Ness’ Outpost

Yesterday I got an email from HR here at GE about the employee benefit of bringing in nurses to administer on site flu shots. I have to admit that I have yet to get a flu shot when they have been available ever since University.

Today I read this CBC article titled Canadians urged to get flu shots despite problems.

I think I’ll continue the trend and not get a flu shot again this year. If I was interacting with older people or newborns more often then I might. But I’m not convinced it does more good than bad. I’ll just let nature take it’s course and roll the dice.

This from a complete health care idiot.

Remember when your Mom used to make you write a list to Santa. Well now in the digital age I can do it online, update and make changes up to the night of Christmas. Of course that doesn’t mean I won’t get a lump of coal, but what can you do:

• *NEW* Survival Suit - likely Large or XL - Bright coloured and floating for ice fishing.
• *NEW* Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ By Bjarne Stroustrup
• *NEW* Paper shredder - For all this mail I’m getting with my personal information all over it.
• Snow Shoes
• Gators
• Walking Poles
• Tool Chest (Craftsman)
• Tilly Socks - full length and the Unhole-y ones ($20/pair) - absolutely worth the cost
• Hiking Socks - smart wool or other moisture wicking brands
• Pants - For work and a few for play
• Rain pants - for hiking in wet conditions - I have fleece lined winter ones, but those are too hot for non-winter activities
• Flys for fishing in southern ontario - targeting bass, trout, and the odd pike - Check out number 3 at the link
• SOLD OUT?
  “Fumbling with a Flyrod: Stories from the River” By Ian Colin James in hard cover if you can find one that isn’t a collectible. You’ll know it’s a collectible because it will be ridiculously expensive. Otherwise paperback is fine.
• Waders - unfortunately a very personal purchase based on fit, value, features, etc. and are likely going to be in the $300-$500 range
• Wader Boots - no sense buying these without having a pair of waders. Waders may come with boots as a combo.
• Canadian Tire or Home Depot gift cards are always welcome! ;)

If it looks like most of my gifts could come from MEC - you’d be right.

That’s right, I saw snow. That means it is time to start work on the winter beard.

Sorry Lo, but I have the means to keep my face warm. I know at least one woman that likes me in my beard, and it isn’t my Mom (although she might). Chantelle is a sucker for the beard as Grant will attest to.

Lauren and I officially moved into our new home in Mississauga today. Thanks to everyone who came out to both sites for loading and unloading the truck. It rained quite a bit but we are in and unpacking.

The bad news is that the truck leaked through the light. The good news is that it just slowed us down a bit since the bottom of the cardboard boxes were soaked and had to be handled carefully. Luckily the piano wasn’t on that side of the truck. I complained to Uhaul and they kindly reversed the charges for the truck so it turned out all I paid for was gas.

This is far better customer service than Bell that is for sure.
I would rent from Uhaul again - overall this experience has been pleasant. There is a little bit of frustration waiting in line to get and return the trucks. It seems the service centres are a little understaffed on weekends. Next time I plan to move something on a rainy day I’ll be to get a decent truck and not put anything under light fixtures in the box.

I returned from a vacation on PEI visiting family and relaxing with my family. We arrived after 19 hours of driving through 4 provinces and a few bathroom and gas breaks. Things were wet on the way to the island in Quebec and then the rain seemed to chase us across the country.

Mom and Katharine fell sick on Tuesday so that limited the people we could go visit, but it just meant more walks on the beach and nosing around the cottage getting some reading done.

We were able to go to my Great Aunt Vivian’s 85th birthday dinner at the New Glasgow Lobster supper hall. Most of us had the lobster meal, but a few had scallops.

I also was able to get out and do some deep sea fishing with the “Bearded Skipper“. We set out at 6pm into the open ocean from the North Rustico wharf. I pulled up a small mackerel and a decent sized cod was reeled up from the bottom. It was approximately 3-4 lbs.

You can find some pictures from the week here.

You just need some old bananas and you’re pretty much in business.

From the kitchen of Gramie and Barb Ness.

3 Banana’s Cut Up
1 Cup White Sugar
2 1/2 Cups Flour
1/3 Cup Vegtable Oil
3 Tea Spoons Baking Powder
1 Egg
1/2 Tea Spoon Salt
1/2 Cup Milk
3/4 Cup Walnuts (But not for Lauren)

Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add nuts, set aside.

Put into blender sugar, oil, egg, bananas and milk.
Blend until well mixed.
Grease 5×3x9″ loaf pan.
Bake at 350°F for 1 hour (convection: 300°F for 1 hour)
Cool in pan for 20 minutes, remove from pan and cool on a rack.

Makes 1 loaf or 22-24 large muffins.

We’ll see how it turns out, the loaf is in the oven right now.

I took the time to go to work, vote, have dinner with the Biamontes - well it was more like after, but we tried. I then stuck around to watch a full Leafs vs. Sens game and on the way home bought gas for 90.9 cents/L.

I’ve learned an important lesson today.

I cannot wrap a present that is fit for presentation.

The good news is that by handing a gift to a loved one that looks like it’s been run over by a few reindeer, an elf or two and Santa’s Humvee the gift inside is elevated to the next level once the non-protective covering is removed.

For example, a pair of socks wrapped up nicely with a bow and matching paper is kind of a let down after the excellent presentation of the giver. BUT when you find a pair of socks in a package that looks like a toddler has been gnawing on it for two weeks - that gift is a festive surprise!
There are not any high hopes attached to the gift. The reciever is simply glad the gift wasn’t last years fruit cake covered in a thick layer of varathane and ready to be used for a hockey puck.

Seasons Greetings!