Omega Remains As Official Olympic Timekeeper

Looks like Omega will extend its Olympic winning streak to at least 88 years. The Swiss-based Swatch Group, which owns the Omega brand, says it has signed an agreement with the International Olympics Committee to keep Omega as the official timekeeper through 2020.

In 1932, Omega says it became the first company to be trusted with timekeeping, and relied on 30 chronograph watches. At last year's games in Beijing, Omega says the contribution was slightly more elaborate: It provided 420 metric tons of equipment, 450 timekeeping and data-handling professionals and more than a thousand specially trained local volunteers.

"Historically, it has been fantastic for all of us in the Swatch Group to work with the outstanding and efficient IOC team at venues all over the world. We are looking forward to joining them in Vancouver and London and all the cities that follow," says Nicolas Hayek, CEO of the Swatch Group, in a release. "The whole world -- young and old, rich and poor -- is fascinated by the many magic moments only the Olympic Games can deliver."

So far, the IOC says the worldwide partners confirmed for Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald's, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa. Key sponsors for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi include Coca-Cola and VW. The IOC also says that Atos Origin, Panasonic and Samsung have extended their partnerships until 2016. Only Coca-Cola -- which announced its extension in 2005 -- and now Omega, have extended their partnerships until 2020.

The host city of the 2016 Olympic Games is scheduled to be announced at the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen next month. In the running are Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo

Omega has also been appointed official time keeper of The Blue Pumpkin Golf Tournament being held on October 17, 2009 in Wasaga Beach

From Marketing Daily http://tinyurl.com/y8bbhfy

More Joyce Hannah with toques

Joyce Hannah Photos 0909

10 reasons why Windows XP will be around a while

A few months ago, TechRepublic ran a poll asking members whether their organization was still using Windows XP as its primary OS. Nearly 13,000 people responded - and of those, a whopping 96 percent said yes. It appears that despite the favorable press surrounding the impending arrival of Windows 7, IT pros and the companies they work for are not planning to migrate from XP any time soon. Here are a few reasons why.

1: Many organizations don’t see the need to upgrade

2: You can still get support

3: It’s integrated into Windows 7

4: It has a loyal following

5: It runs on less powerful hardware

6: It offers better support for legacy applications

7: Hardware manufacturers still support it

8: Netbooks favor it

9: It has a proven track record

10: What’s old is new

Read Brien Posey's Article in TechRepublic http://tinyurl.com/y8qcenc

Who You Calling A Jumbotron, Pilgrim?

From New York Times
The announcers for the inaugural game at the new plus-size football stadium in Dallas Monday night kept referring to the humongous screen hanging above the turf as a "Jumbotron." Well, that's a Sony product and the video board is actually a Diamond Vision from Mitsubishi Electric.

In a statement, Richard Sandomir reports, Mitsubishi said it was "like fingernails on a chalkboard" to hear TV Announcer Al Michaels refer to the giant video boards as Jumbotrons "time and again."

Something like Tissues and Kleenex I guess

Cell Phones and Texting While Driving..Law Comes In

For those employees with Company paid cell phones/hand held devices, please note that any fines imposed under the new law will be your responsibility.

Ontario Legislation Countering Distracted Driving and Promoting Green Transportation Act, 2009

Q1. When does the legislation take effect?
A1. The legislation will be in effect from October 2009, but it is understood that there will be a consumer awareness and education period initially, where the police will be lenient about violations.

Q2. What devices are not allowed to be used while driving?
A2. Drivers cannot use handheld wireless communications devices while driving. This includes cell phones, BlackBerrys, iPods or other portable MP3 devices, PlayStation portables or Gameboys. Drivers also cannot view display screens on devices that are unrelated to driving such as a laptop or DVD player.

Q3. Does that mean I cannot text message or respond to emails while driving?
A3. Text messaging and emailing are not permitted while driving.

Q4. If I have a hands-free function, such as Bluetooth, can I use my phone while driving?
A4. Yes, using a hands-free wireless communications device, for example a Bluetooth, will be permitted.

Q5. My hands-free device requires me to press a button to accept a call. Will this be allowed?
A5. Yes, pressing a button of a hand-held device that is secured in an accessible place to activate the hands-free mode for an incoming or outbound call is permitted under the legislation.

Q6. Can I use the key pad on my phone to dial a phone number?
A6. No. You can only press a button to accept (or end) a call, or to initiate a voice activated dialling feature.

