Bob, Bernice, and a Ukrainian Christmas Wish

Image via Wikipedia
While enjoying a glass of wine with my friend I asked her, “Tell me Bernice, what would you like for Christmas?”

She stared at me, taking a long sip of her beverage and said, “I would like Bob for Christmas.”

“Bob?”

“Yes, Bob."

“Ah, Bernice, who or what is Bob?”

“Bob is the love of my life, the one which stops me dead in my tracks, who takes my breath away, who makes my heart twirl; you know the ‘one’. I call him Bob.”

After pausing for a moment or ten, I asked “Ah Bernice, where does one find “Bob”?

“God knows.”

“God knows.”

“God knows Bob?”

“Of course he does.”

“Yes, will you ask God to bring me Bob for Christmas?"

"You want me to ask God to bring you Bob? You know, God and I, Bernice I am not really sure if we are speaking clearly right now. ”

“Good this will get you back in touch.”

"Great.”

As any good friend would do I took on the task with great responsibility praying silently upon waking... “Dear God..." while at the gym, meditating... Bob is driving up to Bernice’s house right now..... before closing my eyes at bed time, “God please don’t forget to bring Bob to Bernice for Christmas.”

For added reinforcement I brought in the heavy artillery. Sticky notes.

Yes, if you want something done, leave a sticky note.

Sticky notes are left for God everywhere – the living room, car, kitchen, bathroom, office, just in case he got busy saving the world, performing miracles or something BIG like that. He could just glance my way and be reminded about another very important task: Bob and Bernice.

With the posting of the last sticky note on December 24th I had a kind of not so good feeling especially when I realized that I didn’t say which Christmas Bob was to arrive. Oops.

As disappointed as I was to hear that Bob did not make himself known on the 25th I realized that hope was still at hand and that maybe God really intended to drop Bob off on Ukrainian Christmas.

And, conceivably I could do a little more than just pray. Perhaps a little action needs to be taken. I definitely could use the help of earthly angelic like match-makers and that, my friend, is where you could become part of the story.

Somewhere out there is Bob larger than life and he is looking for Bernice.

Who is Bob? Well, this is what I know so far: he is tall, well built, handsome, and he likes to build things - as in houses and has a dream of owning a resort. He treats his mother well, but is not a mama's boy. He is outgoing, fun to be around, honest, and true.

Let me tell you a little about Bernice – good news that is not her real name. She is drop dead gorgeous if I were a guy I would probably say she is HOT. Bernice is older than 33 and younger than 40. She is smart, funny, compassionate, a great cook, and adventurous. She values her family and friends, and really loves to make people laugh. If Bob were to spin her around the dance floor he would instantly have her heart, oh and she likes smores.

Everyone deserves that one special partner in life that makes every day a new adverture. ThInQ About it. If you know Bob, drop me a line and let's make a Ukrainian Christmas come true.

And, you help you get your thinking cap on here is a smouldering rendition of Summer Wine by The Corrs and Bono as posted on YouTube.

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In The Desert of My Mind

Image by freshelectrons via Flickr

In the desert of my mind

All that’s here is space and time.

Persian carpets around me weave

Ballads of past and future peeks.

In the desert of my mind.

Gallant Knight in battle fast

The war today, a different task.

No more challenges to class

It’s down to words, whose will last?

Steed of black you come

Riding high in mid-day sun.

Knight in darkness he arrives

Scrambling to glimpse a plume on high.

An Oasis made just for you

Its only role is to witness truth.

Fountains flowing with all bestowed

A wishing well with all you've sowed.

Sweet wine made of bitter fruits

Saved upon lips of brutes.

Waiting for a sign

In the desert of my mind.

In the desert of my mind.

Turning away the hand of peace

The stand you take the vault released.

Seeing beyond the plastic mask

Clock moves closer to its task.

A necklace made of purple stone

Upon the sunlight’s radiant throne.

A cloak of silver and of gold

Freedom grasps beneath its folds.

In the desert of my mind.

