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.....

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.)