I'm getting a bit ansty what with being off work for

almost six weeks now. Anne says, relax and enjoy the break. She's probably right but I have bills to pay. Things I need.

2017 has been one heck of a year for me. In January I was working some crazy hours. I got a small mixer from Long and McQuade. February I was working right after family day at the other job. March I had some terrible abdominal pain that took me into emergency for 15 hours. When I felt better I got that account for Novation Circuit. April I had difficulty setting up my pension back and fourth several times. May my other part time job ended as the Edmonton Oilers made the playoffs. I was surprised how fast I got on unemployment. June Orange Crush and Oiler fan frenzy. July I lost my job at the Heart and Stroke, my 20 year old cat Silky died, my computer died out on me as well. July had a lot of bad news. I also got my Roland Go Mixer. August I had my 65th birthday on a total solar eclipse, while volunteering at Fort Edmonton Park. Total cool. September, I officially became a senior citizen, collecting a small pension. October I got back to work at my current job and I went and got my Focusrite audio interface, paid my lodge dues and paid off on my Circuit account. Lots of hours. November, still lots of hours, I got my new iPad with i0s 11, work slowed down. December no work at all. I bought a Lav lapel mic for smartphones. Near the end of this month we're facing off severe cold snap. And that's the way it is for 2017.

The Oilers are hosting Winnipeg this afternoon at 5pm. Anne's getting me some Chinese take-a-way being delivered. We haven't tried Skip the dishes yet. Not that I'm too keen on that.

I'd like to thank anyone who has ever visited my blog in the past and this year. I hope there was some take away value for you. As long as Google keep s this service up and running, I'll keep blogging on Blogger. Happy New Year everyone. Anyway, that's all for now 

The top story for

this country is the weather. At the moment here in Edmonton its -28* with a wind chill of -34. It's so cold that even though Maximus Pizza is just up the street, order taking said they are not sending their driver out tonight in this weather. Not jus that but about 5am the temperature is supposed to be -31* so the wind chill will be about -38-40. In other words, its cold out there.

Other then business with ei this morning and since my place of employment is shut down for the holidays, my day today and the weekend is more or less open. I got a feeling I'll be working Wednesday at the earliest. So for  my entertainment this weekend, I have an Oilers hockey game on tv tonight and another one Sunday. I'm hoping the Oilers can start another winning streak. I'd be happy even if it was just for a few games. I'd be happy with a win 4 lose 2 type thing. Oilers need 95 points to make it into the playoffs. Anyway,  not much else is going on. Anne and I are hunkering down doing the best we can. Anyway, that's all for now.

Canada has been hit almost nation wide with a bitter cold snap.

over the last several days. Its been like -25 with a -32 wind chill. its not like we haven't been expecting it. I've been hunkering down here since the last time I went out was for that Northgate mall trip Saturday. I have a Doctors appointment tomorrow afternoon. Our local temperatures are supposed to be back in the -single digits next week.

Recording my 3ds xl Nintendo gameplay activity has been occupying my idle thoughts occasionally. Some people go through elaborate camera angles, capture cards, all kinds of things to record their game play activity to their You Tube channels. I got caught up in that as well debating the Home brewing possibility of my 3ds xl device as its an easy process. No R4 cards required. The most popular way to capture gameplay on a 3ds is to use a camera on a tripod. I don't have a tripod. All I have is my iPod Touch and a couple of iPads. Then it occurred to me: Anne brought me a cardboard box to use as a light box to record my i0s screen awhile back. After a bit of modification it worked. The concept of a light box is to have a self enclosed container accessible where the iPad screen can be played with, including a hole cut on top of the box aligning with the i0s device like a birds eye view. Then I thought why not transfer this concept over to my 3ds xl?  After a bit of measure twice, cut once, it works' kind of. My hands still move the 3ds around and even with the device laid as flat as the screen can go and still play a game. I need to tinker around with this concept a bit but this could be my first game play on my gaming channel: Jim on game. I might keep a set up like this if it works for me.

On my way back from the Doctors office tomorrow, I'm going down the block to Audrey's, get my book and head home. I might buy another iTunes card for a few more apps I need while I have the funds. Then its home to watch the Oilers/Winnipeg game. Anyway, that's about all for now. 
                                             

Its a chilly one out there today

folks. Temperature is -25 but with the wind chill it feels more like -34. The good news is after this month, half our winter season is over with. We just have January, February and in March we're on the edge of Spring.

I got a pretty good Christmas hall this morning. I got a WWE 2018 Calendar, a $25 iTunes gift card, a new belt for my genes, underwear, Selsun blue shampoo (I hears it can cause hair loss as a side affect in some people) a box of diabetic chocolates, a 10 pack of scratch n' win tickets, plus 4 blackjack tickets. Anne tried to get me a $17 million 6/49 ticket but the due time was past 6pm and someone got the winning number. But coincidently, I won $17 on the scratch and win stuff.  With that, I can add to the iTunes and get another $25 iTunes card for $50 to get AUM and a couple other synths. Also, I got 2 games for my new Nintendo 3ds XL, Kirby Mass affect, and Lord of the Rings Leggo Hobbit. Actually my sister-in-law paid for the games for me, I just had to go pick them out, and that was Saturday. So yeah I did ok. until I went across the street to Shoppers to try and cash them in. "Oh that part of the store is closed today," I made the trip for nothing. I wasn't very happy.

Anne has her turkey already cooked and I'm having my baby back ribs tonight, while watching a rare Christmas Monday night Raw episode. So, I'm having a pretty decent Christmas weekend. This week, I have a follow up afternoon appointment with my Doctor to go over some lab numbers. Nothing serious. Other then going back to Shoppers but I'll probably do this Wednesday on my way back from my Doctors office in the Baker clinic building. Anyway, I hope everyone is having a great Christmas, that's all for now.

A trip to Northgate mall

this morning, had me going upstairs to the food court for some Tim's breakfast. I enjoyed that. Very nice. I even took a after breakfast selfie as well. I got my business done at my PCN and lost playing 2 black jack scratch n wins. I stopped in at one of our local Game City stores on my way out. They have a lot of titles not just for my Nintendo XL but others as well including many for my Xbox 360. I joked to the clerk, "nice store, I'll be back." A brief wait for my bus, which let me out by my place, good day.

Anne was just getting up out of bed when after our talk about my outing and Game City. At first she was going to give me $ for a new game at Best buy to put under the tree for Christmas but upon hearing about Game City, if I can get 2 used games instead of one. So she gave me enough for that and Taco time in the food court. Looks like I'll be back tomorrow. I also got a email from Audrey's and 4 books of my order came in. So, I'll leave out of here at noon tomorrow for Audrey's take a bus East along Jasper get the #109 to Northgate run in to get a few games and Taco Time for dinner and home to watch the hockey game. If this is semi retirement I could get used to this. As long as I have my health of course.  Anyway, that's all for now. 

