Random Thoughts-29
January 7th, 2008
Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone is completely recovered from the Happy Holiday Season and ready to get back to "Normal". Of course, you know what "Normal" is? For a lot of us, it's only about one-and-a-half notches down from full blown Christmas warp speed! So don't be too eager for a real slow-down in January.
We prepare and prepare, and cook and clean, and shop and party, then clean some more, then cook some more, then shop some more and go to a couple more parties and whine that the season went by sooooo fast! And, you know what? It does!
I bet it even goes fast for all those weird folks that have everything bought and ready by the end of Agribition! You know the ones. They're whistling Christmas carols on November 1st and have their greeting cards in the mail the day after Remembrance Day and everything. Well, good for them.
To me, it just takes some of the excitement away, from the occasion, if you're not feverishly running around the last few days before Christmas and you actually listen for how many shopping days are left! But then again, I am a natural born procastinator. I don't even have to work at it!
Our family tries to buy as many local products as possible for the season. Once upon a time, I was a local business owner, too, and I know full-well the importance of supporting our local merchants. That said, there are always items that require the requisite trip, or trips, to a larger centre to endure the Mall Madness and the Wal-Mart Wars.
Nothing says "Christmas" like looking for a spot in the Food Court or rubbing elbows with a few hundred other people trying to find that last DVD or listening to the children cry as, once again, they're told to "WAIT 'TIL CHRISTMAS!". Ah, 'Tis the Season!
I am not exactly sure why, but we were unable to go on our annual trip until the 22nd of December. Yes, the 22nd of December! I still can't remember why we put it off. Hmmm?
Anyway, it was nuts! But, this time, it was a good nuts, if you know what I mean? People weren't angry, clerks were very helpful and we even found a spot in the Food Court! Maybe there is something to be said about glad tidings and all.
Shortly before Christmas, I had a conversation with a colleague about his plans for the holidays and I asked him if he was prepared. He stated that the best thing about Christmas was January 2nd! Whoa! Talk about Bah-Humbug! I'll admit that the season doesn't have the same magic as it did when I was 10 years-old, or even when our children were 10 years-old, but still, it's not that bad, is it?
To him and his ilk I pose this question. If you were to repeat one day over and over again, as in the movie "Groundhog Day", and you had the choice between the 25th of December or January 2nd, which day would you chose? Thought so!
"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right,"-Oprah Windrey (1954-).
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Random Thoughts-28
December 9th, 2007
As we are fast approaching Christmas Day, the season known as "Happy Holidays" is into full swing. I was going to do the old whiny bit about all the glitz and commercialism, the lights, the decorations, the stresses, the excesses, the wife going all "Martha Stewarty" on the living room and such. But that's too easy!
I know it! I live it! I have been using it as my excuse to excuse myself from most of the participation in the preparations; if you know what I mean? I think my wife is getting a little bit sick of it, too!
"You know what? If you had done the lights when I said you should have, you wouldn't have frozen fingers, now, would you?", I seem to recall her saying in her best, "I told you so voice".
Psst, it really bugs me when she's right, and please, don't tell her I said that,okay?
So, I may Bah-Humbug my way into the season and get a little Scroogie at first, but soon I'm caught up in all the hype, too. The Christmas parties, the eggnog, the carols, the 37th time watching "It's a Wonderful Life", the shopping, (okay, not the shopping so much), but the eggnog and even the "Martha Stewarty" living room. Did I mention, the egg-nog? It's hard not to get caught up!
So yeah, many tend to overdo it a bit over the festive season, but what the heck? You only live once! As excessive and stressful as it can be it is also a great time of year for generosity and sharing. In general, people are happier, livlier and give more of themselves. Are there exceptions? Of course there are! There will always be exceptions. But in the end, sitting in the wrapping paper, smelling the turkey cooking and enjoying the company of family and friends, it will all have been worth it.
I am reminded of the e-mail story, floating around, about the frustrated mother, dragging her two cranky, tired kids through the mall feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of the season saying, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot!" A gentleman overheard and responded, "Don't worry, we already crucified Him!"
