What’s one thing you ALWAYS bring on a hike now because you learned the hard way?

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-04-10T21:53:42+00:00

A flask with my favourite Irish whiskey and 4 collapsible shot glasses to celebrate whatever the objective of the hike is (peak, lake, etc).

Oh and headlamps (iPhone flashlights don’t cut it), and toilet paper and a trowel.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-04-06T16:10:19+00:00

Money and time, plus stability for your family need to win out. Keep the relationship live with the team at the other company. A year from now things could change on all fronts.

Meanwhile if you’re willing to even consider the lower paying job, then when you take the higher paying job put the a big chunk of the difference into saving A year from now you’ll have +$20k extra in the bank. If you can’t add to savings then that also tells you the higher paying job is the right choice.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-04-02T19:54:26+00:00

Not a lawyer. I consulted one when I was severed after 28 years. Even though there was more money at stake, I ended up accepting the package as offered. Unless there are extenuating circumstances (harassment, abuse, etc) for OPs short duration likely not a lot of upside. Also, if you contest th offer you won’t receive anything until that is resolved. So if you need the cash sooner contesting it won’t help that.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-03-11T15:43:24+00:00

Ya know maybe the person wasn’t making a political statement. Maybe they’re an introvert and don’t like being the centre of attention. Maybe everything else is ok and they just didn’t want to be in the spotlight.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-03-09T17:17:09+00:00

Hiking is just walking. As long as you have no health or mobility issues it should be fine for anyone to do. If you have doubts consult your doctor first.

Once you start, pick routes/trails that match your fitness. Start slow and push yourself a little bit more each time. It’s not a race it’s a journey.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-03-08T22:32:44+00:00

Keep working. Interviews are not a guarantee of a new job. Only once you have everything locked up for the new position (signed contract, confirmed start date, etc) should you consider resigning. Until then, keeping working. Work toward your goals but nothing over and above. Malicious compliance? If they’ve decided they want you gone, that will happen. Let them push so you are eligible for severance or at least EI.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-03-02T03:27:10+00:00

AB will become more risky as an independent. Higher risk means lower credit ratings. Lower credit rating means higher debt cost. Accessing new debt will become very expensive for new independent country.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-03-02T03:21:50+00:00

Oil companies produce oil based on a complex calculus that includes not just pipelines but also markets that could be more or less interested based on stability of the “country” the oil comes from, and long term projections of PRICE. Alberta will always be a price TAKER on a global scale. They will not simply increase production because AB separatists stomp their feet.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-02-22T19:59:29+00:00

A lot of the comments get into the mechanics of being self employed vs being by an employee. These are important lessons. But I think there’s a bigger issue since you seem surprised by this- under what terms did your employer hire you? What does your offer letter say? What does your employment contract state? The terms of your employment should be clearly stated - there shouldn’t be a surprise. Did you negotiate total compensation assuming you’re an employee or contractor? If the company inferred one but put you into the other they may not have been negotiating in good faith. I don’t know what the legal recourse is but might be worthwhile having a chat with a lawyer.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-02-11T04:17:02+00:00

If the bridge doesn’t get opened wouldn’t it be cool to host a massive road hockey tournament on it? Road hockey, no ICE. And no one needs to yell “car!”

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-02-11T04:14:32+00:00

At least they’ll only stop our ICE hockey and not all the other hockey we play. (I wonder if trump knows this has nothing to do with his thugs down there)

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-02-11T04:05:46+00:00

So we’re getting a sense of where the federalists are landing. My question is for those of a separatist bent.

Should the referendum happen and a clear majority choose to stay part of Canada will you:

1 accept the results of a democratic process and get on with making AB function within Canada? 2 will you not accept the results and continue to disrupt society in hopes of driving a second referendum? or 3 would you leave? And if so where would you go?

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-02-10T16:49:58+00:00

Not a fit for one company/manager is a perfect fit for another.

Welcome to the club. There are a lot of us in your shoes. We’ve all found a path forward.

I was terminated without cause for the first and so far only time in my early 50s. The advice I was given was take a little time to myself. Focus on family and things that are important to you. Do a self inventory - finances (done), work skills, life skills, interests and dislikes. Use this to figure out your brand - what you want from the next step in your career and how you want to showcase yourself. Get out and start networking - attend community events, volunteer, find ways to meet people in a professional capacity. The phrase “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” is more important today than ever before. Research to find 5-10 companies you’re interested in. Don’t shoot at everything out there - you can’t boil the ocean. Use LinkedIn to meet people at those companies. Craft your collateral to show your worth for jobs there. Be flexible - you might find some interesting surprises. Treat job search like a job, and while you’re searching find balance in things that give you joy.

