The Crazy Gifts of The Twelve Days of Christmas

I got to thinking about the Song "The 12 Days of Christmas" and wondered what I'd do with all those gifts. Here's my best thoughts on what I'd do getting all those  crazy things! In the Christmas Carol "The 12 Days Of Christmas" I'd say it's pretty excessive exactly how many gifts the one received! I suspect the giver needed to give their head a shake and get some perspective. Some who have taken the time to count them up, for remember the number is compounded each day...if you received 7 swans a swimming on Day 7 and next day another 7...well you get the picture. It comes in total to 364 gifts!

Why not have added 1 more to make it 365 one for each day?? Oh well.  Maybe I can throw in one more partridge in a pear tree. As for myself receiving some of those gifts I'd consider exchanging them for something else. The 12 Partridges I'd probably kill and put in the freezer for food...perhaps eat one for each month of the year. The 22 Turtle Doves I'd take to the pet shop and get a dog. The 30 French hens....yeah, I'd hold on to them...eggs for breakfast forever! The 36 calling birds I'd tell them to call someone else as I'd like a little peace and quite. 40 gold rings? Now that's the ticket! I'd take some of the latter gifts and exchange them for more rings, and add some diamonds to them will yeah!


42 geese? I'd call the animal rights activists and let them take them away...my freezer would be full already with partridges. 42 swans a swimming....I'd keep about 4 for my pond and send the other 38 to zoos everywhere. 40 maids a milking...I'd tell them forget the milking, just clean my house and do the laundry. 36 ladies dancing? Just make a video of their doing their thing and send it to me...I wouldn't want to have to feed them dinner and give them a tip. 30 Lords a Leaping...I'd send them to a psychiatrist. You can't be firing on all fours to do such a thing. 21 Pipers piping and the 12 drummers drumming...I'd send them to my worst enemy and tell them to play 24/7 not allowing him to get any sleep. Maybe he'd send me a whole bunch of rings as well to encourage me to take them back. They better be made of gold though...If silver I think I'd demand twice as much!

How I Put A Bully In His Place

I wasn't going to put up with it! It was time to get back at the bully and that I did!  I'd like to share the story how at nine years of age I took actions to get back at the playground bully. He was about 3 years my senior and delighted to push us younger ones around. I recall one particular incident I said to myself that enough was enough! My parents usually gave me a nickel [5 cents] or a dime once a day. In the early 1960's that'd buy you a chocolate bar or a can of soda...and so I did. Tommy  the bully came around...grabbed the chocolate bar  from my hand and laughed while consuming it away.



The only thing I could think was to get him in trouble and if I was going to do it I wanted to make it BIG TIME trouble. I watched his house to see when his parents got home and upon seeing them drive in the driveway I knew the time had come. I waited a few moments to let them get settled.  My friends asked, "Are you really going to do it?" "Yup I replied...just watch!" I walk up the door with great determination  and even thought I'd embellish my story...lay the guilt on the bully thick and heavy. I introduced myself to the parents and proceeded to explain what their low down good for nothing son did but added, "It's my Birthday today too! My parents really don't have much money and I seldom even get any candy but  because it's my Birthday they gave me a dime...and Tommy  came and took all I bought!" I then started to pout and cry.



 "Tommy, Tommy! You get down here right now!" is all I could hear. I laugh within myself. "Did you take this boy's candy!" He finally acknowledges he did. His parents add on, "You should be ashamed of yourself! And here it's his Birthday on top of all that!" I almost felt sorry for the bully...I say almost. The parents state unequivocally that they're going to give me the money and then some to make up for the transgression of their now remorseful son's actions  and told him he's grounded for a week. I smile through my tears offering up thanks but then they added one more thing however which caused me quite concern.

They stated, "We'd like to take you home  and have Tommy  apologize to your parents as well  for his deplorable  behaviour!" I tried to talk them out of it but they insisted. The very thought of taking a poor child's Birthday gift to them was intolerable. The only problem as I've stated...it wasn't really my Birthday and I knew they might find out. Well...they take me home and the bully Tommy  apologizes to my parents as well.




"We feel particularly horrible about this," they say, "for we've learned it was your son's Birthday too! We're so sorry," they say to which my parents bring some clarification, "His Birthday? It's not his Birthday for another few months." The parents look at me and I at them and the bully shakes his head. "Doesn't matter!" the parents finally announce, "He took your boy's candy and we really want you to know how sorry we are."   I'll say one thing though....I NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT BULLY AGAIN.

