FutureHeartsJunkie Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 A thought at this hour: sometimes, whenever I wore a random e-sports jersey of my liking - I tend to get compliments from random people. There are also times that people might ask me - if I play (or work) for an e-sports team, or even their "content creators". Is that common? There are some other times I tend to run into a situation of "mistaken identity". 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. S. Bach Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 Apropos of absolutely nothing, today at 1317 I powered up my newly-built Win-11 confuser, er, computer for the first time. Wish my luck, my old 2014 Win-8.1 machine lasted a good, long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samui Posted February 23 Report Share Posted February 23 I've been brainstorming some fresh gaming ideas lately. Step into the vibrant world of live casino poker https://gambillion.com/games/casinos-with-live-games/poker/ and feel the adrenaline rush as you pit your wits against fellow players in real-time. With every hand dealt and every chip wagered, the atmosphere crackles with anticipation and strategy. Engage in intense mind games, bluff your way to victory, or rely on your sharp instincts to outplay your opponents. Whether you're chasing the thrill of a big win or simply enjoying the camaraderie of the table, live casino poker offers an immersive experience like no other. So take a seat, shuffle up, and let the cards fall where they may as you dive into the heart-pounding action of live poker. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. S. Bach Posted February 23 Report Share Posted February 23 On 2/8/2024 at 6:13 PM, J. S. Bach said: Apropos of absolutely nothing, today at 1317 I powered up my newly-built Win-11 confuser, er, computer for the first time. Wish my luck, my old 2014 Win-8.1 machine lasted a good, long time. It is working fine and is faster than the old 8.1 box. This one is a desktop. the old one was an all-in-one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureHeartsJunkie Posted March 4 Report Share Posted March 4 Fraud Prevention Month is this month and there a lot of scams going on (from phishing e-mails, smishing texts and fake phone calls to grandparent scams - the list goes on and on). I was reading an article from a few years ago that a scammer tried to scam a 12-year old on asking for his SIN (Social Insurance Number, in Canada). Only problem is - he's just 12 years old and he's not old enough to get one! Anyhoo, this experience serves as a warning for anyone - young or old to be on a lookout for scams every day. Further Reading: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/fraud-phones-young-kids-telemarketing-1.5288982 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captaintrolley Posted March 6 Report Share Posted March 6 More of a reflection rather than a random thought... Bought my last adult bus pass online tonight. In April, when I purchase my May pass, it will be my first Senior pass. Feels kinda strange transitioning like that. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureHeartsJunkie Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 The Petro-Points rewards program at Petro- Canada (owned by Suncor) has recently partnered with Canadian Tire and their Triangle Rewards program - which enables customers of both loyalty programs get more opportunities to earn and redeem rewards from both programs. If you have a Triangle Rewards loyalty card, you can earn a certain cents off per litre in Canadian Tire Money - although certain restrictions apply (for example, if you wanted to earn rewards for the Triangle Rewards program only - you have to pay by cash or debit. If you have the Canadian Tire Triangle MasterCard, then the way you earn doesn't change). First we saw that BMO (Bank of Montreal) took control of the Air Miles program, then we saw Parkland Fuel Corporation has partnered with the Aeroplan rewards program. Now, you can add Petro-Canada and Canadian Tire into the mix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Transitfan2022 Posted March 12 Report Share Posted March 12 The title said random: 1+2=473746626273736263626274783286326 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Squishy Bus Posted March 18 Report Share Posted March 18 On 3/12/2024 at 2:12 PM, Transitfan2022 said: The title said random: 1+2=473746626273736263626274783286326 Did I spot a 326 at the end?? heheheheheh 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Transitfan2022 Posted March 19 Report Share Posted March 19 23 hours ago, The Squishy Bus said: Did I spot a 326 at the end?? heheheheheh Finally! Someone Noticed ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. S. Bach Posted March 19 Report Share Posted March 19 Or the 286. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureHeartsJunkie Posted March 27 Report Share Posted March 27 The Canadian province of Quebec is one (and only) Canadian provinces - that doesn't offer a non-drivers photo ID card (to this day). I wonder what non-drivers in Quebec use to show their proof of identity and also what document they had to use - to show their proof of address.... Anyhoo, the Canadian province of Ontario was the latecomer of offering a non-drivers Photo ID card back in 2011 (I used to produce a video blog on YouTube many years ago - but sadly, it has since been removed. I was planning to rerecord my video blog about the Ontario Photo Card - as they call it, but sadly it didn't reach beyond the planning stages). It only took a matter of time for people in the Canadian province of Ontario to get familiar on what the new photo card is (sadly, to this day - not many people are aware of its existence) about. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureHeartsJunkie Posted March 29 Report Share Posted March 29 Another random thought just now: RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) has completed it's acquisition of HSBC's Canadian operations after many months of transition clients from that bank to RBC. Some of the products that HSBC Canada used to offer have been transitioned to RBC's similar offerings and other stuff. While many people are sad that HSBC's Canadian tenure is history, it remains to be seen if the post-transition will go on without any issues... