Whenever I have a discussion regarding the Olympics with someone, I have always said that Vancouver will at least try to host a summer Olympics in the future and will likely get it.
Vancouver summers are hot and it is one of the rare cities in the world that could pull off both a winter and summer Olympics. I figured I would be watching the Vancouver Summer Olympics in a seniors' home in the future, but it looks like there is a group that wants to vie for it sooner rather than later, at least according to wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2028_Summer_Olympics
I later found out that this was reported on in The Vancouver Sun in 2006. Wow, four years before 2010.
I don't think a joint Vancouver/Seattle bid would work and I think this is way too soon for Vancouver to even contemplate --18 years after the hosting the winter games? Toronto has had three unsuccessful bids for the summer games and those organizers were a little choked that Vancouver got the Winter Olympics on the first try. I think politically Toronto would have to get it first before Vancouver could even try.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
2010 Celebration of Light, formerly known as Symphony of Fire
Wow, I can't believe it's been 20 years when I was a kid and a friend of mine told me there was some kind of fireworks thing going on at "the beach in downtown." While we found our way there the first time, we didn't know how to get home. A homeless man outside the Macs Convenience store on Denman (now a 7-Eleven) actually got us a cab and gave the driver $20 bucks to drive us home. I figured out how the buses worked after that.
This year's dates are a little different as the fireworks competition used to always be held on the last Wednesday and Saturday of July and the first Wednesday and Saturday of August.
2010 dates:
July 21: USA
July 24: Spain
July 28: Mexico
July 31: China
And I still prefer the name (Benson and Hedges) Symphony of Fire over Celebration of Light.
This year's dates are a little different as the fireworks competition used to always be held on the last Wednesday and Saturday of July and the first Wednesday and Saturday of August.
2010 dates:
July 21: USA
July 24: Spain
July 28: Mexico
July 31: China
And I still prefer the name (Benson and Hedges) Symphony of Fire over Celebration of Light.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
VIFF ticket price up 20 per cent for 2010
Tickets for the Vancouver International Film Festival is going up 20 per cent this year.
The new regular ticket price will be $12, up from $10 last year.
Lack of sponsorship and funding have been cited as to why the not-for-profit film society raised the price. The previous increase was from $9.50 to $10 in 2009.
The annual festival will run September 30 to October 15, 2010.
The new regular ticket price will be $12, up from $10 last year.
Lack of sponsorship and funding have been cited as to why the not-for-profit film society raised the price. The previous increase was from $9.50 to $10 in 2009.
The annual festival will run September 30 to October 15, 2010.
New Canwest owners = One Vancouver daily?
I don't normally like to write about rumours and suspicions, but what the hell...
The shuttering of one of Vancouver's two main daily newspapers has been talked about for ages. The Vancouver Sun and Province have the same owners, share staff, such as photographers, use the same printing presses, once shared the same publisher, etc. But that possibility is greater now according to a media union representative I briefly spoke to on Saturday.
The new potential owners of the Canwest chain (they still have a month to walk away) are American hedge funds. Paul Godfrey is essentially a Canadian spokesman for the group. Hedge funds are notoriously known to swoop in, make as much money as possible and leave. Their plan is to offer IPOs in this new company.
The Canwest newspapers are under bankruptcy protection, so before that protection ends, it would be best to do the dirty work (shutdown papers) now. Monies owed such as wage, severance, vacation, etc., can then be paid in pennies for each dollar or not all.
Face value, it does make sense for an owner to just have one paper serving one market than two. But both papers make money (at least they have in the past), so there was never any point in shutting one down other than threatening it during union contract negotiations.
The shuttering of one of Vancouver's two main daily newspapers has been talked about for ages. The Vancouver Sun and Province have the same owners, share staff, such as photographers, use the same printing presses, once shared the same publisher, etc. But that possibility is greater now according to a media union representative I briefly spoke to on Saturday.
The new potential owners of the Canwest chain (they still have a month to walk away) are American hedge funds. Paul Godfrey is essentially a Canadian spokesman for the group. Hedge funds are notoriously known to swoop in, make as much money as possible and leave. Their plan is to offer IPOs in this new company.
The Canwest newspapers are under bankruptcy protection, so before that protection ends, it would be best to do the dirty work (shutdown papers) now. Monies owed such as wage, severance, vacation, etc., can then be paid in pennies for each dollar or not all.
Face value, it does make sense for an owner to just have one paper serving one market than two. But both papers make money (at least they have in the past), so there was never any point in shutting one down other than threatening it during union contract negotiations.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Dissecting "one of the best Chinese restaurants in the world"
Meant to post this months ago...
