A look back at a great moment in product development

Today was my youngest son's second birthday. Happy birthday Alex!
Alex is the cutest 2-year-old anywhere. Even cuter than your kid. Trust me.
He was cute from the start, too. Just check out the pics on his birth announcement/press release here.

(This LLoyd's LLunch Counter blog post brought to you by the number Q4G2TND33U7F.)

A picture says 1000 words

Just how bad are things in the automobile industry? This picture I took on my Blackbery back in August (2009) gives a pretty good idea:

"CLEAROUT: New 2007 Dodge Dakota Ext Cab"

If, in August 2009, with the 2010 models coming out any day now, you are finally trying to clear out your 2007 models, maybe you have a bit of an inventory planning problem.

Imagine going on Dragon's Den, or Shark Tank and saying "I am looking for your investment in my company so I can manufacture enough inventory to sit around for at least three or four years." After telling you that you are a "crazy chicken" and making you look like an idiot for a while, the Dragons or Sharks would, one after another, say something like "this just isn't a good business model, so I'm out."

Of course having a bad business model in the auto industry is a pretty minor detail. If you can't sell your shitty, oversized, gas guzzling trucks, just about every major government in the world will simply give you the money that you couldn't figure out how to actually earn.

I don't have cars that nobody wants to buy, but I do have an inventory of blog posts that nobody wants to read. Maybe I could qualify for a bailout?

Of course you do

A picture taken on my Blackberry on August 8, 2009 in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

"We do implants. Ask Inside"

It's a good thing they included the company name (Richmond Hill Dentistry), or I would have no idea what knid of implants this sign is advertising. It's like a retaurant ad with a bunch of guys in Speedo shorts and the slogan saying "We have sausages."

In this economy, diets are changing

A picture taken on my Blackberry at the Real Canadian Superstore at Don Mills and Eglinton in Toronto:

"Cooking and your Community: Kid Cooking Classes"

I wonder when the Superstore marketing team identified "Fairy Tale Witches" as their target market?

Advertising is for the dogs

Here's a picture I took on my Blackberry of a billboard at the Eaton Centre in Toronto on August 2, 2009:



It is advertising a playday for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. A playday for dogs. Advertised on a billboard in a busy mall in downtown Toronto. Best billboard ad sales guy ever.

Unreasonable terms

Taken on my Blackberry at Sobey's grocery store in Sussex, New Brunswick:



Ready when you are Frozen Food.

I hope never to be Frozen Food, so I guess Sobey's will never be ready. It just seems unfair.

Bad Proofreading

Taken on my Blackberry on July 21, 2009 in Orangeville, Ontario:



My first thought was "there is one 'n' too many in her first name. But what a great pornstar name to be born with."

This whole court's out of order!

Taken on my Blackberry at the All Seasons Restaurant in Sussex, New Brunswick on July 24, 2009.
A bad day to have had a couple of beers with my meal.

Sounds like every room in my apartment right now

For some reason, I always found this sign, on a door on the BIRT (Brain Injury Rehab Team) unit at Bloorview Kids Rehab in Toronto, to be funny.



It's called the "Soiled Room." It houses bins for disposing of soiled diapers, linens, etc. But I always expected to open the door and just find a generally filthy room. If someone ever cleaned the room, they would have to replace the sign.

It probably isn't as funny as I thought it was when I took the picture. But I am still blogging it, because I never let unfunniness stand in the way of my blog.

Come and see the violence inherent in the system

So since today was my 37th birthday, I thought I should post something for you, my dear blog reader, as a bit of a Lloydmas present. In past years, I have written a Lloydmas carol for you to learn. But this year, I have decided to skip that time-honoured tradition (but if you want to see the previous carols, click here and here).
Now, my Lloydmas present to you:
Since this is my 37th, I thought it would be nice if I shared my favourite movie scene about a 37 year old: Dennis from Monty Python's Holy Grail:


It could only be a better scene if, instead of "we don't have a Lord," she said "we don't have a Lord, we have a Lloyd."

Happy Lloydmas everyone.

Llove,
Lloyd

On Behalf Of Fathers Everywhere

Dear Old People,
When I am with my kids and my wife isn't there, I am not "babysitting" I am parenting.
When you see me with the kids and say "babysitting today?" in a tone that says "poor dear, having to do woman's work" it makes me want to hide your scotch mints.
If you are an old woman, I resist the urge to say "that's right, toots" and smack you on your bony ass while winking at you.
Fathers don't babysit their own children. The neighbour's kid does.
Llove,
Lloyd
PS - you smell like moth balls.

With a compass garnish

Here's a picture I recently took on my Blackberry at the Toronto Zoo:

Talk about a fibre-rich diet.

A common marketing mistake

I love seeing an advertising campaign that was meant to convey a particular message, but which could be taken to mean something else entirely. Especially when the unintended meaning is the exact opposite of the message that the advertiser would want to be express.
For instance, check out this billboard for the Toronto Star newspaper:

It's a bit blurry, so in case you can't see it, the slogan is "Until common sense is actually common."
I assume that they mean "as long as things happen because of people (such as those in government) failing to use common sense, we will report those things." But my first thought was that it might mean "until the general population has enough common sense to make up their own minds about things rather than reading our slanted, biased views, we shall continue to spread our propaganda."
I think mine is probably more accurate, but still not what they meant.

Warning: offensive content

Our apartment complex hosted an end-of-summer barbecue earlier this year (sometime around the end of summer, I think it was). They had lots of great food and treats for the kids. Our boys each got a balloon to take home. Eric's was twisted into the shape of a dog, and Alex's was made into a sword. Great fun!


Sounds innocent, right? So, why is the title of this blog "Warning: offensive content"? Because we put the balloon sword into the back of the car and left it there. As it deflated, it began to untwist, and became something else entirely:

A spark of light indeed

I have to get my Blackberry Bold replaced, because the battery leads are loose, causing it to re-boot at random and annoying times, and because the trackball isn't working right, so I often can't scroll up or down, and also because the USB port is faulty, so I can't connect it to my PC.

The faulty USB port is proving to be the biggest pain, because it means that I can't transfer pictures and videos off of the phone to my PC before sending the Berry back. Pictures I can e-mail to myself and save them to the hard drive, but almost all of my videos are too big to send, so they will probably be lost. That sucks, because I haven't cleared off the videos since before Eric went into hospital in May, so I have all of the videos I have shot since then. Some of them are important because they show Eric's onoing recovery. Some of them are important because they show how we as a family got through this time. There are some great videos of Eric's little brother, Alex being a clown.

