The Olympic Experience comes to Windsor!

On Wednesday Dec 23rd the Olympic Torch will make its way through Essex County and culminate in a ceremony/party in the evening in downtown Windsor at festival plaza. For many this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the Olympic flame in their hometown as Canada gets ready to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Some people complain that there is nothing to do in Windsor but once again we are blessed to have events such as this to enjoy with our families and friends. With skating at Charles Clark Square and a torch lighting ceremony down the riverfront it promises to be a memorable way to kick off the Holiday season and experience a piece of the Olympics up close.. Travelling by air, land and water the flame will visit over 1000 communities across Canada on a 106 day journey towards it’s final destination in Vancouver in February. Over 12,000 people will have the honour of carrying the flame on its 45,000km route involving over 200 celebrations throughout Canada.
So bundle up the kids, dress warm and come on down to see a piece of history on Wed night. I’ll see you there.

by Tim Fairhurst
Biz X Magazine

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Partying for a Cause

On Friday December 11th local radio personality and fellow Biz X writer Arms Bumanlag will be hosting a party downtown at Dean Martinis to celebrate his 28th birthday. I barely remember what it was like to be south of thirty but can still stay out late with the best of them. In fact it’s a Biz X standard these days buts that’s a topic for another blog entry. Known as the “Up in Arms Birthday Bash” the event will feature some of the areas best bands playing everything from classic rock to Top 40 and feature Arms himself in his debut spinning stacks of wax and mixing it up in the booth high above the dance floor. There will also be prizes, food and merchandise for sale. Ever the community minded individual Arms has also used the opportunity to promote a cause close to his heart. Cancer has/ will touch just about everyone and is still cutting short far too many lives. Proceeds from the event will go to the Canadian Cancer Society to help people and their families that battle this deadly disease every day.
Sponsored by 89X, The Windsor Star and of course Biz X Magazine the event is sure to be a blow-out and a fine way to kick off the holiday season. Yours truly will be there to help Arms usher in his 28th birthday and help support this worthy initiative.
See you there!

by Tim Fairhurst
Biz X Magazine

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Don't Say It!!

Well, it seems I spoke too soon. My blog post of two weeks ago titled “Healthy as a Horse” had me proclaiming good health and an unrestricted lifestyle. Well this past weekend had me flat on my back with a stuffed up head and cough. Despite bright sunny days that begged for everyone to be outside I was happy to spend the time sleeping and blowing my nose. But the really funny thing about this was the timing of my yearly bout with the cold of the month. (And no I don’t have the Swine Flu!!) My January story for Biz X addressing health and wellness gave me a unique insight into researching this aspect of health care. Actually utilizing the very services and businesses that I am writing about while fighting ill health was opportune and very helpful
Still sucks to be sick though. I’ve spent a lot of time catching up on magazine articles, sending emails and even watched a cool documentary movie. Of course I devoted a few minutes to updating this blog as well.
Speaking of which, check my blog this week for a cool event that’s coming up next weekend downtown. Its being thrown by one of our very own Biz X contributors and supports a cause that is near to all of us.
Stay Healthy!

by Tim Fairhurst
Biz X Magazine

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Dress to Impress

Each year at the end of November Biz X Magazine hosts their annual “Oscar” awards gala. It is a chance for Biz X Magazine to acknowledge excellence in business and pay tribute to the hard working men and women that run these enterprises. It is also a chance for everyone to dress up and put on their best for an evening of fine dining, drinks and socializing. Men put on their good suits and tuxedoes and women come in dresses and evening gowns. Dressing for the occasion is what this night is all about but everyone has at one time or another been witness to inappropriate dress code. I once saw someone at a wedding reception in a t-shirt, jeans and trucker hat. (No kidding) Summer time on the roads bring to mind the classic underdressed motorcyclist in shorts and sandals. Do they wear their leather jacket and boots at the beach?? Being underdressed is one thing but what about being overdressed? Last year the Howling Diablo’s blues band played to one of the best dressed crowds downstairs in the Oasis Bar at Place Concorde for the Oscar after-party. We got a few funny looks as well dressed Oscar recipients and their guests flooded into the bar, mingling with the rock and roll jeans and t-shirt crowd there to see the show. The music transformed our earlier reserved black tie affair into a rockin’ blues evening, tuxedoes be damned.
Environment aside, clothes do make the man (and woman) and there is a certain feeling you get when you’re dressed up and looking good. They’ll be lots of that come Friday night when the biggest business event of the season gets underway. It’ll be a great opportunity to see and be seen as the red carpet is rolled out. I’ll be on the lookout for some outstanding fashion statements so stop and say hi. See you at the gala.

by Tim Fairhurst
Biz X Magazine

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Healthy as a Horse (Knock on Wood)

Today, I helped move a large piece of furniture for someone. It wasn’t that heavy. It was just kind of bulky and needed a few extra hands to put in the back of a pickup truck. Later over coffee and homemade pecan pie (thanks Mom!) talk turned to various family members and their ailments and health situations.

