The Vent and Rant Thread

[CRussel]

Well, pooh, I can honestly say I haven't regretted moving to British Columbia for a single moment. I made the decision 11 years ago, and was moved within 7 months from the time we first heard about the Sunshine Coast. A complete and total change, and one that has had more than it's share of surprises. But mostly good ones, and I'm a much happier and healthier person.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Well, pooh, I can honestly say I haven't regretted moving to British Columbia for a single moment. I made the decision 11 years ago, and was moved within 7 months from the time we first heard about the Sunshine Coast. A complete and total change, and one that has had more than it's share of surprises. But mostly good ones, and I'm a much happier and healthier person.

There's sunshine that close to Washington?

Well, maybe. Victoria is the one place in Canada I've visited, and the sun was shining the day I went at least. Took a ferry from Seattle and made a side trip to take in Butchart Gardens while I was there. Very beautiful place.

[covingtoncat73]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

There's sunshine that close to Washington?

Well, maybe. Victoria is the one place in Canada I've visited, and the sun was shining the day I went at least. Took a ferry from Seattle and made a side trip to take in Butchart Gardens while I was there. Very beautiful place.

I would live in Victoria in a heartbeat!

[kindlekitten]

We get a hell of a lot more sunshine than people realize, but shhhh! It's a secret!

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

There's sunshine that close to Washington?

Well, maybe. Victoria is the one place in Canada I've visited, and the sun was shining the day I went at least. Took a ferry from Seattle and made a side trip to take in Butchart Gardens while I was there. Very beautiful place.

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

I would live in Victoria in a heartbeat!

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

We get a hell of a lot more sunshine than people realize, but shhhh! It's a secret!

Yes, there's a reason we're called the Sunshine Coast. In the summer. In the winter, it's more the Wet Coast. But while Victoria is beautiful, it's not a small town, or rather it is, but not in the same way as the Coast. Victoria is on Vancouver Island, which is large enough that you really don't ever have to leave it. The Sunshine Coast is on the mainland, but you still need a ferry (or float plane) to get here. And you will have to leave for some things. We aren't big enough to support the same level of infrastructure as the Island.

KK is, of course, a bit further south and still in the US. But very similar weather in many ways.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Well, pooh, I can honestly say I haven't regretted moving to British Columbia for a single moment. I made the decision 11 years ago, and was moved within 7 months from the time we first heard about the Sunshine Coast. A complete and total change, and one that has had more than it's share of surprises. But mostly good ones, and I'm a much happier and healthier person.

Years ago (after the aborted job offer from Granada) I interviewed for a job on Prince Edward Island - I flew there in December - through a blizzard that had grounded all US air traffic, but the Canadian air lines didn't seem to notice - or care - we had a perfect landing on the island. I loved the island (despite the dire warnings of 'cabin fever' from being 'trapped' on an island) - but unfortunately clashed badly with the interview team - who made it clear I wouldn't fit in to their team. Go figure ...

[I can still remember having to walk to the interview through waist high snow drifts.]

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

We get a hell of a lot more sunshine than people realize, but shhhh! It's a secret!

Not in the month or so I was there, although there was a minor earthquake to keep things from getting dull.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

I kind of regret that I didn't take the job I could have gotten at a community college in Palau but I am not so young and not adventurous and I was worried about bringing Cinder-kitty.

Palau is tied for the No.1 spot as 'The World's Best Dive Location.' We've spent a LOT of time underwater there, and don't doubt that title for a moment. It is SPECTACULAR! But as much as I love the underwater excitement, the above ground quietude would do me in after a month. Its islands are beautiful, and for a few weeks lying on the beach, lying on the beach would be nice. But the only way to get to something larger is to fly to Guam... which you can drive completely around in an hour, but does have a shopping mall...

