Bugs Palace!

Not a heck of a lot new going on now. Got the stereo installed into the Cooper. Looks and sounds great. Only thing I plan on changing is the sub box. The one I have sounds fine, but its too tight of a fit to pull in and out when I need space. Was funny seeing the entire MINI gutted out on the front lawn. Pictures of the install are HERE.

Had the windows tinted. Pictures coming soon. I just need some daylight and time to wash the car first. Watch here for updates.  Also picked up some of my new toys. Alta cold air intake, and Alta 15% supercharger reduction pulley have been received. Just waiting on the Borla cat back exhaust and Unichip ECU. Said and done, the MINI should be sitting around 200-210hp at the crank. Should make the little thing move pretty good. Add to that springs and sways next spring/summer and it should be a whole new car.

Work is crazy. I have been putting in a pile of extra hours trying to get things working in a timely fashion with minimal down time for the schools. Monday, I found out that I probably won’t be getting the overtime pay we were told we would be eligible for. Nor can I even claim for lieu. So I’m a bit pissed off at the situation. I’m loosing a lot of respect for the people who make the rules. It’s a shame, but they are basically forcing us to look at other jobs. Not that I want to leave my current job, but if things don’t turn around in the way they treat their people, I can assure you my extra efforts which I have put in since I started will come to a grinding halt. I don’t think they want to see what actually gets done in a 35 hour work week. We are always behind, and I normally work 40 or so hours.  Won’t they be in for a treat.

I figure today is as good of a day for an update as any other. Hard to believe that it has been 4 years since the terrorist attacks on the USA. Hope everyone took sometime today to think about the men, women and children who lost their lives. Especially the emergency response crews that gave their lives trying to save others.

Last Thursday ended my first strike. Our union was able to reach a settlement which was good enough to accept, and the members agreed and we went back to work as of Friday morning. 8 days without pay definitely hurt. Hopefully we will get caught back up after I receive the retro pay which is coming to me in October. In the end, I am just glad to be back to work. I never thought I’d say that.

Also last week, Katie went in to get her ankle fixed. Finally. Poor kid injured it several years ago playing baseball, and it is still bothering her to this day. Last week the surgeons went in and cleaned up some scar tissue to try and help the ankle heal better. Hopefully this will give her some relief once the pain from the surgery goes away.

Friday night Shannon and I had a small party at our place. We had a great time. Thanks to everyone who came out. I love you guys!

I can’t let this update go by without saying a HUGE thanks to my parents. Especially my Mom. Over the past couple weeks of me being on strike, they have helped out absolutely any way they could. Last weekend while I was working some major overtime at ALNC and running around doing some other obligations, Mom and Dad came over and cut the grass and removed all the weeds from the yard. Our place looks fantastic. Then when I asked Mom Thursday night, “what should we make for super?” for the party Friday night. She not only gave a suggestion but offered to cook it for us. Good thing she did cause there’s no way we would have been able to get things together between work and the time people came over. We had enough roast beef, salads and potatoes to feed an entire army. And judging by how much was eaten Friday night, I can assure you that everyone LOVED it. Thanks again soooo very much Mom.

Saturday night Shannon and I went to Mississauga for Ken and Vans wedding reception. Much like Friday night, we had an excellent time. Food wasn’t my cup of tea. Thirteen courses, and most of them were fish. I hate fish, so you can imagine how much I was able to eat. After the dinner the party picked up, and we had a great time. Congrats Ken/Van. Hope you guys have as great of a life together as Shannon and I have.

Lastly, it looks like the beetle not going to the body shop due to the strike may have been a blessing in disguise. After speaking to Alex (who spoke to his brother Paul), it looks like they are going to be doing the paint and body work on the car. From what I’ve heard around. Paul’s body skills are top notch, and if they put 1/4 of the attention into the paint work that Alex normally puts into spraying kitchens, this thing is going to look AWESOME. Hopefully the car will be at their place before the end of the month. I won’t get it back as quickly as the shop in Brantford, but the extra time they will have with the car will allow them to do it in their off time and also allow them to get the car perfect.

Bugs out.

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy BIRTHDAY dear Mommy. Happy Birthday to you!

Happy birthday Mom. Love you very much! Your present is in the mail 🙂 Much like my paycheck unfortunately. Hope you have a great day.

Other September happy birthdays go out to Aunt Val, Mary Jane, Cathy. Happy birthday to you guys too. And anyone else I may have missed.

On top of the birthdays, there is another very important day coming up tomorrow. Shannons and my 2nd anniversary is tomorrow. As I mentioned last year, everyone says the first 1-2 years of marriage are the toughest on a couple. If these past two years (6 years together in total) are “tough” then the next 75 or so should be a breeze. I love you baby, and am looking forward to the rest of our lives together. Maybe by next year at this time we will have some little footsteps. Or at least a bun in the oven. 🙂  All depends on  how far this strike sets back our plans.

Nice lead in to the next story eh? Well in case you didn’t know, last Tuesday (August 30) my union decided to walk out. So I am officially on strike. Strikes are the dumbest thing ever in my opinion. “Lets take some time off to try and make some money”. Well, 1 week off means I’m gonna have to work the next 5-6 years just to make back the money I lost last week. Guess what. Strikes not over yet. Cross your fingers and pray to who ever you pray to that this strike will end soon. My bank account depends on it.

Lastly, welcome back to Canada Mahhy. Rob (Mahhy) once lived in Canada and several years ago moved to Denmark for work. He is back in the country for Kens wedding and some holidays. (Congrats Van and Ken!).  And I can’t wait to meet up for drinks Mr. Rankin!