Admittedly a few minutes before

timesheet call, I slow my calls down. This prevents me from getting a call at the last second, which would prevent me from catching my bus outside. My blood sugars were dropping. The bread and butter project age group had already helped out and from here on in like it was for the last half hour at least, quota fills. 😃 I knew any more pick ups on the other end were going to be not interested or quota fills. All of my calls after break were that way. So I made calls. Sure enough I get a survey and it was in one of the needed age groups, yeesh. I did the survey keeping my cool, the respondent was really good and made the survey go by fast. I did my timesheet and I knew I was going to miss my bus. From our corner part of the upstairs office window I could see my incoming bus on the street below. 🙄 At 8pm, I knew I was going to have a 20 minute wait. At least it wasn't going to be a cold wait. Finally about 8:25pm here was my bus. This was one of the new hybrid busses but this driver stopped at every red light along 124/Jasper and let off every passenger at every stop, there was a walker and wheelchair in there too, which further slowed things down. I just wanted to get back to my computer to chat with my friend for a few moments. The trip from 107/124 should take 10 minutes. Always does, the traffic was light. I was getting pissed. This guy took over 15  minutes. Other busses after Stony Plain road were passing him. Then I had another 10 minute wait for my lrt to Clareview, and that driver was taking his time. Then another 10 minute wait at Clareview. It took me an hour and a half to leave the office to get back to my place. My wife was on the computer. I was kind of rude to her ordering her out of my chair. My friend sent me a text message right away and we had brief chat. I laid the above out on her shoulders. She didn't need that. I hope she took it in stride. This evening before time sheet I'm going to slow my calls down this time. The project officially is over Friday in which case I won't be there but most likely we're going to use some of Saturday to complete the project. I'm on a scheduled 3 days off after that.

I'm following the LA/Oilers this evening, then Saturday its VGK. The Oilers are within striking distance of the last play off spot. Lately the Oilers seem to win one lose 2. Oilers 11-11-2 isn't great but its at least 500 hockey. If the Oilers can pull off what Buffalo is doing 10 straight wins or even what Vegas is doing, its doable and we're close to the last play off spot. End of March isn't that far off.

So if going out with my friend isn't in the cards Saturday, I've got options. I've got to get some meds at the Walmart pharmacy, and using the rec centre stationary bike across the street has been on my to do list for awhile now. I might do that tomorrow afternoon, after Anne leaves. Saturday, I need to go to Londonderry mall and get myself a new backpack. The backpack I'm currently using does the job but it looks like a children's back pack. Anne picked it up for under $5. Also, while at Londonderry after I shop I can get part 2 of a book series get some breakfast, take $20 with me to play the slots. Anne wants to go to Denny's on Sunday so that will be a good full weekend. I might even go to the Walmart pharmacy to pick up my meds tonight. We'll see. I might just stay home Saturday or go across the street play some slots have a beer. Anyway, that's all for now.

For some reason since

I slowly began weeding myself off this diet cola I'm not as thirsty as I led myself to believe I was. I first noticed this Saturday when I was out and about in the mall. Even at home today I had one glass of diet cola with my dinner. I'm just drinking water at work from now on.

For most of yesterday I felt alone and forgotten. Even by my friend and my wife. Anne usually sleeps in until about 3pm on a Sunday. I watched some of the Grey Cup over brunch and lost interest in that. I read for awhile, Facebook stuff etc. What I should have done was paid a visit to the rec centre to work off some of that sense of loneliness I've been feeling. Another opportunity lost that passed me by. This week I'm going to try and reach out to an old friend from the 80's. I have access to her phone #. I've been reluctant to call because its a business phone number. She's not on Facebook. I was so self absorbed last night I even forgot about the Oilers/LA game until I checked the score tied at 1 after the 1st period. The game was interesting until Talbot let that 3rd goal in. It wasn't his fault that the team coughed up the puck in the offensive zone for a LA breakaway goal. Welcome to Oil country Hitch, this is what you have to work with this year. Good luck with that.

