Not being fully prepped ....

28 May 16
08:05 hrs

     Yes. Not being fully prepped ...Does Not Give You The Right To Be An ASSHOLE!

     Or be GRUMPY, BITCH, ANGRY, CURSEY,  or any of seven pissed off dwarves that live in your world.

     So there we were, out for our first camping experience of the season. The trailer was loaded with all the amenities. My Better Half and I had prepped the interior. Over the winter I had completed some maintenance on the Mobile Wayward Inn - a broken door latch had to be replaced and other odd things that come up from time to time. In the spring I de-winterized it the plumbing. This was also the first time we would be hauling the Mobile Wayward Inn with the Prairie Pearl. (By the way, it tows like a dream.)

     So we get out to the location. There was some confusion as to where the camping area was in the park but we found it and with my Lobster's ground marshalling directions I slid that unit right in with no problems at all. We all worked together, including Loin Fruit #2, and the trailer was open for business in no time. The wood guy came by and we bought some wood. Out came the axe, choppitty chop, the wood was split... It was wet. Not just damp on the outside but on the inside. The Junior Couch Monkey wanted to make the fire. Knock yourself out kid. It was about this time that I heard my Better Half running the water pump in the trailer. It didn't run long before it died out. I popped in and checked the system levels and discovered that the batteries were toast.

     In the winter I had forgotten to pull the batteries and maintain them on a trickle charge. @#=&_××₩*€&/$#%!!!!!

     How could I miss that? It's fundamental. Loin Fruit #2 and I rig the solar panel and I reconnect the truck power. By limiting everything we may yet salvage the trip. Ah, but the fire is not going and tonight's fare is supposed to be tubes of mystery meat roasted over an open fire. And for that we need...an open fire. It took me three or four attempts but it finally lit off. But at what cost? My shitty attitude caused my Lobster and Loin Fruit #2 to go for an extended walk around the campsite just to get away from Sir Grumpsalot.

     Was I grumpy with them? No. I was angry with myself because I had let them down by not having the batteries inspected and maintained. The fact that the fire was a real pain to get lit was just icing on the cake. There is nothing wrong with getting angry. It is a normal healthy emotion. It's not normal or correct to take the emotion out on others when they are not the causal factor.

     And what of Loin Fruit #1?

     We have decided to eliminate the drama factor by allowing him to stay home alone for the weekend. That's right! Here's a huge chunk of rope. Try not to screw up and hang yourself with it. No car, no partying, don't burn the house down and stay out of my whiskey! All the usual criteria. Oh and by the way my dear son. ..The Neighbours know that we are leaving you home alone and they have our phone number.

An Unexpected Windfall and it's Fallout!

22 May 16
08:55 hrs.

     Dear Readers, especially those of you who are close to my age, will at sometime experience the loss of parent or maybe your spouse's parent. Mark my words, this is a devastating, life changing event that will certainly ripple through your inter-connected relationships. As with any such event there will be circumstances that have good and bad ramifications.

     There is a remarked difference between each of the generational divisions. The War Time and Baby Boomers knew what it was to go with out and the importance of helping. This is the group that saved everything, spent nothing, harvested veggies from backyard gardens, hunted and fished to provide for their families. That's the key. To provide for their families. Self sacrifice and provide for their families. Now, the effect of these sacrifices were immediate and some were delayed. An immediate sacrifice would be the second mortgage your parents took out to pay for your post-secondary education while a delayed sacrifice, if you can call it a sacrifice,  would be anything that their off-spring may inherit after their passing.

     Now, look at my generation. The post Baby Boomers (born in 1963, I actually qualify as a Baby Boomer) benefitted by a Higher education level but wanted all the toys without having to work for them. So, the word of the day was to just pull out some plastic and CHAAAAAARRRGGE IT! Of course not everybody did this but enough did to raise the interest rates and rack up a lot of debt, both personally and nationally. This generation is also the one that can remember what physical labour is. Those generations following behind, the X, the Y and the Millenials have no clue. Oh, there are some smart ones who have figured out that to get power into a house or to have shit flow out of it then there will always be a need for trades men/women or if you like, tradespeople. But the rest of them, whose numerous failed attempts at employment has only culminated in the collection of numerous shirts with their names boldly embroidered on them, have returned unbidden to their parents basement in order to wallow in self pity before their on-line friends.

     WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR?

     GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! GET SOME VITAMIN B! EXPERIENCE LIFE! MEET PEOPLE! REAL PEOPLE! IN THE FLESH!

     It is of my opinion that the members of the X, Y and Millenial Generations who are hiding out and hanging on are of the mind the world owes them and they plan on collecting when their parents and grandparents kick off. Well, I got news for you Kidlettes. Don't Count on it! Every year life expectency is going up and by the time your predecessors kick off they will have enjoyed your inheritance to the last penny. For this reason I am so happy that I had the good fortune to have The Sages send me packing when I graduated. Truth be told, I was leaving anyways but it always makes the story sound good. My advice to you, if you have one of these over-aged cellar dwellers eating their way through your grocery bill, it to change the bloody locks. Or, save some shekels, send them on a holiday and while their gone away sell the house and move leaving no forwarding address.

     Here Endeth the Lesson.

Things to Get Done

18 May 16
16:40 hrs.

     You would think that with the flurry of projects being pushed forth that this is Winnipeg or some other semi annual frozen wasteland where absolutely nothing can proceed until the ground softens. Actually, it's quite the opposite. With all of the liquid sunshine that lands on us from October to March the ground can be pretty damn soft and heavy construction vehicles tend to sink in soft soil. But this should not negate some much needed projects from being pushed forward.

     1) A shelter for the homeless complete with counseling and medical facilities needs to be constructed somewhere within walking distance of the downtown core. Such a facility was first proposed at a location near city hall but the business owners in the area said "NIMBY". They wanted it placed out by the Dodge City Inter-change which is about seven kilometres out of town. Needless to say, this building hasn't been built yet.

     2) Another bridge from Courtenay to Comox, across the Courtenay River, to enhance the flow of traffic from one side to the other. Currently there are two means of crossing the Courtenay River and one to cross the Puntledge (both bodies of water are essentially the same but when the Puntledge is joined by the Tsolum it then becomes the Courtenay). There are the 5th and 17th Street bridges and the Condensory Bridge. There has to be another crossing and it should be south of the 17th Street Bridge.  Having on the north of this location does nothing to alleviate the traffic.

21 May 16
17:05 hrs.

     Our friends from Over the Hump came to visit. Not only to say hi but to assist in a project my Better Half has up her sleeve. As it was near lunch time and feeling a wee bit peekish we decided to try out the Gladstone Brewery located on 4th and Cliffe. If you have not checked the place out I suggest to take the time to do so. The beverages are great and the rustic pizza is excellent. It was pointed out that a dipping sauce of some kind would be great for the pizza bones.

     In the coming weeks the Mobile Wayward Inn will be rolling down the highway.  With our busy schedule we mill have to take every opportunity to make use of the trailer. The plan is to modify the bunk space by removing the upper bunk and putting in a storage cupboard / closet / shelving. This will provide a better adult sized sleeping area on the lower bunk that could alternatively be used as a lounging / reading area.  Hey, the Couch Monkeys  are no longer interested in camping with us so we might as well use the trailer as we want to. Now that we have a truck that has no issues in hauling tge unit I am really looking forward to some extended trips off-island. Maybe take a month or two and travel across the Lower 48. Personally,  I would like to go to Memphis in May, site of the US National BBQ Competition. Here's Hoping.

Well, He's Done It!

11 May 16
02:15 hrs.

     I would like to take this moment to congratulate our Senior Couch Monkey for passing his Learners Road Test. This now entitles him to drive un-escorted. The only vehicle at the Wayward Inn that is insured for his usage is my Lobster's set of wheels. The PBR STREETGANG land unit is not on his list of approved transportation. So sorry.

     My friend Ghiz is heading back to the, in my opinion, Black Hole. It was great seeing him again after 20 years. But it won't be the last as The Valley has once again proven to be a world class training venue. Before his departure we dined at Sushi Wara on Comox Ave. Excellent food. My only criticism is that all the dishes that we ordered were brought out at the same time. There were three of at the table so it was pretty cluttered with five plates, three soup bowls, a soup pot the size of a small witches cauldron, glasses, bottles, condiments and sauce dipping bowls. If there was a fourth at our table bedlam would have ensued. My advice if you plan on dining at Sushi Wara have an open tab. Order one item. Consume it, then order a second. This will prevent table clutter and slow down your dining experience to an enjoyable Left Coast pace.

Sooooo Sorry!

07 May 16
16:30 hrs.

     To you my Dear Readers,  I have to apologize for the exorbitant dry spell in my blogging. (Not that any of you dropped me a note wondering as to what was up.) I will try to remedy the situation by bringing you up to speed.

     The new Crappy Tire superstore is open and if you drive by the old one you will note some heavy equipment in the lot. Is it going to be torn down? Whole or in part? I don't know. Maybe their just doing some minor digging on the lot.

     This is the Mother's Day Weekend EXTRAVAGANZA. Games, meals,  household chores, more games, the occasional foot rub, girlie movies and NO whining on my part. There will be a card and a sparkly thing from me. I don't know if the Couch Monkeys have purchased a card or anything. I know that Loin Fruit #2  has offered to assist Chef Blaine in creating a Mother's Day Feast with home made hash browns and Special Bacon.

08 May 16
07:05 hrs.

     If you have been living inside a cave you will know of the massive wildfire burning in northern Alberta. As of this writing it is over 200K ha in size. I have seen some forest fires in my day but I can't imagine how big this thing is. Meteorologists state that it is large enough to create it's own weather patterns. Let's all wish for a lot of rain for the area.

      Do you ever watch the border services TV shows? I do. My Better Half doesn't. I watch them just to spot the idiots. Not just those trying to send illicit materials through the mail services but the people who blatantly lie to customs authorities. And it doesn't matter which border they are crossing but the individuals being nabbed always tend to fall along regional lines. Caucasians lie about personal crimes like "Have you ever been convicted of..." and about weapons possession like "Do you have any weapons in your vehicle?". Asians lie about carrying illegal food as it is considered to be traditional medicines or holiday food stuffs and the amounts of monies crossing the border. What smacks me as totally bizarre as the pure ignorance of those members of this culture who are snagged by customs officials.

     "Do you have any plants or foods in your luggage?"

     "No!"

     "Well then? Whats with the 20 pounds of dried fish assholes?"

      "Not food! Medicine! Traditional medicine! It's okay, yes?"

     "No, it's not! Dumb Ass!"

     Morons like this should get an automatic one year sentence for their stupidity plus another year for their ignorance. Am I being racist? No. Customs and immigration laws of countries the world over are supposed to be applied evenly to all who cross borders. Questions are asked and if you cannot provide answers that will satisfy the agents then you are hooped.  If you try to conceal the truth while being interviewed and are caught in your falsehood you deserve to be punished. I believe this is one of those Top Ten "Thou Shalt Not" Rules. I really love it when morons like this lie to me during the course of my job and then act surprised when they are issued with a citation.

09 May 16
13:45 hrs.

     I'm sure you have all seen my post a about the Great Island BBQ.  Well, the joint is officially closed. Its a shame really. There was some great food coming out of there but as the number of customers dropped off the amount of cash available to keep the place afloat dropped. In turn, corners were cut lowering the quality of the food which again left customers with a bad taste in their mouths. A vicious cycle that meant doom for a well intended food business.

     Graduation for Loin Fruit #1 is fast approaching. It is a milestone that we are all looking forward to. He is slated to continuing his education at VIU in the fall and has secured employment, along with his sibling, for the summer months. Hazaah! They are both hard workers who did well last year and should do so again this year.

     So, have you watched "Alone" yet? I'm telling you that you really should watch this band of crazies. Bears and personal injuries have already sent a couple of people home. How many more will go home in the next episode I am not sure but watching how they try to cope with the nature in its raw form is a lot of fun. My Better Half gets pretty antsy as the show unfolds. If you're bored with the regular TV drivel give it a shot. It's on the History channel on Thursdays.