Greetings and salutations!

I've been living in my shared apartment downtown for a couple weeks now and continue to enjoy being in the heart of Calgary (it doesn't hurt being 5 minutes away from work either). Of course, living in Calgary, at least financially, won't be getting easier for anyone.

It was recently announced that, next year, Calgary's property tax may be increased by as much as 12%. This ludicrous increase would be in addition to those being planned for services like drainage, sewer, etc. of between 5-8%. Finally, in addition to the recycling fee that was forced on residents some years ago, a garbage collection fee is now being considered. With 50-60% of the city's operating budget going to labor costs, you just have to wonder what the hell the current administration is thinking.

In other news, I had the pleasure of attending my 10 year high school reunion last weekend. Not the school in Airdrie, that I actually graduated from (their reunion pretty much fell apart anyway), but LJHS in Barrhead, where I spent most of my high school years. Actually, the school has been reformed as Barrhead Composite High School so the school, technically speaking, no longer exists. In any case, it was good to see some old friends.

To close out what might, in fact, be my lamest post ever, let's look ahead to my brother's birthday party, Calgary Opera's performance of Faust, and my company Halloween and Christmas parties.....not to mention the election of Barack Obama - thank you and goodnight!

With Hope,
Joseph