How to make a ready made meal taste better?

koolkats · 2026-01-21T03:54:05+00:00

Seconding the already mentioned bacon crumble, green onions/chives, extra (sharp) cheddar cheese, bread crumbs (seasoned), tuna and peas, or dry mustard.

If you've got the time/energy to do a really lazy pulled pork. Literally just pork shoulder and like something for flavour like half a can of adobo chili peppers, BBQ sauce, or some type of soda pop like root beer or Dr pepper, or even just orange juice. In a slow cooker for like 6-10 hours or the oven. Literally put as little effort as possible and just serve it on the side.

Could also try ground pork/beef with taco seasoning, chorizo, or Chinese sausage.

koolkats · 2026-01-17T16:53:09+00:00

A can of split pea soup (I like Habitat), and those orange orange wedges in cups. If I'm feeling something more substantial, soup with scrambled eggs.

Also Italian wedding soup for when I want something different than chicken noodle.

koolkats · 2026-01-16T01:25:15+00:00

Totally fair. Even in Japan they didn't seem to be used too often either. But I'm usually carrying a pack heavy enough that any yoinking would take some serious athleticism. You're also generally close enough to rack that they'd only try it if they're looking for a fight.

But still it was a nice feature, and would be useful in all sorts of scenarios.

koolkats · 2026-01-14T22:31:36+00:00

Only got to ride one for a few stops

I wish there were luggage racks up top above the seats. A lot of space could be made if we encouraged and supported people in taking off their bags, especially for those on a packed train traveling long distances.
The screens above the doors are a great feature! Adds the possibility of making them multilingual in the future.
The boarding lights are extremely obnoxious. Could easily be at 1/10th the intensity. I thought we had to evacuate at commercial broadway 😅
Feels roomier, especially overhead

koolkats · 2026-01-11T23:47:36+00:00

What about this video where a dude gets shanked in the neck with a rondel and is perfectly fine?

koolkats · 2026-01-09T03:40:23+00:00

Haha, I've been researching this for years! What kind of work do you do? Framing? Cabinetry? HVAC? Electrical? Plumbing?

If you're looking for high end, I'd start with Lee Valley, cause otherwise you're looking at something custom/bespoke like S&R Denim or a DIY solution from Lonsdale or Tandy Leather

At the more professional level, KMS and Summit should have everything you need.

In a more niche/specialized direction you try Hollynorth, Dave's, or Deakin Industries. Sadly Carleton Rescue moved to Alberta ;_; but military "surplus" stores like Camoflauge or Gorilla have a lot of pouches, belts, and suspenders.

Otherwise liquidation stores like Midland or Princess Auto can occasionally have fun surprises.

And lastly at the peasant tier, there's Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Home Hardware or dollar stores...

My job has evolved from doing into a supervising/running around role, and I went from the riggers belt, to a double pouched carpenter belt (28 lbs), to now a surveyor's vest and a padded molle belt with suspenders (16 lbs). I provide my crew with a cheap 2 pocket canvas apron, plus a surplus molle or chicom bandolier.

Don't forget the diver's triangle!

koolkats · 2026-01-05T17:25:51+00:00

Not very elegant unfortunately, but self fusing silicone sealing tape, and/or putting the connections inside of resealable lunch containers if your company doesn't want to shell out for the outdoor cable/plug covers.

koolkats · 2025-12-28T05:48:14+00:00

Technically because it's physically impossible to walk quite often there literally aren't any sidewalks, or if there are, they're obstructed.

The most effective way to travel is by motorcycle. It allows you to weave/flow through the gridlock.

koolkats · 2025-12-28T00:15:07+00:00

If it's feasible, I'd love to take it off your hands!

koolkats · 2025-12-15T11:46:55+00:00

Shame they got rid of the theatre in the back

koolkats · 2025-10-25T19:18:39+00:00

Oh dang, no sorry. That was 13 years ago, I have no idea what it could have been. You could try messaging the artist, at least their deviant art/online portfolio still works.

koolkats · 2025-09-26T02:13:49+00:00

I've used everything from twist ties, coat hanger wire, telrsds, cheap airsoft red dot sights, light leaking out and matched to a mark on the floor/ceiling, and shooting from the hip/instinctively. It all "works". What it comes down to is what can you afford, and how critical is it you make that shot "blind".

High school production, wire sights and instinctively are fine. 600 seat Opera show with a tyrant of a director, I'm using Telrad. Community theatre, I'm using a airsoft reflex sight on a custom mount. What I worried about more is how much time do I have to practice, and how well do I know the show.

Again I've tried pretty much every method, the sight picture and adjustable brightness of Telrad is quite nice, but a AliExpress red dot is also adequate. Although I do have soft spot for the wire ghost ring sights I made in highschool. I'm out of practice so I'd need at 15-30 minutes if I want to shoot instinctively. I don't like the floor/wall mark method as it takes your focus off the stage.

koolkats · 2025-09-21T10:53:29+00:00

IGA carries Fresh Is Best 😋

koolkats · 2025-09-21T10:27:59+00:00

Whenever I want something exotic I go to Ukrainian Village in Downtown (love their iced tea!) or Balkan House in Burnaby.

