Searching For a Glass of Fine Beer: John By, an Imperial Stout

I like stubbies. We go a long way back together.

The last beer I drank from a stubby bottle was likely Carling Red Cap ale, my drink of choice in 1968 - 70.

Even at the tender age of 20 I knew that not all beers tasted the same, or were at all good, and I generally drank ale to get some semblance of flavour. I wasn’t always successful.


["I still think stubbies are cool": photos GAH]

I still have a case of stubby bottles (capped) in the basement: Cool Spring Light beer, from June, 1984. My dad bought them (in Formosa) for his friends during the beer strike the same year. Maybe I’ll sell a few online, but I’ll keep some for old time’s sake.

When I saw John By Imperial Stout in a stubby recently at the LCBO I had to try one.

The price, i.e., $2.65 for a 341 ml bottle (equivalent to $3.89 per 500 ml), may put it in the premium price league, but I like a good stout.

The alc./vol. is 8.5%, putting the stout into the strong beer league as well, so I began to expect great things at the time.

I wasn't disappointed.


The label proclaims the following:

We celebrate the work of Lieut.-Col. John By (no relation to Ise the By that builds the boat) and the men who built the Rideau Canal.

(If you’re a history buff, please visit Bytown Museum for more details).

Our John By Imperial Stout is so deep brown in colour you might as well say it is black. This ale’s powerful malt flavour is not overwhelmed by its alcohol content. Just the thing to ward off the cold of a Canadian winter.

(Link to Scotch Irish Brewing Co. for more details if interested).

When I arrived home with the stout I didn’t go online. Instead, I went to the kitchen drawer for the bottle opener because here in Canada it’s winter time and, though I wasn’t cold, I wanted a taste of stout.

So, I popped the cap, poured most of the stubby bottle’s contents into a glass and had a good sniff.

It smelled thick and rich and sweet and familiar, perhaps a bit like Miller St. Tankhouse ale (Toronto) or a can of Jamaican stout I had last year.

Some of my remarks after the first few sips follow:

Rich, yummy mouthful. Is 8.5% alc. overpowering? My head didn’t land on my desk so I’d say not.

Sweet.

(Please note - I don’t produce long, descriptive sentences like David Kenning, author of Beers of the World).


I only bought one bottle, and though I worry the stout may promote hair loss (see the label), I should have bought another, because that’s how I feel after drinking half a glass.

I can say without hesitation I’d buy it again, and not just because it’s in a stubby. The Imperial Stout would be right at home in my shed during a winter time gathering with friends.

I also recommend it to those who enjoy rich, sweet stouts with hearty dark malt flavours.

Good one, By.

***

Please click here to read a beer review of KLB Raspberry Wheat.

Please see lower right hand margin for Searching For a Fine Glass of beer reviews.

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In The Workshop: Busy slow days ahead

I certainly spend more hours in my workshop during warmer months but, in some ways, I pack more into the hours at my workbench in the winter.

I still feel I’m keeping busy because I have several bowls to turn: Next up, a few hours at the lathe with a piece of birch for a shallow penny bowl, i.e., a place in which to store loose change or penny candy.


["A piece of birch for the lathe - no hurry"]

I have other projects too, e.g., finished birdhouses to store in The Annex, two more to coat with linseed oil and a touch of maple stain.


["Finished houses go to The Annex": photos GAH]

But I don’t feel the pressure as much as in the past to hurry hurry hurry. I sense time slows down in my shop, and an hour sometimes feels like it’s 90 minutes long.

Even longer.


["Ready to stain - slowly"]

I’m not certain why time slows down but I know it happens, and I’m grateful for the knowledge.

Though I may be standing at the bench with a hammer in hand I feel and enjoy each swing and when I reach for another nail I know I made the right choice recently - not to buy an air compressor and nail gun that was on sale at a ridiculous price.

Single, momentary thoughts about friends,family, ideas or ideals seem richer and more real when I’m busy going slow in the workshop.

I’m no expert, but in my opinion, everyone should have a wee workshop, or something very much like it.

***

Why does time slow down?

Is it an age thing? Something about the smell of cedar?

Please click here to see Jack Frost at play on the workshop window.

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London’s Weather: Cypress Mountain has nothing on Ollie’s Hill

My wife and I babysit our grandson Ollie 4 days per week and he gets a kick out of playing on a 3 ft. mound of snow on the deck.


