Happy Valentine's Day

Just finished attempting to repair iTunes after it managed to freeze up my computer for the second time in an hour.  While I was at it rolled Internet Explorer back to version 6 for the second time.  I should know better!  I've come to expect system resource hogging, bloated programmes from Microsoft but with version 7 of iTunes, Apple has conjured up a rotten fruit.  Surely they don't think one uses a $ 3,000 computer solely to run their software.  I like to write letters, read E-mail, browse, and edit picture files with musical accompaniment but for reasons I don't understand when iTunes cycles from one file to another it tends to freeze up my computer for up to a minute at a time.  This morning it froze up completely.  Recently my Windows Explorer has been crashing as well.  Expect I need to get more memory but not sure if I want to add to the present configuration or look at replacing it outright. 

 

I'm in "hanging on by my fingernails" mode for the next week pending my upcoming vacation.  I've planned a visit to my sister in Halifax to get away from it all and scheduled a visit to my land surveyor as a side trip.  On Tuesday this week some harsh reality intruded upon my hopes of a stress-free visit.  Apparently in anticipation of my visit my surveyor had some "on the ground" work to complete and stirred up a hornet's nest when they ran into the fact that one of my "neighbours" has taken liberties with my property in constructing a "camp" on it.  Not the kind of situation I wanted to have to confront during a vacation but apparently one of the joys of being an absentee land-owner. 

 

Tuesday evening attended my bi-monthly Community Policing Consultation Committee Meeting.  As expected I retained the position of Secretary unopposed—in fact the meeting was sparsely attended probably by those unwilling to hold office.  I have minutes I've been putting off writing but must get to.  Of note is the number of cars people have left running to warm up with the doors unlocked—an alarming number have departed without their drivers.  Also the number of calls for service received by Halton Police Service in the first 5 weeks of 2007—8700—one every five minutes 24 hours a day. 

 

Also on Tuesday I picked up a copy of Flags of Our Fathers and after watching it twice have written a review on my sister blog.  "War, what is it good for?  Absolutely Nothing!"  Well it may be good for munitions manufacturers.  And, given the expense of decommissioning aging stockpiles using weapons is probably cheaper than rendering them safe.  Which begs the question as to what we do with obsolete nuclear warheads? 

 

Wednesday after work I had my hearing tested.  Nothing particularly wrong but as expected years of sinus trouble and the drugs used to treat it have taken their toll.  Whether I actually need to be tested again so soon, or what good it will do in any case the technician liked my business well enough to want to do it again in one year's time.  Her solution to tinnitus—ringing in the ears—is to listen to music.  Guess it's akin to the solution to engine noise in a car. 

 

Not much else to report.  I've been exercising my culinary skills at work at the behest of our superintendent making mulled cider to warm the troops after they return from delivering mail in sub zero temperatures.  Brought the coffee pot home to clean it out this weekend.  At least for once I actually got several compliments on my efforts. 

 

A Happy Valentines to everyone.

 

 

Ground Hog Blues

For the record, this groundhog saw his shadow yesterday and would love to crawl into his "Hobbit Hole" until spring. Get a load of this weather forecast:

Issued: 5.00 AM EST Saturday 3 February 2007 Today: Sunny with cloudy periods. Becoming cloudy this afternoon with a few flurries. Amount 2 cm. Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50. High minus 10. Wind chill minus 26 this morning. Tonight: A few flurries ending this evening then cloudy periods. Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50. Low minus 18. Wind chill minus 29. Sunday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Becoming cloudy in the afternoon with 40 percent chance of flurries late in the day. Local blowing snow in the afternoon. Wind west 30 km/h increasing to 50 gusting to 70 early in the afternoon. High minus 14. Wind chill minus 30. Monday: Cloudy with 70 percent chance of flurries. Low minus 17. High minus 10. Tuesday: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries. Low minus 17. High minus 11. Wednesday: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries. Low minus 14. High minus 10.

