They'll have then to choose between normal and daylight saving time. In some countries, like France a majority seems to lean towards a permanent daylight saving time.
But don't hold your breath yet, nothing is likely to happen until 2021!
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Europe's smart and timely move
Today, just three weeks after America, Europeans are stepping into daylight saving time. Just like most of us they hate that twice-a-year ritual of changing time, but unlike Americans, they might be able to see light at the end of that idiotic, tunnel-vision practice.
Good for them, we should follow in their footsteps! The European Union just okayed the end of that silly practice, and it will be the its citizens' turn to decide if they want to implement it.
They'll have then to choose between normal and daylight saving time. In some countries, like France a majority seems to lean towards a permanent daylight saving time.
But don't hold your breath yet, nothing is likely to happen until 2021!
They'll have then to choose between normal and daylight saving time. In some countries, like France a majority seems to lean towards a permanent daylight saving time.
But don't hold your breath yet, nothing is likely to happen until 2021!
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Brexit, May and me
It's quite difficult for most people to fully understand, yet alone follow, the soap opera that is being displayed in front of the world by the British government.
The mess began with David Cameron, when he decided, for political reasons, to hold the Brexit referendum.
As the results were the opposite of what Cameron expected, he had no choice but resign. Gladly, it seemed, Theresa May jumped into the Prime Minister seat, eager to implement Brexit as her signature achievement, but was probably not up to a job no one else wanted.
Far too stubborn and a bad communicator to boot, May wasn't the kind of salesman the U.K. needed to convince a majority of Members of Parliament to follow her lead, notwithstanding the fact that she promised that she'd extract a lot from the European Community, when the later had no reason to be overly generous to her and she realized that she over-promised and under-delivered.
The morale of the story is that a good Statesman need first and foremost to be shrewd salesmen, much more so than being just smart or just have a long political career.
The mess began with David Cameron, when he decided, for political reasons, to hold the Brexit referendum.
As the results were the opposite of what Cameron expected, he had no choice but resign. Gladly, it seemed, Theresa May jumped into the Prime Minister seat, eager to implement Brexit as her signature achievement, but was probably not up to a job no one else wanted.
The morale of the story is that a good Statesman need first and foremost to be shrewd salesmen, much more so than being just smart or just have a long political career.
Friday, March 29, 2019
Sardines are hot!
Last night I stumbled on a French TV documentary telling a wonderful story about sardines and how they have become a delicacy served and appreciated at the renowned Paris Brasserie Lipp, not to mentioned a collector's item.
The story, that unfortunately is just in French (sound and close-caption), was well told, informative and did wet my appetite. That day we had just gone to Costco and stocked up on... sardines(!) that were on sale that day.
Viewing this documentary open up our horizons on the small fish that's always been one of our favorite and will now occupy an even larger place upon our dining table!
The story, that unfortunately is just in French (sound and close-caption), was well told, informative and did wet my appetite. That day we had just gone to Costco and stocked up on... sardines(!) that were on sale that day.
Viewing this documentary open up our horizons on the small fish that's always been one of our favorite and will now occupy an even larger place upon our dining table!
Thursday, March 28, 2019
How hard is it to be positive?
Well it depends. In fact, it depends a lot.
If one's healthy, wealthy and socially happy, then it's particularly easy to belong to that select club. But if something or anything important is missing or is going wrong, staying positive becomes much more taxing.
Sometimes, it maybe downright impossible. So it's indeed a matter of degree. If I try to boast that I'm a positive person, I don't deserve much merit for it because of my easy life.
I have a very good friend who suffered a terrible ski accident almost a decade ago, that left him quadriplegic and who's the most positive person I've ever known, and in spite of all the challenges that life has now placed across his way, he continues to be a brightly optimistic.
Compared to his, my enthusiasm for life is dimmed!
Sometimes, it maybe downright impossible. So it's indeed a matter of degree. If I try to boast that I'm a positive person, I don't deserve much merit for it because of my easy life.
I have a very good friend who suffered a terrible ski accident almost a decade ago, that left him quadriplegic and who's the most positive person I've ever known, and in spite of all the challenges that life has now placed across his way, he continues to be a brightly optimistic.
Compared to his, my enthusiasm for life is dimmed!
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
The ever evolving ski technique
It seems that ski technique keeps on changing because of the equipment we use, because of our changing tastes and abilities over time, because also of the ski mountains we go to and the terrain we crave.
Of course, because of all the fads that mark the ski culture. As an example, carving could be one of them even thought it's not an all-encompassing solution to skiing.
All this means that a skier's needs are constantly affected by the above parameters and that there never is one single, simple and universal truth. Ski technique is in fact a smorgasbord that is as hard to decipher as it is to navigate.
My skiing as evolved a great deal, my goals have changed, my preferred runs aren't quite the same as they were decades ago, so here you have it, ski technique is truly a moving target!
Of course, because of all the fads that mark the ski culture. As an example, carving could be one of them even thought it's not an all-encompassing solution to skiing.
My skiing as evolved a great deal, my goals have changed, my preferred runs aren't quite the same as they were decades ago, so here you have it, ski technique is truly a moving target!
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
The Muller wash-cycle is done!