As I posted recently, I submitted a story to Bloorview's blog, Bloom, about the importance of laughter in difficult times, and as I go through the pictures and videos on my phone, I realize how lucky we are to have Alex to keep us laughing through our struggles. No picture better illustrates this than this one of Alex, taken on "clown nose day" at Sick Kids, 15 days after Eric's second stroke, and one day after his third stroke:

To make a long story short...

Here's a picture I took with my Blackberry of a sign in a store window on University Ave in Toronto, listing the store's new operating hours.

It says:

Monday: 10 am - 5 pm

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: Closed

Friday: Closed

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

As badly as I feel for the business owner that things are going that poorly, I couldn't help but laugh, thinking about how much easier it would have been to say:

Monday: 10 am - 5 pm

Tuesday-Sunday: Closed

The way they wrote it, you keep reading, hoping for better news later in the week, but just get disapointed.

On second thought, if you are paying rent for a retail space at University and College, and things are so bad that you are only open one day a week, maybe you would be smarter to make the sign say:

"Closed. Space for Rent"

Wake up to the freshness of...

You may remember (I'm talking to the three of you who check my blog on a semi-regular basis) that a few months ago I posted about Jodi's plans to remove as many unnecessary chemicals as possibile from our lives. We use a lot of all-natural products now, which is a great idea, for us and for Mother Earth.

However, the toothpast options are pretty sad for us natural product users. I complained about Ginger-flavoured toothpaste in the aforementioned blog entry, so Jodi responded by changing flavours.

Now, I can brush my teeth in the morning with the fresh taste of...

... Fennel!

Sexy, huh? Kissing me is like making out with a bag of licorice candies!

I wonder how the brownies are

Can anybody explain the sign on the side of Mystic Muffin on the corner of Jarvis and Richmond in Toronto?

"World's Best Apple Cake"

I understand that part. But it's not true, by the way. My mother makes the world's best apple cake.

"Must be legal eating age for a slice."

What is the legal eating age for a slice?

This place got an awesome review on Torontoist.com a couple of years ago here, but I don't care how great the food is, I can't trust any place whose advertising makes my brain hurt.

Bread and Butt-er

In my experience, no matter how much work you put into a product trying to make sure that everything is perfect, you will look at the finished item and realize that that something is wrong. This happens 100% of the time, according to unscientific studies by the Lloyd Institute of Product Development.


I imagine that the publishing team behind this book I found on my mother's bookshelf went through the same process of making sure everything was perfect.



More of Canada's Best Bread Machine Baking Recipes by Donna Washburn and Heather Butt.

So I would have loved to have been there when they first noticed the spine of the book:





Who decided that putting the author's last names on the spine like that would sell cookbooks?

mmmmm.... "Washburn Butt" makes my mouth water.

Almost the Best Advertising Campaign Ever

Here are some pictures I took on my Blackberry of an ad that was posted in front of my apartment building. There were a few reasons why I took the pictures.
First, this is my new favourite company name:

"Raja Come Back Moving Service"

It sounds like a moving service for men whose wives are taking them back after kicking them out for a while.

Secondly, I love the slogan.

"Go Baby, Go!"
I don't know why, but I think that is the best slogan of all time. If General Motors had used that slogan years ago, they wouldn't be in the mess they're in now!

But reason number C is probably my favourite. As if marketing only to forgiven husbands wasnt enough of a niche market, they are only targeting people 8 feet tall or higher.

I am 6'3" and had to stand on my tippy-toes and hold the Blackberry over my head to take these pictures. I'm pretty sure there's not a single Toronto Raptor living in my building, so I think that while they are obviously geniuses at niche marketing, they have problems with geographic targeting.

Don't know much about geography

Earlier this year, I posted about a frozen food brand called "Europe's Best" that alerted me to the fact that Europe had expanded. Since then, I have found more examples. Check this out:





Europe's Best Summer Fruit Salad...





Product of Chile. The latest member of the European Union.



And there's Europe's Best Chef's Spinach:




Product of...



...China.
I missed the headlines about Europe's population explosion.

I hate when companies make their brands an out-and-out lie. It's bad enough that their frozen fruit and vegetables wouldn't make the "best of" list for any continent. But as far as I can see, none of their product is actually Europe's best, second best or even worst.

But then again, I suppose "Earth's Mediocrity" doesn't make a very good brand name.

Too much of a good thing

Here is a picture I took a few months ago of a sign advertising featured dishes in the cafeteria at Bloorview Kids Rehab in Toronto:

Split Pea and Butternut Squash Soup.

I love split pea soup.

I love butternut squash soup.

But the thought of combining them makes me throw up in my mouth just a little.

Why spelling is so important

I took this picture of the TV screen with my Blackberry several months ago, when some American sailors fought off the pirates off the coast of Africa. Remember that? Of course you do. Here's a reminder:



I took the picture because it struck me that if someone hadn't made a major spelling mistake on the "BEWARE OF PIRATES" sign, they would have saved themselves a lot of trouble!

Trying So Hard

This blurry picture is of a notice that was posted above the garbage can in my apartment building's lobby:

It says "PLEASE DO NOT DISPOSE OF YOUR DOG FECES (POOP) IN THE FRONT FOYER..."
It makes me laugh because they tried to take the high road and say "feces" but decided that it would be a good idea to clarify and say "poop" afterall. For people who don't know what feces means. Or for people who think poop is the funniest word in the English language.

Confi-dunce

Here is a picture of a junk-mail piece we received a while ago for a service in Toronto called "Dial-a-bottle" who will deliver booze to your house for you when you are already too drunk to go get more yourself:

Do you see the problem with this ad? They list the products they will deliver like this:
Beer
Liquor
Wine
How can we have any confidence in a company that specializes in booze, but clearly doesn't understand the first rule of drinking? Every self-respecting drunk knows "beer before liquor, never been sicker."
Amateurs.

Number 1 on the list of places to never visit

Gorilla Rain Forest? I never want to be in a forest where it rains gorillas! What kind of umbrella do you need for that place?

Guest Blog on Bloorview's Bloom

Louise Kinross, who is responsible for Bloorview Kids Rehab's "Bloom", both in printed magazine format and on the Blogosphere, asked me to submit an article about the importance of laughter in difficult times. So, I did. Want to see it? Of course you do!
Click here to see my guest blog entry, "Laughter is a 'spark of light'"

With a name like that...

Taken at the Toronto Zoo, Spring 2009.
I would expect "Danger Ice" to be unsafe. Do they really need to post a sign about it?

