I will be in Philadelphia again on business from December 1st to 3rd.

If you're going to have fun with my mailer, mark it on your calendar.

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

On 03 Nov 2026, Atreyu said the following...

I will be in Philadelphia again on business from December 1st to 3rd.

If you're going to have fun with my mailer, mark it on your calendar.

Why would anyone do such a thing? Philly has a cool music scene.

==|==
|03Mickey
|14Mick's Remote Hangout - |11centralontarioremote.net:2300
|14L.O.R.D. - |11centralontarioremote.net:2500|07

... We all live in a yellow subroutine...

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Mick's Remote Bulletin Board (1:229/307)

On 04 Nov 26 20:06:47, Mickey said the following to Atreyu:

Why would anyone do such a thing? Philly has a cool music scene.

So I've heard... downtown has a lot of cool neighborhoods for sure.

Atreyu

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Atreyu wrote to Mickey <=-

So I've heard... downtown has a lot of cool neighborhoods for sure.

I've been in some of the uncool neighborhoods just passing through and I
feared for my life.

-- Sean

... Communism is the opiate of the intellectuals.

--- MultiMail/Win
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

Mickey wrote to Atreyu <=-

Why would anyone do such a thing? Philly has a cool music scene.

There's plenty of people in Z2 who like to play games (no names, please).
They still think they're back in the early 90s when such things mattered...

-- Sean

... I went to court for a parking ticket. I pleaded insanity.

--- MultiMail/Win
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

On 05 Nov 26 17:20:22, Sean Dennis said the following to Atreyu:

So I've heard... downtown has a lot of cool neighborhoods for sure.

I've been in some of the uncool neighborhoods just passing through and I feared for my life.

On one trip a few years ago, me and some of the other techs went strolling around at night trying to find a bar or pub open... this was 10 or 11pm, we didn't realize the city apparently has a curfew in the downtown core.

We ended up buying some booze from 7/11 and THAT was... sketchy.

Atreyu

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Hello Atreyu,

05 Nov 26 18:01, you wrote to me:

We ended up buying some booze from 7/11 and THAT was... sketchy.

The booze or the 7/11? Both would be approipriate. LOL

-- Sean

... What do you mean? You actually read this tagline?
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20240309
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

On 05 Nov 26 19:31:13, Sean Dennis said the following to Atreyu:

We ended up buying some booze from 7/11 and THAT was... sketchy.

The booze or the 7/11? Both would be approipriate. LOL

The 7/11... several sketchy characters hanging around the sketchy clerk.

Seriously, nothing else was open, even the Hard Rock was closed.

Atreyu

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Atreyu wrote to Sean Dennis:

The 7/11... several sketchy characters hanging around the sketchy clerk.

That sounds par for the course.

Seriously, nothing else was open, even the Hard Rock was closed.

That's how it is around here, which sucks ass. It's just gas stations and a single 24-hour Walgreens that's across town that's open after midnight.
Well, those and two McDonald's drive-thrus.

I miss being able to go grocery shopping at 2 AM.

That's safe to do here but I'd not want to do that in Philly proper.

-- Sean

--- MBSE BBS v1.1.7.2 (Linux-x86_64)
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

On 06 Nov 26 13:53:38, Sean Dennis said the following to Atreyu:

That's how it is around here, which sucks ass. It's just gas stations and single 24-hour Walgreens that's across town that's open after midnight. Well, those and two McDonald's drive-thrus.

I'm not familiar with Walgreens but our Shoppers Drug Mart stores have a very small grocery section. Pretty much just snack treats or comfort foods.

I miss being able to go grocery shopping at 2 AM.

Me too! There are no 24 hr stores here where I live, and I think few of them left since Covid. Before all that nonsense it was fun to do the 2AM run.

Atreyu

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

I miss being able to go grocery shopping at 2 AM.

The grocery stores here that were open 24 hours... Wal-Mart and Kroger... all stopped doing that around Thanksgiving, 2019, shortly before COVID. In the case of Kroger, I think it was a corporate-wide thing, supposedly to give them "time to stock." However, I can attest that they do their stocking during the day while they are open so that isn't why.

There are plenty of convenience stores (that sell fuel) that are open late but I cannot confirm that they are open 24 hours as I don't get out that late much any more. ;)

Mike

--- ScorpioWeb v0.39a (Linux/x86_64)
* Origin: capitolcityonline.net * KY, USA (1:2320/107)

Hello Atreyu,

06 Nov 26 18:29, you wrote to me:

I'm not familiar with Walgreens but our Shoppers Drug Mart stores have
a very small grocery section. Pretty much just snack treats or comfort foods.