Last nights

wrestling pay-per-view "Clash of Champion's" was fun. The only title that changed hands was the US title. Beyond that it was a shorter then usual pay-per-view. I'd rate the show 3.8/5. Time well spent.

Our local radio station that airs Coast to Coast has holiday programming in place. It's not a real corker but other then local sports, the news, its all pre recorded. Fortunately Coast still broadcasts the first hour on YouTube.

As for tonight, I've got Monday night Raw and if the Sharks/Oilers game looks like its going South, I'll resume wrestling etc. Other then that the only other thing I've got to do is pay a visit Friday morning to my pcn. Then its rinse and repeat. Anyway, that's all for now.

The wife is at work

and I'm having a quiet night off to myself "holding down the fort." I might make another ambient style track for my channel tonight as I'm feeling a bit creative. Tomorrow is WWE's "Clash of Champions," which should be fun.

The other day when I heard like most of us, that Disney went and bought some of the Fox empire for ~ $52 Billion my jaw dropped. And when I heard about the end of net neutrality, I breathed a sigh of relief. All of this good news during the release of the Star Wars movie no less. Its been a good week.

So what with no work for the rest of this month my options are open. I like having some time off but a month during the busy season? Maybe another part time steady job that I can do just 2 days/week would help, like I had with the other job, I'd fill in the space when one job had nothing but at least one job did. I need my old job back. I tried where my wife works but it didn't work out. There could be a window of opportunity to get my old job back around February, maybe. Anyway, that's all for now.

Over the past few days

I've been having these sudden frequent stomach convulsions. Its more of a feeling of bloatedness, I think brought about to the Metformin I've been taking. Anne made me a Agnes beef cheese burger and her home made fries earlier and I had apple crumb pie topped with strawberry ice cream. I'm stuffed and feeling bloated. Uggh.

Update: I'd be totally in remiss if I didn't say "Happy Star Wars," day everyone. When I first saw the original Star Wars A new hope 1977, wasn't in a theatre. The hype for this movie was building all year at the time. I saw the movie at a Drive in in Surrey. My friend Gord and I got to the movie early that day in May. After the movie fans honked their car horns in appreciation leaving the movie. I always new this was going to be a trilogy but since then there's been a prequel trilogy, and a sequel trilogy, and a anthology. Hard to believe the original movie was 40 years ago.  

Even though the Oilers lost last night 4-0, they put up 44 shots against the Visitors back up goal tender. I'm sorry for saying this but, our current back up goal tender is not a NHL goal tender. I'm hoping Talbot will be ready for tomorrow's afternoon game against the Wild.

Still now work for this week and the boss doesn't suspect anything will be taking place until early in the New Year. I wish I had my other job back but I got fired by way of an email. Very professional huh? other then that, I uploaded a bit of an ambient track to my You Tube channel, using the new Garage band. Tomorrow is the hockey game, Sunday is WWE's night of Champions. Its not like I've nothing to do. Anyway, that's all for now. 

Just waiting for

my pcn to call so I can set up an appointment to see my pharmacist. The process is I call reception, they put me through appointments (which is 99% voice mail) then I leave a message and my phone number and they call back. I did all of that, so now I'm waiting for them to call me. They close at 8pm week days.

There's been some talk about how the i0s screen recorder doesn't capture stereo audio. It captures audio but not stereo. The work around this would be to open say Beatmaker 3 in Audiobus, let Audiobus record the audio and screen record the video as usual. When screen recorder sends the video to the camera roll, Audiobus has captured the audio. So in the camera roll, mute the audio of the video. Then upload to whatever file sharing is being used, upload both the video and audio to the same file sharing source and open in a video editing program line up the video/audio in sync. Pan right and left just to test. That should work. 

Tonight I'm watching the Oilers/Columbus game. Thirty games in and the Oilers are not even playing 500 hockey. Other then that, I'm working on a Beatmaker 3 track, reading "Way of Kings," almost to book four. I'm kept busy. Weather is good at +9 although a bit breezy. No calls in yet from the office about work. I think they are going to call me this week. Anyway, that's all for now.

At first I wasn't expecting a lot

from last nights Oilers/Montreal game. So I came in late and it was 1-0 Oilers then, 2-0 going into the 2nd. The Home team got a goal, then we got 2 in the 2nd and 2 in the 3rd. Montreal got 2 in the 3rd but it was a case of too little to late for a score of Oilers 6-Habs 3. I was surprised but the Oilers play Toronto later today. I'm sure lightning wont strike twice.

I was never a fan of Johnny Hallyday but he sold 110 million albums. He was dubbed the Elvis of France. The only entertainer I know of from France in the pop music industry is Jene Michael Jarre and even then I'm aware of him but I wouldn't know anything he was known for. Hallyday had quite the career spanning over 50 years.  

No news from the boss from Friday about work this week. If it happens, I'm thinking Thursday/Friday. Anne and I hope to leave out of here at about 2pm for Londonderry Mall/Albert's for their all day brunch. Hopefully its not going to be packed. Knowing my luck it will. Anyway, that's about all for now.

My ride picked me up about

4:20pm yesterday as it was so nice outside, I didn't think I'd need a coat. I helped set up lodge and I did my thing. I tried to get a ride back home but most of the guys were staying behind for festive board. I was getting tired, so I packed my things and got ready headed out for the bus stop, maybe 100 feet away. I had a 5 minute wait and I got home about 10:15pm. it was a great night.

Now let me get this straight: Outgoing Premier Brad Wall is saying that any Alberta vehicles at a Saskatchewan job site will be fined unless those vehicles are registered with the Saskatchewan Government because there are claims that Alberta is doing that to Saskatchewan workers on Alberta job sites?  From my understanding, this is far from the case. It seems that Saskatchewan isn't giving other Provinces like Manitoba and BC the same treatment. Look out for that one.

          

I'm heading out of here about 2:30 to get my cheque before the boss closes the office. If things go well later today, I'm picking up a iRig Lav mic. One thing's for certain, I'm not paying for my purchase with Bitcoin. I wish I'd got into that back in 2009. Anyway, that's about all for now.

In a way I hope I have the rest of the

month off. Most of these seasonal call centres break just before Christmas. Heart & Stroke does that, Malatest and us. We're going to get really busy in the New Year though. I hope so because I want to get into Eurorack modular and get the Xbox before summer break.



