Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Our Christmas Tree
Rebecca and I were looking for a cheap way to decorate for Christmas since it is our first Christmas away from home. So this is what we came up with:
We went to Zeller's (our new favorite store since it is just 30 seconds away from our house and the no one shops there) and they have a 75% off sale on lights so we bought a couple of strings of lights and some ornaments and decorated one of my many house plants.
We went to Zeller's (our new favorite store since it is just 30 seconds away from our house and the no one shops there) and they have a 75% off sale on lights so we bought a couple of strings of lights and some ornaments and decorated one of my many house plants.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
A Christmas Meme
It's beginning to look alot like Christmas. Lots of snow has been falling and it's soooo cold. Here is a Christmas meme.
Eggnog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate... Now would be good. Really good.
Does Santa wrap the presents or leave them open under the tree? Nope my parents killed off Santa here at our house, so in compensation for his untimely demise all presents are wrapped. Not well, but they are wrapped.
Coloured Lights on a tree or white? I prefer coloured.
Do you hang Misletoe? Nope.
When do you put your decorations up? A couple of days before Christmas...We just picked up decorations last Saturday's.
What is your favorite Holiday Dish? Either Sugar Cookies or Stuffing.
Favorite Holiday Memory as a Child? Baking Christmas cookies with my mom and caroling
Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? In keeping with our not-at-all-traditional traditions we open all our presents on Christmas Eve.
How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Well look at my post yesterday and you cansee our tree.
Snow. Love it or Hate it? If I have to drive in it or shovel it..I hate it. but it grows on me
Can you ice skate? Nope
What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Apple Pie
Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck? Yum, I love them, just not to many.
Favorite Christmas Show? While it is not a Christmas-y show, but I love Anne of Green Gables and they have it on TV this time of the year
Eggnog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate... Now would be good. Really good.
Does Santa wrap the presents or leave them open under the tree? Nope my parents killed off Santa here at our house, so in compensation for his untimely demise all presents are wrapped. Not well, but they are wrapped.
Coloured Lights on a tree or white? I prefer coloured.
Do you hang Misletoe? Nope.
When do you put your decorations up? A couple of days before Christmas...We just picked up decorations last Saturday's.
What is your favorite Holiday Dish? Either Sugar Cookies or Stuffing.
Favorite Holiday Memory as a Child? Baking Christmas cookies with my mom and caroling
Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? In keeping with our not-at-all-traditional traditions we open all our presents on Christmas Eve.
How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Well look at my post yesterday and you cansee our tree.
Snow. Love it or Hate it? If I have to drive in it or shovel it..I hate it. but it grows on me
Can you ice skate? Nope
What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Apple Pie
Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck? Yum, I love them, just not to many.
Favorite Christmas Show? While it is not a Christmas-y show, but I love Anne of Green Gables and they have it on TV this time of the year
WITH 2009 COMING TO AN END. . .
2009: In The Beginning
Where did you go on New Years?: At the VanKampens
Who were you with? Friends and Family
You kiss anyone on new years? Nope
Did you make any resolutions?: Nope
2009: All about YOU
Did you change at all this year?: Everyone is always changing...
Did you dye your hair?: I don't think I did
Did you get your hair cut?: yes
Did you change your style?: Well I grew my hair out for a while but got sick of it so I cut it off again
Were you in school?: Yep I started school again in the fall
Did you get good grades?: not sure yet
Did you have a job?: Yes!
Did you drive?: YES!!!!
Did anyone close to you give birth?: Yeah everyone's having babies it seems
Did you move at all?: Yep, I moved out with my cuz and now I live with my sisters
Did you go on any vacations?: Nope
Did you leave the country at all?: No.
2009: Your Love Life
Did you break up with anyone?: No!
Did you meet anyone special?: Nope
Did you fall in love? Nope
2009: Friends and Enemies
Did you meet any new friends this year? Yeppers
Did any of your friendships end?: Yep
Did you dislike anyone?: yup, but mostly just attitudes...
Did you make any new enemies?: i like to think that i dont have enemies!
Did you resolve any fights?: uh, sure? dont usually fight...
Did you grow apart from anyone?: *sigh* people alway grow apart depending on choices, circumstances, churches... it depresses me...
Did you have any regrets when it comes to your friendships?: yes. i miss Alison! wish we spent more time together...
In 2009 I...
[x] broke a promise
[] fallen out of love
[] lied
[] went behind your parents back
[] disappointed someone close
[x] hid a secret
[x] pretended to be happy
[] kissed in the rain
[x] slept under the stars
[] kept your new years resolution
[] forgot your new years resolution
[] met someone who changed your life
[] met one of your idols
[x] changed your outlook on life
[x] sat home all day doing nothing
[] pretended to be sick
[] left the country
[] almost died
[] given up something important to you
[] lost something expensive
[x] learned something new about yourself
[x] tried something you normally wouldn't try and liked it
[x] made a change in your life
[x] found out who your true friends were
[x] met great people
[] stayed up til sunrise
[x] cried over the silliest thing
[] was never home on weekends
[x] got into a car accident
[x] had friends who were drifting away from you
[x] had someone close to you die
[] had a high cell phone bill
[] spent most of your money on food
[] went to the beach with your best friend
[] saw a celebrity
[x] gotten sick
[] liked more than 5 people at the same time
[] made out in/on a car
[] kissed in the snow
[] celebrated Halloween
[] broke someone else's heart
[] had a stalker
[] mooned someone
[] went over the minutes on your cell phone
[x] had a good relationship with someone
[] someone questioned your sexual orientation
[] came out of the closet
[x] done something you've regretted
[] kissed under mistletoe
[] painted a picture
[] wrote a poem
[x] ran a mile
[] shopped at Hollister or bench
[] posted a blog on MySpace
[x] listened to music you couldn't stand
[x] went to a sleepover
[x] laughed till you cried
[] laughed till you peed in your pants
[] visited a foreign country
[] cut in a line of waiting people
[x] told someone you were busy when you weren't
[x] partied to celebrate the new year
[] danced like an idiot in public
[x] made a fool of yourself (I am sure...)
1. Have you had any relationships this year?
Nope
2. Have you had your birthday yet? Yes.
3. Kissed two or more people in the same night? NO
4. Been on a diet? No
5. Pulled an all nighter? No
6. Drank Starbucks? Yuppo
8. Bought something(s)? yes.
9. Met someone special who changed your life? not really
10. Been out of the province? Not this year
What are you thinking about?
Our pitiful Christmas tree we just decorated
Have you drank alcohol this year?
yes
How did you feel when you woke up today?
Like I should just go back to bed
If you could change your eye color would you?
no
Who did you last get into a big argument with?
Michelle or Rebecca but I am not sure what it was about
Do you like to have long hair or short hair?
short!
Do you want to get married & have children one day?
not sure yet
Which of your friends do you argue with the most?
uh, i don't argue with friends... ????
How many texts are in your inbox?
none I do not text much
Who was your last text message from ?
Janelle Re: Shauna
Who was the last person who took your profile picture?
My Mom
Have you ever cut class?
nope
Have you ever liked someone a lot older than you?
no
Last thing you ate?
We made pulled pork sanwhiches today
How many people are you texting?
i only text when i need to, not for silly chit-chat... so nobody rite now...
Do you hate the last guy you had a conversation with?
no
Where did you go on New Years?: At the VanKampens
Who were you with? Friends and Family
You kiss anyone on new years? Nope
Did you make any resolutions?: Nope
2009: All about YOU
Did you change at all this year?: Everyone is always changing...
Did you dye your hair?: I don't think I did
Did you get your hair cut?: yes
Did you change your style?: Well I grew my hair out for a while but got sick of it so I cut it off again
Were you in school?: Yep I started school again in the fall
Did you get good grades?: not sure yet
Did you have a job?: Yes!
Did you drive?: YES!!!!
Did anyone close to you give birth?: Yeah everyone's having babies it seems
Did you move at all?: Yep, I moved out with my cuz and now I live with my sisters
Did you go on any vacations?: Nope
Did you leave the country at all?: No.
2009: Your Love Life
Did you break up with anyone?: No!
Did you meet anyone special?: Nope
Did you fall in love? Nope
2009: Friends and Enemies
Did you meet any new friends this year? Yeppers
Did any of your friendships end?: Yep
Did you dislike anyone?: yup, but mostly just attitudes...
Did you make any new enemies?: i like to think that i dont have enemies!
Did you resolve any fights?: uh, sure? dont usually fight...
