There’s a Train Coming

WARNING: Spiritual stuff. Go to the jokes if this offends you.

It’s late Thursday night and I’m stuck staring at my monitor wondering what to share to my TGIF family. I originally planned to write about how well my mini-concert went last Sunday but I went to Facebook for the first time in years and I looked for photos of the event to share. And I couldn’t help but notice the old man wearing my clothes and playing my guitar. The stranger with the receding white hair was me.

I knew I was getting old but I didn’t think I was THAT old. I looked at pictures of friends and family and they all looked so much older. It’s true that most of us are transfixed on a picture of our 25 year-old self in our minds. Where did all the years of jumping tall buildings and running minute miles go? Are we living on borrowed time?

My college buddy, Bernie, and I grew up with folk rock, jazz singer, Kenny Rankin. We loved his voice and his guitar. We knew all his records but often we didn’t even try to understand what the lyrics meant. If I had known that Kenny was singing Christian music when I was yet an unbeliever, I would have tuned out. But as I’ve aged, I’ve learned to appreciate the hidden messages. One of Kenny’s Gospel songs is called “People Get Ready” and when I thought of getting old, this song played in my head. The lyrics are by the legendary Kurtis Mayfield.

PEOPLE GET READY
People get ready, there’s a train a-comin’
You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin’
Don’t need no ticket, you just thank the Lord

So, people get ready for the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board ’em
There’s hope for all among those loved the most

There ain’t no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own, believe me now
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there’s no hiding place against the kingdom’s throne

Kenny Rankin boarded his train in 2009. Bernie called me all the way from Virginia that day to tell me Kenny was no more. There would be no new records from him. It was a sad day. It was an ordinary sunny day but it was also a sad day. Or was it?

Kenny inspired a lot of musicians like Bernie and I. He never made it to number one but what he did, he did oh so well. The rest of us ordinary folk fall several notches lower than Kenny. And that’s okay. The wealth and the prestige that we collect in our life’s journey are just baggage that we will leave behind when we board our train. Like the song says: FAITH is the key to open the train doors. It isn’t about living long and achieving more. It’s who we trust and who will allow us to board the train.

But this is just me. TGIF people!

Raoul

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
— 1 Thesolonians 4:13-14

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA

Video of the week

FUNNY: Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena. This flight attendant’s face says it all.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Efren of Caloocan City, Philippines

The post She Stared at My Lips appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Lawrence Brooks, the Oldest US Veteran of World War II, has died at 112

Born in 1909, Lawrence Brooks’ death was announced by the National WWII Museum, which often hosted an annual birthday party for him. He celebrated his 112th birthday in September with a pandemic safe drive-by party at his home. Brooks served in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines, and was once quoted as saying he was treated better in Australia than by his own people.

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The Naughtiest Airline Passengers of 2021

The past year saw air travel return to pre-pandemic levels but with it, there was an alarming rise in disruptive and sometimes violent behavior that diverted flights and kept the No Fly List growing in some cases. Here’s a look back at some of the most despicable airline passenger behavior of 2021.

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Times of India: Safest-Destinations-to-Travel-in-2022.

Founded in 1838, The Times of India (TOI) is the world’s largest selling English-language newspaper,

Just as some of the premier tourist destinations across the world started to reopen for tourism after a long gap due to the COVID pandemic, things again turned bleak after the emergence of Omicron, the new COVID variant. Its emergence in late November led to tightened entry requirements and heightened travel advisories. The current situation leaves us thinking if in 2022, travellers will be able to venture out without any second thoughts.If safety is your priority, along with travel, you can check out these places, based on the latest US State Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance as well as data from the 2021 Global Peace Index (GPI), which ranked more than 160 countries across the world on many categories.