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTAmissions1 Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 On 3/27/2024 at 6:40 PM, FutureHeartsJunkie said: The Canadian province of Quebec is one (and only) Canadian provinces - that doesn't offer a non-drivers photo ID card (to this day). I wonder what non-drivers in Quebec use to show their proof of identity and also what document they had to use - to show their proof of address.... Anyhoo, the Canadian province of Ontario was the latecomer of offering a non-drivers Photo ID card back in 2011 (I used to produce a video blog on YouTube many years ago - but sadly, it has since been removed. I was planning to rerecord my video blog about the Ontario Photo Card - as they call it, but sadly it didn't reach beyond the planning stages). It only took a matter of time for people in the Canadian province of Ontario to get familiar on what the new photo card is (sadly, to this day - not many people are aware of its existence) about. Especially since photo ID is pretty much essential. Some people either use their health card or a passport in-place of photo ID requirements. Of course, I don't recommend using a heath card or passport unless necessary. I don't carry around my passport unless travelling internationally. In the US, they do offer the passport card alongside the passport book. The passport card can be used at land borders at Canada and Mexico borders along with operating in-place of REAL ID requirements coming into effect next year. REAL ID means that state issued photo ID/driver's license meets the security requirements outlined by the Department of Homeland Security along with a special sticker affixed to indicate it is REAL ID compliant. You would think that Quebec would address the issue regarding the lack of alternative photo ID other than a health card for those who can't or don't drive. Especially when Quebec tends to do things a bit differently than the rest of Canada. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureHeartsJunkie Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 14 hours ago, GTAmissions1 said: Especially since photo ID is pretty much essential. Some people either use their health card or a passport in-place of photo ID requirements. Of course, I don't recommend using a heath card or passport unless necessary. I don't carry around my passport unless travelling internationally. In the US, they do offer the passport card alongside the passport book. The passport card can be used at land borders at Canada and Mexico borders along with operating in-place of REAL ID requirements coming into effect next year. REAL ID means that state issued photo ID/driver's license meets the security requirements outlined by the Department of Homeland Security along with a special sticker affixed to indicate it is REAL ID compliant. You would think that Quebec would address the issue regarding the lack of alternative photo ID other than a health card for those who can't or don't drive. Especially when Quebec tends to do things a bit differently than the rest of Canada. Quebec is the only province of Canada (to this day) that doesn't offer a non-drivers photo ID Card. Their healthcare plan card known as the RAMQ - may have a photo though it lacks an address. The only way to get around that obstacle - is to carry proof of address such as a credit card statement or even your student transcript. Still with Quebec, some certain products/services aren't available to residents in that province either. For example, Simplii Financial (owned by CIBC) cannot offer their services (such as their bank accounts and credit cards) to customers in Quebec - though customers from outside of Quebec (but within Canada) can use their accounts while visiting that province. There's nothing that could stop residents from outside of Quebec to make purchases and/or to withdraw cash from a CIBC ATM during their visit to Quebec though - they won't notice a difference on their experience. I haven't seen any evidence in which Simplii customers got their debit/credit cards refused by a merchant in that province (though I was able to use my Simplii debit card at a store during my visit to Montreal last summer 2023). On another note, I was able to renew my Ontario Photo Card (the non-drivers purple ID card) online. It was a painless process. Sadly, I can't even renew my photo healthcard online - due to the fact I was ineligible. I guess I have to go in person to do the renewal. The reason that I need to renew my purple photo ID card - is that I need to use it to check in at the hotel in S-T Catharines, ON (am I pronouncing it right?) this summer to go on a multi-day trip to that city (for the Born & Raised concert series) and to Niagara Falls (Canada). My dad is going to accompany me for the trip. Aside from that, one of the credit card issuers in Canada - Brim Financial is starting to charge a foreign transaction fee starting in May 2024 (for existing clients). New clients to Brim sadly (those who signed up after March 2024) - will be charged a 1.5% forex fee for online purchases from outside of Canada and while travelling outside of the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captaintrolley Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 Computer just did an update. I apparently have something called Co-pilot now. Looks suspicious. Think I'll leave it alone for now. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureHeartsJunkie Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 I really can't understand why the statutory holidays differ from province to province (or state) and from industry to industry. The Canadian province of Ontario (for example) recognizes Boxing Day as a statutory holiday but doesn't recognize Remembrance Day (as a stat holiday). Also, I can't understand the difference between "Federally Regulated" industries/employees and "Provincially Regulated" (or "state regulated") industries/employees. What's the difference between those types of regulated sectors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T3G Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 Finally bit the bullet and got myself an e-reader. Of course, nothing compares to a book that you hold in your hand, but this sure beats driving back and forth from the library to pick up stuff, to say nothing of how e-books can't get "lost" and don't show up in dubious condition like many library books do! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureHeartsJunkie Posted April 12 Report Share Posted April 12 On 4/9/2024 at 9:15 PM, captaintrolley said: Computer just did an update. I apparently have something called Co-pilot now. Looks suspicious. Think I'll leave it alone for now. I recently upgraded my gaming laptop to Windows 11 (from Windows 10). Don't care about that feature myself. Aside from that, I can't understand why Simplii Financial can't offer their products/services in the Canadian province of Quebec. At least customers (outside of Quebec but within Canada) can cash out money at a CIBC ATM and/or make debit purchases in that province... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTAmissions1 Posted April 13 Report Share Posted April 13 A Quebec small town which lost their only bank branch five years ago is losing the only bank machine next month (May 20/24). The next closest bank branch and machine being another half hour away. https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/only-atm-in-luskville-que-set-to-close-end-of-may-1.6843574 Final comments: I know I was reading how bank branches in small towns are being closed down. How Scotiabank closed around 18 branches in Atlantic Canada mostly in small towns due to low demand and high overhead costs (staffing, maintenance or rent of the building, utilities, etc) in some cases, the only bank in the town. Local leaders trying to fight the decision on removing banking services. Especially for businesses that need to get change or bills to handle their floats at the register. Plus the cost of servicing one ATM for repairs or refill the float to accommodate cash withdrawals also adds to the issue. Noticing that most of the standalone bank machines have been removed from certain places citing security issues/concerns. At the same time, I noticed some businesses are simply accommodating debit and credit to handle less cash transactions that only used to accept cash. Especially with the cost of handling cash such as bank deposits and getting change from the local branch. Versus using debit or credit, it is an electronic funds transfer with a deduction on the interchange fee for the swipe or tap of a card. This is along with the risk of robberies or counterfeit bills, some businesses don't want to deal with those kinds of risks. Even with the shift to digital payments, there are some people who still prefer paying with cash versus plastic. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureHeartsJunkie Posted April 13 Report Share Posted April 13 12 hours ago, GTAmissions1 said: Even with the shift to digital payments, there are some people who still prefer paying with cash versus plastic. This reminds me, take the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition, aka "The Ex") in Toronto, Canada for example: some of the vendors are not (always) obligated to accept credit/debit payments even though that their contracts/terms state that they must offer a cashless option. When I went inside the food building each summer, the majority of the vendors take some form of credit/debit cards (sadly, they can't take AMEX for a variety of reasons). Here's another story I wanted to share (although this took place a while back - last summer before the Labo(u)r Day long weekend): I was on an Uber/Lyft Ride going home from the GO train station back to my house. I had a good conversation with one ridesharing driver about some of the places in Toronto to check out during the summer. I told that driver about the CNE and he asks, "What's CNE?". I then told that driver about that summer attraction and it symbolizes the end of the summer holidays. As for that rideshare driver - I realized that he was a newcomer to the country and may not know about the events in Toronto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captaintrolley Posted April 17 Report Share Posted April 17 Obtained my first Senior Annual Transit Pass today. Feels strange. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTAmissions1 Posted April 17 Report Share Posted April 17 15 hours ago, captaintrolley said: Obtained my first Senior Annual Transit Pass today. Feels strange. At least you are covered for an entire year and not need to make a trip monthly or needing to refill a card with a new monthly pass. Especially when most transit agencies only offer monthly pass option. Some still do the digital option with a reloadable card while others like my local transit agency still deal with paper. I don't really trust the digital option in case there are problems with activation, at least a printed monthly pass is still useable. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. S. Bach Posted Monday at 07:19 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 07:19 PM On 4/9/2024 at 9:15 PM, captaintrolley said: Computer just did an update. I apparently have something called Co-pilot now. Looks suspicious. Think I'll leave it alone for now. I do not know about Co-pilot, but stay away from Onedrive, stay far,far away! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureHeartsJunkie Posted Tuesday at 01:34 AM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 01:34 AM 6 hours ago, J. S. Bach said: I do not know about Co-pilot, but stay away from Onedrive, stay far,far away! THis is why I don't want to put my Microsoft account and stick towards a "local account" for many reasons. Remember my talk about the important thing of taking vacation? There are many policies out there that employees must take when it comes to vacation time. One of them is the "use it or lose it" policy (for instance): if you don't any vacation, then you will lose your vacation days. In more simple terms (for example), if you didn't have chance to take vacation last year, then the vacation days for last year will expire this year. Depending on which industry you work for, many HR (Human Resources) policies may vary (sadly, there's no such thing as a "uniformed approach" to Labo(ur) Laws - or something like that). Still with HR, many Canadian provinces have different policies for stautory holidays (for example, while Remember Day is not recognized as a stat holiday in the Canadian Province of Ontario, Boxing Day is recognized as a stautory holiday). Those who work in the Canadian federal government or anything that is regulated at a federal level (i.e. banks, post offices, TV/Radio stations, Grain Elevators/Mills, Telecommunications, etc.) have similar clauses as covered under the so-called "Canada Labour Code". It is uncertain if the United States have some similar Labo(u)r laws when it comes to stautory holidays, labo(u)r codes, etc. Further Reading: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/workplace/federally-regulated-industries.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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