purple martins

Susan got a lovely new apartment for these creatures. Lot of work to assemble and guess who? Got stuck and had an interesting consult with Ms. Mckinon at the Purple Martin Conservancy-Canada. We digressed into conservation and she was unconvinced that Hunters and Fishers are the most active conservationists around. Something about Ducks Unlimited  having ulterior motives (Duh!). I countered that our wish to house a martin colony also had motivation such as the desire to reduce the mosquito poulation (more human tinkering with nature) and thought I had her cold only to be stunned by the revelation that it is an Urban Myth that those birds eat mosquitos. Must raise this issue with she who must be obeyed immediately. Why is it that I must run to the garage with hammer and glue between periods of every play off game? Good thing we already have two fully occupied bat houses because they do eat mosquitos.

Seriously though, these are great people doing great things and have a wonderful website:  dmckinon@telusplanet.net 

Construction Zones

I think I'm pretty safe and slow and actually have no moving violations in years and years though the camera's have gotten me a few times.  Cannot compain about the logic of  new enforcement rules in construction zones either, BUT 71 in a new 60 that I travel daily (100Ave Henday to 178 St.) is a bit much. If we as drivers are going to be hit upon (and this one might actually be a revenue grab) it seems about time that we also penalized the Contractors and Municipalities who continue to cry wolf by leaving their ridiculous speed restriction signs up when there is nary a trace of men or equipment  working. That after all is likely the main reason for the necessity of cracking down on speed in construction zones in the first place.

A prime example was the Town of Devon on Highway 60 S. bound on the Friday evening of the May long weekend.  Curiously this would be the same municipality from whom I received (and framed) that rare refund cheque for a photo radar ticket issued by and untrained official in an as yet incompletely marked slow down zone! 

Henday

We don't seem to hear much about when the Henday/16A interchange will be built.  In the meantime truck traffic Northbound is elevating and the designers have been very shortsighted in scrimping on less than 1/2 km. of grave/asphalt between 87 Ave and 100 Ave resulting in the roadway narrowing to two lanes and causing a daily morning traffic jam which is totally uneccesary.

Mud Flaps

Mike Atkiin does his own dealership Volvo ads and leans heavily on safety as has the manufacturer for decades. He must have been a bit dissapointed to see the Volvo tow vehicles (semi tractor rigs) at last year's inaugural Edmonton Champ Car Races (WEM) sporting Chromed mud flaps. Though pretty these are extremely dangerous to overtake at night on a two lane highway and equally distracting on a freeway and I understand are now illegal is several States. Since our legislature has adjourned until next year we'll have lots of time to lobby our MLA's for a similar ban in Alberta.

About good teams or athletes losing

Same as the reason we are sports fans; if you knew who was going to win it woudn't be worth watching.

What Makes Sport Great?

(From ABC) The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

CBC

I recall the angry curling fans last year. How about the Olympic coverage? I was charged with recording Jenn Heil's Torino competition for some former team mates and coaches unable to watch live because of concurrent North American competitions. CBC Anglais did not even cover the all important qualifying round…just some highlights. Fortunately all higher level Freestyle athletes, coaches and parents have enjoyed the hospitality of Quebec competiitions and the gifted Quebec athletes who compete regularly in the West and none of us blinked when my recording was from the French network which covered the entire event. Media needs to be reminded that sometimes it really isn't about who wins but who competes and how they do, especially when a medal can be lost by a 100th of a point or second.

Edmonton Journal again

This paper's strongest kudu goes to the little box on the Stats page, "On TV". BUT in the playoff's what has happened to the Pheonix Suns? Is the Score being scorned, died or is TSN a sponsor. They have missed anumber of games.

Edmonton Journal

Edmonton Journal May 23 2006 p.1 "Edmonton's Playoff Paper"; p.D 1 Ducks @ Oilers 7 p.m.; p. D 2 Game 3 tonight 6 p.m.; At least they got it right at Game Day, on the tube and in the Stats.