job interviews/ Share a pie with Boyle Street

Mar. 18, 2026:

This was in Nov. 2025:

The Bubble Tea Place: This was on Indeed.  

Pros:

1. It was easy to get to like 2 buses that come by frequently.

2. The pay is $15-18/hr.

The discount is 50% on shift.

3. The duties are taking orders, making drinks, chopping fruits and freezing them.

Cons: 

1. This is a mild con.  This is a new restaurant and a lot of new restaurants like 50% close down within the first 2 years.  

My opinion: I would work there if I got hired. 

The Clothing Store #3: This was on the company website.  This is job of the third key holder.

Pros:

1. This was full -time and permanent.

2. The pay was $16/hr.

3. There are 2 buses to get there.

4. The duties are open and close the store, training, stocking, and cleaning.

Cons: none.

My opinion: I would work there if I got hired.

The Vending Machine Brand Ambassador: This was a phone interview.

Pros:

1. This was a temporary job of 2 days at the Franchise Expo.

2. The pay was $25/ hr.

3. It was at the Edmonton EXPO so it was easy to get to.

Cons: none.

My opinion: I would work there if I got hired.

It was kind of interesting, because the guy Andrew asked me if I was on the autism spectrum because of the way I talked.  He said he knew of a woman who talked like me.

I don't find that offensive to be asked that.

Mar. 19, 2026 The Jingle Pop Up: This was to be performer at a hotel.  This was a group job interview on Google Meet.  I was 1 of 4 people being interviewed.

There were all these different times to attend the interviews, and I accidentally missed one.  However, there was one in the next hour so I attended that one.  

Pros:

1. This was a temporary job for the holidays.

2. The pay was $20/hr.

3.  The job is like a host like hosting games of Christmas movie trivia, games, karaoke and carols.  

4. The costumes are you dress in red and green.  You can buy something up to $50 and bring the receipt and you will be reimbursed.

5. It was easy to get to like 1 bus.

Cons:

1. This was kind of out of comfort zone.  It's not hard, but I haven't really done this before.

My opinion: I would work there if I got hired.  If I don't like the job, it's okay because I know this is only temporary.

The Dessert Place: This was on Indeed.

Pros:

1. The hours can start early like 9 -10am to 11pm -1 am.

2. The pay is $15 -20/hr.  There are tips.

3. The discount is a free meal or 50%.

4. The duties are taking orders, making desserts like waffles and drinks like milkshakes.  There's some food prep.

5. It was easy to get to like 2 buses.

Cons: 

1. This was a new restaurant and like 50% close down within the first year.

My opinion: I would work there if I got hired.

Mar. 21, 2026 Grand Villa Casino: I'm going to write the company name, but I'm not going to write anything negative about them.  This was like a job fair.  There are 2 days where you can book an interview.

Pros:

1. It was easy to get to because it was in downtown.

2. There are day shifts for the restaurants like Match.

3. The pay is $15/hr and 2% of food sales.

4. There is a 25% off discount on the food when on shift.

5. There is a union due like $9.25 which is 30 cents per hr that I work.

A 6 hr shift, you get a 30 min. break.

A 5 hr shift, you get a 15 min. break.

Cons:

1. A mild con was that this is an events -based job like Oilers games and concerts. I worked at 2 events -based jobs in 2025.  I met a lot of people who worked at both of those jobs.

2. This seems like they were hiring for night shifts.

My opinion: I would work there if I got hired.

The Vietnamese Subs Place: This was on Google Meet.

Pros:

1. 1. It was easy to get to like 2 buses.

2. The hours are like 11am-9pm.

3. The pay is $15/hr.  

4. The duties are making sandwiches and food prep.

Cons: 

1. This was a new restaurant and like 50% close down within the first year.

My opinion: I would work there if I got hired.

The Small Fast Food Place and Ice Cream Shop: This was on Kijiji. 

Pros:

1. The place was 2 buses to get to.  It would be a 1 hr ride.

2. The hours are 11 am -3 or 4pm to start.  

3. The pay is $15/hr.

4. There is a free meal on shift like a burger.

5. The duties is take the order, and the payment.

I would use the deep fryer.

