Wife and I worked one our "puzzles" together, me with my Lego and her with a wooden puzzle. Always fun putting a little set of Lego together.
IQ has a bunch of the flower Legos..
Quote from: RRocket on Jan 02, 2025, 03:18 AMIQ has a bunch of the flower Legos..
They are great way to kill some time and feel a bit of accomplishment.
My nephew is turning 4 in about two weeks. Ever since he was born I have wanted to buy him a GT Snowracer like I had growing up. Technically you are supposed to be 5 to use these sleds but he is big for his age and will have adult supervision.
Also my birthday is a week later and figured I might as well have one also. I got the "king size" version that has a weight capacity large enough for me.
So a lot of people my age grew up with these, it back in the day it was made by Noma at Canadian Tire, but I guess they were licensed to produce them for our market from Stiga. For whatever reason Noma decided to stop making them and a bunch of knockoffs have entered our market, but I wanted the best so Stiga it had to be. Definitely not cheap but they do tend to last a long time.
Man, those bring back some memories, those where the best sleds. I was actually telling my son about them a couple weeks ago when we got snow down here, I figure mine is probably still in the rafters in my parents garage, will have to remember to grab it next time we're up there so if/when it does snow again he can try it.
My last memory on one of those, I was probably 18-19, we had a huge snow storm and my buddy and I decided to dust off the old GT's....Threw them in the back of his 2WD S10, got bored at the hills and it was pretty late, so we got the bright idea to tow one behind the truck....In retrospec, dumb as all hell, but it was a lot of fun. I'll never forget riding down mainstreet in Streetsville ON on my GT behind a bright blue S10.
Yep, the GT's were the all time king of the snowhill. I grew up in a very hilly area of Calgary and it was a huge part of my childhood hitting up the slopes. In my late teens my pals and I discovered the ultimate toboggan is a plastic truck bedliner, only if fast and completely out of control floats your boat.
Yeah I actually had two growing up, first one had a hand operated braking system. At some point the front ski broke in half. The second one I had for awhile but taking a jump as an early teen and landing on the steering wheel meant the structure bent in the wheel and fell in on itself.
As a kid everyone had one of these. I used it constantly as a kid, going down hills by our house growing up, building jumps and race tracks on those hills, taking it to the big town hill, I even used it on flat land just using one leg to kick my way around a track I'd make around the house, and at one point I remember tying our wooden toboggan to the back of it so I could load big snow boulders on it and tow it with my GT Snowracer to where I was building a snow fort.
Truly was a toy I hold in high regard from my youth. Can't deny I am not excited myself to go sliding with my new one.
Bella broke her ankle on a GT when she was about 10yrs old or so. And that same ankle is still sensitive she says... though that part might just be the 6" or so between her ears ;D
I remember launching these off of jumps & having just epic crashes. Makes me cringe a little thinking how that would feel today, LOL!!
Some of my best crashes were after saying "watch this" as I hopped onto a GT. I'm convinced the brakes were just there to make the lawyers happy.
I'll let you guys know how the first runs go. Not sure I'll be launching it off ramps like I did as a kid. Don't need to break myself.
Real winter. This year is the first winter in awhile where there's been stable cold temperatures and regular accumulating snowfall. The past few years and especially last year were mostly a never-ending mix of freeze, thaw, rain, and freezing rain with little actual snowfall and sustained cold temperatures. Last year the snow was all melted by late February which is crazy for Montreal.
Call me crazy but I much prefer this to what we've had in the past few years.
European Tesla sales down 50% in January 2024 vs January 2023. Karma.
Quote from: Blueprint on Feb 09, 2025, 07:42 PMEuropean Tesla sales down 50% in January 2024 vs January 2023. Karma.
I thought this odd considering Emperor Musk has his fingers in everything
https://www.google.com/amp/s/thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5132717-trump-administration-suspends-electric-vehicle-charging-network/amp/
Of course he's ok with it after already taking a bunch of government money for the Tesla charging stations.
Quote from: Tortoise on Feb 10, 2025, 03:21 PMOf course he's ok with it after already taking a bunch of government money for the Tesla charging stations.
If only for the stations!
His whole business model relied on govt credits to turn a profit.
I'm proud to say I had this con man pegged from Day 1....and plenty of people on the forum fought me about it!
Oh, good point.
A google search suggests he's been given 15 billion.
Little weekday trip with my wife to go see Our Lady Peace and Collective Soul in concert. Stayed at a nice hotel and ate a nice restaurant. Took today off and spent most the day at a Nordic Spa using their different saunas, pools, and relaxation lounges. Read some of a book and just recharged our batteries.
Nice!! Nothing beats a getaway with the one you love. Two bands I honestly forgot about, off to spotify...
Quote from: Revelations on Mar 13, 2025, 10:33 PMNice!! Nothing beats a getaway with the one you love. Two bands I honestly forgot about, off to spotify...
Yeah it really is nice to get away and do something special even if only for a night. I too sort of forgot about how many "hits" Collective Soul had.
Nice! Sounds like a great couple days. Did something similar today; took the day off and took Mrs.Firm and Princess Firm (our 2 year old) to the outlets down in Mississippi for some shopping and a nice lunch. Good day.
Next Friday is my birthday and we're going to Nashville Friday night to see Julie Roberts (obscure country singer that I've been a long-time fan of). Booked a hotel to spend the night, as I don't want to have to drive 2.5 hours home after that, and my FIL will be in town to watch the kids.
Quote from: Firm on Mar 14, 2025, 10:40 PMNice! Sounds like a great couple days. Did something similar today; took the day off and took Mrs.Firm and Princess Firm (our 2 year old) to the outlets down in Mississippi for some shopping and a nice lunch. Good day.
