House Proud

So our little space may not be large, but we're quite content with it. We've grown more accustomed to our space over the last little while as we've completed some little projects that have made it more livable and conducive to our lifestyle.

Recently we were asked if we'd allow Steven & Chris to have a short segment on our place for their House Proud section and we obliged. Please excuse the robot.

A couple questions that have come up elsewhere include where to get the wallpaper and the brand of washer/dryer.

Nacho Video Diary :: Friday

A new NVD has emerged this time showcasing Nacho and his new best friend, Spencer.

Nacho Video Diary :: Sunday

Thankfully the WGA and Nacho Video Diaries were indeed able to come to an agreement and production of the video diaries have resumed.

What isn't clear is the details of the agreement. Neither party is talking so we can't be sure what the new production schedule will look like. We're hoping for 5 diaries per week, but the writing side of things may slow the schedule down somewhat.

Fingers crossed...

STI + Snowboarding = Madness

I love snowboarding. I respect the Subaru STI (the pre-2008 version that is). Put together in what can only be described as awesome madness here in Subaru DC Mountain Lab v. 1.5. Enjoy...



If you want to try this yourself... well, without the STI... go to Whistler and have fun.

Nacho Video Diary :: Wednesday

Due to the ongoing Writer's Guild of America (WGA) strike the Nacho Video Diaries will unfortunately be on hiatus. Fortunately either the WGA can reach a deal with the studios or the Nacho Video Diaries can reach a special deal with the WGA, much like Leno or Letterman, bringing us back to air.



We appreciate your support in this matter.

Can Analysts Be Trusted?!

Much like the very first analyst / therapist, aka analrapist, Dr. Tobias Funke cannot be trusted maybe financial analysts should be treated with a similar skepticism.

Today Moody's put out a press release on SIVs and failed to remove some of the draft editorial bits. Of course this isn't new, companies often mistakenly put out unfinished press releases in error. What is interesting in this case is that the report's unredacted version is much more to the point. The version that was supposed to go out seems more sugarcoated and potentially a little misleading.

Indeed, all (The entire SIV business model is) SIVs are affected by the recent price decline of fixed income assets and all SIV managers have been actively adapting the structure of their vehicles to this stressed environment, (now widely acknowledged to be unsustainable without restructuring)” says Paul Mazataud, Group Managing Director of Moody’s International Derivatives team and co-author of these reports.

-- Bolded text in parentheses shows what was supposed to be deleted before the final draft was disseminated.

Maybe that glass wall is a little too transparent?! Bricks and mortar anyone?!

More from the Financial Times blog.

Nacho Video Diary :: Tuesday

Nacho can play "recycle" with the best of 'em!



Featuring special guest stars: Heather's hand, Scott, & Janet.

Nacho Video Diary :: Monday

Office shenanigans...



Nacho Video Diaries Day 1 & 2

Nacho Video Diaries :: Saturday & Sunday

I had no idea he was a cross-dressing fashionista.

Best part of my maui vacation is receiving the daily Nacho Diary courtesy of Heather.

Saturday's Nacho Video Diary

Bill's Last Day

Sharades Anyone?

I do not entirely condone this, but who hasn't wanted to test drive a car or two that may be slightly out of their financial league?!

You’re a special snowflake. Your parents always told you so, and you believed them, and it turned out to be true. You’re such a special snowflake that you deserve to drive cars for free, to enjoy them at no cost and without any interference. But how can this be accomplished? Read on to find out, as I share my car sales and joyriding experience with you. Since the fateful day when the State of Ohio made the mistake of handing me a drivers’ license, nearly twenty years ago, I’ve driven everything from Sentras to Spykers, often without having a dollar in my pocket. You can do it too; follow along as I show you how.

Test Drive Anything Guide

Great Canadians

Canada.com is the easy online source I use for most of my daily Canada-related news. They had a little more credibility a few years ago but lately have been a little more tabloidy, but every once in a while they redeem themselves.

Right now they have a special feature section on Great Canadians. The great thing about this article is that it's not just highlighting the John A. MacDonald's and Terry Fox's of the world, although they were great. The feature highlights all sorts of great Canadians including some regular people who are doing great things.

Some highlights include the Asian business tycoon, Allan Zeman, affectionately known as the Mouse Killer, Alan Bean, a pastor working in Jena, LA., and Laura Louie who refuses to stand by and instead rolls up her sleeves in Mae On, Thailand where she started a clinic that is now self-sustaining.

Do it Yourself?

New Year's is often a time to figure out what you did right last year and what didn't go so well. What you want to change and what you want to keep up... Maybe you're looking to find a little more time in your life... is the answer DIY or DIFM?!

DIY is pretty popular these days... I haven't seen figures but I'm willing to claim that TLC and HGTV viewership have probably nearly tripled over the last 5 years thanks mostly to DIY-type programs like Trading Places, Flip This House, and The Block.

In the last couple of years, however, a new trend is emerging deemed DIFM or Do It For Me. The principal being that in today's world with overworked urbanites trying to get everything done that their busy lives demand time isn't available to do those chores that need doing. Thus the emergence of concierge services for the common person beyond house cleaning and yard work. Today one can get a part-time assistant to do pretty much anything from buying that perfect gift for your child's teacher, booking that appointment with your dentist, having your cars oil changed, to purchasing your weekly groceries.

There's plenty of services out there in your neighbourhood just throw what your looking for into Google and you'll probably be surprised how many results are returned.

For more reading on the subject click here.