Evaluation without Evolution!

We have had this really ridiculous performance review once a year for the past 4 years. Mine has been steady the same, let's say B, if we have 4 groups with A being the best. This years it took me 01:15 and mostly agreed with whatever nonsense the sup. said just because I wanted to get over with it because I hardly think it affects anything, most importantly the salary. I've been on a sort of ban for over 6 months or more, simply because I disagreed with a bullshit the sup. and other said. For that reason I didn't expect a B this year but he said he was happy with my performance generally. 

I had mentioned that I'd be taking a course in 2016 and he asked me whether that was mandatory or not?! I said it was, sort of, with the hope that I can get his approval to be paid for that next year. I haven't really studied well for that yet. I have to order a few (to be exact two for the beginning) books to come from the States. Due to the cost of shipping I wanted them to be shipped to my buddy's place down in California and I even got his address but then realized I would not be going although I've had in my plan to go visit him since 2008!

Returning to the main subject he kind of reminded me that I should be avoiding confrontations and asked me if I had any problem with anyone. I was honest and told him about this fucking Hispanic moron that I had an argument with. He silently listened and said nothing.

That was it and all I can get out of that is:

1- He's not too unhappy with me. He even is happy, I would say as that is what he said.

2- There's a fair chance that I can get that course and even get paid for that.

3- There's a fair chance that I might get out of the office for visits.

No other significant thing. One funny thing is I asked him whether he knows anything about the upcoming projects and he said he was not allowed to say anything about that! What a stupid phony! I already know that a project has come and its team is arranged! The meeting reports are out and you can simply read them in the system. I even found one in the recycle bin! He's stupid and pretentious, wants to say that there are things in the organization happening that he's aware of and I'm not! Damn yes there are but not this one! There's nothing about a new project to be hidden! I'm just hopping I can go through and reach myself to the end of 2015 because 2016 might not be much easier! 

Damn Fitbit Flex

I finally had to pay for Fitbit wristbands. Something around $30 or a little bit more. I bought a pack of three from SportChek. The original two wristbands both got ripped off after a short time. The first one, which was a large size and fitted me, after probably 6 months and the second one lasted even less than that because obviously it was small for me. I used tape to hold it together(!) until one day it was about to fall off my wrist on a hiking trip and that was then I decided to buy this new pack.

The pack of three comes in three delicious(!) colours but the locking piece is made of very brittle plastic and it broke shortly after I bought the damn thing! I could not believe this but I was lucky that I had kept the one from the original wristband. 

Now that I've been given a new tracking device I feel that it's not working properly. I feel that it shows more activity than what I actually I perform but what the hell!? It's working now and the annoying part is it requires frequent charging, maybe every three days or so! 

Hiking Stick

Hiking Stick or as some call it trekking pole (it has other names as well) comes handy in hiking and scrambling. I've even seen people, mostly elderly, to use them in parks. I once considered buying a pair and checked a local sport shop. A simple telescopic pair, I guess it was, cost some $80. Although helpful, I would never spend that much on a pair of plastic/metal rods. The poles also come with a sort of end cap which is designed to be helpful in snowy and icy paths. They easily come off for normal hiking. Still does not interests me to spend that much. 

I've used a wooden stick for a long time. I once found a strong and long branch beside Bow Valley Parkway. I guess it was early last year or so (early in hiking season). I've been using it since. There are a few advantages with that:

1- If you get stricken by lightning, a hiking pole could somehow be dangerous and deadly. While a branch has no issue.

2- If you drop it during your trip or forget it somewhere, you won't lose any bucks. You can simply pick up another one quickly. 

3- It is a good weapon if you have to face an animal or a human-shape animal. For the first one you need to have the guts to use it. The second one barely comes to happening particularly in hiking but you never know!

I guess the above three reasons are good for me to simply carry a wooden stick as a hiking pole. You make your own decision! It is not the fancy stuff which takes you to the summit. It is determination and stamina.

(Photo: Waving to the camera, I was on a walking tour in Kananaskis or to be specific on Highway # 60 back in Apr. where most of the hikes and scrambles are left only to professionals. Parts of the highway was closed. It is an annual seasonal closure.I was there with my buddy, The Chef whom is not seen in the photo. Here I'm holding a stick which I just had found! Good handy equipment!)

