Where is everybody?

So the entire world is in a pandemic crisis, and because of mainstream news headlining and social media, information is spreading faster than the disease. Many are calling this pandemic a wake up call. We can't really say what will happen after the worst is over, but I wonder if we as a human race become more concerned for each other, including countries where poorer and distressed populations live. Will the human race become more caring and considerate or resort to our usual ways of dealing with disasters, being kinder for a short while then fall back into our self centred and isolating patterns.Maybe this is sounding pessimistic, but I don't see any reason why there would be change in the human psyche, not even if this whole thing got much worse or vanished tomorrow. Our past track record has not shown evidence of sustainable positive changes.Do you think a change is possible?

Hey Where Have I Been?

Hi, anyone. Just checked my stats, nobody reading these posts. No wonder, and no worries since I haven't written one for over 2 years. So, time to put on my typing fingers and get you caught up. Are you wondering what's been up with me for the last couple of years? I didn't think so. I'll tell you anyway: I was working and now I'm not.

"How can you survive, if you aren't working?" you ask. "Are you living on the street?" Okay, I see you are somewhat concerned about my welfare, and I appreciate you caring. Let me assure you I am fine. To answer your question about income let me explain. Once established, there is a very simple method for receiving guaranteed income every month, year after year and not have to work a day for it. If you are guessing it's  some form of a tiered marketing scheme, or pyramid formula with residual income I assure you it isn't.  No, it's much less complicated and almost anyone can do it. Here's how. The answer is to look after your health then simply grow old and collect your government pension(s). However, be smart, unlike myself, and make sure your CPP contributions are topped up every year so you can receive your maximum benefit when you reach retirement age.

So, that's it for now and I will end with a word of advice. While you're young, think about getting old. Chances are, if you live a long life, you'll need some money around to enjoy it. Hope you are appreciating life and getting wealthier and wiser.

What you did on your day off ( What do you mean day off?)

It's Tuesday morning which for me, means back to work after five days off. The nice part was only having to book one vacation day. Working a rotational shift means alternating between a four and five day week which sometimes turns into a mini holiday if you play your cards right. Having Friday off and "Civic Holiday" Monday, the long weekend got longer when I booked Thursday off. Five days and they're just a memory now. BTW for those living in Ottawa, the August civic holiday is called Colonel By Day, which this year happened to fall on August 7th,; Colonel By's birthday. Maybe many people in the area knew this, I didn't until doing a little research.

The weekend wasn't so kind for my roommate who had to work this past Monday. Unfortunately, working in retail sometimes means missing out on days off when others are entitled to them. It doesn't seem fair, does it? And she's a good worker too, which translates into; if you work hard, your reward is getting to work harder or at least longer. Now there's a real incentive, isn't it?

I wish retail store customers and restaurant patrons would recognize employees who have to work while they are shopping or eating out on their day off. Maybe a kind word would be helpful as simple as "I know you probably didn't want to work today, but thank you" or "I hope your day is going well" would make them feel appreciated. Sometimes it only takes a simple gesture to make someone feel good about themselves. Hey, while we're on the subject, it wouldn't hurt for managers to do something special for their employees also.

Hold all my calls I'm having lunch.

If you read my last post, you’ll know I’m kind of a people watcher, especially when visiting the local mall. The last two weekends I’ve visited the mall food court, a man, probably in his mid-fifties, is sitting at the same table he sat at previously. The reason is obvious when you watch him. The table is located right beside a large cement pillar with an electrical outlet installed. His laptop is connected to the outlet with his charging unit.

The gentleman appears to have set up a mobile office when you see what sits on the table. He has a laptop, a large pile of paperwork, a bottled drink and an article of clothing resting on it.  A large carrying bag for his computer sits beside him on a chair. He hunches over and is continually writing in his notes while only occasionally looking up.

While continuing to write with head remaining close to the table, he notices a woman sitting down at the smaller table located very close right behind him. A serious look of concern overtakes his face when he looks down at the floor and realizes the woman has set her rolling suitcase bag right on top of the wire connecting his laptop to the outlet. He stares at it for a moment, surely contemplating about saying something to the woman. He raises his head slowly but does not turn to look at her. Instead, he continues writing his notes with some relief that the situation is not critical.

I would have liked to see how it turned out, whether the woman or man left their table first and if there was a confrontation. However, I couldn’t stay as I had some business of my own to contend with.

Yes waiter, may I have a toothbrush?

In the food court at the mall, you can see people doing the same thing you are, that's right: watching other people. Besides being a spot to grab a quick and reasonably priced meal, it's a hub of activity and free entertainment. I don't know where you can find that combination anywhere else.

