Lesson 78-Don't fall asleep on the train
Friday afternoon - long weekend - all I wanted to do is get straight home and maybe go to the beach with the family or golden spike days in Port Moody.

I'm working away on my laptop, typing and I just nod off just before the port moody stop. I must have been totally exhausted cause I went into some dream state and just went into a deep sleep. Missed Port Moody, Coquitlam stops and when I woke up, I saw the Port Coquitlam sign. So I jump up, but don't realize I have a laptop connected and my phone out and by the time I gather my wits about me, the train departs that station.

Where the heck am I ?? The train keeps going and going and every inch is painful as I know I'm getting farther away from home. We cross a major bridge and there's traffic everywhere. We finally stop in Pitt Meadows and I jump off and now have to figure how to get home. Was thinking of hitch hiking but the main road was a 10 minute walk and it was in the 90's and humid. I was not a happy camper - what a goofball, falling asleep like that.

I was able to find a Loser Cruiser (my term for the bus - and aptly named now for people like me on it) and catch a ride back towards home. I walked home and was wiped and didn't do anything for our Friday night.

Concert Review
Godsmack rocked the house. Prepared for the show by putting all their songs on a cd and driving into town a few hours before the show. The plan was to enjoy some barley pops and grub in the sunshine while waiting for the show to start at 8:00PM. I had 2 Row 23 tix and was trying to unload one or upgrade to a better seat. I went to the back door of the Orpheum where the bands come and go and met some fellow fans hanging around waiting for the band. This is where I met Sean (see pictures), the consummate rocker and fan with a very distinguishable goatee. He’s always trying to buy a smoke off someone or smoking BC’s agriculture. He’s quite the character and yacks it up with everyone.

He hooked me up with someone who got me row 3 centre for my tickets. What a great seat. I hung around out back instead of going to a pub and got to meet the opening band Hinder (from Oklahoma) and then met with everyone from Godsmack except Sully the lead singer. Got pictures with them, autographs and chatted with them. Was a lot of fun. Hinder was about to go on stage so I headed in. I saw the T-Shirts and bought my first concert shirt in over 10 years. I’m now the proud owner of a black Godsmack shirt. I skipped by my 3rd row and went right to row 1 for Hinder. They were great – really good showmen and their sound was superb. Just a fun band to watch and rock to. Got to high five them and got some guitar picks. Afterwards headed up to the bar to down several Granville Island Lagers. Note: if ever going to Orpheum, use the upstairs bar – way faster. The biggest lineup was to go to the balcony outside to smoke. People had to wait 15 minutes to smoke – too funny. After numerous visits to the bar, I ran into Sean again. He snuck in, he didn’t have a ticket but was able to swindle his way in. I bring Sean down to row 3 since he didn’t have tickets and got him up close. Godsmack came on and I hopped over a few seats to the front with some girls from Seattle who paid $300 US for their seats. It was so great being in the front and not having a mosh pit at all. Security kept everyone in their seats and everyone stayed there and rocked in their own 20x20 space (except me of course). Got lots of pictures and video of the band. Kicking myself I brought the 1Gb memory chip and not the 2Gb as I ran out of space halfway in. They totally rocked and I made sure I got lots of high fives with the band as the approached the side of the stage.

With Lead Singer Sully

With Bassist Robbie

With Guitarist Tony

Chatting with drummer Shannon

Their show was more of a club show than stadium show which made it more intimate. They lacked the pyrotechnics they often have at larger venues but made up for it with good lighting and sound. Orpheum is a great place for any show.

One of my many highlights was when Sully (the singer) and Shannon (the drummer) both took to the stage in their own large drum kits on wheels and did some dueling and jamming. I’ve seen it before on my Godsmack changes DVD but in person was way better. Wish it was longer. The band from Boston played all their big hits over their past 4 albums like VooDoo, Awake, Greed with an encore of Black Sabbaths version of The Wizard, Speak off of their IV CD and Stand Alone. I waited around at the end for the set list off their equipment and everyone ignored me and security tried to push me away from the stage telling me it was just a piece of paper, print one out at home. I told her that wasn’t the point, it was that paper I want and it was important that I have it that night and tomorrow it will be just a piece of paper but tonight, it’s godsmacks set list. I seeked out an old roady who came over to give it to me.

