Creative commentary plus crafty composition

Common Experiences, Not for Everyone

September 22, 2017

Currently, in the Ottawa, Ontario area, midsummer weather has returned with a vengeance.

After most of this summer being of a relatively moderate mode, with concomitant complaints from those who prefer more opportunity to fry their skin, in the last week of the season and beyond we have hit a heat wave, which any prolonged period in mid summer would be proud of. Running several degrees above normal, both daytime and evening, it just goes on, getting even hotter, but more significantly more humid. Read the rest of this entry »

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Art of Communication, Behaviour & Relationships, Social & political commentary, Uncategorized

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TOP 10 Life Lessons from TWIN PEAKS – The Return

September 15, 2017

For those inspired by the more outré versions of TV programming, ‘TWIN PEAKS’ has represented one of the iconic lynchpins (or, perhaps more accurately, Lynch-pins). It has displayed a chunk of the world with unique, somewhat relatable, people operating from ethical codes which supported their behaviour in bizarre events and developments.

The dream-like atmosphere around the eccentric characters in the original 1990s series was enhanced by a haunting, hypnotic music score. Read the rest of this entry »

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Arts commentary, Behaviour & Relationships, Uncategorized

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What’s in Some Words?

September 8, 2017

In looking through our Toastmasters club file of words of the day, as individually used in our meetings over the years, there are some interesting revelations.

Words chosen by members, in turns as ‘Wordmaster’, show quite a range of choices, from relatively familiar to quite obscure, as well as varying degrees of efforts made in their presentation (font size, definition, etc.). Read the rest of this entry »

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Art of Communication, Personal Development, Uncategorized

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Travel on Sale

September 1, 2017

As a member of the baby boomer generation, I have begun taking more seriously the issue of arranging travel plans on-line.

It should be appreciated that the painstaking nature of the experience, enhanced by the omnipresence of the internet and search sites, could be little envisaged as our cohort developed its work traction in the years surrounding Canada’s turning 100 years of age. Read the rest of this entry »

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Art of Communication, Business Commentary, Humour, Uncategorized

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TOP 10 Modernized Fortune Cookie Messages

August 25, 2017

There is at least one longstanding element of food culture which has not changed with the times: messages in Chinese fortune cookies.

Recent experience has confirmed that the same old array of vague, albeit usually upbeat, expressions and predictions remain in vogue. Perhaps it has something to do with the evidently simple assembly-line manner in which such message cookies have long been created and distributed. Perhaps the substance of most messages, involving abstract universal themes, is deemed to validate whatever wording is used, as not worth re-visiting for style, spirit, or timeliness. Read the rest of this entry »

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Art of Communication, Business Commentary, Humour, Uncategorized

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In a Metaphorical Way

August 18, 2017

One of the more intriguing ways many of us use language is through metaphors.

It’s like using one of a set of specialized tools to complete a project, instead of only using a multi-tool. No, wait, that’s a simile.

A metaphor is figure of speech, or an image, in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action not literally, but by means of comparison or analogy. A simile focuses more on the idea of a comparison, normally connected by words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’. Read the rest of this entry »

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Art of Communication, Humour, Uncategorized

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Urban vs Rural Driving

August 11, 2017

Likely anyone who has driven for any significant period has experienced driving both in the city and in the country. Likely familiarity alone makes many prefer one driving environment versus the other. Of course, too much of a comfort zone could cause one to become blasé behind the wheel, no doubt a contributing factor to many accidents.

Few, I believe, would argue that there’s not a distinct difference in one’s mind-set between city and country experiences, especially with driving. Read the rest of this entry »

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Humour, Social & political commentary, Uncategorized

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TOP 10 Ways to Survive Waiting at Airports

August 4, 2017

Anyone who has traveled by air in recent times, and particularly has done so off and on for decades, knows how the experience has dwindled in enjoyability. Nowadays it seems to go down a notch every year.

Have you seen the original version of the movie, “The Out-of-Towners”? Soon into the opening scene, Jack Lemmon and Sandy Dennis, having made the short drive in their station wagon from home to the local airport, easily stride into the casual, small terminal, directly to the ticket counter, and quickly out to board their plane, with nary a whiff of delay or security to be seen. How times have changed… Read the rest of this entry »

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Art of Communication, Behaviour & Relationships, Humour, Top 10, Uncategorized

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Going on Holidays Messages

July 21, 2017

This time of the year it’s common to get an automated response, albeit possibly with a personalized tone, when phoning someone. There may be even a cute, seasonal reference to add a touch of artistry.

If it’s an in the office, business-sensitive message, chances are the wording and tone will be more on the officious side. The brave or resourceful will find a way to inject a little personality. Read the rest of this entry »

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Art of Communication, Business Commentary, Humour, Top 10, Uncategorized

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TOP 10 Renovation Concerns

July 14, 2017

For those of us having some home renovation done, there may be troublesome issues lurking in recesses of the engagement… Read the rest of this entry »

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Business Commentary, Humour, Social & political humour, Top 10, Uncategorized

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