I lasted just a little over 2 years

at Malatest. I have nothing but good things to say about my last employer. I would recommend R.A. Malatest to anyone that wants to get into market research work. The supervisors are great and are willing to assist at anytime. In no way did I find favoritism of any sort. I'm going to miss the people I worked with over the last 2 years. Now its time to move on to another chapter in my life. One thing is certain, I don't ever want to do market research again.

I was sad when I heard Leonard Nimoy passed away  yesterday. Almost everybody from my generation knows that Nimoy played Mr. Spock on Star Trek in the 1960's and later in the "In search of" series and in the Trek movies. I was 14 in 1966 when Star Trek first aired and too think, then I was barely aware of the show. I recall watching the odd Star Trek tos episode on our BW tv that autumn of 1966.Star Trek and television in general took a back seat when Beatlemania was in full swing and the landscape of the 1960's unfolded. With the exception of 1968 when television and radio had been my window to the world. Today Star Trek tos (the original series) is a cult phenomena spawning novels, comic books, games, clothing, toys and trinkets etc. I was barely aware of the show in its finale stages of cancellation in 1968, as I had other concerns I was going through at the time. From Star Trek tos came came Star trek the motion picture in 1979. Three other original Trek movies came out in the 1980's before Star Trek (live action) graced the small screen again with Star Trek the next generation in 1988. Deep Space 9, Voyager and Enterprise were all later incarnations of Star Trek TV. In the 1980's the public had a strong appetite for Star Trek. Leonard Nimoy played in all 6 of the original movies. The term trekie didn't appear until years later after tos was cancelled. When Star Trek The motion picture came out in 1979, I actually took time off work (working at the Army and Navy warehouse across the street from the Icon towers) to see the movie being one of the first in line at the Paramount theatre opening day here in Edmonton. Out of all the trek TV shows after tos I liked Voyager the best. Nimoy played Spock in all 6 of the original motion picture movies and cameo's in the reboot movies. I liked Star Trek 2 and 3 out of the original movies. Sad to hear Nimoy's passing. He was 83. Live long and prosper Mr. Nimoy, somewhere.

The big news Friday in the social media world is the dress. The one that has Hollywood and everyone else talking about. Some people think its white and gold others think its blue and black. The dress is actually blue and black.it was causing a stir in Hollywood and all over Twitter trending at #1 for most of the day. 

What with losing my job I took the occasion to buy a 6/49 ticket. I've no expectations of winning anything more then a free ticket or $5 or $10. I think I'd have a heart attack if I actually won the jackpot. The draw Saturday is for $5M.

I've got a big week this week, what with a meeting at a employment agency Monday and meeting Anne at Northgate afterwards, looking for work, back to Northgate Thursday and Lodge later that night. I hope to find a job by the end of the week or something. Anyway, that's all for now.

Again overnight I ended up

having about 2 hours sleep yesterday. I think this is because I'm going to bed to early. This morning I'm going to be in bed by 1:30am listen to a bit of Coast, read then go to bed.

I'm making some good progress in the "Battle for the Abyss" Horus Heresy book. The narrative is excellent and the pacing is first rate. I'm enjoying the story arc's and the action. This is solid space opera at its best. I've been looking for some models or drawings of Warhammer 40K ships but they're hard to come by.

Its day 3 of this project. I've been making a few mistakes but I recognize them and I know how to correct them. Hopefully I'll get enough sleep over night so I can get better at this. Anyway, that's all for now.

I must have got 2.5 hours sleep overnight Sunday

Monday morning but after a shave and a shower I was ready to get on with my day. This was the first time I'd gone into work during a morning for the first time in at least 2 years. I'm up late tonight because I have a unscheduled day off today. It means I can sleep in late.

Its been pretty slow around here lately. I felt good leaving the office when there was actually daylight out there, and mild weather as well.

Since there is no lodge this week anywhere, I'm getting ready for next week. Anyway, that's all for now.

I had a nice relxing Saturday

and more of the same today. I usually like to get out of bed around noon on a the weekends. 

Global warming no doubt exists but not in an Al Gore junk science kind of way. Researchers here in Canada are using backyard ice skating rinks as a research tool to learn about climate change through ice. I don't know what they hope to gain from this but I'll wait for the off season to get the results. 

