AndrewLog

2009 in review

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:33:00 +0000

Apparently I haven't written a blog entry in over a year! Where does the time go?

This year was a little more muted than the previous year, especially with regards to fancy vacations. No vacations this year, just a few trips to Toronto, Oakville, Sauble Beach, The Bruce Peninsula, Niagara Falls, Orilla and the such. Casino Rama was a mainstay of 2009. I Lost my prescription sunglasses in the depths of Lake Muskoka, took a ride on the Maid of the Mist for the first time, finally. Reacquainted myself with the MS Chi-Cheemaun. Have been involved in a relationship for a full year. Won re-election for a 3 year term on my condo board, had the first Corporate Christmas party at the luxurious Delta Armouries' Middlesex Suite and didn't even get kicked out. I Determined my sleep-number is 100, lost my last remaining grand parent, renegotiated a mortgage for the first time, had another financially unsuccessful Boozefest, made some new friends, reacquainted with some old, ramped up my alcohol consumption, spent too much money upgraded my iPhone and bought a new laptop.

All and all though a relatively normal year despite the crippling recession.

Vegas!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:24:00 +0000

Haven't written anything in this thing lately..

Just got back from Vegas (technically this morning at 3am).. Went straight back to work.. Needed a little more time to return to reality. This trip to Vegas, my 4th, I spent the most money -- but also had the best time. Mind you I could have had the same time at half the price, ie if I just stuck to the penny slots instead of marching into the Wynn poker room and sitting for hours. Half of our group stayed at Bally's and the other half at the Wynn which caused some logistics issues due to the $9 cab ride distance they are apart from each other. I caused a few scene's; one involving dropping a glass in front of a casino entrance, one where a taxi wouldn't break a $100 (which was my only means of covering the trip), and another in front of the Wynn's nightclub entrance. Apparently I can't drink scotch on the rocks from Noon until past midnight... Who knew?

Highlights of the trip include: Dinner and patio action at the Rio's 50th floor restaurant and outdoor patio, the Wynn's amazing views of the surrounding area (especially from the 60th floor), Jet nightclub, and 2 other situations which may be events, activities, incidents, arrests, rendezvous, clubs, trips, shows, and/or occasions that fall under the 'what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' cliche.

Most exciting vacation ever!

Change

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:40:00 +0000

The winds of change are blowing through my neck of the woods, which are historically sheltered. I've always tried to avoid change, but this time may be different, has to be different. . .

Civic Long Weekend Yachting Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:31:00 +0000

I headed out to Point Edward this Civic holiday weekend for what has become a yearly yachting adventure (see previous posts, search word yacht). These trips are always the highlight of my summer, as I'm extremely fond of yachts, the lake, swimming, captaining, drinking, water, etc.. This year we ran into the captain's brother who rendezvoused with his sailboat at the wreck of the Sweetheart, just out from the Bluewater bridge. They were offering Scotch -- so I jumped in the water and swam over.. The scotch was 12 year Chivas Regal, which in my opinion is the best blended scotch.. (I derived this point of view from a close friend who is a scotch (neat) drinker, as well as it was the best scotch I've ever had to this point).

Iphone!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 05:22:00 +0000

I got an iPhone! I was the first person in line at the Galleria Rogers store. (Mind you, it's not a real Rogers store, which may have explained the lack of line when I got there at 6am). I didn't see a sole until 7:30 or 8:00am, and then the 3rd person came towards 9am.. They open at 9:30! Problems abound with the activation. They even demanded a DEPOSIT, which was a little embarrassing in the store. I later found out their credit bureau system was down -- which made me only slightly more agreeable. It's embarrasing when you're first in line in a store for an iPhone and they demand a DEPOSIT when you've been a Rogers customer for 10 years! A letter will address this issue later.. Also they gave me a 200$ credit limit on my cell phone account.. I've never heard of credit limits on cell phone accounts, and when I complained they raised it to $300.. I'm ever-more furious.. (See previous posts entitled "I hate Rogers").

