The Internet needs a garbage man. I can not believe the people who start web site after web site and abandon them.
Cyber garbage is becoming a HUGE problem. In the research for motorcycle riding clubs - just in our Canadian Community alone - the amount of web sites that are dead - have not been updated in two or more years is staggering. If you are closing down a group - why would you not close down your web site?
Businesses - same thing. AME Motorcycle Magazine here in Alberta has not operated in years, neither has Northern Rider & Harley-Davidson Man - although it is rumored that JD Boyd is going to try and resurrect the magazine (In my humble opinion - as much as I think JD is one of the most colorful characters the Canadian Riding Community has - he hurts people like me who try to be consistent and diligent with the delivery of their publication as he takes advertisers money then disappears for a year or two at a time).
I am not sure whether people forget they have a web site or a forum or what the deal is but it is one of the most frustrating things in the world when you are trying to find solid information on things.
A lot of the other Cyber Garbage is caused by people who think they need a web site for everything they do instead of just adding a page in their existing site or blog for their new adventure or venture and buying a domain name to direct people to that new page.
This disposable society of ours just abandons things they create and leave the mess for others to wade through and that's a dilemma not just here on the internet but everywhere.
I wonder - does anyone know if the internet has a garbage can or a garbage man? If not HOW could we set one up???? I have done some searching but have found nothing that would enable a person to assist in the clean up of the internet...One day - soon I hope.
In the news today:
It appears that there is a rather nasty fight going on in BC. over the POPKUM MOTORCYCLE RANCH (PMR).
Johnny Pag Motorcycles is coming out with a liquid cooled V-Twin bike for 2010.
In Ontario a former motorcycle racer is being sentenced next week in a really bizarre incident.
In New Brunswick a driver who is being tried for killing a motorcyclist while reportedly making an illegal U turn has pleaded not guilty.
There's lots in sports today too so if you have a few minutes and motorcycle sports is your bag, check it out on the What's Hot Page...
Now that we appear to have ironed out the little kinks in the voting for our Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine, things seem to be perking right along. I am so curious as to who will win in the 16 categories we are handing prizes out in.
March 5th the winners will be announced...get your votes in! You can vote in all 16 categories for the bikes of your choice - ONCE EVERY 24 HRS.
Our Hotel and Motel Survey and our Campground Survey need your input - if you haven't taken one...why not? They are each 10 short questions that will help us to improve customer service for motorcyclists!
Our Best and Worst Customer Service Contest kind of got left behind a bit - I want to hear your worst customer service experience and or your BEST customer service story. We are giving away a BDB shirt. You can join our Face Book Group: Biker/Rider Friendly Businesses in Canada to help us out and maybe win a Tee Shirt!
If you are amongst the lucky and can ride that motorcycle of yours today PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you!
Have a FABULOUS day and I will talk to you all on Monday.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP - Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists Canada
www.aim-can.com
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Friday, February 05, 2010
Insurance, companies, brokers and YOUR BIKE...
It's that time of year when insuring your ride is on your mind. We here in the great white north have been suffering from PMS - Parked Motorcycle Syndrome, we have indulged in SOS - Shiny Object Syndrome to try and assuage our needs through the various motorcycle shows but NOTHING replaces our ride...
Having said that there have been a number of emails circulating where in people are "Bit#hing, grousing and grumbling" about insurance. It's cost, it's coverages and the companies and brokers who sell it.
A number of provinces have government insurance and unfortunately if you choose to live there and you want to ride you are going to pay through the nose - literally - I am referring to Quebec predominantly.
Hubby and I had toyed with perhaps moving back to Chomedey QC or back to Mara Lake BC and both got vetoed once we discovered the insurance costs and costs of owning a home there. Just not in our financial futures...
Insurance is an important purchase and I want to have some honest discussion - I do not want company bashing - I want discussion on the kinds of insurance you have, the cost, the coverage.
