More visiting

Psst!

Zodi has more company at her place.  So, she may be a tad preoccupied.  I thought I’d use this time to update what’s happening here.

Sadly, due to vacation time, Zodi and I did not get any editing done on the next few pieces of Black Mask & Pale Rider.  So, I’ll have to give myself a swift kick in the booty in order to get some stuff laid out.  It may be a couple of weeks, but the next part in the adventures of the two elven gunslingers will be up, I promise.  You have to remember, neither Zodi nor myself are full time writers.  While it would be cool to get the story published, we’re currently just happy offering it to everyone for free for now.  Summertime also has drawn us away from some commitments, plus plotting for the next three adventures of Shani and Pania has taken some toll.

So you might wonder who Zodi has as extra company after I have returned home from my week long visit to the Great South Land (a.k.a the United States).  I will leave that description for Zodi.  Besides, we’ve got more time to discuss the Adventures of Tim and Zodi.

Which brings me to a bit of randomness.

I noticed a glaring difference between Canadian and American border guards.  On July 13 I hit North Portal, and was greeted with what I expected.  Humourless guards that had a job to do.  At the time, I did not realize there was a smaller border crossing to the west which would have been easier to get through.  The guards looked rather drab in their dark blue uniforms, gun visibly holstered at their hips.  I was questioned in a room for about ten minutes, and had to wait as the guards searched my car.  After an hour wait (I never got to see them search the vehicle, but found out later that they merely “patted down” my stuff), they waved me on my way.

On July 26, I returned.  Coming to the Portal crossing and driving to the Canadian Customs office.  There, I was directed to drive my vehicle to a large building after the border guard asked me a number of questions about weapons, alcohol, tobacco and where I had been and where I was going.  I drove my car into the building, where guards were already searching through one vehicle.  Three young men were sitting at a table, obviously waiting for the search to end.

Canadian border guards look a lot different.  They remind me of RCMP officers in dark blue.  Complete with bullet proof vest, two way radio on the shoulder, weapon holstered in RCMP fashion, and neat attire right down to neatly polished boots and black gloves.  I began to wonder if these guys were trained at RCMP Depot in Regina.  They even brought out a dog, and searched the contents of my car right in front of me.  They suggested I sit down at the table, with the three other men.

That’s where things got interesting.

I overheard the conversation clearly.  The three men claimed they had tobacco.  They had a lot, as the guard mentioned something like 8 cartons of cigarettes and three tins of tobacco.  And then the excitement.  A guard motioned her partner over and they had a hushed conversation.  The first spoke quietly into her radio.  Within two minutes, a pair of RCMP Cruisers arrived, and four RCMP officers approached.  The two other guards searching my car, escorted me to another room.  I discovered later the three also had a large amount of marijuana on them as well.  Carrying an illegal drug through a highly used border crossing.  Not smart.

After the excitement, the border guards finished their search and I was back on the road.  I found it amazing after driving for so long in the States how driving through Regina was like familiar territory.

Tomorrow, I’ll have some pictures of our time at the Indy Zoo.

Until next time…

…keep ’em flyin’.

Zodi Highjack-like flapjack only less tasty.

As Tim stated I might be a bit preoccupied, as my father has come into town to visit me for two weeks. So now I have to share my computer with BF, brother and now my dad. Mind you I’m not griping about it, I like having my dad around.

The trip to the airport was uneventful except for the fact the plane my dad was on was delayed due to a thunderstorm. Dad landed safe and sound and we made it back home much later than anticipated.

I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks, but I am also looking forward to this all being over since I’ll be able to get my apartment and life back in small order.

Don’t get me wrong I like having company, I enjoy my friends coming to visit me and my family to visit as well. However, I like my house a certain way and when things change around my house, I have a bit of a struggle in adjusting. Nothing too major, just going to enjoy the company and savor my normalcy when it returns.

Keep it real and rockin’

❤