Went back to the back door and met up with Sean and we waited for Sully to come out – I wanted a picture with him and get his sig. Sean was getting the band members to sign his calf and he was going to tattoo their signatures. He did once already. Interesting dude. Sean takes off and the next thing I know he has a backstage pass to party with the band. I’m so jealous, I give him $20 and he gives it to me and he takes off. I go to the door and security is about to let me in and then they rip the pass off of me. Seems like Sean ripped security off. I was choked as I was almost in there, backstage pass !!! but fair is fair I guess, Sean burned us both. Wasn’t too long though and then a bevy of beauties came out (about 15 of them) and then shortly afterwards Sully came out and chatted with us and signed my DVD sleeve and took a picture with me. It was worth the wait.

Side note: Met an interesting retired couple hanging around. I asked them what they were doing there as they are not your average Godsmack fan and it turns out they drive the big rigs to Alaska. Godsmack is playing in Alaska next and the only way to drive that far in a short timeframe is to team up with another driver and this old retired couple were flown in from Missouri just to do that. Nice couple. They’ll drive up there and back and then they fly home again – all very fascinating the workings of the entertainment business.

What's Next ? Rob Zombie in August, Aerosmith + Motley Crue ? Tool ? Elton John ?

Back home - safe and sound

Dad - happy camper - happy to be going home now

My last beer of the trip at Heathrow

Leaving our hotel

Harrods Dept. Store

Hyde Park

They post which way to look for tourists so we don't get hit by a car looking the wrong way

Out on the town in Picadilly Square/Covent Gardens on a Saturday ngiht

Outside Buckingham palace

Dad and I hanging with the Beefeaters - very entertaining gentlemen

Armor worn by a king 400 years ago

Outside the tower of london castle where we saw the crown jewels and many old royalty stuff and learned about some of the not so nice things the kings did in the past

View of the Tower bridge with the old naval boat

Another standard beer photo at the pub enjoying fish and chips

Hey a pub to go to by St. Pauls Cathedral

View from bus of Big ben and the parliament buildings

Trafalgar Square

Our tour bus - excellent hop on and off bus - best way to see London

Home - The "Lick Your Plate Tour" comes to an end
I've dubbed the trip the lick your plate tour since the food was so excellent morning, noon and night and those desserts !! Just all so good, I always managed to finish everything on my plate. It could have been called, "Drinking Around Europe" as well. I also managed to gain 11.5 pounds in 19 days doing it. I lost it before the trip, I can lose it again.

Last Day in London
I got up early sunday in London at 7AM after only a few hours sleep to walk Hyde Park. I walked North and South and East and West of this big park. Saw Kensington Palace and Princess Diana's Memorial Fountain and Prince Albert Hall and generally enjoyed a beautiful morning walk around the park. I then walked over to Harrods Department store. What a massive place that is. Too bad it was closed. Hopped on a open top tour bus and went back to the hotel, got dad and went for a full english breakfast. Really good.

Negotiated with a cab to take us to the airport - by meter it would have been $65 Pounds or ($132 CDN) to Heathrow - I got him to agree to a flat rate of 40 or $82CDN which saved us $50. Good deal. They have a high speed train that goes there but with our luggage, didn't want to deal with that.

Went to a pub (surprise surprise) at Heathrow and had an excellent 9.5 hour flight home. King Kong, Sleepless in Seattle and Rumor Has it were the movies. Only watched the last one. I brought an extra battery pack with me to use the laptop for 4 hours but somehow in my luggage it turned on and when I went to use it, it was drained. That was a drag.

Was great to see Linda and the kids at the airport - I missed them a lot.

