LA’s Soapbox

The story of a guy living in Montreal who traded one red paperclip for a house. It’s quite a saga. Very entertaining and I must say… captivating.

If you want to start at the beginning click here.

If on the other hand you prefer starting at the end then click here.

To access Kyle’s blog click here.

Today’s the day! From one “Anglo” to another ;Þ….Congratulations Kyle!

PS. Remember to come back here when you’re done reading Kyle’s site

I have always admired Coca-Cola’s commercials for their originality, but more importantly for the fact that they never compare their product to others and they don’t feel the need to degrade the other guy. Pepsi, on the other hand almost always uses that kind of advertising (as do many other companies). My philosophy has always been that if you have to use that negative type of advertising or that type of mentality you mustn’t have much confidence in yourself or your product. Consequently I have never really had much respect for Pepsi as a company.

That changed today. A Coca-Cola employee and 2 cohorts tried to sell trade secrets and information about one of Coca-Cola’s new products to Pepsi. Pepsi, without hesitation it seems, reported it immediately to the Coca-Cola people who, with the help of law enforcement caught the twits. I hate injustice and dishonesty, so it was nice to read that Pepsi did the right thing. That’s the kind of mentality that I respect

You can read all about how Pepsi helped keep Coke’s secret.

Official Lyrics of O Canada!

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

History of the Canadian Anthem

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyoming (AP) — A woman lost her footing after stepping over a retaining wall to take a photograph and went over a cliff, falling 500 feet to her death in a canyon, Yellowstone National Park officials said.

The 52-year-old woman was visiting the park with her husband and two children.

Her husband flagged down a passing motorist, who called 911 after the Saturday morning accident at an overlook along the Yellowstone River, park officials said.

A ranger rappelled down the canyon wall to reach the woman, but she was dead at the scene.

In Michigan, The Grand Rapids Press on Sunday identified the woman as Deb Chamberlin, 52, of Rockford, vice president of the school board in the west Michigan community.

cnn.com

It’s very tragic that two kids lost their Mom, and probably saw it happen. It’s very tragic that a husband lost his wife and will now have to bring up two kids by himself.

What in the world was this lady thinking?!? A wife, a mother of two children, not to mention a vice president of a school board and she stepped over the guard rail?! As I mentioned, it’s a tragic loss, but how stupid can you get?! 52 years old and she steps over a retaining wall to take a picture… good lord… talk about stupid!

Character is revealed in how we handle things that go wrong.

Less than 2 weeks ago my daughter developed tonsilitis along with an ear infection. Off to the clinic she went where the dr prescribed drops for the ear and penicillin. She promptly told him that I was highly allergic to penicillin (almost died from it 16 years ago) where upon he told her it was not hereditary and there were no worries. Fast forward a week later and the poor kid starts to develop red blotches on her face. She returned to the clinic, (same dr was on call), he gave her a prescription for 3 days worth of Benadryl and sent her home.

The great trooper that she is, off to her summer job she goes for 8am Monday. By the time she got to work the red blotches were spreading to her neck, torso and arms and now her face was starting to swell. By 10am she called home and I told her to get home asap. She hopped in a taxi and by the time she got home I could barely recognise her due to the facial swelling. I rushed her to the CLSC (local health center ie: mini hospital) because I knew from personal experience that she was having a severe reaction to the penicillin. The dr confirmed it and prescribed cortisone (yuck).. he too said that heredity has nothing to do with it (pffft! I thought). Pharmacist also said the same thing! hmmm

It got a lot worse before it got better. She was covered from head to toe with the red blotches and hives for 4 to 5 days and the itch, boy howdy! Baking soda baths and Benadryl helped but it was really bad. She was such a tropper (sic) (see comments ;Þ) considering how severe the reaction was. She’s a lot better today

As for the hereditary issue, I, of course was not convinced and had to do some reseach on the net. Lo and behold doesn’t the Mayo Clinic (they are kinda well known, don’tcha think? :Þ) website say “…certain people seem to be at greater risk of developing a penicillin allergy than others are. Heredity may play a role.” I rest my case!

It’s June 14th and it’s not good news It’s cancer… again *sigh*

Mom is too sick for chemo so it’ll be radiation therapy. We’ll find out next week how many sessions she’ll have to undergo. Of course it’s at a hospital that’s far and that’s a pain in the ass to get to cos it’s on the fringe of the tourist district… all around bad news …

- If you meet someone halfway, you have made a worthwhile trip.

- Make allowances for the imperfections of others as readily as you do for your own.

My disqualification/exemption from jury duty has been granted! Woohoo!!!

See the entry titled June 14th for more info

Thermos: It keeps cold things cold and hot things hot …… How does it know?

(Thank you to Palman for Today’s Thought Of The Day)