Planar Speaker Asylum

Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share your ideas and experiences.

Return to Planar Speaker Asylum

Planar Speaker Asylum

RE: you Ozzies are missing out only having water border, no neighbors ...

120.144.14.15

In Reply to: RE: Small U.S. border town near large Canadian metropolis. posted by DragonEars on January 04, 2017 at 19:22:16

Aah, we have borders between States though, DE. :-))

The border between New South Wales and Victoria (which is mostly a river - the mighty Murray river) is known by NSWelshmen as the 'Mexican' border ... and they call us southern riff-raff, Mexicans! ;-)) People don't get shot if they try to swim the river ... but they often drown - pertickly if they've had a few stubbies before they make the journey.

Then there is the border between NSW and the northern State of Queensland. This is good for us southerners (including NSW) because it keeps the rednecks in place.

Then we have 2 sea borders:
1. between Tasmania and the 'mainland'. Which is good bcoz that keeps most of the (inbred) Taswegians away from us 'normal' mainlanders. LOL

2. between "mainland Australia" and our eastern State. Which is bad bcoz it allows them to think "New Zealand" is a separate country!

Andy

Follow Ups:

Cheeky Kiwis! - DragonEars 22:11:57 01/04/17 (9)
Not that kind of border.
This border has guns, cameras, radiation detectors, documents and questions.

It is really two borders, two different experiences.
Going north - cool architecture, check passport, Have a nice day, eh.
Going south - ugly military fortress, check passport, stony glare, odd questions.

Still worth it. The border wait is usually not too long.
Canada's immigration policies have brought amazing ethnic foods to lower B.C. Between Vancouver and the border are endless delicious choices. Plus Canada is kind enough to give us a 20% discount. :-)

Worth it for Canadians too. They pay high prices at home for gas, groceries, etc..
Even with the poor exchange rate, it is still cheaper to buy some things down in the U.S..
- ...odd questions - grantv 06:50:02 01/05/17 (8)
  We've had some odd questions.
  "Where are you going and for how long?"
  "Bellingham, just 2 days"
  "What for?"
  "Get away, do some shopping"
  "You're going shopping for 2 days!?" with a weird stare. Although not as common as it was (horrible exchange rate), it's still a very popular thing for us Canadians to do some shopping south of the border. No idea why he would find it odd.
  Definitely different going south vs. north, but then I am just coming home north bound.
  The amount of cameras is staggering.
  It is still worth shopping for some items in the US, but with 30% exchange rate, nothing like it used to be.
  - The next time you pass through... - DragonEars 16:56:02 01/05/17 (3)
    If you have time, contact me.
    We can do lunch or dinner. My treat.
    Ha, after I complain about our food choices, I invite you to eat.
    
    You know Birch Bay, right?
    You may not be old enough to have been part of Birch Bay's Canadian hay days.
    During the sixties and seventies Birch Bay was a huge Canadian holiday spot.
    As a teenager it was the best. Cruising hot rods and hot chicks.
    The neighborhood that we live in was 95% Canadian owned until the seventies. The exchange rate changed that. My cul-de-sac has 9 homes, 3 owned by Canadians.
    
    My Wife lived in Oyama before we got married. My son was at Giants Head Freeride the last few years.
    
    You may still have my contact info from purchase years back.
    - RE: The next time you pass through... - grantv 11:00:01 01/06/17 (2)
      Oyama!? My ex's parents have a place there, have since the 70's, so I spent a LOT of time there years back. Owl's Nest resort area, the townhomes around the corner. Where did your wife live? Oyama is small, very.
      I know well of Birch Bay (I grad'd in '82, with plenty of folk who went there), and am old enough for the hay days, but never have been somehow.
      See other post re lunch, would be cool to meet up one day.
      - Oyama - DragonEars 16:01:01 01/06/17 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: The next time you pass through... posted by grantv on January 06, 2017 at 11:00:01
        
        She lived on the east side of the valley, half way up the mountain.
        A couple hundred acres. A huge log home, a couple regular houses, barns, tennis courts, swimming pool. A beautiful compound with incredible views.
        Not her place, but her employers. She was their nanny, housekeeper and cook.
        