SHOW TONIGHT: Kevin Hearn of Barenaked Ladies Joining Canadian Comedy Superstars for 2nd “Laughs for Possibility” Fundraiser in support of Bloorview

SHOW TONIGHT: Kevin Hearn of Barenaked Ladies Joining Canadian Comedy Superstars for 2nd “Laughs for Possibility” Fundraiser in support of Bloorview Kids Foundation.
Tickets still available for this side splitting show!

TORONTO, October 21st, 2009 – Several of Canada’s funniest people will be taking the mic on October 21st at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, for the Laughs for Possibility Comedy Showcase to raise funds for Bloorview Kids Rehab, Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital for kids with disabilities. This year’s event also includes a special live musical performance by Kevin Hearn of The Barenaked Ladies.

The event was founded by local amateur comic, Lloyd Ravn, whose 4-year-old son suffered three major strokes in just under a year and has benefitted from the programs and services at Bloorview. One of the headline performers from the first show in January 2009, Darren Frost, also knows the importance of a place like Bloorview. His son has cerebral palsy and goes to Bloorview for ongoing therapy. Frost joined Ravn in organizing the Laughs for Possibility event and together they have organized a side splitting line-up including:
• Bobby Mair (nominated for “Best Newcomer” at 2009 Canadian Comedy Awards)
• Gilson Lubin (MTV, Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam)
• Kate Davis (nominated as “Best Female Stand-up” at 2009 Canadian Comedy Awards)
• Jean Paul (Comedy Now, Halifax Comedy Fest)
• Alan Park (Royal Canadian Air Farce)
• Terry McGurrin (Comedy Inc)
• Simon Rakoff, who will be the emcee for the evening (Just for Laughs, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Halifax Comedy Festival)
Attendees can purchase general admission tickets for the comedy show only, or VIP tickets which also include entry to a pre-show reception with food and drinks. The show is sponsored by Tim Hortons in Sussex, NB (franchisees Jim and Christine Andrew sponsor the show despite the 1,500 km between the show and their stores, in support of their grandson, Eric Ravn) and Motion Specialties. Funds raised will go towards Bloorview’s Therapeutic Clown Program, Nursery School program and the Emergency Family Fund.
Event details
Date: Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
Time: Doors open and silent acution begins at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:30 PM
Location: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 1250 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario
Tickets cost: $50, Available at www.LaughsForPossibility.com

Bloorview Kids Foundation
Bloorview Kids Foundation develops relationships and raises funds from the community for Bloorview Kids Rehab. Bloorview is the gold-standard in care, research, and education for kids with disabilities and their families. As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, it is an international leader in childhood disability. Bloorview pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.
Regardless of their disability, kids just want to be kids. Community and private investment is critical to enabling kids with disabilities to live their lives, just like any other kid.

For further information:
Lloyd Ravn, Event Organizer
Tel: 647-929-8916 or lloydravn@hotmail.com
Nicole Watson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bloorview Kids Foundation
Tel: 416-424-3850 or nwatson@bloorview.ca

Kevin Hearn to Perform at Fundraiser for Bloorview Kids Rehab

Toronto, ON, October 7, 2009

On October 21, attendees at a fundraiser for Bloorview Kids Rehab will be treated to a live performance by Kevin Hearn, critically-acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and keyboard player for pop sensations the Barenaked Ladies. Hearn will be performing at a pre-show reception for VIP ticket-holders and parents of Bloorview inpatient kids at the Laughs for Possibility comedy showcase. Following the reception, several of Canada’s top stand-up comics will take the stage to help Bloorview reach their vision of “a world of possibility for kids with disability.”

This is the second Laughs for Possibility event, presented by Tim Hortons in Sussex, NB (franchisees Jim and Chris Andrew sponsor the show despite the 1,500 km between the show and their stores, in support of their grandson Eric), and now also sponsored by Motion Specialties. Laughs for Possibility 2 will feature Canadian comedy stars including Bobby Mair, Gilson Lubin, Kate Davis, Jean Paul, Alan Park, Terry McGurrin and Simon Rakoff.The show was founded by local amateur comic, Lloyd Ravn, after his son Eric (now 4) received therapy at Bloorview to help recover from 3 major strokes that he suffered between July 2008 and May 2009.

The addition of a pre-show reception with live music for Laughs for Possibility 2 was inspired by the show orgaizer’s time with his son during music therapy sessions at Bloorview. “The comedy show grew out of my desire to let parents of kids who are inpatients at Bloorview have a few much needed laughs,” said Ravn. “And when I saw how much the kids enjoy the musical part of their therapy program, I decided to add a musical element to the event so parents could experience their own form of music therapy.”

When Ravn put together a wish list of musicians to perform at the event, Hearn’s name was at the top. “Kevin is a brilliant musician, plus he understands what it’s like to be tied to a hospital, after beating Leukemia several years ago.” Hearn is no stranger to the Canadian comedy scene either, having performed with Corky and the Juice Pigs in the 1990s, as well as with his cousin, comedian Harland Williams. “Kevin is the perfect musician for this event,” said Ravn. “I can’t wait for the Bloorview parents and everyone else at the pre-show reception to have a chance to experience music therapy, Kevin Hearn style.”

For more on Kevin Hearn, visit http://www.kevinhearn.com

Event details

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009>br>
Time: VIP Reception at 7:00 PM, general admission at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:30 PM

Location: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 1250 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario

Tickets cost: $95 for VIP admission (includes pre-show reception); $50 for general admission

Available at http://www.laughsforpossibility.com

Bloorview Kids Foundation

Bloorview Kids Foundation develops relationships and raises funds from the community for Bloorview Kids Rehab. Bloorview is the gold-standard in care, research, and education for kids with disabilities and their families. As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, it is an international leader in childhood disability. Bloorview pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.

Regardless of their disability, kids just want to be kids. Community and private investment is critical to enabling kids with disabilities to live their lives, just like any other kid.

For further information:

Lloyd Ravn, Event Organizer

Tel: 647-929-8916 or lloydravn@hotmail.com

Nicole Watson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bloorview Kids Foundation

Tel: 416-424-3850 or nwatson@bloorview.ca

Press Release: Air Farce Veteran Alan Park Joins Stand-up Fundraiser for Bloorview Kids Rehab

Air Farce Veteran Alan Park Joins Stand-up Fundraiser for Bloorview Kids Rehab

Toronto, ON, October 7, 2009

Several of Canada’s funniest people, including Alan Park, popular cast member from CBC’s Air Farce LIVE, will be taking the mic on October 21st, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, for the Laughs for Possibility Comedy Showcase to raise funds for Bloorview Kids Rehab, Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital for kids with disabilities.