Did you grow apart from anyone?: *sigh* people alway grow apart depending on choices, circumstances, churches... it depresses me...
Did you have any regrets when it comes to your friendships?: yes. i miss Alison! wish we spent more time together...
In 2009 I...
[x] broke a promise
[] fallen out of love
[] lied
[] went behind your parents back
[] disappointed someone close
[x] hid a secret
[x] pretended to be happy
[] kissed in the rain
[x] slept under the stars
[] kept your new years resolution
[] forgot your new years resolution
[] met someone who changed your life
[] met one of your idols
[x] changed your outlook on life
[x] sat home all day doing nothing
[] pretended to be sick
[] left the country
[] almost died
[] given up something important to you
[] lost something expensive
[x] learned something new about yourself
[x] tried something you normally wouldn't try and liked it
[x] made a change in your life
[x] found out who your true friends were
[x] met great people
[] stayed up til sunrise
[x] cried over the silliest thing
[] was never home on weekends
[x] got into a car accident
[x] had friends who were drifting away from you
[x] had someone close to you die
[] had a high cell phone bill
[] spent most of your money on food
[] went to the beach with your best friend
[] saw a celebrity
[x] gotten sick
[] liked more than 5 people at the same time
[] made out in/on a car
[] kissed in the snow
[] celebrated Halloween
[] broke someone else's heart
[] had a stalker
[] mooned someone
[] went over the minutes on your cell phone
[x] had a good relationship with someone
[] someone questioned your sexual orientation
[] came out of the closet
[x] done something you've regretted
[] kissed under mistletoe
[] painted a picture
[] wrote a poem
[x] ran a mile
[] shopped at Hollister or bench
[] posted a blog on MySpace
[x] listened to music you couldn't stand
[x] went to a sleepover
[x] laughed till you cried
[] laughed till you peed in your pants
[] visited a foreign country
[] cut in a line of waiting people
[x] told someone you were busy when you weren't
[x] partied to celebrate the new year
[] danced like an idiot in public
[x] made a fool of yourself (I am sure...)
1. Have you had any relationships this year?
Nope
2. Have you had your birthday yet? Yes.
3. Kissed two or more people in the same night? NO
4. Been on a diet? No
5. Pulled an all nighter? No
6. Drank Starbucks? Yuppo
8. Bought something(s)? yes.
9. Met someone special who changed your life? not really
10. Been out of the province? Not this year
What are you thinking about?
Our pitiful Christmas tree we just decorated
Have you drank alcohol this year?
yes
How did you feel when you woke up today?
Like I should just go back to bed
If you could change your eye color would you?
no
Who did you last get into a big argument with?
Michelle or Rebecca but I am not sure what it was about
Do you like to have long hair or short hair?
short!
Do you want to get married & have children one day?
not sure yet
Which of your friends do you argue with the most?
uh, i don't argue with friends... ????
How many texts are in your inbox?
none I do not text much
Who was your last text message from ?
Janelle Re: Shauna
Who was the last person who took your profile picture?
My Mom
Have you ever cut class?
nope
Have you ever liked someone a lot older than you?
no
Last thing you ate?
We made pulled pork sanwhiches today
How many people are you texting?
i only text when i need to, not for silly chit-chat... so nobody rite now...
Do you hate the last guy you had a conversation with?
no
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Well....
It has been a while since I last had time to post a real post. With going back to school part time, working part time and taking an exercise class three days a week I have been really busy. My Mom is taking the class with me and after our 5 km jog we usually spend time walking stairs, weight lifting completing circuits and swimming we also get to play sports and I have discovered that I am actually quite good at basketball and floor hockey which I really enjoy.
I am taking two night classes at NAIT. I am hoping to take 3 classes next semester and the last 2 classes during the spring semester so that I can graduate college with my finance degree. I am not quite sure if I will just continue working at Helm after I am finished or if I will find a job in the fiance field.
My job at Helm has changed. Since I went part time I no longer have a portfolio of properties that I manage. I now help other people write letters to tenants, assist with information packages and complete Budgets. I love budgeting it is a lot of fun for me and I am using my education to complete them. I love it when I can do budgeting.
I am taking two night classes at NAIT. I am hoping to take 3 classes next semester and the last 2 classes during the spring semester so that I can graduate college with my finance degree. I am not quite sure if I will just continue working at Helm after I am finished or if I will find a job in the fiance field.
My job at Helm has changed. Since I went part time I no longer have a portfolio of properties that I manage. I now help other people write letters to tenants, assist with information packages and complete Budgets. I love budgeting it is a lot of fun for me and I am using my education to complete them. I love it when I can do budgeting.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Shoes!!!
Here is a recent post from my Mom's blog. I can completely relate to this post because I also have size 12 feet but I am not over 6 feet tall.
I just got finished doing one of my least favorite things: Shoe shopping. "But I love shoe shopping!" you say. Yeah, well, you don't wear size 12 and have to buy glorified clown shoes from special Sasquatch stores. There is never anything cute in size 12. Ever. On the rare occasions that you actually come across a shoe that looks just darling on the size 5 sample and find out to your short-lived delight that they actually have a size 12 in some dusty corner of the store, when you see it in your size it looks like some sort of conceptual art project gone wrong. Allow me to illustrate:
To put it in perspective:
Add to the fact that I'm six feet tall and therefore heels are out lest I seriously start to look like a hairless Sasquatch, and you see that my choices are limited to about five shoes in the entire world. Anyway, yeah. I really don't like shoe shopping.
I just got finished doing one of my least favorite things: Shoe shopping. "But I love shoe shopping!" you say. Yeah, well, you don't wear size 12 and have to buy glorified clown shoes from special Sasquatch stores. There is never anything cute in size 12. Ever. On the rare occasions that you actually come across a shoe that looks just darling on the size 5 sample and find out to your short-lived delight that they actually have a size 12 in some dusty corner of the store, when you see it in your size it looks like some sort of conceptual art project gone wrong. Allow me to illustrate:
To put it in perspective:
Add to the fact that I'm six feet tall and therefore heels are out lest I seriously start to look like a hairless Sasquatch, and you see that my choices are limited to about five shoes in the entire world. Anyway, yeah. I really don't like shoe shopping.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Its been a long time...
Its been a long time since I actually posted a post that I wrote. Rebecca is in Uganda right now working at a children's home and I have been busy preparing for Michelle and Rebecca to move into my place since Christina moved out. They are going to be moving in at the end of this month.
I will leave you with something funny that was written to us from the fumigator regarding bed bugs in a unit
302 - Caretaker - found live in bed - kicked fumigator out - could not gain access.
after a long day at work this made me laugh!!!
I will leave you with something funny that was written to us from the fumigator regarding bed bugs in a unit
302 - Caretaker - found live in bed - kicked fumigator out - could not gain access.
after a long day at work this made me laugh!!!
Monday, June 29, 2009
I liked this one from Alison's Blog too...
Definition of "A NICE PERSON"
A nice person is neither too tall nor too short, looks clean and cheerful, has no prominent feature, makes no difficulties, is never misplaced, sits bodkin, is never foolishly affronted, and is void of affectations.
A nice person helps you well at dinner, understands you, is always gratefully received by young and old, Whig and Tory, grave and gay.
There is something in the very air of a nice person which inspires you with confidence, makes you talk, and talk without fear of malicious misrepresentation; you feel that you are reposing upon a nature which God has made kind, and created for the benefit and happiness of society. It has the effect upon the mind which soft air and a fine climate has upon the body.
A nice person is clear of little, trumpery passions, acknowledges superiority, delights in talent, shelters humility, pardons adversity, forgives deficiency, respects all men's rights, never stops the bottle, is never long and never wrong, always knows the day of the month, the name of every body at table, and never gives pain to any human being.
If any body is wanted for a party, a nice person is the first thought of; when the child is christened, when the daughter is married--all the joys of life are communicated to nice people; the hand of the dying man is always held out to a nice person.
A nice person never knocks over wine or melted butter, does not tread upon the dog's foot, or molest the family cat, eats soup without noise, laughs in the right place, and has a watchful and attentive eye. (Smith 201-202)
A nice person is neither too tall nor too short, looks clean and cheerful, has no prominent feature, makes no difficulties, is never misplaced, sits bodkin, is never foolishly affronted, and is void of affectations.
A nice person helps you well at dinner, understands you, is always gratefully received by young and old, Whig and Tory, grave and gay.
