potate

Rich white dudes have great health insurance.

The SECOND Fairphone starts shipping to Canada, I'll buy one...

The classic example is a tarrif on something like Kentucky bourbon. It is targeted at a state that Trump cares about (in theory), is on something discretionary, and there's tons of Canadian distilleries making broadly comparable products.

Personally, I'm on a Manhattan kick and am exploring the Rye Whiskey scene.

I tackle this two ways.

I ensure that I have a progress pride bracelet, pin, or other clearly visible symbol of allieship on me at all times. I also have prominently displayed safe space signage around my office. There should be zero ambiguity of my support - my hope is that this both makes 2SLGBTQIA+ and any other marginalized individuals feel welcome around me, and I also find it reduces inappropriate jokes or comments from the broader organization. People KNOW that I will make a stink if they are assholes. I try to ensure a safe bubble around me.

The other thing I do is try to make it clear to my team that I care about them as people - they aren't cogs in a machine.

Ultimately, it's up to my team members to decide if talking with me will help or hurt. I just try to make sure that my door is wide open.

Sorry if I wasn't clear - I haven't resoled the boots yet, they are years away from needing that. It's more that I tend to wear out soles LONG before I wear out the rest of the boot. For that reason I try to buy footwear that can be resoled so that I can more use out of them.

COVID was a wake up call for me. As we struggled to get masks, ventilators, and vaccines, I realized that we make incredibly little here in Canada.

I now do my best to EXCLUSIVELY buy Canadian. I'm admittedly privileged to be able to afford to, but it isn't that much more expensive if you approach it from the perspective of buying a few quality products rather than tons of crap.

For footwear, Boulet Boots makes great summer and winter weight boots for about $300. Made just outside Trois Riviere. It's a lot of money - but they can also be resoled, repaired and still look new in their second winter.

Most of my pants and shirts are from Common Manufacturing out of Winnipeg. $150-$200 for a shirt and $170 for a set of chinos. I used to buy Banana Republic type stuff for about half the price but I would destroy them within a year. Common offers free repairs for life but I haven't needed to use it yet.

My belts and watch straps are from Popov Leather in Nelson, BC.

Pots and pans from Meyer in PEI.

When I tossed my black plastic kitchen tools, I replaced them with beautiful hand carved wood replacements from a local craft fair.

Every time I need something I go looking for who is making it in Canada. It's fun, I get to support small business, and I enjoy the higher quality - even if I have less shirts.

Two - number 3 is was glaring at them. We had to move the chair to the 'no puppy safe space' because the puppy started to compete for the chair

Gotcha - I'll try and chase the issue down.

I'll make country a mandatory field. Thanks!

I am more than happy to share the calculations - I'm a firm believer in transparency. I'll update along with your other suggestions. Thanks for the input!

Wow - I'm familiar with some of the issues of male bias in healthcare but this one was PARTICULARLY brutal.

The (male) ER chief confidently stating that there is no bias but also that its hard to diagnose women was the absolute icing on the cake...

I wanted kids when I was younger, but wasn't ready to give up my freedom. Once I was ready for kids the world (and the future in particular) looks so bleak that it doesn't seem fair to the theoretical kiddo to say 'hey, here's a dumpster fire - good luck'. Instead I babysit for my friends and family, spoil the kids around me, and sleep in on the weekend. I also have more time for activism and trying to ensure a brighter future for kiddos.

No regrets.