Back of the Class

If you could afford to pay $250 or $500 you would have been able to hear Al Gore speak to 1400 people at a packed Westin Bayshore conference room. The former U.S. vice president often introduces himself as at his Inconvenient Truth presentations by saying he is the man “who used to be the next president of the United States.” In Vancouver, he commended Premier Gordon Campbell for his promise to significantly reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in the province by 2020.

“The world is going to come here for the Olympics,” Gore said. “Having these initiatives shows the world leadership.” He also said that he is disappointed that the U.S. and the Canadian federal government have failed to embrace the measures to enact strong greenhouse-gas emission regulations as outlined in the Kyoto Protocol. “Kyoto unfortunately is so controversial in my country and it is in yours, too,” he said.

Gore showed pictures of massive glaciers as they were decades ago, and the rock and rubble that is there today due to warming conditions. Gives us something else to worry about besides the rain………..

The following takes place between 1am and 2am….

“24″ star, Kiefer Sutherland was arrested in Los Angeles early Tuesday on drunken driving charges after failing a sobriety test. The actor was pulled over at about 1:10 a.m. after officers spotted him making an illegal U-turn. He tested over the state’s legal blood alcohol limit of .08 percent, and after posting $25,000 bail, he was released, and is scheduled to appear in court October 16.

Problem is this arrest violates a five-year probation from a previous DUI incident in 2004. Do the math and you will realize he is in a tight spot that even Jack Bauer may not be able to get out of! This might send him to jail for up to a year. Perhaps if he had called Chloe first and got her to send the realtime satellite images to his PDA of the cops waiting at the side of the road, he could have avoided this little mess.

Seven time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor, Lance Armstrong was in Vancouver this past weekend for the BC Cancer Foundation Tour of Courage, cancer fund raiser. Not only is he known as one of the world’s most incredible atheletes, but also as a leader and tireless advocate for the fight against cancer.

He led a community fundraising ride for recreational cyclists young and old in Greater Vancouver and participated in a challenge ride for a small group of major donors.

A while back I read both his books, but was really engrossed with the first one, named, “It’s not About the Bike - My Journey Back to Life”. It’s a most inspiring book, and well worth the read.

Amazingly, 23 year old Prince George resident walked away from Sunday’s crash in Phuket, Thailand, with only whiplash, and an amazing story to tell. The plane was attempting to land in heavy rain, when it crashed and broke into two. Furlong, who suffered whiplash and scrapes and bruises, and forty two others were lucky enough to escape. Eighty-nine people died.

“The guy behind me was kicking at the emergency door,” Furlong told the Vancouver Sun by telephone from Bangkok Hospital in Phuket.

“He was kicking and kicking, and it wasn’t opening. There were flames all around and there were people on fire. The smoke was everywhere. I thought, a couple more seconds and we’re all going to be dead.

I cannot imagine a more terrifying experience. Her mom told CFUN’s Shane Foxman this morning, that her daughter intends continuing with her travels in Asia and is expected home in early October.

I could not let this day go by without writing something about the events of September 11th 2001. Most of us will never forget where we were when we heard that the Twin Towers fell and the subsequent attacks on the Pentagon and Flight 93. Watching the constant footage and news reports for many days and weeks following, I remember the utter disbelief that the terrorists could have planned and implemented these horrific attacks.

A few years ago I was in New York, and visited Ground Zero. It is eerie. I could not help but think that each person had a life, dreams and goals. Families, friends and loved ones lives were forever changed by the events of that day.

Today we remember the victims and the heroes of September 11th 2001.

Yesterday eager Apple fans watched and waited for Apple’s new product announcement. Now the iPod ranges from the Shuffle, to the new tiny and thin Nano, which now has video. The original iPod is now called the iPod classic, which is thinner and the 80g has enhanced battery life. Or you can have 160g if you want to hold 40 000 songs. And, prices are down from before!

Then there is the new touch screen iPod with video, 8mm thin, with a multi-touch interface. This can also browse the internet wirelessly with the 3.5″ widescreen display. So easy to share photos too!

The company whacked $200 off the price of the iPhone (not yet available in Canada) much to the dismay of the suckers who paid the whopping $600 when it was released two months ago to unprecedented hype and strong reviews. Steve Jobs said that the 8 gig iPhone will now cost $399 (US). The 4 gig iPhone will continue to sell at $299 while supplies last, and then will be discontinued.

A very passionate Jobs, also rolled out a new version of iTunes, including a feature whereby you can make your own ringtone and use it on your iPhone.

Much excitement for the iPod lover!

Labour Day Weekend is over and we all know what that means. The unofficial end of summer. Kids back to school, more traffic on the roads, buses are more full with commuting students and more rainy days to look forward to. At UBC students can now look forward to a choice between Coke or Pepsi, as the 12 year exclusive contract Coke had with UBC has now ended.

New seasons of TV shows begin, new hosts and new hot topics. Whoopi Goldberg joined The view taking over from Rosie O’Donnell. Hillary Clinton appeared on Ellen and Oprah’s first guest of the season is Bill Clinton.

Week seven of the garbage strike and still no sign of the strike ending yet.