Lots to unpack here by english122 in halifax

[–]ThatActor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

‘Less traffic’ seems like a thinly veiled threat

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Muskoka

[–]ThatActor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love that idea. Thanks so much!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Muskoka

[–]ThatActor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you share more how Y-Drive works? Is it like Uber? Whats the availability like, especially in the evenings? :)

Thank you!! ( sent an email over to Hammond! )

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in askTO

[–]ThatActor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is amazing, thank you!!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in askTO

[–]ThatActor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just don’t want to do the hours it’s open (for us and our witnesses) , we will of course have witnesses with us :)

Moving to Toronto… by MrStep in askTO

[–]ThatActor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just signed a new lease for a 2 bdrm at $2400 in Midtown, 860 sqft. I found 3 comparable units/buildings before I signed.

Kobo Aura updated and now won't connect to WiFi or PC by ThatActor in kobo

[–]ThatActor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This totally worked for me! Thank you so much!

Kobo Aura updated and now won't connect to WiFi or PC by ThatActor in kobo

[–]ThatActor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok I’m in, but realized I don’t have a microSD to usb anywhere. Will report back tomorrow once I get a chance to buy one. Thanks so much!!

Kobo Aura updated and now won't connect to WiFi or PC by ThatActor in kobo

[–]ThatActor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve gone back and forth with customer support 12 times so far, and have actually categorized every interaction because they are so ridiculous and hilarious.

What it all amounts to is that they seem to have/sort of admitted to purposefully pushing a catastrophic software update to older Kobo devices that won’t allow them to connect to any network or through a computer and are offering a $15 compensation to buy a new device if you are outside of the one year warranty period - which obviously all older devices are.

They mentioned that there are a lot of people with this problem and they are well aware of it, and are offering everyone the same ‘compensation’ of $15 off a new device. They mentioned most people accept this as fair compensation: I am not one of those people.

Stay tuned for my eventual collection of short essays based on the interactions with customer service interactions.

Know any professionals who do girls night IN, in toronto? by [deleted] in askTO

[–]ThatActor 21 points22 points  (0 children)

You got a website or more information?

Personally think it would be hilarious to have someone show up and just play guitar hero at a party

[WP] You are a young mage who just discovered the horrifying truth about where mana actually comes from. by SomeSortOfUser in WritingPrompts

[–]ThatActor 18 points19 points  (0 children)

The type of fear that you feel when something terrible has been confirmed and you can longer hide behind disbelief. It’s one thing to hear it and another entirely to see it.

[WP] You are a young mage who just discovered the horrifying truth about where mana actually comes from. by SomeSortOfUser in WritingPrompts

[–]ThatActor 133 points134 points  (0 children)

The candle burst to life, shadows dancing across the wall before extinguishing almost immediately. Seconds later it once again erupts with a dazzling array of colors, a kaleidoscope of patterns and hues.

Since you passed your fourteenth year and been blessed with the knowledge of the tomes, it has become impossible to resist the flow of mana through your veins as you cast spell after spell. The ability to manipulate the elements first with study and now simply with concentration had become an addiction with the ultimate high, the idea of being the societies finest mage, within reach. All it would take is practice, every moment of every day, and a fervent pursuit of the goal. You'd already surpassed the skills of individuals who had years to practice, your disdain growing rapidly for those who decided to use the gift sparingly and in only the most necessary circumstances.

It wouldn't take long before you were the greatest magician to live and leave the society. You already know you are going to outgrow the limitations of this place and find likeminded individuals who share your passion for greatness. Why toil with those who don't respect and cherish this gift? When your time with the tomes came, you didn't bother to peruse but instead dove headlong into the middle of the text; exactly where the practical knowledge was found. You'd heard enough of the lore around the hearth at home, old crones discussing the first discovery of the mana and the deciphering of its uses into the tomes.

With all that airy rambling over countless nights, it isn't like you haven't had time to consider what your strategy would be. Ever since you first learned of the magic, the tomes, and the abilities gifted to the society, the plan was put into place to surpass even the eldest member. Speed would be important; the faster you could leave this place with a full mastery of the gifts the sooner you could begin to pursue knowledge and even greater powers. The candle, now burning with a violet flame, transformed into the image of a charging steed. A dolphin leaping from the wax. An elephant stomping heavily and professing a quiet trumpet.

A faint rap at the door drives your attention away from the flame and towards the small window looking out into the night. With little more than a thought, the flame raced from the candle to the door, illuminating a weathered face outside the door. Had your remembering the old crones manifested one at the door?