Having the IOC ban Russia from the Winter Olympics is huge. Only the "clean" Russian athletes can compete. All this on a possible Trump impeachment vote. I wonder if the 2 are some how related? Its my conspiracy mind at work folks. Trust me, I am  not a crook. Hmm, where have we heard that before?

So tonight, I'm doing lodge work, watching the Oilers game and working on a beat this afternoon. I'd like to work with Blocks Wave and Novation Launch pad for the i0s. I've got a couple of ideas to work with. Anyway, that's all for now.

Anne will be out doing a

bottle run and getting me a double Wendy's Baconator combo. Biggie fries of course. Hopefully back in time for the early wrestling show. Anne does a bottle run a couple times/month.

At the moment, I'm considering a Facebook fan page for my music channel, hopefully I'll have that up and running at the end of the day, and a you tube gaming channel as well during my time off. I have memory work to do in the lodge about 8-10 lines I need to memorize between now and Thursday. Its a speaking part. So I hope I can get my Facebook fan page up while I'm off work but I got up shortly before noon today, so I'm a bit behind on things today. Its December, sigh. Anyway, that's all for now.

The highlight of my Saturday evening was

watching that Oilers/Calgary game. One of our goals was disallowed. The score was 5-1 Oilers at the end of the 2nd. Leads like that seldom hold up for long. Sure enough, the Flames got 4 goals in the 3rd. Yikes. We got 2 more in the 3rd for a 7-5 win. Our goal tending was mediocre, on par with the Oil Kings. We only won because we outscored the Flames. 

I'm gathering some samples for a beat for either Cubasis or Beat maker 3. Not sure which yet. For this video, I'm trying out Luma Touch Picture in a picture. I'm going for an ambient kind of vibe here. In keeping with this paragraph's theme, I'm eyeing a gaming headset. Not for just for games but because of the mic and I need a headset with an old iPod style cord. One that doesn't get all bunched up, since I need a mic anyway. I'm kind of leaning towards the Astro A10's over there at Walmart, I'll call first to see if they have them in stock before I head over. We'll see. 

My social media usage is about maybe 30% on the meter. This post gets to Tumbler, Pinterest, and Google +. I'd also like to eventually get this to Reddit and Instagram and even Twitter. Oh wait, I use Twitter all the time and I don't let my attorney use my Twitter account, whatever that means.

This evening I have some lodge stuff to do, leaving out of here at about 5:30. I'm going to see about a ride there. Tuesday, my place of work is having their annual staff Christmas party, starting at 4pm, should be fun. Then there's Lodge Thursday and I'm in the office Friday and over to Walmart. Of course all this could change if I got work this week. I'm thinking we do, Wednesday? We'll see. Anyway that's all for now.

I've had a nice couple of days off

since last Saturday. I'm back on the job today 4-9. I had one shift since last Monday so its been 9 days off and 1 day of work last Friday. I don't mind going in this afternoon and hopefully Saturday from 10-3pm, works for me. At least I'm not tracing my penis getting into trouble.

About 8 takes later I had what I thought was a decent You Tube video for my channel explaining how I use the Roland Go Mixer in my set up. I'm learning Luma Touch on my iPad at the same time. The other day however I had some Luma Touch trouble with audio in my video editing tracks. The volume meter was locked on mute. Not my iPad volume. I did 2 takes tonight which didn't do anything for me. I even had a couple of overlays as well. I had another project up and I guess when I deleted a project I got the audio back. I was doing all of this while watching the Leafs/Oilers play at Rogers. I'm using my iPad to shoot the video. I'm looking at getting a GoPro camera from my music store on an account. I like its voice activation but there are i0s options for voice control as well, but I like the compactness of Go Pro. I'm probably going to get one in the new year. The video I'm trying to shoot is taking a long time. Some of my You Tube subscription people spend dozens of hours, doing things like setting up white balance, camera angles, making scripts for voice overs, and video editing. There's a lot involved.

Management of our place here was telling my wife while paying the rent, that Atco is doing a city wide upgrade of its pipe/infrastructure set up. Then in the Spring, Telus is doing an upgrade here setting up their Fiber Optic service in our building. I'm looking forward to that. Anyway that's about all for now.

We went by way of the LRT to City Centre

mall specifically to try Fatburger. I had the double cheese burger with tomato combo. The burger was something like $18. Five -$7 more then Wendy's but no only do they serve it to you but all the pop you can drink. if Anne got the same combo as I did then our price would have been about $36! Yikes. Anne went for an A and W combo. My Fatburger burger was good and I'll be back but either it too spicy or salty:  

After the burger and on our 4:30pm LRT ride home, Anne talked me into getting a hair cut. Not bad for $18 on senior days. So from 3pm to now, not a bad way to spend the afternoon.

I've had 4 days off so far and the rest of the week and the weekend could be the same. However tonight at 7pm its Oilers hockey. Anyway, that's all for now.

Looks like I could be off for the next

several days. We completed a project in record time. That's what I like about this job. We often get a 2-7 day lay over between projects, as my last pay period before the end of the year is next week. I'm hoping I can get about 65 hours in before Christmas.


At the moment its overcast, cold and breezy. We're in a thaw/freeze pattern. This last week alone it was reported on the news that the city received 40 calls of people slipping and falling on City side walks. Lots of side walk sanding happening. Here's what our weather is going to look like this week:

By the looks of things above, our thaw/freeze outlook is going to last for another week. There's been stories on local news of seniors this winter falling on ice breaking a hip. I need a hip replacement like we need a hockey rink in Ottawa. And no, I'm not watching the Grey Cup.

Tomorrow before I head out of here, I'm calling the boss to see if there's work Monday night or work this week. If I get asked into the office then that takes priority over anything else. Otherwise I'm out of here about noon, to pick up a book at Audrey's, and order 3 more then to my bank to get those direct bank deposit GST forms filled out. Then to my Doctors for a counter pick up. After that to City Centre mall to try Fat burger. Super at work had one and they look really good. Then on my way home, its to get a haircut across the street and home to watch wrestling. And on that note, pizza is here. Anyway, that's all for now.

There has been some initial movement over changing

our CFL club Edmonton Eskimo's. Some people are of the opinion that the name Eskimo is a slur against indigenous people. At first I thought this was just silly. Then after a bit of education I began to see what they mean. Like how we have French for say a Two Year Planner would read in French "Agenda de Deux ans." Wtf? I'd rather see that replaced with the local indigenous name instead any day. Anne and I had a bit of Eskimo name changing fun. If the name needs to be changed (and I agree we need to have this conversation) I like "The Edmonton Empire." This actually cropped up when the season began as an ad campaign. Anne likes the name "The Edmonton Borealis." In a related topic our QB Mike Reilly in Ottawa last night received the Most Outstanding Player in the CFL. He deserves it.

