The Chinese Zodiac depicts this year as the year of the Monkey. The Monkey (猴) is the ninth of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. You are deemed to be that animal if you are born in that certain year.
I recently had the wonderful opportunity to go out with a former client and good friend of mine and his brother Ken to a Fishing Lodge in the remote area of Nootka on the west coast of Vancouver Island. We stayed for four nights. It was nice to renew friendships once again. I did post something in a short PDF blog about a month ago so I won't elaborate on it here. Suffice to say that we caught some nice fish, had them filleted and flash frozen and brought them home with us to place in the freezer. Above is our first afternoon's catch on the first day.
The following Sunday we embarked on the long drive home. We were up at 4:30 am. We left at 5:30 before the sun came up headed for Reno, Nevada, an 800 km drive which would take us a little over 8 hours.
The phone rang at home while I was on the computer just after we got back. It was The Toronto Dominion (TD) Bank Crime Prevention guys. I was surprised. What on earth would they want with me? I thought.
"Sir, were you in Jackpot Nevada recently"? "Err, Yes, why do you ask" I replied. "We believe your bank account has been compromised" they said.
At this point I was thinking, Oh Yeah, this is another scam being pulled by someone. "Is that right, please explain" I said.
Did you use your debit card while you were in Jackpot........ "NO! Oh hold on, yes I did". Still not convinced, I said why do you ask".
Well It turns out you withdrew some money out of a cash machine in a casino and immediately after that, you rented a stretch Limo......... WHAT!....... for $181.76 he continued. Did you rent that limo?" he asked. "Absolutely not! I drove down in our BMW". "That's what we thought" he said.
Now you don't have to worry about it because we will make it right for you but there will be an investigation. Then comes the play......... all we need is your bank card information to verify who you are.....
At the time, I had accessed my bank account on line while I was talking with this guy and low and behold, there was the charge as plain as the nose on my face and we had missed it.
OK, I am not comfortable giving out my bank card number to anyone irrespective of who you say you are I told them. "That's perfectly understandable sir. All you need to do is call the 800 number on the back of your bank card and quote this reference number and the operator will put you back through to me".
I did exactly as he said and bingo it was made right but the question is, how did they compromise a bank card when I took it out, put it into a cash machine, obtained the money and replaced the card into my wallet inside the RFID protected sleeve so it cannot be read.
At the end of the day there were only two possibilities. Either someone was sat close by to the cash machine and as I took out my bank card from the RFID protected sleeve they stole the information or, there was a skimmer placed inside the part where you insert your card in the cash machine.
We have since solved this issue so it never happens again by switching to Apple Pay where you pay with your cell phone and the only way it can be processed is by you having your thumb on the print reader at the point of sale. I did my first deal that way yesterday......... It's easy and cannot be compromised, but this is a lesson to us all.
So what's next? We are leaning towards a trip to Australia. We may have a friend who might rent our place while we are gone. It would be nice to know that someone we know and trust will be looking after our home while we are away. It's always a worry when you rent out something as precious as your home to unknown parties.
So there it is, a good time was had by all.
As I close out this blog of our summer activities, I had the great pleasure this week to renew acquaintances through Facebook with an old friend who served at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (PT wing) with me, Alan File. I had a great chat with Alan whom I haven't seen in over 38 years.
Finally, we look forward to two more couples from Calgary before years end. One couple arriving this Monday for a few days and another visit from our Cochrane friends Wayne and Donna early in October to close out the year.
Then it's heads down and save for the next adventure wherever that may be and in doing so, we bid all our friends and family all over the globe, best wishes and stay safe.
Life is not always fair. I say that because I was born in 1948 and I am therefor in the Chinese custom deemed a "Rat". Now before we all put the cart before the horse and start laughing or sending me messages like "they got it right this time Eh Ken", wife Donna's birth year on the other hand deems her in the Zodiac to be a "Tiger". No argument from me there however, I think "Rat" is a bit of a stretch. So, let's get on with this blog and have no more monkey business here.
We had a great spring. Our flowers in the yard grew in leaps and bounds and our veggies almost overwhelmed us, especially the zucchini, potatoes and tomatoes which just kept coming...
