Upper and lower case.

I noticed the 'other day'... Loblaws (notice the s) had on sale their Signature Presidents Choice Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie (See image on the right... for a taste) for $2.99.

So of course I grabbed a bag.

For me, keeping chocolate, ice cream... or chocolate ice cream (my Signature being Haagen Dazs... any flavour really, but Haagen Dazs) around my place isn't the wisest of things. Not that I'd go loco on it (well... I might), just that I've found it better/healthier to go out and buy something if I want to satisfy that 'craving."
It's worked out well.

At any rate... I, uh... opened the bag 'as soon' as I got in, and immediately was taken aback!

Something was clearly amiss.

The Presidents Choice Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie was now (for a man the size of me), shrunk... to bite-size proportions.

The Presidents Choice Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie was now a decadent only in name.
It was now a lower case cookie.
A decadent... chocolate chip cookie, but a small one now.

This imposter was in its stead.

Pythons famous Dead Parrot sketch

It has expired and gone to see it's maker!

This... is an ex-cookie!




First Timmy's and now this!

Our Canadian institutions are under attack by mediocrity!

We've lost our cookie... and are about to lose our coffee.

As a native Torontonian I am accustomed (somewhat) to this. I mean no one has seen our hockey team in years.

Peace... For me that's a damn shame. Read More...

Smoking... (Part 364)

The Evil Tobacco

For a change... I bought coffee instead of tea.

Instant coffee mind you... but coffee nonetheless.

As a life long drinker of Red Rose Orange Pekoe, for me buying coffee was not an easy decision.
Tea needs to be in a porcelain or glass mug, and not a styrofoam or paper cup. This won't happen when you're out of the house. So I have coffee... Mickey Dee's over Timmy's... Timothy's over Mickey Dee's. Fortunately... all three are within walking distance of home.

Sooo... I'm sitting here, having finished a bagel (with sliced cheese), having my coffee, and smoking what is my one of my last cigarettes.
My 'plan' is to take to The Boardwalk this afternoon, burn this 1/2 d00b, and enjoy what I want to be my LAST cigarette.

Should the rain hold off, of course.

Having spent nearly a year in the wilds of Northern Alberta I can say that I was absolutely looking forward to a Toronto summer.

Hasn't happened yet.
One can 'hope', right?

Since the age of 13, smoking has always held a challenge for me. See, I differentiate between the act of smoking and 'smoking' itself. I can enjoy a cigarette, but I do not like smoking.

That's right, there is a difference.

You see it now, don't you?
You're welcome.

Over the years I have successfully quit. Though I'd started again... I have to admit that I wasn't entirely 'successful'... While I've always viewed stopping/quitting smoking as a relatively simple endeavour (notice I said simple... not easy), the challenge has been in not starting again.

There are just so many occasions where a cigarette compliments an event.
A good dinner...
Fine glass if wine...

Bacon.

A fine woman.
...
*cough*
:l

A great d00b and a double Wisers.

You get the idea.

And that is where I'm 'at' today.
...
The longest I've gone without a cigarette is a little over two years.
I was in my early 30's at the time.
It was shortly after my divorce.
I'd also stopped for 14 months in my mid-40's.
Course, I also decided I wasn't going to exercise, but that I'd eat my way to health instead.

That didn't exactly work out all too well.

:l

I said I'd wanted to finally eradicate this menace once and for all by the time I hit the age of 50.
I'm now a little past 51.

That too hasn't exactly worked out either.

BUT THIS TIME!!!

This time will be different.
Be gone with you evil tobacco!

Be gone with you!

Leave the d00bs though eh.

And the bacon... and the Wisers... well, you get the idea here too.

I want to succeed.

Finally.

All I can ask is that you wish me well.

As I wish you. Read More...

Have we gone too far... or not far enough?

Stand Alone.

In today's National Post, Rex Murphy writes an op-ed piece on how universities are failing our young, failing society really.

He goes on to suggest that universities have set up intellectual quarantines lest the immature and frightened be made uncomfortable or to feel unwelcome.

He questions whether universities are in fact schools or daycares.

And finishes off his paragraph with Giving into such adolescent whimpering is despicable; giving in to in on a university campus is unforgivable.

