January's Finally Over

   Maybe I'm just getting older, but it seems January lasted forever. I know it's got 31 days, like March, May, July, August, October and December, but time sure seems to crawl in January.
   It didn't help this year when wave after wave of Polar Vortexes blanketed most of the North American continent, plunging temperatures and windchills way down. It also doesn't help when January is the "darkest" month of the year. Even though the solstice is December 21st, we don't get to see much of Mr. Sun during the month.
   At least we made it through, and can now look forward to February, the shortest month of the year. And let's also hope the groundhog doesn't see his shadow, meaning an early end to winter (even though his prognostication really doesn't mean a whole lot).

TTFN

It Was A Day To Remember

   Indeed it was. It was January 29, 2006, 72 miners were trapped underground at the Mosaic K-2 Potash mine near Esterhazy after a fire in a pipeline. It took 30 hours for crews to put the fire out, get the smoke cleared and bring several miners who headed for refuge shelters back up.
   There were no injuries. In the aftermath, a lot of attention was paid to the operation, specifically just what had gone right.
   I remember that Sunday night very well. I was working in Regina when I got the call saying the workers were trapped. I went back to the radio station, and stayed there all night providing updates every hour. I also took part in the half-hourly conference calls mine officials held to update us all.
   The story, of course, went international with particular focus from the U.S, where a coal mine fire that happened before the Esterhazy incident killed several miners.
   Everyone was glad to say the least that all the workers at K-2 got out safe and sound.


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"Issues"

   And I've been having a lot of them. For some reason or other, I've been unable (until now) to update this blog. In fact, I've been getting some funky error message whenever I tried to log on.
   But thanks to our technical wizard Kyle, the situation has been resolved. Kyle did tell me that there's an issue with compatibility with the blog host and some Explorer updates. Something like that, which makes me very glad indeed we have guys like Kyle who can fix them.
   So, look forward to more posts in the not too distant future.


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Butt Out

   This is national non-smoking week in Canada, and each province is running an event to try and get people to kick the habit.
   In Saskatchewan, health officials are targeting school kids with the anti tobacco message by having grade 6 to 12 students view international non-smoking ads, voice their opinion and even vote on their favourite one. They have until the end of April to do it.
   In Manitoba, officials are looking for people willing to quit in March.
   The question is, do these campaigns actually work? Most health officials will tell you 'yes', they do work. And up to a point, they do. But if you're trying to get kids to either kick the habit or not start at all I sometimes wonder if the message gets through.
   As a former smoker, I can attest to the fact that smoking is very, very addictive and habit forming. I can also attest to the fact that quitting is very, very hard. Not the simple action of getting rid of cigarettes etc, but the actual effort needed to kep from lighting up again. It took me more than a few attempts to kick them for good, but I eventually did. In 1999. And I've been tobacco free since.
   Am I sorry I got started? Of course. When I think of the money that literally went up in smoke, let alone the health issues (I've got COPD), yes. It would have been much better had I never had those first few puffs on those Lucky Strike cigarettes a friend gave me to try more than 40 years ago. But it is what it is.

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Sold!

   Well done Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed. Nearly half a million dollars was raised for the Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan when Simmons sold his customized 1956 Ford F-100 pick-up at the Barrett Jackson auction in Arizona Friday. In total, 450 thousand dollars was raised. Well done!

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Hiroo Onoda

   You've probably never heard of Hiroo Onoda, but he made the history books. He was one of the last Japanese Imperial Soldier to surrender in the Second World War. He was posted to the Philippines in 1944, and died at age 91 this week. What sets Onoda-san apart from all other veterans is when he surrendered. It wasn't in 1945 after the unconditional surrender of the Japanese Armed Forces. It was in 1974.
   He somehow hid in the jungle for 29 years, undetected with 3 other soldiers. During that time, they did several guerrilla raids, killed some 30 Filipino's and even had a shootout with police.
   It wasn't until he met with a former commander who rescinded an order given in 1945 to stay put and spy on American troops did he surrender.
   Surprisingly, he still had his uniform, a functioning rifle with 500 rounds of ammunition, several hand grenades, a sword and a dagger. And apparently, all were in good shape.
   Despite the fact he took part in raids that killed people, and engaged in shootouts with police, Onoda never served jail time. In fact, he was pardoned by then Filipino president Ferdinand Marcos.
   An interesting historical sideline.

