Sunday, July 17, 2016

It should be a woman THING!

Unrestraint commentary of the US Presidential Election
by a non-voting, Canadian, woman who represents the bleeding edge into the abyss of Baby Boomers who are starting to fade, lost a lot of their gumption, the only eye on the ball they have is when they're on the golf course or by all accounts the others are gun slinging hunters, card-carrying pistols n handguns owners, NRA card toting proud majority who fear more the threat of changing the constitution than upsetting bang bang shooting away the loss of gun wisdom.


Hillary Clinton by golly by gal
 SHOULD be leveraging the female, woman card!  She is an exceptionally smart woman who is breaking the bar and smashing the ceiling.  Who in her own right had a thriving career for many many years helping the downtrodden without any recognition back then.  As a young lawyer, her options back then would have been get married and have kids over climb a ladder to rise up among the guys and the boys clubs.  How can you even say she isn't amazing?


It must be an aging thing.
It has only been the last two elections in the US that I paid any attention to.  Not even a regular channel changing, I would have changed the channel is the news or broadcasts about the US Presidential elections, debates nor issues.

It could be sprouting from that training that I started in my early 20s when I went into the magazine field.  Yeah, Gail took a chance on me, but gruffly told me that all she needed was the right mindset, ability to learn and absorb new information quickly.   I don't really think I hesitated.  Because my first interview with Donna (the sales director) and Bob (the editor) was so relaxed, like a visit, not even like an interview.

I sure got the love of magazines back then.  In fact, really close friends of our family, my parents, then like an older sister to me said:  "Jeannette, you should be on TV doing the news" and I thought "yeaaaaahhhh right, as if that's going to happen" and "she must be really biased"

SIDEBAR
Amazing how 15 to 20 years later I say the same thing to
my daughters and the one just smiles and looks "aw
shucks" the other is ranting almost the identical words to
me.  It is amazing the life 
lessons that pop out in your 
50s.  Like all those failures
or painful experiences uncork
when you hit the ripe old age
or the young age of 50.  That
depends on your attitude.  I 
do recall hearing those words
not realizing that after multiple
times of hearing it from my 
daughter aggravated me.  Now I know
 why. I'd heard them before, they were just
displaced.  Coming forth at a time when you think
 wisdom is such a curse. If you are wise or said to
 have wisdom, it usually means that you overcame
 some unsurmountable odds of succeeding at something.
At the time you were in achievement mode, you were more likely
 in DOING mode.  They didn't always mean there wouldn't be bruises.
  Just filed away and pop out when you hit 50 and take it as wisdom.  Wishing or swear if given the day again, you'd probably do things exactly the same again.  Absurd?  Crazy you say?  Hardly, I say. 
 Think about it, you are ONLY in your 50s, not your 60s.
  Now is the wise time to burst forth.


The Wild Card
Donald Trump can't be called anything else.  Oh goodness me, can you imagine the book after this if he were to win:  "The Deal of the Century".  As a Canadian, I can only embrace, then recoil in horror, then lean in a little closer to watch the deal play out.  What deal you ask?  It's surely obvious by me, a mere Canadian gal, more preoccupied with her kids, her husband, her career spin around to see them climb high and then feel low.  I just really used to be into sales.  


Firing on all cylinders
The American Presidential Election is mesmerizing if you look at it like a deal:  two (fierce) competitors with their eye on the prize pulling out all the stops to win.  How can that not be sales-like?  Both (and I will call them this) competitors are trying to boost their own value while minimize the other contender to ashes.  In the best sales deals, both opposing parties have a undisclosed amount of respect for their competition.  They may have won one and lost one to this other entity.  Or they just knew about the other in a sphere to which neither traveled in at the same time.



Putting it all in perspective
I really admired Hillary Clinton during her quest to beat President Obama in his march to the White House.  I was rooting for Hillary, even bought the Biography which still sits on my bookshelf, back in those days.  Then she looked far from stellar a few times when dumb blondeness erruptitis struck her on the side of the head:: you forgot that the "rules don't apply" only when it's men.  I mean seriously US citizens, you don't think that any one spouse (always a woman at the Capital) hasn't blipped the security screen?  Or even worse turned a blind eye when they knew that icon of state cheated on him or mumbled top secret information after imbibing in a dozen too many?  The digital world we live in, in its ever-increasing pace, is open to mistakes.    


