Girls Coffeeshop Talk

[Lion]

Bas, what do you plan on using the Loupe for?
Btw.....it is very nicely finished/done!!!

[vitalsignsrn]

Ugh! I dont want to get political but I just read a disturbing article. I would never have thought this existed but clearly it does. Do you know there are Bear farms in East and Southeast Asia? You know what they farm or cage up these bears for? BILE. It is believed that bear bile is used to improve health. I just keep repeating "I cant believe it" but it shouldnt surprise me, it still does. I may be very naive, and perhaps others already know of this. If you dont, search it. It will make you catch your breath. Just absolutely gross.

** big sigh **

Ok..so...I think the fall season is now in Toronto. We had great sunny warm weather the last few days. Its dreary and cool today. I need to start loading up on my Vitamin D. I think my SAD is starting up now. I was fine soaking up the sun and humidity in Cuba. Too bad Veradero doesnt have Extended Stays like we do here. Then again, theres always Florida.

Ive been slacking off from the gym. Someone tell me to get off my a$$ and get going! They had a gym at the resort and "apparently" it had some nice equipment. Notice "apparently". I just didnt feel like going there. Mind you it was 30-35 C and I tried not to move too much. Thank goodness the pool bar was across from the loungers.

Well...Im off to clean the house and do laundry. NOT the most exciting thing I can be doing but has to be done. I gave my maid the day off.

Have a good day everyone.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Lion

Bas, what do you plan on using the Loupe for?
Btw.....it is very nicely finished/done!!!

Well I'm going to watchmaking school next schoolyear so it might be useful then, I now use it to admire the fine printing on the dial of my Cartier tank.


So today I visited my Patek Philippe AD and asked if I could try on a watch or two, I told the woman that I'm going to study watchmaking and that I really admire the fine craftsmanship that goes into these watches.
She was very pleased to show me some watches and picked the 5119R and the 5170J from the exhibition case.

I'm very sorry for the blurry images, I just couldn't keep my right hand completely steady.




I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of those two pieces, I really need one now

[SearChart]

Oh I and also went to another shop where they had a rosegold skydweller on display, so I had to try that one on as well, but it was rather dissapointing, it felt like a big chunk of shiny metal.

[The Joker]

Hadn't heard about the bear farms, Judy. Though I'm not surprised much. Have seen programs about ivory and shark fin trades recently. Very very sad.

[The Joker]

Amazing patek's Bas. Think I'm too shy to go into the shop to try them on, knowing I'm not buying.

[The Joker]

Judy get off your a$$ and get to the gym.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Judy, how many times a week did you use to go to the gym?

Bear farms...what has this world come to!?

I must say I don't wear any animals' skin unless they've been killed for their meat in the first place. If people want to wear fur coats or lizard/alligator watch bands it's their choice and I'm not going to judge them but I avoid that myself, I'm just not into killing animals to dress myself up, let alone to use parts of their anatomy for decoration, my "health" or my libido.

A lot of animals are being bred and raised on farms, however, I do believe that bears are, in general, endangered and that trend of using their bile may very well lead to the extinct of a lot of species...

[FeelingTheBlues]

Bas, those Patek's look really great on your wrist! I love the 5170 and the 5119 is quite the classic! As for the Sky-Dweller, it's too bad you didn't like it but I understand your point, as much as I find its design nice I wouldn't quite see myself wearing one...

...Okay, perhaps the white gold one!

[SearChart]

I knew there were bear farms somewhere in Asia and that they farmed them for their bile and I think it's absolutely disgusting, bears should be roaming in the forest.

Originally Posted by The Joker

Amazing patek's Bas. Think I'm too shy to go into the shop to try them on, knowing I'm not buying.

It was the shop where I bought my Cartier last year, but I was still a bit nervous to ask though

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

Bas, those Patek's look really great on your wrist! I love the 5170 and the 5119 is quite the classic! As for the Sky-Dweller, it's too bad you didn't like it but I understand your point, as much as I find its design nice I wouldn't quite see myself wearing one...

...Okay, perhaps the white gold one!

The skydweller was on a strap, the leather strap felt too thin and flimsy for such a big and heavy watch, I'd prefer a solid golden bracelet.

