Archive - 2005

It is that time again.  By this time tomorrow it will be an entirely new year.  2006.  I am excited and looking forward to it.  I did a quick Google search to see what the most common New Years resolutions are and here is what I found:

1) Spend More Time with Family & Friends
Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year.

2) Fit in Fitness

The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.

3) Tame the Bulge

Fifty-five percent of adults in America are overweight, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.

4) Quit Smoking

If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!

5) Enjoy Life More

Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years.

6) Quit Drinking

While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available.

7) Get Out of Debt

Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.

8) Learn Something New

Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep. Challenge your mind in the coming year, and your horizons will expand.

9) Help Others

A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, these nonprofit volunteer organizations could really use your help.

10) Get Organized

On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and links should get you started on the way to a more organized life.

I did a search for my last name today and came up with a few hits I thought I would share with everyone. 

The first is the Birley College.  But, don't go there.  They make sucky Flash-based web sites (with horrible code) and can't spell worth a damn.  If their web site is any indication of the quality of the professors...yikes.

This year has been insane!  In a good way, of course.  Work has been just so busy with Vicious Bunny Creative, we are nearing the need to hire someone on to help out with the work load.  And, with Left Right Minds, coming on line in the near future - the need is even greater.

So, what has been accomplished this year:

1. I have written very little here and much elsewhere.
2. I have established two companies and have helped to build two others.
3. I have have built a network/server infrastructure.
4. Grew a gotee and somewhat liked it.
5. I have watched several movies but not as many as I would have liked.
6. I have converted and become a Browncoat.
7. I am still alive and well but could lose a little weight.
8. Allyson has maintained her cuteness level.

That is about it.  I am sure there is more, but I don't want to toot my horn too loudly.  But, overall, 2005 has been a "not-so-bad" year.  Many things were accomplished but there is more to complete and more to do.

Now, I just need to get past New Years.

It is absolutely horrible that there has been no word about the Canadian hostages who were supposed to be executed on December 10th, 2005.  Nothing has been heard from them at all.  Keep the hope alive.

From CTV News and from CBC.ca:

Ads are set to appear in Iraqi newspapers with messages from the families of four kidnapped Christian Peacemakers Team members, appealing for the captives' release.

Britain's Foreign Office has said an ad will appear in papers for three days over the Christmas season. An appeal will also be made over Iraqi radio on Dec. 26.

Canadians James Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden were abducted in Baghdad on November 26th, along with Briton Norman Kember and American Tom Fox. The four had been investigating allegations of abuse against Iraqi prisoners.

The ads call for their safe release and offer a phone number for anonymous callers to give "any information that can help."

No news has been received about the hostages' fate since a group claiming responsibility for their capture imposed a December 10th execution deadline.

We again have reached that time of year when people walk about and talk about how much weight they will either keep off or gain.  The rich (bad for you) foods are out and baked.  The drink is flowing and the presents are being wrapped.  Families are running around and going insane.

But, I can't help but think of those who are not as fortunate as I am.  I want everyone to remember there are people out there who are not able to over eat and enjoy the company of their family.

In 1999 the Government of Canada announced the National Homelessness Initiative, a three-year initiative designed to help ensure community access to programs, services and support for alleviating homelessness in communities located in all provinces and territories.

The Government of Canada has renewed the National Homelessness Initiative for an additional three years with an investment of $405 million. Under this initiative communities will be provided with the supports to further implement measures that assist homeless individuals and families in achieving and maintaining self-sufficiency.

Sometimes I feel guilty for having a good life.  But, then again, we can only do so much.  I donate but maybe I can do more.  In either case, here is a list of some important organizations who help the homeless:

• The Lookout Society
• Canadian Government
• Salvation Army

Another sad story this holiday season.  From CBC.ca:

"Throughout my career, she was in the background but she was the glue," Wayne Gretzky said at the time of her diagnosis in the autumn of 2004. "She's always been the toughest in the family."

Gretzky announced Saturday he was taking indefinite leave of his coaching duties with the Phoenix Coyotes to be with his ailing mother in Brantford, Ontario.

The Coyotes confirmed her passing late Monday night.

Gretzky addressed the Coyotes Saturday at the team hotel in Los Angeles before flying to Ontario to join his family including father Walter, sister Kim and brothers Brent, Glen and Keith.

Brother Brent, who plays for the Motor City Mechanics, also took a leave of absence from the United Hockey League team to be by his mother's side.

She died at Brantford General Hospital surrounded by her five children at about 10 p.m. ET following a bout of pneumonia that resulted in her being admitted into hospital Thursday.