Where white is white
Were she not a woman would she even have the "woman card" to play?  I'd say 1000 percent NOT!  (Although rumour has it that politicians always have leanings towards cross-dressing and being dominated -- portrayed aptly in the TV hit series BILLIONS -- I can't wait until it airs again) {side note to look up next season's start date and time HERE}  


and Black is BLACK
In a country where a black man can be President
why wouldn't it by now have had a woman president? I hate to be the one to tell ya, if you don't know by now, that the UK just got its next aka 2nd Prime Minister.  


Social revolution
In a time when black and white hatred is the most unrest exploding south of my border, even ahead of terrorism attacks in far away lands.  What a hotbed of disgruntled citizens, electorate in turmoil, political virtues cynical, the big proud America is now.  You guys really have to get a handle on things.  I wrote to you on my optioneersJM blog right after the Wall Street calamity was exposed, and the financial climate going around the world was cold to icing off like an iceberg appears in the ocean.  I suggested of all things that maybe you needed some mediating, and why not from a Canadian, to get your house in order, get advice from the one country that seemed to barely shake from the earthquakes in country capital.  That was Canada.


The UK pays attention
Yet how I have no idea.  Do I have such an instinctive recollection of all that knowledge I gained from Gail, selling magazines and even publishing one?  Now that our very own Canadian Treasurer glided over the ocean to the UK, and is trying to save that country from financial devastation after the collapse of its citizenship split over a far reaching decision.  Mr. Carney is getting noticed now.  So typical of Canadians.  Immensely talented, seemingly quiet compared to so many others, absorbing, taking it all in, observing and learning from a great many avenues.  



UK's 2nd Woman Prime Minister
The US can't afford to lose its position of leader in the free world.  They are recovering, while lagging behind the UK economically.  {INSERT/FIND graph that had been published on the net on mere hours as the citizenship turned, the UK pound dropped while the US dollar climbed.



1st Woman President of the United States
It really should be Hillary Clinton.  Who comes from a dynasty that led two generations and possibly another one in the works?  Yes, Donald Trump has led two empires:  his holdings/companies and his celebrity from The Apprentice.  Both pretty competitive odds on what could be favored don't you think.


The World Revolves Around Money. 
 Yet this election is not so much about money as it is about wits.  Who is smarter, planning better strategies, on point in front of the media or rallies?  They both are.  We went from watching a number of tennis matches, the ones long before recent Wimbledon :: between Hillary and Bernie, between Donald Trump and that Bush guy (yeah, lol, I know Jebb :: but that about sums it up).  Then Donald and Mario, then Donald and Cruz (my hometown boy who denounced his citizenship and denying his roots here in Calgary).



It's Show Time
Plenty of warm up has been taken and given from either side.  They've been training and practicing against some pretty worthy opponents (not Ted-grudge-MAN).


The McCoys :: SOURCE :: GOOGLE images

Families Stacking Up on Either Side
like the Hatfields and McCoy.  Except this time they're not hillbillies in the mountains, lost touch with reality and in love with their guns.  These two BIG contenders have heavyweight family support.  Their children are successful in their own right:: with their careers, their own life partner and families, uphold strong family values.  And .... taDA ~ their kids represent the Millennial generation.  It hardly gives a much better scene than that.



The Plot Thickens
A Former First Lady versus a Wealthy Businessman.
Last time we watched anything like it, we were enraptured by Dallas and the show that Joan Collins dominated in {INSERT ... or don't bother ... let readers go on a scavenger hunt, and the first one back to comment with the right answer gets to write a blog for all THREE of my blogs as a guest}.  Seriously, since when has their been any plot nearly as good?  



Bernie Sanders, Guest Starring Role
Who certainly wins supporting cast member in a leading role.  The guy who turns things right around when you think you have figured out the climax to only be proven wrong because of the curveballs this contender brang.  A character who will never be forgotten and perhaps even remembered long after folks will remember who was against who in this election.  

