Back to work today

as I'm hoping I'll be done for what's left of the summer. If I'm lucky, I could have about 8 weeks off. I've got a few medical appointments and I've been trying to set up my gis. I'm just glad I don't have a "honey do" list.

During Eskimo practice yesterday, coach Jason Mass caught a couple of strange guys in the empty stands. These weren't typical media guys. Also they were taking notes. Coach Mass sent somebody up to investigate. They insisted they're not taking notes. With the Riders in town Thursday, it was suspected that these 2 guys were scouting the players and possible plays. They should have been kicked out of the building. Is Chris Jones that desperate? 

Speaking about sports, I'd be in remiss if I didn't pass along Edmonton Born native past NHL player Jarome Iginla. He spent 23 years in the NHL and played 17 seasons with the Calgary Flames. He had 14 seasons with over 20 goals. If he was an Oiler in 2017 would the Oilers have won the Stanley Cup? Not likely due to Anaheim Ducks game controversy. Yet imagine, a Oilers team with Taylor Hall, Iginla and Eberle? Iginla would have been better as an Oiler instead of playing in Denver, just saying. So now at the age of 41, Jarome Iginla is retiring. What a career. Too bad he played on the wrong side of the "Battle of Alberta."

Its a bit cooler today at +23 and +24 is boarder but it was too hot overnight to sleep comfortably. I'm hoping for an early shift or at least tomorrow so I can watch the game. And I hope that's enough work for now. Anyway, that's all for now.

Normally I wouldn't mind

but it was Chinese Friday, deli Pizza Saturday night and Wendy's earlier last night. Too much fast food. My current weight is ~ 240 all around the middle. Last night it was rotisserie chicken. A nice change from the fast food. I don't mid fast food once in awhile as a treat, once a month but this weekend has been a bit overkill. 

Earlier I've been playing a Steam game called Trove. Its kind of like in the style of Min craft. Mostly the game is keyboard menu driven. The other interesting thing is I can obs screen record with sound. I haven't published any game play to my other You Tube channel.  Shannon on Gaming. Not sure what the TOS agreement is for screen record this game but my site isn't monetized but Steam's whole platform is based on Live streaming anyway. I'm pretty sure its ok to publish this up to You Tube.

I got one day left (today) of my 3 day weekend. I'm hoping work slows down to a crawl this week. Usually we shut down in the summer. Our competition, most likely has already shut down, I'm hoping we're not far behind. Anyway, that's all for now.

Wow, there's been a lot going on

lately what with blood red moons and fires in the Okanogan and California and even in Northern Ontario. Smoke is in the air even here in Edmonton. I'm hoping we're just about wrapping up our projects for what's left of the summer. I'm hoping once this project is done, I can get a couple of months off. 

I think I got Reason 10 installed. According to the web, the demo version doesn't let the user export to wav files and a log in isn't needed. I'm just having trouble loading vst's. Reason isn't picking them up. I even uninstalled my copy of Komplete 8. I'm aiming for the latest version of Komplete, which comes with a external drive but there's some hint on the web that Komplete 12 could be just around the corner.

Coast to Coast is in fine form tonight, open lines talking about ET disclosure and hoping for a press conference 😎 If anything it's entertaining stuff. I'm not saying these people are nut jobs but I'm not saying I'm a true believer, I'm looking at this topic with arms length skepticism. 

Its been a rough week

what with missing "Doctors appointment." That's another story and picking up reason 10 on Monday. I was having domestic trouble, which has eased off. I won't go into any detail. That and having to return a piece of software. With software all sales are finale. On top of that I had a an ok week on the job.

Last night the Esks were at Montreal and we won that game 44-23. We're now 4-2 so far  on the season. Next week the Rider nation will be at Commonwealth (Brick field) look out for that one. 

Its Friday at last and I'm on the eve of a 3 day weekend ✔ I've got lots to do, what with trying to get back to the license page so I can authorize Reason 10 on this computer. There's nothing in the way of sports, however I'm considering a game I'd like to pick up, a PC game, maybe at Eb games or something up the street.

That was the end of my 4 days off

and it certainly wasn't without drama. Look at the trouble happening with the Toronto shooting Sunday. And there's the sabre rattling between Trump and Iran. What I'm happy about is that the Canadian Government owns a pipeline. That's a big deal. That'd be rich if a First Nations band buys it. Apparently someone has expressed interest in it.  

Last year about this time, I couldn't fit into a new pair of running shoes because of my swollen right foot. Thanks to the compression stockings, I bought this last April, the swelling has come down. Now they fit me. Also, the laces that they came with don't flop out of the shoe like the other ones did. I noticed that the laces remained intact, all the way down to the Doctors appointment. I couldn't see the Doctor because he was double booked and I wanted to go to pick up my copy of Reason 10 that just came in this morning. The laces still held together on the way home. Wow. Anne went down to pick up our Royal Pizza as I was having trouble authorizing and downloading my program, in between watching Wrestling. I got the demo version up. Right now its downloading new content.

