Ian Abel

The interesting juxtaposition is that the people I work for/report to, i.e. the Finance department, up to and including the director, all of whom I have an excellent relationship with, already KNOW the issues/problems. The IT manager "feels" this is a position that can/should be an IT person that only needs part-time involvement. They've also "suggested" that the finance department may not doing things in a correct/accounting way and maybe should review their accounting methods!!!! The Finance department have all along requested/recommended it be a full-time finance position reporting to and managed directly by them, as I currently am! I know who will "ultimately" win, but it'll be fun watching. The Finance director is a very nice. very bright/intelligent/knowledgeable woman who I get along with exceptionally well (for the past 8 YEARS - the person who asked for me to do what I'm doing), she is NOT someone who you want to cross or question their ability/knowledge of THEIR DEPARTMENT I've seen her verbally destroy people who want to challenge her expertise with no knowledge, and the IT manager is IMHO treading a very tight rope... Oh the joys of being a consultant, I can issue "told you so's" to all of the above and not give the proverbial "rats arse" at the end of the day 🤣🤣🤣

POETS other terms available... Yesterday, first of many "educational meetings" to try and bring someone up-to-speed with all the work I do for the Long Island client. This is an internal IT-type who hasn't got ANY experience with the Crystal report tool we use and limited experience with the ERP system underlying everything! At 1-hour a week I'm not sure how the IT manager expects this guy to get enough knowledge in less than 10-+ YEARS to be able to handle this stuff. He even opined that the preliminary tasks I'd suggested for him weren't able to be accomplished since he was too busy with other stuff! Oh well... 😮 An enjoyable evening happy hour and choir rehearsal was the end of day relaxation. This weekend shaping up to be busy; Tonight, neighborhood happy hour Tomorrow, some minor work to be handled at the rental property, a couple of bedroom closet light fixtures to be replaced, then over to some friends for dinner. Sunday, SO FAR, nothing on the cards, I'm sure "things" will show up on the to-do list. Weather, continues unseasonable with a -1c first thing, overcast and a high of 3-4c expected, ditto all weekend! Enjoy the start of the weekend.

BIN day. Still quiet around here, nothing much to report. BINs processed VERY early today, didn't even hear them this morning, which is unusual. Today pre-rehearsal happy hour followed by choir rehearsal, and that's it. -1c and overcast first thing, 2c the expected high. Pretty much any trace of snow has disappeared, currently on record for the warmest winter for years. Carry on.

Chewsday. Missing a few days but with nothing much to report it seemed appropriate! Weekend was another quiet one again down to pretty cold weather. We did manage a nice dinner out Sunday evening with friends. Was somewhat of a revelation that several of the restaurant "choices" are now closed on Sundays. Still, managed a favourite that would be a walk in better weather. Work rumbles on, ramping up supposedly for the great audit season! Mrs off this afternoon with Jemma on a Costco run, Whitney will have to put up with me while they're gone. Jemma will be having dinner with us apparently, once they're done with Costco. Weather is on the up-tick, -4c first thing though overcast, high of 1c expected. Rest of the week supposed to even have lows only at 0c and rumors of 8c or HIGHER within 7-10 days! Carry on.

This is how you know it's "cold" on a body of water... Northern Minnesota lake, luxury ice fishing... POETS... Another week bites the dust, yay! Work posing some challenges as we attempt to provide what the auditors want THIS YEAR! Yesterday a relaxing and fairly quick choir rehearsal, given we know ALL the music for the lenten season, it's hardly surprising. Some of us have visited the same scores for 20+ years 🤪 Not much planned for the weekend, we were going to get together with neighbors for a happy hour but one of the teens has tested positive for the lurgy, it's apparently ramping up in the local schools. Brendan expected imminently to pick up Whitney, he's back from a wee training in Atlanta, conversion to the A330. Jemma currently in London, heading back tomorrow. -18c first thing, overcast but no forecast precipitation. High -14c later - whoopeee! Carry on.

BIN day. ALL the BINs out this week, including the "garden waste" since the Christmas tree goes that way. All the trucks have now been and I have the pleasant task of getting the BINs back to their resting place. Birds are going through the feeders due to the cold so they are serviced almost daily right now, as is the bird bath, evaporates in this cold. Today, ears being lowered later by the Mrs, the mop on the sides has gotten out-of-hand! Later, pre-rehearsal happy hour, and then an expected long choir rehearsal as we start the march towards lent and Easter!!! Interesting side note for fans of EV vehicles, seems they nor their charging stations are built for severe cold. Many reports of stranded Teslas and charging taking forever IF working at all around the sub-zero midwest!!.. -17c and overcast at BIN time, -14c the expected high and back down around -16c by the time we're done with rehearsal.