Bad backs, knee surgeries, cortisone shots and cancer treatments all came up during the course of the afternoon’s conversation and it got me to thinking, physically I’m in pretty good shape. Everything works without limitation and I have no aches or pains to speak of.

This is something that many (myself certainly included) take for granted. With our health being so important we all have a responsibility to look after ourselves and enjoy things in moderation. Still life sometimes has a habit of throwing curve balls. Having to walk from the back of the parking lot is a fortunate trade off to the “privilege” of handicap parking.

News of a serious illness can turn lives up side down and highlight the need to make the most of every day here on the planet. So take some time to appreciate the small things in life and live it up every day. Now if I can just steer clear of that damn H1N1 I’ll be home free!

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Get a WIFF of This!

Well its that time of year again. Yes, I’m talking about the Windsor International Film Festival (http://www.windsorfilmfestival.com/). Showcasing some great Canadian and foreign independent films and filmmakers the festival is a not-for profit organization whose mission is to recognize and celebrate the art of cinema. Each fall Windsor plays host to a weekend of screenings of some of the most eclectic and diverse documentaries, dramas and short films with visits by some of the filmmakers themselves. Scott McFadyen and Sam Dunn make a return appearance this year for a Q&A about some of their latest projects. Yours truly met them at the festivals incarnation where they screened their documentary film Metal: A Headbangers Journey and answered questions after the show. The festival also sponsors a short film contest for filmmakers called 48 hour Flickfest (http://www.48hourflickfest.com/) . Contestants have 48 hours to write shoot and produce a short film. The top ten films will be screened before select features at the festival. In its fifth year The Windsor International Film Festival is gaining momentum and always offers an interesting and different cinema experience. It’s a cool excuse to get out for a night (or afternoon) on the town before the snow flies and support an ambitious local initiative. An opening night gala at Caesars with screenings at the Capitol Theatre means that there will be something for everyone. Check it out and chime in with what you are going to see. I’m going to try and catch Chris Rock’s Good Hair flick and the musical rockumentary featuring Jack White, Jimmy Page and The Edge from U2 called “It Might Get Loud”. I hope it does. See you at the movies.

by Tim Fairhurst

Biz X Magazine

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Dare to be Different

Everyone remembers the game truth or dare. Maybe you played it at a party or as a way to break the ice with members of the opposite sex. Finding out peoples innermost secrets was intriguing but the alternative choice was usually even more entertaining as “dares” or challenges were issued and accepted with hilarious results. “I dare you to drink this”, I’ll bet you can’t jump over that” or “Bet you can’t climb through this chair” were tests that created entertainment and forced people to throw sensibility out the window. Sometimes it even forced people to confront their fears. (What if I get stuck wrapped up in this chair?) The beauty of it too is once the dare has been issued there is no backing out lest you be labelled a chicken or a wuss. At worst, somebody got hurt.
As adults, most people lose all or a portion of their daring attitude. Follow the status quo, go with what you know and play it safe. This is the blueprint for a mundane existence if you ask me. Being willing to push your limits and be a little daring can create excitement and instil confidence in achieving a new skill or experience. Now I’m not saying throw all common sense out the window and blindly follow anything thrown your way as this is a sure recipe for injury, disaster and/or ridicule but a little bit of bravery can serve to spice up your life.
So whether it’s a new hobby, new job, new friends or just a change of scenery being a little daring can be a good thing. What do you dare try?

