Tuesday, June 29, 2010

A true story....

After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, Toronto scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago.


Not to be outdone by the Ontarian's, in the weeks that followed, a Vancouver archaeologist dug to a depth of 20 feet, and shortly after, a story published in the Vancouver Province: "BC archaeologists, finding traces of 130-year-old copper wire, have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network 30 years earlier than Ontario".

One week later, the Saskatoon Star Phoenix in Saskatoon, reported the following: "After digging as deep as 30 feet in his backyard in Leask, Saskatchewan, Murray Kasun, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely f*** all. Murray has therefore concluded that 150 years ago, Saskatchewan had already gone wireless."

Just makes you bloody proud to be from Saskatchewan!


Seriously I have no idea who to credit for this little "true story" but I love it! 

Monday, June 28, 2010

The Saskatchewan Roughriders!

Well, have no doubt as to whom I cheer for! As for prognostications though I have to go with Riders in 2nd place this year under Calgary. They will defeat Edmonton in Western final in Regina. Why? We have a great receiving core, but I am concerned about the offensive line this year and the defensive line. I see both of these as weaknesses. Consequently both Charles and Cates will not be making as much yardage as we would like them too. Still the thirteenth man has got a little smarter from last years fiasco and will add dimension the other teams can only dream of. Combine good old grit and determination as well with Durant and that should be enough to capture 2nd place. Still it won't be easy. The West division never is.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Making a list...checking...it...twice

Made a list today...checked it twice...then checked it again. Then I got to work. Lists are great, they really help me to get clear in my head what I have to do, when, what do I need to prepare and so on. I had to check this one multiple times because there was so much on it! Wow, my days will be full in weeks to come. Inside the house like sorting (cleaning up from painting), hanging pictures, not to mention the usual household stuff. Outside like shingles, fence gate, garage cleaning, eaves-troughs to hang ( now that it has stopped raining).

Whats on your list?

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Time to relax...

"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it." - Sydney J. Harris

Now THAT sounds like my summers! We seem to enjoy the fruits of our labours, but often those labours can get a bit excessive leading to the quote above. I am sure every reader of this "has been there". Here is another twist: being so tired you can't relax. Time always seems limited so we rush around trying to get as much done as we can. Did they (whoever they is?) find that workers got more accomplished by taking a a coffee break every 2 hours? I tend not to do that though. The older my body gets, I find if I stop to relax I cannot get going again. Ahh but once again it all comes down to "balance".

Monday, June 21, 2010

Large family benefits

I have a very large family, at least by today's standards. Of course 50 years ago that would have been different. But, I digress. I must say raising a large family was not always easy, fun, or inexpensive. What it was though was relationship building, life giving, and supportive. The family creates a dynamic that is very difficult to break. When there is an occasion like Father's day or Mothers day or some other holiday it always involves much organization, and effort to get everything in place. When that social situation is set though and the kids and grandkids get together it can and usually is a wonderful thing.

Thanks to my wife and children for making yesterday special.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Getting rid of stuff...

Its just before we head out the door to look for more stuff. Why? Supposedly to make our life more comfortable. Oddly we are taking a break from sorting and deciding what to keep and what to give away as we clean up from our painting journey and fiasco. Ah, the simple life sometimes seems so attractive, yet I wonder if I could handle it. Why am i so lucky and blessed to be fortunate with so much wealth compared to those in third world countries? That leaves one with a lot of responsibilities doesn't it?


I sure am philosophical these days!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Email Apnea??? - check it out!

So apparently there is this thing coming to be recognized as email apnea. Sounds strange but when go to and read this link you may recognize that you hold your breath or shallow breath when at the computer. I had to admit that I do many times and even more so now that I am aware.


Check it out: http://lindastone.net/2009/11/30/diagnosis-email-apnea/

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Kijiji No-Shows

OK, I've got a bit of a beef: Why is it that people who want to buy something on Kijiji don't show up to buy it?

I've got several items listed right now. Within an hour I had several emails asking questions, which I answered promptly. Then some phone calls and emails saying they would come in the evening. Guess what? They don't show up! Hey, if they found something else or decided against what I offer is it that much to ask to send an email or call back and say "I won't be coming" or " I've changed my mind"? Frikkin' annoying is what it is.

There I feel better now....comment with your beef, you might feel better too.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Painting a house - the real cost

There are more hazards and costs to painting an interior of house than one might realize. They could easily include martial  issues, safety issues, health issues, sanity issues and so on. When painting our basement over the past weeks (one of the reasons for the few number of blog entries) I had to wonder the real cost of painting.

Of course there is the paint and supplies, thats easy and definable. Well, it should be. Of course when you decide to change the colour after you have already bought the paint, well that can be a little costly. That aside though there are less definable costs. For example: the cost where painting a room leads to painting another room, which leads to a carpet change which leads to ???. Or another cost where, with all the junk moved around and furniture jammed into other rooms or into the garage can create a tripping hazard causing injury. Fortunately this wasn't the case this go round but it sure could have been. Then there is this one that did happen: I was painting a small access door on the dining room table late one evening. On the VERY LAST stroke of the brush, the stroke that would define completion of all tasks, I knocked over the gallon of paint. It hit the dining room floor with such a force paint splashed into the living room onto carpet, and furniture! We did manage to clean it up in about an hours worth of scrubbing and carpet cleaning with only a few spots still visible. So the cost in this case was possibly a new chair and about four hours of sleep as I was so wound up I could sleep.

So what really is the true cost of doing your own painting? Will I do it all over again? Yes likely. :)

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Saskatchewan - the prairies transformed to the rainforest.

Well, well, well, we have certainly broke the records for rainfall here. The forecast more showers and rain. I thought global warming - oh excuse me - global change was to turn us into a desert? I wonder when?

Sunday, June 6, 2010

America's got Talent

I love this show for the wide range of talent ( I use the term loosely) that is on the show. The thrill of seeing one that is truly talented. What I have to wonder though is does not America have judges? Two brits and a Canadian sit on the panel. Perhaps Howie has dual citizenship, still it seems odd two have judges from other countries. When Britain runs there show there is only British judges. I wonder what Canada will do when they run their version this year. By the way I am still waiting to see the one I think could all the way, at least by British and Canadian standards.