Time For a New Twist
There isn't better a time to elect the United States first woman President.  For anything, one needs to examine the skillset and then the attitude.  Both hand in hand, yet independent of each other.  One always more important of the other.  

Resume resumation
Hillary Clinton has some pretty impressive credentials.  That, even compared favorably over Donald Trump.

Side Bar
Just like I did with Hillary Clinton
the last election, I let President Obama
step in.  Definitely charismatic with the
right image:  family, values with a sprinkle
of controversy that forced you to pick sides
and not dwell in the middle.

Sleeping Beauty
At the start, like I would imagine many
of us, we were captured by the Cinderella
Story of Donald Trump.  He seemed to say
more things about what people were thinking
than the usual political rhetoric.  Then it went
to his head and it went from unusual philosophy
to objectionable opinions. Where slander, slurs, shocking statements percolated the public opinion.
So I slowly and hesitantly started to turn my head
towards the other party ~ Hillary Clinton.  I started
to warm up to her when I saw her with her daughter.  Just once.  I can't even remember when.  Like Sleeping Beauty, I was kissed by that amazing moment.  I started to let her win.  Let people truly believe that a WOMAN can become anything.  Just like a black man could become President. :: or a Canadian could become the head of the largest financial institution in the world.



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Tuesday, July 12, 2016

JUST lovin it!!

Today has been like no other 
don't ask me why or how because I JUST can't say.



Exhuming the fumes by the fatal impact I narrowly missed being totally deflated and flattened by.  Now, before you jump to conclusions, realize that toxicity can latch themselves on to you whether family or coworker or boss (the person who ultimately decides whether to keep or fire you?)

JUST about everything and the #bestofeverything going on around me right now.  To tell you me week in a nutshell:  my manager TOLD me (didn't show, coach, recommend, give examples) NEVER to use JUST.  Thank goodness on my time off I can JUST just JUST just about anytime I want to.  So there!  Take that!  Bhwamm!  Mental fart to get that outta the toxic gas chamber from my belly.  

Today is the tomorrow of tomorrows
it is the last day I gave birth.  To a "cowgirl".  That was a distinction that very few can ignore.  My youngest baby, Kelsey, was born 21 years ago tomorrow.  The day was smack in the middle of the #CalgaryStampede held annually for over 100 years in Calgary, Alberta, CANADA.  Being born on a stampede day meant you were not assigned:  "It's a girl!" but "its a cowgirl" ~ no exclamation or caps required.   And, oh boy, do we have a gal now.  She's awesome.

You know that host of the 1988 Olympics town.  Or where the evils of oil reside (to some at least) TransCanada Pipelines who was shot down by both Obama and the american public, influenced by naysayers and fear mongers alike, equally responsible are the great MEDIA houses of CNN and CNBC who sharpen the tune based in a direction they want the public opinion to go.  

Remember the Lionardo Dicaprio thing?
Well, where I live is where he said freaky weather patterns were a clear signal of global warming when he came to win (finally) his Oscar performance in The Rendering, filmed near here, where I live.

Just about communications became the finale to my week :: which was Tuesday, not Sunday like everybody else.  In fact, in any given week, my Sunday could be any day of the week.  A meeting, I know, amazing ::... I didn't think I'd ever be part of a meeting with anyone of importance where I work ...:: but there I was smack dab in one.  

We embrace opportunity to express ourselves so I don't think I can get fired for asking some pointed questions yesterday.  I got in a couple of sharp remarks.  AND because this is my one-day weekend, I'll let er rip:  one was about something dear to my heart ::... volunteerism ::...

"What we call "viral" is really the pulse of the people dancing to the same tune." 
~Jeannette Marshall 

Its about community where the founders of HP actually got it right.  You create a COMMUNITY, not a CULTURE and you strike gold.  Seriously.  Think about it.  When has it not caught on?  Of course in every community there is a leader.  The difference between being part of the online community under the umbrella of social media is that the leader happens by the will of the people.  It isn't based on anything less pure.

Politics have no place on social media unless politicians post a disclaimer:  "I am not responsible for my honest opinion" which could go against the norm, or the establishment, or the BIG boys.  

