Kees's Musings

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A boxing match on board the USS Oregon in 1897.

 

Albert Einstein looking fabulous.

Not so sure about the shoes…………

 

Here’s his report card!

 

Samurai taken between 1860 and 1880.

 

A shell shocked reindeer looks on as World War II planes drop bombs on Russia in 1941

 

Roy O. and Walt Disney on the day they opened Disney Studios.

 

Che Guevara.

 

The Microsoft staff in 1978. (Bill Gates lower left, Paul Allen lower right)

 

The last known Tasmanian Tiger photographed in 1933. The species is now extinct.

 

A different angle taken of “Tank Man,” the man who stood against
a line of tanks in Tiananmen Square .
He is standing in the street between the tree trunk and the fleeing man.
You can see the tanks approaching from the right.

 

Winston Churchill out for a swim.

The London sky following a bombing and dogfight between British and German planes in 1940.

 

Martin Luther King, Jr removes a burned cross from his yard in 1960. The boy is his son.

 

Google begins.

 

Nagasaki, 20 minutes after the atomic bombing in 1945.

 

A Native American overlooking the newly completed transcontinental railroad in 1868.

Not much has changed.

 

The Great San Francisco Fire and Earthquake of 1906.

 

A Japanese plane is shot down during the Battle of Saipan in 1944.

 

The original Ronald McDonald — played by Willard Scott!

I can see why some people are freaked out by clowns !!

 

Hitler in Paris.

 

Grounded aircraft on September 11, 2001 awaiting orders.

 

British SAS back from a three month long patrol of North Africa, January 18, 1943.

 

Disneyland employee cafeteria in 1961.

 

The first McDonalds.

 

Fidel Castro lays a wreath at the Lincoln Memorial.

 

California lumberjacks work on Redwoods.

 

 

 

Archduke Franz Ferdinand with his wife on the day they were assassinated in 1914,
an event that helped spark World War I.

 

The 1912 World Series.

 

Bill and Hillary Clinton playing volleyball in 1975.

 

Elvis in the Army.

 

The first photo following the discovery of Machu Pichu in 1912.

 

Child laborers in 1880.

 

New York’s Times Square in 1911.

 

Construction of Christ the Redeemer in Rio da Janeiro, Brazil.

 

Steamboats on the Mississippi River in 1907.

 

Leo Tolstoy tells a story to his grandchildren in 1909.

 

The Beatles meet Muhammad Ali.

 

The construction of Disneyland.

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger on the day he received his American citizenship.

 

Fourteen year-old Osama bin Laden. He’s second from the right.

 

 

 

Construction of the Statue of Liberty in 1884.

Found on @Facebook https://www.facebook.com/podbay and https://www.facebook.com/mrsksmith

Klein aside, my concerns about having to live through another round of Klein Cuts in 2013 at the hands of Redford, Horner and Lukaszak is that savaging post-secondary education in the name of saving a few dollars short term is nothing short of mind-boggling, the worst example of so-called short term “gain” in the name of long-term negative consequences. We are the richest province. What the aforementioned trifecta are engaged in is, to me, pure politics. I saw Redford as the anti-Klein in that she is educated, has lived in other parts of the world, understands the need for and benefit of a solid post-secondary education of any kind. I was dead wrong, which revealed to me how absolutely naive I am about politicians. It’s always about political gain. Redford is shit scared of introducing even a 1% sales tax or raising royalties on energy. God forbid the latter might be considered again, because all the oil and gas companies will pull up stakes and leave the province, right?

I’ve worked in post-secondary education for 30 years. An educated and articulate populace is the foundation of a respectful, dignified, understanding, creative and productive society. To force us to eliminate programs and cut back on services is doing an unconscionable disservice to those about to enter ANY realm of post-secondary education, not just the ivory tower of universities like the U of A. On campus now, we are discussing service cutbacks, encouraging people to retire early with severance packages, and so on. Lucaszak, in so many words, has once again trotted out the conservative mantra, which is that universities need to realign their priorities so that they are more in tune with the economic ones of the province. He has questioned the benefits of curiosity-driven research, seemingly unaware of the advances such research has made in the entire history of this planet. In other words, make us all technical schools where graduates can immediately get jobs. So those of you who want to study algebraic topology, 19th-century European history, taxonomic botany, or comparative linguistics, well, you just don’t count, because when you graduate, who TF will want to hire you? This ideology burns at me inside. It hurts to see this rhetoric spewed from the mouths of our politicians.

I’m all for trimming the fat, and finding better ways to do things. But once the fat is trimmed, then you trim the muscle, then you carve the bone, and then you amputate. Amputation is now being discussed at all the post-secondary institutions in Alberta. What programs do we eliminate? And so on.