From what I understand, your Shoppers Drug Mart is similar to Walgreens, according to Copilot.

Me too! There are no 24 hr stores here where I live, and I think few
of them left since Covid. Before all that nonsense it was fun to do
the 2AM run.

I still think it's a bunch of BS that they killed off the 24 hour stores. Seems they were looking for an excuse and COVID was it...but that was six years ago now...

-- Sean

... Bedfellows make strange politicians.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20240309
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

Hello Mike,

06 Nov 26 23:40, you wrote to me:

The grocery stores here that were open 24 hours... Wal-Mart and
Kroger... all stopped doing that around Thanksgiving, 2019, shortly
before COVID. In the case of Kroger, I think it was a corporate-wide thing, supposedly to give them "time to stock." However, I can attest that they do their stocking during the day while they are open so that isn't why.

Like I said to Nick, I think the businesses were looking for an excuse and COVID was it.

There are plenty of convenience stores (that sell fuel) that are open
late but I cannot confirm that they are open 24 hours as I don't get
out that late much any more. ;)

From my many late-night trips to the VA ER, I know I have one near me (a regional chain called Roadrunner; lousy places...gas is usally 50-60 cents higher than anyone else).

I wish we had a QT or a Circle K...or even better, a Sheetz!

-- Sean

... A wise man once said "go ask a woman."
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20240309
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

On 06 Nov 2026, Atreyu said the following...

I'm not familiar with Walgreens but our Shoppers Drug Mart stores have a very small grocery section. Pretty much just snack treats or comfort foods.

I can't believe the prices Shoppers charges for things.

The last time I was in one to pick up something at the Post Office, on my way back out they had Chips Ahoy cookies for sale for $7.19 each, while across the street at FreshCo the same thing is $2.99.

Meanwhile poor Galen jokes about being traumatized by public outrage over grocery prices.


Jay

... I don't trust trees. They're shady

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Northern Realms (1:229/664)

Hello Jay!

07 Nov 26 08:17, Jay Harris wrote to Atreyu:

Meanwhile poor Galen jokes about being traumatized by public outrage over grocery prices.

If Gaylen makes less then 200% markup on everything he sells he cries.
Stupid thing is around here, if you want produce that hasn't already gone
bad you go to Loblaws. We're lucky we live beside an asian grocery so we started getting meat and some produce from them and it's cheaper then giving gaylen his cut. :)

Shawn

--- AmberEdit/linux 0.10.2
* Origin: (1:229/452@fidonet)

On 07 Nov 2026, Mike Powell said the following...

Except ours did it the Autumn before anyone had heard of COVID. I suspected it was because they couldn't get anyone to work overnight.
Not sure about Wal-Mart but I somehow got the impression that Krogers

I wouldn't imagine it would be a very safe place to work in the middle of the night. At 3 AM there'd be nothing but freaks, criminals, drug addicts, and common shit disturbers on the streets. Maybe the odd Sysop. :-)

==|==
|03Mickey
|14Mick's Remote Hangout - |11centralontarioremote.net:2300
|14L.O.R.D. - |11centralontarioremote.net:2500|07

... What was the best thing before sliced bread?

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Mick's Remote Bulletin Board (1:229/307)

On 07 Nov 2026, Mike Powell said the following...

Except ours did it the Autumn before anyone had heard of
COVID. I suspected it was because they couldn't get anyone
to work overnight. Not sure about Wal-Mart but I somehow
got the impression that Krogers

I wouldn't imagine it would be a very safe place to work in the
middle of the night. At 3 AM there'd be nothing but freaks,
criminals, drug addicts, and common shit disturbers on the
streets. Maybe the odd Sysop. :-)

While we certainly have some of those here, it wouldn't be as bad as working nights in a bad part of a larger city. The customers would equally be likely to be persons who also worked odd-shifts and/or were not otherwise able to shop during normal business hours + evenings.

What gets me here is that our pharmacies don't even open any more until long after most people are at work. The store might open at 7am, but you cannot pick up any prescriptions at the pharmacy desk until after 9am. By that time of morning, I am long done with most any errands I plan to run for the day. :D

Mike

--- ScorpioWeb v0.39a (Linux/x86_64)
* Origin: capitolcityonline.net * KY, USA (1:2320/107)

On 07 Nov 26 08:17:26, Jay Harris said the following to Atreyu:

I can't believe the prices Shoppers charges for things.

