Back To Work!

Back to work we go we go back to work we go!

Oh, and by the way. The DVD I was talking about in the previous post was 'Planet Earth' an absolutely outstanding series. If you haven't had the chance to view this multi-disc set...make a point of it! I promise you won't regret it.

Done My Shopping!!.......Almost.....

So..it's Thursday. 5 days before Christmas...and i'm ALMOST done all my Christmas shopping! WHOOHOOO. 1 Person left...and yes..you know who it is.

Now, I have only 1 gripe about my shopping experiences the past couple days. And it surprisingly has absolutely nothing to do with the long line-ups, the crowds, or the weather! It's about a certain item being IMPOSSIBLE to find locally because the stores can't seem to keep up with demand (not trying hard enough in my opinion) and no, it's not the Nintendo Wii. That's a whole other topic. This item is a certain DVD that I can't name on this blog because the person i'm buying it for might read this before Christmas. I can tell you that it's a documentaryISH type DVD series with 5 discs that Oprah made a big hooopla about, bout a year ago. Some of you may know what i'm talking about....others will have to come back to the blog after Christmas and i'll let you all know.

Now i'm not kidding, this freakin DVD series has been out, i'm gonna guess for about a year now. Can someone PLEASE explain to me how the stores can't keep them on the shelf???? They OBVIOUSLY know it's a hot buy....why not purchase a HIGHER QUANTITY...HELLLLLLO!

After 2 full days of driving around town from store to store.....to store and back to those same stores again. I ended up having to buy it at Target in Detroit. (Cheaper I might ad). But don't start getting on my case about not having supported our local economy. I did absolutely everything, including wasting a tank of gas driving back and forth from one end of the city to another looking for this damn thing. The answer I kept getting - "Oh....nope, we're all sold out" or..."we have some on order, but no idea when they're expected". Well i'm sorry, but i'm not waiting until Christmas Day to "Hopefully" get a copy of this thing. So, I did what i'm sure many people have done, and crossed the border and bought it there!

And to all of you local businesses on my case about doing so? We'll, if you would have had the thing properly stocked here...I would have spent my hard earned money at a local store.

Am I a little bitter....YEP! All and all, my shopping experience this week has been fantastic. I just really get frustrated when stuff like this happens. I could understand this happening with a product just out for this holiday season...but when it's been out for longer than.....8 months. Give me a break!

I'm Dan Gemus...and that's what I think ;) Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Here I Go.........

Ok..the time has come! I booked this week off from work, and i'm going to attempt something i've never EVER done before. Christmas shopping a FULL WEEK before Christmas! I'll admit, i'm really tempted to...well...procrastinate a little more. But I think i'm going to go out there and brave the crowds! No need to rush. I can take my time and annoy other shoppers the way they would normally annoy me! I'm going to make this a fun experience :)

Ok..maybe i've lost my mind. But you're reading the blog of the guy who normally waits til Christmas morning to start his shopping. I can't help it. I'm a male. I think it's hardwired into our systems.

By the way, anyone know what to get my girlfriend? I can't get her a pet rock again this year, she still has the one I got her last year. The gardener told me they have a very good life expectancy. ;)

Shop Locally This Holiday Season!

For anyone looking to support a GREAT local company this holiday season. And maybe avoid some of the crazy mall shoppers! I highly recommend taking a look at what The Yellow Belly Frog Company has to offer! Melanie and I have both had the pleasure of meeting John & Kim Lein (owners) and they're two of the friendliest people around! Based out of Leamington, The Yellow Belly Frog Company (www.yellowbellyfrog.com) offers all kinds of "Body Candy" as they like to refer to it! And Niki my girlfriend can vouch for it! She absolutely loves their products.

Some of the products available from the website:

- Soaps (many different kinds including all natural, and essential oil soaps)
- Facial Candy
- Rubber Ducks! (Take a look at the Career ducks)
- Designer Hats & T-shirts

Much more on the site. You simply have to take a look to find out for yourself!

www.yellowbellyfrog.com

Graphic WSIB 'Prevent It' Ads

"WSIB 'Prevent It' Campaign Interview"

PLEASE VIEW AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION
(I'm not kidding...some people will have a hard time watching these...I know I did)

Blowing Wind.....

