Passage of the Day: William Thackeray’s “Vanity Fair”
William Thackeray (1811-1863) was a British satirist compering for popularity with Charles Dickens.
“The world is a looking glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. Frown at it, and it will in turn look sourly to you: laugh at it and with it, and it is a jolly companion: and so let all young persons take their choice.”
Beware Long Nappers!
Long naps may be bad for health
Date:August 26, 2020Source:European Society of CardiologySummary:Many believe that lying down for a snooze is a harmless activity. But in newly presented research, scientists show that drifting off for more than one hour could be risky.Share: FULL STORY
Many believe that lying down for a snooze is a harmless activity. But today, scientists show that drifting off for more than one hour could be risky. The study is presented at ESC Congress 2020.
“Daytime napping is common all over the world and is generally considered a healthy habit,” said study author Dr. Zhe Pan of Guangzhou Medical University, China. “A common view is that napping improves performance and counteracts the negative consequences of ‘sleep debt’. Our study challenges these widely held opinions.”
Previous research on the link between daytime naps and death or cardiovascular disease has produced conflicting results. In addition, it did not account for the duration of night-time sleep.
This study summarised the available evidence to assess the relationship between napping and the risks of all-cause death and cardiovascular disease. A total of 313,651 participants from more than 20 studies were included in the analysis. Some 39% of participants took naps.
The analysis found that long naps (more than 60 mins) were associated with a 30% greater risk of all-cause death and 34% higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease compared to no napping. When night-time sleep was taken into account, long naps were linked with an elevated risk of death only in those who slept more than six hours per night.
Overall, naps of any length were linked with a 19% elevated risk of death. The connection was more pronounced in women, who had a 22% greater likelihood of death with napping compared to no napping, and older participants, whose risk rose by 17% with naps.
Short naps (less than 60 minutes) were not risky for developing cardiovascular disease. Dr. Pan said: “The results suggest that shorter naps (especially those less than 30 to 45 minutes) might improve heart health in people who sleep insufficiently at night.”
The reasons why napping affects the body are still uncertain, said Dr. Pan, but some studies have suggested that long snoozes are linked with higher levels of inflammation, which is risky for heart health and longevity. Other research has connected napping with high blood pressure, diabetes, and poor overall physical health.
He concluded: “If you want to take a siesta, our study indicates it’s safest to keep it under an hour. For those of us not in the habit of a daytime slumber, there is no convincing evidence to start.”
Story Source:
Materials provided by European Society of Cardiology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
“Mutantism on the March”: Chapter 7 “Off to Zlano”
Chapter 7 “Off to Zlano”
Attis read from some official looking papers he pulled from a brown envelope. The monastery was to be expropriated by the fascist junta led by George Papadopoulos and was to be turned into a tourist resort! Well, it looked as if a vote was not necessary as the God’s home was going to be transformed into a rustic tourist retreat.
Zeus rose and spoke, “I believe it is time we depart from this stinking rotten mess. In fact I have found a rather pleasant dimension named Zlano with animals being the only form of life. Conditions and terrain are similar to those of our present island Samos. We can relax and escape the pressures of this commercialized tourist trap. Perhaps we can make another attempt at creating humankind as we have learned much from our mistakes. The thought of starting over again rather excites me. I move we depart from Earth!”
The vote by the Gods was unanimous except for Montenez pleading with his fellow Gods calling for a new activism, one that would aid humanity struggle through some of the bleakest moments of its history. He made it known he would be staying on Earth.
Who could not admire the selfless qualities of this man? Although the Gods were despondent that Willie would be remaining on the island, they all felt comfortable they had an “ambassador” on Earth who could keep them informed of important events. After all Earth had been their home for centuries and is not without sadness that they left.
But Willie did address the Gods before they left saying, “When I was washed up on these shores from goodness knows where it was you Gods that gave me salvation. I feel I owe the inhabitants of Earth something! When I look at them in all the pity I have I do have some hope. When you see their greed, drunkenness, backstabbing and cheating it is a sickness borne of desperation and fear. They are self-destructing but they will never admit that. I just cannot leave them, but at the same time I understand your decision. You created humankind and have seen them develop from day one. I know you had the goal of creating a perfect human race. It must have been a severe blow to see what you had created failed to meet your expectations. You think you failed but I am not ready to concede that fact. I may be a fool but let me try. There rests so much potential in humankind. It is going to require much hard effort. I think there is potential and I will do my best to cultivate it. Please understand me. I have no hard feelings for your exit plans but at least me test my tenacity. And believe you me friends that I do not see myself as a Christ figure. I am not doing it for myself but for them.”