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Did You Watch?

   American Idol is back for a 13th season, and again with changes to the judging panel. Gone are Nikki Minaj and Mariah Carey. Back is Jennifer Lopez, who joins Keith Urban and Harry Connick Junior.
   The show has been struggling the past few years, with the number of viewers down sharply from past seasons. It's not the top rated show anymore. In fact, "The Voice" beat them for entertainment/reality shows last year.
   I will (not for the first time) NOT be watching. In fact, the only season I did watch was season 2, which was enough for me. In my view, it's become nothing more than karaoke night in America, with almost interchangeable contestants. And I'm sure the producers are just crying all the way to the bank with my decision.
   Another big reason I didn't watch is the fact that right now, I don't have cable TV right now. A service provider will be doing that at the end of this month. But I still won't be watching, along with an awful lot of other people. Even so, enough fans are still turning in to maintain the entertainment Juggernaut for at least a few more seasons.
   One very big plus this year is a 15 year old singer who auditioned this week. Tristan Langley made it through to the next round of the competition, even though only 2 judges voted for him. Tristan is the son of Nikki McKibbin, who finished third on season one.

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Hollywood Passings

   Two actors who were in TV shows, along with a Munchkin from the film "The Wizard of Oz" have all passed away.
   Russell Johnson:

   Was known for his role as "The Professor" on the 1960's show "Gilligan's Island". And he regretted ever taking the role. In an interview several years ago, Johnson, who was 89, said his career took a turn, and never got back on the right track because of it.
   Dave Madden:

   Portrayed the manager on "The Partridge Family", a hit TV show in the 1970's about a musical family, who Madden's character helps make a song recorded in the family garage a top 40 hit. Madden was 82
   Finally, the last female Munchkin from tje 1939 classic film "The Wizard of Oz" has died.

   Ruth Robinson Duccini was 95 years old. Her death leaves just one of the little people who were in the movie alive..93-year-old Jerry Maren. There were 124 Munchkins in the movie.

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A Big KISS For The Children's Hospital

   KISS bassist Gene Simmons is making a unique donation to the fundraiser helping build the provincial children's hospital in Saskatoon, where his wife Shannon Tweed grew up.
   He's donating his custom built 1956 Ford F-100 pickup, called Snakebit:

   It'll be sold through the Barrett-Jackson auction later this year in Arizona.
   Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, himself a car nut, says the highest a '56 Ford F-100 went for was 180 thousand dollars. But with the fact it's been heavily customised, and owned by Gene Simmons, Wall is hoping it will fetch much more.
   As mentioned, the premier himself is a bit of a car buff, and owns a 1967 Dodge Coronet.
   Even I had a muscle car back in the day. Mine was a silver 1967 Mercury Cougar:

   And it was a long way from being a stock model. Mine had a 391 engine with a racing cam and crank. A Holley 750 Double Pumper carb, headers and a C-6 racing automatic. Fuel consumption was laughable, probably in the range of 12 to 15 mpg, depending how often and how heavy the foot got. Which was very heavy, very often.

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A Great Venue Or A Shameless Marketing Promotion?

   That's Investors Group Field, home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. And, from what I've seen of it, it is a great venue. But would you get married there? Bomber president and CEO Wade Miller came up with the idea, as he's trying to find marketing opportunities for IGF.
   No one has tipped their hat about prices as yet, but packages start at a base that includes a two-hour field rental, but for an extra fee the nuptials can include use of the JumboTron.
   Nice, I guess, if you have 33 thousand invited guests.
   That had me thinking about what the Riders could do as a promotion to kick off the 2014 season when they (hopefully) repeat as Grey Cup Champions.
   Groundhog day is coming up in February, and my idea would have Gainer the Gopher

   Come running out of the Riders locker room just as the sun rises. If he doesn't see his shadow (meaning an early spring), the Riders will have a winning season. If it's sunny February 2nd, then Gainer could come out on the shaded side of Mosaic Stadium and still not see his shadow, meaning a winning season as well!
   Either way, I think it'd be a good marketing ploy to sell season tickets for the 101st Grey Cup Champs!

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Last Week, Gadgets, This Week Cars

   Last week did see the annual Consumer Electronics Show in 'Vegas. This week, the spotlight is shining on Detroit and the annual Auto Show.