[FeelingTheBlues]

So you tried the rose gold version.

Funny how, of all people, you would prefer a metal bracelet...I kind of know your tastes, don't I?

And I am a bit shy to ask to try watches as well but I must admit I get over it rather quickly. Most of my experiences in AD's have been great and I have a passion for watches that I don't want to spoil by being too timid, I'd rather enjoy the moment and, when it happens, talk watches with knowledgeable and kind salespeople while having a masterpiece on my wrist.

Of course, I don't go there every weekend but when I'm in a jewelry store and I feel like the person who helps me isn't busy and looks sympathetic I'll try one or two.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

So you tried the rose gold version.

Funny how, of all people, you would prefer a metal bracelet...I kind of know your tastes, don't I?

And I am a bit shy to ask to try watches as well but I must admit I get over it rather quickly. Most of my experiences in AD's have been great and I have a passion for watches that I don't want to spoil by being too timid, I'd rather enjoy the moment and, when it happens, talk watches with knowledgeable and kind salespeople while having a masterpiece on my wrist.

Of course, I don't go there every weekend but when I'm in a jewelry store and I feel like the person who helps me isn't busy and looks sympathetic I'll try one or two.

Well it looks pretty good on a strap, but it doesn't feel very good on it.
There are apart from my seiko 2 more watches that I'd like to acquire that have a steel bracelet, the omega seamaster 300m and a rolex airking.
There rest of the watches on my list are all dresswatches

The saleswoman was very sympathic and there was no one else in the store, she was very pleased to show me some models.
She then asked whether I'd like a PP catalogue (I told her that I already have the 2013 as my father brought it back from Switzerland last week), so she gave me the 2013 Breguet and A. Lange & Söhne catalogues because she thought I might like them.

Oh and I asked what it would cost if my Cartier's battery would need a replacement, a whopping €125,-

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Well it looks pretty good on a strap, but it doesn't feel very good on it.
There are apart from my seiko 2 more watches that I'd like to acquire that have a steel bracelet, the omega seamaster 300m and a rolex airking.
There rest of the watches on my list are all dresswatches

The saleswoman was very sympathic and there was no one else in the store, she was very pleased to show me some models.
She then asked whether I'd like a PP catalogue (I told her that I already have the 2013 as my father brought it back from Switzerland last week), so she gave me the 2013 Breguet and A. Lange & Söhne catalogues because she thought I might like them.

Oh and I asked what it would cost if my Cartier's battery would need a replacement, a whopping €125,-

Glad to know you had such a great experience with a kind lady!

Breguet and A. Lange & Söhne...two of my favorite brands!

I have the ALS catalogue at home as well as a few books on Breguet, I must admit that over the past months I've looked at them much more than Patek's (perhaps because I'm getting used to the PP models, It's nice to discover something different). Breguet's dials and complications displays are out of this world, I love this brand so much!

P.S.: 125 euros for a battery change!? I charge 2$ to my friends...pretty much the price of the battery!

Some companies do charge an awful lot for those, I know AP will charge a fortune to change a battery on a ROO quartz! And then you think about a friend of mine who went working in a small Quebec town for a month, he got a contract to replace the watchmaker in a high end jewelry store and somebody brought a quartz Patek Philippe in for a battery change. He said it was stressful as a battery change has to be done quickly in the store and he didn't want to scratch the watch...all this for 7$!

[SearChart]

Yes €125,- is quite the price, but they also replace the gaskets.

[vitalsignsrn]

Bas...those watches are divine. Really gorgeous. :-)

I like trying on watches but my experience, and perhaps because I am a woman or the sales staff are uneducated, but I never get told whats in the watch. The sales staff usually just stand there staring at me to watch my reaction and to strategize what they will say next to try to convince me the timepeice Im wearing is critical to my life and I have to have it. So I have gotten into taking pictures of the watches while I wear them and study them in privacy when I go home. The Rolex AD I went to was great because I felt NO pressure whatsoever. I think I mentioned that I "visited" my watch quite a few times before I was able to actually purchase it. :-) And Im not too shy about going to try something on. LOL I have a male friend who likes my watch but all he would do was look through the glass but never went into the shops. I met him at the mall one day and took him shopping. He was more comfortable having my Rolex there than he was having me there. LOL He figured I was his decoy. haha He found out he didnt like how the Rolex looked but fell head over heals for the blue Aqua Terra. ;-) He just saved a bit of money.

