Chicken Little

Thank you all for your feedback last week. As expected, quite a few of you did not agree with my controversial suggestion to open businesses from the lockdown this early in the game (I posted some feedback on the Traveling Boy website). Actually, I’m not too sure myself. My real purpose was to let us start thinking with a more balanced viewpoint.

The great philosopher, Chicken Little, was walking around the hen house one day when a malicious fox threw an acorn on her head. “My goodness!” she excalimed looking up, “the sky is falling!” She runs to her friends and warns them of their impending doom. One opinionated animal after another hypothesize the logic of the sky falling. The gullible masses parrot opposing world views. Soon the hen house turns into a panic room. They rush out of the hen house and into the fox’s trap.

Ever since the pandemic started, we’ve listened to opposing arguments from fact claiming experts on both sides. There’s a whole lot of blame shifting and conspiracy theories going on. So who’s telling the truth? Only time (if we have enough of it) will tell. Before we rush out of the realm of reason, may I suggest we observe the fox (the source) who threw the acorn in the first place? What’s that guy up to?

Whether the fox spread the disease with intentional malice or not, there is a game plan hidden by the powers that be. If we continue to panic, we would have already lost the battle. Why don’t we stop, turn down the volume and pray? We can maneuver out of the fox’s trap. He will never expect it.

“Be still my soul. Be still and know that He is God.
Rest quietly. Rest in His loving arms for He is watching over you.
Ever faithful, ever true. So be still and know that He is God.”

Is the sky falling or is it just a rumor? Who cares?! With God on our side … (or better still) when we are on God’s side … who can stand against us?

Keep safe and hold on to your faith. TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to  Peter Paul of S Pasadena, for sharing this joke.

Video: Gay Dinosaur

Thanks to Janet of Whittier, CA for this short meme.

Video: Manna in Dipolog City

Thanks Enrique for this video. A few days ago thousands of fish washed up on the beaches of Dipolog, a poor small town in the Southern part of the Philippines. Is there any doubt that God provides during this troubled times?

Video: Covid Lesson

Thanks to J.J. of Manila who shared this video. Taiwan has only had 429 cases and 6 deaths, and business never stopped. What’s the secret?

Video: Two Guys Catch a Flight

Thanks to Vanessa of Hacienda Heights, CA for this dangerously entertaining clip of 2 aerial stuntmen. What would you choose? To be locked up but safe or to be free as a bird but living on the edge?

Don’s Puns

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C.who loves puns. This isn’t really a pun but it’s close.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Mario of Manila

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA. Don’t be frightened. It’s just me!

Finally, here’s one from Naomi of N Hollywood, CA. So, you really want to wait till it’s safe to go out?

The post Good and Bad News appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Open for Business? What Do You Think?

Are you looking forward to Monday? That’s the day businesses are supposed to restart opening their doors. At least that’s what the US Federal government  suggested at the time of this writing. It’s up to each governor to decide what’s good for the State. And it’s up to each business to decide what’s good for their company.

I was apprehensive about that. I thought it was too early because people are still getting infected and people are still dying. But then I watched an interview with a woman from the Wall Street Journal (I forget her name). And she had an insight about when to open: “You have to balance the need for health and safety with the need to bring back the economy and getting people’s lives back to normal.” She said the prevailing mindset is a purist mindset (which was like mine) — to open business only if every trace of that virus has been eliminated. Although it sounds good and safe, the drawback is we will be waiting forever for that to happen while the economy and people’s mental state will continue to spiral downward to the point where it may never recover. A better alternative, she claimed, is to open the doors now while the epidemic continues to loose steam (accepting that there will still be people getting infected and dying) in exchange for the economy starting to revive. Does this make sense to you? What do you think?

If the health charts that I’ve been seeing are accurate, Covid-19 isn’t as deadly as was earlier estimated. More people are dying by other causes anyway. There are also more medications and ventilators available than a month ago. More people have now been exposed and have built up their immunity, so the risks have significantly diminished. What do you think?

This balancing principle may be sound but it still needs wisdom when to implement. Nevertheless, if the shops and offices continue to take precautionary measures, if people wear face masks and wash their hands, avoid physical contact, keep their hands away from their eyes, nose and mouth … this should work. What do you think?

Come Monday, many businesses will start opening their doors. Some already have. Let’s hope they will be responsible. And let’s start living again. What do you think?

