December 25, 2011.   Merry Christmas -- Happy Chanukah -- happy holidays.

Another interesting year.   I again played Santa Claus and enjoyed every minute of it. 

My bucket list got a little shorter because of some of the things I was supposed to have experienced.  I can't really remember any of them at this moment but they must have been good ;-))).

Life is still busy - and when I look back on the previous posts --  I wonder how time flies so much faster as you get older.  Being busy isn't so bad  - but it has to have at least some semblance of accomplishment attached to it, even if the accomplishment is cleaning out a garage, fixing a motorcycle or just reading a book.

For those of you who are interested  -- the bucket lists are buried in earlier postings. 

While gifts may be nice, I really hope the holiday season brings you are healthy and happiness.  If you read the book about Steve Jobs you will understand that it is unnecessary and sometimes unwise to add the wish of prosperity.

best wishes.
allan
I have again been reminded that there are rules about having a blog  -- as in -- there are responsibilities in posting.  I would think that the old adage would apply  -- If you have nothing to say then say nothing.

Anyway, hope all is well with everyone.
It is Sunday, October 2, 2011. I have been at the office; I have been watching football; I am waiting for Dexter to start a new season; I am waiting for another episode of Boardwalk Empire; I am getting ready for another wonderful week in the Office during which I have to deal with an Ontario Human Rights Tribunal mediation, a Masonic Installation Function,; a one hour teaching assignment; and most importantly, subject to the weatherman providing some respit -- at least a cigar or two.

so -- back to work.
Yesterday, September 14th, I played my first 18 holes of golf in about 10 years and only about my 3rd in a lifetime. I can fully understand why.

My foursome won the "most honest golfer award". Kind of an oxymoron type of award for a lawyer. They would not even mention our scores -- if they had -- they would have been pretty decent if we had played 36 holes with the same scores.

It may be a nice friendly sport (activity); and eco-friendly except for the excremental language being used -- but it ain't for me. Besides I just couldn't bust the titanium club in half over my knee no matter how hard I tried. --- my final score was 11 over (as in I lost 11 balls).
What a great weather weekend in Toronto.

On Saturday, I travelled to the Beaches and then spent a couple of hours in Yorkville with my two favourite hobbies -- biking and cigars. While in a restaurant with Len Goodman, in came Dr. House. He didn't bother us so we didn't bother him. He sat alone for a while and then had the company of a couple of other persons that I have seen on West Wing. Except for allowing them to remove one of the chairs from our table, they didn't otherwise bother or interrupt us. Very polite of them.

On Sunday I participated in the Blue, Red & White Ride for the Salvation Army Toy Fund. The Blue is for police officers, the red is for firemen and the white is for the emergency medical team. Prior to the beginning of the ride (over a couple of hundred bikes) there was a memorial service remember 9/11. It was a somber occassion.

Finally, I was asked to participate in a weekend meeting for a non-profit organization that I am involved with. The following was my answer:


my comments as they relate to accounting and summer weekends in Ontario:

I am 62 years old -- if the weather is perfect for weekends then I have approximately 13 years of motorcycling left -- in those 13 years there are less than 6 months of potential nice weekends -- meaning 24 weeks. x 13 years = 312 weekends x 2 days = 624 possible days

of the 624 possible days at least 20% will be taken up by commitments leaving 499 days free -- of those probably 60% will be affected by weather leaving 199 expected beautiful Ontario days meaning 100 good weekends in the next 13 years.

so, do we really want to have a meeting on a weekend????

allan
While this has been a short week -- it has been the kind of week in which you would swear there was a constant full moon - both day and night.

Having said that, I am now planning to be on my motorcycle most of the weekend. On Sunday there is the 33rd Annual Red, White and Blue Ride in support of the Salvation Army Charity Toy Drive. It is a collection of about 200 bikes that congregate at Toronto City Hall -- and leave at noon for an escorted ride around toronto returning 60 minuts later. It is an amazing event which includes a motorcycle ride display put on by the Metro Police Motorcycle Squad.

And most important, this year there is a remembrance for 9/11.

If you want to have some serious and good fun -- come out to the Toronto City Hall on Sunday -- be there by 11:30 and check out the main event.

back again

For those of you who visit for the purpose of finding some material that concerns associateships, leases, valuation of practices, etc. -- you will have to go deep into the blogs for years gone by. There is actually an almost relevant index which may be of help.

Anyway, it is September -- last week I spent four days on the bike in Vermont, New York and Pennsylvania. I rood in Rutland and Wilmington Vermont on roads that existed on Saturday and were gone on Sunday. A real shame. However, 2700 km. in four days was great on some of the nicest roads in the nices area of the continent. If you did not otherwise know, motorcyclists are avid environmentalists who take great pleasure in travelling to places which are almost untouched by urban development. We love to pull the bike to the side of the road and enjoy the mountains, valleys, rivers and other wonders of nature. It is a treat that is not generally afforded people who travel on four wheels.

