Creative commentary plus crafty composition

Posts tagged ‘Humour’

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…)

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…)

A Rock Versus a Soft Place

A survey of millennials released this week has revealed that more than one-half of them would prefer the earth to be hit by a meteor than have the Republican candidate become U.S. President, and about one-third of them feel the same regarding the Democratic candidate.

There is a surrealistically dire implication in these choices – with the human side of the equation, our world deeply impacted, whether the choice is metaphorical or not. (more…)

Guidance for Neanderthal Sales Thinkers

Like it or not, in one manner or another, we are all sales people.

For many of us, this is (or has been) literally true. Even in businesses where corporate mission statements exemplify other, i.e. lofty, aspects of service relationships, the ultimate determination of success or failure generally comes down to whether or not sales are made.

For the population at large, not dependent on successfully adhering to the sales process to make a living, variations of selling still infiltrate daily living. (more…)

TOP 10 Canadian Thanksgiving Gratitudes

Like many longstanding holidays, Thanksgiving Day has its traditional elements, but has also come to remind us of modern lifestyle aspects to appreciate.

Interestingly, of the holidays recognized in both Canada and the U.S., this is the only one celebrated at different times: in Canada, on the second Monday in October, in the U.S. on the fourth Thursday. (In the latter case this has typically dovetailed into four-day weekends, and the recent emergence of ‘Black Friday’ shopping madness.) (more…)

Debate Do’s & Don’ts

We have seen, perhaps participated in, debates in one format or another over the years. (I can recollect my first was while a youngster in school.) In the political arena this has become a vital part of the election process.

As we get older, and especially if the stakes get higher, we should expect to incorporate life experiences or lessons to handle ourselves more effectively. Making a positive connection while speaking is paramount to feeling confident and performing better, whatever the stage. (more…)

Blended Genres at a Screen Near You

A note received yesterday from a screenwriting site noted the vast array of recent film releases featuring comedy blended with other genres. Some of these reflect evolution in our social mores. Examples included:

  • Action comedy, such as ‘The Kingsman’
  • Dramedy, such as ‘The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’
  • Horror comedy, such as ‘Vampire Academy’
  • Female Empowerment comedy, such as ‘Trainwreck’
  • Mockumentary, such as ‘What We Do in The Shadows’
  • Senior Comedy, such as ‘The Intern’

(more…)

Modern Rules of Order

Many meetings are run using the framework of Parliamentary procedure, or its U.S. based version known as ‘Robert’s Rules of Order’.

Their core notion is to have a set of procedures reinforcing the agenda, so the meeting can proceed with decorum and efficiency, hopefully understood and supported by attendees. Interjections are allowed, as long as the interjector ideally invokes the proper language of attention getting: a ‘Point of Privilege’ concerning a status issue, a ‘Point of Information’ to have a question addressed, or a ‘Point of Order’ to verify following proper procedure. (more…)

The Expurgated Versions

Part of the brilliance of gifted comedians and satirists is their ability to take concepts of language or expressions and twist them into shapes which activate response. Their translations generate laughter thanks to the vulnerability of the underlying version of normalcy.

Consider the ‘Book Shop’ sketch from Monty Python. (more…)

The Labour Day Statistical Transition

This is the Labour Day weekend, AKA the last holiday weekend of summer, AKA the last days of freedom for many young people before starting or returning to school.

The complexion of neighbourhood activity takes on a less hectic daytime hue with so many, once again, becoming cooped up in indoor facilities. (more…)