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Best Time to Visit Greece for Good Weather, Fewer Crowds, and Affordable Prices

Courtesy Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure

Santorini rests in the most southern part of Aegean Sea. Photograph by Deb Roskamp.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday authorized Pfizer’s COVID-19 booster for people aged 12 to 15, as well as a third shot for 5- to 11-year-old who are immunocompromised. The FDA also shortened the time between the second dose of Pfizer and its booster shot from six months to five months

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Beavers Head North to the Arctic as Tundra Continues to Heat Up

Courtesy of Oliver Milman/New York Times

Dammed rivers could accelerate climate crisis as the American beaver moves into previously inhospitable areas up north. The transformation of a rapidly warming Arctic is being accelerated by a wave of thousands of newcomers that are making their way up north

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The US military is polluting Hawaii’s water supply – and denying it

Courtesy Wayne Tanaka, The Guardian

The Hawaiian governor issued an emergency order to de-fuel the Red Hill Facility. The US Navy has enlisted top lawyers to make sure its 600m liters of petroleum stay perched above our water supply

“This [fuel facility] is not the eighth wonder of the world. It is Frankenstein’s monster. And we have to kill it before it kills us.” This is the plea from Marti Townsend, one of more than 1,000 Hawaii residents urging the Honolulu City Council to take action to protect our island’s most important resource: fresh, clean water.

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250 Cruise Ships Will Sail in January, as Covid Omicron Cases Rise, Story courtesy of Brittany Chang of Business Insider

Almost 250 cruise ships will sail in January despite rising COVID-19 cases and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advising travelers against cruising.

In the first month of 2022, 242 cruise ships across 68 brands will operate around the world, the highest number of ships to sail since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data compiled by Cruise Industry News. Royal Caribbean will send off 20 vessels, the most of any brand, while Carnival and MSC Cruises will operate 17 and 13 ships, respectively, this month.

This update comes less than a week after the CDC raised its cruise travel warning to the highest level as COVID-19 cases continue to spike on cruise ships amid the spread of the Omicron variant. The agency is now investigating over 90 ships amid this outbreak, including vessels operated by Disney, MSC Cruises, Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean.

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Motivational Words For 2022

Courtesy Ashley Austrew, DICTIONARY.COM

As we step into 2022, many people make resolutions for all the things they’d like to accomplish in the 365 days ahead. Unfortunately, that may not be the best approach. About 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail, according to U.S. News & World Report, and that’s likely because the “new year, new me” philosophy is really difficult to master.

1. determined
Determined means “to give direction or tendency to; impel.” As a theme for the year, it can indicate your intention to approach everything you do with excitement, drive, and a sense of purpose.

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2. focus
“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus,” as is commonly attributed to Bruce Lee. Maybe you aren’t heading into battle in the new year, but the point is that anyone can accomplish great things if they set the intention of maintaining focus on what’s important to them.

3. clarity
Maybe you aren’t sure about what you want out of the new year yet. That’s okay! This could be a year dedicated to seeking clarity about what you value, what you need, and what steps you want to take next.

4. presence
We live in a world full of distractions, and that can make it difficult to feel fully present. Presence is a great theme for the year because it sets the intention of showing up for yourself and for others in all the big and small moments of your life.

5. accomplish
Is this the year you put in the work learning that new hobby or throw your name in the hat for the big promotion? If so, accomplish may be the word for you. Remember: accomplish doesn’t mean coming out on top everytime. It means “to bring to its goal or conclusion; carry out; perform; finish.”

6. balance
If your life was a pie, how big are the pieces devoted to work, family, friends, and self-care? If one piece of the pie is taking too much of your energy away from the others, this may be the perfect year to seek balance.

7. courage
Making courage a theme for the year doesn’t mean diving in with no fear. As author Mark Twain once wrote, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear-not absence of fear.” Committing to courage is about committing to taking steps forward, even when it’s new and uncomfortable.

8. belief

Belief means “confidence; faith; trust.” Making 2022 a year focused on belief could include expanding your ability to believe in yourself, exploring and challenging your own long held beliefs, or inspiring others to believe in a movement or cause.

9. gratitude

It’s easy to take opportunities, comforts, and even people we care about for granted. Practicing gratitude throughout the year is an effort to combat that. Showing gratitude may take the form of offering more words of affirmation, journaling, meditating, or even literally saying “thank you” more often.

10. joy

If joy is your intention, then you may find yourself naturally looking for more opportunities to laugh, play, be happy, and love others. Spreading joy by being more giving, open, honest, and vulnerable may also be a goal.