Keep safe and hold on to your faith. TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Mike of New York, for sharing this joke.

Video: How NOT to Make a Face Mask

Thanks to Mike of New York for this video that made me cry..

Video: Love at 60 Feet Under

Thanks to Naomi of N Hollywood, CA for sending this video made by her personal friend, Paula.

Video: Archie Bunker Goes to the Hospital

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA for this classic sitcom.

Don’s Puns

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C.who loves puns.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Naomi for this reminder to be more sensitive to our dogs.

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. for this serious announcement.

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA for this Twilight reflection.

The post Husband Has Covid-19 appeared first on Traveling Archive.

I Have Met Santa Claus … And His Name is Norman

Norman is part of the FORBS (Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas). Last Saturday, I was in a kid’s Christmas event at the Whittier Museum plugging the book: “Tom the Mouse” (You haven’t bought it yet? What are you waiting for?). In between his duties, Norman and his wife, Linda (Mrs. Claus), and I chatted about his seasonal adventures. He said he had so many Santa stories that he might write a book. Of course I told him if he needed any help with production and illustrations, I knew someone who was excellent in getting his ideas together [wynk! wynk!]

He shared a story about an angry little girl whose arms were crossed and  looked at him accusingly. Norman wondered if he did something to offend her. She opened up: “So … where’s the Barbie Doll House I wrote you about? All I got last year was a cheap stocking stuffer!”

There was this little black sweetheart who ran to him excitedly and hugged him like they were old friends. “I knew it! I knew it! You’re the REAL Santa!” she said as she tugged at Norman’s beard. “There’s a fake BLACK Santa running around in our neighborhood! You’re the REAL Santa!!!

There was a little boy who couldn’t stop talking. “My brother was so good he [did this and that] …” After a while Norman realized the boy was avoiding something. So he asked the kid: “Your brother sounds like a good little boy but what about you?” The boy just kept babbling more about his saintly brother. “But how about you?” Norman insisted. More talk about his brother until finally he stopped and put his head down. “Aw, gee!” he said, “I guess you won’t be bringing me that bicycle again this year, huh?”

Oh, the imagination of young people. So precious. So innocent. Remember when you sat on Santa’s lap? Where did the years go? Aren’t you glad you are allowed to become a kid every year when we celebrate the birth of God-made-Man?

I like Santa but I do have to point this out: If you haven’t figured it out yet, Norman is a fake Santa. Surprise! Surprise! Do you realize the power he holds comes from children who want to believe and their parents who feed their imagination? Lots of fake stuff going around in this world today. Some good. Some bad. Like Santa, the power of pretension (fake news, fake smiles, fake ads, etc.) exists because of people’s belief system. It’s an open debate whether adults should lie about Santa or not. Personally, my wife and I never lied to our kids. We told them to respect and not to ruin the game of other families. They always knew the truth ahead of their contemporaries. They never felt deprived of their childhood, never had to transition from a lie, and they’re all the better for it. But that’s just our family.

I know some of you celebrate the season in different ways. But if I’m not mistaken everyone buys presents for their loved ones. Isn’t it wonderfully amazing that we all experience this genuine exchange of love towards each other? I know I’m going to make a mistake in this greeting but what the heck! — Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Happy Hanukah! Happy Diwali Day! Happy Bodhi Day and Happy Ramadan! May God bless us all. Peace on earth. Goodwill to man!

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”— Bob Hope

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Heavenly Business

Shared by Tom of Pasadena, CA

Videos of the Week

Donald and Hillary Sing a Christmas Duet
Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

I thought this was very funny and well done. No, it isn’t political .. just funny.

A Social Media Christmas
Sent by Charlie of New Jersey

Here’s something I got right after Christmas … last year! I’ve been saving it all this time. It’s still pretty good.

WATCH VIDEO

Just Say Christmas
Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

WARNING: RELIGIOUS/POLITICAL video: Skip if this bothers you

In this politically correct world, do you say “Happy Holidays” when you really want to say “Merry Christmas?” This Jew’s perspective  makes you think.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Christmas Fun

Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Parting Shot

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA who shared this photo

Hey, do me a favor. Get your copy of the brand new Traveling Boy Joke Book. It’s pocket size and is perfect for a stocking stuffer. It’s about $10 only, unique and … ideal for your office mate or business friend.

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