Cons:

1. There isn't a till.  They use a calculator.

There is like a credit/ debit machine.

2. The place was so small and run down.

3. There weren't any security cameras and I thought this place seemed like an easy place to rob.  This was in a safe neighborhood with residential streets and schools.

My opinion: I would work there if I got hired.

The Japanese Restaurant: 

Pros:

1. It was easy to get to like 2 buses that come by frequently.

2. There are daytime hours.  They are open until 10pm- 12am.

3. The pay is $15 -19.07/hr.

4. The duties of a kitchen helper is to cut the meat like chicken, pork belly, and beef.

There is some grilling.

I put the soup in the bowls.

Wash dishes.

Cons: 

1. This seems kind of hard.  This is a fast -paced and busy restaurant.

My opinion: I would work there if I got hired.  I would try it out.

This was in Jan. 2026:

The Sandwich Shop Chain: This is a virtual interview.

Pros:

1. The pays is $15-16/hr.

2. The duties of making sandwiches and cleaning. 

Cons:

1. When I was at the interview, I then learned she was hiring at 3 locations which are really far away from where I live.  There are 3 buses to get there.

2. You do have to work by yourself.  There can be a long line up and online orders.

My opinion: I wouldn't work here because it's so far away.

My week:

Sat. Mar. 21, 2026:

Diane N, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec, would like to know:

Have you ever been a victim of fraud by phone or online?

No

72.31% (2768)

Yes

27.69% (1060)

My opinion: Yes.  I almost got scammed out of $4000.

This is in Jul. 2017:

Scream 4/ Southgate Construction scam

https://badcb.blogspot.com/2017/07/scream-4-southgate-construction-scam.html

Sun. Mar. 22, 2026:

Laura C, London , Ontario, would like to know:

Has the increase in gas prices influenced your travel or commuting plans?

Yes

45.50% (1847)

No

40.82% (1657)

Not applicable

13.67% (555)

My opinion: No, because I take the bus.  The ETS bus fare has not changed.

Tues. Mar. 24, 2026:

Marianne F, Winnipeg, Manitoba, would like to know:

Do you celebrate Easter?

Yes

58.04% (2403)

No

41.96% (1737)

My opinion: No.

Wed. Mar. 24, 2026:

David J, Halifax, Nova Scotia, would like to know:

Have you ever been involved in a car accident?

Yes

68.39% (2832)

No

31.61% (1309)

My opinion: Yes.

This is the Jun. 2009 blog post:

moving/ dream/ crazy driving accident

Crazy driving accident: It was crazy today. I went on my first driving lesson where I'm finally in the driving seat. I did get into an accident. It was towards the end of the lesson where I'm driving in Capilano after driving around in Millwoods for over an hour. So I was driving, and then this red car comes and turns and cuts right in front of me. I then press the brakes, but I still hit the bumper of the car. The red car then turns and pulls over. This white teenage boy steps out. He checks out his bumper, and it's fine.

Then my instructor Tony goes and tells me to pull over to him. Tony gets out of the car, as the boy was going back in. Tony stops him and they're yelling and swearing at each other.

Tony: You shouldn't be driving like that, cutting in. That's irresponsible.
Boy: You should be teaching her how to f---ing drive. I don't have any damage and neither do you.
Tony: But you shouldn't be f---ing cutting in like that.
Boy: I have a right to be f---ing yelling at you.
The Boy's guy friend stayed in the car. I stayed in the car too. I did say to the Boy: "This is my first driving lesson!" I don't think he heard me.

This red van came up to both of our cars and this guy asked: "Are you guys okay?  "Then we drove for a few more minutes. We were driving and that red car was driving in another lane going the opposite way. I don't think they noticed us because they drove past us without looking at us.

