Thrive on attention and let people touch you;
*Avoid biting when a simple growl will do;
*On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass;
*On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree;
*When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body;
*Delight in the simple joy of a long walk;
*Be loyal;
*Never pretend to be something you're not;
*If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it;
*When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently;

There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So, love the people who treat you right.

Think good thoughts for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy.

Falling down is part of LIFE...

Getting back up is LIVING...

Thanks Pat

Christmas Humour








Thanks Randy

Monday, December 30, 2013

Monday's Vehicle - VW Westfalia


Decline of the middle class - A Harper "economic plan"

By: Michael Valpy Special to the Star, Published on Fri Dec 13 2013
This story is part of the 2013 Atkinson Series: Me, You, Us. Journalist and author Michael Valpy has done an investigation into social cohesion in Canada — what binds us together, what draws us apart.
Eric Schuppert’s realization that he had left the middle class did not occur in 2008, when his $75,000-a-year salary with full benefits, pension and five weeks’ paid vacation vanished along with his job as a public-service manager for the municipality of Caledon.
 
It did not occur when, at age 46, he had to borrow money from his parents to meet his monthly living costs. It did not occur when he was forced to sell his house in nearby Alliston.
 
It did not even occur when he found himself behind a counter at his local Tim Hortons — “Standing there in that crappy uniform with that dinky little hat on serving my friends coffee” — at the minimum wage of $10.25 an hour, taking direction from kids 20 years younger.
 
It occurred when the fear came to him that he would never be back to where he had been, that he was looking at a slammed-shut door to anything that resembled progress.
 
And with that fear, Schuppert, now 51 and working in Toronto as a night-shift college porter earning $30,000 a year, became part of a new phenomenon in Canada that social scientists haven’t previously encountered: he self-deselected from the middle class.

More..... http://www.thestar.com/news/atkinsonseries/2013/12/13/the_incredible_disappearing_middle_class.html


Stephen Harper and his sock puppets have shown little or no empathy toward the people of Canada and its economic difficulties. Their economic policy has been to finance industry while forcing workers to take lower wages to compete for work with temporary foreign workers.

His shameless abuse of the people goes relatively unnoticed by the majority as the attitude of most people is that it does not affect them...... YET! ...... rest assured it will .... we see it in our youth unemployment, in those who consider themselves self employed and in those who, although working, are forced to use the food banks to help feed their families.

The people living from pay cheque to pay cheque is increasing at record rates and it makes me wonder where we will be by 2020.

Worst Job Growth in a Decade: An Economic Recovery?

Some economists are raising red flags on the topic of the economy which has been dear to the Conservatives' electoral strategy. Job creation has been the weakest in a decade for a non-recession year and the low quality of these limited jobs are cause for concern. If that isn't enough, the national deficit ticked $1.3 billion upward this year.

BMO Economist Benjamin Reitzes observed from StatsCan data earlier this month that Canada created fewer than 175,000 net jobs this year prior to December while the unemployment rate holds steady at 6.9%.

Compared to November 2012, employment is up a meagre 1%, with both the goods and services sectors clocking in at that pace,” he wrote, adding “this is hardly the stuff of a firm underlying economy.”

Last year, Canada saw average job growth of 25,400 jobs per month, but this year, the Globe and Mail reports the country only produced a little more than half that, an average of 13,400 jobs per month - well below the estimated 17,000 jobs per month needed to account for population growth.
More... http://thecanadianpoliticalscene.blogspot.ca/2013/12/worst-job-growth-in-decade-economic.html

Conservative Propaganda costs Canadians big money

Ads for non-existent Canada Job Grant program generate warm reception in focus groups

The Conservatives under Prime Minister Stephen Harper have spent $548.6 million on government advertising since first coming to power in 2006. It’s not known how much the Canada Jobs Grant media buy cost federal coffers.

More.... http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/12/26/ads_for_nonexistent_canada_job_grant_program_generate_warm_reception_in_focus_groups.html

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Sunday's Vehicle - 1950 Spartan Manor


Email from Ralph on Hawaii photos

Bob,
I bet your holiday in Hawaii ...just saw pics on the blog wasn't this cheap...
See Below.
 