They've been ridiculously overpriced for years... that's never gonna change.

Meanwhile poor Galen jokes about being traumatized by public outrage over

I had to Google that character as I'd never heard of him.

What I never thought I'd hear of again is Zellers... good christ almighty who thought THAT was a great idea to reopen those stores. The greasyspoon diners were really the only thing somewhat good about it.

Atreyu

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Hello Atreyu!

09 Nov 26 10:52, Atreyu wrote to Jay Harris:

What I never thought I'd hear of again is Zellers... good christ almighty who thought THAT was a great idea to reopen those stores. The greasyspoon diners were really the only thing somewhat good about it.

Andrea and I used to go there for grill cheese when we first started dating. LOL

Shawn

... Never tell a lepper: "HANDS OFF!"
--- AmberEdit/linux 0.11.0
* Origin: (1:229/452@fidonet)

On 09 Nov 26 12:34:25, Shawn Highfield said the following to Atreyu:

What I never thought I'd hear of again is Zellers... good christ almighty who thought THAT was a great idea to reopen those stores. The greasyspoon diners were really the only thing somewhat good about it.

Andrea and I used to go there for grill cheese when we first started dating LOL

Ha! The one in Collingwood had the diner with the elderly waitress with the raspy voice... "Whatcha havin today hun?"... something out of a movie. Was still the cheapest place for steak & eggs & coffee. Ashtrays everywhere.

I also remember Tim Hortons and Coffee Time was a freakin CLOUD of cigarette smoke when you walked in there.

Atreyu

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Hello Atreyu!

09 Nov 26 15:12, Atreyu wrote to Shawn Highfield:

Ha! The one in Collingwood had the diner with the elderly waitress with raspy voice... "Whatcha havin today hun?"... something out of a movie. Was still the cheapest place for steak & eggs & coffee. Ashtrays everywhere.

I think that ole lady worked at every one of them.

I also remember Tim Hortons and Coffee Time was a freakin CLOUD of cigarette smoke when you walked in there.

Oh yes. Went to see a friend and we stopped at a native place somewhere
east and it was just like that ashtrays everywhere smoke so thick you could
cut it. I thought this was recent, but counting on my fingers it was 10+
years ago...

Atreyu

Shawn

... Anything that keeps a politician humble is healthy for democracy.
--- AmberEdit/linux 0.11.0
* Origin: (1:229/452@fidonet)

On 07 Nov 26 19:07:56, Mickey said the following to Mike Powell:

I wouldn't imagine it would be a very safe place to work in the middle of th night. At 3 AM there'd be nothing but freaks, criminals, drug addicts, and common shit disturbers on the streets. Maybe the odd Sysop. :-)

I'd be more worried about working at Coffee time or Tim Hortons... there was the usual crowd of weirdos in almost every location.

In the late 90's I was friends with a techno-dipshit who looked like Dio with a black trenchcoat, endlessly ranting about "You know what would be great" type of ideas. Pacing back and forth because he's operating on one or more illicit substances in addition to the double-doubles.

He was correct when he said the Internet would eventually be dumbed-down and "Nobody will be hunting for Mp3's, some stupid company or website will put them all up for download for like a buck each".... Ohh how I never listened.

Atreyu

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

On 09 Nov 26 17:05:44, Shawn Highfield said the following to Atreyu:

Ha! The one in Collingwood had the diner with the elderly waitress with raspy voice... "Whatcha havin today hun?"... something out of a movie. Was still the cheapest place for steak & eggs & coffee. Ashtrays everywhere.

I think that ole lady worked at every one of them.

Yup... the same ole lady in EVERY one of those freakin places.

Never ask how they're doing, you always get that "Gimme a friggin break" look from them. Just shut up, eat and get out, haha

Oh yes. Went to see a friend and we stopped at a native place somewhere east and it was just like that ashtrays everywhere smoke so thick you could cut it. I thought this was recent, but counting on my fingers it was 10+ years ago...

I never knew the natives got a free-pass on the smoking in restaurants?

Atreyu

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Hello Mike,

07 Nov 26 16:04, you wrote to me:

Except ours did it the Autumn before anyone had heard of COVID. I suspected it was because they couldn't get anyone to work overnight.
Not sure about Wal-Mart but I somehow got the impression that Krogers
did that chain-wide.

