In a little over a decade, travel health insurance has evolved into a multifaceted range of products serving all Canadians regardless of age, interests or travel habits. Now, anyone traveling for vacation, business, study or overseas posting, can be fitted out with a plan that protects their health and possibly their life savings.
And though there are many different plans available in what has become a very sophisticated marketplace, most fall into a few major categories.
The Single Trip plan, which covers the customer for one specific trip with designated beginning and ending coverage dates, is most appropriate for people traveling once or twice a year, primarily for vacation. They can buy the plan well ahead of time. They can buy coverage for only the days they need. And it’s particularly suitable for people such as snowbirds, who may stay out of the country for up to six months continuously. As with all plans, the single trip variety has numerous variations, benefit levels, restrictions and limitations depending on the applicant’s age, health status and trip duration. There is no such thing as one plan that fits all.
The Annual or Multi-Trip plan is most appropriate for frequent travelers who take shorter trips at shorter notice and don’t want to bother reapplying for insurance each time. Manulife’s annual plan allows travelers to make as many trips out of the country as they wish, up to a maximum number of days per trip, e.g. 4, 10, 18, or 30-day segments. The only condition is that coverage is limited to the segment purchased. However, if they need to extend any one of these segments they can buy top-up coverage. Travelers must be cautioned, however, that an accident or illness in any of the segments may become a pre-existing condition in subsequent top-ups or trips.
If that happens, customers may need to contact their insurers to adjust their status.
Visitors to Canada represent a buoyant market that is often overlooked. Canadian hospitals are not cheap. A hospital can easily charge a foreign patient $4000 to $5000 a day for routine inpatient care, and hospital administrators are not hesitant about demanding payment or payment guarantees—perhaps from the very relatives being visited. Visitors to Canada should also have their insurance in place before they set foot here. Plans that are bought after the visitor arrives often have a waiting period—perhaps two or three days or longer—before coverage kicks in. Many American visitors also need supplemental visitor’s insurance for Canada.
Another very important niche product is a plan that covers Canadians returning home after long absences. Most provinces require returnees to live in the province for three months and be able to prove it, in order to restore their eligibility for
government health insurance. During that time they need to be covered as surely as visitors to Canada do.
Finding the right plan for you may require hard work. You should contact your financial advisor for more information.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Glorification
I was watching the pregame show for the Rangers Penguin game on Sunday during my break. After all of the hockey analysis they showed a short special on Messier and his '94 game 6 guarantee. For those that know me I do not like Messier, in fact I flat out hate everyone from the '94 Rangers team, Messier especially. The only reason why I didn't turn the channel away was because I was hoping that they'd mention the '94 Canucks.
Surprise surprise they didn't. The part that made me go ballistic though was when Messier started talking about his "Guarantee." Messier starts off saying he had to rally the troops...blah blah blah...scored the hat trick...blah blah blah. And then he has the audacity to say that whichever team won that series was going to win the Stanley Cup (This isn't word for word just how I remembered it).
I almost spat in disgust. Hello??? Do you not remember the Vancouver Canucks? Do you not remember the team that you played in the Stanley Cup FINALS? Do you not remember the team that took you to game 7? Do you not remember the team that was 1 goal away from pushing it to overtime?
Messier remembers, there's no way he doesn't remember the '94 Canucks, you don't forget a team that brings you to the brink of defeat. Why then did he make that comment: "Whichever team won that series was going to win the Stanley Cup."
He's glorifying himself, that's why. By saying what he said he makes his hat trick that much more important, he makes his guarantee that much more legendary.
He is so full of himself. This is the same man that came to Vancouver and demanded that Vancouver unofficially retire Wayne Maki's #11 just so he could wear it. I can't stand Messier, greatest leader in the history of sports my foot!
Rangers grudge 14 years and counting.
Surprise surprise they didn't. The part that made me go ballistic though was when Messier started talking about his "Guarantee." Messier starts off saying he had to rally the troops...blah blah blah...scored the hat trick...blah blah blah. And then he has the audacity to say that whichever team won that series was going to win the Stanley Cup (This isn't word for word just how I remembered it).
I almost spat in disgust. Hello??? Do you not remember the Vancouver Canucks? Do you not remember the team that you played in the Stanley Cup FINALS? Do you not remember the team that took you to game 7? Do you not remember the team that was 1 goal away from pushing it to overtime?
Messier remembers, there's no way he doesn't remember the '94 Canucks, you don't forget a team that brings you to the brink of defeat. Why then did he make that comment: "Whichever team won that series was going to win the Stanley Cup."
He's glorifying himself, that's why. By saying what he said he makes his hat trick that much more important, he makes his guarantee that much more legendary. He is so full of himself. This is the same man that came to Vancouver and demanded that Vancouver unofficially retire Wayne Maki's #11 just so he could wear it. I can't stand Messier, greatest leader in the history of sports my foot!
Rangers grudge 14 years and counting.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Shakened World
I had a great weekend, with it being the girlfriend's birthday party. And the positive mood stretched into Monday morning. I came into the office, had my coffee, checked the day's top stories and last night's sports scores; when at roughly 10am, my world was shaken and would never be the same.
David came to my cubicle and asked if I had time, then lead me to his office. This was unusual, as David is a very easy going guy and he would speak his mind, so to pull me aside like that I knew something was up.
I sat down in his office, and he told me straight up, he was leaving Manulife today. He was offered a better position doing currency exchange, which is his bread and butter. The offer came a while ago but I guess he didn't make the decision till the last weekend. This truly is a sad day for everyone at the office, he's loved by everyone here, but it's hitting me especially hard.
David was there to see my presentation at BCIT, he was there when I came in for Manulife's orientation, and he was the one who helped me pass the LLQP exam and prep for the CFP exam. He was one of the main reasons I signed with Manulife, and when I wasn't sure about something, anything even if it wasn't work related, he'd be there to give me advice. He hid nothing from me and if I needed an honest answer he would be who I went to ask.
I always wondered why he was with our office though. Here's a man who used to work on Wall Street in New York, trading stocks and currency, what was he doing here at Manulife being a Mutual Fund advisor. He always told me that making money on the market was the way to go, but why wasn't he doing it? Sitting there in his office this morning, he told me that in life sometimes you have to take two steps forward one step back, and then and only then did I understand.
I really wish he would've told me earlier, I would've gotten him something. But I understand his reasoning for being tight lipped.
He told me that he's not going to have to worry about me cause I'm a smart guy, but I'm lost more then ever now that he's gone. There's so much I want to learn from David, but it looks like I'm not going to have that opportunity anymore. I feel like Luke, returning to Dagobah in 'Return of the Jedi' to get more training from Yoda, only to have Yoda say that the training is complete, then Yoda passes away. Except my training isn't done yet.
Now thinking back I really wished that I had passed the CFP exam. I didn't have problems telling anyone that I didn't pass except for David, seems like I let him down.
I wish him the best, I hope he makes tonnes of money, in fact I know he'll succeed. Sigh....I don't know how to end this post, I want to end with something that summarizes how sad I am but I can't think of anything so I'll just end it like this.
David came to my cubicle and asked if I had time, then lead me to his office. This was unusual, as David is a very easy going guy and he would speak his mind, so to pull me aside like that I knew something was up.
