The How and Why of WiFi: Parks Canada Replies ... Quickly

The air is abuzz right now regarding Parks Canada's plans to implement WiFi service into park areas, but some of the media coverage has been slightly misleading (or perhaps too generalised) by referencing "remoter areas" or tossing in pics of tent setups (if you look closely, there are buildings around the tents :-)) in a piece or two.  I'm not going to provide media links because you're all 'net savvy and can find that for yourselves.

This news has outdoor people like me ranting on social media more than usual, attracting two camps of thinkers also trying to uncross their signals on the issue: those who feel I'm possibly over reacting and not giving the process a fair shake, and those freaking out right along with me because we care about retaining the organic peace and quiet and natural functionality of anything beyond the outhouse, RV hookup, or info centre.   Do you really need to Google what just crawled past your sweaty socks? Keep your ears tilted towards the woods!  That melodic bird chirping is not a Macintosh Face-time call in.  It's a real bird.  Enjoy it while they're still migrating here!     

Obviously, I've settled down, fully intending to get to the facts of it all - like ... "how far is this realistically and economically going to reach and have you asked ALL OF US about it?!"  I checked on Parks' website yesterday, and found squat under 2014 news releases.  I'm not going to delve into my posted rant, and all the reasons why I'm against too much urban zombie technology becoming another "distraction issue" (safety-wise), so here is some decent information sent to me pronto from Quebec-based Francois Duclos, Manager of Visitor Experience Planning.  They may not have sent me the list of actual locations I requested, but the statement highlighted in blue pretty much satisfied my prime concerns.  At least for now.

"Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding WiFi in national parks and national historic sites.

As you have seen in the media recently, Parks Canada has decided to offer WiFi internet access at key locations within select national parks and national historic sites in response to visitor demand.  This demand is generally based on the needs for on-the-go trip planning, for near real-time experience sharing (Social Media) as well as to stay in touch with friends, family and even work.

During 2014 - 2015, Parks Canada estimates that a total of 25 to 50 hotspots could be installed in 15 to 20 national parks or national historic sites across Canada.  The WiFi hotspots will normally be located in places such as Visitor Centres or serviced campground loops, and where visitors already congregate for other services.  The WiFi hotspots will not be installed in wilderness areas nor will they cover extensive areas.  A typical hotspot only covers a few hundred square metres.

Parks Canada is currently at the exploratory phase of pre-qualifying national WiFi suppliers.  Once the pre-qualified list of suppliers is established, Parks Canada will request bids for offering WiFi internet services at specific locations.  For each potential location, Parks Canada will make the final decision based on visitor needs as well as costs involved.

This service will typically be included in the Park Entry Fee.  It will be deployed gradually in a measured way to ensure that the needs of those wanting to remain connected are met, while the experience of those wanting quietness and solitude through "disconnection" remain unimpaired.

Again, thank you for reaching out to us.

Sincerely,
Francois Duclos"

Thanks Francois!  So, there it is.    

Valentine's Day: Love It or Leave It?

Valentine's Day: Love It or Leave It?

All warped humor aside (not easy for me), I’m not against Valentine’s Day - even if it does share the same initials as V.D (for the benefit of younger generations - that used to mean S.T.D.)  I don’t even dislike it, despite the fact that I’ve spent most of these “epic-romance-day-of-the-year” times single, bought my own chocolates, or hit the movie theatre solo; that way I don’t have to return gifts of Turtles candy with that icky-weird purple filling (WT* is that stuff?!), or slide underneath the seat with the orphaned popcorn to escape a flick that just doesn’t do it for me.  I’m self-assured.  I can do my own thing Valentine’s Day quite comfortably without feeling like there’s a Double-Loser neon sign directing air traffic from my forehead.  I’m not threatened by the blaring red gift card aisle, either.  It can’t hurt me.  It can’t!  At best, I’ve suffered a deep paper cut filled with sparkles.  At worst, I’ve walked away suddenly feeling sad and excluded from the One-of-the-Lucky-Ones club (there’s the honest rub).  Leaving the aisle with both totally sucks.  I read all of the latest cards and mumble: “Are you serious?  Somebody got paid for that lame set of lines?  I can do so much better!” Been there, tried that.  I submitted material to Hallmark, and got a nice letter back with my index cards saying my material was too controversial and eccentric.  Alrighty then.

What I don’t like about Valentine’s Day is the commercialized expectation that goes along with it that diamond, candy, and flower businesses understandably fall madly in love with.  I’m not okay with paying way, way above seasonal prices for roses (if you can even get them), and I feel compassion towards the person in each (or possible future) relationship relegated to make the first creative move that says: “this is how much you mean to me!”  (Traditionally, that used to be men a long time ago, but in support of LGBT pride amidst the recent dark-aged laws passed by Russia, let’s leave gender specifics out of this one.  Go, rainbow flag. Love … is … universal.)  It’s always a risk to make the first move, even the “I Like You” one, and that all started back in third grade when our educational system started priming us to act this way on this day by letting us practise our fledgling writing and emotional skills on our hapless classmates.  Anybody keep those cutesy kiddie cards with the perforated edges?  Go find your former Valentines on Classmates or Facebook and freak ‘em right out with that.  You’ll either receive a restraining order - or if you’re both single, a new Valentine card that could re-write the chapter you never had.  

So, must Valentine’s Day really happen on February 14^th; the same day that a pile of rival gangsters of Al Capone were murdered in Chicago (the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre)?  That’s just messed!  Crime and passion aren’t really connected, are they?  I know the celebration has roots in Greek and Roman history, and even psychology master Carl Jung married his sweetheart Emma on February 14, 1903, so if somebody that analytical minded saw some emotional value in it, maybe I’m being too critical.  But how many of you out there agree that there are 364 other days to choose from if you wish to acknowledge your feelings for somebody?  It really should become a habit to acknowledge this on an ongoing, spontaneous basis!  What about Winter Solstice Day?  I can envision a card for that one … “You always light up the day with the most darkness.  Care to spend it between the sheets?”   

Valentine’s Day is also a lot spookier than Halloween.  When did it mysteriously partner up with International Psychic Awareness day?  Let’s look at this.  One partner quietly waits (with great expectation) for a surprise on Valentine’s Day - as if the other partner should automatically be able to read their mind.  If that doesn’t happen, the disappointment subtly settles at the bottom of the issues and perceptions pile until the “we have to talk” water tower bursts at around the time most people are ready to crash … close to midnight.  I call this the “be-bitching hour.” Tired people are lousy conversationalists and don’t stand a chance.  Be careful on either end of that one.  Becoming too proficient at reading somebody else’s mind or unspoken language cues leaves little wiggle room for legitimate screw-ups of memory down the road.  Some people expect way too much in that department.  If you want your partner to know something - speak up.  And not when they’re tired. Leave them a note on the bathroom mirror on February 13th saying: "Wait 'till you see what I got you!" 

Overall, I’d still like to see Valentine's cards in the aisles leading up to February 14^th, but I’d like to see society focus less on the stereotypical celebration behaviors that cause so much stress.  Spread love and recognition around throughout the year.  And for single people, don’t be afraid to buy a really cool card and send it to yourself in the mail.  If it gets lost, you may suddenly receive it later, when the universe saw you at a real low point.  That’s not twisted, that’s simply acknowledging the obvious: if you love and accept yourself, you’re going to be much more grounded and effective at loving somebody else.