This is the second Laughs for Possibility event, presented by Tim Hortons in Sussex, NB (franchisees Jim and Chris Andrew sponsor the show despite the 1,500 km between the show and their stores, in support of their grandson Eric), following the inaugural show in January 2009 which featured some of Canada’s top comedians. Laughs for Possibility 2 will bring out another crop of Canadian comedy superstars including Park, who is well-known for walking “the precarious edge between the profane and the ridiculous”.

Other comics announced so far have been Bobby Mair (2009 Stand-up Newcomer nominee at Canadian Comedy Awards), Gilson Lubin (MTV, HBO Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam), Kate Davis (Comedy Now, 2009 Best Female Stand-up nomimee at Canadian Comedy Awards), Jean Paul (Halifax Comedy Fest, Comedy Now), emcee Simon Rakoff (Just for Laughs, Winnipeg Comedy Fest) with more to be announced.

Laughs for Possibility was founded by local amateur comic, Lloyd Ravn, after his son Eric (now 4) suffered a major stroke in July 2008 and was admitted to Bloorview Kids Rehab’s inpatient unit, under the care of the Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT). After a strong recovery and subsequent discharge, Eric was re-admitted to Bloorview after two more strokes in May 2009, which led to another lengthy stay at Bloorview.

The addition of Alan Park to the line-up of comedy stars working to support Bloorview’s vision of “a world of possibility for kids with disability” has the show’s organizer excited. “Air Farce is a Canadian comedy legend, and to have a cast member supporting Laughs for Possibility is a real thrill,” says Ravn. “The Bloorview staff, families and community members in the audience are in for a real treat on October 21.”

For more on Alan Park, visit www.diamondfield.com/alanpark.php

Event details

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Time: VIP Reception at 7:00 PM, general admission at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:30 PM

Location: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 1250 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario

Tickets cost: $95 for VIP admission (includes pre-show reception); $50 for general admission. Available at www.LaughsForPossibility.com

Bloorview Kids Foundation

Bloorview Kids Foundation develops relationships and raises funds from the community for Bloorview Kids Rehab. Bloorview is the gold-standard in care, research, and education for kids with disabilities and their families. As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, it is an international leader in childhood disability. Bloorview pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.

Regardless of their disability, kids just want to be kids. Community and private investment is critical to enabling kids with disabilities to live their lives, just like any other kid.

For further information:

Lloyd Ravn, Event Organizer

Tel: 647-929-8916 or lloydravn@hotmail.com

Nicole Watson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bloorview Kids Foundation

Tel: 416-424-3850 or nwatson@bloorview.ca

Press Release: Comedy Inc Star Terry McGurrin Joins Laughs for Possibility Fundraiser for Bloorview Kids Foundation

Comedy Inc Star Terry McGurrin Joins Laughs for Possibility Fundraiser for Bloorview Kids Foundation

Toronto, ON, October 2, 2009

Several of Canada’s funniest people, including Terry McGurrin, from CTV’s Comedy Inc, will be taking the mic on October 21st, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, for the Laughs for Possibility Comedy Showcase to raise funds for Bloorview Kids Rehab, Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital for kids with disabilities.

This is the second Laughs for Possibility event, presented by Tim Hortons in Sussex, NB (franchisees Jim and Chris Andrew sponsor the show despite the 1,500 km between the show and their stores, in support of their grandson Eric), following the inaugural show in January 2009 which featured some of Canada’s top comedians. Laughs for Possibility 2 will bring out another crop of Canadian comedy superstars including McGurrin, who is the only performer to have been nominated for Canadian Comedy Awards in three separate categories.

Other comics announced so far have been Bobby Mair (2009 Stand-up Newcomer nominee at Canadian Comedy Awards), Gilson Lubin (MTV, HBO Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam), Kate Davis (Comedy Now, 2009 Best Female Stand-up nomimee at Canadian Comedy Awards), Jean Paul (Halifax Comedy Fest, Comedy Now), and emcee Simon Rakoff (Just for Laughs, Winnipeg Comedy Fest) with more to come.

Laughs for Possibility was founded by local amateur comic Lloyd Ravn, after his son Eric (now 4) suffered a major stroke in July 2008 and was admitted to Bloorview Kids Rehab’s inpatient unit, under the care of the Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT). After a strong recovery and subsequent discharge, Eric was re-admitted to Bloorview after two more strokes in May 2009, and he is still at Bloorview today.

Terry McGurrin, who has performed all over the world, from Massey Hall in Toronto to the desserts of the Middle East, is seen weekly on CTV and the Comedy Network as a co-star on the popular sketch show Comedy Inc. and was the first comedian to tape three separate Comedy Now specials. “Having Terry on the Laughs for Possibility show is very exciting,” said Ravn. “We will have a few Bloorview inpatient parents at the show, courtesy of people from across Canada who donate ticket on our website, and those parents will be in for a lot of well-deserved laughs when Terry takes the mic.”

For more on Terry McGurrin, visit www.diamondfield.com/terrymcgurrin.php

Event details

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Time: VIP Reception at 7:00 PM, general admission at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:30 PM

Location: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 1250 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario

Tickets cost: $95 for VIP admission (includes pre-show reception); $50 for general admission

Available at www.LaughsForPossibility.com

Bloorview Kids Foundation

Bloorview Kids Foundation develops relationships and raises funds from the community for Bloorview Kids Rehab. Bloorview is the gold-standard in care, research, and education for kids with disabilities and their families. As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, it is an international leader in childhood disability. Bloorview pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.

Regardless of their disability, kids just want to be kids. Community and private investment is critical to enabling kids with disabilities to live their lives, just like any other kid.

For further information:

Lloyd Ravn, Event Organizer

Tel: 647-929-8916 or lloydravn@hotmail.com

Nicole Watson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bloorview Kids Foundation

Tel: 416-424-3850 or nwatson@bloorview.ca

Press Release: Comedy Veteran Simon Rakoff to Emcee Fundraiser for Canada’s Largest Children’s Rehab Hospital

Comedy Veteran Simon Rakoff to Emcee Fundraiser for Canada’s Largest Children’s Rehab Hospital

Toronto, ON, September 30, 2009

Several of Canada’s funniest people, including Simon Rakoff, widely known as one of Canada’s top comedy emcees, will be taking the mic on October 21st, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, for the Laughs for Possibility Comedy Showcase to raise funds for Bloorview Kids Rehab, Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital for kids with disabilities.

