Courtesy of Márcio Cabral de Moura

• in any indoor public place – work, bars, restaurants, malls.
• on public transit or transit shelters.
• in taxis and work vehicles.

On top of this, a 3 metre non-smoking “buffer zone” was created around all public doorways, windows and air intakes. Some communities took it even further (as found on the BC Lung Association website):

Vancouver & Richmond

• Smoking is prohibited within customer service areas of food and/or liquor establishments (patios for instance).
• Within 6 metres of a door, window or air intake of a building.
• Within 6 metres of the perimeter of a customer service area.

And mostly unedited text from the BC Lung Association:

Surrey

• Smoking is prohibited in any common public area; in a taxi cab or limousine; on a school bus, public bus or any form of public transportation.
• Smoking is prohibited in an enclosed or partially enclosed shelter where people wait to board a vehicle for hire or public transit; in a building (except as otherwise permitted by the By-law).
• Smoking is prohibited in a vehicle if any occupant of the vehicle is under 19 years of age.
• (Smoking is prohibited) Within seven and one-half metres (7.5 m) of any opening into a building including any door or window that opens or any air intake.
• Smoking is PERMITTED in a private club or in enclosed premises that are not open to the public.

District of North Vancouver
In addition to BC Tobacco Law restrictions, the District’s new Smoking Regulation Bylaw, 7792 prohibits smoking within six meters of:

• A patio connected to a business.
• Any opening into any building, including any door or window that opens, or any air intake.
• A children’s playground, swimming beach, food concession, picnic area, skateboard park or playing field.
• The site of any public event or activity that the District has authorized by the issuance of a permit.
• The grounds of any municipal building used for public recreation.
• Lynn Valley Village or Maplewood Farm.
• A transit stop or transit shelter if other people are there.
• The new bylaw also prohibits smoking in taxicabs.

Pretty darn thorough aren’t they? And just recently we’ve also seen smoking banned in parks throughout Metro Vancouver! So what’s my issue you ask? As the title of this post outlines, there appears to be an extreme lack of enforcement and I’m pretty much fed up about it.

I can’t begin to count how often I’ve encountered someone “on fire” at a bus stop. Or just outside a door. Or underneath the open window that I happen to be sitting opposite to. And while I’ve been apt to speak up and politely ask the person to “extinguish” themselves, the replies have typically not included language found in most Disney movies. Heck, I’ve even heard language not found in hardcore adult movies (or so I’ve been told). In fact, only a couple of days back I ended up coming to the defense of a young mother (with kids in tow) who asked a teen to stop smoking at a bus stop after he told her to “mind her effing business.”

Now in the interest of disclosure, I don’t smoke. Never have, never will. And while my opinion is that each person is their own boss in such matters, I don’t feel that a smoker’s right to light up means I should be subject to toxins produced by the cancer sticks – especially when the law is on my side. But there’s the kicker. While the law may be on my side, I feel I have very little recourse but to subject myself to verbal battery should I try to raise the issue.

Should the police enforce the law? Bylaw enforcement officers? Parking enforcement officers in Vancouver? Definitely! Yet if that means we take them off the streets to go on a smoke hunt, then we’ve likely not got our priorities straight as they obviously have been tasked with other (and quite often more important) duties. So what should we do? I think Josh Lavoie poses a darn good suggestion on twitter:

@kmaximick @lyteforce You could easily pay for additional staff through the fines if they started actually ticketing people.

about 16 hours ago via HootSuiteReplyRetweetFavorite

@joshlavoie

Josh Lavoie

Everything needs to start somewhere.

Slash rant.

Image courtesy of Ironhide Game Studio

While you have your usual fare of towers (arrow, magic, artillery, defense), the largest deviation from the norm is how the defense tower places soldiers in the path of oncoming enemies allowing you to focus your other three towers to create a world of hurt. And as you progress in the game, you gain options to have each tower progress to one of two specialties both with pros and cons – in reality no tower is the wrong tower, you’ll just find some work far better it specific situations.