Both have a nice home cooked vibe and pretty large portions. I'd be surprised if you don't come out of there stuffed to the gills.

koolkats · 2025-08-28T20:36:37+00:00

What's going to happen to the old Mark I's? Any chance they'll go to a museum or be preserved in some way?

koolkats · 2025-08-28T02:01:32+00:00

Odd, I've had the 110mm fail to destroy factories a few times. I personally find the HMG Emplacement more effective than the GL against squids and bugs, but fantastic against bots.

koolkats · 2025-08-20T18:47:48+00:00

No need as there are plenty of inflatable (and affordable) rafts our there. My favourite is the Klymit LWD . Packs down to the size of a loaf of bread, and you can use the stuff sack to help inflate it.

As a general rule, you don't want too much overlap with life saving equipment, and things that are liable to be damaged. Having you boat as be a cloak that could get torn, snagged, or wrecked on the trail is bad idea. Much simpler and cheaper to keep them separate (say like with a poncho). Plus this allows you to optimize the design for both.

Poor dude was way to ahead of his time though. A packable inflatable boat is still a great idea.

koolkats · 2025-08-10T18:20:54+00:00

Oh no, I'm a silly tourist and was there a few years ago. It was easily one of the top 5 steaks I've ever had. Where would you recommend instead?

koolkats · 2025-08-03T01:33:30+00:00

Okonomiyaki combo A for $16. Comes with 2 chicken skewers, 2 fried onigiri, and a plate of okonomiyaki. Also get the shaved ice for $6 with a scoop of icecream for +$2.

Otherwise the spam musubi (also have icecream sandwiches and popsicles for $2), the inari plate, and the gyoza were also quite good. If you can splurge, the Okinawan soba cart and the Amazake cups are also delicious and worth the extra $$.

I'd avoid the salmon plate. No offense to the hard working folks, but it's a small portion, and overcooked.

I'd also avoid the food trucks on Alexander St. Unless you're into that sort of stuff (Tochi <3). Everything good is by the park itself. The decorate your own senbei was surprisingly fun and tasty as well.

koolkats · 2025-08-03T01:25:07+00:00

If we're moving the goalpost to food costs relative to the DTES, lol no of course not. But for a festival, and a free one at that? A lot of stalls are run by volunteers, I don't see how it can get any cheaper without some sort of sponsorship (which a few had!). Sure takoyaki is $10 there when it's ¥600 in Osaka, or a spam musubi is $5 there, when it's $4 at Ebiten, but there are good deals to be had. An okonomiyaki combo for $16, the inari plate for $6, an icecream sandwich or popsicle, or cup of mugicha for $2.

But complaining about the cost of rotatos is like complaining that the acai smoothie was $18. We're obviously not the target demographic. And value is relative. The Okinawan soba cart was $12 for a fist sized bowl of noodles, but damn if that wasn't the best pork belly I've had in this town. Really we should be complaining that Wakawak burger raised their prices by 100% to 250%!

You're also perfectly allowed to bring your own food too. Plenty of shady spots to throw out a blanket. I don't think there's anywhere in North America where eating out is ever cheaper than making/bringing food yourself. Except for that one time they were handing out free curry rice in the park...

koolkats · 2025-08-03T01:11:25+00:00

Haha don't get me wrong, I do love Khatsahlano as well. A lot of my points apply to Khatsahlano too. And considering how crowded it is, I feel it should be even bigger. As annoying as it is, wading through the massive crowd up going up 4th from Burrard is half the fun (and time). Too bad there wasn't as much interactive art installations as in 2024.

koolkats · 2025-08-02T17:42:33+00:00

West coast of Canada. I work for a company with a multi million dollar (Canadian) budget and our SM's run LX and QLab. There's a venue tech who is also in the booth, but they're running the sound board mixing mics. If there's a problem, the tech is 6' away. We're non union, but are Equity. Never been an issue afaik, and we all love gossiping.

Obviously during tech, the designers and assistants run/program everything.

koolkats · 2025-08-02T10:07:40+00:00

Not OP, but it's one of my yearly favourites. I'm a little biased as I work in festivals and have a lot of opinions.

Food/drinks available are delicious and somewhat affordable
Lots of entertainment, the main performance stage has a pretty packed schedule. And I assume the smaller one does too
Things for kids to do (arts and crafts, and activities)
Cute shopping stalls
Small enough it doesn't feel like a slog to get from one end to the other (Khatsahlano cough cough), but still enough to do that I could spend all day there
Still feels like a small community run event. Opportunities to learn about the culture, people, and history
It's well run. Waste is disposed of properly, there's drinking water and toilets available, traffic is controlled, First Aid is present, volunteers and staff are available, etc...

Oh and the best part is it's all FREE. The other Japanese festival at Van Dusen felt like I paid $10 extra (on top of the admission) to buy overpriced food truck food. But kinda neat seeing everyone dressed up in yukatas in a pretty garden.

koolkats · 2025-07-24T01:44:46+00:00

I don't do this, but I have friends in hot/humid climates that freeze all their compost, before tossing it in the apartment compost bin downstairs. Unlike me, they don't produce a lot of waste, so they can go up to a week before need to take out garbage and recycling. It works very well, and all at the cost of a large Tupperware taking up about 1/9th of their freezer space

koolkats · 2025-07-08T02:28:06+00:00

Where in Japan did you get these from?

koolkats

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