Next Friday is my birthday and we're going to Nashville Friday night to see Julie Roberts (obscure country singer that I've been a long-time fan of). Booked a hotel to spend the night, as I don't want to have to drive 2.5 hours home after that, and my FIL will be in town to watch the kids.
Sounds like a good birthday get away indeed and I agree, no one wants to drive more than maybe half an hour after an evening show, it's nice just to unwind in a hotel room and have a nice morning the next day.
Had a new goal in the gym for myself this year, figured I'm now 44 and if I am ever going to hit personal bests now is the time.
The goal is sort of a modified powerlifting combo, squat, deadlift, and bench press. But as my surgically repaired knee isn't exactly 100% anymore I stick to barbell sit squats. It's around a 2/3 or 3/4 squat, meaning it's shy of 90 degree knee bend, but with a pause at the bottom as I do not want to bounce off the bench.
The goal I set was 1,000lbs combined, which really is not anything all that impressive in the powerlifting circle but it's certainly a personal best for myself.
I didn't do a baseline 1 rep max on January 1st, but I would estimate it somewhere in the 750-800 combined range.
I initial individual goals for the lifts at the end was 400 pound barbell sit squats, 325 pound deadlift, and 275 bench press.
Haven't been training solely for those lifts but have certainly been focused on those three. Yesterday and today I decided to do a 3 month check to see how much further I have to go.
Yesterday was lower body lifts and was able to do 375 barbell sit squats and 285 deadlift. Today I got 260 on bench. Total is 920, so still some work to do. The key is to avoid any setbacks or major injuries.
Next 3 month goal is to add around 40 pounds combined between them.
It's been a couple of years since I had my ACL repaired and just over a year since I tore my rotator cuff in my shoulder. So it's been a bit of a road to get back to even where I started. But if I hit my goal it will certainly be a new personal best.
Nice work. Those numbers are impressive.
I started running again last fall and have kept it up. Doing a 4 day split, but with a 3 x per week frequency, and running three times a week. It's nice to be outside!
Nice, I bet it is nice being able to train outside again, plus it's still cool out so even better for a nice run. Keep it up brother.
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Crab season starting
Last Friday I received my weekly "Top 20 travel deals' from a website that I subscribe to. On this day there was a deal for a plane ticket from Halifax to Toronto for something like $150.
Thinking it was one way I decided to click on the deal, turns out it's for return tickets.
This got my brain thinking about doing something that my dad always wanted to do. Travel to Toronto to see the Blue Jays play at home. It's sort of a bucket list item for him or at least as close to one as he has. He has been a fan of them from back when they won the World Series in the early 90's.
Issue is he turns 80 this year and his mobility is not the best. He is not in a wheelchair or anything, but stairs and long walks are not something he can do much of.
Pulled the trigger on the plane tickets, leave on May 16 and return on the 18th. Staying at a hotel that is around half a km from both Roger's Centre and the CN Tower, so that will give us more than enough to do for the couple of days we are there.
This morning I bought the tickets. After taking with multiple people who have been to games recently and doing some online research it appeared that the 100 level, back row, would limit the amount of steps.
For the first game on May 16 we are in section 134, back row, end seats, just in front of the accessible seats. This is up behind 3rd base and the Jays dugout.
The second game on the 17th we are in section 114, back row, end seats, in front of the accessible seats. This is up behind 1st base and the opposing teams dugout.
Both hopefully won't require many steps and be close to bathrooms for my dad. End of row means he won't have to climb over anyone to get up.
Luckily enough both games are promotional, so if we get there early enough for both games we will have built in souvenirs, hat and Hawaiian shirt.
Funny enough May 16 is me and my wife's wedding/relationship anniversary, 16 years married and 25 years together. She is more than fine with me taking this opportunity to take my dad on this trip. She's a real good one my wife.
Nice, that's sounds like a great way to spend some time with your dad. The vibe in the city around the stadium is always really good on Jays Games, especially if the weather is nice, find a patio and take it in.
That is really cheap air fair too....
Yeah I am really trying to make an effort to spend some extra quality time with my folks as I know they won't be around for that much longer. Seeing as this was an achievable bucket list item for my dad it was pretty low hanging fruit.
Seems any cheap air fairs you always get dinged hard with all the extras, between the airport upgrade fees, carry on extra, and seat selection, those more than doubled the price. But still think it was decent at around $750 for the two of us.
At least the flight times are decent and won't require any night time driving or overnights in Halifax, which is about 3.5 hours away, give or take. Seats are right at the front of the plane too, so with carryons it should be a quick exit from the airport to the hotel.
Good times! I love the ballpark and had shared season tickets a couple of seasons.
Have a great time!
We're going to the rock (NFLD) for our family vacation this year! First time for all of us.
Nice! It's the only province I haven't been to.
I think I have a work trip planned for next year, I'll be sure to add a few days to that trip.
Quote from: HannibalSmith on Apr 09, 2025, 09:56 AMWe're going to the rock (NFLD) for our family vacation this year! First time for all of us.
I hope you are flying, the boat sucks balls. It's actually a pretty big province, where are you planning on visiting? My in-laws live up near where the Vikings landed, northern western tip of the rock.
Quote from: Johnnymac on Apr 09, 2025, 02:10 PMQuote from: HannibalSmith on Apr 09, 2025, 09:56 AMWe're going to the rock (NFLD) for our family vacation this year! First time for all of us.
I hope you are flying, the boat sucks balls. It's actually a pretty big province, where are you planning on visiting? My in-laws live up near where the Vikings landed, northern western tip of the rock.
Still planning but so far as follows:
Fly in to Deer Lake
Gros Morne
Viking settlement
Bonavista
St Johns
Fly home from st Johns
Quote from: HannibalSmith on Apr 09, 2025, 09:41 PMQuote from: Johnnymac on Apr 09, 2025, 02:10 PMQuote from: HannibalSmith on Apr 09, 2025, 09:56 AMWe're going to the rock (NFLD) for our family vacation this year! First time for all of us.
