Olympic Torch arrives delayed but safe on Canadian soil | NowPublic News Coverage

The Olympic Torch has landed in Victoria,BC to begin the ceremonious Torch Relay across Canada to kick-off the 2010 Winter Games!


Olympic Torch arrives delayed but safe on Canadian soil | NowPublic News Coverage

Good Luck to our Canadian Athletes and those visiting from around the world.

Poetry: Forbidden - by Jessica A. Tucker - Helium

Happy Halloween everyone,

I am just going through some paper work and wanted to share a quick note of excitement over one of the poems I have posted at Helium.

Forbidden, has been rated 1 out of 76 in its topic category for almost two weeks solid now! Take a look in my archives or at the link to Forbidden's home at Helium.


May everyone have a safe and candy-filled night of trick-or-treating!

19 Year Old Woman Attacked and Killed by two coyotes...

Looking through the news during a cup of coffee this morning, I came across this news story of a coyote attack. I really dislike sharing bad news, however this story is one that should be shared. 

CBC News reported this morning that a 19 year old singer visiting a national park in Cape Breton has died after being viciously attacked by two coyotes.  Rather stange behaviour for a coyote, even two! 

  http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2009/10/28/ns-coyote-attack-died.html 

 

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2009/10/28/ns-coyote-attack-died.html

NowPublic

Tags: Canada | Outdoors | Environment | Toronto | Woman | National Park | Singer | Cape Breton | Offbeat | wild animals | National News | CBC News | Okanagan Valley | coyote attack

Criminization of the Smoker: Patio Smoking Bans in North America

“The provincial government is contemplating a smoking ban on restaurant and bar patios and in vehicles carrying minors.  New anti-tobacco legislation, expected to be introduced later this fall, would also set new limits on how close people smoking can be to public buildings and curtail tobacco sales in pharmacies…”

Source:  http://www.thestarphoenix.com/health/Smoking+patios+banned/2148665/story.html

It should be illegal to smoke with minors in the car, on patios of public areas and around or in public buildings.  But smokers are still people.  Let’s not outcast them completely especially, with the frigid temperatures of a cold Canadian winter strongly rolling in. 

As patio smoking bans pop up all over North America smokers form into huddles in butt littered parking lots, which is really not a pretty site for business owners attempting to attract new customers.  If this ban is to be enforced properly and business mindedly, establishments should be reimbursed for having to provide outside smoking areas for smokers to light up.  What will we do when all these smokers start coming down with pneumonia?

If a person wants to smoke in this day and age, they need to respect the large majority of people out there that choose not to smoke for many smart reasons and really, just don’t like it.    

In regards to the legalities of lighting up on public patios, maybe it is time to think about the legalities of production, trafficking and usage of this deadly drug that masquerades as a commercialized pack of cigarettes available from the corner store.  Maybe it is time to think about considering tobacco within the laws of such drugs as cocaine or heroin, although much less of a stimulant still just as addictive.  How much money is spent on heath care each year for tobacco and smoking relating illnesses?   

This is not to say that the criminalization of tobacco use and its distribution will deter the addicting smoker from smoking, but maybe it would deter children and non smokers from starting…  

In conclusion… why not just quit smoking.       

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/health/Smoking+patios+banned/2148665/story.html

 

NowPublic

Tags: food | Disease | smoking bans | World | ILLEGAL DRUGS | CRIMINALIZATION | tabacco | US Politics | Offbeat | Canadian Politics | Human Behaviour | Okanagan Valley

Vaccine Side Effects Reported in Japan, 2 days ago

 

I am not attempting to deter anyone from getting this vaccine, those will compromised immune systems or those who work in health care, schools, or public places may want to get it.  If an individual wants the shot they should.  However, for the 51% of Canadians (according to CTV News this evening) and myself that do not want this immunization, I have provided a link to the Japan Times Online where an article headlined, H1N1 vaccine side effects reported, stating:

“…Seven of the 22,000 medical workers vaccinated against H1N1 swine flu have developed side effects, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said…Four of the seven developed serious side effects, including vomiting and diminished consciousness, but all are recovering, the ministry said. The other three complained of minor symptoms, such as developing hives…”

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20091025a7.html

Like I said, please do not take my interest in the ‘thumbs down’ attitude of the available vaccination for the H1N1 virus as anything but my personal opinion…

 

NowPublic

Tags: Japan | Environment | Disease | Women's Health | Okanagan | Swine Flu | H1N1 Vaccine | vaccine side effects

H1N1 Vaccinations begin in Canada this morning...

