tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61668575655248833622024-03-14T05:07:58.176-03:00The Soapbox - THE Place to Bitch!!I have done it.. whined and complained.. NOW Welcoming Guest Editorials - email da_moderator@live.ca and have your thoughts published here...welcome to The Soapbox!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-89295972434384369772015-04-28T13:16:00.001-03:002016-01-13T10:37:29.814-04:00Province of New Brunswick Deficit - SOLVED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72ImgWjUrXRQ8Vw7DP4730_R51DpFMtcfE0MymVIi_DiaodrTEg25KDVzBjyzGENAYClOh4RewUanzfXnBjYgKczvprru5bqacapW4b09hO7NuL6Er_tx0a6P4FHHS8f2fIjhxLUs8UM/s1600/NB_Colour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72ImgWjUrXRQ8Vw7DP4730_R51DpFMtcfE0MymVIi_DiaodrTEg25KDVzBjyzGENAYClOh4RewUanzfXnBjYgKczvprru5bqacapW4b09hO7NuL6Er_tx0a6P4FHHS8f2fIjhxLUs8UM/s1600/NB_Colour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span>orking for a New Brunswick owned and operated company, of course, like most other small to medium sized businesses, I view the Provincial Government as my largest potential customer. The spending power of the government, could on its own fuel an incredible boom to locally owned businesses. A small to medium size business, does not require tens of millions of dollars in contracts to thrive, expand, and employ New Brunswick's. But a steady flow of business from the provincial government would be enough to feed many a NBer and family.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i>A quick lesson on Government purchasing processes</i>: </span><br />
Large purchases, must go through Department of Supply and Services. These tenders are available to any organization world wide to bid and potential win. This requires no changes. It is easily accesses information to NB companies and the lowest bid that meets all of the requirements is awarded the contract - Fair and equal bidding, and a responsible process for the government to spend our money. Again.. I suggest no changes to this.<br />
What I wish to address in this solution are those purchases that are made outside of this process, almost without exception less money involved, and below the threshold of value that requires the mandatory bidding process. For small purchases, $5,000-$15,000 (this number varies depending on the nature of the product or service). The purchases are made from individuals within government departments. Some are awarded without the requirement of comparing different vendors products and pricing, and others are required to get 3 prices from different vendors.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i>The Solution:</i></span><br />
The simplicity of my solution is so simple that it requires no changes of process, no additional administration, no tears of planning and meetings.. it would require only an email from a minister to all employees.. and I will even write it:<br />
<br />
____________________<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To: All Government of New Brunswick Employee</span> </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From: Minister Bigwig</span> </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Re: New Purchasing Mandate</span> </b></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order to help our economy and to spend taxpayers money wisely, starting immediately, all LPO's (Local Purchase Orders), must be issued based on a comparison of at least 3 vendors. But it is now MANDATORY that at least one vendor must be a locally owned and operated business.</span> </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There shall be NO preferential treatment for New Brunswick Companies, in regards to value bid, or quality of service. Lowest price meeting the requirements will be awarded the purchase.</span> </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Random audits of expenditures and proof of a bid received from a New Brunswick Company will be required.</span> </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you</span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr. BigWig</span> - <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minister of Brilliant Ideas</span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></blockquote>
____________________<br />
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Seems simple right, well there is no reason that it is not as easy as the email I have even helped write.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i>Protectionism Fears:</i></span><br />
It has, in the past that provinces have provided preferential purchasing tactics in teh past, such as being allowed a high price and still be awarded purchases. But this is doomed to fail, as if we offer preferential buying from out companies then other provinces will do the same and make us unable to win contracts in other provinces (protectionism). BUT, BUT, BUT.. I am only suggesting that NB companies are well equipped to compete on quality, price and delivery in a lot of cases, but are simply unaware of the opportunities.<br />
<br />
<b>Small to Medium businesses are not equipped to be able to stay in contact with every GNB employee that could potential purchase their product.</b> Therefore as it exists now, a buyer will simply order from a company that they have done business with in the past, or reacting to an ad, or google. IF that buy were required (from the email below), spend 10 minutes before ordering something from a company in the, take the time to find one company that provides these good and services from NB, and contact them. This NB company will provide costing, quality etc.. if neither of these are better, then the buyer can proceed with the US purchase. At minimum the NB company had an opportunity. My instinct tells me, that local NB companies would bend over backwards for pricing and quality if only given the chance.<br />
<br />
Millions and Millions of our taxpayer dollars are being spent outside of the province when our businesses struggle to keep the lights on. Just bringing GNB opportunities to NB companies would reap incredible financial rewards.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i>Financial</i><i> Impact:</i></span><br />
I dislike spoon-feeding the obvious, but how does this fix the NB economy overnight?<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>$10,000 paid to a firm from the USA for good and services -> $10,000 gone out of province</li>
</ul>
<div>
---OR--</div>
<ul>
<li>$10,000 paidd to a NB firm for the same products - $10,000 is dispersed (several times over actually) in Provincial Taxes, Home and Business Taxes, Employee Taxes, HST paid on purchases, Disposable money spent in NB, and that money go to Provincial Taxes, Home and Business Taxes, Employee Taxes, HST paid on purchases - I think you get it.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
So, a simple mandate to give NB companies a seat at the table for small government purchases, in the simplest math, the government (in time) gets virtually every penny spent back in their coffers.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i>Private Organizations:</i> </span><br />
For all the family owned international mega-companies that in the press endlessly state that their roots are in New Brunswick and they are proud to be and thank New Brunswick for their success.. how about they enact the same policy as above. It would only take a quick look at payable accounting records to see annual expenditures that are awarded outside of the province that have companies within NB that could be equally as competitive - but were never made aware of the opportunities.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #660000;">.....OH TO DREAM, OH TO DREAM...</span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-24843201481668137222014-11-28T13:35:00.000-04:002014-11-29T10:20:15.875-04:00Our Math SUCKS!! A look at NB's Education System<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfMDY4Gm_ZKZoPklQrqTcEuxSMQ_TK3YJwcLjfqSaSE6swGp-QwcCk2lSEb7bLAbSV8ljXjA9X3nC_AptKr2r_rUjayW-4IXaCArXMGGAl-1cXQ_dBVO8BHuwzJ553Sx_3DTSZlz39Ww/s1600/HowLowCanYouGo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfMDY4Gm_ZKZoPklQrqTcEuxSMQ_TK3YJwcLjfqSaSE6swGp-QwcCk2lSEb7bLAbSV8ljXjA9X3nC_AptKr2r_rUjayW-4IXaCArXMGGAl-1cXQ_dBVO8BHuwzJ553Sx_3DTSZlz39Ww/s1600/HowLowCanYouGo.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>____________</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">like the Marine's motto “...leave no man behind”</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>____________</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span> really hope that a representation of our New Brunswick
Teachers provide their thoughts on this article, as I am very aware that I am
poorly researched in this topic, however, as our newspaper editorials and government
is making all of their opinions public, why can’t I?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-students-lag-in-math-scores-1.1081473" target="_blank"><b>Link</b></a> does a pretty good job identifying how our middle school math scores are well
below the National level.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.2pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><b><span style="color: red;">_______________</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.2pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Almost 32,000 Grade 8 students in New Brunswick took the 90-minute test
in the spring of 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.2pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Mean scores by province in mathematics<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Quebec<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">515<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Ontario<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">507<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Canadian average<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">500<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Alberta<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">495<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">British Columbia<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">481<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">New Brunswick<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">478<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Saskatchewan<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">474<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Nova Scotia<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">474<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Newfoundland and Labrador<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">472<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Yukon<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">469<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Manitoba<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">468<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Prince Edward Island<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">460<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">New Brunswick students scored an average of 478 compared to the national
average of 500. The standard for their grade level was 358.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.6000003814697px;"><span style="color: red;">_______________</span></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.6000003814697px;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
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I firmly believe that Math Scores are the best litmus test
on how we are doing across all of programs that our students are taking, as
there is no room in math for subjectivity.. right or wrong.. that is all.. Having
a national evaluation on History or Social Studies would be near impossible to
generate any analysis on how our education program is doing versus other
provinces. Therefore, I suggest that we can use our math rating as a general statement
on our entire curriculum. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I laughed out loud as I saw the justification from John
Grant McLaughlin (a UNB Math Professor) suggesting that our failing grade was a
result of socio economic factors, fewer international students (as I guess they
are smarter), teachers can’t teach math,
and that our students are not “inspired” by math.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Not inspired</i></b>?? Show me a middle school student who is
inspired – ESPECIALLY about math, and for my extrapolation – education in
general. If we have a method to inspire teen angers – I think second to a cure
for cancer, the world will be a much better place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another common “excuse” is the fact that our children miss a
good number of days at school due to weather closures, or Teacher Professional
development days. Although this may be frustrating to those parents who see our
education as a daycare service, I stand firmly in a belief that if we added
two, or even three weeks of education to offset these days.. it would have ZERO
impact on the improvement of our provincial standings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We look at the symptoms, and that is great for a
politician.. we can spend millions on addressing the symptoms and get votes,
and cut ribbons. We can write articles to the paper complaining about the
number of field trips.. we can pay millions to re-arrange the deck chairs on
the Titanic.. but these efforts, and actions (at massive tax payer expense)
have been going on for years – and we continue to have poor education for our
children.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So what is the cause? I am positive that it is a complex
issue, but I think the fundamental issue is the fact that it is no longer
acceptable to let a percentile of our students fail. More than ever, the pace
of the curriculum is slowed to a snail’s pace. Our curriculum and expectations
are progressively being tailored to the small percentage of the class of
students to those experiencing the most difficulty. </div>
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Pace, Content and
expectations are targeted and designed for a small number of students, who years ago, would simply
fail, and be forced to repeat the year. But now, for the love of god, like the
Marines motto “we leave no man behind”, our average and advanced students are
slowed to allow ALL to progress. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There is much more to the activity of teaching to the lowest
common denominator t than leaving a handful of stellar student bored and unchallenged - we are setting the
bar so low to accommodate the lowest, that the majority of the average students
now will strive only to that bar. The average student will achieve only what is
expected, and will not find internal motivation to exceed goals that have been
set for them. With the goals set only to make sure every student gets a passing
grade, we are setting a level of
performance well below what is truly necessary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The solution? Accept the fact that the children with
challenges may be forced to repeat a year, sure this may seem cruel to the handful
of children this applies to, but is in not worse to strip the challenge and
education of most of our students.. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Pick of the pace, raise the bar</i></b>, and manage the few that are
unable to meet the requirements. The world, Universities, Trades will all
welcome the fact that our students have been conditioned to reach to bar, to
meet challenges, to accept occasional failure. Not a graduating class that
believes coasting is an acceptable result. Programming our children that they
need only be a bit better performer than the worst performer of the group will
not fare well in the fast paced challenging world that they are walking into.<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-89056776358893945872014-11-24T11:34:00.002-04:002014-11-24T11:34:31.227-04:00Internet Lynching - Efficient Yes, But Fair?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctpM6Skda1ykL_iY4KPSQYOlLgaxs7jWemYY7oNhapHgEczzzNC99hXqGX4-AiBIktOplhxqQvhWwmO8QSzgcI-z-wyXnIK6VvUu9D19ZM-X1kG0bd2AB3IJ37Nu3561aOi1p9pUjPTA/s1600/noose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctpM6Skda1ykL_iY4KPSQYOlLgaxs7jWemYY7oNhapHgEczzzNC99hXqGX4-AiBIktOplhxqQvhWwmO8QSzgcI-z-wyXnIK6VvUu9D19ZM-X1kG0bd2AB3IJ37Nu3561aOi1p9pUjPTA/s1600/noose.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">___________________</span><br />"...in some cases, the accused are actually innocent"</span><div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>___________________</b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span>ith Bill Cosby, Jian Ghomeshi and the two yet un-named Liberal MP’s being the latest of high profile sexual assault allegations, maybe it is time to take the typical Soapbox sideways observation of this media circus. <br /><br />I have written for several years now, how the internet, although much more than a household word now, has crept into our lives, not only providing endless new applications, and value to near every man woman and child one earth, it has without much fanfare, fundamentally changed us as a society, and crept into, and not always to benefit – who we are, how we behave, and decisions we make.<br /><br />Would the four people that I referred to in the introduction of this article still be scrutinized in an world without the internet, no social media, no instant multimillion person audience? I would say yes, the traditional media I am sure that these are significant enough public personalities that the accusations against them would be made public. But possibly the life span of the news coverage would be much shorter in duration, and the thousands of “experts, analysts, pundits” would be limited to a select few in covering the story.<br /><br />I do think the value of the vastness and instantaneous sharing of information is a significant benefit of uncovering unscrupulous law breakers and even more so, of those creating criminal acts relating to sexual assault, as the accusers can see that they are not alone as victims in regards to specific criminals, as well as the anonymity of the internet allows accusers a voice, in the safety of remaining nameless.<br /><br />Each day, there is a release of a new asshole who has abused women and children, some with public personalities and others, just sick spineless loners that have taken advantage of individuals.<br /><br />But like anything progressive – this is a double edged sword. As Bill Cosby, Jian Ghomeshi and the two Liberal MP’s, this mass of humanity that is within data reach, has deemed them guilty of all charges. Their careers are destroyed, jobs lost, dragged through the mud. Families destroyed.. Guilty, guilty, guilty. But, with the viral accusations, of dozens, maybe hundreds, and the acceptance of their guilt – where is their right to defend themselves, where is the reliance on evidence, where is the judge and jury. <br /><br />There has always been, guilty until proven innocent back to the days of drowning witches. Even traditional news has “hung” many a person well before they have had their day in court. It is a flaw we all share of assuming guilt, leaving the onus on the individual to prove his/her innocence. It is a shame but it is true.<br /><br />With the social media afire with accusations and support for the accusers.. this guilty before proven innocence is outrageous. The speed and breadth of being deemed guilty will thoroughly destroy the defendant almost immediately – financial, professions, social and family destruction. <br /><br />I think for the guilty – this destruction is a risk and deserved result of committing the crime, and punishes far beyond a few years in prison.<br /><br /> <br /><br />But, <i>WHAT IF THEY ARE INNOCENT??</i><br /><br />What if, just if, the defendant appears to have enough evidence against him/her, and stands trial. And in some cases, the accused are actually innocent of the crime they are accused of. The result being found (in a courtroom) innocent, changes nothing.. Their lives are still ruined, the public still hold them guilty. Yes, this horrible situation has existed from the beginning of law.. but the damage was localized, the defendant still stood a chance to regain some form of life, by relocating, starting anew. But if, just if Bill Cosby or Jian Ghomeshi or the Liberal MP’s are found innocent.. They will never have opportunity to start anew – they are already being punished and a courtroom is nowhere in sight.<br /><br />What if you, as a reader of this, was accused of a sexual assault, (or any crime actually) and before you even have your first cup of coffee – your name is associated with a crime – on Facebook, on twitter, in the news. You have accusers who are nameless, and there is no evidence. You are helpless, your job will be in jeopardy, the momentum of accusations grow out of control.. you can defend as much as you wish but you are completely unable to defend against the barrage of accusations against you.. A person or persons who may have a vendetta against you have had you declared guilty.. and you may never have a day in court, as your accusers are anonymous.. a nightmare. <br /><br />As public personalities continue to be added to the list of alleged scoundrels – maybe a proper trial should be our time to place judgement – not before.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-61828197386766699582014-09-16T12:42:00.001-03:002014-09-16T12:42:44.467-03:00Please Don't Vote<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3a8t_0_iX9egkrmbhVFoyB0xEVDbiDvHLCFcdFUm9Ea_cTXUrM-N_u2kYgOR76tHZ5FRhjcwtp-zkH4rpSzB_wfABCk2hNQP83noB-1KfXq4HczI5RhN24NUUY8yJdPEV4dV7XYbWcU/s1600/informed-voter-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3a8t_0_iX9egkrmbhVFoyB0xEVDbiDvHLCFcdFUm9Ea_cTXUrM-N_u2kYgOR76tHZ5FRhjcwtp-zkH4rpSzB_wfABCk2hNQP83noB-1KfXq4HczI5RhN24NUUY8yJdPEV4dV7XYbWcU/s1600/informed-voter-logo.jpg" height="184" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>________________________</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Stay home and please don't vote.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>________________________</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">E</span>very election, as the case of our upcoming election, there is talk of voter turn out. We look in disgust at the low percentage of people that take the time to enjoy one of our greatest freedoms, democracy, and the right to vote for representation. Some even suggest that this is not only a right, but a requirement.. even to the extreme of making voting mandatory.<br />
I firmly believe that so many wars have been fought, so many lives have been lost in the worlds history for people to be provided the right to vote and chose their representation - that indeed we are obligated to respect this right and get out and vote.<br />
<br />
But, I would like to adjust the phrase of "we have the right to vote", to "we have the obligation to make INFORMED choices and vote"<br />
<br />
I suggest that higher percentages of voter turn out, or god forbid, mandatory voting would bastardize the democratic process, and ad genuine risk to the outcomes of such elections. You need only consider the fact you may have paid close attention to all of parties platforms, you have watched debates, you have looks at the costs/benefits of the political promises, you have considered long and short term affects of these promises, and with this information you make a decision to support a party. Behind you is someone that has no idea of any of the information that is readily available, but votes for a party, because his/her family always supports a particular party.. And that persons vote negates yours. I think, if it was public knowledge, within the existing low turnout of what percentage of votes are not based on any fact, or even worse -the "eeny meeny miny moe" voters, we would be disgusted as informed voters,<br />
<br />
We can only hope, as the statistics of non-informed voter percentage will never be available, is that those that do go out of their way, leave their homes and stand in line, have enough respect for their time and the election process that they at some level have informed justification for their vote.<br />
<br />
So with this understanding, maybe we should be thankful for low voter turnout. As public opinion is that we should have a much higher turnout, I would support that whole heartedly if every voter needed to qualify, or prove their understanding of exactly what and who they are supporting.. although tongue in cheek, maybe a little quiz on each ballot - you get all the answers correct, your vote counts.. if not - it is shredded and not counted.<br />
<br />
What could a little quiz look like?<br />
______________________<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Question #1 - Name all of the party leaders in your district</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Question #2 - Name one party platform item for each party</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Question #3 - Are you aware of the costs (economic, financial, environmental, social) that must be paid to meet your parties promises</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>If you are able to answer all of these questions, thank you for voting.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>If you are unable to answer all of these questions, get the hell out of here and go home.</b></span><br />
______________________<br />
<br />
So yes, we all have the right to vote. We have the obligation to be informed before doing so.<br />
You do not have the right to negate my vote by ignorance - Stay home and please don't vote.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-473652905824450842014-08-12T12:31:00.001-03:002014-08-12T12:31:35.268-03:00Anti-Gay, Anti-First Nations, Anti-Feminism... Anti, Anti Anti.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9kTugI3yMzb1_Z-3y1v9e3TgrJS8JTcojrsO9rZHUV9vWgApYwiQeGZX9afSw-MRK2h1rG_JGdT2VIeO1nvNV81G7cqJN3HRuh3Q0gpPz2Tl-kK5cMENKH69PMEGYGfRNZ8yJ4ZfKQ4/s1600/Drunk_Hefty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9kTugI3yMzb1_Z-3y1v9e3TgrJS8JTcojrsO9rZHUV9vWgApYwiQeGZX9afSw-MRK2h1rG_JGdT2VIeO1nvNV81G7cqJN3HRuh3Q0gpPz2Tl-kK5cMENKH69PMEGYGfRNZ8yJ4ZfKQ4/s1600/Drunk_Hefty.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span> had a difficult decision to make as I set up my account several years ago when creating this blog. Do I write anonymously or use my real name (and photo)?. It was a challenging decision as expressing ones business, personal and political views can be risky when you associate your name with it. Of course, blogging is not my sole income, and I have a professional persona that I must protect.<br />
<br />
I decided, in order to have any credibility to the articles I write, I should be prepared to stand behind them.. Thus my decision to associate my writings openly.<br />
<br />
I write so often motivated by our public radio station (CBC), and although I now have a well developed "filter" on how they deliver interviews, news stories and human interest stories, I tongue in cheek think of the old drinking game we had as teenagers was to watch the children's cartoon series "The Smurfs".. which required every time the word "Smurf" was spoken, all participants were to take a drink. Of course the program offered up the word "Smurf" so frequently that the game rarely lasted the duration of the 1/2 hour programme, due to over consumption of alcohol.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIuCofdSxA3-yvJdNpOzUKvdLarPHQpO0at0UHX3IH47vavbZ8hddSpZ4Gqym6lfHo04Z8PxmwZAAPv25VvAI938NqihsiMDxOSpI4XOulqeH0EjK6aaOdZKiYpu2cjqd48kSwwniqQ0/s1600/Drinking+Game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIuCofdSxA3-yvJdNpOzUKvdLarPHQpO0at0UHX3IH47vavbZ8hddSpZ4Gqym6lfHo04Z8PxmwZAAPv25VvAI938NqihsiMDxOSpI4XOulqeH0EjK6aaOdZKiYpu2cjqd48kSwwniqQ0/s1600/Drinking+Game.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
