About Nico


I'm a senior business analyst, writer, blogger and tarot consultant based in Toronto, Canada.


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CIBC’s Run for the Cure 2009

By Nico on Thursday the 8th of October, 2009 at 9:13 am

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CIBC's Run for the Cure in Toronto, 2009

CIBC's Run for the Cure in Toronto, 2009

Each year I participate in CIBC’s Run for the Cure to raise money for breast cancer research and prevention. It’s an important charity to me, my Grandmother died if cancer in 2001. She was the most amazing woman and it was heartbreaking to watch.

For the uninitiated, the runners in pink shirts are breast cancer survivors, those in red are lead sponsor CIBC’s employees, and average Janes and Joes run in white. Most sport various accoutrements in pink – hats, wigs, scarves, tutus, leg warmers, temporary tattoos – anything and everything you can think of is somewhere represented. It’s the only day of the year I wear any real pink.

Runners passing the ROM

Runners passing the ROM

The run took place on Sunday, October 4th across Canada, and I of course ran in my home city of Toronto. I took a few shots as I was running, most of which are up on Facebook.

If you haven’t donated yet, but are able to spare even a few bucks, it would mean a lot to me. You can still donate as late as Hallowe’en, October 31st. All donations of at least twenty dollars are eligible for a tax receipt.

Knowing that even the paltry sum I’m able to raise helps fund research that can raise awareness for prevention and find a cure is important to me.

Please click here to donate to a great cause.

Thanks, and it would be great to see you running with me next year!

Wedding Anniversary 2009

By Nico on Thursday the 6th of August, 2009 at 8:50 pm

Drew & Nico

Drew & Nico

August 4th, 2009 was our eighth wedding anniversary.

This year we decided our gift to each other would be to finally frame the picture we bought while in Montreal for our fifth anniversary. It certainly seemed reasonable.

So, on Tuesday we went out for dinner at a local place we both enjoy.

It’s ten years ago this summer (July 8th, to be exact) that Drew and I met properly for the first time and eight years ago since we were married. It’s a long time, but it doesn’t feel like a long time ago.

A few years ago I asked Drew why he thought our relationship worked. His response: “Because I’m cool”. I told him that was funny, as I was going to say it was because I was awesome. He nodded and cheerily replied something to the effect of “That’s right, we’re both awesome”.

There’s a lesson in here: successful relationships work because each partner is individually awesome and cool. If one of the pair isn’t supremely nifty, it’s probably not going to last. (Love can only carry you so far.)

Cheers to all the awesome people out there.

The cabin and the citiot

By Nico on Thursday the 6th of August, 2009 at 8:29 pm

Wild Wood

Wild Wood

Once upon a time my (great) uncle bought a hundred acres of woodland in the middle of nowhere. He built a (hunting) cabin and named it Wild Wood.

My uncle died, and my (great) aunt of course was extremely sad and she missed him.

I didn’t know my uncle well. While my aunt was friendly and sociable, I didn’t see him much. He preferred to keep to himself. The cabin reflects that: remote, strong, independent.

The cabin was a strong reminder, and four and a half years ago my parents bought the property from my aunt. The August long weekend was the first time I’d ever been up there. I’m very sorry it took me so long. (Read more…)

Jude Goes Home: Day 8

By Nico on Saturday the 25th of July, 2009 at 7:04 pm

Jordan reunites with Jude

Jordan reunites with Jude

Miraculously, my sister called and said they’d come home a day early.

Apparently it did nothing in Ottawa but rain for a solid week. Ottawa’s boring in the sunshine, too, but it seemed to be the rain that killed it for them.

Jordan seemed very happy to see Jude again. (In fact, that might even be a smile on his face…!)

I, in turn, was happy to see Jordan take Jude away. I showed him the chunks missing from my bookcase, the split wood, the offending rabbit. (Read more…)

Jude the Wily: Day 7

By Nico on Friday the 24th of July, 2009 at 6:46 pm

Rabbits? Really?

Rabbits? Really?

On day 1 I still getting used to the idea of Jude and rabbit-sitting, but already by day 2 I was trying to see what Jordan saw in her. (The rabbit, not my sister. Though that’s another topic entirely…)

I still don’t think I get it.

So I’ve compiled a list of the favourable attributes of a pet rabbit, and contrasted it with how much they suck.

Bunny, it ain’t lookin’ good fer you. (Have you considered not being a rabbit?)

Good Stuff About Rabbits

  1. They’re cute.
  2. They’re soft.
  3. Easter is fun.

The last one’s not even technically about rabbits. It’s about paganism.

Now that we’ve exhausted their positive features, let’s get to the bulk of the pet-rabbit experience. (Read more…)

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