Close Calculation

The (stressful) pour day is over. Fingers were crossed when the second truck began to sound....well, empty(ish). It seems the concrete guess, (I mean calculation), was very accurate and we had just enough, with only a wheelbarrow extra. The finishers did a great job. For the first time this season, freezing temperatures were forecast overnight. Some of the water was drained from the heating system and all valves left open to allow for freeze expansion. The water drained was very warm from the concrete (as it heats via a chemical reaction) and should prevent freezing until I can mock up something to purge the whole system.

Now that the slab has been poured, it rekindled our interest in acid staining the concrete (to be used) as our finished floor. We've been able to visit a few homes on the island to see the different finishing techniques that people have used. It's a very cool, low maintenance and inexpensive finished floor.

Lloyd Khan, an author that has an interest in "unique" homes is coming to Denman Island to present a slide show tomorrow. His new book, "Builders of the Pacific Coast" features a few homes from Denman and Hornby islands. Check out Lloyd's blog HERE.

It's been a year now! Our nuke-free zone in still intact.

quick update

Straw Bale House Update: The slab will be poured middle of next week. In the meantime, the finishing touches have been put on the garage exterior including hanging the carriage doors.

I-tube & Youtube

Straw Bale House Update: most of the week was spent laying in the heating tube. I used the Uponor Wirsbo HePex plus product. The 1000 foot rolls were a handful to maneuver for one person. But once I got the hang of it, it went quite smoothly. The picture shows just how precise the map layout was. Next week, I'll pressure test the system and we'll be ready for concrete.... another concrete pour.... they're never good days for me. Much too stressful. With the downturn in the building market, I'm hoping, just maybe, that the labour prices are creeping down.
Some of the good weather hours were taken up with some lot cleanup. Kari, the resident pyromaniac had a nice fire going late in the week.

The weekend was spent at an air brake course that the fire dept. was putting on. I was one of the few that still cannot operate the new tanker because of lack of air brake license. Next week, I'll have to find some time to do the written ICBC test to complete the process.
On Saturday the province had it's municipal elections and Denman Island had it's own version with an election for our Island's Trust, trustees. When the smoke cleared, nothing had changed. The incumbents were victorious. There was quite an under-current of tension during the pre-election, different candidates seemed to have different versions of what is means to "preserve and protect" the island, (a trustee's mandate).

Yes, I'm well aware that my "ten latest visitors" tool on the right column is not working..... It will be given one last chance and then will be toasted.

Cheap Wine Corner: This is beginning to be a habit..... I came across another review of one of my first cheap wine reviews.... good ol' Cono Viognier..... (one of my all-time favs)...this time done with much more class than I could possibly muster and still a great buy for under ten clams. (no, I wasn't Googling "naked wine drinking"), but come to think of it.....

In Heat

Record setting warm temperatures hit Denman Island today.... 14c in my woodshed. As always the pineapple express is accompanied by strong winds. This time of year the wind makes short work of the leaves, but the old orchards will loose their apples more slowly, to the delight of the deer population.

Straw Bale House Update: The Hydronic heat SBK manifold has been assembled and mounted (temporarily) in the mudroom. It's quite a unique system that is comprised of modules. The number of modules can be adjusted to meet the needs of the size of install. We will have four heating zones and eight (loops) modules. Each loop (module) can be throttled within the zone. In other words, different areas of the same zone can be controlled (heat controlled) individually. (Sort of zones within a zone) Zones are: Great Room (consisting of kitchen, dining, living room and den) , Bedroom, Entry Hall and Ensuite. The heating tube layout drawing was done (thanks Clay) and tubes are being installed this week.

I have to say, I have an increased respect for the American public and congratulate them on electing a president that says he'll talk before he shoots. It seems he's won over all the demographics except white males... not sure what that means. The more I watched the pre-election posturing, the more I think publishing polls should be abolished.... along with the public endorsements of the media. Shouldn't the media be impartial?