In January this year, a month before the 2010 Winter Olympics, Conde Nest Magazine rated Richmond's Sun Sui Wah Restaurant as one of the best Chinese restaurants in the world.
One of the best Chinese restaurants located in Canada of all places? Makes sense considering Vancouver/Richmond's large Chinese population.
This honour was bestowed by Conde Nest writer Mark Schatzker. His review was subsequently covered by all of Vancouver’s major media. The Vancouver Sun, Province, the commuter daily papers, Global Television, etc.
But a quick search on say, Vancouver Coastal Health's food inspection website (www.foodinspectionweb.vcha.ca) would have found that a "Sun Sui Wah" restaurant was closed March 20 to 21, 2009 due to an infestation of rodents, cockroaches and for "unsanitary" conditions.
Turns out Sun Sui Wah has two locations (same owner), one in the city of Vancouver and one in Richmond. It was the Vancouver restaurant that had the infraction.
Should this have been reported? Does it change anything? Same name, same owner(s), but different location. Hmm...
And no, I have never eaten at either of the locations.
In January this year, a month before the 2010 Winter Olympics, Conde Nest Magazine rated Richmond's Sun Sui Wah Restaurant as one of the best Chinese restaurants in the world.
One of the best Chinese restaurants located in Canada of all places? Makes sense considering Vancouver/Richmond's large Chinese population.
This honour was bestowed by Conde Nest writer Mark Schatzker. His review was subsequently covered by all of Vancouver’s major media. The Vancouver Sun, Province, the commuter daily papers, Global Television, etc.
But a quick search on say, Vancouver Coastal Health's food inspection website (www.foodinspectionweb.vcha.ca) would have found that a "Sun Sui Wah" restaurant was closed March 20 to 21, 2009 due to an infestation of rodents, cockroaches and for "unsanitary" conditions.
Turns out Sun Sui Wah has two locations (same owner), one in the city of Vancouver and one in Richmond. It was the Vancouver restaurant that had the infraction.
Should this have been reported? Does it change anything? Same name, same owner(s), but different location. Hmm...
And no, I have never eaten at either of the locations.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Grouse Grind still closed, argh!
I've been checking the Grouse Mountain and Metro Vancouver website to see when the infamous Grouse Grind would open up again. Metro Vancouver crews have been busy reconstructing the pathway since the spring and Grind diehards have been ignoring the closed signs, of course.
I called Metro Vancouver and the woman who answered told me that it might reopen in late June. She also told me that their phones are constantly ringing, from when the open until they close, as people keep asking when it will reopen. It usually opens once all the snow disappears.
I hate doing the Grouse Grind, but it is a good workout and it feels great each time you complete it. Albeit, I'm always drenching in sweat, gasping for air, wanting to fall to the ground and into a quick and peaceful death.
I did a quick news search if any stories have been done about this and it seems The Province did a story about it in April. I think it's time for an update, so I emailed them.
I called Metro Vancouver and the woman who answered told me that it might reopen in late June. She also told me that their phones are constantly ringing, from when the open until they close, as people keep asking when it will reopen. It usually opens once all the snow disappears.
I hate doing the Grouse Grind, but it is a good workout and it feels great each time you complete it. Albeit, I'm always drenching in sweat, gasping for air, wanting to fall to the ground and into a quick and peaceful death.
I did a quick news search if any stories have been done about this and it seems The Province did a story about it in April. I think it's time for an update, so I emailed them.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Planet
I watched a 2007 documentary called The Planet tonight at the Vancouver International Film Centre, as part of their monthly Cinema Salon.
It was presented by Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson as one of his favourite films. He joked (or maybe it wasn't a joke) that he was debating on presenting this documentary or a movie called Slap Shot. Former Vancouver mayor and now senator Larry Campbell chose The Big Lebowski some months ago for Cinema Salon.
The film was one of those typical "people are ruining the world" stories, but I personally think it's good to watch these kind of doomsday films, at least for me, as it reminds me of all the things I know and repeated exposure to these issues make me continue to make gradual changes in my life to live "green."
Anyway, after the film, there was a Q&A and just like I thought, there were people lined up praising the mayor and encouraging him to run for premier of B.C. or for federal politics because of his "leadership" as Vancouver's top politician. Why people feel compel to ass-kiss at these events, which isn't political, is beyond me. He of course gave the typical politician response that he's "focused" on Vancouver right now and he wants to lessen his "to do as mayor list" before he would contemplate moving on to something else.
