Some of my fondest memories from childhood are the times my dad let me tag along on his weekly trips across the expanses of Northern Ontario in his 18-wheeler. As you might imagine, a daily ritual on these trips was one of washing up in some dingy restroom1 before eating a greasy breakfast ("two eggs … Continue reading LIBTYFI – Leave it better than you found it
Winnipeg COVID-19 Controversies
...and other associated weirdness. Winnipeg is weird at the best of times. Coronavirus is bringing the weirdest of the weird. Here is a chronological list of all the controversies and other we're occurances that have unfolded in Winnipeg during the ongoing self-quarantine period: March 12: First case of COVID-19 in Manitoba. 15: Zillionaire owners of … Continue reading Winnipeg COVID-19 Controversies
When Facebook Turns Against You
Yesterday Facebook surfaced one of my aunts posts in which she alluded to a conspiracy theory that the COVID-19 death numbers are being fabricated. Normally my response to these sorts of posts on Facebook these days is to simply hit the "snooze for 30 days" button. But this was my favourite aunt who I've respected … Continue reading When Facebook Turns Against You
One Night In Finland. Or Is Europe Obsessed with Latin America?
During my stay in pre-COVID Finland in Feburary I participated in far to many nights of cycle-based pub crawling for a man of my vintage. One night we checked out a local pub called Ravintola House (Restaurant House?) a minutes from our place Pateniemi. We arrived early for a midnight performance of Kulmakunnan Kutkuttajat. As … Continue reading One Night In Finland. Or Is Europe Obsessed with Latin America?
What I Learned About Cycling Infrastructure in Finland
I sometime describe myself as "an aspiring cyclist." I enjoy cycling a lot and recognize all its environmental and health benefits, but unfortunately like most Canadian parents my day-to-day is not very conducive to a cycling-based lifestyle. In Winnipeg, as is the case in most North American cities, the built environment abandoned the bicycle sometime … Continue reading What I Learned About Cycling Infrastructure in Finland