Saturday, December 29, 2012 Sprucewood Library, Edmonton
The Edmonton deep freeze has ended, more than two weeks of temperatures below minus 20 celsius. Today's temperature is nearly above freezing, the sun is out, and I'm at my second library of the day.
Council of Canadians water activist Maude Barlow warns of public water woes on a podcast of today's "Redeye" as I type. "Redeye" is a show of Vancouver Co-Op Radio: http://www.coopradio.org/ This is
a volunteer-run, member-owned radio station. I am a member and I recommend the station to you.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christmas Travels, a Birthday, and Find
Monday, December 24, 2012 Williams Lake
A 915-kilometre drive from Edmonton, that began in the dark and ended in the dark, brought Carla and me through blowing snow, over some icy or snow-covered roads, but some good roads, here to Williams Lake on Saturday, December 22.
Our trusty Toyota Echo, loaded more heavily than its rated capacity, got a tank of gas in Jasper. That gas got us the last 550 km to Williams Lake. It will get another tank of gas today at Toosey, between Williams Lake and Anaham, on the highway to Bella Coola.
Our Chelsea turns 20 today. Christmas has trampled almost every birthday since she turned three. I therefore have a morning party for her. This afternoon we'll drive to Anaham for tonight's Christmas Eve Dinner at Chelsea's grandpa's house.
Tomorrow, Christmas Night, I will board the bus back to Edmonton. The car will stay here for Carla to use. At the March 31, 2013 expiry of my Edmonton apartment lease, I will UHaul truck everything from there to here.
Much of my Edmonton furniture came from Find. Before I leave Edmonton, I plan to stop at Find for more furniture for friends and family around here. What is Find? Find is an Edmonton thrift store that sells nice things at low prices. It's profits help house the homeless:
http://findedmonton.com/
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, all.
A 915-kilometre drive from Edmonton, that began in the dark and ended in the dark, brought Carla and me through blowing snow, over some icy or snow-covered roads, but some good roads, here to Williams Lake on Saturday, December 22.
Our trusty Toyota Echo, loaded more heavily than its rated capacity, got a tank of gas in Jasper. That gas got us the last 550 km to Williams Lake. It will get another tank of gas today at Toosey, between Williams Lake and Anaham, on the highway to Bella Coola.
Our Chelsea turns 20 today. Christmas has trampled almost every birthday since she turned three. I therefore have a morning party for her. This afternoon we'll drive to Anaham for tonight's Christmas Eve Dinner at Chelsea's grandpa's house.
Tomorrow, Christmas Night, I will board the bus back to Edmonton. The car will stay here for Carla to use. At the March 31, 2013 expiry of my Edmonton apartment lease, I will UHaul truck everything from there to here.
Much of my Edmonton furniture came from Find. Before I leave Edmonton, I plan to stop at Find for more furniture for friends and family around here. What is Find? Find is an Edmonton thrift store that sells nice things at low prices. It's profits help house the homeless:
http://findedmonton.com/
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, all.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Libraries, Buses, Films, Music, Trains, and Yule
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 Woodcroft Public Library, Edmonton
I like Edmonton public libraries, even if they charge users an annual fee, unlike British Columbia libraries.
As I listen to a Vancouver Co-Op Radio podcast on a public library terminal, I type of many things.
Edmonton city buses are great ways to get around. A $22.80 10-pack of tickets lasts me more than two weeks. I live two blocks from the Jasper Place Transit Centre, from which buses go many places: downtown, West Edmonton Mall, and several libraries, such as this one.
Some libraries are close to pools, another fun discovery in Edmonton. My low-income swim pass gets me into city pools free, and I have swum, steamed, sauna-ed, and whirlpooled in most of them.
A sadder bus tale is Carla's very late bus to Edmonton. It should have been here at 11:00 this morning. It will be after midnight tonight. The bus from Prince George left three hours late, picked her up in Williams Lake, and missed the connection to the bus from Kamloops to Jasper. Carla waited in the Kamloops bus station from 2:30 this morning until about 2:00 this afternoon, rather than the few-minute stop scheduled.
Now she buses through the night to chilly Edmonton, -21 today, with -30 predicted for tomorrow.
In other news, have a link to a new Edmonton film I saw last week:
http://www.hotdocs.ca/film/title/who_cares
Have a link to an old classic film I also saw last week:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJfZaT8ncYk
Here part of a Borodin string quartet, which I saw performed in city hall, for free, the other night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSdMKJqnnW4
That same city hall had a display of the many commuter train routes planned:
http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/LRT_Network_Plan_Jan2011.pdf
Ah, if only the population was more densely settled.
