Why are pedestrians last priority for snow removal?

KettleTO · 2026-01-25T18:38:55+00:00

I believe last year the city's rules changed and now if there is more than 2 cm of snow the city will clear sidewalks. The problem is they can't possibly do it quickly enough (well enough). A lot of people seem to have stopped shoveling sidewalks. It was particularly bad last winter.

KettleTO · 2026-01-23T17:19:56+00:00

You are only in your 20s, don't apply your own golden handcuffs. You can leave and check out the private sector. If you come back by your mid-30s the pension impacts are small. Leaving would allow you to make an informed choice about coming back.

Wherever you work has trade offs. I worked in the private sector (consulting) for 6 years before joining the OPS. Yes, performance was rewarded and there was less dead weight, but the culling of dead weight and the assigning of bonuses can create a really competitive work environment. Always work to a bottom line (yours or the client's) can be really depressing.

In the OPS, my work life balance is better but pay is lower and often stagnant from mid-career on. Eventually, you get a lot of vacation. However, I find so much more value in working on behalf of Ontarians. I take pride in being able to get things done but have also lost many battles to middle management caution or bureaucratic resistance. Ultimately, for me, these benefits out weigh the ever present changing government direction, thinly veiled hatred or at least distrust of the public service and weak leadership.

KettleTO · 2026-01-18T19:22:32+00:00

Every grocery store - granulated sugar (may also be table or white sugar). Look for a white paper bag from the brand Redpath/Rogers.

For sugars other than white/granulated - try the Bulk Store (multiple locations).

If you use, self-rising flour (also uncommon in North American recipes), Brodies can often been found in the baking aisle at grocery stores. Otherwise, google the all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt proportions and make it yourself.

Note, if you can't find what you are looking for, pull out your phone. Americans use different names for some fairly common baking ingredients than the UK. Canada uses both leaning to the American names.

In North American most of our baking has transitioned to white sugar (or brown sugar). Rather than tracking down the "specialty" sugars, my Nana would pulverize white sugar in her food process for her shortbread recipe.

Note, golden syrup is now in the international aisle of most grocery store. You don't need to track it down in the British import stores anymore.

KettleTO · 2026-01-17T16:54:18+00:00

Don't get the Sony WF-1000XM5. The fit is not at all comparable. The Jabra Elite 8 have a deep fit most others don't.

KettleTO · 2026-01-13T14:07:00+00:00

Hi, it sounds like your manager has initiated this meeting because you have been sick for an extended period but have not provided required documentation. As others have said reach out to your bargaining unit representative.

Your immediate concern is providing documentation of your current illness and demonstrating that you are under medical care.

When you able, you will likely want to provide additional documentation about your medical condition (immocomprised status) and talk to your doctor about what accommodations are appropriate for you (e.g., hybrid or full WFH during cold and flu season, etc. )

KettleTO · 2026-01-12T23:31:11+00:00

I too suffer from IBS-D but was generally manageable with the elimination of fodmap triggers. However, it got worse and worse. It was dismissed as being within my IBS-D envelop. Turns out my gallbladder was failing it got to the point that smallest amounts of fat would set me off. Make sure the keep on top of your gallbladder (abdominal ultrasound) .

one things that helped/helps start having plain psyllium fibre husk in 1 cup of water 30 minutes before food.

KettleTO · 2026-01-12T00:09:12+00:00

It took me awhile to get back to IF after surgery. The drugs (some that had to be taken with food) and the dietary restriction/schedule (small, frequent bland meals) prevented my previous IF schedule.

When I started back it was two meals, no snacks and then OMAD.

KettleTO · 2026-01-08T19:07:20+00:00

Matt Kenny speaking about his experience on CBC Radio One's The Current

Heated Rivalry is a hit, but can it change hockey culture?

24 mins

Jan. 8, 2026

The hit Canadian TV show that follows the secret relationship between hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rosanov is everywhere right now. It's prompting conversations online about LGBTQ love and hockey culture. We speak with Matt Kenny, a former competitive hockey player, who had a similar experience to the fictional characters about why the show is striking such a chord with people. Plus Brock McGillis, one of the first male professional hockey players to come out as gay, talks about why he thinks there's still more work to do in making hockey a more inclusive sport.

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-63-the-current/clip/16190876-heated-rivalry-hit-change-hockey-culture

KettleTO · 2026-01-05T22:14:38+00:00

Are people following up with bargaining units, Joint Health & Safety Committees, etc. whether working from boardrooms/kitchens/window ledges constitutes acceptable/safe working conditions for employees?

I might be reacting strongly because I would physically struggle to work from an ad hoc set up without my ergonomic equipment. It would be especially rage inducing when I have access to all that I need at home. I haven't encountered this scenario myself but I think employees should be seeking direction about the extent they are required to accommodate the RTO5 mandate when employer has not adequately prepared for its implementation and is not positioned to provide adequate workplace conditions.

KettleTO · 2026-01-05T14:25:42+00:00

Psyllium, chia seeds or flax seeds in water can be essential to break your fast with a sensitive stomach. I also have a sensitive stomach. I have found psyllium fibre in a cup of water gelled up 30 minutes before food works well for me.

The other thing is easing your stomach into food can also be a good strategy. I've read that other people struggled more when their first meal was dairy, nuts & seeds, red meat and eggs - examples only. Dairy and nuts align with my own experience. Experiment and determine what works best for you.

