Where Has The Time Gone?

   It seems like November went in the blink of an eye. It's hard to believe the month is over Sunday, and we get ready for December, but it is.
   As I mentioned in yesterday's post (Out Like A Lion), the month ended on a stormy note. Anywhere from 10 to 20 cm of snow hit the region, with another 2 to 5 expected before the system moves away.
   And, as is seemingly a tradition for the month, bitterly cold arctic air will sweep in behind today. In fact, windchills tonight could dip below -40, and not recover much into the start of the new month. Just as long as I don't hear "polar vortex" for a while. That was the buzzword last year for the endless bitter cold we suffered through for weeks on end with very few breaks.
   At least in December, we get the holidays. And while it also marks the "official" start of winter, the sun will start rising earlier and setting later every day after the 21st. It won't be noticeable until some time in January, but we live in hope. Of course, living in Canada, we've just got 6 more months of winter to get through.

TTFN

Out Like A Lion

   That's pretty much how November will be going out this year. Snowfall warnings are up for a swath of central Saskatchewan, Alberta and even into western Manitoba. And we could get quite a bit, possibly 25 cm (10 inches) by the time the system tracking in from the Pacific moves off.
   I spoke with Environment Canada earlier this morning, and even then Edmonton had been slapped with 30 cm, or a foot.
 And the wind will also create havoc on the highways, with swirling, blowing and drifting snow and reduced visibility in some areas. Generally, it's not going to be very nice weather-wise for the next 24 hours or so.
   I have my own terminology for days like these. I call them "plane" days. A plane to Hawaii. A plane to Cancun. A plane top Fiji. You get the idea.
   And even though winter doesn't officially start for another few weeks, I'm ready for spring.

TTFN

The Fall Classic

   That's the Holy Grail of Canadian football, the Grey Cup. And Sunday the Calgary Stampeders play the Hamilton Tiger Cats at Vancouver's B.C Place for the whole enchilada. That's November 30th, by the way, and I happen to feel (along with quite a few others) that the Championship Game is played too late in the year.
   With the exception of Vancouver and Toronto, all CFL stadiums are open-air. That's fine in spring, summer and fall, but not so nice in winter. Yes, I know there are a lot of purists out there who say cold, snowy conditions are all part of the game. But there are also lots of folks who'd rather not sit shivering in the cold. I did a quick check of all CFL cities to find out what conditions will be like Sunday. Here's what I found (and keep in mind, the temperatures are daytime highs, not at kick-off, 6:00 p.m Eastern). Edmonton: Sunny and -13. Calgary: Sunny and -15. Regina: Sunny and -22. Winnipeg: A few clouds and -20. Hamilton: Rain and 12. Ottawa: Rain and 9. Montreal: Rain and 8. And the rain and plus temperatures are not normal for this time of year down east.
   So, what's been suggested is starting the season a month earlier, and have the Grey Cup at the end of October. To me, it makes sense. Start training camp in late April or early May and start the regular season in June, rather than July. That would mean the weather would be considerably better, and the CFL season wouldn't conflict as much with the NFL.
   Will this happen? I don't know, but if anyone wants to, you can add my voice to those saying "yes" to the proposal.
   And, for the record, I'll be cheering for Calgary Sunday.

TTFN

Happy Turkey Day

   Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S, and an awful lot of people will be traveling all across that country. Except, perhaps, the eastern seaboard. A nor'easter is set to hit the region later today with rain, sleet, snow and wind which will likely pose problems for folks taking to the highways.
   It's also likely to snarl air travel, with the potential for delayed or cancelled flights.
   U.S Thanksgiving also marks the start of the holiday shopping season, and stores in most major cities will be open tomorrow, offering deals. Of course, the day after Thanksgiving is "Black Friday", when retailers really kick off the so-called "golden quarter" of their sales year.
   So to my American viewers, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow, and a safe weekend of travel and holiday shopping.

TTFN

Somewhat Back To Normal

   Whatever the bug was that bit me sure bit hard. I haven't felt as poorly as I did the past week in well over a year. And while I'm 100% better that I was a week ago, I'm still nowhere near 100%.
   I also learned more about myself with this latest bout with a cold or flu or whatever. I'm not "superman". Not by a long shot. I kept coming in to work last week when I should have stayed at home with a jug of O.J and a big vat of chicken soup and watched TV.
   But no. Like an idiot, I decided I'd be fine to come in for at least a few hours a day and at least do the morning news run. How I made it, I'm not sure. I think I was running on instinct more than anything else.
   Not only did my coming in to the office delay my recovery, but in doing so I also needlessly put my co-workers at risk of getting this bug.
   I'll say this right now: If I ever fell that bad again, I will not be coming in to work. Period.

