Author Topic: Camp Mustache Canada - 2017 (Read 405928 times)

Daisy · « **Reply #500 on:** December 05, 2016, 02:14:53 PM »

So tempted to make Canadian rodent jokes, but fear I will be banned from CMC2017 if I do.

Le Poisson · « **Reply #501 on:** December 05, 2016, 02:26:27 PM »

Go ahead... the rest of us have.

RetiredAt63 · « **Reply #502 on:** December 05, 2016, 03:25:39 PM »

I went to the Biodome once and was looking for the capybaras in the amazon jungle habitat. No sign of them. Then one of the rocks moved. Capybaras are BIG!

Beavers are neat. I was driving in cottage country once and a poplar tree was crossing the road on its side. Stopped, got out and looked - there was a beaver under all the foliage, dragging the tree to its pond.

Squirrels - rats with fluffy tails. Like gulls - rats with wings.

MonkeyJenga · « **Reply #503 on:** December 05, 2016, 03:35:40 PM »

Quote from: RetiredAt63 on December 05, 2016, 03:25:39 PM

Beavers are neat. I was driving in cottage country once and a poplar tree was crossing the road on its side. Stopped, got out and looked - there was a beaver under all the foliage, dragging the tree to its pond.

Squirrels - rats with fluffy tails. Like gulls - rats with wings.

Similar experience last night. Saw a plastic bag moving in the wind. Quickly. Along with the ground. With purpose. Realized I was inside a subway station, there was no wind, and there was a rat underneath that speedy plastic bag.

Subway rats: rats with stolen goods.

Le Poisson · « **Reply #504 on:** December 05, 2016, 05:32:04 PM »

There are beavers in Toronto harbour. Every few years a new newspaper story pops up about how bizarre it is that beavers have moved in. The yachties know the beavers never left. They've been there all along.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2011/07/17/beavers_scout_for_a_home_in_queens_quay_condo_corridor.html

RetiredAt63 · « **Reply #505 on:** December 05, 2016, 06:01:42 PM »

I read somewhere that Calgary's coyote population is huge. Raccoons love Toronto's ravines. I live in the country - Missy had never seen a squirrel until we spent a year in Ottawa. I have to be honest about that country living though, this is farm country and there are few trees on our road, so no squirrels. I lived in another place in the country where chasing squirrels was my dog's favourite activity (she never caught any, but she sure did try).

G-dog · « **Reply #506 on:** December 05, 2016, 06:17:24 PM »

Quote from: snacky on December 05, 2016, 06:12:31 PM

I told my kids when they were tiny that if they ever caught a squirrel I'd cook it for them. They still try, with surprising frequency.

I've had squirrel - it was fine.

G-dog · « **Reply #507 on:** December 05, 2016, 06:50:06 PM »

Quote from: snacky on December 05, 2016, 06:33:14 PM

Quote from: G-dog on December 05, 2016, 06:17:24 PM
Quote from: snacky on December 05, 2016, 06:12:31 PM
I told my kids when they were tiny that if they ever caught a squirrel I'd cook it for them. They still try, with surprising frequency.

I've had squirrel - it was fine.

Did you catch it yourself?

Nope, I've never been fast enough or clever enough. An adult cousin got them hunting. I was about 10-11 years old and having dinner at an aunt's house. The meat was very dark, darker than roast beef. I imagine she cooked it (braised) for a long time. Not tough, not gamey, fairly nondescript as I remember.

jordanread · « **Reply #508 on:** December 05, 2016, 07:41:47 PM »

So if we may be able to have a meatball party, how many meatballs will squirrel be included in?

stashyMel · « **Reply #509 on:** December 05, 2016, 07:51:23 PM »

I want to go. I can drive there. They've let me in before. They will probably let me across the border again. Plus I know how to look at the kPH part of my cluster.

Le Poisson · « **Reply #510 on:** December 05, 2016, 08:28:24 PM »

Quote from: stashyMel on December 05, 2016, 07:51:23 PM

I want to go. I can drive there. They've let me in before. They will probably let me across the border again. Plus I know how to look at the kPH part of my cluster.

I am so happy you speak metric. I was afraid I'd have to translate for EVERYONE.

