Japanese feast

It seemed to take all day to read the newspapers (online) today. I suppose the Scrabble games kept interrupting the flow.

How long with Rogers stay on in her job with the city? We should start a pool.

Moira picked me up for dinner with Philomena & Gwen at Applause tonight. So nice to be out with real people and eat food I didn't have to cook.

My ankle is seldom sore at all anymore. My neck is better than it's been. My mouth was sore after eating (and talking). I have 2 physios next week.

Healed

Took a cab to see Dr. LeFaivre, the ortho surgeon, at the Diamond Centre. Had an X-ray of the ankle and she pronounced it healed. The nurse and resident were perterbed that I wasn't using the boot. I had been told to only wear it for 6 weeks but I guess I was supposed to keep it on until I saw them. The Dr. wasn't so concerned and said it was obviously time to stop. I don't have to go back unless I have a problem. Just take it slow and easy.

Walked down a block to the BCCA and bought travel insurance for our Christmas trip to Houston.

My financial adviser called about the documents I had received from Opus Cranberry. It looks like I've been scammed out of my investment - it was speculative and illiquid!

Premier should intervene in BCSC

David Baines. The Vancouver Sun. Vancouver, B.C.: Jun 30, 2007. pg. G.5

More insanity from the B.C. Securities Commission. On Friday, a commission panel suspended Jill MacGregor Bock -- who caused her clients hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in investment losses -- from the B.C. securities market for a paltry three years.

While working as a mutual fund salesperson in the late 1990s, she recommended a series of risky and illiquid investments that were exempt from registration requirements, provided they were sold to so- called sophisticated investors.

Those investments included an oyster farm, a cranberry farm, a ginseng farm and an industrial hemp farming and processing business. One by one they collapsed or became hung up, causing heavy investment losses.

The commission held a hearing into Bock's conduct. Six of Bock's former clients -- most of them elderly -- told very sad stories of how they had entrusted Bock with their money, and how she betrayed them. The panel found that, with respect to four of these clients, she had sold them unsuitable investments and failed to properly advise them of the risks. Also, they didn't qualify as sophisticated investors, so she shouldn't have sold these investments to them in the first place.

Now these may sound like technical offences, but they aren't. They drive right to the heart of the duties and responsibilities of a registered securities salesperson. Also, these clients are just the tip of the iceberg: Over the past several months, dozens more have called to tell me how Bock sold them these sorts of investments, and how they have suffered as a result.

"Her conduct could hardly be less consistent with the role and responsibility of a registrant," the panel concluded. "We find it particularly troubling that, in her submissions, she has shown no real understanding of what she has done and no remorse. She is still unwilling to acknowledge her breaches."

(Bock is now registered as an insurance agent and is flogging insurance products and segregated funds. On Thursday, I reported that she was planning sales seminars at the West Point Grey Community Centre and the Arbutus Club. After learning of her regulatory problems, however, both venues cancelled, forcing her to move to the Holiday Inn on West Broadway.)

BCSC enforcement staff asked the hearing panel to suspend her for three to five years, and fine her $60,000. This was a joke. By any rational measure, she should have been barred from the market for life and assessed the maximum $250,000 fine. But no, not with this securities commission. Even five years was too much or them to contemplate. Three years and a $25,000 penalty would be just fine.

Under the terms of her suspension, she can't sell non-registered investments (such as cranberry farms) for three years. And she can't conduct investor relations for any company during this period. But she can be an officer and director of a public company, and she can trade for her own account.

She relinquished her mutual fund licence some time ago and it's unlikely she could get reinstated during her suspension. But after three years, when she has supposedly atoned for her sins, she would be free to sell ostrich farms, if she liked. She could also reapply for her securities licence, and with this commission, I am sure she would get it.

For the record, the panel was headed by full-time commissioner Robin Ford and included part-time commissioners Marc Foreman and Robert Milbourne.

