Capitalism Finally digs himself in (6): Begging Communist China!

 Carney traveled to China to beg for forgiveness(!) and see the possibility of hooking up with the country that they always, or probably just from time to time for the sake of argument, only(!), condemn human rights violations, a week ago! The fact is with the power that the Western countries have been giving to China or to be exact the Chinese Communist Party, in the past 4 decades or so, it is very hard for any country, even the US to stand against and stop the beast! 

It was just a short while ago that two Canadians, known as the Two Michaels, were held in the country and one of the main country's executives was under house arrest in Vancouver. Then Canada imposed a 100% tariff on the Chinese EV which was retaliated by imposing tariff on Canadian agricultural imports. Canada did not have any choice to reduce the tariff to only 18% so the farmers could make some money on their products. The country is also letting as many as 49,000 Chinese EVs annually, which has pissed off Premier Ford a lot or I should say, the Ontario auto workers, in fact! 

This map suggests that China might simply block the entire island instead of an invasion which could be as effective or even more successful and less costly. Map courtesy of Yahoo Australia

This proves all this nonsense of human rights and the other crap that these people of, or I should correct myself, these politicians of the US and Canada say is useless. If China wants to take the island of Taiwan back, they can do that in 24 hours or less and the US or no one other country would be able to do a damn thing! The Westerners only confront non-Westerners when there is a temporary benefit! They turn to a friendly face right after that to gain what they can! The West is so addicted to the Chinese products that if they stop the flow, half of the people in the Western Hampshire will be naked and hungry! Go to, for example, Canadian Tire. There's basically not many things Canadian but a few store employees and the building itself which is founded on Canadian soil! Everything is either made in China or some Asian countries such as Vietnam and Bangladesh. Even some employees are non-Canadians! The store shall in fact be called Chinese Tire and I would love to change the big sign on the top of one of these stores one day! I just have to look into the local Bylaw and The Criminal Code of Canada (in more than 1300 pages!) to see what the consequences were, if I did! 

(Photo, top: Robert Schellenberg was first tried and sentenced to capital punishment for narcotics-related charges in China in 2018. His sentence is now overturned after the PM's recent trip to that country. It shows that the Chinese like to work with Canadians as there are lots of benefits for them, more benefits than Canadians'!)

The Beautiful Winter of Alberta, again

The temperature has not gone up -15 ℃ (5 ℉), maximum, in the past few days and I'm really glad that I don't have to go to work today, although it will be mostly boring and waste of time but I get paid for it! Driving is not so bad as soon as I leave my street! The roads here are covered with a sheet of ice and now it's -24 ℃ (-11.2 ℉). If you think you can drive without winter tires, think of jumping in the pool and not getting wet! 

I have my winter tires on but my vehicle isn't in such a good shape. It's losing oil or perhaps I should say it's burning oil. I went to a close Toyota dealership to see what they can do. Here is what they said: $200 for diagnosis! And here's my answer to them: Shove it! Purchasing a new vehicle, no matter how good it is, without winter tires, is like having a wife to starts and raise of family without being intimate! My car has been sitting in the garage for the past month of so and the price of, not so excellent, two pair or winter tires plus the cost of installation is nearly $1800. So I decided not to buy it and instead rely on my old one, until, perhaps in a little more than a year from now, I buy another one: A vehicle for winter and a vehicle for summer. That's how you beat these guys who charge tremendously for their services. You don't have to book an appointment to change your tires. You don't have to change them back to regular one when summer ends and this last you many long years. My  goal is to buy an electric car so I can skip the damn time-wasting and expensive oil change as well. I will work hard and will reach that goal. 

Accidents were really bad on Q. E. II last week, on Thu. There was a big pile up in southbound close to Airdrie. When I reach there I saw tankers and semitrucks on their sides, pick up trucks in the ditch. It was really bad. I heard between 80 and 100 vehicles were involved. Northbound was not that bad. It was slow and blocked and then, happily, when I reached where I needed to take an exit, it had been opened. 

(Photo: I couldn't stop to take pictures but saw these two cars being taken by a tow truck in the city during late evening)

How Long to Save to Buy a New Vehicle?

I've kept my old Toyota after buying a new one. They are nearly 15 years apart, in terms of age! The old one was purchased in Sep.2009 but is a 2010 model, Corolla Standard CE and the new one in Aug.2025. I kept the Corolla because it has two pairs of almost new Michelin X-Ice tires and you can't travel anywhere without those in Alberta in winter. It doesn't matter how cold it is. It could be a very dangerous road even if it's only -1 ℃ (~ 32℉). For that I haven't taken the new car out. Then it hit me: I'm a loser who has nothing in life. Would this not be better to save and buy another new one just for winter? I can order it with winter tires only. I then would donate the Corolla or sell it.

What would be a good vehicle for the tough winter of Alberta? That's the question. Many might say an SUV or a pickup truck. Some might suggest an electric truck, such as Lightning. I have nothing against SUVs and trucks but I always try to minimize my costs. So I would go with something like a Tesla Model 3 or something less expensive within the next two years of so and I have to consider that:

1) I will have the same income, if not higher,

2) There will not be such a significant increase in my expenses, and

3) I remain relatively healthy to operate a motor vehicle! 