Let's take the lady who looked to be in her mid to late forties presumably sitting with her son and his wife and the couple's infant son. Finishing her meal, she reached into her purse and pulled out one of those small plastic dental floss tools and preceded to open her mouth and reach the deep recesses of her back molars. Thankfully it was a brief operation and done gracefully (yes, not intended as sarcasm). You might think she was finished with the dental hygiene cleansing but no, and followed up by delicately picking something out of her front teeth with her fingernail.

Moral of this post: there are some things you just don't need to watch.

Plenty of Flesh

Anyone who has joined a dating service knows how frustrating it can be to find the right match.  If you're on one, chances are you're having difficulty finding the right person in your day to day life. Probably doesn't get any easier online. So maybe it's time to lower your expectations. I have.

This new approach of listing what I've had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in "My Interests" should catch the opposite sex's attention. Naturally, I'll keep you updated.

UPDATE: November 25, 2016. Seems women aren't interested in what I ate for breakfast. Lunch or dinner either. Time for a new approach. Sharing what I bought while grocery shopping should be a ringer! What woman can resist finding out more about a guy who actually does his own shopping? I'll keep you posted.

A passion for Writing...or is that eating

Haven't had supper yet, and it's almost bedtime, and here's the dilemma. I want to write because I have the urge to, but also I'm hungry. What urge is greater...which is greater: my passion to write or my passion for food?

be back soon...

Odds and Ends

Driving on Carling Avenue this afternoon, I was watching a street sweeping truck spraying water on grass on a large dividing median. It wasn't cleaning the street but actually watering the grass. I think the sod was recently installed and turning brown like so many of the lawns across Ottawa. On the news for the past few days, they've been talking about a Level 2 drought condition expected to be announced this week, which could mean water restrictions for the City of Ottawa and surrounding areas. Maybe they are holding off the announcement for a couple more days, as there is a possibility of rain for Sunday and/or Monday, but only a 40 percent chance according to the Weather Network. While on the topic of watering, I was riding my bike to the mall this evening and saw an elderly woman using her garden hose to rinse her car off, while she was standing on her front porch. Most of the water was missing the car, and running down her driveway. It was an old car, and not sure it gets driven.

I tried a Mocha Cappuccino at Treats although I was planning to just have a coffee. Standing and waiting changed my mind as I thought how hot it was outside. They had Green tea Cap as an alternate choice, but that didn't sound right. I could tell that others didn't think so either as the transparent plastic mixing container held quite a bit more than the Mocha container. This is by no means a scientifically based study.

Did you know the melting point of sand (quartz) is 1,723 degrees Celsius? Just read that today. Useful if you're concerned if the hot sandy beach you're walking on in bare-feet is about to turn into molten quicksand and entrap you for eternity. Rest assured, even with the threat of global warming, it's not highly likely. However, I also learned the melting point of sugar is only 146 degrees C. So just be careful when walking on a sugar coated beach.

Have a good night and day today and tomorrow.

Top 10 Inexpensive Restaurant Specials

(WARNING) Avoid consuming any of these dishes including the restaurant offering them:

1. "Five Second Rule" Special of the Day
2. "All You Can Eat" (because somebody else didn't) Dish
3. "Think of it as a Raisin with Legs" Surprise
4. "What You Can't See, Can't Hurt You" Plate
5. "You needed a Day off Work Anyway" Dish
6. " What Doesn't Kill You Only Makes You Stronger" Special
7. "In Some Poorer Countries, That's Considered a Delicacy" Dish
8. "Not Recommended for Young Children or the Elderly" Plate
9. "In 10 Years, You'll Look Back at this and Laugh" Special
10"We Warned the Chef if He Did That Again in the Kitchen We'd Fire Him" Plate.



Preferred Customers, please inquire about our "Thanks for not notifying the health authorities Discount Card."

(Note: Our restaurant policy discourages offering Doggy Bags as contents can be used as evidence)

Oh no, another storm heading our way and the end of the world is near!

Weather warning: a tropical depression has formed in the Atlantic. It is named TD 12 and is headed towards the United States at a speed of 15 mph, however since it’s about 300 miles off the coast of Africa, and Africa is like 4,000 miles away from the US, no one should panic just yet. Unless you want to!! Then it’s okay. As we learned with Hurricane Irene, no amount of press coverage of a panic-stricken nation is too much.

