Frosty Front-Page

Canada made the cover of The Economist this week. The focus of the piece was the looming election and the editorial content surrounded the economic implications of Canada's decidedly "fubar" government at the moment. What I found most interesting was to read about our political trials through the eyes of another. The page 9 snapshot is a quick and fascinatinng read purely to observe how one writer frames the Canadian condition for readers around the world. It may not be an objective or correct view ... but as my friend Jodi pointed it - "it will be the view that many will hold about Canada" for the time being. The Economist is not a light-weight publication and its commentary on global issues is held in regard around the world. I would encourage you to take a look at this week's issue and find out if the portrait painted is to your taste. And then, think about what you plan to do in the next election. Cause this time the world is watching.

Christmas Cheer

The MBA Christmas party was a raging success. This was probably stimulated by the "glug-glug" bartending that was going on that evening. Did the bar break even? Or was a party fueled by triples an acceptable ROI?
Either way, kudos to the council for putting together a spectacular event at an outstanding location - inside the Halifax Citadel! The room had a cozy and festive vibe and the walk through the courtyard was definately a highlight. Plus, the easy "roll" down the hill to the Alehouse could not have been easier. The selected moments from the evening reveal the following truths...
1. Group Work is HOTT!

2. The Women Command Attention!

3. Boys Make Me Smile!

4. Everyone has a Good Time at the Alehouse.

5. It Really isn't a Party Without Tanya!

Happy Holidays to all my classmates. See you in the NEW YEAR!!!

Semester One is a Wrap

There is nothing better than that last class. And then, after that last class you go to the pub with everyone you know and the professors buy the beer. This is one of the great things about university. One of the great things about the MBA is that everyone is "suited up" for the occassion because it was a presentation class! (Unless you are a part-timer, cause they apparently don't dress up for things!) But our full time crew put on a good show. Took over the bar. Drank ourselves silly. Had obnoxious, explicit conversations with people you wouldn't expect. These are the great moments of life.

I can't believe that I have completed my first semester of my MBA. Four classes down ... nine more to go. After pulling two all-nighters in a row I was ready to be done. And this night was the end of it all. No more classes, no more reports, no exams (yes, I think the term is "lucky bitch"). And I think I've done all right for myself. I couple of assured As I believe. The class that started this party will likely be nothing more than a solid B (if I'm lucky) but then I've never been a fan of simulation games! After seeing our bottom-of-the-industry scores it was definitely time for a beer!

Grey Cup 2005

My favourite day in November arrived with an actual party! Thanks to my new friend - Ash - I had a football extravaganza to go to this year to watch the Montreal Allouettes take on the Edmonton Eskimos. It was a rubber match this year as the teams have met in the big game twice before - each winning one. I, of course, had to cheer for the Als as the Eskimos are the sworn enemies of my Stampeders and to root for the green and gold is a crime. Sadly, Ash did not agree. He decided to stay true to his western allegiance (he's actually a Sask. fan) and take the dark side. The game was on. With the help of some Crown Royal, amazing nachos, BBQ sausages, an arsenal of smart remarks, and the rules of a drinking game sorted ... we were set for the game.

What began as the slowest and sloppiest first half of football (turnovers galore, Calvillo's inability to generate an offensive drive) the game took off after a mediocre half-time show by the Black Eyed Peas. By the end of the 3rd quarter, things were really heating up and touchdown drinks were being downed. For only the second time in history, the game went into overtime. What more do football fans want? Well, double-overtime would have be nice! But it was not to be. The Eskimos took the game by 3 and Montreal was forced to slink away through the flying green & white ribbon blizzard.

In other news? Sean Millington looked absolutely faboulous in solid black with a metallic pink tie. And Greg Frers is still my cutie pie commentator. I got the opportunity to school the odd football newbie and make my name as the most gridiron-loving loudmouth in the room. And then Ash did the touchdown dance. AHHHHH ... I'll blame it on the rye ... on the really good rye. Other moments from the evening below...

Bar in a Box!!!!!

Seriously, this is the greatest thing I have seen yet. On Friday night, I was at the NSLC with Nancy and we find the holiday up-sell package to end all up-sells ... The Bar in a Box. That's 6 full bottles of liquor for the single price of $133! That's like getting a full 2-6 for FREE!

