It was a great day today as went out garage to some garage sales and then with a friend we headed downtown to one of two major markets that take place on the weekend. The morning was nice as it’s starting to get warmer. My friends went their way and I went my own. I met some very interesting people as within the market there are people that are from the city that are selling there jams, odds and ends, and then there are people that are from other countries that have the most interesting things that one can buy.
I was looking for a place to get a coffee and ended inviting me to sit down. We talked about this city and where I was from. Seems that is always the case – but we talked about what Edmonton is about and how it’s grown so rapidly over the past few years. As well we spoke on how the city does not really have a theme to it – but we both came to a agreement that an extensive undertaking of the city to do a major extension of the “LRT”, which is the subway here that only services a fraction of the inner city but is in the midst of a rapid expansion ongoing day and night to all areas – which would extend to the suburbs much like the one in NYC. It’s a very spread out city here and we both agreed that coupled with bring a new Arena downtown, which is something that would extend out to different things as Edmonton is a city that has always been considered secondary to Calgary.
Included within our discussion we talked about oil. You never hear about it, but right now this is the largest reserve of oil. Back in the 70’s in a briefing in the United States from a close relations (if I can place it that way), the province of Saskatchewan was seen as the largest reserve of Oil and one that was to be looked upon as a reserve that would be there as the timing was right during the oil crisis of the 70's. Somehow the governments or the people in power put a halt to it and continued to be the largest purchaser of Oil from Suadi Arabia. I don't know why any country would wish to pay the prices while there are reserves that could be much less costly.
Alberta has always been and up and down economy based on oil, but where the greatest amount of oil sits is in a province side by side to Alberta. Literally.
Right now Saskatchewan has diamond mines, potash, and it’s just going into drilling in a manner that has not been seen before. I guess that is why it’s the fastest growing place in Canada right now.
So often I will periodically watch the news – in particular CNN. And they will speak on so many areas with regards to oil and where they are finding it but the largest commodity is right here and you would think when a nation wishes to become less reliant to the Saudi’s for oil, they would actually mention Canada. For some reason they don’t perhaps Lou Dobbs has his own agenda aside of reporting. But the fact of the matter is that all the oil companies are here from Canada, United States, and China. Now I know we have to conserve – but when it comes down to it. We don’t really do we? The only city where I ever did see a majority of people commute was in NYC.
Lived in United States nearly as much as in Canada, and if I can mention my own say it would be that Canada is a country that for some reason America does not wish to pay to much attention towards. It seems that the attention is all on the areas that are problematic rather than areas that have resolves. We do live in an economy where we are paying gas at prices that we have never seen before in our life. And it’s not going to go back. Nor are windmills going to resolve this problem. We are a society that has thrived on oil since so far back in time by way of inventors such as Henry Ford, Sigismund Leoni. And we are not like the Europeans where they are less reliant cars, and commute by way of an infrastructure of long standing subways, and will ride bikes more so than we will here.
Within 10 years I promise you that oil will be the largest commodity that Canada exports. Trade is a good thing. Some see it to the contrary but perhaps it’s due to what they don’t know. Or do, but just don’t wish to mention much about it. Why that is, I don’t know – perhaps they really don’t know.
All in all, I don’t think the gentleman’s dog cared much. His name was "Big" and all he cared about was just simple things. However even Big wants to be warm and is reliant to some extent on oil as well. The even dogs of today are different to those of 40 some years ago. I guess we all are spoiled in some way. : )
Something to think about. Meanwhile it was time for our conversation to end as "Big" had a special errand to make.
Interesting blog, Jack. I'm glad you enjoyed your day out. As far as the oil situation is concerned, I do agree with you on most of your issues. Its true that Canada has a great reserve of oil in Alberta and why the US and Canada don't come to some sort of agreement on the export/inport of it is beyond me! We also have reserves here that we are not utilzing. Our government seems to prefer cow-towing to the Saudis, rather than using what we have. In the meantime, the big oil companies are raking in billions of dollars in profits while the average Joe/Jane struggle to put food on the table for their families. Hopefully, when Bush is gone, things will get better.
ReplyDeleteWe can learn from all experiences and when we get to the point that we become unteachable that is when we can't learn. Just like you stated in the topic we can learn each day.
ReplyDeleteI believe a person should learn something new each day. Funny when you ask a person what they learned today they say nothing..how sad that is.
Have a blessed day and glad you had a lovely time.
That was an interesting day you had, both pleasant and instructive it seems. I agree with you, we learn something new everyday, or at least most days. Hope you could find great buys at the garage sales, we can get good deals there usually. Love walking in a market, smell the fresh veggies and fruits, bread and pastries, and at this time a year, all the flowers and plants for gardening. Interesting blog Jack, and nice pictures too. Big looks very friendly.
ReplyDeleteBush threw what are called taxes on Canadian soft wood lumber. Basically George did allot of bad, but I hear about this Chavez in Venezeala, and Latin America does not have near the oil nor does the USA.
ReplyDeleteI hope that these two countries can come to be the countries that they were and now are. We are different but at the same tim Jo you know that from being to England and residing in United States that there is differences. Canada is a country that did not revolt from the English back in the 1700's, Canada like Australia and a few other was founded ....................stepping back we were founded by the aboriginals/native americans that came by way of the Chinad.