I hope you are flying, the boat sucks balls. It's actually a pretty big province, where are you planning on visiting? My in-laws live up near where the Vikings landed, northern western tip of the rock.
Still planning but so far as follows:
Fly in to Deer Lake
Gros Morne
Viking settlement
Bonavista
St Johns
Fly home from st Johns
Yup, you will be driving right by where my inlaws live in a small village called Main Brooke about 40 minutes from St. Anthony and close to the Viking settlement.
Enjoy your trip, and smart to fly and avoid the boat.
I've been trying to give away a piece of headlight trim for an old Audi for well over a year. It's now on the front of an Ur-quattro in NFLD.
Mailing it was over $40, that's nuts! I just wanted it to find a home, glad it finally did
There's quite a few well-off people living in my condo development, which means that very nice things often end up in the trash rooms. I don't understand how people can buy and then discard perfectly usable things. Last week someone threw away a very trendy-looking artificial plant in new condition. Took it out of the trash room and sold it for $25 in a day. Can't complain.
I would have donated it but that means putting it in the car and taking it somewhere. Don't get me started about the times I've tried to donate things on Marketplace.
Was driving the Giulia to work this morning and met another one oncoming. The older lady driving it slowed right down and gave me a big wave. :)
Only in NB :)
Took a week off and drove down to Pensacola Beach, we've established a 'spot' there, and had an absolute blast. Highly underrated vacation area IMO...perfect white sand beaches, not overcrowded or super touristy (especially on the Pensacola side), and the fact that it's only about a half day drive from home for us is a nice bonus.
More importantly, the old Escalade was an absolute champ...7 hours each way, plus a day of exploring that had us drive along the coastal islands from Pensacola Beach through Destin and along 30A to Panama City Beach and back. All told just shy of 1300 miles, or about 2000kms in 90+F heat, and most of that loaded to the gills. Truck was perfect, absolutely perfect, and averaged 16.1L/100km...at 20 years old and 298K kms. The pearl white and chrome seems to fit the Florida vibes well too.
(https://i.imgur.com/HjBKhjU.jpeg)
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Looks great!
Yeah that does look great. I did kind of chuckle when you said it was only half a day away, to me that means either a morning or an afternoon.
lol, I mean, we left the house at 6am and were at the beach by 1:00ish. On the way home we left at 11am and were home right around 6pm. We're lucky that our kids are pretty good on longer road trips, they've grown up taking a few 5+ hour trips a year, so I guess they gotten used to it.
My kids loved the road trips in the various Suburbans/Yukons/Escalades we've had through the years....as long as said vehicle had rear DVD players lol.
Ours does not have the rear DVD, the only option it doesn't have, but we have these little clamp things that clip onto the headrest posts and hold an Ipad. So each kid has an Ipad mounted in front of them, we pre-load a bunch of movies/shows, and they get headsets....keeps everyone happy and quiet.
Had a really nice trip to my in-laws new lakehouse in Gull Lake Alberta. kids had a blast, lots of visiting and good times. We returned home without the nice 2013 Suburban LTZ we left with though. Apparently crime is a thing in those nice, upper crust lake communities. Darn thieves >:( >:(
Man, that's irritating.
Quote from: Revelations on Jul 22, 2025, 03:39 PMHad a really nice trip to my in-laws new lakehouse in Gull Lake Alberta. kids had a blast, lots of visiting and good times. We returned home without the nice 2013 Suburban LTZ we left with though. Apparently crime is a thing in those nice, upper crust lake communities. Darn thieves >:( >:(
>:(
FFS, can't have nice things in this world.
Sorry to hear about your Suburban.
Car thieves are scum.
Sorry to hear!
Adding to the frustration of having a vehicle stolen, the first conversation I've been able to have with ICBC was today, 12 days after it was stolen, just to find out they wait 60 days to deem the vehicle officially gone. I think it's already been parted out rather nicely, tidy, rust free Suburban parts would sell like pies in Alberta.
Quote from: Revelations on Aug 01, 2025, 01:05 AMAdding to the frustration of having a vehicle stolen, the first conversation I've been able to have with ICBC was today, 12 days after it was stolen, just to find out they wait 60 days to deem the vehicle officially gone. I think it's already been parted out rather nicely, tidy, rust free Suburban parts would sell like pies in Alberta.
Does that mean you are left in the "lurch" with no vehicle or payout until then, or do they give you a rental?
Quote from: Johnnymac on Aug 02, 2025, 07:35 PMQuote from: Revelations on Aug 01, 2025, 01:05 AMAdding to the frustration of having a vehicle stolen, the first conversation I've been able to have with ICBC was today, 12 days after it was stolen, just to find out they wait 60 days to deem the vehicle officially gone. I think it's already been parted out rather nicely, tidy, rust free Suburban parts would sell like pies in Alberta.
Does that mean you are left in the "lurch" with no vehicle or payout until then, or do they give you a rental?
I didn't have "loss of use" coverage so I wont get a rental for the 60 days +. They do allow up to $800 for a rental, however we used $480 of that already for a one way from Calgary to Kelowna.
Ah I get it now. But you can at least make 60 days without that extra vehicle work I hope.
Gents, our family is immersing ourselves in Newfoundland :)
Not a whole lot to report on the car front. Most notable spotted so far: 997.2 GTS white convertible with Ontario plates, new black 1958 Land Cruiser, and an 80s red suburban cruising our neighbourhood in Rocky Harbour, driven by zz top.
We have a Ford Escape as a rental for the five of us. And its...surprisingly comfortable.
Quote from: HannibalSmith on Aug 18, 2025, 06:50 AMGents, our family is immersing ourselves in Newfoundland :)
Not a whole lot to report on the car front. Most notable spotted so far: 997.2 GTS white convertible with Ontario plates, new black 1958 Land Cruiser, and an 80s red suburban cruising our neighbourhood in Rocky Harbour, driven by zz top.
