Welcome to winter solstice

2025. Nathan & his wife picked me up yesterday morning @ about 8:30am. It was cold but no wind. Tutti Frutti breakfast and lunchTerra Losa shopping centre, wasn't bad. Pricey for what you get. Inside the place was barren. It had usual tables and stuff but no atmosphere. On a scale from 1-5, I'd rate it a 2.5 I won't be going back. My anual work stipend of $51. I received Friday paid for it. The send us each $51 every 4 months, because monthly maintenance needs us to power our work laptops on and to stand by while tech support does it's thing. So that's what paid for my breakfast yesterday.

I watched the Oilers/Wild game. Pickard let in 2 early goals. That was it. Not that any of our goal tenders would have made a difference. Both teams had turnovers. Finale score was 4-2 Oilers play Vegas here at 6pm.

It's Winter solstice and sunset has been holding @4:14pm for about ten days now. The days get longer from here. Anyway, that's all for now.

it's snowing

again. I don't mind winter. I just don't like the arctic vortex we get 2-3 times/year. Next week is Winter solstice, so the days should get lighter. 

Considered the "father of mode clowning" Joseph Grimaldi was born on this day in 1778. Joseph Grimaldi was the most famous and popular clown of the period. His performance style had its origins in the Italian Commedia dell'Arte of the sixteenth century, but in the popular 'Harlequinades' of the early nineteenth century he emerged as the founding father of modern clowns.  

Doesn't look like Nathan will be going to our Monthly lodge breakfast event Saturday. He might chat me in Face book messenger this evening, IDK. Then again we might have a lodge practice Sunday. Anyway, that's all for now. 

The Oilers are playing

in Boston this afternoon at 5pm. Should be a good time. The Bruins are 20-14-0. second in their division. Oilers are 16-12-6. Commentary of course are going to make constant references to DeBrusk. Louis Debrusk was an Oiler 1991-97 and a fan favorite at the time. Should be a good game. 

I'm hoping Nathan will want to go to our lodge December-breakfast-brotherly-love event Saturday. If he decides to go, he'll pick me up. If everything works out ok with that, maybe Louis (secratary) will be there and bring my Lodge dues and my name tag/WM. Jewel.

I spent most of yesterday morning on the phone with CRA, Service Canada tying to get my change of address on file, so CRA etc can send me my forms to file in March. Lots of voice mail options. I hope I don't need to go through all of that again. The Agent at CRA said all I do if this happens again is call Service Canada. Anyway, that's all for now.

It's been a busy couple of days around here

 lately. Last Monday, Anne and I went out to the new Mr. Mikes @ Bonny Doon Mall. It was expensive per serving. December 10th was my place of employment staff party: Brewsters Medowlark mall. This was when we had our first Arctic vortex. Heading out the wind had a malicious sting that cut to the bone. Literally. I had a t-shirt underneath my sweater and parka. Not even my full piece balaclava kept me warm. Anne & I went out to Mill Creek Rickies this recent Sunday. I've been home ever since. Weather right now is:

I have my my Scottish Rite Petition out to Edmonton Valley. I have the $250 funds ready. Thisis for the "Lodge of perfection", (LOP) 4th-14th degrees, then same fee, Rose Croix, and same fee for Consistory to get 32° It's on my bucket list. LOP is 4 days in February. That's the only other Masonic order I'm joining. Or $150 year. All three combined is ~ $50/month dues. I can handle it. If something happens to Anne I need to have some kind of social life.

I've lived with psoriasis all my life, but lately it's gotten worse. I've been using. This ointment I've been using does the trick but it's messy. I asked my pharmacy if there is an oral application instead for Alberta seniors. Yes but it requiers a Doctors script. I'll be looking into that this week. Anyway, that's all for now. 

It was 45 years ago

today. I was living at 10241 88th street a few steps away from the Rowland bridge here in Edmonton. I was listening to the radio when I learned the death of John Lennon. I was so overcome with grief, I just about never made it into work that day. I never followed lennon's solo career that much but his presence in The Beatles made a real impact on me. I had my back operation during those days of the Beatles. It took me a few days to get over his death and whenever this date arrives I always think back to those days, in the 80s. R.I.P John Lennon. 

Anne and I are going out for our 25th wedding anniversary dinner this afternoon. I got to thinking about that Wednesday afternoon. We were to meet the Judge at 3pm that afternoon. Anne had the car in those days and she drove us out from Capital Place estates, to 9707. It was called Villa Maria at that time. It was snowing outside. Bridget was our witness. She was a friend of mine as well. We picked her up and headed out. The snow turned into a blizzard. I knew we had to be there for 3pm. We headed South along 159th  street. I think we needed to get to the Rio Terrace area. We were driving along 159th street. We couldn’t see the turn off and Anne jumped a meridian just before the 159th Yellowhead overpass. We we’re stranded there a bit but Anne wheeled us in reverse to a nearby home. We never had a cell phone in those days. I knocked on the front door of a nearby home and explained our situation. Bridget called the garage (now called AIM Automotive. I used to deliver the Sun paper in the 80s just behind in that area.  The garage c got Anne’s car. They said it should be ready by 5pm. We got the car, Anne paid on her Visa and we drove Bridget home. That was the last we saw of her. Sadly. After we dropped Bridget off we went to Kelsy’s over there by Red Claw gaming. The rest is history. 

After our dinner outing, this week is my place of emplyment is having it's annual staff party. They pay for the whole thing. It starts at 2pm, and over at 5pm. I should be done by 4pm, home by

. 

Well into December

and no posts. I've been busy with Chapter & Lodge lately, and I want to join Scottish Rite? Its on my bucket list at some point.

It took awhile but we're finally getting into winter here. We had a snow day yesterday and more on the way. I need to get to the pharmacy at Bonnie Doon Mall anyway,  to get to get my finale 2 shots. I'm thinking about getting them today. We'll see. I have my cleats so I'm ok with getting out there in the cold. 

Next week is our staff party and we're having it out in the West end. That should be fun. It's one bus ride. Anyway, that's all for now. 

It's been a busy couple of days since

about a week ago. I had Chapter practice Sunday, and Lodge practice which I failed to attend and Lodge last night. Plus Chapter tonight and Lodge instalation practice for our instalation Thursday. Busy.

I've had a Scottish Rite Valley line petition for awhile now and I have spnosor lined up and half of my fee. I'm hoping to join that at the end of February. Anyway, that's all for now.