All in all despite it being overcast, it was a good day. I don't want to return this program. I like reason 10 and the iap's they have are pretty cool. I want to get "Oumph Club drums" and "Captain Keys." So I'm out of here for my short work week. Life is good. Anyway that's all for now.

I've got 2 more days off here and then its back to work Tuesday

for a 4 day work week. Not that I'm complaining. It is summer, K-days and toe is in full swing. There's lots going on in the city, lots of high rises being built: There's The McClaren on 124th street and 102nd Ave, and the Symphony tower, Encore tower downtown, Augastan tower, Stantec and the JW hotel, Corners 5 tower, another tower in the brewery district, plus the LRT plus several office tower proposals waiting approval.   

Yesterday Anne was determined to go just up the street to Londonderry mall on her bike to do some shopping and Taco Time/food court treat for our lunch about 3pm. No sooner had she left when darkling shadows appeared from my view overhead. Anne had been prepared with a insulated bag and rain gear because by the time she got to 50th Street/137th Ave, the clouds let loose with a deluge of heavy rain and crackling thunder. She got caught and I just had to laugh. An hour later after she had done her shopping and the food court, she appeared feeling happy. We normally get this kind of weather in June. I got to admit, this is one of my best years I've ever had here in the City. The weather is good, I'm with Anne, I have a job, I'm on pension which covers our rent, Anne's working and I've got some time off as well. Now watch my Doctors appointment Monday is going to tell me I've got 6 months to live😏
based on the lab report I did last week for blood work. If it was critical the Doctor would tell me to check into a hospital right away. So I'm a little nervous for the 1pm appointment Anne made for me last week, when the office called. Watch out for that one.

K-days and toe and other events got rained on. I just stayed home, working on my LMMS/OBS track, which I uploaded to my YouTube channel and having a good time with LMMS. Something to keep me occupied with until Reason 10 gets here. Anyway, that's all for now.

We just had a very intense

cell overhead that let out a torrent of rain so thick it looked like fog. It most likely put a brief damper on the K days crowd. I hadn't seen that much rain in one session since the 1987 Tornado. I was in my mid 30's at the time. Hard to believe, 31 years ago.

I'm not that far away from obtaining a new Mac mini. I could see that in my summer forecast. I can't disclose how or why but I might be able to be in a position to get the computer at 50% off. I'm looking at possibly the middle of next month, if all goes well. I'm going to install Reason 10 on that when I get it with the super drive as well. 

I had 2 medical appointments for Monday. One my wife set for me because I'm having Monday's off, the other one I set weeks ago. The one I set weeks ago have been trying to call me. I managed to get ahold of the place and they said they called because a conflict in their scheduling. Of course they didn't  know of my Doctors appointment, so that worked out well. So we booked that over the phone, which worked out well for everyone. Anyway, that's all for now.

For decades now

a "Taste of Edmonton" (toe) has been situated at Churchill square park. Its a nice event where the many restaurants in the city set up a booth/tent where Edmontonians can sample their dishes etc. This year toe was forced to move because of lrt construction, so now they are situated on the legislature (ledge) grounds. I'm thinking about going Friday to check out this "smoke ice cream." Its kind of a deluxe ice cream with dry ice. The Province also allowed to have beer served as well. I hope they keep this event at the ledge where they have more space but that's no problem < hey wait now isn't that a double negative? 👀

Wow David Hasselfhoff turns 60! Amazing. Why? I'm not that much older. I liked the Hoff  (as he likes to call himself) in Knight Rider. I never got into Bay watch. I was rather surprised at hearing this nears earlier. 

I'm in for my 5 hour shift and tonight is my "Friday night," as I have 4 days off because I Worked Monday😃. The only taint in this is I have a Doctors appointment Monday.  Anyway, that's all for now.

Trying to beat the heat here

as its +32. I'll be on that #5 and its going to be ten degrees warmer in there. Next week, we're back to +21's that sort of thing. My type of weather in the summer. Coming home at 9pm, its going to be +25, uggh.

I'm on day 2/4 and I'm about ready to head out of here in an hour after a bite to eat. Anne's got a few days left on her 4 days so she wants to see a movie tonight. She's Keen on going to see Sky scrapper. I'm kind of meh on it. I'll watch it on Netflix. Anyway, that's all for now.

I'm holding down the fort having a night off

by myself. I'm ok with this. First and only night off by myself since last week. However I was asked by the boss yesterday if I could come in Monday in lieu of another day off. I called about this to Super and I'm having this Friday off. We're just trying to wrap up a project Monday/Tuesday.