I sat down in his office, and he told me straight up, he was leaving Manulife today. He was offered a better position doing currency exchange, which is his bread and butter. The offer came a while ago but I guess he didn't make the decision till the last weekend. This truly is a sad day for everyone at the office, he's loved by everyone here, but it's hitting me especially hard.
David was there to see my presentation at BCIT, he was there when I came in for Manulife's orientation, and he was the one who helped me pass the LLQP exam and prep for the CFP exam. He was one of the main reasons I signed with Manulife, and when I wasn't sure about something, anything even if it wasn't work related, he'd be there to give me advice. He hid nothing from me and if I needed an honest answer he would be who I went to ask.
I always wondered why he was with our office though. Here's a man who used to work on Wall Street in New York, trading stocks and currency, what was he doing here at Manulife being a Mutual Fund advisor. He always told me that making money on the market was the way to go, but why wasn't he doing it? Sitting there in his office this morning, he told me that in life sometimes you have to take two steps forward one step back, and then and only then did I understand.
I really wish he would've told me earlier, I would've gotten him something. But I understand his reasoning for being tight lipped.
He told me that he's not going to have to worry about me cause I'm a smart guy, but I'm lost more then ever now that he's gone. There's so much I want to learn from David, but it looks like I'm not going to have that opportunity anymore. I feel like Luke, returning to Dagobah in 'Return of the Jedi' to get more training from Yoda, only to have Yoda say that the training is complete, then Yoda passes away. Except my training isn't done yet.
Now thinking back I really wished that I had passed the CFP exam. I didn't have problems telling anyone that I didn't pass except for David, seems like I let him down.
I wish him the best, I hope he makes tonnes of money, in fact I know he'll succeed. Sigh....I don't know how to end this post, I want to end with something that summarizes how sad I am but I can't think of anything so I'll just end it like this.
Friday, April 25, 2008
The one word relationships are built on
Now I'm not a a wise old man, I don't have an abundance of experience, but I have figured out exactly what makes a relationship work and not work. It can be summarized with one word. For the two people that actually read my blog (me being one of them) I'm going to put some suspense...
Forget it, too much effort putting in suspense. The word is: "Precedence." Link if you don't know: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/precedence
Precedence = Expectation
This isn't for guys. No we don't care what we got our significant other (SO) last year, or what Joe Blow did for his SO for their anniversary, or what I bought for myself this year. We don't care. Guys live for the moment, and if we do think outside of the now it's thinking about the future not the past.
Girls though, man o man, they love precedence, they love it more then lawyers. Why aren't all lawyers girls? Or history teachers, they have unbelievable memory when it comes to the past. I fill my head with memories of sports and finance, girls fill their heads with what we bought them on 12 Friday's ago.
Here's a tip, if you're starting out in a new relationship, do not, I repeat DO NOT set high precedence. Don't go out and buy her a puppy on your first anniversary because you shoot yourself in the foot next year, and the year after that, and after that. Don't hang around with idiots that set high precedence either. Don't let your SO know that your idiot friend went and took their girlfriend to Vegas for a vacation.
And if your SO gets you season tickets to the Canucks on your birthday, you're dead when it's her birthday. Get out! Get out now! Take the tickets and run for the hills.
Forget it, too much effort putting in suspense. The word is: "Precedence." Link if you don't know: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/precedence
Precedence = Expectation
This isn't for guys. No we don't care what we got our significant other (SO) last year, or what Joe Blow did for his SO for their anniversary, or what I bought for myself this year. We don't care. Guys live for the moment, and if we do think outside of the now it's thinking about the future not the past.
Girls though, man o man, they love precedence, they love it more then lawyers. Why aren't all lawyers girls? Or history teachers, they have unbelievable memory when it comes to the past. I fill my head with memories of sports and finance, girls fill their heads with what we bought them on 12 Friday's ago.
Here's a tip, if you're starting out in a new relationship, do not, I repeat DO NOT set high precedence. Don't go out and buy her a puppy on your first anniversary because you shoot yourself in the foot next year, and the year after that, and after that. Don't hang around with idiots that set high precedence either. Don't let your SO know that your idiot friend went and took their girlfriend to Vegas for a vacation.
And if your SO gets you season tickets to the Canucks on your birthday, you're dead when it's her birthday. Get out! Get out now! Take the tickets and run for the hills.
1st Round Blunder = 2nd Round Redemption (maybe)
My predictions for the NHL Playoffs 1st round didn't go as I planned. I nailed some dead on (Wings in 6, Sharks in 7, Pens in 4), but some of my other predictions weren't even close. Regardless, I'm still going to make my Round 2 Predictions, since no one reads this anyways.
Western Conference.
Detroit Red Wings vs Colorado Avalanche
I'm writing this after Detroit already won the first game. This is like a rematch from 2000, with the oldies included. The Avs came back to make it a close game losing 4-3, this is with Forsberg not in the lineup, but I don't see how a team built for 2000 can beat a young Red Wings team. Sakic can only take the team so far, and if Forsberg isn't 100% then the Avs won't beat the Wings. Unless if Theodore plays his heart out, or Detroit changes their name to Canucks, Colorado will lose.
Red Wings 4-2, neither team needs another cup.
San Jose Sharks vs Dallas Stars
I've seen what Turco can do, this man is not a playoff choker. I don't like him but he's a good goalie. Unless Thornton can pick it up, or Sharks' 2nd line keeps producing like it did against Calgary, Stars will win.
Stars 4-2, I think I hate all of the Western playoff teams.
Eastern Conference
Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers
The Canadiens can light the lamp with the best of them, for the Flyers to win they need to have Briere score. Maybe if the Flyers were on the powerplay for the whole game they might be able to put up as much points, but I doubt it.
Canadiens 4-1, Montrealer's continue to riot.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers
Man do I hate the Rangers. If I had the Delorean I'd go back in time and I'd tell Bure not to deke and just shoot in that penalty shot. I'm not a Crosby supporter, but I hope Pittsburgh scores 10 goals every game. Probably not gonna happen since it's Lundqvist, but the Rangers won't score as much as the Pens.
Penguins 4-1, Avery will try to pull something stupid and Laraque will lay him out. That or Brodeur will come out of nowhere and blind side Avery.
Western Conference.
Detroit Red Wings vs Colorado Avalanche
I'm writing this after Detroit already won the first game. This is like a rematch from 2000, with the oldies included. The Avs came back to make it a close game losing 4-3, this is with Forsberg not in the lineup, but I don't see how a team built for 2000 can beat a young Red Wings team. Sakic can only take the team so far, and if Forsberg isn't 100% then the Avs won't beat the Wings. Unless if Theodore plays his heart out, or Detroit changes their name to Canucks, Colorado will lose.
Red Wings 4-2, neither team needs another cup.
San Jose Sharks vs Dallas Stars
I've seen what Turco can do, this man is not a playoff choker. I don't like him but he's a good goalie. Unless Thornton can pick it up, or Sharks' 2nd line keeps producing like it did against Calgary, Stars will win.
Stars 4-2, I think I hate all of the Western playoff teams.
