Law and Government

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(Advanced) Voting Day

With all the shadiness, corruption, and fraud surrounding the last few elections (so bad that we’re getting an international observer this time around), I wasn’t taking a chance with not being able to vote in this one. So I took advantage of advancing voting this time around and headed to town today to cast my ballot…

Polls opened at noon, so I got in quite early to get propane first since I was turned away the last two times. The manager was there and was quite upset when I told her this, saying that her staff had been advised to call her if anyone needed propane. Someone is going to get a talking to!

I then went out in search of the polling station. It was buried deep in town with absolutely no signage except right on the door. It was only 11:15 and there was no one in sight, so I went for an early lunch. By the time I got back to the polling station, it was bang on noon. One of the returning officers works for the Willow Bunch Museum and knows me very well, so she had me witness the putting together of the ballot box. Then, I got in line to vote. There was only one person ahead of me and one person behind me.

Then, the fun began. Despite all the time I spent on the phone with Elections Canada and their confirmation, both verbally and on the website, that I’m registered to vote, I was not on the list today! I was registered on the spot and, just to make doubly sure that there wouldn’t be any issues, the lady who knows me also signed an oath to that effect and that there is no doubt that I was voting at the correct poll. I was then able to vote. All told, the process took a measly 10 minutes. I don’t know what it would have been like if there wasn’t someone there to vouch for me. And I can’t believe there was someone who could vouch for me!

The outcome of this election won’t change my plans to move to Mexico next year, but could very well be the deciding factor in whether I keep ties here (ie. Haven) or decided to tell this country to go fornicate with itself and put Haven on the market. I’m that fed up with the ever increasing gap between my values and that of the the average Canadian voter. If Canada and I were in divorce proceedings, which I suppose we are in a way, I’d cite irreconcilable differences.

The drive home was wonderful. I spotted a coyote in broad daylight who was not afraid of me. I took many pictures of him from several angles because he was blocking the road and I didn’t feel comfortable moving past him.

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Then, a short way up the road, I had to brake hard to let someone else cross the road. By the time I managed to get my camera up on my phone, this is all I could capture of him:

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(That’s an antelope (pronghorn), by the way!)

Today coincided with some of the most amazing weather we’ve had since I got home in May, very HOT and sunny. Wow! It’s downhill from here, though. No worries, I will be somewhere in Colorado this time in two weeks!

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Soggy Saturday

BRR. I want a refund on my summer! 🙂

I woke up very late this morning, thankfully, since I’ve been desperate for a good night’s sleep. I had a slow morning responding to a few comments and emails from ignorant people. I finally got dressed (jeans and a heavy sweater, in August!!!) and went to town.

My first stop was Western Financial to deal with my truck registration and insurance renewal. I have to make an in-person declaration about my being a snowbird while maintaining SK residency so that I can take the truck out of the province for as long as I want. SK is the only province that allows a vehicle (and driver) out of the province as long as they want and still maintain insurance coverage, one of the many reasons why I chose to move here. The computer system didn’t have Mexico as a destination and the clerk and I figured that it was likely because I’m covered by Mexican insurance there rather than SGI (SK government insurance). So she put down that I would be in various U.S. states to make sure I’m covered while transiting. Add a signature and done. So easy and efficient!

Then, I went to Trifon’s for lunch since I was seriously craving pizza. They do a 6″ pizza with two toppings and Greek salad combo for a very good price. Their pizza is rather like Pizza Hut’s and the salad is very hearty since they don’t skimp on the feta and olives. My server was attentive, making sure I never saw the bottom of my coffee cup. I took my time with lunch so that I could catch up on some online stuff.

After, I went to the Co-Op home store to pick up two more sections of pole for my booster antenna. I don’t think I’ll be able to get them both up without finding a way to guy-wire the top section, but I’m going to try anyway and see how stable (or unstable…) the setup feels. I will, of course, reinforce the bracing on the bottom sections.

I didn’t need groceries, but cheese was $4 off for the 800g packs, so I went to the food store after to pick some up. Then, it was time to make a very cold and noisy trip home since I had to open up the windows between the cab and the back of the truck so the poles would fit inside and they rattled!

The rain is clearing up, but it is much too cold and windy to go work on the antenna and booster setup today. Guess I’ll put on a movie and get started on the project first thing tomorrow.

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Intact Insurance Great To the End

I read a lot of bad reviews of Intact automotive insurance, but they were great to me while I was insured in Alberta. After my accident, they appraised my car fairly. They then made sure I had a rental car while I needed it and got the car settlement cheque to me quickly. They also honoured their promise to pay me the real cost of setting up my new toad for towing if it was more than what they initially paid me. I didn’t even have time to wait for that cheque it arrived so quickly!

