Ian Abel

Actually, crews AND the airline are actively complaining. Delta have already abandoned one London hotel (part, of course, of some ubiquitous chain!) due to these issues. Given the airlines pre-book and pay for these rooms "no matter what", seems very short sighted for anyone to p!ss on their own doorstep as it were, by NOT having the rooms available as agreed to - then again, enter the almighty shareholders, profit over customer service. Moaning all <sigh> Weekend busy but enjoyable Friday evening impromptu drinks with next door neighbor lady, ran rather late <hic> Saturday some pre-birthday shopping for Trevor then off to an afternoon wedding. Good to catch up with quite a few people who we've not seen in a while. Sunday, rest up first thing after two late nights, then off to Trevors' for a birthday afternoon/dinner. Most enjoyable. Weather varied over the weekend, not too hot and some rain. Today, raining overnight and first thing, but it's still much needed even though not a downpour. 14c first thing, light rain expected most of the day and a high of only 17c. Onward...

POETS, yes please... Nothing much yesterday, only real highlight - if you can call it that - Jema stopped by and picked up Whitney. Jemma less than happy camper as for the SECOND time on a trip to London, the hotel managed to NOT have the crew rooms ready on their arrival and the crew had to wait two hours in the lobby for their rooms! Today, first thing (9am), "man" here to look at our main picture window as it needs replacing. Good connection as he's the son-in-law of good neighbor Bob two doors down. Neighbor across the street also in need of similar replacement, so two-birds-with-one-stone job for them. Couple of weeks to get the glass in, then the replacement. Later a lunchtime shop with the Mrs for a birthday present for Trevor. His birthday is tomorrow and we are celebrating on Sunday. Tomorrow we're off to a wedding for a friend of Jemmas' who we've known for a long time, since school days. The Mrs and her friends mum have been friends even though the girls have lost touch some with very different work circumstances. Smart casual attire requested and COVID tests as several of the family members are immuno-compromised. Other than that, not much expected to happen this weekend. 1/2 inch of rain overnight, welcomed, but was forecast to be rather more. 17c first thing, 32c the expected high and a whopping 99% chance of heavy rain later, we'll see!

Same thing happened on my couple of sojourns to Bermuda, while living in New York in the late '70's. Not sure the sprayed "product" would be in any way deemed suitable for human consumption today! BIN day - yay! BINs out early and already "serviced'. Only two this week as the recycle is every other week. Yesterday, nothing to report - very quiet and generally slow day. Today, Jemma will possibly be picking up Whitney, provided they get into JFK on time (currently showing slightly early), and she can then get a connection/seat home. Other than that, another quiet day all round. Weather a very pleasant 18c and sunny at BIN time, expected to reach 24c later and a good chance of some showers late PM. Carry on.

Thoughts go out to Mrs Baz hope the news is good, happy anniversary to @Dave Hunt and his Mrs, and congratulations to @Gwiwer and the Mrs on a new Kernow home. Not much to report from yesterday, work continues at a slow pace. The ONGOING fight with the new PC build continues, as MANY of the sites I visit/applications I use require login verification AND manage to determine I have a new PC "somehow", so continuing to spend time shuffling for credentials before logging in again <sigh> 12c and sunny first thing, 24c the forecast high. Maybe one or two light showers later but only a slight chance, a decent rainfall would be welcome. Tally ho.

If I had to re-install ALL the applications I have it'd take much more time and too much energy... I don't think I'd survive it 😀

