WISDOM CHECK

(Originally posted to my Livejournal, Creamsodaangel)

They were filming up on campus again today. This time a show called Fallen. After conducting a google search, I think it’s gotta be this series. At any rate, they were on campus filming two ‘students’ walking around campus with students and professors walking around in the background. It was really awesome to see them filming and with everything set up. Might have to keep an eye out for this series.

Mike Holmes is on Corner Gas! That’s awesome 🙂 “Less pout, more grout”

Current Mood: calm
Current Music: The Class

(Originally posted to my Livejournal, Creamsodaangel)

It would be so nice if, just once, myself and a computer could get along! Okay yes, I’ll admit, my laptop and I get along pretty well, all programs function, no errors that make me want to throw it out a window. While it does have it’s moments where I want to shake it (it’s turned itself on once, which apparently my IT friend says that brand does, and it periodically doesn’t like shutting itself off), we do get along. Other computers, never do I have any luck!

I do realise I’m talking about computers as if they’re people…. and suddenly I’ve forgotten where I was going with my point. (thinks)

Oh yes. So it’s not that I’m technoilliterate. Hell, I grew up using computers from our very first Texas Instrumenets, to our Commodore 64, to the Apples in elementary school, to our Mind computer… er, well you get the picture. So yes, I do know what I’m doing. I’ve even taken a Computing Science course, and am studying the processes and social effects of technology and the internet on our society!

Sorry, I keep running off on a tangent. Where was I?

Oh yes. Even my first computer didn’t like me! Granted, it did run on Windows ME (shudders), but still. I guess it did serve it’s time, but then it decided to stop working properly. No virus, no spyware, just didn’t listen.

I’m even using an eMac right now in our school’s computer lab, and while trying to access an mp3 of last week’s lecture for CMNS 253, it has frozen one of my firefox browser windows :'( It was even iTunes it was trying to open?! You can’t open a file for a program that was designed for you? Please? Open? Pwease?

Ah well. I guess I’ll wait until I get home.

And stop talking like a crazy person. Heh.

I’m not crazy. I swear.

…..

Okay, maybe a litte.

Current Mood: gloomy
Current Music: When You’re Gone – Bryan Adams

(Originally posted to my Livejournal, creamsodaangel)

Story from: News1130.com

GVRD opposes Port Mann twinning and Highway 1 expansion

September 22, 2006 – 2:18 pm
By: Jim Goddard
BURNABY (NEWS1130) – The GVRD has voted to send a message to Victoria on how strongly it opposes the twinning the Port Mann Bridge and the expansion of Highway One. Once again the debate pitted those who live on one side of the Fraser River and those who live on the other.

Those opposed to highway and bridge expansion say it will just encourage more urban sprawl and dependence on cars, which goes against the Liveable Region Plan. Vancouver City Councillor Tim Stevenson says the money earmarked for twinning the Port Mann bridge should be spent on improving public transit instead.

“A lot more rapid rail transport out to the valley, of course, a lot more buses. We’re way behind on our buses,” says Stevenson.

He does feel it’s still not too late to convince Victoria that more blacktop is not the solution to the Lower Mainland’s transportation problems.

+++++++++++++++

Okay, so I’m not against transit or anything, but have the people who oppose the Gateway Project and the Port Mann twinning ever ridden transit from our side of the bridge? While yes, it’s true that our transit system could use an upgrade. The state it is now, of course people don’t want to ride it. Not only is it unreliable, triple the time it takes in the car, and expensive, they have little to no security to make a person feel safe. And that, is my major deterrant from public transit.

If you’re not familiar with the area I live in, part of our transit system consists of SkyTrain, which is basically a subway, but on tracks in the sky. Their way of checking tickets is having transit police come through the cars checking tickets, and writing fines when they catch someone without. There are no turnstiles, nobody checking tickets prior to boarding, nothing to make sure that people are taking a free ride. Though there are lots of security cameras, and yes, they did just hire 20 new transit officers last year, I’ve seen more times than I can count on my hands when situations have broken out, that probably could have been averted by just having someone around.