Since then, I have spent some short time with the new class at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. A potentially great class that is likely to excel in health care.

It is time to get back to the grind of the practice of law. I hate when business gets in the way of fun.
I didn't do it -- really, I didn't do it. I did not pass on the signals at the blue jay game. After all, they didn't exactly offer it as a paying position. And besides most of my t shirts are black not white.

So, having regard to legal jargon:

1. I didn't do it.
2. If I did it -- I had good reason.
3. If I didn't have a good reason then there was legal justification.
4. If there was no legal justification then it doesn't matter because everyone does it.
5. If not everyone does it -- they should.

and most importantly

who cares.

Stealing base ball signals is right up there on par with making noise at a golf tournament. The simple response to all those involved -- get a life !!
Dear Reader:

If you have found your way to this blog as a result of first going to the CMCC site and then moving on to the golf tournament "Backswing '11" and then finally hitting my sponsorship name -- then you will likely think that I either golf for know something about golf. Either assumption would be wrong.

I do, however, consider myself a reasonably good sport. So I am sponsoring the event and will host a foursome. The last time I did this I prayed for rain so the event would be cancelled. It came as a shock to find out that golfers golf in the rain -- sans lightning. So, I will be on the golf course, with three or four cigars and a like amount of golf balls. I expect to finish off both at the same time.


ps. instead of a golf cart I am intending to use a motorcycle!!!
OH, hum.

Monday in the "dog days of summer".

Why? Because! Because Why!; why, because, because why; etc etc etc.

enuf said.

philosophy 101
Monday morning I awoke at 6:15 am. sharp and got dressed like a real lawyer and ready to head downtown to Court to defend myself with respect to my speeding ticket. Court was at 9:00 but with Toronto traffic you can never leave too early -- so I left the house at 7:00. Two hours early and no one to bill the time to.

I got downtown with about an hour and half to spare. I read the Globe and walked the PATH. Of course the weather was sprinkly and humid. Great for wearing a suit.

I spent most of the time working on my defence and final closing. Since I have spent almost no time in traffic court I was expecting the worst -- a long line of accussed individuals with my case being at the bottom of the list.

Now I know enough about traffic court to know that a jury trial was out of the question. Since this was my first time up on the charge I did not know if bail was going to be granted -- but then I recall that you don't have to worry about bail in traffic court.

So then I focused on my defence or lack thereof. I could plead not guilty by reason of insanity -- but I have used that one way too many times. I could plead necessity but all my speeding is a necessity. I then decided that maybe I could "name drop". If I mentioned who I was married to; or acted for; or was related to; or who my friends were -- maybe I get get some sympathy. If all else failed, I could throw out some latin phrases like Res Judicata; or Ex Turpi Causa Non Oritur Actio; or Mens Rea. They all sound good and have nothing to do with anything.

Finally I met the crown counsel at 8:50 told him what I was going to do. Court started at 9:01. My case was called. The crown counsel pointed out that the ticket was defective and at 9:01:30 I left the court a free man. Wiser for the experience and sure to be a better driver.

justice was done.

ps. by the way -- the notice of trial set out the fine that was payable in the event of a conviction including victim surcharge as $5.01. But it was the principal (or principle) of the matter. So -- about $4.00 of gas; $6.75 for parking; cleaning my dress shirt $2.50; about three hours of going to the court and then the office - mega dollars; preparation time -- minimal.

but the experience -- priceless. if anyone can get a speeding ticket for $5.01 let me know.
Another wonderful weather weekend. I had decided a while ago to start forgoing food after 7 pm. As a result, with an hour to spare, I have just returned from having a banquet burger, fries and a large coke. What a diet. But, while stuffing my face and having ADDDDDD I was also reading an old motorcycle magazine.

The end result was that I recalled on Friday having compared with my friend Vince war stories about various bodily injuries. While he is much younger than I am, he kept up to my littany of injuries, ie. broken bones, motorcycle accidents, lost teeth etc, ad nauseum. The description of injuries involves some very lurid details of how the injuries occured -- made all the better with a puff on a cigar.

The reason for the recollection was that in the motorcycle magazine there was mention by Gwen Roberts of a comment made by her sister Gayle which was:

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

so, time to add some more adventures to my bucket list.

now I have to prepare for my own HTA trial taking place tomorrow. back to the books.

allan

July 5th

I spent the long weekend catching up on some serious motorcycle riding including a short ride Thursday night, a full day on Friday and Saturday and then a couple of hours on Sunday. It is a great sport and a great hobby.

I just checked out who has been checking out my blog. I don't have the slightest idea why they do but there are visitors from the US, United Kingdom, Ireland, Korea, Australia, Israel, Germany, Russia, Italy, Sweden, South Africa, a number of other countries that I can't instantly remember and Canada. I would say that each person really should spend less time on the internet -- but hopefully they gathered some enjoyment from the pictures, the jokes, the bucket lists or, heaven forbid, the information related to the realty of professional practices.

