HackSlash

@Lys, wish I knew how to make my own e-juice. I'm using Tropicool. It's fruit flavoured with a hint on menthol. @ccabal86 talk to me about cigars. I went to the land of fine cigars back in, I think, 2003. Cuba. Wonderful place, don't remember much. Damnit, they handed me a Mohito of the bus to the resort, and I kept drinking them and Cristal (beer), until I left. Cristal was tasty. It had Palm Trees on the label. I do remember going into Havana. We went to the bar that Ernest Hemingway went to, ( I had a passable Scotch). Believe it or not, his stool is behind a rope, like what you would see at a museum. We went to a cigar factory, and we saw the largest cigar in the world. I picked up a box of Cohiba Cigars for less than $10.00 American. You know what strikes me the most from my Cuban trip? We were standing outside of this fancy hotel. It's like $200.00 USD per night! Crap, I don't mean to sound like Royalty. I'm talking about our tour group. In any case, we are watching the goings on in the square. When this old guy with threadbare cloths walks up to us. He's got his hand out, looking for a few dollars from the tourists. Now, by's I'm a Newfie. You wants to hear me h 'ccent, you needs to go on the Youtube fer dat. H'or I might get on da Discord and shag ya's all h'up. Well he comes up to me, and I looks at he. And I say's "You wants a few dollars do ya buddy?" I reach into me pocket and I gives he a $5.00 USD bill. Jesus, by's this old derelict unfolds that bill. When he saw what I give he, his face lit up with utter joy. He hugged me, and kissed me hand. We all stood their stunned, as this feller danced his way through the square. With that $5.00 bill held over his head. When this stuck up ass from Toronto looks at me and says "Are you aware you just gave him a half a Doctor's month wage?" (read that in the most pompous voice you can) I say "Yes by' I does. I figured he needed to go off and have a goddamn good drunk for his self."

@ccball86: Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy some of what I write. I generally try to keep it light hearted and generally something I've found amusing. In regards to not owing a mobile phone, I get that reaction a lot. It's just her's was a bit more extreme than most. I understand, I'm guessing she was about 20. She's grown up in a world where the damn things are ubiquitous. I prefer for a couple of reasons. Number One, it's cheaper. As you know I'm Canadian, and we pay some, if not the, highest rates in the world for mobile phones. Here's an exercise. Go to either Bell, Rodgers, or Telus (our three major national carriers). Just see what services you have and then see what it would cost you here. I've heard of cell phones bills in the hundreds of dollars a month. Hell, there for a while. before the a##holes were forced to make changes, people we coming back from vacations with cell phone bills in the thousands (yes, you read that right), for data and roaming charges. Secondly, most of you know what I do for a living. I have a obligation to have a reliable means of contact. Land Lines work in power outages, cell phones may not, as well I don't have to charge my land line. @Lys, congrats on quitting smoking! I don't know how long ago you did it by my congratulations in any case. I have a Geek Vape Aegis mini with a VooPoo tank. Damned thing is near indestructible. Lord knows I've broken a few of them, haven't been able to do it with this one! I feel the same way, the only people I want calling me know my number. I don't get bombarded with those text messages from the Enforcement Department of Revenue Canada! (which for some reason is in Mumbai). Hey, nothing wrong with the points card. I happen to like it. Even though I'm not getting point because I can't register it, I do get the "Card Deals". Basically, "Buy two cans of soup, get the third free" or, "Regular price is $2.50, with the card $1.50." @onbekende: Smart man! A lot of professionals are going back to the old flip phones. Basically, because they are phones not mobile entertainment centres. @Torres951: <chuckles> No, I don't have a cell phone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30GD25un0XQ&list=PL1CzYL12Qs-aVmLWwH6WuwmPT8LxYhFX_&index=3

