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Post by seventeen on Mar 28, 2020 18:48:41 GMT -5
Trump looks like he was right about China. With all those trade embargoes, travel bans, etc... I don't like Trump, but imagine reasons why he became one of richest men in world and president of powerful country. You have to be careful what you believe. Some very posh people I have seen in life were great at living off others. They merely looked rich. Really rich people don't have to prove anything. Trump on the other hand..... My suspicion of Trump is that he's a figurehead who is financed and manipulated by others. Strange that he won't allow anyone to see his tax returns, huh? Not that that would prove anything about his net worth. The tough part is that we have no idea what his liabilities are. I suspect he's got very little, but as I said, living very well off others who use him. |
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Post by seventeen on Mar 28, 2020 18:50:16 GMT -5
I'd love to have him take an IQ test. My guess he comes in around 80-85. A very dull stick.
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Post by Willie Dog on Mar 29, 2020 8:52:44 GMT -5
The US goverment (Trump & Friends) managed to add a tax cut for the 1 percenters as part of the stimulus bill... shocking... Not!! flip.it/8bb_Tm |
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Post by jkr on Mar 29, 2020 10:43:06 GMT -5
Jeez. The country is being mismanaged during a pandemic & these sleazes manage to work in a tax break for the super rich.
What's the thought process? Why everyone is looking over there at the pandemic, I'm going to sneak in another tax break over here. Unbelievable.
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Post by jkr on Mar 29, 2020 17:14:12 GMT -5
I can only take so much of the news before I have to change the channel for something, anything that's not corona. I stay away from movies like Contagion - seems like piling on.  Rogers has more channels on free preview & I came across Uncle Buck, my favorite John Candy movie. Couldn't stop laughing during that scene in the principal's office. |
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Post by Willie Dog on Mar 30, 2020 6:18:16 GMT -5
I can only take so much of the news before I have to change the channel for something, anything that's not corona. I stay away from movies like Contagion - seems like piling on. Rogers has more channels on free preview & I came across Uncle Buck, my favorite John Candy movie. Couldn't stop laughing during that scene in the principal's office. "How about I get a rat to gnaw that thing off your face" |
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Post by jkr on Mar 30, 2020 7:34:08 GMT -5
LOL
Right noe I want movies that make me laugh, not scare the crap out of me.
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Post by PTH on Apr 2, 2020 18:01:15 GMT -5
I'm getting to be stressed.
Since March 17th, I've gone grocery shopping twice, went out once for multiple other errands, and did one pharmacy run on foot. Other than that, my front door (to my condo) has opened maybe twice, to take out the trash and to get my mail.
And while locked-in, I'm supposed to be teleworking with no dedicated equipment other than access to work emails, and working on projects which weren't planned for distance work, quite the opposite: I'd be spending most of my working hours in meetings (useful, work meetings, not management-dictated banalities), so moving to distance work is kind of not working, yet I need to make it work. And with no colleagues, no chitchat with other team members, limited contact with my boss, it's not going well.
So yeah, I'm stressed. And now I'm reading this will go on until July.
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 2, 2020 18:35:19 GMT -5
Things are getting locked down in Quebec... the the feds have provided letters to employees who are essential so that they can drive to their work locations... in montreal police have fined 4 families $1k each for being in a playground with their kids...
Glad to see this.
