Have gotten a little lazy and haven't posted for a couple of days but there are a few things to report.
Some of the great folks on Cruise Critics are actually visiting this site to get a good look at me from my mug shot at the top of the page.
I will be doing a little bit of part time work over the next 3 weeks - I have signed on to work with Elections Canada in my riding - it is on call work - right now they have 93,000 voter registration cards to have the labels attached and mailed.
Later I will be working on the advance poll and then the entire election day which is Oct 14, 2008 here in Canada.
This will be a different experience for me as for the better part of the last 40 years I have usually worked for a political party which is volunteer vs this which is paid.
I probably will use the extra money for some extra excursions on the Dawn cruise.
Saturday I have to get up at 5:30 so I can get down to Canada Place to catch a bus to Seattle to catch the Norwegian Star for an overnight cruise to back to Vancouver.
I have been getting out on the new bike - starting to really enjoy it - especially not having any pain after riding - stopped into the physio's office to report my progress and told him about the new bike and better riding as he stated that a lot of people end up needing physio after bike riding.
Also dropped off my supporting documents for the insurance claim for the bike.
Will need to phone a few people re the FOYP work party - would like to have a full crew in place by mid-week at the latest as I will be heading up to Kelowna next week with Jim, Bruce and a bunch of others for a fall let's get out of town party.
Also need to get in touch with my financial planner to see if she recommends any changes to my portfolio in light of the stock market performance the last little while.
That's it for now
Dennis
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
While the day didn't get off to a great start it finished up okay.
I waited until around noon to head over to pick up my new bike - across the Burrard St bridge only it wasn't ready and wouldn't be for at least three to four hours so I walked over to Granville Island after a short rest there grabbed the aqua ferry and headed home - checked the mail - was hoping for cheque for some of the physio but instead a letter saying I needed some more documentation so I will have to work on that tomorrow.
Got a phone call from one of the FOYPS who wants to do the work party.
Got an email from Marlene regarding my request for an upgrade - it will be about seventy $$$ to ugrade - give her the go ahead - receive a further email telling me the first woman was a twit and that the second one got even a lower price - it will only be $40.00 more - almost wonder if we shouldn't try a third agent and see if they get another even lower quote.
Heard from the insurance adjuster - just need to fax/email him some of the quotes etc and a cheque will be issued.
It's now 3PM and head back over to get the bike - it is almost ready - just needed the rear rack mounted but the bag I brought wouldn't fit so I had to take another set of panniers.
By 4PM I have the bike on the road - do the False Creek loop - the bike is lighter and handles well and the change we made to the stem seems to be good as I didn't experience the pain that I did in the practice ride.
By 5PM I am home after the bike ride and it almost time for supper - I have another email from a FOYP volunteer so I am now at 9 - need 14 so only five to go and there a some people who had previously indicated they wanted to attend that I will phone.
About the only two things left regarding the NYC cruise is packing and excursions - the former won't start until about a week before but I do intend to book some of the more popular excursions before they completely fill up.
More later.
I waited until around noon to head over to pick up my new bike - across the Burrard St bridge only it wasn't ready and wouldn't be for at least three to four hours so I walked over to Granville Island after a short rest there grabbed the aqua ferry and headed home - checked the mail - was hoping for cheque for some of the physio but instead a letter saying I needed some more documentation so I will have to work on that tomorrow.
Got a phone call from one of the FOYPS who wants to do the work party.
Got an email from Marlene regarding my request for an upgrade - it will be about seventy $$$ to ugrade - give her the go ahead - receive a further email telling me the first woman was a twit and that the second one got even a lower price - it will only be $40.00 more - almost wonder if we shouldn't try a third agent and see if they get another even lower quote.
Heard from the insurance adjuster - just need to fax/email him some of the quotes etc and a cheque will be issued.
It's now 3PM and head back over to get the bike - it is almost ready - just needed the rear rack mounted but the bag I brought wouldn't fit so I had to take another set of panniers.
By 4PM I have the bike on the road - do the False Creek loop - the bike is lighter and handles well and the change we made to the stem seems to be good as I didn't experience the pain that I did in the practice ride.
By 5PM I am home after the bike ride and it almost time for supper - I have another email from a FOYP volunteer so I am now at 9 - need 14 so only five to go and there a some people who had previously indicated they wanted to attend that I will phone.
About the only two things left regarding the NYC cruise is packing and excursions - the former won't start until about a week before but I do intend to book some of the more popular excursions before they completely fill up.
