ASH MONDAY

The numbers are a big part of the story.

63,000.

That's the number of flights cancelled in or into or out of Europe since Thursday.

3

That's the one day percentage drop in airline shares on Friday.

$1 Billion

That's the estimated loss in airline revenue.

Can you say, "Eyjafjallajokull Volcano, boys and girls?"

Me neither.

More importantly, this modest visit from Ma Nature is threatening the whole tender economy of the EU.

Air shipments of fresh fruit and exotic vegetables from the Mediterranean, flowers from North Africa, grain from Asia and transplant organs from across Europe have been suspended for five days, leading to shortages and some reports of panic buying.

Schools are closed, exams are postponed. Somewhere in Brussels, a girl has found Jesus because the volcano was sent to give her more time to prepare for that geography test she'd been avoiding.

Tourism has been especially hit and thousands of people are basically living in airports.

Imagine that fun.

Like visiting the lovely washrooms.

You're in Vancouver.

Sans earthquakes; sans volcanic debris.

So far.

The sun is almost out.

Count your blessings.

Victor Loves a Parade

'Victor' is a friend whose comments I post here from time to time. I especially loved the last line about "currying" favour...

When I was a kid in the 50's, there were Catholic and protestant
Parades. The Catholics, of which I am one, would have a parade
organized by the Knights of Columbus, complete with statues and
crucifixes. The Protestants would have an Orange Day parade, complete
with a King Billy on a white horse. These overtly religious parades
pissed off people in both religious camps so they were dropped around
1960.

I strongly believe that religious parades have no place in modern
Canada. That applies to Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Sikhs, Jews
etc. On that basis, I fail to see how Sikhs can tie up city blocks and
draw down vast amounts of city resources for what is essentially a
religious parade with free food. If there are to be further Vaisaki
parades, they should be licensed only on the basis that they are a
Spring celebration and must include opportunities for participation
by other groups. (Hindu, Muslim, Gay, Aboriginal, whatever). That's
how St. Patrick's Day parades work in New Your and Chicago.

If the Sikh community is unwilling to do that, their bigotry will be
exposed and politicians will no longer feel blackmailed into currying
favour with a large voting block.

I Don't Have a Friend Who's Not Been Battered