My bus arrived on time

yesterday to Clareview station and to Central and upstairs to Starbucks to get my coffee but there was a line up. So much for that. I got the early #5 and in the office at 1pm with a half hour to spare. The weather is very mild for this time of year. Because nobody in the office worked the last 5 Monday's, nobody got the stat pay. I still got a decent pay cheque. I got nowhere on the clean up portion of the last project for the first half. I felt I did a lot better on the 2nd portion. I was surprised to learn I'm not on the schedule for next Saturday. Super doesn't know why. Perhaps it was a oversight by the boss thinking I've been off for every Saturday. The weather was relatively mild despite the rain we had about 5pm. On my way to my bank walking past the old Paramount theatre there was a huge line up the likes I haven't seen since the first Batman movie. Lots of people were in costume for the "haunted house" event. A developer designed the interior to make it like a "haunted house" set. I did my banking and waited for my Clareview train. Lots people in costume downtown. I love Halloween week and the month of October especially. It was a surprised to meet Anne on the train coming home. We had a nice chat. I think before I go out and shop for any gear I'm going to find out what's going on with my Saturday shift. I might know more about this tomorrow when I'm in at 10am. Anyway, that's all for now. 

My sugar levels dropped earlier this smorning

I had a muffin Anne made from a few days ago and a slice  of my left over Maximus pizza. That brought it up before bed. I had a good 5.5 hours and I'm ready to take on the day. I have today and tomorrow I have off. After the next 2 Sunday's I'll be having Sunday's off for awhile. Since we have lodge practice, it might be challenging to get there by 7pm. I think I might just void practice as Anne and I (since I've been working weekends for most of this month) haven't spent a lot of time together. So, it's in for today, off tomorrow and back at it Sunday. 

Last night the Oiler's kicked Hab ass all over the ice at Rexall. McD got a point. Draisaitl got 2 goals. The Oiler's are just 2 wins away from a sharing the last playoff spot. I doubt McD will get 50 goals this season but he might get 20-30.

Yesterday Anne checked out the new Shoppers Drug Mart location across the street. Apparently "Sleep Country" is moving in next door. What a boring store that is. I'd rather even see "Easy Home" or "Bulk Barn" move in. Shoppers Grand opening is Saturday. They will have cake and coffee etc. Shoppers is going to be great to get my lottery and Proline. We we need something like eggs or milk after work on the way home, its handy right across the street. Anyway, that's all for now.

Just working out the week

moving closer to the weekend. I'm looking forward to having Saturday off. Might be my last one for awhile. Next week, we're moving more into a Monday-Saturday 4-9:30pm situation. It means I can stay up late and sleep in late.

The Connect2Edmonton Edmonton Oiler's thread has already at this rate projected the Oiler's to not make the playoffs after November. Games become harder to win as the season moves forward. The Habs are here tonight and a good portion of the Oiler faithful will be wearing Hab jersey's. Also kind of related, the Canadian Finales Rodeo (CFR) is worried because their lease is up at Rexall this year, they won't be able to run their event in the city as the fate of Rexall is uncertain. Now they want to negotiate with Katz and Rogers Place arena. No. I'm tired of this event holding the Oiler's hostage every year on these long November road trips, then its curling every so often. Events like these slow the Oiler's momentum down. Yes I know everything works out to 42 Home and Away games. Its just the timing of these events always screw the Oiler's. If they do this and bring in the CFR and the Oiler's don't make the playoffs this year, I'm going to be really sour with the whole Oiler organization. The CFR should move to Calgary. That's more of a cowboy town then Edmonton anyway.  

Since my resources are limited I'm considering the webcam and iElectribe and one of the Korg mini synthesizers. I have enough to take out a small account but I have lodge dues coming up and that's going to take precedence. I'm going to try and have them paid off early before the new year. Anyway, that's all for now.

While my blog might not be on the

best seller's or win awards or anything, I would have liked to have seen something like this blog composed by my father. The most important thing is that its being kept in the family. I imagine that when I pass away, and my internet connection severed this blog fades into the ether. I've never tested that theory that if my internet account is severed then so is this blog. But my other blogs from other isp's are still up and running. I seldom get comments on my blog but if anyone wants to, they can and or visit my facebook page and or they can comment via YouTube as well. I think it would have been great to read my grandfather's daily exploits. His writing would have been better then mine no doubt.

