About Dogs and Cats and their Buddies.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page. 

WRAPPER in a supermarket etcetera is in charge of wrapping items for shipment, be it food, fabric, gifts, or other types of items. RAPPER is a person who performs rap music. Yes, a person can be a Wrapper Rapper or Rapper Wrapper. 🛍🎀👨‍🎤

WHEN should you change your Facebook relationship status? Consult your partner before changing FB relationship settings. It is always a good idea to talk to your partner and ask if you should change your status to "In a Relationship" if you're dating or "Single" if you've decided to go your separate ways. Okay? That advice came from relationship experts, who are mostly cats and dogs. 👩‍🦰📱👨‍🦰

GIFT-GIVING has its roots in pagan rituals. Indigenous peoples also exchange/d gifts long before Christians met them. When Christianity adapted these rituals into Christmas, the justification was redirected to the Three Wise Dudes, who gave gifts to the infant Jesus. But if you are the kind who gets depressed with receiving gifts because it is consumerism or Christianity (though you’d love an iPhone 15 or a new car), this Christmas you will get a box of underwear from Goodwill. 🎁🎁🎁

WHY do cats knock things over? Cats are natural born hunters, and their prey instinct is a big contributor to this behavior. Let's take that paperweight sitting on your desk. If that paperweight was a mouse, your cat needs to investigate it. She needs to bat it around to test it out and make sure it's something of interest to eat. Fizz The Wiz is different though. She simply studies, investigates and ponders stuff in the house. Then she googles info and starts writing stuff. 🐈🪶🐈‍⬛

CATS are incredibly intelligent creatures with complex brains that allow them to process information quickly, remember things for short periods, recognize faces and sounds, and problem-solve when necessary. Yup! Cats. Impressive species with extraordinary intelligence. You dig? They know trigonometry, calculus, and could explain what is objectivist epistemology or catnip axiology. Fizz The Wiz can argue with anyone matters that pertain to state and government. No BS. 🐱🥸🐱

WHETHER it's Christmas, a birthday or just because, unwrapping presents is fun for dogs. The additional mental work for your pet is a good balance to the physical workout when you are romping in the park or going for a walk. Dogs are also good at “unwrapping” or unmasking people off their cover, mask or fakery.  🐕🎁🐕

A GROUP of university researchers from Cambridge and Stanford found that insights gleaned from Facebook data alone may be able to predict a person's personality and preferences better than their friends and colleagues or their partners. So in case you suspect your partner to be cheating on you, smoking in the backyard when you’re asleep, or a friend who eats lots of donuts and Doritos? Ask Facebook first before you confront and unfriend your partner. 📱💻🤪

PEOPLE decorate their houses with lights to symbolize the Christmas star that was supposed to have led the Three Wise Men to the manger where Jesus was born on Christmas Day. The outdoor displays have become a symbol of the Christmas season. My friend Jujul has stopped decorating Christmas lights. He said he ain’t a Christian no more. His wife though told me he is just lazy to untangle the lights from the attic that got knotted or stuck together. 🎅🎉🎁

ACCORDING to dog experts (who are actually cats), dogs don't view themselves as big or small, they just see themselves as dogs. Problem is, the smaller breeds are often poorly socialized. People treat them as toys like a cellphone. As Fizz tells me time and again, dogs and cats are usually misread by hoomans. Fizz The Wiz: “Hoomans always think that dogs that are small are Filipinos just like you Pasckie dude. And dogs that are big are from Texas.” Uh huh. 🐕🐩🐕‍🦺

SMART scientists (who are cats) define bird song or “tweet” as a structured, complex vocalization serving either or both of two purposes. To defend territories and to attract mates. Most bird song is by males, though females do also sing territorially or for pair bonding. When hoomans tweet, that’d be for different purposes. <>To attract more hoomans to their “territory” so there’ll be more hoomans to piss, and <>to lose a future date, lose a partner, and lose friends in general. LOL! 🐦🦜📲

Compilation of short MORNING THOUGHTS.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