TTFN

Still Fighting

   But it's been an uphill battle at times against the vicious bug that laid me low this week. Monday, I had to bail out, Tuesday I managed to put in a full day. Yesterday the voice went bye-bye, which is not good in my industry. Last night, my throat felt so saw I didn't know it I'd make it in today or not. I did, and I'm feeling quite a bit better than I was, but I'm still a long, long way from healthy.
   I've been guzzling orange juice until it's almost come out of my pores. I've popped enough Advil to rattle when I walk. I've spent a lot more hours than usual resting in bed as well. The problem is that I'm the kind of person who (rightly or wrongly) feels I should be in to work. That said, I know I should've taken a couple of days off so as not to chance passing this bug on to co-workers.
   Even so, I've been practicing proper cough etiquette, I've been taking care to wash my hands regularly, and I've also already used a considerable amount of hand sanitizer, even though it probably doesn't work on viruses.
   And as bad as it is having a miserable cold at this time of year, it's better than getting a summer cold.

TTFN

Feeling A Little Better

   I am. In fact, a whole lot better than I was yesterday. I still have a nagging cough (not related to my COPD), my nose is running and I'm still a bit achy, but still better than yesterday.
   The bug that bit me was, and still is, vicious. As mentioned, I don't get sick often, but when I do it's a Lulu. I'm going to be "on the mend" from this probably all week.
   I've also taken precautions around other staff, so as not to infect them. I'm practicing good cough etiquette, and even brought in a bottle of hand sanitizer that I use after touching my nose, and before I touch any common equipment.
   But I still hate getting sick.

TTFN

I Feel Terrible!

   I'm lucky. I don't get sick that often. But when I do, it's a doozie! And I've got one going on right now. I started feeling a little "under the weather" yesterday morning. I thought I could fight this off, like I have done many times in the past. I was wrong.
   I'm thinking it's just a cold, since there's been some kind of bug going around the radio station recently. As I mentioned, I can usually fight off illness in a day or 2, but this ones taken hold. Still, I'm in the office today (even though I probably shouldn't be) partly due to the fact we're a little short-staffed. Nothing major, but my sense of duty (if you want to call it that) overcame what should have been common sense and I dragged it in to the office.
   I probably won't be here too long, I'll just wait for more staff to get in and then "pull the pin", head home, take some meds and crash.
   I hate being sick.

TTFN

Isn't It A Little Early?

   I've been hearing it in stores the past few days. Christmas music has started blaring out of speakers as retailers gear up for the "golden quarter" going in to the festive season.
   Maybe it's the Scrooge in me speaking, but I think it's way to early yet to "bombard" shoppers with it. We just had Remembrance Day this week, and maybe the stores should have put it off until next week at the earliest.
   Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the festive season, and am looking forward to spending Christmas with my family. But after almost 35 years working in radio, I've become, perhaps, a little jaded when it comes to the seasonal music. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it, I just happen to think starting it in mid November is "jumping the gun" a little.
   At least, that's my opinion.

TTFN

I'll Pass On This One, Thanks

   That is, in fact, "Dewitos", a new flavour of Mountain Dew. The new flavour is, by the way, Doritos. PepsiCo has apparently test marketed the hybrid at a few college campuses, and the response has been favorable. One tester says the drink did in fact taste like the chips.
   This isn't the first time the 2 brands (both owned by PepsiCo) have teamed up for a flavour mash-up. In 2008, they brought out Doritos Quest, a sweet chip with a mystery flavor that was later identified as Mountain Dew.
   Now, I'll admit I like Mountain Dew. I also like Doritos. But not mashed together in an orange tinged liquid. And while I can be adventurous when it comes to food, this is one item that I'll leave on the shelves, if it ever comes to Yorkton.

TTFN

11/11/14

   Tomorrow is November 11th. And at the 11th hour, we should all pause for 2 minutes silence to remember those who fell in World War I, World War ll, Korea, Afghanistan, and wherever Canadians have fought and died. It's been 96 years since the end of the "Great War", and ceremonies were held earlier this year to mark the 100th anniversary of its start.
   As is tradition in my household, both my wife and I bought poppies, since both our dads saw service in World War II. I'm also proud to say both our sons also have a great deal of respect for Canada's vets.
   It's estimated between 56 and 65 thousand Canadian military personnel were killed in "The War to End All Wars" between 1915 when the first contingent arrived in France and Armistice Day. 45 thousand more gave the ultimate sacrifice in World War II.
   In London, England, officials have been adding ceramic poppies to a very moving display that surrounds the Tower of London

   When all is said and done, more than 888 thousand will be there, with each representing a Commonwealth or British death during the war. In my opinion, it's a fitting tribute.
   Please take 2 minutes of your time tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m no matter where you are and remember the fallen from all conflicts.

