It may be the fatigue talking but I'd like to share with you some of my financial records. My main investments are through mutual funds purchased through EA's retirement savings program.

The RRSPs that I have purchased via that program offered me a rate of return of -18.61% between January 2008 and the end of September 2008. Taken over the last twelve months, my EA RRSPs offered me a rate of return of -20.20%.

EA also offers a deferred profit sharing program which is kinda like a pension which is also tied up in mutual funds. My DPSP investments between January 2008 and the end of September 2008 offered me a rate of return -15.98%. Over the last twelve months, my DPSP returned -17.18% in value.

These losses are partially my fault because I chose to invest in funds that were higher risk but offered the greater chance of higher return. Had I chosen to just invest in simple money market funds, all of my investments would have actually given me a +4% rate of return, which still factors in the huge drops in stock markets around the world.

Stupid.

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As some of you know, the US Presidential election campaign is in full swing, with tonight Senators McCain and Obama debating for the last time before election day. Senator Obama has run a 21st century campaign, not neglecting e-mails and blogs as forms of communication. To add to that, just this week, ads for Senator Obama started appearing in several EA games on the Xbox 360 platform. People first started noticing billboard ads featuring the Democratic candidate in Paradise City, the fictional locale for EA's Burnout Paradise.

Yesterday, I was speaking with our online producer (who is also an American). He told me he just authorized the use of Senator Obama's ads in the original skate. Unfortunately, the Obama campaign only bought ads for ten select states in which the Senator is still tightly contesting with McCain. A list of those states can be found in the article referenced above. If you live in California, Illinois, or New York, you're out of luck since it's a foregone conclusion those will go blue.

Look for the Obama ads in and around San Vanelona in the next day or so and only on the Xbox 360 version of skate.

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Today was a federal election day for Canada. Though it was not a surprise, I am still disappointed that Stephen Harper and his Conservatives were able to stay in power and form a minority government.

It is my belief that Canada does not need to lean any further to the right than Harper has been trying to for the last two years. I may speak poorly about the Greater Toronto Area at times but I must give that area credit for remaining a Liberal stronghold. Credit is also due for the Maritime provinces who once again voted heavily for Liberal candidates. It is safe to say without the populous areas of Ontario and the Maritimes, Canada would be in dire straights tonight.

Out West where I voted, it was again another disturbing result with the Conservatives sweeping large swaths of ridings, in some areas nary a Liberal nor NDP victory in sight. As a small consolation, the most populous areas of Vancouver went to either Liberal or NDP candidates, though the Liberals actually lost seats in Vancouver compared to 2006. In my own personal riding, I was glad to see the NDP incumbent, Dawn Black, retain her seat in Parliament, fending off the Conservative newcomer.

My own personal strategy for voting today was simple: prevent the Conservative candidate from winning. The Liberal candidate was probably too young and inexperienced to be a threat. Ms. Black had experience and incumbancy on her side, so it was quite a simple decision to be honest.

I now cautiously look forward to the Liberals and NDP blocking Harper when they need to and working with him when the time is right.

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Turn this:



Into this:



By simply scrolling to the bottom of your profile page and selecting this:



I must warn you though, you might think you know pirate after watching all those movies with Johnny Depp in it but you could be in for a surprise.

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