DABBLER BOOK GIVEAWAY DETAILS AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE!

Alright fellow Canadians! Tax season’s upon us so I know the procrastination bug is going to start spreadin’ like wildfire with the CRA Personal Income Tax deadline looming on the horizon. But you must be strong and to help you fight it off, here’s a shot of the vaccine:

If you’re like most, you’ll be filing your return by April 30th and hoping for the best. Before you do that though, check out these tips. You may be pleasantly surprised…

• Do you drive your own car to work? Travel between your home and employer’s office is generally considered a personal expense, but if your boss asks you to make a business stop on the way in, the entire distance you travel that day may constitute business use (does a Tim Hortons run count as a business stop?!)

• Run your own business? Consider getting a line of credit from your financial institution. The interest incurred on a line of credit used exclusively for business purchases is tax deductible!

• Fees for summer day camps, sports schools and other recreational activities for kids may be deductible, too!

• Moving for a new job or school? You may be able to claim your travel and storage costs, fees for disconnecting and connecting utilities, and more – even if you don’t yet have a job lined up in your new city!

• If you’re a bike or foot courier, you can qualify for a meal deduction of $17 a day – without receipts!

• Skating lessons? Night school courses? You might be eligible for a tuition credit, if the person taking them is at least 16 and the class is taken through a certified educational institution

• Be sure to save those monthly bus passes – they’re eligible for a tax credit!

You can save a heck of a lot more than you think! To get the exact details on these and other great money saving tips, you’ve gotta pick up a copy of Personal Tax Planning 2007/2008, where you’ll find the most up-to-date tax information from a source you can trust, the CGA (Certified General Accountants Association of Canada). Published by Self-Counsel Press, it retails at $16.95.

This concise book outlines what you need to know to minimize the income tax you pay, or defer it for future years. Updated annually, it’s written in plain language so it’s easy to follow and it’s the same book that helps CGAs keep up with developments in the personal income tax field. Personal Tax Planning 2007/2008 addresses personal tax rates and features that are specific to the federal level as well as to each province and territory, and provides current information of interest to all Canadians on topics such as:

• Income splitting
• Investment income and expenses
• Federal and provincial/territorial non-refundable and other personal tax credits
• Business and self-employment income and expenses
• Marginal tax rates for various levels of ordinary income, capital gains, and dividends

…and much much more (there’s a lotta detailed info in this thing).

You’ve all worked too hard for your money! So we’re gonna save you your first $16.95 by offering a FREE copy of Personal Tax Planning 2007/2008 to the first ten Canadians who email me (quickly!) with their full contact info:

Full name
Full Address (including postal code)
Phone Number

Ok folks! This is The Bachelor Makeover Contest follow-up you’ve been waiting for!

Women are all about the details fellas. We notice the small tear that you’re trying to hide by rolling up your sleeves, whether you’ve starched that shirt or bothered to iron it, a bad shave or haircut, even when you’ve let your fingernails grow out past that acceptable length! We’re not saying that you need to get regular mani/pedi’s, but a little extra effort goes a long way, especially if you’re in search of that perfect someone.

Needless to say, most men could use a tip or two in the wooing department, which is why My Girlfriend and It’s Just Lunch teamed up for The Bachelor Makeover Contest, offering Vancouver bachelors the chance to win a potentially life-changing grand prize worth over $4,000 that includes a ‘home run’ makeover and a dream date for Valentine’s Day.

Well, West Vancouver’s Peter Weddigen was that deserving bachelor, seen here after the surprise announcement.

Unbeknownst to Peter, he was nominated by friend Len Chasten, along with his entire swim team! It’s Just Lunch’s Jacquie Brownridge and My Girlfriend’s Jill Hannan received no less than nine testimonials which attested to Peter’s rightful place as the bachelor of the year.

Peter is a total Tom Hanks,” said Len, “a solid citizen, nice guy, decent looking, totally responsible…[but] while every woman would love to marry Tom Hanks, they really want to date George Clooney, or Brad Pitt.”

Fellow swimmer Carole McClean wrote, “Peter is always ready to go out while the rest of the swim team are busy with family obligations. He needs obligations of his own!”

To see Peter’s full transformation, read on! Read the rest of this entry »

Hey folks! I’m a little late on this announcement but we’ve finally selected the winner for Daniel H. Wilson’s latest book, How to Build a Robot Army: Tips on Defending Planet Earth Against Alien Invaders, Ninjas, and Zombies!

Very impressed by this reader’s well-thought out response, we believe that he is by all accounts, the best contender in this competition. I promised online publication, so here is the winning entry for all of you to ponder and reflect on. The question was: What would wreak more havoc, aliens or exponentially multipliable zombies? Why?