There was one question posed to Robertson I found interesting. The woman asked him how he felt about mining companies committing all these environmental atrocities in other countries, but are based here in Vancouver. Excellent question considering Robertson has pledged to make Vancouver the most greenest city in the world by 2020. Understandably, but also disappointingly, he gave a very elaborate answer which in the end did not answer her question. It was obvious that he didn't want to say anything critical or controversial as he raised other questions and issues, without telling how he felt about it. Another person, who works for a B.C. company that harnesses kinetic energy from spent oil and gas wells, piped up and said that there are "global standards" companies follow now, which has made mining almost impossible to do. Heads were shaking as the woman asked "have you been to Guatemala?" and others mentioned other countries that have been exploited and polluted by B.C. based mining companies. That guy should have kept his mouth shut on this topic. He had earlier complained about how there isn't enough funding for green projects like his company, for which he encouraged people to visit his company's website. Interesting work his company is doing however.
It was presented by Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson as one of his favourite films. He joked (or maybe it wasn't a joke) that he was debating on presenting this documentary or a movie called Slap Shot. Former Vancouver mayor and now senator Larry Campbell chose The Big Lebowski some months ago for Cinema Salon.
The film was one of those typical "people are ruining the world" stories, but I personally think it's good to watch these kind of doomsday films, at least for me, as it reminds me of all the things I know and repeated exposure to these issues make me continue to make gradual changes in my life to live "green."
Anyway, after the film, there was a Q&A and just like I thought, there were people lined up praising the mayor and encouraging him to run for premier of B.C. or for federal politics because of his "leadership" as Vancouver's top politician. Why people feel compel to ass-kiss at these events, which isn't political, is beyond me. He of course gave the typical politician response that he's "focused" on Vancouver right now and he wants to lessen his "to do as mayor list" before he would contemplate moving on to something else.
There was one question posed to Robertson I found interesting. The woman asked him how he felt about mining companies committing all these environmental atrocities in other countries, but are based here in Vancouver. Excellent question considering Robertson has pledged to make Vancouver the most greenest city in the world by 2020. Understandably, but also disappointingly, he gave a very elaborate answer which in the end did not answer her question. It was obvious that he didn't want to say anything critical or controversial as he raised other questions and issues, without telling how he felt about it. Another person, who works for a B.C. company that harnesses kinetic energy from spent oil and gas wells, piped up and said that there are "global standards" companies follow now, which has made mining almost impossible to do. Heads were shaking as the woman asked "have you been to Guatemala?" and others mentioned other countries that have been exploited and polluted by B.C. based mining companies. That guy should have kept his mouth shut on this topic. He had earlier complained about how there isn't enough funding for green projects like his company, for which he encouraged people to visit his company's website. Interesting work his company is doing however.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Grandma's somewhat shady eye specialist
Do I take my grandmother to the quack opthalmologist who can get her cataract surgery done immediately, or do I force her to wait and see a different non-quack one.
That's the question I have been pondering after finding out some questionable things the specialist, Dr Lee, has done in the past and in present.
Seeing a specialist, especially one who can speak my grandmother's native tongue, took a while. It was about six months ago when the referral was made by her general practitioner and it's been a lot longer that grandma has been forced to see through the equivalent of cloudy milk as her natural lenses are no longer clear.
First, I didn't like Dr. Lee. He rubbed me the wrong way. Perhaps it was the culture and language, but I didn't like the way he conducted himself, nor how he spoke to me. More on that later.
He told me that there are two types of lenses that could be used to replace grandma's cloudy ones, hard and soft. The hard lens is covered by the provincial medical service plan, but it is dated technology, would require stitches in the eye and take a month to heal. The soft lenses cost money, but is what most people choose now as recovery is fast, almost instant and has less complications.
For soft lenses, there are three types. The basic lens for $350 each, which he didn't recommend. The $600 each ones, which he recommended, which provide UVB protection and light adjustment so she can see better at night. Then there were the $1,800 each lenses which have the UVB protection, light adjustment capability and is a multi-focal, which means no reading glasses required.
Grandma wanted the more expensive one of course and because she literally has no money for reasons beyond her control, I would have to some how fork out the money. Yeah, as if I have that kind of money to spare. But considering I would elect for the better product (you can't ask for the cheap lens and have them replaced with an expensive one in the future. What you get, you are stuck with for life), so I couldn't reason with my grandmother to live within her means. I would be a hypocrite.