Some wash-cycle take longer than others and this one took 22 months! The linen is out of the machine, but may not look as good as it should, if we ready the four-page summary (let's call this a handkerchief) prepared by Mr. Barr, the laundryman.
Therefore, it's still hard to identify what's really wrong with the wash so we could start deciding if discarding it might be in everyone's best interest. It's appears to be simply very hard to decide beyond the shadow of a doubt.
Yet, the Muller washing machine enjoys an excellent reputation though, it's quite silent, doesn't vibrate and the wash could have been resplendent, but was obviously not, even though others said that linen was squeaky clean and that it was time to put it back into the closet.
Will Bill Barr hang all the sheets out in the yard for everyone to see and inspect them? Perhaps, some of the blemished or stains might not look that pretty?
I doubt he will; I still believe that he doesn't want us to see how unwashed that laundry still is, and is under tremendous pressure from his boss to put away in the linen closet without having too many prying eyes able to focus on it...
Therefore, it's still hard to identify what's really wrong with the wash so we could start deciding if discarding it might be in everyone's best interest. It's appears to be simply very hard to decide beyond the shadow of a doubt.
Will Bill Barr hang all the sheets out in the yard for everyone to see and inspect them? Perhaps, some of the blemished or stains might not look that pretty?
I doubt he will; I still believe that he doesn't want us to see how unwashed that laundry still is, and is under tremendous pressure from his boss to put away in the linen closet without having too many prying eyes able to focus on it...
Monday, March 25, 2019
The problem with teaching skiing...
...is precisely teaching it.
Let me explain; whenever I see a ski instructor and their student that are stopped on the hill, I see the pro is spending a lot of time and resources explaining how things work as both stand frozen on the hill.
There must be a lot of talk about body positioning, weight transfer, muscular pressure, psychology and the like, but – I suspect – very little said about speed. Yet, speed is the energy we use, not just to make ski possible, but to make it fun and exhilarating.
I've said it before, I say it again, if you teach skiing, bring speed into the picture and give it the full place it badly deserves...
Let me explain; whenever I see a ski instructor and their student that are stopped on the hill, I see the pro is spending a lot of time and resources explaining how things work as both stand frozen on the hill.
I've said it before, I say it again, if you teach skiing, bring speed into the picture and give it the full place it badly deserves...
Sunday, March 24, 2019
“Relaxed” skiing takes training...
Over my many hours spent on skis, I've discovered the merits of “relaxed” skiing and have tried to incorporate them as much as I could into my technique.
I found it to be relatively easy when skiing is super-easy, that is, on moderate, open and unencumbered groomed runs, but as soon as the terrain becomes more difficult, a relaxed form of skiing is never that easy.
Being able to ski in a stress-free manner economizes more energy and allows for easier and fatigue-free skiing.
The benefit is clear, less tension frees the skier to accomplish more without undue strain. The problem with this theory appears when conditions become more challenging and demand more concentration.
Concentration induces mental stress that also tense muscles and runs contrary to a skier's attempt to be smooth, light and super-efficient.
I've found that, over time, a disciplined practice is the best tool available to minimize the side-effects of concentration and to bring the whole benefits of stress-free skiing.
Try it!
I found it to be relatively easy when skiing is super-easy, that is, on moderate, open and unencumbered groomed runs, but as soon as the terrain becomes more difficult, a relaxed form of skiing is never that easy.
Being able to ski in a stress-free manner economizes more energy and allows for easier and fatigue-free skiing.
The benefit is clear, less tension frees the skier to accomplish more without undue strain. The problem with this theory appears when conditions become more challenging and demand more concentration.
Concentration induces mental stress that also tense muscles and runs contrary to a skier's attempt to be smooth, light and super-efficient.
I've found that, over time, a disciplined practice is the best tool available to minimize the side-effects of concentration and to bring the whole benefits of stress-free skiing.
Try it!
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Fear of dying?
There's always validation found in numbers, remembers when we used to rationalize our desires by saying: “Everyone does it!” Well, we always forget to apply that reasoning to death.
That's true, though, all over the world, about 150,000 people die each day and to date, it's estimated that more than 100 billion humans have passed since our specie began.
Beside the legitimate fear of missing out (FoMO), we're certainly concerned about being the only one dying, since we generally do this alone, yet the above, huge numbers should make us feel in very good company as we face our own demise.
This viewpoint should help us go through that crucial moment as long as we remember it. I will agree that there are fewer, more adventurous folks that may see dying it as the ultimate thrill, the big jump into the unknown, without a parachute.
I'd tend to think that I belong to that group, because of my insatiable curiosity and my adrenaline addiction. True, I don't expect to find much on the “other side”, but I still remain curious...
This also leads me to say that the more religious people appear to be, the more they are terrorized by this forced conclusion, which raises plenty of questions about the depth of their faith, since most belief systems promise lots of good news with some kind of resurrection, paradise and eternal happiness...
That's true, though, all over the world, about 150,000 people die each day and to date, it's estimated that more than 100 billion humans have passed since our specie began.
Beside the legitimate fear of missing out (FoMO), we're certainly concerned about being the only one dying, since we generally do this alone, yet the above, huge numbers should make us feel in very good company as we face our own demise.
