Happy Birthday, Blondie

Posted on March 4, 2014 by kdarcy21

Yesterday was Blondie’s 3rd birthday.

Blondie - 3rd Birthday

 

I am not sure why I didn’t post this yesterday, I did post the picture on Facebook and a number of people “liked” it and some made comments.  Thank you.

I am hoping, now that she is 3, that she will start to be a little better when and if I leave her out of her crate during the day.  I am hopeful.

As soon as my floors are back in and the place has been reassembled, I plan on starting her off with half days out of the crate.  As soon as she does something bad, like chewing on something that doesn’t belong to her, she will be back in.  The last time that I tried this, about six months ago, she started doing bad stuff about 2 weeks into her new found freedom.  She started slowly and I should have taken that as a cue that she wasn’t ready for being out of the crate.  She ended up destroying a pair of shoes, slippers, the leg of a chair…

Speaking of when my floors are back in place…  The contractor was supposed to be here on Saturday to measure for the new floor so he could do an estimate for the insurance company.  They didn’t show, they also didn’t contact me.  I texted him yesterday, was told that there were problems with the guys truck that was supposed to come – I suppose that is possible, it was in the low -20’s.  He said that they would be able to come over yesterday afternoon and they would contact me 30 minutes or so before so I could get home.

Well, some of us, you know, work and can’t just leave the office in the middle of the day, especially when it is a Monday, during busy season – the office was a bit insane yesterday.  So, I said no, that won’t work.  He suggested today, 9am.  OK, there is the whole work thing again…  I told him I leave for the office at 7:15 or so in the morning, come home at lunch and don’t get back home until 5:30 or so in the evening.  So, they are coming Wednesday at noon.

Hopefully, they will get the quote for insurance together quickly and then the go-ahead is given for the new floor to be installed and the kitchen put back together.  I am also hoping that the rebuild will start on the 10th or 11th, a week later than I was thinking it would initially be done.

I suppose, in the grande scheme of things, I don’t have it all that bad.  The place is still quite livable.  There are unfortunate people who still have places that they can’t live in from the floods of 2013 – that is now 8 months (or so) ago.  I don’t have a floor, and, when I say that, I do have a floor, it’s just concrete.  I still have a working kitching.  It isn’t that bad.  I am getting used to wearing shoes inside.  The floor isn’t even all that cold for some reason, likely because it is so warm down here.

So, here is to hoping that the reconstruction starts next week, let’s say by the 12th, finished by the 14th and then I can take part of the weekend to put everything back together.

Here is also to wishing Blondie a happy birthday, even though she really doesn’t likely understand that, at all.  She was likely happy that she got two Denta Sticks yesterday, and, I am sure Zeus was as well.

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The draft is complete, now we need Spring

Posted on March 2, 2014 by kdarcy21

Today was the Babe Ruth Calgary draft.  The coaching staff met last night to go over our draft strategy.  Over the course of 4 or 5 evaluations on offence, defence, pitching and catching, we were able to rate the players, top to bottom.  To make sure we were all pretty well on the same page, we wanted to discuss what we were doing during the draft and it made for a smooth morning.  We drafted first overall so, other than a few protected players (a father coaching or a brother already playing), we had a choice of everyone remaining.

Our first pick pretty well came down to who the best player was and although we were likely in agreement of who that was, he had 3 years of eligibility left as opposed to another player who might not have been quite as good (now) but had 5 years left – we went with the younger player.

From those that I was wanting to be part of the team, I was able to get 3 out of 6 – the other choices seem solid as well.  I guess I will see once we get inside for workouts how we look but the real test will be once Spring finally arrives in this Arctic wasteland and it warms up.

Games aren’t scheduled until the end of April, at the earliest – weather permitting of course.  I am sure that those two months will pass quite quickly.

Next weekend we have a team / league meeting.  I sent out an email to all 26 players and families, hopefully the turnout will be good.  We start inside workouts on the 11th.

I am really looking forward to getting back on this side of the field.  I have enjoyed umpiring, but coaching is my real love.

Bring on Spring.  Bring on Baseball !!!

 

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No floor, but it’s a wind tunnel…

Posted on March 2, 2014 by kdarcy21

On Friday, the renovation company arrived at 8:30am sharp.  They said that they would be done by noon or so, they were a little longer than that, likely because there was a lot more water damage than they expected.

