Whereberta???

Recently the Government of Alberta released its shiny new 25 million dollar promotional campaign, featuring a fresh, re-branded image for the province.

A new logo, a new slogan, and many stunning photographs of some pristine, down-home Alberta scenery.

One such photo is the one I've posted above. Two happy children frolicking on the beach of an Alberta lake, eminating the spirit of the future Alberta wants to present to visitors and residents alike...

... too bad that isn't in Alberta...

You see, the photo is actually that of a beach near Northumberland, England... the legendary birthplace of Sir Lancelot...

Of course, there's a story behind the discovery of the truth behind the picture, and it kinda makes you wonder why the folks who shelled out 25 million taxpayer dollars (during a global recession) didn't read the fine print...

I'm sure they have a good reason... the world is a busy place these days. Twitter and what-have-you...

I love Alberta, I think it's one of Canada's most beautiful and dynamic provinces and I'm proud to call it home. So here's a few snapshots I put together that will hopefully help out the new campaign.

Freedom to create

Spirit to achieve!

So... who wants a steak?

Ian

D'Oh

I'm terrible with money.

A lot of people are. But it's an issue, well, a lot of people are uncomfortable bringing up. (Right here).

We can talk eachothers ears off about the recessions, bailouts and bankruptcy, all of which are serious issues today, but they are also not that common for the commonest of folk.

IE... forever-renters. (Right here)

I don't own property, I don't buy stock bonds and I probably couldn't properly explain to you what an RRSP is... but I'm still human, and credit cards are just so damn easy to mess around with... Money is money, it is what it is, and that's why it is also something we can learn to manage.

A few weeks ago we launched The Money Minute on Energy 101.5, and with a little (a lot) of help from our friends at ATB Financial, we're gonna break down the basics of money management and planning, so that the rest of us (right here) can finally make some cents of it all (I had to throw that in).

It's quite simple.

Crank that radio up on 101.5, and throughout the day you'll hear a quick, one-minute segment with myself and Sonu (a whiz!!!) from ATB Financial, with a couple quick and easy tips on how you can start to improve your currency chaos! (Ha, did you like that?)

Every new week will feature information on the basics like how to pick the right checking account? What he heck is a credit score? And how to I figure out this new-fangled mortgage?

Sonu knows her stuff, and she's pretty rad too. So we're gonna have some fun learning a whole lot of useful stuff together.

In fact, ATB is helping me dig my way out of my own financial mess, and they've been unbelievably helpful and caring so far.

ATB will go the distance for you, that I can say with confidence.

So check out The Money Minute. It might be that lightbulb moment where you can start to help yourself too.

And hey, if you miss it or, you know, don't own a radio or something... check it out online!

Oh, and by the way...

If you have a question you'd like us to answer, send it in! If we read it on the air, then ATB Financial will give you ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS!!!

Nice!

It's all about the dolla-dolla bills yo!

Take care folks, hope to hear your questions soon!

Cheers!

Ian

Oh, P.S. Check out Sonu's fancy photo from a Workopolis ad... she's suuuuuch a diva ;)

Letterman's Top 10 Reasons for Getting Hitched

Ha ha ha... I'm pretty sure he's serious...

10. Poconos offers newlyweds free room with champagne-glass Jacuzzi.

9. If I'm gonna catch Larry King, I'd better get going.

8. Still drunk from St. Patty's, dude!

7. She needed a green card.

6. When you're my age and look like I do, if someone says they'll marry you, you do it.

5. Don't have to listen to any more crap from that quack Dr. Phil.

4. I finally fit into my dream dress!

3. Free cake

2. Got tired of waiting for Paris Hilton.

1. Figured at the least we'd get a mediocre Top Ten out of it.

Twitterpated

Ok, so... Twitter.

I get it, I think.

But it seems a bit odd.


The name is sure funny. And it's even funnier when you hear Lloyd Robertson say "Follow the news with Twitter at CTV dot ca."
I don't think Lloyd Robertson knows what Twitter is.
I barely do.

The concept I understand. Especially as a seasoned Facebook user. It's basically a site committed to status updates.
(right?)
And instead of friends, you have followers.
So you sign up for this site, give yourself a catchy nickname, round up a bunch of followers, and then...

...

...

Uh, I'll get back to you on that. But so far it sounds like the makings of a cult. All we need are satin robes, a punch bowl, and a bald guy with an Astrovan who promises a better life on the moons of Jupiter.

That said, I'm on Twitter now. So... wanna follow me? I'm very interesting.

Happy-Go-Slumdog

There are 2.5 things I'm friggin' in love with right now.



The first is Slumdog Millionaire.

Oh, you've heard of it?

I can't help but fall in love along with the masses. It's an amazing movie. Hauntingly alive and desperately human. It resonates with love and passion for damn good filmmaking. Danny Boyle is the man. He won my heart with 28 Days Later and never gave it back.


The second is Happy-Go-Lucky. It's another Oscar contender rubbing elbows with the Benjamin Buttons and the literate Kate Winslets, but all the big kids are kinda hogging the spotlight.

Doesn't phase the good people behind this movie though. "It's all part of it" as Poppy would say. She's the adorable and colorful leading lady you see beaming away in the stripes there. She makes me wonder if I need to be a nicer person, but also grabs me by my heels and brings me back down to earth to share a laugh about it. If life is one big roller coaster then people like Poppy are riding in the front car.



The final .5 is M.I.A.


Let it be known folks, by no means is she half of anything. She's the entire package!

She's an artist who grew up in Sri Lanka, India and the UK and now she makes incredible music from one of the most genuinely artistic (and badass) souls I've seen.

She also contributed to the score for Slumdog Millionaire. That endeavor banked a nom at the Oscars. It's yours my dear! It has to be.

M.I.A. aka Missing in Action. Ugh, so cool. She makes me wanna copy that t-shirt.

I just might.

The Intervention: Follow-up

My name is Ian.

I-A-N.

I used to have a messy room... but not anymore!

Before...

... after!

I admit. It felt good to sleep in a clean room with springtime fresh sheets. I just hope I can keep it up! Especially now that all of Calgary is aware of my old *ahem* habits.

But check it... the cleaning bug bit hard this week and I was even motivated enough to tackle the post-holiday mess that was left in the living room.

You know how it goes... January hits, and you just can't muster up the energy after weeks of lethargic gluttony.

Ain't no thang really, it happens to us all... but the difference is pretty rad.

Before...

... after!

Ahhhh... it feels good to get clean. Now to tackle that crack addiction... (kidding!)

Seacrest Snubbed

Did you see it? Did you seeeeeeeee it!?!?

The Golden Globe red carpet on E was freakin' hilarious... and here's why.

Poor Ryan Seacrest. He's the golden prince of Hollywood... but Saint Angelina and her whipping boy are having none of it...

Seacrest's powers have no jurisdiction in their realm of the celebrity hierarchy, Brangelina is just that mighty.

In fact, I feel I should advise Kate Winslet to disappear for a few days until that "other one" comment is forgotten.

Assuming Angelina doesn't hold a grudge anyway... hmmm...