Bread and Circuses

Went for a lovely bike ride and long walk yesterday evening. The weather was perfect. The sun was shining and a cool breeze made the heat tolerable. The flowers were in full bloom and everything was so verdant and lush. I was thankful to live in such a beautiful city.

Then I nearly plowed into a large group of people standing around (in eerie silence) looking at their phones… on a BIKE PATH (where they could be hit any moment by an unsuspecting rider). It was like something out of a sci-fi movie. Later, we walked through Memorial Park and there was a large crowd milling around the memorial plinth. Doug and I thought perhaps it was some kind of ceremony for fallen soldiers or something, and we thought we should pay our respects. But it wasn’t. It was a game of Pokemon Go… at a war memorial.

LOOK UP! There's a real world out there!

“Bread and circuses” identifies the only remaining cares of a populace that no longer cares for its historical birthright of political involvement. Roman politicians passed laws in 140 B.C. to keep the votes of poorer citizens, by introducing a grain dole: giving out cheap food and entertainment (the games), "bread and circuses", became the most effective way to rise to power.

OH… penny drops…

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3693814/Chaos-Central-Park-gamers-leap-cars-leave-engines-running-catch-rare-POKEMON.html

Quick Tip: Items you should never microwave

The microwave: God-send to busy homemakers and office workers; if you have little time and fancy a Pot Noodle, the microwave is your best friend. But this is one friend you should take off your Christmas card list. If you are like me and regularly use your microwave to heat up your leftovers, it pays to know what can and cannot be safely cooked without radiating your brain.

Here’s some tips of things you should never microwave: 

Plastic containers

We’ve all heard that placing plastic containers in the microwave oven is a bad, bad thing, but we rebel and do it anyway! This microwave is not the boss of ME! But it turns out those pesky scientists actually know what they’re talking about – even if they still live in their Mom’s basement.  Many plastics contain estrogen-like chemicals (BPA is a well-known one) that can leach into your food when the plastic is heated. In a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, 95 per cent of 450 plastic products (such as baby bottles, zipper-top bags and containers) tested released chemicals that acted like estrogen after they were microwaved, washed in a dishwasher, or soaked in water. Even products labeled "BPA-free" released estrogen-like chemicals. So, even though it is a momentous task getting a plate out of the cupboard to warm up your food; it might be safer to do so. 

Styrofoam containers

As a type of plastic, Styrofoam can release harmful chemicals into your food when heated. Dump the leftovers onto a glass dish covered with a paper towel instead.

Travel mugs

Stainless steel mugs block the heat from warming your coffee or tea and can damage your microwave instead. If it's plastic, check the bottom of the mug to see if it's marked as microwave safe—but even if it is, you may want to reconsider.

Nothing

With no food or liquid to absorb the microwaves, the magnetron (which is what makes the microwave function) ends up absorbing the microwaves instead, which can damage your microwave and even start a fire, according to the USDA. Make sure you don't accidentally press "start" without food or drink inside.

Cups of water

When plain water is heated in a microwave in a ceramic or glass container for too long, it can prevent bubbles from forming, which usually help cool the liquid down. The water becomes superheated; when you move the cup, the heat releases violently, erupting boiling water. To avoid this scalding risk, heat water only the minimum amount of time needed or heat it for longer in small cycles.

Your old mug

Certain mugs made before the 1960s, like old versions of Fiestaware, were glazed with materials that could give off radiation and may contain lead and other harmful heavy metals, according to Smithsonian.com. So that vintage set of crockery you got cheap at the market may be best suited for decoration and not daily use.

Read more: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/things-to-never-microwave/#ixzz3ZT4Tyx00

Quick Tip: Staying Safe in the Wilderness

Camping season has finally begun, and the best way to enjoy the great outdoors is to not get eaten by bears…

Here are some important tips to help you have a healthy, uninterrupted, camping vacation:

1. When packing your cooler for the trip, ensure that raw meat is kept separate from other food and drinks to avoid contamination. To discourage the growth of harmful bacteria, open the meat cooler only when necessary. Also, throw out food that has been in the sun or a warm car for too long; preferably not in the general direction of bears.

2. Following the three Cs - Chill it. Cook it. Clean it. – will help keep food safe during camping trips. Chill perishable foods, such as meat, poultry, dairy products, eggs, and seafood.  Fill your cooler with a lot of ice or commercial freezing gel to maintain the temperature below 4°C.  Cook meats, poultry and seafood thoroughly before eating. Clean all surfaces that the food will touch, including grizzly mouths.  Also wash your hands before handling food and after handling raw meat, or irate bears.

3. Stay hydrated by drinking water regularly throughout the day. Or beer… it’s all fluid, right? Ensure the campgrounds have potable water. Potable water is fine to drink, wash with, and brush your teeth with (Remember to brush your teeth as you would at home, and say your prayers… bears are religious).

4. Don't forget to pack soap along with the rest of your camping gear. Remind your kids to wash their hands with soap and water. Bears don’t like the taste of soap.

5. Make sure you and the children wear sunscreen, and re-apply after being in the water. Bears cannot see you when you are covered in sunscreen. 

6. Another essential piece of camping gear is the first aid kit. Keep one in your car, and bring one with you for hiking, boating, or going to the beach. The kit will help you deal with minor injuries, but sadly not bear bites; for that you need to call on your friendly neighbourhood EMS team.

Happy Camping! 

A Word to the Wise… Lessons for Living in Bliss during Retirement

The art of retiring well is a tricky one, on the one hand, you have admitted to the world that you are old and decrepit and not long for the pearly gates… on the other hand, you can sleep in, watch as much ‘Rockford Files’ as you can stomach, and hang out at Tim Hortons with your friends discussing the shocking state of youth today, not to mention  spending quality time with your grandchildren teaching them to be the type of ungrateful spoiled hellions you and your friends complain about at Tim Hortons.

Here are some tips to ensure you don’t waste what’s left of your golden years…

1.    Actually these are not your golden years… this is a lie perpetrated by insurance companies and Hallmark to sell a cruel dream and make money. You are not golden but grey. These are your ‘grey’ years. By embracing this truth you will be saving yourself from disappointment. I know the Manulife ad made it look like you could skydive, roller skate and limbo when you retire, but it is an ugly lie. Stay away from the leisure suits and Rhumba sleeves, you are not Liberace.

2.    For men: Your wife is right… always and forever… now is the time to perfect the ‘Yes, Dear’. Your retirement will go smoothly if you accept the fact that she is your better. Don’t argue.

3.    You behaved yourself in your youth and said ‘NO’ to drugs… now you can say a resounding ‘YES’! Only the drugs will be Ibuprofen, Metamucil and Preparation H.

4.    SPEND! SPEND! SPEND! Don’t save anything for the kids… seriously, what have they done for you lately? They can fend for themselves, they wear big pants now.   Be sure to buy completely impractical items like lawn flamingos and matching Hawaiian shirts… those old folks you see lawn bowling, they don’t actually enjoy the sport, they just want to p*ss off their kids.

5.    Not everyone is Rockefeller; being financially solvent upon retirement is not always possible. This is where having children helps - you can freeload off them. Alternatively, there’s a high street value on some of your medications – your friendly neighbourhood drug dealer would be happy to give you a fair price for your OxyContin. 

6.    Try to live to 100 then you’ll get your picture in the paper!  Also – see option 5 as another way to get your picture in the paper.

That’s about it. Welcome to your golden grey years! 

The Curtain Twitcher

I don't have anything of great import to say, I am just a nosey person who wants to see what YOU wrote!