Canada and the U.S.Eh.

Coal Harbour, Vancouver B.C.

Time is running out if you are one of the many who vowed to emigrate to Canada. Less than a week remains until Inauguration Day and the new President of these United States. Have you learned what Loonies and Toonies are yet? And remember, no one-dollar bills and no pennies. Canadian elections are different from what you’re used to. Citizens complained about the length of the last election campaign – 78 days. Compare that to U.S. campaigns measured in years.

Friendly Natives

It will take some getting used to for you to let go of your cynicism and not be suspicious because Canadians are so darned nice. If you’re the intellectual type, read here about the origin of the all-purpose invariant tag “eh.” (And what is an “invariant tag.”)

Interesting side note: Several years ago, we sold our business to a Canadian firm. In the course of their due diligence, they were very, shall we say, impressed with what our company spent on employee health coverage… compared to their expense of zero.

To help with your transition to the new culture, watch this educational video.

More Outrage in the New Year

Since the days of Bugsy Siegel, Las Vegas has attracted revelers looking for the freedom to gamble, pay for sex (if you’re not famous) and, of late, dine in ostentatious “gourmet” establishments promoting their celebrity chefs. Now another freedom is threatened. Free parking is going the way of the free buffet.

Even the mob didn’t dream of charging people for parking on the Strip.”

— Steve Sebelius, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Read and be outraged.

Vacation Planning Ideas

 

 

 

 

Have you started thinking about your 2017 travel plans, what sights to see and cultures to experience? Hibbing Minnesota is likely near the top of your list. The hometown of a recent Nobel Prize winner, Hibbing was also home to Yankee Should-Be-in-the-Hall-of-Fame Roger Maris, Boston Celtics star Kevin McHale and smarmy sixties singer Gary Puckett.

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Around the World in Photos

Begin the new year by taking a trip around the world with National Geographic. You can visit people, places and animals from all parts of the globe without leaving your laptop. Best of all, the 52 photos load onto one page (hope you have a fast connection) so you don’t have to click 52 times.

Best Photos of 2016

Christ the Redeemer Needs Your Help

The economy in Brazil for many years was the shining beacon of the Americas. For a time it was the envy of some in the U.S. Now an ongoing recession is forcing the Catholic Church to ask for help with refurbishing the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro.

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