I'd tend to think that I belong to that group, because of my insatiable curiosity and my adrenaline addiction. True, I don't expect to find much on the “other side”, but I still remain curious...
This also leads me to say that the more religious people appear to be, the more they are terrorized by this forced conclusion, which raises plenty of questions about the depth of their faith, since most belief systems promise lots of good news with some kind of resurrection, paradise and eternal happiness...
Friday, March 22, 2019
The World Happiness Report
This morning, I heard on the radio that the 2019 Happiness Report had been released by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
I was hoping to see Trump's America on top of the list but it wasn't. Instead, it was the “usual suspects” in other words, mostly the Scandinavian nations reaping the honor. This report, released two days ago, focuses on on the relation between happiness and migration.
Accordingly, Finland is, for the second year in a row, the happiest country in the world, with Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and the Netherlands holding the next top positions among 156 countries.
All the nations ranked on top tend to have high values for key variables found to support well-being, like income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust and generosity.
As for the United States, it slipped from 18th to 19th while France, my country of birth, didn't make it on the top 20 (I know it was 23rd last year...)
Of course, there's always next year's ranking, but let's recognize that both Macron and Trump have their work cut out for them if they they dreamed to hoist their respective country into the top 10.
As for me, I feel totally happy; okay, I should say, just like a Finn!
I was hoping to see Trump's America on top of the list but it wasn't. Instead, it was the “usual suspects” in other words, mostly the Scandinavian nations reaping the honor. This report, released two days ago, focuses on on the relation between happiness and migration.
Accordingly, Finland is, for the second year in a row, the happiest country in the world, with Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and the Netherlands holding the next top positions among 156 countries.
All the nations ranked on top tend to have high values for key variables found to support well-being, like income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust and generosity.
As for the United States, it slipped from 18th to 19th while France, my country of birth, didn't make it on the top 20 (I know it was 23rd last year...)
Of course, there's always next year's ranking, but let's recognize that both Macron and Trump have their work cut out for them if they they dreamed to hoist their respective country into the top 10.
As for me, I feel totally happy; okay, I should say, just like a Finn!
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Solitude, the well-named ski resort
Yesterday, I explored Solitude Mountain Resort from A to Z and tried to understand why, when compared to neighboring Alta, there was hardly any skiers on the mountain.
A little like Jackson Hole, the ski hill is elongated and getting from one side to the other requires a bit of work and spatial strategies.
The terrain, if varied, doesn’t flow as perfectly as Alta’s seems to, and finally, the total area is just one-third of Alta, which says a lot too.
All the expert terrain and good powder is available at the cost of lengthy traverses, which aren’t always liked by most skiers that don’t want to spend all of their limited time reaching a “gnarly” spot.
This said, I loved skiing Corner Chute, Navarone and Queen Bess. One could also argue that some of the lifts are not place at the right location, but this is true of many resorts. Of course, there’s very little commercial lodging available on location and this weighs too in the place’s popularity.
I certainly works for Salt Lake City family looking for reasonable access at an affordable price and is likely to remain this way for a long, long time.
One solution would be for Alterra to sell the resort to its neighbor, Brighton, or vice-versa, but the synergies and economies of scale might still be quite disappointing
A little like Jackson Hole, the ski hill is elongated and getting from one side to the other requires a bit of work and spatial strategies.
The terrain, if varied, doesn’t flow as perfectly as Alta’s seems to, and finally, the total area is just one-third of Alta, which says a lot too.
This said, I loved skiing Corner Chute, Navarone and Queen Bess. One could also argue that some of the lifts are not place at the right location, but this is true of many resorts. Of course, there’s very little commercial lodging available on location and this weighs too in the place’s popularity.
I certainly works for Salt Lake City family looking for reasonable access at an affordable price and is likely to remain this way for a long, long time.
One solution would be for Alterra to sell the resort to its neighbor, Brighton, or vice-versa, but the synergies and economies of scale might still be quite disappointing
The Alta magic
For the past couple of days, we've taken advantage of our Ikon passes and skied Alta and we've loved it. There's something for everyone at that resort and we've vowed to return before the season is over.
The setting is “drop-dead-gorgeous”, the snow excellent, the runs fun and the experience is a confirmation of what we found out a little more than a year ago.
Alta, situated at 8,530 feet (2,600 m) is about 10 years older than me, but unlike this author, doesn't show it one bit. It boasts 2,614 skiable acres (I've counted them) and drops only 2,538 feet (774 m) but has plenty of challenging terrain to tire your legs whether they're new like yours or old and decrepit like mine.
Even if it rejects snowboarders (like its neighbor Deer Valley) it still is pretty cool. Alta should be included into every skier's bucket list!
Alta, situated at 8,530 feet (2,600 m) is about 10 years older than me, but unlike this author, doesn't show it one bit. It boasts 2,614 skiable acres (I've counted them) and drops only 2,538 feet (774 m) but has plenty of challenging terrain to tire your legs whether they're new like yours or old and decrepit like mine.
Even if it rejects snowboarders (like its neighbor Deer Valley) it still is pretty cool. Alta should be included into every skier's bucket list!
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Don't count on an extended ski season!