HUMP day Yesterday another solid day inside, Whitney coaxed out to do her business but NOT HAPPY! Today will be a repeat, no need to head out and definitely no reason to attempt avoiding frostbite just for the sheer excitement of it 😮 Work heating up (at least here's heat there!!) as we're into year-end and the ominous "auditors" rearing their ugly heads. Always adds to the excitement of year-end/audit reporting. Other than that, staying warm is top priority. Work at the rental property completed, a shower having been installed in the upper level bathroom, all that's left is touch-up paint following the install. Now we just wait for the rental market to pick up post-holidays. Weather another COLD morning prying the newspaper from the frozen path, -17c and sunny, -13c the forecast high. Onward.

Us "natives" here usually identify the place as two seasons, winter and road construction!

Chewsday... Remained comfortably inside all yesterday except for a brief but required foray to the shop to get some essential items. Today will be a repeat of yesterday, except we may NOT need to go shopping for anything, here's hoping! Whitney NOT impressed with the cold here, and is hesitant to venture outside to do her business, she's no fool 😀 Today another cold one, reminder, THIS IS COLD --> -19c recovering the newspaper, sunny but that matters little, high around -15c, realfeel -26c Onward.

Monday, and MLK day (federal holiday) so a lot of places take the day off. Schools closed etc. Weekend was quiet, spent mostly inside due to weather! Finished a puzzle that was quite the challenge; "City by the Sea" - Frank Lloyd Wright It was -22c when I got in the car Sunday morning at 7:30am to head for the services we were singing at! Reached a dizzying -20c for the daytime high! Today, Jemma dropped Whitney off at 8am as she's headed out for a 6-day, two round trips to London. We'll be staying in due to SERIOUSLY COLD weather. @Tony_S -1c would be tropical 🤣 First thing/Whitney drop-off time, -20c with a wind chill of -28c, expected high soaring to -17c. It's sunny but at these temperatures who cares! Carry on.

Blimey, that makes the new 14 mile light rail line they're 70% finished with here sound like a REAL BARGAIN at ONLY $2.86 billion!!!

Hump day. Yesterday another quiet day on all fronts, Mrs had an evening Zoom book club meeting, leaving me to my own devices. Relaxed and read, I didn't nod off far as I remember 😀 Today "may" be interesting as later today I've an initial online meeting with someone from the client IT department who is supposedly slated to learn what I'm doing for them. The finance department aren't entirely excited about this as they have a distrust of the IT department in general as they never manage to handle any of their other IT related issues with any particular ability. We'll see how this plays out! On my own again this evening as the Mrs "other" book club meets, in person, so she'll be off out most of the early evening. Getting cold* here, -7c first thing, -3c the expected high, realfeel values somewhat lower. Varying reports as to whether we'll see any snow today, popular opinion is "unlikely", we'll see. *For those in the "balmy" UK, this is when you really, REALLY, should start wearing heavier coats and gloves, exposed skin can get frostbite quickly. Carry on.

Moaning... Nothing to report from the past weekend beyond a "bah humbug". Mrs spent the weekend poorly with whatever virus is going around, I was the handy helper. Result, nothing to report bar sitting in, watching the weather, or lack of, and making sure the Mrs was warm and comfortable. Some recovery yesterday for the Mrs, and me working. Jemma returned last evening and picked up Whitney. That's all there is to report! We have some light snow cover barely in inch, expecting more possibly tomorrow and the weekend. -5c first thing -1c the high. For those pondering "cold", we are forecast to get a more normal January by Saturday with a forecast low of -22c and a high of -12c! Tally ho.

POETS, yeah, why not! Also, BIN day, all done and dusted. Yesterday fairly quiet, Mrs still recovering/resting. Work slow and choir rehearsal went smooth as can be expected. Today, Mrs feeling better, off to walk/lunch with friends. Later we have her great-nieces over for dinner. Weekend unplanned at present, but one item will certainly be taking down the Christmas decorations and packing them away for another year. Beyond that, hopefully some relaxing, eating, drinking, etc. Weather, -4c first thing, overcast with a high of 1c expected. Supposedly a 100% chance of precip tomorrow, mix of rain/slush/snow looks like. Hope the weekend starts well for all.

Should be BIN day, but of course, shifted to tomorrow due to Monday being a holiday. Throws everything off doesn't it!! Quiet yesterday, slow work and the Mrs still resting from the lurgy. RANT I'm in a quandary... got my "Merit Increase" yesterday and can't decide on a World Cruise or a new Ferrari, I mean, a TWO !@$!#@$!#@$ PERCENT raise is hard to dispose of!! 🤬 With the inflation around 3.1% here, AND EVEN THE GOVERNMENT deciding that a reasonable Social Security adjustment was 3.2%, I'm not sure a corporation with $4.2 BILLION dollars in revenue can manage much, I suppose... END RANT On with the day - pre-rehearsal happy hour later then the first of two rehearsals before we sing at our MLK Sunday services on Jan. 14th. -5c and overcast first thing, -2c the expected high, no rain/snow in the forecast. Carry on.

