December is upon us. It’s the time of year when all men head to the mall to get an early start on Christmas shopping (usually around December 23rd). Ah, the joys of going to Sherway Mall or Yorkadale Plaza in Toronto. Looking for a parking space, fighting the crowds in the mall and not knowing what to buy just screams peace on earth to all. It’s the time of year when stress levels rise and you say to yourself, “$%@! %$”. But I’ve decided that this year is going to be a little different.

It’s been a hell of a year for all of us. Changes to the mortgage rules and the economy contributed to a stressful year. Every time we turned around our industry was taking it on the chin from the media. But ultimately we’re responsible for our own state of mind. I’ve decided to try to something different for the rest of the year and search high and low  for positive things to blog about. It may mean there will be very few blogs about the mortgage industry but so be it.

With the positive things in mind, the Paradigm/Merix Children’s Christmas party was held this past weekend. The staff who organized the party wondered if my “friend” would be willing to play the part of Santa. I said I would have to think…I mean…I would ask my “friend” if he would be interested in doing it. My “friend” has never done something like this before and I think he was a little concerned that some of the kids might have to go for therapy after the event. “Santa, why are you drinking Grey Goose vodka, and does Santa always wear Hugo Boss cologne, and Santa do you think you’re setting a bad example having an unlit cigar in your mouth”? Out of the mouth of babes.

My “friend” decided to do it and he sent me some photographs. Mrs. Clause has a striking resemblance to Kathy Gregory, and the elf looks eerily like her son Mackenzie. Sheer coincidence? My “friend’ said he had an amazing time, and the smiles on the children’s faces were worth sweating like a pig in that costume. This time of year is truly what we make of it.

Until next time,

Cheers.