Boss for the Week & a Monthly Update

Again, I haven't blogged in a while. Not that many are reading this but for those who do, I'm sorry. Lately I haven't felt up to writing about things that have been happening in my life, but maybe if I write some things, I'd feel better.

THE SUMMER IS COMING

A few weeks ago, We headed out to our cabin at the lake and got things cleaned up and water all hooked up. Marsha wanted to get out of her house so she came and helped out a lot by sweeping even though she was still recovering from surgery. I appreciate what Marsha does for me and my family. I'm anxious to get out to the lake and put the boats in and just hang out with friends. It's a place where I feel at peace. I can do things, cut lawns, build things, and it doesn't seem to feel like work. The type of stuff I enjoys doing.

THE CHURCH

Saturday was sadly the last service for The Connection. The Connection was a Saturday night service that was formed to reach people that may feel intimidated by a traditional church service. I've built friendships over the past couple of years and really don't want to lose them. It seems that feeling is mutual. I am very sad to see this service has ended but I understand that the friendships that I've met have not come to an end. Interesting enough I met Marsha at The Connection, built from a friendship and we felt connected, no pun intended. This was all possible cause of a common friend, Amanda.

Yesterday we had a bar-b-que for our Pastor who had to resign from the church due to some past issues that still exist in the church. Our Music Minister also resigned cause the reason why he was hired was cause of Steve. I'm tired of this church's problems. We've lost some good leaders in the past few years. Some people I've gotten to know real well have left the church for some reason, a sad sight.

THE JOB

People want to know how my new job is going. We'll this could take a while. Currently my boss is on holidays for the week, leaving me being the senior man. Seeing as I have only been employed for 7.5 months now, I don't really conceder myself the senior man. Wonder if I'll get a pay increase for the week?

I think I'm getting stressed by this job. Maybe its not only the job, (church, personal, etc...) but I should take things maybe slower. I find I have a fast paced life, Too fast. I need to learn to SLOW DOWN. Like simple things, I don't need to rush to the printer, just take your time braden, the document will still be there when you get there.

My longtime goal is I think still to do Carpentry. Maybe in a few years. I plan to buy a trailer this summer. Another idea was to expand the Garage but who knows if that will happen.

FRIENDS FROM THE NORTH

Dad's friends, Ralph and Lorin, came down for the weekend. Lorin is from Yellowknife, and Ralph Sheward Park. They have been friends since Elementary school. Good to see they still keep in contact.

Ralph took it upon himself to be my Muslim Uncle. His mission to make sure no physical contact was being made between Marsha and I. A fun guy.

A TIME OF HEALING

I think I need to take things easy and spend some more time thinking of where my life is going in the near future. I'm looking forward to going to Vancouver next week again. Second time in two months. This could be some time where I can just relax and think and discuss things with Marsha. I really appreciate her and her listening ear. Communication is the key.

So I Haven't Posted in a While

OK, ok, I know I haven't posted in a while due to time spent with friends. My friend Scott is back in town from E-town (aka Edmonton) for the summer. I always enjoy the summer when friends return from university and we can spend some good times out at the cabin or just in "The Basement" watching bad movies or wrestling events. It's also good to have more friends in town too. It's really just been Jon and I hangin out for the past few months.

I don't know if anyone else feels that you don't have enough time in the day to accomplish what you need to do. I don't have a lot of friends here in town, I think could fit them on one hand... Well maybe two, but I want to spend time with them all. I kind have three circles of friends, there's old high school friends, old friends, and friends from church, and my girlfriend, I just can't find enough time to spend with them all. I also am losing friends to other cities. Ryan, a friend I've grown up with, has gotten a job in Regina. I'm happy for him, be better than working for the city, and think it'll be good for him, maybe even to get out of the city even though it is Regina. So he starts next week so I'll have to catch him again this weekend.

On Friday I helped my old high school's, Peacock, drama teacher, LJ, transport some kids to the SDA provincial festival. I was considered a Chaperone?? Riverview's play was on in the afternoon and I thought it was the best all day. I really liked Ray's (director) choice of play. (Ray and I have done some plays together with Chocolate Moose Theatre.) In the evening there was a dance held for everyone. Man did I feel old. It reminded me a lot of a high school dance that I always loved. I was thinking of being a total jerk and wandering around inside the dance hall enforcing the 6" rule.

