What this pc stick didn't come with

was a mouse and a keyboard. When I went to lodge practice Sunday night our lodge master brought with him a usb keyboard and mouse because I mentioned at the last meeting I could make use of one. He said they were going to go into the recycle bin otherwise. That was darn nice of him. it makes my experience using this Lenova PC stick easier, especially composing my first blog post on this thing. Up next is a micro usb card. Hopefully I'll get one this month.

Tuesday I went to go get a haircut from a coupon. The place is under new management, just North of the Boston Pizza a block away from us. The 2 stylists were busy with clients saying these were big jobs and would take another 2 hours. Seriously? I was a walk in anyway. I re booked for Wednesday at 2pm but I had slept in and rescheduled for 6pm. I decided to leave at 5pm maybe they'd receive me earlier so I could get home in time to watch the hockey game. She charged me $10.50 cents and did a good job with a coupon. She said she's considering Wednesday senior days priced at $13. I can live with that. So, I'm ok until my next haircut about 4 months from now.

I didn't get a lot accomplished last night except watching the hockey game. I don't need to go anywhere today, and with Anne's sister in town on a rare Edmonton work assignment its good to have this time off to see family. The girls are out this afternoon as Anne is having a paid week off because her sister is in town. They are picking up Chinese food for dinner, then going out Value Village shopping. Other then that the only other thing on my plate is to call the office in another hour or two, and see if I got any work over the next few days. I hope I get a green light for Monday because that's the start of a new pay period. I need at bare minimum of 2 weeks to cover July and the last 10 days of June can cover August. Anyway, that's all for now.

Strap in and buckle up this could be a long and bumpy ride so here

we go. This could be a long one.

The computers at the ea were off line yesterday. They wanted me to go to aw and apply. I had a long wait for the #16 express bus between the Matrix hotel and Corona station. It was a cold, howling bitter wind that morning my friends in the midst's of a expected cold snap. Now, I could have applied at the aw on 105th and about 103rd street but the Northgate location was closer to my area. The #16 express bus goes right to Northgate and I was downtown anyway. Aw admittedly were slower then usual so I was able to see someone right away but apparently we did not qualify for income support. We have no children. I tried calling ea back but all I got was vm. I left a message of course. I went to pcn in hopes that maybe if my pharmacist had a cancellation while I was there he could take me in because I'll be back in 2 days but no such luck. I was however able to get wifi in the mall (new feature?) and I Googled a phone # of a job lead and went to pcn and used the phone. Reception at the job lead said they had a change in management (Surprised) The lead said yes they were still hiring and I could email my resume`. I worked with them a few times before over the years. The lead said I could follow up in a couple of days or they'd call me back. I asked somebody at pcn where there was a Tim's and they said right above them in the food court (opened in November). I went upstairs and got my first coffee of the day, and tried calling the ea again but just got vm. When I got home I explained to Anne what had happened. There were some tensed moments but she took the expected news as well as she could. Its not like I get "fired" everyday and between the both of us we'll have at least 70% of our rent on Friday. We're caught up in bills and have enough food in the house, so we're more or less ok. I was able to get my resume` out to the job lead so I hope they have for review it today and either I'll get a call Wednesday/Thursday one way or another.

We're both relieved in a way that I'm out of Malatest. Last month my scheduled hours were removed because projects were winding down. I probably could have opened up a ei claim based upon that alone, shortage of work. Right now before Anne and I can move forward we need that roe. They should have had it ready for me when they terminated my employment on the spot but they have up to 10 days to get out in the hands of the ex employee (me) It's not like I was late everyday or called in sick or kept ducking in and out of shifts or dressed bad or smelled bad or poor work ethic or anything like that. For the most part I met my expectations. They sited I was disruptive (asking supervisor questions because I was pulled from the project the first time I did it 2 years ago because I was new to market research at the time. Its a once every two year project) I caused a bit of a scene when my hours were being significantly reduced (I was under a lot of stress. My supervisors know I'm diabetic and my blood sugars were dropping) that one time last month and poor performance (on the new project they did not seem to take into account my work ethic during the last 2 years). The first day of Victoria's flagship project we were told to push the online version of the the survey, they were not expecting many completions. I had a scheduled day off this time last week and returned Wednesday. I screwed up on 1 survey but (It was coming back to me) caught on and I think I did a better job from there on the rest. I didn't code a few things properly later in the day. The following morning is when they fired me parting ways as "willful dismissal." I think that was a bit extreme. They could have pulled me off the project or suspend me. My boss wasn't there to defend me (he hired me originally). I probably could have put up a more of a fight but I suspect the results would have been the same anyway.