Watch for the February seat release!

tardis · « **Reply #511 on:** December 05, 2016, 11:19:59 PM »

Animal stories:

My uncle has a farm on which the back of one pasture has a small stream. This stream regularly gets dammed by a family of beavers each spring, and every spring he goes out and pulls it apart before it causes too much damage. One year he was pulling it apart, but had to head back to the house and left his shovel. Upon his return he couldn’t find it anywhere until he looked closer at the dam and realized it had been incorporated while he has away. Dynamite may or may not have been used in the end that year.

I was living behind a pizza place. I woke up one morning to see a squirrel trying to climb a fence with most of an entire stale, stiff slice held up in front of it. It did ok as long as it went horizontally, but watching it try to climb up a tree trunk without a) losing the pizza or b) falling backwards or c) mashing the pizza into the tree, was entirely ridiculous.

Freedomin5 · « **Reply #512 on:** December 06, 2016, 06:35:14 AM »

This is why I love Canada.

The other threads are all about serious stuff like Trump, and gun purchases, and racism, and such. While here on the Canadian thread, the major topics of discussion are urban wildlife and the metric system.

Sad that I won't be able to make it to CMC2017, but I am definitely enjoying the banter. All of you are hilarious!

RetiredAt63 · « **Reply #513 on:** December 06, 2016, 07:31:20 AM »

Quote from: Freedomin5 on December 06, 2016, 06:35:14 AM

This is why I love Canada.

The other threads are all about serious stuff like Trump, and gun purchases, and racism, and such. While here on the Canadian thread, the major topics of discussion are urban wildlife and the metric system.

Sad that I won't be able to make it to CMC2017, but I am definitely enjoying the banter. All of you are hilarious!

We know what matters, eh? When you live in a country where Mother Nature ~~hates you~~ ~~would happily kill you~~ likes to challenge your survival skills 6 months of the year, you know your priorities.

Le Poisson · « **Reply #514 on:** December 06, 2016, 07:32:54 AM »

Quote from: RetiredAt63 on December 06, 2016, 07:31:20 AM

Quote from: Freedomin5 on December 06, 2016, 06:35:14 AM
This is why I love Canada.

The other threads are all about serious stuff like Trump, and gun purchases, and racism, and such. While here on the Canadian thread, the major topics of discussion are urban wildlife and the metric system.

Sad that I won't be able to make it to CMC2017, but I am definitely enjoying the banter. All of you are hilarious!

We know what matters, eh? When you live in a country where Mother Nature ~~hates you~~ ~~would happily kill you~~ likes to challenge your survival skills 6 months of the year, you know your priorities.

Priorities:

1. Beer.
2. Cheeseburgers.

pbkmaine · « **Reply #515 on:** December 06, 2016, 08:37:08 AM »

The Canadian version of bread and circuses?

RetiredAt63 · « **Reply #516 on:** December 06, 2016, 08:50:40 AM »

Quote from: Prospector on December 06, 2016, 07:32:54 AM

Quote from: RetiredAt63 on December 06, 2016, 07:31:20 AM
Quote from: Freedomin5 on December 06, 2016, 06:35:14 AM
This is why I love Canada.

The other threads are all about serious stuff like Trump, and gun purchases, and racism, and such. While here on the Canadian thread, the major topics of discussion are urban wildlife and the metric system.

Sad that I won't be able to make it to CMC2017, but I am definitely enjoying the banter. All of you are hilarious!

We know what matters, eh? When you live in a country where Mother Nature ~~hates you~~ ~~would happily kill you~~ likes to challenge your survival skills 6 months of the year, you know your priorities.

Priorities:

1. ~~Beer.~~
2. Cheeseburgers.

1. Warm clothes (including hats, mitts, boots, scarves, etc.)
2. Cheeseburgers and other nourishing food

No beer until back inside, it dilates surface blood vessels and you lose body heat faster -> hypothermia. And then a hot rum toddy is better.

elaine amj · « **Reply #517 on:** December 07, 2016, 11:15:39 AM »

I can't believe I JUST found this thread - where on earth have I been all these months?!! Camp Mustache in my own backyard - sounds absolutely awesome! By the way, you all are hilarious - I started the thread and couldn't stop until I made it through the whole thing - urban wildlife, metric system and all.