Q7. What about calls to 911?
A7. All calls to 911 are permitted while driving. However, before placing a call it is advisable to stop safely at the side of the road.

Q8. Will I be able to use a GPS device while driving?
A8. Yes, GPS devices that are mounted on a dashboard or windshield are permitted to be used. You are not permitted to use GPS if it requires you to hold the device in your hand. For example using Google maps while holding your Blackberry in your hand would not be permitted. You are also required to pull over to the side of the road to input addresses into your GPS, you cannot type while driving.

Q9. What are the penalties for using a cell phone while driving?
A9. Fines range from $60 to $500.

Q10. Are there any demerit points associated with an infraction?
A10. There are no demerit points for a violation, however, if the driver causes an accident or injury while driving while using an electronic device they could be charged with careless driving or dangerous driving. Both of these offences have associated demerit points.

Celine Dion and Elvis on American Idol

Just when you thought that you have seen everything!!

For those of you that didn't see the show, Céline Dion appeared to walk out and stand next to Elvis as the two sang a duet of the classic "If I can Dream." It was like he was raised from the dead. Everyone has been asking how it was done. ET said it was a halogram. Totally amazing what they can do now.


Estimated cost of this was said to have cost between $50,000 to $100,000 and it is said it took months and months to create. Prior to the performance, Céline practised with an Elvis impersonator However it was done, it was totally amazing. She sounded great singing with Elvis.The duet was fantastic.Céline Dion in front of a LIVE studio audience. This is absolutely unbelievable how they have done this. It really does look for all the world that Elvis is actually standing there live on stage singing along side Céline Dion in front of the live American Idol audience.

Watch and listen to the audience going berserk, as they themselves think they are actually seeing Elvis right there in front of them. A truly amazing use of modern day technology brings Elvis Presley back to life in front of your eyes.

Signs Can Be Funny Too!

Click on image to ENLARGE (everything!)
Spotted in a toilet of a London (UK) office:
TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW

In a Laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT

In a London department store:
BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS

In an office:
WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN

Outside a secondhand shop:
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

Notice in health food shop window:
CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS

Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE FIRST FLOOR

Notice in a field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES

On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)

Saskatchewan Labour Laws

A man owned a small farm in Southern Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Wage & Hours Department claimed he was not paying proper wages to his help and sent an agent out to interview him.

"I need a list of your employees and how much you pay them", demanded the Agent.

"Well," replied the farmer, "there's my farm hand who's been with me for 3 years. I pay him $400.00 a week plus free room and board.

The cook has been here for 18 months, and I pay her $300.00 per week plus free room and board.

There's the half-wit. He works about 18 hours every day and does about 90% of all the work around here. He makes about $10.00 per week, pays his own room and board, and I buy him a bottle of Bourbon every Saturday night. He also sleeps with my wife occasionally."

"That's the guy I want to talk to.....the half-wit", says the Agent.

"That would be me", replied the farmer

Handmade Commercials for ETSY Contest

Vote Now For Your Favorite Handmade Moment!

Vote for your favorite video from now thru October 4, 2009.

Etsy says thank you for all your videos! They received 177 submissions showing your passion for the handmade movement. They then narrowed it down to 25 semi-finalists and 10 finalists. Some of them are really good....Congratulations to everyone who participated!

Go have a look http://tv.etsy.com/

Kirby's Flooring Sale til October 12th

Click on image to ENLARGE

Stroke: Remember the 1st Three Letters

Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters....S.T.R. STROKE IDENTIFICATION It only takes a minute to read this... A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough. RECOGNIZING A STROKE Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions: S *Ask the individual to SMILE. T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out today.) R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency numberimmediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke. A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this blog and sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved. I have done my part....will you?

Can you eat Alligator Meat?

Alligator meat, much like venison or ostrich meat, is considered to be an exotic meat, which means it may not appear next to the hamburgers and hot dogs at your local grocery store. Frozen alligator meat is usually sold to butcher shops and groceries in large freezer bags, which guarantees freshness for the consumer. Almost all alligator meat sold today is produced in commercial alligator farms along the southern coast of the United States or in other countries with large alligator populations, such as Australia.

