This post is a bit of an odds n ends post

as this weekend is has a bit of this and that. I'm not spending any money. Anyday I'm not spending money is a good day. Unless I'm paying bills. Or a birthday treat for myself. Or lodge/chapter dues. Thanks to a certain party, I'll have that covered.

John Lennon reported seeing a UFO from his New York balcony (1974), and Mars moved closest to the Earth since the 10th century, a mere 34.6 million miles away (1924). Perusing the record book for this date, Sylvia Brett, 80 years old, successfully parachuted ('86), Marie Ashton played the piano non-stop for 133 hours ('58), and the world's' largest frog was caught (7.28 lbs, Equatorial Guinea, 1960). Link from Coast to Coast. 

Not a lot going on this week. No birthdays, no outings, I have a project with my iPhone phone 11 as a webcam. The phone has 64Gb memory. I found Camo Studio last year but the cell phone I bought this year. Camo is a free service that aids in setting up a cell phone as a webcam. I want to use it with OBS and DuWan, my iPad screen sharing app. No watermarks on both apps. All using that and my wireless mic also connected to OBS. We'll see how it goes. Anyway, that's all for now.

On August 25th

according to the note on our appartment door yesterday, Canada post will be doing some mod work in the mail room. This will be until just after the labour day weekend. The office will be setting up a table in the lobby for residents to pick up mail from 1:30-2:30pm, weekdays. We mostly get junk mail anyway.

Anne accidently bought a movie last night. We would normally just rent a movie. This was from Telus, not Netflik. So before Anne headed out the door to get our stuff (birthday take out treat for me etc) at Bonnie Doon Mall she had customer service on the line. Anne requested a call back as she got ready to head out the door. I was left behind to take the call. We wanted to request the charges be reversed, which I was able to talk with the rep on the phone about. "Just go by our history, we never order moves." After a pause the rep said that this would be a one time thing and the charges would be reversed ~ 3 days after the next billing dat. I thanked the rep and ended the call. Anyway, that's all for now.

Yesterday was my 73rd

birthday. Wow. 18 family; friends, colleauges, Fraternal brothers & companions. Others as well in TC chat group as well. Thanks to all. Anne bought me this nice chocolate cake with a 73 decoration on it and a scatch and win ticket pack. I didn't win anything on that but I sure won where it counts with many visitors stopping by.

The good times just didn't end with yesterday: Tonight, I'm watching some Smackdown and CFL football. Elks in Ottawa. Look out for that train wreck.. If Elks win in Ottawa, that would be the icing on the cake.

I've been trying different methoods on how to use my Cell phone as a webcam. I thought i would need to have my Rogers iPhone, on the same network as my wifi. Jade Starr did a show on this app called Camo studio. At first it didn't work for me. I followed another video and tried again. Successs! I even have it worked in OBS but I haven't got the audio portion of it worked out yet. My project for the weekend. Anyway, that's all for now.

Just returned from clearing

my mail. Management here doesn't like to have mail left in the mail slot for more then a week. I usually like to clear it out every 2 days. Mail is on the main floor. I thought I'd go outside and get some air. Someone said hello from somewhere. Oh a resident enjoying a smoke. Friendly guy. Jim to Don. We shook hands. We had a nice chat as there were thunder clouds and lightning flashes. My mail slot was empty and I got 1,000 steps so far on the day.

Happy birthday to H.P. Lovecraft, the brilliant writer of horror, fantasy, and science-fiction, which was known back in his day as simply "weird fiction." Born in 1890, he introduced the Cthulhu Mythos, in which characters had encounters with powerful and horrendous prehistoric beings, as well as the Necronomicon, a fictional grimoire of magical and forbidden lore.

While watching video shorts on Facebook, I came across a video of "Supertramp." Goodbye Stranger.. That song suddenly evoked a memory. I was working at a retail shoe store as a stock boy. 1979. I was 26 years old. I remember the manager saying to a few of us while things were slow, how he was going to see Supertramp at the Coliseum. August 7 or 8th. The radio was on in the background playing that song. The manager said to me: "You like these guys don't you Jim?" he said playing an air piano. I cant recall my response That was August 1979. I was dating Ellen at the time. I hadn't seen her since 2005 and that was in passing. She's still in the city. I really miss her. I think of her often Anyway, that's all for now.