"This has definitely been hard on everybody," son Glen Gretzky told the Brantford Expositor. "It's been a long 10 months and this is a very sad day."

Glen Gretzky said his father, Walter, is coping well with the situation.

Wayne Gretzky's role in assembling and directing Team Canada in the run up to the Turin Games in February has been left in doubt as a result of the week's developments.

In his absence, Rick Tocchet assumed the coaching duties for the Coyotes.

His mother's illness already kept Gretzky from overseeing the Canadian team at this year's world hockey championship in May.

Phyllis Hockin was born and raised in Paris, Ont., of British ancestry. She was 15 when she met Walter Gretzky, then 18, at a wiener roast on the Gretzky family farm, where their daughter Kim lives today.

"I took one look and knew she was the one for me," Walter Gretzky wrote in his book.

Phyllis often drove the kids to early-morning practices and Walter would take them to the games in the evening.

"I looked after the kids and the house; Wally went to work and looked after the finances," Phyllis Gretzky said in her husband's book.

She is survived by her five kids, husband Walter and 12 grandchildren.

The funeral will take place Thursday morning at Grace Anglican Church in Brantford.

Tags: gretzky, phyllis+gretzky

I read today that a teacher from my middle school days has passed away.  His name was Charles Shergold and I am saddened by his passing.  He was young and I think fondly of him from time to time.  Why?   Because of all the teachers I have had, he is one of the few who made a difference in my life.
 
This is from the Victoria Times-Colonist:

SHERGOLD, Charles James
January 10, 1953 December 13, 2005
 
It is with deep and overwhelming sadness that we mourn the passing of Chuck who died suddenly from a heart attack on December 13th. Predeceased by father Charlie Shergold last April and by his beautiful daughter Stephanie six weeks ago, he leaves behind his wife Wendy, mother Hettie Shergold, brother Dave (Anne), aunt Olive Hays, mother and father-in-law Marge and Art Sutherland, brothers-in-law John (Gail) and Dave Sutherland (Jeannine), nieces Laura and Andrea Sutherland, Katie and Sean Shergold, Steph's partner Dan Weatherhead and numerous relatives in Victoria and Olds, Alberta.
 
Chuck was an outstanding sportsman, who began an illustrious rugby career at Claremont School in 1969. He continued with James Bay Athletic Association, playing on eight provincial championship sides. He was also a stalwart for the Crimson Tide and BC and further represented Canada on several occasions in 1979-81. His passion for the game continued after his playing career ended, as he served with distinction on the JBAA executive. Huddy, Huddy!!
 
Chuck's other passion was teaching, a career based in Victoria (Cedar Hill, Arbutus and Reynolds) which also took him and his family as far afield as Grand Forks, BC and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In 1996 he joined the staff at St. Michaels University School. He taught History with a particular flair and creativity, coached rugby at all levels, and directed one of the Boarding Houses. SMUS was a special place for him, but the school benefited even more from his balanced, selfless, optimistic, good-humoured approach to life. His razor sharp wit was appreciated by all, and in every way, he was a superb role model for colleagues and young people.
 
Chuck had countless friends, whose company he treasured. He was quite simply as fine a person as anyone could hope to meet. Most of all, Chuck loved his family. He was a model husband and father, who devoted his life to his wife and daughter. A celebration of Chuck's life will take place at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, December 21 at the UVIC Auditorium.
 
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation www.ccff.ca
 
Be at peace my love. You are with your girl.

Charles Shergold was my social studies teacher in 1987-1988 at Cedar Hill Secondary School and he was always pushing me to do better.  For some reason, I thought he had taken a special interest in me because I was a quiet kid.  I remember a time when he felt that I was too distracted and called up my mother to talk about my performance in school.  I remember this because I answered the telephone when he called.
 
"Hello, this is Chuck Shergold looking for Mrs. Birley."
 
I was in shock.  I didn't know why then, but today, I kno
w it was because, I had realized, he was a true human being.  He was always positive and seemed to really care about our academic performance - and his call proved his dedication.  He was the first teacher and, I believe, one of the few who took an interest in his students.  I am not aware of any other teachers in my life that took such an interest in me or any who let me know they were caring.
 
Unfortunately, I never did get to know him as much as I would have liked.  But, his passing will not go unnoticed by myself.  I will light a candle for you, Mr. Shergold - for you and your family in this hard time.
 
More here and here.Tags: charles+shergold, chuck+shergold, teacher, rugby, victoria+british+columbia