Saturday, October 30, 2010

Friday, I Think

walk:1.8 km
cycle:13 km
oatmeal, coffee, crackers and cheese, diet 7 up, wagon wheel, blueberry/brown sugar cookies, caneloni, diet 7up/rye

I had forgotten all about inventory today. Dave counted some yesterday and we finished before lunch today. It's not like the old days when everything had to be wiped from the computer, counted and put back in. I still hold to my opinion that as many mistakes were made putting all they info back in as were ever on the shelf. Shop jobs are still coming in daily with just one month til the move. Another waste as we won't have the room or equipment to keep it up.

This just in, 3G service on Mt. Everest...before Thunder Bay.

I was taking a shower after work and listening to AJ's new shower radio. The sports came on and announced that game 2 of the World Series was on tonight in San Fran. I thought 'that's normal, the sportscaster is a day behind'. Then came the weather forecast, cool tomorrow and sunny on Saturday. I know my schedule is messed up but isn't this Friday and Game 2 was Thursday?

Friday, October 29, 2010

Lost Day

walk:3km
cycle:2km
oatmeal, grapefruit juice, rice, curry chicken stir fry, wagon wheels, nacho chips, scotch, diet 7up

I had planned to paint the trim in the hallway, even bought a brush. Ran a few errands, banking, parts for the cpap mask and a stop at Currie's. When I got home I lost all desire to paint. Worse than that I lost all desire to do much of anything, result I ate way more than I should have. I just could not get anything done. I did manage to find a replacement player for the one who quit last weekend and then pedaled to the Gardens to introduce the parent to the coach. That was about it for the day. Totally wasted.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Welcome to Apathy Bay

walk:2km (left my cell at work, variety mix on old ipod)
cycle:7km (pontoons and mainsail left at home today)
2pcs. toast w/peanut butter, 2 coffee, steamed rice, water, cavatini, blueberry/brownsugar cookies, wontons, diet pepsi

Gotta love good ole' TBay. Citizens have bitched and complained about city council for at least 2 years so what do the angered citizens of our fair city do? We set another dismal number for voter turnout, 46%. If you are happy with what is going on down on Donald St. then get out and help keep the powers that be stay in office. If you're not happy then get out and put your X beside someone you feel will do a better job. If you don't care then just keep on doing what you did, turn the channel on Thunder Bay. If election day had been Tuesday we may not have seen 30%. Good luck Mr. Hobbs.

Lights Out

cycle:6km
sailing:3 km
2 pcs toast w/peanut butter, banana, coffee, diet pepsi, granola bar, corn bread, cavatini, water, wagon wheel (remember those?)

I spent a few hours at work Tuesday hearing all about how the shelves in the new location will fit under the lighting which is being upgraded. Measuring on the floorplan while looking at a grainy little camera picture of a dingy looking building. No I haven't actually seen the inside of the 'new' building. Yes we are officially moving. Letters to suppliers, signs for the counter and a message on the invoices all indicate the date. Back to the lighting. I've been working with absolute crap for lighting in the shop for 3 years and haven't heard more than a 10 minute argument about it being 'just fine'. I finally won the day when I said the light we have now is horrible, how much worse can it be?

How about that weather, when did we move to St. John's? Felt like a day beside the ocean.

Monday, October 25, 2010

More Annoyances

weigh-in:261
walk:3km
oatmeal, banana. coffee, cranberry/sunflower seed bread, diet pepsi, chicken quesadillas, juice

I love stores with online catalogs and flyers that don't match what they have on hand in either stock or price. Sears, Home Outfitters and Marks were on the list today. Sal was thinking of a trip to Duluth for some Christmas shopping and I was thinking we should shop at home. I tried but of course everything that's on sale is on a truck somewhere or not really available in the store or 40% more than online. Canadian retail is a disaster. Don't ask anyone a question because if you've been looking more than 5 minutes you already know more than they do. The Arrrrrghs of October continue.

