I know I’m a few days late with this post, but it’s been very hectic putting the finishing touches on our latest project. The new career site is 98.5% complete and hopefully we can stick to our goal launch date - July 1 2008. Yup! Canada day.

The CONTEST.

A couple days ago I got my first package from Startup Schwag and though it was supposed to be for my personal use, I’ve decided to reward a lucky reader with the entire package I got. A very cool t-shirt and some nifty stickers for your kids (or you, if you’re a big kid at heart). No you don’t get one of those cool sticker collecting albums. Maybe next time.

Just think how sexy you’ll look at the next backyard bash you attend this summer in you ultra-cool tshirt.

How to WIN!

This contest runs on a point system. The more points you get the better your odds at winning. Basically for every point generating activity you do (see below) your name will be added to the draw. So lets say you do all 3 tasks, your name will be entered 3 times. Not fair? This is my contest and I get to set the rules.. so BOO!

Task 1. (1 point)

Leave us a comment to this post with your name. That’s it. You’ve just secured 1 point and your name was just added to the draw.

Task 2. (1 point).

Tell your friends about this contest in your blog, with a link back to it. Then in the comment section of this post, tell us where on your blog you posted it. You’ve just secured another point. Your name was just entered a 2nd time to the draw.

Task 3. (1 point)

Post a brief message about this contest with a link back to it in a forum and in your comment to this post, tell us the link of your post in the forum of your choice. Now you have 3 points and your name will be entered 3 times. You have the best odds at being the winner.

* Remember, you don’t have to own a blog or post in a forum to enter. All you have to do is make a comment on this post and you’re automatically entered. But to enhance your chances at winning, we suggest you get all 3 points!

The FINE PRINT!

* This contest will end in one week (Midnight July 4th 2008). All names will be placed in a box and 1 will be randomly chosen.

* An email will be sent to the winner (be sure to leave us your email address when you post your comments). we will be asking you for your mailing address in that email.

* The prize will be shipped out 48hrs after we’ve received the correct mailing address from the winner. All shipping charges will be paid by us.

* This contest is open to everyone globally, and there are no restrictions if you’ve already won something from Obzokee.com. Keep entering and winning.

* Your name will be published on this blog if you’re a winner.

So lets get started with this great little contest and I wish everyone… good luck! Start by leaving us your comments and securing a place in the draw.

p.s. I hope I didn’t miss anything above, but if I did I will edit this post if needed.

Edit : I knew I’d forget something. If you’re a business owner or represent a company and would like some good PR or exposure, why not sponsor our next contest? Please use the contact form above.

I’ve been so busy with work today I completely forgot I promised to launch a small contest today. Well it’s already late and Indy refuses to lend me her camera to take pics of the prize, so I’ll have to wait to see if Kieana will let me use her camera when she gets in later. The other 2 cameras are on vacation with Caron and Tehya. Some freaking nerd I am, I don’t even have a camera of my own!

It’s surely one of the longest working days I’ve had to endure in quite sometime. We’re rounding the bend and the finish line is within sight for the new website  we’ve been working on the past 3 weeks. I’m working with an overseas programming team and the one programmer I’m working closely with, doesn’t seem to get what I was trying to explain to him about the blog portion of the site. Doesn’t it amaze you sometimes when someone super-smart can’t get a simple detail? Maybe it’s just my crappy way of explaining?

I just sent him the final edits (it’s probably close to morning where he is, poor fella stayed up most of the night working with me), so hopefully by midday EST on Thursday, the site will be ready for full launch. Fingers crossed.

Looks like tomorrow will be another busy one for me. Gotta work with the programmer, do some work around the house, take the girls to the salon and Indy to her soccer game. But I promise to try and make time to tell you about the contest! Are you eager to win? After I launch this site, I’m taking a couple days off to read, watch movies and melt away in the hot tub! Maybe I’ll even squeeze in a bike ride or two.

Funny story before I go (wanted to share this with you since yesterday). So there I was sitting in the foot specialist office yesterday, her explaining the plan of action for the treatment… when a phone started to ring. Rang about 4-5 times, so I was about to say.. is the lady behind the desk not going to get that for you? When said lady, poked her head into the room we were in. Now both her and the foot specialist are looking at me..”is that your phone?”

With Tehya on vacation, I borrowed her cell phone to use while I was out and didn’t know what the ring sounded like. So after 7 rings and two people glaring down at me, I picked it up.

Enjoy your night and leave me your comments.. please!

Today marked the first time about 14 years that I could finally go see someone other than a Doctor and not have to pay out of my pocket. FYI, we have a great medical coverage system in Canada, so I can go see a Dr as well as a Specialist (though you’re placed on huge waiting lists) for free. So to any hospital visit we may require. But when that Dr writes a prescription, or if you have to go to a Dentist or Optometrist you’d better have room on that Master Card or be prepared to swipe that debit card.

The ONLY part about working from home for myself I can honestly say I dislike, is not having the convenience of having a benefit package. Maybe when it’s time to retire I’ll be bitching about not having a pension plan as well.

The good!

