Who’s on top?

This is honestly the first time I’ve really enjoyed the Olympics, and I think I know why. I’ve really felt…well…Canadian the last few weeks.

It’s strange. I’ve lived abroad for so long now. Since coming to Scotland, I’ve felt more and more at home here. Scotland has become my home. In the back of my mind, I’ll always be Canadian, but I haven’t really felt a huge amount of patriotism the past 10 years. I’m not one to beat my chest every day and go on and on about it. I’m also proud to live in Scotland and to call this wonderful city home.

But this Olympics has really woke my sense of love and longing for home. Seeing the Canadian flags flying, watching the pride and excitement, it’s all be a wonderful reminder of why I’ve always been proud to be Canadian. And I’m missing my real home.

Tonight, I’ll be agonising with everyone else watching Canada play the US in the gold medal hockey game. Oh please oh please oh please. I’ve even brought out all my gear:

So I’ll be cheering madly for the boys tonight. And it’s been wonderful to be Canadian the past two weeks.

-j

OK. I wasn’t happy about the 5-3 loss to the USA this week. Helpfully my business partner is an American and he emailed me at 02:30 or so to let me know of the score. Thankfully my phone was on silent, but it was one of the first things I saw when I woke up. Not pleasant.

To feel better, I thought I would include a wonderful article on how great Canadian banks are compared to their American (and British) cousins.

Download the article here:*

We rock: canadian banks

(and go Canada go)

-j

*This is a PDF version of a Financial Times article. They are the copyright holders in every way. I just think it’s a good article.

Went to see a performance of ‘Songs for an Airless Room’ by my old mate Martin Parker last night at the Cameo with Rachel, Gareth and Sherri. It was good. It was one of the more ‘together’ pieces I’ve heard from Martin in a while.

Martin’s a clever guy, and he has a good sense of humour in most of his pieces.

The opening film was good. It confirmed what everyone already knew: Teenagers are angst ridden and Japanese people are fucked up (just a joke…don’t complain). I liked the transition between the pieces as well.

Best part for me had to be the frantic build-up at the end. I love rhythm. I can’t help it. I love repetitive building of rhythm. And I love the ‘chunk chunka’

A for effort.

-j

God damn it. I have been doing so well.

Yesterday game and went a bit too fast to manage a post. I was due to go to Glasgow and had to miss that (gutted) and then I, well, I missed the rest of the evening.

Good squash today, but I’m in pain now, so I’ll go.

-j

1. I need new glasses

2. I like walnuts

3. I’m wearing blue socks

that’s all.

-j

It’s been a day.

A good day, to be fair, but an  exhausting one.

Up early for the morning meeting (meetings should all start at 06:45, right?) and then a meeting with Mr Fraser with a potential new Franchise. We’re really kicking off on the Franchise front, which reminds me – have taken a table of 10 at the Scottish Franchise Breakfast, must fill places!

Andy and I left the office just before 19:00 tonight, and we headed out to have dinner together. We haven’t had much of an opportunity to do that lately, and it was great to be out as mates for an evening. There are times when the business takes over so much, we don’t really have as much time to be, well, mates.

Business is feeling good. I feel strong right now, like I’m starting to flex my (proverbial) muscles.

It’s been a long fight. A hard fight. And I’m really tired.

(but I still want to win)

bon huit!

-j

Just a quick note in passing. I’m feeling a lot better today. I’m still suffering a bit from the sniffles but I can deal with that. My head feels a lot better and my fever is gone.

Heading up to town today to see a guy from Angel’s Den. Should be a productive first meeting.

Got quite a bit of planning and writing to do for MCL this week as we’re really going after organisations now.

I may have time tonight for a proper entry, and I may not. I’m either having dinner with someone tonight, or I’m not. Confused? So am I :p

-j

Meh.

I’ve been staring at my screen this morning. Ok, my head is still a little full of the cold, but seriously – this should be easier than it’s proving to be. All I’m trying to do is write some text for our new website. Considering I do that for a living, you’d think this would be a snap.

Work is both exciting and nervous. Will there ever be a time when we don’t have to worry about things like income, bills and new clients? On the other hand, would I really want it to change that much?

I’m off to Glasgow in a bit to meet up with the Franchise Group. We have two prospects on the cards and we’re waiting to hear back from the proposal. All signs are pointing to go, but you just never know until the money is deposited. See how much I have inherited from Andy?

I’ve had to take a week or so off from Squash and, whilst that’s tremendously annoying me, it’s also doing wonders for my back, knee and leg. Maybe I am getting a bit too old to be doing all of this without concern for my…parts.

Right. I’m off to Glasgow.

Bet it rains.

-j

Memories.

Suddenly reminded of valentine’s day my last year at Mount Allison. Emily A left a bag of cinammon hearts and three condoms with heart stickers on them in my notebox.

Made me smile then. Makes me smile now.

I miss em. She was really a lovely person and a good friend.

-j

Ho hum. It’s Valentine’s Day.

I’ve never been a massive fan myself. Surely you don’t need a Hallmark moment to do something special for the person in your life?

Six Nations game is just about on. I’m curious to see how well England play today. Ireland was pretty dire against Italy last week, so England needs to put in a performance.

I’d like to see England play well. They looked a little better against Wales, so let’s hope they can pick up the pace and play some exciting rugby (or is that asking too much?).

Regardless, my Valentine’s Day is set – I’ll be watching sports on the couch. Wee haw.
-j