OT: OT thread number 11 | No More Bad News PLEASE!

[TB12]

I don't think he ever really paid a lot for any of it though either. A lot of the stuff he had signed in person at various events. He also use to know someone back in the day that allowed him almost like press access. Both with Esks and Lions.

Then I know he didn't pay for a lot of things back when he had a business, use to get things at charity events as a company expense lol.

I just really want to add a football to my collection. As well as a baseball bat. I mean I do have a signed trappers mini bat from homer, but that's not the same lol

I think I lay claim to the worst piece of sports memorabilia ever...

I was at a silent auction and there was a Tim Tebow autographed Denver Broncos football helmet in a super cool display case. Minimum bid was $250 so I put my name on it as a joke, knowing I would be out-bid.

Well, the joke was on me as at the end of the night no one had bid more than me and I was stuck with it lol

It does make for a funny conversation starter when people come over I guess.

 

[joestevens29]

I think I lay claim to the worst piece of sports memorabilia ever...

I was at a silent auction and there was a Tim Tebow autographed Denver Broncos football helmet in a super cool display case. Minimum bid was $250 so I put my name on it as a joke, knowing I would be out-bid.

Well, the joke was on me as at the end of the night no one had bid more than me and I was stuck with it lol

It does make for a funny conversation starter when people come over I guess.

That's no Randy Jackson signature on a samurai sword.

Honestly the helmet and case are probably worth that so it's not horrid, but I've seen that kind of stuff happen a lot lol.

 

[TB12]

That's no Randy Jackson signature on a samurai sword.

Honestly the helmet and case are probably worth that so it's not horrid, but I've seen that kind of stuff happen a lot lol.

I mean, you're not not going to get Randy Jackson's autograph, right?! hahaha

 

[joestevens29]

I mean, you're not not going to get Randy Jackson's autograph, right?! hahaha

Honestly I can't even remember what i got her to sign, but I had that moment with Jamie Sale. I was working at superstore and she came in and my mom was a huge fan. I might've just taken something off the shelf and then bought it, I honestly can't remember.

I have to ask my mom.

 

[Fourier]

I don't think he ever really paid a lot for any of it though either. A lot of the stuff he had signed in person at various events. He also use to know someone back in the day that allowed him almost like press access. Both with Esks and Lions.

Then I know he didn't pay for a lot of things back when he had a business, use to get things at charity events as a company expense lol.

I just really want to add a football to my collection. As well as a baseball bat. I mean I do have a signed trappers mini bat from homer, but that's not the same lol

Absolutely. As I said about the Oiler stuff I have...I just like to collect these things because they feel like a part of my past, present and hopefully future. Maybe I should really just get a life!! But hey, it is what it is!

That signed mini bat is a cool thing. I loved going to Trapper games. It was damn good baseball and the atmosphere was great.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

This one is tricky. Alberta is just finishing capping the RRO for electricity. Meaning that it was capped at 13.5Khw until April 1, 2023. The current rate is much much higher right now. Epcor under Encor are offering 12.87 as a fixed rate but requiring a 5yr plan and credit score. (albeit its strange they call it a 5yr as you can opt out anytime with 15 days notice.) I would do the fixed rate currently, not the floating rate on Electricity as you'll be paying more.

For gas its better just to get the regular plan, not fixed plan. You can umbrella both gas and electricity under Epcor and just choose fixed rate for electricity and floating rate for gas. Historically people without fixed contracts have ended up paying less here for natural gas. Quite a bit less.

But this post could be helpful for everybody. For those still on an RRO for electricity you will have to pay much more for electricity after April 1st and also get dinged for the 3mth differential that you saved the last 3 mths if you haven't been on a fixed rate plan.

Call volumes are steep right now but still better than the online signup version as the Fixed rates are requiring a credit check and sign in and theres been volume related stress on the online sign up.

Maybe its just me but I prefer as well dealing with some of the main energy players in Alberta rather than relying on some fly by night operator just to save a few cents. The Encor by Epcor rate is somewhat fair all things considered.

