A First

After about 6 months I am finally getting a chance to put my Enhanced CDL to use. I am driving one of two buses from St. Lawrence University to Ottawa Winterlude on Saturday. Will enjoy exploring parts of Ottawa, Ontario that I have never been to. Better take the camera along;)

Learning from bad situations

I cursed a bit while trying to figure out why my chimney was not drafting the way it should (or has been). After brushing and cleaning every conceivable area of the chimney and flue-pipe and it was still not functional, left just one possibility. Realizing that the chimney's cap must be caked badly with creosote I was able to knock the cap off using the brush rods without the brush from the clean-out tee. Instantly the auto draft swung into action... problem solved. I did however, learn a good bit of information from this 'occurrence'. I now know my new chimney maintains a good temperature through its entire length, since creosote only builds in areas where there is a cooler temperature introduced into the area. My chimney is most certainly working well to carry away all the by-products of my wood / oil furnace. In cases where people seriously rely on wood for their winter long source of heat I seriously would NOT recommend a chimney cap, or worry about one that "looks good", go for one that is as entirely open as possible, say a flat piece of tin held up some 6 inches from the opening by maybe three or four 1" bars... It just isn't worth it to try and get one that gives a good finished look.

It Never Fails

Regardless of how well you think you are keeping up with the routine cleaning of the chimney, it never fails that the creosote build-up hits critical at the most inopportune time.  The chimney is clear... but the chimney cap is plugged. Go figure, the one thing the brush does no good for. >:P

A Moment of Reflection

It seems not so long ago... but the time has passed so quickly. In many ways I miss my time on board.

Winter Storm

What a crazy day! The entire St.Lawrence County area was closed this morning schools and all including most in the neighbouring counties as well. I had to Sub in Brushton-Moira this morning in Franklin County which should have been closed as well and when we dropped the kids at the school we were then told that school would be dismissed early.... REALLY!!! Why couldn't you people follow suit with everyone else and save the drivers and CHILDREN some danger when they shouldn't have been on the road in the first place! If your district is that strapped for State Aid... you might as well give it up all ready and close the doors for good. #DOH!  lol

Long Days

Sometimes I don't look forward to the drive to and from Tupper Lake for the day... but it does make a much nicer pay check if I go a couple times a week. #$$$

Family Vacation

4 years since the last family vacation... been too long, this is gonna' be fun! As the prices of airfare during the spring break season are totally insane we are opting to drive to Florida this year saving more in airfare than it costs to stay at Disney Resort hotel and go to the parks for 6 days... and don't think for a moment that going by train is any cheaper, not to mention it takes longer than driving... I would want to use mass transit, WHY?  LOL.