Needless to say the Arctic Jet Stream still has Southern Ontario in focus.

On a positive note tomorrow morning I will have no excuse not to defrost my deep freeze at last. The balmy weather we "enjoyed" through the Christmas and New Year Period prevented my doing this chore at that time.

For all the problems my own Condominium Apartment Building has had in the last week two buildings in Oakville suffered worse. The rental building to our north suffered a break in the weld at the top of its fire-fighting standpipe resulting in a flood augmented by the high-pressure fire-pump in the basement. I feel for the poor wretches who had their earthly possessions soaked by that deluge—insurance, however good hardly covers the loss. A sister Condo suffered a fire in an electrical panel resulting in a fire-call that shut down traffic in the area. I consider myself fortunate that I wasn't caught up in that one as I drive by that building on my way to and from work every day.

My E-mail "In-Box" is empty this morning. No one I correspond with has written me in over a week. Guess everyone is busy shoveling snow and sanding ice? I can't boast that I've accomplished that much more myself. I've already written about my miss-adventure with Office 2007 so I won't bore you further. I continue to attempt to keep up with the items I download to iTunes, but it is fun. I have also listened to the latest from Harry Connick Jr. and managed to catch up on my electronic magazines. My reading has suffered though I'm still making progress reading Can Lit Poets. Dipped into The Waltons though this romanticized version of life in the Blue Ridge at the height of the depression occasionally gets a might saccharin—see review in my sister blog. For a complete change of pace I've switched to a copy of Little Boy Blue which I managed to locate. The West Family personifies the concept of dysfunctional family but let's be honest; the main draw here is the opportunity to watch the camera pan lovingly over Ryan Phillippe's virile young naked body.

I continue to plug away at preparations for my upcoming vacation. I've been working on adapting shopping list software to my needs. If I keep it up I'll soon have my entire life recorded on a Hard Drive:

http://www.homeplansoftware.com/shoplist.htm

The software is freeware and recommended.

It has just occurred to me that it's now February and I haven't changed my calendars as yet. Luckily the computer automatically updates itself. Windows XP even does a decent job of keeping track of time as well. Guess I'll finish up for the moment and go attend to those calendars.

Kvetching About Microsoft Again

Yiddish is so expressive, No? 

 

Decided it might be interesting to try out a newer version of Word and decided to give Office 2007—released Tuesday January 30^th—a try.  The Home and Student Version is affordable and contains Power Point and Excel as well as the much-vaunted new One Note about which I was curious.  After considerable research I discovered that Microsoft is offering it in a downloadable trial version.   I suppose I should be thankful for Sympatico's unlimited bandwidth policy—the download is 300 MB—and the speed of my connection—I successfully got it in less than 30 minutes at 8:00 PM in the evening. 

 

I must say that the install went cleanly and without incident though once again I must comment about the incredulity felt by a customer who must immediately download and install updates for software that has just been released.  Why didn't they do it right in the first place?  The trial period is gracious being 60 days and was offered pre-release in stores.  Attempted to add some templates to One Note and discovered that some of them didn't seem to arrive. 

 

Things started going wrong when I decided to try out Word 2007.  In the first place documents created in this new version are not backward compatible—unless you install a 27 MB converter pack.  When I clicked on the shortcut to open the programme the cobwebs started growing as I waited for it to load—Microsoft gives you no option to disable the splash screen as any programme of theirs opens.  The first thing that hit me when it did open was the fact that the Graphical User Interface occupies the top half of one's screen.  In a continuing campaign to dumb down its programming Microsoft has abandoned smartcoms in favour of showing the user all the options visually.  If this is any indication of what Vista is going to be like I'll be avoiding it like the plague—at least XP gave one the option of using a "classic" desktop.  The final nail in the coffin came when I clicked on the "Send To" Menu—E-mail options were all grayed out.  Obviously this Word does not recognize Outlook Express, (at least in Windows XP), and Outlook doesn't come with this version of Office.  Since writing E-mail is 95% of my purpose in using Word its fate was now sealed. 