***************************************************************
 
I don't know how many of you saw the article about Delta on CNN.
Apparently some programmer made a Boo-boo and until it was discovered their On line air tickets
basically anywhere were almost free.
When I saw it I wondered if anyone we knew had cashed in.
The screwed up prices only lasted about 3 hours before the error  was discovered.
CNN says the Airline must honor these tickets.
I just got an email from my cousins son Joe who caddies on the PGA tour.
The first tournament of the year for him this year is in Hawaii in early January.
He got his ticket there from Delta during the screwup.
( Phoenix - Honolulu  return for $75.00 Total ..... $15.00 ticket plus $60.00 in taxes)
Way to go Joey!!!!!!!
 
Thanks Ralph..... we sure didn't but we did book the trip out of Buffalo to Atlanta, Atlanta to Oahu at a very good price..... rather than use a credit card I paid cash.... in Toronto and subject to US taxes..... another plus .... no GST.....

Off to the Big Island of Hawaii

Harry had booked our flight from Oahu to the Big Island of Hawaii since he had all the information for the timeshare....... the problem ...... he screwed up the dates.... We arrived at the airport in Oahu in time to catch our flight to Hawaii..... a day late.... fortunately there was room on that days flight.... in 1st class
 
 
Upon arrival at the condo in Hawaii Harry was given brochures outlining some special discounts on tours if you attended a "timeshare presentation".... as Pat and I had no interest in going it was decided that Pauline and Harry would go and Pat and I would do crafts in the lobby.... seriously!
 
 
In the morning as Pauline and Harry prepared to go to the "timeshare presentation" Pauline scolded Harry and insisted he leave his credit cards at the condo..... he did and off they went...
 
Pat and I did our crafts and returned to the condo. Lunch time rolled around and no Pauline and Harry.... they had the car so we were pretty well grounded. 2 pm came and went and now we are getting worried.... 3 pm came and went and I was ready to call the police when in they walked ...... full of cheer and rambling on about how beautiful the timeshare was.... and then they broke the news.... Harry had not left ALL his credit cards at the condo and so he bought timeshare number 3 in Hawaii.....
 
 
 
 

 
 
 Enroute to the Big Island - Diamondhead from the air
 


 Harry and I booked an air tour over Hawaii and Kilauea volcano
 
 Flying over our timeshare - white units
ours was an ocean front
 
 Kilauea volcano
 
 
 You can see the orange glow of molten lava
 
 Lava has flowed over the road cutting off access
 
 Yes that is a home there and the owner has refused to leave
 
 Cloe up view of the home
 




 Flying into the valley
 
 Harry and our Cessna
 


 In a lava tube
 
 On the beach
 
Pauline and Pat enjoying the ocean
 
 

Oahu airport for the long trip home
 
And long it was.... we arrived early at the airport in Hawaii, the waiting area is outside, there is a cluster of small buildings and the gate is a canopy and a bulletin board.
 
There was an aircraft on the runway and a few people standing at the gate, an attendant at the gate would occasionally allow those waiting to board the aircraft so I wandered over and asked if it was our flight and she said "no, we are just returning the plane to Oahu but if you want to ride along its fine", so we boarded and off we flew.... the pilot was either drunk or an ex-fighter pilot with a death wish..... as we approached Oahu, the runway is by the ocean and approach is over a marina.... this joker came in low and HOT.... I thought we were going to clip the masts on some of the sail boats.
 
Our flight from Oahu was direct to Atlanta.... so we thought..... somewhere over the Pacific around 5 am they informed us we were going to San Diego to pick up more passengers. We were to deplane for about 2 hours and then board the same craft for the trip to Atlanta.
 
At San Diego we find out that Pauline and Harry are not booked on the same flight as us from Atlanta to Buffalo..... they have the car in Buffalo so we have to wait for them there.... no problem their plane departs 30 minutes after ours, right? ... wrong ......
 
We leave Atlanta and arrive in Buffalo.... Pauline and Harry's plane is grounded in Atlanta due to weather ... 27 hours after leaving Oahu we arrive home in Burlington.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Saturday's Vehicle - 1964 Amphicar


Great fantasy piece by Andrew Coyne

Andrew Coyne’s completely real imaginary year-end interview with Stephen Harper

For reasons that are opaque to me, I was not among those invited to sit down with the prime minister for the traditional year-end interviews. Fortunately, that has not stopped me. The following is a transcript of our conversation, exactly as I have made it up …

More.... http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/12/23/andrew-coynes-completely-real-imaginary-year-end-interview-with-stephen-harper/

Getting old, one day at a time

It's been two years since I took early retirement and here's how it's going.

