They are here

On Thursday June 21 I made my first kill of the season. The dogs and I were riding the quad out along Road to Nowhere when I spotted a big black mosquito on Johnny's neck. Later in the evening I was grooming Johnny outside and got bitten twice. They are not yet at critical mass, just a few here and there, but soon the swarms will descend upon us...

A visit to the doctor

Doctor: How can I help you today?

Patient: I came to see you about this problem 7 months ago and it is still an issue.

D: what did I do last time?

P: nothing. I saw another doctor last month and he sent me to the specialist.

D: what did the specialist do?

P: nothing.

D: that is unfortunate. This isn't my area of expertise, I will refer you back to the specialist.

P: OK, when is the specialist back?

D: (consults list on wall) umm December.

P: that is 7 months away. Can you prescribe something?

D: what did I prescribe you last time?

P: nothing.

D: well I will prescribe you some ointment because that is all I know.

P: thank you.

This is a true story.

(sort of) the floe edge

On Sunday Blaine and I walked the dogs down to the Sylvia Grinnell river near the main pavilion. The river itself is flowing pretty fast and is mostly unfrozen, then it reaches the backed up sea ice to create this stunning scene. The ice is breaking up but is still in big chunks, some of which were left stranded on the river bank by the morning's high tide.

NU food prices protest

 Events were organised across Nunavut on Saturday June 9 to protest high food prices, including this group marching outside North Mart. There are sites popping up where people are posting pictures of exorbitantly priced goods.

I don't think that frozen corn dogs and cans of soda are really necessary items and am inclined to agree with some people that suggest "junk" food prices could subsidize "healthy" food. But who decides, and how, which food fits in which group?

$70 netted me this bag of groceries (to support the protest I shopped at Baffin Canners not North Mart)

• 4 chicken breasts $22
• 2 packs of Parma ham (agreed not exactly a necessity) $8.36
• A packet of bacon $6.94
• Small tub of sour cream $2.41
• Mozzarella cheese $8.48
• 500ml Whipping cream $5.23
• Butter $7.10
• 2l milk $5.63
• Cherry tomatoes $4.27

In the past couple of weeks I excitedly bought some fruits that seemed brilliantly cheap, but maybe I am getting too used to prices here. $3 for a ripe avocado, $7 for a delicious pineapple, $4 for a mango.

Summer snow

June 8, 2012

The heatwave is over and we are back to snow! Funnily enough I just checked my photos and it snowed last year on June 8 too. That day I was at the Arctic College for Inuktitut lessons, this year on June 8 I was at the Arctic College to write an exam. Next year I promise not to go to Arctic College on June 8.

June 8, 2011