Anne made me a great burger and fires for supper while watching wrestling and she noticed a "Great clips" ad up there by Walmart had a 50% off sale ending today. A hair cut for $10. (those were the days) So we braved the icy side walks, howling wind to "Great clips." I needed a haircut anyway and I'm glad despite the bitter cold, we went. I could catch up on wrestling during the encore 10pm show. At 11pm Anne made me a light supper I watched what was left of wrestling, which led me to 1am. Anne said, don't do anything today (Tuesday) give the job lead a chance to review my resume` and go from there. I got my last pay stub in my email. I'll wait until Friday for that roe, if not there I'll call the office and ask the manager where my roe is. Are they going to email it to me or is it out in the mail or what?

Monday was a kind of a good news bad news thing. I learned that as long as I don't list any employer as a reference they wont call that employer. Also I got another job lead from the ea if this one doesn't work out. I got a feeling it will though. If I can open a ei claim and get this job (its only for a few months (they become active again in September) I hope to take this customer service course that goes from June-September as ei will allow me to continue onto my claim and I can get back to work in September. That's the plan moving forward. If I can open a claim. Anne gave me a sleeping pill because I've been having a rough couple of days under a lot of stress lately. We might have to cut our cable down to basic cable and keep Internet. I don't watch a lot of TV anyway. I'm calling ea later today to see if the computers are back online. If so I'll be in tomorrow. I hope the ride wasn't too bumpy. Anyway, that's all for now.

I might have a busy

day of things today. I'm up and out of here to Northgate to my pcn to drop off the adult benefits letter I received and a hand written letter of appeal from me, then home. I've got a 3:30pm telephone interview tomorrow afternoon for a job. We went through 11 email exchanges yesterday. Hopefully that will translate into something positive.

After Anne left for her job yesterday. I caught the #182 Fraser bus to Clareview and a transfer and got my cfl proline picks for the weekend. Then to the hair stylist near Walmart. The lady there didn't know what short meant even after I gave the hint that I get a hair cut twice a year. I was losing my patience with her and I got up saying something like "Sorry, it's not your fault. I should go to m regular barber, he  knows how I want my hair cut," and left. I was pissed off and headed back home but I knew there was another hair stylist place actually across the street from me. I can look out my window and see its sign even now. The gal there knew what I meant and gave me a great haircut. After that I went to Future shop to look around. They have the ebook reader I want: The Kobo Aura. They also have the 4Tb hard drive I'm looking at getting and the hard drive dock as well. The last two components in my pc upgrade. I'll probably get the hard drive dock at Future Shop and the ereader. Eventually. After that I went to Bo Didlies a bar across the street from me and I had a pint of Molson Dry and headed home to watch the Seahawks nfl season opener with Green Bay packers. I worked on my track and followed the game after the first half waiting for Anne to call. 

I was never a fan of Joan Rivers but I'd be in remiss if I didn't mention her passing away yesterday at the age of 81. Hollywood lost 2 comedians, Robin Williams and Joan Rivers. Anyway, that's about all for now.

My morning commute was business as usual as I was able to read a bit heading into

the job. I got right to my station and into the job. I was having a great start to the beginning of the shift as well. I broke for lunch again at 1pm and read more  on Space Wolf Omnibus. I should have it read by the end of the week. The boss came up to me and asked me if I could work Saturday. Ok. It's going to give me almost 80 hours. I tried calling Anne but she was probably still sleeping. I got into a bit of trouble because on the phone I was doing my job and I didn't hear a "instruction." That's going to change, which is a good thing. 

