Money, job updates and maybe a concert…

Yesterday, I got my first paycheck from my new job. It wasn’t anything earth shattering, but it was nice to have a little money in my pocket after scraping by for a while. Leah also managed to start at the daycare this week. There was a lot of hoops she had to jump through to get in, but now that she’s working there, she’s impressing the pants off the workers and managers there. They are happy that someone with as much experience as her was hired and doesn’t require any training at all to fit in. Ditto for me here as well, not only do I not need any help fitting in, I’m actually helping others and I’m the one who has only been here less than a month. I know my stuff, but there are times when I need help with something, always will be. So the work issue is working itself out a lot faster than both of us had ever planned it would. My brother Chris got laid off from his job. This is nothing to worry about, his company lays off people this time of year every year so this was something we expected and planned for.

This actually works out for the best because Chris has volunteered to use his time off to take care of the kids. This means that Leah and I don’t have to pay for daycare for the kids until his company calls him back to work, which is likely in March or April. This gives us time to get something set up, and Chris has been really good with the kids. He’s loved the time he’s been able to spend with them both, and Leah is glad to be working for a daycare company that respect the work she does and doesn’t treat her like crap. So in a wey both Leah and I have upgraded to better companies and are the better for it. So things are on the up and up for 2007.

Speaking of the new year… it seems that I’m not going to be able to do anything too special for the celebration to start 2007. I’m booked to work New Year’s Eve from 12p-8p, so that kills the night cause I won’t get back until 9pm, at the earliest. The real plan killer is the fact that I volunteered to work from 11am until 10pm on New Year’s Day. You can’t blame me, because I wanted to work 11 hours on a stat holiday. That’s money Leah and I could use… so it didn’t take a lot of arm twisting to expand my New Year’s Day shift.

So with the holdiays shot down the drain thanks to the move and the new jobs, I’m gonna have to make plans to make this up to Leah. Xmas wasn’t anything earth shattering for Leah, as the best I could do was get her a small jewelery box for a gift. I wanted to do more, but expenses were tight. Now with new year’s shot, I need to do something for Leah. I have an idea to take her to a concert, and with Toronto only a quick 45 minute Go train away, I have a lot of options to pick from. Here are a few shows that I am looking at:

Supernova
Toronto, Jan 24th, 2007.

This was by far my first choice, and I tried really hard to get tickets. But alas, the show is sold out and has been for months. Leah would have loved this one, but we’ll have to catch them when they come back on their next tour… hopefully in the summer.

The Tragically Hip
Hamilton, Feb 6, 2007.

I love the hip, and so does Leah. And despite being very close to the venue in question for this show, we are not going to this one. Leah is the kind of person who would rather see a new show, rather than a concert she has already seen. I would love to see the hip again, but Leah wants to see someone new…

The Rankin Family
Hamilton, Feb 6, 2007.

This one looks interesting, because Leah loves this band which is of an Irish flavor. They haven’t been on tour for years and while tickets are very expensive ($60 each), the fact that the cocert hall is only 20 minute walk from the house is appealing as well.

Rod Stewart
Toronto, Feb 6, 2007.

Feb 6th is looking to be a very compeditive night for music in TO. I would love to see Stewart in concert, but Leah will have nothing of it. Don’t get me wrong, she loves his music and would enjoy the show… but tickets are starting at $50 for nose bleeds and go all the way up to $125 for the best seats on the floor. A tad too expensive for our liking. Sorry Rod…

Barenaked Ladies
Toronto, Feb 16, 2007.

These guys would be a cool show, and tickets go from $31 – $75 a piece so that’s not as hard on the wallet. I would love to see this show, but am hesitant cause Leah hasn’t always liked this band too much..

MEAT LOAF
Hamilton, Mar 20, 2007.

Everyone knows what a huge fan I am of Meat Loaf. My jaw about hit the floor when I saw this listing the first time. I plan to buy tickets for this show with my January mid month pay. I asked Leah if she wanted to go to this one with me, because I intend to go… no debate about that. She doesn’t want to go cause she’s already seen Meat Loaf in Concert. That whole already done that rule for her kicks in cause she saw him on tour with her sister a year before she met me. SO… my brother Chris and I are going to go instead. I haven’t had the honor to see Meat in concert, so there’s no question… I’m seeing this show.

So… those are the shows I’m looking and in one case committed to attending. Any comments or advice would be welcome, as I’m fretting over which one to get. I try to talk to Leah to get imput from her, but trying to get a name out of her is like pulling teeth. During times like this, the best way to go is to get the tickets and surprise her with them like a night or two before the show. That’s the way I’m going to go with one of the above concerts. We do need a night out sometime within the next month or so and I think that will do that trick, don’t you?

Peter