Log in for more
Category: uncategorized
Canada day 7-9
Final days of the abridged Canada trip. More quad bike, more shopping, some chainsaw action. Ben and my mom had fun looking at old family photo albums. Ben made the request and we took the decision to move up our return flight. The extra fare penalty was pretty much on par with the hotel and restaurant costs, it would have been a royal pain in the ass to work from the hotel in that shared setting, Ben wanted to see friends and get over jetlag before school started back, and I really wanted to just get back to my wife, my dog, and my stuff. We actually had a good time and there was no drama, so I’m counting this trip as an overall win, but next time I’m not going to factor work-from-abroad days and I’ll look for a better spot for hotel, or a bnb with a kitchen. Montreal has gotten significantly grimier and everything is so damn expensive it’s not funny anymore, and restaurant food that I can safely eat, won’t cost a fortune, and isn’t a Simpsons-esque window to weight gain has been hard to find.
Today was a travel day, from ottawa to the airport via the train station and I’ve honestly been a nervous wreck all day. I don’t know exactly why but my travel anxiety has been through the roof today. I really appreciated my celebratory “you made it” Guinness at the airport, even if the price is highway robbery.
Canada day 5-6
Train trip to my parents was on par for Via. Train was delayed by 30 minutes but once we were in it was pretty comfortable. We stopped at Costco on the way home so Ben was able to check off another item on his bucket list, a Costco hot-dog.
Plans changed at the last minute because of unexpected circumstances, so Nat and the boys weren’t able to come to my parents’ for Easter. It is what it is. We went to the sugar shack, did some more clothing shopping, and Ben tried out my parents’ quad bike.
Canada day 3-4
One of Ben’s goals was to sample KFC and McDonald’s in Canada. He was disappoint. I was disappointed with my Tim Hortons doughnut. It was dry and barely filled. With all the crappy food we’ve had, I just wanted something plain and simple so while Ben was out with Gab, I just got myself a few picnic essentials.
We went to Eggspectation, then more clothing shopping, then we were going to meet Nat and Gab for the Van Gogh immersive experience. Was very cool.
“I don’t know if you’ll understand that one can speak poetry just by arranging colours well, just as one can say comforting things in music”… Vincent Van Gogh
After that, we went to Nats for dinner, meeting her new BF and spending the evening playing exploding kittens again.
The things your butt tries to post on its own
You must be logged in to be able to see this content.
Canada day 1-2
We got in yesterday afternoon after a long but mostly uneventful flight. Got to the hotel, where Ben went full-on 4-in-a-bed inspector. It’s OK. It’s very basic but clean and serves it’s primary purpose. We had a quick catch up with Nat then tried to stay up as long as possible but didn’t make it past 9. Jetlag still kicked my ass as I was up at 4am this morning.
We went for breakfast, did some shopping and had sushi for lunch. I’m aghast at how annoying, aggressive and prevalent tipping has become in Montréal. It’s everywhere. I mean, if I’m getting good service, fine but not at a sushi shop where I’m literally picking a tray out of a fridge and taking it to the till…. I’m also so somewhat dismayed and saddened at the astounding number of vagrants everywhere. I mean, Berry was always a bit dodgy but now it’s full-on grimy and at times uncomfortable.
I’m also happy that I managed to get my Revolut card working. The physical card is a Maestro which should in theory work but didn’t yesterday when I tried it several times. The virtual one I put in G-pay happily does it’s thing so I now have access to my Canada funds.
Gab pinged Ben to see if he wanted to go out but in the end we went to Nat’s for dinner and we spend the evening playing exploding kittens.
Why is this still a thing?
Ashtrays remain on airplanes, even with smoking bans, primarily because of safety and legal requirements. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates their presence near lavatories, not because of current smoking policies, but to provide a designated and safe place for smoking materials, should someone violate the no-smoking rule. This ensures a safe disposal location for cigarettes or other smoking materials, reducing fire hazards and potential safety issues.
A visit from Edgar Allan Crow
I’m voting!
I’ve found out that there’s no statute of limitations to being able to vote in Canada from abroad, so given the importance of the current election, I’m exercising my newly reacquired right to vote.
Not a good start of the year for pet health
At the start of the year, cockroach had lipidosis and it took a month of active, intense care to get her through it. Now Byron had a bout of pancreatitis. He’s getting better with meds and a metabolic diet, but while the spirit is willing, the flesh is still weak. His stamina still isn’t up to par, esp when walking in front of a bakery when he’s no longer allowed ham croissants.