A very decent fall day here in the great northcountry today. Not really warm but sunny and a gentle day for a change. Services went fine this AM, voice was less then top-notch first service, but was fine second services but stuck mostly to the low harmony line. Knee is improving; still a little tender but is almost back to norm. Now norm is not good, norm is always a background level of pain in both knees, too much damage done in sports as a youth, but a level I can deal with, because I have no choice.
A light lunch and the northcountry choral rehearsal, we give one concert a year, well one set of music with 3 performances. This year we are doing the Christmas potion of the messiah, with a few additions from parts 2 and 3. Rehearsal went great despite the fact that the voice was not at 100%. Now for worship team the voice can be less then 100% and all is well. But I am lead high tenor with the choral group and a voice under 100%, given the fact that your singing the choral tenor parts of the messiah……different story. But a great rehearsal, we are about a month + from the performances and everything is going to gether quite well, still a few sections that are a little rough but plenty of time to fix the issues. But the society is more then the music, singing great music would be enough to satisfy the old trollie, but there are the people involved. Just a great group of folks who are joined by a love of the master works.
Slow cooked a very nice piece of pork tonight with onions, garlic, celery, and bay leaves…….turned out tasting great, but frankly lost track of it and probably left it on the simmer for about 20 minutes too long. It totally resists any attempt to slice it. It just falls apart. Tender for this one is an understatement. Will augment it with assorted veggies and have a week’s worth of lunches for work. I love the fact that microwaves are available. I never liked cold sandwiches for lunch. I can eat a cold supper, or a cold snack, but I need hot food for lunch.

Not a bad weather day at all, a bit of frost this morning, but was sunny and pleasant most of the day. Managed to twist my knee this morning and by days end it was really hurting me. But then I was either driving forklift or walking on cement floors all day to the fact that it got worse is not surprising. Took a good, long, hot soak in the tub and it feels much better tonight, but then I stayed off it most of the night. Hopefully it will be fine tomorrow because I’ve got a boatload of work to cleanup and hope to get through it in as little time as possible.
Had a nice veal chop in the frig, and thin sliced in and pan fried it with some shallots, added a very good stored bought light tomato sauce, and had it over pasta with a couple of hard rolls. Very nice…..very nice indeed……

Actually was a nice day today weather wise. First on in a long time, although it was only in the mis-40’sF, little wind and the sunny did peek through from time to time.
On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being easy and ten being impossible today rated about an 8.5. However since the first three days this week were off the scale today seemed mild by comparison. Despite the fact that I was really feeling poorly today, well up until the afternoon, felt better this afternoon, not good, but better then this morning.
Payday, did my banking and errands, grocery shopping et al. spent more then I usually do on groceries but I’m trying to build up the stock in the pantry for winter, and with the OT I worked last week this seemed to be a good week to get that started.

Another cool, damp, dreary day, and there is a chance that we may get some snow tonight. This early in the season not much, and not anything that will hang around for any time at all, but the first snow is always a portent of things to come.
One of those days work wise that was filled with phone calls, interruptions and a raft of small, one might say even petty problems that just chewed up huge amounts of time, so what should have been a “see spot run” day, turned into a freak show.
Made a quick pizza for supper, relaxed awhile and headed off to worship team rehearsal. Good people, good music, and I feel fine tonight, despite the day, I feel good.

It’s late and I should have been in bed an hour or so ago, particularly since I had the worst night’s sleep I have had in months last night, but the ultimate fighter 2 was on spike at 11. Up until now the fights have been, well disappointing compared to the fights on ultimate fighter 1 but tonight’ s was a beaut.
Was cool and a tad on the damp side most of the day but we did see a bit of sun, which has not been the case the last several days. Work, well………what can I say………I was busy all day and quite frankly accomplished very little. But such is the norm for working materials. You have days where little effort produces maximum results, and then days like today when maximum effort produces buttkiss. Not surprisingly spell check has reject buttkiss. Well trollie condemns spell check to the fires of hell.

The day was another damp, dreary one weather wise. And my physically level today was way under 100%, but surprisingly the day went quite well. I have a bit of a cold, which made singing a chore rather then relaxation, but can’t complain. I did get a little feisty at choral rehearsal, one of the singers in my section today was a bit off key, probably because they were pressing a little and just blasting through sections that needed to be lighter. I rarely say anything, but it was throwing me off a little, as well as it just wasn’t correct, and I was struggling a little today with my concentration, normally it would not have affected me at all, but it was handled. Not that I was stepping out or where I didn’t belong, as section leader it’s my job. But the rest of rehearsal went fine. And I did handle the issue without actually being rude. Which is a miracle considering how lousy I felt.

