Tempus Fugit

Latin (tem-pu̇s-ˈfü-git): Time Flies

Month: September 2006

  • Surprise

    There are some things that still surprise me, even though I should be getting used to it by now.

    This afternoon Eric surprised me (no that’s not it) by biking over to pick me up for a ride. Either that, or he just need air in his tires. I prefer to think it was to ride with me. We had a great ride out to Assiniboine Park and back to the Osborne area to look at his new house and then back to home. A block from our house he says goodbye, and turns to go to his place. He’s been married for just over a year now.

    I was surprised. Surprised that my son was not coming home with me. It’s an unusual feeling and hard to describe. It’s so much more than surprised. Love you.

    Technorati Tags: sons, family

  • Repair Job


    Repair Job
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    This is the crew repairing the water main break in front of our house. Fortunately, they don’t have to dig up the driveway as the break is right at the edge of the driveway curb. The water is back on by about 7pm and after filling the hole they move on to the next job up the street. We saw them later in the evening with work lights blazing in this guy’s front yard, a big party going on across the street and quite a few spectators.

    It’s amazing how much you want to look in that hole to see what’s going on.

    After locating the pipe, things really go quickly. They insert a cage to prevent a collapse in the hole, clean off the pipe, wrap it with a 2′ stainless steel collar lined with neoprene and clamp it on. The line pressure is slowly restored, and the line is flushed out the fire hydrant, so conveniently located in our front yard. Everything holds up and the cage is pulled, dirt replaced and now it looks like we buried somebody in the front yard. The city may get around to fixing up the grass in the spring.

  • Locating the break


    Locating the break
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    Well, it looks like the driveway may be at risk during the repair of the break. This crew drilled several holes, three across the driveway, and then inserts those long metal rods. The water is then temporarily turned on and with a stethoscope like device they listen to the noise transmitted by the rod to locate the closest point to the break.

    The next phase involves a different crew which will have a backhoe, tandem & crew truck with several guys to dig the hole, insert a cage and effect the repair. It’s possible that they will need to cut out the driveway curb and remove some of the driveway. The ETA is unknown for the next phase, but they said they try to get the water back on with in one day or less. The crews are working until midnight most days and these guys have left to find the next one. apparently, it’s been a very busy summer for breaks. Normally, we here in Winnipeg associate these things more with extreme cold in the middle of winter, or as the frost is coming out in early spring. (Eric, I think some driveway repair might be required)

  • While we were sleeping…


    Water main break
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    …there was a water main break in our front yard! In fact there were two breaks on our street and 15 in the city yesterday. Scott called it in last night at approximately 1am and spoke with some of the repair guys. Apparently, the dry soil conditions and the lower temperatures triggered a rash of water main breaks. The city only has 10 portable water wagons, so we don’t even have a temporary water source. The current ETA of a repair crew is much later this evening, so it may be Sunday before service is restored.

    It’s amazing how much you use water and just expect it to be there. Well, at least the broadband connection is still up & running.

  • STS-115 Launch

    I’m watching NASA TV for the shuttle launch. Very exciting, T-8 minutes & counting!

    NASA – NASA TV Landing Page

    Technorati Tags: NASA, Shuttle

  • Crawdaddies for Dinner


    Crawdaddies for Dinner
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    Dez & Eric worked hard at catching 17 crayfish on the weekend and they almost ended up like this, but instead it was catch and release.

    We had a great September long weekend, heading out Thursday night to spend some time with my sister Gail and her family before they headed back to Saskatoon. Then on Saturday night Eric, Dez, Scott & Mandi were able to come down and we had a great time together.