There is something in the very air of a nice person which inspires you with confidence, makes you talk, and talk without fear of malicious misrepresentation; you feel that you are reposing upon a nature which God has made kind, and created for the benefit and happiness of society. It has the effect upon the mind which soft air and a fine climate has upon the body.
A nice person is clear of little, trumpery passions, acknowledges superiority, delights in talent, shelters humility, pardons adversity, forgives deficiency, respects all men's rights, never stops the bottle, is never long and never wrong, always knows the day of the month, the name of every body at table, and never gives pain to any human being.
If any body is wanted for a party, a nice person is the first thought of; when the child is christened, when the daughter is married--all the joys of life are communicated to nice people; the hand of the dying man is always held out to a nice person.
A nice person never knocks over wine or melted butter, does not tread upon the dog's foot, or molest the family cat, eats soup without noise, laughs in the right place, and has a watchful and attentive eye. (Smith 201-202)
Profile of the Sociopath
I saw this on Alisons Blog and thought I would share it with you.
ok so this is fascinating.... really.
http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html
Profile of the Sociopath
This website summarizes some of the common features of descriptions of the behavior of sociopaths.
Glibness and Superficial Charm
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Related Qualities:
Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them
Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them
Authoritarian
Secretive
Paranoid
Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
Conventional appearance
Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)
Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim's life
Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)
Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim
Incapable of real human attachment to another
Unable to feel remorse or guilt
Extreme narcissism and grandiose
May state readily that their goal is to rule the world
(The above traits are based on the psychopathy checklists of H. Cleckley and R. Hare.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: In the 1830's this disorder was called "moral insanity." By 1900 it was changed to "psychopathic personality." More recently it has been termed "antisocial personality disorder" in the DSM-III and DSM-IV. Some critics have complained that, in the attempt to rely only on 'objective' criteria, the DSM has broadened the concept to include too many individuals. The APD category includes people who commit illegal, immoral or self-serving acts for a variety of reasons and are not necessarily psychopaths.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DSM-IV Definition
Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a lack of regard for the moral or legal standards in the local culture. There is a marked inability to get along with others or abide by societal rules. Individuals with this disorder are sometimes called psychopaths or sociopaths.
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
1. Since the age of fifteen there has been a disregard for and violation of the right's of others, those right's considered normal by the local culture, as indicated by at least three of the following:
A. Repeated acts that could lead to arrest.
B. Conning for pleasure or profit, repeated lying, or the use of aliases.
C. Failure to plan ahead or being impulsive.
D. Repeated assaults on others.
E. Reckless when it comes to their or others safety.
F. Poor work behavior or failure to honor financial obligations.
G. Rationalizing the pain they inflict on others.
2. At least eighteen years in age.
3. Evidence of a Conduct Disorder, with its onset before the age of fifteen.
4. Symptoms not due to another mental disorder.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antisocial Personality Disorder Overview (Written by Derek Wood, RN, BSN, PhD Candidate)
Antisocial Personality Disorder results in what is commonly known as a Sociopath. The criteria for this disorder require an ongoing disregard for the rights of others, since the age of 15 years. Some examples of this disregard are reckless disregard for the safety of themselves or others, failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors, deceitfulness such as repeated lying or deceit for personal profit or pleasure, and lack of remorse for actions that hurt other people in any way. Additionally, they must have evidenced a Conduct Disorder before the age of 15 years, and must be at least 18 years old to receive this diagnosis.
People with this disorder appear to be charming at times, and make relationships, but to them, these are relationships in name only. They are ended whenever necessary or when it suits them, and the relationships are without depth or meaning, including marriages. They seem to have an innate ability to find the weakness in people, and are ready to use these weaknesses to their own ends through deceit, manipulation, or intimidation, and gain pleasure from doing so.
They appear to be incapable of any true emotions, from love to shame to guilt. They are quick to anger, but just as quick to let it go, without holding grudges. No matter what emotion they state they have, it has no bearing on their future actions or attitudes.
They rarely are able to have jobs that last for any length of time, as they become easily bored, instead needing constant change. They live for the moment, forgetting the past, and not planning the future, not thinking ahead what consequences their actions will have. They want immediate rewards and gratification. There currently is no form of psychotherapy that works with those with antisocial personality disorder, as those with this disorder have no desire to change themselves, which is a prerequisite. No medication is available either. The only treatment is the prevention of the disorder in the early stages, when a child first begins to show the symptoms of conduct disorder.
THE PSYCHOPATH NEXT DOOR (Source: http://chericola57.tripod.com/infinite.html)
Psychopath. We hear the word and images of Bernardo, Manson and Dahmer pop into our heads; no doubt Ted Bundy too. But they're the bottom of the barrel -- most of the two million psychopaths in North America aren't murderers. They're our friends, lovers and co-workers. They're outgoing and persuasive, dazzling you with charm and flattery. Often you aren't even aware they've taken you for a ride -- until it's too late.
Psychopaths exhibit a Jekyll and Hyde personality. "They play a part so they can get what they want," says Dr. Sheila Willson, a Toronto psychologist who has helped victims of psychopaths. The guy who showers a woman with excessive attention is much more capable of getting her to lend him money, and to put up with him when he strays. The new employee who gains her co-workers' trust has more access to their chequebooks. And so on. Psychopaths have no conscience and their only goal is self-gratification. Many of us have been their victims -- at work, through friendships or relationships -- and not one of us can say, "a psychopath could never fool me."
Think you can spot one? Think again. In general, psychopaths aren't the product of broken homes or the casualties of a materialistic society. Rather they come from all walks of life and there is little evidence that their upbringing affects them. Elements of a psychopath's personality first become evident at a very early age, due to biological or genetic factors. Explains Michael Seto, a psychologist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental health in Toronto, by the time that a person hits their late teens, the disorder is almost certainly permanent. Although many clinicians use the terms psychopath and sociopath interchangeably, writes psychopath expert Robert Hare on his book 'Without Conscience', a sociopath's criminal behavior is shaped by social forces and is the result of a dysfunctional environment.
Psychopaths have only a shallow range of emotions and lack guilt, says Hare. They often see themselves as victims, and lack remorse or the ability to empathize with others. "Psychopaths play on the fact that most of us are trusting and forgiving people," adds Seto. The warning signs are always there; it's just difficult to see them because once we trust someone, the friendship becomes a blinder.
Even lovers get taken for a ride by psychopaths. For a psychopath, a romantic relationship is just another opportunity to find a trusting partner who will buy into the lies. It's primarily why a psychopath rarely stays in a relationship for the long term, and often is involved with three or four partners at once, says Willson. To a psychopath, everything about a relationship is a game. Willson refers to the movie 'Sliding Doors' to illustrate her point. In the film, the main character comes home early after just having been fired from her job. Only moments ago, her boyfriend has let another woman out the front door. But in a matter of minutes he is the attentive and concerned boyfriend, taking her out to dinner and devoting the entire night to comforting her. All the while he's planning to leave the next day on a trip with the other woman.
The boyfriend displays typical psychopathic characteristics because he falsely displays deep emotion toward the relationship, says Willson. In reality, he's less concerned with his girlfriend's depression than with making sure she's clueless about the other woman's existence. In the romance department, psychopaths have an ability to gain your affection quickly, disarming you with words, intriguing you with grandiose plans. If they cheat you'll forgive them, and one day when they've gone too far, they'll leave you with a broken heart (and an empty wallet). By then they'll have a new player for their game.
The problem with their game is that we don't often play by their rules. Where we might occasionally tell a white lie, a psychopath's lying is compulsive. Most of us experience some degree of guilt about lying, preventing us from exhibiting such behavior on a regular basis. "Psychopaths don't discriminate who it is they lie to or cheat," says Seto. "There's no distinction between friend, family and sucker."
No one wants to be the sucker, so how do we prevent ourselves from becoming close friends or getting into a relationship with a psychopath? It's really almost impossible, say Seto and Willson. Unfortunately, laments Seto, one way is to become more suspicious and less trusting of others. Our tendency is to forgive when we catch a loved one in a lie. "Psychopaths play on this fact," he says. "However, I'm certainly not advocating a world where if someone lies once or twice, you never speak to them again." What you can do is look at how often someone lies and how they react when caught. Psychopaths will lie over and over again, and where other people would sincerely apologize, a psychopath may apologize but won't stop.