I was supposed to go to Fort Edmonton Park and volunteer at the Masonic museum there. Usually we have 2 members from our lodge show up. I like going, but I couldn't get anyone to pair up with me. I emailed our secretary and said I have a prior engagement. So we had no crew today. 

I came up empty playing blackjack last night. I didn't win. There's no sure thing and I'm just a casual gambler anyway. I was more concerned over the Argo's/Eskimo's game at Commonwealth waiting in the bus shelter as it was raining last night. I got to Corona and checked the game. Just a few minutes left in the 4th quarter 12-16. When I got home it was a Eskimo win 15-16. We won, but not by much. looks like it was a boring game. Anyway, that's all for now.

Its the end of the week

for me at last. Because its Friday the 13th quite often for me, is one of my favorite days, why? Because its one of my luckiest days almost, every time playing blackjack scratch and win tickets. I win. However, its only at this one undisclosed location on my way to work. I win playing blackjack almost always on this day. I'm not saying its a sure thing ✨.The "secret" is to buy just 3 tickets and play them on location at the vendor, not off site. So, we'll see.

Tonight its the CFL Argo's/Eskimo's rubber match. Weather tonight indicates that at game time we're going to have thunder/lightning. I'm leaving out of here about 2:35pm like I did earlier yesterday get my blackjack tickets and play them before work. Then Saturday go to my music store take out an account. I'm getting Reason 10, then home to play with that all night. Then late Sunday afternoon after brunch, I'm getting a lift out to Kelly's (extreme West end) for a lodge meeting. I'll miss the Eskimo game but one of the guys at work tonight will keep me updated. Life is good. Anyway, that's all for now.

Not that I'm

claustrophobic or anything but this blogger would never get caught in a cave situation.
The soccer club in Thailand boys trapped in the cave system must be under a lot of stress. Some of the boys were able to be freed, while others remain. Lets hope for the best in the next few days.

This just came out of nowhere but I remember taking a few Greyhound bus trips myself in the 1980's. I first learned on the c2e forum that Greyhound will cease operations in Western Canada. This is bad news for about 2 million people that depends on this service. Over 400 employees will lose their jobs, including many drivers. Some of these drivers worked for the company for 30+ years or more. Low ridership was the reason for the move. That and low cost airlines. 


Anne and I had to go to the lab for blood work. I had a Doctor's appointment before that at 1pm. I had some ear wax build up as well to remove. So, we decided to meet after our respective blood work in the Backer clinic downtown. Anne had her session before me then next was my turn. We decided to walk up to City Centre mall to the food court. Even though the day was warm, it was a good walk. We got the 2 teen burger deals and fries combo for $12. Anne got Chinese food, and an apple turnover for me for later. I thought about getting a micro sd card from The Source (Radio Shack) I needed the sd card adapter mostly but I found a usb card reader, card and adapter all in one package for about $12. The build quality wasn't that good for the card reader but all I need it for is for my Nintendo sd card holder so I can Homebrew my XL. Anyway, its back to work this afternoon. That's all for now.

During this time of year is when we get a lot of unsettled

weather. Today we have had off and on rain showers and a high of about +20, if even that. Apparently that figure of 90 death's due to Eastern Canada's heat wave I mentioned yesterday has been reduced to 54. Still that's a sad record. We got a +28 on Monday and a few +25's in there. I don't mind the odd 1-2 days of heat then 4 day's of about  +18-23.

I was so preoccupied with the track I was working on, that I forgot about the Esks/Argo's game. I caught up with the game during the last 8 minutes or so of the 4th quarter. At that time it was 17/12. Argo's had the ball and scored a major, and a 2 point convert. Ok so its 17-20 for them we had time on the clock. We had the ball for like less then five minutes for a quick 2 and out. Argo's held the last play of the game to run out the clock for the W. With Eskimo's 2-2 record, we'll meet up with them again next weekend. I published the track on You Tube. For some reason, it didn't turn out the way I wanted.

Good news. I found a regional radio station that broadcasts Coast to Coast am, since Our local radio station took it off the air. The "new radio station," Airs the show 1am - 7-am. CKFR 1150. Thanks to the Tune in Radio app, I can listen "live." Right now the topic is some Kentucky haunted prison. Not a topic that interests me but at least I found a regional radio station that broadcasts Coast to Coast am. Anyway, that's all for now. 

Its been an easy week

what with work and all. Leave out of here at 3pm in by 4pm, 5 hours and 1 hour travel commute home, Tuesday through Friday.  The only deviation was Thursday when I went to Best buy across the street for my Logitech C270 webcam. Other then that, not much else going on. 

Some friends of mine are traveling to Winnipeg, where they will be there for a couple of weeks on summer vacation. The weather in Eastern Canada has been making headlines. Earlier this week I said how this heat wave was nothing like in 2010. Excuse me? So far the heat wave has been responsible for the deaths of 50 people! And here I am with my petulant whining about it being +30 yesterday afternoon. At the moment its +17, which is a bit better.

