I had posted a couple of articles previously about what the mental health experts are saying in the Province of Quebec. These posts were based on summarization and quotes from the December edition of Quebec’s L’actualité magazine. Their 10 mental health tips are;
AVOID THOUGHTS THAT ARE HARMFUL OR EXXAGERATIONS OF CASTROPHE: Remember that this crisis will pass just like all other human crises have.
SEARCH IN YOUR TOOLBOX: What strategies can you devise to deal with the pandemic?
GIVE YOURSELF THE TIME TO IMMERSE YOURSELF IN AN ACTIVITY YOU LOVE: Being given fewer sources of joy presently your hobbies should become a priority in your agenda.
TAKE A WALK IN NATURE: It is a proven fact that these walks assist in the reduction of stress hormones. Japanese doctors often prescribe “forest baths” to combat feeling down, anxiety and exhaustion.
LIMIT YOUR MEDIA CONSUMPTION: Break the chain of depressing news. Take a break from time to time.
SHARE YOUR PANDEMIC EXPERIENCES: Sharing your thoughts is a way of reducing your anxiety. You can do this through social media, writing a journal or publishing your message on social media.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF PHYSICALLY: It helps foster a positive attitude particularly maintaining a positive self image.
OFFER A HELPING HAND TO OTHERS:
PRACTICE SELF-COMPASSION AND COMPASSION TO OTHERS: This may reduce domestic problems and pardoning yourself for mistakes. This is not the time for arguing but for compassion.
LOOK FOR HELP FROM OTHERS: Living in distress is normal during these times. There is no shame in looking for assistance to return to an equilibrium. It is a sign of power and a method of regaining self control. If you lack the funds for private therapy there are many public health services accessible to you.
I refer to the COVID-19 vaccine combatting the nasty virus with new mutations and future ones yet unseen
The fact is that all have been rushed through without full clinical trials panicked Warp Speed is in those vials and the manufacturers are completed protected by governments to avoid any negligence trials
The politico-medico elite is in a desperate fight is caution fleeing from their sight?
Hundreds of thousands spent on a “sell you” public relations campaign where no mention is made about side effects.
No knowledge at all is made of vaccine long-term-effects Alzheimer’s, dementia, and possible birth defects
So as you are pleaded with and wheedled to get the jab by endless televised gab
Chapter 57 “the post pandemic world: the changing economy”
Considering that about 70% of the world’s population was exterminated by the viruses and tactical nuclear strikes of the United States against Tehran and Ankara it was obvious the economy shriveled. Big corporate business still thought of itself as big but it was a shadow of its former self but in reality it was s shrivelled prune. Most small businesses had declared bankruptcy after the second wave of COVID-19. So yes there still were corporations and by the time Virus # 26 had retreated in late 2031 a whole wave of new small businesses began popping up. And most of the new businesses were the same types that had disappeared but there were far fewer of them. The big corporations carried on the same business they had all being involved with before.
The real big business of course was cannabis because as we know it was, if consumed in sufficient strength for at least a year, a substance that granted its users immunity. Huge plantations and enormous indoor growing facilities flourished in the developed countries. Cannabis became one of the world’s most traded commodity and former narco thugs became respectable merchants.
Irish whisky was also an immunity granter but the Irish kept most of it for domestic consumption. Like prohibition where Canadian whisky was a big U.S. import so followed Irish whisky with the attendant criminality of smuggling. Greek Ouzo, the other Virus # 26 immune granter could be made throughout the world as its magical qualities were not dependent on Greek ingredients. You remember it seemed to be the Irish water used to make Irish whisky was its immunity granting pathogen.
Even after Virus # 26 retreated cannabis, Irish Whisky and ouzo were consumed like a daily vitamin.
International trade was dramatically reduced as demand had plummeted due to the massive fatality count.
I suppose the best way to sum matters up would be to say that business was as it was in 2020 when COVID-19 arrived on the scene just substantially reduced in size.