All that’s here is yours and mine.

Draping around this sacred space

Alas, dear Knight I’ve seen your face.

In the desert of my mind.

Songbird Expression 32.2.19



Help A Grown Woman Loses Her Sippy Cup!

Image by Muffet via Flickr

Here I am a grown women standing in the locker room at the gym in a panic.

I tear my gym bag a part dumping all its contents all around me.

I can't find it. Nope it is not here.

Darn, where did I leave it? At home? No. I am sure I didn’t take it out of my gym bag. I must have left it here.

I put on my gym clothes, lock my stuff up, and head off to the front desk.

There I find a lovely lady, who is much taller than me and wearing an ever so patient smile. She asks how she can help me.

“I can’t find my water bottle. I bought it at Starbucks about ten years ago. It is green with butterflies on it. It has been with me pretty well every day since. I think I left it here. Do you have a lost and found?”

“Yes, it is over on the co-ed side.”

Off I go to the cupboard of lost items where I hope my water bottle is hiding. Rummaging through the never ending pile of stuff I start to sweat. No water bottle. Ugg. A slight feeling of anxiety rips through me. Chastizing myself, "How could I have been so careless?"

Putting all the lost items back I went back to her and said, “no it isn’t there.”

“Well,” she said in a very calm voice, “maybe the cleaning lady took it to the back, I don’t have a key to her area and she isn’t in for another hour."

“I’ll wait. Thank you for your help.”

I go, do my work out, and the moment the clock strikes 6 pm I find myself standing once again at the counter. The cleaning staff is called. I am taken to the back and the moment she opens the door viola there is my water bottle.

I thank the lady profoundly and she tells me I had better put it in the dishwasher.

As I am walking to the front desk to thank my other helper I realize here I am a strong, independent woman who is still attached to her sippy cup! Honestly, that is so ridculous and I laugh out loud.  

According to a View on Buddhism attachment is defined as not wanting to be separated from someone or something and includes an aspect of exaggeration or projection.

In other words that old friend fear displays itself in our attachment to things and people.

So, what was I so afraid of? Was it the loss the of cup? Was it my own carelessness? Was it I was going to have to get a new one and it wouldn’t be nearly a cool as the one I thought I had lost and I didn’t really want the change? Or was it a piece of my unique identity was no longer going to be with me?

It wasn’t like I was going to die or anything. It is just a water bottle. But, it got me to thinking about how attached we get to what is familiar, to what we know, the more we believe we want change the reality is we don’t want change at all. We are really attached to what it is we already know and it is only when we are faced squarely with the threat of change that the reality of our attachments becomes apparent.

Starting this weekend I am going to be letting go of twenty items. It is time to loosen that attachment to a few things. 

What do you thInQ?

Pushing the boundaries of possibilities... think... create... imagine... express

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An Autumn Day

Image by Denis Collette...!!! via Flickr

Ever look to an Autumn Day?

When all the colours seem to say:
Celebrate the beauty all around;
Do a dance, be a clown.
Hear the crunch of the leaves.
Feel the freshness in the breeze.
Just before the summer dies,
The real beauty around us lies.
Perhaps life is much like this.
Grab the bliss
On an Autumn Day.
 Songbird.Expression 32.2.19

Everything Royal - Blog Off

As told by The Great Sphinx of Giza



Ahem, breath.
Ahem. Sigh.
Ahem. Schlip.

Oh, that is better, I ab sorry the dust add sadd aroudd here really gets to me sobetimes.

Ahem. Gulp. Come closer friebd, closer, that is better.

If I could obly sbeeze– ever sibce Bapoleob blew off my bose I have issues. Yes the great Sphibx of Egypt, the keeper of ubiversal mysteries reduced to soubdibg like this! All because Bobaparte couldb’t see above the head of his horse, well let’s bot go there it just makes me upset abd upsettibg a Sphibx that doesb’t always lead to happy ebdibg.

AHEM. Better.