After this short address, the Gods heaved a collective sigh. Dr. Zodiac was visibly upset as he would enjoy his earnestness, joviality and companionship. They had spent many an evening sipping wine and debating resulting in a close friendship.
Before they parted Willie drew Zodiac aside. Willie was pained as well as he had tears rolling down his face. Zodiac spoke, “Will I am proud to see that you decided to remain here. I gave some thought whether I should remain behind with you. But I have been here with Gods far longer than you have and it would be impossible to leave them behind. Perhaps one day I shall join you but let time see to that. I am going to miss you and I considered you a son the moment Zeus and I found you washed up on the beach. You have matured well. You are a God of action rather than most of us Gods who are full of contemplation more than action. I wish I had the guts and stamina to stick it out. I wish you the best of luck and please remember to pay us a visit from time to time in Zlano.”
A snap of Zeus’ fingers and the Gods disappeared. Although the departure was depressing he had been expecting it for some time. The Gods were trampled by the New Civilization fleeing it in exasperation. They were the old-fashioned types who liked everything, including humanity, within their reach and control. Events of the past few years emphasized just how powerless they were.
In the morning he walked over the steep path to the Co-Operative of Displaced Subsistence Farmers. He signed over the deeds to the monastery and land to them. Whatever expropriation monies were made off the property and lands would be theirs.
After running some errands in the main town of Samos Willie sat outside for a coffee as a ship with 500 elderly English tourists was sailing into the harbour. Unfortunately, their tourist agency’s CEO had absconded with all funds in the agency’s accounts and there were no rooms that had been reserved for these aged tourists ,many hobbling about on walkers. It was going to be a long day mused Willie Montenez.
Battle of The Pinot Noirs: Canada vs. The United States
We saw in the New Zealand vs. Canada fight recently there was a draw.
In this corner from Pelee Island Winery in Ontario, Canada a Vinedressers 2017 Reserve Pinot Noir weighing in at 13%. On the nose a very familiar raspberry and red cherry aroma with a hint of blackberry all contained in a pure and clear way. On the palate this is no delicate PN but a moderate bodied one with good grip. There is strawberry, black cherry and some strawberry jam with a moderate finish. A few more years in the bottle (3-4) might see this wine develop into something more elegant. I would pair with Cornish Hen herbed up with rosemary with lots of garlic and roasted potatoes.
(Pelee Island Vinedressers Reserve Pinot Noir 2017, VQA South Islands, Pelee Island Winery, Kingsville, Ontario, $19.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario, 750 mL, 13%, Robert K. Stephen a little birdie told me so Rating 90/100).
In this corner from Monterey County in California is a Sea Sun California Pinot Noir. It’s one of those darker Pinot Noirs. On the nose raspberry, black cherry, blackberry and red plum. On the palate smooth with few noticeable tannins. On the palate full of raspberry cream wafer cookies and a brackish taste which might be because of the fact that most of the grapes were grown on the Pacific Coast so perhaps some salt absorption? The palate is very unimpressive and this wine is knocked out in the second round.
(Sea Sun Pinot Noir 2019 California, Sea Sun Vineyard, Fairfield, California, $ 24.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 16027, 750 mL, 14.2%, Robert K. Stephen, a little birdie told me so Rating 86/100).
Canada wins this match.
“Nitro Rush”: Seen this Before?
I am not quite certain why Breaking Glass Pictures in the United States has picked up a 2016 Quebec produced film for distribution? Is COVID hitting film production so badly the film vault must be scrounged for 5-year-old films for distribution?
As far as films go there is not much creativity or originality in this film and the fact that it is dubbed into English from French rather reeks at a desperate attempt to integrate itself into the North American Anglo market. I can’t recall seeing a dubbed movie since the Spaghetti Western days of the 70’s. Actually avoid looking at the lips and the dubbing is bearable but less authentic than subtitles.
Now the plot is rather hackneyed Hollywood with a hardened criminal Max (Guillame Lemay-Thivierge) behind bars striving to help his son Theo (Antoine Desroches) escape from the clutches of thug kingpins Daphne and “the Lawyer” who are running a credit card and identity theft ring and an even more nefarious attempt at stealing a designer drug Nitro Rush formula from “The Scientists”.