Weather was not bad today, sunny and cold this AM, and overcast most of the rest of the day but not a bad fall day, not a great fall day, not an “Indian summer” day for sure but not bad.

Spent 3 and a half hours at work this morning but got virtually everything done that had “fallen thru the cracks” in a very busy week. Did not even look at one job, don’t want to look at it, because it’s a nightmare. The foundation that we do shipping for (link), arranged an overseas shipment and got the freight prepaid and didn’t pay attention to the combined length and girth limitations for the country. Actually I did the pieces cube and weight on the shipment but was not told that it was going air parcel post. So the packaging exceeds the limits. And I need to check to see if a re-pack within the limitations is possible. A fact I doubt but just wasn’t in the mood to hack boxes today.

Spent sometime after work doing a bit of long term shopping. Can goods on the shelf have got down to low ebb. With few exceptions I never buy my can goods at the grocery, made stops at “Big Lots” and “Dollar General”, I can get decent quality, and in sizes that fit a single person, for far less then what I can find at your common grocery store. I have always joked that I think they should open a grocery store for singles. With everything packaged for the person who lives and eats alone. Would also be cool if that non-existent store had a pickup bar in it (hehe).

Actually felt pretty good this morning but crashed out big time in the afternoon. Feel better now but just am dang tired from the week.

Today the weather was bell clear this morning and quite cold, the first true frost of the fall, it warmed up later in the day but there was still a chill in the air.

Work wise I thought yesterday was a freak show but it couldn’t hold a candle to today. Got virtually everything that absolutely needed to be done, done, but have a bunch of stuff I should attended to tomorrow. Usually when production works a Saturday or Sunday for that matter, it’s a quick in and out for me. Record production and dump it in the computer and run home. An hour or two tops, but with what didn’t get done today and the week for that matter, it may end up a half day. Oh well and oy vey.

Easy and relaxing night., watched the flick American president. I have a VCR tape, which I am quite sure I will eventually wear out. Yeah, yeah, I known, a chick flick…….but I love it.

Today was a weird day weather wise. Day started out overcastted and cold, the type of cloud cover that in another month will produce a ton of snow. But turned sunny , although still some low clouds, and was almost warm, not quite, but almost.

Was one of those workdays when the clown car was in the parking lot. I was on a dead run until 3:30 pm, from my 8 am start time. And one of those days when people just didn’t understand that I would get to their request eventually, but eventually was not right now…….in fact with the day that tomorrow seems to be shaping up to be….eventually might be next week. But you have two options, wait until I get a chance to do it or do it yourself. I’m amazed how what some people think needs to be done now, morphs into when trollie has a chance to do it when the only other option is for them to do it themselves (hehe).

Banking, fueling the car (although this step was habit, not need as since last Thursday I had only used just over two gallons of gas). And groceries, which I needed little of, but the process took me forever so got take out for dinner. We only have two seasons here in the northcountry, winter and construction. And they have one of the main drags all torn up. One that I basically have to wait or go way out of my way to avoid practically every where I go in town.

Have just hung out tonight, watched survivor, a weird season. I really have found it hard to “connect” with any of the current cast of characters, beyond thinking the returning Steph is a fox…………

The weather today was very erratic again today and it’s really got my arthritis going, on one hand fall is my favorite season, I love the colors of fall…….but it is the season which I have the hardest time managing my arthritis…………

Finally got the bulk of the issues with the new computer system fixed today so work went fairly well

Stopped off on the way home and got the fixings for the first pot of pea soup since springtime. Thru the fall and winter months nothing hits the spot like home made soup, and pea soup is my all time fav.

Weather was very unsettled today. It lent truth to the statement that if you don’t like the weather here in the northcountry wait five minutes and it will change, but not untypical for mid-October.

Work was well work, better then yesterday but still not good. I at least had one computer that was tied to the system so I was able to catch up, however they still haven’t figured out the local computer problem so I have to use one of the network printers for all my printing………..the closest one is like a couple hundred feet away (one way) and up a flight of stairs……..dang…….

