It's been a week.

17 Mar 18
08:00 hrs

     It has been a week since the Onion moved into the Wayward Inn. There has been some adjustments, obviously but by all accounts she is much happier in her new digs. Where we gained one, we lost another. Our foster cat, Yanni - aka Knuckles, Mittens, Tripper, Ivan - was finally adopted out. It was a shame really because of all the rental cats we had this one fit in the best and we we planning on keeping him.

     There is plenty of building going on in the Valley. The new pub next to the Church Street bakery is so big the bakery could be placed inside. The new apartment complex on a main street is an imposing four stories and is built right to the edge of the sidewalk. Those houses across the street will probably have to wait an extra half hour to see the sun rise.
Another Rabbit Warren is planned for the corner lot at a major intersection. There will be twenty-four units going in on a plot of land occupied by a single dwelling on upper Royston.

     My Lobster will be going on an extended trip with the Oma-nator this summer. That will leave the Loin Fruits and myself to fend for ourselves. As if that's an issue.

19 Mar 19
    
     The weather here in the Valley has been exceptional but we have had no rain.  Despite being warm the snow pack has not really started to recede which would fill all of the lakes. Especially the one we get our drinking water from where the water level is so low the fish are having a hard time finding a place to crap.

     We are still assisting our neighbour's daughter in emptying out the house for sale. There is only one piece of furniture left inside and we - my Better Half - have been selling off the stuff in the garage for cheap. Hopefully it will be gone soon.

Stepping up and Out!

27 Feb 19
16:45 hrs

     Once again things are changing at the Wayward Inn. We still have our rental cat from KCP and we have no plans of adopting this aged gentle fur ball. As much as he is really nice the last thing we - meaning I - need is another permanent pet. Two is enough.

     The fence is still down at the Wayward Inn. The weather has not been to cooperative of late with below freezing temperatures. It all makes it a bit difficult to remove concrete out of the ground. On a good note the days are getting longer so I may be able to work on fixing it after I'm done my day job. I know my Better Half wants it done as soon as possible so I had better get my ass in gear.

     L'il Sis has rooked me into a road trip to the Sages place for Mother's Day. I'm going to couple that with a road trip to the Helgeson Hilton. The proprietor is hoping that a few of the Olde Boyz will be able to come out to enjoy the annual feast produced in a 8 x 8 foot smoker and you can bet your canine teeth that there will be no cruciferous vegetables being served.

     Our Jr. Couch Monkey's hard work has produced a 3.80 GPA for his first term in college. That's straight A's folks. We are very proud of him. He's done very well and I believe his success can be partially attributed to the anchor of support he has at home. That being said, a fellow classmate is being turfed out of her residence. The Onion, is a foreign national student who is not only going to college but holds down a steady job as well. In fact, there are quite a few foreign students at the local college and who work in a host of positions that our local kids wouldn't touch.

     The Onion, was informed that she will have vacate her residence - she's renting a suite in a house - as the owners now want a friend of theirs to move in. It's not just her but the other two foreign students as well. The school year ends in two months. This is bull shit. Nope. Thirty days notice. Less is better.

     So, being who we are and what we do. We have informed the Onion that for the end of the school year she can move into the Wayward Inn. We did this thinking she would be going back to her homeland at the end of the year. Nope. Only for three weeks and the she will be back for more studies. In order to give her som stability we, meaning my Better Half, said she could stay until the start of the new school year. We're placing her up in the bonus room so it will work out.

02 Mar 19
07:15 hrs

     My Lobster and I ran away. Not far. Just to the Sunshine Coast for a little R&R. We stayed at a delightful place called Secret Beach in Gibsons. While on the coast we dined at the Olde Boot Eatery where Fred is still the chef. It was great to see him again. He's a little bit more grey than the last time I saw him. We also will be seeing Molly's Reach and the Persephone. If you don't know what they are they you've never been a Canadian.

06 Mar 19
15:15 hrs

     I forgot to mention that my new book has been donated to the library in Gibsons  and in Sechelt.  I sold a few too. I'm classifying the trip as a book tour. While we in Sechelt we went to see the Muffin Man and his Better Half. It was great to see them too. They are looking pretty good. They should be considered the original Sages.

    

It's done!

18 Feb 19
21:55 hrs

     It is finally done.
     My second book is now on Amazon and Kindle. Mind you the Kindle version looks a little different because I uploaded it myself. That's right, I uploaded the print copy to KDP - Amazon's printing division - all by myself. I learned a few tricks along the way in regards to formatting and the like. There's no stopping me now. I have at least three more on the back burner. If I tried hard I could probably have at least one of them done by the fall. I don't think that I'll put any more out on Kindle but I do believe that may create a bit of a following. I'll know in a couple of weeks how this one is doing because I will be able to see the sales reports. Did I mention that one of the books will be a cooking guide? Some practical cooking advice for the bachelor.