There are 2 sides to every story. I'm sure that the Boy was going to say his story like this to his friends: "I was driving in my car, and then I made a left turn. This car behind us then rammed into my my bumper. I turned and pulled over. I got out and checked my bumper which was fine. Then that gray car pulled up and this Asian guy got out of the passenger seat and he was yelling at me to not drive irresponsibly. Well his daughter was the one who driving and rammed into me. I don't know why he was yelling at me since he was the one who hit my car. I told him to teach her how to f---ing drive. There was no damage anyway."

They didn't even exchange insurance numbers anyway. Then as I was driving I was talking about this girl Sarah who died in a car accident when I was in gr.12. She wasn't driving though. Tony told me to stop talking about it and focus on driving.

https://badcb.blogspot.com/2009/06/moving-dream-crazy-driving-accident.html

I see that this Jun. 2009 blog post got 9333 pageviews.

Please be careful driving.

Daniel D, Saint-Hippolyte, Quebec, would like to know:

On average, how many hours a day do you watch television?

More than 2 hours

49.59% (2041)

1 to 2 hours

30.93% (1273)

Less than 1 hour

14.77% (608)

I never watch television

4.71% (194)

My opinion: I watch 1 TV show a day so 1 hr.

Fri. Mar. 20, 2026:

Panini's Italian Cucina: I found this restaurant:

https://www.paninisitalian.com/

Share a pie with Boyle Street

At Panini’s Italian Cucina, we’re passionate about giving back to our community. Through our Donate a Pie program, 

you can contribute to a meaningful cause by donating a pizza to those in need at a discounted rate of 50% off. 

For every 24 pizzas we collect, we will deliver them to a local homeless shelter. 

Your generous contribution helps us spread warmth and kindness, one pizza at a time. Join us in making a positive impact — participate today in the Donate a Pie program and help us bring a little joy to those who need it most.

Numbers and Counting

Pies Donated

1,426

Slices Donated

11,408

https://www.paninisitalian.com/donate-a-pie/

Mar. 22, 2026 I found this on Facebook.  I'm going to put this in my basic income articles. Post Secret: Classic secrets:

"When gas prices go up, changing the way you drive can stretch your fuel just a bit farther"/ "Drive gently and carry a loyalty card: ways to take the edge off high pump prices"

I don't drive, but I'm going to post these news articles because I want to help you know how to save money on gas:

Mar. 16, 2026 "When gas prices go up, changing the way you drive can stretch your fuel just a bit farther": Today I found this article by Alexa St. John And Kiki Sideris on BNN Bloomberg:

When gas prices spike, filling up gets more painful. 

But consumers can do something to stretch their fuel just a little farther: 

Change the way they drive.

“It’s a hard one to swallow, right? You gotta put gas in to go about your day and get to work and pick the kids up from school,” said Michael Crossen, Consumer Reports’ manager of auto testing.

Here are seven tips from experts for drivers looking to use less gas:

Drive slower, or use cruise control

Vehicles are designed for maximum efficiency around highway speeds, said Sean Tucker, managing editor for compact and full-size vehicles at Kelley Blue Book.

“Stick to 65 (mph, 105 kph) on the highway,” Tucker said. 

“Today’s cars are geared to be most efficient at that speed, and you lose quite a bit of fuel efficiency the faster you go.”

Some estimates suggest slowing down increases gas mileage as much as 14 per cent.

“If you have a hard time doing that, cruise control is your friend,” Tucker said. This maintains a set vehicle speed, which cuts the need to press on the gas pedal, and avoids fluctuations like jerky acceleration or hard braking.

Experts also recommend coasting to stoplights, whether there is a red light ahead or a green light that is likely to change soon.

Limit idling

Use a vehicle’s automatic start-stop ignition, experts say. 

This shuts off the engine at stoplights or when idling, and restarts it once the accelerator is pressed.

“If you’re stuck in traffic and you see it bumper to bumper for a while and you have start-stop, don’t turn that off,” said David Bennett, AAA senior automotive manager. 

”Allow the engine to turn on and off as it’s needed.”

That’s especially true for when drivers don’t need to blast air conditioning while waiting for long periods of time.

