Akuchimoya

Perhaps someone can help me understand the difference between an anthropromorphic animal mascot (which as a tale as old as time) and a furry? When does one cease to be one and becomes another?

There are animal mascots all the time in sports. Why is that not weird, but it's weird to have a sporty animal mascot for coins?

I feel this so much. I got into stamp collecting, and I totally enjoy stamps and mail and all, but (old) people are so pretentious about it. The worst are the total hypocrites about it, too.

"I got into stamps when I was young, but I stopped when I went to university/started working/had a family because I didn't have time for it, and came back to it after I retired.

"Philately is supposed to be academic and scholarly. You're not a real philatelist if you're not doing original research.

"Young people just don't have the patience for stamps!

"The hobby is dying, why don't young people want to collect stamps anymore??"

Actually, a lot of people do and share lots of stuff online (where the old people are not seeing it and thus is not happening). We're just not writing 16-page papers about them (which is the standard a expected thing to do in "philately").

To my understanding, that's the way ancient Romans viewed it. For lack of more delicate and concise words, it manly to top, unmanly to bottom. Gay sex was acceptable if the sexual roles reflected their social roles.

Ask a local to show you some of their winter clothes or to take you winter clothes shopping. Your warmest clothes right now are not warm enough. Capacitive touch gloves will let you use your phone.

If you have a car, get a snow brush and ice scraper (for windshield and windows). There is winter windshield fluid, get and use it when it's snowing. Get winter tires, it makes a difference. Insurance companies give a discount for having them. If there's snow on the road, go slower than you think you should, and start braking at least twice as early as when it's dry. Accelerate and brake slowly. If your car is sliding on ice, resist the temptation to keep pressing your brakes, try your best to steer the slide instead.

If your car gets stuck in snow and you need to run it to keep it warm, make sure the tail pipe is well clear of snow (carbon monoxide). Keep an emergency blanket, hat, gloves in the car in case of breakdown. If the wheels are stuck in a snowbank (just spinning in place), some sand or non-clumping cat litter can give you traction. You can sacrifice your floor mats for this, too.

If you walk instead of drive, consider crampons for your boots for if it gets icy out.

There's different textures and density to snow. Wet snow is dense and heavy, dry snow is light and fluffy. Shoveling can be very different depending on the snow. Lift/push with your legs, now with your arms or back. Take breaks if needed.

If you wear glasses, they will fog up when you go from outside to inside. Sorry. You could get anti-fog stuff used for snow and ski goggles, but most normal people just wait for them to warm up.

A scarf makes a big difference.

Wool can keep you warm even when wet.

Be prepared for power outages especially if the area does not bury power lines. Heavy snow, or worse, ice, can make tree branches heavy and fall and snap power lines. If this happens, be mindful of carbon monoxide. People, families have died trying to keep warm by running generators, stoves, etc indoors without proper ventilation.

Snow reflects sunlight; wear sunglasses if the sun is out and there's snow on the ground.

Go outside and listen when the snow is falling. It makes everything quieter and it's really ice to hear.

Snow that's warmed slightly then frozen again is crunchy and fun to walk on.

If you're north enough, the sunlight will not be sufficient for creating vitamin D. (Plus you'll probably be indoors more, less daylight in general.) Consider a supplement.

Consider a SAD light if lack of daylight affects your moods.

Well, you know, there are a few dozen Star Trek fans in Ontario. Dozens!
I actually quite enjoyed that it wasn't a typical entertainment-type interview, and what other interviewer is going to ask him about taking the subway? 😆

The one comment I'd make is that Toronto and Vancouver are major Canadian cities, while Manitoba is a province. It's corresponding major city is Winnipeg, which is the name I'd expect of a ship of the same class. But while I most people around the world have probably heard of Toronto and Vancouver, Winnipeg is probably less familiar a name outside Canada. At this point I'm expecting every little mention to pay off in the finale, so perhaps we'll find out then.

Looks like it's time for sign language to rise. Are the Taliban going to say that women can't move their hands? (How will they serve their ~~masters~~ men otherwise?)

I think I should choose my words more carefully now that you say that. There is a difference between fault and responsibility, and it's really more a matter of taking responsibility for things that are your responsibility.

So let's say I leave home in a reasonable time to meet someone. However there are a series of car crashes on the way that cause traffic to back up. The accidents did not yet occur when I left my home, so I could not have accounted for them. My lateness is not my fault, because I did not cause the situation nor could I change or avoid it, but it is my responsibility to my (friend, date, boss, whoever) to call them and let them know my new estimated time of arrival. If I don't try to let them know, they have every right to be angry with my for showing up an hour late, even though the lateness is not caused by my action or inaction.

Excuses are "this is why I'm not at fault" and places the blame on someone or something else (including a circumstance). A reason is "this is why it happened" without trying to self-justify. A lot times reasons come across as excuses because the person has not taken responsibility for what they've done.

If a reason doesn't come with ownership of fault, it's an excuse.

Edit: see comment below about fault and responsibility

What I'd love is if her brother showed up with her too. (I love the rel-life connections.)

Let's be honest, most people who learn Tai chi as an exercise also don't realize that it's joint locks and throws.

I literally did not recognize him, even with the headline. I've only seen fake smiles in pictures, but this looks like a genuine one.