Hope you are all doing well. I've posted before on this topic. It involved a co-worker and I, and a video game I bought Toy Soldiers; War Chest. Me: "You can play as GI Joe, Cobra, and He-Man" Her: "Yeah, I don't know what they are, but my parents used to watch that." Bah. It wasn't so much that I went to the vape shop recently and bought a new Mod. Damned thing is nearly indestructible, according to them. The clerk told me how robust it is, and that they could tell if someone had messed with it. How it would violate the warranty if it was abused. Then she added, that she didn't need to worry about that with me. When I asked her why, she said "Old people like you tend to be more respectful." TABERNAC, CALLISE! Back to the topic at hand. Went to the Save On Foods tonight. When I went through the check out, I presented my points card. The person behind the counter told me that there was a problem, my card wasn't registered. I told her, I've tried to register it, but I keep getting locked out and I've got to call the 1-800 number. "Well", she says, "You can get an app, on you're phone." Side note, I hate that abbreviation. "I don't have a phone." To be frank, I have a near psychotic hate for mobile phones. "You don't have a phone?!" "No" "You literally don't have a phone?!" Further side note, I despise it when people use the phrase literally so casually. "I have a land line, not a cell phone." "You don't have a phone?!" "No" "God, how do you live?" "Well enough" "You seriously, don't have a phone?!" "No." "Like how?" "I don't need one." "Well, good for you I guess." I think at that point I saw smoke coming out of her ears, as she tried to process living life without one of those damned things.

Read this today and nearly bust a gut laughing,. Tell us something we already didn't know. My favourite quote from the article: "An Associated Press investigation in June found WHO repeatedly lauded China in public while officials privately complained that Chinese officials stalled on sharing critical epidemic information with them." My second favourite: " China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying disputed whether China had reacted too slowly. "As the first country to sound the global alarm against the epidemic, China made immediate and decisive decisions," she said, pointing out that Wuhan — where the first human cases were identified — was locked down within three weeks of the outbreak starting." Decisive decisions? Like what? Sending the "police" (read Gestapo), to his door and telling him to shut up? https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51364382 Here's another goddamn decisive action those psychopaths in the Politburo made: https://globalnews.ca/news/6858818/coronavirus-china-united-front-canada-protective-equipment-shortage/ Not just in Canada either. In every single Western Nation.

We were talking with my in-laws last night. When my father in law mentioned a recent article in the Montreal Gazette. Currently, Quebec leads the country in Covid 19 cases. As such, the Quebec provincial government recently enacted a curfew for the next four weeks. In Montreal, you must be home each evening by no later than 8:00 and remain there until the next morning. There are exceptions, one of which, is you are allowed to take your dog out for a walk. Which brings me to the article: https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/you-can-walk-your-dog-on-a-leash-after-curfew-but-not-your-partner KINKY! However, that ended up costing them $3 392.00 in fines.

I know I've said a few things about the far left, and how much their belief system disgusts me. I've also said the same about the far right. Snowflakes all. Yes, if you're a Trump supporter that is denying the results of the election. If you are supporting those fascists that have stormed the Capitol Buildings, then you are a goddamned snowflake.

Happy Holidays to each and every last one of you. It's been one hell of a year, hasn't it? From the bottom of my heart, I hope you and yours are doing well. My husband and I both send you our best. I'll say this much. during the lockdown this past spring, you fine people helped me keep my sanity. It was nice to log in here and just shoot the shit, and hear about how you all were coping with it. Still drinking Palm Breeze Lys? We are celebrating Christmas in our new home. Hung out the lights a few weeks ago. That was an experience, think of Chevy Chase in "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation." I didn't fall off the roof, came close a few times, and wasn't to sure about the ladder. My heart was up in my throat, buts what life without a little risk. Makes you feel alive. Got a different plan for the lights next year. Like I said, I hope all of you, and all those you care about are doing well. I wish you all a Happy Holiday, and I hope next year finds each of you better off than last. Have yourself a merry little Christmas Let your heart be light From now on Our troubles will be out of sight Have yourself a merry little Christmas Make the Yule-tide gay From now on Our troubles will be miles away Here we are as in olden days Happy golden days of yore Faithful friends who are dear to us Gather near to us once more Through the years we all will be together If the fates allow Hang a shining star upon the highest bough And have yourself a merry little Christmas now Here we are as in olden days Happy golden days of yore Faith full friends who are dear to us Gather near to us once more Through the years We all will be together If the fates allow So hang a shining star upon the highest bough And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

It's been a while. Hope you are all doing well. We are back in lock down, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-covid-coronavirus-december-11-1.5837323 Not unexpected. Been a trying few months. We went to minimum manning, which meant one person in the office for a full week. Very difficult to meet the needs of a course, plus the thousand other little things we have to do throughout the day. It was exhausting. Fell asleep on the couch more times than once. All I can say is thankfully we'll be getting the vaccine soon. Despite Trudeau's best efforts: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/conservative-vaccine-deal-1.5823628 Yeah, lets team up with the country that unleashed this plague. Then act all surprised when they take 44 million dollars, and refuse to share vaccine samples.