The only reason to not do a fixed rate is if you dont have the credit for it as like you said, you can opt out at any time with no penalty.

So if it goes down, just opt out and re-sign a new term.

 

[Ritchie Valens]

I think I lay claim to the worst piece of sports memorabilia ever...

I was at a silent auction and there was a Tim Tebow autographed Denver Broncos football helmet in a super cool display case. Minimum bid was $250 so I put my name on it as a joke, knowing I would be out-bid.

Well, the joke was on me as at the end of the night no one had bid more than me and I was stuck with it lol

It does make for a funny conversation starter when people come over I guess.

I might not be far behind.

When I was 13, San Jose just got their franchise. I love sharks so naturally I was drawn to them. Loved their original jerseys and got the teal one as a birthday gift.

What did I do? Took it down to the local print screen store and put on trashy, shitty white lettering on it. Pat Falloon #17 .

 

[bellagiobob]

This one is tricky. Alberta is just finishing capping the RRO for electricity. Meaning that it was capped at 13.5Khw until April 1, 2023. The current rate is much much higher right now. Epcor under Encor are offering 12.87 as a fixed rate but requiring a 5yr plan and credit score. (albeit its strange they call it a 5yr as you can opt out anytime with 15 days notice.) I would do the fixed rate currently, not the floating rate on Electricity as you'll be paying more.

For gas its better just to get the regular plan, not fixed plan. You can umbrella both gas and electricity under Epcor and just choose fixed rate for electricity and floating rate for gas. Historically people without fixed contracts have ended up paying less here for natural gas. Quite a bit less.

But this post could be helpful for everybody. For those still on an RRO for electricity you will have to pay much more for electricity after April 1st and also get dinged for the 3mth differential that you saved the last 3 mths if you haven't been on a fixed rate plan.

Call volumes are steep right now but still better than the online signup version as the Fixed rates are requiring a credit check and sign in and theres been volume related stress on the online sign up.

Maybe its just me but I prefer as well dealing with some of the main energy players in Alberta rather than relying on some fly by night operator just to save a few cents. The Encor by Epcor rate is somewhat fair all things considered.

Thanks for the reminder, been meaning to do this. With EPCOR now, so doing it online was seamless, same account #, etc, took less than 5 minutes.

 

[ZJuice]

This is a segue into Valley line problems. Anybody else find it interesting that there have been 6 accidents with LRT and Vehicles on Valley line before the line is even operational? This is just testing phase and the other day the latest was a semi running into a train. Substantial damage to both Truck and LRT train car.

One of the constant critiques of the Valley line at grade approach was that similar lines otherwhere have constantly had traffic and pedestrian injuries, accidents. It was assumed, somehow, that it would work out better here. Well its not and the circus isn't even open and LRT trains are being hit and pedestrian and vehicle accidents are happening. The Valley line is not signaled. No crossing arms, no signals just expecting people to be vigilant. This is not going to work out very well. How long before they rehaul the line and figure out that crossing signals and lights and such will be required at many intersections? Drivers are turning right into trains. Pedestrians crossing lines not even looking.

What a mess the whole Valley line project has been. Cracked concrete piers, constant delays, years late to open and still no word on when the line will open.

With no fixed ROW it also means that the LRT line will have to contend with drivers, pedestrians and anything impeding the tracks. Seems like just an express bus or BRT would've been better.

I don’t know what the hell goes on in the minds of these planners and city managers. Doing city work was a joke compared to any other work I’ve done. Waste of money and resources and an annoyance for the public.

The collisions with the LRT were predicted by everyone on Reddit when people started noticing the design. No crossing arms/signals?! They must not have opened their eyes before to not have noticed the poor quality of some of our drivers. My car insurance is going to increase 80% more instead of just 30% more this year if I don’t move lol

And the cracked piers… that excuse about the temperature was donkey brains. So they picked the mix then proceeded to build with that design without looking at our winter temperatures?

