A nice holiday off

I went into work yesterday afternoon, business as usual and I get the silent treatment from the staff for the first half of the night. Not everyone has to acknowledge me. I had to set some people straight about NHL hockey players and hockey players in general and their “huge salaries.” Firstly, not every 3 year old kid makes it to the NHL, because that’s where their careers begin at 3-6 years old. They begin getting up at 6am every winter morning often in -30C weather here in Alberta. They go through the ranks, from Mites-Juniors:
Mite (ages 3-4)
Tyke (ages 5-6)
Novice (ages 7-8)
Atom (ages 9-10)
Peewee (ages 11-12)
Bantam (ages 13-14)
Midget (ages 15-17)
Juvenile (ages 18-20)
College
NHL
And their career could be cut short at anytime due to injury or life in general. It takes a lot of practicing and hard work to make it from Mites-juniors. Usually at Midget or the juniors as we call them here (Oil Kings) get to play at the top level. Very few are drafted by NHL teams. These kids work hard at what they do. They got to be in excellent shape if they want a career in hockey. So when I hear idiots say, “Oh thee multi million dollar hockey players can’t hold down a real job.” Many of these Canadian kids grow up on the farm stacking bales of hay. And not all NHL hockey players are millionaires and not all Pro hockey players are millionaires. Many of them get entry level contracts like $500k to start. For some it’s a $1,000/game Hockey players are prone to broken noses, concussions, black eyes and injuries that can take them out for half a season or end their careers indefinably. Also consider that an NHL hockey player if he goes through his career reasonably healthy his career is about from 18-32. Not many NHL players play past age 32. And when they’re done hockey they go on to something else. Still on hockey Greg and I were watching the Oiler’s in New York and they won in OT 3-2 for 2 points. A 7 game road trip comes to an end and they are in Rexall Thursday.

I ended up around $390 at break and called Anne. The game was over by 7:30pm and I worked out the rest of the night. I was glad to get out of there before Moe makes some kind of statement that Tuesday is a regular working day. My finale total was $785 and 2 CC’s but do I get a job well done or anything like that? I got out before any further preamble and the early train as well and home to watch wrestling.

Raw was pretty good coming from London England. It was a good show with a few surprises. On a scale from 1-10, I’d rate this an 8.5.

So today is Remembrance day. I won’t go into a speech about this except to say I’m a supporter of our troops and the work they are doing in Afghanistan. Also I support our veterans and the sacrifices our troops made in both World Wars and the Korean conflict. Yes I support our troops, “let em finish the job they started.” Most of them wouldn’t have it any other way.

We have a pretty good snowfall developing out there for our first snow. It looks like it wants to stay on the ground but I don’t think it’s going to last. Warmer temperatures are on the way.

Some 8 hours later after the above it’s Remembrance day afternoon. Most countries around the world have something similar. I’m not sure if it’s a stat holiday here in Canada or not but I’m taking today off. My Grandfather J.J. Johnston fought and survived Vimy Ridge and in 1922 went onto become Mayor of New Westminster 1922. That was before my mother was born of course.

Earlier this morning about 4am Anne brought Boots inside. It wasn’t cold out there she just wanted to give the little guy some warmth. He was scared and crying a bit. He didn’t stay long until Anne returned him to the outside. He’s got a little crawl space under a maintenance shed owned by Edmonton housing across the street park.

I’m nursing a nice coffee right now. It’s overcast out there sitting at +0C, which isn’t so bad. What do I care? I’m warm comfortable and enjoying my first coffee.

I’m anticipating Manpower to call me this week. Hopefully before I head into work and I can set up an interview. Even though oil is dropping holding at $58/barrel our local economy is sitting at a 3.5% unemployment rate.

Still working my way through Icewind Dale and once I post this I’m going to delve right into it. I did my piano practicing earlier in the wee hours of the morning. So I’m good to go there.

Anyway Bloggers that’s all for now

e. Jim