I’m 57 years old today. I got 1 “Happy Birthday” from the only one that matters and that’s my lovely wife Anne and from an unexpected source, Anne's sister Donna. My sister in law that took us to Jasper last month. Donna's a speacial lady and a heck of a great person. Not even my family wished me a happy b day. That’s ok, they probably don’t even with each other. My family in Victoria are good hard working people.

I’d say one of the worst birthdays I’ve ever had was my 1997 b-day. It began fine enough. I ha $20 with me and I had to work at a place for “work experience” before I could get set up with Alberta Job Corps. The “job” had me at the Bonnie Dune Value Village and it was on a Friday. It was late in the day and I discovered I had lost the $20. It was all the money I had for the weekend. I felt horrible. I think I had some Cola left over and a few groceries but man, did I feel lousy. I was in bed thinking about this the other night and then realized just before we moved into the new office the year before coming up the escalator I found a $20 bill. This morning I learned a very important lesson: “The law of return,” or whatever it’s called. You might lose something now but somewhere down the road, you’ll gain it back. It be the next day year or even ten years but it will come back to you some way or even in some other form. I tried looking for that 1997 diary but Anne has that stuff all packed away. As I recall that was before I got the Edmonton Sun carrier job and even Silky. I didn’t get Silky until October of that year. The Sun job and Silky came at the same month.

Today it’s off to the job thing and get my cheque and empties. After work I’m calling Audrey’s to let them know I won’t be in this week to buy a book from my special order but I will on Friday. The to call Dale to set up an appropriate time for the Fort Edmonton Park thing. Anne’s working from 5-9pm and I’ll be glad when all that’s over and done with.

I’ve done a lot of Lodge work in 2008-9. I took the Tyler position, did the EA exam went to the Lodge BBQ and now I’m doing the Fort Edmonton park thing tomorrow.

After I come home from doing my banking and all I Anne’s ordering me a Pizza 73 happy birthday treat. It’s their pizza curly fries and chicken bites. I’ll have that (I love their chicken bites.) and watch Smackdown and wind out my birthday. Then I’m up early tomorrow to meet Dale for our afternoon at Fort Edmonton and I’ll be home about 6pm. Then I’ll be able to sleep in on Sunday and Sunday afternoon it’s Summerslam. That’s a nice birthday weekend.

I’m still on a bit of a high from yesterday having the boss say my bank is phenomenal. I don’t know what % wise. The bank is the money the customer sends in from sales.

I’m bringing my camera with me to the Fort Edmonton gig and hopefully take some pictures. I’m looking forward to that. Also tonight it’s BC/Winnipeg. I’ve got a $2 bet going with Roger that Winnipeg will win at home. Lets go Bombers.

Odd how I should mention the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as Anne goes and gets the mail. I get a birthday greeting. A birthday card from Donna. Anne’s sister from Winnipeg and now I’ll be able to get a couple of books from Audrey’s after all. Thanks Donna.

Anyway gang, that’s about all for now.

Jim