This is the second Laughs for Possibility event, presented by Tim Hortons in Sussex, NB (franchisees Jim and Chris Andrew sponsor the show despite the 1,500 km between the show and their stores, in support of their grandson Eric), following the inaugural show in January 2009 which featured some of Canada’s top comedians. Laughs for Possibility 2 will bring out another crop of Canadian comedy superstars including Rakoff, who has been performing stand-up since 1978 and has numerous television credits, including Just for Laughs and the Winnipeg Comedy Fest. Other comics announced so far have been Bobby Mair (2009 Stand-up Newcomer nominee at Canadian Comedy Awards), Gilson Lubin (MTV, HBO Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam), Kate Davis (Comedy Now, 2009 Best Female Stand-up nomimee at Canadian Comedy Awards), Jean Paul (Halifax Comedy Fest, Comedy Now) with more to be announced.

Laughs for Possibility was founded by local amateur comic, Lloyd Ravn, after his son Eric (now 4) suffered a major stroke in July 2008 and was admitted to Bloorview Kids Rehab’s inpatient unit, under the care of the Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT). After a strong recovery and subsequent discharge, Eric was re-admitted to Bloorview after two more strokes in May 2009, and he is still at Bloorview today.

When looking for an emcee for the event, Ravn says Rakoff was an easy choice. “Simon is not only one of the funniest comics you’ll see anywhere, but he makes hosting a show, which is a tough job, look effortless.” There will be parents of Bloorview inpatient kids coming to the show courtesy of donated tickets, and Ravn stresses that “after having their lives turned upside down by whatever it is that landed their son or daughter in the hospital, they will appreciate having a pro like Simon bringing some much-needed comic relief to their lives for an evening.”

For more on Simon Rakoff, visit www.SimonRakoff.com.

Event details

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Time: VIP Reception at 7:00 PM, general admission at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:30 PM

Location: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 1250 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario

Tickets cost: $95 for VIP admission (includes pre-show reception); $50 for general admission

Available at www.LaughsForPossibility.com

Bloorview Kids Foundation

Bloorview Kids Foundation develops relationships and raises funds from the community for Bloorview Kids Rehab. Bloorview is the gold-standard in care, research, and education for kids with disabilities and their families. As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, it is an international leader in childhood disability. Bloorview pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.

Regardless of their disability, kids just want to be kids. Community and private investment is critical to enabling kids with disabilities to live their lives, just like any other kid.

For further information:

Lloyd Ravn, Event Organizer

Tel: 647-929-8916 or lloydravn@hotmail.com

Nicole Watson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bloorview Kids Foundation

Tel: 416-424-3850 or nwatson@bloorview.ca

Press Release: Trinidadian-born Canadian Comedian Jean Paul joins superstar lineup in fundraiser for kids with disabilities

Trinidadian-born Canadian Comedian Jean Paul joins superstar lineup in fundraiser for kids with disabilities

< title="Jean Paul" alt="Jean Paul" src="http://www.laughsforpossibility.com/images/stories/jean-100-150.gif">

Toronto, ON, September 30, 2009

Several of Canada’s funniest people, including Jean Paul, the Gemini-nominated comedian described by NOW magazine as a combination of “savage wit and spontaneous combustion”, will be taking the mic on October 21st, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, for the Laughs for Possibility Comedy Showcase to raise funds for Bloorview Kids Rehab, Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital for kids with disabilities.

This is the second Laughs for Possibility event, presented by Tim Hortons in Sussex, NB (franchisees Jim and Chris Andrew sponsor the show despite the 1,500 km between the show and their stores, in support of their grandson Eric), following the inaugural show in January 2009 which featured some of Canada’s top comedians. Laughs for Possibility 2 will bring out another crop of Canadian comedy superstars including Jean Paul, who comedy fans will recognize from his Comedy Now special on CTV and the Comedy Network and from his work with the Nubian Disciples of Prior All Black Comedy Revue. Other comics announced so far have been Bobby Mair (2009 Stand-up Newcomer nominee at Canadian Comedy Awards), Gilson Lubin (MTV, HBO Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam), Kate Davis (Comedy Now, 2009 Best Female Stand-up nomimee at Canadian Comedy Awards) with more to be announced.

Laughs for Possibility was founded by local amateur comic, Lloyd Ravn, after his son Eric (now 4) suffered a major stroke in July 2008 and was admitted to Bloorview Kids Rehab’s inpatient unit, under the care of the Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT). After a strong recovery and subsequent discharge, Eric was re-admitted to Bloorview after two more strokes in May 2009, and he is still at Bloorview today.

As a father himself, Jean Paul understands that all parents need a break and an opportunity for some comedic relief. So when he saw the Laughs for Possibility show’s Twitter feed, and read about the show, he immediately contacted Lloyd to offer his assistance. “When a comic of Jean Paul’s calibre offers to perform on your fundraiser, it’s very exciting,” said Ravn. “We have tickets for the show that have been donated to parents of inpatient kids at Bloorview. Those parents need and deserve a good laugh, and I guarantee they will get exactly that from Jean Paul’s performance.”

For more on Jean Paul, visit http://www.jeanpaul.ca

Event details

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Time: VIP Reception at 7:00 PM, general admission at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:30 PM

Location: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 1250 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario

Tickets cost: $95 for VIP admission (includes pre-show reception); $50 for general admission

Available at www.LaughsForPossibility.com

Bloorview Kids Foundation

Bloorview Kids Foundation develops relationships and raises funds from the community for Bloorview Kids Rehab. Bloorview is the gold-standard in care, research, and education for kids with disabilities and their families. As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, it is an international leader in childhood disability. Bloorview pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.

Regardless of their disability, kids just want to be kids. Community and private investment is critical to enabling kids with disabilities to live their lives, just like any other kid.

For further information:

Lloyd Ravn, Event Organizer

Tel: 647-929-8916 or lloydravn@hotmail.com

Nicole Watson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bloorview Kids Foundation

Tel: 416-424-3850 or mailto:natson@bloorview.ca

Press Release: Canada’s “Funny Mommy” Kate Davis Joins Live Comedy Fundraiser for Kids with Disabilities

Canada’s “Funny Mommy” Kate Davis Joins Live Comedy Fundraiser for Kids with Disabilities

Toronto, ON, September 23, 2009

Several of Canada’s funniest people, including Canadian Comedy Awards 2009 “Best Stand-Up Female” nominee Kate Davis, will be taking the mic on October 21st, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, for the Laughs for Possibility Comedy Showcase to raise funds for Bloorview Kids Rehab, Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital for kids with disabilities.

