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[EvilMario]

LCBO workers could be striking on May 17. Time to stock up.

For some people, permadeath is enough to turn them off from Fire Emblem games, and it's better to play the game without permadeath than not play it at all.

You can just switch it to Hard mode to compensate anyway.

I tend to agree. Easy Mode is welcomed if it gets more players into the series. But I agree with Quadratic that it does take away from the gameplay a bit, when the threat of permadeath isn't there.

Xl is great. Tho if you get the regular 3ds you should get a grip for it. It really helps for longer stretches of play. I can sell ya mine and I also have a charging dock too.

XL is great. NOA is selling the CPP for the XL now if you really want one. I manage without it in Monhan, but I'm sure it would be helpful for most.

 

[Divvy]

Permadeath is awesome. Puts sweat on your brow and keeps your sphincter puckered.

 

[Oppo]

Permadeath is awesome. Puts sweat on your brow and keeps your sphincter puckered.

I agree, as long as the game isn't buggy.

frickin XCOM

LCBO workers could be striking on May 17. Time to stock up.

Nice timing. They left themselves a week of panic before May 2-4.

 

[BigJonsson]

I agree, as long as the game isn't buggy.

frickin XCOM


Nice timing. They left themselves a week of panic before May 2-4.

Victoria day weekend is May 17-20

May 2-4 != Victoria day

 

[cube444]

All this 3DS talk makes me tempted to buy one and jump in on all this portable gaming nonsense.

I bought the Pink XL for my niece yesterday at Wal-Mart for $169. Picked up "Cooking Mama 4" as well and waiting on the "NSMB2" in steelbook case as well. She's 6.

Hey Torontonians, I'm going to be in Toronto in June and I'm into retro games. Is A&C Games worth checking out?

Pretty cool place and guys there but a bit on the pricey side.

 

[EvilMario]

Hey Torontonians, I'm going to be in Toronto in June and I'm into retro games. Is A&C Games worth checking out?

Hey, I missed this somehow.

A&C Games does have a great collection of imports and old titles, but their prices are pretty steep. Ice Man Games in Kensington Market, just south of A&C games has a good collection of old stuff for a bit more reasonable prices, but no imports compared to A&C. Game Centre (a ways east from A&C games on Yonge) generally has the best prices on new and current generation games. Gamerama up north at Yonge and Eglinton has a lot of older generation titles, but they're pretty terrible people that run the place. Video Games Plus is a bit more out of the way and you could just visit their site anyway. There are a lot of stores in the Annex and on Yonge worth checking out as well if you're into comics, manga, table top gaming, etc.

 

[Noahd42]

Pretty cool place and guys there but a bit on the pricey side.

Hey, I missed this somehow.

A&C Games does have a great collection of imports and old titles, but their prices are pretty steep. Ice Man Games in Kensington Market, just south of A&C games has a good collection of old stuff for a bit more reasonable prices, but no imports compared to A&C. Game Centre (a ways east from A&C games on Yonge) generally has the best prices on new and current generation games. Gamerama up north at Yonge and Eglinton has a lot of older generation titles, but they're pretty terrible people that run the place. Video Games Plus is a bit more out of the way and you could just visit their site anyway. There are a lot of stores in the Annex and on Yonge worth checking out as well if you're into comics, manga, table top gaming, etc.

Cool. Thanks guys. That sounds like a few decent places I should hit up. I'm not really into imports, just looking to possibly fill out my Genesis collection and probably gawk and some rare stock. I think I'll be staying off Spadina anyways.

 

[WrenchNinja]

LCBO workers could be striking on May 17. Time to stock up..

Thats no good. Should tell my dad. Also have an engagement party the next day.

 

[Quick]

BUY ALL THE BEERS NOW.

 

[Kave_Man]

BUY ALL THE BEERS NOW.

No. I can still go to the Beer Store.

 

[Kuro Madoushi]

I tend to agree. Easy Mode is welcomed if it gets more players into the series. But I agree with Quadratic that it does take away from the gameplay a bit, when the threat of permadeath isn't there.