Ukraine (1). Gasoline prices are up, global. People reason: “Ukraine!” That’s it. All because of Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline: (1) Ukraine’s gas lords want more transit tax since Russian gas exports pass through its territory before they reach Europe. (2) Russia wants to double its gas supply to Europe, Moscow’s top buyer. (3). U.S. gas exports are ranked only #6, worldwide. Sanction Russia, then they take over the E.U. market. Meantime, the public suffers.☮️☮️☮️

Ukraine (2). As a rationale to costly gas prices, there ought to be a war. So Kiev adheres to NATO. As the world, aching to resume economies per Covid dislocation, awaits to start buying fuel. Russia’s gas rivals in the global market bring this to political discourse, when it is all economics. Russia allegedly “weaponizes” its oil/gas. Win-win for Big Energy, as it was win-win for Big Pharma per obvious. Cost of medicines for other serious diseases spiked. Reason: Pandemic.

When we were little, nine kids and mom and dad, also said “grace after meal.” Each child said the prayer on rotation. Many nonbelievers say saying a prayer as a ritual is a form of “control.” I don’t call it that way though. If so, then daily household chores or doing school homework were “control,” too? How do we raise/guide children then? New Moralism tells us that anything in conformity with rules, ritual, or cultural truths are “control.” Makes me think, what isn’t? ☮️✝️☯️

Ukraine (1). Why would the U.S. be concerned about Ukraine but not Puerto Rico? The U.S. owned P.R. since 1899 yet Washington hasn’t really improved life on the island. Puerto Rico is poorer than Mississippi. Meanwhile, this “Russia invades Ukraine” story is a deadly showtime that only points to the “global oil/gas pricing” board. Moscow doesn’t need to “conquer” Kiev. Russia is already Ukraine’s top trading partner. They are economic co-dependents per natural gas trade. ☮️☮️☮️

Ukraine (2). 3.5 million Ukrainians work in Russia; 2.6 million live there. And 8.3 million Russians live in Ukraine. Why don’t we just leave them alone? Our newest neighbors in Candler: Ukrainian wife and Russian husband, with three little kids. Should they divorce, too? Can’t the U.S. instead fix Puerto Rico or aid countries in Africa? Why can’t we simply sell natural gas in Europe, which buys its energy supply from Russia? Ain’t that the story behind all these? ☮️☮️☮️

Many expect Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine to please the “He is evil!” tag? Like when China moves ships in/around the South China Sea, hecklers howl “Xi is a bully!” What is wrong with this fascination with doom? Mere fact that Russia hasn’t invaded Ukraine (yet), a-la U.S. of Iraq 2003, is because they are talking. Talkin’ oil/natural gas market pricing. But “war-like” engagements, with “contained” collateral damage, seem “obligatory.” So expectation is served. Weird world! ☮️⛽️☮️

Common fervor in Social Media is gloom. Negativity. Sadly. The New Cool is anti this and anti that. Nonconformity with convention, tradition, or mindset that are old-school. Awesome to be a bitch, kickass to be bad. You get 50 “likes” in 1 minute if you whine about your ex, mom, or politics that isn’t yours. Freedom of speech: Cuss and curse. Talk about joyful days, what?!? Funky drama? Keep talkin’! Sun in winter? Who cares? Tearful wine as a dark moon grieves is better. 😔😟🥳

Posting stuff on Facebook is writing per se. My ritual. Long time ago, on a typewriter, consumed and all, when an interpolator peered at a writer’s back and/or got interrupted by silliness, we got pissed. But a nice aside was cool if those add to what we were writing. New info, other insight. Pretty much like posting on FB. Comments that are grown-up, civil, and useful are most welcome. I responded politely. But smartass one-liners that only distract my writing? Ignored or out you go.✍️😾✍️

Many "over- react" to music because of politics. Music, sounds that convey beauty of form; song, words and music. Art. I am detached from the artist as an individual; I am attached to the art. If music/songs don't appeal to me it's because they don't. Art is personal appreciation; politics is collective. If the artist seeks to project political advocacy, cool! But I react to the work. Not the gesture. Art is the device; not the kneel. When they mix, we get mixed up. 🎼🦵🎼

I am a “short attention span” dude. Not good at listening to sermons, lectures, speeches. Religious, political, or a wait staff telling me the day’s best offering. I don’t dig talk shows, talk radio, talking. I get bored easily. Funny, that I worked as a speechwriter, lecturer, AM radio anchor. I always do multiple things, simultaneously. My mind is hyperactive. Mostly, I’d rather read instructions or be told one time what to do—and then leave me alone, I will accomplish all those. 🔭🧹🧺

About Dogs and Cats and their Buddies.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page. 