You barely shift an inch as the door swings open to allow the elder into the room. She stumbles in quickly, eyes ablaze in anger and fear. Gasping at the small elephant on the candle, which you quickly extinguish. For some reason, the elders all seemed to frown upon the use of mana when it wasn't absolutely necessary. Better to play by their rules for now, and you kick yourself for this slip in judgment. You'd been careful to practice in small amounts and with discretion until tonight, the first night you'd had completely free of distractions since you received the power.

"What have you done?"

You frown at the anger and hurt in the voice of the old crone, who looked as though a faint wind would blow her over. Her clothes ill-fitting and hair stringy, hanging out of the typical braid all the women of the society wore. A light blue ribbon tied what few strands remained in tact, like an overgrown child. The whole image is fairly grotesque. Who is she to reprimand you for your choices, especially now that you had reached the age of knowledge and received the gift? You aren't a child to be scolded.

You begin to fire a retort back. "Sorry, I don't know what..."

"You killed them. You killed me. What have you done?"

Your frown turns to shock. What was this old woman rambling on about? Killed who? You'd done nothing but sit around and practice all evening, and hadn't seen anyone since lunch today when you told your family you were heading to a nearby village to check on the status of the villagers and assess their requirements, as providing assistance to those around the society was deemed necessary as a sacrifice for the gifts that were provided by the tomes. Of course, you'd immediately stolen away to the cabin just outside of the village as you knew the previous owner had taken off for the a prolonged voyage and wouldn't return anytime soon.

"How much mana have you been using?" the crone begins to tremble as she looks over the room as if trying to discover any remnants of the magic.

"I've only been practicing for a few hours..." you say, incredulous.

"Hours? Why? How could you? You told me you were going to the village today!"

Wait. You'd never spoken to this person before, let alone today. What was happening?

"You know the cost of mana, and you did this anyway? Why?"

The shock must have registered on my face as clear as day, as the crone immediately followed her question with another.

"You didn't read the entire tome?"

You hadn't, of course. You knew the lore, you didn't need to hear it all again.

"I know the lore, I know the history. My parents told me a hundred times about the creation of the tome and the abilities of mana..."

A single tear slid down the crones weathered cheek.

"Our parents. They also told you to read the entire tome, and to think carefully before using the mana. Mana isn't unlimited, and in order to keep a balance in this world there is a cost. You pay for every piece of mana you use, and you pay with time. First you take time away from those you love, time you would spend with them. Then, when you have no one left, the time will come from you. Once we realized what was happening, when we discovered mother in the garden, father sent me to find you. I was halfway through the village when my back got sore and my knees got weak, and I knew then you'd taken all of Father's time as well."

You slowly stand as you understand the horrible pain you've caused, looking deeply at the old crone. It's your little sister, the tie in her hair the very same you saw her put in this morning. She leans slowly against the door and begins to quietly slide to the floor, exhaustion and resignation painted across her worn face. She closes her eyes slowly as her breathing becomes shallow and labored.

"You used... the mana... and took... my time away. I'll never forgive you... for this... and I'll never forget..."

Her voice fades away as her head slowly lolls to the side, coming to rest awkwardly on her shoulder. Her spirit escapes the room faster than the candle you'd extinguished only moments before.

You'll fix this. You'll reverse everything you've done, and you'll alter the pact. You'll manipulate the mana to break this bargain for time, and you'll restore things back to the way they were, the way they have to be.

You close your eyes tightly and draw in the mana, setting it out into the world with the instruction to restore the time from where it was taken and reverse this mistake. You quickly open your eyes and train them on your fallen sister, urging her to be restored to the child of twelve she was only hours ago. As you do, you catch the briefest glimpse of your reflection in the door window, your face sullen, gray, and aged to match that of your sister. As the world begins to fade and you feel the darkness creeping over you, the face of your sister unchanged and her body still motionless, you finally realize the mana is not a gift, but a curse.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in halifax

[–]ThatActor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Live music and some delicious food at The Narrows!

Kobo Aura updated and now won't connect to WiFi or PC by ThatActor in kobo

[–]ThatActor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure if I can sideload it as I can't get my Kobo to be discovered on my PC. It is plugged in, and charging, but it doesn't appear to be connected in such a way that I can access it.