We need insurance reform in Canada - we ALL know that. How do we do it is the biggest question. Each province has its own set of rules and laws...But perhaps if we start some thoughtful and honest discussion, solutions and ideas will present themselves that will help you, me and every rider out there get a better bang for our buck and ensure that when an accident happens we have the help and funds we need to look after ourselves.
Richard Spinz started some major discussion with Bruno from Ryder's Roost and has agreed to have his thoughts printed here - he is from Ontario -
BIKE INSURANCE
If you feel you got cheated out of some votes on the 3rd because of the little hiccups we experienced when we kicked off the voting, have your friends email our web mistress to tell her which picture and class and she will add the vote from the admin screen - we can't have anyone upset - this is supposed to be fun! (ali4evr@gmail.com)
Having said that there have been a number of emails circulating where in people are "Bit#hing, grousing and grumbling" about insurance. It's cost, it's coverages and the companies and brokers who sell it.
A number of provinces have government insurance and unfortunately if you choose to live there and you want to ride you are going to pay through the nose - literally - I am referring to Quebec predominantly.
Hubby and I had toyed with perhaps moving back to Chomedey QC or back to Mara Lake BC and both got vetoed once we discovered the insurance costs and costs of owning a home there. Just not in our financial futures...
Insurance is an important purchase and I want to have some honest discussion - I do not want company bashing - I want discussion on the kinds of insurance you have, the cost, the coverage.
We need insurance reform in Canada - we ALL know that. How do we do it is the biggest question. Each province has its own set of rules and laws...But perhaps if we start some thoughtful and honest discussion, solutions and ideas will present themselves that will help you, me and every rider out there get a better bang for our buck and ensure that when an accident happens we have the help and funds we need to look after ourselves.
Richard Spinz started some major discussion with Bruno from Ryder's Roost and has agreed to have his thoughts printed here - he is from Ontario -
BIKE INSURANCE
I have been looking around for years for a company that will give me 2nd bike insurance at lower than the full price premium...no success. Every company I have queried has asked for FULL PREMIUM for a 2nd bike even though I argue that I am the only rider and can only ride one bike at a time. Though I am in my 60`s with an excellent driving-riding record and NO CLAIMS, no matter. Full fare is demanded by every company. It makes me believe there is collusion and price fixing in the insurance industry. How to prove that, who knows. What to do about it, who knows. I know the prov. govt. is not going to do a damn thing about it. One never bites that hand that feeds you...and insurance companies, undoubtedly financially support political parties in power during every election campaign. Chris Hedges, an American Pulitzer Prize winning author writes a superb book, The Empire of Illusions, about the conspiracies behind every scene in the United States...TV, media, govt, oil, welfare support, health financing, and he would likely agree, in the insurance industry.
The only ``out`` for me with the insurance would be to take ``strictly liability`` coverage and even then the premium of $1200 a year drops by a mere $100...great deal !!! Ask me if I am discouraged. Ask me if I am upset. Almost makes me want to consider whether riding is worth all the cost. At the moment, I can still afford this luxury...for how long.
It is sad that the little man really has no recourse to the Bull Shit behind the insurance industry. I guess if they really jacked up premiums for those who make claims or push for big time health compensation, the companies wouldn't make enough profit to satisfy their shareholders. So instead, lets just bash everyone with little bumps to premiums. There is nothing those poor slobs can do about it except pay. That`s me baby !!!
Richard Szpin
The only ``out`` for me with the insurance would be to take ``strictly liability`` coverage and even then the premium of $1200 a year drops by a mere $100...great deal !!! Ask me if I am discouraged. Ask me if I am upset. Almost makes me want to consider whether riding is worth all the cost. At the moment, I can still afford this luxury...for how long.
It is sad that the little man really has no recourse to the Bull Shit behind the insurance industry. I guess if they really jacked up premiums for those who make claims or push for big time health compensation, the companies wouldn't make enough profit to satisfy their shareholders. So instead, lets just bash everyone with little bumps to premiums. There is nothing those poor slobs can do about it except pay. That`s me baby !!!