Looks like we have a new mayor.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

October Arrrrrrrgh Part Deux

Walk:3km (Sting -Nothing Like the Sun)
cycle:3km
2 cranberry/sunflower seed bread, cinnamon bun, 3 coffee, bbq chicken, caeser salad, corn bread, oven fries, jujubes, lemonade

After today's games every Northwood team has a win. Much better than last season when it was January before the last team got a W. I still don't think the teams are as balanced as they could be. Brandyn's team lost with 35 seconds left on a screened shot the goalie never saw. We lost a second year player that 'just isn't having fun' which is very strange at this point in the year.

It's pretty bad that while listening to bad elevator music playing as I was on hold with shaw cable, I was able to solve the mystery of captions on the tv with google searches. The solution is nowhere to be found in the manual and you can't turn it on or off with the remote but there they were for 2 hours. "Did you know Shaw video on demand brings you the latest movies with the click of a button?" That and 3 other looping commercials interspersed with the same easy listening piano piece that was anything but. ARRRRRGH. Hire a few humans.

He's Skating

walk:3km (Dream Theatre-Falling Into Infinity)
oatmeal, 2 coffee, lf muffin, 2 pcs cranberry/sunflower seed bread, cappuchino, meatloaf sandwiches, water, munchies, rye caeser

Today, Brandyn was skating. He was still falling but he was taking 10 medium sized strides before that happened. He is gradually making his way into the play and even camping out in front of the opposition's net. His team won 2-0 in an afternoon full of shutouts.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Arrrrgh! Wait Not Enough rrrrrrrrrrrs

walk:3km (Coldplay X&Y)
cycle:6km
2 pcs. toast w/peanut butter, coffee, beef on bun, diet pepsi, crackers & cheese, banantini, meat loaf, scalloped potatoes

Today was a typical battle at work. All week long shop jobs have been streaming in. Not like they used to when we had 3 shop guys and me doing the scheduling and ordering, but busy for the times. And what do we do this afternoon, we take 3 cars to the scrap yard on Mission Island. No you can't do that work that will make us money you have to stand at the counter and wait for the phone to ring and hope nobody wants anything cause there's no delivery for awhile. And then next week try and explain why nothing is ready. Arrrrrrgh!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Another Make Work Project

walk:3km (Peter Frampton-Frampton)
2 pcs. toast, banana, coffee, chicken stroboli w/salad, iced tea, cheese, lemon square, diet 7up/grapefruit juice, 1oz Famous Grouse

I just went thru a 3 hour ordeal trying to get coaches a records check. There's a website setup so we can invite them and they get a quick $25 return. After numerous emails to set up a league account the invitations were wrong. They came up with a $29 option. The dropdown would not work and they could not tell me what was wrong. I tried the page in explorer and it worked there. I let them know that chrome is not compatable with their site. Then cancelled all the invites, emailed everyone so they knew what was up, redid the invites and sent them again.

I gpsed my walk this morning. Reception from my pocket must have put things off a bit, check out my drunken stagger down Simpson St.

View Track 14 in a larger map

No Room to Move

walk:3 km (Kings of Leon-Only By the Night)
cycle:6km
2 pcs. toast, banana, beef-cheese bun, diet 7up, crackers and cheese, steamed rice, baked fries, munchos, diet 7up

I worked from 1-5 and thought I would take the long way to work. I didn't even notice the purple sky to the north until I had riden a ways south and turned west. I quickly gave up the long way as it was going to end up being the wet way. As it was the wind was howling and it rained but not enough to soak me.

I went into the shop with a few small jobs and found just about every workbench gone. Those that remain were covered in bits and pieces form those missing. I said we should close the shop because I can't work around all the piles. That went over well.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Jill Gets the Call

walk:1.8km (Yes-Yessongs disc 2)
cycle:24km
2 pcs toast, coffee, triscuits w/cheese, gatorade, power bar, caesar, brisket burger and casear salad

I had a 6:30 - 9:30 stint on the clock at Neebing and work til 5:30. How to get there? Both cars were going to be on the other side of town and unavailable. No way to connect with the 3 buses it would take. Didn't know any of the refs doing the game other than to say hi. 15 km through town on a single speed in an hour is pushing it. So I threw the lights on Jill and she got out of the basement for the first time since June. It sure was nice to ride with gears. Don't get me wrong I love the single speed thing but I was able to get there in about less than 45 minutes, change and still have time for a drink and check emails.