Moving away from the problems of our transit system (since I could go on forever, but I need sleep). Buses are NOT a solution. Not when the bus you need to take to the SkyTrain has to go on said highway that they don’t want to expand.

Fixing this overdue problem that is the Port Mann Bridge is not going to urge more urban sprawl. Urban Sprawl is part of our society these days, and its’ already taking place. Just because suddenly they don’t want to do this expansion is not going to stop or slow down the process. Housing in the Downtown costs and arm and a leg, and you can get a nice two story house in the Valley for the price of a studio apartement in the City. This is NOT a solution to urban sprawl, nor does it encourage it. We live in Post Modern society, where people want to live away from the Downtown areas and become commuters. If you can’t deal with this, then move away from where we live.

Yes, as more people move out into the valley, the more cars there will be. However, if you prevent this project from going through, then that means those cars are going to be idling all the more, adding to even more polution. Cars pollute more when they idle than they do when they’re driving.

Now some may say, oh Andrea, you’re biased, you live on the other side of the bridge. Yes, I do. But I have also taken a Resource & Environmental Management course, so I know the effects that twinning this bridge will have. I also know the effects it will have if we don’t twin it.

At one point they were talking about a toll to go on the bridge. Why not put the toll on, but make it the price of a 3 Zone fare downtown? Then put THAT money towards improving transit. That way, we’ll have a highway that doesn’t back up because some people may take transit then because it will cost less then (because they won’t have to pay for fuel), cars will spend less time idling on the highway, and will recieve funds to put towards transit to make it more reliable, cost effective, and secure?

Oh, and I’d like to see a Pro-Gateway Project opinion in that article. But that’s just the journalist in me, and I know that it won’t be in there 😉

Current Music: No Surprise – Theory of a Deadman
Current Mood: contemplative

(Originally posted to my Livejournal, Creamsodaangel)

Killing time between classes at university is very difficult to do on MSN when there’s nobody online 🙁 And I’m dreading the drive home. Today it gets to be in the middle of rush hour traffic. Oh what joy.

My Mom & one of her friends are holding a garage sale tomorrow (and possible sunday). So if you’re going to be in the Langley area, drop me a line and I’ll tell the address (I’m selling manga! LOL)

Expect the new SnowPirate later as well. It’s scanned, just needs to be uploaded. I’m trying to refine my skills on it, as at AnimeEvo I sat through a few WebComic How-To panels to pick up a few tips (which I did.. I hope, anyway).

…. Someone come on MSN dammit! (shakes fist)

Current Music: Dixie Chicks (stuck in my head) and library quiet
Current Mood: bored

(Originally posted to my Livejournal, Creamsodaangel)

These past few days I’ve had absolutely no appetite, and I can’t figure it out. I go from one day eating the usual, and the next I just feel full. I do still eat, because I know if I stop there could be serious repercussion, but I’m just not hungry 🙁 I have, however, been drinking far more than usual, which is maybe why. But I’m really doubting that because of how little I am eating.

Seems like my classes will be good this semestre. Very happy with them (so far anyway, LOL).

…. not much else to say I suppose…

Current Music: I wanna do it all – Terri Clark
Current Mood: worried

(Originally posted to my Livejournal, Creamsodaangel)

People are silly sometimes. Very silly. Today at work (or shall I say yesterday, as it would be now) were commenting about the Airmiles program and how they probably will never use the points due to the issues that happened in the UK. I pointed out that despite those happenings, air travel is still much safer than being in a car, yet that doesn’t stop us from driving cars. Said customer then grumped at me that nothing’s safe these days.

It makes me wonder though, does that mean that that customer is going to lock themselves away in their house for the rest of their life?

“You can’t be afraid of the wind.”

No matter what you do, you will always be faced with peril. If you eat something, you have the risk of choking: does that mean you’re going to stop eating?? No, that’s nonsense. So why should air travel be any different?

If we let them think we’re afraid, then they’ve won. Sure, stop allowing carryon baggage or liquids on flights to help make it safer for us. But don’t stop flying.

… Or you could just lock yourself in your house. Whatever works.

Anyone care to debate/comment/argue/support that? I’d love a good discussion.

Current Mood: pensive
Current Music: Soak Up the Sun – Sheryl Crow