I find it hard to disagree with him.

The comments on the Post's Facebook page have fallen into name calling and accusations of Big Oil influencing Murphy.

I kid thee not.

Have we, as a people, really forgotten what it means to educate? What it means to disagree? Have we lost all respect for those simply because someone may have a different opinion that us?

How about this... are we now falling over backwards to avoid disagreement?
Or what about this... are we afraid of being labelled intolerant? Afraid of being called Islamaphobic?

That's right, the article is about how Brandeis University in Massachusetts had first offered an honourary degree to a world renown "advocate for women’s rights under Islam", Ayaan Hirsi Ali (full name: Ayaan Hirsi Magan Isse Guleid Ali Wai’ays Muhammad Ali Umar Osman Mahamud), then rescinded it after an outcry from the Council on American–Islamic Relations, a controversial organization that deals with Islamic advocacy issues.

Ms. Ali is a Somali-born American (formerly Dutch) women's rights and atheist activist, writer and politician who is known for her views critical of female genital mutilation and Islam.

"Hirsi Ali is the remarkable woman whose life story she has told in three books (Infidel, The Caged Virgin and Nomad). Born among the poorest of the poor in Somalia, genitally mutilated at the age of five, a refugee as a young woman fleeing an arranged marriage, she immigrated to the Netherlands and in but a few years, having learned the language, became a distinguished member of parliament."
In other words, this is a woman unafraid of those who would oppose her views on women's rights. Someone who deserves our support and admiration.

"Her friend Theo van Gogh, a locally famous filmmaker, made a short film (Submission) on Islam and women. Shortly after he was stabbed to death, murdered in a public street, and a note threatening Hirsi Ali was pinned — with a knife — to the dying man’s chest. It read in part: “Ayaan Hirsi Ali, you will break yourself to pieces on Islam.”"
You may remember that event, he was shot eight times by his killer, had his throat cut, almost decapitated with "a large knife, after which he stabbed the knife deep into Van Gogh's chest, reaching his spinal cord. He then attached a note to the body with a smaller knife. Van Gogh died on the spot. The two knives were left implanted. The note was addressed and contained a death threat to Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who was subsequently forced to go into hiding, threatened Western countries and Jews and also referred to the ideologies of the Egyptian organization Takfir wal-Hijra".

Yet still she refused to submit.

"In 2005, she was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. She has also received several awards, including a free speech award from the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, the Swedish Liberal Party's Democracy Prize, and the Moral Courage Award for commitment to conflict resolution, ethics, and world citizenship. In 2006 she published a memoir. The English translation in 2007 is titled Infidel. As of 2013 Hirsi Ali is a fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, a member of The Future of Diplomacy Project at the Belfer Center."

Someone with credentials... someone who knows what it means to live a life of inequality, a life of suppression.

But no, instead of 'standing up' to a little criticism the school of 'higher learning' caves.

All for one?

A few weeks back there someone made a remark that it was 'amazing' how we now have 2mm camera's on mosquito's. He was very serious, and despite my politely disagreeing with him, and pointing out that in fact, it was the manufactured bug itself that was being used by governments, he make 'upset' and was "offended." Yup, he was offended that I disagreed with him.

At that point I simply smiled at him and put my head back into the book I was reading, I knew there was no point. Didn't stop him though, nope. I was 'this and that', 'ignorant and unclean'(?). and on it went.

For weeks.
...
:l

And this typifies what our society has indeed come to. We shut-up lest we 'offend' someone. I miss the time of healthy debate, sitting around a kitchen table (remember those parties?) and yakking for hours on end, about anything and everything.

No more, now we must conform, hold the same ideas and ideals, the same goals... all for one and all for one. Stand up for what you believe in at your own risk.

Read the article, click those links. Educate yourself, your children (above all educate your children) to question everything and everyone.

Before it's too late... Read More...

A reminder...

Just thought I'd offer up a reminder. Read More...

Ya, thanks a lot Vancouver!

A pox on those who claim to be hockey fans, and what they did to the City of Vancouver last night, after their team stunk out their home rink in losing to the Boston Bruins in Game 7. Shutout on home ice in the Stanley Cup finale!