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| A Ling Cod, Caught on day three. The Rod Broke when the line got tangled in the down-rigger |
Donna is in good health overall and although I am beginning to feel the aches and pains of a previously very active lifestlye, I am holding up reasonably well when all is said and done.
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The End of a Second Career
Both Donna and I relinquished our Real Estate Broker and Realtor® licenses this July having not re-registered within the required three year time limit. This was not an unexpected move. We had planned that we would let our licenses go as the taste of just over three years in retirement made us believe we would probably never go back to work in our lifetimes.
We are finished with being in the fast lane all the time and very comfortable with the decision, but thinking about life in the fast lane and of life generally, It brings to mind a poem William Henry Davis wrote many years ago.
The reason I mention this is that it's a poem I had to recite at school as punishment for a dastardly deed I committed when I was just fourteen years old, fifty-four years ago.
The poem is titled "Leisure". The reason for the recital will become clear later. It was designed to get me back into the fast lane or at least into a lane that goes somewhere in life so I would not become a loser. It goes like this.
The poem is titled "Leisure". The reason for the recital will become clear later. It was designed to get me back into the fast lane or at least into a lane that goes somewhere in life so I would not become a loser. It goes like this.
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars like skies at night.
No time to turn at beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
At this stage you may believe I have lost it but no. I recalled that poem because my Secondary School English Literary teacher - the full red-bearded Mr. Lush made me recite that poem to the whole school during morning assembly.... My punishment for being a monkey (hence the opening statement) because when he turned around from writing on the blackboard he caught me red handed in the act of throwing a piece chalk at him in class one day.
The punishment meted out was swift and oh so painful and to make matters worse, because I laughed while on stage reciting the first poem, the following day Mr. Lush said I would have to recite another poem this time by Lewis Caroll and I would continue to recite poems to the school until I learnt some humility and did it without snickering or showing any hint of a smile.
He made me stand on a raised stage in front of the whole school and recite the poem "Beautiful Soup". I had to do it without a smirk or a grin and I had to stress the words as they were written and meant to sound. I also had to stay behind and practise in front of him in his classroom the afternoon before until I got it right.
The second poem for all those who know me personally, will indicate the knot I had in my stomach while having to recite this poem to the school.
Beautiful Soup
by Lewis Caroll
BEAUTIFUL Soup, so rich and green,
Waiting in a hot tureen!
Who for such dainties would not stoop?
Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!
Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!
Beau--ootiful Soo-oop!
Beau--ootiful Soo-oop!
Soo--oop of the e--e--evening,
Beautiful, beautiful Soup!
Beautiful Soup! Who cares for fish,
Game, or any other dish?
Who would not give all else for two
Pennyworth only of Beautiful Soup?
Pennyworth only of beautiful Soup?
Beau--ootiful Soo-oop!
Beau--ootiful Soo-oop!
Soo--oop of the e--e--evening,
Beautiful, beauti--FUL SOUP!
By the end of my recital I was withering on the stage in front of the whole school including the headmaster and all the teachers. I was indeed humbled. I could see the teachers all onlookers from the back of the assembly hall covering their mouths to hide the smiles on their faces their shoulders moving up and down in silent laughter as I stressed each syllable of the poem while looking over the top of the page I was reciting - Mr. Lush watching me like a hawk, lest I give any hint of a smile.
No kidding, I was the laughing stock of the school during that very full but on the other hand, awfully lonely assembly. Needless to say, I learnt my lesson.
Well that year (1962) was the year of the "Tiger" and while I was committing monkey business in the year of the tiger, I am sure Mr. Lush secretly knew I was a "Rat" after all.
Looking back, the punishment taught me a big lesson. The kids all snickered as I walked by them for days after. I must have died a thousand deaths on more occasions than one and my girlfriend Rosalyn Russell wore a smile as wide as Vancouver Island for months. A gotcha moment I would never forget.
I never tried anything like that again nor did the other five of my friends who were also throwing bits of chalk but they never got caught. The moral to the story. If you do the deed, be prepared to pay the piper - That's life in the fast lane.
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A Fast Car to Nevada
While we were on the phone to our friends in Nevada one evening, Jack our former neighbour said that his wife Michelle's sixtieth birthday was coming up a week later. We were sat watching the Republican National Convention on the TV in our great room at the time.