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You might also enjoy a few other blogs about my early life. You can do so by clicking on the following link---> http://bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2010/09/sweet-details-of-early-life-part-1.html
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November Time Travel

Nov 1, 1800 John Adams becomes the first US president to live in White House

Nov 2nd, 1783- General George Washington, later 1st American President, bids farewell to his army after the American Revolutionary War

Nov 3rd,  1900 1st US automobile show opens at Madison Square Garden (NYC)

Nov 4th, 1841- 1st wagon train arrives in California

Nov 5th, 1895- 1st US patent granted for auto (George B Selden) for gasoline driven car

Nov 6th, 1572- Supernova is observed in constellation known as Cassiopeia

Nov 7th, 1872- Cargo ship Mary Celeste sails from NY to Genoa; mysteriously found abandoned 4 weeks later

Nov 8th, 1966 - Movie actor Ronald Reagan elected Governor of California

Nov 9th, 1904 1st airplane flight to last more than 5 minutes

Nov 10th, 1951 - 1st long distance telephone call without operator assistance

Nov 11th 1911 - Many cities in the U.S. Midwest broke their record highs and lows on the same day as a strong cold front rolls through.

Nov 12th, 1910 - 1st Movie stunt: man jumps into Hudson river from a burning balloon

Nov 13th, 1789- Ben Franklin writes "Nothing . . . certain but death & taxes"

Nov 14th, 1851- "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville published

Nov 15th, 1920 - League of Nations holds first meeting in Geneva

Nov 16th, 1901- 3 autos race on Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, fastest speed achieved by Henry Fournier who drives a mile in 51 4/5 seconds

Nov 17th, 1966 - Leonids meteor shower peaks (150,000+ per hour)

Nov 18th, 1820- Antarctica sighted by US Navy Capt Nathaniel B Palmer

Nov 19th, 1620 - Mayflower reaches Cape Cod & explores the coast

Nov 20th, 1920 - Nobel Peace Prize awarded to US president W Wilson


Nov 21th, 1871 - The first human cannonball, Emilio Onra, is shot

Nov 22th, 1842 - Mount St Helens in Washington erupts! Yes that was in 1842.

Nov 23rd,   1897 - Pencil sharpener patented by J L Love

Nov 23rd, 1852- Just past midnight, a sharp jolt causes Lake Merced to drop 30'. Mysterious things always happen at midnight!


Nov 24th, 1434- River Thames freezes

Nov 24th, 1938 - National Semi-Pro Basketball Congress authorizes yellow basketball. Seems like it'd be easier to see to me.

Nov 25th, 1817 - 1st sword swallower in US performs. Don't try this at home!

Nov 25th, 1792 - Farmer's Almanac 1st published. I guess before then it was through word of mouth. :)

Nov 26th, 1885 - 1st meteor photograph

Nov 26th, 1865- "Alice in Wonderland" is pubished in the USA. Wonder if people became  more careful not to fall into holes. :)
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Nov 27th, 1870 - NY Times dubs baseball "The National Game"

Nov 27th, 1910 - The first US patent for inventing the traffic lights system is issued. Wonder if people called them STOP lights or GO lights! :)

Nov 28th, 1895- America's 1st auto race starts; 6 cars, 55 miles, winner avg 7 MPH. Well...it's a start!

Nov 28th

Nov 29th, 1910- The first US patent for inventing the traffic lights system is issued. What will they think of next?

Nov 30th, 2004 - Longtime Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings finally loses, leaving him with $2,520,700!  He should have replaced Alex Trebek!

October Time Travel !

Oct 1, 1903 - 1st baseball World Series, Pittsburgh Pirates vs Boston Pilgrims (Red Sox)

Oct 2, 1895 - 1st cartoon comic strip is printed in a newspaper

Oct 3, 1978  - Gold hits record $223.50 an ounce in London

Oct 4, 1922- For 1st time, entire World Series broadcast over radio (WJZ & WGY)

Oct 5, 1954- Hurricane Hazel hits Eastern US

Oct 6, 1889 - Thomas Edison shows his 1st motion picture

Oct 7, 1931- 1st infra-red photograph, Rochester, NY

Oct 8th, 1964 1964 - Ringo Starr  passes his driving test. You're curious if he had to drive down Abbey Rd??

Oct 9th, 1965 - Beatles' "Yesterday" single goes #1 & stays #1 for 4 weeks

Oct 10th, 1780- Great Hurricane of 1780 kills 20,000 to 30,000 in Caribbean

Oct 11th, 1984 - 1st space walk by US woman (Dr Kathryn D Sullivan)



Oct 12th, 1609 - Children's rhyme "Three Blind Mice" published in London

Oct 13th,  1792 - "Old Farmer's Almanac" is 1st published

Oct 14th, 1908 - Smallest crowd at World Series, 6,210 fans see Cubs beat Tigers

Oct 15th, 1860 - 11-year-old Grace Bedell writes to Lincoln, tells him to grow a beard

Oct 16th, 1950- The first edition of  C. S. Lewis "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" is released in London

Oct 17th, 1933- Albert Einstein arrives in US, a refugee from Nazi Germany

Oct 18th, 1867- US takes formal possession of Alaska from Russia ($7.2 million)

Oct 19th, 1872- World's largest gold nugget (215 kg) found in New South Wales

Oct 20th, 1911 - Amundsen sets out on race to South Pole!  Is that on your bucket list too?? :)


Oct 21st, 1854- Florence Nightingale was sent to the Crimean War. Sure was a light in the night!