Today is going to be a reading day. I hope to reach up to page 100 of "Battle for the Abyss." My goal is to have it read by the end of March.

Now that I'm about to work days for a few months, I'm taking advantage of my evenings free. I'm looking for a evening job 5 days/week. Even if I could work at my current place of employment 1 Saturday/week would more then be enough for what I need. Anyway, that's all for now. 

My toothache felt a lot better as I headed

into work yesterday. Even the weather wasn't to bad either. February can usually be about -25 this time of year. As far as I know we haven't had a -20 day this month at all.

I felt a lot better heading into work. I bought a coffee at Subway and read a bit of the paper before we began training.

Training for the new project went just fine but the project isn't going to last as long as I thought. I thought we were going to get 6 months but it could be done by the end of May. I just hope I have enough for my lodge dues. That's all I want for now. We were done by 6pm and I was home at 7pm to watch the Wild/Oiler game, more on that later. 

As soon as projects dry up and if it makes sense I'm going on unemployment. Mainly to take a 16 week customer service course in June. As long as it covers the basics, and it makes sense. I like my job but its project based and barely covers the bills. if I get on the course and when its done I'll continue on with unemployment to its end to help subsidize my drop in hours. A ei claim might go for 9 months (depends on how many hours I have) A ei claim for 9 months would last me from June of this year until about the end of February next year. I'd be 7 months away from a year from when I can apply for pension. 

I watched the Wild/Oiler game. 4-0 Wild. The Oilers played like crap last night but they get to play hosting Anaheim at 5pm later today. Ill be tuning in to watch a bit. Anyway, that's all for now.

Finally we get a Google maps update

as I discovered by accident. Sandy Lane has been rebuilt. The downtown arena is in full early September swing. The Clareview arena rec centre is revealed in the new update.

Its been 15 years in the making but yes, the Oiler's managed to beat the Bruins at Rexall and in a 12 round shootout! I'd say 50% at Rexall. I hope all those Oiler fans wearing their Bruins jersey's enjoyed the 5 game Bruin's losing streak. Your welcome!

I'm out of here at 2pm today in the office for training on the new project. I hope there are no complications. Anyway, that's all for now.

About 5pm yesterday afternoon

I get a call from the super at work asking me to come in Thursday at 3pm. Apparently (although I can not confirm or deny) we're doing training for the new project, but I imagine its so. I said I'd be there.

This has been in the works for awhile now. Mars One is launching a private initiative to send 24 people to Mars. The catch is that it's a one way mission. Mars One has received 200,000 applicants and has released its short list to 100 and there are several Canadians on that short list. The final group will consist of 24 individuals who will be split into six groups of four. One mission is scheduled to launch every two years starting in 2025. That's in 10 years. With a projected $6 billion price tag for each of the six planned launches, Mars One will need all of the funding it can muster. The non-profit group plans to raise additional money through sponsorship and the finalists consist of 50 men and 50 women. They come from all over the world and range from 19 to 60 years old and most would speak English. Lots of people think this is a gimmick. For what its worth, I didn't make the short list.

Most of the schools I went to in the 1960's are still standing. Except 1, Austin Heights. I have a few memories of this school. Some good, some quasi traumatic. For the longest time, I always thought this school was on the corner of Austin and Schoolhouse Road. Thanks to the Facebook group I'm in I learned today the school was on Austin and Nelson. Apparently it was torn down and made way for a strip mall. The school's last year was either 1983 or '84. We're not sure yet. The strip mall is still there. Anyway, that's all for now.

The next stat holiday will be

Good Friday, April 3rd, Easter weekend. We could still have snow on the ground at that time.

Friday I have "special meeting" with the regional boss from Victoria and the supervisor. That can't be good. When I first began work at where I'm working now on this upcoming day project, my coding was really sloppy. I got called into the office on a daily basis to explain why I coded this case or that case wrong. I was pulled from the project. This guy is my boss's higher up. My boss is on vacation until Wednesday. If the regional boss says I can't do any more Victoria projects, then this limits my options. Since the time of the last time I did this day project  I've been with this company for over a year since then, doing Victoria projects. If I get pulled off this project, I'm going to explore other options. I wont get fired because I've done nothing to warrant that. I'm always polite to the people we call, and I'm a team player. I've never done or said anything that was inappropriate over the phone or anything else. I've got 2.5 years until I'm able to collect full pension and I'm counting the days. 