Condo Board Director!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:30:00 +0000

My 12th step in taking over the world is complete. I've been elected as a director of my Condominium board!

Unfortunely the position that was available was SECRETARY (rather than Treasurer or President). I was aiming for Prez, but would have settled on Treasurer.. Either of those positions better suit my experience and lifestyle...

I refuse to take minutes!

Geocaching

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:18:00 +0000

I've been interested in geocaching for several years, and I finally bought a GPS (as a toy) for my new-to-me car. So I loaded up all the geocaches in and around London and set out to find some of them. I've only visited about 14 of them, finding only 9.. In my defense, many of these jaunts were in the waning light of day, or dark.

The Dawn of a New Era?

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:00:00 +0000

I purchased a used car. It's an 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora. I saw a picture of it on Kijiji and liked what I saw, went and test drove it, dragged my mechanic out to test drive it 2 days later, and purchased it that night. Hopefully it doesn't cost me a fortune in upkeep. I'm not used to actually paying for maintenance!

The End of an Era

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 01:30:00 +0000

My 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier (Bumpy McRoughride), has met the end of its usable life. A freak run in with a pot hole on Waterloo St & Central Ave here in London ON was the catalyst.

A champaign toast was had by a few friends at an impromptu ceremony celebrating its life. It will be missed, even though I had a love-hate relationship with it. I loved how little it cost/needed to be maintained, and I hated how it looked/drove. But it was nearly as good of an investment as you can get with an automobile.

I had my TD Visa auto club tow it to my mechanic (as it was too dangerous to drive), and then off to its final resting place at the scrap metal yard... .

Cruises are great!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 23:17:00 +0000

I've said to others and myself over and over since the end of the cruise to Cozumel that "I'm done with resorts". Certainly that's not necessarily the case, but the cruise was so much up my alley that I can't see returning to a resort unless someone else set up the trip.

I'm a little biased in that I love boats, booze, food, water, wave crashing, 5-star hotels, pomp, nautical protocol... But still!

People asked me my favorite activity on the cruise, but I don't actually know what that was. There's like 5 things tied for favorite -- one of which was the excursion, off-road Jeep Rhino driving and snorkeling that we did in Cozumel. I think that the next cruise I take I may be disappointed in, as this cruise was aboard the Navigator of the Seas, by Royal Caribbean. I could only go up to RC's larger ships, and I think there's just 1 that is noticeably larger...

Jamaica (Mon)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 08:54:00 +0000

Jamaica was a great time, the resort was the best (all around) of the 4 all-inclusive resorts I've been to. The food was notably better than anywhere else I've been, although food from home is always appreciated upon my return. Our friends from Toronto were married mid-week in a gazebo at the resort overlooking the ocean. It was a beautiful setting, and wedding.

Activities off the resort included a trip to Dolphin Cove, where many friends swam with the dolphins. This particular dolphin setup was much better than the one I actually participated in in Cuba. These dolphins here appeared to be well treated and pleased with their life of servitude. The rest of us watched while the others swam, and then did some snorkeling, kayaking, touched some sting-rays sans barbs. Part of this trip-package was to the Dunn's River Falls, which I found to be the best part -- actually getting to climb up the falls from the beach to the top.. It was a bit treacherous, but a seasoned mountain climber such as myself had no issue :)

The rest of the time was spent drinking, eating, sunning, swimming and laughing with a few trips into the town at the entrance to the resort. This town was geared to cater to the cruise ships that docked almost daily just a short distance away. I had a whopper at the Burger King there, it was like a taste of home. I managed to spill out a few karaoke tunes (much to everyone's dismay) at one of the bars back at the resort.

