Sometimes stories just fall into your lap. Like today. I had to be in court at 10 am., but prior to that I had to take my wife and sister to the airport to catch a flight. The event was such a comedy that I posted it on the Tim Horton Facebook site. Here is the abbreviated story.....
My sister and wife have loved the coffee for years. I thought they were exaggerating until today when they were travelling from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale via Pearson Airport. Their flight was leaving at 8:50 am. I called them at 8:40 and found out that they were enjoying a coffee at the Tim Horton outlet at the Airport. They obviously missed the plane.
After being on stand by and ending up in Miami their only comment was:
Tim Horton's coffee is so good it is worth missing a flight for.
go figure.
Feb. 6
Ok -- it has been almost 2 months since my last post -- but it's not like I am being paid to put my inane remarks to paper. Besides, December and January are always busy with wonderful things to do or not to do. February on the other hand.....
Anyway, I have been crazy busy and the next few months will be even crazier. Besides sojurns to Banff, Halifax, Havana, Washington and Boston, there are a couple of "meetings, conferences, or talks" that I am involved in.
And then there is continuing education programs. I attended one yesterday through a webinar. It was involving fraud including internet issues. Some miscreant must have been attending because about two hours after the programme ended I was hacked, hacked and hacked some more. What a mess.
And finally, I am really working on my new list "the "f" list which rhymes with bucket list" -- so far it involves downhill skiing, snowshoeing, dieting and making sure that I do not adher to the adage -- if it smells good, tastes good and looks good then it is not good for you. I prefer relying on my favourite cooked vegetable -- french fries -- and if I want all the food groups I just make it an order of poutines.
--- and to the person who visited my site 24 times in one day -- I really hope you found what you were looking for ;-)))))
all the best
allan
Anyway, I have been crazy busy and the next few months will be even crazier. Besides sojurns to Banff, Halifax, Havana, Washington and Boston, there are a couple of "meetings, conferences, or talks" that I am involved in.
And then there is continuing education programs. I attended one yesterday through a webinar. It was involving fraud including internet issues. Some miscreant must have been attending because about two hours after the programme ended I was hacked, hacked and hacked some more. What a mess.
And finally, I am really working on my new list "the "f" list which rhymes with bucket list" -- so far it involves downhill skiing, snowshoeing, dieting and making sure that I do not adher to the adage -- if it smells good, tastes good and looks good then it is not good for you. I prefer relying on my favourite cooked vegetable -- french fries -- and if I want all the food groups I just make it an order of poutines.
--- and to the person who visited my site 24 times in one day -- I really hope you found what you were looking for ;-)))))
all the best
allan
December 13, 2012
In contemplation of what is supposed to be taking place on Dec 21, 2012 I thought that I had better create a post.
Best wishes for a holiday season to each and every one. No reason to spell out the various religious holidays, non-religious holidays or even the special days -- just happy holidays.
Looking back on 2012 I decided that my bucket list is just about complete -- there are a couple of additional things I have to do but they are going to wait until next summer. What I have now decided to do is to move away from my Bucket List.
I now have another List -- It rhymes with Bucket but starts with "F". Use your imagination. It basically outlaws the words: will, must, should, shall etc.
be well
allan
In contemplation of what is supposed to be taking place on Dec 21, 2012 I thought that I had better create a post.
Best wishes for a holiday season to each and every one. No reason to spell out the various religious holidays, non-religious holidays or even the special days -- just happy holidays.
Looking back on 2012 I decided that my bucket list is just about complete -- there are a couple of additional things I have to do but they are going to wait until next summer. What I have now decided to do is to move away from my Bucket List.
I now have another List -- It rhymes with Bucket but starts with "F". Use your imagination. It basically outlaws the words: will, must, should, shall etc.
be well
allan
Pie in the Sky
When you have jumped out of a plane without a parachute (but trusting that the person who is attached to you is in good health and knows how and when to pull his or her parachute); and swam just above the bottom of a lake 30 feet down in the water; motorcycled around Lake Erie and Lake Ontario all on one July day there isn't much else to do other than climb a mountain, sail a boat, bungie jump or do a thousand other things ---- unless of course you live in or around Toronto.
Then you have the privilege and pleasure of going for a 30 minute or so stroll around the CN Tower -- albeit above the restaurant and very, very high in the sky. Again like most of what I do -- you can't get hurt -- you can just "get dead". Not a chance with the Edgewalk. You are given a breathalyzer test; all personal possession are removed or taped (as in rings that will not come off); frisked; frisked; and frisked again.
