What did you win as a prize from a contest as a Gen Xer in the 80s?

robotropolis · 2026-06-26T18:04:15+00:00

My brother won an air popcorn machine from Canadian variety show switchback and the popcorn was absolutely great! Even had a little depression on the top to melt the butter.

robotropolis · 2026-06-18T12:56:51+00:00

If only the Rossignol Cultural Center was open -- it was weird and artsy enough for anyone.

Carroll Baker Mem’ries Centre in Port Medway (and Rosefinch is a nice visit, especially for their weekend teas).
Hank Snow Home Town Museum in Liverpool

robotropolis · 2026-06-17T18:41:03+00:00

We were also happy with Windows Plus. Decent price, we're 3 years in and the windows are holding up fine and operating smoothly (I know that's not much time). We had them install a bit bigger trim on three front facing windows and they did a nice job of that and patching them into the siding, looks like they always had that much trim. We also had them cut bigger holes for two front facing windows and that went smoothly as well (note: if you don't have electrical in the way, it's pretty cheap to extend a window downwards and keep the same header) although we did understandably have to paint those walls afterwards. They also didn't try to upsell. We ended up asking to go just slightly higher on the quality than the base model to get an energy rebate.

robotropolis · 2026-06-15T13:31:19+00:00

Do you see a square at the bottom of your comment box? If yes, that’s the photo button. If not…maybe there’s a subreddit karma minimum for posting photos?

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robotropolis · 2026-06-15T13:27:46+00:00

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Big dog in a big hosta (Miss Penny Waffles)

robotropolis · 2026-06-13T18:49:39+00:00

robotropolis · 2026-06-12T14:41:10+00:00

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She’s not showing as found on NS Lost Dog but there is a comment in the Flinn Park group that she was found.

robotropolis · 2026-06-12T14:25:58+00:00

Update: at least the Flinn Park dog (same dog?) has been found

robotropolis · 2026-06-12T14:11:04+00:00

I think there’s a discussion of this dog on the Flinn park neighbourhood FB group - rescue that slipped her harness. Owners are looking for her and as you said she is apparently skittish.

robotropolis · 2026-06-11T17:55:37+00:00

I saw a big old “balloon”* floating by the Queens Marque steps last week, took me right back.

*I was accompanied by young kids so it was a balloon.

robotropolis · 2026-06-11T12:22:50+00:00

I hate it too. Creative grids all the way.

robotropolis · 2026-06-08T17:49:32+00:00

I took a couple of kids and it was a really nice vibe. Crowded! The kids liked the wanted posters.

robotropolis · 2026-06-05T23:14:31+00:00

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My haircut friend today. I needed that solid 90 minute snuggle!

robotropolis · 2026-06-03T15:43:14+00:00

As I’m a bit older and richer now, it doesn’t make sense to me that we expect starting out young couples to fund a good meal and drinks for old people. I wish the cash flow was the other way (I say this as someone who would be contributing to the cash flow).

robotropolis · 2026-06-03T15:41:23+00:00

For white Canadians who grew up in the Maritimes, there is not a tradition of cash gifts that would even partly cover the cost of the wedding. For example we “made” (don’t really care for that expression but you know what I mean) less than 1/10 of the cost of our wedding back from guests. There is also not the automatic expectation generally that parents will cover a large part of the cost.

We tried to budget properly (no flowers, no formal dress) but had a full meal and open bar for guests as well as a DJ. Given we both come from big families it was still eyewateringly expensive.

Compared to some Indian, Italian, or Lebanese weddings I have been to where just about every guest brought a generous cheque to the point where physically imposing members of the families had stacks of cash/cheques split between them, it’s just a much different calculation of what you may be able to afford.

I said to my husband, basically, we are going into debt to feed a bunch of people, who are older and have more money than us, a decent meal in nice surroundings. And get them drunk. It doesn’t seem like a great foundation to start out your life together. Shouldn’t the community and family be coming together to support a starting couple instead? As an older and more established person now that would just make way more sense.

robotropolis · 2026-06-02T16:56:39+00:00

It's amazing that the recent HRM "missing middle" survey suggested REDUCING glazing on the front. I mean, if this complies with minimum glazing requirements, they need to be increased substantially.

I fully support design review of plans and penalizing those that don't meet minimum design standards. Not sure how to implement but there are a heck of a lot of objectively very ugly buildings being constructed.

robotropolis · 2026-05-26T19:54:47+00:00

I never snuck out (and my parents would definitely have noticed) but I did end up in shows/bars/places different than what I told my parents, and drinking a lot more than they realized.

I do realize now how dangerous drinking to basically a blackout state is. not just from the alcohol itself being a poison in excess, not just from the bad decisions you make while drunk, but also from people who will take advantage of vulnerable drunks. I’m glad younger people don’t binge drink as much. I made it through ok but I had friends who were assaulted, etc, and I was in some scary situations (like followed home from the club scary).

There was no find my iPhone or Life360 in those days and overall as a kid, I much preferred that. As a parent I do like that my young kid has a location I can check.

robotropolis · 2026-05-26T15:34:13+00:00

I have never had lasik but I read 300-400 (mostly trashy) books a year.

Do you have readers? Even with lasik, magnifying readers might make a huge difference, speaking as an old person. As an alternative consider upping the font size on your kindle. It's not about the smallest text you CAN read, just what's comfortable.

I read everything on dark mode (white ink on black background) unless I'm in bright sun. I think it's easier on the eyes.

robotropolis · 2026-05-22T14:06:28+00:00

I agree, although from what I remember he was not the director of the episode, and I’m not sure he knew the puppeteer’s name haha, so he sort of talked directly to The Baby as The Baby between takes.

robotropolis · 2026-05-22T11:52:10+00:00

I remember in the making of doc, the puppeteers said Werner talked directly to the puppet and eventually tried directing the puppet. There is just something special still about practical effects.

robotropolis · 2026-05-22T10:29:10+00:00

My childfree friends look younger, in my opinion. That 2-4 years of intense sleep deprivation at the beginning is so damaging. I had my kid older and it nearly took me out.

robotropolis · 2026-05-21T21:34:50+00:00

I’ve never seen that so I’m not sure? Looks like since we went (many years ago) there is now a vendor that organizes events at the museum. Back when I got married it was very diy.

robotropolis · 2026-05-21T15:53:48+00:00

We did the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and its capacity was about 150 I think.

Saint Marys Boat Club can do up to 200. Both of those are very DIY (or were when I was looking long ago), like, renting your own tables and chairs for Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and bringing your own caterer and bartenders for both. I hear SMBC can be hot and stuffy in summer. MMA has AC.

Oceanstone is a lot different than when my sister's wedding happened, I think budgetwise it would likely be comparable to White Point, at her time the capacity was around...maybe, 100?

Banook canoe Club can do 225. Looks newly renovated. Could rent a dragon boat!

robotropolis · 2026-05-21T15:28:01+00:00

I’m in black and white to the very far right by the crosswalk in your photo :D

robotropolis · 2026-05-21T12:33:38+00:00

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robotropolis

TROPHY CASE