ACA (Obamacare) is still a thing. Sign up if you need healthcare!

ACA (Obamacare) is still a thing. Sign up if you need healthcare!
http://www.refinery29.com/2017/10/179035/obamacare-open-enrollment-health-insurance-2018

Duffy just isn't sure of that skull

Duffy just isn't sure of that skull

I was in the kitchen and heard growling.

An easy way to reduce market losses.

An easy way to reduce market losses.

I am an internal auditor. Some systems require annual external audits that are not certifying and some systems allow 2 internal audits meeting the same criteria and one 1 external audit on a 3 year cycle. These audits provide metrics and a common baseline and would be a reasonable stance to be agreed on. I get where companies are coming from in that they want to present their business to potential investors in as positive a manner as possible but with bubbles of over 50% de-valuation, as an investor I would want this in place.

This means, for me, lower risk for more constant returns and investment in US companies only if they are multinational and subject to mandated external financial audits. As an internal auditor, I know it's easy to loose track of time and/or be sloppy with review because you "know" things. Also there is not guarantee the internal audit has the same metrics as the external auditing system.
http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4367685

Was going to take dogs for a walk.

Was going to take dogs for a walk.

Don't think I'll rush through my coffee and laundry after all.

#joinindaily with Johnny Wills

#joinindaily with Johnny Wills
Theme: Ball

Haven't people always had a filter bubble?

Haven't people always had a filter bubble?

I don't hang out with everyone I meet. To me this could be handled with critical thinking education and advertising rules. Statements about account origin may be helpful but in the end people need to accept that the voting system in the US is not democratic. Parties get to draw voting districts, voting stations are not easily accessible and the voters don't seems as important as corporate sponsorship certainly at the leadership level. And voter access seems very limited.

But maybe that's the new politician. I've emailed my MP and gotten no response where my previous MP always got back to me. Maybe this one only pays attention to Facebook or can't actually formulate a response to a retest for information from someone not blatantly supportive of whatever policy their party stands for. Certain meshes with the lack of personal contact during the election process.
http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4367168

Watching Blindspot. New story arc

Watching Blindspot. New story arc

Looking pretty good. So Rich Dot Com was on Dark Matter. It's not produced in Canada is it?

The US is not into NAFTA so what's the harm?

The US is not into NAFTA so what's the harm?

Canada has been pretty low key and, as a result, borne the brunt of the new US win - everyone else lose style of politics. Much better to get started on additional trade agreements. It took 7 years to negotiate the deal with the EU. Why would it be different with China?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/james-moore-china-nafta-plan-1.4374026

16C yesterday. Today not so much.

16C yesterday. Today not so much.

Cold, wind and snow blew in today. At this time of year I check the weather when it's nice out and I think of bailing on a dog walk.

Thanks Mom & Dad for making me where a uniform to school when no one else did.

Thanks Mom & Dad for making me where a uniform to school when no one else did.

I learned early to be oblivious to other people's opinions of my clothes.

Where did this idea that girls/women dress for men's viewing pleasure actually come from? I can see the part about women's fashions being defined by what men like to look at and affecting availability but the actual selection of clothes based on what some random one else might like to look at vs what I find appealing is totally alien. Has it ever been true (since the 60s) that women do that?

We do a check when we go out - would you be seen in public with me dressed like this. I thought it was about colour matches, underwear lines and clothing condition. I've been answering wrong!
https://www.themarysue.com/blanchett-instyle-speech/amp/

Dishwasher recall!

Dishwasher recall!
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/dishwasher-recall-1.4368700

Good news bad news, vending machine accepts Android pay.

Good news bad news, vending machine accepts Android pay.

