Ride Sharing

I've been to Los Angeles many times and have no problems renting a car.  I know the freeways and it's easy to get around, except in rush hour.

This trip, we decided to ride share!  It was an awesome experience.  Every time we needed a car, we would check both the Uber and Lyft apps.  The first Uber driver from LAX to our hotel in Glendale was a 45 minute trip on a weekend.  We had a nice Camry, very clean and a great driver and it was $56.   We called Uber again at our hotel to get to the mall and again, a car in less than 5 minutes with a clean car and excellent driver.  

Driving to the studio we had a great driver, clean car and coming back from the studio we got a Tesla!  Yesterday we called Lyft to go from the hotel to LAX as it was cheaper than Uber and got a 2024 Honda Accord hybrid!  The driver somehow hooked up his phone to the display and we watched the LA news and weather on live TV!  We left during the morning rush and our ride was $60 and 75 minutes!  

We never waited more than five minutes for any ride and the app would give us the exact arrival time.  Every car was very clean and every driver spoke excellent English and were careful drivers.

The Price is Right

Cheryl got tickets for The Price is Right.  Our tickets were for Monday, January 29th in Glendale, California.  We flew to LAX on Sunday.  Great flight, got a good sale price on the air fare.  We chose our seats 24 hours before when check-in opened and got two premium seats on the aisle!  Nice to have legroom and no one in the middle seat for each of us.

On Sunday afternoon we went to the Glendale Galleria Mall and had a wonderful dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

We had Priority Tickets for The Price is Right.  They asked us to get there before 8:00 AM.  We were there at 7:30 and were 53 & 54 in line.  They seat 135 people.  If they don't get enough priority people, they let the General tickets in.

Here is the gal who prints all the name tags

We signed all the documents, got our numbers are were sent into a holding area with seats.  They took us 20 at a time into a room where we were interviewed.  Basic, what's your name and tell us a little about yourself.  The people in the room were so hyped.  Then we were sent back to the holding area where they showed us a tape of a 2017 show as the prices were difference.   Holding Room

This is the holding room.  Cheryl's shirt says "This Girl wants to Come On Down"

Off to the studio where they took our phones and smart watches.  Into the theatre and they told us where to sit.  Cheryl and I were directed to the middle section, row 2, on the left aisle.  

The show noise is really loud.  You can't hear your name as there is so much noise so they have a sign that shows the contestants name.  We didn't get called down but talked to two of the people who did.  Everyone was very nice and they cheered for each other.

When you are in the audience, it's difficult to see the prizes and contestants as the cameras are in front of you.  They encourage you to yell, clap, and make a lot of noise.

We wanted to stay for the second show, but it was full so we went back to the Cheesecake Factory for a nice lunch.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and it was a 10 block walk back from the Cheesecake Factory.  The weather was really nice 26C/78.8F and lovely sunshine.  It was only $7.50 earlier in an Uber.  We met three other couples at breakfast in the hotel who were contestants too!  

Would I do it again.   YES, it's such a happy place and a great way to spend the morning.  Our show is being broadcast on February 26th.  If you watch it note the first contestant "Tyrone".  We talked to him a lot.  He's had some tough times and we were so glad he was chosen!  

Best Super Bowl display

 This display was created by Save On Foods in Kelowna, British Columbia. 

My BC Wine Guide

 

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

We visited the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial when we were in Germany a few years ago.  It was the most informative and moving visit I've ever seen.  My uncle, Bill Parker, was one of the Canadian soldiers in April 1945 opened the gates to Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp in Germany.  He never forgot the horrors he witnessed. 

Lexie was taught about the Holocaust in school and I hope the Canadian schools continue to have this history in their curriculum.   We should never forget what happened and make sure it never happens to anyone ever again!

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day:

“The Holocaust was one of the darkest chapters in history. Tomorrow, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember and pay tribute to the more than six million Jews who were senselessly murdered, and we reaffirm our pledge to never forget.

“On January 27, 1945, the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was liberated. Within its confines, over one million Jews had been barbarically murdered. The Nazi genocide of the Jewish people remains the largest in human history, accounting for two thirds of the Jewish population in Europe. Hundreds of thousands of Roma and Sinti and millions of people belonging to other groups – Slavs, members of the LGBTQI+ community, persons with disabilities, and political opponents – were also targeted by the Nazis. In total, over 11 million people were murdered by the end of the Second World War. Each one of their stories serves as an enduring reminder of the consequences of hate and discrimination.

“In recent months, a sharp, disturbing rise in antisemitism has been felt across the world, including right here at home. The Government of Canada continues to step up to counter hateful behaviours and acts of violence and to keep Canadians safe. Through Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, we have supported community organizations to advance anti-racism and multiculturalism. We have also announced new funding to enhance and expand the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program to specifically support communities targeted by hate-motivated crime.

“Through the work of Canada’s new Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, Deborah Lyons, we are helping to ensure the painful lessons of history are remembered both at home and abroad, including through our involvement in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Today, many Holocaust survivors call Canada home, and we remain committed to making our country a safer, more inclusive place for them and their descendants.

“On this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I encourage Canadians to learn more about this dark chapter in history, to remember the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, and to honour them by standing up against hate in all its forms.

“Together, let us repeat the vow: ‘Never again’.”

Friday Funnies

 

Some interesting pictures with a message

 

Today is National Peanut Butter Day

 

National Peanut Butter Day on January 24th recognizes a staple in our pantry. Whether creamy or chunky, with chocolate or with jelly, peanut butter gets the recognition it deserves each year on this day. 

Peanut butter didn't become widely used until the 20th century. First, the peanut had to be considered more than animal feed, which wasn't until the late 1800s. At the turn of the century, inventions that made planting, cultivating, and harvesting the legume (the peanut isn't a nut at all) made it possible to see the peanut as a retail and wholesale food item.

We can thank four men for the inventions and processes that bring us the creamy, smooth peanut butter we enjoy today: Marcus Gilmore Edson of Canada, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, Dr. Ambrose Straub of St. Louis, Missouri, and chemist Joseph Rosefield.

I love peanut butter on toast, on celery or with an apple!  A dietician said if you need protein, have a tablespoon of peanut butter!   I will say, it's my favorite food and always has been.  It's how I start my day.

Facebook hackers!

I got a notification from my married with children cousin in Australia about a new Facebook page last week.  I knew it was false because he's a guy with a family and is my daughter's age.  The hacker took Chris Winterford's (Alexandra isn't his middle or last name) Facebook page some how and hacked it.  Chris's proper Facebook page was gone, so I just ignored the Friend Request!  His real Facebook page appeared again today and the fake one is still active!

Today I got a message on his REAL page (picture below), saying he was back up, he was hacked, and the person who hacked him is asking for money or they will keep sending messages to his friends!   I'm not getting these messages because I didn't friend Kristen Alexandra.  

Caution everyone who uses Facebook, if you ever get a friend request, DM the person if you aren't already friends and ask if they sent it.  If you are friends IGNORE it.  

This is frightening and makes me wonder if I should just give up Facebook, but I really like seeing my friends pages with pictures and travel ventures!

As you can see by the "Fake" Facebook page, has 351 friends and exactly where he/she could live.  They took FULL CONTROL of his Facebook and changed his name!   Chris started a new "real" Facebook page with a new picture of his family.  This is how the Hacker's page shows now:

Remember these?

 Anyone born in the 40's or 50's?

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