I take what I learn and I share what I learn along the way.  Where else can you fill your brain up with really smart stuff and connect with 100% awesome people?  Its safe to say it isn't likely it will be a parent, a sibling, a teacher, a boss.  It is VERY likely, if you let yourself flow, where you can uncork your true hidden potential.  

There are no judges anymore because they got snuffled out by popular opinion and that becomes the highest votes among humanity.   What we call "viral" is really the pulse of the people dancing to the same tune.  It can't be influenced by media or companies because every individual has the right to surround themselves with whom they choose.  And the power will bubble to the extreme wise.  

I strive to be surrounded by the best with the logic that if you truly want to be the best, why not learn from the best? why not shadow the best? why not exchange with the best? why not look at the prettiest pictures, most magnificent art?  

You are in charge of your destiny by selecting who you spend your time with, where you spend your time, how useful are you being?  






Sunday, July 3, 2016

A do do DO

What are you doing on here?
My best friend and her hubby came over for a BBQ this evening.  The hunkster hubby is trying to get his project off the ground:  our getaway car wrapped up in a 1979 Porsche.  Sound pretty fantastic doesn't it, except when you dwell on the fact that you haven't had a spin for 4 years (at least).

Why life ain't fair
What is it that a guy can have a "project" last for eons and cost mucho moola without a poof of smoke or a vroom vroom.  I should, to be fair, state that the car was started and the cloud of smoke was worse than any carbon tax register.

The girls are gals
We did a fabulous job of hanging out on the driveway while our hunks piddle and screwed around (with screwdrivers) with tools and we were content.  Ask us 50 somethings whether we could turn back time and put the breaks on these never-ending project that suck mucho moola out of the funds.

To be fair
We may have extended ourselves beyond the requirements: do we need those many shoes or purses?    Our defense mechanism is that we need as many pairs of shoes as they need tools.  

Take that!?!!
Truth be told, we really don't need those many purses, shoes or accessories as they need tools.  But never has anyone argued with the "in case".  The tool that is bought because it is needed for the specific time is far different than the "in case' that particular tool meets a specific requirement is like that purse or pair of shoes that we buy "in case" we need it.

An explanation or evasion?
My greatest friend, who has known me since we worth both 18, starting out at college asked me what the big fuss was about social media?  She said anything she has crossed paths with is nega-tive.  She links it to negative association or being tricked into saying something or her kids being trapped into something.  Something that they should avoid at all cost.

An explanation or defense?
If you find yourself fooling around on social media, we have to be prepared to defend why we do what we do do DO.    As I said to my dearest friend, or tried to explain to her, social media is not a news cast, or about what is trending in the news, or what has people all hopped up about.

Occupation or preoccupation?
To try to explain to a non-participant is a challenge.  It isn't like I get paid to tweet, blog or post.  I tried to tell her that you can be recog-nized for your efforts.  To try to explain how it can be measured is like trying to defend why smoking or drinking alcohol is okay.

About writing or expression?
My very best friend who has known me for so many years, through some challenges, and championed triumphs, asked me:  "When did you decide you liked to write?"  It was awkward.  I was reacting defensively at first.  Then I had to internalize the question and think about the answer in it's realism:  I didn't know I loved to write until I started to write and I felt this physical release.  It was like I could just write and it dissipated those worries or thoughts.  

The reaction to attraction
Whether it is from a post of words, a quote that resonates from you inner being, or an image that just seems just too cool not to share.  Writing, posting or blogging on social media is a source for saying how you really feel, what you think to be true, or what would help others.  

A piece of the peace
There is a peace that envelopes you when you can be expressive through means that are outside your own creation.  Whether it is a reaction to what is happening or a thought on what could be a reaction to what is going on around us.  Writing a blog, posting on social media, is found at the inner core of our being. 














Sunday, June 26, 2016

the CLUBHOUSE project

The clubhouse project
Wooohooooo I'm on another 4-day weekend and I've been doing things that are treasured by me.  First and foremost lately it has been painting objects that turn into repurposed art.  




Repurposed art
About a year ago I started painting on objects that I'd had for a while and just goofing around painted them.  It was so fun and some of them really turned out very cool.   The homes I found for them even cooler.




