The Holiday Edition

Hello everyone (including people I've added to my mailing list in the last week-most of the newbies are people I write to most everyday but I want to include them because I love them too) So first thing's first... I have given a name to this weekly email (Ron's TGIF). Since Tammi named her email, I figure I should name mine as well because it offers you (the home viewer) the chance to scan your subject line of your emails and say one of two things: A) Wow! Another great email from Ron telling us all about his exciting life in Canada and the minutiae that fascinates him... or B) Just Great! Another one of those stinkin emails from Ron telling us all about his exciting life (*rolls eyes) in Canada (*like that's actually the name of a country, we all know he's really in prison) and the minutiae that fascinates him (because my life isn't busy enough without hearing from that hairy monkey)... See it's YOUR choice. (also if you wish to be removed from my weekly email update just drop me a line...keep it clean and free of threats of lawsuits...and I'll be ever to happy to not send it to you). Now that I've covered everything my attorneys have asked me to cover on to the big show... Well this weekend sees my one year wedding anniversary! Now I know most of you are thinking "How did he manage to fool Shelley for a whole year?" Well friends the answer is simple...hypnosis. She still hasn't caught on when I waive shiny objects in front of her. I can't tell you how amazing (and fast) the year has been. I owe a debt of gratitude to all of you in one way or another for making it successful and happy. This week, Dad Snyder and I caught the Jays home opener and BOY is it going to be a long season for the Blue Jays. We did have a good time though. In other sports new, things weren't any better for the Leafs tonight as they lost game one of the playoffs to Ottawa (yuck). On to better things. We had some great news this past week or so. First Steve and Tara are getting hitched! Congrats to them. More congrats to James and AJ who are expecting!!! This week also sees the debut of our new web domain. http://stamant.org We figured as long as we're moving to a new house, why not a new domain as well. So there's a new email address for me: ron@stamant.org you only have to change 3 letters!! the other one will work for a month or so longer but as soon as possible it will be shutting down so please change your address books :) Now the biggest news of all this week is that my long awaited Landing Ceremony is finally scheduled!!! Whew. April 20th I will be interviewed and hopefully granted Permanent Residency status in Canada. Shortly thereafter to receive my PR Card which will allow me to travel, apply for Health Insurance, etc. We will hopefully have some pictures of the ceremony when it happens. We're very excited (and nervous). 3 weeks till the new house...*gack* so much to do. Finally my deeper thought for the week: My mind is blown daily by the hearings in DC, and the continuing squabbles between the left and the right in regards to nearly everything. I love politics as much, and often more, than anyone. I understand the nature of partisanship. I understand, and hold fast, the value of questioning leadership, debating policy, and stating opposing viewpoints. It is what makes us free. It is what keeps us free. Thomas Jefferson wrote: "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance". Liberty is sacrosanct, and vigilance must be universal. It seems to me that too often these days, the very things that separate us- as a nation, a society, a civilization, are the very things that should make us stronger. We must be tolerant of others, and never mistake disagreement for antipathy. If we do, we suffer the same hyperbolic destructiveness that we as citizens of liberty are trying to defeat. In other, more eloquent words, show "eternal vigilance". Cheers, Ron