Lys, I'm glad to hear you say that. I'm glad that you mean it. Like you, I watched the election on Tuesday. I watched it on PBS (personal bias, I like Public Broadcasters), guessing you watched it on Fox. To see you say that fills me with a lot of hope. I've been watching the news, and I see a lot of Trump supporters ranting and raving about a stolen election, and stopping the vote. Some of them have been armed, and ready to do violence. That, Lys, makes my blood run cold. Not that I mind guns. Cripes a month ago, I was out on the range and fired off 400 rounds through a C9 and was laughing my ass off the whole time. Getting back to my last. It scared the ever living f#k out of that some are willing to undermine the very foundation upon which your nation was built. I'm talking about those fools that wanted to stop the vote. I don't particularly give a damn about which side of the spectrum they are on. Political Extremism in any form is bad. Or to quote "Oh nothing gonna stop them as the day follows the night. Right become a wrong, the left becomes the right" I've read the majority of your posts. Hell, we've had our disagreements. I've shaken my head a time or two at some of the stuff you've said. By the same token, it filled me with disgust when a former member called you a "literal Nazi" just because you liked(?), supported(?), Steve King. Lys, tonight I'll sleep easy knowing that not all Trump supporters are lunatics.

I feel your pain. You don't know how much crap you have, until you have to pack it up and move it. Hope you have a good buddy who owns a truck.

Been a while. Hope all of you are doing fine, considering the plague that is upon us. Due to Covid 19, I'm "working" from home this week. We are still getting settled in the house. Most of our stuff is unpacked. I mean, really you don't know how much stuff you have until you have to box it all up and moved it. The Contractor we hired to do our floors and other things was a f##king crook. My husband wanted the house wired up for internet. "Yep", the contractor replied, "I can do that" "How much", I said. "$1 100.00" he replied. Four month's later, the shit still isn't working! Oh look, the thieving bastard left a bunch of tools lying around the house. Still hasn't completed the contract? Hello Office of the High Sheriff! Guess who seized all of the tools that crook left here? Had to get a WETT inspection done of the chimney, bloody thing needs to be extended by 2 feet. So off I go to Lowe's to buy some pipe. Guess who got in trouble? I was supposed to come back with chimney pipe. I came back with a Snow Blower, and no chimney pipe. Hell, I've been talking about getting a snow blower for a while. "How much you pay for that?" says my husband. "Well, with the power cord $336.00". "What! Seriously?" "Yes. Jesus, you you rather I came home with the $1200.00 one I was drooling over? " "But still, when are you going to use it?" "The first snow fall." Guess who was supposed to be sleeping on the couch? Yeah, one quick BJ took care of that.

Happy Thanksgiving. Made a nice turkey....out of my WoW Cookbook. Yes, I'm a nerd. Can't help but share your sentiment regarding 2020....f**king Covid is surging here in Edmonton. Montreal is back in lock down.

Blade, wise words. Very wise words. Like yourself, the last time American's were this badly divided was when one side wore blue and the other gray. It's heartbreaking to see our greatest friend, our most important trade partner, and our stanchest ally devolve into such madness. If anything this world needs America to lead us. To be so divided, it only serves our enemies interest. I'm not ashamed to admit it. a strong and united America is in everyones best interest. Lys, let me fill you in. Yes we've had some protests here. No, they haven't burned anything, or pulled statues to the ground. They have defaced a few. Not that I'd blame anyone for pulling a CSA statue down. Let's face it, they were traitors. But Sir Winston Churchill or Sir John MacDonald, yeah that's a different story. We have a Prime Minster who is under investigation for his third Code of Ethics violation. Our Finance Minister just resigned for violating the same thing. Seems those rich ass holes just can't grasp the idea of conflict of interest. Just got to Google and type in WE.

Sally, in answer to your question..."Beer and lots of it." I though about it after and maybe I should have left ANTIFA out of it. What's done is done. I actually don't think all of ANTIFA are bad or terrible people, and I think the same thing about about Republicans. There is a hard core element, that look to cause trouble regardless. On a side note M###h got in contact with me and apologized. Don't get me wrong, he's a really nice person, very caring and compassionate. As I said, I respect him. I pointed him to this website: http://tributetoliberty.ca/ It is an organization that is trying to build a Memorial to the Victims of Communism. The building site was defaced on Canada Day. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/victims-communism-memorial-defaced-ottawa-1.5643316 Like others have pointed out, you have these people who are enamoured with the idea of communism. They think its this wonderful system, which will cater to their every whim. That whatever they want will be free and handed to them. They don't understand, that it doesn't work. I studied this ideology, and it's horribly flawed. I also laugh at the hypocrisy. Jesus, look at the smartphones they all have, the internet they enjoy, the branded clothing on their backs, the houses (or their parent's house), that they live in, and the Star Bucks coffee in their hands. These people are content to feast from the banquet that capitalism has provided, but when they've eaten their fill they are more than prepared to selfishly take an axe to the table.

