Loc on Opuntia 586 - 589 (Dale Speirs, ed.)
Dear Dale:
All of the holiday goodies are devoured, all of the holiday events are over with, and we can all get back to our regular schedules. With that in mind, I have four issues of Opuntia, 586 to 589, and comments will follow below.
586… We were still not able to find a Remembrance Day ceremony in Etobicoke. I think the Legion is happy to conduct their own remembrance, without strangers being around. I am starting to find King Charles III’s head on local coinage, for both 2023 and 2024. Hearing God Save the King is a little strange to my ears.
Right now, there is only an inch or so of snow on the ground here, but our snow tires have come in handy here and there. I will shortly be looking at information for Edmonton Worldcon in 2030, but we have preregistered with Montreal in 2027, and we have helped out a little bit. I admit the Montreal bid surprised me a little bit, but then, time marches on, and I know so few people on the committee. We will be attending only, and perhaps do some programming, but I will not help out onsite.
My loc… Yvonne and I have purchased our memberships for Can*con in Ottawa this coming October, and we hope to have it on hand to promote Amazing Stories. We had ourselves a great time in LA for Loscon, but I have been in touch with them to keep up with the horrible fires in LA County.
587… Nope, we don’t have that kind of snow here, at least, not right now. We seem to have small fits of snow, broken up with several days of really cold temperatures.
The electronic artwork looks great, but of course, nothing is free, especially those things they could be making money on, so away goes the art, and in comes the never-ending commercials that bedevil just about every aspect of our lives.
588… It’s a shame when even historic venues are torn down for new development. Toronto would rather tear down than save. One building at the iconic corner of Yonge and Bloor was to be declared a historic building some years ago, and overnight, just before the building was to receive its historic designation, the owners came in overnight, and had the building razed.
The postal strike was a pain, and even though I would support them, they chose a bad time to strike, which didn’t get them much public sympathy. As this date, I am still waiting for some mail to come along, and only now are we getting Christmas cards from Europe. Today, the postage rates went wayyyy up.
No one wants Trudeau in charge again, but given the right candidate, the Liberals might be able to cause a minority Conservative government. Many people have little confidence in Pierre Polievre, but once he actually sees the books, and is informed of the laws, he might not be able to do all the damage he’s promising. I wish he’d sign up to read that report, he’d look a little less foolish.
589… At least you got your brick. Transit in Toronto was free over New Year’s Eve, but we spent it at home. Who knows what crazies there on the subway? There were guards everywhere, but still… Since Christmas and New Year’s, we haven’t gained an ounce, and hope to keep it that way.
Just made it over the page, and it’s just as well, because I can’t think of anything else to write. Thank you for these four issues, and I will try my best to be timely in the future. See you then.
Yours, Lloyd Penney.