Reduce your car’s drag and drop extra weight

Many drivers have roof racks on top of their vehicles or bike racks on the back. It takes extra fuel to push that structure through the air — experts have found it can cost several miles per gallon.

“If you’re not actually using those devices, it’s like dragging a parachute behind your car,” Crossen said. 

“Any other type of accessories that basically cause drag, you want to lose those.”

If you’re carrying heavy items in your back seat, trunk or truck bed, 

and you don’t need them, 

leave them at home.

Check your tire pressure and look to other maintenance, too

Experts say it’s important that tires are properly inflated, based on what the vehicle’s manual recommends. 

Checking tire pressure every other fill-up is one suggestion.

“Lower-inflated tires will increase the resistance on the road, so properly inflated, the vehicle is going to drive a little bit smoother and be able to accelerate properly,” Bennett said. 

Expect an impact on gas mileage by as much as 10%, estimates say.

Auto shops might also be able to make some simple changes to improve a vehicle’s fuel economy.

“If you’re finding that you are not getting close to what you’re supposed to, then you need to go to the mechanic,” Tucker said.

For example, they might replace the air filter, or oxygen sensors that tell the engine how rich to make the fuel mixture.

Consider carpooling and combining trips

Figure out a carpool if you can, and you’re effectively splitting costs with the other participants.

And be more thoughtful in planning and organizing your driving to make fewer trips overall.

“Don’t make unnecessary stops. 

Don’t drive all the way across town just to save a dollar on eggs,” 

Crossen said. 

“Plan your trips. Don’t drive if you don’t have to.”

What fuel are you buying, and where?

Some cars require more expensive premium gas, 

and that’s what they should get, experts say. 

But sometimes drivers are filling up with premium when their vehicle doesn’t need it 

— and will do just fine on cheaper regular gas, 

they say.

Regardless of your octane choice, you can be mindful of the quality of your gas. 

Consider whether a local station carries what’s called “Top Tier gas” — gas developed with additives aimed at clearing carbon deposits from your engine. 

During periods of high prices or shortages, it isn’t a requirement, but it’s good for vehicles long term.

Apps such as GasBuddy are great resources to compare local gas prices or prices along a driver’s route back home.

Experts say to also start thinking about getting gas when you’re around half a tank. 

That gives you some flexibility to watch for lower prices.

If it’s time for a new car, consider a hybrid

The average age of a vehicle on the road these days is about 12 years, 

and newer vehicles are more fuel efficient than older ones. 

Not everyone can afford a new vehicle, but when it’s time, shoppers can consider a hybrid if they’re not ready to go fully electric.

And if you’re ready to get off gas entirely, EVs — including plenty of used models — are out there.

___

The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. 

Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Alexa St. John And Kiki Sideris, The Associated Press

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2026/03/16/when-gas-prices-go-up-changing-the-way-you-drive-can-stretch-your-fuel-just-a-bit-farther/

Mar. 19, 2026 "Drive gently and carry a loyalty card: ways to take the edge off high pump prices": Today I found this article by Lauren Krugel on BNN Bloomberg:

CALGARY — It’s easy to feel helpless watching that number outside your local gas station move ever higher.

The United States and Israel launched their war with Iran almost three weeks ago and the conflict has since spilled over into several other countries in the region, 

choked off a strategically vital oil tanker route 

and sent crude prices soaring,

bringing the cost of fuel along for the ride.

Global crude prices edged close to US$120 per barrel earlier this month 

and have since fallen back under US$100, 

which is around 45 per cent higher than before the war. 

The Canadian average for a litre of gasoline on Wednesday afternoon was 

about $1.69, according to price-tracking website Gasbuddy.com, 

almost 40 cents higher than last month’s average.

The upward price spiral may be due to geopolitical upheaval beyond almost anyone’s control, but there are a number of ways motorists can take some of the edge off:

Lighten up that lead foot

Kristine D’Arbelles, managing director for public affairs at the Canadian Automobile Association, says the way you drive can influence how quickly your vehicle guzzles up fuel.

“You’re using most of your fuel when you’re accelerating your vehicle,” she says.

