Fix the border lineups, stop excessive idling! 25th September, 07

It’s public knowledge that the Canadian Dollar has recently hit parity with the US Dollar. What does this mean? Well, that’s a loaded question but I can tell you one thing is for sure, the border lineups will only get worse. I can tell you first hand that you should expect at least an hour or two wait at the Peace Arch, perhaps more.

Now, the lineups are not new but have existed even before the loonie experienced its recent surge.

Ok, so what’s the problem with the lineups

Besides the obvious — inconveniencing the public — we’ve got hundreds upon thousands of automobiles sitting there, idling in lineups. Sitting there for hours and hours, burning (wasting) copious amounts of fuel. If this doesn’t bother you, then that just shows what this society has gotten to with our acceptable waste. Newsflash! a single car wastes about just over one-tenth of a litre for 5 minutes of idling. Doesn’t sound like much, but if you count how many other vehicles are in that line-up with you (~100 others?) and the fact you’re probably there for at least 40-60 minutes each we’re now talking a minimum of $100 bucks per hour. I wish I made $100 an hour!! And so do you! So let’s get that back down to something we can all afford

The government is well aware of the impact of our idling vehicles has on the government.

If every driver of a light duty vehicle avoided idling by five minutes a day, collectively, we would save 1.8 million litres per day of fuel, almost 4500 tonnes of GHG emissions, and $1.7 million in fuel costs everyday (assuming fuel costs are $0.95/L).
Idling Wastes Fuel and Money

Why don’t they do something about this? Can they do something about this? Of course they can!

Specifically, at the Peach Arch; they could use the natural landscape to create (and increase) the gradual downward slope leading up to customs. This would allow users to shut down their engines and just roll un-powered down the hill toward customs (this is what Malin and I did last time we were in the border lineup). Currently one can do this at the Peach Arch in both directions but unfortunately the slope is only steep enough for a short distance and otherwise you need to keep your car running.

Now, this is a perfect situation for those of you driving Hybrid’s as you can sit there with no engine running, and use electric power to make your way trough the lineup. If only we were all so lucky.

So what is a realistic solution? A horizontal vehicle escalator (ones you see in large airports), landscaping for downhill slopes, mandatory hybrid automobiles, or something else. I know that as fuel prices continue to climb, and traffic continues to worse, there will be a need for a real solution to all this excessive idling!

Want more to read on this? Check out some of the research that has been done.

filed under Environment, Lifestyle, Society, Technology. Comments Off

Employee Unions, who needs them anymore? 25th September, 07

Slave labour, underground coal mines, 3rd world exploitation…  I can see the value in employee unions there.  Where I don’t get it is at places like BC Hydro, Telus, Translink, Vancouver Municipal Workers, Teachers, etc.

Now, this isn’t that I don’t respect any of those places or their employees, it’s just that each of those organizations are respectable, and exist in a society and time where mistakes and disrespect get exposed and the repercussions are very real.

So, why is it we need these unions again?   Over the past few years we have seen a transit strike,  a teachers strike, telus strike, and currently a Vancouver Municipal workers strike.  Strikes have a tendency to drag on (at least lately) which cause significant inconveniences for all: the workers go with significantly less (or no) pay, the customers make compromises with little or no service and the companies suffer in brand image (or worse).

All this hassle, and it’s usually over a few issues such as job security, vacations time and of course money.  Money of course that the company pays out in wages.  Of course, it’s these wages that the union members are loosing all while on strike.

Now, to put this in perspective, I have worked for both BC Hydro and Environment Canada in the past.  Each have their unions, and I can tell you with certainty that the employees in those offices are extremely spoiled.  To the point where they wouldn’t know reality if it hit them.  I’m serious, in the ‘real’ world, if you feel you need a raise you talk to your boss.  If you want more vacation, you negotiate with management.  If you want job security, then do your job well, provide value to the organization and prove your worth and you will get the respect and job security you deserve.  Now, if you do all these things and you still don’t get what you deserve then feel free to go looking for another job elsewhere.  If you truly deserve the rewards, I’m positive you won’t have any trouble finding a better place to work, where you get the respect you rightfully deserve.

One more thing, if you are one of those union members voting for a strike, you might want to consider what it is you are actually voting for.  I had an interesting encounter with a friend of mine recently.  She was mentioning how she had just voted for strike action in her workplace.  Curiously, I asked her why she was in favour of the job action.  Disturbingly; she didn’t have an answer, she didn’t even know what the issues were on the table.  I’m sorry, but if this is the same attitude and understanding as the rest of those union workers I am incredibly disgusted.   You’ve lost what very little sympathy I once had for you.

Perhaps instead of bickering about the percentages, you should drop those union fees and be free, and better off.   And we can all get back to work!!

filed under Business, Politics, Society. Comments Off

Chill out, it’s beer league! 25th September, 07

Ok, so I play in a recreational (aka:beer) hockey league, I have for years. Over the years I have had my share of fun, exercise and unfortunately, injuries from these leagues.Which leagues do I play in, or have played in?