Cosmetically, it seems that the developers spent considerable time on every little detail whether it be the movement of mobs to the voice-overs that each of your towers possesses (including the censor beep for those foul-mouthed artillery dudes). While the game comes across as very cartoonish, the gameplay is definitely mature enough to keep adults occupied and quite possibly frustrated if they happen to be perfectionists like me. And while a few hours of gameplay will have you finishing the game on normal mode, there are both challenge levels and a heroic mode to add new quirks (and hair losing frustration) to keep things fresh

For a mean $2.99, this game is available to those of you rocking the iPad for full HD glory. However, for those of you who tend to be frugal like me you can rock the whole game for free via Armor Games. So why don’t you give a try and tell me what you think?

Image courtesy of Ironhide Game Studio

White Spot Burger - courtesy of Raul Pacheco-Vega

Going on a decade now, the Richmond Centre White Spot location has opened it’s doors Christmas Day to not only provide a quick meal for the holiday weary, but to also raise funds for the Richmond Hospital Foundation. Open 11a-3p tomorrow, all proceeds made by the restaurant through sales and tips earned by employees who donate their time go to the very worthy cause (last year alone raised $8888).

So if you find that you have a desire to order a Legendary Burger (I recommend adding the Baked Potato Inspired Poutine as seen in Raul’s picture) or just want to enjoy a hearty serving of Nat’s Hearty Brunch on Christmas Day, I encourage you to do so. Just plan on getting there early!

Every second Monday I’ll be posting what I perceive to be my “Top 3″ of whatever topic seems to float my boat that given week. This week it’s TV. Maybe next week it’s donuts. That’s the beauty of it all – I’m simply using the “Top 3″ to get the brain in gear and the gears moving. I’m so brilliant.

So what are the the “Top 3 TV Shows Right Now” you ask?

The Walking Dead

Maybe I’m sick and twisted, but there is something I enjoy about the fate of humanity in a postapocalyptic, zombie infested world. While the second season has definitely been slower than last, The Walking Dead definitely picked up considerable steam in the mid-season cliffhanger – and has already been renewed for a third season.

This webisode is kinda graphic – you have been warned!

Hell on Wheels

Forming the tail end of my Sunday evening AMC hours (first The Walking Dead and then Hell on Wheels starting Sundays at 9 Eastern, 8 Central), Hell on Wheels provides me a little loose history as a Western-themed tale on the building of the mighty Union Pacific Railroad. Please keep in mind I did say “loose history.”

24/7 Flyers/Rangers

Now if there are any of you out there that don’t agree with this pick, then I’m not sure we can still be friends. After watching (and blogging about) last season’s 24/7 Penguins/Capitals, watching this lead up to the NHLs Winter Classic was a guarantee. We already have one of our most compelling “players” in Ilya Bryzgalov and I’m just waiting to see Tortorella go off on Brooksie.

Anyone know who I speak to about a 24/7 Canucks/Blackhawks series next year?

Honourable Mentions:

Game of Thrones

A series that had me so hooked that I’ve since read ALL FIVE books (yes, I read the first book after watching season one), Game of Thrones is the one that has me wishing April 2012 would simply come quicker. If you somehow missed the first season and want a quick recap, I’ll give you the 16-bit version:

Ice Pilots: NWT
While it was painful not to include Ice Pilots: NWT in the top three, the list wasn’t a top 4 and sometimes you have to make tough decisions. While the premise may seem simple, the “characters” from Buffalo Airways are the biggest win in the series – I swear I’d be able to strike up a conversation with nearly anyone in the company if I ever flew with Buffalo.

What I don’t like is what I received via email today.

Eric Hassli – courtesy of Noelle Noble

Dear Season Ticket Holder,

First off, congratulations! You have done a great job of living up to the Whitecaps Supporter Pledge. Don’t let up yet, but well done so far on striving to make every Whitecaps match a unique soccer experience that you can call your own.

Now, Eric Hassli has something to say about protecting your turf – for 2012 that is.

