Ian Abel

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.

Chewsday >yawn> Plodding along here, technically, TECHNICALLY, yesterday was a federal holiday, but as with many such holidays, they're primarily observed by federal institutions rather than the population en masse. Translations, federal employees get a day off, everyone else can take it as on "optional/floating" holiday. Weather AND air quality were good and lived up to forecast/expectations yesterday, we've a dinner with friends here tonight, outside drinks/starters may NOT be an option due to air quality !@$!@$!@$!$! 😒 Today, 20c and sunny/hazy first thing high of 30c expected with poor air quality. Tally ho

Morning all. Friday evening a great charity get-together, good food and music, worthwhile event for kids needing help and support. Outside air was "acceptable", but by the time we were done/leaving I was glad to be back in air conditioning. Saturday, a quiet day, some to-do items and relaxing inside as the weather was up and down air-quality wise. Sunday/Fathers day, good day, attended the Twins game (we LOST, no surprise now, they're very average at present) but good to be with the family enjoying the game. Only downside was a complete failure flustercuck at the exit to the huge multi-story parking lot, a gate broke and we were stuck waiting for 30 minutes in a huge line to exit. Air quality today expected to be "good", 16c and partly cloudy first thing, 30c the expected high. Carry on.

POETS Yesterday remaining inside, smoke easing but still enough of an issue to warrant venturing outside, thanks you very much. Ordered a room air purifier that should arrive today. Today, we're off to a charity event this evening, and have to pick up a couple of dessert pies from our favourite bakery for that event. Weekend, Saturday should be quiet, a few to-do items and hopefully the air continues to improve. Sunday/Fathers Day - the family are taking me to the baseball game, supposed to be good air quality and sunny with possible showers!! 9c sunny and clearer first thing, 24c the expected high. Enjoy the start of the weekend.

BIN day... Yesterday was a real excrement show here. We were the sad recipients of having the WORST Air Quality Index in the entire US, apparently! Taking a lunchtime break to go with the Mrs to retrieve her newly frames pictures, we could barely see more than maybe 1/4 mile because of the haze, almost down to ground level. Warnings of unhealthy air quality were frequent on the radio, and my lungs could feel it. That said, I remained inside the remainder of the day. All the immediate - well almost out 60+ miles - Twin Cities area was on the extreme range, and most of Minnesota was bad overall. Front page of the newspaper today Today is scheduled to be the same and I could feel it simply putting the BINs out and getting the newspaper, inside again today for sure! 15c first thing, hazy sun, 24c the expected high and sh!!ty air quality a guarantee 😒 Onward.

Congratulations on the double, best birthday wishes and happy anniversary @grandadbob Chewsday - panic ensued early AM (I'm 1 hour behind the client, so still on breakfast when they called) on two report fronts, things not used for a while are now apparently "out of date"... Hmmm, who's problem is that, when it's missing newly added accounts?!?! Rushing around fixing/updating for some big-wig meeting <yawn> Yesterday - normal plodding work day, quiet evening. Today panic mostly over, back to normal. Off to the PO later to ship some of the Lionel stuff I had on eBay for a friend. Something FINALLY sold 🤯 14c and sunny first thing, 27 the expected high. Carry on.

Good Monday... Weekend review; Quiet Friday evening. Saturday, busy with some to-do, shopping for items to contribute to the evening party we were attending, avoiding a downpour, much needed rain, an inch in the gauge. Evening party was "excellent", we stayed much longer than we expected and had some engaging conversations with some new folks as well as old friends. Sunday, slept in (too much party last night!?!??!). Jemma was due to drop Whitney off but has a serious sinus issue so called in sick. Spent part of the day just relaxing and enjoying the extremely pleasant weather, lower temperatures and clean air - yay! Late afternoon we went to the "soft opening" of our friends kids' latest restaurant location. Lots of folks there, good showing and looks like they've picked a prime location for the expansion of their venture. Happy to support them. Yesterday weather was still pleasant, and this Am more of the same, 11c first thing, partly cloudy and air quality good. Later a high of only 23c, no precipitation. Carry on.

Forgot to mention there will be much celebratory clinking of falling down water this weekend following the news from DC 🤣 🍾🍾🍾

POETS... very late check-in. Yesterday busy at work quiet otherwise. Today much of the same. Rather a lot of tedious ongoing work on reports. Weekend is variably busy. Tomorrow morning been requested to help Trevor install a new thermostat, then late afternoon we're off to a back-yard party with some friends. Sunday, will be woken early (5:30am) as Jemma will be dropping off Whitney and off for a six day trip. Other than that, probably some to-do items and maybe a nap if we're lucky! 🤪 Weather 16c partly sunny first thing, 28c the expected high, night-time thunderstorms possible. Have a good start to the weekend.

Congratulations on another successful trip around the sun @iL Dottore enjoy any cake provided. BIN day, plenty of activity getting them to the curb and processed by the various trucks. Yesterday uneventful, air quality carp but WAY better then the US east coast for sure. Today, working as usual, the Mrs taking a quick day trip up to the cabin - various housekeeping etc. 17c at BIN time, overcast/poor air quality, high of 25c expected. Carry on.