The Argentina Sub The San Juan is days away from its last days. Its currently on life support. The sub made in Germany 1983 is 66 meters long with a crew of 44. Last I heard they had an explosion on board. Other countries are at sea trying to locate the sub.

That was a nice 3 days off. I go in today to pick up my cheque and start a 5 hour shift out by 9pm to the bank and get what's left for me. Across the street at Shoppers I want to get a iTunes card to buy Cubasis 2.3 and Luma Fusion the video editing software for my new iPad on the way home. After all it is black Friday. I made using i0s 11 screen recorder off of Garageband using Apples Live loops a crude video: You can see it here: Anyway, that's all for now.

Atco our local gas company

has been out here for about 3 weeks now. They have our sidewalk blocked off vehicles that look like large milk trucks out behind us here, "ditch witch's", crews with yellow X's on their vests and yellow helmets. There's orange security mesh all over the place. Its not just here its all over the North East. I think they are replacing sewage and gas pipe lines that have been imbedded in the ground since the 1960's.

What with this unexpected shift cancelation I could have gone to lodge last night. It wasn't my lodge but with Black Friday coming up in a few days, I don't know when I'll be called back in. Anne suggested because I had some unexpected resources that came in the other night, I could at least use some of that to get the iPad at the Southgate Apple store. I called ahead at the store to make sure they had mine in stock and my finale price for the iPad and the cover. We left out of here with that knowledge about 3pm in good spirits. We headed out to the lrt at Clareview station. The train we we're on was the same train I'd leave out of that time of day for my job at the Heart & Stroke foundation, that same time of day. We got the basic iPad (space grey black bezel) and the cover. Even the bag was luxurious. Over to the food court for Taco time, Anne had A&W. The mall was very busy. Anne took a photo of me:

Not much time to crop the photo but here I am at the age of 65. I hadn't eaten yet, which is why I look meh. After that Anne had a 2/1 coupon for Dairy Queen (dq). We went back to the Apple store (busy) to see if they could help me with the set up the iPad. They did and all I'd need to do was to when at home, to contact Telus and have it set up to access the Internet. By this time it was closing in on 6:30pm, so we left out of the mall and got the train back to Clareview station. I got home at 7pm. I probably could have rushed to dress and left out of here at 7 and would barely make it but I wasn't with it what with my new item.

I watched the Oilers/Saint Louis blues game at 2-0 Blues end of the 1st. I thought here we go again. I stayed with the game until it was 4-0 Blues. I tuned out after that and got my iPad set up instead. Better use of my time. The worse part of all this is the Oilers are playing tonight. Where? I don't really care. The Oilers woes began when Draisaitl received concussion like symptoms October 9th the 3rd game in and a stick to the eye. That and having a 4 day game lay over didn't do us much good. The Oilers fell apart after that. I'm not writing the team off just yet but the season for the Oilers looks like its over and done with. Best they can hope for is last place (again) to get a good position in for the lottery for another uggh #1. November is the make or break it in the NHL. I'm home tonight (I hope) and I'm going to try and make a track in the new Garage band 2.3 update. On Friday, I'm getting Cubasis 2 and another i0s app. Anyway, that's all for now.

Its a cold November

Monday but at least its sunny and feels like -24 with the wind chill. That's ok because after its starts warming up to single digit numbers.

It was interesting to hear the passing of Charles Manson this last weekend. His passing away is no love lost that's for sure. Even when Manson burst on the scene I was 17. We got the same news about what happened like everyone else did. At that age just recovering from my back operation, in a body cast, most teens of my generation were interested in Woodstock and the Hippy movement. Charles Manson was at the time a peripheral character to what was going on at the time in the broader sense of the term. To me the name Charles Manson barely registered into my daily life back then. I had other fish to fry.  

Despite the crappy Oilers and the bad decision making of the Eskimo's in the CFL Western finale, Survivor series made up for it. The trouble (I think) with the Oilers this year they have a target on their backs. What with making it to the 3rd round and nearly to the finale, plus all of the accolades of McDavid, the huge upcoming salaries, yeah I can see why the Oilers would have a target on their jerseys. As for the Eskimo's, we gave up 6 points on field goal attempts due to the wind, and add the lack of ball security (fumbles) and bad decision making by the head coach, is what cost the Esks the game. On the other hand, Survivor series made up for it. AJ Styles and Brock Lesnar, wow. Even the main event was a off the chart wow. Tonight is going to be interesting.

As for today, I had to call in and rebook a Doctors appointment for the 30th and its off to work back home for wrestling. I'm also trying to get Telus to walk me through how to set up my new Nintendo 3ds Xl since they replaced our modem a few months ago. I'll be doing that. Anyway, that's all for now.

I had one of those days where nothing was going

right with me. It all began with that Oilers loss in Dallas. And when I got the energy to get up and make some music in Ableton, I had trouble. Then Fl. Studio crashed on me, Sonar wouldn't work and even Korg Gadget on the iPad failed to do anything for me, its not just my day. I should have gone to lodge. I just got this image from my sisters Fb page:

So tomorrow I have the Esks/Stamps game on at 2pm. That should go to 5pm and from there its right into WWE's survivor series. Anne makes us her nice late Sunday brunch, she does face time with her sister. I'm just waiting for Anne to call, and I'm done for the night. Anyway, that's all for now.

There was a schedualing mix up

at work and I think I wrote myself out of today's shift. Anne said not to worry at least we have back up resources unlike if this happened a year ago. It's a long story but at least I still have a job.

I'm not sure what to make of this but a group calling themselves the "Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence organization" announced that they beamed a binary-coded missive via radio waves last month to a star system GJ 273 in hopes that if there is an advanced civilization, they could receive the signal 2029 in 12 years from now. Assuming there is an advanced civilization able to pick up the signal. The star system is 12 light years away. The only problem with this is, could these aliens be benign or hostile? MEIO thinks any success of this will happen in about 30 years. Its an interesting concept broadcasting us to ET instead of waiting to hear from ET. but why couldn't they do this with a star system that's closer? Here's a link to the story.

Odds are pretty good now that I don't have enough for the computer, I'll be getting the iPad next weekend instead. Garage band has a new update, there are some other music apps I'm excited to get and I want to test this new screen recording in i0s 11, and Apple released a new i0s 11 update. So, I have 3 days off. Enough time to get a video out there. Anyway, that's all for now.