A birdhouse with a purpose
As I started painting a birdhouse an idea blossomed.  What if I could use the birdhouse as a clubhouse that housed my dreams, goals, where my favorite people could either gain admittance or become members.




Membership
I holistically considered who would be allowed in my clubhouse?  It wasn't too hard to figure it out, they would be people who I wanted to be surrounded by.  They would be:

  • talented
  • exceptional
  • smart
  • creative
  • caring
  • motivational
  • friendly
  • innovative
  • humble
  • humanitarians
  • artistic
  • share positive messages
  • injected with humour
  • from across all walks of life
  • cultivated from among the world's best
  • they give, they promote, they help, without expecting anything in return.



The givers, innovators, creators
By words, art, photography, beauty they create a world worth living in.  Those would be the persons crowded into my little Clubhouse.  Lucky for us, there are foodies and entertainers and scholars and teachers and musicians and artists, curated from across many social media platforms and life.



Where would my happy place be?
As part of my clubhouse project, I would imagine the location of such a happy place.  I was divided among the options that bring me solace and peace:
  • My home
  • My garden
  • A new surrounding:  on a beach, beside the ocean


What would be in it?
No home, no vacation, no location would be complete without the right things in it:
  • Music
  • Art
  • Photography
  • Beautiful decor
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Pets


6 partitions with 5 sides to life
As a form of therapy of sorts, I reflect upon the clubhouse to create the five sides of life.  I began by imagining who and what would go in it.  To be expanded upon when I'm feeling discouraged, let down or a strong passion for wanting my life to be on track in a way that I make it possible.  




What and who goes in it
Complete the options before us.  We only let the people or things that matter to us inside our Clubhouse projects.  They bring us positiveness, beauty, inspiration.  We leave out those that hurt us, lower our self-esteem, cause us harm in any way.



The outside defines what is on the inside with five sides dedicated to making it a unique piece of our mind, our hearts, and dreams.

The front door
Is welcoming and a place in which we find ourselves safe, at peace, surrounded by only the good and wonderful we imagine it to be.  We want it to be welcoming because it will attract only the best of everything anyone or anything.



My garden
What I like to do is reflected on my entrance pane to my clubhouse project:  gardening, beautiful flowers, bright colors, happy faces.  A solace for dreaming, creating, beautifying where we spend our time.  



My goals
Are the levels on which I climb to reach my ultimate destination.  Whether it be career, writing, creating or being this side defines what I think will make my life complete.  They are realistic and achievable.  

My dreams
What do I see when I look outside the window of my clubhouse?  What would be the most perfect world imaginable.  Certainly gut-wrenching reflection because it defines the who, the what and the where long before economic reward brings the "things".  Things don't belong in my dreams.  Things are static and stationary, never evolving.  

The where
Where do I see my dreams blossoming the most?  What would I be looking at by my surroundings?  Beauty, sunshine, tropical trees, a lake, ocean or pool with billowing white puffs of cloud that don't bring darkness, but only shed light on the brightness where my inner peace can be found.

The bottom
Is where my secrets, disappointments, hurtful memories, failure, toxic people or events remain.  I place them there, on the bottom, to let go, get over and forgive.  Once those memories go to the bottom, they become dormant and never again allow me to regret, feel hurt, or hit my confidence.  

The roof
Unadorned and plain.  A place where I sole away dreams discovered, cheques or money seep into to make the dreams happen and the goals achieved.

It's about possibilities
The Clubhouse Project is about setting about making what is possible a reality.  Not to dwell on regrets or disappointments, it is filled with optimism.  I am in control of what goes on and in my Clubhouse to arrive at utopia and happiness.


Make your own CLUBHOUSE
Find your own birdhouse:  at a store, a garage sale or a thrift shop.   Design it in a way as described above.  As you paint it, you define the four key components:

  • What do you want others to see when you welcome them?
  • Who would the people be that you would allow to be members?
  • What will you see when you look out your window? ::  the goals, the dreams, the realization of all that can be made possible by you.
  • Where would it be?  How can you create the where?  Is it where you are, is it where you will need to be, or a stop along your travels to utopia?
  • What will you bury?  Who are the toxic people that you have removed because they block you from creating your intended destiny?  What are the awful memories that keep you frozen with fear, replayed over and over again.  Letting go when they go into the part of the clubhouse that is not opened again.  Who do you need to forgive?  Or, who do you need to forgive you?  They go in there, part of the past.  Let go to allow you your wonderful future.  If you replay failures, memories, hurt or heartache, they belong here.


