Everything amazing about music and why Vancouver sucks so bad
Monday, February 2, 2009
Business Man
February 01, 2009 - 9:10 AM Flag this as Inappropriate
Sam when you add up the cost of land cleanup,raw land owned by the City, the 900 million to build the thing , getting rid of Fortress,legal fees, land taxes,interest for 3 to 5 years to carry the project, plus real estate commissions I may want to buy this. Looks like you would need about about 1.5 billion in money to make this work while being fair with the City of Vancouver to secure their land and costs accumualted to date.. That means we would need to sell all 1100 units at around 1.6 million each average to make ia profit ! When you consider todays market for 1,2 and 3 beedroom condos I come up about 500 million short. I am really not that bright only sucessfull . I see the only way I could make this pencil out budget wise is to hire Jim Furlong as the spokesman and have you and him do the numbers thing for my bankers.
How does one hire such gifted men as your self and Mr Furlong??? I am atteding a Bernie Madoff seminar this week in NewYork and will try to contact you when I get back.
Natasha
January 31, 2009 - 9:59 PM Flag this as Inappropriate
While Sam is an irritating little megalomaniac that thrilled to the attention he got via the Olympics ballyhoo, the fact remains that Vancouver electorate had a choice, and stupidly voted YES like a bunch of boneheaded pollyannas. It's long been clear that, no matter where they're held, Olympics and Expos are big-time money losers. The only people who benefit are politicians (all that international travel, networking with the movers and shakers, photo ops) and big business. It doesn't take much research to figure that out. But, no, the voters predictably bought the marketing manipulations (remember Expo 86 and the baloney about being seen as a 'world class city' - gee, we've sure benefitted from that!). So if taxes go up, let's root out the 'yes' voters and they can pay.
"One of the easiest ways to participate is by simply making some noise on Feb. 12, one year from the start of the Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony. At exactly 6 p.m. local time, in time zones across the country, Canadians of all ages are invited to make some noise.
"In addition to this national cacophony, Vanoc has created a One-year Countdown Celebration Toolkit to serve as a quick and easy inspirational tool to help get each community started on planning its own events. The guide contains more than 20 fun, practical and affordable ideas."
Vanoc news release, Jan. 28
Welcome to your One-year Countdown Celebration Toolkit! We hope you're as excited about it as your vast amounts of tax dollars have paid us to be!
Let's get started. The list of fun, practical and affordable ideas -- and by affordable, we suggest you try to keep things in the low millions, though these things tend to have a life of their own -- are listed below.
(Editor's note: All category titles below come from the Vanoc kit.)
1. Get cultured!
Invite a member of the IOC to your town! Learn about the colourful history of the Olympic movement first-hand from one of dozens of our foreign members, whose exquisite handmade suits, suave manners and air of noblesse oblige will enchant you! (Note: Hosts are expected to cover all costs, including limousine. Important: A good Bordeaux is to be served at all meals. It should also be understood that towns that have ski resorts or seaside spas are more likely to secure the services of an IOC member than those that do not.)
2. Youth art projects!
Want to bring that Olympic experience home to the young and impressionable? Consider a seminar on drug testing! Introduce the little ones in your town to the fascinating world of chemistry. What Atom division hockey player wouldn't want to be walked through the suspense of a test result, just like their Olympic heroes? Teach them about "the clear" and other performance-enhancing drugs, and their side-effects, such as dying. Let them stage mock press conferences, where, after a urine sample tests positive, they can insist they thought they were taking cold medicine. Remember to bring your camcorders, Mom and Dad! You'll be so proud!
3. Create stories about official Olympic mascots Miga, Quatchi and Sumi!
Did you know Sumi is a biathloner who had hormone therapy and sex-reassignment surgery because she felt she was trapped in the body of a man, and that her fellow competitors lodged a complaint against her because they believe her former gender gives her a competitive advantage? And that Quatchi is a stoner who has a thing for naked luging? And that Miga blames his occasionally bizarre behaviour on aliens who are in constant communication with him and tell him what to do? You didn't? Well, they could be! Anything's possible, because experience tells us that in the rich snack mix that is the Olympic Games, one finds more than a few nuts.
4. Organize a winter sport/culture/sustainability festival!
We know, lame, right?
5. Torchlight parades!
Once the festivities are over, and the extent to which they have bankrupted your town's finances becomes public knowledge, townsfolk will want to brighten up the post-Olympic winter gloom with their very own torchlight parade! Gather the celebratory mob in the town square, where every participant will get to light and carry his or her very own facsimile of the Olympic torch. To merry shouts of "Shame!" and "Trough-feeders!" the celebrants can march to the homes of their town's Olympic organizers to show their gratitude. Suggestion: Bring along effigies or, in a pinch, Sumi, Miga and Quatchi souvenir dolls. It might be prudent to have the local fire department attend in case a stray torch finds itself on to an organizer's roof. Serve hot cocoa and S'mores around the bonfire, or, for that special touch, tar and feathers.