*Hey it's Monday. You may need this. *

*Hey it's Monday. You may need this. *
https://youtu.be/plAPY7WkIYA

Dogs really can smell your fear, and then they get scared too

Dogs really can smell your fear, and then they get scared too

Dog owners swear that their furry best friend is in tune with their emotions. Now it seems this feeling of interspecies connection is real: dogs can smell your emotional state, and adopt your emotions as their own. Science had already shown that dogs can see and hear the signs of human emotions, says Biagio D’Aniello of the University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy. But nobody had studied whether dogs could pick up on olfactory cues from humans....D’Aniello and his colleagues tested whether dogs could sniff out human emotions by smell alone. First, human volunteers watched videos designed to cause fear or happiness, or a neutral response, and the team collected samples of their sweat. Next, the researchers presented these odour samples to domestic dogs, and monitored the dogs’ behaviours and heart rates. Dogs exposed to fear smells showed more signs of stress than those exposed to happy or neutral smells. They also had higher heart rates, and sought more reassurance from their owners and made less social contact with strangers....D’Aniello’s study suggests humans can inadvertently hijack their dogs’ emotions by releasing smells. A second study suggests dogs can return the favour, using their expressive faces. Juliane Kaminski of the University of Portsmouth, UK, and her colleagues have found that dogs’ faces are most expressive when they know people are looking at them. The researchers introduced dogs to a human who was either looking at them or facing away, and either presenting food or offering nothing. The team analysed how much the dogs’ facial movements varied in the four scenarios. They found that the dogs’ facial expressions varied the most when the person was looking at them. In contrast, Kaminski says there was no sign of a “dinner table effect”, “which would predict that dogs try and look super-cute when they want something from the humans.”
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2150956-dogs-really-can-smell-your-fear-and-then-they-get-scared-too/

Win a black Mujjo Full Grain Leather Case for the Samsung Galaxy S8

Win a black Mujjo Full Grain Leather Case for the Samsung Galaxy S8
Last of the cases to give away! This leather beauty is the last of my Galaxy S8 cases to giveaway.  One week to enter and win it! Standard rules apply here... gotta have a Canadian location for me to ship to (do you know how expensive it gets to ship out of...
http://www.androidcoliseum.com/2017/10/win-black-mujjo-full-grain-leather-case.html

Buy extended warranty? You've been played.

Buy extended warranty? You've been played.

I buy neither extended warranties or item specific insurance. Anything not covered by homeowners insurance is a loss I will bear. Last item I got repaired was a washer bought in 2004. Before that is was a stove purchased in 1996. Yes my appliances could be older than you🤤. Last piece of tech I destroyed was a programmable calculator in 1986. I'm either due for a huge use of insurance or pretty good at taking care of stuff.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/sears-extended-warranties-electronics-appliances-liquidation-bankruptcy-1.4361832

I think it's normal to be hurtful but mean is different.

I think it's normal to be hurtful but mean is different.

To me being mean is purposeful and a precursor to bullying. Just like anything, it can be curtailed or promoted through parental values and parenting.

So...not normal.
https://freethoughtblogs.com/singham/2017/10/19/is-it-normal-for-kids-to-be-mean/

How does human fertilization work?

How does human fertilization work?

Sperms travel to egg and one (usually) sperm fertilizes the egg and a mitosis becomes a thing!
https://wyss.harvard.edu/the-beginning/

[Review] The Essential Phone - but is it?

[Review] The Essential Phone - but is it?
So... some long time ago a certain guy had helped within the Google team to develop an operating system that could be used on phones.  That guy was Andy "Android" Rubin, and hence the legend around how Android got its name. Then after Android really had a g...
http://www.androidcoliseum.com/2017/10/review-essential-phone-but-is-it.html

Boy do I disagree with this law - and I'm not affected

Boy do I disagree with this law - and I'm not affected

Congrats old Christian white guy on confining women to their home based on their religion.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-niqab-burka-bill-62-1.4360121

Everybody hates platform exclusivity, so let's all welcome the professional-grade DxO ONE to the green side:

Everybody hates platform exclusivity, so let's all welcome the professional-grade DxO ONE to the green side:
http://pocketnow.com/2017/10/18/dxo-one-camera-attachment-coming-android-phones

You can't share what you can't define.