Eastern Conference
Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers
The Canadiens can light the lamp with the best of them, for the Flyers to win they need to have Briere score. Maybe if the Flyers were on the powerplay for the whole game they might be able to put up as much points, but I doubt it.
Canadiens 4-1, Montrealer's continue to riot.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers
Man do I hate the Rangers. If I had the Delorean I'd go back in time and I'd tell Bure not to deke and just shoot in that penalty shot. I'm not a Crosby supporter, but I hope Pittsburgh scores 10 goals every game. Probably not gonna happen since it's Lundqvist, but the Rangers won't score as much as the Pens.
Penguins 4-1, Avery will try to pull something stupid and Laraque will lay him out. That or Brodeur will come out of nowhere and blind side Avery.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Writing a Book
I wouldn't call myself a work-a-holic. I'm not straining myself working, but I have been working seven days a week since July of last year. Financial advisor Monday to Fridays, part-time job on the weekends.
It's been a while since I've been in "summer time" mode. I miss the days of school where in the summer, I wouldn't have a worry in the world. No alarm clocks in the morning, no work to do, no traffic jams, no worries.
The work that I'm doing isn't physically straining, but it's taking a toll on me mentally. I hear about people saying that they grew up too fast, and that they wish they had their youth back. I don't consider myself old, but I do feel that time is whizzing by me fast, and my more recent memories are only of work.
First few years out of high school, I'd stay out late even if I wasn't doing anything, I'd be out into the early hours of the next day just to be out. Now it's hard pressed to find me anywhere outside of my bed past one. Planning my day based on my work schedule, I feel like a fraction of my former self.
I could continue doing what I'm doing, which will pay off later in life, but is it worth it to work hard now and have a better life later in exchange for my youth? Or is it better to slack off now, enjoy the years that I will never get back, and tough it out later when I'm older. Clouded the future is.
Most finance books would tell you to start saving early, it's the basis for accumulating money, which you can enjoy when you retire. But then I talk to people who have done so much during their youths. Stories to tell, memories to recall, lives that have been fully lived. Whenever I hear these stories it feels like a book that I can't put down, I want to become this person and experience what they've experienced. Sure they pay for it later by having to save every penny, but despite all that I've been taught, all that I know I sometimes feel it is worth it to sacrifice the future for the now. I guess this is human nature, procrastination, jealousy, envy it's all due to wanting things now.
It comes down to the burning question, do I want to:
Work hard now, suck it up and live a not so adventurous life and look forward to the day where I can relax and enjoy life.
Or
Trade away my future, enjoy life now because life is too short to worry about what's going to happen later. Live life to the fullest and write my own story.
I already know what the answer is. I didn't go through all that schooling just to throw all my knowledge in the garbage. I'll keep doing what I'm doing, it's the smart thing to do. But while I go day to day, month to month, year to year, working towards retirement, I'll be writing chapters of my book. Even though they won't be very exciting chapters, the best parts to come.
It's been a while since I've been in "summer time" mode. I miss the days of school where in the summer, I wouldn't have a worry in the world. No alarm clocks in the morning, no work to do, no traffic jams, no worries.
The work that I'm doing isn't physically straining, but it's taking a toll on me mentally. I hear about people saying that they grew up too fast, and that they wish they had their youth back. I don't consider myself old, but I do feel that time is whizzing by me fast, and my more recent memories are only of work.
First few years out of high school, I'd stay out late even if I wasn't doing anything, I'd be out into the early hours of the next day just to be out. Now it's hard pressed to find me anywhere outside of my bed past one. Planning my day based on my work schedule, I feel like a fraction of my former self.
I could continue doing what I'm doing, which will pay off later in life, but is it worth it to work hard now and have a better life later in exchange for my youth? Or is it better to slack off now, enjoy the years that I will never get back, and tough it out later when I'm older. Clouded the future is.
Most finance books would tell you to start saving early, it's the basis for accumulating money, which you can enjoy when you retire. But then I talk to people who have done so much during their youths. Stories to tell, memories to recall, lives that have been fully lived. Whenever I hear these stories it feels like a book that I can't put down, I want to become this person and experience what they've experienced. Sure they pay for it later by having to save every penny, but despite all that I've been taught, all that I know I sometimes feel it is worth it to sacrifice the future for the now. I guess this is human nature, procrastination, jealousy, envy it's all due to wanting things now.
It comes down to the burning question, do I want to:
Work hard now, suck it up and live a not so adventurous life and look forward to the day where I can relax and enjoy life.
Or
Trade away my future, enjoy life now because life is too short to worry about what's going to happen later. Live life to the fullest and write my own story.
I already know what the answer is. I didn't go through all that schooling just to throw all my knowledge in the garbage. I'll keep doing what I'm doing, it's the smart thing to do. But while I go day to day, month to month, year to year, working towards retirement, I'll be writing chapters of my book. Even though they won't be very exciting chapters, the best parts to come.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Glass Ball Tells All - West
Continuation of last post, here are my NHL 2007/08 1st Round Playoff predictions for the Western Conference:
Detroit vs Nashville
As much as I don't like Nashville for taking our playoff spot, I like Barry Trotz he looks like a no nonsense kind of guy and he's been the only coach for the Preds since their expansion, that says a lot about the guy. The Red Wings are definitely a great team, but I wouldn't say they're the best though. For some reason it seems like all Western cinderella stories begin by beating the Red Wings first round. But I still say Detroit wins.
4-2 Red Wings. Nashville takes 2 because they're more physical.
San Jose vs Calgary
Looking at all the match-ups here in the Western Conference I realize that I hate a lot of these teams. Maybe I'm bitter, or maybe it's cause these teams all don't deserve to be ahead of the Canucks. I'm going to go with the later. I would really like a Canadian team to win the cup even if it's not the Canucks; however, Keenan is coaching the Flames, so I hope they lose. I just can't bring myself to cheer for any team coached by Keenan.
Picture from: http://www.oilersnation.com/index2.php/2007/12/07/we-hate-keenan-keenan-hates-crosby/
4-3 Sharks. Calgary will put up a good fight, but they're too inconsistent.
Minnesota vs Colorado
Just kill each other, I hate you both.
4-3 Avalanche. End it in a bloodbath.
Anaheim vs Dallas
I don't like the move that the Ducks pulled, sitting out their superstars for half the season. Then passing it off like they really needed that time to decide if they're still able to play. Blah, bunch of garbage, brilliant move to fit everyone under the cap, but disgusting move in class. Still the Ducks will probably beat the Stars, even if they're down 1-0 right now. Can't beat the Finnish Flash.
Teemu says: "Hey baby."
4-3 Ducks. Low scoring Ducks vs Turco will push this to 7 games.
Detroit vs Nashville
As much as I don't like Nashville for taking our playoff spot, I like Barry Trotz he looks like a no nonsense kind of guy and he's been the only coach for the Preds since their expansion, that says a lot about the guy. The Red Wings are definitely a great team, but I wouldn't say they're the best though. For some reason it seems like all Western cinderella stories begin by beating the Red Wings first round. But I still say Detroit wins.
4-2 Red Wings. Nashville takes 2 because they're more physical.
