I'm even leery about sneezing...

Yesterday I underwent a minor surgical procedure; a left endoscopic antrostomy. Basically, had the left side of my nose and sinuses "cleaned" out.

For many years I have suffered with chronic sinusitis. My nose has been broken at least five times and has, at one point, been "rebuilt". I've had a similar procedure more than 20 years ago.

This time was different; no packing at all. Of course, as soon as I bent over to put socks and shoes on, my nose started to "leak". To be expected, I was told. Ruined one very good t-shirt, though.

Now, the day after, things aren't too bad. Throat is sore due to tubes to allow me to breathe through the surgery and my nose feels like I have a bad cold - to the 10th power. I believe I would pay $100 for the ability to give a great honking blow right now. Of course, I am not permitted to do that for at least three more days. I'm even not exercising until at least the beginning of next week, too.

Only time will tell if there has been success.

The jury is still out.

Somewhere, a village mourns the loss of its idiot...

I think that there is a certain head of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union that requires a healthy dose of reality and a smack up side his head.

Ken Lewenza apparently continually cites previous ‘mega-million dollar concessions’ the CAW and its membership has made to Chrysler, Ford and of course, General Motors. Mr. Lewenza is reluctant to talk with Chrysler and its President, Tom LaSorda who has stated that for Chrysler to remain viable, CAW workers must reduce their hourly compensation package by $19 per hour, bringing CAW workers in line with non-union workers at Japanese automotive makers, Toyota and Honda.

People, the hourly wage and benefit package proposed is $57. $57. Per hour.

Mr. Lewenza further blusters that, “The company (Chrysler) has certainly drawn a line in the sand.”

Federal Industry Minister Tony Clement has also publicly stated that these cuts be made to assist in saving the company.

While to me, a life long-not-employed-by-anyone-remotely-connected-to-the-automotive-industry sees little wrong with the manufacturers and the government’s position, I must admit I have a hard time dealing with the inane and obviously selfish rhetoric being spewed by Mr. Lewenza.

Mr. Lewenza stated for the record that the economy would suffer worse if they (CAW) considered and accepted the proposal from Chrysler because autoworkers would have less to spend.

Perhaps this union boss would do well to consider the economic implications of a life with no Chrysler, no Ford or no General Motors. As visions of picket lines dance fervently in his head, what, Mr. Lewenza would the economic impact be then?

While I am not a supporter of North American automotive manufacturers or unions, I do support the occasional dose of harsh reality and acts of realism.

Wake up and smell the 10w30, you fool, before you force action that may have drastic implications for more than you and your membership.

A small piece of Ontario history...

... is no more. Late Saturday evening April 18, 2009, the Red Barn Theatre at Jackson's Point, burned to the ground. And on the eve of it's 60th anniversary, too.

Fortunately no one was hurt and somehow, the intent is to press on with the milestone celebrations.

Little wings...

The other evening, while Sheryl and her friend Nancy were still down in Florida, Nancy's husband, Bob and I went out for a messy, non-wife-sanctioned dinner. Wings!

We headed over to Wild Wing on Tower Hill Road and ordered beers and wings - is there a better food pairing out there?

Bob's choice was relatively tame, your basic BBQ honey-garlic variety. Me, on the other hand, ordered the Hometown Hottie - a four fire, Thai inspired offering.

Not bad.

While there, I could not help but notice how some folks eat wings. I tend to strip the bones clean like a pirhana (as does TLATO) - you should see what she does to a lobster - it's not a pretty sight. Some patrons eat them like an ear of corn, pinkies extended high and leave the best parts behind. When wings were introduced in Buffalo, New York back in 1964 as bar food and they cost $0.05 per pound, that approach is understandable. Today, with 20 medium-sized wings going for around $19, how can you NOT eat every last piece?

It's the right thing to do!

Weather-related...

Today, from my office window looking out onto our normally reasonably docile lake, there are white caps. The weather forecast says there are winds up to 45kmh coming from the South East. Seems stronger than that to me.

I have given up counting the number of "thudsplats" I have heard this morning as misguided birds foraging for food this spring day get caught in the gusts and hit our very large glass windows. Four out of five cats are running around eagerly (Merlin being the exception), taking great pleasure in the misfortunes of birds of all sizes careening off the glass to the ground below, and as only cats can, seemingly pointing and gloating (that would be, specifically, the Dude) at the stunned birds that attempt to catch their breath and senses after hitting windows at a velocity greater than the wind speed.

The strong winds are also bringing chunks of ice from water much further north as they, the lake 'icebergs', prepare for their final melt in our slightly warmer lake waters.

Isn’t nature grand?