Westjet baggage

03.15.12: Interesting details for Westjet travellers


Check the pics for the details.


Certainly seem to favour golfers and those with two carry-on bags.

Water Heater Rental Saga

03.16.12: Case closed ... for now. Revised agreement withdrawn.


03.15.12: Can't get to the Direct Energy website!


There is very little detail on this growing potential problem from Direct Energy.


Here is my interpretation of the current situation.


If you are aware of additional details, pls advise asap!


Hugh Adami (in the Ottawa Citizen) and Ellen Roseman are doing the communication on this topic and Ellen's current article dated March 14th indicates a May 1st deadline.
CTV also has a updated video clearly outlining the problem and actions required. Go to this CTV link and click on "Direct Energy Update". 


The understanding is Direct Energy has sent a letter to all renters (whose contract started before Sept 2010) outlining the revised terms. The letter affects those with rental agreements more than 7-8 years old.


We, and many others, have not received the letter.


For those Ontario folks who plan to continue to rent a hot water tank from Direct Energy, action is required before May 1st (deadline extended), as indicated by Hugh:


"So here’s the company’s catch: It’s up to customers to let Direct Energy know if they want to remain under the old agreement. If customers fail to let Direct Energy know that they want to stay with the old plan, they’ll automatically be switched over to the new agreement on April 2, the day after April Fool’s Day."


I cannot connect to their website but understand the number to call is 1-866-202-1120. However, we have tried calling for the last 2 days and always get a busy signal.
Apparently, you can send an email to rentalterms@directenergy.com indicating you want to stay on the old agreement ... allowing you to cancel a rental agreement at no cost.


We are doing the email right now!


You can also buy out your existing contract (if started before Sept 2010) and continue to use the tank. 
There is a fee for this but it is quite small (Ellen paid $131), compared to the revised agreement coming into effect May 1st for existing renters.
If you fail to arrange for removal before the deadline, it could cost up to $3,000 to have it removed.

What is your sleep position

03.12.12: Recent article in the Toronto Star about sleep patterns and length of sleep required each night.


What position do you use?


" If you worry about waking up in the middle of the night, relax. 
While conventional wisdom tells us that we should get at least eight hours of sleep, a recent report by the BBC suggests that historically our ancestors normally had two sleep sessions: one early evening, a break, and then a second later at night. 


Researchers believe modern sleeping problems may have roots in the human body's natural preference for segmented sleep as well as the ubiquity of artificial light."

bicycling - a part of your life

02.19.12: Life is short. Let's try not to make it shorter.


An excellent video on bicycling augmenting a healthier lifestyle.


Makes me want to get out there right now.


For those of you without a bike, you should buy one - will last the rest of your life.


For those of you with an unused bike gathering dust, get it ready for spring and start with small rides.
Or you can buy an inexpensive indoor trainer and practice before spring arrives! 


I have found it to be the least painful method of lowering hypertension. 
Not quite as good as jogging, for stomach weight reduction.


And make sure the saddle fits!

the thinking man's approach

12.02.15: 


This is a real classic soccer game! Thx Barry.


 Probably one of the best I have seen in a long time. 
You will probably remember a lot of the players.


Be patient. It does take a while...


THE thinking man's soccer game

Parking at Pearson

02.10.12: It is always a task to find cheap parking ar Pearson for the week or month.

We have taken cabs but the cost has been around $160-180 total.


Parking can be reasonable near the airport, if you look for it.


Right now, Skypark Self Park is offering seven days for $56.22 total (14-30 days for $89.95 total).


Park 'n Fly Toronto Economy is offering a seven day rate of $72.05 total (14-30 day rate is $96.09 total).


A third provider is Skyway Park Self Park and their seven day rate is $55.00 total (14-30 day is $100.00 total).


All three are within 7 minutes (via shuttle) of Pearson. Use directions (above).


Skypark Self Park - 50 Fasken Drive, Toronto, 800.969.8032 


Park 'n Fly Toronto Economy - 626 Dixon Road, Toronto, 905.677.9143


Skyway Park Self Park - 60 Skyway Ave, Etobicoke, 800.474.3820

CPP Changes

02.10.12: Harper's group is now making changes to the CPP program.