Rehearsal went great tonight, we worked on a new song among other things, really not one that grabbed me right off the bat, but everyone else loves it so …………will deal…………but I really enjoy the singing and the people and 2 out of 3 ain’t bad in any “ league”

Weather today was cool but not half bad, at least it didn’t rain hard……..morning at work went ok, but the afternoon turned into a nightmare……they were swapping out the old computer equipment for the new and ended up having a problem getting my new thin client to see the local printer that is a must for my department………anyways they worked all afternoon on it, and when I left at 4:30 the problem was not yet solved……..and the longer it’s down the further behind I get…..rats…….

actually as i look at the clock, yesterday would be more appropiate above then today

I’ve had one of the best days I’ve had in a very long time. I feel rested after my short vacation, and feel mentally and physically as good as I’ve felt in ages.

Worship team went great in both services this morning, class was fine and we had a very interesting missionary speaker.

Choral rehearsal was a blast. We are doing Handel’s messiah or at least the Christmas potion, plus selected pieces from the other sections, and it’s really great music. Voice wise, and concentration wise I was a bit off today. Clobbered a couple of parts and got uncharacteristically lost once, but had a great time. We have the core of the section back that have sung together for the last couple of years, and have added 3 new voices, all 3 are very strong. At times in the past I have felt that I needed to be at the top of my game always, as I was carrying the section, but now it’s a more team effort and much easier. The neat part is in a group of 155 voices we only have a dozen or so tenors, but we more then hold our own.

But the greatest thing about the choral group is not the music, but the people. With many of those in the group it’s almost like a “family”, and the appeal of the group transcends the music, and is as much about the relationships.

Work tomorrow, but I can say that I am looking towards it with a better attitude then I have had recently……….

So I went out this morning to get some milk. I almost never drink milk but I’ve got a cat that will be very rude to me if she doesn’t have a saucer of milk twice a day. So I stopped at the nearest quick stop and there were people waiting to fill up with gas, small place only 4 pumps. So I figure, man they got to be a whole lot cheaper than the gas place about 200 yds. away, with their 16 pumps, so I look down the street at their sign and their gas is a penny higher. Ok so now I’m baffled…….why wait in line to get gas, went you can drive right in and fill up, just to save 20 cents, that’s assuming a 20 gallon purchase………….(trollie shakes head)………….

I’m an idiot, really I can’t believe some times how ridiculous I am…….I have had a good day, a relaxing day……….a fine day……..and one minor thing, one little thing that I should just forget, should roll off my back so to speak has put me in a vile, rotten humor………silly but true, pathetic but none the less a fact……….but it is what I am after all………..major problems ( I guess the new thing is calling them issues but I’m not into new things)………I handle and can control……it’s the little things that get under my skin and really p*ss me off………

Another relaxing day, got the oil changed in the car and had breakfast out, but other then the two calls from work this afternoon just relaxed and hung out……….

It was a quiet, restful day. Did my banking and grocery shopping, and basically nothing else, just kicked back and let the world do its thing without me…………..need to get some work done on the car tomorrow but no big deal…………

Weather was damp and cool today and it looks like the forecast is the same each day right thru Sunday, and I have the next 4 days off. Would bother me if I planned any outdoor activities but the whole point is to relax and get rested so the weather is not important.

Very busy day at work today and ran behind so stayed an extra hour to make sure everything I needed to get done got done before the days off.

Made a boiled dinner tonight with some really nice shin beef, boneless, have quick meals now for the vacation time.

Have just gotten worn down over the last few weeks and need time to just relax,

Another dreary day, work although basically okay did have it’s frustrating moments, but then that’s why the call it work and not fun. Went shopping after work, had run out of the cat food my cat’s eat the most of and only one place in town carries it. Had to end up with the 20 lb. bag because they were out of the smaller size I usually buy.

Have just hung out tonight and chilled, no rehearsal………rats…….

We are changing over from a site based computer system to a web based vendor, and things are a bit messed up, nasty day today weather wise, I’m tired but two more days and I got 4 off……….

It’s late and a sensible man would have been in bed hours ago, well that leaves me out. I was flicking thru the channels and I saw the flick “stone garden” was on, a disturbing flick in many ways but compelling…….

A busy but enjoyable day……only 3 work days this week……..I’m tired and I need to rest and I’m taking Thursday and Friday as vacation days………..have some work that needs to be done on the car and I will try to arrange to have it done one of those days………but the main reason is just to de-wind, to relax to de-stress………..

Wet, rainy, nasty, cold day, actually had the furnace on for the first time this fall. Work turned into a real waste of time. I had intended to go in for a couple hours to put yesterday’s production numbers in the computer and re-check my resin usage numbers. And you guessed it the computer system was down…….we’re in the process of changing systems but they apparently didn’t get as far as they though……so I gathered data but with out my spread sheets didn’t seem with the effort to do it the old fashion way. So will wait to next week.

