About 1:30am this morning I decided to test my bsl. It was up 15.1! What could have made it climb so high I had no idea. However I did know of a way to bring that number down: A good walk around the block. Getting out of here though was not without a casualty. Anne was tired I was tired and she stumbled against the wall trying to dodge cats and hit a glass wooden mirror frame we had hanging up since I moved in. It’s been in the same spot in the hallway since I moved here in November 2000. The frame is still intact but the glass is shattered. I don’t recall if the glass had decoration etched on it or not.
I took the glass out in a garbage bag she had got for me and I decided I’d go for a walk from out behind us here to Sifton School and down to the church to 50th street and up along 137th Ave and home. I was starting out pretty good too. I was down by the old traffic trap by the school and I did not need to sit down at the bus stop there. It was so dark out there I could have used night goggles. The sidewalks in the area are some 30+ years old with large cracks and ruts running down some of them. I could see and avoid those while keeping a brisk pace. I was at 50th and 137th by the church and at that bus stop I still didn’t need to take a break. What with my hunched over back and all it being close to 2 am I thought I’d be pulled over by the Police. I took one sit down break by the bus stop before the one I wait at every day and sat there for a few minutes and moved on. There, pulling into Superstore and the Clairview shopping mall area was you guessed it, a Police car. It was going the other way and I was just about ready to head to the front door of our apartment and inside.
I had built up quite a sweat from that little walk and tested myself almost immediate. In that short 40 minute walk my bsl went from 15.1 down to 9.0! That’s quite substantial. I took my insulin and went to bed after that. I woke up about 4:35am and I could never get back to sleep again after that. About 7:30am I read for about 20 minutes and that made me drowsy enough and I slept somewhat better after that.
This morning I was up at about 11:50am and watched the markets and our local news. Wow, the Dow moved up about 190+ points. I went back in history February 15th 2008 the Dow was sitting at 12,348. It’s highest before the recession slide was May 16th when the Dow was sitting at 12,960. Then the news about Fanny Mae and Freddie Mack broke and the market slid to it’s lowest recession point March 6th at 6,626. It’s lowest since January 2nd 1997. The highest the DJIA was on October 5th 2007 when it was at 14,164! Wow. Some other interesting economic news locally is that the big merger between Petro Can and Suncor is going to result in lay offs of some senior officials. This time a year ago Petro Can reported earnings of over a billion dollars. Now they’re barely pulling in about $77 million. Some other economic news about 50 of the major top 500 companies/corporations have reported (not to me) they have met or exceeded their expectations so far this year so far. As for Capital X it seems that 717,966 took in this years 10 day event. This was slightly down from last year at 743,375. The fair's all-time record 10-day attendance was 810,503, set in 2005. The main reason for the drop in attendance and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out: We had the Edmonton Indy raceway going on at the same time but a contract between the Indy race track organizers and Northlands say Northlands can’t release Indy attendance figures. Why I don’t know. No news of what the Edmonton unemployment rate is at the moment. Stats Can Won’t have those figures for July until about mid August but I think it‘s around 6%. And finally about the economy: I think I now know what Microsoft’s big announcement was at this weeks Comic Con. It’s a limited merger with Yahoo and Microsoft. Yawn.
Head on the heals of Comic Con of Course is World Con and that’s in Montreal this year. I’d love to go. Maybe when I win the $23M on Saturday right?
We’ve got a bit of a light rain going on in the City right now to cool things off a bit. They say we’re supposed to get some thunder and lightning activity later this afternoon. Poor Denise Hurd is suffering through +34C degree heat today. I don’t know if it will ever get that hot. In all my years living in the lower mainland in the 1970’s I don’t think it ever got that hot. According to weather data history though the record high was in July 1951 at 91F or +33C a year before I was born. We began to employ the metric system here in Canada September 6th 1977.
Last night I began playing around with my Google News Reader. it's a cool application and I think I'm going to begin using it more and more. Also when I get the Iphone I'll be abole to intergrate the two together. Last night I fooled around with the "Bundles" application in the Google Reader. it's got some bugs.
Finally, tonight, I’m going in for the 5-9 thing. I’m going to get as many empties as I can and work out the shift. The highlight of the night is the Edmonton/Montréal CFL game on tonight at Commonwealth. That’s about the only highlight of the night other then I’ll have some time to myself because Anne’s working from 5-midnight. Other then that, not much going on.
Anyway gang, that‘s all for now.
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
it's in the little things
My wife and I got out of here about 1:20pm yesterday and we road the new look LRT train, she tripped getting on board but recovered ok. We rode the train into Central station, then to the bank I got a replacement debit card and was able to talk with someone about investing. RBC has something called Self-directed investing. I got some pamphlets and then we went into City Center phase 1 Mall food court. Weather wise it was very nice out there. Warm and Sunny and I wore my runners for a change. We decided to go to Ricky’s but after Anne sat down and looked over the menu didn’t see anything she liked so we ended up going over to Taco Time instead. We took a very crowded train home and I did some Internet stuff and called Neil about 5:30pm. His wife said he’s going to Lodge and would pick me up. Sure enough he came by at about 7pm.