It doesn’t matter. No one comes to ask me questions or to how do you say it – or to dialogue. They just come to try and figure me out. Fools. If they would only ask I would give them the questions to the answers. It seems like centuries since anyone has asked me for a riddle. Hmm, now that I think about it, IT has been centuries. All because of that bad rumour that I would eat you if you couldn’t solve it. Yes those Greeks, always causing trouble.

No, the days of seeking knowledge and understanding; wandering the earth in search of new truths and adventure are behind us now. Everything has to be proven as factual - facts, facts, facts -  leaving no room for other possibilities or discoveries. How dreadfully boring. How sad.

Thousasds of years ago men and women would adventure to where I am to do, to think, to experience, to quest, to live. Now they come to ride on camels, abd take pictures of sabd. They used to seek truths, bow they thibk they kbow it all. Yes, you have forgotteb. You thibk all of your abswers lie ib the tips of your finbers. Tap tap tap ob those gadgets. AHEM. AHEM.

At least - that is what some have you believing. Oh, it is far greater and grander than that. The answers, the possibilities. Perhaps you are here today with me to begin that discovery?

Oh look, over there. Ha ha ha, that father of three, the executive over there ob a holiday just fell off the camel. Gosh, I hope he isb’t hurt. Hee, hee... AHEM. No he is not hurt. Good, although he doesn’t look happy. Mind you if I fell off one of those beasts I probably wouldn’t be either!

Look over there lovers. Ahh. Lovers. Nice.

Oh No! Oh no! Straight ahead... ugg. For the love of Horus, here comes that crazy Archaeologist again with that television crew! Wonder what he is going to poke at today? Hey mister, when they designed me they did not give me a tattoo, they took a risk and figured you were not going to forget! Clearly, they should have written it down. Ouch! He pricked me with a pick axe – again!

I tell you my friend what I really need is a facial, a foot rub, and a little olive oil massaged into my shell – oh that would really be good right about now – sigh – I don’t need more holes put it in me.

Never mind them. Let’s talk about you.

So, would you like a riddle? Oh please, let me give you a riddle. Your life really does depend upon it and.... I promise I won’t eat you!

And, to help you out, listen to The Bangles Walk Like An Egyptian as posted on YouTube - I like that one it has catchy little beat - and don’t forget to skip over to Bust A Blog and see what smart ideas she came up with this week!

I am the mother of most. My crown never wanes.
My reign over the world, except in the Deep South – I don’t like it quite that cold - begins with the sharpness of “gee” .
And, it may end in a group hug.
Everything about me and from me is Royal, although most of you have forgotten.
It is true I love being pampered, but why not after all I do for you, I deserve it because a third of you need me to live.

Who am I? What do you thInQ? Post your answer.

Pushing the boundaries of possibilities... think... create... imagine... express

The above story is purely fictional.

I Know Better - Blog Off

According to Wikipedia a bird's eye view is an elevated view of an object from above, with a perspective as though the observer were a bird, often used in the making of blueprints, floor plans, and maps.

One of the great pleasures I enjoy during the summer is biking the Bishop Gradin Greenway. 

The Greenway is a modernized biking and walking path in the middle of an urban setting. Along the route there are several wild life habitats where one can stop and benefit from being close to nature.

For whatever reason last summer I got serious about biking. It was hard work. The first 6 kms were easy. Often by the time I made it home my hair would be standing nearly straight up. I would look in the mirror and say eat your heart out Don King. I was having fun and was proud of my accomplishments. Within no time I was up to 12 kms a ride.

By the end of the season I set a goal for the summer of 2010. Over the winter I was going to get in to better shape and double up the kilometres.

I should have known better.

What I didn’t expect is that over the next few months I was going to be plagued with foot problems and then my car was rear ended - again. I have no idea why people insist on driving into me why can’t they just wave or shout hello. Regardless, this time I got hurt.

I wasn’t overly worried about it. Take some anti-inflammatories – get off them as fast as possible and do some physiotherapy. All should be well and I will be out and about working towards that 24 km bike ride.

