My whole life is surrounded by technology that has been discovered or invented in the past 50 years. I am a product of Generation-X, the epitome of consumerism. I love and want more technology, I crave the latest gadget, I consume therefore I am. But really, I am a poor example of a consumer, I [...]
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The first days back at work can be a struggle after a holiday, and it was a good one, lots of family time, hiking, enjoying Spring and seeing the wonders of the Canadian Rockies. Lots of photos here and still more to come over the next couple of weeks. This morning I had a joyful [...]
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Have you noticed the disconnect between reality and expectations for housing options in the Baby Boomer crowd? A recent AARP study, for example, found a massive disconnect between perceptions of aging and its reality. The vast majority of people surveyed expressed optimism that they would not only be in good physical health in their later years, [...]
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The Olympics should be above politics, but is this just the tipping point for an organization that has turned the act of sporting achievement into a carnival of corporate excess, where the spectacle of entertainment is more important than the sport, where the Canadian government goes to any length to Own the Podium.
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As of February 1, 2010, the BC Building Code has been amended to require the consideration of potential for slope instability and it’s consequences at a building site becomes an explicit requirement in the design of structures and their foundations, additionally, the seismic design criteria has been increased to a probablility level of 2%-in-50 year. [...]
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The engineering profession is often challenged with ways to pass on the enthusiasm for the profession to younger generations. Part of this is based in the education system and the streamlining of subjects taught, but most of the blame for the seeming obscurity of the profession has to lie with the profession itself. For Civil [...]
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This recent article in the Guardian about the lack of energy innovation in the US by George Monbiot is sure to raise more than a few hackles… As if to hammer home the point that the Department of Energy seems to be stuck in a time-warp, and as if to highlight the sad decline of [...]
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A recent BC court case confirmed my belief that inadequate design should not be managed with "cover your ass" signage. Some of the quotes below serve as an excellent case study for understanding the relationship between a municipal engineering design, the designer and the municipality regarding safety and risk management. The case, Lovely v Kamloops [...]
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