Surprisingly, it may be for the better.


It certainly will provide him more $s to use for G8/G20 projects, more prisons and funding more activities to encourage China buy our climate-impacting shale oil... 


Looks like it might be best to wait till 70, if you haven't already started to collect.


When we elected to start CPP at age 60, it would take living until 78 to be more beneficial to wait till 65 to begin.


The new plan will mean a reduction of 36% (instead of 30%) if you start at 60.


If you wait until 70 years of age to start, you will receive an increase of 42% (instead of 30%).


There is no impact to those already on CPP.


If you are healthy and have good genes (or really need/want to work longer), it looks quite beneficial to wait until 70.


Many more details in the Star article.

Super Bowl 2012 ads

02.09.12: 


For those who missed the ads during the super bowl on Sunday.


Here they are!

Mark Cullen - weekly Toronto Star section

02.02.12: If you weren't aware, Mark is one of the good local guys.


He has a weekly gardening section in the Toronto Star. 
On this site, you can ask Mark any gardening questions you might have.


He also has a time slot on 680 Toronto radio and Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver are starting up.


He also has a push website you can sign up for.  

Facebook IPO

02.02.12: It appears Facebook had to file with the government, as they have more than 500 investors. This probably precipitated the IPO.


One of the risks of the Facebook approach is over half its users are mobile and there is no mobile advertising. IMO, as long as most users continue to use their PCs, Facebook should prosper.


BBC News Feb 2, 2012:

Facebook is poised to sell shares in itself, the first social network to do so.

Facebook said it would seek to raise $5bn in the stock market flotation, valuing the company at between $75bn and $100bn.

The company's has now revealed many of the facts behind all the pokes, likes and friends for the first time.

What have we learned from the paperwork Facebook has filed with the US authorities?

THE BIG PICTURE

• Facebook is an advertising company. Of its total revenues of $3.7bn in 2011, 85% came from advertising. And that is down from 98% and 95% in the previous two years.
• The company makes $1bn in pure profit.
• Facebook has a total of 845 million monthly users and 483 million daily users.
• Of its monthly users, half have used Facebook on their mobile. (But there are no ads on its mobile site, so it makes no money from them.)
• The majority of its money comes from the US, but the majority of the users are outside the country.
• And the majority of its non-US revenues comes from western Europe, Canada, and Australia.
• The company generates 2.7 billion "likes" and 250 million uploaded photos everyday.
• Zynga, the games maker behind FarmVille, single-handedly accounts for 12% of its revenues.
• The company has 3,200 employees.
• Lady Gaga may have the most popular page on Facebook - with 47 million "likes".
• Facebook's ticker on the stock exchange will be "FB".

MONEY MEN AND WOMEN

• Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and chief executive, has 28% of the company - 533.8 million shares - which are worth $28bn based on an overall valuation of $100bn. He is 27 years old.
• But Mr Zuckerberg is the controlling shareholder because of proxy voting rights. All in, he controls 57% of the shares.
• Mr Zuckerberg's base salary last year was $483,333 and, with bonus, he was paid $1.49m.
• From 1 January 2013, Mr Zuckerberg's annual salary will go down to $1.

RISKS

• Mr Zuckerberg was memorably portrayed in the Oscar-winning movie, The Social Network. The Winklevoss twins, Tyler and Cameron, are not named in the filing after settling their legal battles with Facebook. Neither is Eduardo Saverin, his former friend and classmate.
• Napster founder and early investor Sean Parker is mentioned - but his shareholding is not declared.
• Sheryl Sandberg, the chief operating officer, owns 0.1% of the company. She is the best compensated director at Facebook. With her salary and stock awards, she made $30.87m last year. But with her stock options and depending on the share price, she will still become one of the world's richest women. She has 38.1 million shares that have not yet vested that will do so from October.
• David Choe, a graffiti artist, decorated Facebook's first offices and took stock instead of cash as compensation. The New York Times reports the stake could now be worth about $200m.
• The singer Bono is also rubbing his hands. Elevation Partners, an investment firm he co-founded, spent $210m buying Facebook shares in 2009 and 2010, which could now be worth $800m.
• Mr Zuckerberg's friend and co-founder, Dustin Moskovitz, has almost 8%, or 133.8 million shares.
• The company has listed other social networks as possible threats - including Google's relatively-new Google+ and its older Orkut service, South Korea's Cyworld, Japan's Mixi and vKontakte in Russia.
• Facebook has no legal presence in China - but there are already established social networks such as Tencent and Renren that locals can use.
• Besides China, Facebook is currently restricted in Iran, North Korea and Syria.
• The company also cited the "uncertainty" over evolving legal protections across the world on consumer privacy. It cited a revision to the European Union's privacy laws, specifically.
• Facebook said that potential advertisers could decide not to advertise with them and instead just use a Facebook page.
• Fame is fleeting on the internet. "A number of other social networking companies that achieved early popularity have since seen their active user bases or levels of engagement decline, in some cases precipitously," Facebook said. "There is no guarantee that we will not experience a similar erosion of our active user base or engagement levels.

