|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 16, 2013 7:11:42 GMT -8
To those forum members and readers who are fathers, today I wish you all a "Happy Father's Day." - to those fathers who have lost a child, I wish you peace and comfort today. - to those sons & daughters who have lost a father, I also wish you peace and comfort today. To those who are able to spend some time today with either your father or with your children, enjoy the day.  |
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Jun 17, 2013 11:23:46 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by Northern Exploration on Jun 17, 2013 19:03:14 GMT -8
When Mr. Pucher hopped on stage, it was fairly clear that nothing makes him more excited than cycling. His denim jacket and yellow baseball hat were practically spinning every time he said the words "separated bike lanes" (and I thought I was going to be under-dressed in flannel...) Separated bike lanes? Interesting. There's a few of these in Seattle, but if I was a transportation planner, I wouldn't put those in on a street if it would mean a reduction in lanes for cars. That's going to increase congestion for cars, and you can't just expect that everyone who was formerly driving that street will switch to bikes. Let's be realistic, that isn't likely to happen. As with most of these presentations, examples from Coppenhagen, Brussels, Stockholm, and various other progressive European cities were examples of what can be done in any city, when you just put your mind to it. He cited a separated bikeway in Copenhagen that sees 60,000 bikes per day, and how the attitudes, policies, and culture differ. He did believe that Vancouver, as with most North American cities, are on the right path and have the right vision, however still have a long ways to go (Seattle was shockingly lagging in statistics for trips made without a personal vehicle, and even examples of what not to do came from Bellevue). Wow, I never thought of Seattle being lagging in terms of bike use. But I'm not surprised about Bellevue being so pedestrian-unfriendly, because it really is. I do credit them for making wide streets downtown to reduce congestion, and it seems that they've been improving their pedestrian-friendliness. I think Seattle is focusing too much on making bike lanes on busy arterials, and that's still really unsafe because what biker would want to have tons of cars whooshing past them? In Seattle, they even take arterials with two lanes in each direction and reduce them down to one lane and then put in a bike lane. That is plain ridiculous, because you can't just assume that putting in a bike lane will get the people who regularly drive on that road to switch to bikes. One place where this was done was on a street near my house that goes up a big steep hill, and who would want to ride up that on a bike? Nobody, unless you're training for the Tour de France or something. So I really hate it when they put in bike lanes on four-lane roads and then reduce them to two-lane roads. Personally, just because there's now a bike lane on a street doesn't mean I'm going to start riding on it. When I ride my bike somewhere, I prefer to stick to side streets and bike trails as much as I can since it's much safer. BTW how many bike trails are there in Vancouver? Here in Seattle, we've turned a former railway into a bike trail (Burke-Gilman Trail and Sammamish River and lake Trail). A railroad track is plenty wide enough, and there aren't any steep grades either, which makes it perfect for conversion to a bike trail. There are also a couple bike trails that follow the route of powerlines. The 'burbs have always proved to be a challenge, and down here in North Delta is certainly no exception - encouraging walking, cycling, and taking transit, is quite a feat when almost all of the infrastructure is designed around the personal automobile. And now that funding is tight at our transportation agency mothership, TransLink, it will be an even larger challenge to find the money to make these visions a reality. Surrey's bold plan for their City Center will be a positive change for them, and their leader, Dianne Watts, has a vision that I think will profoundly change it for the better. That reminds me of what a suburb of Seattle, Bothell, is doing to revitalize their downtown to make it more walkable, and they are even moving some major streets. Check it out here. Toronto just opened its first on road segregated bike lane. There is a curb that separates it from the car traffic. I think the jury is still out on how much better it is. We also have another unique blended version on an trendy street Roncenvales. Where there are Streetcar/LRT stops you ride up on a raised platform that also doubles as a raised streetcar boarding area (curbish height) and then down the other side to continue on with a bike lane as part of the street. Where there isn't the streetcar boarding areas there is street parking. There are substantial biking paths that follow a lot of the river and creek valleys in the city. Quite scenic but not always the most direct route. In my next door city Mississauga, there are bike paths being added to a lot of the hydro line right aways with bike/mixed use but nothing motorized. A substantial amount of city streets (secondary) are adding bike lanes. A bit controversial for residents because it limits on street parking if you have visitors. Some bike tunnels under freeways are proposed and a couple bike/foot only bridges over rivers/creeks are in the works. |
