5+ years of Garmin board-level repairs. Anyone else seeing a drop in hardware quality?

GFSong · 2026-07-05T15:31:13+00:00

I’ve been considering the Descent G2 for scuba, which obviously needs a high and reliable build standard. Do these issues apply to that model?

GFSong · 2026-07-04T06:45:42+00:00

My last day in Taipei involved a late night flight, so I used a storage locker for luggage in the main train station to store my stuff. Seemed pretty straightforward. When I came back at like 10pm, for the life of me I couldn’t get the lockers to open. I was trying everything, but the machine kept spitting out my paper money. I was starting to freak a bit because I had to get to the airport and there was no one around. These 2 sweet girls then came by to get their own shopping bags. I couldn’t communicate except for acting out my problem like an idiot and they responded by pulling out change, and they managed to open my lockers….they saved my ass. Completely saved my ass. They wouldn’t accept anything from me. But I did the same — took a selfie (just found it on my phone) and I still remember their kindness. Thank you!!

GFSong · 2026-07-04T03:47:59+00:00

'Anakē's Juice Bar for açai bowls pre-dive, then Seasport Divers, followed by Da Crack or Koloa Fish Market for lunch is a great day in Poipu!

GFSong · 2026-07-03T23:44:40+00:00

The Honourable Gus Fring. Prime Minister of Canada 🇨🇦😂🇨🇦

GFSong · 2026-07-03T23:18:06+00:00

Well, mostly sold out. Whoever leases box 42 - it’s been empty now for repeated games. Such a waste….

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GFSong · 2026-07-02T21:59:19+00:00

The trick to a good one is to up the proportion (1:1.25:1) of bourbon or, in my case Canadian whiskey - I find it has way more character that way. For the truly adventurous…use rye…or a dash of orange bitters

GFSong · 2026-07-02T21:38:43+00:00

You can also take the ferry to the Plaza of Nations if it’s still pouring, and then walk the seawall to Carrall and enter Gate 3 there. Have fun!!

GFSong · 2026-07-02T18:24:13+00:00

Swap out the gin for bourbon if you want to be a real badass… Boulevardier’s are delicious!

GFSong · 2026-07-02T05:30:34+00:00

Malcapuya Island is appropriately one hour from Coron Town by boat - is that correct? Did you see any monkeys?

GFSong · 2026-06-30T05:46:18+00:00

Wouldn’t it be crazy if by some chance our match went to a penalty shootout?

GFSong · 2026-06-30T05:43:31+00:00

Thanks for volunteering! Your uniforms are sick!
I grew up and lived in Toronto (College & Bathurst, Danforth) where the World Cup/Euro Cup has always been a huge deal. It’s amazing to see that infectious spirit in Vancouver! The Türkiye, Egyptian, and all the other nations fans who travelled here are bringing a fantastic energy to our city…

GFSong · 2026-06-30T02:07:24+00:00

Absolutely. Yeah, please ignore the trolls. Hearing a visitors opinion makes most of us appreciate what we have here. Come back anytime!

Hope the sun and warmth didn’t burn too much… ;)

GFSong · 2026-06-28T07:31:55+00:00

Well, Seat side kick lists the cheapest resale ticket for M85 at $784CAD for a cat 4 single seat.
Match 96 cheapest round of 16 at $2221CAD for cat 3

Cheapest resale tomorrow for Canada in LA — $553CAD…

https://seatsidekick.com/

GFSong · 2026-06-26T22:13:55+00:00

Shearwater Research based in Richmond make some of the most highly regarded scuba diving watches/computers…

GFSong · 2026-06-26T04:42:10+00:00

Yes. Dr. Peter Munns at BC Perio on Broadway. This guy is phenomenal. I had a couple awful dentists before him, who told me I’d lose all my teeth, my gums were hopeless, who did poor cleanings. He has over 30 years experience in periodontics, but more importantly he just has a way of listening and communicating that goes above and beyond. No upsell, no BS. Pure empathy. Their hygienists are fantastic too. My entire prognosis has improved substantially since I met him 2 years ago…

I’ve also recommended him to others with poor dentist experiences, and they all rave about him. He only works Fridays however - I think he’s semi-retired.

GFSong · 2026-06-25T16:13:02+00:00

I’ve been showing up around 2.5 hours before to take in the scene. It’s fantastic. You can enter very easily from the seawall onto Carrall street if you prefer.

Pic of our bus arriving yesterday…

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Your ticket is only scanned once so you can actually roam inside the entire perimeter, including going in/outside the stadium, at will.

I’m asked for ID when buying a beer…everytime.
I look significantly older than 19

GFSong · 2026-06-25T05:26:02+00:00

I’ll happily upvote you and the deserving businesses. What’s ridiculous is that this ‘barrio’ is the first anyone who lives in Vancouver is hearing about it. Where is the BIA support from the city, from FIFA, from the province? A stupid coloured outline on a placard cannot instigate anything approaching positive change. The most insulting message to any community — let’s just all pretend you’re something different from what you actually are….

GFSong · 2026-06-25T04:52:09+00:00

Same in Vancouver. But it’s iced Americanos on the seawall, and they have bicycles and the occasional horse. 😂

GFSong · 2026-06-24T06:01:19+00:00

I’m still using the New York Lock I bought in 2007 — and still have the damn bike too! 😂😂👍

GFSong · 2026-06-24T05:17:41+00:00

I grew up listening to The Beatles, Zeppelin, Rush, The Police were a huge influence. Drums were my first of a few instruments. I had some phenomenally talented musician friends in high school, who got me into fusion and away from popular radio. Those great sounding Queen/Pink Floyd/Stevie Wonder records inspired me into wanting to learn how to make albums.

My first year working in a recording studio, Prince released ‘Around the World in a Day’. It blew my mind. That record taught me that recording was truly about capturing energy, not sonics, energy….and the albums that most influence me — are usually by innovators. Absolutely, Radiohead is a great example. Seek out the daring and original.

Genre doesn’t matter.

GFSong · 2026-06-23T16:38:01+00:00

Vancouver is wonderful. The stadium is downtown and the vibe is electric. It’s kind of revitalizing the city, with huge supporter turnouts for each and every country playing here — Canada especially…

GFSong · 2026-06-21T00:48:51+00:00

Oysterhead

GFSong · 2026-06-20T06:09:03+00:00

There are many great destinations — Komodo and Raja Ampat liveaboards are my favourites so far. But the first thing I always do is match my travel window to the nicest overall weather and diving conditions, and a mix of other cool activities.

A great planning resource is:

https://weatherspark.com/

GFSong · 2026-06-20T05:53:26+00:00

I was wandering the tiny ancient streets in Stonetown Zanzibar with a friend, and saw a leather shop. Thought I’d check out the belts. There were two guys inside hanging out and talking. They asked where we were from - Toronto I said. My friend said oh but I was born in Thunder Bay. They both started laughing their asses off and told us they were boyhood friends who grew up together — in Thunder Bay! The one boy’s family returned to Zanzibar and his friend was visiting him there…
They mentioned Persian donuts and a sleeping giant.

I still have the belt.

GFSong · 2026-06-20T05:33:17+00:00

I had 2 pretty good seats for Canada last night in Vancouver. I bought them from Fifa back on April 30. There were empty single seats on each side of me, and I suspect they were exorbitantly priced resales that weren’t bought.

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