Early Birds, October 21, 2021

Sean Baylis. There’s the little train (engine) that could … and the big train (CP) that might just make you a few shekels (as its stocks puff: “I think I can, I think I can”.). • And, while farmers sing the low yield blues, commodity prices are climbing like Jack on his beanstalk. And wherever Jack looks, he also sees energy prices chasing him even higher. 

Jim Bladon. When Agriculture is your bailiwick, it hurts to hear that the harvest is the worst on record. But that’s what is being said about many parts of AB. And for additional aggravation, it seems fertilizer prices are doubling (if you can find any). And word is, RoundUp is leaping from $1200 to $5800 a unit. WTF!

Paul Boucher. I know Paul said something about Saint-Joseph-de-Sorel but, for the life of me, I cannot remember why. (Minutes delayed are details forgotten. Sorry.) Ah well, he’s been auditioning for ‘parts’ while being paid to voice - dare I say, purr - thoughtful things about Mindfulness. 

Ian Campbell. Just back from the Maritimes, he’s still on Eastern Standard Time. He visited his son who’s in third year at Dalhousie … where, thanks to diminishing Covid, son actually gets to play his favourite sport: volleyball. And they’ve set a new CIS record for the most games … lost.

Matt Dart. The Controllers at Matt’s company are snarling about all the red ink being spilled by the ever-lengthening lead times needed for the heart of most of Matt’s projects: the humble electronic/mechanical controllers.

Don Davis. Compensation complications! What was, isn’t what it now is. Nope. Not no more. Good salesmen (yes, my dear wife, I know there are sales women, too) are usually paid their hard-earned commissions when the things they sell are delivered to the customer. But with deliveries a year or more out, incentives are not just cool; they’re eff’n frozen.

Don Doolan. He’s no fan of Chu but given how long ago the incident occurred and that it was resolved according to the rules of the day, Don sees a hatchet job in play.

Tony Fisher. Two nuggets: #one, the retail appeal of T’su Tina shopping centre is growing. As is (#2) the paranoia of out-of-province property owners as the BC government establishes ownership disclosure rules.

Garry Friedrichsen. Mused about the quality of training that was offered to him and his associates by companies like P&G. 

David Hicks. It will be interesting to see what the prices are for copper cable and LED switches and such … when Dave and family return from Hawaii in a couple of weeks. 

Dan Kennelly. Somewhat stunned by the first promise made by Prabjhote Kaur "Jyoti" Gondek (Calgary’s mayor beginning today - the 25th): her top priority is to get rid of oil and gas. But maybe there is hope … so far it seems, every day she has another ‘top priority’.

Andy Lockhart. Enjoying country life, he is. Best part is watching the antics of political and social upheaval in the crowded environs of Calgary. He finds it eminently rewarding.

Ross Mikkelsen. Imagine your factory is running at full tilt when the power goes off. And stays off. For half a day or so. And then, without warning, it might come back on again. But for how long? That’s how things are in parts of China, right now. • And BTW, it’s no better here in good ole Calgary. Ross knows of a food processor who ran out of sugar. His supplier just pooped out. How do you run a business in these conditions?

Brad Pachal. Such a sharing guy, he is. Like the other day, Brad shared his VISA numbers in customer emails. Fortunately, it was an honest customer. (As far as he knows.) As always, before hitting Send, Brad suggests you check your work.

Dwayne Vinck. If you’re innocent until proven guilty, then Councillor Chu is being mistreated. • And if you own a privately controlled corporation, get started on your lifetime capital gains exemption. And do it right. (Because as Andy says: it’s too easy to get it wrong. For every mile of road you go down, there’s two miles of ditch.) • And if you’re hearing that the Big 4 Accounting firms are firing 100’s of clients, It’s true.

Bob Wiggins. Resist the temptation of saving money via a Utility turkey at Superstore. It might have a leg. And a wing. Maybe even some skin. But will you find flavour? Hah, will be elusive.

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An add-on to this week’s minutes if the current vocation information via Bob Wiggins. As Bob said in his email to me, a few people may want to tweak what’s actually attributed to them.

Please take a look below to see what vocations the Birds already have included, and some possibilities that might spark ideas below that.