I had a hot dog and fries for a lame late dinner last night. One good thing about this so "called exciting" weekend is I go back to work today. If I can't be with ones I love, then I'll go to the gym or to the Albert's 66 bar. At the bar I can bring in a $20 and play the vlt's and nurse a couple of beers for the afternoon and come home, pass out while watching the Oilers lose. At least I got some wrestling to watch tonight. Anyway, that's all for now. 

Londonderry mall was pretty busy

this afternoon. I did my business breaking a contract within a grace period. I feel better about that. I looked around the mall, then realized I needed a new Oilers flex hat. I had a bit of trouble finding Lids but there it was close to the food court. A bit pricey for a hat but it was official NHL gear. After that and having completed my business earlier I decided to treat myself to a burger and a cold beer.

We got a skiff of snow out there and even though it wasn't that cold, my bus home sure took a long time in getting to the bus stop on 144th Ave . One good thing about the #11 or #182, either of those buses drops me off right outside of my place. No streets to cross. 😃 

So the big game is tomorrow. 🏈 There a lots of events the city put together including the Grey cup parade since we are the host city. That's been an annual event anyway since the late 1940's. I had a good time in the mall buying my new Oilers hat having a burger and a beer. Good times. Anyway, that's all for now. 

Its Friday at last

a short 4 days for me but it seemed longer. Lots of stressful elements. Not so much on the job just other stuff in general. For the most part, all I did was up about 10 out the door by 2, into work by 3-8:30pm, home by 9:30 in bed by 2am. Rinse and repeat. The only difference has been yesterday because we booked off at 8. I was home actually by 8:30, which was nice but strange and unexpected.

I made a major health wise decision to cut drinking diet cola except for with my 2 meals/day. Eventually I hope to cut even that out and just drink juice. Its going to save a lot of money and improve my sleep by not making 2-3 trips out of bed every sleep. Anyway, that's about all for now. 

With this current

project I'm on its 3-8:30pm, out of Province. Getting to the job site is no problem. If I hustle and log off when timesheet is called and I sign out, I'm outside. 124th street is 4 lanes and parking on the side to my left of the office. So I have to step out in front of parked vehicles take a look what traffic is coming my way left and off of 107th from 3 directions off of 107th West/South bound and East Southbound and West South bound. My head is on a swivel basically. All of the above outside is processed in a short space of time. Like 30 seconds. Its called jay walking. I also got to watch for Police as well because it is a fine. If I'm lucky I can catch that 8:30 bus and in the apartment by about 9:30 pm. If I miss that bus, I've got a 20 minute wait. Weather has been good here lately but waiting out there for 20 minutes isn't fun when its -25. 

Other then the odd app, I don't really get involved over the "Black Friday" hype. Especially at the local retail level. Besides, I'm usually caught in between paydays anyway despite most black Friday sales are held over. The only big ticket items I bought this year have been the custom built computer and Reason 10 and a rack extension for that software. 

This morning I was chatting with an old acquaintance/friend from Coquitlam days back in the early 1970's. He was saying how he is about to turn a spare room and rent it out as shared accommodations. He's using a popular listing site and he mentioned how a buddy of his had 80 applicants view his suite in 2 days. My friend was also saying how a couple of houses across the street built in the 1950's sold for over a million bucks each 👀 inflation being what it is and all, these homes were built for less the $20k at the time. Its no secret but its Asian foreign investment driving up prices in the Vancouver housing market. With (last time I checked) over 10,000 listings here in the greater Edmonton area, we don't have that kind of a problem. Anyway, that's all for now.

When I make poor choices

in life, its mainly because I'm not thinking clearly. Sometimes I think more with my heart then my head. That's what happened Saturday. I buy into this "keeping up with the Jones's" mentality. Its not that I was under any pressure at the time either. I thought I could manage it, but I can't. So I wont. Too many hoops. Privacy concerns wont allow me to elaborate until at least Saturday.

So I'm out of here at 2pm for my 3pm shift. For the work I do at my age, with my health concerns, its a long shift. Four hours is about right for me. The good news is I'll be home about 9:30pm instead of 10 for all this week. Anyway, that's all for now.

