Delta Dawn

And I'm back, firmly seated in the office chair here in Mississauga and driving right into the grind as I have an event to pull off on Wednesday. Lots to talk about as far as vacation went, but I shall say that it was great, times were fun, the company was excellent, and I do miss it now that I'm back. Unfortunately I dragged a bug of some kind back with me and I'm well under the weather, so much so I'm actually considering a clinic visit on the way home tonight. So, as I will be posting things in stages, let's start with the tale of heading there.

Mary and I had sourced out a great hotel on Priceline for the Saturday night before the cruise, the Gallery ONE Doubletree for only $125. We were flying out of Buffalo, but not until 4:00PM, so we took our time getting the bags ready and putting our ducks in a row. We were off with plenty of time to spare and got ourselves to the airport shortly after 2:00PM where we found out about the snow issues in Atlanta, home to our connecting Delta flight. Having not seen snow in 10 years they were unaware how to handle it, and as just about every Delta flight that doesn't originate there stops off there, it was wreaking havoc. As we "weren't allowed to land" they held us up almost two hours in Buffalo before we finally got off, hoping our connection would suffer the same fate as our initial lift-off.

I should note that we had asked about other flights and told there were none. We asked about other airlines and were told that they didn't have relationships with them and couldn't. We asked about driving back to Toronto and perhaps flying direct and were told that Toronto was "overseas", and thus they couldn't do that. I noted that Ontario was actually quite close, and connected by land, and it shouldn't be an issue but I was told, again, that to Delta, Toronto was overseas.

Once in the air I asked the stewardess if she'd check with the ground on the status of our connection, and if it was on time, to inform them we were scheduled to arrive 20 minutes late and perhaps hold it. I knew there were others on the same flight looking to catch that connector but was told "we don't do that". I said other airlines we'd flown with not only did that but did it without being asked; US Airways will, in my experience, take the time as descent begins to announce all connecting flights, times of departure, and gates so you can plan your exit. But, as was becoming clear, this wasn't US Airways - it was Delta.

We landed and Mary ran ahead while I hit a ticket counter to ask them if we were too late - apparently we were, they were loading the plane but had given our tickets away. This was obviously pleasing to me and they quickly rebooked us on a 7:00AM flight, making sure my wife and I weren't seated together for it, of course. By the time I caught Mary we were at the gate and, wonder of wonders, the plane wasn't being boarded - it was being cancelled. From pure ineptitude to outright lying, Delta continues to establish their reputation for me. We headed down to grab our bags only to discover they wouldn't be offloaded, they were already ready for the next day and we couldn't have them. So now we were in Atlanta, stranded, with no jackets in sub-freezing weather with no hotel.

I hit the ticket counter and politely requested a hotel, which to my shock they actually offered up. They made sure to mention more than once they usually don't give them out for "weather", but they'd make an exception. So we waited out in the sub-freezing weather with no jackets for transportation for over an hour before being shipped off to a seedy HoJo near the airport and checked in, it now being 11:30PM. Surprise! $50 for our free hotel room, as Delta apparently only "negotiated a better rate", not a free room as we'd been told.

So, in the interest of ending this we got up after three hours sleep, made it to the airport, flew to Lauderdale, got to the pier early and found the Royal Caribbean folks very friendly and helpful, even letting us carry our bags on (typically not allowed) so we could change our clothes for the first time in over a day. All's well that ends well - we were on the ship quickly and enjoying some food before the rest of our party, and the vacation began.

Bon Voyage

I'm leaving the house in some good hands and taking myself away for a week, heading out cruising. It's unlikely that any of you would have noticed I was gone as it's frequently at least a week between posts, but probably worth mentioning anyways. Hopefully some of the locals who have posting access will take advantage of it in my absence, and otherwise, I implore you to return a week tomorrow for some stories and pictures.

For those wondering it's here to Buffalo for a flight to Fort Lauderdale. From there to the Gallery ONE hotel, which I obtained on Priceline for $125, and tomorrow down to the Port Everglades to board the Jewel of the Seas. Monday we're in Key West (touring), Tuesday in Cozumel (touring), Wednesday in Belize (city and animal sanctuary tour), and Thursday in Playa del Carmen (Chichen Itza?), before a day at sea brings us back to Lauderdale on Saturday.

Don't try to break into my house, as usual we've got a house sitter with a black belt and a mean streak. So until then, have a good one, and hope Mark shows up to post things!

Projections of (What) Might...

Ah the Leafs. Let's do this pointform:

• The Leafs largest problem is, has been, and will continue to be ownership. They have a money machine and any alterations to that machine present the possibility of losing money. So why make a change? The basic facts are we all continue to watch, attend games, buy merchandise, and support them; what possible reason is there to make a change?
  
• The firings of JFJ and the coach are now imminent, which will please many no doubt. The issue being what will these many do when the new GM and new coach fare no better? You can put lipstick on a pig, and sure it'll look a little nicer, but you're still kissing a pig.
  