You are then put into a jump suit and frisked another couple of times. Up in the dedicated elevator and then to the walk off point. By this time the group of 6 individuals who were all chatting five minutes earlier are deadly quiet. Good thing no one had lunch. That seems to be the biggest difficulty experienced by individuals prior to stepping into inner-outer space.
We were each told to stand against the wall and then individually we were hooked up - front and back - to a rope. Everyone was checked about 3 times (I can't really remember because by this time I was wondering what the heck I was doing -- considering that I am terrified of heights.)
We then stepped out onto the edgewalk. I think that the escort was concerned about me -- he didn't let me go last.
We walked about 15 feet - all close to the wall until the escort told us that it was time to have some fun -- as in leaning backwards at the edge. That was bad enough but 15 or more feet and he asked us if we remembered the movie the Titanic -- we all more than groaned but all but one of us actually leaned forward into open space looking down at the ground. We were now crowing like expert skyscraper workers.
After that we walked as if we owned the joint. We did the back lean twice more -- it was now a piece of cake. The whole thing lasted 35 minutes and it was an experience of a lifetime. Would I do it again? Maybe -- but not until I have climbed a mountain, sailed a boat, bungie jumped and probably grew a full head of hair. ;-))))))
allan
Then you have the privilege and pleasure of going for a 30 minute or so stroll around the CN Tower -- albeit above the restaurant and very, very high in the sky. Again like most of what I do -- you can't get hurt -- you can just "get dead". Not a chance with the Edgewalk. You are given a breathalyzer test; all personal possession are removed or taped (as in rings that will not come off); frisked; frisked; and frisked again.
You are then put into a jump suit and frisked another couple of times. Up in the dedicated elevator and then to the walk off point. By this time the group of 6 individuals who were all chatting five minutes earlier are deadly quiet. Good thing no one had lunch. That seems to be the biggest difficulty experienced by individuals prior to stepping into inner-outer space.
We were each told to stand against the wall and then individually we were hooked up - front and back - to a rope. Everyone was checked about 3 times (I can't really remember because by this time I was wondering what the heck I was doing -- considering that I am terrified of heights.)
We then stepped out onto the edgewalk. I think that the escort was concerned about me -- he didn't let me go last.
We walked about 15 feet - all close to the wall until the escort told us that it was time to have some fun -- as in leaning backwards at the edge. That was bad enough but 15 or more feet and he asked us if we remembered the movie the Titanic -- we all more than groaned but all but one of us actually leaned forward into open space looking down at the ground. We were now crowing like expert skyscraper workers.
After that we walked as if we owned the joint. We did the back lean twice more -- it was now a piece of cake. The whole thing lasted 35 minutes and it was an experience of a lifetime. Would I do it again? Maybe -- but not until I have climbed a mountain, sailed a boat, bungie jumped and probably grew a full head of hair. ;-))))))
allan
Another Drop in the Bucket
As the bucket list goes -- it grows but so do the adventures that are placed in the bucket.
I have just finished the Open Water Scuba Dive portion of my scuba training. I am now a certified (and still certifiable) scuba diver. What a hoot! The training and adventure were amazing and like most things that I get myself involved in there is always an added "kick" to the story.
The 4 dives that constitute the open water training took place on Saturday and Sunday at Confederation Park in Barrie. Saturday morning was particularly invigorating with a major downpour and 15 degree weather. I suppose you could say - big deal since we were going to get wet anyway -- but it does make a difference when everything around you, clothes, papers, food etc is soaken wet and downright cold. But then the upside is that the water looks inviting. One scuba school actually cancelled its class.
Anyway, after an orientation session, we geared up - I now have the experience of what women go through in putting on certain clothing -- when I had to put on the wet suit; boots, hood and gloves. By the time I had my 24 lb. weight belt and BCD on I was just about exhausted. We then had to walk about 40 feet to the shore and into the water at which time we put on the fins (I kept calling them flippers - but that just shows how old I really am.)
The testing was organized and would go well if it wasn't for the fact that I now had to come to grips with a realization that probably existed for decades -- I have a waist - what I don't have is hips!! Which means the weight belt will not stay up. It sounds funny. It ain't. By the time I had completed the first test (satisfactorily) I left the water and was ready to call it quits.
The 3 diving instructors then had to consider how to deal with the issue of how to keep the weights on me so that I would be able to descend into the water - and yet be able to get rid of the weights in a split second if necessary. They were quite imaginative and by the time they were done I was wearing two sashes with the weight belt resting on the sashes. All was well and I was now a relatively happy camper (or diver).
For the next two dives, the sky would look as if it was clearing and then the rain got worse. The visibility in the water was about a maximum of 12 inches. Really freaky. But all went well and by 3 p.m. I was on my way home, tired, water logged and not hearing very much.