The trip home was a bit rough, with 17 hours of travel to get from resort door to home door. Everyone else but me and my travel/room companion were left behind in Jamaica, as their flight was canceled. They did get to stay at the very luxurious Ritz Carlton Rose Hall, Montego Bay for the night. (I actually wish I was left behind). Although at the time of this writing, it doesn't look like they'll make it back to Canada until tomorrow afternoon -- staying then at the Philadelphia Ritz, I guess.

Next stop: cruise to Cozumel.

Lots of holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:16:00 +0000

Christmas is over, but the holidays aren't yet for me! In mid January I'll be attending a wedding of some friends in Ocho Rios, Jamaica -- at the Sunset Grande All-Inclusive Resort. A week after my return I'll be attending a Bell Canada incentive cruise, invited my one of my good friends who works at bell.

Also, I have tentative plans for a trip to the east coast and a trip to Las Vegas. So much for my life savings -- maybe a winter tan will make it all seem worthwhile.

Prior to hitting 30, I also have to complete my pre-30 list. (visit the west coast (of Canada), take a train, and set foot somewhere in Europe..)

A BMW always adds excitment to a weekend.

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 05:28:00 +0000

I don't write in my blog very often anymore, as everything I do has become status-quo and not newsworthy. This weekend was a different story...

Anchoring the excitement of the weekend was my winning bid in a United Way (StairClimb) charity silent auction for a 2008 BMW 5-series. It was a friend's birthday in Toronto (the big 3-0), so it was the perfect weekend to have a luxury car. Over the course of the weekend, debauchery was had, a riot was viewed and the car went through a lot. I managed to spend 12 hours in this car from Friday after work to Sunday night when I dropped it off. I exceeded its 500km max by 200km's, 19 different people rode in it, 6 of which drove it, several stranger's buttocks and one person's unmentionable part(s) were pressed up against the car. Tip: Don't drive $66,000 cars to the edge of a drunken Hallowe'en street riot on Richmond Street (15 cruisers managed to quell the fray).

This was one of the most, if not the most, interesting weekend(s) I've ever had in the autumn. Luckily I won't be too depressed by the departure of the beemer, as the weekend was rife with so much more action.

A glorious wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 19:51:00 +0000

This long weekends' activities were dominated by two of my very good friends' wedding. Byron Wilton and Sharon Goods were wed Saturday September 1st 2007 at the prestigious crystal ballroom of the Lamplighter Inn. I was part of the wedding party, and had a room there for a evening. The wedding was a hit, and everyone looked like they had a grand old time. The only people that didn't have a good time were the security staff at the hotel who were chasing us all around the grounds telling us where and where not to drink (and also to be quiet because it was the middle of the night).

Open bar always seems to make for a great party, and the dancefloor was the focal point of the fun. I caught my 6th (or 7th) garter, leaving me still at 100% catch rate. I used to be able to say that I caught every garter at every wedding I've ever attended, but the wedding before this one I was not present for the garter toss -- (I had to dash off a little early to elsewhere).

Mastercard Paypass Card

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:34:00 +0000

I was at my local Tim Horton's just yesterday and I noticed they now take Mastercard (and paypass). Being a credit card aficionado I was surprised that I didn't have one of these on any of my Mastercards.. I have just now ordered one from PC Mastercard! They're shipping it out on Aug 1st and I should have it by Aug 21st.

Wheeee!

Why is summer so expensive?

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:00:00 +0000

Another weekend of celebration of the summer has passed, and I'm deeper and deeper in 'debt'. Luckily in my case, my debt is currently with one of my fictional corporations' divisions (AndrewBank), and I haven't had to go to outside credit sources. But the rate at which I'm racking up debt is alarming. At some point in the last year, I shifted my spending into overdrive and haven't returned from that.

Friday I took a stab at continuing my Roulette winning streak (I have won everytime I've played roulette in recent history). Well that broke this weekend, even with a $50 stipend from my mom (who was striking it rich at the slots when I dined with her on Friday) I managed to break even..