Its been my experience that when ETS shuts down an escalator at their lrt stations, these things are shut down for weeks. The West escalator at Central was shut down Monday. I thought yesterday I'd board Clareview at the back of the train and take the East escalator to the upper concourse. So just when I had that figured out, ETS unknown to me, decides to shut the East escalator, uggh. The West one is in operation, now. On my commute this afternoon I'm going to sit at the front of the train and like yesterday take the right exit to street level instead of the left one. I did the right exit and that got me upstairs behind Starbucks in just a few strides and a couple short stair cases. Even after getting my coffee I had a 10 minute wait for the #3. In its usual fashion the #3 was about 60% full. I was lucky to get a seat. The #3 doesn't connect at Stadium station for some reason. It still begins at a old trolley bus loop at 115th Ave and 82nd street NW a fair walking distance from Rexall. The #3 would be better served at Rexall. The #7 is a South-North bus but with everything blocked off in the  downtown core makes it hard to get around. 

I called Long and McQuade a few minutes ago and they carry Arturia's Beat Step pro. This is a midi controller but it has a lot of control. Lots of i/o's at the back. I'm considering this device on my way into work next Wednesday as the #3 stops near LM and I can pick it up on my way in. 

My hours will substantially change next week as we wrap up this current project. We're already scaling back hours. I got my 7.5 hours yesterday only because I forfeit the half hour break for 2 15 minute breaks I was entitled to get. Most likely I'll opt out of the half again. I only need a 15 minute at 3:30 and one at 7:30pm. Next  week, my hours will be 4:9:30pm. I took the #3 back last night with some of the crew and the #3 stops right across the street from where I catch my afternoon #3. It's a 10 minute wait for the afternoon #3 and a 10 minute wait for the #3 at night. it makes more sense to take the #5 then the #3 because I get home at the same time and with the #5 I'm able to catch that #11 at Clareview after 10pm. Anyway that's all for now.

On my afternoon commute yesterday

I thought I'd try a different way into work instead of that packed #5 bus at Corona. Anne suggested I take the #3 in upstairs on Jasper and go in that way. I boarded on the front of the train at Clareview and at Central Station, the escalator was shut down. This meant climbing two long flights of stairs to the upper concourse and then 3 long flights of stars to street level and it got me to the corner of the RBC and Jasper across the street. Huh? I was spent but I I got to my stop and I had a good 10 minute wait for my #3 bus. At least I had wifi. My bus arrived empty, which was a good sign, as it began to rain. It was empty until City Center mall and it just packed right up. There was a bit of a stall on 107th just before my old place of work last October. I got off at my stop on 107th and and 124th street and into the office 15 minutes to spare. My bus arrived on Jasper at 12:50pm. This means I'm able to get a coffee at Starbucks before it arrives. Today however, I'm going to board on my Clareview train at the back as last night the East escalator heading up was working. Anne said I take the right exit rather then the one I took yesterday because that gets me to my stop faster. That was I can pop into Starbucks and get a coffee before my bus arrives. Anyway, that's all for now.

The month of October is one of my

favorite months. In a way it parallels Spring like conditions. At least here in the Edmonton area. The conditions outside, now, look exactly like late March early April. Even down to the temperature and when the Sun sets. Only difference besides the name of the month, is Spring promises longer warmer days and weather. October promises shorter days ahead and colder weather approaching. The photo below was taken from my iPod Touch. Photo's on these hand held devices always seem to be slightly darker the image they capture. But you get the idea.

                                       
A bit of a recap over the past few days. The Oiler's lost 2 back to back games: Friday's and the one Sunday night. The Oiler's should have had that game won last night. We were really pouring it on threatening LA's fragile lead. Then they crossed checked one of our guys into the boards and it wasn't called. Then the big controversy: The King's goaltender grabbed the puck as it was crossing the the goal line but did so in such a way as to hide the puck in his glove. The goal was under "review" and it was ruled because the official couldn't see the puck go into the net, even though the goaltender's glove hand was behind the goal line, they ruled it a no goal. We got 4 more games to play with these guys. The first stars of the game should have been these guys: 

                                                                   
I don't mind the Oiler's losing if they lost because of the way they played. That's on them. However during the last few minutes of the game, the Oiler's were better then the Kings but controversy decided the game. Either way, that's not good for the game.