I've returned... finally! <yawn> 😝 Took until late last Friday to get my new PC build returned to me. Even though it was built around my existing hard drive(s), it seems some applications have an adverse reaction to seeing a new/different motherboard/CPU presented to them - !@$!@$!@$@!$#$ Didn't have a lot of time over the weekend to sort it with a lot going on, so took yesterday off to sort the mess out. Microsnot seems to be averse to using LEGAL activation keys for almost EVERYTHING, often with remarkable annoying multiple attempts/multi-factor verification of who you THINK you are! I had to actually BUY a new key as they couldn't get the system to start with my existing VALID one, THEN, Microsoft Office played the same game, admittedly with an OLD version (which I'd never replaced). Since I'd purchased a 3 PC license for the new 2021 Office Pro when the Mrs got her new laptop, I spent too much time - WHY does it take so blasted long to simply install carp!! - uninstalling Office 2010 and installing the new one. I think I've FINALLY got everything up and running, but I'm sure something that was/is little use will rear its ugly head at some point and demand activation - turdy curses. Anyhow, back now, and hopefully not having to worry about THIS PC for some extended time. Weather today a pleasant break from most of the past two weeks which was mostly hot, muggy and miserable, 18c first thing, expecting 29c for the high, sunny with a light breeze. Carry on.

Monday... very short week, this week, as we are taking three days to vacation in the Mason City, Iowa, area with our travelling companions. Past weekend was a quiet Friday, followed by an EXCELLENT visit to the grand opening of our friends sons new restaurant location. They were super busy, with great reviews from all, glad their dream is coming true. Jemma came with us as she was home, then we repaired to our place and Trevor and Meagan joined us for an evening. Sunday, Jemma came over early to drop off Whitney, she's headed to Atlanta for three days, 6-month currency training on the simulator. Mason City is home of the last Frank Lloyd Wright designed working hotel (two night stay booked), tour of the "Prairie School" setting that he had there, including various homes and a museum, also sight of some of the filming of an OLD musical "The Music Man" (76 trombones fame), with apparently a museum as well as various filming locations. On the way down we're headed to Austin, Minnesota, as three of the four of us have some incomprehensible desire to visit there. Apparently has had rave reviews, which makes it scary IMHO 🤯 Will make for a nice getaway anyway, and the weather looks like it will be favourable with temps in the 26-29c range. Today, need to get the car valeted to prepare for our trip, and Brendan gets home and will pick up Whitney. Weather over the weekend was hot and UNHEALTHY air quality until late yesterday. Today, 12c sunny and good air quality first thing, 22 the forecast high (LOVE THAT!!), and air quality expected to be good for a few days. Carry on.

Over here, that usually means either a Derringer or .38 Special 🤯🤯🤯

POETS, and that's happening. Yesterday, nothing in the way of news or other excitement I'm afraid. Just another day. Weekend hasn't much in store, and potentially LESS than would be possible, since we're scheduled for the ENTIRE WEEKEND to be unhealthy air quality, thanks to our northern neighbor's forest fires. Even so, we're planning to go to the Grand Opening of the second location of our friends' sons restaurant. Good food and who can pass up a 50% off opening special!! Returning here after that for a family get together - I'm informed 🙂 Had a few thunderstorms overnight and picked up 3/4 inch of rain. Good we got "something" but really doesn't make much of a dent in the drought conditions. Today, 17c and sunny first thing, expect 30c for the high with the AQI rising faster than the temperature looks like - ugh!! Will be a batten down the hatches and crank the a/c probably. Later.

Sadly it WAS Ticketmaster #$!@$@$@$!%$ 😡

Dave, see my post from today, they added another concert date yesterday, went on sale today and I score tickets - FINALLY 👍

BIN day, those already serviced. Seems quieter than usual BIN truck-wise, I'm sure it'll pick up sooner or later. Better FIRST THING news today - the Eagles added a second night performance, and I managed to score tickets, though not without several attempts due to poor refresh rates of their booking system. Who in their RIGHT MIND allows only 13 seconds to complete a several step screen for what will certainly be a heavily accessed system. Took me three attempts after selecting a couple of tickets, to be fast enough to complete the next screen! Oh well, did manage in the end - result, YAY! Nothing much to report from yesterday, another slow uneventful passage through time. BIN time weather 18c and sunny, starting to cloud over and a high of 30c expected. Tally ho.

