This is a posting from the official Calgary Gators website - it is the write up of the last game they played this season - for the AFL championship - just had to share with my friends.

Gator 3 players of the Game


Offensive - Mike Wasylyniuk 10 Catches for 205 yards, 1 TD
Defensive - Miles Myers 6 Solos, 2 assists, 1 Int, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Knockdown
Special Teams - Ian Hewitt FG 2/2 Long 46 Yards, 2/3 PAT, 5 Punts for 211 Avg 42

The Gators hopes were high heading into Lloydminster to take on the Vandals on Saturday but their hopes were quickly crushed on the first play of the game when former BC Lions, Mike McEachern was knocked out of the game when he was bent over backwards on the initial kick return. Without the services of Kyle Heier due to an unrelated football injury, the Gators returned Denny Bonnett to safety and put rookie DB Dylan Halliday to work in the secondary.

The Vandals quickly capitalized running the score up 21-3 in the first quarter, the only Gator points coming from a long 46 field goal from their reliable kicker, Ian Hewitt. The Gators started to mount a comeback, bringing the score within 16 at the half. But the football gods were not on their side, after a turnover filled first half, the trend continued into the second half. The Gators would march the ball to the redzone only to turn it over twice on interceptions by QB Dan Strikaitis who came into the game in the third quarter to relieve struggling QB Dan Craig. Striker looked great initially, completing 5 consecutive passes before throwing his first pick after which he stopped a trio of blockers from creating a wall which would have helped lead to another big-play TD from the Vandals.

There were bright spots here and there in the game but they were too few and far between. WR Mike Wasylyniuk had an incredible game, catching 10 receptions for 205 yards and 1 TD. SB Taylor Campbell led the Gators in scoring, grabbing 2 TDs, one coming on a long 33 yard pass from QB Dan Craig. The Gators collectively put up the most rushing yards in a long time against the Vandals D, led by RB Nick Berry, they ran for 124 yards on 21 carries.

On defence the Gators secondary looked scared to be beat deep after the loss of McEachern, allowing Vandals receivers a big patch of field to work with on the short pass. This led to many Vandals first downs. The front seven had some trouble keeping QB Valleau contained initially but eventually adjusted and started catching him more often resulting in a few short runs and 3 sacks from the Gators linebackers. Big Tony Verbrugge had some big plays, tossing the QB and RBs around like ragdolls with his bear-hug tackling style. MLB Donny Scott helped out everywhere he could catching Vandals for 1 solo and 7 assists and a 1/2 for loss. DB's Miles Myers, Dylan Halliday, and Neil Scotland combined for 22.5 tackles, which doesn't tend to bode well for that translates into many completed passes. Some of those completions were very rightfully earned, however, with some quite spectacular catches from the Vandals receivers. Miles also forced a fumble, something most of us has never seen him do. He attacked the ball and ball carriers with a vengeance, catching the Gators only interception as well.

The Gators would like to sincerely thank all of their fans, supporters and sponsors this year. Without all of you, there would be no Gators Football. We promise to be back next year, as hungry as ever and in the hunt once again for that Provincial and then the National Championship. With all our returning young players getting that year under their belt, coming so close to the big win, you can bet our boys won't disappoint. If you want to see the Gators before that, you can always keep an eye on our website for upcoming events and fundraisers.

This is a pic - compliments of one of his team mates - Miles is the right in the middle - facing the player with the orange helmet that is being 'sandwiched'.

I am very 'proud' that Miles' team made it to the finals - would have loved to have been able to be on the sidelines cheering him on - but the game was played in Lloydminster - too far away - and me with no wheels. I called him the day before the game and he was excited - looking forward to a good game - talked with him yesterday and he seemed 'content' with the way the game turned out - not thrilled - but pleased with the way he played and he had fun - and no injuries (that is his mom talking).