Ok moving forward, my shift today is 1:30pm-9:30pm. Anne told me when she worked at where I work now, she'd take the #3 home because she got off work at 9pm. The #3 is faster to the downtown core and if I miss the #3 I'll take the #7. Both stop near Central station. Besides the #3 makes more sense as I can get my coffee at Starbucks on 101st and Jasper. If its still there. As long as the #3 says Jasper Place, I'm good to go. This week looks like its all going to be 1:30pm-9:30pm. I'll get home about 10:20pm to watch wrestling. Anyway, that's all for now.

There's no real day off for me

tomorrow (Saturday) morning as I'm up at 7am out of here at 8am to get to Highlands Hall by 9am. Our district meeting is at 9:30pm. Hopefully they'll have coffee or something there. After we conduct our business I'll have a bite to eat and a beverage socialize with the guys. After lodge, I'll come back home and catch what ever is left of the Eskimo/Rider game. I got a proline ticket for this weekend. All games to tie. 

In my email this morning, Audrey's books reminded me that a Horus Heresy book "Legacies of Betrayal" is ready for pick up. Good stuff, I'll pick it up on my way in this afternoon. 

I wont know what my schedule for next week is until later this afternoon. I'm slotted in for Sunday and I'll be able to watch the LA Kings/Oilers game after work. Hopefully I'll get the same hours next week 1:30-9:30. Super knows I'm open. The current project I'm on goes until November 3rd so next week could be the same hours. Anyway, that's all for now.

Its a beautiful

sunny day with a high temperature forecast of about 16. Sun usually sets by 6:45pm this time of year. Daylight savings is 11 days away, right after Halloween.

If these are true, there are already a few things I'm not liking about our new Federal Government: I'm hearing that Trudeau wants to end our bombing missions in Syria and Iraq. Not good. Sure, its only a few jet fighters but its doing our part in bombing the terrorists. The other thing I don't like is hearing about a National carbon tax (carbon pricing). I wouldn't mind a carbon pricing tax if its revenue neutral like the gst. Its a plan that is up to individual Provinces but at the same time he's saying he wants to develop pipelines (Trans alta) and growth in the oilsands.

If only my afternoon commute was as easy as my evening commute. Last night I left the office at about 9:35pm and home by 10:30pm. And that was even while the #5 stops at a few places along Jasper Ave for a few minutes. Anyway I'm in from 1:30-9:30pm. That's 7.5 and a half hour unpaid break and x2 10 minute breaks which are paid for. Anyway, that's all for now.

Yesterday I went in for

just 3 hours to do some reminder calls and envelope stuffing. Hardly worth going in for but money is money right?  

Rare is it that I find myself on a 4:30pm train heading to Clareview station but that was the case yesterday afternoon. Anne was surprised to see me come through the door so early. Yes my shifts for this week are intact, I told her. We gathered our id and voting cards and headed to Sifton school to cast our ballot. The air was mild for a mid/late October afternoon. I think we got up to +16 and that's warm for this time of year. Watching Monday night Raw wasn't on my list of priorities last night, what with the election on. Most people here in Canada were either watching the Royal's/Blue Jays baseball game or election returns. When I watched the early returns, it showed the Liberals ahead in Atlantic Canada 33 seats. Everyone else was 0. Anne was on Skype with her sister in Atlantic Canada as I was watching a bit of wrestling and the returns. Anne went to Giant Tiger while I was watching the election results. There was a break while the program I was watching were waiting for all the poling stations to close up to Alberta. I dozed off on the couch having a bit of a nap and Anne came through the door which woke me. The results started pouring in. When it was all over it was a Liberal majority with 185 seats, Conservatives 101 seats and the NDP with 41, Block 10, Green 1. All leaders except Block won their seats. There are some rumblings that Stephen Harper might step down as party leader and just run as a MP. Trudeau "assumes the gavel" of the House of Commons in the new year.

As for today its a beautiful clear day as we should get to another +14 or +16, temperature wise. My commute should be trouble free under clear skies and if I leave out of here by noon I should get to work by about 1:15, time to get a update on the project I'm currently doing get a coffee and settle in for a full day. Anyway, that's about all for now.