     As this latest book did not cost me anything to format - the first one cost me a shitload - I believe that I may have some shekels available for some online advertising. Up until now all of my sales promotion has been through word of mouth and shared interests on Facebook. But, for a few dollars Amazon will push forward towards on their suggested list.

19 Feb 19
05:55 hrs

     Up early again. In fact I've been up for two hours already. Dad's alarm clock. Today is the first day of the Sr. Couch Monkey's early shift and someone in the household asked for me to make sure that he was up and ready to go. No problem says I. Now that I'm up and not awake I think I'll make some Monkey Buns with the Sage's recipe. Later on today I have to have the oil changed in the Ram, hit Crappy Tire and go see The Brit. Tomorrow I have to attend a First Aid course out in the Wild Wild West.

     I have the LDR hanging from the gazebo covering the Flame Pit. I hope I have the settings correct. I'm testing the battery duration and the recording settings. I have to make sure I know what the hell I'm doing before this thing goes Out in the Weeds. I would hate to put this unit out, come back two or three weeks later just to discover it wasn't programmed correctly.

21 Feb 19
06:15 hrs

     Many employers require their busy worker bees to hold a first aid certification of some kind. I have been taking first aid courses every three years or less since 1979. I have yet to fail a course except an instructors level course. For some reason I couldn't get past teaching infant CPR. I made the grade on this course. Barely.

22 Feb 19
16:15 hrs

     My Lobster and I are planning on a little road trip. Sans Couch Monkeys. We're going to be travelling in a big circle which means we'll be going no where fast. But will stop in to see the Muffin Man and his Better Half.  This coming Wednesday the will have been married for 65 years. That's impressive for all the right reasons. Hopefully, I'll have some copies of my new book. If I do, I'll give them one.

Work Site Observations

05 Feb 19
19:15 hrs

     For the past few days I have been working on a major building project. Offices, two flight simulators, offices, class rooms and a hangar all in one massive building. Now the vast majority of the tradesmen are well experienced individuals who have a vast amount of knowledge and skills. I'm actually quite impressed with their drive and stamina to work in all forms of weather that we experience here on the Left Coast.

     This doesn't mean that all of the tradesmen are in this group. I said the vast majority. Just like at any other jobsite there are those who make you want to shake your head in wonder. This young Puppychow shows up on the jobsite wearing a Tshirt, a goody his Hi-Viz vest, hard hat, boots and that's it. No outer layer and no gloves.  In -9C with the wind howling.

     "Do you have any gloves you can lend me?"

     There's only one answer to that question: One man, one kit!

     And then there's the time wasted standing about jabbering like a parliament of baboons with Puppychow saying that he didn't know what he was doing here as his work mate wasn't on site. Well then pick up a broom and lend a hand. Just don't stand around with your finger up your hoop because you can do that at home.

06 Feb 19
09:45 hrs

     Another day on site. The lead hand cobbled my Kidlettes with the Pros from Dover in an attempt to light a fire under their ass. The plan worked! There are steel studded walls and densglass walls going up like mad. A good call by the lead hand.

     On another note today is a dear family friend's birthday.  So, a big Happy Birthday  to the Muffin Man on the Sunshine Coast. He's a ripe old age. Older than the Sages too. He and his Better Half used to live across the street from us with their five Couch Monkeys. And boy, were they a handful. He used to work for EGG. That's short for Everybody's Got Gas! The company bounced him from the Prairies to the Left Coast lake country to the Island and finally to the Sunshine Coast where he pulled the pin. The Muffin Man is a great guy with a hearty handshake and love for a good joke. Have a great day. You earned it.

21:30 hrs

     I talked to Li'l Sis this evening. She has some whackadoo idea of me flying out to Cowtown and then going on a road trip with her. Nothing doing. I'm scared when she's behind the wheel.

     I see that my youngest uncle has finally retired. He's three years my senior and his Lobster is a year older than that. I know that I'll be working for a few more years to get ahead of the curve before I can retire. My Better Half has said that I cannot fully retire until she does. All I want is for the damn house to be paid off then the rest is gravy. Hell, if we're free of that big ball and chain then she could pull the pin and I could still do the odd shift just to make life interesting.

     Well Kidlettes, the day is done. Time to rack out and get ready for another fun filled day.

News Anyone?

24 Jan 19
17:25 hrs

     Hello Dear Readers!
     I apologize for not writing sooner and I have been notified by the great Facebook Gods that I have been remiss.  Surprisingly, none of my fans dropped me a line to say that you haven't heard from me.