Lastly, have a Merry Christmas. Carla and I will drive to BC on Saturday, leave the car there for her, and I will bus back to Edmonton on Boxing Day.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Michael Writes in the U of A business library
Sunday, December 16, 2012 Winspear Library, University of Alberta School of Business
I post this on a computer in the library of the last University of Alberta faculty I attended. Mine was the first class, 1985, to graduate from the new building of the School of Business. Before then, the school was in the Central Academic Building. As I walked into this library, I remembered many sessions of groupwork in the rooms for that purpose. Now computer terminals fill half of the space, but the rooms remain. Happily, a sign advises quiet, and it is quiet this last week of university before Christmas.
A few students study at tables: another generation learning about financial statements, debt-to-equity ratios, organizational theory, statistical analysis, arbitrage, market research methods, business case studies, and the many other things that make this Canada's top business school. I'm glad I studied here.
In a few minutes I will post this and walk to the Garneau Theatre, now Metro Cinema, to see "It's a Wonderful Life." That film argues that people, not profits, are the purpose of business. Few since Plato have agreed, and even he put traders in a low category in his ideal state, his Republic.
Education truly is worth the effort. Have the courage to try, and the willingness to fail and to continue: good habit for life as well as for school.
The Ancient Greek historian Thucydides wrote that courage leads to liberty, which leads to happiness.
Education made me happy before I entered this university. Education continues to make me happy.
I post this on a computer in the library of the last University of Alberta faculty I attended. Mine was the first class, 1985, to graduate from the new building of the School of Business. Before then, the school was in the Central Academic Building. As I walked into this library, I remembered many sessions of groupwork in the rooms for that purpose. Now computer terminals fill half of the space, but the rooms remain. Happily, a sign advises quiet, and it is quiet this last week of university before Christmas.
A few students study at tables: another generation learning about financial statements, debt-to-equity ratios, organizational theory, statistical analysis, arbitrage, market research methods, business case studies, and the many other things that make this Canada's top business school. I'm glad I studied here.
In a few minutes I will post this and walk to the Garneau Theatre, now Metro Cinema, to see "It's a Wonderful Life." That film argues that people, not profits, are the purpose of business. Few since Plato have agreed, and even he put traders in a low category in his ideal state, his Republic.
Education truly is worth the effort. Have the courage to try, and the willingness to fail and to continue: good habit for life as well as for school.
The Ancient Greek historian Thucydides wrote that courage leads to liberty, which leads to happiness.
Education made me happy before I entered this university. Education continues to make me happy.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Michael's Edmonton News December 11 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 Edmonton
All,
The Kinsman Aquatic Centre pools, both 50 m long, are for serious swimmers, I noticed last Sunday, when many swimmers left me in their dust. I was relieved to find a bronze horseback cowboy and matching cow in Mill Woods Town Centre Mall after I dropped off a birthday gift to a friend. "Who Cares," a documentary about Edmonton sex trade workers, followed at the Metro Cinema.
That night I went to the Edmonton Islamic Academy, a huge high school, for a fundraising banquet for medical aid to Gaza. Food was great. Speeches and music were in Arabic and English, and I was among the palest people in the 800-person crowd.
On Saturday, I went to a huge Christmas craft sale at the University of Alberta's indoor track "Universiade" building. I gawked but didn't buy.
Later that day, after I listened to some Vancouver Co-Op Radio podcasts on the internet in the Whitemud Crossing Library, I ambled in the cold to Confederation Pool. This was more my speed than Kinsmen would be the next day.
Cold here, -20 for two weeks, but today's -5 feels balmy.
All,
The Kinsman Aquatic Centre pools, both 50 m long, are for serious swimmers, I noticed last Sunday, when many swimmers left me in their dust. I was relieved to find a bronze horseback cowboy and matching cow in Mill Woods Town Centre Mall after I dropped off a birthday gift to a friend. "Who Cares," a documentary about Edmonton sex trade workers, followed at the Metro Cinema.
That night I went to the Edmonton Islamic Academy, a huge high school, for a fundraising banquet for medical aid to Gaza. Food was great. Speeches and music were in Arabic and English, and I was among the palest people in the 800-person crowd.
On Saturday, I went to a huge Christmas craft sale at the University of Alberta's indoor track "Universiade" building. I gawked but didn't buy.
Later that day, after I listened to some Vancouver Co-Op Radio podcasts on the internet in the Whitemud Crossing Library, I ambled in the cold to Confederation Pool. This was more my speed than Kinsmen would be the next day.
Cold here, -20 for two weeks, but today's -5 feels balmy.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Edmonton December 8, 2012
Saturday, December 8, 2012 Edmonton
Ah, the pools of Edmonton, about which I have three minutes to wax.