|
|
|
Post by Mike C on Jun 20, 2013 22:50:22 GMT -8
A post from earlier in the thread, so pardon my tardiness... Are any of our Washington state members also soccer fans? Specifically, Seattle Sounders fans? Watching tonight's match, I was once again in awe of what Seattle Sounders management, and their fans, have created in terms of atmosphere and team spirit. 53,000 fans at Century Link Field, constant chanting, singing, and dancing from the more rabid supporters, and no letdown even when their team got behind. I recall the intimidating presence of the Sounders fans at the temporary Empire Field setup here in Vancouver in the Whitecaps' first year, and how they drowned out the Southsiders... although that was admittedly a dismal season for the hometown fans. Sounders fans show what soccer can be in North America. They are heads and tails above every other franchise in the MLS. In comparison, our Whitecaps have failed to capture the imagination of Vancouver soccer fans. They continue to play in a scaled down version of BC Place, with fabric closing off well over half of the stadium that can't be sold. Bob Lenarduzzi and the rest of Whitecaps management seem content with mediocrity, and the uninformed and disinterested Vancouver media fail to take them to task on their questionable decisions- such as giving away Alain Rochat, or Martin Renney's odd player selections. Thirty five years ago, Empire Stadium was rocking to tilts with the New York Cosmos, and the Whitecaps seemed to be providing an insight into how the rest of the world viewed 'football' with such passion. Today's Whitecaps have lost their way, but our neighbors to the south have risen to the challenge. I hope to get down there for a game some time in the near future... I imagine the current park is much more invigorating than that old Kingdome mausoleum. Last night (Wednesday), after receiving a phone call from one of my classmates about free tickets, I went to see my first Whitecaps Game. Taking up after my father to never decline anything that's free, I called her back and met her, and six of my other classmates and friends, at Gate A to BC Place. Being my first time at a Whitecaps game, and also my first time in the new BC Place (late to the scene as usual, I know), I went in with fairly low expectations - Vancouver being a hockey town, soccer is rarely discussed in conversation, so I assumed it to be relatively low-key. I was absolutely blown away by the enthusiasm - a relatively small, but extremely loyal fan-base they have. A very fun atmosphere. We won the match 3-1 against ChivesUSA, after they fell apart after the first 45. Yet as soon as we left the stadium, it felt like that was it. No post-game after parties, everyone retreated back to the SkyTrain and the buses and parking lot to return home. Which shows you that this is not a soccer town, this is a hockey town. I think as the city grows, and we welcome a more diverse population (as we prepare for a near doubling of our population by the year 2040, a very high percentage of that from overseas immigration), the team and the sport will begin to take root in our city's culture. That will be much more long-term though - I don't foresee the upper stands of BC Place being uncovered anytime soon. |
|
Neil
Voyager 
Posts: 7,302
|
Post by Neil on Jun 21, 2013 11:54:12 GMT -8
A post from earlier in the thread, so pardon my tardiness... Being my first time at a Whitecaps game, and also my first time in the new BC Place (late to the scene as usual, I know), I went in with fairly low expectations - Vancouver being a hockey town, soccer is rarely discussed in conversation, so I assumed it to be relatively low-key. I was absolutely blown away by the enthusiasm - a relatively small, but extremely loyal fan-base they have. A very fun atmosphere. We won the match 3-1 against ChivesUSA, after they fell apart after the first 45. Yet as soon as we left the stadium, it felt like that was it. No post-game after parties, everyone retreated back to the SkyTrain and the buses and parking lot to return home. Which shows you that this is not a soccer town, this is a hockey town. I think as the city grows, and we welcome a more diverse population (as we prepare for a near doubling of our population by the year 2040, a very high percentage of that from overseas immigration), the team and the sport will begin to take root in our city's culture. That will be much more long-term though - I don't foresee the upper stands of BC Place being uncovered anytime soon. A hockey city, and not a soccer city? It's not that cut and dried. I had season tickets to the Whitecaps back in the NASL days, in the '70s and early '80s. When the Whitecaps won Soccer Bowl in '79, there was a parade through downtown. Estimates of the crowd ranged from 50,000 to 100,000. The mood was euphoric... and not a hint of rioting. Driving home that day, the streets were full of cars with people hanging out windows waving banners and singing. It was a very big event in Vancouver, and Whitecaps stars like Trevor Whymark were every bit as revered as the Sedins are now. The biggest crowd for a sports event at BC Place- one that will never be surpassed- was for opening night against the Sounders. 