Prospector: I have both Cdn AND US paypal accounts AND bank accounts. If you think it will help, I would be happy to help receive checks/Paypal in USD and make the equivalent transfer to you in Cdn (Paypal or email money transfer is fine with me). That might make it easier for our American friends?

I'd also be happy to offer a carpool/bed if anyone is going through Windsor to get the CMC (so thrilled its only 3 hours from me!). And if you need any help before/during/after the event, do let me know. I happen to love event planning :)

I suppose before I do all this, my next step is to sign up. It's only a day off from work and if I book it in now, I won't be able to use it up on other trips :) My poor husband - I haven't even talked to him yet about this. I am thinking he will come. He does like personal finance, but I am not sure he is going to be into talking to a whole bunch of internet strangers about it. Then again, it's not like we've ever had the opportunity for anything like this. I don't know about my 2 teen kids - not sure there is much for them to do. Unless perhaps they can offer babysitting services? Maybe I should get them to put together a mini-mustache camp for the kids while they are there!

Le Poisson · « **Reply #518 on:** December 07, 2016, 11:32:31 AM »

ELAINE!! You may be the hero we need...

Although this begins to feel like a money laundering ring. I'll PM you soon. The next block of tickets is supposed to open up in February. I am hoping to have our cash movement sorted out by then. In any case, I'll message you and see what we can make happen.

elaine amj · « **Reply #519 on:** December 07, 2016, 11:58:59 AM »

Quote from: Prospector on December 07, 2016, 11:32:31 AM

ELAINE!! You may be the hero we need...

Do I get a cape? Someone posted about a superhero cape they made for nephews/nieces on the Homemade Christmas thread that looked intriguing.

Quote from: Prospector on December 07, 2016, 11:32:31 AM

Although this begins to feel like a money laundering ring. I'll PM you soon.

After spending the last few years playing the CC churning game and manufacturing spend, this will be peanuts!

No sense in folks paying extra fees if we can help it - all the online systems you talked about all charge a fair bit in fees. I can always use USD so it's no big deal if I act as the no-fee middle man to exchange money.

MonkeyJenga · « **Reply #520 on:** December 07, 2016, 12:50:14 PM »

Yesssss I don't own stamps or checks so I was seriously putting off mailing a check. Can I participate in Elaine's money laundering ring? Pretty please?

Cherry Lane · « **Reply #521 on:** December 07, 2016, 01:01:32 PM »

Quote from: MonkeyJenga on December 07, 2016, 12:50:14 PM

Yesssss I don't own stamps or checks so I was seriously putting off mailing a check. Can I participate in Elaine's money laundering ring? Pretty please?

Me, too?

elaine amj · « **Reply #522 on:** December 07, 2016, 01:52:04 PM »

LOL - yes and YES!

What we have to figure out is what is a fair US exchange rate. My office uses the average monthly rate for the prior month to reimburse me. Does that sound fair to everyone? So for folks making payments in December, that would be USD37.20 (based on the Bank of Canada's avg exchange rate for Nov 2016). I can update the number next month. Unless someone has a suggestion for an alternate way of handling this - I'm open to suggestions for managing an efficient money laundering ring :)

arebelspy · « **Reply #523 on:** December 07, 2016, 04:17:42 PM »

Quote from: elaine amj on December 07, 2016, 01:52:04 PM

LOL - yes and YES!

What we have to figure out is what is a fair US exchange rate. My office uses the average monthly rate for the prior month to reimburse me. Does that sound fair to everyone? So for folks making payments in December, that would be USD37.20 (based on the Bank of Canada's avg exchange rate for Nov 2016). I can update the number next month. Unless someone has a suggestion for an alternate way of handling this - I'm open to suggestions for managing an efficient money laundering ring :)

PayPal can send money in any denomination.

We send you $50 CAD, they transfer it from our bank/CC at whatever the rate of the day is. We select that we pay the fees (so you actually receive the full 50 CAD). You cash it out and write prospector a combined check for all us, for free. (Or transfer bank to bank, if that's free).

