Deanster

http://www.clanram.com/forums/f85/vaughn-m...963/#post286227 http://thebrownsboard.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3865

In case anyone needed a reminder (including bellycheck): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3POT8n2Qk3g

Haven't posted for a while but felt the need to weigh in. Being a Canadian Bills fan I've been watching these developments with some interest. Here's my opinion: Toronto sports fans are FICKLE (yes caps). They got on board for the Jays (who I still cheer for although perhaps in vain) as long as they were winning. After the world series wins the fans have been tepid towards the team. If the Yankees or Red Sox are in town they get good crowds. Some might argue that a significant portion of the crowd are Sox and Yanks fans - which seems to be the case based on the cheers - but at least they have bums in seats. If Toronto teams are not contenders the fans stay away... Unless the team in question is the Toronto Maple Leafs. Good god. That team has sucked for what seems like an eternity. That franchise is a license to print money and dominates the press, minds and hearts of Torontonians. I don't think people should be concerned about the Bills moving to Toronto as long as business minds are involved in the decision making process. If governments start chipping in then god help us all. Toronto isn't the the future home of the Bills. Buffalo is. Torontonians do not have the stick-to-it-ive-ness for anything other than hockey. Just my opinion.. Flame away!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=49er...t&type=lgns

From the point of view of someone who is lucky to see a Bills game on TV from time to time (no shortage of Patsies games on here) I cannot express this any more clearly: If you are a Bills fan and can go to the games/be a season ticket holder you are truly fortunate. I travel to Europe a lot during football season and it's even worse. Try getting game updates on a dialup connection in Bad Nowherestadt, Germany. I've been a fan of this team when things really sucked (anyone remember 84-85?). I still managed to get to a few games and was delighted. I live too far away to go to games now, but still hold out hope to go back again some day. I'm on this bus and wouldn't get off even if I could. Go to the games if you can.

I've always thought that the "expert analysts" on TV during sports drafts were more hung up on ratings and hearing their own sound bytes than realistic analysis of team needs and potential of those drafted. In case anyone watched the NBA draft last year, the Raptors got blasted for their draft. In particular, "reaching" for Charlie Villanueva at # 9. One season later he's ranked as one of the top 2 rookies and is being compared to Kevin Garnett. The Bills are rebuilding. Nobody they drafted at #8 would have turned the tide this year, let alone any other position in the draft. There's no evidence to suggest that the young men drafted this weekend will succeed or be busts. I trust the team leadership to judge the potential of those drafted to contribute down the road. I'm happy to watch and cheer as long as I think the team has good intent. I've cheered when the Bills sucked, I've cheered when they won. I hope Marv puts it all together and makes it work at some point. Meanwhile, he's earned my respect and trust. I think he knows football.

Fortunately the plane didn't miss the runway wide right.. D'oh!

Ever hear of Terry Fox? One leg. Averaged 26 miles per day for 143 days. How timely, the Terry Fox Memorial run is tomorrow! http://www.fourseasonsatl.com/WhowasTerry.htm

Hi, Just in case anyone thinks a union will save their bacon, 300 union jobs just got toasted in my hometown because the contract was about to be renewed and the union was making noises they would strike. One month before the union contract expired the parent company closed the mill. Bye bye. Mind you they probably had their share of extra lives being in the manufacturing industry in North America. Tough to justify paying someone 30 bucks an hour when someone in Asia will do the same job for 30 bucks a month. Having said that, any qualified lab techs out there? If you are (or are interested to become one) you can write your ticket for the next 20 years or so..

I can tell you that I (we) here in Halifax had the crap scared out of us when a category 2 hit us directly two years ago. I figured things would be OK and didn't prepare. The storm (Juan) paralyzed the city. Fortunately not many were killed but we were totally unprepared. We had plenty of warning but I think we assumed we could outlast mother nature. We don't get hit anywhere as hard as some other southern areas, but we are at sea level. This isn't movieland anymore.. It's real. Get the fug out when they tell you to. If you don't think you'll be able to if something goes sideways in the future, then make plans accordingly.