I sent a bulk email to all teams in Lakehead Minor after the Sunday meeting. I got a call Tuesday telling me HNO was swamped with people looking for things on their website. If they had only read that everything they wanted was on the Lakehead Minor website they would have been fine.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Just 1

weigh-in:260
walk:3km (Yes-90125)
2 pcs toast w/peanut butter, coffee, banana, 8 triscuits w/cheese, jambalya, buns, lemon square, coffee, scotch, jujubes (traditional)

Even a pound is progress I guess.

Cruising the Net, Vol.1

walk:2.6km (Clapton-24 Nights)
2 coffee, Sal's breakfast scrambler, grapefruit juice, salad, diet 7up, apple crisp, cappuchino

I added a bunch of cd's to my hard drive and then to my phone last night. Having a chance to listen to tunes while I walk gets me out there every morning. I can still enjoy music I've been listening to since the 70's, but also have lots of newer stuff so I'm never stuck with repetition. For the days I'm off I added about a km, Saturday I just didn't feel like turning for home so I kept going. I'm going to get it to 3km tomorrow. I'm sure weighing in tomorrow will show zip for progress since I wasn't able to ignore the calls from the devils in the kitchen. May have to start wearing the headphones more often.

1st Installment, Cruising the Net
"holding a grudge is letting someone live rent free in your head"


These are not Bighorn sheep on the Buffalo Bill Dam in Cody Wyoming, so what are they?

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Opening Day

walk:2.6 km
cycle:3km (wow)
2 pcs. toast w/peanut butter, coffee, dim sum, nachos, diet 7up

Opening day was non-eventful. Three teams picked up wins, three got losses. I found a backup timekeeper, another former player who picked it up quickly leaving me to do my running around between coaches, collecting registration and so on. Brandyn came out and I think he's over his not wanting to be. He touched the puck twice in his first shift but not much after that. His skating gets better every time he is out there. His Canadiens won 5-2.

I really wonder why some people put their kids in. One girl has missed 5 of 6 team practices and was gone again today. What is the point of taking a hard to get spot if you never show up? If they miss again I'm going to look for a replacement.

Ron...I'm In Here

walk:1.8km
2 pcs. toast, coffee, cheese & triscuits, 3 gl. water, diet pepsi, chocolate, szechuan stir fry & steamed rice

I have everything ready for the Northwood season openers on Saturday, I think. Why did I eat chocolate? I didn't know it could talk but I swear it was calling me as I was reading. I started a website for a friend who has been doing Northwood trophies for decades. He really does great work and has the best prices in town. There's not much on the site yet, but if you need some engraving he's your man.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

The New Hawaii 5-0 is Just Bad

walk:1.8km
cycle:12 km

2 pcs. toast, coffee, 2 gl. water, crackers, pasta and sauce, wedding cake, chocolate, 2 diet pepsi

The new Hawaii 5-0 looks good, lots of great shots of the islands and attractive actors but the story lines are so weak. In the epsiode that was the straw that broke this camel's back, a group of Serbs kidnap the inventor of a computer that can break into any system and are preparing to sell it to another group for a billion. They shut down air defences and radar allowing the buyers to land at a remote airport. Then the four members of 5-0 take them down. The Serbs who have been at war for decades, forgot to put guards outside the building. And this all happens in a day. Seriously? Seriously deleting this from the pvr. If you want a real cop show check out Detroit 1-8-7 or Blue Bloods.

