A pretty darned good day

It's a bit overcast and chilly today in Timmins, but it's a good day all the same. Item 1 - I found $20 in a jacket pocket while looking for a pen! Woohoo. Item 2 - VIA Rail reached an agreement with the CAW union last night, so it doesn't look like VIA will be on strike this summer. That's a good thing because I have already booked a train trip between Sudbury and Vancouver.

Disgusted with the G8 protest...

"Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral question of our time --the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression." ~Dr. Martin Luther King.

Another nice day.

I don't get to see sunsets from my balcony. But I think I do have a nice view. We had rain Saturday afternoon and the clouds looked interesting, so I snapped a photo as the sun was setting. Today is father's day. That's cool but I feel that most days are like father's day. I had nice chats with both Neil and Jennifer this week, so that was good. And tomorrow is going to be the longest day of the year. If I am energetic, I will get up early and join in a sunrise ceremony with the Timmins Native Friendship Centre.

Intermission!

I don't watch a lot of movies, but when I do I like to make it an "event". Such was the case earlier this week, when I purchased Lawrence of Arabia on Blu Ray DVD. I had seen it before, but like a good book, I figured it was worth seeing again. The music score alone was worth the price. So I had a fabulous ribeye steak, a bottle of wine and salad and sat down to watch the movie. It was grrreat. Suddenly, the tv screen went black and the word INTERMISSION appeared. Wow, it has been years since I saw that. I remember years ago in cinema houses that meant it was time to get more popcorn and pop. So I enjoyed my intermission with a visit to the loo and then another glass of wine. By the way, the movie really was worth seeing again. The photography was outstanding. The film was produced in 1962. It was nominated for TEN Academy Awards. It won seven, including Best Picture. One thing I noticed was there was no profanity in the movie... I think the worst word was damn!

Can you dig this?

If I am smiling the biggest smile today it's because I lucked into a jazz album I sure never expected to buy. Well, maybe that's not true because with ebay and amazon.com you can buy almost anything. But on Sunday I dropped into a record store that I rarely visit. I was actually looking for a movie DVD, but I dropped by the jazz section and found a fabulous CD by Miles Davis called Kind of Blue. It was recorded in 1959 by Columbia Records. Among some of those joining Miles was John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley. I am a jazz fan, but I don't know enough to be a jazz snob. I'm working on it. Some people consider this not only Davis' best ever album, but the best jazz album ever produced. So I snuck out of the office today and I'm working from home with the stereo just sizzlin' with some of the best music I've ever enjoyed. Some of my friends know I have this silly rule "55 to 75" that basically says if the music wasn't produced between those years of 1955 to 1975, it's not really that good. Think about that!
Album Photo Copyright: PHOTOGRAPHER JAY MAISEL.

So what's up?

About time I dropped by here with an update. Had a quick chat with Jenn this week and she is doing great. The boys and Scott are great too. There's something about the arrival of nice summer weather that makes you feel good. I can't wait to go jump in the lake. I know a lot of people like pools. Some like swimming in the ocean. My preference is a nice cool, clear Northern Ontario lake with the sun rippling down to the rocks and sand on the bottom. I've a few friends who have nice lakeside cottages. One of my favourite memories is getting up early in the morning, sipping a hot coffee, having a quick sauna and jumping into the lake.
This week was busy but good. I covered the provincial mine rescue event this week and was at the dinner last night when it was announced that Timmins won the big competition. That was a nice thing.
Was up early this morning and got around to a bit of housework. Then today I was out shopping on picked up one of those Swiffer dusters. I saw it on a TV commercial so I will have to try it out. Woohoo... my life is fuh eh?
Speaking of TV, I hardly watch it, but I have been checking out some of the World Cup soccer games. It's not as much fun as hockey, but I can see why people get excited. I have to say that I find the noise of the spectator horns just too much to listen to, so i mute the volume and watch the action.
Well I spoiled myself again today. I dropped by Pick Of The Crop and picked up one of those marinated ribeye steaks. I usually buy strip loins, but a friend convinced me that ribeyes are better. Will be sure to let you know.

A frost warning... first week of June : )

What did I tell ya? I mentioned in the last post there is a saying in Timmins not to put plants or flowers in the ground until after the First Moon In June. So what happened? Today Environment Canada issued a Frost Warning for overnight for Timmins. Who would have believed it eh.
Summary
Frost over the regions for Tuesday morning This is a warning that at or near zero ground temperatures will cause frost in the parts of these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.
Details
A high pressure ridge combined with a cold air mass and light winds tonight create ideal conditions for the formation of frost overnight tonight into Tuesday morning.

Rain, plants and books

It's another nice Saturday morning in Timmins. The heat wave broke and we have had a bit of light rain for the past few days. That's nice. I think I might buy some flowers, or at least a flowering plant, for my balcony this week. There is a rule in Timmins -- Don't plant before the first moon in June. That will be next Saturday. But I think I might take a chance. The forest fire situation is very calm, thank goodness. As much as I like aircraft, I was getting annoyed by the constant noise of helicopters. My new entertainment/wall unit was delivered yesterday. It's bigger than I thought. It's huge. It takes up the whole wall. Oh well, at least now I can begin unpacking some of my books.

Bing Photo Contest - Mac in the fall

Bing Photo Contest - Mac in the fall
Go to the link and vote for my Photo! : )