I was fortunate enough to be able to retire at the age of 47 after a career in oil and gas operations.

I began investing/speculating in the stock market in 1977 and have had good success overall, but like everyone, have taken my share of lumps. Now it is more about maintaining what I have than building an empire. Therefore the majority of my 'wealth' is tied up in 'boring' but 'safe' vehicles.

Having said that I still like to 'play' and I find the junior sectors to be the most exciting and rewarding, especially precious metals in this environment.

For the most part, I am a buy and hold type of guy, trying to select companies with good management, good properties and good access to financing. Sometimes things don't work out as planned so I like to be diverse enough to avoid the 'all eggs in one basket' scenario but take a large enough position in each that if one of five goes ballistic, it makes up for the others.

I like sports, especially hockey, golf and football.

My NHL teams are the Habs (my childhood original six team) and the hometown Flames.

NFL team is the Raiders. We haven't had much to cheer about lately but they used to be not bad.

CFL is the Stampeders.

Golf is a passion and I belong to a private course in Calgary. My wife and I head south to the Desert every year for a couple of months as a head start to our rather short season. As far as players go, it's anyone but Tiger. I'm not a big Phil fan but he's a much better ambassador for the game than Tiger IMO. The young guns are kind of taking over but guys like Els, Goosen, Couples, Darren Clarke, Miguel Angel Jiminez, Lee Westwood are favorites.

Wine, scotch, food and cigars are my my most notable vices.

I hope to make aquaintance with many of you on the hubs.

Good luck,

Silverback