This and That... mostly in front of the TV

Well hello there!  Fancy finding you here, or is that me?  Life is relatively good on this side of the screen.  I'm keeping busy with this and that.  Not always obvious, but it's good nonetheless.

Weather went from Fall to Summer back to Fall almost, in a matter of a week.  I went from legging to shorts and flip flops, with even a sun burn, thank you very much! -  back to legging with socks!  Last night we had a big storm, the summer kind, with thunder and lightning.  It had been a long time since I heard the gods this angry!

I haven't been watching the news much, so, I do know some black man was killed by a police officer while others were standing by, and that there was a walk with looting... that's all I know, and that's ok.  I'm saturated by it all.  By the media pushing down our throats all this bullshit no matter what its covering, the virus, the useless death of a man, the violence, all of it is just too much.  I saw the speech Killer Mike gave in Atlanta, so well spoken.  I don't agree with everything he said, but a lot of it made sense.  These are crazy times.  We are all feeling it on different levels, we're all affected and even infected by the craziness of it all.  Sad times really.

In order to escape our shitty reality, I asked Hubby to dig out my Harry Potter books, last week.  I'm already on book 3, and man oh man, I still love it!  So much imagination and like someone who sent me a Potter postcard wrote me recently, it would be nice to have such magic in our lives.   We've been watching a lot of television, some shows, caught a few (read quite a few) new series (like "Hunters", "Dead To Me", "Defending Jacob", "Dead Still", "A Discovery of Witches") and watched many movies.  Watched "The Art of Racing in the Rain", which I knew nothing about, but when I saw that Milo V. played in it I decided to watch it, and i cried! Lots!  I will try to find the book and read that. A good cry for sure, and I know, like always, the book will be way better than the movie!

Tonight, we watched "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas".  What a movie that was.  Yes it is about WWII, about the Nazis, but it made me (us, really!) think about those kids (on either sides), the wives and relatives of those officers, something I had never really thought of before...  That too, I will watch again.  Some movies felt like we were robbed of two hours we would never get back, but others, were worth the time to watch them for sure.  One that was weird was "I See You", twisted and yet, to think that someone could slip into our home, and live hiding in our house without us knowing... that is one scary thought!

In case you're wondering about my hair, it is growing (fast), so I've booked myself an appointment with my hairdresser (for when she will reopen) for a cut, but I haven't decided if I want to stay salt and pepper...  Some days I think, nah, don't like it, and others I don't care... so maybe once I have an actual cut (whatever she will be able to do with what I'll have by then) I won't mind the grey so much?  I always thought Jamie Lee Curtis looked great with her grey hair...

So who knows, maybe I'll like it too?  Started "socializing" some.  Went for a walk, with a freaking mask (because my friend insisted!) which I hate wearing BTW, and it was nice to talk to someone in front of me that wasn't my husband.  He's the one who goes out and does all errands, so I haven't seen many real people in the past few months, other than him.  I went out again, with another friend, also for a walk (that is when I got my sun burn), but without a mask this time.  We saw so many people, walking in cluster, no social distance at all, very few were wearing masks, and often those who were weren't wearing them correctly.  If you're going to put a mask on, then put it on you nose and mouth, not your chin or throat.  Like those morons who are alone in their car with a mask on... really?  Do they also wear a condom when masturbating?  Just as stupid!

This whole pandemic, real or not (many conspiracies theories out there) was a major clusterfuck on many levels.  It has affected not only our morals, but hurt everyone.  Our economy hurts and will hurt for some time, some businesses closed and won't reopen, it sucks on more level than one.  The worst of it all, is that we're being fed whatever the government and the Powers That Be wants us to "know" or "think" and that is scary.  We can have those numbers say what the heck we want, and make us fearful... a great way to control the mass... 

OK I will stop here, enough.  Stay safe people!

Argh! Turkey. Elections. Did I say Argh?

I can't believe we are already in October; that today is our (as in, us, Canadians) Thanksgiving. 

I don't know about you, or if it is a French vs English thing, but Thanksgiving was never a big thing for us.  It was basically a day off.  We didn't do the turkey (that is a Christmas thing for me), we didn't give thanks, and we didn't even really get together as such...  It was more like the last day off before the Christmas break.  Since I've been exposed more to the English side of things, I've come to realize that more people might celebrate that day.  Nothing like our neighbors the Americans though., but still.

I will give thanks for what I've got.  I'm thankful for my health in general, for my good husband, for the family I chose, i.e. my friends.  I have a good life and for that I am thankful, and not just today but most days of the year.  I write most because I know some days I do forget...