How long would it take to purchase a new Tesla Model 3 or a less expensive model, if it comes to the market as it has been the plan, in cash? If I consider the price $70,000, it would be a minimum of 23 months to make it happen, considering all the above!

I also wanted to move to a new place. This is quite big and spacious for me but I'm looking for a better place, in a better neighbourhood.

It's funny how we all plan for the things we like and I think it's good to be positive and think and plan for the things you like to do and hope with dedication and hard work we achieve it but the interesting thing is that if I was in a serious relationship, none of them would've not even come to mind or if they did, would've never been accepted my partner but she had a major say.

(Photo: One of the many amazing old vehicles displayed in the Toyota Automobile Museum in Nagoya, Japan. Unfortunately I don't know the brand but it's not hard to find. Look how spacious it is. Lovely!)

A Mishap after 15 Years!

I woke up on time one of the days of the last week and got ready to go to work, as usual, when I realized that I cannot find my car key! Something that had never happened to me in my life and particularly in the past 15 years that I own this car! I have a spare key but has given it to a relative and they are nearly 15 min. drive away. I could get a cab to wake them up. However, this is the benefit of having two cars! 
I just got the newer one out and drove to work. The funny thing is that the Check Engine Light had come up the night before on the way home, for absolutely no reason and I wanted to drive the new car and it happened! I thought it was somewhere in the house but couldn't find it and then it hit me: What if I left it in the car? I went to the relative's house the next day and I got it. When I opened the door, it was in the vehicle and in the ignition! Someone could've easily stolen the car by simply breaking one of the windows or getting in somehow. This could be a benefit of living in a sketchy neighbourhood! The same care was broken into twice when I lived in Downtown Calgary and nothing was ever recovered: Flashlight, CDs, GPS, you name it! Getting off the subject but the only reason I lived there was my partner who never wanted to live somewhere else. Another disadvantage of being in a bad relationship!

I don't remember how this happened but it could be getting some shopping out of the trunk and forgetting the key inside.

(Photo: Many of the new vehicles do not need a key to enter or ignite the engine, including the one I have purchased but my old Corolla still works that way and I like it!)

Is that a Murder?!

I saw an SUV had parked near where I usually park, or close to it, a few weeks ago. They were parking like a blind! The only thing is our street is not busy or they could have been hit or complained about. I wondered who that belongs to until one day, eventually, I think, I saw where the driver went. It was a woman who lives at a corner house with a man of a different ethnicity who is usually not home and when he comes he comes late, driving a big and noisy pick-up truck. I didn't mind that until one day she parked closer to where I usually park. Now it's difficult for me to get the other vehicle out of the garage because the first car is blocking it and the SUV has been sitting there for more than a week and that's the vehicle which was driven every day! I think there are only three possibilities:

1) The woman is on vacation, alone, without her partner.

2) The woman, unfortunately, has left the man, which is very unlikely, or

3) The woman has been murdered!

It's hard to believe that someone who lives with a certain someone and has never been on a trip by herself, all of a sudden travels and it's as unusual as thinking she has left either! So where are we getting at? 
I was going to wait another week to see if she's coming back and if not I'd report that to the police but the vehicle was moved on Sun. afternoon.

(Photo: I could park really close to this idiot and once someone is parked in front, she would be trapped like a filthy mouse she is, but gave her space to get the hell out)

Reactions to the new Vehicle

I drove my newly purchased vehicles to work for the first time and of course parked it in the provided parking lot which half of the employees park there (There are have three separate parking lots) and received all sorts of reactions which I kind of had expected but perhaps not to that extent:

1) The first person was my supervisor. He stepped in the office and after Good morning he went: You brought the ..., naming the model of the car!

2) Then it was my manager who asked me if I had purchased a new vehicle. I said I had borrowed it citing the issue I currently have with it. The second part was right! 

3) Then there was this guy who has been working for the company for over 12 years or so and believes his job is the most important one. I have a plan to demolish him, partially, at least, later, and I will write about it! He came out of his nest! (he sits on his ass for at least 7 straight hours a day, coming out only for a lunch which he purchases from one of the local businesses or goes to the shop, rarely) and went to a couple of colleagues and said: Who drives that electric vehicle? My supervisor says: It's his, pointing at me and a colleague makes a face and says: The Troublemaker drivers an electric car?! 🤯. The Nestle guy(!), I think I'm going to call him that from now on(!) says he would like to ask the CEO to provide him with a gasoline pump now that I can simply charge my battery! Then he adds: If I disconnected your car, you wouldn't be able to get home tonight, would you? I told him that it was not my vehicle, firstly and secondly, I would easily get home, even if he disconnected the vehicle because the car has a gasoline operated engine! I add that it was a Hybrid Plug-in vehicle! He said nothing much after that! 

4) The next two people were two ladies who work together and I bumped to them when we were all leaving work. They said they had wondered who drove a vehicle with a licence plate from the State of ..., considering it was a very long trip! It's more than 2,300 Miles or 3,700 Km! I told them that the vehicle belonged to a relative and that was it. 