60,200. More crowds in excess of 40,000 followed, but the NASL died of its own hubris barely two years later, taking the Whitecaps with it. As recently as 1987 the Canucks were only averaging 10,400 a game, with a bad team. In the '99-'00 season, several years after moving into then GM Place, they had on average 4000 empty seats a night. For the recent series against San Jose, it was widely reported that tickets were not hard to come by. If they have a couple of years where they miss the playoffs, and if the Whitecaps improve past their current mediocre level, the sports dynamic in this town could look radically different. The Canucks have had several seasons well above .500, and with that has come high attendance and great riches to the owners. But that hasn't always been the case, and the hockey team cannot count on a captive audience, if fortunes shift. |
|
|
|
Post by sounder on Jun 21, 2013 13:27:01 GMT -8
A post from earlier in the thread, so pardon my tardiness... Are any of our Washington state members also soccer fans? Specifically, Seattle Sounders fans? Watching tonight's match, I was once again in awe of what Seattle Sounders management, and their fans, have created in terms of atmosphere and team spirit. 53,000 fans at Century Link Field, constant chanting, singing, and dancing from the more rabid supporters, and no letdown even when their team got behind. I recall the intimidating presence of the Sounders fans at the temporary Empire Field setup here in Vancouver in the Whitecaps' first year, and how they drowned out the Southsiders... although that was admittedly a dismal season for the hometown fans. Sounders fans show what soccer can be in North America. They are heads and tails above every other franchise in the MLS. In comparison, our Whitecaps have failed to capture the imagination of Vancouver soccer fans. They continue to play in a scaled down version of BC Place, with fabric closing off well over half of the stadium that can't be sold. Bob Lenarduzzi and the rest of Whitecaps management seem content with mediocrity, and the uninformed and disinterested Vancouver media fail to take them to task on their questionable decisions- such as giving away Alain Rochat, or Martin Renney's odd player selections. Thirty five years ago, Empire Stadium was rocking to tilts with the New York Cosmos, and the Whitecaps seemed to be providing an insight into how the rest of the world viewed 'football' with such passion. Today's Whitecaps have lost their way, but our neighbors to the south have risen to the challenge. I hope to get down there for a game some time in the near future... I imagine the current park is much more invigorating than that old Kingdome mausoleum. Last night (Wednesday), after receiving a phone call from one of my classmates about free tickets, I went to see my first Whitecaps Game. Taking up after my father to never decline anything that's free, I called her back and met her, and six of my other classmates and friends, at Gate A to BC Place. Being my first time at a Whitecaps game, and also my first time in the new BC Place (late to the scene as usual, I know), I went in with fairly low expectations - Vancouver being a hockey town, soccer is rarely discussed in conversation, so I assumed it to be relatively low-key. I was absolutely blown away by the enthusiasm - a relatively small, but extremely loyal fan-base they have. A very fun atmosphere. We won the match 3-1 against ChivesUSA, after they fell apart after the first 45. Yet as soon as we left the stadium, it felt like that was it. No post-game after parties, everyone retreated back to the SkyTrain and the buses and parking lot to return home. Which shows you that this is not a soccer town, this is a hockey town. I think as the city grows, and we welcome a more diverse population (as we prepare for a near doubling of our population by the year 2040, a very high percentage of that from overseas immigration), the team and the sport will begin to take root in our city's culture. That will be much more long-term though - I don't foresee the upper stands of BC Place being uncovered anytime soon. I have been a season ticket holder for the Sounders during both the NASL, Kingdome days and the current MLS, Century-Link set up. I thought once the old Sounders folded after the 1983 season that this might be it. The current MLS team has exceeded my expectations as far as the game day experience. Not only is out stadium loud but everyone stands up the whole game and participates in all the singing and chanting. It is great to have the Cascadia Cup involving the Whitecaps and Timbers. These teams have added a lot to the mix. My perfect game day experience is taking a round trip ferry ride to either Bainbridge or Bremerton. Hit up Ivor's and then the March to the Match and a Sounders victory! |
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,302
|
Post by Neil on Jul 10, 2013 21:08:57 GMT -8
What's a more compelling reason to think this was a bad week for Canada; Justin Bieber peeing in a mop bucket, or the Canadian men's soccer team losing to a country with a population the same as metro Victoria's.
