My Name Is Earl... and I'm A Big Blow Hard!

We are in the middle of a visit from Hurricane Earl. Still a Hurricane (Level 1) as it passes through Nova Scotia but is expected to be Post Tropical when the eye of the storm passes over us on Prince Edward Island. Woke to no power this morning and that was before the winds even picked up, apparently Maritime Electric had equipment failure at our local substation and power is back for now. While we've endured such weather in the past, this is the first time in recent memory that it's come during the day, and so we can view the storm in all it's glory. I'll try to get some photo's / video if I can but our subdivision doesn't have a lot of mature trees, which is both a blessing and a curse. I'm not sure that any images I will be able to capture will be that impressive but then again, it's not likely that a tree will land on my house. I have to admit, I am fond of a good storm and have been ever since I was young, mother nature has always fascinated me. I hope the damage is minimal and that everyone stays safe, but I do enjoy being in the middle of the action. :)

Canada's Smallest Province Mostly Without Electricity Today

Luckily for me I work in a technology centre which has backup generation capabilities! Prince Edward Island has been hit with freezing rain for the past couple of days and it is making life difficult for many Islanders. Schools have been canceled for most of the Island's students all week, and while travel has been difficult the power has stayed on for most of us until about noon today when there occurred a near system wide blackout. We have been busy scrounging around for extension cords, as not all of the outlets in the office are supplied by the emergency power system. The floors are a tangle of wires and we are without lights but for the most part we are still up and running. I don't have the luxury of backup electricity at home but the propane fireplace should keep the place heated. Oh, the joys of winter in Canada!

Danger Will Robinson!

Hopefully you all know not to trust e-mails asking you to download something, or for that matter not to open e-mails from anyone you don't know, or attachments to e-mails even if they come from someone you do know (unless you are expecting it, and then only after it's been scanned),... The Register has this warning that you should take heed of anyway.