Unemployment was in the zero range. Stock markets still functioned but listed securities were down 85% from their 2020 numbers.
Major global players were the narco exporting counties such as Jamaica, Columbia, Mexico, India, Pakistan, Panama, Lebanon and Brazil but increasing domestic production threatened to take down these narcos like oil took down many an oil exporting country.
The dreaded immunity chips implanted in people’s shoulders with their medical histories were outlawed by all governments except China. Speaking of China, a long-time cannabis user for medicinal purposes, failed to cash in on cannabis exports because like most of its food supply it was contaminated by pesticides.
Chapter 56 “the post pandemic world: the changing face of politics”
In the pandemics there were politicians of all spectrums. The were a few courageous and truthful ones seriously concerned about the economic. physical and psychological effects of the virus of the day but even in those cases it might be said their courage and determination was but a result of their poor planning and management of the medical system that was a contributor to a high pandemic fatality rate. I found it odd the creation of various state and provincial inquiries for the negligent mismanagement of long-term care in the First World countries yet there was not a single commission investigating the entire response of a country to the pandemic or whether its pre-pandemic management lead to overwhelmed medical systems. Perhaps a global inquiry was more in order.
In most of the developed world there was a marked move towards the left of the political spectrum. A care and compassion for all citizens and collective shame for the fatalities amongst the poor and particularly the aboriginal populations. Communist countries became more authoritarian and instigated a huge advanced artificial intelligence network to supress any criticism of their management of the pandemics. China led the pack although calling one of the most ruthless capitalist countries in the world communist was a bit problematic.
Africa and South America continued their never-ending love affair with military dictatorships.
Turkey and Iran and their chatter and fist raising was silenced by the limited nuclear attacks the United States had unleashed on them. In exchange for launching these nuclear attacks Israel finally agreed to the creation of a free Palestinian state.
The belligerent North Korea’s regime of Kim Jughead was crushed by rebellion and their public televised hanging cheered by millions of North Koreans who allied with South Korea to become “Unified Korea”.
Russia continued its Tsardom despite the death of Tsar Putin. And China and Russia formed an unholy alliance.
Canada continued as a stable democracy but the usual parties had changed with the People’s Health Party holding a majority in the House of Commons. Finally Quebec entered the Canadian fold again by electing 65 seats for the PHP. The Justice for the People Party became the chief opposition party.
Well the United States so badly hurt by the Trump mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic reverted in part to its deep distrust of politicians which was in essence a reason it handled the pandemic so badly. If you believe in absolute liberty then you can’t trust a political leader to manage anything. Thank goodness this attitude was more prevalent among the open carry states other than Texas and Florida where this anti-libertarian approach had caused enormous fatalities during the COVIDs. There were enough votes to keep the Democratic Party in power for quite some time.
This 2013 Greek film is about the gravitation of Greek cardiologist Eleni (Myrto Alikaki), working in London, to her place of birth and her father in Greece.
Life is simply perfect for Eleni as she has just been given a seat at a prestigious London hospital. Then basically out of nowhere the bank her husband works for “goes bust” but he escaped with a promotion as Managing Director provided he relocates to China. He’s is off in a flash leaving Eleni and their young daughter Anna behind with no plans to join him.
Eleni receives a call from Kryiakos (Elias Logothetis) her father in Greece saying he can’t make it to London to attend the ceremony granting his daughter a seat at the hospital but that she should come to deal with urgent matters concerning the family house.
With Anna in tow off they go to Greece and meet up with Kryiakos and the mystery begins. Who is this Serbian housekeeper Nina (Mirjana Karanovic)? Is she more than a housekeeper? Is she a lover although being Eleni’s age is this possible?
Kryiakos is one of the 10,000 Greeks that arrived in Yugoslavia in November 1949. Most of the Greeks were orphans. Kryiakos is eventually repatriated and rushes back home leaving a daughter behind. Eleni is leafing through her father’s medical records as she had been informed her father recently had a heart attack and stents inserted in an operation. This medical drama took place without anyone informing her! Well she stumbles on some pictures taken in 1963 Belgrade with Nina in them. Yes Nina is Eleni’s sister!