London is a great city, big city but very very expensive city. Breakfast was $42 CDN, small ice cream at the airport was $6.50CDN, a juice from the corner store is $3.50CDN. I noticed just in my short time there that many of the service people aren't so good in the service department. Many were not the friendliest folks. The people in general are friendly though, just not the service levels. Also noticed that the city is quite dirty with litter. I heard that they don't like garbage cans since people put bombs in them so you just dump your trash on the street. They have cleaners out each night cleaning everything which is good but before they arrive, there is lots of crap around. Lot's of construction and dust as well. I noticed I sneezed a lot there. Having said that, I still love the city and can't wait to visit it again one day. The nightlife in London was way more than anything I have ever seen in any other city.

I really want to go back to Rome, London and Barcelona for a much longer time.

It was a trip of a lifetime - going with my dad and seeing Europe was such a privilege and I am so lucky to have experienced this. My dad was great, generous and patient.

Took Monday off, I wanted to go to work but just too much to do at home and settle in. Work as usual tomorrow.

Now I have to edit my pictures and videos. Took 2670 pictures (8.2Gb) and 3 hours of full length video. If I didn't edit, wouldn't that be an exciting evening to have people over. Hey, come watch 7 hours of pictures and videos. I'd be the only one to show up for that one.

And yes, the first place I stopped ont he way home was a 7-Eleven for a slurpee. Boy I needed that. My longest slurpee drought in over a decade.

2AM Post
Well just finished my evening out from 9PM to 2AM - took the Underground (tube, subway, metro) to Covent Square - this is a hot spot and there were tons of people out having a good time. So I walked around and up and down side streets and covered so much territory. I saw more bars and clubs than any other city I have ever been to. Everywhere you go, there are people spilling into the streets partying.

Walked the Theatre area, clubs, pubs, shopping on oxford and after 4 hours, I was fried. Also the fact that people were spilling intot he streets drunk and smashing bottles and falling down and getting belligerent. I saw one guy fall down a flight of cement stairs but his buddies just helped him up and they carried on their way. I saw the makings of many fights but steered away from being near them. Too bad the shops were all closed - so many stores everywhere. They open after I leave tomorrow, I'm disappointed I missed them but it's not a big deal considering what I accomplished today. I have an excellent feel of London from the Tower of London all the way to Hyde Park and everything in between.

I thought I would save money and take the bus to the hotel. Not a bright move - took me forever and waiting for buses and waiting at the wrong stops but I finally made it. They really take advantage of their transit system here - it's very good. Gas here in London is about $1.94 CDN a litre. Not many big American cars here or anywhere in Europe where we've been.

London is an absolutely amazing city - very walkable as I proved and just full of everything. Rome first, then London and pop into Barcelona would be ideal. zzzzzzzzzzz.

I'm falling asleep as I type this - better go - I should be home for my next post.

Last Day before going home - London
Stayed up way too late last night and up at 6AM for the final morning on the boat. I rushed us out and we caught the 8:06 train from Harwich to Liverpool Street Station - cost £20 each - worth it. Got to hotel and left bags there and onto the tour buses for our london tour. The Big Bus tour is excellent - just hop and off and costs £18 each.

We did London good. Dad is wiped out now back at the room - I pushed him to hard I think today.

We saw:
St Pauls Cathedral - yet another one
Tower of London - very cool
Buckingham palace - houses on SW Marine Drive are nicer I thought - maybe not as big
Pub and beers for lunch
Pub and beers for dinner
Picadilly circus - trafalgar square - loved it
Boat tour of River Thames

All is great - going out now on the town and get into trouble

England won their footbal game 1-0 today - they really really like their football here - everyone is totally into it

HOT HOT - it's so damn hot here - i'm cooking - humid !!! hotel doesn't have air condiitoning - very nice hotel but old - we have 2 fans - this is very unusual for London this weather.

Will be home Sunday - looking forward to getting off the plane after the 10 hour flight and see my family.

