Bikes and cars don’t mix. It’s quite obvious: bikes move slow and cars move fast. They should not be sharing the same surface. It is highly impractical.

Now, I don’t do this often: I live in Canada now, and I try not to draw comparisons between Canada and Holland, and I don’t call Holland ‘home’ (my home’s in Ottawa), but I have to say that, for once, Holland got it right when it comes to traffic handling. True, the streets are narrow, and people drive like crazy, but at least they had the foresight to separate pedestrians from bikes from cars.

They separated all traffic into three levels: slow, medium and fast. Pedestrians are in the slow category, bikes & mopeds read more

Please don’t get me wrong–I feel sorry for Natasha Richardson’s husband, children and family. It is a horrible way to lose a loved one. Nobody deserves that. That such a seemingly small accident can lead to a person’s death is utterly shocking.

That being said, this situation brings to light two points:

1)  why is it that when celebrities die, people get upset, governments spring to action. How many regular people die from head injuries every year? Not taking away the tragedy of her death of course, but is her death any more tragic than the death of your mother from cancer or the death of your child caused by a drunk driver? These things barely make the evening news, nor do they darken Broadway. “Our” read more

We cannot allow this to be buried. This is how it starts. Ask Europe.

There’s a new banner on the right -> feel free to steal it. Put it on your blog. Spread the word.

Contact info for Belleisle Elementary:

Principal: erik.millett@nbed.nb.ca

Vice Principal: heather.wilson@nbed.nb.ca

Let them know how you feel.

h/t

UPDATE:

School district superintendent Zoe Watson decided Sunday to reinstate the singing.  Kudos to all of you who wrote, called and emailed. The decision was made after “communication she received was clear people want the national anthem reinstated”.

Two mail carriers at the Cornwall post office were recently disciplined for uttering the incredibly offensive phrase “thank the Lord for this beautiful day”.

After 25 years, a tradition at the Cornwall post office, where carriers starting on their routes in the morning would “thank the Lord for this beautiful day”, has been banned after one of the carriers filed an internal human rights complaint.

Mr. Murphy Jr, one of the offending carriers, said:

If any of the carriers thank the lord again, they’ll face suspension.

The Christmas tree and Christmas party have been cancelled as well.

The complaining carrier cannot be named to respect his rights.

Ford and Magna announced their intention to design and produce electric cars in the near future.

Leaves this question: <fake Italian accent>Whaddaya gonna do in da winta?

No engine to cool = pretty cold buns drivin’ to work in -30!

How does one defrost the windschield without blowing heat?

I know what you’re going to say: electric heat! Right, an extra 1500 Watts for a heater, 300 Watts for a fan, 1000 Watts for a windshield defrost thingy (like in the rear window). What, are we going to pull a cartload of batteries around? That, or our driving radius just shrunk from 60 miles to two.

I know you can re-donate, but I didn’t know you can de-donate…

Wishing a healthy, prosperous and peaceful 2009 to my wife, my kids, my family, friends, and the wonderful people who read, contribute and comment on this site.

Wishing you all the health in the world, because frankly, I don’t think you can afford to get sick in 2009.

Wishing you a prosperity, because frankly, I think you’re gonna need it in 2009.

Wishing you peace, because frankly, we all need to fight a little less, love a little more, and stop being so darn greedy.

That Spirit of Christmas

Christmas is the time of year
For being with the ones we love
Sharing so much joy and cheer
What a wonderful feelin
Watching the ones we love
Having so much fun

I was sitting by the fire side
Taking a walk through the snow
Listening to a children’s choir
Singing songs about Jesus
The blessed way that he came to us
Why can’t it remain
All through the year
Each day the same
Heyeah, that’s what I wanna hear
Heh heh
It’s truly amazing
That spirit of Christmas

All the kin folk gather round
The lovely Christmas tree
Hearts are glowing full of joy
Sense the gifts that we’re giving
And the love that we’re living
Why can’t read more

Have you ever tried to buy a small toy that wasn’t made in China? It’s impossible to find!

The Ottawa Citizen’s front page today lists several stories about how the Eastern Townships are losing all their small manufacturing jobs, and on the same front page there’s a big story on how 75% of all children’s and baby toys contain dangerous amounts of chemicals.

Jack, I need you to tell me this is a global catastrophe, and that something needs to be done! Snow on October 28th? Where are you?

We woke up to some 4 cm of snow today (I know, the STORM TEAM from A-News announced 15 cm yesterday, but hey, we’ve got that STORM TEAM all fitted out with the parkas and the ski-goggles, so we’ve got to use ‘em!), and, of course, Ottawa’s streets are filled with idiots who do not know how to drive. On my modest 20 minute drive to work I came across three cars in the ditch and one spinning out of control coming up to a stop sign you can see from four miles away. On read more