Oct 22nd. 1861- 1st telegraph line linking West & East coasts completed. Time now for the North & South to begin!

Oct 23rd, 1941- Walt Disney's "Dumbo" released. Nothing dumb in making that movie! :)

Oct 24th, 1901 - 1st woman to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel (Anna Taylor)

Oct 25th, 1924- "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip 1st published

Oct 26th, 1492 - Lead pencils 1st used

Oct 27th, 1916- 1st published reference to "jazz" appears (Variety)

Oct 28th,1954 - Nobel prize for literature awarded to Ernest Hemingway

Oct 29th, 1966- Lunar Orbiter 1 crashes on moon: 6.7°N 162°E

Oct 30th, 1873 - P T Barnum's circus, "Greatest Show on Earth," debuts (NYC)

Oct 31st, 1963 - Ed Sullivan witnesses Beatles & their fans at London Airport

September Time Travel

Sept 1st---> 1859 - A solar superstorm affects electrical telegraph service. They say not good if it happened today. :)

Sept 2nd-->1902 - "A Trip To The Moon," the 1st science fiction film released. Seems like the 1st place to go for Sci-Fi. :)

Sept 3rd--> 1951 - TV soap opera "Search for Tomorrow" debuts on CBS. All they had to wait for 24 hours. :)

Sept 4th-->1833 - 1st newsboy hired! That should have been the headline that day!

Sept 5th-->1882  - 10,000 workers march in 1st Labor Day parade in NYC. Maybe the 1st Occupier movement generations before?

Sept 6th--> 1716   1st lighthouse built in north America. The saving of sailors lives begins. :)

Sept 7th--> 1991 - Die Laughing wins Messenger Stakes. One might think that was the last race he was in.  :)

Sept 8th-->1858  Lincoln makes the statement about when you can fool people! I'm not fooling! That was the date! :)

Sept 9th-->1867  1st successful Test flight of a Saturn V! A small step to the bigger step of going to the Moon!

Sept 10th-->1955  "Gunsmoke" premieres on CBS TV. The least gunsmoke we see the better.

Sept 11th--> 1792  The Hope Diamond is stolen with other crown jewels when six men break into house used to store the jewels.

Sept 12th-->1624  1st submarine tested (London)

Sept 13th-->122  Building begins on Hadrian's Wall

Sept 14th-->1868 - Golf's 1st recorded hole-in-one

Sept 15th-->1965 - "Lost in Space" premieres

Sept 16th-->1906 - Roald Amundsen discovers Magnetic South Pole

Sept 17-->1965 - "Bewitched" premieres on ABC TV

Sept 18-->1965 - "Get Smart" premieres

Sept 19-->1888 - World's 1st beauty contest (Spa Belgium)

Sept 20-->1985 - Walt Disney World's 200-millionth guest

Sept 21-->1937 J. R. Tolkien's  'The Hobbit' is published

Sept 22-->1966  - Only 413 show up at a Yankee Stadium game

Sept 23-->1962  ABC's 1st color TV series-Jetsons

Sept 24-->1895  1st round-the-world trip by a woman on a bicycle (took 15 months)

Sept 25--> 1897  1st British bus service opens

Sept 26--> 46 BC Julius Caesar dedicates a temple to his mythical ancestor Venus Genetrix in accordance with a vow he made at the battle of Pharsalus.

Sept 27-->1998 - Google is launched.

Sept 28-->1892 1st night football game played (Mansfield Pa)

Sept 29-->1916 John D Rockefeller becomes the first billionaire.

Sept 30-->1934 Babe Ruth's final game as a Yankee, goes 0 for 3. Oh well can't win them all!

Hey! Perhaps you'd like my blog, "Footprints in The Sands of Time: By Walking Backwards!" Just click on link>> http://bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2014/04/footprints-in-sand-of-time-by-walking.html


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On A Roll To Buy a Roll (Of The The Toilet Paper Kind)

Have you ever noticed when you're in constant motion, without stop or delay how much easier it is to keep on going? You stop to break--and that's it...you've lost your momentum. Driving home from work it came to my mind a number of items I needed at the store---one of which---bathroom tissue. Into the store I go...Bagels? Sounds good! Yogurt, cereal and milk? Splendid! Only problem though after arriving at home I found to my dismay I failed to pick up the very thing I meant to get! Toilet paper! "Later" said I. 'Have a rest and a sleep first!' And so I did!