How does the "Smurf drinking game" tie to this topic?? "Smurfs" was chosen as the television show, as the word was used in almost every sentence. Likewise, my regular listening to CBC offers an equally disproportionate reference to LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender), as well as First Nations, and coming up a close third - Feminism. So, the Adult "CBC Drinking game" could be equally destructive to ones liver, as the Smurf game, if, one were to take a drink every time a reference to LGBT, First Nations or Feminism was made - I think one could take any hour of CBC radio, and easily need assistance in finding ones bed.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqJYAhTUIgC436CqjCK5zcibO_x-8D6i3skiolbOzIgSbjE_pnAKBwlKBTo6WzDw9VVJ5bV5OcQ3w4myMHS5cD1k0R0sHJvXckaIfolT166AlyPoV8-lAcHBGBqk1DvPZ1QCgiAGi110/s1600/cbc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqJYAhTUIgC436CqjCK5zcibO_x-8D6i3skiolbOzIgSbjE_pnAKBwlKBTo6WzDw9VVJ5bV5OcQ3w4myMHS5cD1k0R0sHJvXckaIfolT166AlyPoV8-lAcHBGBqk1DvPZ1QCgiAGi110/s1600/cbc.jpg" height="200" width="153" /></a><br />
If you think I am off base - try it.. any hour, any day.. but be prepared for a nasty hangover.<br />
<br />
So, the reaction to your reading this is clearly I don't understand the issues of these minority groups and I am a callous, bigotted, homophobic social outcast.<br />
<br />
Well, NOTHING could be further from the truth. I have a great deal of respect for the above mentioned groups, and strive to understand all of the issues surrounding each of these groups.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But, to the point of this article</span>, speaking publicly about any negative aspects of ANY minority is taboo.. or done at the risk of being called a bigot or prejudiced (now there is an antique word). Without exception, these minority groups demand (and deserve) equality and fair representation in the public realm. Protests, parades, lobby groups public demonstrations are almost solely presented for a demand of equality.<br />
<br />
Part of equality within our social system, of course deserves equal treatment of rights, and community acceptance - and again, I feel it necessary to express that I agree and support this status 100%.<br />
<br />
However, with this equality, one must also accept scrutiny and challenges as all non-minority groups receive, it should be acceptable to question First Nations spending, natural resources utilization etc, or appropriateness of LGBT parades, etc, or women's rights issues.<br />
<br />
But, it is socially and (small p) politically incorrect to challenge any activity of these groups - as well (large P) Political suicide to counter the positions held or presented by these groups.<br />
<br />
Questioning a Native Blockade of a major highway is not accepted as a public disturbance, rather questioning the heritage and rights of a First Nations Society. Even this statement I am sure will raise hairs on the neck of teh average reader.. But a non first Nations Blockade is certainly looked on with a different view that a Native one - and is reported on, and justified at a completely different level of acceptance.<br />
<br />
So, the deserved equality should be a double edged sword, to obtain the rights and the respect that are deserved, but as an equal, should be willing and publicly accepted to be questioned and challenged.<br />
<br />
The cake and eat it too seems to be a fit, where it is Taboo to publicly challenge these groups as equals, yet, equality for all of the rights and freedoms. Equality is a broad state - the good, the bad and the ugly.<br />
<br />
My "in jest" suggestion of the "Adult Drinking Game" for CBC listeners, is not a critique of the minority topics that are woven into near every story, rather questioning the balance of this programming.<br />
<br />
Next time, before tagging a challenger of a minority activity as an anti-minority bigot.. maybe it is just a step that these groups are actually gaining equality thus the scrutiny that comes with it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-11673732347789974492014-08-05T11:45:00.000-03:002014-08-05T11:45:19.083-03:00How I Failed as a Father... Maybe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhyMg9mVkinRFx47NjUYW-d9_9MxwdWu0xRbbmwB3Ya6a6UNSdJYFk_m9ZCXdvRyfQfA7x1bi6Dn6GDO1gKNsMbUwNnoHSBVHnmHDFBlDVT_3jaGYVvPq3EFUU3QmF667IJ441HRtl_s/s1600/Helicopter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhyMg9mVkinRFx47NjUYW-d9_9MxwdWu0xRbbmwB3Ya6a6UNSdJYFk_m9ZCXdvRyfQfA7x1bi6Dn6GDO1gKNsMbUwNnoHSBVHnmHDFBlDVT_3jaGYVvPq3EFUU3QmF667IJ441HRtl_s/s1600/Helicopter.png" height="206" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: red;">______________</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"... there are 2 sides to every coin, so lets flip that coin over"</i></span><br />
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">______________</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I </span>expect that for every parent suffering from empty nest syndrome has similar thoughts. And I am equally confident that each parent asks themselves similar questions, with a wide variety of internal responses to these questions.<br />
<br />
My thoughts always end up hovering about the fact that I am guilty of being a helicopter parent (yes, pun intended). I was totally immersed in my sons educational, social and athletic growth. The school years were spent at the table "helping" with his homework (and now I feel safe to confess, that a good number of times, I was the person receiving his grades, not him. Athletics were a combined effort, I continually packed his equipment for his various sports, I paced the sidelines, and ski hills - just searching for time to sneak him some advice. I was probably the only father that stood at the side of the skateboard park, complimenting him on his manoeuvres, and making sure a helmet was permanently affixed to his head. I think this paints a bit of a picture.<br />
<br />
What makes these confessions of being a helicopter parent even more engrained in my retrospection is the increased awareness of the poisons and damage a parent does by over parenting a child. Talk shows, call in shows, social media - all in unanimous believe that we (I) irreparably damaged my child.<br />
<br />
It is key, to clear the difference of a helicopter parent, and a parent that suffocates a child. I believe that a parent that refused to let a child leave the yard until they are 16 or makes scenes and sporting events, or completely stifles a child's personality is beyond what so many of us helicopter parents believe, and to be frank, this type of unquestionably unhealthy parenting method is a psychiatric problem and needs professional help. There is a clear line that differentiates a helicopter parent, and a suffocating parent - so I want to be clear that I speak only of the former - the latter is better addressed by professionals.<br />
<br />
So based on the accepted belief that we now as a culture are harming our children's maturing by being a helicopter parent. We MUST let our children fail, in order to learn and grow. When our children show up at volleyball without their footwear, then we must let them sit out the game, be punished by the coach - because accepted knowledge is that our children will learn from these mistakes, and learn to be more responsible.<br />
<br />
Never in a million years would I allow this scenario to happen, I would jump in the car and race back home to get his volleyball shoes or even run to a sports store to purchase new ones, to ensure that he was able to play in the game.<br />
<br />
Again, current belief is when your child forgets his lunch, let him go without that day, as they will remember that, learn from that mistake and never forget it again. Well, I have left work, driven home many times to make sure the forgotten lunch was delivered before lunch time.<br />
<br />
The examples of what NOT to do are endless, but basically all the same, let them make mistakes, let them fall down a few times - they will suffer the consequences and learn and become productive, learned adults.<br />
<br />
So - with this line of beliefs, I am a complete failure - I intercepted many, many opportunities for my son to fail, countless actually. So he MUST be scarred and have a adulthood of challenges dealing with the real world ahead of him. Well DAMN IT.<br />
<br />
WAIT, maybe it is worth thinking along the lines of "for every action, there is an equal and opposite action".. or simpler yet - there are 2 sides to every coin, so lets flip that coin over.<br />
<br />
So as a helicopter parent, one makes every effort for your child to avoid failure.. but what in fact is that also doing? That is at the same time, letting your child experience success. So what is a better influence on a child's raising, doing a school project alone, unassisted and getting a 60%, or having significant input by a parent, and getting a 90% - This is certainly an arguable outcome. But, does the sense of self worth, pride, and accomplishment of a top of the class grade, not stay with the child, and in a generation of low self esteemed children, successes breed success. (this too is an accepted axiom).<br />
<br />
So delivering my sons volleyball shoes (or the like) to allow him to participate, feel success, not overrule the accepted failure lessons by sitting on the bench?<br />
<br />
A weakness in the "learning by failure" also has a bit of a chink in the logic.. Anyone who have parented, knows for a fact that teenagers or younger, in their self centered world, in fact more frequently than not, do NOT learn from failure - as frustrating as it is as a responsible adult to watch. A forgotten lunch (and resulting hunger pain filled afternoon of school) is far from a guarantee that they will not forget it again. But, with my realizations that being a helicopter parent may offer more pro's than cons - a delivered lunch to school DOES guarantee one thing, you have a well nourished child that is will equipped to be in a learning state of mind, not one with low blood sugar and resulting near zero attention span.<br />
<br />
Yes, I am beating this scenario to death - but this logic of embracing success versus learning from failure can be applied in near every case of "helicoptering".<br />
<br />
So I feel refreshed in knowing that having my son raised in an environment of self confidence, long lists of successes... and yes, due to my intervention, a short list of failures.. I may not have failed as a father.<br />
<br />
Would I do a lot of things differently??? - of course. Is this realization perfect, of course not. But if you are like me, a helicopter parent feeling beat up from all the naysayers.. feel good about creating this positive environment for your child.. They have a long adult hood to experience failures, and learn lessons, but as an adult they are much better equipped emotionally to manage these.. and will have a solid foundation of self confidence from their childhood to rely on.<br />
<br />
Time to eat my lunch now - ah DAMN IT - I forgot it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-11180507374880442822014-07-31T11:03:00.001-03:002014-07-31T11:11:08.273-03:00Plans - Building a Canoe Rack for a Ford Ranger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15VLb8IPmUhrfPs8LZ7vlHTUvC-PyHEqmN8jTZbOJIq_Q9fJ-UhzEc6vTke1dpLqnNnJaDd1-esCBa08lt1mCOMZpBWAC8PmVJ5rulhIBTZ_fB0-IiTf3NVLs4oY3oy2i4gWVCdn_88A/s1600/final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15VLb8IPmUhrfPs8LZ7vlHTUvC-PyHEqmN8jTZbOJIq_Q9fJ-UhzEc6vTke1dpLqnNnJaDd1-esCBa08lt1mCOMZpBWAC8PmVJ5rulhIBTZ_fB0-IiTf3NVLs4oY3oy2i4gWVCdn_88A/s1600/final.jpg" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
I was not prepared to drop the big $$ to buy a retail rack for my 2001 Ranger, and the cumbersome heavy wooden rack that I had borrowed finally gave up to rot, I had a few things in mind when I designed and built my rack.. Inexpensive, Easy to Build, Light, Strong and wide enough for 2 full sized canoes - I also wanted the full space of my truck bed available for use, and for it to be easily installed and removed, and NO HOLES drilled in the truck.<br />
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I have been using this design now for lugging a VERY heavy 18' Chestnut canoe and Kayak, and it is working extremely well and has met and exceeded all of my design requirements.</div>
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ALSO - I have an old truck with an old beat up bed liner, so a scratch or dent in my truck is of no concern if it is a concern for you - read a few of my after thoughts to help avoid any dings on your truck - I can't promise anything, as I have not designed with this issue in mind.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRa6OdSEd5jVzCu84H6Dxfn1vvygOgR2eDRNTaz-YMNgwugdQQZO4WNRZi8909AJnctVOv9UMvzAdh3ujqYbinFEoD3dVsVUcm3iMNVJeZV7FknPdIeOZvH_2SLCUuVasBFbwrE_KkiQ0/s1600/angle+Iron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRa6OdSEd5jVzCu84H6Dxfn1vvygOgR2eDRNTaz-YMNgwugdQQZO4WNRZi8909AJnctVOv9UMvzAdh3ujqYbinFEoD3dVsVUcm3iMNVJeZV7FknPdIeOZvH_2SLCUuVasBFbwrE_KkiQ0/s1600/angle+Iron.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IMPORTANT - ensure that the width and height <br />
will fit your bed post holes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Materials List:</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Lumber</span></u></div>
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2 - 4x4x8 Pressure Treated </div>
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2 - 2x4x8 Pressure Treated </div>
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2 - 2x4x8 Pressure Treated </div>
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2 - 2x6x10 Pressure Treated </div>
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3 - 2x6x8 Pressure Treated </div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Hardware</span></u></div>
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8 - 3/8"x4" Hex Head Galvanized Bolts (and nuts)</div>
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28 - 3/8" Galvanized Washers</div>
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12 - 3/8"x5" Galvanized Carriage Bolts (and nuts)</div>
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8 - 3" decking Screws</div>
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40 - 1 1/4" wood screws</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexWKqaZgDFwmTk-ya8_9h8fG5ZKcAowo99RCX_eGFQhhfn1MOGcq9pAKAU7c-5OW5tjnJoSv9OXIbSNoPy_CuOwXigXM8X2EQiV_wr5x_QtmP7oeTMPRB9pyBwiknnWdH2SfnO8APhaI/s1600/Joist+Hanger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexWKqaZgDFwmTk-ya8_9h8fG5ZKcAowo99RCX_eGFQhhfn1MOGcq9pAKAU7c-5OW5tjnJoSv9OXIbSNoPy_CuOwXigXM8X2EQiV_wr5x_QtmP7oeTMPRB9pyBwiknnWdH2SfnO8APhaI/s1600/Joist+Hanger.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make Sure these hangers can be screwed<br />
in both directions <br />
(some only have tap in metal tabs)</td></tr>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Miscellaneous</span></u></div>
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2 - 2x6 Aluminium Joist Hangers </div>
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1 - 4' Pre-drilled Angle Iron</div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Tools List</span></u></div>
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Square</div>
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Measuring Tape</div>
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Hammer</div>
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Hand Saw</div>
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Hack Saw (or cutting grinder)</div>
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Rotary Saw (or table saw)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRO1QtGn1EAVu_JwkcUHJDCGjW9Ady5k7NMMsTIoqm1h-mqzfQBiQ6g6_UzUC6SBO8GU3JorYtMwWJ3aDm_c9GVf18mDePKsDh5czszP4Z01aMjlmR6py1m5iu3i1w_T2CVLj1oR_eeGY/s1600/Carriage+Bolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRO1QtGn1EAVu_JwkcUHJDCGjW9Ady5k7NMMsTIoqm1h-mqzfQBiQ6g6_UzUC6SBO8GU3JorYtMwWJ3aDm_c9GVf18mDePKsDh5czszP4Z01aMjlmR6py1m5iu3i1w_T2CVLj1oR_eeGY/s1600/Carriage+Bolt.jpg" height="111" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3/8" X 5" Carriage Bolt (galvanized)</td></tr>
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Drill</div>
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Screwdriver Bits</div>
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Chisel</div>
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Ratchet Set</div>
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3/8" Drill Bit</div>
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3/4" Spade Bit</div>
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Metal file</div>
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First Aid Kit </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA41cr7KB3uoCmv6ESdaXyDUEhMh5DsRX3M2e4_H6ReFSlW7FtSejTrG1BQX1Am2Ye2WQsJrJMJeTNYXxboXWePO4hJslBBKFY6I_53eqGv8AJ07bbMOW7Azupw2zd5BvY4lwwb8cYnYM/s1600/Hex+Bolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA41cr7KB3uoCmv6ESdaXyDUEhMh5DsRX3M2e4_H6ReFSlW7FtSejTrG1BQX1Am2Ye2WQsJrJMJeTNYXxboXWePO4hJslBBKFY6I_53eqGv8AJ07bbMOW7Azupw2zd5BvY4lwwb8cYnYM/s1600/Hex+Bolt.jpg" height="88" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3/8" x 4" Hex Head Bolt (Galvanized)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Instructions</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Step #1 - <i>Measuring</i></span></div>
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Measure, measure measure. Measure the post holes in your bed (mine were 1 1/2" x 2" - this is key when you go buy your angle iron, I was fortunate enough to find 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" pre drilled angle iron. Measure your canoe widths (if you are planning on carrying 2 - I landed on 76" wide, this is also the distance from to outside of my rear-view mirrors, so in tight places, if my mirrors wont touch, then my carrier wont either.</div>
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I have not done any research on the placement of post holes, bed widths, lengths and heights on other years of Ranger, so keep this in mind when you are using my measurements - it is worth a double check before you start cutting lumber,</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Step #2 - <i>Cutting Angle Iron</i></span></div>
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With a hacksaw or grinder, cut the angle iron into 4 - 1' pieces, file off the rough edges or get your first aid pack out to bandage up your cut hands. Test fit these in your post holes - you may have to do some filing, or grinding to make a good fit.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Step #3 - <i>Cutting Posts</i></span></div>
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Cut the 4x4 posts into 4 pieces - 29" each (these are your carrier posts). Cut both the 2x6x8's down to 76" each (this is the width, or cross members of the carrier and you may want a different width, cut accordingly)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Step #4 - <i>Attaching Rear Post to Carrier</i></span></div>
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On the end of the 2x6X10 mark a line across the width 1 3/4' in from the butt. From each edge mark a short line (across the line you just marked) 1 1/4" in. These two "X"s are your drill holes to mount to your rear post. I suggest (unless you have a drill press) to position the rear post under the 2x6X10 you just marked and a alight it carefully - use a square. As you only get one chance on this - double check square and alignment before you drill. With a 3/8" bit drill BOTH HOLES on your "X" marks through both the 2x6x10 and the 4x4 post. I expect your drill is not long enough to get all the way through, so after drilling as far as possible, lift up the 2x6x10 and drill the rest of the way through both holes the 4x4. Stop Drilling when the wood shavings turn to concrete - you are now drilling a hole in your driveway.</div>
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On the rear of the 4x4, where the drill hole came through, with a 3/4" bit, drill a countersink hole approx 1/4" deep.</div>
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Take 2 Carriage bolts and connect the 2x6x10 and the 4x4. Add as washer and bolt in the countersunk hole and tighten. Do not do final tightening until the angle is confirmed at 90 degrees, and alignment to edges and butt suit your fancy - otherwise, get in your truck and go buy more lumber and try again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaQ6Chp4wJQFXGzw2gdtY5e00Ie7Q4P6e0K2WuC_sLpNNEVnlPKFQfn8HY99N2gTcyD4oCezvpx8TrXWkToJW0SbXkC0vAVMVtAJZzRLR72PloouwFBR4PhRnEPhnMjtnKs9UoLLAXVw/s1600/STEP4+&+5+Posts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaQ6Chp4wJQFXGzw2gdtY5e00Ie7Q4P6e0K2WuC_sLpNNEVnlPKFQfn8HY99N2gTcyD4oCezvpx8TrXWkToJW0SbXkC0vAVMVtAJZzRLR72PloouwFBR4PhRnEPhnMjtnKs9UoLLAXVw/s1600/STEP4+&+5+Posts.jpg" height="344" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Step #5 - </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">Attaching Front Post to Carrier</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPuSsXyQyvDYH3H_aQRhB1jEbglPo7LdGVNu5teHyiNB68UvSXN7NKi-C77V_wZEtz8Rm3srypUWBhQpoXXfXInSTnGD2NdZXSsaYtad2aP6xMoe5yI3rwiZ1z6J8kDx63qTdLZj6c8M/s1600/Countersink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPuSsXyQyvDYH3H_aQRhB1jEbglPo7LdGVNu5teHyiNB68UvSXN7NKi-C77V_wZEtz8Rm3srypUWBhQpoXXfXInSTnGD2NdZXSsaYtad2aP6xMoe5yI3rwiZ1z6J8kDx63qTdLZj6c8M/s1600/Countersink.jpg" height="320" width="311" /></a>Measure the distance from the farthest two edges of your post holes along one side of your cab. So the edge of the hole closest to the tailgate and the edge of the hole that is closest to the cab. (Mine is 65 1/2")On your 2x6x10 that you have just attached the rear post, measure from the butt of that board to the distance you measured from your truck bed post holes. With a square, draw a line across the board at that mark. (this is the edge to edge distance that your posts will be. </div>
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Measure and mark a straight edge 1 3/4" from that line toward the end of the board that has the post already installed. (this will mark the centreline of the 4x4 forward post) as following the same drilling and countersinking process as STEP #4). Again, as STEP #4 bolt the forward post to the 2X6X10.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Step #6 - <i>Notching the Front Lap Joint</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-CYH1b5kYf66Pa4oqjvUzPvTNk0PFs7VcCyiY67irVJSC-En2sSQGXy4WKdj-00TaEav6ouvmj8X9mCpKmmUliy9utRvaQng5Yx-cbU6fqo8bpFaIT698NsbMh2BIG_0wJJfuCZwy6Q/s1600/%236+Cutting+Lap+Joint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-CYH1b5kYf66Pa4oqjvUzPvTNk0PFs7VcCyiY67irVJSC-En2sSQGXy4WKdj-00TaEav6ouvmj8X9mCpKmmUliy9utRvaQng5Yx-cbU6fqo8bpFaIT698NsbMh2BIG_0wJJfuCZwy6Q/s1600/%236+Cutting+Lap+Joint.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a>At the front end of the 2X6X10, with a square, measure a line 1 1/2" from the end. From the end of the board, down the center (2 3/4") to intersect with the perpendicular line that you just marked. With a handsaw, cut the top notch out of the end of the board. ENSURE that you are cutting the notch out of (what will be) the TOP if the carrier. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Step #7 - <i>Mounting the First Side</i></span></div>
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With the angle iron placed in the post holes, place the newly constructed side to align the 4x4 posts into the corner of the angle iron. Make sure the posts are resting on the edge of the truck bed, and that the angle iron is firmly fitted to the 4x4s. With a 3/8" drill, select a hole on the side of the angle iron, and back of the angle iron and drill a hole through the angle iron holes, through the 4x4. Insert a 4" 3/8 Hex Bold through these holes and affix with a washer and nut. Repeat the process with the forward post. You will have to remove the assembled piece off the truck to drill the rear hole in the front post as the truck cab will no allow space to drill.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Step #8 - <i>Building and Mounting the Second Side</i></span></div>
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Repeat STEP 4 through STEP 7 for the other side of the truck bed. Lay the pieces out before any drilling to ensure that you are placing the 4x4's on the correct side of the 2x6x10.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Step #9 - <i>Attaching Rear Cross Member</i></span></div>
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Measure outside distance from the outer edges of the 2 rear posts (mine was 58 1/2") inches. Take the width of your rear crossmember (mine being 76" - cut in Step #2). Subtract the outer measurement from the crossmember measurement and divide by 2, then add 1 3/4". </div>
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Example </div>
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76" - 58 1/2" = 17 1/2"</div>
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17 1/2" divided by 2 = 8 3/4"</div>
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8 3/4" + 1 3/4" = 10 1/2"</div>
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WHAT THE HELL IS THIS??? Well, this will be the center marks for the required drilling location to mount the rear cross member centered.</div>
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From each end of your cross member, with a square, mark this calculated measurement (10 1/2" in my case) line across the cross member. Next mark a tick 2 " in from each edge along these 2 lines. where these lines intersect drill a 3/8" hole (2 one either end of the cross member).</div>
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Using the line marked on each end of the crossmember (with some help) hold the cross member in place connecting the top of the 2 rear posts. Line the marks you made on the crossmember with the CENTER of the 4X4 posts. You may need to apply some pressure on the posts to get these to align, as the sides may not yet be square. With everything square and plumb, insert your 3/8" drill into the holes you just drilled in the cross member, drilling through the 4X4 posts. </div>
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At the rear of the posts, with a 3/4" Spade bit, drill countersink holes as done previous. </div>
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Insert the 4 Carriage Bolts, with washers and nuts and tighten.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zhlYyUszQZrsYfHHDhvwMyZNnNYdsebFEFfOvkpTTxPRGuFOguAS3-ffSx2pkEWo_SVRWwksopq9v7iySycdYR5JQ2nKBIutXPwxLKMLx9CN1VagUZ-QVtnXOJ3UXls30wz-4weUyYo/s1600/%239+Rear+Crossmember.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zhlYyUszQZrsYfHHDhvwMyZNnNYdsebFEFfOvkpTTxPRGuFOguAS3-ffSx2pkEWo_SVRWwksopq9v7iySycdYR5JQ2nKBIutXPwxLKMLx9CN1VagUZ-QVtnXOJ3UXls30wz-4weUyYo/s1600/%239+Rear+Crossmember.jpg" height="168" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Step #10 - <i>Cutting Lap Joint on Front Crossmember</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tb2U5RaqLIdbenwjpydOwIkoOcHyl8EVEmJS_bmlBxxE-KOHMro8OCDI60Mbo4_UlL-btjaNS1gmxMvjMG-anzweu3N_CtZw54nwJrslIYrPHcxOyHCvQi_th7joEDGmaqbTVPASRVk/s1600/%2310+notching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tb2U5RaqLIdbenwjpydOwIkoOcHyl8EVEmJS_bmlBxxE-KOHMro8OCDI60Mbo4_UlL-btjaNS1gmxMvjMG-anzweu3N_CtZw54nwJrslIYrPHcxOyHCvQi_th7joEDGmaqbTVPASRVk/s1600/%2310+notching.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>More Math!! To mark where the cut-outs for the front lap joint it is similar to Step 9, so I hope you wrote down all your measurements.</div>
