Lygenztia *667 (Johnny Paycheck.........) February 9, 2024

Cheque? WTF is a cheque, who uses them and what the Hell for?

Cheques will be obsolete in our lifetime. There is a certain amount of absurdity of writing a check in a world dominated by contactless payments, e-transfers, etc. You know who still wants to pay by cheque? People that don't have any money, that's who. The cheque is a delay tactic until they can get money in their account.

If anyone under 75 years of age wants to pay you by cheque, they are a deadbeat. You've been warned.

Anyway, I gotta run...check, please.

rb>

On this day in history, Canada expelled 13 Soviet diplomats for spying – 1978

Today is National Pizza Day and on the Pastafarian Calendar it's "Out An Alien Lizard" day. (Yesterday, was "Get Naked Day".)

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

First Responder Assist, Wellness and Resilience resources can be found here.

Lygenztia *665 (For the low price of 4.99 per month....) January 26, 2024

Subscription services have become so prolific it is easy to lose track of what you are actually subscribing to. And don't get me started on TV. Wanna watch Letterkenny? That's only on Crave, you'll need to subscribe. Wanna watch True Crime? That's only on Disney +, you'll need to subscribe. Wanna watch the World Junior Hockey Tournament? That's only on TSN, you will have to subscribe.

Off the top of my head, I can think of Bell Fibe, Rogers Fire, Crave, Netflix, Amazon Prime, TSN. Sportsnet, Disney +

It goes on, ad infinitum. And, that is just TV.

Apps? Oh ya....the "free trial", with "in app" purchase options later. Or, you can subscribe. It's only fair to pay people for their work but I do think some of it is gouging, I guess the market will ultimately decide.

Newspapers and periodicals have it figured out. They give you a sniff of an article....just a taste. Then, to read on you need to (you guessed it), subscribe. I see no issue with this, as back in the day, we paid for the actual tabloids and broadsheets at the news stand, or wherever you purchased your Sun or Star. (Anybody out there remember early morning delivery?)

Maybe we had it too good in the hey-day of the internet when everything was free and easily accessible. The content providers sure have tightened it up. But on the negative side, it appears the proliferation of free information is what has led to large scale lay offs in the print and media industry, writ large. And that is an unfortunate by-product of the information super highway.

And on that note, if you haven't already, wait until you get a load of ChatGPT (generative AI). Very interesting stuff and if you sign up, you don't have to pay to subscribe.............yet.

rb>

On this day in history the Canadian Coast Guard was officially established (1962).

Today is Rumbellion Day on the Pastafarian Colendar.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

First Responder Assist, Wellness and Resilience resources can be found here.

Lygenztia *664 (What do YOU think.........) January 19, 2024

It seems like everywhere you turn on the internet, or where you engage customer service, they want you to take a survey. You ordered some toilet paper, want to take a survey? Oh, we see you ordered some dish soap, will you take a survey? You called your bank to update your phone number? Yes, they want you to take a survey. And God help you if you sign up for any free service or app, because with those they make you do a survey as part of "accepting and understanding" the terms and conditions. You know the 29 page long proviso wherein you have unknowingly gifted your soul to Satan. But, that is another blog.

This tendency (or new normal) has made it into most retail locations as well. Ah yes, the bricks and mortar have caught on too. And, they want you to do a survey. You know the drill, you cash out, the clerk hands you a receipt and says 'chance to win a prize if you complete the survey.' Then, the clerk circles the survey website with a pen. Usually the prize is something most spectacular, like...his and hers pencil sharpeners, or a one years supply of toothpicks.

For my part, I do the surveys sometimes but only to mess with whomever is reading them and collating the data. I doubt it's a human, but at some point the synopsis is read by a sentient being of mortal coil. I give the most outrageous answers that the survey will allow to the point I hope I did not cause trauma to some poor analyst, somewhere.

For example:

Survey-How many times do you use our product, on average?
Response-I use it 44 times per day, I have horribly itchy crabs and STD's.

Survey-Have you tried any of our other products?
Response-Yes, I use the lavender lotion to smooth out my pubic hair in advance of my selfie photo shoots.

I could go on, but you get the idea.

And, if you enjoyed this blog, click here to do a quick survey.

Today is National Popcorn Day. On January 19th, everyone is encouraged to eat popcorn.
#eatpopcorn

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

First Responder Assist, Wellness and Resilience resources can be found here.

Lygenztia *663 (It's a little known fact, Norm....) January 12, 2024

While cell phones may champion the "truth" (because everything on the net is true, right????) they actually destroyed debate and conversation in two distinct ways.

Back in the day we would sit at the pub and "shoot the shit". Almost everyone did this because we did not have a phone to stare at. The nature of social discourse has completely changed in pubs, actually everywhere.

