One of the mixed blessings of living in scenic (and freakin' cold and--this year--very snowy this time of year) northern Alberta is that pretty much everybody is short-staffed. (year 'round photos here)

The good side is there's work for anybody who wants it. The bad side is that working two full-time jobs (because everybody is short-staffed and so I can) takes up a lot of time.

I do full time 5.5 days a week at the music and computer store with my brother, and full-time overnights (4 on and 4 off) supervising/monitoring at a group home residential facility for folks with developmental difficulties.

Anyways, I'm only posting this to explain my on-again off-again presence; it's not that I'm not interested and it's not that I don't enjoy this forum. I am and I do. Very much so. And I'll be here, but at times it'll be sparse for a while.

(Working like a dog and saving to get back to China...at my age, y'never know how many more trips you'll be able to take, so it's a priority to me.)

Onward :-)...

Anytime you make it here, Ron, we are glad to have you here.......

You doing the right thing Ron, save ... and bring some of those Shanghai LE's, for sale to your fellow foruners for God sake.....

I know how you feel, Ron--this time of year I tend not to post as much either. Any of your well-written, well-thought-out posts are much appreciated.

Ron anytime you get to pop in and say a few words is great.