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Overall length of crossmember MINUS post outer distance from step #9 (again mine is 58 1/2"), divided by 2.</div>
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Example:</div>
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<div>
76" - 58 1/2" = 17 1/2"</div>
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17 1/2" divided by 2 = 8 3/4"</div>
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From each end of of the crossmember draw a line with your square this measurement in (8 3/4"). From EACH of the lines, measure in (towards the center) 1 1/2" and draw another square line. </div>
<div>
From the edge of the board, mark a line lengthways 2 3/4". This should now have 2 notches marked with dimensions of 1 1/2" W x 2 3/4"D.</div>
<div>
With a handsaw, cut the notches to meet the 2 3/4" line, at both ends. With a hammer and chisel, and some care and caution, chisel out the notch. </div>
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<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Step #11 - </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Mounting Front Crossmember</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAg5fVPC3V3UianCHhXQDZr-RNSFifq2F6hgpvV1pHDebYQWTYt_XT1wBR9OG-8fFJvG3X_TnI9YPPMrxBAmdfh3rrkH6nuadJhyphenhypheno9t22mnX4mM2iCr51KzZJh14oV9OFcZPuSnTiRnWA/s1600/%2311+Joist+Hangers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAg5fVPC3V3UianCHhXQDZr-RNSFifq2F6hgpvV1pHDebYQWTYt_XT1wBR9OG-8fFJvG3X_TnI9YPPMrxBAmdfh3rrkH6nuadJhyphenhypheno9t22mnX4mM2iCr51KzZJh14oV9OFcZPuSnTiRnWA/s1600/%2311+Joist+Hangers.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>Almost done, As per the illustration, this is a simple step. Screw the joist hangers ( with 1 1/4" wood screws) on the ends of the 2X6X10 side members, taking time to ensure that they are aligned to meet the crossmember. </div>
<div>
IMPORTANT - These are to be mounted upside down to their traditional use - this is designed to help support the load on front crossmember.</div>
<div>
Slide the front crossmembers into the notched side members. They may need a bit more chisle work to ensure a good fit - DON'T wail on these joints with a sledge hammer to make them fit - split wood would be a major setback at this point.</div>
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<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Step #12 - <i>Cross Supports</i></span></div>
<div>
I have racked my brain on how to detail the cutting and construction of these - but, for me was a lot of test fitting, adjusting angles, and a few thrown hammers and saws. So I hope that the photograph offers a good amount of direction for you. So my apologies for no measurements or angles detailed below. But here is a brief detail of the trail and error I followed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGYW2SI4QR1PElNjP_hPdibtdbJEUUTorDlMo7moBT4h8YKIlpD6CkFifzLEha3T28X5wnAU3YZeSWDeOBqPAzX0j2spdbmXIVKyMIQ37qy4kXVH5e-4xcj6x29NSU-iS9OZwqPBADrY/s1600/%2312+Notch+Cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGYW2SI4QR1PElNjP_hPdibtdbJEUUTorDlMo7moBT4h8YKIlpD6CkFifzLEha3T28X5wnAU3YZeSWDeOBqPAzX0j2spdbmXIVKyMIQ37qy4kXVH5e-4xcj6x29NSU-iS9OZwqPBADrY/s1600/%2312+Notch+Cross.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Place an uncut 2X4X8 in the location of one of the crossmembers. Mark the angle of the cuts required for top and bottom. (I used a square to extend the angles onto the 2X4). Measure twice and cut once when working with these two angles. </div>
<div>
The good news is that once you have cut the angles to fit exactly how you want one crossmember to fit - the other crossmember is IDENTICAL, and you can use that one as a template for cutting the second one. </div>
<div>
After you have both pieces cut, Tack the two in place - one will fit perfectly, the other (until you notch out the center joint) will have to be tacked as best as possible in place.</div>
<div>
When they are both in place, with a sharp pencil, mark on BOTH 2X4s where they intersect.. you will need these to notch BOTH out for final installation.</div>
<div>
Set the cutting blade depth on your rotary saw or table saw to EXACTLY 3/4". Follow the lines that you marked on the 2X4, this will cut though exactly 1/2 of the width of the 2X4. Hopefully by know you see what I am getting at - by cutting both of the 2/4's along your marked lines, you will see how they will fit together. I cut many lines between the 2 edge lines to simplify chiselling out the notched out areas. </div>
<div>
YES - this is a crappy way to explain this step - but one could write a book on this joint alone. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Step #13 - </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Installing Cross Supports</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1A6eAUWYoYgy_UGUfWCGTrqBR03eIF6EFfzK6hv8Z-EOK8QYYNf1NW2F30vnFY9bE0Vv6NTD-JtZkIzkfkpJoRGFv7ehVb6sxOWto8j1ItdgYpHnPlRjG90PHpmXs4SvXAPLl1qzrOzw/s1600/%2313+cross+supports.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1A6eAUWYoYgy_UGUfWCGTrqBR03eIF6EFfzK6hv8Z-EOK8QYYNf1NW2F30vnFY9bE0Vv6NTD-JtZkIzkfkpJoRGFv7ehVb6sxOWto8j1ItdgYpHnPlRjG90PHpmXs4SvXAPLl1qzrOzw/s1600/%2313+cross+supports.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>FINAL step, and maybe the easiest. With 3" deck screws, attached the crossmembers in front of the 2 front 4x4 posts. The bottom attachments will need to be screwed in at an angle as the cab of the truck is in the way -or if you have help, you can remove the rack from your truck to add these screws. </div>
<div>
Where the joint is at the crossover of the 2 supports - use 1 1/4" wood screws to connect the 2 braces - and do a neater job than I did (see photo of step #12)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Optional Steps</i></span><br />
There are a few things that I considered in this design, but at this time decided to pass.<br />
<u><b>1. Protecting my paint job</b></u> - It may be worth a try to cover the angle iron with rubber (possibly a section of bicycle tire tube) to reduced the potential of scratching your truck bed post holes.<br />
<b><u>2. Additional crossmember</u></b> - as my purpose is to carry a 18' canoe, the 10' span between cross members is fine. But, you may want to consider a 2x4 crossmember just in front of the "X" bracing. Using 2x4 joist hangers would provide a simple mounting and strength solution<br />
<u><b>3. Keeping the rack from blowing off</b></u>... I am still considering cutting 4 short pieces of light chain, and attaching quick latches on one end and the other end to the bolt on the angle iron. These 4 short chains could be attached to the tie down mounts in the inner corners of the truck bed.<i style="font-size: x-large;"> </i><br />
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15VLb8IPmUhrfPs8LZ7vlHTUvC-PyHEqmN8jTZbOJIq_Q9fJ-UhzEc6vTke1dpLqnNnJaDd1-esCBa08lt1mCOMZpBWAC8PmVJ5rulhIBTZ_fB0-IiTf3NVLs4oY3oy2i4gWVCdn_88A/s1600/final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15VLb8IPmUhrfPs8LZ7vlHTUvC-PyHEqmN8jTZbOJIq_Q9fJ-UhzEc6vTke1dpLqnNnJaDd1-esCBa08lt1mCOMZpBWAC8PmVJ5rulhIBTZ_fB0-IiTf3NVLs4oY3oy2i4gWVCdn_88A/s1600/final.jpg" height="332" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;"><b>I look forward to any comments, improvements or questions.</b></i></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-33427059441091382014-06-12T13:43:00.001-03:002014-06-12T13:48:29.822-03:00Our RCMP Loss.... Oh, Canada!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieK-eyaHZfxp2Elns_uoTsj2_ck_AMnGB30ZLE9A_luNC4nmR8ur2SH21M1Xed0TtcAAxsCehDj9LZ4_F8ymmxVfF-_6dk_3GgcWaEZbU-hTk9OwkN6edhVc1gVt9gj9U1jD_siRmhCps/s1600/map+of+Canda.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieK-eyaHZfxp2Elns_uoTsj2_ck_AMnGB30ZLE9A_luNC4nmR8ur2SH21M1Xed0TtcAAxsCehDj9LZ4_F8ymmxVfF-_6dk_3GgcWaEZbU-hTk9OwkN6edhVc1gVt9gj9U1jD_siRmhCps/s1600/map+of+Canda.gif" height="229" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">______________</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It causes me to wonder -</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> what if?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">______________</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span>ith the recent events of the shooting death of three RCMP members and the wounding of two other officers in Moncton NB, there was a significant rare event that may have gone unnoticed, or maybe better stated, came and went without a true value being placed on it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The outpouring of such national support for the officers, their families, and the RCMP as a whole was a rare case of genuine emotion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have politics, social issues, wars, environmental protests, etc, that draw large groups of people in support. These always leave me with a question of their motives, and genuine belief of their positions - these other national issues, have thousands of people behind them, and I suggest thousands of motivations for their support - and I extrapolate to suggest that in most of these issues, and that support is self serving and driven by ulterior motives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But the murder of these RCMP brought people together, and with no statistics, I can only guess many times more people than the special interest groups muster. And this mass of people was a blue moon in my life, thousands upon thousands of people - across all walks of life, offering genuine emotion and non partisan support. This emotion was not only directed to the victims of this crime, but to each other, and the community of Canada at large. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am not in any way minimizing the tragedy of the cause of this community closeness, as the catalyst for it was a terrible event, and hope to not be repeated. But I was affected by the resulting tearing down of social and economic walls, and our populous coming together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It causes me to wonder - what if?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What if, again to divert attention from the cause, but focus on the result, if only once in a while we as Canadians found reason (positive) to come together like this. What we could all achieve as a single minded group of thousands, maybe millions. If just for a day - we all shared that spirit of sharing, caring, taking time from our lives to come together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So to question - on this day, what could we as a whole accomplish? Fundraising for Cancer? Providing homes for homeless? Clean up our cities? Volunteer? - I don't know, but I do know the day of the funeral, we had a very powerful mass of population all caring about a single topic all at the same time. Unprecedented power to change whatever we would want to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is an unspeakable thing that happened that brought about this unprecedented sense of national community, I hope that I am not the only one that noticed that there was a positive side to this. An awe inspiring, encouraging, moment that shows that if we as a nation find good reason, we have a massive potential for improving our country as a whole.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I feel I have even more now to thank our fallen RCMP member for, not only for protecting our communities - but showing up how to be a community.</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-61755838012973222012014-05-27T11:31:00.002-03:002014-05-27T11:31:37.851-03:00Executives Dirty Little Secret<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWikvGL7arzmbTMvOak7sG5KzVhgCboEQblb9OQ5V7o-YM6thSFVgPlpEF-YoSEV8TophJcLkhbgoc-AX8_flyST4RDzDcV7MDB-hAJQHsiE1AqyOx6UGFw7VveTS8MHjYIvaOJhEkFVo/s1600/Business-man-insecure-300x200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWikvGL7arzmbTMvOak7sG5KzVhgCboEQblb9OQ5V7o-YM6thSFVgPlpEF-YoSEV8TophJcLkhbgoc-AX8_flyST4RDzDcV7MDB-hAJQHsiE1AqyOx6UGFw7VveTS8MHjYIvaOJhEkFVo/s1600/Business-man-insecure-300x200.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b> ___________</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"...Skip the idea that all around you are in their underwear..."</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>____________</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I </span>suppose in a way the title I chose for this article is a bit of a misnomer, as the "Dirty Little Secret" applies to all of us, from those just entering the workforce to senior executives (Even Carol Neal - Chief Auditor of the Bank of Montreal confessed to this secret).<br />
<br />
But, taking time to admit this dirty little secret is a key step to having confidence in your present role, and assist in moving up the ranks, if this is a part of your career ambition.<br />
<br />
We have all attended meetings, either a formal boardroom setting, or a more casual exchange of information with senior staff.. and we have all had that feeling in the pit of our stomach that we are not completely prepared for the discussion, or that we do not know near as much as what is expected of us to know. There is the anxiety of being "discovered" as being less than suited for our present function. We worry that a topic will come up that we need to discuss that we are less than an expert on.<br />
<br />
We sit in these meetings, with that grade six feeling of the teacher asking us a question that we do not know the answer to and being embarrassed and chastised by the teacher. We look around the other attendees of the meeting and clearly they are all qualified for their roles, they are a wealth of information and have a complete understanding of the meeting topics.<br />
<br />
I have spoken to many peers about this dirty secret, and almost like removing albatrosses from around their necks, each and every one, experiences these same insecurities. In meetings, alone in their office or workplace, at home pondering work or standing in front of a mirror. Men, women, young, old, senior managers to retail cashiers - we all suffer insecurities about the ability to do our jobs to the expectation of the rest of the organization.<br />
<br />
This realization is a powerful step in fact of becoming much better at your role, and building confidence in your abilities. Simply put, we all must embrace the fact that if you were truly incompetent, and unprepared to do our jobs we would not be in that job. And a close second for significant realization, is that as you look around that meeting or that boardroom - each and every participant is hiding this dirty secret.<br />
<br />
So how does one overcome this insecurity and self doubt - you cant, and you wont.. so don't try. The confidence comes with the acceptance that you are in your role for a reason, it is what you DO know; what you don't know is irrelevant. Of course, excelling at work is being motivated to be constantly learning, to fill those gaps in your ability, but it is human nature to continue to focus on new gaps in our knowledge, and drain our confidence based on those.<br />
<br />
We see in our business interactions, leaders, peers that exude confidence and make the most difficult decisions without pause. These people are comfortable in their shortcoming, are motivated to learn what is required to make these decisions, and very often are very forthcoming in vocalizing areas that they are weak in. It is only us, internally, that confessing shortcomings appears as a weakness, When we hear it from others, we don't (or should not) judge them on this.. we just see it as an area that they will "go and find out and return with answers.<br />
<br />
In grade school, I expect we all were told when forced with the daunting task of public speaking, to imagine the audience all sitting wearing only their underwear. A truer lesson could not be expressed. Skip the idea that all around you are in their underwear, focus on at that moment they all are listening to your words worried that they themselves do not have the knowledge you have, and lack confidence in their ability to participate. You ARE an expert in the area you speak, or you would not be speaking.<br />
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To excel? Embrace your insecurities as human, be confident in what you do know, strive to learn what you don't and never expect you will be an expert of all aspects of your role.. otherwise you will blend into the crowd, and never be looked at for advancement. It is a strong message to speak out loud to your peers or superiors "I don't know, but I will find out:"<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-39532239299100562102014-05-21T12:21:00.000-03:002014-05-21T12:21:03.283-03:00Top 20 Stupid Questions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZTLn4KevOkfSLw29wfRg-kDxcBMChyBMc6OnZxlg3aBuKy_uYL-xphpr6mDr7gQbjCrMG6xFWmArIBCnG17qxgJBTDY_l3mMXqoNOsBXuynFHvEhFpup2m0JFr9THjfZe-JDtHMABFc/s1600/darrylsing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZTLn4KevOkfSLw29wfRg-kDxcBMChyBMc6OnZxlg3aBuKy_uYL-xphpr6mDr7gQbjCrMG6xFWmArIBCnG17qxgJBTDY_l3mMXqoNOsBXuynFHvEhFpup2m0JFr9THjfZe-JDtHMABFc/s1600/darrylsing.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>here was a recent study done by somebody somewhere that the most viewed items on the internet (I am assuming other than porn) is "Top Ten Lists". Maybe we can thank David Letterman for that, but regardless, if the study was done, and stated on the internet - than it MUST be true - therefore, as traffic to my site means, ads being clicked, means I make money - then here is a list I created a couple of years ago that anyone who has ever performed music will relate to, and for those that have watched and interacted with a performer, you too may see some items that you thought were original when speaking with the performer.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 20 QUESTIONS I GET ASKED WHEN PERFORMING</span></u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_537cbfe78d38c4608632086">
Q: Where does the name ``My Other Brother Darryl” (what I call my band) come from?<br />
A: If you have to ask that you are not going to recognize three quarters of my set list.<br />
<br />
Q: There is no Jagermeister left, you seem to have had it all, what else would you like to have instead?<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
A: That’s easy, I will have some Jagermeister<br />
<br />
Q: Will you play “Bobby McGee”<br />
A: No<br />
<br />
Q: Do you know that you can’t sleep here?<br />
A: Just have the cleaning staff clean around me, thank you<br />
<br />
Q: Why do you have so much sound equipment, with just you playing?<br />
A: It make me feel important, and it is nice to know that if the mood strikes I can break every window in a three block radius.<br />
<br />
Q: Have you won any awards?<br />
A: I won a “Most Sportsmanlike” trophy for bowling when I was in grade 3<br />
<br />
Q: Are you almost done tuning your guitar?<br />
A: Jezuz, I am three songs into my setlist<br />
<br />
Q: Can I have $40 for Gas?<br />
A: Go away Lincoln (my son), I am gigging here<br />
<br />
Q: Have you seen my freshly opened beer I set on the stage here?<br />
A: Nope<br />
<br />
Q: When I asked you for a request an hour ago, you said that you need to remember it and you would play it later<br />
A: I have no idea how to play it, I was just hoping you would have left by now.<br />
<br />
Q: What motivates you to get up alone and play all night<br />
A: NB Liquor Commission<br />
<br />
Q: You know you missed a chord in that last song<br />
A: Sorry, what song was that... I was daydreaming<br />
<br />
Q: May I have your autograph<br />
A: May I have your wallet<br />
<br />
Q: How much do you charge?<br />
A: How much you got?<br />
<br />
Q: Will you play at a party where there are children present<br />
A: Only if you agree to pay for their therapy later in life<br />
<br />
Q: Will you play something by Justin Beiber?<br />
A: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA<br />
<br />
Q: What happens when you forget the words to a song?<br />
A: I read the lips of the crowd<br />
<br />
Q: That song did not sound like Pink Floyd you know?<br />
A: Pink Floyd does not sound like me<br />
<br />
Q: Can I get up and sing a few songs<br />
A: As long as you don’t mind if I sit down and drink and get paid for it<br />
<br />
Q. Do you keep playing when a fight breaks out?<br />
A. Wanna find out?</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-23711688144889261582014-05-08T12:04:00.000-03:002014-05-08T12:05:06.297-03:00Magic Money<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgpqfzuERVKjHsfcnYxHYL8hVr0YmAmyAAfJn6x5-AzxzjR9Z9aI83nIJsmKgXvBBh7bDhiYYTKaUGDQGH6PHq8gL6hgp5EjWCZvPK7J6q6FFsneeMJ-Ij7-fXXdkQ-gq_6RNJ8tUjLQ/s1600/t4+pic-resized-600.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgpqfzuERVKjHsfcnYxHYL8hVr0YmAmyAAfJn6x5-AzxzjR9Z9aI83nIJsmKgXvBBh7bDhiYYTKaUGDQGH6PHq8gL6hgp5EjWCZvPK7J6q6FFsneeMJ-Ij7-fXXdkQ-gq_6RNJ8tUjLQ/s1600/t4+pic-resized-600.png" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span>s we are just wrapping up Tax Season, now might be a good time to take out your T4 and take a peek. You will see two very stomach churning boxes, with painfully large dollar amounts within. Federal Tax and Provincial Tax - and if you can stomach it - add these two numbers together. This total is what (for the sake of this diatribe) is what I will call - MAGIC MONEY.<br />
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It is also timely to look at this Magic Money, as it is spring time here in New Brunswick Canada, after a ferocious winter, and spring and winter is a time that Canadians rely heavily of the government for many of the services that we have learned to rely on to help us survive our climate. Such as snow removal from roads and side-walks, door to door mail delivery, road conditions (or poor road conditions) etc. Not for a moment to I suggest that we are accustomed to relying on our "mother government" for so many of the socialist benefits all year round, but seems the freezing and thawing time of year - these issues seem to be more present in the press.<br />
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A hot topic as of today is potholes in our roads and highways - everything from on-line competitions, to phone in programs, front page news.. and now drivers calling for the government to pay for vehicle damage as a result of the overstressed roadways.<br />
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Now, on the flip side - our Government also has Magic Money. An endless supply of funds to quell all of the citizens complaints, and those complaints that are vocal enough are quieted with a dispersement to the very few whose voices are the loudest. Minuscule percentages of the populous that have the knack to get recognition of their issues. And for this case, bent tire rims, misaligned steering and other vehicle damage. These few unskilled drivers now demand that the government give them some of their Magic Money to repair their vehicles. What a great system. A outspoken negligent driver, gets his/her car repaired for free - vocal groups call out in celebration for this as of course it is the governments fault that the frost has cause holes in the road. It is Magic Money the government has anyway, so free alignments for all!!<br />
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The unions are incredible in accessing this magic money as well.. This winter, they were kind enough to offer a 1-800 number for citizens to call and make complaints about roads that are uncleared or not to the satisfaction of those that live off the beaten trail.. or as freezing rain is still falling this 1-800 lights up with complaints about slippery roads. It is unfortunate that many the gullible believe that this 1-800 paid for and answered by the Union is a selfless act of service that they offer us poor citizens. But as these unions approach the government for more and more, and more of the Magic Money - they have lots of anecdotes and horror stories to back up their demands for a unreasonable share of this Magic Money.<br />
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Again, a minority of our citizens become enablers for our provincial government to almost annually flip flop on language immersion programs - each change in policy costing millions - but millions of dollars of Magic Money - so what does it really matter.<br />
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City folks ranting about the loss of home mail delivery... a cost that has ballooned beyond the ability to make any fiscal sense whatsoever (again, Unions are the experts in hauling endless buckets of money from the governments bottomless pit of Magic Money)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Well of course - this Government stockpiles of Magic Money is the one and the same Magic Money on your T4 Slip. </i></span><br />
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So, as we hear of the bent rim repair because of a pothole, or a car in the ditch because the driver was not capable of driving at safe speeds on a not yet salted road (If we had a sand/plow truck for each and every car on the road, the union and the tiny percentile of complainers would be pleased) and so one.. Just be reminded that it is your money paying for these repairs. You drive attentively, you watch your money, you appreciate how luck we are to have government service. But you, we, work every day to pay directly for these few.<br />
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Consider, as you are tempted to complain about anything beyond your own property - that you are paying for your neighbours protests for access to a bilingual ambulance attendant so their life can be saved in their official language.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-21649375568449090212014-04-24T15:02:00.001-03:002014-04-24T15:02:16.592-03:00The Business of Morgentaler<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>t will be virtually impossible to take a look into the effects of the loss of the Morgentaler Clinic in Fredericton NB without wading into the Pro Choice / Pro Life debate, but I hope that I can stand as clear of this debate as possible and suggest a more solution focused approach to this situation.<br />
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Yes, I am Pro Choice, so that is out of the way. Do I carry pickets, or preach my believes at social gatherings - nope. I am Pro Choice, and one of the choices of my belief is that I chose not to try to influence or simply care of what others position on abortion is. As personal as the decisions are around abortion, my reasons, my justification (so to speak) are just as personal. Kinda wish both side of the debate had this philosophy.<br />
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OK - nuff on that.<br />
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With the recent closure of the only abortion clinic in Atlantic Canada we are now in a bit of a dilemma. Abortion is legal, and if deemed medically necessary by TWO physicians - abortion is available in the safety of state of the art medical institutes and paid for by our Medicare system. Previous to the closure, Abortions were available at Morgentaler's Private Clinic for $700 - $850 (depending how far along the pregnancy is)<br />
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Aside from the moral endless debates - this seemed a pretty good solution. Non approving taxpayers were not burdened with financing non-medical related abortions, and medically necessary (with approval checks by 2 doctors), were treated like any other necessary medical procedure and paid for from public coffers.<br />