This is the second Laughs for Possibility event, presented by Tim Hortons in Sussex, NB (franchisees Jim and Chris Andrew sponsor the show despite the 1,500 km between the show and their stores, in support of their grandson Eric), following the inaugural show in January 2009 which featured some of Canada’s top comedians. Laughs for Possibility 2 will bring out another crop of Canadian comedy superstars including Davis, a five-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee. Other comics announced so far have been Bobby Mair (2009 Stand-up Newcomer nominee at Canadian Comedy Awards) and Gilson Lubin (MTV, HBO Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam), with more to be announced.

Laughs for Possibility was founded by local amateur comic, Lloyd Ravn, after his son Eric (now 4) suffered a major stroke in July 2008 and was admitted to Bloorview Kids Rehab’s inpatient unit, under the care of the Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT). After a strong recovery and subsequent discharge, Eric was re-admitted to Bloorview after two more strokes in May 2009, and he is still at Bloorview today.

“Kate is a perfect fit for Laughs for Possibility,” said Ravn of the nationally-touring headliner. The show grew out of Ravn’s desire to give other inpatient parents at Bloorview a chance to have a night away from the hospital along with a few well-deserved laughs, and Davis is well-known for her parenting with humour workshops, and hilarious stand-up material about her own parenting experiences, making her performance on October 21 “a guaranteed hit,” according to Ravn. “All of the parents in the audience on October 21 will connect with Kate immediately.”

For more on Kate Davis, visit http://www.funnymommy.com

Event details

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Time: VIP Reception at 7:00 PM, general admission at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:30 PM

Location: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 1250 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario

Tickets cost: $95 for VIP admission (includes pre-show reception); $50 for general admission

Available at http://www.laughsforpossibility.com

Bloorview Kids Foundation

Bloorview Kids Foundation develops relationships and raises funds from the community for Bloorview Kids Rehab. Bloorview is the gold-standard in care, research, and education for kids with disabilities and their families. As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, it is an international leader in childhood disability. Bloorview pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.

Regardless of their disability, kids just want to be kids. Community and private investment is critical to enabling kids with disabilities to live their lives, just like any other kid.

For further information:

Lloyd Ravn, Event Organizer

Tel: 647-929-8916 or mailto:lloydravn@laughsforpossibility.com

Nicole Watson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bloorview Kids Foundation

Tel: 416-424-3850 or nwatson@bloorview.ca

Press Release: Gilson Lubin, rising star on Canadian comedy scene, supporting kids with disabilities by joining Laughs for Possibility fundraiser

Gilson Lubin, rising star on Canadian comedy scene, supporting kids with disabilities by joining Laughs for Possibility fundraiser

Toronto, ON, September 23, 2009

Several of Canada’s funniest people, including St. Lucian-born Canuck Gilson Lubin, will be taking the mic on October 21st, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, for the Laughs for Possibility Comedy Showcase to raise funds for Bloorview Kids Rehab, Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital for kids with disabilities.

This is the second Laughs for Possibility event, presented by Tim Hortons in Sussex, NB (franchisees Jim and Chris Andrew sponsor the show despite the 1,500 km between the show and their stores, in support of their grandson Eric), following the inaugural show in January 2009 which featured some of Canada’s top comedians. Laughs for Possibility 2 will bring out another crop of Canadian comedy superstars including Lubin, who will be familiar to audience members from his time on MTV Canada and appearances on Comedy Now and HBO and Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam.

Laughs for Possibility was founded by local amateur comic, Lloyd Ravn, after his son Eric (now 4) suffered a major stroke in July 2008 and was admitted to Bloorview Kids Rehab’s inpatient unit, under the care of the Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT). After a strong recovery and subsequent discharge, Eric was re-admitted to Bloorview after two more strokes in May 2009, and he is still at Bloorview today.

Ravn is excited to be announcing the addition of Gilson Lubin to the show (after previously announcing that Canadian Comedy Award nominee Bobby Mair will also be performing, along with several other Canadian comedy stars), predicting that Lubn’s laid-back delivery of off-kilter material “will win the audience over from his first joke.” For more on Gilson Lubin, visit www.GilsonLubin.com.

Event details

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009


Time: VIP Reception at 7:00 PM, general admission at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:30 PM

Location: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 1250 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario

Tickets cost: $95 for VIP admission (includes pre-show reception); $50 for general admission

Available at www.LaughsForPossibility.com

Bloorview Kids Foundation

Bloorview Kids Foundation develops relationships and raises funds from the community for Bloorview Kids Rehab. Bloorview is the gold-standard in care, research, and education for kids with disabilities and their families. As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, it is an international leader in childhood disability. Bloorview pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.

Regardless of their disability, kids just want to be kids. Community and private investment is critical to enabling kids with disabilities to live their lives, just like any other kid.

For further information:

Lloyd Ravn, Event Organizer

Tel: 647-929-8916 or mailto:lloydravn@laughsforpossibility.com

Nicole Watson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bloorview Kids Foundation

Tel: 416-424-3850 or nwatson@bloorview.ca

Press Release: Canadian Comedy Awards “Best Newcomer” nominee Bobby Mair joins Laughs for Possibility fundraiser in support of Bloorview Kids Foundati

Canadian Comedy Awards “Best Newcomer” nominee Bobby Mair joins Laughs for Possibility fundraiser in support of Bloorview Kids Foundation

Toronto, ON, September 24, 2009

Several of Canada’s funniest people, including Canadian Comedy Awards 2009 “Best Stand-Up Newcomer” nominee Bobby Mair, will be taking the mic on October 21st, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, for the Laughs for Possibility Comedy Showcase to raise funds for Bloorview Kids Rehab, Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital for kids with disabilities.

This is the second Laughs for Possibility event, presented by Tim Hortons in Sussex, NB (franchisees Jim and Chris Andrew sponsor the show despite the 1,500 km between the show and their stores, in support of their grandson Eric), following the inaugural show in January 2009 which featured some of Canada’s top comedians. Laughs for Possibility 2 will bring out another crop of Canadian comedy superstars including nationally touring headliners and stars of tomorrow.

Laughs for Possibility was founded by local amateur comic, Lloyd Ravn, after his son Eric (now 4) suffered a major stroke in July 2008 and was admitted to Bloorview Kids Rehab’s inpatient unit, under the care of the Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT). After a strong recovery and subsequent discharge, Eric was re-admitted to Bloorview after two more strokes in May 2009, and he is still at Bloorview today.

Ravn met Bobby Mair at an open mic show in 2006 and, like many others who saw him at the time, predicted that the young comic’s “dark, unapologetic material” would propel him to comedy stardom. Only 3 years later, Bobby is well-positioned to prove Ravn right, being one of the youngest comedians in the Yuk Yuk’s roster, and an audience favourite wherever he performs.

