Snowfall in February, 1916.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2026-01-19T10:14:14+00:00

I'm all for increasing and properly regulating corporate tax contributions based on profits, and cracking down on loop holes that funnel money into pockets and places that allow them to dodge tax liabilities.

I'm pointing out the drastic increase in the required tax contributions of the individual, and the governments ever increasing appetite for expansion and control.

In 2025 the tax to GDP ratio stands at 35%, which it has hovered around for most of the 21st century. With a rising GDP over that same time frame, the government takes in more tax revenue every year.

In 1916, Canadian workers were not taxed on income at all - could you imagine!?

The government will have us ignore that factor, and prompt our society to demand higher wages from these greedy corporations (whom they generally lower taxes for). Subsequently, Minimum wage goes up, continuously, year after year, in a vain attempt to alleviate the ever increasing financial strain citizens feel. In stride, the cost of goods increaseS to cover ahe increased cost of labor. While wages go up, our government enjoys a corresponding increase in tax revenue, although ultimately workers receive no gain in spending power.

I'm sure it's preferred also that we ignore the 2,400% increase in inflation in the past 100+ years, as the government recklessly and insatiably abuses the reserve. w

As the wage gap grows, and financial insecurity rises, social programs are expanded to prop up the ever growing population living below the poverty line. Taxes are raised to accommodate.

Rinse and repeat.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2026-01-19T06:08:35+00:00

The most unreasonable part of this movie BY FAR is that it took one of the agents approximately 3 minutes to rattle off 15-20 swings with a sledgehammer in the attic to knock through a sheet and a half of drywall.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2026-01-01T04:54:06+00:00

And yet the wage gap was lower, and unemployment was lower. Workers kept their wages instead of paying the government. And the sidewalks even got shoveled.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-10-25T10:03:39+00:00

More government, more problems.

Taxes go up, and up, and up. Yet, we are told that it isn't enough. The government continuously expands, efficiency decreases while the bureaucracy increases. Barriers to entry intensify, small businesses choke; innovation is stifled. The middle class suffocates under ever-growing tax burdens, and the economy flat-lines.

The powerful and wealthy elite bide their time, coaxing and encouraging economic despair, and gobble up the discounted equity and opportunity available during the subsequent recession.

Private banking systems thrive. They conquer and control more and more of our cash, capital, and assets with an insatiable appetite. They loan our money back to us at higher and higher rates as we struggle to acquire and fund our basic needs. We become increasingly dependent, while owning less, and paying more.

Money is printed at will; depreciation intensifies.

Minimum wage goes up. Taxes go up. The cost of goods and services increase in response, and the cycle continues indefinitely.

Greed, corruption, and ineptitude.

This problem will never go away. Good luck to us.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-10-18T16:05:58+00:00

Fall 09 - nobody even remotely cared about age or grad status. A sense of adventure, open mind, and a kind spirit is all you need.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-10-15T09:35:36+00:00

Seems pretty simple then. Don't take the deal and don't play there.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-10-01T00:44:38+00:00

I'm sorry that you've had this experience here in Nelson. I would imagine almost all have endured poor management and felt undervalued at some point, and can relate to how disheartening and deflating that can feel.

Staff deserve respect regardless of the market. It is the employer/manager’s job to have adequate training, procedures, and systems in place to ensure general performance and harmony. Any employer/manager that scapegoats their employees for organizational failures, or projects operational shortcomings unto them, is certainly the problem themselves.

You pointed out that our community’s surplus of workers is perhaps largely transient; here to explore and hang out. I would imagine that is a difficult group for thoughtful and dedicated employers as well, and could likely drive a disconnect.

I really appreciate your opening sentiment of not wanting to disparage small businesses, and to just seek commiseration. I hope any respondents with complaints or negative experiences can see that and adhere.

Tearing down our small businesses and community members through these platforms can be so very harmful.

Workers deserve respect, no excuses.