"At Christmas, play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year."-Thomas Tusser
December 9th, 2007
As we are fast approaching Christmas Day, the season known as "Happy Holidays" is into full swing. I was going to do the old whiny bit about all the glitz and commercialism, the lights, the decorations, the stresses, the excesses, the wife going all "Martha Stewarty" on the living room and such. But that's too easy!
I know it! I live it! I have been using it as my excuse to excuse myself from most of the participation in the preparations; if you know what I mean? I think my wife is getting a little bit sick of it, too!
"You know what? If you had done the lights when I said you should have, you wouldn't have frozen fingers, now, would you?", I seem to recall her saying in her best, "I told you so voice".
Psst, it really bugs me when she's right, and please, don't tell her I said that,okay?
So, I may Bah-Humbug my way into the season and get a little Scroogie at first, but soon I'm caught up in all the hype, too. The Christmas parties, the eggnog, the carols, the 37th time watching "It's a Wonderful Life", the shopping, (okay, not the shopping so much), but the eggnog and even the "Martha Stewarty" living room. Did I mention, the egg-nog? It's hard not to get caught up!
So yeah, many tend to overdo it a bit over the festive season, but what the heck? You only live once! As excessive and stressful as it can be it is also a great time of year for generosity and sharing. In general, people are happier, livlier and give more of themselves. Are there exceptions? Of course there are! There will always be exceptions. But in the end, sitting in the wrapping paper, smelling the turkey cooking and enjoying the company of family and friends, it will all have been worth it.
I am reminded of the e-mail story, floating around, about the frustrated mother, dragging her two cranky, tired kids through the mall feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of the season saying, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot!" A gentleman overheard and responded, "Don't worry, we already crucified Him!"
"At Christmas, play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year."-Thomas Tusser
Random Thoughts-26
November 23rd, 2007
Almost every time friends and families get together a game of "Remember When" seems to break out. Okay, it's not really a game, but eventually the conversations all start with the words "Remember when?". I am sure that all of you have played it at one time or another.
It's not just for old folks that are trying to relive their glory days, either. My wife and kids play it all the time, when we have the opportunity to gather for a meal or a visit. Usually, "Remember when" is followed by an anecdote about how they were all embarassed by something their father or husband had done.
Classmates, teammates, workmates and childhood friends conjure up memories from their past as the game can grow into a battle of one-upmanship to see who can remember the most. Each story rekindles another memory from the past, usually prompting another person's story of their shared time together. It's very contagious and can go on for hours.
If the sentence "Remember when?" is started by someone of the older persuasion, like me, it is usually followed by groans, from one's children and their peers. It's because the story just might have some life-lesson in it, or the story will relate to how life was so tough way back when or something. Not always, but more often than not, they are right.
During a recent conversation, with some young people, I started a "Remember when?" story about television viewing. "I remember when we moved to Kipling, in 1970, we had one channel on the TV to watch. Yes! ONE CHANNEL! Can you imagine!?"
Now, I know it doesn't compare to travelling across the prairie landscape on a "Red River Cart", or even milking the cows BY HAND?!, but in comparison to the hundreds of channels available, today, it seems downright primitive!
Our family has progressed to our current satallite TV package that includes 97, yes 97!, channels. Sure, some of them are duplicates, but remove half of them and it's still a far cry from ONE! Even TWO channels would have DOUBLED our viewing selection in 1970, for crying out loud!
In retrospect, one channel wasn't all that bad. We older folks tend to justify our long-ago hardships as character builders and such. When there wasn't anything to watch on tv, which was pretty much all the time, we played sports or games and invented new ways to entertain ourselves. Sometimes, it wasn't in the most constructive manner, either. But I'll save some of those stories for a different round of "Remember When?".
One would think that with all of these channels available, to us, there would be something worthwhile on the ol' tube at any given time. My experience has been that that is not necessarily the case.