Back to the story. In some parts of America, Canada seems to be a country that has few things going on. However, Canada is the main exporter of Potash currently in the world, Diamonds, not coal any more it's too hard to refine our type. And right now I could literally take pictures of Exxon (called Esso here), Halliburton which has a main office here and as well the cream de la cream machines for drilling. And now they are all going into Saskatchewan. As far as that sorry of some years back, it was my father that told me it while I was visiting him and several occassions he did go to Washington and Ottawa. I hope it's just, I know it's not New York as I have relations of a friend and relations of my own that see Canada as a Friend. I hope too Jo, I really do. Texas is all fine but when the oil is drying up do you keep casting out to see where you not sure where oil is for new rigs or do you work in concert by way of what was once and still is the two largest trading partners in the entire world. Canada does not have to reform, nor America. We just need to conform to the times.
We Can Do This - if your government wants too. But your government does make that choice for you. As does mine.
We can, we certainly can. A very good day to you and what I learned this morning is that the jet stream in Edmonton is coming from the North Pole rather than the pacific rim. As it's cool and as well raining.
ReplyDeleteWith learning and gaining I think we suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but in a new fashion and manner.
Thank you and nice to meet you.
Thank you. Markets are fun and great. This was apparently the second one to take place this spring.
ReplyDeleteFive years ago, to suggest that oil would be 100 USD a barrel was really far fetched. But now, it could reach 200 USD any day, and 300 USD may not be too far away. The impact from this price increase would be beyond the 'nomal' supply and demand - because I do not consider oil (just like diamonds) follows the free market economies ... although, one factor for the current price seems to arise from supply uncertainties. I'm thinking, we don't have to wonder long what would happend to the world, when oil became a commodity that no longer be accesible to the general public. And we already knew that oil proces affect other commodity prices. I know travels is already three times more costly compared to 5-10 years ago. So as we become more global cyber wise, we will see each other less and less in real world. That to me is truly heart breaking.
ReplyDeleteI guess, we continue to take our walk via snapshot and text ;)
Still, than you for the lovely sharing of your day,
I really wished to mention this as it's something that is something that not many are aware of. And I don't think that it's a negative political issue. We talk about global warming and G8 conventions. Well I think that perhaps there is the secondary alternative to Saudi Arabia. And that is on the land that has the largest reserves.
ReplyDeleteIt's not about people it's about governments and the media that tend to silence what is in Canada. I don't know why that is but right now China is paying premiums and when I listen to Lou Dobbs, Glenn Beck - I find that they have there own agenda in reporting in the United States. Or they just don't want to mention anything but what causes one to have concerns with the recession in America. Not pushing it here however the mention with regards to where the largest amount of oil is and is being harvested right now and continually growing is here in Western Canada. So when I here how the topic comes to be on these stations it's "where and what do we do" and even the oil executives won't mention it. But there are several retired Americans that have wrote on this. Even John Edwards in an interview with Charlie Rose on PBS talkes about where the oil is.
Not pushing it, but for a great country to not understand by means of all they watch on television. I can certainly say there is oil and there is not going to be a stop to oil exploration and usage.
England has drilling rigs off the coast of Newfoundland, by way of bilateral agreements.
Then again yesterday "Big" was glad this winter he had oil and was not kept outside as there was a furnase to keep him warm.
Once in a while I wish to write on things of this kind - I love United States the places where I lived, but it seems right now that United States is in a recession and that is when you bring together your allies and work it out - unless it's a situation of being too proud. Proud is not something that any country can afford these days, it's being able to work out of the recession and bring back an economy. That was doing tremendous just nine years ago.
Interesting to note the reserves of oil in Canada---you are correct, that's something I've never read or heard (until now.) With the spirit of trade in place between North American neighbors---what gives?
ReplyDeleteOil Cartels making decisions that are played out on the stages of national governments most likely. It's rather depressing.
GA it is. The sence of it all makes no sense. What gives, it is what it is...governments that utilize media and reporting that has taken on a new twists that is never seen in the United States, hopefully that changes. Yet the price of gas would be the same, but there would not be a subservant manner entirely to the Saudi's. The people of Saudi Arabia have not care with regards to United States - the government there. All they know is that they have yet to see a change of direction with the purchasing of oil.
ReplyDeleteCanada and the United States in particular should be saying as it is and what is going on. We have been neighbors. But it just does not seem to be looking that way. I don't place much weight into it as it is something that truthfully taking place and has been know for a long time. Now in particular - Alberta and Saskatchewan are not in a up and down boom - it's a continual move in drilling and finding all different areas. The numbers of companies that are here from different countries are growing in numbers each and ever week literally. I ponder what the Saudi's are thinking. As in the event that there was a breach in sending gas to the United States I think then you would hear the "oil secret" that you never here by way of the media.
We have a lovely market in downtown Montreal. The best time to shop there I find is this time of year and throughout the summer. They have lovely flowers, fresh produce and some specialty shops with fantastic cheeses and special cuts of meat.
ReplyDeletePeople come out of their suburbs to flock to the market. I meet my brother there sometimes and we sit and have a coffee and a piece of cake and catch up on each other's lives.
There is not much to add to what you've already said about the oil situation. I'm in complete agreement to what you're saying. Maybe the coming election in the US and the change of power will bring about a different attitude. Let's hope for that at least.
We are a great nation Lis right next to another that does not know much about Canada, but having lived in both countries equally I can honestly say - it's time.
ReplyDeleteG'day Jack,
ReplyDeleteAs the oil situation in Americis, Canadia or even Auss for that matter is so far beyound me I will just read & learn, but that dog has won my heart. lol
To bed I go Wendy and yeah "Big" as it was his real name was a tremendous dog I dont know what the bread was part lab, but huge he was large. And I really do kind of think he knew what we were talking about but he was rather bored with it all he just need to use the "dog facilities" and then look for a bone! Good night dear friend.
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