(lygenztia *64) No mind control chip for me, thanks. Sniff...

Flu shot? Ya right….

I am not going to mess around with my immune system anymore. They brow beat us to death to get this damn shot every year, which in and of itself should be of concern to the citizenry.

Case in point, 1996. I got my first ever flu shot. I was proud as a peacock for doing my civic duty to avoid getting sick and be a productive citizen. Well, guess what? I was as sick as sick is, all winter long and ended up having to take 2 weeks off work. I was a day from having to be admitted to hospital to be re-hydrated. Boy, that was fun. Even after I got “better”, I never really felt better until the spring.

I decided never to get a flu shot again.

Well, after being brow beaten and given that old excuse..”well you know, the shot doesn’t cover you for ALL strains of the flu.” (Huh? So the really bad strains can still get you? Gosh, that’s reassuring….) So, reluctantly, last year, I relented and got a flu shot at a public clinic. Well, guess what? Rewind and replay 1996. Sick again, from November until about April. Oh yeah, like that’s a coincidence.

From 1997 to 2006, (when I did not get the flu shot) I got nothing more than the usual mild colds. OK, I am not a Doctor and this was no controlled clinical trial, but I like to play the odds.

You can go right ahead, get in line like cattle and let “the man” mess with your immune system, but as for me….’96 and ’07 are memories I do not want to re-live.

(lygenztia *63) A simple "good! thanks for asking" would suffice.

Have you ever bumped into someone, asked how they're doing and gotten an epic novel for a response?

You know the type....you see them in the grocery store, both of you are running around trying to get home and you see them.
"Hey XXXXX, good to see you..how you doing?"
What you expect in response is "good, nice to see you too...say hi to everyone for me." That's kind of the standard, polite response.
Instead, they very publicly give you their life story. It's either bragging, or some type of desperate social inadequacy. If things are really that good (or bad) can't you call me, or drop in? I can try to help, or share in your successes.
Please don't yell at me across 2 lines at the A&P to tell me all about your dog's hysterectomy or about your seconds counsins-twin brothers-next door neighbours-sister, that had a bad basement flood and you're not sure how your going to cope.

Or then there is the old "we are sooo busy". Well, welcome to 2008 Michael Jackson! Who the hell isn't? I bump into people that collect social assistance and they tell me how busy they are. Huh? How can that be?

The "busy parents" are the worst.....(I am one, but I won't brag in this blog, yet) There is a huge difference between giving a friend some quick updates of significance and droning on and on about every little detail of your existence. Chances are, if you don't know where the line is drawn, people avoid you like tuberculosis in the 1930's.

C'mon, we all know the type........this is a sampling of what you get.

Greeting-Hey XXXX, nice to see you! How are you?

Response-"Oh, I am so busy..my son is singing for the Enniskillen choir next month and my daughter has a huge homework assignment (their daughter is in Grade 3) blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, ...we are soooo busy."...blah, blah, blah, blah..."I have to get groceries, go home and do the cleaning, get ready for company, go to work, drive the kids to hockey and get to the bank."

Well, let me tell you something, you just described about 95% of the Canadian population. We're all in the same boat.

And, the people that do this...they rarely ask you how YOU and YOUR family are. They give you a 3.5 minute speech about their busy, great life..then run away to their car, leaving a trail of spilled groceries and making frantic cell phone conversation.

Isn't it great when you bump into someone, ask them how they are doing and you get this?

A big smile, direct eye contact and the following statement.."we're great thanks, how are things at your place..why don't you guys come over for supper on Saturday?"

It absolutely makes your day..and theirs.

Make someone's day..don't make them hide 2 aisles over in the store when they see you.

(Lygenztia *62) C'mere boy...atta boy! Good dog...

Here's a newsflash. animals aren't human. They can't reason. They can be taught certain behaviours that resemble the ability to reason, but its really just repetition on the animal trainers part and spending time with the animal.

I would never advocate cruelty to animals, but I would also never put the well being of an animal over a human. I absolutely love dogs...and to a lesser extent, cats. I have rescued both from horrible situations....so don't go giving me some "holier than thou" rant.