My poor little feetsies - they are soooo sore.  Got up this morning at 5:15 a.m. or thereabouts - had my shower - came downstairs - fed the cats - fired up the computer - and the phone rang - it was 5:45 a.m. - hmmm - wonder who that could be - I answered and was asked if I could be at work by 6:30 - said no - because the bus cannot get me there until 6:45 or thereabouts - said fine - Jim phoned in sick - so do I know how to do all the work he does - DUH - no - only training I have had has been on RTS - but I can turn the machine on - OK - we will find someone to help you figure it out.  Really bad when the supervisors have no clue how to do the work - I think they should all be trained on the jobs - so that if push comes to shove they can train someone else to do it in a pinch - but what do I know.  The supervisor that is there these days was waiting for Jim to call to give me help - hmmm - he phoned in sick - end result was that I was trained by a letter carrier who had done the job a few years ago - so she got pulled off her route to train me - and then she went home - got paid for the full day worked for 2 hours - maybe.  Anyhow - I can now see why Jim has little time for the RTS mail.  The time it takes to redirect all the mail that has change of addresses in is quite mind boggling.  And then on top of that he is responsible for posting the new changes of addresses.  I learned how to do all of the jobs he does.  Big supervisor - Fay - was over for a supervisors meeting - told me that I was to report in at 6:30 tomorrow morning because Jim would likely still be out sick - and if he shows up - well then he can spend the day training me - hmmmm - seems kind of like putting the cart before the horse - I already know how to do all the job - but now they will train me.  Oh well - I will get paid for a full day - so I will take it.  One of the letter carriers - as I was leaving - I stopped to talk with one that works later than the rest - and she commented that I was leaving early - said yup - started at 6:30 - so no way was I staying and working until 6 - another letter carrier commented - why not - you are not a postal employee - and I said yes I am - I am temporary - she said then you could be a letter carrier - said yes that was what I was hired to do - but have been catching up on the RTS rather than stay at home doing nothing.  People are interesting.  Guess I could have stayed - but then the union would have had a kitten fit - OT and all that - besides I was beat - did not have time to pack a lunch or anything - and my breakfast was 1/2 cup of quinoa porridge - did not last all day - tummy grumbled a bit around 10 - I ignored it - it quit.  I had 5 plums in my back pack - ate them on the way home. 

Marian and I had planned on going grocery shopping today - so she went out and got a few things - not sure what all she got - but she also bought some sushi - so I had sushi when I got him - mmmmm good.  I am determined to burn my nostril hairs - the wasabi is hot - but so good.  I think I am going to go up and put my feet up for a bit - tonight I am supposed to deliver flyers - YAY.  So looking forward to that - my feet are protesting already.

Just a really short post - just got back from the hospital with Marian.  The day she left on her holidays - Sept. 3, she missed the last two steps on the staircase and fell - when she came down she fell on the bulky end of an extension cord - which had been chewed by cats - so had some very sharp edges.  She really did a number on her right leg.  Much concern had been expressed by people.  Today she finally went to the emergency room - at the behest of her chiropractor - and after waiting around for 1.5 hours - she had a five minute exam - and the doctor declared that she did a real number - and that it will take a good six months for it to repair itself - but saw  no signs of cellulitis, breaks or cracks - so she has a very nasty looking leg for the foreseeable future.

On her way home she dropped me at the depot - asked her to wait - went in - there was all of 1.5 boxes of mail to do - so checked with the supervisor - will go in tomorrow to do the work that shows up tomorrow as well as the work that was there today - figured it was not worth having to pay for bus fare to work for an hour.  May as well pay for bus fare for a couple of hours - and the supervisor agreed that there was not much need for me to stay.  So I am at home for the afternoon - going to keep myself busy doing some cross stitch.

Has been a 'hectic' couple of days.  Marian arrived home a little after 8 p.m. on Monday - I was in the shower when she arrived - WHEW - just beat her - so at least I was in bed - phoned my girlfriend Phyllis and had a good chat with her - always do.  She is one of the best - have known her since Secretarial Sciences - circa 1978 - and no matter how long it has been between calls or contact - it is as if we just talked yesterday - she has been there through thick and thin - good to have friends like that - have only a few of them - life is good if you have a few friends like that.


