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<title>Geoduck Letters RSS</title><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/index.html</link><description>Geoduck RSS</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright Douglas aalseth</dc:rights><dc:date>2008-07-06T06:16:08-07:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Mon, 2 Jan 2012 14:26:11 -0800</lastBuildDate><item><title>So How Was Everyone&#x27;s July 4th?</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-07-06T06:16:08-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/82656514630f9f94c7a2ea45744464aa-209.html#unique-entry-id-209</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/82656514630f9f94c7a2ea45744464aa-209.html#unique-entry-id-209</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It started on Monday when in the middle of the afternoon a guy showed up with a box under his arm. ...  They arranged for the tech to come back the next morning (believe&nbsp;me Monday afternoon is not the time to cut half of the network off).   Doug had to go into the office at 2 am and within a couple hours the new router was up and running. ...  Fortunately, the replacement came in during the day on Thursday and because the router was completely out they were able to replace it without waiting for the middle of the night.&nbsp;


...It was the pits because that's just when we were trying to get to sleep each day. 

...This week we were setting in the living room when a deer walked into the front yard and commenced to&nbsp;browse&nbsp;on our flowers. 

...He was a bit of a jerk though and we had to keep an eye on him because all he wanted to do was chase the other cats around and show them he was the Alpha male.


...I am still waiting for my Canadian return and if it does not come in this week, I'm going to check in with our accountant to see what is going on as Doug had his return before we left on our June holiday.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Rain&#x2c; Rain&#x2c; and a Little More Rain</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-01-07T06:01:32-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/928f1a4b05a3f9611ba6362ebd2039c6-208.html#unique-entry-id-208</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/928f1a4b05a3f9611ba6362ebd2039c6-208.html#unique-entry-id-208</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[When he did that he also sent a copy of the manuscript to himself in order to use the cancellation date on the postage as proof of when he had written the stories. &nbsp;  Well, we got the envelope that was sent to Doug back, but the Canada Post did not cancel the stamps, so he is taking it back now and mailing it again.


...However about a week ago it really stopped working as it did not even empty the soap dish and all of the dishes were dirty. &nbsp;...  We have since put that on hold as Doug discovered he had turned off the water to the dishwasher when he installed a new kitchen faucet.   Once the water has been turned back on - it is once again working - not great - but enough there is no hurry to replace it.


...We also have all of our Christmas stuff put away including dropping off our tree down the way at a local mall where folks were collecting the trees for mulch that would be sold for charity.


...So if a person does provide enough information in the email for us to access their account we have to write back and explain of the new change and of course we like to include that FCC made us do it. 

...It is just west of the City and has a summit of 3,350 foot, so obviously not one of the big mountains but the citizens of Nanaimo enjoy its beauty as a backdrop for the city and the recreational value.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Canada Snowfall</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-01-14T06:00:58-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/11f43a6878f3b51d8ec982a9b2403dd2-207.html#unique-entry-id-207</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/11f43a6878f3b51d8ec982a9b2403dd2-207.html#unique-entry-id-207</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Then about 1:30 Thursday &nbsp;morning we were awakened by Thump, Thump, Thump on the roof.   It had started to snow and the big tree in the neighbors yard (the one in the xmas card) collects snow on its branches and then drops snowballs on our bedroom roof. ...  By the time we got up the snow had turned to rain and the roads were clear. ...  Work was very quiet that day as many folks could not make it in due to the snow. &nbsp;  When we heard that, Marsha and I just looked at each other and went, "What are they talking about?" &nbsp;

...I really don't know what all was in it but whatever it was ended up being better than what I HAD ordered so I didn't mention it. ...  All in all it was a fun evening with Barbara, Mike, and the two fm us.


On New Years Day we started watching the first Ghost in the Shell series, which I have on DVD. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Cooking &#x26; Pictures</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-01-21T06:00:19-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/307d3cae04f7dc274c7375a67d965bbb-206.html#unique-entry-id-206</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/307d3cae04f7dc274c7375a67d965bbb-206.html#unique-entry-id-206</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Besides just the normal day to day stuff, Doug had to work Saturday night until about 3:30 on Sunday morning. &nbsp;...  But Barbara and I went down to the Piper's Lagoon Pub and listened to Mike play. &nbsp;  It was a fun evening for Barbara and I, but not so much for Doug.


...I thought I was doing pretty well until I went back to double check that I had put everything in the recipe and I discovered I had been taking bits and pieces from two different recipes. &nbsp;...  I'm going to try it again this week and just follow one of the recipes.


...Since this is not something I do very often, I decided to check my trusty Betty Crocker Cookbook. 

...So it behooves a good wife to know how to make an egg behave in six basic ways. " (soft, hard, poached, fried, scrambled and deviled) &nbsp;Betty Crocker's Cookbook 1973


...So I forced myself to go out to Piper's Lagoon, take a walk along the ocean and take a few pictures. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>End of January</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-01-28T05:59:46-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/344edb507a5f74172f6ee6279f8750b2-205.html#unique-entry-id-205</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/344edb507a5f74172f6ee6279f8750b2-205.html#unique-entry-id-205</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This week we found out that Silas (a former co-worker from FSS) is going to be able to stop by and visit us in a couple of weeks. ...  We have been colder than normal here this year (but still pretty mild by Minnesota standards; just below freezing at night and mid 30s during the day).   One of the old timers said we are just one storm away from spring and it will be on us before you know it. 

...It's amazing, our first computer had a 20Mb drive, now Doug picked up a 320Gb drive, and 500 to 1000Gb drives are in the stores as well.   Doug has connected his computer to one of our big TVs and we have been watching more Ghost In The Shell. &nbsp;

...We found an accountant in Lantzville who is going to file them for us, most accountants around here won't do US taxes so we had to hunt for a bit..   Unfortunately, with the multiple moves, my files are just a mess and it has been hard trying to find everything that I need so it has been time consuming going through all the records.


...The trouble is that it needs to be around fifty degrees for them to be able to install it. with temperatures near freezing like we've had all month the shingles are stiff and a bit brittle. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>February On The Island</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-02-04T05:58:58-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/d097fdbe0e9f48898817b20babc233b1-204.html#unique-entry-id-204</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/d097fdbe0e9f48898817b20babc233b1-204.html#unique-entry-id-204</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[For those of you who may not be familiar with the movie it is about a&nbsp;drama critic who learns on his wedding day that his beloved maiden aunts are homicidal maniacs, and that insanity runs in his family. ...  Doug was very happy not to be inundated with SuperBowl this and Super Bowl that, so he asked that I add his version of an&nbsp;appropriate&nbsp;Super Bowl ad.


...Today I went walking with Barbara at Woodgrove Centre (the largest mall on the Island) and saw an old 1928 Graham Paige &nbsp;that had been driven from Argentina to Alaska by a family of 4. &nbsp;

...They are the cutest little things and Doug and I had wanted to sit in one since we saw them a few years back during one of trips to Europe. &nbsp;

...I went to pick Barbara up this morning and she was telling me about the latest catch and release gift the kitties brought in for her; a rat. ...  If the rat was smart he made a run to the outside once the cats had settled down. 

