Bill Xiong ✈
127.0.0.1
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Wifi
Should you need the wifi, Scan the following QR image:
A Pi-Hole is installed on this network. Most ads will not appear, including certain ads on mobile devices. If your service is unreachable, contact your host to update the whitelist.
Lights, Camera, Action
- Lights are controlled through the Amazon Echo, a voice controlled home assistant, with an attitude. Wake it by saying “Alexa,” then feel free to ask it any questions. Helaas, spreekt ze alleen Engels :(.
- Most lights are hue colour bulbs that can be dimmed or set to different colours according to mood.
- During the week, the device will read the news at 07:00, and again at 07:45 to help me get to work on time and avoid scolding. Alexa, stop, or Alexa, shut the f*** up will stop the alarm/daily briefing.
- Try not to wreck the house. My homeowner’s insurance only pays for so much.
TV and Sound System
- The Sound System is routed through Sonos. You can download the controller here. Once you get connected, you are free to play the music on your phone, through Apple Music, Amazon Prime Music, or any other connected service.
- Music via Bluetooth can be played through the Amazon Echo. Alexa, Pair will allow you to connect your device. Alexa, Disconect will disconnect your device.
- Feel free to play the piano. It’s an Kawai upright that I’ve owned for most of my life. Don’t drop anything into it, please.
- My neighbours in 08 are old folk and won’t object to the noise unless it’s really late at night. The folks in 06 get locked out a lot, but seem nice. Try not to get on their bad side by cranking the music too loud.
Getting Around
- Since Vancouver is too politically left-leaning to allow services such as Uber and Lyft, you’ll have to rely on the public transit system to get around. Get a Compass card, and load it with some money. Adult fares start at 2.60$ and increase according to zones and distance. When it comes to route-finding, Google Maps is your best friend.
- Should you need a Taxi, call Yellow Cab at +1 (604) 681-1111 and Bonny’s Taxi at +1 (604) 451-1111 and hope they get to you at a reasonable time.
- Unless you are a) able to understand written Chinese and b) have a death wish, stay away from the unlicensed ride-sharing services operating on WeChat. If you have to use them, pray you don’t get into an accident because you’re out of luck if you do.
Ingressing and Egressing
- The building skips all floors that end with the number 4, as well as 13. This isn’t an accident. This is quite unfair; personally I dislike the number 7, but you don’t see buildings skipping floors ending with that number 😡
- Because the strata insists on charging 100$+ for an additional key fob, I can only provide a house key. If you want to enter the building, you will have to enter 4318 on the call panel. I will buzz you in, which will let you enter the building and get you up the elevator. Selecting the floor will require a key fob or call.
Food and Sustenance
- The kitchen ventilator is overactive and thus is really terrible for making food. Instead, try any of the variety of different restaurant-on-delivery services that operate in this area, like Skip the Dishes, Foodora, or JustEat.
- The Microwave gets confused sometimes whether the door is open or not. If it’s refusing to operate, open and close the door a couple of times.
- There are several 24-hour places around the property. I suggest Denny’s, a very average American-style 24-hour diner. There is also a Pho place as well as White Spot, McDonalds and Dae-Ji Cutlet House, both open until 23:30.
- If it’s the middle of the night and Denny’s isn’t good enough for you, you can always head to the late-night centro bar at the Grand Villa Casino.
Laundry
- Laundry hours are between 10:00 and 22:00. There is a washer and dryer in-unit, located in the guest bathroom. Don’t forget to empty the drger lint or risk burning the house down. The instructions are in English, which you should be able to understand if you’ve made it this far down in the article.
- Please do not try hang-drying anything on the balcony.