Tuesday June 4/13

Tuesday June 4/13 update  # 473

The weather has been absolutely delightful since arriving in northern Alberta.  Let’s hope it will hang in there for me.

I was trying to see some old friends today but the timing wasn’t right yet.   I spent all morning getting the previous day’s Blog prepared as it takes twice as long on this old laptop.

I did end up stopping in at my old workplace at Northgate ?Buick? to see who was still working there.  It was amazing to see many of the same faces that had been there when I started there on 1980.   Notably there were many absent faces and I was saddened to learn that two of my co-workers had passed away in the past year.  Peter P. had fallen down his basement stairs and broken his neck.   Tony B. had died after an 8 month battle with cancer.   While I have many good nostalgic memories of working there, Hearing those stories made me very glad of our decision to retire early and get out of the stressful jobs we both had. 

I never even noticed what it is called now, the main sign still says Nothgate Pontiac even though GM has eliminated the Pontiac line.  They sure had a lot of inventory on the lot and they said that business is extremely slow.   I don’t wonder why…  The first unit I passed, a used Buick Enclave SUV was sale-priced at almost $45,000!!  Good grief!!   I can remember when our most expensive Buick Riviera broke the $20,000 barrier in about 1982.   They are also doing many renovations and there is no room for a customer to park.

I tried to pick up a webcam here but seriously couldn’t find anything under $30, and that was for a measly 1.3Mp    Electronics in Ecuador are generally close in price but the same webcam probably costs $12 there.  I checked Wal-Mart and London Drugs and was shocked at the prices for simple electronic stuff.

I made it back for supper and was planning to go watch Danai’s cheer practice but Jill said it would be boring for 2 hours, she just visits with the other Moms.  

Then my former neighbour Kevon called so I went over and spent the evening watching the hockey game with him and his Pekingese named Aphrodite.  To say Kevon is a different duck would be an understatement.  He talks a blue streak for 3 hours straight contradicting his ideas constantly and I have learned just to let him talk and vent.   I am one of the few people who can actually contradict him once in a while and he will actually listen.  He is a nice guy and will offer to help you in almost anything but his penchant for shocking oddball statements does alienate a lot of others.  I still make a point to keep in touch with him though as he has been a good friend for 35 years.

That was today’s excitement.  Hugs to all.  

Enjoy the pics at souvenircuenca.blogspot.com