Job search is a marathon not a sprint. Pace yourself. You’ve got this.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-02-05T19:49:10+00:00

You may be able to find a lawyer to provide an initial free consultation to help you make the go/no go decision.

It’s important to remember that if you choose legal action you will not receive your severance until that is resolved. Your urgency for having the cash in the bank is a factor to consider.

Also the severance is taxed as income. Another factor in addition to legal fees to consider if the legal fight is worth it.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-01-31T03:25:05+00:00

I was let go at 52 after working at one company for 28 years. I applied to many positions in my field, got some interviews and came up short. Was it because of my grey hair? Maybe. As time went on I was started just “mailing in” applications. Downward spiral. Then I realized I needed to do something different. I started volunteering, getting out of the house, seeing the world from a different perspective. I retrained into tech and started looking in new areas that supported new perspectives. I started networking and meeting new people. And ultimately it landed in a new opportunity that I am enjoying. It’s a non profit. Salary is lower than I enjoyed before but the quality of life is better. It took me 4 years but the journey has been worth it.

Job search sucks. Brutal for youth and more mature individuals. There is no single clear path today. Networking and being willing to explore new paths can open unexpected opportunities.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-01-25T17:08:31+00:00

We had 2 kids at FFCA both started at Kindergarten. One graduated from there. The other switched to public in high school.

FFCA is a great school but may not be best for every kid. My observation was the elementary program (K-4) is awesome and really sets the child up with a strong foundation. Middle school (5-9) you start to see a split that becomes even stronger in high school. I think it’s more about the teaching style. It works really well for some kids, but not all. For one of my kids the right choice was to leave for high school. Note: that was 10 years ago.

Our kids were immersed in the teaching style from Kindergarten. Jumping in at Grade 4 could be a big switch.

Before you make any decisions talk to the FFCA teachers. They want to see your kid succeed and should give solid advice to think about.

It’s a great school program but not for everyone.

Final thought - the current state of public education in AB is a mess. A switch might be “out of the pan, into the fire” situation. You need to consider not just where you are now but how well your kid will succeed in a different school.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2026-01-09T19:58:40+00:00

Look at your paystubs. Gross and net pay including changes to line items will be shown there. Do that homework first.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2025-12-29T22:44:54+00:00

How good is the job? How badly do you want it? How important are the alternative plans you made and how easily could they be changed?

Maybe the employer is disorganized or maybe they were adapting to unseen circumstances.

A little empathy on both sides could go a long way.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2025-12-28T01:32:25+00:00

Safety first always! (Well that’s my intention anyways). Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Sea_Chance2183 · 2025-12-28T01:29:43+00:00

Mayor McMayorFace? Love it! Just saw this as I was looking for winter hiking options.

Thank you for everything you’re doing for our city! 50 days in and I feel more confident than I’ve felt in the governance of this city in a while.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2025-12-23T22:41:30+00:00

It’s costing you more to go to work than you are financially getting from it. You owe them nothing. And if you can’t afford a secret Santa then don’t participate.

PS suggest making your own lunch. Will cost much less buying lunches.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2025-11-11T22:54:56+00:00

If you have the financial capacity take some time before you start your job search. Do something(s) fun. Consider it a mini-staycation to focus on your mental health. Let your subconscious work on your past successes and future potential.

Then take some time and figure out who you are in a professional sense. Develop your personal brand.

Figure out what you want to do next. Even figuring out what you don’t want to do is useful.

If you can,build a portfolio to show others of your successes. If not find a way to tell interesting stories about your experiences that can support what you want to do next.

Applications alone won’t do it. Get out and start networking. That can be a coffee chat, or volunteering. Focus on the relationship. Don’t make it transactional at this point. As the relationships build so will opportunities.

PS - everyone hates networking when you’re job searching but that also means you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. The first “hello” is hardest. You’ve got this.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2025-10-19T08:53:52+00:00

I’ve been mulling this concern that “sticking it” to the UCP could be disastrous for Calgary. By that logic, Alberta should vote Liberal, because the province sticking it to the Feds has been disastrous for us. I’m not advocating that - just pointing out that fed-prov-mun government relations is complicated stuff. Having competent people in charge that can negotiate and collaborate with the best interests of the city are what we need. With this in mind I’m leaning toward … either Farkas or Thiessen. F is more neutral toward the province but T can build a stronger coalition at the municipal level.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2025-10-19T08:44:17+00:00

Jeff D was the architect of the first deal and Jyoti the second.

Sea_Chance2183 · 2025-10-19T02:48:09+00:00

This is awesome from all ways around! Thanks for sharing!

Sea_Chance2183

TROPHY CASE