Lost in Translation

From the weatheroffice..I think something was lost in translation..

11:19 AM EST Tuesday 27 December 2011
Winter storm warning for
Natashquan continued

We expect 20 to 40 centimetres of snow over these regions beginning this evening. Moreover, strong winds will accompany the snow and will create generalized blowing snow over the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and north coast areas.

A new low pressure system with an explosive development is presently building over Kentucky. This system will move to Northern New England this evening and will reach the province of Quebec Wednesday morning.

The snow will affect the Southern Quebec areas beginning on this evening. Over the Eastern Townships and the Beauce, the storm will give a mix of precipitations. The heavy snow, strong winds and blowing snow which accompany this system will reach several regions of Central and Eastern Quebec beginning tonight, leaving a more than significant amount of snow. These bad conditions will persist through Thursday.

Please refer to regional public forecasts for details pertaining to each region.
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?qc25

Good Question!

On the bus this morning a young girl asked her mom why a man was wearing a Santa hat.  Good question! I wondered why as well. 

Good Timing

While waiting for the bus this morning, I noticed a new 'for rent' sign has been posted on a building across the street.  The building appears to house a financial consulting business and a Christian dance studio (?) on the main floor and an apartment on the top floor.  No sooner had I wondered why the sign had been posted, I saw a man walk out of the building holding a baby!  The timing couldn't have been more perfect.  A growing family calls for more space!

From Manhattan to Newark

I recently moved to another city after accepting a job transfer, and the experience has been somewhat akin to moving from Manhattan to Newark.  My new city is in many ways an extension of the American rust belt; a former industrial powerhouse that has lost its employer base and lost its way in the process.

And because of its declining financial fortunes people seldom move to the city for employment I'm told by both the statistics and locals.  Most newcomers are university and college students who move to town, keep the downtown bars and clubs in business, and then move away.  Most locals react with surprise when I tell them why I moved to town, and where I came from. 

There is a lot to like about my new city.  Minimal gridlock, a decent public transit system, and generally friendly customer service.

But when you move from "Manhattan" to Newark there's bound to be culture shock, a shift in expectations and a lifestyle realignment.

There are churches....A lot of churches, including many large evangelical congregations.  But so far I have observed that many of the churches in town struggle to incorporate newcomers.  They're fairly good at welcoming new people; but actually involving them their community and lives is another thing.  I suspect its mostly because of what I said earlier.  A town filled of people unaccustomed (and even surprised) when someone chooses to move in, lacks the experience of other cities that routinely welcome (and expect) new residents to settle.