Richard Szpin
So let's talk about insurance, your needs, your coverage and the costs...hopefully I will be able to get some brokers from the various provinces to weigh in on this discussion!
If you wiegh in on the discussion I want to know:
Where you live - province..
What you ride...
What you are covered for...
What kind of driving/riding record you have - don't need details just...speeding tickets, clean record etc...
How much you pay... and then your thoughts on this touchy and volatile subject!
If you wiegh in on the discussion I want to know:
Where you live - province..
What you ride...
What you are covered for...
What kind of driving/riding record you have - don't need details just...speeding tickets, clean record etc...
How much you pay... and then your thoughts on this touchy and volatile subject!
In the news today:
The Second Gear Club has changed the venue for this weekend's ice race...
The Canadian Stunt Riding Championship's Calendar is out and up for sale - help these guys out and buy a calendar!
Deeley Harley-Davidson is at the Quebec Motorcycle Show this weekend...
And if you like comedy and live in Grande Prairie AB and area...Mike the Party HOG is performing here from the 15-20th of February...
If like me you can not ride - the Beat the PMS Blues on Line Show 'n' Shine is a good place to go and day dream - vote on some bikes and help someone win some prizes. We did have a couple of kinks with the voting - you can only vote once per picture in a 24 hour period...
If you feel you got cheated out of some votes on the 3rd because of the little hiccups we experienced when we kicked off the voting, have your friends email our web mistress to tell her which picture and class and she will add the vote from the admin screen - we can't have anyone upset - this is supposed to be fun! (ali4evr@gmail.com)
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today - I don't want to hear about it but I do want you to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.
Have an incredible day...
Belt Drive Betty
National VP - Alliance of Injured Motorcyclists Canada
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Emotional rollercoasters are all part of a day in business...
Well folks, it appears that good old Belt Drive Betty and a band of roving gypsies will be heading to Digby Nova Scotia and the Wharf Rat Rally. There are a ton of details yet to be worked out - the riding schedule, the stops, the press conferences and small side shows but holy cow gang - this is going to be HUGE! Go Travel Canada dot Com is the major sponsor of Belt Drive Betty's Wharf Rat Rally Awareness Conga.
The ride will start out with Mike Cole from the winter ride for Diabetes joining me and hubby in Grande Prairie, from there the itinerary is basically, to Edmonton, Lloydminster, Saskatoon and Regina. Into Winnipeg to hook up with Daryl Makk and the Planet Tour. From there the schedule needs to be worked out, which dealerships, what towns and cities and what days...I know that Shaun de Jager from Road Awareness dot ca will be joining us if not for the rest of the trip - for a leg of it at least. Somewhere during this ride we will be crossing paths with the National Ride for Dad and hope to hook up with them for a bit. Plan on doing Petawawa and a Red Friday's event.
We'd love to have as many riders join us along the way be it for an hour, a day or the whole trip. Our sponsor is offering up terrific room rates and the awareness we intend to create for our causes will hopefully be as stellar as we envision.
Mike of course will be promoting Diabetes Awareness, and Daryl Makk will be promoting his Planet Tour and the cause of injured riders (A.I.M. Can) and I will be promoting the cause of injured riders (A.I.M. Can) and riding in northern Alberta - Shaun de Jager will be promoting the cause of driver/rider awareness and injured riders (A.I.M.Can). Any funds raised by the ride will be supporting "Give the Kids the World" - sending terminally ill children to the Kid's Village in Orlando Florida to go to Disney World.
I will have a whole ton more that I can tell you next week but folks - this is a really big deal for this girl. When we get in to Digby to celebrate being a rider in Canada it will be at Canada's largest motorcycle rally - the Wharft Rat Rally - 6 days 23,000+ bikes and all kinds of fabulous guests and entertainment. I hope some of you will consider joining us along the way or for the whole trip....as soon as I can share more, I will.