Contract Work and Death Row

Capital Punishment was removed from Canadian Criminal Code in 1976. I don't know if Death Row ever existed in the code or not but it does in the States where execution still takes place in the country. Just a few months ago I heard on the radio that Firing Squad might replace Fatal Injection, I guess, it was in Utah! The reason being the poison is very costly and ineffective at times! The concept of Death Row is very disturbing. According to what I've read, a person could be on Death Row for years, waiting for execution on the day it has been determined. I guess other countries have that as well, may be the UK, or maybe I'm wrong.

In comparison Contract Work which is very common in West and then the fucking bastards of the old country learned from them, is quite similar to Death Row! You have a contract for a certain time to do something while you do most likely you'd be kicked out after that. What intensive would you have to focus on your job and do it the best way possible, if you knew, you'd be out at the end?! I had the similar situation with the company that I work for now. When I passed the interview, I received an e-mail asking me to sign a 12-month or so contract. I refused, although I didn't have a good job at the time, and told them that I had been told that my contract would be for 18 months! The guy surprisingly accepted and I sign the damn thing. At the time I didn't care how long it was. I just wanted to get myself out of the shit I was in, not knowing that the new shit is even nastier! Anyways shortly after I joined an employee quit. They hired another person. And he hired an aid. Now it was obvious for me that I would be out as soon as my job was finished. The first person quit and they hired one to replace him. This idiot, whom his story has been told, got kicked out and the aid got promoted to his position and I became the aid! It was all out of luck, otherwise who knows what I would be now! 

Even now I don't have ease of mind, with all the economy messed up and everything but at least I know if I'm kicked out I can take a 4.5 to 5 years experience in my resume as well as a little money that the company is supposed to give m, if I ever get laid off. 

(Photo: I first came to know about this fella Albertan from Red Deer, Ronald Allen Smith, a few years ago when I was listening to a radio show. He has been on Death Row in Montana for over 2 decades now. He is charged with different crimes including murdering two people. I might tell his story later)

Returning to the Ice

This past afternoon we finished our 4th session of Skating in Olympic Oval. It is good to have the chance of practicing and exercising in a cool place where the outside temperature is above 30 degrees C. It is a small group with the majority of the people a little above beginner. This class is held twice a week which is not bad. Our instructor is a little off but overall she's OK. 

The tight skates does not bother me as much as they used to do in level 1 or 2 and I don't get tired as much as when we practice in Crowchild Twin Arenas but that is basically because we stop at times and just listen to her! 45 minutes is nothing, especially if you do not have much movement for probably half of the time. 

(Photo; People practicing speed skating in Olympic Oval in U of C)

Network Addiction

One of the problems that today's society is facing with, and it's not limited to North America, I even noticed that back in the old country when I visited there last year, maybe not to the same level as here, is network addiction. People barely get their electronic devices, mostly cellular phones, away from themselves. It's a part of their body now! I had cellular phone from 1999 to 2014! I cancelled my service last Sep. which sounded odd to many. Some didn't even believed me. thinking I intentionally hide my number from them! Even when I had the cellphone, I never had the luxury that majority people use on daily basis: Caller ID, Voicemail, Texting, etc. It was a basic service. Though I decided to get rid of it for the reasons I have explained a few of them. 

This is one side of the problem. The other side is the idiots who barely make the end's meet and want always have the most updated handset and service! My last handset, which I still have it and used it as a phone book cost $65 only(!) and my plan was as low as $25 a month. Today people buy $300 and up handsets and pay over $70 a month just to keep up with stupidity! 

I once read a short article which indicated about neck problem which has increased significantly recently due to the increased amount of cellphone usage. Good for chiropractors and other specialists in the filed! But who really listens. It has been years that it is said that Soda is not good for you. Does anyone ever cares?! No! 

(Photo: A Nasty-Mart [official name: Wal-Mart] employee with hourly wage of $10 to $11 is playing with her phone while leaving her shift! A fool and her money are soon parted!)