Recently one of my neighbours decided to fly the red banner. The flag of the USSR. I posted this to my Face Book page: (Sorry, I don't know how to do a screen shot.) "One of my neighbours is flying the flag of the USSR. I'm thinking of going all ANTI FA, and pulling that hate rag down..if you're willing to fly a flag that stands for an ideology that killed over 60 million, then you are willing to fly swastika or a a stars and bars." I got a number of likes , then my brother in law, who is involved with those ANTI-FA fascists, spoke up "Do you fly the Canadian flag? Do you know about the ongoing genocide of our native folk? No one is innocent." Challenge accepted: M**th, I don't need to fly a Canadian flag. I wear one every single day. Do I know about "the on going genocide against our Ingenious population?" Well,why don't you ask me about the seven years I spent living with them? Wonderful people, I have a lot of respect for them. Oh, by the way, NEVER use the term "folks" with me, I find it patronizing in a Neo-colonialist sort of way. I also also find the fact that you feel the need to speak for them. What? They can't do it themselves? Showing your white privilege there. M###H, I have a lot of respect for you. You've given me good advice. I can and will admit this country has done wrong. I love this country like an adult. I'm not some Neo-con knuckle-dagger. Can I admit we've done wrong? Yes, I can. We've treated a lot of people less than the humans, less than our fellows they are. That makes me, and you a patriot. That we are willing to get past the wrongs that have been done. That we are willing to work towards a better tomorrow. That is something this nation stands for. Our values, our beliefs, our respect for basic human rights, our dedication to rule of law, our respect for human dignity. That is what I defend, and will do so with my life if necessary. M###h, my visceral reaction to that commie rag is twofold. That flag stands for something I will never be, an instrument of oppression. It sickens me that some people think that I, your guardian, will be used to oppress you. Never, not to my dying breath will I stand by and be used to deny my fellow citizens their rights, their freedoms. Secondly, that rag stands for a country that, with out hesitation, would send, you, Kay##n, E###d, and me to a GULAG, just because we are what we are."

Glory Holes. Never thought I'd ever read that on a news site. https://globalnews.ca/news/7204384/coronavirus-glory-holes-sex/

I've been able to call most elections. It didn't surprise me in 2016 when Trump won. It didn't surprise me in 2015 when Trudeau won. It didn't surprise me in 2019 when Trudeau won a minority. I guess that's the advantage of being a Political Scientist. It's in that mode I'm going to talk, as a dispassionate academic. If the Democrats nominated Saunders, hands down the victor would be Trump. However, they didn't. They nominated Biden, a moderate. Someone who is willing to work with Republicans to get things done. Given how polarized the American national discourse is right now . Where Democrats are willing to label anyone who is willing to work with the Republicans a heretic, and the vice versa is true. It's a hard call. From everything I've seen to date. Here's my two cents. Remember, I don't just rely on American news sources. At this point, I'm predicting that Trump will be defeated in 2020. As things firm up, I am more than willing to change my opinion.

Sorry, it's been a while. Hope all of you and yours are dong well. Been really busy moving in my new home. We just finished moving the last of the furniture in today. Ended up renting a truck to get the last of it. It took me a while to find a place to get one. I got a F-350. All I can say is thanks be to god, I never bought one for my day to day driving. I put 47 Km on the damned thing, and burned 44 L of gas. I'm back to work on Monday. Not sure what the Hell is going on. I'm in a training unit. There might not be any courses running. We were briefed that courses will only be run with the CO's approval. The restrictions are formidable. If Covid rips through a course, the CO will hang. We are thinking that we'll be moved back to half days until the we get more information. We are also expecting another shut down in October-November when the second wave hits.