I received my first OAS cheque in December - that's making me feel older.
It seems that I don't sleep as well at night as I use to - that's making me feel older.
I am losing track of the days of the week - that's making me feel older.
It seems my shirts and belt buckle are getting tighter - that's making  me feel older.
It seems that I can slip easily on snow / ice and not re-gain my balance before I end up
looking at the sky - that's making me feel older.
It seems that I can only do one thing per day: shopping or visiting or working
around the house, not all 3 in the same day - that's making me feel older.
I was talking to a relative and mentioned 'chesterfield' a young niece asked,
"what's a chesterfield uncle Joe - that makes me feel older.
I was talking to a young neighbor (27 years old) and I mentioned a 'record
player' he started laughing - that's making me feel older.
I have recently talked with 2, sixty-year old men and they mentioned
they play old timers hockey - I can't even skate anymore - that's making me feel older.
It seems that I go 2 or 3 days without shaving - which makes me look and feel older.

Thanks Joe Y

Our 2004 trip to Hawaii

 Outrigger Hotel Waikiki Beach Oahu
 
 Wind surfers
 
 The beach from Elvis' movie Blue Hawaii
 


 Harry, Pat and Pauline on the lookout over Waikiki
 


 Pat on the lookout with Diamondhead in the background
 


 Sunset on Waikiki Beach
 
Supper at the Outrigger Hotel on Waikiki Beach
night before heading to the big island of Hawaii


A Little Poem, so true it hurts!

 
Another year has passed
And we're all a little older.
Last summer felt hotter
And winter seems much colder. 
There was a time not long ago
When life was quite a blast.
Now I fully understand
About 'Living in the Past' 
We used to go to weddings, 
Football games and lunches.. 
Now we go to funeral homes 
And after-funeral brunches. 
We used to have hangovers,
From parties that were gay.
Now we suffer body aches 
And wile the night away. 
We used to go out dining,
And couldn't get our fill.
Now we ask for doggie bags, 
Come home and take a pill. 
We used to often travel
To places near and far.
Now we get sore butts
From riding in the car. 
We used to go to nightclubs
And drink a little booze.
Now we stay home at night
And watch the evening news. 
That, my friend is how life is,
And now my tale is told. 
So, enjoy each day and live it up...
Before you're too damned old!

Thanks Richard



The best way to prepare your Christmas turkey ...


I am no cook, but I can follow the directions, which said to let the bird chill in the sink for a few hours.

Thanks Randy

Stop the Whining About Gasoline Price per Gallon !!!

All these examples do NOT imply that gasoline is cheap;
It just illustrates how outrageous some prices are....
You will be really shocked by the last one !!!
(At least, I was...)
 
Think a gallon of gas is expensive ?
This makes one think, and also puts things in perspective.
 
Diet Snapple 16 oz $1.29 ... $10.32 per gallon
 
Lipton Ice Tea 16 oz $1.19 ..........$9.52 per gallon

Gatorade 20 oz $1.59 ..... $10.17 per gallon
 
Brake Fluid 12 oz $3.15 .......... $33.60 per gallon
 
Vick's Nyquil 6 oz $8.35 .. $178.13 per gallon
 
Pepto Bismol 4 oz $3.85 .. $123.20 per gallon
 
Whiteout 7 oz $1.39 ........ . $25.42 per gallon
 
Scope 1.5 oz $0.99 ......$84.48 per gallon
 
 
And this is the REAL KICKER...
 
Evian water 9 oz $1.49..........$21.19 per gallon !
$21.19 for WATER ?????
And the buyers don't even know the source.
 
Ever wonder why computer printers are so cheap ?
So they have you hooked for the ink.
Someone calculated the cost of the ink at................
You won't believe it.......But it is true......$5,200 a gallon
(five thousand two hundred dollars)

So, the next time you're at the pump, be glad your car doesn't run on
Water, Scope, Whiteout, Pepto Bismol, Nyquil or ...................God forbid, Printer Ink !!!!!

