James
@jamesroberts.bsky.social
Maker of wooden things, advocate for climate change solutions and street safety. Dog petter. Retired documentary and radio producer for the CBC in Canada.
If you're a Neil Young fan ... CBC radio music is dedicating 2 hours to listen to and hear from Young. On today (Wednesday Nov 12) starting at 3 pm PST.
November 12, 2025 at 11:27 PM
If you're a Neil Young fan ... CBC radio music is dedicating 2 hours to listen to and hear from Young. On today (Wednesday Nov 12) starting at 3 pm PST.
One of my fave sights this week in Victoria: four guys putting a new used motor into their vehicle. "Do ya know, the vehicle owner said, I'm saving a least a thousand."
September 7, 2025 at 11:23 PM
One of my fave sights this week in Victoria: four guys putting a new used motor into their vehicle. "Do ya know, the vehicle owner said, I'm saving a least a thousand."
The e-bike is almost unbelievably efficient: to fully charge a five-hundred-watt e-bike costs, on average, about eight cents. That charge provides some 50 kilometers of range, so it costs about a penny to ride 8 kilometers.
July 9, 2025 at 9:09 PM
The e-bike is almost unbelievably efficient: to fully charge a five-hundred-watt e-bike costs, on average, about eight cents. That charge provides some 50 kilometers of range, so it costs about a penny to ride 8 kilometers.
He passed his first puppy schooling and I sincerely hope it doesn't go to his head.
June 22, 2025 at 4:40 PM
He passed his first puppy schooling and I sincerely hope it doesn't go to his head.
Our Tern does all the pickups, the shopping and anything within a 30k radius of home. 2 batteries and 100k range at full power = car freedom. Living in bike friendly #Victoria is a bonus.
May 17, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Our Tern does all the pickups, the shopping and anything within a 30k radius of home. 2 batteries and 100k range at full power = car freedom. Living in bike friendly #Victoria is a bonus.
Vancouver is also terrible when it comes to transportation.
May 14, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Vancouver is also terrible when it comes to transportation.
Calgary is also a pathetic city in terms of transportation.
May 14, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Calgary is also a pathetic city in terms of transportation.
Trump doesn't read and thus the story of the Trojan Horse won't occur to him or to his fellow Republicans.
May 14, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Trump doesn't read and thus the story of the Trojan Horse won't occur to him or to his fellow Republicans.
While Trump liberates us from our savings we're liberating ourselves from some sleep. We're picking up Griffin (Aussie Shepherd) on Sunday.
April 5, 2025 at 2:11 AM
While Trump liberates us from our savings we're liberating ourselves from some sleep. We're picking up Griffin (Aussie Shepherd) on Sunday.
Trucks, especially large trucks dominate our cities and are destructive. Horribly destructive. They literally kill people. Whether in crashes or air pollution. Financially, large vehicles are making families poorer. A much better option for many?
March 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Trucks, especially large trucks dominate our cities and are destructive. Horribly destructive. They literally kill people. Whether in crashes or air pollution. Financially, large vehicles are making families poorer. A much better option for many?
First, it's name is apt. GSD. Stands for Get Sh*t Done. And it does. Carry children? There's an accessory for that. Boxes, loads of groceries? Easy. I have a box that fits into the back frame that allows me, for example, to ride to get groceries. A Costco $400 load is no problem.
March 18, 2025 at 4:51 PM
First, it's name is apt. GSD. Stands for Get Sh*t Done. And it does. Carry children? There's an accessory for that. Boxes, loads of groceries? Easy. I have a box that fits into the back frame that allows me, for example, to ride to get groceries. A Costco $400 load is no problem.
Considering the ever rising cost of buying and maintaining a vehicle here's a few thoughts on how a few families, including ours, save many thousands of dollars. Our electric cargo bike costs $7,000 CDN, and about $400 per year to maintain. Here's a short 🧵on how it works.