HUMP day... and I already have a serious case of the hump 😒 Yesterday uneventful, nothing to note/report. This morning, connected to that evil monster TicketMaster to attempt to obtain tickets for the Eagles concert here in November. Calm the disparaging comments, we have been trying to see all the past master/singers/groups we like, as most are listing as their LAST tour/event. Suffice to say, even though I got in the queue as early as SUPPOSEDLY HUMANLY POSSIBLE AND as a PREFERRED customer, I was already 2,000+ in line - WHAT!?!?!?! HOW THE HELL!! No matter. My number finally came up and only seats remaining STARTED at $390 a piece and headed UPWARD from that to an eye-watering $1,900. Not in our preferred budgetary range, I'm afraid. Anything north of $200 and we've decided to give it a pass. Disappointed, but there you go 😬 Oh well, on with work, the Mrs off to lunch and walkies around the lakes with a friend. 14c partly sunny first thing, headed for 25c, very VERY slight chance of a shower later. Carry on.

Chewsday... Not much eventful yesterday, we (well, the Mrs as I was working) did dog-sit Whitney as Jemma was going to hang-out/go shopping with Meagan, and she didn't want Whitney to be left alone for a large part of the day - Brendan off in Alaska/Seattle "driving" folks around. Dinnertime saw us invited over to Trevor and Meagans taking Whitney with us as Jemma was there, post shopping spree. I STILL don't know what the two ladies spent most of the day "shopping for"! Hot yesterday slightly warmer than forecast, today cooler at 11c first thing and partly sunny. High of 27c expected with a scant chance of rain shower or two. Later.

Sadly, prior to the stupidly large corporation buying the business unit I worked for now nearly two years ago, my previous Dental coverage would actually have covered more than half of it. Apparently, even though the "BIG CORPORATION" promised we'd have equal or BETTER coverage with all our medical insurance moving forward, it appears they were less than - how should I put it - HONEST in that regard it seems!😡

Morning... Well, there went a week that has no real reason to have passed so quickly! Whole 4th of July holiday was interesting and fun, especially the evening neighborhood party, way too many fireworks, and plenty of food and drink. Last week also back to dentist for a consult on the dental implant, started pre-COVID. Turns out it'll now cost me $7,500 - and insurance will only cover $1,000 AT BEST! So much for PAID medical insurance, what a waste. Past weekend busy with various activities, back on the grid now, hopefully,,, 18c first thing, sunny and humid, 32c the expected high. Carry on.

Actually, this is the t-shirt I'll be wearing 😃 Need to educate whenever possible...

POETS - taking the afternoon off for sure. Yesterday, weather (well SMOKE) improved immensely so were able to venture out for a while after work. Some shopping and a quick tour to see a couple of local gardens around the lakes area. Today we're off to the theatre with Jemma dn Brendan to so "Murder on the Orient Express". A long run closing in a few days and has had rave reviews from all the critics - both paid and unpaid. Really looking forward to it. We're having dinner first at a new (to us) Korean Grill and Sushi bar. Again, plenty of good reviews so here's hoping. Start of the LONG 4-day WEEKEND - taking Monday off as probably 90% of the population are, since Tuesday is a national holiday, July 4th. Don't remember the exact reason for the holiday, maybe I'll wear my union jack tee shirt to the neighborhood party 🤣 Other than the party on Tuesday, no real plans yet, I'm sure plenty of things will come up, both wanted (fun) and unwanted (to-do list)!! 18c and partly sunny first thing, forecast 28c for the high. Supposed to be highs around 29-32c next four days. No rain in sight until maybe Tuesday (OF COURSE!!) Tally ho.

Ahhh BIN day! Remained inside until late evening yesterday, when the BINs were paraded to the street. Today, a Zoom earlier, work and then a quick visit at lunch time from our friends, on their way to do some shopping at Costco. It's "nicer" out now it seems, AQI down to 97 and considered "moderate". Certainly isn't annoying my throat or sinuses as the past two days has. Work and a quiet evening in any case. 18c and sunny at BIN pickup time, 30c the expected high. Carry on.