Probably the latter, since it involved more people. Pathetic.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mike C on Sept 4, 2013 20:49:51 GMT -8
BC Ferries had a photo contest, and not a single person on this forum participated. What's the deal? Get it together, guys. Actually, the reason no one participated, was probably because it took place entirely through social media. You submitted photos by tagging them with the hashtags #bcferries and #bcferriesvacations. Here are the top ten selections for contest winners: www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.632273936805265.1073741825.119019564797374&type=1 |
|
|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on Sept 4, 2013 23:35:01 GMT -8
BC Ferries had a photo contest, and not a single person on this forum participated. What's the deal? Get it together, guys. Actually, the reason no one participated, was probably because it took place entirely through social media. You submitted photos by tagging them with the hashtags #bcferries and #bcferriesvacations. Here are the top ten selections for contest winners: www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.632273936805265.1073741825.119019564797374&type=1I considered submitting a photograph, but thought why would I, a "ferry enthusiast", reward them after the recent treatment of a fellow "ferry enthusiast" by a CRA at BC Ferries head office? So, to add to my forty-seven day ferry travel hiatus, I submitted nothing to their "contest". In addition, I'm also seriously considering scrapping my annual plans of a four-day Route 10, 11, 26 RT, 11, 10, 25 RT that I would have done later this year. BC Ferries head office obviously doesn't want my money, unless the said "ferry enthusiast" is a child or is handicapped, so instead of spending thousands of dollars with them, I'll gladly put the money to a better cause. All that aside, good luck to all the finalists. I hope none of them define themselves as a "ferry enthusiast", though. |
|
|
|
Post by Mike C on Sept 5, 2013 10:51:31 GMT -8
BC Ferries had a photo contest, and not a single person on this forum participated. What's the deal? Get it together, guys. Actually, the reason no one participated, was probably because it took place entirely through social media. You submitted photos by tagging them with the hashtags #bcferries and #bcferriesvacations. Here are the top ten selections for contest winners: www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.632273936805265.1073741825.119019564797374&type=1I considered submitting a photograph, but thought why would I, a "ferry enthusiast", reward them after the recent treatment of a fellow "ferry enthusiast" by a CRA at BC Ferries head office? So, to add to my forty-seven day ferry travel hiatus, I submitted nothing to their "contest". In addition, I'm also seriously considering scrapping my annual plans of a four-day Route 10, 11, 26 RT, 11, 10, 25 RT that I would have done later this year. BC Ferries head office obviously doesn't want my money, unless the said "ferry enthusiast" is a child or is handicapped, so instead of spending thousands of dollars with them, I'll gladly put the money to a better cause. All that aside, good luck to all the finalists. I hope none of them define themselves as a "ferry enthusiast", though. BC Ferries head office has certainly shown us this summer who they want using their system, and who they would prefer leave on shore (but not on terminal property). Here is a brief summary. People preferred on BC Ferries: -Ditzy tourists -People with money -Those who take petty complaints to CBC News -Instagram users People not preferred on BC Ferries: -Anyone remotely interested in ferries -Commuters/Regular Customers -Anyone who can take a half-decent photo of their ships |
|
|
|
Post by compdude787 on Sept 6, 2013 12:25:29 GMT -8
What is with this "contest?" Three of the pictures don't even have a ferry in the photo. What the heck? I thought this was a ferry contest. How dumb. Some of the photos that did have ferries in them actually weren't that bad. Well, they were probably spruced up in Instagram... |
|
|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on Sept 6, 2013 20:15:03 GMT -8