...Rather than watch an old movie or the Super Bowl he decided he would check the park out. &nbsp;   It was a&nbsp;beautiful&nbsp;sunny day but what you can't see in the pictures was the COLD wind blowing from the northwest. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Happy Valentine&#x27;s Day</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-02-11T05:57:59-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/c341d9fdaa33d3912ab3ba128db31119-203.html#unique-entry-id-203</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/c341d9fdaa33d3912ab3ba128db31119-203.html#unique-entry-id-203</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Doug had to put in a lot of extra time this weekend at work due to an application upgrade so he is only going to work 4 hours and then we'll go out for lunch with Barbara. &nbsp;  Last week I had mentioned that Barbara's kitties had brought in a rat to her house.   On Friday Doug and I stopped at Canadian Tire (sort of like a Fleet Farm) and saw this great fake rat toy. ...  On Sunday Mike stopped by to visit his Mom and saw the rat on the floor and stopped dead in his tracks until Barbara told him it was just a toy. &nbsp;

...So all through out the year there will be celebrations across British Columbia in remembrance of this great event. &nbsp;

...This week I also received my CD that included music from the show, North of 60. &nbsp;...  Not long after I joined the listserv they were asking about contacting Tim McCauley and see if he would make a CD for some of his fans. &nbsp;...  In the end, Tim felt bad about the delay in putting together the CD so he did it for free and we just had to pay postage.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Visitors</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-02-18T05:57:12-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/7f9f80037e18c28ca6b2df22b2f3884f-202.html#unique-entry-id-202</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/7f9f80037e18c28ca6b2df22b2f3884f-202.html#unique-entry-id-202</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We had planned on going to a lecture on the tectonic history of Vancouver Island but with everything else going on we ended up skipping it.   It would have been a late night for us as the lecture wouldn't get over until after 9:00.


...We spent much of the afternoon catching up on events back in Minnesota, and (for Silas and Marsh) talking about work at FSS. ...  Sunday we got up early and went out for a sumptuous breakfast at Tim Horton's, a very nice, very classy restaurant found only in Canada. 

...Silas brought a bag of goodies from the States that included Post Grape Nuts, Babe Ruth, Butterfingers and Almond Joy. &nbsp;

...I have switched my hours at NCO to be from 5-8:15 and then I go to class from 9:00-3:30 so the next few weeks are going to be very busy.   But at the end of it, hopefully I will find a better job. &nbsp;

...As a common practice during the frigid winter, Mary Ellen always took the baby and the potatoes to bed with her to keep them from freezing.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Happy Leap Year</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-02-25T05:56:36-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/6396cf3c893288bf85abf4850ab2b6cf-201.html#unique-entry-id-201</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/6396cf3c893288bf85abf4850ab2b6cf-201.html#unique-entry-id-201</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We spent most of the week taking tests such as Myers Briggs and the Strong Interest and the Canadian version of the colour inventory. &nbsp;

...We'd just have time to say hi and then I'd leave at 8:15. 

...After working two days he stood up and said: "This was a lot easier when Curt was doing the hard parts." 

...It bills itself as "turkish delight", those of you who remember the Narnia movie will remember turkish delight as the candy Edmond loved. ...  It was a slab (an inch wide and a quarter to a half inch thick) of something like, well, Doug described it as raspberry gummi bear jerky. ...  Doug said it was the strangest candy bar ever made, and not in a good way.


...In 1921, Edith Munday, daughter of the famous BC mountaineers Phyllis and Don Munday, accompanied her parents on her first mountain climb when she was 12 weeks old.   There is a mountain named after Edith called Baby Munday Peak in the Cheam group of mountains.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x3c;No Subject&#x3e;</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-03-02T05:55:54-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/14fb743177383de68adb8841668c2671-200.html#unique-entry-id-200</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/14fb743177383de68adb8841668c2671-200.html#unique-entry-id-200</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I've been meaning to tell you all about a big mystery we have here on the Island. &nbsp;  In the past six months there have been 3 severed right feet in sneakers washed up on one of the Islands off the Georgia Strait. &nbsp;...  At this point in time, no one know who the feet belong to or if there was even any foul play involved. 

...Doug had switched his hours to be able to work on some big projects with his co-worker Keith and I am still working and attending class.   The class has been going well, but I don't get much time to do some of the work during the week, so I am trying to get most of it done on the weekend. &nbsp;  This class will also provide schedule and pay for us to attend some additional classes such as First Aid, WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information) and SuperHost. &nbsp;...  I don't necessarily need these certificates, but it looks good on the resume and since the class is paying for it, it seemed silly not to take advantage of it.


...Geiger finds it very strange and I think with us moving around the furniture again, he is getting worried we might be moving. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Things Are Busting Up All OVer</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-03-09T05:55:05-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/726224897daf188a7171013a8bade6cc-199.html#unique-entry-id-199</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/726224897daf188a7171013a8bade6cc-199.html#unique-entry-id-199</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Class is going well - I don't have a new job yet, but I am getting my resume and cover letter writing skills up to date. ...  I felt like I was watching someone else telling my stories. &nbsp;i can see why some actors do not want to see themselves on screen you don't even sound like yourself.


...I'm still not making enough but the job has given me the opportunity to find out more about the area, people and get out of the house. &nbsp;

...I was not looking forward to this as I have to get up at 3:45 in order to get to work by 5:00 am. &nbsp;

...I wish the story could start out 'I was on my Kawasaki going over the Malahat Pass and...' or 'I was on my skateboard doing a 720 and...' but it doesn't.


...The big project, to lay a new floor in the kitchen and family room had to be put on hold until I could saw, or hammer, or kneel without pain. 

...This week at work we were dealing with a number of issues, the biggest of which was due to the most&nbsp;common&nbsp;programmer error in the business "Let's just push this out, it won't impact the end users. 

...The other problem is that Geiger just doesn't understand hard surface floors. when he tries to run he slips, so he puts out his claws which makes him slip even more. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Happy St. Patrics Day</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-03-17T05:53:52-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/7ef5fae1cebfb2a19c8031e1af919f7d-198.html#unique-entry-id-198</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/7ef5fae1cebfb2a19c8031e1af919f7d-198.html#unique-entry-id-198</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I have a long list of things to do, but it has been nice to actually get a day off from work and class. &nbsp;  Tomorrow I have a First Aid class all day and then back to NCO on Wednesday-Friday. 

...I put in a few extra hours at NCO on Saturday so he was on his own until the last load. 

...So far they have brought and released a rat, followed by Barbara finding 4 mostly eaten mice carcasses and of course the additional 4 whole mice they brought in and proudly presented to her as a present. &nbsp;  Well last week, Barbara woke up to hear the two kitties running around the house and she rolled over saying they better settle down so I can get back to sleep. ...  They had brought in a bird and had been chasing it around the house before killing it and leaving feathers all over. &nbsp;

...One pound of burger with all of the fixings on a huge bun with fries and a free picture. &nbsp;...  So if anyone is planning to come and visit we can add Mrs. Ritchies as a place to stop for a burger and fries.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Hope Everyone Had a Nice Easter</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-03-24T05:57:56-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/d50b5ffd81dd5cf7a6d9b9df06c79c3b-197.html#unique-entry-id-197</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/d50b5ffd81dd5cf7a6d9b9df06c79c3b-197.html#unique-entry-id-197</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[But instead of shifting you a day for one week and then back to your original schedule the next week, you stay on the new schedule.   For example, our pickup day had been Friday, however since Friday and Monday are holidays they won't pick up our garbage until Tuesday and until the next holiday our new pickup day will be Tuesday. 

...It was hard to put in an 8 hour day after the last month of only working 3.25 hours a day and then going to my workshop. &nbsp;

...Their last gig there is April 11, so we (Barbara, Doug and I) are making plans to go out for dinner and listening to them play. &nbsp;


...Luckily not enough to stay around for long, but it was a reminder that we are not out of the woods yet in regards to cold weather. 