Not much going on today. I've got a few phone calls to make to Service Canada to make a few inquiries. Anyway, that's all for now.

Family day weekend is one of my favorite stat holidays

this one in particular because its also Valentines weekend. Having Family day so close to Valentines day almost makes Valentines weekend a long weekend.

Today marks the 50th year of our Canadian flag, February 15th 1965. Though the occasion was marketed as a low key affair. I like the design but I think the flag should have been red white and blue. Thanks Google.

At about 8:30pm just as I was finishing the finale page of "Legion," Anne calls as if on cue. With so much going on since I began the book last December 1st, it took me awhile to read it. It wasn't bad. On a scale from 1-5. I rated it 3.5.

Not much going on today. Anne's recovering from the fall onto her arm and just wants to stay home. I'm mostly reading, and working on a track. I'm calling the downtown library to see when their sound booth's are open and how much they cost. Other then that not much going on. Anyway, that's all for now.

The contractor has had large flat screen

TV.'s for a couple of years now in our lrt stations, and they can become loud. So much so that some people have been complaining about being blasted by annoying ads. The city of Edmonton listened. Sometimes they can overpower the call arrival. 

This is cool. The main library downtown has had a market place for awhile now. The library has had a 3D printer, and book making materials to make ones own book. Now they added a couple of sound booths. These would be great for me to record "my vocals." I'm not sure if they come with microphones or whatever.

Not that I consciously wanted it but I have a long weekend. It means I have 3 days off. Nice, and at noon today there's the Oiler's/Sens game. What a lousy time of day for a hockey game.

The CFL went and released its 2015 schedule and Esks have a bye week game 2 and another one game 20! Even our QB had said on Twitter that the way this is laid out kind of defeats the purpose of a bye week. Anyway, that's all for now.

At least the weather is pleasent as we got up to a high of

+5 today as a high. Nice weather for holiday Monday. 

I might have the weekend off but at least I should get paid for holiday Monday. I was looking at a telemarketing job but its actually door-to-door sales, uggh. I'll be back next week with more meaning full work. I'll need to call in the office to see if the availability form is out for next week when we get the full time project at the end of the month. I just need to remember to email my supervisors my availability before Friday.  
  
Oil prices are low but so far nobody is talking recession. Or Premier is sabre rattling over spending cuts. The budget is March 23rd. I got a feeling we'll weather these challenging times here in Edmonton before oil prices rebound, I'm thinking around the end of July. Anyway, that's all for now.  

Apparently we're in for a bit of a warm up

for some of the weekend but Family Day is supposed to be cold. After this weekend, half of February is in the bank.

Coast has an interesting first hour. A specialist in the Torah codes is going to try and find the host George Noory's name in those codes. The Torah basically is the first 5 books in the old testament. Or cannon Law. The Torah itself s over 3,300 years old. Here's a link to the Torah code enigma.

After I posted this I forgot to check my 6/49 quick pick ticket. I got 2 numbers for the $10M. Two numbers mean I get a free ticket. Since nobody won the $10M, Saturday's draw on my free ticket rises to $14M. I've been getting a lot of free tickets lately. I think this is my 4th this year. A bit of good news.

At the moment I'm apprehensive over my job. More specifically hours I need for next week. They have my availability for after Family Day. I just hope I get some substantial hours I got rent and lodge dues coming up. 

When I left out of here

for my appointment, I wanted to see if I had anything on a Visa gift card at the Redi mart at Clareview station. I used the card to buy a Warhammer 40K ebook before Christmas last year. Lets see if I can get a 6/49 lottery ticket, a bottle of diet cola, and a twin pack of raisin tarts. I don't know the name brand. They all went through. That was a nice surprise. 

My Doctors appointment was successful. I got some medication and my referral ready to be faxed over to my pcn. I had a general check up and booked a follow up for April 10th. After that I walked over to the building where my office is and settled in. I felt good about keeping the Doctors appointment. 

Work went well working off a hard copy and made my flow rate. They started part 11/12 of a continuing project. All things being what they are, that was Tuesday. Anyway, that's all for now.

I'm out of here about

2:30pm as I have a Doctor's appointment at 3:30pm downtown off of Bay Station. I was a no show twice before and any more of these and I could lose this Doctor. I need to get a pcn referral renewed to help cover for my insulin and some medication refilled.