(Photo: Almost all of the major auto manufacturers have started electric, hybrid and plug-in vehicles. I saw this Fiat a few years ago in a parking lot in Las Vegas, Nevada. Not mine though!)

The Crafty Government of Alberta

I once suggested to one of my colleagues to talk to an MLA to have periodic, at least once in two years, maybe, and it would depend on the age and records of the driver, driving tests both in practical and theory format for all the drivers in the Province, considering we have lots of crazy and careless ones on the roads. My intention is to not only improve the driving knowledge and skills of the drivers but also to generate some revenue for the Provincial Government. His answer was logical: No MLA would take any steps for that because they knew they would lose their seat!   

I agree but I have decided to do this myself and I will write about this later after I go forward with the plan. Nevertheless, it was just yesterday that I realized the Government has easier plans to make more money and no one would lose their seats! They want to increase the maximum speed on the divided highways to 120 Km/h! As crazy and stupid as it sounds, I understand what they're looking for: More incidents, which, of course, will lead to more revenue for, not only the Government, but also many businesses which eventually have to pay taxes to the Government! 

Just a few weeks before this, the crazy, dictator woman of the Province introduced a new licence plate with a new stupid slogan: Strong and Free! While all the provinces, including Alberta, so far have non-political slogans, this woman becomes a hero all of a sudden and thinks Alberta has not been strong and free until she calls it on the plates! 

(Photo: This is a divided highway for which the Government of Alberta intends to increase the speed limit)

A Purchase of a Vehicle, Finally

I finally purchased a vehicle after nearly 6 years of postponing it for different reasons. This, however, hasn't been without a loss which I still have the opportunity to compensate for it. I had two deposits at two different dealers, stupid(!), and one has refused to refund me! Not entirely. I haven't gone in to discuss it with them, and there's a chance they're reading it now but the worst case scenario is I will use the deposit as a credit to buy something. The problem with this purchase, mainly was insurance and although I've picked it up, it neither has insurance, nor registration(!) but I have time for those. 
This vehicle looks good and from what I've read about it, is reliable. This is my fourth car in the past 24 years or so and my third brand new vehicle that I've ever purchased. All from the same brand. My goal, first was to purchase a Tesla 3 but I cancelled that due to the high cost. Haters could start their business although I cannot understand why someone would despise another individual who has just purchased a new vehicle, without any history of hostility and resentment! ! It will be a little bit expensive to maintain and repair this vehicle but I have some good maintenance deals, not great, as part of my purchase which should help. Rather than that there's nothing special about this purchase or the vehicle but the fact that someone helped me to get it ready who was a very nice person and then no pressure for getting extra features or services. I, however, cannot disclose the name of the dealership or the model of the car as it would be advertisement. All I can say is the car is from the same brand that is seen in the picture. I'm not going to review the vehicle, unlike the previous one which I had a few posts for it, and I will not have any advise as how to have a smooth purchase like I did, as people normally don't listen (Or perhaps I shall say read!) or if they do they will do whatever they want. What I can say is I just gave the dealership a cheque (I imply didn't want to pay any interest!) and will not have to worry about anything but the insurance and maintenance, partially, for the next whatever years which I will drive this vehicle. I have kept my old vehicle because it still runs and I have two pairs of almost new winter tires on it and have no plan for selling it yet. Not until the next insurance renewal day, at least. 

(Photo: A model of Toyota in a showroom in Nagasaki. These are common types in Japan due to low fuel consumption and ability to maneuver on the streets, which could at time be narrow. I haven't seen anything quite like this anywhere in North America unless it's imported as used and of course the steering wheel is on the right)

Trip to NV at Trump's Time (3): Boundary Peak Attempt

Sleeping in Mizpah Hotel was not too bad but I didn't have enough stimulation the morning I woke up! I made myself a cup of coffee in the room before checking out and headed west. I took US 95, a major highway in Nevada which although goes from south (Las Vegas and before) to north (Reno and beyond), runs from east to west when you exit Tonopah and aim for Boundary Peak. 

It was a bit scary but not a kind of fear that a coward feels. A fear that someone who is alone and suspects they will be in a hole, feels. I continued on US 95 until I reached US 6 which continues to the west and then turns south. This time the number of vehicles on the road decreased even more! 

I drove until I reached Queen Canyon Road, a gravel narrow pass which takes you to an abandoned mine. It took painfully long. Both because I was by myself and it was hot. I started going up. Nissan Kicks is a sort of small SUV which does not have much clearance and it was then where I realized that I had made a mistake! I had selected the wrong time of the year and going there alone was a very hick risk especially when you drive a tiny little car. If the vehicle breaks down or you get injured the chances you come out alive are next to zero! One might ask why there's a road there? The answer can be seen at the end of the very same road: There used to be an active mine there. We saw the mine the last time I was there with Alphonse a few years ago. This time, though, I didn't even make it to the mine entrance! I was terrified that something might happen to the damn car and that would be the start of a very miserable day!

