v39.9: IGOR! Yes Master?

Howdy folks,

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It is starting to look like we're in for another hurricane here in the Atlantic provinces of Canada.  Hurricane Igor, which is currently a category 4 hurricane, is projected to make its way up the Atlantic and could possibly hit us here in Nova Scotia.  It is obviously still too early to tell where it will end up, but there is a slight chance it could make it this far north like Hurricane Earl did.

I find it interesting how they come up with these names for Hurricanes.  I'm sure most of us know already that hurricane names are picked out ahead of time and they alternate between male and female names each year.  If a particular hurricane causes extensive damage (Hurricane Katrina for example), they retire the name and it is never used again.  If you're interested in seeing the list of hurricane names for the next 5 years, check out this site.

Some of you may have remembered me talking about my 5 year work anniversary gift I ordered a few weeks back.  Well it finally arrived today.  Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed to have to pay a brokerage fee when the item arrived at my door step.  Perhaps disappointed isn't a strong enough word.  I was pissed off!  I've spent 5 years at this company and I've put in a lot of time and effort into my job and never have I asked for any kind of reward or recognition for my efforts.  I realize getting a gift for n years of dedication and service is something above and beyond for a company to do for an employee, but if they are giving gifts, please for the love of God make them gifts so the employee doesn't get the shaft when it shows up on their door.  Of course I could sit here and bitch about it all night long, but I really don't have the energy to waste on dwelling on it.  I put forth the question to my boss as to whether there will be a reimbursement for my "loss" and he pretty much told me I was SOL, but he would escalate and maybe I'll get it back.

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So I'm betting you're all wondering what I ordered?  Well, this bad boy is the Kitchen-Aid 7qt Stainless Steal slow cooker!  It retails for around $199 at Sears and has food temperature alerts, programmable digital timer and a host of other features I've been anxiously looking forward to using.  I enjoy making stew in the slow cooker for the family, but with the family growing and the slow cooker getting smaller (or seemingly so), it was time to upgrade and when this rig showed up on my 5 year rewards, I didn't even think twice about ordering it.  Now I can cook stew for the entire family and have left overs for another day.  I plan on putting this thing to use on Saturday and have some stew cooked and ready for family members for when they come over to our place Saturday night for some drinks and games.

Speaking of which, my sisters and their significant others will be coming by Saturday and I'm looking forward to a great evening of family, friends and fellowship as we partake of some beverages of the alcoholic variety and have some freshly cooked stew and snacks while hunched over the kitchen table playing poker.  Yeah, Saturday night is going to be a good time I think. :)

Well folks, it is getting late and I have a few things I need to get done tonight before heading to bed.  Tomorrow I am working from home because of a Dr's appointment my wife has so hopefully I'll have some time during the day tomorrow to write.  I really need to get back on the wagon with writing or I'm going to be in bad shape when NaNoWriMo starts up again in November; another thing I'm looking forward to.

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Take care my friends and remember to always check under the toilet seat before you sit down.  I heard a story one time of a lady who failed to check under the toilet seat and was bitten by a spider and died.  True story, it was on the Internet :)

Cheers,

Al