Out Like A Lamb

   At least in this part of the country, March is going out like a lamb. We had our share of crummy weather, with snow storms etc. But we're also looking at a high today near 12 C (54 F), and 11 C tomorrow, April 1st.
   It's also Easter weekend, and the weather at times can be cruddy at least one day of the long weekend. This year's no exception, with flurries in the forecast Wednesday night, and again Good Friday. Temperatures will struggle to get above the freezing mark as well.
   Still, the snow we've had here in Yorkton has pretty much all melted, except for some of the bigger piles in parking lots, and the sun is rising earlier and earlier. Now, we just need some April showers to wash away the remnants of the snow, and the mould that goes with it, and get ready for gardening season.

TTFN

Oops!

   It wasn't what police were expecting when they got a call to the airport in Nipawin, Saskatchewan Thursday night.
   They'd received reports of a small, 2-seater aircraft that had crashed into a field, and had been damaged.
   The strange this was, there was no one on board when they arrived. They hadn't walked away after the incident because there was no one on board when the plane took off! RCMP say their initial investigation shows the pilot was trying to "prop start" the engine (also known as an external hand-start where the propeller is spun to fire the motor). When it started, it got up enough speed to allow the plane to actually take off and fly some 30 feet before crashing.
   The Transportation Safety Board is also looking into the incident.

TTFN

You Know It's Going To Be A Bad Day When

   I had to check to make sure this wasn't Monday. It's not. Like many of us, one of the first things I do when I get up in the morning is check my phone. I really don't know why, I rarely get messages and when I do it's from my provider wanting me to sign on for new features.
   But this morning was different. I had 2 messages from our overnight announcer letting me know our main system for writing, editing, collating and reading newscasts had been down since last night. A panic call to our tech guru just after 4:00 a.m ensued. He tried to boot the system from his home, but couldn't. He then called the service we subscribe to, and was told it could be a while before things are up and running again. In the digital age, this would be nothing short of a disaster.
   Fortunately, I'm "old school", and come from an age where we used printers and typewriters and read the news from hard-copy. In fact, almost 20 of the 30+ years I've been doing radio news has been 'analog', so I'm no stranger to "rip and read" newscasts. I don't like it, but I can at least still do it.
   We're also lucky to have internet and e-mail services. I've been able to gather information from an emergency back-up system provided by the Canadian Press, and have been getting stories from one of our sister stations, which will tide me over until things are back to normal.
   I guess this shows that while technology is great, a wonderful tool, and something I want back ASAP, I can also rely on good old fashioned experience.

TTFN

****UPDATE: Our system has been restored by our tech guru, and it's "business as usual" as of 8:30 a.m my time****

No, It Hasn't

   Friday saw the sun cross the equator, meaning spring has come to the northern hemisphere. But old man winter is going to give our area one last kick before hopefully leaving us alone for the next several months.
   The Yorkton area is in store for up ti 15 cm (6 inches) of snow through Wednesday, with the majority hitting tomorrow night. There's even a special weather statement out for the entire region, and in fact most of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
   This comes after nearly all the snow we'd had all winter was gone (save for a few pockets here and there). A system tracking in from the Pacific northwest is responsible. And while it's nothing like they've had in the Maritimes or along the U.S east coast, it's still a wallop we were hoping not to get. But it is March, which can be a cruel month.
   And I'm not to blame for this, either. I have not yet switched my winter tires over to my spring ones. I have not yet stored my big winter boots away for the season. Neither my wife or I have had our winter coats dry-cleaned and put in storage yet. And I have not washed the car.
   But, it is what it is, and the good news is it's going to stay relatively warm, meaning the dump, if we do get it, won't last long.
   Happy shovelling!

TTFN

Spring Has Sprung

   It officially arrives at 4:45 Friday afternoon, Saskatchewan time. 6:45 eastern. That's when the sun crosses the equator, meaning equal day and night. From here on in, the days will get longer until the summer solstice, then get shorter again.
   I'm ready for spring this year. It was a brutal winter here in Yorkton, with quite a bit of snow. But at least we didn't have to deal with an endless chain of polar vortexes, plunging temperatures to the low minus 30's for weeks on end.
   Even more ready for spring are people living on the east coast of Canada and the U.S, where record snowfalls of 2 meters have been recorded. So, the last thing they need is more snow, which is what they're in store for this weekend. There are weather statements out for several areas calling for another 15 cm of snow, and possibly heavy rain as well.
   I just hope for their sakes it's a very long, slow melt.

TTFN

Finally, We Get To Choose

   Canada's broadcast regulator, the CRTC, has ruled satellite and cable TV companies must allow we the viewer more freedom to pick and chose the networks we want. They also ruled there will be a "skinny basic" package of channels costing no more than 25 bucks a month. And you won't get much choice in the mandated basic pack, meaning you'll get your local stations plus public interest and educational ones. It will be up us to decide which channel we want, rather than the current practice of bundling, although the CRTC will allow smaller packages to offered by providers.
   It's great news for our household. Currently, we had to subscribe to something like 5 packs just to get the channels we want, meaning there are quite a few specialty networks that never get viewed. That should happen by the end of next year.
   Truth to tell, I only watch 2 or 3 shows regularly, and if they were streamed on the 'Net, I'd probably "cut the cord" like so many people are doing.
   Of course, the question now is cost. Sure, the CRTC has mandated the basic pack at 25 bucks a month, but how much are the cable companies going to charge for pick-and-choose channels? We'll have to wait and see on that.