We got to the Lodge and some of it was already being set up. I got to work on helping set up of what was remaining and because we were receiving a high District official, I was given a few lines to say to announce him and his entourage into the Lodge. I screwed up getting the Tyler sword. Receiving those lines sort of caught me off guard. I began to make the announcement but thy weren’t ready inside. After a bit then I was. We did some balloting as well and I screwed up there but it was no big deal. Also I was last to ballot and the WM had me in the spotlight informing me who was being balloted etc. It was kind of scary. I screwed up in that part to. J who was our master of ceremonies in his British accent took me aside and admonished me properly in a nice way and taught me how to do a few things. I’ll know better next month. I helped put the Temple furnishings away and went out for the Festive board. I bought a Stella (beer) and a can of diet Coke. I even got up to say a few things and got a nice round of applause. We had a great turnout of guys there tonight. It was a fun night. G took it upon himself to ask me if he could drive me home because Neil had some other things going on and I felt better about that. All in all, everyone felt really good about the evening. Sure I embarrassed myself a few times but it was a learning experience. I had a great time. A lot of guys that are in trades are feeling the effects of the economy.
If anything what this crisis is going to do is force people to be more productive to keep their jobs. It’s the little things that count. Anne and I were talking about this as well on the train ride downtown yesterday that some people at her place of work are more productive on a 4 hour shift then she is on an 8 hour shift only because they “sell” more Piazza’s products. And she’s conscious of this and she realizes she’s got to sell more. That’s what this economic crisis is going to do, is force people to work harder. Be better performers on the job. It’s not going to be the magic bullet that will keep my job but at least it will help me to contribute to the overall climate of productivity. That’s what’s going to pull us out of this economic mess not me alone but all of us together being more productive. Ask yourself what did I do today on the job that I can improve upon tomorrow? Focus on one thing and do it as best as you can. It’s the little things that count.
As for here in Alberta this current economic crisis might last us a another year or even 5 years but it will also force companies to keep their costs under control. They can separate the wheat from the chaff. Get rid of the slackers that don’t want to work that are only in it for a pay cheque.
Earlier yesterday afternoon when we got home from our trip downtown, I stumbled upon Ferguson’s music here in Edmonton. They’re located by the Inglewood area on 118th Ave. They’ve got an interesting teaching music concept and that is you take lessons to buy out your instrument. I already have a piano but I wouldn’t mind a full 88 Upright piano. Mostly I’d love an upright piano like a Mason & Risch or a Baldwin but theses uprights new would cost around the $5K range easily. Even if I took weekly piano lessons for 5 years it would take me about 250 lessons to pay for it. But Ferguson’s said I might be able to go in Saturday’s after work. Not just that but in five years I’d not only get good value for my money but also if I keep going for 5 years at $18 a half hour that’d be enough to get me a new upright piano and lessons as well. In theory. I’ll have more to say about this on Saturday. The other thing I’m seriously thinking about doing is diversifying my skill level in what I can do job wise. Sure, nothing is safe from an economic downturn but one thing I’d like to do is to take a few courses in Accounting bookkeeping. Academy of learning has course for 2 hours each Saturday morning. I can always sub a Saturday for a Sunday. Like I’ve said that before.
As for today, it’s into work and off to buy a book and get the MM forms for my website. Then Saturday I go over to Ferguson’s and check that out and on my way home, I go to MM and pay off my website then maybe go get a bite to eat somewhere and home for a nap. There’s an Oiler game Saturday but it’s an afternoon game on at 1pm. We’ll be able to see the first hour but then there’s a Sunday game in Minneapolis vs. the Wild. The Oiler’s won Thursday night…….. 12;55pm> Again I was in bed early this morning and awake about 9:30am. I laid in bed and dozed off here and there. It was my wife’s noon alarm that woke me up for the news and markets. Only oil was down by a bit.
Around the Blogsphere etc on Coast tonight: In the first two hours, researcher and lecturer David Wilcock talks about 2012, as “the year our DNA changes.” Oh…K. Over there at Fantasy magazine, Naamen Gobert Tilahun is talking about Stargate Atlantis and has some interesting things to say. Also, I added Scifi chick to my list of links page. Right under Scifi guy, naturally. Now back to reality again:
Angus Watt doing the markets and more was talking about the Obama stimulus package. Right Obama is trying to appease the Republicans to make the bill a bipartisan bill both sides can live with. In order to get the economy rolling again the banks need to feel more comfortable lending money. Obama wants to cover the banks losses (if any) That should encourage the banks, like City Group, Bank of America, etc to get money circulating and get credit moving again free up credit. I think it’s good strategy.
The other day, I mentioned in my “Runner” review high hopes for the sequel “Logos run” would be better. It sure is. I hope to have this book read in about 10 days or so.
I’m writing this on the fly as this afternoon I’m out to the job thing and because I didn’t get my cheque last night I’ve got business to take care of tonight.