San Jose vs Calgary
Looking at all the match-ups here in the Western Conference I realize that I hate a lot of these teams. Maybe I'm bitter, or maybe it's cause these teams all don't deserve to be ahead of the Canucks. I'm going to go with the later. I would really like a Canadian team to win the cup even if it's not the Canucks; however, Keenan is coaching the Flames, so I hope they lose. I just can't bring myself to cheer for any team coached by Keenan.
Picture from: http://www.oilersnation.com/index2.php/2007/12/07/we-hate-keenan-keenan-hates-crosby/
4-3 Sharks. Calgary will put up a good fight, but they're too inconsistent.
Minnesota vs Colorado
Just kill each other, I hate you both.
4-3 Avalanche. End it in a bloodbath.
Anaheim vs Dallas
I don't like the move that the Ducks pulled, sitting out their superstars for half the season. Then passing it off like they really needed that time to decide if they're still able to play. Blah, bunch of garbage, brilliant move to fit everyone under the cap, but disgusting move in class. Still the Ducks will probably beat the Stars, even if they're down 1-0 right now. Can't beat the Finnish Flash.
Teemu says: "Hey baby."
4-3 Ducks. Low scoring Ducks vs Turco will push this to 7 games.
Looking Through The Glass Ball - East
I was going to do this before the playoffs started, but I got lazy. So without further ado here are my NHL 2007/08 Playoff predictions for the Eastern Conference 1st Round:
Montreal vs Boston
Going to have to go with the Habs on this one, you can't really cheer for a team that's lost 8 straight times to the Habs during the regular season, and are already down 1-0 in the playoffs.
On a side note, the Habs really need to stop retiring numbers, they're going to run out of numbers soon. All the good ones are already taken, and the players are resorting to using some ugly numbers (Halak 41, Grabovski 54, Bouillon 51, A Kostitsyn 46).
4-1 Canadiens. Timmy Thomas will steal one for the Bruins.
Pittsburgh vs Ottawa
I didn't watch the Pen's 82nd game, the one that they supposedly threw so that they drew the Sens in the playoffs, but even if they did do such a conniving thing they're still probably going to win. Malkin + Crosby + a hot M A Fleury - Alfie = buh bye Sens.
4-0 Penguins. Malkin will score multi points for three of the games.
Washington vs Philadelphia
Even before my precious Nucks got eliminated from playoff contention I jumped on the Capital's bandwagon.
Sure Ovechkin cherry picks, doesn't play D, and looks like Jaws but you can't help but to love the guy. He scored 65 goals in today's era, and makes every single goal look like it was the game winner. I'm rooting for them to go all the way to the finals.
4-2 Capitals. Ovechkin nets 30 goals, and proceeds to break every pane of glass in the arena as a celebration.
New Jersey vs New York Rangers
Anyone who knows me knows that I hate the Rangers. They stole our cup, then they tainted our organization with Keenan and Messier, and slapped us in the face by having Kirk McLean play back-up there (Only picture I could find of this atrocity)...
Sorry had to spit there. Anyways, Rangers got lucky first game, and they're going to lose and lose big.
4-1 Devils. Canuck fans rejoice.
Montreal vs Boston
Going to have to go with the Habs on this one, you can't really cheer for a team that's lost 8 straight times to the Habs during the regular season, and are already down 1-0 in the playoffs.
On a side note, the Habs really need to stop retiring numbers, they're going to run out of numbers soon. All the good ones are already taken, and the players are resorting to using some ugly numbers (Halak 41, Grabovski 54, Bouillon 51, A Kostitsyn 46).4-1 Canadiens. Timmy Thomas will steal one for the Bruins.
Pittsburgh vs Ottawa
I didn't watch the Pen's 82nd game, the one that they supposedly threw so that they drew the Sens in the playoffs, but even if they did do such a conniving thing they're still probably going to win. Malkin + Crosby + a hot M A Fleury - Alfie = buh bye Sens.
4-0 Penguins. Malkin will score multi points for three of the games.
Washington vs Philadelphia
Even before my precious Nucks got eliminated from playoff contention I jumped on the Capital's bandwagon.
Sure Ovechkin cherry picks, doesn't play D, and looks like Jaws but you can't help but to love the guy. He scored 65 goals in today's era, and makes every single goal look like it was the game winner. I'm rooting for them to go all the way to the finals.4-2 Capitals. Ovechkin nets 30 goals, and proceeds to break every pane of glass in the arena as a celebration.
New Jersey vs New York Rangers
Anyone who knows me knows that I hate the Rangers. They stole our cup, then they tainted our organization with Keenan and Messier, and slapped us in the face by having Kirk McLean play back-up there (Only picture I could find of this atrocity)...
Sorry had to spit there. Anyways, Rangers got lucky first game, and they're going to lose and lose big.
4-1 Devils. Canuck fans rejoice.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
No C, F, or P letters in Mexico
So my trip to Mexico is basically set. Airfare, hotel, and transportation are all paid for, even the most important thing, who's going, is finalized. But, the trip is on the first week of June. So what's the problem? High schoolers are still in school, weather's going to be great, we miss typhoon season (apparently starts in July), and the Nucks aren't going to be in the Stanley Cup finals (cue bitterness) so I'm not missing anything.
The problem is the CFP exam is on June 14th. This leaves one week in between when I come back from my trip and when I have to take the biggest exam of my life which I have failed before. If I do decide to write the CFP exam I will definnitely study weeks before hand, borderline months beforehand, but taking a week break just before crunch time isn't the smartest move. Even if I do pass the CFP exam (by some miracle) I won't be able to put the letters on my business card until the same time next year (2 year requirement).
Should I do the smart thing, not take the exam and wait to take the one in November so I can properly study for it? Or should I suck it up, take it like a man and study hard before and after my trip? I have just under a week to decide if I want to fork over 5 bills to write the exam again. I'm leaning towards taking it in November but I really want to get it over with, and I don't think having a year in between exams is going to help much either.
April 14th is coming up fast, this wouldn't be such a hard decision if the test wasn't so ridiculously hard. Gah I hate you CFP!
The problem is the CFP exam is on June 14th. This leaves one week in between when I come back from my trip and when I have to take the biggest exam of my life which I have failed before. If I do decide to write the CFP exam I will definnitely study weeks before hand, borderline months beforehand, but taking a week break just before crunch time isn't the smartest move. Even if I do pass the CFP exam (by some miracle) I won't be able to put the letters on my business card until the same time next year (2 year requirement).
Should I do the smart thing, not take the exam and wait to take the one in November so I can properly study for it? Or should I suck it up, take it like a man and study hard before and after my trip? I have just under a week to decide if I want to fork over 5 bills to write the exam again. I'm leaning towards taking it in November but I really want to get it over with, and I don't think having a year in between exams is going to help much either.
April 14th is coming up fast, this wouldn't be such a hard decision if the test wasn't so ridiculously hard. Gah I hate you CFP!
Insurance + Retirement = Profit
Before I started learning about finance, I always thought about insurance as a money pit. You put money in, the insurance company doesn't pay till you're dead. What a bunch of croc, they pay out when I die? What good is that? I guess if I had a wife and some kids sure it'd be ok for them then, if I love them, but what if I don't like them then what?