     It's hard to shut out the circus from South of the 49th Parallel that continues to occupy majority of the media outlets. More and more individuals are being indicted by the Special Council and each of them - at least the smart ones - is cooperating to save their own hides. The Special Council is gathering all the evidence the will be necessary to string up the Tangerine Tyrant. The legal problem is that indictments have a shelf life and it is constitutionally difficult to indict a sitting POTUS. A way around this is to seal the indictment, which effectively pushes the pause button,until such time as the Tangerine Tyrant is no longer the POTUS. You can run but you can't hide.

     The Valley is going through another building surge. A major development is to revamp the old hospital grounds into a self contained Alzheimer's community with parks, shops and walkways. Unfortunately, it comes too late for our neighbour who was moved to Capital City by his family for this very condition. Would have been nice if he could have stayed in the area.

     Another multi-level residence being built along a main street will be all rental units. This is great as there are very few rental units in the Valley. The problem is that the suggested rent is $1800 a month - no idea if this includes utilities and I doubt it. If you are a college student or someone looking for your first residence after cutting the apron strings you would need a pretty big bankroll to afford the rent. Hell, for that price you might as well get a mortgage - if you had the down payment to qualify, which I doubt. There is an upside. Someone is developing an entire four floor building of single bedroom/bachelor suites out in the Wild Wild West. The hope is it will be on a bus route and the rent will be reasonable.

26 Jan 19
12:45 hrs

     I am sitting in a classroom.
     No, it is not Elder College, despite the urgings of the rest of the residents of the Wayward Inn. It is a writers conference. And, as I am a writer, I thought this might be a great way to make some connections and learn a few things as well. In the group there are poets, playwrights and personal novelists. Many of the attendees - and they come in all sizes, ages and persuasions including wiccan by their demeanor - have been published in some form or another - most likely the Annual Outer Island Lunar Barking Sea Lion Festival or the Guide to the Mushroom Gatherers Pilgrimage. It's all good and there is lots of room at the table. As I am now a member of the writing society I was allowed to place copies of my first work on the table for sale. It was my Better Half's idea to bring along the last three copies I had on hand. Thanks, Dear. I don't know if they'll sell but it's worth a shot.

     Tonight, my Lobster and I are going over to Elric the Stalwart's abode for dinner and cards. Another couple will be in attendance - Dave the Medic and his Lobster. We've met them before on numerous occasions. In fact,  Dave's Lobster once competed on Chopped Canada. She didn't win but I do believe she came on second which is something far better than what I could do.

27 Jan 19
08:00 hrs

     Last nights dinner went well. Elric had made chili,  Dave's Lobster brought a salad with an outstanding dressing and Elric's Better Half created a lovely fish chowder with coconut milk. My Lobster had used the bread maker a made a stunning braided loaf of bread. For dessert Elric served up a chocolate raspberry mousse torte that he and his Couch Monkeys had created. It was the best dessert I have had in a very long time at any venue - either private or commercial.

16:45 hrs.

     We are all bloated. We attended to A Chain Restaurant that recently opened her in the Valley. They had re-opened in a husk of a former Chain Restaurant that had lasted only a couple years after which it had been sitting empty. We were celebrating the Sr. Couch Monkey's belated Birthday. The Jr. Couch Monkey, in all his Vegetarian coolness watched as I constructively deconstructed and consumed a gigantic half rack of ribs. Deep down I think he was jealous. It was delicious as was the pint of Guinness. Ribs and beer - a perfect combination.

29 Jan 19
05:35 hrs

     It's the second day of another week of working with The Ratz. This position is available as a permanent spot and I have applied for it. Stability is a nice thing. If I get it I will simply have to keep my head down and my nose clean for a couple of years or more until its is time to permanently pull the pin.

     The information that I learned over the weekend at the writer's conference has given me the tools to complete my latest tome. Now I just need to find the time.
    

Drawing to a Close

13 Jan 19
08:00 hrs

     The Oma-nator will be heading back to the Nation's Capital soon. It has been a great visit with nearly 80 games of Trouble played. All good. We took her to three shows at the local stage theater.  The last one was the Comic Strippers, an all male improv troupe, which entertained the audience - mostly female - with borderline sexually suggestive scenarios. Our whole family went, including the Couch Monkeys and our friend Gail. It was a most enjoyable evening.

20:00 hrs

     We have now surpassed 80 games of Trouble. Quite an achievement. As tomorrow is The Oma-nator's last day my Better Half is taking the day off. I have not been tasked with anything so far. I had been working in a different unit over the past couple of weeks and a full time position in that unit has opened up. But, at this point I don't feel like I would be a good fit. Of course, I still have tasks to complete around the Wayward Inn. A new set of taps to install, a workshop to try and tidy up, a wooden spoon to sand down, a Long Duration ( Audio) Recorder to build plus other things as well

     We went out for brunch to what used to be Mar's on Main out in the Wild Wild West. It's now called The Four Quarters. The menu has been pared back but the product could still be tweaked a bit. Seasonings, etc. Overall it was fairly good. We gave it a review on Trip Advisor.