Matters turn a bit political as Kryiakos, being a former orphan, wants to help single mothers with children immigrating to Greece which at that meant Albanians. There are Greek Albanians created when after the World War’s new countries were created, But with the fall of Enver Hoxha’s communism in Albania in 1992 all varieties of Albanians flocked into Greece raising the ire of Greeks many of whom blamed rocketing crime rates on the newly arriving Albanians.
Kyriakos wanted to create a foundation to help house these refugees and as mayor of the town his views carry weight but there is strong resistance amongst some of the local politicians who are complaining of the damage being caused by governmental expenditure cuts and now favouring the immigrants with his house! One of the NIMBY politicians remarked this would be like creating a garbage dump out of the house. Eleni lashes out viciously against Nina reeling with shock realizing that Nina is her sister.
Poor Kryiakos dies after Easter dinner his heart finally giving way. Nina opens up with her husband Stefanos joining her explaining they were finally losing their house in Belgrade due to a bank foreclosure. Nina had originally come to Kyriakos to ask for help but after she arrived he had his heart attack and stent operation so she was waiting until he recovered to ask for assistance.
Kryiakos’ dream was for him and Eleni to run the “boarding house” which she refused despite his insistence this was her home. You can take a Greek out of Greece but to take the Greece out of a Greek is difficult.
Eleni signs over control of the foundation to her sister Nina and announces she is going to join her husband in China so as to keep the family intact.
It is interesting that the original English release was called “A Place Called Home” because this is really a film about the importance of having a clearly defined home and avoiding the trauma of a separated family. Eleni, when signing over the Foundation to Nina makes a clear point that there must always be a room for us when we return.
Harry, Eleni’s husband, before he departed for China, said prophetically and perhaps gives us a summation of the movie when he asks if she is really going home to see her father or is it that home will always be waiting for her?
A very solid move all round from acting, writing to cinematography. The film won 8 awards at the 2014 Cyprus Film Festival including best actress to Alikaki and best actor to Logothetis. The movie ends with Anna swinging on a tree swing at Kryiakos’ home as it began with Eleni swinging on a tree swing. Basic but forceful symbolism.
Virtual access is available for a nominal fee through the Hellenic Film Society USA and you can access it through their website https://hellenicfilmusa.org/
In Greek, English and Serbian with English subtitles when needed. A very strong debut for director Maria Douza. The film runs through March 6th.
Vodka flowing like Holy Mother Russia much more celebratory than in Prussia
Attending a club for some dancing some Americans seen as easy pickings for industrious pickpockets but for safety and being so wise an old wallet in my back pocket full of Monopoly money it was quickly lifted the perpetuators violently miffed not being inebriated or pissed it was time for for a quick break lest I be bitten by the lumpen proletarian snake so time for a quick exit made a bit difficult by the intoxicated on the street not wishing to slip on the empty vodka bottles on the street I would meet a quick escape I did beat better as a foreigner to retreat and a vintage Zil taxi to meet was a blessing current leadership seems more white than red please no more vodka yet with another tin of the sturgeon’s eggs if those thugs catch up with us we will have to beg for our lives
Some people out there swear that California Cabernet Sauvignon is tops. That certainly is open for debate. One thing for sure a top growth Cali Cab is not cheap and so iconic you need to be put on a wait list. Now not being a neurologist, cardiologist or social media tycoon, I don’t think many of us want to shell out hundreds of dollars for a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Yes folks most of us are bottom feeders. But we can be brave and try a Simi Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County for $29.95.
On the nose blueberry and blueberry pie rule the roost. There are also bits of blackberry and black cherry. On the palate moderate tannins with black cherry and raspberry clafouti. The Vintages catalogue speaks of spicy oak notes? Can’t smell or taste those? Sadly there is not much I see in the flowery description in the Vintages catalogue, so I think you’d be better off with the Walla Walla Canoe 2016 Ridge Reserve I reviewed recently giving it a 94.