Putting just enough money to cover the minimum premiums for an insurance policy is just one method of using life insurance. Life insurance can also be used as sort of a savings account. Money within life insurance grows tax free, and with regular contributions and compound interest the amount within the account could grow to a large amount. If there is more then enough in the life insurance account you can then establish an Insurance Retirement Program (IRP). With this program you basically take money out of your life insurance to spend as you choose when you retire.
Of course you should calculate the proper amount to take out annually so that you don't deplete the whole insurance policy, you still want to have some in there to protect your life. By using this strategy you're not only protecting yourself against the unexpected, you're also saving for your retirement.
This type of strategy isn't for everyone. I met someone a few months ago who wanted insurance, I pitched him the two strategies he could use for life insurance. He responds by saying that he sells business' for a living. He then asks if the life insurance savings strategy I was telling him about could give him the same type of return? Obviously this was a rhetorical question, and he made his point. He only needed insurance as a form of legacy for his family. For those of us who aren't as business savvy, life insurance is a great way to leave a legacy and to save up for retirement.
Putting just enough money to cover the minimum premiums for an insurance policy is just one method of using life insurance. Life insurance can also be used as sort of a savings account. Money within life insurance grows tax free, and with regular contributions and compound interest the amount within the account could grow to a large amount. If there is more then enough in the life insurance account you can then establish an Insurance Retirement Program (IRP). With this program you basically take money out of your life insurance to spend as you choose when you retire.
Of course you should calculate the proper amount to take out annually so that you don't deplete the whole insurance policy, you still want to have some in there to protect your life. By using this strategy you're not only protecting yourself against the unexpected, you're also saving for your retirement.
This type of strategy isn't for everyone. I met someone a few months ago who wanted insurance, I pitched him the two strategies he could use for life insurance. He responds by saying that he sells business' for a living. He then asks if the life insurance savings strategy I was telling him about could give him the same type of return? Obviously this was a rhetorical question, and he made his point. He only needed insurance as a form of legacy for his family. For those of us who aren't as business savvy, life insurance is a great way to leave a legacy and to save up for retirement.
Optimistic / Pessimistic
Random thought.
The cup's there, filled half way, some see it half full, others see it half empty. If you believe it's half full then you're optimistic, half empty then you're pessimistic. At least that's what we're told.
The way I see it, if you view the cup as being half full you're just too damn lazy to get up and refill. If you see the cup as being half empty then you're basically saying it's almost time to refill. Does this mean that optimistic people are lazy? Are they too busy smiling and laughing at everything to see that the cup needs refilling?
Or maybe I'm over thinking the situation and I'm just totally wrong.
The cup's there, filled half way, some see it half full, others see it half empty. If you believe it's half full then you're optimistic, half empty then you're pessimistic. At least that's what we're told.
The way I see it, if you view the cup as being half full you're just too damn lazy to get up and refill. If you see the cup as being half empty then you're basically saying it's almost time to refill. Does this mean that optimistic people are lazy? Are they too busy smiling and laughing at everything to see that the cup needs refilling?
Or maybe I'm over thinking the situation and I'm just totally wrong.
Monday, April 07, 2008
I've Been Wrong
Coming close to the one year mark since I was hired here in Manulife, there hasn't been much progress. To date I've done mostly family related stuff, and some stuff for friends. I've been told that financial advising is a hard industry to get started in, but this is slower then I expected.
I thought about it for a while, and have tried to get different points of view from different people, and I've come to the conclusion that I've been conducting my business wrong. Since I started I've treated this job as a regular nine to five job. I am self employed, I am a financial advisor, I am my own boss; I shouldn't be here twirling my thumbs waiting for business to pop up out of thin air, I should be doing something to get myself known.
I know how to plan, I know how to crunch numbers, I know how to work around scenarios, but I don't know the first step. All the steps that come after mean nothing if I can't find any clients.
I will take the rest of this week to revise my plan of action. I'm going to have to lose this 'employee mentality' and think outside of the box. I've always prided myself on my creativity, now is the time to prove that I am indeed a thinker.
I have been thinking about my daily activities for a while now, and after speaking to another advisor, I'm now sure that I'm doing things wrong. It was great to have the chance to speak to her, she pointed me in the right direction, and gave me some positive feedback as well. Telling it as it is she told me I lacked confidence and I don't talk all that much, but at certain times she has seen great potential in me.
One moment that stood out for her was when we worked together manning a booth at Tinseltown for Chinese New Years. I wasn't talking to everyone during that weekend (because they were mostly asian and didn't speak english), but when I was talking to the right person she thought I looked "amazing," that's right she used the word amazing. Like Spider-man, I'm freakin amazing. But at other times I'm not so amazing but let's focus on when I am amazing. Wow I just used the word amazing 5 times, that is either really bad english or really amazing use of the word amazing.
Thinking like an employee is engraved into my memories, it's what we're taught as kids, by our parents and by our education system: 'work hard for your employer for the chance to move up.' Losing this psyche will be hard, but I have the chance to break the chains of command here and quitting now is not an option for me.
I thought about it for a while, and have tried to get different points of view from different people, and I've come to the conclusion that I've been conducting my business wrong. Since I started I've treated this job as a regular nine to five job. I am self employed, I am a financial advisor, I am my own boss; I shouldn't be here twirling my thumbs waiting for business to pop up out of thin air, I should be doing something to get myself known.
I know how to plan, I know how to crunch numbers, I know how to work around scenarios, but I don't know the first step. All the steps that come after mean nothing if I can't find any clients.
I will take the rest of this week to revise my plan of action. I'm going to have to lose this 'employee mentality' and think outside of the box. I've always prided myself on my creativity, now is the time to prove that I am indeed a thinker.
I have been thinking about my daily activities for a while now, and after speaking to another advisor, I'm now sure that I'm doing things wrong. It was great to have the chance to speak to her, she pointed me in the right direction, and gave me some positive feedback as well. Telling it as it is she told me I lacked confidence and I don't talk all that much, but at certain times she has seen great potential in me.
One moment that stood out for her was when we worked together manning a booth at Tinseltown for Chinese New Years. I wasn't talking to everyone during that weekend (because they were mostly asian and didn't speak english), but when I was talking to the right person she thought I looked "amazing," that's right she used the word amazing. Like Spider-man, I'm freakin amazing. But at other times I'm not so amazing but let's focus on when I am amazing. Wow I just used the word amazing 5 times, that is either really bad english or really amazing use of the word amazing.
Thinking like an employee is engraved into my memories, it's what we're taught as kids, by our parents and by our education system: 'work hard for your employer for the chance to move up.' Losing this psyche will be hard, but I have the chance to break the chains of command here and quitting now is not an option for me.
Friday, April 04, 2008
End of an Era
The most important game of the season and they make it a pay per view game. A game played in Vancouver, and I'm not allowed to watch the game without forking over money. And in case you weren't following, the Canucks lost, meaning they're officially out of the playoffs.
This feeling of sadness I have is not because the Canucks didn't win Lord Stanley's cup, they have years and years to do that. This loss is on a whole other level of sadness because everyone knows that this is Trevor Linden's last season.
Trevor Linden has given the team everything he could since we drafter him 20 years ago. He is the heart and soul of the team, and he genuinely cares about the city itself. It's sad to know Linden is only a legend in this city, and his legacy will always be tied with that great run to the cup but losing in seven games to the Rangers in '94.