I'm in for a 4 hour shift but beyond Friday I don't know whats going on. I might have to take short term telemarketing job for the next 2 weeks. If I don't have any work for the next two weeks and rent for March is looming we'll be in trouble. I have  a small cheque for the 20th. Plus we have our household bills to pay. We have an ongoing project but when that's getting under way is anyone's guess. I heard Tuesday but the schedual is really thin this week. Something is going to have to give. I don't like living like this. I'm being patient but my patience is wearing thin. I miss the old Xentel days where I was more or less guaranteed my hours and I didn't have to submit a schedule for my availability every week and I got a pay cheque every Friday. The job I have now is good, when I'm on full pension but that's a few years away. 

I'm messing around with Instagram and I included a widget but I might remove it because it's stretching out the band width. I'm not sure if I like Instagram but my Flikr account is broken. This will do until I get it repaired. Anyway, that's all for now.

Not much going on for today

except for catching up on my sleep in about half an hour. I'm going to getup at noon have a coffee and listen to a few tunes before getting on with my day. 

Since I'm having a day off I've got a few phone calls to make. I'm trying to see if I can get my school transcripts from grade 1 to my last day at high school, which I believe would have been Spring of 1971.I'm going to try and set that up this afternoon. Plus I'm going to check into a telemarketing job. Something to do in case I don't have shifts next week. The next lay over like this, I'm going to apply for ei and take a course for 6 months to better myself and get out of these hand from mouth jobs. I'll go back to it when I'm on full pension in about a year and a half. I need something stable. After I do that there's the Oiler/New Jersey game and Monday night Raw.

I'm hoping to wrap up "Legion," (Horus Heresy) by the end of this month. With so much going on over the last 4 months, its been hard to get into. Anyway, that's all for now.

Poor Oilers cant win a game worth trying

but neither did the Leafs until the Oiler's showed up last night. I don't know what's wrong with this team. We got 3 first round draft picks. I think before the trade deadline, the Oiler's are going to move 2 of those first round players. One to Winnipeg and the other Toronto. Right now the Oiler's are playing junior hockey.

By this time next weekend (Family day) we should have much warmer weather. Looking at the calendar another 5 more Sunday's and its Daylight savings time.

Lately my right knee and calf area have been causing me some discomfort. Its like I'm walking with a limp. Could be just the weather. Maybe its gout for all I know but most likely its arthritis more then anything. 

After not being able to sleep during the past 24 hours, I'm about ready for bed after a bit of reading and a bit of Coast. I have a full day today (I hope) They let us out at 5pm instead of 6 last night. So I'm out at 11am into the office for noon-8pm. Then I get Monday off. Anyway, that's all for now.

Part 2 of Thursdays big snow storm

failed to materialize yesterday. We're calling for a -5 as a high today. 

Around midnight I was tired enough to pass out but I needed to do a few things before then. I couldn't sleep around 1am, so I listened to Coast. 1am became 2am and I decided to read for a bit until 3am. Three am became 4am as my alarm was set for 8 this morning. I still couldn't sleep. Four am became 5am and I was still tossing and turning in bed. Five became 6am and I figured even if I had just 2 hours, at least that was something. I managed to doze off around 6:45 this morning but I got very little sleep from there.

For some reason I thought Family day weekend was this weekend. It is in BC but not here in Alberta. Ours is next weekend. I had forgotten that its not the same day for every province, even though the holiday Monday was conceived by our own Premier Don Ghetty back in 1991-ish. Other provinces since then have adapted it. 

I've got a full day today but I'm in at Tim's to get a breakfast and they have their "Roll up" contest. Once the morning part of the shift is gone the rest just becomes a afternoon shift and I have  2 Ten's in there and a half hour break. The day drags on though from 3pm onward. The Oilers are playing in Toronto later this afternoon. I'll probably miss most of it due to my commute etc but I'll get the score on my way home and maybe pick up the 3rd period in progress. The Leafs have been on a losing streak lately but that'll end on the backs of the lowly Oiler's. Anyway, that's all for now. I'll clean this up later..

That was one heck of a snow storm

last night. I had a long wait at Rexall on 118th from about 6:15pm until about 7pm. Nothing was coming by. No #8. I asked the #143 what happened and he said the bus comes from the south side, which means it has to come up hill out of the river valley. He said he goes to 50th st. Perfect. I waited for about 40 minutes, taking a seat outside and back to warm up. No seating inside.