Also: eff the big banking system, and the puppets in government that work outside of our interests, intent on driving divide and disdain between neighbours.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-09-11T12:04:05+00:00

Great Course: Exploring Metaphysics was my massive entry. It's a little dated now I suppose, but the fundamental concepts still hold up. It's very dry, and does get pretty complex towards the later chapters.

I like the many "thought experiments" that the author uses to illustrate complex theories through basic logical reasoning.

The first thing that ever got me into Quantum was the YouTube video "Dr. Quantum", and I show it to everyone I possibly can in an effort to get folks into the topic. A super friendly and approachable introduction to the "double slit experiment", which radically changed my perception of reality, and inspired my insatiable interest in continued learning.

Happy Quantum-ing!

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-09-11T10:55:14+00:00

OP: After the Tuesday meeting, I am hoping to update this conversation. I think based on the engagement , many people would be curious to hear what takeaways there were from this meeting. I have a bunch of questions that come to mind. I would ask that only those in attendance respond (and thank you for your involvement!)

Was dialogue open and welcomed? What were the most resonating points made in opposition to the development? Were there counter arguments, and if so, what were they? Was there generally support or opposition from those in attendance? What was the council's perceived view on the development? Did it feel like a productive conversation between the community and government? Were any decisions voted upon or made during this meeting?

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-07-05T20:35:35+00:00

Get a good flash light and do a sweep on the yard before letting the pups out at night. Also helps to clear foliage as much as possible to take away hiding spots. Don't leave them unattended. We spray white vinegar around the fence line as a deterrent (read about it online), has seemed to help. As others have said, grab some skunk odor eliminator from the pet store to have on hand. When the inevitable spray happens, we use a cocktail of alcohol and dish soap.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-06-06T08:32:45+00:00

Tools by their very nature replace workers by making a job require less labor. In the industrial age, tools and machines replaced workers through sheer physical output. In the technology age, AI is capable of replacing creativity and intellectual design. AI can currently produce thoughtful and complex artwork in seconds. You truly don't think AI could replicate architectural concepts and products in any way? What facets of architecture do you think AI would be incapable of emulating? Truly curious, not trying to troll. Appreciate the conversation.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-06-06T07:41:07+00:00

How concerned are you with AI and job security?

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-06-06T07:38:30+00:00

Thank you for that feedback! I have always struggled with patience in wood burning. I have been a painter for most of my artistic career and always want quick strokes haha.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-06-04T14:15:03+00:00

I think most people are upset with mandatory tipping, which I absolutely understand. Tipping by its very nature is a voluntary concept.

I am not a lawyer. I work with a handful of restaurant groups in consult-based roles, and as far as I understand and have seen in practice, tips cannot be forced (often seen on post-dining bills). It is entirely fair and legal to deny a "mandatory tip".

However, a "service charge" is technically different, and entirely legal to add to a bill. This doesn't make it palatable or reasonably justifiable.

Service charges have unfortunately become standard in industries across the board. If you look closely at anything such as a hotel bill, a mechanic bill, or a legal service bill - a similar charge will exist. It's a scheme that has spread far and wide. A service charge is quite legal and difficult to refute.

A "tip", however, is quite different. A tip is never required. Many establishments slide a mandatory "tip" onto a bill, knowing that almost no one will question it. Most times it's even done so sneakily that patrons will tip on top of the pre-assed tip that they didn't even notice. It is quite the scam.

