Win Win Situation

Warning: Serious topic. Move on to the jokes if you’re not into this.

This morning, in my sleepy state of mind, I clumsily let my external hard drive drop to the floor. Stupid me. I never gave that little gadget any respect. I tossed that baby around like a leather wallet. I trusted that technology had advanced so much that hard drives were solid state (ie. no breakable moving parts) and would last longer than the Battery Bunny. Big mistake! When I plugged it into my computer, there was no sign of life. I needed to fix it.

I researched and repair prices ranged from $70 to $2k. What a shocker! Thoughts raced through my mind: Do I really need this data? How much is this worth for me to fix? In case you didn’t know, I’m a techie. So I’m going to fix it myself. And even if I fail, I can reconstruct what was there.

Life Lesson
How often do we get a chance to reconstruct our mistakes? Mistakes happen and, as you know, there are big mistakes and little ones. Ones you can fix and ones that are irreversible. You know the old saying: “If at first you don’t succeed, sky diving is not for you.” I used to tell my kids (when they were young) that it was all right to make mistakes and have scars because they will heal and we can learn from them … but I warned them of permanent scars” — scars that will be impossible to change — like murder, losing an arm or a leg, having unwanted pregnancies, etc.

Life Application
In the broader arena, we have the US Presidential elections. In 6 weeks America will decide who will lead the free world. Tension’s rising because (no matter who wins) we know half of the country will think we would have made a mistake. Will we have a chance to reconstruct? Many don’t think so. But, believe it or not, I can accept whatever happens. This is gonna sound weird. Bear with me.

Scenario 1: The next President RECONSTRUCTS and builds — then we have nothing to fear. All will be fine and dandy. That’s good!

Scenario 2: The next President DESTROYS — then more people will suffer BUT when more people suffer, more people turn to God and more people will believe and go to heaven — that’s even better!

So you see either scenario wins. But this is just me. TGIF people!

p.s. I’m asking a BIG favor.
My little granddaughter, Caela, is a candidate for Baby of the Year and (if you have a Facebook account) she needs your vote. Log into Facebook first then you can vote once a day so please vote until this coming Monday. As of this writing she is Number 1 in her category. Thank you for your support.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE and see my grand kid.

“If you believe it will work out, you’ll see opportunities. If you believe it won’t you will see obstacles.” — Wayne Dyer

“Things will work out – maybe just not the way you plan “ — Rick Riordan

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Norm of Encino, CA

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Brian of Philadelphia

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Drew of Anaheim, CA

Thanks to Benny of Detroit

I found these:

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with this.

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The post Breakfast Routine appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Do You Believe in Ghosts?

WARNING: Move to the jokes if sensitive about spiritual ideas.

“Your room is haunted,” declared Tata.

Tata is my Dad’s caregiver in our ancestral home in Dalipuga, Philippines. She, like many locals in the area, believes in multo (ghosts), dwende (elves), mangkukulam (witches), kapre (dark, hairy tree giants), and a host of other feared denizens of the night.

We were having dinner and I asked her if she heard the shrill of the neighborhood dog around 2am. It was as if it was being bludgeoned to death. To my surprise, Tata said that howling happens often. According to Tata, the dog is seeing a ghost of a young girl who was murdered years ago. The girl keeps going back to the scene of the crime. That’s when Tata opened up about the spirits around us.

She pointed at the far side of the garden and she said that’s one of the ghost’s favorite haunting spots. She said the upstairs guest room (where I stayed) was haunted. She often hears strange sounds coming from there even when no one was inside the room. She pointed at the rocking chair outside the guest room. “One time,” she said, “the rocking chair was rocking like someone was on it.” That’s why she doesn’t like to go upstairs. “Really?!?” I said with delight — “I’d love to meet that ghost.” You should have seen Tata’s bewildered expression. She didn’t think it was funny.

(Do you believe in ghosts? I don’t. I believe there are supernatural beings but not ghosts. I believe there are demons who pretend to be ghosts. Am I afraid? Nope. In fact, I don’t get scared watching any horror movie. They’re all Hollywood silliness to me. My God is greater than any of that.)

The next day, monsoon rain was coming and the wind started to shake the plants and trees. At the shaded area in the far side of the garden I imagined the “ghosts” were having a little party. That’s when a practical joke formed in my head. I took a picture and doctored it up a bit. And showed the picture to Tata. “Here is your ghost!” I declared.

Tata stared at it. I could tell what she was thinking — “Finally! Proof!” It was interesting to see her reaction. She tried to act calm and cool about it.

