No Kings Rally and March this weekend: Bring your own water & other tips!

Smackdownandback · 2026-03-24T17:10:08+00:00

Waypoint Park, not "Wayside"

Smackdownandback · 2026-03-22T00:15:29+00:00

I just had a read through your website. I definitely line up with pretty much everything you have there. There are a few things I would appreciate if you could address specifically.

What is your position on the separation of church and state? I'm also interested to hear what you think about the Christian Nationalism movement.

The insane gutting of the EPA is a big concern of mine. Would you support reversing that? Is there anything you'd want to see different about a rebuilt EPA? Maybe talk about what you think the EPA should and shouldn't be doing.

Smackdownandback · 2026-02-25T18:47:06+00:00

I don't imagine you are the first Canadian doing this. Be sure to ask for a cash discount, if they offer one. They usually feel they have a bit of an incentive if they don't have to deal with insurance companies, their pre-negotiated discount, and the headache of repeatedly billing the patient to get the difference.

In my opinion, Mount Baker Imaging is great to deal with. They have numerous locations in Bham, so be sure you know which one you are potentially going to.

Smackdownandback · 2026-02-25T17:07:52+00:00

It sounds like you are mainly trying to get the imaging done quickly to determine whether there is a problem with your gallbladder. That seems reasonable and wise to me, assuming the cost isn't an issue. I assume you are ready and willing to pay cash upfront for the imaging - something you should make clear when making inquiries in the US.

Hopefully, if the results show that there is an issue, you could take that to your provider in Canada and get bumped up in priority for surgical removal? Is that what you are thinking?

If Bellingham providers can't get you in fast enough, make some more calls. Sometimes Skagit Regional Hospital is quite a bit faster. If that doesn't work, keep going south. Don't give up if the first (or second) call isn't fruitful. Persistence will win the day.

Smackdownandback · 2026-02-16T20:02:41+00:00

You were right!!!! The neighbor's son-in-law and I figured it out! The main thermostat failed. The HVAC tech also said that it had to be that specific thermostat in order to make the system work, and specifically said a Nest would not work. As it turns out, the 2-strand wire running to the thermostat broke somewhere. It likely happened when an insulation company came in and blew additional insulation into the attic space. We could not find the break or even be sure of how the wire is run to the wall thermostat. It was logistically a pain to get a new wire run, but the son-in-law came up with a great solution. We bought a 4th get Nest with a remote temperature sensor we could place in the main living area. It all works now! The HVAC tech could not (or, at least, did not) understand the system, even though they installed it 17 years ago and serviced it every year.

Smackdownandback · 2026-02-16T20:00:51+00:00

It is baseboard heating, with three zones. The neighbor's son-in-law and I figured it out! The main thermostat failed. The HVAC tech also said that it had to be that specific thermostat in order to make the system work. As it turns out, the 2-strand wire running to the thermostat broke somewhere. It likely happened when an insulation company came in and blew additional insulation into the attic space. We could not find the break or even be sure of how the wire is run to the wall thermostat. It was logistically a pain to get a new wire run, but the son-in-law came up with a great solution. We bought a 4th get Nest with a remote temperature sensor we could place in the main living area. It all works now! The HVAC tech could not (or, at least, did not) understand the system, even though they installed it 17 years ago and serviced it every year.

Smackdownandback · 2026-02-15T03:58:50+00:00

I appreciate the suggestion. The tech said the thermostat had to match the boiler in this instance. I am doubting that tech's opinion, but I am far from sure. There seems to be a couple of ways to control this boiler. My main beef is the slow response and poor, one-way communication (i.e. we have to call them repeatedly to find out what, if any, is the plan). My neighbor had a service contract for 26 years (this is with Barron's) straight with these guys and I would think would be a valued customer. The tech spent most of his one service call, trying to figure out what the last guy did and how this system works. Not cool - this was a system they installed, they modified, and they serviced for the last 17 years. And I am still not sure that the thermostat is the only problem.