Max is in prison for murdering a police officer and his son Theo for some reason has not forgiven him for the death of his mother. Theo, a brilliant hacker, is working with a criminal gang headed by The Lawyer and Daphne and Max is offered an opportunity to infiltrate The Lawyer’s gang by state security types as the gang attempts to infiltrate the compound of “The Scientists” to steal the formula for Nitro Rush. How dangerous Nitro Rush is amply portrayed in the opening scene of the film when three narco crazed Nitro Rush party goers leap off a rooftop party to their death after ingesting Nitro Rush. This may be the most majestic moments of cinematography of the film. The remainder is tried and true formalistic elements of Mad Max, Italian Spaghetti Westerns and Bruce Willis “Die Hard”.
If you are looking for some simplistic revenge film you will find it here but there is nothing of originality perhaps except the technology behind the criminality. That’s why I say have you seen it before?
The bad guys go down. Theo and Dad Max are reunited and Max is being set up at the end for a sequel as the cops say a freed man is more likely to protect his family.
If here is anything of any degree of originality in this film it is the blackmail of the police over criminals in their desperation to take down criminals more threatening than those in custody.
Yes Max is a lean and mean fighting machine in search of justice and reconnection with his family. Seen that before.
If you like action films add this to your list of films to see. You just might appreciate the Quebec takeon a Hollywood formula refreshingly different. Canadian film has often a certain loveable roughness to it and to be fair you’ll see glimpses of it here.
Treachery and two timing. Seen that before.
Criminal turned as a weapon against criminality. Seen that before.
Absolution of a criminal seen that before.
Continuing blackmail of criminal by police and justice have not seen too many times before.
The acting is fine but the plot line somewhat tired. Unfortunately too shrill and obvious to descend into a good film noir.
The pursuit by The Scientists almost takes us into the unintended comedic realm.
If you are looking for retreaded 97-minute excitement you can catch it here. But a 6 year old dubbed film are you scraping the bottom of the barrel?
This 97-minute film is directed by Alain Desrochers and is dubbed into English (oooh!). Hang em High!
This film will be available as of March 2rd on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, Fandango and InDemand. Check this out https://www.bgpics.com/movies/nitro-rush/
You can see the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U_U-2_mBw8&feature=emb_logo
This 97-minute Quebec film is directed by Alain Desroches. As an ex Montrealer I felt more than a slight connection to the film shoot!
Tara Brach’s “Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of the Buddha”: The Importance of Pausing
“Pausing is the gateway to Radical Acceptance. In the midst of a pause, we are giving room and attention to the life that is always streaming through us, the life that is habitually overlooked. It is in this rest under the bodhi tree that we realize the natural freedom of our heart and awareness. Like the Buddha, rather than running away, we need only commit ourselves to arriving, here and now, with wholehearted presence.”
COVID Poetry Corner: “Someone Has to Pay The Price”
Someone Has to Pay The Price
Yet another grim fatality statistic for the United States
with over 500,000 meeting their final fates
how much longer will this vile viral attack continue hammering the world?
when all is over
the blame game will start with a roar
with a particular vengeance for deaths among the poor
politicians and medicos will be booted out the door
and the sensationalist media will act like a boor
and feast on the lies, half truths and political blunders
which have torn the spirit of nations asunder
is it best to take time to heal
or let the guilty squeal?
Before you point the finger at someone else perhaps that is cowardly blame
perhaps by our indifference and failing to speak up at the appropriate time
you and I are the ones that committed the crime
Canadian Government Update on COVID Vaccination of its Indigenous Population
Government of Canada COVID-19 Update for Indigenous Peoples and communities
From: Indigenous Services Canada
News release
February 17, 2021 — Ottawa, Traditional unceded Algonquin Territory, Ontario — Indigenous Services Canada
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is closely monitoring the number of COVID-19 cases reported in First Nations communities across the country. Overall, case numbers continue to decline, with 1,383 active cases reported as of February 16, 2021. First Nation communities in the Atlantic region have not reported a new case since January 25.
With new COVID-19 variants on the rise, it is critical that everyone continue with physical distancing, wearing masks, avoiding gatherings and non-essential travel, staying home when sick, and keeping up with frequent hand, cough and surface hygiene. The combination of all these public health measures are required to stop the spread of the virus.
In First Nations communities, as of February 16, ISC is aware of:
- 19,230 confirmed positive COVID-19
- 1,383 active cases
- 17,640 recovered cases
- 207 deaths
There are a total of 47 confirmed positive cases in Nunavik, Quebec, and all but 7 have recovered. As of February 16, the Government of Nunavut is reporting 23 active cases in the Kivalliq Region, and a total of 323 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Of the 323 reported cases, 299 people have recovered from the virus.