The new

project at work is going well, I like it. We're hoping to have this completed by December 3rd. However, it doesn't look like I'll be able to put Saturday in for this pay period as we're at capacity now. I'm ok with that. A four day work week is just what I need.

Not that I anticipate dying anytime soon but I'm looking for a local solution for estate planning. Not that I have any cash. I'm checking around to see about settling my affairs before I die, like cremation, burial tombstone etc for both Anne and myself. Just to see what my options are. I never thought about this when I was younger. I doubt we ever do. Now that I'm a senior I don't want Anne to wake up one morning to find a lifeless body and not knowing how to cope with my passing away when that time comes. Or her for that matter. That way I can sleep at night knowing everything is taken care of with Anne and I. So, I think first of all, I need to appoint a relative as the guardian of my "estate" and I need to get out a will. I won't have any money to leave Anne when that time comes I just want her to know, everything is all set up for her. If that makes sense? Hopefully there will be room for our urns and our urns for our cats. I don't have much of a legacy but that's another topic.

I was in the office and focused on my job but I was surprised to hear the score of last nights Vegas/Oilers game. Visitors 1/Oilers 5 and that was at 9pm when I was signing out. It wasn't until I got the score at home it was Visitors 2 Oilers 8! To use a football term, the win did nothing to move the chains in the standings. We need a couple more wins to do that. But still, wow. I doubt we'll see the Oilers score like that again this season. Anyway, that's all for now.

Looks like our local

weather is going to become more steady then was actually in the forecast of double digits. The revised forecast now has us at single digits, except for one day. The way things are going, we could be at single digits all November. Works for me.

Sigh. All these recent Hollywood sexual harassment allegations are getting silly now. I wonder how many of these claims would stand up under a polygraph test? How many more of these claims would evaporate upon hearing the phrase polygraph verification? In my opinion there are several benefits for these people that make these claims. Firstly, it raises their profile. Being elevated as a victim, has more appeal. The other one is for financial gain. Ever since these claims have been out in the public eye, so far I've never seen or heard the word polygraph in any reference. Maybe the claims are hoping they can settle out of court for big bucks. These kinds of tactics are so obvious and transparent. Now don't get me wrong for the obvious high profile cases, I can understand and empathise. For everything else, yeesh already.

It seems that the gaming company Bioware here in Edmonton, wants to move from Whyte Ave to the EPCOR tower occupying 3 floors in late 2018 or early 2019. Its good on one hand but not good on the other because its just leaving another building empty.   

I'm hoping during the upcoming black Friday weekend, I'll be able to get a new computer to replace the aging 2005 media centre. If my product isn't in stock, then I'll get the iPad. I win either way since 10s 11 now has screen record. Anyway, that's all for now.

My next break

other then this Remembrance day weekend will be the Christmas break. I'll get 11 days off for that. I like having these little breaks in between projects.

What, so i0s 11 can now screen record? That's huge. I think I might need to rethink getting the computer for another time as not only will this new feature allow me to record i0s game play but also will let me record i0s apps as well in real time for putting together tutorials, that sort of thing. Because of this, I'm almost ready to buy the iPod touch 6 gen from across the street tomorrow. I also found some Nintendo mods from GameinCanada, which I need to research a bit more. Interesting stuff.

I don't pretend to know a lot about the Trans pacific partnership (TPP) except that 12 countries are involved. Excluding the US. The overall GDP of the 12 member country's represent ~ 40% of the economy of the entire world. The average value to Canada is something like $158.8 billion worth of natural resources to member countries. Its huge. There are going to be some winners and losers but the Federal Government has promised to subsidize something like $5 billion to protect those sectors of our economy adapting to the TPP should it go through. Just as long as sovereignty, internet and pensions are secured, I'm (in theory) all for this. Canada is in Vietnam right now, going over the deal and apparently a deal has been reached in principle.

Ok, Sunday I'll be watching the Eskimo's/Winnipeg CFL game on at 2:30pm tomorrow and the Oilers are in Washington. That game gets underway at 5pm. Then I've got some paperwork to do tomorrow night for my gis. I'm sure that's not the last of that I'm going to hear about that and my service Canada visit. Anyway, that's all for now.

Other then some running around

today, I have 4 days off. I needed to go to the office today and collect my cheque. I caught up with a colleague that discovered a New Age book store I used to solicit back in the mid 1980's.

I sometimes get asked this time of year: "Hey Jim, why don't you wear a poppy?" Its not that I'm not appreciative of what our troops did for us past and present. Its just that every time I wear a poppy, its life expectancy on my outer garments is very short and they keep falling off my coat. I got to the point where why bother? I know there are more permanent poppies. I have a lodge one but I lost the part that permanently clips to my coat. I'm going to get another one soon. I may not be at a Remembrance day ceremony tomorrow, but I hold great esteem for the sacrifices our troops have made.

Apparently Nintendo is ramping up Switch console production. Since last March when the Switch appeared Nintendo sold more then 7.60 million units. I'm considering getting one but I've got some big plans in store for my Zelda new Nintendo 3ds xl. I'm also looking into a You Tube gaming channel, when I get the new computer latter this month this month. One can not live on music production alone.  As for the Switch, that might be something to consider for the New Year.

Sports wise if I want, I can watch the Oilers tomorrow at 11am. Most likely I'll be up. Also, Sunday is the Grey Cup game at 2:30pm. The Eskimo's are in Winnipeg and it win and we advance to the finales. Lose and we're done. As for the Oilers, I'll follow the game but only watch it if it looks like there's a game and the Oilers play a back to back this weekend, Sunday in Washington. I think the Oilers are good for at least one of those games, good stuff. Anyway, that's all for now.

I tried the new

280 character version of Twitter earlier. I think its a good idea. Does it mean that we'll be able to upload more then 2 minute video's? Still its better then having a python down my pants.

I was never a baseball fan. I just found the game too slow to watch but I liked playing it when I was a kid. Its fun to see some of the highlights. I felt a bit of a disconnect when news broke of the death of Roy Holliday yesterday afternoon. Its a sad day for sport.  

Looks like I could have a couple of days off here from work for reasons I can't get into. If it happens its going to be welcome relief to say the least. I could use 2-3 days off. Anyway, that's all for now.

Just busy what with work and all

I'm in from 4-9 all week. Because its Remembrance day, we have that day off. Its not a stat paid holiday for me because I've been taking Saturdays off. I can't catch a break. What with working so much, looks like my chances of being invited to the Paris climate summit are slim too none :-)

So far early November the weather is holding. Its not great but I've been able to get away with a t-shirt under my winter coat and wearing a t-shirt in the office. If the weather holds up like this for most of November, then it could be a shorter winter. We're supposed to get snow today.