 

After the requisite shut down of running programmes I went through the uninstall process and rebooted.  Word 2002 then needed some repairing and the settings had to be restored—luckily I used the utility to back them up earlier.  Satisfied that everything was now working properly I went back into Windows Settings and disabled Restore—I don't trust it normally, finding it uses too much space and doesn't do as much as claimed; then I deleted the download.

 

In summary, One Note may be a useful programme but Ever Note Lite does all the same things and for free!  I've never used Power Point so I don't know what I'm missing and I'm swimming in spread sheet programmes so I don't actually need Excel.  Guess I'll be sticking with Works Suite.  I like to update Streets and Trips every now and then along with Encarta but may wait another year for that.  Buying the entire Suite is cheaper than getting individual updates.  So there you have it.  I suppose I should be thankful that the free trial enabled me to make these discoveries at no cost beyond my time.  

Songwriter's Circle

Despite freezing rain and ice pellets last night I hied me down to the Oakville Centre for what was billed as 'Songwriter's Circle'.  Joel Kroeker from Manitoba performs with Randy Bachman and looks like he could be his love-child.  Tal Bachman was born with music in his genes.  Andy Kim on the other hand is a generation removed from the other two and has connections with Ron Sexsmith and Ed Robertson, (Bare Naked Ladies).  Except for an association with the same agent I'm not sure how he got paired with these young turks.  Once he started performing I recognized songs like "Sugar, Sugar".  Joel and Tal did their own accompaniment but Andy had one Terry Gowan in tow to perform beautifully on the grand piano and on guitar.  One got the feeling that these two had a closer connection. 

 

In welcoming the audience mention was made of the printer of the Centre's programme.  A closer examination of that document would make one hope they did it for free—just who are (sic), "The Bind Boys of Alabama".  Just one of the many typos.  Joking mention was made after the intermission of the arm wrestling match that took place backstage.  Tal was quick to declare that they were all winners but Joel sports one impressive set of thighs; Tal, slim hips.  Reference was made to the wandering life of a singer/songwriter but it became obvious they depend on someone else to arrange their travels.  Joel has finished a Masters in Ethno-musicology and Tal is working on his Doctorate but he was repeatedly ribbed about naively grabbing a cab to Oakville from the airport during rush hour and Joel, though he spent some time in Haiti, didn't seem to know that it was on the island of Hispaniola. 

 

Aside from demonstrating the strikingly different musical styles of these three musicians who performed in turn; one would hope that if they continue this format they warm to each other enough to work together more closely on stage.  Singers accustomed to having a band at their backs require a great deal of courage to go solo and the strain of concentrating on playing guitar while remembering lines without a teleprompter was often obvious.  This group need a bit more practice before they can give an audience the sense of a group of friends gathering to swap stories and song.  The twenty minutes it took to scrap the ice off my windshield made me kind of wish I'd bought a couple of Joel's CD's rather than a ticket that required me to leave home this night.  The power black-out that interrupted the writing of this review proves the storm continues. 

Safely Through Another Week

The year 2007 is now 3 weeks old and certain themes are beginning to become apparent. 

 

Lake Ontario has cooled sufficiently and the Arctic Jet Stream switched direction enough to bring winter finally to Southern Ontario.  It arrived Sunday Night as a massive ice storm and the deep freeze that followed ensured that those who sell rock salt and provide auto-body repair services are well compensated.  Letter Carriers on the other hand are learning to creep around on pull-on cleats.  In the Vancouver Area a driver who was not so accustomed fell on the ice hitting the back of his head to his death.  I now have the right weather to defrost my deep freeze; what I lack is the enthusiasm for the task. 

