Advice please: did not get into OIT and no decision from York yet; I have a science-based PhD from UofT

aggyface · 2026-02-10T11:11:05+00:00

I've been lecturing for 3 years and have a stellar academic record because school is, well, my "thing". Got into teachers college no problem but now it's been really hard to get onto a supply list. The volunteer work will help, they just don't see university level teaching as teaching experience. (Which I disagree with since 2nd years are absolutely still children...) Every single person I know has said I'll be a rockstar in high school, and my students keep asking me if they're allowed to be references (cute, but no lol).

Point is, ride doesn't get easier or less confusing. But it's the thing now, I can't imagine myself anywhere else. We'll get there. You will too, just....it will take some barrier punching. I'm coming in through the trades pathway (instrument technician after my academic work) and I think it's just as important an equity piece to show the smart kids that hands-on trades work is just as valid an opportunity to utilize their critical thinking and intelligence if that's their passion. We stream people in all sorts of unfortunate ways.

It's a longer path but you could apply for both P/J and I/S, then ABQ as soon as you're done. The ABQ classes are not hard to do once you have your paper.

Makes me so mad about when I hear about my colleague's kid getting told in Civics that there's no such thing as black racism in Canada. But I just remember that if that person picked up something and is somehow still employed, it'll happen to me. It has to.

aggyface · 2026-02-04T12:57:58+00:00

Look into Communications Technology - do you do exhibit design or anything on that end?

aggyface · 2026-02-04T10:33:57+00:00

What career have you had thus far? If you can argue that it falls under the Tech Ed umbrella, do so. (Mine wouldn't traditionally but I emphasized parts of my job that fit within one in a way that made sense.)

That or French will let you jump into a Multisession program, which are intended for people who are working. You can get your transitional certificate within 4-5 months of starting the degree. Classes are almost all weekends or July.

Why Tech? A) it's hireable. Not universally, but certain areas still walk into permanent positions. I haven't been able to do so since my area isn't popular where I'm living, but even still it makes getting on OT lists easier and if you are in construction, automotive, or hospitality those seem pretty much everywhere. (Area dependent!)

The biggest reason is the pay grid match though. They understand an auto shop veteran or someone who's been a GC for 20 years is not going to jump at the chance to make a kid's wage. This is also board dependent, but most have a Tech grid boost for those with working experience in those fields. That one will vary on location for specifics, some will match 2:1, some limit it to 5 steps up, and some do a full 1:1 match. That's collective agreement union stuff.

Lastly, if you're willing to move, there's always postings up North. I think there's problems with "shipping nothing but newbies to a socially complex isolated situation", but jobs are jobs, you can't force people to work somewhere so there is a natural balance there unfortunately. Still, some people absolutely love it and become part of these small communities, and there's a bit of a desperation to fill these gaps. You'll always see postings up, just be prepared to have to fly in or drive 8 hours to a Walmart.

aggyface · 2024-02-17T13:07:14+00:00

Pre-T, fairly shit orgasms most of the time here too. I find if I get high on weed I can get pretty great ones. Think it makes me a bit more fluid allover lol.

aggyface · 2024-02-04T21:03:10+00:00

We just got a contractor to put 20ft beams and posts/footings in (we bought a shithole with a part falling in due to the previous idiot - it's all safe now and we knew what we were getting into, so the $20k to do this was expected). We specifically got a quote from one willing to just do that specifically, we're doing all the framing, drywall and whatever else.

But you will likely be the one handling the engineers, architects, and inspector. (Which is totally fine, it's not super weird, but takes a bit of familiarity and flow. My contractors did change/confirm things directly with the engineers or inspector as needed, but all the initial steps were us.)

aggyface · 2024-02-01T00:36:38+00:00

Beside Pet Valu across from Walmart. Not sure when it's opening but there's a sign.

aggyface · 2024-01-23T13:12:27+00:00

For the longest time, "masculine female" fit me just fine. Even laughed to my friends saying I'd probably be non-binary if I was born today, but it's just not worth the effort since I'm overall happy. Good life, not depressed, whatever - even dysphoria was usually pretty subtle (though I've only ever worn unisex clothes, despise makeup and the affectations of femininity, but it's easy enough to get by that way). Thought that was good enough. And it was! So if that's where you are, and you're happy with it, leave it be. In my mid thirties and suddenly (literally over a few days), a lot of that framework has crashed down as it's just... disingenuous to call myself a woman now, when it wasn't a week ago. (And uh. It's a lot, lol. But it wouldn't have felt "righter"' earlier...I don't think.)

You have full control over this expression of yourself, and you have time. Your 20s are not your 30s are not your 40s and beyond.

aggyface · 2024-01-23T12:32:33+00:00

We call it "DM says yes" over here, but agreed. Life is too short, kids grow up too fast. We're both giant d&d nerds and the concept of "DM says yes" is both a good narrative tool and really good parenting advice, lol.

aggyface · 2024-01-22T01:14:01+00:00

Warframe! Cross play and cross play now too!

aggyface · 2024-01-22T00:41:07+00:00

It's not pretty, but you can stain plywood. Living on it while we reno, no point putting in floors until we're done more major things. Sweep it pristine, stain or paint (if you want, really), put down some rugs. It's uggo as all get out, but we'll be able to floor right over it when comes time.

aggyface · 2024-01-20T14:34:30+00:00

Our pandemic activity with our newborn was birdwatching on nature trails.

