Reddog2402

Wishing you all the best on whatever paths your life leads. I'm glad our paths crossed a few times, and I hope they do again in the future!

Both of my vehicles were brought in from the US, and I've had varying experiences. One was bought from a local dealer who had done all the import work, and everything has been fine. The warranty was honoured locally, and we didn't have to convert from MPH to KPH. However, the 2nd time we used a local broker, and it was a brutal experience. The price was much higher than what had been agreed to, some of the work that had to be done to conform to Canadian regulations (daytime running lights) wasn't done correctly and had to be redone, and it took much longer than expected. The 2nd vehicle was a Honda, and they don't honour US warranties. I have also learned since that while the brokers like to say it's very complicated to import a vehicle, it really isn't. Some US dealers will even meet you at the border to facilitate the transfer. So like any other major purchase, be careful, and do your homework ahead of time.

Hi everyone. I'll be spending a few days in Moncton next week, and was wondering what options were available these days for local SPs. As a fallback, I guess I could always spend some time at the Pumphouse, and finish the night at Angies! Thanks.

The best line I've heard so far: Hey Halifax, is that $25 billion in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me? Seriously though, it's great news for the region!

I think charitable giving has to come from the heart - there are an endless number of great causes, so find one that is dear to you. Another consideration is that most of these organizations are significantly under-staffed, so you could consider giving time instead of money. Sometimes that can be very rewarding! Personally, I support the local children's hospital, and an organization that works with at-risk youth. My company also sponsors families in need at Christmas, and gives a day to Habitat for Humanity. Everyone finds these to be great experiences. Good luck, and have fun with it!

Good luck Angel. I admire the courage and strength of character that you've shown, both with your honest and open confession here, and in taking this important step. Best of luck on your journey. My thoughts are with you.

Way to go everyone! It was easy to take a moment out of our days to help out someone who could use a break! I hope they have a blast! I went on a hot-air balloon ride a few years ago. But I'm scared of heights, so spent most of the trip curled up in the fetal position in the bottom of the basket. Hopefully they do better than me!

I believe there is nothing more peaceful than a quiet lake, a canoe, a fishing rod and a six-pack; I believe in speaking the truth, even if your voice shakes; I believe in the softness of a woman's skin, the warmth of her heart, and all the delicate curves and nibbly bits and tender spots that beg to be explored; I believe in the satisfaction of a hard day's work, and a cold beer when it's over; I believe in fairy tales - not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten (apologies to G. K. Chesterton); I believe anything worth having is worth working for. Too often we confuse "need" for "want", forgetting the satisfaction that comes from earning something that seemed out of reach; I believe we never truly grow up; we only learn how to behave in public; I believe that when you have to make a hard decision, flip a coin. Not to avoid deciding for yourself, but because when that coin is in the air, you suddenly know what you're hoping for; I believe in comfortable silences; I believe in integrity - doing the right thing when no one is watching. It's easy to do the right thing when there's an audience; I believe I almost, but not quite, managed to get this out without sounding like a fortune cookie! And gin in the summer and scotch in the winter - love that one!

Done and done. What a great idea!

Most of the higher end restaurants will offer vegetarian options as well, even if they're not on the menu. If you call ahead, the chef can usually whip up a special creation for you.

Lunenburg is always a fun spot to spend a day. If you're looking for a great meal, try Fleur de Sel. http://www.fleurdesel.net/ There are also several fall wine tours being offered in the Annapolis Valley, which are always great.

Carly, the next time you come to Halifax, I hope you bring a school girl outfit! And Gabby's teaser - A Carley and Gabby surprise - Wow. I can't think of a better way to lose a week's sleep!

A sad loss for Canada indeed. While I may not agree with his politics, I always admired his integrity, determination and passion. I think most politicians could learn a great deal from Mr. Layton. Leaders of his qualities are few and far between these days.

Any new insight on this debate? I'm in the market for a tablet, and it seems there are as many recommendations as there are tablets! I like the compact size of the Plabook, but does anyone know how it measures up against the Xoom, HP Touchpad or Samsung Galaxy? Too bad I can't sign them out of the library for a couple of weeks to play with them, and decide from there!

