Sunday, July 25, 2010

Off To The Bathtub Races


Have you ever heard of Bathtub Racing? Or how about the world's largest Bathtub? Nanaimo BC holds the world famous Bathtub Races each year, and my "crew" and I have been involved for 14 years now.

If you have never seen a bathtub in action, then check out this video of our driver Wakeem as we test the tub in calm waters prior to the race. Our tub is racing in the Super Modified Class, the fastest class with the most horse power and tricks. Hey, after all these years, we know to go big or go home. Our tub was clocking out at a speedy 32 MPH and we were happy with that.



Here is the link to the Official Bathtub Site.

The weather for the race this year was sunny but very windy. We were in 6 - 7 foot swells, and even the chase boats were having problems in the waves.

Only 20 minutes into the race, and most of the field either didn't make it out of the harbour or much past the first check point, "Entrance Island." By the end of the 3 hour race, only 12 of the 49 tub and chase boat teams crossed the line. We sunk just after the first check point, but were able to throw a rope around the tub and save it from completely going under.

Although we didn't finish this year, we did have friends who came in first place!!!
Clint Heine of Marine Express / 1st Fiberglass.
Here is Clint sipping beer from the cup in the pub after the race.



On the BC Day long weekend, we will be up at Pitt Lake for the next bathtub race. No waves on the lake, so I hope we don't sink this time :-)

Cheers,
Calvin

P.S. a special thanks to our Nanaimo customers for their support all year and during Tub Weekend.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Social Committee

The best part of being on our Costless Express Social Committee is "pre testing" venues for our parties.
A new bowling center opened up near our offices, so we thought this would be a great venue for our year end party (our year end is July 31.)

So, off our committee went on a Friday afternoon to check it out. Hey, someone's gotta do the hard work, and since we can't just send one person, we all had to go check it out.

Now that we were here, we thought, what's the harm to bowl a game… or two… or three… and order nachos? (The biggest plate of nachos I've ever seen - I took a picture!) Soon it was 6:30pm, and we had ripped up the lanes with some super competitive games. It was a great time, and the best part was keeping up with Todd who is on a league.


I'm looking forward to our bowling party, scheduled for mid August. I suggest bowling for any corporate get-together. It's quite inexpensive, everyone can do it, and it's easy for everyone to mingle and team build.
Cheers,
Calvin

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Chewter's Chocolates

Today we went to visit my friend Wade and his company Chewter's Chocolates.

Wade just spent the past 4 months installing a new chocolate production line worth about $1,000,000!!!

This machine can take liquid chocolate (only the best Callebaut chocolate) and completely mould, cool and wrap over 350 chocolate squares per minute.

Watch a quick video to see how fast this machine makes them - it is amazing!


Wade said the "How It's Made" TV show wants to come film his machine - only one of a small handful in the world.

Soon you'll see Costless mini chocolates in your orders and handed out by our drivers, we are just waiting for the weather to cool down.

Also, check out these very cool custom wooden boxes Wade's company makes for the Vegas hotels like Bellagio and Wynn to name a few. He has really revolutionized the mini bar gift experience with these products. You can start to find his gifts as close as Vancouver hotels, and as far away as Dubai.

Way to go Wade, proud of you - (and keep the PB&J chocolate truffles coming our way, they are sooooooo addictive!)

Cheers,
Calvin

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Todd is the world's greatest handyman.


Behold the power of duct tape!