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 2, 2020 18:37:02 GMT -5
I'm getting to be stressed. Since March 17th, I've gone grocery shopping twice, went out once for multiple other errands, and did one pharmacy run on foot. Other than that, my front door (to my condo) has opened maybe twice, to take out the trash and to get my mail. And while locked-in, I'm supposed to be teleworking with no dedicated equipment other than access to work emails, and working on projects which weren't planned for distance work, quite the opposite: I'd be spending most of my working hours in meetings (useful, work meetings, not management-dictated banalities), so moving to distance work is kind of not working, yet I need to make it work. And with no colleagues, no chitchat with other team members, limited contact with my boss, it's not going well. So yeah, I'm stressed. And now I'm reading this will go on until July. It's tough... we've implemented MSTeams and I'm really happy with it... group chat, group phone, webcam, screen sharing, calendar it's something for your org to look at Paul. |
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Post by PTH on Apr 2, 2020 18:47:20 GMT -5
I'm getting to be stressed. Since March 17th, I've gone grocery shopping twice, went out once for multiple other errands, and did one pharmacy run on foot. Other than that, my front door (to my condo) has opened maybe twice, to take out the trash and to get my mail. And while locked-in, I'm supposed to be teleworking with no dedicated equipment other than access to work emails, and working on projects which weren't planned for distance work, quite the opposite: I'd be spending most of my working hours in meetings (useful, work meetings, not management-dictated banalities), so moving to distance work is kind of not working, yet I need to make it work. And with no colleagues, no chitchat with other team members, limited contact with my boss, it's not going well. So yeah, I'm stressed. And now I'm reading this will go on until July. It's tough... we've implemented MSTeams and I'm really happy with it... group chat, group phone, webcam, screen sharing, calendar it's something for your org to look at Paul. We have like no budget for anything like that, I work for a gov of Quebec department, and we are always on a shoestring budget internally; you can only get real money for projects that deliver value to taxpayers, which should be fine and all, but it doesn't favor internal efficiency or productivity to have to do without modern tools. |
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 2, 2020 18:55:19 GMT -5
It's tough... we've implemented MSTeams and I'm really happy with it... group chat, group phone, webcam, screen sharing, calendar it's something for your org to look at Paul. We have like no budget for anything like that, I work for a gov of Quebec department, and we are always on a shoestring budget internally; you can only get real money for projects that deliver value to taxpayers, which should be fine and all, but it doesn't favor internal efficiency or productivity to have to do without modern tools. Wow that sucks... like you said it makes work tough if you dont have the tech. |
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Post by PTH on Apr 2, 2020 22:08:31 GMT -5
We have like no budget for anything like that, I work for a gov of Quebec department, and we are always on a shoestring budget internally; you can only get real money for projects that deliver value to taxpayers, which should be fine and all, but it doesn't favor internal efficiency or productivity to have to do without modern tools. Wow that sucks... like you said it makes work tough if you dont have the tech. I'm editing work documents on my home PC with an ancient version of Office, which adds various strange bugs and typos.... |
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Post by Tankdriver on Apr 2, 2020 22:36:40 GMT -5
Wow that sucks... like you said it makes work tough if you dont have the tech. I'm editing work documents on my home PC with an ancient version of Office, which adds various strange bugs and typos.... I feel your pain. I tried working on a 16 inch laptop for a week and couldn't do it anymore. I literally stripped my work station at work and brought it home. I needed my 2 x 27 inch screens to do my excel work. (Spreadsheets with 30+ columns) Unfortunately I couldn't connect them to my laptop, so I brought the desktop home. Turns outthe program I needed on my desktop wasn't available in that setup mode so I took it back to work and plugged it back in and grabbed another desktop. So now its, connected to my router, then to citrix (a server based basic setup) and from there remote desktop to my plugged in desktop. Doesn't solve all the issues though. We use a telephone software connected through the computer that is unavailable when I am in remote mode and I need to go through my personal laptop to access some data with a usb key that isn't found when connected remotely. It's definitely been a challenge! I'm also being double tasked, because my replacement is stuck holding her old job down due to all the constraints. With all these cancellations, schools closed to atleast May, I wouldn't be surprised if I am working from home until mid June/July. I miss my coworkers, my routine. and working from home gives you endless access to food. So no gym access + ordered to stay self isolated, more food, is definitely leading to some weight gain. Side note: I stubbled onto some squeaky chicken videos on youtube trying to not get cabin fever and I burst out laughing on some of them. I need to see some real people soon lol! Hang in there. |
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Post by Cranky on Apr 3, 2020 0:07:31 GMT -5
I don't know how you guys work with a laptop. I carefully spec'd a AMD desktop for $1,500 and add a $400 43 inch Samsung 4k as monitor....and I'm breezing through CAD work. At some point if you are working from home, just consider it an offset cost to commuting.