And what did these so-called fans do about it?

They rioted.

And the response?

The Premier promises to expose those reponsible to the general public.

The Police Chief has blamed the riot on a few 'hooligans' and 'anarchists', despite overwhelming evidence that litterally thousands were involved. The Globe & Mail attempts to dispel this myth with an interesting piece.

The riot dominates local coverage.

There is the (now) famous picture of the couple making out in the middle of the street while a large crowd and police are about to face-off (see below).

There are the inevitable Facebook Groups and Pages, of which one have pledged to assist the police in anyway they can. They also pledge to organize a cleanup crew (of which Vancouverites have already begun doing).

And the World laughs.

You have all tarnished our good name.

A pox on all of you!

The promised picture of the couple making out.

Read More...

Un-frosted flakes...

"People so seldom say I love you and then it's either too late or love goes. So when I tell you I Love You, it doesn't mean I know you'll never go, only that I wish you didn't have to."

World English Dictionary defines 'flake' as an eccentric, crazy, or unreliable person. Whereas Urban Dictionary.com defines it as 'A useless, shady, deceitful person who is so unreliable and selfish they cause you much anger and frustration. A Flake's only agenda is what they want to do. They have a weak character, often the products of bad parenting/spoiling kids. A Flake will make plans, never attend, and give no reason for their absence, even after they spent hours calling, texting, or emailing you. Flakes try to manipulate everybody, and sometimes are not the idiots they appear to be. A Flake often has little to no real friends due to their erratic behavior. You can never rely on a Flake. When questioned about their behavior, a Flake just gives up on the relationship and moves on to another person. Flakes can't get by in the real world and often act immature beyond their years, causing them to be labeled as "useless" human beings.'

An example would be;

This girl called 15 times in one day and we decided to go out that night with some other friends. She arrives at the our meeting point, walks right by me like she doesn't know me, sits down with somebody else, and then proceeds to leave with them. Then, she stops answering her phone even though I know she sees my calls. A week or so later, she calls me again because she has nobody else to hang out with and wants to do something. However, she avoided all my phone calls for a week. Then she got mad when I confronted her about it. That's when I understood why people used to tell me she was "a useless flake" who still lives at home with her parents. When she was mentioned in a conversation someone always used the word "flake" in there somewhere.

Or how about something a little more personal;

We'd spent the entire weekend together. On the Sunday she says she's gonna drop by her friends place, but not for long, no more than 90mins or so. Course, 2hrs goes by and a txt is sent saying I'm on my way, cya soon. Shortly thereafter one is received saying no, not yet, that more time was needed. As she describes this friend as her cross-dressing-faggot-loser-friend-don't call me Roy call me Ang, I get a little suspicious. I never hear from her again that night. Ignores my calls, no response to my txt's. A txt is received the next morning saying she is stopping by on her way to work to grab her things...

The road was hard, the road was long. The struggle has always been how to reconcile our time together against our time apart.

In the end, in giving her one last opportunity she didn't surprise me in the least. And now I know with absolute certainty what a flake really is.

And that lesson I'll be carrying with me the remainder of my days.

'It was always mine anyways.'

Doesn't make this any less painful...

Sit down, take a look at yourself
Don't you want to be somebody
Someday somebody's gonna see inside
You have to face up, you can't run and hide...

Will you though?
Can you?

No, I finally accept that you cannot and that you are truly a lost soul.

I weep for your soul...

Read More...

Eyes left...

Notice the revised countdown... Read More...

This one...

This one is all for you 'dad'.
I cannot even shed a tear for you. Read More...

Hey...

The B.S. Meter

 
I know we don't speak anymore, but, I just want to thank-you for helping me fine-tune my Bulls**t meter. Seems it's something I'll always need, unfortunately.

Love ya girl! Read More...

I beg your pardon?

Allow me to set the scene...

It's Sunday, 'round dinner time.
In a local (and smallish) grocery store picking up a few things.
At the checkout now.
There is a couple at the head of the line.
'She' has just finished picking out a chocolate bar (I guess as a desert to go along with the dinner they're obviously making).
Now, he's up for a pick.

And... roll 'em.

