As many of you realize, Vancouver is hosting the 2010

winter games. Surprise, surprise, everything's built on time and ready!

People from all over the world have been leaving various questions

on the International Tourism Website. These were actual

questions. The responses are from THE BLOGGING GUY.

Q. I have never seen it warm in Canada, so how do plants grow? (England)

A. We import our plants and then sit around and watch them die.

Q. Will I be able to see polar bears on the streets? (USA)

A. It all depends on how much you've had to drink.

Q. I want to walk from Vancouver to Toronto; can I follow the railway tracks? (Sweden)

A. Sure. It's about 4,000 miles. Take lots of water and dress warmly.

Q. Are there any ATM's (cash machines) in Canada? Can you send me a list of them for

Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Halifax? (England)

A. There is one in each city; a list can be supplied

for only $3.00 (USD).

Q. Which way is north in Canada? (USA)

A. Face south and turn 180 degrees. Contact me when you get there and I'll send

the rest of the directions.

Q.Can we bring cutlery into the country? (England)

A. Absolutely not. It's customary to use your fingers like the natives do.

Q. Can you tell me the areas where the female population is smaller than the

male population? (Italy)

A. Only in gay nightclubs.

Q. Do you celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada? (USA)

A. Only when there's tourists in town.

Q. Are there supermarkets in Toronto and is milk available all year round? (Germany)

A. No, there are no super markets in Toronto; just a few corner stores.

We are a peaceful nation of vegen hunter/gatherers. We don't drink milk here.

Q. I have a question about a famous animal in Canada, but I forget its name.

It's like a big horse with horns. (USA)

A. That would be the big horse with horns that we call a moose.

They are tall and violent, eating the

brains of anyone walking close to them.

You don't want to screw around with them-ever!

You can scare them off by dousing yourself with

lighter fluid or human urine before going out walking.

If you pick the first option, don't smoke.

I had been chasing this guy for a while.

The first and last time I got my foot in the door,

he was rude and looked out the window constantly.

(See my last post on this idiot gentleman.)

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1279938/totally-devoid-of-a-personality

He's got some major issues, but I was persistant and kept at him.

I did a previous post on this guy and received a lot of comments, and

I also received a lot of advice from various "Rainers", but I tried him one

more time. On the final phone call, he said, (very abruptly),

"I don't want to do business with you".

I asked him if he had had a problem with another

realtor in the past. No answer. (Read into that-Yes)

I maintained the high ground, thanked him for his time,

and told him, "when you're serious about selling your house,

call me and I'll see what I can do to assist.

That's one of the reasons we get paid what we do.

Don't take it personally, it's part of business.

WAKY NEWS is a weekly feature from THE BLOGGING GUY

One dog who devoloped a habit of jumping out the

window of his owner's first floor apartment to get to the garden

apparantly forgot or didn't realize that his owners had recently moved

to a new apartment on the sixth floor.

Of course, he tried the same stunt without looking.

The only thing that saved the hapless pooch was the balcony

of the apartment below. He won't be trying that trick any time soon.

Dogs aren't like cats that always land on their feet;

this guy was lucky not to break his neck.

This is a true story from THE BLOGGING GUY.

Before Active Rain, I led a fairly balanced life. (Not really); I would network

in the usual way, which was totally ineffective. Then, Liz Moras happened!

She introduced me to the world of blogging on Active Rain.

That was the day the addiction set in.

Now, my day is not complete until I write

a post or two, and respond to at least 10 other posts.

If I miss a day, (or 10, as was the case when I went on a holiday);

I go into serious withdrawal. I had no cell phone or Internet for 10 days!

I was way out in the boonies where the buses don't run. No cell phone reception.

My hands actually started to quiver, so I grabbed a fishing rod and

relaxed and actually caught a few fish.

The first of many posts were rudimentary to say the least,

but eventually I developed a style and introduced an "alter ego",

"THE BLOGGING GUY", and acquired a bit of a readership.

"THE BLOGGING GUY" writes a weekly post on the WAKY NEWS.

This has led to many new friendships; too many to mention,

but many, many "Rainer's" from Anna (Banana), to Zane.

Some of the other groups were frustrating me, so I started my own group...

"THE VOICE OF REASON"

I've had a pretty good response to this; it's a venue to discuss any topic rationally

and sanely while leaving your agenda at the door.

I've also had a lot of help from other members:

Karen Anne Stone took the time one day to phone me and walk me through

some advice in the early days, Laura and Chip Jefferson spent considerable

time with me setting up a website, Suesan Therriault & I are collaborating

on a book and, I've received some referral business and given some back.

I'm working with Larry Easto in Tawrana ;

(Jenny explained how to pronounce this place),

about doing another book. Working with Larry Easto should

prove to be interesting. I'll keep you posted.

I'm going to do a book of my blogs to use as a marketing tool, and

also for something to leave behind as a legacy for my kids

and grand kids. (See what Grand-dad did and wrote).

He figures I can actually sell these things as

"bathroom readers", or as novelty books,

but if I can't, I'll give them to clients.

I can also bore the hell out of everyone by giving

them away as Christmas and Birthday gifts.

It's been a rewarding experience. Active Rain has exceeded my expectations.

I didn't have many going in , but the level of camaraderie and friendliness

was totally unexpected. And the learning! Every day is a mini-course

on something, and everyone's all too willing to offer assistance.

Because of my presence on Active Rain, (currently 4th in British Columbia,

or 3rd, depending on what number 3 does-we're dueling right now),

I'm getting more and more calls from people surfing the Internet.

It's been good for business , but the relationships and friendships

I've developed in the Active Rain community are invaluable.

Active Rain has changed

me forever.

I'm pleased with where I'm at right now;

AND A LOT MORE BALANCED!

Of notice to all illegal immigrants to Canada,

a special new emergancy phone number has been set up

for your use. If you are trapped in a burning house, or have

a medical emergancy, or need assistance from police, the new number is:

1-800-

50069982775849377596871618405869283746592019584379281766450198677391749950386763574654

87463541442424650069982775849377596871618405869283746592019584379281766450198677391749

40069982775849377596871618405869283746592019584379281766450198677391749950386763574654

97463541442424650069982775849377596871618405869283746592019584379281766450198677391749.

Extension: 9968772635478

For English: Press

1

For all other languages: Press

86740798106984736662510968306987428684

Thank you for your patience.

Operators are standing by.