July 27

July 27, 2004

DAY 40

 

 

Spent the entire day on chores. Started by reconciling and paying the MasterCard bill, a chore that becomes more complex each month, it seems. We now pay for almost everything with MasterCard, so there are a lot of transactions to reconcile. This month, some of them were in U.S. dollars, adding to the complexity. There went my morning.

Right after lunch, I started on removing the problem wheel off the trailer, and examining the new brakes, and the re-greased bearings. Everything seems okay. There was evidence that the plastic hub cover did indeed melt off, but since I can't find any obvious problem, maybe I just overheated the new brakes and / or the bearings inside the hub by not re-adjusting the digital trailer brake controller inside the truck, after the trailer brakes were repaired. I phoned Transcona Trailer Sales service department to advise them of the melted / missing hub cover and the missing bearing dust cap, and made a service appointment for next Tuesday, when we return to Winnipeg.

Applied Velcro to the outside door restraint which I replaced a couple of days ago. I think the old one broke off because it flaps around in the wind while we're on the road. Hopefully, holding it down against the trailer with a tiny piece of Velcro will solve the problem. I have become the King of Velcro since buying this trailer.

Adjusted the trailer brake controller's output level and synchronicity level, back to the original recommended settings. Sawed the barbecue cedar plank Sharon gave me yesterday morning into 3 pieces. Glued some little wood screw caps that fell off back onto a dining chair and the dining table. Spent some time cleaning up all the glue off the dining table and a placemat, after I knocked over the glue bottle, which I had removed the top from. I didn't notice that I had knocked the glue bottle over for a few minutes, so lots of glue oozed out ! Fixed a cook book spine with duct tape. Removed everything from one kitchen cupboard and installed double sided tape underneath the non-slip matting we installed before starting this journey. I have been working on this for awhile now, cupboard by cupboard.

Finally, after many months of procrastination, we both sat down to fill out the multi-page application forms for the Workamper position we have tentatively arranged for next January and February at Desert Haven Animal Shelterin New Mexico. Prepared digital photos of us and the rig to send to Desert Haven by e-mail, in conjunction with the hard copy applications we prepared today and will mail tomorrow. Sent a change of address notification by e-mail to a magazine subscription.

 

Unbelievable ! The song on the radio right now is about a Mexican Ukrainian girl called Cochita Kowalski. Title of the song is "Ai, yi, yi, yi yi, chiKIE chiKIE" ( Ukrainian word for "wait" ). Only near Dauphin, Manitoba, home of Canada's National Ukrainian Festival ! The radio station I have been listening to since arrival yesterday is "Aboriginal Radio". Motto ; "Real People, Real Radio". I don't have a clue what that means. Part of the time, they are speaking in a Native language. The disc jockey's name is "Coyote". Not John Coyote, or Bob Coyote, just "Coyote" ! Must be the Native equivalent of our white man's "Doc & Woody In The Morning". At least Coyote isn't saddled with a goofball, sidekick moron. Example of Native humour ; "What did you do with your treaty cheque ?" "Went on vacation." "Where ?" "Dollar Store." HA HA HA HA HA !

Am typing this as I barbecue supper. After supper, I will raise the TV antenna, and adjust it in hopes of receiving a viewable picture from the network that broadcasts "Amazing Race".

DSK