You’ve done an excellent job of telling your friends and colleagues to try us out. You’ve helped draw the attention of the media, to see what all the fuss is about. But now, that attention is translating into competition for the best seats for the 2012 season. So next Thursday, August 18, be ready to protect your turf.

So let me get this straight. Eric Hassli needs me to help protect my turf? Sure, I guess I’m down with that. Eric is a pretty decent footballer and I did help convince Mozy19 to get himself a pair of season tickets too.

Here’s how:

You will receive your 2012 season ticket invoice and deposit information via email on Thursday August 18, 2011. Review your invoice, determine if you want any changes, then call our office at 604.669.9283 to confirm your 2012 seats. If we don’t hear from you right away, we’ll follow up with you to ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to protect your turf. We know it’s not easy, renewing your seats before the first match on Bell Pitch downtown at BC Place. But we’ve rewarded you for your support before, and we’ll do it again. In fact, we’ll do it again and again.

Every two weeks, all committed 2012 season ticket holders will be entered into a draw for great bonus prizes from our partners. Stuff like an overnight stay in a penthouse suite plus lots of perks from the River Rock Casino Resort; or a prize pack featuring tickets, merchandise, and a $50 gift certificate from PlayNow.com; or a Whitecaps-branded mini-fridge from Budweiser!

Plus, two Grand Prizes to be drawn in October – a trip for two to MLS Cup 2011 in Los Angeles, including airfare, hotel, and tickets to the match.

Wait a minute. You’re asking me to commit my hard-earned money towards renewing my 2011 seasons tickets for the 2012 season without ever even setting foot in the stadium and seeing if I like my seats or not? And for this, you’ll give me a chance at winning some prizes. A chance?

You must renew your season tickets with the applicable deposit in order to be entered. And there’s good reason to get in early. Once you’ve renewed your season tickets, you will be automatically entered into ALL subsequent draws. The full list of bonus prizes and draw dates will be announced on whitecapsfc.com on August 18.

Every season ticket holder has been a big part of making our Whitecaps matches an experience that we can all call our own. Now get ready to protect your turf, and keep the momentum growing for the remainder of 2011 and into 2012.

Your Whitecaps FC Ticketing team

While I’m appreciative of the tickets to the Manchester City friendly (albeit on one of the worst pitches I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen some pretty bad ones locally), I’m having trouble understanding the need to get my money so soon. Heck, I didn’t even have to pay for my season tickets this season until late January. And what exactly do I benefit from if I commit so early? Entry to a contest where my odds are likely the same as those 50/50 tickets I buy at Empire Field.

In all likelihood, I’ll look to renew my tickets. I enjoy the game and I believe there is a light somewhere at the end of the proverbial tunnel. What irritates me about the experience is my perception of how the organization feels some level of entitlement to my entertainment dollars before they deserve to receive them. The team’s record is atrocious, the play on the pitch lacks chemistry, they sacked a coach midway through the season and have a worse record under the replacement, and yet they still want me to give my money for seats I may despise once I sit in them.

Somehow that just doesn’t seem right.

Slash rant.

Update: Two things to add to the post. If we were talking about renewing my seats at Empire Field, I’d be okay with that. I’ve sat in them all season and have no issue. Secondly, just received word that the cost of the season tickets is increasing 3% (due to increased costs to be in BC Place). Go figure, but I thought some people received a freaking discount THIS season because we weren’t in BC Place – haven’t sat in my seat there yet it’s already costing me more money. ARGH!

In an effort to engage his fans through social media, Travis has launched a “Social Contest” where people can win a number of great prizes including an All Inclusive Fishing Trip! And to make it even better, there are prizes for every 100 likes that his Facebook page receives.

Simply head to the Travis Lulay Social Media Contest page and enter your email address!

As many of you know, not only am I a pretty die-hard Canucks fan, I’m one of many who have grown a playoff beard to support the team.

And as both J.J. and I have mentioned previously, I’m also participating in the NHLPA Beard-a-thon, to raise money in support of the Heart & Stroke Foundation in order to put as many defibrillators as possible in arenas across Canada.