Deer Valley and Park City have lots of snow, well enough to stay open till May 1, but such an extension might not bring much extra revenue to the ski resorts as most users would be season pass-holders who would have long paid for their lift access.
This said, it would be a would be a remarkable move if our two resorts remained partially open for say an extra week, as a way to thank the local communities for gridlocking the Park City streets and crowding our slopes with all these extra visitors using their Ikon and Epic passes, that have seemingly fallen upon us out of nowhere.
They wouldn't need to keep the entire mountain open, but just a fair sampling of lifts and runs. This would strike a wonderful chord at a time when our email and snail mail boxes get stuffed with pressing solicitations to purchase their product for 2019-2020.
Granted, selling is a noble endeavor, but saying “thanks” by offering one more week of skiing, mostly to the locals, would be a high-class gesture that might not just translate into extra business, but a great deal of extra goodwill!
This said, it would be a would be a remarkable move if our two resorts remained partially open for say an extra week, as a way to thank the local communities for gridlocking the Park City streets and crowding our slopes with all these extra visitors using their Ikon and Epic passes, that have seemingly fallen upon us out of nowhere.
Granted, selling is a noble endeavor, but saying “thanks” by offering one more week of skiing, mostly to the locals, would be a high-class gesture that might not just translate into extra business, but a great deal of extra goodwill!
Monday, March 18, 2019
One iteration too many?
Back in 2006, Boeing had planned to replace its aging 737 that was first produced in 1968, with a “clean-sheet” design along the lines of its revolutionary 787 Dreamliner.
This decision however was postponed in 2010 as Airbus launched its fuel-efficient A320neo family and as that plane elicited too much interest from airline fleets. Boeing got scared to lose that lucrative market to Airbus and decided then to quickly modify its 737.
The problem was that rejuvenating an old plane required compromises that never would never be tolerated in a new design. The result of this short-cut might be what is creating today's problems.
The more fuel-efficient engines used by Airbus had huge diameter air intakes which worked fine with their plane huge ground clearance, but the Boeing Max had limited space under its wings, forcing Boeing to shorten the pods holding the engines.
This came at the cost of seriously changing the airplane flying behavior by forcing it to dangerously raise its nose, creating a risk of stalling.
That when software came to the rescue and was installed to address the potential problem, without the pilots even noticing that some software was working behind the scene.
The rest is now public knowledge and today, Boeing may have no choice but to bite the bullet and finally invest the millions necessary to fully design a new replacement plane.
This decision however was postponed in 2010 as Airbus launched its fuel-efficient A320neo family and as that plane elicited too much interest from airline fleets. Boeing got scared to lose that lucrative market to Airbus and decided then to quickly modify its 737.
The problem was that rejuvenating an old plane required compromises that never would never be tolerated in a new design. The result of this short-cut might be what is creating today's problems.
The more fuel-efficient engines used by Airbus had huge diameter air intakes which worked fine with their plane huge ground clearance, but the Boeing Max had limited space under its wings, forcing Boeing to shorten the pods holding the engines.
This came at the cost of seriously changing the airplane flying behavior by forcing it to dangerously raise its nose, creating a risk of stalling.
The rest is now public knowledge and today, Boeing may have no choice but to bite the bullet and finally invest the millions necessary to fully design a new replacement plane.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Five years in our new home
Time does fly; it's already been five year today that we move into our new house and so far, it's been a great experience.
A quieter neighborhood, a more functional floorplan, good views and just the right size for us.
I simply hope we'll be able to enjoy it for many more years!
A quieter neighborhood, a more functional floorplan, good views and just the right size for us.
New-Zealand, Trump, Bannon and supporters...
During his presidency, Donald Trump has done the very best he could to legitimize white supremacy, and along with Steve Bannon and Roger Stone, gave more visibility and validity than ever to this ugly world view.
Even though, Trump supporters don't seem to mind them, hate-filled words or innuendos have some devastating impact on society by numbing people to their corrosive effects.
Bottom line, Trump, the great divider of America, his minders and all of his supporters have some New-Zealander' victims blood splashed onto them.
Bottom line, Trump, the great divider of America, his minders and all of his supporters have some New-Zealander' victims blood splashed onto them.
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Utah beer 4.0 upgrade
That's right, it's all a matter of degrees, we aren't talking about software version, even though a more “normal” 4.8 version was considered, but had been frown upon by the Mormons.
Instead, our Mormon "Mullahs" decided to “split the difference”. If this scientific approach makes no sense to you, it might be time for you to move out of the state or simply don't move in, if you had contemplated that lifestyle change.
Cheers!
Friday, March 15, 2019
Dear ski passes!
Early this week, the February Consumer's Price Index (CPI), announced a rather moderate 1.52% increase while at the about same time both Alterra and Vail Resorts were publishing their new ski pass prices for next season.
Their increase wasn't quite aligned to the CPI, in fact they were three times that number for Vail's Epic Pass and between 5.56% and 8.35% for Alterra's Ikon Pass. Of course, with the huge success both multi-area passes enjoyed this snowy winter season, both companies think the sky is the limit in terms of their pricing, with seemingly total “elasticity” in skiers' willingness to pay top dollars.