Psychopaths also tend to switch jobs as frequently as they switch partners, mainly because they don't have the qualities to maintain a job for the long haul. Their performance is generally erratic, with chronic absences, misuse of company resources and failed commitments. Often they aren't even qualified for the job and use fake credentials to get it. Seto talks of a patient who would get marketing jobs based on his image; he was a presentable and charming man who layered his conversations with educational and occupational references. But it became evident that the man hadn't a clue what he was talking about, and was unable to hold down a job.
How do you make sure you don't get fooled when you're hiring someone to baby-sit your child or for any other job? Hire based on reputation and not image, says Willson. Check references thoroughly. Psychopaths tend to give vague and inconsistent replies. Of course the best way to solve this problem would be to cure psychopaths of their 'illness.' But there's no recipe for treating them, say psychiatrists. Today's traditional methods of psychotherapy (psychoanalysis, group and one-on-one therapy) and drug treatments have failed. Therapy is more likely to work when an individual admits there's a problem and wants to change. The common problem with psychopaths, says Sets, "Is they don't see a problem with their behavior."
Psychopaths don't seek therapy willingly, says Seto. Rather, they're pushed into it by a desperate relative or by a court order. To a psychopath, a therapist is just one more person who must be conned, and the psychopath plays the part right until the therapist is convinced of his or her 'rehabilitation.'
Even though we can't treat psychopaths effectively with therapy, it doesn't mean we can't protect ourselves, writes Hare. Willson agrees, citing the most important factor in keeping psychopaths at bay is to know your vulnerabilities. We need to "realize our own potential and maximize our strengths" so that our insecurities don't overcome us. Because, she says, a psychopath is a chameleon who becomes "an image of what you haven't done for yourself." Over time, she says, "their appearance of perfection will begin to crack," but by that time you will have been emotionally and perhaps financially scathed. There comes a time when you realize there's no point in searching for answers; the only thing is to move on.
Taken in part from MW -- By Caroline Konrad -- September 1999
THE MALIGNANT PERSONALITY:
These people are mentally ill and extremely dangerous! The following precautions will help to protect you from the destructive acts of which they are capable.
First, to recognize them, keep the following guidelines in mind.
(1) They are habitual liars. They seem incapable of either knowing or telling the truth about anything.
(2) They are egotistical to the point of narcissism. They really believe they are set apart from the rest of humanity by some special grace.
(3) They scapegoat; they are incapable of either having the insight or willingness to accept responsibility for anything they do. Whatever the problem, it is always someone else's fault.
(4) They are remorselessly vindictive when thwarted or exposed.
(5) Genuine religious, moral, or other values play no part in their lives. They have no empathy for others and are capable of violence. Under older psychological terminology, they fall into the category of psychopath or sociopath, but unlike the typical psychopath, their behavior is masked by a superficial social facade.
If you have come into conflict with such a person or persons, do the following immediately!
(1) Notify your friends and relatives of what has happened.
Do not be vague. Name names, and specify dates and circumstances. Identify witnesses if possible and provide supporting documentation if any is available.
(2) Inform the police. The police will do nothing with this information except to keep it on file, since they are powerless to act until a crime has been committed. Unfortunately, that often is usually too late for the victim. Nevertheless, place the information in their hands.
Obviously, if you are assaulted or threatened before witnesses, you can get a restraining order, but those are palliative at best.
(3) Local law enforcement agencies are usually under pressure if wealthy or politically powerful individuals are involved, so include state and federal agencies as well and tell the locals that you have. In my own experience, one agency that can help in a pinch is the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service or (in Canada) Victims Services at your local police unit. It is not easy to think of the IRS as a potential friend, but a Swedish study showed that malignant types (the Swedes called them bullies) usually commit some felony or other by the age of twenty. If the family is wealthy, the fact may never come to light, but many felonies involve tax evasion, and in such cases, the IRS is interested indeed. If large amounts of money are involved, the IRS may solve all your problems for you. For obvious reasons the Drug Enforcement Agency may also be an appropriate agency to approach. The FBI is an important agency to contact, because although the FBI does not have jurisdiction over murder or assault, if informed, they do have an active interest in any other law enforcement agencies that do not follow through with an honest investigation and prosecution should a murder occur. Civil rights are involved at that point. No local crooked lawyer, judge, or corrupt police official wants to be within a country mile if that comes to light! It is in such cases that wealthy psychopaths discover just how firm the "friends" they count on to cover up for them really are! Even some of the drug cartel biggies will scuttle for cover if someone picks up the brick their thugs hide under. Exposure is bad for business.
(4) Make sure that several of your friends have the information in the event something happens to you. That way, an appropriate investigation will follow if you are harmed. Don't tell other people who has the information, because then something bad could happen to them as well. Instruct friends to take such an incident to the newspapers and other media.
If you are dealing with someone who has considerable money, you must realize that they probably won't try to harm you themselves, they will contract with someone to make the hit. The malignant type is a coward and will not expose himself or herself to personal danger if he or she can avoid it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update: A thorough article.
I, the creator of this site, am not a psychologist and no special expertise in the subject. I created the site as a public service, because no similar site existed in 2003. I occasionally get sad calls and emails. I urge you to consult either a clinical psychologist or the police depending on the problem you face, and wish you good luck.
ok so this is fascinating.... really.
http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html
Profile of the Sociopath
This website summarizes some of the common features of descriptions of the behavior of sociopaths.
Glibness and Superficial Charm
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Related Qualities:
Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them
Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them
Authoritarian
Secretive
Paranoid
Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
Conventional appearance
Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)
Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim's life
Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)
Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim
Incapable of real human attachment to another
Unable to feel remorse or guilt
Extreme narcissism and grandiose
May state readily that their goal is to rule the world
(The above traits are based on the psychopathy checklists of H. Cleckley and R. Hare.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: In the 1830's this disorder was called "moral insanity." By 1900 it was changed to "psychopathic personality." More recently it has been termed "antisocial personality disorder" in the DSM-III and DSM-IV. Some critics have complained that, in the attempt to rely only on 'objective' criteria, the DSM has broadened the concept to include too many individuals. The APD category includes people who commit illegal, immoral or self-serving acts for a variety of reasons and are not necessarily psychopaths.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DSM-IV Definition
Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a lack of regard for the moral or legal standards in the local culture. There is a marked inability to get along with others or abide by societal rules. Individuals with this disorder are sometimes called psychopaths or sociopaths.
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
1. Since the age of fifteen there has been a disregard for and violation of the right's of others, those right's considered normal by the local culture, as indicated by at least three of the following:
A. Repeated acts that could lead to arrest.
B. Conning for pleasure or profit, repeated lying, or the use of aliases.
C. Failure to plan ahead or being impulsive.
D. Repeated assaults on others.
E. Reckless when it comes to their or others safety.
F. Poor work behavior or failure to honor financial obligations.
G. Rationalizing the pain they inflict on others.
2. At least eighteen years in age.
3. Evidence of a Conduct Disorder, with its onset before the age of fifteen.
4. Symptoms not due to another mental disorder.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antisocial Personality Disorder Overview (Written by Derek Wood, RN, BSN, PhD Candidate)
Antisocial Personality Disorder results in what is commonly known as a Sociopath. The criteria for this disorder require an ongoing disregard for the rights of others, since the age of 15 years. Some examples of this disregard are reckless disregard for the safety of themselves or others, failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors, deceitfulness such as repeated lying or deceit for personal profit or pleasure, and lack of remorse for actions that hurt other people in any way. Additionally, they must have evidenced a Conduct Disorder before the age of 15 years, and must be at least 18 years old to receive this diagnosis.
People with this disorder appear to be charming at times, and make relationships, but to them, these are relationships in name only. They are ended whenever necessary or when it suits them, and the relationships are without depth or meaning, including marriages. They seem to have an innate ability to find the weakness in people, and are ready to use these weaknesses to their own ends through deceit, manipulation, or intimidation, and gain pleasure from doing so.
They appear to be incapable of any true emotions, from love to shame to guilt. They are quick to anger, but just as quick to let it go, without holding grudges. No matter what emotion they state they have, it has no bearing on their future actions or attitudes.
They rarely are able to have jobs that last for any length of time, as they become easily bored, instead needing constant change. They live for the moment, forgetting the past, and not planning the future, not thinking ahead what consequences their actions will have. They want immediate rewards and gratification. There currently is no form of psychotherapy that works with those with antisocial personality disorder, as those with this disorder have no desire to change themselves, which is a prerequisite. No medication is available either. The only treatment is the prevention of the disorder in the early stages, when a child first begins to show the symptoms of conduct disorder.