This time of year my favorite "holiday" would be Halloween.  That I celebrate!  As I kid I used to dress up and go trick or tricking.  I just loved it.  I remember wearing my snow suit under my costume because it was so cold, or wearing a big garbage bag over my costume because it was raining.  The joy of living here, you never know the type of night you'll get.  All my goodies for the little monsters are ready.  I started assembling my little bags and realized that I had done them all.  I have one hundred and twenty of them, and I'm hoping it will be enough.  As long as the weather is cooperating, it should be good.

Things have happened here and there, and at times I feel like I should be a fucking recluse, with no neighbor, no screeching kids, no hyper sensitive people, no relatives, just myself. And maybe Hubby (depending on the day, ah!)

I've been trying to get things together for Canada Posts to issue an official Postcrossing stamp.  I've asked Canadian members to help me in this.  The response rate is low.  Oh, I guess I should be happy that some did answer my request, because after all, we are Canadians - we are great at asking for things, but when comes time to actually do something or to get involve we go roach (as in we disappear as soon as the light in on us).  We're are great for wanting, but to actually act, that is a whole other story.  And when you are one (of the rares) who do actually do something, you are judge for being a shit disturber or someone who's disturbing and even a bully because you are pressuring people to do something.  No matter what you are fucked.  Damned if you do and damned of you don't.

We've had Provincial elections, and for the first time in a long time, people actually elected a majority government that wasn't Liberal or Québécois, a first since 1966! Oh, by the way, if there is anybody from any of the political parties, the elections are now over, so please do remove all those big card boards.  We've seen them all, please take them down.  Last elections I had to send an actual email to a party to ask them to actually stop littering the neighborhood with their signs. As I was reading a news feed earlier I came across an article stating that the 'new' government was racist, because the Premier didn't want any religious signs (that old debate, again), and the Muslims, etc. were up arguing about it all.  Why are we supposed to remove any religious signs (as in crosses) from City Halls, Parliament, schools, etc. even if we are (mostly) a Christian nation and yet it would be allowed for women to wear a hijab or men/kids to wear a kirpan?  I don't get this not good for one, and yet the others do it.  If we are a lay-society,  then everybody is the same and shows nothing... but then that would be too easy.

We live in one crazy world that is for damn sure!

We have to answer for it...

Today while I was at the salon, I was asked how I felt about the recent events, the terrorists attacks that have occurred within the last few days on our soil. At first I didn't think I should really express my opinion. But then again...

You see I have an issue with how loosely we use "terrorist attack", how fast we call a violent nut case a terrorist... It upsets me to see people jumping to conclusion about a violent act and blaming religious beliefs,  or whatever else. Why can't we just say a crime, a violent attack or act?  To say terrorist and throw in Islam is just turning things around so that we get scared and worried. 

The media is to blame for a lot of it, but there is also the authorities, how they manipulate the information that is being spread, shown.  They're leading us to believe certain things, and to be honest I'm not convinced we are told the truth.  It would be irresponsible of me to completely trust the system as it is.

Remember Denis Lortie, back in 1984 - the lunatic who walked in the QC Parliament and shot people?  He did kill three people.  Funny, how to this day, I've never heard anyone refer to him as anything other than a crazy man you blew a gasket.  There was never any mention of terrorism - granted back in the 80s it wasn't a world as popular as it is now.  Nowadays every damn crazy act is labeled terrorist. That does get to me.  It makes me mad, that we're being scared not only by actions of crazy people, but by words.

I think it is very sad to see so many of us, being scared, outraged, etc and at the same time somewaht unconscious or refusing to see that if you mingle in other people's business there are chances you might get involve in it too.  If one stirs a pot, you will not only smell what's cooking but you might get burned as well. 

As Canadians we've always been "nice", "peaceful", good citizens of the world.  We used to mind our business.  Lately, we've been following our Southern neighbors maybe a little too much, and now we may be starting to feel repercussion of it all. Until now, we've always felt safe. 

Last week, I've met an old man who did the Korea War and we talked some.  I was telling him about this idea I had to send postcards to our deployed soldiers, as a thank you and encouragement for their sacrifice (and yes, even if it is their choice), idea I shared with other Postcrossing members on Bacefook.  This week these sad events happened, yet again reminding me that I do support our troops, even if I'm not sure they should be where they are.

