Positive, Productive, Profitable Retirement News

Allow me to open with a follow-up to the last entry concerning those who obviously have some sort of death wish as they continue to use a hand held cell phone while driving their car.

I received an Email from long time buddy Steve Murphy, the anchor of the most highly rated TV network newscast in Canada’s Atlantic Provinces.
Steve confirms that Nova Scotia has indeed passed a law making it illegal to handle a cell phone while driving - free is okay (if you don’t have to punch in the numbers) and as a result Bluetooth sales are booming.

Steve also informs me that Nova Scotia has passed a law making it illegal to smoke in a car if there any children passengers.

Nova Scotia passing such safety laws while the all-talk-no-action Politian’s in Upper Canada continue to speak pompously, doesn’t come as any huge surprise to me - I learned early during my working years in Atlantic Canada, that Maritimer’s have special "smarts".

I’m not talking Big City street smarts, but down-home, straight forward common sense smarts - honed over generations - commitment, responsibility, to your family, your work, product or service while always being at the ready to support and assist those who need a hand up - and as a result, Maritimer’s know what priorities to follow in order to live a full, balanced and meaningful life.

Steve’s Email sparked a theatre-of-the-mind video of memories I accumulated during my nearly twenty years in the Maritimes - I once thought of writing a book about my experiences - I gave up - too lazy plus no talent.

Steve by the way, did write a book about his career in the Maritimes - it was a best seller - he graciously ask me to write an introduction - Steve donated the proceeds to charity - Yup, Steve’s a born-in-the-maritime’s maritimer - see what I mean?

One of the memories that illustrates how Maritimer"s know how to live life the way it’s supposed to be lived - when I arrived in the Maritime’s from the big city, I knew only one speed - fast forward - settling into the Maritime groove was like slamming on the brakes at high speed and skidding into a strange new world I never knew existed.

One example, I contracted a group of Lunenburger’s to build a cottage on a property I purchased on Beaver Tail Lake just north of Bridgewater - one day I went on site to see how things were progressing and they were all hard at work.

Unexpectedly, a boat with a 75hp outboard floated onto the beach and a young man shouted up to the cottage builders - something about "fish were biting at….." or some such, and it was like someone had blown a whistle only Lunenburger’s could hear - the crew was jumping and sliding off that structure as if it was about to collapse and they ran Yippy-ki-kaying down to the beach and jumped in the boat.

Just as they were shoving off, the foreman - I can still see his face but I can’t remember his name - another senior blip - yelled back to me - "Don’t ya worry bye, we’ll finish ’er on schedule" - and they disappeared at high speed across they lake while I stood there, grabbing my two blueprints and asking myself - "What the hell just happened here?"

They finished well ahead of schedule and that pine wood, wide-decked retreat was, and is, as solid and everlasting as the Halifax Citadel - damn, those were great times with great people.

One more common Sense notation - but first, right from the get-go allow me to assert - I love Florida and I feel truly blessed that I can spend the winter months here while younger members of the family are skidding and sliding on the frozen tundra of the home province - but a little common sense can go along way to ensure a pleasant stay here in the sunshine state- especially when your driving anywhere.

Never - repeat never - get involved in any kind of debate with another driver - just keep your eyes straight ahead - smile if you can even it’s through clenched teeth and you‘re mumbling "may a horde of fiery red ants crawl up your leg and feast on your privates." in a hushed voice only the wife, seating in the passenger seat can hear.

Now, I am not talking northern Mexico here where you can get caught in the crossfire of a gang war before you pass the five mile marker - far from it - however, the following front page headline in the St. Pete Times should be reason enough for you to show restraint and to keep your mouth shut.

• Concealed Weapon permits in Florida - 2006 - 347,350
• Concealed Weapon permits in Florida - 2009 - 540,991
• Applications waiting to be processed - 95,000

And yes, many retirees down here are packing frightening as that may sound and as follow up to that - thanks to daughter-in-law Julie for sending in the following newspaper clipping.

Now here’s an interesting site - Animoto.com - with just one click, you can make a music video of your photo library

Not only is this a real find for those of you who have a website - but for anyone with family pictures - you can email the video, click it up to YouTube or any other social site - even have them transfer to DVD - and get this - thirty second videos are FREE - you can one -click as many full length videos you want for only 30.00 bucks a year.

To show what the results can be - every video is different - I uploaded a group of pictures that I have on file in my computer - there’s no theme here - I guess I should of worked out some kind of plot, but as mentioned earlier - I’m lazy - I used a music soundtrack from their library (I could have uploaded from my music file) - clicked the button and bingo - a music video.

