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Echoing what Rich said, another one of the great ones gone. I will miss our conversations dearly. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

Amazing, the direction this thread went. Oh wait, not so amazing. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

Agreed. Domi looked incredible. BUT.... how do go from a lead of 5-1, and close out with a squeaker at 5-4? At least it was not a repeat the 2011 final... But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

Yup...they sure ducked that carnage! I, for one, am happy for that ending. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

It is good. But cellos do have more history in this genre. This may not qualify as 'these days' but I prefer this

Did you know that if you took everything that came out of your body, in one year, and put it on a scale... (it would look really, really gross!) But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

This one is a bit less interesting, since it largely focused on those crazy enough to carry across the border. And I found the bit about DUIs a bit ironic given that Canada has a reputation for banning Americans from entry if they have a DUI in their past for the same reasons of moral turpitude. As for the misogynistic TSA - I wonder if some day they're going to do something outrageously stupid that the walls come crashing down on them. They have backed away from the nudie scanners, though not until having paid hundreds of millions. That is a fair point on the DUI issue. I am not suggesting that it is all funs and roses coming north of the 49th, either. But I have friends who have been either denied entry into the U.S. for some minor, arbitrary reason, and then have been admitted soon after without issue. And I have friends who have been banned from entry for five years, based on the opinion of the CBP officer that they were probably going to do something wrong. This arbitrary decision goes unchecked, since the CBP is considered arresting officer, judge and jury in these matters. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

The first one speaks to the hypocrisy that seems to run rampant. This list (see the post-prohibition part) shows how you can be POTUS if you admit to past use, but may be barred from visiting the country if you are a potential visitor who admits to past use. Ever. *note that both Republican and Democrat Presidents are included - that should make it interesting in this forum. But it is part of a broader argument: No one should expect that it is their right to enter another nation. I do not take it for granted, even between Canada and the U.S. But if it is permissible to do so if you meet certain requirements, then you should not be treated with disrespect and abuse. Canada is a visa exempt country with the U.S. We are both part of NAFTA. Countless times we hear both our respective political leaders stating how our friends to the (north/south) are our BFF. Well, if my friend disapproved of something I did in my home, yet did it himself in his home, I would not only consider that person a hypocrite; I would wonder why I would want to go to their home ever again. And that really disappoints me. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

Sure. I think you should start that discussion. And perhaps ask the current administration why these sorts of things are happening: Don't admit you EVER smoked pot and Don't carry condoms with you But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

How many Torontonians does it take to change a light bulb? Only one: To holds it in the socket and wait for the world to revolve around it. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

Since we know that OCHUTE is purposefully trolling (and is almost certainly a sockpuppet who should be perma-banned anyway), and since I'm not sure it can really be deemed a personal attack when we know she doesn't have a dick isn't that a little harsh? Heck, I just got away with calling a real poster a drooling imbecile because I did it in a vaguely roundabout way so this really seems unfair. +1 The most entertaining part of lurking any thread that OHCHUTE participates in is seeing how he/she/other responds to the intelligent posts of labrys et al. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

You've gotta be loving this! Good luck Iggy! Cool to see an athlete that is universally admired. Count me in too. He deserves a Cup ring to go with his Olympic gold. Now that he is not part of the Calgary franchise, I can cheer for him. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

Try Jack Whyte's Dream of Eagles series. It is a really cool take on the King Arthur legend. Jack does his homework on the history bits and is a good writer. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

I have black thumbs as well, and yes, just grab the seedlings and plant them. I've used the basic fertilizer solution and if it was to be a frosty night I just covered them with towels (over the May long weekend). After that it was just lots of water if it wasn't raining already. And heavy metal music. Lots of metal helped. I was surprised how easy it was. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

I was adopted. And you are correct: I wanted to know my real dad and mom. It turns out they were right there with me, since the day they picked me up!