In the news today: Our server is having maintenance done and will not be able to send the Busted Knuckle Chronicles out until a bit later today - first time I think we have ever been late with the paper...
If you have a spare $100K dollars you can join the Edelweiss Tours Around the World in 248 days and experience the extremes that our planet have to offer...(30 countries on five continents, taking riders from modern cities to remote villages, across five-lane interstates and narrow dirt tracks, from arid deserts to tropical rain forests, in some of the world’s richest and poorest countries.)
A former Hell's Angel who ratted out the club and helped police arrest 150 members got 3 million dollars for his efforts. Not only that but he won't face jail time for any of his misdeeds like murder...
You fortunate human beings who are riding your motorcycle today - can you perhaps coax mother nature into listening to the ground hog and bring us here in the frozen north an early spring - please....
Ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you!
For everyone else, you can join us and spend some time voting on bikes and day dreaming like I do...the Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine is now in the voting stage - 30 days to see which bike wins in each category!
Have a marvellous day - I plan to.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists Canada
www.aim-can.com
The ride will start out with Mike Cole from the winter ride for Diabetes joining me and hubby in Grande Prairie, from there the itinerary is basically, to Edmonton, Lloydminster, Saskatoon and Regina. Into Winnipeg to hook up with Daryl Makk and the Planet Tour. From there the schedule needs to be worked out, which dealerships, what towns and cities and what days...I know that Shaun de Jager from Road Awareness dot ca will be joining us if not for the rest of the trip - for a leg of it at least. Somewhere during this ride we will be crossing paths with the National Ride for Dad and hope to hook up with them for a bit. Plan on doing Petawawa and a Red Friday's event.
We'd love to have as many riders join us along the way be it for an hour, a day or the whole trip. Our sponsor is offering up terrific room rates and the awareness we intend to create for our causes will hopefully be as stellar as we envision.
Mike of course will be promoting Diabetes Awareness, and Daryl Makk will be promoting his Planet Tour and the cause of injured riders (A.I.M. Can) and I will be promoting the cause of injured riders (A.I.M. Can) and riding in northern Alberta - Shaun de Jager will be promoting the cause of driver/rider awareness and injured riders (A.I.M.Can). Any funds raised by the ride will be supporting "Give the Kids the World" - sending terminally ill children to the Kid's Village in Orlando Florida to go to Disney World.
I will have a whole ton more that I can tell you next week but folks - this is a really big deal for this girl. When we get in to Digby to celebrate being a rider in Canada it will be at Canada's largest motorcycle rally - the Wharft Rat Rally - 6 days 23,000+ bikes and all kinds of fabulous guests and entertainment. I hope some of you will consider joining us along the way or for the whole trip....as soon as I can share more, I will.
In the news today: Our server is having maintenance done and will not be able to send the Busted Knuckle Chronicles out until a bit later today - first time I think we have ever been late with the paper...
If you have a spare $100K dollars you can join the Edelweiss Tours Around the World in 248 days and experience the extremes that our planet have to offer...(30 countries on five continents, taking riders from modern cities to remote villages, across five-lane interstates and narrow dirt tracks, from arid deserts to tropical rain forests, in some of the world’s richest and poorest countries.)
A former Hell's Angel who ratted out the club and helped police arrest 150 members got 3 million dollars for his efforts. Not only that but he won't face jail time for any of his misdeeds like murder...
You fortunate human beings who are riding your motorcycle today - can you perhaps coax mother nature into listening to the ground hog and bring us here in the frozen north an early spring - please....
Ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you!
For everyone else, you can join us and spend some time voting on bikes and day dreaming like I do...the Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine is now in the voting stage - 30 days to see which bike wins in each category!
Have a marvellous day - I plan to.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists Canada
www.aim-can.com
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Inconsideration - how do YOU deal with it?
I am so frustrated I could spit nails and build a house in no time flat.