This is a great way to send special messages - think anniversaries and birthdays - and obviously, website and business possibilities are endless at a next to nothing cost - Check it and give it a try FREE

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When I was young I used to hang around pool halls - now, as an old guy, I hang around YouTube looking for videos that make me laugh - especially Brit videos and here’s one - a commercial for a British Gravy Manufacturer.

Thanks again to daughter-in-law Julie for this video that will serve as the kicker for this report - comedian Ron White on the Tonight show.

Now lets get working on your creative retirement job - Start Here - (Go to URL)

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March 17, 2009 - Count Your Blessings - Back to School in Your Pyjamas - a Few More Videos

Someone once said - "Instead of dwelling on problems, count your blessings" - good advise, but not always easy to zone in on especially during these difficult economic times that have generated massive job layoffs and bushwhacked many retirees by carving out a big chunk of their retirement portfolio.

But I would like to pass on some advise from a guy who has helped me succeed in several creative and profitable projects.

His name is Bill Myers- I’ve been a subscriber to his newsletter and website for over two years and have purchased two sets of his tutorial DVD’s and the projects I developed by following his instructions - have, in varying degrees, paid off - this is one I‘m starting this week -

Anyway, in his most recent newsletter, Bill reminds us:

" Instead of worrying about the economy or worrying about what you don't have, review the 'blessings' you do have, and use those to your advantage.

For example, we are all blessed to live in the age of the internet. Where all it takes to start a world-wide business is a computer with a connection to the web.

Sometimes with all the bad economic news, we tend to forget that most of us have the tools and expertise to quickly create profitable products and business ventures just by using what we have."

Now, to my retired compatriots - don’t give me that "I’m too old horse poop" - if you're reading this - you obviously have a computer and you’re connected to the internet - therefore you’re half way to some extra cash if you - just do it.

Here’s a great idea from the outfit that started me on my internet adventures - build your internet business with a "hands-on" instructor teaching "Building a Successful Business Using the Internet" - a course 25 universities and colleges world-wide are offering as part of their continuing education, undergraduate or MBA programs.

This one is for you if you would prefer to have a skilled Instructor assisting you on a weekly basis.

Your eLearning class (max of 12 students to ensure personal attention and guidance) meets online for 90 minutes for 12 consecutive weeks. Each class builds upon the previous ones, guiding you every step of the way while building your own profitable e-business.

Also very important - there’s a 100% money back guarantee - I’ve been with these people for over five years - they have never let me down.

You should take a minute to check this out - click here for more info - opens new window.Remember, working the internet is a wonderful brain booster for those of us playing the fourth quarter, but for folks of any age - it’s a real hoot waking up in the morning, turning on your computer and check to see how much money you made while you were sleeping.

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I have a cardboard box in the trunk of my car loaded with self produced CD’s that are divided into musical categories - big band - folk/rock - country - crooners and a few classical - and the other day I loaded another group of six and during the course of the trip, up popped one of my all-time favs - Lonely People by America - and it occurred to me this offered an opportunity to make a video featuring some of the motivational quotations I’ve collected over the years (it’s a hobby of mine - quotation gathering -don’t ask)

You need to upgrade your Flash Player!

This web site makes use of the Macromedia Flash Player version 8 or newer.

VIDEO PLAYER and Streaming Video Service.

Thanks to retired buddies Kathy and Craig Olson for the following:

Test for Dementia - Below are four (4) questions and a bonus question. You have to answer them instantly. You can't take your time, answer all of them immediately. OK?

Let's find out just how clever you really are - Answers at the end of this entry.

First Question:

You are participating in a race. You overtake the second person. What position are you in?

Second Question:If you overtake the last person, then you are...?

Third Question:

Very tricky arithmetic! Note: This must be done in your head only. Do NOT use paper and pencil or a calculator. Try it.

Take 1000 and add 40 to it.. Now add another 1000 . Now add 30. Add another 1000. Now add 20. Now add another 1000.. Now add 10. What is the total?

Maybe you'll get the last question right... Maybe.

Fourth Question:

Mary's father has five daughters: 1. Nana, 2. Nene, 3. Nini, 4. Nono. What is the name of the fifth daughter?

Okay, now the bonus round:

A mute person goes into a shop and wants to buy a toothbrush. By imitating the action of brushing his teeth he successfully expresses himself to the shopkeeper and the purchase is done. Next, a blind man comes into the shop who wants to buy a pair of sunglasses; how does HE indicate what he wants?

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Something I learned this week while cruising the web - "Research shows that chickpeas, the luscious legume that's pureed for hummus dips, could go a long way toward improving your cholesterol profile.

