Tuesday 27 November 2012

Some people are just amazing


I don't know who thought this one out, but I believe that person deserves the Noble Peace Prize for humanity.

Some peoples children, makes you wonder just how much better we can get

Sunday 25 November 2012

New Blog Site

Greetings one and all

I have decided to expand my poetry a bit so from this point forth, any poetry I put together will be here

John Looks Out On Life

Please drop by and have a look and should it strike you, write a poem and send it to me and I will put it up for the world to see

This site will remain for anything else I see need to write

Be well one and all and I hope to see you all on my new blog


Cheers

Wednesday 21 November 2012

Command

To lead

One must first be able

To follow

Cable TV

Anything you want

Anytime you want it there

Same crap just more

Letter Arrived

One unread email

Been waiting all day for it

Damn its spam

Dependancy

Caffine daily start

Glucose to spike through the day

Little pill to sleep

Communicate


Off on and on off

Data flowing back and forth

Thougths and feelings flow

Untouched


Forbidden to touch

And yet the sweetest of fruit

Ripe for the picking

Katana


Rasor edged steel

Slicing throught the morning air

Peaceful end follows

A Picture


A simple pencil

Move it to mark the page

Draw it for your joy

Seasons In Flux


He woke that morning

The sky glazed over in gray

Red leaves are falling

Monday 19 November 2012

Nightmare

Primal terror

Lies behind closed eye lids

Sleep is denied

Sunday 18 November 2012

Doing the Popcorn Dance

Betty - The baby
Cricket - The Mom


My two papillons can be the funniest of critters when they want to play. Had an opportunity to
make a short video of them doing the cute thing. Have a look see at the Utube link above


Cheers

Saturday 17 November 2012

Santa Parade

The first Santa parade of the season has officially come and gone today. The weather was the oddest thing, it was cloudy and windy and rainy all day until about 4pm. Then it cleared up, the wind died  down and the streets all dried up, just in time for the parade. After the parade had been cleared away, it started raining again. I guess the Gods like to watch parades on the occasion <g>

I volunteered to drive one of the taxies for the parade - I haven't ever done such a thing before,  I have walked in numerous, but never driven in one. I got to the appointed spot with my wife and daughter, not really sure what to expect but if you go expecting anything, you won't be surprised when it happens. I found the car I was to drive and we all helped get it prettied up for the parade. In total there were 6 of us running around getting all the lights and decor put together and a blind gentleman who played his guitar and sang Christmas songs for the entirety of the parade.

Moving Forward

To trudge: the slow, weary, depressing yet determined walk of a man who has nothing left in life except the impulse to simply soldier on. "
Geoffrey Chaucer - A Knights Tale

How many people out there trudge through life? Do you know any? Can you walk down the street and someone who is?
There are times in most peoples lives that they must trudge and really it is not a bad thing when you get down to it. Anyone who is trudging is making progress, moving toward a goal. It may be slow progress but give them the kudosfor  putting the effort to keep moving.

Now look in the mirror. Have you stopped putting the effort in? Have you decided there is nothing to gain so why bother? Is there nothing out there to inspire an effort? Yes, there may be a long black tunnel but somewhere down the end of it there is a light.

Keep moving, in the end you will be better for it

Reality TV - Why?

The question of today is about "Reality TV". I am sure that most people can name at least two or three of these shows, heck are shows for just about any taste out there from people stating why they shouldn't have to pay for the car they wrecked to the pinnacle of cuisine.

Some of these shows are just a bunch of cameras placed in a house to watch what everyone will do - Mr Orwell? Have you seen this? We have a whole fist full of cooking competitions - 3 or 4 of them hosted by an abusive, pompus Brit. For those who are looking for adventure we have the continuing saga of Survivor - maybe one of seasons, someone is really going to keel over and die. Fear Factor, The Amazing Race, Jersy Shore, The "Real" Housewives of ....., the list goes on and on.

Friday 16 November 2012

And the Winner is....