It's also sad to know that unless Nazzy is willing to take the hometown special like (Linden has done for half a decade now) then Saturday might be his last game as a Canuck. Nazzy will also be known outside of Vancouver as an underachieving captain, I don't have anything against Nazzy, but I really can't argue this point.
If Alain Vigneault scratches Linden this Saturday I swear I'll ring his neck myself, but I'd probably have to bust through the rioters first.
It would be great if Linden comes out Saturday wearing the C, what a sight that would be to see Captain Canuck wear the C one last time. I hope Linden joins management, we'll win the cup eventually I just hope Linden is still around to lift the cup when we do.
This feeling of sadness I have is not because the Canucks didn't win Lord Stanley's cup, they have years and years to do that. This loss is on a whole other level of sadness because everyone knows that this is Trevor Linden's last season.
Trevor Linden has given the team everything he could since we drafter him 20 years ago. He is the heart and soul of the team, and he genuinely cares about the city itself. It's sad to know Linden is only a legend in this city, and his legacy will always be tied with that great run to the cup but losing in seven games to the Rangers in '94.
It's also sad to know that unless Nazzy is willing to take the hometown special like (Linden has done for half a decade now) then Saturday might be his last game as a Canuck. Nazzy will also be known outside of Vancouver as an underachieving captain, I don't have anything against Nazzy, but I really can't argue this point.
If Alain Vigneault scratches Linden this Saturday I swear I'll ring his neck myself, but I'd probably have to bust through the rioters first.
It would be great if Linden comes out Saturday wearing the C, what a sight that would be to see Captain Canuck wear the C one last time. I hope Linden joins management, we'll win the cup eventually I just hope Linden is still around to lift the cup when we do.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Defeated
Yesterday's draft game was a big kick to the crotch. The second I got to the arena I could tell that even at the lower level these guys were good, and this is just from the way they were getting dressed, I'm not one to look at another changing, but these guys even suited up like a pro. The players there at the draft game meant serious business. From the way they taped their sticks, to the way they were adjusting their wheels, this did not look good for me.
I show up at 10pm so that I could watch the game before with the more skilled players all jocking for a position in the higher tiers. I'm definitely not good enough to play in the top tiers. After signing-in they handed me a jersey with #18, I didn't have much of a choice. After receiving the jersey I tried to think of a hockey player who wore the jersey #18 but nothing came to mind, this was not a good sign of things to come.
I enter the changing room after watching half of the first game, and there were already 4 other players there talking about their experiences from last year. I stumbled in lugging all my equipment, greeted all of them then proceeded to try to squeeze some answers about them to try to size up my skills. As it turns out, everyone in there had played roller hockey in one way or another the year before, this was not looking good for me.
As time ticked down, I was getting more anxious then nervous, anxious to see how I compared against everyone else. I didn't need to wait long to find out. Getting onto the rink I noticed that some of the players from the last game were still skating, they were going to play in this game as well. Obviously they remained undrafted and didn't mind jumping down to the lower tiers. Four minutes before the game started we practiced and whatever I was worried about before hand was now magnified 10 times. These guys were good: puck handling, skating, passing, shooting, they even had nicer equipment.
During the 30 minute game I lost track of the number of shifts I took. The game came and went in a blur, when it was all said and done the Inline league coordinator told us to gather around. He started calling out names and which team they've been drafted by, and with each passing name I could feel the disappointment grow. By the end, half of the players were drafted, the other half remained still, bodies hunched, one knee down, heads looking to the ground, in one word we all look defeated. No one wanted us, I now knew what a Suzuki car felt like.
My helmet was off the whole time during the draft, I should have left it on, maybe then I could have hid the look of failure in my face.
I saved $200 by not having to pay team fees, but money is valueless in comparison to my hopes and dreams. Yoda said it best: "Do, or do not, there is no try." I could say I tried but trying means nothing to me now.
I show up at 10pm so that I could watch the game before with the more skilled players all jocking for a position in the higher tiers. I'm definitely not good enough to play in the top tiers. After signing-in they handed me a jersey with #18, I didn't have much of a choice. After receiving the jersey I tried to think of a hockey player who wore the jersey #18 but nothing came to mind, this was not a good sign of things to come.
I enter the changing room after watching half of the first game, and there were already 4 other players there talking about their experiences from last year. I stumbled in lugging all my equipment, greeted all of them then proceeded to try to squeeze some answers about them to try to size up my skills. As it turns out, everyone in there had played roller hockey in one way or another the year before, this was not looking good for me.
As time ticked down, I was getting more anxious then nervous, anxious to see how I compared against everyone else. I didn't need to wait long to find out. Getting onto the rink I noticed that some of the players from the last game were still skating, they were going to play in this game as well. Obviously they remained undrafted and didn't mind jumping down to the lower tiers. Four minutes before the game started we practiced and whatever I was worried about before hand was now magnified 10 times. These guys were good: puck handling, skating, passing, shooting, they even had nicer equipment.
During the 30 minute game I lost track of the number of shifts I took. The game came and went in a blur, when it was all said and done the Inline league coordinator told us to gather around. He started calling out names and which team they've been drafted by, and with each passing name I could feel the disappointment grow. By the end, half of the players were drafted, the other half remained still, bodies hunched, one knee down, heads looking to the ground, in one word we all look defeated. No one wanted us, I now knew what a Suzuki car felt like.
My helmet was off the whole time during the draft, I should have left it on, maybe then I could have hid the look of failure in my face.
I saved $200 by not having to pay team fees, but money is valueless in comparison to my hopes and dreams. Yoda said it best: "Do, or do not, there is no try." I could say I tried but trying means nothing to me now.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Standing Alone
For a city with one major sporting team during the Winter / Spring, we sure have a lot of doubters. I have to admit I haven't had the chance to meet other fans in other cities, but I'm going to have to say that Vancouver as a fan base is pretty bad. Seems like the city enjoys seeing the Canucks lose even if it means cheering for the 29 other teams. But I guess you have a higher percentage of being right if you cheer for the 29 other teams.
I have no problems with Vancouver-ites who cheer for other teams, to each their own, what rubs me the wrong way are those that cheer for every other team but the Canucks. Not even cheering for the other team the whole season, just for that one game that they play against the Canucks. These are the same people that sit on the fence, they hate to be wrong, they gloat when they're right, and they can be quoted saying "I told you so." They don't follow hockey at all and will always bring up points from the past that are totally irrelevant with the current team.
I'd rather cheer on my favourite team through decades of futility, then root against them just to be right.
I hope that at some point in time, the Canucks do go all the way and bring the cup home. Hopefully I'm still alive to see that day. And hopefully I still have enough energy to gloat back at all the doubters, and tell them that they have no right to celebrate this glorious day, for they are not a fan, they have never been a fan, and the team doesn't need them as a fan, go cheer for the 29 other losers, thank you very much, buh bye!
But until then I'm stuck sitting here with my Canucks jersey, taking verbal abuse from the non-fans about how I should pick a new team, about how we can't score, about how Luongo isn't as good as last year, about how there are 29 other teams. But there isn't 29 other teams, there is only this one, and whether they're 1st or last, I'll stand alone if I have to.