Rest of the day went okay. I picked up the 2-tape set of the return of the king, the one with the extra-footage. I had never see it. As I said I haven’t seen the film as it was show in the theaters so maybe that moved a little better, but the expanded version was a little well, slow and disjointed, but enjoyable none the less.

(this is not a post, and should not be construed as one. I’m am too tired, and my mind is drawing a blank as to what to post to night….so there will be no post by me to my blog tonight………..so again this is not a really post……if it was ……..well then ……but it isn’t)

A very warm fall day, daytime high was in the 80’sF, really strange for this time of year…..work went okay……and got a surprise……..I got a 1.3% raise…….which wasn’t a big deal but it ea retroactive to my anniversary date which is in January so it was quite a chunk, plus the overtime I got for inventory……came at a nice time…….school tax is due……well actually not for another month but I got the cash so I paid it…………I pay a reduced rate because of age but it’s still a shock to the budget…….except this year…….

By the time I did my banking, filled the car, did groceries, and wrote and mailed 11 checks……it was after 6:30 and I didn’t feel like cooking and got take out seafood…………….have crashed big time tonight………….

Another nice weather day, got into the high 70’s F today, which for October in he northcountry is dang hot. Work went okay but I still am a little beat up physically from the inventory last weekend, and a busy Sunday. What I really need is a day I can sleep in but that isn’t on the immediate horizon…….have a few vacation days left and I might take them at the beginning of next week……….just did some necessary household chores tonight and have been just chillin’. Need to do banking, groceries et al tomorrow night……but tonight was for relaxin’……..

Nice weather day, work went well, and rehearsal tonight was great but I still haven’t really recovered from year end inventory and a busy Sunday……physically I still feel pretty punk……..

Cat aggie sue is on my lap as I type this, the largest of three, big bodied and about 18 Lbs., but the only one of three that I have a chance of typing when they are on my lap ………….despite being the biggest cat I have she is last in the pecking order………the other two basically kick the crap out of her……..she may be big but when it comes to the pecking order she is a loser…………….i have a few vacation days left and I think I’ll take a few next week…….I’m tired………bone tired and need to rest and refresh

On one hand I didn’t post yesterday, on the other hand today is yesterday because I haven’t been to bed yet……..i know it’s a weak argument but it’s the only one I’ve got and I’m sticking to it

Spent the afternoon with the independent auditor for year end inventory………..I’ve done inventory for 25+ years and I know what the auditor wants to see…….he isn’t looking for numbers, he’s looking for dollars……….had two exceptions that really p*ssed me off…………one was a part that I told the count teams to ignore a pallet because I was shipping it and they didn’t do what I asked, and beside that I should have gone back and checked it, and I trusted their count and should have checked it……..in the long run my bad…………the other one they (or rather he) counted an item that was like 2 feet from the other item and ignored the second one……..what the hey…….their bad……….that one I can understand………..where were they thinking on that one……….now two exceptions out of a hundred lines ………not bad…..but not perfect………..nuts

I am physically wasted……..but sleep escapes me

Was a bit on the cool side this morning but turned into a lovely warm fall day…….it’s October and we really have no fall colors yet……we haven’t had a hard frost yet which brings those colors out, which is quite unusual…..

Sang in first service and taught adult Christian ed. As usual, had no responsibilities in second service so usually would leave, but stayed as there was a special service honoring the elder members of the church………which included my dad who is 90………….got home after 12:30 pm and needed to be to the first rehearsal of northcountry choral by a bit after 1:30 pm to register, pay dues, and greet old friends………went really well, I think I mentioned in a previous entry we are doing the Christmas messiah this year………..

Got home about 4:30 pm and have just physically crashed out tonight…..the combination of inventory the two previous days and a busy schedule today and I have been really low ebb physically this evening………but as is often the case when I get this tired, my mind ( or at least what’s left of it), is whirling around at 100 mph and I will probably have trouble getting to slept, particularly when you add the simple fact that I am very stiff and sore and probably will find it difficult, ( if not impossible), to find a comfortable sleeping posture…….

Nice fall day and I feel pretty good tonight despite working 20 and a half hours the last two days on year end inventory……mentally I’m a little blow out but I feel pretty good any ways………and north country choral rehearsals start tomorrow, and we are doing the Christmas part of the messiah this year……..can’t wait………