In a small study, people who ate roughly 25 ounces of chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) per week for 12 weeks showed an improvement in their total cholesterol levels - Plus - their insulin levels also improved, and they lost a small amount of weight -- without dieting or exercising."

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Thanks to retired buddy Dan Dominski for the following video

One more - this video submitted by retired budy Jim hill

Watch the moment Liverpool Street Station danced to create this special T-Mobile Advert. Life's for sharing.

Only the dancers knew what was happening; the general public didn't have a clue what was about to unfold. This Youtube site has had over 2 million hits in less than a month's time.

Answers to dementia test

Answer to question one: If you answered that you are first, then you are absolutely wrong! If you overtake the second person and you take his place, you are second!

Answer to question two: If you answered that you are second to last, then you are wrong again. Tell me, how can you overtake the LAST person?

You're not very good at this, are you?

Answer to # three: Did you get 5000? - The correct answer is actually 4100 - If you don't believe it, check it with a calculator! Br>Today is definitely not your day, is it?

Answer to number four - Did you Answer Nunu? NO! Of course it isn't - Her name is Mary. Read the question again!

Answer to bonus Question - He just has to open his mouth and ask...It's really very simple.

PASS THIS ON TO FRUSTRATE THE SMART PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE!

Have a nice day everyone - and let’s check out this retirement job on the internet - (Go to URL)

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March 24, 2009 - Snow White Was Right - You Can Do It - Where did all the Money Go?

Sweet bird! thy bow'r is ever green,
Thy sky is ever clear;
thou has't no sorrow in thy song,
No winter in thy year.
- John Logan

OK, - first I would like to emphasize that - I love the sound of tweetering birds and secondly as noted in the Positive Thinking chapter of the home website - I have worked hard - and still do - in fighting any negativity in my life - it ain’t easy - takes dedication and repetition to constantly maintain a positive self-talk lifestyle.

Recently however, I have been ruthlessly tested by a bird that has positioned itself close to my open bedroom window - and who, in that grey area of early morning when the darkness of night blends with the first predawn light - thinks he’s a rooster and loudly chirps a continuous good-morning serenade.

It’s like living next door to the seven little guys who had Snow White cleaning up their pad before she made it big at the palace.

The second day my bird showed up I yelled "Shut the hell up" waking up a startled C&C and, I’m sure, half the neighbourhood. Later the wife reminded me that Snow White didn’t yell at her feathered friends like I did - remember she said how the little birds would tweet their happy song as they assisted SW in hanging up the clothes or braiding her hair?

But I reminded my mate-for-life that Snow White and Cinderella and all the other fairy princesses, who had convoys of happy birds helping them in their pre-palace drudgery, had the emotional range of a door knob - happy or sad but always soooo sweet - under no circumstances were they allowed to ride the scary PMS roller coaster as an example.

I’m talking real life stuff here - imagine the shock the handsome prince is in for when the happy couple settle in after the book is closed and they’re supposed to "live happily every after."

"Are you suffering from PMS?" the wife asks.
"No, but I worked on that Video Project well into the early morning hours and I was tired - it‘s the same thing"
"Oh buddy are you so wrong - not even close"

Anyway, after a few days of having this 6.15AM serenade, my bird didn’t show up today and I admit I missed that early morning song - Snow White was right - birds are the kind of buddies who can brighten your day no matter how early that may be - I allowed a negative to destroy a positive.

Sweet bird! thy bow'r is ever green,
Thy sky is ever clear;
thou has't no sorrow in thy song,
No winter in thy year.

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Nay Nay I say - that’s not the retirement I want - sitting on a bench slowly melting into the background - as noted on the home website (opens new window)- the internet offers youngsters and old timers alike wonderful opportunities to make extra cash. Check out this guy.

In the intensely competitive world of photography, even the best photographers need to duke it out for some of the smallest jobs. When Nick Stubbs began his first SBI! website, he had a dream and a goal - Nick wanted to spend more time with his family, and live the life HE wanted to live - check out his story - opens new window>

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It’s all video from here - grab a coffee and enjoy an explanation of the current financial crisis as only the Brits can do it - here are five videos from the BBC show the Long Johns - John Bird and John Fortune brilliantly, and accurately, describing the mindset of the investment banking community in this satirical series of interviews.

I should also point out that this show as aired on 2nd Nov 2008 - at the start of the money plunge and before the feathers really hit the financial fan.

Number one:

Number two:

Number three;

Number four

Number five

Now let’s get working on that creative retirement job - start your research here - (Go to URL)

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