Have a Happy-er Labour Day...

[Virgil Showlion]

...than this fellow.

I'm walking along one of Toronto's main thoroughfares when I spot flashing police lights on the road ahead of me. As I approach the scene, I see a tow truck pulling away with a sedan in tow. Its rear end has been totaled. There are no ambulances around, but there are several police officers on scene as well as two dozen people standing idly by whom I figure are rubbernecking (this is a very populous commercial area of town).

I don't see any car with its front end totaled and conclude that the vehicle that caused the accident must have already been towed. The car I saw being towed earlier was situated just beyond an unusual four-way intersection where the east and west streets don't align and three sets of lights are present. I figure a driver was confused by the lights, slammed on the brakes, and was rear-ended at high speed. Without any time or desire to investigate further, I carry on and think nothing more of the incident.

As I'm walking back along the same street in the opposite direction 40 minutes later, I notice there are still flashing police lights and groups of people standing around. This strikes me as unusual. If the cars were towed 40 minutes ago, why would so many people still be loitering in the vicinity of the crash?

As I reach the south end of the block, opposite the north end where the police are congregated, I notice a tow truck beside me ready to to tow away a minivan whose bumper has been damaged. And it suddenly occurs to me why all the people are standing around. The driver that caused the accident didn't hit a car on the road; he'd ploughed into the row of parked cars along the side of the street at high speed, ramming one into another in what must have been at least an 7- or 8-car chain reaction. Typical speeds along this route are about 80 km/h (50 mph), hence this could have been one heck of a hit.

And the story gets worse for the driver responsible: As I briefly pass by a police officer talking to a somber-looking middle-aged Korean gentleman and his wife supportively holding his arm, I hear the cop say in what can best be described in an apologetic tone, "...we're charging you with criminally reckless driving, ...".

The moral of the story: no matter how bad your Labour Day is, rejoice that it's not going to be as bad as this fellow's.

Drive safely.

[Artemis Windsong]

Purrrr.

[toomuchreality]

Sept 6, 2015 19:28:53 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

...than this fellow.

I'm walking along one of Toronto's main thoroughfares when I spot flashing police lights on the road ahead of me. As I approach the scene, I see a tow truck pulling away with a sedan in tow. Its rear end has been totaled. There are no ambulances around, but there are several police officers on scene as well as two dozen people standing idly by whom I figure are rubbernecking (this is a very populous commercial area of town).

I don't see any car with its front end totaled and conclude that the vehicle that caused the accident must have already been towed. The car I saw being towed earlier was situated just beyond an unusual four-way intersection where the east and west streets don't align and three sets of lights are present. I figure a driver was confused by the lights, slammed on the brakes, and was rear-ended at high speed. Without any time or desire to investigate further, I carry on and think nothing more of the incident.

As I'm walking back along the same street in the opposite direction 40 minutes later, I notice there are still flashing police lights and groups of people standing around. This strikes me as unusual. If the cars were towed 40 minutes ago, why would so many people still be loitering in the vicinity of the crash?

As I reach the south end of the block, opposite the north end where the police are congregated, I notice a tow truck beside me ready to to tow away a minivan whose bumper has been damaged. And it suddenly occurs to me why all the people are standing around. The driver that caused the accident didn't hit a car on the road; he'd ploughed into the row of parked cars along the side of the street at high speed, ramming one into another in what must have been at least an 7- or 8-car chain reaction. Typical speeds along this route are about 80 km/h (50 mph), hence this could have been one heck of a hit.

And the story gets worse for the driver responsible: As I briefly pass by a police officer talking to a somber-looking middle-aged Korean gentleman and his wife supportively holding his arm, I hear the cop say in what can best be described in an apologetic tone, "...we're charging you with criminally reckless driving, ...".

The moral of the story: no matter how bad your Labour Day is, rejoice that it's not going to be as bad as this fellow's.

Drive safely.

Wow. Something like this happened right outside my apt. a few years ago. I would guess at least 8 cars, got hit and pushed up on to the curb, while one car was chasing another. One of the cars was barely moving and he was scraping his front bumper, throwing a shower of sparks, as he 'fled' the scene. -This all happened after they chased each other through and around a city park (with not roads, just grass).

Any way...











Hope you enjoyed a wonderful weekend! 

[Virgil Showlion]

Sept 6, 2015 19:44:09 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

Purrrr.

OK, so technically you could have a worse Labour Day than the reckless driver, but the odds of coming across a snow leopard in North America... ?

[wyouser]

So, in retrospect, did anybody out there actually "do" any "labor" on labor day? Other than a couple hours on Saturday afternoon, I tried really hard to totally "abstain" for the entire weekend.....

[wyouser]

Sept 8, 2015 10:14:58 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Sept 6, 2015 19:44:09 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

Purrrr.

OK, so technically you could have a worse Labour Day than the reckless driver, but the odds of coming across a snow leopard in North America... ?