What's next in my

Masonic Journey? Will I stay the course and 

work with just my craft Lodge and Royal Arch? That's me September 2024. I thouught about joining Cryptic Rite which is right after where I am now, Health wize, I don't think I could take the next 3 degrees. I'm looking at Scottish Rite Edmonton Valley. Specifically The Lodge of Pefection. Less demands on my health. I'd like to start this journey in February. 

On August 19, 1960, the Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik 5 into Earth orbit, with 2 dogs 40 mice, 2 rats, and a variety of plants. They became the first living organisms to safely return from space.

Anne is taking Skippy into the vet soon for her monthly arthritis shot. One of my colleagues had her cat since a kitten die on her Monday. My wife I feel so bad for Frances. She's a good friend of the family. Anyway, that's all for now.

I usually go

to bed about 4am. (pardon any spelos) When I did my left leg began to throb. We had the AC and the fan on. I took a melatonin pill, but an hour later I couldn't sleep. My leg was still in agony. I might have pulled a mussel. I took a pain killer after that, still awake. I put my compression stockings back on and Anne turned the AC off. About 6:30am I felt better and passed out. I woke up at ~ noon. I think I got about 5 hours of sleep over all. I felt no pain at all, yesterday when I woke up, onward.

On today's date in 1868, French astronomer Pierre Jules Cesar Janssen spotted an unknown element in the spectrum of the sun, during a solar eclipse. The element is now known as helium

Friday night our CFL Elks are brining their 3-6 record to Regina. The Riders have an 8-1 record. and are on a 4 game winning streek to our 2 game winning streek. Odds favour the Riders t0 Win, but you never know. Anyway, that's all for now. .    

I pulled the trigger

as the kids say and I bought the Loopy pro version 2 update. Withh the use of midi, it makes the app the app right up there with groove Rider 2, and Drambo. I'll be uploading a video for my You tube channel on this topic in a couple of weeks.

From August 16th on Coast to Cost: On this date in 1829, the conjoined twins, Chang & Eng, arrived in America from Siam to embark on their exhibition tour. Their condition was the source of the phrase "Siamese twins." On August 16, 

Since last Monday just after the Edmonton folk fest, I've been having vision issues. Mostly blurred vision brought on by Dry eyes. A few episodes of eye drops latter and my vision is almost 90% restored. Anne suggests  the drops go in just before bed. Sorry for any typos. Anyway, that's all for now.

Last night we went yo

Capilino mall Walmart. Our bus ride took longer the normal due to all the side walk renwal construction.. I've never been in this Walmart location before. Anne left me behind to gaurd our carts to travel on a store scooter to get something. I got the scooter when she returned and followed her as we did our shopping and keeping track of the Argo's/Elks game. My sole reason for going was to get a pair of reading glasses to measure against my iPad screen. We got the highest strength one possible. We bought them did some more shopping. Here's Jimmy wheeling in and out around store isles, having a great time

We arrived home, just in time to watch the closing  minutes of the 4th quarter. Anne was putting our groceries away. Argo's 20 Elks 28.  Argo's were 3rd and 10 with under a miniute to play. Argo's QB through a desparate pass to keep the drive alive but turned the drive over on downs. Elks football. The ran the clock down in Victory formatiom for the 20-28 win.

My sister had sent me a message in chat and sent me an etransfer. Early birthday present. What a blessing. Maybe its because i'm the big brother, I'm poor and old and all crippled up. I'm going to get those headphones from Long & McQuade next week.That's the game plan anyway. That's all for now.  

Yesterday, even with my

compromised vision, even the crosswalk symbold would become distorted. Once outside, it wasm't as bad as I thought. My #524 bus arrived on time. I connected with the Valley line LRT and arrived at Corona station only to find the upper to street escalator was under maintenance, and the elevator was out of order. I had to, cane in hand walk 3 flights of stairs to get topside I ordered my breakfast at ~ 11am and left for the General hospital at noon. 