After a 78 day National election race the 2015

campain is over over at last. We're voting for change but not the orange kind. Today I'm out of here at noon in the office for 1:30pm-6pm for a 5.5 hour shift doing reminder calls. I'm off at 6pm hopefully home around 7pm so Anne and I can go to the polls. After we vote, I'm settling in to watch the results. By 10pm it'll be all but over then we can settle in and watch the encore edition of Monday night Raw. Anyway, that's all for now.

Usually when it comes to having a day off

like today, I take a hot toddy, melatonin or a sleeping pill but I've been so busy working. I went to bed at 4 this morning, I passed out. I had a good 8.5 hours of sleep. Very few bathroom trips so no sleeping aid was needed. 

This afternoon, I'm going over to Wendy's for a burger and watch the BC/Edmonton is at 5pm. I have cheese doodles and lots of pop for that game. Then its the Calgary/Oiler's game. I'll watch the whole game as long as its interesting. Most likely it'll go as a Calgary win in OT. Also tonight is the largest 6/49 draw in Canadian lottery history at $64M. I bought a ticket:

They don't put the amount of the draw on the ticket. They do that on the lotto 6/49 website but the results are not posted until after about midnight. Most people usually win a free ticket (2 numbers) if they win at all. Once a year I'll win a $10 prize (3 numbers) or a $5 prize (2 numbers) I've never won 4 numbers. If nobody claims this ticket it'll probably go up to $69/$70M for Wednesday's draw.  

I got my cheque last night. All the hours were right. They put a nice form letter together for me enclosed in my pay envelop, thanking me for my hard work and dedication to the firm. I got a .30 cent increase where before the minimum wage went up I was at .80 cents over. Now I'm .30 cents over :) I'm not complaining or anything. I'm very happy. They addressed me as Dear Shannon in the form letter, hehehe. I get no respect sigh, but its all good. Pension is just around the corner anyway. So this week I'm looking at the following: Tomorrow: in the office from 10-6, Monday: I'm up early to vote, get ready for work and its 1:30-6pm to do reminder calls for the election. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 1:30-9:30pm. Sunday is cut off and I'm 10-6pm. Next Saturday I have another day off and I'm up early to get in my suit and tie and head over to Highlands Hall for our annual district meeting hosted by Highlands Unity. This is my 2nd district meeting my first as a ipm. So, its obviously going to be a busy week ahead. At least I have lots of hours. Anyway, that's all for now.

I've been going hard at it over the past few days

with work. At the moment working the election until the last hour and then a clean up project for the last hour for 7.5 hours. I got home just before 11pm last night. Today I'm in from 1:30-9:30pm but I have tomorrow off but back at it Sunday. Then the same hours for all next week. Or at least that's what the week looks like moving forward.

With 4 days to go the Federal election race is just bout to come to a close. Its been a long 74 out of 78 day campaign. The front runner now are the Liberals. Out of all the party leaders Justin Trudeau speaks with more passion then the other leaders. Our current PM has been in power for far too  long. Maybe its time for a change. I'm leaning towards Liberal this year because I agree with almost everything about their platform. We need infrastructure while we're in these tough economic times. It worked for Canada during the 2008-9 cash crunch its a good recipe for Canada today. We don't need a balanced budget right now. The NDP's balanced budget and their platforms are going to cost way too much. The Conservatives are mostly looking out for the upper middle class and beyond. At the moment the Liberals are leading in the poles. They need a majority Government.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my day off tomorrow. I'd like to go to lodge but I'm going to the District meeting next Saturday. I'm considering heading out to get a hard drive for my computer. Its running on mb's. It needs a bit of love. I can go out and get the hard drive screw driver set and sata cable, then to Red Robin across the street have a beer and a bite to eat. Anyway its a full day today that's all for now.

My extra hours begin

today. I'm in from 1:30-9:30pm today and tomorrow and off Saturday. Even though my shift yesterday was from 1:30-7pm wasn't bad, I felt it odd and as well as a long shift. I probably could have gone for the extra 2.5 but I was wiped out and scheduled to go off anyway at 7pm.