I should have known better.

Once spring hit every time I got on my bike it would throw my healing progress right back to the beginning. The furthest I could ride was 8 km. Grrr.

My physiotherapist informed me it was time to start taking the injury seriously as it was chronic which meant going back on the medication. My doctor tightened up the order even further and forbade me to be on my bike longer than 10 minutes at a time.

I was of course going to do otherwise.

I should have known better.

So, there I was on a warm Saturday morning sometime in June biking along way past the 10 minute directive, resolved that I was just going to fight my way through it. And, while cruising along I made a second decision: I am going smile and say a loud hello to every cute guy I meet on this path.

Pedal, pedal, pedal. Smile, smile, smile. Hello, hello, hello. Yeah, this is okay and I am ignoring the spasm in my neck.

Just as I was entering my favourite part of the path which is a kind of hilly and a bit curvy near a small pond that is home to flock off red wing black birds who flutter about when one bikes through their territory I heard a strange sound. Plop accompanied with a warm, wet feeling on the left side of my head.

Oh Gawd. Do not touch it. Just keep biking and smiling no matter what.

Man I hope it doesn’t drip.

Entering the house I didn’t look in the mirror, skip Don King, I just hit the shower.

The next day I went back on the anti-inflammatories and got serious about the physiotherapy.

The eye of a bird shared its view, there is always next summer.

I know better.

Be sure to fly on over to Bust A Blog and see what Busty turned out with the picture I sent her. It has to do with some forbidden fruit or something. In the meantime here is a blast from the past as posted on YouTube The Byrds performing Wasn’t Born To Follow.

What do you thInQ? Post your comment.

Pushing the boundaries of possibilities... think... create... imagine... express

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Sisters

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My sister is seven years younger than me.

Even before she left the womb we all knew something different was about to land in our household. I remember three things about my mother’s pregnancy. She threw up – a lot; she seemed to be pregnant forever; my brother prayed for a boy and I sent prays out for a girl. My sister ended up being a tomboy. Both my brother and I were early babies and my sister well she was late in arriving.

She has marched to her own drum ever since.

If there is a straight road to Damascus; she will not take it. She will endeavour to take every hill, valley, and mountain instead; insisting that the rest of us tag along with her. Trust me. It has not been easy. My sister has tested and stretched ever emotional component of my entire being.

As a kid I shared a room with her. It was not uncommon to wake up in the middle of the night listening to her laughing in her sleep. I was joyfully jealous of that; I often wondered where on earth she was hanging out in her dreams as it had to be a pretty happening place. The other thing I often woke up to was her puking. Until she got her tonsils yanked she was a sick little girl.

One night she was violently ill for other reasons. And, I mean violently. My brother and I decided it would be fun to tell her if you chewed on wheat it would turn to gum and you wouldn’t have to go to the store to buy any. She did. What we didn’t know is that she was swallowing it. Fields of gold came rushing out later that night - for hours. Gawd. Thank goodness the whole thing didn’t explode in her belly. That could have been dangerously disastrous.

My sister is far more spontaneous and radical than me. She doesn’t always think things through and just does it. I can spend too much time making decisions, analyzing every possible outcome, and someone else ususally has to give me a kick to get going.

We are both, however, guilty of stewing. If there was an award for the more successful stewer she and I would be in serious competition for the top prize.  

What my sister has accomplished and quite successfully is her ability for all of us to examine who we are; pushing almost to the extent of near insanity. Why? Because she can. She is unconventional that way and yet out of all us she is the one more dedicated to traditions.

One of her greatest accomplishments that none of us will ever hold a candle to is her two children. They are dynamos and the world is a far better place with them in it.

The role of siblings in our lives is a complex story. Each of us comes from the same place, inheriting the same genetic makeup and a similar social setting in which we are raised and yet our reaction to those very same circumstances can be as different as night and day and as similar as two peas in a pod. It is a continual curiosity me as to how that happens.

