Squamloonland

Bucket list item officially checked off: having number one at the workplace yuletide Yankee swap. And enjoying it.

For a dream vehicle and a dealership without sleaziness who WOULDN’T drive 3 hours two days running? Glad you’re happy T2.

Okay, so I’m 333 pages into “Twilight”, and while “enthralled” would be an overstatement, “indulgently entertained” wouldn’t.

Still no cable internet due to Thursday night’s storm, so I’m going to try my hand at writing a complete post with my BlackBerry, links and all.

I transferred the pics from my Olympus to the device’s card and uploaded them to Flickr, so I think I’m good to go.

Addendum: I guess the theme wasn’t as immediately apparent as I’d hoped, so I’m adding titles to the photos.

One BlackBerry announcing the snow day.
At 5 something on the morning of the 12th I was pleased to receive the expected automated call from my superintendent saying that the ice storm was severe enough to warrant cancelling school.

The power was out, but I was able to follow the closings on my BlackBerry. Most schools in the state were closed.(I’ll enhance this pic and a few others when I have better access.)

Two SquamDogs slipping on the ice
My yard’s layer of ice wasn’t as dramatically thick as in neighboring towns, but it was enough to annoy the SquamDogs as they looked for footing enough to do their morning business.

Three four-wheel drive vehicles covered in ice
I love the way it encases the cars.
So, with a spontaneous day off and no power, what to do?

Four trash and recycling bins neatly organizd
Clean up my shop and organize the trash…

Five-cluster pine needles sparkling in the sun
…and then take a little time to watch the ice melt. (Fun fact: there are five needles in every cluster on a white pine).

Six wreaths on a wintry shopping center
I went into town to run some errands as dusk fell. The local shopping center had that Thomas Kincaidey look (only real and un-tacky). Aren’t the wreaths festive?

7 visible columns on a Christmassy bandstand
I hadn’t planned to put this shot in, but with the tree blocking one of the pillars it fits the theme. And it’s Christmassy.

8 stairs in the process of being shoveled
By evening enough of the ice had melted to make removal easy, albeit heavy. (BTW it’s very satisfying to shovel the steps built by my own hand.)

Chapter nine of a shallow-but-fun popular book
The cable TV and internet’s being out resulted in my reading many chapters of Twilight (I had to see what all the hype was about. I couldn’t classify it as great literature, but it’s an enjoyable read I must admit.)

Ten pieces of a Lakes Region Puzzle
I also joined T2 and P in finishing the Lakes Region jigsaw puzzle that’s been out on a card table for a few weeks…

The eleventh second of the eleventh minute of an episode of The Long Way Round
…and we watched the final episode of The Long Way Round, which we had from NetFlix. (I highly recommend this series–a two-disk documentary about a couple of movie actors who decide to ride motorcycles from London to New York via Asia. You hate to have to leave them at the end.)

Twelve granules of Pet-Safe ice melt
The temp was back below freezing when I took the dogs out at the end of the day, so I was glad I’d bought some pet-safe ice melt.

Whew. I sure hope this worked. The BlackBerry’s been put through its paces on this one.

Ask, and ye shall receive. The long weekend has begun! http://www.thewmurchannel.com/closings/index.html

Ok, so what does a 44-year-old, somewhat tech-savvy lover of language & education do when he wants to move out of the high school classroom?

Looking forward to a snow day or two. Or three. Four would be fine, too.

Okay fine–June’s overrated. Give me a week.