Not a whole lot

is happening at the moment. I'm just laying low. I'm just waiting for my finale roe but nothing came in the mail yesterday.

Since my music production has stalled due to some technical obstacles, any video's I make will be rather crude over the summer. I've been trying to work on a jam this week on my down time but this thing with lodge (Thursday) and getting my pensions together are kind of getting in the way. I might do a couple Ableton Live 9 lite tracks soon. I'd also like to do a few Korg Gadget tracks as well but I haven't been managing my down time that well over the last week or so. 

Ex Oilers Craig Simpson on the colour commentating last night was mentioning that the coach of the Nashville Predators Peter Laviolette was the same coach that took the Carolina Hurricanes to the 2006 Stanley Cup finale. That was the last time the Edmonton Oilers were in the cup finales. The last time a 8th place team was in the Stanley cup finales before Nashville was...you guessed it: The Edmonton Oilers. Interesting.

So about 1pm today I'm definitely going down to Service Canada. My roe might not be in the mail, but then again they might have it on file already. Anyway, that's all for now.

Closing in on retirement as

its 3 months away and 4 months away, if my health holds up and lets me get there. The good news there is that if I can get something that says I'm on the Federal supplement, I can take that with me and my last CRA notice to the City of Edmonton offices in the Ice district, I can get a low income seniors annual bus pass at $57/year.

An update on the mother of all storms that tore through the city on Wednesday. The storm brought down over a thousand trees across the city. It also brought down power lines causing lots of homes to be without power. I'm surprised the storm never took down our trees out here. The ones outside are over 50 years old. It was quite the storm and I hope we don't get anything like that again. 

Yesterday, I went to the office and got my small cheque, which came with my record of employment (roe). I was expecting shocked (in a nice way) to discover I have 886.5 ei hours. All I'm waiting for now is my roe from my Southside job. I suspect that will be coming in the mail with my pay stub next week. The other piece of good news is our marriage certificate came in. That was fast! It was just a week ago we applied for it last Saturday. Now all I need to do is take that to Service Canada downtown Monday and set that all up, sweet. 

Edmonton transit service (ETS) has issued out notices this weekend ETS will be using contingency bus service from Clareview to downtown. The reason for this of course is the Valley line, currently under construction. Last week on the news, there was a story how the City intends on borrowing something like $190 million to take down two strip malls that have been there since the 1950's. These two strip malls are beside the Grant MacEwan building on 156th/Stony plain road, and the strip mall across the street from the drugstore. There's a big chunk of property that that's been gated off for some time with a red fence around it.

As for me, I'm relaxing this evening. I'll be doing more memory work for a lodge bit I need to do on Thursday. Sunday I've got a rehearsal bit at lodge. Monday, I'm filing that marriage certificate at Service Canada and settling in to watch wrestling and the hockey game. Tuesday I'm calling the office to see what's going on for any work. Wednesday I'm open. Thursday lodge, Friday and Saturday are open. That's basically about it. Anyway, that's all for now.

Last night we had one mother of a evening storm that went

by here. I was watching most of it, here and there doing other things. Apparently we had wind's here in Clareview of up to 107 km/h. Some areas of the city had winds of 118, wow. Of course that brought lots of rain and the wind brought down a lot of branches of some mature trees out here. Other news footage showed trees that were roughly the same size of our trees out here, snapped in half and if not up rooted. Here in Clareview, its all quiet on the Eastern front. Anyway, that's all for now.

About 4pm when Anne came

back from her Doctors we caught a bus out here to Clareview and then up to the Walmart crossed the street and into the Clareview rec centre to renew our annual pass. Then over to Walmart to get some McDonald's dinner. I had a quarter pounder with cheese, medium fries diet Coke and a strawberry ice cream, delish. I checked out temperature and it was +30* outside! We caught the bus back to Clareview and home. 

I settled back to watch the Pittsburgh/Ottawa game 6. If the Sen's lost, that's it. Anne was on face time with her sister, as she was on a 18 day cruise in the South Pacific. Anne said she was invited but other things we're going on here. During the 2nd period, there was another non Canadian team in a controversial (here we go again) This time they ruled it in Ottawa's favour. The War room probably didn't like it but they had no choice. The game was 2-1 in the 3rd and Ottawa hung on to force a game #7 Thursday night. 