Alien army, hands down. The optimist in me believes that, in spite of Hollywood’s suggestions, we have the intelligence and capabilities to take out zombies. Of course, I am going with the assumption that these zombies are brain dead and are driven by only the most basic of animal instincts. The 2 major strengths of the zombie notion are that they are multiplying rapidly due to a disease with no cure and no human immunities, and also that they are driven by no sense of fear or emotion. Say you are one person with some sort of weapon so that you can easily fend them off. If faced by non-zombies with a sense of self preservation, they would look for some sort of cover or retreat if they have no chance of victory. Zombies though, have no sense of self preservation, nor regard to opposing odds of survival so if there are enough of them, then they will surely overcome the victim. They can’t calculate and don’t realize that they could be shot or killed, or whatever. However, if it is only a few of them, then they can be wiped out. Take away a person’s sense of calculation or inherent self-preservation and all you are left with is an empty body running on the sole desire to feed. I can’t really call them animalistic because even an animal has that sense of survival. A zombie doesn’t understand using weapons or tools.

Aliens on the other hand, pose a threat of a much more advanced intelligence. And considering the fact that they have mastered space travel so that they can attack Earth in a coordinated effort, they are most likely more intelligent than humans. Their weapons are going to be far superior considering the fact that their technology is as well. I am not suggesting that they really have a higher intelligence as far as brain power (if so, then that is even worse). Let’s assume that they are no more intelligent than humans. If you put 2 military forces here on earth against each other – countries that have equal technologies – then it comes down to nothing more than simple man power and strategies. But if you were to take a country less technologically evolved against an army with more superior weapons, the scale leans more in favour of the latter. So considering the fact that the aliens have mastered space travel to the point that they can move vast armies to earth, then we can only assume they have a much superior weapon system. This leaves us with only the home field advantage. Gorilla warfare. We can use natural resources and landscapes to hopefully outsmart or outlast the aliens. However, we are facing a hostile force combat-ready who most likely has a good sense of warfare. And any military force looking to invade another territory has the common sense to send in recon so therefore knows the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses and the future battle grounds. The aliens have probably done their homework and aren’t coming in blind.

Personally I am not really a sci-fi fanatic. I watch movies and make fun of plot holes, but that is about it. All I am really going on here is what i believe to be common sense. That and a strong desire to have this book =D

Thank you Dustin Wilson, and CONGRATULATIONS on winning this contest!

Honourable mention goes to our runner-up entry from Chuck Pell, who also sent us a great response. No book for Chuck unfortunately, but he does receive an equally fantastic prize, one of our coveted Dabbler t-shirts! To read his entry, read on…

Read the rest of this entry »

Is it still taboo to talk about sex toys and lubes? Well, if we still have to give vibrators cutesy names like “The Rabbit” or ambiguous one like “The Magic Bullet,” then yeah, I’d say it’s still not quite the social norm. Wildly popular shows like Sex and The City however, have certainly made it quite clear that society is more than ready for a dramatic change in the way we view sensuality and pleasure. And as we tried to maneuver our way through the crowd of people down the aisles of the Taboo Naughty But Nice Sex Show in Vancouver this past weekend, the general public is obviously not only able to admit that they are curious, but also willing to explore new things in the realm of sex.

For anyone who’s ever wanted to, but have been embarrassed to attend one of these trade shows, you can rest assured that it’s neither intimidating, nor obscene or dirty. Like the operation of any other business out there, all the exhibitors are nothing but friendly and professional. You won’t feel pressured to buy anything and if you do make a purchase, you won’t feel like you have to hide it. The atmosphere is fun and relaxed, and the stage shows are always a draw. There are open seminars and workshops that teach you anything from how to to avoid dating disasters to how to find that elusive G-spot. It’s definitely not just about sex toys – There are booths for energy drinks, protein shakes, “clothing optional holidays,” skin care products, tattooes on the spot, anti-snoring solutions, aromatherapy, bed sheets, and even cancan dancers…and that’s just naming a few. There are contests and giveaways galore and raffle ticket sales for worthy causes like Aids Vancouver.

But let’s be frank here. What we all want to know about is what the latest sex toys are, right? Well, if that’s what you want, that’s what you’ll get! Click on the link below for the pleasure trove of goodies that we found at the Sex Show and keep an eye out for the fantastic giveaway that we’ve got for one lucky viewer, courtesy of our friends at the Little Shop of Pleasures!

Read the rest of this entry »

If running down to the corner store to pick up a Durex 12-pack is your idea of prepping for a date that you hope will turn into a sleepover, then you are in dire need of Jill Hannan and Jacquie Brownridge’s expert advice. Click on the video above for a crash course on how to impress your dream date the first time you bring her home.