Got up Tuesday to see the 'produce' Marian brought home with her.  A box of prune plums (Italian) from mom and dad - yum yum.  Had not bought a lot of fruit because I knew this was on its way - well worth the wait.  I just have a small bone to pick with Weight Watchers - according to them 2 plums equal one point - hmmm - these plums are smaller than most - and I disagree with their analysis - I mean - c'mon - 8 oz. of cherries equal one point - so .... Anyhow - Marian also got some cabbage at her friend Judy's place - five or six of them - hmmm - now what are we going to do with that much cabbage - making sauerkraut is not really an option as we do not have the 'equipment' needed.  She also brought back potatoes - have not seen them - two large zucchinis, and a 'butternut' squash - that I do not believe is a butternut squash - but I took pictures and will endeavour to upload them - getting brave in my old age - either that or just more foolish - and you can tell me what you think that orange thing is.

This is the butternut squash?????? - and in the box beside are the yummy plums.

Ah - there are six cabbages and two 'small' zucchini

Went to work as per usual Tuesday - and there was all of two boxes of RTS mail to be done - and Jim had plowed through one of them - had done about 80% of one of the boxes - so that did not leave me much to do - finished by 4:30 - and really only would have taken an hour - but I took my time. So I have worked myself out of a job - one of the drawbacks about being efficient - oh well - not sure what I am going to do now - really do not want to go in to work every day for just an hour or so - does not seem worth the effort. Will have to talk with someone about what I should be doing - I would rather just go in every other day - and at least get a full day worth of work - but I will go in every day and see what happens.


Woke up today to blue sky and sunshine - and now the clouds have moved in and they do not look at all nice - they are black - wonder what the rest of the day will bring.

Today was a 'good' day - got a few things done this morning - cleaned out the litter boxes - YUCK - one reason why I do not want to own a cat - plus the fact that I travel so much would certainly not be fair to the animal.  Did up the dishes - made a batch of quinoa porridge - was really good - will be eating it for breakfast - as I have said I am not really much of a warm cereal person - but it sure does hit the spot these days - it is a tad on the cool side.

Got to work on time - as usual - and there were five boxes of RTS to be done - and they were all done by 5:30 this afternoon - and the GM left and I followed him out the door - after I finish the RTS there is NOTHING else for me to do - so I got home 30 minutes early - nice treat.

Got home and there is a message - Marian did not leave until after four this afternoon - late as usual - oh well - she is the one who does not get enough sleep - and that is something I just do not understand - her job requires her to be alert but she keeps pushing the envelope.  She seems to 'refuse' to get enough sleep - oh well she is an adult.

So I will be heading to bed around 8 - have my nice hot shower and curl up in bed for a bit with a book I am reading - am trying to get up earlier in the morning - so that maybe I can start going for a bit of a walk in the morning.  Not any marathon - but a short walk to start out with and see how it goes.

As promised - finally - here are some pictures.  For Margaret and Tootous - the cats.  We have Snookums, Tiger, KeeKee and TwoBit.

This is Mr. KeeKee - sleeping on the computer chair - he is the elder statesman and only male.  He regularly goes after Snookums for no good reason.

This is Ms. Two Bit - she is a real character - her tail has been broken - leaving her with a paralyzed anal sphincter and a 'dead' tail.  She is a real lovey dovey - loves to sit on you and suck on your shirt.  She likes to get her nose under my underarm and knead and suck - not bad as long as her nails have been trimmed.  She loves to sit on her pedestal in the sun and keep track of the goings on in the neighbourhood - she goes right snakey when she sees magpies or ravens (of which there are plenty).

This and the next one are of Ms. Snookums - she has a purr like a tractor - she does not willingly get picked up - but if you do manage to snare her she starts purring right away.  She loves to chase her tail - have a video of her doing it - it is hilarious.