 

What can anyone say about the Vietnam War that hasn't already been written over and over?  The passage of time, the objectivity of distance and non-involvement, and the act of watching 11 of the 14 DVD's that constitute the series, Tour of Duty, almost back to back leads me to make certain conclusions about the objectives of the creators of this series.  In the first place Sony Pictures have a nerve to call this "The Complete Series" when it is now obvious that they failed to negotiate a deal with the Rolling Stones for the use the series' theme music, "Paint It Black" in any of the episodes.  We've all heard about the demoralization factor in being drafted unwillingly to fight a war in a country that's been at war for generations while the people back home are protesting the fact that it's still ongoing.  It becomes obvious that the enemy here is war itself.  It can be argued that the pursuit of war is good for business but the costs in human terms on both sides are horrendous.  How can you win a war when it is impossible to tell your allies from your enemies and even your allies wish you'd go home?  The oxymoron status of the term "military intelligence" is reinforced repeatedly.  Rear-echelon Generals would rather trust information gained from surveillance aircraft 5 miles up than the instincts of the men on the ground.  What is most pointedly driven home is the slow descent into madness visited upon the men who fight what seems a pointless battle day after day.  I have now witnessed the series' representation of the My Lai Massacre and the first suicide by a monk by soaking in gasoline and lighting a match.  The pointlessness of attempting to rescue a people who don't want to be rescued, on their own turf which they have known intimately for centuries and are willing to die defending was never more plain.  The sad truth is that we've learned so little from history—the Americans and British in Iraq and the Canadian Army in Afghanistan.  Does anyone actually think we're ever going to find Osama bin Laden?  Does the term "pyrrhic victory" come to mind?  Has anyone seen the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

 

http://thewall-usa.com/index.asp

 

On a personal level I lost interest in cooking this week especially after the events of last; so I ate out three times.  First at Bronte Chinese Cuisine at Hopedale Mall on the recommendation of friends—it's been over a decade since I went out for Chinese Food.  Then at the Niblick Pub in Upper Oakville Plaza on chicken curry in pita packets with salad. And finally at Swiss Chalet opposite the Go Station where for once they actually got my order correct—the food is good otherwise.  Speaking of eating, on Monday I actually got a compliment on the care I give my mouth from my dentist's hygienist. 

 

I should go grocery shopping now but somehow I lack the enthusiasm for that task as well.  Should I take in the Golden Griddles Buffet Brunch?  Before I do either I still need to shave. 

Assessing the Week that was.

Nearly two weeks of 2007 are already history and already certain familiar themes are making themselves felt. 

 

The weather here in Southern Ontario south of the Niagara Escarpment continues to be wet, mild, and drear.  I'm fairly certain there's a sun up there somewhere but from our vantage point it's been largely a stranger.  Mind you the fact I leave for work over four hours before sunrise, work inside, and then go home for a nap that ends after sunset doesn't help. 

 

Modern science has once again established that my medical problems are all in my head—my sinuses and trachea as a matter of fact.  Being seven years past my fiftieth birthday I was told a colonoscopy was in order.  There's nothing like entering a hospital, even a good one, to make one aware of one's place in the scheme of things.  In Ontario colonoscopies are booked twelve years in advance—and even then the doctor rescheduled it two weeks in advance.  That one is a number is established upon arrival when one is prompted to pick one to be served.  God forbid you arrive late.  At that point the theme of hurry up and wait is established.  Somehow I forgot to take my book with me and was forced to occupy myself with an issue of Canadian Living.  I learned all about balsamic vinegar and that Melatonin can now legally be sold in Canada—did you know that?  First one waits in the outer office, then in the outpatient's room.  Assigned a bed one is presented with the infamous backless gown and told to strip to one's socks.  An IV Stent is inserted and the waiting begins.  One hour later one is wheeled into the examination room.  There one waits another half hour—this time without one's glasses—the auto-blood pressure cup is timed.  Upon arrival without explanation and barely a greeting the specialist starts ramming drugs into one's veins—that actually hurt.  I'd agreed to sedation; what I didn't expect was that I wouldn't regain consciousness until the indignities were complete and I was back in the day room.  At this point the results were shouted from twenty feet across a crowded room.  Five years before the next insult.  Guess I'm supposed to feel relieved.  Anyone who has had such diagnostic work performed knows that it's the "preparation" that makes it such a joy.  I may never look at Jell-0 again.  The purgative costs $ 25.00!  The irony of arriving home from work for the second round to find the apartment building's water supply shut down lacked some humour at the time.  Yes I actually went into work after spending an entire evening on the porcelain throne. 

