New Wheels

13 Jun 17
20:05 hrs

     There is a new pony in the stable at the Wayward Inn.

     With the Loin Fruits working weird and wonderful shifts this summer my Better Half and I decided it was time to get an extra set of wheels for them to use. Now, only the Sr. Loin Fruit has his licence so he will probably be doing a lot of the shuttling but at the same time the vehicle will provide incentive for the other one to go for his licence as well. The thought of some personal freedom is always an incentive.

14 Jun 17
06:30 hrs

     Have you been watching the construction in the Valley? Not just the housing but the commercial buildings as well. The problem is we still have plenty of new buildings that were built on spec that have never been used. For example, the one beside the old Applebee's. Constructed right after Applebee's opened  it has sat empty and unused ever since. The only thing that comes to mind is that it was built specifically to generate a loss and lower the owner's corporate taxes. In the meantime, we have at risk people living under bridges or in the back lanes downtown. The Valley still needs a place where those individuals can safely go, without judgement, for rest, to get clean and maybe some medical attention. We do have the Care-a-van, a nonprofit organization that delivers food, blankets, some clothes and some basic medical care to those in need. In fact, both of our boys have done several clothing and blanket drives for the Care-a-van.

     On that note the Mayor of the Island's Capital has hatched a hair brained idea of having single people or seniors to bring/welcome/permit the homeless to utilize any spare rooms that they may have. Uh, no! And, I say this in all sincerity. I have no problem in helping the homeless. I am sure that some pose no risks at all but a vast number of them have issues - substance abuse, mental health, criminal, etc. And, to welcome these individuals into a home unchecked is inviting a potential disaster. The mayor's heart is in the right place but I think she should have them camp out at her crib first before she asks others to take on the task.

15 Jun 17
06:10 hrs

     Have you been watching the new season of Alone? The second episode is on tonight. Their location is back on northern Vancouver Island which means wind, rain, more wind and more rain and lots of bears. This year the contestants are in pairs where one is dumped at a fixed location and the other is dropped ten miles away. With the aid of just a compass (and I'm sure a crude not to scale map) the mobile member searches for the his/her partner. They still only have ten chosen items but they are divided between the two of them. Both have carry cameras and both have a Sat phone for emergencies. But, one of them taps out they're both gone.

     Because these fools are travelling overland for several days some Emergency Rescue teams have been pre-positioned out in the weeds, out of sight and out of mind but close enough that they can get to these poor schmucks in a timely manner. I'm still wondering if any of them will build a shelter off the ground for physical protection? Doubtful.

     This is the fourth season of the show. The first two were great and had a true Canadian flavour to them despite the fact that the majority of the contestants were You-alls. The third season was filmed in Patagonia where the weather and the obstacles were nothing compared to the Left Coast. I also noticed the voice over was distinctly American as were all the geographic/statistical references to  locations plus weights and measures. I call it Dumbing Down for the Target Audience.

16 Jun 17
06:30 hrs

     Yesterday was a good day. It rained like crazy here in the Valley which is good the forest could do with a shower. The wind was up too with garbage can lids launching down the road like giant frisbees. I had the Sr. Couch Monkey tie the lid to the handle.

     The first day of Alone and the first team is gone. While his older brother started hiking in from 10 miles away the Young Pup started to slog off the beach in search of a place to set up base camp. A moment if in attention and his paw slipped under a log...possible sprained ankle. For all of his pre-game piss and vinegar he tapped out a couple of hours after being dropped off. What a schmuck!