I get criticized for being too honest and sometimes too negative - well this is one of those honesty/negative times folks so if you don't want to hear it - I suggest you close your browser now and go elsewhere this morning cause I am laying it out with both barrels. If I don't, I feel like I will explode and since all I ever do these days is work - I have no social life outside of my work - my support network is you guys - so, you guys get to hear my sad, pathetic little tale of woe...
I am a person of my word. If I say I am going to do something. I do it.
If I can't, I tell you I can't. It is one of the things I was taught as one of the fundamentals of the "Biker" way.
So, why can't others offer the same consideration? I get it that things change for people, lives get busy and crap happens - but is there any reason that you can't have the decency, the courtesy to drop a line and say so? When you step up or commit to doing a job, why can't you either do it or at least be considerate enough to say you can't???
I guess I must expect too much from others.
I want our events calendars to be different from those of Motorcycle Monster and Let's Ride where they just put them out there and you can submit to them if you want to and if there are no events listed in a state or province - who cares, the people who own the sites don't seem to. (Or maybe they are just going with human nature instead of fighting it the way I always seem to)
I want our motorcycle event calendars to be filled with accurate information, I want them to be a valuable tool for our community. I care that what we do here at Belt Drive Betty adds some value to this community because I am a part of this community. The people who have said they would help and haven't don't realize that they are not just hurting me and my reputation but that they are actually hurting the whole community.
Compliments and thanks are always nice and appreciated - but right now, since some of the people I have been relying on to help haven't - what I need is HELP from the event/ride/run coordinators both for profit and non profit.
For the most part event/ride/run coordinators never think to up date their stuff - they'll add it once and forget it. (Or they want me/us to do it for them - People - please, there are over 900 of you and one of me.) In most cases the people we deal with are volunteers and are usually over worked or they leave a group or step down from a position and don't tell the new person what they have done or where.
So if we want good event calendars it means going to every web site, every event coordinator old or new and asking if they want their stuff posted/updated. I can not afford to pay people to do that job and since I am so busy with the myriad of other things that I have had to take on to pay the bills and keep the lights on - if your riding club, if your group wants the publicity, if your event wants the publicity - then people - I need you to step up and help. Adding events to our new calendars is easy and Ali has some pointers she shares with you that if you follow them, it's really easy!
If you know of an event, PLEASE add it to the calendars. Help all of us to have a good riding season, help your community - your charity or your riding club to grow and flourish - SHARE THE INFORMATION - take two minutes and add that event - PLEASE!
How do you - in your riding club, business or life in general deal with inconsideration and those who commit to doing something and then don't - what do you do to prevent the frustration from driving you insane? I am always looking for suggestions, ideas and better ways of coping.... your feedback and assistance is ALWAYS appreciated.
In the news today:
BMW is gaining ground in motorcycle sales, a 54% increase in January here in Canada.
A man points out that the protests at the Surrey Courthouse over the treatment of Cpl Monty Robinson is about JUSTICE and not motorcycles.
Another reader from the Province points out the obvious to a former RCMP officer...
Thane Silliker reminds us that the London Motorcycle Expo is coming soon and your help is sought in the disappearance of a young gal from Ontario.
If you are a lucky bugger and are riding today - ride that motorcycle like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. Oh and if you have a few moments - drop in to our on line show 'n' shine and vote for your favourite machine in each category. The picture with the most votes in each category will win!
Have a great day...
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP - A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
I get criticized for being too honest and sometimes too negative - well this is one of those honesty/negative times folks so if you don't want to hear it - I suggest you close your browser now and go elsewhere this morning cause I am laying it out with both barrels. If I don't, I feel like I will explode and since all I ever do these days is work - I have no social life outside of my work - my support network is you guys - so, you guys get to hear my sad, pathetic little tale of woe...
I am a person of my word. If I say I am going to do something. I do it.
If I can't, I tell you I can't. It is one of the things I was taught as one of the fundamentals of the "Biker" way.