What I do know is that I am stronger, wiser, and better person with whiter hair because of my sister. For that I am eternally grateful.

Siblings. What gifts have they brought you? ThInQ About It.

possibilities... think... create... imagine... create... express.

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For The Love Of A Cell Phone - Blog Off

For the last three weeks I have been trying to buy a new cell phone.

I love my cell phone, but it is over three years old and the battery is going.

Ideally I would like to get the same model. Unfortunately, that is not going to be possible. So, an upgrade it is and I decided to do some additional research.

By Thursday of last week I had it down to two models and with due diligence I called up the phone company to get their opinion. The company was focused on one particular model and during the course of the conversation I asked the salesman to tell me why he thought this phone would work best.

He did with great enthusiasm. He told me all about Facebook. Highlighting that I was going to be able to access my Facebook account for free; concluding his speech with this is going to be the best thing for you. Hmm.

I had to tell him the truth, “I am not on Facebook.”

There was a VERY long pause.

I think he had a stroke.

“Hello, hello are you there? Hello.”

Then, with an element of disbelief in his now very soft somewhat stunned voice he said to me, “Don’t you want to be in touch with people you went to High School with?”

Time travel. I had an instant flashback back of being slammed into a locker on the way to science class. Of course I realize with time and age that I had a lot of fans back then and the only way a young awkward boy could show affection was to tackle you from behind when least expected. Back to reality.

“Are you kidding me, the last time I did any social networking with my class from High School was our 5th year reunion a couple of us organized. I almost was thrown in jail because some of my High School friends chopped down trees to build a fire that could have taken out the whole entire provincial park! I can’t imagine what would happen if I signed up for Facebook. Sigh. How about if I call you back tomorrow I have to think about this some more.”

I thank the gentlemen for his help and I hung up asking, “Huh, whatever happened to talking on the phone?”

I have a secret. I happen to love paper. I know that is anti-environmentally friendly but I do. I love the feel, texture, and smell of paper. I love how colours and different mediums work with paper. I love holding a pen in my hand and doodling. I can use paper whether it is made from trees or flax and throw it into the recycling bin. I know that paper may be taken out to a worm farm and I know the worms eat the paper. Then they poop it out and viola there is soil. That soil is bought and a tree may be planted. Renewable resource.

What I am not so confident about is what happens when we are done with our cell phones? What about the batteries?

Thanks to my cell phone research I find myself worrying about these issues. According to  environment.about.com I should be as Cell Phones are Among the Fastest Growing Types of Trash. The average North American gets a new cell phone every 18 to 24 months, making old phones—many that contain hazardous materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, brominates flame retardants and arsenic—the fastest growing type of manufactured garbage in the nation. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans discard 125 million phones each year, creating 65,000 tons of waste.

Oh boy.

I am one of those 125 million phones. Fortunately there is a non-profit organization called call2recycle which offers consumers and retailers in the United States and Canada a simple ways to recycle old phones. But, does that really solve the problem?

No. Right now technology is moving too fast.

It was not so long ago consumers demanded that the forestry industry replace the trees they were chopping down and rightfully so. But how as consumers are we going to turn our thirst for techie toys into a renewable resource?

In my mind if we have the smarts enough to create the product surely we have intelligence and the creative insight to come up with safer products that can be turned into renewable resources easily. And, shouldn’t we as consumers be challenging and demanding it?

I dunno for the love of a cell phone I just happen to love trees and water more. Come to think of it, they are pretty important features in our ability to live never mind being able to social network with one another.

Let me know what you thInQ and hey have you heard Telephone by two of the most powerful women in the world? If not ringin below to the Lady Gaga Ft. Beyounce Telephone Lyrics! On Screen as posted on YouTube and be sure to scoot on over to Bust A Blog and see what Busty dreamed up with the photo I sent her.

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An Observation of Beauty Part Two - Blog Off

Okay, so I admit it. At the time, I did not have any comment to the Aesop’s Fable about the Toad and the Frog in Blog Off #15 seriously, nothing would come out. For three hours I sat there looking at the frog in all his glory and zippo not a thought.