What is with this "contest?" Three of the pictures don't even have a ferry in the photo. What the heck? I thought this was a ferry contest. How dumb. BC Ferries is very big into their "vacations" part of their business. Hence, "tourist" photos made it into the top-ten. Notice no photos of a vessel taken from a terminal, though... I guess everyone who tried to take a photo from a terminal was pulled aside and forced under supervision to format their SD card, just like they did to one of our members who was taking photos of the Queen of Cumberland off Swartz Bay... |
|
|
|
Post by compdude787 on Sept 8, 2013 16:34:15 GMT -8
Notice no photos of a vessel taken from a terminal, though... I guess everyone who tried to take a photo from a terminal was pulled aside and forced under supervision to format their SD card, just like they did to one of our members who was taking photos of the Queen of Cumberland off Swartz Bay... I find it totally ridiculous that they don't want you taking photos at the Swartz Bay terminal. Why is the terminal security wasting their time going after innocent photographers? It seems like the head of the Swartz Bay terminal security is really paranoid about photographers. Has this happened at other terminals, or just Swartz Bay? |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2013 22:07:08 GMT -8
Notice no photos of a vessel taken from a terminal, though... I guess everyone who tried to take a photo from a terminal was pulled aside and forced under supervision to format their SD card, just like they did to one of our members who was taking photos of the Queen of Cumberland off Swartz Bay... I find it totally ridiculous that they don't want you taking photos at the Swartz Bay terminal. Why is the terminal security wasting their time going after innocent photographers? It seems like the head of the Swartz Bay terminal security is really paranoid about photographers. Has this happened at other terminals, or just Swartz Bay? It has happened at other terminals but the Swartz Bay incident is the worst one so far. A few years ago a member was told to stop photographing the vessel approaching berth 2 in Tsawwassen, because it was "against Transport Canada regulations." Many employees, particualrly in the major terminals, seem unaware that it's completely legal to take photography from public areas in ferry terminals. Last year I was taking photos of the lounge seating on the Queen of Coquitlam, and I was asked to stop because it was "against regulations." If an employee ever tells you to stop taking photos in public areas, you have every right to talk with their superior. |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 21, 2013 18:25:39 GMT -8
For this Saturday night, I give you this song by the house-band for this weekend's Circle-Pac ferry trip.
|
|
|
|
Post by compdude787 on Sept 21, 2013 20:40:46 GMT -8
It looks like the staff has too much time on their hands...or someone from the Queen of Chilliwack's crew hacked into this forum. Anyway, I love this new wacky theme for our forum. I love how a lot of people's usernames got changed too! I especially like my new username.  I think, on April Fool's day we should do this kind of theme, except instead of Queen of Chilliwack, we should do the ferry Queen of Richmond. I will also make it a tradition to change my username to CompdudeA350 on April 1st.  Note: All italicized instances of " Queen of Chilliwack" are intentional uses of the f3rry's name. |
|
|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on Sept 21, 2013 21:31:42 GMT -8
It looks like the staff has too much time on their hands...or someone from the Queen of Chilliwack's crew hacked into this forum. Anyway, I love this new wacky theme for our forum. I love how a lot of people's usernames got changed too! I especially like my new username. This is a WCFF September tradition; it's called CirclePac. |
|
mrdot
Voyager
Mr. DOT
Posts: 1,252
|
Post by mrdot on Sept 22, 2013 10:13:08 GMT -8
It looks like the staff has too much time on their hands...or someone from the Queen of Chilliwack's crew hacked into this forum. Anyway, I love this new wacky theme for our forum. I love how a lot of people's usernames got changed too! I especially like my new username. This is a WCFF September tradition; it's called CirclePac. This is a September tradition; the boys will be having fun, all fuelled up, somewhere in Satan's Castle . JST currently on DOT's computer.