Anyway bloggers, that’s all for now
e. Jim
We got to the Lodge and some of it was already being set up. I got to work on helping set up of what was remaining and because we were receiving a high District official, I was given a few lines to say to announce him and his entourage into the Lodge. I screwed up getting the Tyler sword. Receiving those lines sort of caught me off guard. I began to make the announcement but thy weren’t ready inside. After a bit then I was. We did some balloting as well and I screwed up there but it was no big deal. Also I was last to ballot and the WM had me in the spotlight informing me who was being balloted etc. It was kind of scary. I screwed up in that part to. J who was our master of ceremonies in his British accent took me aside and admonished me properly in a nice way and taught me how to do a few things. I’ll know better next month. I helped put the Temple furnishings away and went out for the Festive board. I bought a Stella (beer) and a can of diet Coke. I even got up to say a few things and got a nice round of applause. We had a great turnout of guys there tonight. It was a fun night. G took it upon himself to ask me if he could drive me home because Neil had some other things going on and I felt better about that. All in all, everyone felt really good about the evening. Sure I embarrassed myself a few times but it was a learning experience. I had a great time. A lot of guys that are in trades are feeling the effects of the economy.
If anything what this crisis is going to do is force people to be more productive to keep their jobs. It’s the little things that count. Anne and I were talking about this as well on the train ride downtown yesterday that some people at her place of work are more productive on a 4 hour shift then she is on an 8 hour shift only because they “sell” more Piazza’s products. And she’s conscious of this and she realizes she’s got to sell more. That’s what this economic crisis is going to do, is force people to work harder. Be better performers on the job. It’s not going to be the magic bullet that will keep my job but at least it will help me to contribute to the overall climate of productivity. That’s what’s going to pull us out of this economic mess not me alone but all of us together being more productive. Ask yourself what did I do today on the job that I can improve upon tomorrow? Focus on one thing and do it as best as you can. It’s the little things that count.
As for here in Alberta this current economic crisis might last us a another year or even 5 years but it will also force companies to keep their costs under control. They can separate the wheat from the chaff. Get rid of the slackers that don’t want to work that are only in it for a pay cheque.
Earlier yesterday afternoon when we got home from our trip downtown, I stumbled upon Ferguson’s music here in Edmonton. They’re located by the Inglewood area on 118th Ave. They’ve got an interesting teaching music concept and that is you take lessons to buy out your instrument. I already have a piano but I wouldn’t mind a full 88 Upright piano. Mostly I’d love an upright piano like a Mason & Risch or a Baldwin but theses uprights new would cost around the $5K range easily. Even if I took weekly piano lessons for 5 years it would take me about 250 lessons to pay for it. But Ferguson’s said I might be able to go in Saturday’s after work. Not just that but in five years I’d not only get good value for my money but also if I keep going for 5 years at $18 a half hour that’d be enough to get me a new upright piano and lessons as well. In theory. I’ll have more to say about this on Saturday. The other thing I’m seriously thinking about doing is diversifying my skill level in what I can do job wise. Sure, nothing is safe from an economic downturn but one thing I’d like to do is to take a few courses in Accounting bookkeeping. Academy of learning has course for 2 hours each Saturday morning. I can always sub a Saturday for a Sunday. Like I’ve said that before.
As for today, it’s into work and off to buy a book and get the MM forms for my website. Then Saturday I go over to Ferguson’s and check that out and on my way home, I go to MM and pay off my website then maybe go get a bite to eat somewhere and home for a nap. There’s an Oiler game Saturday but it’s an afternoon game on at 1pm. We’ll be able to see the first hour but then there’s a Sunday game in Minneapolis vs. the Wild. The Oiler’s won Thursday night…….. 12;55pm> Again I was in bed early this morning and awake about 9:30am. I laid in bed and dozed off here and there. It was my wife’s noon alarm that woke me up for the news and markets. Only oil was down by a bit.
Around the Blogsphere etc on Coast tonight: In the first two hours, researcher and lecturer David Wilcock talks about 2012, as “the year our DNA changes.” Oh…K. Over there at Fantasy magazine, Naamen Gobert Tilahun is talking about Stargate Atlantis and has some interesting things to say. Also, I added Scifi chick to my list of links page. Right under Scifi guy, naturally. Now back to reality again:
Angus Watt doing the markets and more was talking about the Obama stimulus package. Right Obama is trying to appease the Republicans to make the bill a bipartisan bill both sides can live with. In order to get the economy rolling again the banks need to feel more comfortable lending money. Obama wants to cover the banks losses (if any) That should encourage the banks, like City Group, Bank of America, etc to get money circulating and get credit moving again free up credit. I think it’s good strategy.
The other day, I mentioned in my “Runner” review high hopes for the sequel “Logos run” would be better. It sure is. I hope to have this book read in about 10 days or so.
I’m writing this on the fly as this afternoon I’m out to the job thing and because I didn’t get my cheque last night I’ve got business to take care of tonight.
Anyway bloggers, that’s all for now
e. Jim
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