I don't know how far I was from the sort of parking area in front of one of the entrances to the mine but I found somewhere that I could turn and headed back. 

I know this is so stupid and idiotic but there was a huge risk involved and that would not have been even because of the climb! I felt very bad but while I was going back to Las Vegas, I planned for another trip, hopefully next year, to do the hike but this time from the California side. Here's one plan:

1) Fly to Sacramento.

2) Drive to Hawthorne, NV. It's longer than driving from Las Vegas to Tonopah but the drive will be a new one for me and I won't get bored.

3) Drive to Queen Canyon Road.

4) Do the hike.

5) Buy a reliable Satellite Phone, obviously before the trip starts! In case something happens you can contact an emergency, unless the incident is so bad that you can't use the phone! 

This hike would be perfect, if combined with a trip to Japan because there're flights from San Francisco but I think my next year long trip plan is set for Europe, not Japan. So unless there's another opportunity to make the trip to northern California happen, the hike cannot be done.

(Photo: Boundary Peak, the third one from right, not seen the tallest, from the intersection of US 6 and Queen Canyon Road)

A Huge Help

One of the most annoying and dissatisfying experiences as a car owner is when you need a service or repair, especially these past few years. For me the Oil Change has always been the problem. I tried many different service providers but mostly have been to the dealerships simply because I thought I could trust them but the wait and the cost has been too much: Nearly $120! 

This, somehow, was discussed during work and one colleague suggested to help. I thought he was joking but he was serious. So one day after work we went and bought what we needed. We then went to his home where he had a couple of ramps. The process is easy unless you need to change the filter as well for which you need to purchase a special wrench. The other issue would be recycling the old oil but it seems many mechanic shops and recycling centers accept that. I don't exactly know because he did another favour and kept the old oil for later recycling!

The entire process does not take more than 20 minutes even for the least experienced and someone who is not a jack of all trades. He, I believe, is! There was a problem though that made us all and especially him, baffled: The engine uses more than 4 L but we only drained less than 2!! 

I checked the level the next two days and it was sufficient. The colour also indicated that it was freshly added oil. What added more to the already strange situation is that neither Oil Level or Check Engine lights went on! I will check again tomorrow just to make sure everything is normal and then I will have to plan for the next time an oil change is needed. I'm not going to take it to any of these fraudulent service providers. 

(Photo: Using a jack does not seem to be a very safe practice but some do. I plan not to!)

An Adventerous Purchase

This past weekend I decided to get some fresh Garlic. I had planned that since the spring of last year and never had the chance to do so. I found a farm near the town of Innisfail. I called them to make sure they're open. I wrote the address on a piece of paper and headed to the town. My experience with my old Garmin GPS has never been good and I don't have data on my phone! So either a paper map or notes! Everything is straightforward until Innisfail but when I got there I had several issues! 
First I was not able to find the road that leads to the farm. Then I went to a McDonald's and connected my phone to the web and got the address but the stupid Google Maps made me to do a loop, for absolutely no sane reason and then took me to someone else's property where I was told that the farm actually was at the other side of the river where we were talking near it! I turned around and went all the way back, looking at the notes and roads signs I was finally able to reach there. Now bear in mind that I drove an old sedan and many roads are not paved! It's possible in summer but next to impossible if there's rain or impossible totally in winter. 

This Highlander was gazing at me, wondering what the hell I was about to. I didn't get close as these animals are very sensitive to strangers. I've been to different parts Canada and this was the first time seeing this type of cow

The Garlic is really expensive and I haven't tried them yet but a few cloves which were given to me as samples. They didn't have that sharpness and heat. Since I got to bunches, I hope at least one of them has, if not both. The good thing is I was able to get Red Onions and Fingerling Potatoes, freshly taken out of the ground before my eyes! The potatoes were great! I made some Salad Olivier (It's called Russian Salad as well) and enjoyed it last night. I had left a little. The Garlic's price was shockingly very high: $12 per Pound(!) but I bought two bunches as I had driven all the way there for those! The good thing the other vegetable's prices were acceptable so I didn't mind much but next time I will probably negotiate before I go. I also need to give these ones a try to see how they taste. If they're not strong enough, I won't go there anymore. They also had a sort of cattle but nothing was ready to buy meaning nothing had been recently slaughtered. The cattle they grow is called Scottish Highlander. I didn't know Scotland even have cows! Nevertheless I will wait for the message from Garlic Goodness to go get some.

(Photo, top: The farm is located in a very lovely, quite and beautiful area. This was seen at the side of the road)

Finally Someone is Doing Something!

I was sort of surprised and at the same time happy today when I heard that eventually someone in Canada and to be specifically in Alberta showing some gut fighting and pushing aggressive assholes back! This time its about telling the Tow Truck guys what it would mean, if they act aggressively and are total assholes! 

My only experience with tow trucks goes back at least 17 years ago when I worked as a Bylaw Enforcement Officer in a city in the Province of British Columbia. As an officer working for the municipality I was enforcing the bylaw regarding pets, household, parking, businesses, you name it. When we saw in violation of any parking bylaw with a certain number of outstanding citations (or tickets) we would call tow trucks. They would come and would take the car away and the owner would only be able to get the vehicle back when the related charges were paid. Stories about the vehicles that I have then towed during the 2-year period that I worked that job are interesting and a plenty but there's no place for them here. The interesting thing is my vehicles has been towed twice! Once in Calgary and years before I had that job and once in British Columbia, I think it was in Surrey, just a few months after I was out of that job! 