At least we have the Talus Balls…

 

[EchoesoftheEighties]

Aurora Borealis were absolutely stunning last night. Well worth it to go Elk Island for the views

 

[Paralyzer]

I don’t know what the hell goes on in the minds of these planners and city managers. Doing city work was a joke compared to any other work I’ve done. Waste of money and resources and an annoyance for the public.

The collisions with the LRT were predicted by everyone on Reddit when people started noticing the design. No crossing arms/signals?! They must not have opened their eyes before to not have noticed the poor quality of some of our drivers. My car insurance is going to increase 80% more instead of just 30% more this year if I don’t move lol

And the cracked piers… that excuse about the temperature was donkey brains. So they picked the mix then proceeded to build with that design without looking at our winter temperatures?

At least we have the Talus Balls…

To be fair, there's lots of cities with Transit rail systems with no signals or arms, and people in those places adapted to pay attention when a train is coming. Same happens in rural Alberta. Lots of train stops have no signals. Just gotta pay attention to it. Those accidents are exactly what happened when we implemented traffic circles for the first time and people could not understand the people in the inner circle have the right of way, and the people on the outer need to exit IMMEDIATELY to the next right exit. But people use the right lane to go 2 or 3 exits down THEN turn. Thankfully we have abolished them (or at least most) because people couldn't follow that simple rule.



Calgary's is a good example in the Downtown area. There is no arms or signals. It just roams Downtown without any issues.

Quite frankly, I'm more mad at the whole Waste Garbage Collection and the bins they provided every house. It's very stupid that it takes 2 weeks for them to pick that up, and most families fill those within 1 week. And the stupid $100 Million dollar bike lanes. If you want to pay that much for bike lanes, then I damn well expect all of City Council to bike to work every day. So many other things we could use that money on, like potholes FINALLY being fixed.

 

[rboomercat90]

This is a segue into Valley line problems. Anybody else find it interesting that there have been 6 accidents with LRT and Vehicles on Valley line before the line is even operational? This is just testing phase and the other day the latest was a semi running into a train. Substantial damage to both Truck and LRT train car.

One of the constant critiques of the Valley line at grade approach was that similar lines otherwhere have constantly had traffic and pedestrian injuries, accidents. It was assumed, somehow, that it would work out better here. Well its not and the circus isn't even open and LRT trains are being hit and pedestrian and vehicle accidents are happening. The Valley line is not signaled. No crossing arms, no signals just expecting people to be vigilant. This is not going to work out very well. How long before they rehaul the line and figure out that crossing signals and lights and such will be required at many intersections? Drivers are turning right into trains. Pedestrians crossing lines not even looking.

What a mess the whole Valley line project has been. Cracked concrete piers, constant delays, years late to open and still no word on when the line will open.

With no fixed ROW it also means that the LRT line will have to contend with drivers, pedestrians and anything impeding the tracks. Seems like just an express bus or BRT would've been better.

I remember getting a pamphlet from the city a few years back regarding the Valley LRT line where they were bragging about this line not having any signals or crossing arms and being shocked that anyone would approve that. Seems like a ton of lawsuits just waiting to happen.

We’ve become desensitized to seeing politicians and bureaucrats do mind numbingly stupid things, especially recently, but this decision was even more bizarre considering everything else safety related in our society tends to be overdone to the other extreme.

 

[Paralyzer]

I remember getting a pamphlet from the city a few years back regarding the Valley LRT line where they were bragging about this line not having any signals or crossing arms and being shocked that anyone would approve that. Seems like a ton of lawsuits just waiting to happen.

We’ve become desensitized to seeing politicians and bureaucrats do mind numbingly stupid things, especially recently, but this decision was even more bizarre considering everything else safety related in our society tends to be overdone to the other extreme.

