Terry Fox

This past week has been quite a busy week.

As our financial year end occurred in December, we are now at the point where the stock exchange requires several things to occur. The biggest things are our reserve report, that shows the worth of our company as at December 31, and our financial statements for the same point in time. Both of these reports go hand in hand and get spun off into various reports that we must file with the stock exchange (and concurrently mailed out to our shareholders) by the end of April.

As such, our independent auditing firm is over at the company, checking all of our accounting records, as part of the securities regulation commission rulings. This isn't a big deal, for if you have done your job right, the auditors are only a pain in the ass and are nothing more.

I remember last year, we had a very GREEN auditor come in to review our books. His queries and assumptions made no logical sense and I could not prove to this IDIOT that what he was asking for (back up or proof from some accounting number that he virtually made up) could not be supplied. By the end of the audit, I called up his manager and said, "Pull him off of this file, or I will hurt him." I am usually pretty easy going and have taught several auditors the ins and outs of oil and gas accounting, but he was a pompous ass, and I wanted him out of my office. He could not leave my sight soon enough. By the end of the audit, the accounting firm had sent me flowers to apologize for this auditor, *and* we were not charged for our audit. I think I may have got the person fired, but, really, if he had been doing his job right, I never would have picked up the phone to make that complaint....

So, this past week, I have been at the auditor's beck and call. Basically, they review all of the work from our company and do what we call is a "tick and bop" (tick off their list and bop off of ours) and as such, double check all invoices, bank statements and etc to ensure that what we are reporting is the truth. When I mean I am at the auditor's beck and call, it means that my usual accounting work is halted while I ensure that their audit process is going along smoothly. Should they need my spreadsheets explained, or further back up provided, I stop what I am doing, and get the information to them right away. A lot of times, my doing so is also a lesson to the auditor who may never have audited an oil and gas company before. I have to explain a lot of terminology to them and also explain to them the concept of various forms of oil and gas accepted accounting principles. I never mind, for I always think that the auditor is here to teach me, and concurrently, I am here to teach them.

It seems that every year, the auditors are getting younger and younger. Recently, I have been re-reading the biography about Terry Fox. As most of you know, Terry Fox is one of my heroes (although I did vote for Tommy Douglas as being the most significant Canadian in last years CBC poll). My sister on the island is one of the race director's for the island and she has done a heap of work for the foundation.

Our company had been a major sponsor of the SK Terry Fox Run and we received a pretty cool pin in the mail, along with a thank you letter. I asked the Prez if I could snafu the pin for my sister, who I knew would appreciate the pin. At the same time, the auditor came into my office and I turned to her and in my excitement exclaimed, "I just snagged up a free Terry Fox pin." The auditor's face went blank and she asked, where does he live? I think my mouth just dropped open. I then went on to explain to this auditor - a *Canadian* auditor from BC, just who Terry Fox was. I was disheartened. I thought to myself, don't tell me that people are forgetting who Terry Fpx is. But, I did end up talking to some mid-teens later on in the week, and they renewed my hope for the next generation: they knew who Terry Fox was . . .

But, gosh, I felt old, trying to explain to this young thing who Terry Fox was ... she wasn't even BORN when he was doing his "Marathon of Hope"

Other than the audit, things have been "same same" in the Canagal household. Sean had his days off last week, so it was great to have him around the house. He met with a contractor about getting the hardwood installed in our upper floor. He also ended up working one of his days off, which he seemed to enjoy. (Although I do not know how flying to Cold Lake can be considered "enjoyable")

Last week we went to dinner and then saw a movie with Marns & Lester. We saw the indy film, "Venus", that starred Peter OToole. It was a kind of creepy movie about how this young girl used her sexual sensuality to her advantage to talk the old man (Peter) into being her sugar daddy of sorts. It had its creepy moments, but I went away from the movie with the feeling, "They both used each other". I don't think it is a movie I would recommend to everyone, although I enjoyed it.

We also watched the super bowl at Marn's & Lester's place. We had a heap of fun, and I am glad to say that the team we were cheering for won.

Today we met up with Quodlibbet for coffee. It was so good to see her. If I haven't seen Quodlibet for a few weeks I always feel like it has been years since I saw her. She has to be one of my favourite people in this world. After catching up on the latest gossip, Sean & I went to look at motor bikes. Sean wants to get a small motorbike for his spring commute back and forth to work.

We just got back from dinner at Doug & Shauna's place. Six out of the chosen seven were at their place for a feast of chili. (such comfort food for a cold day) Meghann was unable to join us, as she is still in Toronto for flight simulation. Despite Meghann's absence, we were able to figure out a lot of the logistics for our group trip that will occur later on this year.

Doug & Shauna also showed considerable interest in joining us for a camping/road trip to Vancouver Island in late May/early June. We want to end up in Sorrento/Enderby for at least one night so we can catch up with Meghann's folks and old friends of ours that we have not seen in close to 10 years.

Tomorrow Sean & I are meeting with a pet sitter, who will come into our house the week that we are gone to La Ronge SK so as to take care of our boys.

I have been a tad bit worried about Josh. He has been sick lately and Sean & I have been talking about taking him to the vet for another check up. It was only a year and a half ago that we almost lost him and we still get worried that his kidney disease is shortening his life.

Well, it is almost quarter to one in the AM. I had best head to bed and try and pull in some sleep before Josh & Eddie decided at the break of dawn that they need to be fed.

G'night everyone!
CG