New Year, New Posts (Same old questions)

First of all, an answer to a question. How does a regular and usually reliable blogger "fall off the wagon"? In a word; grading.

The end of the academic term is rather busy time, and a big pile of grading, combined with the inevitable computer meltdown, led to me concentrating on grading rather than keeping this blog up to date. I'll endeavour to do better this year. I did take lots of photographs over the Christmas break, so I have plenty of raw material ready to go.

So let's start with a seasonal offering.




"Winter Gas" sign on a pump at a Petro-Canada station in Kelowna



pump at Petro-Canada station in Kelowna

When I saw this I had a couple of thoughts. How do you define "winter" in a country as climatically diverse as Canada? How does a firm like Petro-Canada change the formulation of its gasoline for winter?

The start of winter in Vancouver and Victoria heralds the arrival of the occasional snowfall and some sub-freezing temperatures, while in far northern communities that is what you might expect on a summer day.

Kelowna, where this photo was taken, has what my father would describe as an "honest winter". Sub-freezing temperatures, outdoor skating, and some snow.

I wonder what "extra protection" this "Winter Gas " provides and how the formulation changes from place to place in Canada? And if "Winter Gas" is provided year round to northern communities?

If "Winter Gas" is both a consumer benefit and a competitive advantage then Petro-Canada needs to do a better job of explaining the benefit.