Neil (Sci-fi) couldn’t make it to the Lodge last night. This makes it twice in a row now he‘s missed a meeting. My 2002 EA initiation mate (Nathan) was attending Lodge and he said he’d be more then happy to pick me up at about 6:45pm. We got to Lodge early. It wasn’t that bad out there. For a fella that’s supposed to receive his 60 year bar we could have had a better turnout of members. I think a lot of people were watching the last Oiler game of the season and were slightly distracted by that. Also, the Shriner’s were not there to make their presentation. The Lodge meeting itself went by really fast. We tiled and closed within an hour. We had 2 tables for the festive board and the usual submarine sandwiches. I had a Molson Canadian and sat at the director of ceremonies table. We were out of there by 9:30pm. Normally we’d be out of the Temple by 9:30pm. Seems we lost brother Chris. He went through being WM and seems he’s disenfranchised with our Lodge and he’s now over at Stratchconna. We had 22 people at Lodge last night. I was there.

After Lodge, Nathan drove me home as we were listening to the Oiler game on the radio. 1-0 Oiler’s late in the 2nd. Any luck at all and I’d get home to watch all of the 3rd period. The best news is the Oiler’s became the spoilers and won 2-1 ousting the Canucks out of the playoffs. Compared to the Flame’s fans, Vancouver Canuck fans suck. (Sorry Mike and Jeff) They boo their own team on the ice and cheer when they get a goal and when thing don’t go well, they boo. Even last year with losing about 18 strait games our fans still stuck with our team. Even though Kevin Lowe got booed for trading Ryan Smyth a few times. Our fans still stuck with the Oiler’s. Vancouver hockey fans are embarrassing and they get what they got. Our guys went out on a good note. Even Calgary hockey fans even though they still go “Oiler’s suck,” they got behind us in our drive for the Stanley Cup finale in 2006. So now I’m pulling for Calgary. “Go Flames Go!”

Since I signed out some of the tools in the Google packs a few days ago, as good as the service is, it‘s really slowing down my computer. What took about 20 minutes for my computer to boot up now takes 45 minutes before I can access my desktop. Sure, I need some more Ram and all and when I get that, I’m sure the computer will speed up just fine. I also need a 1 touch back up solution as well.

Today it’s into work for my 1:30pm-8:30pm shift. If Rob gives me a hard time for missing last night which was my regular scheduled Thursday night off fine. I don’t care anymore. I get the impression that my being there is a burden to Xl. I’ll mention this next time he wants to rag out on a part time guy. “Wow, Rob, I didn’t know that my being here was such a burden to you.” Trouble with him it’s never good enough. I get $700 as a top total for the room and he’ll go, “You could have got $800.” I can’t wait for the day I can take early retirement. If I can collect welfare and take my pension out at 60 until my old age comes in, I’d jump at the chance in a heartbeat. I’d get my toys now and August 21st 2013, I’d collect my early CPP early retirement go on work part time and call it a career at Xl. I might work someplace else but it won’t be for Xl.

This week it’s only one book. I’m considering getting Chris Roberson’s “Dragon's of the 9 Sons." Science Fiction novel, Chinese and Mexicans in space?  Bring it on.  

Anyway Bloggers, that’s all for now.

e. Jim