Saturday I went motor yachting out in Lake Huron, and then up and down the St. Clair river.. Always one of the highlights (if not THE highlight) of my Summer. My parents and I used to go boating in a little fishing boat when I was a kid. I've always liked boating, just not fishing. Oddly enough boats of this caliber don't currently require a special license to pilot.. We went to watch the 2007 Mackinac race.. Unfortunately the lake was a little rough and we headed back to the relative calm of the river after a short while.

(that's apple juice in my hand, right?)

Boats head to the start line

After this I had to rush back to London for a Stag and Doe of a work associate. I was the sole co-worker in attendance so I rushed to my next event, drinks and camaraderie downtown. Highlights of this evening were squeezing a man dressed up as a woman's plastic accoutrements. Running into one of my friends' cousin in a compromising situation (for others), amongst other things I can't seem to remember clearly. It was a long day, and I spent all day Sunday relaxing and snoozing.

Long time, no blog

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 01:46:00 +0000

I haven't posted to this thing for a while. Must be one of my lulls.. Just got over a busy little weekend (counting Thursday night too). It was turkey fest in Strathroy, which doubles as a reunion for all kinds of people who return just for this event. One of my close friends was back for a visit from the US. I had a wedding that night as well, so I was heading straight to the Waters' mansion pre-turkey-fest-party from the wedding (via the closest thing to a limo service that Strathroy has to offer), so I was much farther on my way in terms of being refreshed than the rest of the revelers -- which didn't always mesh well.. As the night worn on, I was starting to wear out and lost all concept of time and proper decency (since I started partying at 1pm). Ended up at the Derby (a infamous Strathroy bar) after an incident-laden trip to the park for the Turkey Festival itself. A friend drove me home to my visiting US friend's parents' house -- I also rescued another friend from the bowels of the filthy bathroom, and whisked him away to the safety of the country-esque estate.

Strathroy!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:53:00 +0000

I spent a lot of time in Strathroy this past weekend! Friday I was there on Cancer and band (Limits of Approach) business.. And then Saturday visiting some friends.. There was a brawl out on the street, but I'm sure that's a standard Saturday night for good old Strathroy. It's good to get back to my old home town every now and again, even though while I was there all I wanted to do was get out of it. I'm sure that's the same for most people who grew up there. One of my work colleagues shuns at even hearing the word Strathroy, and she certainly would only return under the most urgent of circumstances.

One set of friends actually returned to Strathroy to buy a home and start a family, likely due to the lower real estate costs (and family nearby).

Adios Mexico

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 23 May 2007 17:28:00 +0000

I've recently returned from a spontaneous trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.. In my past 2 trips to all inclusive resorts, I've always managed to get sick, hate the food, and not get my moneys worth out of the alcohol offered (while still having a great time). This resort had fair food (which was great compared to the Dominican & Cuban food selection I had), perfect weather, and I didn't get sick, except a 1 day hangover, and the alcohol selection was out of this world. I managed to partake in many a Banana Mama, Tequila Sunrise, Daquiri and Margarita. I'll keep this entry from being a review of the resort that we went to (The Royal Decameron Complex, in Neuvo Vallarta), but will link to my trip-advisor report after I write one.

We stayed mostly on the resort, except for a quick bicycle excursion into Bucerias, and the bus rides from and to the airport... I wasn't as shocked with how different everything was, as it was closer to Canadian/US culture than either Cuba or the Dominican was -- but still there was definitely culture shock, which I always find fun.

Got too much to drink on day 1, had too much sun on day 3, so days 2 and 4 were not full days :(. Did get out canoeing and catamaraning and swimming in the not-so-nice waters of the Pacific coast.. Next time I'm going to try to go scuba diving, parasailing and some other more exciting (and expensive) excursions, and if I'm returning to Mexico I'll try to hit the Carribean side.

Rest in peace Lillian Doyle.

