Of course, today’s big news has to do with groundhogs.
Alberta’s Balzac Billy says we’re in for an early spring. That’s not what the other groundhogs are saying, but we can always keep our fingers crossed. I mean, six more weeks of winter and we’d be at the beginning of spring, and I just can’t handle that.
Wait…
Seriously though, I have an affection for Groundhog Day (and not just because of the great movie) because it’s totally silly and it somehow remains a big deal. There’s something kind of cool about that.
Enough about hole-digging marmots… (One update, as you can see here, is that Wildwood Wally also predicts an early spring. Though he’s not a real groundhog. Umm… people need to chill out about Groundhog Day.)
So many people. It's a good thing the escalator on the other side of the LRT station has been broken since last year
How about the federal environment minister saying that the oilsands threaten Canada’s international image? That’s an interesting bit of news.
Tory insiders face off over arena
New owner plans to save facade (This being the Kelly-Ramsey block.)
Keep focus of new John Janzen Nature Centre on programs, staff
Queries on Alberta savings bonds remain (I’m sticking with burying my money in the backyard.)
Suncor plans measure expansion as earnings rise
Polish literature at U of A owes existence to a gentle visionary with a giant heart
Disabled Albertans fear budget cuts
Success story has sad ending for man who’d beat the streets
Wildcat star shines under Florida sun
Edmonton politician Bill Yurko dies (The repeal of Louis Riel’s conviction happened in ’92.)
Officer docked $4,800 after DUI conviction (Even though we don’t call it “driving under the influence” in Canada.)
St. Albert residents fight to stop Habitat for Humanity build
Animals rights groups launch lawsuit against the city (Won’t someone think of the elephant!)
25th International Week going where no week has gone before (It’s International Week at the U of A, bitches.)
I-Week keynote stresses immediacy for actions
Cold Rail Transit (At least I’m not the only one who doesn’t get the location of ETS heaters.)
U of A researcher finds obesity-prone genes one among many factors (It’s the portion size is it?)
Bah.
So I know I’m a day behind on this whole “transit fee hike” thing, but hey, I’m a busy guy…
Until recently, I both lived and worked downtown, walking to work every day; prior to that, I lived on the Southside and took a quick bus trip downtown (back when transit passes were still about $65). Unfortunately, I’ve taken a job deep in the middle of B.F. nowhere, and for the first time in my young life find myself faced with a 25 commute by car. I fill up twice a month @ $50/tank (although not all of that is used up driving to and from work…). Taking the ETS would mean a 40+ minute ride with a minimum of 1 transfer, costing me $81.
What happened to the bus being the ‘cheaper alternative’ to driving?
I’m paying the insurance on my car anyway, and figure about 15% of the cost of gas is for ‘personal’ use.
At $65, I might consider giving up an extra half hour of my time per day to take the bus, but to save an extra $4 per month…? Seriously?
Ugh, I know what you mean. With just my insurance and gas ($40/mo) taking the car is just over twice the cost of a bus pass… but my 10 minute commute takes ten minutes, not 45. And I can go places on Sunday. And to neighbourhoods outside the downtown core. And the airport!
I decided to learn to drive when they raised the price of a bus pass to $59. That was only four years ago and it’s already $22 more expensive now.
In a few years there will be zero savings whatsoever.