We have a Ford Escape as a rental for the five of us. And its...surprisingly comfortable.
For a second I thought you were moving there, lol!!
Enjoy the family vacation!! Good that you can get the whole family organized for a trip like that. We're so scattered here with everyone's schedules that it's next to impossible.
Happy, but sorta sad at the same time. My oldest finally landed a real job (Bella gets mad at me when I say that)... okay, his first career job post graduation. He did the AME apprentice course in college and has been offered an apprentice job with PAL Airlines in Montreal starting September 2nd. So happy for him, but nervous at the same time as he'll be out on his own for the first time. He's down in Montreal today with his Mom looking at apartments, fingers crossed they find something today & at least we can get that out of the way. Next will be to set him up with all the shit he'll need to furnish the apartment & live... the little things we just take for granted, like pots & pans, spoons, toilet paper, etc, etc, etc... LOL!!
^ Exciting times man, that's great.
Today is the last payment on my Acura Integra Type S. We are now car payment free for the first time in something like 22 years.
How long will that last...probably a year or two until I finally can justify buying a RWD sports car (closely watching for the next generation of Miata to drop).
Our mortgage should be paid off also in December 2026, that'll be a much bigger milestone.
Congrats! Mortgage is definitely the big one, once that's gone lots more possibilities open up.
I was in Dallas yesterday for some meetings, flew in on an early direct flight on American. Phone went off a 2:30am telling me that my flight home this morning was cancelled - cited weather but everything looked fine. Checked it out and basically everything coming out of DFW was grounded. Course, it's Friday before labor day too.
By dawn every rental car agency in the city had a lineup out front and were turning people away- our corporate travel agent worked her contacts while I started scouring for cheap used car dealers in the area. Found a nice 2006 NorthStar powered Buick Lucerne with 100K miles on it for $4K I was ready to pull the trigger on in a worst case scenario. Fortunately (I guess...) the travel agent came through and found me a Bronco Sport rental, so made the 6.5 hour trek home in that. The Bronco was better than I expected it to be....but I couldn't help think about how much comfier that Buick would've been for the trip.
Quote from: Firm on Aug 29, 2025, 10:48 PMI was in Dallas yesterday for some meetings, flew in on an early direct flight on American. Phone went off a 2:30am telling me that my flight home this morning was cancelled - cited weather but everything looked fine. Checked it out and basically everything coming out of DFW was grounded. Course, it's Friday before labor day too.
By dawn every rental car agency in the city had a lineup out front and were turning people away- our corporate travel agent worked her contacts while I started scouring for cheap used car dealers in the area. Found a nice 2006 NorthStar powered Buick Lucerne with 100K miles on it for $4K I was ready to pull the trigger on in a worst case scenario. Fortunately (I guess...) the travel agent came through and found me a Bronco Sport rental, so made the 6.5 hour trek home in that. The Bronco was better than I expected it to be....but I couldn't help think about how much comfier that Buick would've been for the trip.
Maybe I live under a rock or something but what caused all the planes to be grounded and why did it appear everyone was trying to leave the city at ounce? Was there some weather event coming?
Also, I bet that old Buick would have been pretty comfy, as long as the shocks and suspension were still good of course, and the drivers chair wasn't destroyed by some 400lbs human owning it for a decade.
No idea what grounded the planes, airlines said weather, and there were some ominous looking clouds, but nothing that looked all that serious. Friday before labor day, and Dallas is a hub for American Airlines, so loads of people trying to get to their destination by any means necessary.
Quote from: Firm on Aug 31, 2025, 09:50 PMNo idea what grounded the planes, airlines said weather, and there were some ominous looking clouds, but nothing that looked all that serious. Friday before labor day, and Dallas is a hub for American Airlines, so loads of people trying to get to their destination by any means necessary.
Well that's at least less troubling. I'm sure you were glad to make it home.
Quote from: Firm on Aug 31, 2025, 09:50 PMNo idea what grounded the planes, airlines said weather, and there were some ominous looking clouds, but nothing that looked all that serious. Friday before labor day, and Dallas is a hub for American Airlines, so loads of people trying to get to their destination by any means necessary.
Airports have microburst detectors.
If they are detected..flights are cancelled.
Not visible with the naked eye.
Quote from: RRocket on Sep 01, 2025, 10:57 PMQuote from: Firm on Aug 31, 2025, 09:50 PMNo idea what grounded the planes, airlines said weather, and there were some ominous looking clouds, but nothing that looked all that serious. Friday before labor day, and Dallas is a hub for American Airlines, so loads of people trying to get to their destination by any means necessary.
Airports have microburst detectors.
If they are detected..flights are cancelled.
Not visible with the naked eye.
Need that on the golf course :)
We are heading to NB in a couple of days, loading up the trailer and hoping to ride the DRZ this year.
Quote from: blur911 on Sep 02, 2025, 08:49 AMWe are heading to NB in a couple of days, loading up the trailer and hoping to ride the DRZ this year.
Safe travels.
Quote from: Gurgie on Sep 02, 2025, 08:57 AMQuote from: blur911 on Sep 02, 2025, 08:49 AMWe are heading to NB in a couple of days, loading up the trailer and hoping to ride the DRZ this year.
Safe travels.
Thanks...I'm a little paranoid.
Quote from: blur911 on Sep 02, 2025, 05:06 PMQuote from: Gurgie on Sep 02, 2025, 08:57 AMQuote from: blur911 on Sep 02, 2025, 08:49 AMWe are heading to NB in a couple of days, loading up the trailer and hoping to ride the DRZ this year.
Safe travels.
Thanks...I'm a little paranoid.
For very good reason.