   It's where car makers from around the world gather to show off their latest "hot wheels". And so far, nothing seems to be hotter than the 2015 Chevy Corvette Z06:

   That's not the only 'Vet Chevrolet has at the show, either. They have the new ZR7. And the 2014 Stingray being named "Car of the Year". Prices start at 52 thousand U.S for a bare bones 'Vet, and skyrocket upwards from there.
   And as nice as the Corvette is, if I had that kind of cash, I think I'd be looking overseas for another set of wheels. Maybe a BMW or Mercedes.
   Heck, even the latest Toyota FT-1

   But I think I'll probably have to stay with my little Mitsubishi Lancer.
(All photos from NAIAS)

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A Parkland Pair Goes To The Olympics

   Pairs skaters Paige Lawrence

   And Rudi Swiegers

   Train in Virden, Manitoba. They placed 3rd in their discipline at this past weekends Canadian Nationals, and have been named to the team heading to Sochi for the upcoming Winter Olympics.
   Paige was actually born in Kipling, and now lives in Kennedy, Saskatchewan.
   Swiegers was born in South African, and now calls Virden, Manitoba "home".
   They were the Four Continents bronze medallists in 2011, and are 4 time Canadian bronze medallists.
   It's great to see so many Saskatchewan athletes heading to the Olympics, and I hope they all do well!

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The Fight Against Bullying Continues

   And the message is being heard in the Parkland area the rest of this month. stopbully.com is a new anti-bullying strategy, and schools in Yorkton, Melville, Langenberg, Saltcoats, Kamsack, Invermay and Calder will be visited the rest of this month.
   The "No Such Thing As A Bully" campaign is the brainchild of Kelly Karius, who hails from Melville, but now lives in Red Deer, Alberta. And it's not just for students, either. There are workshops available for parents as well, with the goal of giving them the tools to prevent bullying.
   I did a quick tour of their website, and I must say it's worth the clicks it'll take you to get there and navigate.

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High Tech Toys

   I would've loved to be in Vegas this week, but I would've needed a lottery win to afford it.
   The 2014 version of the Consumer Electronics Show wraps up today, with some very high tech (and very expensive) gadgets and gizmo's.
   That includes an 85 inch bendable TV from Samsung:

   Maybe a 3-D food printer that can make sugar candies and chocolates:

   That'll cost you 5 thousand dollars, by the way.
   And for the backyard chef who seems to burn everything, there's a voice activated bar-b-cue that tells you where to best place that perfect steak, and even how long to grill it to your specifications. That's about 7 grand.
   And while it'd be nice to have some of these toys, I'll save the money on them by using a good old-fashioned gas grill and a flat screen TV.
   As for the 3-D food printer, I don't really need one of those either. I can gain weight the old fashioned way too.

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It's A Record!

   It is in more ways than one. A huge vinyl record has been installed atop the Forum in Inglewood, California to help celebrate the famed rock venue's re-opening, as this picture courtesy of the Forum shows.
   It's for the benefit of some 17 hundred flights landing at the local airport every day. The 400 plus foot diameter disc does spin as well, at 17 mph, but with no stylus, needless to say it doesn't actually play.
   And in case you were wondering, the record is the Eagles "Hotel California", and the group will be doing 6 shows there over the course of the month.
   I still think it still needs a stylus, amp and a couple of honkin' great big speakers.

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More Birthday Wishes

   Yesterday, I mentioned it would have been Elvis Presley's 79th birthday. Today is rock guitar legend Jimmy Page's 70th. With Led Zeppelin (probably my all time favourite band), he was responsible for classic riffs in Stairway to Heaven, Whole Lotta Love and also used a violin bow during performances of Dazed and Confused.
   Page got his start in the 1950's playing Skiffle. He was also a very successful session musician before joining the Yardbirds. When that band broke up in 1968, he formed what would become Zeppelin with Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and the late great John "Bonzo" Bonham.
   The surviving members re-formed for a special one-off concert in December 2007, with Bohnam's son Jason on drums.
   Several publications have listed Page either at the top or very near the top of their lists of the greatest rock guitarist ever.
   Happy 70th James Patrick Page!

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Happy Birthday, Elvis!