Donna said goodbye and put down the phone and all of a sudden, almost in unison we agreed it would be a great surprise to turn up at Michelle's unannounced in order to celebrate our wonderful friend's birthday.
Donna said goodbye and put down the phone and all of a sudden, almost in unison we agreed it would be a great surprise to turn up at Michelle's unannounced in order to celebrate our wonderful friend's birthday.
Two days later we called Jack and told him we were coming down. He was blown away and said she, he and all our former neighbours would be so happy to see us both. We packed up Donna's BMW for the long drive south (almost 2,300 Kilometres), hopped on the ferry and were gone.
We now know why we paid the $50 each for a five year Nexus Card. As we approached the US border just south of Vancouver, we saw a Nexus Lane on the right. We moved over to it and as we did, we passed a huge lineup (probably hundreds) of vehicles waiting to get through the checkpoint out to our left.
We drove straight up to the scanner, flashed our cards at it and proceeded immediately to the booth. Ten seconds later we were through. I hardly had time to stop the vehicle. Thank goodness for the nexus card. Passports were not required.
My advice to Canadians travelling to the US. Get a Nexus card and become a registered "trusted traveller", but whatever you do after obtaining the card don't try smuggling anything across the US or Canadian Border because they (the border services) will throw the book at you.
Yes you have to be Photographed and fingerprinted and have your Iris scanned and those prints are sent to the FBI headquarters at Quantico, Virginia to be entered into the AFIS system but if you have no intention of committing crimes in the US or Canada, then it's not an issue.
We drove straight up to the scanner, flashed our cards at it and proceeded immediately to the booth. Ten seconds later we were through. I hardly had time to stop the vehicle. Thank goodness for the nexus card. Passports were not required.
My advice to Canadians travelling to the US. Get a Nexus card and become a registered "trusted traveller", but whatever you do after obtaining the card don't try smuggling anything across the US or Canadian Border because they (the border services) will throw the book at you.
Yes you have to be Photographed and fingerprinted and have your Iris scanned and those prints are sent to the FBI headquarters at Quantico, Virginia to be entered into the AFIS system but if you have no intention of committing crimes in the US or Canada, then it's not an issue.
Three days later we arrived in Mesquite. It was 115 degrees in the shade. It was HOT. We went quickly to Smiths Groceries Store, purchased some food and opened up Donna's sister and Brother in Law's (Carol and Ib) home which was just around the corner from the home we had previously owned.
Michelle was working. We called Jack to come over for a beer which he did then he left to pick up Michelle who had no clue about any of the plot.
Jack had told Michelle that Carol and Ib had invited them up for drinks prior to them departing for Canada (they had actually been back in Canada for months) and that they were going out to visit Ken and Donna on Vancouver Island when they got back.
Jack had told Michelle that Carol and Ib had invited them up for drinks prior to them departing for Canada (they had actually been back in Canada for months) and that they were going out to visit Ken and Donna on Vancouver Island when they got back.
We closed all the blinds, parked the beemer in the garage and waited. A few minutes later the front door bell rang and we opened it............. SURPRIIIIIIIIIIZZZZZEEEE!
Mitch almost fell into our arms not knowing whether to laugh or cry as she wiped away instant tears. DONE DEAL. We enjoyed supper and drinks together and generally caught up on news. Two days later, we went to the local Italian Ristorante, Cusina Italiana for supper on her birthday.
Scott, Deb, Steve, Connie, Michelle, Jack, Donna Dwayne and Barb at Cusina Italiana
Ken, Dwayne Barb, Scot Deb Steve, Connie (hidden) and Michelle. Happy Birthday Michelle
Lost Wages (Las Vegas)
Jack and Michelle had an appointment in Las Vegas and we had the offer of a free room at the Fremont Hotel and Casino through our comps card so we decided to meet there and stay the night to celebrate some good news Jack had received.
I lucked out right away, winning $245 on the slots. We also received enough freebies to have three free dinner buffets and four Buffet Breakfasts so Donna and I left the following day it not having cost us one cent....... good deal all around.
30 kms down and the sun is just coming up
It's already 90 Fahrenheit by 5:30 am
Searing Sun will reach 115 F by noon.
We routed ourselves through the notorious Area 51 (once a very secret area) where the US government used to test all sorts of Bombs including the H Bomb and Atomic Bombs.