Upon waking I cut the grass, watered the plants and a little bit of this and that, then said to my wife, "I'm on a roll! I'm in continual motion! Now I'm going to the store to pick up the elusive toilet paper!" She responds, "You're on a ROLL and you're going to get some ROLLS--of the toilet paper kind!" To the store I go once again adding a few extra items to the cart I missed my last visit  and lo and behold it wasn't long until I heard the desired "clunk" of a 12 ROLL package of toilet paper dropping into my cart! "Now" said I "Make sure you're ready"




I got out my wallet to find my card to pay...can't find it! Here I was on a ROLL and my dream of purchasing the long-sought-after-product will be thwarted yet again! Yes I was on a ROLL to pick up and purchase  ROLLS but how long could my enthusiasm to do so hold out? The only thing I felt at this time ROLLING was my enthusiasm going over a cliff! I check again...No not that card...nor that one...and then finally: BINGO!!! My payment card was hiding in a sleeve of my wallet! Lesson to be learned? Always remember before buying  ROLLS to ROLL around in your thinking beforehand if you have what it takes to pull this off.   If not you may have to ask the store to use their washroom and you may never be on a ROLL again!

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Hey if you liked this blog maybe you'd like my piece "Would You Like a Colourful Town". Just click on the link---> http://bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2014/05/would-you-like-colourful-town.html
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Should Running Red Light Bus Driver Be Re-Hired?

Should a bus driver be fired who ran a red light? This was the question asked in my nearby city of Toronto on Sunday, August 2, 2014. Apparently through the week a driver for the Toronto Transit Commission did that very thing...but with somebody who just happened to be filming the incident with an I phone turned their direction. The citizen turned in the video to TTC headquarters and the driver, a female and mother of two children who hadn't served her probationary six months period on the job was fired. When the one taking the video discovered the driver was actually terminated he felt great remorse. His thinking was the driver might get a slap on the hand or suspension...but fired?

It upset him considerably that he sent it in and now wishes he hadn't. TTC bosses are now claiming they're inundated with calls asking the driver to be re-instated with a less of a penalty for her actions. Others claim they did the right thing in having her dismissed . My take on the issue? I'd think all things that actually occurred need weighed and considered. First it needs to be acknowledged by the driver that the infraction is no small thing.

If being caught by the police for committing this act one pays a hefty fine, and would subsequently lose demit points on their driving record. Looking at the bigger picture however if one were to show her mercy we could consider the facts...no one was hurt or injured. I'd say that should be the determining factor when it comes to the response by her employer. Yes it was wrong and reckless but as I say...thankfully  and most fortunately no harm was done. My judgement on the matter? Hire her back but give her a one week suspension. I'd think you'd probably not see a repeated offence.

August Time Travel!!

Aug 1, 1774 - Joseph Priestley, English theologian and chemist author discovers oxygen. Hope he was using it before then though! :)

 

 Aug 2, 1894 - Death duties 1st introduced in Britain. Imagine someone refusing to pay! :))

 

Aug 3, 1492 - Columbus sets sail on his first voyage boldly going to who knows where.

Aug 4, 1862 US government collects its 1st income tax! I'm sure it'll be only temporary. :)

Aug 5, 1921, 1st radio baseball broadcast Pirates-8, Phillies-0. What an embarrassment to have ones loss broadcast for the 1st time.

Aug 6, 1937 - Indians overturn Yankees' 7-6 win by a protest! Changing an ump's decision: MIRACLE!

Aug 7, 1970,  1st computer chess tournament. May the best HAL win!

Aug 8th, 1709  1st known ascent in hot-air balloon. That's a step up closer to the giant leap of the Moon!

Aug 9th, 1859  Elevator patented. The first time stuck they really must have panicked!

Aug 10th, 1948 - Allen Funt's "Candid Camera" TV debut. Wonder if some got mad at the joke.

Aug 11th, 1885 -  $100,000 raised in US for pedestal for Statue of Liberty. Even Liberty needs something to stand on!

Aug 12th, 1492  Christopher Columbus arrives in the Canary Islands. Wonder if he heard the sweet sound of Canaries singing.

Aug 13th, 1960 - The first two-way conversation via satellite is undertaken using Echo 1. A great name for a satellite really ; ECHO.

To the Future--> Aug 14th, 2126  Comet Swift-Tuttle approaches close to Earth



Aug 15th, 1939 -"Wizard of Oz" premieres at Grauman's Chinese Theater. I'd love to have one of the Yellow Bricks from the road!

