mooose24

I will be making between 1-3 ML picks each week in the NFL with each bet being for 100 units.  With the parity in the NFL these days great value in the ML.  Hitting in the 40-45% range will end in a profitable year. 

Week 1

JAK +165 - how is a 2-14 team a favorite on the road in week 1?  Two bad teams even though KC has a new QB and coach - just not sold on the overnight rebuilt.  Gabbert has looked better and the Jags have a solid back in MJD and a respectable D - I see the Jags winning a close one at home.

MINNY +170 - usually I do not like road teams inter-division but with AP and a strong D I like the Vikes to capitalize on errors of the Lions and with the old fashioned way - running and D.

GL everyone and I will be posting results and picks weekly!

MOOOSE

I was born in Vancouver, grew up in Toronto and I now live in CA (OC area). 

I would recommend Vancouver just for the fact it is an easier flight and a beautiful city and area, much more than Toronto (if you are going to the east coast I would recommend Montreal).  Toronto is a big multi cultural city like SF - so it would not be that unique from your perspective.

I would spend a couple of days in the city (you received some good advice above) but then I would definitley plan a couple of trips.

Shocked no one has mentioned Whistler yet - only a little over an hour from Vancouver and lots to do both in the summer and winter (if you are going in the winter it is a must).

Also Victoria (awesome island), the Ocanogan is great lake country and if you are out that way you could also do banff.  Driving through the rockies is a must even if is just a day to sight see. 

Just my thoughts...the locals will know the restaurants and bars to hit.

I am trying to deposit for the game this weekend and I cannot locate an online book that accepts AMEX.  I have tried googling it and even the books that say they take AMEX don't; some only do it for existing customers?

Anyone have any recent success using AMEX to make their deposit?

It will make the game that much more exciting!

I am all about the dips and finger foods - most have been mentioned above but my favorite is my wife's jalepeno corn dip - sounds and looks skeptical but everyone who tries it loves it...best thing is it is idiot proof to make:

One bag of frozen corn (not sweet corn)

One block of cream cheese

One heaping scoop of butter (margarine)

Add jalepenos to your liking (the hotter the better - i use fresh for better results).

Bake at 350 until everything melts - stir and serve with chips (my favorite is fritos scoops).

Enjoy - we get asked everytime we make it what the recipe is.  We have it every sunday during football season!

I am an accountant and I am familiar with the process of forensic accountanting, even though I do not have any direct experience in it.

As others mentioned, it can be very expensive, you are looking at anywhere from $150-$350 per hour per accountant and forensic accountants typically are looking through numerous files in detail and it can be very time consuming.  At times they really don't know what they are looking for, it is almost "a needle in a haystack."  So the costs have to outweigh the benefits. 

Foresnsic accountants typically work with attorneys on cases for financial support, as the attorneys typically determine if there is enough money to make it all worth while. 

Another issue you may have, is you mentioned that someone opened accounts in your name, well how are these accountants supposed to get access to these accounts?  Companies do not just offer people the access to view all of their data, you would have to get a court order. 

As you can see the costs keep going up.  So from your brief description it probably is not feasible for you to pursue this unless you want to do a lot of the grunt work yourself. Typically foresnsic accountants get involved with large corporate settlements to determine the exact losses, disputes with partners in business valuations and with divorces with large assets.  Unfortunately there is not enough money in it to chase around anything less than $10,000, which is on the low side.  It the lawyers settled for $10 gs and they get 33% and the accountants get another say 20% there is not much left for all of the time and effort involved.

I hope this helps, you should analyze if this pursuit is worth the time and money.

mooose

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to get some of your experiences with business credit cards; which ones have:

the best rewards

good gifts

ease to achieve points

good credit lines

I am going to be opening a busines and I will have a lot of expenses and I wanted to know what is a good card to achieve some points.