...The reference comes from Homer's Odyssey, in which a band of soldiers lost their will to do much of anything when they come across a languid, indulgent land of lotus eaters. 

...Sounds like there wasn&rsquo;t much lotus on the menu&hellip;in the City of Refuge Despite BC&rsquo;s nickname, we don&rsquo;t grow all that much lotus. 

...Yesterday started out nice and sunny but as you can see it was pretty gray and dreary when we were there and then of course we had snow later.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>April is Almost Here</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-03-30T05:57:19-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/27f4fda5b692c81e2012bd9af27974ff-196.html#unique-entry-id-196</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/27f4fda5b692c81e2012bd9af27974ff-196.html#unique-entry-id-196</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We were not able to see all of the petroglyphs due to leaves and such on top of them, but we did manage to get pictures of some of them.


...We were not sure if she just bought the chair and wanted it in the house or wanted to get rid of the chair.   Well we asked if we could help and it turned out it was a new chair so we helped take it in the house. ...  She was having the family over for Easter and had gone out and bought all sorts of things including a big sheet cake with strawberries, whip cream, cherries and other sorts of good stuff.   When she got home she realized she had no room in her fridge so she decided the weather was cool enough she would put it out on the patio table on the deck for the evening and it should be fine. &nbsp;...  Her son kept saying it looked there was a couple of spots the raccoon did not touch and he thought he could salvage it.&nbsp;

...However there is a big sale coming up in a couple of weeks at the FireHouse in Lanztville that we are all planning to attend. 

...In Vernon in 1891, a young schoolteacher, happy and excited to be starting her new job, was asked by a Railway Superintendent to remove her white shoes because they were widely associated with prostitution.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Yikes&#x2c; It&#x27;s Wednesday</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-04-09T05:56:41-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/2322bd38e11118b348de7eaa97181205-195.html#unique-entry-id-195</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/2322bd38e11118b348de7eaa97181205-195.html#unique-entry-id-195</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I just have one story about what happened last week on our way to work.


...Doug and I just came over what we call Rutherford Pass when we saw three cop cars on the side of the road with lights blazing. &nbsp;  We were not sure what was going on so we very slowly passed them and continued on our way to work.   As we passed the cops, I noticed one of the them walking back to his car., but did not think too much about it &nbsp;I was just starting to get back up to speed when I noticed one of the cop cars was following me with the lights flashing so I pulled over expecting him to go on by me. &nbsp;...  So of course all these thoughts go through your mind which boils down to what did I do wrong and will I be getting a ticket. ...  It was a quick conversation, Ma'am, I appreciate how cautious you were when passing us, but I think you'd be a lot safer if you turned your headlights on. &nbsp;&nbsp;

...You can see why when we get a good wind storm that a few of the logs end up around the various shorelines.


Oh, just to give folks a heads up, Doug and I are planning on heading back to Minnesota for a visit in June. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>April 14</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-04-14T05:56:06-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/e18569c3ebd5a2402b8f33f5fca6c0fa-194.html#unique-entry-id-194</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/e18569c3ebd5a2402b8f33f5fca6c0fa-194.html#unique-entry-id-194</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Today I took her to the Doctor's for an initial exam (everything looks fine - probably just pulled some muscles) and then to get an x-ray just to make sure. &nbsp; ...  Going around to the Doctors, x-ray and just being up was pretty tiring for her today.&nbsp;


As for me, I think I am finally getting over the cold from hell, but the bad news is that I think Doug has caught it,&nbsp; either that or he's trying out for the Olympic Coughing-Up-Your-Lung&nbsp;team..


In spite of all of the health problems we, Barbara, Doug and I&nbsp; went to a couple of garage sales over the weekend. ...  There are no prices on anything, in fact there was so much stuff there, that lots of the stuff was not even unpacked.&nbsp; ...  When you picked up everything you think you wanted, you just go to the cashier and make an offer.&nbsp; 

...This will allow us to get on the ferry and over to the mainland so we can start our long drive early on Wednesday and plan to head back the next Thursday, June 12.   So we will be trying to stop in and see folks as best as we can during the visit.&nbsp;
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What in the &#x21;@(&#x2a;&#x21;@#&#x24;</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-04-21T05:54:57-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/4d747bb1b8b7f9214b337eaf3a776610-193.html#unique-entry-id-193</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/4d747bb1b8b7f9214b337eaf3a776610-193.html#unique-entry-id-193</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This was not only an all-time record snowfall for the 19th in Nanaimo it broke the all time record for the month of April. 

...It is about 6 feet high and really too steep for grass, not that we could mow it anyway. ...  I think they will do well and will cover the ratty grass that's there now so it should look better. 

...We have been over there alot just to make sure the cats are fed and to bring a few things and check on Barbara.&nbsp;   Some other friends, George and Sally were over on Sunday, installed some hand rails and brought over a ham dinner for the 3 of them.&nbsp; 

...Overall he's in good health, though the rabies shot had him feeling a bit under the weather for a couple of days. ...  Somehow putting my chicken flavored finger into a cat's mouth doesn't rank high on my list of things I want to do before I die. 

...Geiger worrying about the snowstorm (that's the climbing/scratching structure I built for him out of scraps from the floor project.)
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Review</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-04-28T05:54:07-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/55fbf832e29a04b31418960d381aa0ac-192.html#unique-entry-id-192</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/55fbf832e29a04b31418960d381aa0ac-192.html#unique-entry-id-192</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[She has a doctor appointment this morning to see if there is anything else she should be doing.


...Sesame would catch it and as Barbara said would torture if for awhile before releasing it.   Barbara was up and saw the poor thing slinking around as Barbara was not mobile enough to catch it - she decided if it got close enough to her she would 'throw a book at it".   Which is exactly what happened - rat dead - cause of death - having a book thrown at it.


Friday we were over to Barbara's and took her out for a drive as the weather was so nice.   We just drove around town and saw some of the flowers and then went down to the ocean for awhile.   Besides her first trip out to see the doctor it was the first time she was out of the house.   The new handrails installed by George (friend) made it much easier for her to climb the stairs.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>It&#x27;s Been Quite a Year</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-05-04T05:51:50-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/b8e05391ff6c30609ee93840d7fb1f6a-191.html#unique-entry-id-191</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/b8e05391ff6c30609ee93840d7fb1f6a-191.html#unique-entry-id-191</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We do know a few people here, Marsha makes friends more quickly than I do, but mostly we're on our own


...She denies it, she hasn't shed her Minnesota modesty after all, but Marsha is really getting to be fairly daring and willing to try things. ...  Because we don't want to run out for every little item we might want, I've been spending more time figuring out how to make things work with what we have. 

...They try, but between a lack of communication between the people in charge and the way the best people keep abruptly getting reassigned to&nbsp;Panama, or the&nbsp;Philippines, or wherever to solve crises, there is a lack of&nbsp;coherency.   Oh and we've come to understand that if Corporate IT (operating out of Horsham PA), tries to do one thing they may or may not screw it up. 