You can't share what you can't define.

We get politicians in Canada going on about core values. I think a core Canadian value is everyone gets to make decisions about their body as long as those decisions don't hurt anyone else another is laws can't be written to intrinsically benefit one group of people. The people who go on about core values don't seem to mean that because they would discriminate against anyone who is not straight, interfere with women's reproductive choices, people's end of life choices and religious expression.
http://www.stonekettle.com/2017/10/the-myth-of-judeo-christian-values.html

Make vegetables the center piece of meals to lower health risks.

Make vegetables the center piece of meals to lower health risks.

The problem with vegetarian for me was a lot of commercial meat substitutes are carb based. Once Fred started eating vegan and our meat like feature was either legumes or mushrooms the diet was much more enjoyable. The main thing though, it smaller serving sizes.


https://www.consumerreports.org/healthy-eating/eat-smarter-eat-healthier-sugar-salt-fat-gluten/

So getting rid of a Honourable title is a good thing?

So getting rid of a Honourable title is a good thing?

This is what happens when people do a shallow reading of the "rules" without actually consulting the people being affected. This is part of the larger problem of not including an indigenous viewpoint.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/tdsb-chief-job-titles-1.4355844

If you take a lunch, be prepared to take large servings only.

If you take a lunch, be prepared to take large servings only.

Don't avoid people who advocate unlimited guns, ask questions.

Don't avoid people who advocate unlimited guns, ask questions.

If you are looking for someone with an interesting history, read this blog.
https://freethoughtblogs.com/stderr/2017/10/12/the-problem-of-self-defense/

Win a Mujjo Leather Case for your Galaxy S8+

Win a Mujjo Leather Case for your Galaxy S8+
So, you have a nice new Galaxy S8+ (pretty jealous, remember my review ). Well, we've had a few cases here and times to get them on to the readers. Last couple left to give out. This one is the best of the bunch.  Mujjo's Full Grain Leather Case So, standar...
http://www.androidcoliseum.com/2017/10/win-mujjo-leather-case-for-your-galaxy.html

Time for a second personal cell phone in this household.

Time for a second personal cell phone in this household.

Fred only had a work phone that he doesn't want to use for personal stuff too much so I got a second line and this device. Marques Brownlee said this is one of the best budget phones in a video I watched earlier and Fred really wanted an iPhone as he likes his work one.

He does use android tablets but the one phone he had (Sony Z3C) was really unreliable and failed every time he went to use it. Part of it was probably because he's used to unlimited data on his work phone. The other was it wasn't that great a phone for either of us.

I got him on a Sask plan so it wasn't worth it to buy outright and do a BYOD.

#FitBit has such awesome customer service!

#FitBit has such awesome customer service!

The bracelet for my Flex2 broke so I started a support chat. Upload a picture with a reference number and poof, replacement is on the way.

I use it the 2 different ways. Why not clarify?

I use it the 2 different ways. Why not clarify?

I also spell with "our" instead of "or"
https://www.merriam-webster.com/video/alright-vs-all-right

Perhaps your definition of "smart" is inadequate?

Perhaps your definition of "smart" is inadequate?

Unless you have a very routine life you are going to need critical thinking... Or someone to critically think for you.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-smart-people-do-foolish-things/

I'll bet I know what looks "fair" to the US under Trump.

I'll bet I know what looks "fair" to the US under Trump.

Unlimited access with no tariffs for US goods (including guns regardless of our laws) into Canada and no access for any goods that can be produced in the US and those that do enter have 100 to 200% tariff rates because we have subsidies like universal healthcare and social services.

I used to have ethical concerns about China that I didn't have with the US. Now my ethical concerns for China are still there but I have equal ethical concerns about the US. Between trashing what limited health access was accomplished, continuing the spiral the education system down the drain and reneging on global agreements at least you know what you're getting when you deal with China.
http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4354020

Harassers and abusers are a public health matter because they suck the productivity out of their targets just like any other disease.