TRUE, iCloud makes it super easy to store photos, videos, and files without having to use storage space on your phone. Frequent question: “Why has my iCloud account stopped working?” Maybe you exceeded the iCloud storage limit. Find out how to make more space available in iCloud. Which means, you know, buy more space. Are you sure you're using the latest version of software on your device? You might wanna buy a cool version. Okay? Don’t be mad at me. I am only an A.I. 🥹🌨📲

ACCORDING to tradition, the original Saint Nicholas put gold coins in the stockings of three poor sisters. One night, the girls left their stockings drying over the fireplace. Saint Nicholas knew the family was very poor, so he threw three bags of gold coins down the chimney. The money landed in the sisters' stockings. What about the brothers? They were in another room waiting for their sisters to share some of the gold coins, I guess. In case Santa threw extra coins. 🎅🎉🎁

PLAYING fetch with balls quickly becomes a routine for dogs and they rely on it to connect and bond with you as their owner which is why they become so obsessed with their ball. Fetch is a great trust builder and way to connect with your dog, it's quality time for them where they feel like they are pleasing you. I suspect though that when it comes to Arrow, she wants me to fetch the ball instead. She throws the ball and waits for me to get it. 🐕🏐🐕

WHEN it comes to music made for humans, classical music seems to be the most favorable among cats. This is because many forms of classical music are not likely to hurt a cat's ears with a very heavy bass or wailing high pitched instruments. Trudat. Ching and Fizz sleep beside their laptops with bird and fish videos showing on YouTube. The classical music background is soothing to them. Although their all-time favorite is the Bee Gees. 🐱🎼🐱

A COMPUTER can determine your personality better than your closest friends or family by using your Facebook “likes” to judge your character, university researchers found. The study of 86,220 volunteers highlighted how artificial intelligence can use data to accurately predict a person's traits. Okay, then. You may call your computer or cellphone “Mom” and “Dad” and you may marry your laptop. (But don’t forget to sign a pre-nup.) 🥰📲💻

AIR GUITAR, used to describe the actions of someone playing an imaginary guitar. Yes, you may have to explain to your 14-year old what an “air guitar" is. In these days of VR and A.I., air guitar is plain insanity to them. Or wasn’t it already insane then? LOL! 🎸🤨🎸

CATS don't have a pack mentality. In the wild, they tend to be solitary, so they're not hard-wired to obey. Not unless you provide them with their own laptop or tablet so they can watch bird/fish videos whenever they want to. And an iPhone would also be awesome. Then they will obey you. 🐱👽🦊

DOGS who sing are just channeling their wolf ancestors. However, sometimes it can mean your dog craves attention or believes the music is too loud. So always be sure to pay attention to your dog's needs first. Did you also read what your dog texts you? Or her emails? And Facebook posts? You need to be sensitive and attentive to your dog. Or they will unfriend you. 🐕👩‍🎤🐕

BATTERY LIFE, the length of time a device can continue to work before it needs its battery to be recharged. My A.I. the clone's “battery life” is good for 15 seconds to those who are rude on Facebook. Two seconds for those imbeciles who respond with that annoying laughing emoji because they don’t have any idea what you have just posted or written. 📱📲😫

THE vibrating sensation that cats display is called purring. Scientists aren't sure whether purring is voluntary or involuntary in cats, but it usually signals that the cat is enjoying its current circumstances. Such a vibrating motion exudes electric currents that when touched by a hooman that the cat decides to control–could result in displeasing circumstances like nausea, forgetfulness, and diarrhea. Some cat vibration can also alter a personage’s most intense ideological/partisan beliefs. 🐈👋🐈‍⬛

About Dogs and Cats and their Buddies.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page. 