HUMP day... sort of, given we had a pass on Monday! Little to report from yesterday, slow start and the Mrs seems to have contracted a very mild form of what lurgy attacked me, hardly surprising! Net result, see was resting most of yesterday, but still had a decent appetite and overall fairing pretty well, today seems better still. IMPORTANT NOTE: My last week bout of virus provided a very good perhaps Christmas Present/Weight loss answer; Get a miserable virus that loses your appetite, and you don't eat for 6 days, and only hydrate with various liquids - non-alcoholic, and VIOLA, dropped 7lbs!!! So next annual checkup I'll starve myself for 6 days prior and maybe THEN the Doc will say, "well done, you've lost weight!" Uneventful today, save some moderate work activity. Was -4c first thing, overcast, -1c the expected high, the light snow we had at the weekend mostly disappearing now, some possible this weekend. Carry on.

Happy New Year to all... AWOL given I've spent 6 days with a virus, supposedly one of many doing the rounds, so since the afternoon of Christmas day I've not been much use to anyone until yesterday! As a result there really isn't much to report - even the Urgent Care folks (Mrs insisted I go see if they had any "insights") having tested me for seemingly everything, except Black Plague and Yellow fever as they apparently are pretty obvious 😀, it's just a virus, go home, stay comfortable, take Tylenol and remain hydrated - BAH HUMBUG. On the mend since yesterday, fortunate since that was our "family Christmas" celebration, and I even felt better still today and attended my 6-month dental appointment. Weather turning towards Minnesota winter slowly, we got 2 inches of snow on Saturday and highs hovering between +1c and -1c. Partly sunny. Onward to 2024, in all haste.

BIN day. Late evening getting the BINs out. Yesterday the "British Arrow Awards" didn't disappoint, my better than last year and very enjoyable. We had dinner at the restaurant on the museum premises ahead of the show. Nice enough place but the menu was very sparse and food somewhat disappointing. Won't be adding that to the list of places to frequent! Today, work is nuts again, auditors need to be locked in small dark places and verbally abused! Later, pre-rehearsal happy hour, rehearsal, last "panic" before the Christmas day services. We're told there will be a short gathering/celebration post choir, but no other details offered. -1c at BIN time, cloudy and 4c the expected high, Overnight lows next couple of days to remain above zero, and highs between 8-13c through Sunday! Onward.

My eyes, MY EYES, the shine is blinding!!! 🤣 Reporting in, again missing a few days due to actual WORK, would you believe! Year-end rearing its ugly head has the client again in panic mode and apparently managing to add many new accounts that are then needed to be INDIVIDUALLY reported on in a slew of reports, where's the quiet life?? Weekend "Christmas Vacation" party was a great success noted with the following group and family pictures; Today we're off to our annual get together with our friends (back from Arizona for the "holidays") to see the British Arrow Awards which is annually shown here and always fun. The fact that commercials can be entertaining and actually interesting is lost on many folks in the US, as ads over here are rubbish for the most part. Will be dinner ahead of time and an after "theatre" nightcap afterwards. Nice sunset last evening that I thought I'd add for good measure; Weather continues to avoid being seasonal for the area, -2c and sunny first thing with green/brown grass still the covering of choice, high around 4-5c later. Tally ho.

Time flies... Way too busy both on the past weekend and also most of this week! Much of Monday and Tuesday taken up with online and in-person interviews as part of a 30+ year program we've been involved in at the Univ. of Minnesota. Conducted by the Center for Twin and Family Research, we were initially contacted due to having an adopted child and a "home-grown", both close in age to also consider them twins (a push but that's what/how the research team explained it! This latest round of interviews was the longest and most involved so far. Took the best part of Monday and Tuesday THEN - I started Tuesday at 6pm to prep for my camera-up-the-arse procedure Wednesday morning. The prep for these things is nothing short of diabolical <ugh>!! Thursday was still slow going, drowsy and trying to work, followed by a choir rehearsal that I could have dozed off in. Today - work, somewhat slow hopefully, the Mrs off on an outing with DIL and DILs young (2yrs) niece. They're off to some playtime location. Weekend will be somewhat busy as we will prep tomorrow for our annual "Christmas Vacation" party tomorrow evening - Sunday a day to recover 😀 Weather here STILL way beyond normal, 3c first thing and overcast, 6c the expected high, repeat all weekend. Some chances of light rain off and on. Hope you have a good start to your weekends.