I am sure that plenty of people have their own stories about borders, U.S. or otherwise. But I will offer another example of how unpleasant it can be getting through the 49th parallel: My (70 year old) parents were travelling by car from Canada into Maine recently. They have been through many, many times and have with them just the required travel stuff - luggage, camera, documents, donuts. And my father is an ex-RCMP officer so he knows the drill when dealing with anyone in a capacity such as a border agent: be polite, answer the questions truthfully, etc. My Mom usually has some food with her for the trip. The border agent asked if they had any contraband. "No." But he searched the backseat anyway and found...two oranges! He verbally blasted my mother and stated that since she did not declare the fruit, she could be fined, AND denied entry to the U.S. Yes, the import of foods needs to be declared for pest and disease issues...she did not realize food was considered 'contraband'. Needless to say, she was quite taken aback but restrained herself from saying anything as she respects authority. Eventually the agent allowed them passage. My Mom is too nice sometimes. She didn't bother to mention to the agent that the oranges she was illegally carrying into the country were imported to Canada from Florida (the little stickers on them didn't give it away). It reminded me of travellers who had their sandwiches confiscated because of BSE concerns, even though the luncheon meats were product of U.S.A. The point is that most times people do not complain about it, and many do not have any problems, and just take it as a normal part of being scrutinized before entering a country. But it is getting ridiculous entering the U.S. when you think about the previous posts about people who had official documents and were detained/restrained. For two nations that claim to have the longest undefended border on the planet it sure doesn't seem that way. That is my nickel (we don't have pennies anymore for offering 2 cents) But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

Yes, they did miss a great time. NO water landings, NO reserve rides and NO injuries (unless you count hangovers!). Thanks to EVERYONE that attended and helped at the event! You were all very patient and accommodating! Looking forward to next year (tentative dates are March 3 to 13). Don't miss out!

+2 (one for me, one for Jill) But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

- Jonathan Logan licensed firearms owner (Baxter, ON) Arrested when some people claimed he was seen prowling with a rifle adjacent to a soccer field where children were playing when in reality he was no closer than 300 meters in a different field hunting groundhogs with the owner of the field's permission. Mr Logan was initially taken down on suspicion of operating a firearm illegally but when this trumped up charge was going nowhere, he was later charged with "careless storage of a firearm". And where was this carelessly stored firearm located? Initially the police searched Mr Logan's truck, and did find a firearm in it. But it was properly stored as the law requires. No the police found the firearm in question in Mr Logan's basement, and it was an inoperable dismantled firearm they found after they entered the home illegally all in front of Mr Logan's distraught wife and crying children. In 2006 Mr Logan was acquitted on all charges by a Provincial Court Judge who ruled the police take down and public strip search of the Baxter man was unconstitutional and illegal. Well at least the end of the story ended well. But Mr Logan and his family had to endure great emotional and financial legal costs in this ordeal for a crime he did not commit. http://www.lufa.ca/news/news_item.asp?NewsID=5747 - Lawrence Manzer licensed firearms owner and retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces as well as his neighbour Brian Fox (both from Burton, NB) were both arrested after they confronted three drunken teenagers who were vandalizing Mr Fox's property and disturbing the neighbourhood at 2:30 in the morning. Mr Fox was charged with assault for physically apprehending one of the drunken teens (his charges were dropped before he went to court) while Lawrence Menzer was charged with "Pointing a Firearm". Mr Menzer's case went to a court of law where the Judge ruled "Lawrence Menzer's Charter of Rights were violated by the RCMP" and the judge declared the case a mistrial. Another story that ends well, but only after Mr Menzer is subjected to great emotional and financial costs to fight his legal battles. Oh and there is no mention as to whether the police had a warrant or not when they arrested Mr Menser. If you want to nitpick I am not sure this case meets your requirements, but there it is. Another licensed firearms owner with a good record being abused by the system. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5xnTZEj17I http://christopherdiarmani.com/2979/police-state/lawrence-manzer-case/lawrence-manzer-case-ends-abruptly-in-a-mistrial/ Of course the highest profile case going on right now is that of Ian Thomson who also was recently acquitted. I don't believe Mr Thomson's case involved an illegal search, it was just another case where a licensed firearms owner was abused by the law. But as in Jonathan Logan's case there are cases where the police have conducted illegal searches. However they are often harder to find on the internet because you have to realize these are legal cases (some that are still before the courts) and in many case details are purposely omitted from the eyes of the internet when legal matters are still to be heard. But they are out there. Again, attempting to remove the emotional hyperbole... #1: Jonathon Login: http://www.ontariocourts.ca/search-canlii/ocj-en.htm Reading the the judges summation, it appears the incident started properly but went downhill after. He criticized them for weak police communication and investigative skills. Yes, they screwed the pooch and the man was exonerated. #2: Lawrence Manzer: http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/07/15/mistrial-declared-in-case-of-n-b-man-who-fended-off-intruders-with-shotgun/ "Judge Andrew LeMesurier declared the mistrial mid-way through the first day of the court hearing, saying Crown attorneys missed the deadline to prosecute the case by six weeks. It was an error that happened in October 2010, the judge noted, but wasn’t considered by the courts until Thursday." (Further) "The only reason for this mistrial is due to this technicality,” he said. 'It doesn’t vindicate, nor does it condemn his actions, so in that sense there is some limbo'." I don't think a mistrial constitutes proof that the defendant was abused. Or not. Or guilty or acquitted for that matter. #3: "Of course the highest profile case going on right now is that of Ian Thomson who also was recently acquitted." http://www.cfi-icaf.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=514:two-charges-dropped-against-ian-thomson-two-others-to-be-dealt-with-later&catid=165:st-catharines-standard&Itemid=31 "Two charges dropped against Ian Thomson, two others to be dealt with later." I don't think this constitutes an acquittal. Yet. Okay. Could you bring the rhetoric down just a notch please. I think most everybody is willing to listen. But it helps some of us to listen to your points if they're not couched in emotional language. Again, I have no dog in this fight. I do think the police screw up and over-reach occasionally. Absolutely. Is there evidence that supports the claim that legal gun-owners in Canada are being singled out for mistreatment? More negative encounters with police than any other segment of society? I find it difficult to believe that. But I am open to correction without hysteria. Do the courts seem to do a decent job of correcting police improprieties? There is some evidence above that they in fact do. Do some gun-owners feel pressured? Very likely. I don't know if it's generated from real influence, or if it's just an internal emotion within the perceived-persecuted. John PS: Anybody else heading out Monday for the Cabo Boogie? WHOOT WHOOT! J I am. See you at YYC. Hey! I responded to a gun thread on SC. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