02.01.12: Is it the next Google?


Remember Google when it IPO'd? It started at $85/share...


Will Facebook do better? 


In my opinion, it is a good investment, if you can buy shares the first day.


Facebook generated revenues of $3.7B in 2011 and $1B in profits.
They are expecting to raise $5B with the IPO.
Analysts had predicted a $10B round of funding from the IPO...


How to buy into an IPO - it isn't easy as the first investors allowed in on an IPO are company executives, venture capitalists, and the banks involved in underwriting the deal.
In the past, it has been risky being first in. Out of a dozen internet/social media IPO's that came public in 2011, the average decline was 12% from the IPO price, and a 34% drop from where the shares closed the first day's trading.
However, I suspect Facebook may be different. Lets see what happens.




If it raised $10B in the IPO, it would:


1. be the 6th largest USA IPO ever.
2. be the 15th largest IPO in history.
3. have an IPO more than 6 times Google's IPO.
4. have a per-share valuation of $100+. Apple started at $22/share. Google started at $85/share...surging to $100+ by the end of the first day for a mkt cap of $27B. Will Facebook do better?
5. have a mkt cap larger than Disney or GM. Google is now $187B, Microsoft is $248B and Apple is $422B.


It officially announced the IPO late today. 


If we were to be treated to a good IPO (don't think it has ever happened), we would know who was able to by at the IPO price.
I would be surprised if the average buyer will be able to purchase at less than 200% of the IPO price.


Let's see what happens ...  

Don't Dare Disagree with Harper and his gang

01.25.12: In the Toronto Star today.


The organization in question is ForestEthics and it operates in Canada and the USA and is funded in part by Tides Canada. 
ForestEthics is a charitable group that funds initiatives to tackle poverty, climate change and social problems.


"The prime minister's office allegedly labelled an environmental group an 'enemy' of Canada for opposing a proposed west coast oil pipeline and threatened retribution if its funding was not cut off, according to the affidavit of a former employee."
The article further states the government officials gave Ross McMillan (president of Tides Canada) a set time period to 'cut loose' ForestEthics or the government would 'take down' all Tides' charitable projects.


Harper is not finished yet.


In another article about the CRTC today, chair Konrad Von Finckenstein left today. He clashed with the federal government on a few issues. Hopefully, his replacement, Leonard Katz, has time to do some good before he is dismissed without explanation.  


Have i missed something in the last few years? Have Canadian citizens asked Harper and his team to represent us in this manner? 


Have we given him licence to dismiss (without explanation) any person or group (having a responsibility to the federal government) who he disagrees with?


At least Harper is consistent about his distaste for the environmental safety of Canada.


His original premise to always support shale oil development - regardless of environmental impact - means he must continue to discredit environmental groups whenever they might impact his oil development.


I think it is about time he began to think of his legacy...

Mountain Gorillas

01.24.12: Time to see the mountain gorillas


I have been following Dr Al Sears for quite a while (weekly e-letter), as he shares some good/interesting ideas on health.


Last month, he went to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and put this video on Youtube.


Now, I am even more interested in this excellent adventure.


Did you know there are only approx 800 mountain gorillas remaining (none in captivity).


Probably none within 50 years...

SOPS and PIPA - freedom of the Web is being challenged ... again

01.26.12: What are SOPA and PIPA?