I did my busiess there and out at 1pm. The AADL (Alberta Aids to daily living) authorized my compression stockings. Marko (the guy doing the evaluation) He said the form went to the vender. Shoud be in their hands this morning. I walked back to Tims to meet up with Anne @ Corona Tim's arriiving @ ~ 2pm. She ordered a srink to go. She had her cart with her. We took the train to the University, as our destination was Royal Pizza restaurant. Most other franchise of that name is just a store front for ordering piiza etc for home delivery. We've been here many times before. We boared the #4 bus to Calgary Trail. It was a substantial walk there 

We ordered. I needded a bathroom, and when I returned Anne had left to go to No frills in the same strip mall. Our order arrived as she returned. It was a nice outing. W took the #4 bus to Rickies on98th street and White ave and transfered to the #501 for home.

The big story yesterday, was i ended up with 12, 402 steps😲or 8.53k. 3k /day is about my average, and that's a good day. Sorry for the typos. Heavy eye floaters causing some blurred vision lately. Anyway, that's all for now. 

I slept in latter then

usual this morning and I woke up to blurred vision. More so then normal.. There's a proceedure called Yag lazer Vitreolysis (YLV). I had to use a Yag laser before about 2004 to clear up a posterior capsular haze (cataracts returning). The caveat is Alberta seniors might not cover it because they would deam it as minor surgery. What? 

On today's date in 1934, the first federal prisoners arrived at Alcatraz, the island prison in San Francisco Bay. Though closed in 1963, the prison is said to be haunted to this day by ghostly presences. Anyway, that's all today.

Yesterday our Amazon order

arrived about 5:15pm. Everything was in order. I couldn't use my iPhone, as a webcam because the iPhone is on a different network. I later discovered that I could use it still in say OBS as a separate profile with a separate network.

The Edmonton Fringe Festival is happening August 14th to the 24th. One of my favourite festivals - check out local plays, dramas, comedies, etc. There’s even an improv. event featuring Colin Mochrie! You can visit Old Strathcona to take it in the sights and sounds. Some performances are free, but others will require a ticket purchase. More details on the festival and performances are on this website.  

This week I'm off for my biennial AADL evaluation at the General hospital. They should the results of my ABI scan from last month. After that, Anne want's to go to the iHope. She likes iHope so that's going to be good. Anyway, that's all for now.

A revised

update on our Amazon order is now Sunday. Which is great.

Folk fest weekend is underway underway. Our residence is about 2 blocks away off Connors Road.

It's been a steady staple in Edmonton but was suspended during Covid a few years ago but back in fine form. The Cary West festival is also happening this weekend. We had a nice day of rain, so its a good weekend of outdoor festivals.

Anne did a bottle run earlier and brought me back an A&W burger and fries, and a bucket of KFC. Having a good time today. Anyway, that's all for now. 

My employer's tech contractor

went to work optimizing my work laptop. They do this once a month. For this we get a small stippend several times a year for monitoring the setup process. 

Anne and I made a combined Amazon order. I'm getting a lightning in USB A out to computer twin pack 6 foot cable. Also is a monitor iPhone/webcam holder. Hopefully this will work. I want to turn my iPhone into a webcam. Anne ordered a hand held electric fan. I like this because its magnetic, and the cell phone can slide right up to the edge of the monitor. The mount can even tilt over the monitor. Pretty cool huh? Anyway, that's all for now,

Tueesday was nice

easy and quiet. 

On August 5, 1989 the largest game of Musical Chairs took place in China with a whopping 8,238 participants at the Anglo-Chinese School in Singapore. Three and a half hours later, the game ended with the lucky 15-year-old winner Xu Chong Wei on the last precious chair.

Anne is setting my alarm for me for 9am. The job want's me to power up my work laptop to do some routine monthly maintenance. I don't need to do anything but to power it on. Anyway, that's all for now. 

If I read a fiction book

non stop, I can get it read in a few months, probably shorter if I use audiable books. I'm a slow reader. I'm considering an audiable book service. Try an audio book. This last book I read I began January 4th of this year. I finished it last night. I moved house in March, the job appointments, lodge. All kinds of stuff. Audible lets me join for free, cancel anytime and i get one book I can keep for free. I've never lisened to an audiobook before. I'll try it out. it wont cost me anything. I'd keep these audio books on my iPod. There are a bunch of audio book platforms. I'll be investigating all of them.

This was yesterday but worth mentioning: First observed on August 4, 1181, Chinese and Japanese astronomers recorded a supernova in the constellation Cassiopeia. The phenomenon was visible in the night sky for around six. months.

