Happy birthday Twix

Posted on February 14, 2017 by kdarcy21

Today is Twix’s birthday.  Well, the day that her former owners celebrated as her birthday.  She is originally from San Diego, California and although her medical history from there is fairly complete, it doesn’t show a specific birthday, just February of 2013.  So, today, Twix is 4 years old.

She’s been part of the family for a day shy of a month and is fitting in very well.  She gets along with both dogs and loves to wrestle with Hera outside, Blondie even gets involved from time to time and she and Twix terrorize Hera.  Hera plays along well and rolls around in the snow.  They have a great time.  I need to bring my phone out one of the these days and video this as it is quite cute – two smaller dogs dominating poor Hera – even though Hera outweighs Blondie by 25 pounds and Twix by 40.  They have fun anyway.

Today is also Valentine’s Day.. Big deal…  LOL.  No significant other for me, that’s ok.  Here’s a shoutout to the other singles out there and if you do have a significant other, well, Happy Valentine’s Day.

It is already mid-February.  Time is zooming by.  I will be leaving for my trip in just over a month.  I am hoping to have flights booked by next week.  I may be visiting Saskatchewan again in mid-March, just before I head to Ontario and Mauritius.  Lots of travelling for sure.

Well, time for coffee and get my day going, even though it is only 4:30 in the morning.  Hopefully my insomnia will end in the near future – have a good one.

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Start of another week…

Posted on February 13, 2017 by kdarcy21

The start of a new week.  Some people hate or dread Monday’s, I don’t.  I typically look back and think how did the weekend go by far too quickly, but that’s about it.  I enjoy my job, I know a lot of people who don’t, for whatever reasons so I guess that’s why they may not like Mondays.  Well, perhaps if you don’t like your job, change it, or change your attitude.  I didn’t like my last job and I left it.  Very, very glad I did.

Today is Family Day in BC, I guess they just have to be different.  The rest of the country has family day next Monday. That will slow things down a bit at work, not a lot though.  It is the start of busy season at work as well – tax time.  The staff start to get a little testy this time of year since they are so dang busy.  Well, IT has been busy since the beginning of September, so, you won’t get much sympathy from me.

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, not that I care about that – bullshit holiday invented and carried on to cause people to spend money in the middle of the winter.  Tomorrow is also Twix’s birthday, she will be 4 years old and it will be just about a month since she joined us.  She is fitting in quite well, I think she really likes having two dog sisters to play with and a Dad who works from home and has lots of time to give three dogs attention. She’s clingy with me, typically laying beside me on whatever part of the couch I am sitting on.  She isn’t spending the day in the office any more, she tends to go back to bed and sleeps the day away – tough life, and a good gig if you can get it.  So, happy birthday Twix.

Next weekend the four of us are going to meet with Twix’s former owners at a dog park.  I am sure she will love seeing her former family.  They’ve been following posts on Facebook and as any of my friends know, I tend to post a fair amount there.  Hopefully she isn’t confused and thinks they are taking her home again.

With next Monday being Family Day (in the rest of the country that has it), I am taking a 4 day weekend.  I was unable to get Friday off since one of the guys who backs me up is already off, so I chose Tuesday instead.  Next week will be a great, short week – three day weeks fly by very quickly.

This week, I need to get passport photos done and then apply for my password.  A 5 year passport is $120 and a ten year one is $160.  Do you think they are pushing the 10 year deal?  I may never need it again after my trip in March but I guess it will be good to have.  Lots of time for it to arrive before I head on my trip so that’s good.  I have no idea where I go to apply, should I apply in person, otherwise I can apply via mail.  I think I wil find the passport office though.

Well, time for coffee and to start my day.  Enjoy your week.

Posted in Blondie, Hera & Twix, Personal, Twix, Work | Leave a comment

The Sportsman Show

Posted on February 12, 2017 by kdarcy21

The Sportsman Show yesterday was pretty good, lots of exhibitors, lots of different stuff from all aspects of the outdoors.  A huge number of boats for sale – no interest in that myself, there isn’t a lot of water around and I am not a huge fisherman anyway.  Water skiing on the Bow River, that would be interesting.  Way out of the average persons’ price range anyway.  Some of the Seadoo’s were cool, those would be a lot of fun.

There were some trailers, only a few different models and the prices were nowhere near as good as at the RV Show of a few weeks ago.  There was an Airstream trailer, one of the smallest ones they make, would sleep just two, no washroom, nothing special – $55000.  A completely ridiculous price if you ask me.