Heading into work was just

in my lined gene jacket and a light sweater and the usual plus my running shoes. It was overcast and there was something brewing, that was evident. My shift went well but when I got out, there was about 2 inches of snow and blowing snow all around me. I kept my balance all the to the apartment. When I got back to my apartment to check on the weather it was only -3/-11 but the wind was blowing like 35 kmh. 

Crystal Andrus Morissette

February 12, 2014 ·

My "long weekend" begins now, with a night off. I'm just relaxing today, maybe there's a live stream or something. However I need to get to Audrey's and pick up one of my special order books waiting for me there. Saturday I've got other plans, hopefully shopping for a cell phone. Also there's a critical televised game between the Oilers/Calgary. Sunday its out to a lodge meeting, outside of our regular lodge night, then skimming through the highlights of WWE Survivor series.  Then back to work. Anyway, that's all for now.

Yesterday the city

of Calgary, in a city wide plebiscite voted "No" for an Olympic bid to host the 2026 winter Olympics. Thank god. The worst of it being if the vote did go through, the Alberta Government would have wasted ~ $700 million. We're $ billions in debt as it is. Just goes to show where the NDP's priorities are, never mind the Federal Governments. The vote was 56% No. Common sense prevailed at last. I can think of better things to do with $700m like paying down the debt? 

The Oilers last night won a game in dramatic fashion last night, after losing their last 4. Montreal/Oilers last night was 6-2 Oilers 😃 I just got updates from Shaun about the game all night. Oilers are just one win away from being right back into the playoff conversation. I don't know who the major goal scorers we're but I assume McDavid and Draisaitl we're in the mix. Oilers had 9 home games and 9 road games so far that's been the difference maker in a schedule that had not been very kind to the Oilers. Next up Saturday with our Provincial rivals, the Calgary Flames. The other thing here is, Oilers haven't played any of their Divisional counterparts yet.

It felt good being at work last night. It looks like I've got enough work to get through until the Christmas break and beyond. With the above seasonal weather my commute going in is going to be pleasant. My friend's roommate is going to be under going an operation today, so I'll have that on my mind. Anyway, that's all for now.

I got the call earlier

to go to work. So, I'm from 4-9, Today, Wednesday, Thursday. I'm off Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I'm hoping to go out cell phone shopping, Saturday. My friend suggested Bell. This is a personal phone, nobody but my friend and contacts need to know about it.

Not sure what the finale casualty rate is over the California wild fires, but I just read it was 42. The fires in Fort MacMurray didn't cause any deaths but a lot of homes were lost. But it was nothing like this. Whole communities were lost. The insurance costs of this tragedy is probably in the billions. Anyway, that's about all for now.   

If it wasn't for

Winnipeg intercepting that play the Riders would have won. As for the Denver/Oilers game, Oilers starter goal tender needs to start making the other teams "A chances" saves.  He's letting in to many easy goals. Time to make a more permanent goal tending move. 

Its a sad time right now in my life. A friend is about to go in for therapy, my best friend having her own health issues. Now today I learn about the passing away of a friend. I never met Stan Lee personally but I always thought him as a friend. What he created and co create was a big part of my life growing up. I'm at a loss for words. 

I've been asking around about a smartphone. My friend and I just text each other on messenger. I need my own phone with a nice data plan. I'm looking at the iPhone XS Max. I can afford an $85/month plan. I'd get the phone just for the camera alone. Plus if I'm delayed on my commute I can call the office. I can call my friend, I can get sports scores to see how the Oilers are doing and the camera alone has more then enough value. Also its good for lodge as well. Anyway, that's all for now.

Ok so this Sunday

I'm following the Riders (CFL) Bombers game. This game determines who faces Calgary for the West in the Grey Cup game. If that's not enough there's the Denver/Oilers game as well, that same day. I might watch the Oilers game but like the price of oil falling these losses are really hard to take. Arguably we have the best player in the game and the Oilers can't win hockey games. That's all I've got for now. Anyway, that's all for today.

