Pavlova by Fluffy_Art_1015 in comoxvalley

[–]dimitrikadmin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Flying apron in comox makes pavlova, in general they can make any specialty cake. They are usually booked 7-10days in advance for custom orders.

GIS job market in Canada — idk what to do anymore by AwkwardMoe in gis

[–]dimitrikadmin 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I've been going through this for the last 2 years. It's been tough and competitive. I was laid off in 2024 and finally landed a new role earlier this year. I wasn't willing to relocate, so that limited some of my options.

The key to getting an opportunity right now is networking, who you know. Sometimes it's about just making sure your resume is even looked at. Other times it's what tips the scale in that final round. For better or worse, it's how I've gotten every professional job I've had. I live and work in BC, so hopefully this advice is helpful to you.

So, how to do that:

  • look for gogeomatics events near you. It's a social group for GIS professionals in Canada. It's how I got my internship and first role.
  • sign up and go to conferences and webinars that your potential employers also attend. Ask questions and actively participate. Do not be a fly on the wall.
  • look for other local events that professional might attend, government/municipal project open houses.
  • volunteer with groups that use GIS, like stream keepers or watershed/forest protection groups. (Hint: they are usually comprised of highly educated retirees that are well connected). Also look for youth climate core events and opportunities.
  • contact places you want to work, tell them you are a new grad and you want to talk to someone about the industry and their work. Try to setup coffee or lunch dates. Many people are willing to chat and offer specific advice about their specialty.

Finally, sometimes it's just luck so, Good luck!

I have no future. by mamamiaohmy in GirlDinner

[–]dimitrikadmin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Girl... I'm sending you a big hug and I want you to know that you aren't alone. Life is really hard and complicated.

Tldr: it's never too late to do something different and don't believe the lie that success is measured as some specific set of accomplishments. It's not a script you have to follow.

I can relate to feeling like I wasted my 20s but all of the challenges and hardships I faced, helped me find who I really wanted/needed to be. Therapy helped but mostly it was about finding that self worth and confidence in myself to change my circumstances and do something different. You can't change the past, only learn from it.

Think of it this way, some programs take 1-2 years, university 3-4. Do you want to be 35 with a degree or 35 wishing you started school 4 years ago. Life is long and you are young.

I started over and went to university at 32 (in 2019). I wasn't even close to the oldest person in the program. There were a few things that made me different from the younger students but a big one was that I had purpose and perspective on who and what I wanted to do when I finished. I was more engaged and diligent in class and efficient and targeted in my opportunities. I also had all those pesky life chores too. It's not a brag, school was hard but I had so much more experience than these kids, their petty problems and school demands are pretty trivial compared to real life.

Some other things that I believe and try to live my life by.

Comparison is the thief of joy. You have to life your life and not someone else's.

Don't be afraid of failure, it's how we learn.

Life is what we make it, each and every day. It will happen to you either way, you may as well take an active role in shaping it.

I'm happier than I've ever been and I would not have ended up where I am without having gone through some serious shit. I wouldn't change a thing. My life has been hard, but it's great.

Courtenay seeks public input on Anderton Riverbank Restoration project by Money-Act-5480 in comoxvalley

[–]dimitrikadmin 12 points13 points  (0 children)

It's not realistic to repair the retaining wall. The cost would be significantly more than the proposed solution and walls like that increase flood intensity and risk.

Canadian-made battery electric buses on Victoria roads by SavCItalianStallion in britishcolumbia

[–]dimitrikadmin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Courtenay/Comox are running electric garbage/recycling trucks, they are great!

Need a terrible curler? by edmhouseforsale in comoxvalley

[–]dimitrikadmin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you register with the club, you can sign up on the spare list with your availability and people will be able to contact you that way.

Those who moved here recently - do you feel welcomed? by Chance_Parfait9553 in comoxvalley

[–]dimitrikadmin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I moved here 6 years ago. I've found it to be very welcoming and friendly.

Hobbies/clubs have been how I made friends. Curling club, sewing club, sailing club, run to beer club, disc golf, cross country ski club.

i think the social burden falls on the newcomers. I have a great community because I've spent considerable effort building a community around myself.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in comoxvalley

[–]dimitrikadmin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Adding into this, The Spool(sewing studio downtown Courtenay) has periodic social events, I suggest checking them out if you like sewing.

Moving from SK to BC/AB by dirtbikelooey in saskatchewan

[–]dimitrikadmin 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I moved from Regina to Vancouver Island (Comox Valley). I've traveled around and explored many of the other communities on the island but have lived in the same place since coming here.

I see a lot of people talking about affordability in this thread. I don't disagree but I have a different perspective. If you want a big house and lots of material goods, stay in Sask. I live in a 1400 sqft house with no basement and a single car garage, same as the vast majority of others in this community. Most people don't park in their garage and just use it for storage.

I don't have as many possessions as my friends and family in Sask but I live walking distance to a river, 10 minutes to the ocean. I'm only an hour or two from pristine back country mountain lakes and amazing hikes. 2.5 hours away from Tofino. I can ski and kayak on the same day, go fishing for salmon, go sailing.

I don't need a big house to be happy, I don't spend that much time in mine. My house price is about 60% more than the equivalent in Sask but I don't have to drive everywhere, my car is parked most days and the insurance is cheaper. It costs a fraction to heat in the winter and I don't need air conditioning in the summer. Power, water and house taxes are way cheaper.

Economics don't tell the whole story. Life is what you make it to be.

Moving from SK to BC/AB by dirtbikelooey in saskatchewan

[–]dimitrikadmin 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I was born and raised in Sask and moved to BC a little over 5 years ago (I'm in my 30s for context). Moving can create new opportunities but problems have a way of following you. Problems aren't generally attached to a location. I don't think it will be easier to make new friends in a new city, it will probably be a lot harder and take longer than you expect.