THE PSYCHOPATH NEXT DOOR (Source: http://chericola57.tripod.com/infinite.html)
Psychopath. We hear the word and images of Bernardo, Manson and Dahmer pop into our heads; no doubt Ted Bundy too. But they're the bottom of the barrel -- most of the two million psychopaths in North America aren't murderers. They're our friends, lovers and co-workers. They're outgoing and persuasive, dazzling you with charm and flattery. Often you aren't even aware they've taken you for a ride -- until it's too late.
Psychopaths exhibit a Jekyll and Hyde personality. "They play a part so they can get what they want," says Dr. Sheila Willson, a Toronto psychologist who has helped victims of psychopaths. The guy who showers a woman with excessive attention is much more capable of getting her to lend him money, and to put up with him when he strays. The new employee who gains her co-workers' trust has more access to their chequebooks. And so on. Psychopaths have no conscience and their only goal is self-gratification. Many of us have been their victims -- at work, through friendships or relationships -- and not one of us can say, "a psychopath could never fool me."
Think you can spot one? Think again. In general, psychopaths aren't the product of broken homes or the casualties of a materialistic society. Rather they come from all walks of life and there is little evidence that their upbringing affects them. Elements of a psychopath's personality first become evident at a very early age, due to biological or genetic factors. Explains Michael Seto, a psychologist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental health in Toronto, by the time that a person hits their late teens, the disorder is almost certainly permanent. Although many clinicians use the terms psychopath and sociopath interchangeably, writes psychopath expert Robert Hare on his book 'Without Conscience', a sociopath's criminal behavior is shaped by social forces and is the result of a dysfunctional environment.
Psychopaths have only a shallow range of emotions and lack guilt, says Hare. They often see themselves as victims, and lack remorse or the ability to empathize with others. "Psychopaths play on the fact that most of us are trusting and forgiving people," adds Seto. The warning signs are always there; it's just difficult to see them because once we trust someone, the friendship becomes a blinder.
Even lovers get taken for a ride by psychopaths. For a psychopath, a romantic relationship is just another opportunity to find a trusting partner who will buy into the lies. It's primarily why a psychopath rarely stays in a relationship for the long term, and often is involved with three or four partners at once, says Willson. To a psychopath, everything about a relationship is a game. Willson refers to the movie 'Sliding Doors' to illustrate her point. In the film, the main character comes home early after just having been fired from her job. Only moments ago, her boyfriend has let another woman out the front door. But in a matter of minutes he is the attentive and concerned boyfriend, taking her out to dinner and devoting the entire night to comforting her. All the while he's planning to leave the next day on a trip with the other woman.
The boyfriend displays typical psychopathic characteristics because he falsely displays deep emotion toward the relationship, says Willson. In reality, he's less concerned with his girlfriend's depression than with making sure she's clueless about the other woman's existence. In the romance department, psychopaths have an ability to gain your affection quickly, disarming you with words, intriguing you with grandiose plans. If they cheat you'll forgive them, and one day when they've gone too far, they'll leave you with a broken heart (and an empty wallet). By then they'll have a new player for their game.
The problem with their game is that we don't often play by their rules. Where we might occasionally tell a white lie, a psychopath's lying is compulsive. Most of us experience some degree of guilt about lying, preventing us from exhibiting such behavior on a regular basis. "Psychopaths don't discriminate who it is they lie to or cheat," says Seto. "There's no distinction between friend, family and sucker."
No one wants to be the sucker, so how do we prevent ourselves from becoming close friends or getting into a relationship with a psychopath? It's really almost impossible, say Seto and Willson. Unfortunately, laments Seto, one way is to become more suspicious and less trusting of others. Our tendency is to forgive when we catch a loved one in a lie. "Psychopaths play on this fact," he says. "However, I'm certainly not advocating a world where if someone lies once or twice, you never speak to them again." What you can do is look at how often someone lies and how they react when caught. Psychopaths will lie over and over again, and where other people would sincerely apologize, a psychopath may apologize but won't stop.
Psychopaths also tend to switch jobs as frequently as they switch partners, mainly because they don't have the qualities to maintain a job for the long haul. Their performance is generally erratic, with chronic absences, misuse of company resources and failed commitments. Often they aren't even qualified for the job and use fake credentials to get it. Seto talks of a patient who would get marketing jobs based on his image; he was a presentable and charming man who layered his conversations with educational and occupational references. But it became evident that the man hadn't a clue what he was talking about, and was unable to hold down a job.
How do you make sure you don't get fooled when you're hiring someone to baby-sit your child or for any other job? Hire based on reputation and not image, says Willson. Check references thoroughly. Psychopaths tend to give vague and inconsistent replies. Of course the best way to solve this problem would be to cure psychopaths of their 'illness.' But there's no recipe for treating them, say psychiatrists. Today's traditional methods of psychotherapy (psychoanalysis, group and one-on-one therapy) and drug treatments have failed. Therapy is more likely to work when an individual admits there's a problem and wants to change. The common problem with psychopaths, says Sets, "Is they don't see a problem with their behavior."
Psychopaths don't seek therapy willingly, says Seto. Rather, they're pushed into it by a desperate relative or by a court order. To a psychopath, a therapist is just one more person who must be conned, and the psychopath plays the part right until the therapist is convinced of his or her 'rehabilitation.'
Even though we can't treat psychopaths effectively with therapy, it doesn't mean we can't protect ourselves, writes Hare. Willson agrees, citing the most important factor in keeping psychopaths at bay is to know your vulnerabilities. We need to "realize our own potential and maximize our strengths" so that our insecurities don't overcome us. Because, she says, a psychopath is a chameleon who becomes "an image of what you haven't done for yourself." Over time, she says, "their appearance of perfection will begin to crack," but by that time you will have been emotionally and perhaps financially scathed. There comes a time when you realize there's no point in searching for answers; the only thing is to move on.
Taken in part from MW -- By Caroline Konrad -- September 1999
THE MALIGNANT PERSONALITY:
These people are mentally ill and extremely dangerous! The following precautions will help to protect you from the destructive acts of which they are capable.
First, to recognize them, keep the following guidelines in mind.
(1) They are habitual liars. They seem incapable of either knowing or telling the truth about anything.
(2) They are egotistical to the point of narcissism. They really believe they are set apart from the rest of humanity by some special grace.
(3) They scapegoat; they are incapable of either having the insight or willingness to accept responsibility for anything they do. Whatever the problem, it is always someone else's fault.
(4) They are remorselessly vindictive when thwarted or exposed.
(5) Genuine religious, moral, or other values play no part in their lives. They have no empathy for others and are capable of violence. Under older psychological terminology, they fall into the category of psychopath or sociopath, but unlike the typical psychopath, their behavior is masked by a superficial social facade.
If you have come into conflict with such a person or persons, do the following immediately!
(1) Notify your friends and relatives of what has happened.
Do not be vague. Name names, and specify dates and circumstances. Identify witnesses if possible and provide supporting documentation if any is available.
(2) Inform the police. The police will do nothing with this information except to keep it on file, since they are powerless to act until a crime has been committed. Unfortunately, that often is usually too late for the victim. Nevertheless, place the information in their hands.
Obviously, if you are assaulted or threatened before witnesses, you can get a restraining order, but those are palliative at best.
(3) Local law enforcement agencies are usually under pressure if wealthy or politically powerful individuals are involved, so include state and federal agencies as well and tell the locals that you have. In my own experience, one agency that can help in a pinch is the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service or (in Canada) Victims Services at your local police unit. It is not easy to think of the IRS as a potential friend, but a Swedish study showed that malignant types (the Swedes called them bullies) usually commit some felony or other by the age of twenty. If the family is wealthy, the fact may never come to light, but many felonies involve tax evasion, and in such cases, the IRS is interested indeed. If large amounts of money are involved, the IRS may solve all your problems for you. For obvious reasons the Drug Enforcement Agency may also be an appropriate agency to approach. The FBI is an important agency to contact, because although the FBI does not have jurisdiction over murder or assault, if informed, they do have an active interest in any other law enforcement agencies that do not follow through with an honest investigation and prosecution should a murder occur. Civil rights are involved at that point. No local crooked lawyer, judge, or corrupt police official wants to be within a country mile if that comes to light! It is in such cases that wealthy psychopaths discover just how firm the "friends" they count on to cover up for them really are! Even some of the drug cartel biggies will scuttle for cover if someone picks up the brick their thugs hide under. Exposure is bad for business.
(4) Make sure that several of your friends have the information in the event something happens to you. That way, an appropriate investigation will follow if you are harmed. Don't tell other people who has the information, because then something bad could happen to them as well. Instruct friends to take such an incident to the newspapers and other media.
If you are dealing with someone who has considerable money, you must realize that they probably won't try to harm you themselves, they will contract with someone to make the hit. The malignant type is a coward and will not expose himself or herself to personal danger if he or she can avoid it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update: A thorough article.
I, the creator of this site, am not a psychologist and no special expertise in the subject. I created the site as a public service, because no similar site existed in 2003. I occasionally get sad calls and emails. I urge you to consult either a clinical psychologist or the police depending on the problem you face, and wish you good luck.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Shauna's Grad
On Saturday Shauna graduated from High School. I cannot believe that my youngest sister is finished high school. It seems like just yesterday we were at the hospital meeting our new sister. Here is a picture of all of us sisters at the grad last Saturday.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Husband Store
I saw this on Fiona's Facebook page and thought that it was really funny.
A store that sells new husbands has opened in New York City , where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates:
You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the value of the products increase as the shopper ascends the flights. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!
So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband. On the first floor the sign on the door reads:
Floor 1 - These men Have Jobs
She is intrigued, but continues to the second floor, where the sign reads:
Floor 2 - These men Have Jobs and Love Kids.
'That's nice,' she thinks, 'but I want more.'
So she continues upward. The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, and are Extremely Good Looking.
'Wow,' she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.
She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads:
Floor 4 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Looking and Help With Housework.
'Oh, mercy me!' she exclaims, 'I can hardly stand it!'
Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads:
Floor 5 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous, Help with Housework, and Have a Strong Romantic Streak.
She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor, where the sign reads:
Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store.
A store that sells new husbands has opened in New York City , where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates:
You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the value of the products increase as the shopper ascends the flights. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!
So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband. On the first floor the sign on the door reads:
Floor 1 - These men Have Jobs
She is intrigued, but continues to the second floor, where the sign reads:
Floor 2 - These men Have Jobs and Love Kids.
'That's nice,' she thinks, 'but I want more.'
So she continues upward. The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, and are Extremely Good Looking.
'Wow,' she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.
She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads:
Floor 4 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Looking and Help With Housework.
'Oh, mercy me!' she exclaims, 'I can hardly stand it!'
Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads:
Floor 5 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous, Help with Housework, and Have a Strong Romantic Streak.
She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor, where the sign reads:
Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day Mom!!!
Happy Mother's Day to the best Mom in the whole world.
Here is a typical picture of My Mom with all of us on the way to church on a Sunday Morning.
Happy Mother's Day Mom. I Love you!!!
Here is a typical picture of My Mom with all of us on the way to church on a Sunday Morning.
Happy Mother's Day Mom. I Love you!!!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
well...
It has been almost a month since I last updated my Blog but I just have not had time to sit a write a post.
I am enjoying living in St. Albert. I love if we need anything we are only 5 minutes away. It is really convenient. It is also only 3 minutes from the pool so now I do not have an excuse if I am late.
I am taking a class at Servus Place called the Biggest Loser. It has been a lot of fun and hard work and it is also 3 times a week so I do not have that much time left.
I also want to congratulate John and Arlene. They were married last weekend and I have not been to a wedding that was that fun and beautiful in a long time.
I would like to wish my Auntie Alice a Happy 60th Birthday today. Which means I only have 5 days to finish Rebecca's Present that I am making for her. Yikes!!!
I finally have batteries in my camera so maybe next time I can put pictures on my blog.
I am enjoying living in St. Albert. I love if we need anything we are only 5 minutes away. It is really convenient. It is also only 3 minutes from the pool so now I do not have an excuse if I am late.
I am taking a class at Servus Place called the Biggest Loser. It has been a lot of fun and hard work and it is also 3 times a week so I do not have that much time left.
I also want to congratulate John and Arlene. They were married last weekend and I have not been to a wedding that was that fun and beautiful in a long time.
I would like to wish my Auntie Alice a Happy 60th Birthday today. Which means I only have 5 days to finish Rebecca's Present that I am making for her. Yikes!!!
I finally have batteries in my camera so maybe next time I can put pictures on my blog.
Friday, March 27, 2009
We Should Pray for the Rich to get Richer (Bar Stool Economics)
by Charles Adler
March 12, 2009
It's been a tough year for the richest people in the world. That's a line right out of a magazine whose target market is the rich. My question to you, “Are we supposed to care that it's been a tough year for the richest folks on the planet, people like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett?” Yes, I care a lot. Not because I worry about them putting food on their table or a roof over their heads. I just don't do the Jack Layton thing when I see that kind of headline. I don't lick my lips and feel gleeful that some rich people are seeing their portfolios taking a hit...And the reason is, because I care about the rest of us. The non-billionaires and the non-millionaires. The rest of us.
You see folks, I always look forward to the rich getting richer because during those years the rest of us tend to do better too. It is not a coincidence that in a year where the rich took a big hit, most of the rest of us did as well. In a moment, I want to give you some BARSTOOL Economics that is so accessible, so easy to understand, you will want every member of your family to hear it or read it. You will want to download the podcast, and you can find it by simply accessing our site, CharlesAdler.Com.
Now back to some BARSTOOL Economics 101.
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until on day, the owner threw them a curve. "Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20." Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
"I only got a dollar out of the $20,"declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man," but he got $10!"
"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!"
"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
Folks, that's your BARSTOOL Economics. I offer you this because in recent days you have heard a lot of empty nonsense about how if tax rates can be hiked on the rich money, more money will trickle down from the heavens for the rest of us. You have heard a lot of nonsense about how corporate taxes should not come down because that would only be assisting the rich. The reason I have no use - intellectually speaking - for Jack Layton's economics is because unlike BARSTOOL economics, his numbers don't add up. He and the Liberals sometimes lean in this direction especially in these times of high anxiety; they lean in the direction of wanting you to think that if only the government punishes the top two earners on those bar stools, Man Number Ten and Man Number Nine, it will be good for the other eight.
The folks who litter the mainstream media as pundits with their economics and sociology of envy and the politicians who do the same, are all counting on one thing, that you don't have a basic grounding in what we are calling BARSTOOL Economics. Log on to www.charlesadler.com
and get a written copy of this and later today on our podcast. Subscribe to Itunes and download my podcast into your IPOD. Get as many people you care about educated on this stuff. It's your best defense against the media and academic and political predators who appeal to your anxiety instead of your common sense. In the meantime, we need to hope and pray that the economy can start revving again, the way it needs to for us to have a prosperous middle class. How will we know things are working again? When the rich get richer.
They are the reverse of the canaries in the coal mine. When the canary is dropped down into the mine deep enough so that it cannot survive, we say it’s no place for coal miners to go. The Rich are my canaries in the gold mine. When they start smelling the gold, it starts to get golden for the rest of us. And so on behalf of us, I say, “We should hope that Bill Gates and Warren Buffet and the other members of the rich, have a very good year.” We should pray for the rich to get richer.
I'm Charles Adler on the Corus Radio Network.
by Charles Adler
March 12, 2009
It's been a tough year for the richest people in the world. That's a line right out of a magazine whose target market is the rich. My question to you, “Are we supposed to care that it's been a tough year for the richest folks on the planet, people like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett?” Yes, I care a lot. Not because I worry about them putting food on their table or a roof over their heads. I just don't do the Jack Layton thing when I see that kind of headline. I don't lick my lips and feel gleeful that some rich people are seeing their portfolios taking a hit...And the reason is, because I care about the rest of us. The non-billionaires and the non-millionaires. The rest of us.
You see folks, I always look forward to the rich getting richer because during those years the rest of us tend to do better too. It is not a coincidence that in a year where the rich took a big hit, most of the rest of us did as well. In a moment, I want to give you some BARSTOOL Economics that is so accessible, so easy to understand, you will want every member of your family to hear it or read it. You will want to download the podcast, and you can find it by simply accessing our site, CharlesAdler.Com.
Now back to some BARSTOOL Economics 101.
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until on day, the owner threw them a curve. "Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20." Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
"I only got a dollar out of the $20,"declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man," but he got $10!"
"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!"
