Mystery Buyer of Cdn. pushes up the Loonie! ;)

CBC News


The Canadian dollar rose sharply Thursday, amid rumours of a mystery buyer active in the currency markets.

The loonie closed up 1.28 cents to 99.61 cents US, gaining 2.2 cents in two days.

The Canadian dollar closed at 99.61 cents US Thursday, up 1.28 cents. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
Traders regard the loonie as a commodity-based currency, much like the Australian and New Zealand dollars, but the Canadian dollar's sharp rise outpaced those currencies and commodities themselves.

That's prompted a rumour that there's a large buyer of Canadian dollars in the market, Camilla Sutton, chief currency strategist at Scotia Capital, told CBC News.

But Sutton said if there is such a buyer, there's no way to know who it is.

"Your speculation is as good as mine," she said. "It's very hard to quantify and it may be something that nobody ever finds out about."

"The foreign exchange market is huge and so it would take a significant flow, it's not just somebody buying a million dollars because they're looking at buying a property or something, it would have to be something far larger than that."



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/12/02/dollar-gains.html#ixzz173JCaSyT

Loonie up almost a penny and a half US

Yesterday, the North American stocks markets rallied, as a report showed small businesses in the U.S. were hiring more workers and the European Central Bank indicated it will do whatever is necessary to support the financial stability of member countries.

In Toronto, the S&P/TSX composite index finished the day up 195.5 points, or 1.5 per cent, to 13,148.3.


The Canadian dollar closed up 0.92 cents to 98.33 cents US as other global currencies also made strides against the U.S. dollar.

Today the Loonie continues to rise to 98.95 as of this morning. This is due to the high earnings report from the major banks here in Canada. It isn't a wonder that the Banks are doing so well as we as investors get nothing back in return, they get to use our money and we get no interest or very little. I make more in a month picking up Pop Bottles for one afternoon a month along the HWY than we get from our various bank accounts.

Here is a little twist. I get to borrow money interest free from a Major Credit Card for a year. Now should we default the 30% interest would be lethal.

So one of our Credit Card Companies is offering us a chance to borrow up to 32,000 which is my limit; interest free for a year. I plan to borrow 10,000 put it in the PC and add it to our Tax Free interest Savings Account as we will get an extra 2.50% for the first 6 months of this year on all new deposits over and above the 1% now. Weird or what. Save me having to pick up empty bottles on the road side!

This way get to Max out our TFSA for another year for the two of us, and if anything goes really sour can cash it in and pay off the loan immediately instead of 8 months down the road.

Only in Canada . Eh

High Loonie Good & Bad

Canada posted a record current account deficit in the third quarter, bringing into sharper focus the detriment — and the benefit — of an inflated loonie to the country’s trade performance.

The shortfall in the broadest measure of trade rose to $17.5-billion, a new low-water mark on an absolute basis. A record deficit in the goods merchandise trade balance of $6.5-billion was the driving factor, pushing the Canadian economy deeper into net debtor status.

“The loonie’s wingprints were all over this morning’s current account data for Canada,” Krishen Rangasamy, an economist at CIBC World Markets said in a note. “But exports also didn’t perform despite the recovery underway, clearly hampered by a loonie that has, over the years, aided the erosion of our market share in the U.S.”

But as an indicator of overall economic prospects, the current account balance is a double-edged sword. While every country aims to be a net seller to the rest of the world, Canadian companies appear to be taking the opportunity to invest in machinery and equipment imports.

The value of imported goods rose for the fifth straight quarter, up $3.6-billion, an increase mostly due to rising investment in machinery and equipment.

Until the Sun Shines Out of Your Ass

GEICO-Piggy

Lullaby, Sweet Lullaby

September 6th is Procrastinator's Day "Ironic" as it is Labour Day

In Honor of Procrastinators Day, I am updating my Blog. Tomorrow.

The Procrastinator's Creed.

I believe that if anything is worth doing, it would have been done already.
I shall never move quickly, except to avoid more work or find excuses.
I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect from missing them.
If at first I do not succeed, there is always next year.

I shall always decide not to decide, unless of course I decide to change my mind.
I obey the law of inverse excuses which demands that the greater the task to be done,
the more insignificant the work that must be done prior to beginning the greater task.
I know that the work cycle is not plan/start/finish, but is wait/plan/plan.

I will never put off tomorrow, what I can forget about forever.
I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies,astounding discoveries, and a reprieve
from all my obligations of today.