However, while making breakfast Thursday morning a tornado of inspiration flooded my mind. Great and I have to go to work! So, here I am writing at 11 pm on a Saturday night pumping out what was floating around.

This fable has many lessons on many levels. The obvious being what we see in others is a mirror reflection of what we exists within ourselves and eventually someone will point that out - generally in an unceremonious way.

Each of us is filled with both light and dark sides. I know that as I struggle with it on a daily basis. If I were perfect – I would be perfectly boring. I enjoy being flawed.

Over the years I have had many challenging relationships and have been left batter and bruised but here is the miraculous thing. Those relationships, while difficult, have ended up becoming the closest and most rewarding. Why? Because circumstances have demanded it, and I had to work hard; looking at me and my behaviour then examining what was going on outwardly. And, wow, there was a lot of communication involved. Listening and talking. Talking and listening. Learning and understanding.

There are of course some relationships that just did not work. That is perfectly okay they probably were not meant to be as there was something a foot that was not for me to worry about. In those cases I just let things go and funny, everything always worked out for the best.

Perhaps that is that thing called wisdom, knowing what you can change – what you can’t and the difference between the two.

The ugliness we see around us may be something we need to work on, especially if we get angry about it– and really so what. So, what. Anger is just the fire that points us in the right direction. All we have to do it breath and look at what the problems are and deal with them. Seriously, it is that simple. It is the fear in our own minds that prevents us from facing whatever ugliest are lurking around.

Part of dealing with the prickles, I am convinced, is that we need to re-learn how to be kinder to ourselves beginning with forgiveness and remembering who we are.

How do I know this to be true?

A series of dreams. I have a friend. Our relationship ended and not on a high note. I was frustrated and disappointed. The behaviour of my friend drove me nearly certifiable. And, there was justification for how I was feeling. Things got to the point of no change no gain, I am done here. Maybe I needed more patience, maybe not. But, here is the thing I had a series of dreams where this person appeared to me in total white light and we were speaking soul to soul. Soul to soul. It happened more than once. When I woke up I wanted a shot of vodka – holy cow – man that was weriod. However, drinking vodka at 7 am was not a good idea!

I don’t mean to get all new agey or spiritual or whatever tag you may wish to attach to the sharing of this experience. However, it got me to thinking that at the end of the day each of us is on this earth for a reason. We each have experiences, lessons to learn, challenges to overcome, pain, joy, the whole human gamut. Everyone we meet comes to the banquet with their own interpretations of joy and pain; everyone’s brains, bodies, and emotions being uniquely wired. No one is the same. However, at the very essence – the core – we are all great big balls of white light. And, maybe in spite of all the outward behaviour and appearances we really do speak to one another soul to soul and our darkest hours - those crazy ugly times - are really our brightest moment’s - maybe we just have to let the light shine; thanking and blessing the perpetrator of the ugly moment for giving us the gift. All I know is that I experienced love beyond what any word I could describe, and gosh how liberating it has been. I never expected that.

I learned something else this week. A member from the First Nations community spoke at a lecture I attended. He said in his language there is no word for forgiveness. At first I thought, huh? Then he continued speaking. In his culture, a perpetrator of ill will is adopted by the family who has been harmed by the individual. There is no word for forgiveness because it is an actual act. I was blown away by the beauty of it all.

It does not mean you get away with continual ugly thoughts and behaviour, but it sure beats being stomped on.

Let me know what you thInQ! And, while you are doing that hear what  Eminem and Rihanna Love The Way You Lie are talking about as posted on Youtube. It seems to me to be one of the most honest pieces of music I have ever heard.

Millionaire

Image via Wikipedia

Millionaire, The Philanderer, Gambler, and Duelist Who Invested Modern Finance by Janet-Gleeson 1999 is an intelligently written biography of John Law, an economist, banker, financier, author, and gambler. Born in 1671 in Edinburgh, Scotland his family were bankers and goldsmiths. Law was known for his sharp financial mind and craved more than just banking. He was suave and attractive and he allowed his love life to rival any Danielle Steele novel. It is worth noting he died broke in 1792.

