Monday Morning Smile LXI – Opa!!
Posted: September 30, 2013 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: democracy, dilbert, greek food, green eggs and ham, homer, monday morning, monday morning smile, pythagoreum, scooby doo, socrates 1 Comment
I’m back after a few weeks off….hope you haven’t forgotten…..
The weekend was a good one for the most part. Saturday was unfortunately spent doing a little work catch up, but hey it doesn’t happen that often.
The rest of the time was spent doing some of the things that are fun, a little squash, walking the dog around the neighbourhood, watching shows on the idiot box. You know just another weekend. BUT, we did go out to a new restaurant on Saturday night. “Colossus” a greek restaurant in Oakville. AWESOME! There was a lineup out the door and the wait was worth it.
So it isn’t just democracy, the Olympics, mathematics, and other minor little things the Greeks gave us. It was awesome food! I am considering changing my name to Davionysis Fallonopoulis. Just rolls off your tongue doesn’t it?
Here’s some of the great Greeks – I’ll bet you have heard of nearly all of them.
Pythagoras – yep. that Pythagoras. You know, the one that gave us the Pythagorean theorem. a² + b² = c². Oh, and he did it in 500 B.C. It is still taught in schools today of course.
Hippocrates – the father of all doctors, he wrote the Hippocratic oath. You know the one, “above all do no harm….” (or is it, “above all, book tee time on wednesday”). He believed that diseases were caused by natural causes not by the wrath of the gods. Incredible thought for 500 B.C. Was he embraced? No, he was put in jail for 20 years.
Socrates – the “socratic method” which isn’t exactly household conversation, has to do with philosophy and ethics. But most importantly he was (arguably) the forerunner to the Scientific Method, which in turn enabled the incredible inventions of today – the TV and the internet. You know, the inventions that turns us all into zombie like mush-brains. Thanks Socrates.
Homer – the father of literature from 500 B.C. or so. He gifted the world with the incredible stories like The Iliad, The Odyssey. For over two thousand years authors have followed in his giant footsteps and given us the profound life altering stories of today – like “Green Eggs and Ham”, “Scooby Doo”, and best of all “50 Shades of Grey”! Homer is spinning in his grave.
Have a great Monday. Channel your inner Greek! Opa!
Monday Morning Smile LX – If You’re Happy and You Know it….
Posted: September 9, 2013 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: dilbert, happiness index, happy, monday morning, monday morning smile Leave a comment
Hey, have you heard? Canada is the 6th happiest place on earth! WooHoo! Yeeessss…..Our burly friends down south are 17th. Do you know why? I’ll tell you – it’s because they haven’t embraced Tim Horton’s yet. How can you not be happy with a Timmie’s donut?!
Here’s the ranking
1. Denmark
2. Norway
3. Switzerland
4. Netherlands
5. Sweden
6. Canada
Pretty much all northern climates with a little (or a lot) of snow, ice, and long dark nights. Not to mention a reputation as the world’s best looking people. No wonder everyone is happy with all that eye candy around.
This is an actual report that has been produced since 2005. There are some countries, notably Bhutan, that have imbedded it in their government policy making. In Bhutan, the government hopes to increase the country’s “Happiness Index”.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a happy ending with a piece of Dilbert wisdom….
Monday Morning Smile LIX – Back to School
Posted: September 3, 2013 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: dilbert, grand bend, monday morning, monday morning smile, poutine, summer 2013 Leave a comment
Well, goodbye Summer of 2013, nice knowin’ ya…..
As we look wistfully backward at the Summer of 2013 I hope you and yours had a great summer season. I know I did. It was a time to make memories, a time that – years from now – is referred to with a , “remember that time we….”.
Even when you’re long out of school the arrival of September seems like the end of carefree time spent barefoot sucking on popsicles.
So in honour of summer, here are some tidbits of critical info about summer favourites.
Summer or School? : Hey kids, do like Canada? I thought so. Here’s one more reason. Kids here go to school about 180 days a year. In Japan they go to school about 240 days a year. Yikes! When do they learn to skip stones? I will pick stone skipping over calculus any day.
The Popsicle: In 1905, 11-year-old Frank Epperson left a mix of soda and water out on the porch. He left it there, with a stirring stick still in it. That night reached a record low and, the next morning, the boy discovered the drink had frozen to the stick, inspiring the idea of a fruit-flavored ‘Popsicle’, a word mash of soda pop and icicle. Just as importantly, the popsicle stick has been used in children’s crafts for almost as long!! What father hasn’t recieved a popsicle stick snowflake for father’s day or christmas?!
Greatest invention ever: a chocolate popsicle is very, very, very soothing after a heavy night of celebration.
There is also a national Cherry Popsicle Day – I’m not kidding
The Beach: People have been going to beaches for as long as there have been families and friends. A chance to be outdoors, to be together, to be carefree, if only for a day, a weekend….The simplicity of the beach is part of the attraction. For young and old, all a beach needs is a bit of sunshine, some surf, a shovel and pail, and you are good to go. Our favourite beach is Grand Bend, Ontario, on the shores of lovely Lake Huron. Grand Bend sunsets are unsurpassed.
For us, Grand Bend is part of our family DNA. The Ice cream shop, mini-putt, poutine at The Spud Shack….. Many, many great times, and with luck, many more.
Fallon the Junior with the acrobatic catch in the Grand Bend surf and excavating on the construction site….
Grand Bend sunsets….add a glass of wine and you’ve found heaven.
The BarBque – not to be confused with ‘grilling’. You grill something fast with the flame in contact with the meat. BarBque’ing is slow and savoury – where anticpation is as important as the meal itself. But whateveryou call it – grill, Barbque, hibachi….just add good friends, a good cut of meat, and perhaps a tall cool drink and you have a perfect summer evening. And before you ask, this old picture is not my family, a pox on you for even thinking it!
Of course a little something from our friend Dilbert….
Have a great Fall.
MondayMorningSmile 