I still hope Donnell dies for you... >:[

XL is great. NOA is selling the CPP for the XL now if you really want one. I manage without it in Monhan, but I'm sure it would be helpful for most.

CPP is useless. I regret buying it. It adds nothing, and only marginally makes the water battles better. Using a bowgun makes the water battles MUCH easier.

 

[Roto13]

I still hope Donnell dies for you... >:[

Don't be absurd. Donnel can't die.

 

[Stet]

I hope you all have signed the Free Our Beer petitions in convenience stores.

 

[BladeWorker]

Thats no good. Should tell my dad. Also have an engagement party the next day.

The last time they did this there was a school of thought that said they hyped up the potential strike just to drive up alcohol sales.

To be clear: lineups at LCBOs are never longer than when their employees threaten to strike. Not even on New Years.

 

[BigJonsson]

I hope you all have signed the Free Our Beer petitions in convenience stores.

No, I like the LCBO and Beer Store

 

[Fuzzy]

I hope you all have signed the Free Our Beer petitions in convenience stores.

Everything else is more expensive in a convenience store, I'd rather beer not follow that trend.

 

[Stet]

No, I like the LCBO and Beer Store

Everything else is more expensive in a convenience store, I'd rather beer not follow that trend.

what

 

[Willectro]

I hope you all have signed the Free Our Beer petitions in convenience stores.

You guys make fun of Ford, but he is not 1/1000th the moron that Hudak is.

I really wonder why people would even consider this. If you don't like any beer beyond Bud and Canadian or any other light generic shit beer, then sign the petition. Because you are tripping if you think that any other retailer will have better selection than The Beer Store/LCBO.

Now I agree that the LCBO probably could be more profitable than it is.

Q: What are the LCBO’s sales and profit figures?

A: Sales in 2011-12 were $4.7 billion and the LCBO delivered a $1.63 billion dividend to the Ontario government. This did not include $415 million in HST* and $352 million in excise taxes and import duties. (When payments to municipalities were included, the total was $2.4 billion. (As of June 2012, these figures were unaudited.)

* The Government of Canada keeps five per cent of HST and sends eight per cent to the Government of Ontario

On top of that, from what I have seen/heard, the LCBO is a pretty decent employer for a lot of people.

 

[added_time]

It's pathetic that the LCBO has a better selection of beer than a store called "The Beer Store". The sooner those things get shut down, the better.

source

 

[Oppo]

I would definitely, defintely prefer the way beer and wine is sold in Italy and France, i.e. in local stores. It's really amazingly convenient and feels.... civilized.

They also let you drink in public, so maybe that's the other side of that. Was quite amazing to just roll up to a shop at 1am, get a half-decent bottle and just sit on a fountain edge and people-watch.

Canada's liquor laws are a bit infantilizing IMO. You can buy a beer from a machine on a train platform over the pond. No one makes a big deal out of it.

edit - added_time. I used to live next to that alley on Queen St. It's crazy, it has an impossible vanishing point. I bet I still have an old photo of it.... yes I do.

 

[Stet]

You guys make fun of Ford, but he is not 1/1000th the moron that Hudak is.

I really wonder why people would even consider this. If you don't like any beer beyond Bud and Canadian or any other light generic shit beer, then sign the petition. Because you are tripping if you think that any other retailer will have better selection than The Beer Store/LCBO.

Now I agree that the LCBO probably could be more profitable than it is.


On top of that, from what I have seen/heard, the LCBO is a pretty decent employer for a lot of people.

I 100% believe that if Loblaws, Metro and other stores were allowed to sell beer and wine, the selection would skyrocket.

I do also find it kind of funny that you consider The Beer Store some kind of bastion for craft brews when it is owned and operated in a partnership by Labatt and Molson and the only reason they're allowed to is because they have the money to pay off the province.

 

[Oppo]

I 100% believe that if Loblaws, Metro and other stores were allowed to sell beer and wine, the selection would skyrocket.