I still prefer the physical keyboards of the Blackberries. RIM is apparently releasing several new phones in the next month, so I'm anxious to see how the new offerings compare to the IPhone and various Android-based models.

Good morning lads. Candii and I have been trying to connect, but haven't managed to work something out yet. Hopefully in early July I'll be able to post a full recommendation. In the meantime, enjoy the sunshine!

Wow, this has turned into quite the discussion! First off - Malika, I'm sorry you had to deal with such ignorance and hostility. 2nd, I have to complement everyone who has weighed in on the discussion. This thread has gone on for several pages with eloquent expressions of opinions and ideas, including disagreements, but everyone has kept it civil and honest, and have offered a lot of support to a friend and colleague who had a bad experience. This type of discussion is one of the things I love the most about our little community. Finally, my two cents: I don't think someone's religious beliefs really come into play between a service provider and a client - the experience, while it is a fantasy, is about intimacy, closeness, or even spirituality in a certain sense. But it's got nothing whatsoever to do with religious beliefs. As someone else once said: "Religion is like a penis: It's fine to have one, and it's fine to be proud of it. But please don't use it as an excuse to criticize anyone who doesn't have one, and don't whip it out in public and start waving it around, and please don't try to shove it down my children's throats!"

I was reading about this the other day, and it cracked me up! Apparently they're releasing it early to get it out for Fathers Day. You can pre-order it through Amazon. http://www.amazon.ca/Go-F-Sleep-Adam-Mansbach/dp/1617750255/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1305835250&sr=8-1

I was at a company event on the weekend at one of the nicer restaurants in town. They had a 1971 Macallan on the menu fro $150 an ounce. I was tempted, but settled instead on a Dalwhinnie 15.

Another port with a Canadian link is Newmans, out of St. John's. Although I'm hardly a connoisseur, I do enjoy it! Here's the story: The origins of the practice of aging Newman's Port in Newfoundland dates back to 1679. According to tradition, in the fall of 1679 a Portuguese vessel loaded with port wine bond for London slipped its moorings. As it floated out to sea it encountered French privateers. The privateers drove the ship further off course and, in attempts to escape, it ventured out into the Atlantic. After weathering severe Atlantic storms, the captain decided to head for St. John's, where the ship stayed for the winter months. The cargo of port wine was safely stored in caves in the Southside Hills of St. John's. The following spring the vessel finally completed its long, arduous journey to England. It was soon discovered that the port that had over-wintered in Newfoundland had acquired a bouquet, a smoothness and a flavour that it did not have before. From that point on, Newman and Company decided to age its port wine in Newfoundland. The practice continued at the wine vaults on Water Street from the early nineteenth century onwards. The wine was aged in the vaults by the Newman's until at least 1893, possibly until 1914.

Love the confidence! Go Habs Go!

Does the Mayflower still put on their 14 Flavours of Scotland promotion? I used to live around the corner from their Elgin location, and that promo got me into scotch.

Actually, he's sided with the government on confidence matters in the past (see 2005 federal budget). Plus, although the Speaker is traditionally a member of the governing party, Milliken is one of only two Speakers to have been elected as a Member of the Opposition. Plus, he's widely regarded as one of the top experts on Parliamentary Procedures, and is frequently cited by other Commonwealth countries. So I hardly think it's warranted to accuse him of playing party politics - if anyone sticks to the facts and plays by the rules, it's Milliken.

I've tried to set something up with her, but she doesn't currently offer in-call. Somehow, I don't think my office-mates would appreciate it if I hosted an encounter!

If you like historical fiction, try Ken Follett. Pillars of the Earth and World Without End are some good reads. They take a while though! Another good one on the non-fiction front is Bill Bryson - A Short History of Nearly Everything is an entertaining take on science and the history of science. He takes some complex areas and makes it relatively easy to undersand, and keeps it entertaining. If you're into economics, Why Your World is About to get a Lot Smaller by Jeff Rubin is a good read.