Alberta is starting to reopen. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/covid-19-business-reopen-relaunch-phase-one-may-14-1.5569070 They kicked off Phase One today, for all regions except for Calgary. They got hit pretty hard down there with a major outbreak in a Cargil Meat Processing Plant. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-how-cargill-became-the-site-of-canadas-largest-single-outbreak-of/

Hope all of you are doing well. Me, I'm loaded. Not much else to do, aside from packing to get ready for the move. Disassembling shelves, while drunk. Surprised I haven't broken all my fingers! Went into work today for the first time in nearly two months. I had to sign my PER. It was strange walking into that building. I had to give myself a hair cut last week. I was over grown and felt like a damned hippie. Just took a number 0 blade and shaved it all off. Of course I missed a few spots. Hubby touched it up on Wednesday, after complaining about the "tufts", I left. Thought some of you might get a laugh out of this: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/flowbee-the-90s-home-hair-cutting-gadget-makes-a-pandemic-comeback-1.5561915 Goddanged Flowbee.

Calling Sisolak a Nazi has nothing to do with social justice. It has everything to do with unconstitutional abuse of government power. Attorney General Barr is cracking down on it, and given no other choice, Trump will have to shut off the money. Things are not going well. Jesus, Lys. I was only twisting your tail. ccabal, like you, I found out yesterday I'm back to the office on 1 June. All my restrictions remain in place. No travel beyond 250 km, wear a mask (I've given serious consideration to wearing my issued CBRN respirator, then I remember how much trouble I'd get it), and report in everyday. While we are on the topic of spouses.... We are getting ready to move into the new house. Renovations are almost done. Now we need boxes to pack stuff you for transport. I had to go out yesterday to pick up a few things. Hubby asks me to go to either Lowe's, Home Depot, or Canadian Tire. Why? He wants me to buy boxes. Yes, buy boxes. I tells him that I'm not going to buy boxes. Jesus at $2.88 a pop, no way, no how. I'm just going to go to the stores and ask for them. He doesn't want me to do that, because they won't give them too me. F**king right they will. I'm saving them money by taking them. Nope, he doesn't want me asking for boxes at the stores. Fine. Guess who spent the better part of the afternoon on the base, going from recycling bin to recycling bin getting boxes? Believe it or not, he was alright with that. Edmonton is starting to lift the Covid restrictions. Starting with: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-city-council-covid-19-1.5552782 Hope you all are doing well.

Screen was too dark to see the darker scenes, and some people with their headlights... jeez. Everyone was really cool about it though. No concessions were open and everyone parked with a space between. Our asshole Governor found out that people were actually having fun, and shut it down after one night. That Nazi's gonna have an awakening. Nazi? Jesus Lys, never thought you would go full SJW. LOL Hope all of you are doing well. On my home front, waiting to hear when I'll return to work. Not sure when it's going to happen. I'm drinking some beers, and baking another culinary creation. The in-laws sent in a recipe for banana bread, and hubby has been whining at me to make it. It's in the oven right now. Tried to turn in my empties this afternoon I had a pile of them. Then I discovered hubby lost my goddamn GPS. He left it on the roof of the car. Yep. On the roof of the goddamn car. He bitches at me for spending four bucks on a new flush lever. Then leaves a $120.00 GPS on the roof of the f**king car. In case anyone is interested. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thesundayedition/the-sunday-edition-for-april-26-2020-1.5536429/who-should-never-again-have-authority-over-a-pandemic-says-law-and-public-health-professor-1.5540895

Hope you had a nice time Lys. Thought you all would get a fine laugh out of this. It seems for after all the baking we've been doing Robin Hood is falling short of bags, not flour. https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/robin-hood-flour-baking-yellow-bags-1.5541483

Sweet Enola Gay son! I remember when my buddy downloaded the demo to C&C. He had to let it run overnight to get it! Love these games. I played the original on a Pentium 2 350. Thanks for sharing!

You're telling me. I saw the story about gas prices on the BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52350082 and the CBC, https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/oil-price-monday-1.5538048 Not good for Alberta. The main industry here is oil and gas. It was already being hammered before the Covid plague. To put it all in perspective. I was out earlier today, and I saw the prices at the Esso station across the road. 57.9 cents/litre. I started driving in '93. I don't remember gas prices this low. I do remember in 2015, gas in Quebec (where I was living at the time), was $1.52 per litre. We are doing well, hope all of you are too. Going a bit nuts with my enforced confinement. I've gotten back into model railroading. Bought a lovely set early this week, unfortunately the motor in the engine was burned out. The shop I bought it from returned it to Bachmann for repair with no charge. Glad on one hand that my train will be repaired. Peeved off that I can't run it now!