Jazzlife - because all of life is jazz

Man it’s cold. When my apartment heaters seem almost innefective, I know the weather’s bad.

On Entertainment Tonight yesterday, I learned of two more of the greats of show business passing away on Xmas weekend. I want to share my memories of them:

Victor Borge True, his act has faded in popularity over the years, but like all great Vaudevillian-style comedians, he didn’t need to really change with the times; the times needed to change to appreciate him.

Victor Borge turned playing the piano into an elegant form of comedy. He had a few videos made of his work that again some found corny, but I’ll always remember his routine of playing a few bars of music, stopping, turning the music sheets around, and discovering it was really the William Tell Overture reversed.

Billy Barty This little man was a big part of film and TV over a lifetime that encompassed seven decades in show business.

I saw him on-screen before then, but I’ll always remember his regular roles on John Byner’s Bizarre… in many ways, a raunchier, Canadian version of The Benny Hill Show. He also played a significant role in George Lucas’ film Willow, as the ruler of the little people there.

I’ll miss them both.

Joy. Bliss. It’s a sharp cold as far as weather outdoors… one of those winters where my apartment heating doesn’t feel warm - and since I pay for my heating, and basement apartments tend to heat that upstairs, I won’t be turning it up any.

I have to go out soon anyways, to go feed that kitty cat. I’ve been going earlier each day; kittens need attention and company, and I’m happy to give it,

I was at a friend’s apartment yesterday, to feed his kitten while he’s away on a trip.

Poor little kitty’s lonely; he cried when I left. As a cat-lover, I felt awful for this. I’ll go back early this afternoon just to give the little guy company.

- But I’m digressing a little bit. While I was there, I checked out The Actor’s Studio on Bravo. This show was actually a deviation of sorts… instead of an actor or director, they were interviewing a musical performer. Billy Joel, to be specific.

Billy is one of my all-time favorite performers. Every chance I can, I either pick up one of his albums on tape or CD, even if it’s just a "Best Of" compilation of songs I already have.

To say that I greatly enjoyed this show is an understatement.

Today was the office holiday party… the day started off on a bad note with the hot water tank for my part of the building crapping out. Because of this I didn’t get to shower, shave, or brush my teeth before heading to Anjou. This was a really annoying way to begin my day.

Fortunately, the party itself was a lot of fun. Great food, great cameraderie, and I got a real cool Xmas gift (a large Zodiak disk). Plus, my cab ride home was paid for by the office. Travelling on someone else’s bill is always a positive thing.

I can sleep easier tonight! With pressure to get stuff done, I have a new 3 month contract starting on the 25th… it’s one that can be renewed after that period too.

It’s amazing how knowing you’ll still have an income in the new year can help your outlook.

I just realized: I haven’t posted on this Blog in three days. Sorry about that.

A lot of stuff has been happening in that time… but most of it pretty bad crap. I vented on it in my personal Journals, but I don’t want to drag readers down here too.

Suffice to say: it’ll likely be much longer than I anticipated before I’m back to work next year.

I learned that the cab-driver strike in Montreal last Thursday was just called off because of bad weather… for all I know, they could start it again next week.

That makes me very nervous… next week is the end of my contract. I might know if it’s renewed by end of week, I might not. Regardless, I’ll have an unpaid vacation for at least 17 days before I can start again.

Realizing that a strike could screw me out of even being there for my last day… that really concerns me.

I took the subway to right near the office today. I intended to get in to work, but my co-workers couldn’t guarantee a car to bring me back at day’s end… so I was given my pay, and got the day off.

I had to nap for awhile after I got home though; it was almost an hour’s travel each way, and I was wiped out from it.

Figures that the cab driver strike was over barely after it started, though. Made the whole exercise moot.

Speaking of moot: Indecision 2000 is finally over. It ended what was the closest race in ages, with G.W. beating Gore by 9 votes, but it’s finally done.

I’m sure that many will try to analyze Bush’s win over the next while; it may have been a backlash against Clinton, it may have to do with anti-Semitic feelings against Joe Liebermann (I hope not. In this day and age, that feelings of ethnic hatred may still be part of our makeup would sadden me greatly)… or it may have been due to the censorship-beliefs the Gore/Liebermann ticket espoused. Regardless, the United States now has the leader of a party that stresses military might over all as President. I suspect he’ll only be a one-term pres like his father, but that’s just guesswork at this point. I just hope we all live to regret him.

Make no doubt about it - things have gone from bad to worse.

Montreal cab drivers go on a 24-hour strike tomorrow. The result is that Adapted Transport not scheduled for medical trips are all cancelled.

That means I can’t get in to work tomorrow - and it’s payday. I don’t earn enough that I could skip funds for the weekend.

… time for one of those non-vocal screams of frustration again.

I just checked my calendar: Dec 22nd - the last day of this contract - is next Friday.

I’ve sent in the request to get it renewed, but even if a government division says yes, the extension won’t kick in until early January… so I’m facing an unpaid vacation of 17 days.

To think: when you have MS, you’re supposed to avoid stress. sigh