When something fails to work, we too often blame it on some hardware or software glitches, not knowing that it could well be a “pinkware” (human) error.
W for Wisdom
According to Confucius, I am at the age that no longer have doubts, and shall be able to know the will of Heaven (life’s purpose) in the next few years. Older and wiser, and I think I am happier too. It’s very easy for me to get angry or upset when I was young. Now, I am learning to see things from different perspectives, and I think my EQ (emotional quotient) is much higher. I wish I have the wisdom to understand the meaning of life and to solve all the mysteries, but it is a “life-long learning and self-cultivation” process.
Every day is a bonus!
It was supposed to be a wonderful morning to start with, on a warm and sunny Friday! I was walking casually to the TTC stop just right outside my building. While I checked to see if there was any street car coming, I heard a ‘cracking’ sound coming from my right foot after stepping on the ground. I suddenly realized I had done a terrible thing – I killed a snail by accident! It would not have happened if I walked carefully like every other day of the week. I felt so sad immediately, and I said quietly to the air, “I’m sorry”, and took a quick glance at the snail (which was so weak and fragile). I did not mean to take its life, and the snail did not know in advance that a huge being (a.k.a. yours truly) would step on its body the next minute: it was simply walking slowly on a wonderful Friday morning, just like me. Moral of this story? Terrible or wonderful things could happen to anyone, just by chance. There are so many things that we cannot control, and every day is a bonus!
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Five Bucks
I was commuting on the TTC (subway), fleeing downtown Toronto after work on a cold winter day. The train was packed with people, probably with the same exodus mentality. There was a gentleman, sitting near one of the doors, reading his newspaper, with a grim face on. Then a middle-aged woman, who was ready to get off the train at the next stop, stopped next to the man on her way out, handed him a $5 note, and said “go buy a cup of coffee, you look so sad”. The guy was a bit surprised at first, but then smiled in embarrassment, replying, “I’m fine, thank you”, and returned the money. It’s quite a surprise to me too. I ride the “Rocket” on a daily basis, and have come across a lot of “curious” people (trust me when I say a lot); however, this episode is by far my favourite. The exchange was genuine and cosy. Guess what, that gentleman just happened to have a grim face when not smiling, but I find that woman’s act of caring rather touching. These days, we seldom have time to care about people around us, not to say total strangers. This nice lady didn’t look like she was “rich”, or had a lot of spare money to give away. Five dollars may not be a lot of money, but it means a lot when you show your care and thoughtfulness. I felt warmer on my way home.
Wanted: Sausage Thief
WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE
Sausage Thief
$2 Reward
May 9, 2002 (Toronto): A sausage thief has broken into the kitchen area of OBA and stolen the beloved, independently wrapped sausages (at least 3-4 of them and contained in their original package box) of Cindy.
Cindy has been extremely frustrated about this incident and is considering reporting it to the Cold Squad (since the crime scene is in the fridge) of the 61 Division.
Police officers and citizens alike of the People’s Republic of OBA are asked to shoot any suspect right on the spot (with ketchup). A $2 reward will be given to anyone who renders substantial information that leads to the cardiac arrest of the sausage thief.