 

So went the first half of my week.  I actually lost 5 pounds in 2 days and have replaced only 2 of them.  Apparently someone wanted a night off as I arrived Friday to news that there'd been a bomb scare at the plant.  I pity the poor dog's bodies that have to search a building that size.  Our mail arrived late and we'll probably pay for it on Monday.  One thing there is no lack of is junk mail. 

 

I continue to have what are euphemistically called senior's moments.  How I managed to forget to renew the sticker on my car's license plate and drive it for six months like that—I live beside a police station—I really don't know.  The fact that it read 06 and it is now 07 was probably the tip off yesterday.  Don't know about you, but I'm not accustomed to being pulled over by unmarked cars.  The sticker is now in place. 

 

I'll be visiting my sister near Halifax in February and I'm presently on a mission to expose them to a few of the cultural events available in their area.  Just booked tickets to the ballet at the Rebecca Cohn.  Marvelous what one can do online at this distance.  We're now negotiating an evening of Dinner Theatre. 

 

Last Sunday I walked down to witness the Mayor's Levee marking Oakville's 150^th Anniversary.  Lots of hot air but no worthwhile libations to mark the occasion.  A new unused snow plough, a brand new bus were on display—half a mil each; along with the fire department's new sky crane—c.5 mil that one.  The exercise was good for me. 

 

Updated my OS with Microsoft's latest futile attempts to keep ahead of malicious internet users.  Somehow they manage to create more problems than they fix.  The recommended new driver for my pivoting screen is incompatible with Windows XP.  Took an evening to remember how to boot into 'Safe Mode', uninstall it, and re-install the original.  Some time I'll learn to leave well enough alone. 

 

And there you have my week.  Tell me about yours. 

 

Sceptics

We live in an era in which our children are not allowed to celebrate "Christmas" in their classrooms, it is argued that church property should be taxed, and malcontents complain about the ringing of church bells—(because it's too early for them to go Sunday shopping?)  In that context it is interesting to know that this little doggerel was written over a century ago.

 

 

The Sceptics

 

Said Grass, "What is that sound

So dismally profound,

That detonates and desolates the air?"

 

"That is St. Peter's bell,"

Said rain-wise Pimpernel;

"He is music to the godly,

Though to us he sounds so oddly,

And he terrifies the faithful unto prayer."

 

Said Grass, "And whither track

These creatures all in black,

So woebegone and penitent and meek?"

 

"They're mortals bound for church,"

Said the little Silver Birch;

"They hope to get to heaven

And have their sins forgiven,

If they talk to God about it once a week."

 

Said Grass, "What is that noise

That startles and destroys

Our blessed summer brooding when we're tired?"

 

"That's folk a-praising God,"

Said the tough old cynic Clod;

"They do it every Sunday,

They'll be all right on Monday;

It's just a little habit they've acquired."

 

                        --Bliss Carman  (the guy who wrote "The Ships of Yule")

 

 

In another aside, now that I'm forced to arise at 2:30 AM for a 4:00 AM shift and although we live in a 24/7 society it would seem the world still begins at 7:00. I'm beginning to feel a mild sense of discrimination.  Weather reports refer to tonight's weather—but it's actually last night's; today in history is a day old; the comics are yesterday's; and the news is history.

 

 

New Years 2007

I'm not normally into navel gazing and I'll attempt not to indulge in a 2006 retrospective today.  Obviously a lot happened in 2006.  The inundation of New Orleans has been covered ad nauseam but I just finished listening to a podcast from CBC about some food writers who have established a recipe exchange for people who lost their recipes for comfort food when their homes were buried by the floods. 