Janet Gleenson does a wonderful job at capturing the essence of the times and of the demeanour of the man John Law. I found the read amazing, puzzling, and at times it is quite the roller coaster ride as Gleenson takes you to through highs and lows of Law’s life and the thirst for wealth and power. It certainly is fascinating.  A must for anyone who loves drama and the economy.


Gleeson is the author of the bestseller The Arcanum, The Serpent in the Garden, and The Thief Taker.

  

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An Observation of Beauty - Blog Off

An Aesop's Fable As Told by All About Frogs

A toad and a frog were sitting on the front stoop criticizing each other’s looks.

Each thought himself beautiful and the other ugly.

While they were posturing, a girl happened by and was disgusted by both.

"Yeaccchh!!" she screamed, and she stomped on each and ran away.

Yeah after that, what more can I say, except... hop on over to Bust-A-Blog and see what Busty wrote about this week!

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Crazy or Not It’s Drama

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Last week I found myself thinking about drama.

As serendipity would have it a friend of mine called me on Sunday with the very same subject rolling around in her mind.

Around the watercooler it seems that drama has become a bit of a put down, generally associated with the behaviour of woman or rather that of a drama queen. Although I am quite convinced that men can compete quite handily and equally in their own right as been dramatic.

What exactly is drama and how does it play into our daily lives?

According to yourdictionary drama is a literary composition that tells a story, usually of human conflict, by means of dialogue and action, to be performed by actors; any play that is not a comedy.

Apparently drama is not funny.

So, here is the question, how on earth do you have a relationship with anyone, man, woman, child, employee, or employer without ever telling a story or having a conflict?

The truth is I don’t think you can.

Drama is a part of our humanity, it is part of our personal growth, it is in fact how we learn to experience the world.

Otherwise, you might as well pop on a pair of wings and learn how to play a harp.

There is a difference between drama and a crisis, and if normal day to day dramatic experiences start to be treated as a regular crisis it may be that something in your life needs closer examination.

Overall emotional and mental health I imagine plays a role in one’s personal tolerance level of dramatic experiences and fair enough.

Crazy or not drama is a way in which we experience life and tell our stories. If there isn’t any drama going on in your life I wonder, is anything actually going on?

thInQ about it

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How To Deal With Family Drama [Elsabe Smit] (ecademy.com)

Thelma and Louise: How Lucky am I? - Blog Off

You didn’t hear much from me during the month of August and that was in part because Busty and I took off on another highway adventure.

Last summer our escapades took us to a small town in northern Ontario with the purpose of swimming with the polar bears. This year’s trip dubbed Thelma and Louise Tour headed to points west. Although I must admit I couldn’t remember if I was Thelma or Louise, seriously my main concern was what did we do with Brad Pitt? Did we leave him at the Esso station?

In a splashy red convertible wearing our Princess for the Day crowns we criss-crossed our way over the Prairie Provinces visiting our neighbours.

As co-pilot, I was in charge of navigation – don’t even get me started on the GPS system it got put in the glove box quickly - and to employ my talent as a self proclaimed meteorologist. I should note that this skill drives Busty nutty.

All I can say is, “Did I not warn you about that dark coloured cloud on the way to Edmonton?” Hmm? No harm done – it is kind of fun driving with the top down in the rain, I’ve never had that experience before.

The theme of the trip last summer was about the art of being present - kind of an important feature when you are on the road for six hours a day. This summer at ease with six hour drives (Eckhart Tolle eat your heart out!) I contemplated endlessly about the purpose of the adventure. What was the overriding experience?

