Life in the Lower Mainland (BC, Canada)

This is a guide to vacationing in the United States, highlighting the most adventurous and exotic things that could happen to you -- that is, if you actually make it into the United States . Table of Contents Getting into the United States California (Los Angeles) Michigan (Detroit) Florida Getting into the United States It is perfectly natural to be detained trying to get into the United States. Even US citizens have trouble just trying to go home . But chances are good you won't be turned back at the border even if there's a slight hassle with your paperwork. Just make sure you have enough leftover vacation days in case your stay in detention exceeds your planned vacation days in the United States. Actually, if you DO have all your paperwork in order, you might end up spending more time in detention, possibly a whole two weeks, like Jasmine Mooney . Not having any criminal record may count in your favor but don't bet on it. As of June 2025, only  around 47% of around 59,0...

Cover Letter Subject: Proposal for a Pilot High-Density Dormitory to Relieve Vancouver’s Housing Pressure from International Students Dear [Recipient’s Name / City of Vancouver Housing Department], I hope this message finds you well. I am submitting a proposal for a pilot project to develop a high-density dormitory-style housing facility primarily for international ESL and post-secondary students within walking distance of a cluster of ESL schools in downtown Vancouver. This project aims to provide culturally appropriate, affordable student housing that will help alleviate rental market pressures by removing this demographic from the general apartment rental pool. An additional key benefit is the potential to significantly reduce international students’ housing costs to a level that may reduce or eliminate their need to work part-time jobs locally. This reduction in student labour market participation can free up entry-level jobs for local residents, enhance students’ academic focus, a...

The Last Grocery Store It’s not that Maria hadn’t noticed the changes. The clinic down the road had quietly shut its doors a year ago after Medicaid funding was slashed, but no one made much of it then. People just drove farther, or they didn’t. When the county’s only pediatrician left, when vaccines ran dry, when the shelves at the pharmacy started emptying out — that’s when the quiet started to settle in. Now, the last grocery store in her town was gone, too. The property was owned by a trust, which was owned by another trust, which was ultimately linked to one of those billionaire farmland acquisitions that had slowly carved up the region. No one lived here anymore. Fewer births, more deaths, families deported, clinics and schools shuttered, until all that was left were skeletal towns dotting billionaire-owned fields — automated combines rolling past abandoned homes. Maria knew she should leave. But where? And for what? Her phone still worked, of course. Service was flawless. D...

This article came about when I asked ChatGPT to assess if I were being unreasonable about a hypothesis. Maybe it's programmed to do this as a product, but ChatGPT encouraged me to turn it into an article. So I asked ChatGPT to make it an article, to see what it looks like. The article is presented first, then the initial discussions with ChatGPT that resulted in the article. Here's the TLDR: Perhaps men, historically, fooled themselves into believing that a woman’s affection was purely personal, when it was entangled with survival. Perhaps women, too, embraced the story because it was the most dignified and emotionally satisfying version of a limited choice. What happens when that layer is peeled back?

💋 The Courtly Kiss: A Playful, LGBT+ Friendly Card Game of Affection and Strategy Looking for a dignified alternative to spin-the-bottle? The Courtly Kiss is a flirty, light strategy game perfect for parties where affection, humor, and a touch of playful competition are on the menu. 💡 Why Play Courtly Kiss Instead of Spin-the-Bottle? Inclusive by Design: No gendered roles, no forced pairings— anyone can kiss anyone. You’re Always Involved: Unlike spin-the-bottle, you never have to sit out to avoid discomfort. Even when you’re avoiding kisses, you’re still playing and making meaningful choices. Graceful Opt-Out: The Ice Queen role gives you a stylish, in-game way to pass on kisses without stopping the fun. Built-In Agency: You can strategically pursue or dodge kisses based on the cards you play, making the game feel playful but empowering. More Suspense, Less Pressure: The outcome isn’t random—it’s a tug-of-war of choices and risks. You always have ways to chang...

The Federal version of the municipal proposal to take over failed housing projects and convert them to subsidized housing . This feels timely not just because of the urgent need for affordable housing but because there's government will to spend for this purpose.