I’ve worked hard at my profession for 35 years, and in working with thousands of students to help them become better researchers, I believe I have given a lot to my province. My political leaders, by their actions, are saying that what I do really doesn’t matter that much. That’s how I interpret this massive budget cut. My palpable anger today has more to do with this budget cut in tandem with Harper’s absolute disgust for anything scientific or technical in further tandem with his siege of and his muzzling of my colleagues at Library and Archives Canada. Ralph Klein’s sad passing served to remind me of how it all went down in the 90s.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it here: I am genuinely sad for his family, friends and colleagues. I am genuinely sad regarding how he passed away. 70 is WAY too young to leave under such awful medical circumstances. I sincerely hope he is at peace and that his family will be able to find comfort in memories of him as a father, husband, and friend.

The Errand
McQuillan walked into a bar and ordered martini after martini,
each time removing the olives and placing them in a jar.

When the jar was filled with olives and all the drinks consumed,
the Irishman started to leave.

“S’cuse me”, said a 
customer, who was puzzled over what McQuillan had done,
“what was that all about?”

“Nothin’ , said the Irishman, “me 
wife just sent me out for a jar of olives!”

***********************************************

The Lost Luggage

An Irishman arrived at J.F.K. Airport and wandered
around the terminal with tears streaming down his cheeks.

An airline employee asked him if he was already homesick.

“No,” replied the Irishman.
“I’ve lost all me luggage!”

“How’d that happen?”

“The cork fell out!” said the 
Irishman..

***********************************************

Water to wine

An Irish priest is driving down to New York
and gets stopped for speeding.
The state trooper smells alcohol on the priest’s breath
and then sees an empty wine bottle on 
the floor of the car.

He says, “Sir, have 
you been drinking?”

“Just water,” says the 
priest.

The trooper says, “Then why 
do I smell wine?”

The priest looks at the bottle and says,
“Good Lord! He’s done it again!”

***********************************************

The Brothel

Two Irishmen were sitting in a pub having beer
and watching the brothel across the street.
They saw a Baptist minister walk into the brothel,
and one of them said,
“Aye, ‘tis a shame to see a man of the cloth goin’ bad.”

Then they saw a Rabbi enter the brothel,
and the other Irishman said,
“Aye, ‘tis a shame to see that the Jews
are falling’ victim to temptation.”

Then they saw a Catholic priest enter the brothel,
and one of the Irishmen said,
“What a terrible pity…one of the girls must be quite ill.”

***********************************************

Lost at Sea

Two Irishmen, Patrick & Michael,were adrift in a lifeboat following a 
dramatic escape from a burning freighter.
While rummaging through the boat’s provisions,
Patrick stumbled across an old lamp.
Secretly hoping that a genie would appear,
he rubbed the lamp vigorously.
To the amazement of Patrick, a genie came forth.

This particular genie, however,
stated that he could only deliver one wish,
not the standard three.

Without giving much thought to the matter,
Patrick blurted out,
“Make the entire ocean into Guinness Beer!”

The genie clapped his hands with a deafening crash,
and immediately the entire 
sea turned into the 
finest brew ever sampled by mortals.
Simultaneously, 
the genie vanished.

Only the gentle lapping of Guinness on the hull
broke the stillness as the two men 
considered their circumstances.

Michael looked disgustedly at Patrick
whose wish had been granted.
After a long, tension-filled moment, he spoke:
“Nice going Patrick!
Now we’re going to have to pee in the boat!

***********************************************

The Fall

Murphy was staggering home with a pint of booze
in his back pocket when he slipped and fell heavily.
Struggling to his feet, he felt something wet running 
down his leg.
“Please Lord,” he implored,
“let it be blood!!”



***********************************************

(And saving the best for last…)

You’ve Been Drinking Again

An Irishman had been drinking at a pub all night.
The bartender finally said that the bar was closing.
So, the Irishman stood up to leave fell flat on his 
face.
He tried to stand one more time; same result.
He figured he’ll crawl outside and get some fresh air
and maybe that will sober him up.
Once outside, he stood up and fell on his face again.
So he decided to crawl the four blocks home.
Again, he fell flat on his face.
He crawled through the door and into his bedroom.
When he reached his bed he tried one more time to 
stand up.
This time he managed to pull himself upright,
but he quickly fell right into the bed and is sound asleep
as soon as his head hit the pillow.

He was awakened the next morning
to his wife standing over him, shouting,
“SO YOU’VE BEEN DRINKING AGAIN!”

Putting on an innocent look,
and intent on bluffing it out he said,
“What makes you say that?”

“The pub just called;
you left your wheelchair there again.”