I got to lodge about 7:15pm. We presented a member with a 50 year jewel and recognition. Our SW gave a slide show presentation on Freemasonry in the Philippines. Also, in a presentation, I received my ipm jewel and my apron, presented by our current master and our DDGM. It was a great night. A milestone night for me. The festive board was pulled pork (had that last night at home) We had a good turnout of visitors as well. What's next in Freemasonry for me after I pay my lodge dues? Royal Arch and more lodge visiting. I'm going onto Royal Arch that in the Spring and continue work in my lodge. 

Our SW Will gave me a ride home. This was about 11pm and the snow had stopped. The eye of the storm because we're supposed to get round 2 today. Just what we need for family day weekend. I'm also waiting for my schedule most likely in my email before I leave. If I have any unexpected off days, let them be after a Tuesday. I know I'm in on Saturday and I hope I have Sunday.Anyway, that's all for now. 

One of the most important projects

for Edmonton is the upcoming Valley line LRT (light rail transit) The city has set aside $800M for the project and Ottawa put in its share of $150M. With uncertainty over oil prices and its loss revenue the Province counts on to help balance its budget, there are fears the Province might renege on its promise its share of Valley line funding. The Province is promised $450M, through its Capita Plan and Green Trip initiatives over 3 years. If the Pronince balances the budget (March 19th) and the Valley line becomes the budgets sacrificial lamb, it could derail the future of this vital project. I'm hoping even if the Province does renege, the city should go ahead anyway and send the Province the bill for the balance owing. The City still has almost a $1B towards the Valley line. It's going to take about 4 years to complete phase 1 anyway and by the time the Valley line even completed a lot can happen between now and then. The budget will be before a Spring election April 1st. If the Province reneges on this, I will not be voting PC that's for sure.

We're getting a couple of snow days this week, Thursday and Friday. and then by this time next week we're warming up to about +1. That's not to bad to take.

I'm in the office for my 5-9 this evening. Then I have lodge Thursday, work Friday 5-9 and all day Saturday. I'll get a clearer picture of what next week will look like. I'm looking at a work from home situation just to fill in for missing shifts, only if it makes sense. If I can make $50-100 a week, this might have possibilities. Especially since I could use the extra cash flow. Anyway, that's all for now.

Actually, working on the weekends

is fine by me. It gets me 15 hours in plus 32 during weekdays and Monday's off gets me 62 hours, which is pretty good.

My day yesterday was long but following the Superbowl kind of made a long day easier. There were minutes remaining on the clock just as we were shutting the shift down, so I was "in the dark" on the way home. By this time next year the city says it will have wifi at all lrt stations and hopefully on all trains. I had no idea what the results of the game was was until I got home and the outcome was based on a interception on the plane of the end zone. We all saw the highlights, especially the Butler intercept. I missed the game but well away of everything leading up to the game. It'll be talked about for some time. Most likely by now it'll be all over YouTube by now. 

It's Groundhog day today and if our own Balzac Billy manages to see his shadow, we're in for a longer winter. Last year we got an early Spring. This year I don't know. Anyway, that's all for now. 

Another long day

today but at least I'm getting some hours. I got to get something else during the day if all I get are 23-25 hours a week type thing. These hours don't pay the bills. We have a day project coming but I keep hearing different days. 

The Oiler's last night we're looking good until the end of the 2nd. In the 3rd period it was all Flames. This team is the worst Oiler team ever. All these first round picks are doing nothing for this team. Three 1st round draft picks in back to back years and all they can do is manage 13 wins out of 50 games? Only Buffalo has a record and they don't have any recent 1st round picks. I hope they get the 1st round this year, we don't deserve another one but we can sure shell out 650M for a new arena. I'm holding on until the 2nd year of the new arena. If this team doesn't make the playoffs the 2nd year after moving into the new arena, I'm giving up on this team. That would have been 12 years of not making the playoffs. One of two things between then and now need to happen before I even think about supporting this team after the above: 1.) Get rid of Kevin Lowe, 2.) hire a high profile winning coach like a Babcock or a Sutter.

I'm trying to show Anne some very basic things on the iPad and still trying to get my things done. Anyway, that's all for now.