Alligator meat is considered to be healthier than domestic chicken, especially when it comes to cholesterol and fat content. The most common alligator meat product sold in stores is the tail section. Alligator tail meat is very similar to veal in texture, but is said to taste like chicken, rabbit, fish or frog's legs. Some also compare the tail meat to the white portions of pork. There is also a tenderloin portion of alligator meat, located in a tubular section of the tail.

While the tail portion may be considered the best section of alligator meat, there is also some consumer demand for the darker, slightly tougher midsection meat. The taste of the midsection alligator meat is said to be closer to a pork shoulder, with sinewy grains and a stronger natural flavor than the tail section. Some alligator meat enthusiasts also enjoy the meat found in an alligator's feet, often called the alligator's wings. The flavor and texture reportedly resembles frog's legs.

From a health standpoint, alligator meat may be considered a better alternative to marbled steaks or fatty pork products. According to one alligator meat producer in Florida, the nutritional value of alligator breaks down like this:

Nutritional values for approximately 4 ounces (114 grams) of raw, edible portions:

Calories 110

Calories From Fat 20

Total Fat 2 g

Saturated Fat .5 g

Cholesterol 55 mg

Sodium 55 mg

Total Carbohydrates 0 g

Protein 24 g

The number of calories from fat and the low amount of saturated fat, along with the high protein and low carbohydrate ratio, suggests that alligator meat is a healthy meat product. The alligators used for commercial meat products are raised on farms, which means their diets are strictly controlled and their habitats are properly maintained. Even wild alligators, whose meat is occasionally sold, maintain a varied diet of shellfish and other seafood. Some experienced cooks suggest marinating alligator meat for better results, but it can be served as steaks, stewing cubes, hamburger patties and even sausages.

Alligator as an Exotic Pet

Exotic Animals: Alligators

Alligators are the most dangerous of the exotic pets. It is a crocodilian, which comes from the family of Alligatoridae. The name was derived from Anglicization of a Spanish word, which was used by Spanish explorers who were settled in Florida, United States. Alligators are found mostly in America and China.

There are two species of alligators, Alligator Mississippienis or the American Alligator and Alligator Sinensis or the Chinese Alligator. The American alligator weights around eight hundred pounds and is thirteen feet long. The record for the longest alligator is of nineteen feet two inches, from Louisiana. Comparatively, the Chinese alligators are smaller in length and measure not more than seven feet in length. Alligators live for more than fifty years. The oldest living alligator was of seventy years, at the Belgrade Zoo, Serbia.

There are many features of alligators that distinguish them from crocodiles and both of them belong to different taxonomic families. Alligators have a broader snout and their eyes are located near the upper side. When light is flashed over the eyes, bigger alligators have a red glow and smaller alligators have a green glow. This can be of help, when searching for alligators in dark. When looking in daylight, it is also observed that alligators have brown eyes and crocodiles have green eyes.

When alligators close their jaws, only the upper teeth are visible where as in crocodiles, the upper as well as the lower teeth are visible when they close their jaws. The shape of an alligator’s mouth is like a “U” and that of the crocodile is like a “V”. Although both the animals have a darker hide, almost black, the color depends on their habitats. The Chinese alligators have a light pattern, alligators living in algae growing water are greenish black and waters with high tannic acid released from hanging trees have a darker hide.

Alligators can eat anything they can find because of the gastroliths (stomach stones) present in their stomach. Young alligators feed on crustaceans, fishes, snails, and insects. As they grow so does their need for larger prey. Bigger alligators feed on turtles, bigger fishes, birds, and, other reptiles and mammals. They even eat deer, razorbacks, small alligators and carcass of animals when they are extremely hungry. Few attacks on humans have also been reported, but the number is on the rise. People get overconfident about this fact and enter alligator habitats without much care, resulting in provoking their aggression. But alligators do not immediately attack humans, like crocodiles.

The alligator farming industry is seeing a rapid rise in Florida, Louisiana and Texas. The purpose of such farms is to get alligator hides and nearly forty five thousand hides are distributed annually from these farms. The hides are very expensive and a seven-foot hide costs as much as $300, but the prices vary every year. The meat of alligator also has great demand, which is approximately three hundred thousand pounds every year.

Alligators now have become very protected and regulated animals. Special processing is to be undergone to get the custody of an alligator. Usually baby alligators can be bought from Florida. Owners are given a special license and must be aware of their responsibilities. It’s against the law of many states to remove an alligator from its natural habitat. Alligator pets should be provided with large and wet habitat, similar to the subtropical, to live in.