Sunday looked promising. The weather was sunny. However, as soon as I stepped out of the car at the park it started raining for about 30 seconds. Definitely someone was laughing at us!
The last of the 4 dives went quickly. We were all certified - 6 guys; 2 gals; ages from the young lady who was about 12 years old to the 63 year old motorcyclist; sky diver; etc.
But the best was yet to come. One of the instructors stayed behind to take 7 of us on our first additional dive. An excursion to a sunken barge 29 feet deep. It was a 30 minute dive and was fantastic. Beautiful views (about 5 or 6 feet of visibility) and lots of fish. It was amazing to stop and look at a fish who just simply looked back at me. It was as if we were communicating.
So thank you to Liam, Dan and Alan (with one L) ( all of Scuba2000 in Richmond Hill) who took us on the dive and emphasized all that is important to remember about diving. I can't say enough good things about Scuba2000. They are a class act!!
So, I have now done - earth (motorcycling); air (sky diving) and water (scuba diving). After I finish the Edgewalk at the CN Tower shortly, I am looking forward to the next adventure. I am going to again meet up with Alan (with one L) since he is also a ski instructor. Judy and I have never downhilled skied - and it is about time we find out what it is all about. I suppose I should tell Judy that Alan (with one L) is also a pilot but she may not be very happy about that.
be well -- and my MD says that my full hearing should be restored within a few days ;-)))))
I have just finished the Open Water Scuba Dive portion of my scuba training. I am now a certified (and still certifiable) scuba diver. What a hoot! The training and adventure were amazing and like most things that I get myself involved in there is always an added "kick" to the story.
The 4 dives that constitute the open water training took place on Saturday and Sunday at Confederation Park in Barrie. Saturday morning was particularly invigorating with a major downpour and 15 degree weather. I suppose you could say - big deal since we were going to get wet anyway -- but it does make a difference when everything around you, clothes, papers, food etc is soaken wet and downright cold. But then the upside is that the water looks inviting. One scuba school actually cancelled its class.
Anyway, after an orientation session, we geared up - I now have the experience of what women go through in putting on certain clothing -- when I had to put on the wet suit; boots, hood and gloves. By the time I had my 24 lb. weight belt and BCD on I was just about exhausted. We then had to walk about 40 feet to the shore and into the water at which time we put on the fins (I kept calling them flippers - but that just shows how old I really am.)
The testing was organized and would go well if it wasn't for the fact that I now had to come to grips with a realization that probably existed for decades -- I have a waist - what I don't have is hips!! Which means the weight belt will not stay up. It sounds funny. It ain't. By the time I had completed the first test (satisfactorily) I left the water and was ready to call it quits.
The 3 diving instructors then had to consider how to deal with the issue of how to keep the weights on me so that I would be able to descend into the water - and yet be able to get rid of the weights in a split second if necessary. They were quite imaginative and by the time they were done I was wearing two sashes with the weight belt resting on the sashes. All was well and I was now a relatively happy camper (or diver).
For the next two dives, the sky would look as if it was clearing and then the rain got worse. The visibility in the water was about a maximum of 12 inches. Really freaky. But all went well and by 3 p.m. I was on my way home, tired, water logged and not hearing very much.
Sunday looked promising. The weather was sunny. However, as soon as I stepped out of the car at the park it started raining for about 30 seconds. Definitely someone was laughing at us!
The last of the 4 dives went quickly. We were all certified - 6 guys; 2 gals; ages from the young lady who was about 12 years old to the 63 year old motorcyclist; sky diver; etc.
But the best was yet to come. One of the instructors stayed behind to take 7 of us on our first additional dive. An excursion to a sunken barge 29 feet deep. It was a 30 minute dive and was fantastic. Beautiful views (about 5 or 6 feet of visibility) and lots of fish. It was amazing to stop and look at a fish who just simply looked back at me. It was as if we were communicating.
So thank you to Liam, Dan and Alan (with one L) ( all of Scuba2000 in Richmond Hill) who took us on the dive and emphasized all that is important to remember about diving. I can't say enough good things about Scuba2000. They are a class act!!
So, I have now done - earth (motorcycling); air (sky diving) and water (scuba diving). After I finish the Edgewalk at the CN Tower shortly, I am looking forward to the next adventure. I am going to again meet up with Alan (with one L) since he is also a ski instructor. Judy and I have never downhilled skied - and it is about time we find out what it is all about. I suppose I should tell Judy that Alan (with one L) is also a pilot but she may not be very happy about that.
be well -- and my MD says that my full hearing should be restored within a few days ;-)))))
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