CATS are huge fans of the Bee Gees. In fact, some cats have YouTube hits that Fizz The Wiz showed me last night. Check the most popular, “Bohemian Catsody,” “Too Scratch Somebody,” and “Another Cat Bites The Dust.” Abbey is also a little koolcat kitty with an excellent Barry Gibb falsetto. Her “How Deep Is Your Scratch,” “Too Much Catnip,” and “Stayin’ Asleep” are pretty good. Fizz’s favorite is “How Can You Mend a Broken Paw.” 🐱🧑‍🎤🐱

CELLPHONES can spread a variety of germs quickly and easily; however, by utilizing cleaning tools and sticking to a cleaning and disinfecting schedule, people can reduce the chance for cross-contamination and slow the spread of dangerous diseases. I mean, you are the only person who uses your cellphone (duh!) always disinfecting it–so you may not infect yourself. You dig? 📱📲😤

DOGS communicate with humans and other animals through various vocalizations, body language, and behaviors. When your dog makes non-barking sounds, it's possible that they are attempting to communicate or express something to you. These sounds can convey different emotions or needs. But then not many humans get the message. So cats taught dogs how to text their hoomans. This Christmas you may want to upgrade your dog’s iPhone. Uh huh. 🐕📱📲

HEARTBROKEN dogs exhibit symptoms of depression; they may show signs like decreased appetite and water intake, loss of interest in humans and other dogs, sluggishness or laziness. Loss of a loved one, sudden change in lifestyle, or maybe their favorite football team lost? In case you’ve noticed that your PBR six-pack is missing 2 bottles and your Yellow Tail red is half-consumed, the cat must have stolen them to share a drink with her heartbroken dog buddy. 🐈🐕🍻

NOWADAYS, we have different ways on how we communicate with each other, we have cellphones, social media, chats or emails, we barely see people communicating face to face, almost everything is done thru technology. (Yes, this is an AI “talking” to you. You talkin’ to me? Like who the hell else are you talking to? Talkin’ to me?) 🗣📱📲

“DOG attacks on cats are a terrifying experience for the cat, their owner and the wider community. Such attacks often result in death and witnesses can be left with psychological trauma.” FAKE NEWS! Not true. “When vicious attacks take place in public, it deeply upsets the whole community.” ANOTHER FAKE NEWS that only justifies hooman drama upgrades. Rationale for a shrink visit and drug prescriptions. Dogs and cats are not Republicans and Democrats, nope. 🐕🤪🐈‍⬛

HIRING. Let me get serious. Police patrols in Asheville are down. Officers on bicycles are gone, the Haywood Street police substation was closed in 2020, and downtown staffing has shrunk from eight cops per shift to two. Yup, regardless of spike in crime. Cops are gone. Not because of what your “correct” friends are saying. They are gone and many are now doing Uber or DoorDash. So much so that when I got out to receive a package from an Amazon dude, he frisked me. LOL! 👮😜👮‍♀️

CATS sit on you because they seek connection and attention. Cats get on your lap because you're warm. Cats sit on you because they trust you. Now you get it? So don’t move an inch when they snuggle or cuddle up. Don’t even breathe. Okay? 🐱🥰🐱

WHETHER cats or dogs are more intelligent remains inconclusive. Though some data point to dogs displaying greater levels of social intellect, more research is required to settle the debate between cat lovers and dog lovers. (Right at this very moment, Fizz The Wiz is on my left shoulder, reading what I am typing. With that face…) 🐈🥸🐕

NETWORK downtime refers to inaccessibility to part or all of a network due to the failure of hardware, software or some combination of the two. It can involve internal failure or a connection to the external network. No wi-fi, no Facebook, no Twitter/X, no streaming TV, no cable TV. That’d be the moment when mental illness soars to unprecedented heights, in a matter of 30 minutes. 📱📲😭

Stuff and Politics. And Stuff.

Previously posted on my Facebook page. Or written years ago, unedited/not updated.

IS it just Facebook? I don't know. Are we human beings really doomed as hell? Just in case our chosen political leader didn't make it? What if Donald Trump wins? Or Hillary Clinton? Will ONE president make a country what it is? Really? People show disgust and frustration with the system--online. Why do we instead go out there and usher change right in our community?

