Didn't You Know? Canada Day 2011 is on August 6th this year.....

Bedecked as the 'Goodwill Ambassador' once again, I can see the confusion in the eyes of many as my Maple Leaf cape passes them by.


In my mind August 6th is Canada Day, as the Festival of Light finishes with Canada taking center stage. 

Today is going to be a good day as I arrived unfashionably early - 15 minutes before my shift.


Or so I thought.


Jody points out that I am over 2 hours early as I was suppose to start at 2pm.

.....but all is well, as fate finds helps me deckhand to old Johnny Sarko - the Hun himself!

It proved to be a happy occasion picking up passengers from Europe and beyond. 

Much to Sarko's chagrin - a women from Stockholm, thought I was cuter. Well come on........

Then two lovely ladies from Espana, who just had to get a picture with yours truly - Captain Canuck! 

But the dust literally flew, when I brushed off the cobwebs from my infamous tour. 



The script I found in my bike bag this morning was originally dated 2003!


Well, Sarko had a field day cutting and slashing the first couple of tours between Yankee Tango and GI.


He didn't like I was referring to things that didn't exist anymore ('...over there, something happened a while back...') and to much history for his liking. 

More like to much histrionics mate......

Lots of rolling of eyes and tutting later, John did pull it out of the bag when he cut in and highlighted how Green Peace was started from the very dock we call home on GI.....

1- 0 to the Hun...this time....


To be continued.......

Despite the growl of Big Kev echoing across the creek, its blue skies all day. I'm lovin' it as I'm transferred to the Hornby Street run. 

'You still married then?' 

That can only mean I'm aboard Captain Guy's boat. Last year, he ran a tight ship as Dock Master of GI, and as Captain that didn't change today. 

Driving Cyquabus IV, has the capacity to carry 30 passengers. 

Collecting fares for so many in the short hop to Hornby Street, can be done. But you have be fast, efficient and on the ball. 

So, it made sense to have two deckhands for the higher capacity Cyquabus 's. 

To make the collecting of fares more easier, with an extra pair of eyes for safety.

A pleasant surprise, especially when the other Deckhand is one of the new recent female hires. 

Hello Brook! 

Brook is living proof, that one can be a customer one day, and a employee the next. 

She liked the company so much, she went up to Jody and asked if she could have a job. 

Being from Alberta and having driven tractors all her life, she seemed a perfect candidate. 

Bright as a button, cute and a tractor driver as well.....welcome aboard Brook! 

Now, talking of new hires - what is going on this year? Is there a factory in Surrey out pumping new Aquabus employees, with the certification: GORGEOUS! 

OMG! Whose hiring these babes - it's shocking, it's outrageous.....Sammi, Samantha, Theo, Vanessa, Bino, Traci (Trixie!!!!).....I can't keep up. 

I need to lay down in a dark room for a hour........

12 hours is along time to be on your feet, but it went so quick.....

As the last banger went off into the sky by Team Canada, the mad dash of the eight lane boating highway beneath Granville Bridge was thankfully short. 

The combined 90 passenger capacity of our 3 latest boats makes the long lines snaking Hornby Street history. 



As long as Big Kev stands at the top with the equally capable Liam taking fares. Good Job Team. 

Management breathed easier once again as we survived yet another fireworks fest with NO incidents! 

Think about it - 

So many passengers safely across the creek, in the pitch black competing with other vessels of every shape and size......

Refreshments were very well deserved at the Back Stage afterwards.

As it was Canada Day (in my head) time for a rousting rendition of Canada favorite song.

...and a few heats of Heidi's fav games of 'Dance as Your Fav Kitchen Appliance' and 'Soap Opera Photos'.......

Well Done All........

In the meantime.......

peaaaaacccceeeee out sisters........ 

Happy Canada Day - Here`s Britney!

 

Read about how my date on Canada Day with Ms. Britney Spears on my other blog:

http://skinnyscronnybrit.com/2011/07/06/happy-canada-day-heres-britney/ 

In the meantime.........

peaacceeeee out sisters!

A Busy Canada Day 2011 & A Date with Britney!

 It was busier than ever on Canada Day this year!

Jody wanted me in at 10am, so I arrived at 10:30am....An omen to the day ahead, comes from the main man himself. ‘Des, I’ve decided to give you ‘The Helmet!’ announces Geoff.  

The sound of my chin hitting the floor is heard across the creek as far as the Art Gallery...I am stunned but very grateful at such generosity.   

A big hug later and I quickly find myself aboard the Zodiac with Captain Heidi going to the main dock. 

This Canada Day started differently, as I found myself with Hillary, Claire and Richard on balloon duty. 

Being a family event, it was especially gratifying to give out balloons to the little passengers as a way to kick off this great day.

A very concerned 8 year old told me that he counted at least 5 balloons that I let loose, and he thought that ‘..was very wasteful’ Wow! They’re getting greener and more cheeky younger every day! 

Future Aquabus Captain 2021!

Having done a coffee run for Manager Jody, because he was sooo busy on the dock....I walked through the main area leading to the ramps beside the Art’s Club. 

As the sun decided to make its appearance after a very late morning slumber, so did the hoards! I know it’s time......

Memo for Canada Day 2012 – 

Make sure you have a meeting before the day begins of expectations for the day!. 

It quickly becomes obvious that its probably not a good idea to have the line up to Hornby Street running along the public dock.

So as we've done in Canada Days past, and we divide the waiting multitude into two main lines. All those Yale town bound and in between, I direct to stand along the Arts Club. 

The quicker moving, higher turnover traffic going to Hornby Street, I directed to wait along the blue fencing facing the creek. Here also I put the traffic going to Science World.

The challenge was to keep the space clear between these lines as it was a thoroughfare to access to Emily Carr eastward, and to the main market area of GI

.

With the single straight ramp, used as an exit for traffic coming over from Hornby, it was wise to have Chris and Sammy keeps the gangway free facing the Arts Club.

According to some of my younger staff, I’m acting a little tense today – in fact I appear a little stressed by the crowds before me. 

As I tell my own kids ‘You haven’t seen me really angry yet....’ 

Admittedly it was busy, so to have James Haupt from ‘Chocola Tas’ drop by not once, but twice with delights to get through the day is very welcomed! Thank you James!

Once again, people are generally co-operative when they are told where to go, what to expect and they are appreciated for their patience. 

Despite a couple of people complaining when they realize they have tickets for that other company........

(note to self – more announcements to check tickets next year),

......it generally went smoothly for an exceptionable busy Canada Day this year.

Which is credit to a team which worked diligently together to keep people informed and line up’s moving smoothly.

Although I have to wonder why I’m so tired having not had a break in 5 long hours. 

Calls to Jody remained unanswered throughout the day. 

But by 7:30pm I’m done, and I’m struggling to know how I’m going to get a second wind for my big date tonight. 

I’m off to see my second love – BRITNEY SPEARS! 

Despite all my cajoling with Helen to get a move on, I enter Rogers Arena as the display announces that the lady herself will be arriving in 1 minute 45 and counting.......more about the one that is misunderstood on my other blog......

After the date, I head back to GI where I find the gang all in fine form. 

I only get to sing ‘O Canada’ just the once (and not every hour, on the hour from 9pm onwards which has been a tradition of mine for 5 years now at the Arts Club) but it’s a sweet feeling nevertheless......

Until next year......

In the meantime.......

Peaaacccceeeee out sisters!