Time Well Wasted

All in all, it was a pretty good Hallowe'en weekend on Denman Island. The monsoon took a short break to allow the trick-treaters to do some productive foraging. Looking rather professional, the fire dept pulled off the fireworks this year with no casualties or even near misses. The dance this year featured Time Well Wasted, a local Comox Valley Band. The 12 piece band with full horn and rhythm sections played Chicago, Tower of Power, Some Gloria Gainer Disco and some Stevie Wonder. Although not my favourite era for music, the all ages venue had the usual house party atmosphere. It makes me wish I'd grown up here. Ashley and her pals had a great time and at one point were up on stage showing off their disco moves. Lessons learned: (1)- It gets very hot in the hall and bulky costumes are a disadvantage. (2)- five foot span angel wings, scythes, daggers, spears and pitchforks should all be banned from the dance floor.

Good Will Hunting

It's hunting season. There's little good will toward hunters on the island. Daily I can hear the discharge of shotguns coming from across the street..... where there's private property and conservancy land. Nothing like hunting in the park.

What's happening with our police forces? If they're not mowing down fleeing criminals or tasering whoever, they're driving gooned. Hey, I know it's a high stress job but it's time to get this in check. Maybe there should be one of those devices (that won't let you start you car until you blow within the limit) in all the squad cars..... and maybe it's a good thing we don't have a police force on Denman Island.

Can't wait for Tuesday.... popcorn and the remote control and the U.S. election results. It's kinda like the last night of Idol. After that the conversation will have to go back to "what's for dinner hon?".


Cheap Wine Corner. Hey, it's been a while since I did one of these. The special occasion is the publication of the International Value Wine Awards. The IVWA is in it's third year and usually has a few surprises for great buys under $25..... or for cheapies like me, under $15. The not so surprising (killer value) 1st place finish in the Malbec category is Finca Los Primos, (ten bucks), available anywhere, even the Denman Island General Store. Anyway, you can download a very nice pdf file (link above) with all the winners and then run out to your fav wine outlet and buy up the best cheapies.
Estampa Syrah/Cabernet 2006 (Chile). We did recently discover a nice syrah / cab blend from Chile. We bought a case from a local wine merchant.... but if you check with your LCB outlet they may be able to get it for you (although not listed online). I did find this wine a little high in tannins, (maybe cellar-able) and had some nice earth tones and a medium-long finish.

Straw Bale House Update: It's the waiting game... building garage carriage doors until I can pick up the tube and manifold for the hydronic heating system.... (should have a door pic next blog.)

taxation frustration

What could I possibly have in common with Jaclyn Smith, Hilary Clinton, and Keith Urban? Two years ago on October 26th, I started this blog on their birthday, (and mine). What better way to spend a b-day morning, than to go for a walk on a deserted beach? The storms this time of year make for productive beach-combing. Moon snail shells are in particular abundance. The weather lately, although coolish in the mornings, has been extraordinary.

About a month ago (when oil began it's plunge) BC Ferries announced that they would not be reducing the "fuel charge" because they had based their budget on $78 dollar / barrel oil. Now that oil is in the mid 60's, they've announced that the fuel charge will be cut in half on November 4th.. Our Provincial Government, (the one that has nothing to do with our ferry system) has announced that they be cutting our ferry fares by 30% for the "holiday season", (December & January). Too bad they didn't think of this maneuver while Hornby vacation rentals were sitting empty during the summer. Most people are assuming this is an attempt to buy votes and make us forget about the Olympic Shortfall Tax, I mean Carbon Gas Tax.

Saturday, there was an "all candidates" meeting at the hall. Three potential Island Trustees vied for two positions. All three (it appeared) tried not to differentiate themselves from the others while they fielded questions from the audience. Some questions were more in the form of venting some historical, personal grievance, (which I personally consider the entertainment portion of the program)

Strawbale House Update: Whilst I wait for the heat loss calculation (before installing the heating tubes), I've been puttering on the garage. Some cedar shingle accents have been stained to enhance the cute factor.