Alligators are bound to get aggressive and dangerous at times, which can prove fatal to people around. Owners should be prepared as their pet can grow more than twelve feet. Some owners panic when they start getting bigger and longer and decide to free it from the captivity. But this can be extremely dangerous to residents of that locality because by then the animal would loose its natural fear and will attack humans. When decision is taken for adopting an alligator as a pet, the owner should be firm enough to make a lifetime commitment.

Can You Guess?

In 1923, Who Was:

1. President of the largest steel company?

2. President of the largest gas company?

3. President of the New York stock Exchange?

4 Greatest wheat speculator?

5. President of the Bank of International Settlement?

6. Great Bear of Wall Street?

These men were considered some of the worlds most successful of their days.

Now, 80 years later, the history book asks us, if we know what ultimately became of them.

The Answers:

1. The president of the largest steel company.

Charles Schwab, died a pauper.

2 The president of the largest gas company,

Edward Hopson, went insane.

3. The president of the NYSE,

Richard Whitney, was released from prison

to die at home.

4. The greatest wheat speculator,

Arthur Cooger, died abroad, penniless.

5. The president of

the Bank of International Settlement, shot himself.

6 The Great Bear of Wall Street,

Cosabee Livermore, also committed suicide

However,

in that same year, 1923, the PGA Champion

and the winner of the most important golf tournament,

the US Open, was Gene Sarazen.

What became of him?

He played golf until he was 92,

died in 1999 at the age of 95.

He was financially secure

at the time of his death.

The Moral:

Screw work.

Play golf.

Bacon Soap

We love bacon, and we've seen everything from Canned Bacon to Baconnaise, Bacon Salt,Bacon Floss — hell, even Bacon Lip Balm — so it was only a matter of time before we discovered Bacon Soap ($6). Made to both look and smell like frying bacon, this soap will get you clean while giving your appetite a jump-start on the day.

Effective Email Marketing

Email marketing is quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of Internet advertising. This is because there are many distinct advantages to the concept of email marketing. However, email marketing does have some disadvantages as well. In this article we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of email marketing and will also provide some insight into how to plan and execute an effective email marketing campaign.

Email marketing certainly has a set of unique advantages over other types of marketing both online and offline. Perhaps one of the most significant advantages to email marketing is the ability to reach a worldwide audience with minimal effort. It is certainly possible to reach a worldwide audience with other types of advertising but traditional types of advertising such as television, radio and the print media are not nearly as effective for reaching potential customers around the world all at once.

Another major advantage to email marketing is it is extremely affordable. This is significant because there are many other types of marketing, including Internet marketing, which are significantly more expensive than email marketing. The costs associated with email marketing are minimal. Ideally you will already have a list of email recipients who are interested in your products and services so there is no cost associated with obtaining a list of email addresses. Additionally the cost to send out emails is minimal and can be considered part of your regular operating costs. All of these factors already make email marketing extremely cost effective.

However, there is some cost involved in email marketing. Primarily this is the costs associated with writing the advertisements and creating any graphics which will accompany the email advertisements. This will require hiring a writer to write the copy for the advertisement and a designer to create and implements the graphics. The cost of these services will vary pretty widely but in general you will pay more for writers and designers with more experience. This is because these writers and designers are expected to be able to produce a higher quality of work than those with less experience could produce.

The most obvious disadvantage to email marketing is the possibility of having your email marketing viewed as spam. This is a very important problem because it could prove to be quite costly in terms of the profit margin for your business. Each day Internet users are bombarded with unsolicited emails serving as advertisements. This problem has reached epic proportions and the abundance of spam infiltrating the email boxes of innocent Internet users has to be cautious and suspicious about any email they receive which is unsolicited and appears to be promoting a particular product or service.

Emails which contain subject lines or content which appear to be similar to spam may be automatically transferred to a spam email folder by the email system. Emails which are not automatically deleted may be deleted without being opened simply because the recipient does not recognize the sender of the email. Both of these problems can result in essentially wasted time for the business owner because the recipients are not even viewing the emails advertising the products and services offered by the business. Additionally, they may result in complaints being lodged against the company for being a purveyor of spam.

Now that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of email marketing, you might wonder how you can maximize the advantages to use email marketing to your advantage. The most important factor to consider is your email distribution list. This should consist of former customers who have expressed a desire to receive emails with information and advertisements as well as potential customers who have also expressed interest in more information.

