iMatt :: The Blog of Matt Clare

If you haven’t been there yet I highly recommend MP Dan McTeague’s “Tomorrow’s Gas Prices Today” web site. It delivers what it promises based on a formula that factors in today’s closing price for bulk gas on the New York exchange and projects tomorrow’s price.

–Updated Friday; March 12, 2010
The site even provides an RSS feed of the prices (featured above)!

If you have a phone with a mobile browser I recommend bookmarking either the web site or one of the RSS feeds. You could even use that RSS feed and a service like RSSFWD to forward that information to your E-Mail (or Blackberry, etc.)

Why can’t you reach www.brocku.ca, lms.brocku.ca and kumu.brocku.ca (and more) right now, or at least at Wednesday; January 21, 2009 at 12:15 EST? Apparently there’s a power outage across St. Catharines.

If Brock University’s back on the Internet it’s probably fixed, but if not then there’s probably still now power at Brock University.

It’s official, as of 12:48:

Due to a power outage affecting portions of the Niagara Region,
Brock University is closed and classes are cancelled for Wednesday,
January 21.

All other campus programs, events and activities are also cancelled.
It is expected that the university will reopen on Thursday, January 22
at 7am.

Listen to local radio stations or watch www.BrockU.CA for updates.

Tonight I was at my local CUPE meeting. As a contract instructor (among other things) at Brock University I’m a member of CUPE 4207. This has generally had little influence on my daily thoughts, but last week when CUPE Ontario president Sid Ryan made his statement condemning the invasion of Gaza… and then some, my membership in CUPE Ontario was more top of mind.

For those who would like to meet Sid Ryan, I know he will be at Brock University on Friday to talk about CUPE’s “Unbottle It! – Kick the bottle. Tap into public drinking water.” campaign and speaking with the local membership. I would encourage anyone who wants to speak with Sid Ryan and Maude Barlow about the commercialization and commoditification of a natural resource they are welcome to do so Friday evening. If you want to take issue with Mr. Ryan’s comments about Israel I suggest you contact CUPE 4207 about when that can be done (and not confuse the two events).

I have no issue with the commendation of Isreal’s disproportional reaction to Hamas rockets, and I have no problems with CUPE’s previous or future condemnations of Israel’s treatment of Palestine, but threats to make anyone denounce anything as a condition of employment is not something I want to be associated with. Gratefully, CUPE Ontario has clarified/stepped back from this position but it’s my hope this doesn’t even make it to the May 27-30^th CUPE Ontario convention — but if it does I know I’ll be interested in making sure it is not adopted.

I’ve been waiting to post comments on the Canadian GP’s removal from the 2009 Formula 1 calendar until their was a definitive outcome. Officials from various levels of government and the Montreal promoter were attempting to save the race and had met with the Formula 1′s commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, about what could be done to save the race. Apparently we’re at that point: Auto Sport.com: Attempts to reinstate Canada fail

With the Canadian GP now off the FIA calender for 2009 and Abu Dhabi, a race that is owned by Bernie Ecclestone, now joining the schedule have this comment to share:

Go to hell Bernie Ecclestone.

Congratualtions on the victory!

It took almost a full year to mount your challenge for the the number one spot, but you finally achieved it this week. Many asked if you were too young for this role, many asked if the world was not ready to give the number one spot to a black man, but you proved them wrong.

Your determination and willingness to fight right to the very end demonstrated your innate skill; skill that was evident from when you first appeared on the scene a few years ago. The only thing that is regrettable is that your victory means that your chief opponent, who was very deserving himself, is denied the victory that he too had worked so hard for.

This is why I send my most sincere congratulations to you, Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 Formula 1 Champion!

Thanks for the imagepaulwoolrich