As he's reaching for a Skor (well done buddy... my personal fav), arms akimbo, the woman pipes up with "ha, he's always had a hard time making a decision" (or something to that affect.
With a head toss, and a chuckle, as if she were being funny, at his expense.
The guy was not impressed.
And from what I saw, neither were anyone else in the line, nor was the cashier.
Who, in fact, came to his defense.
He tells the woman that was a sexist comment (attempting to use the fact he's a man, which means indecisive [according to her]), and, that he felt she was making light of this 'fact'... in public, for her amusement.
She is clearly not getting it, and is becoming both embarrassed (that this man, is calling her on her s**t in public?) and, defensive.
He lets it slide (what I hope is), for now.

I see this as no different than if it were him making a comment about her being indecisive simply because of her ample breasts... and then making light of it, in public!

Ya, see what I'm saying?




So then is the above comment sexist or ignorant?

Or both?

What say you... Read More...

It is what it is...

It has been said that the definition of insanity is repeating the same action over and over while expecting a different result.





With that said;

1. If something that your partner says/does irks/annoys you, describe how and why it annoys you, and ask him/her to consider that you will feel the same way next time
2. If/when it recurs, mention that this is a repetition of the thing that you previously found annoying
3. Shut up
4. Cut and run

So, why then is it always so hard?

Accept, and what will be, will be.

Lesson learned.

Move along... nothing to see here. Read More...

Abi-normal

Psychology Today has a fine online piece entitled What is Normal?.

The question of normality creates strange paradoxes in the consulting room. Often it is relatively healthy people who feel defective. In psychotherapy, patients may perseverate over vague complaints, feeling off-balance and out of sync. The worriers may believe that they have too much or, more often, too little ambition, desire, confidence, spontaneity, or sociability. Their keen social awareness (a strength), when tinctured with obsessionality, causes them to fuss over glitches in the self. For them, a sense of abnormality precedes any diagnosis and may persist even when none is proffered.

I take an interest in such as I consider myself far from what is considered to be 'normal'. I've posted recently on the very subject.

Well worth the read... both my post and the article.

Enjoy. Read More...

Variations on a theme 2

There's someone I used to see... but she don't give a damn for me

Though the river flows gently to the sea
He was on the shore rooted like a tree
She was here and there riding on the waves
Through it all she heard his call and gave it all she gave

And though their love was hangin' on a limb
She taught him how to dance and start again

Come up to meet you
Tell you I'm sorry
You don't know how lovely you are

I had to find you
Tell you I need you
Tell you I've set you apart

Tell me your secrets
And ask me your questions
Oh, let's go back to the start

I've really been the best, the best of fools, I did what I could, yeah
'Cause I love you, baby, How I love you, darling, How I love you, baby
I'm in love with you, girl, little girl
But baby, Since I've Been Loving You, yeah. I'm about to lose my worried mind, ah, yeah

Everybody trying to tell me that you didn't mean me no good
I've been trying, Lord, let me tell you, Let me tell you I really did the best I could

Love hurts, love scars
Love wounds, and marks
Any heart, not tough
Or strong, enough
To take a lot of pain
Take a lot of pain
Love is like a cloud
Holds a lot of rain
Love hurts, ooh ooh love hurts

I've tried hard to live without you, in so many ways
I just can't help myself from thinking of you, for the rest of my days
Heartache is at my door step, won't leave me alone
I just can't get used to it, now that I'm on my own

Mean mistreater, you make me cry
You lay around, and watch me die
Mean mistreater, can't you see I'm real
Are you satisfied, with the way you feel

You think you're special
You do
I can see it in your eyes
I can see it when you laugh at me
Look down on me
And walk around on me

(But you were)
My so-called girl, but in reality
Had a hidden agenda
You put my tender, heart in a blender
And still I surrendered

Like a chump...
Why did it take so long
Why, did I wait so long, huh
To figure it out, but I did it
And I'm the only one
Underneath the sun who didn't get it
I can't believe that I could be deceived

Whine, whine, whine
How can you afford to throw me those looks when you haven't pulled the bloody wool from over your eyes yet
How can you say those things to me when you haven't pulled the boot of the past out of your mouth
Your conviction is merely iconographic. I'm so sick of hearing you whine... shut up

