Why are we such liars?

While nobody likes to encounter a rude person or be on the receiving end of painful criticism, one thing is for sure … this bluntness is an honest expression of feelings.

With flattery and compliments on the other hand it becomes increasingly difficult to believe anything people say.  Do they mean what they say, are they just being nice, or do they want something?

Take my neighbor for instance.  The woman recently had a baby and proudly showed the infant to anyone who cared to look.  Without fail, everyone admired the baby stating how cute he was, what an adorable nose he had and remarking how big he was.

Once the mother was out of earshot the baby compliments turned to criticism. 
“That was the ugliest baby I’ve ever seen.”
“That baby is so fat, it’s gross.”
“Was that a nose or a beak?”

The previously admired name (Jace) was also racked over the coals.  While the name was praised as original while the mother was present, once she had turned her back her audience shook their heads in disgust.
“What kind of a stupid name is Jace?”
“Is that short of Jason or something?”
“I feel sorry for that kid when he goes to school.  A name like Jace is an invitation for bullying.”

The same lot often befalls authors.  While the writer is present, readers praise their work, but if he or she were a fly on the wall they might hear something quite different. 

From personal experience, I recently “read” a book from a woman who proudly presented me with a copy of her work.  I intended to read the book start to finish, but I didn’t.  Chapter 1 had so many flashbacks I didn’t know whether I was coming or going. 
Chapter 2 introduced characters that I can only describe as complete nuts. 
By chapter 3, I was rubbing my forehead, frowning and sighing … this wasn’t just bad writing, this was atrocious.

Naturally I can’t mention the author or the name of the book.  Suffice to say it had something to do with vampires and it is the writer’s intention to turn her work into a series.

Which left me wondering, what is it with people and vampires?  Do they want to jump on the bandwagon of success seeing that the “Twilight Saga” and “Vampire Diaries” are so well received?

And why a series?  Do they honestly think their work is that good that people won’t get enough of their story telling?  What’s wrong with writing a story, seeing how the book does, and then write a sequel?

Equally bothering is the fact that many writers give their book a title similar to a bestseller.  Recently I saw a book called “Prejudice and Pride” and “Murder she writes”.  I mean please, this borders on plagiarism.

As for my work, I made it a point not to ask for feedback.  If someone hated the story, it’s unlikely that a reader will say so.  And if someone is honest enough to criticize, I probably won’t like it.  So really, what’s the point?

Perhaps the saying “If you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything at all” is not such a bad idea.

Goodbye Kiki, hello Zippy

Recently I learned from a friend that she called her Beta fish JC (short for Jackie Chan).  Even though JC swims alone in an aquarium and thus has nobody to fight with, everyone knows that Beta fish are fighters and that Jackie Chan is a fighter, hence the name is appropriate.

Whenever we adopted a cat, finding a name was never a problem. 

Chanel was named after Coco Chanel, creator of the famous Chanel No. 5 perfume.  Since Chanel was our fifth cat, the name was perfect.

Charlotte had a mischievous grin on her face when we first met and she reminded me of an ex-colleague named Charlotte who was always up to something.

Mickey came to us with a name.  After mom died and dad decided to move to a retirement home, a home had to be found for Mick.  I knew right away that I was bringing Mickey to Canada because I didn’t trust strangers with him.

Gabriel looked angelic when I first saw him.  I was told that he was a fighter though.  Naming him after an archangel was the logical choice.

With our latest addition, we made a bit of a mistake.

When we adopted a four week old bunny, we named her Kiki because she kicked up a storm when held.  Today, barely four days later, we’ve decided that Kiki is not the best name for the creature and we renamed her Zippy.

If you were to see her move, you would understand why.  While most of the time she hops, if she gets playful she zips from here to there.  Quick as lightning she is and catching her (during her roaming free time) is near impossible.  The best thing to do is to wait until she gets tired and then make a move.

How do we know where Zippy is?  All we have to do is look for Mickey, he follows her around like a big brother.

Gabriel sniffs her and when she gets on his nerves, he swats her with his tail.  If she doesn’t get the message, he sits on her.  If she happens to be under his butt, so be it.

Charlotte is still a little wary of the newcomer and keeps her distance.  If Zippy crosses the line, she gets hissed at. 

As for Chanel … she’s scared of her own shadow, so when she first set eyes on Zippy she ran like a bat from hell.  Soon her curiosity got the better of her though and very carefully she had a closer look at Zippy.  Today they’re not really friends yet, but she lets Zippy sniff her tail.

I’m confident this will have a happy ending.

Meanwhile, here are some pictures of the little trouble maker.

 A shoulder can be quite comfortable

You heard of grumpy cat ... this is me, grumpy bunny

Smells like chicken 

                                                Mickey is inspecting Zippy's accommodation 

                                                  (can be extended when Zippy gets bigger)

Can you spell that please?

Toronto is a melting pot of different races, cultures and languages. I’m all for giving everybody a fair chance, but where it comes to business, especially the profession of receptionist, I feel that the individual should be proficient in English.

I made a medical appointment this morning and nearly went around the bend in the process.

The following is part of the conversation:

“Dr. Smith’s office.” (Not the doctor’s real name)
“Good morning, I would like to make an appointment with Dr. Smith.”
“Are you patient of Dr. Smith?”
“Yes.”
“Your name is?”
“Manero, Conny Manero.”
“Spell please.”
“M as in Mary, A, N as in Nico ...”
“Is appointment for Mary of Nico?”
“Neither, the appointment is for me.”
“Name please.”
“Manero.”
“Can you spell that?”
“M as in Mary, A, N as in Nico ...”
“Is your name Mary or Nico?”
(sigh)
“Neither. My name is Conny, Conny Manero.”
“Spell please.”
(Oh no not again)
“M – A – N – E – R – O .”
“Mango?”
“Manero.”
“Thank you Mary Mango. I can give you appointment for next week.”

Mary Mango? I wasn’t about to correct her. I didn’t have the patience or it.