Quote from: blur911 on Sep 02, 2025, 08:49 AMWe are heading to NB in a couple of days, loading up the trailer and hoping to ride the DRZ this year.
Let's see some pictures in the dirt!
Well, we made it to Cornwall before the dash lit up and the Audi started shuddering. Limped to a VW dealer (Nissan Dealer told up they couldn't even read the codes)
Anyhow, missing on cyl 5, didn't follow the coil pack, can't get the spark plug out, decided to limp it home and deal with it rather than probably be stranded in Cornwall.
We tried to go secondary highways and was first blocked by a fallen tree, waited for guys with saws and trucks to remove it, drove another 10 minutes, road was blocked by fallen electrical wires, had to backtrack and eventually take the 401 for a stressful drive home... and now I'm having a rum beverage.
Quote from: blur911 on Sep 04, 2025, 06:54 PMWell, we made it to Cornwall before the dash lit up and the Audi started shuddering. Limped to a VW dealer (Nissan Dealer told up they couldn't even read the codes)
Anyhow, missing on cyl 5, didn't follow the coil pack, can't get the spark plug out, decided to limp it home and deal with it rather than probably be stranded in Cornwall.
We tried to go secondary highways and was first blocked by a fallen tree, waited for guys with saws and trucks to remove it, drove another 10 minutes, road was blocked by fallen electrical wires, had to backtrack and eventually take the 401 for a stressful drive home... and now I'm having a rum beverage.
Oh geez!! That sucks!!
I always travel with my scan tool. Many times its paid for itself diagnosing or resetting codes.
Quote from: Revelations on Sep 04, 2025, 09:48 PMI always travel with my scan tool. Many times its paid for itself diagnosing or resetting codes.
Totally forgot to pack mine, I have a bluetooth ELM327 OBD2 device that I usually bring along.
That's irritating. I have a few of those cheap $30 small scan tools that I keep in most of my vehicles, just in case. In the US most AutoZone and O'Reilly stores will read codes for you and print out a report with the most likely cause - which is nice since those stores are everywhere down here and open long hours. As far as I know, Canadian equivalents don't do that, which is a miss IMO. It's a liability risk for sure, but we manage it in lawsuit-happy US, and it's a huge benefit to customers and the stores.
Quote from: Firm on Sep 05, 2025, 09:21 AMThat's irritating. I have a few of those cheap $30 small scan tools that I keep in most of my vehicles, just in case. In the US most AutoZone and O'Reilly stores will read codes for you and print out a report with the most likely cause - which is nice since those stores are everywhere down here and open long hours. As far as I know, Canadian equivalents don't do that, which is a miss IMO. It's a liability risk for sure, but we manage it in lawsuit-happy US, and it's a huge benefit to customers and the stores.
I have three cheap scan tools, usually keep one in the main transporter, just forgot with all the chaos of packing.
Anyhow, I'm about to try and very carefully pull the spark plug...although I really don't know if that's the issue, could be injectors (apparently two per cylinder) and to get to them you have to pull off the intake and supercharger and get a special puller tool. I don't have time for that so might just buy another SUV, go to NB and then deal with the Audi when we get back.
Quote from: blur911 on Sep 04, 2025, 06:54 PMWell, we made it to Cornwall before the dash lit up and the Audi started shuddering. Limped to a VW dealer (Nissan Dealer told up they couldn't even read the codes)
Anyhow, missing on cyl 5, didn't follow the coil pack, can't get the spark plug out, decided to limp it home and deal with it rather than probably be stranded in Cornwall.
We tried to go secondary highways and was first blocked by a fallen tree, waited for guys with saws and trucks to remove it, drove another 10 minutes, road was blocked by fallen electrical wires, had to backtrack and eventually take the 401 for a stressful drive home... and now I'm having a rum beverage.
Fuck that's definitely enough to drive a person to drink.
Quote from: blur911 on Sep 05, 2025, 09:38 AMQuote from: Firm on Sep 05, 2025, 09:21 AMThat's irritating. I have a few of those cheap $30 small scan tools that I keep in most of my vehicles, just in case. In the US most AutoZone and O'Reilly stores will read codes for you and print out a report with the most likely cause - which is nice since those stores are everywhere down here and open long hours. As far as I know, Canadian equivalents don't do that, which is a miss IMO. It's a liability risk for sure, but we manage it in lawsuit-happy US, and it's a huge benefit to customers and the stores.
I have three cheap scan tools, usually keep one in the main transporter, just forgot with all the chaos of packing.
Anyhow, I'm about to try and very carefully pull the spark plug...although I really don't know if that's the issue, could be injectors (apparently two per cylinder) and to get to them you have to pull off the intake and supercharger and get a special puller tool. I don't have time for that so might just buy another SUV, go to NB and then deal with the Audi when we get back.
Before pulling anything apart makes sure you've got power to the coils & injectors. On the DTS I had a harness get rubbed through while on the highway about a year ago, shorted and popped a fuse, which killed power to 1-bank of coils.
Quote from: Firm on Sep 05, 2025, 02:04 PMQuote from: blur911 on Sep 05, 2025, 09:38 AMQuote from: Firm on Sep 05, 2025, 09:21 AMThat's irritating. I have a few of those cheap $30 small scan tools that I keep in most of my vehicles, just in case. In the US most AutoZone and O'Reilly stores will read codes for you and print out a report with the most likely cause - which is nice since those stores are everywhere down here and open long hours. As far as I know, Canadian equivalents don't do that, which is a miss IMO. It's a liability risk for sure, but we manage it in lawsuit-happy US, and it's a huge benefit to customers and the stores.
I have three cheap scan tools, usually keep one in the main transporter, just forgot with all the chaos of packing.
Anyhow, I'm about to try and very carefully pull the spark plug...although I really don't know if that's the issue, could be injectors (apparently two per cylinder) and to get to them you have to pull off the intake and supercharger and get a special puller tool. I don't have time for that so might just buy another SUV, go to NB and then deal with the Audi when we get back.