They used a large wet/dry vacuum and got rid of at least 40 gallons of water from under the floor.  The baseboards were damaged in a few places and some of the drywall was damaged as well.

Kitchen - Floor

The kitchen was where a lot of the water pooled.  The cabinets were put in place after the floor was laid, so they had to be removed in order to get the floor out.  The counter top had to be disconnected from the cabinets and from the back splash.  Luckily, the tile was “disconnect” fairly cleanly and there is a box of extra tile to replace it.

Living Room - Floor

 

That is Blondie standing in front of one of the largest dehumidifiers that I have ever seen.

Dining Room - Hallway - Floor Living Room 2 - Floor

 

There were also three large dryers in the corners of the room creating a wind tunnel in here.  It was quite the room for a few days but it is now dry and ready for the room to be rebuilt.

It should be done by Thursday of this week – I am hoping that date will be kept.  As you might be able to tell from the pictures, the entire kitchen, living room and hallway floors have been removed leaving only the   and bedroom with the original flooring, well, the front hall and bathroom also kept their tile.  It is doubtful that they were be able to find a match in the flooring the doors will be the cut-off point.

I guess I am lucky in that none of my stuff was damaged.  I should have everything back in place by next weekend and life will return to normal.

 

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Renovations, of sorts

Posted on February 28, 2014 by kdarcy21

Today, my kitchen gets ripped out.  The hot water tank that leaked last week left water under my floor and the low point in the house is in the kitchen.  The floor in the kitchen, part of the dining room and part of the living room will have to come up, the sub-floor needs to dry and then new flooring has to be put in.  The other issue is that the kitchen cabinets were put on top of the floor, normally, that would not cause a huge issue, but in this case, it means that the lower cabinets need to be removed so that the floor can be removed.  Fun.

The counter top is attached to the back-splash.  I am sure some of that will be damaged.  There is a box of extra tile that was left here, hopefully there is enough to repair the work.

This morning, I emptied out the lower cabinets, they were mostly empty, a few pots and pans, some small appliances.  I also have to clear the counter top, there is a microwave to move, a toaster oven and other small appliances.

I am sure this will be fun.  It is being torn out today and then the re-build starts on Monday. Hopefully all will be done by the end of next week.

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A flood of my own

Posted on February 25, 2014 by kdarcy21

Although I now live in Upper Mount Royal, high above any of the flooding from last Spring in Calgary, I had a flood, of sorts, of my own.

I came home on Wednesday after work and was sitting, watching TV and I heard what sounded like water running.  I figure it was something outside, but I figured I would investigate.

I opened the door of the furnace room and the water relief valve on the hot water tank was leaking quite badly.  I grabbed a bucket to catch the water.  I called my landlady – no answer.  Well, not unusual, she may have been work, she’s in real estate.  I texted – she typically replies fairly quickly to that.  Nothing.  I called again, a few times.  Texted again – no reply.  I decided to email her.

She replied – from her vacation in the Caribbean.  She We got would send over the emergency plumber right away – he arrived within 20-30 minutes.  We got the water turned off and the tank drained to below the relief valve level. OK, I can deal without water for the night and I could shower the next morning.  I would have to zip out and get the dogs some water for the morning – no problem.

I was just about to go to bed around 9:30pm when a knock came to my door.  Two guys to replace the hot water tank – apparently, the old tank was just that, old, and not worth fixing.  They didn’t have a convenient way to drain the rest of the water from the old tank so they got it out, with some difficulty.  In comes the new tank, installed and ready to go within 20 minutes.  Nice.

Unfortunately, a fair amount of water had made its way under the floor, there is a membrane between the concrete and the floor and it had run down to the lowest level of the floor, in the kitchen and was coming up between the floor boards.

On Sunday, my landlady came over to take a look.  The floor has a “wave” in it – not good.  Yesterday, after work, an insurance adjuster and a contractor came over to survey.  There is quite a lot of water under the floor, according to his device which checks for moisture.

A large swath of the floor is going to have to come up.  The entire kitchen and about half of the living room, at least.  The floor is also under the kitchen cabinets, so, guess what – they have to come out as well.  Won’t that be fun?

Anyway, all this is going to happen fairly quickly as mold will start to grow.  I won’t have a functioning kitchen for a bit, likely a week at least.  I also hope that they can match the flooring.  Right now, it looks quite nice – hopefully it will be fixed that way.