        RE: Oyama - grantv 07:07:42 01/07/17 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Oyama posted by DragonEars on January 06, 2017 at 16:01:01
        
        Sounds nice, plenty or $ in this town, just none in my account. :)
  - "The amount of cameras is staggering." - DragonEars 16:27:44 01/05/17 (3)
    Yep, cameras all around, front, back, high, low.
    Next time I'm asking for my colonoscopy results.
    Far more than cameras are aimed at you.
    Gamma ray detectors and heavy duty data mining.
    I am all for border security.
    But the overt militarization and surly assholishness is not protecting us.
    A few years ago they replaced the building/facility. Everybody was amazed at the constuction hole. That facility is like an iceberg, 90% is hidden underground. Not just underneath the building, but spreading out underneath the roads and park.
    Don't get me started on Homeland Security money. Billions of dollars were given to all kinds of businesses and organizations. Indian casinos got Homeland money. The Amish got Homeland money. I guess foreign evil-doers are out to harm people who are bad at math and those who create hand crafted furniture.
    Quick story:
    Headed home from lunch one day the guard told us to "follow the yellow line to the yellow portal".
    Fine. We followed the yellow line until it dead-ended at nothing. We dutifully stopped at the end of the yellow line. Hmmm. We were blocking the road and it has barriers on both sides. Traffic was now blocked. My wife was stressing out. I said don't move the car, follow orders. Pretty soon there was a line stuck behind us. I got out, went in to ask what next. Where's the yellow portal? There was a long line and we were blocking traffic. I raised my voice and asked everyone within 50 feet where the yellow portal was. A superviser approached, asked questions about why we were looking for a yellow portal. Turns out six cars in a row from one lane all got sent to the yellow portal. After some scurrying around and head scratching they said the gamma ray detector was giving false positives. The superviser sent all six cars on their way. He said the guard in that lane needed training. The "yellow portal" is a secondary gamma ray detector. He didn't know why the yellow line dead-ended and did not guide you to the secondary gamma ray detector.
    Also they got upset every time I said the words "gamma ray detector". I guess they think they are secret, even though they are eight foot tall safety yellow boxes on both sides of your car and also other places. Plus they brag about them on websites. Oooh, super secret.
    Sorry for the exchange rate, but thank you for the discount on everything when we come up.
    You guys really pay more for everyday necessities, gas, food, clothes.
    But that is nothing compared to your housing market. Yikes.
    
    Edits: 01/05/17
    - RE: "The amount of cameras is staggering." - grantv 09:49:31 01/06/17 (2)
      Well that's far better than any story I have! I often find women are more harsh than men, maybe something to prove, maybe the fact that they're in that field says something... always watch out what you say though, definitely don't need (another) colonoscopy!
      I imagine either they go home and act the same, or take off all their clothes and run around naked for a while to take away the shrill. :)
      Re your next post, sounds good on meeting up one day. That however would have to be approved by the wife, those trips are all about her and family time (I work a lot, not a ton, but more than we'd prefer I do).
      - Department of Planning and Finance - DragonEars 16:09:01 01/06/17 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: "The amount of cameras is staggering." posted by grantv on January 06, 2017 at 09:49:31
        
        Totally understood.
        I too have a Minister of Planning and Finance. SWMBO !
        Maybe a quick food stop on your way through someday.
        
        RE: Department of Planning and Finance - grantv 07:08:44 01/07/17 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Department of Planning and Finance posted by DragonEars on January 06, 2017 at 16:09:01
        
        We'll figure out something for sure even if wife is in a rush to get somewhere.. let me know if Kelowna is ever on your radar also!

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: