There was a major rain and wind storm in our area a few weeks ago. We had something like 6 inches of rain in 24 hours, and winds of around 80 km/h (50 miles an hour).
This isn’t normally a problem: we hunker down in our house and watch the water fall from the sky. But this time, one of the trees in our front yard suffered a calamity…
Family is an important part of most people’s lives. My family is pretty big: I have five brothers and sisters, and lots of cousins, nephews, nieces, aunts and uncles. But we don’t get together very often.
Irene left me!
Well, in truth, it is thankfully only temporary. After flexing her muscles with the cats for a while this Saturday morning, she boarded a plane for sunny Edmonton to visit some friends and family. While waiting for Irene to clear security at the airport, I witnessed evidence of their new focus on security. X-rays of Irene's carry on luggage were carefully examined, and the inspectors pulled Irene aside to inspect her luggage by hand. Inside, they found this weapon of mass destruction:
I'm pretty sure that humanity is now safer with these powerful weapons securely in my hands instead of Irene's.
As usual, watching Irene board the plane was depressing. I'm not happy when she goes away. Its only been a day or so and I'm missing her already...
For anyone visiting my home in Irene's absence, please respect my sadness. Dancing girls and video game delivery to the front door, booze and take out food to the back door, please...
My nephew, Shane, is a great guy. He’s the sort of guy who, when his most geographically proximal Uncle forgets his birthday, would never be upset. In fact, he’d probably feel all good and warm, knowing that his Uncle eventually did remember his birthday…even if it was only after Shane mentioned eating birthday cake on the day in question. (more…)
Irene and I took a little day trip today up to Cultus Lake and the Columbia Valley. You can check out the photos if you like.
I had one of those rare events today when I actually interacted with people up close. My Niece Marnie and her new husband, Murray (well, reasonably new: they got married in February) had a reception out here on the West coast for those of us who couldn't make the wedding out east.
I've set up an album with a few pictures I took, but here's one of the happy couple...apologies for the grain: the lighting wasn't great when I took this
I had a great visit with a few family members that I've pretty much been out of touch with forever. My aunt Jean and cousin Lisa were there, and I haven't really chatted with Jean in probably ten years. I have memories of her when I stayed in her home when I was...probably 12 years old or something. I remember "working" at their laundry in Lacombe- that was a long time ago. Lisa I mostly remember from when, if I'm recalling correctly, she was in nursing school. Lisa has always been fun to talk with.
I also had a long talk with my my cousin Johanna (hopefully I'm spelling it right). Now, I'm not sure about this, but I don't recall *ever* having talked to Johanna as an adult. Maybe I was 15 or something last time I saw her, and I can't clearly say when that was. It was good talking to her, and meeting her husband Tim and daughter.
The only unfortunate thing for the day was that my brother Ron, his wife Jessie, and their baby Rebecca were delayed and didn't arrive until about the time Irene and I were leaving. I was happy, regardless, seeing that they made it safe and sound...and I did get to hug them all before we took off.
It was also a beautiful drive to Cultus Lake, and a nice place to have the reception at in general (a golf course restaurant with a view of the mountains). Irene and I both said that we'll have to come back up that way and explore the highway a bit more some day.
I live in a part of Canada that defies most of the conventions regarding what it is to be Canadian. For example, I was mowing the lawn in November and again in February.
That said, there is still a distinct “difference” for me when it starts to feel like spring. Today was the day for me, even though technically its been warm and reasonably spring-like for weeks. I took a few photos outside the house to capture the moment: here is my favorite: (more…)
I've had the same car (a 1994 Intrepid) for nearly ten years. It served me well, but with over two hundred thousand kilometres on the odometer it was starting to show its age. A little breakdown earlier this month started me thinking, and then Irene began to talk about going car shopping.
Meet my new car...
The TSX was the first car we looked at. I was pretty much sold after driving it around the block. I put up a brave fight...I must have spent thirty minutes looking at the Cadillac CTS at the dealer up the road. But the CTS was very "plasticky", to say nothing of the fact that it cost $15k more...and up close, those appealing lines looked kind of cheap. The TSX was calling me back. I booked an appointment to put together a deal for the next day.
What is the Acura TSX? Well, its basically a European Honda Accord platform. That means smaller than a North American Accord. Add a 200 hp 2.4 litre four cyllinder engine, a drive by wire throttle, your choice of either six speed manual or 5 speed auto with "tiptronic" style gated "manual" shift, and single "fully loaded" trim package (leather, sunroof, dual zone climate control, 17" wheels, 6 CD 380 watt 8 speaker stereo...), and thats the TSX.
This is only the second "brand new" car I've ever owned. The last was when I was about 23 years old...16 years ago now. The TSX is a ton of fun to drive, and yet is still practical enough that Irene didn't have too much of a fit.
Now I just have to get used to having a car that is small enough for me to walk around when its parked in the garage...
I’m a bad son. I now live closer to my Mother than I have in years, but I rarely phone her, and months can go by between visits. I always feel guilty when she phones me after one of my extended silences to see if I’m still alive and kicking.
About a year ago, I started preparing a room in our house for my pool table. I don't own a pool table, but in my mind I've had one for years. I don't even play pool very well, but its one of those "things" that has been nagging at me since I was a kid.
So, as I was saying, I started working on this room....
