Topic: Little things that make you happy

[Triple Bob]

After the disappointing West coast...

I think this is the 2nd or third time you have mentioned you didn't like Vancouver.

Mind if I ask why?

Well, YVR was overall better than the US side of things (Seattle......ick !! ). But the accomodations were horrendously expensive- probably the most expensive city I've stayed in. The market/grocery was also on the expensive side. The drivers, well, I think we all know their reputation. And it kind of lacks the laissez-faire, relaxed party feel of Montréal, and from a cultural standpoint, also lacks the Québecois flair. A bit too business-like, too many rules, not enough joie de vivre.

Perhaps it is different in the suburbs. I had only time to stay and wander in the centre-ville and immediate vicinity. 

What's wrong with Seattle?

[Gurgie]

After the disappointing West coast...

I think this is the 2nd or third time you have mentioned you didn't like Vancouver.

Mind if I ask why?

Well, YVR was overall better than the US side of things (Seattle......ick !! ). But the accomodations were horrendously expensive- probably the most expensive city I've stayed in. The market/grocery was also on the expensive side. The drivers, well, I think we all know their reputation. And it kind of lacks the laissez-faire, relaxed party feel of Montréal, and from a cultural standpoint, also lacks the Québecois flair. A bit too business-like, too many rules, not enough joie de vivre.

Perhaps it is different in the suburbs. I had only time to stay and wander in the centre-ville and immediate vicinity. 

You're from Europe, correct?  France or Germany, I can't really remember?  But it only makes sense that you would prefer Montreal because it has that European feel & flair as you have stated.  Also, you were visiting a Canadian City that currently is the second highest in terms of cost of living, wouldn't you expect higher costs for accommodations & food then?  When you go to New York City, what are your expectations there?  Costs are even more outrageous.  And lastly, the US dollar was probably worth around $0.25 more than the Canadian during your visit, that probably easily offset your higher than expected costs 

[quadzilla]

Isn't comparing Montreal and Vancouver like comparing Prague and London (UK)? They are totally different places.

[5 Wheel Drive]

Weaseled my way into 2 24" led monitors for my cubicle.   

[Gurgie]

Weaseled my way into 2 24" led monitors for my cubicle.   

NICE!!!  But what took so long?  I've had 2 - 23's for almost 2yrs... and I'm just a lowly consultant as you know   

[mlin32]

Isn't comparing Montreal and Vancouver like comparing Prague and London (UK)? They are totally different places.

But it's all within one country, right?     Just kidding, I know Canada is more like, 3 countries/markets. Have been to YVR before but that was many years ago so I don't remember much; so essentially a new taste for me.

As for costs, I knew that YVR was expensive but have always had the mentality of prices being perhaps fractionally higher (like 20-30%) than Montréal or Québec City......when reality was double the price. Eating generally wasn't so bad, the transports publics wasn't so bad plus the Compass card is just a déposit so got the money back. Foodstuffs were higher than expected, again in comparison to the East. Now I really understand why so many can't afford to live in the centre- and perhaps the prevalence of Ferraris and Maseratis that I saw. Never thought of it as the Canadian analogous city to NY either (that's the GTA in my opinion). But I did like all the motorcycles I saw there........"Oooh look a FZ-09.....!"

I didn't like Seattle. Crumbling infrastructure ("no income tax"), high prices, bad roads, terrible drivers and traffic. Not as pretty like Vancouver. Takes forever to get anywhere, compounded by the fact my friend lives with his father at the moment on Bainbridge Island and you end up scheduling your entire life around the ferry schedule.

"Why don't they build more bridges?"
"No income tax.....and you're only allowed residential development."
The result? It takes 90min to drive about 100km of actual distance.

I had some good times; went karting, rode my friend's motorcycle, got some nice seafood, and the weather was nice. Just given all the hype I hear about the West from other folks my age plus my comfort level in QC and Toronto, I was expecting more and it really....wasn't all that.