...I don't think we saw WF in Minnesota but out here it's very popular because it's very good quality and cheaper than the name brands. ...  But it's Zellers and that means that in addition to the usual clothing, electronics, food, and pharmaceuticals, you can also get a stove or refrigerator.&nbsp;


...Lastly this is a land where the&nbsp;garbage-men&nbsp;are finicky as to what they pick up and curbside recycling will take absolutely anything you put out, except that is for clear glass jars. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Earth Shattering Events This Week</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-05-12T05:51:18-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/4c66d259ca6550ff642491cec588eef5-190.html#unique-entry-id-190</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/4c66d259ca6550ff642491cec588eef5-190.html#unique-entry-id-190</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last week was busy but uneventful so I will try to make this email shorter than last weeks.


...To make it easier they switched their hours so they could work together, so I was left driving by myself the whole 3 miles there and back.   Actually it was not the drive that was so bad it was having to get up and leave at 4:30 when Doug was still comfy at home.


...We decided we were going to try for an earlier ferry so we need to get permission to shuffle our work schedule around so we can leave early.


...I didn't so I guess it will be an unsolved riddle so we can make up any story we want to.


...The trip will start in China then cruise to the South Korean island of Cheju and onto Japan and the eclipse on 7/22/09.


...It apparently is due to not enough video ram, but if you can let us know who could and could not see the pictures we can expand on our&nbsp;hypothesis.


...I thought they were going to lose it right there at the end, but managed to pull it out 9-8 over Boston.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Week of 5/19-25</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-05-28T05:50:33-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/7d3ec112d5e6042ec89a92c7f95c4e8d-189.html#unique-entry-id-189</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/7d3ec112d5e6042ec89a92c7f95c4e8d-189.html#unique-entry-id-189</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Marsha normally would have gotten a note with pictures and stuff out on Sunday or Monday but she's been under the weather.   We finally got to the doctor today and we both have strep-throat.   We're on somethingornuther-acillen, three times a day for the next ten days.   We should be feeling much better by the weekend though we'll be taking these huge pills well into our trip. interestingly enough the pills are maroon and gold.


Last weekend we planted the last of the vegetables.   Since then it's been raining nearly every day. ...  Nothing to compare to Hugo but rumbly enough for here.


Here's to a longer note this coming weekend.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Spring Colours</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-05-18T05:48:46-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/c1328b66586646c529a08df4dc8e7f0f-188.html#unique-entry-id-188</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/c1328b66586646c529a08df4dc8e7f0f-188.html#unique-entry-id-188</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In front of the house we planted two rhododendrons that will bloom deep red, a pink azalea and a red peony.   As we were doing that we also took a big part of our front yard and covered it with newspaper and mulch, a project that will grow over the summer because as far as we're concerned, the less grass to mow the better.   It was a surprise though, when we were all done we stepped back to look at our handiwork and suddenly realized that the new mulched area is in the shape of Minnesota. 

...We have some squash and cucumbers that will go in the ground in the back yard, next week as well. ...  If you see something you like, stick it in the ground it usually it will do OK. The other thing we're going to get next week is a hydranga, but we haven't decided where to put that, as of yet.&nbsp;


...For those of you who have seen the pictures we've sent of the house you know that the siding is a tan/brown and the trim is a grey green. ...  The old roof was grey so the trim went with that but our new roof is a mixture of shades of browns. ...  It's more of a paprika than a cinnamon, but we had been looking at greens (Doug likes green; the living room at the old house was green, his Mini Cooper is green, the color he turns any time someone offers him a hot-dog, well you get the idea.) ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Happy June 1st&#x21;&#x21;</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-01T05:46:56-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/935350bbbb5a6c32d3bbe5722553ac9c-187.html#unique-entry-id-187</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/935350bbbb5a6c32d3bbe5722553ac9c-187.html#unique-entry-id-187</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We are taking the 3:15 ferry and will see how far we get before we find a place to sleep. &nbsp;

...It is an older character house that they have fixed up very nice including lots of landscaping and planting in the back yard. 

...Last week she woke up to a noise in the back bedroom in her house and found that a baby&nbsp;raccoon&nbsp;had wandered in. &nbsp;  She keeps her back door open slightly so the cats can get in and out when they want and&nbsp;apparently&nbsp;the raccoon thought her house seemed like a nice place to visit, until the door blew closed and he was trapped. &nbsp;

...Comfortable as slippers, loyal as an old dog, and reliable as a hundred year old pocket watch, she was always there when we needed her. ...  She's uneconomical to repair so we'll get a different laptop, but we'll never be able to replace her.&nbsp;


...We live on a fairly busy street so it'll be a while before we let him out 'unsupervised'. &nbsp;

...As we will be on holiday for the next couple of weekends - our weekly updates will be on holiday too. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Back From Our Holiday</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-15T05:45:55-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/1ab66ebed97d294c6b014429b4b2e2a6-186.html#unique-entry-id-186</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/1ab66ebed97d294c6b014429b4b2e2a6-186.html#unique-entry-id-186</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[So we drove on some more until it started to rain again and we decided to stop for the night so we would not get caught in another rainstorm.


...In fact there were some gusts of wind where we felt like the car was actually being stopped in its tracks, but we drove on and made it to Margaret's for the night. &nbsp;

...Our plans were to stop in at our former place of employment to visit with folks and then head to Grumpys (a local bar) for drinks and chit chat. &nbsp;

...We had to be back at Suzie's to meet her Dad and step-Mom as they were coming into town for a visit. &nbsp;...  We took lots of pictures unfortunately we also left our camera at Suzie's and so we have no pictures of the trip to share.


...We had planned to leave around 4, but the electricity had gone out around 1:00 in the morning so we needed to wait until we had some more light in order to pack. &nbsp;

...We were still hoping to make it to Vancouver to catch a ferry so we did not spend a lot of time stopping, but the scenery was wonderful and definitely a place we want to go back to sometime.


We did make Vancouver in time for the ferry, but as the 8:15 ferry was already full we had to wait for the 10:45 ferry, so we made it home to Nanaimo around 1:40 and immediately went to bed. &nbsp;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Summer Has Arrived&#x21;</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-23T05:45:26-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/cb245830d572067cf22aca99caa7dc69-185.html#unique-entry-id-185</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/cb245830d572067cf22aca99caa7dc69-185.html#unique-entry-id-185</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[On Monday I was reading a book and sort of watching TV, when Doug came into the &nbsp;room and said who ordered the backhoe and dumptruck? &nbsp;  I looked up from my book, noticed our cable had just gone out and asked Doug what he was talking about. 

...We did our grocery shopping and the car started right up again so it looks like it just sat too long with no use and the battery discharged. &nbsp;

...The neighbors were out working on a new deck so when Doug was done mowing he helped haul some of the bricks from the front to the back. ...  I did not get to planting that yesterday, but am planning to do that this morning once I get our weekly letter out.


...The original job I applied for was a financial analyst which required an accounting degree of which I do not have. ...  Then brought me back and said they were interested in hiring me but as I did not have a degree would I consider a system's analyst job. ...  Well on Friday I found out that upper management decided that the financial analyst route is what they really wanted so no job offer. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Canada Day and Other News</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-30T05:44:52-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/439b88f0f08709ac15fa0778af485339-184.html#unique-entry-id-184</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/439b88f0f08709ac15fa0778af485339-184.html#unique-entry-id-184</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[He&nbsp;mentioned there was a robbery in North Vancouver, and his cousin happened to be there when it happened.&nbsp;...  He quickly subdued the robbers and even threw a bottle through the&nbsp;passenger&nbsp;window of the getaway car and took out the guy&nbsp;driving.


...I think the traditional way of honoring Canada Day is to sit down with your neighbor over a cup of tea and chat about how things are going.&nbsp;


...By the time we left there were only five people in the Pub, including the three of us. 