The checkpoint is North of Las Cruses, South of T or C. just sayin' Everyone knows where they are, I thought. It takes about 1:50th the amount of time as the Juarez to El Paso crossing, mostly due to the massive amount of people crossing supposedly legally every day. BTW, the crossing is just as bad (south) in the evening, so I guess most of them actually do go home. Ah, that would explain it. I DID take a wrong turn at Albuquerque! [puzzled] Which direction were you headed? This one But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

The checkpoint is North of Las Cruses, South of T or C. just sayin' Everyone knows where they are, I thought. It takes about 1:50th the amount of time as the Juarez to El Paso crossing, mostly due to the massive amount of people crossing supposedly legally every day. BTW, the crossing is just as bad (south) in the evening, so I guess most of them actually do go home. Ah, that would explain it. I DID take a wrong turn at Albuquerque! But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

I recall going through one of those north of El Paso, TX on my way to Las Cruces, NM. Middle of nowhere, no traffic, no anything. And all of a sudden a hut with a barricade and a helicopter hovering overhead. It was really no different than passing through the 'regular' border crossing, although a bit unexpected. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

Didn't you post something similar last year about Nicaraguan servers? But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

Yup,, I prefer my fish SMOKED or deep fried... you ever seen how many parasites there are in fresh fish? If you are referring to sushi as fresh, consider that it is typically frozen (-20 C for seven days or -35 C for 15 hours) to kill off the nasty parasites. So, it is not fresh. Unless you frequent a dodgy corner. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

You know the "light" in Bud Light refers to calories, right? From the link I provided earlier: 10.2.1 Beer Common names are also prescribed by means of labelling regulations. Section B.02.132 establishes mandatory common names or qualified common names as outlined below for various standardized beer products based upon alcohol content. Item Percentage of Alcohol by Volume Qualified Common Name or Common Name Required on the Label or in any Advertisement 1. 1.1 to 2.5 Extra Light Beer, Extra Light Ale, Extra Light Stout, Extra Light Porter 2. 2.6 to 4.0 Light Beer, Light Ale, Light Stout, Light Porter 3. 4.1 to 5.5 Beer, Ale, Stout, Porter 4. 5.6 to 8.5 Strong Beer, Strong Ale, Strong Stout, Strong Porter, Malt Liqueur 5. 8.6 or more Extra Strong Beer, Extra Strong Ale, Extra Strong Stout, Extra Strong Porter, Strong Malt Liqueur Albeit, these are Canadian regulations. But it is still misleading; the higher the alcohol content the higher the higher the caloric content, all other things being equal. (This, below, is from Wiki, since I have troubles with making the markup work well) Bud Light Introduced in 1982 as Budweiser Light, Budweiser's flagship light beer with 4.2% AV and 110 calories per 12 US fl oz (355 mL) serving (1,300 kJ/L). [edit]Bud Light Platinum A slightly sweeter, higher alcohol version of Bud Light launched in early 2012, with 6% ABV. This product is noted for being packaged in a new translucent blue glass bottle. Bud Light Platinum has 137 calories per 12 ounce serving, 8 fewer than a regular Budweiser. That isn't very 'light' even if you define by overall calories alone. But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms