The Long Road

We finally got to see Al Gore’s compelling plea for the world to address the climate crisis. And I must say, this is one we all should take the time to check out. It’s hard to argue with what this man is saying - though there are plenty who try. The bottom line for me is simple. We can all do more to reduce our CO2 emissions. Period.

No matter what you believe about how bad or perhaps overblown the climate crisis is, you can’t deny that almost everything that humans do these days adds to greenhouse gas emissions. And that can’t be a good thing. I think it’s actually quite a bad thing. Mich and I are happy that we are a one car family, but there sure is a lot more that we can do as a couple to shrink our environmental footprint. Sorry to say it, but I’ll bet you can too. That’s why I’m gonna do two things with this issue for the moment. First I’m going to ask you to watch the trailer for the film (below) then go to the link at the bottom of the post and take the test. Answer honestly! Second I’m going to start a series of posts to highlight some of the simple hints suggested by Gore’s website; things we can all do to help. Some are small. Some aren’t. All are necessary.

Gore does a far more compelling job of presenting this issue than I ever could here, so I’m not really going to try. But I hope you guys out there will take the time to read this stuff… and see the DVD.

Now, take the test by clicking here!

Buy An Inconvenient Truth here.

Well, we did some yard work yesterday and I took the opportunity to put up the Christmas lights. Now, remembering the Egg Nog Issue, I was going to post a poll about when it’s cool to turn ‘em on. But, overnight this happened…

So I’m throwing caution to the wind and lighting them up! Woo Hoo! Winter is here, and dare I say, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

MP3 - Radiohead - Winter Wonderland
(courtesy of a reminder)

Salmonella in Chocolate
Botulism in Carrot Juice and Crab Cakes
Boil Water Advisory in Vancouver
E. Coli in Spinach

You can never be too careful! That’s why here at The Long Road we are ALWAYS fat free, no cholesterol, preservative free, no MSG, free range, free run, organic, high in fibre, low in sodium (come on, you need some salt!), hypoallergenic, phosphate free, sweetened with honey or fruit juice, but never artificial sweeteners, unscented, locally owned and operated, fairly traded, green, and low in emissions. Plus now you get 33% more for the regular price and we use less packaging. Who loves ya?

Well, nobody said anything nasty about the last photograph of mine that I posted. In fact, Susan C. said some nice things! Thanks Sue, I always did like you! Nice to know you are reading the blog too. Here is a shot I took in the summer on one of the last Photo Geek outings.

Just got back from a weekend in Vancouver for our new niece’s traditional red egg dinner. Ella was well behaved and as cute as a button for the event at the always tasty Sun Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant on Main St. We had a lot of great food and did lots of visiting. I got to catch up with lots of people that I haven’t seen in years or even decades. Very cool way to invite our neice into the world. (oh, you can add Lobster to the above menu too! slurp!)

I while ago I mentioned the Photo Geeks, a loose little group of fellows who like to take pics and from whom I learned a lot about photography. At the time of that post I planned to post more pictures that were taken on our outings or inspired by the group. Haven’t really done much of that though. Hmmm. In this digital day and age we seem to be forgetting our pics that are film based. Anyway, I just got a scanner and have it up and going now. Mich and I have been enjoying looking through old shots that we feel are worth scanning into the digital realm so we can share them with you. Above is the first. He was a pleasant old pilgram we encountered in front of the Jokhang in the heart of Lhasa, Tibet. He happily posed for me and a gave him a bit of cash toward his pilgramage for his trouble. Anyway, by putting these pics out there and trying to pass them off as art, I guess I’m opening up to the critical eye too. So yes, please, I invite your comments!

(not far from Wedgemount Lake pictured in TLR’s banner above)

Crossing the Water

Mich and I enjoyed our first winter backcountry trip together last weekend. The Cerise Creek trail is found in the coast mountains, just south of Duffy Lake. It was awesome, though hard (especially on me and my old body!) because there wasn’t enough snow to ski all the way in. So a two hour skin in turned into a five and a half hour epic walk (we did ski a lot of the way). The last hour or so under a dark sky had me looking for a nice, fluffy snowbank to curl up into for the night. Happily we did eventually get to the cabin! Snow overnight meant it was nicer coming out, though it still took us about four hours. It was great to meet some new people who like to do stuff that we do, and get to know some others much better. So thanks Christian and Crystal for organizing it! Thanks to Tom for the great pics!

The Group

Meghan Ponders Her Line

The voting has been fast and furious! OK, thirteen people voted, but the results are in!

When is it okay to start buying eggnog?

Not Before December (8) 62%
Anytime AFTER Halloween (2) 15%
It’s ALWAYS Cool to Have Eggnog! (3) 23%

The people have spoken! CLEARLY it is a major faux pas to indulge in the nog pre-December. I knew it!! So I have decreed a total nog ban in our household until Dec 1. All parties involved are in complete agreement and compliance. Of course Kathleen has thrown a monkey wrench into the works by buying us a pack of Egg Nog Chai mix. However, I’ve taken a look at the legalese of my decree and will take advantage of the “Inspired by Egg Nog but isn’t actually Egg Nog Clause”. Take that Kath!

Well, this is the first clip I found of the perfomance last Sat. night. The backs of our heads are in this (front and center - don’t ask me which!). One of my all-time favorite Hip songs.

**UPDATED Monday Nov 6**

Well, it’s about here! We’re off to Vancouver tomorrow to see The Hip in a small venue! Very exciting…
**Update**
Well, we’re back. Cross another thing off the Lifetime “To Do” list. The show was quite awesome. Mich and I danced the night away, about 15 or 20 feet directly in front of Gord and the boys. They impressed with their music@work! They were tight and their song choices varied. Lots from the new album (songs we like a lot already), and some old gems that they haven’t been playing for years. Try “Boots or Hearts” on for size. Or maybe “38 Years Old”. Not bad eh? I was “Scared” they wouldn’t play it, but they did! The Commodore didn’t disappoint as a venue either. What a great place to see a show. Anyway, I’m sure I’ll find some clips on YouTube of the show soon. I’ll link to one or two. Until then, here is the setlist…
1: Family Band
2: Courage
3: In View
4: Lake Fever
5: The Drop-Off
6: Bobcaygeon
7: Last Night I Dreamed You Didn’t Love Me
8: Fully Completely
9: Pretend
10: Boots Or Hearts
11: Luv (Sic)
12: My Music At Work
13: Thirty-Eight Years Old
14: The Kids Don’t Get It
15: Nautical Disaster
16: Scared
17: Yer Not The Ocean
18: Locked In The Trunk Of A Car
19: The Lonely End Of The Rink

20: Tiger The Lion
21: World Container
22: On The Verge