My Opinion - Attitude



Grandpa sandwiched



Charles Swindoll said about attitude: "The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our Attitudes." 



Attitude is what changes the outcomes of our experiences in life whether good or bad.  If you want a positive life, then you need to have a positive point of view ... a happy attitude.  The only person we can control is ourselves, and the reactions we have toward situations or people.  Of course, we can't always be in this mindset .... sad things happen that require a melancholy attitude, but one must not forget that it needs not be a negative, rather a thoughtfulness about what has occurred.  For instance, a death of a beloved family member does not mean one has to be negative, but have loving memories of that person.

Reading/Review - The Library Cat of all Library Cats

I've just read Dewey by Vicki Myron (with Bret Witter).  I loved it.  It's so nice to read a true story of something/someone about which so many people know, but is new to me.


It's a non-fiction story about a small-town library cat who became quite famous.  It's also about the librarian's relationship with Dewey, and by extension, the town.  I definitely would recommend this to anyone who loves animals, particularly ginger cats (you know who you are).  Or, just enjoys a good real-life story.  Or, likes libraries.  Or, loves small towns, specifically, in Iowa, U.S.A.  I will be passing this book on to someone who fits into the above category. 


The author said she learned the following from Dewey:
"Find your place. Be happy with what you have. Treat everyone well. Live a good life. It isn't about material things; it's about love. And you can never anticipate love."


The epilogue was thought provoking, especially the above, and the story about what happened to Vicki when she was 3 years old.
Website:  http://www.deweyreadmorebooks.com/

News - Strike!

Our university faculty association has been on strike since March 11, 2011.  It is becoming ridiculous now.  It is pretty much the provincial government's fault, having withdrawn a lot of funding from universities province wide.  As I understand it, the administration cannot mediate with money they don't have; the association wants a clause in their contract protecting them from lay-offs (I cannot imagine anyone in this economy being protected in such a manner unless they have tenure).  There is also some issue with cutting courses from programs.  To be fair, the faculty has been working without a contract in place for some time now, and this should've been sorted out by the administration last year.

So, it seems like there is a deadlock.  We students are caught in the middle.  I just think that the faculty is playing with fire ... killing the golden goose, in a way.  Many students are thinking of withdrawing from programs to work, or just fed-up and going to other universities in other provinces.  We are not a university with many rich students.  There are loans to be paid, bursaries to be honoured, savings to be made.  We still have many trades programs from our university-college days, and these students are having a hard time.  Their instructors are not part of the faculty association, but they are barred from crossing the picket line.

The funny thing, to me, is that these are professional people who are part of an association .... not a union.  But, they act as if they're in one.  And it irritates me that they are not honouring the service they promised to provide, by taking our money.  In essence, that money is now stolen money.  The time we have had no classes is stolen time.  I mean both adminstration and faculty .... they should've come to an agreement sooner than this - four weeks and counting.

Life - Waiting for the Baby

When will the baby arrive?  All this waiting is driving me mad, and I'm just the grandma!!!  Another week to go.  My poor daughter is at the end of her tether.

Holidays - The New Year Begins

It's January 3 already!  Not two seconds ago, it seems, I was preparing snacks for a party on New Years Eve.  It was a fun party, by the way.  Eight of us just chatting, having a few drinks (champagne at midnight), snacking on snacks, and listening to music.  Then we turned the tv on for the countdown.  Yet, here I am, already thinking about my course at uni ... I have to get my laptop up to scratch because it's a third year online short story writing class.  I am doing an online course because I will be away for two months in Germany, assisting my daughter while she has her third baby.  I am so excited.  I will be doing a lot of writing, picture taking, and sketching with all the inspiration of a new environment.

Writing - Postcard Competition

Here is a postcard story I am thinking of sending in to a competition here in Canada.  The rule is for 250 words --- this has 251.  I am sure I can find a word that I can delete.   :)  

Gone!  (working title)

    Janet's love for Lewis had been haemorraging for a long time. The fact that he had made a fool of her again, in front of their friends was a moment of freedom. She looked at him, at his haughty face, thinking himself so clever, so superior. “We are talking business, Janet, because that's what puts food on our table,” he said, the sarcasm dripping from his mouth like invisible vomit.

     Janet sighed, thinking back over the last few months. She knew he was having an affair because she had hired a private detective to get proof . At last, she didn't care anymore. She would no longer be a victim of his beligerant moods; awoken late at night with lying excuses, the other womans' perfume wafting in the air of their bedroom. Lewis thought she was stupid, that she needed him, and that he could get away with anything. He didn't see her leave the party.

     Janet had prepared for this day. She had quietly sought legal counsel, and had set aside money in a separate bank account. She had already sold all her jewelry, even her engagement ring; replaced expensive paintings with cheap prints, the same with furniture; all sold for that possible future when she would get the courage to leave. The fool actually believed she was redecorating.

     She left the house defiantly littered with the photos of him and his mistress, doing what they thought was secret.  One, blown up to human size at the front door.

Movies - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

My daughter and I went to see this movie in 2D last Saturday night.  It was good, but I preferred the first Narnia movie.  I bet most people will say the same.  I do intend seeing the 3D version, and maybe that will change my opinion.  The dragon and monster scenes were exciting, and in 3D, must look even more thrilling.  I found the evil/good contrast very weak.  I liked the bratty cousin who finds his courage and new attitude.

For me, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader gets 3/5 stars.