Before pulling anything apart makes sure you've got power to the coils & injectors. On the DTS I had a harness get rubbed through while on the highway about a year ago, shorted and popped a fuse, which killed power to 1-bank of coils.
I should probably move this from "Things that make you happy" :'(
Quote from: Revelations on Jul 22, 2025, 03:39 PMHad a really nice trip to my in-laws new lakehouse in Gull Lake Alberta. kids had a blast, lots of visiting and good times. We returned home without the nice 2013 Suburban LTZ we left with though. Apparently crime is a thing in those nice, upper crust lake communities. Darn thieves >:( >:(
I'm very sorry to hear. Our '25 GX550 Executive got swiped last week too from a driveway in Richmond Hill, and recovered on a side street in Brampton a couple hours later with a smashed window and ripped dash wiring. Go figure - now it'll have a theft claim and be worth less on resale.
After a couple of weeks of road blocks I finally was able to find a vehicle for my elderly mother in law. The main hurdle being the high mileage pickup she was trying to trade in.
We decided to private sale and freed me to search for the best option. She lives in northern NL so not really any options up her way other than GM, barf.
Really limited inventory and the price point was on the lower end. I didn't want to go used due to having no one to have eyes on it or a trusted mechanic. We figure this might be her last vehicle.
She really wanted a CUV so the one we chose was a 2025 Mazda CX-30 GX. Having them swap the tires from the all seasons to the Goodyear Assurance Weather Ready all weather tires. This way she won't have to change tires for different seasons, just regular rotations.
Quote from: Johnnymac on Sep 25, 2025, 04:48 PMAfter a couple of weeks of road blocks I finally was able to find a vehicle for my elderly mother in law. The main hurdle being the high mileage pickup she was trying to trade in.
We decided to private sale and freed me to search for the best option. She lives in northern NL so not really any options up her way other than GM, barf.
Really limited inventory and the price point was on the lower end. I didn't want to go used due to having no one to have eyes on it or a trusted mechanic. We figure this might be her last vehicle.
She really wanted a CUV so the one we chose was a 2025 Mazda CX-30 GX. Having them swap the tires from the all seasons to the Goodyear Assurance Weather Ready all weather tires. This way she won't have to change tires for different seasons, just regular rotations.
Excellent choice! The upgraded 2025 base model offers tremendous value. Solid awd, and smaller tires with more sidewall for rural use. Proven model, no turbos and plain-jane automatic. The neighbour's daughter also bought a new one, so now we have three of these in front of the house ;D
Quote from: Blueprint on Sep 26, 2025, 08:25 AMQuote from: Johnnymac on Sep 25, 2025, 04:48 PMAfter a couple of weeks of road blocks I finally was able to find a vehicle for my elderly mother in law. The main hurdle being the high mileage pickup she was trying to trade in.
We decided to private sale and freed me to search for the best option. She lives in northern NL so not really any options up her way other than GM, barf.
Really limited inventory and the price point was on the lower end. I didn't want to go used due to having no one to have eyes on it or a trusted mechanic. We figure this might be her last vehicle.
She really wanted a CUV so the one we chose was a 2025 Mazda CX-30 GX. Having them swap the tires from the all seasons to the Goodyear Assurance Weather Ready all weather tires. This way she won't have to change tires for different seasons, just regular rotations.
Excellent choice! The upgraded 2025 base model offers tremendous value. Solid awd, and smaller tires with more sidewall for rural use. Proven model, no turbos and plain-jane automatic. The neighbour's daughter also bought a new one, so now we have three of these in front of the house ;D
Yeah it was super appealing to have an NA engine paired with a traditional 6 speed torque converter automatic.
As long as she does the maintenance and undercoats it, I would think it'll be fairly trouble free for many years.
Had a great day with the family at the annual 'Eurofest' in Germantown TN....Weather wasn't insanely hot, the cars took home some hardware again, and kids had a blast. Really glad we have an event like this locally, as it almost kinda makes up for all the good ones I miss in the GTA.
(https://i.imgur.com/lYSJocA.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2E26YRK.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/df4wqzi.jpeg)
Nice! Car show season lasts a bit longer way down south I bet.
All year really, big shows like this start to fade out in November, but weekly cars & coffee meets run all year. I just find that with very long work weeks, and all other life's responsibilities, I am less and less interested in getting out of bed early on Saturday morning for C&C....So it's a once every couple months thing for me.
Living in the Okanagan there seems to be a big car show every weekend. My 8yr old car crazy kid loves going, if it weren't for him id probably take in one show per year. I find the shows here to be very boring...miserable old men with impeccable 60's muscle cars, rinse and repeat.
My daughter's taste in music is great!!!! She told me that The Offspring are coming to Winnipeg in February, and could we please go see them (going to concerts is something we both like to do together). Anyway, I waffled for a day (expensive!) until I saw that Bad Religion is opening. So yeah, two tix to The Offspring, please!
Meanwhile, I went to chat with the two young co-op students we have in our office (mid-twenties), and they're both like 'Who are the Offspring'.
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on Oct 08, 2025, 11:18 AMMeanwhile, I went to chat with the two young co-op students we have in our office (mid-twenties), and they're both like 'Who are the Offspring'.
Maybe because they haven't been relevant/had a big hit since the 90s? LOL 😆
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on Oct 08, 2025, 11:18 AMMy daughter's taste in music is great!!!! She told me that The Offspring are coming to Winnipeg in February, and could we please go see them (going to concerts is something we both like to do together). Anyway, I waffled for a day (expensive!) until I saw that Bad Religion is opening. So yeah, two tix to The Offspring, please!
Meanwhile, I went to chat with the two young co-op students we have in our office (mid-twenties), and they're both like 'Who are the Offspring'.