Let the fun begin…

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End of the Olympics

Posted on February 24, 2014 by kdarcy21

The Olympics are over.  Yesterday started with an early (in Western Canada anyway) Gold Medal hockey game between Canada and Sweden.  Canada pretty much controlled the game from the opening puck drop and easily won the game 3-0.  It was quite the game.  Liquor laws in Alberta, and many other places across the country were temporarily changed to allow bars and restaurants to serve during the game.  I am not much of a drinker myself, not anymore anyway, and I can’t see drinking starting at 5AM.  I was considering going out to watch the game but stayed home and drank coffee.  Canada scored one in each period.  The game didn’t quite have the drama of the Women’s Gold Medal game where they came back from a 2-0 deficit against the Americans and won in overtime, but it was still exciting.  I guess when the team that you want to win is ahead and playing well, a lop-sided game is OK.

Canada also won double gold in curling, I saw some of that.  We had a scattering of medals elsewhere, finished third overall with 25 medals, 10 gold, 10 silver and 5 bronze.  The Americans actually had 28 medals, but one fewer gold which puts us ahead in the standings.  Gotta love that, and, I am sure, the Americans gotta hate it.  It was awesome when Canada (Men’s Hockey) defeated them in the semi-final 1-0, sending the Americans to a Bronze medal game where the Finish team destroyed them 5-0.

I have not yet watched the closing ceremonies.  I recorded it, plan on watching some this morning perhaps, before I head off to the office or tonight when I get home.  Russia apparently did a pretty nice job of hosting.  There weren’t any terrorist activities, as far as I am aware.  I personally don’t care about other issues in Russia.  It isn’t Canada, we don’t control what they do and how they think.  It might be wrong, by our standards, but who are we to judge.

Congrats to all the athletes and especially the Canadian athletes.   We are all proud of what you accomplished.  Way to go !!!

 

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It’s the weekend !!!

Posted on February 22, 2014 by kdarcy21

There hasn’t been a heck of a lot going on this last week.  Work was busy, the days zipped by rather quickly.  Yesterday, we had a going away lunch for one of the Managers at the office, she’s moving to Victoria.  We left the office at around 11:30am and when we got to the restaurant, we were able to watch most of the third period of the Canada-USA hockey game, which, unless you live under a rock in a cave, you know that Canada beat the US 1-0 to go onto the Gold Medal game tomorrow.  There wasn’t a lot of conversation during the game, people were paying attention to the screens and, I guess, their food.

The US is currently playing Finland for the Bronze medal.  I hope that Finland wins.  I am not a huge fan of the Americans, in general I guess.

We have more evaluations today and tomorrow for baseball.  My club needs to draft at least 6 players so the last few picks may be important ones.  We will see pitchers and catchers either today or tomorrow and more hitting as well.  It is supposed to be rather cold as well so I am sure the domes won’t be too warm at all – slightly warmer than being outside I guess.

Tomorrow, 5AM MST is the Gold Medal game, Canada versus Sweden.  Alberta is allowing restaurants and bars open and serve during the game.  I am not sure if I am going anywhere to watch or if I will watch from the comfort of my house – I am guessing I will watch at home, I am not much of a drinker anymore, never mind that I really don’t have much interest in drinking at 5AM anyway.

So, it will be a fairly relaxing weekend – this is good.  With work being much busier since my co-worker left, I do look forward to the weekends.  The job has been posted now, so, I’d expect a replacement in the next month or two.  Guess we will see.

Enjoy your weekend and Go Canada, Go !!!

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Start of the week…

Posted on February 18, 2014 by kdarcy21

The Family Day weekend was relaxing.  Didn’t do anything much on Sunday – went for a walk with the dogs and that was about it. I felt very lazy, napped a couple of times, had a relaxing day.

Family Day, yesterday, was pretty good.  Finally got a haircut, feel about half human now at least.  I like getting my haircut about once a month and I hadn’t gotten it done since the middle of December – what a hippie I was.  Did some grocery shopping as well, dogs needed some food – they would likely get cranky if I didn’t feed them.

I am sure the week will be a busy one.  As I have indicated, my co-worker has moved along to greener pastures.  Today is his first day at his new job, in the oil and gas sector, not sure of the company.  I wish him well.  In a city this size, I sort of doubt that I will ever run into him again. We aren’t really friends so I doubt that I will try to contact him.  I presume that BDO will hire a replacement at some point in the near(ish) future.  In speaking with my boss, he agrees that we need to get the right person for the job and not just fill the seat.  I am glad we are on the same page there.

No baseball this week, during the week anyway.  We have two evaluations this weekend – we will get to see the pitchers and catchers and see what they are like.  The Rockies, the club I am coaching needs about 6 players in the upcoming draft.  It will be interesting for sure.  I do have some stuff that I need to do for the umpires association as well actually – I need to get on that.

The Olympics are more than half over by now.  Canada is doing well, not quite as well as we did four years ago in Vancouver though which is too bad.  The women go for gold in hockey against the US – that goes on Wednesday or Thursday.  Unfortunately, I will be working so I won’t be able to catch the action.  The men continue, finishing third – not sure who they play next.  Looks like they won’t be facing the US in the Gold medal game though, I think they meet in the next round if they meet at all.

Going to start my day and week – hope yours is a good one.

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A long weekend…

Posted on February 16, 2014 by kdarcy21

I am in the middle of a long weekend.  Tomorrow is Family Day.  No plans, other than taking the dogs to the dog park and let them have some fun.  I think we might do that today as well.

Yesterday was a busy day of baseball evaluations.  The indoor facility that we are using is pretty good, it is call Absolute Baseball Academy.  My club, the Rockies, needs to draft about 6 players for the 2014 season.  We can draft up to 10 players but I really don’t have any interest in bringing both clubs up to 15 players each – that is a little heavy of a roster.

I have been involved with drafts before, but in those drafts, we drafted players for one year, not potentially 4 or 5 years.  We have seem some pretty good talent, a lot still to see – we haven’t seen any of the players pitch as yet.  There is also a set of twins that obviously want to play together – they impress me more each time I see them.  The draft is in a couple of weeks.

Anyway, back to the long weekend.  Nothing really planned today – I do need to get a haircut and get some dog food but I think it will be a more relaxing day than anything else.

People will be working at the office both today and tomorrow – we have a lot of deadlines in February so staff have stuff to do.  Hopefully I won’t get called in for any IT emergencies.  Speaking of IT, I am now alone in the Calgary office as my co-worker tendered his resignation and has moved on.  I wish him the best.

If you have tomorrow off, enjoy Family Day.

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Back on the field…

Posted on February 12, 2014 by kdarcy21

Tonight we start indoor evaluation for Base Ruth Calgary.  I am looking forward to getting back to it and getting on the field.  It won’t quite be the same as actually stepping outside onto the diamond to coach again, BUT, it is a little too cold to do that right now.

The BRC program is a little different than what I have done in the past.  There are currently 5 different clubs in the program, each club has two teams.  I am the club manager, so, overly in charge of both teams and I will also be the head coach / manager of the AA club.  The coaches that have been in the program for a few years are with the AAA club.

Players entering the league need to participate in at least two evaluations.  Coaches & managers are at the evaluations taking notes and rating the players.  Players are then put into a draft, divided into rounds – same as any regular draft works.  Come draft day, teams draft players into their clubs, depending on need.  It is important to draft wisely, drafting a weak 15 year old player and he could be in your program for the next 4 years.  My club, the Rockies, get the first draft spot this year.  We do need a catcher, BUT, there aren’t a lot of catchers trying out.  Guess we will see.

Two of the three diamonds that we play on are within a 5-10 minute drive of my house.  One of them is not going to be available at the start of the summer, some irrigation work from the fall wasn’t completed when it was supposed to be and is going to be finished in the spring.  Typical of city contracts it seems.  At least the same issues that I used to have with the city and baseball are pretty much the same in Calgary as they were in St. Catharines.  Actually, I am guessing that things are much better here – at least the city appears to care about sports and kids playing as opposed to the draconian attitudes that were prevalent with parks and rec staff in St. Catharines.  Luckily, I don’t need to deal with them anymore.  So, it won’t be a long drive at all to either of those two diamonds – pretty easy travel time.  The third diamond isn’t too far, but, depending on what time I have to arrive, traffic conditions could be awful.  The third diamond is at Foothills Stadium, right beside McMahon Stadium in the north-west part of the city.  I am hoping that a majority of our weekday games will be at one of the closer diamonds.

So, it starts today.  I am looking forward to the ride.

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