TTFN

Yes, There's An App For This

   It's a cultural icon. And while it wasn't the first video game or system, SuperMario helped launch Nintendo into the stratosphere in the home entertainment field.
   Now, there's an app coming to your smartphone. Nintendo for years said they weren't interested in the technology, and only allowed the use of Mario, Pokemon and other such games on platforms like the Wii and the portable 3DS systems. Until now.
   Nintendo is apparently teaming up with another Japanese mobile game developer to bring those classics to your smart-phone and tablet.
   It appears as well that these will be new games, and not simply re-boots or the old classics reworked for your phone or tablet. And Nintendo's most popular franchise, the Zelda series, could also end up on your device. Look for a launch as early as this fall.

TTFN

3rd Time Lucky

   Several years ago, when we were living in Ontario to be exact, we saw a series on baking bread, and one of the recipe's really caught our eye. It was for chocolate bread. Needless to say, it took this long to track down the recipe, even using the researcher's favourite tool Google. But we finally did track it down.
   My wife (who is a wonderful cook and baker) tried a couple of times to make it. The first time, the bread didn't rise, and there was just a doughy mass. The second time she re-hydrated the instant yeast and it did rise, but not fully.
   So this weekend, I had a bash at it. It was the first time I'd made bread in almost 30 years, so I was a little leery about my chances.
   But with a little tweak here, and a little tweak there, I managed to get a good result:

   There are chocolate chips in it, but it's not a sweet bread. In fact, I kind of went overboard with them, because there was no set portion in the recipe. It is a very moist bread, and quite delicious simply with butter, but even more so with strawberry or Saskatoon berry jam.
   Will I be making this again? Without doubt. And I might even post the recipe on this blog later.

TTFN

  

Friday The 13th

   For the 2nd time in as many months (since February had 28 days) it's Friday the 13th. It's a day when a lot of superstitious people try and avoid things like having a black cat cross their path, or walking under a ladder or breaking a mirror. The genesis supposedly goes back to Medieval times, where both Friday and the number 13 were considered unlucky.
   I am not a superstitious person. And to prove it, I even opened an umbrella indoors this morning to prove it

   Heck, I don't even throw a pinch of salt over my shoulder when I spill any, although my wife (who is more superstitious than me) does.
   And don't think we're off the hook yet. There's another Friday the 13th in November.

TTFN

Update

   Back in January, I blogged about making an effort to reduce my evening intake of unhealthy foods. I'd gotten into the extremely bad habit of eating bad snack foods an hour or so before bedtime. But January 29th, I said "no more" and ditched the peanut M and M's, Bits 'N Bites and the usual can or 2 of non-diet soda to wash things down.
   I've also been trying to eat healthier, giving up things like take-out food and greasy foods, opting instead for things like home-made burgers, chicken, chops and steaks done on the Foreman grill and having cauliflower and broccoli as a lunch.
   The result has seen me lose more than 3 pounds. Not much in the great scheme of things, and not nearly as much as I know I need to lose. But it's a start. And if simply eating better has resulted in my losing that much in just over 2 1/2 months, I can't wait to start walking to see how much more I'll lose. I just have to get motivated, which is tougher for me to do than cut back on things like snacks. Not that I still don't have a nibble now and again, but it's not sugary or salty. If I do feel the need to feed, I'll grab a few rice crackers.
   There is one thing I will NOT be giving up. I like my iced tea in the evening.

TTFN

Say What?

   Be honest. You've probably let more than one bad word slip over the years. Maybe in the heat of an argument. After stubbing your toe. After locking your keys in your car. But if you cuss in the small town of Taber, Alberta, you could be fined.
   Town council there has enacted a bylaw that contains a 150 dollar fine for cussing, screaming or even yelling in public.
   There's also a 75 dollar fine for spitting, and it also allows the local police in the community to order groups or 3 or more people to disperse immediately. It also includes a curfew for minors!
   Needless to say, the bylaw has already drawn opposition, with one group saying it could be found unconstitutional if challenged in court. As for enforcement, the town's police department won't actively be out on the look, or listen, for offenders, but may ticket those they do stumble across during their rounds.
   Cussing and spitting aren't the only things the bylaw seeks to curtail. Car-wash fundraisers could be axed because they could be classed as pan-handling, which also has a 75 dollar fine. Bars and pubs could be fined if patrons annoy or disturb anyone outside their premises.
   When the by-law was voted on, there was just one council member dissenting, and it passed 6-1.
   How do I feel about this? Sure, cussing in public is an annoyance, and downright rude if there are kids nearby. But enacting a by-law specifically targeting the occasional use of a good old-fashioned bi-labial fricative (expletive deleted) now and again is a downright @%&# idea.

