This is just one example of why Canada should not cozy up to China, as some have suggested in recent weeks. China is not an ally to Canada, to freedom, to democracy, or to human righta. We should never forget that their government held Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig hostage. That's just what they've done to specific Canadians, they've done much worse to other people groups (Tibetans, Uighur) and their own citizens. As far as feasible, we should be avoiding China the way we are avoiding the USA. China is more enemy than friend.

ISPs will provide service so long as it is profitable. It is not profitable to go to northern, remote areas through all the trees and terrain for the relatively few people who would be customers, even at 100% market share. If there was profit to be made by expanding to remote places, they'd be there already.

Although this thread is about Internet, this is also why it's incredibly stupid for people to whine about Canada Post not being profitable. Of course its not profitable, its a national service that services literally every unprofitable community and person in the country. Even with the recent price increase, it definitely costs a lot more than $1.24 for Canada Post to deliver a letter from Windsor to Iqaluit.

From what you've described, it sounds like she's a straight forward and direct person, which is good. Just be straight forward and direct (but tactful) with her. Something like, "I'm sorry, I think I misunderstood the situation. I'd like to hang out as friends, but I'm not looking for anything more." Optionally, "We can have that drink if it's just as friends, but I'm not going to lead you on if you want something more."

Ask a local to show you some of their winter clothes or to take you winter clothes shopping. Your warmest clothes right now are not warm enough. Capacitive touch gloves will let you use your phone.

If you have a car, get a snow brush and ice scraper (for windshield and windows). There is winter windshield fluid, get and use it when it's snowing. Get winter tires, it makes a difference. Insurance companies give a discount for having them. If there's snow on the road, go slower than you think you should, and start braking at least twice as early as when it's dry. Accelerate and brake slowly. If your car is sliding on ice, resist the temptation to keep pressing your brakes, try your best to steer the slide instead.

If your car gets stuck in snow and you need to run it to keep it warm, make sure the tail pipe is well clear of snow (carbon monoxide). Keep an emergency blanket, hat, gloves in the car in case of breakdown. If the wheels are stuck in a snowbank (just spinning in place), some sand or non-clumping cat litter can give you traction. You can sacrifice your floor mats for this, too.

If you walk instead of drive, consider crampons for your boots for if it gets icy out.

There's different textures and density to snow. Wet snow is dense and heavy, dry snow is light and fluffy. Shoveling can be very different depending on the snow. Lift/push with your legs, now with your arms or back. Take breaks if needed.

If you wear glasses, they will fog up when you go from outside to inside. Sorry. You could get anti-fog stuff used for snow and ski goggles, but most normal people just wait for them to warm up.

A scarf makes a big difference.

Wool can keep you warm even when wet.

Be prepared for power outages especially if the area does not bury power lines. Heavy snow, or worse, ice, can make tree branches heavy and fall and snap power lines. If this happens, be mindful of carbon monoxide. People, families have died trying to keep warm by running generators, stoves, etc indoors without proper ventilation.

Snow reflects sunlight; wear sunglasses if the sun is out and there's snow on the ground.

Go outside and listen when the snow is falling. It makes everything quieter and it's really ice to hear.

Snow that's warmed slightly then frozen again is crunchy and fun to walk on.

If you're north enough, the sunlight will not be sufficient for creating vitamin D. (Plus you'll probably be indoors more, less daylight in general.) Consider a supplement.

Consider a SAD light if lack of daylight affects your moods.

Looks like it's time for sign language to rise. Are the Taliban going to say that women can't move their hands? (How will they serve their ~~masters~~ men otherwise?)

BBC series Merlin was a little like this. King Uther hated magic, Prince Arthur was kinda against it because he was told it was dangerous, but didn't exactly hate it himself. Meanwhile Merlin took a job as a servant, doing magic-y things to protect him. Wasn't a great series (writing), but it had enjoyable aspects.

I was sad because my friend was dying in the hospital. My manager noticed my demeanour and asked what's wrong. She asked me if I needed to be there, but I said there's nothing to be done.

Later that day I got a phone call from another friend saying it was the end. I put on my jacket and went to my manager's office. I didn't want to, but I started crying. She hugged me, got her jacket, and drove me to the hospital herself. (I didn't have a car then, I'd planned to take the bus.)

My friend died, and that was the saddest time ever in my life. But I'll always remember and appreciate the kindness my manager showed me.

Yeah, I was 22 years old when my mother sat me down for "the talk", and even then, it only consisted of "don't go to bed with someone". LITERALLY nothing more than that. I just looked at her cockeyed and told her she was pretty late for this talk. And of course the talk itself was just so sub par.

Duolingo does have that function. It's much more obvious on desktop web, but in the phone app, you tap the notebook icons to the right of the headings. I mean, they're not necessarily excellent explanations, but they're there.

It's a slow burn introduction to Trek. The show starts off having not much to do with Trek, as the crew itself has nothing to do with the Federation or Starfleet, but they go through a process of learning what Starfleet is, and they try their best to aspire to its ideals so they might be accepted to the academy when they reach the Federation. Ideas (e.g., prime directive, augments, temporal directives) are introduced one at a time with explanations. It's not meant to "just" be a kids' show, it's meant to be a kids' introduction to Trek. And as a fan of Trek, I think also a good introduction for a non-fan who might feel lost by how vast the Trek universe is. It's not about politics or diplomacy, but it carries the same spirit of unity, optimism, and the hope for the best of humanity that underlies Trek.

You're too optimistic. Anti-vaxxers can and do still blame everyone and everything else before changing their minds. Only select few will have the awareness to change. People were literally on their deathbeds dying of covid still cursing the doctors who were supposedly killing them. The children and other people they spread to, they don't deserve to die. But I have no patience left for contrarian wilful assholes, they deserve(d) their deaths.

You might enjoy "A Christmas Movie Christmas", where the protagonists wake up and find themselves as the protagonists in a Christmas movie reality. It's a comedy where you basically laugh at the troops while they call themselves out on it.