Aug 16th, 1955 - Fiat Motors orders 1st private atomic reactor! Really? An atomic reactor?

Aug 17th, 1891 - Electric self-starter for automobile patented. What bell and whistle will they think of next??

Aug 18th, 1926 - Weather map televised for 1st time. Finally you get to see weather from far above!

Aug 19th, 1967 - Beatles' "All You Need is Love," single goes #1. Betcha they didn't mind a little money as well!

Aug 20th, 1896 - Dial telephone patented. You ask, "What's a dial telephone?"


To the Near Future--> Aug 21st, 2017 - Next total solar eclipse visible from North America

Aug 22nd, 565 - St Columba reported seeing monster in Loch Ness! Do you think that's the same one there today??

Aug 23rd, 1924  - Mars' closest approach to Earth since 10th century. Would have been a great time for Martians to attack!

Aug 24th, 1853 - 1st potato chips prepared by Chef George Crum. You always have crums left when you eat them!

Aug 25th, 1910 - Yellow Cab is founded. Wonder if they tried other colors first.

Aug 26th, 1929  - 1st US roller coaster built. Probably wouldn't scare small kids today!

Aug 27th, 1955 - "Guinness Book of World Records" 1st published. Shame years before were missed. They probably broke records!

Aug 28th, 1963 - Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his "I have a dream speech" Creating a positive future!

Aug 29th, 1896  - Chop suey invented in NYC by chef of visiting Chinese Ambassador. Who would have thought...invented in America!

Aug 30th, 1922  - Babe Ruth  is thrown out of a game for 5th time in 1922. Hope he wasn't hurt when they threw him!

Aug 31st, 1955 - 1st sun-powered automobile demonstrated. I guess sun gong behind a cloud was a real downer.



Hey! Perhaps you'd like my blog, "Footprints in The Sands of Time: By Walking Backwards!" Just click on link>> http://bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2014/04/footprints-in-sand-of-time-by-walking.html


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Passport Rejected : Name Was Skywalker!

Just because you change your name to "Skywalker" doesn't necessarily mean 'The Force' will be there to see you through. Sadly this was the lesson learned by one, Laura Elizabeth Skywalker Matthews who had legally added the Skywalker name to her own. Apparently she has it on all of her other forms of identification--drivers licence, bank cards everything else too...but when trying to leave the UK her passport was rejected. It seems there was considerable concern by the passport officer that having a 'Skywalker' name might be a copyright violation.


One wonders why a government in particular should care. If Star Wars creators felt so inclined to bring out a bunch of Stormtrooper lawyers ...well that's them for that---but a passport guy?  Does this seem reasonable? I'd say not in this galaxy. She was informed she'd have to get her passport renewed using the name she used prior. Talk about something to make a Great Huge Chewbacca go berserk! Here's something else to consider as well---what about all who have the name of LUKE? Isn't there millions of them around the globe? Not therefore a copyright violation as well?   Maybe the Rebel Force can land with a Star Wars X-Wing craft and provide transport to this most innocent of a crime Skywalker and take her to her desired destination! She's been left in the lurch! Funny thing why "The Force" would let her down though.

Hey! Maybe you'd like to read my blog, "Robot Fans in the Stands"? Just click on link>> http://bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2014/07/robot-fans-in-stands.html


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Robot Fans In The Stands!

In order to boost up enthusiasm a South Korean baseball team known as the Hanwha Eagles, who have lost over 400 games, have made use of robots to fill up the stands. They can shout, raise their hands and lift up light panels which put out encouraging messages to the team down below. No more do the players have to hear to the boos of it's home town crowd, and neither do the few fans that do attend have any concerns about finding a parking spot. The robots are a permanent feature in the seats. Perhaps it's a win-win situation? Could other sport franchises use the same approach? If the robots are considered too costly for other teams to employ they might consider the option of using dummies....or manikins. True they maybe couldn't do as much as the robots. but keep in mind a losing team wouldn't expect to hear much cheering anyway.



I'd think this might be good for one of the professional NHL hockey teams close to me in the city of Toronto..."The Maple Leafs " They  seldom ever make the playoffs....perhaps robotic fans would be good for them too!   Than again I'm not sure they'd need them. They already have real life dummies of the human type who sell out the stadium every game regardless, even though they've been a loosing team for years. With that type of devotion who needs fake dummies?  As technology improves it might be good if the robots can actually replace some of the real life players. Yes let the real living players take the seats where the robots once sat. If they can't score real goals perhaps some of these humans can demonstrate by giving moral support to automation they may never have to work out again. Talk about an easy go!  :)

Hey!  Maybe you'd enjoy my blog, on it's time for a new and different sport. Just click on link>>> http://bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2014/06/time-for-new-and-different-sport.html

