Gus Digital

Today I’m not feeling my best.  I have some few family issues I’m dealing with.  My mother should be arriving in Argentina soon as her brother isn’t doing the best, so I wish my Tio Tito all the best and hope he recovers soon. I’m looking forward to visiting him and the rest of my family in Argentina in January.

On a more materialistic side, I don’t think I can get the iPhone, even though Rogers has announced a $30/month 6GB data add on offer today.  My current Rogers contract doesn’t allow me to upgrade my phone until February.  That said Tanya did say I could, but at a higher price.  We are trying to figure out what that price might be.

At any rate I’m trying to be positive on all fronts here and the following view from Kat Kam just makes me relax and hope for the best.

Hope you have a great day everyone!

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In just a few short hours I’ll be boarding a plane and heading back to Vancouver. I can’t believe that this trip back to visit my family has come to an end. Where has a week gone?

Last night we all went out as a family group to the Mandarin Chinese Buffet restaurant here in Woodbridge. The food was great for a buffet and since Vancouver doesn’t have any left (at least that I am aware). It was nice to be able to relax and enjoy a huge buffet that ranged from all the Chinese food fare, to some sushi (not as good as Vancouver’s), and some North American favourites like pizza and roast beef.

It was great to have the family all together and everyone getting along. The only person that wasn’t there was my eldest nephew Adrian who’s soccer team was playing in Windsor that day. Luckily he will drive both my sister and I to the airport today and I’ll get some time with him.

Overall the trip was relaxing. I really didn’t have an agenda except to relax and hang out with the family. This week allowed me to set up the internet for my parents (let’s hope the keep it up), took 2 of nephews to the see “The Incredible Hulk”, got to spend Father’s Day with my dad, got to go shopping with my mother (even though we bought nothing), hung out at my sister Maria’s pup in Brampton (The Ivy Bridge), got to see my niece’s Amanda’s new home, got to hang out with my sister Gladys at her place and enjoy a nice mate and Spanish pastries, got to connect with some old friends and work colleagues. All in all a great time.

I will miss my family as I head back to Vancouver, but we are planning a new family gathering in Argentina in January. It will be awesome to see that happen!

Once again thank you Mom & Dad, Maria and Danny, Gladys and Carlos, Amanda and Ernie, Justin, Steven, Samantha, and Adrian for being family. I love you all so much!

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I’m finally on the grid (thanks to my niece Amanda who has internet at her place) and I’m able to post some photos on my Flickr page as well as blog a little.

It’s funny how dependant you can get when you are not on the internet. My cell phone only goes so far. Maybe when the iPhone comes to town I’ll be able to access Wordpress.

Today is Father’s Day and I had the chance to actually spend it with my father for the first time in many years. Even when I was here in Toronto before, my father was working in Mexico. This feels great since I actually can’t remember the last time I’ve spent Father’s Day with my dad. Happy Father’s Day - Dad!

We actually headed out of the city with my brother-in-law Danny and his two sons to watch my nephew Steven go-kart racing. This little kid surprises me with his ability to drive and race a go-kart. I’m actually surprised to have seen everyone who was there racing from the youngest to the oldest. Though Steven didn’t finish very well, it was fun to have the time to have seen him race through his warm up laps, time trial and then final race

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This coming weekend I’m taking off back to Toronto to visit my family. Most I haven’t seen in almost 3 years since my niece Amanda’s wedding. I’m actually looking forward to visiting them. Russ will be heading back to Puerto Vallarta to hang out with his friend who owns a condo there.

As most of you know, or don’t know, it has been hard for me to find someone to take care of Junior during the trip. I do have him currently booked with the Rex Dog Hotel, but I have been thinking of taking him with me to Toronto. My sisters had both asked if I was taking him and this weekend I thought it would be a great idea. He needs to get use to flying and better now or never. On that note I called my sister Gladys this weekend and asked what would be required for Junior to fly. As she works for Air Canada, and is picking me up, we will have to place Junior in cargo. I know he will be ok, but he definitely doesn’t like to be in a crate.

I’m curious to know if anyone else has travelled with their pets before?

As for Cyd she doesn’t need as much attention as Junior does. Russ has a friend coming to make sure she has food and water visits with her for awhile. Since her wings are now clipped she should be ok.

UPDATE: Alas looks like Junior will not be able to fly with me to Toronto.  Since I am flying standby with my sister, Air Canada doesn’t allow for animals to fly that way.  He could fly cargo, but that would mean dropping him off about 5 hours before the flight.  I couldn’t do that to him so he will be staying at the Rex’s for the week I am in Toronto.  He’ll enjoy his stay there.

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Today is my niece Amanda’s 28th birthday.