Event details

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Time: VIP Reception at 7:00 PM, general admission at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:30 PM

Location: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 1250 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario

Tickets cost: $95 for VIP admission (includes pre-show reception); $50 for general admission

Available at www.LaughsForPossibility.com

Bloorview Kids Foundation

Bloorview Kids Foundation develops relationships and raises funds from the community for Bloorview Kids Rehab. Bloorview is the gold-standard in care, research, and education for kids with disabilities and their families. As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, it is an international leader in childhood disability. Bloorview pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.

Regardless of their disability, kids just want to be kids. Community and private investment is critical to enabling kids with disabilities to live their lives, just like any other kid.

For further information:

Lloyd Ravn, Event Organizer

Tel: 647-929-8916 or lloydravn@laughsforpossibility.com

Nicole Watson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bloorview Kids Foundation

Tel: 416-424-3850 or nwatson@bloorview.ca

Press Release: Long-distance Marketing: Tim Hortons Franchisees in New Brunswick Sponsor Toronto Fundraiser in Support of Bloorview Kids Foundation

Long-distance Marketing: Tim Hortons Franchisees in New Brunswick Sponsor Toronto Fundraiser in Support of Bloorview Kids Foundation

Toronto, ON, September 18, 2009

Jim and Chris Andrew, Tim Hortons franchisees in the small town of Sussex, New Brunswick, have signed on for a second time as a presenting sponsor of the Laughs for Possibility Comedy Fundraiser in support of Bloorview Kids Rehab, even though the event they are sponsoring is about 1,500 km away, in Toronto. The business decision to sponsor a fundraising event usually involves an expectation of a certain return on investment for the company involved. But what if your business is a coffee shop located a hard day’s drive from the event? Most operators wouldn’t see business sense in such a proposal. Jim and Chris, on the other hand, see it as an opportunity they can’t pass up.

“We want our business associated with this show because of the chance to help Bloorview after everything Bloorview has done for our family,” said Chris. The Andrews have a close connection to Bloorview, Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital, through their grandson Eric. In July 2008, while on vacation at his grandparents’ cottage, then 3-year-old Eric experienced a massive stroke, which, once he was healthy enough to be transferred home to Ontario, led to a lengthy course of intensive therapy at Bloorview. “We sat in on one of Eric’s physiotherapy sessions, and knew when we saw the way his therapist was working with him, that Bloorview was a very special place” said Jim of the couple’s attachment to the rehab centre.

When Eric’s father, Lloyd Ravn, an amateur comedian in Toronto, told his in-laws of his plans to produce a live comedy fundraiser for Bloorview, and that he was searching for a corporate sponsor, they jumped on board immediately. This is the second Laughs for Possibility event, following the inaugural show in January 2009 which featured some of Canada’s top comedians, and which was also sponsored by Jim and Chris. Laughs for Possibility 2 will bring out another crop of Canadian comedy superstars to raise funds to help Bloorview reach its vision of “a world of possibility for kids with disability”.

Since the January show, Eric experienced two more strokes, in May 2009 and is back at Bloorview as an inpatient in the Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT) wing. As doctors work to find the as yet unknown cause of Eric’s strokes, not to mention how to prevent future relapses, Jim and Chris are happy to be supporting the hospital that is helping Eric recover. “The return to us in sponsoring this show is more on a personal level than a business one,” explained Jim. “But with the hard work everyone at Bloorview is doing to get Eric back to himself, we can expect the payback from the business end when Eric is old enough to come East to work at our stores.”

Tickets for Laughs for Possibility 2 are available at www.laughsforpossibility.com and the full lineup of Canadian comedy superstars who will be helping raise funds for Bloorview’s work with Eric and thousands of other kids with special needs will be announced on the week of September 21.

Event details

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Time: VIP Reception at 7:00 PM, general admission at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:30 PM

Location: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 1250 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario

Tickets cost: $95 for VIP admission (includes pre-show reception); $50 for general admission

Available at www.laughsforpossibility.com

Bloorview Kids Foundation

Bloorview Kids Foundation develops relationships and raises funds from the community for Bloorview Kids Rehab. Bloorview is the gold-standard in care, research, and education for kids with disabilities and their families. As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, it is an international leader in childhood disability. Bloorview pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.

Regardless of their disability, kids just want to be kids. Community and private investment is critical to enabling kids with disabilities to live their lives, just like any other kid.

For further information:

Lloyd Ravn, Event Organizer

Tel: 647-929-8916 or lloydravn@hotmail.com

Nicole Watson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bloorview Kids Foundation

Tel: 416-424-3850 or nwatson@bloorview.ca

Press Release: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel Supports Kids With Disabilities by Hosting Laughs for Possibility Comedy Fundraiser

Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel Supports Kids With Disabilities by Hosting Laughs for Possibility Comedy Fundraiser

Toronto, ON, September 17, 2009

On Wednesday October 21, some of Canada’s top stand-up comedians will take the mic in the Commonwealth Ballroom at the Crown Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel to help kids with disabilities. The Laughs for Possibility Comedy Showcase will raise funds to help Bloorview Kids Rehab, Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital for kids with disabilities, work towards its vision of “a world of possibility for kids with disability.”

This is the second Laughs for Possibility event, following the inaugural show in January 2009 which featured some of Canada’s top comedians. Laughs for Possibility 2 will bring out another crop of Canadian comedy superstars in a new venue that will allow for three times the ticket sales.

Laughs for Possibility was founded by local amateur comic, Lloyd Ravn, after his son Eric (now 4) suffered a major stroke in July 2008 and was admitted to Bloorview Kids Rehab’s inpatient unit, under the care of the Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT). After a strong recovery and subsequent discharge, Eric was re-admitted to Bloorview after two more strokes in May 2009, and he is still at Bloorview today.

Ravn approached the Crowne Plaza on Eglinton at the Don Valley Parkway about the event and the catering department at the hotel agreed to help out. The central location of the hotel, with easy access from any direction in the GTA will make for a simple commute for all attendees. But most importantly, it is a short trip from Bloorview’s facilities near Bayview and Eglinton for parents of inpatient children, who can attend for free, thanks to good Samaritans who donate parent tickets . “Having a child in hospital makes it difficult for parents to allow themselves any time on their own, so finding a venue so close to Bloorview will help make it easier to leave for a couple of hours,” said Ravn. “It’s great to see a local business helping out neighbours like this.”