Originally Posted by CRussel

Well, pooh, I can honestly say I haven't regretted moving to British Columbia for a single moment. I made the decision 11 years ago, and was moved within 7 months from the time we first heard about the Sunshine Coast. A complete and total change, and one that has had more than it's share of surprises. But mostly good ones, and I'm a much happier and healthier person.

It's that 'complete and total change' that makes an international move so invigorating. When I was offered a contract to teach at university in Japan, I only waited long enough to have a big moving sale, spend one more weekend with family, and I was on the plane with a one-way ticket! I've never regretted the move once!

Originally Posted by CRussel

Yes, there's a reason we're called the Sunshine Coast. In the summer. In the winter, it's more the Wet Coast. But while Victoria is beautiful, it's not a small town, or rather it is, but not in the same way as the Coast. Victoria is on Vancouver Island, which is large enough that you really don't ever have to leave it.

Vancouver Island would be a wonderful place to live if someone were looking for a change that wasn't too far removed from the East Coast. 3-4 hours by plane? By today's travel standards, that's just a short hop! Depending upon the routing, it takes me up to 29 hours to get back to Vermont.


Stitchawl

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Not in the month or so I was there, although there was a minor earthquake to keep things from getting dull.

Oh don't get me wrong! There are a few months that make you consider snorkel gear! The rest of the time makes up for it. I just wish we had more snow *pout*

[GeoffC]

You want snow! I'm sure that could be arranged (somehow)

[kindlekitten]

Yes please!

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

Yes please!

Ladies and gents:

I'm sitting here on "Labor Day weekend" and it's 105ºF (40.5C). It's going to be 109ºF (42.7C) by late afternoon. Really, if you pity-takers are gonna send snow, could you bloody well send it here????

(Where's the whining emoty...????)

Hitch

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Ladies and gents:

I'm sitting here on "Labor Day weekend" and it's 105ºF (40.5C). It's going to be 109ºF (42.7C) by late afternoon. Really, if you pity-takers are gonna send snow, could you bloody well send it here????

(Where's the whining emoty...????)

Hitch

No use sending snow - it would all melt before you got to play in it!

[covingtoncat73]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Ladies and gents:

I'm sitting here on "Labor Day weekend" and it's 105ºF (40.5C). It's going to be 109ºF (42.7C) by late afternoon. Really, if you pity-takers are gonna send snow, could you bloody well send it here????

(Where's the whining emoty...????)

Hitch

Dude, you live in Phoenix...

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

Dude, you live in Phoenix...

I DO. And when you guys are whining about winter, I'm gonna remind you about where YOU live, too.

We always get this way, here in Phoenix/desert areas around this time of year. We've been butch, we've managed (since the beginning of May, mind you, when it pokes up over 100); but after about 16 weeks, we start to get really cranky about it. September is the worst, because everyone here, generally, migrated from someplace else with seasons, so we expect "fall." In our bones, we think it should be getting cooler, but "cooler" in Phoenix means it will "only" be about 102 or so for the next month. In the third week of September, the nights will start to cool (meaning, woot, the 80's, maybe. Maybe even the 70's). But for "cool weather," or a break in the ever-present heat, it's (set your clock by it) the third week of October.

Thus, while our childhood memories are, mostly, turning (changing colors, I mean) leaves and sweaters and all that, we're still paying outlandish air-conditioning bills and sweating our buns off here. We get increasingly irritable for the next 7 weeks. (Statistically, you should see the road rage, etc., around here in September. People really do get psycho. No cracks, Stitch.)

And then it will be winter. Not fall, but winter. Literally, here, it's like, one day, it's blistering, and the next day, it's actually, for us, COLD.

Zep and Storm are waiting by the damned windows, they are so tired of the heat. No, they don't go outside, but they know the diff. between the windows OPEN (screens) and the windows slammed shut. So, as I said, about that whiny emoty, yes, I know I'm whining and whingeing. I just want the damn heat to end. It's Labor (Labour for you Brits and Canucks out there) Day weekend, for the love of heaven! {sniffle}.

Hitch