 

http://www.nola.com/food/

 

No matter what the story it seems it's always possible to find a new angle. 

 

Not much new under the sun around Oakville, including the lack of sunshine.  The sun actually put in a brief watery appearance this morning but that didn't last long.  By evening we can count on rain again.  I'm trying to decide if I want to walk down to Town Hall next Sunday to attend the new mayor's New Years Levee.  Seems to me they're a week late and a dollar short.  Did I mention he wasn't my choice for mayor?

 

It isn't raining yet so I suppose I should get out for a stroll for my health's sake. 

 

The best to everyone in 2007. 

No Global Warming?

George Bush may question the authenticity of Global Warning but world events might give him pause to think about the definite possibility that it exists. I, for one need no convincing. A symbol of the Canadian Arctic that loaned its outline to North-West Territories license plates, the polar bear, may become extinct for lack of ice floes to enable it to hunt seals. The ice bridges that enabled trucking to northern communities in winter can no longer be trusted. Inuit in the High Arctic can no longer trust sea ice for transportation and hunting. Diseases, funguses, and moulds that were formerly unknown in Canada are managing to survive in our soil and crops over-winter and now threaten our health. For the second year in a row there will be no ice wine harvest in Canada as temperatures are not cold enough to support its harvest. And for the same reason I will not be able to store the contents of my deep freeze on my balcony while I defrost it this weekend.

In other news we learn of the hanging of a Koran-clutching Saddan Hussein. The dispatch with which this sentence was carried out by Islamic Justice seems remarkable considering that the appeal process in America would have delayed his execution by five to seven years. Methinks the Yankee Infidel may well live to rue the creation of such a martyr to the cause.

Twas the Week Before Christmas

Here it is Christmas Eve, ready or not. At least I got away without having to work this weekend. Last Sunday morning I went in to work for four hours and assisted Linda, a fellow employee, in sorting nearly 2000 Christmas Parcels. The good news is that I didn't have to deliver them. Indulged myself afterward with a Buffet Brunch at the Golden Griddle. When I got home learned that a friend had died and sort of felt like I'd had the stuffing knocked out of me. Any plans I'd had to get chores done fell by the wayside and the Euro-Christmas Broadcast--Joy to the World--lost all its lustre.

Even though we'd handled 25 monos of parcels Sunday Morning there were 30 more waiting to be sorted Monday Morning. I didn't have to work on those thank goodness. The ordinary pre-sorted mail and householders have slowed to a trickle so I spent my day doing odd jobs such as cleaning up the stock room. Enjoyed my afternoon nap and a quiet evening in front of the TV.

Tuesday was a light day in my department, but everything else went haywire. First I had to dig out the new microwave that had arrived months earlier and install it against the arrival of the Regional Director who we were warned would expect to see it in place. Getting the older heavy model out of the way was the bigger task--especially cleaning under it to which the janitor obviously doesn't attend. Then followed a generalized clean-up to ensure he wouldn't see anything he shouldn't see. While we were in the middle of that operation 4 new desks arrived for the office which required cleaning out the old ones and moving all their contents. In the middle of that chaos the Director and Area Manager arrived. Just as the furniture movers were cleaning up the technicians arrived with a new scissor lift they intended to install after removing the old one. They had a 2 hour window to complete the job before the next truck arrived. Must say I was thankful to get out of there and go home. Must admit it took some time after all that excitement to unwind, particularly since my Christmas Cheer is still at the LCBO.

Another quiet day in the mail staging department but I managed to find plenty of other chores to keep me busy, including streeting mail. There was a great deal of stir over the deficiencies of the new dock system. Luckily I don't have a great deal to do with it but I did agree that there were some bugs and that Christmas Time was a curious period to be making such major changes. Before I got to go home drove over to the Main Office and spent an hour and a half teaching one of my superiors how to do the Suburban Service Route Update Process. When I finally got there I felt I'd earned my afternoon nap.

