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Old William Shatner Main Discussion - Vacation Planning

vampyregirl - Mar 09, 2010 - 09:26 PM
Post subject: Vacation Planning

I haven't been on an "out of town" vacation since the 3rd Annual Paintball game. I'm trying to plan an out of town trip now, and boy is it complicated!!!!

It looks like I'm going to have to move vacation days to accomplish what I want to do!!! Mad

For those interested: Three of my favorite actors (Christopher Plummer, Nigel Bennett, and Geraint Wyn Davies) will all be at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival this summer. WOO HOO!!!! I've always wanted to go to this anyway, but didn't really have anyone to go with. My friend Melanie (a co-worker) said to buy tickets!!! She's goin'!!!! (she's been in love with Mr. Plummer since she was a kid.... Wink

) Any way, I have vacation in September, but the 3 plays are not being performed on 2 or 3 consecutive days during that week. Mad

The only time that will occur is in August--when I don't have any vacation scheduled. I'd have to move 3 days (not an issue hopefully--won't know until tonight at work), but that's ok by me.

Decisions, decisions..... And add to the mix that I can't get hold of Melanie to share this wonderful news.... Sigh..... Grrrrrrrrr......

Nostromo - Mar 09, 2010 - 10:11 PM
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That's very cool. Last summer I took my daughter to Stratford to see Macbeth with Colm Feore. Hope to go again this year. Whatever you decide I know you'll enjoy the experience. N

Gornman - Mar 10, 2010 - 12:10 AM
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Leave some room in your planning for some
spontaneous stuff.....

vampyregirl - Mar 10, 2010 - 12:20 AM
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The plays we are going to see are Tempest, Kiss Me Kate, and King of Thieves. We're looking in August now. I'll probably be moving vacation days. That's ok by me though!!! That's my "mission" for this evening--checking vacation dates. Hopefully that will work out.....

Since we'll be "in the neighborhood", we may go to Niagara Falls at night... I've never been there... Embarassed

We're looking at going to some museums and galleries too!! Gaaaahhh!!! Culture!!!! Laughing

I love museums and stuff like that!!

Got the hotel picked out already too. It's out of Stratford, in St. Mary's. Nice looking place! Looks like a mansion.

Debb - Mar 10, 2010 - 01:32 AM
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Stanhope National Park, Prince Edward Island. Camping across the street from the beach.

Day one, morning trailrides at Millstream Trail Rides in Brackley Beach, afternoon on the beach. Great for all ages.

Day two. morning on the beach, afternoon Kayaking at North Rustico

Day three, Golfing - all day, dinner at Richards, Covehead Harbour

Day four, matinee performace of Anne of Green Gables musical in Charlottetown, followed by Cow's ice cream

Day five, hiking on the parks trails in the morning, visit Greenwich Beach, afternoon.

Day 6 - Souvenir shopping and lunch at th dunes in Brackley Beach outdoor cinema in the evening.

Day 7, Canada Day at the harbour in Charlottetown. Free bands, midway...

Day 8, last morning on the beach... pack the rental SUV and 10 hour drive home with satellite radio...

teclaydon - Mar 10, 2010 - 01:51 AM
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Stratford is great ...even for someone who might think that they're not really 'into' classic live theatre.

Over the years, my son and I spent a few 'over-nighter' weekends there to take in a play during the annual summer festival and - despite his early teen ages at the time - he loved it!

Pleasant, relaxed, small town atmosphere... world class live theatre... a stone's throw (4 hour drive) away from Toledo...

...great choice!

Wink

Debb - Mar 10, 2010 - 01:55 AM
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and more importantly, home made fudge!

I love Stratford, but the last time I was there was 2002.

Picturesque little town and we stayed at a B&B which are everywhere.

teclaydon wrote:

Debb - Mar 10, 2010 - 01:56 AM
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and then there's Tobermory... underwater national park...