...Marsha had him out in the back yard while she was working in the&nbsp;garden. 

...After that we decided he was going to be under House Arrest for the remainder of the weekend. ...  Later Marsha, who was still working in the garden, looked up and saw him out in the yard again. 

...Then it will break and we will be in the 70's for the rest of July and August. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>So&#x2c; How Was Everyone&#x27;s July 4th?</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-04-16T05:43:18-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/a6b5874af28b86d87da337533a80c684-183.html#unique-entry-id-183</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/a6b5874af28b86d87da337533a80c684-183.html#unique-entry-id-183</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It started on Monday when in the middle of the afternoon a guy showed up with a box under his arm. ...  They arranged for the tech to come back the next morning (believe&nbsp;me Monday afternoon is not the time to cut half of the network off).   Doug had to go into the office at 2 am and within a couple hours the new router was up and running. ...  Fortunately, the replacement came in during the day on Thursday and because the router was completely out they were able to replace it without waiting for the middle of the night.&nbsp;


...It was the pits because that's just when we were trying to get to sleep each day. 

...This week we were setting in the living room when a deer walked into the front yard and commenced to&nbsp;browse&nbsp;on our flowers. 

...He was a bit of a jerk though and we had to keep an eye on him because all he wanted to do was chase the other cats around and show them he was the Alpha male.


...I am still waiting for my Canadian return and if it does not come in this week, I'm going to check in with our accountant to see what is going on as Doug had his return before we left on our June holiday.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Dragon Boats are Back</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-07-13T05:42:46-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/f1e3025292d9ebf1aff68802af3e285c-182.html#unique-entry-id-182</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/f1e3025292d9ebf1aff68802af3e285c-182.html#unique-entry-id-182</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The changes will be very helpful for not only for the folks working Customer Care but also for the T-Mobile customers, especially those that do not want to send or receive text messages. ...  They originally had me scheduled for full time and after getting that fixed back to my part time schedule I have been switched to 3 different teams.   When I left on Friday they still did not have my schedule correct, but I am showing up on Monday anyway and will work with my new supervisor to get it straightened out.


...The BC Lions have not started out well so I did not expect much when watching the game on Friday. 

...No that's not the amazing part. what we were surprised with was that it cost $50 to fuel the Prius. 

...The BC Coroner released information on Thursday that the remains of the right foot found on Feb 8 and the remains of a left foot found on June 16 were from the same guy. ...  Earlier this week a foot was found in Sweden but no idea if there is any relation to the BC feet.


...We thought about going yesterday but by the time we got done with all of our errands it was getting pretty warm so we put it off for a day. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Good Morning&#x21;</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-07-21T05:41:56-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/2e1e5ea27042fe9713842fa39e9dca35-181.html#unique-entry-id-181</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/2e1e5ea27042fe9713842fa39e9dca35-181.html#unique-entry-id-181</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Both Doug and I are up early so I thought I would use this time to get the weekly email out to folks.


...My new supervisor has never worked with web corr before so it is a learning experience for her, but I enjoy teaching so that is all well. 

...We went to the dentist this week - the first time since we have been on the Island. &nbsp;  All in all pretty good exams for not having been to a dentist in awhile. &nbsp;  The place is fairly high tech with the X-rays right in the exam rooms and the exam room was probably about twice as big as the one's in Health Partners. &nbsp;

...On Saturday Doug and I went to Parksville for a kite festival and took a few pictures. ...  But we did get a few pictures and have included them for you all to see.


...Washington just came forward and said they have a corpse with no feet, so the coroner's office will be working with them to get a DNA sample. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>We Finally Have Rain</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-07-27T06:45:20-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/ca5becea88998f8bcb3548a071157cd6-180.html#unique-entry-id-180</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/ca5becea88998f8bcb3548a071157cd6-180.html#unique-entry-id-180</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The deer in search of&nbsp;some nice green succulent food have totally stripped the leaves off&nbsp;of my hydrangea and peony plants. ...  It was a nice soft rain and our dry lawns and fields readily soaked it up, which&nbsp;means we may have to mow later this week. 

...This had been on our list since we bought the house so&nbsp;it was nice to finally check it off as completed. 

...This morning prior to the rain Doug and I went down to Pipers Lagoon,&nbsp;so this week's pictures are from our trip there.&nbsp; ...  We had been&nbsp;talking about the original Fantasia and Barbara had mentioned she had&nbsp;never seen the updated version. 

...I'm not sure if I had mentioned this before, but Doug and I have&nbsp;signed up for a box of vegetables to be delivered to our house each&nbsp;Sunday. ...  As of right now the box for this week has not yet&nbsp;been delivered. ...  I think he would start off well but he doesn't realize just how big deer really are. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Happy BC Day</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-08-03T06:44:01-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/9d28aa2ea81ef163cf7d2b8858bac10e-179.html#unique-entry-id-179</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/9d28aa2ea81ef163cf7d2b8858bac10e-179.html#unique-entry-id-179</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We had a light in the guest bedroom that was a bit too bright, so an earlier owner put it on a dimmer.   We also had a fan in the family room that was too small to do much good and with only one small bulb didn't put out enough light. ...  We took the light from the bedroom and put it in the family room where the two bulbs can now fill the room with light.   Then we took the fan and, after replacing the dimmer with a switch, put it in the small bedroom where it can stir up a good wind. ...  We are not sure yet how far we are going to go with the color (down the hallway and into the entry are the areas in question) but we can decide that later.


...The government put more taxes on all carbon energy sources and this was their way of making everyone feel better about paying more at the gas pump.


...It is the Swordfish II from the series Cowboy Bebop (and if you know what that is, you're as big a geek as I am). 

...I've tested this with Safari, Opera, and Firefox 2 and it seems to work, though I did notice that you it was a bit balky at first and you may need to hit reload a time or two before the thumbnails will load and work properly.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>It&#x27;s Doug&#x27;s Fault</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-08-13T06:43:25-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/94b3575b2ae8abdeb5fd9cb305c4fa26-178.html#unique-entry-id-178</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/94b3575b2ae8abdeb5fd9cb305c4fa26-178.html#unique-entry-id-178</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We were going up to the Parksville Sand Castle Festival


...(It's Doug's fault)


Here are some pictures of the sand castles


(It's Doug;' fault)


...(It's Doug's fault, really, really it is)


...As Doug is willing to take blame for how late this email is - who am I to argue.

...The front of the castle "My Dream Day"


The back of the castle "My Worst Nightmare"
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sand Castles- Part Deux</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-08-17T06:42:51-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/3a52f064c68c538a64a5764e420f6017-177.html#unique-entry-id-177</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/3a52f064c68c538a64a5764e420f6017-177.html#unique-entry-id-177</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[When I filed my taxes this year, I received a letter back saying that the birth-date on my tax form did not match what they had on file. ...  I heard back from them this week and I now have to work with the social insurance agency as they were the ones with the incorrect date. &nbsp;  They will be pulling my file and checking what I had written down. 

...As it was a beautiful sunny day at our house Doug hesitated a bit before saying 'WHAT?" ...  So Doug ran down to work to get the scoop and found out that the refrigeration unit for Save on Foods had a blocked drain. &nbsp;&nbsp;...  Keith and Doug had to move some monitors and miscellaneous office equipment but all in all nothing too much.