OK, so say you did meet up with said snow leopard.....how would you describe such an encounter with a LABOR DAY theme in mind?  Probably not a labor of love. Maybe some labor to escape? perhaps some labor to hide? Laboring to reach the top of the nearest tree? Maybe not.....

[NancysSummerSip]

Sept 8, 2015 11:33:42 GMT -5 wyouser said:

So, in retrospect, did anybody out there actually "do" any "labor" on labor day? Other than a couple hours on Saturday afternoon, I tried really hard to totally "abstain" for the entire weekend.....

I did, but some of it was voluntary. I did a triathlon on Sunday, then moderate housework and yardwork later Sunday and Monday, just to keep from tightening up.

[toomuchreality]

Sept 8, 2015 11:38:28 GMT -5 wyouser said:

Sept 8, 2015 10:14:58 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

OK, so technically you could have a worse Labour Day than the reckless driver, but the odds of coming across a snow leopard in North America... ?

OK, so say you did meet up with said snow leopard.....how would you describe such an encounter with a LABOR DAY theme in mind?  Probably not a labor of love. Maybe some labor to escape? perhaps some labor to hide? Laboring to reach the top of the nearest tree? Maybe not.....

Hopefully not in a pregnant sort of way!

[Artemis Windsong]

Sept 8, 2015 10:14:58 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Sept 6, 2015 19:44:09 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

Purrrr.

OK, so technically you could have a worse Labour Day than the reckless driver, but the odds of coming across a snow leopard in North America... ?

I thought of you when I saw a cute video of snow leopard cubs on one of the MSN links.  I knew the purr would raise your cockles. 

[Virgil Showlion]

Sept 8, 2015 16:08:49 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

Sept 8, 2015 10:14:58 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

OK, so technically you could have a worse Labour Day than the reckless driver, but the odds of coming across a snow leopard in North America... ?

I thought of you when I saw a cute video of snow leopard cubs on one of the MSN links.  I knew the purr would raise your cockles. 

I... think you mean "hackles".

The only thing snow leopards raise in me is my blood pressure. I think about how this Korean fellow totals a few cars--doesn't even kill anybody--and he's off to face the courts. Snow leopards murder dozens of innocents every day. Are they facing judgment in a courtroom? Are their crimes being vigorously prosecuted?

Of course not. Our brainwashed society is too busy LOLing at Internet videos designed to disarm us and neutralize critical thinking.

If you saw videos of uncian cubs in the wild--the real kind that can only be viewed on the deep web where establishment censors can't reach--I guarantee you you wouldn't be LOLing or calling them "cute" any more than Cujo is cute.

[The Captain]

Sept 8, 2015 11:33:42 GMT -5 wyouser said:

So, in retrospect, did anybody out there actually "do" any "labor" on labor day? Other than a couple hours on Saturday afternoon, I tried really hard to totally "abstain" for the entire weekend.....

Sat in front of a primitive offset smoker the whole day and turned out some awesome bbq.

1 brisket flat, 1 whole pork shoulder, and 2 racks of baby backs.

Nailed.them.all!!!


Believe it or not, it's harder work that you think.  It was hot, no breeze, and keeping the temperature regulated on a cranky small smoker it a treat, let me tell you.

But, ohhhhh so worth it!

[Artemis Windsong]

Sept 8, 2015 16:28:43 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Sept 8, 2015 16:08:49 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

I thought of you when I saw a cute video of snow leopard cubs on one of the MSN links.  I knew the purr would raise your cockles. 

I... think you mean "hackles".

The only thing snow leopards raise in me is my blood pressure. I think about how this Korean fellow totals a few cars--doesn't even kill anybody--and he's off to face the courts. Snow leopards murder dozens of innocents every day. Are they facing judgment in a courtroom? Are their crimes being vigorously prosecuted?

Of course not. Our brainwashed society is too busy LOLing at Internet videos designed to disarm us and neutralize critical thinking.

If you saw videos of uncian cubs in the wild--the real kind that can only be viewed on the deep web where establishment censors can't reach--I guarantee you you wouldn't be LOLing or calling them "cute" any more than Cujo is cute.

The cockles of one's heart vs hackles on the neck.  Your pick. 

Just sending you some Virgil. 

Never been to the deep web but I am well aware of what a wild cat can do to a human.  Snow leopards are rare and endangered.  I doubt most of us will meet up with one.  I am also aware of what one lion can do to a man's reputation and dental practice.  Killed him back but a longer process.

[Artemis Windsong]

www.msn.com/en-us/video/animals/raw-rare-leopard-cubs-make-debut-in-russia/vi-AAe3jXk?ocid=mailsignout

[tskeeter]

Sept 8, 2015 16:32:16 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Sept 8, 2015 11:33:42 GMT -5 wyouser said:

So, in retrospect, did anybody out there actually "do" any "labor" on labor day? Other than a couple hours on Saturday afternoon, I tried really hard to totally "abstain" for the entire weekend.....

Sat in front of a primitive offset smoker the whole day and turned out some awesome bbq.

