For those of you in Canada you may already know about the show on CBC, Called “The Dragon’s Den”. But if you’re like me and don’t watch much “boob tube” this will all be new to you. Basically the Dragon’s Den is a show (I think it may be a clone of a British show) where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business concepts and products to a panel of Canadian business moguls who have the cash and the know-how make it happen. So you take your idea or product and go in front of these 5 business moguls and try to convince them that they MUST invest in you if you want the investment capital. BTW, I bet it’s nerve wrecking with all that pressure on you and then you toss in the cameras and lights etc.

In last night’s episode Caron’s uncle David, got a chance to pitch his product with the hopes of getting the funding he needed to take his business global. So as you can guess, we all tuned in to give our support (mind-you it was a taped episode and we already knew the outcome). It was kinda cool seeing someone you know on prime time tv.
Long story short! Your help could be rewarded! $5000 Canadian dollars (yep it’s worth more than the greenback).

If you take 2 minutes and go vote for David at the Dragon’s Den website (this seems kinda American Idolish) you’ll automatically be entered to win the $5000 cash prize. Here’s what you do:

- Go to the Dragon’s Den website.

- Register (so you can vote) it’s free and this is how they know who to give that $5000 (Canadian) to.

- Then vote for (and this is IMPORTANT) - Anivac - David Hachey - Episode 4

Besides the $5000 you could “possibly” win, you’ll be helping out a fellow entrepreneur in realizing his dream.

BTW, if you’d like to take a closer look at the Anivac system that David invented, visit their website at: http://www.anivaccorp.com

It’s a very innovative way of bathing your dogs and horses and it’s great for the environment. Cue in Al Gore

DON”T FORGET TO GO VOTE!

As you shift into gear for winter driving conditions, here are 10 car care tips to keep your engine humming and your vehicle performance high when temperatures drop. It’s just one more way for you to drive protected and stay safe on the road.

1. Use the “three Ps” for extra safety. Prepare for the winter season with regular maintenance checks. Protect yourself by buckling up and using correctly installed child safety seats. Prevent road accidents by being alert, slowing down and avoiding driving while tired.

2. Check your antifreeze. Have your anti-freeze (coolant) checked for proper strength. It should work to -35 degrees C. Buy only ethylene glycol-based fluid with low freezing and high boiling points.

3. Keep fluids fluid. Check your vehicle owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended winter rating. Use the oil rated for your vehicle by the manufacturer. Keep in mind that special cold weather oils are available for arctic or alpine winter conditions. When it comes to wiper-washer fluids, keep your reservoir full of a solvent that is good to at least —10 degrees C. Make sure your transmission fluid is clean.

4. See and be seen. Replace your windshield wipers, especially for night driving and encounters with rain, sleet and snow. Don’t forget the back windshield wiper! Make inspection of all belts and hoses part of your regular maintenance program. Cracked, frayed or worn rubber may not make it through the winter.

5. Inspect where the rubber hits the road. Take a good look at your tire treads. Driving in colder conditions and on icy, slushy or snowy roads requires as much traction as your tires can deliver. Replace them if you see worn tread or the sidewall damaged and check tire pressure regularly. Better yet, have your technician install winter tires for added peace of mind.

6. Get started on cold mornings. Winter driving requires more power from your battery so consider buying a stronger rated battery. Batteries lose performance as the temperature slides — so just as you need more cranking power, you also have less available power.

7. Be ready for any emergency. Keep these must-have items in your trunk: heavy-duty jumper cables, a flashlight, emergency flares, a small shovel, a bag of sand, a blanket, gloves, heavy socks, winter boots and tire chains if you don’t have winter tires.

8. Keep the gas running. Always maintain a full gas tank. This will help prevent gas lines from freezing. Remember, if you are unfortunate enough to be stranded this winter, your engine is your only source of heat.

9. See where you’ve been! Clear the snow off your rearview door mirrors every time. Double-check your rear window defroster. If some of the heat-producing grid lines don’t work, they can be repaired and safe rearward visibility restored.

10. Check the map and conditions. Allow plenty of time (check the weather and leave early), be familiar with the map and directions and let others know your planned route and estimated arrival time.