Harassers and abusers are a public health matter because they suck the productivity out of their targets just like any other disease.

Whether the targets do small things like dodge "pesterers" or develop PTSD - this is energy people could have been spent on doing things for themselves and others (without cohersion). Women may do the heavy lifting of exposing and not being believed but that's because boys are encultured at an early age to accept violence against them and not complain.


https://freethoughtblogs.com/hetpat/2017/10/13/harvey-weinstein-and-the-authoritarianism-of-violence/

I loved this show but scheduling was irregular so I wasn't easy to tape for later.

I loved this show but scheduling was irregular so I wasn't easy to tape for later.

Didnt realize it was only one season.


http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/10/11/total-recall-2070-the-blade-runner-tv-series-no-one-talks-about

The themes in Blade Runner 2049 really worked for me. I liked this movie better where Fred felt it didn't have the drama of Roy Batty so it was a little lacking. We both enjoyed it though.

The themes in Blade Runner 2049 really worked for me. I liked this movie better where Fred felt it didn't have the drama of Roy Batty so it was a little lacking. We both enjoyed it though.


https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/10/the-real-and-unreal-in-blade-runner-2049/542574/

If NAFTA fails Canada should not make a trade deal with the US IMHO.

If NAFTA fails Canada should not make a trade deal with the US IMHO.

As Mexico states, tariffs have fallen world wide. The US has consistently slapped tariffs on Canadian goods even with NAFTA and with the current America First policy I can't see compromise and consensus occurring during trade talks. If US stepped out, I'm sure China and other markets would step in. China has already indicated that with the milk solids plant in Ontario. Canada is wealthy enough to not be as affected by China's foreign aid soft loan policies and large enough to absorb Chinese immigrants if that became a negotiation point.
http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4350899

Oooo Constantine is back!

Oooo Constantine is back!
https://io9.gizmodo.com/when-constantine-returns-to-legends-of-tomorrow-this-se-1819331656

Financial brokers always claim the client has expert knowledge. Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha!

Financial brokers always claim the client has expert knowledge. Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha!

We were looking at investment information last night and financial companies do their best to be muddy in their transparency. Fund commissions (2-3%) are on one information page, fees paid to the financial rep (0.5 to 0.9 %) on another statement and all the information looks reasonable. After all if we were experts we would do our own investment strategy so we willing to a reasonable fee for management.

If you are interested, the EdX course MichiganX - FIN403x Financial Institutions and Markets is free and the prof puts numbers to the movie "The Big Short". It can help you understand how it financial information fits together and why regulation is so important. After all, a study of over 1.5 million data points showed (nice Canadian) Advisers recommend funds with the best fees paid to them regardless of fund performance.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/financial-advisor-earns-quarter-million-in-commissions-1.4328616

It's never enough to tell people to change. Suggestions for how are essential.

It's never enough to tell people to change. Suggestions for how are essential.

Just like thoughts and prayers. It's easy to tell people to do something then blame them when efforts fail. The hard work is in creating and implementing change. In this case, why are people taking opioids, is there an effective alternative behaviour

... before they'll change their behavior, most people need to feel empowered to do so. The technical name for the feeling is self-efficacy. Without that self-confidence, the CDC's opioid campaign just makes viewers sad and afraid, emotions they may deal with unproductively...

The example they use is drinking and driving. Don't drink and drive is a slogan. Check stops (and charging bars who serve drunk people) are a deterrent, designated driver is a action a group can take.
https://psmag.com/news/public-health-experts-skeptical-of-new-cdc-anti-opioid-campaign

Heel walking is easier. Who knew.

Heel walking is easier. Who knew.

I suspect I'm more of a toe walker because I wear bare feet and slides. After you watch you'll be a little stuck on walking ☺️
http://digg.com/video/walking-different-medieval-times

I know my online friends don't need these tips but maybe a friend of a friend?