Looks like I could be off

work until at least about Wednesday 😃 and that's ok with me. Initially I wanted to work 4 days/week anyway. If all goes well this project could last until we break for Christmas, which usually would be about December 15th. 

I've been told several times I look to young to be 66 years old. Even people on the phone after the interview say something like "You young guys," etc. I say I'm 66. "You sound like your 32." Thankyou. I look like a youthful 55 year old. Anne says if I could lose 30 pounds off my belly, it would take another ten years off my appearance. Most likely my life as well. I don't mind getting old, I just don't want to look old.

Work and lodge are all fine and well. I need to do other things besides sit at home in front of the computer or read. I'm not big on watching television like binging on Net flex or anything like that. I went to the Eb games website to see what games I could get for my computer. I've heard of Guild Wars before. What is Guild Wars 2? So I checked into it and seems interesting but its still sitting in front of the computer. Some people at first couldn't get into the game to start but got into it eventually. I'll be looking more into this later today. Anyway, that's all for now. 

I'm crossing my fingers for a long

weekend. Especially having a few nights off at home by myself. Saturday's are the best because the wife is out of here at about 1pm. I get about 10 hours to myself. 

This morning I went out to Northgate to get my compression stockings. These should last me for about 3 months. I get a subsidy which means instead of a $100 I get them for $25. I get 4 pair every year. Its based upon income. I don't qualify for 100% coverage. I got a gimped up toenail on my right foot that needs to be filed down. Otherwise I need a band-aid, so it doesn't tear the stockings when I put them on. Anyway that's about all for now.

Might be too busy over the next

few days to post. Today will have to do. For todays entertainment I have the Oilers/Washington game on at 5pm Edmonton time. At least its a 3 game road trip. After that instead of channel surfing, I'll watch the latter version of Wrestling 10-1am. 

About 8pm there was a bit scare over here by the Clareview rec centre. Apparently there was a report of a gun man dressed in black inside the rec centre. Police got the area locked down and ushered everyone into some containment areas and checked bags for guns. Nothing was found, people were let go. I hoped Police checked the lockers in case a gun was stashed in there. Anyway, that's all for now.

I like days like this

as it feels like a Spring afternoon day in March. uggh 5 months away. Its a weird kind of Sunday. No CFL football, no Oilers games or WWE pay per views. Its basically a day for hobbies and stuff and catching up on my You Tube channel subscriptions.

On local news last night some people complaining that department stores were putting out Christmas displays even before Remembrance day. They say its disrespectful. I agree. At least put the Christmas displays out mid November. I know when Christmas is and I don't need to be reminded. Sure Remembrance day is only 1 day out of the year but I wear my poppy from November 1st to November 11th. I hope this backfires on local stores that do this.

I did a bit of reading a bit of live streaming this afternoon and about to have a nice brunch. A lazy Sunday afternoon as we're being pelted by heavy snow. 

So tomorrow, I've got wrestling and the Oilers game. I'll be flopping back and fourth channel swapping. Tuesday I need to get to the gym, get on that stationary bike. Wednesday I have 10am fitting appointment for my compression stockings. Hopefully I'll be back to work Thursday and off Friday. Anyway, that's all for now.

I got almost all my things done yesterday as

I met a friend at Northgate got my haircut went to book an appointment for fittings for my compression stockings and then out for some lunch. It was a busy but good three hours. Plus I have an appointment for Wednesday morning for fittings for my compression stockings. The only casualty was not being able to go into Game City on my way out of the mall.

While it wasn't exactly a huge snow storm yesterday, it wasn't unexpected. Accumulation showed this morning to be about 2 inches, if that. It wasn't cold out there either. It was very slushy. Today's weather is expected to get up to plus 4.

And I have my window opened, as well. Its the winds from the south that make the difference.

In closing, Anne is on her way out to work. I get some much needed time here by myself here in the apartment. This week I could be off work for a few days. Plus I have that early morning appointment for fittings. The new project should start this week. I'm hoping for Thursday, so we'll see. Anyway, that's all for now.