I have stated that, in my humble opinion, watching poker on tv is a colossal waste of time. Well, I have to report that I have found something even more useless to do with your time. You can watch RADIO on TV! Yes, RADIO on TV! You can watch The Fan 590 Sports Talk Radio, from Toronto, on TV!
Now, there are two things that are very disconcerting, to me, about this. One, is that it's even available, and the other is that I watched it! In my defence, they were talking about the 'Riders chances in the Grey Cup; but still, RADIO onTV?! We must always be careful as to what we label progress!
"So live that your memories will be part of your happiness."- Author Unknown.
November 23rd, 2007
Almost every time friends and families get together a game of "Remember When" seems to break out. Okay, it's not really a game, but eventually the conversations all start with the words "Remember when?". I am sure that all of you have played it at one time or another.
It's not just for old folks that are trying to relive their glory days, either. My wife and kids play it all the time, when we have the opportunity to gather for a meal or a visit. Usually, "Remember when" is followed by an anecdote about how they were all embarassed by something their father or husband had done.
Classmates, teammates, workmates and childhood friends conjure up memories from their past as the game can grow into a battle of one-upmanship to see who can remember the most. Each story rekindles another memory from the past, usually prompting another person's story of their shared time together. It's very contagious and can go on for hours.
If the sentence "Remember when?" is started by someone of the older persuasion, like me, it is usually followed by groans, from one's children and their peers. It's because the story just might have some life-lesson in it, or the story will relate to how life was so tough way back when or something. Not always, but more often than not, they are right.
During a recent conversation, with some young people, I started a "Remember when?" story about television viewing. "I remember when we moved to Kipling, in 1970, we had one channel on the TV to watch. Yes! ONE CHANNEL! Can you imagine!?"
Now, I know it doesn't compare to travelling across the prairie landscape on a "Red River Cart", or even milking the cows BY HAND?!, but in comparison to the hundreds of channels available, today, it seems downright primitive!
Our family has progressed to our current satallite TV package that includes 97, yes 97!, channels. Sure, some of them are duplicates, but remove half of them and it's still a far cry from ONE! Even TWO channels would have DOUBLED our viewing selection in 1970, for crying out loud!
In retrospect, one channel wasn't all that bad. We older folks tend to justify our long-ago hardships as character builders and such. When there wasn't anything to watch on tv, which was pretty much all the time, we played sports or games and invented new ways to entertain ourselves. Sometimes, it wasn't in the most constructive manner, either. But I'll save some of those stories for a different round of "Remember When?".
One would think that with all of these channels available, to us, there would be something worthwhile on the ol' tube at any given time. My experience has been that that is not necessarily the case.
I have stated that, in my humble opinion, watching poker on tv is a colossal waste of time. Well, I have to report that I have found something even more useless to do with your time. You can watch RADIO on TV! Yes, RADIO on TV! You can watch The Fan 590 Sports Talk Radio, from Toronto, on TV!
Now, there are two things that are very disconcerting, to me, about this. One, is that it's even available, and the other is that I watched it! In my defence, they were talking about the 'Riders chances in the Grey Cup; but still, RADIO onTV?! We must always be careful as to what we label progress!
"So live that your memories will be part of your happiness."- Author Unknown.
Random Thoughts-26
November 4th, 2007
A few years ago a friend of mine approached me about joining his network marketing scheme, which involved selling some natural vitamin supplements or something. I tried my best to put him off without being rude. I just wasn't interested. My experience with these types of things had been that they were usually more about signing up people than selling the products.
I am not trying to be too critical here. There are many fine products and many fine, successful people that are able to distribute their products and make a good buck using this system. I'm just not one of those people. Believe me, I've tried.
Then I made the mistake of telling him that my excuse was that I just didn't have the time to put into the enterprise. His comeback has stuck with me for some time. He said that it wasn't a matter of having the time available, it was a matter of making the time available. He said he didn't go bowling on Sunday nights; not because he didn't have the time, he just didn't want to take the time.