Each of these are respectable leagues, some better than others. I personally liked my spring league at the Great Pacific Forum the most. The team I was on was competitive enough where we actually won the playoffs (and the ‘cup’). However, what was most enjoyable was the league, and how the referees were consistent and cracked down on the cheap shots.

Getting to my point; (as the proverb goes) there is always a few bad apples. In Richmond, unfortunately one of those guys was on our team. So it wasn’t uncommon for our games to get rough. It’s the Richmond League I can thank for why I now play with a full face mask. My first game as one of the ‘Ice’ saw a fight and some nasty work with the stick. Specifically, one of our players ended up with a stick bruise across his back. That’s right, from one corner to the other, he had a bruise in the form of a diagonal line across his back.

Fast forward to UBC; where I joined the Iceholes (and still play with these great guys). Last game of the regular season, we’re winning our game by a goal or two, seconds left and I collide with the *&%@wad on the other team. We both go down, and as I turn to get up he swings his stick to hit me on the back of my thigh. I tell you, I could barely get up after this. Turns out I ended up with a bruise that resembled a full-size football. With a distinct mark where his stick made contact. Definitely not cool. The ref gives him a penalty; big deal. That was it.

Since then I’ve played fairly regularly and again I’m with the Iceholes for this winter at Burnaby 8-rinks. Just last game, there was yet another jerk on the opposing team. All game he was lippy and passing threat s to a couple of our guys. Unfortunately for me I had a run-in with this guy in front of our net where he continued to bark pissy remarks (common in hockey). Big deal, who cares… I just ignore that bullshit. What came next, was his stick, leaving some pretty ugly bruises on the arm and a nice gash on the back of my knee. So the ref gives him a 2 minute penalty for his lame use of the stick. Big deal.

So, what is it with the few that can’t manage to control themselves? It’s inevitable, once you get out on the ice (or any game for that matter) the blood is pumping and the adrenaline has all on edge. Of course, one has to assume some risk when you play sports but gimme a break, it’s beer league!

filed under Society, Sport. Comments Off

Be happy, The Law of the Garbage Truck 24th September, 07

as seen around the internet….

LAW OF THE GARBAGE TRUCK - Let the garbage go by. By David J. Pollay

How often do you let other people’s nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you’re the Terminator, for an instant you’re probably set back on your heels.

However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly she can get back her focus on what’s important.

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here’s what happened.

I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when all of a sudden, and I mean without warning, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded and missed the other car’s back end by just inches.

Here’s what happened next. The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. How do I know? Ask any New Yorker, some words in New York come with a special face.

Now, here’s what blew me away. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, “Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!” And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, “The Law of the Garbage Truck.”

Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you.

When someone wants to dump on you, don’t take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You’ll be happy you did. I guarantee it.

So this was it: The “Law of the Garbage Truck.” I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, “I’m not going to do it anymore.”

Well now “I see Garbage Trucks.” I see the load they’re carrying. I see them coming to drop it off.
And like my Taxi Driver, I don’t make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

One of my favorite Football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best. Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses.

Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day. What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?

Here’s my bet. You’ll be happier. I guarantee it.

filed under Lifestyle, Society. Comments Off

All that is wrong with the (disposable) Auto Industry 22nd September, 07

I’m sick and tired of the North American Auto Industry. Supply and demand seems to mean nothing to General Motors, Ford or Chrysler. Each year is the same old same old, pushing cars off the lot with massive marketing campaigns, huge deals and incredible incentives; rather than having them pulled off the lot.

Short and simple, they work in an industry of slim margins and high capital investment (the R&D to keep efficiencies high) which is a vicious cycle. Which combined with commodity expectations, the domestic auto makers are doomed and just don’t see it.

Don’t buy it? Check out the long term debt for any of those three companies. GM for instance is sitting at a long term debt of $190Billion [and growing]. Each year they invest incredibly in R&D and in highly depreciating and dating capital. The kicker is they operate with a net loss in revenue of billions (just under $2billion this year). So, that $190 billion just keesps growing. How depressing, and these guys just keep digging a deeper hole each year. Brilliant!

Now really, the technology and reliability of our vehicles has been improving over the years. Sure there is the age-old saying “they don’t make them like they used to’; while true, it’s not something you can consistently generalize with quality and reliability. Ultimately, most of us don’t have to give our vehicles anything more than a regular oil change and car wash every 3-6 months. Besides that, vehicles generally run very well, and for a long time.

So why is it then, automakers flood the market with more than enough new (but the same) product each year? Sure, North America is disposing of perfectly good automobiles on a regular basis (thanks to a disposable society), but not nearly at the pace the big automakers can produce them.

Is it really any surprise that Detroit city is in such financial ruins lately? Talk about mismanagement and lack of forsight!

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