As H1N1 Vaccinations begin in Canada this morning, I am sure I am not the only person out there who may be slightly skeptical about this mass call for inoculations. Personally, I will not go running out to be the first to get my shots this morning.

I am working on the good old faithful- eat right, drink liquid, take your vitamins and stay away from sick people- sickness prevention plan! We’ll see how it goes…

CBC News provides the full story in this morning’s article, Swine flu immunization underway, found at CBC.Ca.

What are you feelings on this ‘pandemic’ and this nation wide immunization plan? Should we as a society be worried about the long term physical effects of these and other vaccinations, that are available or have been available in the past?

Maybe, if North Americans weren’t pumped up with the newest antibiotics and drugs ever time there is signs of a sniffle in turn making us resistant to most medicines, we wouldn’t be dealing with this mass plight of sickness…

Think about it.

Other Links:

Public Health Agency of Canada- Get the Facts on the H1N1 Virus…
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/index-eng.php

Global Day of Action Against Climate Change

What did you do for you Global Day of Action against Climate Change? Around the world today, peaceful protests took place to express the need for action to be taken and a larger effort to be made to reduce global warming and climate change, now! Provided in the links below is a collection of my favorite news stories on the events of today from around the world.

In honor of this day, I wanted to repost an article I wrote a couple years ago discussing the “distractions that blind us” from smartly managing climate change and global warming. In light of the fact it was written in 2007, some humor may be slightly out dated but the idea is still pertinent. Seeing and dealing with such important issues as our planets future should be forefront of the entire worlds concerns, not this silly fight that keeps going in circles- this circus act put on for the public. At this time, we need to stop fighting a war that will never be won, stop worrying about who has more oil and gold and step back for a moment to see what has really been going on here! For more of my thoughts on this matter please follow one of the two links provided. This article was first published in November of 2007 at Helium.com
and at Okanagan Wildlife and Nature during the spring of ’09.

In closing, it is wonderful to see that for one day, the world can unite with such purpose. May we hope and pray to what ever god we believe in, that today will create change and let us turn over a new leaf for this planet, if it is not already too late…
Live gently and tread lightly,
Jessica
Okanagan Wildlife and Nature


CNN.com ~ International day of demonstrations on climate change

350.org ~ International Day of Climate Change

GlobalClimateCampaign.org ~ International Demonstrations on Climate Change- December 12, 2009

CTV.ca ~ Day of action urges leaders to stop climate change

Westcoaster.ca ~ Tofino Holds Day Of Action Against Climate Change

http://www.helium.com/users/277591
http://okanaganwildlife.blogspot.com/2009/05/distractions-that-blind-us.html
http://www.helium.com/items/688985-how-can-we-save-the-human-species

Lenny Clouds

On June 8, 2009 I published a post of photos titled, Strange Clouds in the Afternoon. These photos were taken of strange clouds that had appeared hovering above a mountain top close to my home. Checking my email the other morning, I noticed a picture on my email news of similar shaped, strange clouds, these clouds spotted over Moscow. Immediately I was reminded about this previous post I had done and my curiosity was again sparked. Where else have these saucer like clouds been seen? What causes these perfectly shaped clouds?

Heading straight to Google, I decided first to look for these clouds that had been spotted over Moscow and found a few good sources worth mentioning. This picture provided by The Daily Mail Reporter shows cloud cover with a saucer shaped indent in the clouds rather than a circular saucer cloud. My call is a typical case of weather modification! I also wanted to include this thirty second YouTube Video for its great shots of the same clouds.