Thanks Norman

Friday, December 27, 2013

Friday's Vehicle - Conservatives new limosine


Changing the face of Canada

This is an excerpt of the polices stated in the famous Harper "firewall" letter for those who may not have ever seen it.

Look carefully at what they are saying then carefully consider Harper's policies that he is now enforcing. Consider if anything much has really changed in the core position on the issues (other than being just AB centric).

1) Withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan to create an Alberta Pension Plan offering the same benefits at lower cost while giving Alberta control over the investment fund. Pensions are a provincial responsibility under section 94A of the Constitution Act. 1867; and the legislation setting up the Canada Pension Plan permits a province to run its own plan, as Quebec has done from the beginning. If Quebec can do it, why not Alberta?

2) Resume provincial responsibility for health-care policy. If Ottawa objects to provincial policy, fight in the courts. If we lose, we can afford the financial penalties that Ottawa may try to impose under the Canada Health Act. Albertans deserve better than the long waiting periods and technological backwardness that are rapidly coming to characterize Canadian medicine. Alberta should also argue that each province should raise its own revenue for health care – i.e., replace Canada Health and Social Transfer cash with tax points as Quebec has argued for many years. Poorer provinces would continue to rely on Equalization to ensure they have adequate revenues.

3) Use section 88 of the Supreme Court’s decision in the Quebec Secession Reference to force Senate reform back onto the national agenda. Our reading of that decision is that the federal government and other provinces must seriously consider a proposal for constitutional reform endorsed by “a clear majority on a clear question” in a provincial referendum. take all possible political and legal measures to reduce the financial drain on Alberta caused by Canada’s tax-and-transfer system reforms that your government made in the 1990s

– balancing the budget, paying down the provincial debt, privatizing government services, getting Albertans off welfare and into jobs, introducing a single-rate tax, pulling government out of the business of subsidizing business, and many other beneficial changes.

Once Alberta’s position is secured, only our imagination will limit the prospects for extending the reform agenda that your government undertook eight years ago. To cite only a few examples, lower taxes will unleash the energies of the private sector, easing conditions for Charter Schools will help individual freedom and improve public education, and greater use of the referendum and initiative will bring Albertans into closer touch with their own government. The precondition for the success of this Alberta Agenda is the exercise of all our legitimate provincial jurisdictions under the constitution of Canada.

Stephen HARPER, President, National Citizens’ Coalition;
Tom FLANAGAN, professor of political science and former Director of Research, Reform
Party of Canada;
Ted MORTON, professor of political science and Alberta Senator-elect;
Rainer KNOPFF, professor of political science;
Andrew CROOKS, chairman, Canadian Taxpayers Federation;
Ken BOESSENKOOL, former policy adviser to Stockwell Day, Treasurer of Alberta
As published in the National Post on Jan. 24, 2001,

Conservatives - telling Canadians what they want to hear but costing them more

" From food prices to cable" Four things that will cost you more in 2014

Knowing how superficial the techie age is today this Conservative government is telling them "we are working for you to lower cell phone service"..... oh and by the way "we are going to unbundle your TV cable packages".....

In reality they are saying to Canadians "so you want to pay more for less ... fine we'll help you"

Canadian inability to see the full picture of what this government is NOT doing for them will cost them dearly in the future

http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/video/playlist/money-minute/top-2014-reads-c-suite-220438307.html

So you are fed up with paying high taxes for services such as "medicare". CPP, EI etc. well folks one just needs to look at what the future holds for them.

Higher premium payments to private insurers for medical services, restricted as to those doctors registered with your service provider, limits on total amount of coverage.

CPP and EI are shared cost programs between the employee and the company. The company has the added advantage of building that cost into their overhead then adding their markup and selling the product back to the consumer, including their employees, and making a profit.

Canada flourished prior to this Conservative Reform Alliance Party fraudulently, according to court records, affecting the rights of voters to cast their vote.

The next 2 years will be spent giving the Canadian voter a false sense of security that the Harper sock puppets are working in their best interest.......


Malala on John Stewart - Unscripted - Long but well worth the watch


Eatons Christmas train

For those of you who remember riding the Eaton's train at Christmas here are some photos taken at the rail museum in St. Constant that Normand Simard sent me a few years ago......