by Tim Fairhurst
Biz X Magazine

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Social Graces

Recently I was out having coffee with a friend when I was approached by a young lady that noticed I was wearing my Windsor Air show T-shirt. With a full colour graphic of Canada’s CF-18 on the front it served to spark a conversation about aircraft, air shows and her interest in flight and the military. Chit-chat was initiated and what started out as pleasant short conversation about the air show quickly dragged into a one sided monologue about her views on politics, immigration, her family history, travels abroad etc, etc, etc. Not wanting to be rude but realizing that this person had nothing but time on their hands and no qualms about taking over our evening I proceeded to drop hints that we wanted to resume our conversation. Averting our glances, reading magazines and shifting in our seats did little to phase this person and even a “Well it was nice talking to you” had no effect. Clearly she was on a mission with no apparent end in sight.
There are unwritten rules that exist for a myriad of social situations occurring in everyday life. A three to five minute chat in a store with a stranger or casual acquaintance seems to be a universally acceptable timetable. Cornering someone for 10 or 15 minutes with a rambling dialogue throws up a flag that social graces may be absent or skewed. Here's another one. When is too late to call someone on the phone? 10 o’clock? 11 o’clock? This is totally variable but must still be considered depending on who you’re calling. Some of my friends I can call just about anytime. I don’t generally call my parents or people I don’t know that well much past 10 during the week.
Personal space is another pet peeve of mine. Western civilization places a distance of 24 – 36 inches as an acceptable distance to interact with people on a casual basis. Gender, environment and other factors may affect this number. Other cultures around the world may find closer (or farther) contact the norm. Once again social graces come into play.
Don’t get me wrong, I love good conversation and will stop and talk to just about anyone if they have something to say. But sometimes you gotta know when to cut it off. Call me on the phone too but if it rings at 3:00 AM I’m thinking the worst. And as far as personal space there is an old song by The Police that sums it up “Don’t Stand” (so close to me)
So the next time you’re out look around and observe how people interact. Different environments will affect peoples behaviour, what they say and how they say it. Altered states of mind will also have an impact on conduct as well but that’s another blog entry.
Cheers

Looking at Life Through a Camera Lens

Attitudes and opinions are like camera lenses. Wide angle, telephoto, macro, fisheye all provide a unique view of the world in which we live and shape our perception of things around us. Some people live life with a wide view, taking in everything around them and seeing the big picture with an open mind. Others are intensely concentrated on things far away creating a “tunnel vision” mentality while a few focus on events and situations with microscopic detail. By putting your camera down for a minute and looking at things in an unadulterated state you sometimes see things as they really are.
For many in todays world, perception is reality with our choice of “lenses” forming our outlook on life. Changing situations, advancing years, triumph, tragedy and fate all conspire to cause us to look through different lenses from time to time.
What kind of lens are you looking through today??

Photo by: Jessica Fairhurst

Dog Days of Summer

The arrival of Labour Day weekend has a definte psychological effect on me each year. The unofficial end of summer, it brings mixed emotions as I reflect on all of the summer activities and events that transpired. The Red Bull Air Races, Bluesfest, Windsor International Airshow and the many festivals, fairs and concerts all combined to entertain the people of Windsor/Essex and Metro Detroit area. Hopefully you got out to some of these events and support the efforts of the volunteers and organizers.

Regrettably one of my favorite happenings, The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will not be held this year due the area current economic state. This high octane display of competition and horsepower served to bookend the summer season and provide a yearly fix for open wheel racing enthusiasts such as myself.

We are blessed to live in area where there is so to do and see and maybe sometimes take it all for granted. Supporting local events is not only a great way to get out and see friends and experience different cultures but also stimulates the economy and provides a living for many of the hard working individuals who are involved.

With the fall season knocking on our door (you mean its going to get cooler?) take the opportuntity to make the most of the season while its still nice out. Go for a walk, get out that bicycle, go out on the boat or take a long motorcycle ride just for fun. We'll be cursing the cold and snow soon enough. Oops did I say snow? A thousand lashes with a shovel and a handful of road salt down my back for that one.

Live it up!

Welcome to this Blog

So, this is my blog. I'll be making every effort to post my thoughts up here as often as possible for everyone to read and evaluate. I am generally an inquisitive soul and not subject to thinking along the lines of the staus quo so I will try to make the subject matter varied as well as interesting. The swirling mass of change that the world is now (and always has been) not only creates diversity but serves to initiate action on the part of people to do things that they have not done before. Despite the potential pain this can be a good thing.

As someone who is most comfortable living on the far right of left of life my posts will address topics and subjects at both local, national and international. At times they may sound like rants but hey, thats what this space is for sit down, hang on and enjopy the ride

Tim