So be bold ,be proud. Be late for something today or do not do something today. What ever turns or not turns your fancy. But, whatever you do, do not be late for dinner.

Dollar Parity-

It's been quite a year for the Canadian dollar. Another run at parity with the U.S. dollar looked unlikely just 12 months ago.
Yet, now it is even better just slightly, when the fuel stock report comes out and should the US have a surplus the dollar will fall below par again. Until the central bank puts up the Bank Rate and then . I expect to see at least $1.02-$1.05 for a short time and then level off to around par for another 6 or 8 months.

Yet, on April 6, 2010, the dollar touched parity early in the trading day and spent much of the day just under the even mark. That's good news if you're planning a trip south of the border, thinking of buying a vacation property in the sunbelt, buying shares in American companies or running a professional sports franchise and paying your players in American dollars.

It's not so good if you depend on American tourists to make your living, export to the United States or work in the film business in Canada.

'The strong dollar will keep a lid on imported goods prices, and could lead to some price cutting'
—Douglas Porter

You might be tempted to engage in some cross-border shopping, but you likely won't find much difference in your costs if you've shopped south of the border over the past six months. The Canadian dollar has hovered at around 95 cents US for the past two quarters, so this latest shot at parity has not been as much of a boost to purchasing power as it was the last time around.

"The strong dollar will keep a lid on imported goods prices, and could lead to some price cutting on selected goods," Douglas Porter, deputy chief economist at BMO Capital Markets, said. "More broadly, it will help restrain inflation, and could slow the rise in interest rates later this year. The further the Canadian dollar rises, the less the Bank of Canada will feel the need to boost its key lending rate."

Dollar parity: What does a high Canadian dollar mean to you?

Porter noted the news is not all bad for manufacturers. He suggests that a sustained period of parity coupled with the elimination of import tariffs on industrial machinery in the last federal budget, will make it cheaper for businesses to invest in their operations.

On April 6, 2009, the Canadian dollar was hovering at just under 80.5 cents US. It would have cost you a little more than $1.24 to buy one American dollar. Despite a weak economy, the U.S. dollar was enjoying renewed strength - a far cry from its position less than 18 months earlier when the Canadian dollar set a modern-day record, surpassing $1.10 US.

That day was Nov. 7, 2007. It took a record $1.4703 US to buy one Euro. It took only $1.3448 CDN to buy one Euro. British pounds were going for $2.1051 US and $1.9296 CDN.

With the dollar back around parity with the U.S. dollar, the pound has tumbled by around 20 per cent to $1.53 CDN. The Euro remains at around $1.35 CDN. A trip to the UK this year may be more affordable than it was two years ago, although continental Europe may not be as much of a bargain.

Buy American?

If you do shop or travel frequently in the United States, you might want to consider applying for a U.S. dollar credit card that you've tied to a U.S. dollar bank account. You will save the approximately 2.5 per cent that banks charge for foreign currency transactions when you use your Canadian credit card south of the border.

And with parity again the picture, it could be time to diversify your investment portfolio by buying shares in American companies.

If you buy shares in American companies now and the price remains flat, you'd still come out ahead — but only if the Canadian dollar slips off its lofty perch by the time you got around to selling those shares.

However, economists are suggesting that this dose of parity could last substantially longer than the last one.

Today, April 14, 2010; it is now trading at approx. $1.0039. Still waiting for it to go over the $1.02 Cdn.



b

Baby Moose born in Lady's Front yard in Meaghers Grant

Well, this is kind of cool. We used to live in Meaghers Grant. this baby Moose was born at 5:30am and the people who live there were unable to use the front door because of the Mother Moose.
What a great excuse not to go to work. "Boss, a baby moose was born on my front door step and it's Mother wouldn't let me outside to go to work." This happened only a few doors down from where we used to live.

Off to the Blau Costa Verde in Cuba end of April

We are going back to our favorite Hotel in Cuba, the Blau Costa Verde. Loaded up one suitcase already with items to take down to some of our friends at the Hotel. this will be the 4 or 5th time to the Hotel.

This Hotel is rated 4th out of the 12 or more hotels in the area. The service and the food is wonderful. It is a smallish Hotel with only 309 rooms but it is on one of the better beaches and close to everything. the Slide show on the left top of the blog is of the Blau.