It's A Good Thing

walk:1.8km
cycle:14 km
2 pcs. toast, coffee, sushi roll, 2 gl.water, salmon and fries, diet pepsi, apple crisp w/ice cream

I've been watching a PBS show on World War II and it's sure a good thing that Hitler was such an egomaniac. There have been numerous stories of how the Germans were one day away from major victories only to be redirected by Hitler against the advice of his generals. And no more dumb Polack jokes. Polish mathematicians not only broke the the German's Engima code machine, they got it to the English before Poland was invaded and then suffered torture without giving up the fact that they could read the German's code. It was one of the biggest advantages the Allies had.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Transit Tuesday

walk:3.5km
2 pcs. toast, coffee, sushi roll, crab cakes, steamed rice, duck, carrot cake, diet pepsi, mentos

I took an interesting ride to Neebing Arena with our city transit system for a couple of games on the clock. Everything worked well, I even used the 'Next Bus' gps system from the stop where I transferred from one route to another. I walked down to city hall which was thick with wind turbine protesters, looking for the #3 Airport. I got there about 10 minutes early but saw the #3 on a bus in line. Nope, #3 Northwood. I saw another #3 arrive, nope #3 Memorial. I checked and rechecked the time and the stop. I was still in the right place. The #3 Airport finally showed up, why have 3 of #3? When you can only see the back of the bus you are running for, the 3 is all you get.

I rode about 15 minutes and the bus veered from the route I had in my head, making a loop around Victoria and Donald. I asked the driver if he came back to Arthur shortly, otherwise I would miss the connection. He grunted. I made the connection and got a very talkative driver. One guy put his bike on the bus at Frederica and Brown, rode to the store at the Mission and got off without his bike. The bus picked him up again as it passed by on the return loop and then dropped him at the same spot where he grabbed his bike and went his merry way. "Don't tell me he just went for smokes?" I asked the driver. He told me he gets lots of those. As we waited at James and Frederica, he told me he was waiting for the Mainline which had radioed that they were late and since no more buses head out Broadway for a few hours he was going to hold until the connection was made even though it made him late. He was pretty friendly for someone who might be walking a picket line in a matter of hours.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Thanksgiving Sushi

weigh-in:261
walk:1.8km

2 pc. toast w/peanut butter, coffee, 2 gl. water, sm plate pasta w/chicken, california rolls, duck, salad, crab cake, crazy cake, carrot cake, rye and diet pepsi

Somehow I slipped through the wedding weekend and lost 6 pounds for the week. I had everything I wanted, only had 1 drink at the reception but that was never a priority. I get up looking forward to my 20 minute walk, of course every day so far has been clear of rain. There's always the treadmill if it gets soggy.

Sal and I have been enjoying sushi rolls at the Sushi Bowl since my birthday and decided to try and make our own. She got all the supplies and today she made about $150 worth. We have lots of supplies and of course the few tools required left over. I rolled just once and my result brings back memories of her first batch of cabbage rolls when we were still in high school, just a few years back. I used way too much rice and the thing is about 2 1/2" in diameter. She went online for more instructions and her second batch are down to the nice size we were looking for. I tried a sample of the first batch and the taste is there, now with the rolling technique mastered she'll be cranking out one of our favourites. AJ and Jess are coming for supper for his birthday so they'll get the first try along with crab cakes, duck, caesar salad and crazy cake.


Lazy Sunday

walk:1.8km
cycle:3km
chorizo skillet, 3 coffee, turkey, ham, stuffing, salad, veggies, v8 juice, snack mix, diet pepsi, diet pepsi and Crown Royal

We had brunch with Curtis' family at the Victoria Inn, picked up a few groceries and then I headed to the Gardens for half an hour. Brandyn wasn't in the mood for hockey. I hope he was just over-tired. He wants to play but has to give himself the chance to catch up skating-wise. We went for supper to Curtis' parents place and they served a fantastic thanksgiving meal. We came home and watched some tv and went to bed early. Tomorrow is weigh-in day and after eating out 4 times in 3 days I'm hoping for a par.

Wedding Day

walk:1.8km
2 lf muffins, coffee, wedding dinner (salads, chicken, beef, scalloped potatoes, salmon, rice, ribs, cheese cake) 1 caesar, wine, diet pepsi and carrot cake

The wedding went off without a hitch under sunny skies and perfect weather. Old friend Pastor Keith Bunn performed the ceremony. Jen and Curtis both looked very happy and maybe relieved that it was all over. It's great to have Curtis officially part of the family. And of course Brandyn was dashing in his tux. Everyone had a great time, thanks to all those who came out to help celebrate.  