I don't do politics.  When I saw this, I liked the message.  I like the message on how to react.  Let's not be scared but think.  Let's not jump to conclusion but evaluate.  Let's not turn American (sorry to my US blends) and remember that we are Canadians, and what it means...

Olympic Twit

I've always enjoyed watching the Olympics.  I even get emotional watching gymnastics.  I know weird, huh?  There is something about watching these guys and gals tumbling and making their bodies do things that are not all that natural to start with, that gets me teary eyes.  I'm in awe of swimmers, at how easy they make it look. Yet, this year something that bothered me previously is really getting jammed along my tunnel of admiration for these athletes.  It bothers me to see professionals participating.  Serena Williams is a great athlete but she chose to play professionally and earn shit loads of money for being a professional tennis player, so she shouldn't be allowed to play against "regular" people.  I've taken Miss Williams but it could be anyone else who's a professional, like basket ball players, or any other sports.  I don't think it is right.

And what to say about these expulsions of different players for their Tweet, really?  I don't get this.  I did compete, at a local level mostly, and despite the "good spirits" there was always some dislike of my opponents.  I had to not like them if I wanted to play hard against them and beat them.  I do understand the racial aspect of things, especially at the Olympics, but at the same time, it is to be expected that players of different teams will comment and criticize their opponents, especially if they are on the losing side of the game.

I think the social media are being too intrusive and in some ways are restricting our freedom.  I mean, we've always expressed dislike of our opponents.  It used to be verbally.  Nowadays it is on Facebook and/or Twitter (to name only those).  Before only those close to us would hear our anger or racism.  Nowadays, it is for the world to see.  Since we are not bright enough to censor ourselves, because let's be honest, it looks like we can't do that in this era of sharing way too much information, society has to monitor what's being posted.

I do understand the terms of the International Olympic Committee's code of conduct, which requires athletes to show mutual respect, but come on, isn't that on for the field or stadium? At the same time, I can't help and wonder how did the Olympic Committee know about every tweet  issued by any athletes?  Someone must have complained. Should the Committee be involved in such issues?  Where does it stop?  It was after a game, on a personal account.  Does that mean that because you're going to the Olympics you can't express your opinions or anger? 

I'm just thinking about those professional basket ball players who constantly nag and pull each others' leg during a game (I did play basket ball and it can get pretty nasty at times), do the Olympic Committee think that because they are at the Olympics they will refrain from such tactics of intimidation?  Some players make their careers on being bad boys (or bad mouths), so because they're representing a country they will play nice, yeah right!

It seems to me like too much hypocrisy is going on.  Countries want to win and will use whatever mean necessary.  If it means dopes, or professional why not.  I don't think it's fair and I don't think it is realistic to think that because it's the Olympics that everything is swell.  Some nations have been hating each others for centuries and it's not a two weeks break that will change that.  Some people have no class, and being at the Olympics won't change that either.  Some people are racist, bigot or whatever else and that isn't about to change because we promote peace, love, friendship.  People have to want to change first and foremost.

I'm closing with this:

A female CNN journalist heard about a very old Jewish man who had been going to the Western Wall to pray, twice a day, every day, for a long, long time. So she went to check it out. She went to the Western Wall and there he was, walking slowly up to the holy site. She watched him pray and after about 45 minutes, when he turned to leave, using a cane and moving very slowly, she approached him for an interview.

"Pardon me, sir, I'm Rebecca Smith from CNN. What's your name?
"Morris Feinberg," he replied.
"Sir, how long have you been coming to the Western Wall and praying?"
"For about 60 years."
"60 years! That's amazing! What do you pray for?"
"I pray for peace between the Christians, Jews and the Muslims. I pray for all the wars and all the hatred to stop. I pray for all our children to grow up safely as responsible adults and to love their fellow man. I pray that politicians tell us the truth and put the interests of the people ahead of their own interests."
"How do you feel after doing this for 60 years?"
"Like I'm talking to a fucking wall."

Yep, that pretty much sums it up doesn't it? I think I'd get along with the old man...

Curiosity did not kill this cat.

We watched "Milk" (I know, our movies viewing isn't up to date) and I really enjoyed it.  I still can't get over the fact that to this day we're still fighting about gay rights.  Watching the movie, and seeing old footage of arguments about some bills and how (like always) God is brought into the mix (it's nuts the things we do in His name), and how stupid it all is... one would think we would be more advanced or something, but no.  We still argue about the same things, we're still stupid.  It's ridiculous.