As of February 11, 2021, more than 1.4 million Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been distributed across the country. As of February 16, 2021, more than 83,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in more than 400 First Nations, Inuit and Territorial communities, reaching 27 per cent of the community adult population at a rate that’s over 6 times that of Canada’s. We expect that the number of communities with vaccinations underway will continue to increase in the coming weeks, as vaccine supply ramps up. Some people also report experiencing more side effects after the second dose. Side effects such as pain, redness or swelling where the needle was given, mild fever, tiredness, and muscle or joint aches are to be expected, and often go away on their own without treatment. Though these side effects may be uncomfortable in the short term, they indicate that the body is building immunity. Receiving both doses is critical in ensuring maximum effectiveness of the vaccine.
Canada is expected to receive 6 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines by the end of March. Canada will now receive 2.8 million additional doses of Pfizer-BioNTech between April and June, and an additional 6.2 million doses between July and September than was originally scheduled. The Government of Canada has also purchased an additional 4 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, bringing the total number of secured doses to 44 million. Canada is now expected to receive 84 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines by the end of September 2021.
A number of federal partners, including the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), ISC and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, continue to work in collaboration with communities, provinces and territories in an effort to assess on-going community needs, and supports. Currently, the CAF is on the ground in several First Nation communities including the Pauingassi First Nation in Manitoba, the Fort Nelson First Nation in British Columbia, the Hatchet Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan and the Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation in Ontario to help communities manage COVID-19 outbreaks and vaccine distribution.
The Government of Canada continues to develop tools to assist health care providers, communities and partners in their efforts to encourage uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Public Health Agency of Canada recently released a new tool kit for health care providers to equip them with information and resources to help their patients and colleagues make informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccination. As well, ISC created public service announcement scripts on the COVID-19 vaccine in 17 different Indigenous languages for communities and groups to use in their outreach and engagement efforts.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s new guidance recommends that all Indigenous adults be prioritized for immunization. As we work to support vaccine administration in Indigenous communities, we are also supporting the vaccine roll out for Indigenous adults living in cities and towns across Canada. To this end, ISC is working closely with provinces and territories, First Nation, Inuit and Métis partners, the National Association of Friendship Centres, and other urban community service organizations to support planning efforts. This includes working to identify barriers, challenges and opportunities for increasing vaccine uptake and ensuring the vaccine is available in culturally safe and accessible locations. Last week, a COVID-19 pop-up vaccination site in Winnipeg focused on immunizing First Nations health-care workers, knowledge keepers and traditional healers. In addition, the Government of Ontario announced, this past weekend, that Indigenous adults have been identified as a priority group for vaccination in Phase One. Some Aboriginal Health Access Centres across Ontario have already started rolling out vaccines, including at the Wabano Centre in Ottawa. The Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team in Ottawa is also starting their vaccination program this week.
ISC continues to support Indigenous communities impacted by COVID-19 through partnerships and other innovative solutions. In some communities, ISC is supporting community leadership on addictions and mental health gaps, in addition to working with federal and provincial partners to identify alternative isolation centres for community members that test positive. ISC also continues to support communities by actively sending personal protective equipment and working with community health services to provide surge capacity and testing.
More than $4.2 billion has been announced in COVID-19 support to Indigenous and northern communities and organizations, including $926.7 million for the ongoing public health response to COVID-19 in Indigenous communities.
Your Sleep and COVID
We continue taking a Quebec view of COVID based on a lengthy article in the monthly Quebec magazine “L’actualité (December edition).
The number of insomniacs has increased in the past few months notes Charles Morin the chair of research of Canada into sleep troubles who is also a professor at the University of Laval in Quebec.
Why? His view is that the amount of stress caused by the pandemic and the work from home that causes a blurring of the boundaries between being awake and being asleep. The time spent inside has resulted in a reduced exposure to sunlight which is important for synchronizing your hours of sleep. There is no need to panic but rather re-establish a sleep routine especially relaxing away from the screen before going to bed.
There are three characteristics of an insomniac being difficulty falling asleep (more than 30 minutes), waking up at night with difficulty falling back to sleep or waking up early around 4 a.m.
Insomnia causes it to be difficult to function during the day, bad mood and troubles with concentration and memory.
Insomniacs are at increased risk of hypertension and depression. Many have an obsession with sleep which prevents proper daily functioning and are apprehensive of the upcoming night.
The most recognized medical community treatment is cognitive therapy which is tried with 60-70% of insomniacs and takes anywhere from 6-8 sessions. Only 40% of those revert to good sleep patterns. One objective of cognitive therapy is to destroy myths such as it is imperative to get 8 hours of sleep. A continual sleep of 6 ½ hours is better than a continually interrupted sleep of 9 hours.
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