The clouds from Moscow were not similar to the ones I had seen though, so I next searched for other sightings of sauces clouds, which uncovered hundreds of different pages. Provided in the following links are the best of the images and pages that I discovered. This great collection of images at Environmental Graffiti shows similar saucer clouds sitting on top of a mountain. Very amazing!
I also came across this great source for images of these clouds from all over the world at the Weather Vortex…

The question answered, Where so these clouds come from…
The best source I could find for information on the cause of these spectacular clouds is Dan’s Wild Wild Science Journal. Kudos to Dan, my questions are finally answered! These particular clouds are known as Lenny’s clouds and are a favorite of weather enthusiasts. Visit Dan’s site for a full explanation of the natural cause of these clouds.

Please feel free to share any links or comments you have on these spectacular Lenny’s clouds!
It is amazing that Nature’s hand can be so perfect…

Jessica A. Tucker

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1219425/Pictured-The-luminous-halo-shaped-cloud-captured-hovering-Moscow.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPE9Jl16T5c
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/33-creepiest-clouds-on-earth/1515/4
http://www.weathervortex.com/lenticular-clouds.htm
http://wildwildweather.com/forecastblog/2009/02/397/

Coyboy of the Sky

I recently learned that an uncle who was extremely close to me as a child passed away. I wanted to write something in his honor, as he was a man of words. This poem provided in the link below was the outcome. We miss you dearly!


Lost in Time: A Cowboy of the Sky

He lived his life as a cowboy

Upon a horse misplaced by Father Time.

The musky scent of saddle soap and animals,

Fresh hay and morning are memories still in my mind.

Running freely on, with the wild horses of my dreams

He comes to visit with the sweetness of the summer breeze.



Late at night when the bonfire burns its blazing charm

The smoke of the fire will rise and linger to embody his earthly form.

Tall and slender there he sits, crowned with a broad hat of black

Playing upon the round body of a guitar placed so carefully in his lap.

A smile, no, a grin vibrantly glows firmly upon his face, so happy

He sits there strumming, foot tapping, as he sings to me.



Barn swings, hay bales, saddles and spurs,

The meeting of barn smells and fresh baby foals,

Cow tunes and rock and roll, he provided to me

Through those precious years that molded who I would be.

He believed in living by the stars and the moon

He believed in appreciating the world, but left us too soon.




He is now gone in body and mind, his soul living on for the rest of time

Brightly and strong as he rides on forever as a cowboy of the sky.


by Jessica Tucker
Poems of Time

~Poetry: Faceless~

Faceless forms graze the planet bare
Round the hours of a clock that never stops.
Ribbons of light string hopelessly along as one
Bulb teases the next down this highway of never end.

Millions upon millions of faces, faceless they exist
Everyday, dying in this fight we fight to survive,
As day by day, faces multiply and consume
More sustenance than we can find.

Faceless, we struggle up this ladder of life
And faceless we fall short to begin all over again
Like a game of Snakes and Ladders,
We shamelessly roll the dice again.

by Jessica A.Tucker
Poems of Time
Golf Tales from the Pro Shop Counter

Red Tipped Leaves?

On a recent adventure up the hill I came across these leaves that had some how turned a color of bright red, strangely from the tips up.

I found these images today again and am still very curious as to what might have caused this vivid discoloration or if it simply happens naturally.

If you have any thoughts, please feel free to post them below…

Jessica
Poems Of Time
Golf Tales from the Pro Shop Counter

Where I am from...

Where I am from, the skies glow
With the deepest of hues and the stars
Burn brilliant in the darkest of those...

Please visit the follow link to view the full poem...
Where I am from...

I hope you enjoy the short but sweet,

Jessica
http://www.helium.com/users/277591

Only Hours to Go And a Rocket Hits the Moon...

So, I am very curious what others think will happen to Earth, if anything, after the rocket and satellite heading for the moon collide with it in a few hours. I wonder if this blast, that’s purpose is to send particles into space that the satellite can then analyze, will have any impact on, for instance the tides maybe. I think the Moon should be left alone. I am very interested to see what happens in the morning, if anything. Please feel free to post your comments as to what you may think will happen. For more pictures and video information on the LCROSS Impact, the Mail Tribune of Southern Oregon offers some excellent links in an article on the collision. While searching for links to share, I also came across the schedule for LCROSS Viewings across North America on NASA's website.

Now, let’s wait for the rocket…

Sweet Dreams, Jessica

A Collection of Summer: Random Images