Basically we could transfer directly to Prospector, but he can't get a paypal account for reasons I forget. Oh, also his bank charges him to transfer money from paypal into his account? If you can transfer from your paypal to your bank free, then to him free, that solves it.

You don't need to worry about taking money in USD or anything like that, that adds an extra complication.

Summary: We just need someone who can receive the money. Have everyone send it in CAD, with sender paying the fees.

elaine amj · « **Reply #524 on:** December 07, 2016, 07:06:33 PM »

Well, I have both a US AND a Cdn Paypal account - so was hoping to save Mustachians any fees. Everything can be done via personal transfers on Paypal, which is free. I can then turn around and use my Tangerine account to transfer the money to Prospector, also for free.

Alternatively, MMM'ers can send it directly to my Cdn Paypal and select to pay whatever fees they charge to do the exchange. Either way is fine with me. Folks can choose whatever works best for them.

I just have a bit of a mental block about paying fees if it can be avoided lol!

I'm good with anything - happy to help in whatever way :) So thrilled to have a Camp Mustache so close to home!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

arebelspy · « **Reply #525 on:** December 07, 2016, 07:17:07 PM »

Someone's gotta convert the money. Better the sender paying the fees than you paying the fees on that for everyone, IMO.

G-dog · « **Reply #526 on:** December 07, 2016, 07:31:21 PM »

I can do e-transfer to a U.S. bank!

Elaine - I think you should get a cape? What should it look like?

deborah · « **Reply #527 on:** December 07, 2016, 07:44:41 PM »

I have a green crushed velvet cape lined with satin that Elaine can have. If she sends me the logo she wants on it, I could put that on the back as well.

G-dog · « **Reply #528 on:** December 07, 2016, 07:51:07 PM »

Quote from: deborah on December 07, 2016, 07:44:41 PM

I have a green crushed velvet cape lined with satin that Elaine can have. If she sends me the logo she wants on it, I could put that on the back as well.

That sounds very cool!

elaine amj · « **Reply #529 on:** December 07, 2016, 09:28:20 PM »

Quote from: deborah on December 07, 2016, 07:44:41 PM

I have a green crushed velvet cape lined with satin that Elaine can have. If she sends me the logo she wants on it, I could put that on the back as well.

Be careful - I might just take u up on that and wear the cape all weekend!!

ARS - I always have use for US$ so will just leave it in US and pay Prospector out of my own Canadian $ stash. So no worries. Just a few extra steps for me but I don't mind if it saves folks on extra fees.

elaine amj · « **Reply #530 on:** December 07, 2016, 09:32:06 PM »

Quote from: G-dog on December 07, 2016, 07:31:21 PM

I can do e-transfer to a U.S. bank!

In the US, we bank with Chase so that works for me. Or a personal Paypal transfer. Whatever is easiest for u :)

I'll be sending the Cdn equivalent to Prospector with my Cdn Tangerine account since they offer free email transfers.

There are some advantages to dealing with the complication of bank accounts and finances in 2 countries!

deborah · « **Reply #531 on:** December 07, 2016, 11:44:06 PM »

Quote from: elaine amj on December 07, 2016, 09:28:20 PM

Quote from: deborah on December 07, 2016, 07:44:41 PM
I have a green crushed velvet cape lined with satin that Elaine can have. If she sends me the logo she wants on it, I could put that on the back as well.
Be careful - I might just take u up on that and wear the cape all weekend!!
/quote]You can have it to keep.

Le Poisson · « **Reply #532 on:** December 08, 2016, 03:38:37 PM »

The next release will be Feb 1... if I have the catering menu put together.

I already have a meal plan for the event, but meal prices may change depending on market etc.

elaine amj · « **Reply #533 on:** December 08, 2016, 09:17:51 PM »

@rockstache Are u thinking of coming?? Woot!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Freedomin5 · « **Reply #534 on:** December 09, 2016, 05:38:11 AM »

Quote from: arebelspy on December 07, 2016, 07:17:07 PM

Someone's gotta convert the money. Better the sender paying the fees than you paying the fees on that for everyone, IMO.

