Tell me about Vancouver

ZENGHOST

ZENGHOST

Joined
Jan 21, 2002
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My boss and I co-authored a paper and it got accepted for a conference in Vancouver in late October and I'm still on the fence about whether I should go or not. I hate plane rides as I'm a bit claustrophobic and I'm definitely an insomniac and I haven't flown since pre-9/11. I believe it'll be in the 6-7 hour range to get there direct and frankly 5 hours to the west coast usually kills me. Is there anything interesting to do in Vancouver that may sway my decision to go? How's the weather there in October (keep in mind I live in Hawaii)? I've never seen snow before--does it snow during that time of year? The last trip I took was in 2000 to Vegas and I had some valium from my doctor that time and I was still the only idiot awake the whole flight (it was the redeye). I know it'd be a good opportunity career-wise (I don't actually have a career yet, but still...), but I just hate flying so much. Also, what kind of knife laws does Vancouver have? Will I be going without my EDC for the whole trip? Thanks.
 
Flying is easy. There is nothing to worry about... except for the meal and you usually don't get one anymore so the most frightening part of air travel has been largely eliminate.

There's something about me and airplanes. Unless I'm in the cockpit (and I gave that up years ago, way to expensive when you no longer work for an airplane manufacturer), I fall asleep almost instantly. There's something about the magic words, "Your seatback can be used for floatation..." that just makes me fall asleep instantly.

Even if you can't sleep, it's no big deal. Take a book or your laptop with a spare battery or three and bring some DVDs and watch a movie or three and you'll be there.

Bring your hip flask full of good scotch. You buy one of the airline's over-priced little nips-in-a-bottle and then you just keep filling the cup from your own stock when the flight attendant isn't looking.

Book an aisle seat. You'll be less confined that way. Arrive at the airport extra early and ask to be moved to a wing exit row for extra leg room.

You've pretty much GOT to get over this fear of airplanes problem because you're never going to get to Bladeshow unless you learn to either swim great distances, or fly.
 
Gollnick said:
Vancouver, Washington, or Vancouver B.C.?
Click to expand...
My bad--B.C., not WA. And the conference is in the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, which looks like a pretty nice hotel from their pics.

My laptop is kinda bulky so I'd probably pick up a small DVD player for the plane ride. Can't read for that long sitting up without getting a headache for some reason.

I always book an aisle seat for that reason, but I'm not exactly a small guy so it's still uncomfortable and I have a bad back (back surgery 10 years ago) so sitting for that long is really tough.

Unfortunately I don't drink and unlike most people I actually get agitated when I drink any sort of alcoholic beverage (which is why I don't drink) so even if I did drink it would make things worse.

I'm going to go see a travel agent and ask about getting one of those emergency exit seats or one of those exit row seats. The one that I like too are those seats right in front of the movie screen.

I know--I really want to get to Blade one of these days and if not Blade then at least the Eugene show. It's too bad Blade West is on the 2nd of October, otherwise I would've considered stopping by on the way over or on the way back, but my conference is from the 24th to the 28th.

The sad thing is that I actually enjoy flying when it's a short flight (like between the islands here), but it's torture for anything over an hour.
 
I feel for you ZENGHOST,I hate to fly also. My problem with flying is I am supersensitive to the air I breath.Have a real bad left lung, caused from second hand smoke.(I have never smoked)
Everytime I fly for over an hour I get some kind of bug.
I just bite the bullet and fly.Get a bit sick and that is that.
Make the trip.Vancouver BC is a beautiful city.
Randy
 
The only thing I know about it is I watched a TV news program about the hordes of young teenage drug addicts that roam/infest the city.
 
Just for the experience, I would go. Also, it might put you in better standings at work to go. Is your boss the top of the ladder? Does he have management over him? It might be a bad reflection on you NOT to go.

You should also go because you are the co author of this report!
 
Vancouver is a great town, lots of stuff to do. Weather is similar to Seattle weather, so October will be gray and rainy. It's pretty mild for the mainland, but you'll definitely want to bring a good water-resistant coat. I have seen snow in Vancouver in December.

Airline seats are possibly the most uncomfortable things ever. Has anyone tried one of these things on a long flight?
http://www.1stclasssleeper.com/
 
Hmm, it's looking a lot like I won't be going. Went to a travel agent today to discuss prices and stuff and it's 800+ for round trip when my boss got his tickets for a little over 400 apiece from the same agency. Girl working was kind of a bitch so I didn't really feel like going into more detail with her. She also told me I wouldn't be able to pick my seat. I may still check some other places.
 
Vancouver in October, generally rainy, very, very rarely you may get a light dusting of snow near the end of October.
If the weather is bad you can get temps in the 35 to 40 *F range, if the weather is good it can be sunny and in the low 70's.
Wonderfull view of the mountains if the sky is clear
Basically for your EDC, as long as it is not a "switch blade" or one that can be "flicked" open it should be fine, assisted openers should be left at home.
Besides knives what are your interests as there is lots to do around Vancouver.
I work in Vancouver and live about 40 miles east
Having said that October and November are two of the crapperier months to come here
 
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