Another thing....I was talking to a guy in Veterans Affairs. They gave him a laptop and a mic and send him home. I had a though time understanding him and I knew from experience he had a crappy mic. $50 of Skullcandy magic can fix that. I use them and forget I have them on, plus I can hear them so clearly, I can hear their cat fart...or so they tell me.
Yeah, I know, it's from your pocket but....no travel, no wasted time, bare butt comfort of home and of course wife/husband smooching on demand.
What are those savings worth from your pocket?
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 3, 2020 4:30:39 GMT -5
Wow that sucks... like you said it makes work tough if you dont have the tech. I'm editing work documents on my home PC with an ancient version of Office, which adds various strange bugs and typos.... Most things Microsoft are strange |
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 3, 2020 4:33:48 GMT -5
I don't know how you guys work with a laptop. I carefully spec'd a AMD desktop for $1,500 and add a $400 43 inch Samsung 4k as monitor....and I'm breezing through CAD work. At some point if you are working from home, just consider it an offset cost to commuting. Another thing....I was talking to a guy in Veterans Affairs. They gave him a laptop and a mic and send him home. I had a though time understanding him and I knew from experience he had a crappy mic. $50 of Skullcandy magic can fix that. I use them and forget I have them on, plus I can hear them so clearly, I can hear their cat fart...or so they tell me. Yeah, I know, it's from your pocket but....no travel, no wasted time, bare butt comfort of home and of course wife/husband smooching on demand. What are those savings worth from your pocket? I brought my laptop home along with my docking station and connected it to my dual monitor display... I also brought home my plantronics bluetooth headset... I'm pretty well set up from a hardware and tech point of view... the only issue is I'm working a split shift, 4am to 9am and the 3pm to 6pm |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Apr 8, 2020 16:05:38 GMT -5
Lots of misinformation out there, too ... there was an ugly social media rumour that stated the police were stopping vehicles and asking people where they're going ... if you're going for groceries then you have to go to the nearest one to your house ... if you're not going to work, for groceries or for a medical appointment, you'll have to turn around and go home ... none of this was true and it took a formal statement from the police before some people realized it was a hoax ...
Cheers.
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Post by Cranky on Apr 9, 2020 14:46:24 GMT -5
I brought my laptop home along with my docking station and connected it to my dual monitor display... I also brought home my plantronics bluetooth headset... I'm pretty well set up from a hardware and tech point of view... the only issue is I'm working a split shift, 4am to 9am and the 3pm to 6pm That is a bit of a screwed up schedule. You got to be in bed early or sleep through the day. Working from home will be the new norm. Last week it was Veterans affairs and a few days ago it was the city, at the end of whatever we needed to talk about, I asked them about working from home. It appears to be the new norm.....BUTT....and as usual, everything has two sides....I'm afraid that this increase in working from home, particularly for customer service, it will increase outsourcing and lowest cost. Why would they need Canadian person in customer service for Veterans Affairs? Take away the need for the presence of the employee and it can be wherever they want. Be careful what we wish for...... |
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 9, 2020 20:51:11 GMT -5
I brought my laptop home along with my docking station and connected it to my dual monitor display... I also brought home my plantronics bluetooth headset... I'm pretty well set up from a hardware and tech point of view... the only issue is I'm working a split shift, 4am to 9am and the 3pm to 6pm That is a bit of a screwed up schedule. You got to be in bed early or sleep through the day. Working from home will be the new norm. Last week it was Veterans affairs and a few days ago it was the city, at the end of whatever we needed to talk about, I asked them about working from home. It appears to be the new norm.....BUTT....and as usual, everything has two sides....I'm afraid that this increase in working from home, particularly for customer service, it will increase outsourcing and lowest cost. Why would they need Canadian person in customer service for Veterans Affairs? Take away the need for the presence of the employee and it can be wherever they want. Be careful what we wish for...... It is a screwed up schedule but it beats working 4pm to midnight... What my management is finding is more is getting done... people are at home, no distractions, no going to the food court for a coffee, no water fountain chats, no socializing, no extended lunches... we also have a project manager who has his thumb on the pulse of things and we have daily scrums so there is no hiding... I can see this being the new norm as well... I know I will ask to telework 3 days a week after this... I get so much more done |