I can’t believe it has been 28 years since I became an uncle for the first time. I remember being in elementary school and being teased and being called “Uncle Gus” I just hated that. But enough about me

I remember our first Christmas together, we had to open up our presents early because we had to take her to the Hospital since she wouldn’t eat. Some other things I remember, her first steps, her laugh, her kindness, her track meets, her spunk, her Confirmation, and her marriage.

Currently she works for Rogers and has helped me during my time of need last month.

You are one great kid Amanda. You have grown to an amazing woman. I’m so proud to be called your Uncle.

Lots of Love!

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Today of course is Mother’s Day and though my mother is a few provinces to the east of me I wanted to send her a very special thanks for giving birth to me. For if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be here (granted my father has a part in it as well, but we won’t get into that).

My mom is your typical Italian mother. She always made sure you finished everything on your plate during our meals, always cook amazing pasta and sauces (I have yet to be able to reproduce her speghetti sauce), and always made sure the house was cleaned.

My mom did work alot too to provide for us. At one point she held down 2 jobs. She would work in the early morning, come home for lunch and then she would be off again to afternoon work. She is now retired and able to just enjoy life, though sometimes we have to push her to do that.

All in all I wouldn’t trade my mom in for anything. I love you mom and miss you alot!

And let me not forget that my 2 sisters are also mothers and this is their day as well. I miss you both as well and I hope you both have a great Mother’s Day too!

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My youngest nephew keeps amazing me. Almost 4 years ago Steven was hit by accident with a golf club straight into his forehead while playing with his cousin and older brother. They ended up having to place a plate on his forehead to seal a hole that was created. He has recovered very well, though he has suffered brain injury and will have some learning issues throughout his life.

Through all of this, he still is a daredevil. He has to try everything. I had always thought this boy will end up growing up to be a stunt man or something similar.

A few weeks ago my sister Maria let me know that he was enrolled in go-karting. I honestly don’t think it’s the best for him considering his previous injury, but boy it looks like he just loves racing. I’m beginning to think he might end up becoming an Indy car driver.

Whatever he decides to become, I’m sure he will be the best he can be!

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What a work it week it has been. Our lovely “earning season” has begun yet again, which means I will be at work later than usual proofing client’s earnings release and making sure all things go smoothly. This part of my job I can do without, as I’m not paid overtime for staying late and I usually just play the waiting game as the earnings release is being formatted by our Editorial team. On top of this, there are always work networking events to attend. I did mention in one of my tweets this week that I was asked by my boss if I wouldn’t mind being apart of a panel to discuss social media in our industry. This for an event that our local chapter of CPRS (Canadian Public Relations Society) is having on professional development. Since our competitors are sponsoring the event, they don’t wish to have us speak at the event, so alas I will not be apart of the discussion. So much for “social media” and “open transparency”.

Speaking of Social Media, Tazzu.com announced there will be a Wordpress Camp happening April 30 from 5:30 - 8:30pm at the Network Hub. Since I’m fairly new to using Wordpress and this blog is hosted on Wordpress.com, I will most likely attend the event and hopefully get some pointers on how to improve the look and feel of the blog. Some speakers that will be speaking include Rebecca (aka Miss604, who will be live blogging at the event), Duane, and the ever delightful Monica, just to name a few.

My sister Maria and her husband Dan arrived back from a 2 week trip to Cancun Mexico this week. I don’t think they have had a vacation away together since they were married over 16 years ago. They had the pleasure of staying at the Royal Hideaway Playacar, an ultra ritzy all inclusive resort. Not only is it for adults only, but it has been rated a AAA 5 Diamonds. Yes that is right folks “5 Diamonds”, not stars! Based on some of the photos she sent me this place is fantastic! The also looked like they got time to reconnect and relax. I would post some photos up, but as they are personal photos I’m not sure if she would like me to share it with the world. She will have to add a comment on here to say it’s ok for me to do so.

Now that the weekend is finally here I need to figure out what I’m going to do. The only major plan for Saturday is to take Junior to the vet for a checkup and a booster shot on his rabies vaccine.

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I almost forgot to post that today is my father’s birthday.

Alas he isn’t back in Toronto, but somewhere in Argentina right now and not easy to get a hold of.

So Dad, I wish all the best on your birthday! Hopefully you will have a good time where-ever you might be right now. Give all the family down south my love!

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Today is my youngest niece’s sweet 16th.

Again I’m not back home in Toronto to wish her the best today in person, but I would like to wish her all the best. Though I know it is the Easter weekend, I hope she does have some fun (though not too much if you get my meaning…hehehe)

Anyways, Happy Birthday Sami.

Love, Uncle Gus

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