Dad and I packing up enjoying a beer from Malta

Another view from the Eiffel Tower

View from the Eiffel Tower

By that tower thing in Paris

Riverboats on the Seine

Mona who ?

Venus de milo

Outside the Louvre

Arc de Triumphe - did the french ever triumphe at anything ?

Dressed up again

Our table buddies

Day 14 – At Sea
I’m thinking that my blog of my trip is too full of the good stuff. Only the happy things. So I decided to change things up a bit and change my focus.

Another sunny day – boring. Eat eat, do nothing, sit in the sun. Been there done that. Whoopee. Dinner was the same old Filet Mignon and Lobster tail. Where’s my burger ? Since it was our formal night, we had to dress up once again. Who wants to wear a tie on vacation ? Then they do this final formal night shindig and all the waiters run around with flaming baked Alaska. All singing and dancing acting like they enjoy it. Baked Alaska. How hard is that, meringue and ice cream baked. Do it in my sleep.

Then we see this cabaret show of dancing girls and legs. Yawn. Where’d the violin player go ? Can’t we see a good show ?

Then I go upstairs to the bar and drink beer with strangers I won’t see again. What was the point.

Day 14 – Paris
Should have just stayed on the boat. I was the first one on the bus and got the upper front seat with a full window view. Well, guess what ? it was sunny again and the seat was hot. I was cooking. The bus ride was a 3 hour ride through the countryside from Normandy to Paris. Then we drive through the city and go by the Arc de Triumphe. We just drove slowly by it, I didn’t even get out there. What a waste.

I'm with Eric and his 9 year old son from Florida for my Paris trip. The 3 of us are going to make the best of our 4 hours in the city.

We stop by all the massive old buildings. A block in Paris is like 10 in Vancouver. We head over to the Louvre Museum. This place is just too big. Who wants 4 floors of old crap ? Where’s the new stuff ? So I check the Mona Lisa out. Yippee, some chick with a crooked smile. I snapped a picture of her, the security people didn’t like that and tried to get me but I was too quick on my toes. What’s the big deal snapping pictures of artwork ? They’re not around anymore. I bet Leonardo or Raphael would think it’s OK to snap a few pics of their stuff.

Then I check out Venus de Milo – this chick has no arms. What’s the big deal about some 2000+ year old statue with no arms. Art is weird. We see other ancient artifacts and then get out of that place.

Cabbies don’t like people in Paris – they just kept driving by and ignoring us so we had to walk along the Seine river from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower. This big tall metal thing with no walls – just scrap metal put together to reach way up there in the sky. I thought about walking up the stairs but took the elevator instead. So you get to go to the top of the tower and look around and see the city from hundreds of feet up. Woohoo – I can see millions of frenchies from way up there – who wants to see that ? In the distant you can see new Paris buildings, I should have focused on those, much more modern and cleaner than these old 500 year old Paris buildings.

Caught a cab back to the bus to take me back to the boat for a 3 hour drive. We were only 5 minutes late for the bus. Any later and they would have left us and we would be stuck in Paris and miss the boat. Like that would be a big deal. Dinner was just another steak – I’m going veggie when I get home. Steak steak steak. Yawn.

So all packed up and ready to go to London tomorrow. They say it will be sunny and warm. Can’t wait to get home. I miss the rain. Taking the train and taxis from the port. We have 5 big bags, should be interesting carrying all that luggage.

Didn’t win the free cruise raffle, didn’t win the $3800 Bingo and didn’t win on the slots. Just a loser.

I think I’m going back to the bar again, it’s 12:30AM and I need more than the beers I’ve already had.

PS: Remember this is my sarcastic side which can be confusing to some.

It was great to hang with Eric and Lucas during Paris - we covered a lot of ground and I feel I have been to Paris now.

Roughing it

I got BO !! Happy winner

Dessert Extravaganza on the ship

Street in Lisbon - notice the tiled roads

Another great lunch and beers in Lisbon

By one of the many bulls decorated around the city of Lisbon

Lisbon Presidential palace

Lisbon Toree Belem