Ian Abel

BIN day PAH!🤪 Last week, having missed the BIN day as they'd NOT shifted it one day due to the holiday, and they arrived almost at sunrise, so NO CHANCE to get the BINs out once I heard the trucks. Fast forward to this week - we got over a foot of snow in the 24-hours up to late last evening and had to wait until our "guy" came to plow the drive etc., which we didn't expect to happen until late at night. Yours truly, needing the facilities around 1:30AM then moved the BINs to their required spot, this was planned, I'd just check if I got up and move them once the driveway was cleared. GUESS WHAT!!! It's now closing in on 11AM and the BIN trucks have not been heard, even though all the schedules say they will pick up on the regular day i.e. today. I'm sure its snow/weather related, but last week was pretty much the same/as bad, and the buqqers were here o'crack sparrow!!! <GRRRR> That's MY rant for the day. Otherwise, fairly quiet here, especially given we had a 24-hour+ continuous snow event, so we weren't going ANYWHERE! The Mrs did take a short walk during a break in it yesterday and reported it "looks lovely" out. Pretty much up to our bums in snow as can been seen from these morning shots. -11c first thing and sunny, high expected to reach -1c Tally ho.

Happy New Year, one and all... Been quiet here since I last posted, a few days of little activity much relaxing and a lead-up to NYE which was just the Mrs and myself enjoying our own company. Yesterday was the scheduled "family Christmas", time when everyone could get together this season. We had a lovely time, plenty of food, drink and chatter. Fun with the dogs and even Bob, who was most appreciative of his catnip presents 🤣 Star prize (which everyone had already known about EXCEPT ME!) was a wine chiller/mini fridge for the bar for me. Been considering using muddling tokens for one of those for a LONG time, so now I've spare tokens to fritter away. Back to work today, quiet so far as I'm sure the client staff are all recovering from being gone over a week and need to get their proverbial ducks in a row before bothering me too much. Weather here has been mild-ish (for this part of the country!) but summed up today best by a picture; That's not dust on the lens, whopping snow flakes, and forecast to get 6-8+ inches time it ends tomorrow morning. Jemma is due to drive to the airport in this carp to do a 3-day trip!! 🤯 -5c first thing and wasn't snowing then high of +1c possibly. Tally ho.

Wednesday... (not HUMP as only a 4-day week here as most places I suspect). Quiet day yesterday, nothing really to report. Slowly working up the changes for Long Island client, otherwise, nothing! Today we're supposed to take the Mrs grand-nieces for holiday lights drive/viewing, that's scheduled for after 6pm. -3c and overcast first thing, supposed to remain cloudy all day. High of 2c expected. Carry on.

Afternoon... Good Boxing Day, slept in, then mid-afternoon Trevor and Meagan came over, plenty of nice things to eat and drink a played a couple of games they had with them. Today, back working, pretty slow pace as the client key contacts are off until Jan 3rd. I've a few things to untangle for them but plenty of time to do it and take it slowly 🙂 Nothing else happening, I think the Mrs may make a grocery run, otherwise a relaxing evening ahead. -16c and mostly sunny first thing, high of -1c expected. Later.

Christmas done and dusted, though to be far given it was just the Mrs and me, it was very low key! Sore throat still playing a major roll in anything being done 😒 Nice simple meal of some ham with a glaze the Mrs made, some green veg and a salad. Plenty of egg-nogg with lashings of Amaretto, probably could have just done with the Amaretto 🤣 Watched "Love Actually", one of our regular Christmas fares and also "Grumpy Old Men", somewhat a Christmas movie and given it's set in Minnesnowta, has some handy colloquialism to get a laugh. Today, as always, we do Boxing Day, Trevor and Meagan will be over, with their two dogs, so Whitney will get a playtime with friends. Weather is becoming "winter normal" -19c at newspaper time, sunny no wind, expecting a high of -11c "LOVELY"!! Happy Boxing Day

