Spring just can’t seem to take hold this year. The forecast for the next 24 hours or so is quite bleak:

TAF AMD CYOW 081922Z 0819/0918 06005KT 5SM -FZRA BR OVC006 TEMPO 0819/0820 6SM BR

FM082000 06005KT 5SM -DZ BR OVC006 TEMPO 0820/0821 6SM BR FM082100 VRB03KT 5SM -DZ BR BKN006 OVC010 TEMPO 0821/0903 P6SM NSW OVC010

FM090300 03008KT 6SM BR SCT004 OVC010 TEMPO 0903/0908 4SM -DZ BR BKN004 OVC010 BECMG 0904/0906 07008KT

FM090800 10012G22KT P6SM -SN BKN008 OVC012 PROB30 0908/0912 3SM -FZDZ BR

FM091200 10015G25KT 4SM -FZRA -PL BR OVC008 PROB30 0912/0918 3/4SM -SN VV007

RMK NXT FCST BY 082100Z=

In other words, light freezing rain, which should be done by now, light drizzle, swirly gusty winds with snow starting overnight and then changing to light freezing rain and light ice pellets, a combination often known as sleet, with a 30% change of that turning into snow. You know, because we haven’t had enough snow this winter.

I’m seriously hating the weather.

Apparently, we’re still doing this whole daylight saving time silliness. Fine, ok.

If you live in one of the unfortunate places that changes the clocks, set them forward at 02:00 local time Sunday morning.

Myth: Daylight saving time saves energy.
Fact: No, it doesn’t. At best, it simply results in a shift in when energy is consumed.

Myth: There’s no real downside to switching to daylight saving time.
Fact: More people are injured or killed in the week following the time change than usual.

Either of those is a good reason to end the madness and pick one time and stick to it going forward. I’d prefer to stick with DST, but I’m at the point where I don’t care — just pick one.

Merry Christmas, everyone! I know 2018 has been a trying year for many people, so may you have a safe and happy Christmas season with family and friends and a prosperous 2019!

According to a CBC Ottawa story yesterday morning, the Rendezvous LeBreton consortium whose proposal was selected for the redevelopment of LeBreton Flats is in trouble. I am not surprised, and it seems I’m not alone.

Back in January 2016, the National Capital Commission announced two development proposals that were moving on to the next step in the evaluation process to redevelop LeBreton Flats. The proposals were put forward by two consortia: Canadensis: LeBreton Re-imagined by Devcore, Canderel and DLS Group, and Illumination LeBreton by RendezVous LeBreton Group, which is led by Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and Trinity Development Group’s John Ruddy.

The Illumination LeBreton proposal was ultimately selected. Personally, I thought at the time that was the wrong decision, something I still believe today. 

Today is the 100th anniversary of the Armistice — the end of the Great War, which was supposed to be the War to End War. While sadly that clearly hasn’t happened, we nevertheless pause to remember those people who have made the ultimate sacrifice over the years so that we have the peace, security and freedom that we enjoy today.

To them and their families I say “Thank you”.