The only thing with all the Hotels in Cuba the beds are all hard like rock. So you use the wall hangings that are foam inside as a mattress cover. Or have a few extra drinks at the bar before going to bed. Both Work.

Yes, Mermaid I am still alive and kicking

What I am blogging about is the parity of the Cdn.$ and US Dollar is it good or bad. To our mind it is a very good thing will mean cheaper expensive goods down the way for Christmas. It is a pain for the companys who quote in US $ to get business and then find the cost of doing business is that much harder on them. Our Fiance minister says- "It will help make our Manufacturing that much more efficient".

I think He, maybe blowing smoke out his budget shoes.

We are planning on trying to cash in on the American Dollar decline by buying a chunk of it once it gets beyond parity. As a few years ago we had a 60 cent dollar so buying and selling on Ebay in US $'s made money. It makes no sense to try to sell on Ebay at this juncture as it would ultimately cost us. It is the same for the small business community here in Canada. The US is our biggest trading partner and when the greenback is down so are the imports from Canada.

The banks take 2% off the top when you purchase so we would have to be in the $1.02 CDN. and above to make the move and transfer it into our very modest American Dollar account. I checked a week ago $1,000 CDN would then buy $940.00 US and today $965.00 US. I imagine that it would be a very tight window of opportunity to take advantage of the exchange rate.

The Cdn Government likes the Loonie high so when it pays down the debt it is using less of the budget to do so. So it has more money to spread around in troubled ridings. I should have listened to Mermaid years ago about buying gold , she is quite right in her hunches. I am listening now

Do you wish you were younger?

How many times do you say over the course of a month. " I wish I was 18 again with what I know now." For a lot of people out there they just be as clueless as a young person as they are as an older person. IMHO

The only way it would work would be to go back in time, to when you were actual 18 and have the knowledge that you have now for it to be an advantage. It would be kind of freaky to have the mind set of an older person ( esp. with stuff that doesn't even exist as of yet) in the body of an 18 year old. I know if that happened to me when I was 18. I probably would have thought. " Man that was some pretty weird stuff I took last night."

Or I be so freaky to all my peers that they would shun me. ( I guess for me nothing has changed.) LOL

To have all the knowledge that I have now is possible with any 18 year old. All the facts and figures are out there on the net. After all it is just History. The only difference is one's own personal experiences and nuances that are unique to each person.
That is something no one else can really experience regardless of how much one studies someone. You are only looking in from the outside and not looking out from the inside.

Do I wish I was younger. No not at all. I wish I was thinner but that is a different subject.

What do you think?

Here's one for Idle and lilith

Winter in Nova Scotia-walking on the Frozen lake

Ginny and I out on Lake Bannook. the ice is about 16 inches thick so you could drive a car out on the Lake.
We went out to get some groceries from Super Store and decided to cut across the Lake.

Don standing on the lake with our Condo unit in the background. For a virtual tour of our home click on this link for YouTube.


View of the City of Dartmouth from the middle of the lake.


Ginny on the Lake. My Snow Angel.


Another view from the middle Lake Bannook. This lake is full of canoes,kayaks and pleasure boats most times of the year. Now just the fool hardy.


View of the Walking Trail behind our Building.


View of the lake through the Trees at the back of our building.


Just in case it isn't cold enough for you else where. Wish we were back at the Dreams Tulum in Mexico.

Mayan Ruins-Tulum Mexcio

Here are some pictures of the Mayan Ruins built around 1600 years ago at Tulum Mexico along the Sea Coast.
the Site covered a very large area.

This is Temple supposed to be dedicated to Kukulcan. His relief is on the side of temple.


Ginny under the tree of life.

View of the Beach. Showing the height of the complex.



Grand Palace.




Priests Quarters


Another view from the beach. Showing the Temple of the Winds


Ginny and I with a view of the Entrance to the ruins.


View of the Horizon and at the very back of the picture, picture of the Hotel we stayed at.

Taking Pills- Ahhhhh that's Terrible

The worst thing of us going to Mexico. Would had to, have been the Malaria Pills (Chloroquine). The after taste is very bitter and stays with you for what seems like hours. We had to take these 1 week prior and each week while there and for 4 weeks afterwards. Ginny is always amazed that I just take pills the hard way swallow them straight down with nothing to help them down.

Of all the useless things I can remember one of them is my Aunt Martha's Farm down in the Prescott Area of Ontario. I used to get sent there every summer when I was smaller. I hated it no running water, chamber pots and had to listen too Horrible Gospel Music all the time the old style Twangy, Nasal Country and Western stuff. I slept out on a sofa or mattress in the Hallway upstairs.