Carl I go to the gym about 3 days min. and if I can I stretch it to 4-5. Its hard with 12 hr shifts. I generally dont go after a day shift cause I dont know why but 830pm is THE busiest time in there! Plus, more often than not these days at work, day shift is absolutely insane. I can barely drag myself home. :-( I do like it..Im not the sportiest person on earth. LOL I played tennis (even was ranked in Ontario many moons ago) and downhill skiied and raced for my school. Ahhhhhh...the glory days of no arthritis or clicking joints. LOL Im hoping to get back into tennis. Maybe get into a middle age doubles club. LMAO So for now, its weights and the elliptical. :-)

The article on the bear bile sucks to read. I cannot begin to comprehend the Asians who actually believe the crap they consume in the name of health or libido. Its crazy. There are restaurants that serve animal penis's in China because they believe it gives them strength. :-O Dont believe it, you tube it. There are videos! We were having a slow night at work one night and started looking up crazy things and we came across that.

Ugh...just venting here. But seriously, is every little boy a size 5 in the US and Canada? I cant find any of the ski jackets and pants Im interested in buying him. Anyway..I think Ive located the peices in 2 different states. Lets hope they have them. Looks like Im taking a drive to Buffalo. Wow..I sound like ONE OF THOSE parents. LOL But Im not...Im the COOL aunt. :-D

Hope everyone has a good day. :-)

[vitalsignsrn]

$125 E for a battery! NUTS...

[Lisa]

Without warning, four 14 year old girls have taken over my house... they arrived after school, ate their way through two bags of chips, a half gallon of hot chocolate, a quart of lemonade, and a pot of spaghetti and meat sauce. They giggle a lot and none of them wants to go home. I'm glad Phoebe's friends like hanging out here, but I'm sort of craving my quiet Friday evening time....

Dave laughs from the quiet sanctity of his basement - "It's just now starting. Two more kids to go."

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Without warning, four 14 year old girls have taken over my house... they arrived after school, ate their way through two bags of chips, a half gallon of hot chocolate, a quart of lemonade, and a pot of spaghetti and meat sauce. They giggle a lot and none of them wants to go home. I'm glad Phoebe's friends like hanging out here, but I'm sort of craving my quiet Friday evening time....

Dave laughs from the quiet sanctity of his basement - "It's just now starting. Two more kids to go."

I miss those days, there were fun. I enjoyed all the excitement.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Art 1

I miss those days, there were fun. I enjoyed all the excitement.

Being reclusive by nature, I'm going to have to adjust!

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Being reclusive by nature, I'm going to have to adjust!

Usually after they would empty the kitchen of all food they would hide out in the bedroom.

[Lion]

My son would have his friends over and they always kept an awareness about themselves when they came over. Ben would tell me later that they enjoyed coming over...as they never knew what I would do or say next.....and of course I did embarrass him sometimes as well. My motto was to keep them guessing!!!

But overall. I think they all thought I was pretty cool...and of course clueless, but of course that was exactly what I wanted.......

[The Joker]

If Dave gets the basement. Is there an attic you can turn into your women-cave?

[Lisa]

You know, Wes, that's a really good idea. Our attic could even look kind of like that - it has lots of angles like that and a steep roof. Loads of room not being used for anything. Seriously - I don't have any space that is just mine. Not even my car. Now, I guess it would be fair to say that when the kids are in school and Dave's at work, I have the entire house to myself. But ooh, that attic looks nice and serene. I'd keep the pool table, too. And maybe move the piano up there. And a little bar and fridge.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Lion

My son would have his friends over and they always kept an awareness about themselves when they came over. Ben would tell me later that they enjoyed coming over...as they never knew what I would do or say next.....and of course I did embarrass him sometimes as well. My motto was to keep them guessing!!!

But overall. I think they all thought I was pretty cool...and of course clueless, but of course that was exactly what I wanted.......

I guess they weren't too concerned about you, Leo - they kept coming back.