Today I swam in Confederation Pool, 50 m long, 1 and 3 m boards, two
ropes, large whirlpool, hot steamroom, an oasis in -20 degree Edmonton.
Ah, the libraries of Edmonton, the downtown branch of which I type at now.
Earlier, I listened to various Vancouver Co-Op Radio podcasts online at
Whitemud Crossing Library, near Confederation Pool.
Last night I fled the freeze by walking to Jasper Place Pool, the closest pool to
my winter abode: 1 and 3 m boards, 5 m platform, rope, big whirlpool, steamroom.
Stay warm.
Ah, the pools of Edmonton, about which I have three minutes to wax.
Today I swam in Confederation Pool, 50 m long, 1 and 3 m boards, two
ropes, large whirlpool, hot steamroom, an oasis in -20 degree Edmonton.
Ah, the libraries of Edmonton, the downtown branch of which I type at now.
Earlier, I listened to various Vancouver Co-Op Radio podcasts online at
Whitemud Crossing Library, near Confederation Pool.
Last night I fled the freeze by walking to Jasper Place Pool, the closest pool to
my winter abode: 1 and 3 m boards, 5 m platform, rope, big whirlpool, steamroom.
Stay warm.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Edmonton Pools and Weather
Saturday, December 1, 2012 Idlywylde Library, Edmonton
I watch traffic navigate a snowy street outside this Edmonton library and mention my past week's activities here. Gotta love that library internet access.
A downtown concert of Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven concertos lightened the winter darkness, a couple days after a swim at O'Leary pool and walk to Alberta Avenue Hall to watch the Grey Cup on a big screen.
Last night I ate natchos and drank Heineken at Kelsey's pub, thanks to a $50 gift card from my generous brother. There are $24 left on the card, which is also good at Minestrone's, Swiss Chalet, Montana Steakhouse, and Harvey's.
Then I swam, went down the curly tube slide, and sat in the hot tub at Jasper Place pool, the closest pool to where I live.
Today I took my $8.50 one-day bus pass and struck out for Hardisty Pool in the east end. Newer than Jasper Place pool, Hardisty has a steam room, sauna, hot tub and 25m pool. I swam a few lengths, steamed and soaked, and returned to the winter outside.
A snowy walk across Capilano ravine took me to 79 Street and 105 Avenue and the #94 bus to Bonnie Doon pool, busy with lessons. This 1966 place has a four-level steam room, and four-level saunas in the change rooms: step up and cook.
Here I type, a couple blocks from that pool, before I dig out my bus pass and ride to the University of Alberta Bookstore Christmas Sale.
The Edmonton Coalition Against War and Racism's tenth anniversary celebration is at Strathcona Hall, between the university and here, today. I'll see it, ride to a Christmas craft sale at Youngstown Hall near a social housing complex in my neighborhood, and then ride back to the university area to meet one of my two charming sisters.
She bought us tickets to tonight's local taping of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Radio One's show "The Irrelevant Show."
I watch traffic navigate a snowy street outside this Edmonton library and mention my past week's activities here. Gotta love that library internet access.
A downtown concert of Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven concertos lightened the winter darkness, a couple days after a swim at O'Leary pool and walk to Alberta Avenue Hall to watch the Grey Cup on a big screen.
Last night I ate natchos and drank Heineken at Kelsey's pub, thanks to a $50 gift card from my generous brother. There are $24 left on the card, which is also good at Minestrone's, Swiss Chalet, Montana Steakhouse, and Harvey's.
Then I swam, went down the curly tube slide, and sat in the hot tub at Jasper Place pool, the closest pool to where I live.
Today I took my $8.50 one-day bus pass and struck out for Hardisty Pool in the east end. Newer than Jasper Place pool, Hardisty has a steam room, sauna, hot tub and 25m pool. I swam a few lengths, steamed and soaked, and returned to the winter outside.
A snowy walk across Capilano ravine took me to 79 Street and 105 Avenue and the #94 bus to Bonnie Doon pool, busy with lessons. This 1966 place has a four-level steam room, and four-level saunas in the change rooms: step up and cook.
Here I type, a couple blocks from that pool, before I dig out my bus pass and ride to the University of Alberta Bookstore Christmas Sale.
The Edmonton Coalition Against War and Racism's tenth anniversary celebration is at Strathcona Hall, between the university and here, today. I'll see it, ride to a Christmas craft sale at Youngstown Hall near a social housing complex in my neighborhood, and then ride back to the university area to meet one of my two charming sisters.
She bought us tickets to tonight's local taping of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Radio One's show "The Irrelevant Show."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)