This story, here repeatedly happening in Calgary and probably in Toronto, as well is interesting. Apparently when there's an incidents the tow truck companies compete to get the fish! So they would rush to the scene and force the drivers to use their services! Now the new rule is that these pathetic losers cannot be within 200 m of the incident and if found intimidating the drivers to use their service, would be fined $1000! 

This is a great start for a society which by being soft and flexible on aggressive, belligerent and fraudulent individuals and businesses, had made the reputation of The Heaven for Criminals for itself! Imagine how nice of a society it would have been, had all the assholes been treated like this. Car dealerships who force you to get the products or services you do not need or ask, Supermarkets that sell you low quality fake food items for actual ones, restaurants that use cheap ingredients and over charge you, drivers who over speed during the morning commute and honk  at you, you name it! 

(Photo: Tow trucks are a necessity in any city especially in Calgary and the area where you be stuck at the side of a highway or city road because of a mechanical malfunction or storm. However, like every other business, there are always people who want to take advantage of a situation and win everything just for themselves) 

Careless Idiots on Alberta Roads and their Operator's Licences

I got stuck on the road for more than half an hour one day last week and the people who commute in and around Calgary know what I'm talking about. This could happen any day! That's because there's lots of dickheads driving around. There's no doubt that people's driving habits are much better than many other countries here in Canada but there's something that you can't stop Canadians from doing: Speeding! Speed Limit is 110 Km/h (68 m/h) in primary highways in the province and I think people here or in B. C. wanted to increase that to 120 Km/h and I don't believe they succeeded here but I don't know about B. C. I haven't been there for a long time. 

I think it somehow makes sense why people are frustrated with the speed limit! Most of the modern vehicles, even mine, which is considered very old, have the capability of speeding up to, perhaps, 180 Km/h, safely and then your maximum allowable speed is 110 km/h! The question is shall the automakers be mandated to limit their vehicles' speed!? If not, why would you put the limit of 110 Km/h sign on the roads, if any speed higher than that is considered unsafe, then the vehicles shall not be able to make it! That's how I look at it!

The other problem is enforcement. There is not enough enforcement on the roads. The other day I was driving down Deerfoot Tr. and a BMW missed me with a foot and sped down while maneuvering between the other vehicles in the morning rush hour! It was very dangerous and had he hit me, there would have been multiple vehicle incidents with a number of vehicles involved and injuries for sure. Not to mention the southbound would have come to a complete halt for at least who knows how long! 

What is the solution to this issue? In my opinion it is simple to fix: Implement Operator's Licence renewal program and execute that every three years! Let's see how many of these dickhead, idiots could pass both their road test and written test and get their licence! 

what percentage of the assholes who had never seen a vehicle in their lives, unless on an old TV set, or passing by(!) in their country of origin, could pass the tests and get their licence if an honest examiner tests them?! I bet the Government of Alberta is aware of the fact that majority of the African, Filipino, Indian and others would not pass the test and would not be able to get their licence, if a restrict examination system was in place but that is exactly the Government and its lobbyist do not want! They want more people with licences so they can sell their registration, vehicles, insurance, you name it. I suggested that to a Canadian fella colleague of mine and this is what he said after I suggested talking to my member of the Legislative Assembly. He said no member of the assembly, most likely, would do that, because they all look for popularity and re-election! He is right. Imagine the number of the idiots who would disappear from the roads, including many senior citizens who still drive! who would want that?! I will see what I can do, regardless and will most likely have another post. 

(Photo: A beautiful but rare scene. An officer of CPS has stopped a driver for violating traffic law. We need more ways of enforcement on Alberta roads, officers, radars others and I will advocate for renewal program. I will start that soon)

Out After 10 Years (24): Car Dealerships in Japan

Japan is one of the main car manufacturers of the world. There's no need to elaborate on that. Everyone knows that, especially in North America where the life of the three main car manufacturers have been in danger since the Japanese (and Korean) car manufacturer's stepped in. I, however, do not like the latter and they are not subject of this post. 

With that in mind, one would think that there must be lost of cars and a lots of traffic in Japan. Wrong! Japan, in fact the cities that I visited last year, have the least amount of traffic and is very quite, peaceful and nice on the streets. That is because of the perfect and reliable public transportation available everywhere. Not to mention the Japanese culture. 