Exactly this. It's almost like we need everything to be dummed down to understand it like a toddler would. Signal lights on cars? I thought those were for decoration. No dumbass, those tell others if you plan to TURN. My favorite is when someone goes to an intersection, then about 2 meters before it, puts on the signal lights and thinks that's MORE than enough time for people to see you are turning. Why do you think I drive 2-3 cars back? Because I do not trust anyone on the road. Period.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I remember getting a pamphlet from the city a few years back regarding the Valley LRT line where they were bragging about this line not having any signals or crossing arms and being shocked that anyone would approve that. Seems like a ton of lawsuits just waiting to happen.

We’ve become desensitized to seeing politicians and bureaucrats do mind numbingly stupid things, especially recently, but this decision was even more bizarre considering everything else safety related in our society tends to be overdone to the other extreme.

My immediate response to this is that drivers here aren't good enough to heed row without signals. I didn't think pedestrians were either. But also other jurisdictions where they've tried this it hasn't worked very well.

Its interesting that we have countless no turn on red intersections where we don't trust the drivers to properly heed traffic in front of them and make left or right turns accordingly. Yet we expect the same drivers to know when an LRT car might be approaching, with no signalling, no audible, from BEHIND. Its the same thing with all the bike lanes DT. Its given cyclists the ROW and drivers have to sense if anybody is behind them before making turns when blindspots, other cars impeding view etc exist. Soon as they put in all the bike lanes DT I stopped going there much. Liability through the roof and cyclists that won't heed or take their own precaution (not all, but some)

I could see drivers here actually blocking the train tracks as they are stopped at a light. Just as drivers turning at a light often do or drivers that try to barge across across a jammed intersection before there is traffic clearance to do so. Pretty much certain this will occur without the LRT having a proper ROW.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I don’t know what the hell goes on in the minds of these planners and city managers. Doing city work was a joke compared to any other work I’ve done. Waste of money and resources and an annoyance for the public.

The collisions with the LRT were predicted by everyone on Reddit when people started noticing the design. No crossing arms/signals?! They must not have opened their eyes before to not have noticed the poor quality of some of our drivers. My car insurance is going to increase 80% more instead of just 30% more this year if I don’t move lol

And the cracked piers… that excuse about the temperature was donkey brains. So they picked the mix then proceeded to build with that design without looking at our winter temperatures?

At least we have the Talus Balls…

Its absolutely inane. I was saying the same thing on C2E before that site discontinued. That drivers here and pedestrians would not properly heed ROW. Anybody that drives here has a pretty good idea of the relative ability of drivers and its always the worst possible drivers that set the tone for what can occur. There was a time where infrastructure was designed with this in mind.

Even in the country, rural areas its long known that non signalled, non crossing arm rail crossings are most dangerous. But all of those even have very visual signage alerting of the tracks. Because its a known what can occur without the foremost safety precautions. Yet in big cities we're going to run rail LRT without the utmost precautions? Doesn't make much sense.

The great thing about running a city is that pretty much everything has been tried in other cities. To be more astute all you have to do is study the success failure of operations in other cities. Not ignore the calamity. In the case of of LRT at grade several prior systems exist. The Metro in Houston for instance has served as a precaution to all and as per officials there "we would not have made the decision to do at grade again"

METRO deaths continue, despite promised improvements to safety

Over a five-year period, eight people have been hit and killed by METRO trains. Could those deaths have been prevented?

abc13.com

Its an interesting read. All you have to look up is Metro Houston accidents and the hits and injuries and fatalities jump out.

 

[Drivesaitl]

To be fair, there's lots of cities with Transit rail systems with no signals or arms, and people in those places adapted to pay attention when a train is coming. Same happens in rural Alberta. Lots of train stops have no signals. Just gotta pay attention to it. Those accidents are exactly what happened when we implemented traffic circles for the first time and people could not understand the people in the inner circle have the right of way, and the people on the outer need to exit IMMEDIATELY to the next right exit. But people use the right lane to go 2 or 3 exits down THEN turn. Thankfully we have abolished them (or at least most) because people couldn't follow that simple rule.



Calgary's is a good example in the Downtown area. There is no arms or signals. It just roams Downtown without any issues.