I have no problems with Vancouver-ites who cheer for other teams, to each their own, what rubs me the wrong way are those that cheer for every other team but the Canucks. Not even cheering for the other team the whole season, just for that one game that they play against the Canucks. These are the same people that sit on the fence, they hate to be wrong, they gloat when they're right, and they can be quoted saying "I told you so." They don't follow hockey at all and will always bring up points from the past that are totally irrelevant with the current team.
I'd rather cheer on my favourite team through decades of futility, then root against them just to be right.
I hope that at some point in time, the Canucks do go all the way and bring the cup home. Hopefully I'm still alive to see that day. And hopefully I still have enough energy to gloat back at all the doubters, and tell them that they have no right to celebrate this glorious day, for they are not a fan, they have never been a fan, and the team doesn't need them as a fan, go cheer for the 29 other losers, thank you very much, buh bye!
But until then I'm stuck sitting here with my Canucks jersey, taking verbal abuse from the non-fans about how I should pick a new team, about how we can't score, about how Luongo isn't as good as last year, about how there are 29 other teams. But there isn't 29 other teams, there is only this one, and whether they're 1st or last, I'll stand alone if I have to.
Canuck Killers
Less then 24 hours after posting up that the Canucks are destined to win the Stanley Cup, they blow a two goal lead to lose 4-2. I'm not going to go make up excuses about why we lost, and about how the Avalanche had a bunch of garbage goals (which they did), rather I'm going to rant about the Avalanche as a team.
How do you have a whole team of Canuck killers? Do they draft based on who can score on the Canucks? Honestly now, how is it possible that Sakic, Hejduk, Stastny (now), and Forsberg (I'd probably put Liles in here too) are all Canuck killers? Sure when we had goalies like Dan Cloutier anyone could be a Canuck killer, but we have Luongo now, and the same players are still murdering us.
The goals that they're getting aren't pretty ones either, they're not tic-tac toe highlight reel plays. The Avalanche try the same move over and over again, and we keep letting them.
Here the Avalanche will be represented by L because there's an L in Avalanche, and the Canucks will be represented by W because the Avalanche are Losers.
Coming in 2 on 2:
1) Player with puck goes wide then cuts in the middle
2) Player without puck goes to the net to screen
3) Player with puck shoots
4) Profit
When they cut across like that lay him out, unless it's Sakic then maybe just love tap him or something. But if it's Forsberg I want to see Taylorr Pyatt force feed his shoulder down his throat for being stupid enough to cut in the middle.
Now let's beat the Oilers, kill the flames, and pray that either Nashville loses one, or Calgary loses two.
How do you have a whole team of Canuck killers? Do they draft based on who can score on the Canucks? Honestly now, how is it possible that Sakic, Hejduk, Stastny (now), and Forsberg (I'd probably put Liles in here too) are all Canuck killers? Sure when we had goalies like Dan Cloutier anyone could be a Canuck killer, but we have Luongo now, and the same players are still murdering us.
The goals that they're getting aren't pretty ones either, they're not tic-tac toe highlight reel plays. The Avalanche try the same move over and over again, and we keep letting them.
Here the Avalanche will be represented by L because there's an L in Avalanche, and the Canucks will be represented by W because the Avalanche are Losers.Coming in 2 on 2:
1) Player with puck goes wide then cuts in the middle
2) Player without puck goes to the net to screen
3) Player with puck shoots
4) Profit
When they cut across like that lay him out, unless it's Sakic then maybe just love tap him or something. But if it's Forsberg I want to see Taylorr Pyatt force feed his shoulder down his throat for being stupid enough to cut in the middle.
Now let's beat the Oilers, kill the flames, and pray that either Nashville loses one, or Calgary loses two.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Nostalgia
Since that fateful run to the cup in '94 I've been a Canucks fan. From the days of Quinn, to the Goalie Graveyard years, from the West Coast Express to the team of the present the Canucks have had their ups and their downs. It has been 37+ years since we've entered the league, and we have nothing to show for except two runs to the cup finals. Even though I haven't been a fan for 37+ years, it still hurts to see this statistic.
If you're a die hard Canucks fan you would know about the Twelve Year / Season prophecy. Vancouver joined the NHL in 1970, twelve years later Stan Smyl led the Nucks to the finals where they lost to the Islanders. Then in 1994, twelve years after that, the Nucks were again led to the Stanley Cup finals, this time by Trevor Linden. But the prophecy is pretty much bogus, even if you count out the lock out year (unless you count out the shortened 94/95 season), twelve years have passed.
But is this it? Is Vancouver destined to never win the Stanley Cup? I will answer this question with a picture.
No it is not over, because number 16 is still playing. Trevor Linden is the heart and soul of the team, even though he doesn't have the scoring touch as before, he is still the most clutch player the team has ever had. Sure he may cough the puck up a few times, sure he's not as fast as before, and sure he plays on the checking line now. But when this man scores GM place blows it's roof off. He pulls through when the team needs him, he bleeds Vancouver, and he lead the greatest team ever not to win the Stanley Cup, the '94 Canucks. Here is the kicker, Trevor Linden was born in 1970! He was born the same year the Vancouver Canucks were born. I'm not a religious man, but you can't avoid signs like that, his destiny is to win the cup with the Canucks.
The Canucks need to immediately take off those RBK jerseys and bring back the Skate Jersey. Look at its awesomeness! There is not a more beautiful jersey in the entire NHL. The pure awesomeness of the jersey's colour scheme and design is further magnified by the Russian Rocket.
And Canucks need to start celebrating after a goal! Raising the arms is all they can muster up? Celebrate after scoring, jump around, jet ski, jump at the glass, slide along the ice, do something! The Canucks look like they have no heart because after they score they sissy hug and that's it.
Come playoff time, put Linden out there the whole time. Watch out everyone, the Linden-mobile is a comin, 37+ years of engineering, with the best clutch ever built. The cup is coming home.
If you're a die hard Canucks fan you would know about the Twelve Year / Season prophecy. Vancouver joined the NHL in 1970, twelve years later Stan Smyl led the Nucks to the finals where they lost to the Islanders. Then in 1994, twelve years after that, the Nucks were again led to the Stanley Cup finals, this time by Trevor Linden. But the prophecy is pretty much bogus, even if you count out the lock out year (unless you count out the shortened 94/95 season), twelve years have passed.
But is this it? Is Vancouver destined to never win the Stanley Cup? I will answer this question with a picture.
No it is not over, because number 16 is still playing. Trevor Linden is the heart and soul of the team, even though he doesn't have the scoring touch as before, he is still the most clutch player the team has ever had. Sure he may cough the puck up a few times, sure he's not as fast as before, and sure he plays on the checking line now. But when this man scores GM place blows it's roof off. He pulls through when the team needs him, he bleeds Vancouver, and he lead the greatest team ever not to win the Stanley Cup, the '94 Canucks. Here is the kicker, Trevor Linden was born in 1970! He was born the same year the Vancouver Canucks were born. I'm not a religious man, but you can't avoid signs like that, his destiny is to win the cup with the Canucks.
The Canucks need to immediately take off those RBK jerseys and bring back the Skate Jersey. Look at its awesomeness! There is not a more beautiful jersey in the entire NHL. The pure awesomeness of the jersey's colour scheme and design is further magnified by the Russian Rocket.