So, why can't others offer the same consideration? I get it that things change for people, lives get busy and crap happens - but is there any reason that you can't have the decency, the courtesy to drop a line and say so? When you step up or commit to doing a job, why can't you either do it or at least be considerate enough to say you can't???
I guess I must expect too much from others.
I want our events calendars to be different from those of Motorcycle Monster and Let's Ride where they just put them out there and you can submit to them if you want to and if there are no events listed in a state or province - who cares, the people who own the sites don't seem to. (Or maybe they are just going with human nature instead of fighting it the way I always seem to)
I want our motorcycle event calendars to be filled with accurate information, I want them to be a valuable tool for our community. I care that what we do here at Belt Drive Betty adds some value to this community because I am a part of this community. The people who have said they would help and haven't don't realize that they are not just hurting me and my reputation but that they are actually hurting the whole community.
Compliments and thanks are always nice and appreciated - but right now, since some of the people I have been relying on to help haven't - what I need is HELP from the event/ride/run coordinators both for profit and non profit.
For the most part event/ride/run coordinators never think to up date their stuff - they'll add it once and forget it. (Or they want me/us to do it for them - People - please, there are over 900 of you and one of me.) In most cases the people we deal with are volunteers and are usually over worked or they leave a group or step down from a position and don't tell the new person what they have done or where.
So if we want good event calendars it means going to every web site, every event coordinator old or new and asking if they want their stuff posted/updated. I can not afford to pay people to do that job and since I am so busy with the myriad of other things that I have had to take on to pay the bills and keep the lights on - if your riding club, if your group wants the publicity, if your event wants the publicity - then people - I need you to step up and help. Adding events to our new calendars is easy and Ali has some pointers she shares with you that if you follow them, it's really easy!
If you know of an event, PLEASE add it to the calendars. Help all of us to have a good riding season, help your community - your charity or your riding club to grow and flourish - SHARE THE INFORMATION - take two minutes and add that event - PLEASE!
How do you - in your riding club, business or life in general deal with inconsideration and those who commit to doing something and then don't - what do you do to prevent the frustration from driving you insane? I am always looking for suggestions, ideas and better ways of coping.... your feedback and assistance is ALWAYS appreciated.
In the news today:
BMW is gaining ground in motorcycle sales, a 54% increase in January here in Canada.
A man points out that the protests at the Surrey Courthouse over the treatment of Cpl Monty Robinson is about JUSTICE and not motorcycles.
Another reader from the Province points out the obvious to a former RCMP officer...
Thane Silliker reminds us that the London Motorcycle Expo is coming soon and your help is sought in the disappearance of a young gal from Ontario.
If you are a lucky bugger and are riding today - ride that motorcycle like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. Oh and if you have a few moments - drop in to our on line show 'n' shine and vote for your favourite machine in each category. The picture with the most votes in each category will win!
Have a great day...
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP - A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
When will the Police Services of this country learn???
Another sad and tragic case of a police office drunk driving and the "light" consequences faced by this officer sees the Winnipeg force in the lights today.
According to the article:
His blood-alcohol level was nearly triple the legal limit. He was driving his motorcycle into oncoming traffic. He crashed into the median, injuring both himself and his helmetless female passenger. And he walked away with a $1,500 fine, a one-year licence suspension and continued employment as a Winnipeg police officer.
OK Folks - I understand how dangerous and demanding the job is. I understand how scary and how mentally damaging it can be - but really? This is the punishment?
I think the upper echelons of the force need some training on identifying issues with their staff and I think the sentences for officers need to be as tough or tougher than on you or me. They after all are the ones meeting out many of the punishments for breaking the law and lord knows many of them look at themselves as judge and jury at the road side and truly the police control this country more than the politicians do anymore.
My personal opinion is that this man, like Cpl Robinson should loose their jobs - a criminal record should preclude you from being an officer, but hey, what do I know I am just a mouthy old broad...I find it insulting that police officers can get away with so much and we ordinary citizens - well we'd be jacked up for a long time if we did something this stupid...