TTFN

Almost Time For A Change

   Last year, for the first time ever, I bought winter tires. And I'm glad I did. Up until last winter, I'd been using all-season radials, but decided to bite the bullet since I was still commuting weekends between Yorkton and Regina. And, at least in my case, they made a difference, even around town.
   I bring this up, because in Manitoba, provincial insurance company MPI is offering 48 month term loans of up to 2 thousand dollars at prime plus 2% for anyone wanting to buy and install snowflake stamped winter treads. So far, 64 hundred people have applied.
   The rationale is simple. Winter tires are better in the cold and snow, and may help prevent accidents which would cost MPI more for settling claims etc. Other jurisdictions are a little more strict when it comes to their use. In Quebec for example, winter tires are mandatory.
   A check with Saskatchewan's provincial insurance company SGI shows a similar low cost loan program is not being made available. At least, not in the foreseeable future. Officials say they'll look at the numbers from the Manitoba program, which started this year, and do some number crunching before making a decision one way or other to see if the benefits would outweigh the costs.
   Right now in Saskatchewan, winter tire use is nor mandatory, and the government (last time I checked anyway) was not looking to make it so.
   Should the use of winter tires be mandated? Should the provinces help with a low cost loan to have them bought and installed? I don't know. In jurisdictions where there's provincial insurance, like Saskatchewan and Manitoba, having such a scheme would be a lot easier to run that province's where it's all private companies, like Alberta and Ontario. In those areas, who would pick up the tab? Other subscribers? And until we have substantive data on costs, and comparative numbers on issues like collisions with and without winter skins, I don't think I can make a call one way or the other.

TTFN

An Interesting Concept

   Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz has a suggestion for jobless university grads looking to beef up their resume's: Work for free. What he's suggesting is young Canadians and others struggling to find work should acquire more experience through unpaid internships or volunteering until the country's hobbled job market picks up. He says doing that would allow them to gain experience in the field they hope to enter.
   Needless to say, reaction to this has been mostly negative, with advocates for young workers leading the charge against the suggestion. They argue that not all young grads "live in their parents basement rent free", and need to be paid to simply live.
   This all comes as a new survey shows 20 per cent of part-time workers are looking in vain for a full-time job, while the average length of an unemployment spell is now 21 weeks. Youth unemployment is running at over 13%.
   So, while this is an interesting concept, in reality (in my humble opinion) it simply won't work.

TTFN

Happy Donut Day!

   And thanks to GX94 morning man Danny Ismond for bringing this to my attention. Darn shame he didn't bring any in for us this morning. Oh well. He also asked the question "what's your favourite kind". For me, the answer was simple: Chocolate. I said "was", because Danny chimed in "what about Boston Creme?", which is also a favourite. As are apple fritters, crullers, and good old honey dipped.
   This had me thinking back to my youth (so many years ago), when we had a K-Mart in the neighborhood. In that K-Mart was a donut making machine

   Which spat out hot, fresh donuts you could buy as a single, half dozen or dozen. If memory serves, you didn't have the choices you get these days. It was basically deep-fried dough fed from the hopper into the oil. There was a device for turning them over about half-way along the conveyor, then the final hopper for the finished product. Which was then either dipped in sugar or had powdered sugar dusted on them.
   Homer Simpson would likely approve!

TTFN

Does This Make Sense To You?

   One of Canada's big banks has announced the equivalent of 15 hundred jobs will be cut, and 120 international branches will be closed in an effort to save 120 million dollars a year.
   Scotiabank is (I believe) Canada's 3rd largest banking institution, and a release from them suggests most of the job loss will be in Canada. The banks president says the move will cut 341 million dollars from their profit in the 4th quarter of the current fiscal year.
   But here's my question. In figures publicly available on their own website, the bank has seen net earnings (not profits) of nearly 6 billion dollars in the first 3 quarters, and 2.4 billion in the 3rd. Even with expenses and other items factored in, earnings in the quarter that ended July 31st will be well over 1.5 billion. So, even if you factor in the 341 million cut in profit forecast for the 4th quarter, and even if that's a total loss, the bank still stands to make almost 5 billion. And even if the losses go higher than that, they still stand to make a tidy profit
   Now, I will freely admit I do not travel in the world of banking or high finance, and even need a calculator to do higher math, but it seems almost disingenuous to argue the need for job cuts to save 120 million dollars a year with earnings of even 1 billion.
   Or am I missing something here?

TTFN

Could This Help Crack The Case?

   That little girl is Tamra Keepness, and she was last seen at her Regina home in July 2004. I remember the case very well, since I was working in Regina at the time. There was a massive search for the then 5 year old, but nothing turned up. That search included the city landfill, and even sending remotely operated cameras into sewers in the area where she and her family lived.
   Years later, police acknowledged that Tamra likely is dead, but no trace of her body has ever been found. More than 1700 tips have come in over the years, and police look into them. In fact, there were still a few officers assigned to her case. At least before I left Regina more than a year ago.
   Now, comes yet another possibility. This map was posted on Reddit:

   The map, submitted anonymously, is labelled "Location of Tamra Keepness, Check the Wells". The person did later come forward with a little more information, but also says he/she has no firsthand knowledge about the missing girl.
   Needless to say, this has created quite a frenzy on social media. Some have said it's nothing but a hoax or a sick joke. Others want police to pursue the lead like they would any other. Which is exactly what might happen. As is the case with other tips and leads in this case, police are trying to determine if it's credible. Will they send someone to check it out? From what little knowledge I have about the internal workings of the Regina Police Service, I would say "yes". Having dealt with them for almost 16 years, I don't believe for one instant that any clue would not be looked into. Will they find Tamra's remains? I honestly don't know. I hope some day they do. I also hope they find those responsible for her death and bring them to justice.
   That's the least that can be done for that innocent girl.

TTFN