Last but not least is Madame Tiger - she reminds me of the cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland - she is quite standoffish unless you are reading, on the computer or watching TV - then she wants to be on you.  She is a real snorer - she loves chocolate, cheezies, cheese, bacon - if I am cooking bacon she is at the table as soon as I get it out of the fridge.

For everyone else - just random shots of Fort McMurray - and my sister with her bus.  She was driving to work - it was a Friday - and not many people actually work on Friday - there were maybe at the most six people on the bus - so I was 'allowed' to tag along - and we were looking for the wild tiger lilies in the ditch - much easier to see from the bus than from the car - being so much higher up.  Just picture this in your mind - bus driving down the highway - slamming on the brakes - pulling over to the side of the highway - and then these two women climbing down and walking in the ditch taking pictures - what  a sight to behold - was a good day.  Now that she only works Monday through Thursday - and I am working from 2-6 p.m. - no more bus trips.  SIGH.

Wild Tiger Lily found in the ditch between Fort McMurray and the oilsands.





Another tiger lily found in the ditch.



Not sure what this is - but it was also in the ditch.

Wild strawberries that we found in the ditch.

Another flower that was found 'in the ditch' - lots of ditch watching done this day.

Marian and 'her' bus - she has since started a new shift and has another 'newer' bus.

The following pictures were taken on our walks - that have since gone the way of the dodo bird - unfortunately my 'injury' keeps me from doing much walking - the after effects are not nice at all - can hardly hobble around.  But you will get the idea of why I enjoyed walking here so much.

This is my favourite shot - always made me want to take another picture - have quite a few of this spot.

Wild - hmmm - want to say columbine but that is not right - but whatever it is it grew on the path.

And of course the wild rose - the floral emblem of Alberta - lots of these.

Not the best shot - but you get the idea - I have no clue what kind of flower this is - just that it is pretty.

This is the view of the Athabasca River with the Snye entering it - on our walk.

A 'close up' of the above view.

One day we went on a tour - we stopped and took pictures of a few areas.  The first is a 'creek' that runs not far from the Shell Albian work site.

Very picturesque - and not very far away there is an oilsands project.

The next stop on our 'tour' was the Oilsands Discovery site - hard to get into pictures the size of the machines that were used when they first started 'mining' - technology has changed - do not think any of the companies continue to use these machines.

Cannot remember what this is - but it is a small piece on the large machine.

This is one of the 'small' scoops that scooped up the oilsand.

Man am I bad - I need to look at all the pictures - because I did take pics of the descriptions - suffice it to say this is a piece of machinery that was used to mine the oilsands.

Next stop on our trip was a stop at the buffalo paddock - Marian had seen that there were some on her way home - usually you cannot see them this close to the highway.

The one in the foreground was looking pretty good - had already gotten rid of his winter coat - the one to the right - you can see still had a fair bit of his winter coat - they looked quite shaggy. 

Such a majestic looking animal.

The following is a picture of me and my friend Helen in her back yard in Pinawa - taken the weekend of the big High School Reunion.  Thought about posting some pics of the reunion - but nobody knows anyone - so will post them on Facebook instead.

Helen and I in her backyard - do miss Pinawa - loved the size of the yards and just the peace.

Now this is just a candid picture of my sister - just could not resist.

Luv ya Marian

The next shot was taken at Marian's work barbecue.  One of the women brought some puppies in the hopes of selling them - the runt was by far the cutest - they are not big dogs to start with and the runt was only about 2/3 the size of it's siblings.

Hard to get a pic - puppy would not sit still.

These next pictures were taken at the fall fair - just a very small sampling of the handiwork of the local artisans.

This teddy bear was hand made out of real fur - there were three or four of them - they were adorable.

This was a beautiful bowl handcrafted out of wood - when the fellow went to put the 'oil' on it the grain just popped out.

This quilt one first prize - beautiful - there were lots of fantastic quilts.

And that is it - took me over three hours to figure out how to upload these pictures - will either have to do it more often or never again - right now I am going with never - but I am sure I will relent.

