Anne served us up a nice platter for our New Years evening. I just had a thought about Dad. He would have been 86 years old today. He died 12 years ago. Mom 4 years after that. God love them.

The other though I had is about Dennis C. Especially April 1979 when I was chasing after Ellen. My parents were still with me and living here in Edmonton. I remember a lot of times taking the grayhound bus into Leduc where Dennis used to live. Dennis wasn;t really interested in Ellen but I thought he was. I recall how I'd take a bus out to Leduc right after work almost two or three times a week for while there. Now that I think about it I think it was for about a week. I recall some nights coming home early and the sky would be overcast with spots of dark blue. I have a  memoryof him and I in the Leduc Main street hardware store and he was enamored over a green flare or some kind of green jelly. I think I was more concerened about going back to his place near his phone in cased Ellen was calling him. Hard to believe that was 29 years ago. I really miss those days. I ran into Dennis last time was in 1983 on the #10 bus (as it was called at the time) He was in a mohawk haircut sporting a punk rock look. There wasn't much time for catch up as I was coming home from work at the time I think living at Trudy's.

Prior too the platter served up we watched the news. Global was the only network that was carrying the fireworks from First Night Churchill square park. The Mayor came on and said how we have 13 minutes of fireworks. Too long, but wow, were they ever a sight to see over the blue lighted pyramid of City Hall. Well worth it. Hard to top that Xl.

This afternoon once I’ve had my morning coffee I’m going to call Mike & Doris and wish them a Happy New Year.

I did a bit of piano practice but just before I ended my last session on the computer I ended up emailing Markus. I’m going to remove that long Mission Statement for a more smaller one. It doesn’t sound like he’s overly enthusiastic about changing my theme. I want the white font on the black background because it’s easier on my eyes. Orange and grays are not my style and hard on my eyes. Same with just black on white, gets hard after awhile. I want something simple and maybe only a few scripts. But that Orange and Gray has got to go.

Okay, this week I’m dreading Wednesday because I suspect Wednesday or this week, we’re going to be hit up for a huge rental increase. If not this month, because they will want to have the increase come into effect by April 1st. We have a 3 month grace. It’s either in the middle of the year or near the end. I know one thing if it’s a $300-$500 increase then I don’t know if Anne and I can continue living here. We like it because it’s convenient to everything but I wouldn’t mind something down by the Lodge. Even if it’s a one bedroom apartment. There’s two factors that will let us stay here. #1-we get rental subsidy. #2-I get a substantial increase on my hourly rate. I’d like to be able to keep the status quo going but Rob won’t give me more money until I put in more hours. Now I’d put in more hours but I’d need at least $15 just to stay there. I’d settle for $12. If I can get the security guard job they’ll pay me $16. I might have said this before but I’d like to get the guard job first part time. If I can get the licensee then I’ll be asking Rob for more money. “I’ll give you $13 if you can give me 34 hours/week.” I’d say sure as long as I have Saturday and Sunday off. I’d swap Lodge nights for Saturdays. This would basically get me about $385/week after taxes and I'd still do Cw for him. If he can't give me $13 then I'll take the sgj and do Cw part time. I don't want to burn my bridges with Rob and Xl. But the big thing I'm dreading is a rental in crease. Come Wednesday afternoon I'm out of here a bit early to get Rob to sign the employer part of the paper work. As soon as the rental notice comes in Anne and I are going to submit the rest of the rental subsidy form If we can even get $300/month Anne would be happy.

It’s not so much I don’t like working at Xl, rather I’m tired of working at Telemarketing. Xl is stable. The money’s no good just get a grip on yourself.

I want to so some practicing but I’m feeling pretty tired and wiped out now.

Happy New Year everyone.

Anyway, that’s all for now

e. Jim