HOCKEY

HOCKEY. It's all about the hockey. And lots of it. It's definitely Hockey time here! Go Vipers Go!

It's still cold. FREEZING cold. And I do mean freezing. I think the term "Wind Chill" was invented here - or at least this is where it was named. Yeah, it's cold. Welcome to winter. Minus 29 this morning (Celsius). And all the cars, at all those who had somewhere to go this morning, were plugged-in. I'll explain PLUGGED-IN another time.

I have to admit - I'm getting rather tired of all the coats and sweaters. Yes, 1 person can wear 4 sweaters at one time. Trust me I've figured it out. It's called layering - and I have become a master of that.

TODAY: Almost done again. Posting on the BLOG here, has turned into an evening time thing I think. Just way too busy right from the get go in the morning. THIS IS A BUSY HOUSE. And it doesn't really stop or slow down.

TOMORROW: Tomorrow, is the start of the AIRPORT RUNS. Believe it or not - 7 people flying in, all at different times and days. And the leaving part is almost the same. We should have a shuttle service I think. Next time maybe we should co-ordinate. In this house, tomorrow, the Christmas Season starts. Looking forward to all of it, and seeing everyone that comes.

SPECIAL NOTE: To the other Me. I think it's almost time for you to get out of there. Time for you to have a break. Besides all that, I think it's time for you to hook up with the real me and everyone else around here that's waiting for you.

P.S. Bring long sleeves and warm winter socks. You're going to need them. Bring LOTS. See you soon.

Ok, time for me to curl up in a nice warm place. I'm off to bed.

Good to Go!

MINUS MINUS

MINUS 27° C and getting colder. Wholly, it's COLD! Wholly, I'm COLD! My feet are COLD, my legs are COLD, my hands are COLD, my arms are COLD, I'm just COLD. I need some Balikpapan weather.

It has been a very, very busy week. People here have managed to get me busy with a whole bunch of stuff. Even got to shovel a bit of snow. Yes we've been through a couple blizzards this week. Not the DQ kind either. Was thrilled to get to go to the Winter (Christmas) Concert on Wednesday. Very cool. Has been awhile since I got to do that. Good job Austin - you rock.

So check out the poem (below). Written by my current favorite poet. I think he must have been thinking of me on this one. My view of winter at least - for sure.

The Power of the Scary Wind - by Austin

Wind
Whistling through the prairie grass.
Wild wind,
Tossing fallen leaves,
Flying, falling,
The breath of death arrives.
The green grass turning into
Brown, dead grass,
Flowers are dying.

Stay warm everyone. Good to Go!

SNOW DAY

................and then there was snow. And lots of it. 15 centimeters - at least. The law of probability - let it snow. And it did. And absolutely everything, everywhere right now, right here - is WHITE.

SNOW DAY. Temperature: Zero. Not above or below. Today was - the perfect kind of snow. White + slippery roads + fender benders + shovels + scrapers + mitts. It's definitely a SNOW DAY.

Wholly, weather warning - I forgot about that. And driving in snow - forgot about that too. The perfect parking lot donut day. No doubt. No, don't worry - I didn't do that. It was SO temping though.

TODAY: Well, today is almost done. Today was one of those SNOW DAYS when you have to re-adjust. Re-adjust to driving, what you're going to do and where you're going to go. A good day for hockey and see what's on TV (real TV) and goulash and home-made soup. Gingerbread houses and French Vanilla Cappuccino (lost count on those) and hanging out in the house. Today was the perfect SNOW DAY.

TOMORROW: Who knows? First we'll have to see about the snow.

Night everyone. Good to Go!

WEATHER WARNINGS

LET IT SNOW

SNOW ............. not. Com'mon, bring it on I'm ready. Bring on the snow. I've got gloves, and a scarf and I can even find a hat if I need it - where's the snow? There's no snow where I'm at.

NO SNOW .............. not yet, but I'm sure it'll be here. I'm betting on December 18th.

So my trip out of Balikpapan - well, if you want to get outta town quick - get on a plane with someone who needs medical attention. You know when the steward on the plane asks "if there's a doctor on board can you please identify yourself", you're gonna have an interesting trip. And there were in fact 2 doctors, what were the odds of that? I think we got to Singapore in half time. And zero waiting time on the runway. That was a quick trip.

Ok, I've been here ..... hmmm, 2 weeks + a bit. Sorry, all you Blogger folks. Guess I took a holiday for a bit. Times flies by, even on this side. Talk about B-U-S-Y. Yes, I have been busy, there's been a lot of everything going on here.

I've done the GREY CUP (that's real football folks, not soccer), the hockey thing, helped with move-outs and move-ins. Put up Christmas lights and Christmas trees, helped with Christmas Cards and a whole bunch of other get ready for Christmas stuff. Have driven all over the place (yes, I got my licence back - long story - but I got it). Helped with a block heater that really does exist (another long story) now that was funny - wasn't it Scott? .............. and loads, loads of other stuff.

It's real nice to be here. Nice to be with everyone. Will be even better once the other Me gets here too. Yes, I miss you. I also miss sunshine and warm. Minus 1 sucks. It's cold. (I'm in real big trouble if the real winter comes.)

The news from Balikpapan: I've heard the Hypermart has opened and the A&W too. Now doesn't that just figure. I sure hope they save me some. No news about the new Starbucks yet. I'm getting all the Tims coffee in here while I can (that's real coffee).

TODAY: Today, well it's actually 11 o'clock. P.M. and it's still Saturday where I'm at. But tomorrow is more hockey, more cooking and probably still no snow.

Stay warm everyone. Good to Go!

SUMPAI JUMPA

No time for a post today everyone. Time to go.

Sumpai Jumpa - that means later folks. And yes I'm going to miss you, Balikpapan too.

TODAY: Off on the big trip. Off to the other side ....................... see you in awhile other Me. Miss you big time too.

PASAR INPRES

Lets go to PASAR INPRES. Pasar Inpres had a fire Sunday night. Now we wonder what's left. Not the first fire and surely not the last. Pasar Inpres has a bit of a history when it comes to fires, but thats another story all in itself - one I'm still trying to figure out. Good thing I got the photo last time I was there - all these fruit stalls - well today they might not be left.

PASAR INPRES. (Pasar = market) A note about shopping at Pasar Inpres: you need to be there early if you want to get the good stuff. The markets are fascinating places. There isn't much you can't find here. If you're going to find it in Balikpapan - this is going to be place.

The Art of Buying in the market. There's no fixed price in this place. Note: Fixed Price, means it has an actual sticker on it - with a price. Not here. Here it's all about bargaining. And in Balikpapan, bargaining is just another part of life. A combination of patience, a whole bunch of cheerfulness and always with a smile. And usually you get a bit of "where you from?" a bunch of "hello mister"s (regardless of your sex) and lots of folks just looking for someone to practice their English with. Some days, it can actually be a bit of fun I guess.

TODAY: This morning have maintenance at the house - hoping they fix the holes that have appeared in the roof. The ceiling. Too much rain happening these days I think. Good thing we have maintenance. They are fast - but we'll have to wait and see how long their patch job is going to last.

Busy, busy day today. Loads to do. Sun's out - and that makes for a good day to be a busy day. It's a no umbrella day. Lets go!

Good to Go!