I appreciate your support with a pledge, and also, I wanted to draw your attention that I’ll be the featured “playoff beard” of the day today, Friday (May 27th), and was hoping you could spread the word that you “know the guy” on the front page of the Beard-a-thon website. My hope is that with the increased exposure, a relatively decent beard (and one that hasn’t grown this much – ever), and your support that we can work together to raise as much money possible to get those AEDs in rinks across the country.

Thank you for your time and support!

Go Canucks Go!

Raul Pacheco AKA @hummingbird604 – courtesy of Raul

When I recently learned that he was not only nearing his 100,000th tweet AND was looking to raise money for the BC Cancer Foundation by auctioning it off, it made perfect sense that I do what I could to support him:

You may ask – what is the value proposition of my 100,000th tweet. Well, for one, I have a fairly sizable readership, both on my blog and on my Twitter account (with over 7,400 followers). And since it’s a milestone tweet, it’s quite likely that my tweet will be retweeted many times. And who knows, maybe even the mainstream media will pick it up. And maybe TechCrunch or Mashable will pick the story up. And this would lead to even MORE exposure.

To bid on Raul’s tweet, you can read his post on the topic or simply tweet the following:

“I’m bidding [X] dollars for @hummingbird604 ‘s 100,000th tweet in support of @BCCancer #b4hb100k”

And although he has nearly 6 times more followers than I, when he does tweet that 100,000th tweet out to the masses, you can add an extra 1.2k followers to his 7.4k because I’m going to retweet the message to all of mine – your message will gain that much more exposure!

So what are you waiting for? Start the bidding!

Nippon Maru – courtesy of Steven Arai

Back in 2002, the City of Richmond hosted the Tall Ships Challenge and Festival. Although many people were able to see sea going vessels reminiscent of days gone by, the event itself cost a fair amount of money and was considered by some to be a failure. Since then, the event has been revisited by the City and other local interests as something worth doing again, but time and time again it was decided that it was too hard to coordinate effectively. As a resident of Steveston, I’m always supportive of events that showcase my community and was disappointed when the efforts to host the Tall Ships Challenge this year fade away.

Anyhow, I was pleasantly surprised to read just a couple of days ago that a similar and smaller event was going to take place this year. From June 3 – 7, Ships to Shore will feature the Lady Washington, Hawaiian Chieftain, Adventuress and Zodiac who will provide shipboard tours, day sails, and even mock cannon battles. Beyond the ships themselves, there will be a festival atmosphere with community entertainment, a farmers market (Steveston has a pretty solid Farmers and Artisans market), and pirate-themed movies each night. Most of the events will be free of charge and family friendly, so you should have no reason not to give us a visit.

If you’re stoked like me, and want to see one of the most picturesque communities on the Fraser River, why not swing through town. And if you are, give me a holler – I’ll come out and give you a tour!

A Dark and Stormy Night – courtesy of Matt Boulton

But I’m hardcore.

Having benefited from the weather control machine the Whitecaps FC picked up during the MLS Super Draft, last night was the first night those of us sitting beyond the short reaches of the touchline canopy had the pleasure of enjoying precipitation. And although I had taken steps to stay warm in the rain, it provided for a cold evening. At least I had the foresight to bring a towel to dry off my seat.

What about the product on the field you ask? Well… lets just say that chemistry was not made with the introduction of H2O. I understand that the team is still trying to figure each other out. Being an expansion team is tough. And as such, I’ll cut them a fair amount of slack. But what I find tough is one specific thing.

I can’t stand the fact that Camilo goes to ground so easy.

After providing such a stellar effort in the second game, it seems he’s now busier looking to get the free kick than he is at fighting through some of the challenges he faces. In fact, I swear that Camilo gives up at least two or three goal scoring opportunities looking for the referee to give him a call. Don’t get me wrong – he’s a great player who exudes skill. But a great player dripping with skill that goes unused is nothing more than just a bit player in an eleven piece puzzle.

Beyond that, all things considered I’ve been happy with most results this season and maybe my frustration is just weather related.

Heck, I’m still trying to dry out and warm up.