14 Jan 19
07:00 hrs

     It's still dark out and I am sitting in the dark having my coffee. I am using a bluetooth type device hooked to the TV broadcasting to my hearing aids. The only person hearing the TV is me. I am watching Rush: Time Stands Still. It is for me to enjoy, alone.

     The Jr. Couch Monkey is awake. He assists in teaching/coaching Improv at his former high school and then he'll be off to his college classes. He is wearing a tshirt that reads - "Wanted Dead and Alive: Schrodinger's Cat".

     Speaking of high school, the other day I learned of the death of a former classmate. I had known her since Jr. Highschool. She was taken from us by a cancer of one kind or another. She was a teacher and had even taught the offspring of other class members. Afterwards, I was added to my highschool alum group on Facebook and I learned of the passing of some more classmates. One was murdered in the Hugh-ess, one died of some weird liver disease, one was beaten to death outside a pub, and more have passed from various health ailments. It's a sure sign that we are aging but now that the Grim Reaper is picking off your friends it makes it personal.

     You can't fight the end so live life to its fullest and help others along the way.

A Change in the Wind

03 Jan 19
08:45 hrs

     Happy New Year Dear Readers!

     Yes, it is the start of another year. A year that will certainly hold some angst and frustration for the Tangerine Tyrant.  To get a clearer picture on what has been happening in the Hugh-ess I worked my way through Bob Woodward's book Fear in the White House and I am close to finishing Madeline Albright's book Fascism: A Warning. Both are excellent and I highly recommend them.

     Unfortunately, my new tome has hit a bit of a wall with the formatting. I am trying my best to get it right but without the training it's a crap shoot.

04 Jan 19
07:00 hrs

     If you have been following the happenings in the Hugh-ess, and how can you not, the Rational People have now taken control of half of the Government and now provide a means to balance out the power held by the ruling Sycophants. The Rationals have a lot of work ahead of them and I am sure that they have a working road map that will guide them to their destination of deposing the Tangerine Tyrant. Let's just hope that they will be able to educate some of the masses along the way. Of course, it will be some tough slogging ahead because when a member of the right wing Base says "Good Morning" he's probably told you everything he knows. Now, I wouldn't say that the Base is a bit thick between the ears but it isn't a stretch to say that most of them, in my opinion  have the mental agility of a small dirty soap dish.

     And then there is Robert Mueller - correctly pronounced mule-er not mull-er - who has been stoically amassing and documenting the evidence from all of the Tangerine Tyrant's fart catchers. Now that the Rationals are running the House it will only be a matter of time before he tables his findings. However, I don't think it will happen until the trail of evidence turns cold.

05 Jan 19
21:00 hrs

     The Oma-nator,  my Lobster and myself went on a roadtrip to a place south of Hub City. We went to visit a long time friend of my Better Half. Her house is set back back in the Weeds at the foot of a very squatchy mountain and had lost power for five days after the last wind storm. When we arrive I saw that half her driveway had been lost when a very large fir tree had toppled, falling away from her home. Seven large trees had dropped, none of which hit her house. The Gods were certainly smiling on her that day.

     On our return trip north we stopped in Hub City at a major shopping emporium. After a spot of lunch I went on a quest in one direction while my Better Half, along with her mom, went the other way. I completed my task first and went to the parking lot to wait. Now, I don't know if any of you Dear Readers have ever taken up the passive sport of people watching put it can be quite enjoyable.

     So as I was waiting for my Better Half to return, I watched the parking lot. The place was packed and new vehicle arrivals circled through the lot searching for an empty spot. Naturally, the drivers were all looking for a place close to the building because Heaven forbid they might park towards the back of the lot where there was space and actually walk 100 feet. I watched this young, 20-ish, mom and her young child cross the lot to her car that was five spots down from ours. Another lady in her mid 40's driving a BMW suv spotted the imminent departure and hurried over, parked with her turn signal on -as is the correct protocol - indicating to other parking spot stalkers that she has laid claim to the prey. But, the intended victim would not move and so for the next five minutes Beemer Lady sat waiting while Young Mom entertained her child. It was obvious to this observer that she was waiting for another passenger and wasn't about to give way. Beemer Lady couldn't wait any longer and drove past in a huff pausing just long enough to give Young Mom the finger. Outrageous!

     Beemer Lady spotted an opening farther down and cruised over to the next lot but when she got there it was now filled. She circled back to where I was standing and as she exited kn lot for the next two vehicles departed right behind her. She tried to reverse but was blocked by traffic.

     Karma! You gotta love it .