Blog Becomes More Secure

Thank you for your interest in my blog. As of December 2009 “Tim and Wendy's Adventures (and Non)” will have run for three years. I created it originally to save some time. Rather than compose a dozen different emails about some event in response to your queries, I thought that this would be an easy way to allow you to view them if you wished. Since I don’t keep a paper diary, the blog has also provided me with an e-diary. I would probably keep posting to it even if there were no readers at all, since it has become a repository and an outlet for some of my thoughts. God forbid I crowd my brain, but as time goes by my memories tend to fade so I found it was nice to look back with more clarity at even some of the mundane things I do from day to day.

Since I’m using the blog for that dual purpose, you can see why it gets boring quite often but I figure you can easily skip over those parts and glean what you wish. As it evolved, I adopted some policies regarding content. For example I decided not to discuss health issues other than my own. I generally refrain from posting other people’s writings or email type jokes or articles unless they are relevant to my day. I avoid last names unless they are mentioned publicly elsewhere. All that being said, please contact me any time if you wish to have something removed. I tend to throw it all at the wall and see what sticks.

For security reasons I have decided, effective immediately to allow viewing of my diary by invitation only. This means that you will receive an emailed invitation which will allow you to continue viewing for 30 days, after which you must log in with a password through your Google account. Don’t worry, if you don’t already have one, a Google account is easy to set up. This measure will ensure that ONLY people who have been invited will be able to access the blog. I shall however, continue adhering to my content guidelines as if the site was fully open to the public.

The Internet is a wondrous thing, with hundreds of millions of people interacting as never before. This can be good and bad. There are lots of reasons I don’t want everybody to view my blog. One example would be, a thief could use my schedule to access my property when I’m not there. Although right from the beginning I set up my blog to request that the search engines not catalog it, this in itself does not ensure complete privacy. Indeed, most web blogs seek the opposite - publicity.

Thanks again for your interest. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I guess that’s how our world is evolving – like it or not. Remember when people left their houses and cars unlocked?


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Hope You Don't Get The Flu

This table will help you tell if you have the flu or just a common cold. Click to enlarge.

The MV Westerdam - Nostalgia from 2004

View of the Westerdam from shore at Katakolon Greece. Click on it.

The ship's gleaming decor had an Art Deco feel mixed with Italian sizzle.

I was looking at the pictures from nearly 6 years ago. That's me with my troop.

Our upcoming November cruise will be aboard the Westerdam. The first full-length cruise that Wendy and I ever took was a 12 day to the Adriatic Sea and the Greek Isles. The new ms Westerdam had just finished her maiden voyage. I remember the white leather seats in the Vista Lounge had an aroma a brand new car. Wendy noticed that even the varnished wood coat hangers in the closet still felt tacky, like they hadn’t completely dried yet.

The butter soft leather seats had that new car smell.


The Westerdam departing from Venice Italy, was the third of Holland America Line's Vista Class ships, as well as being the third ship to bear the moniker Westerdam. It is sister to the ms Oosterdam, ms Zuiderdam, and the ms Noordam. The names of the four ships translate to the four directions of the compass in Dutch. The ship was christened on April 25, 2004 in Venice, by Dutch actress Renée Soutendijk. was the first of their Vista cruise ships built at the nearby Fincantieri shipyards.

Before the cruise, we were worried that the ship would not be ready on time because there had been a serious fire on board six months earlier. Here’s the news article in Cruise Critic:

Shipyard Fire Damages Holland America’s Westerdam October 19, 2003
A fire at Fincantieri’s Marghera (Venice) shipyard has damaged Holland America’s still-under-construction Westerdam.

The fire broke out on Friday morning about 8 a.m. from a passenger cabin on deck seven. Before it was extinguished some three hours later, the blaze had spread to decks eight and nine. According to an internal letter to employees from Holland America president Kirk Lanterman, "the fire appears to have started in the aft part of the ship on deck 7 and then spread upwards to the Lido/Magradome area before being put out with the assistance of fireboats and shore side firefighters." There were no injuries and the cause has not yet been announced.

In that same letter, Lanterman reports that "a team of experts is aboard the ship now and additional specialists are en route to the shipyard. We are meeting with all relevant contractors and suppliers and have directed them to proceed with the procurement and construction of all materials necessary for repairing any damage and completing construction of the Westerdam."

Fincantieri has released a statement saying construction of the ship, slated for April 15 delivery, will remain on schedule. According to Holland America’s web site, it is still slated to debut with its inaugural, a 12-night roundtrip from Venice that departs on April 25. The 82,000-ton, 1,848-passenger Westerdam is the third in Holland America’s Vista class of ships.

It seems like both a long time ago and at the same time, a short time ago that we eagerly anticipated our first cruise. We got out the old pictures last night and spent a few hours reminiscing. Some friends we made nearly six years ago, have stayed in touch.

Wendy and Bernie at the first Olympics in Katakolon
We reunited with Bernie, from Philadelphia last June on the Alaska cruise and we regularly get emails from Jose and David from UK and Eva and Don from Hamilton Ontario.

David from the UK was a table mate, as was his wife Jose below.

Jose excitedly hangs on every word as she listens intently to Bernie's story. Ha ha!

We met Don and Eva the first day, in Venice on our way into town. Here's Don in Dubrovnik and Eva (below) in Malta.

Here's the un-retouched picture of me with the dancers.


