Hot Tub Time Machine - 2026

 Already been 8 years since I last hit post on blogger. Proud to say I still live and love Western Canada but reside across the pond in BC. Vancouver specifically, a city full of views that even a blind person would enjoy. You may wonder what has happened to me ? Yes, I still work for the same company but representing a new client in the consumer packaged goods industry. Short for CPG. Chill, it’s not just frozen pizza. 11 years still grinding but loving every minute of it. Lyrics to a great song right ? I thought so. Oh guess what…I got married. Wow that sentence is crazy to type and share but that warm summer day in July was the best day of my life. Needed two coats of deodorant to make it through the outdoor ceremony. What is a cherry on the top ? We became home owners in 2025 and haven’t looked opened the wrong door since. DIY renovations and DIY cocktails kept us sane. Who knew 8 years would fly by faster than a blue jay on an electric fence. I know understand what my Uncle Dave used to tell me when I was younger, enjoy life cause it goes fast. Can’t be all granola though, over the time I did lose my dad and 2 grandparents but I know there in a better place. Funerals are the worst so please make sure to celebrate when my time comes and don’t dwell in the bottom of a well. I’m doing better and just waiting for the rest of my family to join. I can’t forget, Artificial Intelligence has arrived or Gen Z commonly calls “AI” but proud to say these words are straight from my fingertips. And no AI doesn’t stand for Allen Iverson if your reading this and born in the 90s like I. The iPhone 18 is now out but Steve Jobs passed away years ago. Writing has always been a passion of mine, alongside film and music but 2026 was an entrepreneur venture for I. My wife’s support really enabled me to be myself. I entered the YouTube content space to further explore these passions and I have to admit, eye contact or starting directly into a computer camera lens is still a work in progress lol. A random update to my life but a hot tub Time Machine worth of memories to share since my last post. I’m in a great place and attribute that to marrying the right woman. Remember to spread love and to help others. Life is an experience we all share so make sure to leave this planet better then when we were here. Thanks for reading. 

Keaton Grein

Ps - still waiting on The Toronto Maple Leafs and New Orleans Saints to win a championship. 

The Progression of a Career

Young, Ambitious, Educated and prepared. All steps necessary to fulfill your dream career. When a job gives you lemons, make lemonade. Once you make the lemonade, sell it and buy new lemons. That's a true twist. Most peoples desire out of school is to travel the world and work. A great idea to sit on your couch and think about. I reflect upon the days of living out of a hotel and travelling all over Ontario. Magical it was but their is a time when your job hits a crossroads. Is that normal ? I want to assure you that all employees working for business encounter days when they contemplate the value they bring to the role. You ask yourself if you are even challenging themselves. Never get comfortable. Companies frown upon short term relationships with previous employers however maybe it is because they aren't looking at the bigger picture

Our generation doesn't stick to a company for an entire career, its the progression of careers. Things evolve and so do peoples mindset.

   I've dipped my toes into multinational companies that exceed over a billion in sales annually. Good for them but is it good for you ? A business from the outside looks attractive and enticing. Once you enter the doors and transparency is given, you then question the world of Ethics. I now understand why each year of my Bachelor Degree had a Ethics course. The top 1% of worlds biggest performers didn't get there by abiding to the rules. I can relate it back to hockey for all my Canadian readers. You are a devoted fan to a few select teams but when you lace up your skates and understand the true team dynamic in the locker room, then you know the real struggle. I always strive to score goals with every job I have had. I give each day full effort with full disclosure. Never burn bridges but keep in mind that not all bridges are built to last.

Never limit yourself to your skills or capabilities. No one wants to tell you this but there are  many opportunities in the world that you can work for. You should never be unsatisfied with the work you do. I recently put my resignation to a high paying job with high job security. People look at me crazy for leaving but once you have convinced yourself it isn't the job for you, then sorry to tell you but it isn't for you.

This post isn't meant to be sad nor disruptive. My main point is that closing a door doesn't mean another door can't be open. Keep you head high and push yourself to the limits. Don't chase the money because the money will find you.

Cheers

Countdown to Christmas begins...

I imagine ridiculously, obscene, scary, funny costumes and regrets making its way are on your to-buy list this time of year, but done forget what is right around the corner? Crisp mornings, Cars that won't start, snow that wont shovel itself, and one slippery accident away from cursing. Yes. It's Winter (aka Christmas and some spring love making LOL 12-9 = 3). Gifts in 2015 are a digital revolution still in the making ( on mobile devices and through Internet).

Have you ever ended up at the store on Christmas eve looking to pick up a gift ? We all have I am sure. If not, round of applause to you!! If I used emoticon you'd see my gratitude. You can find daily deals digitally. No more late night drives to stores but welcome one click away shopping. Cutting out Coupons should have left when boots with Fur left (got to appreciate those aussies) . Did you know the share of internet users has astronomically grown since 2008?  Yes the dreadful of recession of 09 affected business owners in store sales. Demand shrunk and supply grew causing inventory to be overstocked. So what opportunity grew ? Online retail. Distribution channels via online sales was born. Return of Postal services perhaps.

Lets keep it to the basics (Marketing is a set of plans designed to build effective customer relationships). And when the amount of disposal income in society reduces, less consumer spending occurs. Retail stores had to redesign the way business worked in order to sustain sales plus maintain customer relationships.  For those who companies that didn't or have yet too, three letters R.I.P.

People work. People go home. Simple right ? The only advance in the chain has been the integration of technology.

Therefore why not add one more chain to the link. People work. People go home. People go online or surf the web.

Hence, you can now find better deals glancing at online stores daily year round. Its a simple process. Add the item to your cart, and wait till the optimal price appears then select to buy the item when convenient. You can literally start shopping for Christmas in February. Simple and better yet economically friendly.

Now the real question, do you have online stores in mind ??

If not, here is my recommendations:

Amazon - Easy, Secure, Reliable

Groupon - Innovative company (Personally used numerous times travelling overseas, highly recommended)

Those are my recommendations. Great customer service and secure protection of sensitive information. If you decide otherwise, good luck with your search. In conclusion,  save yourself some time on last minute gift shopping. Save a dollar here, invest a dollar there.




Again don't forget to vote....(October 19th 2015)

 Main Event

             Thomas Mulcair vs Justin Trudeau vs Elizabeth May vs Gilles Duceppe vs Stephan Harper