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I suggest that a out of pocket cost of up to $850 was a pretty solid deterrent for being completely oblivious to the chance of unwanted pregnancies - a box of condoms, or other forms of birth control comparably are a much cheaper and less uncomfortable option. But, for those cases that a pregnancy is unexpected or unwanted, the cost was not beyond reach for young couples, but would certainly be a financial punishment for being irresponsible.<br />
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I will not address the availability of the 2 doctor approved medical availability of abortions as that has checks and balances and is unchanged before and after the closure of the Morgentaler Clinic.<br />
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So where are we now? The only option for private abortions is a trip to Montreal - which now upsets the balance of reasonable financial pain, to encourage responsible birth control. It now becomes so cost prohibitive that several unsavoury consequences may be in the works. Self administered abortions are not unheard of for desperate couples, desperation for finding the money to now afford a trip to Montreal that could run well beyond the financial means of young couples. Or (yes this is debatable) the fact that couples will have babies that they do not want, and are not mentally, financially or mature enough to raise. Yes, Adoption is an option.. that unfortunately looks much better on paper than actually applies in real life - but I will leave that for another article some day.<br />
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My interest in this situation is one of economics.. a service that is legal, and required, is artificially overpriced by the now cost of travel.. that is will have significant ripple effects on the health and well being of young couples. So what is the solution??<br />
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Clearly the clinic was not financially viable to remain in business (like any other business), so how can that be resolved? An interesting business challenge.. not a simple supply and demand as it is so influenced by others that do not agree with the service, it is not a luxury that can simply find a price that the business can exist profitably, as there are couples entire lives at stake.<br />
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In situations that a (health and wellness) product or service must exist at such a high cost to maintain the providing business, our socialist (small "s") government typically steps in to make it available to all levels of financial status. But, and I respect the Pro Lifers on this, they do not want their tax dollars spent on providing a services that they are so morally opposed to.<br />
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Yet to add to the challenge, to reduce cost to to patients, again, supply demand would require a higher volume of business, which, whatever side of the fence you stand on this debate - is not a positive option.<br />
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As far as I can determine, (and I look forward to being corrected) - a clinic with a reasonable priced service, must be subsidized by an outside investor. Which should not be the government, It would required a clear understanding of the required, reasonable profit margins to operate this clinic, determine the shortfall of revenue based on historical traffic - and find funding to augment the shortfall.<br />
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Maybe the Pro Choice group would be better served by organizing and fulfilling this financial shortfall to make safe abortions available, and spend less time screaming at Pro Lifers and attending rallies. As Pro Lifer's make lots of noise - Pro Choicer's can quietly go about their business of raising money, and making local couples indeed have a choice.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-82677684744626539352014-03-25T13:39:00.000-03:002014-03-25T13:39:05.634-03:00Buy Local - Not Rubber Lobsters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>_________________</b></span></div>
"...phenomenon called the 'Briefcase Syndrome' - it is an unfounded and almost laughable belief..."</span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>_________________</b></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>o much has been touted about supporting local business, but it appears that this whole movement has us conditioned in thinking if we purchase a rubber lobster at a mom and pop souvenir shop that we have done our part. Or picking up a jar of strawberry jam at the local market is what all the hoopla is about. <div>
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I do my best in my writing to keep my professional career out of my editorials, and I will do my best to keep my thoughts as generic as possible.. but I am near at the END OF MY ROPE with the hypocrisy of Provincial Governments and Large Privately owned local businesses.</div>
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Large Businesses - I don't think I need to name them, but my disappointment is focused on those multinational employers of thousands of people that have germinated from New Brunswick family enterprises into world leaders. I wont bother googling and putting links up here of endless press releases from their owners, leaders of "being proud to be a New Brunswick (or Atlantic) business", and the value they hold on being a local business. The pride of the people that helped them grow to world industrial leaders. How they tout government (and utility) grants and discounts under the flag of being a New Brunswick Company. They ask for our support and understanding as they steer local political directions. </div>
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Provincial Government - We (as it really is our money) pay millions on retaining our local workers, grow tourism, "buy local" campaigns.. Millions and Millions of our dollars are spend annually based on the pride we have to live and work in New Brunswick.</div>
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All good right? Well, simply put, these folks standing making speeches (for both private and public enterprise) CLEARLY do not speak to the actual decision makers in their own organizations. Or, and hopefully this is not the case, have set a mandate to those decision makers inside their organizations to disregard all of their wordage and philosophy on supporting New Brunswick.</div>
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I work in a business that started with 3 entrepreneurs that ran the risk and went on their own into a very competitive market. A true success story - and now exists as a healthy Mid Sized Organization. Virtually every dollar of profit, is either spent or reinvested in New Brunswick.</div>
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I (in my line of business) count on business from these above mentioned Private and Public Clients. A New Brunswick company - offering goods and services to organizations that very loudly proclaim supporting New Brunswick Business. Seems a pretty good model. But it is a severely broken model.</div>
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NEVER would I suggest that ANY organization when selecting vendors for good and services, even consider choosing a vendor that is more expensive or in any way a lesser quality - as business is business and I cannot support that fact strong enough. I am not in the least bit irked when we are provided an opportunity to do business with the our New Brunswick customers, and for ANY reason are not the best pricing or the best quality. That is a free market and the way it should be.</div>
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HOWEVER, almost weekly I am made aware of contracts being signed, purchases being made, services being procured from the government or these Local Enterprises that we were not even invited to show our wares, provide a price, detail or offerings. And although difficult to gain access to the nature of these awards - on the occasion that I do find details, we can offer a much less expensive and higher quality product. But we were never invited to even be aware of the opportunity. I could even sleep at night if these awards were made to other New Brunswick grown companies.. But almost without exception they are awarded to US based vendors, or Central Canadian Vendors. </div>
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HOW, HOW, HOW can these back room procurements of good and services be awarded endlessly by both Private and Public Enterprises without even making the slightest of efforts of considering a local vendor as a viable option. Again - not for a second am I suggesting favourable treatment.. I am suggesting that local companies are at the very least invited to state their offerings and costing.. If we cant compete, we cant compete - that is fair ball.. BUT PLEASE let us compete,</div>
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To listen or watch a CEO make a tear jerking presentation on how proud they and their family are to be New Brunswickers, and at that exact moment back in their corporate offices - procurements are being made from foreign suppliers, without providing any opportunity for local companies to even bid. </div>
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I have (not to be too specific) worked for months making Public Sector Decision makers aware of lines of business that are available a 5 minute drive away from their offices.. Only to find out at a later date that they awarded a contract of the exact lines of business from a US based company without even making me aware that they were making the purchase. This is not a single occurrence -this is habitual.. and 180 degrees counter to what our elected officials are saying about supporting New Brunswick Businesses. </div>
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THE QUESTION: Why do these purchases for goods and services get negotiated and awarded to foreign vendors. Primarily because of a phenomenon called the "Briefcase Syndrome" - it is an unfounded and almost laughable belief, that if good or services come from a bigger business hub (Toronto/New York/Japan etc) then they MUST be better. If a consultant gets off a plane, carrying his briefcase, then he is clearly more skilled and knowledgeable that a consultant that you may run across buying groceries at your local store. THUS, clearly if you want the best - then you better have the best come in from the airport. </div>
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This belief as ridiculous as it is, is engrained in our government, and local multinationals. How would it ever be possible that New Brunswicker have same or better skills than someone from New York? So therefore our Industrialists born and raised in New Brunswick have no other choice than not even consider a New Brunswick business to do business with, and not even inviting them to the table... but my sarcasm is wearing to read so I will stop.</div>
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So what is there to do - I think reluctantly we need to let our Government and Large Enterprises continue with their hypocrisy, and begin to personally act on this. When we in our professional roles require good or services, certainly shop the International Vendors, but source a locally owned business and provide them an opportunity to compete. They may or may not be able to - but providing them the chance is all that is needed. I would suggest, that as a local business, with a much more limited geographical base with provide much superior commitment behind their products - and a company who appreciates your business with almost always offer the most aggressive pricing and attention to detail. Give it a try. I do.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-85909697086492939442014-03-05T13:55:00.003-04:002014-03-05T14:07:48.027-04:00My Olympic Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>_____________</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">"I no longer chuckle at the less than perfect performances of these athletes - I hold them in the highest regard of all"</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>______________</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>t is typical in human nature I suppose that after the excitement of a moment in time, that excitement quickly passes and we move back to our mundane, routine lives. As I think is the case of the Sochi Olympics. It was only mere days ago that offices shut down, bars opened at ungodly morning hours and Liquor laws were even changed.. It was a proud time to be a Canadian to watch our hockey teams march to gold.<br />
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These Olympics were different for me. I did feel an unusual pride in being Canadian, and I am not generally a a flag waver, but I think it is because I watched as many of the events in a much different light.<br />
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My son, had a budding career, that was cut far too short, as an Alpine Ski Racer. I brag far too often on his successes and accomplishments, and in retrospect, probably had a bit of Hockey Dad syndrome. Financially I was unable to allow him the training, the travelling, the coaching that was required to continue on past the already very high level he was competing at. A regret that I will carry to my grave. But, even with his career cut short, I was witness to a great deal about elite sporting commitments that are required to be in the game, and I also was witness to pure love of the sport by him and his comparators at all levels,<br />
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We watch sporting events, and watch the leaders as the approach the finish line to win one of the 3 medals, listening to snippets of commentary of the background of the athletes, and even on a rarer occasion hear mention of the training regime that gets these athletes to the pinnacle of sporting events. But often these comments are just the necessary background chatter of commentators, and we never pause to really consider what it takes just to make it to the Olympics. We even (or I have before my enlightened realization) would chuckle at that poor bastard that came in last place.. "man he sucks and how did he ever get in this event."<br />
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I watched my son, EVERY night, immediately after school, without prompting and more frequently secretly, disappear down to the basement to do stretching, and muscle building. A backpack stuffed with books and a camping water carrier filled to the brim stuffed in a backpack for weight as he did endless push-ups. An exercise bike jammed in a corner beside his ski tuning bench in a cramped unfinished basement space to work on endurance. Home made weight sets to tone his muscles. A daily routine, hours in the basement, then back upstairs to finish the night doing homework. Home made starting gates were built in the back yard to work on saving thousands of a second on his starts - back and forth, back and forth. Weekends spent training on the ski hill. Finding that balance of social enjoyment and unyielding focus often times working on something at the same time he was fulfilling the requests from the coaching from the group.<br />
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High School was simply an effort of catching up on missed work and then leaving school for another week for another trip - always in a state of catching up or preparing to be away. Often up to 8 weeks was spent away from the classrooms of his Junior and High School Education. Weeks on the road travelling, racing, were even more strenuous, Filling a day with morning warm ups, competition, hours tuning and waxing his skis and then head in his school work, and one final work out for the day. Then to start all over again at 5:30am the next morning.<br />
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Was my son special - no, he was a committed athlete that made tremendous sacrifices to his sport. Like EVERY athlete in the Olympics. From the gold medallist, to the sorry dude who comes in dead last. Each and every athlete ever seen on TV has made this commitment (and much more I assure you to be present at the Olympics).<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>But, I watched these Olympics with something more significant than the above preamble in mind.</i></span> Being a spectator of a sport such as Alpine Ski Racing from when the kids were less than 10 years old, to competition that had no age limits, I often shared the sidelines with parents of children that will never feel the reward of stating atop of the podium. These competitors also had the commitment, braved the ridiculously cold windy days wearing nothing but a helmet, and a one piece nylon racing suit. These competitors shared the work ethic and desire of podium dwellers, but knew deep in their hearts that winning will never be in the cards. One may even suggest that these are the true champions. Just imagine for a second, giving your whole life (socially, financially, physically etc) to a sport, knowing as you are pushing your self to the brink of exhaustion in a training workout, that you will never win.<br />
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What emotional and mental strength these athletes must have. No TV interviews, no press - just alone as they tear the safety fencing down knowing that they had an incredible performance of their own, and that alone providing enough motivation to start training the next morning at 5:30am in the freezing cold.<br />
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What makes the podium dwellers and last place finishers different, I have no idea, but I suspect what<i> keeps </i>them going, continuing in the sport and all of the associated sacrifices is very different. I no longer chuckle at the less than perfect performances of these athletes - I hold them in the highest regard of all.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-58161587375921635742014-02-24T13:02:00.002-04:002014-02-24T13:02:52.791-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">____________</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Da Soapbox V2.0</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">____________</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>o, the social experiment has come to an end. And I am still sitting on the fence if it was a success or a failure. I confess I spend too much time on Facebook, and more and more, it has become a place to vent frustrations and rantings. So what better than to create a site that is designed to do that, to bring together throngs of pissers and moaners to rant together.<br />
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I was thrilled to see the exponential growth in visitor numbers as well as loyal readership from all over the world. My ad hits were profitable and life was good. But then a trend became apparent - people were reading but very few were participating. I was and still am puzzled. Thousands dropped in to view, but were mute. In my opinion, the breadth of topics was surly enough to get folks blood boiling and have them wade in on the comments. But no.<br />
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So what does this say about my social experiment. I think I created one of the first "virtual" instances of voyeurs at a Car Crash. On-Line RUBBER NECKERS as it were.<br />
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So I am not disappointed, as I did have opportunity to build my readership, and make a few bucks, and have a full wardrobe of Soap-Box T-Shirts.. which may increase in value due to them now being a collectors item.<br />
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Am I going away? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! Just because my readers choose to stay tight lipped on what pissed them off, I still have lots and lots to say. And maybe, just maybe - some of my topics may spur some debate yet. As I really enjoy opinions counter to mine, or ideas that have not yet crossed my mind. I hope you continue to visit, add your $0.02 worth and I will still post any images, video, or items that interest you.<br />
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<a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca">da_moderator@live.ca</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-45064788152616984632013-11-30T10:46:00.000-04:002013-12-22T12:17:29.410-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Welcome to </b></span></div>
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<b>THE SOAPBOX</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">&</span></div>
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Bitches For </div>
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The month of December 2013</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FwGUlIkfrXjIMvwejPWfLyesFX1xZgpqvZk_X8w57RSGHmXIaJAys3M5mffhFeYHjVdFThzsoSYvEkFGEK9ULrqqlKUHUrGXIP62zliTn3KADOr6GEHZBn1tL0u6056Q-Bp41Com8V4/s1600/santa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FwGUlIkfrXjIMvwejPWfLyesFX1xZgpqvZk_X8w57RSGHmXIaJAys3M5mffhFeYHjVdFThzsoSYvEkFGEK9ULrqqlKUHUrGXIP62zliTn3KADOr6GEHZBn1tL0u6056Q-Bp41Com8V4/s640/santa.png" width="484" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><i>*** now accepting nominations for </i></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i><b>Decembers's </b><b>IDIOT OF THE MONTH*** </b></i></span><b><span style="color: red;"><i>submit nominations <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca" target="_blank">HERE</a></i></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">With over </span><b style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">12,000 visits</b><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> and 50</span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">+ posts, I have done my part, I have been irked, frustrated, informative, disgusted, insightful, artsy - and now am finally happy and unburdened- I have said what I want to say. So now it is your turn. I have seen on Facebook, there are a lot of frustrated folks out there with things to bitch about - but only their friends know.. Now, bitch to the world.. with an exponentially growing number of readers to the soapbox, share your bitches here, or comment on someone else's bellyaching. A free for all of complaining.. what more could you ask for??</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Most of you do not have the need or desire to set up your own blog, and try to get folks to give a shit.. I have done it for you. Click a link and start typing.. toooooo easy!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">What are the rules? How do I post?</span> </i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Click <u><a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2010/11/how-to-post-on-soapbox-first-lets.html">HERE</a></u> for instructions.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9wO-fVPP7xi30OjysPn0aKMiDpZgG-VIU5t6JVBunLYD5W7Vjaw_qtZCT_qMV2uiskaFIH9igV8drTUl8oZcg3SV4af305k5jm9dFkirkuLCY2jHij6DUSfzOHS-gLqA5_hhuL4yf3k/s1600/101_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9wO-fVPP7xi30OjysPn0aKMiDpZgG-VIU5t6JVBunLYD5W7Vjaw_qtZCT_qMV2uiskaFIH9igV8drTUl8oZcg3SV4af305k5jm9dFkirkuLCY2jHij6DUSfzOHS-gLqA5_hhuL4yf3k/s200/101_0302.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Don't forget to buy darryls-soapbox T-Shirt.. if you are in the Fredericton Area, simply email <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca">da_moderator@live.ca</a> or if you are anywhere else in the world, get em <a href="http://www.ebay.ca/itm/darryls-soapbox-T-Shirts/331040801498?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=014&category=15687&cmd=ViewItem" target="_blank">HERE</a> .<br />
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$29.00 each - Sizes S/M/L/XL<br />
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<span style="background-color: purple; font-size: x-small;">_________________</span> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">BOSTON EGGHEAD TORTURE</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWBHh9ttS4C1AowtVXnF8I1jWcS6lWwdRuG4-1hI5hitc6N_rryDHvG_htdl7WGbydfj-cNp4NYgyDbuGv1CDGKIKt0NLrGJ5HWmHJXr-AtbJVZIUO2tp-AJAyS3ZpEAWs08loeDpl_k/s1600/eggheads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWBHh9ttS4C1AowtVXnF8I1jWcS6lWwdRuG4-1hI5hitc6N_rryDHvG_htdl7WGbydfj-cNp4NYgyDbuGv1CDGKIKt0NLrGJ5HWmHJXr-AtbJVZIUO2tp-AJAyS3ZpEAWs08loeDpl_k/s200/eggheads.jpg" width="200" /></a>da_moderator has a co-worker who has been a bit of a pain in the ass in regards to practical jokes. He has a collection of Egghead Characters on his desk that are near and dear to his heart. But now he only has 3. As it seems one of the precious eggs has been kid(or egg)napped. Specifically the Boston Egghead. Seems that it is being tortured... lets follow this hostage situation shall we.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaTN1T7bCVB5cEiTJGA7KqJcVxMJAbTLSQed4r7f5I3y8DAlalXKLPgedsy68zNHK5DK9djNMVdOg7BCXFHla7WqIo1hhulc1N8qMeCe8-ptvJ8qLyJk3pllvMTuKzKSVGh3MyvR8gTs/s1600/egghead+knife.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaTN1T7bCVB5cEiTJGA7KqJcVxMJAbTLSQed4r7f5I3y8DAlalXKLPgedsy68zNHK5DK9djNMVdOg7BCXFHla7WqIo1hhulc1N8qMeCe8-ptvJ8qLyJk3pllvMTuKzKSVGh3MyvR8gTs/s320/egghead+knife.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Novembers WINNER for Idiot of the Month</b></span></div>
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Congratulations Rob - a prestigious award!.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_2K6-FhApX-9e6rMXK8zAwOAfq8Qobf0CBCc4c_E435G48GBUw26MpneFZNq8rDfAERqbz8TdUxBtti90Xm6L6HM8L7vamPkuDpk27ZjEbfvzgJfzrSaiw2k83ZGvE1IqK3oXRVP9GA/s1600/BlottoRobbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_2K6-FhApX-9e6rMXK8zAwOAfq8Qobf0CBCc4c_E435G48GBUw26MpneFZNq8rDfAERqbz8TdUxBtti90Xm6L6HM8L7vamPkuDpk27ZjEbfvzgJfzrSaiw2k83ZGvE1IqK3oXRVP9GA/s400/BlottoRobbo.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">NICE SHIRT ROB!!!</td></tr>
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Nominees for <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">DECEMBER IDIOT OF THE MONTH </span><br />
Submit your nominees <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca">HERE</a><br />
<a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca"><br /></a>
<a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca"><br /></a><u>
NOMINEE #1</u> - Cpl. Ronald Francis,<br />
an embarrassment to the RCMP<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyU1r3PTxYbRT4EGR_6x5kJe9Rgxb6ZQ4bGL2Zx4x-xlji3-gUYhDg1obqwrLh3kkysxIdfLnbWEWQ_iR_Vi9S34RbSxJnh_In63C5zVpybNRKNZ2bIA-hoWXfYm_S8ETBHe-5aSchtiQ/s1600/mountie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyU1r3PTxYbRT4EGR_6x5kJe9Rgxb6ZQ4bGL2Zx4x-xlji3-gUYhDg1obqwrLh3kkysxIdfLnbWEWQ_iR_Vi9S34RbSxJnh_In63C5zVpybNRKNZ2bIA-hoWXfYm_S8ETBHe-5aSchtiQ/s320/mountie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u>NOMINEE #2</u> - Executive Director of Hockey NB - Brian Whitehead</div>
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For trying to penalize anyone who posts critical statements on social media</div>
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IF THIS DUDE CAN CONTROL SOCIAL MEDIA - he is a GOD!</div>
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Read the full story <a href="http://news.ca.msn.com/local/newbrunswick/hockey-new-brunswick-implements-new-social-media-rules" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1FzIwpjcjuDdIq6pY1IB5T_4Vp0DOfASNJO1P9nR8CIinhIH-DB-fu4KsdDR_yV5Qp6s-9KNUM98mD1CKUgSOr3d_PNJ71XVY6vxpF-JYr4dDBOEYSifcutp9boYfeP2RmYjYNPXVxI/s1600/Whitehead.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1FzIwpjcjuDdIq6pY1IB5T_4Vp0DOfASNJO1P9nR8CIinhIH-DB-fu4KsdDR_yV5Qp6s-9KNUM98mD1CKUgSOr3d_PNJ71XVY6vxpF-JYr4dDBOEYSifcutp9boYfeP2RmYjYNPXVxI/s320/Whitehead.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Favourite quote from Whitehead (who is going to be a busy, busy boy):<br />