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 02 May 2007 05:44:00 +0000

A tragedy has occurred, right here in my own family. I was awoken 1:30am by my Mother and informed that my Grandmother, Lillian Doyle, 89, had passed away (reportedly) in her sleep at Victoria Hospital here in London around 12:30am in the morning May 2nd 2007. Wife of the late Alvin Doyle, mother of Joy Moffit, Judy Julian, Mary-Jane Barth and Gary Doyle. Grand-mother of myself, my brother Ryan Moffit, and the late Christopher Julian

I visited her this past Sunday with my Mom in the hospital, and she was said to have been doing better than before. She didn't like the hospital food and was excited when I offered to get her a treat from Tim Hortons (which she ended up not liking).

As my Granny slowly aged, I didn't consider, until recently that her time here might be coming to an end. Her degradation occurred at an alarming rate from my point of view after she had to move out of her long time home in Watford. One day she was driving to places hours and hours away, and the next she was having to get rid of her car and get a walker, and have her meals brought up to her at her retirement home, The Granite House.

I was not ready for her to depart, and was living in a fantasy world where she was 85 and independent. I didn't visit her enough at her residence in London for how close I lived -- a point I very much regret.

She will be missed by her family and friends.

Online Tribute: Harper Funeral Home Tribute

St. Patrick's day approaches

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 16:02:00 +0000

St. Patrick's day approaches, and it's the last time it'll be on a "non-school night" until 2012, so everybody better have some interesting plans.. My plans take me to Toronto for partying with friends (one amongst them is straight from Dublin!, so it should proove to be a rousing good time).

London Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:07:00 +0000

I attended the Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge at the Lamplighter Inn here in London this past Thursday March 8th. I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into when I half volunteered to help out (my office, CIBC Wood Gundy London (Larry Myny), was the title sponsor). It was the funnest time I had since my last weblog entry! I was a mock floor trader armed with a PDA and the students (grade 11 and 12) had teams of 4 from all over the Thames Valley District Schoolboard area. I asked to be assigned to my old school (SDCI). They had 5 tables of 10 teams. As it turned out, people noticed that I was a faster than average order enterer (being as that's why I was hired here at Wood Gundy back in the day), so I was being swarmed with people from all over the crystal ballroom. About 300 kids participated. One of the 4 teams that I was the primary floor trader for got 2nd place! One of the 'fancy London schools' took first place (College Avenue, I believe).

I plan to attend next year!

Blurb:
Stock Market Challenge provides an opportunity to learn, firsthand, about the trading floor in a fun-filled, fast-paced setting.It also provides an opportunity to build rapport among team members as well as promote our corporate sponsors and participants. Two separate events were held: high school students participated in the afternoon and the adult teams competed in the evening.

Toronto

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 22:28:00 +0000

Had a doozie of a weekend in Toronto this past weekend.. It was great, very briefly bad, strange, fun, expensive, spontaneous, embarrassing, crazy and scary -- which makes for an overall amazing weekend... Many of the details cannot be made public to protect the innocent (especially my innocence).

I did get to see my friend Laura's new apartment & dog (a pug named Bailey), on the first night, and we all (4 of us) went out to a pub for some drinks afterward. Laura, her boyfriend and another friend left relatively early (from my point of view), so I went onwards into the frigid night on my own, with plans to eventually meet up with Kayla who had some obligations with some colleagues. I ran into her back at our hotel room, where the party continued to rage on with various guests.. I didn't get off on the correct footing with some of these people, as I was trying to get in a side door to the Courtyard Marriott, and these group of jerks wouldn't let me in, and were possibly making fun of me freezing out in the cold (the front entrance was further up the way).. Little did they know that they would be having some late night drinks in a hotel room that was half mine! Some of their continued disregard for my authority (ie asking them not to smoke in our room, or drink liquor that was not theirs) caused me to suggest that one of them leave. Well they were apparently the leader of that group or something, so they all had to leave.. This left Kayla not very happy with my inability to get along with these people... I felt bad for not being able to salvage the situation, and fled the scene into the even more bitter night..