5 Best Countries for Americans Who Want to Live Abroad

Courtesy of LILLY GRAVES, Travel + Leisure

Canada: As President Biden recently put it to Prime Minister Trudeau, there is no closer friend to the United States than Canada. Regardless of who is – or isn’t – in office, Canada remains a top contender for American expats for a number of reasons that may include affordable education, cultural diversity, stability, and countless adventures in the unspoiled natural wilderness. If seeking a job, consider the largest city of Toronto, often compared to the Big Apple, where the majority of Canada’s work opportunities are located. There are plenty of other livable cities to choose from like Vancouver, surrounded by sea and mountains, which may include weekend trips to Tofino, a year-round surf town on the edge of the continent.

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Or Calgary, which is experiencing a renaissance with cool eateries, hip neighborhoods, and proximity to the best trails in the Canadian Rockies (Banff National Park is an hour away). Then there are the French-infused cities of Montreal and Quebec City in the east for those who want a slice of European living without the long flights. Depending on your circumstances, you can take your pick between several different ways to make the move; start by checking for eligibility if one of your parents or grandparents was born there.

Portugal: The fashionable country due west of Spain is attracting young expats in recent years, particularly entrepreneurs, given its incredible value and welcoming business incentives that help stretch your hard-earned dollars. Take the second city of Porto, buzzing with modern and creative energy as a manufacturing and textile hub, with a slew of new designers who have made the city their home. Following decades of decline in the late 20th century, Porto’s cobbled streets today are filled with cool cafes, restaurants, and boutiques selling goods from local weavers and ceramists. On a day off, take advantage of the city’s art district, historic churches, and palaces, as well as the Douro River that leads to the oldest wine region in Europe (Alto Douro). Less than an hour from Porto is Portugal’s third city, called Braga, which, for its part, offers a reduced tax rate for start-ups. Nicknamed the “Rome of Portugal” thanks to its Baroque architecture, Braga also offers attractive green spaces, international schools, and high-tech companies for qualified candidates. Further south is the Algarve coast with more than 300 sunny days per year for digital nomads, families, and retirees who enjoy life at the beach. You can also check out the nine islands in the Azores – some offer incentives to attract businesses and start-ups. No matter where you choose, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a kinder nation to call home.

Costa Rica: Relocating to well-trodden Costa Rica isn’t a novel idea for anyone who has ever visited the country (and likely met a few friendly expats along the way), but there’s a reason for its persisting popularity. Situated between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, this utopic Central American nation wins people over with volcanoes, cloud forests, and exotic wildlife in the form of sloths, capuchin monkeys, and toucans. More than that, it’s the Pura Vida (“Pure Life”) philosophy for good living, which sums up this peaceful Spanish-speaking gem. Sweetening the deal, the country offers expats a straightforward residence program, affordable dental and healthcare, a stable democracy, and easy flights to the U.S. from two international airports. While the capital of San Jose has a notable food and arts scene, expats can head for either coast for long stretches of undeveloped beaches, seaside villages, surfing and yoga classes, neighborly expat communities, and business ventures often tied to eco-tourism. If you prioritize a healthy, laid-back lifestyle surrounded by natural beauty with an evergreen cool factor that is hard to imitate anywhere else, then this might be the place for you.

South Korea: The country that invented K-Pop, K-barbeque, K-beauty, and 24-hour jjimjilbangs (Korean bathhouses), draws expats wanting to be a part of this living and breathing epicenter for popular culture. The sleek city of Seoul, Asia’s third-largest economy, will surround you with killer restaurants, shopping, entertainment, night markets, and a high-tech scene with international workers who partake in the work-hard, play-hard mentality. Professionals based here will find tight-knit social groups and regular networking events for those looking to hob-nob over soju cocktails. But don’t overlook Busan, South Korea’s edgy second city with beaches, fresh fish, and an international film festival. (Fun fact: You can take a ferry to Japan from here.) No matter where you decide to live on the peninsula, enjoy access to rugged mountains and thousands of islands offering plenty of outdoor adventures like winter skiing and treks to 7th-century temples. South Korea is a safe place to live despite its close proximity to North Korea, but stay cognizant of the situation.