   Today would have been Elvis' 79th birthday. The "King of Rock n Roll" was born January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. As you most likely know, he started his professional career in 1954 recording at Sun records in Memphis for Sam Phillips. He had hits like "That's Alright" while working for Phillips.
   But his "big break" didn't come until after Phillips sold Elvis' contract for what was then the almost unheard of sum of 35 thousand dollars. It was after signing with RCA the hits really started to flow, and his star ascended.
   He was inducted into the army in the late 1950's, and was stationed in Germany, meaning a break in his career. When he returned, his film career took off, while his musical career suffered. It wasn't until 1968 he came back, eventually becoming a mainstay in Vegas.
   Elvis Presley died August 16, 1977 at age 42. Quite a few people believe to this day he's still alive.

TTFN

Flu Season Continues

 

   And in Saskatchewan, so far, the H1N1 strain is thought to have been a contributing factor in the deaths of 6 people. As of Monday, Saskatchewan Health also reports 18 people are in intensive care units while there are 336 lab confirmed cases of the flu so far.
   Health officials also remind people it's not too late to get a flu shot, and in the Sunrise region there will be several clinics running a little later this month. But I, for one, will not be getting the jab.
   I have never had the flu shot, and frankly I don't see the benefit. I don't get sick that often, and when I do, I usually manage to fight it off quickly. That said, there have been times I've been down with a whammer for weeks on end. Most recently, in November of last year when I probably did have the flu.
   Not that I'm suggesting no-one should get the shot, far from it. My sister and mother both got their shots, and both say it helped them avoid the bug. That actually echo's what a lot of people I know who had the jab say.
   But there are not a few others who've told me they got no benefit from it, and in fact got sicker than they would have if they hadn't had it.
   Again, though, it comes down to a personal choice, and I chose not to.

TTFN

The Olympics Are Getting Closer

   In fact, the 22nd Winter Olympiad in Sochi, Russia starts February 6th. Admittedly, I'm not a fanatic about them, but one sport I will be keeping a very close eye on is the snowboarding competition. Specifically the men's Free Style and Big Air events.
   Why? That's easy to answer. It's because of this young man:

   That's Mark McMorris, and unless you're from a different planet, you'll know he's the Saskatchewan man who's made a huge impression on the sport, winning not a few medals at the Winter X-Games over the years.
   His dad,of course, is Saskatchewan's Highway and Infrastructure Minister, and is also the SaskParty MLA for Indian Head-Milestone.
   I'm not sure, but I'm assuming dad will be in Russia to cheer on his son (along with the rest of Saskatchewan, if not Canada) when he competes.
   I hope Mark brings home the Gold!

TTFN

Polar Vortex

   That's what's been gripping most of the continent over the past few weeks. A huge dome of extremely frigid Arctic air has been hovering over us, bringing very cold temperatures and dangerous windchills.
   And it's not just Saskatchewan and Manitoba suffering either. Ontario, Quebec and many parts of the States are also shivering. In Chicago yesterday, a new record of -26 was set, making it the coldest January 6th on record.
   Even in places like Georgia and other Southern states, it's been cold.
   But what exactly is a Polar Vortex? Believe it or not, it's basically a cyclone over both polar regions. In the north, there are two main areas where they form. One in Siberia, the other over Baffin Island. That's the one responsible for the recent cold snap we've been having. And these things are huge, spanning anywhere from 1 to 2 thousand kilometers.
   For Saskatchewan, things will gradually improve, with highs in the -5 range expected later this week. Of course, that means snow, which I think is preferable to the bone numbing cold we've had.

TTFN

No Longer AFK

   It's true, I'm back. Had a good week off, managing to pay some outstanding bills related to our move to Yorkton, now just 3 weeks away.
   But I must say I'm not a big fan of the weather we've been having the past few weeks. It seems we've been stuck under what's being called a "Polar Vortex", which has been continually been pumping the frigid air on most of the continent. That's brought brutal cold to areas as far south as Georgia in the U.S.
   We are in for a break, though. Temperatures will moderate by Friday, with the high forecast at -5. But that's going to bring problems of another sort. As I'm still commuting, I'll need to watch out for pavement frost. And there's the possibility of snow as well.
   And just to put everything in perspective, from what I managed to glean, the temperature at the North Pole today was -16. It was a balmy -9 at the South Pole, but of course it's summer down there.

TTFN