Ian Abel

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.

HUMP day... missed yesterday here as the "report writing" was ramped up! Monday little of interest, though I did manage to plant my two rose bushes after work. Hopefully they will thrive in the sunny location. Yesterday work busy and otherwise "quiet". 17c partly cloudy first thing, expecting some rain later and a high of 24c. Air quality still hit-and-miss, but sounds far worse on the US east coast. Carry on.

Monday, after a very busy weekend. Friday the choir party was lots of fun, good food, some wine and plenty to chat about in a relaxing locale. Saturday, weather (air quality) totally carp! Indoor activities for the most part, then an evening venture out to the concert the Mrs wanted to attend. Great 90 minutes of varied music form a lady and her band. Another good food/drinks event. Sunday - off to get some rose bushes, prep an area to plant them and THEN retreat to the comfort of the house AGAIN, as the air quality went to sh!t Evening at our place with our travelling friends, take-out Indian, hadn't had Indian in a while, very nice... Back working today, still carp air quality here, "supposed" to improve later as a front moves in and some rain hopefully washes the mess out of the air. 30c the high both days over the weekend <ugh>, today 19c to start, and overcast, high of 28c later with rain moving in by early evening. Carry on.

Lunchtime with the Mrs, she wanted to take a couple of cherished pictures to be reframed - now I'm down a couple of deltics or more likely WC/BB/MNs <sigh> Lunch was nice though 🤪

Not sure about the case you cite, couldn't find it with a "quick" search. However, in the US at least, it is the case that if you stream music via Apple/iMusic, it IS ONLY "RENTED". You have it only while you maintain your subscription. Once the subscription lapses Apple deletes all music on your library and it becomes unavailable. POETS - this IS happening 👍 BIN day today, and already serviced. Yesterday another uneventful and quiet day for me - the Mrs spent the afternoon with a great niece who is home for the summer from college. The weekend looks to be busy. Tonight is our Choir party. 6-10pm, should be lots of fun, spouses/partners all included. Saturday - possibly some daytime gardening, then off with the Mrs to a supper club/concert/album release show for one of the Mrs favourite local artists. Sunday - no daytime plans, but evening hosting a happy hour with friends. I think I'll need a day off to recover from all that 😀 Weather moving away from the forecast, 19c and cloudy at BIN o'clock, high expected to be 30c and now rain in the afternoon forecast. Onward.

As a new month starts, just a friendly reminder, 206 days to Christmas <runs for cover> Non-BIN day - caught me out, well, almost. Was gathering all the necessary trash then realized that given Monday was a public holiday, BIN day isn't until tomorrow! Yesterday, mostly harmless, today will be a repeat. Work and that's it. Good thing too as we look to have a busy weekend ahead, apparently. Weather, a boring pseudo-summer pattern for the next 5 days. 20c and sunny first thing, 30c expected high. Repeat 5 times apparently! Carry on.

I have a similar situation to @polybear re: molar implant. All proceeding swimmingly until the COVID carp - with fewer staff and scheduling nightmares, my next consultation, to see if we can "simply" proceed, isn't until July 5th!! Cost for such (at least when it was approved pre-COVID, is around $3,000USD, may well be re-addressed and I GUARANTEE it won't be downward 😒 HUMP day. Uneventful yesterday with nothing to report... Today will be a repeat! Only major oddities are the weather where we've now fast forward into July level temperatures. <pant> Air quality has thankfully improved significantly 17c first thing, sunny mostly clear sky, 31c the high... Carry on.

Chewsday already, that's what happens when a three day weekend strikes <yay> Friday overall quiet, and indoors to avoid the bad air quality. Saturday, air quality MUCH better, foray to the garden center to obtain various perennials and annuals for the garden. Determined a decent area out front that gets enough sun for some rose bushes. Now all that's needed is to dig up the awful bushes (no idea what they are) that have been residing there, and prepare the ground. Saturday evening dinner out with Jemma, Brendan and his parents, great time together, they're really one the same wavelength as us on many things! Sunday another round of sh!!ty air quality, so much so that I stayed in/home while the Mrs went to the lake for the day with Trevor and Meagan. I did manage to plant 4 astilbee before I needed to retreat back into the house and a/c. Sunday evening weather improved enough for us to have a very nice neighborhood happy hour on our patio. Monday relaxing staying inside again as the air quality when in the tank again. Working today. Mrs off with a book group to some event then lunch... Early morning hours thunderstorms, weather today, air quality better, 16c partly sunny first thing, high 29c expected. Tally ho.

ARRGHHHH.... To quote Monty Python/Holy Grail "...I'm not dead yet..." Been stupidly busy with work issues and haven't made time to post <sigh> Nothing really to report anyway, other than the above. Weekend is a 3-day here, Memorial Day. Be nice to end Sunday and STILL have another day off. Nothing definitive planned for the most part other than dinner with Brendans parents tomorrow - some nice restaurant everyone wants to check out, reports will be forthcoming. His parents are in town for a few days over the holiday weekend and we usually get together when they're here. Someone, usual them or Brendan/Jemma have some flash place they want to try, one that usually requires advanced booking, so expectations are higher than a "regular" evening out! Weather has been very welcoming here, though I hesitate to say we could use a LITTLE rain. Lovely days, sunny and 22-24 temps, cooler evenings. Today, 12c first thing, sunny, 24c the expected high, no rain in the forecast all weekend. Being touted as one of the FEW really nice/exceptiona Memorial weekends in a while. THAT should put the kibosh on it 🤪 Enjoy the start of the weekend.