Simply put, is is a law to enable copyright and Intellectual Property owners to prosecute violators anywhere in the world. In this simple approach, there is nothing wrong.
However, it attempt to give USA companies a broad range of controls over the whole Internet ... something that really bothers almost all technology companies around the world.




A graphical representation - easier to grasp -

01.19.12: SOPA and PIPA


You haven't heard these terms yet ... but you will ... 


What would SOPA and PIPA do? (Reuters, Jan 18,2012)


 - The legislation, known as SOPA in the U.S. House of Representatives and PIPA in the Senate, would use court orders to curb access to foreign websites "dedicated to theft" through techniques such as disabling links to those sites.


 - They also cut off USA-based payments processing for those overseas websites that traffic in stolen content or counterfeit goods.


Why do copyright holders say the law is needed?


 - Entertainment companies and other copyright holders say many legal copyright remedies aren't effective against big foreign sites such as PirateBay. They say the bills will help curb online piracy that they claim costs them billions of dollars a year. 
Technology companies say they too oppose such piracy but argue that the proposed laws go too far.


What is the current status of the bills?


 - The White House weighed in on January 14 with objections to the legislation, particularly a provision that would have required Internet service providers such as a Verizon Communications and Comcast Corp to cut off access to infringing sites through a technology known as DNS blocking.
In the days before the White House statement, backers of both bills had said they planned to move away from those provisions. The Senate bill is scheduled for a vote on January 24, although some supporters of the bill have asked to postpone that vote. The House bill is still before the Judiciary Committee.


Why do technology companies oppose the bills?


 - Technology companies say the legislation would undermine an existing law called the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and its "safe harbor" provisions for websites and others that act in good faith in their handling of third-party content on their sites. Content companies say the bills simply fill gaps in the DMCA and wouldn't affect the safe harbor provisions.


 - Technology companies express concerns that the legislation would encourage frivolous litigation. Content companies believe the difficulty of squeezing large payments out of illegal overseas sites would discourage frivolous litigation.


 - Technology companies say users would circumvent new restrictions and piracy would still occur. Content companies say the law would create important tools for fighting piracy.


 - Technology companies worry they would have to police their services for links to overseas pirated content. Content companies say the technology companies would have to act only if notified.


 - Technology companies say part of the House legislation encourages providers to act against foreign sites on their own initiative by providing immunity from liability, which could lead to overaggressive actions against foreign sites. Content companies say that sites that act against pirates in good faith and with evidence to back up their actions shouldn't have to worry about lawsuits.


 - Technology companies say there is no due process for overseas sites that are accused of piracy. Content companies say normal due process applies.





The battle continues ...

Boys and their toys - as it applies to golf

01.15.12: The new hotrod


I think I could get used to Florida year-round ... maybe ...


Us older folks can appreciate a better way to get around our community than hopping in the car and driving thru traffic.


This seems to be an appropriate method of transportation for the golfing future.


It is quite surprising ... over 50,000 vehicles (especially good for those who would have trouble acquiring a driver's licence) in a community of 16,000 golfers.

Coconut Oil - misconception?

01.12.12: Unrefined coconut oil is very good for you!
This CBN News items clearly destroys my understanding of coconut oil.


Apparently, there is growing evidence to show unrefined organic coconut oil (no trans fats) has many benefits to our health and should be included in our eating habits. 


The question is how much? 


It appears to be gaining support in the fight against dementia, schizophrenia, alzheimer's, atherosclerosis, etc.
The area I am interested in is improvements to HDL levels (heart health).


Harvard Medical School is still uncertain about overall cholesterol benefits of daily use.


From what I have read to-date:


Coconut oil is very high in saturated fats (much higher than butter, beef fat or lard). 


The problem with saturated fat is it raises LDL levels ... high HDL is good, low LDL is good ... probably contributing to cardiovascular disease.


However, not all saturated fats are bad for you.


Unrefined coconut oil's saturated fat has the highest amount of lauric acid (excellent job of raising HDL levels) of any oil. 


But, does that justify its daily use to lower cholesterol levels?


Until more results are in, it appears best to stick to olive and soybean oils (unsaturated fats ... lower LDL and raise HDL) for good health.


