Y2.01K

10 years ago we were just coming up to the much anticipated Y2K.  The issue of turning over to the year 2000 raised a lot of concern with computer systems and prompted huge efforts to prepare.  At work we went through more than a year of preparation of procedures, coordination with other agencies, and drills for  the possibility of failure of computer control systems or communication systems.  

Then on December 31, 1999 the year 2000 came in hour by hour in each time zone around the world while we watched to see if there would be any problems.  I was at work  that night monitoring the status as the year 2000 came in.  Fortunately everything went smoothly and we did not have to call on any of our emergency procedures. 

Those were very memorable times.   Now we are 10 years later "Y2.01K".    Since that time the legacy of Y2K has probably been more formalized emergency preparedness in many areas.        

Christmas at Home

We had Mike and Nicole here with Elaine and Janice and I for Christmas eve. We first had our meal together. Janice did the turkey again this time, and Elaine prepared the rest of meal which was great.

After dinner I read the Christmas story which we always do before opening our gifts.  We are reminded that the reason we celebrate Christmas is because God gave us the gift of his Son Jesus.  



While opening our gifts we had Mary and Chris on webcam using Skype. We watched them open their presents and then they watched while we opened our presents.



We didn't get a picture taken of the tree with the gifts under it, so I took a picture this afternoon.

So now today on Christmas day we are having a relaxing day here.    I  got many great gifts that I will enjoy.   But yesterday we were remembering the Rita MacNeil Christmas tape we used to listen to:

All I want under my tree
Peace and love and harmony
Wrap it with a ribbon please
I’ll share it with my family 

That is really the best gift - peace and love and harmony that we can share with our family.   

Merry Christmas everyone.  

All Fed Up

We are just home from the annual Christmas dinner at church.   We were very well fed as usual.  This year Janice cooked the turkey (19lbs) and Elaine made the dressing and gravy.  I told Bronwyn that the turnips she made turned out very good, which have been a tradition at our dinners.  The main strategy is to not take too much salads on your plate first so that by the time you have the vegetables, turkey and dressing there is still room for the mashed potato "volcano" filled with gravy.   Now I am home and well fed and can just sit back in my big chair and have a Sunday afternoon rest.  

Handel's Messiah

Last night Janice and I attended the performance of Handel's Messiah with the choir Elaine is in and the symphony.   This is the 10th annual performance and it is always in the same large church  which has wonderful sound with its high vaulted ceiling.  I think I have attended at least 7 times now and enjoy it every time.  

I have been sitting on the left side toward the front several times.  Elaine is in the alto section usually on that side. We are also then close to the timpani and trumpets.   One year when my Mom was with us we were in the first row just a few feet from the trumpets.  During the Hallelujah chorus that ends the first half, the choir, pipe organ and symphony including timpani and trumpets build up to great volume.  I was afraid it was too loud for my Mom. At the intermission she said, "That was exciting!"   Last night we were in the third row but we still got  full effect.   The same is in the finale with Blessing and Honour building up to full volume in the Amen.    For the solo parts one of the favourites I always wait for each year is The Trumpet Shall Sound with the solo parts going back and forth between the principal trumpet the bass soloist.      All in all another great performance.

Now Elaine is out for the second night of performance.  Tonight the choir is going to sit with audience to have  them sing along. 

Hibernation

Wikipedia says "Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve energy, especially during winter when food is short, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate."  That sounds like me except I don't have any body fat so it a good thing food is not short.

With the colder weather in the last week (lows in the -30s) I have been staying at home.  Most people here fare OK in this weather if they are dressed for it, but I am better off to just stay in and not expose my lungs to this very cold air.  I only went into the office Friday morning when the temperature was -15C before starting to drop again.   This morning it was -35C with -48C wind chill so I did not venture out to church.   While Elaine and Janice went to church,  I stayed home nice and warm  and listened to a camp meeting on mp3.  

The forecast is for milder weather to be here by Wednesday so I hope to soon come out of hibernation for a while.   

Finally Moving Into the 21st Century

We just moved ahead a whole decade in computer software.  We have still been using Microsoft Office 97. So finally today we  bought Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote).   I have installed it on one of our computers so far and have been trying out the programs.  It is quite a bit different than Office 97 or even Office 2003 we have at work.  But it looks like it has some interesting features.

Winter is Here

After the beautiful November we are really having winter weather in December. But we have not had the big snowstorms that hit Alberta and western Saskatchewan in the last couple days. Yesterday was down to -23C but the winds were relatively light with fog in the morning.  This resulted in snow and hoarfrost on the trees.  When the sun came out later it was quite beautiful.  Yesterday afternoon Elaine took some pictures.  

This view is looking west from our back yard.  I put two pictures together of the snow and frost on the trees. 

These are two of the pictures Elaine took in the park near our house.  Those connected with Elaine on Facebook can see the rest of her photos posted there.  

Eighteen Months But Who's Counting

It is now eighteen months until I can retire with full pension.  The pension plan I am in at work is based on 35 years of service for retirement.  When I started 35 years seemed forever but the time will be here soon now.

A lot of people at work are talking about retirement because several could qualify in the next year or two.   Some that have retired have done some work afterward on a consulting or contract basis.   I think I will have had enough after 35 years.   I am thinking more on the line of some type of volunteer work after retirement.    

I am very happy with my current work arrangements.   I usually go into the office in the morning and then work from home in the afternoon.  On very cold days, or days like today with blowing snow, I just work from home.   I work on special projects such as policy reviews and issues with legal agreements.  But many days I am called on as an advisor when things at work are in "fire fighting mode."      That seems to be more often lately. 

Eighteen months to go.  But that will go by quickly.