The under 500 Oilers are on the ice tonight. We have 13 games to play this month. November is a make it or break it month. Most of those games are on the road, so our chances of even playing 500 hockey I think are fading fast. Anyway, that's all for now.

That was a good 4 hours of sleep

and for most Saturday's getting up in the morning, that's ok. I'm 10-3pm today because I need to go to my music store and pick up a couple of midi cables for my Scarlet 2i4. I meant to pick them up last weekend but I didn't bring enough funds. This time I will and I'll check out "Monument" by the West entrance of Corona station after I get my book and get a bite to eat before I head out on my commute home.

I'm looking forward to the new Marvel movie. We, really liked Civil War. Doctor Strange wasn't too bad but "Thor Ragnarok" looks really good. "Justice league," and Star Wars looks good as well. I think there's a sequel to Civil War in the works coming out because it was very popular.

I'm still reading "Way of Kings," and the way I'm going, I'll have this read by this time next year. I read a bit everyday but I'm itching to read some cozy mysteries just to break up the narrative flow, so to speak.

My work hours look like they are returning back to normal next week. I'm in 4-9 and this Sunday we set our clocks back an hour. At the moment we're -17 but by the time I leave out of here it should warm up to about -10 with no wind chill, but I have a warm coat tuque and most of the sidewalks are clear. I'll use the ETS app to find out when my next #5 bus arrives at Central. Anyway that's all for now.

Too much running around this week is

beginning to catch up with me; what with Lodge practice Sunday night, leaving early for work Monday, off for Halloween, leaving early for work Wednesday, lodge yesterday and leaving out for that at 5pm and leaving out earlier then usual today plus I'm up early tomorrow, yeesh.

Actually I'm looking forward for work Saturday because its only a 5 hour shift. I need to get to Long & McQuade pick up some midi cables then its over to Audrey's (if there's time) and maybe get a bite to eat at Tim's on my way. I should have bought them last weekend but I didn't bring enough cash and I wasn't sure what I needed, until now.

I got up on the late side today about an hour ago. I've got just enough time to relax make a post and have my first coffee. Anne wanted me to take Saturday off but I said how I need to work that day. I'm trying to budget for a black Friday computer here in town. Anyway, I got some other stuff to do before I have my bath and pack up to leave. That's all for now.

This is one of my

favorite days of the year because Halloween is so fun. Lots of Goblins, witches, spooky stuff. Its fun for trick or treaters and adult kids alike. Halloween weekend is mostly for the adult kids but to day is for the youngsters. I like it because I have a day off. They don't have a day off at the competition or so the supervisor told me when we met by accident last night. I'm still on amicable terms with the people there when the odd time I meet them but they wouldn't tell me what project they are currently doing anymore what I'd tell them what we're currently doing. I mentioned we did election calls but that was history and that's all she got out of me. However though, they are working tonight, and I'm having a night off. Nothing scary about that.

We got a bit of snow this morning but its not staying on the ground. Anne is working tonight so its the busiest time of the year. She's going to try and order Maximus pizza for us from work but if she can't, I've got to call before they send their driver home. Anne is going to call me about it on her break.

Telus is digging things up out by the sidewalk. I think they are digging a trench parallel to the sidewalk, with lines to individual units for their "Pure fiber" optic lines. I'm hoping we can get this service here because this is a older building.  

So yesterday, I put my 6 hours in and I'm in 3-9 again and I'm off for Thursday because of Lodge and I can go do my thing with Service Canada etc. This is a nice break to have but I'm also Friday 3-9 and Saturday 10-3 but I'm saving up for a black Friday computer Our TV is on for the birds/cats (weather channel) as they've been having spooky Halloween theme music and sound affects all day, creaking doors, evil laughter, occasional screams, no cats yet but typical Halloween sounds, love it. Anyway, Happy Halloween everyone, that's all for now.

The UPC has elected a

new leader as front man Jason Kenny won by 61%. It was a landslide. However Kenny doesn't have a seat at the Ledge. I'm not sure how this will all play out. Kenny's competition, Brian Jean still has a seat as Wild Rose as far as I know.

Last night after I came back from my music store to get the Scarlet ix2 audio interface, I settled into watch Calgary/Eskimo's. That was the first Stampeder Win this year and over the past several years in fact. Stamps 20 Esks 29. The halftime show was pretty good. However the Washington Capitals and the Oilers, well that game didn't fare so well. Oilers came up short on game 1 of a 5 game Home stand 2-5. Slow out of the NHL gate wont get you to the dance. If the Oilers make it to the playoffs at all this year, might be in 8th. I've more or less written the Oilers off this year. I'll watch the games when I can but I'm not expecting much this year out of the Oilers. The whole team is playing sub par. This time last year the Oilers we're 7-2, now the team is 3-6. Oh well, its all good.

This week is a short week work wise. Monday I'm in from 3-9, I'm off Tuesday for Halloween as the office is shut down, Flow rate drops during nights like this, so I can do some banking downtown, get my book and up to service Canada. I have a few lose ends to take care of. At least I can try the food court there in Canada Place. I'm in Wednesday 3-9, off Thursday for Lodge. That's our Lodge Remembrance day observance. I'm reading Palms 23. I'm back Friday 3-9 and Saturday 10-3. Anyway, that's all for now.

So the

JFK files have been released. Now I haven't seen them but most likely they are so heavily redacted, these files will have little valuable information. Kind of like reading this blog. The CIA will hold onto the really important stuff. I'm not big on conspiracies because most of them are nonsense but there has been so much contention over the JFK case it remains to this day an enigma.

So now Amazon has this new feature they are testing where recipients of their products can sign up to have the delivery person the ability to open your house front door if your not there and place your item inside your house. You can even see this unfold via your a smartphone. I'm thinking this gives a whole new meaning to home invasion. What's to prevent a couple of would be robbers to rush a delivery person at the door, overpower the delivery person? This is really a stupid idea to say the least. Amazon better rethink this.

Its been a long week even though the hours have been manageable. It was tough sledding earlier because the hockey game was on and the World series. So, we were bucking all of that. Depending on how much my taxes are, even if I have $5 left over, I'll still get my iPad tomorrow. Anyway, that's all for now.

Everything seems to be in

order on the job front. Hopefully that's "another fire" that's put out. My shift this week is 4-9 and for now, that's just fine for me.