Managed to 'sleep in' until 7:00 - not that I was sleeping - but sure is nice to be able to laze around.  Got up - had my shower - got dressed - phoned my favourite cuzzy - you are AWESOME - but before I did that I got the first load of laundry in the washing machine.  Woke up to fog - had sort of hoped it would be a nice day so I could hang the clothes outside - but no such luck - fog has burned off - sun is weakly shining now  but the clouds do not look very promising - so first load of laundry is in the dryer - keeping my fingers crossed that it will work for me - seems to take it into its head to not work every once in a while - used it last weekend and it worked - took a long time to dry the clothes - but hey I have lots of time.

Spent some time on the web last night - looking at job opportunities here in Fort McMurray - sure are some nice jobs - great pay - wish I knew the trick to getting me one of them thar cushy jobs.  One of them really piqued my interest - it is working for the Municipality - excellent salary - only one year - soooo - now I am debating about applying for it and seeing where it leads - have applied for lots of jobs with the Municipality - but never heard boo from them.  It is a junior position - but I don't really care - salary is awesome.  Yesterday while I was at Safeway I filled out an application - they had postings saying they were looking for cashiers and a courtesy clerk - so ... filled out the application - will have to see where that leads.  Hope if I get the job it can be worked around my job at the post office.    Do not want to give up the post office until such time as I find a full time job that pays as much if not more.

Today was a 'porridge' kind of day - and I am not a porridge fan.  I had purchased some quinoa flakes - decided to make them up - doctored them with cinnamon, buckwheat honey, raisins and cut up a date - it was very good.  May have to look at buying some more - or just using the quinoa - some of the recipes I saw online made the porridge with the regular quinoa - which would be fine - could make up a big batch - and then just warm it up when I want to eat some.  Bet Marian would help me eat it as well.

Ayman is driving me crazy - I know 'tis but a short putt.  He is complaining of testicular pain - but will not see a doctor.  He was going to go Saturday night (Egypt time is 9 hours ahead of us so it gets confusing) - but instead he headed to Cairo to sell some copper.  And he was planning on heading to Libya on Sunday - but now he is planning on leaving Saturday night - because there is a driver unloading his load in Tripoli and Ayman is planning on shipping some copper back with him - ARGH.  His ability to procrastinate drives me nuts - I am the one who pushes to get things done - NOW - not later - he is always saying we can do it later - but I have learned later rarely comes - unless it has to do with his business.  When I wanted to renew my passport - told him that before he headed to Libya we had to go to Cairo to start the process - he wanted to leave it until he came back the next time - but I INSISTED that it be done - so he actually had to delay his travel plans to Libya - I am such a beyotch - but if I had waited I would have been running around with an expired passport - not my idea of a good thing.  I ended up having to drive into Cairo with Sharon to go get it - good thing I usually pay attention when Ayman is driving - the area where the embassies and consulates are is in the downtown area of Cairo - it is a disaster - full of dead ends and one way streets - and of course no parking - but I found the place and got the passport - Ayman had made arrangements with his friend to drive me - but did not hear from him so went on my own - danged independent wife he has.  I have just about always been good about doing things now instead of later - well maybe not so great with the dishes - but for 'important' things I like to get them done now so that I do not have to worry about them.

Before I left Egypt they were making noises that they were going to be instituting property tax - so everybody had to register their property - well the backlash was ferocious - so there was noise that they would start very slowly - and of course I wanted to register the property - rather than face the chance of being penalized by not getting it done by the deadline - and of course Ayman was all for waiting - but again I pushed and it got done before I left - did not take all that long - actually took longer to drag him out of the house - he just wanted a 20 minute nap - I had already made the bed - so no way - it was all of 9:30 a.m. - he had been up for about 45 minutes - the joys of East and West - well actually the joys of night owl and morning person - guess which one I am.

Need to think of something to eat for lunch - no idea what to make - maybe I will get busy and make some zero point spaghetti sauce, cook up some sausage or smokies, and cook up one of the spaghetti squash I bought (no points), cook up some broccoli and make a salad - hmmmm - sounds like a good meal.  Guess I need to get busy and get started on the spaghetti sauce - usually use canned tomatoes - but will stew up some of the tomatoes I have bought. 