First of all, I share the grief of the sick terror attack that occurred yesterday in Manchester with my fellow Canadians. Yet that event last night could have been prevented if local Police checked everyone outside coming in. All police were asking about is if concert goers had water bottles. They should have also sealed off the streets and subway until after the concert. I have the luxury of hindsight here. There is no way anybody could have brought a ied into the foyer of the 02 arena if security would have been better. I'm no security expert and after hindsight being what it is and all, this despicable act of terrorism was preventable. Too be fair though there's only so much Police can do. There has to be a better way of fighting terrorism. My heart  goes out to the victim's families that are suffering here. 

I called my market research job this morning and I never did get a shift, so I asked for my record of employment. Hopefully as the boss had said, it should be at the office Friday. I also called Winnipeg/payroll and the guy that did my last roe, had a voice mail saying he was on holidays until the 31st. Reception said they hadn't done payroll in this office for some time but my contact would know. Normally after I get paid, my pay stub would follow. They used to just send it in the mail but lately the envelope would just be dropped on my desk the following Monday. I got a feeling though, because I'm not there, my pay stub along with my roe will be mailed along to me before I even need to contact the previous payroll officer. Anyway, that's all for now.

I love Sunday afternoons

in the Spring on a long weekend. This weather now at +25 is welcome relief:

                      

The rest of the week looks just as good.

In about 15 minutes or so Anne and I are about to have our late brunch and about ready to enjoy WWE's "Backlash." Should be lots fun. 

Yesterday we were out at the Alberta registry ordering a copy of our marriage certificate. This is going to take until the end of the month to get it in the mail. My Federal Government pension needs this to prove we are married. I can't do anything even on the Provincial level because they will need the same thing. 

So for this week, we have Victoria day long weekend. I might have a shift at my market research job Tuesday, if Not I'll be asking for my roe and my roe from my last job mentioned yesterday. Both of those documents should come in at the end of the month. When I get those, I can apply for ei and after the 4-6 weeks waiting period, I should get something mid July. Unless my market research job has work then that gets delayed by a bit. So, tomorrow its off to the rec centre and renew our annual rec pass. Tuesday, I'm calling about my Southside roe, then immediately following this calling my market research job to see if I have a shift for Tuesday night. If there is no work Tuesday then I'm more or less free until I go in and pick up my cheque Friday and ask for my roe. So, in other words, things are slowing down. Good news is the CFL will be starting training camp June 6th, wu who! Anyway, that's all for now. 

Its been quite awhile that I've had Saturday

off. As of today, no more Saturdays I got caught in a deluge of rain teaming down on me from Calgary Trail/51st Ave to Centre 104. I wasn't quite soaked to the bone. I saw lightning flashes as well. My side of Calgary trail curb hadn't flooded so there was no worry of car splash.

Its kind of bitter sweet for me as my job ended. It means that this will be the last time I'll need a job to pay for the rent etc. If I go back in September, Anne gets one cheque to pay down some bills, and I get the other. In September though, I have lodge dues and I want to pay down Novation Circuit before I get anything else like the Moog mother 32 or the I've got to be invited back for that. My pension pays the rent and some bills. I have no guarantee that I'll be back at this place in September. Most likely my market research job will still be there but they don't get underway until about November-ish. This job in September will keep me going until Christmas. So leaving this job is almost the end of an era for me.

So then today, Anne and I are heading out to the Alberta registry to get a replacement for our marriage certificate. Service Canada needs this as proof of marriage. Same with Provincial. Once we have that, she's treating me to Wendy's and home from there. She goes off to work. Monday we need to go to the rec centre to get our rec pass renewed. Tuesday I've got to call my market research job to see if there is a shift, then Head office of my last job and ask for my roe. Wednesday back to Service Canada with marriage certificate. Thursday apply for the Provincial supplement. Friday back to my market research job to get a cheque and too see what's coming up for the following week. If I get a run-a-round, I'm asking for that row. Anyway, that's all for now.

This has got to be one of the

coldest May's I have ever seen in all my 39 years here in Edmonton. Our high temp was +11 but we're supposed to get to +20 for over the long weekend.