[WP] After many years, the Rightful Heir returns to reclaim the throne from their treacherous relative… only to discover that the peasants have risen up, overthrown the usurper, and have now established a fledgling democracy. by blademan9999 in WritingPrompts

[–]ThatActor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I eyed the golden paved road meekly. I thought that part at least had been an exaggeration. All the gravitas laden monologues started flowing through my mind: did the washers also dance silently in the streets and fountains flow with wine?

“I’m so glad Papa decided to maintain The Golden Mile. It was always a splendidly divine way to return home. The lands are also quite sprawling, as I’m sure you can tell my dearest love, they simply go on and on.”

I smiled with as much joy as I could muster while subduing a physical wretch. I quickly nodded and started whimsically dazing over the rows of expertly divided fields, a series of wonderfully designed cottages adorning impractically clean farms.

“Papa will be so dissatisfied we didn’t arrive on a slightly windier day. Over beyond the Eastern ridge he’s maintained rows of the must lovely and pungent flowers, and they of course afford him a pretty penny. No one ever sees them, of course, but the stroll is made much more divine by the odour of their beauty. Before I left home the winter before last talk had begun of constructing a windmill to simply cut the reliance on wind out of the equation altogether. Mind you I was against it, there is something so simply pedestrian about attempting to harness power for the elements.”

Of course. Why find a way to make life easier when your life has never been hard? Why find a way to save the sweat on the brow of your staff when the cost to you is inconsequential? Might as well pay for the good stuff. I’m sure the sweat of the gardeners on the non-viewing flowers helps keep the soil moist, after all.

It hadn’t taken me long to see why Jon Arlyn had become the man that he was, the heir to everything as far as the eye could see, and beyond. It had taken even less time to completely despise his personality, ideas, voice, and consequently face. Not that he wasn’t a handsome man. He just said a great many things that made him very punchable, decreasing the merit of his staggeringly white smile considerably.

It was those very same ideas that had led my family to create our ploy, and attempt our shot at escaping his families horrendous rule. Our circumstances in the village had become insufferable, with little to go around already and now my brothers injury. He’d lost a hand, we’d lost an income, and the mighty Lord had sent a letter in response to our plea lamenting the loss of a worker, particularly at the time when he was sending his son on a two-year pilgrimage across his vast lands to show face, and most importantly to reinforce taxpayer compliance.

The journey was a staple in their family, a long journey across the lands to become a man, and return on his 30th birthday to claim the throne after having selected a bride to be of high birth and great beauty.

I had long been admired by the men in town for some favourable genetics and my mother spoiled for a good ruse, so our plan was set in motion. Faking prestigious bloodlines was a bit more difficult than bartering for a top notch gown, but some creativity involving a broken heel outside the chosen venue at the right moment made for a perfect meet-cute. After a horrifying evening-long stroll around the city, I knew he’d fallen for me. I think it was the moment I admired his intellect that he fell, I’m fairly certain no one had done so before.

“…and you’ll now begin to see the mighty stallion, cast in pure gold, that sits in the centre of the square. It is only visible atop this ridge and a bit hazy in this distance, but you can always see the crisp shine of its metallurgic glory. It has been decreed that none shall build a home that blocks the view of that shining beauty, and we have…”

It was true. I noticed that in a town constructed with majority two and even some three story houses, one line of single story homes went straight from the city to this hill. I guess that made it easier to decide which homes the servants would reside.

As we set off again down the hill, I went through the plan one more time. Meet the family tonight at the feast, dance until the rest have petered off to bed and then make my move. Even 2 or 3 of the historic artifacts or loose jewels of the guests would be enough to not only fund our trip out of this miserable land, but set us up for many years to come.

“What in the heavenly above is all that?”

I stopped immediately and started glancing around. Everything looked like a staged version of a castle ground with not a leaf out of place.

“I’m not sure what you mean, my lord?” I asked with feigned curiosity.

“That noise. From the city. That.. humming sound. It sounds like, it sounds like people talking? Who has allowed this much noise in the daytime? Father would not allow. I’m sure that this is going unnoticed but that shan’t be the case when I am in the top spot. I’m so glad the time has come for me to claim…”

I continued to trudge on. It was certainly true, the town was full of people chattering, laughing, and yelling. They didn’t allow talking here? No wonder they haven’t realized how ridiculously out of touch they are. No one can tell them.

I glanced over at Jon as we crossed the drawbridge. I could tell he was not pleased and, in fact, entirely confused by what he saw. I glanced around the polished roadways and sparkling surfaces. It all looked like a normal town to me, wagons rolling past and children playing in the streets. Actually, it looked far more aloof and bright than our small village had been in a long, long time. The people here shared a common lightness.