Anyway, whatever turns you on, I hope that I could add to your knowledge base or provide an instant of enjoyment.

be well
allan

June 30, 2011

Since it is the end of the month I thought that I would do a report card to myself.

Dear Myself:

It has been an interesting month. Travels to Montreal for chiropractic business. A Board of Directors retreat for chiropractic business. A trip to New York for chiropractic business. In between I actually have other business to deal with.

While I cannot comment on the Montreal business trip, I can say that New York was a fun time. I attended the NACA meeting (National Association of Chiropractic Attorneys). The Organization is made up of lawyers who represent chiropractic associations or organizations across the United States. Until last year, I was the only lawyer in Canada who was a member (since 1982). While I don't get to a lot of meetings because of conflicts in scheduling - I do enjoy attending when available to hear all the issues in the US and being thankful for the fact that many of the issues are not prevalent in Canada - yet. (We are usually 5 to 7 years behind.)

This was another journey with my wife, who was able to spend some time with the group and dinner with some of the lawyers and Sandy Lambert, wife of the President for Life, Paul Lambert from Florida.

So, "dear myself" -- I hate to the see the end of June -- my favourite month of the year. Hopefully I will be able to finally get on my motorcycle and put on some serious mileage.

anyway - regards and Happy Birthday Canada.

allan
June 18, 2011

Today is our anniversary. Judy and I have been married 39 years. That's right -- thirty-nine years. We are one of those couples in a very small minority.

The years have been good. There are always times of trouble - obviously none of which could have been caused by my behaviour. After all, what part of my personality and character could cause any dissention. Ok -- it was a rhetorical question.

Judy hates when I tell people that the reason for being married for 39 years is that we have a perfect marriage -- we are both in love the same man. I have a permanent mark on my left arm from being hit every time I say that. When she tells people that we have been married for 39 years -- their reaction is that she must be a saint.

So, my blog being a public area of communication -- to Judy -- Happy Anniversary. Hugs and Kisses -- love your hubby!
I am full of a lot of things including one liners; two liners and other hot air. Over the years almost anyone that I meet that is worth talking to will get to hear or be forced to hear some of those one-liners. Two that come to mind are:

1. When I first met my in-laws they were at the proverbial joker of a next door neighbour who like all such individuals commenced to grill me, ie. what was I doing; what was I planning on doing with my life; what did my parents do.

With respect to the last question, I answered: My parents are in the iron and steel business -- my mother irons and my father steals. That stopped the conversation and has been a permanent part of my repetoire.

2. Whenever I decide to do something a little crazy (meaning "stupid) as in the case of motorcycling; cuba cigar smoking etc etc -- people ask me if I got permission from my wife.

With respect to that question my answer is always: I ask my mother for permission and my wife for forgiveness.


This now takes me to the point at hand. I have been told by my much better half (whose house I would like to continue to live in) that I continue to post such things as -- I have just returned from Florida ; or I am travelling to New York etc., etc. As if I am going alone. This is incorrect -- I travel with my wife (other than cigar smoking in Cuba).

So, wherever you have read "I" please change it to "we" -- as in Allan and Judy.

I hope that works and forgiveness is in the works.

by for now.
allan

june

It is June 3rd -- and spring has sprung.

I have just returned from a drive down to Florida through Savannah and back through Charleston. Great trip -- lots of driving but in a great car which made the driving most of the fun.

So what's new. A heck of a lot. I really should consider a blog to be a daily diary -- but then again -- diaries are created as a personal reflection and what a waste of time. I had created this "thing" to allow people to access information that they would not otherwise have access to -- but then I am told that some of my postings are actually humurous and others are educational. Hey -- what ever turns you on.

have a great day
allan
ok - so I haven't posted for a while. Probably because either I was too busy or had nothing of value to say.

sometimes the most intelligent part of a conversation is silence.

anyway, I have nothing to say right now -- nothing, nil, nada, gunesht, zippo, niente -- sooo bye for now
and the magic number appearing on my Notice of Trial for "allegedly" speeding; including the fine, costs and Victim Surcharge is

$5.01

unbelievable!! If anyone can get a speeding ticket with a fine less than $5.01 I would be amazed.
the over and under is now $25.00 on the fine for speeding.

summons

For those with a very vivid imagination -- sorry to disappoint you but on the over and under betting which started at $100.00 the answer is -- the total charges -- fine, costs and victim fine surcharge are less than $100.00

the new over or under bet is $50.00 Over or under $50.00???

court attendance

I have received a summons to appear in court for an "alleged" speeding infraction. You will never ever guess the amount of the fine if I choose not to appear in court. I have plead not guilty and received the summons. The amount is absolutely ridiculous. I will post the amount in a couple of days.

This is unbelievable.