The topics on Coast tonight is Cyber Warfare in a Halloween theme "It came from my PC." The other part is Ghost hauntings. Also an article from World net Daily asks the question: "Has ancient biblical city of Sodom been found?" Now that's a topic I can get behind on. Sorry I couldn't resist.  

So, the Blue Jays (Baseball) go onto the next round after winning a crucial game yesterday. Some of my male callers were a bit annoyed we're calling Wednesday when the game was on. Even worse is the Blue Jays could eclipse the national election turnout as they play Monday the same day as the election. Now that's scary, kids. Anyway that's all for now.

I've got a chance to get some

extra hours so today I'm  in the office from 1:30pm-7pm. Thursday and Friday from 1:30pm-9:30pm and Saturday off. The schedule hasn't been made for next week but I'm letting it be known that I'm 1:30-9:30 for the balance of this current project that began yesterday. I'm going to mark next Saturday as its our lodge district meeting. Hopefully I can keep these hours up from 1:30-9:30. As long as I'm still  on "probation" head off ice isn't taking deductions off. If they can do that beginning next month, on Halloween Friday I should have a really nice cheque. Keep fingers crossed.

Last night was a "historic night" in Edmonton Oiler history. Connor McDavid got his first goal. Oiler's lost 4-2 in Dallas but at least that goal will be the first of many for McDavid. 

It's a beautiful partially sunny morning out there. I've got about an hour to myself this morning to answer some email, enjoy my coffee before I head out. Anyway, that's all for now.

I had a relaxing

couple of days and that was Thanksgiving weekend. Anne cooked a great Turkey dinner. I watched Monday night Raw and wrapped things up for the night. The next stat day will be Remembrance day and that's on a Wednesday in November. After that its nothing until Christmas. Today I'm in the office from 4-9:30pm home by 10:30pm. At least I'll have the Super keep me informed about the Oiler/Dallas game and I can get the scores while I'm at Corona station. Anyway, that's all for now.

This weeks highlights began with holiday Monday. Wednesday is the $50M 6/49 draw. Friday I'm curious as to what my rate of pay will look like since min wage was increased. This is the first pay cheque since the Province raised min wage. Saturday, I'm considering lodge but that depends if we election night off next week. Anyway, that's all for now.

I woke up about

12:30pm yesterday afternoon and I have a day off with pay today. I'm looking forward to Pension and hopefully I can work a few days a week or less. I'd work a week at the end of every month just for pocket money. I'm counting down the months.

A few days ago, inspired by a Scotia bank ad on affordable insurance, I thought I'd investigate online. Scotia bank. Enter phone # for a quote, ok. I did and forgot about it until Anne brought it to my attention that I somehow got someone from the states. They called half a dozen times the other day and Anne spoke with someone with a Southern accent. She said "We're not interested,do not call back." Today they called 6 times eating up a lot of space on our cordless phone's memory. We don't have call waiting or a answering machine. That's an extra $15/month. If this person calls again, it's a no and a Do Not Call Back (DNCB). "Place this phone number on your DNCB list." If she insists on calling again, then we may need to get another phone with a call block feature. Telus has these features bundled. There are other service providers that have better deals. We're not worried too much about it now.

With a day off and it being Monday, I get to watch the early Monday night Raw for a change. Tonight I'll be in by 3am, listen to a bit of Coast as they discuss "The Divine" and Agenda 21, a plan the UN has for controlling the world, yeesh. Anyway, that's all for now. 

We're having a nice Indian summer here in

Edmonton. Today (Saturday) we got up to 25.5. Unbelievable. It was dark by the time I got home, however. 

Yesterday the lotto 6/49 jackpot was worth $41M. Nobody claimed the prize, so the amount is increased to $50M on Wednesday. I'm buying a ticket of course and I might even buy into the office pool for Wednesday's draw. 

I have 2 days off. I'm looking forward to pension. If Anne and I still have our health, I'd work 3 days/week the last week of the month and go to lodge and watch Oiler games. Works for me.

This week, I've got Sunday and Monday off (Monday with pay) Its a regular work week but I'm having Saturday off for lodge. Anyway, that's all for now.