I think Elaine's point is that she can use USD, so she doesn't actually have to convert the cash she receives, thereby saving the fees charged by banks/PayPal for the conversion service. She just uses the agreed-upon conversion rate to decide how much of her Canadian cash to give Prospector. No money actually leaves either country.

For example, the bank earns the spread (1) when I convert my RMB to CDN, but the sending bank also charges me 3% of the total amount (2), plus the receiving bank charges me $150 fee (3) to receive and process the transfer. So I'm typically charged three times when I convert a large amount of money. Elaine is basically saving everyone fees (2) and (3). At least that's the way I understand it.

Le Poisson · « **Reply #535 on:** December 09, 2016, 06:11:20 AM »

FWIW, as of last night, $50USD = $63.88 CAD using the bank rate. The cheque drawn on Bank of America went through without the teller batting an eye.

Paper cheques truly are not an issue at this end. Paypal/E-transfers may be more convenient at your end, but for me it makes no difference. I drive past our bank twice a day.

pbkmaine · « **Reply #536 on:** December 09, 2016, 07:13:14 AM »

Awesome! Have several beers on me.

Le Poisson · « **Reply #537 on:** December 09, 2016, 07:21:49 AM »

Quote from: pbkmaine on December 09, 2016, 07:13:14 AM

Awesome! Have several beers on me.

Yuppers - a 6-pack is almost exactly that. But I applied the excess to your CMC account for now.

elaine amj · « **Reply #538 on:** December 09, 2016, 07:41:46 AM »

Quote from: Freedomin5 on December 09, 2016, 05:38:11 AM

Quote from: arebelspy on December 07, 2016, 07:17:07 PM
Someone's gotta convert the money. Better the sender paying the fees than you paying the fees on that for everyone, IMO.

I think Elaine's point is that she can use USD, so she doesn't actually have to convert the cash she receives, thereby saving the fees charged by banks/PayPal for the conversion service. She just uses the agreed-upon conversion rate to decide how much of her Canadian cash to give Prospector. No money actually leaves either country.

For example, the bank earns the spread (1) when I convert my RMB to CDN, but the sending bank also charges me 3% of the total amount (2), plus the receiving bank charges me $150 fee (3) to receive and process the transfer. So I'm typically charged three times when I convert a large amount of money. Elaine is basically saving everyone fees (2) and (3). At least that's the way I understand it.

Yep and yep :)

I just hate fees lol!

e.g. according to yesterday's exchange rate, you should have gotten $66.029 (or thereabouts since it fluctuates). Instead, you got dinged almost $3 in fees. Its no big deal in the grand scheme of things I know :) It's not much extra work for me to shift the money around. Plus, my husband pointed out last night that we get to exchange for more USD without extra fees on our end too. Don't know how much this helps since we typically wait for optimal exchange rates to exchange money and we still have a couple of years worth of US$ that we accumulated when it was at par - but I'll go with it!

Le Poisson · « **Reply #539 on:** December 09, 2016, 08:02:26 AM »

To keep things clear, it is now your choice how you wish to pay.

If you got a spot in the presale, all payments can come through me except US funds e-transfers and US paypal. If you wish to do either of those, please PM Elaine. Elaine represents herself and rates and fees are between you and her.

I can accept US checks, Canadian Cheques, some US e-transfers (via Interac), and I have opened a "Personal" Paypal linked to the event and tied to the event bank account. I am not sure how well Tangerine will like the paypal being in a different name to the account, but we will see. If you pay using the Paypal, be ready for nutty fees. Elaine's is a US paypal account tied to a US bank, so should run more smoothly, but with the extra step of Elaine transferring your cash to me using Canadian banks and e-transfers.

elaine amj · « **Reply #540 on:** December 09, 2016, 08:12:42 AM »

Quote from: Prospector on December 09, 2016, 08:02:26 AM

To keep things clear, it is now your choice how you wish to pay.

If you got a spot in the presale, all payments can come through me except US funds e-transfers and US paypal. If you wish to do either of those, please PM Elaine. Elaine represents herself and rates and fees are between you and her.