Anne ordered us Pizza/Pizza with her staff discount. Mine was good but she had too have hers returned for a replacement. Stingy green peppers.

So this afternoon I'm following the Esks at Toronto Argo's. Ricky Ray got injured. its a 3:30pm start. Anyway, that's all for now.

Our local weather is nothing compared to what they have been having in Toronto

where its been so hot the summer heat has been buckling pavement in some places. Its not like in 2010 when 10 people died from the heat. Six have died in Montreal already. I've been hearing temperatures of +41C or 106F degrees. That's crazy. We've been blessed with local high temperatures of +20. We're supposed to get 26 and 31 Thursday and Friday. Today in Toronto they finally get a bit of relief where right now its +27 but its still morning. In Ottawa its +35! We're at a comfortable +17 and mostly overcast. I'll take this any day. At least its comfortable  in the office at work.

Ok so I can get obs studio to work, sort of. Its not a all in one out of the box situation for me. I'm trying to record audio/video like game play out of a daw (digital audio workstation like garage band) and video at the same time. Now this works fine for game play. I used obs to record a bit of one of the free games that came with my Windows 10 install over the weekend, when I was trying to activate my Window's license. I didn't publish the results of that game play recording. I'm happy with that😊I'm going to download Virtual Advanced Squad leader (VASL) after I post this. That's the kind of gaming I like to do. Ok, back to my dilemma. The problem is obs doesn't want to recognize ASIO (Audio Stream input/output) and this is the language recognized as the industry standard in computer electronic music. I've been using it for years, its free. So I found a bit of a work around. When I sequence a song in my licenced copy of Cubase 6, and as it plays back ok on my computer, I just bounce the audio rendering it into a Wav file onto my computer desk top. All daw's allow for the exporting (bounce) of the audio. I let obs record the screen (making sure the transport control/play head lines up properly before I hit play and take that video out of where obs sends it. I create a new folder, out both audio and video in the folder and upload it using iCloud/iDrive. From there go into my Luma Touch app on my iPad i0s 11.2.4, start a new project in luma click on iDrive and there are my 2 project sources. All I do is drag and drop into luma. Luma Touch lines everything up. I can add annotation, like emoji's and text etc over that. Upload, and publish. It's really slick.

So I'm enjoying my first coffee, checking out my email. etc before I head out of here for my 4-9. Its an hour in work 5 hours and an hour home. Its a short week because of Canada day. I tweaked my availability for the summer etc for Tuesday-Friday. I'm hoping we'll slow to a stop in the next couple of weeks. I need a summer break. I'm slowing down anyway to work just 4 days/week when work resumes in the fall. I like my job and the hours. For the most part, management leaves me alone. I get home around 10pm. Anyway that's all from me.                  

Having a nice long weekend

that started Thursday night, so I have including today 2 more days off. I adjusted my summer hours but I'm going to make a slight tweak and have Friday, Saturday, Sunday off. I need two days off to myself.

Its Canada Day and looks like a trade war is about to escalate between Canada and the US. From my "research" nobody comes out the winner in these kinds of things. Canada got hit with tariffs on steel and aluminum. Trump whines that Canada's diary supply management system is unfair but the supply management system is nothing compared to the $Billions of subsidies the US already offers on its own diary industry. The problem with the diary industry for example is that the state of Wisconsin alone produces more milk then the whole of Canada. The real problem is the oversupply of milk that drive prices down. American farmers already export five times as much dairy product to Canada — under tariff-free quotas worth over $550 million a year — as flows in the other direction. Personally I don't mind free trade as long as its fair and balanced.

The other night at Commonwealth stadium, our Edmonton Eskimo's (EE logo on helmets) or Esks, hosted the BC lions. I didn't watch the game but it was military appreciation night as 29K showed up. The CFL is basically AHL level quality. Just a small portion of the 9 teams are competitive. Back in the 90's we'd get about 40k in attendance and occasionally about 50k. I think the reasons for the slow attendance lately is there are other entertainment options, like the Edmonton Prospects (Baseball) that posted a perfect game the other day. Plus there is other things in the City going on like the Works festival near the ledge etc. I'm hoping as the Esks win more games (now 2-1) attendance will be up. The home team won Friday night 41-22. 

This week I'm back to work Tuesday-Friday, from 4-9. I was offered 1-9 but I can't do those hours anymore. They are taking their toll on me. I don't want to be working full time at the age of 66 (August) closing in on 70. So I scaled my days back Tuesday-Friday, 4-9. I've had a couple slow years in the 70's and 90's but since after my back operation in 1968 I've been more or less working steady. Even more so since Anne and I got married in  2000. Anyway, that's all for now.