Slamming on the gas with a “jackrabbit start” will be 

less fuel efficient than speeding up more gradually. 

CAA recommends taking five seconds to accelerate up to 20 kilometres per hour from a stop. 

Ditto for braking; a light touch to coast through traffic will burn less fuel than hard stops and starts.

“The way that CAA tries to encourage folks to drive also happens to be a safer way to drive,” says D’Arbelles.

For highway driving, the faster you go, the more fuel you’re going to use. 

D’Arbelles recommends using cruise control in good conditions.

Open windows on a warm day are fine for city driving, 

but on the highway, she recommends rolling them up to reduce drag.

Idling is also a big fuel gulping culprit. 

D’Arbelles says every 20 minutes a car is parked while running wastes a litre of gas.

Sometimes it can’t be helped, like waiting in the school pickup line in frigid or scorching weather.

But otherwise, D’Arbelles says “one of our rules is that 

if you are going to be stopped for 60 seconds or more, 

just turn off the vehicle.”

Under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by four per cent. 

CAA says a poorly maintained vehicle can jack up fuel consumption by up to 25 per cent.

If accessories like rooftop ski racks aren’t needed, 

they can also be taken off to help the vehicle move more efficiently.

Shop smart

Prices are going to vary station to station depending on 

when 

and from which supplier retailers purchase wholesale fuel, 

says Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at Gasbuddy.com.

Gasbuddy’s website and app enable users to comparison shop, based on price reports crowdsourced across Canada and the U.S.

Some people swear by filling up on 

a certain day of the week 

or at a specific time of day.

That might have been a good bet in normal times, De Haan says, 

but that’s far from the reality these days.

“You’re never going to be able to time the market perfectly, 

whether it’s the stock market 

or filling your tank,” 

he says.

“They all change in value 

in real time,

depending on the situation. 

So the best thing is to 

empower yourself with knowledge 

and to know what is going on in the marketplace.”

De Haan says it’s also a myth that it’s worthwhile to fill up during cold weather 

— the idea being that the fuel is denser 

and you can get more of it for the price. 

Stations in Canada correct for temperature fluctuations to ensure 

every litre is measured accurately.

Milk those loyalty rewards

All of the major fuel retailers in Canada offer a loyalty program.

No need to overthink it when deciding which one to choose, says Barry Choi, who writes about personal finance and travel on his Money We Have website.

“Look at where you pump up gas the most 

and then see if they have a loyalty program,” 

he says.

It could very well be a loyalty program you’re already enrolled in 

— through your credit card, for instance 

— has a partnership with a gas retailer.

“But I wouldn’t drive ten blocks just to earn a certain amount of points,” he says.

All the programs have worthwhile perks, 

but Petro-Points’ new platinum status gives heavy fuel consumers the best bang for their buck, 

Choi says. 

Points earned filling up at Petro-Canada stations 

can be linked with rewards collected through 

RBC credit 

or debit cards 

and Canadian Tire’s Triangle program.

Earlier this year, Shell Canada announced it was joining the Scene+ loyalty program, 

which is owned by 

Scotiabank, 

Empire Co. Ltd. 

and Cineplex. 

The partnership is up and running in Alberta, with plans to expand to the rest of the country in May.

Fill-ups at Esso can get you PC Optimum points 

at Loblaw grocery stores 

or Shoppers Drug Mart.

It can be easy to “stack” savings by linking up 

gas station programs 

to a credit card 

or other rewards, 

says Choi.

“There’s sometimes double dipping, 

triple dipping,” 

he says.

“It can be very strategic.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 19, 2026.

Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/investing/commodities/2026/03/19/drive-gently-and-carry-a-loyalty-card-ways-to-take-the-edge-off-high-pump-prices/

Sun. Mar. 22, 2026:

Laura C, London , Ontario, would like to know:

Has the increase in gas prices influenced your travel or commuting plans?

Yes

45.50% (1847)

No

40.82% (1657)

Not applicable

13.67% (555)

My opinion: No, because I take the bus.  The ETS bus fare has not changed.