Why should I care what others do, how they live their lives or with whom they have sex?  It is their business.  As long as they don't hurt anyone, who cares, really?  Thinking about it all, I'm realising I've never really felt fear or anger towards someone because they were/are different.  On the contrary, I often felt/feel curiosity.  I want to know about what makes them that way.  I've asked gay friends how or when they realised they were gay.  Like I've asked questions to a Buddhist friend.  I want to better understand them, so I ask question. 

At a client of mine, there are a few Muslims.  One day I walked in a room, and one of them was doing his prayers.  After he was done, I asked him if we could talked about what I'd walked in in.  He agreed and we talked about his religious practise and beliefs.  It was very interesting to have this chat with him.  He seemed surprised at first about my curiosity, but since then told me I was the only one in the office who actually asked him anything.

Sometimes when I think of how Black people were treated only fifty years ago it seems so foreign to me.  I've always been curious of others, different cultures, traditions, colors, religions... name it I have a question about it.  I want to know.

Hubby's grand mother used to tell him "you are as many people as you speak" (or something like that), I totally agree with that and I also believe the more you expose yourself to others the more you have to gain from it.  It must not be easy for anyone having to battle stereotypes, having to fight to be who you are... I feel for them.  I guess because of the type of society we live in, I've had it easy.  I just had to fight some (in martial arts, mostly a man's sport) and that fight got to me.  I can't even imagine having to do this on a daily basis...

I wonder if we were all minding our own business, if things would be easier?!  What do you think?

I got chills. They're multiplyin'. And I'm losin' control

yep, I want to write. This is the third post I’m re-writing. It feels like a traffic jam in my head, so much to say and yet I don’t quite know which exit to take, I guess I'm losing control!

My back wasn’t really getting better, so I decided to consult another osteo, closer to home. I’ve known my osteo for over ten years, and truly like her, she’s great, but she hasn’t been practising much due to health problems. She will, on occasion, see me at her place, since we’ve also became friends and I know her husband to be very well. Lately their lives has been too hectic, wedding planning, her health, her teaching job, etc. and getting to see her was tough. So I googled some osteos in our area; found one up our street. I had my first appointment with him on Thursday. I’m happy I went. I liked him. I’m very first impression. If I don’t like you or the vibes I get from you, forget it, I don’t care how good or nice you may be, it didn’t click, sorry. When I saw him I thought, “oh, he’s a cutie!” He’s young, shy and with a lovely accent. Raarr, can you hear the cougar in me? I sure can! I find he looks like a young Gordon Ramsay, but with brown hair. His treatment helped my back and that is the most important thing. This cougar was purring when she walked out of there, with her looser back, eh!

Last week when I saw President Obama (wow, it’s actually the first time I write his name, nice!) smack that fly I thought some people would react. The next day when I heard people from PETA were complaining, etc. I couldn’t believe it. Let’s get real people; this is too much.

No wonder the world is fucked up the way it is, we take ourselves way too seriously for our own good. There’s politically correct and then there’s plain stupid. It’s as if we can’t do anything anymore without offending someone, this is ridiculous. We’re not all the same, why can’t we accept that? Some are weaker, some are poorer, some are darker, some are more intelligent. Life isn’t fair. A man and a woman will never be equal. They shouldn’t be. There are differences between us and that’s just the way it is. Man can do physical stuff that (some) women can, but surely not all. We, women, can give birth, and that is something that only us can do, and I don’t care how evolve science gets that is something only us can/should do. Being corrected when I say “blind”, or “black” is really starting to piss me off. Why can’t we say that? I’m not using the “N” word that is just plain wrong. A black person is black and I’m white, so? Actually I’ve been told on more than one occasion that I’m an egg. Yes, an egg! By Asian people nonetheless. Why? (You know an egg, white on the outside and yellow on the inside) maybe it's because after all I have twenty plus years of karate, like Asian cuisine, eat with chopsticks, who knows?

Recently I got an email, more like a rant, about racism, and when I think of it, the author was right. Racism is everywhere, coming from all directions towards everyone. Why is it ok for visible minorities to be proud of their heritage and when we white folks rally for anything we’re being discriminatory or even racists… I can’t help and wonder about that. If someone isn’t doing their job correctly and get fired why does it have to turn into racism or some other crap like that? No, you got fired because we were lazy and incompetent. It had nothing to do with your colour or your religious beliefs; you weren’t good at that job.

Everyone feels they’re entitled to something. It is owed to them. Fewer people take pride in their work, in a job well done. Common sense is gone, as well as courtesy and pride. It’s sad.