"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
Folks, that's your BARSTOOL Economics. I offer you this because in recent days you have heard a lot of empty nonsense about how if tax rates can be hiked on the rich money, more money will trickle down from the heavens for the rest of us. You have heard a lot of nonsense about how corporate taxes should not come down because that would only be assisting the rich. The reason I have no use - intellectually speaking - for Jack Layton's economics is because unlike BARSTOOL economics, his numbers don't add up. He and the Liberals sometimes lean in this direction especially in these times of high anxiety; they lean in the direction of wanting you to think that if only the government punishes the top two earners on those bar stools, Man Number Ten and Man Number Nine, it will be good for the other eight.
The folks who litter the mainstream media as pundits with their economics and sociology of envy and the politicians who do the same, are all counting on one thing, that you don't have a basic grounding in what we are calling BARSTOOL Economics. Log on to www.charlesadler.com
and get a written copy of this and later today on our podcast. Subscribe to Itunes and download my podcast into your IPOD. Get as many people you care about educated on this stuff. It's your best defense against the media and academic and political predators who appeal to your anxiety instead of your common sense. In the meantime, we need to hope and pray that the economy can start revving again, the way it needs to for us to have a prosperous middle class. How will we know things are working again? When the rich get richer.
They are the reverse of the canaries in the coal mine. When the canary is dropped down into the mine deep enough so that it cannot survive, we say it’s no place for coal miners to go. The Rich are my canaries in the gold mine. When they start smelling the gold, it starts to get golden for the rest of us. And so on behalf of us, I say, “We should hope that Bill Gates and Warren Buffet and the other members of the rich, have a very good year.” We should pray for the rich to get richer.
I'm Charles Adler on the Corus Radio Network.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Moving
Tomorrow I am moving to St. Albert with Christina which is extremely exciting. I have never lived on my own (without my parents) so I am extremely excited. I may not blog for a while since we currently will not have Internet but I will try and blog when I can. I am busy packing up all of my stuff. You never know how much stuff you have until you have to pack it all up.
THE MANY NAMES OF ME
I got this from a friend, and thought I would try it...
THE MANY NAMES OF ME
1.YOUR REAL NAME:
Amanda Perrot
2.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME:(mother and fathers middle names)
Judy David
3.NASCAR NAME:(first name of your mother's dad, father's dad)
Folkert Louis
4.STAR WARS NAME:(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name)
peram
5.DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite color, favorite animal)
Blue Dog
6.SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, town where you were born)
Dawn St. Albert
7.SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning
The Orange Coke
8.FLY NAME:(first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Amot
9.STREET NAME:(fav ice cream flavor, fav cookie)
Vanilla Chocolate Chip
10.ROCK STAR NAME:(current pets name, current street name)
Harley RR265
11. PORN NAME: (1st pet, street you grew up on)
Princess Village
12.YOUR GANGSTA NAME:(first 3 letters of real name plus izzle)
Amaizzle
13.YOUR IRAQI.. NAME:(2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, first two letters of your middle name, last two letters of your first name then last three letters of your last name)
Mrdadarot
14.YOUR GOTH NAME:(black, and the name of one of your pets)
Black Digger
15. STRIPPER NAME: (name of your fav perfume/cologne, fav candy)
Dance Chocolate
THE MANY NAMES OF ME
1.YOUR REAL NAME:
Amanda Perrot
2.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME:(mother and fathers middle names)
Judy David
3.NASCAR NAME:(first name of your mother's dad, father's dad)
Folkert Louis
4.STAR WARS NAME:(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name)
peram
5.DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite color, favorite animal)
Blue Dog
6.SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, town where you were born)
Dawn St. Albert
7.SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning
The Orange Coke
8.FLY NAME:(first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Amot
9.STREET NAME:(fav ice cream flavor, fav cookie)
Vanilla Chocolate Chip
10.ROCK STAR NAME:(current pets name, current street name)
Harley RR265
11. PORN NAME: (1st pet, street you grew up on)
Princess Village
12.YOUR GANGSTA NAME:(first 3 letters of real name plus izzle)
Amaizzle
13.YOUR IRAQI.. NAME:(2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, first two letters of your middle name, last two letters of your first name then last three letters of your last name)
Mrdadarot
14.YOUR GOTH NAME:(black, and the name of one of your pets)
Black Digger
15. STRIPPER NAME: (name of your fav perfume/cologne, fav candy)
Dance Chocolate
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
The Death of Common Sense
Here is another blog post from Charles Adler.
Common Sense, aka C.S., lived a long life, but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was, his birth records were long ago entangled in miles and miles of bureaucratic red tape.
Known affectionately to close friends as Horse Sense and Sound Thinking, he selflessly devoted himself to a life of service in homes, schools, hospitals and offices, helping folks get jobs done without a lot of fanfare, whooping and hollering. Rules and regulations and petty, frivolous lawsuits held no power over C.S.
A most reliable sage, he was credited with cultivating the ability to know when to come in out of the rain, the discovery that the early bird gets the worm and how to take the bitter with the sweet. C.S. also developed sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adult is in charge, not the kid) and prudent dietary plans (offset eggs and bacon with a little fiber and orange juice).
A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, the Technological Revolution and the Smoking Crusades, C.S. survived sundry cultural and educational trends including disco, the men's movement, body piercing, whole language and new math.
C.S.'s health began declining in the late 1960s when he became infected with the If-It-Feels-Good, Do-It virus. In the following decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal and state rules and regulations and an oppressive tax code. C.S. was sapped of strength and the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, criminals received better treatment than victims and judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional baseball and golf. His deterioration accelerated as schools implemented zero-tolerance policies. Reports of 6-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing classmates, a teen suspended for taking a swig of Scope mouthwash after lunch, girls suspended for possessing Midol and an honor student expelled for having a table knife in her school lunch were more than his heart could endure.
As the end neared, doctors say C.S. drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding regulations on low-flow toilets and mandatory air bags. Finally, upon hearing about a government plan to ban inhalers from 14 million asthmatics due to a trace of a pollutant that may be harmful to the environment, C.S. breathed his last. Services will be at Whispering Pines Cemetery. C.S. was preceded in death by his wife, Discretion; one daughter, Responsibility; and one son, Reason. He is survived by two step-brothers, Half-Wit and Dim-Wit.
Memorial Contributions may be sent to the Institute for Rational Thought.
Farewell, Common Sense. May you rest in peace.
Common Sense, aka C.S., lived a long life, but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was, his birth records were long ago entangled in miles and miles of bureaucratic red tape.
Known affectionately to close friends as Horse Sense and Sound Thinking, he selflessly devoted himself to a life of service in homes, schools, hospitals and offices, helping folks get jobs done without a lot of fanfare, whooping and hollering. Rules and regulations and petty, frivolous lawsuits held no power over C.S.
A most reliable sage, he was credited with cultivating the ability to know when to come in out of the rain, the discovery that the early bird gets the worm and how to take the bitter with the sweet. C.S. also developed sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adult is in charge, not the kid) and prudent dietary plans (offset eggs and bacon with a little fiber and orange juice).
A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, the Technological Revolution and the Smoking Crusades, C.S. survived sundry cultural and educational trends including disco, the men's movement, body piercing, whole language and new math.
C.S.'s health began declining in the late 1960s when he became infected with the If-It-Feels-Good, Do-It virus. In the following decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal and state rules and regulations and an oppressive tax code. C.S. was sapped of strength and the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, criminals received better treatment than victims and judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional baseball and golf. His deterioration accelerated as schools implemented zero-tolerance policies. Reports of 6-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing classmates, a teen suspended for taking a swig of Scope mouthwash after lunch, girls suspended for possessing Midol and an honor student expelled for having a table knife in her school lunch were more than his heart could endure.
As the end neared, doctors say C.S. drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding regulations on low-flow toilets and mandatory air bags. Finally, upon hearing about a government plan to ban inhalers from 14 million asthmatics due to a trace of a pollutant that may be harmful to the environment, C.S. breathed his last. Services will be at Whispering Pines Cemetery. C.S. was preceded in death by his wife, Discretion; one daughter, Responsibility; and one son, Reason. He is survived by two step-brothers, Half-Wit and Dim-Wit.
Memorial Contributions may be sent to the Institute for Rational Thought.
Farewell, Common Sense. May you rest in peace.
Canada's Version of the Ant and Grasshopper
I got this from Charles Adler's Blog. I thought that it was pretty funny.
CLASSIC VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering
heat all summer long, building his
house and laying up supplies for the
winter. The grasshopper thinks
he's a fool, and laughs and dances
and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.