Three ft. of snow for a three-year old = perfection.

And the 1/2 inch of snow that fell last night and below zero temperatures are perfect also for downhill events.


The Olympic official, however, has called off the 6-man toboggan run until the trail is properly groomed.


["The suet basket may need to be larger?": photos GAH]

Therefore, while we wait, I’ll feed the birds and dust the snow off the suet basket, recently attached to the end of the white cedar feeder.

Click here to see Wednesday's huge snow dump on the feeders and suet basket.

***

So, far, only starlings have found the suet.

Maybe I’ll have to modify the basket with a hammer!!

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I Ask You: Would you like to shoot crows all day?

Say you have nothing to do one day next winter.

Would you pay someone up to $200 to join a one-day crow hunt? And blast at crows all day because they appear to be a persistent problem?

If it appeals to you, you may soon be able to drive to Chatham-Kent and slip in behind two local hunting buddies (link to Feb. 12 London Free Press article), tramp through farm fields and kill as many crows as you can bag in a day.

Because one of the buddies uses dead crows as bait for coyotes, supposedly rampant in Chatham-Kent as well, maybe you’ll be able to get in on that shoot-out someday soon.


[Photo: BOB BOUGHNER, Chatham Daily News]

Now, I’m not sure if ‘bag’ or ‘shoot-out’ are proper hunting terms or if the business of slaughtering crows will give brand new meaning to the phrase ‘a murder of crows,’ but I ask you, does crow- and coyote-hunting sound like a suitable business plan?

I could see it if crows and coyotes were an important food source for humans.


["We eat squirrels, don't we? Why not crows?": photo link]

After all, we slaughter chickens, cows, pigs and fish every day without batting an eye, eat our fill in many cases, and happily grow bigger each year in the process.

But I would imagine the crow and coyote problem is just getting blasted and buried under fields of corn and soy.

I ask you, is starting a shoot-out business the way to go?

***

Please click here for another stirring episode of I Ask You.

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Newspaper Clippings: Maybe I have a touch of cabin fever

The photo in our local paper wasn’t even in colour, but I knew it was of cherry tomatoes.


[QMI Agency file photo - now it's in colour]

And I really like cherry tomatoes, so I stopped and read the brief article entitled ‘Don’t need much land to get garden growing’ in yesterday’s London Free Press.

It began:

You don't need hectares of land to grow your own vegetables or flowers - in fact, for some crops, you don't need any at all.

Balconies are great for planters. Given enough light and water, tomatoes grow well in large tubs. Herbs make great container plants. Extra-large pots can produce beets, carrots and peppers.


["I have good luck w peppers": photo by GAH]

I like winter weather, I’d like more of the same until the end of March, but maybe I have a wee touch of fever... I forget what kind for the moment.


["Cedar boxes for cherry tomatoes - easy schmeasy": photo GAH]

I’ll draw up a plan to turn out two containers for the back deck that resemble the box I recently made for a fellow hockey player. Line it with tin and presto, cherry tomatoes outside my back door.

Hmmm... cabin fever. Yeah, maybe that’s it.

***

Articles about gardening get the juices flowing, eh?

Please click here for another brilliant newspaper clipping response.

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The Smart Meters are Coming. The Smart Meters are Coming Pt 5

I ended Part 4 on such a cheery note, didn’t I?

I said the smart meter booklet delivered to homes in London, though containing Time of Use timetables different than an official website, is likely the one Londoners should assume is correct.


But I also concluded by saying that “92 per cent of the time” I’ll be paying more for hydro and wondered if you are smart enough to save money with the smart meter?

Then I got distracted with other activities and didn’t get back here for awhile.

Regular readers may be used to my distractibility and likely think some of the following thoughts:

Gord’s mother must have worried about her wee boy’s short attention span and inability to sit still.

(She did).

His dad likely thought his son had ‘ants in his pants.’

(He invented the phrase).

His teachers must have had their hands full.

(They did).

Etcetera.

(I agree whole-heartedly).


["You know why I'm smiling?" "Do tell."]

But I come back today with two humble opinions that I’m sure you’ll enjoy hearing.

