iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 02/10/2026

West Coast forest in the rain.

Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 30/09/2026

The ultimate in Canadian customer service. Needless to say, their website does nothing. Never loads the alleged form to start a "ticket". #chatr

Search Assist

Chatr Mobile does not provide a customer service phone number, but you can reach their customer service team by mail at 333 Bloor Street East, Toronto, ON M4W 1G9. For assistance, you can also visit their website for help and support options.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 10/09/2026

Yesterday, the world celebrated International Literacy Day. Despite these numbers, the Houston Government continues to cut program funding to vital non-profits, as well as rural libraries where the help and access is often needed most.

Short version: NS tend to be illiterate. Ask the government why.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 06/09/2026

After living in France and the UK, nothing is more irritating than waiting on a Canadian 110v electric kettle to boil.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 01/09/2026

Whoa. Does this speak volumes?

TD Insurance helps graduates and professionals save on home coverage.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 01/09/2026

It seems that Meta thinks I'm still in the UK. And expects me to subscribe!

Meta menu offering no ads for the low,low price of £2.99 a month, or free with ads.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 01/09/2026

And now Meta wants me to do some kind of thing to tell them what ads I don't want...

Make a choice about your ads
As part of laws in your region, you can choose whether you see ads on Meta Products and how we use your information for ads.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 26/08/2026

I'm thinking that Indeed.com's algorithms need a little work...

Hi Barry,

Your background in non-profit leadership and board service could be a good match for this Vice President, Legal role. CleanTech Vanadium Mining Corp. is seeking a leader with expertise in compliance and regulatory matters. If you're interested in applying your skills in a new industry, you can apply now or view the job description for more details.
View job
This is a bad match
Vice President, Legal

CleanTech Vanadium Mining Corp.

Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2

Salary

$50–$100 a year

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 17/08/2026

Despite what the letter says, Health Care BC is clobbering me $258 friggin dollars for this exam!

RoadSafetyBC Driver's Medical Exam. Doctors may bill $75 for this examination.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 13/08/2026

Sigh. The problem of what to do when your 87 year old mother insists on feeding French fries to your dog at the dinner table.

87 year old Evelyn Rueger feeding french fries, with ketchup, to a much younger Joseph. Sadly both are no longer with us.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 06/08/2026

And, suddenly the Media Co-op is being blocked by Meta and Facebook. Remember, for much of Canada, Facebook is the only surviving source of local news...

Facebook pop-up refusing to allow Canadian new sites to have their content links posted.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 06/08/2026

Deja Vu all over again.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 06/08/2026

Yup. Send that to a phone number that I haven't used in two years. "Try another method."

Verify Your Identity
We've sent a text message to:
Phone number
XXXXXXXX5586
Enter the 6-digit code *
Continue
Didn't receive a code? Resend or get a call
Try another method

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 06/08/2026

Needless to say, no email ever arrives.

eset your password
Please enter your email address or Scene+ number and we will send you instructions to reset your password.
Continue
Scene+ Number or Email *
0454892513
Need help?

Continue
Back to Scene+

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 06/08/2026

The Scene points card really does transcend uselessness. It simultaneously rejects your password, and proclaims SUCCESS!

Enter Your Password
Enter your password to continue to Scene+
Username or email address
0454892513
Edit
Password *

Please check your Scene+ number or password and ensure you have registered your card.

Reset password

Don't have a password?

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 27/07/2026

Wow. Reykjavík airport is the winner for how to NOT to design an essential public place. Just crazy!

How we entered the plane after fifteen minutes on a shuttle bus after half-hour in a bizarre line-up.
Then there were the toilets!

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 25/07/2026

A Facebook gem. Applies equally to Canadian Conservatives.

So God was creating man. And his little assistant came up to him and he said: "Hey, we've got all these bodies left, but we're right out of brains, we're right out of hearts and we're right out of vocal chords." And God said: "Fuck it! Sew 'em up anyway. Smack smiles on the faces and make them talk out of their arses." And lo, God created the Tory Party.
(From Brassed Off)

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 16/07/2026

I'm a Canadian boy of a certain vintage, and I approve this message. In those days we had serious cigarettes.

McDonald lassie from the Export A package. Caption "Today's air quality level: Export A"

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 09/07/2026

@chantalalive.blacksky.app I first heard this story a decade ago. From Celtics player Bill Russell...

Long Bill Russell tale of being stopped by police.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 09/07/2026

A real product sold in British Columbia by Uncle Ben's Winery. It attempted to capitalise of Pierre Trudeau's famous claim that what he had said in the House of Commons was "Fuddle Duck". This was a time when no-one in BC (aside from Italians) drank wine, and Uncle Ben's products were horrid.

Empty bottle from Uncle Ben's "Fuddle Duck" red wine.
"Serve chilled."

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 07/07/2026

Some images never get old.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 07/07/2026

Google is utterly useless. Can someone ID this UK spider? Tiny little guy.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 06/07/2026

I do not know the artist, but it sums things up. #fifa #corrupt

US football jersey with long red Trump necktie

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 06/07/2026

Oh, I missed this wonderful story this year. No, you don't need to read beyond the headline.

CBC News: Man injured after bullets thrown into Caanda Day bonfire.
RCMP say alcohol was involved in the incident

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 06/07/2026

TIL that my paternal grandmother was a Communist organizer in Saskatchewan during the Depression! THAT'S where I get it from! (Mrs. Otto Rueger)

Secret RCMP report from 1936 describing a Communist party gathering that included my Grandmaother "Mrs. Otto Rueger."

