Summer

Posted by: Blue

I'm looking forward to the summer.

We are doing some renovations to the house; I'm putting up a garage.

The only fall-back has been a caveat that the city put on my property 65 years ago for an intended drainage basin on the easternmost five feet of the lot.  It was never put in, and it's clear that it never will be.

Nonetheless, the city won't allow a variance.  Red tape is red tape.

We decided to move the garage over six feet and leave room for a greenhouse on the East side, which doesn't require a permit.

I suppose it could become a problem in another 65 years, if the city decides at that time that it is suddenly absolutely necessary to stop procrastinating and put in a pipe.

Summer

Posted by: Blue

I've been wiling away the summer somewhat lazily. Blog included.

We've been out to the beach and camping and fishing and BBQing and enjoying the short, hot months of summer up North here.

I had a rough winter this past year. I'm hoping that this one is a little less trying, a little less cold and a whole lot shorter.

Hope you are all well.

Cheers.

Blue

Skunked

Posted by: Blue

I went out fishing for Thursday and Friday.

We portaged a 14' aluminum boat approximately 750 yards into one of Canada's world famous Pickerel (Walleye) lakes, along with an 18HP Evinrude and about 3 times more gear than we needed.

Fished for 2 days straight.  One on the line; couldn't land him before he spit the hook.  No one else even got a bite.

Still better than a good day at work.

Gone Fishin'

Posted by: Blue

I just got back from 4 days on my favourite lake with 4 of my best friends.

I am relaxed.

Tomorrow I'm in court bright and early.  Nights start Tuesday.

Court and Re-cert

Posted by: Blue

Today I was originally subpoenaed for court.  I was cancelled Friday.

Recertification for Police Vehicles Operation was cancelled for tomorrow because the track is snowed-under.

Two extra days off.

Off-Duty

Posted by: Blue

Today, at my sons' doctor's office, I was pulling into the parking lot and witnessed an irate male on the side-walk yelling at a woman in an SUV.

It was clear from the body language of the pedestrian that he didn't believe her vehicle should be in his path.

He was wrong.  She was obeying all laws of the road just fine.

She ignored him and tried to drive away, acting the adult that she was.  He turned and spat on the hood of her car.  She didn't notice and drove away.

I jumped out of the driver's seat, told my wife to park and chased him down the street.

I caught up to him, tinned him and then the following conversation ensued:

"What the hell was that? You'd better cool yourself down!"

"No, I was just, I was just saying..."

"No!  You spit on her car.  That's what you were doing.  You'd better smarten your ass up!"  I poked my index finger into his chest when I said that last part.

"Okay."

"Get the hell outta here.  I don't want to see you again.  I'm just disgusted by that.  If I come across you in uniform, I'm gonna give you a ticket for that and we might have a longer talk about what kinds of wants or orders you might have.  That was disgusting behaviour.  And I'm gonna tell you, she was in the right with her driving.  You didn't even have a reason to be upset, let alone spit on her car."

"Okay.  I'm sorry."

"Go."

The rudeness, childishness and stupidity of some people is really what makes me mad.  My partner calls me the Manners Cop when I tell arrestees to mind their pleases and thank-you's or pull someone over just to explain to them that it's not polite to cut someone off in traffic.  I have no problem with that.  A few more manners and some consideration of others would go a long way in this world.

Holiday Schedule

Posted by: Blue

Over December and January, our regular schedules go for a tumble so that we can arrange every year to have one side off on Christmas and the other side off on New Year's.  This year, our shifts got Christmas off.

In order to arrange everything fairly so that we all get the same amount of days off combined with days, evenings and nights worked, not to mention our guaranteed 2 weekends off per 4 weeks worked, we end up having a very scrambled schedule.

This week, I worked 4 nights and took the 5th one off.  Now I have 7 days off until I go back.  The trade-off is that next week I only have 2 days off before I head back in for Evenings.

Back to Work

Posted by: Blue

Tonight is the shift Christmas party.  We're headed for ribs and drinks and then to one of the guys houses.

Sunday I head back for Nights.

Kitchens

Posted by: Blue

Two down.  Two to go.

HWT

Posted by: Blue

Last night I ran downstairs to grab something just before dinner.  I stepped in a puddle at the bottom of the stairs.

Our hot water tank blew out.

In preparation for the new tank, I went about tidying our messy laundry/utility room.

I hate letting people into my laundry room.  It is dark, dank, dismal, dreary, destitute, drippy and dungeon-esque.

Here is a list of other things that make me uncomfortable:

• Dentist check-ups
• Vehicle maintenance and repairs
• Tax season
• Meeting with bankers
• Crossing the border
• Security checks at the airport

They all make me feel scrutinized unnecessarily; like someone is judging me based on my flossing technique or how often I change the oil in my truck.

I imagine that these things make me feel very similar as a good person does while talking to the police. Traffic stops used to be on the list before I became a cop and saw them from the other side.  My brother has voiced many times that cops give him the heebie-jeebies.  I can totally understand that.

Holidays

Posted by: Blue

I have extended my holidays for another week and a half.  I have been enjoying my time with the family and our new boy.  My days have been spent washing dishes, washing clothes, and washing my daughter's vomit off of the floor... but I am loving it.  

When I'm not doing any of the above, I have been geeking out on the couch, perusing knives, flash-lights and all things paracord (a new find for me).  To sample my latest hobby, take a look here, or click on the link for Stormdrane's Blog on the right hand side of the page.

Tomorrow my relaxation is cut down and I will be double-dipping by working on 4 kitchens during my time off.  Gotta pay for Christmas.

A Happy Thanksgiving to all of you American readers, by the way.  I hope you all had a good time with friends and family (even if you aren't celebrating the real Thanksgiving which actually comes in October).

The Waiting Game

Posted by: Blue

I'm off until December 2 in anticipation of our new baby.

The little bugger has held on perfectly until I was off duty.  Now for the waiting game.

Shield Country