<i>"all complaints will be investigated under the new social media regulations."</i><br />
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<u>NOMINEE #3</u> -Maybe you wonder, "how can I become a Idiot of the month Nominee?".. easy.. do something like this tool - clear a 1 foot square hole in the snow in your car and drive by a police station.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIr8rEH4FWH0sHRUzsowJlwom9aRGAerwE3kTRgd4ze7c7vUJiZnt9q7aF4QBHHv-Xa5fks-maON-BEFCECueIMyzXcS-TlFsAYVIbcB3Ieklbr8ZhamY2xiWNkclAvaMCvwI0yDrUbhw/s1600/snow+idiot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIr8rEH4FWH0sHRUzsowJlwom9aRGAerwE3kTRgd4ze7c7vUJiZnt9q7aF4QBHHv-Xa5fks-maON-BEFCECueIMyzXcS-TlFsAYVIbcB3Ieklbr8ZhamY2xiWNkclAvaMCvwI0yDrUbhw/s320/snow+idiot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: right;">Note the police station in the background!</span><br />
Contributed by Chris C. of Newfoundland Canada<br />
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<u>NOMINEE #4</u> - Canada Post CEO Deepak Chopra..<br />
Defends delivery cuts, says "seniors will get more exercise."<br />
Full Article<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-post-ceo-to-be-questioned-by-mps-in-emergency-session/article16024432/" target="_blank"> HERE</a>, once you are done laughing at this statement.<br />
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CHRISTMAS - Yep - Nuff Said.</div>
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My Article on Christmas - this was not a hit with many Christmas Lovers.<br />
Take a read - <b><a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2011/12/twelve-days-of-paradox.html">The Twelve days of Paradox</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCH2fiRttedLqY3z-6CR9ol944numRvnDxEuLv1FN4zO6y5jPNWS7nv4BKvC1BeGuAe41Oe-0jmBrXpIyqWNVReL1liuwVmJ8Cr-M5GfPucNK25HR6lzICstpVQS1cH26Lf-Ia0T2DrM/s1600/Norman-Rockwell-Christmas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCH2fiRttedLqY3z-6CR9ol944numRvnDxEuLv1FN4zO6y5jPNWS7nv4BKvC1BeGuAe41Oe-0jmBrXpIyqWNVReL1liuwVmJ8Cr-M5GfPucNK25HR6lzICstpVQS1cH26Lf-Ia0T2DrM/s320/Norman-Rockwell-Christmas1.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Da' CONTEST</span> </div>
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As <span style="font-size: large;">Sterling Keays</span> knows - the contest in legit, and no strings attached.<br />
Join this site - Your name will be entered into a draw for<br />
a FREE unique sought after Darryls-Soapbox T-Shirt<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQpIuiaEXxjrJfWL5rJSuPsPO8QM3WipLrCz6gFPiW7rpR_dNKV5kpNbbR6F5QXghpPyWmFvNbL4sLAwB5B6rewF7PAfvEifmrGCLj3_224KssB9ztNwXEevH-Klsnuav8So_-MVnDxQ/s1600/join+site+circle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQpIuiaEXxjrJfWL5rJSuPsPO8QM3WipLrCz6gFPiW7rpR_dNKV5kpNbbR6F5QXghpPyWmFvNbL4sLAwB5B6rewF7PAfvEifmrGCLj3_224KssB9ztNwXEevH-Klsnuav8So_-MVnDxQ/s1600/join+site+circle.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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WHO THE HELL IS DEBORAH PEYTON!!????</div>
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I can't bitch about this chick! - Deborah is the incredibly skilled illustrator who created my mascot, and will be adding more illustrations to the Soap Box as we continue to grow. Deborah, is Best Selling Author with several books published, as well as a freelance illustrator - you need work done -<a href="mailto:peyton@fine-tooning.com"> contact her</a></div>
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Take a peek at her<a href="http://www.fine-tooning.com/"> website</a> while you are at it.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">SOAP STARS</span></div>
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Our most recent Soap Star - <span style="font-size: large;">Greg E. from Ontario Canada</span>. </div>
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A nice touch including Novembers Idiot of the Month on the cover of McLean's</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jaime P. from Halifax, NS Canada</span>. </div>
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Looking Rather Stylish in her Soapbox T-Shirt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6OwX2BHemqT5OH7fusoGLqP0TjnnvSWRskYa4gBo2u0NtKumCjrtjITQiBkLkg2DdVIhmQU_jb_U8vPjsI5Fo4EqxzEleM126zKP60R3NNF0I6lMPAMOzXWTQr3rmVQqnquTInhYX_M/s1600/unknown+Shirt.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6OwX2BHemqT5OH7fusoGLqP0TjnnvSWRskYa4gBo2u0NtKumCjrtjITQiBkLkg2DdVIhmQU_jb_U8vPjsI5Fo4EqxzEleM126zKP60R3NNF0I6lMPAMOzXWTQr3rmVQqnquTInhYX_M/s320/unknown+Shirt.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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READER CONTRIBUTIONS<br />
I told ya, if ya <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca">send it to me</a>, I will post it for you<br />
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<b>A submission by: Sarah D.</b><br />
CAUTION - Fowl Language<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/mALNyHFqw14?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b>A Submission from Andrew J in New Brunswick......</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtWBvgrHkhcffgHD9OO3wb8vAjY2hsAuJ9Lgd3ShMm_89H2Hl2VDQaNz4xbar_C0ns1KrqrAp8zk_QGh83L0o5HgnxBwa70WG8XNLN-Qxep6RBY5OoCcgwGe-ydMLc9zVR7WBEIGsXhw/s1600/opinion.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtWBvgrHkhcffgHD9OO3wb8vAjY2hsAuJ9Lgd3ShMm_89H2Hl2VDQaNz4xbar_C0ns1KrqrAp8zk_QGh83L0o5HgnxBwa70WG8XNLN-Qxep6RBY5OoCcgwGe-ydMLc9zVR7WBEIGsXhw/s640/opinion.png" width="490" /></a></div>
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I WANT THIS!!! - da_moderator</div>
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<img alt="this is pure genius 47 Genius or Stupid (23 Photos)" src="http://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/this_is_pure_genius_47.gif?w=375&h=195" /><br />
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<a href="http://gawker.com/man-commits-suicide-in-mall-after-girlfriend-refuses-to-1479660064" target="_blank">MAN COMMITS SUICIDE IN MALL AFTER GIRLFRIEND REFUSES TO STOP SHOPPING</a><br />
You HAVE to read this one.. I only wish our malls were high enough to do the same..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu7FeaLz8NP5SP68B19fFSrzA15fDIRGY1Q4y80RXXHFGPSZgdFKUtRfuzpUmh8u3Ffu74FAwRNZew2kK0Ip7Yrj3m9-5UBAsS0qViAM5b-72HoVqRsyK6xnFSbVQxfNBDNtg4dD7wMg/s1600/mall+death.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu7FeaLz8NP5SP68B19fFSrzA15fDIRGY1Q4y80RXXHFGPSZgdFKUtRfuzpUmh8u3Ffu74FAwRNZew2kK0Ip7Yrj3m9-5UBAsS0qViAM5b-72HoVqRsyK6xnFSbVQxfNBDNtg4dD7wMg/s400/mall+death.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sickening to watch a "respected" media source justify<br />
blatent racism in the Quebec Charter "racist bill" - 'da_moderator<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="437" src="http://globalnews.ca/video/embed/981855/" width="670">Your browser does not support frames. &amp;amp;lt;a href="http://globalnews.ca/video/981855/daycare-worker-photo-adds-fuel-to-fire-of-quebec-charter-debate"&amp;amp;gt;Click here to view the frameless video.&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;.</iframe>
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THANK GOD THAT THE </div>
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FRACKING PROTESTERS ARE PROTECTING OUR MOTHER EARTH!!</div>
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Why burn water from taps when you can burn tires on a public highway??</div>
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Think of the damage to the environment they are saving with this protest.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The full opinion of da_moderator on <br />fracking protests - follow this <a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2011/12/time-to-wade-into-fracking-kinda.html">LINK</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Links</span><br />
<a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00:00:00-04:00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00-04:00&max-results=1">SWAG</a><br />
<a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2010/11/reader-contributions-we-are-forever-on.html">READER CONTRIBUTION ARCHIVE</a><br />
<a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2010/11/soapbox-originals-home-for-all-things.html">SOAPBOX ORIGINAL ARCHIVE</a><br />
<a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2010/11/idiot-of-month-awards-our-page.html">IDIOT OF THE MONTH ARCHIVE</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Past Month Bitches</span></div>
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<b><a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2013/10/october-2013-bitches.html" target="_blank">OCTOBER BITCHES HERE</a></b> </div>
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<b><a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2013/10/welcome-to-bitches-for-month-of.html" target="_blank">NOVEMBER BITCHES HERE</a></b> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">DECEMBER </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">BITCHES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(at the bottom man, follow the arrow) </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jRSteAld8-I/UnAH-9RQVwI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/Kxh3BANTAVI/s1600/dawgarrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jRSteAld8-I/UnAH-9RQVwI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/Kxh3BANTAVI/s640/dawgarrow.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-42301347254647434722013-10-31T14:48:00.000-03:002013-11-06T13:29:16.573-04:00<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEQftS99MuNFcx42T3Gs4rZL-1DUYeZHKa9GxH8Xzbf8S1fj4alPjbVMMfTFFO4SOjAafUOHjCCU-qi5GLFtB4ooI9KOkSKQ3IdSWTON28I7eifIsP9Xq-oCJoHcQ93aaCP7DbutQMLM/s1600/color+bitch+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEQftS99MuNFcx42T3Gs4rZL-1DUYeZHKa9GxH8Xzbf8S1fj4alPjbVMMfTFFO4SOjAafUOHjCCU-qi5GLFtB4ooI9KOkSKQ3IdSWTON28I7eifIsP9Xq-oCJoHcQ93aaCP7DbutQMLM/s400/color+bitch+final.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">IT'S HERE!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">______________________________________</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">______________________________________</span><br />
With over <b>10,000 visits</b> and 50+ posts, I have done my part, I have been irked, frustrated, informative, disgusted, insightful, artsy - and now am finally happy and unburdened- I have said what I want to say. So now it is your turn. I have seen on Facebook, there are a lot of frustrated folks out there with things to bitch about - but only their friends know.. Now, bitch to the world.. with an exponentially growing number of readers to the soapbox, share your bitches here, or comment on someone else's bellyaching. A free for all of complaining.. what more could you ask for??<br />
<br />
Most of you do not have the need or desire to set up your own blog, and try to get folks to give a shit.. I have done it for you. Click a link and start typing.. toooooo easy!<br />
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<b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2013/10/october-2013-bitches.html" target="_blank">>OCTOBER BITCHES HERE<</a></b><br />
<b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2013/10/welcome-to-bitches-for-month-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">>>>>NOVEMBER BITCHES HERE<<<<<</span> </a></b><br />
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<b><u><br /></u></b>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u><a href="http://www.ebay.ca/itm/darryls-soapbox-T-Shirts/331040801498?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=014&category=15687&cmd=ViewItem" target="_blank">SWAG??</a></u></b> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgff5VMBEPAcEkC56LxRC80DxqmGhlImknCXZFLeFQwSPrGG8-C-G8unDuFHyFJF1n3SOmCGe4UFo3QkfQ22kz72vYAI0gRivqxr7iwZKEpV2f5LRSn1oYjUj6zL_tXEcg0XV6wG7nIgM4/s1600/101_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgff5VMBEPAcEkC56LxRC80DxqmGhlImknCXZFLeFQwSPrGG8-C-G8unDuFHyFJF1n3SOmCGe4UFo3QkfQ22kz72vYAI0gRivqxr7iwZKEpV2f5LRSn1oYjUj6zL_tXEcg0XV6wG7nIgM4/s200/101_0302.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97jRz3B_N-knQ4Ql9k3Eerpf-aVz_lYjP3m-rcP7PjJNDcSGy8OxQkbf8fOxDCRGibMzDHwgMtFEL53zm3nyfHtyQy_yCqXU6hwrHr65XQsKdr-Txs3eSTQv2ei-UOKEHl7WnGN5uimc/s1600/join+site+circle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97jRz3B_N-knQ4Ql9k3Eerpf-aVz_lYjP3m-rcP7PjJNDcSGy8OxQkbf8fOxDCRGibMzDHwgMtFEL53zm3nyfHtyQy_yCqXU6hwrHr65XQsKdr-Txs3eSTQv2ei-UOKEHl7WnGN5uimc/s200/join+site+circle.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Yep, we got swag!!!!</span> - starting off with T-Shirts and will be growing to other swag. Want FREE swag? Keep visiting for future contests.. Octobers winner is a loyal reader of the Soap Box - Sterling Keays - Congrats Sterling!<br />
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<b>Buy your darryls-soapbox t-shirt <a href="http://www.ebay.ca/itm/darryls-soapbox-T-Shirts/331040801498?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=014&category=15687&cmd=ViewItem" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</b> Or if you are in the Fredericton area, email <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca">da_moderator@live.ca</a> and I will get one to you straight away - only $29.00 will get you a VERY original and unique shirt, that also will come with instructions on how your new shirt can get you featured on the soapbox.<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">*******UPDATE: We are almost sold out of Medium Size, so if you are a medium order soon. </span></b><br />
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<b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2013/10/october-2013-bitches.html" target="_blank">>OCTOBER BITCHES HERE<</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2013/10/welcome-to-bitches-for-month-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">>>>>NOVEMBER BITCHES HERE<<<<<</span> </a></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">RULES?? Not many..</span></u></b><br />
<ul>
<li>Lets try to keep it clean, at present, I do not moderate (preview and approve posts), and I don't want to.</li>
<li>We are all here to vent, compare and add insight to your and others bitches - lets respect others</li>
<li>Topics can be anything that piss you off</li>
<li>ORIGINAL pictures/videos are great, and I will post anything you send - if you provide a good reason. Email them, along with a description to <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca">da_moderator@live.ca</a></li>
</ul>
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Email me with any questions/comments/what you would like to see on darryls-soabox. And remember, I want ORIGINAL funny, bitchy, unusual photos or videos to get posted here.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca">da_moderator@live.ca</a></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2013/10/october-2013-bitches.html" target="_blank">>OCTOBER BITCHES HERE<</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2013/10/welcome-to-bitches-for-month-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">>>>>NOVEMBER BITCHES HERE<<<<<</span> </a></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(that means click here to get bitchin if you are confused)</span></div>
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<div style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><i>*** now accepting nominations for </i></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><i><b>November's </b><b>IDIOT OF THE MONTH*** </b></i></span></div>
<b style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></b><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fafafa; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><i>submit nominations <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca">HERE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSuQyzDTCa5dyx6P6maQlgCz-Is3SkFtG9gfzKYltD0sa28xElnzkynPRuZSIBaHteRkedRpMDX57eCjTvUW2BYcvKnnT9cXB9YU-rax67eB4NXEud9B5SrS2l639W61xvTS2bUz_94I/s1600/BlottoRobbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSuQyzDTCa5dyx6P6maQlgCz-Is3SkFtG9gfzKYltD0sa28xElnzkynPRuZSIBaHteRkedRpMDX57eCjTvUW2BYcvKnnT9cXB9YU-rax67eB4NXEud9B5SrS2l639W61xvTS2bUz_94I/s320/BlottoRobbo.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A NOMINEE for November</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</a></i></span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-85100226658903185872013-10-31T11:51:00.001-03:002013-11-20T14:17:04.946-04:00<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiigiRt2e6XdkRKQRwI-N6QhubAREruNnpoDaR0EYlFo7jlKAHNGCMx3qhbbLNrnz3bkFjGL1wrG6XKw6oQTr0-lJj32FfLNE79BtZfIZ2WcfseduqOsfSdwvsVzAHaJl5EDfLV9V2PLY/s1600/poppy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiigiRt2e6XdkRKQRwI-N6QhubAREruNnpoDaR0EYlFo7jlKAHNGCMx3qhbbLNrnz3bkFjGL1wrG6XKw6oQTr0-lJj32FfLNE79BtZfIZ2WcfseduqOsfSdwvsVzAHaJl5EDfLV9V2PLY/s640/poppy.png" width="486" /></a></div>
<b style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Welcome to Bitches For The month of NOVEMBER 2103 !!!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i>*** now accepting nominations for </i></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i><b>November's </b><b>IDIOT OF THE MONTH*** </b></i></span><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i>submit nominations <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca" target="_blank">HERE</a></i></span></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_2K6-FhApX-9e6rMXK8zAwOAfq8Qobf0CBCc4c_E435G48GBUw26MpneFZNq8rDfAERqbz8TdUxBtti90Xm6L6HM8L7vamPkuDpk27ZjEbfvzgJfzrSaiw2k83ZGvE1IqK3oXRVP9GA/s1600/BlottoRobbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_2K6-FhApX-9e6rMXK8zAwOAfq8Qobf0CBCc4c_E435G48GBUw26MpneFZNq8rDfAERqbz8TdUxBtti90Xm6L6HM8L7vamPkuDpk27ZjEbfvzgJfzrSaiw2k83ZGvE1IqK3oXRVP9GA/s400/BlottoRobbo.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NICE SHIRT ROB!!!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>________________</b></span></blockquote>
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Again, lets review the ground rules<br />
<ul>
<li>Lets try to keep it clean, at present, I do not moderate (preview and approve posts), and I don't want to.</li>
<li>We are all here to vent, compare and add insight to your and others bitches - lets respect others</li>
<li>Topics can be anything that piss you off</li>
<li>ORIGINAL pictures/videos are great, and I will post anything you send - if you provide a good reason. Email them, along with a description to <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca">da_moderator@live.ca</a></li>
</ul>
So how do we post here?? At the bottom of this post, there is a link to click "view comments" - or the comments may already be visible (depending on your browser. If you have a new bitch to post, simply type away in the text box. If you want to comment on another's post, click reply directly below their post - and type away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXcckIGYsMsUkznoc1slOIhkGBRxlhj_iUFsI6P87smMzYV1A3UCklTXfhmoRhatuU2DAjDDPINZoImCRoZUFvHS9jILteEO0aDwZw90bv90579uoXTUP9EiKl6RpmMUyYbC0uKSTSg4/s1600/Comment+instructions.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXcckIGYsMsUkznoc1slOIhkGBRxlhj_iUFsI6P87smMzYV1A3UCklTXfhmoRhatuU2DAjDDPINZoImCRoZUFvHS9jILteEO0aDwZw90bv90579uoXTUP9EiKl6RpmMUyYbC0uKSTSg4/s400/Comment+instructions.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9wO-fVPP7xi30OjysPn0aKMiDpZgG-VIU5t6JVBunLYD5W7Vjaw_qtZCT_qMV2uiskaFIH9igV8drTUl8oZcg3SV4af305k5jm9dFkirkuLCY2jHij6DUSfzOHS-gLqA5_hhuL4yf3k/s1600/101_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9wO-fVPP7xi30OjysPn0aKMiDpZgG-VIU5t6JVBunLYD5W7Vjaw_qtZCT_qMV2uiskaFIH9igV8drTUl8oZcg3SV4af305k5jm9dFkirkuLCY2jHij6DUSfzOHS-gLqA5_hhuL4yf3k/s200/101_0302.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
And don't forget to buy darryls-soapbox T-Shirt.. if you are in the Fredericton Area, simply email <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca">da_moderator@live.ca</a> or if you are anywhere else in the word, get em <a href="http://www.ebay.ca/itm/darryls-soapbox-T-Shirts/331040801498?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=014&category=15687&cmd=ViewItem" target="_blank">HERE</a> .<br />
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$29.00 each - Sizes S/M/L/XL<br />
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<span style="background-color: purple; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">_________________</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lets have a little theme music for November Bitches</b></span></div>
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Anarchy in the UK - Sex Pistols aught to do it.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cBojbjoMttI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="background-color: purple; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: purple; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: purple; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: purple; font-size: x-small;">_________________</span> </div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nominees for <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">IDIOT OF THE MONTH </span> </div>
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Submit your nominees <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEita9vCcBG_DNZ_EsCOyxE8_2cRVHyhLErBiNdO-poPtRwPa1DxWvTRvuEShSjIHrdyuryYywluruhPKz7DHkSRJJ3ZTqeTuLUSjtB1fqDOqKbmaTK9BMGk-6JTrHmouIdiCvMakGr7NwU/s1600/Quebec-Premier-Pauline-Marois.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEita9vCcBG_DNZ_EsCOyxE8_2cRVHyhLErBiNdO-poPtRwPa1DxWvTRvuEShSjIHrdyuryYywluruhPKz7DHkSRJJ3ZTqeTuLUSjtB1fqDOqKbmaTK9BMGk-6JTrHmouIdiCvMakGr7NwU/s200/Quebec-Premier-Pauline-Marois.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>NOMINEE #1</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Premier" Pauline Marios</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for proposing the <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/09/14/quebec_charter_protest_in_montreal.html" target="_blank">Racist Bill</a> in Quebec</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;"><b>NOMINEE #2</b>,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="text-align: left;">Mayor Rob Ford, no explanation necessary -<br />Nominated by MARITIMECBASS</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><b>NOMINEE#3</b>, <br />The Canadian Senate - $200 Million a year - to do WHAT??<br /><br /><br /> </span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-size: medium;">NOMINEE #4</b></div>
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New Brunswick Electorate </div>
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for continuing to vote in groups of idiots - </div>
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Eric B (see comments in bitch area below)</div>
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<b style="font-size: medium;">NOMINEE #5</b></div>
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Brenda Vellinio</div>
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for promoting the <a href="http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2013/11/20131104-142226.html">White Poppy Campaign</a></div>
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by: GregEsau (he referred to her as This Bish) !! LOL</div>
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<b style="font-size: medium;">NOMINEE #6 - Withdrawn</b></div>
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<b><u>NOTE FROM DA_MODERATOR:</u></b> Anonymous November 7, 2013 at 11:12 AM's Nomination has been withdrawn. The purpose of the Soap Box if for one to feel free to voice their opinions. Be they popular or not, their opinion is as valuable as any others. This is a forum to speak your mind. The Soap Box would like to apologize to Anonymous November 7, 2013 at 11:12 AM for this lapse in policy.</div>
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MY FAVOURITE COMPLAINER - Rodney Dangerfield<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">A girl phoned me the other day and said, "Come on over, there's nobody home." I went over. Nobody was home.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">If it weren't for pickpockets, I'd have no sex life at all.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">During sex, my girlfriend always wants to talk to me. Just the other night she called me from a hotel.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">One day as I came home early from work I saw a guy jogging naked. I said to the guy, "Hey buddy, why are you doing that?" He said, "Because you came home early."</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Its been a rough day. I got up this morning ... put on a shirt and a button fell off. I picked up my briefcase and the handle came off. I'm afraid to go to the bathroom.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I was such an ugly kid ... when I played in the sandbox the cat kept covering me up.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I could tell that my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I was such an ugly baby ... my mother never breast fed me. She told me that she only liked me as a friend.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">When I was born ... the doctor came out to the waiting room and told my father, "We did everything we could ... but he pulled through."</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">My wife made me join a bridge club. I jump off next Tuesday.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I'm so ugly ... I worked in a pet shop and people kept asking how big I'd get.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I went to the doctor because I'd swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills. My doctor told me to have a few drinks and get some rest.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I remember the time I was kidnapped and they sent a piece of my finger to my father. He said he wanted more proof</li>
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WHO THE HELL IS DEBORAH PEYTON!!????<br />
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I can't bitch about this chick! - Deborah is the incredibly skilled illustrator who created my mascot, and will be adding more illustrations to the Soap Box as we continue to grow. Deborah, is Best Selling Author with several books published, as well as a freelance illustrator - you need work done -<a href="mailto:peyton@fine-tooning.com" target="_blank"> contact her</a><br />
Take a peek at her<a href="http://www.fine-tooning.com/" target="_blank"> website</a> while you are at it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">THE WINNER</span> </div>
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of the November 1st draw </div>
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for the coveted Soap Box T-shirt IS.....</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">STERLING KEAYS!!! </span></div>
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Congratulations Sterling, <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca" target="_blank">contact me</a> </div>
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and I will arrange getting your new short to you</div>
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LIKE YOU, I HATE ALL THIS FACEBOOK CRAP<br />
But, this one just seems to belong here on the Soap Box<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">A Soap Box Original</span><br />
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READER CONTRIBUTIONS<br />