I purchased one thing, a slice of dry pizza.  LOL

I headed home shortly after 2PM, took the train to Crowfoot station where I had parked my vehicle.  On the way home, nearly there (within a kilometer for sure), going up a hill, it started to sputter.  Sure enough, I ran out of gas.  I knew I was low, I didn’t know I was that low.  In all of the years that I have driven, that has never happened to me before.  Luckily, I have AMA Plus so I called for roadside gas.  It took them a while, there apparently were a lot of calls and few drivers working.  They put in about 10L of gas for me, no charge.  A passerby helped me push my SUV out of the way of traffic.  Wow, is it a heavy vehicle, we were barely able to move it.  Oh well, a lesson learned for sure.  Pay attention to the low gas light…  At least now I know exactly how far I can go.

So, half of the weekend is over.  Weekends go by far too quickly.  Tomorrow is back to work day.  At least I enjoy my job and next weekend is a long weekend with Family Day being Monday and I have extended it through Tuesday as I have lieu time to use.  It will be a nice relaxing weekend.

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The Sportsman Show, a trailer and coaching

Posted on February 10, 2017 by kdarcy21

I am heading to the Sportsman Show this weekend at the Coral Center downtown.  Should be good, I last went a few years ago.  Lots of different stuff to look at for sure.  I am going with a true sportsman so it should be fun.  Will get me out of the house for a few hours anyway and will likely keep me out of trouble for a few hours.

I have decided against purchasing a trailer after all.  The financing options were not to my liking.  I was hoping to keep the monthly payments down to $25o or so per month.  Well, in order to do that, the term was going to be dragged on too long and I would have ended up spending WAY too much money on it.  A shorter term would have kept the overall cost down, but I am not spending over $600 per month on something I might use 5 months of the year.  Too bad, but what can ya do.

So, plans for the summer have slightly changed.  I will likely umpire a bit more than I was planning and I think I will spend some more time outside with the dogs.  I plan on building a fire pit in the backyard so that will be cool.  I missed that living in Ranchlands.  Hopefully, I can coerce a friend or two to help me with the fire pit, nothing fancy.  I do have the landlord’s permission to put one in, so that is half the battle.

I have volunteered to help out with one of the travel teams this summer.  Currently, there is no coach in place.  I am not really interested in being the head coach unless there is a specific need, but I wouldn’t mind helping out.  It has a low commitment, one practice a week and 3 tournaments where I would not have to spend anything out of pocket.  At least one of the tournaments are in the US but I will soon have my passport again so that won’t be an issue.  The only cost I would have would be the dogs in boarding.  No idea if this will go ahead – I’ve offered, I will likely hear in the next few weeks, I would guess.

Well, that’s it for now.  This week flew by, as most recent weeks have.  Enjoy your weekend.

Posted in Baseball, Blondie, Hera & Twix, Personal | Leave a comment

Enough of the cold…

Posted on February 7, 2017 by kdarcy21

It is just after 4am and it is -30C outside right now.  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t tend to mind winter, but come on, -30 is a bit insane.  Add a windchill to that and it is more insane.  Well, it is nearing the middle of February, winter will be over soon(ish) enough.

Blondie and Twix are unimpressed with the temperatures.  Twix goes out, does her business and comes back to the door wanting to go in as quickly as she can.  This morning, Blondie showed a rare aversion to the cold – she was doing the paw hop.  Hera on the other hand lays in the snow and rolls around – she seems to love it.

I will be getting away from the cold in a few weeks.  I am heading to Mauritius for a 3 week business trip.  It will be the end of summer down there so temps should be hotter than what I typically like, around the 30C range.  Compared to right now, that is 60C hotter than what we have today, sort of nuts.

I will be in Toronto for a few days prior to heading to Mauritius.  I also plan on visiting Niagara for a weekend visit.  It will be good to see everyone.  It will be a whirlwind trip though.  I will then work a few days out of the National office which will be cool.

Dates have not yet been confirmed, but it is looking like it will be the end of March.  If all goes as currently planned, I will head to Toronto on March 24, Niagara on the 25th and 26th and then Toronto for the 27th through 29th and fly out on the 30th.  I will be back around April 23 or so.  Blondie, Hera and Twix will be at Tree Tops Pet Resort for the time that I am away.  Blondie and Hera love it there, Twix has never been so I think I will do an overnight in the next month.  It might help her to know she’s there for a bit and then I pick them up – who knows…  With me being gone for nearly a month, they might think it is their new home.