The shivering grasshopper has no food or
shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
THE END
***
THE CANADIAN VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering
heat all summer long, building his
house and laying up supplies for the
winter. The grasshopper thinks
he's a fool, and laughs and dances and
plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.
So far, so good, eh?
The shivering grasshopper calls a press conference
and demands to know why the ant should be allowed
to be warm and well fed while others less
fortunate, like him, are cold and starving.
The CBC shows up to provide live
coverage of the shivering grasshopper,
with cuts to a video of the ant in his
comfortable warm home with a
table laden with food. Canadians are stunned
that in a country of such wealth, this poor
grasshopper is allowed to suffer so
while others have plenty.
The NDP, the CAW and the Coalition
Against Poverty demonstrate in front
of the ant's house. The CBC,
interrupting an Inuit cultural festival
special from Nunavut with breaking
news, broadcasts them singing "We Shall Overcome."
Jack Layton grants in an interview with
Mike Duffy that the ant has gotten rich off the backs of
grasshoppers, and calls for an immediate tax hike on
the ant to make him pay his "fair share".
In response to polls, the Liberal
Government drafts the Economic
Equity and Grasshopper
Anti-Discrimination Act, retroactive to the
beginning of the summer.
The ant's taxes are reassessed, and he
is also fined for failing to hire grasshoppers as helpers.
Without enough money to pay both the
fine and his newly imposed retroactive taxes, his home is
confiscated by the government. The ant moves to the US
and starts a successful agribiz company.
The CBC later shows the now fat grasshopper finishing up the last of
the ant's food, though spring is still months away, while the government
house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles
around him because he hasn't bothered to maintain it.
Inadequate government funding is
blamed, Bob Rae is appointed to head a
commission of enquiry that will cost $10,000,000.
The grasshopper is soon dead of a drug
overdose, the Toronto Star
blames it on the obvious failure of
government to address the root causes of
despair arising from social inequity.
The abandoned house is taken over by a
gang of immigrant spiders,
praised by the government for enriching
Canada's multicultural diversity, who
promptly set up a marijuana grow op and
terrorrize the community.
THE END
***
This invented compare and contrast parable of the ant and grasshopper is the best way of discussing the political right and left.
CLASSIC VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering
heat all summer long, building his
house and laying up supplies for the
winter. The grasshopper thinks
he's a fool, and laughs and dances
and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.
The shivering grasshopper has no food or
shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
THE END
***
THE CANADIAN VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering
heat all summer long, building his
house and laying up supplies for the
winter. The grasshopper thinks
he's a fool, and laughs and dances and
plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.
So far, so good, eh?
The shivering grasshopper calls a press conference
and demands to know why the ant should be allowed
to be warm and well fed while others less
fortunate, like him, are cold and starving.
The CBC shows up to provide live
coverage of the shivering grasshopper,
with cuts to a video of the ant in his
comfortable warm home with a
table laden with food. Canadians are stunned
that in a country of such wealth, this poor
grasshopper is allowed to suffer so
while others have plenty.
The NDP, the CAW and the Coalition
Against Poverty demonstrate in front
of the ant's house. The CBC,
interrupting an Inuit cultural festival
special from Nunavut with breaking
news, broadcasts them singing "We Shall Overcome."
Jack Layton grants in an interview with
Mike Duffy that the ant has gotten rich off the backs of
grasshoppers, and calls for an immediate tax hike on
the ant to make him pay his "fair share".
In response to polls, the Liberal
Government drafts the Economic
Equity and Grasshopper
Anti-Discrimination Act, retroactive to the
beginning of the summer.
The ant's taxes are reassessed, and he
is also fined for failing to hire grasshoppers as helpers.
Without enough money to pay both the
fine and his newly imposed retroactive taxes, his home is
confiscated by the government. The ant moves to the US
and starts a successful agribiz company.
The CBC later shows the now fat grasshopper finishing up the last of
the ant's food, though spring is still months away, while the government
house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles
around him because he hasn't bothered to maintain it.
Inadequate government funding is
blamed, Bob Rae is appointed to head a
commission of enquiry that will cost $10,000,000.
The grasshopper is soon dead of a drug
overdose, the Toronto Star
blames it on the obvious failure of
government to address the root causes of
despair arising from social inequity.
The abandoned house is taken over by a
gang of immigrant spiders,
praised by the government for enriching
Canada's multicultural diversity, who
promptly set up a marijuana grow op and
terrorrize the community.
THE END
***
This invented compare and contrast parable of the ant and grasshopper is the best way of discussing the political right and left.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Dinner Theatre
On Saturday Kerri and I went to the Dinner Theatre at our church where Michelle, Rebecca and Shauna were acting in the play. And although they were expecting a complete failure the event was a complete success. It was a lot of fun and I cannot wait until they do a play again. The church did this fundraiser to raise money for the mission team that is going to the Dominican Republic this Friday. Shauna is also going to go on the trip. I cannot wait for the Dinner Theatre in Neerlandia this Friday it should be a lot of fun. :-) Here are a couple of pictures from there play Daisy Head Maisie although these were taken by Shauna since I forgot my camera. Well I have to go back to work.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Winter Getaway!!
Last weekend we went to a Young Adults retreat in Ponoka. The guest speaker was Rev. Persard from the Toronto Church Plant. The weekend was a lot of fun it was fun to see old friends and meet a couple of new ones as well.
On Saturday afternoon we played Bigger or Better. This is a game where you start with a item and you have to trade it for something bigger or better then that item. We all started with a plastic fork. There were 20 teams and our team thought that they were doing pretty good with a stereo system with soround sound speakers but we were in last place almost. Items that other teams had were a piano, two teams had cars one was working the other wasn't, they had LCD computer screens, satilite radios, round bales, air hockey tables, a complete living room with couches, coffee tables and even a TV and the best one was a pig. You could never get these items in the city.
We stayed with a wonderful host family and even got our own bathroom. They made us a wonderful breakfast and then we were off to church. The weekend was a great success and I can hardly wait for the next winter retreat.
On Saturday afternoon we played Bigger or Better. This is a game where you start with a item and you have to trade it for something bigger or better then that item. We all started with a plastic fork. There were 20 teams and our team thought that they were doing pretty good with a stereo system with soround sound speakers but we were in last place almost. Items that other teams had were a piano, two teams had cars one was working the other wasn't, they had LCD computer screens, satilite radios, round bales, air hockey tables, a complete living room with couches, coffee tables and even a TV and the best one was a pig. You could never get these items in the city.
We stayed with a wonderful host family and even got our own bathroom. They made us a wonderful breakfast and then we were off to church. The weekend was a great success and I can hardly wait for the next winter retreat.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Well...
It has been a while since my last post. I have been spending most of my free time with Shannon at the gym and swimming which is a lot of fun. Hopefully I will loose some weight after all of this time I am spending there. I am looking for some good smoothie ideas so let me know if you have one.
I am not longer on call. No more late night calls because places are flooding as Joel is back!!!!
The weather is extremely weird. Tonight it was thunder storming and raining in January and yesterday it poured rain for several hours causing the roads to be extremely icy. But at least it is not -40 C.
Well half my family is currently in Mexico and I should go and do the dishes. Bye.
I am not longer on call. No more late night calls because places are flooding as Joel is back!!!!
The weather is extremely weird. Tonight it was thunder storming and raining in January and yesterday it poured rain for several hours causing the roads to be extremely icy. But at least it is not -40 C.
Well half my family is currently in Mexico and I should go and do the dishes. Bye.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
SCATTERGORIES. ..it's harder than it looks!
Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things.. nothing made up!
Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.
WHAT IS YOUR NAME: Amanda
BOY NAME: Adam
4 LETTER WORD: Acts
GIRL NAME: Angela
OCCUPATION: Anesthesiologist
A COLOUR: Aquamarine
SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Apron
BEVERAGE: Alcohol
FOOD: Apple
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Art
A PLACE: Annapolis
REASON FOR BEING LATE: Accident
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: AAAARRRRGGGGG
Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.
WHAT IS YOUR NAME: Amanda
BOY NAME: Adam
4 LETTER WORD: Acts
GIRL NAME: Angela
OCCUPATION: Anesthesiologist
A COLOUR: Aquamarine
SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Apron
BEVERAGE: Alcohol
FOOD: Apple
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Art
A PLACE: Annapolis
REASON FOR BEING LATE: Accident
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: AAAARRRRGGGGG
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)