Austria: This Central European country can have you hiking in the Alps in the morning and enjoying a performance in a famous opera house later that evening. Austria’s capital, Vienna, has been recognized in Europe for its high quality of life and low crime rates, as well as an exciting food and wine scene, focused on organic, local ingredients. It’s also a good choice for those looking for affordability, healthcare, and international schools. Further south is the youthful city of Graz, which offers its own version of Renaissance and Baroque architecture as well abundant parks and upbeat nightlife. Beyond all of the aforementioned pleasures of living in Austria, if the idea of being surrounded by Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia gets your heart pumping, then you may have found your place.

Doctors develop new COVID-19 test that checks antibodies’ ability to fight Omicron variant

A new rapid test can identify antibody effectiveness against COVID-19 variants, including Omicron, in just 15 minutes.
Scientists say the quick and simple test could measure patient immunity against multiple COVID-19. variants – such as Omicron and Delta at once – and also indicate which treatments to use.

Biomedical engineers at Duke University devised the test to quickly and easily assess how well a person’s neutralizing antibodies fight infection from multiple variants of COVID-19.

They say the test could potentially tell doctors how protected a patient is from new variants and those currently circulating in a community or, conversely, which antibodies to treat a COVID-19. patient.

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The post Motivational Words, Rages in Planes, World Relocation appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Words are everywhere. The floor you walk upon reveals the development of language from cave dwellings to hieroglyphics to alphabets from around the world. Elevators resemble libraries. No admonishments to use your inside voices here; but definitely use your words. The museum is divided into the foundations of language; all the cool things you can do with words, and ultimately why words matter.

So first, you see how babies acquire language skills. We initially babble a lot of sounds, but only retain those that find a home in our native tongue. A massive word wall houses over 1000 words that visitors call out to see how they were developed, relate to each other or integrate with other languages. The explanations of the visuals are enchanting. Everything is interactive; everything is entertaining; everything is fun.

The many side experiences in every gallery are fascinating in themselves but so easy to overlook. You might miss the signs above the entrance to the Joking Around Room: “Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” Bada boom.

At the Visual Puns exhibit, check out the large picture, among many, of two suitcases, one laughing and one crying. The tag line? Emotional Baggage. Move on to a table with two computers where you and a friend get to read jokes to each other and try to make each other laugh – or not. Yes, they’re corny but you’ll laugh out loud anyway. What’s the difference between a hippo and a Zippo? One’s heavy and the other is a little lighter….  See? Very hard to keep a straight face.

The Word World offers word paintings using adjectives. Pick up the Hibernal brush and snow appears over the nature scene on the wall; the Nocturnal brush brings darkness, Tempestuous, rain and wind. Ah, but the Magical brush elicits great whimsy. Paint the deer on the wall and it becomes a unicorn; splash it across the airplane and it turns into a magic carpet. Are you smiling yet?

In the Magical Library, people appear to walk on the ceiling. Read a descriptive plaque to a wall mirror and a 3-D diorama pops up before you – open the drawer below to find the book from which the scene is taken. I shook my head in further disbelief when I opened a random book to a designated page and the book lit up as a narrator read the story and relevant images kept re-appearing next to the book. Who thinks of these things????  It all feels very surreal.  Always a good word….

Feeling a little overwhelmed? Find the secret room – no help from me here – that takes you to the poetry nook – a quiet space in a very sensory-overload environment in which you get to sit back, relax, breathe out and let a sonorous voice reciting poetry re-vitalize you.

Want some tips on public speaking? Head to the Lend Me Your Ears Auditory Gallery. Learn when to effectively pause in your remarks. When repetition reinforces your message. Or how the use of metaphor may better convey your meaning. Then you can go into a private recording booth and deliver your own speech. Fortunately, I presume, without any hecklers in the audience.