March 18, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Considering the ever rising cost of buying and maintaining a vehicle here's a few thoughts on how a few families, including ours, save many thousands of dollars. Our electric cargo bike costs $7,000 CDN, and about $400 per year to maintain. Here's a short 🧵on how it works.
Here's a minor but great example of what Canadians are doing. The American company's ketchup? Not selling. The Canadian French's ketchup. Almost sold out.
March 8, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Here's a minor but great example of what Canadians are doing. The American company's ketchup? Not selling. The Canadian French's ketchup. Almost sold out.
News reports today suggest we may be at peak truck because the average truck sells for about $75,000, compared to around $45,000 for the average car.
For city families it's worth noting the average top quality e-bike costs $6,000. No gas. No insurance.
For city families it's worth noting the average top quality e-bike costs $6,000. No gas. No insurance.
February 27, 2025 at 12:22 AM
News reports today suggest we may be at peak truck because the average truck sells for about $75,000, compared to around $45,000 for the average car.
For city families it's worth noting the average top quality e-bike costs $6,000. No gas. No insurance.
For city families it's worth noting the average top quality e-bike costs $6,000. No gas. No insurance.
Local cafe offers a breakfast deal with image of authoritarian man falling off a wall like Humpty Dumpty.
No word on whether the King's men (Musk & co) will be able to put him back together again. Hope not.
No word on whether the King's men (Musk & co) will be able to put him back together again. Hope not.
February 17, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Local cafe offers a breakfast deal with image of authoritarian man falling off a wall like Humpty Dumpty.
No word on whether the King's men (Musk & co) will be able to put him back together again. Hope not.
No word on whether the King's men (Musk & co) will be able to put him back together again. Hope not.
Smoking in restaurants used to be considered okay despite the health hazard but we made it unacceptable. We can do the same for traffic violence and pollution.
January 14, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Smoking in restaurants used to be considered okay despite the health hazard but we made it unacceptable. We can do the same for traffic violence and pollution.
This evening's book is HAPPY CITY in which Charles Montgomery wrote in 2012 "climate science has alarmed the insurance industry" because weather-related payouts quadrupled between 1980-2009.
January 10, 2025 at 4:39 AM
This evening's book is HAPPY CITY in which Charles Montgomery wrote in 2012 "climate science has alarmed the insurance industry" because weather-related payouts quadrupled between 1980-2009.
#Victoria residents and visitors. FYI, the Warhol/Banksy exhibition at the Victoria Art Gallery is very good entertainment on a drizzly day. Don't miss the short documentary in the back featuring the man who purchased Andy's Brillo Box.
January 6, 2025 at 12:45 AM
#Victoria residents and visitors. FYI, the Warhol/Banksy exhibition at the Victoria Art Gallery is very good entertainment on a drizzly day. Don't miss the short documentary in the back featuring the man who purchased Andy's Brillo Box.
In mom's care home there are several displays to remind them of lives lived. This is "the desk".
December 31, 2024 at 12:12 AM
In mom's care home there are several displays to remind them of lives lived. This is "the desk".
Our neighbours have fully plugged into Xmas.
December 12, 2024 at 2:37 AM
Our neighbours have fully plugged into Xmas.
What I learned that surprised me:
The Koch family's role in climate denial in Canada and the power of the oil industry in Canadian climate policy.
Kudos to author Geoff Dembicki for chronicling the malfeasance of the oil majors.
The Koch family's role in climate denial in Canada and the power of the oil industry in Canadian climate policy.
Kudos to author Geoff Dembicki for chronicling the malfeasance of the oil majors.
October 19, 2023 at 7:57 PM
What I learned that surprised me:
The Koch family's role in climate denial in Canada and the power of the oil industry in Canadian climate policy.
Kudos to author Geoff Dembicki for chronicling the malfeasance of the oil majors.
The Koch family's role in climate denial in Canada and the power of the oil industry in Canadian climate policy.
Kudos to author Geoff Dembicki for chronicling the malfeasance of the oil majors.