This approach seems to confirm that a sucker is born everyday and as Trump says all the time, “we'll see!” In the meantime, if you're not ready to spend so much, there's always the newly minted “Indy Pass” at $199 that groups some 11 western “orphan” ski areas in the U.S. and Canada. I won't list the names, you probably have never heard of them...
Their increase wasn't quite aligned to the CPI, in fact they were three times that number for Vail's Epic Pass and between 5.56% and 8.35% for Alterra's Ikon Pass. Of course, with the huge success both multi-area passes enjoyed this snowy winter season, both companies think the sky is the limit in terms of their pricing, with seemingly total “elasticity” in skiers' willingness to pay top dollars.
This approach seems to confirm that a sucker is born everyday and as Trump says all the time, “we'll see!” In the meantime, if you're not ready to spend so much, there's always the newly minted “Indy Pass” at $199 that groups some 11 western “orphan” ski areas in the U.S. and Canada. I won't list the names, you probably have never heard of them...
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Mixed up ski passes!
Just picture this: It's 1 pm, there's lots of new powder, I rush to go skiing, get ready, drive over to Park City Mountain, find the only parking spot free just near the lift, somehow ride the first one and 10 minutes later as I'm ready to ride the second one, the guy scanning me doesn't let me in as he can't read my pass.
I open up my jacket just enough to realize that I picked the Ikon instead of the Epic pass, the one needed. The day before I skied Deer Valley and had left the wrong pass on top of the pile...
Discouraged, I returned to the car, took off my boots and drove to the grocery store to pick up a few items I had to bring home upon my return.
Then, even though it was now 2:15 pm, I realized that it was too good a powder day to leave it unskied. I turned around, repeated the previous routine with the right pass and had a fabulous afternoon!
I open up my jacket just enough to realize that I picked the Ikon instead of the Epic pass, the one needed. The day before I skied Deer Valley and had left the wrong pass on top of the pile...
Then, even though it was now 2:15 pm, I realized that it was too good a powder day to leave it unskied. I turned around, repeated the previous routine with the right pass and had a fabulous afternoon!
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
When solar panels hibernate
As an “early adopter”, I still don't have solar panels on or around my house. There are several reasons for it. First, we don't use that much electricity.
Our new house has LED lights and efficient appliances so it's not really worth the savings – sounds like a poor excuse - its eaves are oriented the wrong way and then, there's the winter snow on the roof as ground solar panel installation would be both inefficient and tricky if it where in our small yard.
So far, our snow season has been a good and plentiful one and it has given me plenty of opportunities to see how long snow sticks on my neighbors' roof-mounted photo-voltaic panels.
The result is that, pretty much from November until now, snow has covered them, so a good four months.
While solar panel actually work better in cold weather and when there's snow around them, they stop working when there's snow covering them. In my case they would be totally inaccessible even if I wanted to clean off the snow with a long-armed broom or special shovel.
The good news is that we don't always have winter like the one we lived through this season and that we ought to think about the eight remaining months of the year.
I guess, we'll need to revisit this issue!
Our new house has LED lights and efficient appliances so it's not really worth the savings – sounds like a poor excuse - its eaves are oriented the wrong way and then, there's the winter snow on the roof as ground solar panel installation would be both inefficient and tricky if it where in our small yard.
So far, our snow season has been a good and plentiful one and it has given me plenty of opportunities to see how long snow sticks on my neighbors' roof-mounted photo-voltaic panels.
The result is that, pretty much from November until now, snow has covered them, so a good four months.
The good news is that we don't always have winter like the one we lived through this season and that we ought to think about the eight remaining months of the year.
I guess, we'll need to revisit this issue!
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Is daylight saving time worth it?
Like millions of people I hate doing it and can't understand why our government still forces us to.
I've always wondered about its cost and after doing some research, I found a study by Chmura Economics & Analytic that claimed that daylight saving time costs the U.S. more than $430 million a year.
I even found that a 2008 report by the Independent Institute claimed the annual costs for changing clocks twice a year could be as high as $1.7 billion.
The Chmura’s study also claimed that changing the time can lead to an increase in heart attacks, workplace injuries, and even more wasted time in offices where employees aimlessly browse the internet. Of course, it also affects our sleep and our circadian rhythms, adding drowsiness and stressing our cardiovascular system.
Daylight saving time was first introduced in the United States during World War I, and it returned during World War II, when it was called “war time.” It wasn’t formalized until 1966, with the passage of the Uniform Time Act.
If there's only single thing I'm in agreement with Trump, it's that it is now time to kick that stupid habit out of our lives!
Monday, March 11, 2019
Learning from ski accidents
As it happens almost every ski season around Park City, I just heard about a terrible, deadly collision between a skier and a tree.
This is tough news to handle from a ski-resort's perspective, because it doesn't help project a wholesome image about the sport we love, so it's communicated in a minimalist fashion, so has not to spook or discourage participants.
Yet, with each lethal accident, there's a take-away to be broadcast to the skiing public so it can benefit from it. It starts of course with perfect slope preparation that give a false sense of security and encourage speed.
Then, faster learning technique and new equipment allow beginners to move very fast too quickly, without the necessary “learning mileage”. All this contribute to a high rate of speed that can make any impact a lethal one.