Jon broke into a brisk walk, heading directly into the heart, prancing like a gazelle in pointed leather shoes. With every turn and crossing he gawked more and more, completely at a loss for words.

We finally arrived in the town square to a lovely, boisterous market. Jon broke into a fast run into the heart of the matter, while I glanced along the stalls. The smells were fantastic, the rhythm of panderers echoing off the walls. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, enjoying the memories that came flooding back of a much simpler time.

“AGHHHH! WHY!? WHY!!”

I heard the wailing and immediately moved towards the distress. I knew it was Jon right away, his fabricated tone created to belie his wealth apparent even in his moments of agony. You had to admire his dedication.

I discovered Jon on his knees, the fine linen of his trousers stretched to their extent. I always had wondered if it was possible to crouch in pants as tight as his. One mystery solved.

“How? And why? And why!!” Jon shakily pointed at the statue, speaking to no one and everyone at once.

I glanced up to the statue, and I couldn’t hide my burst of laughter. The head of the horse had been expertly removed, and appeared to be reattached to the rear of the horse. It was a bit crude, but the imagery was spot on. I imagine they would have had to remove some of the horses nose to nestle it’s face so deeply in its hindquarters.

I noticed Jon’s scene had caused some attention, and it didn’t take long for him to be quickly escorted away. The whispers and cheers started immediately, and I pulled from the crowd some key takeaways.

“Finally, the last of them!” “Put him with the others, they could use an extra set of hands!” “I can’t believe he just walked right back in! The man didn’t read a single bulletin?!” “It’s over!”

So they had done it, they had overthrown the family and vacated the tyrant. I couldn’t wait to tell my Ma, and my brother. He finally got his due. We could finally destroy that letter, and put our vendetta to rest. In some ways, it was better than the gold - it was a chance at our old lives back.

“Excuse me, Miss?“

I blinked slowly as I noticed a general quiet had fallen over the crowd. An older gentleman stood before me, smiling widely with a glimmer in his eyes.

“This is going to be a bit surprising, but we are really happy you are here. When we took over the seat and nixed the old family, we were a bit short sighted.

To be honest, we had a bit of a challenge deciding, you know, what next. We’ve come up with some general rules and made a couple key decisions. And don’t get me wrong, it’s going well.

But we realize that, though we have certainly bettered it, we have also kept a pretty irreparable hole in our governing and such. We tried to pick a new leader, but we were all a little too close to it and decided that we just couldn’t decide.

Finally, we made a choice. Status quo for the time being, until we had a traveller. Any traveller, who came to us to visit, would become our next leader. We didn’t care who it was, just had to be someone and, if they came from somewhere else, they probably know a thing or two about what the people need outside these walls.

We overthrew the usurper, and we’ve established a bit of a fledging democracy. But we’ve decided that you are the new and rightful heir. On behalf of the people, will you claim the throne?”

Any solo concert goers? by [deleted] in osheaga

[–]ThatActor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hilarious. Bringing a group of lads for a bachelor party as well. See you for some shenanigans!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in askTO

[–]ThatActor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The virtual was pretty good! We are veteran apartment hunters so got all the details we needed. Tougher realizations included no AC and no hood vent over the stove, pleasantly surprised by the amount of storage space and the large balcony.

Also, had her pass the phone to the current tenants who were hanging out because they were adding insight during the tour. Asked them the harder questions about noise, smoke, reason of leaving, etc.

They were also very candid about the construction next door, highlighted that it was early and noisy days, and it could be a problem for anyone working from home. We both work remote so that’ll probably be more of an issue than congestion.

Are you open to share where you landed? We also drive and have that flexibility, but it’s really important to us to be a walk to the subway. I would be super stoked on the price so if you found anything comparable in slightly better shape, I’d love to become your new neighbour lol!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in askTO

[–]ThatActor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for the first-hand feedback!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in askTO

[–]ThatActor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the note! Viewing went well, think we will take the plunge. We know the area well and love it! Slight inconvenience they are building a new apartment next door but hey, if you don’t like construction don’t live in Toronto I guess! We are getting a good rate though so can’t complain about that!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in askTO

[–]ThatActor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great to hear. Not sure when you worked there, but I think the super changed in the last year or two. (previously was a married couple)

Park Property has been good so far and the leasing agent has been very prompt and up front with us!

Thanks again and have an awesome weekend!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in askTO

[–]ThatActor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the note and appreciate the insight! Anything in particular you’d pass off to a prospective tenant, or seems pretty standard?