The scenery in the desert is captivating
Not the place to run out of fuel. No gas for 150 miles
I believe that apart from Australia, this type of endless desert doesn't exist in many place in the world. Don't run out of water here is the lesson.
As you can see from above, the route took us along the Extra Terrestrial Highway a very lonely and deserted road in the middle of nowhere. I could almost hear the erie music of the X files in my head as we drove through. It was dead quiet, the BMW humming along at 80 mph and not a sound from the engine.
Cops and Robbers... A dollar For Your Thoughts
The phone rang at home while I was on the computer just after we got back. It was The Toronto Dominion (TD) Bank Crime Prevention guys. I was surprised. What on earth would they want with me? I thought.
"Sir, were you in Jackpot Nevada recently"? "Err, Yes, why do you ask" I replied. "We believe your bank account has been compromised" they said.
At this point I was thinking, Oh Yeah, this is another scam being pulled by someone. "Is that right, please explain" I said.
Did you use your debit card while you were in Jackpot........ "NO! Oh hold on, yes I did". Still not convinced, I said why do you ask".
Well It turns out you withdrew some money out of a cash machine in a casino and immediately after that, you rented a stretch Limo......... WHAT!....... for $181.76 he continued. Did you rent that limo?" he asked. "Absolutely not! I drove down in our BMW". "That's what we thought" he said.
Now you don't have to worry about it because we will make it right for you but there will be an investigation. Then comes the play......... all we need is your bank card information to verify who you are.....
At the time, I had accessed my bank account on line while I was talking with this guy and low and behold, there was the charge as plain as the nose on my face and we had missed it.
OK, I am not comfortable giving out my bank card number to anyone irrespective of who you say you are I told them. "That's perfectly understandable sir. All you need to do is call the 800 number on the back of your bank card and quote this reference number and the operator will put you back through to me".
I did exactly as he said and bingo it was made right but the question is, how did they compromise a bank card when I took it out, put it into a cash machine, obtained the money and replaced the card into my wallet inside the RFID protected sleeve so it cannot be read.
At the end of the day there were only two possibilities. Either someone was sat close by to the cash machine and as I took out my bank card from the RFID protected sleeve they stole the information or, there was a skimmer placed inside the part where you insert your card in the cash machine.
We have since solved this issue so it never happens again by switching to Apple Pay where you pay with your cell phone and the only way it can be processed is by you having your thumb on the print reader at the point of sale. I did my first deal that way yesterday......... It's easy and cannot be compromised, but this is a lesson to us all.
So what's next? We are leaning towards a trip to Australia. We may have a friend who might rent our place while we are gone. It would be nice to know that someone we know and trust will be looking after our home while we are away. It's always a worry when you rent out something as precious as your home to unknown parties.
Donna's trip back to Calgary is booked for mid September. I will remain back in Courtenay to look after the house and yard. She's gone for ten days this time and she is looking forward to it. I will miss her.
Donna's Sister Carol and Brother in Law Ib arrived at the end of July. We all had a good time although they found it cold here.
Another fishing trip took place on my 68th birthday. A good friend of mine Art. Rees a former Calgary Realtor® and his wife Mary-Jane who also retired from Calgary and live just around the corner from us decided to book a fishing trip together with Crabby's Fishing Charters a local company we used last year. Chris the owner and guide took us out for a five hour jaunt.
We had great fun on the trip. We caught three Spring Salmon, lost five, threw 2 back but both the girls beat us boys with their fish haul.
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| Art Hooked into a big Salmon but lost it thanks to barbless hooks |
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| Mary Jane with her 13 pounder |
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| Your Truly just setting out at 6 am for my birthday fishing trip. |
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| Donna with her eighteen and a half pound Salmon . |
As I close out this blog of our summer activities, I had the great pleasure this week to renew acquaintances through Facebook with an old friend who served at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (PT wing) with me, Alan File. I had a great chat with Alan whom I haven't seen in over 38 years.
Finally, we look forward to two more couples from Calgary before years end. One couple arriving this Monday for a few days and another visit from our Cochrane friends Wayne and Donna early in October to close out the year.
Then it's heads down and save for the next adventure wherever that may be and in doing so, we bid all our friends and family all over the globe, best wishes and stay safe.
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