The content of the emails should also be carefully considered. They should certainly highlight the products and services you offer but should do so without appearing to be a hard sales pitch. A writer with experience in writing this type of copy should be able to assist you in providing insightful and accurate copy which also entices the reader to find out more about your products and services. Finally your emails should provide the readers with a call to action. This should be a statement urging the reader to take a specific action such as making a purchase or researching a product.

Home Depot, Martha Stewart Ink Product Deal

The Home Depot is picking up where Kmart and Lowe's have left off. The do-it-yourself chain has signed an agreement with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) to develop a Martha Stewart Living brand of home improvement products in select categories, including Outdoor Living, Home Organization and Home Decor.

Martha Stewart's long-term deal with Kmart -- which has been in place for over a decade -- expires early next year, and its deal with Lowe's recently ended. The company however, is continuing its arrangement with Macy's, which sells Martha Stewart-branded housewares.

The Home Depot says all of the new products will be available in its stores across both the U.S. and Canada, as well as at homedepot.com. It has more than 2,200 retail stores in the United States.

MSLO Executive Chairman and Principal Executive Officer Charles Koppelman said in a statement that the partnership "allows MSLO to significantly broaden our reach and expand our business."

The Outdoor Living line will comprise patio dining and conversation sets ranging in price from $399 to $1,999, while the Home Organization category will feature a new closet organization system and a nine-cube organizational unit, per the company.

Products in the Outdoor Living category will begin to launch in January 2010 in the United States and February 2010 in Canada. Products in the Home Organization categories will launch in February 2010. The Home Decor category will also be part of the launch, per the company.

A spokesperson for The Home Depot says this is the first time the company has partnered with Martha Stewart, and that while it is developing marketing plans around the Martha Stewart branded product lines, specifics are still being hashed out. Also, per the spokesperson, there will be brand extensions next year. "There will be additional products in different categories rolled out in 2010," she tells Marketing Daily.

Resource: Marketing Daily

Masons and the Masonic Lodges await Dan Brown novel `The Lost Symbol'

WASHINGTON – The lodge room of the Naval Masonic Hall is a colorful and somewhat inscrutable sight for the nonmember, with its blue walls, Egyptian symbols, checkered floor in the center and high ceiling painted with gold stars.

Countless secrets supposedly have been shared in this and thousands of similar rooms around the world. Facts of life have been debated, honors bestowed, rituals enacted. You would need to belong to a lodge to learn what really goes on.

Or you could simply ask.

"The emphasis on secrecy is something that disturbs people," says Joseph Crociata, a burly, deep-voiced man who is a trial attorney by profession but otherwise a Junior Grand Warden at the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia.

"But it's not a problem getting Masons to talk about Masonry. Sometimes, it's a problem getting them to stop."

Read more from Associated Press Writer Hillel Italie http://tinyurl.com/lwvg74

Blogging Content Help

What would you think if I told you that you could

launch 10 new blogs every single month quickly and easily? The first thought you might think would probably be "then I have to maintain them with tons of new content". http://sdtadvertising.com/nitroblogger/?e=Frieday Normally, this would be 100% true but with the system I'm going to show you, you don't have to write tons of content. In fact, I'm going to give you all of the content you need for your blogs so you never have to write anything. To top all of this off, I'm also going to give you all the comments you need to post on other blogs for instant links! This will give you tons of instant "back links" as well as a steady stream of traffic from those links. This will also increase your search engine ranks with Big Google, which will bring you even more traffic! So what kind of work is involved to create 10 blogs a month? The truth is, it really doesn't take much time at all. If you think about it, writing the content is what takes time for creating a blog and you're not going to be writing. All you have to do is drop by this web page, download the content and start copying and pasting it into your new blogs... http://sdtadvertising.com/nitroblogger/?e=Frieday If you'd like to have 10 new blogs every month for the rest of your life, click here to check out what this is all about... http://sdtadvertising.com/nitroblogger/?e=Frieday

Starting a Small Business?

What to Consider When Deciding What Type of Small Business You Should Start

Are you an individual who would like to start your own small business? If you are, you are definitely not alone. When it comes to starting a small business, there are many other individuals out there who have similar goals and dreams. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to accomplish their goal of starting their own business or turn their dream into a reality. Many actually give it a try, but many find that their small business ends up costing them much more money than it made them. To prevent yourself from being one of those small business owners, ones that often can’t make it past the two year mark; you will want to make sure that you carefully choose which type of small business you want to open.