|
|
|
|
Post by compdude787 on Sept 22, 2013 11:35:37 GMT -8
It looks like the staff has too much time on their hands...or someone from the Queen of Chilliwack's crew hacked into this forum. Anyway, I love this new wacky theme for our forum. I love how a lot of people's usernames got changed too! I especially like my new username. This is a WCFF September tradition; it's called CirclePac. Can you explain what exactly this is? I haven't heard you guys talk about this as much as with the Queen of Richmond thing, so I can't really figure out what it is. |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 22, 2013 11:39:58 GMT -8
This is a WCFF September tradition; it's called CirclePac. Can you explain what exactly this is? I haven't heard you guys talk about this as much as with the Queen of Richmond thing, so I can't really figure out what it is. CirclePac is the name that was formerly used by BC Ferries for a promotional reduced-fare package for people travelling the "Sunshine Coast Circle Route" (Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay, then drive up Island to Comox to take Comox-Powell River, and then drive south to take Saltery Bay - Earls Cove and then drive more to finish with Langdale - Horseshoe Bay). - the ticket booth would give you a pack (ie. Pac) of tickets for the entire sequence, all at once. Traditionally, some of our members take this trip, usually once a year. There is no longer any reduced-fare promotion, but we still call the trip by its old fare-promotion name. ...and traditionally, there is Saturday night silliness that usually spills over to the forum. |
|
|
|
Post by compdude787 on Sept 22, 2013 12:04:02 GMT -8
...and traditionally, there is Saturday night silliness that usually spills over to the forum. So does this sort of " Chilliwack Craziness," if you will, take over our forum every year? (i.e. Forum banners being changed to pics with the Chilliwack and Shrek, and people's usernames being changed to Chilliwack-style names?) |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 22, 2013 12:12:03 GMT -8
...and traditionally, there is Saturday night silliness that usually spills over to the forum. So does this sort of " Chilliwack Craziness," if you will, take over our forum every year? (i.e. Forum banners being changed to pics with the Chilliwack and Shrek, and people's usernames being changed to Chilliwack-style names?) No. The Chilliwack theme was a random & spontaneous thing. Last year, many people changed their usernames to "Flugel Horn" all in the same evening. |
|
|
|
Post by compdude787 on Sept 22, 2013 12:23:01 GMT -8
Last year, many people changed their usernames to "Flugel Horn" all in the same evening. The mass username changes happened again this year. I didn't change my username to "CompdudeA350;" I think you did. Thus, I have reason to believe that you changed everyone's usernames to Flugel Horn last year. Even then, one can still tell people apart by the fact that their avatars and signatures are different. I hope you don't have the power to change those. |
|
|
|
Post by Mike C on Sept 22, 2013 12:59:37 GMT -8
Last year, many people changed their usernames to "Flugel Horn" all in the same evening. The mass username changes happened again this year. I didn't change my username to "CompdudeA350;" I think you did. Thus, I have reason to believe that you changed everyone's usernames to Flugel Horn last year. Even then, one can still tell people apart by the fact that their avatars and signatures are different. I hope you don't have the power to change those. Wanna bet?  |
|
|
|
Post by compdude787 on Sept 22, 2013 14:04:48 GMT -8
The mass username changes happened again this year. I didn't change my username to "CompdudeA350;" I think you did. Thus, I have reason to believe that you changed everyone's usernames to Flugel Horn last year. Even then, one can still tell people apart by the fact that their avatars and signatures are different. I hope you don't have the power to change those. Wanna bet? No, because it's an obvious fact that the moderators changed everyone's usernames. It doesn't surprise me that moderators have such an ability. I don't know about whether you have the ability to edit people's signatures and avatars, though, since you haven't exercised that ability. I'd rather not find out, though.
|
|