MEETING OLD CO-WORKERS

I went into Regina last night to pick up Marsha from the airport. I have no clue when it comes to airports where I go to pick up people or what flights because I think I've only been on one airplane, correction that I remember. (There was a time when I was rushed off a plane into my aunts arms and mom was back on the plane before I knew it.) I did managed to figure things out and found where arrivals arrive. As I was waiting I saw someone who looked familiar, a co-worker from McElhanney from Calgary. I worked with them two winters ago. We talked for a bit and filled each other in on how things were going and I mentioned about being red flagged at the city. He then told me if I was ever looking to give them a call. It was kinda interesting, yet bizarre.

I'm glad Marsha is back "Home" as she now calls Moose Jaw. We spent some good quality time last night talking. In our relationship we both agree that communication is the key. We had a good conversation last night about our relationship. I'm glad Marsha is the way she is. And I wouldn't change a thing.

HOLIDAYS

It's time, well actually its past time, for me to book my holidays for the year. Well since my boss has over 26 years of service this means he has 6 weeks of holidays to use. This makes it very hard to pick holidays when seniority counts. He takes all the prime weeks and I'm left to maximize my weekends with my EDOs and Stats. Unfortunately two of the days I wanted off he rejected cause he had them booked and wouldn't let me have them off. So it looks like I'll have to do some shifting around.

Being Red Flagged

Over a couple of years ago, at work, they did job evaluation. We finally got the results back from the study. Now let me fill you in on how these studies work. Your supervisor, or a superior will examine your job and fill out a form with scales on it. Some examples include: Physically demanding, Education, etc..

Now my position has been "Red Flagged" meaning, my pay will be dropping if this is implemented. Not like it drops a lot, just over a dollar on the top pay scale. I really don't care about that, but if anything, my pay should be going up. We are below average for municipal workers in Saskatchewan. So if anything I'd like to see an increase to industry standard. HA! Fat chance.

The other thing that bothered me about this study is the city didn't really set aside more funds for raises. So this means, anyone who gets an increase gets it from someone's decrease (me). Now the Biggest increase are cleaners. They're pay is increase from $11/hour to $15/hour. The biggest decrease are our IT guys. I think the salary is decrease over $20,000/year. Ouch! I kind of feel bad for these guys. This is where most of the money is coming from to pay for everyone else's.

BOSS FOR HALF A DAY

My boss had an appointment in Regina this morning so I was kind of the man, but when am I not really. It was kind of stressful. He called and told me about some drawings he needed done for the City Engineer before he takes off for holidays overseas. Got those done finally but not without constant interruptions. Got a message for a drawing at 8:50 am and then received the call from the person at 8:55 am. This frustrated me, everyone expects everything NOW.

On the brighter side, got out of the office to go to the City Complex to check out our traffic counters and hoses. It's part of the drafting departments job to take care of the traffic counters. Don't ask me why cause I have NO clue. Took a couple hours and then headed back to the office then headed home.

Got the rest of the night to sit back and relax and watch some TV. Haven't done much of that in a while, both TV and relaxed. Should be good for me, well at least the resting.

A Recap on the Road Trip of a Lifetime

After long hours in the truck from a road trip, I came up with this equation:

4151 Kms, 465 Litres of Fuel, 1 Speeding Ticket = One hell of a Road Trip to see the Greatest Band Alive

I arrived back home around 5:00 pm last night from a 7 day holiday to the West coast. The trip began planning the morning of February 5th, 2005 when I went on Ticketmaster and landed myself some tickets to U2 in Vancouver. After 1 1/2 hours of trying and finally rejecting one set of tickets on Thursday night I got a pair of tickets for the Friday night concert.

THE TRIP

We, Jon and I, left Tuesday afternoon after a pointless doctors appointment I had in Regina in the morning (Yup it's healing well, I'd like to see you back in a month. Wow I got out before I was to be let in). The drive from MJ to Calgary was brutal. The wind was blowing directly into me and we hit $90.00 by Calgary. This began to worry us. We finally arrived in Calgary that night and stayed at my aunt's place, nice of her to let us stay while they were on vacation. We got up early on Wednesday and hit the road by 9:00. We were making good time and made it just past Banff and stopped to take some scenic pictures. This is where I realized I had forgotten my medications for the mononucleosis abcest in Calgary. After a minor 3 hour detour we were back on track.

At the 1500 km mark I had to make another stop. This time it was the RCMP. Why does BC have to make the speed limit 90Km/hr in the mountains, like really. I was clocked at 112Km/hr. That could have been a $198 ticket but since I had the nice cop from Salmon Arm, the ticket will end up to be $113. He did fill the ticket out incorrectly. The ticket says I'm from Moose Jaw, BC, hmm never knew there was one there, and he also put under registered Owner A/A meaning as above. This is incorrect as I had my dad's truck not mine. Too bad to appeal, I'd still have to attend court in Salmon Arm, BC. After the ticket business was complete he asked where I was headed. I told him Vancouver. He told me it was another 5.5 hours. I wasn't brave enough to ask how long it would take if I continued at my pace.