More later.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Decided that I would go for the Kona bike as I am used to the brand so I walked across the Burrard St bridge - not hard to see why some people don't like sharing the sidewalk with the cyclists - can't blame them - especially the lycra clad types that don't know what 15KMH means - it's not a raceway guys it is a bike lane shared with human beings on foot.
After crossing the bridge made my way to Dizzy cycles - had hoped to get out on the bike but other than a spin in the neighbourhood to try out the bike that was all I had by 2:00PM - there is only one mechanic on duty on Sundays and I have a few bells and whistles to be installed - at best I will get it late this afternoon but probably tomorrow - also had to get the stem raised as I noticed soreness in my neck and shoulder on the trial ride. The actual $$ amount is actually a little less than I paid for my last bike so I was able to upgrade some of toys and still have a few bucks left over. I will also have a one year free service package on the bike. It felt good to ride but that was before the toys are being installed.
Couldn't wait for the adjuster to call but I don't anticipate any problems since the price is actually a little less than the replacement price on my policy.
Walked back over the Bridge and home in time for a late afternoon internet surfing session - found out through my cruising buddies that there has been a price decrease on my upcoming NYC cruise - usually after final payment they won't decrease the price but will sometimes upgrade the cabins - this is what appears to be happening to many of those friends so I have emailed my TA to see what might happen.
Almost time for supper.
Dennis
After crossing the bridge made my way to Dizzy cycles - had hoped to get out on the bike but other than a spin in the neighbourhood to try out the bike that was all I had by 2:00PM - there is only one mechanic on duty on Sundays and I have a few bells and whistles to be installed - at best I will get it late this afternoon but probably tomorrow - also had to get the stem raised as I noticed soreness in my neck and shoulder on the trial ride. The actual $$ amount is actually a little less than I paid for my last bike so I was able to upgrade some of toys and still have a few bucks left over. I will also have a one year free service package on the bike. It felt good to ride but that was before the toys are being installed.
Couldn't wait for the adjuster to call but I don't anticipate any problems since the price is actually a little less than the replacement price on my policy.
Walked back over the Bridge and home in time for a late afternoon internet surfing session - found out through my cruising buddies that there has been a price decrease on my upcoming NYC cruise - usually after final payment they won't decrease the price but will sometimes upgrade the cabins - this is what appears to be happening to many of those friends so I have emailed my TA to see what might happen.
Almost time for supper.
Dennis
Now that I have gotten yesterdays rant out of the way it is time to concentrate on Sunday's agenda.
I miss having a bike for those nice day rides so later today I will go and pick up a new bike - I will pay and then get the insurance money later. I can't wait any longer.
It is really a decision of which bike and shop to choose. I also will be getting a hybird style of bike - don't need the heavier mountain bike any more as the days of doing severed dick and urinary tract trails are over - don't want a road bike because it do like to ride some off road or gravel trails and wider paths. Both sales reps basically said the same thing - hybird is the way to go.
It is another sunny and hot one here in Vancouver - looks like the first half of the week is going to be dry and the second half more normal - next Saturday I head down to Seattle for a one day cruise back to Vancouver on the Norwegian Star.
May go to a memorial service on Friday - a long time Y member and retired Vancouver firefighter has passed away so I may attend the service.
Also need to stop and pick up some black ink for one of my printers - I have two printers and the cassettes are interchangeable .
You may have noticed I have changed the title of this blog and I may change it again to Dennis' Rant Blog - what do you think or do you really care.
That's all for now
Cheers
Dennis
I miss having a bike for those nice day rides so later today I will go and pick up a new bike - I will pay and then get the insurance money later. I can't wait any longer.
It is really a decision of which bike and shop to choose. I also will be getting a hybird style of bike - don't need the heavier mountain bike any more as the days of doing severed dick and urinary tract trails are over - don't want a road bike because it do like to ride some off road or gravel trails and wider paths. Both sales reps basically said the same thing - hybird is the way to go.
It is another sunny and hot one here in Vancouver - looks like the first half of the week is going to be dry and the second half more normal - next Saturday I head down to Seattle for a one day cruise back to Vancouver on the Norwegian Star.
May go to a memorial service on Friday - a long time Y member and retired Vancouver firefighter has passed away so I may attend the service.
Also need to stop and pick up some black ink for one of my printers - I have two printers and the cassettes are interchangeable .
You may have noticed I have changed the title of this blog and I may change it again to Dennis' Rant Blog - what do you think or do you really care.
That's all for now
Cheers
Dennis
Saturday was one of those days - everything was going perfectly until an event change the mood for the remainder of the day.
