I got my diagnosis in the Netherlands. There’s a strong Calvinist undercurrent to medicine here, and the psychiatrist did actually make an attempt to talk me out of taking medication. He didn’t try very hard though because he knew I was going to tell him where he could stuff it.

But the sous chef who has a cold (or something else that involves a runny nose) but came in because they really need the hours right now doesn’t worry you.

Which is why I asked if there’s any actual data. I mean, everyone’s so quick to reassure people about how safe flying is in comparison to driving a car. From a germ perspective, is flying really more dangerous than spending an equivalent period in your average restaurant?

You’ve confused disgusting with dangerous, a mistake that is exactly what this article is targeting. The fact that you don’t enjoy contact with soft surfaces that have been in contact with other peoples’ skin doesn’t mean it’s going to make you sick.

Well, if the surface is covered in bat guano from Kitum cave, there’s probably a reasonable concern there. In other situations, it does seem a bit hyperbolic.

I did a quick search and didn’t find anything relevant. What is the impact of contact time on infection rate?

Is there any actual data on the risk factors here? We come into contact with all kinds of bacteria on a regular basis, be it through contact with public surfaces everywhere from doors to washrooms to chairs, exchanges of money and other products that come into contact with multiple people, and even being in close…

That’s actually not the Arrogant Worms, it’s Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie and they’re from Edmonton. Hence the Calgary dig right at the end.

Not being American, I don’t think I’ll speak to those tax implications.

Excellent. Then I can just leave this here and continue on with my day.

If the property tax on a piece of real estate is higher than the rent being charged for that property, the landlord is probably doing something wrong. That’s not a standard dynamic. And if your point is that lots of people pay more than that in rent: yeah, no shit, me too. In a normal situation, the owner would also…

It is per year, but like I said to someone else, Alberta has an income tax in addition to the federal income tax. Somebody who can afford to buy an expensive house like this would be at or near the maximum combined marginal rate, which is 48% for Alberta.

Hey, I’m living in Europe right now. It’s still a pretty good place to live.

Contest winnings are not taxed in Canada.

You’re welcome to check my math. Millarville is located in Foothills county, which uses a mill rate of roughly 6.1 per $1000 of assessed value. I’ll admit, I assumed the assessed value was actually $1.7 million. I did find the assessment roll, but they use the Alberta Township System, and figuring out the ATS…

Gifts between unrelated parties, particularly gifts of real estate, are subject to (quelle surprise!) capital gains tax.

I wouldn’t speak ill of the location. Calgary is easily accessible from Millarville, and the area is absolutely spectacular. Politically... yeah, there are moments when it’s really annoying, but it’s a great place to live otherwise.

Not even remotely how that works. Capital gains kicks in when you sell an asset, not when you buy or receive it. And Canada has an exemption on cap gains for your primary residence anyways. So as long as whoever wins it decides to actually live there most of the year, they’re in the clear.

Dress my run is also very handy for suggestions.

There’s Kindle Unlimited, but that’s still not my thing. I’m really not a big fan of that or streaming services in general. I maintain my own copies of pretty much all the content that I like. TV, movies, books, music, articles, all of it.