When it comes to deciding which type of small business you would like to open, there are a number of important factors that first need to be examined. Perhaps, before focusing on the type of business that you would like to run, like whether you will end up selling products or services and what, you may want to focus on how you plan on running your small business. For instance, do you plan on running your small business out of your home? Do you want to rent a commercial building space? Do you want to run an online business? Do you want to do a combination of them all? How you want to run a business or how you are able to run a business should have a significant impact on the type of business that you are interested in starting.

When examining the type of businesses that you can start, sit down and create a list of things that interest you or topics that you are knowledgeable about. For instance, do you like working with children? If you do, you may want to think about starting your own daycare center or preschool. If you have a little bit of a teaching background the better your chances of success. Another example can involve your love for pets. Do you enjoy working with pets? If you do, you may want to think about starting your own pet supply store, dog grooming business, or pet sitting service. Starting a small business based on something that you not only know, but also love, will up your chances of your business being a successful one.

Although starting a small business based around something that you know and love is advisable, however, that shouldn’t be the only factor that you examine. You also need to examine your competition. When running an online business, you can expect to receive a lot of competition online, as that is just how the internet works. When it comes to starting your own local business, you will want to start a business that has a relatively small amount of competition. In fact, the smaller the amount of competition, the better it will be for you and your business. For instance, if you live in a small town and there are already two or three pet setting services available, it is advised that you do not start another one, as the demand will not be as high as the supply.

Since most businesses, even those that are locally owned and operated, do have competition, it may be a good idea to check out the competition before you decide to start your own business. When checking out your competition, this is easier done if the competition is a retail store or an establishment that you can walk right into. What you will want to do is examine the products or the services available for sale, as well as the costs of each. If you do not think that you can compete with your intended competition, it may be difficult for you and your small business to make a profit; therefore, you may want to refrain from going with your intended business idea. That doesn’t mean that you can’t start a small business, it just means that you should carefully choose which type of business you start.

Internet firms help Canadian courts ID authors of controversial email

Think you can be anonymous online? Most people simply have no idea how easy it is for law enforcement officials -- and other litigants, like someone suing you -- to gain access to personal email, Google searches, and other online information users think is "theirs." The latest ominous evidence of this fact comes from our friends to the north. A Canadian court has ordered Google (GOOG) to turn over the identities of anonymous Gmail users who had accused York University faculty members of fraud and dishonesty. Like similar cases in the U.S., the York incident shows just how easy it is for courts to allow authorities to gain access to "our" personal information.

Read the rest of the Daily Finance story http://tinyurl.com/oxg8jk

How do you measure a Year?

I love this line, "This is who I am, this is what I do, and my life is not for sale to the highest bidder with a benefits package." Kate Phillips article written for BIZNIK network.

Wasaga Sunset

Nice shot of a Wasaga Sunset by Ian Hoar of Toronto

Walmart Cake

It took me a second, but make sure you read the story under the picture.
Keep in mind this actually happened. This cake is for someone who was moving .

Click on Image to Enlarge

Okay so this is how I imagine this conversation went:

Wal-Mart Employee: 'Hello 'dis be Walmarts, how can I help you?'

Customer: ' I would like to order a cake for a going away party this week.'

Walmart Employee: 'What you want on da cake?'

Customer: 'Best Wishes Suzanne' and underneath that 'We will miss you'.

STOP LAUGHING!

You can't fix stupid.

Creating an E-Book..Need Help

We're creating an E-Book about Internet Marketing and we need help. The E-Book is about 30 ways to improve your Internet Marketing Business. We need the input of 30 people
(about 50-100 words each)...you will be credited in the book and we'll also link your website in the book. Contact Bill Frieday info@perkpromo.net

Tribute to 911

Ontario and B.C. to Harmonize GSTax with PSTax

So True

Like Ontario, last week, the Gov't of BC announced that BC will be 'Harmonizing' our Provincial sales tax with the Federal GST, and said it will be revenue neutral. I heard today that harmonization will mean that there will be many fewer items that will be tax exempt now. Bottom line: More revenue will be collected.

At first I thought this was funny....then I realized the awful truth of it. Be sure to read all the way to the end!