First, though the smart meter booklet says “if we all make some small changes to how we use electricity, we can also have a positive impact, both on the environment and on Ontario’s energy system,” and that all sounds appetizing (like apple pie with Aunt Jemima syrup on top), there may be, in my humble opinion, a few hidden calories on our plates that we should know more about.

For example, while I’m writing this, I’m paying 5.8 cents per kwh for hydro, a fixed rate. So are all households and small businesses.

Large business and industries are paying less, at a variable rate, i.e.,3.92 cents per kwh (as of 11 a.m. EST today), up from 3.35 cents an hour ago.


Ontario’s biggest users have paid, on average, 3.64 cents/kwh for February and 3.14 cents/kwh since Jan. 1, 2009.

Once the new rates begin, I’ll be paying, according to the smart meter timetable, 9.3 cents before 11 a.m. and 8.0 cents after 11 a.m. (until 5 p.m.) on weekdays and 4.4 cents all day on weekends.


["Timetables may differ in your municipality"]

In other words, when the booklet says “if we all make some small changes” they likely mean “we all” (as in households and small businesses) will have to make pretty big changes in order to spend less on hydro, conserve, and help the environment.

Whereas the other “we all” (as in big businesses, commercial users) will not have the same incentive to spend less, conserve, help the environment etc., unless market prices go up to the same degree as household rates.

If anyone can shed more light on the above matter (use a low wattage bulb), please feel free to leave a comment.

My second humble opinion relates to my earlier statement, i.e., “92 per cent of the time” I’ll be paying more for hydro.

I’d like to amend my statement.

If Ontario’s biggest users continue to pay lower rates on average - with no increase to incentivize conservation - then I’ll be paying more for hydro 92 per cent of the time and accomplishing very little for my money.

***

Everyone in the smart meter booklet is smiling.

The only reason I can come with so far - they all run big businesses.

Please click here to be transported, at the speed of hydro, to Part 6.

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Live Small and Prosper: Darning socks will save me a fortune

In keeping with the new age of austerity I will continue to darn socks in 2010.

Though steady growth is forecast for the Canadian economy (link to article from Feb. 12 issue of London Free Press: Sorry, no news on the outlook for our environment), Ontario’s manufacturing sector “will suffer for years as American consumers (chastened and shackled) clamp down on spending and reduce large personal debts...”

So needle and thread will come in handy for many more years.

After tackling a job the other night that saw me sew up a torn pad inside my hockey pants (sans thimble - I live my life on the edge, these two worn heels should be a snap.


["Worn heels should be a snap": photo gah]

I’ll save a fortune.

***

Are you making an effort to save money, e.g. put a bit away in an old sock?

Using a needle and thread?

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Vancouver’s Olympic committee may want London’s weather

Earlier in the year a delegation from London, England visited London, Ontario to see how people coped with cold weather.

The full answer surely included mention of years of experience, snow tires, parkas as wide as a city bus and the availability of red long johns in local shops.

(I’m pretty sure size XXL was on sale just last week at Shoppers in the run up to St. Valentine’s Day. I swear).


["Lots of real snow cover in London": photos by GAH]

And now, I wouldn’t be surprised if members of various Olympic committees are hunkered down behind closed doors wondering how they could ship London, Ontario’s weather to British Columbia, particularly around Cypress Mountain, site of various skiing, tobogganing and snowball fight events.

Why?

Our temperatures are below zero (predicted for another week at least) and we have snow on the ground, enough for plenty of Olympic-like events of our own.


["Start your engines. Ready, set..."]

Rock on, Winter.

***

PS If you’re from Cypress Mt., I wish you the best of luck.

And if Canada needs an experienced member for the downhill, 6 passenger and heavily-waxed toboggan event at the last minute, call me. I’m ready.

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Hit Singles: How Are You Still in Love with Me?

Backgrounder: “After listing two songs in a row that were pretty darn sad (click here and pass the tissues), I thought I’d better dust off an old love song from my ‘singing around the campfire’ days. I hope you feel better now.” gaharrison

How Are You Still in Love with Me?

Verse 1. I know some about the rivers, how they flow out to the sea.
Because I’ve seen them rushing by in the morning.
I kinda get to wondering, what I’d see from way out there.
There’s mysteries that are deeper than the sea, than the sea.

I wonder, yes I wonder,
About some mysteries of life,
But I wonder more how you’re still in love with me.