All these issues are also exacerbated by a third one, namely a growing skier density on the hill, so when a collision with another skier becomes almost unavoidable, the ultimate path of escape is often towards the edge of the run, which is frequently lined up with trees that never bend, get of the way or lessen the blow.
Who is warning skiers about this?
Yet, with each lethal accident, there's a take-away to be broadcast to the skiing public so it can benefit from it. It starts of course with perfect slope preparation that give a false sense of security and encourage speed.
Then, faster learning technique and new equipment allow beginners to move very fast too quickly, without the necessary “learning mileage”. All this contribute to a high rate of speed that can make any impact a lethal one.
All these issues are also exacerbated by a third one, namely a growing skier density on the hill, so when a collision with another skier becomes almost unavoidable, the ultimate path of escape is often towards the edge of the run, which is frequently lined up with trees that never bend, get of the way or lessen the blow.
Who is warning skiers about this?
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Are we allowed to criticize Israel?
It shouldn't be that tricky. I think I can.
I have nothing against the Jews, but I don't agree with most Israel policies regarding its continued occupation of the Palestinian territories, the wall it erected to separate its populations and its seemingly unwillingness to negotiate a settlement with the Palestinians.
I can't support its theocratic government either, like I don't support those of Iran or Utah.
Finally I also strongly disagree with the U.S. government financially supporting Israel to the tune of $3 billion a year.
I've rested my case.
I have nothing against the Jews, but I don't agree with most Israel policies regarding its continued occupation of the Palestinian territories, the wall it erected to separate its populations and its seemingly unwillingness to negotiate a settlement with the Palestinians.
Finally I also strongly disagree with the U.S. government financially supporting Israel to the tune of $3 billion a year.
I've rested my case.
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Epic and Ikon pass preliminary results...
Park City is unique in that it plays host to both the Epic pass (Park City Mountain) and the Ikon pass (Deer Valley) and the net result is that both products are bringing much more people to town.
The bad news are more crowded roads, filled parking lots, greater slope traffic and, in some places, longer lift lines.
The resulting business question is, which businesses are really benefiting? Lodging and eating places probably, perhaps equipment rentals? But how good a clientele does it bring and does it help ski school and other ski resorts services?
Early February, I skied Jackson Hole and was stunned by the mobs I saw at that rather isolated place. I asked pass-checkers and they told me that a “majority” of users were Ikon pass holders.
Officially, Jackson Hole says that 14 percent of their skier-days so far this season are attributed to the Ikon pass. A recent press article quotes a local saying "I haven't seen Jackson this busy in 30-plus years of skiing this mountain, there's no doubt the Ikon Pass is part of that."
Jackson Hole looks to have a high visitation this year with about 700,000 skier days. Based on current trends, the same article claims that 100,000 of them are traced to the Ikon Pass, while only 300,000 is from locals.
In my opinion, these multi-area passes may well increase North America's skier days, benefit local businesses, but aside from providing early cash-flow to the participating resorts, I see little benefits to them, particularly in view of the extra wear and tear placed on their infrastructure.
So, for both the Epic and the Ikon passes, the jury is still out and one may wonder if the diminished quality of the visitor experience will be offset by enough economic benefits to make it worthwhile...
The bad news are more crowded roads, filled parking lots, greater slope traffic and, in some places, longer lift lines.
The resulting business question is, which businesses are really benefiting? Lodging and eating places probably, perhaps equipment rentals? But how good a clientele does it bring and does it help ski school and other ski resorts services?
Early February, I skied Jackson Hole and was stunned by the mobs I saw at that rather isolated place. I asked pass-checkers and they told me that a “majority” of users were Ikon pass holders.
Jackson Hole looks to have a high visitation this year with about 700,000 skier days. Based on current trends, the same article claims that 100,000 of them are traced to the Ikon Pass, while only 300,000 is from locals.
In my opinion, these multi-area passes may well increase North America's skier days, benefit local businesses, but aside from providing early cash-flow to the participating resorts, I see little benefits to them, particularly in view of the extra wear and tear placed on their infrastructure.
So, for both the Epic and the Ikon passes, the jury is still out and one may wonder if the diminished quality of the visitor experience will be offset by enough economic benefits to make it worthwhile...
Friday, March 8, 2019
Anything can be “art” but at different levels...
There isn't a day that goes by, when I don't see some kind of “art” promoted in the media.
Some of it I like, some is good and most is bad. I guess art is in the eye, hears or other senses, of the beholder and its quality varies vastly from nothingness to perfection.
Nature in lots of ways is fabulous art. Some birds build gorgeous looking nests. Yet, human-made “art” varies an awful lot, ranging from mediocrity to divine beauty.
When art is promoted it gets more traction and, if it's done well, it can quickly become over-valued. This is the wonder of good salesmanship and savvy marketing.
So what can we take-away from this? Simply, that if we appreciate something, if it touches us and communicates well with who we are, it can become art to us.
The process is mostly personal and don't let art critics or pundits try to tell you otherwise.
Some of it I like, some is good and most is bad. I guess art is in the eye, hears or other senses, of the beholder and its quality varies vastly from nothingness to perfection.