Thanks - Mooose

WEEK 2 PICKS

KC +285 VS DETROIT 

JACK +330 VS NYJ

SF + 145

sorry for the lack of detail, late getting picks out.

Throughout the year I will be posting my 3 moneyline plays of the week, which all will be for 100 units and I will keep track and update my results.  (Note: for recreational purposes only!

I was in the black last year, just barely, but I will take that for 17 weeks of entertainment.

A lot of juicy upsets can happen early as teams start to define themselves...so here we go!

SEATTLE +210 over SF - let me get this straight, Seattle, a playoff team (I know they had a loosing record) is getting this much juice vs. a team QBed by Alex Smith.  I have no faith in QB Alex Smith no matter who the coach is and I think any team with a new coach will face some growing pains.  Pete Carroll seems to have made believers of the players in Seattle and I see them starting off the season on a winning note.

BUFFALO +180 over KC - KC was a playoff team last year and they bring back most of their players, however, they faded down the stretch and the Ravens really exposed them.  I think the Chiefs were the beneficiary of a easy schedule.  The Bills had a bad record last year, but they kept things close in a lot of the games (remember the Stevie Johnson dropped TD pass vs Pitt?) and they have continuity with their QB for the 1st time in years.  They had a terrible run D last yr, but I see an improvement this year and they will not let Charles/Jones control this game.  I see the Bills pulling one out on a return or defensive TD and starting the year off 1-0!

WASHINGTON over NYG +110 - The G-men have been struck by injury this pre-season and they did not do too much in the off-season.  The Redskins have re-tooled a bit and have got rid of the cancer - Fat Albert and I see a competitive team this year that plays good D, runs the ball well and Grossman may be an upgrade over McNabb from last year.  I always like inter-division home dogs.

Hoping we can get off to a good start this year!

GL

Almost all bookies lay off if they have too much action on one side; it is a form of risk management.  No sense letting one game decide your faith for the entire year, that is gambling, bookies dont gamble - they run a business and they should manage their risks just like any other business.

Why does everyone expect athletes and celebreties to tip some giant amount? 

10% is low, but we do know the situation and this definitely doesnt make Hillis a bad guy...if it is a repeated habit that is different, but a lot of variables go into one meal.   Who knows, maybe he had some cash on him and left it at the table?

Just think it is wrong for everyone to expect more from people who have money...I guess it is the entitlement theory of our society.  Do expect anything...go earn it.

mooose

my thoughts of possible reasons for these types of girls:

1.  She may be real insecure and trying to over-compensate for this.

2.  She was told she was a "princess" her whole life by her parents, so she thinks she is something special and a real life barbie doll!  Women these days want everything - they want to be treated equally in society and still be treated like godessess and be pampered - you can't have it both ways!

3.  She was hot growing up but has let herself go, but she is naive to the world and she still thinks she has it going on.  I know a couple of girls like this from HS - they were the popular ones who were told they were pretty throughout highschool and now they are hideous and cutting hair for a living and they think they have it going on.  They used to get by on their looks - not no more!  These are the some of the worst people on earth; ugly, loud, bi-aches with attitude!

Slater I just sent you a friends request - my wife would love to go to Hawaii - I just figured it would cost so much more, but let me know the inside scoop!  i have never been to hawaii and I would love to go!

I am planning on taking the wifey on an all inclusive trip to Mexico some time around or after labor day. 

I am thinking Cancun (or somewhere on the Pacific Coast).  We are going without the kids, so we want a kid-free resort.  My wife likes to lay by the pool and have drinks and I like to do what most of the covers members do - drink, gamlbe and puff a little! (this is why I am asking for your advice).  Not into clubbing or anything like that, maybe some water activities, beach volleyball and a round of golf.  Food and room are top priorities for the wife, she's not a fan of buffets for dinner, breakfast is cool.

I have heard about the drug wars in Mexico, but I have heard Cabo is safe - anyone have any first hand experiences lately? 