Foreman and Milbourne were on the panel that overturned a TSX Venture Exchange decision and allowed cop-killer Bill Nichols to conduct investor relations for TSXV companies, even though he failed to disclose 19 of his 20 criminal convictions. BCSC chairman Doug Hyndman served as its chairman.

I want to ask Premier Gordon Campbell, who is in ultimate charge of the commission: Do you think I make these stories up? Don't you think investors have been brutalized enough? Isn't it time to intervene?

Happy Thanksgiving

Spent a lot of the day watching Mumbai crisis. Amazing how much confusion can be caused by a couple of dozen men with guns and no hope of surviving.

Sad news from school tonight. Nancy & Diane sent messages that Lynne's son had died. When I told Pru, Jesse already knew about it. He went to school with his brother. Funeral is Monday.

I am totally confused by dates today. I am not sure if I see the surgeon tomorrow or next week - each computer has a different date and I can't find the referral.

Physio

Up early today to make it to Oakridge Physio at 41st & Cambie by 8:00 - far too early for an old retired woman!!! Had the Steacy, the same therapist I had several years ago. She worked on my neck and gave me exercises to increase the blood flow. I have 2 appointments next week but not so early.

She warned against walking too much too soon and suggested using the cane for at least another week and said to take it away for long walks and crowds.

I walked over to Oakridge and bought a bag of groceries. Home in time for The View.

Tuesday

Had a quiet day since I did so much yesterday. First time in a couple of weeks that I didn't wake up with a sore face, jaw & neck.

Caught up on taped TV shows.

Flu Shot

Took a cab to my GP for a flu shot today. Told him about all my aches and pains - neck, face, teeth, throat, jaw.... I am to go to physio.

Took another cab to Granville Island and met Mae at the Market. We had dinner at the Sandbar Seafood Restaurant. I had delicous halibut and was able to drink some wine since I wasn't driving! We went back to buy groceries at the Market. It doesn't close until 7.

We got a cab and I dropped Mae off at home. Such a big shot! There was no way I wanted her on the little boat in the dark.

This was the first day without the Aircast and it went well. It is so much lighter and my feet are now balanced. It did take a bit of crawling to find that underused shoe!

Grey Cup

For once I cheered for the winning team. I watched Calgary win the Grey Cup while playing Facebook Scrabble with Pru and talking with her on the phone. Multitasking!

My neck was sore all day but I see the GP tomorrow.

Aquarium

Today is the last day for the Aircast!

Took a cab to the Aquarium in the morning. Picked up my membership card that I paid for months ago. Andrea, Matt, Sadie & Lily met me and we wandered around. Sat in the children's play are for quite a while and the kids ate sandwiches. We sat outside by the beluga pool and ate lunch watching the baby swim. The fish and chips were good and I got a discount for my membership card.

The next cab took me to Safeway and I had an order delivered. Took a 3rd cab home, carrying a few things. Good thing ICBC is paying for these rides. It was an expensive day.

My ankle was a bit cranky but the bone that broke doesn't hurt anymore. My neck is still sore but I see my GP on Monday.

Accounting day

Cleared up my bills today. Cancelled the VanCity house insurance that wasn't cancelled last month and am getting 2 months payments back. Who knows what happened to the fax BCAA agent said she sent. That was the piece of paper that confused someone into cancelling the new BCAA policy. What a mess!

Sent a copy of documents that came from Opus, my supposed cranberry investment, to my advisor. Maybe he can figure out what to do and if I'll ever get my money back. Jill Bock, the original woman who got me into this, lost her licence.

Pru booked our tickets to Houston - December 16 - January 6. We (Pru and 2 of her sons) are flying out of Seattle.

We apparently had a big wind storm today but I saw no sign of it here.

Rainy day

Didn't do much today. My aches and pains are less but didn't have much energy.

BC is 150!

Walked up the street this morning to a buy a paper out of a box. More successful this time when I added another quarter. I couldn't get one out last Friday and now realize it was because the price sticker on the box is out of date!

