Pushing Forward

23 Sep 18
07:45 hrs

     

     Each of us at the Wayward Inn have been moving - sometimes running - in our own little concentric circles that occasionally converge. My old/new employment venue has me working a graveyard shift which, at my age, is quite the bag drive; the Sr. Loin Fruit is pushing hard towards additional employment; the Jr. Couch Monkey is trying to balance is new education course with karate, his friendship with the BOM and a possible new Main Squeeze. My Better Half has the largest and tightest rotating circle of all of us with path lines of work, home, the health of relatives and The Oma. It's a lot that we are trying to maintain just to keep on an even keel.

     

17:30 hrs

     I'm in limbo. Trying to gain some rack time for my upcoming graveyard shift but I am not tired enough to doze off completely. My Better Half had booked an appointment for myself and the Jr. Couch Monkey for a pedicure. I had a couple of them in the Peg but it had been mostly to massage my aching feet - before I learned that I had plantar faciitis. This time it was different. Foot bath, nails trimmed, cuticles done, foot and lower leg massaged with creams and hot stones before the application of coloured polish of my choice. I know that some of my friends will see the pics on Facebook and will give me a hard time about it. Fuck 'em! At this stage of the game I could care less. It was a treat. A gift. And for the price I sat in a massaging chair and drifted in and out of consciousness as this lady worked on my feet. I wouldn't do it all the time but I will have it done again right before going to Cuba. I'll have the best dressed tarsals in Veradaro.

21:15 hrs

     We have learned through the grapevine that the Oma-nator now has electrical power. Her building and a great deal of the surrounding area had been out of power since the tornado ripped through. Fifty hours in the dark. Now, she may not know that the power is back on because she is probably sleeping.

     A group of stabilized rental units are just about complete for low income tenants. It's about time as there is a desperate need for more of them here in The Valley. If used correctly and given enough time the working poor may be able to save enough shekels to apply for a mortgage. Even with minimum wages rising it is becoming increasingly difficult for many young adults, not just here in The Valley, to move out of their parent's place and into their own home.

     We are slowly getting the Wayward Inn ready for the winter season. The final mowing of the lawns - I'll throw some long term fertilizer on it later, putting the patio chairs under cover, bring in the solar lights and all the wind chimes as well as our mason bees. If you have a yard that has deciduous trees don't rake up all of the leaves when they fall in your yard. Let some of them stay on the ground. The provide homes winter homes for insects which in turn provides food for wintering birds.

To There and Back Again

13 Sep 18
13:00 hrs

     Hello Dear Readers. It's been a while since you have read my ramblings. So here goes.

     There was a good reason why nothing new had been posted as I was Out in the Weeds for the better part of a week. Normally the expeditions run from Thursday to Sunday but I had the blessing of my Better Half to leave a day early and come home a day late.

     And, there was great rejoicing!

     My friend From over the Hump tagged along for the excitement. The weather was great for the first couple of days with clear skies but then it went south with drizzling rain during the course of the next couple of days. The cold cured salmon (gravlox) and the smoked and cured pork loin were a smash hit. I'll have to make more of the cured pork loin.

     We had some limited success. A former Alaskan State Trooper taught a tracking class and I taught a casting class. At night the rain drowned out the sound of any approaches but some unconfirmed vocalizations were heard. A new area was investigated and tracks from three different individuals were discovered. The largest was 17 x 7 inches and the smallest was 6 x 3 inches. The former State Trooper had canoed about two miles down the lake and had found tracks similar to the middle size ones and a couple of attendees had found  tracks similar to the smallest set over 500 meters away. All pretty cool stuff. On the Sunday night we may have had an approach to base camp.

14 Sep 18
04:30 hrs

     Yes, I am back from the Weeds and while I was gone some things around the Wayward Inn had progressed without me. The Jr. Couch Monkey has completed his first week of college and guess what? He has informed me that there is homework!
Lots of homework! Surprise! Our Sr. Loin Fruit continues to look for another employment option as his hours had been reduced at his current job. With a little luck he will find a new niche.

     Since coming back I have barely talked to the Sages as I have been working early in the day. I'll check with them later today. They'll likely be prepping for autumn by closing up their garden.

09:55 hrs

     I just finished reading The Last of the President's Men by Bob Woodward. It's the story of Alex Butterfield, the man who informed the world that there a secret recording system was installed in the Oval Office (and in other locations) at the behest of President Nixon. The reason for the system will shock you. But, in reading the book it dawned on me how similar the Tangerine Tyrant is to Nixon.

     Another thing has dawned on me. In reading another book, dated from 2000, references are made to people and buildings - ie the World Trade Center that now no longer exists. The quandary is that I know of these things and I know of their demise but for someone younger than myself who may read the same book sometime in the future these things will hold no significance. It's like when you see an old movie and you know the actors are all dead or that Twin Towers are no longer standing. But a younger person, if they didn't know the age of the movie, may think the film is CGI because of the shape if the skyline. It kinda puts my generation in a unique position of having to be a historical place holder. Of having to remind people that there were things, important things that were captured on film that are no longer with us. It's time for a Robin Williams film fest.

16:00 hrs

     It's drizzling here in The Valley which is good. The forest has suffered a lot over the summer. I don't think 10mm of precipitation fell over the entire month of August. It's time to turn on the fireplace snuggle up and nap.

     I have get a hold of my book formatter. So There I was...Tales from the Flight Line is ready as it ever will be to be uploaded for sale on Amazon. I dont know how long it will take her to do it. I may have to adjust some things as coloured photos may not be allowed on soft covered books. If I go with a hard cover the price may go up.