A bunch of friends and I are going to see them in Moncton.
But yeah, it's not surprising that someone in their 20s wouldn't know of them.
We saw Blink-182 in Boston a couple of years ago and the two ~20 year old kids next to us had bought tickets on a whim and were not familiar with the band at all.
Back from major open-heart surgery... on home recovery and house-bound for the next 4-6 weeks. Not allowed to drive.
It all feels like crap but I'm glad to be on the other side of it.
Ascending aorta was dilated to 9.3cm... no cardiologist in the country had ever seen one that size. I'm going to be a case study of some kind.
Whoa!! That's pretty major surgery.
Glad you're on the mend. What were the symptoms that lead them to find the dilated aorta?
Quote from: TheHire on Oct 14, 2025, 10:29 AMBack from major open-heart surgery... on home recovery and house-bound for the next 4-6 weeks. Not allowed to drive.
It all feels like crap but I'm glad to be on the other side of it.
Ascending aorta was dilated to 9.3cm... no cardiologist in the country had ever seen one that size. I'm going to be a case study of some kind.
Jesus, glad to hear from you on the other side.
I guess you are probably lucky it was caught when you did and now have a positive outcome.
Hope you feel better soon.
Get well soon! Heart stuff is so crazy advanced these days. My FIL just had open heart @ 70 and was back to playing golf in no time.
Eek! Yes get well. Any surgery is no joke.
Quote from: TheHire on Oct 14, 2025, 10:29 AMBack from major open-heart surgery... on home recovery and house-bound for the next 4-6 weeks. Not allowed to drive.
It all feels like crap but I'm glad to be on the other side of it.
Ascending aorta was dilated to 9.3cm... no cardiologist in the country had ever seen one that size. I'm going to be a case study of some kind.
I'm happy to hear you're recovering. November 13th marks one year since I had my aortic valve replaced.
Wow man. Glad to hear you're recovering and going to be ok. Rest and recovery, best wishes
Yikes! Get well, my friend. And slow down, for a bit at least, and get some needed rest!
Quote from: TheHire on Oct 14, 2025, 10:29 AMBack from major open-heart surgery... on home recovery and house-bound for the next 4-6 weeks. Not allowed to drive.
It all feels like crap but I'm glad to be on the other side of it.
Ascending aorta was dilated to 9.3cm... no cardiologist in the country had ever seen one that size. I'm going to be a case study of some kind.
Oh WOW, hoping for a full & speedy recovery for you.
I get my driving restriction pulled tomorrow!!! Super excited.
My dad's been staying with us to care for me through my recovery, and he buggers off during the day to run his own errands... nobody trusts me to not hop in my car and drive so the old man actually takes my car when he's gone.
Quote from: TheHire on Oct 27, 2025, 12:38 PMI get my driving restriction pulled tomorrow!!! Super excited.
My dad's been staying with us to care for me through my recovery, and he buggers off during the day to run his own errands... nobody trusts me to not hop in my car and drive so the old man actually takes my car when he's gone.
That's good news!!
Just catching up to this...
Scary stuff TheHire, good to hear you are doing well, and cheers to being able to drive again soon!
I have two offers in hand.
One from my current company which is a 25% bump in total compensation (factoring in RRSP matching, bonus structure, etc.)
The other is from a competitor which is a 40% bump in total compensation. Significantly higher base salary, lower bonus percentage.
Hmm, decisions, decisions.
When I initially approached my current company and told them I was contemplating a move, I told them very clearly what kind of offer would be required for me to break off communications with the competitor. They didn't come close to matching it. So now I have an offer from the other place, and they exceeded what I was asking them for.
Not really a decision at all, IMO.
Congrats, that's a great position to be in.
I am happy, despite having a pile of emails and other work to dig out from, that I am back home...2 weeks in Asia on a sourcing trip, and it's never felt better to get up in my own bed.
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on Nov 21, 2025, 08:46 AMI have two offers in hand.
One from my current company which is a 25% bump in total compensation (factoring in RRSP matching, bonus structure, etc.)
The other is from a competitor which is a 40% bump in total compensation. Significantly higher base salary, lower bonus percentage.
Hmm, decisions, decisions.
When I initially approached my current company and told them I was contemplating a move, I told them very clearly what kind of offer would be required for me to break off communications with the competitor. They didn't come close to matching it. So now I have an offer from the other place, and they exceeded what I was asking them for.
Not really a decision at all, IMO.
That's AWESOME, congrats!!
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on Nov 21, 2025, 08:46 AMI have two offers in hand.
One from my current company which is a 25% bump in total compensation (factoring in RRSP matching, bonus structure, etc.)
The other is from a competitor which is a 40% bump in total compensation. Significantly higher base salary, lower bonus percentage.
Hmm, decisions, decisions.
When I initially approached my current company and told them I was contemplating a move, I told them very clearly what kind of offer would be required for me to break off communications with the competitor. They didn't come close to matching it. So now I have an offer from the other place, and they exceeded what I was asking them for.
Not really a decision at all, IMO.
Financially the decision is clear, but I wonder about all the other aspects of the job and how it fits for your wants and needs.
While salary and benefits are massively important, they aren't the only things that impact a persons happiness.
So this isn't me pooping on the idea of changing companies, just being a voice for the alternative if you felt you'd be happier with your current company.
Well, I've been clamoring for a leadership position for a while. This new company would give me the chance. I'd be starting up a small department, and having a few staff reporting to me.
My current company, the position is more of what I do now, which is skilled work, but very individual.
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on Nov 21, 2025, 05:59 PMWell, I've been clamoring for a leadership position for a while. This new company would give me the chance. I'd be starting up a small department, and having a few staff reporting to me.
My current company, the position is more of what I do now, which is skilled work, but very individual.
Well that seals it, this is the next logical step in your career and at a great time. Congrats!