I need to get my passport, I let it expire when I moved to Alberta since I am so far from the border and typically don’t travel.  The 10 year passport is $160, so not too bad.  It will be an experience anyway, I’ve never left North America and really didn’t think I ever would.  Who knows, perhaps this will awaken a desire to travel.  My budget likely won’t allow it though.

I am sure to post a lot of pictures and a log of my adventure.  Enjoy it, I am sure I will.

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Weekend is here…

Posted on February 3, 2017 by kdarcy21

This week at home has zoomed by.  I was off on Monday of course so it was a short week but all day yesterday, I was sure it was only Wednesday.  Not a bad week, at all.

My back has been acting up though, so we have not been making regular trips to the dog park.  Good thing I have a large backyard, the dogs have partially been able to play off some of their energy.  The back feels better today so we will return to the park tonight, I am sure they will be happy.

So, nothing really going on this weekend, I am going to Babe Ruth evaluations tomorrow to have new players size for uniforms.  A few dog park trips are in order and on Sunday, the Super Bowl of course.  Go Patriots !!!

Should hear back on trailer financing today or Monday – they have been rather backed up with all the sales they had.  No rush, I am not camping this weekend, WAY too cold.

Enjoy your weekend.

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The Long Weekend

Posted on January 30, 2017 by kdarcy21

This is day 4 of 4 that I have been off.  The previous 3 days flew by, as days off often do.

On Friday, I took the dogs to the off-leash park.  We were playing ChuckIt when Hera was attacking a small dog, no one was hurt but I put Hera back in the truck and continued playing with Blondie and Twix – Hera was NOT impressed.  As it turned out, it more than likely wasn’t Hera who started it, which does not actually surprise me.  The small dog started 2 other “fights” with larger dogs before the owner picked it up and left.  Why do people with small, aggressive dogs bring them to off-leash parks?  Hera could have killed the dog, had she wanted to but she is not a mean or vicious dog, I have no doubt that she was protecting herself.  After the small dog left, I got Hera from the truck and we stayed for another hour playing ChuckIt.  I am getting sick and tired of dogs who are aggressive and the owners who either can’t control them or are clueless.

After the dog park, I headed down to the RV show at the Corral Center, beside the Saddledome.  Good show, 12 different RV dealers from around Alberta.  Tons and tons of trailers, motorhomes and accessories as well as home show type products, hot tubs, RV resort packages, camping sites, everything you could possibly want for camping.  I didn’t tour any of the larger trailers and RV’s, I only looked at stuff that I could actually afford.  I spoke to a number of sales people and got the information I wanted.  I didn’t make any decisions, despite some sales pressure – spending 20 grand is not something I do without thinking about it.

Saturday, we went to a different dog park, Southland Park, AKA, Sue Higgins Park.  Twix had obviously been there before, she kept wanting to go through the gates that lead to the river.  Unfortunately, it is not quite river time so we had to pass.  I returned to the RV show in the afternoon after making a decision on which trailer I wanted.  Most of the sales people who I spoke with “claimed” they would follow-up with me on Saturday or Sunday.  Only one did, and that happens to be who I decided to purchase from.  I didn’t really want a bathroom in the trailer, didn’t want to deal with “black” water.  I also didn’t really want to lose the floor space for a shower and toilet.  If I am camping for a couple of days, I will be able to go without a shower.  Any park that I visit will have washroom facilities.  The shower might be useful to clean up a muddy dog, but towels can do that as well – or a quick dip in a lake, pond or river would too.  I decided on a small trailer, only sleeps 3, has a pull out queen size bed, dining table, 2 burner stove, fridge and plenty of storage.  It will be perfect for myself and three dogs.  If anyone else was to join us, it would become tight, but that should not happen often, if at all.

I will find out about financing options on the trailer today.  My credit is not the best, so I may end up paying higher interest – that happens…  My credit is improving though, so, we will see.  Could be a deal breaker if too high.

Sunday, I was up earlier than normal – with normal being between 3-4am, I got up at 2:20.  I had a great morning nap from 7-9:30 and felt great.  I left for baseball registration, the second in-person registration where we also size players for uniforms.  I got home around 3:15 and took the dogs back to the park and then stopped by Best Buy.  I watched the Pro Bowl last evening – not bad for touch football.  I did, briefly, watch part of the NHL All-Star game but it was awful and I ended up switching within 10 minutes.  I have to say, the best All-Star game is definiately MLB, of course, baseball is the greatest sport on the planet.

