Silver

I've been accumulating my frequent flyer miles on US Air for every flight I've ever been on (at least since I started paying the bill). If I fly 25,000 actual miles in a year then I get to the Silver level. With my trip to Pittsburgh in a few weeks, I'll do just that. But, with Silver comes all these bonus features, which like any greedy person, I wanted to get as soon as possible.

I called up US Air today and told them that I will be Silver soon, so could I please have it now since I'll get it anyway? I was very nice and they said yes! Woohoo, today is exciting! So that means I'll get 25% more miles for my flight (and any others through Feb 2008), plus I get to sit in the section with more leg room for free. But best of all, I get to be a spoiled brat and have the chance at free upgrades to first class (provided no one with higher status takes them first)! Currently, the availability of first class on my flights is looking good so I have a chance to get upgraded for free. The only downside is that I'll have to wear a collar when I fly.

Price of Gas

The price of gas right now is 115.1 per liter. As if specifying the price as "per liter" didn't nearly add another significant digit compared to "per gallon," they actually vary the last digit of the price here. The last digit isn't just some ploy to make you think you are saving a penny.

For those scoring along at home, the recent boost of the value of the USD over the CAD and the lowering of the gas price puts the price at $3.83 USD per US Gallon. (It was up to $4.12 a few weeks ago.)

Canadian 4th of July

Yesterday was my most unique 4th of July ever. I wore my only red shirt (I couldn't wear it on Canada Day) which was my 4th of July shirt. Since I play hearts every day at "lunch," it became 6 Canadians vs. the American. Obviously I lost since everyone was aiming at me.

At night, I went up to the top of Mt. Tolmie to see the fireworks in the US. I took my binoculars, but they were hard to focus. Since Victoria is below the 49th, there were fireworks almost all around. Very cool. I could see them from Bellingham, San Juan Island, and Port Angeles. The direction of Seattle was too foggy. The best was the show in Bellingham.

Update (8-Jul): I forgot to mention that there was also a group of teenagers at the top of Mt. Tolmie. They apparently are there every night (to get drunk and/or high), and a few of them saw the fireworks and were wondering why there were fireworks. Then the group started singing "O Canada."

Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Ok, so no rolling (I'll leave that for Ben), but this afternoon had its own 4 second burst of excitement! Check it out here. Look at the map and you'll see it was the US's fault.

I was in the Comp. Sci. building at the time, on the 3rd floor. Immediately, everyone on my floor walked out into the hallway to discuss what had happened. Since we are in a brand new building, some thought it was the building settling. Some thought it was an explosion. One woman called her husband across town and he verified that he felt it too. It took about an hour for it to be reported online so we knew it was an earthquake.

Photo Albums

I recently discovered this great website that allows you to post unlimited photos, all of full quality. So I decided to switch from Winkflash over to it so that you can see my photos without logging in. It took quite a while to download and upload all my photos, but I am all set now. Be sure to hop on over and check them out!

http://seandaug.myphotoalbum.com

Fireworks!

We found the best spot to watch the Canada Day fireworks: Laurel Pointe. Not only were we perfectly facing the fireworks and in the front row, but you also got to see them reflecting on the water of the inner harbour.



It's going to rain down on us!

Canada Day

Canada Day gave the great opportunity for people watching and the Paparazzi in me came out. Here is my collection of true patriot love.

Sphinx

A week or so ago I headed out on my bike to get a picture of perhaps the most tacky thing in Victoria, as previously seen from afar. There is no more appropriate place for this than on a farm.


Nothing tops off the tackiness of the Sphinx and Pyramid quite like the fake owl on the top of the Sphinx's head. Oh how I love this city.