I hope you have a White Christmas … so long as it’s safe. I know people who are stuck in airports.
It snowed in Dallas for Christmas, the first time in 83yrs.
Map based on the probability of 1″ of snow on the ground on Christmas Day. Data taken over the past 30yrs.
Thanks Dana.
Can you imagine a nation that might elect this bimbo over Obama?
I can.
After 11 happy years without wheels, I’m slightly tempted to buy a vehicle for travel to Mexico and the southern U.S.A. this winter.
I’m leaning towards a used Honda Element.
Click PLAY or watch a review on YouTube.
AutoTrader.ca search for Honda Element
Any advice for me? … Leave a comment.
One of my favourite blogs is As The Crow Flies.
Long distance hiking, primitive cabin dwelling, hermit life
Crow actually lives my philosophy of Voluntary Simplicity. I admire her.
Here she explains why a simple cabin is far superior to a modern “home”.
… When it’s dark, you know it’s dark. When it’s cold outside, you know it’s cold.
If you want heat, you go chop wood. If you want water, you need to melt some snow.
If the cabin burns down, you need to figure out a new shelter. But that’s all it is—shelter.
Some people think my life is harder than for people who live in a house. I can tell you, from my house sitting experiences, that I have far more time and far less chores to do than a house dweller. …
read more – Shelter vs House
In challenge to Rocco’s wine bottle Christmas tree, the good Christmas celebrating people of Shanghai put up this beer version.
Posted by Barbara Anne Elliott on Facebook, a classic shot of Old Saint Nick with her kids from many years ago …
That would never happen in 2009. Kids are more Santa savvy today.
You thought you had problems. …
Humour columnist Kate Zimmerman is on holiday with her family. She literally mailed in her latest article.
… Puerto Vallarta is glorious. It was made even more so by reports that Edmonton had posted its lowest temperature ever, at minus 47. We Canadians get a whole lot of schadenfreude for our tropical vacation buck. Our travel ads should probably use it as a lure. “Your package includes complementary continental breakfasts and bottomless delight in the abject misery of those you’ve left behind.” …
Her husband, Stanley let’s call him, is once again the foil of her jibes. Who does she think he is, Homer Simpson?
… Puerto Vallarta fulfilled his wildest dreams when he discovered a restaurant where a half-blind bartender mixed a regular vodka martini, the only thing he drinks, with about six ounces of vodka.
He was already on his way to becoming the Canadian version of National Lampoon’s bumbling Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase). The first day, the Mexican man at the front desk of our condo building introduced himself to us as “Juan José.” Repeating what he thought was the man’s name, Stanley said, “Nice to meet you, Juan Hossein,” remarking to us later that Middle Eastern employees must be rare in Puerto Vallarta.
That night he dove wholeheartedly into the vodka (“Vitamin V,” as he calls his beloved tipple). As the evening progressed, four local musicians approached our table, offering to serenade us with their acoustic guitars and bongos.
“Play something for the young people,” Stanley said grandly, indicating our teenagers. “Perhaps some Nirvana.” … Not that our children are remotely interested in Nirvana. The alternative band fronted by Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) was just the most contemporary group that tipsy Stanley could think of at the time. Vitamin V is like that. And Stanley is even more like that. …
This article is not yet posted online. But it will be linked from Kate’s blog soon.
Update: Ron and Kate Skyped me. … They could have simply emailed, but Skype video was more effective in displaying the beauty of their Pacific Ocean balcony view. Paradise.
I showed them the frozen Canadian wasteland outside my window.
That’s the title of a great article by Jonathon Gatehouse in Macleans:
How did a country with two per cent of the world’s emissions turn global villain?
As a traveller, I’ve always benefited from the halo effect of being Canadian. Worldwide Canada has been admired, whether we deserve it or not.
Seems the shoe is on the other foot now.
… As scientists, activists, diplomats, and political leaders gather in Copenhagen for the United Nations’ 15th convention on climate change, Dec. 7 to Dec. 18, the northern hemisphere’s “helpful fixer” is undergoing a radical—and unrelentingly negative—image makeover. Canada “is now to climate what Japan is to whaling,” George Monbiot, a columnist for the U.K.’s Guardian newspaper, thundered late last month, citing the Harper government’s go-slow negotiating stance as “the major” obstacle to a new global agreement on curbing greenhouse gas emissions. “Until now I believed that the nation that has done the most to sabotage a new climate change agreement was the United States,” wrote Monbiot, a green campaigner and bestselling author. “I was wrong. The real villain is Canada.” …
read more – Suddenly the world hates canada
Canada was named “Fossil of the Week” by the 450 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Copenhagen for its efforts to “block or stall” climate negotiations. Actually, this was the 3rd year in a row we’ve been given the dubious citation.
Our Prime Minister, from Alberta, is literally the poster bad boy.
… ad campaign in the Copenhagen airport in preparation for the Copenhagen climate negotiations that start on Dec. 7. They’re a series of ads featuring Photoshopped images of sad-looking world leaders, apologizing for not addressing climate change when they had the chance. Canada’s Prime Minister looks like the saddest hockey coach in the land.” …
Certainly this is a Public Relations nightmare for Canada. The Harper Government could fall over this issue.
But are the charges fair?
They are as fair as that poster. Do you really believe that Copenhagen had any chance to prevent “Catastrophic Climate Change” if sad Canada had only supported the proposals of the Maldives?
Should Canada support the Maldive bid for the 2024 Olympics, as well?
The charges against Canada are emotional and overblown.
Alberta should not shut down the oil sands despite the environmental issues. That would be foolish, long-term.
Bangladesh, one of the nations most affected if sea levels rise, will not reduce carbon emissions. It’s more important that Bangladesh bring clean water, education and medical care to their citizens.
What’s the solution, then? Assuming that humanity is capable of altering climate.
I’d put all the money we can get from all sources into research. Let’s try to find a scientific way to reverse the effects of Climate Change. And to find ways we can help nations adapt to the possible changes.
… To be honest, I’d personally spend $0 researching climate change. I’d put it towards things I care about MORE than global warming.
Many more intelligent and researched than I, disagree. Feel free to vent in the comments.
The Supreme Court of Canada transformed the country’s libel laws Tuesday with a pair of decisions that proponents say will expand the boundaries of free speech.
The court ruled that libel lawsuits will rarely succeed against journalists who act responsibly in reporting their stories when those stories are in the public interest.
It also updated the laws for the Internet age, extending the same defence to bloggers and other new-media practitioners. …
“Freewheeling debate on matters of public interest is to be encouraged and the vital role of the communications media in providing a vehicle for such debate is explicitly recognized,” Chief Justice McLachlin said in a pair of 9-0 decisions. …
more news stories on this topic
Our politicians ususally blunder when drafting legislation around new media, clinging to flawed, outdated models. But the Supreme Court is to be praised. Click through if you want to see their names.
I’m proud to be a Canadian today … after being so disappointed this week in the lack of transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility of our Ministry of Indian Affairs,
Rick McCharles 