That was my night off and I put it too good use

watching the Oiler's season opener in Saint Louis. The game was special for obvious reasons: Connor McDavid's first regulation NHL game. In my mind he didn't make much of a impact as far as I could tell. I like his speed though, and he had 22 shifts and 2 shots on goal. One was in the sweet spot between the circles and the other was an almost wrap around. The Oiler's did not score a natural goal. The Saint Louis defense tried to shoot the puck out from behind the goaltender and it bounced off one of their own players into the goal. Otherwise the Oiler players were scoreless. RNH got credit for the goal. I thought the the team played ok except for that give-a-way to tie the game and that late guy coming in. Otherwise it was a good game. I saw some good things and some not so good things. I watched what I wanted to see, which was Connor McDavid in action in his first NHL game. Keep in mind Gretzky didn't score his first goal until his 3rd game. Anyway, that's all for now.

I'd be rushing out the door about this time of day

or on the train heading to Corona station. Feels good to have a night off. I could go to lodge but I want to catch the Oiler's season opener. The best part about having the night off is I get to be by myself. I'm in the office for tomorrow and Saturday. Then I have Sunday and Monday off. Monday with pay. 

So far the office has yet to put a blurb out about the provincial minimum wage going up. As of October 1st I don't know what my current rate of pay is. At my last job I was getting paid .55 cents/hour more then I am now. The minimum wage is supposed to increase to $11.20/hr. I have a feeling I could get about what my last job paid me or just a bit more. At this point in time I'm just guessing. Anyway that's all for now.
 

It seems lately that this week is something like

this: Out of bed about 11:45am, power on computer, get coffee ready, feed cats, check email, check Downtown arena webcam, put blog post together, put entre in microwave, shave, reheat dinner, shower, get dinner, watch some sports stuff, get dressed, pack my stuff for work and I'm out the door for my 2pm commute. I get a chance to read (if the weather is nice), in the office by 3:30pm get a coffee chat with some of the staff (any briefing?) log in ready to work, have break about 7pm, work until 9:20pm, log out and fill time sheet on the screen. If I'm lucky I get that early #5 bus other wise I don't get the #11 train home at 10pm. Bus to Corona station, wait, Clareview station by 10pm pending above I wait for the next bus check my email on open city wifi. Here comes my #11, home sort myself out, fire up computer. Wait for Anne to come home check email sports scores etc. Watch news at 11. Anne makes light dinner. From there I have a couple of hours to check my YouTube subscriptions and do other stuff on the computer, pamper my wife a bit. Around this time its 3am and I'm ready for bed. I'll listen to a bit of Coast on the radio and pass up. Now, take all of that and rinse and repeat Monday to Friday. Monday is slightly different because we like to watch Monday night Raw. Saturday (when they have a Saturday shift) its 10-6pm and I'm home about 7pm (if I make the connection) other wise its 7:30pm. My evening is mine and I'll fire up the pc and then cozy up on the couch. Maybe Anne has a plate I can heat up of something. Lodge is just once a month unless I can get a rare Saturday off and go to Commercial lodge. Sunday is my day to relax unless they have a Sunday shift then like this week, I'll have Thursday off and very other Friday I go to the bank.

Since its Thanksgiving half of my 2 days off is between a cut off day. So my stat pay wont be until the middle of the month.The above is a typical week. When I want to get a Proline ticket I just go to the kiosk at Clareview Redimart. So, that's about it basically. I don't travel, except within the city. if I need something on the way to work, I'll pop into the dollar $tore across the street and walk down to Clareview station. I've got to do that today to get some handi wipes for my work monitor. So in the future when I say its a rinse and repeat kind of a week, the reader will know at a glance what kind of a week I'm having. Lord I'm looking forward to pension. Anyway that's about all for now.

Our so called

transportation department decided to shut the Capital line down from Clareview to Corona station from 9am-noon. This is not uncommon. ETS put replacement buses instead of the off line lrt. In the meantime one of the biggest events of the city was getting ready for the "Run for the Cure" breast cancer. It took me ten minutes to get out of the downtown cor. I wasn't late or anything but why ETS could not have done this 3 hour job from 4-7 am? Not that I have any interest in the above mentioned event, but its just another one of those events the city knew about, but thought their work was more important. It was no hardship for me as I was out there at 820am yesterday. It took me an hour and a half to to get from Clareview to 124th street and 107th Ave. 