     I have other tomes in the works as well. The one about my a position I worked at may be on hold as there is a NDA clause that I have work around. Well, it's not really a NDA. It more like a set of guidelines preventing employees and former employees from writing or printing anything in regards to their employment with the District without their official blessing. I wasn't directly employed by the District but the company I work for was contracted by the District to provide a service and I actioned the service. As sn author I know fully that you shouldn't print someone's name without their express permission. Even if the subject matteror the incident is true the individual - in this case the District - will probably take exception to what you have written and will sue for defamation of character,  which is a load of shite.  The offended individual is not suing for defamation. The person is suing because you have publically embarrassed them. Their character was already defamed by their actions. So, suck it up Princess!

15 Sep 18
07:05 hrs

     The week has finished and work next week will start on Sunday evening. A new talking has been passed on to me. I love it. I've also heard through the grapevine that there are rumblings and issues at my old position. The transition between officers will probably not go smoothly and they should survive. If they dont, it's not my concern.

     I have noticed even more business changes around the Valley. A long time family run European restaurant turned aging Choke and Puke has finally shuttered. No longer will the local public be offered the Ptomaine Schnitzel or the Four Cheese Salmonella Surprise. Despite the ancient decor, cutlery, plates, etc the venue did have a dedicated fan base. I guess they eventually had enough as well. There is a new set of proprietors and hopefully new furniture and a new menu. If possible, the Better Half and I will check the place out and I can give you a more detailed report.

     I have also noticed quite a few of these modular or what appears to be modular homes being put up in the Valley. They have three or four separate rectangular boxes each with a single slope metal roof joined to a single point. I've dubbed the style West Coast Nouveau. If you are driving through the Valley or through your own neighborhood take a look. They are really neat.

    

A Change of Venue

02 Sept 18
19:45 hrs

     The past week has been a real piss cutter. On Monday I was informed that the new patrol vehicle was being brought up from Capital City on Tuesday and my manager was wanting to have a chat. Immediately, I was in a defensive mode. In fact on Tuesday I woke up at 03:00 hrs with my stomach tied up in knots and a headache like a ten pound Smartie - and I had not even been drinking. I went to the office for 09:30 hrs to assist transferring the ancillary equipment from the old vehicle to the new. My manager arrived shortly after 10:00 hrs and by 10:30 hrs I had been informed that - after five years of being an Animal Control Officer - my service was no longer acceptable to the District.

     There had been a complaint - from an individual outside my jurisdiction - about...what? I never did find out what the complaint was about. I do know that three weeks earlier The Albertans were away and had left their dog inside the house with the windows open. For the next ten hours I heard nothing but barking and whining. On the following Tuesday I had finished my patrol and was standing in my driveway when the neighbour kid came by delivering the paper. I asked if he had a dog and was told yes. I asked if they had been home on Saturday as the dog had been barking all day. Sorry, we were out he said. I suggested they get a bark collar and if his parents had any questions to call me. Well, junior told mom I had told them to get a choke collar. Mom took offence to 5he suggestion and called the District who, in turn phoned the Manager in Capital City.

     And, that was all she wrote.

     Dear Readers, I want you to know that I really loved that position. I was helping people, solving problems and mending fences. However, I was working every second weekend for five years, when I was on duty the phone would ring at all hours from complainants and the RCMP. Dogs, chickens, cows, pigs and goats. I chased them all. I admit that it was fun but until now I never knew the toll it was taking on my family. Here's a hint...family is always more important than the job.

     I'm not worried as for years I have been back filling my patrol position with plenty of security work on Base. I have been assured on numerous occasions that I will have work on Base for as long as I want it.

     I know how steep the learning curve I had climb was and my replacement will have an even steeper one. Good luck. Someone had asked me that if he doesn't work out would I consider going back if I was asked. First of all I doubt if the District would admit they fucked up by letting me go and second of all. I'm not going back. Now, if my organization took over another jurisdiction and had me as the manager over the Animal Control department covering both jurisdictions I might consider it. Maybe. But that will never happen.

     Another piss off took place on Saturday when I went to take my Jr. Loin Fruit out fishing. Everything went well until the motor wouldn't restart after we were 1/2 mile down the lake. I got some much needed exercise rowing us back. Naturally, the marine shops were all closed due to the holiday weekend so I will have to take the motor in for some much needed maintenance. If the repair costs are too dear I will look to purchase a 4-stroke in the spring - with my Better Half's permission of course.

     On Monday, the Sr. Loin Fruit has a job interview at a second location. We all wish him the best of luck. On Tuesday his brother will be attending the orientation day at the local college.  We wish him the best of luck too. Exciting times for everyone. Also in Tuesday my dear friend from Over the Hump will arrive and on Wednesday morning we will be departing early in the AM to grab a ferry off The Rock. We are participating in this years expedition and are heading Out in the Weeds for nearly a week. We will be in communicado during that time frame. There is still a campfire ban on so there will be a lot of sitting in the dark which is okay because it might draw the big guy out to play.

03 Sept 18
04:45 hrs

     Yes, I am awake. Up too early and now I'm looking to nap already.

     It rained in the Valley last night. Probably not a lot but some to dampen the Bush I hope. Some of the big leaf maple trees are already starting to yellow. Its the stress if little water and the heat that is causing them to change early. In the coming years I can foresee that this will be the new norm.

     The Sages seem to be doing fine. The gardening season is just about done and they will soon be prepping for winter. Once the last of the plants have been harvested Two Bob will finish putting the  remaining gutter guards in place.