Yo Yo Beyonders, what's happening, sup? Went into lurking for a while. What's shaken, who are them cool kids here now? Who the movers and shakers?
Urgh, been bogged down on a side project, finally think seeing the light at the end of tunnel... been doing renovations on an old 1968 built cinderblock garage; one thing leads to another, shit to do, shit I wanted to do, shit I started to do and gotta finish, just never ends.
Well, I WASSSSS gonna try re-triggering a retail dent shop/appearance shop, but Beyond, while I was laying floor tiles to this old raggity double single door garage during Covid year, then our city's (another) mega hail storm hits... Then it also hits me, I'm so stuck in the system, like Ethan Hunt from M.I. does't matter who we work for, I'm just an operative in the bigger system, will probably never change. Most times now, I just feel like I'm locked up in these insurance repair facilities (not exactly insurance owned, but "somebody" some businessman will make a "bid", a lowball bid to get the work, all the work so now even if I had a tiny shop, it'll be hard to make the numbers $ work, and have no choice but to conform to the bulk system), literally unmarked buildings, unmarked rental vehicles of other out of town operatives, just work, invoice through modern apps, get paid, life goes on... this is how I FEEL imo most of the times now, locked up fixing bulk hail repairs for vehicle owners
These two photos is NOT my warehouse, generic unmarked bulk insurance repair process centres... if I'm not snapped up by agency #1, then it'll be agency #2 calling, or #3, etc..
Oh so anyway, with my own garage... as I was Covid-tiling/renovating eureka moment hit, so kinda signed my authority to a leasing real estate agent and just going to turn it into a rental property now, and accept the fact that I'm just part of a number (labour tech) in my industry's bigger system.
but... in the mean time before my garage's keys get turned over to tenant, contract kicks me out, rent cheque in hand; it's still mine lol
I know there're baller Beyond restaurant heirs who's been fortune to enjoy dynasty lifestyle, but from my understanding, that doesn't apply to others not so lucky. With restaurants slowly opening up, I was thinking I could use an excuse, as a nobody, for whatever little help it means, to encourage Beyonders to go out spending at food places specifically, because as a road-worker myself, I really enjoy my take outs, and eating out. So I'm thinking of an exchange (NOT a charity, NOT a giveaway as I've done in my younger years).
Not sure if it's a cool thing anymore, but I was thinking of allowing Beyonders the ability to self hand wash, dry, vacuum, or if you want to DIY polish/wax, the use in my garage; but in mandatory exchange, (so I think the modern buzzword is called mutual benefiting), you must spend money supporting a food place (on yourself), be it a full meal, but even a cup of coffee. Even with this weather, I have to crank my heat up anyways putting some final touches, even if not washing but just come in for a vacuum. (as of this post, not that I should say, I believe my leasing agent will have something lined up fairly quick; "few weeks")
If you're reading this far; to make a short story long, here are my rules (I can change, modify, cancel, deny anyone anytime without notice or compensation):
- By appointment only (practicing Covid safety; trying to be just me and "you"); we can even make each session 1 hour, for the ppl who wants to polish/wax their own vehicles 4-6 hours, I'd probably ask you to purchase something bigger, or even buy ME lunch
- Must be your own vehicle, please don't be sneaky sneaky charging a customer but pretending it's your own.
- I'm close by cemetery hill, and during last year's Covid slow down, I've been supporting the eateries close by; so I'm going to make a suggestive list of places close by my garage who's helped feed me during my renovation struggles
- You MUST make a food/drink related purchase from 1 day BEFORE, or before your appointment time slot (no purchase receipt, no entry)
- You can purchase food items, any amounts $ you want, even a cup of coffee
- HOPEFULLY (not required, can't force you), I'd get some rep points, I lost all my "feedbacks" ever since the new system I want to be someone recognized on Beyond too someday
Well, here are some food places I've been to before, during Covid times, that's within a close proximity of my garage. If you have different idea of places, by all means bring it forward: Not in any particular orders:
- Taiko taco: their Korean fusion fries are saucy to try, man, hope Covid won't effect playing mini golf moving forward
- Cash Casino: Yes, it's true, it's a lunch spot. You go there for the $10-12 lunch specials thinking you're saving money, only to be short $100 cause it never hit black
- Banded Peak brewery: these guys are my neighbours, so by default, gotta support
- 711 on 39 Avenue SE: practice after me "sorry, I don't have any change on me, sorry I don't have any change on me"... but yeah, they've some what stepped up their blue collar lunch menu, tortillas, cheese filled smokies, cardboard $10 pizza, but a good place to practice your saying NO skills
- Tim Hortons and McDonald's on 38 Avenue SE (yes, I know it's corporation, and you can even say American headquartered; but still supporting local jobs and feeding local consumers): Urgh, navigating between those two parking lots will bring memories of your high school days, no wonder there're 2-3 bodyshops next street over
- Al Malenda (from Skip the dish; I'm too lazy for the 2-3km): food of the Lebanese, delivered most likely by East Indians or Sundanese consumed by average Joe's, uniting us all as Canadians.
- Paddy's Barbecue & Brewery: well, sorry I'm actually not a drinker/alcoholic, but man, their root beer, is like freshly squeezed liquorice
- Blackfoot truck stop: This used to be such a good dive, but imo, after the rapid BRT and moderization, the yuppies totally wrecked the vibe, but go for the pies...
- Seoul Korean (Macleod): when you get the rage, for some Korean BBQ, they had lunch buffets, but curious how Covid re-opening will change these buffet style places
- Village ice cream (Victoria location): Yup, sometimes I'd leave downtown, stop for a cone, then to the garage to do renos... and if you're a Calgarian knowing this place, come on, admit it you already know what flavours you want, but you're just dragging out the tasting pending on how good looking the staff are at the time... mine are Guide's mint, and everything-Mark-loves
- Coco Brooks 42 Ave SE: Sometimes I go there to eat, just to read the articles printed in pizza box cover
- Hot Point 3:30 bubble tea, single hot pot: Been supporting this place since they opened (2012 I think), even seen through one of the owners having her first child, no, and the kid is not my son
- Jusbubble bubble tea: If you use the app Fantuan (food app), most times there'll be discounts here
- Beefun (yes, this is a place; a place in the Back Alley strip mall): Unfortuntely, they don't serve Vietnamese cuisine anymore, only high end hot pot, but these are some hard working young owner bros
- Blind Beggar Pub: everytime I get the craving for their kettle chips, but an order is way too much for one person, but I guess once you pop you can't stop
- Pho Xinh Xinh: Since the closure of Vietnamese cuisine from Beefun; this is now my Viet go to in the area
- CPU Canadian Pizza Unlimited 42 Ave: Always unlimited topics, how the hell do they make it? Yes, I love pineapples, fuck you. Yes, I love Hawaii's too, meaning Ham and Pineapple swimming in thick cheese
Well, even if I don't get a welcome back party, such a relieve blasting the Beyond late night crew, just blasting my keyboards lol... probably annoying the non Thomas supporters. SUPPPPPPP Beyond hmu