A small van in a Toyota dealership in Tokyo. These are very popular in Japan and many of them are fully electric. I do not think this one is. This vehicles goes for ¥1,874,500 which at the time was equal to CAN $17,683 and now is a little more expensive

I was not able to see all parts of Tokyo due to its size, of course, but didn't see many gas stations. Japan is a main importer of oil products and gasoline shall be expensive there. That could be another reason for not driving a car. Majority of the vehicles are either electric or hybrid. I also didn't see many car dealerships. I saw a few in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Nagasaki but in comparison to a city like Calgary, there were not many and not as big. All of the dealerships were major Japanese car makers and most of the vehicles on the streets were Japanese but I also saw expensive BMW and Tesla. It would be interesting to know whether there are specific regulations or tariffs for imported cars to Japan. I mean why the hell do you need to import any vehicle to the country which is the third largest automaker of the world and has one of the most, if not the most, convenient and reliable public transportation systems? 

(Photo: Nagasaki is fairly small city compared to Tokyo and much less populated. This Toyota dealership displays a new model of Land Cruiser. It is sold between $80K and $90K, even more, here in Canada. I didn't see the price in there and I barely saw any SUVs or pickup trucks on the streets. Perhaps one only. Driving a pickup truck, if you don't do any business which requires a big box in the back is absolutely stupid, in my opinion and many more! Try to make Americans and Canadians understand!)

The Disgusting Cheap Homes of Canada

 

I've decided to move to a bigger place. Weather it happens or not and when, I'm not sure of it. The prices are still so high and most likely remain at this level. There might be a slight decline but not much. I'm not going to live in Calgary. A nice house in a good neighbourhood in Calgary could cost at least $650,000. I might be approved for that loan but at my age, I don't think it would be a good idea. A house like that, most likely would require lots of work or would not be located in a nice and quiet neighbourhood. My ultimate goal would be settling down in a nearby town and commuting. If I sell this house, I will be able to buy a nice car, either an EV or a hybrid and even save some money. In that case my loan would not be too much, something that I hate a lot and my commute will be comfortable. There still will be issues in winter but issues always exist. There will be two major issues with this plan:

1) The family would like to be in Calgary for social and service reasons. Physician and dentists, as well as friends and some businesses are located in the city. 

2) A new car would most likely cause an issue at work! 

You might wonder why. Here's the story: I met Ali G. in Cargill Meat Solutions. We used to hang out. We don't anymore. He lives in Ontario now. He might be reading this now! He had an old but running Mercedes and he told me he had been teased by Canadians a lot! I've written about this a lot. Canadians, generally, do not like to see foreigners to be well-off. They general attitude is this a poor, uneducated, hungry fella or he would not be in Canada. So if they see you dress, nicely, clean shaved, have a good car, they don't like it and they grow resentment. He at the time was not more than 25 and it was very difficult for Canadians to see a young foreign guy drive Mercedes, even if it was not a new and he only had paid $5000 for that! They didn't know. I'm sure this will be a problem for me as well, especially because I'm about to join an organization. If I move and have to switch to a new vehicle from my 15-year-old car, it will cause an uproar and I'm certain there will be people who exert any possible effort to have me canned. 

Having said that let's go to the problems with houses. Most of the houses do not contain heat, especially the cheap ones. The cost of heating is really always a problem and is too high. I paid $166 last month and I was uncomfortable and cold, most of the time. I must have paid much more, if I wanted to be comfortable and cozy but I have to watch my bills now that I'm our of work. I don't think it would be anything less than $200, if I was to crank up the heat. 

The second problem is with kitchens. They are majority of the time built stupidly(!), small and insufficient! I think perhaps because there's not much cooking in Canadian culture or it is simple and quick. When I cook, I need lots of room. The smell and noise is another issue. When I cook there's lots of noise (pressure cooker, clang and cling, you name it) and aroma which spreads around the house and sticks for a day or two, especially in winter. There's no hood over the range. There's a disgusting and stupid microwave which I have never used. Replacing it with a good hood and fan will cost at least $700. The cheap bastard who built this shity house stuck a $450 microwave instead. There's no wall or door to separate the kitchen in any room! Why? That's how the nasty motherfucker builders make millions! How the hell do you think these guys build a house in a couple of weeks: Cheap material, cutting corner, missing essentials, you name it. 

That'a another reason I'm moving. I plan to buy a place and redesign it the way I want. I can't ask for a custom made as it would probably cost so much that I can't afford but I can redesign it gradually.

(Photo: I was looking at some proprieties the other day and look how stupid this house is. The nasty drunkard cheap idiot has put a refrigerator at one side or the room and a series of cheap cabinets at the other side, in the middle of the room and call it kitchen!!! Only an alcoholic, nasty, drug-addicted loser would accept to live in this pigsty!)

Downward Economy

Everyone is in panic in Canada after Trump was re-elected as the next United States president and I think they shall be, including me! The only difference is that I'm careless and I'm not responsible for anyone but me! 

Now we're in the last days of 2024, I don't know if I did well or I could've done better because, again, I'm careless but I know 5 years have passed since the year that first I wanted to buy a vehicle to replace my old one and couldn't! Uncertainty is an inseparable part of North American society and they have adopted themselves to it for generations. Thanks to credit card companies! Micheal Moore briefly describes this situation in one of his movies and he says it started from the time J. Carter became the president.

The situation is so bad that in the entire year I only bought red meat once! I know many would say red meat is not good for you anyway but not being able to purchase some once in a while, I bet, everyone agrees it's not good and shows how high the prices might be.