Leaving yesterday at 6pm there was my #5 bus heading downtown. A colleague and I had to wait half an hour for the next #5. Fortunately for me he had a cell phone and he placed a call for me to Anne. I said I was on my way. I got to Clareview at 7:15pm. I called Anne and said she was just starting brunch. I didn't get into the door until about 7:40pm.

Back in 2007 our transportation department spent 3 years before that to investigate a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) model. That "study" and the dollars attached to that was axed. The City at the time thought they'd have to remove some houses and businesses along some routes and didn't think it was ost effective at the time. Fast forward to 2015 city council is now re opening the BRT option. By the time the city has a BRT to the West end for example, that portion of the Valley line will be operational and tens of thousands of more dollars spent and wasted. I'm not saying a BRT is a bad idea I'd love a 1 stop bus from here to downtown. I'd take that over the lrt any day. I'd just like to see the city do something instead of study after study.

I'm leaving out of here again for work in about a hour. The only thing I've got on my agenda this week is work and a day off on Thursday to watch the Oiler's season opener. I get 2 days off over Thanksgiving weekend. Anyway, that's all for now.

Whenever I do a Friday night Saturday

shift, rarely am I in bed by 1:30am. I usually go to bed about 3am. That way I can count on a better sleep. I was tired enough to want to pack it in by 1:30am and even though I got about a hour and a half power snooze, I woke up about 3am and laid in bed tossing & turning for about 3 hours. I had enough at 6am. I'm working Sunday from 10-6pm again and by the time I come home, around 7pm, I'll be wiped out. I'll most likely have another power nap. May as well since I'll miss the Eskimo game and the Oilers are wrapping up their 2 week pre season game, which I wont be able to see anyway. Since nothing else is going on I may as well, and I might go back to bed for an hour yet. 

*Update 8:20am I tried for that hour nape but when the lower back aches a bit its saying I've laid down long enough. The "good news" today is I get 2 paid 15 minute and 1 half hour breaks. 

I was sifting through my 250+ YouTube subscriptions earlier this morning to see what I missed. "The Sound Test Room" had a demo of a new iOS app called "FingerBeat." Such a great app for musicians and hobbyists like myself. For under $6 it's worth picking up. Time to shut this down and get ready for my commute. Anyway, that's all for now.

Having my first coffee of the day before I leave out of here

for work. After that I've got some running around to do after work.

Yesterday I took a 5pm bus to Clareview and headed towards West portion of the Clareview station. Open city wifi worked on both sides. Vancouver Canuck and Edmonton Oiler jerseys were making their way to the train. Weather was nice and warm for this time of year. I got the #2 bus to 50th street and 118th and I could have boarded the #8 bus but I wanted to enjoy the weather and walking through the autumn leaves on the sidewalk. Festive board was nice although I didn't eat anything. I just had a beer and enjoyed the fellowship. A bunch of people came out from Drayton Valley which was nice. Our "Murder mystery" dinner theatre looks like its going to be a great turn out. I'll be working Saturday and later seeing Doc off at BP's. I was able to get a ride back and home before 10pm. I like this early festive board.   

Tonight at work I'm going to have to tweak next week's schedule. Instead of having Wednesday off, I'm going to change it for Thursday October 8th because that's the first game of the Oiler's regular season. Have a nice weekend everyone.

My outing late yesterday afternoon to check on a job

got me to my location on time and I had a short friendly chat with one of my former employers. The results were, "if we need you, we'll call you." Gee thanks, I think. I got a lottery ticket though for the big $22M draw at the store below and headed home. When I got home my employer called and said we're going to be getting busy again beginning Friday. We confirmed my hours for the month. There are also some Sunday's in there as well. So I have my work back and if things work out ok, I'll have work up to next Spring. Whew, we bought the bullet there. Can pension come soon enough? 

 

Also on my way home, I checked for the Open City wifi connections and they have it at Stadium, then Rexall, Belvedere and yes, Clareview. I was even able to access it while waiting on my bus home. Great. Thanks ETS! 

So, that's four good pieces of news today, back to work, ETS wifi, I won a free lottery ticket, and the weather has been very warm and mild. Anne's going to get my sleeping pill and I'll be in bed by 3am, listen to a bit of coast as they talk about Russia getting involved in Syria, HAARP etc. I got lodge tonight and I think I'll celebrate and have a cold beer. Anyway, that's all for now.