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Thank You Bob

   For 38 of the 39 years it's been on the air in Saskatchewan, Bob McGrath has hosted the Kinsmen Telemiracle telethon. This year was his last. At 82 the man probably best known from his years on Sesame Street has decided to step away from the microphone and retire.
   McGrath says he wants to spend more time with his family, but also says the decision wasn't an easy one. In fact, he says Saskatchewan is his 2nd home. He'd only missed one broadcast of the event that raises money for families of children with disabilities in the province, and that was due to a scheduling conflict.
   Telemiracle is somewhat of a tradition in Saskatchewan, and has raised more than 105 million dollars since it started. An awful lot of people tune in at one point or another during the event, and lots of people call in their pledges.
   News of McGrath's retirement was a bit of a shock, and there were a lot of people in TCU place in Saskatoon shedding tears. Including some of his co-performers like Canadian country singer Beverly Mahood, who's a veteran of 18 telethons.
   To say Bob McGrath is one of the "good people" is an understatement to say the least. The fact that he'd been willing to commit to a fundraising event in a place he doesn't live is testimony to that. During this weekend's event, Saskatoon's mayor paid tribute to him, by declaring March 8th as "Bob McGrath Day" in the Bridge City.
   Mr. McGrath: All I can add is thank you for all your years of helping in a worthy cause.

TTFN

Time To Change Your Clocks

   At least in most parts of the world. It is the weekend most of us "spring ahead" to daylight saving time, officially changing Sunday at 2:00 a.m. Of course, most people will make the change before going to bed Saturday.
   Saskatchewan is one of a few jurisdictions where we don't make the adjustment in spring or fall, even though there have been calls to get on the DST bandwagon for years. Truth to tell, I've never liked the time change. I don't like losing an hour of much needed sleep in the spring (even though we get it back in the fall), and there have been studies suggesting losing that hour disrupts our circadian rhythm, and can actually cause problems for school kids.
   As well, since I'm up before 4:00 a.m weekdays, I'd much rather have the extra hour of daylight in the morning. Not having it at night is also a bonus when I'm trying to get to sleep, even though I still need black-out curtains to get it dark enough.
   I probably shouldn't admit this, but when I was working in Ontario, I always wanted to prank people who called the station to see if this was the weekend for changing clocks. We all know it's "spring forward, fall back". I thought about advising that in spring, you set your clocks BACK an hour. Needless to say, I never EVER did.
   Happy time change!

TTFN

Get Well Soon!

   72 year old screen legend Harrison Ford, known for his roles as Indiana Jones and Han Solo, is said to be in fair condition in an L.A hospital after his plane crashed onto a golf course yesterday.
   Ford is an aviation buff, with particular interest in World War 2 era planes. He had just taken off from an airport in this:

   A Ryan PT-22 Recruit, a former training aircraft. According to one website that monitors air traffic control, Ford said he had engine trouble just before the plane went down. Ford apparently suffered several gashes to his head, but is expected to recover.
   One expert who went to the scene said Ford managed to avoid nearby homes in what he called a "beautifully executed manoeuvre.
   Get well soon Harrison!

TTFN

Surprisingly, This Is Not Illegal

   No. That is not the late Leonard Nimoy as Spock on the $5.00 Canadian bill, although it certainly bears a strong resemblance to the famous Star Trek character The bill is real, but someone took a pen to the image of Wilfrid Laurier, who was Canada's 7th Prime Minister from 1896 to 1911, transforming him into the famous Vulcan.
   The Bank of Canada says while it's not illegal to deface or mutilate bank-notes, they discourage the practice.
   The central bank also says any of the $5.00 notes chartered banks get will be withdrawn from circulation and destroyed. Postings of the marked-up banknotes started appearing on social media after Nimoy died last week.
   I rarely, if ever, carry cash with me, so the chances are this is as close to seeing one of the "Spocked-up" bills as I'll ever get.
   Truth to tell, I think the bill looks more like Martin Landau, who played Spock's father in the original Star-Trek series.

TTFN

Not A Fan

   I have yet to see either of the first 2 installments of the Sharknado series, although I did see the first  few minutes of Sharknado 2, when a shark (sucked into a massive tornado) rips apart the outside of a jetliner coming in to New York.
   So it's not likely I'll be watching Sharknado 3 when killer sharks get sucked into anothet killer storm and are dumped on Washington D.C. Although, the premise and promise of sharks putting the bite on politicians is rather appealing.
   Like the previous 2 movies, there's a cast of 'guest stars', including Dallas Maverick owner, and "Shark Tank" star Mark Cuban as the President of the U.S, with conservative commentator Ann Coulter as his V.P. Bo Derek and Jerry Springer are others guesting.
   Having said I'm not a fan, I would be tempted to watch if the locale was Ottawa, and the sharks were dropped from a massive winter storm. And don't count winter sharks out, either. There was a movie set in Colorado (I think) called Avalanche Shark. And yes, there were sharks in avalanches coming on for a chomp on skiers. I tried watching, but couldn't make it past the first few minutes.
   For those who are fans, Sharknado 3 will air on the SyFy network in July.

TTFN