The Banshee in NZ, Mac at GM and the World Series: October 27 2006

Hi to all in Aoteoroa, the antipodes, the jewel of the pacific or just good old NZ.




It is I "Toronto Pip" who although has been decidedly quiet, has not for one moment forgotten about you. Albeit I do not feel the same love coming from down under, only from down under the covers? After losing Steve Irwin my mentor then following in quick succession my good friend Peter Perfect, [Juju will miss him more, I think she knew him better than we think??] I lost the urge to write. Now as we all know time heals all wounds, and some near death experiences have jolted me back into getting off my over worked and tired ass and sending the weekly journal, my jejune missive, my carry on, my exploits in the form of "THE WEEK THAT WAS".



50 Years Married:

You may or may not be aware I am a bachelor at present, for approx 6 weeks. Mississauga Juju or you may know her as "the banshee" or "she devil" is down in NZ as we speak. Apparently her parents have been married for 50 years [how Moira has done it, god only knows]. I can only cogitate that I have 40 years to go before that mile stone, Jesus in forty years I will be lucky to alive let alone survive being married to "she who must be obeyed", fact is I will have fallen of the twig and probably not be here any way.

But you must take your hat of to Paul & Moira who have reached a milestone that is now becoming more & more obsolete as the generations move by. I for one are looking at becoming a Mormon just to spice things up a bit, a bit of competition never hurt anyone and I can only see it as a win win for all parties involved to be precise, me. I am spending 2 days in Salt Lake City next week to scope things out.



Detroit/World Series/GM:

I went to Detroit the other day another meeting with GM and there design team. It was an opportune time as the Detroit Tigers have made the World Series baseball 7 game final against St Louis. And after having a brief rant about how it is not a world series as it is only between US teams, I was told very politely by John Ford [yes he is a great grandson] that it is called the world series as the original sponsor of this series was the World Newspaper.



After lunch in the GM restaurant they decided to take me to the game, let’s walk one said its only 4 blocks. Needless to say as I had driven and was on my todd I had taken Montreal McGregor with me, he enjoys a good road-trip. He was last seen in the lunch room surrounded by the typing pool girls [how sexist to still have typing pools]. I thought I better check on him and the girls before leaving for the ball park. I opened the door to the lunch room to see Montreal McGregor sitting up at the head of the table with a slice of cheese pizza [a US wedge which is about 10" across] and I truly believe he was genuinely smiling at me.



So across to the ball park and up to The GM corporate box, unfortunately only US draft beer so I joined the ladies in drinking some Californian whites, I get away with it with my accent as the beer drinking yanks hear me talk and say, oh he is one of those foreign guys who drinks cocktails and wine?

On the way back the normal crowd and drama of downtown Detroit, suddenly there was a backfire, quickly I announced that it was probably a Ford, waiting for the laughter at my joke it took a few more paces before I realised it was very quiet and I was on my own. Glancing around I thought what a strange time to play hide and seek. A policeman told me "to get down or be shot". Understandably I complied divimg behind a flower bed, then horror washed over me as I remembered that my bullet proof vest and hand gun were are at security back at GM and this would be my first genuine situation to draw it just like in the movies. Shit I was naked and in the open. The policeman said “not from round here are you".

Some crack grazed idiot was doing a good Don King impersonation and was dealt with in true US fashion,

HE WAS SHOT, and then about 20 policemen jumped on him just to make sure.



Got back to GM to find Montreal McGregor in a corner looking a bit worse for wear, apparently he had managed two slices at which point on showing an interest in a giant Kit-Cat bar proceeded to demolish that as well, this did not fear well for the 4 hour drive home. For those of you in the know it is not wise to give dogs chocolate. After bundling him up collecting my gear from security we drove 500 metres to the tunnel under the St Clair River back to Canada. Half way home Mac decided that he needed to stop, the inevitable power chuck and his own back fire and we were again on our way.



Boston

It’s 6.30am and I was back at the airport to fly to Boston for the day. It was cold and I kid you not threatening to snow we take off and the pilot announces straight up that there will be no in flight service as it looks like it will be bumpy all the way. Who cares its only 1hr 20min flight? Now two/three weeks ago I was in Disneyland/California Land & Universal studios doing theme park rides etc, so I thought I was seasoned, well yea yah what a flight. At one point we were struck by lightening, we nearly did an involuntary roll over and what the hell was that smell. Coming into Boston which is a waterfront airport was like nothing I have experienced for some time, its not very often you are sitting in your window seat looking directly down the wing which is pointing directly down the runway. How he put it down without killing us is beyond me. That smell, oh yes on our near roll over the toilets backwashed and that lovely blue jays fluid was seeping up the aisle.



I am back to Boston on Monday, may take Montreal McGregor with me as it is only for one night and with a short flight he can sit under the seat in front of me. Makes for interesting travel, and at customs it is worth the laugh in itself as he gets shaken down.

Then Wednesday over to Salt Lake City, Utah, will leave him in Toronto as this flight is to long for him and we do not need any toilet issues on the plane.



So on that note so long for now, I will be back soon with more in-depth and exciting adventures of Toronto Pip & Montreal McGregor. Mississauga Juju is back on the 6th Nov so you just know there will be some good old stories to tell that week, if you know what I mean.



Bye to all & God Bless America

Toronto Pip

While the Cats away: October 12 206

Kia Ora to all in Aoteroa,


Yes I am alive & well. However my schedule has been harsh. Just a snippet to tie you over for this weekends journal I am in the process of writing.



Monday, fly from Los Angeles to Boston, Boston to Buffalo then Buffalo to Toronto, total 12 hours including time change, so actually 15? Monday was Thanksgiving in Canada not America before you all start emailing me that is in November. Why on a Monday, well why not. I had actually been in LA with my brother & his wife & kids. Disneyland, California Land, Universal Studios etc.

Tuesday, Toronto office, catch up on back log.

Wednesday, fly to Chicago to attend court where we are being sued apparently something I said, go figure, me and something I said, no? To cut a long story short a flooring contractor got it wrong and blamed everybody but himself. The general contractor and our company won. At which point I pressed for court cost's as well as other related costs of travel, time, mental anguish, physical disfigurement [seat in plane not big enough], and a first class ticket to any European destination to find my inner peace that was shattered because of the malicious and painful attack on my person. Just as a joke, however the judge ruled in my favour so I will have a "week that was" coming from you live from Paris in two weekends time, [God Bless America]. Sorry Juju won't be here to enjoy that, now who should I take eh? I feel a trip to the Brass Rail coming on????

Thursday, in Toronto office catching up again.

Friday, fly to Detroit to try and sort out yet another installation problem and try to diffuse before it gets to court stage.

So you lot, I will finally have the "week that was" or as it has been so long "the month that may have been" out to you for a Monday reading, it promises to be filled with intrigue, excitement, and all sorts of useless other stuff.

Cheers for now,

Toronto Pip & Montreal McGregor



Absent [Mississagua Juju, currently Auckalofa Ju] Dearly missed, like my connection in Boston.