A decent Friday night wine for lamb or beef burgers or homemade veggie pizza, with olives and anchovies please.
Drink within the next couple of years. The $3.00 extra for the Canoe Ridge is a much better investment.
(Simi Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, Simi Winery, Napa, California, $29.95, 750 mL, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 25221, Robert K. Stephen a little birdie told me so Rating 86/100)
Well here comes anther one from Napa Valley, a Havens 2017 Cali Cab. This wine got a rating of 99 Best of class Appellation at the 2019 California State Fair. No carbon neutral bottle here as it weighs a ton.
On the nose it is more or less exploding with black fruit with strong streaks of oak. You might want to call it a classic heavy duty Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. For many that will put a smile on their face. Moderate tannins and at the risk of sounding contradictory silky-smooth tannins. On the palate you’ll get a load of cassis, blackberry and Santa Rosa plum. Although perhaps lush and plush it refrains from being jammy and over oaked so you might call it firm and disciplined. A full-bodied wine and great for sipping and with grilled lamb, beef or pork roast crusted with pesto.
99 is indeed a huge score but in the context of a wine competition where entry fees are paid and charges for table space are incurred the full extent of relevant competition may be excluded and a high volume of wine may impair a judges’ ability to render an accurate score and I am not referring to intoxication because judges spit (although there is some leakage) but because of palate weariness. One thing I have noticed on media tours great care is taken to keep samples limited to around 7 wines per producer at 10 a.m. Then the same followed by another producer followed by a filling lunch and then maybe 3-4 more wineries in the afternoon spaced out and with snacks and munchies. Then a break at the hotel and a big dinner with some of the best food in the locale with wineries not on the tour pouring their wares with lots of courses. Do this for 5-6 days and you are wine worn-out but highly educated in a way very few non-media types could ever afford. In fact these tours could never be purchased. Each wine writer may be worth hundreds of thousands of readers.
In a personal vein I remember a great Portuguese wine tour with mostly Port and two of us (how so very special) were trying perhaps 40 a day with table wines at lunch and dinner. I was with a freelancer from Canada’s Globe & Mail. Both of us were exhausted so much so we said to the tour organizer on our last night please only 5 samples to try and we want to be out by 9 at the latest. Well 10 samples awaited us and dinner, as fantastic as it was served at 9. I excused myself at 10 bearing mind I had to pack and be up at 3 a.m. for a 6 a.m. flight from Porto to Frankfurt.
Yes up at three and brushing my teeth spitting out was half port and half toothpaste. A quick breakfast and to the airport with Mr. Antonio. Well once we were in the air and at 7 a.m ordered a bottle of German sparkling wine and had a good sleep our heads on each other’s shoulders.
Sorry for the diversion which I hope you found entertaining. You know the ooohs and ahs I receive when I tell people I have been on the tours. I tell them these tours are exhausting and they look at me with incredible puzzlement. Regrettably with COVID it may be a few years before the wine media circuit is restored.
(Havens Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Rutherford, Napa Valley, Stonehedge Winery, Napa Valley, $38.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 1661, 750 mL, 14.5%, Robert K. Stephen a little birdie told me so rating 92/100).
A phenomena in the United Kingdom I am told a few pints and the timid become bold until the police put them in a chokehold
You see them in most European cities and tourist destinations invariably an Irish pub a safe place to eat bangers and mash grub eaten by tattooed and a Proud Boy thug or rioting at a party on a Greek island without shame urinating all over the place with nothing but their anger to blame gay abandon is their game their obvious excuse is lame having to take to a shitty job each day on the train looks as if the lager has got to their brain but I am thinking they are inane
Lightheadedness is a sign of unbridled optimism deceiver of situations joyous roughish red nectar that roars through my veins like some tropical river teeming with mysticism you you softly laid me to the floor but i still wanted more and you like some deceiving whore kissed my lips until I slowly entered into insensibility.
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