Tax his land,

Tax his bed,

Tax the table

At which he's fed.

> >>>> >>>>

Tax his tractor,

Tax his mule,

Teach him taxes

Are the rule.

> >>>> >>>>

Tax his work,

Tax his pay,

He works for peanuts

Anyway!

> >>>> >>>>

Tax his cow,

Tax his goat,

Tax his pants,

Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,

Tax his shirt,

Tax his work,

Tax his dirt.

> >>>> >>>>

Tax his tobacco,

Tax his drink,

Tax him if he

Tries to think.

> >>>> >>>>

Tax his cigars,

Tax his beers,

If he cries

Tax his tears.

> >>>> >>>>

Tax his car,

Tax his gas,

Find other ways

To tax his ass.

> >>>> >>>>

Tax all he has

Then let him know

That you won't be done

Till he has no dough.

> >>>> >>>>

When he screams and hollers;

Then tax him some more,

Tax him till

He's good and sore.

> >>>> >>>>

Then tax his coffin,

Tax his grave,

Tax the sod in

Which he's laid.

> >>>> >>>>

Put these words

Upon his tomb,

'Taxes drove me

To my doom...'

> >>>> >>>>

When he's gone,

Do not relax,

It’s time to apply

The inheritance tax.

> >>>> >>>>

> >>>> >>>>

Accounts Receivable Tax

Airline surcharge tax

Airline Fuel Tax

Airport Maintenance Tax

Building Permit Tax

Cigarette Tax

Corporate Income Tax

Death Tax

Dog License Tax

Driving Permit Tax

Environmental Tax (Fee)

Excise Taxes

Federal Income Tax

Federal Employment (EI)

Fishing License Tax

Food License Tax

Gasoline Tax (too much per litre)

Gross Receipts Tax

Health Tax

Hunting License Tax

Hydro Tax

Inheritance Tax

Interest Tax

Liquor Tax

Luxury Taxes

Marriage License Tax

Medicare Tax

Mortgage Tax

Personal Income Tax

Property Tax

Poverty Tax

Prescription Drug Tax

Provincial Income Tax

Real Estate Tax

Recreational Vehicle Tax

Retail Sales Tax

Service Charge Tax

School Tax

Telephone Federal Tax

Telephone Federal, Provincial and Local Surcharge Taxes

Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax

Vehicle License Registration Tax

Vehicle Sales Tax

Water Tax

Watercraft Registration Tax

Well Permit Tax

Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago and our nation was one of the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt, had a large middle-class, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the hell happened? Can you spell 'politicians?' And I still have to 'press 1' for English!?!?!?!?

I hope this goes around CANADA at least 100 times!!!!! YOU can help it get there!!!!

GO AHEAD - - - be a CANADIAN !!!!!!!!!!

Bud Light Lime: Can Cofessions

Today is 090909

There will be many people celebrating on or about 9AM on 9 Sept 2009 local time. There will be events tweeted on twitter and you should be able to find events on Facebook. Google 090909 as we get nearer to the time. There are concerts, festivals and pray-ins being planned. Decide whether you want a cyber celebration wherein you lurk and enjoy or whether you really want to go out see what folks have cooked up to tap in the global spiritual happening.

Astrologer Bhavesh Pattni says nine is "supreme" because it is the greatest prime number. "Every multiple of nine totals nine. Try it..it works 9x9=81...99x99=9801 everything adds up to 9. This number is ruled by Mars and it indicates vigour, vitality and creativity, too. People ruled by this number are highly energetic and enthusiastic."

With nine lives to play with, today's also a great day for cats.

By the way, if somebody tells you that it's all made up, they are completely right. That's one of the secrets to life, somebody came up with everything you see including all that business of changing of the guard and Buckingham Palace or whatever. It doesn't have to be old to be significant. Some things are meaningful because you say they are.

Banana Split

He was feeling sad...but I had to eat him!

Thanks to http://mailchimp.posterous.com/

Coffee Break

Perk News is sending you a cup of coffee that will surely make your day !
Be sure & click on the coffee cup and wait, it takes about one minute to "brew"! Turn on your volume.

click here for a cup of coffee

Happy 53rd Wedding Anniversary

This is to my wife of 53 years, Beverley. She deserves many medals for having lived with me for all these years.

