Good Morning Everyone!

Here is my niece Mikaela, with her first-ever smile caught on camera. Don't know about you, but that makes me feel so good, I just have to add a song...



Have a great day everyone!


Your Partner In Life

Crazy Oilers Theory

As those who know me well can attest,  I am the furthest thing from a sports expert that you could ever get.



But as a lifelong Edmontonian, I can't help feeling that there is some kind of energy missing in our city when it comes to the Oilers.


We know we achieved greatness exactly 30 years ago. I remember watching the fateful game at my Grandma Simonne's house with my dad, and will never forget the sound of car horns honking. All night.


We even achieved greatness in 1990, two years after Wayne Gretzky left us. So we know that, while he was a big factor in the Oilers' previous Stanley Cups, he wasn't the exclusive factor. (Boy, would I love to get him drunk and get a definitive answer on the whole was-he-sold-like-a-piece-of-meat-or-did-he-want-to-go conundrum. But I digress).


Or did the culture that deal created, the whole "Well, if Gretzky is worth $20 million, then my client is worth...", kill both the fun and work ethic of professional hockey?  Is today's squad massively stressed out by the spectre of past glories?


I don't know. As Yoda would put it, "A sports expert, not am I. Luke, like Great One you will not be, if train you not. Now put down donair and CONCENTRATE!"


But I know 4 things:


1) For now Eakins and MacTavish have the power.


2) Eight years is a LONG time between Cup runs.


3) I miss interacting with well-behaved partying fans on Whyte Avenue during Cup runs.


4) People will be a LOT more forgiving about paying for swanky new downtown arenas if they have a productive winning team to support.


Just a few random thoughts...


Let's remember...







Here's a bonus...





Have a great night!


Your Partner In Life

Ralph Leibo: Profile Of Courage

I have known Ralph Leibo for almost 25 years. Many disabled people (sometimes including myself) have the habit of falling into the thinking that "things are the way they are" and that "there is nothing we can do to change anything". Ralph is a person who has never fallen into that type of thinking, working tirelessly as an advocate for Alberta's disabled community since his arrival in Edmonton from Montreal in the mid-1970's, Whether it be volunteering on a government commitee or signing up for a study, he is always doing his best to work for change in the disabled community as a whole. To be Ralph's friend is to be Ralph's friend for life, and he is always offering friendship and support to whoever needs it. Now, after moving tentatively into the digital age, he has chosen to share his story with the world. There is not a disabled person anywhere who has not dealt with these homecare and equipment issues in some fashion, and Ralph handles it all with courage and grace. He is an inspiration to all who know him.

Have a great day!

Your Partner In Life

2

Hello Penelope!

How are you? I know...it's been a REALLY long time since I wrote you a letter. Both your mom and Auntie Shawna have been reminding me a lot about the work-life balance thing. One of these days I will listen. But I have sure enjoyed our chats in front of magic TVs, you at your mom and dad's and Auntie Shawna and I at Grandma Annie's and Grandpa Jim's. Other people call it Skype. But I prefer magic TV. How about you?

Anyway, I heard you have had quite a few milestones since my last letter:

1) You like to giggle and yell "BANG!" when you hear The Big Bang Theory theme song on TV. Now I do too.

2)You love to dance at building Christmas parties.

3) You had two very awesome birthday parties in large Edmonton parks. I will remember forever you chasing Hello Kitty around the park this summer, and also the year before, when you just calmly looked at the very nice cake Uncle Jon made you to dunk your face in.

4) Recently, you saw the movie Frozen, a wonderful story about two princesses, a snowman named Olaf and a reindeer named Sven. Your mom knew I didn't have a chance to see it, so she sent a copy to Grandma Annie to give to me. Now we can enjoy it together! There are people who don't like Frozen much, but I think they've just forgotten how much fun it is to be two. They should just Let It Go, right? Never lose your sense of fun, Penelope. It will serve you well, no matter what happens to you as you go through life.

5) And most importantly Penelope, you are now a big sister! Your little sister Mikaela was born last week, and it warmed my and Auntie Shawna's hearts to see your first picture together:

I can just see you being the best friend and protector that little Mikaela will ever have. Cuddling with her, singing Let It Go, giving her everything in the big heart that we all know you already have. Uncle Mike and Auntie Shawna are so very proud of you. And sweet Mikaela, welcome to the world! We love you both so much! It's important to remember, Penelope, that even though everyone is paying a little more attention to your little sister right now, it doesn't mean that any of us love you any less. In fact I can't wait for the Christmas party photos a year or two from now, with both you and Mikaela boogeying!

And because we're all so happy that Mikaela is here, a little song:





I love you so much, Penelope and Mikaela!

Uncle Mike

Dear Google: Part 2

Dear Google,

How are ya? I got over the fact that you guys insist on my having a cell number to easily access your services. In fact, it seems that not only Google but life in general is insisting that I finally get with the program, as payphones are now outright vanishing from major metropolitan areas altogether.

So I am inching ever closer to getting one.

But I need a favor.

If you guys could solve your Blogger issues with IE browsers, that'd be great. Because I lost about three days of opportunities to update the posts on my three blogs.

If Google is trying to tell me that IE is crap and not to bother, I get it.

But it would be cool if all the Google engineers put massive resources into ensuring that the Blogger code is always up to date, thus ensuring a crash-free existence.

Think you guys can do it?

Let me know.

Your Partner In Life

Arctic Chill in LA: My True Calling?

I think I may have found my niche if ever I was to go to LA looking for work.

Not as a screenwriter, as I once dreamed.

But as an Arctic Survival Specialist (Yes, an ASS).

I may even feel like an ass after a while, taking money from good people for saying things like "You WILL be warm again! Look at me dammit! Clouds are NOT evil! They are our FRIENDS! I know the winter coat you bought at the Disney Store doesn't do the trick! Here's a real one!"

Then again, it might be easier to lay a little MTTP on them.

Move To Toronto, People.

Have a great day!

Your Partner In Life

Cat Stevens - Father and Son Original

For my father, and everyone who faces challenges courageously. I love you Dad.

Your Partner In Life