Will endeavour to upload some pictures later today.

I am heading back to bed for a short snooze before I head to work. Has been a busy morning. Cooked the last of the beets - SIGH. And also made a big batch of home made tomato soup - looking forward to having a bowl of it after work with some garlic bread. Numm. Even have all the dishes done - and the ginormous pressure cooker Marian has is put away. Lunch will be fish, quinoa, beets, swiss chard and maybe a salad. Can you tell I am 'trying' to be good. Am on my third litre of water - need to have the toilet attached - spend a lot of time making my bladder gladder. Hope that in a few days things will settle down - and my body will 'get used' to the water - usually does.

Right now the weather 'looks' gorgeous - sunshine, blue skies - but that can change in a matter of minutes. Will be interesting to see what it is like when I get up.

On my way home from work I will stop at Safeway and get some more tomatoes - they are on sale - and it is certainly soup weather. Plus will make a batch of spaghetti sauce - bought a couple of small spaghetti squash - for spaghetti and sauce - no points - love it. Will likely add some meat of some sort - maybe a chicken smokey or a chicken sausage - low points and maybe a piece of garlic bread - getting hungry thinking about it - will do that tomorrow.

What a cruddy day weatherwise - man we have had sun, snow, rain, sleet and more snow - it is still snowing - I got home just in time - YUCK.

Work is as usual - I have finally caught up with the RTS - am working on mail that was boxed on September 14 - so.... a light at the end of the tunnel. Now I just need to be careful not to work myself out of a job - thought I was going to - there was no mail for a couple of days - got me kind of worried - but the last two days have got 3 boxes both days - I can manage to get through 3 boxes (short) and usually one box of 'flats' - magazines, 8 x 11 sized envelopes, 5 x 7 sized envelopes - etc. There are now five boxes waiting to be done - one of them is 1/2 done - got that much of it done before I called it a day. My back is not happy with me today. I left for work at noon - instead of 1:10 - because I needed to get a few groceries - so I have been on my feet a lot longer than usual - and my back is letting me know it is less than thrilled with me. Does not help that I did not sleep very well last night - had trouble getting to sleep - unusual for me - I usually drop off quite quickly and then have trouble staying asleep - but last night was different. I guess the news Ayman gave me unsettled me more than I thought it had. While chatting with him yesterday he informed me that my downstairs neighbour - who is determined that I will get rid of the garden - has contacted a lawyer - and the lawyer contacted Ayman. This started over a year ago now. She has decided that the reason the paint is coming off her ceiling is because of the garden - now I have not seen where the paint is peeling - Ayman has - but typical Ayman he does not 'remember' where it is - last year her husband called Ayman and Ayman contacted a painter and made arrangements with the husband to pay for having the ceiling repainted - even went as far as purchasing the supplies needed. But wifey would have nothing to do with it - so Ayman returned the supplies. Now she has contacted a lawyer. Guess she and her next door neighbour do not get along - gee wonder why - and she has been trying to get the neighbour to complain as well - but there is nothing to complain about - she even went so far as to complain that she was getting dangerous worms in her flat from my garden - hmmm - yet I don't have any in my flat - guess they just slithered out the door, down the stairs and into her place - give me a break. Ayman is sure it is a tempest in a teapot - but man it galls me. I guess the paint in her bedroom - which is right below ours - is also peeling - and she is blaming the garden - DUH????? I have had second hand experience about how slowly the wheels of justice work in Egypt - so doubt that much will ever come of it - especially because the place is in my name - and I am likely going to be out of the country a lot - good luck finding me in the country and then having the time to get me to court before I take off again. It is most unfortunate that she is being so 'silly' - she has given Suzanne, (my sister in law) her husband Sadee and her eldest son Mahmoud grief over the garden on a regular basis - because of course she cannot talk to me about it because her English is likely about as good as my Arabic - so.......feel badly that my family has had to be dragged into this pettiness - but such is life.