So, there it was. My excuse was blown out of the water. I'ts the same reason that we don't have time to exercise, or time to bake that cake from scratch or time to mend the fence. It's not that we don't have the time, it's just that we choose to do something different with the time available to us.
Without the time excuse, my only way out, then, was to be rude. No, just kidding! Now, I can't remember exactly how I got out of that one, but there's probably a whole other column, in there, about fibbing and how, sometimes, it just can't be avoided.
I was having a conversation, with another good friend, about the old days, when we were both a lot younger and co-workers in the construction industry. At that time, when we said, "It's Wednesday?!"; it meant that there was way too much time before the weekend.
Now, our priorities have changed and when we say, "It's Wednesday?!", it means that there's no way we have enough time to get everything done by the end of the work-week! Oh, how times have changed!
According to The Rolling Stones: "Time is on my side, yes it is." Well, maybe it was when I was a twenty-year-old green construction worker praying for some "Beer Clouds" to break up the work-week because I couldn't wait for the weekend! And, in my youthful mind, at the time, it wasn't my top priority to make sure that deadlines were being made. My boss, on the other hand, probably had a far different outlook.
If you have some time to spare, (ha, ha), log on to the old internet and look up "Time" on Wikepedia. In an effort to define "Time", they talk about it being part of the fundamental structure of the universe and the physics of time and space as fundamental quantities and stuff. Interesting as it sounds, it might have helped me understand "Time's" meaning, but in an effort to completely understand what they were saying, and in the two minutes it took to read and the four minutes it took to reread and reread it; it adds up to six minutes of time that I'll never get back!
"Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save."-Will Rogers (1879-1935).
November 4th, 2007
A few years ago a friend of mine approached me about joining his network marketing scheme, which involved selling some natural vitamin supplements or something. I tried my best to put him off without being rude. I just wasn't interested. My experience with these types of things had been that they were usually more about signing up people than selling the products.
I am not trying to be too critical here. There are many fine products and many fine, successful people that are able to distribute their products and make a good buck using this system. I'm just not one of those people. Believe me, I've tried.
Then I made the mistake of telling him that my excuse was that I just didn't have the time to put into the enterprise. His comeback has stuck with me for some time. He said that it wasn't a matter of having the time available, it was a matter of making the time available. He said he didn't go bowling on Sunday nights; not because he didn't have the time, he just didn't want to take the time.
So, there it was. My excuse was blown out of the water. I'ts the same reason that we don't have time to exercise, or time to bake that cake from scratch or time to mend the fence. It's not that we don't have the time, it's just that we choose to do something different with the time available to us.
Without the time excuse, my only way out, then, was to be rude. No, just kidding! Now, I can't remember exactly how I got out of that one, but there's probably a whole other column, in there, about fibbing and how, sometimes, it just can't be avoided.
I was having a conversation, with another good friend, about the old days, when we were both a lot younger and co-workers in the construction industry. At that time, when we said, "It's Wednesday?!"; it meant that there was way too much time before the weekend.
Now, our priorities have changed and when we say, "It's Wednesday?!", it means that there's no way we have enough time to get everything done by the end of the work-week! Oh, how times have changed!
According to The Rolling Stones: "Time is on my side, yes it is." Well, maybe it was when I was a twenty-year-old green construction worker praying for some "Beer Clouds" to break up the work-week because I couldn't wait for the weekend! And, in my youthful mind, at the time, it wasn't my top priority to make sure that deadlines were being made. My boss, on the other hand, probably had a far different outlook.
If you have some time to spare, (ha, ha), log on to the old internet and look up "Time" on Wikepedia. In an effort to define "Time", they talk about it being part of the fundamental structure of the universe and the physics of time and space as fundamental quantities and stuff. Interesting as it sounds, it might have helped me understand "Time's" meaning, but in an effort to completely understand what they were saying, and in the two minutes it took to read and the four minutes it took to reread and reread it; it adds up to six minutes of time that I'll never get back!
"Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save."-Will Rogers (1879-1935).