Beware of the I’m Sold Gallery where you may have to come to terms with how susceptible you are to advertising. Here you’ll encounter how words are used to persuade and change people’s minds through ads, videos and social media. Subtle but very effective to the easily gullible. That would probably be all of us. With, of course, deference paid to those slogans that have become part of the English lexicon: Where’s the Beef? What’s in your Wallet? Melts in your Mouth…

And think about this. What do you say when you drink something refreshing? Ahhh, yes?  So it’s no accident that three major bottled water companies are named Evian, Aquafina and Dasani. All have the Ahhh sound. Coincidence?

The final gallery is devoted to How Words matter. People, known and unknown, talk about how words have changed their lives, how the power of certain words, expressions, stories significantly impacted them.

Well, maybe not the final gallery should you choose to go to the bathroom before you leave. Not surprisingly, more relevant words that’s not your usual bathroom graffiti…   Heed the call of nature. See a man about a horse. Take a whiz. Tinkle. Gives whole new meaning to potty humor.

I left the museum with a smile on my face, thinking to myself: What a wonderful place! Four little words. One declarative sentence. And yet it says so much. Words are funny that way…

The museum is free though donations are encouraged. For more information, visit Planet Word Museum.

The post Planet Word: Where the World of Words Rule the Universe appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Fake Schools

You probably know by now that I am a man with many hats. One of my “wardrobe” is a Property Management business. This week, one of our properties sprung a water leak and I had to coordinate the repairs. Do you know how much plumbers charge? $160 an hour! They make more money than many college graduates. And they are very busy. Plus they aren’t burdened with student loans. Surprised? I even know of one who worked as a handyman during High School. He was already earning money while his batch mates struggled in college. Four years later he had enough money to go to Law School and Dental School. Now, bored with just 2 professions, he ran for office and is now also serving as a school superintendent. He drives a Porsche and owns 2 homes. Many of his batch mates are underpaid and heavily in debt.

One may look down at  garbage collectors, truck drivers, construction workers … those blue collar workers … but they earn more than most college grads and, again without the student loans. You’ve heard of mischievous Fake News that have a biased agenda? Well, we have what I cal Fake Schools!

Is a college degree worth the status symbol? I’ve long been an antagonist to the current education system. I believe higher institutions protect the teachers and professors and their industry more than concern for their students. They advertise how wonderful it would be to fulfill one’s dreams of a white collar job but they do not divulge the reality of the over-production of many professions. To be fair, not all vocational schools are good either. I mean, really … how many more beauticians do we need?

See the news anchors on TV? To begin with, there are not a lot of positions in that arena and we’ve watched the wrinkles develop (over 20 years) on some of them and they still aren’t stepping down to give the younger ones a break at the spotlight. Yet schools churn up a lot of these wanna-be MasCom grads. Notice the many British and Australian actors pretending to be Americans in TV and movie shows? Why is that? Notice that the same extras always appear in different shows? It’s like a very small circuit of privileged actors always getting the jobs.

Whoever said “follow your passion” did not consider the practical realities because there are a lot of waiters and Fast Food graduates who followed their dreams. Did Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg finish college? If you really want to go to college choose a career that is practical rather than comfortable.

‘Tis the season of graduation and moving to higher learning. Do you know someone who’s haggling for a student loan? Please help them be discerning. Tell them to do the research. Is there a demand for their skill? Will their salary pay off their student loans and lifestyle? If their annual tuition is more than their potential annual salary, it doesn’t make sense. Will the career they choose still be relevant in a few years? Unless you’re a surgeon, regular doctors don’t earn as much as they used to. A.I. (like IBM’s Watson) is diagnosing more accurately than a collection of doctors. For the architects, sound technicians, printers, photographers, musicians, etc. — technology has revolutionized their trade. Sadly, some teachers only know the old trade. What can you expect them to teach? Many say colleges are brainwashing camps where students learn to parrot rather than think. Is that true?

I apologize if I sound so negative. But I am negative only to those who are blind to reality. There is so much hope for those who “see.”

But this is just me. Interested to know your thoughts on this matter. TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

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

Video of the Week

Smooth, Funny, Amazing: Mac King’s Rope Trick
Sent by Mike of New York

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Something to Think About

Sent by Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Parting Shot

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who shared this.

The post Made Up Words appeared first on Traveling Archive.