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A Bucket List

Just the other day, a colleague at work popped into my office and asked, “Chris, do you have a bucket list?” I was initially surprised by this question, but responded with a definite “yes!” After we conversed for a few minutes, we parted ways and I was left compiling a list in my head. Before I continue, I should define exactly what a “bucket list” is. 

• A list of things to do before you die. It comes from the term “kicked the bucket.”

Here are a handful of the most popular bucket list items 

• Break a world record
• Go skydiving
• Travel the world 
• Own a business
• Become a millionaire
• Ride a hot air balloon etc etc.

As I reviewed my personal list, I was reminded of an old quote.“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” Don’t ever be afraid to set your sights high, as all dreams are achievable through dedication and determination. 

My main “Bucket List” item: That somewhere down the road, people will share stories about the individuals that have touched their lives and these same people will say out loud, “They were good, but they were no Chris Toplack.” 

Only 5 Weeks Left!

Pub Stumpers Trivia Night comes to an end in 5 weeks! If you haven’t had a chance to join us, it takes place every Monday evening at 7:30pm at Smoke-N-Bones! 

Here’s what to expect:

• Great food
• Tough trivia
• A wide variety of prizes 
• Plenty of laughs provided by yours truly!

 Check out a few clips of tonight’s show on my Facebook Fan Page

Ultimate Fighting Weekly – Episode 8

On this edition of the program: UFC On Fox 7, drug failures, a Georges St-Pierre injury, Miesha Tate and Joe Rogan sound off on Fallon Fox and “Ask The Top.”

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN 

Easy Ways to Save Money

Let’s be honest for a second, we could all be better at saving money. I didn’t start learning how to properly save until many years ago when I moved away from home and had to learn to depend on myself. It was a wake up call, but one that taught me many valuable lessons. Learning how to effectively cut back on my spending habits was perhaps the most important of all. Here are a few tips that have always worked wonders for me.

Don’t Always Depend On Your Credit Card – It’s easy to spend money when it doesn’t immediately come out of your bank account. Several weeks later, you receive a bill in the mail and realize that most of those purchases weren’t even necessary. I only use my credit card for fuelling my car. This tends to keep my Visa bill under control. 

Pack A Lunch – Dining out for lunch certainly adds up in a hurry. By packing a lunch on a daily basis, you could easily save $20 a week.

Create A Budget – Excel is perhaps the most useful tool in creating an organized, easy to follow spreadsheet. Start with a weekly budget and ease yourself into a monthly budget. 

Avoid Impulse Purchases – My impulse purchases tend to be food, clothing and colognes. Although the task itself can be rather difficult at times, I attempt to avoid each of them altogether. Therefore, I will not be tempted to make an unexpected purchase. 

Distinguish Between Needs and Wants – You may want that brand new shirt from your favourite store, but do you really need it? Ask yourself this question with every purchase that you make. 

Make Your Own Coffee – I know, I know. It tastes much better at Starbucks and Tim Hortons, but brewing your own blend at home will save you a great deal of money in the long run.

Pay Your Bills On Time – Paying your bills on time will cut back on insanely high interest rates and late fees.

Ultimate Fighting Weekly – Episode 7

Ultimate Fighting Weekly Episode 7 is NOW available!

CLICK HERE

Signs You Are Watching A Bad Movie

After a long day at work or school, do you ever make a bowl of popcorn, flop on the couch, put your feet up and throw on a movie? This sounds like quite the relaxing evening. Unfortunately, it could also be an evening full of regrets. 

Signs you’re watching a bad movie courtesy of msn.com 

• It comes “from the makers of Scary Movie”
• J-Lo is looking for a husband
• A male and female swap bodies
• Gerard Butler is American
• It is post “Dreamgirls” and Eddie Murphy’s in it
• It stars someone from “Wayne’s World” who isn’t Mike Myers
• It has the word “ninja” in the title
• Guy Ritchie is directing Madonna
• It’s a sequel you’ve never heard of..
• Adam Sandler wrote and starred in it

Another Big Success

Thanks to everyone who came out to Smoke-N-Bones for Pub Stumpers Trivia Night. It was a packed house and I had a blast hosting. Join us every Monday for trivia, food, laughter and chance to win various prizes! 

Neti Pot Review

Millions of Canadian’s suffer from nasal problems and are constantly seeking different forms of relief. Sprays and allergy medication tend to be the most common solution to this ongoing issue. For years, I have met dozens of individuals who have raved about the benefits of the Neti Pot. I decided to test out this product first hand to see if it truly lived up to the positive reviews.

The brand I chose: NeilMed Sinus Rinse Neti Pot

How to Use a Neti Pot:

Step 1: Boil some water and once cooled, pour it into the pot.

Step 2: Pour in the Sinus Rinse mixture packet.

Step 3: Stand in front of a sink, lean forward and tilt your head to one side. Keep your mouth open without holding your breath. You place the tip of the pot in one nasal passage and allow the solution to flow until the solution starts draining from the opposite nasal passage.

Step 4: Gently blow your nose.

Result

After following the instructions, my nasal passages were clear and I was able to breathe, but the results were only temporary. The symptoms of my cold were back within 15 minutes and I was left unable to breathe through either. nostrils. I can understand the appeal of the Neti Pot, but would instead recommend the Vicks VAPOINHALER or the Otrivin Saline Nasal Spray.

The Neti Pot 6.5/10

I will revisit this product once my cold passes.

Additional Information

http://www.neilmed.com/can/netipot.php

Ultimate Fighting Weekly – Episode 6

Can you believe we are already on episode 6!?! Wow. Thanks for the support! 

Topics discussed on this edition of the show: UFC on Fox Sports 1, a new UFC 160 co-main event, UFC 161, UFC 162, Nick Diaz from the recent conference call, Ask The Top and my predictions for UFC 158. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE SHOW

How to Become a Better Listener

We live in a world full of endless distractions which directly affects our ability to listen intently. In my opinion, listening is perhaps the most important aspect in any dialogue. The funny thing is, we can all learn to be a better listener. But how? 

Eliminate Distractions: In order to provide an individual with your full attention, you should avoid multi-tasking or anything that steers away your attention.  

Make Eye Contact: Nothing says “I could care less about what you’re telling me” like avoiding eye contact. It shows that you are being attentive.

Stop Talking: It’s perhaps the most obvious piece of advice, but you should wait for your turn to speak. 

Don’t Interrupt: It’s proper etiquette to allow the party to finish what he/she is saying before you chime in.

Asking Meaningful Questions: When appropriate, feel free to ask thought provoking questions that may allow the individual to reach their own conclusions.

“We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than we say.”  – Zeno 

Additional Information:

www.wikihow.com