2. I know some about the prairies, how they stretch out to the sky.
Because I’ve seen them reaching out in the morning.
I kinda get to wondering, what I’d see from way out there.
There’s mysteries that are wider than a mile, than a mile.

I wonder, yes I wonder,
About some mysteries of life,
But I wonder more how you’re still in love with me.

3. I know some about the eagle, how they fly up in the sky.
Because I’ve seen them circling round in the morning.
I kinda get to wondering, what I’d see from way up there.
There’s mysteries that are higher than the sky.

I wonder, yes I wonder,
About some mysteries of life,
But I wonder more how you’re still in love with me.

4. I know some about the mountains, how they’re too bright for my eye.
When I seen them flashing white in the morning.
I kinda get to wondering, could I see from way up there?
There’s mysteries that will blind you for awhile.

I wonder, yes I wonder,
About some sweet mysteries of life,
But I wonder more how you’re still in love with me.

gah

***

Please click here to read more hit singles and a bit of brilliant prose.

Brilliant?

Hey, it could happen.

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My Point of View: PM Harper worried about the polls

Our Prime Minister, between packing for the Olympics and twiddling his thumbs during a lengthy prorogation (suspension of parliament), had time to fire off a shot at the Iranians yesterday.

I bet he's trying to soothe the sinking feeling he gets whenever he looks at recent popularity polls. And rattling his plastic saber on behalf of the law and order boys in his backroom would surely make him feel a bit better.


“Canada will use its G-8 presidency to continue to focus international attention and action on the Iranian regime,” says Harper. (Feb. 11, London Free Press)

And away from the fact Canada’s parliament is suspended again, he should have added.

As Iranians everywhere say things like, who is this man Harper, doesn’t he live 14,000 miles away, he doesn’t even sit in government right now, at least the Conservative law and order crowd should be appeased.

***

Will PM Harper rise in your favour again?

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Newspaper Clippings: Retail sales dropping. A good thing?

“Canada saw a decline in retail sales last year and the outlook for 2010 remains flat as consumers look to pay down debt... figures marked Canada’s first sales drop in 14 years. Retailers could take a hit again in 2010 on growing debt levels among Canadians.” (Feb. 11, London Free Press)

Please note: I hate being called a consumer, but I like the fact that more and more Canadians are heeding my words (“reduce spending, pay down debt, save money for tough times ahead”; yeah, a hard rains a-gonna fall).

During an age of austerity people like you and I may realize we don’t need as much stuff as we’re used to showering upon ourselves.


["Feed the piggy. Don't be one."]

That’s a good thing.

Our rampant consumerism brought about the big box store with shelves piled high to the ceiling with goods from around the world, chiefly from China in the case of Dollar Stores, Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire etc.

As retail sales drop, perhaps we’ll achieve some sort of balance between what we really need and what we buy.

Perhaps our debt levels will come under control and we won’t keep driving the economy to the detriment of the environment.

Good thing.

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The Smart Meters are Coming. The Smart Meters are Coming Pt 4

My personalized smart meter (it has my personal ID number and I taped my high school student card to it so there’s no mistake when new rates are charged starting in a few months) is now installed, and if the pictures in my free (insert laugh track here) smart meter answer book are any indication, I’ll be smiling and laughing all the way to the bank.


Currently, as a residential hydro user, I pay 5.8 cents per kwh every hour of the day, every day of the week, whether it’s an off-peak time, e.g., 4 a.m. when 92 per cent of Ontarians are fast asleep, or an on-peak time, e.g., 6 p.m. when that same 92 per cent of Ontarians are turning on several appliances at once in order to eat supper and watch Coronation St. on TV.


["I'll just do laundry at six." "You realize that's 6 a.m.?"]

While I pay a fixed rate (for now) commercial users of various sizes pay the volatile spot market price, i.e., 3.37 cents per kwh at 1 p.m. today, and an average of 3.65 cents in February, 2010 and 3.14 cents average since Jan. 1, 2009, along with a variety of costs, some higher than my fixed costs.

In the near future my fixed rate of 5.8 cents will give way to three Time of Use (TOU) rates, an off-peak rate (4.4 cents per kwh), a mid-peak rate (8.0 cents) and on-peak rate (9.3 cents), and I’ll be charged the three rates depending on the time of day and season. (The times of day that we’ll be charged the three rates change between summer and winter timetables).