No this is not a blog about my needing to actually "blow wind". It's about what seems to be one of the hottest topics in Windsor/Essex this past year, and the upcoming year i'm sure.

WIND ENERGY

I've been reading letters to the editor, articles in all kinds of local, national and international newspapers/magazines etc.. and I still to this day, have trouble understanding why anyone would be against any kind of alternative energy....specially Wind Energy. Have we all gone mad? Would you honestly rather have a smoke stack blowing crap in the air we breathe??? Some of the arguments we hear on a regular basis are as follows:

1- They're Ugly - I strongly disagree. I personally think todays wind turbines look modern, elegant and heck they're CLEAN.

2 - They're Noisy - I have seen many documentaries on the topic. And the noise that people often refer to I believe to be the "swoosh" that can be heard if you're standing very close or under the actual turbine. I've seen a few from a little ways away...and couldn't hear anything.

3 - The Blades Cast A Shaddow - Fair enough...I guess they would. But can we not find a solution to this? Maybe keep them a few hundred metres away from homes?

We're a pretty smart civilization folks...you can't tell me that the same species that has managed to get people to the moon, or build nuclear/coal power plants would have trouble coming up with simple solutions to the "problems" mentioned above.

What are we afraid of? Change? Or is all the public hoopla only coming from a few select people making a big deal of nothing? I'm obviously not qualified to answer this question for sure. But I do know that I want my children and my grandchildren living on a healthy planet earth. If we have the technology and knowledge to fix it today....why wait til tomorrow?

For anyone interesed. I found a video explaining a Wind Farm Project in New York States Tug Hill Plateau. It has some pretty cool information.

Yes...I know the video is produced by the actual Wind Energy Company...but it has some interesting information none the less. Take it for what it's worth ;) I tried to find video that had a good up close look at the wind turbines and a wind farm in general.

Hockeytown Interview

Contrary to popular belief....I had NOTHING to do with our interview about Detroit and the Red Wings no longer deserving the "Hockeytown" title.

OK OK! Maybe I had a little tiny bit to do with it...ALRIGHT it was all my idea. But it was a Sports Illustrated article that started it all ;)

It's not my fault that the #1 team in the NHL (at this moment) can't sell tickets to their games...You can't blame me, Melanie is off on vacation this week...if that wasn't the case, I don't think the interview would have made it to air! LOL (Right Mel?!?!?!)

I still have trouble understanding how the Wings can't sell out their games. Last years playoff games weren't even selling out. Meanwhile...teams like the Maple Leafs end up in almost last place at one point this season and still manage to sell out every single one of their games. Are Wings fans just bored? Maybe spent their money on Tigers and Lions tickets? Who knows....

I am however, not just here to criticize....I do actually have a solution for the ticket sales slumping Wings!!! Play more games against the Leafs! We'll sell out the joint for ya!

I'm Dan Gemus....A PROUD Leafs Fan...and that's what I think! GO LEAFS!

Who wants to buy me a Hybrid?

So here's my problem....I went and test drove a Toyota Prius (stop laughing) when Toyota had the Hybrid Cross Country Tour this past summer. And now I really REALLY want one. But I don't wanna pay $30,000 for it. So if anyone reading this has one they would like to donate to my cause, i'd be MORE than willing to accept. I understand not everyone has an extra Toyota Prius just kickin around....so for the rest of you, i'd take the $30,000 cash to buy the Prius myself! I like the silver model....don't need all the bells and whistles. Just the basic model is fine.

I was skeptical at first, but my green thumb just had to test it out. I would consider myself very environmentally friendly. So obviously the fuel savings alone were attractive. But after having test driven the vehicle...I understood all the hype! It's truely a very cool car.

I even called our local Toyota dealer to ask if they had any used Prius' in stock..and was told that they've only had 1 in the past year, and it wasn't parked very long. So the fact that nobody gets rid of the car is an encouraging thing? Isn't it??

So if ever you run into anyone selling a used Prius....or someone willing to buy me one...please pass along my information!