Source: youtube.com via Kees on Pinterest

These People Are Our Teachers

by Jennifer Marcotte on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 1:47pm ·

Dear Government of Alberta,

Every single day, I drop my children off at school, and put them in the hands of someone else for the next seven hours of their days.  Truth be told, these people spend more time with my children in waking hours than I do.  These people have chosen to spend their days educating our future leaders.  They have devoted their lives to the betterment of knowledge, of learning, and of teaching.  These people give their time as mentors, as coaches, and as friends. These people go to work early, they come home late.  They work weekends.  They put expense out of their own pockets in the best interest of other people’s children.  Their days are never their own, their thoughts are always with a child in some form.

These are the people that stand infront of ill mannered children, failing in their up bringing and reach out instead of drawing back.  These people take back talk, they take abuse.  They take heckling and taunting, and dig deep within themselves to love instead, and make better people.  

These people wrap themselves around children, coaxing them to grow, to move forward, to excel, to achieve, and to be.  

Everyday.

My child. 

Your child.

Their children.

These people are our teachers.  They are teachers by choice.  They are parents by heart.  

I have heard many times, “you get what you pay for”.  When it comes to our teachers, dear Government, I ask you to tread lightly.  Who else will teach our children in what we have failed to?  Ask every parent what their apprecaition for a teacher is in monetary value, and you will see it is popular opinion they are grossly underpaid for their amount of work.  Do your homework, government, and ask the common working folk to work the hours a teacher does for the same pay.  Ask of the general blue collar Joe what you expect of our teachers.  When you are laughed at, look again to to our teachers who shrug and say “okay, as long as it’s for the kids”.  

My kid.

Your kid.

Their kids. 

These people are our teachers.  Where would you be without them?  Where would your child be without them?

Respect. You learned it.  A teacher, most likely, taught you how to spell it, what it meant, and how to have some.

My regards, in all disgust to parliment,

A tax paying citizen of Alberta. 

2,707Like · Share

• 1,193 people like this.

• 

  Jennifer Marcotte For every wonderful teacher whom we have been blessed with, WE APPRECIATE YOU! (even when the government doesn’t). 

  Monday at 1:55pm · Edited · Like · 50

• 

  Denise Linton Perry As I sit here and cry, I whisper a soft thank you.

  Monday at 1:58pm via mobile · Like · 13

• 

  Roxanne Mayowski May I share this please?

  Monday at 6:03pm via mobile · Like · 4

• 

  Jennifer Marcotte Please do!!

  Monday at 6:24pm via mobile · Like · 3

• 

  Roxanne Mayowski Thank you Jennifer. You wrote this so well and have said everything I am thinking!!

  Monday at 6:26pm via mobile · Like · 7

• 

  Jennifer Marcotte Thank you, Roxanne. The government maybe be able to “table their incentive offers”, but we can, as citizens can table our vote. Alison Redford can’t afford to lose more votes. Time to re-evaluate priorities!

  Monday at 6:35pm via mobile · Like · 8

• 

  Melissa M Keller I’m sharing dis fabulous piece as well!

  Monday at 6:47pm via mobile · Like · 3

• 

  Roxanne Mayowski Th gov’t, as it is operating right now, is frightening. How did they manage to spend most of the Heritage Fund ($17 bill) plus be $4 bill in debt. None of Redford’s promises for health, education and seniors have happened. Time to start speaking out ALOT more than I have in the past!

  Monday at 6:48pm via mobile · Like · 9

• 

  Lori Corns Colwell Oh Jennifer! I am a blubbering mess! xoxoxoxo

  Monday at 7:13pm via mobile · Like · 4

• 

  Jennifer Marcotte I got an email, apparently someone I don’t even know has shared this and this post has gone viral! Hell yes!!

  Monday at 7:37pm via mobile · Like · 18

• 

  Melissa M Keller Yes ma’am

  Monday at 7:40pm via mobile · Like · 2

• 

  Kerry Doran Jen you have a way with words, hope someone in the upper up gets to read this..

  Monday at 8:07pm · Like · 3

• 

  Heather Vande Voorde Jennifer, I was taught by Lori Corns Colwell and am now a teacher myself. When I saw this, I was compelled to read it. Thank you. May I share it and get it out to Eastern Alberta?

  Monday at 8:17pm via mobile · Like · 2

• 

  Kerry Doran share it!

  Monday at 8:17pm · Like · 1

• 

  Jennifer Marcotte Yes please, Heather!! Share all over!!

  Monday at 8:25pm via mobile · Like · 2

• 

  Jennifer Marcotte Everyone feel free to tag your favorite teachers and share!

  Monday at 8:32pm · Like · 2

• 

  Colin Cavanagh Jennifer,I read this on facebook,you bought tears to my eyes I wish more people would stand up and thank teachers .As an administrator at H W Pickup ,I saw so many dedicated teachers say”It is for the kids I will do it”Thank you for very ,kind and true words.

  Yesterday at 12:13am · Like · 6

• 

  Sheila Robinson Beautifully worded Jennifer Marcotte! Sharing is a must 

  Yesterday at 7:29am · Like · 1

• 

  Diane Sell Thank you Jen! It’s lovely! Can I email a copy to Jeff Johnson??

