Trailer Life

Hi, I'm back after a pretty good summer.

In September I was relocated from my nice office to a cubical in a trailer on a large construction site. This is the first time I've had to share a trailer with other trades and I'm really not enjoying it.

The cause of most of my angst (but not all) is from the guy on the other side of the desk divider. Anyone who has had to put up with chip-crunching, coffee-slurping and snoring in close proximity to their work space will be able to relate. It drives me BANANA'S!!

I'm trying to ignore it but that's pretty tough. CRUNCH, crunch, crunch. CRUNCH, crunch, crunch. CRUNCH, crunch, crunch. CRUNCH, crunch, crunch. And then, SLUUURRRPPP, ahhh. SLUURRRPPP, ahhh. AAHHHHHH!!!

I've thought of mimicking him, kinda like the bedroom scene in Rainman but I couldn't do it. So I put up in silence and count down the days until he's gone. The bright side is that he is supposed to be done here one week from today. Maybe.

I want my old trailer office back but Safety took it over. I guess I just need to find another big project to build.

Rider Pride

Fantuz after the 2007 Grey Cup in Toronto

It's the season home opener against the B.C. Lions tonight! Football season is about to officially start. I can't help but have a sense of un-ease going into this season as I'm sure most of the fans do after this very eventful off-season. I'm looking forward to seeing what the team looks like coming out of the gate though.

Quest for a Camaro

So I find myself on a great quest. It is a journey that I have been on most of my life but I am recently more motivated. Two things have come to light that make me think it's time to become more active in this search. My cousin turns 40 tomorrow (and I'm not very far behind him) and he recently bought himself a classic muscle car. We have always done things together, being only one year apart we grew up like brothers except we didn't have to live together. I have always loved Camaro cars. I was only fortunate enough to own one so far, a 1984 Berlinetta. It was a great car and I haved a lot of great memories from it. Then, back in 2006, Chevrolet anounces that they are going to build Camaro's again. The best part, they are going to style them after my all time favorite Camaro, the 1969. The 1969 Camaro SS/RS was a work of art. It looked street mean and fast standing still. Now it just happens to coincide with my 40th birthday when the new 2010 Camaro's are supposed to come out. What a perfect mid-life crisis car, birthday present for me! For some reason the Warden doesn't agree. She can't seem to understand how perfect that car would be for me. Too many $$$ apperently. Soooo...

I'm now looking/searching for a 1969 Camaro Convertible project car. There are a few of them out there and there are certainly some basket cases too. Then there are the plethora of restored cars that range in value from $35k to$150k. $150k for a 40 year old Chev??!! That's right, some of those rare dealer modified cars are that pricey if they have been restored to brand new factory condition.

Now what quest would be complete without some pitfalls along the way? The scams, the lies, the misrepresentation. The old saying comes to mind of course, "If it looks too good to be true it probably isn't." It still causes a bit of an emotional rollercoaster though.

Now you are probably wondering, just what is my perfect car? Right, aren't you wondering? You should be! I'm going to tell you anyway, and if you come across it I hope you'll let me know.

I'm looking for a 1969 Camaro Convertible SS/RS 35o with a 4-speed transmission. Perfered colour is Blue but Orange or black will do as well. Nice to have would be a 12-bolt posi rear-end and factory air-conditioning.

So there you go, now you know what I'm looking for. I do hope you'll let me know if you happen to stumble across such a car.

Cat Herding

So we just completed another succesful weekend of cat herding, otherwise known as Cub Scout Camp. I suppose that's not nearly as acurate a moniker as it was at the first camp in September. We had 27 young cubs at that one. If any of you have ever attempted to herd cats then you'll know what I mean.

Anyway, at this weekends campout we only had 13 Cubs and we were staying at the cabin. A small group and familiar surroundings, this was going to be easy. Akela had spent some considerable time working out a schedule for the weekend that we promptly threw away Friday night right off the start due to some unforseen circumstances. Adapt and overcome!

Surprisingly, for the first weekend of April there was still a foot and a half of snow on the trail up to the cabin. Considering the amount of gear we needed to pack in walking it all up was not an option I was ready to entertain. I went home and loaded up a snowmobile and a calf bed as quick as I could. It took close to 2 hours to run all the gear in but it was still better than the alternatives. One of the camp parent helpers lined up a bobcat with a snow blade to come plow out the trail and by 11:00 Saturday it was drivable.

Saturday was a hugely successful day with lots of badge work being covered off and kids enjoying themselves outside.

Saturday night and Sunday were just for the sixers, seconders and Kym's (Scout Helpers). Supper consisted of pizza cooked on an open fire, and roasted bananna boats. The Kym's told Scouting stories around the fire that held the Cubs interest very well. By 10:00 everyone was ready to turn in.

Sunday we did a pioneering project so the Cubs could learn a bit about lashing. We built and erected, by hand, a 45' high flagpole structure. It truly was a marvel and the kids were pretty excited to see it standing with the World Scouting Flag flying proudly for the whole town to see.

After that it was time to packup and go home. Once at home and the truck was unpacked the half hour shower felt great.

The kids have come a long way since that first camp in September. It's great to see the change in them. Perhaps it's not at all like herding cats anymore.

Race to Witch Mountain

So we took the kids to see 'Race to Witch Mountain' last night. For any of you old enough to remember the first two Witch Mountain movies I don't think you would be disappointed with this one. I thought it was a fun movie and the kids all liked it as well. Due to spring break we were able to go on Cheapskate Tuesday so it was also very economical for the six of us to go.

I give it high marks and recommend it for family viewing.

Weekend Getaway

Going snowmobiling up in Hillbilly country this weekend. I think it is a good omen that it is snowing like crazy here in Oil City this morning. Where we're going it's deep but not too steep. Mostly in the flat land and some rolling hills. No avalanche danger there. Boys weekend out playing in the snow. I'm looking forward to it!

Flying

Well it's travel day and decision time. To fly or not to fly! Weather today from Oil City to Bugtussle looks good with a bit of a headwind. Still, 2.5 hours is way better than 8 on the ground. Looks like a snow storm is coming up from Montana though for Sunday. Might have to call another snow day at work and fly back Monday.

Sounds like things are all set for Grannie's 90th birthday bash. It'll be good to see all the clan and they'll be happy to see us too, we're bringing all the shine for the party!