On my way to work on the Capital line with a colleague on the train approaching the tunnel, there was another construction train in the area called The quarters. I had to do a double take. With so much construction going on around here you wouldn't know we are in a recession. There are 5 construction cranes right now in the downtown core and another going up soon with the Encore condo high rise. Plus MacLaren is undergoing excavation. Not in the core but downtown. So, that's 7 altogether and then there's the Valley line. Lots of stuff going on.

I got this out of Connect to Edmonton posted by kkozoriz today so I thought it'd be good for a laugh:

      

Too funny.

Friday morning I'm calling head office of my Southside job (HO is in Winnipeg) and I'm ordering my roe year to date. Hopefully I'll have it by next week. It looks like I'll be needing my market research roe as well. Anyway, that's all for now.

I was at the market research job last night

and it looks like things could be slowing down there. I'd rather things slow down there sooner then later. It fits into my summer plans if it does.

There's few perks for me when I turn 65. Because I'm  low income I could qualify for s low income seniors bus pass at $47 for the year. Sure beats $96 month for adult monthly bus. I get some immediate health benefits as well. Anne gets to have a limited access to that while under 65. At the moment she has some dental pain. Plus I get a small monthly stipend from the province. On Saturday we're going to get a replacement for our marriage license for the gis, which if I don't have work, its something I can do after the Victoria day long weekend and take care of the Province things as well and as soon as I get both roe's I can apply for ei for the summer.

Something I snagged off of a local forum that sums up the Oilers playoff run:
http://edmontonjournal.com/sports/ho...the-meme-ories …


                          

Right now on Coast the topic is about the Bilderberger group. Second half is about remote viewing and psychic skills. Tonight on Coast its about UFO's. Oh boy.

This is the last week of my Southside job until (I hope) after labour day. I want to come back for the fall campaign. I need to pay off my lodge dues and I want to get that audio recorder. Anyway, that's all for now.

Taking a break from doing some

memory work for the lodge June 1st. I do a bit each time. Its a small passage of a prayer I'm doing for a special night in lodge.

I got upon the late side of things this afternoon doing some diary writing, email stuff. Jakob Haq of "Haq attack" updated a video he posted the other day as he was a bit out of sync. The video was a 2 hour long walkthrough of a video he did with a app. That was most of my afternoon. Anne made our late brunch and I watched some of the Preds/Ducks game #2 and watched a bit of Hogan's Heroes. Mostly on You Tube all night. I think other then sports and the news, I'd rather just have You Tube. So it was a lazy kind of day today for Mothers day. Anne was out and about doing her stuff. It's been overcast all day, on the cold side of about 8* if that. I went out on the balcony to get a bit of air around dusk.

This is my last week if my Southside job. I'm not sure if there is a extension. We only met our goal last year because there was an extension. We're not even 50% of our goal. Heads could roll between campaigns when we resume again in September. I'm back at the market research job Tuesday, to see where this is headed and what we're doing next, if anything. I'm back, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (last day of my Southside job) One thing is for certain with my market research job: I'm not going to be playing this "call Friday for an update, (nothing over the weekend, call Monday) kind of a thing. As soon as that happens, I'm requesting my roe. I have more then enough hours for ei from what ei has on file from the Southside job and when this is done for a ei claim. It takes 4-6 weeks before I get anything from the claim. I'm kind of hoping things will slow to a halt with my market research job.

We're getting a bit of over night rain. Our local weather has been on the cooler side this month so far. We had a few warm days last week. Anyway, that's all for now.

One thing I'm not going to miss when

I'm on full pension is getting up early to go into work. I'm aiming for a 4 day work week. Anne even agreed with the same thing. After this session with my market research job working Saturday's will be a thing of the past. After this session, that will be it for me drawing ei. Being on pension has its benefits, apparently. But at least I don't need to hide amongst the bushes.