And just in time for Valentine’s Day, My Girlfriend and It’s Just Lunch have partnered to present The Bachelor Makeover Contest. One deserving bachelor will be getting the full treatment from My Girlfriend à la Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, PLUS a one year membership to It’s Just Lunch, complete with dating tips to help him find the woman of his dreams.

So here’s the official callout for all busy professional men who haven’t been actively dating in a long time but want to. Do you know a great guy who keeps getting overlooked by the women he wants to date because of his appearance and outdated style; plus he lives in a typical bachelor pad with a bathroom that screams ‘enter at your own risk’? Then nominate him (or yourself) today! (Deadline: January 18, 2008).

For some bonus dating tips, read on!

Read the rest of this entry »

Life saving Dabbler contest details at the end of this article!

With a Ph.D in robotics, most will go on to dedicate their lives to the betterment of this science, offering up all the modern conveniences that you and I enjoy. Daniel H. Wilson had something more practical in mind however. As Hollywood has proven time and again, the fate of the human species hangs by a thread. You wash down the seemingly implausible plot lines with popcorn and coke, but take a moment and really think about it. What WILL you do when the aliens descend? Or for that matter when ninjas attack, or hordes of zombies begin their massacre. And don’t forget the vampires, werewolves, and even great white sharks.

In his first book, Wilson prepared us for the inevitable robot invasion with How To Survive a Robot Uprising (c’mon, if cars can park themselves now, is it really that far fetched?). While readers digested its critical content, he wrote Where’s My Jetpack? which outlined all the scientific advancements that were promised but failed to materialize, from flying cars, to ray guns and moon colonies, and even teleportation. He then obviously came to the realization that none of this mattered if the human race itself was in danger.

As our Dr. Wilson rationalizes in his latest book How to Build a Robot Army, “We all know that robots are bloodthirsty machines bent on wreaking havoc with humankind…[but] unlike our robotic creations, [aliens, ninjas, zombies and great white sharks] cannot be remote-controlled, reprogrammed, or shut down. Vampires lust for our blood, werewolves stalk our children, and rogue asteroids hurtle toward our defenseless planet. To survive, we must look beyond the human-killing potential of robots and see them for what they really are: humankind’s most powerful ally in the war against horror.”

Let’s face it, we can’t even defend ourselves from evil paper cuts. But “In stark contrast to puny people,” Wilson goes on to say, “robots are highly specialized metallic superheroes capable of delivering diesel-powered scissor kicks and launching rocket fists at any time. A well-balanced combination of robots, humans, and slightly robotic humans constitutes our best defense – no matter what monstrous foes those caffeine-addled Hollywood screenwriters concoct.”

So, “leading scientists in academia and industry contributed advice on every section of this book, whether it be mobilizing a team of metal-sheathed robots against zombies, staking out a werewolf-infested forest with auto-guns, or sending an autonomous underwater vehicle to hunt a man-killing great white shark. In this book you will learn about every aspect of assembling and deploying a devastating robot horde. From weaponizing robotic household appliances to controlling swarms of metallic minions, you will receive step-by-step instructions for selecting appropriate robots, training them to fight, and commanding them in battle. Read this book, gather an army of mechanical mercenaries, and join the fight to protect the human way of life.”

‘Nuf said. I don’t know about you, but I want to be around long enough to teleport to my fully-automated, self-contained skyscraper city in the germ-free utopia of tomorrow. And to that end, I offer you the chance to win a copy of this must-have one-of-a-kind guide to the survival of the human species.

For your chance to win a copy of Dr. Daniel H. Wilson’s How to Build a Robot Army, email me with your answer to the following question:

What would wreak more havoc, aliens or exponentially multipliable zombies? Why?

Contest ends Friday, January 11th, 2008. Creative responses will be published!

DABBLER GIVEAWAY BELOW!

From: Libations of Life: A Girl’s Guide to Life: One Cocktail at a Time

When life gives you lemons – slice, squeeze into a dry martini and drink!

With a hilariously irreverent take on life’s ups and downs, Libations of Life makes the perfect companion for the bittersweet dramas and disasters of the dating world. Bartender extraordinaire Dee Brun doles out a charismatic blend of cheeky and insightful relationship advice while guiding you on how to whip up the perfect drink for any situation:

Worried about your judgment? Make a don’t let me go home with him DAIQUIRI
Had to dump your man? This calls for a he had his SHOT
Next up? A plenty of fish in the sea SLING
Trying to cut back on calories? Try a control top COSMOPOLITAN

With special expert tips on what to do in the event of emergencies like encountering man boobs, mullets, or kankles, this book will leave you shaking, mixing and stirring like a pro.