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Friday Frustrations

walk:1.8km
cycle:16 km
2 pcs. toast w/peanut butter, 2 coffee, 4 gl. water, steamed rice, salad, potatoes, steamed veggies, chicken, bruschetta, 2 pc. carrot cake and a couple of caesars

I got to work and was greeted by 2 rush shop jobs. The first was a driveline that I had apparently fixed 2 years ago. I wasn't even sure what needed to be looked. I pulled it apart and found a pair of discs we might have supplied but had never installed. The customer argued that we had fixed it, "how long have you been here?" Too long. I cut the new discs put them back in and billed about $200 for an hour and some scrap material. The next job was a simple one, or at least would have been until somebody sold our compressor to brother John. I ended up taking the shoes to the customer's shop and using their air power to de-line the 4 shoes, then had to loosen, remove and replace the 144 rusted bolts and lining without an air ratchet. I've never had my hand cramp up but there were a few times when it wouldn't open. I finished at 5:27 and jumped on Eowyn to get home and cleaned up for the rehearsal party.

We entered Tony & Adam's and the place was packed. We had a private room but when we got there it was just 4 tables with place settings, no table cloth, no candles and garbage from a previous party just 6 feet from where Curtis and Jen were sitting in a small room where extra chairs were stored but in full view. I tossed the boxes, wrapping paper and empty envelopes on top of some chairs but at least out of sight. The food was good but served sporadially, potatoes just seconds after the salad and a good 20 minutes before the chicken. Sal was less than impressed.

A Terrific Thursday

Walk:1.8km
Cycle:23km
2 pc. toast w/peanut butter, coffee, 3 gl. water, crackers, cheese, tomato

We went shopping this morning, did bank deposits and then came home. Sal was off to work and I did a bit of LMHL work and then went over to Mission Marsh. Even a long train couldn't spoil the day. The deer were out in small herds, a nice breeze and 22. In October. Days like this are a definite bonus.

As I thought the HNO job was announced today. Another out of town university grad which I didn't expect. At least this guy is from Thunder Bay. We lost 2 players to broken collarbones this week which is very strange. At least they weren't on ice accidents.

The US senate just passed a bill that makes loud tv commercials illegal. AJ call your buddy Mr.Harper and get him on it. But first make it illegal to run the same commercial 30 times in an evening or two times in a row.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Working Wednesday

Walk:1.8km
Cycle:15km
2 pcs. toast w/peanut butter, 2 coffee, 3 gl water, cheese, tomato, crackers, hndfl dry cranberries, nachos, May's hm dumplings and 1 gl. iced tea

I was off this afternoon but got a ton of hockey work done. Entered all of the sheets for the city, all 96 players and a dozen coaches in the Hockey Canada database so they are all insured. I even did my buddy in Jersey a favour by updating his golf site. Now I have Thursday off and can do...oh snap, I'm going shopping.

What a great day. Any day in October where I can wear shorts is a bonus. I hate riding in pants. I discovered this week that my long way to work is not 5km but 7.5km. My mileage for 2009 is way off as I religiously went the long way to work and back. I never bothered tracking 2010, way down. 2011 will be a different story as doing it with a gps is so much easier, no gizmos to transfer from bike to bike. And much more accurate apparently. The city has the bike path closed for repaving right where I normally ride so I've had to find some new long ways to work. I enjoyed a bit of different scenery.

Mike called tonight. He's pretty pumped about coaching hockey. In Calgary players sign up in their neighbourhoods like Little League and they have one elite team for the city. In Midget they have 6 tiers below the elite and he's coaching tier 2, probably about the skill level of the Kings. I was surprised (and proud) to learn he was head coach, since he's new to the Calgary hockey community. They are already talking about a trip to Texas, a well funded team. He and Mel are vehicle shopping as the Pathfinder is just about done.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Close Call Tuesday

Walk:1.8km
Cycle:17km
2 pc toast w/peanut butter, coffee, 12 crackers, 3 gl water, 1 gl.clamato , cheese, tomatoes, meat loaf, garlic mashed taters, corn

Had a bit of a brain ache after almost a full day of spreadsheet work. Solution, ride home the long way. A sore butt trumps a sore head I guess.