Yesterday I was making my May payment on my Novation Circuit. I had about an hour to waste so I went to the keyboards section right away. I was surprised that they finally have modular Eurorack products in for sale. They had a double rack mount system by Doepher connected to the Arturia Drumbrute. The case is a bit pricey at $800 but once the initial investment is out of the way, the module strips are very affordable. I'm considering a double case possibly for next year and build a Eurorack system as part of my studio set up. At the store I was able to get a bit of a hands on experience with the Moog Mother 32 (m32). Its a cute boutique synth complete with patch bay etc. Even that was going through the Drumbrute. The m32 is priced around $800. I could either put an account on it or a couple of cheques later and its mine. But again next year. I thought about adding the Zoom audio recorder onto my Circuit account but at the minimum down payment my monthly account would have climbed to $48 and I only had enough on me for the payment and not enough for the device. After  a fun bit of time there, I headed a block away to my bus stop and after a wait there was my #3 that took me to 124th/107 Ave.

Today is the last Saturday of the 2017 campaign at my job on Calgary trail. Next Saturday is the Victoria day long weekend. I defiantly won't get paid for the stat pay at from my Southside job but I could get it from my market research job but not expecting it. Anne's got me a fried egg sandwich  and potato paddies to heat up and I'll have that before I feed the cats and head out of here. When I get home about 3:30pm Anne will make me something, I'll ave a nap, watch a bit of hockey and work on a beat or something tonight. Anyway, that's all for now.

That was the Oilers

season losing to Anaheim, 2-1 The 2 botched goal tender interference calls, multiple other calls officials were told to ignore, helped The Ducks to get to a game #7. "Well Jim what about how the Oilers blew a 3 goal lead in 3:16?" Oh you mean like how The Ducks pulled their goal tender 3 separate times in those 3:16 seconds to get the man advantage 6 players to 5? Not to mention the goal tender interference at the 15 second mark to tie the game? Ok I said my peace. I just hope Nashville can do to The Ducks what Nashville did to Chicago in round 1.

 Enough about hockey. I want to talk about how Trump Fired FBI Director Comey on the heals of what could be sealing the deal over this thing with Russia. Echo's of Watergate? At least Nixon didn't fire his FBI Director. 

Yesterday I went to Canada Place (Service Canada) and finally filed for my Federal pension. All they need is a copy of my marriage certificate. The original one was destroyed. I've got to call Service Alberta today to see how much a replacement one would cost. So, tomorrow I'm on my way to my music store to make a payment and then to my West end job for 4-9 to pick up my cheque. Its a long 4 hour shift. As for today.Anyway, that's all for now.

Things are going to get a bit

stressful for me around here over the next few weeks as my Southside job is about to wind down on the 19th of this month. There could be a outside chance of a 2 week extension like last year but I'm not holding my breath. Next Monday I'll be asking for my record of employment for all ei hours since when I came back to the job in 2014. I had all my hours from Xentel and Malatest for the claim, when I left Malatest in 2015. I recall how much trouble I had then getting my roe from other places. This time, I have just 2 roe's to get and my current job ends next Friday so I'll be calling Head Office to ask for my roe. They sent me a generic roe about a year or so ago. This one will be for real. My market research job didn't have me officially (for tax purposes) on the payroll as they were able to have new employees on a 3 month training period. So there were no ei hours taken off until January of 2016. If it wasn't for my current other job, I don't know what we would have done. I'm hoping I'll have both roe's and enough ei hours. I know I do on my current job. If its just hours year to date then I'm screwed. 

Kesler got booed a couple of times and so did the on ice officials but most of Friday nights game was hardly on the minds of us Oilers fans when the score was 5-0 Oilers the first period. I love how even local journalist wow the 3 goals Anaheim got on Friday without mentioning that Anaheim had a 6 on 5 man advantage and a goal tender interference non call to do it in. They wouldn't mention that. So it was with much glee of delight watching the Oilers win last night to force a game #7 for Wednesday when they beat the ducks 7-1. So its a elimination game either way Wednesday. I thought just getting into the playoffs was a big deal never mind winning round one and McDavid winning the Art Ross. Now in taking the series to a game #7 in round 2? Wow, win or lose, this season to date was a success for the Oilers. No complaints (except for the officiating).

I've got to head out of here at noon for my 1:15pm appointment for imaging at Century park. So I'll need to post this in a hurry, shower and head out the door. I'm getting tested for some compression stockings for my CVI. Anyway, that's all for now.

