17 Apr 10 Frankfurt Airport completely closed due to Icelandic Volcanic Ash issue
So, here I am in Germany to visit my grandmother (who passed away four days before we were to leave from Montreal)… my mom & I made it fine to the small town in the Southern Saxony province in Germany after our flight to Prague (via Heathrow in London) on British Airways.
Of course, two days after we arrive, Mother Nature strikes again! That Icelandic Volcanic Ash has reaped havoc on many of the airports across much of Western Europe. I’ve noticed a spike in visitor to my family blog for an article I wrote a while back when Frankfurt Airport was closed for another issue.
Well, as of today (April 17) Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is at ATC Zero, which is flight industry speak for no takeoffs or landings… the Frankfurt Airport has set up 1400 cots (with 500 more on the way) along with 8000 blankets to comfort passengers stuck in transit. They’ve also set up a pharmacy in the terminals for PAX who may have prescription medication needs that are tucked away in the cargo hold of a plane that’s grounded.
We’re not leaving for at least several more days, so hopefully that ash cloud will have moved on – or settled….
Source: Official Frankfurt Airport Icelandic Ash News Release
Tags: Eyjafjallajökull, FRA, Frankfurt, Frankfurt Airport is closed, Iceland Volcano Ash, Travel, Weather
15 Dec 08 WOW: BBC Planet Earth Complete Series Blu-Ray set for $34.99 with free shipping (in US) at Discovery store – today only
Got a notice for an excellent deal on the impressive BBC Planet Earth Complete Series Blu-Ray set for only $34.99 at the Discovery Store … today only (until 23H59 December 15th!) at the Discovery Store.
The Planet Earth series (David Attenborough) has to be one of the most visually impressive series covering all the natural wonders of the planet. I think this is probably one of the first (and most essential) HD Blu-Ray discs worth buying. Of course, to play this you’ll need both a Blu-Ray player *and* ideally a full 1080i/p TV set. Otherwise they have the regular (non-HD) DVD set for $42.46.
What’s better? This includes FREE standard shipping inside the US. In addition, they do ship to Canada ($10) as well as the UK ($34.95 sort of kills it for my UK blokes)…
I saw a preview in the theatre yesterday for this and it’s pretty mesmerizing. Since it’s done by the BBC I’m pretty sure the content matches the visuals. Have a look at the Amazon reviews (Over 1800 reviews with average of 4.5+ stars)…
For reference, prices at other stores:
Amazon.com: $59.99
Amazon.ca (Canada)
Indigo / Chapters Canada: $87.46
Best Buy (USA): $64.99
BBC Canada Shop: 84.98
Even on eBay, the majority of starting auction prices are higher than $34.99 – and that doesn’t include shipping, and variable delays depending on which eBay seller you happen to wind up buying from. Mouse over the items in the widget below to see the current prices:
Tags: Bargains, BBC Planet Earth, Blu-Ray, Deals, Movies, Television, Weather
28 Oct 08 October 28 : First snowfall in Montreal for 2008 – 2009 winter :)
Well, after a day of meeting with school staff for Tristan, then a couch-served yummy omelet with potatoes & onion, then nap, then novice hockey level evaluations and tryouts for Tristan… finished up with Jambalaya Fetuccini at Boston Pizza ….
and watching a bit of the Habs win againts the Carolina Hurricane in a close match that finished 3-2 for the Canadiens in a second overtime shootout…
it is now bedtime and * snowing * in Montreal … OK wet snow, perhaps we won’t get the 10-15cm that Ottawa got…. we’ll see if tomorrow is white morning 
Tags: Boston Pizza, Food, Health, hockey, restaurants, Sports, Tristan, Weather
30 Aug 08 Hurricane Gustav : New Orleans Mayor Nagin orders mandatory evacuation … “the storm of the century” – evacuation order video
Well, just reading some BBC Breaking News… earlier in the evening, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was filmed saying that New Orleans residents “should” leave….
Barely 2 hours after that interview, the BBC is reporting some pretty stark words from Mayor Nagin;
the storm of the century
you need to be scared
the mother of all storms
the National Weather Service is saying it’s the worst possible storm that they can imagine
Now ordinarily, this could be written off as hyperbole and perhaps even fear-mongering, but coming from the mayor of New Orleans which survived the devastation of Katrina, … if this man is so worried, I think all residents in Gustav’s path should listen to his words.
“This is not a test.”
Full BBC News Video is here.
Tags: Hurricane Gustav, Mandatory New Orleans Evacuation, Ray Nagin Video, Weather
12 Jun 08 Window Washers dangle & tossed around 180 degrees on Place Montreal Trust platform during storm
Window Washers dangle & tossed around 180 degrees on Place Montreal Trust platform during storm
Well, ya know, my Tuesday afternoon could indeed have been much worse.
Yes, they both survived – they were pulled in by 2 office workers in Place Montreal Trust, Alain Lapointe and Sebastien Molaire… Molaire is working on becoming a police office, and I think this rescue (he smashed the glass from the inside – resulting in saving the guys, but getting himself in hospital with stitches to a finer – will help in his getting through the police academy in Nicolet. 
Oui, c’aurait pu être pas mal pire… mais… sain et sauf après peur de leur vie. Ils se sont fait sauver par deux employés de la Place Montréal Trust; Alain Lapointe et Sebastien Molaire. Monsieur Molaire a brisé le vitre (faut être fort!) et réussi a rentrer les deux laveurs de vitres.
Ouf.
Tags: heroes, Place Montreal Trust, police, storms, Weather