Merry "Eve". Yesterday was relaxing but did include a trip to the grocery store to assure ourselves we have enough comestibles to tide us over for the couple of days we will pretty much be on our own. Plenty of stuff we really should avoid, also plenty of nice cheese, and a small ham to cook tomorrow. We've decided having a quiet time will be excellent, so long as we don't start imbibing TOO EARLY 🤣 Friends were over for dinner and the Mrs made a very passable Shepherds pie, though with no Shepherds available at the store she opted for beef instead! Watched the "British Arrows Awards". A LOT MORE public-service/charity commercials this year than most taking the prizes it seems. Still very nice to be able to stream it in the comfort of home. Today, a bit of cleanup after last evening, and preparing for guests tonight. There's a RUMOR we're going to make mince pies shortly, I'm hoping so, as mum always used to make the Christmas Eve and we do that pretty much every year. Besides, I really, REALLY like them <yum> Tonight we're off to the Christmas Eve service followed by a few friends and Trevor & Meagan returning here for our traditional "eve" Chinese take-away. NOt singing, as the choir aren't this year, and also since my sore throat is still in full swing, I won't be getting up at 7am and braving the blqqdy cold morning to sign tomorrow. Still brass-monkeys cold here with a first thing temperature of -24c, sunny (OF COURSE!), and a high of -19c forecast. Merry Christmas/happy holiday/bon chance, whatever suits you.

Indeed, been there, done that, AND, probably possible in the next couple of days. Doesn't actually turn to snow, rather tiny ice crystals. HOWEVER, that entails; 1) some numpty (yours truly) racing outside in stupidly cold temperatures 2) with a pan of boiling water - needs to be done as fast as possible for best effect 3) and chucking said pan contents into the air. 4) depending on wind speed/direction and a lack of planning for those parameters, can be a very chilling experience! Not the BEST sequence of events to attempt once you're aging some, and there are slippery surfaces and steps to negotiate., WITH a pan of boiling water 🤪🤣 Best left to the young and foolish, though I HAVE done it a couple of times in the past.

I continue to live in hope that one day folks will be able to file lawsuits for "stupid"! These two are second I think behind the idiot lady who filed a lawsuit because the coffee SHE SPILLED in her lap was served too hot in a McD drive-through!

@AndyID certainly agree re: level of care, never had a complaint (other than "old school" surgeon doing an appendectomy with a full cut across the belly!!) however, the COST is tragic. I'm just glad I've always had excellent (still pricey!) health insurance everywhere I worked, those having to pay high prices I really feel for. POETS, except I'm off already, taking the day and that makes FOUR DAYS of something approaching peace and quiet.... MAYBE! 🤣 Yesterday, sore throat remained annoying as it is today. Taking all the suggested attempts at remedy, doesn't really do much though. Whitney dropped off by Brendan - we didn't realise how much we've missed her as we've not seen had her stay for several weeks now. He's off to Chicago first thing today, he and Jemma having Christmas with his parents. Jemma is in mid-flight as we speak coming back from Athens. just entering North American airspace. With strong jet-stream, the flight is currently looking like it'll be around 11 hours!!! Added to that, she gets to land at JFK with a strong gusting cross-wind as forecast right now - that'll make her "happy" 🤪 We're off to do some grocery shopping to cover the next few days - now looking forward to that as it's currently -20c/real-feel -28c and blizzard warnings due to high winds and plenty of powdery/dry snow on the ground. This evening friends coming over and we're watching the British Arrows Awards we usually go and see it at a local art center, but this year for the FIRST TIME it's optionally available on a streaming service. Combination of the weather and not really wanting to have to plan/schedule for a performance, it seemed very sensible to go for a $16 streaming fee, rather than even the seniors fee of $12 apiece in person. Win, win. Weekend will be variously busy and quiet given we're not having Christmas till Jan 2nd., due to family missing in action until then. Suits us. Lots of relaxing. Weather (as already mentioned) is STUPID here, -24c first thing, blowing a near gale continually, high showing a forecast -16c. Merry Christmas/happy holidays/whatever you choose to celebrate, to all ERs, their families and friends.