If you live in Canada you’ll know that all the talk lately is the strength of the Canadian dollar. People are no longer trying to break the ice by asking “so how do you like the weather”, instead they’re saying, “how high do you think the Canadian dollar will get?”. Yep, you can’t get away from it! If you’re like me and earn your income online, it’s means you’re probably getting paid in US currency. SO IT SUCKS! I’ve been to several blogs, forums and groups where all the talk is how much people like us are cursing the US dollar! I guess you have to take the good with the bad, since 2 years ago we were laughing to the bank… we would get about 58 cents extra on every US dollar we cashed in.

I don’t mind the current state of the dollar, since it’s beyond my control. However…

I recently went to purchase a card for my wife, since we celebrated 15 years of marriage. The price at the back of the card had 2 prices. US - $3.99 and Canada - $5.19. WTF? Where do these people get-off charging us so f%*king much for a card? Isn’t the Canadian dollar stronger that the US dollar, or did you guys miss the bulletin?

Let’s take a closer look at this for a second. If we use the current exchange rate, this means in Canada we’re paying $5.33 US for a card that cost $3.99 in the US. So technically we’re getting ripped-off $1.34.

So there I was ready to pay for the card and the lady gives me a 50 cents coupon! 50 F%#king cents? You’re kidding me right? BTW, when Caron went to get a card for me, it was the same story, except she didn’t get the lousy 50 cents coupon.

We’re getting shafted when it comes to things that are priced with Canadian and US prices. Books, greeting cards, magazines etc. This is the highest level of BS I’ve experienced lately.

I can’t change the value of the US dollar, but at least businesses can cut us a break and have their prices reflect the fact that the Canadian dollar is now KING!

Do you find that you no longer have time to do things you should be doing? With our girls actively involved in a bunch of school activities, homework and assignments, their friends, etc.. Caron in her new job, school and trying to make sense of this busy house and me… always challenging myself with new ventures. It seems we never have time to do anything anymore. Yesterday I visited Caron’s grandmother to drop off some flowers for her since we were on vacation for her birthday. It was supposed to be a quick visit, until she asked me to join her for a tea. What the heck… so I stayed a while with her and we chatted a bit.

As I got up to leave I noticed one of the most unique jigsaw puzzles I’ve ever seen on the island in her kitchen. The pieces where not only very small they were curved shaped and looked almost impossible to put together. When most people her age are having to deal with memory problems etc, here she is doing one of the most challenging puzzles I’ve ever seen.

When I mentioned this to Caron last night, she remarked “that’s how you keep your marbles together”. She’s constantly exercising her brain. Not only does she do jigsaw puzzles, she’s always reading or doing crossword puzzles.

Are you exercising your brain?

A simple way at looking at things? Sure! This morning as I drove Caron to work (btw, good luck on your first day at your new job) with eyes still partially shut from the want of more sleep, the heat blasting in the car (yup winter is around the corner) and thoughts of a leaky bathroom on my mind, we started to talk. It started off with me saying “wow, you mean this is what we do for at least 40 years of our lives?” In reference to going to work. That’s when Caron blurted out “it’s almost as if our purpose for being here is to just WORK”. Kinda sad when you look at it this way.

So you go to school from about age 3 to late teens, early twenties if you go to university etc. during which time you have a part time job, unless your parents are loaded and will fund your schooling and lifestyle. You graduate or not and start working. Probably some shit-ass job, until you finally find a career you tell yourself you’ll settle down with. So here we are, off to work on a daily basis until we retire or strike it rich from the lotto!

Retirement comes around if you’re lucky, if not you continue working as a greeter at Walmart if you cannot afford to retire. At age 65, your best years are behind you and you can’t do or enjoy life as you would as when you’re in your prime. What’s next? Wait to die? Hopefully you don’t have to deal with health issues, lack of finance and/or debt after you retire… some life eh!

Sure you get that couple weeks off, that’s passionately called “vacation time” every year. But how many of us actually use this time to take a vacation? Many of us can’t even take the time off since we need the money for bills etc.

I’ve simplified things quite a bit to make my point, but when you really think about it working a 9-5 job really and truly SUCK! Nothing beats working from home on your own business. I’ve never had to curse on a Sunday night knowing I have to wake up at 5 am to go back to the salt mines! I’m sure you’ve found yourself uttering curse words when you think the weekend is over and you have to back to the 5 day grind tomorrow!

For those of you who need the security of that 9-5, make the best of the time in-between work… it’s as good as it gets!

Have a laugh!