Never Too Late

This email is late. I thought I had set it to go out at midnight PST but in my weariness, I forgot to schedule it properly. Sorry about that. Especially to you subscribers who live in the other side of the world. So here’s me doing catch up.

Someone recently asked me if I needed a ghost writer for this email blast. She didn’t know I do everything. I do the collecting, the writing, the illustration — everything … and every Friday. I’ve been doing this for almost 20 years now … 17 years!!! It started with a group of former office mates from my old job (after I was laid off due to the recession). Someone sent me a joke and I enhanced it with my illustration. Then they said I should share it to more and then it just grew. At first it was purely jokes. Then, when Youtube came around, I added funny videos. Then I did a little commentary (like this one). Now this email goes around the world in every continent (except Antarctica … at least to my knowledge) and to many religions and other belief systems. I know I share a lot about my faith and I hope people understand that this is just my perspective. I do not claim to know more or be better than anyone. I do invite other perspectives and you may read some when this email is eventually posted in Traveling Boy (which, I believe, is one of the best online Travel blogs run by my dear creative friend Ed Boitano).  Sometimes I do get into more in-depth conversations but, mostly, I do it on the side.

Why do I do it? Because I can. I dunno. Sometimes I ask myself that question too. This is an ongoing experiment which should have stopped years ago. I do spend considerable time to prepare each week. It sounds like a job but it isn’t. I don’t get paid for this. Sometimes I do get job leads but this isn’t the purpose. I do get pleasure knowing that I’ve touched someone who needed to laugh or who was wrestling with some issues. One big reason is because I pray for you guys. I really do. I pray that whoever reads this will be blessed in some way. When people ask for prayers, I really do spend time asking for heavenly intercession. I’ve prayed with a British nurse who was searching for guidance, a soldier in the middle east who missed his family, several who have lost their jobs or were in the middle of a divorce, lots of people in mourning, lots of intellectuals, lots of spiritual leaders but mostly just regular folk.  It’s like touching people’s souls. Most of you I will probably never see in person. Maybe when we all get to heaven, we will come to a TGIF party and share this Friday experience.

This wasn’t my topic last night. I only share this since I have this opportunity. I share this because I want you to do something more with your time during this lockdown. Instead of binge watching and adding the pounds, why not start something you enjoy? Something you’ve always wanted to do but always had work getting in the way. We’ve already seen those creative videos (more below). Start your own experiment. It might grow into something beyond your wildest imagination. Don’t call it a dream … call it a plan.

Let’s keep our distance and keep our sanity and hold on to our faith. TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. for sharing this joke.

Video: Covid-19

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

Video: Toilet Paper Domino

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. for sharing this video. When you’re stuck at home, your creativity goes up a notch.

Video: When the Rolls Are Back in Walmart

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. for this performance of an old hymn.

Video: Chinese Actor Donates Fortune to Charity

Thanks to JJ of the Philippines for sharing this quick documentary of a famous actor born in poverty and never got accustomed to his riches. Bless his generous spirit.

Parting Shots

Thanks to JJ of the Philippines who sent this puzzle. I know of a kid who solved it in 10 minutes.

Thanks to Mike of New York who shared this picture:

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. for this face:

The post Murder at COSTCO appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Rumors

Depending on who you talk to, you will be getting different perspectives about COVID 19 (ie. a strain of the Corona Virus [named after the pointed crown shapes of this particular virus seen under a microscope] CO for Corona, VI for Virus and D for disease … I like to think of it as the Virus ID number 19). News junkies seem to be more worried than the regular folk.

Last year, May 1, started a new era in Japan called Reiwa when Emperor Akihito abdicated his crown for his son. Reiwa means “auspicious, peace, harmony and fortunate.” The Japanese can call it anything they want but so far this 1st year of Reiwa is hardly fortunate because with the Corona virus, years of expensive preparation for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo may be all for nothing. Reiwa is no match for the Chinese zodiac.

Did you know that 2020 is the year of the RAT — the creature blamed for the Bubonic Plague which started in 1345 (also the year of the rat) and spread the next year to Europe?

Did you know that the first victim of the virus here in the US, an unidentified 30 year old, who had just visited Wuhan, China, comes from Snohomish County, Washington which is about an hour away from Redmond, WA and that he worked for Microsoft? That’s why they do not want to reveal his identity — Microsoft is afraid of legal liabilities.

Lastly, did you know that I just made up everything above?

Rumor mongering. Sprinkle a little fact and embellish them with a juicy narrative and boom! You’ve got a fresh rumor! It’s so easy to make one up … especially in this day and age of the internet and the world of fake news.

No wonder people are panicking. They believe everything they hear. The US has enough food (and toilet paper) to take care of everyone and yet the grocery shelves were empty when I went to buy bananas 3 days ago. (At least I was able to buy the most important thing — ice cream!)

Some 2 thousand years ago, Jesus had been performing miracles and been giving amazing teachings. Rumors started to spread. People made a lot of assumptions and they spread their rumors about him. At one point Jesus asked Peter who the people said he was. Peter answered: “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets” [Matthew 16:30]. In other words, people were saying Jesus was the reincarnation of their dead heroes.

Jesus then asked Peter a more direct question: “Who do you say that I am?” If you know the answer to that question, you’ll know that Peter gave the right answer. It wasn’t something he logically concluded but it was a profound answer from God above. Some questions (like who is God) can never be answered from human logic but from divine intervention.

I’m not worried. I keep away from crowds and wash my hands but I’m not worried. I may not have all the answers but I trust in a loving God who knows exactly what He is doing.

Jesus denounced the cities where most of his work had been done because the people did not repent of their sins. It was business as usual. But Jesus, still with outstretched hands, offered his peace — “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30

Is it business as usual for you? Or are you pondering your mortality? Who do you say Jesus is? Have you found rest?

But this is just me.

Help those who are in trouble but keep safe. TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

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

Video: Cheers Virus Episode

Warning: this may seem insensitive to some.

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. for sharing this video taken from the long-running TV sitcom Cheers.

Video: History of Toilet Paper

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA. for sharing this video about the odd history of the humble toilet paper. Isn’t rather odd that this is the one product that Americans are scrambling for during this pandemic? As some wise man said: “This confirms that there are more A*** than we thought we did.”

Did you know that the Romans shared a sponge at the end of stick for doing their business?

Of course in Asia, they don’t have this shortage because most of them wash instead of wipe. It’s actually more hygienic.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Naomi of N Hollywood, CA who sent this joke.

Thanks to Chuck of Whittier, CA who sent this joke.

Thanks to Mike of New York who sent this joke.

The post You’re Just Fine appeared first on Traveling Archive.