Very late today.. Long Island client in full panic mode hoping to get all the updates/changes they need before they buqqer off tomorrow for 4+ days. Twas BIN day and dragging them out last night before the snow was plowed was a real treat/challenge!! Yesterday, fine snow all day, and through the late evening, seems like 6-8 inches final for the day. SoDDing cold also. The evening dinner with our Indian neighbors was delightful, and every dish was "not spicy" according to the lady chef. Even so a couple of them were definitely at least what I'd classify as "medium spicy" when we order out! I don't recall any of names the dishes other than Palak paneer and we also had some very nice home-made roti and a beet raita. Spoke to Jemma today, on her 48-hour layover in Athens, sounds like fun. She flies back tomorrow to JFK then to Chicago to be with Brendan and his parents over Christmas. Mrs off to have an afternoon get together with some friends, I'll hold down the fort... Still fighting with a very sore throat, so will be giving choir rehearsal a pass, and that may also mean I'll be out of commission for the Christmas services, we'll see. White Christmas...uh, YEAH I THINK SO!!! -25c getting the newspaper, bright sun but at that temperature no-one cares. Sun all day today may reach a balmy -19c for a high, but still at 21c at noon so I doubt it!!! 🤯 Onward.

Happy birthday @BR60103 Also, sad to see another loss this year 😒 though I wasn't well connected with John. HUMP day, though not really as I'm taking Friday off (Long Island client will be AWOL so no point showing up!) Yesterday, busy with increasing load of report changes - mostly a result of the "auditors" (E&Y) deciding YET AGAIN, they want to essentially chuck all the current report formats up in the air and see how different they look when they land - at least that's how it appears they decide on the changes they request - wot a useless lot. Mrs went out for her book club in the evening and I was left to fend for myself...except for some "tidying up" that was SUGGESTED!! 🤪 First thing today I had my annual review, not exactly anything startling as I'm simply consistent in filling the coffers for the big/bad corporation! They rewarded me with a 3% increase. Better than the proverbial poke in the eye, I guess. This evening we're going to the next-door neighbors for dinner - will be a real treat as they've been talking about it for a while - Indian family who are just delightful and we'll get a taste of "real" Indian food 🙂 Other than any work/report activity, the day itself is going to get interesting, as we're supposed to get as much as 8 inches of snow, already snowing lightly first thing, so we'll see, as it doesn't appear heavy enough to accumulate that much. Cold making up for it, REAL COLD i.e. -23c first thing, and rising to a startling -15c for the high. Warnings of severe weather/frostbite conditions abound. Other than the walk next-door, I'm not going anywhere... Tally ho.

Chewsday... Late on parade, year-end efforts and as a result report changes, by the Long Island client, are ramping up big time! Yesterday uneventful. Started steaming my head and it seems to be the one thing that is helping all ailments, and the ONLY thing not suggested by anyone in the medical profession! Definitely on the BLQQDY COLD side here first thing, at -21c, but sunny, not that THAT makes any difference at these temperatures. -12c the forecast high. Storm warnings for the next couple of days with "significant" snow fall expected. Everyone advised to travel early for Christmas as the roads and airports may be backed up. OK, so who ONE EARTH do they think has the ability to re-arrange their Christmas travel plans because the weather is taking a turn, Fat chance re-arranging any flights for sure as they're all booked solid. Oh well, onward.