Well, lo and behold, I find myself back at the liquor store the next day (yes, it is the end of the semester and yes, I do have many papers to write) to buy "supplies" for the Grey Cup event Ash was hosting Sunday. And there it was ... The Bar in a Box. We tried to resist it, but after some minimal discussion over who would recieve which bottle it was a done deal. Ash, Greg and myself had been upsold. So here we are with our divine purchase.
Welcome to the holiday season!

Dear Santa...

When I was a little girl living in the snow-drift farmland of northern Saskatchewan, the first hint of Christmas was the arrival of the Sears Wishbook. It was my inspirational tool for writing to Santa Claus and me and my brother would pour over the pages of toys and decide what we wanted each year. (We seldom got exactly what we wanted and I never did recieve that bedtime-lullaby teddy bear, but whatever.)

It was in the Wishbook that I circled my preferred choices of presents and sat down to write my letter to Santa. "Dear Santa, I would like "cherry" the pink My Little Pony on page 72, etc." Knowing what I know now about Santa, this tactic was probably the most helpful I could be but it also made me demanding as the pages inevitably inspired more interest in more toys than the saturday morning commercials provided. So, on this day, exactly one month before I will lay my head down and dream of dancing sugar plums, I offer my letter to Santa...

In no particular order, the following would be appreciated...
- a memory key (sooooo helpful)
- a replacement watch (not that MY watch can be replaced!)
- a cordless mouse (soooo convenient)
- a digital camera (ok - a tad rich but still dreaming)
- a mini-MP3 player (one like Cathy's that "fits in my cleavage")
- the 3rd Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants Book
- a Herb Ritts "Supermodels" poster print
- a ceramic hair straightener
- antivirus software for my laptop
- camera film (200 or 400 series)
- Toy Story on DVD
- the Lord of the Rings Trilogy on DVD
- the ORIGINAL Star Wars Trilogy on DVD
- movie passes
- subscriptions to "The Economist" & "Harvard Business Review"
- the Maroon 5 CD
- box(es) of After Eight chocolates
- a pair of black leather gloves (6.5/7)
- the complete Sex & the City DVD set
- original trilogy Star Wars Monopoly
- any book by John Ralston Saul
- a bottle of Crown Royal
- a cell phone package
- Old Navy gift certificates
- a massage
- The English Roses children's book by Madonna
- Hugs and Love
- Good health for my family and friends

Looking Ahead to Being Back

I don't know how it happens that babies become people so fast. Every time a new batch of nephew photos is released I am always in awe of how much he has grown. Does this aspect of human development ever stop being amazing?

Only two weeks and I will be back in Ontario. I remember feeling so relieved when I left, but recently I have been remembering all that I have back there and it will be nice to be with my family again. It will be Taggart's first Christmas so that is sure to bring some extra sparkle to the family. I just can't wait to see him - big eyes, new teeth, vertical movement and all!

Gridiron Gladness

Today was the Uteck Bowl. Yes, I know, nobody knows what that is. Well, maybe if you are an avid follower of Canadian Interuniversity Sport football you would know. But as for me? I didn't know what it was until I got here. That's also because this year is only the 3rd Uteck Bowl to be played. The name was changed (to honour Larry Uteck)from the Churchill Bowl in 2003. The game is played between the top Atlantic university team and the winner of the Ontario or Quebec conference on a rotating basis. This year it was Ontario's turn to fly out east and play.

There was not a cloud in a sky that was pristinely blue. The air was crisp with a breeze that was just sub-zero. It was the perfect day for football. The aura of autumn in the air. The scent of bbq smoke in the stands. The energy of 5000 people enjoying the event. It was just what I hoped it would be ... and for $28.50 a ticket I actually had some expectations.

This year saw the Acadia Axemen (Colin's team! and my only friend who made it to the game with me!) and the Laurier Golden Hawks battle it out for a slot in the Vanier Cup. The Axemen came in as 14-point underdogs and left in worse condition than that prediction. The game opened with a quick drive to a field goal for the Axemen that set the predominately maritime crowd in a positive mood. But the 3-points were quickly answered with a massive touchdown run by the Hawks and Acadia's weakness at stopping the Laurier rush was cemented. In truth, Laurier just out-played Acadia through and through. The Hawks took the game 31-10. Ouch!

But for me, it didn't really matter. I would have preferred a more intense match-up (check out the details of the Mitchell Bowl with Laval and Saskatchewan if you want intensity!!!) but I will not complain. It was freezing cold sitting in the stands but I still won't complain. My season of university football watching has come to a close and it was a blast. Can't wait for next year!