Back in February, I wrote a couple of entries about taxi cab cameras and how they are a Good Thing.  At the time, taxi drivers were complaining because they cost money (which they were able to offset by some jiggery pokery that allowed them to keep the difference as the GST dropped).  Studies out there suggested that they had a positive impact on reducing crimes against taxi drivers.

Well, there was a taxi driver who was lured by a fare into an out-of-the-way spot behind a school and robbed by a group of men.  Fortunately, the driver was not hurt and had one of the camera systems in his taxi.  The police released a crystal clear faceshot of the fare (photo since removed as the person is a minor) on August 13th and CBC has reported that a 15-year old boy has turned himself in to the police as a result.

Hopefully, this will be enough proof to the naysayers that they do, in fact, work.

The first of four fights today on the way to Athens, Greece, went off in the best way possible: uneventful.  We left on-time and landed at Toronto where it was raining on-schedule.  Most of the flight was above the clouds, so there wasn’t a lot to see.  I did take some pictures of some military aircraft at the apron at the Esso Avitat in Ottawa, which I’ll post then I have a better Internet connection.  (I’m using a public terminal near the gate with a horrible albeit functional keyboard.)

Our next flight is to Frankfurt on a Boeing 777W, one of the new aircraft in Air Canada’s fleet that has pods up in business/first class.  Sadly, I’m not travelling in podclass, though a friend who went to the Middle East in one says it’s the way to travel.  From Frankfurt we catch a flight to Athens after a couple of hours in the airport.  There’s a virtual geocache called RWY 42 (GCA33A), which I’m hoping to do.  Basically, you have to have your picture taken with the sign for gate A42, which is at the end of the wing that I think we’re going to be in.

I’ll try to post some pictures from Frankfurt if I can find a decent wifi connection.

I had my first ride of the year this evening along the Ottawa River.  Just a short ride to the War Museum and back because it was getting late.  Though I have both a tail light and a head light, none of the other cyclists I encountered on either the path or the roads, except one, had any lights or reflectors.

HTA 62(17) – Lights

a bike must have a white front light and a red rear light or reflector if you ride between 1/2 hour before sunset and 1/2 hour after sunrise and white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on rear forks.  Set fine: $20.00

That’s taken from the MTO’s Cycling Skills website.

It’s not like lights are expensive.  You can pick up tiny white and red LED lights from Mountain Equipment Co-op for under $4/each, so there’s really no excuse for cyclists not having lights if they’re going riding at night.

So, Earth Hour has come and gone.  Electricity utilities reported that consumption during the hour in Ontario dropped by 5%.  Ottawa’s power consumption.

In Ottawa, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), the government’s landlord, turned off architectural lighting and signage on most government buildings, including the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill and many businesses and individuals participated.  According to Ottawa Hydro, electricity consumption in Ottawa dropped by 4%, a significant drop given that lighting only accounts for about 14% of the electricity used in the city.

(more…)

I took a few pictures of the storm from my apartment last night and put them in my gallery. The storm appears to be over, but I’ll take a few pictures when I’m out and about today.

It appears there’s yet more snow on the way to address the extreme shortage of snow in Ottawa:

TAF CYOW 071138Z 071212 11005KT P6SM BKN040 OVC060
FM2000Z 35005KT P6SM -SN OVC050 TEMPO 2022 3SM -SN BKN020 OVC050
FM2200Z 01005KT 4SM -SN OVC025 TEMPO 2202 2SM -SN OVC012
FM0200Z 35010G20KT 3/4SM -SN BLSN VV008 TEMPO 0210 2SM -SN OVC010
PROB30 0510 1/2SM SN BLSN VV004
FM1000Z 35012G25KT 5SM -SN OVC030 TEMPO 1012 3SM -SN OVC015
RMK NXT FCST BY 15Z=

Currently, there’s a winter storm watch in effect, that I expect will be upgraded to a winter storm warning later today:

Ottawa North – Kanata – Orléans
5:02 AM EST Friday 7 March 2008
Winter storm watch for
Ottawa North – Kanata – Orléans continued
..Winter storm expected to give heavy snow Saturday..
This is an alert to the potential development of dangerous winter weather conditions in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.

Storm totals may be 20 to 30 centimetres along and east of a line from Long Point to the Golden Horseshoe then to Petawawa. There is potential for 30 to 50 centimetres of snow over the Niagara Peninsula and parts of eastern Ontario. Areas west of the Long Point to Petawawa line should see between 10 to 20 centimetres with lesser amounts near Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Behind this system strong northerly winds to 70 km/h are possible. On Saturday strong winds combined with fresh snow will cause blowing snow to lower visibilities and create dangerous driving conditions. Whiteout conditions are possible so travellers should be prepared to alter their plans accordingly.

At least I don’t have a driveway to shovel, but it’s going to be miserable driving tomorrow.

If I were Norse, I’d blame the weather forecast on Loki because I don’t think Freyr was quite as much of a troublemaker, even though he was in charge of the weather. But, I’m not, so I won’t tempt incurring Loki’s wrath on top of this weather.

TAF CYOW 042338Z 050024 03012KT P6SM FEW040 BKN120
FM0300Z 06010G20KT 6SM -SN SCT020 OVC060 TEMPO 0305 2SM -SN
OVC020
FM0500Z 07012G22KT 11/2SM -SN VV012 TEMPO 0506 3/4SM -SN VV008
FM0600Z 07015G30KT 3/4SM -SN BLSN VV007 TEMPO 0608 1/4SM +SN BLSN VV003
FM0800Z 07015G25KT 1/4SM +SN BLSN VV002
FM1100Z 06020G30KT 11/2SM -PL BR VV010 TEMPO 1114 3/4SM -PLSN
BLSN VV007 PROB40 1114 1SM -FZRA BR
FM1400Z 06015G25KT 3/4SM -SN BLSN VV007 TEMPO 1417 1/4SM +SN BLSN VV003
FM1700Z 34015G25KT 2SM -SN OVC015 TEMPO 1719 5SM -SN PROB30 1719 1SM -FZDZ BR
FM1900Z 28010G20KT 6SM -SN OVC020
FM2200Z 27010G20KT P6SM BKN030 OVC060
RMK NXT FCST BY 03Z=

Wind. Snow. Ice pellets. Snow pellets. Freezing rain (maybe). Freezing drizzle (maybe). More snow. Lots of wind.

Basically, the next 24 hours or so are going to suck.