ME!!!
Johnny, let's show the contestant what he won.
Well, behind the door is ...A BRAND NEW JOB!!! (much clapping from the studio audience)

Sometimes my life really does feel like a game show but for today at least, I am okay with it.
A little back story is in order.

Last April I retired from the Royal Canadian Navy and began to live life as a civilian again - man, I thought is was tough being a sailor, this civilian crap is way worse <g>. After 20 years, I acquired a few skills, a few interesting ways to look at life and a few friends. One of these friends called my up and told me of a position that was needing a warm, friendly and totally awesome computer tech. Since I fit all three qualifications, I wandered myself down to the person who managed that chair, smiled and said, "Look no further, I am here." It turned out that the manager was someone who I worked with in the closing days of my military career, someone I got along with very well. He was happy and he knew it so he clapped his hands. He dragged me around the shop and introduced me to the rest of the crowd, all of whom used to work at the same location at the same time as I did. We were all happy and we all knew it, so we all clapped our hands. (isn't life grand?)

The manager set to find a way to get me into his shop. He looked and looked and looked some more and finally he found  a way. I was hired as a temporary casual for 4.5 months (micky mouse government  crap). Sweet, an relatively easy job, great people to work with, lots of learning, and my pension to boot.

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Kicking it Auzzie Style

In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned my love for the Royal Australia Navy. A great bunch of mates, the kind of guys you want at your back when things don't quite work out as planned.

My first operational deployment was back in 1991, just after the first Gulf War. The ship I was on was sent to the Gulf of Aqaba (northern end of the Red Sea). The task group we were assigned to was given orders to stop and search every vessel going into and out of that Gulf. In total, there were 6 ships, us, 4 US ships, a French ship and a vessel of RAN.  For the four months we were on station, a great rivalry existed between us and the Auzzies. By the time we have left station and headed for home, the score was officially even (but I know who really won)

Karmic Bank Account

There are times when I am very glad that I have a very well stocked Karmic bank account. On the occasion I chose to make a withdraw, it is nice to know there are funds available.

One fine night, not so long ago, I was out doing the taxi thing. Now, I will admit to not enjoying seeing someone else scoop my fare. For some odd reason, it annoys the snot out of me. The night in question, I was down town, waiting for someone to stumble out of a bar and desperately need a ride home. I was cruising along Wharf Street about 2330 when a block ahead of me, someone was waving to flag me down. Sweet. I make my way to this person when, from out of nowhere (okay, he was behind me) a cab from another company went screaming past my left side mirror, cut in front of me and stopped at the curb to pick up the person who flagged me down. Damn,  lost that trip. Oh well, carry on.

Sunday 11 November 2012

Those who serve




This place is better

Your duty is done, thank you

Sleep in peace

Saturday 10 November 2012

Red Flower, White Flower

Recently, a group of people have taken it to their minds that wearing a poppy glorifies war, that a poppy somehow symbolizes all that is evil in the world. These people have banded together and made a white poppy, saying that they want to show peace and not war. These people have it in their heads that by showing up to a memorial wearing a white poppy they are doing something meaningful.

Here in North America, we live in a society that is safe, secure and free. We are free to think and say just about anything without having to worry about being sent away to be re educated. Todd Akin can spout his views on ``legitimate rape``, I wonder if any woman he knows or child of his has had the opportunity to put into practice what he claims. christian extremists like Fred Phelps can spew hate and pain at people when they are saying goodbye to a loved one, a loved one who was out doing the same thing that allowed phelps the freedom to preach his hate. Some days, sadly, it amazes me how far the envelope of decency is pushed by some people. This freedom we are privileged with has a  price tag attached to it, a price that was paid and continues to be paid by those men and women who choose to put themselves between harms way and you.

The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance, something to show you know what happened and who worked to give you the freedom to be who you are. Wear it with pride, and look at those men and women who fought and are fighting and remember that they are allowing you to be who and what you wish to be. The white poppy is a political statement. Fine, here in North America we are privileged to be able to make political statements, but there is a time and place for everything. November 11th is not the time, nor is there any place appropriate that day. If you can`t find it in yourself to attend a memorial without your political statement, then don`t. Those who were there do not need to see you. They have paid their dues for your freedom. Don`t spit on what they have done.