However, I may just begin including some virgin coconut oil (2-4 tbsp)  in my diet ... but will continue to not order Thai dishes with coconut oil.

why is gas cheaper in Alberta?

07.11.11: We just returned from the stampede yesterday and I couldn't help but wonder why gas was approx 18% cheaper in Calgary (same for other Alta cities).
The current price is approx $1.07 ... confirmed with my iPhone GasBuddy app just now.


Did a quick google search - to no avail.


Anyone know if it is just provincial taxes or what other variables are involved?


p.s. Hard to talk about global warming - or reducing dependency on fossil fuels - with Albertans ...

Texting

05.17.11: In the Toronto Star today.


This really is quite surprising. I have found children don't have a lot to say around adults. Must be exhausted from texting all day and night.


I find it hard to believe a 60% increase in 2010 over 2009. There were 56 billion texts ... 154 million texts a day ... 107,000 a minute ... every minute!


I wonder if it will continue to increase, now that the rate has gone up 33%.

Electricity rates - Time of Use - summer

05.14.11:  If you aren't aware of the summer Ontario electricity rate.


I think this rate is the same as the standard rate used to be before Time-of-Use.


(left-click to enlarge)

It's all about Harper

04.14.11: In the Globe & Mail yesterday


I said I wouldn't use this in my blog ... but I can't resist due to the enormous amount of response so far.


As you already know, I am not a Harper supporter.


It's not that I am a Liberal or not a Conservative (whatever Harper conservatism is), I am not a Harper fan and want him replaced as soon as practical.


If you happen to read the comments after watching this video, I wonder if you are surprised to see the anger in the under-40 population (the new 40s is the old 30s).


I also wonder if you know what a "hipster" is.


I also wonder how anti-politics we (probably mainly under-40s) have become - very low voter turnout at last election.


I also wonder how Harper maintains his popularity, with the negative things he has done in the last couple of years.


I also wonder how Canadians aren't deeply concerned about the perception other countries have of us (exclusion from UN council, non-recognition of climate change, withdrawal of African aid, aggressive position in Iraq and Afghanistan, etc).


The older I get, the more I wonder ...

RIM in trouble?

04.15.11: In case you hadn't seen the video.


04.14.11: In the Toronto Star April 14th





RIM has not been doing well lately. Losing ground to Apple and other smartphones and unable to resolve the server access concern of India.
I was considering investing in RIM a couple of weeks ago (buy low, sell at 20% gain) but will wait a while longer as the bottom hasn't happened yet - in my opinion.
The stock is at $51.38 as of 10:44 today (down $1.41 this am) and continuing to move closer to it 53 week low of $44.94).


As a true Canadian success story, I am hoping RIM comes out with another barn-burner product, as the Blackberry (in present form) is in denouement now.


Lazaridis' reaction to questions on BBC last night about middle east server access hasn't helped the company. And what about the UAE non-disclosure??


I am amazed at how a chairman/CEO (never have one person hold both jobs), who will probably make many millions this non-profit year, can represent a company in this manner!


Probably best to wait a while to invest in RIM ...

Water Timer

04.13.11: Have you resisted buying a water timer to water your lawn or gardens because of the price?
I have not seen one for less than $49 at most stores.
Last year, in my endless searching for bargoons, I came across this one at Walmart. 
It works very well. I set it for up to 2 hours and forget it.


As some of you are aware, I installed an inground  sprinkler system myself, a couple of years ago, for approx $200. 
It works very well but doesn't cover the area between us and the house on the north side. I may do it this year.

I have bought it twice now (reason for 2nd one later in this post).
I buy it because it is cheap and works. 
As you might expect, it is only sold at Walmart.


The reason I just bought a 2nd one is I left it out over the winter and the water froze and broke it.
At $6.98, I am not too disappointed ... but will bring it indoors next winter.

Airlines - how do they get away with it?

04.08.11: In the Toronto Star April 7th.

It really is annoying how they get away with it. But, we only have ourselves to blame.

Where else, other than telephone rates and hydro and water ...  


 Maybe a little more regulation is necessary.