I make steak in a frying pan and simply add The Keg mix, some red onion and garlic and absolutely nothing else. This came out so delicious that I ate them both while in fact I wanted to save the second for later and make a steak sandwich. The pan, by the way is not a normal one. It's one of the Cuisinart conduction skillets

The employer, I heard had some profit share last year and they're not going to have it this year because they have invested a lot! In response they gave everyone a lousy grocery store gift card for the amount that I'd be embarrassed to write it here! The Canadian dollar, at the same time, started a journey to hell! It's going down so fast that I haven't seen it so far. It is at US¢68! I think we all have to wait to see what the Government would do to repel the tariffs and other unpleasant things imposed by the economy! 

(Photo, top: This cartoon shows a few seconds after the failed assassination on Trump)

Out after 10 Years (21): Transportation in Japan

Japan is a populated country and more than 90% of its people live in urban areas. Everyone wants to be modern and not fall behind! Tokyo consists of 14 districts and has a population of over 14,000,000. I think I wrote the population was over 37,000,000 in one of the previous posts but that includes the suburbs or I am mistaken. I apologize. You might think it is a very noisy and polluted city with lots of traffic. Wrong! It absolutely is not!

Here is why Tokyo is a much calmer place in comparison with a city in North America, let's name none(!):

Many commercial vehicles, including the delivery trucks are electric. One might ask how much these little vehicles can deliver. You have to remember that there are no enormous supermarkets such as Wal-nasty-Mart or the Real Canadian Superasshole in Japan. All the businesses fall under either small or medium

Taxis are a comfortable  source of transportation but remember that they don't have  the best drives. You are in an Asian country!

SUVs such Land Cruiser are rarely seen in Japan. There is no need for them. Yet some might drive it. This one was on display in a showroom in Nagasaki. One like this goes for CAD $75,000 or more, here

1) There are not many vehicles on the roads: Japan, as much as I experienced, has a great and mostly modern public transportation system. You barely need a vehicle. Trains are regular, punctual and even comfortable. Bus and taxi is available and the subway provides the same quality service as above the ground train. There are bicycle lanes in many areas. Who would need a car?! 

2) Most of the cars are small and the majority of them are either electric or hybrid. One might ask what does the size of a car has to do with traffic?! Small cars require less power to drive. So having them in electric power is easier and consequently results in less pollution. It is very rare that you hear engine raving. Neither hybrid nor electric generates that type of disturbance. 

3) Driving is not that bad. I haven't been to many Asian countries but I know from the media that people are horrible in most countries in that continent. So, you need to keep in mind that you still are in Asia but in a higher version of that.

4) Driving is on the left side of the road. It takes a few days or for some people longer to get used to just seeing vehicles going in the wrong direction! As per driving, I wanted to rent a car but didn't due to lack of confidence and practice. Imagine that you spend thousands of dollars for a 2-week vacation and want to enjoy yourself and all of a sudden you see yourself in the middle of a traffic accident! Stick to the public transportation and you will be fine! 

5) Taxis. There are plenty of taxis available everywhere and many who seek comfort and don't care to spend ¥1,200 and up, use them but they are expensive and generally not a good choice for foreigners. The biggest issue is not being able to communicate clearly. I showed a taxi driver my address and he still took me to the wrong place.So, unless you know Japanese or can make him fully understand, skip the cabs! 

6) Bikes are an excellent choice. Electric scooters are available as well. I think they both are very good sources of travel in smaller cities such as Nagasaki that I went to but I didn't get any. They are not cheap and also you need to know how to secure them, if you're going, say, for a meal or shopping. So, perhaps I shall say that they are good sources if you want to see the outdoors, take pictures and have a sort of picnic.

(Photo, top: Trains, unlike mostly think, are not always contested and uncomfortable. They, as far as I remember, are equipped with a cooling and heating system. That is why they are the best way of transportation in the country) 

Near Misses in Japan and Canada

When I was in Arashiyama, a neighbourhood or suburb of Kyoto, just for a short while, I went to what it is known as Bamboo Forest, which in fact is, I would like to call it flystrip! It's a pathway of nearly 250 meters, perhaps, a little more than 800 feet where bamboo is grown, naturally, at both sides, alongside other plants. Most of the area is private property, houses and temples and you obviously cannot trespass, and they even have put signs in broken English to warn people. No one really jumps over the fence as it's quite high and the bush is thick. I was there one early morning, and a few flies(!) were there too! I took a few pictures and carried on. It is a very beautiful and quiet path, but I was not prepared to go to the summit of Mt. Ogura, which the path takes you to, but I went up a little bit. It was hot and humid, and my shirt was stuck to my chest. I could see the whole town from there, despite the fog. I took a few more pictures and head back down. By the time I was down, the path was crowded. I passed everyone and headed back to the hotel. 

A tribute to the departed. That is how it is shown in Japan. This was at the side of the path

There, the lady, at Hotel Sagano, was waiting for me and handed me a small pack of a few sandwiches! I remembered that I had read that it was part of the service, but I pretended that I did not know and asked her how much I should have paid. She said that it was included in the cost of the hotel. We have a proverb in the old country which goes " When you're hungry, you eat sand and rocks"! I was so hungry that I devoured the sandwiches, although I doubted that they were made in a hygiene-concerned facility or anything like that, but they tasted very good! I took a shower and then later that night I went for a walk. 

When I came back to Canada, I felt a sharp pain in my chest area, left side, both front and back but only when I moved. I quickly became worried: I damaged my heart! But how? I didn't do heavy exercises! I didn't do heavy lifting, and my sleep generally was good during the trip. The only explanation for that was that there were two factors involved:

1) I caught a cold when I was coming down the trail all sweaty.

2) My body was weakened tremendosuly due to lack of nutritious food and enough water. 

What else it could've been? So, I made an appointment with a family physician, and he told me that he did not believe it was my heart. He thought it was a muscle and told me to continue my joggings and come back if I feel anything. I went for jogging yesterday and not a thing. I'm not saying that the doctors cannot have a wrong biognosis, but I feel better and I'm going for a run again today. That was danger number one! 

I usually have the radio or the CD player on (I know both sounds very old! That's because I drive a very old vehicle) when I'm driving. I, at times, listen to the news on CBC 1, although most of the time is nonsense! And I get some good songs on different channels from time to time. 

With that said, I was driving home last week, with the music on and up, while I heard a bang! At first, I thought someone just hit me, but it was a quite road! So, I pulled over to see what it was but not right away as I didn't want to, obviously, block the road. I dismounted and there was a line on my rear door! Kind of like a long scrape but not too deep! No vehicle was around! I don't know if I had misheard something, and it was way before that point or what? I'm happy now that there was nothing significant or it would've affected my insurance, especially now that I'm trying to buy a new vehicle. That was danger number two!

Do I deserve a celebration?!

(Photo, top: A sign which points at the trail to Mt. Ogura. I, obviously, found out later. I didn't summit but it certainly is part of my second trip in next year, or perhaps a higher pick in the area)

Out after 10 Years (4): Toyota Museum Fails to Impress

I planned to go to Toyota Automobile Museum since I though of traveling to Japan. Not many tourists go there because it's more than 03:30 travel while on one of the fastest trains in the world, for most of the trip: Shinkansen, reaching 320 Km/h (199 mph). Let me write a little about this train now: I have also been on ICE of Germany which travels as fast as 350 km/h (217 mph) but on much shorter trips. Shinkansen is as nice and even looks better and nicer inside and the people, without a doubt, are politer but that didn't ease the pain! I guess I was bored! I could've brought my laptop to watch a movie but I never thought of that. I guess I wanted to travel lightly.
I ride a local line from my hotel to a major station called Shinjuku and from there got on Shinkansen which I had already book a seat in there. I must say that the pass for the train cost a lot and if you don't travel that much, it'd be a waste. I paid ¥110,000 which is even more expensive because I looked for comfort. With that said, Shinkansen goes to Nagoya and passes alongside the Japan's south cost, partially, as the museum is there. The train travels the 345 Km (214 miles), distance in almost 02:00 hours and that includes a few short stops in between. It's pretty impressive. 

Shinkansen train leaving the station. The front aerodynamic shape is fantastic

The trip continues at Nagoya by taking a train line from start to end and then switching to another to reach the museum after only a few stops. The train system of Japan is amazing and I'm saying that as someone who has been to some major cities with train system such as Munich but Japan's is more complex and easier to get lost in it! I've seen Japanese who are walking with their phones, looking at the signs, changing their directions, you name it! 
It's only a 5 minutes walk from the station to the entrance and there're you're welcomed buy pretty, smiling, Japanese, tiny girls and you pay ¥1200 for admission which is really good but despite the cleanliness, organization and politeness of the staff, the museum failed to impress me. I also was a bit tired and I still am. So after visiting the gift shop where I found nothing to buy(!) but they have good things, decided to head back. The only problem was because I had a bad timing for my return ticket, I had to change the time by going to a JR office. There was no charge. I don't want to say not to go to the museum. It's all up to you. My main problem is the majority of vehicle on display were not Japanese or Toyota brand That is what you think you would see but maybe I have high expectations. It's not that bad. 

(Photo, top: The major early Toyota model was manufactured based on American car's design and appearance)

Holly Moses, Smell the Roses!

A heat wave took over the province this past Fri. I was on Q. E. II with no Air Conditioner or even the windows down(!) and it was hot but not unbearable. I then turn the fan on and put it on cold, of course, it sucks some air in and I think the suction takes the temperature a little bit down.it felt good. A cattle driver, in the mean time was catching up. As soon as he got in front of me, although it was not very close, probably 30 meters (nearly 100 feet) the strong smell of cows sneaked in! I immediately turned the fan off. Fortunately it was not so hot that I could not take it. The guy sped off and then it was me and the fan again! The heat is supposed to be going down at the end of the week but still it's feels too far away. I think it'd be best if I cancelled any hiking plan for this weekend or I will spend another $200 without getting much out of it.

(Photo: Lot of similar trucks are seen on roads everyday. They take live stock to processing plants)