The Pen is mightier than the ...pencil?

[stabman]

I recently contacted Thomas at KAI about if they are shipping knives to Canada right now, given the CBSA idiocy.
The sad answer is no.

Today though, a package arrived.
It was a "Canadian Approved" gift from Thomas for completing my Master's paper and defense.

A 10th anniversary tactical pen with notepad, bottle opener/wrench, dog tag, patch, tape measure, and playing cards.

So, I headed out on a "Pen and Notepad" adventure.

Here is an abandoned/stolen bicycle:

Headed down this trail...

...to the homeless garbage sorting/occasional sleeping spot:

Here are two young lovers sharing a moment at a scenic park in the heart of downtown:

And here is a pen!

Hmm, what's down there?

A bunch of trash, and a passed out homeless guy under a blanket, in a gross chair.

Got him to wake up long enough to make sure he was okay. On the way out, his girlfriend was heading there...guess they just decided to live under a bridge for a bit.

I still suck at throwing knives:

But I got one to stick (quit while I'm ahead):

The Detroit River and skyline:

I shall defeat all of Detroit's criminals with this pen!!! Or maybe not...

 

[stabman]

Dieppe memorials:

And a bird:

Relaxing at Tim Hortons, and writing down more things (took notes along the way too):

Ran across this abandoned "hobo shack" near a parking garage:

Just after taking those pictures, I ran into one of the guys who had lived there previously. I'd given him some supplies before.
He said he no longer lived there because it had become "Violent and disgusting." Fair enough.

Then, he told me he got shot the other night! He showed me his forearm, and indeed there were entrance and exit wounds on opposite sides of the arm, near the wrist. He had not gone to the hospital or the police because of severe paranoia issues.

I went to police headquarters and made a report so at least they know there's a shooter on the loose. They said to give them a call if I see the guy again so he can get some medical treatment. Sounds like a plan.

Then, I went and got an espresso:

Not a bad day overall.

 

[KELAMA]

I recently contacted Thomas at KAI about if they are shipping knives to Canada right now, given the CBSA idiocy.
The sad answer is no.

Today though, a package arrived.
It was a "Canadian Approved" gift from Thomas for completing my Master's paper and defense.

Congratulations, and best of luck on getting your Master's degree. Somewhere in the near future...you're going to be changing your user name, to: "Dr. Stabman"

I always enjoy your posts, Stab!

I'm glad I ventured in here to the CC (first time in quite awhile). Keep on the righteous path, fighting for Justice. It's always inspiring, reading and seeing (through your lens), the benevolence you feel/spread on behalf of humanity.

And good on Thomas/ZT, for being such a class act.

 

[Lapedog]

Dieppe memorials:

And a bird:

Relaxing at Tim Hortons, and writing down more things (took notes along the way too):

Ran across this abandoned "hobo shack" near a parking garage:

Just after taking those pictures, I ran into one of the guys who had lived there previously. I'd given him some supplies before.
He said he no longer lived there because it had become "Violent and disgusting." Fair enough.

Then, he told me he got shot the other night! He showed me his forearm, and indeed there were entrance and exit wounds on opposite sides of the arm, near the wrist. He had not gone to the hospital or the police because of severe paranoia issues.

I went to police headquarters and made a report so at least they know there's a shooter on the loose. They said to give them a call if I see the guy again so he can get some medical treatment. Sounds like a plan.

Then, I went and got an espresso:

Not a bad day overall.

Eating this while I read you post. (The muffin not the knife)

 

[22-rimfire]

Congratulations on finishing your master's thesis and the passing the orals.

I can see why I hate Detroit. The homeless man with the gun shot wound is no big surprise. Years ago, I stayed at a Holiday Inn in what should have been an okay part of town. I was on like the 10th floor. Bullet hole in my window. Guess they didn't feel it was worth replacing unless it shatters or the cracks spread. Are you living in Detroit now? I was under the impression you were in Canada and no where near there.

The homeless thing is a problem. I don't have a solution.

 

[stabman]

Congratulations, and best of luck on getting your Master's degree. Somewhere in the near future...you're going to be changing your user name, to: "Dr. Stabman"

I always enjoy your posts, Stab!

I'm glad I ventured in here to the CC (first time in quite awhile). Keep on the righteous path, fighting for Justice. It's always inspiring, reading and seeing (through your lens), the benevolence you feel/spread on behalf of humanity.

And good on Thomas/ZT, for being such a class act.

While Dr. Stabman has a nice ring to it, I'd have to secure more funding or get some really amazing bursaries.

Eating this while I read you post. (The muffin not the knife)

Good choice of snack.

Congratulations on finishing your master's thesis and the passing the orals.