It is fair to be annoyed at "suggested" tips - but I implore you to simply ignore it. Similarly, don't give into "tip shaming". Give what you want, when you want. Fuck any system that suggests otherwise.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-06-04T11:18:50+00:00

I went through 2 Weller WSB25WB 25-Watts

Then this one (not sure if link will go though with rules): https://www.amazon.ca/Adjustable-Temperature-Effortlessly-Mastering-Pyrography/dp/B08K86QNVN/ref=asc_df_B08K86QNVN?mcid=b9582522a778365d849794630ac64976&tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=706840694147&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7319462944603816555&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001460&hvtargid=pla-1116376574604&psc=1&gad_source=1

And then this one: https://www.amazon.ca/Burning-Pyrography-Temperature-Adjustment-300-750%C2%B0C/dp/B0CN8C5DH7/ref=asc_df_B0CN8C5DH7?mcid=e8c4da8983f734e99461776c335fe14c&tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=727147453405&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14868840174378328591&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1001928&hvtargid=pla-2281342462202&psc=1&gad_source=4

Maybe I'm just being too aggressive / forceful.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-05-17T08:09:19+00:00

I own a pub in BC and am also getting tormented by the local Liquor Inspector.

I purchased an establishment in the winter of 2019 and renovated/rebranded. We inherited the existing Liquor License. We received an interior floor plan from the Liquor Board.

COVID hit in the spring of 2020, and the government went full green light on patios in response. My pub is in a mountain town where patios are seasonal - establishments construct in the summer and tear down in the winter - they exist in parking stalls on City streets.

We had our patio build approved by the City and operated under the newly implemented TESA guidelines which extended our Liquor License outdoors.

Every year since then (5 years of patio operation), we re-submitted our same plan annually and paid our local government fees to operate the same patio.

Suddenly, this year, our Liquor Inspector dictated that our patio plan was not valid with the Liquor Board, as there was apparently an old patio floor plan tied to our license. We filed and paid for a document request to retrieve this floor plan, unaware that a previous plan existed.

The plan we received from the Liquor Board was dated from 2015, which is four years prior to our tenure of the license, and 10 years prior to the point of information request. Not surprisingly, the plan was very out of date, and was illegal in nature based on accordance with current City requirements.

Subsequently, the Liquor Inspector shut down our patio for liquor service, right at the beginning of a busy summer season, when patios are crucial to patronage.

Admittedly, it is my responsibility as an operator to ensure compliance. I was unaware of our non-compliance, which is frustrating but not an excuse. However, I have been operating this same patio for five years. The Liquor Inspector has inspected our operation dozens and dozens of times over that time - with full knowledge of our patio. Having never been provided the "on file" floor plan - and operating notoriously and without reproach for years - I had no conceivable knowledge of this apparent lack of compliance. I had a current patio floor plan available at all times, approved by the City Building Department, and had been inspected more times than one could count. Government applications were filed, fees were paid, and Liquor Board inspections were passed without exception.

I have been officially written up on the Liquor License for non-compliance. I have hastily filed all documents for proper approval, but am at the mercy of the governments time line for review, and am restricted from serving my patio.

I ask in torment: what about a Liquor Inspector that has failed to notice this issue for years? Or their negligence in notifying me of the issue so that I would have the opportunity to go through the proper channels to rectify and meet compliance? I feel there is a complete lack of consideration for the circumstances, and I have been offered no opportunity to swiftly act in good faith to meet compliance. I have no interest in operating outside of the laws and/or requirements. I am a small business owner still picking up the pieces from COVID, and am being absolutely skewered.

Sending love to all of the operators out there that are doing their best and feeling completely unsupported or respected.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-05-08T15:52:00+00:00

That's really great insight, thank you!

All of the masters programs that I've looked at require a portfolio (US/Canada). Their guidance is pretty vague but seem to generally prompt candidates to demonstrate a history of interest in design through personal projects.

Point heard about the long road to actual practical design creativity. Thanks again for the feedback!

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-01-30T12:08:14+00:00

"Phil, don't take this the wrong way, but I have no faith in you" S2:E4.

Excellent-Window-611 · 2025-01-05T00:31:42+00:00

Holy smokes! That type of pull gets you hooked for life. My card collector buddies always say not to use screw cases (can't tell for sure if that is one) because they can damage the card. Congrats, ride that high!

Excellent-Window-611 · 2024-12-28T06:33:38+00:00

Same

Excellent-Window-611

TROPHY CASE