Random thoughts #23

Years ago, I had a T-shirt which, in big bold letters, stated “Have A Day” and included a neutral smiley face. I found it curious and funny how many people read “nice” into the words. Pattern recognition and pre-judging based on past experiences. But I loved it when I’d pass the random person on the street and they’d quietly giggle at my shirt. It’s the small things sometimes – noticing both sides of the reaction, and taking joy or amusement in it. But I’m also older and (hopefully) wiser to realize people sometimes are on auto-pilot due to things in their life, and what they’re doing at the moment. I’ve been on the clueless side too – once realizing 5 HOURS LATER that a guy may have been making a pass at me.

So I guess I’m saying, “Have a day – with the good, and the bad, learn, grow, don’t cling to pain, don’t expect happiness, accept reality as it is, breath in, breath out, be nice to one another if you can because we’re all going to end up as piles of dust eventually, so why not strive to get those pleasant fuzzy feelings in the meantime?”

15 Minute Hate – new flash fiction

Warhol mentioned 15 minute of fame but in the flash fiction (or future speculative fiction) I’ve written, it might be more like a 15 Minute Hate. What happens when the government regulates the outrage machine on social media. Is it a better or worse world? As it is a draft, any feedback let me know on my Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages.

Cree [Nehîya] Language Learning

I’m learning Nehîya Pîkiskwewin [“Cree Talk”, pronounced nay/i/yah pee/gs/gway-wn]. This is thanks to the Calgary Public Library, the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary and teacher Ernie Poundmaker. Recently, when I was on the Facebook page “CreeSimon Says” someone asked the Cree word for “cat”. A couple replies came, but my mind was blown by them.

What I can gather so far…I *think* the traditional word is “Minōs” [pron: mi-noose]. That was cool. But my mind was blown when it was indicated the slang/modern Cree is “poosees” [yes, pronounced the same as pussywillow].

The reason? Back in the 70s, my Aunt (maternal aunt so, the word would be “nisikos” – knee-si-gos or kne-si-kos) had a house cat at her farm called “Pussy Cat”. So, given that my Mom [“nikâwîy” pron: knee-gah-wee(yuh) with the yuh almost silent] and her sister had *some* exposure to Cree in their youth, my aunt may have called the cat…uh, “Cat Cat”.

Original Flash Fiction in Pictures

Virtual Afterlife in Multimedia is an original flash fiction (in pictures) of the future. A future where Humanity has created mind uploading to a virtual afterlife. Where it can be Heaven, Hell, or something in between. A new story by Evan Kayne. Enjoy!