I was out there by 9am waiting for my

Saturday morning commute to Clareview/Southgate. The lrt was running in my favour. It was a beautiful Spring morning. I love this time of year when everything is all budding and ground conditions are drying out. Except for the light rain we're getting now. I got into work on time, bathroom and got a hot chocolate, my file from the night before and signed in. Let the games begin. We had a really small crew for a Saturday, maybe 8 people. By 11am I had made 100 calls (Grand Prairie) I usually get that in the first half of the shift. I had a "online sale" from the night before. At noon break I had my left over Maximus pizza from Horseshoe lounge just up here by Manning on 137th. I managed another "online sale" from my call back list. 2:15pm came by and time to go. I had a nice stroll passing by the Toyota dealership on Calgary Trail taking my time by Tony Roma's. I could see my #6 bus just to my left and East of me. On the way to Southgate, then home.

I got in the apartment by 3:40pm. Anne was just having a shower. She made me a bite to eat and I had a great afternoon. She had a trip to Walmart to get her balcony flower. A pleasant chore she likes doing this time of year.

I was watching a bit of the Pen's/Capitals game wanting to hear Don Cherry's response to the controversial goal that gave Anaheim that win last night. He basically said it was a bonehead call. That the call was clearly goaltending interference. Ok so lets back this up a bit. We owned the Ducks last night. It was 3-0 Oilers. There was 3:16 on the clock. Very exciting. I had a hunch the Ducks would pull their goal tender for the extra man, 6 on 5. Sure enough they did. Ducks scored on the outside, 3-1 Oilers. Oh, shit. Anne had come in at that time. Then the Ducks pulled their goal tender again (every time when the Ducks were in the offensive zone and had control of the puck) It was now 3-2 Oilers. The Ducks did this again, (this is where the controversial part comes in) remember the Ducks pulled their goal tender a third time. Oilers Darnell Nurse (D) made contact with Ducks Ryan Kessler and he fell into Oilers goal tender Cam Talbot. At first Kessler had his hand on Talbot's leg pad. Grounds for instant goal tender interface and the Ducks scored. The replays Toronto (the NHL situation room) gave the on ice officials was Kessler's hand on Talbot's leg pad. What on ice officials didn't see or what they were not allowed to see was Kessler pulling on Talbot's leg opening up the "5 hole" between his pads that allowed the puck to go in, tying the game. Sportsnet commentators had the footage showing what Kessler did. Pro wrestling rules are better officiated then this. This is the 2nd goaltender interference called back to back, Wednesday & last night. Ok so the Oilers let the Wednesday night one go. There is clearly a bias in this series. Oilers Lucic even asked after the game and pleaded saying something like, "what is goaltender interface? Can somebody call me and please let me know." Even Coach Todd McLellan had no answer. We just don't know anymore. Don Cherry was incensed over this. The Oilers went to 2 over time periods but the Ducks scored in the 2nd OT. And the reaction was how great the Anaheim Ducks were and failing to mention they pulled their goaltender to get the extra man, 3 times. Gary, you have some spalining to do. Well, now tomorrow night is game #6 and it could be a possible elimination game for us. Hopefully this will be reviewed in the off season. Its sickening is what it is. This would never happen against an American team. Cam Talbot made 60 saves last night. The only way Anaheim Ducks could have won last night was by cheating. Shows what kind of a team they are. Its going to be interesting to see how fans are going to react. So much for NHL integrity from the so called NHL officials. Its basically saying that, goaltender interface is ok normal except for the Edmonton OiIers. I'd love it if Connor McDavid would not go to the NHL players awards ceremony in protest, but unlike the NHL officiating he has more class then that. 

Ok, I got that out of my system. Monday I've got to go to imaging. Its located at the back end of Century Park lrt. Most likely they are going to do another ultrasound. Someone at work was saying they prick your feet to see if you have feeling in various places. Apparently I'm going to be in a hospital gown. I mentioned how I'm low income. That produced a pause. I'll have more on this and tomorrow nights game.

Yesterday heading out to

to lodge under sunny skies it was +24* out there. I was sweating even just wearing a short sleeve dress shirt under a wind breaker. I had a great night and got a ride home, which was nice.