I'll chain you to the truth
For the truth shall set you free
I'll turn the screws of vengeance
And bury you with honesty

because you're sick of yourself
well I'm sick of you too - fake
you're a counterfeit - fake
you know we figured you out
well I'm sick of you too - fake
you're a counterfeit...fake

There's nothing for you to fight against
You're so unreal it's evident
You'll never be one of a kind
This ain't yours, fuck you don't try

This time I'm a let it all come out
This time I'm a stand up and shout
I'm a do things my way
It's my way
My way or the highway

And one day when I am old and on the porch
With knittings around my knees you hear me say
Excuse me please,but aren't you the one
And wasn't it fun way back when

Or maybe in a year you'll reappear
And if that should come true
I'd throw my arms around you and watch you smile
Just for awhile once again

When you're weary; feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all
I'm on your side oh when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

We may not always be the best of lovers
But if you leave it to me I think I can see
We'll always be the best of friends

I can't get over how she set me free
Oh lonesome me

And it weighs me down.

And you don't know how it feels, you don't know how it feels to be me...

Nobody said it was easy
It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard

And it weighs me down.

*****

And yet, I'm ok...

*****

With thanks to Lamb of God, Nazareth, Neil Young, Limp Bizkit... and so on. Read More...

And yet...

It was suggested to me today that, in the long run, it is better to not trust people to begin with, and, in doing so I save myself from pain and hurt.

Dunno, but, I just can't do that. It would be like giving up on people and I'd like to think that there are enough good people in this world to turn things around.

The alternative is, of course, to simply roll over and play dead.

Um... no.

So, I give you one of the most beautiful songs ever made...



When you're weary; feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all
I'm on your side oh when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out;
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part
Oh when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on silvergirl;
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine.
Oh if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind... Read More...

Ya... thanks a lot.

People are not only strange (which is just fine with me), some are just f00ked!!!

How can you turn around 4 months after the fact and say you're all paid up?
I'm not a f00kin rental unit!

JFC...

So, with thanks to a new/old friend, I was able to retrieve some of what was sold and not paid for. Seems the pohlice will have to be involved despite my best efforts.

And so i give you...



It's just one of those days
When ya don't wanna wake up
Everything is fucked, everybody sucks.
You don't really know why
But you wanna justify rippin' someone's head off
No human contact
And if you interact your life is on contract
Your best bet is to stay away mother fucker!
It's just one of those days!

It's all about the he says she says bullshit
I think you better quit lettin' shit slip
Or you'll be leavin with a fat lip
It's all about the he says she says bullshit
I think you better quit talkin' that shit

It's just one of those days
Feelin' like a freight train
First one to complain
Leaves with a blood stain
Damn right I'm a maniac
You better watch your back
Cuz I'm fuckin' up your program
And if you're stuck up
You just lucked up
Next in line to get fucked up
Your best bet is to stay away motherfucker!
It's just one of those days!

It's all about the he says she says bullshit.
I think you better quit lettin shit slip
Or you'll be leavin with a fat lip
It's all about the he says she says bullshit
I think you better quit talkin that shit, punk
So come and get it

I feel like shit
My suggestion is to keep your distance
Cuz right now I'm dangerous
We've all felt like shit
And been treated like shit
All those motherfuckers, that want to step up

I hope ya know
I pack a chainsaw
I'll skin your ass raw
And if my day keeps going this way
I just might break something tonight

I pack a chainsaw
I'll skin your ass raw
And if my day keeps going this way
I just might break something tonight

I pack a chainsaw
I'll skin your ass raw
And if my day keeps going this way
I just might break your fuckin' face tonight

Give me something to break
Give me somthing to break
Just give me stuff to break
How 'bout your fuckin' face?

I hope you know I pack a chainsaw, what?
A chainsaw, what?, a mutherfuckin' chainsaw, what?
So come and get it

It's all about the he says she says bullshit.
I think you better quit lettin shit slip
Or you'll be leavin with a fat lip
It's all about the he says she says bullshit
I think you better quit talkin that shit
Punk, so come and get it Read More...