570News Blog: Kate Stockmann

By law, cyclists have to use roadways and are not permitted to ride their bikes on side walks.

 Presumably this is to prevent injury and upset to pedestrians using side walks.

I would never describe myself as a math wizard, but two equations have me thinking politicians should take a second look at this legislation:

1) bicycle + pedestrian = minor injury, possible broken bones

2) bicycle + automobile = major injury, possible death

A lot of cyclists are little kids. If everyone just paid attention to their surroundings, we could save lives.

 Kate

I’ve never been married. I see nothing wrong with that.  Yet routinely I’m asked “Why not?”

 I like being single. I like being able to leave a mess in the sink and have no one to complain about it. I like going shopping and not having to justify my purchases to anyone. I like being able to eat chips for dinner just because I feel like it.

One day I might take the plunge and I’ll likely not mind giving up my current freedoms. But for right now, I can’t imagine living any other way. For now, my life is 100 per cent mine. I don’t have to consult anyone when I want to make any changes.

I see it has a gift to have this time to myself instead of a curse that I’ve been unable to find The One.

 Kate

Enough already!

 It’s the last week of March and we’re getting another blast of winter.

Now this latest system is not nearly as bad as some we’ve seen but when will it end?

I’ve been looking forward to walking to work with sun shining, birds chirping and my winter jacket hanging in my closet where it belongs.

I truly hope summer comes soon. This is getting ridiculous.

Kate

Every day, during his sports casts, Blair Adams talks about the Leafs playoff hopes.

 I say, “What hope?” Let’s face it, they are not going to make the playoffs.

 I am so convinced of this that yesterday Blair and I made a little wager.

I’ve gone on record as saying if they make the playoffs, I will eat a tablespoon of my cat’s food.

I’m certain I’ll never know what my boy’s food tastes like.

 Kate

After this past weekend’s big snowfall, we are preparing for the big melt.

 I’ve spoken with more than one homeowner hoping their foundations hold.

While the Grand River Conservation Authority is not expecting area waterways to overflow their banks, some people are a little worried about where those mountains of snow on their lawns are going to go.

One thing you can do to help protect your basement from flooding is clear the storm drain at the bottom of your driveway if you have one.

 With any luck, we won’t get anymore snow and the melt will be nice and gradual.

Kate

I’ve reached my snow threshold.

 Yesterday’s dumping put me close to the edge. Now, word that Senior Climatologist Dave Phillips will not be putting his shovel away until after the Victoria Day long weekend, has me surfing the Net for last minute vacation deals.

I can’t take any more snow!! I’m tired of digging out my car and trudging to work knee deep in the stuff. Give me summer or give me death!

Sigh. Okay, I vented. I imagine there’s a lot of people doing that around the Region. However, I will NOT be one of those people complaining about the heat if it ever arrives. You can hold me to that!

 Kate

This week’s story about Prince Harry serving on the front lines in Afghanistan is bringing to light a growing challenge authorities have with the Internet.

 Media outlets were aware he was serving in the country but agreed not to publish the fact until he had returned safely home.

 It was blogger for a foreign news agency that let it slip.

There have been cases in our newsroom when we are following stories involving young offenders that we have found information posted on websites like Facebook that violate publication bans.

Anyone can find out who young offenders are, with a quick search yet if a legitimate media organization were to publish that information the people responsible for the breach could serve jail time.

Yet another case of technology being ahead of legislation.

 Kate

I’ve recently joined the Green Bin pilot program and I am loving it!

 I was surprised to discover just how many different things I could put in my bin, from food waste to kitty litter.

I was also impressed at the organization of the program. My “kit” came with everything I could want to help me make the most of my bin.

It included a mini-bin for my kitchen, stacks of two different sized liners so I could keep them clean and a handy frig magnet with a quick reference of what I can put in my bin.

I anticipate that I will be throwing out one small kitchen sized garbage bag every six weeks instead of every week.

I really hope this becomes a permanent fixture in Waterloo Region.

 Kate

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 I’m one of those people that really sees this as a greeting card holiday. I’ve never been one do the gift thing and in the past I have been content to just go out for dinner.

 Yesterday on 570 News we ran a story featuring one of the stars of Keys to the VIP who said that any girl who says she doesn’t want anything for Valentine’s Day is lying. Well I don’t, and I’m telling the truth.

I think I take after my mother in being very practical. Sometimes this whole gift giving thing can get out of hand with people giving each other a lot of expensive stuff they really don’t have a use for.

We were talking yesterday about our editor’s mother, who wanted a vacuum cleaner but wouldn’t tell her husband because she was afraid she’d get one as a gift. Call me unromantic, but I’d love a new vacuum cleaner as a gift.

For Christmas I asked for wooden spoons. I didn’t have any good ones and I needed them. Now, every time I use them, I think of my parents and what a useful gift they were.

Just because a gift is useful, doesn’t make it any less meaningful in my books.

Kate

Those two words usually drive fear into most people. They cringe at that high-pitched drilling noise. But not me.

 I’ve made it well into my adult years without ever having a cavity. Even as a child I never had one. And this should make you angry, I seldom floss.

I’m going to the dentist Monday morning for a cleaning and I’m the only person I know who looks forward to it. I love that super-clean feeling of my teeth when they are done.

 I’m not sure how my dentist feels about my visits. He seemed a little sad last time when he told me I was born with good enamel and would likely need very little work done as I age.

Kate