And where exactly does the time go? How can it be March 1st already?

Someone told me that the reason that time scoots by so much quicker as the years go by (a.k.a. "as we get older") is that we focus more and more on what we want to do rather than all the extra requirements. And 'cause we are doing what we love to do, time flies.

Kind of makes sense to me.

Last week was one of those ultra "time flies" weeks. Thanks to the graciousness of both the European Compost Network and the Composting Association of Ireland, I was able to attend their joint composting conference in Dublin.

For the first time, I got to meet many of the members of what I have considered to be the "European Compost Dream Team". We have corresponded and helped each other for many years but except for Josef Barth (Executive Director of the European Compost Network) and Jane Gilbert (Executive Director of the UK Composting Association ... and who was in India last week "spreading the compost" message), we had never met.

And the sessions were all just simply top drawer. It was an absolute pleasure to listen, learn and hear how comparable the thoughts of the Canadian composters fit with our colleagues internationally. We have more in common than not .... and such great opportunities to do more together.

And then mid-week, we had our regional workshop in Vancouver, held at UBC thanks to the support of our long-time member, Dr. Anthony Lau. We had the first of our soon-to-be-often compost facility operator certification exams --- four composting facility operators took the exam (proctored by Scott Gamble from CH2M Hill). Post the completion of all this round of exams across Canada, we'll be announcing our first group of certified composting facility operators. A great new addition to continuing to enhance the credibility of our composting facilities and the folks who operate them.

We had our quarterly Board of Directors' meeting on Friday (also in Vancouver). Our Board gets neither pay nor their expenses covered. We are very fortunate to have their support and commitment.

This week has involved the final touches to our plans for next week's Canada Blooms and our Garden/Backyard Ecotopia display as well as Friday night party. The Region of Peel has built a giant compost bin that everyone can walk through and see the layers & life of a compost pile. And Miller Compost has done a gigantic job of coordinating the compost message (and many others) for the display. We will definitely be making sure that Dave Bruno (Region of Peel) and Peter Secord (Miller Compost) have their glasses always topped up at our Friday party.

And then ... on the depressing side of things ... The issues in Ontario continue to be difficult. Compost, or at least a portion of it, continues to be in the definition for the Municipal Hazardous and Special Waste Regulation plan. This whole thing came totally out of left field. We have been told time and time again that compost is not "in". And yet, certain compost products continue to be captured. Everyone is so polite in the discussions. It really is beyond comprehension. Quite honestly, maybe we should just fist-fight-it-out.