The SWAMP! - Volume One

**Sonnie** · **12-17-06, 04:07 PM**

lol... it was the f-r-i-g part that was being censored, but I changed it so that it wouldn't censor it unless it was by itself or with an "in" or "ing" on the end.

**drf** · **12-18-06, 01:07 AM**

good afternoon all, updates, the fire is now 638,000 hectares and has a perimeter larger than 830Km long. All are burning out of control and the word is they will probably still be until June. Last efforts of the brigades was to create a 130 kM by 2 Km fire break in three days. Thats gooing to be an effort. :holycow:

**Fincave** · **12-18-06, 02:16 AM**

Morning all! That really is some fire, cannot even comprehend how big an area 638 000 hectares is. Read on the Beeb's news page that two teenagers are being sought in connection with starting the fires, do not want to be in their shoes.

**drf** · **12-18-06, 03:36 AM**

Quote:

two teenagers are being sought in connection with starting the fires, do not want to be in their shoes.

Your not wrong there!!! Those boys would want to hope the police get to them before the 4000+ firefighters who are already working around the clock. It's just sad that a firefighter died in the fires deliberately lit.

**JCD** · **12-19-06, 02:18 PM**

Been moving the office over the last several days -- since I'm in charge of IT at our office, I've been blessed with running the computer setup at the new office. What does that mean? Setting up every computer in our office (with my IT guy) -- wouldn't be so bad if it was just a matter of plugging everything in, but it wasn't.. as you might expect, there were a lot of exceptions. Anyway, 5 days of moving and I'm ready for a nap. At least it's all (almost) done at this point.

Anyway, that's where I've been for the last several days.

Oh, and you should wear good shoes while doing such activities.. I didn't. My feet hurt. Oh, and my back's a little sore.

JCD

**Sonnie** · **12-19-06, 02:35 PM**

Sounds like you need a few days of vacation...

**Chrisbee** · **12-20-06, 06:18 AM**

Is it true that one's possessions expand to fill the volume available?

Or is storage meant to be this challenging?

**Steve Williamson** · **12-20-06, 07:24 AM**

It's not one's possessions that expands, it's her who must be obeyed's possessions that keeps expanding, we have been renting for over 7 months and we have more than double the amount of stuff to move to the new house than we left with.

**Sonnie** · **12-20-06, 11:00 AM**

It's more of a mutual expansion here... and what happens when the volume available is filled? You eventually get more volume... more than you need and the cycle starts again....

**Chrisbee** · **12-20-06, 06:51 PM**

I thought I'd build myself a recumbent trike a couple of years ago.

So I started collecting donor bikes to use as raw materials.

I ended up with 22 bikes!

But they are all so nice I don't really like to saw any of them up!

So the 20 x 8 foot workshop I built to work on the trike is now so full of bikes I can't get in there!

I only ever ride one of them regularly.

**Ayreonaut** · **12-21-06, 12:25 PM**

Today's a big day for me.

Quote:

VCU Transcript wrote:

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Physics

Good Standing
EHRS
130.00
Requirements completed for Bachelor of Science
----------End of Undergraduate Academic Record-------------

I did it while starting a family and working full time as an engineer.
The Lord was merciful and sustained me.
My wife was supportive and my kids were forgiving.

I can't belive its finished. I'm too relieved to feel excited yet.

**Chrisbee** · **12-21-06, 12:43 PM**

Congratulations!

**Sonnie** · **12-21-06, 12:54 PM**

Yes.... congrats! Excellent news!

**drf** · **12-21-06, 04:02 PM**

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Its amazing what can be done with the right mindset and the support of good family.

Well done.

as for storage we just added 132 M2 to our house (almost doubled its size) and still don't have enough room

**Ayreonaut** · **12-21-06, 04:56 PM**

Thanks guys. I took 11 years, off and on, but I stuck with it.

I'm on summer vacation for the rest of my life!

Oh yeah, I still have to work...

**Fincave** · **12-21-06, 06:17 PM**

Congrats on the degree!! Always nice to hear/read that hard work and diligence do pay off.

**12-22-06, 11:55 AM**

Merry Christmas to you Sonnie and everyone here at the Shack

I hope 2007 is filled with good health and happiness for you all.

Take care

**Sonnie** · **12-22-06, 12:59 PM**

Thanks Glen!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

and

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

**drf** · **12-22-06, 11:34 PM**

^^^^^ ditto those words ^^^^^

Hope everyone has a happy and safe Xmas and new years.

**Sonnie** · **12-23-06, 01:06 AM**

Can you imagine all the folks that will be x-mas shopping tomorrow and Sunday? We went out to eat tonight in Montgomery... about 50 north of us... one of the smaller of the larger cities in Alabama (~225,000 maybe)... it was unreal. Only crazy folks would get out in that mess. Yup... we were

tonight! Good food though... Red Lobster.

**Fincave** · **12-23-06, 03:04 AM**

Good morning all!!

Also just like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, hope it is peaceful and presentful (is that even a word?) for everyone!

I am still off to work today though only a short day for me, I will then have two days off, looking forward to good food and good company and some peace and quiet. We are not going to have a white Christmas this year, I have been in Finland for ten years and this will be the first non-white Christmas, somehow does not really seem like Christmas with no snow on the ground.

Drf: Hope the fires in Oz are not raging, am sure the firemen and volunteers would like to spend Christmas with their families

Sonnie: I reckon anyone who still dares to go out shopping at this very late stage deserves a medal, either that or they need their head's examined!

**Sonnie** · **12-23-06, 11:31 AM**

We haven't had a white x-mas in ... in ... well, ever! I would have no idea what that is like.

We can give you a white x-mas at the Shack though...

**drf** · **12-23-06, 07:49 PM**

I like the snow you got going here!! Its probably the closet we will come to a white Xmas here in oz.

Looks like the fires have slowed up enough that most of the firefighters will be able to spend Xmas at home. Thankyou God!! Looks like the weather will keep cool enough to give everyone a good break for the next couple of days. I have moved out to where the fires are for the next couple of days so I can spend Xmas with family and help if needed. Last figures I got where that the fire had reached 750,000 hectares with a perimeter of over 900Km (555Miles approx.) and the fire crews had dozed a 137Km fire break 3Km wide.

Bad (read: hot and windy) weather is forcast for later in the week, but we will worry about that when we get there.

**Sonnie** · **12-24-06, 09:21 AM**

Be careful!!!!!!!!!!!!

**drf** · **12-26-06, 04:17 PM**

Home again!!

Santa bought us lots of cold weather and rain which has left the fires manageable with only a skeleton crew.

Can't beleive the weather we are having in victoria these last few months, it went from 40 and windy to 4 and snow in one week

Anyhow its all starting to look better here. how did everyone else fair over these crazy festivities?

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