There are 365 days in a year. You have the right to make whatever political statement you wish on any one of them because of what people paid the price for. The least you can do is remember that is by not walking up to a memorial with a political statement on your chest. If you can`t even do that, then just stay at home because you and your politics are not welcome



Friday 9 November 2012

The Job That Needed Doing

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

In 1915, Major John McCrae, a Canadian military doctor, wrote this poem about the people he had knew, the people he had walked with, drank with and then the people he had seen buried. Each man and women he saw were people, just like him, who had come to that place to do a job that needed doing. No one had come for glory, or fame. No one wanted to die or have to kill. Something needed to be done and they went to do it.

At 11 am, November 11th, 1918, the guns fell silent on the Western Front of World War I, ending the fighting between the Allies and the Germans. This war, then dubbed the war to end all wars, was effectively over. All told, 37 million soldiers, sailors and airman were counted as casualties, 8 million of those were counted as dead. 8 million crosses were needed to mark the spots where these men and women were laid to rest. Men and women who went to do what needed to be done.

On November 11th, stop for a moment and think about what happened and what is still happening. Men and women are out there doing a job that needs to be done. They are not there fighting for some oil company, or some political power play, they are out there because someone's little girl is in danger, because there is a madman out there wanting to erase an entire race of people, because someone needs them to be there.

2 minutes, that is all they ask for

Remember not who sent them nor why they were sent

Remember that someone needs them to do a Job That Needs Doing

Tuesday 6 November 2012

Waiting for the trip

So yesterday I was up, bright eyed and bushy tailed at 4am to start another exciting shift behind the wheel. If there is anyone out there who really believes I was either bright eyed or bushy tailed, please let me know - I have a bridge to sell you.

I used to believe that being out there bright and early was the way to do it. The busses don't run and people still need to get to the airport, get to work or get home from the night before. Yesterday drove the last nail into the coffin of that belief. I did all the right things, went to the busiest zone for that time of the morning and I sat there, for an hour, number one in the zone. I watched as every other zone emptied around me. It was like I was the zone killer, where I went, no taxi was called. Over the period of that first hour of sitting (first of 4 over the entire day) I twiddled my thumb, reminded myself that it happens sometimes, prayed to the Gods of Dispatch and contemplated sacrificing my first born - all to no avail. Finally, after 60 minutes of going nuts, a call was being held 4 zones away. In desperation, I asked for it and was given it. 30 minutes later I had made 1/6 of my lease. Not a great way to start the day, but certainly better than what I was doing prior to that.

Sunday 4 November 2012

Another fine day behind the wheel

Driving cab today started out just spiffy. I was getting good trips, making good money and having a good time, then noon came around and all of that changed.

The dispatch terminal in my car decided it no longer wishes to talk to the dispatch server at the office. So I sat there, for an hour, watching trips be dispatched to everyone but ME! A very painful event in any taxi drivers life. I called up dispatch and she confirmed that yes, cars were being dispatched in my place. She then proceeded to track down the problem and was unable. Finally someone in the office said "DO THE MICROSOFT". For those of you out there who are not blessed with Mircosoft, this is what you do to fix about 90% of the problems you will encounter

TURN IT ALL OFF. COUNT TO 100. TURN IT ALL BACK ON.

Well, I did the MICROSOFT and was immediately rewarded with a trip. YEAH, only 2  hours wasted.

Then no one got trips, anywhere, for an hour. No one in this town needed to go anywhere. Bummer.

Ah well, some days you make a killing, some days it is only a mild beating.

Speaking of beating, I have been, am totally wiped, and am heading for a pre dinner snooze.

Here is to hoping tomorrow is a bit better


TTFN

Saturday 3 November 2012

Terminal Velocity

Falling toward earth

Explosion on the water

Ripple on the pond