I know Walmart has had labor issues for years (having worked at one myself, I can't imagine why they have issues, heh). Kroger, they did it chain-wide first because of union pay issues and then they blamed COVID--why they didn't just tell the truth, I dunno.

We had Circle Ks here in town but the ones I was familiar with are
gone now, and I think they all are. Both of the ones I knew of are
not even gas stations or stores any more. One was a Mexican
restaurant (now closed) and the other will soon be a Long John
Silvers. :)

What's interesting is the tiny gas/c-store a few blocks from me is now carrying ARCO gas; I haven't been to a real ARCO station since I left Oregon to join the Army in 1995. My little sation used to be nice--even had a deli--then an East Indian family bought it and the quality and service went downhill quickly and the deli disappeared. I've lived here five years now and have maybe been there three times. There's a Dollar General 1/4 mile away so I go there instead.

-- Sean

... WinErr 005: Multitasking attempted: system confused.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20240309
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

Hello Atreyu,

09 Nov 26 18:04, you wrote to Mickey:

In the late 90's I was friends with a techno-dipshit who looked like
Dio with a black trenchcoat, endlessly ranting about "You know what
would be great" type of ideas. Pacing back and forth because he's operating on one or more illicit substances in addition to the double-doubles.

I knew a few sysops back in the mid to late '90s when I first started running a BBS just like that...and we even had a set of Lone Rangers ("X Files" reference). We used to have huge monthly sysop/user meetings at a local eat 'n' puke and we had several of those types. I was in the Army back then and was clean-cut so I stood out like a sore thumb. The nice thing is that some of those (now ex-) sysops are on Facebook so we still keep up.

Good times, good times.

-- Sean

... He who puts his nose to the grindstone is a bloody fool.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20240309
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

On 10 Nov 26 22:48:32, Sean Dennis said the following to Atreyu:

a BBS just like that...and we even had a set of Lone Rangers ("X Files" reference). We used to have huge monthly sysop/user meetings at a local ea 'n' puke and we had several of those types. I was in the Army back then an was clean-cut so I stood out like a sore thumb. The nice thing is that som of those (now ex-) sysops are on Facebook so we still keep up.

I'll never forget the chick I was introduced to through another friend from
yet another connection from the BBS. She emancipated herself from her parents and somehow ended up with the means to move into a small Victorian house, ends up inviting me over to hang out.

Almost no furniture, hardly any food in the kitchen, in fact hardly anything she had at all - Except for the Pioneer stereo hooked up to her Packard Bell computer and the phoneline for the modem. And she just sat there mooching
these stupid newfangled "Mp3 files" off IRC, FTP sites etc... this was just a year or so before Napster and the whole enshitification of everything.

She excitedly ranted that this was the future. I just gave a big eyeroll.

Atreyu

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Atreyu wrote to Shawn Highfield <=-

I also remember Tim Hortons and Coffee Time was a freakin CLOUD of cigarette smoke when you walked in there.

I went to a trade show in Opryland in Tennessee once. Opryland was a
topic of a whole post, it felt like being in one of the domed cities in
Logan's Run.

I went to a mexican restaurant and asked to be seated in the
non-smoking area. There was no separation between smoking and
non-smoking and the former was more of a "less smoke" area.

Seeing as the state's financial base was tobacco for a century or so,
it made sense.

I knew it was going to be bad when my margarita showed up with
olives...



... BIRDS AREN'T REAL
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
* Origin: http://realitycheckbbs.org | tomorrow's retro tech (1:218/700)

Sean Dennis wrote to Atreyu <=-

("X Files" reference). We used to have huge monthly sysop/user
meetings at a local eat 'n' puke and we had several of those types. I
was in the Army back then and was clean-cut so I stood out like a sore thumb.

"SPOT THE PH3D!"




... RAW DATA FOR RAW NERVES
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
* Origin: http://realitycheckbbs.org | tomorrow's retro tech (1:218/700)

I went to a mexican restaurant and asked to be seated in the
non-smoking area. There was no separation between smoking and
non-smoking and the former was more of a "less smoke" area.

That is how it worked in a lot of places in Kentucky, too, back in the 1980s and most of the 1990s. I can remember being in places much later than that, in smaller towns before the statewide ban, where the smoking area was nearly the whole restaurant, and the non-smoking area was 4 or 6 tables in a corner with glass walls. At least those areas were at least nearly smoke free.

Mike

--- ScorpioWeb v0.39a (Linux/x86_64)
* Origin: capitolcityonline.net * KY, USA (1:2320/107)