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Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Recommendations to Rent

An article this week in Ottawa’s major newspaper describes the ordeal being faced by a man in Kingston, Ontario, who rented out his home to a family a couple of years ago. These people came with a good recommendation, but their stay over a couple of years was a destructive one for the home, including cleanup horrors stemming from some of the most disgusting manners imaginable. After months went by before eviction could be finalized, the home owner is facing a litany of expensive cleanup and repair, likely to the tune overall of $30,000. (more…)

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Behaviour & Relationships, Social & political humour, Uncategorized

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Time to Evaluate

An article in the November issue of Toastmaster magazine puts under a humourous light the normally unnerving experience of oneself under an evaluative microscope.

The author relates a traumatic instance of a job performance review. When he hears about the subjects he expects to be discussed, namely effective performance, efficient specializing, and exhibiting professionalism, what he hears his boss really talking about is ‘doing his job well x 3’. Focusing on strengths is still in vogue, but what used to be weaknesses are now potential improvements. (more…)

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Art of Communication, Humour, Personal Development, Uncategorized

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Green Buys & Cyber

(with apologies & deference to The Outlaws, ‘Green Grass & High Tides’)

In ‘honour’ of Cyber Monday…

At a time we really count on

When the shipping may be free

Silver ear phones, golden earrings

Fill the orders, plain to see (more…)

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Arts commentary, Humour, Social & political humour, Uncategorized

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Black Day in November

 (with apologies & deference to Gordon Lightfoot) 

 Black day in November

Friday deal madness has struck the world at large

And through malls and the internet

You can see it in their eyes

The cash and cards are flowing

And the browsers left aside (more…)

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Humour, Social & political humour, Uncategorized

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A Grade of B

Did you know there are eight versions of Vitamin B?

A mouth-opening article in the current issue of Psychology Today reveals the connection of these vitamins to the health of our brain. They all “influence brain function because they each contribute to energy operations in the brain”. (more…)

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Humour, Personal Development, Uncategorized

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Trumped-Up Terms

As a heretofore regular word in the English language, ‘trump’ has some familiar, longstanding applications. While it can be both a verb and a noun, recent connotations seem to be putting it more frequently into the pro-active role as a verb.

Given the electoral earthquake in the U.S., it’s interesting to note how many of these meanings are open to being flavoured, or perhaps coloured, in the reflection of the (capitalized) eponymous President elect. (more…)

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Art of Communication, Behaviour & Relationships, Uncategorized

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A Cute Story

According to a brief article in the current issue of Psychology Today, there are about one billion dogs in the world, but only about 15% are domesticated. (Many of the 85% in the wild don’t make it to their first birthday, due to being abandoned as pups.)

It would seem that a key point to a dog’s survival is “Tricking a person into taking care of it”. (more…)

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Behaviour & Relationships, Humour, Uncategorized

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Ode to Leonard Cohen

When I was a student at McGill in Montreal in the early 1970s, alumnus Leonard Cohen had already begun his journey as a balladeer and writer. He was known to pop by the university periodically, and I did see him once talking with someone on Sherbrooke St. at a corner of the campus.

For any of us from the Montreal area, he was in the forefront of exploring themes relating to love, death, freedom, and contemplation. (more…)

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Arts commentary, Uncategorized

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Permit Me to Evaluate

Often one of the most challenging exercises in dealing with presentations from others is providing feedback, AKA a ‘positive critique’.

How to word comments so that, on the one hand, one is not too critical of what’s been stated, and, on the other hand, not ‘whitewashing’ one’s response so as not to risk offending, is a tricky balancing act. The ultimate goal ideally is to focus on the message, not the messenger, with language which encourages the effort but suggests points that could make it more effective. (more…)

Category:

Personal Development, Uncategorized

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Re-animated Darwinian Halloween Escapades

No one is safe when the laws of survival collide with the abandon of Halloween…

  • Invite zombies to your house, but only if they bring their own versions of treats
  • See how many candles can be packed into a giant pumpkin by lighting it indoors first
  • Have a ‘Time Warp’ party for those still trying to reach the planet idolized in The Rocky Horror Picture Show
  • Set a ‘Treehouse of Horror’ episode in the branches of a gigantic Venus fly trap
  • Make an oil coated costume which is part fluorescent and part phosphorescent
  • Hold auditions for best presentation by a ghost in an authentic haunted house
  • Challenge gangs in dark alleys to see if they prefer tricks or treats
  • Hold a body snatchers party and neglect to keep track of the comings and goings
  • Invite a real politician to terrorize the neighbourhood by glad-handing
  • Put on eerie music without regard that it continues playing when the power goes off

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category:

Humour, Uncategorized