With over 200 cities in North America trying to woo Amazon Hq2, cities are offering tax breaks other incentives to help them set up shop in their jurisdiction. Calgary for example has become very aggressive. Here in Edmonton, we're taking a low key approach. Amazon will make their city selection in the New Year 2018. Odds are not very good that we'll win the bid but t he package that we put together is more of a template we can use to attract other businesses.

Poor Oilers in Pittsburgh skated to overtime. Apparently goaltending stole the show. McDavid scored to tie the game. Talbot had 44 shots and stopped 42 of them. Next up is Dallas at Rogers place. Anyway that's all for now.

Sometimes I think we impose stress on

ourselves. Often its handed to us, through no fault of our own. I'm under a bit of stress at the moment over the job thing. I just hope I'm not making it into a bigger deal then necessary. This stress for the most part, I bring it on myself.

I'm in pain on almost a daily basis. I get dental issues a lot. I've had a toothache that comes and goes. This toothache was activated over the last week. A couple of pills helped. What's been bothering me lately has been diabetes neuropathy in my feet and below the knees. I get these spasms of pain that cause me a lot of grief. Even while wearing these suspension stockings. Hopefully I can get the full sock type suspension stockings next month. They should help bring the swelling down in my right leg, but pain is my constant companion. Don't send me any sympathy. I dont want it or need it and I don't expect anyone to feel sorry for me. Diabetes is something is my self inflicted wound. Its manageable but barely. My scoliosis hasn't caused me any grief lately. Why am I saying all of this? I don't know. Maybe this needle in a haystack of a blog/life might receive some eyes if its still around 2-300 years from now and visitor's to this page will get a glimpse of what I go through.

I have several social media things going on. I have a Facebook page, a blog and Twitter. My blog is my main portal. Its mostly for myself and family, so I can update them on what's happening. My Facebook page is just to add a few one liners, comments about sports etc. I use Twitter in between blog posts but not a lot of that lately. Anyway, that's all for now.  

The first quarter of the

Eskimo/Lions game was 12-5 Esks. Then the Lions got some momentum and carried that over past halftime, 12-15. When the score was 12-22 I had a feeling we'd lose this one. "I got other things to do here," I said to myself. Time continued to pass. Lets see how badly we lost. 29-29? What? The game is still in progress? We got ourselves a football game! The game went into overtime, we got a td but couldn't convert. We prevented them from matching our score. Finale 29-35. We're in the playoffs! Third in the West 😓 After that string of losses, I never thought the Esks would get to the post season and there's 2 weeks remaining. Sweet.

Trump dropped a bombshell we knew it was coming: He wants to release the JFK files. The finale batch. How did we know this was coming? As a result of the Clay Shaw/JFK case 1974. This was 4 years before the House select committee on Assassinations or the HSCA. The HSCA was similar to the Warren Commission, which took place in 1964. As a result of the Clay Shaw trial it was noted that the JFK files would remain closed until 2017. That's how come we knew Trump's statement would be coming. Clay Shaw and Jim Garrison are deceased. Over the years the Freedom of Information Act has let a lot of redacted documents out already. Personally I don't think the documents remaining will reveal any smoking gun. The so called smoking gun was silenced when Jack Ruby killed Lee Harvey Oswald when Oswald was transferred that Sunday 2 days after the assassination. If Oswald was involved as the shooter, knowledge of that went to the grave with him. Or did it? There are a lot of conspiracies over this case; was it an inside job? Was the mob involved? Who shot police officer JD Tippit? What bothers me about this case more then anything else is how did Oswald get the rifle? The official narrative said Oswald purchased the rifle out of a magazine in March of 1963. He bought a money order and  mailed the money order that day, which was on a Tuesday. Oswald was working at Jaggers/Chiles/Stoval the day the alleged money order was purchased. Oswald had perfect attendance. If its believed that Oswald must have had somebody purchase the money order and mail it on his behalf, that is a conspiracy. Here is a really good You Tube video on what I'm talking about. The documents apparently will be released sometime this week.   

I'm not expecting stat pay on my cheque Friday. If its there, then I'll be over to the Southgate Apple store to get my iPad next Saturday. Anne doesn't quite get why I need this device when we already have a iPad. First of all, Apple does not support our iPad 2 with i0s updates. Also, the new i0s music apps are 64 bit and there are a lot of cool apps I'd love to get and some are free but they wont work on our iPad. Those are just a few reasons why I want the new iPad. Sure, I'd like the iPad pro but its a bit out of reach at the moment. If I get stat pay Friday, then I'll get it. If not then I'll get the iPad pro just before Remembrance day. Anyway, that's all for now. 

Once we get a major bill paid

down I'll be hopefully January/February, I'll be just working for pocket money. Just 3 days/week. Super called me earlier this afternoon and said my schedule is up for next week: Monday- Friday 4-9. That helps.

The Oilers played well on the road this afternoon, keeping the game against the Flyers tied at 1 going right to within the last 2 minutes. Then a late player picks up the puck and scores 2-1 Flyers. Tonight the Esks are in BC in a CFL game with playoff implications and none of our players will need to take a knee for that.

Maybe not this go pay day but the next one, I'm really looking at getting a basic iPad with the smart cover. Its 64 bit and that's all I need for music production. Its also got a faster chip in it then our old iPad 2.

The new plan today on my day

off then is to take the train down to my bank and take care of some business there, then over to Audrey's get my book. After that, walk East along Jasper Ave, to my Doctors office for some sample pick up. Then its over to Service Canada and then the #2 bus to Wendy's on 50th street, then into Staples for some stationary. Then home. I'll be out of here in about half an hour.

As it is now, I have a glorious 3 day weekend. I could use it. I'm even thinking about attending Commercial lodge tomorrow. Good news is I'm not scrounging for cash this weekend. Bad news is I have a lower right toothache that has been causing me a bit of grief. I'm ok now though. That's it for now.   

Since last entry

I've been putting in a lot of hours in on the job. Sunday/Monday, 2 full days working the municipal election. Then its just been 4-9 from there. I've been so busy, I was barely able to catch the Oilers scores. At least for this time of year the weather has been agreeable.

I'm not sure I want to do this but I'm thinking about going to the Edmonton tower tomorrow. ETS has a 2nd floor office. I need from them what's called a "statutory declaration" form. This form is to replace the T4oas form, which I haven't received one yet since I've only been on oas since last month. I need to bring this form to an Alberta registry and they have on site Commissioner of oaths to check my notice of assessment from last year. There's a registry called Accu-search in City Centre mall. Its a block South of the registry below the food court. I can get a bite to eat and have them sign the form from ETS confirming my income to get the low income annual seniors bus pass. Once I bring that back to the Edmonton Tower I can fill out the application. Apparently I can just bring that along and get the bus pass on the spot. Its good until the end of March. Anne got approved for the low income ETS program this morning. I also have a visit with my Doctors office to pick up some medication and get a prescription. So, I've got a bit of running around to do, tomorrow. 