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Me, Me, Me, Me, I And Mine (Part 2)

One can cite so many examples of how so many are only about "Me, Me, Me, Me, I And Mine". My wife and I recently took a trip to one of our country's beautiful northern Ontario towns. We enjoyed our stay immensely although there can always be some small something that works away to steal your contentment. Our hotel had created a nice scenic park in the back with picnic tables, a couple of barbeques plus  four very nice comfortable Muskoka chairs all for the guests to use. We arrived early for check in and saw the four chairs in the hotel park. Some time later I look out the window and see only two where there once was four. I walk outside and discover a guest  had taken two of them of out of the park entirely and put them beside their sliding glass doors adjacent to their room.



I thought, how wonderful and how very considerate. How they could possibly consider it fair to any degree that they'd  view it their right to use  those chairs exclusively for themselves? What about all the other guests? They don't get the enjoyment of using the Muskokas as well?  GUESS NOT.   Maybe therefore that's what it was about with them...ME, ME, ME, ME, I AND MINE. A few days later we were back in our home city and while driving into a parking lot noticed a car parked way over the lines which to my way of thinking they did on purpose. Always nice to have two spots instead of one.   I almost was tempted to leave a note on their window asking, "You wouldn't happen to be related to the guy who took the chairs?" Perhaps the mysterious question would make them wonder forever.

Perhaps you'd enjoy my blog, "Valentine's Card, Flowers, Supper and Car Wash!" It'll reveal a wonderful new way of being romantic.  Click on link>> http://bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2014/02/valentines-card-flowers-supper-and-car.html

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Me, Me, Me, Me, I And Mine!!

Have you ever marvelled at just how self-centred a great many individuals  can be? It's been said the most used word in speech is the word, "I". I'm sure you've encountered people to whom you've considered must feel all revolves around them. Concerning such ones, it's all about me, me, me, me, I and mine. You wonder why can't they see beyond just the whatever effecting their own existence.   It may be about whole nations who can't see anything beyond their own ambitions or it may just be one singular individual themselves.



Take for example the old line I'm sure many have heard throughout their lives, the statement like, "It's been so long since I've ever seen you! Don't be absent next time for remember I'm just a phone call away!" Did they ever stop to consider when  they called  last? And yet they seem to consider it appropriate to place the onus on you as the one who somehow has been the chief one responsible for having drifted apart. You conclude they're blind in regard to seeing themselves as having been equally responsible for not keeping in touch. You contemplate as to whether you should figuratively speaking give them a shake to wake them up. Can't they see beyond themselves?

To read Part 2 of, "Me, Me, Me"  just  click the link below,
http://bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2014/07/me-me-me-me-i-and-mine-part-2.html 

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Time For Monkey Business: The New Planet Of The Apes Film!

Well I see there's a new Planet of the Apes film out. If I see it I'm always hoping they'll include one of the human characters shouting out the old  Heston line from the sixties, "It's a mad house!" in my opinion one of the most classic movie lines of all time! Apparently the events of this latest film "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" begins 10 years after the story of the last film. The whole army of apes and chimps who adequately won their last contest  with humanity  have since made their abode in the forests outside of San Francisco.



It actually makes me wonder why they didn't just lay claim to one of the technologically advanced human cities? Should we believe they wouldn't find appealing some of the great modern conveniences such as cars, roads and air conditioning? Why be sweltering in the forests in all that heat?   Andy Serkis who plays the lead chimp Caesar, at Oscar time probably will deserve the actor of the year but I wouldn't hold my breath. I'm sure in their estimation someone who plays the the lead role of a ruffian brute beast in their estimation wouldn't be considered worthy of receiving the Oscar nod.

One reviewer of "Dawn" has stated that the enduring appeal of the Planet/Apes franchise isn't it's twist endings but rather in the mirror it continually holds up to humankind. On this note let's just hope Caesar and his simian band don't become too up to speed in regard to the man made global warming thing.   The less we tick them off the better, but who knows though....it might make for a great sequel! THE APES AND THE POLAR BEARS UNITE to save each other from the melting ice. Perhaps they could convince all the other animal species to join them in their cause. Who knows? "The Birds" like as in Hitchcock's movie might  get into the act. With all animal species going against us maybe they'll put us out of our misery once and for all!

Hey! Like to read about one of my interesting movie experiences? Please click on link,
http://bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2010/11/its-got-to-be-dream-part-1.html 

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Son-Of-A-No-Good-Lady!

