Snow

This morning I got to walk to work in the snow! According to Canadians who have lived outside of Vancouver it doesn't count as 'real snow', but it's still quite a novelty for me, given that I have never lived somewhere during snowfall.

All the locals see the snow as a pain in the butt, because of all the traffic problems it creates. The good thing about being a visitor is that one can enjoy little touches like this for what they are worth.

Lack of posting; I'm outie

I haven't posted much lately because, frankly, there has been sweet F.A. to post about. As of today I have worked 26 days out of a possible 28.

However, the decision to work like a madman is somewhat justified, as I have settled on a December 11 date to leave for London. Now I'll be glad for all that extra cash when I am travelling around the expensive cities of Europe.

Statutory holiday

Friday is a holiday in Canada- Remembrance Day.

Now I finally get the enjoy one of the perks of being on payroll- getting paid for a Statutory Holiday. Or so I thought. The Canadian requirement is that you must have been employed for 30 days and have worked for at least 15 days.

This is my 4th week at the office, so that means I'm only up to 28 days. Dammit.

Coffee

If you take your own coffee to work because you can't stand the employer-provided crap, does that make you some kinda stylish renaissance man with a refined palate, or just a wanker?

Turn down? Turn it up

Last weekend I had the pleasure of staying in Seattle at a free 5-star hotel, courtesy of a couple of friends who were there for a conference.

I've never been one for 5 star service, but one thing that completely puzzles me is the "turn down" service each night. For those blue-collars out there, turn down is where the staff come into your room each evening and make sure the bed is all cozy and even fold over the corner of your sheets.

WTF is the point of this? Isn't it basically like your Mum getting your bed ready for you when you were 6 years old? Many of the services at the hotel are pretty pointless, but I think this one takes the cake.

Another worst cricky team post

If you love cricket, then you'll love www.cricinfo.com

One of their regular features is a daily "this day in history" column that talks about notable achievements throughout (cricketing) history. In today's calendar there was reference to a game NZ played against Pakistan in 1990. Looking at the scoreboard, I saw what could possibly be the weakest batting line-up of any of the recognised test-playing nations EVER FIELDED. Dipak Patel at number 5 says it all really. And the bowling attack isn't that crash hot either!

1. DJ White
2. *MD Crowe
3. KR Rutherford
4. MJ Greatbatch
5. DN Patel
6. +IDS Smith
7. MW Priest
8. C Pringle
9. DK Morrison
10. W Watson
11. SJ Roberts

-Gate

Why is it that every scandal now has to be labelled [scandal]-gate? It's wearing a little thin. I thought that it was something that was favoured among the uninspired NZ media, but the Canadians love it too. Two of the most popular Canadian government scandals have been bingo-gate and advertising-gate.

I'm looking forward to the day when a negligent farmer doesn't fence his stock properly and they rampage through the downtown area, because then we could have gategate.

Or if another scandal happens at the Watergate hotel then we could have Watergategate.

I'm sure the media are so used to slapping a -gate on the end of everything that they wouldn't even notice.

*Update: I now see that Tana Umaga's speartackle on Brian O'Driscoll has been dubbed speargate. There is a special place in hell for proponents of that phrase*

Hi ho, hi ho

Today I begin a 19 day stretch of continuous work.

*think of the money* *think of the money*

Best sign EVER

It’s really common for beggars and panhandlers to wave a little placard that spells out their particular case of misfortune. Based on these placards, it seems that 90% of all beggars are clean and sober god-fearing veterans who just want a bite to eat.

But it's good to see that at least some of the indigent have a sense of humour. On the weekend I saw the best ever sign. It read:

"Help, family killed by ninjas, need $$$ for karate lessons to avenge their deaths."

It was almost worth a donation just for the comedy value. Almost.

The difference between Canada and the U.S

When travelling through U.S customs the conversation goes something like this:

• Where are you going?
• Where are you staying?
• How long are you staying there?
• Who are you travelling with?
• How do you know them?
• Open the trunk please
• Place your left index finger on the scanner
• Place your right index finger on the scanner
• Look at the camera as your photo is taken
• Pay $6 to the cashier
  

When travelling through Canada customs:

• Do you have status in Canada?
• Have a nice day