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 04/07/2026

To hell with #freelance writing! I've got a new career!

The Cowichan Valley Regional District is now accepting applications for casual Pinsetter opportunities working at Youbou Lanes in the Cowichan Lake Recreation Division within the Community Services Department. These sanctioned historic bowling lanes are the last of their kind in Canada and we are proud to maintain this treasured community facility!

Reporting to the Manager, Cowichan Lake Recreation and working under the supervision of the Program Assistant III or designate, Pinsetters manually set bowling pins for both 5‑pin and 10‑pin bowling games during league and recreation games as well as for a variety of events including birthday parties at the Youbou Community Bowling Alley.

Qualifications
Must be at least 12 years of age and have signed permission from parent or legal guardian.
Experience with the sport of bowling would be an asset
Knowledge of the sport of bowling would be an asset
Please click here to view the full job description and qualifcations for this position.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 04/07/2026

The last 75 years, summed up in two photos...

Top: Fred Astaire. In tailored tux.
Bottom: John Fetterman in hoodie

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 04/07/2026

Seriously considering this T-shirt.

T-shirt.
Canadian flag.
"Canada
Looking good by comparison since 1867"

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 04/07/2026

I believe it may be Stampede week in Calgary.

Princess Elizabeth looks at white cowboy hat owned by Mayor Don Mackay at the Stampede Corral, Calgary, Alberta.
Royal tour. Mayor dressed in western clothing. Published in the Calgary Herald, Calgary, Alberta. 1951

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 03/07/2026

In Cambridge UK it's the Marxists, hands down. But only on municipal hardware and utility cases.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 03/07/2026

A really lovely profile in THIS magazine of Barbara Bourget and Jay Hirabayashi. The dancers, are 74 and 78 years old respectively and have been dancing together for over 46 years. this.org/2026/02/02/p...

Barbara Bourget and Jay Hirabayashi, the dancers, are 74 and 78 years old respectively and have been dancing together for over 46 years.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 30/06/2026

Dear American friends. In the wake of the #SCOTUS decisions today, and #Trump in general, please note that there is an image that EVERY French politician has in the back of their minds when making decisions. Trust me, it does make a difference.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 30/06/2026

The French might suggest another option....

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 30/06/2026

Plus, love those YouTube algorithms. Come for "Youth War", stay for a Waitrose Supermarket ad leading into some Rancid.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 29/06/2026

Maybe it's just me. but it bothers me when EVERY page of a legally binding document has the same error repated AT THE TOP of every one of several dozen pages.

THIS POLICY CONTAINS A CLAUSE WHICH MAY LIMIT THE| AMOUNBT PAYABLE

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 29/06/2026

After repeating all of this another time on chat, a password reset was issued. Only three hours and several days, then I followed the instructions, logged into MyHumber, asked that my records be sent to My Creds, and got:

Humber telling me that my transcripts won't be uploaded to MyCreds until 2 pm today.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 29/06/2026

Oh man, was watching people's beverage choices at US World Cup matches, and then this came up.

sign on lamp post:
Budweiser
"BEER"
Now
Available
BudLight

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 28/06/2026

What this collection reminded me was this: Reggae people can cover ANY SONG EVER written!

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 28/06/2026

Today's tunes. And man, who needs overdubbing, computers, and synths? Five stunning CDs of great tunes.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 28/06/2026

So, why does the Kelowna Daily Courier block people in Europe from reading their content?

451: Unavailable due to legal reasons
We recognize you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore access cannot be granted at this time. For any issues, contact csr@ok.bc.ca or call (250) 763-4000.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 27/06/2026

Trying to open it gives you: One example is at: drive.google.com/file/d/1a9xG...

The document you are trying to load requires Adobe Reader 8 or higher. You may not have the
Adobe Reader installed or your viewing environment may not be properly configured to use
Adobe Reader.
For information on how to install Adobe Reader and configure your viewing environment please
see http://www.adobe.com/go/pdf_forms_configure.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 26/06/2026

Best wishes to everyone attending a May Ball tonight in Cambridge. (To those outside of the UK, yes, today is June 26th...)

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 24/06/2026

And the label placed on the post by BlueSky:

Bluesky moderation warning about "non-sexual nudity"

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 23/06/2026

It may be a small victory, but it's still pretty sweet.

Cheque for 47.11 from the Canadian Packaged Bread Class Actions Settlement.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 23/06/2026

In fact, there's no quick and easy way cancel a sub. You need to PHONE THEM.

Cancellations - Cancellation requests cannot be processed through this form. Please call Customer Support to cancel your subscription.

Billing - Please do not include any credit card or banking information in your request.

Digital Tax Credit- The Digital News Subscription Tax Credit (DNSTC) has expired and cannot be claimed for the 2025 tax year.

Your case was created.
We’ll get back to you soon.
Case summary
Subject:
Cancel subscription
Description:
You just bumped the rate up to $33 a month, which is simply affordable. Please cancel this subscription immediately.

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Appalbarry @appalbarry.com · 23/06/2026

However much I like writing for the @theglobeandmail.com, I just can't justify spending $33 a month to subscribe. So, as happens about once a year, I try to cancel the sub. Check out this, from their subscription nag pop-up: CANCEL ANYTIME /1

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