They do sort of sell that stuff now, but it's not the store itself, but those little Wine Rack places at the exit of the bigger stores. Somehow wine gets more of a pass, it's weird.

 

[Stet]

They do sort of sell that stuff now, but it's not the store itself, but those little Wine Rack places at the exit of the bigger stores. Somehow wine gets more of a pass, it's weird.

The Wine Rack is pathetic as well -- they're only allowed to sell Ontario wines.

 

[Blackhead]

The Wine Rack is pathetic as well -- they're only allowed to sell Ontario wines.

You're saying Ontario doesn't have any good wines?

Icewine is an Ontario thing, right?

 

[Stet]

You're saying Ontario doesn't have any good wines?

Icewine is an Ontario thing, right?

I'm saying that selection in The Wine Rack is limited by geography for some stupid reason.

Look, I'm not passionate about tons of stuff but I'm passionate about liquor and the way we buy it in Ontario is ridiculous. What's the end game of privatization in my eyes? Liquor stores that put more money into expanding selection and knowing about the products than producing a fucking Food and Wine guide every quarter.

 

[added_time]

Awesome photo. Much better than the one I found!

 

[Azih]

Speaking as a completely neutral observer (don't drink lol) The LCBO seems fine to me but The Beer Store is some unholy private mandated monopoly thing owned by Labatt, Molson, and Sleeman and should be killed.

Seems to me that LCBO provides great jobs and keeps my taxes low so I'm not in favour of killing it at all. Might need better 'retail minded' leadership that can grow the business in ways that excite consumers.

 

[Divvy]

For the most part I like the LCBO. I never go to the Beer store though, I don't really see the point of it when I can just go to an LCBO.

Then again, I'm barely a drinker so what do I know.

 

[Willectro]

It's pathetic that the LCBO has a better selection of beer than a store called "The Beer Store". The sooner those things get shut down, the better.

Pretty sure most Beer Stores have several hundred different beers available. What more do you want? Also try to buy a 24 pack at most LCBOs.

I would definitely, defintely prefer the way beer and wine is sold in Italy and France, i.e. in local stores. It's really amazingly convenient and feels.... civilized.

They also let you drink in public, so maybe that's the other side of that. Was quite amazing to just roll up to a shop at 1am, get a half-decent bottle and just sit on a fountain edge and people-watch.

Canada's liquor laws are a bit infantilizing IMO. You can buy a beer from a machine on a train platform over the pond. No one makes a big deal out of it.

Different culture there though. I just don't know if alcohol should be readily available 24/7. People couldn't handle it. There are enough alcohol related issues without 24/7 availability.

I 100% believe that if Loblaws, Metro and other stores were allowed to sell beer and wine, the selection would skyrocket.

I do also find it kind of funny that you consider The Beer Store some kind of bastion for craft brews when it is owned and operated in a partnership by Labatt and Molson and the only reason they're allowed to is because they have the money to pay off the province.

Lmfao, so let's give all the revenue to large corporations like Loblaws, etc.

What craft beers aren't available at LCBO/Beer Store? This is bordering on hipster mentality, "I only drink craft beers that you have never heard of".

The Wine Rack is pathetic as well -- they're only allowed to sell Ontario wines.

Yea, I know in Canada/Ontario this may be shocking as everyone seems to have this misconception that domestic products are automatically inferior. I only buy VQA wine for the most part anyway. But yea, I know supporting local businesses is blasphemy to some.

I'm saying that selection in The Wine Rack is limited by geography for some stupid reason.

Look, I'm not passionate about tons of stuff but I'm passionate about liquor and the way we buy it in Ontario is ridiculous. What's the end game of privatization in my eyes? Liquor stores that put more money into expanding selection and knowing about the products than producing a fucking Food and Wine guide every quarter.

How much more selection do you really need? I admit, the selection isn't consistent across all LCBO stores (usually limited by space), but I think they do pretty well. The new LCBO at Broadview and Danforth almost has too much selection. Every time I've been in there looking for wine or beer, I spend 30+ minutes looking at everything, because there is so much selection.

