Blair and Diane have just returned from the CONSAC show in Toronto. What a revelation that was! Almost the entire show was devoted to large format printing.

So What!
It very quickly became clear that large format printing is not the way of the future. It's happening here and now. Assuming the sign manufacturers in and around Canada's largest city are a good indication, then it's time for the prairies to get with the program.

Who Cares?
In fact, many sign companies are putting in 2 or 3 different large format printers in order to meet their clients' diverse needs. They're not waiting around for the perfect machine to do it all. It's about giving the customer what they want. That's what keeps you in business.

What's in it For You?
While you may think it's an impossible dream for you, why take a chance on missed opportunities? Take the one step at a time approach, and start with the unit that best meets your needs. Only then can you begin to build the profit to grow your business and move ahead in the industry. Soon you will be able to afford all the equipment you ever dreamed of. Take a moment and think about it…. If you think you can continue to do things the same old way and get different results, think again! If the notion that you can't afford to get involved in large format printing is holding you back, ask yourself this question: “Can you afford not to…?!”

So, if you've been thinking about printing, let us know how we can help you. If you haven't even considered it yet - time to check it out. You'll find we have affordable options available.

Isabelle
Speaking about Toronto, wouldn't you know that we landed there just as Hurricane Isabelle was about to strike. As it happened, the nice weather held until early the next morning, when we awoke to high winds and rain. The only weather related problem that I witnessed though, was when the wind very nearly blew the coffee right out of my cup as I dashed out the door of the hotel that morning. However I made a quick save, and arrived at our vehicle coffee intact. My morning coffee spilled on the ground, now that would have been a disaster!

Seriously though, we in Canada were very lucky to have escaped the damage that was experienced in parts of the U.S. due to this storm. Wish it were true of Hurricane Juan as well. While we, who were lucky enough to be spared the devastation that accompanied both of these storms, deserve to feel glad, our hearts and prayers must go out to those who were not so fortunate.

Saturday morning in Toronto dawned clear and sunny, and trade show attendance picked up considerably from the previous day. Weather notwithstanding, we certainly can't complain about the interest shown at our booth either day of the show. Our Rav en cutter was a big hit with the crowd there. Just as we thought, people are definitely excited about an affordable cutter that is packed chock-full of valuable features.

The Turtle Club
On Sunday we had time to wander along the waterfront before heading out to the airport to catch our flight back home. We might have continued wandering for another hour if it hadn't been for the turtle. That's when we met Frank. Frank was a virtual fount of information, mostly unsolicited, one of those local characters who manages to grab your attention whether you like it or not. But Frank burrowed his way into our hearts, and we lent him our ears for nearly an hour, as he held forth on every topic imaginable - politics, religion, and everything in between. Frank had an opinion on everything. We learned a lot about the city of Toronto. How much of it is true? Does it really matter? It was Frank's truth.

I bet you're still wondering what all of this has to do with a turtle. Well, we just happened to be there when Frank spotted the turtle in the lake. And he wanted to share it with someone. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?

Full Houses
Thank you to everyone who attended our Calgary and Edmonton “Autumn Transformations”. We are always trying to get the message out about our products and services, and most importantly how they can help you. We appreciate it when you take the time to come and let us share with you. Once again these open houses were a big success for us. Hopefully the feeling is mutual.

As I type this, we haven't drawn a name yet for the door prize, but we plan to twist some impartial person's arm to do that for us soon. Some lucky attendee of our open houses is about to win a Vector Art clipart package. See, we do make it worthwhile, in many ways, for you to come out and join us on these occasions. When you join us at a Corbin open house you are always a winner.

Laughter and Light
I decided to do some research on the symbolism of the raven. Wow, I got more than I bargained for! It seems this handsome bird was extremely popular in nearly every ancient culture of the world. From Hinduism to Christianity the raven holds a sacred place. North American aboriginals, the Celts, the British, Scandinavians, Hungarians, Russians, Siberian natives, Basques, Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Tibetans, ancient Maya, Brazilians, Australian aboriginals, and even natives of the Congo bestow special credentials upon the raven. However, it has the strongest representations in Native American and Celtic mythologies.

The raven is one of several totems or animal guides acknowledged by many North American aboriginal tribes. These guides have spiritual significance, and can be compared to guardian angels. An interesting note is that the person does not choose a totem, but instead it is said that the totem chooses a person. This may happen through a series of signs or omens, coincidences by which a person is exposed on various occasions, and possibly by various means, to a particular recognized totem symbol. It is said that the totem animal has the qualities that the person either has or needs. Once the totem has been identified, the person is expected to make associations with its traditional attributes, and may start to act accordingly.

Hmmm, I am reminded of a couple of raven sightings I experienced this summer, once on a hike in the Rocky Mountains, and again at our campsite on Salt Spring Island. The incident on the island was particularly amusing, because the bully raven was taunting a couple of crows by perching on the top of a tree just above their nest. The crows in question repetitively dive-bombed the unrelenting raven until they finally gave up. Shortly thereafter the bored raven flew away. And the moral of the story is…….? But I should get back to the topic.

Although the significance of the raven may vary between tribes and traditions, it is known to be long-lived, clever, resourceful, faithful, and dynamic. A playful creature, it often performs spectacular loops and upside down rolls. It also has the greatest variety of vocalizations of any animal. The raven is sometimes known as the trickster and sometimes as a saviour - the bringer of both laughter and light. In some traditions it is believed to be the personification of the Supreme Being, and when it flaps its wings it creates the wind, thunder, and lightning. The Haida believed the Raven created all things, and in a parallel of Noah and the ark, once saved all of the animals from a great flood, by pairing them and putting them on a raft. As a prophet, it is regarded as a messenger of the Great Spirit. According to the Cherokee, who give the Raven special honours, it symbolizes good fortune and special powers.

Well, I don't know about special powers, but as far as my identification with the raven goes, I hope I manage to bring just a little laughter and light into your busy day. That would be enough honour for me. Until next time, take care and God bless.


For your success,

Team Corbin
 

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