While we're talking about addictions......

Now for any of you parents, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, neighbours or co-workers looking to buy a truely addictive gift for the upcoming Christmas holiday....look no further! It's GUITAR HERO!!! If you have yet to hear about this game...get out from under that rock and invite yourself over to a neighbour or friends house to play. Everyone but you, now owns this thing ;)

Last I checked, statistics showed that 1 in 1,445,693,8576 people hadn't heard of this game yet...so if you're that ONE person..here's a recap on how the game is played.

The player (or players) have a plastic guitar! It has 5 coloured keys which you hit to play the notes. You'll also find a button in the mid section of the guitar to strum along. The basic point of the game is to have your finger on the correct note and strum the guitar as the note hits in the song....it might sound a little complicated, but trust me (ANYONE) can play this game (THAT'S FOR YOU MOM!!)

Usually any party or gathering at Dan's place turns into a big "Guitar Hero Party At Dan's!"

For everyone's enjoyment. I had a neighbour record me playing the game for you lastnight. I've posted the video in the right side column of the blog. ENJOY!

Hi...my name is Dan, and I'm addicted to....

MY BLACKBERRY!!!!!!

In fact...If I had all day, i'd be blogging FROM my crackberry! Now, any one of us with a Blackberry will proudly admit that we're addicted. Besides the fact that my new toy is very pretty, beautiful, gorgeous (I could go on and on). It can do EVERYTHING, well it can't clean dishes....but i'm sure that feature will be included in one of the next models.

I've actually read some articles claiming that many U.S. iPhoners have been trading in their iPhones for Blackberry's....what's up with that?

Now i've had a few dozen cell phones in my day.....Ok, i'm the guy upgrading cell phones every 3 months (almost not an exaggeration). There is absolutely nothing on the market today that would convince me to turn my back on this addiction that is Blackberry. Not even an iPhone. I currently own the Blackberry Curve 8310. It actually has GPS built into the phone! (GPS to be covered on a topic of it's own in the not to distant future i'm sure). And prior to purchasing the Curve...I had the Blackberry Pearl...I think the Pearl was in my possession a total of about 8 or 9 months before the Curve came to market. And I just had to have it!

So..for any of you who have yet to see, touch, smell, taste (ok..i'm going to far I know) a Blackberry. What are you waiting for! How could you NOT want to read/reply/compose/forward/delete email every second of every day? Unless of course, you're like me....a Canadian with only 3 wireless carrier choices, all of which charging unbelievably gouging amounts for wireless data.

Yep...you guessed it! I've recently CANCELLED my data plan. I've decided to give the Canadian wireless industry a piece of my mind! Using my wallet! So until you guys (wireless industry) decide to make it AFFORDABLE for us every day Joe's and Jane's to use the latest wireless technology to check our email and surf the web....I guess i'll have to keep on writing email and my blog using the good ol' desktop computer!

With that said...the Crackberry is still by far the BEST money i've spent this year! Now if only those awesome Americanized UNLIMITED wireless talk/data plans would cross the border......

Dear Rogers/Bell/Telus....CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW???

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

It's official....Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip must be one of the best shows in the world...and it's off the air after only 1 season. BOOOOOO! Anyone who knows me, knows that I hate watching TV Drama episodes one week at a time. I'll actually wait until a season is over and it's released on DVD to watch it all at once. I JUST finished the 5th of 6 discs...and it really sucks knowing that there will be no other episodes to watch after that.

The shows creator Aaron Sorkin is a true genious. He's also the creator of my FAVORITE SHOW OF ALL TIME ' The West Wing'. And for those of you who loved 'The West Wing' as much as I did...you'll love this show just as much. It has a few of the WW cast members...it stars Bradley Whitford (an outstanding actor). Timothy Busfield and has a guest appearance by Allison Janney (love her).

RUSH to your local video store and rent this show...you won't regret it I promise!

My First Blog Entry!!

Hi All!

It's official, Melanie and I are jumping on the blogging bandwagon! Hope you all find what we have to say interesting. If not, i'm sorry in advance!