Tempus Fugit

Latin (tem-pu̇s-ˈfü-git): Time Flies

Category: Grab Bag

Stuff about stuff

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Test post

    I am doing 43 things.

  • Lake – Good Times

    We had a great weekend at the lake with Gail, Gord, Crag & Kim, a very relaxing time of enjoying the lake atmosphere, chatting and even dreaming a bit about some new plans for the cottage.

    You may have noticed that most posts are accompanied by a thematic photograph of some recent event, but not this one. There were several opportunities for a great picture. There was the Friday night sunset which was one of the most spectacular ones in recent memory, perhaps ever. There were pinks and purples, reds and oranges scattered across the vastness of the sky both in the suns direction and also in the east. It was a virtual whole sky sunset. But there are no pictures.

    Then there was the pirate ship sighting. Yes, that’s right a pirate ship, complete with a water canon, pirates and flying a very official looking Skull and Cross bones flag above a make shift sail with a emblazed with a Canterbury Cross. But there are no pictures.

    Today was quite windy and there were several big sailboats out in the area. But there are no pictures.

    Why where there no pictures? Well, the family camera was otherwise occupied. 🙂

    Technorati Tags: pirates photography lake sunset

  • My Photo on NowPublic

    This is the second time my photo from a visit to the Kennedy Space Center has been used in a NowPublic article. Who knew that posting photos to flickr would get used in this way.

    Just to give you a sense of scale, the NASA logo is 6 stories tall. Also, the panel discolorations are a result of repairs after the 2005 hurricanes damaged the building.

    NASA approves August 27 Atlantis launch | The News is NowPublic.com

    NASA managers unanimously picked August 27 for the first attempt to launch the space shuttle Atlantis on a mission to resume construction of the international space station – but two precariously attached bolts securing a crucial antenna could delay those plans.

    Technorati Tags: NowPublic, flickr, NASA, Kennedy Space Center

  • 210


    210
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    This is the goal that I have posted on the wall in front of my desk in my home office. Somewhere back in March I decided to make a change and this series of numbers came to me. I wanted to weigh 210 lbs., have a 34 inch waist, in 10 weeks, which meant I needed to lose 3 lbs a week to make it all happen by June 1, 2006.

    Well, today it was achieved! It took a little longer that expected, but then perhaps 3lbs a week was a little too aggressive. Still, it feels great and the changes have been worth it. I appear to have motivated a few other folks as well, so that’s good too.

    Now for the next goal, maintain and oh yeah…

    all I want for Christmas is a six-pack. 🙂

  • Pirate Ship

    I promised more on the Pirate Ship sighting, so here is the straight goods. There are pirates roaming the bay in front of our cottage on Lake of the Woods!

    Last Sunday we spotted their ship and took our own ship out for an exploratory mission. As we approached the pirate ship, which was flying a very official looking Skull & Crossbones flag, we were greeted by several young pirates on board looking quite friendly any waving at us to come closer.

    As we slowly approached the excitement on their ship seemed to increase. Were they really that glad to see us? Then we could hear whispers, “wait until they get a little closer”, what could this mean? Then, with a flurry of action a towel was whipped off what looked like a turret mounted machine gun on the fordeck and the sounds of a gas powered water pump roared to life. The machine gun was actually a water canon and we were under attack! After getting quite soaked we beat a hasty retreat, obviously over powered by superior fire power. As we returned to the dock we started formulating plans for our response to the pirate ship. Perhaps as British Man of War. Hmmmmm. 

    Lake – Good Times – Tempus Fugit

    Then there was the pirate ship sighting. Yes, that’s right a pirate ship, complete with a water canon, pirates and flying a very official looking Skull and Cross bones flag above a make shift sail with a emblazed with a Canterbury Cross. But there are no pictures.