 

 

Have you ever noticed how through the many years what a great over play there's been on what's defined as the profane term, "Son-Of-A-B" ??? See there? To state what the "B" word is I've chosen to spare you the offense...Regardless...You know what it means.  I got to thinking however just how very unfair it is, that is to the Son-Of-A-No-Good-Lady  or the son of a woman of the evening. A lady of the evening? Let me put it this way....it's another way of saying prostitute. "B" can also mean a female dog. Two things not fair. Why should the female be the one portrayed as the not so good? What about the individuals that sought her out? How come it's not, "You-Son-Of-A-Sleazy-Patroniser!" Women's Lib? Where are you when needed? Let's start a movement!

 

 

 

 

And then the son of the said individual....why should he or she be made to feel less of their existence as compared to the son or daughter of a really nice individual? Consider that you might far rather be in association with the "Son-Of-a-B" then the "Son-of-the-Nice-Wonderful-Individual" Because they're nice and wonderful you can well appreciate is no sign they'll ever be!! LOL Yes I'm calling for a TOTAL END to the "Son-Of-A-B" term. Yes I know...some have tried to take away the offence by substituting the word "GUN" for "B" but where's the sense in that?? You Son-Of-A-Gun?? I SAY IT'S TIME TO STOP BLAMING THE SON OF ANYONE!!   :))

 

 

 

Humor Note: I felt inspired to do the silly piece above while watching a television drama police show. They kept using the term, "Son-Of-A-B" and I thought about it wondering just why such a term gained such a wide spread use.

By the way...you might like my humor blog about a very strange lady who mystified the world when she appeared at a well known sports event..click on link to see--> http://bit.ly/1qJztor 

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Canadian Coffee Problems

 

 

 

 

What am I stirred up about? Coffee! I mean Canadian coffee or rather buying coffee from what's known as the most successful coffee chain in the country...Tim Hortons. If you've followed the latest news, and most likely you've been aware of it a long time....Tim Horton's plus not to mention many other same type businesses have had the practise of employing temporary foreign workers. [TFW'S]What that essentially means it's  taking jobs away from Canadians and in my opinion exploiting TFW'S and paying them a non liveable wage. Apparently this has come front and centre as a news item simply for the reason the Canadian government is wanting to cut the allowable numbers down from about 30% to 10%. Apparently the CEO from Tim Horton's has expressed his concern. It's top executive says Canada’s recent crackdown on hiring temporary foreign workers must be flexible if the nation’s biggest coffee merchant is to remain fully staffed.

 

He takes it a step further even suggesting by not allowing TW's they can't promise to deliver quality service. It's been also claimed that customers will experience slower service and also an increase of incorrect orders. What? Canadians are mentally deficient not capable of keeping things in line when it comes to who gets what through the window? Really? And how can their top CEO not consider he's just declared one of the most counterproductive statements when it comes to their business ever uttered by a spokesman from any firm? Here in my opinion is what he's really saying. In regard to claiming Canadians are prone to get orders wrong I'd consider as a most amazing gaffe probably not believed by even he himself.  When it comes to  TW's making for service not being as slow this could be due to his thought they're feeling a great many Canadians, which I've read from insiders, tend to phone in stating they're not coming to work plus also a fast turnover rate of people quitting, yes also requiring continual retraining.

 

Feel sorry for the poor firm? Hardly! They underpay their workers not giving them a liveable wage and wonder why things don't exactly go so well. But here's the kicker....the business model of Conservative type economics has been "let the markets decide!" The argument even against unions or a minimum wage has been if you don't pay your employees sufficient you'll have a hard time keeping them...pay them well and save on retraining costs. NOT SO with the plan of certain current leaders of business. It seems apparent they insist on paying bottom of the barrel wages and be totally immune from any repercussions in the market place. The market that is those who should be considered the legitimate participants to function therein, with the FTW program have no influence to affect change. None! Zippo! Doesn't it really seem that they're saying they want their slaves and they want them with no strings attached? One exec from of Timmies, from a small town in British Columbia wrote a very nice piece seeking to justify the FTW's program suggested that without it they just can't staff their shops. http://www.johnprince.ca/wpblog/tim-hortons-owners-speak-2013-12-23/

 

I'm sure that means though if you look at the pay stubs of the TW's you'll see they're at least on a minimum wage level?? Do you think?? I'm not sure they're not but I'll leave you to decide. Meanwhile be safe! If you're still wanting to support as many say with glee, "Timmies" if you even suspect the worker is Canadian  you might want to double check your order....Tim Hortons management seem to think you should. Double-double? Doubly offensive I'd say!

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Time For a New and Different Sport!!

I'm thinking it's time for a new and different sport. Something that makes sense! I enjoy hockey although confess I've only watched a game or two in the past playoff season. I tuned into a little bit of soccer as the World Cup was showing and as I watched something stood out to me---something quite peculiar and from all appearances grossly unfair. A goalie in soccer has a net 24 feet wide, 8 feet across. The net size for NHL hockey is 6 feet by 4 feet! I read sports commentaries which sing  the praises of Goalie A or B but come on!





