30Jan 2011 by R&O No Comments

Client 9

Business, Economy, Of Interest, People, Politics
Even as a born and bred Canadian I was fascinated with the rise and fall of Eliot Spitzer. He's the guy that, as Attorney General of New York State, went after the wall street bandits, suing the thieves that ran large and highly profitable companies they used as their personal piggy banks. It was nice to see a politician, American or otherwise, actually do something that most wanted done and aggressively sue the wolves that wear expensive sheep's clothing. Some would argue that Spitzer, had he not run for New York governor and continued his wall street manhunt, may have changed the course of a future global economic meltdown and helped avert the catastrophe that was to follow. Others think he was just another arrogant, self absorbed, meddling, asshole politician.…
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24Dec 2010 by R&O No Comments
United Boulevard Launch

United Boulevard Launch

Arts, Business, Entertainment, Events, Food, Of Interest
Some time ago I was scouring the internet for a list of furniture stores on United Boulevard in Coquitlam, the area commonly referred to as Mecca for furniture shoppers. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a comprehensive list or even a web site to help me with my search. The tiny gears in my head started spinning, the light went on, I yelled "eureka!" then promptly forgot all about it. Until about a month ago. After many, many hours of sometimes tedious work, lots of phone calls and a slow drive through the United Boulevard area taking notes, I've just launched UnitedBoulevard.com, a site that I hope will help others looking for the same information I was and help customers find the products and services available in this fantastic shopping area. We've…
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21Jun 2010 by R&O No Comments
2010 Olympics: The gift that keeps on taking

2010 Olympics: The gift that keeps on taking

Business, Olympics, Politics, Rants
Remember the 2010 Winter Olympics? Remember how fun they were? Remember how much is cost? Well it continues to cost the taxpaying victims of VANOC's success well into the summer as the bills just keep rolling in. ICBC reports that over $2.3 million of damage was done to VANOC's fleet of General Motors vehicles used during the Olympics and Paralympics. The 4,791 vehicles suffered a variety of scratches, dents, crunches and smash-ups that will probably contribute to the cost of your automobile insurance. Don't ya just love these guys? As of May 5, there were 4,679 claims worth $2,300.392.34 when the vehicles were gathered at one location and inspected by claims personnel. There were no payments made on 757 of the claims and damage details were not disclosed. The drivers…
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14May 2010 by R&O No Comments

My New Boss

Business, Of Interest, People
My employer, Canwest Global Communications Corp, has sold it's 46 newspapers to a group of bondholders fronted by Paul Godfrey, president and CEO of the National Post. Canwest has been operating under court supervision since 2009 and has struggled since the death of it's founder Israel Asper, it's purchase of expensive acquisitions and the downward spiral in advertising revenues for newspapers and television during the recent global recession. All combined to force David and Gail Asper, the son and daughter of Canwest Global Communications founder, to resign from the media conglomerate's board of directors and the company to come under control of it's creditors. I can't say I'm unhappy to be free of Canwest and Mr. Godfrey appears to be an astute business man, savvy politician and media manager. Here's…
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