Early Birds, October 28, 2021

Brett Bain was singing Johnny Paycheck’s, “Take this Job and Shove it”. The song was aimed at a fellow who applied for a job with Brett’s firm. But that fellow’s attitude was so out-of-line, so wrong, he was fired ‘afore he could be hired. 

Sean Baylis sang for his breakfast by telling us all … about the Rogers family squabble (nothing to really worry about) … about Suncor doubling its dividend (more attractive than ever) … speaking of pretty, banks continue to warm the cockles of Sean’s heart (Ooh la la) … and big tech is as fascinating as ever. Oh and BTW … interest rates are beginning to attract serious attention …

So Jim Bladon crooned: “Sixty points and what do you get; another day poorer and deeper in debt. Oh mama won’t you tell me that the farm reports are wrong; surely we aren’t going to finish our cattle on United States’ corn?” •• Jim then switched keys and mourned a dirge about the NHL and the Blackhawks and how ineptly they handled the sexual abuse of Kyle Beach.

Paul Boucher. Chairman. Promised two links. One was a link to how to download your Alberta vaccination QR code. That link is https://covidrecords.alberta.ca/home. Head there on your computer and follow the steps to obtain your record, then save it to your computer. Ideally you can then also place it on your phone.

The second link I promised was the method to create a 1-press shortcut on your iPhone to bring up your vaccination record using iOS 15 (the latest version of the operating system on iPhones). That link is https://mobilesyrup.com/2021/09/22/heres-how-to-add-your-vaccination-record-as-shortcut-ios-15/. 

I can help with this at a future Birds meeting. My phone now has my QR code vaccination record as my visual proof.

Ian Campbell. If Ian sang, he’d sing about the six ways he makes sure his customers can hear better. Supply issues haunt every business so, by repping six manufacturers, Ian has a much better chance of having the tools to do what needs to be done. He’s also increased his inventories because JIT deliveries are not very timely these days.

Don Davis. Don mentions that one-time Bird, Dave Read, is getting a new heart valve. • Don then suggests that if you’re travelling, keep your wits about you when booking your flights. Be real careful before you sing “Leaving on a Jet Plane”.

Don Doolan. His front yard is leaf strewn and with so many artists singing “Autumn Leaves Must Fall”, we’ll have to wait to see who’s T-shirt Don wears to breakfast. •• Meanwhile, Don has nothing good to say about Municipal politicians - though he did enjoy a recent Tweet that said … ”We want Nenshi back”.

Tony Fisher. There has to be a song about putting your money where your mouth is. And living up to your promises. Has to be! Tony reminds us how Farkas spoke against golden handshakes and wasteful spending at City Hall. He pointed out that Farkas returned the $370 K he could have taken for being a Councillor. •• BBB awarded Southern Music their 65 Year Certificate for being a member in good standing. Kudos, Tony!

Garry Friedrichsen. How back-scratching, innovative and beneficial alliances can cement relationships for long term, mutual benefit. P&G never ever just sold stuff. They saw value where others (aka competitors) saw nothing. And if you listened carefully,

you might hear them singing: “Will everyone here kindly step to the rear

And let a winner lead the way.”

David Hicks. Speaking of listening carefully, when Dave and his wife needed a reason to fly to Hawaii, they heard it in the office. It seeped out from their file cabinet of paystubs, employee records and CRA bulletins. When they closed their eyes and listened really close, they swore it could have been The Beatles: “‘Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman - And you're working for no one but me.”

Andy Lockhart. He wasn’t singing; he was snarling: … about the new Federal Cabinet Minister. (If you remember the NEP that PET came up with, this guy could be worse for Alberta.) … about BC’s Health Ministry which is firing 4000 healthcare workers (in the midst of a pandemic, yet) … about the Political Correctness Cops who’ve decreed that we cannot use the word ‘overdose’ anymore. ** 

That’s why Ross Mikkelsen is singing “People Are Crazy”. To Andy’s litany, he adds … if you’re watchin’ Succession on HBO, you gotta admit it’s kinda like The Rogers Family Squabble. And how about them folks at MEC who sold out to a smart bunch of leasebackers. Or worse, all those folks in India - the 50,000 who die from snakebites. Every year! This chorus may be true: “God is great, Beer is good and People are crazy.”

Mike Mikkelson. Mike and Renee are recently back from a tour of Italy. If you’re headed that way, the Trafalgar tour brand is far superior to others. •• Mike says business is pretty darn good.  

Dwayne Vinck. If you’re participating in any of the government programs related to Covid, make sure sure you have a good paper trail. You will need it, some day.

Bob Wiggins. Sometimes you get lucky: Bob tells of a recent appliance fail that led to a call to a repairman. Fortunately, the motors for the unit are made in the states. So they’re available. Story would be different if they were asian made.