Okay, on to more serious matters, and the end of the world prediction for December 21^st, 2012. Apparently there’s no need to worry say’s Juan Valdez, renowned coffee bean picker. “I no worry,” says Valdez, “the end of world not come as long as we pray to “Cizen” god of death and ask forgiveness for our addiction to pornography.” Although Valdez is a fictional character and lived nowhere near Maya people, many people still regard him as the “God of the Mountain Grown Coffee Bean.”

Elsewhere, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, is still in hiding and may be hanging out in a series of tunnels in Tripoli. Maybe taking a page out of the book Saddam Huessein  was writing at the time of his capture: “‘Rabbit hole: Yankee Not Smart Enough to Look for Me Here.”

Can you say "Kijiji; or even spell it?

I'm learning how to spell "Kijiji" today. Not that it is terribly important to mention this in a blog, but because I having nothing better coming to mind to speak about at the moment. As far as Kijiji goes, I started listing some cherished items I've collected over the years on the Ottawa site about two weeks ago. In total I have posted photos of about five different items including a standing plant holder, an Igloo water cooler, a floor lamp and old bar type stool. The only thing sold so far was a bathtub stool, which a gentleman needed for his mother who was undergoing hip surgery. I like the idea that it can be easy to get rid of unused items by taking a digital photo and posting it for free, then waiting for someone to contact me by email. Naturally when opening the door to a "stranger" there is always a risk of being mugged, robbed, or slashed to death by an unscrupulous character who is looking for an easy target. But since I'm a guy, I feel somewhat safer than say a single female would, however I am still cautious as everyone should be.

The sky looks overcast and the temperature is cooler today, and the weather channel is calling for possible rain, so it doesn't look like a great day for outdoor activities. I might consider listing some more items on Kijiji and see what happens. It will be nice to get rid of some gently used older items no longer being used. Guests to my apartment will be thankful that there's less clutter and they have a place to sit down. Oh and yes, I do intend to keep a chair or two.

Learning about growing plants indoors and big dogs

I started this post late last night and was going to publish it then, but a strange thing happened. One of my typing fingers hit the keyboard and erased the whole paragraph. I don't know which key, or even which finger, but it was really annoying, and I was too tired to do it over. Still not sure why autosave didn't work, but I plan on keeping a close eye on this one.

My post was about visiting the horticultural store across the street, so I'll start over and give it another try.

When I entered the store there were two guys (owner and his friend, I found out later) chatting. No one else was in the store, well no other people, that is. I looked a little lower and saw two very large (I mean very, very large) Rottweiler dogs staring at me from behind a very light white plastic makeshift gate that just leaned up against the counter and wall. A small child could have moved the temporary fence out of the way. One of the dogs made a slight growling sound. Thought crossed my mind that this might not have been such a great idea. I made a quick comment as I headed towards the counter out of view of the dogs, saying: "Well that's a really warm welcome, isn't it?" One of the men laughed, and to ease any concern, told me not to worry, and the growl was a "good thing." I'm guessing he meant it was like a friendly hello or something, but I didn't ask. Then he said it was okay to come into the back area with dogs, and have a look around. I thought this sounded a bit risky, with the dogs not knowing me, and would mean moving the small plastic gate out of the way. Well, I could have easily refused, but accepted the invite, and walked towards the fence and stood in front of it. The dogs showed no aggression and one came up to smell the back of my hand. It did and then gave my hand a lick. That was a good sign. The other dog did the same thing, which made me feel at ease. The dogs' owner told them to come back, so I could get past the gate and he moved it out of the way. The dogs had very dark brown coloured coats and being about the same size, looked almost identical. One wanted more attention, came up, brushed my leg and I petted it. It sat down right beside me, almost on my feet. I could feel its weight as it plopped its behind on the floor. The owner told the dog to come away, so it wasn't' bothering me. It obeyed, although I really didn't mind now that I knew they were friendly.

The friend of the owner who has been a horticulturalist for many years, went into great detail about the equipment needed to grow indoor plants year round. He explained about different bulbs required. One being a high pressure sodium (HPS) bulb for flowering plants, another, a metal halide, for the growth or vegetative stage and last, the only one I have heard of, was the T5 fluorescent tube used for seedlings. So much information to comprehend at once, as he talked about different bulbs, watering, amount of light per day, and fertilizers, one being an organic type, containing no blood or bone-meal for people, who like me, prefer an organic plant based type. He said he's experimented with it and it works well.

After picking up some literature, I headed out, while the dog's owner put a leash around one of the dogs to bring it outside for a stroll or whatever dog's do when they go outdoors.

It's Thursday, but you already knew that

Probably should be doing my income tax return rather than rambling away on this blog. I'll try again tomorrow to get started on the income tax return. I might be in the mood for it. If not tomorrow, then most likely the next day for sure.