Morning, just, here... Weekend replete with various events, issues and some general annoyance! Friday, awoke with red/sore eyes and baggy eye lids making me look about 95!! As I was heading out for a few items for our evening party decided to "drop in" at the Urgent Care (A&E equivalent). After a fairly extensive investigation, was decided I had "Conjunctivitis (nonspecific)" whatever the HELL that means. Told it wasn't contagious, party can continue, use cold compress for itching and swelling, take some prescription antibiotic eye drops in case there was an underlying/undetected bacterial infection in the eye! PAH TURDYCURSES! "Christmas Vacation" party was deemed a success by all attending, unfortunately Brendan and Jemma couldn't come as he's still in quarantine due to COVID +ve 7 days back. Attached, the Mrs and myself who were declared a VERY passable Uncle Lewis and Aunt Bethany. Saturday and Sunday SUCKED, eyes feeling worse, pretty much sat around bothdays applying cold compress and whining! Doesn't help that it was also hard to get a decent sleep. Today the eyes finally feel somewhat better, but NOW my sinus issue has made a bid to p!ss me off even more. What a cluster. Long Island client also ramping up for year-end with some changes to misc. reports rolling in. Weather blqqdy cold at -19c getting the newspaper in, had snow off and on ALL weekend continuing occasionally today. Does make for a nice winter wonderland out. High forecast to be a blazing -9c!!! Onward...

BIN day, and a small "note", since we're getting the expected snowfall as to how we deal with the typical/usual large amounts of snow, snowplow already made two passed, BIN trucks working and we've about 4+ inches of snow already; our "man" probably won't be here until later today as we have no pressing need to go out - two neighbors already headed to work around 8am with no issues, slow on the roads but not a panic. Yesterday evening the precipitation started as drizzle/sleet, Mrs braved the weather for a Book Club meeting/Chrissy do. I stayed in (sensible 😀) and had some to-do items in preparation for our neighborhood "Christmas Vacation" party tomorrow. Jemma was in Barcelona yesterday, returning today, and sent this picture of her "new ride/office" taken before she left from JFK on Monday. Today, expecting choir rehearsal to be called off due to snow - a rather large number of the members are even older than ME, and generally fearful of driving in any sort of adverse weather. Zero and snow at BIN time, expected to snow until early evening at least, high forecast to be +1c possibly!! Tally ho.

Looks like we're getting some white stuff overnight/tomorrow...

RIP Chris. Known to me mainly via ERs and enjoyed his thoughts and commentary on the world and railways.

Sad to hear of @chrisfpassing. As others have stated, I enjoyed his various and diverse discussions and his enjoyment of the Pride rallies he attended. Hopefully his love of GWR will be reflected where is is at peace now, the one thing I had to bite my tongue over 🙂. Will miss his encounters with technology as they often brightened the day, he should, as @iL Dottoreopined, have been a GENT of the '50s. Little enough to report here, save for a new day.

Happy sun circuit @Two_sugars 🎂

Morning all Yesterday mostly taken up with yawning while waiting news from the Long Island client, then once work was done, decorating the house with an array of festive items. More of the same expected today, both on the work and decorating front. Weather forecast is for a significant storm heading across the country in out direction, though the heaviest snow isn't expected until Thursday AND expected to pass somewhat south of us. We'll see... Thanks to the approaching storm, temperatures higher than normal, a mere ZERO first thing and a high of +2c expected with cloudy skies. Carry on.

Monday here too 😀 Enjoyable and busy weekend; Friday evening (after a POETS) joined our friends in the "finally" renovated condo. They've still a lot of unpacking to do, and various items to hook up, the building complex cable TV/internet is rather a flustercuck, with almost no-one on the building maintenance team understanding anything beyond a copper 2-wire telephone systems it seems!!! The complex was built in the '70s and I think the maintenance crew are the SAME as those that started there 🤪 Saturday, started in earnest getting the Christmas decorations sorted, and lights etc., on the tree. The Mrs in charge and I just do what I'm told. The evening we were over at one of the neighbors for their annual party, having prepared bruschetta as our contribution. Sunday, recovering from the party <yawn> and then a lot of organizing/decorating since we have our own "Christmas Vacation" party this coming Friday. Many of our friends and neighbors are "Christmas Vacation" fans/fanatics and it will be interesting to see what costumes this year brings. Knackered by late afternoon, pity it was the END of the weekend and not the start! Jemma has just received her marching flying orders for her "Operational Experience" flights on the 767-400. Tomorrow - Thursday: Barcelona 20th - 23rd: Athens. Since Delta don't have a daily flight, she has to spend a 48-hour layover in Athens (shame, shame everyone cried!!! 🤣🤣) I'm sure she'll manage. 27th - 1st.: Buenos Aires -2c and overcast first thing, feels very "English" as it's quite damp with a light breeze, seems colder than much lower temps. High +1c forecast Tally ho.