As I looked at the timetables in the booklet and on the smart meter website I noticed that they are not fully identical.


However, since London Hydro delivered the booklet into my hot little hands, I’m going to assume the booklet - this is the good news - is right for Londoners.

The bad news is, after looking at the rates and timetables, I came to the conclusion I’ll be paying more for hydro for 92 per cent of regular activities that involve a plugged-in device.

I’ll share a few gory details asap.

***

Check out the websites to answer the question:

Are you smart enough to save money with the smart meter?

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Searching For a Glass of Fine Beer: KLB Raspberry Wheat

In my opinion, the enjoyment and appreciation of beer changes depending on the circumstances.

For example, there are times when I would give a beer a score of 75 out of 100 because I have just finished a half marathon on a hot day, am tired, wanting to sit and stay immobile for an hour or more, and after finding a comfortable chair am handed said cold beer and offers of more where that came from, when it really only rates a score of 54.


["Hmmm. I like it. Cranky likes it too": photo GAH]

Not that I’ve been known to score beers out of 100, and don’t plan to anytime soon.

But, and I’m sure many readers have been there, if a bucket of 54-style beer arrived at my comfortable chair with a platter of chicken wings and sweet potato fries and I was sitting next to a piano and handed a songbook along with the encouragement to sing along as loudly as I liked and informed the total bill would only come to $8, then I’m the kind of guy who would say, “You had me at bucket.”

I only share the above because I tried my first can of Raspberry Wheat beer from Kawartha Lakes Brewing Co. as the second half of last Sunday’s Super Bowl was about to start and the Saints were still in the game.

So, I might be unreasonably positive about the beer.

That being said, here are the facts.


["Another fine beer from Kawartha Lakes Brewing Co.": photos GAH]

A 473 ml can of KLB Raspberry Wheat costs $2.40 and comes in at 4.5% alc./vol.

It’s one of the beers that made Peterborough famous, along with Quaker Oats, though brewed by Amsterdam Brewing Co., Toronto.

When I popped the can I smelled raspberries quite plainly, and was reminded of how much I’d enjoyed another fruity beer years ago for the first time, i.e., a St. Ambroise apricot wheat ale, at Mitsy's Sister, a wee pub on Queen St. W., Toronto.

As I poured I was attracted to the reddish orange colour but noticed the lovely head disappeared fairly quickly.

This ain’t a stout , I said to myself as Drew Brees fired a bullet toward a Saints receiver.

I took my first generous sip.

Son of a Gunderson, I said. What they say on the can (‘A perfect balance of German hops and Belgium wheat and pure raspberry essence gives this beer it’s signature aroma and flavour’) is true. I taste raspberry, and it's good.


["Yes, I'd buy it again"]

It wasn't a heavy raspberry taste at all, and I felt the glassful would be very quaffable.

After my second sip I knew I’d enjoy the full can. And I did.

Not only do I recommend others give it a try but know I’ll buy it again myself.

I’d say two cans on the back deck in the fall would be perfect.

***

Click here to read a bit about Liberty Ale from San Francisco, and visit ‘Searching for a fine beer’ in the lower right hand margin to link to others.

Cheers.

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The Smart Meters are Coming. The Smart Meters are Coming. Pt 3

Recently, one of the first things I read in a 12-page booklet about smart meters raised my ire, miffed my mind and put me out of sorts.

These things happen on occasion, just ask my wife, but I tend to cool down when given more information.

For example, I got miffed when I read that every home and small business in Ontario will have a smart meter by 2010 but didn’t find a single word about what big business was going to do to contribute to our all new attitude and action related to energy conservation in this province.

And yesterday I wrote, ‘I mean, any government that wants to introduce a culture of conservation and try to reduce our dependence on fossil fueled energy production (think: coal furnaces by the score) has to go after the biggest users. Right?’


And though I scoured the book again for information about responsibilities placed on big businesses and the biggest users all I found was this short line in the FAQ section at www.ontario.ca/smartmeters.

Q: Does the billing system that applies to residential customers also apply to business customers?

A: These rates apply to low-volume consumers, including all residential customers and many small businesses.