For your chance to win a copy of Dee Brun’s Libations of Life, email me with the correct answer to this question:

In the video above, Dee lists three cocktails that can be found in the book. Name one of them.

Deadline for submissions is Friday October 19th, 2007.

That was the question that greeted me when I opened a package that I got in the mail the other day. Amused, I flipped open the lid of the metal box within it and noticed the familiar red letters that spelled out ‘Mars.’ But this wasn’t just chocolate; it was dark chocolate. With everyone becoming a little more health conscious and with dietitians and nutritionists loudly proclaiming the benefits of dark chocolate because of all its “heart healthy flavinoids and anti-oxidant properties,” confectionaries left and right have adapted their production to include this variety in their products. I didn’t much like dark chocolate at first but I’ve come to really enjoy it now. Keep in mind though, that it’s still a treat and should still be consumed in moderation. Too much of anything is never a good thing.

Anyhow, back to my surprise package. Surrounding the bar were other items that on their own, would seem insignificant: A large candle, a sleeping eye mask, a light stick, a movie pass, a small packet of bath wash. In this context though, I thought it was quite clever. You gotta admit introducing a dark chocolate bar this way is refreshing. I’ve seen my fair share of press releases and kits so when one comes along that amazes me, or in this case, gives me a chuckle, I make a note of it. It’s getting tougher for advertisers to come up with unique ways of catching people’s attention so I can appreciate a good effort.

Like I said before, I like to give away the stuff I get so this pack will be another one I’d like to pass on to you. If you’d like to win this Mars Dark bar box ‘o’ goodies, email me with your answer to the following question:

What do YOU like better in the dark? (and keep it clean folks).

I’m going to keep this contest within the Lower Mainland because there’s a movie gift certificate that might not work elsewhere so all you local chocolate lovers out there, email me! The deadline for submissions is Friday September 21st.

For some yummy recipes using a Mars Dark bar, read on!

Read the rest of this entry »

Now that you’ve seen how effective it is to communicate with your dogs using sign language, here’s your chance to learn how.

For your chance to win a copy of Mimic Mutt Sign Language DVD, email me with the reason why you and your dog need this (send me a picture too!) and don’t forget to include all your contact info: Full name, full address, telephone number and email address.

Deadline for submissions is Wednesday September 19th.

If you want one year of prosperity, plant corn.
If you want ten years of prosperity, plant trees.
If you want one hundred years of prosperity, educate people.
~ Chinese proverb

It’s so uplifting to see the masses becoming more and more aware of the climate issue that’s plaguing our world today. The sure-fire sign that the message is getting through is the fact that its effects are very quickly trickling down to businesses and how they now choose to operate.

Organic products have always seemed a tad on the expensive side for me. Financial circumstances have always impeded my ability to purchase more of them but I can see that it’s getting easier and easier. Organic fabrics were never really that readily available but when major retail chains like Cotton Ginny decide to switch to Eco-Ganic lines, suddenly affordability is no longer so much of a concern.

I bought my first organic CG hoodie when I attended EPIC: The Sustainable Living Expo back in April and it was then that I was also introduced to a really interesting new sustainable material that they were using in some of their items: Milk! I got a scarf that was made of 80% organic cotton and 30% protein from a milk source. Bizarre but true!

Now you can add organic denim to your list of must-have items. The feel and look of organic denim is indiscernible from your average denim. Now that it’s just as (or more so in this case) affordable, why would you opt to buy the more environmental harmful variety? What’s the difference you ask? How is this new material more environmentally friendly? Well, essentially, the cotton comes from the same plant. The important different lies in how that plant is maintained. With organic cotton, the plants thrive without the presence of any pesticides or other environmentally damaging products and methods. That’s why it’s important to support this type of product. Demand will inevitably lead to a larger supply, which in turn lowers cost so you gotta switch! Both the certified organic jean and jacket from CG will retail from $55 and $60 (plus).

Here’s a start! Spread the word about organic fabrics by sporting this funky denim bag from Cotton Ginny.

It’s made of the very same material that is featured on their new denim line: 98% organic cotton and 2% lycra. For your chance to win this bag, email me with the correct answer to the following question:

What’s the difference between denim and organic denim?

You’ve got until September 9th to submit your entry so email me today! And don’t forget to include your full name, address, and contact number.

In case you’re wondering, I have no affiliations with any of the companies from which all my prizes come. I’m never compensated for promoting anything on this site. The reason why I offer them to you guys is because I get them in the mail and I love to give away stuff, so just enjoy!