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Rick Mercer at the Reenactment 2 Weeks Ago

We watched Rick Mercer's experiences at the Fanshawe War of 1812 Reenactment on TV but here it is on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLa0mUWAiVk


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I Hope All Cops Aren't Like This One!

Emblem of the Ontario Provincial Police

Here is a note I emailed to my daughter Erin about her cousin Dougie's girlfriend Amy:

Hi Erin

We were out to Doug and Daphne's on Monday for Thanksgiving Dinner. I thought I better relay some VERY IMPORTANT NEWS.

Dougie's girlfriend Amy got a ticket for using her cell phone while driving. I know - you'll say that's not against the law until Oct 26, well!!!

An OPP police officer in his cruiser saw her talking on her phone and radioed a second officer who pulled her over. The officer informed her that the law against using cell phones while driving has passed the legislature and although it does not become effective until the 26th of October 2009, the fact that the law was passed would mean that talking while driving is dangerous. Since what she was doing was "dangerous" he felt justified in giving her a ticket for DANGEROUS DRIVING!!

A dangerous driving conviction results in a criminal record and (in Ontario) an automatic one-year licence suspension (for a first offence). This and the fact that for a twenty three year old her insurance premiums will soar.To make the story even more bizarre, the cop also advised her that if she took this to court the judge would likely throw it out.

Still, there is a chance the judge won't throw it out and even if he does she must take time off her job as a nurse and hire a lawyer to defend herself.

This should serve as a warning to everyone that some of our police are just getting a little carried away with their power. Watch out and DON"T TALK ON THE PHONE WHILE DRIVING.

Take care
Dad

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A good lawyer may be able to have a Dangerous Driving charge reduced to a charge of Careless Driving. This is an excellent outcome as a conviction for dangerous driving is far worse than a conviction for careless driving. Although a conviction for careless driving will lead to higher motor vehicle insurance rates, it is not a criminal offence and therefore does not result in a criminal record. Nor does it lead to an automatic licence suspension.
For driving to be deemed dangerous it must depart markedly from the standard of care of a reasonable person. By contrast, careless driving is made out where the defendant's driving departs sufficiently from the standard of a prudent and reasonable driver to make the driving deserving of punishment.

Happy 100th Birthday Ethel!

Cars overflowed on to the lawn at the open house next door for Ethel

You can see by the picture, she looks great. A good time was had by all and we wished her many more happy years.

Click on a picture to enlarge

A letter from Queen Elizabeth signed Elizabeth R.

Our next door neighbor Ethel celebrated her one hundredth birthday today. On Sunday there was an open house party with a visit from our local city politician Harold Usher. Mr Usher relayed birthday best wishes from the Mayor, Canada's Prime Minister and the Queen. But the big day for the birthday girl was actually today, her 100th birthday. In the past she has told me "I'm getting up there." but today she says, "I never thought I would make it". We are all glad she did and it would appear she's here for a long while yet.

Cruisin' Down The River

Sarnia grows smaller behind the Phoenix as I make my way twenty six miles down the St. Clair River to Port Lambton and St. Clair Boating and Marina. It was cool with variable cloudiness but calm because there was no wind and I saw only two boats and a freighter the whole way. I ran most of the way at only about 1200 rpm to save fuel. No big rush. It's always kind of sad to see the Phoenix go into the barn, so I like to prolong the trip. I usually take this run solo because Wendy meets me with our car at the other end. I left Sarnia before noon and arrived downriver at about 2:00 pm. You can go up to the top of the page on the left and see "Our Boat" to read more about the Phoenix. Oh, by the way, I had my last rabies shot this morning.

Click on the picture to enlarge it.

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Fanshawe Pioneer Village 1812 Reenactment

The Fanshawe Pioneer Village is a perfect setting for a War of 1812 battle.

It was overcast and it rained off and on, but not enough to wet the powder in the muskets. This is the third time we've been to this annual reenactment and we really look forward to it.

Wendy hasn't lost her blackboard skills as she demonstrates the written ABC's in this old log schoolhouse.

We met Paul Carroll, a local author (no relation) who was here from Goderich to promote his books about ships and shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.

We always look forward to the lunch buffet at the Pioneer Village. Rustic dishes like tomato basil soup, beef stew, chicken stew, homemade bread, and bread pudding served in an atmosphere like you've gone back in time. While it poured rain, we happily enjoyed our lunch while the reenactors fought it out.


The British successfully drove back the Americans in a war the Americans don't talk about much since they lost!

Pete is with the "bad guys". The US 25th Infantry
Click here to read about their history on the internet. Their web site is undergoing some major changes.

We were all amazed at the handywork of this custom handheld mortar-like transformation of a regular musket. That's Donna on the left.

Donna and the ladies prepared the food over an open fire for their returning soldiers.

The reenactors brave all kinds of weather and actually live on site in tent towns.

We'll be seeing Pete and Donna again in November when they fly down to Fort Lauderdale with us to board the ms Westerdam for a 2 week cruise.

Did you know?

Picture of our Budget rental car taken last June in Juneau Alaska

Driving is expensive.

The Canadian Automobile Association estimates that a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt LT four door sedan driven 18,000 km per year costs $9,430 to own and operate and a 2008 Dodge Caravan SE driven 18,000 km per year costs $12,425 to own and operate. Here is the breakdown on costs from the CAA:
Wow! $23.50 a day plus 21¢ per mile sounds like than a rental car rate.