 

       Check this out. Bell Chere is gone. Lex Av Art Fest is gone. What do we have for a community convergence? Festivals that are reeking with alcohol. Our neighbor got shot yet do we talk over dinner? No, we don't because you may serve antibiotics from an Ingles meat. And then we post, "Namaste! Let us heal!" on Facebook! Hallelujah! Post a cool blues/rock gig, 55 will like it but only 5 will show up. Post a beautiful butterfly in nirvana, get 155 likes. Post how great life is because heaven is all in our heads--and that meme of the Himalayas. You'll get 255 likes. All those 410 who "liked" you plus more will show up again in your next Facebook talking cat/holy be thy rainbow post first thing in the morning. A Universe of Likes! 

       Whoever wins as next president, life moves on as is. Cyd The Koolcat and Georgia The Babedawg don't care as long as they're fed on time. Food stamps will be given out and wheat bread will be sold regardless of whether you supported Bernie, Hillary, Trump or Eric Clapton. Why can't we simply say, "Ah!" And start brainstorming something awesome for one and all this summer? We can do that, whoever sits in power. Because it's us the people who will do it, not Bruce Springsteen The President. Politics sucks and those who glorify it? I don't know. Chill. Loosen some fibers and get naked (in the tub, I mean) and say more, "Ahhh!" Now I gotta go get Mexican lunch. Fried pescado/veracruz fish and sweet rice. 🏛🗽🏛

Compilation of short MORNING THOUGHTS.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

Academia invents words and phrases relentlessly so we’d understand life better. But these only shuddered balance, used to criticize/reject others more. Terms: Ethical concern, cultural appropriation, political correctness, critical race theory etc etcetera. When it is an instinctive feeling. Primal action/reaction. What grandma used to remind us kids: “You know what is good and what is bad, don't you? The people around will reward or punish you for whatever you do.” Common sense.✍️ ?✍️

I had to unfriend Friends because I realize I am grandpa-old now and not anymore 14. Sadly, some older people behave exactly what they don’t want their 14 year old grandkids to behave. I can’t tolerate such brat kiddo “mischief” anymore. Out there, I just ignore it. Unfortunately, I am on Facebook. I go to my Homepage and I get immature inanities, one-line smart-ass retorts. Not even funny. And since these people don’t even have dog pics to share, sorry. Out you go! LOL! 🗣👤👥

My first job/s from childhood to high school to adult age: Circulation apprentice, proofreader, English to Tagalog translator, researcher, beat reporter, desk editor, editor in chief/publisher. I kept a huge database at home. OCD with facts and data. On internet days, I still miss or misread data. Though I read a lot of erroneous, misleading, incomplete, or worse, fake data—that proliferate via memes. Don’t people double-check after they click and before they share? ?✍️📜

Passive racism. With what I previously wrote, I made a meme and attributed it to a name that sounds English. A dozen or so “liked” it. Five shared it. Normally, I don’t get quick “approval” when I write as Pasckie Pascua. Worse, I get ridiculed for whatever I wrote. I guess, my name sounds like I emanated from an island so far away where peeps are all dumb. But nope! I am not changing my Russian or French-sounding name to a more “race-accessible” alias. 

       Historically though, many Filipino(a)s changed their name to English when they landed in America to gain easier “acceptance” or assimilation many years ago. Examples: Evans from Evangelista; Grace from Gracia; Cruise from Cruz. Same with the Chinese when they moved and started business in the Philippines. They are Chinese but they assumed last names like Monteverde, Santos, or De la Merced. But then those were the 16th century. 👀😏😂

For some morbid reason, I regularly read the Obituary in newspapers. Curious about the life of those who passed away. These days, I read the New York Times’ obit. Since Covid-19 hit us, most reasons for death read “…complications from Covid-19.” I noticed though in the past month, NY Times doesn’t put “…complications from Covid-19” anymore. Makes me think. Aren’t most or all fatalities resulted from “complications” brought by other agents/viruses other than the ailment per se? 🩺💊💉

No sense in hating China or Russia. The Cold War ended in 1991. No more World War. Superpowers are now trading with each other. If we don’t like what comes from China, we simply cease buying—although it’d be hard. APIs for meds are imported from China. But governments are not perfect. Countries are not Shangrila. Yet China’s expansionism is based on trade, not military; Russia is anchored on oil/natural gas. But America is still #1. Business, not war. Let’s give peace a chance!☮️☯️☮️