However, though I worry big users are getting too big a break, I did receive the following comment from a reader that put a bit of my concern into perspective:

I think it's pretty obvious from the hydro company deficit, that they are not charging high enough rates for electricity. Maybe electricity everywhere is being subsidized. Signed, LM

I wouldn’t be surprised if we have been receiving too much of a break for too long.


And as we consider alternative sources of energy for the 1,001 electrical appliances we love to operate surely we’ll have to pay for the move away from fossil fuels.

Also, another reader helpfully supplied information regarding rates to medium and big hydro consumers and left me with a link that will keep me occupied for a few days (with extensive homework and an essay due by Friday!).

The reader said:

In Ontario, medium and large use customers already pay Time-of-Use rates. In fact, they pay hourly spot market prices that can be very volitile. Residential and small commercial will pay in three TOU tiers (Peak, Mid-Peak and Off-Peak).

Click here for more information.

I encourage readers to do just that, i.e., ‘click here,’ while I work on that essay.

***

Thank you to the readers who supplied useful comments.

Also, please click here to read Part 4 - Upcoming smart meter rates - how much and when

Now that I've cooled down, where’s my foolscap?

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Today’s Weather: I couldn’t be happier even if I tried...

And I am trying.

I put together a big bowl of oatmeal and a hot mug of green tea to start the day. Awesome.


["World famous porridge": photos by GAH]

I placed two freshly tapes sticks (a new wave design; I think I see a career opportunity) beside the front door for this afternoon’s game. Awesome.


["Pretty soon you'll all want one!"]

Others are trying, on my behalf, as well.

A reader sent me information about hydro rates for medium and big business after learning I was miffed that Smart meters are only for residential and small business customers.

Foul, I cried in an earlier post. Big users should be involved in the conservation culture as well!

You’re with me on this one, right?

Though I’m still miffed I may not be after reading all the information on the website the reader sent me. I’ll start soon. Awesome.

The weather is also trying too.


It delivered three inches of fresh, light snow, that is producing a blanket that may last until March.


It is delivering still a gentle breeze to blow through what’s left of my hair.

Awesome.

***

Is B.C. receiving snow on Cypress Mountain in time for the Olympics?

I hope so.

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2010 Goals Update: The best $2 stick I ever owned

Today is one of my hockey days this week and I’m really excited about the game.

I washed my shin pads on the weekend so when one of the guys says something reeks - and something somewhere always does - it won’t be me.

Also, I’ll have a bit of fun showing off my new tape job on two sticks.


["Everybody is doing it. Get with it": photos by GAH]

I’m sure someone will think I’ve flipped my lid but I’m going to answer in a calm voice, it’s the new wave. Everybody’s doing it.

Then I’ll sit back and hear what others say.

(Really. I think I’m ahead of my time).

Plus, I get to mention, again, that I accomplished one of my goals for 2010 during the last game.

In a recent column I wrote:

I resolve to score two goals in one hockey game this year. Yes, it will take a miracle, but I can't think of a better way to motivate myself to maintain a fitness routine.

(Click here to read full column)


Well, last week I scored two with my first two shots of the game and shortly thereafter retired the stick, which cracked during the game, to the shed ceiling.


On the white tape I mention that I paid $2 for the stick, ‘used’ of course, from the Salvation Army retail store.

Not a bad deal, eh?

I’m pretty sure at least one or two teammates will agree with me, now that we typically pay $40 - 50 per stick these days.

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Zoom w a View: From the workshop at 5.8 cents per kwh

Day- and night-time temperatures will remain below zero for another week (so I’m told by a local weather expert) so the time spent inside my partially insulated workshop will be chilly.

The window will likely be covered with frost again today.


And the old Willard thermometer will struggle to reach 60 degrees.


Yesterday I adjusted to the cold temps by wearing gloves while sanding my latest project, a white cedar box in which to store flyers on the porch.


I didn’t have to wear the gloves while carving or sanding a project on the lathe because the heater sits nearby (chugging out warmth at 5.8 cents per kwh until April 30th; thereafter, at mid-peak workshop times, i.e., 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., it will cost 8.0 cents per kwh).

["The penny bowl will cost more than a nickel, for sure": photos by GAH]

***

Yes, the cost of doing business will go up in May if the sun doesn’t come out!

Is your hydro bill going up due to Mr. Smart Meter?

