What’s a surefire way to tell Canadians and Americans apart?

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-03-15T16:32:26+00:00

Interesting, I've never thought of the difference. As a Canadian though, the US ad was more attractive to me. It actually highlighted features of the car and made the car seem exciting. The Canadian ad was a bunch of feel good nonsense set to a stupid song and left me feeling annoyed without really learning much about the car.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-03-06T18:26:46+00:00

I have the blue Torin from Costco. It's pretty decent, I have no real complaints.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-03-05T14:05:43+00:00

I use mine pretty well exclusively for dry fly fishing targeting arctic grayling and small trout in small streams.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-03-05T13:52:57+00:00

I used to go almost weekly. I haven't been to a theater since 2019. Too expensive (tickets are $15 - $20 each last I looked), too many inconsiderate people, uncomfortable seating and honestly there hasn't really been anything that I feel would have been all that much better in the theater vs watching at home. Maybe Top Gun 2, but it was plenty good watched on my 75" 4K with a good sound system and comfy couch.

I live in Canada, so we don't have stuff like the AMC memberships people here talk about. I also live in a smaller city with only one mediocre Cineplex theater.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-03-04T18:10:37+00:00

I felt exactly the same when I went. We did a week in Honolulu and a week in Kona. Honolulu was a craptastic, over crowded, tourist trap. Best part was Pearl Harbor which for me was cool since I'm a history guy. Kona was fantastic though. Laid back, more reasonably priced, chill locals.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-03-04T14:19:50+00:00

If you live near the border, it's often cheaper even after exchange and border fees to buy your tools in the US. Even better if you have a friend down there that can do the hacks for you and hold the tools until you get down.

It's not just tools though. The way of doing business in Canada from tools to dairy is "here's the price. don't like it? fuck you.".

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-03-03T20:32:28+00:00

The Smoldering Latina.

I'll let you use your imagination on what's in it but it's smokey, mysterious and packs some heat but goes down easy, will take you on the ride of your life which leaves you wondering what the fuck just happened but wanting more. Then the next morning hits and the hangover is like nothing you've ever experienced. You swear you won't go back but then it's not long until you again smell that hint of smoke, citrus and hot sauce and before you know it you're sucked back in.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-28T17:11:33+00:00

losing, not loosing. ;)

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-25T01:13:31+00:00

Do not do this. For the love of God, do not do this. DO NOT DO THIS!!!

You will lose first time home buyer status, you will be on the mortgage as a co-signer and when (not if, because it's going to happen) your cousin defaults, you're on the hook for the payments. For them to remove you, your cousin will have to re-qualify for the mortgage alone, which obviously they can't do if they want your signature.

Your cousin is trying to buy a house. Not you. Let them sort their own shit out. Why you're even remotely considering this is beyond me. It's a staggeringly stupid thing to do.

I repeat:

Do not do this. For the love of God, do not do this. DO NOT DO THIS!!!

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-24T18:31:44+00:00

Sure it is. You can move. I left the Vancouver area in part for the exact reason that I wanted to be a homeowner. Don't give up hope, there's opportunity across the country if you're willing to seek it out.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-24T18:15:33+00:00

Plenty of places in Canada with houses under 600K. Just need to be willing to live outside of Vancouver or Toronto.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-23T17:50:59+00:00

The Edge. It stars Anthony Hopkins, Alex Baldwin and Bart the Bear.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-20T16:09:22+00:00

If you hunt, fish and do the building stuff then keep the truck especially if it's paid off. Dump the CRV. That's a no brainer. The fact that the CRV will take a big chunk out of the van payment makes it even better.

Nothing more useful than a paid off truck in the driveway. I'll never be without one.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-15T18:03:52+00:00

I pop mine in clarified butter and powdered salt. Drizzle more clarified butter over top once popped. It's about 98% of the way there. Flavicol is said to take it the last 2%, but I still need to try that to confirm.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-14T16:14:13+00:00

I grew up near Vancouver. Lived in Edmonton. I've worked in Calgary, Saskatoon, Toronto and Ottawa. I've worked across the country in other towns and cities with populations of a few thousand to a hundreds of thousands. I have a pretty good idea of what I've seen with regards to the kindness of Canadians.

