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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