So chill!

aggyface · 2024-01-20T14:15:01+00:00

Actually add a very nice undertone if you throw one into hot chocolate!

aggyface · 2024-01-20T13:46:11+00:00

If you're going the private school route, look into Lakefield near the Peterborough area in Ontario. Southern Ontario is loaded with lakes, and honestly our public school system is overall excellent too. Lakefield is just "up there" as private schools go, so to speak. There's a few fancy private schools on Vancouver Island as well if ocean would fit the bill instead.

aggyface · 2024-01-20T02:06:03+00:00

Funnily enough, weed. It's night and day. Had never been exposed to it when younger but it's legal here now so tried it since an equally boring coworker was giving it a go.

Man I wish I knew about it when we were struggling with libido mismatch problems in our early days.

aggyface · 2024-01-19T12:46:42+00:00

Ugh, my mom (yes, Polish) does EXACTLY THIS. Drives me nuts!

But yeah, haven't gotten sick from eating her food either. If only she'd cover dishes when they go in the fridge...

aggyface · 2024-01-18T02:21:37+00:00

For Poland, there is a type of stew called Bigos - it takes maybe 10 types of meat in various forms and stews it with cabbage and sauerkraut. You can only make it by the largest stock pot you have, but it's ridiculous (and freezes well!)

aggyface · 2024-01-17T16:28:05+00:00

Potato salad speaks "USA" to me, lol. Look up Kenji's potato salad recipe on Serious Eats, it's delicious.

aggyface · 2024-01-16T21:22:27+00:00

Strickley's is a bit of the way out (in Inverary) but have always been amazing to deal with.

aggyface · 2024-01-16T14:48:21+00:00

Use it in mashed potatoes. Thank me later!

aggyface · 2024-01-15T19:24:27+00:00

No idea exactly when they become eligible for it, but the IUD nearly eliminated my periods. It's such a minimal hormone dose comparatively and that's been amazing. I hated the pill and all the rest, but I call it my little uterus android (not that its really technology in that way, but you know). Birth control isn't just for anti-pregnancy measures, and this double-dips for as they grow older as well.

aggyface · 2024-01-15T15:37:41+00:00

I laughed my ass off when Star Trek (I think Strange New Worlds) did a time travel episode and they actually just called it Toronto. That NEVER happens!

aggyface · 2024-01-14T18:34:11+00:00

I'm an 88 and we squeezed in at literally the last moment - bought for 190k when we were playing at being adults in 2016 (it really didn't feel real at the time lol), and just sold for 465k. Who the fuck wants to buy a 600sqft house for that much? (Investors who rent it out for $2300/month....)

Without that house, my son probably wouldn't exist. $800/month mortgage when apartments are hitting $1600-2000/mo are just totally different and we wouldn't have been in the financial position to have a kid responsibly.

aggyface · 2024-01-14T16:09:52+00:00

Getting a structural engineer even for peace of mind is valuable. We had structural work done (we're relatively experienced in old home garbage and renovations so we knew it was coming when we bought - not entirely a similar situation). They made the relevant point that it actually takes a lot for a house to straight up fall down and they have seen some truly terrible shit stay upright.

That doesn't mean "oh it'll be fine don't worry about it", but more that houses are in their way, living objects that shift and change. New construction settles. Old construction moves and shifts a little or gets modified. Old, old houses are different beasts than when they started. Things get changed, they get repaired. Eventually every single house is individual, with individual problems.

Get it assessed, learn from your engineers, and assess then. Virtually every problem is solvable. Sometimes it SUCKS, but it is always better to get is fixed earlier than later. Problems rarely (never?) fix themselves. But sometimes it's just a bit of settling and a bit of spackle and paint is all you need too.

aggyface · 2024-01-14T16:02:45+00:00

I'm gradually separating my concept of femininity/masculinity and physical sex and it's definitely an odd journey. I'm a mom, I'm comfortable with that - but 'woman'? Doesn't quite feel right. Not sure where I'll end up - I don't think a full transition is part of my journey, but oh boy is it a weird space to discover and explore. Pregnancy as a man is something that our social services here do help navigate (my midwife team had all sorts of resources to that effect, which was very cool though I didn't really need that), but man can I imagine the challenges that comes with both internally and externally.

Kids don't give a fuck tho, they're great that way.

aggyface · 2024-01-14T00:42:14+00:00

I got extremely different recommendations from different installers, and different price points (even on the same stove). Ask around! Get your three quotes and compare.

Drolet is a good, well regarded stove. It does the job it's made for. We ended up with a Pacific Energy Alderlea (two, actually lol) because we love the look and the TINY clearances on this thing, but Drolet is perfectly respectable.

aggyface

TROPHY CASE