As a child there are times when we may get a bit unruly and we test our parents to the very limit of their existence. I am not admitting that I would ever do that since I am absolutely perfect, but I do recall from time to time my mother telling me in a rather high pitched assertive manner, “You kids don’t know how lucky you are.” Not sure if I had a response to that but now that I am older and wiser –she was right. I don’t know how lucky I am and that was what this trip was all about.

Everywhere we went Busty and I were greeted with open arms and hospitality. We ate really good food, drank exceptionally great wine, all while sharing stories and experiences with our neighbours, friends and family alike.

These are people who work hard at their given vocations, love their families and their neighbours, they give back to their communities and are guilty of being visionaries and volunteers. Moreover, each one of them invests in unique experiences.

We were able to see points west with the top down, the wind blowing through our hair, and strange particles smudged all over our sunglasses. We made friends with two lovely people from Edmonton who were driving down the highway in a newly purchased Viper along with Wren the dog and Lucky the cat.

For the first time in my life, I completely felt safe enough to let go – of everything and with several hundred miles under the wheels of that hot red convertible I realized the entire time we were free. And, that was the purpose of the Thelma and Louise journey.... I am free to be me, and how lucky is that?

So, the next time you are cruising down the highway on your next adventure, why not download George Michael's Freedom as featured on YouTube to help you get from point A to B? In the meantime, crank the volume, and skip over to Bust A Blog and see what Thelma and Louise story she is sharing!

A Thought About Success Magazine

Been engaged with this publication for over a year and consider myself a bit of a junkie. Topics covered in Success Magazine are wide ranging with emphasis on active leadership and achievement.

What is enjoyable about Success is that is inspires innovation and encourages the reader to be creative. Whenever I don't feel overly motivated or am feeling blocked I either pull out one of the issues or pop the cd into my computer.

The visual layout of this publication is classy and professional with photos and graphics that are intriguing and well balanced. The storytelling is fascinating and engaging. One of the most attractive features of this magazine is the complementary CD in every issue.

No matter your vocation, this is a magazine that everyone can enjoy and get something out of it.

Disco - Blog Off

In the last ten days my niece, who was visiting for a week, thought it would be a great idea to buy a hamster.

So, off we go to the local pet store for the big purchase. An hour later and about $50 afterwards we come out with a white rodent named Disco. Two days later and another $25 Disco was the proud owner of a pink exercise ball and a coconut house.

Apparently Disco is really cute.

I have not yet warmed up to the red eyes.

A white hamster with red eyes.

I had visions that in the middle of the night the beast would transform itself like the Incredible Hulk and escape from its cage running around the neighborhood terrorizing small animals and eating all the prize winning flowers. I did check, there was nothing reported in the newspaper about any strange occurances. Although I did consider trying to contact Wallace and Gromit, just incase.

Still he is always chewing at this cage. I am certain he is planning an escape.

The family dog Kia has not quite figured it out either. Other than her instincts to eat whatever is now hanging around.

May be we should test that theory? Just to be sure of course.

For fun we placed Disco in his exercise ball to let Kia and Disco have a little play. I think Kia enjoyed the experience more than Disco as he was spun around the kitchen like a top on fire. I was revealed that he survived the trip as the last thing I needed was a pet murder to end my niece’s holiday!

As kid I never desired a hamster. Just about every girl in my class had one and they all thought their pets were wonderful until they escaped and ended up in the walls of their parent’s home. The end result for their pets was never a happy story.

Personally, I equate hamsters with gophers and other rodents like mice and squirrels. Rodents, snakes, and lizards do not seem like overly fun pets to me. Why not keep a mosquito around just for fun? Whatever makes you happy, what do I know?

And, if Disco rocks my niece’s world all the more power to her that she has found something truly wonderful. The best part about the experience is how sweet and good natured my niece is towards her new pet inspite of his tiny red eyes. And, if she has found something beautiful and divine in her pet, then long may you dance Disco.

Speaking of dancing I went to the movies with my niece and this famous song of the disco era was played. So, while you are secretly hustling around your cubical to this post on YouTube why not check out what Busty has written about the picture I sent her and don't forget to leave a comment.