Quite frankly, I'm more mad at the whole Waste Garbage Collection and the bins they provided every house. It's very stupid that it takes 2 weeks for them to pick that up, and most families fill those within 1 week. And the stupid $100 Million dollar bike lanes. If you want to pay that much for bike lanes, then I damn well expect all of City Council to bike to work every day. So many other things we could use that money on, like potholes FINALLY being fixed.

Much of the C train DT and in highly populated areas is either not at grade (Its sunk, and often with railings, or in other areas there are crossing arms and proper separation or signaling. Its not a comparable to what the Valley Line is here.

 

[oobga]

Aurora Borealis were absolutely stunning last night. Well worth it to go Elk Island for the views

View attachment 675053

Caught it as well last night. Pretty cool. Wish I could have got a better video than I did.


Just on this topic, a cool one I saw posted:


That is more intense than what I saw over Edmonton, but the Edmonton one was not that far off at some points (not nearly as bright for sure). Was pretty cool watching the waves passing overhead.

 

[Tob]

So I'm curious as to what happens to the homeless here in Edmonton during the 6+ months of winter where it's humanly impossible to stay outside? Do those bus loops shelters I've been seeing around town get occupied full time? In Vancouver it's only maybe 1-2 weeks where staying outside is unsafe.

 

[Paralyzer]

So I'm curious as to what happens to the homeless here in Edmonton during the 6+ months of winter where it's humanly impossible to stay outside? Do those bus loops shelters I've been seeing around town get occupied full time? In Vancouver it's only maybe 1-2 weeks where staying outside is unsafe.

Well that's part of the reason City Council has been trying to get shelters up for the homeless because of the weather and how cold it can get out here. I can't speak of where most hang out, but I know by Boyle Street and Downtown is where most hang out.

 

[OilRick]

I think I lay claim to the worst piece of sports memorabilia ever...

I was at a silent auction and there was a Tim Tebow autographed Denver Broncos football helmet in a super cool display case. Minimum bid was $250 so I put my name on it as a joke, knowing I would be out-bid.

Well, the joke was on me as at the end of the night no one had bid more than me and I was stuck with it lol

It does make for a funny conversation starter when people come over I guess.

Got drunk at a spring breakup event. All money was going to a good cause but I ended up paying 1100 bucks for a signed Nail Yakupov jersey.

 

[Fourier]

Got drunk at a spring breakup event. All money was going to a good cause but I ended up paying 1100 bucks for a signed Nail Yakupov jersey.

Nice to see you back!

 

[BlackDogg]

 

[bellagiobob]

 

[joestevens29]

So I'm curious as to what happens to the homeless here in Edmonton during the 6+ months of winter where it's humanly impossible to stay outside? Do those bus loops shelters I've been seeing around town get occupied full time? In Vancouver it's only maybe 1-2 weeks where staying outside is unsafe.

Well that's part of the reason City Council has been trying to get shelters up for the homeless because of the weather and how cold it can get out here. I can't speak of where most hang out, but I know by Boyle Street and Downtown is where most hang out.

It's kind of a double edge sword they were hanging out at bus shelters and LRT shelters.

Which was fine for the homeless, but now people don't like taking buses or the LRT because it's not safe.

It's another thing that wasn't funded properly over the years and now numbers are growing and there is a real shortage of places for them to go.

 

[Tob]

It's kind of a double edge sword they were hanging out at bus shelters and LRT shelters.

Which was fine for the homeless, but now people don't like taking buses or the LRT because it's not safe.

It's another thing that wasn't funded properly over the years and now numbers are growing and there is a real shortage of places for them to go.

I can't imagine what the homeless do in winter if going outside is out of the question and there's limited food and water for them. Play board games at the LTR station?

If that's the case that they stay in these public transport buildings, I'd imagine there would have been enough violent incidents (like what is going on in Toronto especially lately in the headlines) that EPS would have to do "something" about it but then it's not like they can kick them out and let them freeze to death.

I'll be interesting to see winter here for the 1st time.