As for currency, I know the $C versus $US favourability exists but I treat my 3 "official" currencies ($C, $US, and EUR) at parity. The savings just shows up as a small bonus in Canada and thesedays I treat 1 EUR = 1 USD.

[Ex-airbalancer]

What the fack did you think BC stands for

Bring Cash 

[Travel360]

What the fack did you think BC stands for

Bring Cash 

Nice one!  I was commenting on how many Land Rovers we spotted on a 3day visit there last month, friend told me that's one of the favourite big suv driven by the XYZ! (Xi, Yi,Zia whatever )

[aquadorhj]

What the fack did you think BC stands for

Bring Cash 

Nice one!  I was commenting on how many Land Rovers we spotted on a 3day visit there last month, friend told me that's one of the favourite big suv driven by the XYZ! (Xi, Yi,Zia whatever )

ha.  that's a new one.

[mlin32]

What the fack did you think BC stands for

Bring Cash 

Good one !

I seriously considered bringing my DH bike and going up to Whistler, every Downhiller's dream. But couldn't squeeze in the time and my friends who went there for a week spent an exorbitant amount of money.

[5 Wheel Drive]

Weaseled my way into 2 24" led monitors for my cubicle.   

NICE!!!  But what took so long?  I've had 2 - 23's for almost 2yrs... and I'm just a lowly consultant as you know   

I had a pair of 22's.  I upgraded myself. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

We're supposed to all have one 27" and one 24" monitor. I can't deal with the asymmetry, so I traded my 27" for a co-worker's 24".

Still luxury compared to the one 15" CRT I started out with way back when.

[Solstice2006]

We're supposed to all have one 27" and one 24" monitor. I can't deal with the asymmetry, so I traded my 27" for a co-worker's 24".

Still luxury compared to the one 15" CRT I started out with way back when.

Boy does that bring me back.  I used to work for KDS Canada, and hated working on the heavy 21" monitors. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

We're supposed to all have one 27" and one 24" monitor. I can't deal with the asymmetry, so I traded my 27" for a co-worker's 24".

Still luxury compared to the one 15" CRT I started out with way back when.

Boy does that bring me back.  I used to work for KDS Canada, and hated working on the heavy 21" monitors.

Yup, same here. When we were setting up operator stations in plants, we'd have to lug those buggers all over the place. Shipping weight was something like 70lbs.

[Gurgie]

Weaseled my way into 2 24" led monitors for my cubicle.   

NICE!!!  But what took so long?  I've had 2 - 23's for almost 2yrs... and I'm just a lowly consultant as you know   

I had a pair of 22's.  I upgraded myself. 

Sweet!!

[5 Wheel Drive]

We're supposed to all have one 27" and one 24" monitor. I can't deal with the asymmetry, so I traded my 27" for a co-worker's 24".

Still luxury compared to the one 15" CRT I started out with way back when.

Boy does that bring me back.  I used to work for KDS Canada, and hated working on the heavy 21" monitors.

When I first started here, pretty much most of the 1st and 2nd floors (over 100 workstations) worked with 21" crt's.  They were monsters to move, but fun to throw in the bin when they got replaced with lcd's.

[Ex-airbalancer]

We're supposed to all have one 27" and one 24" monitor. I can't deal with the asymmetry, so I traded my 27" for a co-worker's 24".

Still luxury compared to the one 15" CRT I started out with way back when.

Boy does that bring me back.  I used to work for KDS Canada, and hated working on the heavy 21" monitors.

When I first started here, pretty much most of the 1st and 2nd floors (over 100 workstations) worked with 21" crt's.  They were monsters to move, but fun to throw in the bin when they got replaced with lcd's.

The heat load from those old crt were a lot , one screen was the same as a person

[mrthompson]

Seeing Mr Thompson kids walk to school, his youngest son has a  knapsack larger than him 

 

[Solstice2006]

Picked up my son from daycare today, after cutting 9 lawns in this heat. 

Certainly brightened my day!

[Bubba]

Picked up my son from daycare today, after cutting 9 lawns in this heat. 

Certainly brightened my day!