Archive for December, 2009

Yesterday was the first day of the year that required a real shoveling of the driveway. As I mentioned four years ago, I really like my snow shovel, so yesterday was the first time to really get it going this year.

Now, I should mention that even though it’s a great shovel, it does have a design flaw that’s become apparent the last year or so. She blade/scoop has a hole that the handle settles into and a locking mechanism to keep the two attached. When it gets mild, snow melts and water works its way into this hole, so that when it freezes, it pushes the handle out of the blade. No big deal, I bring it inside, let it melt attach it, it’s good to go. Then I store the shovel blade/scoop end up for the remainder of the year and everything is ok.

But last night, after some mild weather, the shovel wasn’t ready to cooperate in clearing the driveway. I am now the proud owner of two of my favourite snow shovels. This year’s model has a slightly more roundy grip. I’ll let you know how that works out if you’re interested. All this to say, this morning, Jenn asked, “Two shovels, eh? What does this mean?” I think the was concerned that I’d be asking her to shovel with me. No worries, I told her that now the dude can come out and shovel with dad.

We’re just sitting on the couch watching The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and I heard a line I hadn’t heard before. Just before the children go over the falls, Peter is holding out his new sword towards the wolf captain of the secret police. Susan says to him, “Just because a man in a red suit hands you a sword doesn’t make you a hero!”

Doesn’t that sound like something a peasant named Dennis might say to a king named Arthur?

I recently found out that a friend of mine doesn’t eat eggs. He’s not allergic to them, it’s not that he doesn’t like them. He just doesn’t eat them. He couldn’t fathom how I would need an eighteen-egg carton from the store. Easy, one for me, one for Jenn, every morning. That’s fourteen in a week with four left over. I could have added “for snacks,” but that probably would have thrown him into a tailspin.

Funny, I was buying just a big carton of eggs, and he was just buying a whole loaf of bread (who eats a loaf of bread?) If we could have found someone buying a big bottle of maple syrup, we could have gotten together for french toast.

And apparently, CBC Radio is no. 1 in the books of a majority of Thunder Bay radio listeners too. Congrats CBC Radio people! Now, driving to work this morning (and not listening to any radio) I was wondering why. Well, it could be the thoughtful programing and charming on air talent. It could also be the alternatives are dreadful. I speculate though, that CBC Radio is no.1 in Thunder Bay because both drive shows are full of local interest stories, and the rest of the day is full of Provincial and National interest. If listeners want to listen to “talk” that relates to them CBC’s really the only game in town.

So, is that it? A majority of people want to listen to local talk as opposed to music? Well, I expect the other side of the equation has to do with the “music” listeners. They have options; CD, mp3, satellite radio, all of which are probably preferable to what the local stations are offering. So, why listen to the other local radio stations.

I wonder if that accounts for the rising popularity of public radio in other areas as well? What do you listen to on the radio?

Over this past fall, I’ve submitted a few of my Sketch-Up models to Google Earth. I’ve started modeling Thunder Bay landmarks, and so far seven have been accepted into the 3D layer of Google Earth. I’ve also managed to interest at least one friend into building Thunder Bay buildings and successfully submitting to Google Earth.

So, if you ever use Google Earth (and I suggest you do, it’s a lot of fun) be sure to check out Thunder Bay to see the city growing. If you’re not sure you want to install Google Earth, you can check out all the buildings online, at the 3D Warehouse, in the Thunder Bay collection.

A couple years ago, all the Christmas presents that I was responsible for buying I bought online. It was a merry Christmas for me and the gifts were very well received too. I didn’t plan for it, but I hope this year will be a merry Christmas too–if you know what I mean. Have you ever done your Christmas shopping exclusively online?

It’s been over a year since I’ve blogged regularly. It’s my goal to change that, but as I can’t go back in time (yet) I’ve decided to just start up again. The plan is to make at least three posts during the regular week and once on the weekend. I’d also like to write posts interesting enough to garner a good ten or so comments each, and write succinctly enough as to not be a burden on me or my readers.