(lygenztia #323) Can I be King...........

I recently saw a story in the Toronto Star reporting on some sailors that became stranded on a remote, uninhabited island. Well, I got to thinking...how many islands like this exist and who actually owns them?

What if I just went to one of these uninhabited islands, set up my hut and called myself the King of that island? Like, can I do that?? I checked on-line and there actually are islands that are un-claimed in the oceans of the earth.

I'm not saying I want to bail on family and loved ones, but the thought of laying on the beach, fishing and eating mangoes every day does provoke some introspective thought. I don't think I would need a military and my system of governance would consist of "Thou shalt not be an asshole on my island". I would definitely need to learn how to make my own mango alcohol, so that would be a consideration prior to setting sail for my kingdom.

I think I would bring solar power panels, a complete library of e-books, a guitar and some music for my portable speaker. (Hey, I will have solar power...i'm not saying I will be living like Robinson Crusoe)

In my research, I came across this article describing how you can set up your own island kingdom. http://howtobuyaprivateisland.com/starting-your-own-country/ It's a good read.

Thinking about it.....I think it could work. Now, I just gotta find my island and hope Gilligan hasn't already claimed it.

(lygenztia #322) What hunting means to me...

I hunt. No apologies. If you don't like it, stop reading and remember this; I never asked you to read this anyway.

Hunting is slowly going the way of the do-do in this country and that's too bad. Hunting is a lot of things, other than taking down game. Hunting is getting together with the boys every year, getting out in the woods and being one with nature.

But, it is also a lot of other things. Like, visiting other camps and seeing how the other guys are doing. It's sitting down with the old timers and listening to the same stories they've told for the last 30 years and loving every minute of it. It's dividing up the work and co-operation. It's co-existing in small environs and farting wherever and whenever you want.

The morning is always the same...everyone stumbling around, excited and anxiously waiting for first light and the sun to burn the frost off. Then, there is some beer involved at the end of the day. Beer, the great equalizer. Big, hot meal after a day in the bush..a warm fireplace, a few beers and sleep comes quickly.

Some would call sitting in the woods and being quiet all day "boring". Only a hunter can understand, it's one of the best ways to spend a day. Listening, thinking, relaxing and watching birds and squirrels. And when you hear a deer coming in, words cannot describe.

Like Luke Bryan sings "huntin, fishin, lovin every day".

(lygenztia #321) Can someone tell how this whole "Jesus" thing works....

I was leaving the gym the other day and noticed my old neighbour's truck blocking the entire parking lot. It was situated in such a way that you had to drive all the way around to the other exit...all so he could park his truck closer to the doors. (There were other parking spots available).

What's the big deal, you ask? It's just another selfish jerk, the world is full of them, you say. Well, here's the kicker...when we used to be neighbours he went to great length to make sure that everyone knew that he and his wife were devout church-goers. Always mentioning the usual religion, Jesus and pious stuff. God definitely liked them way better than the rest of the neighbourhood. (Well, at least in his opinion).

Good to have faith, but what about them darn commandments? There are a few that spring to the mind of the great unwashed like me; "do unto others" "love thy neighbour" you know, the usual stuff. So, given those commandments (to name a few) and all of his church learning one would think he wouldn't be so inconsiderate? I know the Ten Commandments don't specifically say "thou shalt not be a selfish prick and block the gym parking lot" but to me, it is kind of inferred. (And, I don't even go to church).

I don't know Jesus, never met him. But I know, he would NEVER do this, I just do. Further, I would never do this and I don't even go to church. In my mind, I don't need someone to preach to me that I shouldn't be a prick...

Hypocrisy is defined as:

"the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense.
synonyms: dissimulation, false virtue, cant, posturing, affectation, speciousness, empty talk, insincerity, falseness, deceit, dishonesty, mendacity, pretense, duplicity"

(lygenztia #320) Gettin pucks deep.....

I was watching World Cup of Hockey coverage the other day and they showed a player interview. As I watched, I laughed as I thought about the player's "comments". North American players (Canadian and U.S.) appear to take great pride in saying nothing during a media interview. Oh, they speak...but they say nothing. For example:

Media question - "How does the defence look for the tournament?"
North American player - "Well, we just gotta get pucks deep."

Media question - "Do you have any concerns with the injury to your starting goalie?"
North American player - "Well, we just gotta stick to our game plan."

Media question - "Do you think the veterans will have a leadership impact on the roster?"
North American player - "Well, we just gotta go out there and play our game."

I don't know why they do this, or when it started. To be certain, hockey players are humble, honourable and (for the most part) "non-complex" athletes. That's a good thing and that's why we love them.

But, just once I would love to hear one of the players actually answer the questions posed by the media. For example:

Media question - "How does the defence look for the tournament?"
North American player - "Oh ya, its gonna be the best defence in the world. Kick ass. Get that into ya."

Media question - "Do you have any concerns with the injury to your starting goalie?"
North American player - "Well, we are freaking out, but we got wicked good doctors and we have our fingers crossed."

Media question - "Do you think the veterans will have a leadership impact on the roster?"
North American player - "What do you think? Of course they will...what a stupid question. Pick up a stick someday, Eugene."

Now that would be an interview. But, I don't think you will ever hear those answers.