I know my online friends don't need these tips but maybe a friend of a friend?


https://medium.com/@annevictoriaclark/the-rock-test-a-hack-for-men-who-dont-want-to-be-accused-of-sexual-harassment-73c45e0b49af

Enjoying using TV Time app.

Enjoying using TV Time app.

Booked our 2018 flights to the Cook Islands with #AirNewZealand

Booked our 2018 flights to the Cook Islands with #AirNewZealand

Going a bit later so Fred can pull the pin before we leave. Meeting up with a couple from California that we see down there. We really liked how it went last year. Raro for a few days then a week on Aitutaki then back to Raro for a couple more days.

Blade Runner 2049. It's complicated.

Blade Runner 2049. It's complicated.

Definitely not what the trailers depict but very much in line with the first movie.
https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2017/10/08/blade-runner-2049/

Canada needs to get more "anally bureaucratic" with imports...

Canada needs to get more "anally bureaucratic" with imports...

I just can't see that happening although it would improve employment rates. I really think Canadian producers would rather take the loss and export to the US. There are personal ties, certainly in agricultural, and snowbirds who contribute a lot to the US economy and would continue to do so even if it hurt the Canadian economy.
http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4344688

Small town living. Blade Runner 2049.

Small town living. Blade Runner 2049.

Fred said there was no rush lol.

Do not buy this screen protector

Do not buy this screen protector

Feel into the trap of buying from Samsung store thinking pricey would be reliable. It's not. Edge only adhesive means wonky screen sensitivity. Had a glass protector on my S6 but will do something different for this. Maybe a coating through Staples.

You say mushy, I say inclusive.

You say mushy, I say inclusive.

Jews were not the only group targeted by Nazi Germany but they did get a country carved out. Many of the targeted groups (homosexual, gypsies) continue to fight against discrimination.
http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4344114

I thought pregnancy info was just a secret from those yet to be pregnant. Nope, just secret.

I thought pregnancy info was just a secret from those yet to be pregnant. Nope, just secret.

There are many long term health issues arising from pregnancy. This wouldn't stop people from having families but would ensure proper care for recovery rather than focusing on getting into Pre-Pregnancy body.
http://www.refinery29.com/amp/preparing-for-pregnancy-workouts-postpartum-recovery

You really should take1st aid/AED training if given the chance.

You really should take1st aid/AED training if given the chance.

I am a certified first aid instructor with St John Ambulance. Even at work, production ALL production staff take first aid; office staff can't seem to find the time to take a free course that would help them help others. And they are farmers so it's no as if nothing would happen to them. At work there is 3 identified AED locations and there's one at most arenas in town.

In this story, however, the AED was on a private(?) sailboat. Unless location trackers were embedded into the battery or pads, how would you know where a mobile AED was? I'm also not sure privately purchased AED information should be made public as you would have to be quite wealthy to own and maintain one. A better idea, to me, is have them installed and maintained in public spaces and businesses who volunteer to have them accessible.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/david-fowlie-defibrillator-access-aed-registry-maritimes-1.4306225

Gone too soon but surrounded by love and family.

Gone too soon but surrounded by love and family.
http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4317148

Time for another course through EdX - IMAGE | ABILITY - Visualizing the Unimaginable.

Time for another course through EdX - IMAGE | ABILITY - Visualizing the Unimaginable.

Blurb is - Enhance your communication skills and learn how to illustrate your thoughts through comparisons, metaphors and diagrams. It's about cultural bias and semiotics...so far. First assignment. Illustrate 2 untrue and 1 true fact about where you live. I do these courses that encourage drawing even though I draw like someone with enough motor control to hold a pen but that's about it. You should have seen my calligraphy illuminations.

Community policing means working with the community.

Community policing means working with the community.

I think these officers did a good job. Friendly, helpful etc. You really do get what you give. But some of the YouTube comments - the car driver wasn't doing anything overtly wrong when they were pulled over, they back window sticker was legal, blah, blah, blah. Truly, poorly socialized people who can't figure out community based on positives rather than tearing down others.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=TMhjhwpOabs