Kevin's Ramblings…

Well, this is some sort of record I think.  It is only February 23 and I filed my income taxes today.  I only received my T4 today as well – what do you think about that? 

I went online and used U-File to submit it.  Pretty easy service to use and it was only $16 to use the software.  I can’t electronically submit it unfortunately – only because I have to change my banking information.  I tried to do that on the Government of Canada web site, they don’t seem to accept Windows 7 and IE 8 …  Yeah, that’s convenient …

Anyway, I am getting nearly $600 back, not too bad I guess.  I really don’t do too many “tax savings” programs – no RRSP’s, etc.  I do pay extra tax each pay which is pretty well the only reason I get anything back.  So, $600 will come in handy I am sure.

So, that’s done – what’s next?

Well, Team Canada is playing Germany tonight to see who goes on to the quarters against Russia.  9 minutes to go and Canada is up 7-1 (we just scored as I was writing this).  I think I hear the fat lady singing away …

Russia will be a battle I am sure.  It would be nice if they were able to battle back and win a gold medal.  I think that Luongo HAS to stay in net, forget about Brodeur – he’s seen better days, IMHO.

Anyway, good luck to Team Canada “Chicks with Sticks” tomorrow in the gold medal game versus the dreaded American Ladies.

Out.

Nothing much to report.  I went to bed insanely early yesterday, 7pm.  I was zonked.  I woke up a bunch of times but went back to sleep each time.  I feel completely refreshed this morning, imagine that.

Olympic Hockey tonight – Canada versus Germany with the winner playing Russia.  The Canadian Coach has selected Luongo as the goalie, that’s a good idea.  Nothing against Brodeur, but, his prime was 5 or 6 years ago.  He did a great job in 2002 when Canada won the gold medal, hopefully Luongo can do the same in 2010, but, with the way that Canada has been playing, getting by Germany isn’t a sure thing.  Russia will be another case all together.

I was watching an interview with Wayne Gretzky last night and he ended the interview by telling the CTV guy what a good job CTV has done with the Olympics — I am forced to wonder what exactly Wayne has been watching…  LOL

Thursday is T’s 40th Birthday – Happy Birthday T.  A bunch of the “originals” at the Region are taking her out for lunch.  We were supposed to go for Mexican at Carlos Cantina but they are closed for a week so we are hitting Sahla Thai instead.  I don’t think she looks 40, she is aging well – better than me for sure.

Thursday is also the gold medal game in women’s hockey, AKA “Chicks with Sticks”.  Team Canada plays the US in a clash of old rivals.  Should be a good game.  I am hoping that the ref won’t be an American like it was back in 2002 where they might as well have given her a stick and let her play for the Americans …  No, I’m not bitter …  🙂

That’s my update for now – been a slow few days.

Well, I posted a controversial status on Facebook yesterday.  I asked if I was “un-Canadian if a) I didn’t really care who won the Canada vs. US men’s hockey game yesterday and b) I didn’t think that Canada was going to win gold”.

Wow, there were a few comments from friends, to say the least.

In all honesty, I don’t really care who won.  Yes, I’d like Canada to win, of course, I am Canadian and I have no real love towards Americans in general, but does it affect me – no, it doesn’t.

Do I think that Canada will win gold?  No, I don’t.  Sure, I’d love them to, but, with how they have been playing, they won’t.  Sure, Canada clobbered Norway, but that’s Norway and this is hockey.  We barely slipped by the Swiss – a win in a shootout – please.  Now we play the US – arch rivals.  In general, Canada might be better than the US, but not this year, sorry.

I am not saying that the American will win gold, they likely won’t, however…  So, Canada loses and now must play Germany on Tuesday to keep going.  I am sure that will be an “easy’” win.  After that, presuming that Canada wins we would face Russia and who knows how that will end.

So, just like we all did in 2006, all of Canada can get behind the Men’s Curling team on their quest for gold.

I am not un-Canadian, I am just realistic, always have been.  I don’t let my emotions control my logic – perhaps I am Vulcan…

I put a new status up on Facebook about cheering for curling, I look forward to how many comments it will generate.

Go Canada Go !!!

Heading to a NDBA meeting this morning, not quite sure why though.  I don’t particularly like some of the direction in NDBA in recent years, however, if I wanted to have a say in what went on, perhaps I should have stood as President a few years back.

I’d like to get some information first hand as opposed to trying to extract info from other Board members.  If they want me to help out with something then I am more than willing, but, I sorta doubt that will happen.

Tonight is the big game of the games thus far.  It is Canada vs. the United States and in case you live in a cave, I am referring to Men’s Hockey.  Canada struggled against the Swiss the other night and only won on a great shot in the shoot out by Crosby.  There is a lot of pressure on that young man’s shoulders, that’s for sure.  Beat up on the American’s tonight, would ya?  🙂

Well, that is it for now. It’s coffee time.

Went to Toronto today – imagine that …  I took my aunt and sister out for lunch to the Mandarin.  I had promised to take my sister out for her birthday, that was in the middle of September …  My aunts birthday is in a few weeks so I killed two birds with one stone.