I got on the bike and rode over the Lions Gate Bridge stopping to take a number of pictures - then down under the bridge along the waterfront and into Lonsdale Quay where I had lunch - walked through the market and the adjacent new viewing area where the HMCS Regina was berthed - opted not to take a tour - then hopped the Sea Bus for the short ride across to Waterfront station - then its onto my fitness club for a steam, shower and shave. This is where things started to unravel - as I was leaving the club I couldn't find my access card - think it is inside the club somewhere but without the card I would have had to get security to let me in - this is only a concern if I go on a Saturday or early or late in the day - this is a minor inconvenience for what confronted me - I go back outside and my bike is nowhere to be found - I was sure that I had locked it up properly but there was the cable lock on the bike rack and no bike - did a quick check of the area but couldn't see anyone with a bike - it was a good bike - a Kona which was 6 years old but still in good condition - I have full insurance with no deductible so that isn't the worry - I also remembered to remove my camera and cell phone before going inside to the club - the only thing that I noticed was that when I locked my bike up there were no others in the rack - when I returned 20 minutes later and mine was gone there was another old clunker lcoked next to where my was suppose to be - the thought now occurs to me that perhaps someone took mine - locked up his and would return later to get his after selling mine for some dope money. The chances of it being recovered are slim although when I filed my police incident report on-line I was able to provide a serial #.
After doing the police report I contact my insurance provider who takes the details and will get an adjuster to call me on Monday - I then proceed to get a couple of quotes for the replacement - one for a Trek and one for a Kona - I can replace the bike and most of its toys and whistles for what I paid for my last one.
I lean towards the Kona - like the color better + I know the owner of the store + one of the personal trainers at the Y works there on Saturdays which I wasn't aware off - both provide one year service - The Trek shop is a block away - the Kona store is across the Burrard Street bridge.
The third event was another minor one - I usually eat at a White Spot on Saturdays and yesterday was no exception except for the shitty service + cold fries = our regular waiter is away in Ireland and the guy running the show is not a favorite - they also had about 4 new waiters on so that was one reason why things might have been sub-par.
The last item was my good friend Jim - once again he was too busy to have dinner with his best friend.
On a more positive note I did finally get the FOYP email done and had one couple respond to wanting to work on the work party.
I got on the bike and rode over the Lions Gate Bridge stopping to take a number of pictures - then down under the bridge along the waterfront and into Lonsdale Quay where I had lunch - walked through the market and the adjacent new viewing area where the HMCS Regina was berthed - opted not to take a tour - then hopped the Sea Bus for the short ride across to Waterfront station - then its onto my fitness club for a steam, shower and shave. This is where things started to unravel - as I was leaving the club I couldn't find my access card - think it is inside the club somewhere but without the card I would have had to get security to let me in - this is only a concern if I go on a Saturday or early or late in the day - this is a minor inconvenience for what confronted me - I go back outside and my bike is nowhere to be found - I was sure that I had locked it up properly but there was the cable lock on the bike rack and no bike - did a quick check of the area but couldn't see anyone with a bike - it was a good bike - a Kona which was 6 years old but still in good condition - I have full insurance with no deductible so that isn't the worry - I also remembered to remove my camera and cell phone before going inside to the club - the only thing that I noticed was that when I locked my bike up there were no others in the rack - when I returned 20 minutes later and mine was gone there was another old clunker lcoked next to where my was suppose to be - the thought now occurs to me that perhaps someone took mine - locked up his and would return later to get his after selling mine for some dope money. The chances of it being recovered are slim although when I filed my police incident report on-line I was able to provide a serial #.
After doing the police report I contact my insurance provider who takes the details and will get an adjuster to call me on Monday - I then proceed to get a couple of quotes for the replacement - one for a Trek and one for a Kona - I can replace the bike and most of its toys and whistles for what I paid for my last one.
I lean towards the Kona - like the color better + I know the owner of the store + one of the personal trainers at the Y works there on Saturdays which I wasn't aware off - both provide one year service - The Trek shop is a block away - the Kona store is across the Burrard Street bridge.
The third event was another minor one - I usually eat at a White Spot on Saturdays and yesterday was no exception except for the shitty service + cold fries = our regular waiter is away in Ireland and the guy running the show is not a favorite - they also had about 4 new waiters on so that was one reason why things might have been sub-par.
The last item was my good friend Jim - once again he was too busy to have dinner with his best friend.
On a more positive note I did finally get the FOYP email done and had one couple respond to wanting to work on the work party.
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