More Randomness

Well here are a few more observations on life and work and play in the almost 51st state. The first picture is from my hotel. Great views in any direction.

The second picture is of a train unloading at the Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver. It is called the West Coast Express. It is similar to front runner but they usually have more cars on it and they have a refreshment car. It takes just under an hour to get from the hotel to downtown Vancouver on the conveyance. There is lot good public transit options here in Vancouver. The West Coast Express, the Sky train, City transit, and the Sea Bus to take you across the Burrard Inlet to North Vancouver. The big difference here in Vancouver as opposed to Italy and France is some here actually cleans the trains. You are not afraid to sit down, hold onto the rail or stand close to someone. Canadians, except for Newfies,(someone from Newfoundland) actually use deodorant. Even the Quebecois smell OK as opposed to their cousins from France.
I took a picture of the Pacific Central RR Station as I have actually boarded Via Rail Canada twice here several years ago, once going to Edmonton and once going to Calgary.. Via Rail and Amtrak both still run scheduled routes in and out of Vancouver.







The picture of me is me loafing around the yard waiting to be dispatched. I wanted to show everyone I wore a tie because I have missed three Sunday Blocks and I figured the Lord would forgive me if I wore a tie that was not mandatory.

The last picture of the people in orange is some Dutch fans and speed skaters. They were all pretty well gassed. There is one even sitting in the drivers seat attempting to start the bus. They were a fun crown.

I wanted to include a picture of some female offices of the RCMP that I have met, but it is not advisable to take pictures of security people. But suffice to say, I think the RCMP has different hiring standards than the various police agencies in the States. Most of the almost make me want to get arrested. They are attractive to super attractive, I don't think any of them are from that famous Greek Isle where everyone is named Jean or Pat or Kelley and It seems to the casual observer that they have much more padding in their bullet proof vests.
More Later.

Canadian Randomness

The pictures shown here represent the buses that I'm trying hard not to wreck and the traffic here north of the border. Just a few observations about Canada and the people here


Canadians are generally very polite and softer spoken than Americans.
Chinese Canadian drivers in Richmond make the drivers in Puerto Rico look real good.
Lots of very expensive homes and cars in Richmond.
Nobody cooks dinner in Richmond. There are about 25 Chinese restaurants per block and they are all very crowded from about 4 p.m. til Midnight. There are dozens and dozens of restaurants in the Richmond area.
I went into the Gung Hay Fat Choy supermarket in Richmond yesterday. All the signs were in Cantonese with English sub-titles. Almost as much mystery food as the food court at the Valley Fair Mall.
Canadian ketchup is way too sweet.
Only about 1/3 of the folks that frequent the inside of fast food joints like McDonald's or KFC clean up after themselves. Most of them leave all their trash and food leftovers on the table and floor for the $12.00/hr clerks to clean up. That usually happens about once every four hours.
Newspapers are still a major media force in Canada. There are at least 10 daily papers in the greater Vancouver area.
I finally talked to a lady on the bus yesterday that I could really understand. Turns out she is from Salt Lake City. It was good to talk to someone who had reasonable command of the English language.
The freeways up here are a mess. No one saw the need of having them done for the Olympics.
Tim Horton's donut stores are spaced about 2 blocks apart. They always have a long line at the drive-thru and a long line inside. Canucks love their coffee and donuts.
American network coverage of the Olympics pales in comparrison to CTV and the locals.
More later.

Chauffeur D'Autobus

This was the end result of 8 hours of waiting today. The actual procedure took only about 1 1/2 minutes to laminate and affix the obligatory neck strap, but it took 5 hours to get to the Olympic Headquarters from our headquarters(Its only a 15 minute ride) and three hours to get back. there are close to 600 buses parked in the yard and 1000 or more drivers, but they couldn't find a bus or a driver to take us. At any time there are at least 200 buses and 100 drivers sitting around doing nothing. Sunday night I drove a route on Hastings Street. At 2 a.m. a crack-head threw a beer bottle at my Autobus. Several soiled doves waved and gestured at me on my route. Hastings street makes Pioneer Park look like The Plaza at Temple Square. I think I need some pass along cards and several cans of Lysol. In case you are concerned, I did get a full days compensation for sitting around all day. Plus 1 meal and a $45.00 per Diem. More to come.

Oh Canada!

Arrived in BC last evening around p.m. Borderline chaos. We are staying temporarily at the Empty Arms(Ramada Inn) in Maple Ridge which is about 25 miles(40 km) from Vancouver. No one knows what is happening today. Some drivers have quit already...some were turned back at the border and some, like me, are enjoying the confusion.. It is kinda like the ten minutes preceding the start of Sacrament Meeting and no one knows who's conducting or who is on the program. We need a strong Relief Society President up here to get things organized.

MAJOR AWARD!!

As promised a few days ago, I am announcing the contest winner and the major award promised in my blog of 9/16/2008 entitled "Which Line Were You In?". I have included pictures of myself so that all of you unlucky losers can see for yourselves the quality of the prize you missed because of your lame guesses. No the prize is not me...It is, however the suit and belt pictured here. And the winner is that noted Big Apple Barrister that we all know and love.




Although her guess was not right on the money, it came closest to the actual card I traded,which was my weight loss card. I still have my terrible singing voice. I am still folically challenged. I have, however managed to lose lots of weight. I think I like being a babe magnet rather than being able to carry a tune or comb my hair.
Now before any of you bad mouth this major award, let me explain the possible multiple uses for this prize. As the winner is quite trim and fit, the prize has very little use in its current form as a suit. It would be easily converted, however, into a six person camping tent. You would need only to purchase several lengths of 1/2" PVC from your local hardware store to use as poles and stakes. There would be no need to make alterations to the suit as there are already plenty of button holes, pockets, openings and snags in which to erect and secure the tent. Also there is a zipper flap the could be used as the tent flap. There are multiple pockets in which to store your granola and wild hickory nuts and other healthy food additives. As she is in to outdoorsy travel and fun, this is a great prize for her. She could use it on her return to Iceland, South America, the Middle Fork of the Salmon, or even Vernal. She could even make it part of her 72hr. kit. Now in case she already is in possession of such a fine tent,(doubtful) there are other almost equally fine uses for this suit. If she ever buys another automobile, it could be used to cover and protect the vehicle in case no garage space is available. If she is ever appointed as a judge, she can dye the suit a dignified shade of black, cut it up and have it made into numerous judicial robes to last her through her lifetime appointment to the bench. If she is ever disbarred, she could use it as a tarp to cover lawn clippings in the back of her 1968 Ford pickup truck that she will using in her lawn-care business. Many don 't know that yard care was her second career choice. Also, I am throwing in the generously proportioned belt made to order to use as a towing strap when the pickup truck needs to be towed.
I can feel the disappointment among the rest of you in you lack of success in this contest. Rest assured there will be future contests with equal or superior awards.
As I am posting this, the Prize Box should be being delivered to the Law Firm of Fleecum Hoseum & Gypum in NYC where the winner is employed.

And The Winner is...

Next Monday, I will be posting the winner of the contest I sponsored in my blog of 9/16/2008 entitled "Which Line Were You In?. Please tune in next week to see if you have been picked as the lucky winner.