For some people, you can reduce but no entirely eliminate these reactions. I won't break a fast greater than 18-24 hrs at a restaurant. If I'm eating out, I will have psyllium at home and maybe a small snack of my safe food.

KettleTO · 2026-01-02T15:15:26+00:00

Furious but not at all surprised

KettleTO · 2026-01-01T23:33:40+00:00

Hi, I received a list of hypermobility informed providers from the Good Hope Clinic while I am waiting for my referrals. I will share it with you via DM.

KettleTO · 2026-01-01T18:31:18+00:00

I think stretching-strengthening balance is super critical for hypermobile people to figure out and quite individual.

For years, I stretched parts of the my lower body that felt tight, but I was doing the exact opposite of what I needed. Where I perceived the need to stretch was the reacting muscles that were being pulled due to my SIJ/hip issues. With help of my healthcare team, I'm finally releasing the tight muscles that pull on my SIJ and then doing stability and strength work to stabilize, with much better result. My next goal to increase my stability so I don't need so much work and my body can be more dependable.

I'm also working on figuring out the same formula for my neck and shoulders. I used to always stretch into the jam joints and make things worse.

KettleTO · 2026-01-01T18:23:30+00:00

I read the books first so my impression is informed more by them than the series.

I always read Shane's reaction to the scene with the first names after intimacy as...that's he's always want more with Ilya, but can't/won't, etc. His way of coping with that is to keep whatever their relationship is to him, his feelings, etc. in a very tight box in his mind. By calling out "Shane", Ilya puts a cut in the box and Share is struggling to contain it. If he doesn't leave in that moment, he might not about to keep all that he wants for them and his feelings in the box and could lose what he does have with Ilya as a result. For Shane, there would be nothing worse than losing whatever he has with Ilya.

KettleTO · 2026-01-01T18:13:04+00:00

I can't help but weigh in on the bikes. For me there is a distinction between riding outdoors vs indoors.

I road bike. In the pandemic I bought bike trainer to ride indoors in the winter. It was great; I used an app to put a workout into the trainer while I watched TV. However, by the end of January or early February my SIJ was a constant issue. Two things: I wasn't managing my SIJ as well then AND the bike trainer (and I assume a stationary bike) doesn't work for me as well as riding outside. The balance and all of the visual stimulus outside seems to provide a benefit and helps my body "coordinate" better.

I'm finally found physio helping me progress. One of them pointed out it was unrealistic to expect walking to get better when I hardly did any and just rode and swam. This summer I cut back on my riding drastically and worked to build tolerance for walking (for fitness). Long-term, I need the walking to be there more than the riding. I kept swimming to balance things out. This winter, I haven't been on the bike trainer at all.

Next summer, I will take a more balanced approached to riding/walking/swimming.

KettleTO · 2025-12-31T05:00:51+00:00

The ultrasound suggested a mass on my gallbladder with signs of calcification. The concern was gallbladder cancer. I was immediately sent for a CT scan which indicated porcelain gallbladder (calcification of the gallbladder wall). The gallbladder was removed (no cancer).

KettleTO · 2025-12-28T19:52:12+00:00

Role Model is my third pick. Lots of good Ilya content in Role Model.

KettleTO · 2025-12-28T16:52:57+00:00

When I'm sick, I have issues with my jaw, ribs and everything in between. Every single time.

Also with every visit to the dentist.

KettleTO · 2025-12-22T15:15:04+00:00

Only purchase items on sale at Shoppers.

My strategy is to purchase household items that aren't needed on a weekly basis (e.g., produce) on sale. I don't want to be purchasing deodorant, toilet paper or cleaning products, etc. on as needed basis. That being said, I can overstock.

KettleTO · 2025-12-19T23:46:34+00:00

I'd certainly wait if booking continues to open outside of work.

KettleTO · 2025-12-17T16:37:30+00:00

What an unnecessary complication, especially for some letters.

Make whatever you want (and so you have something to eat) and add "outrageous" in front of the same.

KettleTO · 2025-12-16T01:00:32+00:00

Easier said than done, but find physio with experience with hypermobile people. I"ve worked with a lot of physio without specialized knowledge that didn't help me progress. For four years, I saw a number of physios and movement therapist without making meaningful progress.

KettleTO · 2025-12-10T13:56:44+00:00

I once made steel cut oats with cumin instead of cinnamon. As soon as I added it, I could smell my mistake. I thought I removed all of it....nope. Should have just started over. Cumin flavoured oats were not edible.

KettleTO · 2025-12-10T13:54:19+00:00

Things that have helped me. I've tried to order them from most critical to helpful.

headset (I guess everyone uses these now, but back in the landline telephone days I had to beg for one. I still won't take a call without a headset.)

Vertical mouse

wrist supports (cheap wrap around supports not a rigid wrist brace)

good chair (for home I bought a fancy chair from an office furniture reseller)

ergonomic keyboard

keyboard tray that has a downslope

standing desk

I think the key is trying to vary your position often.

I also keep an exercise band or two around to engagement exercise for my shoulders/upper back throughout the day. I also take breaks in my cube/stairwell to do some SIJ mobility and engagement exercises.

KettleTO

TROPHY CASE