Hmmm... maybe I could pull the "insane, scary, drunken, lunatic mom" act and they'd stop coming over?

Seriously, this is good for me. I keep telling myself that. And you know what else? One of these girls doesn't have a mom. She died from a brain tumor three years ago and her grandfather is raising her because her dad is out to sea half the year. And another girl doesn't have a dad. He committed suicide when she was in the second grade. So they're kids who need a little TLC and I don't mind giving it.

[The Joker]

And we could all come round to hang out. Maybe you can have a couple of cool cars up there we can sit in look at. What else could you put up there.

[Lisa]

Oh, that XKE.... what is the red one? My goodness!

[dbelle7]

Originally Posted by vitalsignsrn

Ugh! I dont want to get political but I just read a disturbing article. I would never have thought this existed but clearly it does. Do you know there are Bear farms in East and Southeast Asia? You know what they farm or cage up these bears for? BILE. It is believed that bear bile is used to improve health. I just keep repeating "I cant believe it" but it shouldnt surprise me, it still does. I may be very naive, and perhaps others already know of this. If you dont, search it. It will make you catch your breath. Just absolutely gross.

** big sigh **

Ok..so...I think the fall season is now in Toronto. We had great sunny warm weather the last few days. Its dreary and cool today. I need to start loading up on my Vitamin D. I think my SAD is starting up now. I was fine soaking up the sun and humidity in Cuba. Too bad Veradero doesnt have Extended Stays like we do here. Then again, theres always Florida.

Ive been slacking off from the gym. Someone tell me to get off my a$$ and get going! They had a gym at the resort and "apparently" it had some nice equipment. Notice "apparently". I just didnt feel like going there. Mind you it was 30-35 C and I tried not to move too much. Thank goodness the pool bar was across from the loungers.

Well...Im off to clean the house and do laundry. NOT the most exciting thing I can be doing but has to be done. I gave my maid the day off.

Have a good day everyone.

Judy,
I have actually been to the Moon Bear Rescue center in Chengdu, China for bears that have been removed from these bile farms. http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/ and here is a link to the organization's site https://www.animalsasia.org/us/index.html
Here is a link to the founder's blog. It's one of the most inspirational places I have ever been. This woman and her employees, volunteers and supporters have been working tirelessly for the past 15 years to stop this horrible practice in China and Vietnam. It's almost unbelievable what the Animals Asia organization has been able to accomplish/facilitate in those 15 years. I don't talk about going there very often, because it's hard to put in to words what I saw and experienced there. Thankfully,finally even the Chinese government is starting to crack down on these bile farms.

[dbelle7]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Without warning, four 14 year old girls have taken over my house... they arrived after school, ate their way through two bags of chips, a half gallon of hot chocolate, a quart of lemonade, and a pot of spaghetti and meat sauce. They giggle a lot and none of them wants to go home. I'm glad Phoebe's friends like hanging out here, but I'm sort of craving my quiet Friday evening time....

Dave laughs from the quiet sanctity of his basement - "It's just now starting. Two more kids to go."

we had four 13-15 year old boys here this afternoon (and pretty much every afternoon)...down to 2 upstairs now.
they track in mud and hay, leave boots and spurs laying around, inhale everything in the kitchen and at least one of them picks me up and carries me around against my will at least once. But I love the poo out of all of them. good times.

[Lion]

I have always been liked and accepted by children and teenagers where ever I go. I believe it's because I give them my time and undivided attention. Also I do not talk down or at them like sometimes Parents/Adults do(I respect them as individuals who have a voice and ideas to out forth). But I do talk to them at their comfort level and I take a genuine interest in what they like and do so we are all equals. I believe they get that and then are comfortable and relaxed around me. I also ask them to call me by my first name instead of Mister if they are comfortable and okay with it. But I do tell them not to go against their upbringing and parents' wishes when it comes to manners and respecting older adults. It's their choice and up to them.....

I believe that we all have gifts and ideas we can share with everyone and it doesn't matter what a person's age is. And I know if given the chance younger people will open up and be "giving" and usually they are much quicker and eager to express themselves and share compared to adults over 35yrs........



Take care.....Leo

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Oh, that XKE.... what is the red one? My goodness!

It's your weekend car.