  Yesterday at 7:41am · Like · 4

• 

  Diane Sell And yes it made me cry! Thanks again.

  Yesterday at 7:41am · Like · 1

• 

  Jennifer Marcotte Of course, Diane! Share, share, share!

  Yesterday at 7:42am via mobile · Like · 1

• 

  Terri Lasek Sharing as well!!!

  Yesterday at 8:57am · Like · 2

• 

  Linda Kwirant Perhaps Jennifer you could convince other parents to write letters. One voice creates ripples, several voices creates waves and many voices create a tsunami!!!!!!

  Yesterday at 10:17am · Edited · Like · 10

• 

  Diane Sell Thanks Jen!

  Yesterday at 4:25pm · Like · 1

• 

  Jennifer Marcotte The Post Primary Teacher’s Association in New Zealand shared this post!!! It’s world wide!!! OH MY GOD!!! I am so touched! I had no idea the impact this would have!

  Yesterday at 7:45pm · Like · 20

• 

  Denise Linton Perry A friend from Minnesota just posted this!

  Yesterday at 8:11pm · Like · 4

• 

  Jennifer Marcotte I am giddy!

  Yesterday at 8:14pm · Like · 3

• 

  Andrea Bell Thank you from a teacher in Ontario who has had to endure “lazy” teacher comments during our latest work action

  Yesterday at 8:31pm via mobile · Like · 11

• 

  Diane Sell A friend of mine from the ATA posted it and sent me a message to ask me who you were!! I will message you what he said!!! Good job girl!! You have struck a chord with teachers everywhere!!

  Yesterday at 8:53pm · Like · 7

• 

  Shelly Simpson I’m so flipping proud of you, my soul friend, I can barely stand it.

  Yesterday at 9:08pm · Like · 2

• 

  Stacey Hoskins Love love love!!!!

  Yesterday at 9:38pm via mobile · Like · 2

• 

  Jennifer Marcotte I am going to start using my fan page again, hoping more of what I write can reach people around the world like this letter has. I have this feeling that it’s just the beginning of something amazing! 
  
  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Marcotte/188052035766
  
  I hope you will hop on over to this page (and hopefully I can stop crashing my fb server and use my computer again! I love every second of it!)

  

  Jennifer Marcotte

  As her own children grown, Jennifer marvels in the wonder of their dreams and en…See More

  Page: 162 like this

  14 hours ago · Like · 6

• 

  Judy Cabral Very good Jennifer

  14 hours ago · Like · 1

Source: androidheadlines.com via Kees on Pinterest

Source: soundcloud.com via Kees on Pinterest

Yesterday our neighbor’s house was broken into. A Dell laptop, jewelry and cash were stolen. They arrived home at about 8:35 PM Feb 16 to find a number of items in their garage, from their house, stacked up and ready for transport. The thieves tried to gain entry through the back door and failing, after some major damage, gained entry by smashing their dining room window using tools from their garage. Today (Feb 17) after talking to other neighbours, we were told a compressor was stolen the same night. Apparently over the past couple of weeks a young man (25-30) has been knocking on doors and asking to shovel sidewalks. He is 5’11”, short black hair, fake diamond stud earring, hoodie and ball cap. I believe this person is the same person who knocked on our back door the next day, Feb 17, at about 3:30pm, asking if he could shovel our walks. I believe this person is seeking potential opportunities in the neighborhood. The city police were  called immediately but it is not know if he was found for questioning. There may also be a late model dark colored pickup truck involved. If you have been approached by a person of this description please call http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/CrimeFiles/CrimeStoppers.aspx

Update: March 2

In the afternoon of February 28 another home on 148st just north of 100th ave was broken into. The occupants were away but the neighbors, noticing suspicious activity, called police. The police arrived promptly and apprehended a man who was in the process of gathering goods from the house. It is not known if the apprehended man was the same one who has been reported knocking on doors.

Source: edmonton.ctvnews.ca via Kees on Pinterest

A farmer drove to a neighbor’s farmhouse and knocked at the door.A boy, about 9, opened the door.“Is your dad or mom home?” said the farmer.“No, they went to town” said the boy. “How about your brother, Howard? Is he here?” asked the farmer.“No, he went with Mom and Dad” the boy answered. The farmer stood there for a few minutes, shifting from one foot to the other, and mumbling to himself. “I know where all the tools are, if you want to borrow one, or I can give Dad a message” said the boy.“Well,” said the farmer uncomfortably, “I really wanted to talk to your Dad. It’s about your brother Howard getting my daughter Suzy pregnant”.The boy thought for a moment..“You would have to talk to Dad about that. I know he charges $500for the bull and $50 for the pig, but I don’t know how much he charges for Howard.”