And finally, more about our trip to the Parksville to see the sand castles. &nbsp;  Doug tried to write it with the song the 'LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE" tune in mind, but he did it in a short period of time so hopefully you will get the idea.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Geiger Takes a Walk</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-08-25T06:41:35-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/6dadf3bde5f9444bdb1c95803d28b600-176.html#unique-entry-id-176</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/6dadf3bde5f9444bdb1c95803d28b600-176.html#unique-entry-id-176</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[But Geiger had stayed away and, well, we sort of hoped he would continue avoiding the paint smell.


...The second looked fine also, then we looked closer and noticed two perfect cat footprints in the middle of the blue. ...  He went into the kitchen and jumped up on the counter, which we've scolded him for doing in the past.   Then we noticed that after stepping in the wet paint Geiger walked across every open stretch of counter in the kitchen leaving dozens of blue footprints everywhere. 

...Dave, our prior realtor and landlord stopped by this weekend and gave us a box of prawns that he caught. &nbsp;  Barbara has agreed to make them for us later this week so we will be enjoying them soon.


...We should have taken the paw prints prior to scrubbing them off the counter, but did not.


Take care and enjoy the week and for all of you in Minnesota - have fun at the State Fair.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Day at the Beach</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-08-31T06:37:27-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/1094e5d43f0b33021720368f0ab30618-175.html#unique-entry-id-175</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/1094e5d43f0b33021720368f0ab30618-175.html#unique-entry-id-175</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Barbara and I went for a walk down at Pipers Lagoon and saw a number of jellyfish along the shore. &nbsp;...  Barbara and I were looking at our first one when a lady came over and said if you want to see a real big one - I'll show you. ...  I wish I could have done something to save it, but between being worried about being stung and having no idea how to move it - we just left it there. 

...Doug is worried we will have too many, but I think it will be a nice treat to take them out this winter to add to a bowl of ice cream or vanilla yoghurt. 

...For all of those Gilligan Island fans out there - there was an article in one of the local newspapers that the SS Minnow is now at home on the Island.   One of the owners of Quality Foods bought the boat back in 2006 and is almost done with restoring it.   The owner is talking about not only using it as a promotional tool for the store but may also offer 3 hour tours to help raise money for local charities. &nbsp;...  Although &nbsp;there were a number of replicas used during the filming of Gilligan Island - this one is the one used for the opening credits of the show setting out from a port in California.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>100 Starfish in a Row</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-09-08T06:01:33-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/d04957e7bde7eae35117b7cb417b1181-174.html#unique-entry-id-174</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/d04957e7bde7eae35117b7cb417b1181-174.html#unique-entry-id-174</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We had been over there and the light would not stay on, so he bought a new plug and switch and it is as good as new. &nbsp;...  We have a few more in the computer room and one more in the front room, but then that is it! &nbsp;

...Cosmo had brought in a snake and she was busy getting it out of the house before I showed up. ...  The timing was not so good, but she did yell a warning so I waited out front until she had the snake safely released in the back.


...Wednesday he had to go into the shop at 10:00 in the evening (the middle of the night for us).   Then on Thursday he had to go back to the shop in the evening again to deal with a lighting problem.   (They have decided that he'd be in charge of all facilities issues so now he's the one they call whenever there is a problem with lights or plumbing or trash collection etc.) 

...I went down and noticed they were taking the starfish they found high on the beach and lining them up in a row where the tide would get to them. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Another Quiet Week</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-09-14T06:00:55-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/517e18b56752acd0b226bf8746564d5f-173.html#unique-entry-id-173</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/517e18b56752acd0b226bf8746564d5f-173.html#unique-entry-id-173</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Anyway by the time we got home we just had time to grab some lunch and head out to this other job fair Marsha wanted to attend. 

...We petted her for a while and I don't know if it was the long hours, or what, but before I knew what happened I was handing my debit card to the person at the counter and we became owners of the little white cat. 

...The first night Marsha stayed in the room and slept on the couch (I had to go to work on Friday so I got the bed). 

...Saturday night we locked Momiji in her room again, this time we both got the bed, and she seemed very happy to see us in the morning. ...  When we took her to the vet (just a precautionary checkup, she's fine) the vet said she was 6 1/2 pounds and because she is a little thin she could go up to 7 but no more. ...  Because she is so small and because she spent the last 4 months in the shelter with cats up to 3 times her size Momiji is very shy.   She's stood up to Geiger a time or two when he got ornery with her but she is not pushy in any way.   Geiger on the other hand growled and strutted almost the whole first day and he&nbsp;still&nbsp;is growling and&nbsp;occasionally&nbsp;hissing but mostly I think he's curious. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Cats and a Visit and Remodelling&#x2c; Oh My...</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-09-21T06:00:04-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/c8a7c051b70381fddf78f3cfea8e8537-172.html#unique-entry-id-172</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/c8a7c051b70381fddf78f3cfea8e8537-172.html#unique-entry-id-172</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Momiji has been here for a week now and mostly it's going well. 

...At the end they always do &nbsp;3 minutes of nature and this time it was migrating Canada geese in Wisconsin.   Geiger usually ignores the TV but as soon as the honking and flapping of the geese came on he woke up. ...  As soon as the film ended and the geese stopped honking Geiger went back to sleep, I'm sure he thought he'd scared them off.


...Our house was built in '91 when this was the edge of town and Woodgrove (the biggest mall in Nanaimo or for that matter on the Island) didn't even exist.


...Unfortunately the tree we get the apples from didn't yield as much this year as last so that may be if for crisp this time around. 

...The fireplace as it looked just before we moved in with the ineffectual ceiling fan, the tan paint, and many small pictures.


The fireplace after this round of remodeling; a flush ceiling light, rich blue paint, crown moulding, and a big mirror. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Ruthie Came to Visit</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-09-28T05:59:13-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/e4d20a8873a7f9d93a8a3690cf8f0f8f-171.html#unique-entry-id-171</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/e4d20a8873a7f9d93a8a3690cf8f0f8f-171.html#unique-entry-id-171</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Doug's Mom, Ruthe came up to visit this week and unfortunately was met with typical Island fall weather as it rained most every day. &nbsp;  But she still got a chance to visit with Barbara and Doug. ...  She is now spending a few days with Doug's sister Jean in Oregon.


...Sometimes one will stop and will hide, waiting to jump out when the other one realizes he/she is no longer being chased.


...On Friday we went to a couple of garage sales in Lantzville and picked up a few items. ...  Doug checked it out when we got home and found $1.25 still in it, so in essence they paid me to take it. ...  It was much like many other china plates we've seen except for two things; the Royal Stewart pattern name on the back, and the pentagram on the front. 

...I also picked up a few strawberry plants and a couple of lupins which I planted today. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fall Is In The Air</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-10-05T05:58:29-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/bf6fcda700ea68556ea4662ac855673a-170.html#unique-entry-id-170</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/bf6fcda700ea68556ea4662ac855673a-170.html#unique-entry-id-170</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Doug and I are not able to vote here as we are not citizens but none the less we are very interested to see who wins. ...  His main opponents are Stephane Dion - Liberal Party who does not speak English as well as French is his native tongue and Jack Layton - New Democratic Party (NDP) who is for, among other things, legalizing marijuana.. &nbsp;

...The rain started again this week so I was only able to pick apples on Monday. ...  This was further into the field than I normally go and when I turned to go back to Barbara's house I discovered two more trees in the back corner that were full of apples. 

