#065 DonaShawn

There's a kid, well 'kid', he's in his early 20's I'd say, that I have seen on occasion pan handling for coins in Cote-Vertu metro.  When I see him I give him whatever coin I've got.  He's always appreciative. Always smiles. Always says thank you.

I haven't seen him for a while, but he was in the metro tonight on my commute home.  I didn't have any coin in my pockets, so I checked my wallet. All I had was a $20. It was my emergency $20 for the week in case I got sick of my packed lunches (the waffled falafel) but I have been enjoying my lunches and I figured I didn't need it as much as he did. So I gave it to him. I mean, I've often though, that could be me...

The look on his face was touching. He kept saying "Thank you, thank you, thank you..." I just smiled, and said, "Don't worry about it." And then I went on my way.

As I was on the Metro, heading home, I got to thinking about what I did. No biggie really, I've given money many a time, and it won't be my last. Then I thought about what I gave up for Lent; my Hope for Humanity... and then something popped into my head... maybe it's not right that I leave it to everyone and everything else for Hope for Humanity. I need to contribute...

So for now I holding off on Hope for Humanity, but I will put something in for Humanity. 

#064 ElecShawn

Well there's nothing quite like an Election in Quebec.

Unless the Honey Badger put's his name in the race I'll pretty much be voting Liberal. It's not like there's a lot of options... well generally there are a good 8-10 candidates in my riding, but like it or not, if you are a federalist in Quebec, that's where your vote goes. 

It's not perfect, and  neither is the Liberal Party of Quebec, but again they're the only Pro-Canada option and really in any given election in Quebec, regardless of what they try and make talking points, it's all about With or Without Canada.  And to a lesser degree, how much do you want to screw up the economy and alienate the Province from the rest of Canada and the World.

I won't even get started on the shiite Charter Affirming The Values Of Secularism And The Religious Neutrality Of The State, As Well As The Equality Of Men And Women, And The Framing Of Accommodation Requests (a.k.a. The Charter of Quebec Values, a.k.a. The Xenophobic Racist and Anti-ALL-Religions - except Catholic) 

Ah good times.  And the timing could NOT have come at a better time as I officially kick off my (minimum 40) Days of no Hope for Humanity.  Thanks Pauline, you've already proved my point on that. Asshat!

#063 Lenten ReflecShawn

I don't really consider myself a Christian, but I do loosely (I mean VERY loosely) follow some traditions, one is giving up something for Lent.

I posted a couple of pictures on Facebook today of pancakes, a traditional meal for Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday / Shrove Tuesday. Many have a Pancake Breakfast, but it's been tradition in my family to have them for Supper. (Currently Marcel is in the kitchen cooking them up) . At any rate, someone asked me in a comment on one of the picks what I'd be giving up?  I answered "Hope for Humanity".  The comment received many likes. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized, 'hey, this is something I could easily give up. When you consider all the bullshit in Russian (Anti-Gay laws), in the Ukraine with the Russian occupation, all the rioting in Venezuela, not to mention how governments the world over seem not to care a lick for the environment,  well the list soon becomes endless.

So I will be giving up all hope for Humanity over the next 40 days, relying only the love of Family and Friends, and hope for Nature and the Earth.

At the end of those 40 days, let's see if something, anything will prove me wrong and restore my Hope for Humanity.  I don't want to say this is all on God's shoulders, but...