• Which brings me to the heart of the issue: The Leafs are drastically underskilled. Drastically. They have no defence, they have no offense after a first line (which the coach refuses to play as a line), and they have no future. The future is on the ice, and it's not good. Stajan.. Wellwood.. Steen.. White.. these are fringe players who will have tidy little $1.5million/year careers and retire with nary a person outside of Toronto knowing who they are. Just because you like them doesn't make them great, or promising.
  
• Cliff Fletcher will serve no purpose, regardless of the fact he's likely to be in place with the organization within the next week. Scotty Bowman, while perfect for the job, won't take it because he's far too smart to get involved with Leafs ownership. So who to hire? I'd pass by Fletch for Neil Smith any day, solely because he'll take the job (desperate), has a proven track record, and deserves a shot as an NHL veteran. That said, refer to #1.. and the cycle continues..

From the Morning

So it seems, slowly but surely, the market for real coffee is expanding to the point where others want some of the action. Our continent has evolved from the uneducated ramblings of "you pay $4 for coffee?" to, yes, McDonald's getting into the specialty coffee business.

So let's start from the top and note that, sadly, use of the term "specialty" is not subject to certification from some imaginary consumer watchdog who actually ensures truth in advertising. Heck, supposed "specialty coffee" retailer Second Cup actually carries Kraft coffee, the same folks who bring you such illustrious offerings as Maxwell House, Sanka, and Nabob. For those taking notes this same argument can be extended to other non-sensical marketing terms commonly used to convince you of untruths, such as "all natural", and "whole wheat".

Anyways, McDonald's is pretty sure - to the tune of $1 billion in estimated sales - they can sell high end coffee, lattes, and other European espresso drinks. Presumably, with the majority of this business at Starbucks, the thought is that all us Starbucks drinkers are about to decide we'd prefer to save $0.25 by getting our fix at the Golden Arches. Ignore the fact that they're highly unlikely to use a quality product at the start, and ignore the fact that a large amount of people will drink Starbucks both for taste and the status afforded by carrying around a cup that says you can afford better.

I hope there's still plaque space between the McDLT and McPizza on the head office Wall of Shame, they'll need it somewhere around.. January 2009.

Into the Ocean

Thanks to my parents' kind financial planner a gaggle of us were welcomed to the Rogers Centre this past Saturday for complimentary 12th row tickets to the International Bowl, my first experience with NCAA Football. For those not in the know this is the second year for a "bowl" game held outside the States, this year featuring the Ball State Cardinals against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. We were located directly above the cheerleaders in the Ball State cheering section, which suited us fine because it's fine to yell "GO BALLS!" and "BALL U!" without getting admonished for it. Paul's and my exuberance even had us getting noticed by some attractive members of the spirit squad who, when not being tossed about and held up by their burly male counterparts, were taking plenty of time to smile and wave at us. Heck, they even took a picture with Paul there. All told a fun time, I had no idea what was going on, and when it was over I was entertained. I suppose that's all you can ask for! What did I learn from the experience? That I saw future NFL superstar Ray Rice before he was famous, and that Dante Love is only the greatest name of all time.

I should also note that I'm less than two weeks away from my first real vacation in four years, by real meaning longer than a few days and not involving any work at all. Carrie has booked us onto the Jewel of the Seas with stops in Key West, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Belize City over six days. We even secured our hotel on Priceline today for the pre-cruise stay, and booked an excursion in Belize. Three cheers for planning! What other plans do I have? I always spend my time in Cozumel ripped on tequila walking the strip and eating at Pancho's Backyard, and I've been anxious to take Rob to Key West for Key Lime Pie for years now.

In Playa del Carmen I will finally satiate my desire for Mayan ruins with a three hour drive to Chichen Itza where I'll be taking pictures with my new Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT SLR camera. Who says Boxing Day sales aren't any good? Lining up at 5:45AM secured this puppy for only $399, and the same sale netted me a 4GB compactflash card for $45.

Now, I rest.

That Year

It's a new year, and if this pace permits I'll post once a day all year for the first time. But then again, we all know there's no chances of that. I trust everyone enjoyed a safe and happy new year and are now enjoying a timely vacation day in the midst of a storm, at least here in the GTA.

Last night, as every new year for years, was spent at Craig and Cheryl's along with Pat and Denise. The Baillie clan put together their famous caesar salad and ribs to go along with the Parnaby's broccoli salad, and Mary and I provided the desserts. There was far too much food and nobody left hungry. I do believe this was the first year the TV didn't go on once, instead seeing us gather around and enjoy the company with some good talk and good laughs. In fact, we only realized it was 2008 when I asked what time it was and Craig checked his watch to find it was 12:05. A quick impromptu countdown and a cheers of some miserable Stella Artois Nobilis ended the night and we all headed home.

Today, a relaxing day at home before I head back to work. I'm closing in on one year at the new job and still enjoying it, although I admit my first full week off in four years spoiled me and I did NOT feel like working yesterday. I'm kicking back and watching the Heritage Classic while my wife enjoys my newly patented Apricot Brandy French Toast and a showing of Ghost Rider. Have a safe and happy day, and here's hoping for some actual posts in 2008!