Winter-peg

I am heading to Winnipeg this week for training. For once, I'm attending the training, not delivering it. I haven't done any external professional development since starting with my employer just over one year ago, so I'm excited IN SPITE OF the fact that this training is in Winnipeg.

Now Winnipeg is a notable city for many reasons, including: the Blue Bombers (its Canadian Football League team), the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (a renowned ballet), the Jets (its former National Hockey League team, which despite moving to Phoenix in 1996, still has more fans than many small market NHL teams), and future home of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. All good things!

Winnipeg is even better known for its cold winters and for being mosquito-filled in the summers. And I'm going to this city in the middle of January.

Now, granted, I'm still excited about the training. But Tuesday's high is -26C (-15F) and its low is -34C (-29F).

Brr...

Is the pat-down check to get on a plane reasonable?

An American traveller was selected for body scanning on the new scanner. He opted for the pat down, but was upset when told the employee's hand would go up his thighs until it reached his torso.

I understand radiation safety. In my opinion, the technology of the new body scanners looks like it should be safe. But I am cautious of the safety of new technologies. If given the option between the scanner and the pat down, I would probably select the pat down. In fact, I have been patted down when flying through airports before the scanners arrived, and more recently in an airport that didn't have the scanner. It was respectful, clearly just checking my body for items. She wanted to check around my bra, and even that was done in a respectful manner.

While I have no problem with the pat downs I have experienced, I might be a little more cautious in the case of this man's patdown:


The U.S. TSA is saying they think John Tyner went to the airport to cause problems. Mr Tyner says he videotaped "just in case" there were problems. While I find it odd that Mr Tyner's instinct was to videotape the event, I also find the pat down procedures odd.

What are your thoughts? Is this new security procedure too far?

What I'll be wishing for ...

In honour of my impending absence to an area not on the map (literally), I will post on things I know I will wish I have!

Crisp sheets and a soft duvet:


A luxurious bath:

(I wish I had this bath tub!)

A nice place to curl up and read:


Seeing these images, I'm also realizing just how serene an off-white decor can be!

Tell me: what comfort items would you pack if you were me?

Places to See: Scotland

A couple years ago, Wade became interested in his genealogical roots. His father's side descends from the Scottish Clan Hannay, however directly or indirectly is unknown until we look into it further. In his research into this ancient clan, he discovered there was once a clan castle:

(Source: Clan Hannay U.S. website)

This castle still exists, but looks a little different:

(Source: Scottish Field)

So, I think it's unnecessary to say that we'd like to visit Sorbie Tower on a trip to Scotland.