You said wood. I've been burning wood to heat our house this winter which brings different feelings. Nice and warm but burning something in minutes that took years to grow? I have to admit this wooden tech acsessory has serious appeal but it's a little cost prohibitive. Depending on what kind of wood you prefer this woody mouse will cost you either $996 US or $1281. Nice also if your out of fuel for your wood stove. Want more? Check it at...

http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/19/alest-rukovs-wooden-computer-mice/#ixzz0XXym5mWP

It's one day less than a month to Christmas day and I already have my travel plans in order but I still can't wait to see what will happen. Ever since I moved to Smithers I've had difficult holiday season journey's back to Edmonton, where I grew up and most of family still reside. Technically my Parents and one brother live in Devon, which is a satellite of the Alberta capital.

Two years ago excited about the prospect of riding the train, which I still do love, I booked a very affordable ticket on VIA Rail that would stop over in Prince George then take me to Jasper where I would hop on a bus for the four to five hour journey to Edmonton. Seemed like a good idea but when I ended up spending more time traveling than I did with my family, combined with Greyhound somehow losing my luggage, It wasn't a great holiday.

So last year I decided that I would just fly whatever the cost. Just book the ultimate trip which would include a three day stop over in Vancouver. To fly to Edmonton from Smithers you have to connect through Vancouver.

Anyway, Mother Nature had exciting plans for last years holiday season which included more snow than Vancouver could possibly handle. The extreme weather left me stranded in Vancouver and missing out on spending Christmas with my family. I do know people in Vancouver so it was still nice but another holiday season not being what it should.

This year because of budgeting we're taking the bus to Edmonton then flying home with stop over for New Years in Vancouver.

Wish me luck.

This is the view out my kitchen window @ 4:05 pm today. (November 20th) For my friends and family who ask, "is there snow there yet?" I like it.

This is a really cool album. Thanx to websites like spinner.ca people can listen to complete, new albums from a variety of artists. It still makes me wonder how artists can make any money these days but I'm not going to go any further on that. I'm not a metal head but have listened to lots of heavy music in my lifetime be it punk or metal. By chance, came across spinner.ca to check out the new Julian Casablancas solo album and saw I could check out the new Slayer as well. So I dropped in.
As one versed in Slayer history and being familiar with most of their music without owning maybe one or two albums I give the new cd, World Painted Blood, an enthusiastic thumbs up. The guitarz sound great not washy sounding but tight and riffy. There's all sorts of cool guitar stuff going on and Toms' vocals are more varied than I have heard previously. All in Slayeresque style. Very cool stuff. Maybe not for the hardcore metal fan, but maybe indeed. I'll have to ask my dark brooding coworker to see what he thinks.

Today in Smithers.