In London heading out into a random direction in the middle of the night while drunk is a fine idea, but not so much in Toronto. Some good samaritan saved me from walking through a crack park (although I had no intention of walking through a darkened park, I, for some reason, pretended I was going to). They took pity on me as a lost out-of-towner (I was not lost) and suggested I stay at their place until I could return to my hotel. I strung a web of lies to confirm that this normal looking person wasn't some sort of murderer, before agreeing to his proposal.. And it was getting very cold and seemed to be closer than the Marriott... Not all Torontonians are out to stab you in a crack park.. He seemed mildly concerned that I may rob him blind in the middle of the night (his apartment was filled with sound and other musical equipment). I didn't rob him blind and returned to the hotel the next morning to a previously worried Kayla (I had to turn off my phone when I went to sleep so it wouldn't die, but called when I got up). I don't see how disappearing in the middle of the night in downtown Toronto should illicit any concern from people (ha ha), especially with someone with such street smarts as myself (ha ha). Lying is something I rarely ever do (especially in recent decades) unless I think it is absolutely necessary and for the greatest good (such as my personal safety). The next morning I felt bad about my deceit and had the good samaritan invited out to our second night of bacchanalia, and to clear up any outstanding lies. We all had a fine time, running into several friendly characters throughout the night... These people were 'invite back to the hotel' material, although perhaps one of them should have been ejected that night as well (although it wouldn' t have been me requesting the ejection this time).

All in all a very memorable weekend to which only a very few will ever know the unabridged version of.

Superbowl Sunday was much more subdued than it should have been for me, as I exhausted all of my party spirit in Toronto, wasn't feeling very well, and was very tired (I very late to the party).. I had to take Monday off of work due to being under the weather (I can only assume it was unrelated to anything that happened on the weekend). Possibly one of the worst-looking days to take off (the day after Superbowl). I didn't have a drop of alcohol though after waking up on Sunday...

Sharon makes a high-rise boo boo

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:01:00 +0000

I thought this email was hilarious, and since Sharon doesn't have a blog, I'm posting it for her!

----- Original Message -----

From: Sharon

Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:25 PM

Subject: [GD] So......

.....on Sunday we had Dana and Kate over (Byron's brother and fiancé) for dinner. They brought their dog so that our dogs could play together. When it came time to walk them her and I went down walked the dogs and got back in the elevator all the while carrying on a conversation. Kate pushed the button to my floor and then while still talking we get off. I open the door and we both walk in. I look around, something doesn't look right. At this point her dog (who was not on a leash) runs full speed into the apartment. I ask "Byron why did you move the runner?" No response, then I see the shoe rack has also been moved so I ask "Byron where the hell did the shoe rack go and why did you move the runner was their an accident, what happened" Then I hear "why are you in my apartment" I look up with this panic expression only to see a guy in only his underwear. My mouth drops Kate screams "MARON, MARON COME NOW" then we left in tears. Shit that was so funny and embarrassing for all. Turns out Kate pushed floor 16 the floor her sister lives on.

So today I get in the elevator to walk the dog and it stops on the 16 floor only for him to get on. Lets say that was the most silent and awkward elevator rider EVER!

So that is my story and yes beer was involved.

Sharon

Zzzzz

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:56:00 +0000

January is usually a boring month (what with following exciting December)... Nothing much has happened to me this month.. I attended the United Way of London and Middlesex campaign celebration this evening. They unveiled that they raised 7 million dollars, slightly above their 6.85 million dollar goal. I attended in my capacity as the UW Employee Campaign Chair for our office. I had to leave early and rush back to work to oversee some junk removal though, and since I'm still on Atkins I wanted to get outta there before the cake was cut.. I was lucky that the "hors d'ouevres" only consisted of cheese, crackers and veggies and dip..