Actually, the drive there wasn’t too bad, wasn’t too bad coming home either.  Toronto traffic was typical of Toronto traffic.  I don’t like Toronto drivers nor do I like the pedestrians.

Lunch was great.  The Mandarin always does a good job.

I avoided a nap today – that was some sort of accomplishment I think.  I haven’t done too much this evening, catching some Olympic action is all.

Tomorrow, Team Canada faces Team USA in Men’s Hockey.  I am really not sure how to predict this one.  Canada hasn’t been playing particularly well I don’t think.  It should be a good game – let’s go Canada !!!

We had our first indoor workout session for the Peewee’s tonight.  I had 7 Major Peewee’s show up which wasn’t too bad at all.  I think that there are likely 4 more (or so) that are definitely interested so we might be OK for a team, will have to wait to see for sure.

There were 5 Minor Peewee’s so, at the very least we should be able to put a combined team in.

Looks like we will have some talent, hard to tell this time of year though, it is so early.

I am optimistic at the very least which is good.

Went to the Auto Show in Toronto yesterday.  It was $20 for entry.  I had never been and I have always wanted to go.

Well, I suppose that I was disappointed.  I am not quite sure what I was expecting.  If you were in the process of looking for a new car then the Auto Show would be the place to go.

There weren’t too many concept cars which is something that I would have liked to have seen.  The few that were there were, well, “odd”.  I am not sure who you’d open the door on the Hyundai concept car …  LOL

So, BP and I went and we spent just two hours at the show.  Lunch was good.  We went to Baton Rogue.  Food was excellent.

Now, BP and I have gone out for food likely hundreds of times and this is the first time this has happened.  He ordered a club sandwich and I ordered a Louisiana chicken.  Well, a different server brought our food and mixed up the orders.  So, anyway, I ate BP’s lunch and he had mine – I was really happy with what BP ordered.

That was the day.  I don’t think that I will be hitting the Auto Show again – no good for me as I doubt that I will ever purchase a new vehicle again – too expensive and a BAD investment.

I am happy with my two used cars – thanks.  🙂

I am not sure what got me thinking about “The Bucket List” today, but I did…  It is an excellent movie if you haven’t seen it as yet, go out, NOW and pick it up and watch it – great movie.

Anyway, for those that don’t know what The Bucket List is, it is simply a list of things that you want to do, well, before you “kick” the bucket.

My list (as of February 18, 2010)

• Go white water rafting on both the Colorado and Nile Rivers
• Walk along the Great Wall of China
• Visit the pyramids
• Explore the bottom of the ocean (Atlantic or Pacific) in a deep sea sub
• Drive to Alaska
• Attend an Olympics (from Opening Ceremonies to Closing Ceremonies) – as a spectator by the way …

That is it for now.  As I think of others, I will update my list.

I am off work until Monday – a 4 day weekend.  Very cool and much needed.  Us Government employees do work hard from time to time.  It has been crazy busy this year thus far – the days just zip on by.

I am going to be busy on my 4 days off but that’s ok with me.  Heading to the Toronto Auto Show tomorrow – I am looking forward to it.  I have never been, have always wanted to go so I figured that this year was the year.  My expectations are high I guess, I hope that it lives up.  I don’t know what it’ll be like, buy hey, what the heck…

I have to stop off in Hamilton on the way to Toronto and hopefully stop off in Mississauga on the way back.  It’ll be a busy day – hopefully the weather will be nice – there are supposed to be flurries in the afternoon/evening.

We start with our winter clinics on Friday night.  I have only had a handful of replies to the email that I sent out 10 days ago or so.  I am hoping that a bunch of people will show up that haven’t replied – who knows, guess I will find out in 2 days.  If I don’t get a good turnout then I will send out another email.  If I don’t have a dedicated group by the end of the month (or so) then I will step back.  I won’t run a half-assed All-Star program that some of the BOD members seem to accept as the norm – that’s just me though…

So, enjoy your weekend once it arrives – I know that I’ll enjoy mine.

I am getting used to going to bed pretty early and getting up pretty early.  Last night I was especially tired and went to bed just before 8:30pm.  I woke up shortly before 3am.  Still not too bad, 6.5 hours of sleep.  Took Zeus out for a walk at 3:05am and I still have nearly 5 hours before I have to be at work.

I am getting a LOT done before I have to leave the house – quite amazing…  My office is done, organized and ready to do.  I plan on starting up my computer side business again and make some extra coin.  I don’t want to do too much mind you, I do work on computers ALL day, don’t want to be working on them all night as well.

Well, today is my last work day for the week.  I am on lieu time tomorrow and off on ADO on Friday.  BP and I are heading to Toronto tomorrow morning to check out the auto show.  I have never been, should be cool.

I will be Tweeting (http://twitter.com/DancesWithZeus) and trying TwitPic for the first time as well. 

That’s it for now, more stuff to do around here.  🙂