We are expostulating atoms of active contradictions. I am a person who prefers to be alone. Aloof, “minor” recluse. But I like watching people. Aside from journalism, I created a life as an event organizer because I like to watch people get together for dialogues, negotiations, and fun—as I intently listen. I like asking questions but I don’t dig answering questions, especially personal stuff. I get lost in a crowd of voices. But I like one-on-one conversations. 😒😞🤐

“Banned books” is a hot topic at the moment. Not a “new” hubbub. Fact is, all these “banned books” can be obtained on Amazon, eBay, your indie bookseller, Goodwill, flea markets, thrift stores, and some at Barnes & Noble. I have many in my personal collection. So there! Have you bought “Maus” yet? Perfect sales pitch! Thing is, what is such a big deal? The issue to me, these days? People don’t really read books. They prefer books compressed to a meme. So quit protesting. LOL! 📚😂📚

I don’t go to podcasts so I don’t know what Joe Rogan talks about other than Neil Young doesn’t agree with him. As a practice in my old age, I don’t watch News TV as well. CNN or Fox et al. Nope! But reading is an obsession. 24/7. So I read all the cussing, cursing, namecalling, shaming, insulting etcetera on Facebook. Hence I don’t get it that Mr Rogan is reminded of his “language.” Especially by those with nasty mouths on their typing fingers. Hypocrisy? 🗣👇👥

Maybe I am a cold, pragmatic dude. Not a fan of flattery. Super emphatic drama. Exaggerated superlatives. Public exhibition of obligatory niceness. But I guess these are the times of bloated hallelujahs. 1 million clicks in 15 seconds. Post a pic that is your ugliest; expect “You are beautiful!” though you are just being silly. Friend performs in an open mic and it sucks! Homeys: “Man, that was awesome!” I don’t mean be rude, harsh, or smart-ass. Just be honest. Or hush. LOL! 🤨😏🤨

About Dogs and Cats and their Buddies.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page. 

RESEARCHERS found that dogs performed similarly to some dolphins and whales in the ability to be creative, and that there were individual differences in the fluency, flexibility and originality of the dogs' behaviors. Get that? Now you may ask cats for their exhaustive documentation of dog behavior, complete with tally chart or frequency table, line graph, pie chart, bar chart, histogram, scatter diagram, distribution graphs plus DNA analysis, photo gallery, and video records. 🐕🐳🐕

GENIUSES at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics find the word "pet" derogatory. They advocate the terms “animal companion” or “companion animal” instead. Pet is/was defined as a domestic or tamed animal kept for companionship or pleasure. Apparently that definition isn’t correct, says the Immaculates of Academia. Fizz: “Just be nice to us. You may call me and my sister any name. We don’t care. It’s all about you, anyways. Not about us.” 🐈🥸🐈‍⬛

OFFERING abundant targets to laugh at and about, authority is a perpetual source of humor for stand up comics and late night rabble rousers. For a time, I was laughing then I got old and grumpy, and the societal divide got eerily wider. Not funny anymore. Insult, shaming, ridiculing, putting down. I miss the days of Jerry Lewis, Amos `n’ Andy, Robin Williams, Gallagher Brothers (not Oasis), Richard Pryor, The Three Stooges. “Boingg! Whap! Toink! Boom! Ewwwk!” 😅😂🤪

MICE are an easy target for cats. Much like birds, another favorite feline prey, mice are the perfect size for little paws and don't put up much of a fight. Cats are also attracted to a mouse's flittering, skittering, unpredictable movement. But that is old-school. Cats and mice have forged a tactical alliance versus stink bugs in the house. You can’t see the mice in your house because cats taught them ninja tricks. Invisibility, you know. But cats and mice usually ride at dawn to hunt stink bugs. 🐈🐁🐈‍⬛

CATS sleep between 12–16 hours a day. To humans, who need about seven hours of sleep during adulthood, that seems like a lot of time spent snoozing. Not too surprising that cats spend so much time resting. Hunting and exploring things in the house are energy-consuming activities, for Ching. For Fizz, googling stuff and reading books/magazines exhaust her. Yet before I wake up, Ching and Fizz are already up and about. They, in fact, wake me up at exactly my set time to get up. 🐱🦊😴