In other news: Corner Grass kicks some serious butt on the ice, in Red Deer a member of the Hells Angels reportedly gets in to a brawl with two women...
According to the article:
His blood-alcohol level was nearly triple the legal limit. He was driving his motorcycle into oncoming traffic. He crashed into the median, injuring both himself and his helmetless female passenger. And he walked away with a $1,500 fine, a one-year licence suspension and continued employment as a Winnipeg police officer.
OK Folks - I understand how dangerous and demanding the job is. I understand how scary and how mentally damaging it can be - but really? This is the punishment?
I think the upper echelons of the force need some training on identifying issues with their staff and I think the sentences for officers need to be as tough or tougher than on you or me. They after all are the ones meeting out many of the punishments for breaking the law and lord knows many of them look at themselves as judge and jury at the road side and truly the police control this country more than the politicians do anymore.
My personal opinion is that this man, like Cpl Robinson should loose their jobs - a criminal record should preclude you from being an officer, but hey, what do I know I am just a mouthy old broad...I find it insulting that police officers can get away with so much and we ordinary citizens - well we'd be jacked up for a long time if we did something this stupid...
In other news: Corner Grass kicks some serious butt on the ice, in Red Deer a member of the Hells Angels reportedly gets in to a brawl with two women...
Anniversary BMW R1200R raises $20,800 - bike is sold to raise funds for children's rights organization and if you really feel the need to talk while riding - you and three buddies can now talk using the Scala G4 Bluetooth head set.
If you are among the fortunate who are riding, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. For the rest of us, voting for the Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine begins tomorrow!
Have an incredible day folks!
Belt Drive Betty - www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists - www.aim-can.com
Monday, February 01, 2010
Identity Theft, Wills, Contracts, Law Suits....
What do all of the above have in common?
They will all involve lawyers at one point or another.
Can you afford a lawyer? Do you have a lawyer, do you KNOW a lawyer?
What will you do when you need a lawyer?
If you are like me, you can't afford a lawyer at an average of $200+ per hour.
I need my will to be revised, I have contracts I really should have some one look at, but I can't afford it, lawyers simply are out of reach for someone like me.
Then there's the whole identity theft thing - now there's something that's scary.
A year ago a friend of mine asked me what I thought about Pre Paid Legal Services - not knowing much, being busy, I looked in to it in a cursory fashion, I was unsure as to my thoughts on the subject and told her so. But then I started hearing about it this service more, seeing their people and ads...then I met Wayne Wald at the Edmonton Motorcycle Show.
At first, although I was interested in what he had to say, I was also very sceptical.
I am so sick of the multi level marketing businesses with the never ending food and health products, many of those products work - marginally or not at all.
I need to earn a pretty decent income in order to pay down the debt from the Canadian Championship of Custom Bike Building and the financial disaster the Olds Show in July of 2007 was. So far, I just manage to pay the interest on the credit card debt I am packing from that. So I have been looking at alternate businesses that I could get in to that would allow me the opportunity to do just that - increase the quality of my life by becoming more financially secure.
I have explored Mila - which although I use the product myself, is not something I want to be "selling". I have explored Mona Vie and Amway. These are NOT the types of things I want to sell. I don't like several of Amway's products and they are in my opinion expensive. Mona Vie, well - I am unsure of it - totally unsure. Mila, it works for me but that doesn't mean it will work the same for everyone. No this multi level, bug your friends, attend "bible" camp type work shops, they frighten me and they are expensive. Commissions have to be paid some how.
This legal thing though - this interests me predominantly because I am a small business owner. For $35 per month I can have a lawyer on retainer for every specialty I could possibly need. Is it a scam? HMMMM - I am still unsure. I have read several complaints on line, I have read some great testimonials too. If any of you out there have had anything to do with Pre Paid Legal or any of the pre paid lawyer services I'd appreciate hearing from you.