So I was rather surprised that they never sent me my claims history or that they were so slow in processing my cancellation request when I transferred residency to Saskatchewan. I was rather irked that they took my payment in September when I was already paying SGI and they had been given plenty of notice.

I called their office in Calgary on Friday and got to a live person who said that I needed to speak to my broker about the cancellation. I told her that I had sent him the paperwork on September 3rd. She replied that he had probably forgotten to send it in (very likely, he was veeeeery slow dealing with everything) and that since I had a digital copy of the form, I might as well send it directly to her. I did so immediately.

A single full business day later, my September payment has been credited to my bank account.

I hope that I never again have to make a huge insurance claim, but I am glad that when I had to, I was able to deal with a company like Intact.

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Miranda’s Safety Inspection

Hammond: How did it go, Colonel?
Teal’c: It did not go well, General Hammond.
O’Neill: Ya think?

I got in with Miranda about 45 minutes ago. It was a VERY long morning. I was up at at ’em by the ridiculous hour of 5:30 (had a good sleep, though). By the time I had coffee made, my emails were checked, and the rig was repacked, it was about 7:30. A knock came from the owner who wanted me to move to a different location. I did that then hung out for another half our or so, going inside around 8:15.

It’s a good thing I had my iPad and internet as I didn’t get out of there until about 12:30.

Miranda failed her safety inspection.

First, the ‘good’ news:

The first failed items were ridiculous, like not having a hazard kit in the cab (I keep one in the truck) and having broken lenses (from the hail storm). The most idiotic reason for failing was that the windshield wipers don’t spray high enough! They have always sprayed to that height and it’s plenty. I can’t wait to see how much it’ll cost to modify that! *rolls eyes*

The not so bad news:

She needs two tires to pass and I think that will bring me to all recent tires, which would buy me time to get her reshoed properly. So the tires aren’t really the huge issue I expected them to be. I’m going to see if I can talk them into putting on good used ones.

The bad news:

She needs an alignment and the suspension needs what sounds like major work.

I am waiting on an estimate before saying anything more about how this may or may not affect my winter plans.

I’m glad I had the inspection done and do not resent the bulk of the findings. Once I get the repairs done, Miranda will be in great shape and will likely drive a hell of a lot of better. I’ll have peace of mind that she’s mechanically sound and will be able to focus on some of the house items that need attention.

That’s all I have to say about that at this time.

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A Very Full Day

Miranda, Neelix, and I are parked at Integra Tire in Assiniboia since Miranda’s out of province safety inspection is first thing tomorrow morning.

The day was quite a rush. I awoke to find more transcription in my in box than I had told my client I was available for. I touched base with him and he told me to do what I could. Thankfully, the job wound up being very easy, but it still ate up my morning and the latter part of the afternoon.

I headed to C&C’s at 1:00 to continue helping with the roof trusses (we’re building them ourselves). I helped yesterday, too, and got fed dinner for a second night in a row! We had roast beef and I LIKED IT!!! I’m turning into a real prairie gal! Today, I only put in about two hours.

When I got in around 3:30, I dumped, filled the fresh water holding tank, and finished squaring away the exterior.

I came in and continued to transcribe until another client requested a Skype meeting that took a half hour. Skype works great at Haven, by the way.

I wrapped up the transcription after that, finishing at just shy of 6:00. I got the inside all packed and pulled out just passed 6:00.

It was sloooooooow going on the road out, being that the pavement is in horrible shape, but I made good time once I hit highway 2.

My on board propane tank was just about empty, so I stopped at the Co-Op to fill up. I’ll get gas tomorrow when I have a better idea of my budget.

Integra was just a block up the street and the lot was empty, so I parked on a big almost level slab. There’s an outlet right there, so I plugged in to give my batteries a good soak.

By the time that was all done, it was about 7:30 and I was beyond ravenous. I hiked the few blocks to Andy’s restaurant and they were still open. There weren’t that many food choices at that hour, but everything was still fresh and I was even asked if I wanted such and such a dish or not. I was fine with what was there. I can’t believe the buffet is just $9.75!

I am incredibly stressed about the inspection and glad I held firm to my plan of spending the night here. I just know I’ll sleep better being on site.

I have to get on the roof in the morning. When I got propane, I noticed that I dragged what looks half a tree with me! I need to get some of my branches trimmed back. 🙂