I can see why I hate Detroit. The homeless man with the gun shot wound is no big surprise. Years ago, I stayed at a Holiday Inn in what should have been an okay part of town. I was on like the 10th floor. Bullet hole in my window. Guess they didn't feel it was worth replacing unless it shatters or the cracks spread. Are you living in Detroit now? I was under the impression you were in Canada and no where near there.

The homeless thing is a problem. I don't have a solution.

It feels nice, but also weird finishing up the program. It was my focus to varying degrees for so long that having it done is still sort of surreal.

Still living in Windsor, Canada (right across from Detroit).
We have WAY less gun issues than on the other side of the river, but we do still get idiots running around shooting people from time to time. More often it's dumbasses stabbing someone, but if someone wants a gun, they can get it. It just costs them more to get an illegal one than on the other side of the Border due to supply...and by all reports buying ammo illegally costs stupid amounts compared to legal purchases.

The homeless issue, whoo! That's a tough one.
Especially here lately. The Province allotted $200 million for affordable housing; they gave $90 million to Toronto, and ZERO DOLLARS to Windsor.
You can't build many houses or apartment complexes for zero dollars...

 

[22-rimfire]

....The homeless issue, whoo! That's a tough one.
Especially here lately. The Province allotted $200 million for affordable housing; they gave $90 million to Toronto, and ZERO DOLLARS to Windsor.
You can't build many houses or apartment complexes for zero dollars...

The money always seems to go where it "shows" the most. Don't know if "affordable housing" is the answer either. These places get trashed so quickly after being built. If you didn't pay for something yourself, you have little respect for it.

 

[Lapedog]

While Dr. Stabman has a nice ring to it, I'd have to secure more funding or get some really amazing bursaries.



Good choice of snack.



It feels nice, but also weird finishing up the program. It was my focus to varying degrees for so long that having it done is still sort of surreal.

Still living in Windsor, Canada (right across from Detroit).
We have WAY less gun issues than on the other side of the river, but we do still get idiots running around shooting people from time to time. More often it's dumbasses stabbing someone, but if someone wants a gun, they can get it. It just costs them more to get an illegal one than on the other side of the Border due to supply...and by all reports buying ammo illegally costs stupid amounts compared to legal purchases.

The homeless issue, whoo! That's a tough one.
Especially here lately. The Province allotted $200 million for affordable housing; they gave $90 million to Toronto, and ZERO DOLLARS to Windsor.
You can't build many houses or apartment complexes for zero dollars...

The waiting list in Toronto to get affordable housing is like 5 years minimum.

 

[stabman]

The money always seems to go where it "shows" the most. Don't know if "affordable housing" is the answer either. These places get trashed so quickly after being built. If you didn't pay for something yourself, you have little respect for it.

Seen it go both ways.
Seen a place built brand new turn into practically a ghetto in three years, but then there are other spots where things have kept pretty good. I guess one would have to examine the ones that kept things good to see what they did right, since you are correct about how so many others turn into crap.

The waiting list in Toronto to get affordable housing is like 5 years minimum.

The wait list is pretty long here too, and priority is given to families rather than single people (which makes sense, really).


On the bright side, I got a really cool pen.
And I didn't get shot in the arm...that is a positive thing too.

 

[Rupestris]

I have that opener. It came with a low end knife offering. I think I paid $14 US for the combo.

I grew up within sight of the red neon of the Ambassador Bridge.

When I was a kid, my parents would take us to the Canadian side for the Freedom Festival and fireworks.

Being ten miles from Windsor, I spent quite a bit of time there between the ages of 19 and 21.

Thanks for the skyline pics.

 

[stabman]

I have that opener. It came with a low end knife offering. I think I paid $14 US for the combo.

I grew up within sight of the red neon of the Ambassador Bridge.

When I was a kid, my parents would take us to the Canadian side for the Freedom Festival and fireworks.

Being ten miles from Windsor, I spent quite a bit of time there between the ages of 19 and 21.

Thanks for the skyline pics.

Plenty of Americans come to this side for the fireworks.
Some come for the idea it is safer...but a better reason is for the Detroit skyline.
The Detroit skyline makes a better backdrop for the fireworks than Windsor does.
We have some fairly tall buildings, but not to the same extent. The greater amount of tall buildings all clad in glass makes great visual effects as the fireworks reflect off them in various ways.

But yeah, there are tour busses full of Americans that come here for it. You can see the busses all leaving as the many, many thousands of people clear out of downtown once the fireworks have ended.
Actually, the rivers of people streaming from the riverfront is even more spectacular than the fireworks, I'd say.
Not a bad idea to grab a coffee a few minutes before the show ends, and find a spot downtown that's up even a single flight of stairs, and just watch the people go by in a seemingly endless stream.