And Canucks need to start celebrating after a goal! Raising the arms is all they can muster up? Celebrate after scoring, jump around, jet ski, jump at the glass, slide along the ice, do something! The Canucks look like they have no heart because after they score they sissy hug and that's it.
Come playoff time, put Linden out there the whole time. Watch out everyone, the Linden-mobile is a comin, 37+ years of engineering, with the best clutch ever built. The cup is coming home.
The One That Got Away
Since I'm here anyways I might as well write about some other stuff.
I got my results back from my CFP exam.
The end.
I hate you CFP, you're like the hot girl at school that I can't get, yet you're in all my classes, sitting there teasing me. I spend the next few months building up all this courage and guts to come talk to you only to find out that you've dated everyone else but me, and that I have no chance because you can only date a certain number of guys each year. And then you tell me to try again in June.
I got 463, I think it's 500 to pass. I don't know what the exam is out of, and I haven't been able to find out but:
500 - 463 = I suck at life
Why can't you round up, ARGHHh! I printed out 463 in block letters and pinned it to my cubicle, as motivation. Maybe if I look at it every day I'd be motivated to pass the next exam. But it's more of a slap to the face now. Every time I look at it, it's like that drawing that you did in school; you know it's ugly, your friends know it's ugly, the teacher even knows it's ugly, but they put it up for everyone to see anyways. And it's got your name written right on it. You artistically challenged dufus.
I'm going to Puerto Vallarta in the first week of June. The next CFP exam is on June 14th. Which leaves me one week after my trip to study. Not that I'm saying I won't study before hand, but going on vacation two weeks before an exam that you've already failed is just asking for a bad ending. I have up until April 14th to decide whether I want to take the exam or not, if I don't take this one I can take the one in November.
I'll see how the Canucks do first, if they are doing well in the playoffs come mid April I'll just take it in November. I won't be able to study with the Nucks playing.
I got my results back from my CFP exam.
The end.
I hate you CFP, you're like the hot girl at school that I can't get, yet you're in all my classes, sitting there teasing me. I spend the next few months building up all this courage and guts to come talk to you only to find out that you've dated everyone else but me, and that I have no chance because you can only date a certain number of guys each year. And then you tell me to try again in June.
I got 463, I think it's 500 to pass. I don't know what the exam is out of, and I haven't been able to find out but:
Why can't you round up, ARGHHh! I printed out 463 in block letters and pinned it to my cubicle, as motivation. Maybe if I look at it every day I'd be motivated to pass the next exam. But it's more of a slap to the face now. Every time I look at it, it's like that drawing that you did in school; you know it's ugly, your friends know it's ugly, the teacher even knows it's ugly, but they put it up for everyone to see anyways. And it's got your name written right on it. You artistically challenged dufus.
I'm going to Puerto Vallarta in the first week of June. The next CFP exam is on June 14th. Which leaves me one week after my trip to study. Not that I'm saying I won't study before hand, but going on vacation two weeks before an exam that you've already failed is just asking for a bad ending. I have up until April 14th to decide whether I want to take the exam or not, if I don't take this one I can take the one in November.
I'll see how the Canucks do first, if they are doing well in the playoffs come mid April I'll just take it in November. I won't be able to study with the Nucks playing.
Date With Destiny
It's been a while since I've posted, not so much busy as I am just lazy.
Tomorrow I'll be trying out for the inline hockey league, VIHL. I wasn't able to get a team together, so I'm flying solo. It's so hard to organize a team, everyone's doing their own thing, and not everyone wants to play roller hockey. It'd be great to play with a team of all friends, takes the winning aspect out, as you're just out there to have fun.
I'll be playing at the draft game in North Van, at the Karen Magnussen arena. I'll be playing at the lower level draft game. Hopefully someone picks me up, what a heart break it'll be if I leave without a team.
Hockey equipment is not cheap: roller blades, shoulder pads, shin guards, stick, inline puck, elbow pads, helmet with cage, and hockey pants. Luckily my friend has some of the equipment so that'll save me some money. I'm used to going out with nothing but a stick, blocking the orange balls wasn't a problem for me, but a roller puck looks like it'll dent me bones. Lugging all this equipment around isn't going to do me any favours either, especially now that I've gained weight, gah...
I had to put in a new blade and extension to my hockey stick since the old one was wearing out. When I was buying the blade I didn't notice, but after putting it on the Lidstrom SR blade has a huge curve (for someone who stick handles the puck a lot I'm surprised he has such a curve). And after putting on the new blade I notice it doesn't fit snuggly and rattles a little whenever I shake it. Bingo, found my scapegoat.
I've been thinking about it a lot, it's been a while since I've played hockey; endurance isn't where it should be, and I haven't gotten any stronger. Mentally I'm not where I should be either, working in an office has made me soft. Maybe I'll pump myself up before hand by listening to Enter Sandman, or Back in Black.
My plan is to make my first shift the best one, go all out the second I'm out there, ease back until I catch my second wind. I don't think I'm fit enough to play a whole game all out every shift. Playing a half hearted game isn't my idea of being a good player, but I have do what works for me. I'm going to do everything I can do give them hell. If I don't post back soon then that means no one wants me. Cue sad face with tear running down.
Wish me luck.
Tomorrow I'll be trying out for the inline hockey league, VIHL. I wasn't able to get a team together, so I'm flying solo. It's so hard to organize a team, everyone's doing their own thing, and not everyone wants to play roller hockey. It'd be great to play with a team of all friends, takes the winning aspect out, as you're just out there to have fun.
I'll be playing at the draft game in North Van, at the Karen Magnussen arena. I'll be playing at the lower level draft game. Hopefully someone picks me up, what a heart break it'll be if I leave without a team.
Hockey equipment is not cheap: roller blades, shoulder pads, shin guards, stick, inline puck, elbow pads, helmet with cage, and hockey pants. Luckily my friend has some of the equipment so that'll save me some money. I'm used to going out with nothing but a stick, blocking the orange balls wasn't a problem for me, but a roller puck looks like it'll dent me bones. Lugging all this equipment around isn't going to do me any favours either, especially now that I've gained weight, gah...
I had to put in a new blade and extension to my hockey stick since the old one was wearing out. When I was buying the blade I didn't notice, but after putting it on the Lidstrom SR blade has a huge curve (for someone who stick handles the puck a lot I'm surprised he has such a curve). And after putting on the new blade I notice it doesn't fit snuggly and rattles a little whenever I shake it. Bingo, found my scapegoat.
I've been thinking about it a lot, it's been a while since I've played hockey; endurance isn't where it should be, and I haven't gotten any stronger. Mentally I'm not where I should be either, working in an office has made me soft. Maybe I'll pump myself up before hand by listening to Enter Sandman, or Back in Black.
My plan is to make my first shift the best one, go all out the second I'm out there, ease back until I catch my second wind. I don't think I'm fit enough to play a whole game all out every shift. Playing a half hearted game isn't my idea of being a good player, but I have do what works for me. I'm going to do everything I can do give them hell. If I don't post back soon then that means no one wants me. Cue sad face with tear running down.
Wish me luck.
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