195 replies to this topic

[JohnsonStBridge]

Merry Christmas from everyone's most expensive Blue Bridge!

[Barrrister]

Mery Christmas to everyone, we should remember to count our blessings.

[Nparker]

...we should remember to count our blessings.

I've counted mine. Now what should I do with the other 23 hours, 59 minutes and 45 seconds of the day?   

Seriously though, to all my VV "family", best of the season to each of you. 

[todd]

2 for 1 deal, I guess!

Constantly finding new ways to use them.

[todd]

I wish you all a joyous holiday season!

[todd]

Santa tracking:

NORAD: https://www.noradsanta.org/en/map

or

Google: https://santatracker.google.com/

[Victoria Watcher]

Merry Christmas, everyone!

 

[Barrrister]

<erry Christmas and the joy of the day to everyone.

[Mike K.]

Merry Christmas everyone.

I see Victoria Watcher got a knock off CYbErTRuCk.

[Redd42]

We’re off to Butchart tomorrow as well, they are sold out but managed to squeeze me in!

 

Couple of years ago, the friend and I who try to do Christmas together, reserved about a month a head to eat at the restaurant at Butchart. So a couple of weeks away.

 

When we showed up we were directed to what I would call the kids table. On the crowded back porch. The front was almost empty. I assume they were leaving the front very spacious tables open for the foreign tourists who might drop in. I made made a fuss about this so they did eventually seat us in the front. No one else came in while we there, we dropped a couple hundred dollars but won't ever again.

[Matt R.]

I’ve got a couple fabulous hookups there. Never an issue.

[Redd42]

I’ve got a couple fabulous hookups there. Never an issue.

??

[Mike K.]

When you live on Salt Spring status is shown in different ways.

[Redd42]

Contrast my Butchart experience with Christmas Eve tea at the Empress this year where again we had booked a couple of weeks before. Got the best seats in the room, right by the windows. 

[AllseeingEye]

Naturally, unfortunately, our actual experience at a place or of a thing will color our perception of it thereafter, sometimes positively and unfortunately sometimes not. IMO it depends partially on why you choose to attend a (Christmas) venue or occasion and above all the new memories made as a result, and in our case, particularly at BG, the good memories remembered.

 

When I was younger heading out to BG at Christmas was not a thing as far as I can recall. Not sure what year the "lights" became a holiday attraction but I can only recall the last 10-15 years or so. Fast forward to today and the Number One reason we head out there aside from the festive atmosphere is - of course - the lights. Dining out there honestly isn't on our list, beyond perhaps grabbing a hot chocolate.

 

Conversely back in the 80s when I was a UVic student I worked at the Empress for three years and wouldn't have given you a plug nickel for the food because of what I saw behind the scenes and because even then it was grossly overpriced. I can't imagine what it costs in 2021 - however the dining experience today for all I know may be amazing - but the negative experience is my perception and my recollection; unfortunately perceptions & memories do have a way of staying with you, accurate or not.

[Nparker]

... unfortunately perceptions & memories do have a way of staying with you, accurate or not.

Just like oral histories.