BUT,

I am so sick of these new age weirdos that assign human character traits to animals, out of some misguided sense of caring about animals more than YOU do. Their thought process is something like this.... if I can convince you that animals think and act like humans, it proves I am more civilized and refined than you and that I love animals more than you.

The absolute worst of this type is the childless young couple with a small dog. They dress the dog up like a baby, take it to "doggy day care", tell people about the dog's behaviour (as if the dog can talk to them and they understand) and get very offended if you don't address the dog as if it were a small child. If the dog were to viciously attack a human, they would blame the human and demand they go to counselling, or dog sensitivity training.

C'mon, we all have met this type of person(s) at least once in our lives. Their dog does its business on your lawn and they tell you that they will "talk to" the dog about it. Huh? They are twisted..they think they can reason with the dog.

God bless pet dogs and cats, they actually lower your heart rate. God bless beasts of burden, they have helped humans over the millenia lessen the load.

Animals are amazing. Animals should never be abused.

But they sure as hell should never be given priority over humans. That's just common sense.

Throw me a bone on this one.

(lygenztia *61) And the winner is...

....not the Canadian people. Or at least those of us with a brain. It's election time and today was the advanced polls. I thought that I would excerise my Constitutional right and obligation as a Canadian citizen and get my vote in.

I thought wrong.

I have followed the issues, watched the debate, thought about the issues and tried to make an informed choice of our local candidates, in conjunction with a national leader.

So, what's the problem you ask?

I'll tell you what the problem is. There are far too many people without the mental faculties to participate meaningfully in the process. That's the problem.

The line in my electoral section only had 8 people in it. (I was one of them) Of that 8...3 persons in front of me had no identification with them. If you don't know enough to bring your identification with you, then you shouldn't be allowed to vote. Period.

If your comprehension level of the world around you is that low, that you didn't know you would need I.D. then it is scary to think that you have a say in the direction of this great country.

The "beauty" of the system is that without any identification a "relative" can swear an oath that you are who you say you are and "poof", you are legally entitled to vote! Of course, the electoral officer has to fill out 3 forms, all of which take about 10 minutes each. (Hardly an inconvenience to the people in line behind you at all)

Finally, having a finite amount of lunch time I had to leave, without casting my ballot. Besides, it was simply too painful to listen to the people in front of me any longer.

Quote-"Oh, you need identification? Really? When did they start that?"
(Someone actually said that)

Another quote-"I have a right to vote, I know my rights"
(yes, they said that too)

For gosh sakes buddy, show them a Drivers license or a damn OHIP card.

I don't know, maybe i'm just cranky today because I am worried about some family matters, but geez..c'mon, use your head.

It is so bloody easy to vote in Canada. You have to be a complete moron not to be able to cast your ballot.

Oh wait, I didn't cast mine...I guess that means i'm a moron. Damn, I wonder if the polling station is still open?

(with apologies to the vast, vast majority of Canadians that take the process seriously and think about it)

VOTE!!!!

(lygenztia *60) Leaders....or readers?

The age of the goddam teleprompter politician. These leadership debates are so scripted, so aimed at market based research that they might as well just read right from pre-prepared notes and leave.

This is a joke.

Show some goddam leadership. Somebody, please. Show emotion, embrace it and speak with passion. Speak from the heart every now and then. Give us an idea or sentiment that isn't rehearsed or memorized.

What the hell is wrong with showing you care about something? I watch these party "leaders" smiling, throwing softballs at each other and all are terrified to show some emotion. Are they afraid they will be perceived as weak? Do they think the vox populi will reject them because they care too much? You're not a loose cannon if you some some passion, when the occasion calls for it.

I'll go on record..I like Harper. But for crying out loud Stephen, get angry every now and then. Show some kick ass leader type passion. I am not saying you have to punch out Jack Layton, but for Gosh sakes, go for the jugular instead of sitting there with a smirk on your face. It makes you look weak..and I don't think you are.

The one I have the most respect for is Duceppe, at least he says what he feels and speaks up for the francophones. I completely disagree with his platform, but it sure would be nice if someone felt as passionate about English Canada.

Somebody, please, convince me that you can and want to lead this great Country.

Stop trying to placate the goddam media with these silly, scripted platitudes and speak to the people, because WE are the ones that vote. And WE, my fellow Canadians, are the ones that matter.