Tickets are available at http://www.laughsforpossibility.com/ and the full line-up of superstar Canadian comedians will be announced during the week of September 21.

Event details

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Time: VIP Reception at 7:00 PM, general admission at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:30 PM

Location: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 1250 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario

Tickets cost: $95 for VIP admission (includes pre-show reception); $50 for general admission

Available at http://www.laughsforpossibility.com/

Bloorview Kids Foundation

Bloorview Kids Foundation develops relationships and raises funds from the community for Bloorview Kids Rehab. Bloorview is the gold-standard in care, research, and education for kids with disabilities and their families. As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, it is an international leader in childhood disability. Bloorview pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.

Regardless of their disability, kids just want to be kids. Community and private investment is critical to enabling kids with disabilities to live their lives, just like any other kid.

For further information:

Lloyd Ravn, Event Organizer Tel: 647-929-8916 or lloydravn@laughsforpossibility.com

Nicole Watson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bloorview Kids Foundation Tel: 416-424-3850 or nwatson@bloorview.ca

Laughs for Possibility 2, in support of Bloorview Kids Rehab

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to let you all know that my latest comedy fundraiser for Bloorview Kids Rehab, Laughs for Possibility 2 is happening in Toronto on October 21. This is going to be another hilarious show, featuring some of Canada's best stand-up comedians (and me), raising money to help Bloorview (Canada's largest children's rehab hospital for kids with disabilities) work towards their vision of "a world of possibility for kids with disability."

As most of you know, our son Eric has been a patient at Bloorview for a while, for physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and in summer of 2008, when he had a major stroke, spent a month as an inpatient there, followed by several months as a day patient (sleeping at home, but at the hospital all day Monday-Friday). Then, Eric had two more strokes in May 2009 and is still an inpatient at Bloorview today.

Everyone at Bloorview has done so much to help Eric, and our entire family (plus thousands of other families whose kids are seen at Bloorview as inpatients or outpatients), so I organized Laughs for Possibility as a way to say thank you to everyone at Bloorview by raising some money to help in their amazing work.

The show is also a free night out for other inpatient parents, who can attend using tickets donated via http://www.laughsforpossibility.com/. For the January show, we were able to send several parents, each of whom told me how much they enjoyed a night out from the hospital, and some well-deserved laughs. If you can't attend the show this year, maybe you can consider sending a Bloorview parent to the show instead.

The show will be October 21 at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel (DVP and Eglinton in Toronto), with a pre-show reception (including live music, food and drinks) starting at 7PM. General admission follows at 7:30 and the show starts at 8:30.

This show will feature some amazing comics, including:
-Bobby Mair (nominated for “Best Newcomer” at the 2009 Canadian Comedy Awards)
-Gilson Lubin (as seen on MTV and HBO Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam)·
-Kate Davis (nominated for “Best Female Stand-up” at the 2009 Canadian ComedyAwards)
-Jean Paul (Comedy Now, Halifax Comedy Fest)
-Alan Park (Royal Canadian Air Farce, Comedy Now)
-Terry McGurrin (Comedy Inc, Comedy Now)
-Simon Rakoff, who will be the emcee for the evening (Just for Laughs, Winnipeg Comedy Festival)

Tickets are $50 for general admission and $95 for VIP admission (including the pre-show reception) and are available at http://www.laughsforpossibility.com/.

For those of you in Toronto, I hope to see you at the show. For the others, hopefully some of you can consider sending a Bloorview parent to the show. And hopefully all of you will pass this message on to your Toronto friends and family that might be interested!

Take care,
Lloyd
http://www.laughsforpossibility.com/

PS: there are still sponsorship spots available for Laughs for Possibility 2. Check out the link below for more details if your company would like to be associated with this awesome show:http://www.laughsforpossibility.com/LaughsForPossibilitySponsorshipProposal2009.htm

Golden Honey

This is the first page in a Winnie-the-Pooh book our kids have:

Winnie-the-Pooh loves honey.

Honey? Look again.


Is it just me, or does it look like Pooh is peeing in the jars. Is "honey" a code word? Is Pooh Bear into "watersports"?

Breakfast Wars

A tray liner at McDonald's:

I knew that when Tim Hortons put out their breakfast sandwich, it hurt Egg McMuffin sales, but now they're down to just one a day? Is that per restaurant, or across Canada?

Pushy

This dump truck was moving too slowly for my liking, so I was just about to give him a bit of a nudge with my bumper, then I saw the "DO NOT PUSH" sign on the back. Disaster averted.

Thanks Tropicana!

I loves me some Tropicana orange juice. mmmm.

For a while now, Tropicana has offered 10 free Aeroplan miles with each jug of juice you buy. That's right. 10 free Aeroplan miles. (for the non-Canadian readers, Aeroplan miles are the frequent flyer points for Air Canada).


10!


So, if I drink a jug of juice per week all year, I will have 520 extra points.

Check the Aeroplan website and you will see that they offer flights "starting at 15,000 points". So, if I drink Tropicana for 28 years, I will be able to afford Air Canada's cheapest flight!

So, get ready Thunder Bay. I'll be coming your way in 28 years!

Computer Gas

This year, my son Eric received a Dynavox V speech generating device. It is awesome. Anything he wants to say can be programmed into this thing. We can program each button to speak a full sentence, a phrase or just a word. Eventually, he will be able to build words and phrases together to speak full sentences. For now, he uses buttons that say full sentences ("I played on the beach in Cuba.") and occasionally builds a couple of words into a short sentence ("I love" plus "Mommy.")



The device came pre-programmed with words and phrases for a number of situations, such as mealtime, bedtime, playtime, etc. It was very well-thought-out. But there were a few buttons that surprised me. For instance:

That's right. There is a "fart" button. And when you press it, it doesn't say "fart". It makes a fart sound. Like someone held a microphone to their butt and let one go. Very thoughtful.

I don't get it. THis is supposed to be a speech generating device, not a bodily-functions noise generating device. Under what circumstances would Eric need the computer to make that noise? Will pressing that button relieve the gas pains in his stomach? No. Farting will.

I haven't even come close to exploring the whole computer, and the fart button makes me wonder what I will find next. Is there a button that makes the sound of a turd landing in the toilet? Or one for the sound you make when you throw up in your mouth a little bit?

(Secretly, I hope so, but I just want to find them before Eric does.)

A strange way to make a statement

Someone at Jodi's work recommended fuZion wine, so she bought a bottle. I wasn't impressed. But then I looked at the name again. Not only was it not so great wine, but it is anti-semetic!

F.U. Zion? Who takes out their hatred of Zionists by starting up a winery? That's odd.