I told ya, if ya <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca">send it to me</a>, I will post it for you<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbf9C3E-XqypuC8-RitosCWB8iJlW-ovlAd0On1F8j3o1tXe9u83JHKra7oSotbo3PA9mW67uDnRwYDUhSPYKSXhiFV94fuMtIM85SdtGzYY7VKppyNPSkprE0z0sHcH-lrIkTNJfEFI/s1600/not+logical.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbf9C3E-XqypuC8-RitosCWB8iJlW-ovlAd0On1F8j3o1tXe9u83JHKra7oSotbo3PA9mW67uDnRwYDUhSPYKSXhiFV94fuMtIM85SdtGzYY7VKppyNPSkprE0z0sHcH-lrIkTNJfEFI/s320/not+logical.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Submitted By: Sterling K, New Brunswick Canada</td></tr>
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Another Contribution - this from MARITIMECBASS<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="225" scrolling="no" src="http://ca.news.yahoo.com/video/rob-ford-bobbleheads-spur-long-181500341.html?format=embed&player_autoplay=false" width="400"></iframe>
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Does this guy look like he is in trouble for the 2014 election?<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="225" scrolling="no" src="http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/video/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-cheered-082313556.html?format=embed&player_autoplay=false" width="400"></iframe>
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WATCH THIS - I will let you form your own opinion on this one.</div>
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/psZBaJU_Cvo/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/psZBaJU_Cvo&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/psZBaJU_Cvo&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time for a little PERSPECTIVE</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIvEAgoOmvzARx1kA67IMtmJvcsdltKFu19riK-00rknsmJh4EevjOOtoXYeWBv1Qgw_y8kcHb6ZQZ3ELJqs5T3jA4I1Br-5X1NEVNNwpmQ_hTQuxuWhtaqgQ_oNAojBisiibQGzNpVw/s1600/powerful-photos-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIvEAgoOmvzARx1kA67IMtmJvcsdltKFu19riK-00rknsmJh4EevjOOtoXYeWBv1Qgw_y8kcHb6ZQZ3ELJqs5T3jA4I1Br-5X1NEVNNwpmQ_hTQuxuWhtaqgQ_oNAojBisiibQGzNpVw/s400/powerful-photos-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">Simply titled: "Starving boy and Missionary". <br />
Clearly as we whine and complain about politics, culture, shale gas, idiots.... <br />
there are folks out there with bigger issues.. <br />
NO I AM NOT GOING ALL SOFT.. just a powerful image.. for more just as powerful.. click<a href="http://www.boredpanda.com/must-see-powerful-photos/"> here</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Past Month Bitches</span></div>
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<b><a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2013/10/october-2013-bitches.html" target="_blank">OCTOBER BITCHES HERE</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">NOVEMBER </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">BITCHES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(at the bottom man, follow the arrow) </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jRSteAld8-I/UnAH-9RQVwI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/Kxh3BANTAVI/s1600/dawgarrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jRSteAld8-I/UnAH-9RQVwI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/Kxh3BANTAVI/s640/dawgarrow.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-64286649285613620602013-10-09T14:48:00.000-03:002013-10-30T14:44:29.574-03:00October 2013 Bitches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWNwFNTTfc6C1Rk7DhuKeaSISAofcF4XLstGarLLWfRXgPi0E5xoIoLA8vHSG-bJnfrcMWAAmfTdMmIm1EuJVB33fLiDIakNqDaqbi0t25DCtiZAUoxdYf8y7c9NmHkDmm5BwI4fgLvU/s1600/color+bitch+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWNwFNTTfc6C1Rk7DhuKeaSISAofcF4XLstGarLLWfRXgPi0E5xoIoLA8vHSG-bJnfrcMWAAmfTdMmIm1EuJVB33fLiDIakNqDaqbi0t25DCtiZAUoxdYf8y7c9NmHkDmm5BwI4fgLvU/s320/color+bitch+final.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i>*** now accepting nominations for </i></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i><b>November's </b><b>IDIOT OF THE MONTH*** </b></i></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i>submit nominations <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca" target="_blank">HERE</a></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Welcome to Bitches For The month of October 2103 !!!</span></b><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>__________________________</b></span><br />
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Lets review the ground rules<br />
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<ul>
<li>Lets try to keep it clean, at present, I do not moderate (preview and approve posts), and I don't want to.</li>
<li>We are all here to vent, compare and add insight to your and others bitches - lets respect others</li>
<li>Topics can be anything that piss you off</li>
<li>ORIGINAL pictures/videos are great, and I will post anything you send - if you provide a good reason. Email them, along with a description to <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca">da_moderator@live.ca</a></li>
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So how do we post here?? At the bottom of this post, there is a link to click "view comments" - or the comments may already be visible (depending on your browser. If you have a new bitch to post, simply type away in the text box. If you want to comment on another's post, click reply directly below their post - and type away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXcckIGYsMsUkznoc1slOIhkGBRxlhj_iUFsI6P87smMzYV1A3UCklTXfhmoRhatuU2DAjDDPINZoImCRoZUFvHS9jILteEO0aDwZw90bv90579uoXTUP9EiKl6RpmMUyYbC0uKSTSg4/s1600/Comment+instructions.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXcckIGYsMsUkznoc1slOIhkGBRxlhj_iUFsI6P87smMzYV1A3UCklTXfhmoRhatuU2DAjDDPINZoImCRoZUFvHS9jILteEO0aDwZw90bv90579uoXTUP9EiKl6RpmMUyYbC0uKSTSg4/s400/Comment+instructions.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9wO-fVPP7xi30OjysPn0aKMiDpZgG-VIU5t6JVBunLYD5W7Vjaw_qtZCT_qMV2uiskaFIH9igV8drTUl8oZcg3SV4af305k5jm9dFkirkuLCY2jHij6DUSfzOHS-gLqA5_hhuL4yf3k/s1600/101_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9wO-fVPP7xi30OjysPn0aKMiDpZgG-VIU5t6JVBunLYD5W7Vjaw_qtZCT_qMV2uiskaFIH9igV8drTUl8oZcg3SV4af305k5jm9dFkirkuLCY2jHij6DUSfzOHS-gLqA5_hhuL4yf3k/s200/101_0302.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
And don't forget to buy darryls-soapbox T-Shirt.. if you are in the Fredericton Area, simply email <a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca">da_moderator@live.ca</a> or if you are anywhere else in the word, get em <a href="http://www.ebay.ca/itm/darryls-soapbox-T-Shirts/331040801498?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=014&category=15687&cmd=ViewItem" target="_blank">HERE</a> .<br />
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$29.00 each - Sizes S/M/L/XL<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><u>To enter to win one, click <a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/2013/10/special-thanks-to-deborah-peyton-for.html" target="_blank">here</a> and follow directions.. </u></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><u>Draw - Nov 1,2013</u></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-pxX2ROWWiEiW-p9rvQELkRcYk6_MXycm1XPNX0zixDpb5EqsMufJS4nAb8sQiiw4dIu3-sNvhgsvxhrZtX1nE7AobHEA5SfOhz-cWAzk-7IT29IZfQ9DsbRgS06G12QQLo4mtf7fh8/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-pxX2ROWWiEiW-p9rvQELkRcYk6_MXycm1XPNX0zixDpb5EqsMufJS4nAb8sQiiw4dIu3-sNvhgsvxhrZtX1nE7AobHEA5SfOhz-cWAzk-7IT29IZfQ9DsbRgS06G12QQLo4mtf7fh8/s200/image.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SOAPBOX </b><b>T-SHIRT SPOTTED IN ACTION</b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">!!</b></div>
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Alex G. from Eastern Canada test drove his new Soap Box T-shirt.. </div>
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and tested (apparently) if it was beer proof - which it is not<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwWmyNurPgP3BJsSBhM8FdFG59ZTH14urP-hTgKzVUSP0PGDTPewgTeqkYuSRgtbdU-E_AhhbifIeNBe2UPEw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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ANNOUNCING<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">IDIOT OF THE MONTH AWARD</span> </div>
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awarded to....</div>
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MARGARET ATWOOD for heading the drive to make O Canada gender-neutral</div>
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Congratulations.. clearly, you are very familiar with at least LOOKING gender-neutral</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqef_t-Nq52bAJHWJj_S5Ubyt5340mmK6w2xjZ-5pSLiFOr2jdF-RWMLJQnq08FuB9LQZJHSsSa-OVMkKXVkJsUNa-mIFlybKxCVZkT3Ck-MwtHNuhqVM9rehkPUSErPDcGejcItxMKOg/s1600/atwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqef_t-Nq52bAJHWJj_S5Ubyt5340mmK6w2xjZ-5pSLiFOr2jdF-RWMLJQnq08FuB9LQZJHSsSa-OVMkKXVkJsUNa-mIFlybKxCVZkT3Ck-MwtHNuhqVM9rehkPUSErPDcGejcItxMKOg/s1600/atwood.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idiot<br />
Submit Nominations for next month's Idiot of the Month<br />
<a href="mailto:da_moderator@live.ca" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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ORIGINAL RANTS<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">CALL ME, BITCHES!! </span>(language warning in effect) </div>
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">This voice-mail came into my main line (after hours). My office 800 number was frequently misdialed and we would receive calls that should have been to a government agency in Florida. The office Administrator, Jenn C, was brilliant to take the time to record this.. and now here it is on the internet.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwoPZEZJXok1uDSBeaJ1MVMLhWiiqJkjLv4pvnlgICYcWxhsO3WM_zH4uTFt916s03_a0DkT4TvMSRHkV1BBA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuaCdXfIuIPxdvfEfh7Zjrss9aoxdyfhibblYnwvx31hdNJgWy6f5Ez2r2LoNznYEa5wvffhS9zSIk1nInrtskMCPqbuW_MBpAl9GBeSmVm8bdNRYAIzWHFKqRB3IMDo371pNAvNbPqc/s1600/office+fart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuaCdXfIuIPxdvfEfh7Zjrss9aoxdyfhibblYnwvx31hdNJgWy6f5Ez2r2LoNznYEa5wvffhS9zSIk1nInrtskMCPqbuW_MBpAl9GBeSmVm8bdNRYAIzWHFKqRB3IMDo371pNAvNbPqc/s400/office+fart.jpg" width="318" /></a><br />
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SOMETHIN' TO BITCH ABOUT<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">First Nations <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/n-b-shale-gas-protest-spurs-premier-native-leaders-meeting-1.2125134" target="_blank">Protests and Blockades</a> against Shale Gas Development in NB, Canada</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDIEK3qq1TpsGeCa622VpRZ_r09fyI3Y2x4RyYmTyK7t38S276_xGOtGnO5poQ9wBrs8h4A-XNSS9oWdS4ffztuxu5RgR177WxoMxGwQA3aoU7cP0pT2DRXQDPLK1xHSnsWxAEq7YJWY/s1600/car-fire-shale-gas-rexton-protest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDIEK3qq1TpsGeCa622VpRZ_r09fyI3Y2x4RyYmTyK7t38S276_xGOtGnO5poQ9wBrs8h4A-XNSS9oWdS4ffztuxu5RgR177WxoMxGwQA3aoU7cP0pT2DRXQDPLK1xHSnsWxAEq7YJWY/s400/car-fire-shale-gas-rexton-protest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: purple; font-size: x-small;">_________________</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I WANNA DO THIS!!!</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/C3x0wFJBqnM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I had a good reason to post this,</div>
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but found something more interesting to do, so I forgot the point</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjMW9HF2mOPhWDvWUylCmOvOC2f9xmXig_tcmk4FhvvUZnpRko5aT-caiKvLEqccHPL3YxGbT2X-W7Jnv5yXEmPJnyHJF8nKKk5P3Ia_O6ROLb_Vx7-KnX4re3-9Ph-ugyL881WN6JnU/s1600/PS_0587W_AD_SQUIRREL_t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjMW9HF2mOPhWDvWUylCmOvOC2f9xmXig_tcmk4FhvvUZnpRko5aT-caiKvLEqccHPL3YxGbT2X-W7Jnv5yXEmPJnyHJF8nKKk5P3Ia_O6ROLb_Vx7-KnX4re3-9Ph-ugyL881WN6JnU/s320/PS_0587W_AD_SQUIRREL_t.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">GOT TO AGREE!</span></span></div>
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Paul D -Canada : "And another freakin train crash and fire ... </div>
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When will people realize a pipe line is not a bad thing?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ozhqi1LcX9TMT2Q0viDTEg7Jm7GBxYp6Kt39k_f8XJErOkDVSBsNNa_4XcZjrMjNQU-6luwypKd95tP_VGINNmqM0Vx8oTShEpl9yUmait9RvPm26x2JRorKfD1xo3XDifuYFolf06c/s1600/deerailment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ozhqi1LcX9TMT2Q0viDTEg7Jm7GBxYp6Kt39k_f8XJErOkDVSBsNNa_4XcZjrMjNQU-6luwypKd95tP_VGINNmqM0Vx8oTShEpl9yUmait9RvPm26x2JRorKfD1xo3XDifuYFolf06c/s320/deerailment.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: purple; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">_________________</span><br />
NOW THIS GUY CAN RANT!!!<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/l9RBXlE86Ng?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="background-color: purple;">_________________</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">When you have no one to bitch to.. Call 911 !!!</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/U0p6QVBqAXA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="background-color: purple; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">_________________</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THIS HOLY - </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">ENOUGH ALREADY!!!! </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvW-dxlo92LcLOkCrWqIkO8a_-3iLBFvFEeK0pXuZZnm6gGrjLOFEzZDbcb59K89UjnEnvUeZ4TkPxt1AtZA9T298AzkMfL3wEdSW6SZW_ffMqMbRb8yHm5wDDnt8-j2mkzAZrGwl4Iwk/s1600/duffy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvW-dxlo92LcLOkCrWqIkO8a_-3iLBFvFEeK0pXuZZnm6gGrjLOFEzZDbcb59K89UjnEnvUeZ4TkPxt1AtZA9T298AzkMfL3wEdSW6SZW_ffMqMbRb8yHm5wDDnt8-j2mkzAZrGwl4Iwk/s320/duffy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Dear Federal Government, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Please forget this guy, or throw him in jail.. we dont care, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
JUST GET BACK TO RUNNING CANADA</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Sincerely.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Canadians</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">OCTOBER </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">BITCHES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(at the bottom man, follow the arrow) </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jRSteAld8-I/UnAH-9RQVwI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/Kxh3BANTAVI/s1600/dawgarrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jRSteAld8-I/UnAH-9RQVwI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/Kxh3BANTAVI/s640/dawgarrow.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-1074148567332775612013-09-25T13:51:00.001-03:002013-10-03T13:14:18.246-03:00It's Coming SOOOOOOON.........<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCY8Jptmd5T7Ez_dMlza-_R4yp6os_tgBZ-DM8IrYiM74qu97_RwnI8_A5o0u1L8RndTk74-Z5dSo_7vYi5pRgAu4VRKLzAXF_vd88oNMOFi2ZZBNVKmD6ldhd4hoYYFsajeiTnwXDMiw/s1600/color+bitch+clue+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCY8Jptmd5T7Ez_dMlza-_R4yp6os_tgBZ-DM8IrYiM74qu97_RwnI8_A5o0u1L8RndTk74-Z5dSo_7vYi5pRgAu4VRKLzAXF_vd88oNMOFi2ZZBNVKmD6ldhd4hoYYFsajeiTnwXDMiw/s200/color+bitch+clue+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A clue to what's coming......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>o what's happening to darryls-soabox?? Well this is a surprise, and expect to see big changes with an announcement very soon.. pretty well everything is in place, just waiting on a manufacturer for the prizes and swag.<br />
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<u><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></u>
<u><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>JUST IN!!!</b> </span></u>- To interrupt this article, I have added this ORIGINAL audio clip. This voice-mail came into my main line (after hours). My office 800 number was frequently misdialed and we would receive calls that should have been to a government agency in Florida. The office Administrator, Jenn C, was brilliant to take the time to record this.. and now here it is on the internet..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzOxt6L9SuI-7wQXfNMjFp6f7usIrel3d5RQht6HAlAvhwiRe1NYwfFiPm8pCFPbolymGOPKVuPWjCaA6_-wA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />
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<br />
So what can you do to get ready for the big day??..<br />
<br />
<b><u>Firstly</u></b>, "Join this site" (hit the join box to the left of the page).. all who join will be entered in a draw for a unique gift with the stellar value of nearly $30. No scam on this, no gotchas, just lists you as a member of this site.. does not link to porn or websites for discount Viagra.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Secondly</u></b>, send ORIGINAL pictures of things that are uniquely interesting, or funny or even better - things that PISS YOU OFF.. when you send these in, write a brief description of the photo.. the best ones will be selected and featured on the new Soapbox. Email pix to da_moderator@live.ca<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1SsTIrbdfR6t4K6K4kHbC59BWJ4Nm1J0uf3v6L8EKk0DwV2-YGlA5DhVycU8JG1OtgZo73WcpUqzgdO1bLEJkMsVQYqUqHeQkeIb_00Pl4h1pm2Q7sRFINhHF1KGgESsd1OqYzKSrR8/s1600/Tshirtteaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1SsTIrbdfR6t4K6K4kHbC59BWJ4Nm1J0uf3v6L8EKk0DwV2-YGlA5DhVycU8JG1OtgZo73WcpUqzgdO1bLEJkMsVQYqUqHeQkeIb_00Pl4h1pm2Q7sRFINhHF1KGgESsd1OqYzKSrR8/s320/Tshirtteaser.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Hint of what's to come</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-57448772680688963192013-09-09T12:57:00.000-03:002013-09-09T12:58:30.577-03:00Driving Syria Back Into The Stone Age<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTpNKuQcN-1D8TkqxrJUR7XDgqA4UiPPIHquIbhY2TVFjnhAIeTtdXUUnv3UyVYtr8_hQL7UBZe3Vub7w6_3CWJXC8P2AHHxoUJf5zyds5EeC6XmbmYTfOf8UmfTWbvc34LCVOfkp3nc/s1600/CavemanTVIllustationIM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTpNKuQcN-1D8TkqxrJUR7XDgqA4UiPPIHquIbhY2TVFjnhAIeTtdXUUnv3UyVYtr8_hQL7UBZe3Vub7w6_3CWJXC8P2AHHxoUJf5zyds5EeC6XmbmYTfOf8UmfTWbvc34LCVOfkp3nc/s320/CavemanTVIllustationIM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">R</span>oughly a year ago, Obama in a public address, detailed the
now famous “Red Line” on chemical warfare. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now the world and specifically Obama is faced with having to
back-up his threats with actual armed combat. In my laymen’s understanding of
the complexities of US and International Politics, It seems that Obama has
painted that red line, and recent events have that line in fact having painted
the President into a corner.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t feel the US citizens have much of a taste for yet
another armed conflict.. historically, the US populous is patriotic and
supportive of protecting their oil resources in the middle east, however in the
poor economic position the United States are in, and the huge expenditure of
recent conflicts. I think the citizens (therefore the president) are not too
excited in entering into yet another costly conflict. I hate to point out the elephant
in the room, but as much as we like to think that our global superpowers are
protectors of the human condition – we must face the reality of protection of
supply chain and global finance are the drivers of Middle East conflict. Ugly,
but true. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So, how does President Obama manage his red line? This may
be the opportunity to enter into the inevitable modern warfare. With the European,
Russian resistance to start firing
rockets, but clearly supportive of the US desire to put an immediate stop to
chemical warfare – they in this case, have their cake and eat it too. <o:p></o:p></div>
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With such well financed and technically advanced countries
all in agreement that Syria needs to be brought into check, a combined,
focused, co-operatively architected digital attack would serve all of the purposes
to cease the murderous activities of the Syrian Government. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As one can barely turn a light switch on in your home
without it being (in some part of the electrical grid) controlled my computer
networks. Cell phone, land line, email, digital communication, at its root is
built of computer technology. Electricity, water – the most basics of
civilization is now all controlled by computer networks. The complete Military
Machine rely on the ole 1’s and 0’s of network traffic.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So rather than lighting the fuse on missiles, and landing
boots on the streets of Syria.. a combined full on digital attack co-ordinated
by all of the major powers would return Syria to the stone age. A complete
attack on communications, finance, utilities, private networks, military
networks.. Everything. I do not think we or our digital allies have any issue
with the technical know-how to virtually shut down this country.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Would civilians suffer – yes, that is inevitable, but I
expect a civilian would prefer to have to exists for a time having to be
reverted back to the 1800’s. But I would bet money that they would chose this
over the option of them being killed as collateral damage in a traditional war.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Obama could come out with his credibility intact, as he answered
to his threat of the red line, the
allies, who clearly object to Syrian behaviour, need not take the step of firing
rockets. And with no resources other than the flickering light of a candle to
read by, Syria would be forced to shut down their military activities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oversimplified, of course it is.. But the superpowers have the people with the
smarts to manage all of the complexities of this strategy, and besides it is a
hell of a lot less expensive than a traditional war, and nobody dies. I would see
this as motivation to figure out the methods. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Government of any country would find the thought of thousands of Computer Hackers working 7 days a week 24 hours a day working exclusively to attack your infrastructure much more intimidating than being watched through the cross-hairs of a rifle.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-55321086734668355992013-09-06T12:46:00.000-03:002013-09-06T12:49:06.644-03:00Sanitizing Frosh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWkNrlxdfMhHzLPj81NpY5DzVTbjIuMq_O0bRmhq-x9PjII5qRA_esPlJBREe2vvw2kW1NHuTeoUb50s3VhoJY_U75zkIB79JVaY8joBwpSQXN-wT9DgnZk8lUWFt0zUPcaDq_y1lerY/s1600/frat-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWkNrlxdfMhHzLPj81NpY5DzVTbjIuMq_O0bRmhq-x9PjII5qRA_esPlJBREe2vvw2kW1NHuTeoUb50s3VhoJY_U75zkIB79JVaY8joBwpSQXN-wT9DgnZk8lUWFt0zUPcaDq_y1lerY/s200/frat-house.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;">_______________________</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">"...devil worshippers and spousal abusers?"</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">_______________________</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>t is that time of year again with Universities starting to fill up, and of course the new recruits we know as frosh, are roaming the grounds, wide eyed, terrified, lost and unnerved. It is also time for the news to be filled with “inappropriate” frosh activities, excessive drinking, rowdy parties, group chants with inappropriate wordage and on and on.<br />
<br />
The university community of administrators, and even those who are completely uninvolved with university life are up in arms with the inappropriateness of the most trivial activities of a frosh week.<br />
<br />
It does not take too deep of a dive into local newspapers or newscasts where some member of a frosh organizing committee is being held accountable for political inappropriateness of an activity or two. Even to the point of community outrage for signs posted on dorm walls, or time honoured rituals that now seem to rub the fur of righteous community leaders.<br />
<br />
First off, I expect that most of the “adults” judging and demanding change in frosh behaviour were themselves at one point university graduates, and I also feel I am safe in assuming that they too were involved in similar activities (maybe they have just forgotten).. But I am pretty sure that very few of these impeccably moral folks turned out to be savages, lifelong criminals, or deviant adults<br />
.<br />
I think these annual outrages insult our new university attendees (or even 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students). Do we have such little faith in our future Engineers, PhD’s, Lawyers, Nurses etc., that wordage in a traditional chant or song (granted politically incorrect) will steer them down a road of devil worshippers and spousal abusers?<br />
<br />
I suggest that the tradition of frosh activities is more valuable than the analysis of being put a microscope to ensure they meet community standards. I, as a frosh, chanted house themes, faculty songs, and paid little attention to the words, or inappropriate allusions – rather I grew socially with the camaraderie, and feeling a part of the university life.<br />
<br />
First year university students have lives outside of school, and many it is their first year away from home. They are faced hourly with making mature decisions in order to survive, Bad decisions are met with bad consequences, and good decisions are learned from and repeated. Why then, do we feel that the moment they step on the campus, they must be sheltered and steered from situations that they are required to decide on their own what is right and wrong.<br />
<br />
We cannot follow steps in front of these new adults ensuring their paths are clear of political correctness, positive behaviour, and clean living. Let them make their own decisions and learn from them.<br />
<br />