If you're into diving.. it's worth the trip. Great fishing too.

teclaydon - Mar 10, 2010 - 02:14 AM
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Debb wrote:

"...and then there's Tobermory..."

...I LOVE Tobermory!!!

It's as though a British Columbia coastal community was plunked down into the middle of Ontario! Spending an afternoon just meandering through the shops around the harbour, followed by an evening at one of the pubs - all within easy walking distance of your hotel or B&B - is a wonderful way to spend a summer day!

Another one of my favourite (often visited) weekend mini-vacation spots during the summer!

Exclamation

Debb - Mar 10, 2010 - 02:20 AM
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and a great place for romantic adventures!

Mirizor - Mar 10, 2010 - 02:23 AM
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That sounds fantastic Vampyregirl. Those are also my favorite actors too. Very Happy

JMP - Mar 10, 2010 - 05:04 AM
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You guys are making me want to go somewhere. I haven't gone away for a vacation since 1998.

vampyregirl - Mar 11, 2010 - 02:07 AM
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Play tickets purchased! (ouchie on the credit card, but what are you going to do????) Hotel (Inn, actually) reservations made! (more ouchie on the credit card). Is it August yet????

I'm very excited to be going. We'll be staying 3 nights. Three plays in 2 days. Running around in between. Staying in a town called St Marys--just 10 - 15 mins from Stratford.

I still need to get 2 of the days off, but I'll worry about that later. It shouldn't be a problem since the 2 people that already have those 2 days off will be moving from the police side back to the fire dept side at work. That will free up those 2 days for vacation for me!!! Too long of an explanation to go into right now about police/fire. I actually have to get off the computer and get ready to go to that place. I'll post more tomorrow!!!

teclaydon - Mar 11, 2010 - 02:21 AM
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vampyregirl wrote:

"...Too long of an explanation to go into right now about police/fire..."

...sounds like one of those new darn-fangled cost-efficient(?) departments of 'Public Safety'.

Debb - Mar 11, 2010 - 01:27 PM
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woo hoo... a man in uniform!

teclaydon wrote:

vampyregirl wrote:

"...Too long of an explanation to go into right now about police/fire..."

...sounds like one of those new darn-fangled cost-efficient(?) departments of 'Public Safety'.

vampyregirl - Mar 11, 2010 - 10:47 PM
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Debb wrote:

woo hoo... a man in uniform!

teclaydon wrote:

vampyregirl wrote:

"...Too long of an explanation to go into right now about police/fire..."

...sounds like one of those new darn-fangled cost-efficient(?) departments of 'Public Safety'.

Nice pic!!! And "darn-fangled cost-efficient"???? Bwaaaaa-haaa-haaa-haaaa!!!! NOT!!!!!

So, here's the explanation on that: Some genius (and I use that term VERY loosely!!!!) decided it would save the city money to combine Police Dispatch and Fire Dispatch. The fire folks had to be trained in 911 call taking, and us police folks (not all, but quite a few--not me T.G.!!!) had to be trained in fire dispatch. Well, we estimate the whole mess has cost the city a good $200,000 in overtime in the past 2 years--if not more. Some savings!!!! Then, there is no rotation between the 3 jobs, so you get folks stuck on fire for weeks on end, then they toss them over to the police dispatch and they have a hard time keeping up with air traffic!!! NOT GOOD!!!! 90% of the time, the fire dispatch is sitting on their thumbs. 90% of the time, police dispatch is typing away at pursuits, sending on calls, etc. Apples and oranges I tell ya!!!!

Now we have a new Mayor. He knows damn well (he used to be the Fire Chief) that the idea of combining us was stoooooooooopid from the get-go. We are waiting for that whole mess to be separated out so we can go back to the way it was. For now, though, we are all on the same vacation books!!! Only 2 dispatchers can be off on vacation at the same time. The 2 that are off on the 2 days I need are original fire folks. Once we separate again, those 2 days will be available for me and another person to scoop up!! If that somehow doesn't work out, I will have to find 2 people to trade with me for those days--that should be easy! It's a Thursday and Friday, and I can trade for a weekend day earlier in the month to compensate them!!! All is well!!! WOO HOO!!!!

