Public Transport

Love it? Not quite. Accept it? Yes; finally!!!!

I am talking about the Greyhound Bus. It has only been in the past eight months that I started taking Greyhound regularly. I resisted at first, but have succumbed to my husband's desire to travel Greyhound.

I've taken the Greyhound at different times in my life to various places out of necessity. In these past months, it has been only between Kamloops and Vancouver.

My husband asked me today if I liked it. No, but I've come to accept it. I know that my husband is most concerned about the environmental impact of driving a car...Now there is the cost of gas to consider. I like to drive my car. I worked hard to buy my own car. I enjoy the privacy and freedom it gives me. I like the fact that I can travel at my leisure and stop at the Blue Moose in Hope for as long as I like.

However, I generally don't sleep well, and I don't like facing the responsibility of a long drive. The bus gives me the chance to sit back and relax without this added responsibility. Really once I get to Vancouver, everything I need is within walking distance. I don't have to worry about the space or the cost of parking. If I visit my friend, she is happy to drive us anywhere we need to go. When I go to Kamloops, my home is only a hop, skip and a jump away from the bus depot. So ultimately, my need for my own vehicle in Vancouver is very limited.

I've gotten to a point where I'm actually considering using public transport for my summer vacation. I know there is the environmental concerns; for me, it is more about my sanity.

The Dryer

Recently,we've had problems with our dryer and have had to hang everything. For me personally, this is extremely inconvenient. Nothing like throwing everything into a machine and an hour later it comes out warm, fluffy and ready to go. Hanging takes time about 10-15 mins/load. It then takes time for the clothes to dry. Worst of all, I have to be organized.

The rub...using a dryer is not good for our environment. It takes a lot of energy and emits a lot of garbage.

So while my clothes don't come out warm and soft, I will continue to hang everything to do a good deed for the air around us.

MacClean's List of Dangerous Cities in Canada

This past week MacClean's published a list of the most dangerous cities in Canada. Lo and Behold Kamloops was twelfth on its list.

Considering the air quality this morning (Monday March 17, 2008 - 9:00am) and all of the stuff that is being emitted into the air over on the Weyerhauser side of the river, it is surprising that we are not first on the list (dangers do come in all shapes, sizes, forms and smells).

So come on Weyerhauser - clean it up!!!!!

Recycling Story

Last week, CBC interviewed a Kamloops woman (I don't remember her name), who had been collecting recyclables for the collection program.

So you might say???? Well she has been collecting them for two years!!!! Two years worth of recyclables in bags in the back yard!!!!!!

More than that, when she and her family were out for a walk, they would pick up recyclables on the road.

So whoever you are?!!!! Bravo!!!!!!!!!

By the way, I do hope the City will grant you some leniency in the first couple of pick ups as you deserve to be free of all that...

Walmart

Kudos to Walmart for working towards a more environmentally-friendly future!!!

Now I know many don't like Walmart for a variety of reasons but here are two that might make it just a bit more palatable....

They are carrying more environmentally products.
They are putting solar panels into many of their new buildings in the States.

Let's see if they can continue with this...