I called my internet/phone service provider today and managed to get a better deal on my cell phone plan. Yay. It costs about the same or even a bit less, and I'll get a whole bunch more free minutes. I don't use my cell phone often, but maybe I can now. Still worried about frying brain from microwave signals. That would be a bummer. I learned it's always a good idea to talk to these people and check what features their services provide. Interestingly, I found that I can see who's calling my home phone by setting up visual call display with my TV cable box. Name (if shown) and number of the caller are displayed on my television. That's kind of handy. But it means the TV has to be turned on to work, and recently I've been watching too much television, and try to keep it turned off. By experimenting (calling my home phone with my cell), I see that by the time I turn the TV on to see the caller's number, the call has already gone to voice mail. That's not very handy. So guess not much has changed.

Tomorrow is Friday, but you already knew that. We'll have to see what kind of interesting events take place then, and maybe if time permits, and I'm not doing income taxes, I'll be able to share more stuff about everyday things with you. That would be cool wouldn't it? Did I hear a yes or was that a snoring sound?

Another night for the birds

Well it's another night of an underabundance of creativity so why not enjoy some ANGRY BIRDS!:



Another old video just gathering dust on my hard drive. I apologize for the quality as it's not a video camera and when I convert the AVI format to WMV (in order to compress a huge file), it loses clarity.

And remember, guns don't kill people they're just accessories to the crime.

Fowl

Well it's one of those nights/days/times when creativity is at a low level. So filling in for my lack of writing will be these entertaining geese. This video is almost 2 years old, so I'm thinking it might be good to get it out "there."




Okay, I guess you had to be there. Well that's what geese do, they bob. They bob for food. Geese bob for food. That's what geese do. Soon the geese will be returning to Ottawa (I've already heard them making their honking noises at night flying over head), and they'll probably be swimming and bobbing once again. I like saying, bobbing.

It's Friday and time for some odd thoughts

What's with popcorn? Before it's popped, they're called kernels and after they're popped it's called popcorn. That doesn't seem right. Shouldn't there be a scientific name like popcorn buds or flowerettes or something?

I was wondering why it's impossible to capture daylight in a can then go to a dark room, open it and see that light again. Maybe you can, I just haven't tried it.

I'm kind of glad that Facebook was invented. It would be a lot more difficult trying to identify old friends through a social network called Buttbook.

And what about earwax? It just doesn't seem to make sense. You can make candles out of beeswax but who would be foolish enough to make one out of earwax? Surely that would never work. Does a great job on hardwood furniture however. (Ha only kidding, please don't try this at home)

And finally did you ever wonder why it's called "Doomsday." Well obviously it stems from the word doom. So my guess is it probably sounds a bit stupid calling it "Doomday."

What just happened

I started thinking about the important things in our life. Probably the most important is our health. Then maybe comes our family and our career. Of course there's others, like religion, politics and the environment and more, you could think of. Some may argue about the order of importance but it doesn't really make a great deal of difference, as it's an individual perception.

I'm wondering, seeing all the chaos that is happening in other countries, if we should be concerned about the events from a human point of view. Not the particular politics or religious context, but just what it means when we see revolution taking place, like in Egypt as an example. It's now obvious that repression would no longer be tolerated, and the younger generation, for the most part, led protests against the government, willing to be killed for an ideal, what was referred to as democracy with the right to freedom of expression. No one will be able to say for certain, right now, what will become of this quest for democracy, but very likely it will be an improvement from what was in place. However, the long term effects may not be realized as a functioning government is put in place. And as we have seen for many hundreds of years, as long as the human race divides itself into different religions, governments and countries, this will only lead to further conflict. I believe that true change has to go beyond that.

Egypt protesters remain calm allowing Superbowl to take over headlines

For many Americans (and Canadians who follow the NFL) it appears that yesterday's Superbowl game (which Greenbay Packers won btw) took the attention away from headlines about events occurring in Egypt. From what I've read this morning, it was a relatively calm day in Egypt, with no major violent events reported. It might be a sign that a rational approach to regime change may be in the works.

Also, there are still many protesters who refuse to return home and are continuing to occupy Cairo's Tahrir Square. They were described as forming a human chain around the 'Mugammo' which is a government complex where people go to have paperwork processed. On a positive note for people who need cash, the banks are open for the second straight day, but bad news for investors, as the stock market is not expected to open until next week. And for parents with kids it may be difficult, as schools remain closed. Kids probably not as upset, since they likely don't get any 'Snow-days'.