When I asked the ophthalmologist to write down the the cost of the lenses and the types, he took that as me being cheap with my grandmother. He actually said that he's seen many families say their elderly parents or grandparents should just get the cheapest ones. To paraphrase it bluntly, he basically said that most families don't think an old person deserve expensive lenses, because the old person will likely not live that long. I literally argued with him until he reluctantly wrote it down for me on his business card.
That obvious wasn't the case for me and I didn't appreciate him assuming that I was like these other families he's seen. I wanted to do my own research and call around to see if the prices he quoted were reasonable. I question everything as a journalist, no matter if you're a doctor or a judge.
I made some phone calls and the price seemed to be on par with other ophthalmologists. I actually called the College of Physicians and Surgeons first, but they said they don't track such prices because that soft lenses falls under private practice. I then asked them to look up the specialist for me, since I had them on the phone, as all doctor investigation results are available to the public.
The person said there was an issue, but that was in 1992. I thought, "oh, that was a long time ago, no big deal." But I figured I might as well hear it. The woman said she would get someone else to call me back.
One of the doctors at college called back and asked me some questions on why my grandmother went to see Dr. Lee. I explained everything to him, including my issues, and he said that he would call me back before giving me the results of the 1992 investigation. Interesting, I thought.
Turns out this ophthalmologist was investigated in 1992 and his operating licence was pulled due to a high number of complications from the cataract surgeries he conducted.
Oh...
He took some tests and got his license back, but quickly gave it up to focus on office work.
Now because of my inquiry, the doctor at the college said they are launching an investigation on him for misrepresentation. I was under the assumption that this specialist was going to conduct the surgery. The college actually called the receptionist at Dr. Lee's office and impersonated a perspective client. The receptionist flat out said Dr. Lee conducts the surgery himself.
After more investigating, the college found out that Dr. Lee actually has another ophthalmologist, who is very good, conducting the actual operation and Dr. Lee is just there to oversee it.
The off-the-record advice I was given: take grandma to another doctor for a clean slate.
I have since taken grandma back to her GP and got a referral to another ophthalmologist. The appointment is not until the end of the month and who knows when the operation would be. Dr.
Lee's surgeon was available to operate two weeks after seeing grandma.
This is the unfortunate thing about seeking a second opinion or wanting for a different specialist, if you don't like the first one you were referred to. The wait almost forces a person to go with the first specialist they can see, even if you don't like them or if they have a record with the college. Otherwise your risk waiting longer and perhaps ending up in worse shape as your condition worsens with time.
I can't help but wonder now if I should just go with Dr. Lee. I would obviously sit in on the operation to make sure the licensed ophthalmologist is doing the work then.
Hmm...
That's the question I have been pondering after finding out some questionable things the specialist, Dr Lee, has done in the past and in present.
Seeing a specialist, especially one who can speak my grandmother's native tongue, took a while. It was about six months ago when the referral was made by her general practitioner and it's been a lot longer that grandma has been forced to see through the equivalent of cloudy milk as her natural lenses are no longer clear.
First, I didn't like Dr. Lee. He rubbed me the wrong way. Perhaps it was the culture and language, but I didn't like the way he conducted himself, nor how he spoke to me. More on that later.
He told me that there are two types of lenses that could be used to replace grandma's cloudy ones, hard and soft. The hard lens is covered by the provincial medical service plan, but it is dated technology, would require stitches in the eye and take a month to heal. The soft lenses cost money, but is what most people choose now as recovery is fast, almost instant and has less complications.
For soft lenses, there are three types. The basic lens for $350 each, which he didn't recommend. The $600 each ones, which he recommended, which provide UVB protection and light adjustment so she can see better at night. Then there were the $1,800 each lenses which have the UVB protection, light adjustment capability and is a multi-focal, which means no reading glasses required.
Grandma wanted the more expensive one of course and because she literally has no money for reasons beyond her control, I would have to some how fork out the money. Yeah, as if I have that kind of money to spare. But considering I would elect for the better product (you can't ask for the cheap lens and have them replaced with an expensive one in the future. What you get, you are stuck with for life), so I couldn't reason with my grandmother to live within her means. I would be a hypocrite.
When I asked the ophthalmologist to write down the the cost of the lenses and the types, he took that as me being cheap with my grandmother. He actually said that he's seen many families say their elderly parents or grandparents should just get the cheapest ones. To paraphrase it bluntly, he basically said that most families don't think an old person deserve expensive lenses, because the old person will likely not live that long. I literally argued with him until he reluctantly wrote it down for me on his business card.