Today's Vancouver Sun is definitely a keeper. I was still reading it at 7 tonight. The government site BC 150.

Neck sore tonight but on left side. This is just like my arthritis. A new part hurts every day and not for very long. I think my body is punishing me for the accident.

Fresh bread

Made cheese bread today.

My face & neck are sore so I had a slow day, just watching TV (today was the very 1st Perry Mason) and playing Nintendo.

New week, new leaders

Long day today. Have had a sore jaw for a couple of days. I think I might be grinding my teeth too much.

Took a cab to VESTA for a Status of Women meeting. Nice to see so many friends in the building. No one was there with a car so took another cab to meet Louise at the Cactus Club. So gook to eat food I didn't have to cook. Spilled my wine and they replaced it. Now my jacket & T-shirt have an interesting odour.

Walked up to the Cancer Agency for our Group meeting. One new member.

Louise took me to Oakridge for groceries. I have milk again! She carried them in for me and changed my burned out trilight.

There was a cheque today from ICBC to pay for cab rides & grocery delivery. Also an email from Crawford Adjusters asking who my lawyer was. I forwarded it to his office and he called back - who else has a lawyer who calls at 10 PM! He will send another letter to Crawford.

Pearls Before Swine

Watched the rest of season one of Mad Men so I can give the set back to Louise tomorrow. Loved watching all the smoking and hard drinking of 1960. Forgot how close the Nixon election had been.

It was truly a "stunning victory" last night. The new school board is going to be something to watch. Finally have a First Nations trustee! Hope that they can build relationships with the unions and work for the good of all.

Mayor Gregor

Poor Lions. They didn't show up to today's game.

Moira picked me up tonight and we voted at Laurier Annex and then had dinner at White Spot.

Vision/COPE & Green cleaned up tonight. What a rout for the NPA. They don't seem to get why people were tired of them. Sorry Bill Bargeman lost a School Board Trustee seat by only a handful of votes. He should feel good that he beat the current chair of the Board.

The Vancouver Sun & Global TV sites didn't work tonight but the Vancouver City site was great.

My ankle is pretty good but I have had a headache most of the day.

My Car is Home

Boyd Autobody & Glass were kind enough to deliver my car to my parking spot in the lane. They said it just about was a right-off. The final bill was $8385 and included a new bumper, windshield, headlight, hood, battery, fender, wheel, brakes, axle, grill, etc. Also alignment & painting.

Actually carried out some garbage & recycling. Tried to buy a Sun for the TV Times in the local box but it wouldn't work. Took some small stuff out of the trunk. Glad to see my sunglasses survived. They had been clipped on my glasses in the crash and ended up on the floor.

Wake Up and Vote

Mel came this afternoon, cleaned and did my laundry. I used the time to work on BCTLA constitution on my laptop.

My foot ached most of the day.

RTA Meeting

Barb drove me to and from the Vancouver Branch of the Retired Teachers' Association Executive meeting at the BCTF this morning. I was home again by 12:15. My foot was aching a bit for the afternoon.

Remembrance Day

Watched an amazing NFB documentary reading letters from the 1st World War.

Pru picked me up this afternoon and took out my garbage. We had dinner with the family at Chris's - 11 of us!

Walked next door to London Drugs for a few things before Pru took me home again. Much easier to walk now. Still using a cane for the stairs.

Worked today

Bonnie picked me up this afternoon and we met Heather at the Cactus Club for lunch. We then worked on BCTLA stuff in a room at the VSB until 6. I took a cab home. Picked the one nice day all week to be out and enjoyed the fall colours and bright blue sky.

My foot was pretty good and is just a bit achy tonight. My neck is also sore again.

Dull Sunday

Don't mind so much when it rains since I can't go out anyway. I started watching season 1 of Mad Men and am really enjoying it. Also half way through reading What Burns Within. Becoming addicted to games on Nintendo & computer. I play while watching TV.

Must go to bed early since Moira is picking me up at 8 to work on BCTLA stuff at the VSB tomorrow. We'll see how I do with the leg down for a day.