Chewsday, and late reporting... Yesterday and today a variety of work/report updating. Yesterday a RETURN to COSTCO as the Mrs has now decided on the Air Fryer/Toaster Oven she wants, AT COSTCO - but, but, but, we were just there!!!! Wasn't too bad, actually got out without decided that humanity was completely crazy and all the crazies were with us, jury out on that. Not much else for later today, probably staying INSIDE, air quality heading into the sh!!ter again, and I can already feel it. 16c first thing, partly sunny, light breeze CARP air quality. 27c the expected high. Onward <kof> <kof> <wheeze>

Monday awl... Weekend went by too fast. Brief rest to start Saturday, then off to the funeral. Everyone loved our performance, particularly appreciated by the widow/choir member, who had all her and her hubbies favourites to send him off. Time THAT was done and we then shot off to shop for plants for the various pots the Mrs is organizing around the patio, it was time for dinner and bed! Sunday, some more shopping for flowers/plants/pots and a prep of the various items. Then off to the last, for the season, fund raising concert. Me having to be there early to help the lost souls who can't apparently manage to FIND the email receipt/ticket stub they need for entry. Oh well, I can't imagine how some folks managed to get out of bed and dress sometimes!! Great concert, and that finished off the weekend. That was nice, do I get another one?!?!? Ya have to wait for another 5 days mate, time to get slogging again... Today some "light" work requests, and a regular quarterly reminder that ALL my work passwords expire in 8 days - a complete flustercuck changing then! Weather all weekend was delightful, sunny, not too hot, and clean air. 15c and partly sunny first thing, expected high of 25c. BUT, later this evening/tomorrow we're supposed to get more of the Canadian fire residue back here, there goes trying to breath easily 🤪 Carry on.

POETS - probably the afternoon off. Yesterday the Canadian fire-effect resulted in a lot of folks with issues around the area. That included me, asthma flare and sore throat. Many of the schola similarly affected. Driving to rehearsal - only time I went out all day - the smog/smoke was obvious and very visible on the roads, reduced visibility quite apparent. Rehearsal was good, though some severe throat issues for several of us! Today, air quality alert was lifted around 6AM, seems much better out there, but I didn't sleep well, so will be some naps/recovery this afternoon for sure. Weekend plans include the funeral service tomorrow, and a fund-raising concert, last of the season, on Sunday evening. Beyond that, the weekend is "free" 😀 Morning weather was clear and sunny though only 7c. Clouding over later and an expected high of only 14c. Carry on.

Late today - BIN day. Got that sorted. Yesterday, NOTE TO SELF: If you're expecting to only spend a limited time on a trip to COSTCO -you're just fooling yourself! After wandering the aisles "just in case we missed something we need", Jemma made the fatal mistake of replying to a text from Meagan/DiL and informing her we were at COSTCO. Result, "pick up a ... cake while you're there please, dad can drop it off on their way home" ARRGGGHHHHHH! In total with all the fannying around AND the detour to Meagans, we were gone THREE !@$!$!#$!#$$!$@ HOURS! Today, slow work, followed by a happy-hour pre-choir rehearsal, as we prepare for a funeral Saturday. Not affected as much as those folks up in Canada, BUT, air quality warnings here due to the Canadian fires. Both Jemma and I suffering as a result <sigh> 13c first thing, moderate rain from BIN time until maybe an hour ago, brightening now, high of 21c MAYBE. Carry on.

Happy belated birthday @Gwiwer HUMP day. Quiet workday yesterday. Outside work the following to be reported; 1) I'm either getting a gold star OR banned from choir for eternity! We're SUPPOSED to hand in our music as the year progresses and we move from one service set to another. I've often (MOST OF THE TIME!!) simply emptied my folder at home before the star of a enw set, creating a small mountain of music. Yesterday, a FRANTIC email from the choir director to all involved searching for a piece she hoped someone managed to have as she couldn't find a single copy. VOILA - I have not one, but THREE copies in my collection. She was elated (via email) when I reported I have said piece and could bring it Thursday - funeral rehearsal. It remains to be seen how it's received (See heading above) 🤪 2) Watched and enjoyed the Coronation Concert. Late to the "party" I know but we decided to give it a try. We were suitably impressed with the entire thing, well worth the watch from our point of view. Initially, we thought we'd try it, expecting nothing much, but it was really an impressive display of both talent (IMHO) and visual effects. Today, lunchtime I'm "helping" as the Mrs and Jemma are doing a Costco run! 🤯 10c and partly cloudy first thing, 21c the forecast high. Tally ho.

Chewsday. Very quiet yesterday gave me some time to recover from the weekend! Odd, I thought that was what a weekend was for. Nothing but work planned for today, so on with that I guess. 12c and partly sunny first thing, high of 26c forecast. Later.

Moaning all! Weekend was busy with various to-do's and then we hit SUNDAY! Here in the US it was Mothers Day, AND, though it's only occurred a handful of times since she was born, Jemma's birthday. This resulted in yours truly rushing around providing ALL the comestibles for a family "do" to celebrate both events. It all went off extremely well, according to all partaking, and I received plenty of praise for what I'd managed to achieve. Buqqer, I'm TIRED!!! Wish today was a day off 😵 Back at it, working, may have to nod off briefly though at some point <yawn> Lovely weather here, 10c first thing and sunny, 22c the expected high. Some light rain over the weekend, none in the forecast for a couple of days. Carry on.

Minneapolis "proper" (we're in an inner-ring suburb) which we enter eastbound barely 1.5 miles from here, has a "Twenty is plenty" also. Times two is the norm and often more, I try and maintain 25 but fear for being rear-ended at that speed even by the nut jobs around. If you were thinking of me, I was directly in the other direction to the NordicTrack, VERY QUICKLY by many reviews and personal references, so not affected 👍 Mine is the Nordictrack S22i Studio cycle.