When art is promoted it gets more traction and, if it's done well, it can quickly become over-valued. This is the wonder of good salesmanship and savvy marketing.
So what can we take-away from this? Simply, that if we appreciate something, if it touches us and communicates well with who we are, it can become art to us.
The process is mostly personal and don't let art critics or pundits try to tell you otherwise.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
The consequence of events we don't control
Might is an important word, because, I would have had to pass the “Capacitaire” exam, which is never certain and in my case, had likely probabilities in the 65 per cent range.
So, assuming that we had made it to that ski test, and I had pass, I would have become eligible to start teaching at the Morzine ski school where I obtain the confirmation that I was a skier of a good enough technical level to take the exam on the basis of a recently obtained “Chamois d'Argent” pin (akin Nastar's).
Morzine just like Park City, with Deer Valley and Park City Mountain, had two distinct and separate ski-schools, Avoriaz and Morzine and I was thus expected to teach in Morzine, having obtained my exam affidavit from that ski-school.
Had I obtained my “Capacitaire” I never would have entered the Avoriaz ski-school, but would have taught a Morzine's.
With it, I would have – as I wanted – got a teaching job in North America and the rest is the “other fork on the road” which could have taken me on a totally different career path.
Do I regret it? Not at all, because it's so uncertain and sort of pie in the sky compared, to where I find myself today, but my life would certainly have taken a drastically different path. Perhaps this “arresting” collision was a blessing in disguise?
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Fifty years ago: Miracle on wheels
In March of 1969, I had decided to join my friends Michel Duret, Pierre David and Borolli (I can't remember his first name) to travel from Haute-Savoie to the Pyrennees in order to take the “Capacité à ski exam” which was the unavoidable “sesame” towards a ski-instructor career.
The exam, that could only be taken three times, consisted in essence of a timed slalom in which contestants were expected to finish with a certain percentage of a top skier time, then show their ease in some god-awful crud, on steep terrain, and execute as flawless a series of clean parallel christie turns as they could, that represented the perfect rendition of the ideal turn representative of the French ski technique at the time.
The four of us piled up in the Peugeot 404 of Michel's dad, strapped our skis on its roof and headed for a 500 miles road trip.
We first made a short overnight stop at Montpellier, in the south of France, and didn't sleep to long as we resumed our travel around 5 am the following morning. I don't remember exactly which Pyrenees ski resort we were headed to, but what's still clear in my mind is that it had rained a lot the night before.
When we got to a small place called Gigean, just 12 miles after leaving our hotel, the two-lane highway was literally flooded and as its surface slanted somewhat, the left wheels of the car got hydroplaning and slammed us smack into one of the many large trees that lined up the road.
Since none of us wore seat belts, and the four doors of the sedan blew open as a result of the harsh impact, we found ourselves seating or laying in the middle of the road among the scattered skis, while one of us almost drawn as he was thrown into a deep ditch that bordered the road.
We were so lucky; we could all have been killed!
I think the cops and the ambulance came, took us to the Montpellier hospital where fortunately, just minor fractures were diagnosed on some of us.
Sadly, this was also the end of our exam and we returned home via rail, bruised and disappointed. I don't know about my mates, but this accident would have some far reaching consequences for my future, that I'll detail in the next blog...
The exam, that could only be taken three times, consisted in essence of a timed slalom in which contestants were expected to finish with a certain percentage of a top skier time, then show their ease in some god-awful crud, on steep terrain, and execute as flawless a series of clean parallel christie turns as they could, that represented the perfect rendition of the ideal turn representative of the French ski technique at the time.
The four of us piled up in the Peugeot 404 of Michel's dad, strapped our skis on its roof and headed for a 500 miles road trip.
We first made a short overnight stop at Montpellier, in the south of France, and didn't sleep to long as we resumed our travel around 5 am the following morning. I don't remember exactly which Pyrenees ski resort we were headed to, but what's still clear in my mind is that it had rained a lot the night before.
Since none of us wore seat belts, and the four doors of the sedan blew open as a result of the harsh impact, we found ourselves seating or laying in the middle of the road among the scattered skis, while one of us almost drawn as he was thrown into a deep ditch that bordered the road.
I think the cops and the ambulance came, took us to the Montpellier hospital where fortunately, just minor fractures were diagnosed on some of us.
Sadly, this was also the end of our exam and we returned home via rail, bruised and disappointed. I don't know about my mates, but this accident would have some far reaching consequences for my future, that I'll detail in the next blog...
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Praying or designing better housing?
Following another deadly tornado in Alabama this past Sunday that left at least 23 dead, I was struck when I heard a local official say that the only think people could do was “pray.”
Pray to whom and for what?
This, in my opinion, won't achieve much. It would be preferable to draw some conclusions about the inadequate housing and lack of tornado-proof home designs that could in the future minimize the dire consequences of such a devastating weather phenomenon that is simply likely to intensify as climate changes.
I've in the past noted that building code in tornado-prone regions should evolve to protect more against this scourge, but it appears that prevention isn't such a high priority after all.
This has to change if we are not to repeat Einstein's admonition: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. »
Pray to whom and for what?