MEETING friends or new friends these days can be tricky. We are now used to “talking” or chatting on Social Media and obviously many forgot how to talk like humans. So you won’t offend your friends when you see each other in person, just stare while you text her/him–as you sit face to face. But be nice with your texts. Don’t send that annoying laughing emoji. Very offensive. You dig? 😶🫥😐

DO cats have a favorite in the house? Yes. They will show the most affection towards the person who spends the most time caring for them. But while others will be more comfortable loving you from afar, some of our feline friends are very secretive and private. Like Fizz. To know Fizz’s personal whatever or favorite spots, YouTube channels, toy, or food, you need to hack into her laptop. At an early age, she is writing her memoir. (As though what she wants aren’t so obvious.) 🐱🐈🐱

CATS can naturally find someone being so close to their face a bit intimidating, so it's very important that you stop if you think they're uncomfortable and, if you know this is something that your cat struggles with, it's best to avoid a selfie with them. Not with Cyd then and Ching now. Ching even asks sister Fizz to “groom” her face hair before a photo-shoot. And Ching prefers to be always on the front as the camera clicks. Although Fizz isn’t so cool with that cellphone cam silliness. 🐱📸🦊

THE average hooman spends 7 hours staring at an e-screen per day. Yup, what Fizz told me is accurate. Fizz: “One major reason why extra-terrestrials don’t bother to colonize earth despite numerous UFO sightings. They don’t dig hoomans.” Fizz argues that animals are better. She and Ching spend just 15 minutes max watching bird/fish videos, daily. Arrow doesn’t like a cellphone screen at all. She used to watch Jeopardy! with Cyd but not anymore since drama took over the game show. 👽👎📲

CATS are not pack animals the way dogs are. In a natural state they would choose to live alone or pair up with one buddy. Fizz and Ching are “paired up” not just because they are sisters. That’s just the way it is. Fizz though is more “leave me alone” attitude but Ching is very sociable to everybody. Do they blame Arrow for their shenanigans? No. They get along pretty well. They even sleep on one bed, Arrow’s bed in the bedroom, where I am the lucky guest. How lucky I could be! 🐱🐈🦊

Children and Us. And Memories.

Previously posted on my Facebook page. Or written years ago, unedited/not updated.

THERE was a time when mom and dad used to admonish us children for watching too much TV. Junk, they said. I may have done the same to my kids when they were little but not as strict as my dad was. But then these days in the Age of the Internet by way of Social Media, I'd rather motivate teen-age and 20something youths to watch TV series like “Homeland,” “The Americans,” “Hell on Wheels,” and “The Newsroom” than spend time on Facebook trapped in those silly political so-called discussion. 

       Most people tend to simply shoot one-line blurbs that diss or praise without the “why.” At least, the shows that I mentioned offer compelling arguments and well-formulated/researched information very significant in discussion and dialogue, especially in educating the young. 

       I grew up and was trained as a journalist. Facts. Double/triple-checked facts. We had to fight for those facts. Not even my dad could sway me with sermonized ramblings about stuff. I will not debate him but I had to investigate further. Facebook election-related hubbub is replete with whimpers and echoes that may seem harmless. But due to the amount of false information in the guise of funny memes and “websites of folly” plus exchanges of barbs that stream in and out of the Homepage, these become dangerous. 

       I am not siding with any political candidate or preaching a Church creed or something. I just have to admit that many times I am moved to ask, “Really? Tell me, send me links and data and stuff to support your allegation.” None. The person in question either scoots out or continues to coax me to a sidewalk grubble. That's the time that I fall in a sewer of stupid debate over nothing.

       Since high school, I've always loved sociopolitical, economic and cultural discussions, especially from a historical and scientific point of view. My college years were backstopped by endless soirees and convergences where most of what we talked about were stuff around, mostly political. And I always got good words, new knowledge. When I shared something that needs to be corrected, I wasn't called a “moron” or “a dick.” Those around me offered additional information. That was the way it was before.

       These days, I don't know. I really want to know more about people. But I'd like to listen to someone who's got something to say in 15 paragraphs than someone who's got something to spit out in 4 words. Maybe that's the problem—we've lost the patience to listen and the ability to speak. 😏😒🤨