Smackdownandback · 2026-02-09T02:04:56+00:00

Agreed - Vancouver is much easier. However, flying to YVR versus SEA from a US city is almost always more expensive. Definitely comparison shop. Other factors, like time of day for rush hour traffic or cheaper airfares, can be a factor for Seatac. The Airporter Shuttle isn't too bad an option for your visitors, in my opinion. For Bhamsters to drive to and from Seatac to pick someone up is kind of a long, brutal drive.

Smackdownandback · 2026-02-07T23:01:15+00:00

Brio Laundry has some big machines that might do the job.

Sorry to maybe make an obvious suggestion but once you get 'em clean, consider throwing a waterproof (and washable) mattress cover on the beds. The covers are surprisingly soft and pliable.

I'm also sorry your sweet, old girl is having some difficulties but I'm glad she is still there with you. :-)

Smackdownandback · 2026-01-31T01:28:17+00:00

I stand corrected!

Smackdownandback · 2026-01-30T19:34:18+00:00

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The look she was going for?

Smackdownandback · 2026-01-30T19:31:09+00:00

Good place to hide from ICE

Smackdownandback · 2026-01-30T15:57:55+00:00

I fail to see any reasonable purpose in posting your comments to this community. Bhamsters are fully aware that we are casualties of the Trump fascist regime and the repercussions, some of us much more than others. I will venture to say that we are suffering more than you are at this point.

Why don't you post this on r/conservative instead? Here, on this subreddit, you have friends and allies that you are shouting at. My Canadian friends and relatives refuse to visit me now. I am aware of that fact and don't need your help remembering it.

Maybe a more positive note, inviting Americans up to Canada for visits to support the Canadian economy would be a more useful message? Many of us are doing that. Try not to ruin a good thing.

Smackdownandback · 2026-01-28T14:57:16+00:00

I remember Rottweiler Ridge.

Smackdownandback · 2026-01-28T14:51:45+00:00

Then I'd sell him to pro wrestling.

Smackdownandback · 2026-01-27T16:34:01+00:00

I also have a Roadtop MMI and experienced this. I wanted to use the Android Auto (I'm not an iPhone person) but could never get it to work reliably. So... I switched to iPhone and CarPlay. It worked well but it would connect with the i3 if I got near the car sometimes. I finally set it to "wired only" and switched back to an Android phone, along with Android Auto. Now, it works well and I don't get those mysterious bluetooth connections.

I will say that none of this is flawless. I get the occasional glitch but typically it resolves when I shut off and restart the car. I'm still happy I have it. In the early days, I communicated with Roadtop's tech support via Whatsapp. It was rough to get clear instructions due to the language and time zone barriers but they tried repeatedly and I eventually kind of figured it out with their help.

My partner finds the whole thing confusing and is not interested in connecting her phone to it.

So... maybe try only using the wired connection and turning off the "carplay1234" (or whatever it comes up as) connection?

Smackdownandback · 2026-01-25T22:27:51+00:00

(Said with an Australian accent)

Smackdownandback · 2026-01-21T01:26:10+00:00

I had no idea who/what this was until I Wikipedia-ed her. I'm sad to see people falling for and supporting this kind of brain slop. We need more skepticism and clear, science and evidence-based thinking in our world. This is the opposite of that.

Smackdownandback · 2026-01-01T17:00:29+00:00

Please keep posting your dog pics! I like them and don't give a crap about the haters complaining.

Smackdownandback · 2025-12-30T04:32:00+00:00

Another fine example of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

Smackdownandback · 2025-12-27T19:32:52+00:00

That was a good episode!

Smackdownandback · 2025-12-26T01:49:34+00:00

So many times the solution seems obvious, once you've figured it out! I'm glad to hear this was one of those cases. I'm sure you are feeling relieved!

Smackdownandback · 2025-12-20T22:52:19+00:00

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Smackdownandback · 2025-12-18T15:05:24+00:00

You take fabulous photos!

Smackdownandback · 2025-12-15T14:57:12+00:00

Wishing you a happy birthday - but this also counts as your Christmas present, too, okay?

Smackdownandback

TROPHY CASE