Looking to spend $1000-2000 per person, so let me know of any good spots that you have heard of.

thanks in advance

I have to agree that gold/silver are both overbought and have limited upsite.  Once the public jumps in on an investment it is time to run (just like the public jumping on a side in gambling). 

Have a look at DZZ - gold double short, I think it has much more long-term potential than long gold and silver.  If you are worried about the american dollar - go international and get some currency (a low dollar may be beneficial to a lot of US companies, it may increase overseas demand). 

One other thing a lot of people do not realize, gold is taxed at a collectible, - 28%, not the 15% long term capital gains - big difference that has snakebitten a lot of people.

Just like taking online winners, online investment info can be risky also - do your own homework and don't always listen to what you hear -especially on a forum!

good luck

Tough choice, but benefits our huge and tough to be a competitive company these days without offering them.  I think this is a tough choice, but I agree family and fun come first, I work to live, not live to work and you sound the same way.  

Doesnt hurt to keep on looking though and maybe you can find something with similar pay + benefits, that is local and has better hours.

It is tough to hear Company's keep blaming moves on the economy, I am an accountant so I see the real numbers and I have seen numerous cases for layoffs and furloughs and other cut-backs while the Company is still making the same, if not more money.  Going straight to the owners' pockets.  It's an easy scape goat.

I hope your decision works out for you and your family.

mooose

One day and two posts - tells me know one does care!

I read an interesting article on ESPN saying there is a good chance of the entire year being a lockout as the players and owners are so far apart.  It also reported that up to 20 teams are losing money - that's not a good bargaining chip for the players!

mooose

Bad timing for the NBA having a lockout the same year as the NFL.  I have been following the NFL lockout very closely and I have been trying to hear both sides on their issues, but I still have to side with the owners.

As far as the NBA goes, there is no way these players will get any respect or sympanthy from the public, especially after we have heard months of cries from the NFL players. 

The NFL was at an all time high in popularity and I see/understand the reasons they are fighting for.  I can't wait, like others for football to start. The NBA i could care less about. 

The NBA had a good playoff run and some good matchups (MIA-BOS/MIA - CHI/MIA-DAL, DAL-LA, etc) and I watched more playoffs than I have in years, but that still doesnt make me care and I really don't think the players have a leg to stand on.  They are the most overpaid and least presentable group in all of pro-sports.  Avg salary is at $5mil - come on!

I am the first to post about the lockout which prooves my point that no one cares - I would like to hear others points of view on this issue.

mooose

I don't know how no one has mentioned this yet, but July 1st is Canada Day (I am not sure if you knew this or not), so there will be crazy parties downtown all day. 

I used to live in TO - its been a while so I would take the others advice, but I agree that the beaches area is a good low-key place to hang out.  Danforth is great for some good greek food - if you want good italian I would hit a small local bakery, there are a tonne of them in the area and they always have the best food. 

enjoy it

mooose

Gophernation your accomplished list is pretty impressive already!  how old are you to do all of those?

Gutcheck - I have had the exact same thoughts (my lottery dream) but it would inlcude NFL games on sundays (or mondays) - so it would be planned with schools in close geographic areas.

My bucket list is:

1.  Superbowl

2.  Stanley Cup final game in a Canadian city

3.  The Masters

4.  The Derby

5.  NCAA final game

6.  Attending the World Cup

7.  Premier league soccer game

8.  Attending a major UFC/Boxing fight

9.  Professional Rugby Game

10.  Nascar race - I hate car racing but I thought it would be fun to attend atleast one race

My accomplished list is weak

NHL - Toronto, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver, best arena I have been to though is the University of North Dakota's - if you get a chance check it out - kills all of the NHL rinks.

NBA - Toronto, Atlanta

NFL - Buffalo, Miami, Carolina Panthers

CFB - Clemson Tigers, SC gamecocks

MLB - Toronto (WS game also)

Golf - Canadian Open

Looking to expand on this list but tough to do with kids!

mooose