POETS, and why not 😀 Good rehearsal yesterday, although I managed to have the only tenor who can't sing sitting next to me. Having an open and inclusive environment has its drawback. Today, work and should be fairly peaceful, MRs has a 5-7pm interview for a study we're involved with, not sure how THAT particular time-slot happened! This weekend is, as yet, fairly "free", however given the Mrs started hauling Christmas decorations up from the basement while I was at rehearsal, I've a pretty good idea of ONE task that'll be on the agenda. Sunday evening is the second of our concert series, this one "Rainy Days and Mondays, the music of the Carpenters" by a local tribute band. They performed various concerts around town that we've attended and this should be a good one. Weather here still defying the odds for December in Minnesota, 4c first thing, mostly cloudy, 8c the expected high. Ranging between -3c and 4c over the weekend. Forward to the weekend activites...

BIN day Yesterday quiet and peaceful, nothing to see here. We did venture out and obtain a Christmas tree early evening, positioned awaiting the decorating phase. Today will be much the same, some "report lunacy" to deal with but otherwise a normal work day. Tonight, the choir embark on the first of three rehearsals for our Christmas services, expected to be a breeze as we pretty much always sign the same catalog. Will be a pre-rehearsal happy hour and some pizza and beer consumed to fortify us for the task ahead. Weather surging into mid-autumn state, 2c at BIN time, sunny and headed for 8-10c for a high, 5c overnight and 10-12c the high expected tomorrow.

HUMP day Little to report from yesterday, slow work and slower post-work activity! Our Christmas meal is usually NOT turkey, as explained a couple of weeks back, I have to take second place to turkey being to elective for Thanksgiving, seems it's something that is IMMOVABLE! Not that I care a lot for that particular bird anyway. Once we've "done turkey" on Thanksgiving it's deemed TOO SOON to have a second go at it for Christmas. I'll settle for glazed ham, besides, this year we're on our own for Christmas so can do as we ("I") please 🤣 Today other than work, picking up the various prescriptions for my "camera up the arse" appointment this time next week, oh joy! There's also a small chance we'll sally forth and obtain a Christmas tree tonight, not certain yet. Weather improving to unseasonal again, -2c first thing, but a high of 5c expected with above zero overnight the next two nights AND 10-12c for highs next two days. Onward.

TW3 - That Was the Weekend That Was! Whew! Friday evening a nice long Zoom with friends, Saturday, brief late wakeup, then off to a high-school matinee performance of "The Lion, witch and Wardrobe", the Mrs. great niece in. Saturday evening, neighborhood Christmas party, well attended, much fun, too late to bed! Sunday up at "o'crack sparrow..." to get to church for 8am and sing at two services, race home, nap, back for a 3:30pm Advent Evensong performance by the schola, THEN, out for dinner/drinks with the schola and partners. Excellent evening, but did me in completely... Monday, tired and barely conscious most of the day, struggled through it all <yawn> Today awoke to a mere inch of snow on the ground, expected to disappear as it's supposed to warm up the next two days. -2c first thing, high of 2-3c expected. Warming trend 6c tomorrow, 11c Thursday and 7c Friday for highs, no precipitation in our immediate future. Carry on.

Happy birthday @grandadbob POETS, and I'll probably take advantage... Yesterday was a looonnggg rehearsal as we had to cover both the regular service music and the Evensong stuff (schola only), so I was well pleased to be done by 9:30pm Today sees the start of a way too busy weekend; Tonight a Zoom with our temporarily transposed Arizona friends Tomorrow I'm told we're "invited" to matinee show for one of the Mrs great-nieces, pretty much a "have to go" thing! Then in the evening one of the neighbors annual Christmas party. Sunday I have the pleasure of singing starting at 8am, at two services, take a brief break and then sing again at 4pm for the Evensong, after which the schola and partners are off for a dinner and drinks. If I am able, I'll try and wake up in time for work on Monday <yawn> 😀 Rant Mode on What is it with EVERY business establishment I've visited in the last two days, they ALREADY ALL PLAYING Christmas music NON-STOP <grrrrr> Rant Mode off Finally, just was informed by the pharmacy that two new prescriptions have been ordered, what??? Oh, yeah, a nice pair of items destined to be consumed around the 12th. so that some poor soul can shove a camera up my arse on the 13th,! Great reminder. ☹️ All the local seaweed twirlers are bemoaning the fact that December is the second snowiest month here, BUT, there's none is sight, and even though we have a 75% record of several inches of snow on the ground at Christmas, it's currently looking rather more a slim-to-none possibility. Weather more seasonably cold (missing se snow, see above), -3c first thing with a high of zero expected. Weekend lows around -2c and highs 2-4c Enjoy the start of the weekend.