Last week marked the 3 month anniversary that Caron’s been employed full-time at her new job, so her benefit package officially kicked-in. She’d been working part time before, so there was never any benefits, except for the extra couple dollars an hr that was supposed to compensate her for the lack of benefits.

The Bad!

With this new benefits package I can now finally go and get my feet checked. Over the last 2 years I’ve been suffering with severe heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, to the point where it prevented me from doing much walking or favorite warm-weather activity, hiking. If you recall in another post, this year I joined a hiking group and had all these plans.. soon! Today I had a consult with a foot specialist to let me know exactly what’s wrong with my feet, what action I/we can take and how long before I can be back to my old self.

Here is where the bad comes in. Though I have coverage now through Caron’s package, I still have to find out if the entire treatment is covered. Most insurance plans only cover a certain amount per year. So I may still have to dig deep to make up the rest of the costs. Mind-you , I’m not complaining. After having to pay full price out of our pockets for orthodontics for both Kieana and Tehya (about 5k each) I’m happy for whatever help this plan will cover. Maybe I’m no spring chicken, but at least soon enough I’ll have a partial spring in my steps

The Ugly!

At this point we’re covered for just about everything, except dental. That kicks in after 6 months, so there’s still a bit of a wait. Mr. dentist you’ve some work cut-out for you the next time we meet. It’s an ugly situation in my mouth and you’ll have to clean things up. Including those years of tea and coffee stains!

Yes, working from home for yourself usually means you don’t have the convenience of a full benefit package as you would if you worked for a progressive company. So you have 2 options. Buy into a private plan or take a % of every cheque you make and put it aside for when you need to dig deep to see the dentist etc.

Almost forgot. This plan also covers massages.. too freaking bad I can’t stand strangers touching me or I’d be on that massage bed before I hit publish on this entry. I know Caron and the girls will be chilling at some spa pretty soon.

Be sure to leave me your comments.

p.s. Look for a neat contest I’m hoping to launch on Wednesday! One of you will be the winner of a great little prize. stay tuned.

So my Oranje lost yesterday to a superior Russian team at the European Championships (soccer). They were outclassed in every department of the game and sorry to say, out-coached as well. It’s as if they didn’t take the opposition seriously and never really prepared for them. We all know what happens when you don’t plan and prepare - FAILURE!

BTW, nothing beats the satisfaction one gets when your daughter (any child) takes interest in something you absolutely love. I was down in the family room watching the Italy vs Spain game today when under the cranked-up volume I usually watch the games… I heard Kieana cheering upstairs in the living room. I could not believe it, she was watching soccer! AND cheering for the same team as I was! As far as I knew, she hated soccer and had no interest in it. Let’s see if I could finally convince her to start making some extra cash by blogging. Maybe she can make enough to send me on a trip to the next world cup

Wacky weather!

The day started off beautiful. Sunny and not too hot - wish I had the time to go to a park and relax today. It was so nice I started to do some gardening in the front of the house and scheduled in doing the back yard in the evening. Around 2.30 pm or so, the place got dark and we started to experience heavy rain, thunder and lightning. Then Indy ran into the room where I was and said “dad come check this”. I could hear a loud, cross between rattle and pounding noise outside.

Here’s a video clip we made…

Yup! A massive wave of hail just rolled in and pounded the crap out of everything. Including our car, which I have to go check now to see if there was any damage.

Kieana watching soccer (and cheering) and a massive hail storm. I hope there’s nothing else wacky in store for us.

BTW, not as if I counting, but this was the 7th severe storm we’ve had so far this spring. Global changes?

I think the last time I worked in an actual office (that wasn’t in my home) was about 4-5 years ago. I worked for Universal Profit Marketing Group and David, the owner allowed me to work 3 days at home and 2 days I’d drive into the office in Mississauga. Which was about 45 minuets commute, so I really didn’t mind since it was only 2 days a week. After about 3 months I hated it, since though it was only 45 mins away, it took 4 hours out of my day. The traffic with everyone heading into Toronto in the am and out of Toronto in the PM took it’s toll on me. That’s 8 hrs a week I’d spend cursing other drivers, that I’d never get back.

But it was all worth it since I had a really nice office with a huge window (David and Falia were the best - who would give someone who came in 2 days a week, such a nice office?) and being one on one with a marketing great is truly amazing.

About 4 years prior to that I worked full -time in an office environment. I absolutely hated Monday mornings (I’m sure you probably hate Mondays as well) since it reminded me that I had a full-week ahead of me. Fridays were just as bad, especially near the end of my time there. I’d sit there, like the other employees and watch that digital beast called a clock, slowly make it’s way to 5 pm. That sucker had us all under it’s control - you can’t leave until I hit 5.00.

Then near the end when we never knew if we were going to get paid that week or if we did get pay, if the check would have more rubber than a Michelin tire. You know the kind that bounces if it were to hit the ground or your bank account. We’d sit there (still watching the digital beast) and look over our shoulder to see if the person in charge of paying us would round the corner and hand us an envelope.

Don’t you wish your Friday at work ended like this?

I also recall grabbing that envelope and running (I mean 100m dash) to the bank to be one of the first people to cash my check, since we all knew that the bastards who owned the company only had limited money in the account they wrote the check on. JERKS!