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Post by PTH on Apr 20, 2020 15:32:44 GMT -5
I can see this being the new norm as well... I know I will ask to telework 3 days a week after this... I get so much more done Telework can work if deliverables are well defined and bosses have a clue. In my current job, our deliverables are vague and everchanging, and office politics means actual decision-making is completely separate for the governance structure that is supposed to take decisions. I've often had decision making committees take decisions, and a week later I get a kind work from my boss telling me that the decision has been reversed by a higher-up. I'm currently going over version 7 of an already approved document that people can't stop commenting on, despite knowing it will never actually be read by anyone afterwards. For this kind of work, telework makes it tougher, not only to do it, but to learn how things are really done, since there is no useful documentation. Most training is done between cubbyholes. |
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Post by Tankdriver on Apr 20, 2020 20:15:53 GMT -5
Yeah that definitely sucks.
So I got my first mortgage renewal coming up in 2 months and was hoping to do a face to face with a rep because I have some questions. Wondering if the banks around me will actually be open now.
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Post by franko on Apr 21, 2020 8:06:34 GMT -5
So I got my first mortgage renewal coming up in 2 months and was hoping to do a face to face with a rep because I have some questions. Wondering if the banks around me will actually be open now. bah, just exited without posting. call your bank now, don't wait for them or they'll probably renew you (as a "favour") at the current whatever high rate they can get you at. most banks will guarantee a rate for 120 days if you talk to them. look on-line and ask for their lowest rate. fwiw, I'm happy not to have to drive, park,sit, wait; I'll make a phone appointment and let them chase me. |
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Post by Tankdriver on Apr 21, 2020 12:12:08 GMT -5
So I got my first mortgage renewal coming up in 2 months and was hoping to do a face to face with a rep because I have some questions. Wondering if the banks around me will actually be open now. bah, just exited without posting. call your bank now, don't wait for them or they'll probably renew you (as a "favour") at the current whatever high rate they can get you at. most banks will guarantee a rate for 120 days if you talk to them. look on-line and ask for their lowest rate. fwiw, I'm happy not to have to drive, park,sit, wait; I'll make a phone appointment and let them chase me. Yeah, I got one about 2 months ago, and just checked to see they came out with new offers, but one offer I was getting the same rate and term that I had before but for some reason the payments were higher. I was thinking it was most likely because they were taking the last 4 months and considering it an opt out and spreading it equally over the new term which is what I didn't want. Basically I wanted to lock in a new rate at the end of my current mortgage. Is that even possible? Question for those mortgage experts: When renewing, how do you determine how many years you have left? I took and accelerated plan and did an additional payment to the principal to reduce the balance, but now I have no idea what I am supposed to say for term remaining. I was hoping for some clarification on that. |
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Post by franko on Apr 21, 2020 14:47:26 GMT -5
bah, just exited without posting. call your bank now, don't wait for them or they'll probably renew you (as a "favour") at the current whatever high rate they can get you at. most banks will guarantee a rate for 120 days if you talk to them. look on-line and ask for their lowest rate. fwiw, I'm happy not to have to drive, park,sit, wait; I'll make a phone appointment and let them chase me. Yeah, I got one about 2 months ago, and just checked to see they came out with new offers, but one offer I was getting the same rate and term that I had before but for some reason the payments were higher. I was thinking it was most likely because they were taking the last 4 months and considering it an opt out and spreading it equally over the new term which is what I