More Austere Than "My Month of Austerity"

Submitted by RA on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 23:31

So I passed the half-way mark of my "month of austerity" sans alcohol, caffeine, and sugar with flying colours so to speak. Haven't caved in to temptation, although I must confess whenever a cloud of fresh brewed coffee wafts through the house, I start fantasising about when my month of austerity ends.

Having got passed the initial intense withdrawal effects, it's now just a matter of not giving up on my initial resolution out of boredom or a premature sense of achievement.

My Month of Austerity 1: Out With the Caffeine, Booze, and Sugar

Submitted by RA on Tue, 01/10/2012 - 22:50

I'm not one for New Year's resolution, but for some time I've been thinking about what it would be like to cut off my daily dose of stimulants and intoxicants i.e. caffeine, booze, and sugar.

I've been consuming these, in various shapes and forms, on a daily basis for most of my adult life (and - booze excepted - in smaller quantities for most of my life).

Movie Monthly: Breaking Boundaries

Submitted by RA on Mon, 01/09/2012 - 21:11

Two films are due to open this month that bring the wizardry of digital cinema to the arthouse with stunning results. Firstly there's Wim Wenders Pina 3D (due out on 27th), a portrait of the work of the celebrated German choreographer Pina Bausch.

BC Hydro Puts In A Smart Meter

Submitted by RA on Thu, 12/22/2011 - 12:37

A couple of electricians from BC Hydro (BC's electric utility) installed one of the new Smart Meters on the side of our house today, one of the 1.8 million meters that are being replaced in BC and one of the forecast billion smart meters that will be in operation around the world by 2020.

Environment Minister's Durban Speech Puts Backs Up

Submitted by RA on Wed, 12/07/2011 - 10:36

Six youths had their accreditation to the Durban Climate Conference (COP17) revoked after turning their backs on Environment Minister (slight misnomer here) Peter Kent.

The action, however, reportedly earned greater applause from the other delegates than Peter Kent did in his speech. Not surprising, since the Conservative government has reportedly said it plans on pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol.

Northern Gateway Pipeline Project Hits A "Wall of First Nations"

Submitted by RA on Sun, 12/04/2011 - 00:47

Enbridge's plans to make British Columbia "fossil fuel gateway" of North America (to borrow Naomi Klein's words) met a wall of First Nations' resistance with the landmark Save the Fraser Declaration on Thursday.

The message, signed by 61 First Nations, was simple and to the point.

"We will not allow the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines, or similar Tar Sands projects, to cross our lands, territories and watersheds, or the ocean migration routes of Fraser River salmon."

Video: Naomi Klein interview

Submitted by RA on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 14:30

Naomi Klein talks about the issues behind the Occupy movement.

Sounds like the fight against the Northern Gateway Pipeline in BC and expansion of Vancouver as "the fossil fuel gateway" of North America (12:40) is the fight of a generation.

Movie Monthly: We've Thrived, But Can We Survive?

Submitted by RA on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 13:58

One of the main criticisms levelled at the Occupy movement has been that it is unclear what it is about. Critics have pointed to a plethora of issues – corporate greed, government debt, indigenous rights, unemployment, homelessness, ecological destruction, GMOs, climate change, and more – that seemed to be jostling for people's attention. Of course, many or all of these issues are interconnected, although it seems we are still struggling to find the wherewithal to express just how.

Video: BBC Journo Cuts Through Minister's "Tar Sands" Spin

Submitted by RA on Tue, 11/29/2011 - 12:42

Government tar sands spin might be regularly regurgitated by soporific mainstream media here in Canada, but it doesn't wash with this BBC journalist.

Video: Election Night Victory For "Mayor Moonbeam"

Submitted by RA on Sun, 11/20/2011 - 16:47

While I generally try to maintain a professional equanimity in any of my blogging and vlogging, it's been quite difficult during this last Vancouver municipal election campaign given the low level of tactics that the NPA, incumbent party Vision's main opposition, has resorted to in its bid to win votes. This is the party that has given us exemplary local councillors Peter Ladner and Gordon Price in the past, but the NPA campaign this time around didn't shed much light on the talents of their latest crop of candidates.

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