Today will be a relaxing day.  I plan on hitting the dog park at first light, so about 2 hours from now for a couple of hours.  The dogs LOVE playing with the ChuckIt.  Whoever invented that should be a millionaire.  It is a simple device but allows you to throw it far distances with ease and you get have to touch a dog slobber covered ball.  Nothing else planned for the day, other than a nap sometime this afternoon.

All in all, it was a good long weekend.  Back to work tomorrow, back to the regular routine.

Posted in Baseball, Blondie, Hera & Twix, Personal, Work | Leave a comment

The RV Show

Posted on January 28, 2017 by kdarcy21

Yesterday I went to the RV show at the Corral Center, beside the Saddledome.  Lots of walking around, lots of trailers.  I enjoy camping but with three dogs, camping in a tent is not an option.  This also eliminates camping in a tent trailer.

So, I did a lot of walking around and talked to a bunch of reps.  I actually only looked at trailers that I could afford, I didn’t look at anything over the mid-20 grand range, did not tour any of the big trailers or motor homes.

I found a few trailers that I might be interested in.  I need to decide, basically, on what type of floor plan I am interested in.  The show ends tomorrow (Sunday) but tomorrow is not good for me to go back, so if I want to get any of the show deals, I need to make a decision today.  I don’t particularly like rushing into a decision where I spend 20 thousand dollars lightly or quickly – this is a change from how I used to operate.  I’d see something I want and I’d buy t.

I do know that I want one.  I have been thinking about it for a few years.  I loved the trailer I had back in Ontario, it was like a second home.  I think I’d love the idea of zipping around the province and exploring BC, Saskatchewan and Montana, really, anywhere within 4-5 hours of Calgary.  It would also give me the option of driving across the country, perhaps back to Ontario for a visit and I’d have a place to stay along the way.  The possibilities are endless.

The one that is leading the charge is an 18′ trailer with a queen bed in the front, dining table, small kitchen with a small fridge/freezer, 2 burner stove top and a sink, 2 bunk beds at the back and a small bathroom.  I had considered getting a trailer without a bathroom but there are very few models like this and it would be nice being able to hose down a certain Yellow Lab who loves to play in mud puddles.  The bunks would allow for a couple of guests, should that need arise.  The kitchen table also converts into another bed so potentially, it will sleep 5 people.  With that many people, I am not sure where 3 dogs would sleep, but that is an issue for another day.

Anyway, I am going to go over my paperwork and by noon or so, hope to have a decision.  Wish me some luck in making the right one.

Posted in Blondie, Blondie, Hera & Twix, Personal, Vehicles | 2 Comments

Chirping

Posted on January 24, 2017 by kdarcy21

Chirping.  Not the sounds that birds make.  I mean when you put down someone’s sports team.  That kind of chirping.  It is fun, generally harmless (unless you happen to be some sort of snowflake) and people don’t (again, generally) get hurt.

I chirp friends all the time.  I tend to like teams that don’t do all that way.  Buffalo Bills, Calgary Flames for instance.  I take as much, if not more than I dish out.

There are teams I dislike more than others and fans of those teams get chirped more often than others.  A friend, or someone I thought was a friend actually unfriended me on Facebook because he happens to love the Yankees – lives and breathes them and I hate, absolutely hate them.  I guess he’s a snowflake – no big loss.

I digress.

I also dislike the Miami Dophins, Oakland Raiders (and generally ALL California teams in ALL sports with the exception of the SF Giants), Dallas Cowboys, Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL, for those of you unfamiliar with Canadian Football), the Toronto Maple Leafs and I am sure a few more that I can’t think of right now, those are the main ones.

Anyway, I bet a co-worker, PB, that in the last Flames – Leafs game that the Flames (my team of choice) would defeat the Leafs.  A safe bet, most times.  I won.  A quarter.  I never received my quarter and I didn’t feel it necessary to send people to break PB’s legs.

Last evening, the Flames traveled to Toronto and I offered a double-or-nothing bet.  Well, the Flames had no spark – I am not sure what players they sent to Toronto, Peewee or Bantam aged players is my main guess.  Anyway, sad to report that the Leafs blanked us, 4-0 and now PB owes me nothing.

