Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

09:45 hrs.
04 Jan 15

     What is up with the weather?
     Seven out of ten provinces have weather warnings posted. Mind you, its just business as usual for those living out in the Flatlands and, in my opinion, those residing in the Self Proclaimed Centre of Canada deserve it for their arrogance. Here in the VALLEY the weather rock is wet and swinging which indicates the lull has passed and its back to the norm. On the other hand, yesterday was great. I was able to dismantle the Christmas lights from the WAYWARD INN and Loin Fruit #1 assisted in the traditional Post Holiday  Scout Bottle Drive. In past years this well oiled machine has brought in over 20K peices and over $1,800. Not bad for six  hours of work.

     I'm going to put you on hold dear reader as it is time to snag a coffee and plan our brunch. You see, we all slept in today. Might as well since its shitty outside. Brunch will consist of Special Bacon (those who have had it will know what I mean), two - eight inch pancakes with slawed apples between them topped with maple syrop and whipped cream. Doesn't get much better than that.

     Now that the holiday season is finished the focus for many in the VALLEY will return to the business at hand, which for most of the residents under the age of eighteen this means its time to hit the books. That's right kidlets. Back to school. If you were smart (and your teachers were even smarter) you would have been going over your notes during the two week break and your teachers should have assigned some kind of work to keep your minds from turning into mush. As my two  Couch Monkeys loudly proffessed, "Dad, we shouldn't have to do homework. That's why it's called a holiday!" If I was a teacher I'd slap them with a fifty question retention quiz right after any school break that was longer than a week. 

     Is it just me or has schooling gotten soft? My physics teacher nailed us with a "Surprise" quiz every Monday morning. Not much of a surprise really. AND, you had to show your work. Sure, you could use a calculator but you still had to show the math on paper. Why? How about it being proof that you understood the process of the formula. Knowing that Speed = Distance ÷ Time means nothing if you cannot show the ability to solve for any of the variables. George Carlin said it best by classifying the softening of society as "PUSSIFICATION". How right he was.

     Listen folks. No matter where you live, please watch out for the youngsters on the roads. Its still dark out in the mornings and the weather may be shitty out. Couple that with the fact that these kids are coming off a whacked out holiday circadian clock that did not include getting up for breakfast. Ain't life a bitch?