HUMP day! Yesterday sucked as expected and lived up to/down to expectations, remaining inside with the air purifier and a/c running, ta muchly! Today - guess what - IT'S GETTING/GOTTEN WORSE! AQI now at 175, deemed "Unhealthy", and heading higher towards "Very Unhealthy" later apparently. Buqqer that for a game of soldiers, I'm staying in. 19c very hazy first thing, could taste the smoke!! Forecast high of 27c with possible thunderstorm(s) late tonight. <kof> <kof> onward

Chewsday... Yesterday nothing much, afternoon punctuated by Brendan coming over to pick up Whitney. Jemma attempting to return from her Paris-JFK trip was stuck on her flight back to Minneapolis in the mess that continues on the eastern seaboard where a lot of delays and cancellations are happening due to weather issues. Today, reference picture below, I will NOT be venturing outside even after work, and a lunch time stroll will only be around the living room furniture 😒 17c and "smoke" first thing, forecast is simply a high of 28 and... "smoke"... yay!! Onward

Morning... Busy weekend it seems, though some of the time just flew by without really knowing what happened! Saturday, given the late afternoon/evening weather was supposed to be thunderstorms, the birthday gathering for Otis (Meagans older dog) and the Mrs was moved to our place as we have more varieties of space, patio 9if it doesn't rain) sun porch, and also the main indoors, depending on the needs of folks. With threatening weather we decided to skip the patio and use the rest of the house/porch, and OF COURSE, it didn't actually rain until 11PM when the heavens opened complete with a thunderous sound and lightning event, short though, only lasting 20-30 minutes, See attached record of the birthday proceedings; Obligatory picture WITH HATS as required by Meagan <sigh> Otis is "14", not the Mrs 😃 Sunday some recovering from the late night Saturday, then out to our travelling companions for another "Mrs" birthday celebration. Today, her ACTUAL birthday, not a lot planned. Jemma should be here late afternoon/early evening to pick up Whitney, but the east coast weather has been very variable all weekend so she said there may be delays for her getting back into JFK from Paris, which will then delay her arrival back here. Had "some" rain over the weekend, but little really to compensate for the mild drought conditions. 15c first thing and sunny, 26c the expected high, and possibly some light rain late afternoon. Onward.

Congratulations/Happy Anniversary to @Barry O and her indoors. POETS, may give that a try, though still plodding through some report changes for the client. Yesterday, as forecast, carp and hot so remained inside after work was done. Weekend; Tonight, a quiet evening with the Mrs, nothing planned, carp still forecast outside both in air quality and temperature Tomorrow there's an evening birthday party, family and friends, for the Mrs and one of Meagans dogs, Otis, who share the 26th. as their trip around the sun day. Sunday nothing planned - yet - but probably indoors as both days of the weekend are forecast to be 100% rain and thunderstorms. We'll see how THAT plays out as we're in the middle of a drought like a lot of the country. Weather forecast as "nuts" (my non-meteorological term), given otday high is 32c, and Sunday forecast high is 19c with the noted rain/storms events!!! Enjoy the start of the weekend all...

BIN day... Everything put out last evening, once it was somewhat cooler. Bust yesterday and today with work changes, looks like finally the Long Island client may reduce my hours as they are trying to implement some cost savings! No idea how that'll pan out. Whitney with us again from yesterday afternoon, Jemma doing a 4-day trip, Paris and return twice. Weather here continues to provide unhealthy air quality and provide too much heat into the bargain. 20c at BIN time, reaching 32c for the high yesterday AND today, really is miserable with the poor air quality. Onward.

HUMP day... Yesterday an excellent dinner/visit with friends, and we even managed drinks and appetizers on the patio as the air quality was "acceptable". Very enjoyable pulled-pork made by the Mrs, she took a bow. Today, air quality is carp and it's expected to be HOT, Mrs out for a walk/lunch with book club friends. 18c and sunny/unhealthy air quality first thing, high of 32c expected. Carry on.