Random Thoughts-25
October 19th, 2007
Here is something that everyone can do,
The task is simple, the qualifications are few.
There are many subjects, of which you can choose;
There's fashion and films, you can even do booze.
Just take your subject and pick it apart.
Now your job as a critic has got a good start.
Politics, books, TV and news,
Teachers, mayors and especially Tom Cruise.
When Britney and Paris are acting all sleazy
Then a critic's job becomes way too easy.
From the critic's position, it's not hard to judge,
Particularly when they are holding a grudge.
Watching sports in my favorite chair,
My coaching mistakes are always rare.
I'm batting 1000, I can't miss a shot,
Every swing of my club hits the sweet spot.
I can never lose, while I'm sitting here,
I don't even sweat or wear any gear.
We are blessed to live in a country so free,
But not even Canada escapes scrutiny.
Our roads, our weather and our wages, too;
Immigration and healthcare we all like to boo.
Like armchair quarterbacks our decisions are right.
But the greatest calls are usually hindsight.
Critics can ruin a politician's life,
For his choices in clothing, or even his wife.
Policies? Platforms? We don't care.
"Look at that hat! And who cuts his hair?"
I'd laugh out loud, if it wasn't so sad,
That nobody cares if they're good or bad.
Thanks for your patience, while reading my rhyming,
It just felt like, you know, the right kind of timing.
Now, go ahead, and critique if you must,
Into your hands, Dear Reader, I trust.
Pick it apart, tear it to shreds.
It's too late anyhow, it's already read!
"Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger."-Franklin P. Jones.
October 19th, 2007
Here is something that everyone can do,
The task is simple, the qualifications are few.
There are many subjects, of which you can choose;
There's fashion and films, you can even do booze.
Just take your subject and pick it apart.
Now your job as a critic has got a good start.
Politics, books, TV and news,
Teachers, mayors and especially Tom Cruise.
When Britney and Paris are acting all sleazy
Then a critic's job becomes way too easy.
From the critic's position, it's not hard to judge,
Particularly when they are holding a grudge.
Watching sports in my favorite chair,
My coaching mistakes are always rare.
I'm batting 1000, I can't miss a shot,
Every swing of my club hits the sweet spot.
I can never lose, while I'm sitting here,
I don't even sweat or wear any gear.
We are blessed to live in a country so free,
But not even Canada escapes scrutiny.
Our roads, our weather and our wages, too;
Immigration and healthcare we all like to boo.
Like armchair quarterbacks our decisions are right.
But the greatest calls are usually hindsight.
Critics can ruin a politician's life,
For his choices in clothing, or even his wife.
Policies? Platforms? We don't care.
"Look at that hat! And who cuts his hair?"
I'd laugh out loud, if it wasn't so sad,
That nobody cares if they're good or bad.
Thanks for your patience, while reading my rhyming,
It just felt like, you know, the right kind of timing.
Now, go ahead, and critique if you must,
Into your hands, Dear Reader, I trust.
Pick it apart, tear it to shreds.
It's too late anyhow, it's already read!
"Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger."-Franklin P. Jones.
I have been submitting a bi-weekly column to our local weekly paper for 2 1/2 years and I am going to attach a number of those columns to this blog. Local readers have told me numerous times how much they enjoy my writing and I would like to share it with a larger audience. If you enjoy reading this material please pass along the blogspot address or respond with your comments or tips.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Winter Blues
The decorations have all been put away ‘til next Christmas, the Christmas CDs are filed away, the left over pastries are getting a good start on their freezer burn and those loose-fitting jeans aren’t so loose-fitting any more. The much-anticipated “Season of Joy” has passed, once again, all too quickly.
Now, we transition right into the next season…the “Winter Blues” season; which, unlike the lead-up to Christmas, takes little or no preparation at all. Regardless of the ever-so-slight increase in daylight minutes per day we’ll still be in “winter” mode for a while yet. Especially if Mother Nature continues her argument against “Global Warming”!