And finally:
6. Let's make some noise!
At exactly 6 p.m., Feb. 12, Canadians across the country are asked to make as much noise as they can to celebrate the one-year countdown for the 2010 Winter Olympics. They might honk a car horn or bang on a pot.
If you are at a loss at what noise to make, we have provided below easy step-by-step instructions on how to make a recommended noise.
January 31, 2009 - 10:37 PM Flag this as Inappropriate
To Westender: I can think of less expensive ways to get 'wonderful positive energy' thank you. A good film and a bag of popcorn does wonders if you're that desperate, and no need to take money away from health care and housing to enjoy it.
Natasha
January 31, 2009 - 10:32 PM Flag this as Inappropriate
I'm with you, Pete! (It's so galling how those Olympic Committee parasites get wined and dined by grovelling, obsequious politicians - noblesse oblige indeed.) I'll start practicing my blow right away, so I can do my best noises when the time comes!
Westender
January 31, 2009 - 3:47 PM Flag this as Inappropriate
Having experienced the wonderful positive energy at the Calgary 88 and Montreal 76 Olympics, I look forward to participating in "making some noise" on February 12th. I'm disappointed that so many, including members of the media, are playing the "doom and gloom" game. Sit in your basement and sulk if you like, but as Mr. Geller says, the games are coming so let's make the best of them for our visitors and our residents.
Michael Geller
January 31, 2009 - 10:22 AM Flag this as Inappropriate
While I publicly admitted that if I knew then what I know now...I would probably not have voted for the Olympics, they are coming, and I think we should now start to make sure our city benefits as much as it can from this once-in-a-lifetime event. As Edward de Bono once noted, it is often easier to criticize than applaud, but I will be clapping at 6pm on February 12, and I do invite others who are still not sure if this is good or bad for the city to get on board and join with me. Let's enjoy the opportunity the Olympics can offer our city.
Hal
January 31, 2009 - 9:41 AM Flag this as Inappropriate
You'll have to count me out of the festivities, Pete. I suspect that I'll be all cried out long before then and unable to moan loudly enough to contribute much to the Olympic miseries. When will the IOC introduce a sport open only to the local citizenry? Throw open a category such as the Death of a Thousand Cuts and just watch the masochistic taxpayers rush in.
Saxophonist for 40 years, rocketed to fame in late 2000's with the band Darrell Zimmerman's Amazing Vancouver Jazz Forum Featuring Jamal Jefferson and Evil E
Business Man
February 01, 2009 - 9:10 AM
Flag this as Inappropriate
Sam when you add up the cost of land cleanup,raw land owned by the City, the 900 million to build the thing , getting rid of Fortress,legal fees, land taxes,interest for 3 to 5 years to carry the project, plus real estate commissions I may want to buy this. Looks like you would need about about 1.5 billion in money to make this work while being fair with the City of Vancouver to secure their land and costs accumualted to date.. That means we would need to sell all 1100 units at around 1.6 million each average to make ia profit ! When you consider todays market for 1,2 and 3 beedroom condos I come up about 500 million short. I am really not that bright only sucessfull . I see the only way I could make this pencil out budget wise is to hire Jim Furlong as the spokesman and have you and him do the numbers thing for my bankers.
How does one hire such gifted men as your self and Mr Furlong??? I am atteding a Bernie Madoff seminar this week in NewYork and will try to contact you when I get back.
Natasha
January 31, 2009 - 9:59 PM
Flag this as Inappropriate
While Sam is an irritating little megalomaniac that thrilled to the attention he got via the Olympics ballyhoo, the fact remains that Vancouver electorate had a choice, and stupidly voted YES like a bunch of boneheaded pollyannas. It's long been clear that, no matter where they're held, Olympics and Expos are big-time money losers. The only people who benefit are politicians (all that international travel, networking with the movers and shakers, photo ops) and big business. It doesn't take much research to figure that out. But, no, the voters predictably bought the marketing manipulations (remember Expo 86 and the baloney about being seen as a 'world class city' - gee, we've sure benefitted from that!). So if taxes go up, let's root out the 'yes' voters and they can pay.
Pete McMartin
Photograph by: Sun, Sun
"One of the easiest ways to participate is by simply making some noise on Feb. 12, one year from the start of the Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony. At exactly 6 p.m. local time, in time zones across the country, Canadians of all ages are invited to make some noise.
"In addition to this national cacophony, Vanoc has created a One-year Countdown Celebration Toolkit to serve as a quick and easy inspirational tool to help get each community started on planning its own events. The guide contains more than 20 fun, practical and affordable ideas."
Vanoc news release, Jan. 28
Welcome to your One-year Countdown Celebration Toolkit! We hope you're as excited about it as your vast amounts of tax dollars have paid us to be!
Let's get started. The list of fun, practical and affordable ideas -- and by affordable, we suggest you try to keep things in the low millions, though these things tend to have a life of their own -- are listed below.