...Barbara does not have a carrier so I brought ours over hoping I could get one of them in there and Barbara planned to carry the other one in a pillowcase. &nbsp;

...Once we got to the vets, Cosmo had settled down and in fact did not want to get out to get weighed (11.5 pounds) or to get shots. &nbsp;...  Miss Sesame on the other hand wanted to make sure everyone knew she was not happy and continued to yowl even when Barbara had let her out of the pillowcase. &nbsp;

...Next Monday, October 13 is also Thanksgiving here in Canada and as stated above October 14 is Election Day, so we will be busy. you gotta love a place that has 2 Thanksgivings. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Happy Thanksgiving</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-10-13T05:57:48-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/9c1d816057e0e04d5d87e14db6dba655-169.html#unique-entry-id-169</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/9c1d816057e0e04d5d87e14db6dba655-169.html#unique-entry-id-169</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It will be a small group, just Barbara, Mike, Doug and I but we will be with family so that is nice.


...Pat has a conference that started today in Seattle so they thought since they were so close they'd&nbsp;mosey on up. &nbsp;...  It was the first time since we moved here that I had been south of Nanaimo so it was very nice to take the drive down. &nbsp;  On the way back we stopped in Chemainus (town known for it's murals) for lunch and a quick walk around town before jumping in the car for the rest of the drive home.


...There was a marathon in Victoria so the street we normally took to go to the ferries was closed, but luckily we found another way so they made their ship in time.


...So instead here is a picture of Barbara's neighbor's horse waiting for me to bring him apples and some sea otters frolicking in the ocean.


For those of you on this email list that know Dave Dean or have heard me talk about my friend in Chicago. 

...They would go under the water and I'd try to take a few steps before they would pop back up to check where I was.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Thanksgiving Week&#x2c; Canadian Elections Are Over&#x21;&#x21;</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-10-19T05:56:53-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/f4ac9cfbd9fb228d759cc6dda0db4283-168.html#unique-entry-id-168</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/f4ac9cfbd9fb228d759cc6dda0db4283-168.html#unique-entry-id-168</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Marsha does not normally work on Monday's but since she would get time and a half for the holiday she also went in,After work we went over to Barbara's for the real Thanksgiving dinner including pumpkin pie. &nbsp;

...The big news is that the New Democratic Party (NDP) took a number of seats from the Liberal Party and Stephane Dion is scheduled to step down as the head of the party. &nbsp;

...She asked the clerk to make sure there was enough postage because she wanted to make sure her vote for Obama made it to Oregon in time.   Everyone in the post office cheered her on, so I guess you can tell who Canadians (at least on the Island) would prefer to have in the White House.


...We had a newspaper waiting for us when we returned and it had an article about a new mural being unveiled on Wednesday. 

...Marsha's iBook had passed away several months ago and my PowerBook is obviously nearing the end of its life so we decided to get a new laptop for me and a new one for Marsha so she wouldn't need to share mine. ...  It was loaded on the plane yesterday, but I just checked again and apparently the airline offloaded the shipment while still on the ramp in Shanghai and it has just been sitting since then. 

...On the way up to Nanaimo&nbsp; we stopped at a great scenic overlook near the top of the Malahat Pass, so there are a couple of pictures from there too.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Weekly</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-10-26T05:56:18-07:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/ffc7c12128514d6307e16d15f214c77e-167.html#unique-entry-id-167</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/ffc7c12128514d6307e16d15f214c77e-167.html#unique-entry-id-167</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last week we told you how we placed the &nbsp;order on the 16th and it was assembled and put on the plane in Shanghai on the 18th only to be removed again. ...  I was just about to call UPS to ask what was &nbsp;going on when my MacBook showed up in Louisville Kentucky.   Now, I'm not &nbsp;sure what was going on for two and a half days, or for that matter &nbsp;why it went to Louisville.   I'm not the expert on how UPS runs &nbsp;things. but unless they flew it there on a DC-3 it seems like ti took an awfully long time to arrive.   Anyway after a day in Louisville, I guess it stopped for dinner after the long flight from Alaska, the MacBook was on the &nbsp;move again.


...After a three &nbsp;hour flight to Buffalo, the MacBook crossed the border and after a &nbsp;two hour flight arrived in Hamilton Ontario.   Then there was a two &nbsp;hour flight to Winnipeg Manitoba, a second two hour flight to &nbsp;Calgary Alberta, and then a third two hour flight to Richmond, BC (a suburb of Vancouver). 

...I &nbsp;called UPS and found that it had just missed the truck (it's a small route so yes it is THE truck) which apparently &nbsp;sets out at 7:00am. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Good News / Bad News</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-11-02T05:55:36-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/6a0c9ea517388d02a78342bd213bb625-166.html#unique-entry-id-166</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/6a0c9ea517388d02a78342bd213bb625-166.html#unique-entry-id-166</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In this case the combination of a small clinic and more people than they expected meant that the nurse was filling the syringes at the front desk. ...  By the time we got to the front of the line there was just no way it was going to happen. 

...We seldom if ever used the ATMs. When we need cash we go to the Credit Union anyway, so it won't be a huge handicap.   But if someone skims the card again they won't be able to get cash, which is what they nearly always want.


...I was sure I knew what the outcome would be anyway so what would the point of staying up late and being a zombie at work.


...He seems to be much calmer now, but he was just a little monster in the middle of last week.


...I had no problem with making a really good bean soup but I had my heart set on Chili. 

...Yes we made it last week but after packing containers for lunch packs we ended up not having any left over for dinner. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Show Me The Money - We Got IT Back</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-11-10T05:54:41-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/fa03a504bd95f0a285549ea4db4c4177-165.html#unique-entry-id-165</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/fa03a504bd95f0a285549ea4db4c4177-165.html#unique-entry-id-165</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In this case the combination of a small clinic and more people than they expected meant that the nurse was filling the syringes at the front desk. ...  By the time we got to the front of the line there was just no way it was going to happen. 

...We seldom if ever used the ATMs. When we need cash we go to the Credit Union anyway, so it won't be a huge handicap.   But if someone skims the card again they won't be able to get cash, which is what they nearly always want.


...I was sure I knew what the outcome would be anyway so what would the point of staying up late and being a zombie at work.


...He seems to be much calmer now, but he was just a little monster in the middle of last week.


...I had no problem with making a really good bean soup but I had my heart set on Chili. 

...Yes we made it last week but after packing containers for lunch packs we ended up not having any left over for dinner. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Local Elections Are Done. Yippee&#x21;&#x21;</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-11-17T05:53:56-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/8ea83246d80a91757cda6dc4fac72c95-164.html#unique-entry-id-164</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/8ea83246d80a91757cda6dc4fac72c95-164.html#unique-entry-id-164</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I am working at the Customer Service desk at the Real Canadian Super Store and so far I am really enjoying it. &nbsp;  The Customer Service desk is where everyone has to go if they want to purchase cigarettes and I am getting a real education on how many different kinds and brands there are. &nbsp;  The first day I felt like everyone was speaking a foreign language when they came up to the desk for their cigarette purchase.   BC no longer allows cigarette or smoking items to be displayed out in the open so everything is in a very large cabinet (8 different doors). &nbsp;

...I met to get this out before I left to walk with Barbara this morning, but since I did not, I now have some pictures to share.   Barbara and I walked around the mall this morning while waiting for the oil to be changed on her car. &nbsp;  On my way home I decided to stop by Piper's Lagoon for another walk since the day was so nice. 

