Ross (the Boss) of NDG's Blog

Almost 20 years ago I was embroiled in the Nigeria 419 internet scam.  The details are beyond this email - suffice it to say that as the result of my bank - the CIBC on Somerled's mistake in cashing a bogus $35,000 cheque - I had my accounts cancelled and was blackballed by the entire Montreal banking community for a very long time.  It also ended a friendship (just friendship) between Antoinette Guerierrero - the head teller and myself - which has never recovered. For almost 10 years I did not have a bank account of my own. At a certain point I tried to get an online account with Tangerine - and was successful.  I have a no fee, unlimited transaction (e-transfers, debit card use...) chequing account which I love.  It is accessible to everyone.  The drawback is that Tangerine does not have physical locations, but you can withdraw funds from over 3,500 ScotiaBank ATMs for free nationwide. In 2020 I moved from our home on Hingston Ave to a beautiful condo in The ...

They say that some people come into our lives for a moment - some for a season - and others for the duration.  My process over the last 20 years has been replete with this.  Many people who were with me for the majority of my adult life have moved away from me - good friends - great friends - because we have had differences of opinions. God is good.  Actually - God is awesome!  In their place He has showered me with a whole host of new friends and contacts - who have filled the gaps very admirably - and have ensured that not only does my life maintain the status quo - but that it continually elevates - that my life continues to be an upward, continuous and never-ending spiral through the infinite levels of Heaven (on Earth). There is quite possibly no better example for this than a man named Jad Saikali.  I was researching the local world of reflexology - as my girlfriend -  Christy-Anne Strike  - was searching for someone great to assist her efforts t...

For those of you who do not know the essence of my blog posts, I write about how we can find Heaven in the everyday journey of our life here on Earth.   For the last several days I have had a very sore middle right finger - being swollen and full of pus.  I think I made it worse rather than better by sterilizing a needle and trying to prick it unsuccessfully!  This morning I decided to do something about it - and headed to the Queen Elizabeth Urgent Care Clinic on Marlowe in NDG for 7:30am - in order to be one of the first in line when their doors opened at 8am. I sat in the waiting room and was joined by another man - who looked about the same age as me - and had on jeans with a multitude of patches - the most notable being a big peace sign - along with a patchwork bag which also had a big peace sign on it.  I couldn't help but to initiate with him and asked about the peace signs - thinking this may be one of his causes or missions- but it wasn't.  His na...

This past Sunday - my love - Christy-Anne Strike and I had occasion to go to Quartier Cavendish .  My recent trips to the mall had been mostly in the daytime when there was not much activity.  On this Sunday - the mall was alive!  The entire food court - which is not the size it used to be - was full of families enjoying meals!  The walkways were filled with people and there was a distinct buzz in the air!  There was a little petting zoo in the middle court - with youngsters clamoring to pet and feed the animals - and a little train circulated the mall - filled with children and their parents. We were there to see Wicked - and the sole detraction from the entire experience was that there was a group of 4 younger children - unsupervised - who likely didn't even have tickets for the show and made incessant noise throughout the show - despite our request for them to either keep quiet or move (the theatre was near-empty). We returned to the mall this afternoon and...

Very recently myself and my love - Christy-Anne Strike  - have happened upon an incredible place in NDG - Kensington Presbyterian Church .  My great friend, Chris March had continuously invited me to the church for pizza and movie nights on Fridays at 6:30pm.  Finally in early December we were able to attend - with a number of my group.  It was at that time that I got to meet the minister, Peter Rombeek, along with his wife and two boys.  Instantly I was drawn to him and his family and was tremendously impressed with his commitment to his people - going above and beyond the call to making our evening great. I decided on that night that I was going to make the church a regular part of my life - and support Peter in any way I could. I have a car and am more than happy to drive my friends to events I am attending.  In the weeks to follow we have filled up the car and attended the Pizza/Movie Nights - to everyone's great enjoyment. On Saturday Dec. 14th, Peter ...

For over a year now I had been advised of a great community Christmas Dinner hosted by the wonderful people who operate the NDG Community Council.  It took place today - Christmas Day - at Concordia University's Loyola Campus - in the Buzz Cafeteria from 1-7pm. Myself and my friends - a group of 5 of us - showed up at about 2:45pm.  There was a small lineup of no more than 20 people waiting for tables in the large hall.  Inside of 10 minutes the lady at the reception called out 'group of 5' - and proceeded to show us to our table. Within a matter of minutes - a really nice man, Stash, came by - asking us what we would like to drink and giving us the choice of coffee, tea, water or apple juice (fresh).  At that point he also asked us if we were ready to eat - to which we all said yes!  Almost immediately he returned with our beverages and right behind him were two other volunteers carrying the 5 heaping plates of food. The meal was exceptional!  It featured ...