1914-1918 Vigil project

Didn't sleep well during the night so slept in as much as I could.

Enjoyed watching the Lions destroy Saskatchewan - they just needed pressure!

Carefully watched the time and tuned into the 1914-1918 Vigil project. At exactly 14:40 my grand uncle Thomas Alexander Young's name was projected onto the National War Memorial in Ottawa. He was 32 years old and was killed in France 90 years ago, on October 2, 1918.

I can't think of a more fitting way to honour him.

Moira came to drive me to Applause for our Japanese feast. Felt good to get out in the fresh air and to eat food cooked by someone else.

Scrabble

Diane picked me up this morning (and took out the garbage). We sat in Bean Around the World on Granville and played Scrabble. The game was pretty close but I won! I also had a latte & scone.

We stopped at VanCity so I could deposit a couple of BCTF cheques and get more cash for cabs.

I complimented Suspicious Circumstances by Sandra Ruttan. She sent me a thank you and then autographed copies of her new titles, What Burns Within and The Frailty of Flesh. What a great gift for someone who sits around all day! She lives in Maryland but the books are about the Lower Mainland. I love reading about Vancouver and she is a good storyteller. I am already well into the first book.

2nd check-up

Took a cab to the Diamond Centre this morning and had new X-rays of my ankle. The resident and Dr. LeFaivre said I was doing well. I will have to wear the boot when I go out for 6 weeks (November 22nd). They showed me the new X-rays and the break is clearly visible now it is healing. I fractured the talus - that bump that sticks out on the inside of the right foot.

Talus fractures were almost unheard of a hundred years ago. The first series of talus fractures was described in men who were injured in the British Royal Air Force in the early 1900s. The term 'aviators astragalus' was used to describe these fractures that happened as old war planes made crash landings. Now talus fractures are seen in high speed car accidents and severe falls.

Patients who have a talus fracture have significant ankle pain, difficulty bearing weight on the ankle, and swelling around the ankle joint.

Someone took my cab so I waited a long time for another one. Hard to be fast with a boot on. I bought a sandwich at the deli in the lobby. I only buy what will fit in my slingbag.

Had another dizzy spell lying on the X-ray table (sound like a Victorian lady - shudder!). My neck is also hurting. My doctor is away so I'll see his partner next Thursday. Will also get my flu shot.

Election Day

What a perfect day. Watched Woopi say "What the hell!" to Elizabeth on The View, then The Untouchables and Perry Mason.

Settled in to watch the election results. Treated myself to a steak, garlic bread and a baked potato washed down with some Cranberry Wine over slices of lemon, lime & orange.

The trick is to recognize when a moment is historic. I've watched the wall go up and come down and civil rights workers get killed and now a black man elected president. Mmmm Mmmm!

Cancer appointment

Took a cab to the Cancer Agency to see my oncologist. My tumours are behaving themselves according to the CT-Scan I had on October 14th. We will continue with the Arimidex. My only complaint today was a sore neck so she gave me a refererral to a massage therapist. I want one in Oakridge I think so the cab ride will be of some use - 6 more weeks of not driving!

Met old friends Daisy and George in the waiting room and had a good visit. Sit around there long enough and I'll always see someone I know. Have to find a better place to hang out.

Took a cab to have my hair cut. It was so long that I haven't been sure if I'm having hot flashes or just becoming overheated.

The pain in the ankle has been very low the last couple of days. I've been busy on those days so I'll give it a couple of days of rest now. My neck hurt a bit yesterday and then was quite sore for a bit today.

First black president tomorrow!

48 hours to go!

My foot is much better today. Jane took me to the White Spot for lunch and then shopping at Safeway. She also brought me fresh vegetables and took out the garbage. My ankle is a bit sore tonight but this was definitely the best it's been after going out.

Sarah Palin Got Pranked

Had another quiet day with my foot up. Not as painful as it has been. Hopefully!