POETS, yes please... Yesterday, nothing much other than an overly long rehearsal in the evening. Jemma was due to go on her first OE flight series tomorrow but was just informed the check airman called in sick. She's awaiting new "orders"... Today, the "tree" will be decorated some this afternoon, after the Mrs returns from a Brunch with friends and a hair-do appointment! Then this evening we're off to our friends new condo to see how it is now they've moved in - take-out indian is the order of the day as they're not sorted enough to cook a meal right now - still unpacking a lot of stuff. Weekend will be busy I'm sure. Will update as details become known 😀 Weather trending upward/warmer (ALL RELATIVE OF COURSE!!), only -4c first thing, overcast though and a high right around Zero expected. Carry on.

BIN day. Cor blimey, all this talk of cold and snow, reminds me of, oh I don't know" - where I am 4 - 5+ months of the year 🤪🤯🤣 Little to report from yesterday <yawn>. Keeping the bird feeders full and the bird bath water topped up accounted for some time. Whitney picked up by Brendan in the afternoon, Jemma returning late last night from Atlanta, having completed her training. Today - hmm, mostly sounds like it'll be quiet on the client front, they are still faffing about with what changes they want to make and deciding on "journal entries", I'll just twiddle my thumbs a bit more! This evening out for pre-rehearsal happy hour then off to pretend we are a real choir for a couple of hours. 15c and sunny at BIN time, to make the record "CLEAR", it's still -8c at 10AM here, with luck reaching a pleasant -2c for a high... Onward.

HUMP day. All quiet yesterday, nothing to report! We DID get a Christmas tree at lunch time, but it was a very simple effort. Walked into the lot, saw one that fit the bill for the Mrs immediately, paid while it was tied to the top of the car, job done! In a bucket of water on the porch at present while the Mrs determines the location she wants it this year. Looks like we'll be moving things around later today. -12c first thing with some light snow flurries, partly sunny. Will hit -6c later Carry on.

Chewsday... Mrs spent much time yesterday listening to the awful "on hold" muzak trying to get a consult with the doc. She's got some sinus carp going on. Fianlly, they answered, did an over the phone/internet evaluation and off I went for antibiotics prescribed. We'd planned on looking for our Crimble tree yesterday evening but the Mrs preferred not to be out in the cold air. Probably going to try for it at lunch time today. Jemma send a picture of her new "767-400 office", well, the sim for it, at least. She'll be done today or tomorrow with training; Next, she'll be assigned an Operational Experience flight... Work - major hiccup in sorting out their new journal entries that will require the report reworking. Not sure HOW these folks manage to get up every morning and get to work with the impossibly messed up way they go about things <oh well>. I sit and wait 🤪 Bit nippy first thing -12c, partly cloudy but at least no wind to worsen the effect. High a whopping -2c later. Tally ho.

We have a few in the area, they tend to avoid people for the most part, but are often using the railroad track as their preferred route. Morning...sort of. Weekend was a mixed bag; Up early Saturday as Jemma dropped Whitney off before heading to Atlanta for her last training session, due back "maybe" tomorrow. The "maybe" is because the next step is OE (Operational Experience), as yet unscheduled, but can occur any time after the last training session. Many have found themselves scheduled later the last day to head out for OE. She may well, find herself somewhere in Europe by Wednesday or Thursday!! 🤯 Rest of Saturday was various errands and little excitement to speak of. Sunday some "relaxing" before heading to the Reconciliation service the schola were to sing at. After that a VERY enjoyable gathering of the schola and partners at a local watering hole. Work reared its ugly head first thing with a heads-up, seems "we" need to add a new line to the Balance Sheet - details stated to follow later today<yawn> -8c and overcast first thing, overcast but not precipitation expected, high around -1c forecast. Carry on.