Then I told her it was fake. I even showed her the real photo but it made no difference. She still believes in ghosts and all the other silly superstitions. She didn’t see how gullible she was.

It bothers me that some apparitions have turned locations into holy shrines. Why do they venerate something they do not understand? Why do they worship shapes and faces in trees or in dripping ceilings. Please forgive me for what I am about to say. I do not mean to be insulting but this is a genuine question: Isn’t it possible they may be praying to demons? Shocking, huh? And don’t take comfort in numbers. A lot of people can be wrong. I realize some of you may be into these kinds of practices (so no disrespect) — I’m just hoping you’d consider a perspective few talk about.

How do you differentiate demonic from angelic activity? Take a hint from scripture. Every time miracles (good things) or apparitions occur, the angels and holy men refuse to be worshiped by man. Instead they all point to God, the true source of power. Only the one true God is to be worshiped (the very first commandment). It’s an insult to give reverence to anyone else. Let that sink in.

“Most people don’t really want the truth. They just want the constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.” — Anonymous

“The reason you don’t know you’ve been lied to, conditioned and brainwashed is because you’ve been lied to, conditioned and brainwashed.” — Anonymous

Next time you see a man’s face in your toasted bread … just eat it.

But this is just me. TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Garie of Paranaque, Philippines

Video of the Week

Thanks to Wyne of Mandaluyong for this outstandingly funny and clever video.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Outstanding Halloween Costumes

I love Rodney’s sense of humor

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

The post Tickets to NASCAR appeared first on Traveling Archive.

WARNING: Spiritual stuff

Whoever said “sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me” was lying. Words do matter. And they can hurt deep. Often, the bruises last longer than any physical wound.

Some young kid called me a dumb*** for doing something he would never do. I was shocked at air of superiority and his disrespect for someone his senior. There’s a lack of self-control and an abundance of deep seated percolating anger. I didn’t retaliate. I bit my tongue. Is that a cop out?

In Luke 6:27, Jesus commands us to “love our enemies and do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you and spitefully use you.”

My wife and I had a chat with an Uber driver who was from Egypt. Quite an opinionated fellow he was. He laughed at dumb America and our moronic leaders — the things they say … the things they do. He claims that he was a Christian but now he’s turned Muslim. Every time he sees the crucifix (the picture of Jesus hanging on the cross), he is reminded of how weak Jesus was. He laughed at the ridiculousness of Christianity. He could only see the arrogant Roman soldiers and not appreciate the depth of Christ’s love to allow the blows on his face, the thorns on his head and the nails on the cross. Is that weakness?

“Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?” — Matthew 26:53

Even though Jesus was bound and bludgeoned, He was still in control of the situation. When Herod threw a tantrum demanding answers, who was in control? When Pilate bent over backwards for Jesus to save himself, who was in control?

What do you do when someone insults you? How do you deal with a bully? What do you do when your Uber driver is a terrorist? You “turn the other cheek.” — Luke 6:29

Yup! We are commanded to do what is right. It’s NOT a request. Who cares if they don’t appreciate your restraint? Who cares if they think you are weak? Who cares if they never grow up? (Of course there are limitations especially when someone threatens your family with a gun but giving up your rights and offering grace is the general principle). You love them because when you do, it is an indication that you are true sons and daughters of God who loves even worthless old you.

When our Uber driver dropped us off at the airport, I gave him an unexpected hug — from a Christian to a Muslim. His face said it all. He didn’t know what to do with that. He must have been puzzled for weeks. He’s lucky I didn’t give him a kiss. ;-D

TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. for this joke.

Video of the Week

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. who shared this video of people having a very bad day.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA.

Thanks to Mel of Washington. DC

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA. with this insight that our pets do not use daylight saving time.

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena

The post Signs of the Times appeared first on Traveling Archive.

I am safe back home in Southern California, USA. Boy, does it feel good!

It’s almost midnight and I still need to write this article. But my mind is tired and sleepy. I just arrived home from my Thursday B.S. group. So I am struggling to gather my thoughts.

Where do I begin my story of Nigeria?

I need to sleep even for just a few minutes.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/vnVuqfXohxc?rel=0&%3Bshowinfo=0

I will write an article about this trip in www.Travelingboy.com. For now, just know that I am safe.

ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz!

Log Out

Good night! TGIF.

Why Sentence Structure and Punctuation Marks Are So Important

Contributed by Don of Kelowna, BC

TGIF Videos

Parting Shot

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who provided this photo

The post Why Sentence Structure and Punctuation Are Important appeared first on Traveling Archive.