For the past two weeks we've managed to pretty well stick to one topic per column, dear diary. So, you know what that means? Yep, you get a multi-topic column that might provoke a little thought.
According to information gleaned by Carol in our office, the Alberta oilsands emit 40 million tons of greenhouse gas per year. One 15 minute space shuttle launch emits 28,000 tons of those gases.
Are the high profile environmentalists hollering for closure of all the space launch sites and programs?
A sure sign that a woman is getting older?
She will claim preference for lavender or lilac fragrance over all others. Come to think of it, I can't recall what fragrance the bride prefers these days. I must be careful.
As far as lavender, the colour is concerned, I place it in the "meh" category. Take it or leave it. It evokes no emotion. The very fact that I've just spent three sentences discussing fragrances and colours, worries me a great deal.
It's now simply Eldrick Woods. Yes, Tiger won another tournament and everyone spent hours on end analyzing his game and mental state, but he is no longer the stalking, fearful king of the golf bunkers. He became mortal in those three years he pretty well took off. He's just Eldrick now, another great golfer, not immortal, just great ... just like Boo and Rickie. Just like Matthew, Mark, Luke and John ... geez, am I talking about golfers or disciples here?
His huge galleries are seeking what he once was, not what he is. Tiger was once the Secretariat and Northern Dancer of the golf set. Now he's Alydar ... still a wonderful talent and assured a central spot in the golf Hall of Fame. At this point, I really don't care if Eldrick surpasses Jack Nicklaus in the number of major tournaments won.
Of course as soon as I say that, I'm sure he'll win the upcoming U.S. Open and that will shut me up for another two years. After all, there are more important things on this planet to discuss.
So let's get to them.
Or how about one that's not so important ... like the recent survey taken by Leeds University regarding vehicle drivers over the age of 60. They compared them with drivers in the 18- to 40-year-old age group and guess what they found out?
Sorry, no surprises. Older drivers tended to drive closer to the middle on winding roads, except when driving fast and they only cut corners when forced to at the faster speeds whereas the 18 to 40 year old group of drivers took much greater risks while driving on winding roads at all speeds.
Well, there's one study you can place in the "well duh" books.
So you think you want nuclear to power your world?
Then let's look at New Brunswick Power and their Lepreau generating station.
It's been out of service since March 2008 for refurbishment. When that is done, the plant's life will be extended by 25 years. Let's see, it's down for five years, so it can be extended for 25! It's three years behind schedule and $1 billion over budget at $1.4 billion ... so far. The experts state it will be back up sometime between September and November this year. There was a 300 litre spill of heavy water from this plant this past spring and 12 litres last December. No risk to workers, though, so they say.
And if you still have doubts, ask Ontario Hydro customers how successful their transition from coal to nuclear/solar/wind has been?
OK, enough topics for tired eyes for one week.
I may be contacted at [email protected] or I do have one of those old fashioned telephones in my office, you know those things with wires coming out of them. Really retro but still functional.