I chirped her a bit, not too much though, before the game.  Ended up backfiring on me.  I was also chirped by a few friends in Ontario who were also aware of the score.  I can handle that.

The chirp of the night, however, was in Calgary, in person.  A friend and I went to a bar for wings and to catch the Flames game.  Well, with his mom and presumably his grandmother, a young kid, 12 years old or so, came in wearing an Oilers jersey.  The Oilers, from Edmonton and the other half of the Battle of Alberta are one of the main rivals of the Flames.  On Saturday, they dismantled the Flames.  So, this 12 year old got a few good shots in…  Unlike my normal self, I had ZERO comeback.  Nothing.  At.  All.

What could I say?  As I mentioned, the Oilers crushed us in the last outing.  In the next one, we are just as likely to crush them.  But, on this night, the last game wasn’t a good example and didn’t help my cause.

The kid didn’t continue, he likely got the eye from his Mom – you know, hey, we are in Calgary, you are wearing an Oilers jersey and your mocking this man – stop while you’re ahead.

I asked my friend (SS) if I was allowed to beat him up.  His reply – well, no, he’s 12 and I doubt you could anyway.  Thanks.  Another chirp.

 

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An update for you…

Posted on January 21, 2017 by kdarcy21

This week at work was more, normal, shall we say?  It was still busy, very busy actually, but when compared to the two previous weeks, it was comparably slower so it was manageable.  Wow, what a couple of weeks.  I cannot say I was bored, that’s for sure.

The next two weeks are shorter weeks for me.  I have this coming Friday off and the following Monday, so a 4 day weekend.  I can use it.  Thanks.  Friday, I am heading to the RV show at the Coral Center, beside the Saddledome.  I would love to get a small trailer to camp in.  Nothing more than a 3 sleeper, no requirement for running water, I don’t want to have to winterize it.  I’d like to have a fridge, stove, perhaps a heater and AC, although those last two aren’t even necessary.  I had a trailer, a HUGE trailer, when I was back in Ontario.  It was set up at a park.  It would be cool being able to tow this one around the province.  Guess we will see what prices are like anyway.

Back to the work theme – there is an upcoming trip to Mauritius to meet and train our team there.  It has been pushed off a number of times and last week, I was asked if I wanted to go in the middle of February.  The company was unable to help me with my dog care expenses, it is against policy.  I took that into consideration as it is a 3 week, all expense paid trip to what most would consider paradise.  I also thought about Twix who I only adopted a week ago (not even a week at the time of this writing).  I didn’t think it was fair to her to have her as part of the family for only a little over a month and then leave for a month (nearly), so I declined.

Yesterday, the trip was pushed back, again, this time until April.  Again, I was asked to go.  This time around, I am leaning the other way.  By April, I will have my tax refund which will pay for the boarding.  Since it is sort of “found” money, it won’t hit me financially.  Twix will also be several months into her tenure with us and will be settled.  So, I am much more likely to agree to go.  I have until this next week to decide and let them know.  I’d need a passport, plenty of time to get that.  So, I am considering it, again.

I have also decided that it is time for a new bed.  The double that I am currently using is 11 years old now.  I purchased it shortly after adopting Zeus.  At that time, I had a waterbed and was worried he would claw his way through it and drown.  An 11-year-old mattress is nearly the end of its life.  Also, a double and three dogs PLUS myself, is not quite large enough.  I have purchased a king size mattress at Sleep Country – delivery in the next bit.  It will give us plenty of room and will fit in the room, not sure if I will be able to have the night table or not.  If it won’t fit, I will put a shelf on the wall for my cell phone, light, etc.  It will be nice with the extra room.  It will mean I will need to purchase new sheets and a duvet, but that’s OK.  The double will become the spare room bed.  I might even keep the single that’s already in there and have room for multiple guests.

Speaking of guests, it looks like my Aunt and cousin are coming for a visit in May.  I’ve booked a week off.  It will be nice seeing them and exploring the area.  May is a nice time of year here.  Typically, the snow has left us and the weather is nice.  A buddy of mine is also considering visiting, likely during Stampede.  I’ve booked that week off as well.

This weekend is fairly busy.  Not a lot going on today, dog park when the sun comes up and grocery shopping.  Tomorrow, we have our first in-person registration for baseball.  I am doing uniforms and need to size new players coming in.  Weekends go by too quickly.

Well, you are up to date.  Enjoy your weekend.

Posted in Baseball, Blondie & Hera, Personal, Twix, Work, Zeus | Leave a comment