We Need Snow on the North Shore Mountains

Yikes. GB and I went up to Cypress today, even though we knew the only lift open was the Easy Rider chair which services the bunny hill (Runway).

I was really surprised to see how little snow there is on the mountain. Thanks to last week’s pineapple express, there’s no base left what-so-ever, even though the web site says they have 61 cm at mid-mountain. You can see from this picture at the top of the Easy Rider lift that the terrain above is pretty much rocks.

When you drive up you can see most of the way up the mountain, and there’s very little snow up there - the runs are all showing gravel or grass through the light dusting of snow. I actually think there was more snow in mid-October than there is today.

I gather they’re hauling snow up from the parking lots to keep the bunny hill open, which means it’s festooned with bits of rock and gravel. So if you’re going up, better buy some P-Tex. Better yet, leave your good board at home.

It sure brings home the vagaries of local weather. Last year, most of the mountain was open by mid-November.

I’m disappointed to hear the forecast calls for clearing tomorrow. Damn. We just need a couple of days of snowfall like we had a couple of weeks ago and we should be good to go.

I’m doing a snow dance tonite.

Naked.

The Mac Messes Up Too

I’m about a year and a half into my Mac conversion (My name is Robert, and I’m a Windows User).

I’m crazy about my MacBook Pro, but I have to be honest, in terms of hardware and software issues, its probably been more trouble than any of my previous laptops.

First there was the battery recall. Then my “magsafe” plug burned up. I’ve also gone through 2 keyboards (not on the MacBook itself, but regular full sized and NEW Mac keyboards). And the click button on my MacBook is sticky and has been for ages now. By comparison, my old Sony Viao only suffered a battery recall, is 6 years old and still running great.

It’s true the Mac doesn’t suffer the blue screen of death. It has a much prettier version, where a multi-language notice comes up all transparent like and tells you the machine is shutting down. A crash that’s so graceful and pretty is, well, so un-crash-like.

Since updating to Leopard I’ve had a myriad of software issues. I also find that I have to institute Mac’s version of CTL-ALT-DEL pretty often, except Mac calls is ‘force quit’ and it’s, well, every so graceful as well.

For you PC users - does any of this sound familiar ?

I’m just saying.

But here’s the thing. I’ve never had warranty service as outstanding as Apple Care. When I was going to switch to Mac, my pal Loc said whatever I did, make sure to buy Apple Care.

I did, and I’ve not regretted the expense.

Why ?

Because when I call to get something fixed, they fix/replace it right away, no questions asked. And they do things fast. When I called about my burned-up magsafe plug, I received a replacement via courier THE NEXT DAY.

I’m sure there are loads of Macs that never suffer any issues. However, don’t buy the hype because I don’t think my experience is all that unusual.

The thing that’s saved the entire switch for me - Apple Care.

Former Prime Minister Assualted

Do you remember this man ? Obviously someone in Montreal does.

We’re just finding out now about an incident in downtown Montreal that saw former Prime Minister Joe Clark get punched in the face

“A fellow called my name and said: ‘Are you Joe Clark, the former prime minister?’ ” Clark said in an interview yesterday.

“My initial response was to say ‘Hi,’ and off I went. He then came along beside me and repeated it. And I said, ‘Yes.’ And he then hit me once on the face. He then swiveled and was away quickly.” Clark said he was shocked but not severely injured. Full story in the Montreal Gazette

This happened the 3rd week in November - and Clark didn’t actually report it to police until two days later.

Stick Your Mittens Somewhere Warm Tonight

Its snappy across Canada tonight.

Break out the shortie long johns in St. John’s Newfoundland, they’re burning up the joint with an overnight low of minus 3 C.

Good old Winnipeg holds the honour for tonight’s low. As Jay puts it, cold enough to freeze your goolies.

Yet Another Reason Why People Live in Vancouver

Oh yeah, “but it’s a dry cold”.

Entrance to the Sun

Entrance to Waterfront Park in North Vancouver

Terrible News from Scotland

I’m a Scot by marriage only, but this is devastating news

More than 10,000 bottles of single malt Scotch Whisky have been stolen in a raid, police have revealed.

The bottles of Bowmore Islay Single Malt, with a retail value of almost £300,000, were taken from a haulier in Hertfordshire on Tuesday.

The haul included various aged bottles of Bowmore, from 12 years old to 25 years old.

full story at BBC online

EB and I spent our honeymoon driving around Northern Scotland in a much-too-small rental car, and we did visit the occasional distillery.

You’d never drink the stuff if you had a wiff of the residue, but there’s something about a single malt that’ll make a Scot out of just about anyone.

A lump of coal for Christmas for the mastermind behind this cruel assault on Scottish sensibility (and good taste).

I think we should all visit the Bowmore web site and pay our respect.

Hang on, I see you can even order on line or rent one of their cottages.  Rent a cottage at a Scotch distillery ?  Hmmmm, I might be busy for a bit…

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