Whatever turns your crank!

Now you're pushing my buttons! Careful or I'll passive-aggressive you into submission!

Little known fact. During WWI, Halifax Canada (where I live) was the scene of the largest ever man-made (non nuclear) explosion. Back then this was huge, particularly given the infrastructure in 1917. Our US friends (particularly Boston) came to our aid. This has not been forgotten almost 100 years later. Point being, friends help friends. Someone else can sort out the blame. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_Explosion

OK.. All jokes about the Canadian military aside, we're keen to help if needed: http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20050901/ca...katrina_cda_aid Actually, the water purification system referenced is really something. After the tsunami it was set up in Sri Lanka: http://www.terradaily.com/2005/050204015405.2avtt95n.html If GW says he wants our help he'll get it!

The silent ones are deadliest..

Tipping in the US is an obsession. It's nuts. The guy outside the hotel whistles for a cab that is sitting at the curb outside the hotel and he expects a tip. That's insane. Someone grabs your bags (which happen to have wheels on them) to bring them to your room and is offended when you say you'll take them yourself. I'm not cheap, in fact my friends think I'm too generous sometimes. I have no problem leaving a generous tip for staff at dinner when the service warrants, but this nickle and diming for stuff that is a courtesy in most of the rest of the world is out of control. End rant.

Be direct. Ask questions about the company's plans. Ask how you can participate in the success you help to create. CEO's like to hear that people plan to be on board for the long term. If they are hiring you in a senior role they expect you to go above and beyond.

If you don't agree.. Don't drink Bud. If you like beer.. Don't drink Bud.

Thanks for pointing that out. The Hobbit was the book that set it all off and should be read by enthusiasts as well. I'm curious to see how The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe turns out on film. It might appeal to a younger audience but still an awesome adventure series as a child.

"Man, this thing is getting heavy!" Poor Mike, carrying the world on his shoulders!

So people should buy inferior products to prop up the economy? Whatever happened to making better products that people actually want?

MMMMMMMMMM Crackers.

OK.. Something I might be qualified to respond to (at least from experience). Please keep in mind this is from the Canadian perspective. We don't have some of the billion dollar damage suits that the US has. I finished my undergrad when I was 20 and got accepted to a few law schools. I decided to take a stab at it and started my classes in the fall of 1989. Almost immediately I came to realize that 1) I was way too young to be there and 2) the "allure" of being a lawyer might be the wrong reason to choose it as a career. Consider these factors: A relatively small percentage of lawyers actually ever litigate anything. Many end up pushing paper endlessly in corporate offices. If you have dreams of standing in the court room pleading passionately to a jury to right the wrongs of society you should probably do some research on how likely that might ever come to be. Sadly, the jobs that will allow for that are probably public prosecutor jobs. Endless work hours, not great pay. Could be satisfying though (I'm not a total cynic). Which brings me to my next point. Endless hours. Most lawyers I know work crazy hours. I'm talking 70+ per week. OK, they make some money, but there are lots of ways to get that money without killing yourself and actually having a life. To make it to the next level of income (150K +) you will either need to kiss serious ass in a law firm to become partner or chase ambulances. Neither appealed to me. Law school itself is crawling with self-important pompous a-holes. From professors to students, it's tough to find real people (although I found a few). The study work is about as interesting as watching paint dry (then painting over it to watch it again). I have a property law text that you're welcome to read if you'd like. Long story (somewhat) shortened: I quit law school, got a job in pharmaceutical sales, kept current and planned my career well and am now in a dream job that pays more (on a per-hour basis) than most lawyers I know. And I have a great home-life. Just my experience!

http://www.moviewavs.com/Movies/Austin_Pow...ber/moleyou.wav

Take it from someone that lost both his parents to cancer at the ages of 51 and 52, not to mention 4 other aunts and uncles around the same age... Tell her what's in your heart. You'll be sorry if you don't. My thoughts are with you.