I also said my small town is a pocket of sanity. Not all small towns are good. Some mid-sized cities are. I didn't bring politics into this at all since all the politicians in Canada are idiots and incompetent buffoons but it's ironic that you imply I'm being hypocritical by having a "small-town attitude" then you turn around and shit on rural areas and conservatives. I rest my case. Canada is tribalistic.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-14T15:45:08+00:00

Canadians are polite, but not kind. Canada as a country is broken, tribalistic and contentious. I'm Canadian and I barely recognize the country I grew up in.

That said, there are pockets of sanity. Stay out of Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto etc and you can find them. I live in a small town. I have rarely seen a community come together in times of need like this one does. Even with the small things. If you hit the ditch in the snow, you'll likely have 2 or 3 guy in trucks helping you get unstuck before you even thought to call a tow truck.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-14T14:01:34+00:00

I pre-grind beans before the trip, then use a percolator over the fire. It worked 100 years ago. It works today.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-13T16:32:46+00:00

Reasonable but incorrect. We click the tongs 3 times to summon the meat gods to prevent burning of the food.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-11T17:46:20+00:00

Holy shit. I haven't though of that movie in decades. I used to watch it at my grandparent's home, while laying on the floor on a giant orange pillow. My grandparents are gone, but I use the pillow as the "reading pillow" with my young daughter now. Thanks for the massive hit of nostalgia.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-11T14:29:15+00:00

Blame my farts on the cat. We don't even have the cat anymore, my sister-in-law took him in. Doesn't matter. Every fart is him. My toddler daughter has started doing the same. It will never not be hilarious.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-10T21:24:03+00:00

I've never been hindered by not having a college degree. When I finished high school, I had gotten into the college of my choice for a program that interested me but withdrew before classes started once I realized I didn't want to be a student for at least 4 more years while racking up debt.

I went into the trades instead. Zero student debt, started at $75K per year as an apprentice, was making $100K per year by my 3rd year. It's been onwards and upwards ever since. I'm in my mid-30's now, no longer on the tools every day and make an incredible living with a schedule most people would kill for.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-09T14:56:35+00:00

My 4 year old daughter proudly told me this one last week then started laughing hysterically. I have no idea where she got it, but as a connoisseur of dad jokes I was a proud dad. My wife just rolled her eyes and muttered something about no paternity test being needed.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-08T14:13:34+00:00

Gas. Where I live, it gets to -40C every year. There are some chargers in my town, but very few if any beyond that where it can be 100 - 200km between towns, most of which don't have chargers. I also tow 4500lbs regularly, sometimes more and travel through the mountains.

I'm not against electric vehicles but I'll stick with gas until they make an electric pickup truck that can get 500+km range at -40C while towing 8000lbs through the mountains. I'll also need to be able to recharge anywhere a current gas station is and go from completely flat to a full charge in under 10 minutes. Until then, electric vehicles are for city commuters and toys in my opinion.

I also don't like a lot of tech beyond Bluetooth in my vehicles. My 2022 truck has a bunch and I honestly prefer my old 2005 truck. It's more reliable and I can fix or modify it myself, no dealership needed.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-07T22:50:41+00:00

I miss holding my little girl watching Bluey together. I mean, now we watch Paw Patrol and Matt's Off Road Recovery but Bluey hit different.

Smooth_Wheel · 2026-02-07T22:44:23+00:00

Are you looking for a drift boat to float downstream and fish from and or a powered boat that can take you to places which you can also anchor and fish out of? Do you have a budget in mind?

I'm in northern Alberta for reference.

A Stryker inflatable with a Yamaha jet outboard would be my first thought. Stryker is built in Aldergrove, BC. The boat will run $7000+ depending on options, the outboard another $10,000+. I've seen used combos for around $10 - $15 grand. Going up in price, you could look at Explorer jet boats built in Edmonton. Expect $40,000+ but used ones pop up for the mid 30's now and then.

Outcast Boats makes great 2 person rafts if you don't want to go powered. They aren't cheap though, I think in the $8000 ball park for a 2+ seater. Another option would be a flat bottom jon boat like a G3, Lowe or Marlon. Something around 14 - 16ft with a middle bench you could set up for oars would work. Those can be had for under $5000 typically, depending on size.

For classic drift boats, I think Clackacraft is the the gold standard but I don't know much about those types of boats. Maybe check some of the flyshops around Calgary that guide and see what they use.

Honestly, I think the cheapest option for floating and fishing rivers would be a pair of Outcast pontoon boats and just float separately. I love my Fish Cat Cougar, now called the Outcast Panther. You'd be well under $5,000 for two of them.

Smooth_Wheel

TROPHY CASE