That obvious wasn't the case for me and I didn't appreciate him assuming that I was like these other families he's seen. I wanted to do my own research and call around to see if the prices he quoted were reasonable. I question everything as a journalist, no matter if you're a doctor or a judge.
I made some phone calls and the price seemed to be on par with other ophthalmologists. I actually called the College of Physicians and Surgeons first, but they said they don't track such prices because that soft lenses falls under private practice. I then asked them to look up the specialist for me, since I had them on the phone, as all doctor investigation results are available to the public.
The person said there was an issue, but that was in 1992. I thought, "oh, that was a long time ago, no big deal." But I figured I might as well hear it. The woman said she would get someone else to call me back.
One of the doctors at college called back and asked me some questions on why my grandmother went to see Dr. Lee. I explained everything to him, including my issues, and he said that he would call me back before giving me the results of the 1992 investigation. Interesting, I thought.
Turns out this ophthalmologist was investigated in 1992 and his operating licence was pulled due to a high number of complications from the cataract surgeries he conducted.
Oh...
He took some tests and got his license back, but quickly gave it up to focus on office work.
Now because of my inquiry, the doctor at the college said they are launching an investigation on him for misrepresentation. I was under the assumption that this specialist was going to conduct the surgery. The college actually called the receptionist at Dr. Lee's office and impersonated a perspective client. The receptionist flat out said Dr. Lee conducts the surgery himself.
After more investigating, the college found out that Dr. Lee actually has another ophthalmologist, who is very good, conducting the actual operation and Dr. Lee is just there to oversee it.
The off-the-record advice I was given: take grandma to another doctor for a clean slate.
I have since taken grandma back to her GP and got a referral to another ophthalmologist. The appointment is not until the end of the month and who knows when the operation would be. Dr.
Lee's surgeon was available to operate two weeks after seeing grandma.
This is the unfortunate thing about seeking a second opinion or wanting for a different specialist, if you don't like the first one you were referred to. The wait almost forces a person to go with the first specialist they can see, even if you don't like them or if they have a record with the college. Otherwise your risk waiting longer and perhaps ending up in worse shape as your condition worsens with time.
I can't help but wonder now if I should just go with Dr. Lee. I would obviously sit in on the operation to make sure the licensed ophthalmologist is doing the work then.
Hmm...
Sunday, February 28, 2010
www.christophersun.ca is mine!
Just got my own website (thanks Kamran!) and am now taking all this blog/personal web site seriously (so much work, ugh!).
I will be posting some of my past published stories and pics, when I have the time, along with a "proper" weekly blog soon.
I will be posting some of my past published stories and pics, when I have the time, along with a "proper" weekly blog soon.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Interviewed this guy who served 27 years of a 40 year sentence today for "gun crimes." He wouldn't elaborate, except that it was for three different offences. Doesn't really matter as that isn't the point of the story I'm working on, but it was interesting none the less. He's been on parole, living in a halfway house in New Westminster for about three and a half years. For some reason I couldn't help but keep wondering if he killed anyone. I found that thought exciting.
The story is basically about a halfway house in a community that has pretty much welcomed it. None of that NIMBY stuff that would normally come with such a facility in a neighbourhood. Heck, I would be one of those people yelling and screaming: "I don't want those kind of people in my hood." I already have enough freaks in my neighbourhood, including some weirdo who goes around whistling for his cat at night while shaking a bucket of catnip. Oh wait, that's me...
But I do have a neighbour whose deceased husband supposedly made his money selling arms to the Nazis during the WWII. She's a bit of a crabby bitch.
The facility also has an each year open house, which is a part of an annual neighbourhood barbeque. The image of these convicted felons, murderers and thieves serving burgers to children and seniors, so cool.
Now if one of those people could snap... That would be front page news! :P
The story is basically about a halfway house in a community that has pretty much welcomed it. None of that NIMBY stuff that would normally come with such a facility in a neighbourhood. Heck, I would be one of those people yelling and screaming: "I don't want those kind of people in my hood." I already have enough freaks in my neighbourhood, including some weirdo who goes around whistling for his cat at night while shaking a bucket of catnip. Oh wait, that's me...
But I do have a neighbour whose deceased husband supposedly made his money selling arms to the Nazis during the WWII. She's a bit of a crabby bitch.
The facility also has an each year open house, which is a part of an annual neighbourhood barbeque. The image of these convicted felons, murderers and thieves serving burgers to children and seniors, so cool.
Now if one of those people could snap... That would be front page news! :P
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