Well, Quebec is taking steps to try to correct this 'false' advertising. 
Good for them and we should all get behind them and support this initiative!


Might make a good federal election campaign item, rather than promising more deficit spending.

Tar Sands should be an election issue

04.16.11: In the Toronto Star today by Michael Lewis. Michael seems to understand.


I haven't seen much on this since the campaigning started. Maybe someone can explain it to me...


The articles I have seen indicate I am on a different planet! Other than this article, no one is focusing on the tar sands since the debate.
Maybe it is time to capitulate, as our time appears to be wasted thinking we can change the election outcome (replacing Harper).


Harper is the man. 
The average Canadian deserves him ... and Peter Kent's 'ethical' crude. 


Is it time to consider other things ... golf comes to mind? 

04.04.11: In the New York Times Sunday - NO to new tar sands pipeline. 
The council of Canadians also reported the article with more details.


Food & Water Watch (USA based environmentalist group) also speaks out about the real problems it will bring. 


I must be missing something that most people are aware of. 


Canada's tar sands are tremendously important to Canadians ... right? 
We are sitting on a gold mine and have a lot of wealthy people keen and eager to develop the oil for export. They understand how beneficial this business is to Canadians.
Without it, we would not survive in this global economy ... correct?


Or is it the case of Harper satisfying a lot of people who will reward him after he leaves politics (did someone say he was leaving??).


Greenpeace is very good at identifying negative impact of tar sands development:
1. open pit mines scorching the earth
2. the process uses more water than a city of 2 million people
3. 36 million tonnes of CO2 a day
4. toxic lakes leak more than 11 million litres a day
5. The EPA estimates 82% more GGEs than conventional crude production


More videos explaining the devastating impact: 
These two are very informative:
1. What are the tar sands?
2. What is the impact of the tar sands on the climate (Dr Andrew Weaver)? 


The Council of Canadians is also speaking out on this subject. Apparently, Harper is going ahead with another contempt of parliament initiative.   


It really amazes me there isn't a powerful group involved with deterring this environment irreparable destruction. Perhaps Greenpeace needs more significant (benevolent) support ...


I can understand the USA need for their pipeline from northern Alberta and their total disregard for our environmental impact...dramatically reduces their dependency on middle east oil.


While it may prove beneficial that americans become concerned about pipeline leaks, in my opinion it will not deter them. Even serious environmental impact won't deter them.


As with any large country running out of resources, the USA will exploit whoever they can to ensure their continued drain on natural resources, before understanding the importance of the word "renewable".


It sure would be helpful, in a federal election, if there was real benefit in promoting preservation of our environment for future generations!


If none of our three major parties use this as a major platform in this election, again I will be disappointed in our political system!

Libya positioning is very interesting

03.20.11: Interesting to see this unfold. Obama was going to take a supporting role in this initiative but, as you would expect (having seen the "Why We Fight" documentary), they are controlling the initial enabling of the no fly zone ... and are expected to back off and allow Britain and France to take charge. We will see.


In looking more closely at Germany's decision, it appear to be a result of some state elections in the near future and the understanding the electorate would not like their leaders to engage in a potential war and play a more humanitarian role instead.


Again, I wonder how many Canadians are interested in Canada being on the offensive in Libya rather than a humanitarian role. Can we really play with the big boys or should we maintain the international role we had for so many years? Why are Canadians not speaking up? Maybe the military has a stronger say than I thought here in Canada...  

03.18.11: It never ceases to amaze me how countries use problems to attempt to create opportunities.

Libya has a problem with a exposed dictator ... and England and France are taking advantage of the situation ... and exposing Germany's decision.


Germany has "sided" with India and China and Russia.
Is this futuristic thinking or is it a mistake? Has Germany given up on the EU?


Meanwhile Harper is attempting to make use of our F-18s ... when not required and incurring substantial taxpayer expense. 
Is he still trying to support the ridiculous and exorbitant purchase of new fighters?


Isn't it amazing how a problem becomes an opportunity?


Here is a quote from The Telegraph:


...and Germany's unprecedented decision to break ranks with France and Britain, Europe's two diplomatic heavyweights, by abstaining with Brazil, Russia, India and China against action has raised new questions over the future of the EU's foreign policy.