Whether I get into something like this as a business owner and just use the services that come as part of the membership or I also get in to the business side of this service - I feel it is something that I need and want to know more about. I am less sceptical than I was, but I am still not sold that it is the right fit for me on either of the two levels.
I'll let you know how the research goes....
The news feeds are really quiet so far this morning - perhaps by the time Ali starts work it will be busier....
If you are riding - please be safe.
If not, you can go peruse the bikes in our show 'n' shine - we have 25 people that we have contacted this morning who had trouble loading their pictures - they have been given 24 hours to get them to me or Ali to load for them.
On the third of February we open up the voting galleries and may the best bike in each category win. Including People's Choice we have prizes for 16 categories in to third place! The Rat class had no entries this year!
Good luck to all those who have entered...there are some sweet rides in there and looking at those motorcycles makes the PMS worse some days and better the others...
Have a fantastic day...
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com
They will all involve lawyers at one point or another.
Can you afford a lawyer? Do you have a lawyer, do you KNOW a lawyer?
What will you do when you need a lawyer?
If you are like me, you can't afford a lawyer at an average of $200+ per hour.
I need my will to be revised, I have contracts I really should have some one look at, but I can't afford it, lawyers simply are out of reach for someone like me.
Then there's the whole identity theft thing - now there's something that's scary.
A year ago a friend of mine asked me what I thought about Pre Paid Legal Services - not knowing much, being busy, I looked in to it in a cursory fashion, I was unsure as to my thoughts on the subject and told her so. But then I started hearing about it this service more, seeing their people and ads...then I met Wayne Wald at the Edmonton Motorcycle Show.
At first, although I was interested in what he had to say, I was also very sceptical.
I am so sick of the multi level marketing businesses with the never ending food and health products, many of those products work - marginally or not at all.
I need to earn a pretty decent income in order to pay down the debt from the Canadian Championship of Custom Bike Building and the financial disaster the Olds Show in July of 2007 was. So far, I just manage to pay the interest on the credit card debt I am packing from that. So I have been looking at alternate businesses that I could get in to that would allow me the opportunity to do just that - increase the quality of my life by becoming more financially secure.
I have explored Mila - which although I use the product myself, is not something I want to be "selling". I have explored Mona Vie and Amway. These are NOT the types of things I want to sell. I don't like several of Amway's products and they are in my opinion expensive. Mona Vie, well - I am unsure of it - totally unsure. Mila, it works for me but that doesn't mean it will work the same for everyone. No this multi level, bug your friends, attend "bible" camp type work shops, they frighten me and they are expensive. Commissions have to be paid some how.
This legal thing though - this interests me predominantly because I am a small business owner. For $35 per month I can have a lawyer on retainer for every specialty I could possibly need. Is it a scam? HMMMM - I am still unsure. I have read several complaints on line, I have read some great testimonials too. If any of you out there have had anything to do with Pre Paid Legal or any of the pre paid lawyer services I'd appreciate hearing from you.
Whether I get into something like this as a business owner and just use the services that come as part of the membership or I also get in to the business side of this service - I feel it is something that I need and want to know more about. I am less sceptical than I was, but I am still not sold that it is the right fit for me on either of the two levels.
I'll let you know how the research goes....
The news feeds are really quiet so far this morning - perhaps by the time Ali starts work it will be busier....
If you are riding - please be safe.
If not, you can go peruse the bikes in our show 'n' shine - we have 25 people that we have contacted this morning who had trouble loading their pictures - they have been given 24 hours to get them to me or Ali to load for them.
On the third of February we open up the voting galleries and may the best bike in each category win. Including People's Choice we have prizes for 16 categories in to third place! The Rat class had no entries this year!
Good luck to all those who have entered...there are some sweet rides in there and looking at those motorcycles makes the PMS worse some days and better the others...
Have a fantastic day...
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com