(Editor's note: All category titles below come from the Vanoc kit.)
1. Get cultured!
Invite a member of the IOC to your town! Learn about the colourful history of the Olympic movement first-hand from one of dozens of our foreign members, whose exquisite handmade suits, suave manners and air of noblesse oblige will enchant you! (Note: Hosts are expected to cover all costs, including limousine. Important: A good Bordeaux is to be served at all meals. It should also be understood that towns that have ski resorts or seaside spas are more likely to secure the services of an IOC member than those that do not.)
2. Youth art projects!
Want to bring that Olympic experience home to the young and impressionable? Consider a seminar on drug testing! Introduce the little ones in your town to the fascinating world of chemistry. What Atom division hockey player wouldn't want to be walked through the suspense of a test result, just like their Olympic heroes? Teach them about "the clear" and other performance-enhancing drugs, and their side-effects, such as dying. Let them stage mock press conferences, where, after a urine sample tests positive, they can insist they thought they were taking cold medicine. Remember to bring your camcorders, Mom and Dad! You'll be so proud!
3. Create stories about official Olympic mascots Miga, Quatchi and Sumi!
Did you know Sumi is a biathloner who had hormone therapy and sex-reassignment surgery because she felt she was trapped in the body of a man, and that her fellow competitors lodged a complaint against her because they believe her former gender gives her a competitive advantage? And that Quatchi is a stoner who has a thing for naked luging? And that Miga blames his occasionally bizarre behaviour on aliens who are in constant communication with him and tell him what to do? You didn't? Well, they could be! Anything's possible, because experience tells us that in the rich snack mix that is the Olympic Games, one finds more than a few nuts.
4. Organize a winter sport/culture/sustainability festival!
We know, lame, right?
5. Torchlight parades!
Once the festivities are over, and the extent to which they have bankrupted your town's finances becomes public knowledge, townsfolk will want to brighten up the post-Olympic winter gloom with their very own torchlight parade! Gather the celebratory mob in the town square, where every participant will get to light and carry his or her very own facsimile of the Olympic torch. To merry shouts of "Shame!" and "Trough-feeders!" the celebrants can march to the homes of their town's Olympic organizers to show their gratitude. Suggestion: Bring along effigies or, in a pinch, Sumi, Miga and Quatchi souvenir dolls. It might be prudent to have the local fire department attend in case a stray torch finds itself on to an organizer's roof. Serve hot cocoa and S'mores around the bonfire, or, for that special touch, tar and feathers.
And finally:
6. Let's make some noise!
At exactly 6 p.m., Feb. 12, Canadians across the country are asked to make as much noise as they can to celebrate the one-year countdown for the 2010 Winter Olympics. They might honk a car horn or bang on a pot.
If you are at a loss at what noise to make, we have provided below easy step-by-step instructions on how to make a recommended noise.
(a) Extend tongue.
(b) Place lips firmly around base of tongue.
(c) Blow.
pmcmartin@vancouversun.com
604-605-2905
© Copyright (c)
Your Comments
Bob
January 31, 2009 - 10:37 PM
Flag this as Inappropriate
To Westender: I can think of less expensive ways to get 'wonderful positive energy' thank you. A good film and a bag of popcorn does wonders if you're that desperate, and no need to take money away from health care and housing to enjoy it.
Natasha
January 31, 2009 - 10:32 PM
Flag this as Inappropriate
I'm with you, Pete! (It's so galling how those Olympic Committee parasites get wined and dined by grovelling, obsequious politicians - noblesse oblige indeed.) I'll start practicing my blow right away, so I can do my best noises when the time comes!
Westender
January 31, 2009 - 3:47 PM
Flag this as Inappropriate
Having experienced the wonderful positive energy at the Calgary 88 and Montreal 76 Olympics, I look forward to participating in "making some noise" on February 12th. I'm disappointed that so many, including members of the media, are playing the "doom and gloom" game. Sit in your basement and sulk if you like, but as Mr. Geller says, the games are coming so let's make the best of them for our visitors and our residents.
Michael Geller
January 31, 2009 - 10:22 AM
Flag this as Inappropriate
While I publicly admitted that if I knew then what I know now...I would probably not have voted for the Olympics, they are coming, and I think we should now start to make sure our city benefits as much as it can from this once-in-a-lifetime event. As Edward de Bono once noted, it is often easier to criticize than applaud, but I will be clapping at 6pm on February 12, and I do invite others who are still not sure if this is good or bad for the city to get on board and join with me. Let's enjoy the opportunity the Olympics can offer our city.
Hal
January 31, 2009 - 9:41 AM
Flag this as Inappropriate
You'll have to count me out of the festivities, Pete. I suspect that I'll be all cried out long before then and unable to moan loudly enough to contribute much to the Olympic miseries. When will the IOC introduce a sport open only to the local citizenry? Throw open a category such as the Death of a Thousand Cuts and just watch the masochistic taxpayers rush in.