I was up and driving to an industrial park just before 6 this morning. The Menace of whom I'd written in a post a few days back had occasion to be in Ottawa. A rarity, since his long haul trucking usually takes him through the western parts of Ontario to the US.

After waiting rather impatiently for the nearest motel associated restaurant to open for breakfast, I was treated to a great breakfast of steak and eggs, coffee (at last!) and conversation with my brother. Dark and cold as it was at that hour of the day, it was good to see him in person again. The last time was at Kerry's wedding over a year ago. Sheesh.

On the drive back into Ottawa, I did something I rarely do: I called the cops while I was driving. I think I had a good reason and they said they would pass the information on to the Ottawa folks after I watched the vehicle that motivated me to call exit the 417.

One of those ubiquitous white vans. From the looks of the load it was carrying a contractor's van. It was a busy morning on the Queensway and this van had sheets of what appeared to be drywall in the back that prevented the rear doors from closing. The doors were (barely) tied with a strap of some sort. The problem I observed was that the doors were more open than closed. So far open that they obscured the rear brake and signal lights from the view of anyone directly behind the van.

I kept lots of room between my Jeep and the van when I realized that I couldn't tell if it was stopping. Of course many people chose to get in my safety buffer and I wound up watching the potential accident for several exits, dropping further behind the van in the process because I was leaving lots of room between the last one in the lane between us as well.

I hope they caught the guy before an accident happened. Did what I could at least.

This evening I helped my new neighbour put in a locking door guard -- the chain barrier that you can lock and unlock from outside the door. It took way too long because there is nothing but air behind her entrance door's jamb. Honestly... and then the long screws I told her to buy kept breaking. It's sorta done now. Which is good, because she has to work in the morning. The hollow metal clad entrance door isn't holding two of the screws for the channel side of this locking mechanism, so tomorrow I'm going to put some JB Weld in the holes to secure them better. That should do it.

Finally, I had time to call my daughter back, but it seems to be too late so maybe tomorrow we'll touch base again.

There is a beautiful full moon out tonight. I spent about a half hour moonbathing while I relaxed and waited to hear back from Stephanie. A great way to end a day. Too bad there can't be a full moon every night!