Ian Abel

June 27, 2023

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

June 26, 2023

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.

June 23, 2023

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...

June 22, 2023

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.

June 21, 2023

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.

June 20, 2023

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

June 19, 2023

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.

June 16, 2023

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.

June 15, 2023

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.

June 13, 2023

9 hours ago, grandadbob said:

Double celebration today, Gemma is 19 and it is our 53rd wedding anniversary. A meal and a few drinks are scheduled later.

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.

June 12, 2023

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.

June 9, 2023

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

June 9, 2023

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.

June 8, 2023

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.

June 7, 2023

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.

June 5, 2023

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.

June 2, 2023

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 🤪

June 2, 2023

5 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

I also vaguely remember that the legal case took place in the United States, so perhaps our North American correspondents can provide further details and the outcome of that particular legal issue.

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.

June 1, 2023

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.

May 31, 2023

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.

May 30, 2023

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.

May 26, 2023

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.

May 23, 2023

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>

May 22, 2023

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.

May 19, 2023

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.

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