Not much else to report - Marian is still on holidays - expect her back on Monday - likely pretty late - she is not very good at getting anywhere at a decent time - oh well - her life not mine.

Last Sunday a friend of Marians - whom I have met - Denise - called me - was surprised to get me at home - guess she had been calling - did not leave a message - and I certainly did not recognize the number so I did not call her back - she had misunderstood what my work hours were - she thought I had been avoiding her - but not true - I was just at work whenever she called. We drove out to Dunvegan gardens - bought a bit of fresh produce - I bought green and wax beans and swiss chard and she stocked up on beets to make pickled beets for her girls. We wandered around the greenhouse for a bit - then headed to her place - where she had laundry to do - so we chatted and then ended up going out for supper - her treat. We had a really good visit - she is a really interesting lady.

Other than that my life consists of work and home or home and work depending on your perspective. It is nice to have the pile of boxes down to a manageable number - wonder how long it will be before the powers that be decide that they are going to make a permanent part time position out of the job I have been doing - scuttle butt has it that I will have first dibs on the job when/if it comes through - hmmmm - decisions, decisions.

It has been a very quiet day here - Marian left yesterday for her holidays - she is heading out to BC to visit the folks. She will be gone for two weeks - what will I do??? Today I tidied up the kitchen - turfed a few things - Marian will not likely be happy - but I warned her. She had a sunshine iced tea jar - and the spigot leaked - she wanted to get it fixed - told her she had 3 weeks to look after it - after that I would deal with it - as in throw it out - that was 6 weeks ago - so today I turfed it - shhhhh don't tell her - see if she notices. She took two of the cats with her - leaving Tiger and Snookums with me - and right now Tiger has woken up and is sitting on the desk top - 'helping' me type -not sure what she wants - she is not a particularly cuddly cat - but .... bet she wants food - seems to be a constant in their lives - every time you head to the stairs they beat you to it - to their food dishes in the hopes that they will be fed - good luck on that one. She wants her head scratched - does love that. And just stepped on the enter key - so lots of lines put in. Weather was not bad today - mostly sunny - but the clouds have rolled in now - they are promising rain tomorrow and Monday - so much for the long weekend - but why am I not surprised.

Work is as usual - although one of the supervisors informed me that they are considering making the position a permanent part time one - the one I have been doing - and as I have been doing the job for a month or so - seems like forever - I will get first crack at the cat - so to speak. Hmmm - do I want to go from temporary to permanent part time - not sure - decisions, decisions. Have decided to speak to HR and get a bit of background info regarding the difference in the two - and not worry overly much about it - after all this is the post office - will not worry until I hear for sure they are going to do something.

Maybe tomorrow I will play around with the camera and see about uploading some pics - not making any promises but will certainly think about it.

Finally heard from Ayman - had talked with him briefly on Monday - he had his knickers in a knot because I had not called him - so Tuesday I went and bought some phone cards - and tried to call him Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - phones were off - very unlike him - his phones are rarely off because he has to be in contact with drivers - was getting very worried - but turns out he was in an area that has really bad signals - so no phone signals - hmmm - do I believe him - or was he getting back at me - a common Egyptian practice. One shows one's displeasure by not answering phone calls from the person who has pissed you off - he has done this to me before - but man does he get irate when I do it to him. Last time I did it - he was really incensed - told him I thought it was the Egyptian custom - to ignore phone calls when you are upset with the person - as he had done this to me - and he is always telling me that I do not understand the Egyptian customs - so ..... he told me he did not like it when I did this to him - told him I did not like it when he does it to me - so ...... I had called him at 5 a.m. this morning - and his phone actually rang - so I came downstairs and got a phone card and called him and then he did not answer - ARGH - he says he was in the mosque when I called. Said he would try to get to a cybernet after iftar - no call - so I guess the cybernet was not there or not open. Must admit I do not like not being able to keep in touch with him - worries me when he is unavailable.

Not much else to report - things are pretty quiet on the northern front.