Apparently Alberta labour laws say I can't work 7 days in a row, not six. I could work tomorrow, but I'm taking the 3 days off. Super forgot to put me on the project sheet last night showing my dialer #, project I'm working on, my break time etc. Usually my break time is from 6:45pm-7pm. The 2 hours go fast from there. More or less. So after tonight, I'll have my 3 days off. I'm trying to save up enough for a iPad pro for Black Friday coming up. As for all of that potential running around all it does is save me about $15. It'll get me out there and I can always get some lunch at City Centre or Corona station. Anyway, that's all for now.

On a very rare Sunday morning

I'm in the office today from 10-6pm. We're doing election calls all day. Very wordy, lots of voice mail messages to leave behind. I got today like this, and tomorrow, uggh. I say this because I'm getting a hoarse throat.

On Friday I paid off my account at my music store I was thinking when I got home Friday night I'd have 2 days off: Friday and Saturday. I received a emergency email asking me if I could come in for any hours I could give them. They were behind a bit on a project and Super said he'd reserve a place for me. I replied I can come in from 2-6pm. I didn't get much a weekend but next weekend, I'm having off. This and tomorrow from 9am-5pm are the last full days, for awhile. No more full days during the week for me. My voice is already hoarse enough as it is. I don't even know if I'll be able to make it in for tomorrow. if my voice is going, then I'll just mention to Super. but lets see how it goes.

My wife made me a nice breakfast I can heat up before I head out of here at 9 for 10 am. Yesterday, I barely got into the office on time and i left at 1pm for a 2-6pm shift. Anyway, that's all for now.

When I was in my 40's I could do

an 8 hour day, no problem. I did a lot of them. Fast forward to 2017 just doing 3 8 hour days back too back, took a lot out of me. I have very little gas in the tank but I've got to leave out of here about 2pm for some running around.

Unlike some You Tubers, I'm not padding my "Shannon on Sounds" channel with a lot of sub for subs just to open up Superchat/Google wallet. I think its rather embarrassing to show 41k subs and in the Live stream chat there's 22 viewers watching. If these Live streams were real and honest, (not saying their content isn't of value) the Live stream would have hundreds of viewers. I know why some channels do sub for sub. Its a way to "inspire" fence sitters and new channel viewers to subscribe etc. I am not suggesting that the following channels opt for the above practice: I like Bo Beats channel because he offers from time to time free Circuit sound packs etc. The Haq attack channel is also quite good. The host Jakob Haq works mostly with i0s gear. Bo Beats, mostly works with gear. The Sound test room channel by Doug Woods is another one of my favorite go to channels for new apps. When I buy apps from these affiliates, its because I like to support their channels. I haven't bought a app yet from Jakob's channel, because most of the apps he demos are for the 64 bit i0s devices. I don't have one yet. I also like to go to Audiodabler, and Dean from Electronic sounds as well and of course Sounds & Gear. I'll get links to these later when I return from my outing this afternoon. The above are my go to sites, when they publish a new video. 

If I leave out of here at 2pm, I'll got to the job site at about 3pm, over to my bank then over to my music store. Depending on how much is on my cheque I'm hoping to pay off my Novation Circuit account. Anyway, I'll clean this up a bit latter tonight.

So slow to get things

going his morning. Very little gas in the tank. I was in bed by 2am, Awake by 7 and laid in bed for an hour. Well, I'm up and awake, sort of. Yawn. Cats are fed, I've got my morning coffee here and juice. Our morning Sun is shinning brightly through the clouds. Its -1c but the humidity makes it warmer. All you need today if your outside is a hoody under a sweater (preferably with Home team logo's) and your good to go. 

Last night I was asked to come in for Sunday to do election calling. Its municipal election time here in Alberta. I know what Anne's response to this will be: "You need 2 days off, your not 51 anymore...." So, I agreed to sign up for Sunday's 10-6 shift, only if I could have Friday off. Fair enough. Super tweaked his schedule so I can have Friday/Saturday off. We're doing election calling over the weekend. This means Friday I still need to go into the office to get my pay and then to my bank and over to my music store to make that payment. If I have enough, I just might pay it out right. There's probably a Eskimo/Oilers game on television this weekend, plus Star Trek Discovery. Oh, and since its Friday/13th: Scratch n' win time.

I was thinking about leaving out of here a bit early today but I'm off Friday and in the area anyway. I could either go to my bank and double back to my music store. Or just leave out of  here by 1pm, play my scratch n win cards, at the store across the street from the office, pick up my cheque, head to my music store, to the bank and then home. Decisions, decisions. Anyway, that's all for now.

I was in bed by 3am

this morning up at around 7:30, so I had a good 4 hours of sleep. I rested in bed for another hour. I'm ok for a full day. On these  full days I don't usually get wiped out until about 8pm.

On my 5:30pm break yesterday I walked over to the store across the street to play some Tuesday night blackjack but the store owner didn't have any blackjack scratch n' win cards. "Play Walking dead, its easy. Same price." First card X, nothing 2nd card "wu-who." That's the sound the machine makes when there is a winner. I won $10/$6. With the amount of money I spend on these things, maybe $4-$6 a month, I think I broke even. I might play "Walking dead" Friday. Some months I dont play at all (summer) So because its Friday the 13th week, (my lucky week) the stars are aligned. My new favorite card game:
for information purposes only

     

Speaking of stars (no not Hollywood actresses coming out of the woodwork claiming sexual harassment) I'm trying to get a pdf sent to my boss's email so he can print off an application form I'm trying to get out to the department of vital stats in BC. Its called a genealogy birth chart which shows the time of my birth. It seems this was not recorded prior to 1944 in BC but since I'm a early 1950's kid I'm in the clear. Like most of us we either are oblivious to the time of birth or don't know don't care. With the time of my birth, I'll be able to put together a complete astrological chart. There are lots of online programs that where you just input the appropriate field and it cranks a chart out for you. There's still lots to do without the time of birth, but with the birth time, you can do a lot more. Its something I've always wanted to do but didn't know where to look.

Anyway, I have another full 8 hour day ahead of me today. I'm lucky as a senior I'm on pension and have a wife and a job. With Eaton's closing stores and about 12,000 jobs lost and now Chillies is closing a bunch of stores here, I'm in a good place. However if this asteroid hits us tomorrow morning, I won't have either. Anyway, that's all for now.