I had a trouble free commute home and read a bit on the train. I got my bus and there was Anne flagging me down as I got out of the bus across the set of lights here. So we got off over here by Manning Crossing as Anne wanted to eat first before my haircut at "Great cuts." She wanted to go to Quiznos (like Subway) and I'm looking for Happy Harbor. I noticed a closed up shop (uh-oh). The sign said: "This Happy Harbor location is closed after 5 years of serving the public. Please visit the original store etc etc." I might have visited the store maybe twice in those 5 years. It's kind of bitter sweet to see them close. Kind of reminds me of when the old "Adventure Gaming Supplies," store in Sandy Lane by my old place North of 95th/156th street in the mid 1990's. Happy Harbor never became the store I was hoping it would be. I got a funny feeling that the original Happy harbor will be closed within 5 years. 

After Anne got her Quiznos we went to A&W as I got a double cheese burger and fries. She had shopping to do. I had my dinner and read while she was shopping for cat food. Then we caught the #11 bus  to Walmart after a long wait just outside the Petro Can. Finally about 7pm, it arrived. First to Clareview and then to just behind Moores and through the Walmart parking lot. Lots of ice patches all over the place. 

Anne brought a coupon taking half price off my haircut. Good thing I brought along that Visa gift card she gave me for Christmas. Anne had some shopping to get done while I got my haircut. The worst part was getting home beause the side walk up to Michale's (an arts and crafts store) was a sheet of ice. I had to walk in the crusty windrow and even across the street same thing. Normally it would take me 10 minutes to get home. Anne was way ahead of me not waiting for me at all which kind of pissed me off. It was my fault for not bring my cleats. 

Anne did my hair with a product called "Just for men." it's actually pretty good. Anyway, that's all for now.

At 7:55 this morning

I didn’t even hear my iTouch alarm go off this morning and looking at the clock it was 7:55am! I had a shave, showered, dressed, got my cash together and my things and caught a 8:15am bus to Clareview got my CFL Proline picks and got a by hand 6/49 ticket and my coffee at Subway and at my desk 2 minutes before my shift at 9am!

I had a great start as well for the day pulling in about 7 completions in a 4 hour shift. At 1pm I booked off and headed over to Jack (the barber) and got a nice haircut. I didn’t know about this but Jack is a decent harmonica player and pulled it out of his pocket and played a few brief numbers. I walked up to my RBC and made my deposit. I wish I would have brought my Government ID along. I caught the train to Belvedere station on the tail end of the K-days parade and after a brief wait got the #11 over to Londonderry Mall. I looked around Coles etc, and found “Game on Sports.” I got a exchange for a XXL Esks t-shirt with no name on the back and I even got a $4 refund because the shirt was a bit cheaper. They added it onto my RBC account. After trying to find Albert’s I came across the Bell store. I explained what was going on with my Telus account and why I had to close it down. Bell had the same kind of Flex package for tablets and if I had my Government ID and my Ipad I would have internet on it right now. After that I found Albert’s and Bud’s lounge. A little side lounge attached to Albert’s. I ordered a Molson Dry and relaxed at the bar. On my way out I popped into “The Source” (Radio Shack) and asked if they had any i7’s in that order they were unpacking on the floor. Sadly no I found Dollarama and bought a bag of chips for the weekend and then into another store called “Champs.” They had a Edmonton Oiler‘s hoodie but it was in medium. Then into “Sport check.” I asked if they had any windbreakers or Oiler‘s hoodies/jerseys. I licked out almost everywhere and the clerk at  Sport check suggested I try “The Oiler‘s Store” in Kingsway. I had a brief wait for my #11 and then home.

I‘m currently watching the Argo‘s/Bomber‘s game. 21-6 at the half. Yikes. It doesn‘t look that good. So basically that‘s been my, not bad. Anyway, that's all for now.