University is an opportunity to learn more than Calculus, or Physics – it is the best opportunity to learn about life, and if we insist, as a community, to sanitize their environment.. we are doing our future leaders a true disservice.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-13497772918663655572013-08-21T15:42:00.001-03:002014-05-02T10:34:34.615-03:00How to build a Rudder for a Tanzer 16 Sailboat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHutba9hT0zmaKSg_zUUXMGGzAggit1ex81rv1MgHPl6bc7gcJXVgqT-Dr0LEehba2sBjmsjMKWnJoptYRHf_PiVlesBp9hThWgMLFKWW8bi4Wde8_XKaHuxuur0onTpdIKJHpbBywTM/s1600/Tanzer+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHutba9hT0zmaKSg_zUUXMGGzAggit1ex81rv1MgHPl6bc7gcJXVgqT-Dr0LEehba2sBjmsjMKWnJoptYRHf_PiVlesBp9hThWgMLFKWW8bi4Wde8_XKaHuxuur0onTpdIKJHpbBywTM/s320/Tanzer+16.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">B</span>ased on what I discovered as I researched my latest project, I am not the only one who discovered that the retaining device on the rudder for my Tanzer 16 is less than reliable, and my personal experience of a capsize resulted in my rudder finding a new permanent home at the bottom of Grand Lake, NB Canada in 100 feet of water.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also discovered that purchasing a new (after market) rudder results in a significant financial penalty for no better securing it, so I decided to build my own. This article, I hope, anyone in the same boat (forgive the pun) as me, will provide guidance and simplifying the project of building your own. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nothing I did during the construction is a cast in stone method, and I encourage you to vary the design to best fit your personal requirement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>Materials List:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>Rudder Blade:</b></i> 3/16 aluminium – Approx Size 2’X 4’ (this will give you scrap for other projects). This was not as easy to find as I thought, but I found mine at a scrap yard, it had been painted and looked pretty rough, but was perfectly flat and just needed a little sanding and polishing.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zBx-u8b05fYJDX2x7I_qRru6dN3xB79yHjBiWxnOJglySkTUoWkzoxhhcUcJshv-m3PQKAyeCOR6GM3BQ_15vv66MBPU_qtrrFT07Z-z6QYFPdRSojZGxsYxqeOxzVtCgotuJDRmpJI/s1600/IMG_00000042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zBx-u8b05fYJDX2x7I_qRru6dN3xB79yHjBiWxnOJglySkTUoWkzoxhhcUcJshv-m3PQKAyeCOR6GM3BQ_15vv66MBPU_qtrrFT07Z-z6QYFPdRSojZGxsYxqeOxzVtCgotuJDRmpJI/s200/IMG_00000042.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scrap 3/16 Aluminium - after blade was cut out</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Pintles:</i></b> these are BUGGERS… pintles are not just pintles, there are a large variety of sizes, bot pin and bracket. After ordering the incorrect size, I had to scour the internet and ship (and a crazy cost) from the central US. My size (yours may be different so check carefully) was a 3/8” pin with 1 ½ width (finished rudder width) and 3” long mounting bracket. There are 3 pin sizes available. 8 mm, 3/8” and 1/2”. Carefully measure the hole size in your gudgeon before ordering. The 1 ½” width will fit my construction identified below. If you can, order the set with one having a long pin, the other with a normal pin.. this helps when putting the rudder on every time. UPDATE: Just found a great vendor for these odd sized pintles check them out: </span><a href="http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware/p-g/index.htm">http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware/p-g/index.htm</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAt-JJcJau3aufnl6z2jFWkTfQuOG4gfpDbcRoVXWQO42PPTtmAqLLHVjv6QfVtz7XwFG9EPb5w14jJDlSuAibfyCI5z_KdsqsXFh40PrVOpwiGuB1K5Mb23LJleLuVGv9GUARqrhU10/s1600/IMG_00000152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAt-JJcJau3aufnl6z2jFWkTfQuOG4gfpDbcRoVXWQO42PPTtmAqLLHVjv6QfVtz7XwFG9EPb5w14jJDlSuAibfyCI5z_KdsqsXFh40PrVOpwiGuB1K5Mb23LJleLuVGv9GUARqrhU10/s200/IMG_00000152.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Plywood:</i></b> (for rudder head):</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4’X4’ sheet of good one side 5/8 plywood</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4’X4’ sheet of 3/8 plywood</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Hardwood:</i></b> (for handle):</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2” X 6” X 6’ birch or ash (I used birch)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xQ72lD4B0h1Tlfz2pFBQESARg4pB5Hhr3IWJecD4ttxeNVJhDJUNcSFzkhodvQRQ9b_0YPQPLXlkKEHg3Y8r8_GoAed2khqK-3pOdGPeH40qgJdxQW-DcqADtUCF1DllJPyd4bAJUF4/s1600/IMG_00000046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xQ72lD4B0h1Tlfz2pFBQESARg4pB5Hhr3IWJecD4ttxeNVJhDJUNcSFzkhodvQRQ9b_0YPQPLXlkKEHg3Y8r8_GoAed2khqK-3pOdGPeH40qgJdxQW-DcqADtUCF1DllJPyd4bAJUF4/s320/IMG_00000046.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinda Before and After photo.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Scrap wood:</i></b> (for prototype)</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4’ X 8’ cheap wood, could be ¼ ply, or press board - I used some old 1/8 in wall board.</span></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhYqCzk-ZbhN60RZ0lgHQVZYUwlIvwjm0Job9B8QXHy8sm-wCI7vIG1qfnR50DmmL5xgQoh3tRjivAMQDrTjYt-y98A_mMt1emxU0evFYIoK38K6C-5m-6CPFI1t2sR3SZkGuHvvMqJo/s1600/IMG_00000037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhYqCzk-ZbhN60RZ0lgHQVZYUwlIvwjm0Job9B8QXHy8sm-wCI7vIG1qfnR50DmmL5xgQoh3tRjivAMQDrTjYt-y98A_mMt1emxU0evFYIoK38K6C-5m-6CPFI1t2sR3SZkGuHvvMqJo/s320/IMG_00000037.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just old wall board that I had laying around... easy to work with.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Hardware:</i></b> (buy extra)</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6 - 1/4 “ X 2” stainless steel bolts, 12 washers, and 6 lock nuts (with plastic in the threads)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 - 1/4 “ X 2 1/2” stainless steel bolts, 2 washers, and wingnut </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 – 5/16 X 2” stainless steel bolt, lock nut and 2 large washers</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Aluminium:</i></b> for head – </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">12” X 12” 1/8 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">aluminium</span></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEokPqeh1OdskQR-DvqQUdCNKz7NBHPuHDdkmh-h6y_hyphenhyphen_AchqF_B_EJsImfL3XrmvN7IrGI2W41IBOdKcbpq66O-o-67lC4IqJS7G_QhtZpq-9FSvBZkgTEU4CM5C5-MqFfOnfFpsWNE/s1600/IMG_00000128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEokPqeh1OdskQR-DvqQUdCNKz7NBHPuHDdkmh-h6y_hyphenhyphen_AchqF_B_EJsImfL3XrmvN7IrGI2W41IBOdKcbpq66O-o-67lC4IqJS7G_QhtZpq-9FSvBZkgTEU4CM5C5-MqFfOnfFpsWNE/s320/IMG_00000128.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aluminium for head, also rope, cleat (as detailed below)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Rope, cleat, O-ring: </i></b>I will leave the sized to you as I don’t recall what they were when I bought them, but you will see from photos the purpose (pulling up blade and securing it)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>Epoxy</b></i> (and hardener)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>Marine wood glue</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Clear varnish</i></b> (you may wish to stain also, I was too lazy)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Tools:</u></span></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Work bench</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jigsaw (and a LOT of blades</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Drill (with a LOT of bits)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Socket set</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hand Planer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sander with 60 grit, 80 grit, 120 grit, 400 grit</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">C – clamps – 6 or so would be nice</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Angle grinder with general purpose wheel</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hand Saw</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Metal File</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Drill Press would be ideal (I did not have one)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hammer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Protracter</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Straight edge</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Measuring tape</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Eye protection – this is a MUST, trust me, fishing aluminum bits out of your eye is not fun - I know this as fact.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Band Aids</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">40oz of Amber Rum, Mix and Ice cubes.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>Construction:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Step 1:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Using the rough plans here, I drew out the blade on the scrap wall board I was using.. . I added 3” to the length of the rudder from these plans. Just my choice to do so, you can do as you feel best.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-Xcn-arHybKRufgvq_SPvjw3c2C99s0F_b7bbn7Xr4Fir4ONEogmHaIoZ0sBpXUvXgM8hq6Q9CRi1t26XdvcEkXy0Xtuc9PbwR8mgQoXHtHwrsTUz9iQW51hd8NaQdT3mteYy_ritpc/s1600/1043951_10200598288533201_296922760_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-Xcn-arHybKRufgvq_SPvjw3c2C99s0F_b7bbn7Xr4Fir4ONEogmHaIoZ0sBpXUvXgM8hq6Q9CRi1t26XdvcEkXy0Xtuc9PbwR8mgQoXHtHwrsTUz9iQW51hd8NaQdT3mteYy_ritpc/s640/1043951_10200598288533201_296922760_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the best quality picture of the original Tanzer 16 design I could locate - some guessing involved on certain measurements and specification -there are 2 bladed designs, I chose the lower of the 2 illustrated.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the finished head will be constructed of 3 sandwiched pieces.. the 2 outer pieces are 5/8 in ply, and the center - I am calling the stopper, is of 3/8 ply.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Blade is 12” across, and I set the protractor at 5” to give me the curve at the top (10” diameter). Mark the center of the arc as you will need to drill a hole there shortly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step#2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sketch out the shape of the head of the rudder, I used the limited information on the plans, and eyeballed the rest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cut out the rudder shape, and lay it onto your sketch of the head to make sure the back angle of the head is the same as the angle of the rudder when it will be in its full down position. This is form over function, but it will look better as the head makes a smooth transition to the angled rudder. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOONth2Nf0IvULOZegaCzAEEqisYapzhGVRQqbWFMzSX7Vz8OA41ZY-nMN2p17jK9Gk7yWquRGivu3Kl01zMVWXTdwqAO4mNk_McnmhcPOVev8z3MpBg1LW5VY8bdNFLr9SHNe9t2qgTc/s1600/IMG_00000051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOONth2Nf0IvULOZegaCzAEEqisYapzhGVRQqbWFMzSX7Vz8OA41ZY-nMN2p17jK9Gk7yWquRGivu3Kl01zMVWXTdwqAO4mNk_McnmhcPOVev8z3MpBg1LW5VY8bdNFLr9SHNe9t2qgTc/s320/IMG_00000051.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I unfortunately did not photography this rather important step.. but the above cut out of the head prototype should offer insight as to the purpose of shaping the parts of the rudder head (and blade)</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #4</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Drill a 5/16 hole in the rudder where you marked from the arc that was drawn. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step#5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once you are happy with the shape of the head, cut 3 of these out of your scrap.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With one of them, realign the rudder into the correct position on it an and trace the shape of the rudder on it (the curve, the 2” step etc. This piece will be the “stopper” or sandwiched 3/8 ply. Also, pivot the rudder to the “up” position and trace that on your cutout. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cut this piece along the traced lines and the outer lines. And cut the remaining 2 pieces of the head (the pictures show better what I am rambling about. (refer to photo above to the finished product of this step)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Use the rudder drill hole to determine the pivot hole location on the 2 head pieces and drill em out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #6</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">NOW is time to assemble.. it is self-explanatory how this all fits together, you can put your 5/16 bolt to hold the rudder to the head, and drill a few smaller holes and temporarily bolt the 3 parts of the head together. You “should” have a pretty good template of what you want the finished product will look like.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMP7PhFCR-i974tSYhNPqR7ff4VdDX_zxgRE8pKS-iUhRuX6s-3Fork2DcqUcb3sMo68992hkHM2xNm3PMy3CgwMVsq9SZw_vEVjHP0lDSsQu_dT4Zi-AvihtQAiXtbTQAkbHZl9uK7Wk/s1600/IMG_00000037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMP7PhFCR-i974tSYhNPqR7ff4VdDX_zxgRE8pKS-iUhRuX6s-3Fork2DcqUcb3sMo68992hkHM2xNm3PMy3CgwMVsq9SZw_vEVjHP0lDSsQu_dT4Zi-AvihtQAiXtbTQAkbHZl9uK7Wk/s640/IMG_00000037.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assembled prototype (bolts other than the pivot hole are simply for prototype, NOT for finished rudder)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once you are happy with the rudder position in the down, and up position.. you are ready for the next step. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Place you pintles in the gudgeons on your boat, align the top of the head of the rudder prototype. I used a straight edge to make sure the top of the stern and the top of the rudder were perfectly aligned. Now you can make the drill mounting holes for the pintles on your mock up.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7oM2No_s2Af0VxcoKZ0rVR7Hs0ESEt2po476ybgjH9pbjz9ap1TcuIms58C9qHZMCwuLbcskhvvFVF40mDllq4bJQU4EvLgdgK-QYrIisKciohgQ1aI3_9naZvPq93MKKs3XL2NTHuA/s1600/IMG_00000060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7oM2No_s2Af0VxcoKZ0rVR7Hs0ESEt2po476ybgjH9pbjz9ap1TcuIms58C9qHZMCwuLbcskhvvFVF40mDllq4bJQU4EvLgdgK-QYrIisKciohgQ1aI3_9naZvPq93MKKs3XL2NTHuA/s320/IMG_00000060.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the finished product being measured (double checked for pintle placement - but was done (not photographed) with the mock up.</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>IMPORTANT</b> – make sure the mounting holes (and future bolts) for the bottom pintles do not interfere with the free movement of the rudder. (it will be close)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #8 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once you have made all of the final adjustments on the mock up, and you are pleased with the look and the workings, now the fun begins. (the hard part is over).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Disassemble the prototype, and trace the rudder, onto your sheet of 3/16 aluminium. The left and right head onto the 5/8 plywood – MAKE SURE the “good” side of the plywood will be facing out. And trace the “stopper” piece onto the 3/8 ply.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I allowed a little extra on all of my tracings to allow for sanding, or grinding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cutting the aluminum is well, a chore. I did burn up one jigsaw (needed replacing anyway) and went through several blades.. but be patient, use a med tooth wide blade, but feel free to experiment with different teeth (fine, med, heavy). Clamp a straight edge on the aluminum that the jigsaw can butt up against (on the side) to help in keeping your cuts as straight as possible. I am far from a safety nut, but safety glasses are highly recommended for this.. or you can prefer to use a mirror and eyewash solution, and enjoy scratched eyeballs – your call on this one. I tried both, and prefer the first option.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P2SJYlejzO_bd5zkppQpaDeNSE5PHWVJ_5pPskp5H_doJz-VyahkNb6C2yGxJb2160Wuzgg5DpEoJPA0NMkPfLaeOc7P5l_IznBGNUavKDMJhQOAbzQgk8VHKaXRJJDQp2vtN5LJxQU/s1600/IMG_00000039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P2SJYlejzO_bd5zkppQpaDeNSE5PHWVJ_5pPskp5H_doJz-VyahkNb6C2yGxJb2160Wuzgg5DpEoJPA0NMkPfLaeOc7P5l_IznBGNUavKDMJhQOAbzQgk8VHKaXRJJDQp2vtN5LJxQU/s320/IMG_00000039.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Aluminium blade, beside the scrap wood prototype.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After the aluminium is cut, use the angle grinder to fix any cutting flaws and neaten the edges and round them. Fine tuning with a file is a nice touch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you are using scrap aluminium from a recycler company, you may have to sand the rudder blade, starting with 80 grit, and finishing with 400 grit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Using the scrap metal template as a guide, mark and drill the 5/16th hole for the pivot point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #10</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now back to the head of the rudder… time to cut your traced 5/8 and 3/8 plywood. AGAIN, a reminder, this is a good time to double check that the “good one side 5/8 ply” has the good side facing outward. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With the pieces cut out - examine both sides of the 3/8 ply and the insider facing sides of the 5/8ths ply.. if there are any deep knot holes, or any holes that will not be eliminated by a quick sanding follow the following step. Sand only with 120 grit the inner facing 5/8 and both sides of the 3/8 - this does not have to be extremely smooth and actually a little texture is a good thing to help the glue adhere (a later step)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmkpfzh8OmdsAeOKOom_3KLlHpBvuDTtIuB-i37hAK_KV9pb5_dSAQPgNNAcmtbfzq6PM2fxfRGwLuX15CfqdltJ1oBMJYSByJ3B4ggK3C-Tif0fyfqTIJXPyRL6AXqmNt7dPALSrKic/s1600/IMG_00000053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmkpfzh8OmdsAeOKOom_3KLlHpBvuDTtIuB-i37hAK_KV9pb5_dSAQPgNNAcmtbfzq6PM2fxfRGwLuX15CfqdltJ1oBMJYSByJ3B4ggK3C-Tif0fyfqTIJXPyRL6AXqmNt7dPALSrKic/s320/IMG_00000053.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracing the 5/8" ply from the parts of the mock up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifC_LUmoph0-s5CYtWxoi8tX7DiR3ZRw6tLEF1dz9gR-5y0e5cDDwWYqGM1iu6BVp40cIrfoVgKa14Nn-e03oUTr_qKIK-JIbRB-vC6P7jT8HqJxDJmvDwSO4bzcs-AR2SxCp5oPYCIbc/s1600/IMG_00000054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifC_LUmoph0-s5CYtWxoi8tX7DiR3ZRw6tLEF1dz9gR-5y0e5cDDwWYqGM1iu6BVp40cIrfoVgKa14Nn-e03oUTr_qKIK-JIbRB-vC6P7jT8HqJxDJmvDwSO4bzcs-AR2SxCp5oPYCIbc/s320/IMG_00000054.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This jig saw now longer exists.. caught fire on the aluminium cutting.. Farewell old friend. I used a hand saw for the straight edges and the jigsaw only for the curves areas - made for a cleaner finish.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step#10A (optional)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the rudder will be getting wet frequently, it is best to eliminate any holes on the insides of the head that will hold water and cause rot. Mix up a small batch of epoxy and hardener. Now mix in fine sawdust with the epoxy mix - thoroughly - until it reaches the consistency of peanut butter - use this "paste" to fill any holes on the inner parts of the plywood assembly. Let dry for 4 hours or so. Then this can be sanded smooth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #11</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Using the mock up, mark the blade pivot hole (5/16th) to the outer head (one side only), and drill one side. Carefully align the 3 parts of the head, so the edges align as close as possible (sanding and finishing will be done later). Clamp the components together (protecting the wood with shims. Transfer the pintle mounting holes, from the mock up.. and dry fit on stern of your boat to confirm. Then dry fit again.. and again.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3NDqDSyKFuo7yePL3vuG-PtXddcrEjGmbyeotBGb_rtsyL3AHhpDzunk6pFnVCuVUDNtgjH1Hxc4iAx5tjrNenECLVGkxmWXNNU4iErLPL0zUEn_Lqi25WR7EhvbjwYneslf13wE-Ig/s1600/IMG_00000055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3NDqDSyKFuo7yePL3vuG-PtXddcrEjGmbyeotBGb_rtsyL3AHhpDzunk6pFnVCuVUDNtgjH1Hxc4iAx5tjrNenECLVGkxmWXNNU4iErLPL0zUEn_Lqi25WR7EhvbjwYneslf13wE-Ig/s320/IMG_00000055.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clamped for the various dry fitting efforts and drilling mounting holes.</td></tr>
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</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVmuRmBreVS4gL1OzK4VhM3JhCVhMh6aJtATibRlagu9BSuaZ1l9GhJHVAQW_9IuHmyO7J977WbSRJCNCg-VEzuGnZTayzHUyhpJ8YGgEJzyv1xE-Lc_3g_2eCL75cOrrGs7x-OqY_r0/s1600/IMG_00000057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVmuRmBreVS4gL1OzK4VhM3JhCVhMh6aJtATibRlagu9BSuaZ1l9GhJHVAQW_9IuHmyO7J977WbSRJCNCg-VEzuGnZTayzHUyhpJ8YGgEJzyv1xE-Lc_3g_2eCL75cOrrGs7x-OqY_r0/s320/IMG_00000057.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Angle</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step#12</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Using a drill press or a very steady hand drill 1/4" holes for the pintle mounting bolts and using the one 5/16 hole for a guide, drill through the other side of the rudder head for the blade pivot bolt. <b>Do not remove clamps yet</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #13 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Handle mounting component. With a piece of cardboard, mock up the correct size for the 1/8" aluminium handle mount. The width should match the width of the top of teh rudder head (mine was 8 1/2 inches) and should allow at least 2" down on either side of the rudder head for bolting. Mine extended 3" high above the head of the rudder head. This allowed my handle (where it slips in to the mounting component to be 1 1/2 wide (the width of the rudder X 3" high). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After the cardboard mock-up is perfect, trace size and bend points onto the 1/8" aluminium sheet. With a jigsaw, cut the aluminium to size.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRzjvKuf-RO38BRSdmRHLGJ9Ac9z-nMslpO6TMKjSdhkbNb6kK0p1f_mgsaspvvZx02bj1JdBRDI3RuDF6lrS27tiNaI-34u6jtHo5Tu9-XzaZR-MYoyCjOJfET2l4yKYSocR0-dWcoU/s1600/IMG_00000084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRzjvKuf-RO38BRSdmRHLGJ9Ac9z-nMslpO6TMKjSdhkbNb6kK0p1f_mgsaspvvZx02bj1JdBRDI3RuDF6lrS27tiNaI-34u6jtHo5Tu9-XzaZR-MYoyCjOJfET2l4yKYSocR0-dWcoU/s320/IMG_00000084.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't have any photos of the bending and forming of the metal handle holder as it was a frustrating process and I was too mad to take pictures.. but this is the end result. (note the notches around the pintles, and that the handle pivot hole is not drilled yet)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #14</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Place a scrap piece of 2' X 10" lumber, vertical in your work bench. This is a lot of guess work, but clamp the cut piece of aluminium to it. Clamp it firmly, Bend it over the top of the butt of the 2X10 to form the desired shape. (You will have to play with this). Dry fit and make any adjustments required. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On a drill press, and the aluminium placed on the clamped together rudder head, drill 2 mounting holes (see below photo) - DO NOT drill handle pivot hole yet.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBk0kKntY3WRDo7zRAmquWV2LNNlPPgUCORo0f9mlfmRUhQnuY3TO_-5eFjmGhjdI8VSXY8r3RHf5OpzXnkX0tmxLheM468Rvsm4EGFGYphXtzma0yqkrlqZl8NZvbsaQlnXhXHm_BM4/s1600/IMG_00000092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBk0kKntY3WRDo7zRAmquWV2LNNlPPgUCORo0f9mlfmRUhQnuY3TO_-5eFjmGhjdI8VSXY8r3RHf5OpzXnkX0tmxLheM468Rvsm4EGFGYphXtzma0yqkrlqZl8NZvbsaQlnXhXHm_BM4/s400/IMG_00000092.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The design of this is your choice, I chose to cut out notches for where the pintles will be fixed to the rudder. Rounded the other side for cosmetics only. The 2 mounting holes can be drilled at this step - BUT the handle pivot hole must be done later.</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Status Check</u></b> - we have the rudder cut, shaped and polished. We have the head clamped together with the holes drilled for the blade mounting, 4 holes for the pintle mounting, and 2 holes for the handle mount. With the head still clamped, insert and temporarily bolt in the blade.. Test the movement, and the stops. Full down position and full up position.. This is the last chance you will have to alter the shape of the 3/8 inner stopper ply.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step#14</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Unclamp the head, using the 3/8 ply stopper as a guide trace the edges on the inside of either side of the 5/8 ply. The object it to apply varnish to the parts of the head that will be exposed to water and NOT on the areas were it will all be glued together. Tape off the areas that will receive glue. Brush on varnish to the exposed areas (and the edges of teh 3/8 stopper). After the varnish dries, lightly sand with 120 grit, and repeat this process 8 times. See photo below.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AEW1cuVIOSMBGzOhyp4vMcunKgx-t0f1ndLVuyUpMWBAUHeEDquaIM462KjbsVBBOjdE53wEr7yZOxWPnkyirXHTbCC3P2p2RdpH1adSanP0uwvKDg62Qvhb0vo1QaXw30BhfNhKwVg/s1600/IMG_00000094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AEW1cuVIOSMBGzOhyp4vMcunKgx-t0f1ndLVuyUpMWBAUHeEDquaIM462KjbsVBBOjdE53wEr7yZOxWPnkyirXHTbCC3P2p2RdpH1adSanP0uwvKDg62Qvhb0vo1QaXw30BhfNhKwVg/s320/IMG_00000094.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taped off area for varnish.. do not varnish areas that will be glued.</td></tr>
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</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb6-n2H45V3Ctj6FCj6NuBgEFchBSC2n20PupR1NR3gVXUHA2wiImKbzUg2r_C4ntqgLkRfv_zNWVwbZZOfHPVbK_u90Qz3p6lt587HgIa1yvFvNPBinOaLsJpcAyMEl2vu43lLc7T5o/s1600/IMG_00000090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb6-n2H45V3Ctj6FCj6NuBgEFchBSC2n20PupR1NR3gVXUHA2wiImKbzUg2r_C4ntqgLkRfv_zNWVwbZZOfHPVbK_u90Qz3p6lt587HgIa1yvFvNPBinOaLsJpcAyMEl2vu43lLc7T5o/s320/IMG_00000090.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NOTE!! You will see here how close the lower pintle mounting holes are to the edge of the stopper and the blade of the rudder. Be careful with your design that this is not an issue. (its easy to overlook)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Using marine wood glue, apply to both sides of the 3/8 ply and sandwich the outer (5/8) parts to it. Using the 1/4" X 2 stainless bolts and washers, bolt the 3 parts together. Also apply clamps where possible.. It is important that all of the edges are tight, as when finished we want these edges to be water proof. Let dry for 24 hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #16 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remove all of the bolts - now is the time to make it all pretty.. Starting with 80 grit power sander (or 60 depending on how much tweaking needs to be done) snad the sides of teh rudder head so all 3 pieces of plywood appear as one piece. Sand the faces of the head and round the edges to your preference. Change to 120, then 400 for final sanding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #17</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Varnish (or stain, then varnish) the head, sand between coats - I suggest 8 coats, but again, that is your discretion. Let dry thoroughly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #18 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fasten the pintles, the handle mount (aluminium) and the blade and mount on your Tanzer. With a scrap piece of lumber, or broom handle or similar, determine your desired length of your handle. Test extended fully in each direction and your preferred seating area (an extender will be discussed later). Measure and record the length you prefer - allow 2 inches longer for final detail work and trimming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #19</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is where you get creative with the desired shape of your handle, I googled, experimented to some up with the shape of mine.. Just remember that it has to come under the boom pully mount, and over the edge of the cockpit, so I put a small bend in mine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Depending on what wood you have, determines how you will cut your handle out. I had a cut of birch, that was 1 1/2 in wide. I cut much wider that I wanted my finished size. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a power saw, a hand planer, and 60 grit sandpaper and the help of my son worked down to a shape and size that I liked.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhJA8oTUFf7p_DQpTOKCk3pq-atfj4xUhyLP-PBs_EFnZ5G5-VeLGFbT27ImCLKMmjY_MMbPsNODtrNk6McIA1T7oBo6BDwGEJDcFoDTwl4BUYVVdX0boLFNgA-S6zglvri1n-vCGrtk/s1600/IMG_00000018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhJA8oTUFf7p_DQpTOKCk3pq-atfj4xUhyLP-PBs_EFnZ5G5-VeLGFbT27ImCLKMmjY_MMbPsNODtrNk6McIA1T7oBo6BDwGEJDcFoDTwl4BUYVVdX0boLFNgA-S6zglvri1n-vCGrtk/s320/IMG_00000018.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a 19 year old son makes this task much more tolerable</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjim9svk8bJmG_g1M5KRlLgDSiKQOHV_nEmq4aR3qJOIN4neCsnhIzDC-T3a2hy_L7Ur9X5zVUQ20RdsPHcPuJKeY0kiecWWZjD9op_wUKsMaSQbi4DebXTxvGMdcaZMC7PreRBW-3mTfU/s1600/IMG_00000046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjim9svk8bJmG_g1M5KRlLgDSiKQOHV_nEmq4aR3qJOIN4neCsnhIzDC-T3a2hy_L7Ur9X5zVUQ20RdsPHcPuJKeY0kiecWWZjD9op_wUKsMaSQbi4DebXTxvGMdcaZMC7PreRBW-3mTfU/s320/IMG_00000046.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before and After</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I required an additional step - as my finished handle was only 1" wide, and my aluminium handle holder on my rudder was designed for 1 1/2" with epoxy, I laminated 2 think birtch slats on the end, and sanded down to the desired 1 1/2 inches.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI21ltaMcscRdLy7E5gybU9RshrmuTVJmfRH9ZgUuFuXJ9rmYNPNvr2kx08uv-5BRaS6f3KD5rHaV3Qk_oj7wSguuFEoWBLdtbypZqRYs3F4_YvBAm2pjTR67MrXCRFWDBm-sYoqekArk/s1600/IMG_00000081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI21ltaMcscRdLy7E5gybU9RshrmuTVJmfRH9ZgUuFuXJ9rmYNPNvr2kx08uv-5BRaS6f3KD5rHaV3Qk_oj7wSguuFEoWBLdtbypZqRYs3F4_YvBAm2pjTR67MrXCRFWDBm-sYoqekArk/s320/IMG_00000081.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished (note the curved end to keep from binding when<br />
