Monthly Archives: March 2009

U2 are coming to Canada, 2 dates only.  September 16th & 17th in Toronto.  Tickets go on sale to the public Monday, March 30th.  I can’t wait.  Even though it means airline tickets, hotel rooms and the works, I will be going to Toronto to see this band live.  I have all of their cd’s to date, plus 3 live DVD performances.    They are playing one Canadian location only, and its Toronto.  Thankfully, a second date has been set.

The new album ‘No Line On the Horizon’ is the first in five years.  Canadian Record Producer Daniel Lanois also had a hand in this cd, writing a few of the tracks with Brian Eno.   If you don’t already own the cd, go out and buy it, it’s fantastic.   

Information about the tour, the cd, past cd’s and their special projects can be found on their website www.u2.com.  This band from Dublin Ireland has captured the hearts of people around the world with their music and their effort to ease poverty, disease and social injustice.   I think the quote on their website from Mahatma Ghandi says it all, “We must become the change we want to see in the world”.  

Enjoy

Darlene

I just finished Breaking Dawn, the 4th in the Twilight Series.  I loved this book, much better than I liked Eclipse.  As soon as I read Twilight, I got New Moon and Eclipse.  I wasn’t sure how I felt about the direction the Eclipse book had taken with Jacob and Bella’s “friendship”, it was a little too ‘close’, if you know what I mean.

(Stop reading now if you haven’t read this book yet)

So when I got the 750 page Breaking Dawn, I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy it, but enjoy it I did.  I liked reading about Bella becoming a vampire, and even though I don’t thoroughly understand the ‘imprinting’ of Jacob to Renesmee, I thought Stephanie Meyer did a good job of keeping it within the lines.  I know it got some negative reviews, but I enjoyed the final book.  I liked how the book was split up between Bella’s view and Jacob’s view,  and the friendship that came between these werewolves and the vampires.  I liked it.  And for the most part I liked the series.

The Twilight DVD was released on Saturday, March 21st, but I haven’t been able to find one yet to buy.  All sold out.  However, I will own it, after seeing it in the theatre and loving it.   I am looking forward to the next movies as well.

The book I’m reading now….. ‘Dream of my Father’, Barack Obama’s first book.  I’ll keep you up to date.

Darlene

I love red wine!  And I am always looking for different wines to try.  If anyone out there is willing to share their favorites, let me know.  I would love to try them as well.  I am looking forward to hearing about your favorites, and why you like them!

Here are a few of my favorites.

1.  Marques de Riscal, a Spanish Rioja Reserva, is one of my favorites.  A Spanish Reserva is usually aged 3 years after the grapes are picked and one of those years in Oak.  This makes the oak subtle, but distinct.  This is a fantastic wine, goes with everything.

2.  Francis Ford Coppola Black Diamond Claret.  Another one of my favorites, and a great treat wine.  A rich dark color, the 2006 is a favorite, because of the long cool season that year.  Grapes didn’t get harvested until September 26th that year and it makes for a smooth wine.

3.  Chateau de Serame.  I am not usually a fan of french wines, but I really like this one.  The 2004 is one of my favorites, and I do like the 2001, but it does have more of a kick to it.   Hints of Black Plum and Blackberry’s, it has a great aroma.

4.  Shiraz – I love a good Shiraz, including the french one Fat Bastard and the Australian Shiraz Coonawara.   I also really like the Jacob’s Creek Shiraz from Austraila, and it’s a great value, and under $15.

I look forward to hearing from you and telling me what your favorites are. 

Cheers,

Darlene

As a manager that seems to be constantly recruiting for salespeople, I find myself asking the question “What happened to the work ethic that was so predominant years ago?”  Is it just me, or does it seem that people want to find the ‘easy way’ out…. and more importantly, could this be another reason, (other than greed) that played a role in our economic down-turn!

Let’s take a look.  AIG, after receving billions of tax-payers dollars in a bail-out, still want to pay out 165-million in bonuses.  Bonuses for what?  Putting the company close to bankruptcy?   The CEO’s of the auto industry showed up in private planes the first time they went asking for money.  Is life so rough when you can travel by private plane?   The only reason they showed up driving hybrids the next time they went asking for money is because the media had a field day.  And here in Canada the CBC is asking for money out of one side of their mouth, and paying out bonuses out of the other side.  This just goes to prove the mind-set has not changed, and they will continue to make the same greedy mistakes that got them in this situation in the first place.  Aghhh!

On the home-front 82,600 people lost their jobs in February here in Canada, pushing the unemployment rate to a high of 7.7%  Yet, when I interview people I get asked questions like “What time is my coffee break?” and “Can I have 2 months off my first year”?  I am not making this stuff up.

I believe one of the things that is going to turn this economic recession around is hard work.  Batten down the hatches people…. It’s time to go to work.  There are jobs out there, but because the cost of doing business is increasing, we have to work harder right now.  Guess what?  That’s OK! 

Here’s my final thought on this subject!  “Out of choppy waters, true leaders will emerge”!  Be a leader!  Let’s get working!

I have been travelling much more for work reasons during the week, so I only get a chance to blog on weekends.  Please keep reading,,, I enjoy all the comments very much.

Darlene

Shanneyganock Rocks!   If you haven’t already got this CD, then run out to your nearest music store and get it.  It is fabulous.

This CD is Shanneyganock at its best.  It was hard to narrow down a few favorites… but here goes..

“Heart and Soul” – Love the beat – this is music for driving… when I am in my truck, I have to turn the volume up on this song.  Same thing goes for ‘Blow Ye Winds’… get ready to crank the volume.

But my favorite on the CD  is ‘Poison Lovers’.   Usually I am not a big fan of remakes, but they kick it out of the ballpark with this Steve Earle remake.   Awesome duet. 

Shanneyganock performs constantly and if you want to check out if they are coming to a location near you, check out their website at www.shanneyganock.ca

Enjoy

Darlene