 

[Oppo]

Different culture there though. I just don't know if alcohol should be readily available 24/7. People couldn't handle it. There are enough alcohol related issues without 24/7 availability.

That's just what I mean by infantilizing, though. "People can't handle it". I think they can.

Even if we had Quebec's deal, where you can get a few things at a depanneur like beer and wine, but nothing really hard, that would be an improvement.

I'm surprised you are such a fan of the Beer Store and LCBO, Willectro. They're so.... socialist.

How much more selection do you really need? I admit, the selection isn't consistent across all LCBO stores (usually limited by space), but I think they do pretty well. The new LCBO at Broadview and Danforth almost has too much selection. Every time I've been in there looking for wine or beer, I spend 30+ minutes looking at everything, because there is so much selection.

It's a monster, isn't it. Might be second-biggest to the Summerhill Mothership now.

 

[Willectro]

That's just what I mean by infantilizing, though. "People can't handle it". I think they can.

Even if we had Quebec's deal, where you can get a few things at a depanneur like beer and wine, but nothing really hard, that would be an improvement.

I'm surprised you are such a fan of the Beer Store and LCBO, Willectro. They're so.... socialist.


It's a monster, isn't it. Might be second-biggest to the Summerhill Mothership now.

Taking the TTC after midnight on weekends, and living in close proximity to Oshawa for 20+ years may have tainted my feelings toward 24/7 access to alcohol, but that is of course anecdotal.

I'm a fan of The Beer Store/LCBO mainly because the majority of my experiences have been positive. I have absolutely no complaints with the price, selection, or locations. I think they may need to look at how to increase profits and I'm not too excited about the potential strike.

Beyond that, at this point I think I would oppose almost anything that comes out of Hudak's mouth. That guy is poison.

 

[The Interrobanger]

Different culture there though. I just don't know if alcohol should be readily available 24/7. People couldn't handle it. There are enough alcohol related issues without 24/7 availability.

What the fuck?

 

[Willectro]

What the fuck?

Great contribution.

Alcohol-related deaths increase with private booze stores, study finds

British Columbia study that found the number of alcohol-related deaths jumps by 2 per cent when the number of private liquor stores increases by 10 per cent.

Edit:

But Andrew Murie, CEO of MADD Canada, said his organization is opposed to the idea of corner stores selling booze.
“It increases access for intoxicated patrons and young people because the goal is profit, not social responsibility,” he said.

Exactly. There is no denying this.

 

[BigJonsson]

I also read that liquor prices in Alberta went up significantly when they expanded sales to non-government owned stores

 

[Willectro]

I also read that liquor prices in Alberta went up significantly when they expanded sales to non-government owned stores

Yes, exactly. But apparently some want to pay higher prices for less selection so that they can walk over to a corner store at 3AM to buy a 6 pack of Coors Light.

 

[added_time]

Pretty sure most Beer Stores have several hundred different beers available. What more do you want?

I want the dozens of beers that I drink that they don't carry at most Beer Stores.

 

[BigJonsson]

I want the dozens of beers that I drink that they don't carry at most Beer Stores.

Names?

 

[Noahd42]

Yes, exactly. But apparently some want to pay higher prices for less selection so that they can walk over to a corner store at 3AM to buy a 6 pack of Coors Light.

I don't think selection an issue but being able to walk into a 24hr store is awesome. I've lived in Alberta most of my life, I don't drink that piss, and I have no problem...

 

[Hieberrr]

I really want to go biking today, but a chance of showers in the afternoon? NAH B.

Also on a brighter note, I officially finished university today. Ah, the marketing job search continues. I got a few calls back already, went to one interview and just finished a phone interview. SOMEONE HIRE ME!

 

[Oppo]

Taking the TTC after midnight on weekends, and living in close proximity to Oshawa for 20+ years may have tainted my feelings toward 24/7 access to alcohol, but that is of course anecdotal.