Now we just have to keep the Mayor out of our paychecks in the meantime. My city has a projected $48 million deficit for the year--including almost $10 million left over from the last "genius".....er, mayor. Sigh....... Always tryin' to mess with a girl's pay!!!! Basterds!!!!

Wink

teclaydon - Mar 12, 2010 - 12:50 AM
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vampyregirl wrote:

"..."darn-fangled cost-efficient"???? Bwaaaaa-haaa-haaa-haaaa!!!! NOT!!!!!..."

...I hear 'ya.

Although combining 'first responder' resources may look good on paper to the bean-counters and leave elected decision makers with a 'warm and fuzzy' about appearing fiscally responsible in the eyes of their constituents, I think most of the folks who actually work day-to-day in or near those environments would agree there are limits to the extent that fire, police and EMS services can be 'co-managed' without compromising the efficiency with which they serve the public.

It's like those 'all-in-one' printer/copier/scanner/fax machines ...they never seem to do any one thing quite as well as the a machine that's dedicated to doing just one of those functions...

Wink

teclaydon - Mar 12, 2010 - 01:07 AM
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Debb wrote:

"...woo hoo... a man in uniform!..."

Aw shucks Ma'am...

Embarassed

...your tax dollars at work, that's all ...if you happen to live in the Province of Ontario that is!

Wink

vampyregirl - Mar 12, 2010 - 10:46 PM
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teclaydon wrote:

vampyregirl wrote:

"..."darn-fangled cost-efficient"???? Bwaaaaa-haaa-haaa-haaaa!!!! NOT!!!!!..."

Heaven forbid they would ask the ACTUAL workers about anything around there!!!!!!!! Sacriledge!!!!! Rolling Eyes

Nostromo - Mar 14, 2010 - 03:22 PM
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vampyregirl wrote:

We're looking at going to some museums and galleries too!! Gaaaahhh!!! Culture!!!! Laughing

I love museums and stuff like that!!

Got the hotel picked out already too. It's out of Stratford, in St. Mary's. Nice looking place! Looks like a mansion.

Enjoy your stay Vampy. I'm talking my daughter to see The Tempest during the last week of July. Cool

Debb - Mar 15, 2010 - 04:28 AM
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you know that's not so!

teclaydon wrote:

Debb wrote:

"...woo hoo... a man in uniform!..."

Aw shucks Ma'am...

Embarassed

...your tax dollars at work, that's all ...if you happen to live in the Province of Ontario that is!

Wink

vampyregirl - Mar 16, 2010 - 07:24 AM
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Nostromo wrote:

vampyregirl wrote:

We're looking at going to some museums and galleries too!! Gaaaahhh!!! Culture!!!! Laughing

I love museums and stuff like that!!

Got the hotel picked out already too. It's out of Stratford, in St. Mary's. Nice looking place! Looks like a mansion.

Enjoy your stay Vampy. I'm talking my daughter to see The Tempest during the last week of July. Cool

Cool!! I can't wait to go!! By then this city might resemble the Shootout at the OK Corral!!! They may be laying off 125 police officers next month. Notices were sent out today..... Crying or Very sad

I feel sooooo bad for them. Same guys that got laid off last year plus. Makes no sense.......

skianbeerfist - Mar 19, 2010 - 01:06 PM
Post subject: Re: Vacation Planning

vampyregirl wrote:

) Any way, I have vacation in September, but the 3 plays are not being performed on 2 or 3 consecutive days during that week. Mad

I am on vacation now. My whole life is a mission.

I hope you enjoy yours.

I will probably take another vacation in June.

Hmmm.

While I am on vacation I am still on a mission to find me an indian arrowhead before I go.

Sincerely,
Skianbeerfist Cool