I calculate with the goalie just standing in front of the net more than likely 50 % of all pucks would most likely be stopped by not moving. What skill is there in that in having to stop a puck with the net so small? Not much really especially when one considers their big large leg pads to boot. Then there's basketball....the net is 10 feet from the floor with the average players height in the NBA being about 6 foot, 7 inches. When they make jumps to become equal height as the hoop it looks wonderfully impressive but keep in mind it's only 4 feet above them.

 I say it's time for a new sport or take the existing ones and make them ever more challenging. How about changing the hockey net from 6 to at least 12 feet which is still only half the size of a soccer net. Or maybe with basketball we can make them play it on skates and if they make a jump towards the hoop they have to do it in a figure skating fashion. Imagine every hoop jump they have to do a quad in mid air, which is four revolutions with their body in a spin and then plunk it into the net? Maybe the idea of the game should be how graceful can you get?   What do you think? LOL :)

I wrote about Jumping Up to the hoops? Perhaps you'll like my blog, "Up, Up, and Up..New Ways of Using The Up Word" Please click on link--->  http://bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2011/06/up-up-up-up-new-ways-of-using-word.html

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Don't Die Getting Mad---Stay Cool as a Cucumber!!

 

 

 

You've heard the expression, one should seek to be as "Cool as a Cucumber"? Not particularly sure why a cucumber should be viewed as cool except perhaps  the taste seems so when you bite into them but the term has be used to describe people who aren't moved into the extremes of displaying an overdue amount of agitation when faced with the trying test of life which all come our way. There are benefits in keeping your cool...when you could get mad and lose all perspective I guess you could say the chief benefit of not doing is you're more likely to live a longer life. Now don't get mad when I suggest this but there's a new study out which seems to indicates losing your temper or maybe I could say being prone to going into a conniption fit could cause you to die prematurely.

 

 

 

 

Found in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health it's being stated "argumentative people are three times likelier to die early than relaxed types." Middle aged adults who squabble regularly with their spouse are twice as likely to die as those who rarely fight but it doesn't just stop with getting along with your spouse....allowing oneself to become overly upset with anyone can produce the same effect. Apparently choosing to embrace a mental state of being upset or for want of a better word, STRESS... such leads the body into making molecules like cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines that can make you sick. How to rise above it? Obviously learning the way and manner in which to create positive mental states can be most beneficial.

 

A check list of positive constructive ways of how to thinking about difficulties can empower one to stay relaxed and can keep one in the mode of being at peace. Might I suggest my blog, Sometimes--An Odd Time---and All of The Time, http://www.bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2010/12/sometimes-odd-time-and-all-of-time.html" might be a good collection of statements which I believe might help you exist within positive mode. 

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Feds Funny Food Price Position!

How utterly magnanimous of them! I saw a news clip the other day that the Feds are warning that food prices will probably be going up. What an insight! And aren't you so glad you've been told? How wonderful that they'd give us the heads up! It almost makes me wonder if they'll use this as an election item trying to demonstrate their unassailable wisdom that they were in the know during their watch and passed on to you the sad but vital information.



 Isn't the real truth of the matter that they themselves have been chiefly responsible for that very thing...food prices going up by continually devaluing the currency printing more money? Isn't that the meaning of government induced INFLATION? I'd suggest a less disingenuous thing for them to say might be, that because of our unwillingness to show restraint, we printed more money THUS your food prices will soar. There AIN'T no two ways about it! Yes I know, "AIN'T" isn't a word. Perhaps the government will tell me that too!

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Sign, Sign Everywhere a Sign!

Will  resistance  be futile? Do you recall the day when advertising on the net was minimal...now we see it entrenched on nearly everything we click. Apparently we haven't come even close to an end where the guardians of the net seek  to make a buck off of our tendency  to be apart of the click-on -world.  Picture the following future scenario...ads on your refrigerator, car dashboards, thermostats, glasses and watches just to name a few! Lets just say one of the giants in the computer online industry has sent a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commissions revealing that's what they'd like to do.

What will be next...soap ads as one turns on the tap to shower? How about 3 different commercials all about headache pills before the medicine cabinet will unlock allowing you to take your asprin?  Could a day come when a higher percentage of the tech assimilated will finally shout out, "Enough is enough! Shut it all off and let's go back to a simpler day that pioneers of a past generation would claim was less complicated and complex where one could actually have peace of mind especially seeing you'd have at least a few private moments!" Take heart! There might be a day where just entertaining the thought of privacy concerns you'll see an ad pop up suggesting 25 books on that very thing. Welcome to the future!

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