1 brisket flat, 1 whole pork shoulder, and 2 racks of baby backs.

Nailed.them.all!!!


Believe it or not, it's harder work that you think.  It was hot, no breeze, and keeping the temperature regulated on a cranky small smoker it a treat, let me tell you.

But, ohhhhh so worth it!

Cap, that's why some of us use the electric version with thermostatic controls.  We're lazy.  And, if we're really lazy, we use the brands that have automatic feeders for the chips.  The super lazy add a remote wireless thermometers, so they can monitor the progress of their smoke from the air conditioned comfort of the recliner.  (Insert tskeeter's smiling face here.)  The only thing that could possibly be better would be ambling over to the neighbor's to eat his barbeque.  That way you get to enjoy the flavor and the aroma of the smoking meat without any of the effort and clean up.

Having friends with cool toys is way better than having your own toys.

[The Captain]

Sept 9, 2015 18:13:46 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Sept 8, 2015 16:32:16 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Sat in front of a primitive offset smoker the whole day and turned out some awesome bbq.

1 brisket flat, 1 whole pork shoulder, and 2 racks of baby backs.

Nailed.them.all!!!


Believe it or not, it's harder work that you think.  It was hot, no breeze, and keeping the temperature regulated on a cranky small smoker it a treat, let me tell you.

But, ohhhhh so worth it!

Cap, that's why some of us use the electric version with thermostatic controls.  We're lazy.  And, if we're really lazy, we use the brands that have automatic feeders for the chips.  The super lazy add a remote wireless thermometers, so they can monitor the progress of their smoke from the air conditioned comfort of the recliner.  (Insert tskeeter's smiling face here.)  The only thing that could possibly be better would be ambling over to the neighbor's to eat his barbeque.  That way you get to enjoy the flavor and the aroma of the smoking meat without any of the effort and clean up.

Having friends with cool toys is way better than having your own toys.

DH is slowly coming around.  To be honest, we both tend to be oldskool and set in our ways because if it works, why change?

If we get to retire early we both want to go on the competition bbq circuit.  I don't know if the electric rigs are allowed, but you simply don't see them much in the festivals we've been to.

However, we watch a lot of Steve Raichlen (BBQ-U guy) and even he is using the electronic smokers more than the old fashioned ones.  Our smoker is on it's last legs (literally, two wheels have broken off and it's kept level by bricks ) so a new smoker is in the plan for next year.

Mind me asking what you use?

[tskeeter]

Sept 10, 2015 9:04:34 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Sept 9, 2015 18:13:46 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Cap, that's why some of us use the electric version with thermostatic controls.  We're lazy.  And, if we're really lazy, we use the brands that have automatic feeders for the chips.  The super lazy add a remote wireless thermometers, so they can monitor the progress of their smoke from the air conditioned comfort of the recliner.  (Insert tskeeter's smiling face here.)  The only thing that could possibly be better would be ambling over to the neighbor's to eat his barbeque.  That way you get to enjoy the flavor and the aroma of the smoking meat without any of the effort and clean up.

Having friends with cool toys is way better than having your own toys.

DH is slowly coming around.  To be honest, we both tend to be oldskool and set in our ways because if it works, why change?

If we get to retire early we both want to go on the competition bbq circuit.  I don't know if the electric rigs are allowed, but you simply don't see them much in the festivals we've been to.

However, we watch a lot of Steve Raichlen (BBQ-U guy) and even he is using the electronic smokers more than the old fashioned ones.  Our smoker is on it's last legs (literally, two wheels have broken off and it's kept level by bricks ) so a new smoker is in the plan for next year.

Mind me asking what you use?

I don't know what the rules are about equipment for competition BBQ, but oldskool does seem to be the method  most commonly used.

But, for myself, I was never willing to work that hard.  Started out smoking ribs with a Weber gas grill.  Didn't like having to constantly fiddle with the temp as wind and other conditions changed.  Moved to a Masterbuilt digital electric.  After about a year, I tired of messing with hand feeding wood chips.  (Starting to see a theme?)  Graduated to a Bradley digital, which has an automatic feeder for the wood bisquettes.  (Means I can do an over night smoke of pork shoulder for pulled pork and still get a full night of sleep.  Bradley can be pretty close to set it and forget it.)  Knew going in that the Bradley didn't offer tight temperature control or fast heat recovery (500 watt heating element vs. Masterbuilt's 1,200 watt?).  So I did some modifications, adding a second heating element and got a PID sized for the new heating system to provide 2 degreee +/- temperature control (great for smoking cheese, sausage, and fish).  Also got a wireless remote thermometer, so I can monitor the progress of the smoke from the recliner.

If was was doing smoking for a living, or other really high volume smoking, I think I'd be looking for a small commercial smoker, rather than the Bradley.  But for now, the Bradley works pretty well for the volume and style of smoking I'm doing (although the 20# of summer sausage was probably more than I should have tried in a single smoke).