rotated slightly upward</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKajDk-4TjdZtxaYPaVXTn-sxd_lnvnjvKVuUq6HyHNKyq2DpY-Xfh84IEobHeNctbBfkJnyCKztHA7rxQ-O9ZUm_BtdlH9H7d-tm7Hzyw9ghsJdYfR53-PQ4mKhhrzkfC72ktDKKv5I/s1600/IMG_00000079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKajDk-4TjdZtxaYPaVXTn-sxd_lnvnjvKVuUq6HyHNKyq2DpY-Xfh84IEobHeNctbBfkJnyCKztHA7rxQ-O9ZUm_BtdlH9H7d-tm7Hzyw9ghsJdYfR53-PQ4mKhhrzkfC72ktDKKv5I/s200/IMG_00000079.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laminated to widen</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #20</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Place the handle into the head of the rudder.. this is a bit finicky, but determine where you want the handle to pivot - you can see from my photos that I have it roughly one inch from the end of the handle. With the handle in the exact desired placement - drill a 1/4 inch hole through the aluminium, and the handle. take care to do this as perpendicular as possible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remove handle and with a protractor, draw a curve using the hole as an apex, to trim an arc in the handle end to keep it from binding when it is raised (it will only raise to the top of teh front of the aluminium mounting bracket - and if thought out well enough it will keep it from hitting the pulley mount at the stern of the sail boat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step#21</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As done with the head of the rudder, varnish with 8 coats (or stain if desired)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #22 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Attach the handle to the Rudder with 1/4" X 2 1/2 stainless steel nut and wingnut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step #23</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">GO SAILING!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ODDS AND ENDS... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> - I built a small aluminium guide and riveted it to the top of the handle mount - I am not that pleased with this design, and will probably be reworking it. The cleat on the handle can be placed to fit best your personal design of the handle, as long as it is free from the pulley mounts and the extension</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> - To accept an extension, simply drill a 1/4 vertical hole in the end of the rudder handle</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> - The pintles I purchased bound against the boat when turned fully - so I was required to grind and file to eliminate this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">- I will be drilling a hole in the lower pintle to accept a cotter pin or ring to completely eliminate the possibility of my needing to build another.. I find the stock retaining system unacceptable and clearly unreliable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red;">UPDATED:</span> Found a great blog that has lots of Tanzer 16 repairs/upgrates etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> - <a href="http://jimslittleboat.blogspot.ca/">http://jimslittleboat.blogspot.ca/</a> Jim also has the holy grail for all Tanzer 16 owners, the full blueprint page - which I am excited to now have added below....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://darryls-soapbox.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">BACK TO HOME</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-72377072009469612262013-03-26T16:18:00.001-03:002013-03-26T17:29:19.675-03:00Making Maple Syrup - Give it a try<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJePuXDveOUprYhsLddnFjFAfssRavlH4UGySthEtatMBStgP50hlrjwRtd9hIoI5BOI6ysrCf4mN_1lwZp-zaKDERFcJUHWmVH_1IqcmJ6M4vbS9gpv5qmlKcF2bvCA3iidrac1OBfM/s1600/maple+syrup+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJePuXDveOUprYhsLddnFjFAfssRavlH4UGySthEtatMBStgP50hlrjwRtd9hIoI5BOI6ysrCf4mN_1lwZp-zaKDERFcJUHWmVH_1IqcmJ6M4vbS9gpv5qmlKcF2bvCA3iidrac1OBfM/s320/maple+syrup+cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Instruction, Tips and Tricks on Maple Syrup Makin'</span></div>
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There are plenty of resources on the internet on how to tap trees and make maple syrup, they range from full scale production companies to some wingnut who taps an ash or spruce by mistake. <br />
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I thought a practical description on tapping as a hobby may be of value to a great number of folks who would like to spend some time outside, make a few cases of syrup a season, and receive the satisfaction of a relatively stress free hobby.<br />
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I have been at this hobby for about four years now, and I will warn you now, that it is impossible to resist the temptation of expanding slightly each year. I started with a dozen collection buckets, and now have nearly sixty. I have been fortunate enough this year to have a friend who is very experienced in this activity, and he has been kind enough to follow behind me correcting my many mistakes. So this article is based on my experiences, as well as his years of production.<br />
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I also do this on the cheap, so my list of required materials is not extravagant, and like any hobby, you can pay as much as you have available for all of the fancy stuff.. but I am too cheap for that, and need to reserve any extra funds for beer as part of the boiling off process.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Requirements:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><u>Spiles</u> – no getting around buying these – the aluminum ones are all the same</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Uu4gW9_e0Nh08sk0SxGjMluZuf-Rn1qLN1MlbRTY8wqfSOmB1jTluDZ1z6Vzs0PpzifSPUQZ0dwakiDF6Dx-iE3mFtnqeLrL-pN9IHl4HJWZ7rjXKFZ_kEV80OTJUJBGxT7LADl6fEs/s1600/spile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Uu4gW9_e0Nh08sk0SxGjMluZuf-Rn1qLN1MlbRTY8wqfSOmB1jTluDZ1z6Vzs0PpzifSPUQZ0dwakiDF6Dx-iE3mFtnqeLrL-pN9IHl4HJWZ7rjXKFZ_kEV80OTJUJBGxT7LADl6fEs/s200/spile.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run-o-the-mill Spile</td></tr>
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<li><u>Buckets</u> – anything will do for these as long as they hang on the spile hooks. 2 gal commercial ice-cream pails work well – just go mooch some from an ice cream parlor. One of the luxury items I DO have is proper 2 gal metal Sap Buckets. They are easy to hook, and well, just look better on the trees.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u>Lids</u> – these are a must, rain and snow will ruin your sap in the buckets. Lids from the Ice Cream parlor work well (drill two 1/8” holes in the edge – one inch apart, and string thin wire through them to the lid hole on the spile). Again, my luxury is the metal lids and hangers.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u>Drill and Bit</u> – you will see banter on the various sites, all fighting over what sized bit to use.. all over 16ths of an inch.. grab a 7/16th bit and you are good to go. If you plan on using a cordless drill, bring lots of charged batteries.. Maples are hard wood, and kill a cordless drill quickly. (no one tells you this.. but you now know). I personally use a 100 year old brace and bit hand drill… no batteries required.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDSChroX810u-cSMCOYLnNgKJUUmy1SPuR3voW4el3Xu9AiECdiZnYbe4gQve88yx59jPd6o7V5-U9WK4PdCJYXwS1fM9XO09N8XPhU80awOVY3fchP-ZSZvSJ0U3LxQ55rVhB8dCeCg/s1600/hand_brace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDSChroX810u-cSMCOYLnNgKJUUmy1SPuR3voW4el3Xu9AiECdiZnYbe4gQve88yx59jPd6o7V5-U9WK4PdCJYXwS1fM9XO09N8XPhU80awOVY3fchP-ZSZvSJ0U3LxQ55rVhB8dCeCg/s200/hand_brace.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Batteries Required</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><u>Gathering/Storage</u> – I suggest a 20 gal (or two or three) Rubbermaid plastic garbage can and snap on lid. After gathering the sap from the buckets – you need somewhere to store it until you get boiling. I bury mine to the lids in snow in the shade to keep the gathered sap chilled and fresh. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u>Evaporator</u> – This can be anything that can stand being on an open fire for hours and hours. My first year it was just large kitchen pots (now with melted handles and ruined for life), but I expanded to a 2’X3’ tin flat bottomed pan. The bigger the surface area, the faster your production. This was the most difficult thing for me to find – but with eyes open I got it free from an old gal getting out of her hobby. Be creative in thinking what you can use, or buy one already made (but you will have less money for beer because they are pricey)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u>Finishing Pot</u> – Maybe not one of the best kitchen pots, but something that can hold a gallon or so and can be placed on your finishing heater.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u>Filters</u> - Don’t try to save money here, for final sap finishing, pay the money for a wool filter. I also have a kitchen strainer (with a clean rag covering - attached with elastic) for preliminary filtering. There are also fabric filters that fit inside the wool filter.. have a dozen of those on hand at all times.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3axcarVPfowYYVMLM4TyrYlSug1G-AjdXWQyFzbCLZLNyE9r3kmPlDIs3W7rxjs2HbSdJuHYXGp_4YqP3Accl65iat6runmFjpGu_K2W-fRYa3b3y33EAK_KCaPeDCTuf8KuM4DX00J4/s1600/wool+filter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3axcarVPfowYYVMLM4TyrYlSug1G-AjdXWQyFzbCLZLNyE9r3kmPlDIs3W7rxjs2HbSdJuHYXGp_4YqP3Accl65iat6runmFjpGu_K2W-fRYa3b3y33EAK_KCaPeDCTuf8KuM4DX00J4/s200/wool+filter.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It will hurt - pricey, but a must have</td></tr>
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<li><u>Thermometer</u> – a good candy thermometer is the best, spend a couple of bucks on a good one, easy to read with large gradients.. you will have to look through steam in the dark of the night to see exact temperatures. In yoru kitchen, pill a pot with water, bring it to a boil and place your thermometer in it. Record the temperature on your thermometer when the water is at a hard boil (mine is 207F). This “calibrates” for your altitude. Yep water boils at different temperatures based on altitude. But this is not a science lesson. Just record the temperature. This is a important step</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u>Cinder Blocks</u> – A cheap and easy way to make a fire box.. you will see grandiose plans for Evaporator fire boxes made of metal, concrete with fire brick with budgets in the hundreds – I made a fire box with a 2’X3’ open top for my evaporator for under $20. Be creative with your design to fit your evaporator best you can for maximum heat. </li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE_JTmWGzlRpOFd9CABx6m2el_T5QwmT_oVmHHTkhMm7WWq9BD6swXc3BZ79d6UiyJn0uC333zgFnF0BcGMwFmNEt-sWKKrwv70kyK7ICwmKu9o65JiVe1OhmePTo6uxBNc8ojlUUJkI/s1600/evaporator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE_JTmWGzlRpOFd9CABx6m2el_T5QwmT_oVmHHTkhMm7WWq9BD6swXc3BZ79d6UiyJn0uC333zgFnF0BcGMwFmNEt-sWKKrwv70kyK7ICwmKu9o65JiVe1OhmePTo6uxBNc8ojlUUJkI/s320/evaporator.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ain't Pretty - the tin holds in the heat</td></tr>
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<li><u>Wood</u> – You are going to burn LOTS of wood.. make a BIG pile of it. Good news once your fire box have a good roar of flame, you can burn anything.. but a good feed of hardwood works best for me. Some use propane burners –these work if you have a big bank account.</li>
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<li><u>Kitchen Stove, Coleman Stove or Propane Stove</u> – you will need a source of heat to “finish off your syrup”. Something that heat can be controlled precisely. </li>
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<ul>
<li><u>Lawn Chair, Cooler, and Beer (and maybe even a guitar)</u>– self-explanatory.. Boiling takes a while.\</li>
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<li><u>Sugar Maple trees</u> – You will need these too (google if you are not certain)</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Tapping:</span><br />
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I figure any tree with a minimum diameter of 10 inches is a good candidate for a single tap, if you get into the big brutes 16 throw a couple of taps in it. When deciding where to drill your hole ideally you want – south facing (opposite side of the tree where the moss is), below a big healthy branch (avoid scared, broken off branch side). If you can see a big healthy root from the ground – above that is a good spot as well. The tap should be 3-4 feet from the ground.. but do keep in mind if you are standing on 2 feet of snow take that into account. Experience has shown me if you don’t account on this, you will look like an idiot when the snow is nearly gone and your taps are 7 feet up the tree –your neighbours will laugh and point. Don’t throw everything down and quit if you can’t find the perfect spot, try to find a healthy spot on the tree somewhere and drill away. In you next years, avoid last year’s tap holes.. rule of thumb, minimum 3 inches sideways then 3 inches up or down from any previous holes.<br />
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Drill the hole is a slight upward angle, just enough that sap will flow out of the tree and down the spile, with a bright red marker, measure 2 ½ inches from the tip of your drill – that is your depth gauge. I chuckle with folks that say mark this on your drill bit with tape.. give it a shot, you will see why I chuckle.. Bring lots of tape (and a red permanent marker)<br />
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Please, this is important otherwise you may spend sleepless nights with trees that are not producing sap – and I have YET to see this on any site. After drilling, clean the hole out of all shavings, a small stick, or even the drill bit (without the drill on) will do a good job. Also make sure the spile you are using is not plugged with last years hardened sap. It does not take much of debris left in the hole to plug the tap – and you will not see any sap from that tree.<br />
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Tap the spile in gently (again, something I learned the hard way).. it only needs to create a seal around the spile and the hole. You are not hammering in the last spike of the transcontinental railroad.<br />
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This tapping can only be done when it is above zero – a frozen tree with you wailing on a tap to drive it in will split (you will not see the split), but this breaks the seal of your spile and your sap will run down the tree and not into your buckets. As you examine your buckets after you are done tapping, and see a tree wet with sap running down the bark – you will be haunted with my warning you and saying “I told you so”.. so WHEN this happens to you.. not much you can do. You can try going to a ½’ bit, and re-drilling and re-tapping.. may work, but you are probably pooched for the season on that tap.<br />
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Hang your bucket on the hook, put on your lid and pace like and expectant father for the first drips of sap to ping on the bottom of your bucket.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Weather & Season</span></div>
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You will learn to be a better weather source than Accuweather.. the ideal "running" weather is -5 C at night and 5 C in the day. Does not mean you wont get sap if it varies, in short below zero at night and above zero during the day. There is no "official" start to the season, but can run from Late Feb (Generally Starts in Early March) and goes until the weather is too warm day and night.. usually may. Folks say as soon as the trees start to bud then you are done.. I must have taller trees than most cause I can never see that. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6vlADk9U2q0VBfknUYJXKw1AmO9rRJKLCPwch6nv2vn8W7l8egw3KscVNw6fznoagyvTIMepKp2_er4DeWEK4XRMYlV0poj2k4RCqUMQ3IC6_UeCi8WQUjFM-byt0XOFiXRqHlY-_mY/s1600/dripping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6vlADk9U2q0VBfknUYJXKw1AmO9rRJKLCPwch6nv2vn8W7l8egw3KscVNw6fznoagyvTIMepKp2_er4DeWEK4XRMYlV0poj2k4RCqUMQ3IC6_UeCi8WQUjFM-byt0XOFiXRqHlY-_mY/s200/dripping.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What you will see in the morning - Frozen Sap </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gathering & Storing </span></div>
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Up to you when you do this.. I like late afternoons, I carry a Jerry Can, gather until it is full, carry to my Garbage Can for storage.. but this process.. is whatever works best for your collection route.<br />
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When it comes to storage, I loved this tip when I heard it –TREAT YOUR SAP LIKE MILK.. whatever environment your sap is in (be it in the buckets in the trees for a couple of days or in storage.. you need only ask yourself “If this was milk would it go sour in these conditions”. Not many write about this, but sap will sour, and pour it out. It will turn green and smell “off”.. warm days, always double check each bucket before adding it to all you have stored. This happening just once will ruin your day, and probably make you think about picking up a different hobby, such as cutting down every maple tree in sight.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Boiling</span><br />
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This is not a complicated step – put your sap in your evaporator, get lots of heat and keep at a rolling boil. As the water evaporates and you have space in your evaporator, add more fresh sap. This takes a while, get comfortable, open your cooler and enjoy the peace and quiet. You can continue to add fresh sap until you would like to “finish”. As the sap thickens in your evaporator, you will also be able to smell the maple smell, place your thermometer in it. Make sure it is deep enough to get a good accurate reading. I never trust mine, so right or wrong, I place my thermometer in different locations. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finishing Temperature</span><br />
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This is what will separate you from the guy who taps ash and spruce trees in error. Grade A maple syrup boils at 7 DEGREES ABOVE THE BOILING POINT OF WATER. So earlier I mentioned to determine what the boiling point of water is in your area – add 7 degrees to that (Mine is 207F + 7F = 214 Degrees). As the sap thickens its boiling temperature increases very slowly. As the temperature of a hard boiling sap in your evaporator nears the 7 degrees above water boil, mine at around 213F, it needs to be transferred from the evaporator into a smaller pot to be placed on a propane burner (or stove or campstove). Have your wool filter ready for this process as this is a start to your fine filtering. With the cloth filter inserted in the wool filter, drain from the evaporator into your finishing pot through the filter.<br />
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Watch carefully the thermometer in your finishing pot. There are 2 indicators that it is ready, one – the thermometer reads 7 degrees above water boil and (maybe even more important, you will see a distinct change in the bubbles of it boiling. You will see from experience that the bubbles become larger, firmer, and distinctively different from what you have been watching for the last several hours on the evaporator.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bottling</span></div>
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With your wool filter and fresh cloth insert ready.. get your clean bottles ready. Oh, you need a funnel in the neck of the bottle. Pour patiently the hot syrup through the filter into the bottles. You will make a complete mess of this the first attempt, and there are no real tricks, other than figuring out the process that works for you. Be creative and maybe someone to help you is a good idea.<br />
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You can go directly into bottles. My tip? Fill up clean 40oz booze bottles and let sit over night. It is near impossible to avoid sugar sand in your syrup. This is just small crystals of sugar that make it past your filtering. There is nothing wrong with this, but may make your syrup slightly cloudy. If you let your booze bottles sit for a day or two, this will settle to the bottom. I then pour into my fancy syrup bottles, leaving the sediment in the bottom of the booze bottles. These remains are not wasted, as you just add it to your next batch you are finishing on your stove, and it will be mixed in, to be filtered and bottled again.<br />
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YER DONE – have fun, and feel free to leave any questions and comments here.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6166857565524883362.post-28869547509645297952013-02-13T15:43:00.000-04:002013-02-13T15:43:34.402-04:00Tax Increases - A New Episode of Hoarders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWDO0_iKQJtQNVKS97H8SBE3ZC4ha7q-WiMEQiQltLWqcxYn4EVQPrbJhsdmeFERQX6HdNQr5828nVnlL3S6V2ZxGzhy00gi2GgdT6tm7cUpCJAO0vV7O9OEqzMSAxG9LDBdST_Qhi5Q/s1600/hoarders2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWDO0_iKQJtQNVKS97H8SBE3ZC4ha7q-WiMEQiQltLWqcxYn4EVQPrbJhsdmeFERQX6HdNQr5828nVnlL3S6V2ZxGzhy00gi2GgdT6tm7cUpCJAO0vV7O9OEqzMSAxG9LDBdST_Qhi5Q/s200/hoarders2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">___________________________</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">
"Government decision makers are hoarders"</div>
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<span style="color: red;">___________________________</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">F</span>ederal and Provincial budgets are a complex and convoluted mechanism. So much so that we, without having Ph.D’s in Economics and/or Political Science are at the mercy of the political spin doctors and the press to see what the impact of new budgets will have on us. <br /><br />As with any complex issue, lack of understanding leaves us helpless to comprehend what the real causes and effects of the messages may be. At this time, we are being prepared for increases in income taxes, sales taxes, user fees as well as new methods of taxation such as health care user fees and highway tolls. <br /><br />All of these messages are being delivered hand in hand with the announcements of uncontrolled deficits, and potential reductions of services. <br /><br />How about we find something to consider that might be easier to wrap our heads around. There is a rather successful television series that I confess I seem to be drawn into. The program is called <a href="http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/" target="_blank">“Hoarders”</a>. A simple premise for a reality program actually. The producers seek out home owners, with the mental disorder of hoarding – filling their homes to extreme with collectables, useless items, garbage, and outdated junk. Their homes are filled to the ceilings, often impassable and dangerous. <br /><br />Even with their homes filled near to collapse, many of the hoarders continue to acquire junk, to the point of bankruptcy, borrowing money to fill rented storage buildings. Even leaving a house filled with their clutter to rent a new home just to fill that as well. <br /><br />A professional therapist and assistants enter the scene to attempt to change the hoarders ways. To stop buying, stop spending and clear out the mountains of expired belongings. Inevitably the hoarder fights vigorously to keep their excesses as seeing them all so important, and even on occasion continues to spend as the effort to clean out is in progress. <br /><br />This is a frustrating show to watch, as a layman, even we can see that they need to stop acquiring junk, and the belongings they have serve no purpose other than take up space in their home. But it is not a complicated program to watch, nor solve their problem.. Clean the house, and stop buying junk, and for gods sake, don’t rent a storage unit and fill that also. <br /><br />Back to the point - Federal and Provincial Budgets, and tax increases. Now it is much easier to understand. Our government decision makers are hoarders. It is that simple. We have an infrastructure filled to overflowing with waste, with duplication of services, with inefficiencies, with million dollar useless bureaucracy, uncontrolled spending on non necessary acquisitions. But they (our government) are unwilling to clean up this mess, this hoard of waste. Instead, they continue to spend - to near bankruptcy levels, like our friends in the television program. But unlike our friends with a finite amount of spending money, than can result in bankruptcy, our hoarding government continues to go to the bank for more money. But alas.. Taxpayers are their bank. <br /><br />I wonder, if the therapists on the program, who are often successful in curbing hoarder’s behaviour could come to the governments front door, ring the bell, squeeze inside past the millions and millions of dollars wasted daily within our government, and have an intervention. Have a nice sit down with the government, and (as they do on the show) have the hoarder, our government, sit on a chair, and look at, item by item and ask, is this expense needed, are these bureaucrats needed, is this new office lease needed, do we need to have two hundred employees doing a job that twenty-five could.. And start throwing out the trash. Part of the therapy would also require that they learn, not to continue to spend and add to the useless clutter, because although the government can’t go bankrupt – their bank sure can (the taxpayers)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1