Love Bill

Click on image to ENLARGE

Canada in 1956

Monarch - Queen Elizabeth II

Governor General - Vincent Massey

Prime Minister - Louis Saint Laurent

Premier of Alberta - Ernest Manning

Premier of British Columbia - W.A.C. Bennett

Premier of Manitoba - Douglas Campbell

Premier of New Brunswick - Hugh John Flemming

Premier of Newfoundland - Joey Smallwood

Premier of Nova Scotia - Henry Hicks then Robert Stanfield

Premier of Ontario - Leslie Frost

Premier of Prince Edward Island - Alex Matheson

Premier of Quebec - Maurice Duplessis

Premier of Saskatchewan - Tommy Douglas

Events

February 10 - Wilbert Coffin is hanged

May 1 - The Trades and Labor Congress of Canada merges with the Canadian Congress of Labour to form the Canadian Labour Congress.

May 8 - The controversial bill to create the TransCanada pipeline is introduced in the House of Commons.

May 15 - A CF-100 crashes into a Grey Nuns convent outside of Ottawa killing fifteen.

June 20 - Saskatchewan election: Tommy Douglas's Co-operative Commonwealth Federation wins a fourth consecutive majority

September 30 - Winnipeg connects to TransCanada Telephone System's microwave radio relay via MTS, bringing same day programming from CBC Television.

November 1 - The second Springhill Mining Disaster occurs killing 39.

November 4 - Lester B. Pearson proposes a successful resolution to the Suez Crisis, this will win him a Nobel Peace Prize.

November 20 - Robert Stanfield becomes premier of Nova Scotia, replacing Henry Hicks

December 9 - Trans-Canada Air Lines Flight 810 (9), a Canadair Northstar, crashes on Slesse Mountain near Chilliwack during heavy weather. The plane carried the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers and fans on the their way home from a game in Vancouver. Bodies were not found until the following late summer due to severe terrain and high altitude and unknown location of the crash. This was one of the worst civilian air disasters in the world at the time.

December 14 - John Diefenbaker is elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.

René Lévesque begins hosting Point de Mire

On September 11 - Billy Bishop, First World War flying ace died at the age of 62 (b.1894). The Airport in Owen Sound is named after him.

Red Marbles..An Old One but still good!

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.
Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'

'H'lo , Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'

'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'

'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'

'Good. Anything I can help you with?'

'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'

'Would you like to take some home ?' asked Mr.. Miller.

'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble here.'

'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller..

'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'

'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home ?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost..'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'.. Mr. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.. With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store..'

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr.. Miller had died.


They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her, and moved on to the casket.

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size.....they came to pay their debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho.'

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath....

Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...An unexpected phone call from an old friend...Green stoplights on your way to work....The fastest line at the grocery store...A good sing-along song on the radio...Your keys found right where you left them.

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED

Banff Squirrel Sure Gets Around!!

More here http://tinyurl.com/mk3tvu

Banff squirrel photo getting huge attention

CNN reports that Banff is in B.C. Now that's news :)http://bit.ly/G7xWp via @cbcnews

An Alberta ground squirrel is poised to become Canada's most famous animal after the creature inserted itself hilariously into a timed photo being taken by a U.S. couple at a lake in Banff National Park. Minnesota resident Melissa Brandts' photo was selected as nationalgeographic.com website's photo of the day Aug. 13, 2009. The image is set to go viral on the Internet after getting splashed this week on a host of media websites around the world.

Photograph by: Melissa Brandts, nationalgeographic.com

A must see short film "Validation" is a fable about the magic of free parking

When its not your turn to Die!

Today's Question from Plinky

What non-exercise activity do you wish would keep you fit?

New BioRobot Cleans Up the Ocean for Navy Ships

With Congress taxing the ax to military budgets, the Navy has cut out spending $500 million each year on "biofouling" maintenance to make sure that barnacles, oysters, and algae don't end up on ship hulls. Biofouling reduces ship speed by up to 10% and adds up to 40% in fuel costs.

The Navy's solution? The Bio-inspired Underwater Grooming Tool (BUG) clings and crawls around on the underwater portion of a ship's hull with an onboard biofilm detector that senses and removes marine biofilm and organisms before they are attached.

So far the BUG is a hit with the swabs. The BUG's fuel-saving capabilities can reduce the impact of an industry that is responsible for three percent of global CO2 emissions.

[Via UK Register]

Thanks also to Captain Jack's Blog