Beer's to you, old amigo....

Anyone in the Halton Peel Region is aware of the "BIG MOVE", the transportation of 6 immense fermentation tanks which is criss crossing the area. Molson Coors had these tanks built in Germany, shipped to Hamilton, and hauled across the Region to get to the final destination near the 427 and 401 Hwy interchange.

Challenger Motor Freight has the job to haul these tanks, and a predicted 4 day trip is now into the second week!




As the convoy rolls along, an army of support troops both lead and follow. In the lead, linemen are carefully removing wires which cross the route. Where necessary, bucket trucks are used to literaly hoist the wires out of the way.



Once that is completed, the lead vehicle, with a large pole attached, checks the route, ensuring their is no conflict.

Then the vats themselves arrive. Pulled by a Tractor Trailer, the vats sit on a series of steerable wheel assemblies. At the back of each, a man steers the wheels, helping it to negotiate turns.









Along the convoy route are support vehicles, including an extra tractor trailer, boom and bucket trucks, and a series of powerful light trailers.

Once the vats are passed through,





the remaining people begin the process of returning the removed wires, and opening the route once again.

No Pants Subway Ride

Improve Everywhere held its annual No Pants Subway Ride, where 6 groups of 30 or more people joined the regular subway riders during the afternoon on Sunday.

Meeting at the north side of Queens Park,



the groups were instructed by "car leaders" representing each of the six cars on the train.



One person in each group agreed to immediately remove their pants after getting on the southbound subway at Museum. Once the train stopped for the next station, they got out to wait for the next train.



At each stop, larger groups took off their pants, and waited for the next train, with a result that as the second train came south, more and more half naked riders got on at each station.

Most people took it in great stride,









while one person on a train made me laugh as I was taking pictures. She was in front of me, with her back to me, and kept turning around when my flash went off. Finally, she called me over to say "I don't want to be in your pictures". My first thought was that as long as you stop turning around, you won't be, but I told her that I wouldn't put her in the shot!

Most of those involved played the part great, acting as if nothing different was happening.





At each stop I jumped to the next car to get more shots, before we all got off at Eglinton,





and started the trip back to Museum. At the end, the car I got on was definately the party car, with a guy doing a bit of standup, and posing with the others.





I'm pretty sure those two will end up in the newspaper tomorrow, and CP24 was on hand during the event as well.



Eventually everyone got off, had a group hug, and that was the end!

motorcycle show

Although it's winter, you can still get your summer fix by attending the various shows in the area.
This past weekend, it was the motorcycle super show at the International Center.
It was a combination of new bikes,






used items, lots of clothes, and some pretty nice custom bikes.






And of course, at a show like this, there are lots of models around,

including one I've met a few times, Theresa Longo

G20 protest

Saturday I woke up to a huge amount of snow which had fallen overnite. I figured this would have a big impact on the proposed G20 protest planned for that day at Queens Park.
Upon finding a parking spot in the snow, a short walk to the south side of Queens Park found a collection of police, on foot, cycle, in cars, and vans.





And eventually, a little over 100 protestors gathering at the very south end of the area.
Included in the crowd was world famous bubble blower Courtney Winkels


The crowd did some classic chanting, and although the first discussion with the police was that there would be no march, the crowd decided to head down University,



across Dundas and up Yonge.



Of course that route brought the crowd to College, and Police Headquarters, where the chanting was for Chief Blair to resign.

As the crowd approached, it was clear that the police station was aware, and more police were on hand to block the entrance.



At one point, there was a line of police, and a few media people went down the line and behind, only to be kicked out by a sgt who, to be honest, was a bit of a knob! He came over, a couple of plastic cuffs on his belt, and yelled "don't cross a police line", to which the video camera man said "there was no line", which was true, as most of the bike cops were directly in the middle of the building.

During the whole event, one memeber was collecting all the police names and badge numbers,



and found one not wearing his badge. Looking at my pics, its possible that the officer on the right is that man,



as he definatly has no name on the front, and if you compare his shoulder tabs to the other two, it doesn't look like he has his badge number either.

On the other hand, the officer in control of the entire day was doing a great job. He was always in conversation with the protesters, and was calm through out the day.



And finaly, here is my brother as he covers the event for his own blog!