Create your own clubhouse
Once it is created, decide all the ingredients and write them down on a piece of paper and put it through the welcoming front door.  Draw out your floor plan or surroundings as you imagine them to be.  Put in pictures of people that matter most.  Cut out images from magazines or print off photographs and insert them inside.  This is where they belong.  Write the list of people, things, memories or events you will let go of or forgive others or yourself for.



Creating the life you want
Only you can decide what it is that will bring you peace, happiness and excitement.  Nobody else.  Only you can determine your goals, decide on your dreams.  It is your own Clubhouse project.  Creating the destiny you and fate have aligned.  Understanding that you reap what you sow.  This is your CLUBHOUSE where you begin to imagine the possibilities of a life fulfilled with love, happiness and dreams come true.  

Try it.  Let me know how it goes,
 or let me know if you want to post yours on PINTEREST
I will invite you to share your post or your images!
and REMEMBER :: ...........





Saturday, June 18, 2016

be a father you can count on

Fatherhood

I wrote about fatherhood a year ago as a tribute to my father who passed away five years ago and how much I miss him.  This year, I want to comment about the fatherly influences that don't get acknowledged on this day.




Stepfathers
My hubby, Rob, is a fantastic father figure to my son, Kyle.  Rob makes the effort to connect and relate to Kyle whether it be about sports or video games.  Kyle also knows that if he were ever in trouble, he could count on Rob.




Brothers
My older brother, Greg, was in charge of our home when we got home from school and before our parents arrived home from work.  He would round all four of us kids up, delegate chores, and lead the way.  He didn't ask any one of us to do more than he was prepared to do.  He is someone I've always looked up to and he leads a life that is exemplary.  He is a hard worker, family man who obviously loves his wife and daughter tremendously.  He holds only himself accountable for his actions.

My son, Kyle, is an amazing brother to both his sisters and his stepsister.  He and the soon-to-be-son-in-law are firm friends and have formed a nucleus of family that will be steadfast beyond the years that we've been given.  It is nice to know that he will always champion his sisters, be there for them with acts of kindness and be known for his positive spirit.

Uncles
My kids are really lucky.  They have uncles that they can turn to and would and will always be there for them.  Their Uncle Tom, who was the eldest of there own father's tribe, was kind, reflective and dolls out wisdom when asked, never forced.  My brother, Greg, is an anchor for my daughter who ventured away from her home city, to seek her adulthood with the safety net of her uncle if needed.  Handy with a screwdriver, he would put furniture together, move her out and then back in again.  He is soft spoken and doesn't opinionate unless asked.

Friends
From that day when the high school adventure started, my son Kyle had firmly found a friend who has been there for him through what could have been turbulent years, to today, embracing him as one of the best friends to have and to be.  His name is Kyle too.  I like to think he sets the bar high for possibilities for Kyle to look up to showing that you can have it all - marriage, love, family, fatherhood.



Mothers
Don't think it is odd that I have included mothers in this commentary.  After all, there are so many single mothers out in the world, due to multiple circumstances, who have the role of both mother AND father.  They are the anchor in the home and if you ever wonder about the success of this environment, just watch the 60 Minutes Sports on Marshawn Lynch.  A wonderful example of a mother's influence upon her son and the success that can unfold humbly yet fruitfully.



If you do one thing this weekend, check out "Beast Mode"  @Beast Mode to support the charitable efforts of Marshawn Lynch through his "Family First Foundation".  You will end up with some really cool threads at the same time, or it will be the gift that keeps on giving.


"If you are in your everyday life, and you feel like you just accomplished something big that you had going on, then that's Beast Mode. It's an accomplishment, that you put yourself through something to get something better out of it. I feel that that's Beast Mode. "

~Marshawn Lynch