We live in Toronto and were one of the 10,000 households first chosen to "test" the Smart Meters. Frankly, no one should have had to have a Smart Meter until everyone did. I feel the same way about the Garbage/Recycle Bins - they started with our end of the City while people in neighbouring areas continued to put out what they wanted to. Our costs are ridiculous when you consider that we live in a small bungalow - just the 2 of us, with a dog. Hydro, Gas, Metered Water, Garbage and of course the dreaded NO FAULT INSURANCE. I am ballistic about the latter considering that a week ago a SUV decided to pull out of a car wash and turn left - speeding of course - crossed 2 lanes of traffic and smashed into me as I was sitting in a designated turn late with a traffic light. Stupid me was on the phone trying to get the police to come since it was 100% obvious I was not at fault - if nothing else I wanted that on record - not about to happen. This happened in a very busy part of town and there were several witnesses - but not one person would help me - or come forward - but they sure wanted me to move my car - but to where? I was alone and was not certain the car could even be driven. I do not have a cell phone so wasn't playing on that. I had just had my eyes tested that week - 20/20. Thankfully, the dog was not in the car. I did not get home until 10:30 that night - accident happened at 4:30 p.m. The police were very nice to me at the accident reporting centre and agreed that it would have been nice if someone had come forward. It has been a week and I have still not spoken to the insurance adjuster. If you have an accident try and do so between 8:30 and 4:30 Monday to Friday. I am very happy that when Ontario decreased insurance coverages a few years ago I called and paid the difference to up ours back to where it was. It seems that these days nothing is anyone's fault which is a problem - especially considering the misuse of cell phones - the texting etc. while supposedly driving. We have a rental but it does not have snow tires. I am afraid to drive anywhere in case someone hits me with the rental car and we keep getting snow. You know things are bad when my husband suggests that I drive. The car is a 2002 but only has 48,000 km on it - obviously we don't drive far - husband takes TTC. If we didn't have the dog frankly I would be tempted to give the car up now. Many people once they no longer have the need - other than convenience are doing just that - you can take a lot of taxis etc. or rent cars (in summer with their insurance) for the price of our car's insurance, repairs, gas etc. This is my rant today! Sadly, whenever I have witnesses such an accident I have always provided the victim with my name/phone number to give to the police. I have done so many times in the past, but now, frankly, I would really have to want to help someone out before I would do so again. I am still waiting for Karma and so far it hasn't...

I still agree with our traffic act ... that it's a privilege ... to drive on the public highway. Any person has a right, wearing a seat belt or not, to drive any vehicle, licensed or not, passed mechanical/emissions test or not, on private property ... but only if s/he owns it. Or has the owner's permission ... which makes that situation a "privilege" that must be granted, doesn't it? How would you like to have me tell you that I have a right to drive my car on your driveway? farm? In our area, a youth can only drive on the public road initially if s/he can pass a test showing that s/he knows many of the traffic laws ... and only if accompanied by a licensed driver, for some time, until s/he has proved her/his capacity to operate a vehicle within appropriate parameters (which until that time does not include driving on an expressway, or driving between midnight and 5 a.m., or with more than one other youth in the car, or with any trace whatever of alchol on his/her breath) at which time s/he is granted an unrestricted licence (except can't have more than 0.08% of alcohol on his/her breath). And if s/he transgresses those parameters, the privilege will be withdrawn ... for a period. In fact, I don't have a right to drive any vehicle on the highway, as is. When I purchase a vehicle, it must pass certain mechanical tests and limited emission tests before the government allows me to put a licence plate on it, and if I am caught driving it on a public road without a licence plate, I have some serious consequences to face, regardless of whether I possess a driving licence. Actually, if I don't pay a fee before my birthday next year, the "right", "privilege" or whatever we choose to call it, will expire, and if I put it on the road the next day, there'll be consequences that I won't like (if I'm caught by certain designated persons policing the rules). Plus, every couple of years, it must re-pass an emissions test and if it doesn't, they won't accept my fee in order for me to continue to exercise my "right" ... "privilege" ... whatever ... to continue to operate it on the public roads (but I can operate it on my own farm, even if it doesn't pass the emissions test). If it's been through an accident and an evaluator assesses that it has suffered structural, rather than merely cosmetic damage, I will not be allowed the "right" ... "privilege" to continue to have a licence on it. But this issue is beside the point ... my suggestion here was that everyone choose to make a distinct effort to re-evaluate and most likely upgrade their driving knowledge and skills. Probably we upgrade our computers oftener than re-evaluate/upgrade our driving skills. But the choice not to re-evaluate/upgrade our computer will hardly ever be responsible for someone's death or serious injury, whether that of others or our own. ole joyful

Good list, gazania. There's quite a variey of geography. I remember after Dad had made a couple of trips between Ontario and Saskatchewan, he said that the first trip through Nothern Ontario was rather thrilling, and beautiful ... but that after the first trip, it was pretty well just water ... and rocks ... and trees. I guess he didn't have much of the artist in his eyes. I hope to make the Banff to Jasper trip some time ... I visited Jasper when I lived west of Edmonton and travelled the road between Calgary and Vancouver in my VW Bug in '58 on my return to Korea. I've visited B.C., lived for a while in Saskatchewan and Alberta, visited Manitoba and Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia (including the Cabot Trail around Cape Breton). But, to my regret, I've never been to Newfoundland and Labrador. I'd better get busy and visit there, while I'm still enjoying good health and could enjoy it well. If some feel like making a visit this summer, we'll be glad to see you. ole joyful

Hi (again) Amer Auto Ass'n. ("A A A" for short) It has, so far ... ... now all I have to do is avoid getting into "scrapes" (or bang-ups) ... ... and I'm good to go for the next two ears. (Dang keyboard - that was supposed to be "years"!). Hope I can keep the equipment between those "ears" - and function, as well - in half decent shape for those two years ...for in recent times increasingly it seems as though I can't remember a darn thing. ole joyfuelled