This, in my opinion, won't achieve much. It would be preferable to draw some conclusions about the inadequate housing and lack of tornado-proof home designs that could in the future minimize the dire consequences of such a devastating weather phenomenon that is simply likely to intensify as climate changes.
This has to change if we are not to repeat Einstein's admonition: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. »
Monday, March 4, 2019
The challenge of picking a career
Out of a whim, as a young teenager I had decided to attend an engineering school and while it provided me with what I thought was a good education, it wasn't quite what I should have picked.
At the time, I had one clear talent, which was drawing and two passions, drawing (again) and skiing. The prospects of using skiing as a career path were not obvious at all, except for becoming a ski-instructor, a job my parents didn't approve of.
At the same time, my parents sort of ignored my artistic talents and didn't know much what to do with me.
Yet, both my passions were consuming me and since skiing was the most accessible, it would rear its head most of the time in my small universe.
I wanted to go to America too, and Michel, a good friend of mine was passing on to me his copies of Skiing magazine that he bought in Geneva and I quickly put skiing and America together.
Eventually, upon graduating I tried to get a job as a draftsman, trainee-engineer in a company that was making electric clocks, but I soon discovered it wasn't my cup of tea and decided to take one year, before my military service to teach skiing. I had no certification but I loved the gig.
I was definitely getting on a slippery path!
At the time, I had one clear talent, which was drawing and two passions, drawing (again) and skiing. The prospects of using skiing as a career path were not obvious at all, except for becoming a ski-instructor, a job my parents didn't approve of.
At the same time, my parents sort of ignored my artistic talents and didn't know much what to do with me.
Yet, both my passions were consuming me and since skiing was the most accessible, it would rear its head most of the time in my small universe.
I wanted to go to America too, and Michel, a good friend of mine was passing on to me his copies of Skiing magazine that he bought in Geneva and I quickly put skiing and America together.
I was definitely getting on a slippery path!
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Two tales about work
A former classmate from France recently sent me two videos illustrating the good and the bad linked to modernity.
They were separate which make them more work to watch, and I pieced them together for illustrating this blog. In many way both illustrate what I have called “quality growth” on one hand and “quantity growth”, the one that's served to us daily, on the other.
The first part of the clip shows the good, that I'd say is constructive, enhancing and adding to the wealth and comfort we already enjoy. Sure its much more costly, requires lots of time, research and development.
The second is risky, laced with greed, based on shortcuts of all kinds, potentially destructive and costly. It is also unfortunately iconic of the world in which we live.
It seems to me that there's plenty of room and potential wealth in qualitative growth!
They were separate which make them more work to watch, and I pieced them together for illustrating this blog. In many way both illustrate what I have called “quality growth” on one hand and “quantity growth”, the one that's served to us daily, on the other.
The first part of the clip shows the good, that I'd say is constructive, enhancing and adding to the wealth and comfort we already enjoy. Sure its much more costly, requires lots of time, research and development.
The second is risky, laced with greed, based on shortcuts of all kinds, potentially destructive and costly. It is also unfortunately iconic of the world in which we live.
It seems to me that there's plenty of room and potential wealth in qualitative growth!
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Sloppy deal-making vs. hard-earned negotiating
Our President defines himself as a professional and skilled deal-maker, but the outcome of his very costly (to his taxpayers) and failed trip to Vietnam, to meet Kim Jong-un, shows that he's woefully incapable of negotiating at high, international level.
A meeting like this one should have been carefully prepared by skilled negotiators on either sides, but obviously, Mr. Trump knew better, had no patience for letting associates do the ground work, and didn't want to invest any of his time in getting down to details instead of watching Fox News and CNN.
Instead, he thought he could wing it and win the high-stake encounter. It just didn't work; the North Korean tyrant-child won the debate.
At head-of-state level, this is called incompetence and shows that Donald Trump might have been good at Reality TV, but he simply doesn't have the mettle to be President of the United States.
A meeting like this one should have been carefully prepared by skilled negotiators on either sides, but obviously, Mr. Trump knew better, had no patience for letting associates do the ground work, and didn't want to invest any of his time in getting down to details instead of watching Fox News and CNN.
Instead, he thought he could wing it and win the high-stake encounter. It just didn't work; the North Korean tyrant-child won the debate.
Friday, March 1, 2019
My take-away from Cohen's public hearing
I didn't learn anything new from Michael Cohen's testimony before the House of Representative, but was marked by his comments to the Republicans about the nefarious consequences of supporting Trump like they've been notorious for.
He said: “I’m responsible for your silliness, because I did the same things you’re doing now. For 10 years”. The he went on, and added: “I can only warn people…that follow Mr. Trump, as I did blindly,” who, he said, “are going to suffer the same consequences that I am suffering. Look at what happened to me. I’m a picture perfect example of what not to do.”
This prophecy stood as an excellent illustration of the law of Karma that may befall on anyone, naïve enough to have supported such an ego-maniac, whether in Congress or as a voter...
He said: “I’m responsible for your silliness, because I did the same things you’re doing now. For 10 years”. The he went on, and added: “I can only warn people…that follow Mr. Trump, as I did blindly,” who, he said, “are going to suffer the same consequences that I am suffering. Look at what happened to me. I’m a picture perfect example of what not to do.”
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