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the mystery of the LP record
May. 12th, 2011 12:43 pmPerennial teenage sleuths weren't immune to the lure of late 60s cartoon bubblegum rock, as we see at this week's Found Sound takes us deep into the recesses of the Hardy Boys and their second album, "Wheels"!
In other news: apparently the Ontario Conservative party will be holding an event at the TCC right alongside Anime North. If you own a Stephen Harper mask, your cosplay choice is pretty obvious.
Last week, on the way to TCAF, two separate books were seized by Customs at the border in what appears to be two separate incidents. While it's an obvious black eye (get it?) for overzealous Canadian customs officers, it's also a reminder to travellers that Customs officers have authority to seize pretty much anything. Full details of the story have yet to emerge, particularly which crossing this happened at - your results will vary widely depending on where you cross, no matter which direction you're going.
For the record, I cross the border at least four or five times a year and all I've ever been asked for is reciepts, or to pop the trunk so they can take a cursory look inside. Detroit/Windsor has the pickiest US customs guys. Fort Erie ("Peace Bridge") and Lewiston/Queenston usually have longer wait times than the Niagara Falls ("Rainbow Bridge"), and the Rainbow usually has the most pleasant officers. Pearson Airport has long lines and sometimes the baggage claim is glacial, but the officers are professional.
Tips:
Have all your documents ready, including passports. Know where your car registration is if they ask for it. If you bought anything and are returning to your country of origin, have your reciepts handy. Turn off your radio. Your presentation should be polite and friendly. If you usually dress like a crazy artist or a violent biker, now's the time to tone your look down. Be prepared to tell the officer exactly where you're going right down to the street address, and have a good reason for your trip. "Visiting friends/relatives, vacation, festival" are all good. "Just for the hell of it" or "I dunno" are not so good. You may be asked your employment status (have one, even if it's "self-employed") or your relationship to everyone in the vehicle. Remember, you're crossing an international border and these guys aren't here to hassle you, they are doing their job. They deal with hundreds and thousands of you every day and you want to be just another citizen happy to visit their country. Because you are!
In other news: apparently the Ontario Conservative party will be holding an event at the TCC right alongside Anime North. If you own a Stephen Harper mask, your cosplay choice is pretty obvious.
Last week, on the way to TCAF, two separate books were seized by Customs at the border in what appears to be two separate incidents. While it's an obvious black eye (get it?) for overzealous Canadian customs officers, it's also a reminder to travellers that Customs officers have authority to seize pretty much anything. Full details of the story have yet to emerge, particularly which crossing this happened at - your results will vary widely depending on where you cross, no matter which direction you're going.
For the record, I cross the border at least four or five times a year and all I've ever been asked for is reciepts, or to pop the trunk so they can take a cursory look inside. Detroit/Windsor has the pickiest US customs guys. Fort Erie ("Peace Bridge") and Lewiston/Queenston usually have longer wait times than the Niagara Falls ("Rainbow Bridge"), and the Rainbow usually has the most pleasant officers. Pearson Airport has long lines and sometimes the baggage claim is glacial, but the officers are professional.
Tips:
Have all your documents ready, including passports. Know where your car registration is if they ask for it. If you bought anything and are returning to your country of origin, have your reciepts handy. Turn off your radio. Your presentation should be polite and friendly. If you usually dress like a crazy artist or a violent biker, now's the time to tone your look down. Be prepared to tell the officer exactly where you're going right down to the street address, and have a good reason for your trip. "Visiting friends/relatives, vacation, festival" are all good. "Just for the hell of it" or "I dunno" are not so good. You may be asked your employment status (have one, even if it's "self-employed") or your relationship to everyone in the vehicle. Remember, you're crossing an international border and these guys aren't here to hassle you, they are doing their job. They deal with hundreds and thousands of you every day and you want to be just another citizen happy to visit their country. Because you are!