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The Smart Meters are Coming. The Smart Meters are Coming. Pt 2

London Hydro installed a smart meter at the side of my house a few days ago and left a small booklet for me to read.

[Please read Part 1 for context].

I’m glad they did because I had questions.

For example, when would my hydro bill be affected by changes to rates?

I scoured the 12 page booklet to find out. Nothing.

However, on page 12 two websites were listed for those who, like me, wanted more information, and at www.londonhydro.com I learned that I’ll be billed the same as in the past until April 30, 2010.


In other words, I’ve got less than 3 months to get my act in gear, get with the culture of conservation that I fully support and practice, for example, doing my dirty laundry when the rates are cheapest.

But before I read through the booklet again to see what the new rates would be and when, I came across a line just inside the front cover that made most positive feelings about the conservation culture disappear.

I read the following:

Smart meters - a new way to think about electricity.

(Good idea, I thought. I have no problems with new ways of thinking. I recall fondly the day I switched from bob skates to my first leather pair. My life changed. Sorry, I digress).


["Hey, I still have a pair - not for sale!": photo GAH]

(And) by 2010, every home and small business in Ontario in Ontario will have a smart meter.

Now, that line caused a red light to go off inside my little round head and something to get stuck in my craw.

Did you catch it?

Every home will get a smart meter.

That sounds fair. If I get one and then pay higher rates to wash my socks at an inappropriate time then so should the guy down the street.

And every small business will get one.

But... (insert red light here) what the heck about the bigger hydro users, whoever and whatever they may be?


["What about the biggest users of all?"]

And... (insert sharp object in craw here) what about the biggest hydro users of all, the biggest businesses and industries that use more than half the hydro in Ontario and churn out more carbon emissions than all home owners put together?

Stink, I said. Surely it’s a misprint.

I mean, any government that wants to introduce a culture of conservation and try to reduce our dependence on fossil fueled energy production (think: coal furnaces by the score) has to go after the biggest users. Right?

I scoured the book again for information about responsibilities placed on big businesses and the biggest users.

Please click here to read Part 3.

***

Sometimes, it’s not so much what booklets say but what they don’t say.

Are you happy about your smart meter?

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My Point of View: I’m glad (possibly) Sarah Palin lives south of the border

I must have had my head under a pillow or was working in the shed, so I missed some big news, but a moment ago I read that Sarah Palin is open to a possible White House run in 2012.

Underline ‘possible’ because Palin claims she has not made up her mind.

(That she resigned from her position as Governor of Alaska recently to embark on a whirlwind book signing and people greeting and hand shaking and head shaking and baby kissing tour in the USA, of course, means nothing).

Her words:


["It would be absurd...": photo link]

I think that it would be absurd to not consider what it is that I can potentially do to help our country.

(Underline ‘potentially’).

I won’t close the door that perhaps could be open for me in the future.

(Underline ‘perhaps’).

She also said she thought President Obama would be vulnerable in a re-election fight if he continues with his agenda.

In my humble opinion, please underline President, Palin, possible, potentially, perhaps, and PLEASE NO!

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I will now check my site meter to see if I get a visit from a bookstore in Des Moine.

The last line will leave you rolling in the aisle if you click here for context.

Well, maybe not in the aisle, unless you’re from Des Moine...

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My Point of View: Spouting off all the way to the White House

Many of you know I spout off on occasion.

(Definition: spout - verb; rant, ramble, say more than needed, yada yada)

I have good reason to now. The President of the entire USA is listening.

Maybe.

Recently I said a few words about America’s crushing debt, i.e., the US government will borrow $1.9 trillion to pay its bills, raising the so-called debt limit to $14.3 trillion - more than $45,000 for every person living in the US.

I also mentioned some of the likely consequences, i.e., the co-joined US and Canadian economies will suffer, future damages and costs of possible reparations will rise, leading our overall household debt to rise even more.

Shortly thereafter, my site meter recored a visit from Washington, District of Columbia.

I think President Obama visited, and found my ideas very useful.


["All visitors from Washington, DC are welcome": photo link]


I bet he also linked to information from a useful book I am reading that will help us all out.

[Click here for information related to a book the brings some useful ideas to the table.]

May I just say, “Welcome to Canada, Mr. President. And keep your stick on the ice.”

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Who is visiting your site?

Can you beat a visit by The US President?

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