After the December rush, it’s hard not to get dragged down into the melancholic afterglow of another year coming to a close. I’ll now insert my excuse of “Winter Malaise” as my reason for having written nothing in a month!
So what are we to do to offset those winter blues? How do we escape the incessant hum of the natural gas meter? How do we keep our relationships intact while moodily slugging along until the crows come back?
A trip to some tropical locale would be in order if Christmas shopping and SaskEnergy hadn’t eaten up all of the savings! Ditto on the ski trips! So, if travel is out and you’re looking for a low-cost solution I’ll try to help you out.
You have to keep in mind that not everything about winter is bad. Consider the fact that there are numerous hours of serious NFL playoff football games to be watched on the weekends and there’s probably a hockey game on TV every night of the week, too!
Okay, alright, that’s maybe a short-term fix and you would probably have to actually like those sports to really enjoy them. I suppose you could always watch something else, but stay away from the warmer climate shows like movies set in Hawaii or golf games from Florida and such. It’ll just make you more depressed.
Medical science has an actual term for the “Winter Blues”, it’s called “Seasonal Affective Disorder” and it can be very serious in some cases. There are many ways to treat “SAD” including light therapy and medicine’s ever popular anti-depression medication. It goes without saying that you should consult your physician before you decide on any treatment at all, including “Couch Potato Therapy”!
Exercise and diet are the best and easiest fixes. Exercising rids feelings of depression by increasing serotonin levels. The use of fitness centres, skating rinks and toboggan hills are just a few examples of fun ways to remain active. “You are what you eat" holds true when depression creates an urge to indulge in high-sugar foods that gives temporary liveliness, but eventually decreases energy.
Above all, show your true Canadian colours and embrace the winter before it embraces you!
“The simple solution for disappointment depression: Get up and get moving. Physically move. Do. Act. Get going,”- Peter McWilliams, Life 101.
Now, we transition right into the next season…the “Winter Blues” season; which, unlike the lead-up to Christmas, takes little or no preparation at all. Regardless of the ever-so-slight increase in daylight minutes per day we’ll still be in “winter” mode for a while yet. Especially if Mother Nature continues her argument against “Global Warming”!
After the December rush, it’s hard not to get dragged down into the melancholic afterglow of another year coming to a close. I’ll now insert my excuse of “Winter Malaise” as my reason for having written nothing in a month!
So what are we to do to offset those winter blues? How do we escape the incessant hum of the natural gas meter? How do we keep our relationships intact while moodily slugging along until the crows come back?
A trip to some tropical locale would be in order if Christmas shopping and SaskEnergy hadn’t eaten up all of the savings! Ditto on the ski trips! So, if travel is out and you’re looking for a low-cost solution I’ll try to help you out.
You have to keep in mind that not everything about winter is bad. Consider the fact that there are numerous hours of serious NFL playoff football games to be watched on the weekends and there’s probably a hockey game on TV every night of the week, too!
Okay, alright, that’s maybe a short-term fix and you would probably have to actually like those sports to really enjoy them. I suppose you could always watch something else, but stay away from the warmer climate shows like movies set in Hawaii or golf games from Florida and such. It’ll just make you more depressed.
Medical science has an actual term for the “Winter Blues”, it’s called “Seasonal Affective Disorder” and it can be very serious in some cases. There are many ways to treat “SAD” including light therapy and medicine’s ever popular anti-depression medication. It goes without saying that you should consult your physician before you decide on any treatment at all, including “Couch Potato Therapy”!
Exercise and diet are the best and easiest fixes. Exercising rids feelings of depression by increasing serotonin levels. The use of fitness centres, skating rinks and toboggan hills are just a few examples of fun ways to remain active. “You are what you eat" holds true when depression creates an urge to indulge in high-sugar foods that gives temporary liveliness, but eventually decreases energy.
Above all, show your true Canadian colours and embrace the winter before it embraces you!
“The simple solution for disappointment depression: Get up and get moving. Physically move. Do. Act. Get going,”- Peter McWilliams, Life 101.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)