As a kid, family friends of ours had a proper arcade pinball machine in their basement and I used to look forward to visiting them a couple times a year so we could play it, theirs was Jurassic Park themed. I guess it kinda stuck with me and I've always kinda wanted one, but never had the space at our old place, nor could I justify the $, but I still would poke around on marketplace once and awhile. This showed up the other day, and it was only about 10 minutes from me, and a very good price, so I decided to grab it.
It's a 1987 'Special Force' model made by Bally Midway. In great working order, the cabinet could use a little love (which I'll do), but for nearly 40 years old it's in remarkable shape. These are highly collectable, though this one (or more so units from this era) is on the lower end of the desirability scale, it's still a lot of fun to play.
Childhood goal achieved :D
(https://i.imgur.com/LsBwZFb.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yJLDodS.jpeg)
That's great!
When I was a kid, we used to visit my Dad's cousin, and they had one in their basement. It was a ton of fun.
On a lesser note, I just gave notice. What a terrible feeling that is.
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on Nov 24, 2025, 01:14 PMWhen I was a kid, we used to visit my Dad's cousin, and they had one in their basement. It was a ton of fun.
On a lesser note, I just gave notice. What a terrible feeling that is.
Yep, I feel that. Giving notice at CTC after 15 years was one of the toughest things I've done - top 3 for sure.
Quote from: Firm on Nov 24, 2025, 01:27 PMQuote from: GreatBigAbyss on Nov 24, 2025, 01:14 PMWhen I was a kid, we used to visit my Dad's cousin, and they had one in their basement. It was a ton of fun.
On a lesser note, I just gave notice. What a terrible feeling that is.
Yep, I feel that. Giving notice at CTC after 15 years was one of the toughest things I've done - top 3 for sure.
Bundling in a move to a new country with your whole family in tow would probably make that doubly or triply more terrifying. At least I get to stay snug in our house.
Quote from: Firm on Nov 23, 2025, 10:44 PMAs a kid, family friends of ours had a proper arcade pinball machine in their basement and I used to look forward to visiting them a couple times a year so we could play it, theirs was Jurassic Park themed. I guess it kinda stuck with me and I've always kinda wanted one, but never had the space at our old place, nor could I justify the $, but I still would poke around on marketplace once and awhile. This showed up the other day, and it was only about 10 minutes from me, and a very good price, so I decided to grab it.
It's a 1987 'Special Force' model made by Bally Midway. In great working order, the cabinet could use a little love (which I'll do), but for nearly 40 years old it's in remarkable shape. These are highly collectable, though this one (or more so units from this era) is on the lower end of the desirability scale, it's still a lot of fun to play.
Childhood goal achieved :D
(https://i.imgur.com/LsBwZFb.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yJLDodS.jpeg)
Very nice, and am I wrong for thinking they that pin ball machines are more reliable and less of a pain to keep functional than old school arcade video games?
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on Nov 24, 2025, 03:29 PMQuote from: Firm on Nov 24, 2025, 01:27 PMQuote from: GreatBigAbyss on Nov 24, 2025, 01:14 PMWhen I was a kid, we used to visit my Dad's cousin, and they had one in their basement. It was a ton of fun.
On a lesser note, I just gave notice. What a terrible feeling that is.
Yep, I feel that. Giving notice at CTC after 15 years was one of the toughest things I've done - top 3 for sure.
Bundling in a move to a new country with your whole family in tow would probably make that doubly or triply more terrifying. At least I get to stay snug in our house.
For sure, it was worth it though, as I am sure your move will be. Sometimes we let ourselves get too complacent with life and miss opportunities, and I don't want to do that, but it certainly makes for some tough decisions.
Quote from: Johnnymac on Nov 24, 2025, 05:05 PMQuote from: Firm on Nov 23, 2025, 10:44 PMAs a kid, family friends of ours had a proper arcade pinball machine in their basement and I used to look forward to visiting them a couple times a year so we could play it, theirs was Jurassic Park themed. I guess it kinda stuck with me and I've always kinda wanted one, but never had the space at our old place, nor could I justify the $, but I still would poke around on marketplace once and awhile. This showed up the other day, and it was only about 10 minutes from me, and a very good price, so I decided to grab it.
It's a 1987 'Special Force' model made by Bally Midway. In great working order, the cabinet could use a little love (which I'll do), but for nearly 40 years old it's in remarkable shape. These are highly collectable, though this one (or more so units from this era) is on the lower end of the desirability scale, it's still a lot of fun to play.
Childhood goal achieved :D
(https://i.imgur.com/LsBwZFb.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yJLDodS.jpeg)
Very nice, and am I wrong for thinking they that pin ball machines are more reliable and less of a pain to keep functional than old school arcade video games?
Thanks, no idea on arcade games honestly. Pinball machines are pretty complicated, this one has two big control boards, and then each 'feature' on the play deck has it's own mechanism, usually mechanical and electronic, so there's LOT to go wrong. That said, it's nearly 40 years old and works great, so pretty robust I think.
Quote from: Firm on Nov 23, 2025, 10:44 PMAs a kid, family friends of ours had a proper arcade pinball machine in their basement and I used to look forward to visiting them a couple times a year so we could play it, theirs was Jurassic Park themed. I guess it kinda stuck with me and I've always kinda wanted one, but never had the space at our old place, nor could I justify the $, but I still would poke around on marketplace once and awhile. This showed up the other day, and it was only about 10 minutes from me, and a very good price, so I decided to grab it.
It's a 1987 'Special Force' model made by Bally Midway. In great working order, the cabinet could use a little love (which I'll do), but for nearly 40 years old it's in remarkable shape. These are highly collectable, though this one (or more so units from this era) is on the lower end of the desirability scale, it's still a lot of fun to play.
Childhood goal achieved :D
I love pinball machines as this was what largely was "video games" when I was younger.
I still love them!