Who stole the Bears playbooks this week? They looked like a peewee team playing a pro team, and it was the Giants! They are still undefeated. That wasn't a defeat that was an embarrassment.

I broke the freebie clip on the tail-light I was carrying around the rink in my pocket on Sunday. It was pretty useless but better than nothing. I picked up a great unit with 10 leds including one for each side and super battery life. The Cateye LD1100 gives me real visibility. I moved my headlight to the handlebars as the light on the head thing was just too geeky for me, heavy too. Today must have been my day as I had 3 closer than normal calls with cars. Nothing really scary. One backed out of a blind spot, one took an aggressive posture in an off ramp as I went straight and one old guy turned left right in front of me. He was impressed when I went no hands and waved 'hello'. Well his wife was. I still don't think he saw me. Can't see the 267 lb guy on the orange bike? Time to make that long overdue eye appointment.
 

Here We Go Again

Tonnage:267
Walk:1.8 km
Cycle:15km
2 toast w/peanut butter, coffee, 2 gl. water, 12 crackers, sm. cup dry cranberries, 1 gl. iced tea, 1/2 bell pepper, 1 gl. frutopia, grilled chicken burger, chili, apple crisp and ice cream
I was doing fine until tempted late last night.
What do you do when you need another word for something, but you can't even think of the word thesaurus.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Time For a Sip

A long day at the rink today but all 6 teams are up and running. I started the day dragging team sweaters, socks and accessories out of storage. From noon til 5 I met with coaches and got everything handed out, made a visit to Petries just to visit and went for a half hour ride between teams. With just a few loose ends left I can at least take a bike to the rink and come and go as I need to. I came home and did up the schedule and got it on the webpage, season kickoff is 2 weeks away.

I guess the HNO job is out. I haven't heard of anyone getting an interview but it seems to be taking a long time. My guess is they have imported another graduate of sports administration. Hopefully they found someone with a reason to stay in Tbay.

The season for Lakehead Minor starts Monday and I'm working the clock again. Every little bit helps and it gets me exposure to what really goes on at the rink. Hearing about incidents a few weeks after in a room in the college just doesn't give a true picture. Not that I'm going to witness every half-crazed coach or parent that throws a tantrum because an offside is missed, but being around some of the other side of the game gives me a clear vision of what I don't want to see Northwood become.

Seems like I'm talking about nothing but hockey lately. I guess it dominates a lot of my time and thinking. As of Monday I want to start more walking and riding to burn off some of the summer. I've been saying that to myself for a month or so but maybe saying it here will make it happen.

A glass of Famous Grouse tasted so good tonight.  

Friday, October 1, 2010

Teams Made

It was along week from evaluations on Sunday, goalie testing on Monday and Thursday and work in between. There were eager kids trying out the pads without the basic skating skills that are a recipe for disaster. And parents whose kids are skilled enough and antsy to play in net but don't want them to. By the end of Thursday's practice we had 3 full-time goalies and 6 part-time. Of course the part-time path is one way to go but puts a strain on the equipment we have, Tom Petrie is smiling. I made about 5 trips there and had a few kids go for sizing.

I'd worked all day Thursday, rode across town to pick up the car and then picked up every piece of goalie gear we have from storage. After walking back and forth to Petrie's twice they were all geared up and ready to go. One kid didn't like his chest protector, tried two more consecutive sizes (1 too big, 1 too small) and then decided to get his old one back. I had to take it from another kid who isn't ready to play in net after breaking the news to him because his parents couldn't convince him. Once the goalies were all set it was time to make teams. I had to pick up Sal and sat in the parking lot reading emails and surfing for an hour, thank God for my phone. We had supper and watched Grey's anatomy and then I hit the drafting of teams. I was shocked when I checked the time and it was 2:18am. I had the teams but still had to get the info out to coaches and parents. I finally landed in bed at 3:38. I just hope the teams are close to equal. One more day of hauling equipment and then I can start biking back and forth to the rink.

From the Office of the PM