We finally arrived in Vancouver about 11:30 pm and stayed at my friend Josh's place. Got to love free lodging. I am really grateful he was willing to let us stay there.

Thursday we decided to go to Stanley Park and visit the Aquarium. This was a good idea I thought, got to see some ocean, my first glimse, and also some animals, or mammals I guess. Too bad my camera ran out of battery, oh well better then than in the middle of the U2 concert. We then proceeded to have kind of a MJ traditional Thursday. Smackdown night. So Jon and I hiked it up to 7-11 for some drinks. We then played some video games and then to bed to get rested for the big day.

Friday was concert day. We did need to get directions to the stadium so we'd thought we'd visit the mall as well. Marsha arrived in Vancouver at 10:30 am and I went to pick her up at the Airport. She then joined us for a trip to the mall. I would meet up with her after the concert.

The concert, AWESOME. U2 played I think almost everything from their new album "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". I was pleased as I am very fond of the new album. Here is what the set looked like.

City of Blinding Lights * Vertigo * Elevation * Cry/Electric Co. * Into the Heart/An Cat Dubh * Beautiful Day * New Year's Day * Miracle Drug * Running to Stand Still * Love and Peace * Sunday Bloody Sunday * Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own * Pride (In The Name of Love) * Where The Streets Have No Name * One * FIRST ENCORE - Zoo Station * The Fly * Mysterious Ways * SECOND ENCORE - All Because of You * Yahweh * 40
I don't know what else really to say about the concert I'm speechless.

We then Went to Pannago, where Josh works, and he gave us a free pizza, a missed order from earlier, and scarfed it down. We then returned to the apartment and I headed out to Surrey to stay at Marsha's Brother's house so we could catch the early ferry to the island.

Saturday, Marsha and I went to the island. After we woke up when we planned on leaving, the day started off bad. I hung around with Marsha's brother Alden (I hope I spelt that right) talking and showing photos of the concert and trip. We tried to make the 11:00 am ferry but missed it then to find out there was no 12:00 pm so we had to wait 2 hours for the 1:00 pm. The Island was great. Could have spent more time there. I met some of Marsha's friends and the purpose of the island trip to pick up Marsha's Bed. (That's right I hauled a queen size bed back to Saskatchewan from Victoria for my GF - does that get me any points) I then missed the final ferry leaving at 9:00 pm and stayed at Marsha's sister's place (Thanks Ladonna) for the night.

Sunday, I caught the 7:00 am ferry and made it back to the apartment by 9:20 am to find everyone asleep. We got on the road by 11:00 am and stopped in Abotsford for an oil change and Lunch/Breakfast. A Long day of driving and made it to Calgary at 12:00 am.

Monday, got on the road by 10:00 and an easy drive home to make it back by 5:00 pm.

A worthwhile trip for all the trouble. So a recap of the recap 4151 kms, 465 litres of gas, 1 speeding ticket, 1 missing hubcap, 1 queen size bed strapped to the top of the truck, and 3 trips to Tim Hortons. I think were going to make T-shirts for the trip. A good memory.

The First Thought

The Beginning of a new month brings the beginning of a Blog. This is Jago's Blog. Not to be confused by the other Jago's blog. My name is Braden Jago (no this not Kyle's blog, but feel free to keep reading) and live in the metropolis of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Now you ask "Where is such a place?" take your map of Canada, place your finger in the rectangular shaped province in the centre of Canada. Now to the bottom left, and there you are, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

THE REASON FOR THE BLOG

I always wonder why people blog, so I'll fill you in on some of my reasons. I sometimes get frustrated and feel I have to vent about work or other things in my life, so this is where some of my thoughts will lye. This is also a place where people can catch up on what's new and exciting in my life and keep in contact. I originally had I'd be writing cause I have no one to talk with, but this was pointed out and I have many good friends that I can talk with and share my thoughts (thanks Marsha). I've been meaning to start this blog since September, but have finally for the first time sat down at the computer and have begun to type.

I know a few people that have blogs at Blogger (including my brother's) and thought it would be a cool way to keep others informed of what is going on in Jago's life.

Well this is a good first post I feel, so keep in touch and come back for more of "The Life of Jago."