She used to give us all Cod Liver Oil Pills everyday. I had to chew my pills in those days as I could not swallow anything down. The taste was vile and made me gag each and every time. I remember managing to swallow the pills whole at Aunt Martha's
one summer. As I was so proud of myself I proceeded to swallow most of the bottle contents at the same time. I needed the chamber pot after that for a few days and I had to sleep out in the barn in the Hay Loft as well.

How do you manage to take your Medicine. ( Oh no " Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine goes down") AGHHHHHHHHHH, Help me "The Sound of Music" has attacked my brain. It is the most hateful film of all time. It is worse than Water Torture.

I saw that film 138 plus times as I worked in the Cinema when it first came out. I had the flipping film memorized and it still haunts me after all these years. I cannot get rid of the tune. Oh the horror of it all.


Down the Hatch. Open Wide.

Art Cafe Crepe-Puerto Aventuras Mexico

"Art Cafe Crepe" across from one of the Dolphin Ponds. You can sit under the umbrellas and watch the world go by.


Ginny along the boardwalk of the Marina in Puerto Aventuras. Just in front of Pacal's Cafe.




One of the high points of our visit to Puerto Aventuras was walking around the small community down along the Marina.
There are condos of every shape and size and Boats up and down the Canals. There are of course Shop, Cafes,Restaurants,Dolphin Centre and "The Art Cafe Crepe".

I do apologize Pascal that my computer key board is in English and not French. This is a wonderful place to sit have a light lunch or drink fancy coffees and watch the dolphins leap and play along the wharf.



Mother Dolphin with baby.
Enjoy some stimulating conversation with the Gravel Family who are from Quebec by the way. While basking in the sunshine and warm temperatures. Unlike what we are experiencing here in Nova Scotia at the moment. (wish we were back down south)


Weather conditions as of today here in Dartmouth.


If you are a bit more adventurous you can go swimming with the Dolphins right in the centre of the town. I do recommend that you take the time to stop and sample the coffee and the Crepes at the Art Cafe Crepe. They serve real Canadian Maple Syrup with the Crepes and of course Ice Cream. The Art work they sell there from local artists and the handicrafts are top notch. So please check it out if you are in the area. Well worth the visit. See you next time.

Mayan Coffee-With Xtabentun and Coconut Ice Cream

Picture of the xtabentun flower.

Here we are on our last night at the Dreams Puerto Adventuras in the El Patio Restaurant in front of the centre piece which is a tree with lights and hand blown glass red hearts and red rain drops.



Xtabentun is a flower that grows in the Yucatan, Mexico. This is an anise flavored liquor with honey from the Xtabentun. Another marvel from the Mayan world.

Here is our waiter Elucid starting to mix the flaming spirits constisting of Xtabentun and Coffee liquor. He starts by lighting a burner on a table and heating the glass in the flame. then he puts the heated end in a mixture of sugar and lime juice and then pours in Mexican coffee and adds Xtabentun and then Coconut Ice cream. He then takes a large metal spoon and gravy boat and heats them over the flame. He then takes a goodly amount of coffee liquor and Xtabentun and heats the liquid first then. As it heats it bursts into flame and he slowly pours the liquids back and forth from the spoon to the sauce contain. At the next to last moment puts more Xtabentun in and then -pours the flaming liquid unto the Coconut Ice cream in the glass.


You drink it while it is still partial alight. AHHHHHHHHH, Heavenly. Nice way to top off an Evening Meal on the shores of the Caribbean Ocean

Today the Goddess Bastet has come to claim one of Her Own

Patches our beloved Pet and Friend of over 18 years was called home today. I found her a small bedraggled, wet bundle of fur underneath our car at a Lodge meeting many years ago. At the time we had 3 other cats and a dog. Ginny gave me a sour look as I showed her what I had found at the roadside. I picked her up and she chose us and not the other way around. She has been a constant friend and companion ever since. Our lives have sadly changed today and not in the short term for the better.

Patches made our House a Home and a certain warmth and love has gone out of our lives.



We will miss you Baby Girl and will always think of you when ever we say Bacon ,open Tinned Milk or see little Calico Kittens or Cats. You will be greatly missed but never forgotten. May you find everything you love to do with your Goddess Bastet, who has taken you in her arms to look after you now.