Cell phones changed banter in two ways. They created "experts" and "fact checkers", the expert by far being the most annoying. Let me explain....in the pub there are two people that are familiar with a topic enagaging in a conversation. The "expert" says nothing as the others talk, googles the topic and then chimes in with a fact on a topic they nothing about. Voila! "Instant expert"! (and asshole). Here's an idea, if you know nothing about a topic, try listening.

Next up, is the "fact checker". Ugh, just awful human beings. The fact checker googles every point a person makes, looking for some obscure factoid to counter or correct the other person. They do this out of a sense of insecurity and the need to feel superior to others. I have a newsflash for the fact checker, any idiot can go on a cell phone to look something up. It only requires your ability to manipulate your device, much in the same way they are trying to manipulate the conversation. People will naturally avoid the fact checker and generally will remove them from the conversation, somehow. When you think of the fact checker, think of Cliff Clavin with a cell phone.

So, don't be either. Look at someone, talk to them. Listen actively. And when both of you don't know the answer then look it up and come up with it together. Otherwise, you're a Cliff Clavin.

Today is KISS A GINGER DAY On January 12th, everyone is encouraged to find their favorite redhead and give them a peck on Kiss a Ginger Day.
#KissAGingerDay

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

First Responder Assist, Wellness and Resilience resources can be found here.

Lygenztia *662 (Could anything be more perfect than a dog...........) January 7, 2024

Who was the first person to become companion to a dog? Of course, we will never know. There are historical examples dating back about 14,220 years ago. Even more amazingly, they even named the breed as a "Bonn-Oberkassel".

Humans keep other animals as pets, but none match the companionship of a dog. Cat lovers, full stop. I am not a hater, but you cannot compare the two. Sure some breeds, like the Maine Coon Cat are "dog-like" but a dog..... they are not. I know of no stories where a cat has sat for weeks beside an injured owner, protected a child from an attempted abduction, searched earthquake disaster zones for survivors. I do know of stories where cas have eaten their owner, after the owner met an untimely demise. Humans own dogs, cats own humans. I could go on, I won't. This is about dogs...God's most perfect creation in the animal kingdom. (Ever noticed the backwards spelling of God?)

When you have had bad day, who is waiting for you at the door? When you are watching tv who wants to lay with you? When you are walking who wants to walk with you? When you are sick, they know and stay close to you. You could be the worst asshole in the world, hated by all, but your dog loves you. Have you ever seen what happens when a loud or agressive stranger approaches a child and their dog is near? Let me know how that worked out for the guy.

You can teach your dog almost anything. The sky is the limit, you just have to spend the time and exert the effort. (By the way, if you have a dog that "doesn't listen" that just means the dog is smarter than you. Think about it.) Dogs can also teach us many things. Unconditional love, responsibility, patience and loyalty to name just a few. Bill Murray once said “I'm suspicious of people who don't like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn't like a person.” Apparently, the eclectic funny guy is also a wise man.

Finally, the level to which a dog becomes a member of the household/family is beyond compare. A dog wants to be involved with everything the family does and the dog is fully aware that they are part of the family. Of that, I am certain. Playfully spray your kids with the hose and the dog wants in on it. Shovel the driveway and he is right there, taking it all in. Do some gardening and they watch. Play soccer with the kids and the dog is after the ball, too. And on the other end of it, the bond between an elderly person and their dog is one of the most beautiful things you could ever see.

I don't know who was the first person to take up companionship with a dog. But from the bottom of our collective hearts, dog owners world wide thank you.

For a dogs prayer click here.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

First Responder Assist, Wellness and Resilience resources can be found here.

Lygenztia *661 (Anyone hear a banjo...........) January 6, 2024

Happy New Year!

When you are seeking to become part of the community, is it easier to do so in a city or a small town? Maybe you have moved from a town to a city, or a city to a town. Both have their unique challenges.

It's been said you can get lost in a city, but I also think you can become isolated in a small town. When you first come to the city meeting people of like mind can be a challenge as people in cities are wary of strangers. Ironically, when you first come to a town people are wary of strangers.

There are two unqiue mindsets, newcomers to a city are viewed as "I wonder why they came here?". In the town it's "What are they doing here?" ( I can speak from experience.) Townfolk are warm and charming initially, until you join their institutions/organizations, then they become suspicious. 'It's a takeover I tell ya!' This is all perfetly normal, we all seek to protect what we love and our way of life. In the city, every insitution/organization can use help so the opposite is true. Volunteer to help and the next thing you know you are a member of the board.

So, they key? I think in a city you have to move quickly, unless you want to just "exist". The city will not "bring you in." Conversely, in a town, you have to move slowly so as not to unnecessarily alarm or concern people. They bring you in eventually.

Either way, being part of the community as opposed to just being in a community is up to you.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

First Responder Assist, Wellness and Resilience resources can be found here.