I can accept US checks, Canadian Cheques, some US e-transfers (via Interac), and I have opened a "Personal" Paypal linked to the event and tied to the event bank account. I am not sure how well Tangerine will like the paypal being in a different name to the account, but we will see. If you pay using the Paypal, be ready for nutty fees. Elaine's is a US paypal account tied to a US bank, so should run more smoothly, but with the extra step of Elaine transferring your cash to me using Canadian banks and e-transfers.

Thanks to our awesome organizer for explaining it all so clearly :)

Monkeyjenga and CherryLane: I am sending you a PM with my US Paypal info. Since we're internet strangers, I'll also send you my personal FB info so if I try to run off with your money, you can send thugs to my office!

EDIT: For exchange rate, I'd like to go with the avg exchange rate of the previous month as published by the Bank of Canada. With the daily fluctuations, it will be very disconcerting to see different numbers arriving in my US bank account. So each month, I'll publish the exchange rate I'm offering. Like Prospector said, its entirely your choice how you wish to pay - all he cares about is that the correct amount of Cdn $ arrives in his account so he can pay CMC's bills.

For December payments, I'm going with USD37.20 for CDN$50 (Exchange rate of 0.74415836).

Le Poisson · « **Reply #541 on:** December 09, 2016, 08:17:47 AM »

Quote from: Prospector on December 09, 2016, 08:02:26 AM

To keep things clear, it is now your choice how you wish to pay.

If you got a spot in the presale, all payments can come through me except US funds e-transfers and US paypal. If you wish to do either of those, please PM Elaine. Elaine represents herself and rates and fees are between you and her.

I can accept US checks, Canadian Cheques, some US e-transfers (via Interac), and I have opened a "Personal" Paypal linked to the event and tied to the event bank account. I am not sure how well Tangerine will like the paypal being in a different name to the account, but we will see. If you pay using the Paypal, be ready for nutty fees. Elaine's is a US paypal account tied to a US bank, so should run more smoothly, but with the extra step of Elaine transferring your cash to me using Canadian banks and e-transfers.

Oh yeah - and I can do all things Canadian, of course.

arebelspy · « **Reply #542 on:** December 09, 2016, 07:36:45 PM »

Quote from: rockstache on December 09, 2016, 07:36:05 PM

Quote from: elaine amj on December 08, 2016, 09:17:51 PM
@rockstache Are u thinking of coming?? Woot!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm kicking it around. I'd realllly love to!

Do it!

elaine amj · « **Reply #543 on:** December 09, 2016, 08:44:56 PM »

Quote from: rockstache on December 09, 2016, 07:36:05 PM

Quote from: elaine amj on December 08, 2016, 09:17:51 PM
@rockstache Are u thinking of coming?? Woot!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm kicking it around. I'd realllly love to!

*joins the chant*

DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!!!!!!!

Le Poisson · « **Reply #544 on:** December 10, 2016, 05:50:03 AM »

2 more envelopes in the mail this weekend. One from Eastern Ontario, one from Iowa.

G-dog · « **Reply #545 on:** December 10, 2016, 07:29:53 AM »

Quote from: Prospector on December 10, 2016, 05:50:03 AM

2 more envelopes in the mail this weekend. One from Eastern Ontario, one from Iowa.

Woohoo - the tinfoil made it!

RetiredAt63 · « **Reply #546 on:** December 10, 2016, 02:44:42 PM »

And one should be me!

Cherry Lane · « **Reply #547 on:** December 10, 2016, 02:55:56 PM »

My new passport arrived in the mail today!

(The most pressing need is for a trip I'm taking in three weeks, but also necessary for CMC).

Le Poisson · « **Reply #548 on:** December 11, 2016, 11:59:52 PM »

All but 3 spots in the presale are now paid! Thanks guys! If I received your payment this weekend, check your email for a message. If you have sent cash and not gotten an email recognizing it, please email me and I'll confirm on the sprteadsheet.

jordanread · « **Reply #549 on:** December 15, 2016, 03:11:50 AM »

MXT is going. She was planning on attending with me, but just in case I can't get in, I may or may not bundle her in a suitcase and ship her up there. MXT will be there. Please make it worth it for her.

News:

Author Topic: Camp Mustache Canada - 2017 (Read 405928 times)

jordanread

jordanread