français fini, Bronze Canadians and Random Thoughts

Apologies for the erratic posts this week, I was finishing up my French training, and I am happy to say I have succeeded and will now be returning to work. Arguments about the need for bilingualism aside, when you are 51 and try to relearn a language, it is bloody hard, and I am thrilled with the mark I received since I was sure I had made a big mess of it. Back to the real world now.

Just for the folks who keep seeing the iconic bridge in London on the Olympic broadcasts, that is not London Bridge. That is Tower Bridge (near the Tower Hill Tube Station). London Bridge is somewhere in Arizona now (I believe). That is your Olympic factoid from the BCM for this week.

Canadians are also showing that we are excellent guests at the Olympics, we don’t win and upset our hosts or the super powers, we take our Bronze medals and we say THANK YOU! Gold is just so showy anyhow, do you dip your kids shoes in Gold? No! You BRONZE them! I think our athletes are doing a great job, keep up the good work kids (oh and Grandpa Ian Miller too).

The dry conditions in Ottawa continues on, and we really could use a bit more rain, just to help out our farmers (my grass being brown is not that important). No rain could mean even higher food prices.

Weekly Recap

I did take a day off this week, so not as many posts to catch up on, but still some odd thematic premises as well:

• August is here, and that post has a fun video about NASA computers.
• I allowed a guest post by Tusk Trader but only because he was honest and from the heart for his Top 5 Investing Mistakes. Guest posts that are personal are what I look for.
• Going back to when I was a lot younger (and a lot crazier) I wrote about Sometimes You Gotta Set the Toilet on Fire (to learn a lesson).
• Where are the Financial Wingmen these days? Everybody wants to do things, brag about it, even if they didn’t do that much! Help a brother (or sister) out, and just know you did good.
• August is Almost Here, Olympics and Sunday’s Best Where is the summer going? Holy cow, time is flying by and August is almost upon us, you do realize that don’t you?

And thanks to those who added me on Twitter. Check out my Facebook page as well .

Links for the Week

Many folks are working summer hours (even me) so not as many posts to read over this week but still a few caught my eye:

• Larry MacDonald returns with Securities Lending sees Landmark Ruling in Favor of Investors, what one for us?
• My Own Advisor wonders Are you living your financial values? Pretty deep question, but a very good question, as well.
• Jeremy at Modest Money seems to be taking on Preet as a media darling with his Global BC TV Interview, I have been told I have a face for radio.
• Canadian Budget Binder gives you 5 Reasons You Won’t Get Out of Debt, I like it, great title, prove them wrong!
• The Blunt Bean Counter is giving it away with Choosing the Right Advisor – Book giveaway.
• Michael James disagrees with the statement the “Cult of Equity is Dying“, an interesting expose.
• Gail Vaz-Oxlade points out the importance of an Emergency Twenty Can be a Life Saver, where do you hide your emergency stash?
• Preet may not be writing much lately, but he is as busy as heck.