...By the way, the BC Lions lost to Calgary on Saturday so they will not be in this year's Grey Cup. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Momiji Medicals&#x2c; Ugly Floor&#x2c; Tech Wizardry&#x2c; and Psycho Bush</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-11-23T05:52:59-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/1fea50fa07771f9efdd6aab1bfa5f9a8-163.html#unique-entry-id-163</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/1fea50fa07771f9efdd6aab1bfa5f9a8-163.html#unique-entry-id-163</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Her wound where Geiger nipped her a couple weeks ago had gotten infected and her natural method of treatment, clawing at it with the same paw she just used in the litter box, didn't seem to help. ...  Anyway, we're getting rather good at giving her the medicine but she is also getting really good at struggling and wriggling to get away. 

...Last week we mentioned that we ordered a garage door and because it was on sale we also&nbsp;bought&nbsp;four boxes of flooring for the foyer. ...  The kind of stone floor you'd expect to see in an Anglo-Saxon house in North Wales that nobody had lived in for a couple of centuries.   The sorts of stones found in the&nbsp;dungeon of a ruined castle where bears hibernated on the first floor and went downstairs to relieve themselves rather than going out in the cold Scottish winter night.&nbsp;


...It looked OK in the store,&nbsp;but I&nbsp;absolutely hated the pattern when it was in our house,( in case you had not picked up on that yet, sometimes I don't make my opinions very clear when I'm writing). 

...I started to hunt down a replacement board when it hit me: I haven't changed channels or adjusted the volume by walking over to the TV in years. 

...Cat's getting better, TV's working again, Computer is working just fine; all in all this was a good week.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Foggy Place</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-12-01T05:52:23-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/248653d723f41be7c5c757a1fe6eb4c9-162.html#unique-entry-id-162</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/248653d723f41be7c5c757a1fe6eb4c9-162.html#unique-entry-id-162</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This week we've been wandering around in a fog.   Not a figurative fog, literally it has been foggy for days. ...  Not cold, it's been around 10 degrees C., (50 F) in the afternoons.   The fog absorbs sound so it's been quiet. ...  Like being on an island away from all the stress, away from the hustle and bustle, the&nbsp;hurly&nbsp;burley of holiday shopping, the political talking heads, the worries of the real world.


...We ARE on an island away from all the stress and hustle and bustle.&nbsp;


...If you remember last week we told you about the strange plant in the back that is blooming.   Today we noticed that one of the&nbsp;rhododendrons&nbsp;in the front is blooming as well.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>News of the Weird</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-12-07T05:51:33-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/1726b99ff8594505472aaea7f0442da9-161.html#unique-entry-id-161</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/1726b99ff8594505472aaea7f0442da9-161.html#unique-entry-id-161</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This has lead to a shortage of winter and snow tires throughout Canada, odd because the law was passed over a year ago but apparently people just now realized that 'all cars' included them. ...  It is not illegal to have a parked car with summer tires, only to be driving it in the winter, and spinning all tires pretty much look the same.&nbsp;


...In the claim he alleged that he was subjected to invasive computer interface technology, research, experiments, field studies and surgery conducted by the University of British Columbia, the RCMP, Microsoft, Google, Telus, Wal-Mart, Cyber Logic, Great Canadian Gaming, the Provincial Sheriff&rsquo;s Department, the Province of B.C., and all physicians licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. 

...This week after the PM Steven Harper delivered a budget outlook that essentially did nothing for Canadians hit by the downturn in the economy, the Liberal Party and the New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois (who normally no one will talk to) set aside their differences and formed a coalition.   They were going to table a vote of No Confidence which would have brought down the Tory Government but Stephan Harper did not want to loose his job so first he used a parliamentary maneuver to get the vote delayed by a week. ...  On top of this is the leader of the Liberal Party Stephan Dion, no relation to the singer though both are from Quebec as well and he is amazingly enough even more annoying than she. ...  The people who support Stephan Harper and the Torys are claiming they were elected with a mandate and it would be undemocratic to replace them now. ...  The Coalition supporters say only a coalition with 60% of the vote has a mandate and a group built on compromise and cooperation would do a better job than the autocratic Harper. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>It&#x27;s Snowing</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-12-14T05:50:52-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/4f2dd13480909d2e7d1a239de30aa65d-160.html#unique-entry-id-160</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/4f2dd13480909d2e7d1a239de30aa65d-160.html#unique-entry-id-160</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In fact is has been snowing on and off since Friday morning so we have a nice layer of snow. &nbsp;...  He said it was because of the snow and that he did not want to be caught at home with no smokes.


...On Friday he came home for a couple of hours, went back at 4:00, came home at 6:00, caught a couple hours of sleep, went back to the office at 12:00 and stayed until 2:30 in the morning. 

...The new job means a 25% raise, normal work hours, 2 weeks vacation and another 2 weeks 'bonus' vacation that everyone gets each year.   The company prefers OpenSource software, Linux, OpenOffice, etc. wherever possible and most of the time Doug will be able to work from home.


...Anyway Geiger has been sneezing a lot, drinking fluids, and generally acting the way we do when we have a cold. 

...With Doug's new job he will be working at home more. ...  And since he would be working in there a lot with the new job, a new paint job was needed. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>We Lied</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-12-21T05:50:24-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/f6b0198bc3a09a54827560d4f5621392-159.html#unique-entry-id-159</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/f6b0198bc3a09a54827560d4f5621392-159.html#unique-entry-id-159</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[But there was a little bit of snow that night so we&nbsp;decided&nbsp;to wait a day or two until it had melted. 

...OK 20 is not cold to those of you in Minnesota but for us out here it's a bit of a shock.&nbsp;


...By the time I set out for home there was a couple of inches on the ground. ...  Marsha and I and a couple of neighbors spent the next 20 minutes digging the Mini out and pushing it up the driveway.&nbsp;


...Home Depot had a big sign on the front window that said OUT OF SNOW SHOVELS, BLOWERS, AND ICE MELT SALT. DON'T EVEN ASK. 

...Actually first we got stuck in the driveway, but after a few minutes work we were on our way.   We took Barbara, as her car was just a lump in the snow at that point. &nbsp;...  When I got up I shoveled the driveway and went out to pick up Marsha from work. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>We Lied Part 2</title><dc:creator>Douglas Aalseth</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home Page</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-12-28T05:49:49-08:00</dc:date><link>http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/5ac7b034ea9689d371bd5d34732dbdcd-158.html#unique-entry-id-158</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://douglas.aalseth.net/blog-2/blog-6/files/5ac7b034ea9689d371bd5d34732dbdcd-158.html#unique-entry-id-158</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The snow is about half gone and if this holds then, outside of the heaps in the corners of parking lots, the snow will be gone by next weekend.


...Only about 1 mm and we could tell just by looking at it that the ice was really soft, but they were frozen over. 

...The biggest problem was that the mix of ice, slush, and water made it so we couldn't even stand, let alone push the car. 

...The upshot of this was that in addition to trying to keep the car on the road, not hit the berm or other skating cars, we had to worry about wayward pedestrians walking in the roadway. ...  Of course this is a town where we saw them trying to clear the snow on the road with a road grader so we had a pretty good feeling for how unprepared Nanaimo was for this kind of weather.


Speaking of shoveling things, As I mentioned last week we've had to shovel the driveway at least once a day. 

...I needed a haircut, some new shoes, (there's nothing like a shoe blowout and wet socks to let you know it's time for a new pair) and my phone was misbehaving. ...  I also have been trying to get a copy of the last Narnia movie on DVD but the only copes they have are Blue-Ray. ]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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