Yesterday I could hear kids playing outside, and it made me sad when I realised, I couldn’t just open my front door and offer them Popsicles. I don’t know these kids, nor do I really want to, to be honest, but to think that a stranger wanting to do a good deed could be interpreted as a gesture to lure them in some way or some sort of ill intention. It’s a sad reflection of our society when before even doing something nice we think of how it might be perceive… argh.

Ok, my rant is over… Back to our regular programming shortly.

Well said sir!

Friday's poster joke brings me to this speach from Mr. Cosby, which I love, by the way.

They're standing on the corner and they can't speak English...

I can't even talk the way these people talk ...

Why you ain't,
Where you is,
What he drive,
Where he stay,
Where he work,
Who you be...

I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk! And then I heard the father talk!
Everybody knows it's important to speak English except these knuckleheads. You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth. In fact you will never get any kind of job making a decent living.

People marched and were hit in the face with rocks to get an Education, and now we've got these knuckleheads walking around. These lower economic people are not holding up their end in the deal. These people are not parenting. They are buying things for kids. $500 sneakers for what?
And they won't spend $200 for 'Hooked on Phonics'.

I am talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit.
Where were you when he was 2 ? ? Where were you when he was 12 ? ? Where were you when he was 18 and how come you didn't know that he had a pistol ? ? And where is the father ? ? Or who is his father ?

People putting their clothes on backwards: Isn't that a sign of something gone wrong? People with their hats on backward, pants down around the crack, isn't that a sign of something ?
Or are you waiting for Jesus to pull his pants up ? Isn't it a sign of something when she has her dress all the way up and got all type of needles [piercing] going through her body?
What part of Africa did this come from?? We're not Africans. Those people are not Africans; they don't know a thing about Africa. With names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed and all of that crap... and all of them are in jail.

Brown or black versus the Board of Education is no longer the white person's problem.
We have got to take the neighbourhood back. People used to be ashamed. Today a woman has eight children with eight different 'husbands' -- or partners, or whatever you call them now.
We have millionaire football players who cannot read. We have million-dollar basketball players who can't write two paragraphs.

We, as black folks have to do a better job.
Someone working at Wal-Mart with seven kids, you are hurting us.
We have to start holding each other to a higher standard.
We cannot blame the white people any longer.'

Dr. William Henry 'Bill' Cosby, Jr., Ed.D.

It's NOT about color...
It's ABOUT behavior !!!

What small steps are taken to achieve freedom for us all.

This scene took place on a British Airways flight between Johannesburg, South Africa & London.
A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man.

Very disturbed by this, she called the air hostess. "You obviously do not see it then?" she asked. "You placed me next to a black man. I did not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."

"Be calm please," the hostess replied. "Almost all the places on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another place is available."

The hostess went away & then came back a few minutes later.

"Madam,just as I thought, there are no other available seats in Economy Class. I spoke to the captain & he informed me that there is also no seat in Business Class. All the same, we still have one place in First Class."

Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued.

"It is not usual for our company to permit someone from Economy Class to sit in First Class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting."

She turned to the black guy, & said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in First Class."

At that moment, the other passengers, who'd been shocked by what they had just witnessed, stood up & applauded.

This is a true story. If you are against racism, please send this to all your friends.

WELL DONE, British Airways!

True story or not, I think it's sad that today, in 2007, some people still think this way...

The Gift of Giving

Here's something I wrote (with a little help from Hubby) to express how I've been feeling regarding my yearly project of adopting a family in need at Christmas, and some issues I've been facing with some...

To keep with the spirit, I wrote it Christmas Story style...

‘Twas a month before Christmas, when all through the house,
I started organizing, with the help of my spouse;
A Christmas basket for a family in need,
For whom, my first objective, was really to feed.

Our friends I contacted by e-mail,
Hoping their generosity would not fail;
At once their responses came,
It was clear they were not lame!

What is this I hear?
Some of you may fear;
Christmas they do not celebrate,
Regardless, hunger must dissipate.

What does that matter?
Petty rivalries must shatter;
It’s not about a personal belief,
But to bring some relief.

No wonder the world is in disarray,
If charity only goes one way;
Hunger is agnostic,
Giving is fantastic!

Simply lay a hand,
And try to understand;
The meaning should be clear,
To spread some Holiday Cheer!

To give and share,
What you have and can spare;
To put food in a belly,
Help some to be merry.

It is not about religion,
Or any other reason;
Share some love with all,
That’s the meaning of Christmas, after all!

___

Image: The Gift of Giving