Not much going on this week. We have no outings. I think I'll go down to the coffee club Wednesday morning for a coffee and muffin I'm usually awake by 9am anyway, that's all for now. 

Summerslam 2025

Was awesome On the scale from 1-5, I'd rate this a 5. This event was full of surprises. The gate attendance was 113,722 in 2 days. Some of those tickets right up close like near the ring we're $1,400 USD. If you haCyour seats for both days, well do the math😀

The only lame match was the steel cage match with Solo and Fatu. Both days had jaw dropping WTF moments. The CM Punk match ending came out of nowhere. I was certain that AJ Styles would win over Dirt Dim. Dirty Dom, was brilliant. So much fun and Anne made a great brunch as well.

I'm not one for champagne: The champagne cork popping record was set by Gary P. Mahan on this date in 1975, popping the cork 103 feet.  I wonder if he ever caught the corck.

I got noghing goind on this week and the 3 day heat wave we've been having here in Edmonton is over. Back to normal temperatures +20-+23°C that type thing. Anyway, that's all for now.

Anne made me a burger and fries

for dinner. We watched the news and "The Twilght zone." It was really good. No spoiler alert. This was

a great episode. We didn't recognize any acters that went on to be big name stars like Agness Moorehead and or William Shatner.

Today it's Summerslam Sunday. The attendance for the show yesterday was 53,000. There were a few surprises. I had to go back to chatch the highlights. Looking forward todays show.

My residence is holding a shuffle board tournament. From what I gather there are already ~ 20 names on the sign up sheet. Also this month TBA the outing is Parkland pioneer museum. Anway, that's all for now.

Last night's Hamilton

Elks game was good up until the last 2 minutes. 28-24. Elks recievers were awesome all game. Then, at the last minute mark Elks got the ball! We got this. With this play it moves Elks to tie for overtime. The receiver was the end zone and the ball was descending into his hands and it bounced out! Our quarter back couldn't believe it. The fan base were stunned. Elks are now 1-6! This team can somehow always find ways to lose.

Wild Bill Hickok was killed in a poker game holding a pair of aces and a pair of eights, which became known as a "Dead Man's Hand" (1876).

Because of that, I missed about 80% of Summerslam Saturday. I caught the last 3 matches and did a rewind for the rest. Summerslam Sunday is the main event with Cena/Cody Rhodes. Anyway, that's all for now.

Friday I went out to

Bonnie Doon Mall specifically to Rogers to pay my cell phone. I'm thinking of a plan around October. $50 including 128gb phone. I'm not sure about the phone part though. After Rogers I wanted to go to the Dollarama but I didn't know where sprcifcally it was located. It was at the other end of the mall. I just needed some sticky notes and white out. But I wanted to check out the mall anyway. Last time (before we moved into the area) I was there was in the 80s. I was waiting a long time for my #524 home. I called 311 on my cell and the bus was an 45 minutes away. I took the LRT home. That #524 is once an hour. I should have to off by Stitches and did Rogers last. I could have made my trip Monday but it's a municiple non stat holiday and bus hours could vary. Saturday is Part 1 of Summerslam and the Elks game. 

I sat on the edge of the flower plant, then headed East to the train and home. Anyhow that's all for now.

Last night was pub night

in the main lounge. Pop a $1 beer $5. Anne was passing by the greeter by the door. The greeter invited her inside but Anne declined because she had her groceries in tow. At a glance there looked like 150 people there Anne said. There's always something going on here. Even afternoon tea this Saturday but that's competing with Summerslam and the Elks game.

On this date in 1930, the radio mystery program The Shadow aired for the first time. On July 31, 1954, an official announcement was made by researchers that Los Angeles smog was caused by the chemical reaction of sunlight on auto and industrial emissions. And on this day in 1964, the first close-up photographs of the moon were sent back to Earth by Ranger 7. Anyway, that's all for now.

Yesterday I woke up to blurred vision. Even worse then before. Anne suggested it's eye strain. I dont see it being much more then that. When I was at the Edmonton eye clinic last month, they tested for Glucoma, no diabetic damage to the eyes. They even gave me an OCT scan, and upon leaving they gave my vision a clean bill of health. Anyway, that's all for now.