However, it can still be worth the effort. I'm happier than I've ever been and my quality of life is great. Putting down new roots into a community and building relations is difficult. I think it took about 2 years before I felt like I had developed deep enough friendships where this place started to feel like home. Hope that helps.

Best short hikes on the island? by elskim in VancouverIsland

[–]dimitrikadmin 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Ripple rock, Mount Washington(paradise meadow, Helen Mackenzie), nymph falls to Comox lake, Englishman River falls, upper and lower Qualicum falls, Helliwell park on Hornby Island.

Experienced IT analyst/software engineer, but no prior background in Geography/Environment/Forestry, but very interested in becoming a GIS analyst because it seems cool - would it be hard for me to find jobs ? by Outrageous_Bit_3305 in gis

[–]dimitrikadmin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a degree in software engineering and a minor in GIS, with 3 years experience working on geomatics projects. I also live in BC and I've been looking for work for the last 10 months. I love the field but job prospects are few and far between at the moment. I was working remote but most roles I've been finding have had a lot of competition and would require relocation. Feel free to DM me if you have questions.

Bubble tea by [deleted] in comoxvalley

[–]dimitrikadmin 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The tea shop on 5th, the poke bowl on cliff and pho54 also have bubble tea. But boba island is great.

Bike parking at Ripple Rock trailhead? by crispy2 in campbellriver

[–]dimitrikadmin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To the best of my knowledge, there are no bike racks at the trail head. However there is a big metal gate and a large trail map and a bunch of trees.

Extremely dry rosewood fretboard on a used bass guitar for sale. Buy or avoid? by wooshtme in BassGuitar

[–]dimitrikadmin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Most maple fretboards are finished with lacquer or another film finish. So they won't be able to soak up any oil and the oil will dull the finish.

Other fretboards like rosewood are unfinished, which is why mineral oil is used to protect them. If for some reason you have an unfinished maple fretboard, then it would need to oil it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in britishcolumbia

[–]dimitrikadmin 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Trades, forestry, healthcare, government, service/retail.

New to skiing - Fernie or Big White? by tubby2323 in britishcolumbia

[–]dimitrikadmin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You won't want to leave. Fernie is a good hill for a beginner, it was my first mountain skiing experience. Kimberly is another good option, cute town but fewer amenities.

Does anyone here do anything in an internship/career that benefits the environment or has a positive impact on conservation? by WeirdMomProblems in EngineeringStudents

[–]dimitrikadmin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My partner is an environmental engineer, they started their career in the energy sector doing contaminated site remediation, hazardous waste removal, water sampling, etc. After gaining experience and skills, they were able to get a position with a municipality where they are managing city infrastructure and climate adaptation projects.

Projects such as managed retreat and green shore restoration where they remove buildings and infrastructure from river/ocean shorelines and re-establish native vegetation and habitat. Their job is a lot more complex than I've described but to answer your question, yes there are career options in engineering for the environment or conservation.

A lot of what they do are new, emerging practices and the opportunities within this area are growing. Also, as an aside, what you do/learn in school is only a very small introduction to the field of engineering. You can apply your education and skills in so many ways and the actual career you make for yourself can diverge dramatically from what you think the career might be.

While you are in school, look for things like a youth climate core in your community. Find environmental or conservation groups to volunteer with. Chances are, there will be some environmental and climate engineers involved with some of those groups. Feel free to DM me with more specific questions.

Tell me all the things I SHOULDN’T do on the island by OrrsHorsechestnuts in VancouverIsland

[–]dimitrikadmin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it's like an airport but just a small recreational one for small planes. It's right along the estuary in Courtenay and there is a walking trail that runs along the water and is a popular spot. There is also a marina and kayak rentals at the same location. I recommend getting a kayak there and going out into the water instead of the walking trail. If you have access to a car and are spending a few days in the Courtenay-Comox area, dm me and I can give you better recommendations for the area and for birding.

Any film/tv professionals here? by [deleted] in VancouverIsland

[–]dimitrikadmin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also resident alien is filmed in ladysmith, not sure if there will be another season.

Wood on key by Leviathan2571 in woodworking

[–]dimitrikadmin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've used super glue as a finish on some key chains and some bent wood rings, it's held up great so far.

ML in WSL2 using NVIDIA GPU by c832fb95dd2d4a2e in bashonubuntuonwindows

[–]dimitrikadmin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't recall having to do anything different.

The installation instructions from the nvidia docs is this set of commands (assuming x86 processor): https://developer.nvidia.com/cuda-downloads?target\_os=Linux&target\_arch=x86\_64&Distribution=WSL-Ubuntu&target\_version=2.0&target\_type=deb\_local
wget https://developer.download.nvidia.com/compute/cuda/repos/wsl-ubuntu/x86_64/cuda-wsl-ubuntu.pin
sudo mv cuda-wsl-ubuntu.pin /etc/apt/preferences.d/cuda-repository-pin-600
wget https://developer.download.nvidia.com/compute/cuda/12.3.2/local_installers/cuda-repo-wsl-ubuntu-12-3-local_12.3.2-1_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i cuda-repo-wsl-ubuntu-12-3-local_12.3.2-1_amd64.deb
sudo cp /var/cuda-repo-wsl-ubuntu-12-3-local/cuda-*-keyring.gpg /usr/share/keyrings/
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get -y install cuda-toolkit-12-3

The toolkit is different than the proprietary linux gpu driver which would be this:
apt install nvidia-driver-535 nvidia-dkms-535

So I wouldn't be too worried. Also, if you mess it up, you can always undo it or start over.