On the news yesterday was an interesting story about inter provincial trade barriers here in Canada. These Provincial trade barriers cost the Canadian economy between $50-$130 billion/year. If free trade would open up here in Canada between Provinces it would be the biggest boost to the Canadian economy since the end of the 2nd world war. However there is so much protectionism between Provincial markets, with Premiers protecting their own turf, make free trade difficult within Canada. These interprovincial trade barriers are artificial. Alcohol for example is the 3rd source of revenue for Provinces after taxes and user fees. Of course user fees help pay for services and other things like infrastructure. Its very complicated.

I like the new Facebook backgrounds for posts. I tried this yesterday but for some reason the post disappeared

I got it working this morning. Don't know how useful this will be yet I kind of like them.

One of the most popular toys leaving store shelves this season is the Fidget or spinners. The Fidget is a spinning piece of plastic that is gaining in popularity among kids. Its not just children using Fridget's but other segments of the population such as students etc. Some are saying the spinners help those suffering from ADHA. I don't know how true that is. Sigh so much for the Poke-mon Go fad of last year.

I'm out of here at my usual 3pm for this afternoon for my Southside job. We're supposed to get up to +28. I'll have the Oilers/Ducks game #5 on my mind tonight and hopefully in time to watch most of it. Anyway, that's all for now.

I never made it out to

my pcn for the foot doctor yesterday. I was just too exhausted. I have a normal day today in and out for my 4 hours as the campaign has about 2 weeks away before it closes. 

Not much going on this week. I'm calling the market research job to see if there's any work this week. If so, hopefully I can come in for at least Friday. I've got the job to go to for today, and the hockey game on for this evening. My ride wont be coming in any more until after labour day. So if I can get out shortly before 8:30, I'll be able to get that 8:35 bus to Southgate and the train to Clareview and home to catch the midway part of the 2nd period. Thursday I'm heading out of here early to get to Canada place and get that Gis out of the way. As soon as I can get the Gis letter of acceptance, I can qualify for a ETS annual low income seniors bus pass. Its for $57/year. A lot better then $135/year. Thursday night is lodge. Friday I might have some market research work but if all that fails, I'll have my other job. Its 4 hours/night. Better then nothing. There's been some talk because we're not meeting our goal at the Southside job, that there might be an extension. There was this time last year. I'm not holding my breath. If anything my market research job might have casual work as things begin to slow down this month there. Saturday I'm at the Southside job. 

Then there's the Oilers game tonight, Friday and Sunday if necessary. I have a feeling that this could go 7 games. Even though it was a different game back then Wayne Gretzky's Oilers, it took them 5 years even before the Oilers won the cup. If we lose this series in the 2nd round we did pretty good. Anyway, that's all for now.

I was up at about noon

today and I did some diary writing. It helps me frame in my mind what I need to do for whatever task is ahead of me. There wasn't much c2e email to answer. I emailed our lodge master saying I wouldn't be at lodge practice Sunday night its my only day off of a 6 day work week. Its understood, no worries. I also worked on a better intro in Pinnacle Studio for my music channel. I watched a bit of WWE Payback. Anne made us our usual late brunch and began to watch the Anaheim Oilers game.

I knew Anaheim coming in for game #3 wasn't going to play like they have been over the last few games. They scored within the first 2 minutes of the 1st period. I knew this was not our game. Over to Payback. I went back to the game and it was 2-0, then 3-0. Uh-oh. After a bit more on Payback I went back and the 2nd period was underway. Hey we got ourselves a hockey game and the Oilers scored, 3-2 Anaheim. Then McDavid scored to tie the game. The place went nuts. Then Anaheim scored three more times to end the game at 6-3. Next game is Wednesday.

So I had a decent time as Anne was recording Payback. About 11pm she made me a nice backed pasta as I watched the rest of Payback and near the end gave her a nice 40 minute foot rub. I like the pvr as it allows us to breeze past the commercials. We have Monday night Raw set up for recording so its on when I come home while I'm having my dinner. I enjoyed Payback. On a scale from 1-10 I'd rate it a 8. I'm going to try and get down to Canada Place tomorrow to get some last minute details of my gis sorted out and ask some questions about ei. I'm going to try and get out of here at 2pm. Anyway, that's all for now.