Oh man. Yeah I could see how that might colour your opinion. Ottawa after a hockey game was sort of pathetic, too.

That said I figure if the euros can "handle it", so can we. There would probably be a bit of a crazy period at first but then I think it would basically settle down again.

 

[krae_man]

I really wonder why people would even consider this. If you don't like any beer beyond Bud and Canadian or any other light generic shit beer, then sign the petition. Because you are tripping if you think that any other retailer will have better selection than The Beer Store/LCBO.

Yeah because beer/alcohol selection everywhere else in the world where regular stores can sell booze is crap.

The Beer Store/LCBO having a near monopoly on all alcohol sales in Ontario does need to end and it will eventually. I do kind of feel bad for the employees but it's inevitable. Bell employees used to make buckets of money when they had a monopoly and that came to an end. Nobody is clamoring for $1/minute long distance charges to come back.

 

[BigJonsson]

Oh man. Yeah I could see how that might colour your opinion. Ottawa after a hockey game was sort of pathetic, too.

That said I figure if the euros can "handle it", so can we. There would probably be a bit of a crazy period at first but then I think it would basically settle down again.

That crazy period would go on for a long long time

 

[EvilMario]

I complain about the sake selection at most Toronto LCBOs (and their accompanying prices), but I should count myself lucky not to live in northern Ontario. I can only imagine the selection they have.

 

[SuperSonic1305]

What would you guys recommend doing for someone who hasn't done any significant math in 8 or more years and may be required to complete a math test for employment.

 

[Quick]

What would you guys recommend doing for someone who hasn't done any significant math in 8 or more years and may be required to complete a math test for employment.

You could buy a math problems books (like those puzzle ones) and run through it to refresh yourself.

 

[criesofthepast]

What would you guys recommend doing for someone who hasn't done any significant math in 8 or more years and may be required to complete a math test for employment.

Do you know what kind of math is to be expected on that test? I used khan academy when prepping to go back to university after a few year hiatus from education. Helped a ton with math and science.

 

[Stet]

What craft beers aren't available at LCBO/Beer Store? This is bordering on hipster mentality, "I only drink craft beers that you have never heard of".

How much more selection do you really need? I admit, the selection isn't consistent across all LCBO stores (usually limited by space), but I think they do pretty well. The new LCBO at Broadview and Danforth almost has too much selection. Every time I've been in there looking for wine or beer, I spend 30+ minutes looking at everything, because there is so much selection.

You were the one who originally brought up selection because you somehow assume that supermarkets and convenience stores would have a worse selection than the LCBO. All it takes is a trip across the border to realize how flawed that thinking is. The issue with Canadian liquor laws is that even when they are privatized, they're still mandated by an absurd provincial liquor control board that shops are forced to buy from in the first place. The first step is to remove them from the marketplace entirely and the next step is to do away with the puritanical liquor laws we have in place to increase buying freedom to the point where specialized private stores can stock anything they want (like stores should be able to do).

Even Québécois convenience stores have better beer selection than most LCBOs and Beer Stores. The best part? If one store doesn't have it, try the store next door.

How about the fact that a small-batch whiskey from upstate New York costs $45 if you buy it in the U.S. but $75 from the LCBO? You actually think the LCBO is keeping prices down? I'd rather pay 15% sales tax on booze than justify high prices so that they can pay unionized workers to give me alcohol and take money.

 

[SuperSonic1305]

Do you know what kind of math is to be expected on that test? I used khan academy when prepping to go back to university after a few year hiatus from education. Helped a ton with math and science.

No idea. It could be anything. I think it may have some PEMDAS stuff and some of those train velocity/distance problems.

 

[Divvy]

No idea. It could be anything. I think it may have some PEMDAS stuff and some of those train velocity/distance problems.

What kind of job is this? My girlfriend has taken these kinds of tests before.

 

[SuperSonic1305]

What kind of job is this? My girlfriend has taken these kinds of tests before.

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