didn't want. Basically I wanted to lock in a new rate at the end of my current mortgage. Is that even possible? Question for those mortgage experts: When renewing, how do you determine how many years you have left? I took and accelerated plan and did an additional payment to the principal to reduce the balance, but now I have no idea what I am supposed to say for term remaining. I was hoping for some clarification on that. caveat: I'm no expert. don't determine the number of years left, determine the number of years you want until the end of your mortgage. go to any one of the mortgage amortizers on the net, figure out years and payments before hand. figure it out for yourself, don't let them tell you what to pay or how long to stretch it out. they want you to pay longer! you can lock in a new rate now that will take effect when this mortgage expires. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 6, 2020 10:48:49 GMT -5
I'm not as stressed as the people of Newfoundland ... Police in N.L. now have sweeping powers
to enforce pandemic public health ordersOpposition negotiated expanded categories for approved entry under new bill CBC News · Posted: May 05, 2020 8:35 AM NT | Last Updated: May 5 The Newfoundland and Labrador government gave sweeping new powers to the police to enforce public health orders under the COVID-19 pandemic. Fifteen MHAs sat in the House of Assembly Tuesday to amend the Public Health Protection and Promotion Act, authorizing officers to stop vehicles, enter any premises, and detain people and take them to the border if they are not complying with public health measures. "You can be put on the Marine Atlantic ferry and sent back to Nova Scotia," Premier Dwight Ball told reporters in a virtual scrum Tuesday afternoon. Bill 38 gives inspectors powers to enter any premises, take samples, conduct tests, make copies, and take photos or videos. It also allows them to inspect premises, processes, books and records.
The law also protects lawmakers, the chief medical officer, inspectors and peace officers and others from personal liability. More. |
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Post by Cranky on May 7, 2020 3:16:18 GMT -5
I'm not as stressed as the people of Newfoundland ... Police in N.L. now have sweeping powers
to enforce pandemic public health ordersOpposition negotiated expanded categories for approved entry under new bill CBC News · Posted: May 05, 2020 8:35 AM NT | Last Updated: May 5 The Newfoundland and Labrador government gave sweeping new powers to the police to enforce public health orders under the COVID-19 pandemic. Fifteen MHAs sat in the House of Assembly Tuesday to amend the Public Health Protection and Promotion Act, authorizing officers to stop vehicles, enter any premises, and detain people and take them to the border if they are not complying with public health measures. "You can be put on the Marine Atlantic ferry and sent back to Nova Scotia," Premier Dwight Ball told reporters in a virtual scrum Tuesday afternoon. Bill 38 gives inspectors powers to enter any premises, take samples, conduct tests, make copies, and take photos or videos. It also allows them to inspect premises, processes, books and records.
The law also protects lawmakers, the chief medical officer, inspectors and peace officers and others from personal liability. More. WAY over t he top. Basically, they have as much power as two bit dicky-tator countries. I would say the courts would take care of this, but unlike the US courts, our judges are "progressive" which basically means they go with the prevailing winds. Our pretty moron in chief was "frightened and appalled" when he found out one of the potential nominees for our Supreme Count would follow our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Imagine that, following the law instead of making it up as they go. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 7, 2020 15:22:07 GMT -5
I haven't seen him put his name to any cheques going out to the Canadian public (it's actually their money, to begin with) and I haven't seen any "Trudeau Dolls" complete with mirrors and a 5-card selfie subset ... conversely, Trump has added his name to cheques going out to Americans, and recently they've been flogging the "Trumpy Bear" ... again ... |
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Post by Willie Dog on May 12, 2020 7:06:40 GMT -5
I haven't seen him put his name to any cheques going out to the Canadian public (it's actually their money, to begin with) and I haven't seen any "Trudeau Dolls" complete with mirrors and a 5-card selfie subset ... conversely, Trump has added his name to cheques going out to Americans, and recently they've been flogging the "Trumpy Bear" ... again ... Why isnt the bear orange with white around its eyes? |
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