Thursday. My actual assigned job was light. Spent some time topping up the rechargeable batteries on my equipment. They are emphatically not service free batteries--one takes a litre of water a week. Spent an hour and a half doing a superior's travel expenses--an entire year's worth! On the way home yesterday finally picked up the photo of my fellow workers I'd printed and had sent out for framing. Showed it around the office and when I finally got out of there took it to Milton to present it to Wendy Hammond. Met people who had formerly worked in Oakville over the years and nosed around the office--that doesn't take long. Sat in the shoe-box sized supervisor's office and presented Wendy with her gift. She appears to be content working there. From Milton I drove down Trafalgar Rd, via Derry all the way to Lakeshore and went over to the Korpriva-Turner Funeral Home for the visitation for Donald Bedard's Mother Betty. There being ten children in the family, 1000's of former students and fellow teachers and friends from church the place was rather busy. There are family members I barely recognized or have only met in passing but the feeling was warm and friendly. I was glad I went but too exhausted mentally and emotionally to sleep when I got home.

Friday. Began the day by making coffee. Then set to work at organizing Community Mailbox Keys for about a dozen sites. Helped set up the Christmas Goodies compliments of Canada Post. Spent only a brief time actually handling mail. Before I got out of there spent some time prompting another expense claim. Drove over to St. Dominic's in driving rain which started shortly after I arrived at work at 4:00 AM. Found the parking lot filled to over-flowing and followed the cars to alternate parking. Made it to the entrance just as the hearse arrived. The service was highly personal and the lengthy sermon was delivered as the priest walked among the congregation asking for audience participation. The coffin was sprinkled and incensed and the crowd dispersed. After the spread at work I had no room for the repast laid out in the parish room but I did pay my respects to the mourners before going home. Dropped back at the office in time to clean up after the guys who'd arrived to retrofit the new dock. It does work better now but will take some adjusting. Last Friday night was the Office Christmas Party which took place in Burlington at Skyway Plaza. When I made it home this Friday I collapsed in front of the TV and read my books. After the repast at work I didn't need to do any cooking.

Woke early and checked my E-mail, then went back to bed. When I did get up lacked any ambition. Spent the day catching up on and answering my E-mail, browsing the Web, listening to music and looking at online Boxing Day sales. Mid-afternoon, the sky being almost as black as night I went up and settled in to watch DVD's. Went to bed early and was awake again by midnight.

Spent a couple hours cleaning up my E-mail and reading electronic magazines. Then went back to bed. Woke in time to make it to Longos by 7:00 AM. Apparently others had the same idea. Somehow I managed to get most of my needs though I did forget salad greens. I've finally managed to wash up the dishes the dishwasher can't handle and will run the machine. Then, if I'm to have clean clothes to wear tomorrow I should run my washing machine. For breakfast I baked the Cheese and Spinach Pasta Rolls I picked up at Longos--their house brand. Good, but definitely not diet food. In cleaning up I discovered one bit of good news. I've done something right in the last nine months. My ovens needed only a brief cleaning with a wet dish cloth; I'll not need to run the cleaning cycle. And for those who know me this isn't for want of use.

The sun is putting in a watery visit today though we are promised a rainy Christmas. At least I won't have to skate over to my Danish Friend's Brunch. I should walk over to the other end of the building and check to see if anyone sent the Grinch a card by what others call snail mail. Actually I've heard many stories of next day delivery of late though it's impossible to please everyone, in particular the gal who claimed yesterday that Workman's Comp had told her that her cheque was in the mail--of course it is--in their mail room. I actually went and looked but my efforts would have been equally fruitful had I just gone for a coffee before telling her there was no mail in the office. Whatever, it's great to have four days to recover. I really should make the effort to attend Christmas Eve services tonight, though before I attempt to sit in a closely packed, overly warm, candlelit room I should have a lengthy afternoon nap.

To those who have made the effort to get this far:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!